Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers. "An Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties") Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1905. p. 774. J. J. SMITH is a highly respected citizen of Crook county, and at the present time is holding the office of county clerk. He was elected to this office in 1900 on the Democratic ticket and twice since then he has been chosen to the same office, which speaks very highly of Mr. Smith's integrity and ability as the county is Republican by two hundred majority. J. J. Smith was born in Linn county, Oregon, on October 15, 1854. His father, Hon. I. N. Smith, was a native of Illinois and crossed the plains in 1852. He was a prominent citizen of Oregon and was a member of the territorial legislation in 1853. He followed the practice of law and was one of the first lawyers in the Willamette valley. In 1865 he journeyed to Idaho and practiced in the various courts there, being also clerk of Ada county. He was one of the first attorneys in Boise and later moved to Crook county, where he died in 1886. John Smith, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the pioneers Of Linn county and crossed the plains in 1852. He was sheriff of Linn county for ten or twelve years. He was also a member of the territorial legislature in 1861, and was a very prominent man. For twenty years, he held the position of Indian agent at Warm Springs and died while an incumbent of that office. The mother of our subject was Josephine S. (Gray) Smith, a native of Indiana. She crossed the plains with her parents in 1852, being a member of the same train as her husband. Her death occurred in 1880. Our subject received his early education principally in Boise and completed the same in the Episcopalian Academy there. After that he was salesman in several mercantile houses and in 1886, located the Sisters postoffice and opened a mercantile establishment. He continued there until 1897, then came to Prineville. In 1900 he was elected, as stated before, to the office of clerk of the county and has made himself an efficient and capable man in this position. In 1887 Mr. Smith married Olive A. Forrest, who was born November 17, 1865, near Eugene, Oregon. Her father, Richard Forrest, was one of the pioneers of the Willamette valley and followed stock raising until his death. To our subject and his wife, four children have been born, Newton F., Verna 0., Edith, and Paul J. In fraternal affiliations our subject is connected with the A. 0. U. W., the K. P. and the Maccabees. He is a man of excellent standing and is very widely known in this part of the state. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.