Lang, H. O., ed. "The History of the Willamette Valley, Being A Description of the Valley and its Resources, with an account of its Discovery and Settlement by White Men, and its Subsequent History; Together with Personal Reminiscences of its Early Pioneers." Portland, OR, Geo. H. Himes, Book and Job Printer, 1885. p. 647. JOSEPH S. SMITH Born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1824. In the fall of 1844 he started for Oregon Territory, reaching Oregon City in the spring of the following year. He began the study of law, and while he was acquiring knowledge supported himself by manual labor, such as sawing logs and splitting rails. One of his early jobs of work was helping to build a warehouse for ex-Senator Nesmith at Canemah. In July, 1849, he was married in Salem to Miss Julia A. Carter, who survives him. Before this he had been admitted to the bar. In 1853, Mr. Smith moved to Puget Sound and served some time as prosecuting attorney for the third district of Oregon Territory. In 1854 or 1855 he was elected to the Territorial Legislature, and was unanimously chosen Speaker of the house. Subsequently he was appointed by President Buchanan United States district attorney for the territory. In 1858 he returned to Salem, where he resided until 1870, when he removed to Portland. He was a member of the law firm of Grover, Smith and Page for a number of years. In 1860 he became manager and financial agent of the Willamette Woolen Mills at Salem, the oldest industry of the kind on the Pacific Coast. In 1867 Mr. Smith went with his family to Europe, his health necessitating a change of climate. Upon his return in the following year he was nominated by the Democracy for Congress, and was elected, defeating David Logan by 1200 majority -- the first Democratic Congressman sent from Oregon in eight years. After his term in Congress had expired Mr. Smith came to Portland, and lived there continuously until his death, thought he spent a great deal of time in travel, principally in the Southern States, whose mild climate suited his weak constitution. In 1882 he was nominated for Governor on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by the Republican nominee, Governor Z. F. Moody. He made judicious investments in real estate in Portland in early days and died wealthy. His decease took place on the twenty-eighth of September, 1884. Mr. Smith left three children -- Walter V. Smith, Mrs. H. Y. Thompson, and Preston C. Smith. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.