"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a compilation of this work....by a number of writers". Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co., 1903. p. 630. JOSEPH SCHOEWALTER SMITH Permanently associated with the jurisprudence and political prestige of Oregon is the name of Joseph Schoewalter Smith, whose death in 1884 is still recalled with keen regret by all who appreciated his unusual ability, keen insight and substantial traits of character. Born in Fayette county, Pa., June 20, 1824, he combined in his makeup the noblest traits of his English and Welsh ancestors, whose early establishment in Pennsylvania resulted in dissemination of this family to various states in the east and middle west. At the age of eight he removed with his parents to Clermont county, Ohio, and three years later to Vermilion county, Ind., where his preliminary education was received, and where he laid the foundation for the scholarly attainments of later years. As a lad he valued knowledge above the average, and while working hard on the home farm during the entire summer and during the morning and evening hours of the winter season he managed to insert a good many hours of extra study. In 1844, when twenty years of age, Mr. Smith started on the perilous and then unusual journey across the plains. His experiences on the way were those of the later emigrants, intensified because of the Indians' uncurbed animosity and the difficulty of securing provisions. The winter of 1844-45 was spent among the snows and high altitudes of the Rocky mountains, the Indians being the sole companions of the few remaining members of a once large train. Arriving in Salem in the spring of 1845, Mr. Smith took up the study of law under rather discouraging circumstances, having no money with which to back his efforts and depending upon his efforts at manual labor and school teaching. After being admitted to practice he built up a paying practice in Salem, and in 1853 transferred his practice to Puget Sound, Washington territory, where he served for a time as prosecuting attorney of the third judicial district. In 1855 he was elected to the territorial legislature and unanimously chosen speaker of the house, subsequently being appointed United States district attorney for the territory, by President Buchanan. Returning to Oregon in 1858, Mr. Smith duplicated his former success in Salem, and in 1862 declined election after being nominated by the Democratic convention associate justice of the supreme court of Oregon. He was one of the first to advocate the establishment of manufacturing enterprises in Oregon, realizing that through this medium the greatest and most substantial good would eventually come. He took up his residence in Salem in 1860, and after that, in connection with his lucrative law practice, became the principal proprietor and financial manager of the Willamette Woolen Mills at Salem, the oldest industry of its kind on the Pacific coast. His political prominence increased after his location in Salem, and in 1866 he received the nomination for United States senator, being defeated by roily three votes. In the meantime hard work and varied responsibility had undermined his health, and in 1867 he took his family to Europe, and while traveling through other climes regained in a measure the strength to continue his work. In 1868 he was nominated United States congressman, and elected by a majority of twelve hundred votes, being the first Democrat to be elected to Congress in eight years. His congressional service was marked by intelligent representation of the needs of his constituents, his ready wit, sound reasoning, and impression of sound judgment prevailing, and influencing to the attainment of his ends. He was chiefly instrumental in securing the passage of the Northern Pacific Railroad bill, and penned an amendment whereby the road was permitted to build its main line down the Columbia to Portland. After his return from Washington territory, Mr. Smith became a member of the law firm ofGrover, Smith & Page, but, being in comparatively feeble health, he was unable to devote much time to his profession. He traveled extensively through the southern states in his search for the boon of health, and although absolutely unable to accept, and in the face of almost sure defeat, he served his party by permitting his name to be mentioned for governor in 1882, two years before his death. One of his most favorably received speeches was delivered at the time of his nomination, his forensic power, lucid ideas and clear delivery, combining to make the occasion one long to be remembered. Mr. Smith married, in 1849, Julia A. Carter, and of their children three attained maturity, Walter V., Mrs. H. Y. Thompson, and Preston Carter, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. Smith rose from comparative obscurity to a place of enviable power and influence, and thus evidenced sterling worth and many sided ability. If he was attached to his party he was no less interested in his church, and though not an ordained minister, his voice was often eloquently raised in the pulpits of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His financial sagacity resulted in the accumulation of a large fortune, and he surrounded his family with every luxury within his power. He was essentially unostentatious, and while he was known to contribute generously to all reasonable demands upon his time and means, comparatively little of his real goodness of heart will ever be known, save to the immediate beneficiaries of his bounty. All through his life, in spite of its limitations in the early days, and the insecure health which darkened his hopes and rendered physical effort at times a burden, he progressed evenly and splendidly, filling his positions of high honor with unfailing credit and public satisfaction. Everywhere he gave the impression of the sincere, gifted, strong and earnest man, and his part in the founding of a great western commonwealth is a broad and undisputed one. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.