Gaston, Joseph.  "Portland, Oregon, Its History and Builders."  Vol. 2.  Chicago
- Portland: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 486.
 
PRESTON CARTER SMITH

     There are few men who attach themselves so closely through the bonds of
loyal and progressive citizenship and the ties of enduring friendship to a
community as did Preston Carter Smith. His life record covered but thirty-nine
years and yet Portland came to know him in that time as a high type of the
progressive business man and one who in every relation of life worked toward
high ideals. His memory, therefore, is enshrined in the hearts of all who knew
him and his life record deserves a prominent place on the pages of Portland's
history.
     He was born in this city, June 19, 1857, his parents, Joseph S. and Julia
(Carter) Smith, being pioneer residents of Oregon. The state had entered upon an
era of progress during the period of his youth and yet there were still many
evidences of frontier life. From boyhood he evinced a deep interest in
everything that pertained to the welfare and upbuilding of city and state. He
manifested a special aptitude in his studies and, therefore, readily mastered
the branches of learning taught in the public and private schools of Portland,
which he attended preliminary to entering Santa Clara College of California. To
benefit by further instruction in the east he went to Carlisle, Pennsylvania,
and matriculated in Dickinson College, from which he was graduated in due course
of time. He was popular with the students there, for his unfeigned cordiality
and unfaltering courtesy won him many friends. He was interested in all
athletics and manly outdoor sports and especially excelled as a member of the
ball team.  He was also active in the Chi Phi fraternity, which was the only
society that ever claimed him as a member. At the same time he made rapid
progress in his studies and thus was well equipped by liberal education for
life's practical and responsible duties.
     Following his graduation Mr. Smith spent several months in travel
throughout the United States and then went to Alabama. While in that state he
was united in marriage to Miss Jeannie Williamson, a representative of a
prominent old family of the south, of Scotch and English ancestry. They became
the parents of two children, Preston Williamson and Madeleine Searcy.
     About a year after his marriage Mr. Smith established his home in Portland,
being called to his native city to assume the management of business interests
for which his father was incapacitated by ill health. In this connection Mr.
Smith displayed marked business ability, keen discermnent and executive force,
carefully controlling the estate until his father's death, which left each of
his three children in financial independence. In the control of business affairs
he found his knowledge of law of marked value to hitn. He had previously given
some time to reading law, but his eyesight would not permit him to continue
preparation for the profession and a delicate organization also prevented him
from engaging unreservedly in business ventures. An undaunted will and strong
determination, however, enabled him to accomplish what he undertook and to bring
his projects to a successful termination if they lay within the bounds of human
possibility. He bent his energies to constructive effort, administrative
direction and executive control and left the impress of his life upon the
business records of Portland and upon the minds of his colleagues and
associates, who looked upon him as one of the foremost factors in business
circles in this city.  Receiving as his inheritance a goodly capital, he turned
his attention to investments, which he belieyed would bring a large and ready
return, and his real estate holdings in 1891 were valued at over a half million
dollars. He also became one of the foremost lumber merchants of the city and was
part owner of the largest sawmill in Portland, giving to its operation and
management his personal attention. Into the field of finance he likewise
directed his efforts, becoming one of the organizers and incorporaters of the
Ainsworth National Bank. He invested largely in its stock, was elected one of
its directors and served on the board of management until failing health
compelled his retirement.  In 1891 he disposed of his interest in the bank and
gradually released his active hold upon the important business enterprises which
were at one time stimulated by his cooperation. He was one of the promoters of
the cable road of Portland, a business venture which had engaged the attention
of others but was regarded as a poor investment. In this connection a
contemporary biographer has said: "With the same courage and determination which
had always distinguished his efforts, he fought his way against opposition and
brought the work to a successful termination. He had won, but success was
quickly followed by failure, for the financial crisis of 1894 interrupted
commercial and industrial activity all over the country and no place more than
in the growing west, and when electricity succeeded cable power he lost heavily
in the transactions."
     Mr. Smith met loss with the same courage and fortitude that marked his
constructive efforts in the field of business. He ever maintained an
nnacsailable reputation for the integrity of his methods and the honesty of his
transactions, and nothing could swerve him from a course which his judgment
sanctioned as right. In his last days he was compelled to withdraw entirely from
the field of business and he made every available effort to promote his health
but it was not to be, and the 13th of February, 1897, witnessed his passing.
     Twelve years before Mr. Smith had been called upon to mourn the loss of his
first wife, who died in May, 1885. Her mother and sister, Susan, then came to
Portland to take charge of the houshold and care for the children of Mr. Smith,
and in June, 1889, he wedded the sister of his first wife. A native of Alabama,
she pursued her education in the select schools of that state and reached a
cultured and talented womanhood. She belongs to one of the oldest American
families, founded on American soil when the English settlers first made their
way to Virginia in the early part of the seventeenth century. Later
representatives of the name went to Carolina, where the family was known for
many generations. There were those in different branches who became prominent in
public life, who were active in business, attained wealth in the conduct of
important individual interests and gained prominence by reason of active service
for the community. John P. Williamson was a large slave owner and at one
time lost five hundred of his slaves through cholera. He owned extensive
riceplantations and was one of the wealthy men of the south. He was married
twice and had fourteen children. By his marriage to Miss McQueen a Scotch strain
was introduced into the blood. His second wife was a Miss Denis, a daughter of
Richard Denis, whose mother was Mary Jacques, a descendant of a Huguenot
refugee, who came to this country at an early day. In the maternal line Mrs.
Smith traces her ancestry back to Colonel Robert Searcy, an officer of the war
of 1812. Courage and loyalty won him distinction. That he was eminent in Masonic
circles is indicated in the fact that in 1800 the thirty-third degree was
conferred upon him. The original parchment diploma, with one issued to her
maternal grandfather, who was a Turner and a prominent Mason in Alabama, is now
in the possession of Mrs. Smith and both are greatly prized heirlooms.  The
names of Searcy and Williamson have long been associated with the history of
Georgia, Virginia, South Carolina and Alabama. Unto Preston C. and Susan
(Williamson) Smith there were born a daughter and son, Susie Aubrey and
Henry A., who have been liberally educated in the private schools of Portland.
     As previously stated, Mr. Smith lost heavily through his connection with
the establishment of the cable railway system and at his death left an
indebtedness of one hundred thousand dollars. His property holdings, however,
were sufficient to cover this when an advance in read estate should be brought
about, Mrs. Smith was appointed executrix and in that position proved that
womanly qualities with liberal culture are not antagonistic to executive force
and ability.  Assuming the management of business affairs, she displayed
remarkable insight, combined with most capable management. Her husband had
often-discussed with her his business affairs, so that, although never active in
their control before, she was now sufficiently familiar with conditions to
direct the management of the estate and plan for the future. In course of time
advancement in property ll  values enabled her to discharge aindebtedness and at
the same time so conserve her own interests as to lay the foundation for a
successful fortune for herself and children.
     In all those relations which connect the individual with the community in
which he lived Mr. Smith was recognized as a foremost factor along lines of
progress and improvement While he had no political aspirations for himself, he
gave unfaltering support to the democratic party because of his belief that its
principles would best conserve the interests of good government He could have
attained to high political honors had he so desired and, in fact, was tendered
the nomination for governor by the state convention, which met in Astoria. He
was not present at the convention, but a telegram reached him, offering him the
candidacy. This he declined, although the convention delayed three hours
endeavoring to secure his final consent At that time the leaders of the
republican party declared that had he become a candidate he would have met with
no opposition.
     Mr. Smith was a charter member of the Arlington Club and for one term
served as its president. He was a lover of music and was himself an accomplished
musician. He displayed particular skill at billiards and had notable command of
the English language, being recognized as an eloquent speaker and writer.
Clement C. Clay, himself a distinguished scholar, commented upon a letter
written by Mr. Smith in the following words: "He ought to be an author, as he
combines the humor of an Irving with the diction of a DeQuincey, and should be
prevailed upon to turn his attention to literary work." He was a man of generous
impulses and no good work done in the name of charity or religion sought his aid
in vain. He was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in need and his
private charities were almost innumerable. He was entirely free from ostentation
in his giving, however, preferring that no one but the recipient should know of
his beneficence. His strongly marked characteristics were those of an upright,
honorable manhood, a manhood that makes for personal popularity and at the same
time commands the unqualified respect of all. He was a man of large intellectual
liberty, who found his greatest pleasure in the wider world of thought and
knowledge.
 
 
Transcriber's additional notes:
This same biography appears in the following book
 
"Portland The Rose City, Pictorial and Biographical"
S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.; Various compilers; 1911
Vol. 1,Page 239

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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.