Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 2. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 991. SAMUEL H. SMITH who is engaged in the grocery business at Sunnyside, was born in Multnomah county, five miles northwest of Portland, February 13, 1856. His parents were Joseph and Margaret (Mather) Smith. The father was born in Virginia on May 13, 1818, and the mother in North Madison, Indiana on May 13, 1833. Their marriage occurred in Indiana, where they afterward lived for two years, when they removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, there spending one winter. In the following spring they started across the plains with ox teams with Oregon as their objective point, the journey requiring six months to accomplish. J. A. Mather, an uncle of our subject, accompanied them on their journey across the plains and both families settled five miles northwest of Portland on government land, densely covered with wood. Mr. Mather and Mr. Smith took up donation claims of three hundred and twenty acres each. In their early experiences these pioneers were forced to carry their provisions two miles through the thick timber before a wagon road was constructed. Joseph Smith remained on his farm until 1891, when he sold it and removed to Sunnyside, Oregon, now a part of Portland, where he bought property at Thirty-fourth and Morrison streets and built a line residence. Here he lived a retired life until the time of his death, which occurred December 4, 1891. The mother died on October 21 of the following year. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom the following are living, namely: Mrs. Letitia Gubser, of Winlock, Washington; Seatta, who was born June 29, 1854, in the Rocky mountains, while her parents were crossing the plains, and who is the wife of A. G. Dix and resides in Multnomah county, near her father's old donation claim; Samuel H.; Oscar and Olive, twins, born April 1, 1801, the former of whom is a resident of Salem, while the latter is the wife of J. E. Alien and resides near Rickreall; Jason, of Portland; and Pliny H., a dentist of Chicago, Illinois. Samuel H. Smith remained with his parents until he attained his majority and then began working on a farm. He saved his earnings and was thus enabled to purchase land. After his marriage he moved to a farm of his own, which he operated until 1891, when he sold out and came to Sunnyside, Oregon, where he lived until 1006 and then removed to southern Oregon, settling at Ashland, where he engaged in the confectionery business. He conducted this business until 1009, when ho sold out and returned to Sunnyside, where he and two of his sons, Chester Arthur and Otis Samuel, established a grocery business which he is still conducting. In addition to his business he owns a good home and six other residence properties in Sunnyside. On June 11, 1885, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Dora L. Forbes, who was born in Iowa, July 4, 1866, a daughter of J. A. and Elizabeth Forbes. Mr. Forbes is a veteran of the Civil war. In 1875 he came with his family to Oregon and for a time they resided in Damascus. They later removed to McMinnville and in 1902 came to Portland, where they are now residing. In his family were eight children: Ida; Adelbert; Dora L., now Mrs. Samuel H. Smith; Lewis; Nellie, deceased; Gertrude; Grace; and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of four children. Mabel, who was born on April 5, 1886, married Alfred Staub, who is manager of a garage in Portland. Chester Arthur, who is engaged in the grocery business in partnership with his father, was born December 4, 1887. Elsie, who was born November 30, 1880, resides at home. She received a good education in music and is now engaged in teaching the same. Otis Samuel, who completes the family, was born November 11, 1893, and is also a partner in his father's grocery business. Mr. Smith's political allegiance is given to the republican party, and he is a member of the Congregational church. Being one of Oregon's native sons and having spent his boyhood days in this state, where he received his early education and training, he has watched the growth of this community from a wilderness to its present metropolitan proportions. During the many years which Mr. Smith has lived in Oregon he has formed the acquaintance of large numbers of people in the business and social world and among all these his standing is high. He is one of the substantial business men of Sunnyside and without mention of Mr. Smith and his achievements no history of Multnomah county would be complete. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2009 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.