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. 597.
 
WILLIAM SMITH

     who is postmaster at Croy, is one of the wealthiest residents of Gilliam
county, and is a man of no ordinary ability. An account of his career will be
both interesting and beneficial and with pleasure we append the same.
     William Smith was born in the parish of New Abby, Stewartry of
Kirkcudbright, Scotland, on November 19, 1854. His father, Joseph Smith, died in
July, 1855. He married Jane Beaffie in 1825. Our subject was born in the same
county as the historical Paul Jones. He received his education in the public
schools and after leaving his books, worked in a railroad office for four years,
then was bookkeeper in a brewing and malt establishment in Whiteharen,
Cumberland, England for eight years. On January 19, 1883, he left Glasgow for
Portland, Oregon, coming via San Francisco. In the spring of that year, we find
him about ten miles up from Grant in Sherman county at work for forty dollars
per month, handling sheep. In June of the same year he commenced business by
purchasing a small band of sheep.  He located at the mouth of Hay creek in June,
1891, on the John Day river in Gilliam county. He now has a residence in
Arlington for school privileges. He had learned the sheep business most
thoroughly and from the time he started for himself until the present he has had
perfect success. He is now the prosperous possessor of six thousand acres of
land and over eight thousand sheep. The improvements upon his domain are among
the best in the county and his residence is one of the best in this part of
Oregon. It is evident that Mr. Smith is a very wise and capable man. He is also
possessed of that rare ability of tenacity and thoroughness which always
accompanies genuine prosperity. In his career he is head of the line in every
particular. He did not work a few months here, dabble in something else and then
go to a third enterprise but having secured a position, he remained with it
continuously until he had capital enough to enter business.  In everything he
has embarked upon his business care and ability have pushed it with the best of
wisdom and energy. Concentrating his whole attention to it, it has brought him
the success he now enjoys.
     At The Dalles, Oregon, on December 3, 1889, Mr. Smith married Miss
Katherine E. Granville, Justice Lang officiating. Mrs. Smith was born in
Freestone, Sonoma county, California, on February 2, 1870. Her parents, Richard
and Katherine (Connor) Granville, moved to Glenwood, Klickitat county,
Washington, when she was fifteen years old, and her education was received there
in the public schools. Her father was born in England, came to the United States
when young, fought for the stars and stripes in the Civil War and was an early
pioneer to California. He died when only twenty-nine years of age. Her mother
was bom in Ireland and came to the United States with her parents when seventeen
years of age. Her marriage occurred in 1860. After Mrs. Smith's father died, his
widow married August Berg, a native of Germany, the wedding occurring in 1874.
He was in the United States navy during the Civil War and was a pioneer to
Klickitat county, Washington.  Mrs. Smith has the following named brothers and
sisters: Thomas, born in California on October 29, 1864; Richard, bom in
California, on March 5, 1866; Mary, born in California, on April 6, 1868. She
had one half sister, Ellen Berg, who was born in California, on July 8, 1876,
and died on November 15, 1896.  Mr. Smith's sisters and brothers are Janet,
Jane, Elizabeth, Agnes and James all living in Scot!and. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith
the following named children have been born : Mabel Beattie, on September 23,
1890; Myrtle Eva, on May 5, 1893 ; Hazel Edith, on January 3, 1895, who died at
Arlington, Oregon, on September 5, 1900; and William Granville, on October 3,
1900.
     Mr. Smith is a member of the Royal Arch degree of masonry of Heppner
Chapter 26, and was exalted on May 23, 1903.
     In politics. Mr. Smith is a strong and well posted Republican. He and his
wife are members of the Presbyterian church. They are leading and influential
people in the county and have done a fine work here in upbuilding and bringing
out its resources and have won for themselves the esteem and friendship of all
the people.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.