"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 583.  Malheur County.

GEORGE W. SMITH

     Among the substantial and enterprising citizens of Malheur county is to be
mentioned the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article.  He is a man
of uprightness and has labored here with energy and skill for many years in the
endeavor to bring this section into a state of development and also to enhance
the condition of his own exchequer.  Mr. Smith was born in Carter county,
Kentucky, on November 16, 1836, being the son of Clayborn and Cloa (Luck) Smith.
He went with his parents to Randolph county, Arkansas, and soon removed thence
to Lawrence county, in the same state.  At this last place they both died, he
being but a small child at the time.  Thus early left an orphan, he learned some
of the hardships of life and lived in various places in the neighborhood, where
he attended the district school as he had opportunity.  He was in Arkansas
during the war and many dangers are not a few hardships were his to endure.  In
1869 he went to Grayson county, Texas, and there followed the art of farming
until 1879, at which time he went to Salt Lake City and the following spring he
continued his journey to the Salmon river mines, where he prospected and mined
and cut wood until 1884, when he came to his present place, three miles
northwest from Ontario, locating a quarter section there.  He settled down to
improve the place, building a comfortable residence, outbuildings, planting an
orchard, and so forth.  He sold eighty acres subsequently, and now makes his
home on the other eighty.  Mr.Smith has also a number of stands of bees, with
sufficient stock for the farm.  When he came here there were but a few houses in
Ontario, and settlers were far apart, he being one of the early pioneers of this
vicinity.  When he came to this country he was not blessed with any financial
resources, but by careful labor, wise management and thrift he has been able to
make a comfortable home and gain a competence.  Mr. Smith is a member of the
Methodist church and is devoted to the faith, being active in its precepts and
manifesting a life of uprightness and integrity.
     

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.