An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905, page 253-254. LYMAN SMITH, a genial and benevolent gentleman, who has spent many years in the Webfoot State, and is now dwelling in the vicinity of Hood River, is conducting a choice fruit farm and is one of the well known and esteemed men of this part of the county. He was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on September 29, 1834, the son of William and Jane (Blanvelt) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania. The father came from an old colonial family and the mother's people came from Holland in the generation preceding her. Our subject was educated in Chemung county, New York, and when eight was called to mourn the death of his father. Then he lived with a neighbor for five years, after which he was with his brother-in-law until sixteen. He labored hard and saved what money he could and studied as the opportunities presented themselves. He remained in that county until twenty-tour when he married and rented land. Three years later he bought a farm. After two years on that he removed to Michigan and bought land. He became homesick after a year, however, and returned to New York and bought another farm there. Ten years were spent in tilling that and again the adventurous spirit of our subject led him west, this time clear across the mountains to Oregon. This was in 1875, and he located railroad land which later reverted to the government. He purchased the same from the government and since then he has remained here. He owns eighty-five acres and cultivates about thirty. The same is well set in the fruit producing trees of this section and other things and is a source of a goon income. Mr. Smith married in 1858, November 2d, while in Chemung county, the lady of his choice being Helen Jackson, a native of Chemung county. Her death occurred in 1892 at Hood River. Her parents were William and Elizabeth Jackson, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith has three sisters, Mary A. Baldwin, Adeline, widow of John Lyons, and Henrietta Doney. Mrs. Smith had two brothers, Lyman and Jahiel. To Mr. Smith three children have been born: Eleanor L., the wife of S.J. LaFrance, in Portland; William J., traveling salesman for Tatrum & Bowen, of Portland; and Charles D., engineer on a tug at Cascade Locks. Mr. Smith is a member of the A.O.U.W. He is a strong Republican and voted for John C. Fremont the first Republican candidate for president. Since that time, Mr. Smith has never cut his ticket and he is well posted in all the issues that have been before the people for the last fifty years. He has held various minor offices, but never allowed his name presented for public positions, as he prefers the retirement of private industrial life. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.