Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 321.
 
JOHN N. SMITH, M. D.

     A physician of comprehensive scientific knowledge and broad practical
experience, Dr. John N. Smith meets every requirement of the responsible
position of superintendent of the State Institution for Feeble-Minded, to which
he has devoted twelve years of faithful, efficient service, and his labors have
been manifestly resultant. He was born October 1, 1852, and is a native of
Washington county, Iowa. His grandparents, Isaac and Martha (Patton) Smith, were
born in Pennsylvania and migrated to Kentucky. They were early settlers of the
Blue Grass state and among their friends was the noted Indian fighter, Daniel
Boone. In 1874 Dr. J. N. Smith came to Oregon in company with his parents, Isaac
N. and Nancy S. (Young) Smith, who settled in Benton county. The father
purchased a tract of land situated six miles from Corvallis and through tireless
industry and good management developed a fine farm. His demise occurred in 1900
and the mother passed away in 1902.

     Dr. Smith was reared in the Hawkeye state, in which he began his medical
studies, and he also engaged in teaching while in Iowa. In 1875, when a young
man of twenty-three, he became an instructor in the Indian school of the Warm
Spring agency in Oregon and during his leisure hours continued his scientific
reading. He practiced at Buena Vista, Oregon, from 1878 until 1881 and then
moved to Dallas, this state, where he maintained an office for two years. In the
meantime he had become a student at Willamette University and was graduated with
the class of 1883, receiving the M. D. degree. For thirty-two years he followed
his profession in Salem and his practice steadily increased. In September, 1915,
Dr. Smith was appointed superintendent of the State Normal Institution for
Feeble-Minded at Salem and during his tenure of office a high standard of
service has been maintained. The property comprises a tract of six hundred and
forty acres, on which five buildings have been erected, and the grounds are
attractive and well kept. The institution has over nine hundred and fifty
inmates, who are under the care of an able staff of physicians, and has been in
operation since 1908.

     In 1883 Dr. Smith married Miss Mattie Ellis, who was a member of one of the
prominent families of Dallas, Oregon, and died in 1892, leaving a daughter,
Mabel, who is the wife of Warren Powers. They reside in Salem and have a son,
John Perry Powers. Dr. Smith's second union was with Cora E. Smith, to whom he
was married in Salem in 1899.

	Dr. Smith is a stalwart republican and a personality in Oregon politics.
From 1897 until 1901 he represented his district in the lower house of the
general assembly of Oregon and from 1907 until 1909 was a member of the state
senate. He closely studied all questions brought up for settlement and exerted
his influence to secure the passage of constructive legislation. Along fraternal
lines he is connected with the Masons and the Woodmen of the World. He has a
strong sense of duty and honor and stands deservedly high in the esteem of his
professional associates and the general public.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2016 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.