History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

MRS. ELEANOR SMITH LA FRANCE                          1875
Contributed

     Eleanor L. Smith, daughter of Lyman and Helen Jackson Smith, was born in Chemung, N.Y., Nov. 29, 1859. Her education was acquired in the public schools of Chemung County. When fourteen years of age she passed teachers examination and taught in county schools that summer and the following one, coming to Hood River in Nov. 1875 with her parents and two brothers.
     She taught one term of school in Hood River's first schoolhouse, also served as mail carrier one summer, carrying the mail on horseback from the boatlanding to the post office. A part of that time Henry Coe was postmaster, and the office was at the old Coe home a Later Mrs. Stranahan was appointed postmaster and the office was located in her home on the hill. When the season of stormy weather and short days came on, trips had to be made before daylight in the morning and after dark at night, and then this work was turned over to the men in the family. Following this were several years of school teaching, then her marriage to Shearman J. La France, October 27, 1881. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. La France, Fay, October 13, l882 and Mary Helen October 24, 1889.
     The family home was in Hood River until 1900 when they moved to Portland where Mr. La France died January 9, 1910.
     Fay was married to Roy N. Stearns May 14, 1903, and they have one son, Shearman Davis, born September 1, 1907 and one daughter Ruth, born in September 1915.
     Mary Helen and J.C. Lockwood were married October 14, 1908, and have one son, Gordon L., born October 7, 1910.

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