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

WILLIAM J. SMITH AND FAMILY                         1875
Contributed

     William J. Smith, son of Lyman and Helen J. Smith, was born in Chemung, New York, June 16, 1862. He came, with his parents and sister and brother, to Hood River in 1875, being members of the "Parkhurst Colony" which arrived in November of that year.
     With the exception of one year in a Portland "Business College", he received his education in the Hood River schools.
     He later went to Astoria, Oregon, where he was married March 2, 1889, to Sarah E. Gustin. To them were born five children, Edith A., in 1889, Helen J., in 1892, Eleanor in 1893, Lyman Gustin in 1897, (who died in 1899), and Sherman Arthur in 1903, who died in 1905.
     During the greater part of his life Mr. Smith was connected with sawmills, holding interests at different times in Hood River, Nehalem, and Cascade Locks.
     He always was of a cheery disposition, pleasing personality, exceptionally good habits, and universally liked by all with whom he came in contact.
     In 1903 Mr. Smith and his family moved to Portland, where he made his home until his death.
     While superintending a mill at Raymond, Washington, he was accidentally caught in the machinery and instantly killed, February 22, 1912.

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