The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1921-01-27

River paid honor to f. L. Smith, the
Hood River valleys first citizen and
grand old man, who died at his home
Saturday. The Riverside Community
church-was crowded by residents nom
all parts of the valley and pioneers
from other districts. Rev. W. G. Eliot,
pastor of the Church of Our Father in
Portland. friend of nearly so years
standing. delivered the funeral address.
He read a memorial tribute written by
his father, DR.. I. l.. Eliot, pastor
emeritus of the First Unitarian church,
Portland, who was unable to attend the
service because of i'll health. Rev.
w. II. Boldly aided with the service.
Mr.. Smith was first master of the
local Masonic lodge, a Knight Templar
and Shrine member. The local lodge
of Masons attended in body. ohserv-
ing ritualistic servi es. Pallbearers,
all members of the lodge, were l.. N.
Blowers, w. H. Chipping, 1. A.
Reavis, w. l.. Clark. Geo. f. Strana-
han and A. j. Derby. Honorary pail
bearers, all pioneers of the section.
were: S. +. Blythe, C Dethman,
Henry l.. Howe. M. ID. Odell. Robert
Rand, S. Copple, W. j. Baker and A.
H. Jewett. of White Salmon. Wash.
K. w. Sinclair drove the car containing
the active pail bearers to Portland.
The BODY, accompanied by members
of the family and friends, was taken
to Portland over the Columbia River
Highway for cremation. 1t was the
first funeral cortege ever to pass down
the Columbia gorge from here.
Mr.. Smith was born in Vermont, Sep
tember II 1887. While his name Is
closely linked with the pioneer history
of the three Pacific Coast states, Cal
ifornIa, Oregon and Washington, he is
best known in Oregon, having resided
with his family in Hood River county
since 1876. He planted one of the
valleys first commercial orchards and
for years was a leader in establishing
the apple industry in the northwest.
He was one of the founders and for
number of years president of the Ore
gon Horticultural Society. His enthu-
siasm for the local fruit industry won
for him the name of Hood River"
Smith. He was a member of the Ore
gOn Commission at the an-American
exposition at Buffalo, N. Y, and had
charge of the states horticultural ex-
hbits, which received first awards at
the international contests there.
Mr.. Smith was perhaps the last
Pacific Coast survivor who attended
the Republican convention at Chicago
in 1860, when Abraham Lincoln received
his first nomination for the presidency.
At the time he was student at Lom-
bard University at Galesburg, ILL.,,
having accompanied Isaac Parker,
young professor of ancient languages
called from New England to the mid
die western institution. He was a
great admirer of Lincoln and visited
him at his home at Springfield, Ill.
Mr.. Smiths wife, Georgiana Slocom,
was fellow Lombard student. Their
wedding was set for the morning of
March a, 1861, but at the request of
the bridegroom, in order that he and
his wife could say that their married
life was begun under the admnistra-
tion of Abraham Lincoln. the wedding
was postponed until the afternoon.
The couple set off Immediately for
New York City, where they sailed for
California via the lsthmus of Panama.
They made their way to FL Dorado
county, where Mr.. Smith engaged in
mining for several years. In 1864 and
1865, Mr.. Smith was member of the
California general assembly. In 1867
be received appointment as secretary
of Washington territory. For the
greater part of his term as secretary
be was also acting territorial governor.
At the expiration of his official duties,
Mr.. Smith, associated with Geo A.
Barnes, a member of the first city
council of Portland. and William Ii.
Avery, established the first bank at
Olympia.
Mr.. Smith arrived here with his
family on March ], 1876. He had pre-
viously purchased large acreage in
the Fraukton district just west Ohthe
present town of Hood River. A home
had been erected with lumber shipped
by boat from Portland. Mr.. Smith
established the county's first store.
which was later moved TO Hood River
Except for a short residercs in The
Dalles, where he served as register Of
the United States Land Office, Mr..
Smith resided here continuously after
his arrival from Olympia. He was
noted as one Of the states most elO-
auent public speakers and took a prem
inent part as Republican leacer IN
state and national politics. In 1889
be was speaker Of the lower house Of
the legislature. He was at one time
United States senatorial candidate.
Mr. Smith and his family became
widely known through the Northwest
for their interest in civic affairs. Mrs.
Smith. who died in 1911. was leading
pi. neer in Oregon 'Nomen's Club cir
cles. Her charities among the Indians
and unfortunate whites covered a wide
area. News Of the death Of Mr. Smith
was received with expressions Of sin
cere grief by the remaining Indians
here.
Mr. Smith was a close friend Of DR..
IT. /. Eliot. pastor emeritus Of the