Joseph Showalter SMITH, Congress, OR (1824-1884)

SMITH, Joseph Showalter, a Representative from Oregon; born in Connellsville, Fayette County, Pa., June 20, 1824; attended the common schools; moved to Oregon City in the spring of 1844; moved to Salem, Oreg., and taught school; studied law and was admitted to the bar; moved to Olympia, Wash., in 1853; was elected to the Territorial house of representatives in 1856, and served as speaker; was appointed United States attorney for Washington Territory by President Buchanan March 12, 1857; returned to Salem, Oreg., in 1858 and practiced law for twelve years; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-first Congress (March 4, 1869-March 3, 1871); moved to Portland, Oreg., in 1870 and resumed the practice of his profession; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of Oregon in 1882; died in Portland, Oreg., July 13, 1884; interment in Riverview Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present