Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Smith, M. D., Earl February 8, 1882 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com January 12, 2011, 2:08 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 634 - 635
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     DR. EARL SMITH, M. D., of Portland, stands deservedly high in the 
estimation of the people of Multnomah county, who have elected him county 
coroner for the fourth consecutive term, while as a physician he has a well 
established reputation for skill and dependability. Dr. Smith was born in 
Portland on the 8th of February, 1882, and is a son of Joseph Edward and Mary 
Anne (Remond) Smith, natives of Carlisle, Ontario, Canada. The father first 
came to the Pacific northwest via the Isthmus of Panama in 1862 and after 
residing for a short time in San Francisco, California, came to Portland, 
Oregon, returning overland to Canada in 1865. Following his marriage in that 
country he came back to Oregon, making the trip overland. Joseph E. Smith was 
engaged in construction work during early Oregon railroad history and later 
became a contractor in bridge building and pile driving. He was prominent in 
the affairs of Portland, having served two years as police commissioner and 
also as city councilman under Mayor Chapman. Both he and his wife have passed 
away. Their family numbered eight children, all of whom are deceased except 
Earl and Lena.

     Earl Smith received a good elementary education in the public schools, 
graduating from high school. He then worked for A. W. Allen, a druggist, as 
delivery boy for six years, during which period he studied to be a pharmacist, 
receiving his license in 1902. Later he clerked for Rowe & Martin at Sixth and 
Washington streets and in 1904 entered the medical department of the 
University of Oregon. He worked in two drug stores to obtain money to put him 
through college and was graduated from the university in 1908. He was vice 
president of the student body of the medical department at the university and 
was interne at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland from 1908 to 1909. He 
was then in railroad service as physician during the building of the Deschutes 
Railroad through central Oregon for the Oregon-Washington Railroad & 
Navigation Company and began his practice in Portland in 1911. Through the 
intervening period of seventeen years he has been engaged in the work of his 
chosen profession in this city, having offices in the Oregonian building. He 
was appointed to the position of county coroner in 1917 and so efficient was 
his discharge of his official duties that he has been continued in that office 
to the present time. He also owns and operates the Roosevelt Hotel of Portland.

     In September, 1916, Dr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Annette 
Florence Erickson. The Doctor is a stanch republican in his political views 
and has shown a splendid interest in matters affecting the public welfare. A 
worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity, he 
holds the office of grand expert in the twentieth degree of the Scottish Rite, 
has membership in Al Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and is veiled prophet in 
Gul Razee Grotto, M. O. V. P. E. R. Moreover, he is esteemed lecturing knight 
in the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and likewise 
belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose and the Woodmen of the World. He is 
rendering effective service as chairman of the Newsboys' Education Fund, was 
president of the State Coroners Association for eight years and is a member of 
the advisory board of the National Association of Coroners. Along strictly 
professional lines he has membership in the Multnomah County Medical Society, 
the Oregon State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. In 
boxing Dr. Smith finds diversion and recreation. He is a man of sterling 
character, upright life and cordial and friendly manner, and has shown himself 
worthy of the high place which he holds in public confidence and regard.

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