Clearfield County PA Archives - Photos: SMATHERS, W. J., M.D. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Ellis Michaels, , Oct 2008 Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ ________________________________________________ http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/photos/smathers-w-j.txt Photo may be viewed at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/photos/smathers-w-j.jpg W. J. Smathers, M.D., leading citizen of Clearfield County photo scanned from Roland D. Swoopes "Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, PA and Representative Citizens", published 1911, page 739 WILSON JONES SMATHERS, M. D., has been identified with DuBois, Pa., from the time when the present hustling city with its 1910 complement of business houses, schools, churches, cultured homes and thriving industries, was but a little lumber settlement in the green woods, with a population of but twenty-six families. On June 20, 1873, the young physician threw in his lot with the other pioneers and during the long and useful life he has since led here, has never regretted his choice of home. Dr. Smathers was born March 28, 1851, on a farm in Limestone township, Clarion county, Pa., and was just a child when his parents moved to Jefferson county, Pa., where he was reared. He is a son of John and Ann (Jones) Smathers. John Smathers, father of Dr. Smathers, was born in Clarion county, Pa., January 4, 1828. The Smathers or Smithers family (the latter orthography formerly prevailing) has been in Pennsylvania since 1740, in which year two brothers, Jacob and Robert Smithers, emigrated from England, Robert locating in Delaware, while Jacob selected Luzerne county, Pa., where he subsequently married, and they lived and died in that county. Christian Smathers, one of the sons of Jacob Smathers, lived in Luzerne county until after his marriage and in 1795 moved from there to Butler county, Pa., locating at the village now bearing the suggestive name of Bruin, his wife's people, the Dobinspecks, being very prominent there then as now. One year later, Christian Smathers and wife moved to Clarion county and settled on a farm in Monroe township. It was wild land at the time but Mr. Smathers cleared it and developed a productive farm and they lived there until death. They had eight children. Christian Smathers (2d), son of Christian, was born in Luzerne county, in 1793, and was two years old when the family moved to Clarion county, where he grew to manhood. He became a farmer and also was somewhat noted as a hunter, having a record of no less than fourteen bears killed in one season. He married Susanna Hariger, who died in Clarion county, after which he moved to Jefferson county, Pa., where he was married again, to a widow, Mrs. Catherine Rodes. They spent the rest of their lives in Jefferson county. Christian Smathers had ten children, all born to his first marriage. John Smathers was the second son of Christian and Susanna (Hariger) Smathers. Like his father and grandfather, he became a farmer. He was married in Beaver township, Jefferson county, Pa., to Ann Jones, who was born in Jefferson county, March 9, 1829, and still survives, a venerable lady remarkably well preserved, having reasonable physical health and an unclouded mind that permits her recalling many of the interesting events of early times in Jefferson county. After marriage, John Smathers and wife moved to Jefferson county and in 1853 they settled on a farm in Oliver township, which they sold in 1864, buying one in Ringold township, which remains the family homestead. Here the aged mother of Dr. Smathers still resides, his father having died here on August 25, 1895. A large family of children were born to John and Ann Smathers, many of whom died in infancy. Five reached mature years, as follows: Wilson Jones; Millard Fillmore, who lives in Jefferson county; Winfield Scott, who is sheriff of Clarion county; John Curtis, who is a resident of Indiana, Pa.; and Charles Emerson, who lives on the old homestead in Ringold township, Jefferson county, and takes care of the venerable mother. Wilson J. Smathers recalls the first schoolhouse he ever attended and describes it as a primitive log cabin. Later he enjoyed better advantages and spent a short season in an academy at Dayton, Pa. He studied hard and prepared himself for teaching and taught the district school near his home, in the winter of 1870-1, and about this time began the study of medicine, with Dr. R. B. Brown, an old practitioner at Summerville, Pa. Later in 1871, he entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, of a course of lectures and then continued his studies with Dr. Brown, subsequently returning to college and was there graduated on March 12, 1873. In looking about for a promising field for practice he decided upon DuBois, where John DuBois was developing his large lumber interests, and four months later the young physician opened an office, being not only one of the first professional men in the place but the very first physician. When Dr. Smathers came to the hamlet, which was really a lumber camp only, no organization having as yet been effected, it being in fact but a partially cleared portion of Brady township, there had been no need for any town officials, and as the people were industrious and law abiding, no justice of the peace was required. There was one store doing business, mainly in groceries, its site being on the present northeast corner of Main and Long streets, and it was owned and conducted by Thomas P. Montgomery. The nearest polling place at Luthersburg and the postoffice was at Jefferson Line, four miles distant. However, no matter how independent a community can be in relation to its luxuries, there are necessities which must be obtainable and among the greatest of these is a physician. Dr. Smathers found immediate need of his professional services and found that he could very easily qualify for other positions in the neighborhood than physician. He being the owner of a horse, was frequently the mail carrier for the entire neighborhood. Thomas Jones, an uncle of Dr. Smathers, was one of the first settlers and owned the land on which stand the physician's house and office, the same in which he located when he came here, renting the property from his uncle until 1875, when he purchased it. He filled the entire professional field for the first year but in the next year another physician came, but the latter remained for only two years and still another year passed before Dr. Smathers had the assistance of a co-worker. In the destructive fire of 1888 which swept through the town, Dr. Smathers suffered severely, losing his office and residence. A new office immediately took the place of the burned one and a new residence followed, one which has subsequently been remodeled and modernized. These buildings are situated respectively at No. 6 and No. 8 S. Main street, DuBois. On July 22, 1875, Dr. Smathers was married to Miss Maggie C. Fulton, a daughter of S. T. and Frances Fulton, of Smicksburg, Indiana county, Pa., and a granddaughter of Dr. W. N. Simms, who was a pioneer physician there. Five children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Smathers, namely: Francis, who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Big Run, Pa., graduated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1905, married Bessie Kearney and they have one child, Marion Elisabeth; Margaretta; John Marion, who is a student in the dental department of the University of Baltimore, Md., in the class of 1913; Bessie Fulton, who is a student in the DuBois High School, a member of the class of 1911; and Dorothy Ruth, who will complete the grammar school course at DuBois, in 1911. Dr. Smathers and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and he was instrumental in the building of the first church edifice at this place. In his political views, Dr. Smathers is a Republican. He has not accepted many public offices, having found his time and strength needed in attending to the claims of his profession, but he served on the school board for a season and since the organization of the DuBois Board of Health, in 1893, has been almost a continuous member and at present is its secretary. He is identified with the DuBois Medical Association and belongs to the Heptasophs and the order represented by the R. P. P. A.