Wesley O. Smith

Wesley Oliver Smith (April 16, 1878 – October 20, 1951), commonly known as W. O. Smith, was an American newspaper publisher and businessman from southern Oregon. He owned the Klamath Republican and later the Evening Herald, both Klamath Falls newspapers. Smith was a Republican who served two two-year terms in the Oregon House of Representatives, representing what are today Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Jefferson, Klamath, and Lake counties.

Wesley O. Smith
State representative W. O. Smith, 1914
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 21st district
In office
1913–1916
Preceded byW. Lair Thompson
Succeeded byDenton G. Burdick
ConstituencyCrook, Deschutes, Grant, Jefferson, Klamath, and Lake counties
Personal details
Born(1878-04-16)April 16, 1878
French Lake, New Brunswick, Canada
DiedOctober 20, 1951(1951-10-20) (aged 73)
Klamath Falls, Oregon, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Jessie Applegate; then Lena L. (Applegate) Hargus
ProfessionPublisher and businessman

Early life

Smith was born on April 16, 1878 in French Lake, an unincorporated area of New Brunswick, Canada. He was the son of George F. Smith and Anna Smith. His family left Canada and moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, when he was eight years old.[1][2][3][4]

In 1895, Governor William H. Upham commissioned Smith as a second lieutenant in the Wisconsin National Guard. He served in Company E of the Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry from the time of his commissioning to August 1897. Company E was based in Eau Claire.[1][5][6][7] With the onset of the Spanish–American War, Smith rejoined the Wisconsin National Guard as a non-commissioned officer. He served as first sergeant for Company E.[8] After the war, Smith moved to Harrison, Idaho, where he briefly worked cruising timber before moving on to Klamath Falls, Oregon.[1]

Life in Klamath Falls

In Klamath Falls, Smith worked for a short time in the lumber business.[1] Then in 1903, he bought the Klamath Republican from W. Huse and Sons. The Klamath Republican was a weekly newspaper that had been published in Klamath Falls since 1896. When he took charge of the paper, Klamath Falls had five newspapers competing for reads in a community of only 3,000 people.[1][9][10][11]

Smith married Jessie Applegate on December 11, 1904. She was the youngest daughter of Captain Ivan D. Applegate, an early Klamath County pioneer. Nine months later, she died in Klamath Falls, three days after giving birth to a son.[12][13] Smith married his second wife, Lena L. Hargus, on October 24, 1906. She was the widow of Doctor H. B. Hargus, and was also the sister of Smith’s first wife. They remained together for the rest of his life.[1][14][15]

In 1908, Smith acquired another Klamath Falls newspaper, the Evening Herald (now the Herald and News), from its founder Fred Cronemiller. After buying the Evening Herald, he purchased and installed a new Linotype machine, the first automated typesetting machine in the Klamath Falls area.[1][9][16][17] Under his management, the Evening Herald became the area’s leading newspaper. Smith continued to publish the Klamath Republican along with the Herald. He eventually changed the Klamath Republican from a weekly to a semi-weekly publication. In 1914, he merged it in to the Evening Herald as a semi-weekly supplement.[16][18]

Smith also started a printing business in Klamath Falls. His printing firm was called W. O. Smith Printing Company. While it was separate from his newspaper, it was located in the same building as the Evening Herald.[19]

Smith was also a prominent member of the Klamath Falls community. He was active in civic affairs and local politics. He helped finance construction of the local Odd Fellows building, the first large office building in Klamath Falls. He also joined the local Elks lodge and helped raise funds to build the Klamath Falls Elks building. Smith later served as president of the local Elks lodge.[1] In politics, he was a strong supporter of the Republican Party, serving as a recording clerk for the Klamath Falls voting precinct and then as chairman of the Klamath County Republican Central Committee.[2][20]

State representative

In 1912, Smith decided to run as a Republican for a District 21 seat in the Oregon House of Representatives. At that time, District 21 had two seats that represented Grant, Klamath, and Lake counties as well as Crook County (which at that time, still included what are now Deschutes and Jefferson counties).[21][22] Smith and Vernon A. Forbes of Bend were the only Republicans to file for the District 21 seats. Since the Republican Party was allowed to nominate two candidates for the two District 21 seats, Smith and Forbes were both nominated in the Republican primary.[23] Since no Democratic candidates filed for the District 21 seats, Smith and Forbes were unopposed in the general election.[24][25]

Smith took his seat in the Oregon House of Representatives on January 13, 1913, representing District 21. He worked through the 1913 legislative session which ended on March 5.[26] During the session, he served on the powerful ways and means committee as well as the irrigation committee.[2][27] Later in the session, Smith was appointed to a special committee assigned to investigate conditions in Oregon’s state prisons.[28] Smith was an active member of the House throughout the session. A fiscal conservative, Smith successfully pushed a bill through the legislature that standardized government accounting within the state. After the session, he received special recognition from eastern Oregon farmers for his work on the irrigation committee.[2][29]

Oregon House District 21, 1913–1918

In 1914, Smith decided to run for re-election, seeking to retain his District 21 House seat.[30] He was joined by fellow incumbent Republican, Vernon Forbes. There were also two candidates running in the Democratic primary, P. H. Dencer of Bend and Fred W. Hyndman of Klamath Falls. Since there were two District 21 seats available both parties could nominate two candidates for the general election. As a result, all four candidates were advanced to the general election.[31][32] In the November election, Smith and Forbes retained their House seats. The final general election tally was 1,366 votes for Smith, 1,157 votes for Forbes, 982 votes for Hyndman, and 742 votes for Dencer.[33][34]

Smith began his second term representing House District 21 on January 11, 1915. The session lasted six weeks, ending on February 20.[2][35] During the session, Smith was appointed to the ways and means, irrigation, military affairs, and printing committees.[36]

In 1916, Smith ran for a third term in the Oregon House of Representatives. Since the 1914 election, Jefferson County had been separated from Crook County and Deschutes County was in the process of being created. While these changes did not alter the boundaries of District 21, it did add two new counties to the district.[37] While Smith and Forbes had been the only two Republicans to file for the District 21 seats in the past two elections, two additional Republicans decided to join the field in 1916. The two new Republican candidates were Denton G. Burdick of Redmond and Albert E. Elder of Klamath Falls. In addition, Fred Hyndman filed as a Democrat.[38] In the Republican primary, Forbes and Burdick were advanced to the general election while Hyndman was nominated in the Democratic primary.[39]

In 1920 and 1922, several Oregon newspapers identified Smith as a possible candidate for one of the District 21 seats.[40][41][42] However, he did not run for state office again.[43][44]

Later life

After his 1916 primary defeat, Governor James Withycombe appointed Smith as Oregon’s delegate to the International Farm Congress and the International Irrigation Congress. Both meetings were held in El Paso, Texas, in October 1916.[45]

In 1920, Smith sold the Evening Herald to E. J. Murray so he could focus on his commercial printing business.[1] He modernized the company's printing operation, acquiring a new press with an automatic press feeder system.[46] In 1926, Smith moved his business to a new modern building in downtown Klamath Falls.[47] Four years later, W. O. Smith Printing Company merged with Drummond Printing of Klamath Falls. The new business brought together a full suite of modern printing equipment under one roof.[48] The company was incorporated in 1929 as Smith-Bates. It was capitalized at $50,000 with 500 shares valued at $100 per share. Smith and his wife were primary shareholders.[49]

Instead of returning to state politics, Smith ran for a city council position in Klamath Falls. He was elected and took his seat in 1921.[50] He served two terms on the city council.[1][51][52] After leaving the council, he continued to serve Klamath Falls as chairman of the city’s budget committee.[53][54] In 1930, the city of Klamath Fall decided to update its city charter. Smith was appointed chairman of the 15-person committee that evaluated various options for improving the city’s government. His committee recommended the city adopt a new form of government based on a city manager structure.[55][56]

Smith also remained involved in fraternal and civic affairs. He was active in the local Elks lodge.[1] He helped establish a Boy Scout program in Klamath Falls.[57][58] Smith was also a founding member of the local Rotary club and was that organization’s first president.[59][60] In addition, he served as president and trustee of the local golf country club.[1]

Due to an extended illness, Smith was confined to his home for the last six years of his life. He died at his home in Klamath Falls on October 20, 1951 at the age 73. His funeral service was held at the Klamath Falls Elks lodge on October 23, 1951. Smith was buried in the Linkville Cemetery in Klamath Falls.[1][9][61][62]

References
  1. "Death Claims W. O. Smith",Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, October 22, 1951, p. 1.
  2. "Oregon Legislators, Nos. 74, 75, 76, 11",Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, December 5, 1914, p. 5.
  3. "Wesley Oliver Smith", United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942; National Archives and Records Administration, citing NARA microfilm publications M1936, M1937, M1939, M1951, M1962, M1964, M1986, M2090, and M2097, 100807852 image 270 of 2052; Washington, District of Columbia; accessed via familysearch.org, September 18, 2020.(subscription required)
  4. United States Census, 1900; Ward 3, Eau Clair City, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, District 247, Enumeration District, 25, Sheet 14; National Archives and Records Administration, citing NARA microfilm publications T623 image 28 of 38; Washington, District of Columbia; accessed via familysearch.org, September 18, 2020.(subscription required)
  5. "Wisconsin in War",Portage Daily Democrat, Portage, Wisconsin, December 24, 1895, p. 1.(subscription required)
  6. "News of Wisconsin",Lake Geneva Weekly News, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, January 2, 1896, p. 6.(subscription required)
  7. "Wesley O. Smith Second Lieutenant",Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, August 10, 1897, p. 5.(subscription required)
  8. "Our Soldiers Now in Camp",Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, August 24, 1899, p. 5.(subscription required)
  9. Addison, Deb, "Caught in the Rounds",Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, October 28, 1951, p. 6.(subscription required)
  10. "Klamath County News",Medford Mail, Medford, Oregon, May 8, 1903, p. 1.(subscription required)
  11. "Our Story", Smith-Bates Marcomm Solutions, www.smithbates.com, Klamath Falls, Oregon, accessed September 20, 2020.
  12. "Klamath County News",Medford Mail, Medford, Oregon, December 16, 1904, p. 6.(subscription required)
  13. "Mrs. Jessie Smith Dies",Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, August 18, 1905, p. 8.
  14. "Death of Klamath Physician",Medford Mail, Medford, Oregon, May 25, 1906, p. 1.(subscription required)
  15. "Klamath County News",Medford Mail, Medford, Oregon, January 22, 1904, p. 3.(subscription required)
  16. Turnbull, George S., "Klamath County",History of Oregon Newspapers, Binfords and Mort Publishers, Portland, Oregon, 1939, pp. 406-407.
  17. "Mr. W. O. Smith …",Lake County Examiner, Lakeview, Oregon, January 30, 1908, p. 1.
  18. [https://www.loc.gov/item/sn99063816 "Klamath Republican (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1896-1914"],History of Oregon Newspapers, Online Computer Library Center number 41290697, Library of Congress,, Washington, District of Columbia, accessed September 21, 2020.
  19. "Printing on Time",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 263 January 1912, p. 3.
  20. "Klamath’s Yesterdays",Evening Herald (reprinted from Klamath Republican, March 15, 1906), Klamath Falls, Oregon, March 22, 1946, p. 4.
  21. "For State Representative",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, February 26, 1912, p. 2.
  22. "1919 Regular Session (30th): January 13 – February 27", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, accessed September 26, 2020.
  23. "First Bend Man for State Job",B end Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, March 13, 1912, p. 3.
  24. "Official Returns of State are Now Nearly Complete", Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, April 27, 1912, p. 2.(subscription required)
  25. "Of 90 Legislators 82 are Republicans",Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, November 13, 1912, p. 9.
  26. "1913 Regular Session (27th): January 13 – March 5", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, accessed September 18, 2020.
  27. "Smith Gets on Two Committees",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, January 15, 1913, p. 1.
  28. "W. O. Smith is to be One of Real Probers",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, January 28, 1913, p. 1.
  29. "Development League is Grateful to O. W. Smith",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, March 3, 1913, p. 1.
  30. "Brownell File For Governor",Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, March 18, 1914, p. 2.
  31. "More Ener race for Nominations",Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, March 22, 1914, p. 8.
  32. "Number of Ties in Legislative Ticket for Fall Election", Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, May 30, 1914, p. 12.
  33. "2 republicans Re-Elected",Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, November 8, 1914, p. 17.
  34. "Results of Canvass is Given in Full", Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, November 7, 1914, pp. 1, 4.(subscription required)
  35. "1915 Regular Session (28th): January 11 – February 20", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon, accessed September 18, 2020.
  36. "Multnomah Gets Committee Plums",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, January 14, 1915, p. 1.
  37. "Oregon Political Gossip",Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, March 21, 1916, p. 13.
  38. "Filing Closes with Rush of Aspirants",Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, April 23, 1916, p. 8.
  39. "Survey of Seeker on the Legislative Ticket is Submitted", Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, May 28, 1916, p. 5.(subscription required)
  40. "State Secretary Job is Appealing",Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, February 15, 1920, p. 3.
  41. "Mr. Burdick Candidate",Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, January 8, 1922, p. 5.
  42. "Republicans Covet Legislative Seats",Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, February 5, 1922, p. 17.
  43. "Political Honors Sought by 346 Oregon’s Citizens",Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, April 18, 1920, p. 8.
  44. "Where to Vote",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, May 19, 1922, p. 1.
  45. "Smith is Named as a Delegate",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, September 19, 1916, p. 8.
  46. "Printing Firm Adds New Press",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, December 22, 1920, p. 1.(subscription required)
  47. "The New Home of the W. O. Smith Printing Company",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, January 5, 1926, p. 5.(subscription required)
  48. "Bates, Smith Merge Plants",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, June 28, 1929, pp. 1 & 12.(subscription required)
  49. "Smith-Bates Incorporated",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, August 8, 1929, p. 1.(subscription required)
  50. "Councilman Smith will be Sworn In Tonight",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, November 14, 1921, p. 1.
  51. "Candidates for City Office File Their Petitions",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, October 16, 1922, p. 1.
  52. "Nine Would Be Councilman, 5 Out for Mayor",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, October 18, 1922, p. 1.
  53. "Fire Levy Set for May Vote",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, March 17, 1942, pp. 1-2.(subscription required)
  54. Epley, Malcolm, "Today’s Roundup",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, May 29, 1947, p. 4.(subscription required)
  55. "Charter Move Given Boost",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, July 22, 1930, pp. 1 & 10.(subscription required)
  56. "Charter Committee Submits Argument Favoring Proposed Manager Form of Government",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, July 24, 1930, p. 7.(subscription required)
  57. "Scouts Lay Spring Plans",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, March 31, 1921, p. 1.
  58. "Scouts Leave for Lava beds",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, June 15, 1921, p. 1.
  59. "Organization of Rotary Club Proposed Here",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, March 18, 1922, p. 1.
  60. "Organization is Completed by Rotary",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, April 21, 1922, p. 1.
  61. "Obituary Smith",Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, October 22, 1951, p. 9.
  62. "Former Klamath Falls News Publisher Dies",Medford Mail, Medford, Oregon, October 23, 1951, p. 9.(subscription required)
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