Charles J. Smith Papers

Collection — Box: SC04

Identifier: 2007-006

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers were created or previously owned by Charles J. Smith, M.D. and consist of a portrait of a patient, manuscripts and reprints, correspondence, and one set of original meeting minutes of the Eastern Oregon Medical Society.

Dates

Creation: 1901-1945

Creator

Smith, Charles J., 1864-1945 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open to the public.

Conditions Governing Use

OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.

Biographical note

Charles J. Smith was born near Columbus, Ohio on August 23, 1864. He was a country school teacher and attended Ada Normal School, now Northwestern University. He then graduated from the University of Ohio, and in 1888, Bellevue Hospital Medical College.

Smith first practiced in Walla Walla, Washington and later in Pendleton, Oregon. He was Mayor of Pendleton in 1897 and 1898, Senator of Umatilla County from 1902-1910, a member of the Pendleton School Board for 18 years, a member of the Industrial Welfare Commission, Chairman of the Board of Higher Curricula from 1912-1930, a member of the Portland Academy of Medicine (though he resigned in 1929), and honorary member of the State Board of Health. A crusader for public health reforms, he was one of the organizers and a former head of the State Board of Health.

In 1914, he ran against Dr. James Withycombe for governor on the democratic ticket. He studied governmental and school problems on two trips to Europe in 1907 and 1912 and irrigation problems in Egypt. He was a member of Imperial Lodge No. 159, A. F. and A. M.; Al Kadar Temple and Knights Templar; the Oregon Medical Society, of which he served as president; and the Oregon Historical Society. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Smith married Lillian Gulliford Smith, and they gave birth to daughter, Gwendolyn Smith Ely. They were also grandparents to grandson, Ralph Charles Ely and granddaughter, Mrs. John W. Campbell.

Charles Smith died at his home on April 19,1945.

Publications:

“The Economic Side of Preventive Medicine," published in Northwest Medicine in August of 1924.

Extent

0.10 Linear Feet (1 folder )

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Arrangement

Little provenancial information was known when the materials were transferred from the Biographical Files into the HC&A archival collections. The materials were arranged by HC&A staff into the following series:

Series I: Photographs

Series II: Manuscripts and Reprints

Series III: Correspondence

Series IV: Minutes

Other Finding Aids

The following institutions contain archival collections related to medicine and health.

Wellcome:

http://www.wellcomecollection.org/Default.aspx

Mutter Museum:

http://www.collegeofphysicians.org/mutter-museum/

National Museum of Health and Medicine:

http://www.medicalmuseum.mil/

Acquisition Information

Some of the materials were donated to the University of Oregon Medical School Library by the grandson of Dr. Smith, Ralph C. Ely, on June 30, 1945 and placed into a biographical file for Smith. An analysis was made of these items and archival materials were removed from the OHSU HC&A Biographical Files and accessioned into the Manuscript Collection in 2007.

The manuscript, Malaria, was transferred from the PNW Archives and accessioned into the Smith papers in November of 2007.

In February of 2014, further analysis was made of the items in the Charles J. Smith Papers. Biographical materials were removed from the Smith Papers and placed back into Smith's biographical file.

Related Archival Materials

Digital Commons:

The digital commons contains assorted images of physicians who practiced in the state of Oregon.

Biographical Files:

See the Biographical Files for additional information related to the life and work of Charles J. Smith, M.D., as well as other physicians who practiced in the state of Oregon.