Matthew is the son of Michael Smith and Mary Ellen Greene. His father died on September 11, 1852, and was buried on the Immigration Trail, Burnt River, Durkee, Oregon. In later years the grave was not found.

Newspaper article and Picture - 1919: CROSSED PLAINS IN 1852 -- M. C. Smith, Pioneer. Was a Mason since 1875. ALBION, Wash.: Dec. 23. Funeral services for M. C. Smth, who died suddenly at the family home, were held under Masonic rites, Reynolds lodge having charge of the service. Mr. Smith was born in Marion county, Iowa, January 31, 1841. He crossed the plains with his parents in 1852, his father dying on the journey of cholera. He grew to manhood in the Willamette Valley, where the family settled. He was married to Mary Mark Simpson November 28, 1871, and to this union was born 10 children, all of whom are living but one, a daughter dying in youth. The living children are A. E. Smith, Grangeville; M. W. and F. M. Smith, Lewiston; E. L. and P. C. of Albion; Mrs. C. H. Rommel, Pomeroy; Mrs. C. E. Abbeglen, Colfax; Mrs. W. J. Clark, Walla Walla; Miss Grace Smith, Albion. There are 16 grandchildren.
A Mason since 1875, his first membership was at Albany, Ore. At the age of 17, he joined the Baptist church, proving his ability as a practical Christian in all the struggles of pioneer life. After his marriage he moved to California, coming from there to Washington in 1880. He lived in Garfield county until 14 years ago, when he moved to Whitman county, residing in Albion until his death. Besides his children, and the aged wife who survive, he leaves three brothers and a sister. They are L. F. Smith, Tangent, Ore.; M. O. Smith, Oregon; A. A. Smith, Walla Walla, Mrs. Ellen Simpson, Albion.

A second newspaper article:
This community was shocked last Friday morning by the news of the sudden death of M. C. Smith. In the early hours of the morning Mr. Smith told his wife he was suffering from severe pain and would have to have a fire and get warm. He arose from bed, built the fire and while sitting in his chair expired at 3:30. His funeral was held Sunday at the Christian church and was largely attended. The Masons and Eastern Star Lodge conducted the services, which was beautiful and fitting to one who had been a member for 44 years. Rev. George Kerr spoke a tribute to the memory of the deceased, who had been a member of the Baptist church since he was 17 years of age. We who have been his neighbor for 14 years and called him "the man without a grouch", his was such a sunshiny nature. Added to that was kindness and Christian courtesy, and in his home life relations were ideal. The sympathy of friend and neighbor is extended to the family in their bereavement. All must mourn when a good man dies. Matthew Clay Smith was born in Marion county, Iowa, January 31, 1841, died at Albion, Wash.; December 19, 1919. He crossed the plains with his parents in 1852, his young life shadowed by the loss of his father, who died from cholera on the journey and was buried by the roadside. In later years the grave unknown could not be located. He grew to manhood in the Willamette valley, where the family settled. He was married to Mary Mark Simpson November 28, 1871. To this union ten children were born. They are A. E. Smith, Grangeville, Idaho; M. W. and F. M. Smith, Lewiston, Idaho, E. L. and P. C. Smith, Albion, Wash., Ms. C. H. Rommel, Pomeroy, Mrs. C. E. Abegglen, Colfax; Mrs. W. J. Clark, Walla Walla; Miss Grace, Albion, and one daughter, Mary Augusta, deceased. There are 16 grandchildren. He became a Mason in 1875, his first membership at Albany, Oregon. After his marriage he moved to California, where his first three children were born. In 1880 the family moved to Washington, settling on a ranch in Garfield county. He moved to Whitman county 14 years ago and resided in Albion until the time of his death.

Other child maintained by someone else: Percy Clayton Smith.