John Albert Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Smith, was born July 6, 1906 on Smith's farm, Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ. In subsequent years the family lived on Lone Pine Farm, Tanner's Corner, South River.

He attended South River public schools, graduating in 1928, and later attended Little Rock College and Rutgers College. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers in 1932. His medical degree was completed at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1936. He interned at St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton; St. Peter's Medical Center, New Brunswick; and Cook County Hospital, Chicago. He established his medical practice on Main St. in South River in September 1938, and married Ann Sciver, who served as a nurse in his office.

Doctor Smith retired from practice in the early 1990s after a lifetime of serving South River. He died on December 31, 1995.

The museum exhibit includes two wooden exam tables and other items that were given to Dr. Smith in 1938 by other doctors who were already in practice. Additional items include Dr. Smith's medical bag for home visits, one of Mrs. Smith's nurse uniforms, numerous instruments, and other items from the office. His diplomas are also part of the display.