California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



CHRISTOPHER SMELLEY.� An old-timer in California, and for more 
than thirty years a rancher in Fresno County, Christopher Smelley has won 
the esteem and respect of a wide circle of friends who value his friendship 
for its real worth. He was born near Paris, Texas, in 1865. a son of John T. 
Smelley, who enlisted in the Confederate Army from Alabama, served through 
the war and then located in Texas, where he died soon afterwards. His wife, 
before her marriage was Mary Horn, and after the death of Mr. Smelley, she 
married again. Later, on account of the harsh treatment received from his 
step-father, young Chris left home at a tender age and went into western 
Texas where he found a home with some people who were kind to him. He 
was reared in the family of Thomas Woods, in McClellan County, became 
familiar with the stock business and rode the range with other cow-boys. 
His schooling was limited to about three weeks until he was twenty-one years 
old, then he started to get an education, realizing that to make a success in 
life, such an adjunct was very necessary. He paid his way with the money he 
had earned on the range, matriculated at the preparatory school of the Waco 
University, attending until his money gave out. 

This was a turning point in the life of this energetic young man, for he 
came to California to make another stake, then go back and complete his 
courses. This was in 1887, and he went to work for Joe Prather at Caruthers, 
remaining about seven years, when Mr. Prather suffered from the panicky 
times, "went broke," and did not have enough money with which to pay his 
help. Christopher Smelley took a horse and wagon as part pay, went down 
into the Helm section and began farming on his own account by leasing 500 
acres, having as a partner Theo. Campbell. He rented for one year and 
then was so successful that he began to buy land, which he farmed besides 
renting large areas from time to time. He owns 303 acres of good farming 
land, rents 160 more upon which he raises grain, wheat and barley,- and 
has met with more than a moderate degree of success. 

Mr. Smelley is still a bachelor, is a hard worker, an interesting talker, 
and by the methods he employs has shown his good judgment in the culti- 
vation and operation of his broad acres. He is public-spirited and in the 
crisis of the great World War supported every loan drive and other war 
charities to the best of his ability. In politics he is a Democrat and is a stanch 
supporter of the present administration. While he regrets that he has been 
unable to complete his education as he had set out to do, still he is thankful 
that his lot has been cast in such a pleasant place as Fresno County.