Sutter-Yuba County Biographies


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



 
CHESTER A. SMITH
 
            A native son of Marysville, as was his father before him, Chester A. 
Smith is ably carrying on the name as chief of police of his home city, and an 
active participant in all the affairs of the community. Born October 18, 1881, 
he is the son of Peter Albert and Eva (Von Herr-Warden) Smith, the father now 
deceased, and the mother living.  Peter A. Smith was born in Marysville, where 
his father settled in 1851, and was a saddle- and harness-maker, following that 
work all his life in Marysville.  His good wife is a native of Sierra County, 
and six children came to them, of whom five are living:  Chester A., Edna, 
Alice, Eva, and Alfretta.
            Chester A. Smith attended the public schools of Marysville, and his 
first work was with the Great American Tea Company as clerk.  From sixteen to 
twenty years of age he worked as brakeman on the Southern Pacific Railway, later 
learning the trade of butcher, which he followed for a period of two years.  On 
December 24, 1906, he became a police officer in Marysville; and in December of 
1914 he was appointed city marshal to fill an unexpired term, taking office 
January 1, 1915.  Twice since that date he has been elected to the office, and 
under the new city charter he retained his office by appointment.  Among the 
celebrated cases he has taken an active part in, was the one of three 
counterfeiters, Crow, Wakefield, and Foster, who made five-dollar and 
twenty-dollar gold pieces in Marysville.  Working with the sheriff, he acted in 
their arrest, and they were convicted and sentenced.  The Koplos murder case was 
also handled by Chief Smith and the sheriff; and the guilty men, Walter 
Loveless, Jack Gill, and Owen G. Rowe, were convicted of the crime.  These are 
but instances of the fearlessness and competency with which this able officer 
fills his position of trust, in which he has gained the confidence and support 
of his fellow citizens.
            The marriage of Mr. Smith, occurring December 10, 1902, in 
Marysville, united him with Josephine Maude Sperbeck, born at Peoria House, Yuba 
County; and three daughters have blessed their union:  Esther Nadine, now the 
wife of Richard McCaffery; Marjorie Clare; and Thelma Alberta.  Prominent 
fraternally, Chief Smith is well known in Masonic circles as a member and Past 
Master of Corinthian Lodge No. 9, F.&A.M., Marysville; a member and Past High 
Priest of Washington Chapter No. 13, R.A.M., Marysville; a member and Past 
Illustrious Master of Marysville Council No. 3, R.&S.M.; and a member and Past 
Commander of Marysville Commandery No. 7, K.T.  He is a Scottish Rite Mason, 
having membership in Isaac Davis Lodge of Perfection, in Sacramento; is a member 
of Aahmes Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., in Oakland, and of Marysville Pyramid No. 23, 
A.E.O.S.; and with his wife is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, in 
which he is a Past Patron.  He is also a member of Marysville Lodge No. 783, 
B.P.O.E.; and of the Woodmen of the World, and the Foresters of America.  A man 
well-liked and esteemed by all who know him, which means most of the inhabitants 
of this section, Mr. Smith is interested in everything that makes for local 
reform, improvement and expansion, and has the greatest faith in the future 
development in store for his home city and county.       
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 720