Contra Costa County Biography

GEORGE W. SMITH

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

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

 
Among the most beautiful as well as the most productive ranches in eastern 
Contra Costa County is that of George W. Smith, residing near Brentwood. It is 
located beautifully and commands a sweeping view of Mount Diablo. Of this 
property, consisting of fifty-six and a half acres, fifty-four acres is given 
over to the production of the finest varieties of walnuts and almonds. The care 
and attention which have been exercised in the management of this ranch place it 
at once among the most valuable properties in this section. Born in Illinois on 
August 4, 1858, George W. Smith was one of a family of four children. His 
parents were Oscar and Sarah Jane Smith. His father came to California in 1863 
and located in Lodi, where he farmed for about one year. He then moved to Napa 
and remained for two years. Afterward he made his home in Davis for a period of 
three years. Seeing the possibilities of eastern Contra Costa County, he 
purchased one hundred and sixty acres and engaged in general farming. His death 
occurred in 1910. His wife died in 1865, while they resided  in Napa. The 
subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of 
Brentwood. At the age of twenty-one he rented a place on the Marsh grant, where 
he remained for sixteen years. Nineteen years ago he returned to the home place 
and took the management of his father's interests, which he has successfully 
conducted up to the time of his father's death. Mr. Smith was united in marriage 
to Miss Mattie Walton, a native of Texas, in 1884. To this union have been born 
two children. Alma, the first daughter, on July 21, 1903, married Joseph W. 
Pfaff, and resides on the home place. Their three children are Evelyn, George, 
and Violette. Mr. Smith's second daughter, Eunice, was united in marriage to 
William Meuser, of San Francisco, on September 5, 1909. Politically, Mr. Smith 
is a Democrat, and has always sought to advance the principles which he 
endorses. He gives his aid toward good government as well as the general welfare 
of his locality. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic lodge of Brentwood, 
and holds membership in the Eastern Star. He is also a member of the Independent 
Order of Foresters. The other children in Mr. Smith's parents' family are Henry 
C., residing in Santa Cruz; Mattie, wife of William Douglass, residing in Marin 
County; and Charles, who died at the age of twenty-five.
 
Source: "The History of Contra Costa County, California", Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
p. 500.