Tulare County Biographies

GUY W. SMITH

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
        Guy W. Smith, the Visalia representative of the Prune and Apricot 
Growers Association, has had a somewhat varied and interesting career. He was 
born in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, August 10, 1871. While he was still in his 
childhood his parents, George S. and Annie (Whitman) Smith, removed to the city 
of Omaha. In 1896 they came to California and located in Colusa. A little later 
they removed to Pacific Grove and from there went to San Jose. The father had 
been admitted to the bar in Nebraska, but never practiced his profession after 
coming to California. The mother is still living, but the father died some years 
ago.
        After attending the public schools of his native state, Guy W. Smith 
entered the Cotner University, where he was graduated in 1894. He was then for 
eight years in the ministry of the Christian church. In that time he held 
pastorates in Colorado, and at Colusa, Pacific Grove, Woodland and Oakland, 
California. While engaged in the ministry he studied law and in 1903 was 
admitted to the bar. He at once entered upon the practice of law, which he 
followed for four years, when he located in Santa Clara county and during the 
next twelve years was employed in raising prunes. Shortly after the Prune and 
Apricot Association was formed he became a member and in 1924 he was the oldest 
male employe of the organization, and only two women had been with it for a 
greater length of time. He established the company in Visalia and became a 
resident of that city. A new warehouse was built in 1920, where the company 
packs and ships some of the finest prunes grown in the great California fruit 
belt.
        Mr. Smith married Miss Grace B. Belknap, a native of Oregon, and they 
have four children : Guy W., Jr., Robert, Whitman and Burton. The oldest son 
served in the United States army during the World war. Mr. Smith is a firm 
believer in the political principles advocated by the republican party and while 
a resident of Santa Clara county he was three times elected to the state 
legislature.
        Although Mr. Smith was reasonably successful as a clergyman and as a 
practicing attorney, he finds more real satisfaction in gardening and fruit 
culture. As superintendent of the Prune and Apricot Growers business in Visalia 
he has encouraged the planting of orchards and the improvement in the quality of 
the fruit offered for shipment. By his timely suggestions and advice to fruit 
growers he has proved to be a valuable asset to the industry.
 
Source:  History of Tulare County and Kings County, California � Kathleen 
Edwards Small & J. Larry Smith, Vol. II, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1926., p. 301