Kings County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
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SMITH, JOHN H.
     A wide and diversified career has been that of John H. Smith, who was known 
as one of the oldest pioneers in the county. He was commonly called �Uncle 
John,� his bright, cheerful and sunny disposition making him a favorite of all 
who were fortunate enough to know him. Born in Grimstad, Norway, November 28, 
1813, he was there reared, but being early imbued with a desire to follow the 
sea he followed this inclination and was but a boy when he shipped as a sailor, 
and for thirty-five years thereafter he endured the hardships as well as the joy 
of living on the water and visiting every port of interest in the world. His sea 
life often took him to the East Indies, and he sailed around Cape Horn three 
times. It was in 1848 that he decided to give up seafaring life and at that time 
he landed in New York, where reports of gold found in the west immediately fired 
him with ambition to go there. He set sail for California, going around Cape 
Horn, and in 1850 reached San Francisco. He became a gold miner and followed 
this vocation for some years with varying success until 1866, his operation 
being chiefly in Tuolumne county. Turning his attention to more positive means 
of livelihood, Mr. Smith removed from that county to Summerville, Contra Costa 
county, and there engaged in coal mining in the employ of the Pittsburg Coal 
Mining company, remaining with them until 1875. During this service a fire broke 
out in the mines and Mr. Smith evinced the most courageous spirit in bravely 
entering into a burning shaft and rescuing seven men. For his heroism he 
received from his employers as a memento a handsome gold watch costing $200. 
This watch, presented him by the president of the mining company, is solid gold 
and engraved as follows: John H. Smith, Pittsburg C. M. Co, For Noble Conduct 
during a fire at the Mine, Dec. 10th, 1871. 
 
     Leaving the coal mines Mr. Smith came to the present homestead near 
Guernsey in 1875. Subsequently he again engaged in coal mining at Coalinga, 
serving as superintendent of a coal mine for Messrs. Robinson & Rawlings, and it 
was while employed here that he lost his faithful wife and helpmate in 1889. The 
remainder of his life he spent engaged in farming and stockraising in company 
with his sons, Henry and William, at his home near Guernsey. Mr. Smith was well 
known for his honesty and kindly attitude towards everyone. Energetic and 
hardworking, when past eighty he performed his regular duties on the farm, and 
he lived to attain a great age, his death occurring May 19, 1907, at which time 
he was probably the oldest man living in Kings county. 
 
     On July 26, 1855, Mr. Smith was married at Sonora, Cal., to Anna Nilson, a 
native of Sweden. They became the parents of six sons and two daughters, as 
follows: George, born in 1856, died in infancy; William was born in 1858, and is 
a partner of Henry C., his brother; Albert, born in 1860, died in 1887; Emma, 
born in 1862, married Charles Freisch, of Traver, and died without issue in 
1902; George (2), born in 1864, died in 1888; Henry C. is mentioned elsewhere in 
this publication; Matilda is the wife of Joseph Dalton, of Coalinga; she was 
born in 1867 and is the mother of seven children; Lewis, born in 1870, still 
owns an interest in the home ranch. Mr. Smith was particularly well known by all 
people in the Lakeside country and was highly respected. His noble and loving 
character has ever been a beautiful example of true living and his influence for 
good was wide and strong, his memory being held dear by many who have just 
reason to honor his name and revere his memory. 
 
SOURCE:  History of Tulare and Kings Counties, California with Biographical 
Sketches - Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company, 1913 Pp 467, 468
Transcribed by: Craig A Hahn