Alameda County Biographies

THOMAS A. SMITH

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

This highly esteemed pioneer of Alameda County, and early resident of the town 
of that name, whose portrait will be found in this volume, was born in Sparta, 
Hancock County, Georgia, April 6, 1835.  Having the misfortune to lose his 
father when but one year old, he was taken by his mother to different parts of 
the Union, finally at the age of fifteen years coming to California alone to 
seek his fortune.  Sailing from New Orleans on the 15th July, 1850, to Havana in 
the steamer Ohio, and from Havana to Chagres in the steamer Georgia, up Chagres 
River to Cruces, and across the Isthmus to Panama, thence in the steamer 
California, our subject arrived in San Francisco August 23, 1850, three weeks 
before California was admitted to the union of the States, but five days 
thereafter he proceeded to the mining districts of Tuolumne County, commencing 
his search for gold in the river of that name, not far from Jacksonville.  At 
the end of two months, moving to Big Oak Flat, he there remained fourteen 
months, when, returning to San Francisco, he entered upon the study of law in 
the office of Messrs. Sloan & Rhodes, but from exposure and hard work his health 
would not permit of the confinement necessary to the study of the profession.  
It may be mentioned en passant that during his residence in Tuolumne County, 
although but sixteen years of age, Mr. Smith was manager and cashier of the 
largest mining company in the district, said company consisting of twenty-five 
men from twenty-five to sixty-five years of age.  Having remained at his legal 
studies for sixteen months he crossed the bay to the Encinal of San Antonio 
(Alameda) to visit Doctor Hibbard, on account of health, who prevailed upon our 
subject to take up his quarters permanently there.  This he did in January, 
1853, when he embarked in the pursuit of agriculture, and was joined by his 
mother and sister, the former of whom resided with him until her death, in 1866. 
 (This estimable lady was distinguished for her many virtues, and was one of the 
then famous committee of ladies delegated to receive General La Fayette at 
Savannah, Georgia, on his last memorable visit to the United States.)  Mr. Smith 
continued farming until the year 1864, when he commenced merchandising, which he 
followed until the year 1868, when he embarked in his present business as real 
estate agent.  He has also held several public positions of trust, the duties of 
all of which he has discharged with peculiar efficiency.  In 1858 he was elected 
a Justice of the Peace of Alameda Township, serving until 1861 or 1862, during 
which term he was chosen one of the last Associate Justices of the Court of 
Sessions.  He was also the first Treasurer of the town of Alameda, and performed 
the functions of that office for two years, while, in 1876, he was elected 
County Recorder, in which office he introduced the present valuable system, by 
which that office is made the best and most convenient Recorder�s office in the 
State.  In Mr. Smith we have a gentleman who at a very early age commenced an 
active life in our State, and has dwelt in it, an ornament to its associations, 
for upwards of three decades.  He remained in California from his first arrival 
in 1850 until the year 1878; he then made a tour of Europe, and is now one of 
California�s most respected citizens.  It is by such a life of unswerving 
fidelity to his natural instincts that he has risen to honor among his peers.  
He married, January 26, 1880, Miss Alida B. Andrews, a native of California, 
eldest daughter of the now Rev. A. B. Andrews, a lady of culture and refinement. 
 We find by reference to dates that Mr. Smith was only a little over fifteen 
years of age when he arrived at San Francisco; and he says that he had not 
enough money to get on shore, but had to borrow from an acquaintance, as there 
were no wharves at which the steamers could land at that time; also that he 
walked from Stockton to the Tuolumne River.  At the time he went to Big Oak Flat 
the Indians were very hostile and shot one of the company�s members at night, 
and he could often see their tracks around his cabin in the morning when he got 
up, and had some lively adventures with the hostiles.  As early as twelve years 
of age Mr. Smith was noted for coolness in danger, and from a notice in an old 
newspaper at that time, it was said that he saved the Belle of Red River, a 
steamer plying on that river in the cotton trade, from probable loss by fire, 
and prevented a panic by privately letting the captain know the condition of his 
discovery, which perhaps saved many lives; he also saved the life of one man on 
the Chagres River, who fell overboard, by plunging after him and holding him up 
until both were rescued.  We are informed that Mr. Smith�s life would make an 
interesting book if written, but he thought that our province was more 
particularly to call attention to California Pioneers, and what was connected 
with their lives during their residence in the State.  Mr. Smith could have had 
the nomination of the last Democratic Convention for State Senator, but would 
not consent, although earnestly requested to do so by some of the most prominent 
gentlemen in the county.
 
History of Alameda County, California�, Oakland, M.W. Wood Publ., 1883, p. 977-979