Tehama County Biographies

WILLIAM H. SMITH

Transcribed by:  Wendy Sandino

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

 
WILLIAM H. SMITH, one of the prominent viticulturists of Tehama County, was born 
January 16, 1828, in Rensselaer County, New York, where he was reared and 
completed his education at the Kinderhook College.  His father, John M., and 
mother, Ann Maria (Hendricks) Smith, were both natives of New York State.  The 
original immigration on the maternal side to America came from Holland.  Mr. 
Smith while in his native State held many important offices of trust, among them 
that of Commissioner of Highways.  He was elected to this office in 1865, and 
retained it until 1874, when he resigned this position and declined the office 
of Supervisor.  He left his native State in 1876, and came by rail to 
California, locating in the vicinity of Healdsburg, where he engaged in 
viticultural pursuits until 1879.  He moved thence to Oakland, where he now owns 
residence property and lived retired form business life until August, 1881, when 
he accepted the superintendency of the entire system known as the Stanford 
vineyard and ranch property, located at Vina, which he conducted in all branches 
until 1887.  Then the wine industry and other branches of business connected 
with the ranch reached a point where it became necessary for Mr. Smith to be 
relieved of a portion of the responsibility.  He now has charge of and 
superintends all the outlying business in connection with the famous ranch.  In 
1889 Mr. Smith took a vacation of a few weeks and paid his native State and 
relatives a visit.
            Mr. Smith was joined in marriage in Columbia County, New York, in 
1840, with an estimable lady of his name, Miss Jane H. Smith, who was also a 
native of New York State.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children, Georgiana, now 
deceased, and Charles H., who has a position in the treasurer�s department of 
the Central Pacific Railroad since 1874.  Mr. Smith is the eldest of six 
children in his father�s family, four of whom reside in the State of New York, 
and one brother, Captain N. T. Smith, a resident of California, who has long 
been connected with the Central Pacific Railroad as assistant treasurer.  In 
politics Mr. Smith affiliates with the Democratic party, but is not active in 
political matters.  He is a member of the Board of School Trustees of the Lassen 
School district.
 
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing 
Co., 1891