Solano County Biographies

HON. MICHAEL SMYTH

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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

 
is a native of Ottawa, Canada, where he was born October 4, 1832.  Here he was 
educated and worked on a farm and at lumbering, until about twenty years old, 
when he emigrated to California, via the Nicaragua route, arriving in San 
Francisco December 20, 1853.  He at once settled in Crescent City, Del Norte 
county, and thence to Silver Diggings, residing in the latter place about two 
months, when he returned to Crescent City, settling on a farm, on which he 
remained till November, 1862, when he went to Idaho, Idaho county.  After two 
years in this place he settled in Ada county, and kept hotel as well as farming 
and merchandising.  He was elected to the Lower House of the Legislature of that 
Territory one term, serving his constituents in a way that reflected credit and 
honor to himself as well as them.  He was afterwards elected School 
Superintendent, but his own business demanded his attention, and he was forced 
to decline serving.  The winter of 1867 he spent in Albany, Oregon, and the 
following spring purchased three hundred cattle and came to this State, adding 
two hundred more to the band on the road.  Having brought the cattle to Solano 
county, and sold them, he settled near Dixon, but after three months moved on a 
farm at Poland�s Landing, where he remained one year, and then bought a ranch 
about nine miles west from Rio Vista, but in 1873 he sold out and permanently 
settled in that place.  In 1875 Mr. Smyth was appointed Notary Public, which 
office he still continues to hold.  Married Miss Maria Killoran, in November, 
1852.  She was born in Ireland and came to this country when twelve years old.  
James L., Charles, George W., Robert C., and Frank H. are their living children. 
 Lost three; Edward, Mark, and John.
 
History of Solano County � San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley  & Co., East 
Oakland, pub 1879, pp 477