California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


BURTON SMITH. As superintendent of the San Joaquin & Kings River Canal and Irrigation Company, 
Burton Smith occupies a leading position among the business men of Merced county, having won 
distinction as a man of unusual ability in the line which has held his attention throughout the 
greater part of his life. A native of California, he was born in Visalia, Tulare county, June 17, 1872, 
the fifth in a family of nine children, seven of whom are now living. His parents, George W. and Nancy 
(Parker) Smith, are mentioned at length in another part of this volume. In the public and 
high school of Visalia, Burton Smith received his education, just before completing, taking a 
special course in mathematics, which has been of great service in his life work. When eight 
years of age he began spending his vacations in working with his father in surveying, first carry- 
ing the flag until capable of being advanced to a more important position. He remained with his 
father in irrigation work until he was eighteen years of age, when he entered the employ of 
Jasper Harrell of Tulare county, who owned one of the largest ranches in that section. This had 
formerly consisted of wild and desolate land, but by the system introduced by the St. Johns River 
Association, five thousand acres were reclaimed. 

He retained the position of superintendent of this ranch until his father's death, when, in 1897, 
he resigned and took up the work of surveyor and civil engineer, continuing, however, the con- 
duct of his ranch, which consisted of six hundred acres. He held the position of deputy 
county surveyor, and for three years, from February, 1899, to February, 1902, was superin- 
tendent of the St. Johns River Association. April 20, 1902, he entered the employ of Mil- 
ler & Lux, and was engaged in surveying for them in Kern county until June, 1903, when 
he was transferred to the west side of Merced county and continued in the same capacity. 
In January, 1904, he received the appointment of superintendent of the San Joaquin & 
Kings River Canal and Irrigation Company, and immediately assumed charge of the same. 
The main canal of this company is seventy-one miles long, extending from the San Joaquin 
river, the outside canal is forty miles in length, and Colony canal and its branch is thirty miles. 
The position is one of importance and responsibility, but Air. Smith has upheld the standard of 
excellence noteworthy in all his work and has enhanced the high regard in which he was uni- 
versally held. 

In 1904 Mr. Smith built his residence in Los Banos which is presided over by his wife, for- 
merly Edith Hemming, with whom he was united in marriage in his native city. She is a 
native of Clayton, Contra Costa county, and daughter of W. B. Hemming, who is engaged 
in the fruit-canning business. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one daughter, Gladys. Fraternally 
Mr. Smith was made an Odd Fellow in Mountain Brow Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Los Banos, and 
a Mason in Los Banos Lodge No. 312. F. & A. M. He also affiliates with the Woodmen of the 
World. In his political convictions he adheres to the principles advocated in the platform of 
the Democratic party.