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


CHARLES D. SMITH, whose fortunes have been more or less intimately identified 
with the state of California since the fall of 1859, is now living in retirement in Fresno, 
enjoying the fruits of his early industry and toil. His life has been a varied and eventful 
one, and its record is entitled to a place in the history of California. He was born in Oak- 
land county, Mich.:, August 21, 1839, a son of Addison and Caroline B. (Teeples) Smith. 
Both his parents were natives of New York, his father having been born in Onondaga 
county February 8, 1812, and his mother in Chautauqua county December 18, 1824. His 
father followed the occupation. of carpenter, removing to Michigan in young manhood. After 
the death of his wife, which occurred January 7, 1857, he left Michigan for a home in Illinois, 
and the following year located near Galesburg. About a year after settling in Galesburg he 
again married, and soon afterward, in 1861, enlisted as a private in Company A, Sixty-fifth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. His service in behalf of the Union covered a period of nearly 
three years, his death occurring at Camp Nelson February 22, 1864. 

Charles D. Smith received his education in the common schools of Michigan. After the 
completion of his studies he assisted his father in carpenter work until he was twenty years 
of age. In the spring of 1859 ne joined a party bound for Pike's Peak, where it was widely 
reported gold had been discovered, but on arriving in that region they found that the re- 
ports regarding the existence of the precious metal there had been grossly exaggerated, and 
that time spent there would be wasted. He accordingly decided to push on to California 
with the other members of his party, which they accordingly did, arriving in Placerville 
September 7, 1859. The gold fever still surging through his veins, he continued prospect- 
ing and mining in the vicinity of Placerville for a short time, when, concluding that other 
occupations would be rewarded with more substantial returns, he abandoned his search for 
gold. Securing a position on the toll road between Lincoln and Bear River, in Placer 
county, he was thus employed for about five years. Upon the expiration of that time he 
returned to his old home in Michigan, and engaged in farming in the vicinity of Flint. In 
connection with farming he conducted a general store in Flint for about two years, with 
fair success. He continued to reside in Genesee county, Mich., until 1889, when he disposed 
of his business interests there and came once more to California, locating at once in Fresno 
county. Purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land, located five miles 
west of Fresno, on the Whitesbridge road, he planted a vineyard and began the general im- 
provement of the property. Subsequently he sold off eighty acres in twenty-acre tracts, and 
upon the balance engaged in the culture of the raisin grape until 1902. In that year he pur- 
chased a comfortable residence in Fresno, where he has since resided. 

Mr. Smith affiliates with the Republican party. During his residence in Michigan he 
participated actively in municipal affairs, serving for six years as a member of the city coun- 
cil of Flint, but since settling in California he has left the conduct of public affairs to others. 
December 24, 1865, in Genesee county, Mich., he was united in marriage with Ellen Hodge, 
who was born in Clarendon, Ohio, March 4, 1845, a daughter of Chauncey and Fanny 
 (Parks) Hodge, the former a native of New York. After marriage her parents removed 
from Ohio to Michigan, when Mrs. Smith was a child, locating for a time in Tipton, but after- 
ward moving to Genesee county. Her father was a carpenter by trade, but also engaged in 
farming in connection with work at the former calling. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been the 
parents of two sons, namely: Edwin A., who resides in Concord, Contra Costa county, Cal. ; 
and William T., whose death occurred m 1900. Mr. Smith is highly regarded by those who 
have been favored with his acquaintance. He takes a liberal view of public affairs, and may 
be depended upon to extend his assistance and co-operation toward the success of projects 
looking toward the advancement of the community.