California Biographies, Santa Cruz County
CHARLES SMITH. 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California 
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison 

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

CHARLES SMITH. 

A residence in the west extending over a period of many years has given Mr. Smith a broad knowledge of the resources 
of the region, as well as a patriotic and affectionate regard for our commonwealth. None have been more loyal to the wel- 
fare of California than those who have witnessed its growth, contributed to its progress and aided its development through 
a long period of activity. This in brief may be said to describe Mr. Smith's association with the state, which dates 
from the year 1860. A native of the east, he was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., March 20, 1839, and up to the time 
of attaining his majority his life was associated with the vicinity of his birth. A combination of circumstances con- 
spired at this time, however, to change the whole course of his life. The ill-health of a brother-in-law made his removal 
to a more salubrious climate than prevailed in the east necessary and Mr. Smith was selected to accompany him to Cal- 
ifornia. Going direct to Santa Clara county, they were located in San Jose for some time, or until 1864, when Mr. Smith 
came to Watsonville for the second time, having been here in February, 1861, when he was held by rain for seven days. 
Later he returned to San Jose for a short time, but the fall of the year 1865 found him in Santa Cruz county once more and 
here he has been content to pass the remainder of his life. 

What was known as the old Judge Peckham ranch near Watsonville was the scene of Mr. Smith's first undertaking in 
the west, making his home on the property for three years, and thereafter he had charge of the Bockius ranch for one 
year. The latter property was a large tract of choice land and was a fair representative of the large ranches that prevailed 
in that day, being held intact from one generation to another. Being favorably impressed with this section as a desirable 
place to live Mr. Smith prevailed upon Mr. Peckham to subdivide his property and at once purchased forty-two acres of 
it. This was the first of the ranches to be subdivided and was the beginning of a new era in the history of agriculture in 
the state. Mr. Smith then subdivided his ranch into small farms, selling one-half of the tract to his brother-in-law pre- 
viously mentioned, and later selling ten acres of the remainder to Thomas Leon. After making his home on the remainder 
of the tract for twelve years he disposed of it, and coming to Watsonville, built a home for his family. With this city as 
his headquarters, he had charge of various farms in the vicinity until 1875, when he went to Hollister and bought a 
tract of one hundred and twelve acres, carrying this on for two years. Having contracted rheumatism, in the meantime, 
however, he had to give up the enterprise and after renting his ranch to a tenant he returned to Watsonville. Three 
miles from town he purchased a ranch of eighty-six acres which he set out to fruit trees, this being the first orchard of 
any size in the valley at the time, 1878. Six years later he had a thriving orchard of twenty acres, the fruit from which 
he himself retailed from a cart, and five years later he sold the ranch and orchard in order to enlarge his business out- 
look. This he found in the Stony Ford ranch of five hundred and ninety-four acres, upon which in addition to carrying on 
general ranching he also set out an orchard of ten thousand trees. This is still his field of activity, although in the mean- 
time, 1893, he moved upon the property which he now occupies, having erected thereon a fine residence suited to the 
needs of his family. 

In the spring of 1866 Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Jane Wilcox, of Watsonville, and eight children, six sons 
and two daughters, have been born of their marriage. The eldest of the children, Charles F., lives on the home ranch 
with his wife and three children ; Walter Scott, who also lives on the ranch, is married and has four children ; Florence, 
unmarried, also makes her home on the ranch ; Albert Eugene is a carpenter by trade and makes his home in Watsonville ; 
Clarence Howard is an employe of the Ford store in the same place; Helen Grace is the wife of F. Rodgers of Watsonville; 
Harry Ellsworth is interested with his brothers in maintaining the home ranch, as is also the youngest of the family, Henry 
Augustus. Mr. Smith is proud in the possession of fourteen grand-children. 

Watsonville can claim no more public-spirited citizen than she has in Charles Smith, who has watched her progress in 
years past and has lived to see many of his hopes in her behalf realized. He has not been an idle witness, however, but 
on the contrary has taken an active part in bringing about present conditions. This is especially true of the sewer sys- 
tem, which was brought about during his term of service as trustee. He also served as trustee and clerk of the board of 
Railroad district school, served in the same capacity for four years in the Vega district, and was the moving spirit in 
having the latter district established. This is a thriving school district which maintains two schools and has seventy pupils 
in attendance. While living on the ranch in San Benito county he had good roads built to his ranch and on to Gilroy, giving 
land for that purpose through his ranch and working indefatigably to bring the matter before the board of supervisors. 
He has always been favorable to every movement for progression that has been brought forward in whatever locality 
he has made his home. Fraternally Mr. Smith is an Odd Fellow, holding membership in Watsonville Lodge No. 90, I. 0. 0. F.