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


GEORGE W. SMITH. The life history of George W. Smith is indissolubly connected with 
the irrigation interests of Tulare county, as he was more closely identified with projects of this 
nature than any other man in this section. He was a surveyor and civil engineer and surveyed 
the majority of the longest canals and ditches in Tulare county. He was one of the organizers 
of the Uphill Ditch Company, and served as its president for many years, as well as surveying 
and superintending its construction. His last work was for the 76 Canal Company, on what 
is now known as the Alta Irrigation District, acting in the capacity of chief engineer. His 
death occurred October 24, 1896, at the age of seventy years, removing from the community a 
man who held the esteem of his fellow citizens for the sterling qualities which distinguished his 
character. 

Born in New York August 26, 1826, George W. Smith was a son of David and Lovisa (Pal- 
mer) Smith, both of whom were also natives of the same state. He was the descendant of 
English ancestry, his great-grandfather having emigrated from his native land and settled in 
Rhode Island, where his grandfather, Seth Smith, was born. His maternal ancestors were 
among the early settlers of New York state. George W. Smith was one of a family of nine 
children, of whom he was the eldest son. He remained in his native state until he was twenty- 
three years old, receiving his education in the meantime. In 1849 ne decided to seek his for- 
tune in the gold fields of California. Sailing from New York City on February 6, a passenger 
on the Clarissa Perkins, he landed in San Francisco September 12, and immediately entered 
upon the life of a miner. His first location was at Hawks Bar, after which he went to Rattle- 
snake creek, where he was the first man to strike a pick. He was very successful as a 
miner, but for a time was less so as an investor, as he lost the greater part of his earnings in the 
organization which turned the course of the Tuolumne river, and after paying his debts and 
working for a time, lost again in the erection of a quartz mill. For a time previous to this sec- 
ond venture he was located in Mariposa county, where he drove ox teams and delivered logs to 
the saw mills. He later engaged in the butcher business at various places and met with the suc- 
cess which attended the greater part of his efforts. 

In 1865 he located on a half-section of land in Tulare county, about seven miles northwest of 
Visalia, and afterward homesteaded other land, engaging on the entire property in farming and 
stock-raising. He made this his home until 1887, when he purchased four hundred and eighty 
acres of land three miles north of Visalia, where he built a handsome residence, substantial barns 
and outbuildings, improvements which placed his ranch among the most valuable in this section 
of the county. Until his death he engaged in general farming operations and stock-raising on 
this property, as well as continuing to take a broad interest and active participation in his 
work as an engineer and surveyor. For several years he served as county surveyor, holding the 
office two terms by election and twice by appointment. In 1878 he was elected deputy sher- 
iff of the county, and later was a prominent candidate of the Democratic party for the office 
of surveyor-general of the state. Fraternally he was associated with the Odd Fellows and An- 
cient Order of United Workmen, and was a Knight Templar Mason, becoming a Master 
Mason in Carson City in 1863. 

The marriage of Mr. Smith occurred in Aurora, Esmeralda county, Nev., July 23, 1864, 
and united him with Nancy Caroline Parker. She is a native of Newton county, Ark., and 
was the youngest of two daughters born to her parents, Anderson and Mathilda (Kelley) Par- 
ker. Her father was a native of Tennessee, as was also his father, Alvin Parker, who as a 
farmer removed to Arkansas and in 1853 crossed the plains to California and became a stockman 
in Tulare county. Anderson Parker was a farmer in Arkansas and died there when his 
daughter, Mrs. Smith, was but one year old. Mrs. Parker was a native of Mississippi, but re- 
moved to Arkansas, in which state her father died. In 1857 Mrs. Parker crossed the plains 
to California by ox teams, bringing her two daughters. The six-months trip was made by 
Salt Lake, and was full of peril through the ravages of the Indians, the train requiring a 
guard each night of the journey. Upon her arrival she settled upon a farm near Visalia, where 
her death occurred at the age of forty-two years. Nancy Caroline Parker was ten years old when 
the memorable trip was made to California, and upon her arrival made her home with her uncle, 
B. G. Parker, who had acted as captain of their train, as he had made the trip in 1853 and was 
familiar with the route. She was reared to womanhood in the west and after her marriage 
made her home in the vicinity of Visalia. In June, 1904, she built a handsome residence in 
the city at the corner of Northwest First avenue, and has rented her farm, which now con- 
sists of three hundred and twenty acres all under irrigation and given over to the cultivation of 
grain and stock-raising. She has proven herself a woman of rare business ability and has 
managed her affairs with admirable skill and judgment since her husband's death. Of the 
nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Charlotte is the wife of E. Baker of Kingsburg; 
Crosby is located at Richmond, Cal., engaged in the livery business ; Seth is a farmer and stock- 
man, located on a ranch in the neighborhood of Visalia; Luther died February 24, 1895, at the 
age of twenty-five years; Burton is located in Los Banos, where he holds the position of super- 
intendent of the San Joaquin & Kings River Canal and Irrigation Company ; Lavonia is the 
wife of T. Cortner of Tulare county; Lovisa is the wife of Samuel Bond of Tulare county; 
Luina is at home with her mother; and Lawrence died December 15, 1897, at the age of 
twelve years. In her political convictions Mrs. Smith is a Democrat and though unable to cast 
a vote herself wields no little influence with those who are.