Contra
Costa County
Biographies
FRANK
X. SMITH
FRANK X. SMITH. The ability which Frank X. Smith has
manifested in his agricultural operations in Contra Costa county have placed
him among the representative farmers of this section, for though young in years
he has attained a marked degree of success.
He is now located upon his ranch of one hundred and sixty acres on Marsh
creek which he purchased in 1901, in addition to which he owns one hundred and
sixty acres of pasture land and rents four hundred and eighty acres of the
Marsh ranch, which is devoted to the cultivation of wheat and barley. A native Californian, he was born in San
Francisco December 3, 1868, a son of Andrew Smith.
Being a native of County Cavan, Ireland, Andrew Smith was reared to young manhood in
his native country, at seventeen years of age emigrating
to the United States and locating in Illinois.
In the early days the extreme west held out more attractions for young
men than did the middle states, and accordingly he journeyed to Utah, whence he
came to California via the city of Los Angeles, finding employment there for
some time at different kinds of labor.
He then went into the mines at Knoxville, intent upon trying the
experiences of a miner’s life.
Preferring, however, the less uncertain fortunes of an agricultural
life, in 1868 he bought a settler’s right to a quarter section of land, which
he proceeded to improve to grain, orchard and vineyard. Ten years later he was able to purchase
another quarter section adjoining his property, a little later one hundred and
sixty acres for pasture and last of all the one hundred and seventy acres upon
which he now makes his home. He first
devoted his ranch to the cultivation of wheat and stock, but becoming cognizant
of the large profit in almonds he set out seven acres, and five acres to
olives, after which he planted a vineyard as well as a fine orchard, which was,
however, only for family use.
In San Francisco he married Catherine
Kelly, a native of County Westmeath, Ireland, and daughter of John Kelly, and
of this union were born three children, namely: Frank; Andrew J., who is
superintending the home ranch; and John W., a physician and surgeon of San
Francisco. Without capital
Mr. Smith and his wife began at the foot of the ladder, and through the
exercise of perseverance and thrift have gradually amassed a large amount of
land, which means a comfortable competence, as a result of their efforts. They are numbered among the most successful
farmers of the county.
After attending the public schools in
the vicinity of his home, Frank X. Smith entered the Stockton Business
College and completed a commercial course.
Returning to the country he has since devoted his entire time to
agricultural pursuits, profiting by the experience of the successful farmers
about him and building his own success upon the training received from his
father in his boyhood years. In 1901 he
purchased a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres located on Marsh creek, and
two years later purchased the same amount of land to be used for pasture; and
in addition to this rents four hundred and eighty acres of the Marsh ranch. The management of this large amount of
farming land requires an executive force which is not lacking in this young
farmer, and he is steadily advancing to a position of prominence among the
farmers of the section. He inherits a
limitless degree of perseverance and energy, as well as unusual ability in the
line which he has made his life work, and there is every reason to believe that
with increasing years he will take a yet more prominent position among
agriculturists.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage with
Mary E. Lynch, a native of California and the daughter of Philip Lynch, of
Contra Costa county.
They are now the parents of two children, namely: Mary A., born in
San Francisco, is three and one-half years old; and Clarence F., born in
Contra Costa county, is two years old.
[Inserted by D. Toole]
SMITH
1911
Jun 12, Oakland Tribune, P10, Oakland, California
Brentwood
Personals
Frank
X. Smith, the well-known Brentwood farmer, accompanied by his mother, have just returned home after an extended visit to Ireland.
1922
Jan 14, Oakland Tribune, P5, Oakland, California
Frank
X. Smith, well known farmer of Deer Valley, west of Brentwood, was a visitor
here Monday. He was delighted with the
prospects for the coming year. He has
300 acres in his holdings. He has
planted both wheat and barley.
1936
Jun 15, Oakland Tribune, P33, Oakland, California
Contra
Costa County
Smith
– In Antioch, June 11, 1936, Frank X., beloved husband of Mary L. Smith, loving
father of Mary and Clarence P. Smith, a native of California, aged 66 years.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 1006. The Chapman Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Donna Toole.
Contra Costa County Biographies