San Joaquin County
Biographies
ANSEL SMITH
ANSEL SMITH.--Among the
lawyers at the Stockton bar whose abilities have gained them reputation, the
gentleman whose name heads this sketch stands prominent. He is a native of Maine, which State was the family home for several
generations. His father, Mathias Smith, was a native of Maine, as was also his grandfather, Carpenter Smith, who in
his early days was a prominent resident of Redfield.
Ansel Smith was born in Kennebec County, June 8, 1850. After attending the common schools of
his native county, he took a classical course at Maine Wesleyan Seminary. He
commenced reading law with E. O. Bean, and afterward continued his legal
studies without instruction. He came to this county in 1873. In 1878 he
commenced attendance at Albany, New
York, Law School, where he was graduated in 1879, and then admitted to
the Supreme Court of New York at Albany. Later in the same year he was admitted to the
Supreme Court of California, and commenced practice in Stockton. Since that time he has been admitted to practice in the United States courts. For four years, commencing in 1885, he was
District Attorney of this county, having been twice elected. He has also held
the office of Police Judge in Stockton. He has made a reputation as a successful lawyer, due
not only to his natural abilities but also to the zeal with which he has thrown
his efforts into the cause of his clients. The case of Pollock vs. Watkins,
generally known as the Mokelumne Hill road case, offers an illustration in
point. Mr. Smith carried the case to a successful issue. This case is referred
to at some length in the proper place in this volume, as is also the triangular
litigation in regard to the title of the Court-House square, in which he also
took a prominent part while District Attorney for the county.
Mr. Smith is an ardent Republican. He is a
member of Stockton Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F., of Centennial Lodge, K. of P.,
and of Masonic fraternity.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 360-361. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Genealogy Databases
Golden Nugget Library