San Joaquin County
Biographies
WILLIAM D.
SMITHSON
WILLIAM D. SMITHSON was born
near Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky, September 10, 1832, his parents being
William Dabney and Eliza Jane (Edmonson) Smithson, both natives of Kentucky. In
about 1837 they, with a family of six children, emigrated from Kentucky to
Illinois, settling in Scott County, where they afterward lived. In Illinois two
more children were born, making in all five sons and five daughters. The mother
died in 1842, after which Mr. Smithson married again and had four children, two
sons and two daughters. The subject of this sketch is the fifth child of the
first marriage. He was raised from the age of five years in Illinois, where he
resided until he came to California. He was brought up to work from the time he
was able to. When ten years old he followed the plow, and from that time
carried on all kinds of farm work. He made his home with his parents until he
became of age, after which he worked for his father from September until the
last day of March, 1853, when he started for California. He made the journey
across the plains with ox teams, landing in Stockton after a journey of six
months. He had about $100 in his pocket; he obtained employment driving ox
teams, hauling hay from the valley up to Sonora. At the end of a month his
employer sold out, and he, being out of work, concluded to strike for the
mines. He went to Georgetown, El Dorado County, and engaged in the mines in
that vicinity, remaining there for about seven years, being quite successful.
He then returned to this valley, and in October, 1860, settled in the place
where he now lives. He first bought a quit-claim deed, and afterward entered
the land--a quarter-section. In the fall of 1863 he purchased another
quarter-section, besides which he has 160 acres on the south, with a road
dividing it. The farm is under the best of improvements. When he first moved on
it there were twelve acres under cultivation; since that time he has cleared
the land and put it into grain, doing the most of the work himself.
He was married February 25, 1862, to Mary
Ann Fuqua, daughter of Alfred G. and Mary A. Fuqua, a native of Missouri. They
have six children: Nathan Hayden, Clara Alice, Minnie Jane, Lucy Lee, John Clay
and Melvin B. They have lost one son, who died at the age of ten months.
Politically Mr. Smithson is a Democrat.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 427-428. 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
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