Maricopa County AZ Archives Biographies.....Smith, John Y. T. September 16, 1831 - living in 1896 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/az/azfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 1, 2005, 7:19 pm Author: McFarland & Poole p. 442-443 HON. JOHN Y. T. SMITH. When a grain of wheat is cut across the middle and examined under a glass, the central parts are found to be composed of a white substance: if the grain is dry this interior readily becomes a pearly powder. Near the outside of the kernel the texture is more compact; and at the surface it becomes horny. This added firmness is produced by the increasing quantity of gluten, as the analysis advances from center to circumference. Understanding the structure of the grain, it has been the object of the miller to separate the different parts so as to get different grades of flour. It is the gluten which gives flour its strongest property, and it is in the nice separation of this constituent that the roller process excels. As one of the finest examples of the application of this process and machinery generally to the manufacture of fine flour, the Phoenix Flour Mills, of Phoenix, Arizona Territory, command detailed mention. This extensive enterprise started with one burr mill in 1879 under the management of Smith, Stearns & Company, and continued on a small scale until 1881. Then John Y. T. Smith bought the entire concern and-increased it to a four burr mill, which he conducted until 1889. At that date the new roller process was put in and the mill has been one of the foremost ones since that time. In 1890 the Phoenix Milling and Trading Company was incorporated, the stock being principally owned by John Y. T. Smith, and he became its president. The mill was erected on its present site in 1889, and is a well constructed brick with a warehouse attached and one detached. The mill proper is three stories and basement and is situated on what is Railroad Place, Lot D. The capacity of the mill is 100 barrels every twenty-four hours and the mill is run about twelve hours per day. The machinery was built by J. Wagner & Company of San Francisco, Cal., and is one of the best equipped mills in the Territory. It has all the modern appliances and the flour is first class. They supply the Territory with their flour and its reputation has extended far and wide. John Y. T. Smith, the most efficient proprietor of this vast concern, is a native of the Empire State, born in Erie County, near Buffalo, September 16, 1831. When but a small boy he was left an orphan and as a consequence had limited educational advantages. The father was a farmer and after his death young Smith made his living as best he could. His parents died in Portsmouth, Ohio, and in 1845 he went to Illinois, where he worked on a farm for some time. Later he carried the flag for the surveyors of the Alton & Terre Haute Railroad. In 1853 he, in company with a crowd of young men, crossed the plains to California. They went horseback and drove a herd of cattle, though disposing of them at different points. While at Salt Lake City one of the young men was taken sick and it fell to the lot of Mr. Smith to remain with him. Later, after the young man had recovered, and was able to travel, they proceeded on to Trinity County, Cal. They had been six months en-route. Here Mr. Smith discovered several mines and was actively engaged in mining until 1858, when he went to Frazier, British Columbia, during the great excitement. While there he followed mining until 1859, when he returned overland to Victoria and, taking the steamer there, subsequently landed in San Francisco. His patriotism was aroused in 1861 and he enlisted in the 4th Infantry of California Volunteers, and served until 1865. Part of his service was in California and part in Arizona, and he was stationed at various points. Mr. Smith enlisted as a private, but for meritorious conduct was promoted to second and then to first lieutenant. He marched across the Colorado desert, on foot, several times where the railroads now run, and experienced many hardships, but was never discouraged nor disheartened. At the close of the war he was discharged and mustered out at Presidio, California, and subsequently came into Arizona in charge of government transportation. He was sent to Ft. McDowell, where he had charge of the government farm for a few years, and was also post trader at the same place until 1881. In the meantime he started a store and mill at Phoenix, and in 1881 removed his family to Phoenix, where he has since made his home. He is the proprietor, too, of the big flouring mill of Phoenix and is also engaged in merchandising. Aside from this he is also interested in the gold mine, known as the Union Mine, sixteen miles north of Phoenix, and owns considerable real estate. Success has rewarded his efforts and he is one of the wealthy men of the city. Mr. Smith has been a member of the House of Representatives and speaker of the 15th session. He served three terms in the Legislature and has been Territorial treasurer, member of the board of equalization and school trustee. He is one of the promoters of Phoenix and is well known throughout the Territory. Additional Comments: From: A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona Published by McFarland & Poole, Chicago, 1896 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/az/maricopa/bios/gbs5smith.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/azfiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb