Alameda-Contra Costa County CA Archives Biographies.....Smith, James Dale September 19, 1845 - June 26, 1929
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Source: History of Alameda County, California, 1883
Author: Unknown

"JAMES DALE SMITH.— Whose portrait appears in this history [on page 360], the 
only child of John and Elizabeth Smith, was born in the parish of Kilmars, near 
Kilmarnock, in Scotland, on the 19th of September, 1845. In 1848 his father 
sailed for Vancouver Island under contract with the Hudson Bay Company, to open 
and work a coal mine which they had discovered, but on his arrival the company 
claimed the right to dictate new terms, and as with them in early times, might 
made right, Smith refused to go on with the work, but availed himself of an 
opportunity to come to California, which he did in 1849, and settled in 
Benicia, where quite a number of Scotch people were then located, many 
mechanics finding profitable employment in the machine shop of the Pacific Mail 
Steamship Company, Smith among the number. In 1852 he removed with his family 
to San Ramon Valley, locating near where Danville now stands, where he resided 
until his death, which occurred in 1864. "Scotch Smith," as he was generally 
called, and his wife, were pioneers in every sense of the word. Their door was 
always open to the needy, and no road was too long for Mrs. Smith to go if she 
could assist the suffering or alleviate their distresses. The same qualities of 
heart and mind actuated their son, who grew to manhood on the same farm located 
by his father. In boyhood the advantages for schooling were not very good, and 
we find the subject of our sketch, in 1864, at the time his parents both died, 
with only a limited education, as far as books are concerned, but thoroughly 
posted as to the qualities of a good horse. And it used to be said that if 
there was a wild horse that no one else would ride, "take it to Jimmy Smith." 
When his parents were aware that they were soon to be called away, they were 
much concerned for the future of their only child, surrounded as he was, and 
had been, by the influences of early California society, but on their making 
their anxieties known, he immediately relieved their concern by promising them 
that he would discontinue his dealings with fast horses, and as soon as 
possible would go to school, and try to make himself worthy of them, their 
confidence, love, and name. The year succeeding the death of his parents, we 
find him busily engaged in clearing off the obligations left upon the estate by 
their long illness, and the loss of stock consequent upon the drought of 1863 
and 1864; he had given his two favorite race-horses to a friend, and was ready 
at the end of the year to go to school. He became a student of the Oakland 
Military Academy, and devoted himself to study for two years, so attentively 
that, at the close of the second year, he was offered a position as instructor 
in the Academy. He accepted, and for two years taught with a success gratifying 
to both his Principal and himself. It was while teaching in the Academy that he 
met Miss Addie Luelling, daughter of Seth and Clarissa Luelling, of Milwaukee 
[Milwaukie], Oregon, who afterwards became his wife. Mr. Smith, finding his 
presence on the farm necessary to perfect the location made by his father, 
resigned his position in the Academy and went upon the farm to reside. He was 
soon engaged to teach the San Ramon School, which he could do and retain his 
residence upon the farm, to supervise the work. On February 22, 1870, J. D. 
Smith was married to Miss Addie Luelling, in Oregon, but returned and 
immediately began teaching, which he has continued to do, with unvarying 
success, up to the present time. He taught two years in the public school in 
San Ramon, which position he resigned to accept the Principalship of the San 
Leandro School This he held two years, and resigned to accept a Professorship 
in Washington College, in Alameda County, which position he held for two years, 
and resigned to take charge of Livermore College. This institution he purchased 
from its founders, Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury, in 1875, and has enlarged it from 
time to time to accommodate the increasing patronage. Livermore College owes 
its success as an educational institution to Prof. J. D. Smith's vital energy 
as a man, and capacity as an instructor. The thoroughness of his work is 
attested by the fact that of the many who have prepared for public school work 
in the normal course of Livermore College, not one has failed before any of the 
county boards in their examination for teachers certificates. It is worthy of 
mention, also, that no year passes that he does not extend a helping hand to 
some worthy young man or young woman who is striving to obtain an education. 
Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Smith have only one child, a son, Duncan L. Smith, born 
March 16, 1874.” END

Additional Comments:
"History of Alameda County, California", Oakland: M.W. Wood, 1883.
Biographical sketch of James Dale Smith, page 976-977.

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