Alameda-Contra Costa County CA Archives Obituaries.....Smith, Henry Clay November 24, 1875 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Steve Harrison raleighwood@juno.com April 5, 2007, 8:31 pm The Livermore Enterprise, December 4, 1875 [Saturday] "OBITUARY. Biographical Sketch of the late Henry Clay Smith. Died in Livermore, Cal., Nov. 25, 1875, Henry C. Smith, aged 51 years and 1 month. The subject of this sketch was a man of much more than ordinary ability, and widely known and respected for his excellencies of character. Henry Clay Smith was born at Fort Defiance, Ohio, in 1824, his parents removing with him to the State of Michigan while he was yet a small boy. He remained there until 1845, when he emigrated to California at the age of 21 years. He was one of the party of ten which left Fort Independence, Missouri, August 17th, 1845, and after passing through many perils and hardships reached Sutter's Fort - Sacramento - on Christmas day. He entered into the military service immediately under the "Bear Flag," on the breaking out of the Mexican war. Mr. Smith, with General Vallejo, and others, joined Gen'l John C. Fremont's famous battalion, and remained in the service of the United States, until the close of the struggle. He was one of the first Alcaldes appointed by General Riley, Military Governor of California. He was elected to the State Legislature from Santa Clara county, and acquitted himself with much honor, in 1852. He was one of the original founders of Alameda county, and since held at different periods prominent public positions of trust under the United State Government, and filled each with marked ability and integrity, acquitting himself with honor. Here where he was best known he leaves a host of loving friends, and numerous relatives, including an affectionate wife [Mary Ann Harlan], several sons and daughters. His life has been one of curious circumstances and but few could find fault with his generosity. His latch string always hung on the outside of his door, and his hand was ever ready to help the poor. The whole community extend their sympathy to his afflicted family." END Additional Comments: "The Livermore Enterprise" was published in Livermore, Alameda County, California. Obituary on page 3, column 2. Henry Clay Smith was married to Mary Ann Harlan, daughter of George Harlan. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/alameda/obits/s/smith2900gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 2.7 Kb