Shasta-Amador-Nevada County CA Archives Biographies.....Smith, Thomas B. 1827 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 9, 2005, 6:21 am

Author: Lewis Publishing Co.

THOMAS B. SMITH, a well known and prominent citizen of Shasta County, came to
California in 1853. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, March 10, 1844. His
parents, Asa and Jane Smith, were natives of Tennessee. His father died when he
was a child, and his mother married a second husband, with whom she and Thomas
B. came to California. He was only nine years old at that time. Three years
afterward, in 1856, his mother died. He remained with his step-father two years
after her death and then started out in life for himself. The family had settled
in Jackson, Amador County, and Mr. Smith was reared in the mines. Much of his
life since then has been spent as a miner. After leaving home he mined in the
summer, in Nevada County, and went to school in the winter. With others he
became interested in the Hudson River Mining Company, went in debt, and, as the
enterprise proved a failure, he lost not only the money he had invested but also
a year and a half's time.

  In 1863 he enlisted to help put the rebellion in Company I, Seventh California
Volunteer Infantry, for three years or during the war. After they were drilled
they were ordered to Arizona to fight Indians, to their great disappointment,
instead of being sent to participate in the war for the Union. In 1865 they were
returned to San Francisco and honorably discharged. Mr. Smith then went to
Moore's Flat, Nevada County, and engaged in hydraulic mining, continuing there
until March, 1867. At that time he came to the western part of Shasta County,
and engaged in mining.

  December 5, 1867, Mr. Smith wedded Miss Martha A. McFarlin, a native of
Wisconsin, and a daughter of Mr. George McFarlin, a California pioneer. Their
union has been blessed with five sons and two daughters: George T. and Samuel
E., born in French Gulch, Shasta County; Burton L., Hattie, Fred, Nellie and
Harvey were born in western Shasta.

  Mr. Smith takes a prominent part in fraternal societies. He has been through
all the chairs in Odd Fellowship; a D. D. G. M., and as such instituted Lodge
No. 27-1, at Redding, and No. 254, at Anderson. He has been a member of the
Grand Lodge for sixteen years. He is also Past Patriarch and a member of the
Grand Encampment. Is Past Master of Clinton Lodge, F. and A. M., and a member of
Shasta Chapter. Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen and the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he has been a
life-long Republican. In 1880, 1881 and 1882 he was County Deputy Assessor under
W. S. Kidder. In 1882 he was elected County Clerk, and in in 1884 he was
re-elected for a second term, by a majority of 443. After having served two
terms he was succeeded by Albert F. Ross, and was appointed his deputy, which
position he now (1890) tills. At the general election held November 4, 1890, he
was elected to the office of County Assessor.

  Mr. Smith is a man of excellent habits and good business ability. Two of his
sons have grown up to be honorable young men, and hold positions of trust and
responsibility in the city of Redding.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.

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