Butte County
Biographies
DAVID F. and J. BUCK SMITH
Both brothers are natives of Pittsifield, New Hampshire. David emigrated to the Pacific coast in 1857, when he engaged in mining at Yankee Jim’s, in Placer county. In the year following, J. Buck Smith joined his brother, at Oregon city in Butte county, which at that time was quite a lively camp. Here they were engaged in partnership at mining for several years. The two brothers are still together, living on what is known as Smith Brother’s ranch, eight miles from Oroville, on the Cherokee road. An illustration of their elegant home appears elsewhere in this work. The ranch contains 240 acres, and is well adapted to fruit-ranching. The principal varieties of fruit raised on the ranch are grapes, figs, and oranges. Large quantities of wine are made yearly.
History of Butte County, California: From its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - Vol. II - Harry L. Wells & W. L. Chambers - 547 Clay Street, San Francisco, Cal., 1882.
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson
JOHN McKINSTRY SMITH
JOHN McKINSTRY SMITH was born in Livingston, Columbia county, New York, June 30, 1816, and was the son of Eleazer and Elizabeth (Davis) Smith. Before coming to California, Mr. Smith followed merchandising at Kingston, Rondout, Catskill and East Durham, all in New York. He came to California via the isthmus, and landed in San Francisco June 23, 1850. He went at once to Butte county, the thirtieth of June, his birthday, being his first day at mining. He mined on the east branch of the middle fork of the Feather river for some time. In 1852, he camped on the site he now occupies, and from that time to this it has been his residence. Since 1852, Mr. Smith has been extensively engaged in quartz-mining, being one of the first to locate and work the celebrated Banner ledge in Oregon gulch. Mr. Smith’s life in Butte county has been one of assiduous industry and intense application to business. He was marred to his first wife before coming to California, and she died in 1852. In 1857, on the thirtieth of June, he was united in marriage to Minerva A. Jennings, of Greene county, New York. To them have been born four daughters—Bessie, Mary, Julia J., and Gertrude. Mr. Smith’s house is situated on the bank of Feather river, in full view of that noble stream. He has six hundred and twenty acres of land, well improved. In his vineyard are six thousand vines, from which he yearly makes three thousand gallons of wine.
History of Butte County, California: From its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - Vol. II - Harry L. Wells & W. L. Chambers - 547 Clay Street, San Francisco, Cal., 1882.
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson
L. C. STONE
L. C. STONE, the leading business man of the town of Gridley, is a native of Jefferson county, New York, where his boyhood days were spent. In 1854, he came to California, and settled at Long bar, in Yuba county, where for three years, he kept a store. In this enterprise he was successful; and, after closing up his business, determined to enter into stock-growing and money-loaning in the valley. This did not prove so safe a business channel to sail in as anticipated. He loaned the Forbestown Ditch Company quite a large sum, none of which they liquidated. This did not deter him, being possessed of a strong will and willing hands to work. He decided to make another stake by farming, and settled on a ranch near the line of Butte and Sutter counties, where for ten years he resided. He was fortunate in accumulating money, and was able again to open a small store on the county-line, which he kept for three years. In 1870, he removed to Gridley. The town-site was then being surveyed by the railroad company. Here he opened a store in a small cabin, the first store in the town. In two years he erected the two-story building he now occupies. This will soon give way to a more imposing and substantial brick block. He erected his residence, the finest in Gridley, in 1870, and rebuilt it in 1878. He has the railroad, telegraph and express offices in the same building. Mr. Stone deals largely in grain and wood, and carries on farming quite extensively. He is assisted in his business by Mr. Charles Walsh, who has been with him nine years. In addition to his other duties, he conducts a general insurance business. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Stone was born October 21, 1867, and died, from an accident, June 26, 1879.
We append a poem written on his death, by Miss F. A. Walsh:
In Memoriam.
Louie, thou hast gone and left them, vainly do bereaved ones weep;
Nor will all they floods of tears wake thy still and solemn sleep.
Gently fold the robes around him, softly comb the chestnut hair;
Lightly close the lid above him, for a darling boy lies there.
Father, weep not for thy loved one; he is safe with Him above,
Who can heal all earthly sorrows in the depth of his sweet love.
Mother, grieve not for thy darling; to see thee weep e’er gave him pain;
He was one of God’s fair treasures lent thee, and now claimed again.
Sisters, ye have lost a brother—one who was too good for earth;
One whose life, so pure and guiless, soon won him an immortal birth.
Grieve not, for ye still can claim him, though his spirit hence hath fled;
For a while his face is hidden; still ye own the darling dead.
More your own, oh! Father, mother; had he lived, fate would ye part.
More your brother, loving sisters; no other love will share his heart.
And bereaved ones, e’er remember, earth is not a place of joy;
Trust not much to fleeting pleasure; heaven’s bliss shines round your boy.
Earth is but a place of exile—sorrow hath this lesson given;
And death’s angel was the teacher, now your earth is linked with heaven.
History of Butte County, California: From its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - Vol. II - Harry L. Wells & W. L. Chambers - 547 Clay Street, San Francisco, Cal., 1882.
Transcribed by: Betty Wilson