W. J. SMITH.
This gentleman is of English descent, having been born in Somersetshire, in the southern part of England, on November 20, 1834. His parents removed to New York in 1849, settling in Cortland County, in that State. In 1853 Mr. Smith, then a youth of nineteen, started, in company with W. P Smith, his brother, for California, via Panama, arriving in March of that year. Settling at Springfield, the twain commenced mining, hauling their gold-bearing dirt about half a mile to a spring, where it was washed. In 1862 Mr. Smith mined near Soulsbyville, remaining so employed until 1866, when he together with his brother, located in their present situation near Cherokee, and have been engaged in mining ever since. Among other property possessed by Mr. Smith was an interest in the ‘‘Mastodon” Ledge, sold to a Boston Company in 1880; and an interest in a mine near Summersville, which he still retains. At present, the gentleman is engaged in gold extraction through the medium of his arastra, which he constantly operates.
“A History of Tuolumne County, California” Pub’d by B.F. Alley, 1882. Pg. 336-337.
Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton
