Collection: Books and Periodicals

About This Item:

Title: A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California (1891) Collection Type: Books and Periodicals Publisher: Lewis Publishing Company Published: 1891 Copyright: In the public domain or published before 1925 Source(s): Google Books # of Pages: 713 Download PDF: User Login Required Download OCR Text: User Login Required

Date Scanned: 2024-07-22 00:25:09 Item Sourced From: PDF First Created: 2025-03-17 03:11:29 Last Updated: 2025-03-17 06:30:36

Original Held At: Searls Historical Library Location: 161 Nevada City Hwy, Nevada City, CA 95959

Page: of 713  

HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. 461 Sims is signally a bright one, he having been successful in all measures actively promoted by him and having accomplished much for his constitaency. It may be mentioned that during his second term he was Chairman of the Committee on Public Morals, that was instrumental in killing the Insurance Bill, recognized as a jobbing measure, and that his aid was always sought for the carriage of ali better measures. Mr. Sims was appointed by Governor Waterman as Trustee of the new reformatory at Whittier, and in connection with the duties visited all like institutions in the East. Mr. Sims is a literary man and an author of acknowledged merit, and the successful publisher of many sermons, lectures, orations, etc. He is a favorite with all who know him. He is a prominent member ef the Masonic order and of the Royal Arch Chapter. He was married in England in 1857, to Miss Mary Porley, and they have four daughters and one son; the latter is studying law. County, has been a resident of California since that memorable year of her history, 1849. His parents were natives of Virginia, but passed their last days in Illinois, in which State they had removed at an early day; the mother died in 1846, and the father in 1852. Levi was born in Virginia in 1830, but received his education in the common schools of Illinois. In 1848 he was caught in the tide of western emigration, making the trip across the plains to the Pacific coast; he met with some losses en route, a few cattle and horses dying, but he kept up his courage and pushed on to the end. It was the 22d of September, 1848, that he landed in Oregon, and the following year he came to California. He at once engaged in mining, as did all the emigrants of that year. The place named Sinith Bar was called so in honor of our subject, and the place known as Oregon Gulch hoe SMITH, a successful farmer of Butte was named for the party of which he was a member. . Mr. Smith located on hie present place in Butte County in 1886, where he owns seven acres of fine land. : He was married to Miss Zumwalt, who was born in Missvuri in 1836, and emigrated to California in 1849; this union occurred in 1852, and has resulted in the birth of five children: Albert, George, deceased, Charles E., N. B., and Hattie, deceased. Charles E. Smith is an artist of unusual talent, and has produced some pictures of decided merit. } —Houses have histories as well as men, and the scenes enacted within their walls give them as distinctive a character as is ever possible by the individual. When the new-comer arrives at Nevada City, and is driven up to the National Exchange, he cannot avoid being strongly impressed as he drives up to the large, three-story, fire-proof brick building, with its massive and business-like appearance. This feeling is heightened when he reflects that this hotel has been longer continuously in existence than any other in the State outside of San Francisco, and, always under increasingly good management, has kept up with the times, introducing new improvements wherever called for. The National Exchange is the center of social and businese lite in Nevada City, it being possible almost every day to see every man of prominence in the city in its offices or parlors, and its patronage comprising all the representative mining and business men of the mountains. From the house start all stage lines fur the interior, and in the building are the telegraph, postottice, express office, and general stage office. The hotel has 100 rooms, both single and in suite, is handsomely furnished, and its table equal to that of any other. In short, the house [ ATIONAL EXCHANGE HOTEL.