[1] In 1853 he left the farm and joined a group driving 500 head of cattle to California.
[3] He left for British Columbia in 1858 as part of the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, returning to California the next year.
[2] At the beginning of the American Civil War, Smith enlisted in Company H of the 4th California Infantry.
[1] Following his discharge in December 1865, Smith became assistant wagonmaster on a supply train heading toward Fort McDowell, Arizona Territory.
[1] From February till June 1866, Smith oversaw a civilian workforce harvesting hay along the bank of the Salt River.
[2] A couple years later he formed a business partnership with King Woolsey to produce flour.
[2] During his final term he was Speaker of the House and influential in efforts to move the territorial capital from Prescott to Phoenix.
[3] Smith died on July 15, 1903, during a trip to Los Angeles, California, where he was seeking medical treatment.