Superior Court Judge Lucas F. Smith was born in Wells County, Indiana, and was the son of Thomas and Catherine Smith in the farming business, attended the schools there, and at 15 years of age he learned the printing business, in the Bluffton Banner office.
On August 22, 1862, at the age of 17 years, he enlisted in Co. G 101st regiment of the Indiana volunteers and served throughout the war, being discharged in July 1865. He was with General Sherman in his famous march to the sea in the capture of Savannah and the march through the Carolinas.
After he returned to his native town in Indiana, where he declined the appointment to West Point, which was tendered him, in early 1866 he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor from which he graduated in 1868.
Later he settled at Bonham in northern Texas, where he was elected county attorney of Fannin County. In 1870, he was appointed by Governor Davis to the office of the 11th judicial district, composed of five counties, and was prosecuting attorney in cases that attracted nationwide notice. One such case was that of the prosecution in McKinney, TX of Stephen M Ballew for the murder of James Golden in 1871.
In 1878 he was elected to the supreme court bench of Texas and later formed a law partnership with Colonel Crawford, one of the best known attorneys of the southwest.
In 1888 he came to California and after visiting different parts of the state, he engaged in the practice of law in Santa Cruz.
Following his judgeship, he entered into a law partnership with his sons Lucas F. and Stanford, and he practiced until his last illness.
Funeral services were held at the family residence on Ocean View Avenue. All of his children were summoned and all were home before the passing of their father.
On August 22, 1862, at the age of 17 years, he enlisted in Co. G 101st regiment of the Indiana volunteers and served throughout the war, being discharged in July 1865. He was with General Sherman in his famous march to the sea in the capture of Savannah and the march through the Carolinas.
After he returned to his native town in Indiana, where he declined the appointment to West Point, which was tendered him, in early 1866 he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor from which he graduated in 1868.
Later he settled at Bonham in northern Texas, where he was elected county attorney of Fannin County. In 1870, he was appointed by Governor Davis to the office of the 11th judicial district, composed of five counties, and was prosecuting attorney in cases that attracted nationwide notice. One such case was that of the prosecution in McKinney, TX of Stephen M Ballew for the murder of James Golden in 1871.
In 1878 he was elected to the supreme court bench of Texas and later formed a law partnership with Colonel Crawford, one of the best known attorneys of the southwest.
In 1888 he came to California and after visiting different parts of the state, he engaged in the practice of law in Santa Cruz.
Following his judgeship, he entered into a law partnership with his sons Lucas F. and Stanford, and he practiced until his last illness.
Funeral services were held at the family residence on Ocean View Avenue. All of his children were summoned and all were home before the passing of their father.
Superior Court Judge Lucas F. Smith was born in Wells County, Indiana, and was the son of Thomas and Catherine Smith in the farming business, attended the schools there, and at 15 years of age he learned the printing business, in the Bluffton Banner office.
On August 22, 1862, at the age of 17 years, he enlisted in Co. G 101st regiment of the Indiana volunteers and served throughout the war, being discharged in July 1865. He was with General Sherman in his famous march to the sea in the capture of Savannah and the march through the Carolinas.
After he returned to his native town in Indiana, where he declined the appointment to West Point, which was tendered him, in early 1866 he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor from which he graduated in 1868.
Later he settled at Bonham in northern Texas, where he was elected county attorney of Fannin County. In 1870, he was appointed by Governor Davis to the office of the 11th judicial district, composed of five counties, and was prosecuting attorney in cases that attracted nationwide notice. One such case was that of the prosecution in McKinney, TX of Stephen M Ballew for the murder of James Golden in 1871.
In 1878 he was elected to the supreme court bench of Texas and later formed a law partnership with Colonel Crawford, one of the best known attorneys of the southwest.
In 1888 he came to California and after visiting different parts of the state, he engaged in the practice of law in Santa Cruz.
Following his judgeship, he entered into a law partnership with his sons Lucas F. and Stanford, and he practiced until his last illness.
Funeral services were held at the family residence on Ocean View Avenue. All of his children were summoned and all were home before the passing of their father.
On August 22, 1862, at the age of 17 years, he enlisted in Co. G 101st regiment of the Indiana volunteers and served throughout the war, being discharged in July 1865. He was with General Sherman in his famous march to the sea in the capture of Savannah and the march through the Carolinas.
After he returned to his native town in Indiana, where he declined the appointment to West Point, which was tendered him, in early 1866 he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor from which he graduated in 1868.
Later he settled at Bonham in northern Texas, where he was elected county attorney of Fannin County. In 1870, he was appointed by Governor Davis to the office of the 11th judicial district, composed of five counties, and was prosecuting attorney in cases that attracted nationwide notice. One such case was that of the prosecution in McKinney, TX of Stephen M Ballew for the murder of James Golden in 1871.
In 1878 he was elected to the supreme court bench of Texas and later formed a law partnership with Colonel Crawford, one of the best known attorneys of the southwest.
In 1888 he came to California and after visiting different parts of the state, he engaged in the practice of law in Santa Cruz.
Following his judgeship, he entered into a law partnership with his sons Lucas F. and Stanford, and he practiced until his last illness.
Funeral services were held at the family residence on Ocean View Avenue. All of his children were summoned and all were home before the passing of their father.
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