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Partner, Smilie Brothers, Building Contractors, Oakland, CA, c. 1877-1897.

At his death, the Los Angeles Herald said of Smilie's career: "Robert Smilie was perhaps the best known contractor on the coast for he had worked from Los Angeles to Seattle. He was a native of Ontario, Canada, and came to Oakland a poor boy of 24 years just 20 years ago. He began as a carpenter and branched into contracting and success attended his efforts from the first. He was joined later by his brothers Alexander and James Smilie and the three engaged in business together. His success continued and he amassed a fortune. Among his possessions are the Metropole hotel and other valuable property in Oakland, several large tracts of land in Fresno, and a beautiful home at the corner of Webster and Telegraph avenue in Berkeley." (See "Contractor Smilie," Los Angeles Herald, 12/12/1897, p. 5.)

Professional Activities

The Daily Alta California newspaper noted in1885 that Smilie was active in the formation of a new local association of building contractors in San Francisco. It wrote: "Several of the boss carpenters of this city have formed an association. Robert Smilie has been the acting President, but it is supposed that Jerry Mahoney of the firm of Mahoney Brothers will be the permanent President. The Association intends to erect a fine hall." (See "Boss Carpenters," Daily Alta California, vol. 38, no. 12814, 05/14/1885, p. 1.)

Relocation

Smilie was born in Canada.

In 1880, he boarded at the residence of Randolph and Eva Haskell at 1961 San Pablo Avenue. Randolph Haskell was a contractor and builder in Oakland, CA. According to the US Census of 1880, Haskell provided room and board to five young men who, like Smilie, were carpenters or plasterers, four of whom were from Canada.

Smilie died in Crockett, CA, at the Starr Flour Mill there as it was being renovated into a California and Hawaiian (C and H) Sugar Company refinery. A support beam fell on him, killing him.

Spouse

The Los Angeles Herald stated in his obituary: "He was married ten years ago and leaves a widow and a young son and daughter." (See "Contractor Smilie," Los Angeles Herald, 12/12/1897, p. 5.)

Biographical Notes

Smilie was a member of the Knight's Templar, a fraternal order affiliated with Freemasonry. The San Francisco Call reported about Smilie's funeral in 1897: "The remains of Robert Smilie, who was killed at Crockett last evening, were brought to this city today. Immediately upon hearing of the accident members of the Knights Templar left for Crockett. Last Monday, before leaving for his work, he took a $5000 accident policy in a local association. He had just received a jugment [sic] in Fresno County for $8795 for the new courthouse. The Board of Supervisors had passed the bill and the Treasurer was holding the money for him. The Knights Templar will attend his funeral from the Berkeley residence Tuesday afternoon, as will many of the Builders' Exchange. He was one of three nominees of the San Francisco exchange president. The election is to take place soon." (See "Smilie's Funeral," San Francisco Call, vol. 83, no. 13, 12/13/1897, p. 9.)

He was listed as a founding member of the Acacia Club in Oakland: "The Acacia Club of Oakland, Capital stock $10,000, with Alfred W. Burrall, Edw. A. Morgan, Webb N. Pearce, John A. Beckwith, Charles E. Gillett, Walter G. Manuel, John Williams, Charles W. Randall and Robert Smilie of Oakland as directors." (See "Articles of Incorporation," Sacramento Daily Union, vol. 86, no. 30, 09/23/1893, p. 3.)

• Crockett, CA (Architect's Death)
  Crockett, CA

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