San Diego County
Biographies
JOHN H. GAY, JR.,
is a native of the parish of Iberville, Louisiana, born March 21, 1853. His father, Edward J. Gay, was born in Liberty, Virginia, but moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1821, and was among the first settlers of that town. His grandfather was a native of Stanton, Virginia, and was a pioneer merchant in St. Clair County, Illinois. His son, Edward J. Gay, succeeded him in the business, and was there as merchant all his life, but had business in St. Louis, Missouri, and in New Orleans, Louisiana. They were of English and French descent, and a branch of the family are descended from Pocahontas. Mr. Gay's great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution, under General Washington. Mr. Gay's grandmother was Sophia Mitchell. She was a member of a family whose male members were Methodist preachers for many years. His mother, Lovina (Hynes) Gay, was the daughter of Colonel Andrew Hynes, who was on the staff of General Jackson in his wars with the Indians and at the battle of New Orleans. Mr. Gay's father and mother were married in Tennessee. He received his early education at home, and in 1871 was sent to Washington and Lee College, and was there three years. General R. E. Lee was president of the college. After leaving college he engaged on the sugar plantation in Louisiana, and was there from 1874 to 1885, and then on account of his health came to California, landed in San Francisco, and visited nearly every county in the State, and settled in San Diego County in 1886. He bought a ranch at Linda Vista, fourteen miles north of San Diego He has a section of land and is spending considerable money in developing water. His water storage is a success and when generally adopted will revolutionize the agricultural condition of the county. Mr. Gay was married December 20, 1877, to Miss Rebecca P. Connell, a native of Mississippi, born September 6, 1854. She was a daughter of Mr. Lemuel P. Connell, a native of Mississippi; he was a planter and a lawyer, and is now at Natchez, Mississippi. Her mother was Fanny E. Turner, a daughter of Judge Edward Turner. The family were of English descent. Mr. Gay is a member of the Methodist Church, South.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 324-325
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
A. H. JULIAN,
a tried business man and pioneer of San Diego, was born in Alabama, October 7, 1834. His father, George Julian, was a native of South Carolina, and was married to Miss Lavina Reice. The subject of this sketch was their youngest child. He received his education at a private school, and at eighteen years of age went to learn the tinners' trade, at which he has worked for thirty years. He enlisted in 1847 in Company A, First Battalion. Alabama Volunteers, under General Scott's command, and served to the close of the Mexican war. After being mustered out of the service he again went to work at his trade in Tuscaloosa, where he remained for two years and nine months. He then went to Tuscumbia, Alabama, and with his brother, William R. Julian, opened a shop and remained there until 1852, when he removed to Sacramento and worked at his trade. After a year he went to Sierra County, and Yuba and Plumas counties, until 1863, when he removed to Marysville and opened business there. In 1864 he removed to Brown's valley and continued business there. From there he went to Dutch Flat, Placer County, and was in business there three years. He then removed to San Francisco and engaged in the manufacture of pipe for the Spring Valley Water Works. He was there four months, and then came to San Diego in 1868 and opened his present business on the ground where it now is. He has carried on the tin, hardware and plumbing business in San Diego for twenty-one years, and has seen the ups and downs of the growth of this place. Twice his stock and building has been burned to the ground, and each time with the most commendable energy and pluck there has risen out of the ashes a better building than before. In 1862 he was married to Miss Mary M. Swain, daughter of William H. Swain, born in Cincinnati. Mrs. Julian's maternal ancestors were German. They have had seven children, six of whom still survive: Mary B., born in Marysville, Yuba County, California, May 5, 1864; William A., born near Brown's valley, September 10, 1865; George F., born in Dutch Flat, Placer County, December 28, 1868; Charles, born in San Diego, and Arthur Roy, born in San Diego. His oldest son, William A. Julian, is now in business with his father in San Diego, and is a modest and industrious young man, who merits the patronage of his fellow-citizens. Mrs. Julian is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Julian joined the Odd Fellows in 1856, and the Masons in 1870. He is now a member of the board of city delegates for the third term, which consists of two years each. Mr. Julian has also held the office of superintendent of sewers.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 325
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler