Shasta County
Biographies
CHARLES KEIR McELWEE
a native son of the Golden West, and a prominent business man of the city of Redding, Shasta County, was born October 21, 1856, in the first brick building erected in the city of San Francisco, on Commercial street, below Montgomery. His father, John V. McElwee, was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born in 1821, and his grandfather, Charles McElwee, came from Scotland before the Revolution, and was a participant in that war. The father married Mary Scott, a native of Nova Scotia, whose ancestors settled in Boston before the Revolution, but remained loyal to the King, and escaped to Nova Scotia, where they resided for many years. Mr. and Mrs. McElwee were the parents of five children, all of whom are living. Their father came to California in 1850, tried mining at first, and then settled on a fine ranch below Sacramento on the river. A flood came soon afterward and drove them out, and they went to San Francisco, where he engaged in the furniture business, which had been his occupation in the East. This trade he carried on successfully until his death, which occurred in 1882. He was a good citizen and a thorough business man; his wife still survives him.
Charles McElwee, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Lincoln School in San Francisco, and learned the upholstering trade. He started out for himself in that business in 1874, in San Francisco, and after a year removed to Seattle, but concluding not to locate there he returned to San Francisco, where he remained until 1888. He then learned that there was a good opening for business at Redding, and he accordingly engaged in business in this city, in partnership with Herbert Moody. They have a fine store, 50 x 80 feet, and a shop 25 x 40 feet, which is the first and only store in the city, and they enjoy a nice trade, their customers coming to them from 250 miles’ distance. Mr. McElwee has purchased his partners’ interest, and is now the sole proprietor. He is also interested in town property in Redding.
He was married to Miss Jennie Gould, a native of Boston, and daughter of Governor Gould, and is of Scotch ancestry. Mr. McElwee is a Native Son of the Golden West; and Odd Fellow; and a member of the Order of Red Men. His political views are Republican, with strong American tendencies. He is a man of good business ability.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
JOHN H. FOSTER
one of the prominent merchants of Cottonwood, is a native of the Golden West, born in Shasta, August 30, 1856. His father, Jacob Foster, came to California in 1849, and in two years returned East after his family, and again came to this State in 1852. He was a native of Germany, and was married in St. Louis, Missouri, to Miss Adaline Hertling, also a native of Germany. They had seven children, five of whom are still living.
Mr. Foster, the subject of this sketch, received his education in Cottonwood, and also took a full business course at Heald’s Business College at San Francisco. He learned telegraphy, and was engaged in railroading eighteen years. In 1884 the firm of Becker & Foster was organized, they having purchased the stock and good-will of William Knowlton, and they now have a large double store filled with a desirable stock of general merchandise. They enjoy a satisfactory trade, which extends to a distance of from thirty-five to forty miles. Mr. Foster has also invested in village property, and has a very pleasant home where he now resides. He is a business man of energy and ability. His father, Jacob Foster, was the founder of the town of Cottonwood, and was the owner of the ranch on which the town was built; he also built the first hotel. His son, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Cottonwood, and has been the railroad agent in the town for eighteen years, and it is not to be wondered at that he takes just pride in its growth. He is one of those ready business men who takes hold on whatever has to be done, in connection with his large and diversified business.
Mr. Foster was united in marriage with Miss Philipina Rieser, a native daughter of the Golden West, born in Red Bluff. This union has been blessed with three children, all born in Cottonwood, namely: Ellis J., Joseph A. and Carrie.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891