Monterey-Tuolumne-El Dorado County CA Archives Biographies.....Vanderhurst, William 1833 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 20, 2007, 9:43 pm Author: Luther A. Ingersoll, Editor (1893) HON. WILLIAM VANDERHURST, an honored pioneer of California, who has been identified with every enterprise having for its object the development of Monterey county, and the good of Salinas valley, and a senior member of the large mercantile firm of Vanderhurst, Sanborn & Co., was born in Marion county, Mississippi, January 12, 1833. His father was a merchant by occupation, who died when the subject of this sketch was but six years of age. Mr. Vanderhurst passed his youth in his native county and attended the schools in his vicinity. When sixteen years of age, he began clerking, which occupation, with the exception of one year at school, he followed uninterruptedly until he started for California, December 31, 1852. He came via the Isthmus, and on the vessel in which he embarked measles, small-pox and yellow fever broke out, as many as four or five passengers a day dying between Panama and Acapulco. Mr. Vanderhurst fortunately escaped with an attack of varioloid. He arrived in San Francisco February 5, 1853. He had letters of introduction to the Mayor of San Francisco, but never presented them, as he started immediately after arriving for the mines at Jamestown, Tuolumne county. In May he went to Gold Hill, whence he proceeded to the middle fork of the American river, finally returning in November to San Francisco thoroughly disgusted with mining. His next venture was in an agricultural part of the State. He went to Santa Cruz county and secured employment with Cummins & Kitchen, contractors, to dig potatoes. But as he did not understand the business, he could not dig as many potatoes as the other dagoes, and was discharged, although the firm, liking his industry, retained him a few days on other work. He then worked for J. B. Tyus, who now lives in Indian valley, Monterey county. He was in the redwoods two months getting out pickets, shakes, etc. He then made arrangements with Tyus & Poole to farm on shares, they furnishing everything and receiving one-half the crop. The first year he made enough to buy a team and farming utensils, and in 1855 leased land from Joseph Hatch. In 1856 he bought a squatter's claim, part of the Vallejo grant in Monterey county, where he farmed until 1858, when he sold out, and the following year removed to Watsonville. In July, 1859, he entered the mercantile business in Watsonville, in partnership with Robert M. Griffin, under the firm name of Griffin & Company, whicli business they continued until 1862. They invested their money, about $12,000, in mining stocks, and lost it, although Mr. Vanderhurst went to Nevada in 1863, and remained there until the following year, trying to make something out of their interest. In 1864 he returned to Watsonville and secured employment as bookkeeper for E. L. Goldstein & Company, and in January of the following year was admitted to partnership, remaining there until January 1, 1868. On May 1 of that year he formed a partnership with Charles Ford and Lucius Sanborn (L. R. Porter being subsequently admitted to the firm), and went to Salinas. The town had been laid out the preceding February, and their store was among the first buildings to be erected. They opened their store for business August 25, 1868, which has been from the first the leading mercantile institution of the county. The firm has large interests outside of their regular lines, being one of the principal owners in the Gas and Water Company, which has recently put in the Thomson-Houston system of electric lights in Salinas. They have three stores in Salinas and a branch store at King City. His well-known ability and correct principles from the first, singled him out as a desirable person for public office. He was one of the first trustees of Salinas, and one of the first Council men after the town was incorporated. He was a member of the council at the time the streets were macadamized and the sidewalks laid out. He was also ex officio Mayor of Salinas for six months. He is a prominent Mason, and assisted in organizing a Masonic lodge in Salinas in 1869, of which he was the first Senior Warden, and afterward Master for three years. He was the first High Priest of the chapter of the R. A. M., of Galinas, and the first Generalissimo of the Watsonville Commandery Knights Templars, subsequently filling the office of Commander for two years. He is Past Grand Priest of the Grand Chapter R. A. M., of California, and is also Deputy Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of California. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. He is president of the Vanderhurst-Sanborn Company, president of the Monterey County Bank, and vice-president of the Board of Trade. He owns considerable real estate in the county, and is largely interested in farming and stock-raising. He was married December 3, 1856, to Miss Jane Hatch, and they have had ten children, seven of whom, four boys and three girls, are living, the oldest daughter being married and residing in San Francisco. In domestic, private and public life he has ever been the same intelligent, conscientious and genial person, eliciting the respect and retaining the friendship of all who know him. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California. Illustrated. Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent Citizens of To-day. HENRY D. BARROWS, Editor of the Historical Department. LUTHER A. INGERSOLL, Editor of the Biographical Department. "A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants."-Macaulay. CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1893. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/monterey/bios/vanderhu1088nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 6.6 Kb