Napa-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Steves, J. H. 1851 - 
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Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

J. H. STEVES, hardware dealer, St. Helena, is truly a representative business
man, commanding a large and constantly increasing trade and possessing to the
full the confidence and esteem of the community. He is a self-made man in the
best sense of that term, having had to make his own way from the beginning.
Although still young in years, he has already achieved what many far older than
he desires eagerly, namely, success and comfortable means.

  Mr. Steves was born in Durand, Winnebago County, Illinois. June 12, 1851, and
resided in his birth-place until he was twenty years of age, attending the
common-schools of that place and afterward the High School at Rockford in the
same State. At Durand he served an apprenticeship of three years at the
tinsmith's trade, and in 1871 moved to Beloit, Wisconsin, and there worked at
his trade, remaining with one firm during the whole six years of his stay. On
the first day of the year, 1877, he paid a visit to his home at Durand, and,
finding his father about to start for California, decided to accompany him. They
arrived in San Francisco, January 25, remained in that city a short time, and
then, hearing of the opportunities afforded in the Napa Valley, paid it a visit.
As a result Mr. Steves settled in St. Helena, finding employment in the shops of
W. L. Phillips, with whom he continued for a year and a half. Then (August 13,
1878) bought out the tineware store of Mr. Phillips and began business on his
own account. This he carried on with increasing success, adding to his plumbing
and tinning business a general line of hardware, and taking the agency for the
Cyclone windmills, agricultural implements, wagons, etc., carrying in all a
stock of a value approaching $20,000. He has also the agency for Gladding,
McBean & Co., of San Francisco, for terra cotta, drain tile, etc. His store is a
large and fine one in the new Odd Fellows' Building, of dimensions 30 x 80 feet.
In the large storage-yard is piled the drain tile, the store presenting a well
stocked and handsome appearance, such as is hardly to be expected outside the
large cities. In addition he has a shop 30 x 30 feet in size, with storage-rooms
adjoining of same size. He employs some eight or ten people, under the direction
of his efficient foreman, Mr. W. A. Bingham, who has been with him for ten
years, and has full charge during Mr. Steves' absence.

  Mr. Steves is a strong Republican in politics, but is far too busy a man to 
seek for or accept office, although an active worker in conventions and during 
campaigns. He was married January 8, 1879, to Miss Ida S. Warren, a native of 
California. They have three children: Henry Edgar, born November 12, 1879; 
Charles Emory, born August 5, 1881; and Warren Carlton, born May 20, 1884.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.


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