Napa-Alameda County CA Archives Obituaries.....Lewelling, John December 25, 1883
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Steve Harrison raleighwood@juno.com January 17, 2010, 3:58 am

Pacific Rural Press, March 8, 1884
“The Horticultural Society on the Death of Mr. Lewelling. 
At the meeting of the State Horticultural Society, J. V. Webster, Chairman of 
the committee appointed to prepare a memorial on the late John Lewelling, 
submitted the following, which was adopted: 
Mr. President and Members of the Association: Your committee (previously 
appointed but reinstated at your last monthly meeting) to prepare a suitable 
memorial on the death of John Lewelling, an honored member of this society, 
who, after a painful illness, departed this life on the 25th of December last 
[1883], beg leave to make the following report: 
The life and works of the subject are too well known to our membership to 
require an extended biographical sketch in this connection. Suffice it to say 
that Mr. Lewelling was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, January 16, 
1811. From thence, when only a few years old, with his parents he moved to 
Henry county, Indiana. In this then "western wilderness" the promise of the 
household received his first practical lesson in the art of general farming and 
horticulture, with the log schoolhouse which his father had assisted in 
erecting as the only available resource for an education. 
For twenty-odd years the family resided at this place, the subject of our 
sketch in the meantime marrying a Miss Elva Elliott; the issue being eight 
children, two of whom are still living. In 1837 the family moved to Iowa, where 
the nursery business was resumed. Not being fully satisfied with his 
surroundings and having a premonition of the coming glories farther west, Mr. 
Lewelling in the spring of 1850 started across the plains for California. After 
spending a brief season in the mines he went to Oregon, and with a brother who 
had proceded [sic] him, resumed the avocation of nurseryman. Here he remained 
for something over a year. After a visit to the Eastern States he returned to 
California with his family in the early part of 1853. Selecting a favorable 
site near the Mission of San Jose, Alameda county, he commenced anew his old 
avocation. Three years later he purchased the old home site on the San Lorenzo, 
when his name grew famous as one of the most noted and successful nurserymen 
and fruit growers of the State. 
Some fifteen years subsequent to his settlement in Alameda county, owing to bad 
health he located near St. Helena, Napa county, where, by untiring industry and 
great thrift and foresight, he developed from a state of nature one of the most 
beautiful and attractive places in the State. Here he lived and quietly labored 
during the declining years of his life, beloved and honored for his many 
excellent qualities of mind and heart. 
As to places of honor and trust, Mr. Lewelling held many, among them that of 
Master of St. Helena Grange, which position he ably filled for several years. 
He was one of the original promoters of the Grangers' Bank and Business 
Association of this city, holding a directorship in each of the institutions 
from their organization to the date of his death, being in the meantime Vice-
President of each of said associations, culminating in his selection as 
President of the bank. He was also one of the chief promoters of this society, 
and has been esteemed as an authority in matters relating to the subject of 
horticulture. Being a patient, painstaking investigator of all subjects, 
temporal and spiritual, he accepted truth wherever found, without regard to 
whether or not it balanced in accordance with the orthodox standard. Believing 
implicitly in the immutability of nature's laws and looking up through them to 
her God, the study of his life was to live in harmony with them to the end that 
moral and spiritual perfection might thereby be attained. 
Therefore, be it Resolved, By this society, that, while we deeply mourn the 
loss society, his family and this association has sustained in the death of Mr. 
Lewelling, we are consoled by the thought that he has left us an example worthy 
of a common following. 
Resolved, That this memorial be spread on the minutes of the society, and a 
copy thereof sent to the family of the deceased.” END 


Additional Comments:
Pacific Rural Press (San Francisco, California), March 8, 1884 (Saturday). Page 
216, Column 4.


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