San Diego-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Cassidy, Andrew ************************************************ 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 February 21, 2006, 1:46 am Author: Theodore S. Van Dyke ANDREW CASSIDY. ONE of the pioneer residents of San Diego is Andrew Cassidy. He is a native of County Cavan, Ireland. When seventeen years of age he emigrated to the United States, landing at Boston. Having had the advantage of an excellent education in his native land, he was well prepared to accept of a position, which was offered him in the Engineer Corps, at West Point, under the immediate direction of George B. McClellan. He remained at the Point for three years, and from there went to Washington, where he was employed in the Coast Survey office, under Professor Bates. He remained in that position about a year, when he was ordered out to the Pacific Coast with a party of five others, under Capt. W. B. Trowbridge, of the Engineer Corps, U. S. A. The party came by the way of the Isthmus, and landed at San Francisco in July, 1853. There they were engaged for about two months in putting up a self-registering gauge at Fort Point. Leaving one man in charge the others started for San Diego. They chartered a schooner and made a series of observations on the way down the coast. They entered the harbor of San Diego, and landed at Point La Playa, where they put up another gauge, and Cassidy was left in charge. He was stationed here in charge of meteorological and tide observations for seventeen years. During this period he made Old San Diego his headquarters the greater part of the time. In 1864 he saw an excellent opportunity to engage in stock-raising and availed himself of it. He employed a man to take charge of. the details, and only exercised a general supervision until he resigned his position in the Coast Survey. His ranch, which was then known as Soledad, situated twelve miles from Old Town, contained one thousand acres of exceedingly rich land. He had on this place at times one thousand head of cattle. The present town of Sorrento is upon this ranch. Mr. Cassidy continued in the stock business from 1864 to the beginning of the year 1887. He then sold out all his stock interests and subdivided his ranch, realizing a handsome sum from the proceeds of his land sales. Besides his interests at Sorrento he owns considerable city and suburban property. He served one term as city trustee in 1865, and again in 1871 was elected for two terms (four years). Mr. Cassidy has been twice married, but is now a widower. He has one daughter, born to his second wife. Besides conducting his large farming interests, Mr. Cassidy has been a true friend to San Diego, contributing his share towards the city's material advancement. Personally he is very courteous, and his address marks him as one who has mingled much with men of the world. He is extremely popular among his acquaintances, and everywhere regarded as at once a progressive and substantial citizen. Additional Comments: From: THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO. ILLUSTRATED, AND CONTAINING BI0GRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. SAN DIEGO, CAL. LEBERTHON & TAYLOR 1888 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sandiego/bios/cassidy828nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 3.6 Kb