San Diego-Sacramento-Placer County CA Archives Biographies.....High, William E. 1830 - ************************************************ 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, 3:04 am Author: Theodore S. Van Dyke WILLIAM E. HIGH. MORE than twenty-five years ago a little book was published that attracted wide attention, and was the subject of considerable comment. It was entitled, "Ten Acres Enough," and was written to show how much the owner of ten acres of land in the State of New Jersey had raised; how he had supported his family, saved a considerable sum each year, and lived an independent and contented life. In the vicinity of San Diego there might be found a counterpart of this New Jersey farmer's experience on one-half the amount of land. The results that have followed the thorough cultivation of a plot of five acres of rich soil in the Cholla Valley have been often told, but there is comparatively little known of the man whose industry and judicious care caused the earth to yield such abundant returns. William E. High was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on the first day of January, 1830. He remained on his farther's [sic] farm until he was twenty years old, attending the district schools as opportunity offered. Then he went to Chester County and lived with an uncle for two years. At the end of that time he returned to the old farm. About a year after this his father died, and then the place was sold and he hired out to work on a farm in the same county. He remained there for three years, and during that time taught the district school for one session. Afterwards he went to Bucks County and during 1856-57 ran a saw-mill. The latter part of 1857, however, saw him back again in Berks County, where he stayed until the following spring. These frequent changes in business had tended to unsettle him somewhat and he decided to seek a new country. He had heard much of California, and the fortunes that had been acquired in that distant land. Thither then he determined to journey. After two weeks spent in New York City he set sail on the Star of the West for Cuba, and from there took passage on the New Granada for Aspinwall. Crossing the isthmus he took the John L. Stephens at Panama, and after an uneventful voyage he arrived at San Francisco, the 15th of May, 1858. The same day he left for Sacramento, and from there went through Placer and El Dorado Counties. At Diamond Springs, in the latter county, he worked in a saw-mill for six months. Then he went to Nevada County, where he engaged in mining, following that business with varying degrees of success for nearly ten years. During this time he was located at Moore's Flat and at North San Juan. Early in 1868 he visited San Francisco, and while there made up his mind to come to the southern part of the State. He accordingly went back to Nevada County, settled up his business, and in the following spring started for San Diego, arriving here on the 2d of March. Being well pleased with the outlook he decided to remain. He located one hundred and sixty acres of land eighteen miles southeast of the city, but sold it in six months' time and settled on another piece of one hundred and seventy-five acres adjoining the National Ranch Grant, ten miles from San Diego. He cultivated a small portion of this in fruit, and remained on it for four years, during which time he acquired a title, after some difficulty experienced, some parties claiming it as a Mexican grant. About the 1st of January, 1874, he moved to Cholla Valley, two and one-half miles from San Diego, where he purchased five acres of land, and there he and his brother engaged in raising fruit of different varieties. They experimented with various kinds until they found what was most suitable to the soil and climate, and those varieties they adhered too. The result was that they soon acquired the reputation of raising the finest fruits to be found in this section, and the product of their orchard commanded the highest prices. Mr. High still remains on this famous place, and, with his brother, still cultivates it. In April, 1876, he went East to attend the Centennial and while absent was married. He returned in October with his bride. Two and a half years later she died; her maiden name was Susan Bechtel. For the last eight years Mr. High has been a member of the Cemetery Commission of San Diego; he was the first President of the San Diego Horticultural Society and is now its Vice-President. He was one of the Directors and Vice-President for two years of the Consolidated National Bank, and was a stockholder in the old San Diego Bank before the consolidation. He is interested in the San Diego and Cuyamaca Railroad, now in the course of construction. Four years ago he bought about two thousand acres of land in the Cuyamaca Grant, and he and his brother now own three thousand acres there, which is used for grazing purposes, and they have over two hundred head of cattle on it. Mr. High and his brother are equally interested in all their enterprises, and together they own considerable city and outside property. The site of Otay was sold by his brother to the present owners. Together they contributed one hundred and sixty acres of fine land as a bonus to the California Southern to induce them to build their road here. Mr. High has contributed liberally to all public movements, and although of a retiring disposition, he is in reality one of San Diego's most progressive and substantial citizens. It is to the earnest and well-timed efforts of men like William E. High that the present prosperous condition of this thriving city is largely due. 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/high834nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb