San Luis Obispo-El Dorado-Sacramento County CA Archives Biographies.....Warden, Horatio Moore 1828 - ************************************************ 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 August 8, 2006, 10:56 pm Author: Thompson & West (1883) H. M. WARDEN. THE portrait of one of San Luis Obispo's most fortunate and popular citizens is here given, and an illustration on another page represents what is claimed as the handsomest residence in San Luis Obispo County, with its fine gardens, costly marble fountain, and all the rich adornments of an elegant country home. This is the home of Horatio Moore Warden, a native of Ohio, born at Granville, Licking County, May 13, 1828. Mr. Warden springs from old colonial stock of high rank, who, when the difficulties came between the colonies and the mother country, espoused the patriot cause, and upon the declaration of independence became a Captain in the American Army, continuing in the field through the Revolutionary War. Mr. Warden's father was Gabriel Warden, a native of Burlington, Vermont, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Seely, a native of Massachusetts. This worthy couple raised a family of twelve children, three of whom were daughters and nine sons, the subject of this sketch being next to the youngest, Granville was noted for its excellent schools, and there young Warden received his education and grew to man's estate. When twenty years of age, in company with two older brothers, he went from Ohio to Illinois, where they engaged in dealing in cattle, supplying the Chicago market. In that business they were engaged two years, during which time they resided in Marshall County in that State. In 1850, in company with Lew M. Warden, his brother, he crossed the plains to California, reaching Hangtown (Placerville) July 6th, making an exceedingly rapid journey for that period, including a stay of one week at Salt Lake City. The mines were then in their freshness, and virgin ground, enriched with the precious dust, was accessible to all, and in the mines of Placerville he immediately went to gathering gold. Subsequently, he mined on the American River, meeting with success generally, and soon accumulating sufficient capital to enable himself and brother to enter largely into business. In 1851 they went to Sacramento and established a livery stable, and put on a line of stages to Marysville, the first of the kind to that city. Pursuing that business successfully for one year, he sold out in Sacramento and removed to Placer County, where he established lines of stages from Auburn to Yankee Jim's, Iowa Hill, and Illinoistown. From 1852 to 1856, during the busy times of mining in Placer County, he maintained these stage lines, which were very profitable to their owner. April 15, 1856, while in Placer County, he married Miss Maria Mercedes Villigran. This esteemed lady died April 13, 1881, at their home in San Luis Obispo County. In 1856 he sold his business and removed to Napa County, where he purchased a farm which he successfully cultivated for twelve years, until, in 1868, he removed to San Luis Obispo County, where he has since lived. After coming to this county he engaged in sheep and wool growing, which he carried on with the good success that usually attended his enterprises. The necessity of a bank of deposit and exchange, there being none in the county, was very apparent, and in 1872, in company with C. H. Phillips, established the bank of Warden & Phillips, of which Mr. Warden was President, until he severed his connection with it. This is now the Bank of San Luis Obispo, and is an incorporated institution. November 30, 1882, he married Miss Queenie Parr, daughter of Mrs. Loraine Page Parr, at the residence of the mother, in Grass Valley, Nevada County. The mother is a native of Granville, the native place of Mr. Warden, and an acquaintance of former years. Mrs. Warden is a native of Iowa. The kind heart of Mr. Warden is shown in the adoption and great care of two children, to whom he has given his name and treats as his own. Rosa Louisa Warden he has had in his family for several years, and Joseph Wilkinson Warden he adopted in September, 1882. Both are about thirteen years of age. In furnishing a pleasant home for these Mr. Warden is rewarded by the consciousness of doing good. Mr. Warden and his family now reside on his splendid and highly improved ranch of 3,100 acres, being a portion of the Los Osos Grant, six miles from the city of San Luis Obispo. Here he indulges his taste for thoroughbred stock, having upon his place some very choice breeds of horses and cattle. His Short-horn Durhams are the pride of the country as well as of the owner, and his stock of all kinds is of the highest class. The career of this gentleman has been one of almost uninterrupted success; coming as a young pioneer to California, he has passed through all the grades of enterprise, miner, stage proprietor, farmer, banker, until now he holds a princely estate of thousands of acres of the best of land, and a home of refinement and ease. The various steps through life have been taken with clear and good judgment, his business managed with honor and skill, all apparently being conducted without trouble and bringing the natural result of wealth. In social and public life he has always borne a prominent part, being fond of good society, affable and pleasant to all, acting well to the motto of "suaveter in modo, fortiter in re" which has brought him the regard and respect of all. Of the social and benevolent orders he is a member of the Free Masons and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Republican, and has great influence in his party, taking great interest in public matters. In 1880 and 1881 he was one of the Supervisors of the county. He has also been a school trustee, and through his energy and exertions the fine public school building in San Luis Obispo has been erected. In all his business he has been thorough and exact, believing in the principle that all that is worth doing at all is worth doing well. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH Illustrations and Biographical Sketches OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. OAKLAND, CAL. THOMPSON & WEST 1883. 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