Sonoma-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....McNear, John Augustus 1810 - ************************************************ 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 March 1, 2006, 12:04 pm Author: Alley, Bowen & Co. (1880) McNear, John Augustus. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in the town of Wiscasset, Lincoln county, Maine, December 23, 1833. He was educated in the schools of that town, and graduated from the Pittston Academy. His father was a sea captain, and the young lad took occasional trips to sea with him, thus becoming an adept at an early age in the lore of seamanship. In 1852, at the age of nineteen, he shipped before the mast as a common sailor, on the new ship "Cape Cod," Captain Hopkins—Gears, mate—bound from Boston to St. John's, New Brunswick, thence to Liverpool. On this voyage he made the practical business of sailing a vessel a thorough study, taking his observations when off duty, and computing the longitude and time as regularly as did the officers, and foretold the exact time for sighting land. It was not until after his return from this voyage that he graduated at the Academy, which event occurred in 1853. Immediately after he graduated, while he was yet only twenty years of age, he was tendered the position of master of the brig "Tiberius." He accepted this position, having educated himself for the sea, and made one voyage on her, at the end of which he disposed of the vessel as well as the cargo on very advantageous terms, with all of which the owners of the vessel were greatly pleased. Thus early in life were developed those traits of character which have ever characterized him as a shrewd and prosperous business man. He spent the remainder of that season on the square-rigged schooner " Corinthian," as master, sailing between the various ports on the eastern coast. That Fall he went South in the new ship "Thalata," from Bath to New Orleans, and engaged in sailing a vessel from New Orleans to Pascagoula, Mobile, and other Gulf ports. He continued here in this business until 1854, when he became one-third interested in a large steam saw-milling business, with Plummer, Williams & Co. in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He remained in this business for the ensuing two years. In the Fall of 1856 he started for California on the steamer "Illinois," stopping at Kingston, coming by the Panama route. He arrived in San Francisco on the steamer "Sonora," November 3, 1856, and came to Petaluma November 6th. Upon his arrival he began to deal in real estate more or less. In 1857, he bought the Washington livery stable property, associating with him P. E. Weeks, to whom he sold out January 9, 1860. In 1859 he erected the warehouses which stood near the present site of the woolen mills in East Petaluma. Here he did a general warehouse and shipping business, in all of which he prospered very well. During the Fall of 1860, his brother, G. W. McNear, arrived from the East, and at once entered into partnership with John A., G. W. going to San Francisco in the Spring of 1861, to attend to the large business established there. They bought a stock of hardware and machinery in 1862, which business they conducted in connection with the warehouse and grain interests. In 1865 they disposed of their hardware business, and began to devote their entire time and energies to their grain and warehouse business. During the Fall of 1864 they erected the fine large fire-proof brick warehouse now standing in East Petaluma. During the year 1865 they built the handsome and commodious passenger-steamer "Josie McNear," which was designed expressly for the Petaluma trade. This steamer was then the fastest on the bay, was built very strong, and was extremely seaworthy. The freight and passenger rates were reduced one-half on this steamer, and the people of Sonoma county reaped a very rich harvest in their savings from this source. Mr. McNear's career in Petaluma has been one of enterprise and progression. He has ever evinced a high degree of public spiritedness which has been most commendable. On every hand may be seen the fruits of his labors and the result of his energy in this direction. A beautiful residence, fine large grounds occupying nearly a whole block, and substantial business properties have been constructed. Business enterprises have been projected and carried to successful completion, guided by his skillful hand. Prominent among these may be mentioned the organizing and establishment of the Sonoma County Water Company, the Bank of Sonoma County; but standing out in bold relief is the Cypress Hill Cemetery, a private enterprise of a character and on a scale not equaled in the State of California. A full and detailed description of this beautiful "silent city of the dead," will be found on another page of this work. Mr. McNear was married in Pascagoula, by Rev. McCann, on September 3, 1854, to Miss Clara D., daughter of George B. Williams, now a resident of Petaluma. The result of this union was five children, all of whom are dead except George P. His wife died January 17, 1866. He was married again in San Francisco, May 15, 1867, at the Church of the Advent, by Rev. George H. Jenks, to Miss Hattie S. Miller. The result of this union has been two children, John A and Erskine B., both living. Additional Comments: Petaluma Township Extracted from: HISTORY —OF- SONOMA COUNTY, -INCLUDING ITS— Geology, Topooraphy, Mountains, Valleys and Streams; —TOGETHER WITH— A Full and Particular Record of the Spanish Grants; Its Early History and Settlement, Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources; the Names of Original Spanish and American Pioneers; a full Political History, Comprising the Tabular Statements of Elections and Office-holders since the Formation of the County; Separate Histories of each Township, Showing the Advancement of Grape and Grain Growing Interests, and Pisciculture; ALSO, INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE; THE RAISING OF THE BEAR FLAG; AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN; —AND OF ITS— Cities, Towns, Churches, Schools, Secret Societies, Etc., Etc. ILLUSTRATED. SAN FRANCISCO: ALLEY, BOWEN & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1880. 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