Alameda County
Biographies
JOHN C. McPHEE
The homestead of Mr. McPhee in the Livermore valley near Pleasanton is far removed from the place of his birth and the home of his ancestors. Born on Prince Edward Island in 1839, he was the son of a prosperous farmer who had emigrated from Scotland in early manhood and married a young lady born and reared on the island. To their son they gave all the advantages which their ample means rendered possible. It was their ambition to have him prepare for the medical profession, his talent for which was early evidenced. However, like many young men, it was difficult for him to settle down to the responsibilities of life and after two years’ study with a physician, Dr. McEwen, he abandoned his studies for the more stirring activities of commercial life. With money earned by his own exertions, he bought a one-half interest in a water grist and sawmill on the island. Later a woolen mill was added to the firm’s properties. Unfortunately their supply of water gave out and to make up for the deficiency they built a canal three miles in length. The canal proved a failure, entailing upon Mr. McPhee an indebtedness of $6,000. To add to their troubles some one started a steam mill near their plant, so that the trade was divided. Under these circumstances Mr. McPhee decided to relinquish his interest in the mill in order to pay the indebtedness on the plant.
A mere accident led Mr. McPhee into the work which he regards as his greatest achievement in life. While engaged in milling, a Roman Catholic priest gave his father-in-law the secret of a cancer remedy which he had secured from some Italians. The priest had found it to be an infallible cure and had treated many patients, but the stress of his religious work obliged him to abandon the treatment of patients. When Mr. McPhee left the mill he gave his attention to treating people afflicted with cancers. His success in this work was so great that he was kept constantly busy in the east for years. Finally, desiring a change of climate, in 1883 he came to California and settled in San Francisco, where he worked at the ship carpenter’s trade and later had a disastrous experience in the poultry business in Oakland. Afterward he devoted his attention wholly to cancer treatment until 1897, when he purchased a ranch of thirty acres near Pleasanton, Alameda county. Of the tract twenty acres had been planted in a vineyard, the balance being in fruit. The purchase price was $250 per acre and he has since made the place his home. During 1903 he suffered a paralytic stroke, which impaired his health to such an extent that active work is no longer possible, and he has therefore been obliged to relinquish the treatment of cancers, in which he has been so remarkable successful.
The marriage of Mr. McPhee occurred in 1858 and united him with Miss Mary Morrison, whose father was a Scotchman and her mother a native of Prince Edward Island. Mr. McPhee was born and reared on the island and made her home there ad in the east until she joined her husband in California in 1885. Of their children, three died in childhood, and John F. was twenty-five years and mine months of age at the time of his death. Those now living are as follows: Michael A., who makes his home in Massachusetts; Catherine, who is married and resides in San Pedro, Cal.; Christina, who lives in Massachusetts; Niel B., who lives in California; Joseph and Andrew, who are also living in the old Bay state; and Pansy, who remains with her parents in Alameda county.
Transcribed
Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 790-793. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Joyce Rugeroni.
BACK TO GOLDEN NUGGET LIBRARY'S ALAMEDA DATABASES