Contra
Costa County
Biographies
JAMES
B. McKENZIE
JAMES B. McKENZIE. Among the prominent and successful men who
are maintaining a high standard of real estate transactions in Point Richmond,
mention is due James B. McKenzie, a resident of this town since the fall
of 1902. He handles general real estate,
but more especially represents the Bay View tract of fifty-five acres, upon
which many residences have been erected.
Mr. McKenzie was born in Ontario, Canada, February 17,
1849. His father, John McKenzie, was a
native of Scotland, and his mother, Margaret (Buchanan) McKenzie, was born in
England. John McKenzie came to America
with his parents at the age of eight and the balance of his life was spent in
Ontario, where he owned and conducted a farm.
James B. McKenzie is the second child in
a family of ten children, and the comparatively scant earnings of his father
necessitated self-support at an early age.
During the winter time he improved his opportunity at the public schools, and in 1868 learned the carpenter’s trade in Galt,
Canada, following that occupation until 1872.
Mr. McKenzie was of an ambitious and determined mind even at this
early stage of his career, and removing to Carson City, Nev., he remained for
six months, and then found employment at his trade in Virginia City. In 1876 he located in Marysville, Cal., and
followed carpentering and building, later settling in Benicia, where he
contracted with success, and built and started the Benicia Planing
Mill, which he operated for twelve years in connection with his
contracting. Upon removing to San
Francisco in 1896, he contracted until 1900, coming then to Point Richmond
where he followed contracting and building for two years, and then branched out
into real estate.
In Benicia, Cal., Mr. McKenzie
married Jennie E. Harding, who was born in California. They have one son, Alexander H. Mr. McKenzie has taken an active
interest in Republican politics for many years, and among other offices held by
him was that of city trustee for five years.
He is a member of Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., of Benicia;
Chapter No. 7, R. A. M., of the same town; and Commandery No. 7,
K. T., of Marysville.
Mr. McKenzie has the esteem and good will of the communities which
he has benefited by his citizenship and the knowledge of his calling, and his
career has the promise insured by thoroughness, industry, and integrity.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1001-1002. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Donna Toole.
Contra Costa County Biographies