Nevada
County
Biographies
CHARLES E. CLINCH
Charles E. Clinch is the honored
mayor of Grass Valley and one of the representatives of commercial interests in
northern California. He is a self-made
man who has not despised the day of small things, but has used the obstacles in
his path as stepping-stones to higher successes and has a right to regard his
advancement with pride. It is
comparatively easy for a man of reasonably good ability to achieve a business
success on capital, either borrowed or inherited; but it requires real force of
character to earn a capital by hard, persistent work and save it and invest it
successfully. This, however, Mr. Clinch
has done, and he enjoys the distinction of being one of the leading merchants
not only of Grass Valley but even of this section of the state.
He was born in El Dorado County,
California, October 31, 1858, and is the eldest of the two children of Patrick
and Elizabeth (Gill) Clinch. His father
was of Irish birth, and in 1850 came to California, where he was actively
engaged in mining up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1866. His wife, who is a native of Australia, came
with her people to California in 1850.
Charles E. Clinch, of this review,
was a lad of eight years when he came to Nevada County, where he has since made
his home. He is indebted to the public
school system of Grass Valley for the educational privileges which were
accorded him. Since his early manhood he
has been connected with merchandising, first as a salesman and afterward as the
proprietor. About sixteen years ago the
present grocery firm of Clinch & Company was formed, and our subject has
since been the manager of the business, which is one of the most extensive in
its line in this part of the state. In
additional to the large and well selected stock of staple and fancy groceries,
the firm carries glass, crockery, tin and agate ware, also the highest grade
and best brands of bottled liquors for medical purposes. Steadily the trade has grown both in volume
and importance until it has now assumed extensive proportions and a liberal
income is therefore derived from the sale of their goods.
On the 16th of March,
1884, occurred the marriage of Mr. Clinch to Miss Emily Jenkins, a native of
Nevada County and a daughter of John Jenkins, of English birth, who came to
California in 1849 and died in 1888.
Five children blessed the union of our subject and his wife, namely: Charles R., Emily M., Willis W., Janet and
Marian. To the Republican Party Mr.
Clinch gives an earnest support. In 1882
he was elected public administrator for a two-year term, and in 1898 he was
chosen by popular ballot to the responsible office of mayor. He handled the reins of the city government
with great care, his administration being business-like, practical and
progressive. He now affiliates with both
the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic fraternity, the subordinate lodge and
the encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the lodge and the
uniformed rank of Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks, the Knights of Honor and Quartz Parlor, No. 58, Native Sons of the Golden
West. His standing in business and
social circles is deservedly high and he is ever loyal and true to the public
interests of his native state, being a public-spirited citizen who has at heart
the progress and prosperity of the town of his adoption and who gives his
helpful encouragement to every movement having for its objects the enhancement
of the welfare of its people.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 416-417. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Nevada County Biographies