JOHN DRISCOLL GRANDLEES

Sacramento County

Biographies

JOHN DRISCOLL GRANDLEES

JOHN DRISCOLL GRANDLEES.--A native son who is making a success of his chosen life work is John Driscoll Grandlees, who was born on the ranch he now owns, near Bridge House, Sacramento County, on October 3, 1881. His father, Robert Grandlees, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in April, 1857; while the grandfather, William Grandlees, was a native of Ireland, having immigrated to Philadelphia, where he was a merchant until 1857, when he brought his family to California. For a time he was located in the Livermore Valley, where he was engaged in stock raising; and he also had a hotel at San Lorenzo. In 1871 he located at Bridge House, on the Cosumnes River, where he purchased a ranch and engaged in farming. In former days he had married Catherine Scarlett, who was also born in Ireland. She passed away at San Lorenzo; While William Grandlees died in Sacramento.

Robert Grandlees received his education at San Lorenzo, and was engaged in farming at Bridge House. He was married to Mary C. Driscoll. She was born in Sacramento County, a daughter of John Driscoll, who was born in County cork, Ireland, and came to New York City when he was a boy. During the gold excitement he came to San Francisco via Panama, and engaged in the hotel business until 1855. He then came to Bridge House, and was a pioneer in this region, becoming a very successful farmer and stockman. He added to his original holdings until he was the owner of over 1,000 acres. A man of great energy and much business ability, he was well and favorably known in his community. He passed away at the age of eighty years.

Mary Driscoll was the only child in her parents’ family. She grew up on her father’s ranch, finishing her education in Professor Howe’s school in Sacramento. After her marriage to Robert Grandlees, they farmed the Driscoll place for some years, and then retired to Sacramento, where the father died about six years ago. The mother now makes her home near Mills Station. There was six children born of their union: John Driscoll, the subject of our interesting review; Robert Edward, of Ione; Agnes, now Mrs. A. H. Joerger, of Mills Station; George Bartlett, of Sacramento; and Mrs. Theresa M. Carrol, and Arthur J., both of Mills Station.

Jack Grandlees, as Mr. Grandlees is familiarly called by his friends, attended school in the Stone House district, after which he entered Christian Brothers’ College, at Sacramento, where he continued his studies for a period of two years. From a boy he had grown up learning the stock business; and when twenty-three years of age he and a brother engaged in stock-raising on their grandfather Driscoll’s ranch, working together for about four years, when they dissolved partnership. Mr. Grandlees continued raising cattle and sheep on his own account, and has made a success of the enterprise. He now owns the old Pratte ranch of 400 acres and 125 acres of the old Driscoll ranch. In 1920 he started a movement to secure water for irrigation from the Cosumnes River by tapping the river above Bridge House and bring water in a ditch, thus enabling the farmers to irrigate the fertile bottoms below. Mr. Grandlees interested seven others in the project; and the irrigation system is now complete and a success. He is now raising alfalfa and has a small dairy. He also leases about 3,000 acres of range in the vicinity, where he ranges his cattle and sheep, having about 250 head of the former and 2,500 head of the latter. He also owns a ranch on the headwaters of the American River, in the Sierras, where he has a summer home as well as range for his stock. He is very energetic and looks after every detail himself, which is the secret of his success.

Mr. Grandlees was married in Sacramento, being united with Miss Catherine Sheldon. She was born on the old Sheldon place at Slough House, a daughter of the old esteemed pioneer, W. C. Sheldon, who is represented elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Grandlees received her education in the local schools and at Mills College. Their union has been blessed with the birth of three children: George Edward, Mary Anita, and John Driscoll, Jr. Mr. Grandlees is a member of the California Cattle Growers’ Association, and served as a director of the state association for three years. He is also a member and vice-president of the Eldorado and Amador County Stockmen’s Association, his brand is JD being well-known on the range. Mr. Grandlees is enterprising and liberal, and gives of his time and means, as far as he is able, to worthy enterprises for the development and upbuilding of the county. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Columbus; and politically he is a Democrat.

Transcribed by Patricia Seabolt.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 461-462. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.