JAMES K. McKINSTRY 

James K. McKinstry, of Galt, was born in Rochester, New York, February 9, 1835. His father, John, and his mother, Jane (Kelso) McKinstry, were both natives of the North of Ireland. About 1834 they emigrated to the United States, having at that time two children, one of whom died while crossing the ocean, and the other died in Sacramento, in May 1853. Both were daughters. On arrival in this country, John McKinstry first located to New York State, where the family resided until 1837, in Chicago until 1840, and from 1840 to 1850 in Galena, Illinois. The mother is now living with her son James in Galt. On coming to this State about the middle of August 1850, they stopped first in Sacramento. In May 1851, James McKinstry (our subject) went to the mines, and for about four years was engaged among them in El Dorado and Placer counties. He then came to the vicinity of Galt, where he has since been an honored resident. There he followed the dairy business for about fourteen years, driving cows to the mountains, making butter and raising stock. From 1872 to 1879, with the exception of one year, he was salesman in Whitaker & Ray’s store. In the meantime he started a livery stable in Galt, and for the last ten years he has given his personal attention to the business. His stable was first erected in Old Liberty by Robert Brown. After a time it fell into the hands of Calvin Briggs, along with the Devins Exchange Hotel, and was moved to Galt and set on the corner of Fifth and C Streets, where it now stands. Thomas Briggs was the first to run it as a livery stable. He sold to William F. Brewster and Benjamin F. Howard, about 1873. After awhile Brewster sold his interest to Mr. McKinstry, and the firm of Howard & McKinstry continued until Mr. Howard disposed of his interest to his brother, Caarles B., the firm name remaining the same. In 1879 or 1880 Mr. McKinstry bought out his partner’s interest, and since then has been the sole proprietor. He is a pleasant, genial gentleman, thoroughly understanding business principles. He has been moderately successful in life, and he now has the finest livery stable in the place. He is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 239, I.O.O.F., and of the Galt Encampment, No. 65, both of Galt. He has a ranch of 160 acres two miles from Galt, and another of the same size eight miles from town, devoted to general farming. July 19, 1858, is the date of his marriage to Fanny, daughter of Thomas Armstrong, one of the early artists and engravers on this coast, who did a great deal of work in San Francisco and Sacramento; indeed nearly all the illustrated works issued on the coast at that time were executed by him. Mr. and Mrs. McKinstry have brought up a family of five children, viz.: Clara, wife of C.C. Clement, justice of the peace at Galt; Lizzie, wife of W.R. Cole, residing near Centerville, Alameda County; Edgar, assistant agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, at Lorenzo; Charles W., who manages the business of the stable; and Tom, the Southern Pacific Railroad agent at Stege, in Alameda County; he was appointed at the age of fifteen years, being given the entire charge of all the departments – the business of the railroad company, of Wells & Fargo’s Express and the Western Union Telegraph, being the youngest agent in the employ of the company. In political matters Mr. McKinstry has always been a Republican, and takes an active part in the public affairs of the county. He has served the people of Dry Creek Township as justice of the peace and notary public for two years.