JAMES K. McKINSTRY

Sacramento County

Biographies

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 in New York State, where the family resided until 1837, in Chicago till 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 Gait, 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 and McKinstry continued until Mr. Howard disposed of his interest to his brother Charles 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 of the illustrated works issued on the coast at the 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.

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.

Source: Willis, William L., History of Sacramento County, California, Page 459-460. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1913.