Santa
Clara County
Biographies
GEORGE HENRY JEFFERSON
Among the retired citizens living in beautiful
homes along the shady streets of San Jose, none would seem to enjoy greater
comfort or more pleasant reflections than George Henry Jefferson. This pioneer,
who has left the impress of his worth upon several sections of the state, is of
New England ancestry, and was born in Knoxbridge,
Mass., November 18, 1830, a son of Adolphus and Pamelia (Tucker) Jefferson, both descended from families
standing high in early colonial times, and equally prominent in more
progressive Massachusetts history. The latter was a daughter of General Tucker
of English descent and Revolutionary fame. Mr. Jefferson was eleven years old
when his father died, and twelve when his mother was taken from him, being one
of a large family of children thus to be compelled to face the future with
scant preparation. There were two sons and one daughter who reached maturity.
Adolphus Jefferson was a farmer and lumber dealer by trade, and after his early
death, our subject resided with his cousin, and later with his uncle, John
Jefferson. He eventually learned the boot and shoe business and at the age of
fourteen had as many as nine men working for him.
Mr. Jefferson was frugal and industrious,
and managed to lay by quite a sum of money, a fact which he had cause to
appreciate when the gold fever swept from west to east, and unsettled the
intentions of half the population of the country. In comparison with a quick
fortune to be made in the mines, the occupation of shoemaking seemed tedious
indeed, and it did not take the ambitious youth long to make up his mind to
emigrate to the coast. He had no serious intention of remaining for any length
of time, and had anyone told him that his entire future would be almost within
sight of the waves of the Pacific he would have regarded the prophecy as an
utter improbability. May 2, 1852, he left New York City for Nicaragua, going
thence to San Francisco, which he reached July 7, of the same year. On the way
he met Josiah Nichols, who informed him of the various resources of the state,
and acting upon his advice took the first boat for Sacramento, going thence by stage
to Coloma, Eldorado (sic) county, where he managed the Nichols hotel, the
headquarters for mining men of all classes, and representing all stages of
prosperity and poverty. This position offered great opportunities for studying
both the country and human nature, and being genial and obliging, tactful and
ready of wit, he made many friends among his guests, in many instances
continuing the association until death intervened. The next year he took a
short trip back to Massachusetts and returned to San Francisco November 18,
1854. December 20, 1854, he came to San Jose, soon afterwards becoming
interested in a milk business. So successful was he that he completely
transferred his enterprise to San Jose, and in 1868 he sold his milk business,
bought a ranch and conducted a cattle enterprise, engaging at the same time in
a butcher business with fair success. Later still he purchased horses for the
government, and about this time built his old home in San Jose on Fifth street
near St. John. He took a great interest in the upbuilding of the city, and was
a member of the first volunteer fire department. He built his present beautiful
home in 1901, located at No. 97 North Eleventh street.
March 19, 1857, Mr. Jefferson
married Elizabeth Quivey, daughter of Col. Peter Quivey, who was born in the state of New York. Mrs.
Jefferson was born in Kentucky, and accompanied her parents to Missouri at an
early date and crossed the plains with them to California in 1846. Her much
regretted death occurred July 12, 1893, at the age of fifty-eight. She was the
mother of six children, of whom Mary and Emma died young. Sadie E. is living
with her father; Alice is the wife of Charles Bolton;
Jennie G. is now Mrs. W. A. Davis, and Maud is the widow of E. W. Leighton. Mr.
Jefferson possesses the sterling trait of character associated in the popular
mind with New Englanders, and in addition the progressiveness of the west,
which fortunate combination has brought him a gratifying competence and the
esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1379-1380. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.