Santa
Clara County
Biographies
HENRY T. MAYOCK
In enumerating the men responsible for the business stability of Gilroy mention is due Henry T. Mayock, the genial and popular proprietor of the Fashion stables, and otherwise known as the owner and operator of the state line to Gilroy Hot Springs, and the breeder of standard and thoroughbred horses. Mr. Mayock comes from the south, and his first impressions are centered around a plantation near Gainesville, Hall county, Ga., where he was born October 15, 1858, a son of Michael and Mary J. (Forbes) Mayock. The father was a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and the mother a native of Georgia, which has been the home of the Forbes family for several generations. Sidney Forbes, the father of Mrs. Mayock, was a man of responsibility and prominence. When Michael Mayock arrived in America he was a young Irish lad with a great deal to learn, but with a wealth of ambition and perseverance at his command. Drifting to Georgia, he not only found there a competence, but a wife as well, and for years was interested in merchandising and mining. Leaving his family behind he followed the immigration to the west in 1849, engaged in mining in Tuolumne county for a couple of years, and then returned to his old home in Georgia. Purchasing a plantation, he carried it on until the war ruined his prospects, after which he became discouraged with the opportunities of the south. Bringing his family to Gilroy, Cal., in 1874, he entered the employ of Miller & Lux, and while there met with an accident in feeding a cutter, which deprived him of one of his arms, and resulted in his death at the age of eighty years. He is survived by his wife, who still makes her home in Gilroy, and who is the mother of six children: Barbara, the wife of H. D. Martin, of Gilroy; Maggie, now Mrs. Barrows of Gilroy; Henry Thompson; Levi, a cattleman of San Benito county; S. J., a traveling salesman of Gilroy; and Robert L., manager of the large mercantile establishment of H. Hecker of Gilroy.
Fifteen years of age when the family settled in Gilroy, Henry T. Mayock continued the schooling begun in the public institution of Georgia, and at the same time began to work for Miller & Lux as a teamster. Six years later he began to drive the stage to Hot Springs for Johnnie Paine, and was afterward in the employ of the freight department of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Opportunity presenting itself to purchase the livery stable and stage line of his former employer, Mr. Paine, he contracted a partnership with his brother, Levi, and operated the stable and stage line under the firm name of Mayock Brothers. Moving his stable to the junction of the Southern Pacific tracks and old Gilroy street, he made many fine improvements, added new coaches and paraphernalia, and continued to do a paying business until 1901. In that year he bought out his brother, since which time he has operated the business alone. The stage line to Gilroy Springs is fourteen miles long, and the resort is one of the oldest in the state of California, offering superior facilities for rest and leisure, and the enjoyment of unrivalled (sic)climate and scenery. Mr. Mayock is a stanch friend and admirer of fine horses, and has devoted much time to their breeding and training. At the same time he operates a large general farm, combining his interest with gratifying financial results.
The active political life of Mr. Mayock dates from 1900, when he was elected to the Gilroy council on the Citizen's ticket, his re-election following in 1902. During his term of service much was accomplished for the general good of the city, and at no time have public utilities received a greater impetus. He was chairman of the ordinance, and a member of the fire, police and other committees. Notwithstanding that he was urged to accept re-election in 1904, he declined the honor, owing to the pressure of other business. Mr. Mayock derives pleasure and profit from fraternal associations, being a member and past noble of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he has three times represented at the grand lodge; and a member of the Foresters, Rebekahs, Fraternal Brotherhood and Eagles. Politically he is a Democrat.
Transcribed
9-18-15 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource:
History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Pages 772-775. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marilyn R.
Pankey.