San Francisco County
Biographies
ROBERT J.
BYINGTON
Robert J. Byington, who is prominently known in the city of San Francisco as the president of the Byington Electric Corporation at 1807 Fillmore street, is a native of this city, his birth having occurred here on the 11th of November, 1890. His parents were William Henry and Nellie F. (McDonald) Byington.
William Henry Byington was born in Downeyville, California. During his active career, he was first engaged in the meat business, and later was in the district attorney’s office when his brother, Lewis F. Byington, held that position. He then served in the sheriff’s office under Thomas Finn. His death occurred in March, 1924. Nellie F. (McDonald) Byington, his wife, was also born in Downeyville, where her parents were the proprietors of the McDonald Hotel, well known hostelry in the pioneer days. Mrs. Byington survives her husband. By her marriage, she was the mother of three sons and one daughter, the last named, Mabel, now being deceased. Robert J. Byington, the subject of this biography, is a nephew of Lewis Francis Byington, widely known attorney, author and public official of San Francisco, and supervising editor of The History of San Francisco, published by the S. J. Clarke Publishing Company in 1932.
Robert J. Byington attended the public schools and Wilmerding Academy, and then studied at Santa Clara University. After completing his educational training, he was a cadet with the Oceanic Steamship Company for a short time, and in 1917 he established an electrical business in a small shop which adjoins his present place of business. His enterprise, by virtue of his skillful management, expanded rapidly until at present three separate places are occupied and during the busy season about fifty people are carried on the pay-roll. Electrical contracting is the principal business of his company, and many assignments of large proportions and importance have been completed in San Francisco and vicinity. He also carries a large and complete stock of electrical goods, and various makes of better class radios.
On April 29, 1925, Mr. Byington was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Rossi, who was born in San Francisco, and is a daughter of Charles and Marie (Rossi) Rossi.
Mr. Byington has taken an uncommonly active part in civic affairs of San Francisco, and has given his political support to the democratic party. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Native Sons of the Golden West, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His favorite diversion has for some time been the raising of gold fish, a science in which he is an expert, and in which his accomplishments of training the small fish are quite interesting.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 3 Pages 84-85.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S SAN
FRANCISCO BIOGRAPIES