San Francisco County
Biographies
ROBERT G. BYXBEE
ROBERT G. BYXBEE.–In connection with the
great lumber interests of San
Francisco there are
few names better known than that of Mr. Byxbee. He
has been so long prominently identified with the business circles of the place
that it is fitting to record the following facts in regard to his
career. He was born in Norwalk, Connecticut,
and belongs to an old family of New England who stood
high in social and business circles. He removed to New
York at the age of eighteen years, and there he had
his first business experience. California proved a
strong magnet to him as it had to so many others, and accordingly his residence
in New York was of short
duration. He sailed from that port in the clipper Ino,
rounded Cape Horn, and arrived in San Francisco
in June, 1852. He did not join the band of gold-seekers, but accepted a
position with the house of Neefus & Tichenor, lumber dealers. In 1858 he became a partner
in the establishment, the firm being known as H. B. Tichenor & Co. In 1883 Mr. Tichenor
died, and the house was incorporated under the title of the Navarro Mill
Company, with Mr. Byxbee as president. The
corporation owns extensive redwood lands, and is largely interested in the
coasting fleet.
Mr.
Byxbee has not invested in any other enterprise, as
the demands of this business have consumed all his time. He is a thorough
Californian, devoted to the best interests of the State. Politically he is
identified with the Republican party, and during the
war was a staunch Union man. He has contributed liberally to many worthy enterprises here, and for long years was a
member of the Mercantile Library. He is now a member of the Merchants’
Exchange, and is regarded as a type of the representative Californian. His
brother, John F. Byxbee, also well and favorably known
here, is associated with him in business; he came to the coast later on, and
has been connected with the lumber industry in the main ever since.
Transcribed 6-5-06
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Page 415, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2006 Marilyn R. Pankey.
California Biography Project
San Francisco County
California Statewide
Golden Nugget Library