San Francisco County
Biographies
G. M. JOSSELYN & CO.
G.M. Josselyn & Co., represent the oldest ship-chandlery establishment in San Francisco. Mr. Josselyn was born near Salem, Massachusetts, in 1822, and at the age of sixteen went to sea, shipping before the mast at $5 per month. Promotion followed the acquisition of knowledge until he rose to the position of mate. His voyages were from the Atlantic ports to the East and West Indies, Liverpool and Russia. He followed the sea until 1849, when he joined a company of twenty sailors at Boston, purchased the schooner Roanoke, which they loaded with miner’s supplies, and then, under command of Captain Shelley, started for San Francisco, the men working the ship. Running short of fresh supplies they wished to land at Rio, but not having sufficient money to pay port charges, which was about $30, they ran into Grande Harbor, passing through the straits of Magellan to avoid the stormy weather of Cape Horn. They entered the Pacific, and in due time arrived at San Francisco. The day following their arrival they sold their schooner and dumped all their supplies upon the beach, where they remained unsold and of no value, it being too muddy to proceed to the mines.
Mr. Josselyn then went to Sacramento and engaged in boating between that city and Marysville, running a whale boat, which he would either row or sail as circumstances would permit. This he continued about two years, and was among the last to run boats upon the river. He next returned to San Francisco, and about 1854, in partnership with George C. Smith, under the firm name of Smith & Co., they established the business of ship stores, leasing a small room on the Market street wharf, opposite their location. The supplies were largely in canned and salted provisions, purchased about town at auction sale of Eastern consignments; and as they acquired money with experience they added ship chandlery, which as soon as possible they imported direct from Eastern markets. About 1856 they purchased their present property, erected a frame structure and began expending their business. About 1860 they gave their entire attention to ship chandlery, which has developed into vast proportions covering every branch of ship fitting from the hull to the rigging. The firm of Smith & Co. continued about two years, when Mr. Smith withdrew, and the firm of G.M. Josselyn & Co. is now composed of G.M. Josselyn, his son Charles Josselyn and Arthur W. Forbes. In 1885 they built their present handsome and spacious structure, which has a foundation measurement of 44 x 120 feet, four stories high, and here they transact their extensive business. The firm have furnished the well-known Hall Brothers with outfits for nearly eighty vessels, which they have built upon the coast. Mr. Josselyn has been a large owner of sailing vessels, and has conducted an extensive trade with the Pacific Islands and Australia. He gives personal attention to the purchase of goods, and for that purpose has made sixty-three trips across the Continent. He is a typical California pioneer, genial, whole-souled and enthusiastic, and one who would go far to perform a kindness or correct a fault.
Transcribed David Rugeroni.
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, pages 24-25, Lewis
Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2005 David Rugeroni.