San Francisco County
Biographies
JAMES
MEE
James Mee was born in Ireland, October 26, 1828, and received his
education in his native land. In his
youth he entered Temple Moile Agricultural Seminary,
north of Ireland, and was graduated from this school of honor. This was one of the most noted educational
institutions in Great Britain. Upon
reaching man’s estate he came to the Pacific coast, making the trip via Cape
Horn on the barque Carthagenia. He arrived in San Francisco July 11, 1850,
and soon after went to the southern mines, where he remained three years. He was very prosperous in this enterprise,
and in 1863 returned to his native land where he wedded the love of his
youth. He then came back to California,
and re-engaged in mining, which industry he pursued until 1857. In that year he went to San Mateo county and invested in a large herd of cattle; he was
occupied with the live-stock business until 1860, when he sold out, as the
Government at that time took up all the lands.
He then came to San Francisco, and was admitted to the bar, and engaged
in the practice of law.
Mr. Mee is great lover of horses, and is largely interested in
the development and improvement of the breeds.
For twenty years he owned an extensive stable, and spent much time on
the turf. He is acknowledged one of the
best horsemen on the Pacific coast, and has one of the largest collections of
books relating to the horse that can be found in the State of California.
He has made very
successful investments and speculations in mining and real estate, and withal
has found America a happy and prosperous home.
While a resident
of San Mateo county, Mr. Mee
was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and discharged his duties
with ability and to the satisfaction of the public. He has been frequently urged to accept
nominations for office, but has steadily declined to do so. Politically he is a staunch Democrat, and is
one of the party’s leaders. He is a man
of public spirit, and gives liberally to the support of all worthy charities.
Transcribed by Donna L. Becker
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2,
page 75, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
© 2005 Donna L. Becker.