San Francisco County
Biographies
CALVIN NUTTING, SR.
CALVIN NUTTING, Sr., deceased, was entitled not only to the honors of a California pioneer of 1849, but he also won the greater distinction of being a pioneer manufacturer, and hence also was one of the literal builders of this grand commonwealth and its great metropolis. Descended from one of the early New England families, and the son of Ephraim Nutting, he was born in Groton, Massachusetts, May 18, 1813. Possessing a natural taste an aptitude for mechanics, he became an apprentice to the blacksmithing trade, which his constructive talent and industry rapidly mastered in all its details, and he pursued his chosen vocation for a number of years in his native State.
January 27, 1849, he embarked on the Marietta for Chagres on the way to California. On reaching the isthmus he was detained thirty-four days waiting for transportation, at the end of which time he procured passage to San Francisco on the bark Equator, arriving at his destination June 16. In July, 1850, he entered into copartnership with Mr. Edwards, under the firm style of Nutting & Edwards, to carry on blacksmithing and general wrought-iron work. In 1853 this partnership was dissolved. In 1854 Mr. Nutting took another partner, the firm becoming Nutting & Zottman. At the expiration of two years he purchased Mr. Zottman’s interest and continued the business alone until 1868, when Calvin Nutting, jr., became associated with his father, under the firm name of Calvin Nutting & Son, as proprietors and managers of the Pioneer Iron Works.
Mr. Nutting was married in the city of Boston, to Miss Judith Adams, a native of New Hampshire. They had six children,—three sons and three daughters. In July, 1887, Mr. Nutting passed away, and thus ended a useful and honorable life of seventy-four years. He was an active and highly esteemed member of the Society of California Pioneers, and was enthusiastic in his devotion to its interests.
Calvin Nutting, Jr., was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1842, and in 1853 came to California. He has been a resident of San Francisco, therefore, over thirty seven years. After learning his trade with his father, he gradually assumed the responsibilities of the business until in 1884 he became sole proprietor and manager of the Pioneer iron Works; and his successful conduct of the manufactory proves him a worthy successor to his respected sire.
This pioneer establishment has changed its location only twice in a quarter of a century, and has occupied its present commodious quarters, erected and owned by the firm at 235 and 237 Main street, for the past nine years. The line of manufacture is exclusively of wrought iron and steel work, being chiefly house or architectural iron work of all kinds. Among the specialties are steel-lined bank vaults, prison cells, fire-proof iron doors, iron fencing, etc. The manufacture of patent metallic tubular wheelbarrows is also a feature of the works.
January 1, 1868, Calvin Nutting, Jr., married Miss Ada J. Riley, a native of Dover, New Hampshire.
Transcribed
by 11-5-06 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Page 166-167, Lewis
Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2006 Marilyn R. Pankey.