REV. DR. S. H. WILLEY

San Francisco County

Biographies

Rev. Dr. S. H. Willey, President of Van Ness Seminary, 1222 Pine street, San Francisco, is one of the early pioneers, and in length of service one of the oldest and most prominent clergymen of the Pacific coast, being a citizen of the Golden State for more than forty-three years. He was born at Campton, New Hampshire, March 11, 1821. His parents, Darius and Mary Willey, were also natives of that State. The Doctor received his education in New England, and graduated at Dartmouth College, in the class of 1845. He then entered Union Theological Seminary, in New York city, in 1845, and after completing his theological course, instead of locating among his friends and accepting a pastorate of a church in a congenial, pleasant community, he decided to seek a broader field of labor and came to the Pacific coast. He sailed on the ship Falcon to Chagres, and on this side of the Isthmus he came on the first trip of the California, and arrived at Monterey, February 23, 1849. He remained there about eighteen months, and in May, 1850, came to San Francisco and established the Howard Presbyterian Church, and for twelve years was the honored pastor. In 1862 he accepted the position of Vice President of the College of California in Oakland, where he remained until 1870, when he accepted the pastorate of the Congregational church at Santa Cruz, and remained there ten years. In 1880 he removed to Benicia, and became pastor of the Congregational church, serving faithfully for nine years. In 1889 he became the head of the Van Ness Seminary, one of the most prominent schools for young ladies in the State. Dr. Willey is well-known as a writer. He is the author of valued publications, among which are “Annals of Santa Cruz,” published in 1876, and subsequently, “Thirty Years in California,” and an exhaustive history of the College of California.

He was married September 19, 1849, to Miss Martha N. Jeffers, of New Jersey, and they have had six children, four of whom survive,—two sons and two daughters. All live in California except one, who resides in Arizona.

van ness young ladies’ seminary

is an elegant institution, located at 1222 Pine street. The school was first commenced about 1860, by Miss James, a daughter of the well-known G. P. R. James. In 1865 she was succeeded by Miss Prince; in 1876 by Mrs. Colgate-Baker; in 1883 by Mrs. Sarah B. Gamble, and in 1889 by the present proprietor, Dr. Willey. Up to 1883 it was on Van Ness avenue: hence its name. This institution is practically a home for its pupils. Special attention is given to music, taught by Professor Stewart, Mrs. Marriner-Campbell and Henry Heyman. Painting and art study also receive close attention, under the direction of Miss Withrow. The seminary receives pupils who are eight years old and over. Christian influences pervade the school. Neatness, cleanliness, comfort and elegance are conspicuous in all the departments.

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, page 107, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.

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San Francisco County

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