San
Joaquin County
Biographies
HARRY T. FEE
A far-seeing business man of winning
personality, who has repeatedly demonstrated that he has marked ability along
more than one line, is Harry T. Fee, who conducts an insurance business in the Commercial
& Savings Bank Building in Stockton.
Mr. Fee is also a poet of no mean ability, and the people of Stockton
and vicinity need no introduction to him, for his poems have been published
from week to week in the Stockton Record.
In reading his poems one feels that Mr. Fee has caught the very spirit
of the hills, the woods, the streams, the forests and embodied for others some
of his joy in them. A native of
California, he was born in Stockton on March 25, 1871 a son of Patrick and Mary
(Daly) Fee. His father was a native of
Ireland, and his mother was born on the Island of St. Helena in the room where
Napoleon died. His father was brought to
America by his parents when only one year old.
He was married in Hamilton, Ontario, and later he migrated to
California, across the plains in an ox-team train in the early 50’s; he opened
one of the first livery stables in Stockton and conducted it for many years; he
was a prominent figure in the politics of the state and county, serving as the
first harbor master in Stockton; he was also a member of the city council for
two terms; a member of the Volunteer Fire Department and later an Exempt
Fireman. At one time he was president of
the Ancient Order of Hibernians. There
were two children in the family, Harry T. and Mrs. Frank Weaver, of
Stockton. Both parents have passed away.
Harry T. was educated in the
Stockton public schools; then entered the Santa Clara University and was
graduated from the institution in 1891, degree B. S.; he then became deputy
county auditor and recorder under Otto Von Detten,
where he remained for eight years; and was chief deputy county assessor under
Cyrus Moering, where he remained for four years. In 1910 he engaged in the insurance business
along general lines, but specializes in accident and health insurance.
Mr. Fee’s marriage occurred in
Stockton and united him with Miss Etta Ortman, born on her father’s ranch near
Stockton, a descendant of a prominent pioneer family. Fraternally Mr. Fee is a member of Stockton
Lodge 218, B. P. O. E., and Stockton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W., and the
Lions. Mr. Fee has recently published
his first book of poems entitled “The Land of Out O’ Doors,” full of the
freshness and beauty of the open. His
poems have also appeared in the Sunset Magazine, the Pacific Monthly and other
coast publications.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
1272. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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