San Joaquin County
Biographies
JOHN MILTON KILE
J. M. KILE, one of the bright
young lawyers at the Stockton bar, is a native of San Joaquin County, born near
New Hope, February 16, 1865. Joseph Kile (deceased), father of our subject, was
born near Columbus, Ohio, in 1812, his parents being Virginians, and their
ancestors from Holland. When quite young he removed to Missouri, locating in
Saline County. He served in the Mexican war, under General Harney, and after
its conclusion returned to Missouri. In 1849 he emigrated to California, making
the journey overland, and for a short time mined about Mokelumne Hill and
Sonora. He decided that other lines of industry would be more profitable or
more agreeable to him than mining, and turned his attention to the cattle
business. Early in the ‘50’s he settled near New Hope, and in partnership with
a Calaveras County pioneer, Thomas Wheeler, and another gentleman named Oldham,
he was extensively engaged in cattle raising and dealing, also driving to Los
Angeles. He finally drew out of his connections in the cattle business and
engaged in farming on his ranch. His business thereafter was that of an
agriculturist and capitalist. In 1870 he removed to Stockton, where he lived
until his death. He was married in this county to Miss Mary Catherine Hardesty,
a native of Indiana, born near Bloomington, who accompanied her parents across
the plains to this State when young. Joseph Kile was a member of the San
Joaquin Society of California Pioneers, and was an active man from the early
days of the State until his death. He acquired a large area of land, in Texas,
which he held along with his ranch in this county, and he also had other
property interests. He was one of the stockholders of the Savings Bank. He died
in 1884; his wife died in 1878.
J. M. Kile, with whose name this sketch
commences, was the only child of his parents. He was reared in Stockton from
his fifth year. His early education was received in this city, where he
attended the high school. He afterward took a special course in Latin at the
Oakland Academy, and, having decided to adopt the law as his life profession,
he commenced attendance at the law department of Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, Tennessee, where he graduated in June, 1886. He then returned to
California and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State. He
commenced practice in San Francisco, being associated with the office of B.
McNey, until March, 1887, when he came to Stockton to locate.
Mr. Kile was married October 9, 1888, to
Miss Rachel C. Horton, a native of Nashville, Tennessee.
Mr. Kile is a member of Stockton Parlor,
N. S. G. W. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a well-read and exceptionally
intelligent young lawyer, and gives promise of a bright career in his chosen
profession.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 659-660. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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