San
Joaquin County
Biographies
MRS. MATTIE M. STEIN
For years one of the most
enthusiastic members of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, Mrs. Mattie M.
Stein has been signally honored by election to high office in this
organization, a fitting recognition of the zeal and interest she has displayed
in furthering its commendable work, and evidence of her great popularity among
its membership. A native of San Joaquin
County, her birthplace was Stockton, her parents being John S. and Marie C.
(Miller) Harney, honored pioneers whose biography appears elsewhere in this
work. After completing her education,
Mattie M. Harney was married at the residence of her parents, being united with
John F. Stein, who was reared in Ohio, where he served an apprenticeship at the
mercantile business. He came to
California and first located in Eureka, where he was engaged in business until
he removed to Lodi, where he was associated with Fredberger
& Kaiser in the general merchandise business. Here his ability was appreciated and he
became very popular in business affairs until he retired from business to
devote his time to their vineyard. He
passed away February 9, 1918, a man much mourned for his integrity and sterling
worth. He was a member of the Odd
Fellows and Foresters, and passed the chairs in both lodges. He also was the first treasurer of the Lodi
fire department. Besides his widow he
left a son, John A. Stein, a business man in Stockton, who is married and has
three children. He is a Mason and is
past president of Lodi Parlor, N. S. G. W.
Mrs. Stein still owns the vineyard that she developed on the part of the
old Harney ranch which she inherited from her father. It is now in full bearing and she has taken
much pleasure in its care and development.
Mrs. Stein from the early age of
eighteen has been active in the Native Daughters of the Golden West. She organized Ivy Parlor No. 88 at Lodi, and
was its first president, occupying that office for several terms, and was
afterwards secretary for eighteen years.
Four times she has been elected to office in the Grand Parlor. She was grand trustee for two years, marshal
one year, and first vice president in 1921.
At the meeting of the Grand Parlor at San Rafael, in June, 1922, she was
elected grand president, the highest office that can be conferred in this
organization. Mrs. Stein is intensely
interested in her work as grand president and is faithfully giving her time to
the duties of her office, visiting every Parlor in the State. She is also greatly interested in the
children’s agency work carried on by the Native Daughters that has in the last
twelve years placed 2,600 children in homes.
These homes are founded for orphans and waifs, regardless of the
parentage, religion or lodge membership.
Thus, the order is indeed accomplishing a long-felt want. Mrs. Stein will preside over the Grand Parlor
which meets at Stockton, June 19 to 22, 1923.
She has held the office of district deputy grand president of San
Joaquin County. Her home city of Lodi
takes just pride in her popularity and accords her a high place among its
residents. She is also prominent in
other organizations, being a member of the Lodi Woman’s Club and corresponding
secretary of the County Federation of Woman’s Clubs of California. She is a member of Lodi Chapter No. 150, O.
E. S., and Lodi Lodge of Rebekahs, being a past noble grand and past district
deputy and ex-secretary of the latter.
She is past president of Hartford Woman’s Relief Corp No. 78, Lodi, and
active in the patriotic work of the order.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
1638-1639. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Genealogy
Databases