San
Joaquin County
Biographies
STEPHENS BROS.
Theodore J. & Roy R.
The manufacturing industry carried
on successfully by Stephens Bros. that of boat designing and building is of
great importance to the community of Stockton.
Their business was started in a very small way in 1901 and has grown
steadily to its present large dimensions.
On the Stockton Channel, they now own a frontage of 380 feet, the
greater portion of which is under roof; and their manufacturing plant is
equipped with the most modern machinery, and is under the direct supervision of
the brothers composing the firm. Both
brothers are native sons of California, born on the old Stephens homestead on
the Calaveras River near Stockton; Theodore J. on March 30, 1882, and Roy R. on
January 3, 1884. Their parents, Thomas
J. and Jessie (Moreing) Stephens, are pioneer residents of Stockton and are
also represented in this history. Both
of the Stephens boys were reared in San Joaquin County and received a good
education. At an early age they became
interested in river navigation, and built their first boat in their back yard,
a yacht named “Dorothy,” with four-passenger capacity, which they used for
eight years on San Francisco Bay and for pleasure cruises. In 1901 both boys entered the employ of their
uncle, C. Moreing, who owned a string of power-boats on the Stockton Channel,
and operated two tug barges, one of which called the “Wildwood,” was the first
gasoline power-boat used for commercial purposes on the San Joaquin River. The following year, 1902, the boys bought
equal shares in the business; and as the Delta farms developed, their business
increased rapidly and their string of boats were known as the Mosquito Fleet,
so well-known in the Delta on the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers. The Stephens brothers hauled the first supply
of oil for the dredger on Grand Island in 1901.
In 1902, they began their boat-building business, selling their
interests in the towing business and purchasing an old barge, which they
floated near the present site of their plant on the Stockton Channel. Their building operations were begun in a
small way; and their first boat, named the “Queen,” is still in operation on Tamales
Bay, as a passenger boat from the railroad station at Point Reyes across the
bay to Inverness. Following the
completion of the “Queen,” a number of boats were constructed and put in
operation, many of which are still being used in the Delta district of the
county. They also purchased property
from time to time until their frontage is 380 feet, and their plant includes a
large lumber warehouse where material is seasoned for boat construction; the
designing of their craft is done within their plant. Theodore J. Stephens oversees the operation
of the shops, while Roy R. Stephens has charge of the office. Recently this firm completed a consignment of
twelve boats for a commission house in San Francisco. During the World War forty-five men were
steadily employed in the building of craft for the transportation of
foodstuffs. The Stephens brothers’ plant
is complete in every detail, and the brothers devote their entire time to its
supervision.
The marriage of Theodore J. Stephens
united him with Miss Evelyn Gershbacher, a daughter
of Mrs. Joshua Gershbacher, a pioneer of Stockton;
and they are the parents of three boys:
Theodore J., Barry, and Richard.
Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Stephens are members of the Stockton Country Club.
Roy R Stephens was united in
marriage with Miss Lucille Budd, daughter of the late J. H. Budd, a prominent
attorney of Stockton; and they have one daughter, Sylvia Lucille. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Stephens are members of the
Yosemite Club. Both brothers are members
of the Stockton Chamber of Commerce.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
1051. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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