San Joaquin County
Biographies
BENJAMIN HENRY VAN NESS
B. H. VAN NESS, of the
Mansion House, is one of the most popular hotel men in Stockton. The Mansion House was built for hotel purposes by
the firm of Simpson & Gray, the present proprietors of the building. The
firm which has made the hotel what it now is, is composed of B. H. Van Ness and
John Ogulin, who succeeded Schmieder & Hoch in April, 1888. The Mansion
House has sixty rooms, which are admirably arranged for the purpose intended,
and the capacity of the house is now tested to the utmost.
B. H. Van Ness, of the firm of Van Ness
& Ogulin, proprietors of the Mansion House, is a native of Auburn, New York, born May 14, 1852, his parents being Abraham and
Catherine (Van Keuren) Van Ness. When he was ten years of age, his parents
removed to Rochester, New
York, and there
his father died about one year later. He obtained his schooling mostly at night
school, and there received a good business education. He became engaged with
the wholesale firm of Pritchard & Likely, dealers in trunks and traveling
mens’ supplies, and remained with them until November, 1878, when he came to California, locating in Stockton. For some time he was engaged in various occupations,
and eventually became employed at the Grand Central Hotel, where he was clerk
for several years. In 1885 he bought into the Eagle Hotel, and conducted it
until he purchased his present interest in the Mansion House.
He is a member of the Truth Lodge, I. O.
O. F., of Parker Encampment, of Stockton Lodge, of A. O. U. W., and of the A.
O. F.
Mr. Van Ness is a genial, courteous
gentleman, and has been largely instrumental in giving to the Mansion House the
great degree of popularity it now enjoys.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 311-312. 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
Genealogy Databases
Golden Nugget Library