San
Joaquin County
Biographies
GEORGE EWELL WILHOIT
A native-born son of Stockton who
spent almost his entire life there, George Ewell Wilhoit occupied a high place
among the leading business and professional men of the city of his birth. A staunch supporter of all movements for the
community’s good and intelligently interested in public affairs; he was of the
type of citizenship valuable in the progress of any city and necessary to the
rise of any commonwealth. He was the
eldest son of Roley E. Wilhoit, whose parents, Julius and Lucy (Ewell) Wilhoit,
were born, reared and married in Virginia, where forebears of the family had
settled in the early Colonial days. Soon
after their marriage, Julius Wilhoit and his wife became pioneers of Kentucky
and from there moved to Illinois, settling in Edgar County, where they
accumulated large land holdings.
Roley E. Wilhoit was born in
Jefferson County, Kentucky, March 1, 1830; when quite young accompanied his
parents to Edgar County, Illinois, where he attended the country schools and an
academy. On hearing of the discovery of
gold in California, with nearly a hundred young men he started across the
plains in May, 1850, and on August 8, they reached Hangtown. After spending some time in the mines at
various localities, he arrived at Stockton May 8, 1852, and in the fall began
to haul freight to the southern mines, continuing in this business for nine
years. In 1861 he was elected county
recorder and this position he filled until 1868, when he embarked in the
abstract, conveyance and real estate business, which grew until it ranked with
the largest in this part of the state.
This he eventually incorporated as the Wilhoit Abstract and Title
Company. Always a leader, Mr. Wilhoit
was prominent in public affairs and served as a member of the board of
supervisors and as president of the board of education. He was probably the best informed man on land
values in San Joaquin County. He passed
away June 21, 1922, at the age of ninety-two years and four months.
The eldest son of R. E. and Delia (Dwelly) Wilhoit, the latter
native of Machias, Maine, George Ewell Wilhoit was born at Stockton March 17,
1863, and after attending the grammar and high schools, took a course in the
Stockton Business College. In 1881, on
account of impaired health, he went to the Hawaiian Islands and while there was
with the banking house of Bishop & Company.
After two years he returned to Stockton restored to health and became
associated with his father in business.
The abstract and real estate business of R. E. Wilhoit was founded in
1868, and on May 1, 1886, his sons, George E. and Eugene L., were admitted as
partners, the firm becoming R. E. Wilhoit & Sons, continuing under that
title until the incorporation of the business as the Wilhoit Abstract and Title
Company. Himself an expert in perfecting
titles, Mr. Wilhoit became vice-president of the company and displayed unusual
ability in guiding the policies of its responsible activities.
On October 2, 1890, Mr. Wilhoit was
married to Miss Jessie Lee Woods, the daughter of one of San Joaquin County’s
honored pioneers, John Newton Woods, and one son was born to them, John Newton
Wilhoit. Prominent in the life of the
community, Mr. Wilhoit was associated with the Pioneer Society, Native Sons of
the Golden West, the Elks and the Odd Fellows.
While still in the prime of life, he was taken from the scene of earthly
activities, passing away at Long Beach where he had gone for a rest from
business cares, on March 15, 1921. All
who knew him held him in the highest regard for the sterling worth of his character
and his death was deeply felt in his native city, where he had been a leader
for many years.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
360. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Biographies
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