San Joaquin County
Biographies
JOHN YORK
JOHN YORK, Principal of the
Lafayette School, Stockton, is a native of Cattaraugus County, New York, born
May 18, 1840, his parents being John, Sr., and Catherine York. In 1853 his
father joined the throng of emigration forming toward California from the
Eastern States, and engaged in mining in what was known as the Northern Mines.
He afterward removed the scene of his labors farther south, locating at Sonora,
Tuolumne County. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in his
native State, and in 1855 accompanied his mother and
family via Nicaragua to California, proceeding to Sonora where his father was
engaged in mining. Our subject grew to manhood at Sonora, and adopted the main
industry, that of mining, which he mined on the Stanislaus river
until 1861, and then taught his first term of school at LaGrange, then the seat
of justice of Stanislaus County. He next went to Knight’s Ferry, where he
served one term as Deputy Clerk, and then taught school there four years. For
the nine years following he was principal of the Sonora schools, leaving there
to accept a principalship at Merced, which he held a
couple of years. He next went to Oakdale, where he served seven years as principal
of the local school. He came to Stockton, was elected principal of the
Lafayette school, and assumed the duties of the position in 1888.
He was married at Sonora, to
Miss E. C., daughter of James and Emily Root. They have two children, viz: John and Lee.
Mr. York is an active member
and officer of Nemo Lodge, K. of P. He is an educator
of large attainments and great experience, being withal a courteous gentleman
and a conscientious, enthusiastic worker, and is one of the most popular school
officers that has ever served the city of Stockton.
His abilities and admirable qualities have won him recognition in other
communities; he has served as County Superintendent of Tuolumne County, and has
been a favorite nominee of his party (Republican) for other important offices.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Page 473. 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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