Story from John Vonderlin
Email John ([email protected]
Let’s begin with businessman John Garretson
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Hi June,
I thought this biographical sketch from the 1883 “History of San Mateo County,” on Archive.org might be useful to accompany Sigma’s latest correspondence that I just sent. I’ve attached a drawing of Mr. Garretson from both the 1883 and 1893 books on Archive.org, about San Mateo and the Coastal counties of Central California. Enjoy. John
Hon. John Garretson. The subject of this sketch was among the argo-
nauts of this section of the State.. His portrait will be found in this volume. He was born in Boundbrook, Somerset county, New Jersey, November 10, 1838, and reared on a farm until he became of age. Most of this time, however, was spent at school. He left home and went to New Brunswick, New Jersey, and was engaged as a clei’k in a dry goods store during a period of four years, laying the foundation of a mercantile education, which has since stood him in good stead. After the completion of his engagement in New Brunswick he went to New York City, and followed the same occupation until he came to this State, in 1859. He left New York City in the early spring, crossed the isthmus, and arrived in San Francisco in May of that year. He remained in that city but a few days, coming to Pescadero and assuming the position of clerk in a general merchandising store, owned at that time by Bidwell & Besse. At the end of nine months he purchased Bidwell’s interest, the firm name being changed to Besse & Garretson. In 1864 he sold his interest to Besse, and took a trip to the Sandwich Islands to recuperate his health. On his return he re-purchased an interest in Besse’s stock, and this partnership continued four or five years, when Mr. Stryker bought Besse’s interest, and the firm was changed to Garretson & Stryker. In January, 1873, Mr. Garretson disposed of his interest to James McCormack, and took a trip to the eastern states for his health. When he returned in 1877, he bought out the entire business, and has since been the sole proprietor. Mr. Garretson’s business interests are not wholly confined to his store at Pescadero. He is identified with the stage line from San Mateo to Santa Cruz, and owns an equal interest with Andrew Taft, of the former place. To draw a comparison is at all times an odious task, but to say that Mr. Garretson is one of the most highly respected and distinguished citizens of Pescadero or of San Mateo county is but to assert what is acknowledged on every hand. If further proof of this assertion were necessary, it would be sufficient to point out the fact that in 1867, before this township became a part of San Mateo county, he was elec- ted county recorder of Santa Cruz county, and that in 1871, he was elected one of the supervisors of this county, being re-elected in 1873. The people, not content with the honors they had already conferred upon him, selected him to represent them in the state assembly of 1875-6. In 1881, he was appointed a member of the board of supervisors, and November 7, 1882, he was again elected to that office. Mr. Garretson married Ella Durand, June 29, 1866, and they have five children, Alice E., Aletta Marie, John Durand, Ella C, and William Albert. |