San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 812
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/24/2009
JAMES P. CARROLL
Many have been the years that have come and gone and great the changes that have come and gone and great the changes that have occured during the residence of James P. Carroll in San Joaquin County; he now makes his home on the French Camp Road some eighteen miles southeast of Stockton at Carrolton Station on the Tidwater Southern Electric Railroad. He was born near New London, Conn., October 23, 1852, and is a twin brother of Michael O. Carroll, a resident of Stockton. His father, Michael C. Carroll, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1828 and at the age of eighteen years came to America and followed the blacksmith's trade in New London, Conn., until 1852, at which time he embarked for California via Panama. He arrived in San Francisco in the spring of 1853 and at once went to the mines in Placer County, where he followed mining for about five years. He then worked at blacksmithing for two years in Stockton, then in 1861 purchased a ranch in Dent township from John O'Malley and from time to time purchased more land until he finally owned 720 acres, which he improved and put under cultivation, and in the fall of 1876 he erected a fine residence. On October 27, 1850, he was married to Miss Mary Mulroney and they had four children, three sons and one daughter. The cause of education found in him a warm friend and he served as a school trustee in his locality. He was a liberal contributor to churches and charities; he was also a strong Democrat and kept well informed on the issues of the day. His belief in and advocacy of irrigation led him to donate a right of way through his land to the Tulloch system of irrigation, used prior to the present adequate system.
James P. Carroll was only one year old when he accompanied his parents to California and he has since resided in San Joaquin County. His education was received in the Van Allen district school and he remained on the farm and did so until he was twenty-five years old, then went to Stockton and was employed for three seasons in the J. Kilpatrick Barley Mills; he also worked on threshing outfits throughout the county.
Mr. Carroll's marriage united him with Miss Nellie C. Dempsey, a daughter of William Dempsey, a pioneer of Stockton. Three children were born to them: Alfred B. married Miss Annie Clinton and they have two children, Dempsey A., and Kathryn; Mamie died at the age of six years; Gwendolyn is employed in the Motor Vehicle Department of the state of California at Modesto. The wife and mother passed away in 1921, beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Carroll has spent twenty-five years of his useful life in public service. In 1880 he became constable and was in close association with Thomas Cunningham, sheriff of San Joaquin County, and for four years he was chief of the fire department of Stockton. Since retiring from public office, he has served for eight years as director of the South San Joaquin irrigation district. His ranch is a model alfalfa ranch, which has been turned over to his son. For four years, Mr. Carroll, was the manager of the Stockton baseball team and in 1888 Stockton won the championship pennant, Coast League.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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