San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1203-1204
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 10/25/2009
EDWIN HAMILTON CARY
Well-known in the city of Stockton as a dealer in musical instruments, band supplies band supplies and musical merchandise, Edwin Hamilton Cary has contributed much towards the development of the business and social conditions, and ever since he took up his residence here in 1882, has given Stockton all that is highest and best in music, being the pioneer in the field of endeavor. A native of Oregon, he was born at Portland, March 25, 1851, a son of Luther and Rebecca (Harbart) Cary. Luther Cary was born in New London County, Connecticut, July 24, 1817, and accompanied his parents to South Warren, Bradford County, Pa., and in 1837 he taught school there. The next year he moved to Peoria County, Ill., where he married and farmed. In 1850 he located in Oregon, having crossed the plains with ox-teams. He settled above Vancouver and conducted a ferry, but in 1852 he settled in Marion County and farmed and taught school. Circumstances necessitated his taking the lecture platform and he lectured on astronomy, qualifying himself by close study for several years. He lectured all over Oregon and California with occasional trips East, and filled engagements in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nebraska, Kansas, British Columbia and elsewhere. In 1863 he came to San Jose, Cal., where he lived for ten years. Many of the leading citizens of San Jose, among them J.J. Owen, editor of the Mercury, Dr. Clark and others, urged him to seek a position in connection with the Lick Observatory, when that institution was projected, as a desirable field for a man of his attainments. But his travels precluded his accepting any local position.
He married Louisa Humphrey on January 1, 1839, and they had five children. His second marriage, September 25, 1848, united him with Rebecca Harbart, born July 14, 1831, and they had eight children, four living: Edwin H., of this sketch; George W.A. in Sacramento; Charles A. and Mrs. Frank Parker, in Oregon.
He engaged in raising Angora goats on Mt. Hamilton and in 1875, in company with his son, Edwin H., moved their flocks to Calaveras County, purchasing a range of 1800 acres on Bear Mountain. Later he drove his goats to Oregon, where he sold them and retired from the business to take the lecture platform. He died April 2, 1890, near Seattle, Wash. The mother of our subject passed away January 7, 1894.
The genealogy of the Cary family, so far as known by our subject, is traced back to Benjamin Cary, who was born in Massachusetts, and later moved to Windham County, Conn., where he reared a family. Although there is known to have been a book printed regarding the Cary family, which perhaps connects them with the poets, Phoebe and Alice Cary, who were both born near Cincinnati, Ohio, daughters of Robert Cary, it is not available at this time. Benjamin Cary had a son he named Luther Cary (this name seems to run all through the Cary families) who was born on Nov. 11, 1768, in Windham County, Conn., and he had five brothers who served in the War of the Revolution; one named Oliver, went to Pennsylvania; another went to Vermont, and one of his sons, in 1812, went to Sacketts Harbor and from him are descended the Carys on the Pacific Coast. Luther Cary married Rispah Allen on Nov. 11, 1792. She was born at Groton, New London County, Conn., February 18, 1772. One of their sons was named Luther, father of Edwin H. In an academy at Portland, Edwin H., secured his schooling and in 1874 went to San Jose with his father, who had extensive interests in Santa Clara County, and in 1875 went to Calaveras County, where they engaged in raising Angora goats. After the father sold his herd, the son continued in that business independently, later selling his ranch and driving the band north to Shasta County, where he disposed of it. Returning to Calaveras County, he engaged in mining at Angels Camp and while there organized and conducted a band, also taught music. His services were much in demand in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties, Cary's Band and Orchestra still being a pleasant remembrance to many of the old settlers of those mining districts.
In 1882 Mr. Cary settled in Stockton, where he followed the carpenter's trade and aided in building for L.G. Thompson the first harvesters made in the city. While at Angels Camp he secured an agency for the sale of pianos in San Joaquin County from the Kohler & Chase Company of San Francisco, and after coming to Stockton he took up the sale of pianos as a side line, making his home at that time on East Channel St. In 1888, he decided to devote his entire attention to that business and opened his present store at No. 547 East Market Street, putting in a good line of musical instruments and becoming the pioneer in that line in the city. He carries a complete line of band instruments and supplies and general musical merchandise. His creative ability led to the invention of the Cary snare drum, which has met with a large sale and is regarded as one of the best on the market. At the Panama-Pacific Exposition, held at San Francisco in 1915, his drum was awarded a gold medal. In association with his sons, Edwin Liberty and Francis R., Mr. Cary managed and conducted the Sixth Regiment Band in Stockton, while his son E.L. became its director. Many enjoyable concerts were given in the Plaza and the organization reached a high standard, being regarded as the best band ever established in the city.
On September 16, 1871, Mr. Cary married Miss Caroline A. McLeran at Albany, Ore., and her demise occurred at Stockton, December 28, 1920. She was a native of Wisconsin and crossed the plains to Oregon with her parents in 1865. While residing on their mountain ranch in Calaveras County Mr. and Mrs. Cary became the parents of two sons: Edwin L. and Francis R., the former a resident of Stockton and the latter of San Francisco. When they were seven years of age their father began their musical education and they are now talented artists, having been members of the orchestras of the leading playhouses of San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton. Edwin L. Cary, a cornetist of more than ordinary ability and a talented musician, is a teacher of wind and string instruments. When the Boston Opera Company produced the opera "Robin Hood" at the old Avon Theatre he was cornetist in their orchestra, being at the time twelve years of age, and the manager of the company was so favorably impressed with his playing that he sought to induce him to become a permanent member of the organization, but on account of his age his parents did not favor the idea of traveling. Edwin L. married Gladys Fine Osborn, November 25, 1903, and they have two children: Ellen Lorraine and Earl Lauren. The other so n, Frank R. Cary, is a violinist in the orchestra of the Casino Theatre of San Francisco, and is also an expert performer on the trombone, being a teacher of both instruments. He is the father of two girls, Alice M. and Elizabeth. Both sons inherited their father's musical ability and the family is an exceptionally talented one.
Mr. Cary's life has been an active and upright one, filled with varied experiences and characterized by the successful accomplishment of valuable results. For many years he has been closely identified with Stockton's development and upbuilding and his record is a matter of pride to its citizens.
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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