San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 658
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 11/2/2009
JOHN A. COLEY
A very representative citizen of Stockton is John A. Coley, who was born on a farm in Scott County, Va., on August 31, 1872, and when a young man of about eighteen, arrived in Stockton on October 15, 1889, since which time he has been one of the most enthusiastic and effective "boosters" in the Golden State. He was first employed near Sonora, in Tuolumne County, at cutting wood and then he followed various occupations. On May 1, 1891, he went to Oakdale, in Stanislaus County, and worked on a ranch; and having saved his money, he was able to begin farming for himself. Later he bought 320 acres east of Escalon, which he farmed to grain; he rented land, and farmed as many as 3,000 acres of the Jones ranch; he made money, and he erected buildings in Escalon, of which town he can be truly called "the father," for he founded that now thriving village at the southern end of San Joaquin County. He built the first store building and had the postoffice and the telephone established there. He was one of the promoters of the Tidewater Southern Railroad, and served as its vice-president, working hard to secure the right of way for the road, and to sell stock in the enterprise. By unwearying labor, he secured the right of way from Stockton to the river, although in some cases he was obliged to buy the land needed by the company. When the Santa Fe Railroad built through Escalon he erected a grain warehouse there, and later another one, and one also at Avena; and on selling out to G.W. McNear of San Francisco, he became the latter's manager and bought grain for him for seven years. Then he bought back the warehouse and conducted the business for himself.
He next formed a partnership with J.L. Craig, to operate in the real estate field, under the firm name of Coley & Craig; and they subdivided the tract of land at Escalon, described in the interesting Craig sketch given on another page of this work. At one time the Coley & Craig company owned over 4,000 acres of land there, and later they operated in Stockton, erecting business houses and private residences. On his own account, Mr. Coley built a number of first-class homes in Stockton, in one case putting twelve in the northwestern part of Stockton, and after the fire at Escalon, three years ago, he also erected business blocks there, some of which he still owns. He has large real estate holdings, besides those in Stockton, in Oakland and San Francisco, and he has been one of the leading factors in the upbuilding of southern San Joaquin County, thereby becoming notable as a self-made man who has met with exceptional success. He has written fire insurance for the past twenty years, and he still has customers who, having taken out their insurance with him at the start, have remained his good patrons ever since. Mr. Coley belongs to the Oakdale Blue Lodge of Masons, No. 275, and to Lodge No. 218 of the Stockton Elks. He has one son, Cyril L. Coley, who is associated with him in business.
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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