San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1107
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 1/8/2010
JOHN E. GAYOU
A worthy pioneer citizen of San Joaquin County now living retired in Stockton, where he is recognized as an honored and highly respected upbuilder, is John E. Gayou, who was born on June 19, 1860, in the adobe house at the corner of American and Washington streets which was erected by his father about 1850. He is one of a family of five children born to John and Mary (Euhart) Gayou, both natives of France and both now deceased. John E. and a sister, Mrs. Martin, are the two surviving children of this pioneer couple. John Gayou, the father, came around the Horn to California in 1850 and located in Stockton, where he engaged in driving pack mules, laden with supplies, to the southern mines. Soon after his arrival in Stockton, he purchased from Captain Weber the lot at the corner of American and Washington streets, 100 feet square, where the family home was established and where his son John E. resides.
John E. Gayou obtained his education in the Center, Lafayette, and Jefferson schools, and at the age of fourteen started to work on a threshing machine. He still improved his spare moments in reading and studying, however, so that he is accounted a well-educated man; he speaks French and Spanish fluently. He learned the trade of lather in Stockton, San Francisco, and other parts of the state until 1893, when he was appointed a member of the police force of Stockton. He relates many thrilling experiences he has had during his twenty-eight years of service on the police force.
The marriage of Mr. Gayou united him with Miss Catherine Murphy, a native of Stockton, Cal., and five children were born to them, two of whom are now living: William A. and Emma, the wife of B.F. Spry, born at Oakdale, where his father was an old settler and a farmer. B.F. Spry conducted a grocery store at Pittsburg, Cal., for four years, but is now a resident of Stockton. Mrs. Gayou is now deceased. Mr. Gayou belongs to the Stockton Parlor, No. 7, N.S.G.W. He has erected three houses on the home place bought by his father more than seventy years ago, which he rents to good advantage.
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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