San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 572-575
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 2/10/2010
GEORGE HOLDSWORTH
A highly-esteemed pioneer whom posterity will always delight to honor, and whom Californians, ever mindful of what they owe to those who “made straight the paths in early days,” will certainly never forget, was the late George Holdsworth, who breathed his last in Stockton on December 6, 1921, having attained to his eightieth year. He was born in Halifax, England, on September 7, 1842, and came of good old English stock, than which none better ever helped to found and develop a New World. His father, also named George Holdsworth, was a genuine '49er who reached California in the thrilling Argonaut days, but early settled in Stockton where he engaged in teaming—one of those occupations at that time essential to the welfare of almost everybody, and to no one more than to the gold-digger himself. He furnished sand for building operations, first transporting the same from the islands in a scow, and hauled the first load of sand used in the construction of the first building of the State Hospital on North California Street.
Our subject was seven years of age when the family settled at Kenosha, Wis., where he grew up and attended the public schools, and learned the trade of carriage painter in Ed. Bane's carriage shop. He arrived in Stockton on November 13, 1859, and soon after went to work for William Miller, the well-known carriage manufacturer and a carriage painter. He was employed at his trade for thirty years at the Miller factory at the southwest corner of Channel and California streets, where the Sequoia apartments now stand; and he enjoyed the friendship and entire confidence of his employer throughout the long years of their association together. For a short time, about a year, he was in business for himself, in a shop in the St. Charles Hotel building; and at one time he owned a ranch at Wallace, in Calaveras County. Before the advent of the railroads, also, he drove a pedler's wagon through the mountain towns, selling tinware, clothing and shoes, and the old wagon he drove stands today in the barn back of his old home, at 136 East Church Street. The old home, now standing, was built by him over fifty years ago, and it is in a fair state of preservation. He worked with his father in early days supplying sand for building materials in Stockton, and at one time was employed on the river steamer “Pert.” After giving up carriage painting, he followed teaming in Stockton for a number of years, and became well known and highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. He was a member of the old Volunteer Fire Department, and later the Exempt Firemen's Association.
At Stockton, in the year 1866, Mr. Holdsworth married Miss Mary Robertson, a native of San Francisco, where she was born in 1849, the daughter of a California pioneer who died in August, 1902. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holdsworth, and three died in childhood. Edward, however, reached the age of forty-six; Lulu, the age of twenty-one; and James the age of twelve. The five living children are: William, the pilot of the steamer, J.D. Peters; Charles, a teaming contractor of Stockton, who started as a boy of thirteen, and joined his father in teaming, later taking over the business for himself; Thomas, who is a member of the fire department of Stockton; George, who is employed in house-moving, with Fisher Bros.; and Miss Sadie I. Holdsworth, who was married February 3, 1922, to Mr. Walter M. Zwinge and resides at 138 Church Street, the old home place. All were born in Stockton save Thomas, who first saw the light in Calaveras County. During the latter years of Mr. Holdsworth's life, he enjoyed the loving care and attention of his devoted daughter, Sadie, who kept house for him and nursed him through his illness, and who otherwise rendered the service of affection, without money and without price, because no worldly value can ever be placed upon such divine ministrations.
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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