San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page1603
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 2/17/2010
JAMES A. HYMER
As sales manager of the Holt Manufacturing Company of Stockton, an establishment with an international reputation, James A. Hymer is making good and becoming firmly intrenched in the business world. A native of Nebraska, he was born at Sacramento, Phelps County, on January 10, 1882, and until his twelfth year was reared and educated at Holdredge, later finishing his schooling at Lincoln. Being of a mechanical turn of mind, young Hymer became an apprentice in the locomotive shops of the C.B. & Q. Railroad at Havelock, where he began the trade of machinist, finishing his apprenticeship in the shops of the C. & S. Railroad at Denver. He continued to follow his trade as machinist, later as foreman, and still later as division foreman with the Northern Pacific Railroad. In fact he had a wide experience in the various roads of the West. Afterwards he was in the employ of coal and gold mining companies in the northwest as master mechanic.
Mr. Hymer decided to give up the branch of mechanical work he was following to take up the study of the internal combustion engines in the automobile world and in a short time he became proficient in that trend of mechanics. Being attracted to Los Angeles, he was employed in a large shop of that city. After a few years in the mechanical end of the automobile industry he concluded he could use his knowledge to very good advantage in selling machines, and going to Salt Lake City he became connected with the firm of Randall, Dodd & Company as a salesman. In spite of the fact that it was in December and that there was two feet of snow on the ground, Mr. Hymer sold three cars the first two weeks, thus meeting with success from the beginning. He remained with this company in Utah and Idaho until coming to San Francisco in 1911. Mr. Hymer soon entered the employ of Don Lee as a salesman, and under his leadership sold the Cadillac with success. From the retail department he was soon advanced to the wholesale department and remained with Don Lee four and one-half years.
While engaged in the automobile industry he made a study of the Holt Tractors, and thinking there was a greater field for advancement in that line he considered making a change; at considerable sacrifice to himself, at the time, in 1916 he became connected with the Holt Manufacturing Company as their representative in Southern California, with headquarters in Los Angeles. In a short time his prophecy came true and he met with phenomenal success in handling the tractor in that territory. His thorough mechanical training well fitted him for his work and advancement came to him when he was called to Stockton and appointed assistant sales manager on December 31, 1919; just one year from that date he was made sales manager, the position he now holds in a concern that covers half the earth with their products from the Stockton office.
At Los Angeles, in 1910, Mr. Hymer was united in marriage with Miss Eva Turner, a native of Indiana, and they have two daughters, Helen and Jane. Mr. Hymer is a charter member of University Lodge No. 394, F. & A.M., of Los Angeles, also holding membership with the Scottish Rite Consistory in Los Angeles, where he also is a member of Al Malaikah Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. He is a member of the Yosemite Club and the Golf and Country Club of Stockton. All in all, it will be seen that in whatever field of activity Mr. Hymer has become active he has attained to an enviable success.
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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