San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1419-1420
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 4/24/2010
HENRY R. McCOY
The name borne by Henry R. McCoy is indelibly connected with the history of San Joaquin County, for he was one of the pioneer farmers on Roberts Island, an eyewitness to its growth and development from a wild and desolate place, much of the land under water, to one of the most fertile districts in the whole state. He was born at Nevada City, Cal., on July 12, 1872, a son of Hamilton Robert and Mary S. (Gaughenbaugh) McCoy, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. The parents came to California via Panama in 1861 and engaged in mining in Nevada County until 1873, when they came to San Joaquin County, settled near Woodbridge and engaged in farming for the following six years. In 1879, Mr. McCoy went to Roberts Island, where he was one of the first to grow grain on the island; this was before the land had been reclaimed and many were the losses and discouragements from floods. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy had four children who grew to maturity; Hugh died in Honolulu in 1918; Isaac L. died in 1920 in Stockton, leaving three children; then come Henry R., of this review, and Clara E., the widow of John Nassano. The father passed away in 1892 and Mrs. McCoy in 1902.
Henry R. McCoy received his education in the public schools of Woodbridge and Roberts Island and in early life gained practical knowledge of farming. After his father's death he rented land on Roberts Island and in partnership with his brother Isaac L. farmed from 400 to 800 acres of land. In 1910 he had 300 acres of celery, besides potatoes, beans, onions and grain. His farming activities were accompanied by many discouragements. For four years he lost his crops by floods, but by patience and hard work he made a success of farming and he is now considered an authority on land reclamation, having made a close and scientific study of the question. The first reclamation work on the island was done by the Glascow California Land Company, who employed 3,000 Chinese and wheelbarrows; next the bucket dredgers were used, and now the clam shell dredgers.
The marriage of Mr. McCoy united him with Mrs. Edith Oard of Portland, Ore. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Stockton Lodge No. 11. He is a self-made man, and by his own industry has progressed steadily to his present position.
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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