San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1168
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 4/26/2010
FRED J. McKAIN
Coming to Stockton with his parents when but four years of age, Fred J. McKain has spent practically his entire life in this city, and he is well known in business circles as assistant manager of the Simpson-Gray Lumber Company, a position he is most capably filling. He was born at Rising Sun, Ind., June 17, 1871, of the union of James and Maria Rebecca (James) McKain, who were also natives of the Hoosier State, and both are now deceased. In 1851 the father came to California via Panama, locating at Stockton, where for a time he followed the plasterer's trade and then returned to the East, but in 1874 he again took up his residence in Stockton. Mr. and Mrs. McKain became the parents of six children, four of whom grew up. Edward was a banker in Merced for twenty-five years, then became a merchant in Berkeley, where he died at the age of fifty-five years; Kate, Mrs. W.R. Stone, resides in Stockton; Reuben died in Stockton, still a young man, and Fred J. is our subject.
Fred McKain attended school in Stockton till the age of eighteen years, when he started out in the world on his own account. He entered the Government mail service as letter carrier, filling that position for two years, and was general delivery clerk for one year. On resigning that position he became connected with the Stockton Ice & Fuel Company, with which he remained for six months, and on October 2, 1892, entered the employ of the Stockton Lumber Company, conducted by Joseph Fife, and for ten years was with that concern, during which period he gained a thorough knowledge of the lumber business. He next joined the Scott-Van Arsdale Lumber Company, which was later purchased by the McCloud Lumber Company, and his identification with those two firms covered five years. On the expiration of that period, in association with W.F. Barnickol, F.L. Balkwill, Walter Vincent and R.A. Bacheiler, he organized the Sterling Iron Works, but sold his interest in that undertaking in 1910 and became a clerk in the county treasurer's office under W.C. Neumiller, where he continued until January, 1913, when he was made assistant manager of the Simpson-Gray Lumber Company. He brought to the office broad experience, a comprehensive knowledge of the lumber industry and marked capability and is doing all in his power to promote the success of the enterprise. He has great faith in the future of his city and has made judicious investments in real estate.
Mr. McKain was married in Stockton to Miss Susie Plummer, who was born in Woodbridge, San Joaquin County. She acquired her education in the San Joaquin Valley College at Woodbridge and is a member of one of the pioneer families of this part of the state. Mr. McKain is prominent in club and fraternal circles, belonging to the Rotary Club and to the Hoo-Hoos, the latter organization being composed of lumbermen. He is a Mason in high standing and is a member of San Joaquin lodge, No. 19, F. & A.M., of which he is a past master; is a member of Stockton chapter, No. 82, R.A.M.; Stockton Commandery, No. 8, K.T., of which he is past commander; is also a Scottish Rite Mason and belongs to Aahmes Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. of Oakland. He also belongs to Stockton lodge, No. 11, I.O.O.F., of which he is past grand, and to Stockton lodge, No. 218, B.P.O.E.
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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