GEORGE BYRON
Pioneer Merchant of San Fancisco
Bio-Pen Pictures
SURNAMES: TURNER, ANDERSON, ROBERTSON, HENDERSON, PELHAM, CENTER
is the owner of a tract of land, containing 116 acres, in the Braley District: It is about two miles southwest of Alviso, and seven miles northwest of Santa Clara, and is located at the junction of the Alviso and Mountain View and Saratoga and Alviso roads. Here Mr. Byron occupies a pleasant cottage home, surrounded by lovely grounds, and filled with the comforts and conveniences of refined life. With the exception of thirteen acres of strawberries, and three acres of orchard, this farm is devoted to the raising of hay, grain, and stock. The cultivation of strawberries is confined principally to that of the Longworth and Sharpless varieties, while the orchard furnishes nearly every kind of fruit raised in the section. Artesian wells furnish all the water for irrigation, stock, and domestic purposes.
The subject of this sketch was born, in 1820, in Glasgow, Scotland, of which city his parents, George and Marion (Turner) Byron, were natives. His boyhood was spent in school, but in early manhood he learned the trade of dyer, in which his father was engaged. In 1840 his father emigrated to New Zealand, whither he had accompanied him. There they engaged in farming, and after a residence of five years the son removed to the city of Adelaide, Australia, where he established a mercantile business, which he successfully conducted until 1849. Thinking that a good business opening had been made by the great influx of men from all parts of the country, caused by the California gold discovery, he decided to venture upon another move. Collecting a supply of general merchandise, such as would be needed in a new country which was rapidly filling up, he embarked, in February, 1849, for San Francisco, where he arrived in June of the same year, thus becoming one of the pioneer merchants of the city. He found it impossible to obtain a building in which to open his store, and was compelled to pitch his tent, and use it temporarily both as a store and dwelling. He found this venture a successful one, but in March of the following year decided to engage in mining. With this purpose in view he went to the mines on the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River, but, after a sixth months' trial, he concluded that the life there was not suited to his tastes, and returned to San Francisco. He conducted with success various enterprises in that city until, in 1852, he removed to Santa Clara County, purchasing 160 acres of land, thus enrolling his name among the early farmers of the county. He acquired the property which he now occupies in 1862, and in 1873 sold his original purchase.
Mr. Byron was united in marriage, in 1851, with Miss Jane Anderson, the daughter of John and Jane (Robertson) Anderson, natives of Scotland and residents of San Francisco. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Byron, eight are now living. Their names, with their present residence (in 1888), are here given: Jane R., the wife of David M. Henderson, is a resident of Oakland, California; George A. married Miss Mabel Pelham, of Oakland, and resides in this county; Marion is also a resident of Oakland; John A. makes his home on one of the Sandwich Islands; Amy Grace married Samuel Center, then a resident of Santa Clara County, but now of the Sandwich Islands; Helen M., William T., and Alexander A. make their home with their parents.
Mr. Byron's long residence in the, State and county has given his neighbors and acquaintances every opportunity to "try the man," and his sterling qualities, uprightness of character, and public spirit have won from them their respect and esteem. A long experience in business affairs, and a knowledge of the ways of the different parts of the world in which he has made his home, make him a valuable and interesting acquisition to any community.
Politically, he is a strong and consistent Republican, taking a great interest
in the administration both of State and national affairs. A strong believer in
the future greatness of the country of his adoption, he was one of the most
ardent supporters of the government when the war clouds of rebellion swept over
the land.
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888.
Pg. 447-448
SANTA CLARA COUNTY BIOGRAPHY PROJECT