Napa County Biographies

GEORGE W. FEE

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


real-estate and insurance agent, St. Helena, a native of Huntingdon County, 
Pennsylvania, was born June 2, 1837.  His grandfather, Colonel John Fee, a 
Scotchman by birth, took an active part in the Revolutionary war, while his 
father, George J. Fee, served honorably as a soldier in the war of 1812.  The 
father died when Mr. Fee was young, leaving the family but scantily provided 
for, and as a consequence he had to make his own way from the time he was able 
to work.  When fourteen years of age he set out for himself, and during much of 
the time cared also for his mother and sisters.  When eighteen years old Mr. Fee 
began railroading, an occupation in he has spent eighteen years of his life.  
His first employment was on the Burlington & Missouri and the old Keokuk & Des 
Moines roads, the family meanwhile having joined him in Iowa in 1854.  In 1866 
he came to California and for a time was passenger conductor on the line from 
San Jose to San Francisco, when in the hands of Donohue & Co.  Later he accepted 
a position as superintendent of the quartz mills at Washoe, the Atchison and 
Savage mills, continuing there for two years.  He then went East, and on his 
return was passenger conductor of the North Pacific Railroad, being there two 
years.  Later, for several years he held like positions on the Carson Railroad 
and on the road from Palisade to Eureka, Nevada.  Finally in 1876 he came to St. 
Helena for the purpose of administering an estate five miles above town.  This 
occupied him for about six years, since which time he has been engaged in the 
real estate, insurance and kindred pursuits.  Mr. Fee is a Democrat of decided 
yet liberal views, and holds the confidence of the party.  For two years he 
served as Deputy Sheriff of Napa County, and is now collector of town taxes and 
a deputy marshal.
 
Mr. Fee has never married.  He has devoted himself to his family, caring for his 
mother and sisters for many years.  Of the latter two still reside with him.  A 
brother, John D. Fee, is a leading builder of Pueblo, Colorado.  Another 
brother, James P. Fee, who served through the war in an Iowa regiment, lies 
buried in St. Helena.  His oldest brother, J. J. Fee, now deceased, was perhaps 
the most prominent bridge-builder of Pennsylvania.  Some of the finest railroad 
and other bridges in that State are his work.
 
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing 
Co., 1891