Napa County Biographies

George S. McKenzie

Transcribed by Pat Houser

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


George S. McKenzie, the popular and energetic Sheriff of Napa County, has been a 
resident of California and of Napa County since 1879.  Born at Rogers� Hill, 
Picton County, Nova Scotia, June 17, 1856, he received his early education in 
the public schools, but at the age of twelve years he started out for himself, 
working a shingle machine, then at making furniture, and from this advanced to 
carriage-building, earning enough money in the summer to pay for continuing his 
schooling in the winter.  At the age of seventeen he set up a carriage shop of 
his own, employing three men, in his native town, where he continued for five 
years.  During a few months of that time he worked in Boston, Massachusetts, 
under instructions, perfecting himself in the arts of carriage painting and 
woodwork.  In 1875 he sold out his carriage business and came to California, 
where three of his brothers had already established themselves, and settled in 
Monticello, Napa County, resuming the carriage-making, repairing and 
blacksmithing business, at which he continued, working at the trade himself 
until 1880.  Meeting with an accident to his right arm, which disabled him from 
active work at his trade, he bought out a store and engaged in mercantile 
business in connection with his carriage shop.  In 1888 he was persuaded by his 
friends to become a candidate for the office of Sheriff, and carrying the 
nomination of the Republican convention against three competitors, he was 
elected by a good majority, the first Republican sheriff in Napa County for 
twelve years.  In 1889 he removed with his family to Napa, having sold out his 
carriage shop, though still retaining his mercantile in Monticello.  Besides 
property to a considerable amount in Monticello, Mr. McKenzie has a ranch of 160 
acres in Berryessa Valley, is a man of broad views, highly respected, and a 
worthy representative of the young, enthusiastic and progressive element in 
business, politics and society.
 
May 1, 1884, he married Miss Alice M. Clark, daughter of Mr. Abraham Clark, of 
Berryessa Valley, where she was born, her father having been one of the earliest 
settlers of that region.  To them have been born three children, two of whom are 
still living.  The eldest child, Harvey, died from congestion of the brain, 
caused by a fall, at the age of eleven months.  Mr. McKenzie�s parents were 
Murdock and Nancy (Gunn) McKenzie.  His mother still occupies the old homestead, 
but his father died two years ago.
 
Always an ardent Republican, he has been for four years a member of the 
Republican County Committee, and was a delegate to the last State Congressional 
Convention at San Francisco.  Mr. McKenzie is a thorough American in his views 
his early visit to Boston and residence there having placed him in perfect 
sympathy with the institutions of this country.  Immediately on his arrival in 
California he identified himself with the interests of his adopted country, by 
taking out his naturalization papers, and became a citizen and firm supporter of 
the Government.  In 1888 he made a visit to the home of his parents, spending 
considerable time in Boston and New York, and finally settling all his business 
interests outside of California.  He attends the Presbyterian Church, is a 
member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, No. 18, also of Live Oak Encampment, both of Napa 
City.
 
Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California, Lewis Publishing Co., 
1891, Pages 746 and 747