San Diego County Biographies
 
GEORGE SCRIMGEOUR

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


of San Diego, a pioneer of 1859, was born in Scone, Scotland, December, 1832, 
being the second son in a family of eight children, four sons and four 
daughters, all of whom are still living in 1889, the eldest being a daughter of 
sixty-six years of age, and the youngest a son of forty-five years of age. In 
1848 his parents emigrated to Stratford, Ontario, Canada. His father being a 
carpenter and contractor. George learned the trade working with his father until 
June, 1859, when he became restless under the California excitement, and 
emigrated to that State by way of the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San 
Francisco July 10, 1859. He followed his trade until May, 1860, then going to 
Westminster, British Columbia, and up the Fraser river, prospecting during the 
summer and returning in the fall.
        In the spring of 1861, in company with friends, he went to the Cariboo 
mines, meeting many hardships but no success. On returning he went into 
partnership with Mr. Graham, in building and contract work, building a large 
hospital and other prominent buildings. He was a partner in the first saw-mill 
on Buzzard's inlet, now the terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. In 1866 
he returned to San Francisco, and worked at his trade until 1869. He then came 
to San Diego, and in partnership with Mr. Graham again began building and 
contracting, but business being rather dull he went to San Francisco in 1872, 
and there engaged first as foreman and then as contractor, remaining until 
December, 1886, when he returned to San Diego. He bought two lots on the corner 
of A and Columbia streets, each 50 x 100 feet, adjoining; they are now fully 
improved with store, butcher shop and residence. In the summer of 1889, Mr. 
Scrimgeour returned to Ontario, to visit his family and friends after an absence 
of thirty years. His parents are deceased, but his brothers and sisters are 
still living. His brothers have a large sash, blind and furniture manufact�ry at 
Stratford, and his youngest brother has been mayor of the city.
        Mr. Scrimgeour, being a bachelor, resides with his old and tried friend 
Mr. Graham, at the corner of Sixth and Ash streets, and though fifty-seven years 
of age he is in full enjoyment of all the pleasures of life.
 
SOURCE:  An Illustrated History of Southern California:  Embracing the Counties 
of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower 
California� Chicago:  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890.  p.-  113