Santa Cruz County Biographies

JOSEPH SKIRM

Submitted by Kathy Sedler

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

 
        Joseph Skirm, the most prominent character in the history of the Santa 
Cruz bar, is one of the pioneers. He was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and 
studied law in that State. Coming to California in 1849, while yet a young man, 
he began the practice of law in Santa Cruz, and was the first district attorney 
elected upon the organization of the county government. His career in this 
office was eminently successful, and his fearless and impartial methods won the 
hearts of the plain, honest, and straightforward frontiers�men, and they were 
all earnest friends of his. Mr. Skirm is a student of the classics, and quite an 
eminent scholar. Being of a modest and retiring disposition, he has never sought 
office, but has always preferred to devote his time to his own interests and 
those of his clients. He has been several times elected to the city council of 
Santa Cruz, but finally declined re-election.
        In 1859 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Berger, of Santa 
Cruz. They have nine children, five sons and four daughters.
 
HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.-  E. S. Harrison, 
Pacific Press Publ. Co., San Francisco, 1891