Central California Biographies

A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California : illustrated : containing 
a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its discovery to the 
present time, together with glimpses of its auspicious future, illustrations and full-page portraits of 
some of its eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers, and prominent citizens of 
to-day (1893)

Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Author: Barrows, Henry D; Ingersoll, Luther A

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

 


JAMES B. SNIVELY, one of the representative men of Monterey, was born near Buffalo, 
New York, October 21, 1835. He enlisted in the Thirty-Eighth Illinois Infantry, August, 
1861, and served three years; being mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia, October, 1864. 
The rigors of a soldier's life had left him an invalid; so he resolved to seek a more 
congenial climate, and, as California seemed to promise such a climate, he emigrated 
to this State, arriving in 1868, and the following year engaged in the lumber business 
with Capt. T. G. Lambert. 

In 1873, he was appointed Wells, Fargo and Company's agent at Monterey, and has 
held that and the Western Union Telegraph office ever since. 

He was the first president of the Board of City Trustees under the new incorporation. 
He is connected socially with the G. A. R., I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M. 

He has two brothers, Richard and Daniel, the former a successful dairyman and fruit- 
grower in the Carmel valley, ten miles from Monterey, who arrived in California in 1863. 
The latter brother, Daniel, is a successful fruit grower in Santa Clara county, having 
come to the State in 1868. 

Mr. Snively is a highly respected gentleman and faithful employe of the company whom 
lie has served for so many years.