San Diego County Biographies
  
A. J. STICE

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


of San Diego County, was born in Scotland County, Missouri, on the 10th day of 
February, 1849. His father was a native of Kentucky, and his mother a native of 
Missouri. There were twelve children, six of whom are now living. The subject of 
this sketch was the eleventh child in order of birth. lie came to California 
with his father, mother and family, in 1857. There were about 100 wagons, and 
his brother Bluford, having crossed before, was captain of the company.
        Mr. Stice and family came direct to Napa valley, arriving in October, 
and bought the "Old Mill" farm of 300 acres, where he remained until 1860, when 
he sold out and went to Solano County, where he bought a farm of 160 acres. He 
followed farming until 1868, when he sold out and went to San Jacinto, where he 
began stock-farming, first buying one-twentieth of the San Jacinto ranch, which 
consisted of 35,000 acres, and was owned by the Estudillo heirs. He bought 1,776 
acres at $2.33 per acre, then stocked it; but, dry seasons following one 
another, he made little progress in cattle-raising. In 1874 he drove his stock 
to San Jacinto and sold them. He then bought a farm of 130 acres and farmed for 
two years, when he sold the farm and moved to the Sacramento river, on what was 
called Andrus Island, an island about five by ten miles, but lying below the 
river and surrounded by dykes. Beets and other vegetables were the main products 
of the island. He was there about six months, when a freshet came, the dyke 
broke, and house and everything was carried away, only a little furniture being 
recovered. He then returned to Napa County, and exchanged the San Jacinto ranch 
for a small farm in Napa valley.
        Mr. A. J. Stice had been with his father all these years, but in 1876 he 
left the home circle and came to San Jacinto, where he rented and farmed General 
Bowden's ranch for about three years. He then went to Los Angeles and rented the 
Agricultural Park, running it about six months, when he moved to Calico, San 
Bernardino County, where he ran a saloon. He also sold water in the town of 
Calico, hauling it about two and one-half miles, and selling it for at first 5 
cents, then 3 cents per gallon, there being no water at Calico at that time. He 
remained at Calico until 1882, when he sold out and came to the city of San 
Bernardino, and under the firm name of Stice & Phelps, bought and managed a 
livery stable and business, remaining one year, when he sold out and returned to 
San Jacinto, and built the first livery stable at that place, which he ran for 
two years, then selling. Buying a planing mill at San Jacinto, he managed it for 
about eighteen months, selling in February, 1889, and retiring from active 
business. While at San Bernardino he made seven trips to the Bear valley, 
driving a team of fourteen mules, hauling cement for the Bear valley dam.
        He was married at San Jacinto in July, 1886, to Miss Adalidie Thomas, 
who was born in Los Angeles, of American and Spanish parents. The union has been 
blessed with one child, who is still living.
        Mr. Stice was elected Constable in San Diego County in 1872, for two 
years, but resigned when he moved from the county. In November, 1886, he was 
elected Supervisor of the Fifth District fur a term of four years. He is a 
director of the Agricultural District, No. 22, appointed by the Governor, and in 
company with the eight other members originated and successfully carried through 
the first agricultural fair ever held in the county. It was held at Escondido, 
commencing October 1, 1889, and continuing five days. It was founded on a State 
subscription of $4,000, $2,000 of which could be applied in 1889, and the 
remaining $2,000 in 1890, the subscription to be applied in securing ground and 
erecting suitable buildings. The fair was successfully carried through, with a 
small surplus in the hands of the treasurer.
 
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.-  162-163