California Biographies

GILBERT TOMPKINS

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker 

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

 
	Proprietor of the Souther Farm, located two miles northeast of 
San Leandro, was born in Oakland, California, the son of the late Hon. Edward 
Tompkins, a well-known attorney and member of the State Legislature.  Gilbert 
Tompkins was educated at Harvard University, and three years after leaving 
college bought the San Leandro Reporter, of which paper he was editor and 
proprietor for about two years.  In 1889 he sold out to Dr. B. F. Mason, and 
took charge of the farm, which demanded his attention.  It consists of 312 acres 
and is devoted to fruit-culture and horse-raising, the latter being the most 
prominent.  The following brief summary will give some idea of the stock:  There 
are four stallions of the best American trotting blood.  In January, 1887, the 
proprietor brought from Palo Alto the bay stallion Figaro.  In December, 1887, 
Jester D. was purchased, and in December, 1889, two finely-bred sons of the 
great Electioneer were added to the stock of the Souther Farm.  Glen Fortune and 
El Benton have the blood of the greatest trotting family in the world.  The 
brood mares are of much merit.  The Souther Farm is fitted for almost every 
variety of care and education of horses.  Personal attention is given to every 
branch of the work, and visitors are always welcome.  A specialty is made of the 
care of stock owned by Eastern parties, who wish to give it the benefit of the 
California climate to assist early maturity and training.
 
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, page 121, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.