Ventura County Biographies

James R. Willoughby

Submitted by Sandy Neder

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

 
James R. Willoughby is another illustration of what energy and integrity will do 
for a man in California. He arrived in San Francisco in April, 1853, in pioneer 
times, even without a hat! The cause of this was: The steamship Independence, on 
which he was a passenger, caught fire and burned until she sank; 200 of her 
passengers were lost, but Mr. Willoughby, with others, were cast upon an island, 
whence they were subsequently rescued by a whale-ship. He lost everything. He 
was at that time twenty two years of age, vigorous and ambitious, and he 
obtained work by the day and odd jobs until he was soon able to carry on a 
systematic business for himself, buying and selling hogs, sheep and cattle. His 
business increased apace upon his hands, while he also added the wholesale 
butchering trade, and for twenty-nine years supplied the meat markets of San 
Francisco. Thirty years ago, in traveling over the State to buy stock, he saw 
Ventura County, "fell in love" with it, and soon afterward bought a ranch of 
10,000 acres near Saticoy, and he still owns 7,500 acres of that tract, on which 
he is rearing improved breeds of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. He keeps about 
100 head of horses - French Canadian, Clydesdale, Cleveland Bay and Richmond - 
some of which are as fast trotters as any in the world. He has 5,000 sheep, 
1,000 hogs and 600 head of cattle, - Durham, Hereford, Devon and Holstein. He 
has fifteen hands in his constant employ; has several barns 100 feet long, and 
many other ranch buildings. He has a ranch of 180 acres of fine land near 
Saticoy, planted in walnut and other fruit trees, and furnished with a good 
house and barns. Although in business in Ventura for many years, he did not 
reside here until 1881, when he bought his present home, on the corner of Santa 
Clara and Ash streets.
    Mr. Willoughby was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, October 22, 1831. His 
father, William F. Willoughby, emigrated from England to Connecticut in early 
life. His mother, whose maiden name was Phebe Carey, was also a native of 
Connecticut. Their family consisted of twelve children, and the mother is still 
living, now aged eighty-four years. James R., the eldest son, had charge of the 
business, and the cares of the farm devolved upon him.
    He was married in 1862, to Miss Mary E. Holloway, a native of Tennessee, who 
died in 1881. The children of this marriage were: W. F., George D., Abby, 
Charles R. and James. The three first named are married and the others are with 
their father. Charles R. has recently received an appointment to attend the West 
Point Military Academy. August 10, 1886, Mr. Willoughby was united in matrimony 
with Miss Rena Roberts, a daughter of William and Mary (Fowler) Roberts, from 
England, and she was born in Minnesota. They have one interesting little girl, 
Irene Sessions, born in San Buenaventura. The family attend the Presbyterian 
Church and contribute to all the churches of the town. Mr. Willoughby is a 
member of the A. L. of H.; a Trustee of the city, and for four years has been 
chairman of the Republican County Committee. The county has been Democratic, but 
it is now Republican; and although Mr. Willoughby has been so influential, he 
has refused political preferment, desiring rather to attend to his private 
business.
 
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS 
OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 502