California Biographies, Santa Cruz County
HON. GODFREY M. BOCKIUS

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California 
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison 

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

 

HON. GODFREY M. BOCKIUS. 

During a noteworthy portion of his career the personal advancement of Judge Bockius was coincident with the prog- 
ress of the Pajaro valley. When he arrived here for the first time, during the latter part of the year 1852, he found 
the beautiful valley in the primeval state of nature, destitute of roads or houses or fences. The few settlers who had pre- 
ceded him were dwelling in tents. It would require an optimistic faith to predict for the region its present condition 
of material and commercial development. The little band of pioneers possessed such optimism and with a faith born of an 
inward vision of the future they labored unceasingly, each in his own narrow sphere accomplishing little, but all by their 
collected, harmonious efforts accomplishing much for the permanent welfare of the locality. 

Tracing the history of Judge Bockius, we find that he was born in Philadelphia in 1818, member of an old and well-to- 
do family of that city. Primarily educated under private tutors, he early displayed a fondness for the study of the 
sciences, and in order that he might enjoy exceptional advantages along that line he became a student in the Franklin 
Institute of Philadelphia, where he remained for four years, graduating before he had attained his majority. Though 
Destiny led him into commercial and agricultural pursuits, he never lost his fondness for scientific subjects and his read- 
ings during his last years were almost wholly confined to works upon his favorite themes. His marked preference for 
scientific experiments led him to serve an apprenticeship in the manufacture of scientific apparatus, including mathematical 
and optical instruments. 

Soon after Daguerre discovered the process by which pictures were produced on chemically prepared surfaces by the 
action of light, Mr. Bockius entered into the manufacture of photographic apparatus and material in partnership with the 
late Dr. Kennedy, who afterward obtained distinction as a scientist and as president of the Philadelphia Polytechnic 
Institute. The art of photography was then in its infancy. Its disciples were so few in number that there was little de- 
mand for material and equipment; hence the new firm met with little success and its affairs were closed up by its pro- 
jectors. The next venture of the young man led him from the field of scientific experiments into the domain of mer- 
chandising. First in Philadelphia and then in New Jersey he engaged in mercantile pursuits. The success of these 
ventures would have satisfied many, but Mr. Bockius was ambitious to earn more than a mere livelihood and he deter- 
mined to seek a new domain of activity in the west. As early as 1844 he had established domestic ties, being united with 
Miss Harriet Rambo, of Camden, N. J. When they started west their family consisted of two children, and these were 
carried across the Isthmus of Panama on the backs of natives. Arriving at the Pacific coast it was found that the cholera 
was raging and soon one of the children fell a victim of the dread disease. The ship, Golden Gate, which at San Fran- 
cisco was reported to have been lost, was in the harbor, detained by an outbreak of plague among the passengers and 
the crew. Eventually the ship left the port and the surviving passengers were finally landed in San Francisco without fur- 
ther disaster. 

The first occupation which engaged the attention of Mr. Bockius in the Pajaro valley was the butchering of cattle and 
the selling of meat to the ocean vessels. The meat was delivered by means of surface boats. The work was profitable 
but exceedingly distasteful, and as soon as possible it was abandoned for agricultural pursuits. Throughout the re- 
mainder of his life lie was more or less interested in the raising of grain, having acquired an interest in the great 
Pajaro valley ranch. By buying and selling farms and town property he made considerable money and laid the foundation 
of subsequent success. A portion of the Pajaro valley ranch was subdivided and the land laid out in town lots, which were 
sold at a fair profit. For years he loaned money with land as first mortgage and the interest being high in those days he 
found the business quite profitable. From the organization of the Bank of Watsonville in 1874 until his death in 1905 
he was intimately associated with its history, first as a stockholder, and after 1884 as president. The other officers were 
as follows: H. S. Fletcher, cashier; Charles Ford, H. S. Fletcher, G. M. Bockius, William G. Hudson, Thomas Snodgrass, 
Lucius Sanborn and Edward White, directors. With a paid-up capital of $100,000 and a surplus of $25,000, the bank rose 
to a high position in the confidence of business men and controlled a large share of the business of the valley. Politically 
a stanch believer in Republican principles. Judge Bockius was prominent in his party during the early days. In 1856 he was 
elected associate justice with Judge Rice. At the expiration of his term he was elected county judge and filled the position 
with eminent success, notwithstanding the fact that he had never received a law education. During 1872 he was elected to 
the state legislature, where he took a warm interest in movements for the benefit of the community with whose prosperity 
his own success had been identified. In 1874 he was bereaved by the death of his wife. Seven children had been born of 
their union. Four are now living, namely: Edwin S., director and vice-president of the Watsonville Savings Bank and also the 
owner of considerable ranch property ; Belle, wife of H. S. Fletcher, of Watsonville ; Godfrey and Charlotte S., also of 
Watsonville. The death of Judge Bockius was deplored as a loss to the city where so many years of his useful life had been 
passed. He entered eternity with the well-merited honors of his fellow-citizens, and their tributes of respect formed a garland 
that sought visible expression in fragrant flowers strewn over the new-made grave, where the body was laid to rest beside all 
that was mortal of the wife of his youth.