California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


GEORGE S. COLQUHOUN. Nearly the entire life of G. S. Colquhoun has been passed in Fresno, where 
he has worked himself up from a lowly position to one of importance. This success is the result of his 
own efforts, as he has never had the benefit of influence, his position being the just reward for many 
years of honest labor. Born in Oakland, September 26, 1872, he is a son of M. W. and Annie E. (Bouton) 
Colquhoun, the former a native of Cornwall, Ontario. The grandfather emigrated to Canada from 
Scotland at a very early day, and besides carrying on a farm also acted as Indian agent for the Canadian 
government. .M. W. Colquhoun was a stationary engineer in his native country prior to locating in 
California in 1866. On first coming to the west he went to the mines near Virginia City, Nev., 
where he filled a position as stationary engineer until 1879. In that year he located in Eldorado county, 
where he followed the same vocation until 1881, when he removed to Fresno. Here he entered the 
employ of the Fresno Water Company as an engineer, continuing in their employ until he was 
accidentally killed by an explosion in the engine room. At the time of his death he was fifty-two years 
of age. Fraternally he was a member of the Masons, and personally he was a man well liked, as was 
shown by his large circle of friends in Fresno. His wile was born in Hillsboro, Ill., a daughter of William 
and Olive Bouton, who came to California in 1860. Mr. Bouton lived for a time in the Sacramento valley, 
but after the terrible flood of 1862 he removed to Virginia City, and later to Silver City, Nev. Here he 
was subsequently made postmaster and also acted as justice of the peace. He is now living retired in 
Santa Barbara, while his daughter makes her home with her son, our subject. 

George S. Colquhoun was nine years of age when his father came to Fresno. Here he attended the 
public schools until he was fourteen. At that early age he started to learn the trade of a plumber under 
the direction of Weaver & Dunbar, and the following nine years were devoted to this vocation. 
Subsequently, for four years, he was in the employ of the Fresno Gas and Electric Light Company as 
repair-man. The company recognizing his efficiency, in 1898 he was promoted to the office of 
superintendent of the entire works. In 1902 the California Gas and Electric corporation purchased the 
plant, and Mr. Colquhoun was made general superintendent. Since that time improvements have 
been made and the company now has one of the best equipped establishments of the kind in the 
state. All tins has been done under the direct supervision of the superintendent, who has labored 
industriously to make the business a success. 

In Fresno the marriage of Mr. Colquhoun and Mrs. Dora Edith (Lynn) Fairweather was celebrated in 
1904. She is the daughter of Theodore A. Lynn, an early settler of this state, who crossed the plains in 
the customary way. He is now living retired in the city of Fresno. Mr. Colquhoun is a member of the 
Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He also holds membership in the Fresno 
Chamber of Commerce and takes an active interest in the upbuilding of the city and county.