California Biographies 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 JAMES EDWARD DENNY. The name of James Edward Denny is well known throughout Tulare county, where he has been identified with the business, political and social life for about forty years, and he holds a place of especial prominence among the citizens of Visalia. A native of Bond county. Ill., he was born June 1, 1838, a son of James Denny. The latter, a native of Maryland, immigrated to Illinois before its admission as a state, and in Bond county carried on farming until his death. His wife, formerly Mary White, of North Carolina, also died in the same locality. They were the parents of nine children, eight sons and one daughter. The fifth child in the family of his parents, James Edward Denny received his education in the common school in the vicinity of his home and in McDonough College, in Macomb, Ill., at- tending the latter institution two terms. In April, 1854, he started for California, making the per- ilous trip across the plains by ox-team and being six months en route. Arriving in the state in September, he located near Forest, Sierra county, Cal., where he was employed in the mines un- til 1860. In partnership with W. G. Sanderson he then bought a ferry (cable power) on the King's river, San Joaquin valley, and conducted the same successfully for four years. In 1864 he came to Visalia, Tulare county, and purchased the Overland livery stables, finding profitable employment until 1866, when he removed to Millerton, then the county seat of Fresno county, where he built a store and established a general merchandise business under the firm name of J. E. Denny & Co. This prospered until 1868, when the entire town was washed away by an over- flow. Returning to Visalia Mr. Denny engaged as a clerk in the dry goods establishment of R. E. Hyde for one year, when he entered the hotel business by leasing the Visalia house, under the firm name of Dincker & Denny, who remained the proprietors for about two years. Disposing of his interests Mr. Denny went to Illinois and spent some time in his home in Bond county. Returning to Visalia in the spring of 1872 he was appointed deputy assessor, which office he held until July, when he went into the employ of D. R. Douglass in charge of a general merchan- dise store in Portersville, Tulare county. In the fall of 1873 he was elected to the combined of- fices of county clerk, auditor and recorder, serving creditably for a term of two years. Fol- lowing this he was elected county recorder and auditor for one term ; in 1876 was made deputy treasurer for one term ; and in 1878 was elected county recorder for one term, discharging the duties incumbent upon him in a capable and efficient manner, and winning commendation from all citizens. In 1880 he returned to the general merchandise business which was conducted under the firm name of Crowley, Denny & Co., for two years, when it was closed out on account of the death of the partner. Mr. Denny then conducted a drug business under the name of Griggs & Den- ny until 1884, when he bought a tract of land (eleven hundred and eighty acres) in Tulare county and engaged in farming. This, perhaps, was the one exception in the life of Mr. Denny where he did not meet with the expected success. In 1893 he was elected county recorder, and upon the expiration of his term engaged in the real estate business. This latter occupation was interrupted in 1898, when he was elected county treasurer for a term of four years. Since 1902 he has engaged exclusively in the real estate and insurance business, handling property, col- lecting rents, etc. He is also identified with the development of oil wells, acting as vice-presi- dent of the Diana Oil Company (incorporated), of Visalia, and is a stockholder in the Devil's Den Oil Company (incorporated), also of this city. In Visalia Mr. Denny was united in marriage with Jennie Drouillard, a native of Iowa, whose death occurred in 1882. She left two children. Mabel married C. D. Rogers, of Mont- erey, Cal., and Lawrence is a freight clerk in the Southern Pacific Railway, located in San Fran- cisco. Fraternally Mr. Denny is prominent in this section. He belongs to Blue Lodge No. 128, F. & A. M., Visalia Chapter No. 44, R. A. M., and Visalia Commandery No. 26, K. T., all of Visalia, and holds the office of treasurer in the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. He is also a member of Islam Temple No. 429, N. M. S., of San Francisco. He joined this organiza- tion in Forest City in i860, becoming a member in Forest City Lodge No. 66. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In his political convictions Mr. Denny is a stanch Republican and an active and influential member of the party's counsels. Although a resi- dent in a Democratic county Mr. Denny has held many offices, his personal popularity winning him much support. In 1886 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for state comptroller and although defeated he still ran far ahead of his ticket, even the candidate for governor. He has taken an active and intelligent interest in all public movements and has given his support to those he considered best calculated to advance the general welfare of the community. He was one of the assessors of the Income Tax law of the state in 1864-66. Mr. Denny is representative of the best in American citizenship and among all who know him holds a high place in their regard.