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 CHARLES McCABE. The participation of J. C. McCabe in business affairs in Portersville, 
Tulare county, has resulted in financial returns for himself and an increase of commercial 
prestige for the city. Of distinct ability, unswerving integrity, and a broad and liberal interest 
in all movements pertaining to the general welfare, he has taken a prominent position in the 
place, and is esteemed by all who know him. A native son of the state, he was born at Marys- 
ville March 3, 1857. His father, Owen McCabe, was a pioneer of the state, coming from New 
York City to California via the Isthmus of Panama in 1849. Unlike many others who thronged 
to the west in that year, he did not seek his livelihood in mining but engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness in Marysville. During the flood of 1862 his residence was carried away, but undaunted 
by the misfortune he moved into another house in that place and continued his efforts. In 1877 
he located near Modesto, Stanislaus county, where he engaged in farming for many years, 
even now in his ninety-ninth year, looking after the interests of his place. His wife, formerly 
Margaret Fitzpatrick, died in Marysville many years ago. They were the parents of five children,
 all of whom are living. 

The third in his father's family, J. C. McCabe was reared in his native city until 1867, when 
he located with his uncle, Owen Fitzpatrick, in Modesto, Stanislaus county, a stockraiser of 
that place. He attended the district school in the vicinity of his uncle's home until attaining 
manhood, when he engaged in the stock business. In 1878 he went to San Francisco and 
served an apprenticeship as an upholsterer, three years later going to Colfax, Wash., where 
he engaged as an undertaker. Returning to California, he located in San Diego and assisted in 
the furnishing of the Hotel Del Coronado. After a year he went to San Francisco and took up 
the undertaking business. In 1889 he located in Tulare and after a few months purchased, with 
Mr. Carruthers and R. Black, the undertaking establishment of H. N. Denny, of Visalia. For one 
year he conducted the business, when he sold out, and coming to Portersville established a fur- 
niture and undertaking business under the firm name of Parks & McCabe, and continued the 
manager for seven years. The partnership was then dissolved and since that time Mr. McCabe 
has conducted affairs alone. He is an expert in his line of work, having taken seven courses in 
embalming in San Francisco. In addition to his business interests, Mr. McCabe owns eight acres 
adjoining the city, five acres of which is in eight-year navel oranges. He also owns a handsome 
residence at the corner of Murry and Putnam avenues. 

In Tulare Mr. McCabe married Maggie Griffin and they are the parents of three children, namely: 
May, Charles and Oren. A stanch Republican in his political convictions, Mr. McCabe has often 
been called upon to serve his party in various positions of trust and responsibility. In 1894 he 
was nominated on that ticket for the office of county coroner and public administrator, and was 
elected over two candidates by a plurality of five hundred, being one of two Republicans 
elected that year. He took the oath of office in January, 1895, and served efficiently until 1899, 
at that time refusing further candidacy. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, the Encampment, of which he is past chief patriarch, Foresters of America and 
Modern Woodmen of America.