California Biographies

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

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


JAMES H. MCCORD.  The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this volume, was born in 
Somerset County, New Jersey, December 29, 1826, and is the fourth child of James and Mary 
Woodruff McCord. When he was but five years of age he went to Morris County, New Jersey, and 
resided with his father's uncle for seven years. He then returned to Somerset County, where he 
began the shoemaker's trade, which he continued until he was about twenty years of age. He then 
went to Essex County, New Jersey, where he worked at his trade for one year. In the spring of 1846 
he enlisted to go to the Mexican War and served six months, when he was disabled by the breaking of 
one of his arms. After receiving his discharge he went to Detroit, Michigan, and thence to St. Joseph, 
same State, where he opened a shoe store, which he carried on until April 1, 1849, when he started to 
California. Starting out from St. Joseph, Missouri, with ox-teams, they were five and one-half months 
in making the tedious trip across the plains. They came via the Truckee cut-off He stopped at 
Sacramento a short time and then proceeded to Sonoma County, where he worked in the redwoods 
until the spring of 1850, when he took charge of General Vallejo's farm. In a short time he opened a 
boot and shoe shop in the town of Sonoma, and made the first pair of boots ever manufactured north 
of the bay of San Francisco, for General M. G. Vallejo. Finding the business too confining, in April, 1852, 
he came to Napa Valley and settled near where St. Helena now stands, where he began farming and 
working in the redwoods. In 1855 he purchased his present place of ninety-three acres, forty of which 
are planted in vines. In 1872 he began the wine-making business in parthership with Mr. Gaique. This 
enterprise lasted only six months, when they lost all by fire, twenty-six thousand gallons of wine being 
destroyed by the conflagration. In 1876 he again began the business, and now has a fine cellar, a full 
description of which will be found in the proper place. He was Associate Judge of Napa County, and 
has been elected Justice of the Peace several times. He is a genial, intelligent gentleman, and one with 
whom it is a pleasure to meet. He takes a lively interest in the welfare of his community, and is 
respected and honored by all who know him. April 17, 1851, he was married at Sonoma, Judge 
Hendley performing the ceremony, to Miss Mary Griffith, who was born in North Carolina, December 
2, 1834. Their living children are, Lafayette, born January 8, 1852; Nathaniel, born March 15, 1854; 
Albert, born July 30, 1859; Ellen, born July 20,1862: Augusta, born December 6,1868; James, born April 
5, 1872; and Lillie, born October 15, 1876. They have lost three girls. Ellen is married to Elias Gates, and 
she has a daughter named Maud. Lafayette is studying for the ministry.