California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

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


JAMES H. MCGRATH represents the second generation of a family that has been closely 
identified with Ventura County since pioneer times, and is actively engaged in the management 
of a large ranch. His home is one of the noted show places of Ventura County, has attracted the 
attention of thousands of visitors, and to those who know it more intimately is a recognized 
place of culture and refined taste.
Born in Ventura County January 8, 1877, James H. McGrath is a son of the late Dominick and 
Bridget (Donlan) McGrath. Reference to the career of his father, one of the noted pioneers of 
this section, will be found on other pages.
James H. McGrath grew up at home, attended the district schools until fifteen, and thereafter 
the St. Vincent's College at Los Angeles, where he completed the commercial course and was 
graduated at the age of nineteen.
On his return home from college he found ample opportunity to employ his energies as a 
helper on his father's estate, and has been a practical rancher and farmer since reaching his 
majority. On the death of his father December 21, 1938, the several thousand acres left to the 
children instead of being divided up into separate parcels have been continued as an estate, 
and a company was incorporated, comprised of all the children, under the name of D. McGrath 
Estate Company. Of this company James H. McGrath is vice president.
Mr. McGrath is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of 
Columbus, belongs to the Catholic Church and in politics is independent. On July 22, 1908, he 
was married in Hermosa, California, to Rita Scoles. They are the parents of four children: James 
Gerard, aged seven; Dominick Corey, aged six; Frances Greaves, aged four ; and Kathleen 
Cecilia, not quite two years of age.