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 SAMUEL REY. There are few men engaged in land occupations in Kings county whose experiences have been so varied, and whose skill in narrating them is so pronounced as in the case of Samuel Rev. owner of a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Hanford. In his later years Air. Rev finds himself the possessor of a comfortable home, of a valuable property, and a ready income from general farming and the dairying of from between twenty to thirty cows. He is gifted with a retentive memory, and throughout his entire life has been a keen observer of men and events, cherishing in his mind many things of import- ance which escape the observation of the average sojourner. Mr. Rey was twelve years old when he came to America with his father, Rudolph Rey, em- barking in a sailing vessel which spread its sails upon the ocean for sixty-four days. He was born in Switzerland, September 14, 1838, and landed in the city of New Orleans in the fall of 1850, soon journeying northward to Illinois, where his father engaged in farming until his death, at the age of forty-five years. Samuel Rey was for several years employed in a hotel in Illinois, but in 1857 went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he teamed for about one year. He then removed to St. Joseph, Mo., walking nearly the entire distance, and there learned the barber's trade, which secured him a comfortable living for many years. Best of all his experiences, he likes to recall his association with St. Joseph, with Abraham Lincoln and the Confederate flag. The Great Emancipator used to stroll into the barber shop to be shaved, while in the town. One day he saw a rebel flag swaying in the breeze, and made the remark that he would like to have somebody take that "rag" down. That night, when his actions were covered with dark- ness, Mr. Rey stole out and took down the flag, presenting it the next morning to Lincoln when he came in for his usual shave. Mr. Lincoln told him to burn the flag, and at the same time presented him with five dollars out of gratitude for his consideration and bravery. In May, 1861, Mr. Rey enlisted in an escort to cross the plains and protect the emigrants, departing from Omaha, Neb., June 3, 1861, and arriving at Walla Walla, Wash., September 16, after the usual adventures on the plains. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the ser- vice in September, 1861, he engaged in mining at Orafino and Pierce City, Idaho, also profiting by the mining excitement on the Salmon river, later returning to Walla Walla, where he se- cured employment as steward in a hotel. In the spring of 1862 he went to the Florence Basin mines, and from there to Auburn, Ore., his next stopping-place being the site of Silver City, Idaho, which he helped to lay out, and where he conducted a shop for a few months. Those were exciting times in the new town, and it fell to the barber to help drive the gamblers and cut-throats out of the Golden Chariot and Ida Elmore mines, after they had killed one of the owners and spread consternation through the settlement. Alone and single-handed Mr. Rey descended into the mines, drove the men out, and won praise from the rugged and honest ele- ment assembled for the making of fortunes. At the same time he was operating a shop on Satur- days in the Flint district, nine miles from Silver City, during the daytime of other days busying himself with sorting ores. About this time a twenty-stamp mill was erected in the vicinity, but it was obliged to close down and the camp was abandoned in 1868. Mr. Rey then went to the Carlin district, in Nevada, where he operated a barber shop for a short time, after which he came to Woodland, Yolo county, Cal., on a visit, and then took a trip to British Columbia. For two seasons he mined and prospected in Alaska, but not realizing success, opened a bar- ber shop in Seattle, and operated it successfully for five or six years. In the meantime Mr. Rey had instructed his brother to purchase a ranch for him in Kings county, sending him the 'money to pay for it, and himself taking possession of the same in 1877. The ranch consisted of eighty acres, to which he soon added eighty more, and, thus established, he felt the need of somebody to share his rising and now almost certain fortunes. Like so many of his countrymen, he had come to America to get a start in life, and like so many others had left behind him one of whom he thought much, and who had been an incentive to hard and earnest effort. In 1876 Mr. Rey returned to Switzerland by way of Philadelphia, where the Centennial Exposition was then being held, and married, March 17, 1877, Louise Zubrist, a native of Switzerland, who immediately accompanied him to the farm in Kings county. Together this energetic couple have worked for the competence which is now theirs, and during all the years that have passed have maintained that perfect faith in each other, that desire to sympathize and be of practical use, which has made their home a peaceful and happy one. Eight children have been added to the household, and six have been reared from their cradle to maturity in an atmosphere of goodness and encouragement. Of these, Charles R. is a machinist of San Francisco; George Samuel is engaged in hauling cream for the dairy asso- ciation ; Albert P. lives at Randsburg, Kern county; Delia L. is making her home in San Fran- cisco; Clara is a stenographer in San Francisco and Annie is attending the state normal school at San Jose. These parents have given their children the best advantages within their power, and all are a credit to the training given them in their youth. Mr. Rey is a Democrat in politics, but cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, at the time he was performing the humble service of shaving that statesman. He is identified with Mount Whitney Lodge, F. & A. M., of Dinuba, Cal. His wife is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Rey is somewhat interested in the development of oil in California, and owns fourteen acres in the Coalingo district, which, though promising, are as yet not in work- ing order. In his heart this early pioneer carries a great love for all mankind and an intense desire to be of use to his fellow-men. In his various wanderings in small towns and mining camps he has invariably made many warm friends, and these tinge his memory- with pleas- ant thoughts, and cause him to be glad that his life has been an active and adventurous one.