USA > California > San Benito County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 63
USA > California > Monterey County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 63
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Four children were born to these worthy par- ents, named in the order of their birth as fol- lows : Dave, Ella, John and James, the three first mentioned living on the old home place, while James is in Fresno county, where he is interested in the Coalinga oil fields. Politically the sons are Democrats, thus following the teachings of their father, who was a believer in Jeffersonian principles.
ROBERT WARNOCK.
One of the most enterprising citizens of Salinas is Robert Warnock, who came to the state in October, 1867, and the greater part of the time since then his efforts have been exerted in Monterey county and Salinas. A native of Scot- land, he was born in Glassford, July 10, 1854, but he has little or no personal knowledge of his native land, as soon after his father's death he was brought to America by his mother. With her children Mrs. Warnock settled in Canada West, and there they made their home until Robert was about nine years old. In 1863 she came to the United States, intending to locate in Iowa, but on account of the favorable re- ports which she had in the meantime heard re- garding California, she decided to come to this state instead. At this time California was en- tering on an epoch which was infinitely more important in her history than was the finding of gold in 1849, for the development of the land meant the incoming of permanent settlers and the real upbuilding of the commonwealth. Mrs. Warnock and her three sons were interested in various undertakings, owning and managing several different ranches, in all of which they
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
were uniformly successful. Subsequently Mrs. Warnock became the wife of David Webster, and thereafter Robert and John Warnock con- tinued the same business relations with their step-father until 1875, the other brother having died in 1870. Going to Poverty flats, San Benito county, in 1875, the brothers continued their mutual interests for several years, owning three hundred and twenty acres of productive land. From time to time they also acquired other property, all of which was sown to grain, a commodity which at that time was king. Wise- ly foreseeing the advantage to be gained by owning a thresher, they equipped themselves with a steam machine, and for fifteen years aft- erward they threshed the grain for ranchers in the vicinity. At first the brothers were equal owners in the machine, but later Robert acquired the sole ownership, but in 1897 he disposed of his interest, later the brothers disposed of the Hollister place for $7,000, this being $1,000 over the original price paid for the property, and with the proceeds they bought a ranch on the river near Moss Landing, a tract of four hundred acres, for which they paid $15,000. They also purchased one hundred and forty acres known as the Joy place, paying for this $150 per acre. Later they sold forty acres of the same property at an advance of $30 per acre over the purchase price. Robert and John Warnock were asso- ciated in a partnership that was mutually agree- able and profitable, the association continuing to within a year of the death of the latter, which occurred in 1906. Though he is still financially interested in a number of ranches, Robert War- nock has made his home in Salinas for some time, having purchased a commodious and valu- able property at No. 62 Capital street.
Mr. Warnock was married in 1895 to Mabel Malloy, who was born in Monterey county, the daughter of John A. Malloy, who at the time of his death was serving as supervisor of the county. He was one of the pioneer settlers in this part of the state, and for many years was the owner and manager of the old Cooper ranch. Some time after the death of her husband Mrs. Malloy became the wife of M. M. Moore, and they now make their home in Castroville. Politically Mr. Warnock is a Republican. Fra- ternally he is a Mason, belonging to Salinas
Lodge No. 204, F. & A. M .; Salinas Chapter No. 59, R. A. M., with his wife also belonging to the Easter Star; and he is also a member of Alisal Lodge, I. O. O. F. The subject of fur- nishing the best advantages possible for the edu- cation of the young has been one of paramount interest to Mr. Warnock, and while he was serv- ing as trustee of the Rincon district he did much to better conditions along this line. He is also interested in the development of the Lonoak oil fields, one of the recent industries undertaken in Monterey county.
ROBERT H. WILLEY.
In the era when Monterey was an insignificant village compared with what it is today Mr. Willey became a pioneer of the town and for thirty years has been an interested witness of its progress. Not a little of its advancement is traceable to himself, for every project that had for its object the betterment of conditions has received his unqualified interest and co-opera- tion. As a testimonial of the regard in which he is held by his fellow-citizens it may be stated that Mr. Willey was elected the first city at- torney and has filled that position almost con- tinuously ever since.
Born in New York City November 18, 1852, Robert H. Willey was only seventeen months old when he was taken to England and his early education was therefore acquired in English schools. His father was the late John M. Willey, M. D., of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Dublin, and one of the well-known surgeons of his place and time. Returning to the United States in 1866, he came direct to California and located in San Francisco, where he established and maintained a medical practice throughout the remainder of his life. Before her marriage his wife was Miss Marie Miller, a native of Ireland.
After he had gained a fair education in the schools of Great Britain, at the age of nineteen Robert H. Willey came to the United States in 1871, and coming to California took up the study of the law with one of the leading firms of at- torneys in San Francisco. Having completed his legal course he was admitted to the bar in 1877 and immediately afterward he went to Napa and
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
opened an office which he maintained for two years. While he had been fairly successful in the latter location he had nevertheless been at- tracted by the more advantageous opportunities offered by Monterey and ever since locating in this city in 1879 he has followed the practice of law. As has been previously stated, upon the incorporation of Monterey as a city he was elected the first city attorney and has since filled this responsible position almost continuously. For a number of years also he has served as city attorney of Pacific Grove, and besides is retained as attorney for a number of well-known corpora- tions in the state outside of his home county. As- sociated with other leading citizens Mr. Willey was instrumental in effecting the organization of the Monterey Electric Light Company, the Bank of Monterey and the Monterey & Pacific Grove street railway. Although in no sense of the word can he be called a politician, still he maintains a commendable interest in such affairs and up- holds Democratic principles. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Foresters.
In 1877, while a resident of Napa, Mr. Willey was united in marriage with Miss Susan C. Clark, whose father, a pioneer of 1852, settled in the Napa valley and eventually became one of the leading ranchers and hardware merchants of that part of the state. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Willey, the youngest of whom, Rena J., makes her home with her parents in Pacific Grove. The elder of the sons, John A .. is a civil engineer and is now (1909) employed on special engineering work in Central America. The youngest son, Robert H., Jr., is a resident .of San Francisco. where he is engaged in the towing business.
A. L. HIGBIE.
There is probably no state in the Union which has not contributed to the citizenship of Cali- fornia, and among those who trace their origin to the Empire state mention belongs to A. L.
Higbie, of Gonzales. He was born February 12, 1861, the son of parents who, like himself, were natives of the east. While he was still too young to remember his father, the latter started for the west to seek his fortune, leaving his wife and children in their eastern home, and it was not until nine years later, or until 1872, that he saw his father to recognize him. At this time A. L. Higbie was a lad of eleven years, and in Sacramento county, where the family was reunited, he made his home until about 1876.
Mr. Higbie's identification with Monterey county dates from the year last mentioned, when he came to the vicinity of. Gonzales and began working as a farm hand on the ranches in the vicinity. The work proving congenial, he soon became very efficient, and finally became ambi- tious to try his luck on a ranch of his own. His ambition was rewarded. for the various un- dertakings with which he was later associated proved even more remunerative than he had anticipated. Since December, 1902, he has served efficiently in the capacity of foreman of the Pacific Improvement Company's ranch at Gonzales, where he has under his direct super- vision thirty-five hundred acres of land, one of the largest ranch enterprises in the county. Cattle-raising is the principal industry, five hun- dred head of stock being the average on hand at all times. Over four hundred acres are in hay, which is used for feed for the stock and not for marketing.
In 1885 Mr. Higbie was united in marriage with Miss Clara Elliott, a resident of Gonzales, and five children were born to them: Ruth, the wife of J. C. Snider, and a resident of Fort Meade, S. Dak .; Elmer, a rancher ; and Rahe, Annabelle and Eveline, the three latter still at home. On December 4, 1903, Mr. Higbie was bereaved by the death of his wife, since which time he has found great comfort in his chil- dren, who in every way possible are caring for his temporal comforts. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Fraternal Brotherhood of Soledad.
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