J. S. Harkey

J. S. Harkey. - Among the well know pioneers of California we find the name of J. S. Harkey. He was born in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, October 27, 1829. He was the son of Isaac Harkey, a resident of North Carolina for many years and afterward of Arkansas, from 1839 to 1872, when his death occurred in that State. His mother, Cottin P. M. (Shinn) Harkey, was born and reared in North Carolina. The progenitors and the family on both sides were German, but long residents of America. The subject of this sketch was the fourth of a family of fifteen children, and was reared and educated in Arkansas. When he became of age he rented land from his father and engaged in farming for a time. He afterward went to school and studied law. A siege of typhoid fever at this time resulted in his abandoning the idea of engaging in the legal profession. After two or three years' farming, he became a clerk in Norristown, on the Arkansas River, and eighteen months later bought out his brother's partner and engaged in business. Having met with losses in various ways, in 1858 he closed out his interests there, and, with his wife and son Thomas, then two years old, came to California. He left $1,500 due him, from which he never realized a cent. He arrived in San Francisco December 15, 1858, and the same evening left for Russian River, Sonoma County. He there lived on a rented farm eleven years, and was not out of the county during that time. In 1869 he located in what was then Santa Barbara County, now Ventura, and bought a squatter's claim in Pleasant Valley, supposing it to be Government land. When he arrived here he had, all told, property and money, about $1,500. He bought the grant to get title to his land and gained his suit, but afterward lost everything. In 1872 his wife was taken sick with typhoid fever and died February 26, that year, and he was left with a family of helpless children, without means. He manfully overcame his troubles, and cared for his family without remarrying. In the fall of 1873 he was elected Justice of the Peace of Hueneme Township, serving two years. In the fall of 1875 he was elected County Assessor, and served four years. He is a Democrat, but was nominated by both parties. In the spring of 1877 he bought twenty acres of land where he now resides, at a cost of $70 per acre. He has planted fruit trees of different kinds on his place, but his principal crop is corn and beans. The land produces from 1,800 to 2,400 pounds ob beans to the acre, and they bring $2 and more per 100 pounds. Mr. Harkey has raised 4,600 pounds of shelled corn to the acre. He is farming adjoining lands.

    Mrs. Harkey's maiden name was Mary Ann Petray. She was a native of Arkansas. They were married in Arkansas and had a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, viz.: Thomas N., George W., William D., Ida May, Fanny and Laura Ann. 

    Mr. Harkey is a man of his word, a strictly temperate man; and has been a Master Mason for thirty-seven years.

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