Hon. John Garretson.

The subject of this sketch was among the Argonauts of this section of the State, His portrait will be found in this volume. He was born in Boundbrook, Somerset county, New Jersey, November 10, 1838, and reared on a farm until he became of age. Most of this time, however, was spent at school. He left home and went to New Brunswick, New Jersey, and was engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store during a period of four years, laying the foundation of a mercantile education, which has since stood him in good stead. After the completion of his engagement in New Brunswick he went to New York City, and followed the same occupation until he came to this State, in 1859. He left New York City in the early spring, crossed the isthmus, and arrived in San Francisco in May of that year. He remained in that city but a few days, coming to Pescadero and assuming the position of clerk in a general merchandising store, owned at that time by Bidwell & Besse. At the end of nine months he purchased Bidwell's interest, the firm name being changed to Besse & Garretson. In 1864 he sold his interest to Besse, and took a trip to the Sandwich Islands to recuperate his health. On his return he re-purchased an interest in Besse's stock, and this partnership continued four or five years, when Mr. Stryker bought Besse's interest, and the firm was changed to Garretson & Stryker. In January, 1873, Mr. Garretson disposed of his interest to James McCormack, and took a trip to the eastern states for his health. When he returned in 1877, he bought out the entire business, and has since been the sole proprietor. Mr. Garretson's business interests are not wholly confined to his store at Pescadero. He is identified with the stage line from San Mateo to Santa Cruz, and owns an equal interest with Andrew Taft, of the former place. To draw a comparison is at all times an odious task, but to say that Mr. Garretson is one of the most highly respected and distinguished  citizens of Pescadero or of San Mateo county is but to assert what is acknowledged on every hand. If further proof of this assertion were necessary, it would be sufficient to point out the fact that in  1867, before this township became a part of San Mateo county, he was elected county recorder of Santa Cruz county, and that in 1871, he was elected one of the supervisors of this county, being re-elected in 1873. The people, not content with the honors they had already conferred upon him, selected him to represent them in the state assembly of 1875-6. In 1881, he was appointed a member of the board of supervisors, and November 7, 1882, he was again elected to that office. Mr. Garretson married Ella Durand, June 29, 1866, and they have five children, Alice E., Aletta Marie, John Durand, Ella C and William Albert.  Page 257

T. G. Durham.

Born in New Jersey, March 5, 1833. Mr. Durham when about one year old was taken by his parents to Attica, Seneca county, Ohio, where he lived until he was fourteen years of age, when they moved to Hamilton county, in that state. He came to California via the Nicaragua route, and after remaining a year in San Francisco came to this county, settling in 1855 near Redwood City. In 1857 Mr. Durham and his brother, W. W. Durham, opened a wagon road over the mountains' to their present place of residence beyond Woodside. Their teams were the first vehicles of any kind to cross the mountains at this point. Mr. Durham is held in high esteem by all who know him, not only for his strict integrity in matters of business, but for his energy, enterprise and industry as well. Pages 286-287

W. W. Durham.

Mr. Durham was born in New Jersey, May . 8, 1831. In 1834 his parents moved to Attica, Seneca county, Ohio, and in 1847 to Hamilton county in the same state, where young Durham was educated. He adopted the trade of a tinner as an occupation, and for a time pursued this calling. He came to California overland, with ox teams, arriving in July, 1853. He was, for a few months, a resident of the vicinity of Oakland, coming to this county and settling near Redwood City, in January, 1854. In 1857 his brother, T. G. Durham, and himself, cut a wagon road across the mountains to their place of residence, bringing with them their teams and wagons, the first to cross the mountains at this point. In 1858 he returned to Ohio, and in 1859 returned, accompanied by his, mother, his brother Ott, and his sister Mary. He married Josephine Ralston, and they have three children; Charles, Catherine and Frederick.

Page 287

Edward Taylor.

The subject of this sketch was born in Middletown, Monmouth county, New Jersey, January 26, 1819, where he lived until he was seventeen years of age. From this place he moved to New York, where he remained three years. About this time a relative of his, who was interested in a ship about to make a voyage to China, via Sydney, New South Wales, offered him a passage around the world. This proposition afforded the subject of our sketch an opportunity to carry out a long cherished wish to become a seafaring man, and he at once accepted the offer, and they set sail for their destination in March, 1840. This trip proved to be replete with incidents and adventures, and we record one of them. While on their way from Sydney to Manila, and when they arrived at the Sooloo group of islands, they spied a vessel coming from the north, and being anxious to obtain news of the opiate war which was then progressing in China, and to while away a few tedious hours, some of the ship's crew, including Mr. Taylor and the captain, went ashore on an island, in a small boat. This craft was left in charge of one of the boys, while the rest of the party wandered' along the shore sight-seeing. Suddenly they were attacked by a large party of Malays, and their retreat being cut off to the boat, they ran over the reefs, plunged into the water, and Mr. Taylor, not knowing how to swim, saved his life by remaining under water until after the natives, who had become frightened in some way, had secreted themselves in the adjacent bushes. The boy left with the boat, seeing the danger of his comrades, pulled out into the stream, and rescued all but two, who were killed by the Malays. Soon after this the ship proceeded on her way until she arrived at the destination. In May, 1841, while the battle of Canton was it progress, Mr. Taylor, together with other employees of the mercantile house to which they were attached, endeavored to escape to Whampoo in a small boat, and take with them the books and records belonging to the house. They were captured by the Chinese, beaten and cut in a frightful manner, and then taken to a building in the city.. From this place Mr. Taylor was placed in a sedan, carried along a labyrinth of streets, out of the back gates of the city, where he was guarded in a camp of soldiers. He was, undoubtedly, about to be taken to a place for trial or execution, but on showing the commanding officer a star pricked in his arm with india ink, thus conveying to the heathen mind the fact that he was an American, he was allowed to remain. A short time thereafter, however, he was taken within the gates of the city, tried, and sent to prison. He was released after three days, went to Whampoo, and in due time returned to Canton, where he resided three years. In 1846 Mr. Taylor took another ocean voyage to Shanghai, and then came to California, arriving June 12, 1849. Shortly after his arrival he accepted a situation in the office of C. B. Post; but on January .1, 1850, he went into the employ of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and is now holding the responsible position as their cashier. His home is at San Mateo, to which place he moved in 1863. Pages 308-309

History of San Mateo County, California

A Record Of Its Cities and Towns: Biographical Sketches Of Representative Men.

San Francisco, Cal., B F Alley, Publisher 1883 - Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham, December 2009