Ventura County
Biographies
N. T. Cody
N. T. Cody was born in Onondaga County, New York, September 12, 1826. His parents were both natives of Edinburgh, Scotland, and came to America as early as 1820, settled in Cicero and built the first frame house in that town. Their name, Mr. Cody thinks, originated in the north of Ireland; if so, he is of Scotch-Irish descent. He has only one son.
Mr. Cody was educated in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated at the Willoughby College of Medicine, after which he engaged in the drug business in Zanesville, Ohio. From there he went to Cleveland and from there to Europe. He afterward made a second trip to Europe. He spent a portion of his time in Toledo, Ohio, and was also engaged in the drug business in Waukegan, Illinois, three years. In 1850 he came to California, first worked in the mines and had a trading station near Hangtown; next went to Mariposa County, and also had a trading station on the Merced River, being at that place during the severe winter of 1852-'83. From there he went to Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne County, and opened a drug store, and was in business there until 1864, when he went to Washington Territory. He remained at the latter place a year and a half, and was in the drug business nearly all the time from 1856 to 1890. He came to Ventura May 18, 1881, and bought his present store of Mrs. Simms, a sister of Judge Williams. Mr. Cody has erected the building in which his store is located, and is doing a nice business. He is also agent for Wells-Fargo & Company, having received his appointment as express agent on St. Patrick's day in the morning, and his wife took the telegraph office in July, 1882.
Mr. Cody's first wife, who was the mother of his son, was nee Susan Adams, of Providence, Rhode Island. Her father was a merchant in that city. The son, N. T. Cody, was born in Waukegan, Illinois, and three weeks later his mother died. Young Cody is now traveling in Europe, and writes home that the more he sees of Europe the more he loves America. In 1872 the subject of this sketch 3was united in marriage to his present wife.
In many respects Mr. Cody is a remarkable man. Has never run for any office, nor has he ever joined any society. He does strictly a cash business; owes no many anything, either in his business or out of it. He is averse to lawsuits, and would rather lose a sum of money than bring suit in order to get payment. He is, withal, a jovial man, and non loves fun better than he. He both gives and takes a joke freely, and if there is any fun going he is sure to know of it and have a share in the same.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 547 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
J. S. Collins
J. S. Collins. - In passing along the Main street of San Buenaventura, in the centre of the business portion, the eye of the observer is attracted by one of the most substantial and imposing blocks in the city. That is the banking house of William Collins & Sons. A little further up the street another fine building start up promptly among the rest: that is the Masonic Block, built by the same firm. Mr. J. S. Collins is the manager and cashier of the bank, and is a reserved, considerate but pleasing business man, of excellent business habits and large executive ability. He was born in Perthshire, Scotland, May 21, 1847, of Scotch parentage, who came to the United States, settling in Illinois upon land which they owned and cultivated until 1864, when they came overland to California and settled in Oakland. In 1869 they purchased a tract in Ventura County and were here four years. In 1874 Mr. J. S. Collins graduated at the State University near Oakland and came to San Buenaventura, engaged in the lumber business as a member of the firm of Saxby & Collins. In 1885 Mr. Saxby died and Mr. Collins went into the Bank of Ventura, where he was a stockholder, to learn the business of banking, and for a year and a half occupied the position of teller and director. Having the capital, and seeing an opening for another bank, the Bank of William Collins & Sons was established, with a paid-up capital of $100,000 all owned by themselves: William Collins, President; D. E. Collins, Vice-President and J. S. Collins, Cashier. From the very start the business was large, and now they do the largest banking business in the county. Their farm they sold for $100,000. The subject of this sketch is highly spoken of by his fellow-citizens as a liberal gentleman. When asked for money, for town or church improvements, he shows his interest to the city by the way in which he "puts his hands into his pocket." Scotland has furnished many a scion to be grafted upon the United States tree, and it is a vigorous growth in the California climate; nor is it a bad tree for the country. Mr. Collins is also a Master Mason, belonging to both the chapter and commandery. He is President of the Board of Trustees of the city, is a deacon and the treasurer of the Presbyterian Church of San Buenaventura, being a faithful and efficient worker for the upbuilding of Christianity.
He was married in 1877 to Miss Belle Gerry, daughter of Waite Gerry, and a native of the State of New York. They have one daughter, named Bella Walker, and born in Oakland, this State. Mrs. Collins is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 492 Transcribed by Sandy Neder