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| Affiliation | Democratic |
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| Name | Henry C. Gesford |
| Address |
St. Helena, California , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
June 19, 1856
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| Died | February 04, 1938
(81 years)
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| Contributor | BrentinCO |
| Last Modifed | BrentinCO
Jun 20, 2023 02:48pm |
| Tags |
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| Info | 1877-1880s: Superintendent of Schools, Napa County
1890-1902: District Attorney, Napa County
1895: Appointed Insurance Commmissioner
1902-1920s: Judge, Napa County Superior Court
Judge Henry C. Gesford, member of one of Napa county's earliest pioneer families, passed away last Friday night at 11:30 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Maidie Jones, in San Francisco. He was, nearly 82 years of age.
Judge Gesford suffered a heart attack Wednesday night, but had rallied and on Friday talked cheerfully to his daughter and his nurses. The improvement was brief, however, and death came suddenly and peacefully Friday night.
About two years ago, because of declining health, Judge Gesford retired from the practice of law in Napa and went to San Francisco to spend his declining days with his daughter, Mrs. Jones. He had been in failing health since the death of his wife in 1933.
Deceased was the youngest son of Preston G. Gesford, pioneer of Napa county, He was born one and one-half miles from the old Bale Mill, North of St. Helena, on June 19, 1856, and was a grand nephew of Florentine Erwin Kellogg, whom Dr. Bale secured to do the iron work on the mill. Judge Gesford secured his early education in the public schools of Napa, and the old Napa College. He taught school for two terms in Napa county and then attended the San Jose State Normal School from which he graduated in 1876. He Was then elected Superintendent of Schools in Napa county, serving two years. After graduating from the State University, of Iowa in 1881, he attended law school of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He then returned to Napa to practice law.
Judge Gesford had an active public career, serving the citizens of Napa county faithfully and well in many capacities. He served as District Attorney in 1891 and 1892; and later was chosen to represent Napa and Yolo counties in the State Senate during the legislative sessions of 1893 and 1895. In 1902 he was elected Judge of the Superior Court of Napa county, serving ably for three consecutive terms, eighteen years, until 1920. He then resumed his private law practice and continued that until failing health two years ago caused him to go to San Francisco to make his home with his daughter.
Becoming famous as an orator of unusual ability, he was elected Grand President of the Native Sons of the Golden West, He was a charter member of Napa Parlor of Native Sons and only a few weeks ago attended a 'meeting of that organization and was presented with a 50-year emblem, also a similar award by Fidelity Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He was also a member of Yount Lodge, F. and A. M., Napa Chapter, R.A.M., Napa Commandery, K.T. Aahmes Temple, Mystic Shrine, Napa Lodge of Odd Fellows, Fidelity Lodge, K. of P. Pythian Sisters, Otonkah Vibe of Redmen, being a Past Great Sachem of that order, and the Pocahontas.
Deceased is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Maidie Jones, and a grand-daughter, Miss Barbara Jones, of San Francisco, also one sister, Mrs. Mary Lott, of Los Angeles.
Funeral services were held in the Masonic Temple in Napa Monday afternoon under the auspices of Yount Lodge of Masons, Hundreds of friends attended to pay their last tribute of respect to the Napa county pioneer. Many present and past grand officers of the Native Sons were present.
Rev. Irving E. Baxter, of St. Helena, assisted at the last rites, as did numerous fraternal organizations to which deceased belonged. Nathan F. Coombs, prominent Napa attorney, delivered a brief eulogy and an escort of Knights Templar in uniform conducted the remains to the family plot in the Tulocay cemetery where interment took place.
Honorary pallbearers were Ralph E. Wilson, Benjamin Behrens, Ed. Kather, and Forrie Kelton, of the Native Sons, George Garner, of the Odd Fellows and John Pederson, of the Masons.
Active pallbearers were C.N. Riggins, Wallace Rutherford, Nathan F. Coombs, Percy King Jr., Roy Lochman, and Wallace Everett Jr., all. prominent Napa attorneys.
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