
John Hosking
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mong
former citizens of Redlands, John Hosking, who died in this city December
28, 1893, is well and kindly remembered by all of the earlier residents
and by many of those who came later. He was a native of Cornwall, England,
where he was born Feb. 22, 1839. He was reared and educated for the vocation
of a miner, a calling that he followed the greater part of his business
life. In August, 1862, Mr. Hosking came to California by way of the Isthmus.
He at first worked in the mines of Tuolumne county and afterwards in those
of Amador county. In 1870, he was appointed foreman of the original Amador
mines, and in 1873 the Sierra Buttes Gold Mining Company appointed him
foreman of the Plumas Eureka mines. Ten years later he was appointed superintendent
of the same mines. He planned much new machinery for use in these mines,
for pumping, running tram-cars, etc. In 1882, Mr. Hosking bought twenty
acres of land on Brookside avenue, Redlands, which he planted to citrus
fruits the following year. In
1887 he built the present residence of his family, on of the largest and
best of the early history of Redlands. March 31, 1888, his family arrived
in Redlands to make the city their home. Mr. Hosking was married, August
22, 1863 to Catherine H. Floyd, also
a native of Cornwall, England. Four children were born to them, Richard
Floyd, now with the Fay Fruit Company, of Redlands; Ada,
who was born in England; James Ernest and Nettie
Johns, born in Plumas County, California. Mr. Hosking was a Past
Grand of Mohawk Lodge, I.O.O.F., No. 292, at Johnsville, Cal., and a member
of the Royal St. George order at the same place. He opened the first Sunday
school in Johnsville and was its superintendent until he came to Redlands.
He was a member of the Methodist church. His widow and childen all live
in Redlands at the present time.
(Source:
Illustrated Redlands, 1897, p. 42.)
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