Description
This collection consists of personal
and business papers primarily related to the family of Southern California land developer
James De Barth Shorb (1842-1896) and their business ventures and estate settlements. There
is also a substantial amount of material about Benjamin Davis Wilson (1811-1878) and his
business dealings in California. Topics covered in the collection include agriculture, land
development in southern California, the history of the San Marino area, mining operations,
water rights and irrigation, politics, society stories, and wills, court documents, and
settlement papers related to the Shorb estate.
Background
James De Barth Shorb (1842-1896) was born in Frederick County, Maryland, a son of Dr. James
Aloysius Shorb (1798-1867) and Margaret McMeal Shorb. He came to California in 1863 looking
for oil in Ventura County, and married Maria de Jesus "Sue" Wilson (1844-1917), the daughter
of Benjamin Davis Wilson (1811-1878) and his first wife Ramona Yorba, in 1867. Shorb
partnered with Wilson in developing their extensive land holdings in what is now San Marino
and Pasadena. Together Shorb and Wilson founded the San Gabriel Wine Company, and Shorb was
also president of the San Gabriel Valley and Alhambra Railroads and founded the Lake
Vineyard Land and Water Company in 1871. In 1874, Shorb, through the Lake Vineyard Land and
Water Company, acquired large tracts of land in San Marino, Pasadena, and Alhambra. By the
late 1870s, many of Shorb's business enterprises has begun to lose profits, and when Shorb
died in 1896 he left his wife Maria and their children heavily in debt. The Shorbs had nine
children who survived to adulthood: Maria Ynez Shorb White Buck (1868-1933), James De Barth
"Barty" Shorb Jr. (1870-1907), Edith Octavia Shorb Steele (1872-1954), Ramona Yorba Shorb
Murtaugh (1874-1921), Joseph Campbell Shorb (1878-1919), Ethel Rebecca Shorb (1880-1959),
Donald McMeal Shorb (1883-1933), Norbert Newlands Shorb (1887-1951), and Bernardo Yorba
Shorb (1888-1928).
Extent
15.2 Linear Feet
(24 boxes, 4 oversize folders, 1 rolled map)
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department.
For more information, contact Reader Services.