Numbered among the public-spirited and philanthropic citizens who are
well known in Santa Clara County, in fact throughout the entire State
of California, is Stonewall J. Mayock, proprietor of the Central Hotel
at Gilroy where he has lived and labored since 1874. He is a son of the
late Michael and Mary J. (Forbes) Mayock. the former a native of County
Mayo, Ireland. and the latter of Georgia, where the Forbes family has
been established for several generations. Sidney Forbes, Mrs. Mayock's
father, was a man of responsibi1ity and influence, and he was thus able
to bequeath the most valuable of heritages. Michael Mayock came to
America when he was a lad, and his ambition and perseverance stood by
him in his struggle with the land of his adoption. In Georgia he found
more than a competence, gaining there a wife, who stimulated him by her
devotion as he engaged in merchandising and mining. Leaving his family
in the East, he joined the tide of emigration to the West in 1849, and
for a couple of years engaged in mining in Placer County. Then he
returned to his Georgia home and bought a plantation, which he operated
with success until ruined by the Civil War. He then removed to
California and settled in Gilroy in 1874, finding congenial employment
with Miiller & Lux. While he was engaged with a cutter he lost one
of his arms, and he died when eighty-four years of age. He left a widow
and six children: Barbara.
Mrs. H. D. Martin, of Gilroy; Maggie became Mrs. Barrows and resides in
the same city; Henry Thompson; Levi, a stockman of San Benito County;
Stonewall J., of this review; and Robert L. of San Francisco. Mrs.
Mayock lived to be about eighty-six years old.
Stonewall J. Mayock, or
"Stoney," as he was more familiarly known by his friends, was born at
Dawsonville, Ga., on November 14. 1862, and from the age of twelve has
lived in Gilroy, where he went to school and followed odd jobs such as
lads of his day and age were wont to pursue. After he had sptent several years in various lines
of business he finally became a traveling salesman for Sherwood &
Sherwood of San Francisco, and also represented C. P. Morman & Co.,
of Louisville, Ky for many years. In 1906 he purchased the Central
Hotel in Gilroy, and ever since then has been its proprietor; he also
owns other desirable property in Bodfish Canyon district.
At Sonora. Tuolumne
County, Mr. Mayock was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Starbird and
they became parents of two children: Robert S., and Wellburn F. Both
boys were graduated from the Gilroy high school, then continued their
studies at the University of California, majoring in law. At the
breaking out of the World War, just as they had graduated, they both
enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served for eighteen months. Upon
returning to Gilroy, Wellburn became connected with the Gilroy branch
of the Garden City Bank and Trust Company. Subsequently passing the
examination at the California Bar successfully, he became connected
with the firm of E. D. Crawford & Co., now Crawford & Mayock
who do a general real estate, insurance and brokerage business in
connection with the law. Robert Mayock is also connected with this firm
and handles the real estate and brokerage departments very
successfully. Wellburn married Barbara Schmitt and they have two
children, Barbara Ellen and Wellburn Stoney Mayock. :Mrs. S. J. Mayock
died in 1919, mourned by all who knew her.
Stoney Mayock is one of
the most entertaining conversationalists, his extensive travels giving
him a fund of information and anecdote. He is warm-hearted and kindly
of disposition and loyal to his friends giving aid to those who need it
and encouragement to the unfortunate. It has been his pleasure to
mingle in political affairs, and he has served as post-master of Gilroy
under Grover Cleveland's administration. He is a member of the Elks
and always takes an active interest in promoting all measures for the
good of Santa Clara County.
from
Eugene T. Sawyers' History
of Santa Clara
County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922.
page 416