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From: Muriel <>
Subject: [CAMADERA] Gorges HELY
Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2000 13:00:00 -0800

Posted on: Madera Co. Ca Biographies
Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ca/MaderaBios?read=4

Surname: HELY, ST JOHN
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Source: History of Central California: Madera County Library; pp496-7

GORGES HELY, of Borden, is a native of Ireland born in February, 1829.
His father, Hilliard Hely, emigrated to the United States in 1837, bringing
his family, and settled at Racine County, Wisconsin. He graduated at Trinity
College, as bachelor of Arts, and then turned his attention to portrait
painting, which he followed until his death. Young Hely was educated under
the wise supervision of his father, and at an early age took up the farm
work at home, living with his father until his death. He was married in
Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1860, to Miss Eliza St. John, a native of Vermont,
but, with her parents, was an early pioneer to southern Wisconsin. Mr.
Hely continued to care for the home farm until 1868, when he came to California,
first stopping at Stcokton, but in the fall settled upon a Government claim
near Borden, where he now resides. Their first lumber for building was
purchased on the San Joaquin river, where an enterprising party had erected
a sawmill, to saw the drift-logs which came down in great numbers during
the spring rains and freshets. Mr. Hely has gradually extended his possessions
until he now owns 2,000 acres, where he carries on grain and stock farming,
keeping eighty head of horses and mules and thirty head of cattle. He began
life with very slender means. With a limited knowledge of blacksmithing
he opened a little shop which afforded him a small income, and with now
and then a day's work outside, he began to progress, and now the broad
acres and pleasant home speak louder than words of the prosperity which
has attended his efforts. Mr. Hely has 130 acres in alfalfa, and annually
sows about 1,800 in grain, the farm work being easily accomoplished with
the improved farm machinery. He gives attention and time wholly to his
ranch.
To Mr. and Mrs Hely have been born three children, namely: James H., Guy
J., and Levi St. John.

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• [CAMADERA] Gorges HELY by Muriel <>