The San Francisco call., 1909-12-30
AGED GRAIN KING
CALLED BY DEATH
George W. McNear Dies at Age
of II Years After a Long
Illness

OAKLAND, Dec. 29.-George w Nc
Near, the California grain king died
at his home. 957 Linden street. iE this
city this afternoon, after an illness
which had lasted for more than year.
He was 72 years old.
For nearly half a century McNear
was one of the foremost figures in the
commercial life of California. He was
the leading grain producer and shipper
in the state during the period when
California was recognized as one of
the worlds greatest wheat sources, and
at one time he owned more than 1000
acres of grain lands in various parts
of the state. His great warehouses at
Port Costa had capacity of $4,000
tons, and during the early part of his
commercial career he shipped wheat in
his own vessels to all parts of the
world During the high tide of his
prosperity he amassed a large for
tune, which has dwindled considerably
in recent years, owing TO the decline Of
the wheat industry on the coast.
NEVER ACTIVE IN POLITICS
Although McNear neVer took any ac-
tive part in politics and always re-
fused to accept any public Office, he
devoted a large part of his time to ad-
vancing the civic welfare of San Fran
cisco. and it was largely due to his per-
sonal efforts that the present building
occupied by the Merchants exchange
of that city was built. McNear was
president of the organization at the
time the building was erected, and had
occupied the office for a number of
years previously. He was a member
Of ha off mi Cl1t ~
cisco and the Masonic order.
McNear's early life was spent aboard
ship. Born in the town of Washington,
near Wiscasset, Me-, in. 1887, he went to
sea at the age of 10. after having re-
ceived a rudimentary education in the
schools near his home. When but Is
years old he became master of sail
ing vessel and for six years he COM
manded ships plying on the eastern
coast. In 1860 he made his first voy-
age to California, landing in San Fran
cisco August and determining almost
Immediately to make his home in this
state.
STARTED IN PETALUMA
Shortly after his arrival he went to
Petaluma and started in business with
his brother Soon, however, he went
into the grain business for himself,
and from the very beginning he
achieved success. Within a short time
he became the owner of a number of
coast. and sea goining vessels upon
which he exported his grain, and in
1854 he built steam vessel which he
named the Josie McNear," in honor
of his wife. He earned the soubriquet
of California grain king"
A widow and six children survive the
dead fnancier. The children are Mrs.
p E. Bowles of Oakland, John A. Nc
Near of San Francisco, George w. Nc
near Jr. of this city, Fred w. McNear,
Miss Elizabeth McNear and Seward B.
McNear, all of Oakland and San Fran
CISCO. All of the members of his family
were at his bedside when the end came.
CELEBRATED GOLDEN WEDDING
November 2 last McNear and his wife
celebrated the golden anniversary of
their wedding. the affair being ex-
tremely informal owing to the in
validism of the husband The couple
were married at Bangor, Maine. in 1859,
one year before they came to California
Mrs McNear, prior to her wedding, was
Miss Amanda M. Church. In 1874 the
McNears moved to Oakland and five
years later built the handsome resi-
dence in which they have dwelt ever
since.
A little more than year ago Mr.
and Mrs McNear celebrated with their
daughter, Mrs Bowles. the silver ami
versary of her wedding with Philip E.
Bowles, president of the First National
bank of this city and the American Ma
tional bank of San Francisco, succeed
ing his father in law as the head of the
former institution.
The funeral will be held from the
home at o'clock Friday afternoon,
interment will be held privately in
Cypress Lawn cemetery San Francisco