A. Shay, of San Bernardino, was born in Maine, May 1, 1812, but reared principally in Nova Scotia. He learned the cooper’s and carpenter’s trades. When a young man he went to New Orleans, where he was successful for three years. Seeing then a specimen of gold from California, in 1849, he at once set out for the gold fields, coming by water and the Isthmus of Panama. He worked in the mines for a time and made and lost a great deal of money-lost heavily by the floods in the upper country. Then he carried on a large sheep ranch at City creek for a number of years, and he lived also for some time in Los Angeles County, and finally he came to San Bernardino County, where he has dealt to a considerable extent in lands and has engaged in the rearing of live-stock and in fruit culture.
In 1852 he married Eliza E. Gosey, a native of Arkansas, and they have five children: John, Thomas, William, Henry and Mary. The mother died several years ago. Mr. Shay has given all his children a comfortable home and a good start in life.