Henry F. Macy, M. D., deceased, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1826. He was reared to farm life, and bad in early life the advantages of a common-school education. His father, Matthew Macy, was a native of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and a descendant from one of the oldest families of that island. His mother, nee Patience Austin, was a native of Rhode Island.
Dr. Macy was reared in the pioneer days of Stark County, when educational facilities were comparatively limited, but he secured a good education, and after arriving at manhood entered upon the study of medicine, graduated at a medical college, and commenced the practice of his profession. In 1850 he came to California and spent some three years in the mining district.
Returning east he settled in Kansas, locating in Hiawatha, Brown County. In that county, in 1859, he married Miss Rebecca J. Dorland, a native of Ohio. Dr. Macy was in the practice of his profession in Kansas for many years, and was also engaged as a druggist, and largely interested in the lumber business, taking a leading part in the various industries of that new country. Being an ardent Republican and a strong Union man, he took a leading part in the trouble preceding the war of the Rebellion, as a Free-State man, and during that war was a strong supporter of the administration and war measures. He was also prominent in the Odd Fellows order, being for more than forty years a member of that organization, both subordinate lodge and encampment.
In 1886 Dr. Macy decided to seek the genial climate of Southern California, and chose Riverside for his residence. Upon his arrival he purchased the ten-acre tract upon the southwest corner of Bandini and Cypress avenues, and took up his residence upon the same, engaging in horticultural pursuits. He died at his new home in 1888, and though but a short time a resident of Riverside, his manly qualities, straightforward, consistent course of life gained him many warm friends, by whom he was respected and esteemed through life and who sincerely mourned his death. He left his widow and two daughters, Mary and Helen.
Mrs. Macy assumes the care of their home and the rearing of her daughters. She is be-coming well versed in horticultural pursuits, as her orchards and vineyards well attest. Seven acres of her land is in oranges, one-half seedlings and the remainder in Washington Navels and Malta Bloods. These were planted by John A. Simms in 1881, and are now coming into bearing. Three acres are in raisin grapes. The implements on the place are first-class in every respect. The substantial and well ordered cottage residence was erected under her supervision, and in it she has combined the conveniences and luxuries of a modern home.