Mr Babcock is descended from a long line of English ancestors, the family in the new world being as conspicuous as in the old world.

He was born in Mass in 18:20, and entered a counting-house in New York city at the age of 16, removing thence to New Orleans in 1845, and coming to Cal in 1852, conducting here the extensive business of Davis, Brooks & Co, with which he had been associated in New York and New Orleans, and taking charge of their steamers on the Pacific, finally becoming associated with Forbes in the agency of the Pacific mail steamship company.

In Feb 1864 he was made president of the Spring Valley water works, and in 1866 became a partner in the house of Alsop & Co Mr Babcock in 1850 married Miss Kate Duer Babcock, a second cousin.

He died Sept 22, 1885, highly respected.

Forbes was born in New Jersey July 15, 1824, and came to Cal in 1849.