Downtown San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Henry Morris Naglee
Lieutenant Colonel United States Army
A Citizen of San Jose
Born 1815 • Settled in California 1847 • Died 1886
Erected 1999.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.
Location. 37° 20.301′ N, 121° 53.431′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Downtown San Jose. Marker is on East Saint John Street west of North 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west. Monument is located at the southern edge of St. James Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Jose CA 95113, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trinity Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Trinity Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Labor Temple (within shouting distance of this marker); St. James Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Eagles Hall (about 400 feet away); Main Post Office (about 400 feet away); First Unitarian Church (about 400 feet away); Santa Clara County Courthouse (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.
Regarding Henry Morris Naglee. Henry Naglee was born in Philadelphia on January 15, 1815. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1835 and was assigned to the 5th Infantry. On December 31, of that same year he resigned his commission and became a civil engineer.
At the beginning of the War with Mexico he returned to military service and on August 15, 1846 he became a Captain in the 1st New York Volunteers and in 1849 he became the first Commanding Officer of the 1st California Guards. He later returned to civilian life and ventured in banking in San Francisco until the outbreak of the Civil War.
He returned to the military and was reappointed in the United States Army with a rank of Lieutenant-Colonel with the 16th Infantry on May 14, 1861. He never joined his regiment and resigned on January 10, 1862 and on February 4, 1862 he was reappointed in the volunteer service with the rank of Brigadier-General.
He participated in defending Washington in 1862 and also participated in the Virginia Peninsular Campaign, being wounded at Fair Oaks. He later led a division in the Department of North Carolina and in the Department of the South at St. Helena Island. In 1863 he commanded the 7th Army Corp and the District of Virginia. On April 4. 1864 he was then mustered out of the military.
He returned to San Francisco and continued his banking ventures. At this time he also engaged in growing grapes for the production of wine. His vineyards in San Jose included more than fifty acres, and was devoted chiefly to the cultivation of Riesling and Charbonneau grapes, from which the Naglee brandy is made.
Also see . . .
1. Henry Morris Maglee. A short discription of his contributions to the Santa Clara Valley (Submitted on April 28, 2010.)
2. The “Dark Side” of Henry M. Maglee. The story behind two infamous love scandals. (Submitted on April 28, 2010.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,348 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.