The Shaving Mug                                 J. B. Prince

Joseph Bucknam Prince was born in Tomales, Marin County, in 1858, but moved to the Healdsburg area with his family in the early 1860's. Thomas Prince, Joseph’s father, had come to California in 1852, and his wife, Abbey, and children followed in 1856. The family first settled in Shasta County for several years, before moving to Tomales where they raised cattle. In 1861, they acquired bottom land just north of Healdsburg where they built a home. There Thomas Prince was a wholesale stock dealer until his early death in 1863 when a falling branch killed him.  

Joseph grew up attending Healdsburg public schools and Alexander Academy. At the age of 18, Prince took a job in John Mulligan's hardware store on West Street (now Healdsburg Ave.). This was the beginning of a long Healdsburg business career. Later Prince entered the grocery business in under the name Weiberts & Prince, located at the corner of Center and Matheson Streets. J. B. Prince was married to Luella Wolcott in 1891. The couple had two children, Eloise and Joey (who died at a young age).  Prince was appointed postmaster of Healdsburg for four years (1891-1895). After this he became the owner of a lumber mill and yard. In 1897 he entered into partnership with George Miller to conduct a grocery store at the corner of Matheson and West Streets. Finally he became manager of Healdsburg's Rochdale Company, which he managed until the time of his death. Prince also owned a peach and prune orchard, as well as a number of thoroughbred horses.

Sources:

Djordjevich, Marie. “The Enterprising J.B. Prince – A Life Sketch”; Russian River Recorder, Winter 1997, Issue 59. 

Obituary for J.B. Prince; Healdsburg Enterprise, November 6, 1915.