Henry H. Whaley

Who is Henry H. Whaley?

Henry Hurst Whaley early settler of San Diego.

Henry H. Whaley was born c. 1818 in New York City to Thomas Alexander Whaley Sr. and Rachel Pye. His father died in 1832, leaving Rachael to raise the family.

Henry, with his brother John, took over their late father's locksmith business when they became old enough. They obtained government contracts in Washington, D.C., where he lived for a time, and the nearby government depot at Harpers Ferry.

Henry and his wife Annie moved to San Diego in May 1855. Henry went into partnership with his brother Thomas, and reopened the General Store Thomas previously ran in Old Town San Diego as "Whaley and Whaley." They also operated a brick manufacturing business, bought from George P. Tebbetts. Henry and Annie lived with his brother and wife until they had their own home. Henry and Annie quarreled frequently and were often drunk, both in public and private. Henry often overcharged customers, was loud, and often drunk. Frustrated, Thomas dissolved the partnership in November 1855.