by
Stephen Baker
Jay Eugene Niles was born in Clinton County, Michigan on May 28, 1853, the first child form to the union of Anthony Niles and Kate E. Jenkins. Both of Jay's parents moved from New York to Michigan in their youth. In the late 1850's, Jay's father bid farewell to his wife and two sons, Jay and Elmer, with this his precious Amata violin, traveled to California by covered wagon to seek his fortune. Ant, as Anthony was affectionately known, became a pioneer citizen of Cottonwood, California, and the first bona fide fiddle player in the area.
After some time engaged in mining and logging, Anthony was lured to British Columbia in the mid 1980's by the discovery of gold. J. Roy Jones, author of The Land of Remember, wrote this account:
[Anthony] . . . sailed out of San Francisco to Victoria, and then by stage and afoot traveled seven hundred miles up the Fraser River to the diggings, carrying his violin and personal possessions. He was employed to play his violin in dance and gambling halls, and intended to remain a sufficient time to accumulate enough money that he might return to Michigan and bring his wife and two sons - Jay and Elmer - to California. On his was out the stage was robbed and Anthony was relieved of everything with the exception of his violin. He then returned to California, got his old job back and continued to work until once again he had enough money for his intended mission.
Ant Niles returned to Michigan, and in 1868 he migrated with his family to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Jay E. Niles was 15 years old when the Niles family made this long and perilous journey.
The Niles family settled in the little town of Henley, in Siskiyou County, where Anthony contributed to the culture and entertainment in the area forming the Henley String Band. He also formed the Anthony Niles Orchestra in which he played the fiddle, and his sons, Jay and Elmer, played the cornet and clarinet. This musical group was in constant demand for dances, rallies, and celebrations throughout northern California and southern Oregon. Anthony built the Niles Hotel in Henley, and it was there that his son Jay was introduced to the hotel business. Jay, who studied music in Michigan, later organized his own musical group, the Henley Cornet Band.
In 1887, Jay Eugene Niles wed Mary J. Helman, to begin a marriage that would last for 60 years. Mary was the daughter of the prominent Helman family of Ashland, Oregon, the developers of the "Ashland Baths." There children were eventually born to this union: Sylvester J., Edna, and Myrtle. In 1988, at the age of 25, J.E. Niles formed a partnership with Ervin Shepard and purchased the Adin Flour Mills in Adin, California.
In the History of the Sate of California and Biographical Record of the Sierras, published in 1906, the author made the following comments about J.E. Niles:
Progressive and enterprising, the new form of Shepard and Niles converted the mill into an entirely different kind of plant, putting in rollers, installing an electric light plant and increasing its capacity to forty-five barrels a day. As a manufacturer of fine flour, Mr. Niles has established a wide and favorable reputation; the product of his mills, under the name of the Adin Mills Extra Family Flour, . . . (is) finding a ready market whenever used.
In 1900, Jay purchased the Groves and Knight Planing Mill in Adin, remodeled it, and established an extensive planing business under the names of J.E. Niels and Son. This business venture, which was the only mill of its kind the area, included his son Sylvester. Jay also started a successful insurance business as an agent for, among other companies, the Citizens' Fire Insurance Company of Missouri.
In 1908, Jay sold his extensive holdings in the Adin area and moved his family to the growing city of Alturas. The community of Alturas was fortunate to be the recipient of this man's attention. In partnership with Reuel Laird, Jay's first enterprise was the construction of the original Niles Hotel, a two story stone edifice on Main Street. The ground floor was occupied by a variety of businesses, and the second floor served as a hotel. This structure, which is known today as the Laird Building, housed the Bank of America for many years. While Jay was building his hotel, a new three story structure named the Curtis Hotel was under construction down the street. In 1912 Jay purchased the Curtis Hotel, completed the interior of the upper two floors and renamed it the Niles Hotel. He operated this landmark until 1929 when, at the age of 76, he sold the hotel and retired . . . temporarily.
