There, he attended public schools in the area and worked for the San Jose Gas Company.

He left the company in 1883 to found his own newspaper, the San Jose Morning Times, which would compete with the Mercury-Herald.

He later bought the Mercury-Herald from owner J. J. Owen in 1884, combining the newspaper with the Times Publishing Company.

[4] In 1902, he ran in the California's 28th State Senate district due to redistricting, and instead of running as a Republican, he announced his campaign as an Independent, winning the election against three other opponents.

[6] Shortidge married Elizabeth Wright in Carson City, Nevada on July 1, 1899, with the two having three children.