George A. Cowles (April 5, 1836 – November 26, 1887) was a 19th-century American businessperson, founder of banks, companies, and a railway, and Southern California landowner.
George was placed to work in a local dry goods store at age 14; by the time he left at 21, he had been promoted to first salesman.
Arriving in California wealthy, and with expertise in business, finance, and agriculture, Cowles accomplished much in the ten years before his death in 1887.
The property he purchased eventually totaled about 4,000 acres (16 km2) in the El Cajon Valley and comprised two ranch sites about a mile apart.
[3] Cowles' products gained nationwide attention for San Diego's farming potential, particularly in fruits and vines, and he was called the "Raisin King of the US".
George A. Cowles died at age 51 on November 26, 1887, in his room at San Diego's then premier Florence Hotel, succumbing after two weeks to an intestinal ailment.
After a well attended funeral at a church in new downtown San Diego, Cowles was buried in the El Cajon Valley.
She married Milton Santee, a real estate developer, in November 1890, and they moved to a house at 11th & B in "New Town" San Diego.
According to historian Harriette Wade, Jennie "lobbied hard" to change the name to Santee in honor of her new husband.