Jalisco, Mexico 12

John Edward “Ed” Borein (1872 ‐ 1945) was an etcher and painter, who like Frederic Remington and Charles Russell, accurately recorded what he saw in the American West. Borein also worked as a vaquero (early cowboy) in early California and Mexico. He was friends with Russell and actor Will Rogers.

Borein was born in San Leandro, the oldest child of Alameda County official (recorder, auditor, tax collector, at different times) Peter Rouble Borein and Annie Blake (Borein). 2 The 1880 census shows them living at 323 - 6th Street. Later, the family lived at Alice and 11th Streets, and Borein attended Harrison School. His siblings were Charles Ashley Borein, Peter Rouble Borein, Jr. (aka Rouble Sims), Lucinda “Lulu” Borein (Faierling), and Annie Borein (Price). The family was friends with attorney A. A. Moore. Peter and Annie divorced c.1897. 7 Following the death of his mother in Quincy, IL in 1901, Peter drank until he died. 11

Ed Borein was a member of the Reliance Athletic Club 8 and the Charros Club. Around 1905-1906, he was partners with Royal B. Ford in a design firm, Ford and Borein.

The 1906 directory lists John E. (partners with Royal B. Ford), mother Annie, brother Peter, and sister Lulu living at 180 - 7th Street.

The 1909 directory lists John E. and mother Annie living at [4051] Lyon Avenue near High Street, and John Edward having a space in the Blake Block. 3

Borein's adobe workshop 6

He married Lucile E. Maxwell (Borein) on June 27, 1921 5 and they settled in Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Historical Museum now holds the largest collection of Borein's work and personal possessions. 1

Links and References

  1. Edward Borein Gallery Santa Barbara Historical Museum
  2. The Knave Oakland Tribune December 20, 1908
  3. Husted's Oakland 1909
  4. Edward Borein, Etcher, Wins Way in East Oakland Tribune July 25, 1920
  5. An Artist Marries Oakland Tribune September 11, 1921
  6. Inspiration's Dwelling Place Oakland Tribune November 2, 1922
  7. Wants An Allowance Oakland Tribune March 18, 1897
  8. Reliance Clubmen Hold High Revels Oakland Tribune July 22, 1906
  9. Husted's Oakland 1906
  10. death notice for Peter R. Borein, Jr. Oakland Tribune August 7, 1954
  11. Drank Until He Died Salem Republican April 11, 1901
  12. Edward Borein Photograph Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is looking for the following photos for a book project:

Harrison School, Oakland, Calif. 1880s (photo)
Borein home Eleventh and Alice streets, Oakland c. 1897
May 1904 arrival of Santa Fe RR in Oakland;
* floral parade (photo)
* Borein in Mexican charro outfit
1905 Partners with Royal B. Ford in the Oakland design firm, Ford & Borein
* R.B. Ford, business partner (photo)
1908 Charros Club: Club headquarters (photo)
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