Who was the Father of Palms in California?

Where did the statement that John Rock was the "Father of Palms in California" come from? Looks like here and has no references? "Rock is considered the "Father" of palm cultivation in California." 

This is the only place that I've ever heard this. And it doesn't ring true without any supporting docs. Maybe he was the grandson or great-grandson, but not the father.

1. Father Serra would be the "Father of California palms" if you needed an actual Father of Canary Island ornamental date palms and possibly edible date palms.
2. Assertion: "Rock is considered the "Father" of palm cultivation in California. With the California Nursery Company, he did extensive experimentation with palm varieties, and by 1876, was able to offer 10,000 palm trees for sale."
   
   Correction: The California Nursery Company was established in 1884 in Niles. "Rock's Alviso Nurseries" was established in 1865 in the Santa Clara Valley, Alviso. Later called Rock's Nurseries.
3. The San Jose Mercury News December 1877 did report that he had 10,000 palms of various sorts one to six years old. Planted then in 1871 or 1876. The Japanese palms and various sorts of South American palms. The California fan palm has several large trees growing in San Jose. Those would be Louis  Prevost's probably.
4. Louis Prevost could be considered the Father of the California Fan palm, predating John Rock's entry to California by 8 years. The California Fan Palm. Pacific Rural Press, Volume 34, Number 25, 17 December 1887 Our indigenous palm, one of the most striking native plants of the State, gave the botanists some trouble in classification. First it was Prichardia, then a Brahea, and finally it has found botanical rest as Washingtonea filifera. Its native area along the Colorado river was thrown open to the public by the building of the Southern overland route, and is now a comparatively familiar country. Long ago, however, seeds were brought from this region and plants were established which have now grown to grand size, while the facts of their introduction have become a matter of tradition. The twin palms shown in the engraving which are growing within the limits of Los Angeles city, are perhaps the oldest and largest cultivated fan palms in the State. They are probably upward of 50 years old. [1837]
   
   The tourist who enters Los Angeles from the east by the Southern Pacific sees them upon the left side of the railway just before the station is reached; in fact, the buildings shown in the lower lefthand corner of the picture are those of the railway. These palms are a landmark for the tourist, and their photographs are in great request. They are now being encroached upon by the buildings, and may fall before the progress of the day, but we trust they will be spared as long as possible. The California palm was widely distributed over the State at quite an early day. It is on record that Louis Prevost, the pioneer San Jose horticulturist, brought seed from the southern desert to San Jose about 30 years ago [1857], and succeeded in growing about 50 plants. These were carried to all the chief points in the northern half of the State. Either from their, or in some cases perhaps from later propagations, came the large fan palms which are to lie found at points in the Sacramento valley as far up as Shasta county; also in Calistoga, in Sacramento, Stockton and elsewhere. The plant is a rapid and vigorous grower and quite hardy. It also bears transplantation well.
   
   
   
   
   

From CDNC

This Rock's Nurseries earliest 1873 catalog from UC Davis shows that John was primarily providing the growing state of California with fruit trees, something to nourish its many new immigrants. In this issue were:

• 9 pages of fruit trees
• 3 pages of miscellaneous fruit trees & grapes 
• 4 pages of ornamental trees
• 3 page of shrubs - flowering and not
• 2 pages of roses
• Two fan palms - Corypha Australis and Chamaerops Excelsa

There is an earlier one page flier that should also be noted, for Rock's Nurseries in Alviso. 

The 1880 catalog had "date palm" for $1. 

• 10 pages of fruit trees
• 3 pages of grapes and small fruits
• ornamental plants were in a separate catalogue, so the palms must be there.

The 1882 catalog has a section of ornamentals.

Here's what Charles Shinn wrote about him after he passed.

 "John Rock's scientific spirit, his wide and ever-increasing knowledge, his very high standards of business and his unselfishness made him during his long life the leader of Pacific coast nurserymen. He introduced more valuable plants and varieties to American horticulture than any other man of his period. His connection with Japan, India, Australia and with the great establishments abroad was close and constant. He did much to encourage men like Luther Burbank, and his collections were always at the service of students and the public."

And Charlie knew John Rock, was neighbor to John Rock, served on state boards with John Rock.