USA > California > A Volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of northern California, including biographies of many of those who have passed away > Part 14
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Senator Caminetti is the eldest of their children now living. He was educated in the public schools of Jackson and in the grammar school of San Francisco, after which he attended the University of California. His law education was obtained in the office of Quint & Hardy, in San Francisco, and in the office of Senator James T. Farley, of Jackson. He applied him- self diligently to his work, and after his admission to the bar made rapid advancement toward a foremost place in the ranks of the legal fraternity of his native county. His marked ability, strong mentality, thorough under- standing of political questions and his sympathy for the people as against monopolies and trusts have led to his selection to various offices. In politics he has always been an ardent Democrat.
In 1877 he was elected district attorney, and so capably filled the office that he was re-elected in 1879, discharging the duties of that position with great credit to himself and to the fullest satisfaction of the citizens of the county for five years. He manifested energy, ability and impartiality in the discharge of his duties. In his treatment of citizens who required his ser- vice as a law officer of the county and in prosecuting violators of the law he made no distinction, politically or otherwise. He met some of the strong-
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est counsel on the -tate and won many noted forensic triumphs during the years of his meumbency as district attorney. His talent as a criminal lawyer is most marked, and the same power of analysis that characterized his hand- ling of his cases has been a potent element for success in his political career.
In 1882, upon his retirement from the office of district attorney, he was elected to the general assembly and took his seat in that body in January, 1883. He at once became one of the most efficient members, exerting a wide influence in behalf of the people whom he represented. His efforts were
instrumental in securing many needed reforms and progressive measures. In the regular session the bill introduced by him on municipal corporations was made the basis of the act which afterward became a law. Many of the reforms introduced in the county government system in that year were offered by him. He also took an active interest in the educational and min- ing affairs of the state. In 1886 he was elected to the state senate, and while a member of that body did much valuable work, winning distinction in connection with his labors on behalf of education. He was the chairman of the committeee on education, and as such secured many amendments to the then existing law, which are to-day incorporated in the school system of the state Through his labors he secured changes in the grammar-school course intended to give additional facilities to the interior, and obtained for this purpose a large appropriation. Many schools under this system were established throughout the state, and have since been converted into high schools. The president of the University of California, in his report of 1886 to the governor, speaks in a most commendable manner of what he terms the Caminetti course. While a member of the senate Mr. Caminetti was also the author of the law providing for the erection of the monument to James W. Marshall, the discoverer of gold, and introduced a bill making Admission day. September 9, a legal holiday in California. He is also the author of the proposition establishing at lone City a public institution for the training of wayward children, now known as the Preston School, and since its establishment he has been most active in promoting its interests. As a result of his labors the United States Foothill Experiment Station, near Jackson, conducted under the auspices of the University of California, was located there.
In 18go Mr. Caminetti was nominated and elected to congress. Dur- ing the campaign the mining and river questions were made prominent issues, and early in his congressional career he proceeded to maintain his pledges thereon. Hle was the author of what has since been named the "Cami- netti mining bill," which made hydraulic mining again possible on the basis of protection to river interests and by which new life was given to the min- ing industry of the state and general prosperity thereby enhanced. He was also active in securing the passage of the river improvement measures, which resulted in opening the navigation of the Sacramento river to Red Bluff and to other river points on the Sacramento, and the San Joaquin river to landings where for twenty years vessels had been unable to go. Freight rates to all points reached by navigation were thus greatly reduced.
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For this valuable service the state assembly passed resolutions congratulating Mr. Caminetti upon the successful enactment of these laws, and the Dem- ocratic state convention of 1892 passed complimentary resolutions stating that the whole commonwealth owed him a debt of gratitude for the sal- utary and wise legislation introduced by him for the relief of the suffering mining industries and for the preservation of water ways.
In consideration of these eminent services he was re-elected to con- gress by a large majority, and during the succeeding session assisted in de- feating the Pacific Railroad funding bill, and introduced the bill for govern- ment operation of the Union and Central Pacific roads from Omaha to the Pacific coast in California. He was again re-nominated for congress, but mainly through the efforts of the railroad interests interested in the funding scheme he was defeated. In 1896 he was again tendered the unanimous nomination for congress, but declined. The same year the Amador county convention of the Democratic and People's parties, notwithstanding his re- fusals to run for congress, nominated him for the assembly, and after an exciting campaign he was elected by a large majority. The minority hon- ored him with the complimentary nomination for speaker, thus naming him as their leader, a position for which his talent and legislative experience eminently fitted him. He at once entered upon the work, and with his party associates well organized kept up an able fight on behalf of the people. In 1898 he was again elected to the legislature, and received the compli- mentary vote of his party for United States senator. In 1880 he had the honor of being alternate elector on the Hancock ticket, and in 1888 he was a candidate for presidential elector on the Cleveland ticket. In 1896 he was a delegate to the national convention, and assisted in the nomination of William J. Bryan for president of the United States.
On the 29th of May, 1881, Mr. Caminetti was united in marriage to Miss Ella E. Martin, a native daughter of California, born in Springfield. Tuolumne county. Her father, Dr. R. E. Martin, was one of the promi- nent physicians of the state. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Caminetti has been blessed with two sons,-Farley Drew and Anthony Boggs,-both of whom are attending school. The family have a pleasant home in Jackson, where Mr. Caminetti has spent his entire life. He is an active member of the bar, and engages in the general practice of the law in his home county and else- where. He is also deeply interested in mining properties in Amador and Calaveras counties and has valuable farming property. He is the first native son of California ever elected to the United States congress, a distinction that was well deserved and worthily won. His study of political questions lias ever been comprehensive, and his opinions were the result of mature deliberation, of earnest thought and of deep interest in his fellowmen. He is numbered among the most eminent men of the commonwealth, and as a statesman is widely and favorably known among the most prominent people of the nation. A good parliamentarian, with an extensive acquaintance among prominent men, long experience in public affairs and a thorough knowledge of the needs of the people, he proved most capable in public office.
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Agricultural, mining and educational interests owe their progress in no small degree to his labors, and the material welfare of the state has been advanced by him in a large measure. He regards public office as a public trust, and has ever placed the welfare of the nation before partisan prejudice and the good of the many before personal aggrandizement.
PETER R. GARNETT.
This gentleman, who is acceptably serving as a county supervisor, has always been a loyal and public-spirited citizen, manifesting in the discharge of his duties at the present time the same fidelity which he displayed when upon the southern battle-fields he aided in the defense of the starry banner and the cause it represented. He was born in Ralls county, Missouri, February 14, 1841, and is a son of J. R. and Eliza Garnett. His father, a native of Kentucky, followed the occupation of farming and in 1820 removed from the state of his nativity to Missouri, where his death occurred when he was about fifty years of age. His wife, who was born in Virginia, also died in Missouri, at the age of seventy-three years. In their family were ten chil- dren, four of whom are yet living, one brother being a resident of Solano county, California.
Upon his father's farm Peter R. Garnett spent the days of his childhood and assisted in the labors of the field and meadow. At the age of seventeen he left home in order to attend school, and when twenty years of age he put aside his text-books in order to enter his country's service. On the day on which he left the school-room he enlisted in the army, becoming a member of Hawkins' battalion, which was commanded by Colonel Hawkins, a veteran of the Mexican war. He was several times wounded and for six months was forced to remain out of the army, but otherwise he was always on duty with his regiment. At Grenada, Mississippi, he was commissioned lieutenant, in recognition of his meritorious service. The brigade was captured at Mobile Bay, at which time Mr. Garnett and his comrades were sent to New Orleans and thence to Jackson, Mississippi, where they were paroled.
Mr. Garnett remained in the south for about three months and then returned home, but after a short time he again went to Mississippi and for about two years was engaged in teaching school, near Vicksburg. On the expi- ration of that period he returned to Missouri, where preparations were made for a trip to California. Making his way to New York, he continued his journey by way of the Panama route and on the 15th of June, 1868, arrived on the Pacific coast. He joined his brother, J. S. Garnett, of Solano county, and resided there for five years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Colusa county.
In October, 1873, Mr. Garnett was united in marriage to Miss Ruth A. McCune, a daughter of 11. E. McCune, of Solano county. Three children have been born to them: Inez, born December 21. 1874: Reba, who was born April 12, 1878, and is now married and has a son, named Garnett : and Hugh, who was born April 6, 1881.
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After his marriage Mr. Garnett located upon the farm where he now makes his home, the place being pleasantly located three miles southeast of Willow. He carried on general farming and has become one of the most extensive land-owners of this section of the state, having twenty-two hundred acres. Of this he rents one thousand acres, while upon the remainder of the tract he carries on stock-raising on a large scale. He is a very enterprising and progressive business man, whose success is due to his own well directed efforts, his enterprise and perseverance. For a time he was a director of the Central Irrigation Company, and at all times has been in sympathy with the measures and movements which contribute to the general good.
Mr. Garnett has always been a stanch Democrat in his political affiliations and does all in his power to promote the growth and secure the success of his party. While in Colusa county he was elected supervisor, in 1876, and held the office for three years. Since his marriage he has been a member of the school board and is now serving as the president of the high-school board. In 1894 he was elected a member of the board of supervisors of Glenn county, and so acceptably and faithfully discharged the duties of his office that he was re-elected in 1898, and is therefore the present incumbent. Socially he is connected with Laurel Lodge, No. 245. A. F. & A. M. He and his wife and their children are members of the Baptist church, and he has assisted in building every house of worship of this locality. He has also served as the superintendent of the Sunday school, and, like him, his wife is active in church work. Extensive reading and observation have made him a well informed man and he is regarded as one of the representative citizens of this section of Califorina. All that he has is the reward of his own labors, and his life illustrates most forcibly what can be accomplished through determined and honorable purpose.
ARMSTEAD C. BROWN.
The history of the pioneer settlement of northern California would be incomplete without the record of this gentleman, who from the early devel- opment of the state has been an important factor in its substantial growth and improvement. When California was cut off from the advantages and comforts of the east by long. hot stretches of sand and barren clay and the high mountains, he made his way across the plains, braving all the trials and hardships of pioneer life in order to make a home on the Pacific coast, rich in its resources, yet unreclaimed from the dominion of the red men. The year of his arrival was 1849, and to this state he brought his family in 1851. so that his residence here has been continuous for half a century.
Judge Brown was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, on the 10th of January, 1816. His father, Thomas Brown, was born in Richmond. Vir- ginia, and was an early settler of the state of Missouri. He was a cabinet- maker by trade and also followed the occupation of farming. He wedded Mary Elizabeth Ribolt, a native of Missouri and a lady of German lineage. They had two daughters and four sons. In 1820, when our subject was
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only four years of age, they removed to Illinois, where the father died in his thirty-fifth year. The mother afterward married again, and died in 1830, at the age of thirty-two years. Judge Brown became familiar with the experiences of pioneer life when a boy in Illinois, for the prairie state was then on the border of civilization. He pursued his education in a little log school-house such as was common at that period; but reading, observation. experience and study in later years added greatly to his knowledge and made him a well informed man. In 1832 he removed to Wisconsin, and later he served in the Black Hawk war as a member of the militia. lle followed lead-mining in the Badger state, and on the 26th of February, 1837, he was married there to Miss Philippia Williams. In 1849 he bade adieu to his little family and crossed the plains to California in search of gold, for the previous year the precious metal had been discovered on the Pacific slope, and to that section of the country emigrants from the various castern states were flocking. After his arrival Judge Brown engaged in placer mining in Shasta county, and to him is due the honor of naming the town of Shasta. He met with fair success, and, resolving to make California his permanent home, he returned for his family, making the journey by way of the water route .- namely, by way of the isthmus to New Orleans and thence up the Mississippi river. Severing all business connections in Wisconsin in 1851, he once more crossed the plains, accompanied by his wife and six children. all of whom are now deceased with the exception of two: a daughter who is the widow of A. Askey. and Mrs. Margaret Folger.
Judge Brown took up his residence in Jackson in 1851. and is now one of the oldest living settlers of the town. His son, George W. Brown. who was born in Jackson, is now a progressive business man here and a worthy representative of the native residents of the state. The wife and mother, however, has been called to her final rest, having passed away in April, 1896.
During the early years of his residence in Jackson Judge Brown was engaged in merchandising, bringing his goods by team over the mountains. In August, 1863. Jackson was visited by a great conflagration and the whole town was burned to the ground, destroying about thirty tenement houses for Judge Brown. He was then at a loss to know what to do, for all he had left was his beautiful two-story brick house which he now occupies. It was not long. however, till he decided to rebuild and soon the burned structures were replaced with new ones. At this time Judge Brown, for the first time in his life, found it necessary to borrow money to carry out his inten- tions, and of a friend he borrowed one thousand dollars, which was soon paid back from his rents. Since that time he has met with other losses by fire. but smaller, and has them all replaced by finer structures. Judge Brown had read law in early life and had been admitted to practice in Winconsin, and had served as a member of the state legislature there. After his arrival in California he resumed the prosecution of his profession, and in 1876 he was elected the probate judge of Amador county, which position he acceptably filled for five years, when he resumed the private practice of law, which
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he continued until 1897. In 1887 he was admitted into the supreme court of the state of California. He received a good patronage, and his skill and ability was manifest in the many favorable verdicts which he secured for his clients. As the years have passed he has made judicious investments in real estate, and is now the owner of a number of excellent houses and lots in the city, together with other property. Now, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years, twice a day he makes his way to his office to supervise his property interests. The habits of industry are strong within him. His life has been one of energy, perseverance and resolution, and these qualities have brought to him a well merited competence. He gave his political support in early manhood to the Whig party, and on its dissolution became a Democrat, since which time he has been identified with that political organization. In 1863 he was his party's choice to represent them in the state legislature, and so honorably did he discharge his duties that in 1865 he was re-elected. In 1869 he was again honored to represent his party in the state legislature, and at the expiration of this term he declined further honors tendered him by his party and resumed his law practice in Jackson. He is now well advanced in years, yet with him old age is not synonymous with inactivity or help- lessness. On the other hand it is often a source of inspiration and encour- agement, as it gives of its rich store of learning and experience to others whose journey of life is but begun. Judge Brown receives the respect and veneration of all who know him, and well does he deserve honorable men- tion upon the pages of his adopted state.
BENJAMIN KENT THORN.
Conditions in some parts of the west have been such as to develop a class of professional marshals and sheriffs,-men ready to take their lives in their hands in the defense of law and order and safely to be depended upon at any moment. In its issue of March 5. 1899, the Los Angeles Sunday Times referred to "Ben Thorn of Calaveras," as the "last of the race of professional sheriffs in California." Mr. Thorn's career is in many ways so minique that it could not be passed by in a work of this kind.
Of Danish and English ancestry, Mr. Thorn was born at Plattsburg, New York, December 22, 1829, a son of Platt and Elizabeth ( Platt ) Thorn, his mother having been of a family of early settlers at Plattsburg, for whom the town was named. In 1833, when Mr. Thorn was four years old, his parents removed to Chicago, Illinois, then a small, muddy village with some three or four thousand people living there and thereabouts, one half or more of whom were the Pottawatomie tribe of Indians. While they remained in Chicago, the family lived in the old Clayborn House, and "Ben," as he has always been known, was for a time a pupil in an infant school: but they soon removed to Ottawa. Illinois, and there lived in a little log cabin, whose walls were pierced with one window containing a single pane of glass, and with several loop holes, through which the inmates of the cabin could defend themselves from the attacks of the Indians. About one hundred feet from
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the cabin were the graves of sixteen white settlers who had been massacred by the savages but a few months prior thereto, and all buried hastily in one common mound, as there was no sawed lumber in that country with which to bury them otherwise.
The boy was brought up to farm work, amid such primitive surround- ings, and was sent to the best school Ottawa afforded at that time: and, considering how hard it was for pioneers to make a living in Illinois at that time, the boy was not badly situated. Produce brought very low prices, and exhorbitant prices were charged for such domestic supplies as it was necessary to buy. When Ben had grown to be a "chunk" of a boy he became a clerk in a store at Ottawa, and when he was sixteen he began teaching school at Plattville, Illinois. Some time later Mr. Thorn sold his farm and removed to Ottawa, where he built a large tannery and carried on the busi- ness of tanning, giving employment to many men, until the time of his death. in 1859, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. His wife died at the age of eighty-four, at the residence of her son at San Andreas, Calaveras county, California. November 2, 1890. This worthy couple had six children, of whom Sheriff Thorn and his brother. Deputy Sheriff Abbott Thorn, are the only survivors.
Sheriff Thorn crossed the plains to California in 1849 and encountered many of the hardships of such a journey. Several members of his party were victims of cholera, and several of them died on the way; but though Sheriff Thorn was constantly exposed to the influence which brought the others low, and watched with one of them ( Charles Zeliff ) during the night preceding his death, he fortunately escaped the disease, even in its mildest form. He arrived at Deer Creek, Lassen county, California, where he remained in camp three weeks with his company.
In September he commenced mining on the Yuba river, some twelve or fifteen miles above the site of the present city of Marysville, Yuba county, and continued on Yuba river, without much success, as a "rocker" cost a hundred and twenty-five dollars, and he and his companions took out only about eight dollars' worth of gold, per man, per day, and each of them could have hired out at sixteen dollars per day, as that was the wages paid at the time.
In the month of November following he left the Yuba, and went to Sacramento city, where he purchased a winter's supply of provisions and went to Volcano, Amador county, and there mined during the winter of 1849-50, taking out an average of two ounces of gold dust per day to the man in Indian Gulch. In February, 1850, he went to Mokelumne Ilill. Calaveras county, and from there to Upper Rich Gulch, some six miles distant therefrom, where he mined a short time. Then he removed to San Antonio camp, in Calaveras county, where he located and purchased several mining claims on the San Antonio and Calaveritas creeks, and emploved several men, mining for him, until 1857.
In April. 1855. he was appointed deputy sheriff by Charles A. Clarke. then the sheriff of the county, in order that he might have authority to do
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what he could to rid the county of gangs of Chilanoes, Mexicans and other clesperadoes and cut-throats, who infested the mining camps with no better objects than plunder and murder ; and from that day to this, with the excep- tion of four years, he has held the office of sheriff, or deputy sheriff, or foreign miners' tax collector. In the fall of 1855. while a deputy sheriff, he ran and was elected constable of the township, in order to secure the official business of the justice's court, which in those days reached a considerable amount. Immediately following his appointment, young Thorn started to hunt down and bring to justice the absconded mur- derers who had prior thereto committed many murders in San Antonio camp and immediate vicinity, and he was not long in locating and arresting John Phipps, who had killed Morales in San Antonio Camp, in 1854. with an ax, and who was hung for the crime at Mokelumne Hill; also Pedro y Barro, who killed a man and woman at the same camp; also Bratton, who killed Thomas Titcomb; also Howard Maupin, alias "Pike," who killed James Dill, and four Mexicans who murdered a German on Indian creek for his money. some of whom were convicted and sent to the state prison, as many jurymen in those days were disposed to deal leniently with the criminal element .- besides many others arrested by Thorn for lesser crimes.
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