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 23
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LOUIS DAVIDSON.
There are not many California pioneers of 1850 remaining in the state. Most of them have died; others have moved away. Louis Davidson, one of the oldest merchants at Mokelumne Hill, is one of the few citizens of that town who have lived in the state half a century. Mr. Davidson is a native of Prussia and a son of Hersh and Gertrude (Gerson) Davidson, both of
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whom were born and passed their days there, his father dying in his seventy- eighth year, his mother in her seventy-fifth year. Hersh and Gertrude ( Gerson) Davidson had four sons and a daughter. One of their sons, Meyor Davidson, is a cloak manufacturer at San Francisco.
Louis Davidson was educated in Prussia and reared in the Hebrew faith. He came to New York at the age of sixteen years and secured a position as a clerk in a store, handling general merchandise, and later was given charge of a mercantile house at Elmira, New York. In 1850 he sailed from New York, en route for California, and had a somewhat rough passage at the outset. He and his companions crossed the isthmus of Panama on foot and had to wait long for a vessel bound for San Francisco. He had man- aged to save eight hundred dollars and it cost him the whole amount to land on California soil. He came direct to Mukelumne Hill and opened a prim- itive store in a tent, in which a few articles of merchandise were displayed on a line, somewhat as clothing is hung out to dry.
Mokelumne was then a lively mining town and he sold goods right along at a paying profit and was able to add to his stock; but he was obliged to give credit, more or less, and in that way lost some money. In 1856 the business part of the town was burned and his enterprise was completely wiped out of existence. At two o'clock p. m. on the day of the fire he was on the stage going for new stock. He conducted business in a tent, while building a new store on the site of his old one, and was prosperous until 1873. when his store was again burned, and, although he had fifteen thousand dol- lars insurance, he lost heavily. He at once built the store in which he has since carried on his trade, and his career has been one of almost uniform suc- cess. His store is not now large enough to accommodate his large stock, and he constantly draws upon an extensive reserve stock stored in several large warehouses near by.
GEORGE E. MITCHELL.
George E. Mitchell is a citizen in whom the residents of Placer county have seen fit to place their trust, and he is now serving in the office of asses- sor, and in the discharge of his duty he is capable, prompt and notably reliable. He was born in this county, near Newcastle, on the 9th of April, 1863, and is a son of John Henry Mitchell, a prominent early settler of Placer county, where he arrived in 1854. He was a native of Kentucky and was of English lineage. In the state of his birth he spent his boyhood days and acquired his education. Attracted by the discovery of gold in California he came by way of the isthmus of Panama to California, and was engaged in placer mining in Placer county. His efforts in this direction brought to him suc- cess. He made as high as twenty and thirty dollars a day, and after mining for a time he became connected with mercantile interests, opening a store at Stewart's Flat, near Newcastle, conducting the enterprise from 1858 until 1865. In the latter year he directed his attention to farming, securing two hundred and forty acres of land, which is still in possession of the family.
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His political allegiance was given the Democracy, and in the early days he served as a constable and also as the recorder of the mining district. Later he was for three terms the assessor of the county, and the trust reposed in him was never betrayed in the slightest degree. Of the Improved Order of Red Men he was an active member. He married Miss Alice Graham and their union was blessed with four sons, two of whom-Homer C. and George E .- are living, and Thomas H. and John S. are deceased. The father, John Henry Mitchell, passed away April 30, 1894.
The boyhood days of George Mitchell were quietly passed on his father's farm and through his youth he applied himself to the mastery of the branches of learning which formed the public school curriculum. For three years he engaged in teaching and later was appointed a deputy assessor. Subse- quently he filled the office of deputy sheriff and in 1898 he was elected on the Democratic ticket as assessor of Placer county, receiving a majority of one hundred in a county which has a normal Republican majority of four hundred. His election was certainly a tribute to his personal worth, indicating the kindly feeling of his fellow men and their confidence in his ability.
In 1887 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mitchell and Miss Lizzie McCarthy, who was born in Colfax. Placer county. They now have an inter- esting daughter, Genevieve. Mr. Mitchell belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Native Sons of the Golden West, while his wife holds membership in the society of the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Their many admirable qualities have made them highly appreciated by hosts of friends in the county in which they have both spent their entire lives.
FRANK T. JOHNSON.
Among the officials of Sacramento county is numbered Frank T. John- son, who is filling the office of county sheriff. He has long been in the public service and at all times has been faithful to the trust reposed in him, so that he commands and enjoys the confidence and regard of all with whom he is brought in contact. . \ native of Sacramento, he was born April 12, 1855. his parents being Benjamin F. and Sarah E. (Taylor ) Johnson. The John- son family is of English lineage, while the Taylors are of Scotch descent, and a brother of Mrs. Johnson married into one of the old French families of St. Louis. The father was born in New York about 1817, and in 1849, after some years residence in Missouri, he joined the "Argonauts" and went to California in search of the "golden fleece." The journey was made by way of the isthmus of Panama to San Francisco, whence Mr. Johnson made his way direct to Sacramento and there resided until his death.
He became well known throughout the state by reason of his connection with hotel interests and his prominence in political affairs. Ile was the pro- prietor of the Blue Wing and afterward of the Magnolia Club, a leading hostelry of California. He was elected a member of the first city council of Sacramento. Subsequently he resigned a political office which paid him two
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hundred dollars per month, because the body of which he was a political mem- ber pursued a course which he considered detrimental to the people. This is the first and only instance on record in that city of a man resigning so lucrative a position for conscientious or even other reasons. His hotel, the Magnolia Club, was a favorite resort and therein he entertained many of the most prominent and distinguished men of the state. Under its roof political records have been made and unmade to a greater extent than in any other hotel in the state. The case of David C. Broderick and Gwinn, the cele- brated controversy over the United States senatorship, was instituted and planned in the Magnolia Club house. Mr. Johnson died in Sacramento, at the age of sixty years, and the community thereby lost one of its leading and influential citizens. He was married in St. Louis, in 1852, to Miss Sarah E. Taylor, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Three years previously he had located in California and with his bride he returned to the Golden state. She was a sister of Daniel G. Taylor, a prominent resident of St. Louis who served as mayor of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson became the parents of three children, our subject and two sisters, who reside with their brother.
Frank T. Johnson pursued his education in the public schools of Sacra- mento, completing his course by graduation in the high school of that city. He subsequently entered the employ of Ed Cadwallader, a real-estate and insurance agent, for whom he acted as clerk and manager from 1874 until 1879. He then resigned his position to accept the office of deputy state treas- urer, to which he was appointed by John Weil, the state treasurer at the time when G. C. Perkins was elected the chief executive of California. At the conclusion of his service there he entered the employ of the California State Bank as assistant cashier and teller, continuing to serve in that capacity for two years, when he resigned and joined the former state treasurer, Mr. Weil, in the real-estate and insurance business. That connection was con- tinued for several years and the firm enjoyed a good business, receiving a liberal patronage. Their connection was dissolved when John Henry Miller retired from the position of auditor and recorder, and Mr. Johnson was appointed to fill the vacancy. He discharged his duties so promptly and faith- fully that he was elected to the office and for three terms served, retiring in 1894. as he had entered the position, with the good will and confidence of the public. Further political honors awaited him, for he was then elected the sheriff of Sacramento county in 1894. and in 1898 was re-elected, so that he is the present incumbent. He is strictly fair and impartial in the dis- charge of his duties and his name awakens a feeling of confidence in all the law-abiding citizens and a feeling of terror in those who are not amenable to the laws which protect our liberties, our homes and our lives.
Mr. Johnson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, with which he has affiliated since casting his first presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. He was reared as a Congregationalist and has always attended the services of that church. In fraternity circles he is very prominent, is the past master of Washington Lodge, F. & A. M., also belongs to the chapter and commandery and is a
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Noble of the Mystic Shrine of San Francisco. He has served also as the president of Sunset Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West and is a charter member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. A man of unswerving integrity and one who has a perfect appreciation of the duties of citizenship and the higher ethics of life, Mr. Johnson has gained and retained the confidence and respect of his fellow men, and is distinctively one of the leading citizens of Sacramento with whose interests he has always been identified.
FREDERICK S. STEVENS.
Frederick S. Stevens, the well known proprietor of the Stevens Drug Store, in Auburn, is one of the native sons of the town, his birth having occurred there on the 23d of May, 186.4. He is a son of Solon Mills Stevens, whose life record appears elsewhere in this volume. He is the second of four sons, was educated in the public schools and received his business training in his father's drug store, of which he is now the proprietor. In 1892 he was honored with the appointment of postmaster of the town in which he was born and reared, and he was most capable and efficient in discharging his duties. He also made many improvements in the office, securing a complete outfit of new boxes and modern post-office furnishings, meeting the needs of the office in every particular ; and after serving four years he purchased his father's drug store, in 1896, and has since conducted that enterprise, enjoy- ing a large patronage. He keeps a complete stock of drugs and such other goods as are usually found in a first-class drug store, and conducts his busi- ness so honorably that he enjoys the unqualified confidence and the liberal support of the citizens of his native town.
Mr. Stevens belongs to Auburn Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West and has served as its president. He is also a past grand of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and has attained to the Knight Templar degree in the Masonic fraternity. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. On the 24th of February. 1894, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Alberta Mitchell, a native of Placer county, born in Newcastle, and a daugh- ter of Berry Mitchell. one of the highly respected pioneers of this community. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens now have two daughters,-Olivia and Madaline. He inspires warm personal friendship by his courteous and genial manner and retains his friends by reason of his reliability and upright life.
CHARLES N. POST.
In the legal profession, which embraces many of the most brilliant minds of the nation, it is difficult to win a name and a place of prominence : many aspire but few attain. In commercial life one may start out on a more ele- vated plane than others : he may enter into a business already established and carry it still further forward; but this is not true in the case of the lawyer, where one must commence at an initial point. must plead and win his first case and work his way upward by ability, gaining his reputation by
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success and merit. Of this class General Post is an illustrious type. He began as all others do in the practice of law, and his present prominence has come to him as a reward of fidelity to trusts and recognized ability. Ile is now occupying an important position as assistant attorney general of Calı- fornia and is a recognized factor in the political circles of the state.
General Post is a native son of California, his birth having occurred in Eldorado county March 14. 1853, his parents being Albert Van Vorhees and Cornelia M. ( Almy) Post. The father was born in Peekskill, New York, and was a brassmolder and machinist by occupation. He received a common-school education and learned his trade in Paterson, New Jersey. In the fall of 1849 he came to California and was first engaged in running a pack train out of Sacramento. Subsequently, in partnership with John W. Nightingale, he opened a store in Greenwood Valley, Eldorado county, called the Wish-ton Wish. In 1852 he became the proprietor of a hotel situated in Eldorado county, on the Coloma road, near Folsom, called the Rolling Hills, conducting the same until 1864, when he sold out.
He then came to the capital city and entered the employ of the Central Pacific Railroad Company. From that time until his death he held official railroad positions in Sacramento and St. Louis, and in 1883, at the age of sixty years, he passed away. He probably cast his first presidential vote for General Harrison and was a supporter of the Whig party until the organi- zation of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks, continuing affilia- tions therewith throughout the remainder of his life. He served as a dele- gate to many conventions of the party and labored most earnestly and effect- ively for its advancement and success.
His wife, who was a native of Schoharie county, New York, died in California, in 1863, at the age of thirty-six years. She arrived in Cali- fornia in 1851. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, but only two sons and one daughter are now living. Her parents were George Washington and Gertrude Adelaide ( Kittle) Almy, the former being a godson of General George Washington. The Almy family was of French origin, the name being originally D'Almyr. The first of the name to come to America was a French officer under General LaFayette.
Charles Nicholas Post, whose name introduces the initial paragraph of this review, began his education at Mormon Island, Sacramento county. He afterward attended the public schools in Folsom, California, and sub- sequently was a student in a private school in Sacramento. In 1869 he became an apprentice in the Central Pacific Railway shops at Sacramento. California, working in their shops for four years, after which he entered the wholesale grocery house of Adams, McNeil & Company, serving as porter and salesman for two years. He was then appointed deputy in the office of the county recorder of Yolo county, and about that time began the study of law. In 1878 he was elected clerk of the Swamp and Overflowed Land Committee of the assembly of the state and served during that session. He then entered the law office of Colonel Creed Haymond, and in November. 1879. was admitted to practice in all the courts of the state. In January,
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1880, he was appointed deputy clerk of the supreme court, holding the posi- tion in 1881-2-3, and was twice elected city justice of the peace of Sacra- mento, serving in the latter office from 1883 to 1888. He then resumed the private practice of law, which he continued from 1885 to 1891. In the latter year he was appointed the city attorney of Sacramento, holding the office one year. He served as deputy attorney general of the state during the years 1895-6-7-8, and is now serving as assistant attorney general of the state.
On the 26th of March, 1880, General Post wedded Miss Nellie M. Outten, a native of Mormon Island, Sacramento county, and a stepdaughter of Frederick A. Shepherd, of Sacramento. Her parents were John and Lucy ( Cantlin) Outten. Her father was a native of Delaware, and in 1850 came to Mormon Island, California, where he engaged in mining, and died in 1862. Her mother was born in Philadelphia and joined her husband at Mormon Island in 1855. She died in Sacramento in April, 1896. She had five children, three of whom are yet living. After the death of her first husband she became the wife of F. A. Shepherd. Mrs. Post holds mem- bership in the Protestant Episcopal church, and the General and his wife occupy a very prominent position in social circles. He is a charter member of Sacramento Lodge, No. 328. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and one of the oklest members of Sacramento Parlor, No. 3. of the Native Sons of the Golden West. In politics he has been a stanch Republican since casting his first presidential vote for R. B. Hayes, in 1876.
As a lawyer he is sound. clear-minded and well trained. The limita- tions which are imposed by the constitution on federal powers are well under- stood by him. With the long line of decisions, from Marshall down, by which the constitution has been expounded, he is familiar, as are all thor- oughly skilled lawyers. He is at home in all departments of law. from the minutiæ in practice to the greatest topics wherein is involved the considera- tion of the ethics and philosophy of jurisprudence and the higher concerns of public policy. He is not learned in the law alone, for he has studied long and carefully the subjects that are to the statesman and the man of affairs of the greatest import-the questions of finance, political economy, sociology -and has kept abreast with the best thinking men of the age. He is feli- citions and clear in argument, thoroughly in earnest, full of the vigor of con- viction, never abusive of adversaries, imbued with highest courtesy, and yet a foe worthy of the steel of the most able opponent.
FREDERICK ADAMS.
The history of Judge Frederick Adams covers a long period of develop- ment in this country, in which the United States has made marked progress in business and useful inventions, has displayed considerable military prowess and has led the van in the settlement and development of her own and foreign lands. His is a career of marked interest, owing to his active connection with many events which have had marked bearing upon the annals of the country.
Diederick Adams
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He is a veteran of the Mexican war, of the Civil war and the Rogue River In- dian war, and his work has figured prominently in connection with the prog- ress and advancement of California, for he came to the Pacific coast in 1849, before this state was admitted to the Union. A man of marked individuality and great strength of character, his opinions and judgment have aided in shap- ing public policy and have influenced public thought, feeling and action. He is still engaged in the practice at Placerville and has long been accorded a po- sition of distinction at the bar of central California.
Judge Adams is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Crawford county, on the 12th of July, 1833, of Scotch ancestry. His great-grandfather on the pa- ternal side emigrated from Scotland to Pennsylvania at a very early day, bring- ing with him his wife and children, one of whom was the grandfather of our subject. This son was reared and educated in the Keystone state and became a prominent physician there. As a surgeon in the Continental army during the war of the Revolution he participated in the battle of Bunker Hill and was actively connected with the Colonial troops until the surrender of Lord Corn- wallis. He attained the very advanced age of ninety-four years, living to see marked progress in the republic which he aided in establishing. His wife was Susanna McAuslan and their son, David M. Adams, became the father of our subject. He was born in Philadelphia, in 1806, and having arrived at years of maturity married Grizella Hickman, a daughter of Captain Hickman, one of the heroes of the Revolution. Both her paternal and maternal grand- fathers were in the war of 1812 and the father served in the Black Hawk war. In his family were ten children, and five of the sons loyally served their country in the Civil war, two of them laying down their lives on the altar of their country and one being severely wounded. Two of the sisters and one brother of Judge Adams are still living.
The Judge obtained his education largely under the direction of his mother, who was a lady of superior mental culture. He was also instructed by Father Deleman, a Catholic priest. In 1835, the family having in the meantime removed to St. Louis, our subject's father embarked in the profes- sion of law in that city. Young Frederick had through long connection with the Indian children learned the language of several tribes, and when but ten years of age he went with a commission, consisting of T. P. Andrews, Thomas H. Harvey and Gideon C. Matlock, to Kansas to act as the Indian interpreter for Major Matlock, being able to converse with five different Indian nations. For two years he was in Kansas and then came to Westport, where Kansas City now stands, and there he was in the employ of Alexander Majors as an interpreter. When the Mexican war was inaugurated he joined Captain Neal's Company, of the First Missouri Cavalry. His father was an ex-army officer and, objecting to his enlistment, forced him to leave the army and sent him to St. Louis. After arriving there he went on board the Adelia as a cabin boy, but later joined the Second Indiana Regiment and with that command went to Mexico. In a battle in the vicinity of Brownsville he was wounded and sent to the hospital at San Antonio, Texas. Later he was transferred to the Second Texas Regiment, with which he was sent out to fight the Indians.
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He participated in The bootles it Will Horse creek, both at the fork of the creek otil at it- Heat The pogroot also had an engagement with the Indians at Silver Springsem pron the red men were victorious and the Texas regiment lost four loppdrel ind severe -ix men in the four battles. After their re- turn to San Mame Are Adios was detailed with an escort and sent with I-patches to Rales Thamphan, but the command passed El Paso before the escort arrived flere. W that place he was honorably discharged. Sul se- quently he camned the mimary mail for six months from El Paso, Texas, t ) Miniquerne. New Mexiex Ephans were very troublesome at the time, show- mg great hostility to the winte men, and during the six months he had five horses shot from under fung and he experienced many hairbreadth escapes. Judge William J. Graves at that time had command of his escort. Subse- quality Judge Many- returned to Captain Neal's company and to Westport. Missing, in October, 1848. where he learned of the discovery of gold in
With the spirit of adventure strong within him, stirred with a desire to gain fortune in the land of the precious metal, he started on the 14th of Nu- vendrer. 1848, for the gold fields. In New Mexico he joined Captain Marcy's bmit liv and with it went to Los Angeles, where he received an honorable Miselarge. From there he came to Eldorado county, where he engaged in phyy mining from 1849 until 1854. He owned rich claims and made much 1000g. Ile arrived at Screech Owl district just about the time its rich dis- coderies were made. He inquired of a man where he would find a gold mine DW the man replied "In the gulch." Mr. Adams was certainly very fortunate, for his first find was a nugget worth one hundred and twenty-three dollars, add on the first day he took ont gold to the value of four hundred and seven- teen dollars. fle succeeding in getting on an average of about six ounces a M. md thus his fortune rapidly accumulated.
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