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 36
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The story of the "Argonauts of '49" will never grow old, and stories of that time, celebrated in prose and verse, are read with eager interest by the younger generation. The father of the subject of the present sketch belonged to that great army that crossed the plains in 1849 to search for gold. succeed- ing sometimes but enduring many discouragements also, and, like many another poor miner, lost the results of his labors in other speculation. Finally he
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opened Robinson's Ferry, in Calaveras county, California, continuing its coff- duet until the time of hus dleath, on the 12th of March, 1895. He had been a man of affairs in his county, for nine years having been supervisor and on account of his ability possessing great influence throughout the neighborhood.
Our subject, Carlton H. Wood, was born at Robinson's Ferry, Calaveras county, California, October 26, 1867, a son of Harvey Wood, who was born in the state of New York in 1829. The mother of Mr. Wood was named Marinda ( Gee ) Wood, a native of Massachusetts, who came early to California and still lives in her old home in the Golden state, beloved and respected by all. Three children were born,-Percy F., Allie G. and Carlton H.
Mr. Wood was the recipient of a good education at his home and then engaged to some extent in quartz-mining. For a period of eight years he has most efficiently assisted in the store of Mr. Robert Rasmussen, of Angel's Camp, clerking and acting as salesman and also attending to the express business of Wells, Fargo & Company. He is very happily married, his wife formerly bear- ing the name of Miss Elizabeth Snow, the daughter of James Snow, a pioneer of California. She has been reared and educated in the state, and possesses many graces of mind and character, both she and her husband enjoying the esteem of hosts of friends. Mr. Wood resides at Angel's Camp, although the family still owns the Robinson's Ferry property. Socially, Mr. Wood belongs to the Knights of Pythias, taking a great interest in its meetings and the aims for which the organization was started.
WILLIAM JENNINGS.
William Jennings is numbered among the California pioneers who came to the Pacific coast in 1849. the year before the admission of the state into The Wind. He is a native of Ohio, born in Milan, Erie county, on the Mahmud December. 1825. and is of English and German lineage, the pro- Exim of the family having been early settlers in Connecticut. Ilis grand- adres Baga Tellilings, was a sea captain and was lost on one of his voy- For- Mi- son. Seth Jennings, the father of our subject, was born in Con- tocuri Tid n ried Mis Emily Kine, a native of Westchester county, 386 Work. 700 'vol removed to Ohio in 1822, and her parents had been CHI a dies at Erie county, where they secured and developed a farm, assist- the in the cook på progress and reformy in the Western Reserve: and Mr. Trung ol sospratio willuret of find, which he transformed into a who milhadde iscm. Both he and his wife reached the advanced age i ambar-in cursul very people of sterling worth in the community lu public affairs the father took an active ant -peteren mo ju-se of the peace, was a man of great rectitude M -testfin oma gad jedervor made him a leader among his fellow mir mont In the Tammie som thinge children,-two yet living .- John and
Flie Mitch wis APireil of wiffleal inthis native town, and through the mme menil for one & soly by the lakes, while in the winter season he To " lo oluril n 'n me floje @ low school-house in the neighborhood.
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also working in the ship-yards; but the discovery of gold in California aroused a spirit of adventure within him, and, determning to try his for- tune by going to the Pacific slope, he left his Ohio home on the 28th of March, 1849. proceeding by train to Cincinnati, where, in connection with others, he chartered the steamer John Hancock 'to take the party to St. Joseph, Missouri. On the Ist of April, 1849, with a train of one hundred and forty wagons, they started on the long journey across the arid plains, but the first day out they discovered that so large a party could not travel to good advantage and the train was divided. On the fifth day a second division was made and with his section Mr. Jennings continued the journey. which was made by way of Fort Hall, down the Snake river and up Goose lake to the Humboldt river, at length arriving safely at Weavertown.
Mr. Jennings engaged in mining at Coldl Springs and made some money at that place. In the spring of 1850 he went to the north fork of the American river, where he lost all that he had earned, after which he returned to Cold Springs, where he again met with creditable success in his mining ventures. Later he removed to Jackson, then in Calaveras county, where he successfully operated in the mines until the spring of 1851, when he went to San Francisco and thence to Feather river, but continued his min- ing operations on Nelson creek, with poor success, however. Accordingly he went to Marysville, where he borrowed money and then proceeded to the Yuba country, devoting his energies to mining on Bullard's Bar, where he and two companions secured twenty-four hundred dollars. In the fall he returned to Jackson, secured a position in a hotel there, where he acted as clerk, waited on the table, made the beds and did every kind of work that was needed. Subsequently he rented the hotel, which he con- ducted for six months, after which he purchased the (Id French Hotel bar and billiard room, which he conducted for five years, with profit. On the expiration of that period he engaged in farming on Willow creek. purchasing a claim of three hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated for some time, also giving his energies to stock-raising. In 1864 he came to Drytown, where he was elected a supervisor of the county and served for three years, after which he was elected county treasurer, which import- ant office he capably filled for eight years. He discharged his duties in a manner highly satisfactory, making an enviable reputation as a reliable and obliging public official. In 1871 he opened a grocery and provision store in Drytown, which he conducted until 1894. The following year he opened his saloon, in which he is now doing business.
Mr. Jennings was happily married, in 1854. to Miss Ann Maria Dill. and to them were born four children : William Seth, who died in his thirtieth year ; George Choat, a mining man of Drytown; Mary Kate, the wife of William Coyle: and Frank W .. who is living in Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Jennings died in 1890, in the sixty-fourth year of her age. Mr. Jennings is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the initial degree in Drytown Lodge. No. 174. F. & A. M., in 1867. He is past master in the lodge and is also a Royal Arch Mason. In politics he has been a lifelong
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Republican. He belongs to the Pioneer Society of Sacramento and he and John G. Norton, of Toledo, Ohio, are the two members now living of the party of twelve who started with him to California.
DANIEL T. HALL.
Daniel T. Hall. now deceased, was one of the prominent residents of Shingle and was a California pioneer of 1852. To establish a home amidst the surroundings of a wild country, and to cope with the many privations and hardships which were the inevitable concomitants, demanded an invincible courage and fortitude, strong hearts and willing hands. All these were characteristic of the pioneers, whose names and deeds should be held in perpetual reverence by those who enjoy the fruits of their toil. People of the present period can scarcely realize the struggles and dangers which attended the early settlers: the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization : the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. Those tales of the early days read almost like a romance to those who have known only modern prosperity and conveniences. To the pioneer of the early days the struggle for existence, far removed from the privileges and conveniences of city and town, was a stern and hard one, and those men and women must have possessed wisdom, immutable energies and sterling worth of character, as well as marked physical courage, when they thus -elected such a life and successfully fought its battles under such circum- -une.s as prevailed in the west.
Mr. Hall deserves honorable mention among the early settlers of the Golden state, for he came here less than two years after its admission to the Union and in many ways contributed to its upbuilding. He was born in New York on the 2d of July, 1825, and went to Michigan when four years old. Hoping to benefit his financial condition in the far west, he came county. For a number of years he was the proprietor of the old Shingle to California by the way of the Nicaragua route and settled in Eldorado county. For a number of years he was the proprietor of the oldl Shingle Springs Hotel. and also became the proprietor of the Planter House in that town, which he conducted up to the time of his death, November 4. 1894. Hle was a man of great energy and determination, an indefatigable worker, and in all business relations was strictly trustworthy. In addition to the Planter Honse he was the owner of sixteen hundred aeres of land and was extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising. All that he possessed was acquired through his own efforts, and he deserves great credit for what le accomplished.
In early manlled M. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Arrietta Jones, who died at the birth of her daughter. Arrieta, who is now the wie of S. W. Sprog. of Shingle. On the tith of March, 1880, Mr. Hall Was again married his second unjon being with Miss Lizzie Sims, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a daughter of Shepherd and Frances Sims, of That en. Four children were born of their union : Lawrence S., Alvin Nike A. and Nordin N.
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Mrs. Hall is an accomplished and capable lady who since her husband's death has managed the hotel, and has also superintended the extensive farm- ing interests in connection with the aid of her eldest son, who, like his father, is an energetic and enterprising young man. His business ability is marked and he deserves great credit for the capable way in which he is carrying on his work.
JAMES R. DUNLAP.
James R. Dunlap is the proprietor of the only drug store in Amador City, and is also occupying the position of deputy postmaster. \ native of Ohio, his birth occurred in West Salem, Wayne county, on the 18th of May, 1845, and he is of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His grandfather, Will- iam Dunlap, located in Wayne county in 1828, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that section of the Buckeye state. He was accompanied by his son, William Dunlap, the father of cur subject, who was reared to man- hood in Ohio. He was married there to Miss Nancy Finley, a daughter of Adam Finley, also one of the pioneer residents of the state. The Dunlaps were originally from England, while the Finley's came to America from the north of Ireland. The parents of our subject spent their entire lives in Ohio, where the father died in 1852, at the age of fifty-two years, the mother passing away in the forty-third year of her age. They were devout members of the Presbyterian church, and their upright lives commended them to the confidence and respect of all with whom they came in contact. In their family were ten children, six of whom are yet living.
James R. Dunlap, the seventh in order of birth, was reared on his father's farm, early becoming familiar with the work of field and meadow. His education was obtained in the public schools of the neighborhood, and when only sixteen years of age he became thoroughly aroused over the con- dition of affairs which precipitated the country into civil war. Hardly had the echo from Fort Sumter's guns died away when he resolved to enlist. but on account of his youth it was some time before he was accepted. How- ever, on the second call for three hundred thousand men he enlisted, join- ing Company E. One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Infantry, on the 15th of August, 1862. He participated with his regiment in the second battle before Vicksburg, in the engagement at Thompson's Hill. in the rear of that city. and after the capture of Vicksburg took part in the Red river cam- paign and the Mobile campaign, the Union forces closing in on the Con- federate troops until the latter surrendered. After the surrender of Gen- eral Lee the regiment returned to Texas and was mustered out at Houston. that state, on the 16th of October. 1865. Mr. Dunlap's services covered a period of three years and two months, and yet he was little more than twenty years of age when mustered out. He was taken sick with typhoid fever November 10. 1862, and remained in hospital until December 6. He was never wounded and was ever at his post of duty, defending the old flag and the cause it represented. his bravery being equal to that of many a veteran of twice his years. His regiment marched to the front eleven
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Involved strong, how it- munther- were depleted by wounds, sickness and de to mohl cody le fondred of the original number remained. The com- mid 1.58 tron ondate with the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Imange ait Wtedy Trying To so many of its members, that regiment was con-binfuel winna Forty-eighty Ohio Veteran Battalion, thus serving umit ilte sles se flie war.
When Beenfire- tudl ceased and the country no longer needed his semis MI Dwdin orported to his home and engaged in teaching in Iowa. The plar worked on the weegraph line mitil 1870, when he came to Sutter Crewk Ammailon comes California. He was first employed in the mines nal Derwant Srce -Willy engaged in school-teaching for five years, but in ieab los Tilrio if the attention to mercantile interests, opening a drug store in MedAt Lay, This is the puly establishment of the kind in the town and i went le a Groin to many larger places, so splendidly is it equipped with secretary found for a first-class drug store. Mr. Dunlap is enjoying - howe mal consegnaly increasing trade, and his income is also materially pred Tis the revenue inem the post office, which is in the same building volio b- sone. De is a lo-mess man of enterprise and ability, and is con- (hiking Vis abans ( sugo a manner as to win not only success but also the go loalcan confidence uf his patrons.
In 18 occurred The marriage of Mr. Dunlap and Miss Minnie Kelley. fre qfor he bir noe child, William Henry, who is now a student in the Scoalad Voornzes a Sin ligneises. In politics our subject is a Dem- coral Toll (le Toro ne andemniements of public office have no attraction for 1www fle i- miweiber of The lodependent Order of Odd Fellows. the Knights o: Philia Tatemity oful the George H. Thomas Post, No. 2, G. A. R. In Mor A To Nie store In Town- a grol residence in Amador City, and is one ci Theydon pepe omunives i t'e town who contribute liberally to every meente calimero to prove a general good. He is as true to-day to his emboss, IGe scar 1 los moontry as when he followed the stars and stripes
MLIBERT D. MILLER.
Th cowy cion conle le Bork-raising interests of central California 110 mobile 16 xicos Kovotii Was that of AAlbert DeForest Miller, whose labors baby Les only Trodebi be lim individual success but have also been of great lead o malethe The oderet- of stock raisers by improving the grade a boss att thereliv a lening prices. He is a reliable business man, wie Mmwn ami every wiese esteemed for his honorable methods.
Mr Miller was born m On mega county, New York, February 7. 1844. His father Henry Alille was a : native of the Empire state, and after werleilig of yens modomodernis he wedded Julia Adams, who was born in Orcid wumay. New York in 1811. His parents emigrated westward, 1 mong ft Worth. Vesenon, and in 1844 became residents of Colum- bra som:189, 9: 510 lat (200 the Miller family, numbering twelve mem- baik grod over so jor Calabria with five wagons, beginning the journey
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on the 7th of May. On the IIth of October, 1860, they reached Sacra- mento county, and Mr. Henry Miller, the father of our subject, took up his abode in Brighton township, where he rented a farm for two years. In the winter of 1862-3 he returned to the east, where he remained for a year, but from 1864 until the time of his death he resided continuously in Sacra- mento county. Both he and his wife spent their last days at the home of their son Albert. Their children are: W. B., who died in Ventura county a few years ago; Mrs. Schafer; W. A., who died in Sacramento county a few years since; Sophia, who married Mr. Powderly and after his death became the wife of Mr. Townsend ; Allen DeLorin, of San Francisco; Sarah, who died in New York; Albert; Sanford DeLorin, who died in Wisconsin: George Alonzo, who resides near Yreka, California; Frederick, a farmer of Oregon: Miner Adelbert, a farmer of Eldorado county; Henry, who resides near Yreka, California; Josephine Elizabeth, the wife of Henry West, of Sacramento: and Sarah, the wife of Charles Robinson, of Sacramento.
When the father of the family returned to the east Albert DeForest Miller was left in charge of the home and the children, most of whom were younger than he. During the flood of 1861-2 he was operating a tract of rented land. The wind storm carried his house ten or twelve feet from its foundation, upsetting everything within and carrying the kitchen fifty yards away, but injuring no one, although eight persons were in the house at the time. They were rescued by boats. Mr. Miller plowed his land and sowed his crops between floods and raised seventeen hundred bushels of wheat and barley that season, hauling the same to Folsom. In 1862 he removed to a farm just east of Brighton, and from 1863 until 1867 he fol- lowed teaming over the mountains, using six horses to the wagon. In 1864 his crops were not very large, and during the fall he worked on the canal in Yolo county, but found this an unprofitable venture.
In 1866 he purchased eighty acres of land in Brighton township, built a house upon it and followed farming and teaming for others. Subse- quently he engaged in agricultural pursuits and speculated in live stock and hay, this proving his first really successful enterprise, and was the foundation of his present prosperity. In 1868 he rented and cultivated three hundred and twenty acres of land in Yolo township. His farm in Brighton township comprises two hundred and forty acres and is largely devoted to stock-raising. He was one of the pioneers in the breeding of fine horses in California. He owns the offspring of the famous stallions Morgan, Messenger and Black Hawk, and in 1880 he bred to Governor Stanford's horse Young John Nel- son. He has raised some of the finest horses produced on the Pacific slope. From the time of his early boyhood Mr. Miller has manifested' a special fondness for horses, and has displayed excellent judgment in their care. He is to-day a recognized leader in his line of business, and his success is well merited.
On the 28th of December. 1868. Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret J. Lea, who was born on Prince Edward's Island July 4. 1848. and was reared in Boston, Massachusetts, coming to California in 1862. By her first marriage she had one daughter, Annie R. Six children were
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barn to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, two of whom died in early childhood. They are: Mila Mberta, born November 13, 1869; Arthur Eugene, born Feb- ruary 27, 1872: Amy Elizabeth, born July 23. 1874: Bertha Belle, born September 9. 1877: Ruby May, who died February 9. 1885. at the age of twenty months: and Leland Stanford, born January 27, 1886, who died at the age of four years. The living children are: Mina Alberta, who resides with her parents on the farm; Arthur Eugene, who is married and is now a promising young attorney of Sacramento; and Amy and Bertha, who also are married.
Mr. Miller casts his vote in support of Republican principles and is 1 stanch advocate of the party, yet has never sought or desired political pre- ferment.
THOMAS G. PEACHEY.
The subject of the present sketch is one of the highly respected old seglers of California, having arrived in the state on the 26th of June. 1851. Ile was born in the city of London, England, on the 9th of June, 1828. and was of English and Huguenot ancestry. His father. Thomas Bell Peachey, was a native of England. born in Greenwich, and followed the occupation vi aner. being present at the siege of Copenhagen, where he received a wouml on the shin from the bursting of a shell. He served seven years in the British navy, following the same life for the next fifteen years before te nost, after which time he engaged in business as a painter ; but in 1843 le cime 10 America. He remained in New York city, where his line of work was so superior that he soon was engaged as the superintendent of the jamt shops where the vessels belonging to Commodore Vanderbilt receiv. : their coats of paint. Eight years later he resolved to try the gold field- ml took the trip to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama.
Our subject and his three sisters had come from England with their father and wur subject accompanied him to California: the following year his brother Henry came, and in 1857 his mother, followed by his sister. Lucy Jane, who is now Mrs. Lewis, a widow, living at San Andreas. The Houden some of this Spartan mother who had crossed sea and land to join her bwel one- had been Mary Ann Garard. She had married Thomas Bell Peaches December 22, 1816. After joining her husband they resided on Little Johnife creek; but Mr. Peachey did not make a marked success of nimnur, although he visited several localities. He died October 15. 1884. agol eighty Bree years, his wife having preceded him two years before. at the wee of efellty Iwo. They had lived lives of honest industry and died with the re pet of these who had known them in life.
Deil be towerteenth vear Thomas G. Peachey attended school in Lon- Jon. Fre Mind. : hul in this fifteenth year accompanied his parent to the United Spre He Moroel His father's trade and was with him in all of his min- Ing experiences a string affection binding them together. When the Repub- To purchase Fremed Ar Peachey took a strong interest in its principles Emi became Well Ldown throughout his section as an able and progressive
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man. He was made superintendent of schools for his county in 1880, serv- ing in that capacity for three years under the new constitution of the state. He was a member of the board of education and taught school in the county for twenty-three years, taking a deep and earnest interest in the education of the youth. Many of the best educated men of the country, who were then of the rising generation, were his pupils and gladly and thankfully testify to his faithful efforts in their behalf. In 1891 his fellow citizens honored him by securing his appointment as postmaster of his town, under the administration of President Harrison, which position he filled in the most satisfactory manner. In the same year lie was appointed notary public, and has since done much work in that office.
Mr. Peachey was married, August 3, 1870, to Miss Charlotte C. Fletcher, but on March 7, 1872, the young wife passed away, an infant of a year also dying June 9, thus doubly bereaving him. Eight years later, January 3, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane Drucella Price, and two little daughters have been added to the family,-Lucetta Maybel and Bertha May. They are left to comfort their father, as Mrs. Peachey died April 2, 1885. He considers that he has been particularly blessed in having had the com- panionship of two as lovely characters as were both of his wives.
One of the most admired cottages in the village of Altaville, adjoining Angel's Camp, was bought by Mr. Peachey, where he has a small farm of four acres, a small space of garden land and a valuable quartz mine. Mr. Peachey conducts also a cigar store and is the only wholesale dealer in the newspaper business in Angel's Camp. His long residence in California has made him familiar with many legal points and his advice is much sought by litigants.
Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. organization and has been so for thirty-five years, a veteran of the order. His classical knowledge and literary attainments make him a reliable authority on many points. He has the merited reputation of being one of California's honorable and respected pioneers.
WILLIAM C. FARNSWORTH.
William C. Farnsworth was born December 21 1828. in Brooke county, Virginia, and is a son of Seba and Hulda (Shaw) Farnsworth. The ances- tral history of this family can be traced back to a very early epoch in the settlement of America. On both sides he is of English lineage. In 1628 two brothers of the name of Farnsworth left their home in England and on one of the primitive sailing vessels of that early day crossed the broad Atlantic to the new world, there to found families whose representatives are now living in many states of the Union. One of the brothers located in Boston, where he engaged in merchandising; the other took up his abode in New Hampshire. It is from the latter that our subject is descended.
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