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 76
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WILLIAM INGRAM.
William Ingram is the pioneer druggist of Lincoln, Placer county, and in the conduct of his business has reached the goal of prosperity. which is the destination of every man who enters business life : but many fall by the wayside. Persistency of purpose is a strong element in success, and to this is due in a large measure the gratifying results which have attended the efforts of Mr. Ingram. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, and during his infancy was taken by his parents to Virginia, in which state he was reared and educated. His father, David Ingram, was of Scotch lineage and during his boyhood located in Pennsylvania with an eldler brother. He continued to reside in the Keystone state until after he had arrived at years of maturity and was married there to Miss Mary Barton. a native of Pennsylvania and a descendant of one of the early families there. As before said, they removed to the Old Dominion and the father became one of the prosperous and influential farmers of his locality. Later in life he engaged in merchandising in the town of Hamilton, where he remained until his life's labors were ended in death. when he had attained the age of seventy-four years. His wife survived him and passed away at the age of eighty-two years. They were members of the Presbyterian church and their many excellent qualities assured them a place in the regard of those with whom they were associated. They became the parents of ten children, five of whom are now living.
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William Ingram pursued his studies in the schools of New Cumber- land, Virginia, and in 1855. when nineteen years of age, came to California, making the journey by way of the isthmus. He sailed from New York, arriving in San Francisco in February, and from the Golden Gate he pro- ceeded inland to Sierra county, where he secured mining claims and met with good success in the search for gold. The largest nugget which he ever found was valued at sixteen dollars. Later he joined a large company who had drift mines. He followed mining three years and though he took out considerable gold sunk most of it in mining ventures which proved unprofitable. Subse- quently he was engaged in teaming between Marysville and Goodyear's Bar and other mining camps, that business at the time proving a very paying one. The subject of this review was part owner of the Down East mine, a drift property, in which he sunk a shaft one hundred and ten feet deep. He afterward sold the mine for twenty-two hundred dollars and engaged in the livery business, in which he met with success; but in 1862 a fire destroyed his property, causing the loss of about four thousand dollars. With charac- teristic energy, however, he rebuilt and resumed business, continuing in that line until 1866, when he sold out and removed to Sutter county, where he purchased two hundred acres of land. There he erected a residence and continued farming operations for a year and a half: but he suffered with malaria there and in consequence disposed of his property, selling it for four thousand dollars. On the expiration of that period he removed to Marys- ville and again engaged in the livery business for a year and a half. Ile next came to Lincoln, in 1871. It was then a town of little importance. lacking enterprise, but he opened a general mercantile store, which he con- ducted for ten years, when he sold most of his stock, since which time he has given his attention solely to the drug department of his business. He. has the leading drug store in the town, having a first-class establishment. fitted up with everything in his line. His identification with the business interests of the place and his services in official capacities have contributed in a large measure to the progress and advancement of the city. He owns in connection with his store a commodious residence and a ranch near the town.
In politics he has always been a stalwart Republican since the organiza- tion of the party and for nineteen and one-half years has served as the post- master of Lincoln, during which time he has made many improvements in the office and its business has largely increased. He received his first appoint- ment from President Grant and later was appointed by President Harrison. Ile was also deputy sheriff of Placer county under High Sheriff John Butler. and his official services were discharged with promptness and fidelity. He is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in St. Louis Lodge, in Sierra county. in 1856. He has been the treasurer of the lodge in Lincoln twenty-five years and is one of the most highly esteemed and exemplary members of the order, in his life showing forth its benevolent and ennobling principles.
In 1866 occurred the marriage of Mr. Ingram and Miss Corinne Flint,
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a native of Maryland, who in 1864 came to California. She is a daughter of Dr. Joseph Flint. Mr. Ingram has four sons: J. Clarence, the eldest, is now a druggist in the United States Navy, being in charge of the marine hos- pital at Agana, Guam. William D. is now the postmaster of Lincoln and is also in charge of a drug store. George B. is engaged in the drug business in Keswick and is also the express agent there, while Ralph is in the same town and in his business life is an engineer. The daughter, Estella C., became the wife of R. G. Allen and departed this life in the twenty-eighth year of her age, leaving a little son, Clinton G. Allen, who is now living with his grandparents, as does Rhoda Ingram, a daughter of the eldest son. Mr. and Mrs. Ingram are valued members of the Congregational church. They have long resided in the town, where their circle of friends is limited only by the circle of their acquaintances.
LYMAN L. HUNTLEY.
Of good old Revolutionary stock is Lyman L. Huntley descended, and this indicates the antiquity of the name in America. His ancestors were of Scotch-English lineage and came to the new world at an early epoch in the history of America and took up their abode in Connecticut. Amos Huntley, the grandfather of our subject, loyally joined the pioneers when the yoke of oppression became intolerable and fought for the independence and estab- lishment of the republic. Harlo Huntley, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut and removed to Allegany county, New York, where he mar- ried Miss Almira Partridge, who was born in Massachusetts. Two chil- dren were born to them in that county, Lyman L. and a daughter. With their family they removed to Erie county, Pennsylvania, and subsequently to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where they resided for ten years. On the expira- tion of that period they became residents of Pike county, Illinois, where they passed the residue of their lives, each attaining to a ripe old age. The father was a carpenter, and by following that occupation provided for his fam- ily. He was a good citizen and an honorable man. His wife was a valued member of the Methodist church and her training and influence had marked effect over the lives of her twelve children. ten of whom are still living.
Lyman L. Huntley is the eldest of the surviving members of the family. He was born in Allegany county, New York, September 8, 1826, and was educated in the public schools of Illinois and of Ashtabula county, Ohio. At the age of twenty-one he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's jour- ney Miss Matilda Brown. Three years later, in 1850, he started for Cali- fornia, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast. He drove a bull team across the plains and traveled with a company that left St. Joseph, Missouri, with five wagons. Theirs was the first wagon train that reached California by way of the Truckee trail. The party that had preceded them on that route had been attacked by the Indians and they saw the bones of the stock and skeletons of the men that had been eaten by the coyotes. On reaching that locality the party with which Mr. Huntley traveled drove on as
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rapidly as possible, and when dusk arrived they left the trail and camped half a mile distant. They abandoned their wagons and slept at a distance from them without making fires. When they returned to the wagons in the morning they found everything unmolested. In crossing the desert they stopped at Hell's Half Acre, and when they were within about seven miles of the Truckee they saw Indians coming toward them on horseback. They feared mischief, but found they belonged to the friendly Oregon tribe: so they camped together on the banks of the Truckee river and tried to catch fish there; but met with poor success. In going through the Truckee canyon the trail crossed the river twenty-nine times in thirty miles, but the river was so high that they could not ford it and they met with great difficulty in keeping along the sides of the steep canyon. The following day Mr. Hunt- ley and another of the party left the company to see if they could kill some kind of game, and about eleven o'clock they ran into a band of about one hundred naked Indians who started in pursuit of them. Mr. Huntley and his companions turned and ran to the top of the ridge, but the Indians ran around and headed them off from the road and they did not get back to the road until sundown, and it was midnight before they overtook their com- pany. As their supply of provisions ran short they were obliged to kill one of the oxen for food; and. as they had had no meat for some time three of the men ate too much and were very sick. Thus many hardships and trials were experienced ere they reached the old Donner cabins. The snows and rains had washed great boulders down the mountain and they reached the summit with great difficulty. After getting the wagons up the steep incline the well members of the party had to return for the sick men. who had given up to die, and Mr. Huntley and his companions were obliged to use whips in order to compel them to make an effort to proceed1 on their journey, otherwise they would have frozen to death! They traveled some miles before camping and ultimately met men coming out to meet emigrants. from whom they purchased seven pounds of flour, at a dollar a pound. They had an equally hard time in getting down the mountain side on the California trail, but finally reached camp within four miles of where Nevada City now stands.
Vr. Huntley first engaged in mining on Michigan Bar and on the Co- sumne river, where he remained for six weeks, making from five to six dol- lars per day. He then followed mining near Drytown, in Amador county, with only moderate success and did not save much. In 1853 his wife joined him, having made the journey across the plains accompanied by their little laughter. Estella Jane, who is now the wife of John Hull. Mr. Huntley continued in Amador county until 1857, and then removed to San Joaquin county, where he secured the farm upon which he has since resided. From time to time he added to his land until he was the owner of fourteen hun- (red acres. More recently he has disposed of this, reserving only one hun- dred and eighty acres and a good residence. Thus he has put aside the hur- dens and cares of business life and is enjoying a well deserved rest.
In 1896 Mr. Huntley was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who
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died at the age of sixty-eight years. She had been to him a faithful help- mate on life's journey, and a kind and indulgent mother. Nine children have been born of their union, all of whom are yet living, as follows: Julia, now the widow of David Dean Hohn and a resident of Sacramento: Frances E., the wife of John F. Warner ; Hattie G., the wife of William Boyd, a resident of Spokane, Washington ; Laura A., the wife of Thomas Crow, a resident of Calaveras county : Edith, at home; Susie, the wife of John W. Streetwater, of San Francisco; Edwin E., who is married and resides in Stanislaus county ; Robert P., who also is married and resides in Stanislaus county; and Jesse H., who is married and makes his home in San Joaquin county.
Mr. Huntley has been a life-long Republican, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with very creditable success. His work has been prosecuted along well defined lines of labor and his unflagging industry has added annually to his income until he is now the possessor of a very handsome competence. He is not connected with any church or society, but is widely recognized as a man of sterling worth, and in his upright and useful life has gained not only success but has also won a good name, which is rather to be chosen than great riches.
OSWALD HARDIE.
Oswald Hardie is the marshal and ex-officio tax collector of the city of Placerville. Although a native of Scotland, Eldorado county has no more loyal or patriotic resident. He was born August 3. 1835. and belonged to an old family of the lowlands. His father, Thomas Hardie, was a native of the same country and was married there to Miss Ellen McPherson, by whom he had twelve children. In 1852 they crossed the Atlantic, becoming residents of the new world. In Illinois they made their home until 1857, when they came to Eldorado county, California, but subsequently the father removed to San Luis Obispo county, this state, where he died at the ad- vanced age of eighty-four years. His wife died soon after their arrival in the United States, in the fiftieth year of her age. Six of their children are still living.
Mr. Hardie, of this review, obtained his education in the schools of Scotland and before leaving his native land he learned the tailor's trade. In 1851, when a lad of sixteen years, he bade adieu to home and friends and took passage on the ship Junior of Glasgow, commanded by Captain Turner. They met with strong head winds and the passage was a very stormy one : thirteen weeks and four days passed before they reached the American har- bor. Mr. Hardie's elder brother had preceded him to the lead mines at Galena, Illinois, and there our subject joined him, working in the lead mines until 1857, when he became a resident of California, making the journey hither by way of the isthmus route. Two of his brothers had already come to this state and Mr. Hardie was accompanied by his sister. He proceeded to Grizzly Flats, where the family owned mining interests, and he there en-
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gagel in a search for the precious metal for a number of years, meeting with fairly good success. When the great Civil war burst upon the country and the stability of the Union was threatened by the attempt at secession in the south, he enlisted in the First California Volunteer Infantry and served in New Mexico and Texas, taking part in the warfare against the Indians. His term of service expired on the ist of January. 1864, and he then re- enlisted in the First Veteran Volunteer Camp of California and served until he was honorably discharged at San Francisco, on the 3Ist of December, 1866. He was promoted from the ranks and filled the position of orderly sergeant during the last two years of his service. He was engaged in a num- ber of battles with the Apaches, in which quite a large number of the men of his regiment were killed ; but he returned in safety.
Going to Placerville. Mr. Hardie was engaged in the operation of a sawmill for six years. He also worked in the store of Wilcox & Brown, a large general mercantile establishment. Subsequently he conducted the Sports- men's Hall on the Carson road for five years. In that enterprise he met with a fair degree of prosperity. He has since done considerable prospecting and has been employed as night watchman at Placerville for fourteen years. On the reorganization of the city he was chosen by his fellow townsmen to the office of marshal and ex-officio tax collector, and in those capacities he is now discharging his duty with credit to himself and satisfaction of all concerned. He was elected on the 17th of April, 1900, and his course has shown that the confidence reposed in him was well placed.
Mr. Hardie was united in marriage, in 1868, to Mrs. Margaret Lansey. a widow, and they now have three children: Agnes, William and David. In 1887 his wife died, and two years later he married Harriet Slocum. He is a prominent and active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has filled all of the offices of the post. having been its commander for eight term -. He is a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a citizen of sterling worth who has many warm friends in Placerville and the surrounding country.
GEORGE W. COULTER.
On the roll of those who arrived in California in 1849 appears the name of George Wilson Coulter, and as one of the honored pioneers of the state wel! does he deserve mention in this volume : but not alone on that account. as for more than half a century he has been active in advancing a substantial upbuild- ing of the commonwealth and the town of Coulterville, his works standing as monuments to his enterprise and progressive spirit. He is now the owner of the Coulter Hotel at Chinese Station, conducting a popular and well-appointed hostelrv.
Mr. Coulter is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Westmoreland county on the 12th of July. 1818. His parents, Joseph and Mary ( Wilson) Coulter, were both natives of the Keystone state and were descended from good old Revolutionary stock, their ancestors having aidol
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in the establishment of American independence. The father died in the forty-sixth year of his age and the mother passed away at the age of eighty- seven, having long survived her husband.
George Wilson Coulter, the eldest of their six children, was educated in the common schools, and when the country became engaged in war with Mexico he joined the American forces and with his command proceeded to Santa Fe, where he was stationed until hostilities had ceased. He then received an honorable discharge and returned to the east, to his family, for in the meantime he had married, in Pennsylvania, Miss Margaret Back- house, a descendant of an old Philadelphia family. They resided in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1843 until 1846, then Mr. Coulter served in the Mexican war a year. Next he removed with his wife and two little sons to Santa Fe where another son, George, was born. There he engaged in conducting a hotel until the discovery of gold in California, when, hoping to benefit his financial condition, he crossed the plains from Santa Fe to Mariposa, where he engaged in mining until the 5th of November, 1849. He then went to San Jose and after passing the winter in that place he returned in the following spring to Mariposa, where he resumed his mining operations. In connection with a partner he took out a nugget valued at four hundred and seventy dollars, and on another occasion took out one worth three hundred and fifteen dol- lars. Two months' labor resulted in bringing to him twenty-four hundred dol- lars, and with the capital he had thus acquired he opened a store on Merced river, at the month of Solomon's Gulch. Subsequently he founded the town which has since born his name,-Coulterville,-and there erected a number of buildings and was its leading citizen for a long period, continuing to make it his principal place of abode umtil 1897. In the meantime he conducted a hotel at the Yosemite for two years, and in 1897 he erected his hotel at Chinese Station. The Sierra Railroad had just been completed to James- town. He built a neat and substantial hotel building, conveniently arranged for the purpose, and has since been identified with the business and public interests of Chinese Station.
In 1851 Mr. Coulter was joined by his wife and three children, Joseph S., Angney and George. After their arrival in California the family was increased by the birth of a son and a daughter,-Alexander Stair and Anna M. The last named and George are now the only surviving children of the family. The daughter is the wife of George W. Kenney, who resides at the Yosemite during the summer months, and has a winter home in Madera. Mrs. Coulter departed this life in 1890, having traveled happily by the side of her husband on the journey of life for fifty-one and one-half years. She had been to him a most faithful companion and helpmate, and her venerable husband feels her loss keenly. His son George is now associated with him in the hotel business and relieves him of the care and responsibility connected with its conduct.
In his political affiliations he has been a life-long Democrat. His career has been one of uprightness in which he has shaped his life by manly principles,
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and those who know him render him the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded those who have advanced far on life's journey. Mr. Coulter now having passed the eighty-second milestone.
FRANCIS NEWTON SPENCER.
This gentleman is one of the well and favorably known old timers of Placerville. He came to the town in 1852 and has since been one of her highly respected public men. Mr. Spencer is a native of Missouri, born January 18. 1840, and is a son of Lorenzo Spencer, one of California's pioneers. Lorenzo Spencer was born in 1812, in New Hampshire, whence at an early day he went to Ohio, where he subsequently married Miss Fannie Maria Rudd, of that state. They removed to Missouri, later to lowa, and from the latter state to California, crossing the plains, in 1852. with oxen, bringing with them their family of four children, three of whom are now living, namely: Fran- cis N. and Edwin, both residents of Placerville; and Mary, now Mrs. Francis McCormick. The father, a blacksmith and carriage-maker, worked at his trade successfully for a number of years, but later turned his attention to fruit-growing, planting fifty-five acres to fruit. He was one of the first to show that the soil in this locality was adapted for fruit production. Both he and his wife departed this life some years ago, his death occurring in February. 1889, at the age of seventy-seven; hers in 1887, at the age of sixty-eight. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and stood high in the esteem of the people among whom they lived. At one time he had the honor of serving as alderman of his town. He was not, how- ever, what might be called a public man : he was retiring in disposition and gave his time and attention chiefly to his own private affairs.
Francis N. Spencer was twelve years old when he arrived at Placer- ville. He was educated in the public schools of this town, and, like many others, at that early day, was for a number of years engaged in freighting. - from Sacramento to Nevada City. His freighting outfit consisted of twelve horses and two wagons. As showing the profit there was in the business at that time, we state that Mr. Spencer received as high as one thousand and fifty dollars for a single load of freight! After freighting and teaming for several years Mr. Spencer was elected to the office of road overseer. an office which he filled seven years, during that time doing much to bring about a better condition of the roads. After this he was elected coroner and public administrator, which offices he filled eight consecutive years, having been three times re-elected. The next public office filled by him was that of assessor of Eldorado county, and in this place he served two terms of four years each. Since 1889 he has not been in public life, but has been practically retired, devoting his time to the raising of fruit and vegetables.
Mr. Spencer has been a Republican since he voted for President Lincoln. During the exciting times of civil war he was a stanch Union man, and was a member of the Home Guards, an organization for the purpose of keeping California in the Union and to keep the secession element from law-breaking.
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Fraternally he has affiliated with the Odd Fellows for thirty-three years, and has passed all the chairs in both branches of the order; also he has passed the chairs in the Knights of Pythias lodge and is a member of the Order of Chosen Friends. Ever interested in educational matters, he has given his support for the betterment of schools and served eight years as a school trustee.
Mr. Spencer was happily married, in 1876, to Miss Mary M. Palmer, a native of the state of Tennessee, and they have six children, as follows: Francis Lorenzo, Elsie, now Mrs. Robert Crocker, George Francis, May. Francis Newton, Jr., and Mabel.
THOMAS RICHARDSON.
Each community is judged by the character of its representative citi- zens, and its social, intellectual and business standing is determined thereby. The sterling worth, commercial ability and enterprise of the leading men are mirrored forth in the public life of the town, and therefore the history of the people of prominence is the history of the community. No account of Oakdale would be complete without the life record of Thomas Richard- son, a man whose public spirit is manifested in his many efforts to Improve the conditions and promote the upbuilding of the town. He came to the state in 1850 and now resides on a large farm in Stanislaus county, three miles west of Oakdale.
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