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 87
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ALEXANDER A. FRANSIOLI.
Alexander A. Fransioli ( Francis in English). for forty-seven years a resident of California and now a well known and highly respected citizen of Georgetown, is a native of the land of the Alps, his birth having occurred in canton Ticino, Switzerland, May 29. 1837. His parents, Joseph and Maria (Sartor) Fransioli, were both natives of the same country, and with his father the subject of this sketch crossed the Atlantic to the new world, in 1852. The former came to California that year and engaged in placer min- ing in Eldorado county, near Placerville, meeting with gratifying success in liis labors. In 1856 he returned to his native country, where he died at the age of sixty-eight years.
Alexander .\. Fransioli, the only son of his parents, was educated in his native land and was fifteen years of age when he arrived in California. Here he worked in the placer mines of Eldorado county with his father, and as this
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country was rich in its mineral resources he gained a goodly supply of the precious metal. Subsequently he removed to San Francisco, where he engaged in dealing in cigars and fruit during the year 1857. On the expiration of that period he returned to the mines and later devoted his energies to the butchering business for a time. He purchased the store from the firm for which he was working and conducted a successful meat market in George- town on his own account for a quarter of a century. He was also the pro- prietor of a saloon and has also been in the livery business. It will thus be seen that he is a man of resourceful ability and one of marked energy who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His dili- gence and his careful management brought to him a desirable capital and this enabled him to put aside the arduous cares of business life in 1897, since which time he has lived retired.
In 1870 Mr. Fransioli was united in marriage to Miss Flora Farni, a native of Switzerland, and their union has been blessed with seven children, all of whom were born in Georgetown, namely : Joseph S., Alexander, Frank, Sartor, George, Louisa, the wife of George Barklage and Beatrice, who is at home with her parents. They have a commodious home, situated in the midst of beautiful grounds, and its social functions are enjoyed by their hosts of friends. Mr. Fransioli is still interested in farming and stock-raising, although he is practically living retired. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the A. O. U. W. and the Chosen Friends. He is well known as a man of the highest business integrity, and his varied interests have contributed not alone to his individual success but have also been of benefit to the community through his promotion of commercial activity.
JOHN CRAIG BOGGS.
The pioneers of a community are certainly deserving of gratitude, for they master the rough conditions of nature, meeting the hardships and trials which must be borne ere the land gives bountifully of its fruits. Rich in agri- cultural resources, California yet had for her pioneers a mighty task in pre- paring this great state for the incoming tide of settlers who were to carry forward the work already begun by the pioneers and aid in placing California in the front rank among the commonwealths that constitute this nation. The traveler of to-day, as he sees its splendid mining camps, its richly cultivated fields and orchards, its beautiful homes and thriving cities, can scarcely realize that hardly half a century has passed since the entire northern and central portion of the state was a wild region, dotted here and there with mining camps, having little of the comforts of civilization and separated from the east by almost interminable stretches of sandy waste or by a long and tedious ocean voyage.
Mr. Boggs was among the pioneers of 1849 who, attracted by the dis- covery of gold, came to the Pacific coast. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Greencastle, Franklin county, on the 18th of October, 1825. On the paternal side the parents were of German lineage and on the maternal side of
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Scotch descent, the ancestry having been early settlers of the colonies and participated in the events which form the colonial history, and the men were in the Revolutionary war.
Dr. John Boggs, the father of our subject, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of August, 1787, and was a fine classical scholar and learned physician. Throughout his entire life he resided in Greencastle and during the war of 1812 he served as a surgeon, being then a young prac- titioner of twenty-five years of age. For thirty years after the second struggle with England he continued to practice medicine in Greencastle, one of the most beloved and eminent physicians in the county. He was a devout Chris- tian man and was ordained as an elder in the Presbyterian church of Green- castle. Of liberal and generous impulses, his home was celebrated for its hospitality and in it he had a "prophet's chamber." in which the ministers of all denominations were entertained. Without distinction the rich and poor alike were the subjects of his professional skill. He was married, in 1817. to Miss Isabella Craig Allison, a daughter of William Allison, a prominent resi- dent of Greencastle. They reared eight children, two of whom-F. Johnson and Charles H .- became distinguished ministers of the gospel and made life records of great usefulness in the world. Others of the family were highly talented and respected in other departments of life. Their honored father, Dr. Boggs, passed away on the 12th of July, 1847, at the age of sixty years, and his wife attained about the same age. Five of the family still survive.
John Craig Boggs, who was the fourth born, received a public-school education, but was of a somewhat restless and adventurous nature and did not take readily to the classics and theology as did his brothers, and conse- quently when gold was discovered in California he was attracted to the mines and took passage on a sailing vessel from Baltimore, on the Nylon, and sailed around Cape Horn to California. His father had died two years previously, but he secured the consent of his relatives and of his mother, who gave him one thousand dollars with which to start out upon his perilous voyage. The captain of the boat proved a rough and overbearing man, who put the passen- gers on a short allowance of water and treated them very inhumanely. The passengers therefore elected a committee to wait upon the captain and compel him to land and get water. A. A. Sargent, later United States senator, Robert Armstrong and Mr. Boggs were chosen as the committee, and they succeeded in persuading the captain that it would be better for him to land and secure a sufficient supply of water : but such had been his course on the voyage that Mr. Sargent reported him to the United States consul at Rio de Janeiro and he and his mate were relieved from the command of the ship. While on the voyage one of the passengers jumped overboard and was drowned, but all the others reached San Francisco in safety on the 14th of September. 1849. They found a town of a few rudely constructed buildings, built on and among the sand hills, the bay extending to the present site of Sansome street.
Mr. Boggs proceeded to Wood's dry diggings, now the beautiful city of Auburn, where he arrived on the 28th of September. 1849. in company with his partner. E. M. Hall. They had been up the Sacramento on the
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schooner I. O. O. F .. and at that place Mr. Boggs met his brother, William Allison, whom he had not seen for four years. The meeting was a great but happy surprise. At Sacramento they secured pack mules on which they loaded their effects, while the men walked the entire distance to Wood's dry diggings. This was before Auburn was given its name. There were five men of the company and they at once engaged in digging and washing the dirt for gold. On the first day Mr. Boggs picked up a nugget worth sixteen dollars, which greatly elated him and his companions. They made money fast and spent it as easily and went frequently from one camp to another. Our subject was in Nevada and Yuba counties, and in 1854 returned east to visit his relatives: but in the spring of 1855 again came to California. He was one of the large company that flumed the American river at great expense ; but the enterprise proved a failure. The most successful day which Mr. Boggs experienced during his mining ventures was at Concord bar on the Yuba river, where he took out one hundred dollars. Like the other pioneer miners, he had times of good fortune and of adversity. He was a man of liberal impulses and his generosity led him to spend his money freely. He has always continued his interest in mining and is now a half owner of the Never Sweat mine at Canada Hill, above Michigan Bluff. He is also inter- ested in the oil lands of Kern county and was one of the pioneer fruit-growers in Placer county, also one of the first to engage in the fruit-shipping business. He has certainly been one of the leading men in advancing the interests of his county.
In early life Mr. Boggs was a Whig, but became identified with the Republican party on its organization. After returning from the east in 1855 he was made a deputy sheriff of his county and for ten years he held the office of constable, rendering very efficient service in maintaining law and order. He was elected sheriff of Placer county, filling the position until 1883 and proving himself to be a most fearless and reliable officer. He was instru- mental in ridding the country of the famous Tom Bell and Rattle Snake Dick. He was also the assessor of the county for one term, and perhaps not a resi- dent of this locality is better acquainted with Placer county and its affairs than Mr. Boggs. His was the honor of establishing the first Republican paper in the county, known as the Stars and Stripes. He began its publication in 1863 and continued to be its owner until 1865, when he sold out to W. A. Silkirk.
Mr. Boggs was united in marriage, in 1857. to Miss Livisa Chandler Harrington, of Maine. Unto them have been born two children, one of whom is living. John Gove. The daughter. Isabella Allison, passed away in her thirty second year, greatly beloved by hosts of friends. After forty-one years of happy married life Mrs. Boggs was taken from her husland by death. She had come to California in 1856 and was one of the brave pioneer women whose influence in the affairs of the state was very marked. She possessed considerable talent, was earnest in support of her honest convictions and had a very large circle of warm friends. On the 16th of April. 1899. Mr. Boggs wedded Miss Alice S. Watson, of Sacramento, a native of Missouri and the
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youngest daughter of General Ralph Watson, a native of Hartford, Connecti- cut, who was general-in-chief of the state militia. Her mother was in her maidenhood Miss Julia Crawford, of Virginia, a descendant of one of the old families of that state. Her father removed to Missouri and became prom- inently engaged in the raising of blooded horses and cattle. He lived in that state only two years, and during that time Mrs. Boggs was born.
In 1852, accompanied by his family, he started across the plains for the Willamette valley in Oregon, taking with him a drove of stock and herders to care for them. The elder daughters of the family, Miss Anna Watson and Byrd Watson, had horses to ride, and the party was excellently equipped. After passing Fort Laramie the father was stricken with cholera and died, the widow and the family then being left to continue the sad journey alone. After arriving in Salem, Oregon, Mrs. Watson let out her stock on the shares. She resided in that state until 1861, at which time she removed with her fam- ily to Sacramento, where Mrs. Boggs remained the greater part of the time until her marriage. She is an accomplished and intelligent lady and she and her husband are now living very happily in a beautiful residence in New- castle, their home being surrounded by trees, shrubs and flowers of his own planting. He is now capably serving as the postmaster of the town, during the administration of President Mckinley. Still strong in body and intellect, he is a grand representative of the California pioneers of 1849.
JOSEPH STUDARUS.
California fruits are celebrated throughout the country. Every state in the Union receives its consignment from the Pacific coast, for its horticult- ural products are unequaled in size and perfection. The business of fruit- growing and shipping has therefore become one of the most important in California, and of this industry Joseph Studarus is a worthy representative, being in control of an extensive and valuable farm which is largely devoted to fruit-culture. His entire life has been passed on this place, which is there- fore endeared to him from the association of boyhood, as well as connections of later years.
His birth occurred November 20, 1855, and as the years passed he assisted in the labors of the farm, thus gaining that broad, practical experience that well fitted him for carrying on a business of his own when years of maturity were attained. Good educational privileges were provided him, and he is to-day a well informed man, not only on the lines of his business but on all subjects of general importance. He became his father's assistant, and early acquired a thorough knowledge of agricultural and horticultural methods. He represents one of the pioneer families of the state, for his father. John B. Studarus, was a pioneer from Switzerland, but in the early era of develop- ment came to California and took an active part in promoting the material interests of Sacramento county. He was born in St. Gall, Switzerland, Decem- ber 10. 1824. spent his early boyhood on a farm, and afterward learned the baker's trade. In 1847 he took passage on a sailing vessel, which weighed
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anchor at Havre and after forty-two days reached the harbor of New York in safety. He was without capital, and during the first three years of his residence in the United States he was employed by others, performing much arduous service in order to gain a living. He worked as a gardener in Alle- gheny City, Pennsylvania, and drove a milk wagon for a time. In 1848 he went to New Orleans, but could find no employment in that city and returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, where for a time he served on a packet steamer. Sub- sequently he again drove a milk wagon, and then, suffering from an attack of illness, he returned to Pittsburg, where he was cared for by Nokear Stahele, who had come to America with him. It was there he renewed his acquaint- ance with Mary Reach, whom he had known in Europe, and they were mar- ried. Later they worked for six monthis upon a farm near Wellsville, West Virginia, and then operated a part of their employer's land on the shares.
But the opportunities of the far west attracted them and Mr. Studarus resolved to seek a home on the Pacific coast, for very favorable reports were heard of the advantages offered to ambitious young men in the Golden state. With his wife and two children he crossed the arid plains and journeyed over the mountains until the Ist of September, 1853, when he arrived at Diamond Spring, Eldorado county. His first venture at mining was at Logtown, where he remained for more than a year, but not meeting with the success he had anticipated he determined to engage in agricultural pursuits and rented a farm on the American river, in Brighton township, Sacramento county. After operating this for six years he purchased it and became the owner of three hundred and thirty acres. For a time lie devoted his energies to the raising of barley, broom-corn, Indian corn and melons, but afterward planted much of his land to fruit-trees and grapevines, and his orchards and vineyards brought to him an excellent income, for the fine variety of fruits which he raised found a ready market not only on the Pacific coast but in the east. He was one of the charter members of the Sacramento Cannery, an industry formed to can the fruits raised in this locality. He also became identified with the American River Grange on its organization. His political support was given the Republican party through the period of the Civil war and for a number of years thereafter, but in later life he exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party.
In November, 1873, his first wife died, and the following year he mar- ried Barbara Bollenbacher, who died December 10, 1884.
Joseph Studarus has always lived upon the old homestead, and after his father's death, which occurred in 1899, he became the owner of the place, which he is now successfully operating. He is regarded as one of the lead- ing horticulturists of the community, and a glance at his orchards and vine- yards indicates to the passer-by his careful supervision, his enterprise and his thorough understanding of the business to which he devotes his energies.
In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Studarus and Miss Margaret Schwab, and they now have one daughter, who is named Agnes. Their friends in the community are many, and their own home is the center of a cultured society circle. Their many excellent qualities have gained for them
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the high respect of all with whom they have been brought in contact, and Mr. Studarus is accounted one of the leading and influential citizens of the community. The fact that many of his friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood is an indication that his life has been honorable and upright and one worthy of the esteem of all.
ELISHA B. ROBERTSON.
For many years the name of Elisha Bryant Robertson has been closely interwoven with the professional interests of Amador county. He won dis- tinction as an eminent physician and surgeon, and he gained the respect, con- fidence and love of those with whom he came in contact by reason of his broad sympathy, kindliness and generosity. Through the storms of winter or under the midsummer sun he daily passed to his duties and hastened as quickly to the bedside of the poor and lowly as to those of more exalted station and of better financial condition. He never stopped to inquire whether compensation would be awarded him for his service, but administered freely to all in need of a physician's aid. His life was consecrated to that most humane calling, and his great loving interest in humanity was manifest in the manner in which he discharged his professional duties. In his death the community lost one of its most valued citizens, and the record of his life well deserves a place on the pages of California's history.
The Doctor was born at the head-waters of Goose creek, in Tennessee, on the 22d of October. 1826, and was of Scotch ancestry. His grandfa- ther, Jesse Robertson, was born in Scotland, and in 1740 emigrated to Vir- ginia, locating in Prince Edward county. He was one of the early settlers there. He and two of his brothers participated in the war of the Revolution, serving under the direct command of General Washington. He wedded Miss Mary Hunter, and after the independence of the nation was assured they removed to Sumner county, Tennessee, where both died in the year 1832. They reared three sons, one of whom was David Robertson, the father of the Doctor. He was born in Virginia, participated in the battle of New Orleans in the war of 1812, and was near General Peckingham when he fell from his horse mortally wounded. He had removed with his father and the family to Tennessee, where he was married to Miss Mary Bryan. In 1839 they took up their abode in Missouri and became the parents of nine children, of whom four died in infancy. The eldest son, John Robert- son, became a minister of the gospel. The father died on the 28th of Janu- ary, 1847. and his wife passed away in Polk county, Missouri, in 1863, at the age of eighty-seven years.
Dr. Robertson, their youngest child, acquired his early education in Missouri, but his advantages in that direction were rather meager. He was truly a self-made man, who owed his advancement along educational and material lines entirely to his own efforts. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, read medicine under the direction of Dr. Hoerchner, and was graduated at the Cooper Medical College of San Francisco in March, 1864.
8.08. Robertson Ab. D.,
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He also pursued two courses of lectures in the medical department of the Pacific and began the practice of his profession in Mokelume Hill, in Cala- veras county, where he met with excellent success. In 1882 he removed with his family to Jackson and soon secured a liberal patronage, which was ac- corded him until his life's labors were ended, on the 13th of August. 1899. He served as the county physician of Calaveras county from 1869 until 1880. He was a man of strong mentality, a deep thinker and carried his investiga- tions far and wide along original lines in the medical profession. His many ably written articles on subjects relative to the practice of medicine and sur- gery commanded wide-spread attention and interest. He was an active, use- ful and efficient member of the Northern California Association, attended its meetings and delivered many able addresses before that body. He also con- tributed interesting articles to medical journals, and his writings received favorable comment throughout the west. He made a specialty of surgery and was very successful on account of his accurate knowledge of anatomy, his careful diagnosis and his great skill in the manipulation of the delicate instru- ments used in such work. He performed many very intricate and difficult operations, which were attended with splendid success, and thus he won eminence in that department of the medical science. He also held member- ship in the State Medical Society, the American Medical Society, the Medical Society of Northern California and the Alumni Association of Cooper Medical College.
Dr. Robertson was married in Copperopolis, Calaveras county. on the Ist of January, 1866, to Mrs. Lucy Coates, nec Sherman, a lady of English lineage and a daughter of Lewis Sherman, a native of the Empire state, descended from good old Revolutionary stock. Her father attained the very advanced age of one hundred years. Unto the Doctor and his wife were born three daughters. The eldest. Lucy Amelia, a lady of education and refinement, became the wife of T. T. Crittenden, of San Francisco, and died in her twenty-fourth year, leaving a little son. Elisha Frederick, who was adopted by his grandparents when a child and is now living with his grand- mother, at the age of fifteen years. Lillie Virginia is now the wife of Dr. C. A. Herrick, a prominent dentist. of Jackson. The youngest daughter is Elsie Blanche, the wife of Dr. A. M. Gall, a well known medical practitioner of Jackson.
Dr. Robertson became a member of the Masonic fraternity in 1866. and for several years was the master of the local lodge and a member of the grand lodge. He attained the age of seventy-two years and became one of the most valued and respected citizens of Jackson. a kind and loving hus- band and father, a faithful friend and a most devoted representative of his profession. His wife still survives him and is living at the pleasant home in Stockton which was left to her by her husband. She enjoys the highest esteem of friends and neighbors, and her circle of acquaintance is very extensive. The veil was lifted to gain the new glory of a true and beautiful life when death set the seal upon the mortal lips of Dr. Robertson. Any monument erected to his memory and to commemorate his virtues will have 4.1
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become dim and tarnished by time ere the remembrance of his noble example shall cease to exercise an influence upon the community in which he lived and labored to such goodly end.
WILLIAM J. WILSON, SR.
The life record of William J. Wilson, Sr., has not been one of unvaried monotony, circumscribed by the limits of some narrow community where habits of thought and life largely remain unchanged as the years pass by. He has traveled extensively over the face of the globe and has that knowl- edge and culture which only travel can bring. His experiences have been varied and interesting, and if written in detail would contain many an exciting chapter.
William Joseph Wilson, Sr., was born near Lurgen, county Armagh, Ire- land, on the 15th of August, 1828, and is a son of Oliver Wilson an officer in the British army. His wife died at the birth of their first-born, the sub- ject of this sketch, and there was a second marriage and another family of children. The father attained the age of seventy-two years. Mr. Wilson of this review was educated in his native county and served as an apprentice on board the British ship Thetis for four years. He left that vessel at Quebec and became a member of the crew of the Arabia, of Belfast, on which he sailed until 1854, receiving one hundred dollars per month. In that year he rounded Cape Horn as one of the crew on the Thomas Watson. He also served as quartermaster on the vessel Uncle Sam, acting in that capacity during two of the voyages of that steamship, while during the two succeeding years he was boatswain and finally promoted to third mate. He was on the vessel at the time the cholera broke out. It was a never-to-be forgotten trip, nine hundred people on board the ship dying of that dread disease!
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