USA > California > Tuolumne County > A history of Tuolumne County, California : compiled from the most authentic records > Part 23
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E. N. TWIST.
Born in Livingston county, New York, on March 3, 1821. The son of a farmer, he passed his minority upon the paternal acres, going when twenty-one to Ohio and subse- quently to Wisconsin, eventually coming to California. The date of his arrival was the Spring of 1850. His first mining was done at Placerville, afterwards working at Mokelumne Hill. In September, 1852, he came to Tuol- umne and began mining at Table Mountain. After six months spent there, he proceeded to Algerine and remained until 1868, when he moved on his ranch of one hundred and sixty acres on the Sonora and Jacksonville road. Mr. and Mrs. Twist have one child, Ennis.
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WILLIAM WILSON.
Mr. Wilson had the good fortune to be born in the good old State of Maine; consequently he is a "Down-easter;" very far down East, too, his birthplace was, for he was "raised" in Hancock County, almost on the eastern verge of the United States. Like nearly all of the able-bodied young men of his section, he worked at lumbering. Reach- ing the ambitious age of twenty-one, he cut loose from the home ties, and setting out for fresher fields and greener pastures, he came to Big Bar, on Sullivan's Creek, where he toiled for ten years. Resuming his old occupation of lumberman, at the end of that time, he became head-saw- yer at Smith's Mill, until 1871, when he accepted a similar position in Marshall's Mill, retaining it for two years; after which he moved to his present location in Arastraville, to engage in quartz mining and in running a couple of arastras.
H. W. WILLIAMS
Is a Swede, who came to America in 1840, then at the age of sixteen years. For a livelihood, Mr. Williams fol- lowed the sea, until his voyage via the Straits of Magellan to this country, in a schooner commanded by Captain Wild, where he has since remained, devoting his time to mining and to improvements in mining machinery. His wanderings, which were numerous, as were those of almost every one of the early miners, began upon his departure, in 1851, from San Francisco for Taylor's Bar, in Calaveras County. Mining there for a twelvemonth, he went to Campo Seco next, and became a saloon-keeper, until 1854, when, coming to Tuolumne, he stopped for a time at Big Oak Flat, and then at Deer Flat, mining at those places with small success. One summer passed at Turnback
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Creek "let him out" of mining for awhile, and he then de- voted himself to the butcher business, at Roche's Camp. Six months more saw him at Sonora, clerking in a store, soon to leave that employment for another trial at the meat-block. He followed the business of retailing meat at Sonora, Soulsbyville and Confidence, successively, until, finally becoming possessed of certain mining claims at Arastraville, he located himself there, constructing an arastra, and is now engaged in improving his mining property.
JAMES TANNAHILL.
Of good Scotch descent, Mr. Tannahill was born in the "Land o' Cakes," in July, 1824. As early as 1850, he found himself mining on Curtis' Creek, which pursuit he followed for a short time, going afterwards to Stockton, but again returning in the Fall of '50, and started a store at what is now Groveland, but which at that time was called Garrote. Continuing assiduously in that business, he has ever since maintained agreeable business relations with the inhabitants of that section. Until a few years since, he had also conducted certain mining operations. Married, Christmas, 1859, Miss May A. Dexter, formerly of Providence, Rhode Island. Two children; James Alex- ander, and Cordelia Agnes.
MOSES H. HYDE.
The subject of this sketch first saw the light in Carroll County, New Hampshire, where he resided until he passed his twentieth year; then, for the next seven years, his loca- tion was chiefly in Massachusetts. Then, being smitten with the California fever, he joined the grand army whose eager faces were turned towards the golden shores of the
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Pacific, and, taking passage on the steamer John L. Ste- phens, he came to Panama. The remainder of this, to him, most eventful trip was made in the George Law, arriving in San Francisco in 1854. Coming at once to old Tuol- umne, he entered into partnership with his brother, in ranching, afterwards going into the lumber manufacture. Increasing in wealth, Mr. Hyde became successively pro- prietor of a sawmill, a lumber yard situated in Sonora, and the fine ranch on which he now resides. This ranch, familiarly known as the "Hyde Ranch," is situated on Sul- livan's Creek, above the Phoenix Reservoir. Besides agri- culture, the gentleman has interested himself in mining, in consequence of the discovery of a very extensive quartz ledge upon his property, which, being prospected, is found to be of great value.
G. F. CULBERTSON.
Mr. Culbertson, now a prominent citizen of Tuolumne, and who has served the County in public offices, was born in Salem, Massachusetts. Coming to California in '49, by the Cape Horn route, he mined in Mariposa County until 1851, when he came to Chinese Camp, and there continued the same occupation. Five years later he located himself at Moccasin Creek, and commenced agricultural and horti- cultural pursuits, at which he has succeeded notably. Con- tinuing until the present time in that locality, he has engaged in the manufacture of wines and brandies of a superior quality. In fact, it is held that articles of his own make are unexcelled in this State; which fact speaks volumes both for Mr. C.'s perseverance and fitness, and also for the adaptability of the soils of this region for viti- culture.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
GREENBURRY C. BAKER.
Born in Boone County, Missouri, on the 24th of March, 1845, he there resided until in his twentieth year, when he performed the adventurous trip "Across the Plains," with a mule team, arriving on this side of the Sierra in the Fall of 1864. Sheep-raising in Stanislaus County, and after- wards stock-raising and farming in Merced County, for a while engrossed his attention, until in 1879 he built a sta- tion on the Sonora and Mono Road, about eight miles from the summit, known by his name. This establishment he has continued to manage up to the present time; in addi- tion to which, the hotel at Confidence, of which he is pro- prietor, receives a part of his attention. Married at Center Mill, in 1873, to Miss Mary E. Carter, he has by her two children, Cora M., and John.
W. S. STONE.
This gentleman, now a prosperous and valued citizen of Tuolumne County, was born in Montgomery County, Mis- souri, on the 4th of March, 1830. When he was quite young his parents removed southward to Washington County, Arkansas, where they followed farming. When twenty-one, Mr. Stone was united in marriage to Miss I. Fitzgerald, and the following year the young couple "crossed the Plains," coming with their ox-teams via Salt Lake, arriving in Tuolumne in November, '52. After a short time spent in mining in Jamestown, he accepted a situation in a sawmill on Sullivan's Creek, remaining so employed for two years; then purchasing the ranch now owned by Mr. Major, but selling it in 1856, to occupy his present beautiful farm, situated in the loveliest of valleys, eleven miles from Sonora. The amount of land embraced
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within the ranch is three hundred and twenty acres. Their children are five in number, whose names are : O. P., Thomas J., George L., Isabelle C., and Ida V.
A. ABBOTT.
Born in the city of Hudson, New York, Mr. Abbott left for California in the memorable year 1849, on the bark "Nautilus." The adventurous passage was made in safety. Coming directly to this County, Mr. Abbott spent several years in mining, the common occupation of nearly every one at that time. With the decay of placer mining, he re- tired from that pursuit and entered the pleasanter ways of agriculture, devoting himself to tilling the kindly soil of his pleasant ranch on the North Branch of Sullivan's Creek, where he now lives, having surrounded himself with a family.
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BEN SOULSBY.
Is a Pennsylvanian, having been born in Alleghany County, of that State, in October, 1840. In 1851, he, to- gether with his parents, came to this State, by way of New Orleans and Panama. Living first on Sullivan's Creek, the family moved thence to Brown's Flat, there remaining until the Fall of '53, when they changed their residence to Souls- byville, where "Ben " has since resided. Mr. Soulsby was the discoverer of the celebrated "Soulsby" mine, a claim that has enriched many, but which circumstances compelled the discoverer to part with. A veteran prospector, Mr. S. still evinces a most excellent judgment in mines, owning now an interest in a valuable claim a mile north of Souls- byville, which he with his partner are in process of develop-
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ing. Possessing also a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which is a tiptop residence, the gentleman is well situated to enjoy life and to dispense an open-handed hospitality, as all who have experienced the latter may testify. Mr. Soulsby and his excellent lady have one child, Thomas by name.
JOSEPH BIXEL.
The subject of this sketch was born in Germany on December 1, 1818. Here he was raised and educated. He emigrated to the United States in 1849, settling at Cleve- land, Ohio. From this place he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, landing in San Francisco in October, 1851. He came direct to this county, stopping at James- town, where he mined for gold during the Winter of '51-2. The following Spring he went to Fresno, remaining there until the Fall of that year, and then moved to Merced County, where he purchased a farm in 1853. On February 8, 1856, he came to Columbia and bought an interest in his present brewery, and has been engaged in the manufacture of beer. The brewery above mentioned was built by A. Bixel, a brother of the subject of this sketch, in 1854, and was owned by him until 1856, when Joseph Bixel bought an interest, buying the remainder in 1869. This brewery is located at the head of Matelot Gulch, and is a wood building 40x60 feet, one story high, the malt-room and kiln of brick, one story and basement, 20x80 feet; the fer- mentation cellar is 20x60 feet, hewn out of almost solid limestone; the floor faced with marble. One large stable of wood, carriage-house and dwelling-house, also of wood, 30x40 feet, and one and a half stories high. Mr. Bixel married Anna Maria Dirr. She is a native of Germany. Paul, Amelia, Louisa and Arthur are their children.
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W. A. CAMPBELL.
The subject of this short narrative is a veteran of the Mexican War, having served under Taylor, in his very im- portant campaign, belonging to the Tennessee Cavalry. After two years and four months of continuous service with Taylor, he went to Vera Cruz, and was afterwards detailed as one of the party that located the forts on the route to this side of the continent, returning home at the end of his service only to start westward again, traveling to California for the second time, in 1849, with a pack train. His first occupation in this country was as teamster for the noted Sam Brannan, transporting goods from Sacramento to Amador County. Later on he came to Calaveras County, and thence to Columbia, "The Gem of the Southern Mines," as Coffroth styled her. Here he mined three years, and, changing his location to Springfield, put in two years more with the pick and shovel. At a later date he lived in So- nora, exchanging to Soulsbyville, where he remained until 1873, when he located upon his present comfortable ranch of two hundred acres, on which he farms and raises stock.
NATHAN A. ARNOLD.
The reminiscences of the early pioneers and adventurers on the Pacific Coast must ever possess a peculiar interest for the Californian. Green in their memory will ever remain the trials and incidents of early life in this land of golden promise. The pioneers of civilization constituted no ordinary class of adventurers. Resolute, ambitious and enduring, looking into the great and possible future of this Western slope, and possessing the sagacious mind to grasp true conclusions, and the indomitable will to execute just means to obtain desired ends, these heroic pioneers,
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by their subsequent careers, have proved that they were equal to the great mission assigned them-that of carrying the liberal institutions and real essences of American civil- ization from their Eastern homes and implanting them upon the shores of another ocean. Among the many who have shown their fitness for the tasks assigned them, none merit this tribute to their worth more fully than the subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 18, 1832. He left his native place in 1851, came to this State via the Isthmus of Panama, and landed in San Francisco in July of that year. After two days' sojourn in the city, Mr. Arnold went to Sacramento, thence to Marysville and to Long Bar on the Yuba river, where he engaged board at sixteen dollars per week. He bought a claim for thirty dollars, worked two weeks and took out seven dollars and fifty cents. During the Winter of 1852, he was at Deer Creek, and in the Summer of that year he was mining in Placer county. In the Fall of 1852, he came to Sonora, in this county, with a companion, arriving after dark. They lay on the ground, as they supposed, in a field, but on the following morning discovered they were in the burying- ground. Mr. Arnold continued mining in placer claims for many years, meeting with varied success. When placer mining was no longer a paying business, he went to the mountains east of Columbia, and with others discovered and developed the " Rifle " and " Smooth-bore " mines, which were very productive.
In 1878, however, the subject of our sketch found himself over eight hundred dollars in debt, with no credit and no coin to meet the demands of his creditors. "How I was to get the money to pay my debts," said Mr. Arnold, " troubled me more than any one knew." Full of pluck and energy, however, he started out on a prospecting tour
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on May 20, 1879. Going along the western bank of Clark's Gulch, weary from looking for a gold-bearing vein, he sat down, and, leaning against a little tree, turned over a stone with his pick, and, to his astonishment and joy, he saw gold on the under edge. This led to the discovery of the " Hope " mine, one of the richest in this county, and one which enabled Mr. Arnold not only to pay all his indebtedness, but has already placed in his hands a snug little fortune. On the northern slope of the South Fork of the Stanislaus river is his home, nestled among the trees, and about midway between the base and apex of a lofty mountain. Near by is Clark's Gulch, down which runs with fearful turmoil, a little creek, emptying itself into the Stanislaus river, and hurrying on to kiss the hem of the Pacific ocean. One who is a lover of beautiful scen- ery cannot help but admire this home among the moun- tains. Mr. Arnold married Rinalda Cordero, and has two little girls, whose names are Frances and Sarah.
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C. LOMBARDO.
Captain Lombardo, one of the prominent quartz miners of this County, and the owner of the Louisiana Mine, and of other valuable mining properties near by, was born in Italy. Going, at an early age, to South America, he con- tinued his travels to California, arriving in 1849. Adopting mining as a pursuit, the Captain, then as now, prominent among his fellow-countrymen in this land, after three years passed as a storekeeper in Jamestown and Sonora, in 1852 entered successfully into "pocket" mining in Bald Mountain. After two years of this work he removed to Cherokee, in which vicinity he bas since remained, giving himself up almost wholly to quartz mining, in which his
Fil. m. Miller
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success has been marked. One of his properties, the Louisiana, above mentioned, is regarded as of very great value, and is well improved, having on it a first-rate hoist- ing works as well as an eight-stamp mill, all driven by hydraulic power.
OWEN FALLON
Was born in Ireland, and came to the! United States with his parents when an infant, settling in Washington County, New York. During his boyhood he lived at East Troy, West Troy and at Port Jackson, New York. His father being a stonecutter, young Fallon learned the trade, work- ing at the same at Amsterdam, on the Erie Canal. He subsequently moved to New York City, and with his father was employed cutting stone for a seawall around the Gov- ernment works, at Governor's Island. In the Fall of 1840, he went to sea on a whaling voyage, and afterwards sailed on a merchantman, which occupations he followed until he came to this State on the ship " Ohio," Captain Hale, Mr. Fallon being one of the mates. He settled at the Mission Dolores, San Francisco, and was employed by Elliott More. During the Summer of 1851, he, in com- pany with others, went to San Mateo County, cutting wild- oat hay for the market. Mr. Fallon returned to the Mis- sion, and, in company with Terrence Riley, followed gar- dening. Here he was elected Constable, and afterwards was appointed on the police force of San Francisco. He married Ellen Gregg on Jan. 14, 1854, and in 1856 came to this county, settling in Columbia, and engaging in mining a while. He purchased the "Maine House," on the ground where his present hotel stands, keeping the same until it was burned, Aug. 24, 1857. He rebuilt the
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hotel, and again, on Aug. 27, 1859, the building was de- stroyed by fire. He at once erected a brick fire-proof building, which now bears the name of the "Fallon House," the subject of our sketch being still its proprietor. James G. is his only son.
C. S. PEASE.
Born in Broome county, New York, in November, 1827, he there passed his earlier years, leaving his native State for the Pacific Slope in 1851. First mining for two years at Rough and Ready, he then returned to the East, where he exchanged his state of single-blessedness for that of a Benedict. Returning to California in 1855, he engaged in mining and teaching school as occasion required, and served one term as Superintendent of Common Schools for Tuolumne county. In 1865, he moved on his ranch on Blanket Creek, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Pease's children, seven in number, are Philip M., Ella L., Alice, Alfred, Henry, Edward and Grace.
J. L. COLES.
"Jack " Coles, as his many friends love to call him, was born on Long Island, New York, but was reared and edu- cated in New York City. His early training, which was thorough, dealt more particularly with matters relating to mechanism and architecture, and of which Mr. Coles is unquestionably a master. In the Fall of 1854, he resolved to sail for California, and arrived here in the Spring of 1855. His first halt was at Jamestown, where he very soon became associated with a company to work a mine on the Tuolumne river, near Jacksonville, and at which he
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spent his first Summer in California. In the Fall of the same year he went to the town of Sonora, and there form- ing a copartnership with Mr. Charles Bunnell, soon estab- lished a lucrative business in architectural contracting and building. They also became interested in many mining claims, and were soon surrounded by a large circle of very warm friends, "Jack " being ever ready for anything that would advance the interests of the town, or promote fun, and never tardy about paying his full share of all costs, or too busy, or hard up, to lend a helping hand in any worthy cause. In the Summer of 1859, he became the happy pos- sessor of the hand and heart of the youngest daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Soulsby, the discoverer and then principal owner of the famous Soulsby Quartz Mine. At the beginning of the war, Mr. Coles, accompanied by his wife and brother, sailed for New York, and very soon after their arrival, he was tendered the position of Lieutenant- Colonel of a regiment then being raised in New York City, which he immediately accepted, and entered upon the discharge of his duties. Soon, however, it was ordered that their men should be consolidated with another regi- ment; but Colonel Jack not being pleased with the order, resigned his command. He then hoisted his banner in the city of Brooklyn and organized a battery of Light Artil- lery, which he was to command. But at this juncture a partnership in a very lucrative business presented itself, and Jack was persuaded to drop the Colonel and accept the merchant, forming the firm of Coles & Ramsey, whole- sale dealers in Army Supplies, Washington, D. C., with a branch store in Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Coles, however, soon tiring of this tame life, resolved to return to Califor- nia, and in the Summer of 1863, when about to start, was tendered the command of a regiment to be sent to Arizona for Indian service, which he partly accepted, but on his
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arrival in San Francisco, hearing of the immensely rich quartz discoveries in Idaho, resolved to go there. At Owy- hee, Idaho Territory, he, with others, formed a company, and in the Summer of 1864, built the well-known " Morn- ing Star " Quartz Mill, which is believed to be the first of the kind in Idaho Territory, and although costing what would now be considered a fabulous sum, all concerned reaped a golden harvest. Next we find Mr. Coles located again in New York City, a member of the firm of Ramsey, . Coles & Co., importers and wholesale dealers in white goods, laces, hosiery, etc. In the Summer of 1868, they dissolved the firm, and Mr. Coles and brother turned their attention to inventions, and we find their names appearing in many places in the Patent Office Reports, as the invent- ors of several very valuable and now almost indispensable improvements. At this time reports of the fabulously rich mines at White Pine, Nevada, caught Jack's eye, and soon the monotony of New York became irksome, and in 1869 we find him located at Mineral Hill, Nevada, vindicating the laws of that district as Deputy District Attorney, and handling a mining property valued at over a million dol- lars. Eighteen hundred and seventy-five finds Mr. Coles again in New York as President of a large and flourishing Ice Company. Eighteen hundred and eighty Mr. Coles and wife and their loveable little daughter returned to Sonora, where they are now happily living, surrounded by many of their old friends. Mr. Coles, throughout his eventful and active life, has always shown himself the scrupulously honorable gentleman, and enterprising to an extent which the average man not only cannot appreciate, but cannot understand. Going into many ventures for the love of venture and for the sake of doing, he has met many reverses, but with a becoming self-confidence and command, he immediately recovers himself, and gathering
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up the wrecks strewn about him, begins again, without loss of time or diminution of energy, thereby verifying his phrenological chart as written up by Messrs. Fowler & Wells-" one of the favored few, created superior to mis- fortune." His career, full as it is with incidents and nota- ble phases, is not to be satisfactorily sketched within the limits of an article brief as this must necessarily be, and here is given only the more salient points of a biography which, written out in full, would richly repay the historian.
H. L. STREET.
The subject of this sketch, who is one of the pioneers of Sonora, was born in Genessee County, New York, on May 23, 1823. Prior to the year 1840, his uncle, M. B. Street, had taken up a residence in Hancock County, Illinois, and the nephew, H. L. Street, persuaded his parents to move to that place, which they did in the year above mentioned. Here the uncle and father were en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1846, the Street families emigrated to Johnson County, Arkansas, where they lived vill Mr. Street's father and brother came to this State via Fort Smith, Fort Yuma and San Diego to San Francisco, where they arrived November 1, 1849. Here they built a canvass house in which they lived till February, 1850; then came to this county, passing through San Jose. They camped a short time at Jamestown, thence moving to Woods' Creek, abont one-half mile above Sonora. Here Mr. Street remained till about May, 1850, when he, in con- junction with his brother, C. L. Street, raised a tent at the head of Washington street, in which they opened a store, purchasing eight hundred dollars worth of goods in Stock- ton, on which they paid four hundred dollars for their
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transportation to Sonora. Here Mr. Street followed trad- ing and mining until March 15, 1851, then selling out his business and returning east by steamer to New York, thence to the State of Arkansas. He only remained, however, till August, 1851, when he returned to this State, coming via New Orleans, bringing his wife, and at once settled in Sonora, where he purchased a half interest in his uncle's store. Mr. Street continued in trade until 1859. A year or two thereafter he went to Lewiston, Idaho, there going into business, but sold out, returned to Sonora and opened a store in 1861, which business he now follows at his place on Washington street. He was appointed Postmaster, in 1861, and has continued in the office to the present time. He married Ascenith, daughter of Dr. McConnell, on Feb- ruary 22, 1849. The lady is a native of Kentucky. Charles E., their eldest son, was born on April 17, 1852, and is the first white child born of American parents in Sonora. Harlow M. (deceased), and Minnie B., the wife of I. M. Kalloch, are the names of their children.
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