USA > California > Tuolumne County > A history of Tuolumne County, California : compiled from the most authentic records > Part 26
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HISTORY OF . TUOLUMNE COUNTY. 365
of rative wealth such as was never before given to man to look upon. Eight hundred pounds of solid gold was ship- ped from this mine at one time, and there is reason for believing that the product for a single week was a third of a million of dollars! Nor is this all; subsequent work has been richly rewarded, rich " pockets" being met with at close intervals. It is a tale of more than East Indian wealth, and perhaps it is not less attractive because the owners keep the exact figures to themselves, allowing the envious outsiders the privilege of imagination.
From this time on Mr. Divoll's life has been a story of prosperity. Drawing fabulous wealth from the mine (of which he is now sole owner) he has been enabled to enter into many plans for the accomplishment of good to his fellow-man, and the enrichment of the community in which he lives. It has been truly said that he is the life of Tuol- umne County; and it is extremely pleasant to be able to say so much of one who deserves so much of good fortune, and upon whom the honors sit so lightly. Too much can- not be said in favor of Mr. Divoll's generosity and open- handedness. Unlike others, whose success has been as great as it is undeserved, he does not clutch his wealth so tightly but that the calls of charity and the wants of his fellow-beings make an impression. The detestable specta- cle of a filthy, stingy, ill-dressed, half-human old miser, forms no part of his appearance, and it is only the wish of his fellow-citizens that James G. Divoll may live long to enjoy the gains which a discriminating fortune placed in his hands, and to cordially wish that all the bonanza wealth had reached his coffers, instead of partially going to enrich squalid meanness.
The number of the enterprising schemes which the busi- ness talent or the benevolence of Mr. Divoll have given rise to, is legion. The proprietor of the Star Flouring
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
Mills in Sonora, into which the owner has introduced the latest improvements in the art of making a first rate article of flour; the promoter of various mining enterprises, and the steady encourager and aider of any plan which prom- ises to be of practical benefit to his fellow-man, Mr. D. has gained a reputation for enterprise second to no other. Of late, however, his intelligence has produced and elabo- rated the details of an enterprise which will, when carried out, not only surpass his previous operations, but throw into the shade any and every work of that character ever before attempted. This is the proposed supplying of the principal cities of this State with pure water from the Sierra Nevada. This is the origin of the Tuolumne and Oakland Water Company-a corporation devoted to carry -: ing out the above object, and who, as a preliminary step, have secured the right of the water which flows from the area of country lying in Tuolumne County between the North Fork of the Tuolumne River and the boundary line of Mariposa County, and extending downward from the summits of the Sierra about twenty-five miles toward the west, embracing somewhat over four hundred square miles of country, the drainage of which, amounting to over 25,000 inches of water, is to be utilized. The eminent adapta- bility of this section to its proposed use may be summed upin a few words. First, it is almost entirely uninhabited, being in fact incapable of supporting more than a few hunters and timber-getters. Then it is bare, in its upper regions, of vegetable growth, thus avoiding the danger of ยท organic impurities in the water. Its country rock is granite, which fact proves the freedom of the waters from any soluble salts, as those of lime, which in other districts cause the water to be "hard." The territory is provided with innumerable lakes of crystal clearness, which act as immense reservoirs, supplementing the snow-piles, the best
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and most efficient reservoirs that kind nature has ever con- structed, giving up their stored wealth of waters in the warm summer days when other sources of supply have failed. Finally, this great catchment field is situated at an altitude which allows every drop of its yield to be utilized.
Here, then, is an inexhaustible source of the purest water under the sun-water that has been raised by the agency of the sun's rays, from the bosom of the ocean, lifted to a great hight in the form of clouds, which, blown inland into contact with the cold air surrounding the lofty Sierra, lose themselves in drops of rain or flakes of snow. And the rain or snow, falling upon the solid rock, still uncontami- nated by even the least impurity, remains stored in lake, in canon, or in snow field, until the rays of the genial sun have again dissolved its bonds and set it free, to run joy- ously over precipice, through dark canon, or under glacier, until it loses itself in the brawling Tuolumne.
Precisely at the spot where the smaller streams join the main river, the dams of the new company are to be erected. Provided with gates to control the supply, and including reservoirs sufficient to obviate accidental sources of im- purity in the way of floating wood or disseminated sand, etc., they are to deliver their supplies to two mains, com- posed of iron, each of which has an internal diameter of thirty-six inches, and of a strength sufficient to withstand the pressure which may be imposed. Proceeding by a regular grade westward about thirty degrees north, pass- ing some half dozen miles south of Stockton, and continu- ing beyond Mount Diablo, circling to the north of that peak, then turning south towards Oakland, it terminates near that city, first sending branch pipes of less diameter to Stockton, to Sacramento, to San Jose and other places, to perform its function of supplying perfectly pure snow-
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
water to nine cities, containing a present population of four hundred thousand, and to whom the proposed works, it is calculated, could deliver a supply of 24,000,000 gallons daily-a supply in excess of that enjoyed by New York, a city of a million inhabitants.
This gigantic and promising scheme has the support of engineers of ability. Mr. J. P. Dart, than whom no one is better qualified to speak of the hydrography of the Upper Sierra, has given it the seal of his approval; and his sur - veys, accompanied by lucid maps, explain so satisfactorily the details of the work, that it is impossible to be con- vinced of aught but its entire practicability. Fuller details are not wanting. The importance of the work is undoubted. That it will prove remunerative none can gainsay; and that inasmuch as it rests in Mr. Divoll's hands, its construction will be carried through, is equally a matter of certainty.
JOHN P. DART
Was born in Warren County, Mississippi, on December 9, 1824. Here he was educated, evincing at an early age the striking predisposition which has led him to the study of surveying, which he has since adopted as his profession. Mr. Dart enlisted in the First Mississippi Rifles, and fought in the Mexican War for one year; then, returning home, he engaged in surveying. In 1849, he came to this State via the Isthmus, and was eight months in getting to San Fran- cisco, where he arrived October 5th of that year. He remained in San Francisco until April, 1850, when he came to Jacksonville, in this county, went to mining, and has been engaged more or less in that business up to the pres- ent writing. He was elected County Surveyor in 1874, and has held that office to the acceptance of the whole community.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
F. C. CULLERS.
The subject of this notice is a Virginian, having been born in Page County, Virginia, in 1837. He made his ap- pearance on the Pacific Coast in 1853, coming by the famil- iar Isthmus route. Directing his steps toward the South- ern mines, he began digging at Yankee Hill, remaining there for the almost unprecedented time of sixteen years! His next and final location was Confidence. Mr. Cullers en- joys the esteem of his associates in a remarkable degree, holding as he does the office of Worthy Chief of the large and flourishing Lodge of Good Templars at the above place. His wife, nee Miss A. M. Eastwood, to whom he was married in Sonora, together with the following named children, form his family: Robert F., William C., Henry M., and Laura B.
J. W. KEITH.
This gentleman, who was born in Waldo County, on the sea coast of the State of Maine, is now located pleasantly on his ranch two miles above Jacksonville. The principal acts of his life are narrated by himself as follows: Born on the 9th of June, 1824, at the age of eighteen he went to Lowell, Massachusetts, and there learning the trade of machinist, worked at it until 1851, when the desire for travel came upon him, and packing up, he sought the land of gold. His first mining ventures were made at Jackson- ville, then an exceedingly lively camp, whose fortunes he followed through thick and thin for ten years. Since that time he has held the office of Tax Collector, about five years; going in 1866 on to his present location. Five years later he sold out, but again in 1877, re-purchased the place, and has resided there since. Married to Miss Jane Gamble, in 1863, he has six children: H. W., A. G., Charles P., Hattie J., Ben F., and John E.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
WILLIAM HIBBING,
Who now resides on his beautiful farm on Sullivan's Creek, is a native of Germany, from whence he came to America in 1848, locating first in Charleston, S. C., where he was employed as a clerk in a store until the year 1851, when going to New York, he shipped via Panama for California Finally coming to Sonora, where he mined until 1856, then opening a saloon and lodging house, remaining so occupied until 1860, when the attraction of farm life carried him to his present fine property, consisting of four hundred and eighty acres, upon which he has erected at great pains and cost a very elegant residence, wherein he now resides with his interesting family. Marrying in Sonora immediately upon his arrival, he has five children: William D., Matilda, Louis, Amelia and Otto.
M. FOOT.
Born at Villanovia, Chatauqua County, N. Y., on the 25th of June, 1821, Mr. Foot went to Michigan at the early age of twelve years, locating in Iona County and re- maining there until his departure for the Pacific slope. This journey he made with ox-teams in the traditional way, walking a great part of the distance that separated his home in the Lake State from the broad Pacific. Spending the next two years in Sierra and Eldorado Counties, in gold seeking, he then came to this vicinity, locating permanently at Groveland. Mining in that vicinity, store-keeping at Second Garrote, and hotel-keeping at Groveland, have en- grossed his attention ever since; the last mentioned busi- ness continuing under his charge up to the present time, it being carried on in a way highly acceptable to the traveling public. Marrying in Groveland Miss Mary J. Burns, they have two children: Sarah and Delora R.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
THEODORE LOPEZ.
This gentleman, one of the oldest settlers of Tuolumne County and this State, was born in Newport, Rhode Island, on Jan. 13, 1814. In early life he took up his res- idence in New York City, and on September 26, 1846, he sailed for this coast as a soldier in Stevenson's Regiment. He arrived at San Francisco on March 5, 1847, thence going to Santa Barbara, where he remained until discharged, September 28, 1848. From Santa Barbara he proceeded to Weaver Creek, thence to San Francisco, and came to this county March 10, 1849. He located at Jamestown, where he remained, and was engaged in mining until May, 1849, when he went to Stockton, but soon returning, he settled in Sonora in March, 1850, where he has since resided.
T. M. YANCEY. -
The subject of this narrative, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee, on September 23, 1826. When nearly nine years old his parents took him to Marshall County, Mississippi, where he was educated. When the war with Mexico came on, Mr. Yancey enlisted in the First Mississippi Infantry, commanded by Jefferson Davis, in which regiment he served with honor till the close of the war. Mr. Yancey early in life learned the printer's trade, following it until after returning from the war, until he came to this State. In 1851, he crossed the plains, and first made a halt in California at Sonora, Tuolumne County. He came to Co- lumbia on the 17th of September, 1852, where he was engaged in mining until May, 1853, when he went on the Gazette and continued on the paper until 1858. In Octo- ber of that year he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, in which
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
office he remained for three years. In 1863, he moved to Mono County, and was appointed one of the Commission- ers of the Mono road. In the following year we find him at Silver City, Idaho, where he remained about one year, and returning to Sonora, entered the Democrat office, and there remained for eleven years and four months. He was elected Sheriff of Tuolumne County in 1876, and so faith- fully has he discharged the duties of his office that he has been his own successor to the present time. One cannot speak too highly of Mr. Yancey's administration as Sheriff. Common thieves, highwaymen, stage robbers and murder- ers have all found their detection and conviction sure, if their depredations were committed within the juris- diction of our Sheriff. Mr. Yancey married Rosa B. Crowell on the 12th of September, 1860. She is a native of Maine. Their children are: Louisa (now Mrs. Geo. McQuade), Mabel, Edna, Henry L. and Nellie.
C. L. STREET
Is a native of Sheldon, Wyoming County, New York, and was born on November 10, 1821, receiving his primary education in that State. In 1840, the family moved to Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois. Prior to this, how- ever, Mr. Street paid a visit to the Southern States, but located, finally, with his people in Carthage, where his uncle, M. B. Street, had also settled. In 1846, the Street families emigrated to Johnson County, Arkansas, where they lived until coming to California ria Fort Smith, Fort Yuma, thence to San Diego and San Francisco, where they arrived on November 1, 1849. Here they resided until February, 1850, then came to this county, camping a short time at Jamestown; thence going to Woods' Creek, about one-half a mile above Sonora. In May, 1851, he, in com-
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
nection with his brother, H. L. Street, raised a tent where the Episcopal church now stands, in which they conducted a commercial business. Mr. Street sold out on March 15, 1851, returned East, but again returned to Sonora in August of that year. He purchased a one-half interest in a store then owned by his uncle, his partner being his brother, H. L. Street, and the business was conducted by them until 1859. The subject of our sketch was elected Justice of the Peace in 1859, remaining in that office until 1866. He was also one of the Associate Justices of this county. He commenced the study of law while a resident of Sonora, and was admitted to the Bar, and opened his present office on the corner of Washington street and Yaney avenue. He has since associated himself with his cousin, Frank W. Street. He married Phobe Weston, a native of Rockville, Connecticut,'and by this union had one child, H. L. Street.
CALEB DORSEY.
This gentleman, one of the practicing attorneys of So- nora, was born in Howard County, Maryland, March 25, 1825, receiving there his primary education. When about eighteen years of age, he attended school at Rockville, Maine, and afterwards was prepared for college. He graduated from Harvard College, and received instruction from the celebrated jurists, Greenleaf, Kent, and Judge Story. He studied law with Robert J. Brent, was admitted to the Bar, and commenced practice at Baltimore, Mary- land. Coming to this State via the Isthmus of Panama, he arrived in October, 1850. He came to this county, settled at Shaw's Flat, and mined for six months. At the Flat he erected a sawmill, and conducted that business, in addition to practicing his profession, for nearly two years.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
Then, settling at Sonora, he opened a law office, since which time he has been practicing his profession. He has held the office of District Attorney for several terms in Tuolumne County. This volume contains numerous refer- ences to Mr. Dorsey's career, which, throughout, has been of the greatest importance to the County.
THOMAS W. WELLS.
Mr. Wells was born in Sonora on the 13th of August, 1857. He commenced the study of the photographer's art at Sonora, and finished at San Francisco, under the direc- tion of J. H. Peters. His Photograph Gallery is now located at the southeast corner of Washington and Dodge streets. The photographic business was first commenced here by Bachelder Bros., then passing into the hands of Wm. H. Rulofson, and later of Daniel Sewell, after which it was purchased by Mr. Wells, who is now the only pho- tographer of the county. Mr. Wells married Maggie J. Harrington on June 27, 1881. Mr. Wells has signalized himself by a close devotion to his art that has resulted in the production of extremely good work. No pains are, in his estimation, too great to insure first-class pictures, and specimens of his work will compare favorably with the best done in San Francisco.
JOHN BOWMAN
Was born in Germany, on December 13, 1833. He came to the United States in 1852, and settled at New York City: He afterwards took up his residence at Milltown, Middle- sex County, New Jersey, where he resided until coming to California, in 1856, via Panama. He first settled at Co- lumbia, in this County, and afterwards came to "Sonora,
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
where he rented the Philadelphia Brewery, in 1861. This brewery was located on the ground where Mr. Romans now, resides. Mr. Bowman was the proprietor of this brewery until 1865. In 1866, he purchased the building which is now known as the Sonora Brewery, and commenced the manufacture of beer, and has followed that business at the same place ever since. The brewery building is 60x120 feet, built of brick and stone. It contains all the necessary appliances for manufacturing beer and other beverages; and if the brewery were run up to its full capacity, it would turn out fifteen hundred barrels of beer per year.
HON. WILLIAM G. LONG.
This respected citizen of Tuolumne, whose portrait appears herein, was born in Rockland, Knox county, Maine, April 19, 1831. At the early age of nine years, he left home and went to sea. Step by step he rose from a cabin boy to the position of master of a vessel. This posi- tion he was filling when he sailed to California, letting go the anchor in the bay of San Francisco in the Fall of 1850. He at once came to this county, bought a three eighths interest in the Campo Seco Water Company, and located at Woods' Crossing. This business he followed during the years '51-2, then going to mining at Campo Seco and at Humbug Hill. At the latter place Mr. Long operated the first hydraulic mine in the county, in the years 1856-7: In 1850, he returned to his native home, and there married Jennie Linekin, bringing her to Sonora. He ran for Sher- iff of this county, but was defeated by John Bourland. During the Winter of 1872-3, he represented Tuolumne, Mono and Inyo counties in the lower house of the Legisla- ture, and in 1875-6, he was appointed Revenue Collector. He once owned and opened the Golden Gate mine, and has
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
been identified with several large mines and mining inter- ests in this county. Although Mr. Long's family reside at Hayward's, California, he claims Sonora as his home, and has done so since his coming in 1850. The names of his children are Willietta, Charles S., Percy, Robert, Jennie and Willie.
JOHN VAN HARLINGEN
Is a native of Warren county, Ohio, where he was born on April 26, 1826. He was raised and educated in his native county, from which he moved in 1846, settling in Louisiana. He left New Orleans on Feb. 18, 1849, and came to California via Mexico, arriving here on June 24th of that year. He came to Sonora on the 26th of the fol- lowing August, and at once engaged in mining, which occupation he followed for about three years. He was elected County Coroner and Public Administrator in 1877, which position he now holds. He married Elizabeth Roth, and by this union has six children.
J. M. CABEZUT.
This old settler is a native of Mexico, and was born March 19, 1830. He came to California in May, 1849, and to this county in the June following. He was engaged in mining until the Fall of 1849, then going to San Jose, where he remained during the Winter, returning to Sonora in April, 1850, and opening a restaurant on the ground where he is now located, in a house built of canvas, which has since given way to a frame building. He married Mary Ramires, and the pair have one daughter, Magdalena
J.M. Many.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
LEANDER QUINT,
Lawyer, came early to Sonora, and engaged in the practice of law as early as 1850. A part of his business was in the ",Court " of Judge Barry, and this anecdote of the two is given on the authority of an eyewitness: Quint had a sin- gular habit of gesticulating with one of his hands, from which he had lost the three first fingers, the remaining thumb and the little finger being extended in a peculiar and disagreeable manner. On one occasion Barry had ruled against Quint, who exclaimed: " Judge, I never did have any show in your Court!" "No, damn you, sir," replied Barry, " and you never shall have any! When a man comes into Court and wiggles his fingers and rolls up his eyes as you do, he can't have any show here. In Texas, we had man-traps, sir, that cost thieves their fingers. It looks damned suspicious, sir-it looks damned suspi- cious-but I hope it is all right!"
Mr. Quint was not utterly extinguished by this, but went on and became County Judge. Following the example of others of his profession, he removed to San Francisco, gained a large practice and achieved honors. He was attorney for the defendant in the celebrated trial of Laura D. Fair for the murder of Crittenden-a fact that proves his high standing at the Bar.
DR. L. C. GUNN,
An able physician, became an inhabitant of Tuolumne in 1849. Practicing medicine and surgery, he became widely known throughout the region. In 1850, he was part pro- prietor of the Sonora Herald, and maintained a connection with that sheet through a large part of its prosperous career. He built, in 1852, an elegant dwelling near the present site of the County Hospital. The drug business
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
engrossed his attention for years, repaying him largely. At one time he held the office of County Treasurer, serving with general acceptance. His present home is in San Diego, where he is spending the latter years of an active and useful life.
JOHN SEDGWICK,
At first Deputy to James Stuart, the valorous Sheriff of Tuolumne, afterwards elected to that office himself, suc- ceeding Stuart, cut a prominent figure in both positions. He was always regarded as a most capable and energetic officer, the terror of roughs and thieves and the reliance of the law-abiding. Leaving Tuolumne for Stockton, Mr. Sedgwick held the Government position of Collector. Now in San Francisco, he is Sheriff of that city, an office achieved through his well-known merit.
HORACE BULL
Was an attorney of prominence at an early date. "A very refined gentleman." He was admitted to practice in July, 1851, and came to his end by suicide, in February, 1854, aged 29 years.
E. R. GALVIN,
After a prosperous career as a lawyer, passed away, two years since, leaving the details of his life yet fresh in men's minds. The earlier part of his legal career was passed in Columbia, where he became Justice of the Peace. Remov- ing afterward to Sonora, he held the office of District Attorney for two terms. A man of uncommon talents and shrewdness, and an able rival of the lawyers of his day.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
GEORGE W. HALE
Is a native of Somerset County, Maine, and was born May 12, 1836. At the age of fourteen, he moved to Brighton, Mass. He came to California in 1857, and after residing in different parts of the State, returned East, and again com- ing to California in 1859, and settling at Columbia, where he now lives. In the Fall of 1879, Mr. Hale erected his new sawmill, on the south fork of the Stanislaus River, and on the ranch once owned by the notorious Jim Lyons. The mill is 24x100 feet, has two circular saws, and its capacity is twenty thousand feet of lumber in twelve hours. There is also a shingle machine in the mill, which turns out forty thousand shingles per day. The prime industry of the region where Mr. Hale's mill is located is the manufacture of lumber. The pine forests of this part of the county are extensive, and for three decades men have been plunging into their depths and utilizing those stately trees. Steadily, with the growth of the county, the business has increased, until it stands to-day a prime factor on the commercial cata- logue. Millions of feet are cut annually and yet the source seems practically inexhaustible.
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