USA > California > Tuolumne County > A history of Tuolumne County, California : compiled from the most authentic records > Part 28
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REV. MR. LONG
It was who broke open the barricade which a creditor- Mayor Patrick-had placed before the entrance to his church; and afterwards withdrew from his charge because the Superintendent of his Sabbath School, and the bell- ringer, the senior deacon, and other high dignitaries of his church, would play pedro, drink whisky, and attend bull fights on Sunday.
HON. EDWIN A. RODGERS.
Mr. Rodgers has spent thirty years of an active and suc- cessful life in Tuolumne County, having come here in 1852. Born in the Green Mountain State in 1825, he entered Harvard College at a suitable age, and graduated duly, having acquired an excellent classical education that has served him excellently well throughout all the ensuing years. Pursuing legal studies in the office of an able practitioner, Judge Underwood, he was admitted to the Bar, but did not engage at once in the practice of his pro- fession, but came to California.
Spending first a year at Jamestown in mining pursuits, he next removed to Sonora, where he has since made his home. His law practice began on his admission to the Bar of Tuolumne County, which took place June 20, 1854, he then entering upon a prosperous and active career, which has continued up to the present time with unabated vigor.
Mr. Rodgers' first labors being in mining, he had little opportunity to attract the attention which his original
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
genius and undoubted mental powers have since com- manded; but about 1853 he began to interest himself in political affairs, and in a series of articles upon political topics, published in the Sonora Herald, there are the first evidences which we have of the remarkable way in which he has impressed his individuality upon his surroundings.
His succeeding career has been that of a very successful attorney, who has at times entered upon politics, and who has done a great deal of work for the good of his fellow citizens. In 1860 the citizens of Tuolumne demonstrated their sense of his abilities by electing him to the Legisla- ture. In 1869 he became District Attorney, holding that office to the general acceptation of the citizens.
Mr. Rodgers married Miss Henrietta Morrow, a native of Massachusetts.
HENRY SEVENING.
The subject of this sketch was born in Germany on June 8, 1833. He was educated in his native country, from which he removed in 1852, coming direct to San Francisco, at once settling at Jamestown, where he was engaged in mining, and later on followed the same occupation at Yorktown. We next find him keeping a store at Campo Seco, where he remained till coming to Columbia in 1860. Here he was engaged in mercantile pursuits until May 1, 1872, when he was appointed Wells, Fargo & Co.'s agent, and is now carrying on the express and banking business. In 1879, he was elected President of the Tuolumne County Water Company, which position he now fills with credit to his company and honor to himself. It can be truly said of Mr. Sevening that he is beloved by his family and friends and honored and respected by the community in which he lives. Married Louise Wedel on June 17, 1860. Johanna L., Frederick, Lulu and Alma are his children.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
HENRY THOMPSON.
This pioneer settler was born in the Duchy of Schleswig- Holstein on July 20, 1825. He went to sea when twelve years old, and followed a mariner's life till he arrived in this State in the Fall of 1849. He remained in San Fran- cisco and was boating on the bay for a short time, then started for the mines, making a halt at Spanish Bar, on the American river. He returned to the city, where he engaged in business till he was burned out, and then went to Vallecito, but again returned to San Francisco to go to the mines at Mission Bar, where he remained during the Winter of 1852. During the Winter he went to Nevada City and purchased provisions, and had to pay ten cents a pound to get them hauled twelve miles, that being the dis- tance to his camp. In May, 1853, he came to his present place of residence, near Tuttletown, where he has since lived, and has engaged in farming, mining and raising carp. He built the first carp pond in the county, and now has three ponds with a school of about three hundred fish. Mr. Thompson married Mary Mills, May 1, 1853. She is a native of England, and was born September 30, 1833. Henry A., Mary E., Belle C., Frederick M. and Katie are their children.
JOHN P. JONES.
Concerning Nevada's millionaire Senator and the friend of President Arthur, Tuolumne knows a great deal. Liv- ing here in the " fifties," he figured in the celebrated mock trial of Barnes vs. Stuart, concerning ownership of a ranch. Otis Greenwood was Judge. The verdict of the jury, fill- ing a dozen sheets of foolscap, gave Stuart three feet of the surface, and to Barnes the "remainder, to the center of the earth."
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
REV. S. S. HARMON
Conducted the Methodist Church at Sonora for ten years; but now, in charge of the College at Washington Corners, has devoted himself to the cause of education, with good results. Lately, he is said to be contemplating a removal of the concern to Berkeley.
REV. O. P. FITZGERALD
Smote the ungodly for a while in Tuolumne; at a later . time to have charge of a so-called College at Vacaville, and later still at Santa Rosa. At one time his political lean- ings placed him in the position of Superintendent of Schools for the State of California.
S. S. BRADFORD.
Mr. Bradford is a native of the old Pine Tree State-a State that has given to California more vigorous, energetic workers and enterprising pioneers than any other section of proportionate population. His earlier years being passed in Maine, he removed westward, coming to California in the year 1850, and spent a few years in mining in various portions of this county, notably at Rattlesnake Creek, Big Oak Flat, etc. His travels led eastward again, and we find him somewhat later in Maine, where he resided for several years, coming back to California in 1858, and spending a portion of the ensuing years in Columbia, but coming to Sonora in 1867, where he has resided ever since, and has become an influential and most valued citizen.
Mr. Bradford has been identified with the lumber trade for many years, in which his business principles have met a suitable reward. He has been owner, in part, of the largest sawmill in the county, situated some fifteen miles east of
-
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
Sonora. He has met discouragements, such as losses by fire, with the most becoming courage, always rising superior to calamity. At the present time, his business is connected with a steam planing-mill in Sonora, where he manufactures all kinds of mouldings, etc., does mill-work in all its branches, makes sash, doors, blinds, boxes, and numerous other articles, and conducts a large trade in lumber, his business1 extending over the entire county. Mr. Bradford married Miss Nancy P. Davis, in 1849, their children being Alice (now Mrs. Street), Ada H. (wife of Frank Street, Esq.), and William Frederick, at present a student in the University of California.
COLONEL FRANK CHEATHAM,
A pronounced Southerner, full of courage and manliness, was a prominent actor in the hanging of Jim Hill by the mob at Sonora, in the time of Sheriff Work. At one time he was a merchant in Stockton, and later, turning up as a Confederate General in the war of Secession. He now lives in Tennessee, a planter.
PAUL K. HUBBS
Was a useful citizen in every respect. After serving the people of Tuolumne in several important offices, he became State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1854. Was married to Miss Maggie Gilcrest in 1857.
ROBERT McGARVEY,
A '49er, was Chairman of the first Board of Supervisors. He married Miss Charlotte L. Davis in 1854. With his cultivated and refined family he resides at Ukiah, Mendo- cino County, where he holds the office of Superior Judge.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
CALVIN B. McDONALD,
Of Scotch descent, a newspaper writer of considerable ability, and of great, though misdirected, energy, had once in him the promise of a leading man. He has been connected as editorial writer with many of the secondary newspapers of California and Oregon, and also lectures some, indifferently well; was in Sonora during war times, doing work for the American Flag, whose radical principles just suited him.
A. COLBY,
Who is classed as one of the most successful and able of the pocket miners of Tuolumne, is a native of Bucksport, Maine, having been born there in 1840. A seafaring life was his choice, which he pursued from the age of eleven until his coming to California, which took place in 1864.
Spending three subsequent years in various cities in Cali- fornia and Oregon, Mr. Colby finally began mining at Table Mountain, so continuing until he removed, in 1871, to So- nora. Here he commenced pocket mining in leased claims, his first labors having been done upon his present rich location, where he worked for two years, afterwards con- tinuing the search upon adjoining claims, but finally re- turning to the original claim, which he has purchased, and has continued working up to the present time. This mine, which is known as the "Big Nugget," is situated near the head of Washington street, and is upon the same lead as the Bonanza Mine of J. G. Divoll, and is considered to be one of the richest claims that was ever opened.
Personally Mr. Colby is an extremely popular man, and his good fortune is being hailed by all as the the proper reward for years of arduous labor.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
JAMES W. COFFROTH,
The life and soul of Columbia for years, the originator of the Columbia and Stanislaus Ditch, and the promoter of nearly every enterprise of the day, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Before he was twenty-one he had learned the printer's trade and was already foreman of a printing office. He came to California in 1849, and to Sonora in '51, where he was employed by Dr. Gunn as writer on the Sonora Herald. His taste was to poetry, and he published in the Herald and the Columbia Gazette a con- siderable quantity of that kind of literature, rather medium in quality. Practicing law, later on he entered politics, and, aided by his popularity, overrode all competitors excepting J. M. Mandeville, with whom he had to divide the honors; they holding the State Senatorship alternately for several years. Later still, Mr. Coffroth left the county, after achieving many signal successes and rising to the highest wave of prosperity. His later history is identified with that of the State which he served.
MAJOR P. L. SOLOMON,
" King Solomon," Sheriff, came from Tennessee. He was a hatter at first, then Mexican war soldier, rising to the rank of Major. Democrat in politics. Did excellently well as Sheriff. Quiet, far-seeing, energetic. He after- wards became U. S. Marshal in San Francisco, dying in 1863.
E. L. CHRISTMAN,
A steady, moral type-setter, partner with Dr. Gunn in the Sonora Herald, attended to the mechanical department, made his fortune, and selling out, went East to reside.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
W. G. RUDORFF.
Among the pioneers of '49, is the one whose name ap- pears at the head of this sketch. Mr. Rudorff is a native of Prussia, and was born May 3, 1825. Mr. Rudorff rounded the Horn on the old ship "Talisman," landing in San Fran- cisco on September 12, 1849. Here he remained until February, then went to the mines at Dutch Bar, near Co- loma. After mining here during the Summer season, and then working and prospecting in various mining districts thereabouts, he bought a ranch at Mokelumne Hill, in 1851, on which he settled. This farm he sold in 1852, and in the Summer of that year settled at Springfield, in this county, where "he kept the old Union Hotel, then settling at Sonora in 1860. On September 12th of this year Mr. Rudorff will have been a resident of the State thirty-three years, and of Sonora twenty-two years. He married, while residing at Springfield, Henrietta Schleicher, a native of Saxe-Weimar, Germany, on July 23, 1854. They have four boys and four girls.
J. M. JONES,
A celebrated lawyer of New Orleans, came here early, and was a delegate to the Monterey Convention with Ben Moore and others, in 1849. Died in San Jose in 1851, while Judge of the United States District Court.
HENRY P. BARBER,
English, but came young to this country and studied law with John Morrill, the celebrated jurist. Settling in Tuol- umne at a time when law was at a discount, he became clerk in a store. Later he opened an office in Sonora, and be- came at once prominent among her famous lawyers, and
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was elected District Attorney. He was a high-toned and cultivated gentleman, who possessed talents of the highest order, second to none in the State, says Mr. Dorsey. Leaving Tuolumne for a wider field, he settled in San Francisco, practicing his profession, and died there.
PATRICK KELLY
Was born in Ireland, on the 25th day of August, 1849. He came to this State from his native country in 1867, and settled at Columbia, in this county. Here he formed a partnership with his brother, in the livery business. He settled at Sonora in 1871, and in 1874 purchased an interest in the Pioneer Livery Stables, and has been one of its pro- prietors to the present time.
Mr. Kelly married Miss Mary Riordan.
THOMAS J. WITT,
The present District Attorney of Tuolumne County, is a Tennesseean by birth. Residing first in Rea County, Ten- nessee, and later in Arkansas, he crossed the Plains in 1857, and settled near Sacramento. He studied law with Judge Cross, of Visalia, during his six years' residence in Tulare County, and on coming to Sonora in 1878 he com- pleted his legal studies in the office of Hon. Caleb Dorsey. Being admitted to the Bar in 1878, he was the next year elected to the responsible position which he now holds.
JAMES MILLS,
Banker at Columbia, member of the firm of James Mills & Co., was a very estimable gentleman. Died at Sing-Sing, New York, March 18, 1854, aged thirty-seven years.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
SAMUEL H. DWINELLE
Was another attorney who settled here in early days. En- tering first into partnership with J. M. Huntington, the firm enjoyed a large practice. Removing to San Francisco Mr. Dwinelle rose steadily in his profession, taking a high ยท stand as a reputable counsellor, and finally became Judge of the Fifteenth District Court in that city. He is still living, an ornament to the Bar and the community.
GEORGE S. EVANS,
Pennsylvanian, but went to Texas in early life, and was a soldier in the Mexican War. Coming to Tuolumne, he ran for the office of County Clerk and achieved it, being on the Democratic ticket. He was an excellent business man and born politician. Again County Clerk in 1858, he rose to the State Legislatorship in 1864. Removing to Stock- ton, he has held the latter office for San Joaquin County and achieved prominence; has been many times mentioned as a possible candidate for Governor. That he will achieve that, or a higher office, is not improbable, as he is still in the vigor of life, and withal exceedingly popular.
CHARLES L. HARPER.
The subject of this sketch was born in Philadelphia, December 16, 1822, and resided there until 1853, when he came to California, by way of the Isthmus, and arrived in San Francisco October 20, 1853. From San Francisco he went to the redwoods of San Mateo County, and remained there until May 9, 1854, and then removed to Big Oak Flat, where he has resided since that time. He mined
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
about eight years at Big Oak Flat and vicinity, and has followed his trade of carpenter since. He married Ellen Mclaughlin, in 1872, and has two children, named Edwin F. and Charles F.
C. BURDEN.
Born in England, in 1823, Mr. Burden was early ap- prenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade. His father dying when the son was but fifteen years of age, he was com- pelled, notwithstanding his youth, to take upon himself the support of the family. Marry ing Miss Caroline Hellier, in 1840, the young couple set out for America, coming in 1853 to San Francisco. Mining for two years at Brown's Flat, Mr. Burden next came to Sonora, and opened the furniture establishment which he still conducts.
The names of his children are: Elizabeth N., Charles Henry, William Frederick G. Another, Carrie Elizabeth, died, much lamented, January 11, 1882.
J. A. GOODWIN.
Mr. Goodwin says: "I was born near to Boston, Lin- conshire, England. Emigrated to the United States in 1844. Was then eighteen years of age. Made my way to the town of Farmington, Ontario County, N. Y. There went to work on a farm for Thomas Elwood Smith, who taught me to milk cows, rake and bind grain, and all work to be done on a farm. I had made no bargain for wages, and in the Fall he paid me $9.00 per month. He then ad- vised me to go to school in the Winter, telling me I seemed to be in need of schooling, and I could stay with him and do chores for my board. I took his advice, went
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
to school and was put in a class with small shavers, felt a good deal ashamed, but stayed with it until Spring. The schoolmarm then told me I had learned pretty well, and had better not stop there. In that school were some large boys and girls who were in the back part of the arithmetic, while I was in the first part. I thought if I could ever catch up with them I would be all right, but I did not much expect to. The next Summer I went to work for the same man, and to school again in the Winter. The same thing was repeated the next Summer and Winter. I had now caught up with the large boys and girls, and had saved what little money I had earned, so I went to the Canan- daigua Academy the next Summer, and in the Winter com- menced teaching school. The following Summer I went to the Academy again, and taught school in the Winter; and the same thing was repeated the third Summer and Winter. I will remark that the first school I attended, where the large boys and girls were so far ahead of me, I taught afterwards, and some of the same boys and girls came to my school. In the Fall of 1850 I went to Wisconsin and taught there for three seasons, and in the Spring of 1853 came across the plains to California, where I arrived in the Fall, and went to work at the Mountain Pine Mill, staying there about a year, and then located on this place on the second day of November, 1854, where I have been up to the present time, which makes twenty- seven years. The first seven years I was a bachelor, and the last twenty have been married. On the place are some fig trees planted by my own hand (mere twigs) which are now nine feet in circumference.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
JOHN B. DOUGLASS.
Mr. Douglass, familiarly and widely known as " Jack," was born in New York City, in August, 1830. He came to California in July, 1849, arriving in Tuolumne in 1852. Establishing himself in the saloon business in Columbia, he soon afterwards became Agent for M. J. Dooley, the Manager of the stage lines. His place of business was on the corner of Fulton and Main streets, and was known as the " Douglass " saloon. Mr. Douglass had the ill fortune to be burned out three times in the course of his residence in Columbia, namely, in 1854, 1857, and 1862. In 1869 he removed to Stockton, where he is engaged in keeping the popular saloon of the Yosemite House. During Mr. Doug- lass' residence in Columbia he enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-citizens to a remarkable extent, having held suc- cessively the offices of Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart- ment, President of the Board of Trustees, and finally School Trustee, the two latter offices having been filled by him during two terms each. It may be mentioned in this con- nection that he was a warm friend of the lamented Coffroth, his intimacy extending over a long period, during which they were close companions in every respect.
Mr. Douglass, in 1853, married Miss Ellen Dart, and has two children, boys, one aged 22 and one 19 years.
OTIS PERRIN.
Mr. Perrin was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, in 1826. Starting for California, he arrived in Tuolumne County in September, 1849, and mined for a time at Haw- kins' Bar, ultimately removing to Jacksonville in the Win- ter of the above year; then entering into partnership with J. L. Cogswell, also a noted pioneer, they built the Wash-
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
ington Hotel, at Big Oak Flat, remaining proprietors of that inn for a number of years. When, in 1859, the Golden Rock Water Ditch was commenced by Messrs. Murphy, Watts & Co., Mr. Perrin took a contract for building the first thirteen miles of that raceway for the sum of $152,000, completing the section in one year.
In 1862 the gentleman was elected to the State Legisla- ture. Afterwards he became Superintendent of the Golden Rock Ditch, so remaining until the high flume fell, which put a stop to the company's business. Subsequently Mr. Perrin began to work the Rutherford Quartz Mine, occu- pying himself in that manner until his appointment, in 1869, as Receiver of the United States Land Office at Stock- ton, his appointment having been continued by Presidents Grant, Hayes and Garfield.
DOCTOR BROWN.
The above named gentleman, who was once an influential resident of Sonora in early times, and who now holds the important position of Resident Physician at the State In- sane Asylum at Stockton, came to this country in 1850. He was born in Virginia, in 1818. The Doctor commenced practicing in Sonora in 1852, in partnership with Doctor Thomas Kendall. Their practice proved extremely suc- cessful, and within a year or two they made a contract to care for the indigent sick of the county. At that time the County Hospital stood where Mr. J. Hall's house now stands, says the Doctor, who mentions other gentlemen as having been in medical practice in Sonora at about that time: Dr. Cyprian Cross, born in North Carolina; Dr. Murphy, now of San Francisco; Dr. J. J. Franklin, who died in 1875; Dr. Kendall, who afterwards became Visiting
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
Physician to the Insane Asylum; Dr. William H. Bruner, now of San Francisco; and Dr. Marshall, who went to Russia and entered the service of that government, and died, after participating in the Crimean war.
JUDGE JOSEPH M. CAVIS
Came to Tuolumne County in February, 1854, beginning his career by mining for a time. In September, 1855, he commenced the practice of law in Columbia, and attained a high reputation as an honorable member of the Bar. In 1859 Mr. Cavis was chosen Justice of the Peace, and, still advancing in honors, became State Senator in 1862, and finally assumed a position on the Judicial bench. He was elected Judge in October, 1863; continued in that position until 1870, at which date he removed to Stockton. There he practiced law until his appointment as Postmaster, in 1876, which last position he still retains.
CAPTAIN ALONZO GREEN.
Captain Green arrived in Sonora on the first day of August, 1849. His companion on this trip to the place was James Lane. He tells the story of his travels some- what as follows: He left San Francisco on the schooner Favorite, proceeding in her to Stockton, paying twenty-five dollars for the passage, and providing his own bedding and food. Getting into a so-called stage, he next proceeded to Sonora, by way of Taylor's Ferry. This stage, the Captain says, was merely a common wagon having hay in the bot- tom on which the passengers' feet might rest, and being otherwise totally devoid of comforts or conveniences. At
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
a certain point upon their route breakfast was procured. The hotel which provided it was a large tent, whose utmost resources in the way of food extended only to whisky, hard-bread and pork and beans. Proceeding onward, the stage soon after passed the diggings at Woods' Crossing, then the great resort of the miners, and where not fewer than two thousand men, says the Captain, stood in the water, engaged with pan and rocker. Contrary to the gen- eral feeling of enthusiasm, the new arrival promptly decided that he would never be a miner. On arrival in Sonora, the Captain made inquiries of Major Elkins as to where new- comers were expected to lodge, and was referred to the ground as a proper place of deposit for the human frame. The following morning Mr. Green took a survey of the place, which resulted in his finding Joshua Holden, who had just established himself in business, occupying for that purpose a tent. Directly after this, the two men (acquaint- ances at a former date) formed a partnership, and built the first house which was ever constructed in Sonora. The new structure was of logs, eighty by twenty feet, and was covered with canvas. Entering into trade, the two cleared within twelve months no less than two hundred thousand dollars. Other years more or less successful were passed in Sonora, and in 1858 the Captain came to San Francisco. During his stay in Sonora the firm of Green & Holden was the most important one then doing business in the Southern Mines, it including the conduct of a bakery, as well as the store containing a miscellaneous assortment of dry goods, groceries, clothing, miners' implements, etc., which were suited to the demands of a community like Sonora. This extensive business house was burned out in the great fire of '52, the partners losing more than forty thousand dollars.
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