USA > California > Napa County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 13
USA > California > Lake County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 13
USA > California > Sonoma County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 13
USA > California > Mendocino County > Historical and descriptive sketch book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino : comprising sketches of their topography, productions, history, scenery, and peculiar attractions > Part 13
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the Democratic party. As a stock raiser, a farmer, vine grower, he stands second to few in the county; and as an upright, honorable and trustworthy citizen, has no superiors.
THOMAS EARL.
This gentleman is a native of Canada. He emigrated in 1835 to Richmond, Ray county, Missouri, where, with the exception of one year spent in Lexington, Kentucky, he remained until 1850. On the 20th of May of that year, with three others he started overland from Independence with a team of mules. The party were three months making the journey to Sacramento. In a short time he visited Napa, tried the mines awhile, and finally established the pioneer saddlery and harness business in Napa City. In this pursuit he was very successful, and satisfied with the prospects of this part of the State he determined to become a permanent resident. He accordingly purchased 85 acres of land from James M. Harbin, and erected a house thereon near the homestead lot of R. T. Montgomery in 1853. The tract was used by tenants for farming purposes until 1858, when it was sold to John Lawley, Esq. In 1853 Mr. Earl bought a lot 60 feet square on Main street adjoining the lot on the corner of Main and First street, owned by Wm. H. James. In 1856, after much urging, the latter joined with Mr. Earl in erecting a sub- stantial brick block on the two lots, being the first brick building erected in Napa City. The brick were procured by Mr. Earl in Sacramento. The first floor was used for stores, and the second story of Mr. Earl's part of the building was occupied for several years as a Masonic Hall. In 1857 Mr. Earl erected another brick store of 36 feet front adjoining the first. The upper story was finished in one room 36 by 55 feet, for a public hall for lectures, theatrical per- formances, etc. It was known as Earl's Hall, but is now occupied as a Lodge room by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. This building had the first iron front ever erected on the north side of the Bay. In 1859 Mr. Earl erected a second iron front building ad- joining the former. He has the honor also of having erected the first concrete building in Napa county. It is 34 by 34 feet, 2 stories high, and a very substantial structure. It will be seen that Mr. Earl has done his part toward improving the appearance of the town.
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NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
He also contributed liberally in time and money, in 1857, to pre- vent the recession to Solano county of a strip of territory annexed to Napa by the Legislature in 1855, and also toward purchasing the toll bridge across Napa River and making it free for the use of the pub- lic. Hon. Nathan Coombs contributed $200 for the same object. The territory in dispute is one of the richest portions of this county, and pays an important share of the public taxes. Old residents will remember the very active exertions of Mr. Earl to save this impor- tant portion of our territory, as well as his efforts at a more recent period to secure the establishment here of the State Normal School and Odd Fellows' College. He believes in the manifest destiny of Napa, and has always done his utmost to promote its growth and prosperity. His record is that of a useful, unostentatious man, who seeks rather to promote quietly, the welfare of the place than to have the honor of doing so.
A. B. WALKER.
This gentleman emigrated to this county from Sandusky City, Erin county, Ohio, in 1852, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits in company with J. C. Penwell, on the corner of Main and Second streets. He has since been prominently known in connection with the political and public affairs of the county, having served one term as Assessor and three terms as Sheriff. Notwithstanding the deci- ded stand he has always taken in politics in exciting times, he has al- ways retained the respect even of his opponents, and after several years of service in responsible positions, his record is irreproachable as an upright and faithful public officer.
WM. BALDRIDGE.
This old pioneer was born in East Tennessee, 1811. In 1819 he left his native State and emigrated to Missouri, where he learned the trade of millwright.
In 1830 Mr. Baldridge, while in a hotel, heard a man named Mills, partner of Mr. W. L. Sublett, the celebrated Rocky Moun- tain trapper, describing the soil, productions, and climate of Cali- fornia. Mr. Mills had passed the previous Winter here, and gave a
SHARES BUAR-
GEORGE C. YOUNT.
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. 161
glowing description of the country. Mr. Baldridge was struck with this description, and knowing that a warm climate agreed with his constitution, determined to come out here. In 1840, his friend, Col. J. B. Chiles, now of Chiles Valley, had returned from Florida, and while or a visit to Mr. Baldridge, spoke of the benefit his health had derived from traveling. These two agreed to make a journey to California the following Spring, but on account of having con- siderable work to finish, Mr. Baldridge was unable to come as agreed. So Col. Chiles came out with the party that Spring and re- turned. He followed his trade in Missouri till 1843, when, in connec- tion with Col. J. B. Chiles, he formed a company and came out to the Pacific Coast. The company left the Shawnee settlement on the 29th of May of that year, and traveled together to Fort Hall. Here it separated, one portion with Col. Chiles at the head, taking the Pitt River route, the other, in which was Mr. Baldridge, together with the wagons coming down the Humboldt River and crossing the Sierra Nevadas at Walker's Pass. They did not arrive at Sutter's Fort till January, 1844. Their Christmas dinner, consisting of horse flesh boiled in an iron kettle, was eaten on the bleak mountains East of Tulare Valley. He came then direct to Napa Valley. In 1844 he built the grist mill in Chiles Valley. In 1846 he joined the Bear Flag party, and was with the army during its operations in Cali- fornia under General Fremont. In 1851 he settled on his farm near Oakville, where he has ever since resided, and where he has gained the esteem of all who know him. He is brave and generous to a fault, a man of extensive reading and sound judgment.
E. BIGGS.
Mr. E. Biggs is one of the pioneers of the State, having crossed the plains to this coast in 1849. He has made Napa City his home since 1859, and has always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the people. At the first municipal election held in Napa City, in the Spring of 1872, he was elected City Marshal, which office he filled with credit to himself and profit to the town.
GEO. N. CORNWELL.
Mr. Cornwell was born in Waterford, New York, in 1825. He
11
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NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
spent his early life in his native State, working at the trade of cabi- net maker. He enlisted and came out to California in Colonel Stevenson's Regiment, Company H, Captain J. B. Frisbie. He arrived in San Francisco in March, 1847. He was stationed at San Francisco and the Presidio until the Summer of 1848, when Com- pany H was removed to Sonoma, and in the Fall was disbanded. After the disbanding of his Company, Mr. Cornwell spent a short time mining near Hangtown, now Placerville, afterwards at Big Bar on the North fork of the American River. But he soon tired of mining and returned to Sonoma, where he engaged in the merchan- dising business with Vallejo & Frisbie. He established for this firm a store at a point South of First street, between Napa Creek and river. He continued in the mercantile business in Sonoma and Napa, until 1853. In addition to the business at these two places, he also had an establishment opened at Benicia. In 1849 and 1850 he was Secretary to the Prefect for the Sonoma District. In 1853 he was elected to the Legislature from Napa county, and served one term. He was Post Master in Napa City for eight years, and served three years as Supervisor. He served six years as under Sheriff, and as such gave good satisfaction and proved himself one of the most efficient officers Napa has ever had. He was one of the orig- inal locators of the Redington Mine, and is the only one of these locators who now hold an interest in the mine. He is one of the present Board of Directors.
Mr. Cornwell has always been known in politics as a Democrat. He has made his life a season of hard study, and is well posted on all questions of general interest. He is a man of strong convic- tions, and is frank in the avowal and advocacy of his sentiments, ever ready to give a reason for the " faith that is in him."
ROBERT CROUCH.
Among the well tried, faithful and efficient servants of the county, few can claim to be peers with the subject of this sketch-none su- periors. Mr. Crouch is a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1823, and where he lived till 1844. He then moved to Farming- ton, Illinois, where he studied medicine, and for many years prac- ticed as a physician. In April, 1852, he started overland for Cali-
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fornia. He reached Salt Lake City in August of that year, and spent the Winter in Mill Creek Canon near that city. During the time he remained there he worked on a saw mill, and at other severe labor. In May of the following year he left Salt Lake for Califor- nia, arriving at Sacramento in June. Thence he went to Marys- ville and worked at the carpenter business. Later in the same year he came to Napa Valley, continuing to work as a carpenter. In 1854, in connection with James H. Page, he built the old White Sulphur Springs Hotel for Lillie & Evey, The Winter of 1854-5 he spent in Campo Seco, but returned to Napa early in 1855. In April of that year he received the appointment of under Sheriff, and soon after, on the resignation of the Sheriff, was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill the unexpired term of that officer ; but the Coroner claiming to be Sheriff by virtue of his office, Mr. Crouch would not qualify, and returned to his trade. In the Fall of the same year he received the appointment of Deputy Clerk un- der A. J. Watson. At the election of 1857 he was elected County Clerk, which office he held until 1863, when he was elected Coun- ty Judge. He served as Judge till 1871, when he was succeeded by Hon. T. P. Stoney, who still presides. He has since his term of office expired, been engaged in the practice of law with Mr. D. McClure as partner.
Mr. Crouch is a Republican, of strong convictions. Yet lie did his duty so well as an officer, and was so courteous to opponents that he always carried a large vote among the Democrats. Hc served the county longer, made more friends and fewer enemies than probably any other man who was ever here.
JOHN M. PATCHETT.
Among the most respected of our pioneers is the subject of this sketch, Mr. John M. Patchett. He was born in Lincolnshire, Eng- land, in 1797. In 1817 he removed to the United States and set- tled in Pennsylvania, where he lived till 1835. In the Fall of that year he removed to Illinois. In 1837 he moved to Iowa and laid off the town of Philadelphia on the Big Bend of the Des Moines River. In 1840 he moved up the Des Moines about seventy miles, where he resided till 1850. In Pennsylvania he followed the busi-
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ness of a brewer, and after leaving that State engaged in farming, which occupation he has mainly followed since. In the Spring of 1850, attracted by the favorable reports of the richness and the pleasant climate of California, he started in company with many others for this State. After a tedious journey of five months-a journey which must be gone through with to be fully realized and appreciated-he arrived at Placerville. Later in the Fall he re- moved to White Oak Springs, Eldorado county, and remained here till 1853. In 1852 he had made a visit to Napa Valley, and being favorably impressed with the valley, purchased a tract of about 100 acres adjoining his present homestead. In 1853 he came down to his property here, and just before moving purchased his present home in the Western part of town. On his settling in Napa he en- gaged in agriculture, and has ever been esteemed as one of the fore- most cultivators of the soil in the county. Though repeatedly so- licited to, he has never consented to accept any office, prefering the quiet and more agreeable labors of farm life. He was the first per- son who planted a vineyard worthy of any note in the county. His vineyard was of Mission grapes and planted in 1850. The same year he also planted out an orchard of about eight acres. In 1859. having become convinced that the business of raising grapes and making wine could be made remunerative, he erected a stone wine cellar 33x50 feet. He had made about 6oc gallons of wine the year previous, selling it at $2 per gallon. The stone for his cellar was quarried out of the hills back of the residence of Cayetano Juarez. The cellar is still standing and is as good as ever.
DR. W. W. STILLWAGON.
Dr. W. W. Stillwagon was born at Connellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1827. He studied and practiced medicine there till 1848, when he removed to Illinois. In March, 1850, he star- ted across the plains, and arrived in Sacramento in August of the same year. He spent a short time at mining near Oroville, but in the Fall of the year came to Napa and commenced the practice of his profession. He has ever since been a resident. He served one term as Coroner. He had been elected to the office but refused to give bonds and qualify, yet was, by popular sentiment, compelled
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to serve, and his acts afterwards legalized. He has at different times filled the position of County Physician for the space of five years, and always gave satisfaction. In 1871 he was elected to the Assembly from Napa and Lake, and while in the Legislature did much towards so presenting the desirability of Napa, that the Branch Insane Asylum was located here. He was active in getting several bills of a local nature passed.
As an officer he always acquitted himself with credit, and as a physician he has few superiors.
The Doctor was a Whig when he came to the county, and affilia- ted with that party till the formation of the Republican, of which he has ever since been a prominent member. But party lines have never been strictly drawn in local affairs in Napa county, and as a result she has always had good and efficient officers. Dr. Stillwagon was one of the Charter members of Yount Lodge No. 12, of Ma- sons, and labored earnestly in the establishing of that Order in the county. He was also one of the Charter members, and the first Noble Grand of the Odd Fellows in Napa City. He has of late years been devoting much of his attention to quicksilver mining in Pope Valley.
I. Y. EASTERBY.
This gentleman was born in the county of Surrey, England, Jan- uary ISIS, and is of the family of the Easterbys of Northumber- land. At the age of fourteen he went to sea in the merchant ser- vice of Great Britain, and during the year 1836, accompanied the expedition to the river Euphrates for the purpose of opening an overland route from the Mediteranean to the Persian Gulf. At the age of twenty-three he became Commodore of the first Mediter- ranean line of screw steamers laid on from Liverpool to the Levant. This line was owned by A. Mongradine of Liverpool, Cunliffes & Co. of London, and A. Y. Easterby, who was Captain of one cf these steamships, the Levantine. In 1848 Mr. Easterby came out to Chili, and in October met Commodore Schenck, then Lieutenant, in Piata, and from there accompanied him to Panama. In conse- quence of this gentleman's representation he returned to Callao, and here induced parties to lay on a ship to San Francisco, and con-
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NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
signed his portion of her cargo to DeWitt & Harrison. On the Ist day of January, 1849, Mr. Easterby arrived in San Francisco, and there in company with his brother-in-law, Frank Gray, purchased a number of vessels and converted them into store-ships. Among these ships were the Lindsay, Edwin, Fork, Mentor, and Henry Ewbank, all deserted by their crews on the breaking out of the gold fever. The Edwin was the first bonded warehouse in San Francis- co, and she laid on the mud flats at the corner of Pacific and Front streets, from whence she was cut out in 1855. He remained in business in San Francisco till the above year, and then came to Napa City and bought out the firm of Schultz & Miller, on the corner of Main and Second streets, where now stands Wm. Quentin's Bank Exchange. In February, 1864, Mr. Easterby purchased the store and fixtures of Lamdin & Coghill, directly opposite his old stand, and during the month before his removal to his new quarters, his old store and nearly all its contents was consumed by fire. He re- mained in business on the East side of Main street up to 1872. He then went into the real estate, mining, canal, and farming business, in which he is at present engaged.
Mr. Easterby has never run for any office in this county, but has been Chairman of the Republican County Committee. He was the first President of the Napa Valley Railroad, of which he was also one of the original incorporators. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and with the late Governor Geary opened the first Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in San Francisco in 1850.
DAVID HUDSON.
Mr. David Hudson was born in Missouri in 1821. His early life was spent in the frontiers and was full of trials and adventures. He emigrated to California in 1846, and lived in various parts of the State, but being attracted to Napa by the salubrity of the climate, and the advantages of pasture, as well as the fertility of the soil, he made this county his home. He purchased an extensive tract of land Northwest of St. Helena from Mr. Bale, and improved it for a homestead. He was a large stock-raiser, and devoted much of his time and attention to this pursuit, yet he found time to engage very largely in agriculture. He was always regarded as one of the lead-
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ing men in his neighborhood, and none stood higher than he for probity and honor. In 1872 he disposed of his fine farm near St. Helena, and is now a resident of Lake county, engaged in his fa- vorite pursuit, stock raising. He has always taken a deep interest in public affairs, though never agreeing to receive anything at the hands of the people.
JOHN YORK.
Mr. York came to California overland among the emigrants ante- rior to the gold discovery. He is from Tennessee, where he was born in 1820. Mr. Vork settled near St. Helena as early as 1849, where he has ever since resided, and is one of the prosperous farmers of that part of Napa county.
WILLIAM RUSSELL ..
Mr. Russell is a native of the State of Maine. and arrived in San Francisco Bay in 1846, on board a whale ship, of which he was car- penter. He was a member of Fremont's Battalion, and was with it and shared in its hardships on the famous march southward in the Winter of 1846-7. Mr. Russell is still a resident of Napa county. and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.
A. G. CLARK.
The subject of this sketch was born in Butler county, Ohio, in i S18. When about six years old his parents moved to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he resided till 1835, occupied on a farm and as a clerk in a dry goods store. He was also employed for a time as clerk in Michigan City. In the Fall of 1837 he moved to the lead district of Galena and Dubuque, and soon after went to farming in Jackson county, Iowa, and was also engaged in merchandising. He continued here till in 1849, when he removed to Council Bluffs on the Missouri River. In the Winter of 1849-50, he went on a trading expedition with the Indians up to the Big Sioux River. and in the Spring of 1850 started overland for California with his wife and three children. After traveling for some distance, owing
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NAPA COUNTY AS IT WAS AND IS.
to the scarcity of feed, the train, which consisted of thirty-two wag- ons and accompanying stock, was separated. Mr. Clark and two others agreed to travel together into California. Soon after the sep- aration the men connected with these two wagons and their families were all taken sick, and for a period of six weeks it devolved upon Mr. Clark and two young men with him to care for the sick, take charge of the wagons, and stand guard at night. This was indeed a gloomy time. At Fort Hall they were advised by the Commandant, Major Grant, to take the road to Oregon. They did so, and came through to the Dalles on the Columbia River with nothing more than the usual incidents of such journeys. At the Dalles they sold their wagons and sailed down to the Cascades on a kind of yawl boat. Thence they passed down to Astoria on the first steamer that ever sailed on the Columbia River. The vessel was an old whale boat fitted with a small engine, and the deck stood but a few feet out of the water. On the way down it devolved upon Mr. Clark as his business to keep the boat in trim and keep both wheels in the water by rolling a barrel of flour from one side to the other, as the boat changed position. We imagine he was anxious for passengers to re- main quiet. From Astoria he took the steamer Panama, the first steamer that ever went up the coast, then on her second trip, to San Francisco, where he arrived on the 29th of September. After a short time spent in the mines he went over near the foot of Mt. Tamalpais in Marin county, and worked as a carpenter in the erec- tion of two saw-mills. He remained there about fifteen months, re- ceiving wages of $1 per hour.
At the close of this time he purchased property in Port Orford, Southern Oregon, but in going up to it was on the 26th of January, 1852, wrecked in Humboldt Bay. Escaping with his family front the wreck he built the first residence in Eureka. He remained in Eureka most of the time till 1856, engaged in lumbering, mining, and land speculating. He made an expedition to the mines up near Klamath River, found fine prospects, laid off a city called Soda City and left for home, intending to return in a short time. Soon after he left the Indians destroyed the camp and killed twenty-two of the men. He never went back. While a resident at Humboldt Bay
HARE E BURR
W. H. WINTER.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
he became intimately acquainted with General Grant, while the lat- ter was stationed at that point.
In 1856 Mr. Clark left for San Francisco, and was in the latter place during the reign of the Vigilant Committee. In this year he purchased a large tract of land near Yountville, and moved on to it with his family. Here he remained engaged successfully in farming till in the Fall of 1871. Since December, 1871, he has been en- gaged in the liardware business in Napa City.
Mr. Clark has been a close observer of the progress of Califor- nia, and always taken a deep interest in public affairs. Up to 1855 he affiliated with the Democratic party, but that party, in his esti- mation becoming so corrupt and abandoning its principles, he left it and united with the Know Nothing party. He supported Gen. Fremont for President in 1856, and has since affiliated with the Re- publicans. He was a zealous supporter of Lincoln's Administra- tion, and is now of that of President Grant.
Mr. Clark is a man of positive character, is either a warm friend or a relentless foe. He has for years been an earnest advocate of temperance principles. He was one of the Charter members of Yountville Lodge of Good Templars, and is now an active worker in the' Lodge of that Order in Napa City.
JAMES H. GOODMAN.
Mr. J. H. Goodman, a native of New York, came to California and settled in Napa at an early date. In 1858, in connection with his brother, Geo. E. Goodman, who served one term as Treasurer for Napa county, he opened the first bank in Napa City. Since then he has confined himself principally to the business of banking. He and his brother have been earnest laborers for the building up and prosperity of Napa. Their banking house has been a great accom- modation and benefit to the people of the county, and by their fair dealing they have won many warm friends. They took great interest in getting the bill passed through the Legislature of 1871-2 incorpo- rating Napa City, and in securing the location of the Branch Insane Asylum, and various other important measures looking to the interest and welfare of both city and county.
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PETER STORM.
The history of this old Swede is so familiar to most Californians as the man who rudely sketched the famous Bear Flag, that little may be said beyond the fact that he still lives near Calistoga, and though over seventy years of age, is in good health, with a prospect of living out another decade.
WILLIAM POPE.
William Pope, the pioneer from whom Pope Valley derived its name, was born in Kentucky. From there he went, when a young man, to New Mexico, and for twenty years lived as a hunter and trapper, traveling over the regions now comprising the Territories of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. He spent much time in trapping beaver on the sloughs extending from the head of the Gulf of California. In 1830 he came into the Mexican town of San Diego for the purpose of procuring supplies, and was there arrested because he had violated the Mexican laws in entering their dominions without a passport. He was kept in confinement at San Diego for about a year, when the captain of an American merchantman which had entered the port, having heard of Mr. Pope's situation, took the matter in hand, and prevailed upon the Mexican officials to re- lease him-they affecting not to have understood his case. Thank- ful for his unexpected deliverance from imprisonment, the daring pioneer hastened to his family in New Mexico, and in 1836 he emigrated to Los Angeles. Having obtained a grant of land in Pope Valley from the Mexican Government, in 1841 he brought his fami- ly to Geo. C. Yount's ranch, in Napa Valley, which he made his headquarters until he had erected buildings upon his grant. His grant was six miles in length and three in width. During the last of May, 1841, he moved upon his ranch, of which he was justly proud, but his happiness was destined to be of short duration. In the Fall of the same year, while hewing out some logs for building purposes, he accidentally cut his leg very badly, severing an artery. In those days doctors were unknown, and his wound, after having been bound up by his friends many times, finally broke out bleed- ing, and all attempts to stop it proving fruitless, he expired in No- vember, 1841, just twelve days from the date of his wound.
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