USA > California > El Dorado County > Historical souvenir of El Dorado County, California : with illustrations and biographical setches of its prominent men & pioneers > Part 48
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D. W. C. BENJAMIN.
Of the active and enterprising men of the north side of El Dorado county, none are more so than the sub- ject of this mention. He was born in the town of Granby, Hartford county, Connecticut, on the 4th day of June, 1825. His parents were also natives of the same State. In early life his father was a farmer ; but in later years removed to North Carolina and engaged in the mercantile business. When a young
man Mr. Benjamin learned the millwright trade, which he followed until 1849, when he engaged in the dairy business. In 1852 he came via Central America to California, and here he engaged in mining, lumber- ing and mill building, and for a time was bridge con- tractor on the Western Pacific Railroad. In 1876 he purchased the Bear creek saw-mill, and has oper- ated it since, turning out about three hundred thousand feet of lumber per annum. The mill is one of the pioneer ones of the county, having been built in 1856. Mr. Benjamin has been wide awake to the best in- terests of the community in which he resides, always willing to aid prospectors to the extent of his ability. Is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Coloma and Royal Arch Chapter at Georgetown. He was married in 1871 to Mrs. Grover, and to them has been born one son, viz: Clinton E. Of Mrs. Benjamin's family there are Anna, Walter N., Harry M., Orrin S., Minnie E. and Hattie J. Grover. Walter N. and Harry M. are both connected with Mr. Benjamin in the saw-mill.
LUCIEN BINGHAM,
A son of Simon and Dolly Parkhurst Bingham, was born in the town of Vernon, Oneida county, New York, on the 18th of November, 1823. When but a small boy his father moved to Clinton, in Michigan, and died there when Lucien was but thirteen years old. In the spring of 1852 he joined a company of five others and with horses crossed the plains to Cali- fornia. They arrived in July, and he and R. Demuth formed a partnership in a store at American Flat, and he did all the hauling of goods from Sacramento. In 1861 or '62 he run a team across the mountains to Virginia city, consuming from fifteen to sixteen days in making the round trip. In 1866 he abandoned freighting and was employed in the railroad depot at Colfax ; afterwards drove a team from Cisco to Truckee. In 1872 he purchased the place on which he lives, of 200 acres. He was married December 27th, 1865, to Emma M. Ricker, a native of Eastern Pennsylvania. She came to California with her parents in 1852, and settled in Natoma valley.
A. S. BOSQUIT
Was born in Manchester, a portion of Alleghany city, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of August, 1851 ; is a son of John and Rosanna B. Bosquit, whoin May, 1854, arrived in Californiaand settled at Virginiatown, Placer county, where his father actively engaged in mining and other pursuits. In 1865-6 he represented that county in the State Legislature. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, on April 21st, 1821, and died at Virginiatown, California, in 1868 ; Mrs. Bosquit was born in Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, January 21st, 1829. They had
RESIDENCE of P . B . HOGAN . RINGOLD RANCH. ELDORADO, CO ยท CAL*
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BIOGRAPHY.
a family of six children, all of whom are deceased ex- cept Mary Matilda and Archibald S. From 1870 to '72 Archibald S. was a clerk in the post office at Auburn and telegraph operator. In 1872-3 he was agent for Wells, Fargo & Co., railroad bookkeeper and telegraph operator at Shingle Springs. On the 12th day of October, 1873, he was married to Miss Sarah C. Gray. They have two sons, Dallas A., born July 27th, 1874, and Edwin L., born June 22d, 1877. Mr. Bosquit has since been engaged in farming and mining, and is one of the owners of the Houx and Sailor Jack quartz mines, two of the richest quartz mines ever struck in El Dorado county. Mr. Bosquit is residing on the old homestead on Gray's Flat.
GILBERT N. BROWN
Is a son of Silas W. and Elizabeth Oakes Brown, of Maine, where he was born August 30, 1844, in the town of Brownsville, Piscataquis county. His father came to California in 1853, he followed him in 1864, and 1865 they were joined by his mother and three sisters, and all located at Pilot Hill, where they now reside. Gilbert is the only son. He is an engineer and practical lumberman. His father followed lumber- ing in the east, now has a ranch of 320 acres. which he works in connection with mining. Gilbert served during the late war in the 11th Maine Infantry, under Col. J. C. Caldwell. He is a member of the first Grange organized in California. Is an I. O. O. F., and also a member of the Masonic Fraternity.
GUILLAUME BARRETTE,
One of the early settlers at that once prosperous camp of Frenchtown, in El Dorado county, was born in the district of Montreal, Lower Canada, on May 12, 1823, He is the fifth child of a family of ten, who were sons and daughters of Louis and Marie Barrette, who died in Canada when young Barrette was 14 years of age. He began a mercantile career which he conducted in the town of La Praine, Canada. In 1850 he came to the Pacific coast ; on the 8th day of January, 1851 he settled at Frenchtown, in May of the same year he opened a store and kept it doing a very large trade until 1865, when the mines in the district failed; he then abandoned the mercantile business and began farming and wine making; has about 8,000 vines and a large orchard. His sons Ernest and Phillip are en- gaged in stock growing.
Of the old settlers Mr. Barrette is the only one left at the town proper. His home is handsomely located, well watered and adapted to farming or stock raising.
ZAR P. BRANDON.
This gentleman was born on the 1 1th day of March 1821, in Sarke county, Ohio. He is a son of Joseph
and Catherine Brandon. In 1843 he went to Wis- consin, located first in Rock, next in Walworth, and finally in Jefferson county, where he resided till the spring of 1850, when he crossed the plains. He ar- rived at Placerville on the roth of July, and at once went to mining on Weber creek. In 1851 he returned to Wisconsin after his family and brought them out in 1852. On the 3d day of May, 1853, he located on his present home on Indian creek, where he has 320 acres of fertile land well watered. Mr. Brand on was married in 1842, to Martha Enyant, who died in 1853, on French creek. To them were born four children, viz: Amberson E., Helen, Myron P. and Washington P. Helen is now Mrs. J. G. McClinton, of San Francisco. His second marriage was to Louisa Doan, and to them have been born seven children, viz : Mattie, now Mrs. Frank T. Fuller, Madison D., Lincoln, Horace, Mabel Frank, Giles and Minnie M. On his farm, on Indian creek, is to be found fine fish ponds well stocked with cat, carp and goldfish ; all kinds of fruit known to the climate is grown, and considerable attention given to good stock and poultry.
AUGUST BARING,
Now a resident of White Oak township, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1829. When about three years old his parents removed to the United States, and settled near Niles, in the State of Michigan. In 1853 he sailed to California, and excepting three years spent in Nevada, has been a resident of El Dorado county since. Was married October 21st, 1880, to Mrs. Agnes Harriett, widow of the late William Harriett, a native of Scotland. She came to the United States in 1857, and settled with Mr. Harriett near where they now live on Kelly creek. Mr. Harriett was a merchant at the place for over fourteen years.
DAVID BENNETT
Is a son of George and Clohey (nee Latton) Bennett. His father was a native of Western Virginia, and his mother of Steuben county, New York. They were married in Ohio and David was born at Waterloo, on the 20th day of November, 1820. When ten years old his parents removed to Ohio, and soon after to near Lewistown, Fulton county, Illinois, where they lived for twenty years. David was married October 7, 1841, to Maria Louisa Fuller, a daughter of James Fuller, of Lewistown. For 9 years he resided in Illinois working on the farm in summer and at coopering in winter. In 1850 in company with a brother and some friends, fitted up an ox team and crossed the plains to California, leaving the family behind in Illinois. He followed the mines in Nevada, El Dorado and
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HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Tuolumme counties until 1852, when he returned to the Atlantic States. After spending one year there he again crossed the plains with his family, consisting of wife and five children.
He then located on Deer Creek, this was in 1854.
In 1857 he purchased the place on which he now resides, from St. Clair Denver, who had only a squat- ter's right. It consists of 360 acres of beautiful land well wooded and watered, 212 miles from Shingle Springs, the present terminus of the railroad, which passes direct through Mr. Bennett's ranch. He has reared a family of eight children, three sons and five daughters, viz: Erasmus D., William L., Elizabeth, who died at the age of 16, Mary H., Minnie A., now Mrs. Henry Goodcell, Jno. D., Nettie and Ida M., all of whom are well educated.
Mr. Bennett came to the county a poor man, and at one time lost heavily by the destruction of his barn and contents by fire, and yet by hard work and econ- omy has accumulated a handsome property on his farm; he has about ro,ooo grape vines and a good or chard. His second marriage was on the 8th day of May, 1870, to Mrs. Saunders, widow of Charles Saunders, of Latrobe. A view of the residence of Mr. Bennett will be found on another page of this volume.
REUBEN KELLY BERRY
Was one of the men who rushed to the gold fields upon the first announcement of its discovery. He was born in Delaware county, New York, August 19th, 1813. When but a young boy his parents re- moved to Tompkins county, and here he grew to man- hood, and for some years was engaged in operating a stage line in the Catskill mountains, and in the manufacture of rubber. On January 26th, 1849, he took passage on the ship Morrison, around Cape Horn, for San Francisco, where he arrived September 2 rst. After looking around Sacramento and Coloma, he determined to settle at Salmon Falls, then known as Higgins' point. Here he engaged in the freighting business with ox teams, hauling between Sacramento and the mines at 40 cents per pound at times. In 1850 he returned to New York and brought out his family. They located at Salmon Falls, and he was one of the influential citizens of the place until his death, which occurred March 12th, 1871. He was the first alcalde, an office existing prior to the county and State government, and for almost all the time of his residence at the Falls acted as Justice of the Peace. He was married on December 21st, 1844, to Miss Amanda Phelps, a native of Delhi, Delaware county, New York, and a daughter of Elihu C. and Catherine Phelps, of their family but one is now alive, Theodore
E., who is in charge of the farm at Salmon Falls. Mrs. Berry still resides on the old homestead, once a lively and popular resort for the traveling public. Mrs. Berry is one of the pioneer women of the place; when she came only her sister, Mrs. Higgins, and a Mrs. Hanks were there.
WILLIAM BUCHAN,
Of Centerville, was born in Arbroath, Scotland, Feb. 14, 1823, is a son of Robert and Margaret (Stevens) Buchan. When but 14 years old he went to sea, and continued sailing until he came to California, in 1850.
On the 17th day of April, 1851, he came to Cen- terville and began mining in Pittsfield ravine. In 1856 he was married to Charlotte Lester, of Peterhead, Scotland. She died in 1856. In 1857 he began business in Centerville, where he is now. In connec- tion with merchandise he owns the Pilot Hill ranch, of 97 acres. In 1870 he was appointed Postmaster and still presides over the office.
JOSEPH T. BLUNDELL,
A native of Duchess county, New York, where he was born in a hotel on Duchess Turnpike, Nov. 4, 1840. Is the fifth child of a family of nine sons and daugh- ters of John and Mary Blundell; when about one year of age he went with his parents to Bridgeport, Con- necticut, and then to Housatonicville, Mass., then to Norwich, Conn., then to California, sailed via Cape Horn to San Francisco, was off Cape Horn Christmas day, arrived at Placerville in March, 1853. They went at once to Uniontown and rented the New York hotel from Harry Lau, at $250.00 per month. Had 90 boarders at $ro per week. At that time there was two stores. Robt. Wood, Jas. Brown and Benj. Smith, both died at New York House and his mother died at Uniontown. In 1858, went to the Frazer River, and was sick for one year after his re- turn. In 1861 J. T. joined the Fourth California Infantry, under Col. Judah, went to Fort Yuma, served three years and was discharged at Fort Yuma. Returned to Coloma and thence to Arizona in the mines at Colorado canyon at the head of navigation on the Colorado river.
On his return from the army he went to Brown's Valley and engaged in quartz mining (acquainted with Osborne since '65). For several years he followed the mines. After returning to Coloma he engaged in sur- face mining in what is known as the Stuckslager mine, in 1880, in company with Oscar Osborne pur- chased the "Pioneer Garden." Is a member of F. and A. M., also I. O. G. T. In politics Republican. Never attended school but six months in all, when 14 years old went into the mines. His whiskey bill has
WINE HOUSE
.
RESIDENCE OF DAVID BENNETT BENNETTS RANCH. SHINGLE SPRINGS ELDORADO CO CAL.
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BIOGRAPHY.
been as high as $80.00 per month, now does not touch it. On the organization of the Champion of the Red Cross in California, he and Osborne were both charter members at Brown's Valley. It was called the Occidential Encampment. Mr. B. has two sis- ters, Mrs. Norris and Mrs. Stearns.
SOLOMON ADAMS BERRY,
One of the Pioneers of El Dorado county, was born- in Somerset county, Maine, on the 28th day of' No vember, 1806, and is a son of John and Mary (Byrant) Berry. His father was a native of New Hampshire, and his mother of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Wm. Berry learned the millwright trade in his native State, and soon after removed to Massachusetts, from there, in 1835, he emigrated to Jackson, Michigan, and after three years returned to the East and engaged at work in a cotton mill at Lowell. In 1840 he went to New Orleans, and then to Lafayette, Indiana, where he resided nine years.
In 1849 he came to California by the southern route through Mexico. After arriving on the coast he came to Georgetown and engaged in mining and hotel keep- ing, and has been known as a popular landlord to the present time. In 1850 he was proprietor of the Georgetown house, after it burned down he kept a house on the hill opposite, where the present hotel stands.
He was married in Massachusetts to Miss Julia Allen. By this union there was one daughter, Frances Ann Bell, born in Lafayette, Indiana, Sep- tember, 17, 1846, now Mrs. B. F. Shepherd.
W. A. BUCKNAM.
M. J. Bucknam and his two sons, C. C. and William A., removed from Dubuque county, Iowa, to Califor- nia, and settled at Spanish Dry Diggings and engaged in mining.
Mr. Bucknam, Sr., crossed the plains in an early day, and W. A. and C. C. came via the Isthmus of Panama a few years later. The sons are engaged in mining and merchandising at Spanish Dry Diggings, whilst their father is conducting a farm in the imme- diate vicinity. The store they are now proprietors of was opened by G. W. Hunter in 1852, he was suc- ceeded by Wilson, and he in turn by the Bucknam Bros., and is the only business place left at Spanish Dry Diggings.
FREEMAN BRYANT AND FRANCES STAUNTON Were born in North Hampton, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, and they were married there in May, 1817. They were the children of well to do and highly respected parents. The Bryant's were of Welch and the Stauntons of English ancestry.
At the time of the marriage of Mr. Bryant and
Miss Staunton, a colony had been formed to go into the wilds of Cattaraugus county, New York, to devel- ope and cultivate what was then but a wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant joined them. By patient and steady endeavor the little colony planted their homes, and the wilderness was changed to pleasant villages and handsome farms.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were born six children, of whom the second, named Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 5th of November, 1822.
At the age of 28 he had accumulated a good prop- erty, was engaged in farming, dairying and lumbering, had built a handsome residence, and upon the 3d of September, 1850, married Miss Jane W. McKallor, whose ancestors were among the Scotch colony who settled Washington county, New York, and who built the town of Argyle, naming it in honor of the Duke of Argyle, the chief representative of their clan Mc- Callummore.
In 1858 Joe Bryant, grown tired of the rigorous winters of New York, bade farewell to his wife and two babies, and came to California to build a home in the more genial clime of the Golden State. Four years afterwards he sent for his family, having estab- lished a home in Diamond Springs, which has ever since been their residence. Mr. Bryant has lived an active life, lumbering, farming and stock raising.
Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have two children, Charles F. and Agnes J., who are grown to manhood and woman- hood.
BEN. C. CURRIER,
Born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 29, 1822. After gradu- ating at the High School, Newburyport, Mass., worked ten years as a brick and stone mason, came to Cali- fornia, 1849. Leaving the Missouri river May 16th, with a pack-train, arrived on Bear river, near the present site of Colfax, Aug. 13th, commenced mining on Bear river, then North Eork American river. Lo- cated on Oregon canyon, near Georgetown, Dec. 1849, worked in Illinois and Oregon canyons, Mameluke and Cement Hills, also at Smith's Flat, above Placerville. Departed for the "States," April, 1856, returned June, 1877. Renewed work in Illinois canyon, under the shadow of an old dam, portions of which remain, built by him 1849. While absent spent one year on the west coast of Africa. From '59 to '65 steam- boating on the Western rivers. Served in the City Government of Newburyport, in the Mass. Legis- lature, 1873, '74 and '75. Not an active politician, though always interested in local public affairs. An old Whig, but stronger Republican.
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HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
ALEXANDER CONNELL
Was born at Syracuse, State of New York, Oct. 20, 1829. His early occupation was that of a farmer.
Came to California 1849, by wagon train, overland. After a few months' work at Ford's Bar, Middle Fork of the American river, settled in Georgetown. Has since been, with a temporary absence to his Eastern home, engaged in mining in the vicinity, principally on Oregon canyon and Canyon creek, at Mameluke Hill and North canyon divide.
Possessing naturally a strong and robust constitu- tion, strictly temperate in all his habits, he has been enabled to accomplish an amount of work, individ- ually, rarely performed by one person. Is a man of very positive convictions. All his undertakings have been characterized by energy and foresight, which if it does not always bring, deserves success.
CALEB GARDNER CARPENTER,
Of Diamond Springs, is a son of Nathan and Sibyl Carpenter, of Chenango county, New York, where he was born March 14th, 1817. There were five child- ren who lived to maturity, viz: Maria, Nancy, George, Exana and the subject of this sketch, who worked on a farm, in a saw-mill and in a carding mill, in which branches of trade his father was engaged. In 1838 he departed from the parental roof and traveled through the Western States, for about six years work- ing at intervals, as a pleasing opportunity offered. In 1844 engaged in merchandising in Chicago, this he followed for seven years. In 1851 he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, and located at Diamond Springs, and for four or five years was en- gaged in mining. About 1856 or '57 he opened a brewing business in Diamond Springs, after three years he closed the business up and engaged in fruit growing on the place he now owns. He has now one of the finest orchards in the county, consisting of 2,000 apple, 2,000 pear, 500 peach, 500 plum, 50 apricot, 50 almond trees and a great quantity of walnut, quinces, nectarines, together with small fruits, chestnut, mulberry, oranges, lemons, figs and pomegranate, to JOHN CARRE gether with about one dozen persimmons and about 125,000 grape vines, from which he makes brandy and wine ; for brandy he claims superiority, having obtained the first premiums over all competitors at State and other fairs. He has brandy for which he gets $10 per gallon at this writing, (1882), it is eigh- teen years old. He married in 1851 to Sarah H. Payne, a native of England, by this union there has been five children, viz: Caleb F., Nathan T., Sarah, Walter D. and Mary Louella, all faithful and indus- trious. Mr. Carpenter is an active member of the Placerville Grange, of which he is the Master, and has and persevering, and success has rewarded his efforts.
infused new life into the Order that was on the de- cline. He was twice Master of the Grange in the early establishment. In 1878 his residence and sur- roundings were destroyed by fire, the year preceding he had lost another property by incendiarism, and in 1879 he was bereft of his wife, thus did ill-luck seem to brood about him, but despite it all he labored on and did prosper. He now has one of the most beau- tiful and valuable properties in El Dorado county.
JAMES CROCKER
Is a son of Samson and Mary Crocker, who were na- tives of Devonshire, England, where they were mar- ried about the year 1815; they came to the United States and settled in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, where John, the oldest brother of the family, was born. From Baltimore they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where James, the subject of this mention, was born on the 21st day of January, 1833, and is the fifth child of a family of nine children, eight of whom grew to be men and women and are yet living. Mr. Crocker's boyhood days were spent in working on the farm, and his education confined to the public schools. Early in the year 1855 he was seized with a mania for the gold fields of California, and started via the Isthmus of Panama in pursuit of his fortune in the same.
On the 17th day of June, 1855, he arrived and be- gan mining at Coloma, then a prosperous and popu- lous town. He followed the mines most of the time, from his arrival until 1874. Spent some time in freighting over the Sierra Nevada to Nevada mining camps.
In 1874 he began farming and fruit growing. Has about 17 acres of land on which there is about 1, 700 fruit trees and one thousand vines.
On the first day of January, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary McKay, and to them 6 chil- dren have been born, viz: John O., deceased; Frederick, James H., Mabel, William and Sarah. Is a member of A. O. U. W., at Coloma, and also of the Sutter Mill Grange.
Is of French ancestry, but was himself born in Southampton, England, on the 15th of April, 1834. When 8 years old his parents removed to the United States and settled near Marion, Lain county, Iowa. When he was 17 years old he crossed the plains to California. He payed $125.00 for a passage across with a man by name of Walton, and then walked most of the way. He arrived at Placerville on the 15th day of September, 1851. Mr. Carre's parents died when he was quite young, leaving him entirely depend- ent upon his own resources. He has been very active
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BIOGRAPHY.
He engaged at whatever his hands could find to do when he first came to California. He soon bought a mining claim and was quite successful, clearing $1,000 the first three months he operated it. In 1859 he began mining on Gray's flat, and for some time was mining on Jayhawk.
In 1862 he began clerking for Win. Dorman, on Jayhawk. In 1863 bought him out. In 1876 he re- moved to where he now lives and opened a store, here he carries a stock of from four to five thousand dollars, and is Postmaster. The office is known as Green Valley. He was married in 1864 to Mary Connor. An attempt was made in 1881 to rob his store, in which en- counter Mr. Carre was severely wounded by a pistol shot.
WILLIAM H. COFFIN
Is a son of Henderson W. and Harriet (nee Kneer) Coffin. He was born in the town of Roscoe, Winnebago county, Illinois, May 27th, 1846. In a very early day his parents removed from Herkimer county, New York, to Winnebago county, and were among the first families there. William worked on his father's farm till 1869, when he came to California, arriving at Sacramento October 20th. He worked on a farm at Shingle Springs for a short time. In 1870 he located his present home of 160 acres, and began improving it. He was married November 2 1st, 1875, to Lunetta Col- lins, a native of Horseshoe Bar, where she was born August 8th, 1858. They have three children, viz: Henry H., Charles C. and Lola B. Mr. Coffin's farm is well watered and productive of very large yields of grain. Mr. Coffin is a hard working and temperate man and has been successful in his pur- suits.
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