USA > California > El Dorado County > Historical souvenir of El Dorado County, California : with illustrations and biographical setches of its prominent men & pioneers > Part 49
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SAMUEL DENSMORE COLBURN,
The subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Tunbridge, Orange county, Vermont, September 5, 1818, and is one of a family of seven children.
His father was Joseph Waud, mother Sallie (Dens- more) Colburn, who are of English extraction and of the early families of Vermont. Samuel's early life was spent on his father's New England farm. In 1850 he came to California and engaged in mining at Rock Bar, thence at Coloma, then on the Middle Fork, Gold Hill, and in the fall of 1855 to Kelsey, when in a short time he took up his present ranch and planted the first fruit trees in the vicinity in 1857. He now has one of the largest and best of orchards, in which there are all kinds of fruit trees. On the 15th of June, 1871, he was married to Mrs. Annie Curtiss, and Samuel D., their son, was born May 25, 1876. A "Centennial" christening was given to him. His step- daughter's name is Caddie Curtiss.
When Mr. Colburn was only 7 years old his father died, his mother married again, and in time the step- father also died, leaving Samuel D. and his mother in charge of a large family of small children. When he came to California he was without means, but through economy and habits of industry has accumulated a good property. He has served as schoolmaster for 20 years, constable 4 years and for one term as Justice of Peace.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN COE
Was born in Hancock county, Indiana, on May 19th, 1835 ; he was the second son and fifth child of W. F. and Harriett Washburn Coe, who were natives of Ohio. William F. spent his youth on his father's farm. In 1854 he came to California, and the follow- ing year worked at mining on Alabama Flat, thence to a tunnel near Placerville, and for about two years farmed in Sacramento valley. In 1858 he went to British Columbia. Here he took out considerable gold, but returned again to Spanish Flat, where he bought him a good home and still resides. He owns the mine known as the Railroad claim.
ROGER COX,
Of North Coloma, is a son of Roger and Ann Cox, and was born in Cornwall, England, on the rst day of January, 1824. Whilst in his native country he was engaged in agricultural pursuits.
When 24 years of age he emigrated to the United States and settled in Iowa county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in mining. Here he became acquainted with and was wedded to Mrs. Margaret Nicholls, on the 15th of June, 1852. By this union there is one daughter, now Mrs. Charles E. Markham.
In 1852 he crossed the plains to the golden west, locating at Uniontown, El Dorado county, where he engaged in mining. In 1859 he removed to Coloma and has continued to reside there since, engaged in mining. In 1879 he purchased the toll bridge at Colom. In 1880 it was swept away, he rebuilt it, and in the high waters of 1881 it was again taken down stream and not rebuilt, but a suspension bridge for foot passengers erected.
MRS. SARAH F. DORMODY,
Widow of the late William Dormody, was born in the town of Baltimore, county of Galway, Ireland. When about three years old she came with her parents to United States and settled at New Orleans, from therc they removed to Chicago. She came to California in 1855, and on the Ist of January, 1856, was married to William Dormody and settled at Green Springs ranch. Mr. Dormody died from an accident on the 4th of September, 1876, occasioned by his team run-
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HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
ning away. He was born in the county of Kilkenny, Ireland. After coming to the United States he was engaged in merchandising in the town of Springfield, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was also one of the pioneer merchants of El Dorado county, opened a store at Kelsey, Georgetown and Coloma. He was a very active man and successful in business. Since his death his widow has taken charge of the es- tate, and with the aid of her sons is conducting an extensive business; there are about 1,000 acres on the ranch, well adapted to stock growing, having fifty- four living springs of water on it. There are great quantities of hay cut from it every year. In the palmy days it was a popular retreat for travelers, wedding parties, etc. The place has been twice destroyed by fire. A view of the residence can be seen on another page of this work. The family consists of eight children, viz : Mary I., Thomas J., Cecelia F., Leonard, William, Sarah J., Hugh M. and Rose.
LOUIS M. DAVIS,
Born March 12, 1827. Son of Isaac Davis of Mont- ville, Waldo county, Me. Emigrated to California via Isthmus of Panama in 1851. Was married Jan- uary 1. 1858, to Mrs. Jerusha Stevenson, who was a native of New York and daughter of Silas Symons.
When first coming to California he mined at Plac- crville and Grizzly Flat. In 1859 he settled on his present place at El Dorado (Mud Springs) where he has 66 acres of land, well improved and planted on which is about 5,000 fruit trees.
Mr. Davis is a warm supporter of the temperance cause, a Protestant in religion, and in politics a Re- publican.
EPHRAIM COOPER DAY,
Mrs. Greggs, on Aug. 23, 1858; her husband died of cholera while crossing the plains.
Mr. Day's ancestors lived to be very old, he now looks hale and hearty, with a fair promise of many more years of life and usefulness. He is engaged in fruit growing and wine and brandy making. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and in religion a Protestant. He says he believes every word written in the " good book."
DAVID P. DICKINSON,
Of Mosquito canyon, was born in Amherst, Massa- chusetts, May 13, 1824. His father was David and mother Hannah (nee Dana) Dickinson. His father died when he was about 8 years old.
He remained at home on the farm until he was twenty-one years old, then emigrated to Brighton, Livingstone county, Michigan, where he engaged in farming. After 7 years spent here he crossed the plains in 1852 to California in search of a fortune in the gold fields. He began mining on Rock creek. In the autumn of the same year he came to the place he now lives and put up a small cabin, in which he lived for four years. He never was what was known as "the lucky miner,' and has of later years given his atten- tion more to the care of his farm, which is one of the best of mountain homes.
In 1856 he erected a large barn. In 1858 he built a house, after having batchelored for eight years in the State he decided to make it a permanent homeandsent for his family, who joined him in 1860. He was married on the 4th of March, 1842, to Jane Doyen, of Michigan. They have had four children born to them, viz: Loren P., born in Michigan; Martha A., born in Michigan, Elmore E. and Abbie L., each born in El Dorado county, California. The last two are deceased.
Of Kanaka ravine, El Dorado county, was born Oct. 30, 1807, in Belmont county, Ohio. He is a son of CHARLES McDONALD, Samuel and Penelope (nee Cooper) Day. His par- Of Mud Spring township, was born in Rockrun township, Stephenson county, Illinois, on the 22d day of August, 1844. His parents were farmers in that county, and young Charles lived with them un- until 1852, when Mr. McDonald, who had come to California in 1850, returned and brought them out across the plains. His father was George, and mother was Margaret McDonald. His father died on Buck. eye Flat, in 1880. cnts were both natives of the state of New Jersey, but were married in Pennsylvania, and after the Indian wars of that day, in which he took part, were settled, he removed to Ohio. Ephraim C. was the eighth child of a family of nine, and is now the only surviving one. He crossed the plains in 1853, and arrived at Hang- town on the 20th of August. In 1856 he began im- proving his present home on Kanaka ravine, at one time adjudged the premium ranch of El Dorado Charles was thrown on his own resources when but 16 years old, and followed whatever occupation prom- ised the best returns for his efforts. county. He was first married April 29, 1830, to Mary Ann Simpson, a native of Ohio, and by this union there was nine children born, viz : William S., In 1872, on the 5th day of May, he was married to Miss Mary Fisher, a daughter of Frank and Lena Fisher. His wife is a native of California, and born John C., Zebulon, Eliza J., James S., Sarah A., and Anna L., who grew to be men and women, whilst two others died in infancy. His second marriage was to | on the farm, on which they now live, in 1852. To
RESIDENCE OF I. E. TERRY . TERRY'S RANCH. GREENWOOD. ELDORADO CO, CAL.
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BIOGRAPHY.
them have been born three sons, viz : Orrin Archie, born February 12, 1873, Charles Darwin, born March 24, 1874, and Frank Byron, born March 23, 1876. Mr. McDonald has 210 acres of land, located on the Folsom and Placerville road. It was taken up and improved by Frank X. Fisher, 1854 or '55; he once kept a store on same place. The farm is under a good state of cultivation, and buildings are good and commodious. The location is on Indian creek, five miles from Placerville.
REUBEN T. DEMUTH
Was born in Nazareth, Northampton county, Pennsyl- vania, October 29; 1825. He was reared on a farm until about 21 years old, when he went to learn the miller's trade. He worked in a flouring mill until he started to California, in 1852. From the time he was 8 years old until coming to California, he had re- sided at Clinton, Lenawee county, Michigan.
His first venture in El Dorado county was at mining on American Flat, he afterwards opened a store in company with L. Bingham, in 1854 he quit selling goods and purchased an interest in Thomas Shane's saw mills, on Bear Creek, and one year later bought the other interest and run the mill until the discovery of the Comstock mines in Nevada. The stones or burrs used in this mill were the first ever brought on to the Georgetown divide. The first flour made in the mill was on Sunday, and himself and wife bolted it by hand. His present home was located by John Minters, the pioneer, in 1853, and purchased from him in 1855 or '56.
He was married May 31, 1858, to Margaret Griffin, of Michigan. They have five children, Edwin, Eva, Oliver, Bingham and Ernest. His ancestors for four generations back are Pennsylvanians, of the old Moravian stock. Is an industrious hard working man and has the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
SIMON DES MARSHAIS,
Of Greenwood, is one of the owners and the Superin" tendent of what is known as the French claim. He was born in Montreal, Canada, on the 12th day of Jan- uary, 1827, and is a son of- Peter and Mary Louise, nee Les Mieux, Des Marshais. In Canada he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. In December, 1855, he started to California, and on the 22d day of Jan- uary, 1856, arrived at San Francisco, and in a short time was in the mines at Frenchtown, near Shingle Springs. In September, 1856, he came to George- town. In 1862 he located at Greenwood and has remained since, engaged in mining. After disposing of the saw-mill claim he bought into the French mine seam diggings, and the success of this mine is largely due to the skill and energy of Mr. Des Marshais
It is one of the best mines in the county. He was married July 11th, 1854, to Amelia B. Dabhurthuvise, who was also born in Montreal. There are five child- ren, viz: Ferdinand W., born in Frenchtown April 24th, 1856; Ludivine, born at Fort Hill July 12th, 1859; May L., born in Greenwood August 7th, 1866; Emma M., born in Greenwood June 29th, 1869, and Francis M., born in Greenwood December 2 1st, 1872. His present residence was erected in 1866, a view of which can be seen on another page of this volume.
LEVI DARRINGTON.
This gentleman is of English origin ; he was a son of James and Eliza (nee Levell) Darrington, and born in Bedfordshire, England, on the 10th day of February, 1844. His father was a farmer and Levi worked on the farm during his minority. He came to America with a brother and stopped at Rockford, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. In January, 1860, he arrived at San Francisco, and after about one month spent in looking around the city he went to Richmond Hill and began mining. In this he was not successful, and abandoned it for a position with E. Townsend, of Mormon Island, in the butcher business. In a short time he began butchering on his own account and followed it till 1867, when he purchased his present home of 780 acres, located on the North Fork of the American river, twenty-nine miles from Sacramento. The farm is a productive one and under a good state of cultivation. On the rith day of February, 1872, he was married to Jane Cornelius, a daughter of William and Mary Ann (nee Johns) Cornelius, she was born in Cornwall, England, October 24th, 1847, and came to California in 1872. They have six children, viz: Thomas, born December 2d, 1872; William, born November 30th, 1874 ; George, born April 15th, 1876 ; Zacharias, born November 19th, 1877; Mary J., born August 18th, 1879 and Edith E., born March 15th, 1881. Mr. Darrington is a hard-work- ing practical farmer, believing that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. John Darrington was born September 11th, 1853, in England ; he came to the United States in 1865 and to California in 1869. He was married January 24th, 1882, to May Lloyd, a daughter of Charles Lloyd. He has 160 acres of land adjoining his brother's. They are both industrious and successful tillers of the soil.
D. W. CHICHESTER,
One of the territorial pioneers of .El Dorado, and one of the most conservative citizens of Placerville, was born at Copymans, Albany county, New York, on the 2Ist of July, 1831. The first years of his infancy were spent at the aforenamed place, but with the removal of his parents to Schoharie county, New
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HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
York, he had to accompany them and stayed with them at the latter place until about 17 years of age, when he left home to work for a relative at New Bed- ford, Massachusetts, where he could attend good schools at the same time. Young Chichester, how- ever, remained here but about two years on account of the California gold fever getting higher and higher, it took him also, and in January, 1850, he took passage in the ship Hibernia, which sailed from New Bedford around Cape Horn, and arrived at San Francisco on June 2d. After looking around over the different mining districts, he came to Placerville in the fall of 1850, and has resiced there ever since. Mr. Chiches- ter was a member of the firm of Predmore & Co., who started the first sawmill at the lower end of Placerville, which commenced running in May, 1852, and some time later was connected with a stamp mill to crush the ore of the old Pacific mine; since then he is and always has been principally engaged in the lumbering business. Mr. Chichester has been married twice and became father of six children, four of whom are still living.
CALVIN W. DUDEN,
Of Latrobe, was born in Lecking county, Ohio, on the Ist day of May, 1838. When very young his father moved to Van Buren county, Iowa, and en- gaged in the mercantile business, and when old enough Calvin entered the store as a clerk. In 1853 he removed to the Pacific coast and engaged in mer- chandising at Coloma. In 1859 he was appointed a Deputy County Recorder, which position he filled with credit to himself and universal satisfaction to the people, for four years. The voters of El Dorado then gave evidence of their esteem by electing Mr. Duden to the office of Recorder for two years. In 1865 he was chosen by the Central Pacific Railroad as their agent at Latrobe, and also telegraph operator and agent for Wells, Fargo & Co's express, which position he still holds. Mr. Duden was united in marriage in June, 1873, to Miss Tennie A. Miller, eldest daughter of Hon. James H. Miller, of Latrobe. To them have been, born two sons, George J., born on the 5th of June, 1874, and William H., born on Octo- ber 14th, 1875. Mrs. Duden was born at Latrobe on the 18th day of January, 1855. Mr. Duden is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has acted as master of the Lodge for a number of years. Is a genial, sociable gentleman, generous, and universally esteemed as a good fellow.
F. R. J. DIXON
Was born in Humbleton, near Hull, in Yorkshire, England, June 8th, 1829. He received a collegiate education, intending to fit himself for a physician,
but when nineteen years old he accepted a position as as- sistant in the Colonial Secretary's office at Melbourne, Australia. He resigned this position and went to the gold diggings to engage in the mercantile business. While merchandising he also acted as a correspondent for the English newspapers. In January, 1860, he arrived in California and engaged in mining at Pilot Hill, and thence to Bath, and engaged in farming. From here he went to San Francisco, where for four years he was in the insurance business, after which he again returned to the mines in Placer and El Dorado counties. In 1879 he removed to Green- wood, where he is Justice of Peace and Notary Pub- lic; before the adoption of the new Constitution he did some law practice. Mr. Dixon is an enthusiastic opponent of Chinese immigration; in 1867 he was President of the Anti-Coolie Convention, etc. On the 18th of August, 1851, he was united in marriage to Rebecca Chappell, by which union there have been nine children, six of whom are yet alive, viz , William H., Robert P., Eleanor J., Frederick R., John H. and Mary H. The three deceased ones are Frederick E. K., Isaac J. and Arthur C. These three and William H. were born in Australia, the balance of the family in California. The first venture of the Dixon Brothers was in establishing themselves in the butchering business at Greenwood, on Decem- ber Ist, 1881. They are both active workers in the order of the Blue Ribbon temperance club, of which Mr. Dixon, Sr., is President.
WILLIAM DAVEY,
The subject of this sketch, was born in Comwell, Eng- land, November 5, 1826, and is a son of James and Ann Davey. He followed copper, iron, lead and zinc mining until 1853, when he came to America and settled in North Carolina, where he mined again. In 1854 he came to California and began mining at Georgetown on Jones and Mammeluke Hills, also at Georgetown Slide. In 1875 he settled on the place he now owns and in connection with his farm operates some in mining. He was married in 1860 to Jane Mitchell. They have a family of four children, viz: George Washington, born February 22d, and hence the name; James, John and Emily. Mr. Davey was educated in his native country to a very limited ex- tent; he was only seven years old when he entered the mines to work at 50 cents per month, to aid in sup- porting his father's family. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge at Georgetown.
GEORGE ENDRISS
Was born in the town of Goppingen, Kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany. Is a son of George and Catherine Endriss, his father was a tanner and at the
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BIOGRAPHY.
age of 14 years George went to learn the trade of ranch, where he now lives, and began improving it for brush making in h s native town. He was educated a permanent home. The place contains about 320 acres of beautiful land well watered and fenced. A view of the place can be seen on another page of this volume. There was once a post office kept at the place but removed in 1869. He was married on the 2d day of May, 1868, to Phillipena Etzel, a daughter both in the public and high scho Is of hi- native kingdom. In 1848 he left his home for America and settled in Philadelphia, Penn., where for three years he was engaged in brush making. In 1852 he fell in with the tide of emigration to California and once in the State he engaged in mining on Michigan Flat, of Conrad Etzel. To them has been born one son, near what was known as Red Hill and followed it for on the 9th of March, 1869, called Albert. Mr. En- gesser is an upright, honorable man enjoying the good will and esteem of all his acquaintances. fourteen years with success. He is now the leading wine maker of the vicinity, has about 28,000 vines, handles from 5 to 6 thousand gallons of wine and from 6 to 8 SOPHARY EUER hundred gallons of brandy per annum. Was married in 1859 to Mary Bauer, and to them have been born four children. Amelia L., Mary E., Laura and El zabeth.
JACOB EGGER
Was born in the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, Janu- ary 16th, 1835. He attended school until 17 years old, when he came to the United States and settled at Sandusky, Ohio, where he worked at the carpen. ter's trade. From here he went to Sauk county, Wis- consin, where he pursued his trade in connection with farming. In 1859 he started for Pikes Peak, but when he had reached Fort Laramie, he changed his mind and traveled to California, arriving in Septem- ber. He traveled around through the mines consid- erable, and in 1862 located on Sweet-water. In 1870 he purchased the Rose Spring ranch, of 200 acres. In 1880 erected the present residence. He was married in 1862 to Bridget Connor. They have 5 children, William, Jacob, Frank, Mary and John.
Mr. Egger came to California without any means having to walk a portion of the way in his stocking feet. By hard work and economy he has secured him a good and handsome home of 200 acres, all under good cultivation and well improved.
FREDERICK ENGESSER
Was the third child of a family of five who were born to John and Mary Engesser, of Wurtemberg, Germany, where Fred was born, on the 22d day of October, 1832. He attended school in Germany until he was fourteen years old, and after completing his education, for about ten years worked on his father's farm. When he came to the United States he lo- cated at Manchunk, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in teaming. In 1855 he came to California and be- gan mining at Bidwell's Bar. In the fall of the same year he moved to Coloma and followed mining till 1863. During this year he bought a twenty-mule team and began hauling freight' over the mountains to Nevada. He followed this business with good results until 1868; he then purchased the Green Valley
Is one of the leading dairymen of El Dorado county. He was born in the Canton of Swytz, Switzerland, in December, 1840. His father was Ludwig Euer, who kept a dairy, and. young Sophary spent his childhood's days in acquiring a common school education and herding cattle upon the Alpine hills of his native land. He came to America in 1855 and remained at St. Louis, Missouri, until 1857, when he came to Cali- fornia and engaged in cattle raising in Yolo county. The drouth of 1864 drove him over the mountains into the Walker river country, in Nevada, where he sold his band, and after one year spent there he re- turned to California, and in 1866 worked on the ranch of H. Barton. In 1867, in company with A. Jewell, he bought a dairy of eighty cows. In 1868 he purchased Jewell's interest, and has since con- ducted it alone. He has about 1,500 acres of land in his foot-hill home where the winters are spent, and over 1,000 acres in his mountain ranch. In the year 1881 Mr. Euer made 17,000 pounds of butter. On the 6th of January, 1871, he was married to Marie Clara Lamblet, of Folsom, and five children have been born to them, viz: Lillian, born October 20th, 1871; William, born June 15th, 1873; Clara, born December 20th, 1874; George, born August 4th, 1877 and Robert Sophary, born June 29th, 1879.
WILLIAM J. FOWLER
Was the only child by the marriage of Benjamin and Elizabeth Fowler. He first saw the light of day at Dunstable, Beds'ordshire, England, on the 28th day of July, 1827. His boyhood days were numbered in various pursuits, such as clerking, driving a team and as a sailor on the high seas, which he began while only sixteen years old. In 1831 he came with his parents to Canada. From 1843 or about that time he began a sailor's life, he called America his home ; previous to 1848, for some time, he had made Roches- ter, New York his home. On the 8th of March, 185 1, he arrived in California, and in company with Samuel Lawson, in the interest of Gregory Yale and William Thornton, prospected for and discovered the
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HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
first coal mine in the State. After a short time spent in the lighterage business in San Francisco, he went to Coloma where he arrived July 4th, 1851, and dur. ing the latter part of August, of the same year, he located at Dufftown, in Kelsey township. There was about twenty log cabins there at the time, and on each Sunday Messrs. Fowler and Lawson would cele- brate their sailor custom of having plum duff for dinner and hence the name of Dufftown. In 1857 he removed to Kelsey, and in 1860 to their present home in St. Albans' Cottage, located on section 13 township 11 north, range 10 east. Here they began some improvements of a crude kind, however, as they did not intend to remain or make it a home ; a few fruit trees were bought and planted, thinking they would do some one good if not themselves. In time the brush fence gave away and a board fence was erected and that also decayed and was replaced. The original cabin failed to afford the comforts de- sired by Mr. Fowler and his partner, and their present structure was built. It is neat and commodious, well and tastefully furnished.
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