USA > California > El Dorado County > Historical souvenir of El Dorado County, California : with illustrations and biographical setches of its prominent men & pioneers > Part 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
SAMUEL LAWSON (LARSEN,)
Mr. Fowler's friend, associate and business partner, was born in Bergen, Norway, May 30th, 1824. He is the second son of a family of three children, born to Larsen Samuelson and Ellen (Bolletto). At the age of thirteen he quit the public school and for three years was an office or errand boy ; when six- teen years old he began sailing on the high seas, his first voyage was to Spanish ports. In 1842 he came to South America, and during the years 1843-4 shipped from Valparaiso; between Christmas and New Year's days of 1845, he arrived in New York city. In 1850 he decided to visit California and shipped on board the bark Hassard, from Salem, Massachusetts, under Captain Barstow, via Cape Horn to San Francisco. Before leaving New York harbor he had made the acquaintance of William J. Fowler, and as time passed on the acquaintance ripened into friendship and affection that rarely ex- ists between men. Excepting a short time, consumed by Mr. Lawson in a trip to British Columbia, they have been constant associates, business partners and friends. They share alike in the expenses and profits of all their business transactions. Underneath a cluster of three black and one live oak tree on their farm in the foot hills of the Sierra Nevadas we find St. Alabans' cottage, their mountain home, as neatly kept as though a housewife presided there; and was well provided with books, periodicals and newspapers. When the stranger or friend calls in he meets with a hearty, generous welcome from intelligent men, whose
only neglect of social duty has been in living single They have been generous in the expenditure of their mens in support of the needy when called on to assist. Their summers are spent in looking after the fruits on the place and winters in mining some. Both men live in the full confidence of all who know them. Their mountain home is frequently a scene of life and gayety, when neighbors both old ard young gather in to spend a Sunday afternoon or eve- ning in singing and sipping of their native wine. A view of their cottage and portraits of themselves will be found on other pages in this volume.
DANIEL W. FOX
Of Garden Valley, is of English and German descent. His father was of English parentage and mother of Holland ancestors, she being born in the State of Maryland. Daniel W. was born in the town of Man- chester, Hartford county, Connecticut, March 17, 1825; he learned the paper making business in New England.
In 1852 he came via the Nicaragua route to Cali- fornia and engaged in mining on Cedar ravine, near Placerville, thence to the Middle Fork of the American river, and from there to Georgetown, where he had a successful run of mining on the Manhattan creek. In March, 1857, he removed to his present home near Garden Valley, on one of the oldest ranches in the county, having been located by Stephen and George Pierce in 1849, and in the room now used as a parlor a store was kept in early days. This has been Mr. Fox's home since 1857, except two years spent in Oak- land for the purpose of educating his children, Dwight W., who is a graduate of the State University and now completing a course in Hasting's Law College, and Annie B., his daughter, who were both born on the homestead at Garden Valley.
Mr. and Mrs. Fox were united in marriage at Wil- lamantic, Connecticut, on May 12, 1850, by Rev, Jerry Farnsworth, a Universalist minister-her maiden name was Ann E. Bliven. En route to the Pacific Coast, Mr. Fox was shipwrecked. This misfortune to- gether with assisting his three comrades left him with less than $8,oo when he arrived in El Dorado county. Hence to those who know him and his surroundings, it is quite apparent that he has been successful in his efforts to accumulate property. In company with Mr. Russell he owned the Rosekrans quartz mine, one of the best in the county. He has been a liberal sup- porter of the public school in Garden Valley. His home is beautifully located and pleasantly surrounded and with sufficient to support themselves and their children and can spend their declining years in full confidence that life has not been in vain with thein.
243
BIOGRAPHY.
RINALDO FILIPPINI
Is a native of Switzerland, where he was born April 17th, 1849. On the 26th day of September, 1859 he left his native land with eighteen young men. They arrived in New York on the 17th day of October, and on the 20th day of the same month set sail for San Francisco, where they arrived November 26th 1859, and about the Ist day of December, arrived .t Garden Valley. Here he engaged as a clerk in the store of his uncle, who, in company with a partner was doing business under the firm name of William Tell. In 1865, he was promoted from bar tender, packer, cook, etc., to an interest in the busine .s. In 1875, C. Pedrini sold his interest to Clemente Pedrini the old firm of William Tell ceased and a new one was organized under the firm name of Rinaldo Filippini & Co. The partners being Mas- sino Pedrini and Clemente Pedrini. They carry on a general merchandising business'at Garden Valley in connection with which they also conduct one of the largest dairies in the county, milking in the sum- mer as high as 120 cows. They have a very large mountain range, known as Filippini & Co's ranch. Mr. Filippini was united in marriage to Miss Jose- phina A. Filippini, on the 15th day of March, 1865. She was born in Airolo, Switzerland, and is the sec- ond daughter of Giuseppe and Gioseffa Filippini. On the Ist day of October, 1864, she left her native country, and after a pleasant voyage across the ocean, arrived at New York city October, 1864. She arrived in San Francisco, November 26th, of the same year, and proceeded at once to El Dorado county. Mr. and Mrs. Filippini have two daughters, viz: Addie C. and Amelia. Mr. Filippini is one of the best busi- men in El Dorado county, and as such has been prosperous. Is courteous and kind to all who call at his business place.
GUS. H. FOWLER
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Marion, Crittenden county, Kentucky, June 26, 1843, and is a son of Robert Fowler, who was a Virginian and removed to Kentucky in an early day, and engaged in business in Mario: until his death, in 1849. After about two years his widow was again married to C. C. Wheeler, a farmer who resided near the town. Here young Gus lived and worked on the farm until 17 years of age; when he engaged in one of the leading dry goods houses of the town as a salesman. After a few years his employer sold out, and he then accepted a position as salesman in a grocery store, with a rela- tive in Union county, Kentucky. After the breaking out of the war his employer sold out, and he entered into a co-partnership with a party in Louisville to
operate in coal oil lands, etc .; before this business could be successfully closed up, the excitement died out. Mr. Fowler closed out his interest and returned to his native town, was united in marriage to Miss Jennie McKane in March, 1867. To them was born a daughter, viz: Ida L. Fowler. Mr. Fowler's next venture was the rebuilding of the Courthouse, which had been destroyed by fire during the war. After com- pleting this he engaged in a contract to cut away the timber and clear a route for a contemplated railroad- for a distance of 24 miles.
Failing health then caused him to remove to Col- orado, where he engaged in mining. The high altitude and consequent rarity of the atmosphere, did not prove beneficial to his health, and he removed to Cali. fornia in 1877, and has since been engaged in quartz mining, and is at this writing, an active partner in the Shirley mines, near Shingle Springs, also the Smuggler, and is one third owner in the Ribbon Rock mine near Placerville, located clear to the Pacific Mine and on the famous gold belt of Nevada and Amador counties.
MAURICE GRIFFITH GRIFFITH,
The subject of this sketch, was born on the historic grounds of Paoli, the headquarters of General Anthony Wayne during that epoch of the struggle for Inde- pendence, while the British troops were occupying Philadelphia, and the massacre of the American troops conducted by Major General Grey on the night of September 20, 1777, wherein no quarters were shown, had its result in retaliating measures when afterwards General Wayne stormed and carried Stony Point, his answer being "Remember Paoli."
The family of Griffith came from Wales with the first settlers of that colony, the progenitor, Morris Griffith, founding the first Episcopal Church in the great valley near Paoli.
The grandfather, Benjamin, occupied the estate which passed to the father, John Griffith, where he raised a family of eight children, Maurice Griffith being the youngest and the fifth boy. His mother, Maria Barbara Tenny, was of French origin, her great grand- father, Schroddon, having left France for participation in political complications.
The family's of Griffith and Tenny, espoused and bore their share of the Colonial cause, and the war of 1812 was participated in by John, the mother conduc" ting the farming operations, but not neglecting to carry a hamper of eatables to her husband, thirty miles dis- tant, every fortnight.
Raised a farmer, his education was attained during the winter months in the district public schools, the system having been adopted by the State during that time. At the age of 18 years, the winter months were
241
HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
occupied in teaching, and the summer months at work on the farm. On the acquisition of California by the United States Government, it was his perma- nent desire to come hither, and on the first day of May, 1849, bade adien to all those he held dear, leav- ing Philadelphia to come overland, which was not ac- complished till the 8th day of August, 1852, passing the Sierra's and the north side of Lake Bigler. Hav- ing effected most of the distance on foot. The inter- vening three years were spent in Indiana and Illinois, the time being occupied in teaching and reading of law in the office of Mark Delahay. The first mining which attracted his attention was in Gold canyon, Ne- vada, the proprietor offering a one-half interest of mine and outfit to the invoice, to remain with him. The next mining operations was in Antonio canyon, North Fork of the American river. Stopping at the first elass hotel, the Hammond House, some two hours were spent in waiting for a turn to "dry out." Here was found a thrifty village, built on either side of the Sacramento road leading to Placerville, or Hangtown, as it was called, a half mile in extent in the midst of a rich placer field. He en- gaged in mining in Dead-man's Hollow, realizing from ten to twelve dollars per drain. Next engaged in mining in Mathena creek, Gold Hill, Rich Bar on the Cosumnes river, and Bean Hill. At the same time being an itinerant purchaser of gold dust. On the failure of Adams & Co., the banking house, he moved into the office of Wells, Fargo & Co., and be- gan the business of dust and bullion purchase, checks, or doing a banking business on a small scale, the pur- chases of dust aggregating from $200,000 to $300,000 annually. After the fire of 1856, wherein the town Passing down to Yankee Jims, the abandoned wagons, the remaining stock and outfit were disposed of, and in company with a '49-er, he struck for Big Bar on the Middle Fork of the American river, and two days labor were performed on the opposite bar with a rocker, the proceeds, about six dollars worth of dust, being donated to said '49-er, the partnership ceased, and employment was sought for and obtained was nearly destroyed, a school-house being required, he accepted the unenviable position of trustee and soon had the satisfaction to see a commodious school building erected and equipped, which was afterwards daily attended by from seventy-five to ninety scholars, the classics and higher branches of mathematics being part of the instructions, the school being second to none in the county. Being a warm and zealous on Sandy Bar at $6.00 per day, two days work, the friend of the public school system, he continued to first being assessment work for James W. Shanklin, the now Surveyor General of California. The last month of that season was in a claim owned by him- self at the head of Yankee Slide, obtained from an "honest " Dutehman, Fred Smutzler, who would not be prevailed upon to accept of a consideration, even the claim after being made to pay, for as he termed it was "noting wort." Between the two a strong bond of friendship after existed until Fred. crossed the river. The rainy season found him possessor of nearly one thousand dollars, the result of three months labor. discharge the duty of trustee till called to the country seat at Placerville, to discharge the functions of the office of Sheriff to which he was elected in the Demo- cratic victory of 1865, after having suffered two de- feats on the head of the ticket in the year 1861 and 1863, though leading his ticket by many hundred votes. He was elected as his own successor, being the first in 1867, holding till March, 1870. During said terms of office he was most ably assisted in the arduous discharge thereof by Jas. B. Hume, under- Sheriff and Jas. 1). Mc Murray and John Cartheche, Deputies. During said terms two double executors were administrated. A strong partisan from principle, he never lost the esteem and friendship of his opponents, and was reckoned as the single-handed electioneerer of the day. While in the possession of office, private affairs, lumbering, mining, and agriculture, received due con- sideration. His nominations were accorded without opposition. His terminus of office was without a scandal, and he carried the good wishes, not only of his party but of many of the opposition, many of whom were his most ardent supporters.
The month of December was spent in prospecting in Placer and Sacramento counties, near Mormon Island, and the day of remembrance to all good churchmen, Christmas, with its recollections of savory dinners of turkey and cranberry sauce, was spent in wading sloughs between the Island and the old Deer Creek House in a pelting storm of rain. The next day brought the advent to Diamond Springs via Mud Springs, through which a safe trip was made from mining down, by holding window sills and the sides of houses. 'Twas said the street was packed with mules, but no ears being discernable its truthfulness is not vouched for by him. Arriving at Diamond by the early candle light, he was informed by a sign at a clubing establishment six by eight feet in the clear, that the house of Rothschild had an agency there, James Uhlman, proprietor and agent.
In 1877 he consented to campaign for the State Senate; the district was Republican, and a new sys_ tem of electioncering being inaugurated, he was de- feated, though supported by many Republicans.
He retired from the lumber business and pursued mining and agriculture.
RESIDENCE ON THE MINING CLAIM.
AYLMER PELTON'S RESIDENCE ON HIS RANCH WHITEOAK TO ELDORADO CO. CAL.
245
BIOGRAPHY.
ALLEN T. GRAY,
The subject of this brief notice, was the first actual settler on Gray's Flat, and the one from whom it de- rived its name. He was born in Trigg county, Vir- ginia, October 22, 1814, is the seventh son of a family of twelve children, born to James and Catherine G.ay. In an early day they moved from Virginia to Kentucky and settled on a farm.
Allen T., remained at home cultivating his father's farm until the year 1828. On the 4th day of Septem- ber of that year he was joined in wedlock to Miss Phoebe Pack, a daughter of John and Sarah Pack, who were natives of Maryland on the fathers side, Ohio on the mother's.
Shortly after their marriage they moved to Polk county, Missouri, and engaged in farming. In 1841 removed to Montgomery county, Illinois. In 1851 Mr. Gray crossed the continent to California. He left home on the 5th day of April and arrived at Mud Springs on the 9th of September, same year. He fol- lowed mining until in January, 1856, he rented Shingle Springs Hotel which he kept until late in October of the same year. He then moved on to his present home on what is known as Gray's Flat, and was the first family to locate there He owns about 400 acres of land, about 60 of which is good mineral land.
Mr. Gray was the last Treasurer of El Dorado county, before the office was merged into that of the Sheriffs' office. They have had six children, viz: Owen A., Dallas P., Eusley T., Medora A., Sarah C. and Mary V. Medora is now Mrs. D. B. Merry, Mary V., now Mrs. John L. Houx and Sarah C., Mrs. A. S. Bosquit. A view of the residence and surroundings will be found on another page of this volume. It was erected in 1858, and completed in 1863. Mrs. Gray was born December 7, 1814. Both herself and hus- band are yet, at the advanced age of 68 years each, in the enjoyment of good health, and have promise of many more years of life. Their ancestors lived to be 100 years and some of them older.
JUAN F GRAINGER
Came from Missouri to California in 1859. He was born in Todd county, Kentucky, on the 23d day of June, 1842. His father Alfred P. Grainger was a farmer and merchant. He died near Deer creek, on the 7th of December, 1863. His mother died when J. F. was about 3 years of age.
His younger days were spent in a store as a clerk. When 13 years of age he went to Missouri, and from there crossed the plains.
His first venture for himself in California was at Mud Springs, and next on Gray's Flat near where he now resides.
He was married Nov. 20, 1881, to Mrs. Annie Smith of San Francisco. He is engaged in quartz min- ing in company with G. H. Fowler, and they are now operating a mine, on what is called the Shirley ledge, on which they have a 5-stamp mill. Of Mr. Grainger's brothers and sisters, there were ten, seven of whom are living, viz : Juan T., Marion S., Silas St. Clair, Payne F., Violi, now Mrs. Samuel Nichols, Rebecca, now Mrs. Henry Nichols and Alfred.
GEORGE W. GALLANAR
Was born in the city of Pittsburg, August ist, 1852, and when about two years old his parents removed to the West, residing a short time in each of the follow- ing named cities : Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio ; Chicago, Illinois ; Davenport, Iowa ; and St. Louis, Missouri, in which State George received his educa- tion at the State University. After completing his school studies, for a time he engage! in whatever his hands could find to do ; the first venture was to carry the United States Mail between Jefferson city and Hibernia ; next in the United States quartermaster's department, then a position in the Missouri Elevator at St. Louis, and finally on the Missouri, Kansas city and Northern railroad, where in a short time he was promoted to yard master, and stationed at St. Joseph, Missouri. Abandoning this position he removed to Genoa, Nevada, where he taught school for a time and studied law with George P. Harding, district at- torney of Douglas county ; afterwards filled an en- gagement on the Eureka and Palisade railroad. Next to San Francisco where he was engaged in carpenter- ing and was at work for some time on the Baldwin Hotel and Theater. His next move was on the northern division of the C. P. railroad, where he re- mained until May 9th, 1878, when he came to Union- town and is now engaged in merchandising. He was united in marriage July 18th, 1876, to Miss Anna A. Lohry. They have one son Frederick, born in San Francisco, California, May 17th, 1877. Mr. Galla- nar practices in the Probate and Justices courts, also in the United States land office. Is a member of Coloma Lodge, No. 27, I. O. O. F. also Coloma Lodge, No, 203, A. O. U, W. Is editor and proprie- tor of the Lotus Press, issued in Uniontown. The first number appeared on June 27th, 1882.
WILLIAM H. GRAY
Was born in Edwardsville, Madison county, Illinois, Dec. 25, 1820. His parents were natives of Virginia and removed to Illinois in 1818, and reared a family of nine sons and three daughters, and Wm. is the youngest of them all. When he was but 5 years old, his parents removed to Montgomery county. Here
246
HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
he lived till 1849, working on a farm, that year he fol- lowed an ox team to California. In 1851 he returned to the States, and in 1853 again crossed the desert waste to California with a band of cattle. For a time he was located at Logtown, from 1860 to 1865 was at Gold Hill and Silver City, Nevada. He was married April 30, 1868, to Julia Moses, to them have been born three children, Mary C., William P., and Eliza, He has 80 acres of land located on Blue Tent creek. so called from fact of a tent by that color having been there in early days.
WILLIAM E. C. GRIFFITH
Is of Welch ancestry. Was born on the high seas, February 12, 1817. Father's name was William, a blacksmith, who settled in Illinois in 1821. When a lad of about 18, the subject of this sketch learned the same trade and began work in a machine shop in St. Louis, Mo., after a while went as an engineer on a Mississppi river steamboat, made a two years' trip to the Rocky mountains with Van Bebber and Calloway on a trapping and hunting expedition. In 1846 enlisted for service in the war with Mexico, at close of the war he followed the river until 1852, when he came to California where he has since continued to live in El Dorado except a short time spent at Virginia city, Nev. Is a member of F. & A. M., a machinist and engineer by trade.
THOMAS AGUSTUS GALT
Was born in Spartanburg district, South Carolina, in the year 1830. His father, Jabez Galt, was en- gaged principally in farming, following at times his profession of civil engineering. The parentage was of Irish descent, on the maternal side was of the family of Machin. The religion of the ancestry was Protestant. In the year 1841 the family removed to Cherokee county, Georgia, and assumed the occupa- tion of farming. In 1852 joined the emigration which had already set in for California, arrived in the month of March; taking up his residence in this county in which he has ever since resided. He engaged in min- ing until a few years past, when he became interested in agriculture. In the year 1855 he was married to Miss Marion Gray, with whom he has reared a family of five children.
In the year 1873 was elected on the Demo- cratic ticket to the office of Assessor and Collector for two years. Was re-elected to the same office in the year 1877, and was again his successor by election in 1879, to a four year term, to expire in January, 1883.
SILAS HAYES
One of the oldest settlers at Pilot Hill, was born in the town of Hartland, Hartford county, Connecticut, April 30, 1802. He came to California via the Isth-
mus of Panama in 1851, and settled at Centreville, on the farm now owned by N. Vincent, where he resided for 25 years, and now at the ripe old age of 80 years we find him quite hale and hearty, with a home at the residence of A. J. Bayley, Esq.
JOHN D. HAGGART
Popularly known as "Uncle John," was one of the first settlers at Uniontown. He was a native of Glov- ersville, Fulton county, New York, from which place he removed to California in 1849, and located at Uniontown. There were then no houses in the vicinity and Mr. Haggart and his comrades, Pogue and He- drick, who was a blacksmith, camped under a large tree on Union Bar, and began mining. In the spring of 1850 he returned home to New York, but came to California again in 1852, after two more trips across the United States he returned to his California home, and on Sept. 29, 1876, at the ripe age of 79 years sur- rendered up his life and was laid to rest in the burying ground at Uniontown. He was born July 4, 1804. Daniel Haggart his son, was born at Gloversville, New York, June 9, 1833, and in his native town learned the glover's trade, afterwards - glue making, in which business he worked for a time as foreman. In 1852 he took passage via the Nicarague route to California, arrived in San Francisco, January 10, 1853, and im mediately j ined his father at Uniontown, from that time until 1865 he was engaged in mining.
Is now engaged in fruit growing near Uniontown, has about 16 acres of beautifully located ground, on which he has about 10,000 vines, together with apples peaches, pears, plum trees and about 1,000 black- berry vines.
Mr. Haggart is an I. O. O. F. at Coloma, of which he is P. G., A. O. U. W., and is Past M. W., of Sutter Mill Grange and I. O.G. T.
HENRY HAKEMOLLER
Of Peru, El Dorado county, is a son of Henry and Mary Hakemoller, and was born in Hanover, Ger- many, in December, 1824. His father died when he was but a small boy. In 1839 he accompanied his mother to the United States and settled in Baltimore, Maryland ; from there they moved to New Orleans ; and in 1849 to California. His first mining was at what was known as the falls of Irish creek. The summer of 1850 he spent on Murderer's Bar and re- turned to Irish creek in the winter. In 1854 he purchased an interest in the Cornelius Cooledge store at Peru, after awhile Mr. D. M. Pierson bought out Cooledge and he and Hakemoller kept the store until, 1861, when it was closed on account of the death of Mr. Pierson for wounds received at the hands of out- laws, who robbed the store on the night of October
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.