USA > California > Amador County > History of Amador County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 68
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1866
Wm. Jennings, C. H. Ingalls, L. McLaine
1867
46
P. Cook
A. Yoak.
L. MeLaine, D. M. Goff, Henry Peck
James T. Farley
A. C. Brown, J. M. Johnson11
1870
Henry Peck, L. McLaine, L. R. Poundstone.
L. McLaine, L. R. Poundstone, J. A. Eagon, H. D. Ford. John Eagon H. D. Ford, R. Stewart .
H. D. Ford, R. Stewart, John A. Phipps.
W. H. Stowers, L. Miller.
1874
R. Stewart, J. A. Phipps, M. Murray
1875
W. H. Stowers
J. A. Phipps, M. Murray, Robert Stewart.
H. A. Carter, Thomas Dunlap
1877
A. Edsinger
Robert Stewart, J. O. Bartlett, Robert Aitken
F. M. Brown13
R. Ludgate, T. Dunlap.
1878
J. O. Bartlett, Robert Aitken, B. Ross. .
1879
L. Miller ..
B. H. Schacht.
Robert Aitken, B. Ross, Dan. Donnelly.
B. F. Langford
L. Brusie, R. C. Downs .
1880
(8) County Assessor ex officio. Superintendent in 1854.
(9) Offices of Coroner and Administrator combined in 1872.
(10) The time of taking the seat varied from September to January. When more than thrce are named, they all acted during the year. In 1863, Kingsley and Woolley, from District No. 1, both claimed seats, and voted at the same time. (See History.)
(11) From Alpine county. In 1865 Alpine and Amador were made one Legislative district, which continued until 1874.
(12) Miner Frink declared elected, but his seat was contested and obtained by A. C. Brown.
(13) In 1877 Amador was united to San Joaquin as a Senatorial District.
(14) W. T. Lewis, joint Senator with Calaveras.
(15) G. W. Seaton was elected, but killed by the explosion of the Yo Semite, previous to the session of the Legislature.
297
OFFICERS OF AMADOR COUNTY.
Wm. M. Seawell, James Livermore
1857
John Vogan. . J. C. Shepherd
C. Y. Hammond, R. Stewart, J. Linzee . .
J. A. Eagon.
P. C. Johnson, J. H. Bowman.
C. Y. Hammond, George Mc Williams, J. H. Allen
R. Burnell
G. W. Seaton, W. A. Waddell
1862
W. A. Few
C. H. Ingalls, 1 .. MeLaine, D. M. Goff
I. B. Gregory, George M. Paynell
1868
James Carroll, L. McLaine, D. M. Goff
1869
1871
Chas. Boarman
H. L. Waldo, John A. Eagon
1872
1873
66
D. Myers.
1876
M. Murray, Robert Stewart, J. O. Bartlett.
B. Ross, D.m. Donnelly, R Aitken.
H. B. Bishop, I. B. Gregory, E. A. Kingsley .
1865
J. G. Severance, J. A. Brown, E. A. Kingsley
W. B. Norman
*
BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES.
GEORGE ALLEN
Is a native of the city of New York; born on the 11th of July, 1841. Being left an orphan at the early age of one year, he was taken to Rochester, where he lived about ten years. His education was obtained in different portions of the great " Empire " State, his occupation, after he was old enough to work, being farming. In 1860 he came to Califor- nia, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, landing in the city of San Francisco on the first day of March. The second day of the same month found him at Sutter Creek, Amador county, which he has since made his home. He has been engaged in various kinds of business since arriving at this place, prinei- pally teaming, lumbering, and stock-raising.
For the first six years he followed the former bus- iness, and then engaged in the lumber trade, which business he still conduets, having the only lumber- yard in Sutter Creek. A good portion of the time he has several teams on the road, hauling lumber from his saw-mill, better known as Tarr's mill, situ- ated about ten miles above Voleano.
He is largely interested in stoek-raising, dealing in and raising horses, mules, and cattle, extensively. Mr. Allen has in the neighborhood of three thousand acres of land adjoining Sutter Creek, all under fence, and well supplied with the necessary arrange- ments for the prosecution of his business; has numerous barns for the shelter of his stock. He also has some fifteen hundred acres of mountain range, to which he drives his stock when the feed fails around his home ranch. Taking into consideration his being left an orphan when so young, Mr. Allen is a self-made man, and has accomplished what many others have failed to do. His honesty, integrity and punctuality have always been prominent features in his dealings with his fellow-men.
He was married July 11, 1870, in Amador City, to Miss Annie E. Bradbury, a native of the State of Maine. Their union has been blessed with five children, four of whom, two boys and two girls, are still living, their oldest child, a daughter, having died.
JEFFERSON BAIRD
Was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1826, where he resided until the Spring of 1839, when, with his parents, he removed to Iowa. While there he learned the carpenter's trade, though prin-
cipally engaged in farming. In 1850 he was swept off by the great California wave, which sent such a vast number of the best and most energetic across the plains to build up a new State. After resting and looking around awhile at Sacramento, he went to Rough and Ready, in Nevada county, where he remained one year, engaged in mining. From thence he moved to El Dorado county, making that his home until 1876, being engaged in mining ditches until 1856, when he bought into a saw-mill, which, in connection with the selling and transportation of lumber, he carried on until the year mentioned, when he finally located on the present farm, which he had previously purchased. It is situated three miles north-east of Plymouth, and contains three hundred and twenty acres of ground highly improved.
Mr. Baird was married September 14, 1868, to Miss Mary Ann Brown, who died May 1, 1877. The family consists of Mr. Baird and an only son, now twelve years of age. He is a man trusted by his neighbors, and is a member of the Board of School Trustees of his district.
CHARLES BAMERT
Was born at Baden, in Germany, April 2, 1830. The first five years of his life were passed in his native country; but coming to America at that early age, his first recollections are consequently located in this country. Upon his arrival in America, he avent with his parents to Ontario, New York, where he remained until 1852. During that time he attended school and acquired a common school education.
In the year last named, he came to California, reaching San Francisco in the month of July. His first occupation was that of a miner, in Ophir dis- trict, in Placer county, where he experienced the trials and privations usually connected with that kind of life in those days. For eight years he fol- lowed that business, and in 1860 settled on the Mokelumne river, where he has since resided. Mr. Bamert has a fine ranch containing seven hundred acres, and is also largely interested in other tracts of land in connection with other parties. He has been extensively engaged in stock-raising, but more recently has turned his attention to the sheep bus- iness, in company with Pardeau & Borden. For thirteen years Mr. Bamert has been engaged in gen- eral merchandise, being first interested with Messrs. Woolsey & Palmer, afterward purchasing their inter-
300
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
este in the stock of goods, and conducting the busi- ness himself. His natural ability for the trade has manifested itself throughout his years of experience and he ranks at the present time with the prosper- ous and successful business men of the county. He was married in 1876, to Miss Leah Shelburn, and their union has been blessed with two children, now nged three and one years respectively.
EDGAR BISHOP.
The subject of the following sketch is a native of New York State, having been born at Warrensburgh, Warren county, in 1839. Upon reaching his major- ity he left the familiar scenes of his childhood, and began the battle of life for himself, his objective point being California. His first location in this State was at lone, Amador county, where he was engaged in trade from 1861 to 1866, In June of the last named year, he removed to the eity of San Fran- cisco, and for about fourteen years was widely known as a successful groeer of that thriving eity. In. the Spring of 1880, Mr. Bishop returned to Ione and pur- ehased the stock and trade of Daniel Stewart, and is in possession of a large, thriving business.
He was married in San Francisco in October, 1873, to Mrs. Sophia C. Streeter, and their union is blessed with two children, both girls.
J. C. BLYTHER
Is a native of the State of Maine; was born in the town of Calais, Washington county, January 7, 1826. At the tender age of three years he removed with his parents to the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. In the "Crescent City " he received a liberal eduea- tion, and resided there most of the time until 1850, at which time he came to California. Like nearly all the early pioneers of the "Golden State," his aspirations led him to seek his fortune in the mines, and his first oceupation after reaching his destination was consequently that of delving in the earth in search of the precious nuggets. After a short time in his first location, he sought other places where it was believed dame fortune had deposited a larger supply of wealth for him; and, possessing a rambling nature, visited different parts of the State during the succeeding eleven years. In 1861 Mr. Blyther eon- eluded to settle down, as he was a firm believer in the old adage that "a rolling stone gathers no moss," and in the last-named year located on the ranch, where he is very pleasantly situated at the present time, owning one of the best places on the Mokelumne river; though containing but two hundred acres, it is well eared for, and eondueted on the true prineiple that land in order to be remunerative, must receive a certain amount of attention. He was married in 1866 to Mrs. Child, who had one ehild by a former marriage, that now lives with his parents, a bright,
active young man of nineteen years. Mr. Blyther is a courteous gentleman, and in connection with his rep- utation as a good farmer, has the good-will and esteem of his neighbors, and is what might be called a self- made man.
JOHN A. BROWN
Was born in the town of Warsaw, State of Missouri, on the 25th of November, 1848. When he was a mere infant his parents came across the plains to California with ox-teams. The first recollections of which our subject is master, are of life in the golden State. His edueation was obtained in the schools of this State, and speaks volumes for the country that but a few years since, was known only to the hardy pioneers and the " dusky sons of the forest." The first location of the family after reaching the land of promise, was on Bear river, near Marysville. One year later they removed to Amador City, and soon after moved on to a farm near Sutter creek, where they remained fourteen years.
The subject of our sketch attended sehool until about twenty years of age, and at the early age of twenty-two years was elected as a Justice of the Peace, holding the office nearly two years. He was engaged in various kinds of business after leaving sehool, and put in some time prospeeting; he also studied law for a couple of years, but during this time he had an ambition to become a eivil engineer and surveyor, and accordingly fitted himself for that profession.
In 1878 he received the appointment of County Surveyor, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of that officer, and the same Summer received his papers appointing him a United States Deputy Surveyor. Sinee receiving his first appointment as County Sur- veyor, he has continued to fill that position to the present time, and has dispatched the duties of his office with entire satisfaction to his people and with credit to himself. In 1879 he made a survey of all the public roads of this county, and is at present engaged in making an elaborate eounty map. Mr. Brown is an accomplished and thorough gentleman in all the associations of life, and also fully appre- eiates the fact that his profession requires the atten- tion, that he so readily gives to it.
He was married February 25, 1880, to Miss Vir- ginia Hayden, one child having been born to them.
ANTHONY CAMINETTI
Was born at Jackson Gate, in Amador county, July 30, 1854, being one of the first children born in the county. His parents are natives of Italy. The first ten years of his life were passed in his native place, and at that age he went to the city of San Francisco, and attended school, for three years. In 1867, he returned to Jackson, and entered the employ of his Uncle, B. Caminetti, as clerk in his store. In this
LITH BRITTON & REY. S.A.
LITH BRITTON & REY 'SE
GEORGE ALLEN.
MRS.GEO ALLEN.
THOMPSON &WEST, VARLAND-
301
BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES.
last position he remained about three years, and again went to San Francisco, and entered the law office of Quint & Hardy, as clerk, and remained in that capacity until the completion of the first trial of Laura D. Fair. He soon after entered the State University, at Oakland, where he pursued his studies until October 31, 1873, at which time he returned to Jackson, and commenced reading law in the office of J. T. Farley. In May, 1877, he was admit- ted to the Bar of California, and, during the same year, was elected as District Attorney. During the Legislative session of 1875-76, Mr. Caminetti filled the position of Assistant Journal Clerk of the Senate. He was at once recognized as a leader in polities, and in 1880 received the nomination as alternate elcetor on the Democratic Presidential ticket. In social life he is a genial gentleman, enjoying a large cirele of friends, and though young in years, carries a well-balanced head; and we may expect to see him honored in a. manner becoming his talents.
W. W. CARLILE
Was born in Carroll county, Ohio, December 3, 1839. He resided in that State until 1846, when he removed with his parents to Keokuk, Iowa, where he lived until 1862. When but little past his majority he discovered that it was not good for man to live alone, and took himself a wife, Miss Phebe Smith, who has blessed him with six children, four girls and two boys; all but one girl now living, who bid fair to inherit the virtues and industrious habits of both parents. May 7, 1862, himself and wife, paeking their worldly estate into a wagon, started for Califor- nia with an ox-team, full of hope and determination that if hard work would wrench good fortune out of the California chaos, they would have a share of the gold and other good things. The daily plodding through the sands and climbing of mountains ter- minated, and one evening they let their eyes feast on the green valleys of Ione, which formed such a con- trast to the alkaline plains of the two thousand miles they had so wearily traversed. They rented a farm and orchard in the interior of the valley, and sunrise and sunset saw him either at work on his place or on the way to market. In those days all kinds of farm produce brought a good price, and in a few years he had accumulated several thousand dollars, enough, as he thought, to give him a good start in the West, for like most early comers to Cali- fornia he had not learned to consider California an inviting home. In 1872 he pulled up all his stakes and removed to Kansas, with the intention of making that State his home. But, alas! he had not calcu- lated for the cold winters. He did not like the idea of having his heels freeze while his toes were toast- ing at a fierce fire; one winter of it was enough .. The following Spring he was on his way to Cali- fornia, and reached it in due time a wiser, if not a
wealthier, man, for this bit of experience had made quite a hole in his little capital. But the word fail had no place in his vocabulary. He was not long in getting under way, and soon bought the place on which he now resides, it being in the neighborhood of the noted Q ranch, containing some of the best land in the famous Ione valley. In addition to farming his own place he has been engaged in threshing for the many farmers in his vicinity. His love for machinery and knowledge of mechanics has enabled him to make many improvements in the steam power and separators, one of which is likely to become extensively adopted. This is an attach- ment to the engine to raise the grain to the separator without the aid of horses. As the machine is under the control of the engineer, it makes a saving of both horse and man power. It is needless to say that Mr. Carlile has secured a patent for the improve- ment, it being the first in this direction. Our readers will better understand the nature of the improve- ment by consulting the engraving in the body of the work. Coal in considerable quantity is found on his ranch, and the same stream of gravel that has made good diggings on the Coffin place, also traverses his.
JAMES CUMMING.
Few men have a more varied or extensive expe- rience than Dr. Cumming. A volume of interesting incidents might be written without exhausting the subject. He is a native of Tennessee, first seeing the sunlight February 10, 1813, among the mount- ains of the eastern part of the State, which has pro- duced so many extraordinary men, such as Andrew Johnson and Parson Brownlow, Grainger county being his birthplace. He received a liberal eduea- tion, both classical and scientific, being a graduate of the University of Knoxville. He afterwards studied medieine, graduating in the Transylvania University of Kentucky. He spent some years in the practice of medicine in Decatur, Alabama, but, in consequence of ill-health, was forced to leave that section of country, removing in 1836 to Peoria, Illi- nois, where, in addition to the practice of medicine, he engaged extensively in real estate transactions. Ile rapidly accumulated property, soon becoming rich. January 17, 1842, he married Miss Mary Ann Dorsey, daughter of Captain Chas. S. Dorsey, of Kentucky. It was remarked that the richest man had married the handsomest woman in four counties, this seeming anomaly arising from the fact that the Dorsey residence stood on the corners of four coun- ties. Miss Dorsey made him an inestimable com- panion, and still retains much of the beauty which forty years ago made her the queen of all the prairie flowers. They have had three children, none of whom are living to inherit the beauty of the mother, or the intellectual qualifications of the father.
His extensive business operations carried him to
302
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
different parts of the Union, his longest stay being made in New Mexico, near Santa Fe, where he engaged in trade, and also in government contracts. llis knowledge of the Spanish language, and the character of the peons, enabled him to render the Government efficient service. Ilis experiences among the ignorant and prejudiced, but not by any means bad, natives would make interesting and valuable reading matter, if the doctor conld be induced to commit it to paper. In 1859, he so far closed his business in New Mexico as to permit his leaving the Territory and becoming a citizen of California. Ile was among the first to take passage by the line of overland stages established about that time. Soon after arriving in this State he purchased the prop- erty known as the brick flour mills, which he enlarged and otherwise improved, until he can do
as good work as is done in the State. The mill has both water and steam-power, the water-power being obtained by a ditch which taps Sutter creek about two miles above the town, the steam-power being used when the water is low. Dr. Cumming is a noted inventor, he having constructed the first plow that would sconr in the fat prairies of the West. Ile has patented two important improvements in the turbine wheel, one of which was to contract the openings so as to utilize the whole fall with a small head of water. Ile bas also some thirty other pat- ents, which have been generally adopted. He has occupied many positions of honor, such as army surgeon, member of the Illinois Legislature, magis- trate, etc. Fort Cumming was named in his honor. Ile bas not accepted any official position in Cali- fornia.
BURAL PRESS S.F.
WILLIAM O. CLARK.
WILLIAM O. CLARK.
A personal acquaintance with the subject of this sketch enables the writer to give more of the history of this natural orator than he would be likely to communicate to any one for publication. He was born in Madison, Indiana, January 21, 1817, and con- sequently has seen most of the strides that Indiana, as well as other western States, has made in popula- tion and wealth. He came to California in an carly day, and found ample material in the abundant dram- drinking of California to arouse into action all his powers of oratory, and he early sounded the tocsin of alarm, and proclaimed the evils of intemperance
in every town, from Siskiyou to San Diego, organiz- ing temperance societies in every possible place. Ile is possessed of a sanguine temperament that throws all power available into a contest when once a decision is made, and he made his influence felt wherever saloons existed. He is said to have spent several fortunes in the cause. He has been G. W. P. of the Sons of Temperance for many successive terms. In 1872 he made a trip around the world, visiting England, France, Sicily, Egypt, the Holy Land, India, China and Japan, carrying the temper- ance colors all the time, and lecturing upon it whenever practicable. He has resided in Drytown,
303
BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES.
except when traveling on his special mission, for twenty-six years. He suffered heavily in the great fire of 1857, but saved something from the general wreek. The brick store he elaims to be the oldest brick structure in the county. Other brick buildings were erected before his, but went down in some of the numerous fires which visited every town. He was married in 1857, to Miss Julia Appleby of Ottawa, Illinois. She was noted as combining extraordinary beauty with a vigorous intellect, and in a suitable sphere would have taken high rank. There was little room in Drytown a quarter of a century since, however, for the exercise of those gifts which in the centers of population would have made her a queen of society. They have one child, a son, living. Mr. Clark amuses himself in his intervals of business, by eultivating the hills around Drytown in grain, and demonstrating their ability to produce something besides grapes.
THOMPSON DAVIS .
Was born in the State of Missouri in 1833. At the age of twenty years he emigrated to California, set- tling at Placerville (Hangtown), in El Dorado county, where he lived for two years, when he came to Vol- cano, where he mined for one year; thence to Oleta where he lived for two years; thence to Upper Rancheria, where he also mined for two years. Placer mining becoming rather precarious, he tried farming in Buckeye valley, near Carbondale, for ten years. He then engaged in the mercantile business near Drytown for eight years. In 1879 he removed to Plymouth, where he erected a store and enlarged his business. He has since made this place his home. He was married in 1866 to Miss Maria A. Davies. They have four children.
R. C. DOWNS
Was born in Bristol, Hartford county, Connecticut, on the 19th of April, 1828, where he passed his early years. At the age of eighteen he went to New York City, where he was employed as a clerk in a dry goods establishment. On the 25th of January, 1849, he sailed from the latter eity in the ship Tuhmaroo, Captain Richardson, master; and on the first of the following July, landed in San Francisco. He at once left for the mines, his first location being on the north fork of the American river, where he remained until the Fall of that year. He then removed to Amador creek, and was engaged in the same business until the following Spring. From 1850 until 1859 he was engaged in merchandising at Amador, Rancheria, Sutter Creek and Voleano, in company with Levi Hanford, having establishments at each of those places. Mr. Hanford had charge of the stores, Mr. Downs generally remaining in the city purchasing and forwarding goods. They were
eminently successful, the firm of Hanford & Downs becoming well known over the State. From 1860 to 1873 he was part owner and superintendent of the Lineoln quartz mine at Sutter Creek, Leland Stan- ford being a partner. He made the mine a paying institution. The succeeding four years he spent in traveling, making several trips to the Eastern States, as well as traveling extensively through California. In the Summer of 1877, in connection with J. M. Hanford, he opened a minc near Volcano, now bear- ing his name, which they have worked successfully ever since. Mr. Downs is also owner of the Golden Eagle mine, near Sutter Creek, which he is now prospecting. He was elected to the Assembly of the State Legislature in 1879-80, an office he filled to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He has recently built a fine residence at Sutter Creek, where he intends making his permanent home. He was married in his native town, in October, 1856, and has three sons aged respectively eighteen, sixteen and thirteen years.
THOMAS W. EASTON
Is a native of England, though he came to America in company with his parents when he was but eight years of age. He was born September 1, 1823, in the county of Kent. The family settled in Otsego county, New York. Soon after reaching America, the boy, feeling strong enough to go alone, started out in life on his own account, going first to Cattaraugus county, where he engaged in farming for some years, or until he was twenty-one years old, when he went to Saginaw county, Michigan, where he followed teaching private school for two seasons. Following up the injunction to go west, he made another move, this time to Wisconsin, in which State he resided four years, engaged, most of the time, in farming. In 1848, being then twenty-five years of age, he married Miss Lucinda Jane Van Loan, who was a native of New York. In 1854 Mr. Easton, with his wife and two children-a daughter and son-crossed the plains to California, making their first halt in Sacramento county, going afterwards to Placerville for a few months, finally settling in El Dorado county, where he lived until October, 1873, his prin- cipal business being mining, though he united with this the business of keeping a hotel during seven years of the time. In 1873 he came to Plymouth, then rapidly growing up in consequence of the development of the mines under the management of Alvinza Hayward, and engaged in keeping a hotel. In June, 1877, he was completely ruined in financial matters by the great fire of that year; but the energy which had wrested success out of apparent defcat so many times was not exhausted, and another one was soon flourishing. His family consists of himself, wife and four children.
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