USA > California > Amador County > History of Amador County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 71
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 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
During the year 1852 he made a flying visit to New Orleans, but he had seen too many of the advantages of California to remain in the older States, and soon returned to the State to make it a permanent home. At Volcano he engaged in mining, with varied suc- cess, until 1867, when he was elected to the position of County Treasurer, which place he held for four years, having been re-elected at the end of his first term. He then engaged in quartz mining for four years, when he was again elected to the position of Treasurer, which he holds to the present time. He has executed the duties of the office with marked ability. He was the author of the proposition to devote a portion of the county funds to the extin- guishment of the county debt, which, under the operation of the law, has gradually been liquidated, and bids fair to soon take its place among the events of the past. He has operated quite extensively in quartz mining, having been a stockholder in the Kennedy, Monterichard, and other valuable mines; also owns a large tract of gravel-mining ground near Kennedy flat, and also a quartz vein called the Vol- unteer mine, east of the Kennedy.
He has had ninc children, six of whom, four boys and two girls, are living.
HIRAM C. MEEK
Is the patriarch of Amador county, dating his birth as far back as 1792. He is a native of Virginia, a countryman and neighbor of Washington, whom he saw frequently, and remembers well. Since that time and this, eighty years apart, what a change. Then, Jefferson and Adams, Burr and Hamilton, were engaged in the political strife, which led to the death of one of the men, the political and social ruin of another, the destruction of the old Federal party, and the creation of a Democratic party, which, through a nearly unbroken line of sixty years, shaped the political character of the United States. Well may one say with Everett, " Venerable inan, you have come down to us from a former genera- tion." The last of the Revolutionary soldiers de- parted long since. Soou the last of that century, the last of those who were contemporancous with the great men of that age, will have vanished; and the time is not far distant when to have seen a man who had seen Washington will be a matter of pride. Major Meek is perhaps the only man in California who has seen the father of his country; the only connecting link between this and the century just passed. The Major is a brother of the famous trap- per, whose book has been read with such eagerness by all the youth of America, and accompanied him in nearly all his travels. He is now settled down in comfortable quarters, surrounded by members of his family, enjoying a serene old age. His portrait, an excellent likeness, indicates an amount of vitality that justifies the expectation of his reaching the beginning of his second century.
314
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
GEORGE MOORE,
Judge of the Superior Court of the county of Ama- dor, was born in Danville, Boyle county, Kentucky, February 14, 1850, and is, therefore, at this time thirty-one years of age. His parents were W. I. and Elizabeth C. Moore, the former being a native of Pennsylvania, the latter a native of Kentucky. Judge Moore was educated for the profession of law, having graduated from Centre College, Kentucky, in the year 1870, whereupon, after pursuing his studies for two years in the law office of Durham & Jacobs, at Danville, he attended the law lectures at Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts. When but twenty-five years old he was appointed one of the Tilden and Hendricks electors for the Eighth district of Kentucky. In the Winter of 1877 he emigrated to the State of California, and commenced the prac- tice of law in Amador county soon afterwards. After the adoption of the New Constitution in 1879, which brought about such important and extreme changes in our judicial system, Judge Moore was nominated and elected as the presiding officer of the new Superior Court for the county of Ama- dor, being at the time of his elevation to the bench one of the youngest judges of that court in the State. Judge Moore is of a turn of mind pecul- iarly adapting him to the position which he occu- pies; logie, and its natural sequence, law, being with him almost spontancous growths. The writer recently had an opportunity of witnessing his ability in the great mining case involving the Empire and Pacific mines of Plymouth. Some f the most celebrated lawyers in the State, among whom were Belcher, Estec, and Boalt, well known in San Francisco, were present. His rulings and decisions won the respect of the entire Bar. It is hardly probable that Judge Moore will remain in the mount- ains when the cities offer such brilliant rewards for men of his ability. He is pleasantly situated, as the sketch of his house in another part of the book will show.
.
MATTHEW MURRAY,
The subject of the following sketch, is a native of Ireland, born in County Cavan, September 15, 1834, where he remained until, at the age of fourteen years, he emigrated with his parents to the United States, and settled in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, where for seven years he was engaged in the grocery business and in the cultivation of his mind, devoting his leisure moments to the study of such branches as are required in the interests of merchandising. Desiring a richer and more extensive field for the cultivation of his business talent, he decided upon California as the proper place, and landed in San Francisco on the second day of July, 1855. He soon after located near Michigan Bar, in Sacramento county, and was engaged in selling goods during the succeeding three years. His aspirations did not lead
him into the mines in search of an immediate fortune, but his ambitions were centered in the business he adopted when he first arrived in America. In 1858 Mr. Murray removed to Lancha Plana, Amador county, and still continued the mercantile business until 1863, since which time he has been interested as owner and superintendent of water ditches used in working the mines. By strict application to bus- iness he has been successful in nearly all of his business ventures. He is well known throughout the county, and has held the position of Supervisor of the First district for several years, and still remains in that office, performing the duties acceptably to his fellow-men and creditably to himself.
Mr. Murray was married November 6, 1861, to Miss Celia E. Murray, and their union has proved fruitful, as the ten beautiful children, seven girls and three boys now living, can testify.
JOHN NORTHUP
Was born in the town of Hamburg, Erie county, New York, October 5, 1822, and remained there until he reached the age of fifteen years. During that time he attended school, and acquired a thorough knowl edge of the common branches taught in the schools to which he had access. His next location was in Cass county, Michigan, where for fifteen years he was a tiller of the soil. The knowledge acquired during that time was of great advantage to him in the succeeding years of his life. In 1852 Mr. Northup came to California, and engaged in the usual occupation of. those days, that of mining, in Amador county, and for about nine years followed that pursuit, experiencing the ups and downs of fort- une peculiar to the early searchers for the golden nuggets. At length, after his long experience in that direction, he turned his attention to other pursuits, and engaged in farming, and for the past four years has been the " champion melon man " of the Pacific coast, often planting as high as one hundred to one hundred and fifty acres to that kind of fruit, and shipping the melons to San Francisco and Oakland, his sales sometimes running as high as two thou- sand melons per week. His " melon patch " is in San Joaquin county, and he was the first to ship fruit direct to the city from his locality for the wholesale trade, in which he has been successful.
His home place is almost a paradise, he having an abundance of fruit trees and vines, which are care- fully cared for and " show their keeping." His house is beautifully situated near the Mokelumne river, and is one of the prettiest places in the county.
He was married in 1856, to Miss Ann M. Harmon, and they have six children, two girls and four boys.
Mr. Northup has the reputation of being fair and square in his dealings, and thoroughly wide awake when any business is on hand, not often being over- reached.
315
BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES.
R. W. PALMER
Is a native of Massachusetts; eame around the Horn, or rather through the Straits of Magellan, in 1849, being among the first, and perhaps last of the Argo- nauts to make that interesting but perilous passage. The adventures of the passengers among the sav- ages, as related by him, are among the marvelous things of a marvelous age. He was engaged in trade for many years at Sacramento, but in 1856 moved to Lancha Plana, engaging in merchandising in company with the Hon. J. W. D. Palmer, with whom he remained until the partial failure of that camp as a mining region. The amount of goods sold and exchanged for dust would astonish a merchant of the present day. At that time the river, bluffs, and hills, were all giving up their treasures, and thou- sands of dollars then were but as tens now; but all things must have an end. Lancha Plana followed the ordinary custom, and failed to pay. Upon removing to Jackson, about 1865, he engaged in the livery business, and still keeps first-class turn- outs for those who wish to explore the country on business, or pleasure. He is married, and has an interesting family; is pleasantly situated, and if not acquiring riches, is in comfortable circumstances. He is a public spirited man, ready to leave his own business to benefit his neighbors; is generous and hospitable, ready to entertain his friends with the best in the house, or with the best of stories, of which he keeps an inexhaustible supply always on hand.
JAMES F. PARKS
Was born in Hooper county, Missouri, on the ninth of September, 1835, where he remained until he was six years of age, at which time he removed with his parents, to Benton county. His early life was passed in his native State, but as youth ripened into man- hood, he was not content to remain quietly at home while other young men were exploring the much- talked-of gold fields of the Pacific, and he accord- ingly bade adieu to those he loved and started out to seck his fortune with the countless thousands that were flocking to the Golden State of California.
In 1855 he reached his objective point, and at once repaired to Kern river, during the great excitement upon the discovery of those " diggins." He did not find what he sought in that locality, and soon after engaged in mining in Mariposa county, and after- wards in Nevada county. In 1861 he crossed the Sierras to the Territory of Nevada, and for the suc- ceeding eight years was engaged in mining at Virginia City. In 1869 he went to White Pine Dis- trict, and from there to Plumas county, California, where he was appointed foreman of the Indian Val- ley mine. On the first day of April, 1873, he came to Amador county, to accept the responsible position of foreman of the Keystone minc, where he has since been employed. As a foreman he stands second
to none in the State, always the same affable gentle- man, much estcemed by his employers and the people generally.
His years of experience among the great mines of Nevada, place him in the front rank as a practical mining man, and, to add to his other accomplish- ments, he is a thorough practical surveyor and civil engineer, and does all the work in that line for his company.
Mr. Parks was married October 8, 1871, to Miss Mary Phebey, of Sacramento, and they have four children.
PALMER N. PECK,
The subject of the following sketeh, is a native of New York State, having been born in Yates, Orleans county, December 23, 1831. During his youth he removed with his parents to the State of Michigan, where he remained until nineteen years of age. He had during these years acquired a good education, and after leaving sehool entered a plow factory at Peru, Illinois, where he was employed about one year. The western fever fastened itself upon him and like thousands of others he took up a line of march toward the setting sun, crossing the plains in 1852, and spending that Winter in Salt Lake City, Utah. The following Spring he continued his jour- ney to California, arriving by the southern route in San Bernardino on the 15th of May, 1853.
After a stay of about three months in that town he removed to Stockton, San Joaquin county, where he had a step-brother. For the next three years he was engaged in business in that place, generally mer- chandising. He then became a trader in the southern mines, and for two years did an extensive business. Giving up this last enterprise he went to Tuolumne county and engaged in mining operations, which proved very unprofitable for him.
His next move was to Volcano, Amador county, where he has since resided, and generally engaged in mining, owning at the present time some thirty- one acres of "mining ground," from which he will undoubtedly realize a handsome fortune, as he fully understands manipulating such enterprises. He is also interested in flumes and mines in other places.
Mr. Peck is well and favorably known throughout the mines of California as a man of experience and worth, and is universally respected. He is still a single man and his elegant home is without a mistress.
A. PETTY
Was born at Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio, August 6, 1820. At the age of eight years he, with his parents, emigrated to Missouri. In 1842 he removed to the State of Wisconsin, and worked in the lead mines of that State during the Winter and followed his trade, that of plasterer, during the Summer, for about seven years, In 1849 hc located
316
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
in the town of MeGregor, Iowa, where he resided until December 28, 1852, at which time he started for California with ox-teams, accompanied by his wife und two children. They crossed the State of lowa in winter, and arrived at Council Bluffs, March 14, 1853, where they encountered a terrible snow-storm. May 5th they crossed the Missouri river, and were fairly on their long and tedious journey, the incidents connected with which would fill a large volume. The Indians were very trouble- some, and they had many thrilling adventures with members of " Mr. Lo's " band. Finally they reached California and settled at Volcano, Amador county, September 15, 1853, having, while en route, remained twenty-one days with the saints at Salt Lake, Utah.
Mr. Petty turned his attention to mining as soon as his affairs could be arranged, and for the succeed- ing sixteen months prospected the country without finding his expected bonanza. He then gave up the search for gold in the earth and looked in other chan- nels for his supply, opening a hotel which he con- ducted but a short time. He then, in connection with Captain Richards, John James, and others, formed a company for the purpose of opening a bed- rock flume, or open cut, through the cañon below the town. They prosecuted this enterprise for about two years, expending some sixty-five thousand dol- lars, which was a dead loss. Mr. Petty has occasion- ally followed mining since that time, and also his trade, as circumstances required.
In January, 1880, he bought the St. George hotel at Volcano, and has since been the proprietor thereof. Ile fully understands catering to the wants of the traveling public, and is one of the few men who know how to keep a hotel. In 1879 Mr. Petty was elected County Assessor of Amador county, which position he fills at the present time.
He was married in 1841 to Miss Ophelia Cooper, and they have three children.
J. E. PETTITT
Was born in Licking county, Ohio, November 16, 1828, which place was his home until 1853; engaged mostly in farming and raising stock. In 1853 he came to California via Panama, and immediately located on Indian creek, in the northern part of the present county, or in what then was El Dorado county, making this county his home since that time. He followed mining for several years, but in 1869 turned to farming, locating on the place he now occupies. Though making farming his principal business, he has combined with it stock-raising and freighting, the immense amounts of lumber used making that business profitable.
He was married December 25, 1855, to Miss Chris- tina Cox, a native of Indiana, and his family consists of himself, wife, three girls and two boys.
E. S. POTTER
Is a native of the famous Wooden Nutmeg State, which has sent such a vast number of kecn business men into the commercial channels of the nation. He was born in the town of Litchfield, Connecticut, November 23, 1828, from which place he moved to Platteville, Wisconsin, in 1847, coming overland to Volcano, California, in 1852. After mining in that vicinity for about a year, he moved to Drytown, and spent about one year in mining on Poor Man's creek; thence to Arkansas diggings, near Michigan Bar, where he kept hotel in company with Geo. W. Harris. In 1860 he removed to Buckeye valley, where he raised stock until 1863, when he went to Poker- ville, in the vicinity of Plymouth. When the mines failed at Pokerville he moved to Plymouth, then beginning to attract attention as a quartz mining region, where he has since remained engaged in various kinds of business, mostly teaming and lum- bering. In 1873 he opened a lumber yard to sup- ply the demand consequent upon the rapid building of the town. He was married, in 1858, to Miss Har- riet Louisa Howard, of Forest Home. They have had fourteen children, six of whom are living.
HON. W. H. PROUTY.
The subject of this sketch is a native of the Buck- eye State. He was born March 27, 1837, in Knox county, Ohio, his early years being spent on a farm. In 1846, in obedience to the general impulse to go west, the family removed to Jasper county, Iowa, being among the pioncers of that region. In 1852 they fell into the column of the California emi- gration and started across the plains. The emigra- tion of that year was perhaps the largest that ever wended its way to the Golden State; and its march resembled the retreat of an army more than a tri- umphal march of settlers to a promised land. The grass was eaten off for miles away from the road, making long detours necessary to keep the stock in condition to travel. To add to these difficulties the father of the family sickened and died near the Devil's Gate. But the mother, picking up the reins of authority, with the aid of her elder sons, succeeded in reaching California, entering Volcano August 24th the same year, which, considering the circumstances, was a remarkably successful trip. After resting a few days, and watching the operation of extracting gold, the love for rural life asserted itself and the family continued their journey, settling in the beau- tiful valley which has since been their home. The younger child, W. H. Prouty, was early thrown on his own resources, and divided his time between farm- ing and attending such schools as the county then afforded, spending considerable time in attending school at Volcano. By the time he was twenty-one he had mastered the common English branches and accumulated a small capital of two thousand six
317
BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES.
hundred dollars. It will be seen from this that he firmly set his face against the prevailing dissipations of those early days which swept so many young, and even middle-aged men into the vortex of destruction.
Having arrived at man's estate the desire to see more of the world before he settled down induced him to visit the home of his childhood, and other places in the West, or valley of the Mississippi, where he remained about five years, engaged in various kinds of business, mostly farming, however. While here he became acquainted with his future wife and companion, Miss Helen Charlesworth, whom he mar- ried July 26, 1859, by whom he has had seven chil- dren, six of whom are now living.
In 1863 the memory of the Golden State asserted itself and he turned his steps to California, making his way to the valley which had seen him while a
boy assume the duties and labors of manhood. Four years later he purchased his present home, and set about improving it with the design of spending his remaining years here. His herds and flocks and well-filled granaries attest his judgment and devotion to his business. Like most successful business men he has little time or disposition to dabble in politics, but when a delegate to the Constitutional Conven- tion who understood the wants of the farming com- munity was. wanted, the people instinctively turned to him as one whose judgment and integrity could be relied upon. His actions in the convention fully jus- tified the opinions of his neighbors, and he returned to his home with unblemished honor. His farm and home is one of the pleasantest as well as most valua- ble places in the county, as will be seen by the view published in this work.
B. E. Nichtmye
B. F. RICHTMYER
Was born in Conesville, Schoharie county, New York, June 17, 1824, at which place he resided until he was twenty-two years of age, receiving such edu- cation as the place afforded. In 1844 he removed to Delevan, Wisconsin, where for some years he was employed in a flouring mill. In 1850, yielding to the prevailing California fever, he crossed the plains with the great emigration of that year, settling at Drytown the Autumn of the same season. Here he engaged in merchandising and mining, meeting with the usual gains and losses in those days; gains in large profits then customary, and losses by fires, bad debts, and ill-luck in mining, which, as many old Californians remember to their sorrow, were also
common enough to be called customary. During his residence here, he was express agent for Wells, Fargo & Co., telegraph operator and agent, etc. He was associated with G. W. Seaton in the famous Seaton mine, which, in its day, had the richest quartz ever found in the county. It was a pocket mine, however, and did not continue dividends any great length of time. In 1871, Mr. Richtmyer was elected County Clerk, his personal popularity carry- ing him much beyond the average ticket in the election. He now removed to Jackson, the county seat, which place he has since made his home. After serving his term as County Clerk, he became the agent again of Wells, Fargo & Co., this time at Jackson, and soon after was made an agent for the
318
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Western Union Telegraph Company, both of which positions he has since filled. In addition to his other duties, he has also filled the position of Notary Public; was seven years agent for the Home Mutual Insurance Company of California. Ile is also pro- prietor and manager of the Jackson water-works, and such is his methodical system of business that he can do all these things justice, and still have time to devote to society and domestic affairs. He was married September 10, 1855, to Miss Celina Van- netter.
As a man, Mr. Richtmyer is deservedly popular; unswerving integrity, suaviter in modo, capability and modesty, being united in a remarkable degree. lle is nnexceptionable in his habits, and if possessed of any faults at all, they are the amiable ones of being too generous and unsuspecting. Ile will be found equal to any trust the people of the county or State may choose to repose in him.
J. H. RINGER.
The gentleman to whom this sketch refers is a native of the State of Missouri, born in Ray county, on the 14th of June, 1843. He remained in his native State until he was eleven years of age, and then, at that tender age, endured the hardships, privations, and toil, consequent with a trip across the plains to California, where he arrived sound of limb, and located at Butte City, Amador county. lle remained there until 1855, and removed to Aque- duct City, where he resided about two years. He then settled in Jackson valley, and has since been a resident thereof. As a farmer, Mr. Ringer is a decided success, and is the owner of one of the finest ranches in the valley, containing four hundred and thirty-one acres, nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation, his improvements also being very fine. Mr. Ringer was married April 23, 1873, to Miss Emily E. Stamper, and is the proud father of three interesting girls. He is one of the most thorough and energetic business men in the county, and is rapidly making himself wealthy.
JAMES ROBERTSON
Was born in the town of Ottawa, Canada, November 26, 1828, where he resided until 1854, engaged in farming. Catching the prevailing California fever, and perhaps tiring of the long and tedious cold Winters, he turned his steps towards the land of sunny hills and mild Winters, reaching San Francisco by the Panama route, about the first of November. Hle located on his present place in 1836, and has pursued the even tenor of his way ever since, swerv- ing neither to the right nor left. His place is a beau- tiful loeation, overlooking Sacramento, Stockton and the adjoining plains, which places often come into distinct view, as the atmosphere clears up after a
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.