USA > California > Amador County > History of Amador County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 73
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He was married in 1838 to Miss H. M. Watts, who lived with him, as companion and adviser, for forty- two years, dying in June, 1880. A married daughter, husband and family reside with him, sharing the ownership and labors of the farm.
ISAAC W. WHITACRE
Is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born April 16, 1823, in Lycoming county. At the age of nine years he removed with his parents to Logan county, Ohio, where he resided until he was fourteen years of age. In 1837 the family returned to Pennsylva- nia, where they remained two years, when they again made a move west, this time going to Washington county, Iowa, where the subject of this sketeh resi- ded until 1853, when he made his way to California with ox-teams, being one hundred and seventy-five days
on the road. They doubtless wondered if a railway would ever be laid down over the interminable ter- ritory of sage-brush and alkali plains ? He first located in Nevada county, remaining there one year, engaged in mining ; from there to Fresno county, where he lived five years, engaged in teaming and freighting. In 1858 he removed from Fresno to Amador county, locating on his present ranch, about two and one-half miles from Plymouth, on the road to Oleta. The place contains two hundred acres of land, which is pleasantly situated and convenient for business. He was married in 1844 to Rachel Sim- mons, a native of Ohio. The family consists of Mr. Whitacre, wife and two children, a son and daughter, the latter being married, the son residing with the parents.
STEPHEN C. WHEELER
Is a native of Indiana, having been born November 14, 1828, at the town of Seymour, Jackson county, where he resided until 1852, when he migrated to California, traveling across the plains with an ox- team, reaching Amador county, September 30th, set- tling in that portion of it which at that time formed a part of El Dorado county. He followed mining some fifteen years with varied success, making, how- ever, no big strikes. His experience in a gold-bear- ing lava bed was more interesting than profitable, interesting to mineralogists at least, as throwing some light on the method of the superficial deposit of gold. Most of his mining was done in Amador county, his family, during the time, living on the ranch which he is now cultivating, about two miles west of Plymouth. Sinee 1867 Mr. Wheeler has paid more attention to agriculture as more sure, if not so brilliant in its results, than mining.
He is also interested, with another party, in the introduction of the " Asbestine Sub-irrigation Pipe," which, it is thought, will be generally adopted, and work a great revolution in the method of irrigation, as agriculture, in many places, 'depends upon an economical use of water.
He was married February 21, 1850, to Miss Mary E. Thompson, a native of Indiana. His family con- sists of himself, wife and ten children, five sons and five daughters, two of the daughters being married.
F. M. WHITMORE.
Flint Monroe Whitmore was born at Ashburnham, Massachusetts, December 22, 1822. He remained in his native State until 1845, when he moved to Baltimore, which place he made his home until 1849, when he returned to Massachusetts, making his home in Boston. Following the current of emigration he embarked for California via the Isthmus, and arrived in San Francisco in June, 1850, reaching Volcano in November following, whieb latter place he has since made his home. Mr. Whitmore engaged in both
324
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
placer and quartz mining with varied success, some- times winning moderately, but not making himself a millionaire. In 1862, he engaged in farming a few miles above Volcano, planting out quite an extensive orchard; the climate, soil, and elevation, being pecu- liarly adapted to the production of fruit. Stock and grain farming also received a share of his attention. In 1862, he purchased a saw-mill and a traet of timber land on Antelope creek, which have since demanded the largest share of his attention. The region in which he is located is one possessing many attractions to the lovers of nature. The lofty pines, the magnificent prospect overlooking the great Sac- ramento valley, the pure atmosphere, and cool water, form a combination of pleasing objeets which never tires the beholder. Though Mr. Whitmore has drawn around him many of the comforts and elegancies of life, he remains a single man, a niece, Mrs. C. E. Heath, doing the honors of his house. As a citizen, Mr. Whitmore is conscientious, firm, and inde- pendent, possessing the confidence and respect of the community, always maintaining the self-respect and honor, characteristic of his place of birth. A view of his mill and surroundings is given in another part of the work. No artist can do justice to the scenery, which must be seen to be appreciated. His ranch contains three hundred and twenty acres of land; his timber tract, one hundred and sixty.
N. C. WILLIAMS
Is a native of the State of Maine, having been born at Embden, Somerset county, January 20, 1834. IIis life was passed in the town where he first saw the light, until he reached the age of sixteen years. He had acquired a good education during these years, and in 1850 left home and obtained a situation in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained about three years as clerk in a ship yard.
As youth ripened into manhood, he aspired to something different from the old routine to which he was accustomed, and fired with enthusiam from the reports of people on the Pacific coast, he determined to ascertain personally what Dame Fortune had in store for him in that region; accordingly with the thought came the action, and in 1855 he bade fare- well to his eastern friends and sought new ones in California, arriving in San Francisco in due time, by way of the Isthmus of Panama.
His first permanent location was in Amador county, where he has since resided, with the exception of one year, during which he visited his old home in the States. His ocenpation for the first ten years of his California life, was in the usual vocation of mining; but upon his return from the States he engaged in various kinds of business.
In 1871 he settled on his present ranch, which is located on the Pine Grove and Antelope toll-road, fourteen miles east of Jackson. He is very pleas- antly situated, and is a gentleman esteemed by all
who have the honor of his acquaintance. He was married May 13, 1874, to Miss Rosella Worley.
JOSEPHI WOOLFORD
Was born at Ramsbure, Wiltshire, in England, Feb- ruary 7, 1832, where he resided until 1858, when he went to Peru, in South America, by way of Cape Ilorn, where he resided for four years. After this he came to California and lived at the place then called " Puckerville," about a half mile to the west of the town of Plymouth.
Mr. Woolford is a blacksmith by trade, having fol- lowed it most of his life, being at present in the em- ploy of the Pacific Mining Company, though he has at other times been employed by the Empire Mining Company. He is a first-class mechanic, and has sug- gested and perfected many improvements in tools and machinery. Among other things he has invented a ratchet wrench which works equally well on round as on square heads, for which he has obtained a patent.
Ile is a single man, living with his brother, who occupies his ranch. Ilis experiences in the mines and in South America, make an interesting narrative when he can be induced to speak of them.
D. YOUNGLOVE
Was born July 13, 1833, at Great Barrington, Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, where he spent his boyhood and acquired his education. In 1851, he removed to Waushara county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming until 1864, when he sought the Golden State. Here he engaged in freighting from Sacramento to the different mining towns of Ama- dor, making his home at first north of Volcano. Ile followed this business until 1875, when he purchased the highly improved Edward's property, for about ten thousand dollars, which place he has since made his home. This place contains two hundred and thirty-three acres of Ione valley land, than which nothing better can be said. The orchards, buildings, and approaches, are laid out in European style, with drives and graveled walks, bordered with flowers and fragrant herbs. It was for many years, and probably is now, the most artistically improved place in the county. The coal vein underlies a large por- tion of the place. The Galt & Ione railroad passes through the southern side of the place, the depot being but a few hundred feet from his land, thus affording ample market facilities for coal, or the produce of the farm. The vein of coal is from three to fifteen feet in thickness, lying nearly on a level with the valley in the adjoining hills. The cost of mining is less than one dollar per ton. The coal burns freely, and is used for domestic purposes, and also as a steam coal, being worth per ton about the same as a cord of wood. The orchard contains about sixteen hundred trees, bearing choice fruit.
PHOTO. BY TADER, S. F.
WITH. BRITTON & REY, S.F.
J. F. PARKS
THOMPSON & WEST, PUB. OAKLAND, CAL,
CHRONOLOGICAL.
1513. Discovery of the Pacific ocean by Balboa. 1518.
Invasion of Mexico by Cortez.
1519.
First Navigation of the Pacific by Magellan.
1534.
Discovery of Lower California by Cortez. 1535.
Further Exploration of the California gulf. 1537.
Explorations on the Western coast by Ulloa. 1542.
* Expedition of Cabrillo. Cape Mendocino discovercd:
1554.
Death of Cortez.
1577.
Sir Francis Drake's discoveries. 1579
California taken possession of by Sir Francis Drake in the name of Queen Elizabeth.
1596. Viscaiño takes possession of Lower California. 1602.
San Diego harbor discovered by Viscaiño. 1683.
First attempt to colonize Lower California at La Paz by Admiral Otondo and Friar Kühn. 1697.
October 25. The first Jesuit Mission established at Loreto, in Lower California, by Father Salvatierra. 1700.
The second Jesuit Mission established at San Xavier, Lower California, by Father Ugarte. First Expedition into the Interior by Father Kino. 1720. Expedition of Father Ugarte to the river Colorado. 1766. Expeditions of Father Wincestus Link. 1767.
The Jesuits expelled from Lower California, and the Franciscans installed. 1768.
Gaspar de Portala appointed Governor of Californias, , and Francis Junipero Serra, Missionary President. 1769.
Expeditions dispatched by land and water into Upper California.
July 16. San Diego Mission founded. 1770. June 3. Monterey Mission foundcd. 1771. July 14. San Antonio Mission founded.
September 8. San Gabriel Mission founded. Reinforcements and supplies arrive at San Diego. 1772. September 1. San Luis Obispo Mission founded. Father Serra returned from Mexico with reinforce- ments and supplies. 1775.
Expedition of Friar Garzes through the upper terri- tory.
November 4. San Diego attacked by Indians. 1776.
June. San Diego Mission repaired. October 9. San Francisco (Dolores) Mission founded. November 1. San Juan Capistrano Mission founded. 1777.
January 18. Mission of Santa Clara founded. 1781.
September 4. Pueblo de Los Angeles established. 1782.
March 31. San Buena Ventura Mission founded. 1784.
Los Nietos tract granted to Manuel Nieto. October 20. San Rafael tract granted to Jose Maria Verdugo.
1786.
December 4. Santa Barbara Mission founded.
1787. December 8. La Purissima Conception Mission founded.
1791.
August 28. Santa Cruz Mission founded. October 9. La Soledad Mission founded. 1797.
June 11. San Jose Mission founded.
June 24. San Juan Bautista Mission founded.
July 25. San Miguel Mission founded.
September 8. San Fernando Mission founded. 1798.
June 13. Mission of San Luis Rey de Francia founded. 1802.
Humboldt visits California. 1804.
September 17. Mission of Santa Inez founded. 1810.
Santiago de Santa Ana tract granted Antonio Yorba 1812. December 8. Mission of San Juan Capistrano de- stroyed by earthquake.
December 21. Church of La Purissima destroyed by earthquake. 1815.
W. Whittle claims to have arrived in Los Angeles, being the first English-speaking settler in California.
326
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
1818.
Bouchard's privateer attacked the coast towns. Joseph Chapman and Thomas Fisher captured and taken to Los Angeles.
1819.
December 14. San Rafael Mission founded. 1822.
Mexican independence established.
Captain John Hall, of the British Navy, examined and reported on the Pacific coast harbors. 1824. Santiago Mckinley settled in Los Angeles.
First Act of the Mexican Government toward secu- larization of the missions passed. 1825. Jedediah S. Smith entered California overland. 1826.
Manumission of the Indians declared. 1827. First Mexican school established.
Great drought. 1828.
Jesse Ferguson, Richard Laughlin, N. M. Pryor, Abel Stearns, and Louis Bouchette, settled in Los Angeles. Continued drought. 1829. Michacl White and John Domingo, settled in Los Angeles.
1831.
Manuel Victoria became Governor.
J. J. Warner, William Wolfskill, Luis Vignes, Joseph Bowman, John Rhea, and William Day, settled in Los Angeles.
The schooner Refugio built at San Pedro.
1833.
Death of Padre Sanchez. 1834.
August 9. Complete secularization of the missions decreed.
Hijar's expedition.
Destruction of the mission property.
Luis Vignes plants the first orange orchard in Los Angeles.
First soap factory established. 1835.
Hijar's insurrection. Death of Governor Figueroa. R. H. Dana visits California.
Henry Mellus and Hugo Reid settle in Los Angeles. The first lynching.
1836.
Census taken. Graham's insurrection. Los Angeles erected into a city. 1838.
Arrest of suspected persons.
Second Mexican school established in Los Angeles. 1840.
Isaac Graham and companions arrested and sent to Mexico.
May 18. Grant of Arroyo Seco made to Theodosia Yorba, by Juan B. Alvarado.
1841.
United States exploring expedition examined the California coast.
1842.
Micheltorena Governor.
October 19. Seizure of Monterey by United States Commodore Joncs.
October 20. Its restoration.
Discovery of gold in Los Angeles county.
1843. January 18. Commodore Jones visits Governor Micheltorena at Los Angeles.
1844.
Great drought. Lancasterian school established in Los Angeles.
1845.
Continued drought. February 21. Battle at Cahuenga between Michel- torena and Alvarado. A mule killed. 1846.
March. Arrival of Fremont and exploring party. Sutter sawed lumber on the divide between Sutter and Amador.
April. The Donner party start for California.
May 11. War with Mexico declared by Congress.
June 11. First act of hostility by Fremont's party.
June 15. The Bear flag hoisted.
July 7. Monterey captured by Commodore Sloat.
July 8. Yerba Buena captured.
July 27. Fremont's battalion sent to San Diego.
July 28. Rev. Walter Colton appointed alcalde of Monterey.
July 29. Commodore Sloat sailed for the East.
August 1. Stockton sails for San Pedro.
August 4. Stockton captures Santa Barbara.
August 6. Stockton arrives at San Pedro.
August 15. Los Angeles City occupied by Stockton.
August 15. The Californian issued, by Semple and Colton, at Monterey.
September 4. First jury trial in California at Mon- terey.
September 23. Flores' insurrection against Gillespie. Gillespie surrenders, and embarks at San Pedro.
B. D. Wilson's party captured by Varelas.
October 7. Captain Mervine landed at San Pedro, and was defeated.
1847
January 8. Battle of the Rio San Gabriel.
9. Battle of the Mesa. " 10. Los Angeles re-occupied by Commodore Stockton.
January 11. Proclamation by Stockton. 66 12. Treaty of peace agreed upon between General John C. Fremont and General Andres Pico at Cahuenga.
March 1. Stephen W. Kearney recognized as Gov- ernor.
April. Semi-monthly mails established between San Francisco and San Diego. May 31. Richard B. Mason became Governor.
327
CHRONOLOGICAL.
1848.
January 19. Discovery of gold at Coloma.
February 2. Treaty of peace signed at Guadalupe Hidalgo.
1849.
January 4. Alta California newspaper established in San Francisco.
February 7. First Pacific Railroad bill introduced in Congress.
February 28. Steamer California reached San Fran- cisco.
April 13. General Bennett Riley became Governor. June 3. Governor Riley issued proclamation for a Convention at Monterey.
October 13. Constitution signed.
November 13. Constitution ratified by the people.
December 15. First Legislature convened at San Jose.
December 20. Governor Peter H. Burnett inaug- urated.
1850.
February 18. State divided into twenty-seven coun- ties. Calaveras county organized.
County seat captured at Double Spring and moved to Jackson.
April 9. State Library founded.
May 4. Second great fire in San Francisco.
June 3. Third great fire in San Francisco.
Celebration of the Fourth at Jackson, McDowell delivering an oration.
Colonel Collyer shot by Judge Smith.
September 9. California admitted into the Union.
September 17. Fourth great fire in San Francisco. 1851.
Second Legislature convened at San Jose.
February 14. Act approved removing capital to Vallejo.
The Irving party massacred by the Cahuilla Indians. Gregory's Atlantic and Pacific Express established.
November 12. Attempt to assassinate Benjamin Hayes.
September 9. Grand Division Sons of Temperance organized.
1852.
January 2. United States Land Commission met at San Francisco.
January 5. Third session of Legislature at Vallejo. September. Riot at Jamison's ranch, four Mexicans being whipped. Arrest of Jamison and son by posse comitatus from El Dorado.
County seat removed to Mokelumne Hill.
August. Whitehead murdered near Butler's, on the ' road between Plymouth and Drytown.
August 4. Sacramento Valley Railroad Company organized.
November 1. Claim four hundred and forty-one, for Arroyo Seco, filed with Land Commissioners. 1853.
January 3. Fourth session of the Legislature met at Vallejo.
February 4. State Capital removed to Benicia.
Tejon Indian reservation established.
June. A man named Smith died from the effects of a rattlesnake bite near Fiddletown.
- Portor, superintendent of the Willow Spring ditch, murdered near the race-track, probably by Dutch Chris, and Harry Fox, who murdered Beckman at Volcano about the same time.
August. Eureka Hotel burned at Volcano.
November. A gambler, named Baldwin, shot and killed by another of the same profession, named Whitney.
Doctor Beck killed Norton at Lancha Plana. Death of Joaquin Murietta.
December. H. A. Carter and E. B. Harris, citizens of Ione, learned the existence of the claim called the "Arroyo Seco," while at Benicia, the then capital.
1854.
January 1. California Stage Company began opera- tions.
January 2. Legislature convened at Benccia.
February 25. State Capital removed to Sacramento.
March 1. California Steam Navigation Company organized.
March 23. Hanging of the Swede at Jackson.
April 4. Fire at Jackson, loss twenty-eight thousand five hundred dollars.
May 13. Act approved establishing a State Agricul- tural Society.
June 17. Election to determine whether the county of Amador should be formed out of a part of Cal- averas.
July 3. Commissioners appointed by Legislature met to call election for county officers of the new county.
July 17. First county officers elected.
August 3. G. F. Elliot killed in a difficulty by C. Y. Hammond.
September 10. First Court of Sessions.
September 11. J. K. Payne allowed twelve dollars and fifty cents for services in building a school- house at Grass Valley.
E. P. Hunter killed at Lancha Plana by John Chap- man.
October 4. First State Fair held at San Francisco.
October. Joseph H. Antonio, Francis Munioz, sub- jects of Coroner's investigations.
George Simmons on trial for manslaughter.
November 9. Sacramento Valley Railroad Company re-organized.
November. Messer hung by a mob at Volcano, for the murder of McAllister. 1855.
January 1. First financial report of Amador county. $10,532.50 in treasury, which on May 4th amounted to $16,649.59; outstanding orders, $7,972.84, leav- ing a net of $8,876.75.
February 27. Claim four hundred and forty-one, for
328
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Arroyo Seco grant, rejected by Land Commis- sioners.
May 5. Wm. M. Seawell and J. T. King are
appointed Justices of the Peace.
May 8. Townships No. 5 and 6 organized. 1855.
May 9. E. B. Yates appointed Justice of the Peace for Township No. 6.
May 15. William M. Seawell, Justice of the Peace, resigned, and F. G. Hoard appointed in his place. May 16. Four dollars road tax assessed on persons between twenty-one and fifty.
May 19. Board of Supervisors allowed J. C. Ship- man five hundred dollars for acting as County Auditor, which he declined taking, deeming it in- sufficient.
June 21. Supervisors ordered the building of a county jail, costing four thousand two hundred and eighty dollars; Craft & Bcale, contractors.
August 6. Killing of six persons at Lower Ranch- eria by banditti.
Angust 7. Hanging of three Mexicans at the same place.
General disarming of the Mexicans.
Angust 12. Death of Sheriff Phoenix at Chinese Camp.
Burning of the church and other houses at Drytown. Samuel A. Phoenix appointed Sheriff, in place of W. A. Phænix, deceased.
Hanging at Jackson of three Mexicans concerned in Rancheria tragedy-day uncertain.
Manuel Escobar was the last of the party hanged ; he was also the last executed on the famous tree. Supervisor Districts established.
August 24. First railroad train in California placed on the track of Sacramento Valley Railroad.
September. Board of Supervisors organized.
October 27. Amador Ledger commenced at Volcano. November 15. J. C. Shipman allowed three hun- dred and fifty-two dollars and fifty cents for making out assessment roll and tax list.
December 21. Three professional robbers, camping about three miles below Jackson, were attacked by Sheriff Thorn, of Calaveras, detective Hume, and J. W. Surface of Ione, two being captured. A large amount of burglars' tools found in the camp.
1854 AND 1855.
Legislature set off territory of El Dorado as part of the county of Amador.
1856.
January 8. -- killed by Cottrell, at Volcano.
March. Survey of Arroyo Seco Grant.
April 6. Cottrell re-arrested at Placerville and placed in Amador jail ; eventually tried and ex- ecuted.
May 16. Vigilance Committee formed in San Fran- cisco.
May 22. Casey and Cora hung by Vigilance Com- mittee in San Francisco.
June 3. Governor Johnson issued a proclamation calling out the State militia to suppress Vigilantes. June 21. Arrest of Judge David S. Terry by Vigi- lance Committee of San Francisco.
July 29. Hetherington and Brace hung by Vigilance Committee in San Francisco.
October 5. D. L. Wells, of the Gate, thrown from his carriage while riding down the grade between Mokelumne Hill and the river and killed.
October 6. Death of Thomas Hodges, alias Tom Bell, the noted highwayman.
1857.
June 15. First stage on the wagon road, completed round trip, Placerville to Carson Valley.
September 18. Death of Chief Justice Hugh Murray. September 29. State Fair held at Stockton.
November 7. M. V. B. Griswold murdered by China- men.
November. Difficulty near Volcano in which two men were killed by Stevenson, who was tried and executed.
1858.
April 16. Three Chinamen hung at Jackson for the murder of M. V. B. Griswold.
July 23. First overland mail via Placerville and Salt Lake left Sacramento.
Frazer River excitement.
1859.
Discovery of the Comstock Ledge.
August. Survey made by Mandeville, locating Ar- royo Seco ten miles further west.
September 13. State Fair held at Sacramento.
September 14. Terry and Broderick duel, San Mateo county; Broderick mortally wounded.
November. Large fire in Volcano, burning St. George Hotel and twenty-five other buildings.
1860.
April 26. Judge McAllister decided that the Arroyo Seco Grant should be located west of the Lyons and Martin mountains.
April. Pony express established, and first mes- senger left Sacramento.
May 12. Massacre of the Ormsby party near Pyra- mid lake.
September. Death of the Indian chief Captain Truckee. 1861.
January 13. State Agricultural Society decided to make Sacramento a permanent location.
Instrumental survey of the route for the Central Pacific railroad over the Sierras made during this ycar.
February 16. Meeting in Volcano regarding the building of a wagon road to Nevada.
February 19. Joseph Worthy killed by a slide of earth at Irishtown.
February 23. Meeting in Jackson regarding the building of a wagon road to Nevada.
May 15. Corner-stone of State House laid.
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CHRONOLOGICAL.
June 28. Articles of incorporation of Central Pacific Railroad of California filed with the Secretary of State.
1862.
January 23. Legislature adjourned to San Fran- cisco on aeeount of flood.
July 1. Pacific Railroad Act approved by President. August 8 and 9. First fair held in Amador county.
August 8 and 9. First bale of hops raised in Amador county on exhibition at the county fair by J. D. Mason.
August 23. Fire at Jackson, destroying the town. Hanging-tree at Jackson cut down.
August. Mandeville's survey, on appeal from Dis- trict Court, confirmed by Judge Hoffman.
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