USA > California > Contra Costa County > History of Contra Costa County, California, including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description; together with a record of the Mexican grants also, incidents of pioneer life; and biographical sketches of early and prominent settlers and representative men > Part 61
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father and family, who had crossed the plains during the Summer of the year 1846, and then resided at the mission of Santa Clara. He remained in California a few weeks; then returned to Oregon, for the purpose of closing up business, intending to return to California. While making preparations to return to this State, news of the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mills was conveyed to Oregon, and resulted in a general rush from that country to this. Our subject came by sea, and by reason of bad weather the vessel did not arrive until the commencement of the winter season in the Fall of 1848. He remained during the Winter at the mission of San José. In the Spring of the year 1849, with a party, he went into the mines where he remained but a few months, when he returned and settled at Martinez, where he has ever since resided. During the year 1849, he, his brother Warren, and brother-in-law N. B. Smith, engaged in the mercantile business which they soon abandoned. During the same year Mr. Brown was appointed Alcalde of the District by the then Governor of California. He held that office until the organi- zation of the county government in April, 1850, when he was elected County Clerk and Recorder, and held that office until 1855, when he retired from that position and was elected Supervisor and held that office for one year.
During his term of office as Clerk he commenced the study of law and was admitted to practice as attorney and counsellor in the District Court in the year 1855. Soon after he entered into active practice. In 1860 he was licensed to practice in the Supreme Court and the several Courts of the State as attorney and counsellor-at-law. About the same time he was also admitted to practice in the United States District and Circuit Courts of this State. He continued in the practice until the first of January, 1880, when he was elected and qualified as Judge of the Superior Court, when he gave up the practice entirely. He was elected County Judge in 1856, and continued in that office until January, 1864.
At a meeting of the members of the Bar in open Court, at the Court House in Martinez, on Thursday, December 10, 1863, the following pre- amble and resolutions. were unanimously adopted, and on motion were entered in the minutes :
" In County Court, State of California, Contra Costa county, Hon. Thomas A. Brown, presiding, December 10, 1863.
" WHEREAS, Hon. Thomas A. Brown being about to retire from the Bench, we, the members of the Bar deem it just and respectful to express and record our appreciation of the integrity and ability with which, during the last eight years, he has discharged the various duties which have devolved upon him as the Judge of this Court ; therefore-
" Resolved, That it is the unanimous sentiment of the members of this Bar, that Hon. Thomas A. Brown, during a continuous term of eight years
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in the official capacity of Judge of this Court, has earned for himself the reputation of an urbane, able and upright Judge.
" Resolved, That it is the unanimous request of the members of this Bar that the foregoing proceeding, preamble and resolutions be entered in the minutes of this Court."
In 1865 he was elected to the Assembly, and served during the sessions of the Legislature for 1865-6, and for the years 1867-8.
In the Session of 1865-6, Judge Brown was Chairman of the Judiciary in the Assembly, and the next Session had the Republican nomination for the United States Senate, when Eugene Casserly was elected.
In January, 1874, he was appointed County Judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Lander. On the expiration of the term he was elected County Judge, and held that office until the first of January, 1880, when he became Judge of the Superior Court. While he held the office of County Judge, his practice as attorney was confined to business in the District Courts, the Supreme Court and the Federal Courts.
HON. WARREN BROWN .- This much respected argonaut of the State, and of Contra Costa as well, is the son of Hon. Elam Brown, whose biog- raphy will be found above, and was born in Morgan county, Illinois, June 19, 1826. On attaining the age of eleven years he was taken by his parents to Platte county, Missouri, where he received the education afforded by the common schools of the place; engaged in farming, and resided until his coming to California. At the date of which we write, gold had not yet been discovered, and California was a terra incognita to the Western people. All emigration was to Oregon, which, too, was considered the Ultima Thule of the American continent; it will then be understood by the reader how many were the consultations to take place in a family ere so arduous a journey should be undertaken. The mind of the head of the family being made up, after a long array of pros and cons, Mr. Brown, in company with his father, started from Missouri in the latter part of April, 1846, almost to tempt fate, as it were, in the little-known land which lay between the confines of American civilization on the one hand, and far-off Oregon on the other. The train having duly met at its appointed rendezvous, the honored father of our subject was appointed its Captain, and to him fell its organization and conduct. "No man can tether time nor tide," says a close observer of human nature. "The ills that flesh is heir to" will follow all, be it at one's fireside or far away on the trackless ocean or boundless prairie. Our convoy proceeded safely and with scarcely a mishap of importance, until the North Fork of the Platte river was reached, when sickness' became very prevalent, among the unfortunate victims of the scourge of typhoid fever being the
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subject of our narrative. What a blow was this to his father and com- panions may be readily imagined ; still it was impossible and impolitic to delay the entire expedition ; naught was therefore to be done but to place the invalid in a wagon and take to the nearest convenient sta- tion, which was Fort Bridger, where he was compelled to remain, while the train proceeded. It may be mentioned here that it was now that the command of Capt. Elam Brown took the road to California instead of that to Oregon, and thus truly what has been the loss of the latter coun- try has been the gain of the first-named. Our duty, however, is with Mr. Warren Brown, who was left to recuperate at Fort Bridger. His recov- ery was slow, but thanks to youth, and a constitution inured to hardships, he at last was sufficiently restored to health to admit of his traveling; he therefore took his departure from the Fort October 12th, and continu- ing his journey to Oregon, arrived in Portland, December 9, 1846. Here Mr. Brown engaged in the cooper's business until September of the fol- lowing year, when he proceeded to California and joined his father in the San Antonio redwoods, where he was employed in getting out lumber until June, 1848. On the discovery of gold, Mr. Brown was among the first to hie to the New Dorado to seek his fortune. After mining successfully for a short time on the American river, he came back to Contra Costa, to return, however, in the following Spring ; not long after he once more came to the county and settled in Martinez, where he opened a general merchandise establishment, and continued it for two years in partnership with his brother, Hon. T. A. Brown, the present Superior Judge of Contra Costa county, and N. B. Smith. In the Fall of 1850, the subject of our memoir was elected to the office of County Surveyor-the first to fill that posi- tion-while in 1852 he was elected to the same functions, for a term of two years, which, however, he resigned in 1853, and in the Fall of 1854 was elected Member of Assembly for Contra Costa county, when he re- ceived five hundred and thirty-five votes, and served one term. He also was elected Sheriff of the county in 1869, and served until 1870-71. Mr. Brown next engaged in farming on the place now occupied by Mr. Raap, near Martinez, and, at the end of four years, purchased his present home of five hundred and fifty acres adjoining that of his father at Lafayette. Mr. Brown and his family are so well known and highly respected throughout the State, that any panegyric or sounding eulogium would be superfluous on our part; suffice it to say that in whatever walk of life our subject has traveled, he has always been found faithful to his trust and true to his purpose. He married in Martinez, Contra Costa county, Octo- ber 16, 1854, Laura A. Hastings, a native of Ohio.
WM. A. BRUNKHORST .- Born in Germany, January 13, 1846, where he was educated and followed the mercantile business until 1869. In October
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of the above year he emigrated to the United States, and arrived in New York, in the ship Kosmos, Capt. T. Wiericks, on the 26th of November, in the same year. In June, 1870, he came to California direct to Contra Costa county, locating in Antioch, where he found employment as book-keeper for Martin Homburg, and afterwards for George Thyarks. In the Fall of 1875 he bought out the business of the latter gentleman, and has since been engaged in the general merchandise trade, at the corner of Main and Front streets, Antioch.
GARDNER M. BRYANT .- Was born in Spartenburgh, South Carolina, September 15, 1831, and is the son of Alfred and Mary (Stone) Bryant. When six years of age he was taken to Western Tennessee by his parents, where he received his education and resided until 1850. In that year he emigrated to California, arriving at Hangtown (now Placerville) August 13th. Mr. Bryant at once proceeded to the mines at Rattlesnake Bar, on the south fork of the American river, and prosecuted mining until the Fall of 1852 ; he then began freighting between Sacramento, Marysville, Onion valley, etc., which he followed until 1853. Mr. Bryant then settled near Gilroy, Santa Clara county, where he engaged in dairying for a year, after which he moved to Contra Costa county, and first located at the · head of San Pablo creek, about four miles from Lafayette. At the end of a year he went to reside in the Pleasant Hill school district. In 1864 he proceeded to Idaho Territory with a band of horses, and in September returned and took up his residence for a year at Walnut Creek. In the Fall of 1865 he removed to Tulare county, where he embarked in sheep- farming. In 1867 he came back to Contra Costa, and settled in Pacheco, whence he moved in 1873 to San José, but returned in the Fall of 1875. In 1879 he moved to Tulare county ; in 1880 he went to Helena, Montana, and engaged in sheep-farming. He married, March 22, 1854, Lucy J. McClellan, a native of Jackson county, Missouri, and has: Charles A. William F., and Mary A.
WINFIELD S. BURPEE .- Born in Essex county, New York, February 4, 1851, where he received his education and resided until 1869, in which year he came to California. Soon after his arrival he began conducting the stage line between Oakland and Concord via Walnut Creek, at which he continued until 1872, when he embarked in his present wine and liquor business in Walnut Creek. Married December 4, 1878, Mary, daughter of Albert Sherburne, and has one child : Ruby Teresa, born December 3, 1879.
JOHN RICHARD BYER .- Was born in Alleghany county, Virginia, Jan- uary 9, 1834. His mother died when he was about five years old, and he went to live with his grandmother, who resided near Natural Bridge,
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James Il Houory
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Virginia. When between seven and eight years of age, his father mar- ried a second time and with him went to live in Alleghany county. At the age of fifteen, his step-mother complained that he had not been sent to school, and, a disagreement arising, she undertook to whip him : he strongly objected to being chastised, and he shortly after made up his mind to leave home and seek some employment. This he did, and with a younger brother started westward, first staying at Fayette, where he went to work on a farm belonging to Dr. Joseph Prior, the Sheriff of Fayette county ; having remained there seven months, he, with his brother, started to join an elder brother in Macoupin county, Illinois ; but, to their grief and surprise, were apprised of his death from cholera a few months previously. He there lived with one Daniel Dick, paying for his board out of his earnings. During the Winter he attended school, while in the Summer time he worked on a farm. He was engaged for three Summers by Lisbe Smith, who, at the end of that time, wanted him to contract for a year's labor. This he declined, hav- ing resolved to farm on his own account and go into house-keeping with a life-partner, but on applying to the Clerk for a marriage license, was refused on account of being but twenty years of age. He then went to St. Louis, Missouri, and was there married. After the ceremony, he bought eighty acres of wild land, engaged in farming, but suffering from ill health, sold out and started for California. He was detained, how- ever, on account of an attack of measles, and stayed at Mount Olive, Mills county, Iowa, where, liking the country so well, he rented a farm of twenty-five acres, and afterwards a larger one. Here he suffered from an attack of erysipelas, which laid him up all the Winter. In the Spring of 1863, he joined a train, comprised of twenty-six wagons, for Cal- ifornia. Most of the people were from Macoupin county, and after a trip of three months, arrived at Elk Grove, Sacramento county, where our subject resided and afterwards in Napa. In the latter county he was employed to harvest two hundred acres, made good wages, and in the Fall rented a part of the farm, and after a lapse of two years returned home, starting from San Francisco September 20, 1866, and arriving at Chicago October 23rd. On the following day he arrived at his old home in Macoupin county, and finding the climatic change so great from that of California decided to return, and on the 7th March of the fol- lowing year, left Girard for New York, via Cleveland. On April 1st, he arrived in Napa City and located on a farm of two hundred acres on the Big Ranch. Not meeting with success, on account of the wet Win- ters of 1868-9, he moved to Contra Costa county, and bought one hundred and fifty-eight acres of land near the mouth of Marsh creek, and rented a half section on the Marsh Grant, where he engaged in farming. In 1870-71, Mr. Byer met with reverses, but in 1872 had very large crops,
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rented some more land and sowed more wheat. In 1875, he sold his land on the creek and bought one hundred and sixty acres on the plains, two miles northwest of Brentwood. Here he continued to farm, and, being successful, was enabled to purchase the farm now occupied by him, comprising three hundred and twenty acres, where he is at present engaged in farming and fruit-growing. We are sorry to state that Mr. Byer has not enjoyed good health since he settled on the then swamps of Illinois. It is gratifying to know that this gentleman has a great antipathy to whisky and gambling and visiting saloons ; hence, inde- pendent of his ill-health, he has managed to gain for himself and family a reputation to be proud of. Mr. Byer was married in St. Louis, May 17, 1854, L. E. Boggess, a native of Illinois. By this union there are : Flora E., Allison E., Mary M., Lizzie, Georgiana and Martha. One is deceased-Louis.
JOSEPH F. CAREY .- This prominent citizen of Brentwood is a native of Amsterdam, New York, and was born September 17, 1833. When Mr. Carey was about nine years old his parents moved to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming. At that early settlement of Wisconsin, schools were few, consequently the chances for school privileges were limited, but in a few years some were established and Mr. Carey only received a common school education. On March 30th, in the year 1853, he started for California, in company with a younger brother (Levi M.) with ox-teams. They crossed the plains in search of gold, stopping a few days in the city of Salt Lake to recruit their teams. They left Salt Lake about the 9th of August, arriving at Mud Springs, El Dorado county, October 19th of the same year. Here he engaged in mining, and continued for a few years, after which engaged in the milling business. Was married to Mary A. Steel, Nov. 10, 1861. His wife died of con- sumption in less than two years from the date of marriage. In the Fall of 1862, Mr. Carey first visited the San Joaquin, and took up a piece of land under the Homestead Law. Returned to the Sacramento valley, where his wife was staying with her sister, and the following March the two sisters died. This event left Mr. Carey broken up in his calcu- lations; he consequently abandoned the idea of settling in the San Joaquin, and went to the Washoe country, but finally settled in the San Joaquin valley, in January, 1865, and engaged in farming. In February, 1866, was married to Laura Ann Welch, a native of Illinois; has lived in the county ever since, and at this writing has five chil- dren, viz., Charles J., Clara J., Alice L., Joseph Franklin and Edna Mabel. Mr. Carey is pleasantly located at the little town of Brentwood, doing a blacksmithing and repairing business, in company with S. P. Davis- firm name, Carey & Davis.
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HON. J. H. CAROTHERS, M. D .- Was born in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, September 5, 1824, and moved, in 1832, to Crawford county, Ohio, where the early part of his life was spent in clearing the forests of that then new country. He afterwards studied medicine, with Dr. A. Blymer, in Delaware, Ohio. He is a graduate of the Miami Medical College, of that State, and is considered one of the ablest physicians in this section of the country, his practice calling him on long trips about Contra Costa and the surrounding districts. He came to Martinez in 1854. In 1857 he laid out the town of Pacheco, and resided there for about fifteen years, when he moved back to Martinez, in 1874, and erected his present handsome residence, situated on an entire block, in the center of the village. Everything about his place denotes thrift, taste and care. The neat graveled walks are lined with choice flowers, and the whole place is surrounded by thrifty shade trees. Dr. Carothers is a member of the County Medical Society, and of the Medical Society of the State of Cali- fornia. He was elected to the Legislature in 1869-70, and took an honorable part in the business of that body, ably representing his constituents, and filling the place creditably to himself and them.
JAMES CARTER .- Was born in Brunt county, Canada West, April 3, 1842. When seventeen years of age he, with one brother, immigrated to America, and sojourned about six months in Michigan. He then returned to his home in Canada, whence he started, via New York and Panama, for California, arriving in San Francisco November 27, 1859. After locating in Napa county, he resided four years in Solano county, one year in Oregon, two years in Idaho Territory, and one year in Nevada Territory, when he moved to San Joaquin county, where he prosecuted farming until the year 1875. He then came to this county (bringing his family with him), and leased about thirteen hundred acres of the Robinson ranch. Mr. Carter married, in Napa City, November 17, 1870, Miss Lizzie Grilman, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom there are two children, Arlington and Noda.
PATRICIO CASTRO .- This representative of the old Spanish families of California is the son of Victor and Louisa (Martinez) Castro, and was born in Contra Costa county, March 17, 1843. He resided with his father until he reached twenty-five years of age, when he moved to his present residence, five miles south of San Pablo, where he has one hundred acres of land. Mr. Castro claims to be the oldest child now living born in Contra Costa county. He married, October 9, 1875, Harriet, daughter of John M. and Josephine (Toomey) O'Neil, of Stanislaus county, Cali- fornia, and has : Pacheco, born July 24, 1876; Leo Henry, born July 18, 1879; Jovita Maria, born June 11, 1881.
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JOHN CAVANAGH .- The subject of this sketch was born in County Cork, Ireland, March 15, 1811, where he resided and followed farming until twenty years of age. He then, with his father, two brothers and five sisters, immigrated to Canada, where they arrived in the Spring of 1831, and engaged in farming near the town of Petersburg, there clearing three hundred acres of heavy timber land and residing thirty-one years. March 15, 1862, Mr. Cavanagh, accompanied by his wife and ten children, started for the Golden State, via New York and Panama, land- ing in San Francisco, April 17, 1862. On his arrival on this coast he went to Santa Clara county, where he dwelt until his coming to this county, which occurred in October of the same year, and purchased a place in the San Ramon valley, where he lived for four years. He then sold out, and bought his present valuable farm in Diablo valley, consisting of six hundred and sixteen acres, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Cavanagh was thrice married first in Canada, January 19, 1838, to Miss Catharine Sullivan, a native of Canada; she died in September, 1843. By this union they had two children, Margaret (now deceased) and Michael. Married, secondly, in Canada, July 2, 1845, Miss Mary Callaghan, who died in San Ramon valley, this county, June 24, 1865. By this union they have eight living children ; their names are: Richard, James, William, Isabella, Mary, Margaret A., John and Johanna T. (twins). Mr. Cavanagh returned to Canada on a visit to his friends in October, 1872, where he became acquainted with Rose Ann Murphy; were married in the town of Peter- boro, and returned to California to his ranch in Mount Diablo valley, where he has since resided.
ROBERT H. CAVEN .-- Was born in Prince Edward county, Canada, October 10, 1853. He resided in his birth-place, and was educated at the common schools and the Pictou High School, until May, 1869. He then started for California, coming via the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, and arrived in San Francisco in May of the above year. Sojourning in the metropolis but a short time, he came to Contra Costa county, and first found employment on the Galindo Rancho, where he remained some five years. In the Fall of 1875, in company with his brother William, he purchased their present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, one mile from Concord, and is now engaged in general farming. Mr. Caven was united in marriage in San Francisco, April 2, 1879, to Miss Eva W. Greer. By this union they have one son, Robert Allen, born March 25, 1880.
JOHN G. CHASE. - Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Hudson, New Hampshire, April 19, 1837, where he was edu- cated and resided until nineteen years old. He then, in company
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with one sister (Mrs. T. F. Davis, of Berkeley), sailed from New York on June 4, 1856, on board the steamer Illinois to Aspinwall; at Panama, took passage on board the good ship John L. Stephens, with some sixteen hundred other passengers, all bound for the golden shores of the Pacific; and, after a pleasant voyage, arrived in San Francisco July 1st of the same year. Our subject immediately proceeded to the mines of Calaveras county, where he followed mining until the Fall of 1858, when he came to Contra Costa county in company with D. Glass, of San Ramon valley, to buy stock ; but on his arrival, was so well pleased with the coun- try, he concluded to remain, and took up his residence in what has since proved to be his home for upwards of twenty-four years. February 22, 1861, Mr. Chase made his first entry into the pleasant little village in which he now resides, at that time being employed in hauling coal from the mines to Antioch. At this period there was only one house on the site where now stands the thriving town of Antioch. Mr. Chase, in 1862, 1863 and 1864, worked in the Mt. Diablo coal fields ; he then engaged in the stage business from Somersville to Antioch for a short time, when he sold out, and took a prospecting tour through several counties, but again returned to this county and purchased his former stage line, in con- nection with which he started a livery stable. In 1867, his livery barn was burned ; he then purchased the property on which his present stables stand, and has since conducted a very successful business in his chosen line. Mr. Chase also owns a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Sycamore valley. Was Deputy Sheriff during Mr. Ivory's in- cumbency, and was twice Constable of Township Number Five. Was united in marriage in Sycamore valley December 9, 1868, to Miss Elmira A. Johnson, by which union they have had two children-a daughter, Nettie M., and a son, J. Rudolph.
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