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 71
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JOHN S. MOORE, D. D. S. - The subject of this sketch is a native of North Carolina, born in Guilford county, June 1, 1832. At about twelve years of age he was sent to Shady Grove academy, in the adjoining county of Rockingham, where he received his education. He taught school one year in North Carolina, two years in Virginia, and one year in Texas. On his return from Texas to North Carolina, in 1855, he decided to adopt dentistry as his profession, R. D. Hay, M. D., D. D. S., becoming his preceptor, and our subject graduated in his profession in the Winter of 1859-60 in the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. He continued in his practice in Madison, Rockingham county, North Carolina, until the Spring of 1868, when he moved west, and located in Pleasant
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Hill, Missouri, and there secured and maintained a good practice for nine years, until the Spring of 1877, when he came to California, stopping the first year at Danville, Contra Costa county, when he decided to locate permanently at Martinez. He has here secured a good practice, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of the community in which he lives. Our subject was united in marriage in Madison, North Carolina, July 10, 1855, to Miss Emma R. Martin, by which nnion they have three surviving children : W. A. (a dentist in Benicia), J. S. and Emma Lanier.
JOHN S. MOORE .- Born in Waterloo, Monroe county, Illinois, April 15, 1828, and there resided on a farm until his coming to California. In March, 1849, he, in company with a few others, left his birthplace to cross the plains and seek his fortune in the gold fields of the Pacific Coast. After a rather pleasant trip of six months, he arrived in Marysville, when he immediately proceeded to the mines, and embarked in mining for a few months ; then he came to Benicia, where he spent the Winter, and in the following Spring returned to the mines, where he remained until the Winter of 1852, when he returned to Illinois via Panama. In the Spring of 1853, Mr. Moore again started with ox-teams to cross the plains, and on his second arrival in this State located at Centerville, Ala- meda county, engaged in farming, and there remained until 1860. He then came to Contra Costa county and farmed three years on the Harlan ranch. The next seven years were spent in the mines of Idaho, when he returned to Alameda county and to Pleasanton, where he ran a livery stable for three years, then returned to San Francisco. After three years passed in San Francisco, he again returned to this county and engaged in hotel keeping, as proprietor of the Eagle Hotel at Pacheco for three years. Our subject again moved to San Francisco, and thence to Oakland, where he resided until October, 1881, when he purchased his present property, the well-known Lafayette Hotel, and a more genial landlord is not to be found in Contra Costa county. Mr. Moore was united in mar- riage, in Sacramento, January 31, 1855, to Miss Alvarado T. Pugh. By this union they have four living children ; their names are : Horace E., born in Centerville, August 1, 1856; Ida Z. (now Mrs. Miller,) born in Centerville, February 1, 1858 ; Flora R. (now Mrs. M. Shreve,) born in Sacramento, August 5, 1861, and John Milton, born in Oakland, Christ- mas day, 1881.
JEREMIAH MORGAN .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait ap- pears in this work, was born in the Cherokee Nation, on the banks of the Tennessee river, Alabaına, June 8, 1818, and resided in that State until he attained the age of nine years, when he moved with his parents to Jef- ferson county, Illinois. After a residence of two years in that county, he moved to Clinton county, in the same State, where he dwelt six years
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Now he transferred his dwelling to Iowa county, Wisconsin, for one Summer, spending the following Winter in Illinois at his home. Mr. Morgan, after this, proceeded to Wright county, Missouri, where he fol- lowed farming until the month of February, 1864, when he married and went south to Texas; but that State not being suited to his taste, he returned to Missouri, and a year later found him in Wisconsin, where, only remaining a short time, in the Fall of 1838, he moved to Jackson county, Iowa, where he abode until starting for the Pacific Coast. In March, 1849, Mr. Morgan and six companions fitted out a wagon, and, with ox-teams, crossed the plains to California, the journey occupying six months and one day. Arriving at Bidwell's Bar, on the Feather river, he com- menced mining operations, which he followed until September, 1850, and on October 5th, sailed from San Francisco via Panama, for his home in Iowa. There he remained until April, 1853, when he once more under- took the overland journey to the Golden State, accompanied by his family, and, coming direct to Contra Costa county, located in the Ygnacio valley, on the land now occupied by ex-Sheriff John F. S. Smith, where he built unto himself a small dwelling. In a hunting expedition over the slopes of Mount Diablo, in 1856, he discovered the tract of land now known as Morgan Territory, which he claimed and fenced, and whither he moved in 1857, the tract comprising about ten thousand acres, which, however, after survey, was cut down to two thousand acres. Here he has resided ever since. Besides this possession, Mr. Morgan owns four acres of land near Pacheco, ten acres in the vicinity of Concord, and three hundred and twenty acres in the "Stone House " district. The Concord ten acres he uses for raising carp. He has also two artesian wells, nine lots in the town of Concord, slaughter-house, barns, and other improvements, while his land lying at the foot of Mount Diablo, he uses with advantage as a stock-raising range. Mr. Morgan has been twice married ; firstly, in Wright county, Missouri, to Miss Sarah Ellis, in 1834, a native of that State, who died in Morgan Territory, Contra Costa county, March 17, 1869. By this union he had sixteen children, only six of whom survive, viz : William, Elizabeth, Joseph, Benjamin, Isaac, Josephine. Married, secondly, at Clayton, Contra Costa county, December 3, 1869, Mrs. Louisa Coan, née Riggs, a native of Kentucky, by whom there was one son, named Jesse.
MORGAN MORGANS .- This early pioneer of California and veteran miner, is a native of South Wales, and was born June 17, 1830, where he resided until sixteen, when he, with his parents, emigrated to the United States, and located in Belmont, Schuylkill, county, Pennsylvania, and followed mining in the coal fields of that place. In the Spring of 1855, Mr. Mor- gans started for the Pacific Coast rid New York and Panama, and on
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arrival in this State proceeded to Amador county, where he engaged in quartz mining, and subsequently was appointed foreman of the Hay- wood mine, on Sutter creek; six months later he was appointed Super- intendent of the same, a position he held for thirteen years. Then on the change of ownership of the mine Mr. Morgans gave up his position, and came to this county in the Summer of 1868. He immediately took charge of the Black Diamond coal mine, of Nortonville, as superintendent, a position he has now filled for fourteen years, and is still the pres- ent manager, enjoying alike the confidence and esteem of the company and those under his charge. Mr. Morgans was married in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1853, to Miss Sarah Mason, a native of that State. By this union they have six children living, as follows: Mar- garet S. (now Mrs. Philipps), Morgan P., Lizzie A., Walter R., Sadie L., and John Garfield. The latter was born on the day our illustrious President was shot.
THOMAS MURPHY .- This much respected citizen of Township Number Five is a native of County Cavan, Ireland, born March 24, 1830. When but five years of age his parents left him with an uncle while they emi- grated to America, where our subject joined them two years later in New York, and resided in that State for five years. He then, with his parents, moved to Connecticut, where Mr. Murphy was educated at the common schools, and resided on a farm until June, 1856, when he started, via Panama, for the Golden State, with the intention of returning in one year, but liking the climate and resources of the State so well, concluded to make it his future home; he therefore sent for his wife and family, and on their joining him, located in Napa valley, and followed farming until 1867, when he moved to his present place, bought one hundred and sixty acres two miles northeast of Brentwood, and in 1873, purchased eleven hundred acres in Round valley, and is now one of the substantial farmers of Contra Costa county. Married in Mystic, Connecticut, to Miss Alice Ross ; they have five children living : William H., James T., Annie L., Alice, and Hattie. A portrait of Mr. Murphy will be found in this work.
A. P. NELSON .- Born in Sweden May 4, 1846, and is the son of G. and Anna (Peterson) Nelson. Up to the age of twelve years he attended school, and at that period was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, in Calmar, for five years. At the end of his probation he commenced journeyman work, and followed it until 1867, when he began business for himself in Calmar and Stockholm, which he continued until 1872, in which year he emigrated to the United States ; first settled in Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri, and in September, 1875, came to Martinez, Contra Costa county, and commenced business. Married September 2,
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1875, Sophia Johnson, a native of Sweden, and has two children: Conrad, born September 16, 1876; Anna Therese, born May 1, 1878.
SOLOMON NEWBERGER .- This well-known merchant of Martinez is a native of Rodalben, Bavaria; was born in April, 1829, and resided in his birthplace until twenty-one years of age. He then emigrated to America, first landing in New Orleans, engaged in merchandising there, and remained some four years. March 9, 1854, Mr. Newberger started, via the Nicaragua route, for California, arriving in San Francisco April 2d of the same year. Our subject came immediately to Contra Costa county and began merchandising; he afterwards served as clerk for E. Lasar for six years. In 1872, he formed a copartnership with A. L. Gartley, and opened their present general merchandise store, located on Ferry street, Martinez, under the firm name of Newberger & Gartley. Was married in San Francisco July 14, 1872, and has three children: Carrie, Blanche and Rosie.
WILLIAM NEWMAN .- This old pioneer of California was born in Rox- bury, Massachusetts, November 5, 1808, and in that city learned the painter's trade. When twenty-one years of age he moved to Lowell, the same State, there followed his trade and resided until his coming to the Pacific Coast, which event occurred in August, 1851, arriving by steamer via the Nicaragua route. On landing in this State, Mr. Newman, after spending a short time in San Francisco, proceeded to Stockton, and thence to the mines at Angel's Camp, where he remained but a little while, when he again returned to Stockton, where he found employment at his trade. His wife being sick, September, 1853, he started via Panama to visit his old home at the East, where, in a short time after his arrival, his wife died, when he again returned to this coast, bringing with him his only son, and located in San Francisco. In March, 1859, Mr. Newman came to this county, and purchased his present property of one hundred and sixty acres, adjoining the town limits of Antioch. Mr. Newman was united in marriage in Lowell, in 1835, to Miss Emily Morrison ; by this union they had one son, now residing with the subject of our sketch.
JOHN NICHOLL .- This gentleman, whose portrait will be found in this work, is the son of Hugh and Mary (Aiken) Nicholl, and was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1822. There he resided until 1849, in which year he emigrated to the United States, and first settled in New York, where he engaged as a laborer. In January, 1854, he came to California, sailing from New York in the steamer George Law to the Isthmus of Panama, and thence in the John L. Stephens to San Francisco, where he arrived February 16th. In company with his wife he first found employ- ment for a year on a farm in Alameda county; then he purchased the interest of a squatter on the Peralta Rancho, near San Lorenzo creek,
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where he farmed for two years; finally, in the Fall of 1857, moving to his present ranch, near San Pablo, which comprises two hundred acres. Besides this, Mr. Nicholl owns nine hundred and thirty-seven acres of land in San Buenaventura county, the Nicholl's Block in the city of Oak- land, Alameda county, and a title to four hundred acres more near his present residence. Thus in this gentleman's life we see exemplified the reward of honest labor and unswerving honesty; add to these that he has made a pleasant home for his mother, now nearly ninety years of age, and we find that Mr. Nicholl possesses that goodness of heart and right feeling which is always prone to benefit a community. He married, November 11, 1853, in New York, Agnes B. Hodge, a native of Ireland, and has: Janetta, John H., Mazie E., Ruth A., Joseph L., Agnes B., Lulu G., Hester H. and Willie B.
HOWARD NICHOLS. - This old and respected pioneer was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, February 11, 1799, where he resided for the first eighteen years of his life. In the year 1819 he moved to New Bedford, in the same State, there opened one of the best appointed black- smith shops then extant in the country, afterwards opened a brass foundry, and there resided nntil he came to the Pacific Coast. In September, 1849, he sailed, via Cape Horn, for California, in the ship Oscar, of which he was part owner, and on arrival, first, in the Spring of 1850, settled in the then thriving little town of New York of the Pacific. Here he found a considerable business, and several hotels. He here purchased the ship Mount Vernon, turned her into a receiving ship, alongside of which the steamers took on board and discharged freight and passengers. Having purchased the contents of the Kennebec House, Captain Nichols fitted up the Mount Vernon as a boarding-house, in 1851, when, by putting too much wood on one side, the hulk heeled over, but she was afterwards righted, and continued as a place to dwell in for some time. Having purchased some damaged barley and dried it, with the proceeds from this, and the increase of some hogs he had bought, he acquired his present ranch at the foot of Mount Diablo, in 1852, where he has resided ever since, being engaged in farming and grape culture. His wife arrived here in 1855. In his house was the first Congregational church in the district established. The Captain, now in his eighty-fourth year, is in the enjoyment of good health, with his memory unimpaired, and with every promise of many years before him. He married, firstly, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the year 1821, Susan Clarke, a native of that place, who died August 1, 1837. By this union there were five children ; only two of them are now living, Seth (now dwelling with his father) and Susan (now Mrs. Ruggles, of New Bedford). Married, secondly, Sarah Clarke, a sister of his first wife, by whom he had one son, who is now dead.
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LEO NORRIS .- The son of John and Barbara (Moore) Norris, was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, March 3, 1804, and there received his educa- tion, farmed, and for five years worked in a distillery. When twenty-six years old, he moved to Morgan county, Illinois, where he resided seven years. He next moved to St. Louis, and then up the Missouri river, to where is now the town of Weston, being there engaged in farming. In the year 1840, Mr. Norris went to Atchison county, Missouri, where he remained farming until his start for California. In May, 1846, in com- pany, with his family, traveling with fifty wagons, our subject, commenced the journey to the far-away Pacific shores, and after a weary voyage of six months, .on October 4th, arrived where Sacramento now stands, the march being continued to the mission at Santa Clara. In June, 1847, he moved to mission San José, where he dwelt until the Fall of 1850, when he settled on the property he now owns, consisting of one league of land in San Ramon valley. Married in Nelson county, Kentucky, July 21, 1829, Miss Jane Kizzie, a native of Kentucky, who died March, 1855. By this union there are five surviving children, viz: William H., Mary, (now Mrs. Lynch,) Annie, (now Mrs. Perkins,) James and Emily, (now Mrs. Lewelling.)
WILLIAM H. NORRIS .- The son of Leo and Mary J. Norris, was born in Morgan county, Illinois, July 6, 1832, and is now in his fifty- first year. When seven years of age his parents moved to Platte county, Missouri, where they resided for three years, and then moved to Atchison county, same State, where they remained until their coming to this State. May 10, 1846, he with his parents joined a company that consisted of some thirty persons, and with ox-teams started to cross the plains to California. After a weary trip of five months they arrived at Johnson's ranch on Bear river, a place well known to all the early Cali- fornians, October 13th of the same year. Staying but a short time, they proceeded to the Mission San José, where his father engaged in the gene- ral merchandise trade, in which he continued until June, 1850; he then with his parents came to Contra Costa county, and located on their present place, where our subject now resides. Mr. Norris was united in marriage in San Francisco, January 8, 1860, to Miss Margaret, a daughter of Thomas Nash, and a native of Lower Canada. By this union they have four children : Leo, born November 29, 1860; Thomas, born December 30, 1862; Henry, born September 14, 1864, died August 19, 1881; George, born February 3, 1867, and Mary, born November 21, 1869.
NOAH NORTON, (deceased) .- Was born at Norton Hill, Greene county, New York, April 7, 1786, and as a young man, commenced his career as a boatman on the Hudson river. He married early, and removed to the
Wittenbach
Henry Blume
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shore of Lake Ontario. At that time a considerable contraband traffic was maintained upon the lake border, and the subject of our sketch, as an officer of the Government, gained quite a distinction for efficiency in the detection and capture of smugglers. On the outbreak of the war of 1812, he was one of the earliest to respond to the call of his country for volunteers. He served as Lieutenant throughout the war, but was in command of a company at the battle of Lundy's Lane, where his con- spicuous gallantry attracted the favorable notice of General Scott. After peace was declared, Mr. Norton removed with his family to the then wild territory of Michigan, and was the first settler in what is now the town of Adrian, where, subject to constant peril from Indian raids, he estab- lished his home. Afterwards, with the increase of population, he engaged in and carried on the business of brick-making for some years. Sub- sequently, while traveling in the southwestern States, he was taken down at New Orleans with the yellow fever, which carried him almost to the door of death. The excitement incident to the outbreak of the Mexican war was at its height on his recovery, and his patriotic impulses led him to volunteer as a soldier. Failing to hear from him for many months, his family were led to fear his death, but during the greater part of the war he was employed by General Scott upon secret service, and after the close returned home, to the great astonishment of his family, who had long supposed him dead. His children had grown up during his absence, and with the exception of the youngest, had all married: After a short time spent at home, he engaged successfully in gathering specimens and objects of interest for a museum in Pensacola, Florida. Subsequently, he gathered an interesting collection, and established a museum of his own at Adrian, the place of his residence. On the discovery of gold in California, he became infected with the gold fever, and after disposing of his museum, joined a train fitting out to cross the plains, and journeyed with it to Salt Lake, where the company laid over for the Winter. In the Spring, Norton, with a portion of the company, took the southern route, and were the first of the immigrants who arrived at Los Angeles in 1850. Having discovered a prospect of gold in crossing the desert on the way to Los Angeles, Norton, and some 'others of the party, after remaining a while at that place, resolved to return and test the value of their discovery. While the party were at work one day, in their mine, Indians visited their camp and carried off all their provisions, except a small sack of flour, obliging them to abandon their working, and make their way back to Los Angeles, with no subsistence for the long desert journey but the scanty measure of flour. For some years the subject of our sketch remained at Los Angeles, engaged in farming. He then went back to Michigan. Soon after his return his wife died. After marrying a second time, he returned to California and engaged in the work of
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prospecting for coal, that resulted in the discovery of the famous Black Diamond vein in Contra Costa county. Mr. Norton was in all respects a remarkable man, combining wonderful intrepidity and energy with an acuteness of thought, and an indomitable will, equal to any emergency. His bodily vigor allowed him frequently during the last year of his life, to walk a distance of ten miles. He was a great reader, particularly fond of studying history, and always well-informed upon the affairs of the time. He was in all respects, an intelligent, energetic and honorable man, whose name should not be suffered to fall into oblivion. The thriv- ing little town of Nortonville takes its name from this gentleman. He died in Oakland in the year 1871.
COMMODORE B. NOTTINGHAM .- A native of Lexington, La Fayette county, Missouri, born September 28, 1826. Residing in his birthplace until six years of age, his parents then moved to Jackson county, same State, where he attended school and dwelt until 1843, and in that county learned the trade of blacksmith. At the age of seventeen years he left his home, went to New Mexico, and was there employed by the Government as teamster in hauling material to build the different forts on the frontier. Was engaged there in the capacity of driving teams from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe until 1848, when he returned to his old home in Missouri. May 9, 1850, he started from his native place to cross the plains to Oregon, arriving at his destination in October of the same year. Here he began traveling through that State, some- times being employed at his trade, and again at herding, but finally brought up at Yreka, where he engaged in mining. October 8, 1851, he arrived in San Francisco per steamer, and from there went to Sacra- mento, where he sojourned a short time, when, after visiting several different places, he again returned to Sacramento, where he found em- ployment in the Pacific Coffee Mills, and, after remaining there some time, went to San José, and there resided until July 4, 1855, after which he spent two years mining in Plumas county, and in the Fall of 1857 pur- chased his present place of one hundred and twenty-six acres, three miles from Walnut Creek, where he is now engaged in general farming. Was united in marriage in Contra Costa county, to Mrs. Boss, a native of Kentucky. By this union they have eight children living: Marietta, Jessie, George, Guy, Occie, Effie, Walter and Ernest.
MAJOR JOHN C. O'BRIEN .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, January 6, 1822. When about fourteen years of age, he, with his parents, emi- grated to the United States, arriving in New York in the year 1836. In 1843 his father's family moved to Missouri, and there Mr. O'Brien engaged in farming as an overseer. In 1849, in company with thirty
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more, he started from Lexington for the Golden State with a train of ten wagons, and arrived at Sacramento, July 29th, of the same year. Having sold his horses and wagons, he remained in Sacramento about two months, after which he purchased a wagon and six yoke of oxen, and went to Redding's diggings, and engaged in mining until February, 1850. Our subject then went to the Hudspeth ranch and bought some stock and took them to Sacramento, and soon after went to Trinity mines, and again prosecuted mining. In the Fall of the year he went to the Klamath river, again followed mining, but was compelled to abandon it on account of the snow. Returning to Sacramento he purchased some horses, and went to San José, and there he was engaged in farming and stock-raising. He also followed the business of brick-making, getting as much as fifty dollars per thousand, and afterwards sold out to James Lick for fifty thousand dollars. In the Fall of 1851, he returned to Missouri, and in 1853, purchasing a band of cattle, in company with William Wyatt, came back to this coast, and went direct to Contra Costa county, locating where Antioch now stands. There he engaged in stock-raising and afterwards farming, and with the exception of about seven years spent in San Joaquin county, our subject has resided there since. The Major is the owner of considerable real estate in the town where he dwells, as well as having a large amount of property in San Joaquin county. No man throughout the length and breadth of Contra Costa has done more to forward the interests of the county. When necessary he has never flinched from exposing existing evils; he is just in his dealings, true to his instincts, and honest in his convictions. He is genial in his manners, and no better friend or companion exists than Major John C. O'Brien. He has never aspired to any public office. Married Mary E. Howard, July 29, 1861, and has two children : Carrie and Philip.
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