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 79
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 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
691
Biographical Sketches.
attempts in later years were made to get a sketch of the life of the great pioneer, but old age had laid his heavy hand upon him; he was too feeble to talk much, and when he did talk his enunciation was labored and difficult. Of his wonderful memory and also peculiar talent of judging a country at sight, we may mention the following : He had been down the Colorado on an occasion twenty or more years prior to his guiding the troops along its banks in 1859, and had then come down the river, but had never been up it ; nevertheless he would make an accurate map each morning of the country to be marched over during the day, showing where the mountains approached the river, and where the valley widened, where sloughs or tributaries made in marking the halting-place for the night, and giving a description of its appearance and extent. Furthermore, he would say, "There is grass and wood in those mountains off there, with water flowing to the northward," or whichever way it went. The veteran captain was a quiet, unpretending man. He scorned to boast of his achievements as a pioneer, though a better and more deserving man than many who have had their fame and deeds trumpeted to the world. He died, as he lived, an honest, upright man-one of Nature's noblemen.
JOHN P. WALTON. - Born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, June 8, 1807 and is the son of Jesse and Mary (Hutchins) Walton. He was educated in Virginia, and resided there until the year 1834, meanwhile having acquired the trade of tanner. From the above year until 1839 he resided in Greene county, Georgia, and then emigrated to Texas, where he followed the life of a trapper and hunter, at the same time conducting a farm near Palestine, Anderson county. In February, 1856, in company with his two eldest sons, Mark A. and William H., he started for Cali- fornia viu New Orleans and Central America, arriving in San Francisco in the month of April of the same year. Mr. Walton almost immediately proceeded to the mines, and a twelve-month after came to the San Joaquin valley and leased a farm ; this, however, he left in November, 1859, and went to Stanislaus county, where he lived until April, 1862. He then came to Contra Costa county, located on his present place of one hundred and sixty acres, and is now engaged in farming and fruit-raising in the Iron House district. Mr. Walton has been twice married : in the first instance at his birthplace to Miss Mary Swanson, a native of Virginia, by whom he had one child, since deceased. Married, secondly, in Greene county, Georgia, Miss Almira Tuggle, a native of that State, by whom he has had nine children. Of these, Mark A., John S., George T., and a daughter, Millie Texanna, still survive. Our subject is now seventy-five years of age, and it is his boast that he has never voted a Democratic ticket, save on two occasions for the office of Justice of the Peace, while,
692
History of Contra Costa County.
besides being a resident of the State of Texas at its admission to the Union, he was the second County Clerk of Anderson county.
MARK A. WALTON. - The subject of our memoir is a native of the Sunny South, having been born in Greene county, Georgia, September 14, 1837. When but an infant his parents moved to Texas, where Mark spent his youth and boyhood until nineteen years of age. February 11, 1856, in company with his father and one brother, he started for the Golden State, via the Nicaragua route, and arrived in San Francisco March 24, 1856. He first prospected in the mines of Tuolumne county for two years. He then engaged in stock-raising in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties until 1862, and twenty years ago located on his present ranch of one hundred and sixty acres in the Iron House district of Contra Costa, where he is now engaged in farming and fruit-raising, turning his attention more especially to the latter, having now some thirty acres in fruit and vines. Was united in marriage, in San Joaquin county, in 1859, to Miss Mary P. Walton ; she died January 24, 1865. By this union they have two daughters, Almira J. and Jessie. Mr. Walton was married the second time, in Anderson county, Texas, November 15, 1875, to Miss Eliza Tuggle, a native of the latter State. By this union they have no issue.
HENRY E. WARD .- Was born in China county, Maine, August 2, 1837. When sixteen years of age he went to Virginia, and there learned the trade of ship-carpenter. He resided there some three years, and then, after a brief visit to his Eastern home, he sailed, in March, 1855, from New York, via Panama, arriving in San Francisco in April of the above year. He immediately proceeded to Tuolumne county and engaged in mining, which he prosecuted until 1861. We next find Mr. Ward in the coal mines of Contra Costa county, where now stands the town of Somersville. He followed mining until 1873, when he engaged in his present livery and feed stable, in which business he has since continued. Mr. Ward held the office of Deputy Sheriff, under Sheriff Ivory, in 1873, 1874 and 1875. Was united in marriage, in Calaveras county, March 16, 1864, to Mrs. Caroline Briggs, a native of Illinois. They have one son, Everett C.
HON. F. M. WARMCASTLE .- Born November 16, 1815, at the town of Butler, Butler county, Pennsylvania; went to Pittsburgh at the age of seventeen, remained there some three years; went to Maysville, Kentucky, remained there during the intermediate time, until the year 1839, spend- ing the Winters down in the southwest flat-boating and distributing agri- cultural implements ; went to Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, early in 1840, remained there until 1841, when he engaged in manufacturing
693
Biographical Sketches.
wagons, plows, etc., then located in Platte City, county seat of Platte county, Missouri, read law, and in the year 1842, emigrated to Nott county, Missouri, and was admitted to the Bar at the Spring session of the Circuit Court of Savannah, the county seat of Andrew county, Mis- souri, Judge D. R. Atchinson presiding, Peter H. Burnett, Circuit Attor- ney ; he located the same year in that portion of Nott county, afterwards, in the year 1844, organized as the county of Atchison, practiced law at Linden, the county seat of that county, and represented the county in the Missouri Legislature, as the first representative, in the year 1846. He joined the volunteer service, as First Lieutenant of Captain Creig's company of Missouri Mounted Volunteers, in the Spring of 1847, was mustered into the service of the United States at Fort Leavenworth, and was appointed Acting Assistant Commissary of Subsistence; the command was ordered to the Indian country to overawe the Indian tribes, there being no military force in the direction of Oregon, the Rifle Regi- ment raised a few years previous for that purpose having been ordered to Mexico. He remained in the Indian country until the Winter of 1848, was mustered out of service at Fort Leavenworth, emigrating to Califor- nia in the year 1849, overland, and was among the first immigrants to arrive at Sacramento, about the middle of August. He went to the mines on the Yuba river, stayed there until the early rains, and, returning to Sacramento, remained there a short time. About that time the election to ratify the Constitution of the new State came off, and the election immediately followed for State officers and members of the Legislature. Mr. Warmcastle then went to Benicia and crossed the Straits of Carquinez at Martinez, and from there, through what is now Contra Costa and Alameda counties, by the Mission of San José to the city of San José, remaining there a spectator of the daily sessions of the Legislature, and becoming somewhat acquainted with many of the men who afterwardsoccu- pied official positions in the State. He returned to Martinez, February, 1850. In the Spring, the several counties in the State having been organ- ized by the Legislature at its first session, he was elected County Judge, and held the position until December, 1853, when he resigned, having been elec- ted to the Assembly, at the close of the session resuming the practice of the law. He married at San Francisco in the month of February, 1855, resided in Martinez until the Fall of 1855, when he located in the country some six miles from Martinez, on a farm, that he bought in 1852, and improved ; the farın is situated one mile south of the town of Pacheco, not then in existence. He was elected to the Assembly in the year 1857, and was elected to the State Senate in the district composed of the counties of Contra Costa and San Joaquin, in the Fall of 1860. Made two trips to the East, between the years 1870, '74, being absent East about one and a half years. He resided on the farm until 1877, when he was elected District
694
History of Contra Costa County.
Attorney for Contra Costa county, and held the office for two years, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of the law, and living in Martinez.
AUGUST WARNECKE .- Was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Ger- many, October 25, 1834. In 1849 he emigrated to America, and first settled in New York, where he engaged in the grocery business, which he continued until 1854, when he came to California. On his arrival he went to the mines and remained there for two years, when he returned to San Francisco, and again carried on the grocery business, following that vocation until 1879. In 1881 Mr. Warnecke purchased his present place, consisting of four hundred and thirty-five acres of land on the Kelly League, to which he brought his family and where they now reside. Married September 5, 1867, Sophia Heinsohn, a native of Brimerverdy, Germany, who was born January 18, 1849. By this union there are, Edward J., born March 23, 1869 ; Dora. A., born July 14, 1870; August H., born September 19, 1871; Walter H., born May 5, 1877, and Char- lotte C., born May 12, 1880.
FRANK WEBB .- A native of Thomaston, Knox county, Maine; born April 21, 1833, and there resided until thirteen years of age. He then went to sea and followed a sea-faring life for the next twelve years, first as cabin boy, then as sailor, and later as mate. In July, 1858, Mr. Webb, then being twenty-five years of age, concluded to come to California, and took passage on board the sailing ship Wandering Jew via Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco in December of the same year. On landing in this State, he came direct to Contra Costa county, and in the Fall of 1859 located on his present ranch of ninety acres, situated inside the town limits of Walnut Creek, where he is now engaged in farming, enjoy- ing the confidence and esteem of the entire community in which he lives. Our subject was united in marriage in Sacramento, December 26, 1864, to Phobe Marsh Dickinson, a native of Massachusetts, by which union they have six children living; their names are : Frederick D., born November 17, 1866; Frank R., born January 2, 1868; Thomas S. and Annie A. (twins) born March 21, 1873; Abbie, born March 25, 1875, and George B., born March 29, 1878.
WILLIAM E. WHITNEY .- Was born at Thomaston, Knox county, Maine, January 28, 1822. At fifteen years of age he went to sea, which he fol- lowed for two years, and then returned to his native place. He then served an apprenticeship to the trade of blacksmith, and continued at that business, as well as farming and burning lime, until 1849, when, in October of that year he took passage on board the bark Midas, Captain Jordan, for San Francisco, via Cape Horn, and arrived March 14, 1850,
er Plumley
695
Biographical Sketches.
after a voyage of one hundred and sixty-five days. Mr. Whitney remained in San Francisco one year, during which time he was engaged in grading, getting out ballast and teaming. He then came to this county, locating at the foot of Mount Diablo, on the Pacheco grant, where he erected four kilns for burning lime. This gentleman claims to be the pioneer lime- burner of this State, and shipped the first lime sold in San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton. He met with success in this undertaking, and after a period of seven months sold out and returned to the East, remaining there about eight years. In 1860 he returned to California, and engaged in buying and hauling grain with ox-teams from Alamo and Danville to Antioch and the coal mines. In 1864 he put the first break-up plow that was ever put on Sherman Island for McKeney and Crosby. In 1865 he engaged in hauling coal and timber on the Pittsburg road, and took a prominent part in building the railroads from Pittsburg to Somersville mines, and from Black Diamond to Nortonville in the fol- lowing year, Mr. Whitney having done the greater part of the grading. In November, 1868, his family arrived from Thomaston, and in 1870 he bought a portion of the San Miguel Rancho, and leased the adjoining lime-rock. He built a limekiln and burned lime in what is called an old- fashioned kiln. In 1872 he built a patent limekiln on Pacheco creek, and burned in that kiln one hundred and seventy barrels every twenty- four hours. After a time he sold out, and was employed in getting out sand for Taylor and Bennett and a firm of the name of Newman, to make glass. The lead of sand he discovered on his lime-rock ranch. Mr. Whitney was married in Maine, to Miss Sophia Fales, a native of Thomaston, Maine. By this union there were born eight children, three of whom are living. Their names are: William J., Mary, and Alice. The second son died in Star City, Nevada, October 24, 1864, aged nine- teen years and ten months; the fourth son died in Concord, Contra Costa county, in 1871, aged eighteen years, eight months and ten days; the other three died in Thomaston, Maine.
CHARLES N. WIGHT. - The subject of this sketch is a native of Johnsonsburgh, Wyoming county, New York, and was born August 5, 1833. At an early age he attended the common schools, and resided at his birthplace until thirteen years old, when he went with his brother, R. H., on a visit to his brother-in-law in Delaware county, Iowa, when Mr. Wight again attended school, at Cascade, same State. There he remained one year, and afterwards passed two years with his sister in Delaware county. In the Fall of 1849 he returned to his birthplace, there attending school for three months, and then turned his attention to farming and dairying for eight months, and then going to school for three months more. He then went to Genesee and Wyoming seminary
696
History of Contra Costa County.
Alexandria, Genesee county, New York, for two terms, ending January 5, 1852, when he started with his brother, Randolph, via Panama, for the Pacific Coast, arriving in San Francisco February 26th of the same year. He immediately, on arrival, proceeded to the mines on Trinity river, worked in the mines for a short time, and then went to Georgetown, El Dorado county, where he engaged in mining until the Spring of 1853, when he went to Contra Costa county and took up Government land in Township Number Three, four miles from New York Landing. Mr. Wight's farm consists of seven hundred acres, half of which is under cultivation and the remainder pasture land. Married, in Green valley, Contra Costa county, January 13, 1870, Miss Sarah E. Huntington, a native of Maine. By this union there are five children : Nellie C., Martha L., Charles H., Walter W. and Albert R.
RANDOLPH H. WIGHT .- This most worthy and respected pioneer of Contra Costa is a native of Wyoming county, New York, and was born August 18, 1827. Until the time of his attaining the age of nineteen years, he worked on a farm in his native place ; at that epoch, however, he emigrated to Delaware county, Iowa, and in the following Spring, 1847, joined a train of three wagons then proceeding to the farthest limits of civilization, among the pines of Oregon. Crossing the Missouri river, near Savannah, the intrepid band of argonauts debouched upon the boundless waste, and, after eight long months of incessant travel, arrived at Corvallis, Oregon, where our subject halted and settled. In February, 1848, he proceeded down the Willamet river, in "dug-out " boats, porting at the falls at Oregon City, thence down the Columbia river to its mouth, there settling on the Clatsup plains on the sea coast ; remained there until October of the same year, then sailed on the English schooner Sterling to San Francisco; waited there two weeks for an opportunity to sail to Sacramento ; finally sailed on Captain Sutter's little launch, manned by Indians ; there were about twenty passengers, among them the noted James King of William ; had a seven days' voy- age, and arrived at Sutter's Fort, two miles from Sacramento ; the latter place was then without a building, and called Embarcadero. In the month of September, 1848, the startling intelligence of the discovery of gold in California was wafted to the neighboring Territories, and amid its almost ungovernable excitements, Mr. Wight was one of the first to start southward in search of the precious metal. Arriving at Sacra- mento, he proceeded to the mines in the vicinity of the poetic Hangtown (Placerville), where he remained nine months. New Year's Day, 1849, saw him with his back to the mines and his face towards San Francisco, whence, two months later, he took passage in a steamer to Panama to revisit the scenes of his youth at the East. There our subject continued
697
Biographical Sketches.
until 1852. In that year, accompanied by his brother Charles N., he once more made the journey to the Pacific Coast, and on arrival in California, proceeded to Shasta county, where they mined for about three months near Trinity river. From this place, Mr. Wight removed to Georgetown, El Dorado county, in June, 1852, but, after six months' mining there, concluded to try the experiment of farming, for which he selected Contra Costa, having first visited it in March, 1852. In the month of November, of the same year, he settled in the New York valley, on the land now occupied by his brother, and there they continued to live together until 1857, when our subject paid another visit to the Eastern States, joined the noble army of Benedicts, and came back to California in February, 1858. He then settled upon his present estate, which now comprises six hundred and ninety acres, where substantial improvements have been, and still are the order of the day. Mr. Wight was a member of the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa county, from the year 1868 to 1872, during which time he gave eminent satisfaction to the entire community. He married, in Wyoming county, New York, January 28, 1858, Miss Orfa Durfee, a native of New York, and has two children : Sarah E. (now Mrs. S. M. Laselle), and Mary L.
HENRY WILKENING .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, November 28, 1835, where he resided until the age of sixteen, when he sailed for Bremen, July 4, 1852, for the United States, arriving in New York August 20th. There he found employment in a grocery store, where he remained two years. In July, 1854, he sailed from New York in the North Star, by the Nicaragua route, for California, and on the Cortez, on the Pacific side, arriving at San Francisco in the early part of August. Remaining there a few days, he proceeded to the mines on the Yuba river, working at different camps until 1864. From there Mr. Wilkening went to Antioch, Contra Costa county, and there resided six months, when he returned to New York with the intention of remaining, but at the end of twelve months he again started to visit the Pacific Coast, this time coming via Panama, arriving July, 1865. He went, on arrival, to Placer county, and from there to Franklin Hill, Plumas county, where he followed mining for the space of seven years. In July, 1874, he again visited Contra Costa county, and conducted the " Red House," near the present site of Byron. In 1877 he purchased his present property, on which now stands the town of Byron. In 1878, he erected his present commodious hotel- the Byron Hotel, of which he is at present the affable and obliging host. Besides owning the hotel, he has a saloon and livery-stable at Byron. Married in San Francisco, October 14, 1876, Annie Percy, a native of
45
698
History of Contra Costa County.
Somersetshire, England. By this union there is one son, Byron H., born February 3, 1880.
DAVID P. WILLIAMS .- Born in Wales, May 12, 1830, where he resided until twenty years of age, and then emigrated to the United States, arriv- ing in New York in June, 1851; residing there for two years, he proceeded west to Racine, Wisconsin, where he labored at different occu - pations for the following nine years. In November, 1861, our subject came via New York and Panama to California, arriving in San Francisco December 14th of the same year, first finding employment on a ranch near Haywards, Alameda county, where he remained for two years. He then leased land in the same county for two years, and in the Spring of 1866, came to Contra Costa county, leasing land on the Dougherty ranch, for nine years. In August, 1875, he purchased his present farm of two hundred and eighty acres, located in the Tassajara valley, where he is now engaged in general farming. Mr. Williams was united in marriage in San Francisco to Miss Jane Pugh, a native of Wales; by this union they have four children : Richard D., born July 11, 1864; Lizzie J., born October 15, 1866; William, born June 19, 1868, and Edward, born June 14, 1870.
FRANCIS WILLIAMS .- The subject of our sketch was born in the south- ern part of Denmark, May 9, 1829, where he resided until the age of seventeen, being educated and learning the trade of ship carpenter. In May, 1846, he sailed from Hamburg for New York, and on arrival had charge of the work on the vessels in port. Concluding to remain in the United States, he followed his trade at New Orleans, and in the Summer made trips to various parts of Europe as carpenter of American ships. In the Fall of 1850, he sailed on board a vessel, still following his trade, via Cape Horn for San Francisco, arriving in March of the following year. There he remained for a few months, and then went to the mines for one year. In the Summer of 1852 he went to Solano county, and engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1856, when he, in partnership with George A. Gillespie, built a store at Silveyville, and carried on business in general merchandise for four years. In 1861, he sold his interest in the store, was appointed Deputy Assessor of Solano county, and removed to Vacaville, where he carried on business until 1864. In March of that year he came to Contra Costa county, and located in the town of Antioch, where he resided until he came to Martinez, which occurred in March, 1878. In April, 1876, Mr. Williams was appointed by Governor Irwin, one of the three Commissioners of the " West Side Irrigation District," by act of the Legislature, to survey and . locate a canal for irrigation and transportation, from Tulare Lake to
699
Biographical Sketches.
Antioch, which position he held until June, 1877, when the labors of the Commission were completed. In March, 1878, he was appointed Under Sheriff of the county of Contra Costa, which office he now holds. Married in Vacaville, October, 1862, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Emmons, a native of Texas. The family consists of five children and two step-sons. Their names are: Josephine E., Franklin H., Frederick, Granville L., Asilie and Elias J. and W. H. Emmons, step-sons.
JESSE H. WILLIAMS .- Born in Franklin county, Virginia, May 13, 1815, where he was educated and resided until he attained the age of twenty- four years; he then moved to Clay county, Missouri, and there worked at the carpenters' trade four years ; he afterwards lived for six years in Platte county. In the month of April, 1850, he crossed the plains, with ox-teams, to California, and arrived at classic Hangtown (now Placerville) in September of that year. Here he engaged in mining until 1852, when he returned to Missouri. In the Spring of 1854 we find Mr. Williams once more bound for the Golden State, accompanied by his wife and five children. Coming direct to Contra Costa county, he settled in Moraga valley, in the month of November, 1854, where he has since resided on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Married, in Platte county, Missouri, December 24, 1844, Mary A. Netherton, a native of Tennessee, by whom he has had ten children, only three surviving, viz .: Emily J. (now Mrs. Hunsaker), James H. and Albert D.
JOSIAH WILLS .- This much respected and prosperous farmer of Township Number Five, was born in Muhlenburgh county, Kentucky, January 10, 1825. When but two years of age his parents went to Morgan county, Illinois, where they sojourned but a short time, then moved to Macoupin county, and there resided until 1864. Mr. Wills then spent a short period in Iowa, and, returning to Illinois, finally settled in Burton county, and engaged in the drug business, which he followed for three years. He then engaged in a saw and grist mill enterprise for two years. In April, 1871, Mr. Wills started with his family, via the overland railroad, to find a home in the fertile valleys of California, and on arrival in this State selected Contra Costa county for his future residence, where he pur- chased his present valuable farm, in Lone Tree valley, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, two miles north of Brentwood, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Wills has been twice married ; first in Macoupin county, Illinois, September 15, 1844, to Miss Levina C. Lamarr, a native of Tennessee. She died August 24, 1863. By this union they had seven children : Elvira, Andrew J., Esther E., Louisa P., George W., Elijah and Susan (now deceased). Married secondly Mrs. Adaline Fields, a native of Arkansas. They have no children.
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.