USA > California > Napa County > History of Napa and Lake Counties, California : comprising their geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, together with a full and particular record of the Mexican Grants, also separate histories of all the townships and biographical sketches > Part 48
USA > California > Lake County > History of Napa and Lake Counties, California : comprising their geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, together with a full and particular record of the Mexican Grants, also separate histories of all the townships and biographical sketches > Part 48
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CROUCH, HON. ROBERT. Was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in the year 1823. He was educated in the town of Hopedale, and, after leav- ing school, lived on a farm until the waning of his minority. When twenty he lodged in Farmington, Fulton County, Illinois, and there, after a course of pharmacy, clinical instruction, and surgical experiments, began the prac- tice of medicine. The gold of California had more charms for him though than the healing art, and in 1850 he, with others, started out on the long journey across the plains to the Pacific. He reached the Napa Valley, and it is small wonder that he has not cared to reach any other part of the State. It was not in his present position that he took up his residence among the oak-covered knolls of that garden corner of the earth, but, bidding good- bye to ÆEsculapius-whom he found would have to be attended with more patience than patients-he accepted an offer to work at good wages in a carpenter's apron. In those days, when a handy man could make from half an ounce to an ounce and a half gold a day at mechanical labor, lawyers, doctors, merchants, and soft-handed people of all kinds were glad to harden them for such good pay. Mr. Crouch did not find himself one whit less respected because he pulled his coat off to work; to the contrary, in fact, and in 1855 he was made Deputy County Clerk of Napa, and in 1857 elected Clerk by a large majority. This latter office he retained until De- cember, 1863, at which time he was elected County Judge, holding that position for nearly eight years. Law here seemed to offer advantages as a profession, and, studying, he was soon admitted to practice in all the courts
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of the State, and to-day is one of Napa's prominent lawyers. He is mar- ried-those for whom he works being a wife and two children. Mr. Crouch was elected on the Republican ticket to the Constitutional Convention which convened at Sacramento during the winter of 1878.
COOPER, WILLIAM R. Was born in Buffalo, New York, January 7, 1830. At the age of fourteen, he learned the miller's trade. February 1, 1853, he sailed for California on the steamer "Ohio," via Aspinwall, and arrived at San Francisco March 3d of that year. He went to the mines on Bear River, and at the end of a month returned to San Francisco and en- gaged in his business, which he followed, with the exception of one year spent in Sacramento, till June, 1859, when he came to Napa County. He began working for Heald, Seawell & Gregg at the milling business, and at the end of eight months purchased Mr. Gregg's interest. He continued in the business until June 11, 1877, when he became sole proprietor, and has since conducted the business-the Vernon Mills. He was married in 1856 to Elizabeth Bunting, a native of Erie County, New York. Their children are Ella M., and Herbert L.
COOK, J. Was born in Canada, May 10, 1841, and resided at his birth- place until he was twenty-two years of age. May 10, 1863, he came to California ; and after spending a month in San Francisco, he came to Napa Valley, and began work on a ranch for Mr. Grigsby, near Yountville, where he remained for two years. He then farmed one year at that place, when he came to Calistoga, and engaged in driving a stage from that place to Harbin Springs, which he followed for two years. He then opened a saloon and fruit stand, which he has since followed, except two years of the time, when he was working for J. A. Chesebro at the Magnolia Hotel, and stage- driving. He was married in August, 1875, to Mrs. Snow. They have one child, Gertrude, born August 18, 1876.
CRADDOCK, SILAS M. Was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, December 25, 1825. Leaving there in his tenth year, he moved to Wilson County, Tennessee, where he resided until 1846, being then twenty-one years of age. He moved with his parents to Laclede County, Missouri, and there followed farming until 1852. April 1st of that year he started across the plains with an ox-team, and driving a drove of cattle, arriving in Napa County in December of that year, having first stopped a few weeks in the mines. He located at Yountville, and remained there until the fall of 1853, when he returned to Missouri, where he remained until April 14, 1856, when he once more returned to California, driving a drove of cattle to Sonoma County for his brother-in-law, Elija H. Duncan. He then again returned to Yountville where he farmed until he removed to Chiles Valley in 1873, purchasing his present farm, consisting of four hundred and fifty- three acres.
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CRADDOCK, JAMES COLEMAN. Born August 16, 1827, in Pittsyl- vania County, Virginia, and followed the moves of his brother, Silas M., and is at present with him. Both are unmarried.
CARRILLO, A. F. Was born in Santa Rosa, California, May 1, 1855, and is the son of Julio Carrillo, and a nephew of General M. G. Vallejo. He remained at his birthplace until he was of age, receiving his education, and learning the butcher's trade in the meantime. He then spent two years in San Francisco, working at his trade for J. Y. Wilson & Co. He then re- turned to Santa Rosa and followed his trade for two years. In 1876, he came to Calistoga, and worked at his trade for Mr. Wooley. In 1881, he, in company with Mr. Bennett, opened a meat market. He was married Sep- tember 20, 1879, to Miss Maggie Enright, a native of the city of New York.
CONN, CONNELLEY. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in this work, was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, June 13, 1832. He came from Liverpool, England, to America, leaving the former place April 28, 1852, and arriving at New Orleans June 20th, of that year. He proceeded to Illinois, where he engaged with an uncle in the cattle busi- ness, and remained there upwards of two years. Thence he went to Phila- delphia, where he made arrangements to proceed to California to join an uncle, who then lived in Conn Valley, Napa County, and who was a pioneer of the valley, and from whom it was named. His uncle had written to his friends but once in many years. After arriving in Conn Valley in 1855, he soon proceeded to the mines with a small party from Napa County. He engaged in mining with varied success until 1856, when he returned to Napa County, and has since resided in Conn Valley, being engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising.
COOMBS, FRANK L. Son of Nathan and Isabella Gordon Coombs, was born in Napa County, California, December 27, 1853. He received a common school education in the public schools of his native place, and graduated at the Columbia Law School, in Washington, District of Colum- bia, June 10, 1875. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Courts of Washington, District of Columbia, in June, 1875, and to the Supreme Court of California in March, 1876. He was elected to the position of District Attorney for Napa County in September, 1879. He was united in marriage, December 27, 1879, with Miss Belle M. Roper, a native of Boston, born November 14, 1855. She was educated at Mount Holyoke Seminary, and a teacher in the public schools of Boston. They have one child, Nathan Foster, born January 1, 1881.
CRABB, H. W. Was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, January 1, 1828, and is the eldest child of Henry and Esther Walker Crabb. When he was twelve years of age, he, with his parents, moved to Adams County, Ohio,
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and he received his education at the common schools of that county. Jan- uary 4, 1853, he sailed from New Orleans for California, and arrived in the State on the 31st. He immediately proceeded to the mines, and en- gaged in that occupation in Placer and Nevada Counties for about six months. He then settled in Alameda County, and engaged in farming near the town of Haywards. He remained here till 1865, when he came to Napa County and began the grape business, and he is now one of the largest wine makers in the county. A full description of his wine cellar, etc., will be found in its proper place. He was married in 1851 to Rebecca A. Donohoo, who died in 1862, leaving three children, Amanda M., Adda H. and Horace A. He married secondly Miss Elizabeth P. Carmer, a native of New York, and by this union they have one daughter, Cora Carmer, born in 1864.
CLARK, SIDNEY. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait ap- pears in this work, was born in Kentucky, October 21, 1829. While he was still quite young his parents removed to Boone County, Mis- souri, where young Sidney resided until 1850. April 22d of that year he started for California, coming with ox-teams across the plains, and arriv- ing in September of the same year. He began mining operations at once in Calaveras County, which he followed some seven months. He then opened a store on a tributary of the Amador River, which he conducted for one year. May 28, 1852, he moved to and settled in Suisun Valley, his place still being one of the well-known landmarks on the road leading from Suisun to Vacaville, and being adjacent to the famous Tolenas Springs property. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising till 1876, when he moved to Berryessa Valley, and engaged in the same occupation. He owns eight hundred and five acres of valuable land in the valley. He held the office of Supervisor for one term in Solano County. Mr. Clark married Miss Elizabeth Jane Devilbiss, December 23, 1869, who is a native of Missouri, born March 23, 1849. Their children are Sidney G., born Decem- ber 19, 1870; John R., born September 18, 1872; Elizabeth Jane, born June 18, 1874; Emma Ella, born July 23, 1876 ; Lulu Margaret, born Octo- ber 29, 1878 ; Sarah Ann, born April 6, 1881.
CARTER, JOS. Was born in Ireland, where he resided till 1850. He then emigrated to America and resided in Wisconsin and Illinois, where he was engaged in surveying until 1854. He then came to Cali- fornia, and was engaged in mining for three years. In 1856 he came to Napa County and began the mercantile business in connection with which he was engaged in buying and selling real estate. He continued in this until 1875, and since that time has not been engaged in any active business. Mr. Carter is one of Napa County's well-to-do citizens, and now owns some
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of the choicest business blocks in that city, and is highly respected by all. During the last five years he has visited the European countries and the Eastern States twice. His visits to Europe were made for the purpose of settling the estates of his deceased mother and brother.
CLEGHORN, JOHN. Was born in Haddington, Scotland, November 11, 1820, and there, at an early age, he learned the trade of harness-maker, and resided in his native county until March, 1847, when he started for America. He sailed from Glasgow and arrived in New York in May of the above year. Remaining in that city a short time, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and remained one year. He then traveled through the Southern States, and in the spring of 1862 left Macon, Georgia, for California, coming through Texas and Mexico, and thence to Havana, from which place he took passage to San Francisco, arriving in August, 1862. He first located in Sonoma County and remained one year, and the following three years the subject of this sketch spent in Australia, and returned to this coast in 1867. In July of the above year he proceeded to Napa County, locating in St. Helena, and opened his present business of saddle and harness-maker, located on the corner of Main and Spring streets, and in 1874 built his present shop next to the National Hotel. Mr. Cleghorn is yet unmarried.
CONNER, JOHN. Son of William and Amelia Cheny Conner, was born in Miami County, Indiana, December 8, 1846. He remained in his birthplace until he was twenty-one years of age, and was educated at the common schools of that place. He then, with his parents, left the farm they had resided on'for thirty-seven years, and moved west, first settling in La- bette County, Kansas, and began the general merchandise business in Labette City, remaining there for some years. In the fall of 1874 the subject of this sketch came to California and came immediately to Napa County, locating in Calistoga, where he secured a situation as clerk, which position he held for two and a half years. He worked for the Clear Lake Stage Company for eighteen months, and then started in his present business of livery and feed stable, near the depot in Calistoga. He was united in mar- riage January 12, 18-, to Miss Jerusha Bollevine, a native of Licken County, Ohio, born April 27, 1853, and by this union they have three chil- dren : Walter E., born October 21, 1874 ; Daniel E., born December 11, 1878; Daisy, born March 28, 1880.
COLMAN, FREDERICK W., M. D. The subject of this sketch was born in Portland, Maine, September 15, 1838, and resided in his birthplace until he was nine years of age, and then moved with his parents to Ogdens- burg, New York, and there sojourned about one year. They then moved to Salem, Massachusetts, where he was educated at the Philipp School of that city, and afterward served an apprenticeship as a druggist, about 1855. We
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next find him in Boston, still engaged in a drug store, where he remained until he came to California, which occurred in 1860. He sailed from New York on board the steamer " Ariel " to Aspinwall, and on the Pacific side on board the "Sonora " to San Francisco, arriving at the latter place June 28, 1860. He there entered the employ of W. B. Keith in a drug store, staying only a few months. He then moved to Stockton, where he remained a short time, and proceeded to Hornitas, Mariposa County, and remained until the spring of 1862. He then returned to Boston with the intention of enlisting, but owing to physical disabilities at that time was refused admittance into the army. He then once more sailed for the Pacific Coast, via Panama, arriving in San Francisco for the second time November 20, 1863. He then went to Washington Territory, and remained there until 1870, when he sold out and removed to California, locating in Napa City. He purchased a drug store, and then began taking a course of lectures at the Medical College of San Francisco, graduating from that insti- tution November 4, 1873. In September of that year the Doctor was elected to the office of Coroner of Napa County, which position he has continuously held since, and is the present incumbent, giving satisfaction to the people and doing credit to himself. Also, in 1873, was appointed physician for the County Hospital, located in Napa City, for one year. August 29, 1880, he removed to St. Helena and opened his present office, on Hurst avenue. Is a member of the State Medical Society, and is now enjoying a lucrative practice. Doctor Colman was united in marriage at Walla Walla, July 10, 1867, to Miss Emily W. Sylvester, who was born in Brooklyn, Long Island, June 26, 1840. By this union they have five children: Annie S., born July 26, 1869: Emily D., born October 7, 1870; Charlotte G., born February 7, 1872 ; Florence, born February 25, 1879, and Mary, born May 28, 1880.
CLARK, ALFRED GREEN. The subject of this sketch was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 10, 1818, and is the son of Jonathan and Catharine Jonas Clark. When he was six years of age his parents moved to Montgomery County, Indiana, where he remained, receiving his education in the County Seminary and in the Wabash College until seventeen years of age. In 1835, having a strong predisposition for mercantile life, he com- menced the study of merchandising in a store in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he remained as apprentice and clerk for two years. He then moved to Michigan City, La Porte County, Indiana, where, following his former occupation, he remained till the fall of 1838. He then moved, cross- ing the Mississippi at Bellevue, on the first through stage from Chicago to Galena, to Jackson County, Iowa, and there settled down to a farmer's life, which he continued till 1844. In 1841 he cast a vote at the election which changed Iowa from a Territory to a State. In 1844 the old mercantile
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spirit took possession of him, and he sold out his farm to settle in the town of Andrew, where he remained in the merchandising business till June, 1849. In that year the " golden pictures" of California caused him to turn his steps westward. The winter, however, stopped him at Council Bluffs, and there he remained till May 20, 1850, when he again took up his march towards the setting sun. He crossed the plains by the northern route and arrived at the Dalles, Oregon, where he sold his teams, and by means of a small boat proceeded to the Cascades. There they took passage on the " Columbia," a steamer of such diminutive size that it became his duty to roll a barrel of flour from side to side of the little boat, and thus " trim ship." At New Astoria he took passage on board the steamer " Panama " for San Francisco, at which place he arrived September 29, 1850. His first business transaction in California, after seeing his family comfortably located in a hotel, was to borrow $30, and then commenced to look around for something to do by which he could earn a few dollars. Seeing that, though he had served no apprenticeship, he was a better workinan than the so-called carpenters of those days, he went to work as master workman in carpentering. But two weeks found him with funds enough on hand to repay the loan and carry him through to the mines, his objective point from the day he left the town of Andrew, Iowa. Leaving San Francisco, he went to Woods Creek, and mined with good success. His success was such that after six weeks' min- ing, he returned to San Francisco, and moved with his family to Corte Ma- dera, Marin County, where he helped to erect two saw-mills. In January, 1852, he returned to San Francisco, purchased an interest in Port Orford City from Captain Tichenor, and on the 23d day of January embarked with the captain on the steamer " Sea Gull" for the purpose of viewing his new purchase, and on the 25th of that month arrived at Humboldt Bay. On the morning of the 26th they steamed away from Humboldt, and, attempt- ing to pass over the bar at low-water and a rough sea, they met with the usual consequence - a totally wrecked vessel. Mr. Clark had on board a large supply of groceries and provisions, of which he was fortunate enough to save a comparatively large amount, only to have the greater portion thereof stolen by wreckers. He was taken across the beach to Bucksport, and then erected the first dwelling-house in what is now the city of Eureka. He then engaged in the lumber business, which he followed success- fully until May, 1855. He then tried mining again, first in Cottonwood. Siskiyou County, then with a party prospected Hungry and Beaver Creeks, Four of the prospecting party laid out the town of Soda City. There, two pack-trains, accompanied by fifty miners, coming in, drew down upon the place a large band of hostile Indians, who massacred twenty-two of the party. Mr. Clark, fortunately escaping, went to Sawyers Bar, on Salmon
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Creek, and there engaged in mining, and remained till November, 1855. He then returned to his family at Eureka, and, after disposing of his interests there, came to Napa Valley, where he located on a farm of one thousand acres, about eight miles above Napa, which he and his family improved. This farm he still owns. In September, 1871, the old mercantile spirit coming to the front once more he moved to Napa, and engaged in the hard- ware business, which he continued till September, 1880. Mr. Clark was a member of the first Union Convention held in 1861, but has not been an office-seeker, having always declined all nominations tendered him, in- cluding the nomination for Governor, till the fall of 1880, when his temper- ance proclivities overcame his aversion to political contests and he accepted the Prohibition nomination, and became a candidate for Congress, from the Third District. Mr. Clark has been a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars for the last fifteen years, and has, for nine years, been one of the trustees of the Good Templars Home for Orphans, at Vallejo. During all the years that he has held the position of trustee, he has met every three months with his fellow members, and strange to say, not one single jar of discord has ever disturbed the harmony of that Board, of which he and Mr. W. H. Mills of the Sacramento Record-Union, have been members since the Home was established. Mr. Clark has always been identified with the best interests of the county. All other actions, however, being second and subservient to his strong and ardent temperance principles. He has occu- pied almost every chair and held every position in the Order of Good Templars, and was in 1878, elected a delegate to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Good Templars, and attended that session in Minneapolis, Minne- sota. In 1881, he was again elected a delegate to attend the same body, to meet in Topeka, Kansas. March 13, 1842, he was united in marriage to Cyrena Phillips of Miami County, Ohio, who still lives, happily filling the position of grandmother. They have two children living, as follows : Tam- enena De Los Clark and Cyrena Susie Clark Willey.
CYRUS, JOHN. This old pioneer of thirty-five years' residence in Napa County, is the son of Enoch and Rebecca Cook Cyrus, and was born in Hancock County, Illinois, March 20, 1831. He remained in his birtbplace until he was three years of age, and then, with his parents, moved to Iowa and located near the present site of Burlington, this being several years before Iowa was admitted into the Union, where they remained for two years engaged in farming. In the fall of 1836 he moved, with his parents, to Burton County, Missouri, where he resided on a farm for one year. He then moved to Jackson County, that State, and remained in that locality until 1845. He then moved to Andrew County, that State, and engaged in farming for one year. In the latter part of March, 1846, he started with his parents to cross the plains to California, crossing the Missouri
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River at St. Joseph and coming the old emigrant route via Salt Lake and Humboldt, first entering this State at Truckee and coming by Donner Lake, arriving in Sacramento October 21, 1846. Staying there but a short time, he proceeded to Napa Valley, arriving in the first part of November, 1846. On arriving in Napa Valley, Mr. Cyrus, with his parents, first settled on what is known as the Yount grant and carried on general farming there for two years. They then moved to Calistoga where his father took charge of a ranch for Mr. Fowler. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Cyrus' father bought the farm that the subject of this sketch now resides upon, one mile west of Calistoga. Here, in 1853, the father of the old pioneer died ; his mother passing away in 1873. Mr. Cyrus has prospected in mining at different periods, and is now engaged in some extensive mines in Modoc County. He was nominated in 1877 as candidate for County Treasurer on the Republi- can ticket but was defeated by A. G. Boggs. It can be truthfully said that Mr. Cyrus is honored and respected by all those having the pleasure of his acquaintance, as he is known for his truthfulness, honesty and generosity throughout the community in which he lives, and after a residence of thirty- five years' duration, he is now enjoying the comforts of a happy home beside the wife of his youth, beloved by his children and friends and respected by the citizens of the county in which he dwells. Mr. Cyrus was married June 5, 1855, to Miss Lavina Graves, a native of Illinois, who was born July 3, 1834, and by this union they have five living children: Henry E., born April 12, 1859 ; James W., born February 10, 1861; Mary A., born April 26, 1863; Sarah G., born December 11, 1866, and Rachel E., born January 27, 1873.
CASTNUR, WILLIAM H. Was born in Lincoln County, Maine, March 8, 1829, and remained in his birthplace until he was twenty-eight years of age, and there learned the trade of ship-carpenter. In the early part of 1857 he started west, and located in Wheatland, Rice County, Minnesota, and engaged in farming for about two years, and the balance of his time up to his coming to California was employed at his trade on the steamers plying on the Mississippi River between St. Paul and New Orleans, and continued in this until the spring of 1860. He then sailed for California, coming via Cape Horn, and after a passage of one hundred and sixty-two days he arrived in San Francisco. He immediately began to work at his trade for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, making occasional trips to Panama, remaining in their employ until 1870. He then moved to Napa County and bought his present ranch of sixty acres, located one mile north of St. Helena, and engaged in grape growing. Mr. Castnur was united in marriage in Lincoln County, Maine, October 7, 1852, to Miss Sarah C. Soule, a native of that county. They have five living children, William H., Lewis P., Frank E., Albert and Mary A.
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