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 49
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 49
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 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
8, A Peacock
441
Biographical Sketches.
CLARK, SAMUEL G. Son of Samuel G. and Roxanna Frisel Clark, was born near Montreal, Canada, October 22, 1835. When he was but an infant, his parents moved to McDonough County, Illinois, where he resided until 1846. He then moved further west, locating in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In July, 1849, when only fifteen years old, he started out to do for himself ; and joining a train bound for California, came across the plains to the Golden State; and after an unusual and weary trip of almost one year, they arrived at their destination July 12, 1851. The subject of this sketch im- mediately proceeded to Napa County, and was employed on a ranch near where now stands the Crystal Springs Hotel. After one year in that place, he settled on the place now owned by John Safeley, above Calistoga, where he resided for three years, and afterward followed farming in the vicinity of Calistoga until 1862. He then married, and purchased his present place of ten acres in the limits of St. Helena, and is now eagaged in viniculture. Mr. Clark was Town Marshal of St. Helena in the years of 1869-70, and in the latter year was District Road Supervisor. Mr. Clark was united in marriage in Santa Rosa, September 27, 1862, to Miss Agnes E. Clark, a native of Iowa, who was born August 29, 1844, and died November 21, 1880. By this union they had four sons, whose names and ages are as follows : Ralph G., born August 17, 1863; Lewis G., born November 3, 1865; Frank A., born August 12, 1869; August F., born November 30, 1873.
CARVER, D. B. Son of Henry and Anna Strahl Carver, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, February 9, 1831. He resided at his birthplace until his seventeenth year, during which time he was educated at the com- mon schools. He then moved to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he was engaged as clerk until his departure for California, which was February 1, 1852, coming via New Orleans and Nicaragua, landing in San Francisco June 4th of that year. He immediately proceeded to the mines in Yuba County, and began mining at Missouri Bar. He continued at that place until the following November. He then went to Placer County, where he engaged in mining until the spring of 1853. He then moved to Prairie City, Sacramento County, where he engaged in mining until the fall of 1857. He then moved to Tuolumne County, where he found employment in a flouring mill, and remained till 1858. In that year he returned to the Eastern States, being absent about four months, when he once more re- turned to Tuolumne County, California, where he remained until he came to Napa City. He sojourned there only a few weeks, when he came to St. Helena, and immediately began business in general merchandise, which he continued till July 1, 1881. He was appointed Postmaster at St. Helena in 1864, having, however, taken charge of the office within a few weeks after he came to the place, and has been Postmaster since
442
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
that date, with the exception of one year. Married, August 1, 1860, Miss Annie Webber, who was born in Penobscot County, Maine, March 6, 1837. By this union they have but one living child, D. B. Carver, Jr., born September 24, 1873, and two deceased, Henry E., born April 28, 1861, and died May 7, 1881; Laura M., born April 14, 1862, and died May 4, 1877.
CLARK, ABRAHAM. Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Buckinghamshire, England, June, 1820, and is the son of Abraham and Henrietta Falkner Clark. At nine years of age his parents came to America and settled in Oneida County, New York, where they resided for one and one-half years. They then moved to Frankford, Herkimer County, same State, where they resided till 1835, when they emigrated west, and settled in Huron County, Ohio. In 1836, he, with his parents moved to Crawford County, that State, where he resided till 1842. He then returned to Huron County and worked on a farm till 1846. In 1847, he moved and settled in Wyandotte County, Ohio, where he followed farming till 1853. We next find Mr. Clark located in Spring Grove Township, Green County, Wisconsin, but he only remained there till the spring of 1854, when he settled in Chickasaw County, Iowa, where he pitched his tent and turned the first sod in that county. He resided there till May 19, 1864, when he, with his family, came to California, across the plains, and after a long and tedious journey of five months, they, in November of that year, arrived in Napa County. On his arrival, he had but $2.50 to his name, and was obliged to beg his first meal of victuals in this county. He immediately rented the farm now owned by the Fly Brothers, mortgaged his teams for seed wheat and began farming, which he continued on that place for one year. He then rented the Davis Farm in Sonoma County, for one year, and there lost everything he had made the year previous. In the fall of 1866, he came to Berryessa Valley, $1000 in debt. But there lie rented land and once more began anew. He continued to farm in Berry- essa Valley till 1871, when he moved to Colusa County, where he rented a tract of ten thousand acres of land, under the plow. He remained there till 1873, when he returned to Berryessa and purchased his present home- stead, where he has since been engaged in farming. He now owns nine thousand eight hundred and ten acres of land in this valley. Mr. Clark was married November 5, 1845, in Livingston County, New York, to Electra J. Snider, daughter of Jacob and Lena Dougherty Snider, she being a native of Cayuga County, New York, born January 28, 1820. By this union they have six children : Alonzo Cortes, born in Wyandotte County, Ohio, February 15, 1848, who was married in May, 1877, to Miss May V. Stofford, and now resides in the valley ; Norman, born February 27, 1854 : Reuben, born in Chickasaw County, Iowa, December 16, 1855,
443
Biographical Sketches.
now in charge of the ranch in Colusa County ; Amanda J., born in Chick- asaw County, Iowa, June 20, 1858, now married to Mr. John Anderson, and resides in this valley ; Henrietta, born in Chickasaw County, Iowa, Novem- ber 4, 1860, now Mrs. Harris, and Alice, born May 27, 1867, in Napa County, and two children deceased. Norman Clark was married to Miss Annie Gillaspy June 21, 1877. Etta Clark was married to Mr. J. W. Harris May 2, 1881.
CLARK, ISAAC G. Son of Lafayette and Mary Hoyt Clark, was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1854. He, with his parents, moved when he was ten years of age from his birth-place, and settled in Chautauqua County, New York, and resided there until October 21, 1878. In that year he moved to California, and on December 13, 1880, he purchased his present place of one hundred and twenty acres, and is chiefly engaged in farming.
COLLINS, S. W. Son of John W. and Miriam R. Piper Collins, was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, June 13, 1829. He resided in his birthplace until he was three years of age, when his parents moved to Greene County, Illinois, where he received his education at the common schools, and afterwards worked a farm until 1854, when he moved to Green- field, that county, and was engaged in selling goods until 1857. He then went back on his farm and sold that in 1859, and moved to Girard, Macou- pin County, Illinois, and was engaged in selling goods again at that place, until 1862. He then sold out and moved to Linn County, Kansas, and located in Mound City, and was engaged in selling goods at that place until Decem- ber of that year. Then he sent his family to Leavenworth City, and he took a stock of goods down into the Osage Nation, about fifteen miles south of Humboldt, Allen County, Kansas. After the war had closed in 1865, he moved with his family to Labette County, Kansas, and remained there until the ninth day of June, 1875, and arrived in California June 14. He spent a couple of weeks in Stanislaus County with his brother-in-law, near Hills Ferry, then came to Napa County, and July 29, 1875, he settled on his ranch of forty acres, about one mile west of Calistoga, where he still resides surrounded by his family and respected by all who know him. Mr. Collins was appointed in August, 1879, to the office of Justice of the Peace, and the following year was elected to the same position, which he now holds. He is also a Notary Public, having been appointed by Governor Perkins in February, 1880. Mr. Collins was twice married, first, December 12, 1850, to Miss Sarah O. Dickerman, who was born in Mount Holly, Vermont, Nov- ember 3, 1832, and died March 26, 1867. By this union they had five children, Isaac W., born December 9, 1851, and died March 19, 1853; Miriam H., born December 30, 1852; Samuel A., born September 18, 1855 ;
444
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
Nelson W., born January 29, 1862; Major C., born February 20, 1866. Mr. Collins was married, secondly, in March, 1869, to Mrs. Mary A. Hawes, a native of Indiana, who was born November 2, 1831. By this union they have one daughter, Anna S., born October 14, 1871.
CHESEBRO, JOHN A. Son of Gilbert and Lucy Stanton Chesebro, was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, April 20, 1832. When he was but two years of age, his parents moved to Stonington, Connecticut, where the subject of this sketch made his home until he came to California, and was there educated in the common schools. At the age of fourteen he went to sea, first shipping from Stonington, and engaged in the fur sealing trade, which he continued until his twenty-first year. In November, 1852, we find young Chesebro on board of the clipper ship "Contest," bound via Cape Horn for California; and after a passage of nearly five months, he arrived in San Francisco February, 1853. Staying a short time in the city, he proceeded to Sierra County, and engaged in mining, residing in that county about ten years. In the mean time, 1855, he paid a visit to his home, where he sojourned some four months. While in the above county, Mr. Chesebro was largely interested in mining, at one time being one of the six owners of the " Union Claim," at that time very valuable. Mr. Chese- bro's next move was to Washoe City, Washoe County, Nevada, where he resided for three years. In 1865 he paid a second visit to his home in Con- necticut, going via Panama, and there got married, and sojourned some six months. In the spring of 1866, with his wife, he returned to this coast, coming direct to Napa County, locating in Napa City, where he engaged in the hotel business as proprietor of the Revere House, in which he continued some two years. In January, 1868, Mr. Chesebro first came to Calistoga, and was employed in the hotel at the Calistoga Hot Springs for one season. We next find him in business for himself in the building now occupied as a dry goods store by Mr. Weller. He next leased a building and opened a saloon and chop-house where his present hotel now stands, and run this for some time. He then purchased the property, and in 1876 bought the ad- joining property, and built his present commodious hotel, the Magnolia. In 1876, Mr. Chesebro made a third visit to his home, accompanied by his wife and family. The subject of our sketch was married in Wakefield, Rhode Island, to Miss June P. Champlin, a native of that State; and by this union they have one son, Edwin.
CHILES, JOSEPH BALLINGER. Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, July 16, 1810, and is the son of Henry and Sarah Ballinger Chiles. He was reared on a farm, and had only the advantages of a common school education. In 1831 he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and engaged in farming and stock-raising until
445
Biographical Sketches.
1838, when he joined a regiment of Missouri volunteer infantry and en- gaged in the Florida War, and was in the hard-fought battle of Orcha- chebee, which decided the war. He then returned to Missouri, where he resided until April, 1841. He then, with thirty-one men, one woman, and one child, started across the trackless desert and unscaled mountains, bound for California. In this party were Sam., Andy and Ben. Kelsey, the latter's wife and child. They passed up the Platte River, thence to the head of the Humboldt River, thence down that stream to the Sink; thence southward, on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Joseph Walker Pass; thence down the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers. They arrived in the State in October, and their first stopping-place was at Doctor Marsh's, near the northern foot of Mt. Diablo. They then proceeded to Sonoma, where passports were issued to them, upon the vouching of Doctor Marsh and other American residents, for their good behavior. After receiving their pass- ports he and Charles Hopper spent the winter in traveling. In the spring they went to Sutters Fort, and there provided themselves with provisions, etc., for their return trip. In his travelings around the country that winter he passed through what is now known as Chiles Valley. In 1842, with a company of nine men, he made the return trip to Missouri. Thirteen started in the party, but at Fort Hall four of them left the company and started for Oregon. Just at this time the Sioux Indians were very hostile, so the Chiles party changed their course and went by way of Santa Fé. Once arrived in Missouri, they set about organizing another party to cross the plains to Cali- fornia. In 1843 he, with a company of fifty or sixty, well equipped with teams, wagons, provisions, etc., started for California. When the party arrived at Fort Hall they met Captain Joseph Walker, and his services as guide were se- cured. Colonel Chiles then took a party of thirty horsemen and proceeded by way of Fort Boise and Pitt River to the Sacramento Valley, arriving safely at Sutters Fort. The wagon train under Walker moved slowly, and on their way from Carsons Lake to the Walker Pass they had to cache what goods they could not pack, and had also to desert their wagons. They finally all arrived in California about December of that year. In 1844 Colonel Chiles came to Napa Valley and went before an Alcalde and took the proper steps to secure a grant from the Mexican Government of the tract of land now known as the Catacula Rancho. All that he paid for that princely domain was $10 for a sheet of paper on which to write the deed. In 1844 he erected a log-house on the present site of his adobe. He took an active part in the Bear Flag War, and cared for the families of General Vallejo, Jacob P. Leese and others. He never visited the mines, but devoted his whole attention to stock-raising in the early days. In 1847 he returned to Missouri with Commodore Stockton, acting as pilot, for which service he received $2 per day. In 1848 he brought
446
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
his children to California. In 1853 he again returned to Missouri, and was married, and in 1854 came again to California, bringing his wife with him. He then settled in Chiles Valley permanently and has since resided there until within a few years past. His present residence is in Coyote Valley, Lake County. He also has a very beautiful dwelling in St. Helena, which he erected specially for the benefit of his children. It affords us great pleasure to present to our readers the portrait of this most excellent and worthy pioneer of pioneers, for be it here noted that he is the oldest living American settler in Napa County. He is still hale and hearty, and the prospects are good for him to spend many years yet, ere he is called hence to meet the reward of a well-spent life. It is a rare treat to sit and listen to his reminiscences of the days now long gone by. He is particularly noted for telling wonderful bear stories, all of which are "true to life," and we regret that our space forbids the reproduction of a few of his best. He was married in Missouri to Miss Margaret Jane Garnhert, December 25, 1853, who was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, January 27, 1827.
DAVIS, JOHN C. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in the body of this work, is the grandson of that grand old pioneer of pioneers George C. Yount, and son of John C. Davis, Jr., and Elizabeth Yount. He was born at the Yount homestead, March 8, 1849, and was educated in San Francisco in the primary studies, and completed his course in Swiss and German colleges, traveling back and forth until 1868. He then came to Napa County and located permanently on his present ranch of six hundred acres, near Oakville, where he has since remained, being engaged in farming and grape-growing. July 5, 1870, he was married in Germany to Miss Margaretta Claus, a native of Saxony, Germany, and their children are Daisy, George, Susie and Elizabeth.
DECKER, PORTER A., Son of Francis and Mary Thorpe Decker, was born in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, August 19, 1852, and resided there until he was six years of age. His parents then moved and settled in Moni- teau County, Missouri, and resided there for sixteen years, where the subject of this sketch was educated at the common schools. January 12, 1874, he started to California, arriving in this State January 21st of the above year. He went direct to Calistoga where he engaged in the livery business, and is now manager of the Harbin Springs stage and livery stable of that place. Mr. Decker was united in marriage in Calistoga, July 20, 1879, to Miss Luella Cole, a native of Illinois, and by this union they have one daughter, Mabel, born July 19, 1880.
DICKINSON, JOHN J. This worthy and much respected citizen of Napa County is the son of John M. and Evalina Middleton Dickinson, and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1829, where he attended
447
Biographical Sketches.
the common schools, and afterwards was educated at a private academy taught by Jonathan Collom. At the age of eighteen, September 3, 1847, Mr. Dickinson went to Cincinnati and there remained about eighteen months. He then moved to St. Louis, and there embarked in the clothing business, and there resided until he came to California, his departure from that place occurring in February, 1854. In company with his young wife he sailed from New Orleans via the Nicaragua route, and arrived in San Francisco April 19, 1854. He spent two months in sight-seeing on this coast, and then in company with, and under the firm-name of William Mentz & Co., he started the first cheap newspaper published on this Coast, under the title of Town Talk, this small sheet being the beginning of what is now the most valuable paper in the State, the Morning Call. Mr. Dickin- son remained in this firm for eighteen months, and then moved to Crescent City, then Klamath County, but now Del Norte, and there engaged in mer- chandising, in which he continued for the succeeding thirteen years, in the meantime taking an active part in the formation of the latter county. He also served one term as County Judge, and received a re-nomination in 1872, but declined owing to his previous arrangements to leave the county. In September, 1873, Mr. Dickinson located in St. Helena and engaged in mer- chandising, and remained in that business until December, 1880. He then accepted his present position as traveling salesman for Charles Krug. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage in St. Louis, October 10, 1853, to Miss Susan D. Haslip, a native of Albemarle County, Virginia, and by this union they have one son and one daughter, Frank E. and Cora.
DAVIS, CORNELIUS E., M. D., D. D. S. The subject of this sketch is the son of Isaac and Nancy Harrington Davis, and was born in Essex County, New Jersey, October 5, 1832. When he was quite young his parents moved and located in Coshocton, Ohio, and there remained until he was twenty-one years of age, and received his education at the high school of that place. In the spring of 1853 Dr. Davis, in company with five brothers and one sister, started across the plains for California, and arrived on this coast in October of the above year. The subject of this sketch first located at Stockton and practiced his profession, having studied and gradu- ated in medicine in his former home in Ohio. Remaining in Stockton until his health failed, he moved to San Francisco and there turned his attention to dentistry for a time, and then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to complete his education in that profession. After graduating in dentistry, Dr. Davis returned to San Francisco, where he remained only a short time, and after locating in several different parts of the State, we find him again in San Francisco, and in rather poor health. With the idea of bettering his health he paid a visit to Napa County with the intention of remaining a short time, but liking the climate and location of St. Helena, he concluded
448
History of Napa and Lake Counties-NAPA.
to locate in that place, and in 1868 Dr. Davis opened his office in Os- born's building, over Wells, Fargo & Co.'s office, and for the past thirteen years he has practiced his profession without intermission, which, through a pure love of the same, he still continues, although not through necessity, as the Doctor, through wise speculations, has accumulated a good share of this world's goods, owning now, in the aggregate, a block of buildings in the business center of St. Helena. Dr. Davis was twice married; first in Peta- luma, February, 1859, to Miss Rosanna Martin, a native of Indiana, and by this union had two children, Ellen M. and Emma R. His second marriage occurred at St. Helena June 1, 1871, to Miss Francis E. Hall, a native of Maine, and by this union they have four children, Maud L., George H. (now deceased), May E., and Ira Frank.
DOWDELLE, JAMES. The subject of this sketch was born in County Louth, Ireland, August 29, 1845, where he resided until he was nineteen years of age. He then emigrated to England and found employment in a rolling mill, and remained there for nine months. He then went to New Zealand and engaged in farming, where he resided for over three years. We next find Mr. Dowdelle on board a schooner, bound for California, coming direct to San Francisco, where he arrived July 28, 1868. Remaining but a few months in San Francisco, he started East, the point of destination being Philadelphia, arriving November 7, 1868. During his stay in Phila- delphia Mr. Dowdelle was married, and in February, 1869, started with his wife, via Panama, for the Golden State. He first worked in San Francisco and afterwards in the employ of General Keyes, on his ranch near St. Helena, in whose employ he remained for three years. During this time, having saved his earnings, he purchased ten acres of land where Mr. Story now resides, and after one year sold it and bought twenty-five acres where Dr. Crum now lives, and in 1875 added thirty-six acres more to his estate, making sixty- one acres. He is now chiefly engaged in hop and grape growing. He was united in marriage in Philadelphia, November 4, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Corbely, a native of Ireland. The names of their children are, James W., Arthur B., Edward, Walter, Albert and Joseph.
DINNING, WILLIAM. Whose portrait appears in this work, is the only child of John D. and Francis Kirby Dinning, and was born in Sumner County, Middle Tennessee, October 25, 1829. When but two or three years of age, his parents moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and settled near Independence, where he resided until 1844, when his father and he moved to south-west Missouri, and settled in Taney County, close to the town of Forsyth, where he remained for three years. Then, after the death of his father, the subject of our sketch returned to Tennessee and Kentucky, to settle up some of his father's business, and he then returned to the old and
449
Biographical Sketches.
last home of his father in Missouri, with the intention of coming to Cali- fornia. In the latter part of March he started, and at Springfield, Missouri, he met a company of one hundred and four wagons, and joined them in a journey across the plains for the new El Dorado, arriving in Sacramento August 16, 1849. On the trip across the plains some of the party died with the cholera, among whom was Isaac Collet and a Doctor Tatum ; but aside from this the trip was a pleasant one. After stopping in Sacramento one week, being sick and out of funds, he proceeded across the river and started for Fremont. At the junction of the Feather and Sacramento Rivers there was a ferry-boat which he run for a period of six weeks. He then started for the mines on the Yuba River, in company with " Billy " Moore, of So- noma, and followed mining only a short time. In January, 1850, he started with a drove of cattle, belonging to Mr. Moore, to the Yuba River Mines, and spent a portion of that winter with him there in the mines, when he then came to Calistoga, this county, where he remained with Henry Fowler. In the spring of 1850 he, with William Elliott's son, Frank Kellogg, brother of Irvin Kellogg, John Cyrus, and Frank Bedwell, of Russian River, went to the Yuba River and hunted the most of that season, south of the Yuba and down the American River. In the fall of that year he returned to Napa County and stopped in the valley, and worked a portion of the time for David Hudson, getting out pickets to fence the fruit orchards of this valley. The subject of our sketch next moved to Mission San José, and stopped with Henry Smith and Homer & Beard, and drove team for them, staying there only a short time. His next move was to engage to cut saw-logs for Isaac Howell on Howell Mountain, with which to build a saw-mill. At this he continued all that winter. He then began working for Mr. Fowler in Coyote Valley, where he continued that summer. He then returned to Napa County, where, in the fall of 1851 or spring of 1852, he came and settled on his present place, and is now possessed of six hundred acres of land in this county, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was united in marriage May 25, 1853, with Phœbe A. Howell, who was born a short distance from New York City October 9, 1832, being the daughter of Isaac Howell and Margaret Tunison. They have seven children : Francis M., born March 6, 1854; John R., born January 2, 1856; Isaac, born March 24, 1857 ; Arzelia, born December 25, 1864; Nellie, born April 6, 1867 ; Minnie, born September 25, 1869; Phœbe A., born December 29, 1871.
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.