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 51
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 51
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EVEN, JOHN. Was born in Prussia, January 21, 1829. In 1848 he came to America, and settled near Buffalo, New York. In the fall of 1849 he moved to Wisconsin. In 1851 he sailed from New York City for Cali- fornia, arriving in San Francisco January 21, 1852. He went to El Dorado County and engaged in mining, which he followed for eighteen months. He then began farming in that county, and remained in that business till 1858. He then began the mercantile business in that county, in connection with which he conducted the freighting business. In 1868 he came to Napa City. In 1869 he began the butchering business in Napa City, and con- tinued in it till 1878. In May, 1880, he began the same business, and has since remained in it. He now owns ninety acres of land in Napa County, and an interest in the McBain & Co.'s tannery. He was married July 11, 1857, to Miss Kate Weaver, a native of Ohio. Their children are as fol- lows : Kate, John, Ellen, Lizzie, Ada, Lena, and Robert.
EMERSON, D. Was born in Richland County, Ohio, February 10, 1823. In 1833 he, with his parents, moved to Steuben County, Indiana. In 1843 he went to Wisconsin, where he worked in a saw-mill for three years. In 1846 he returned to Cincinnati; thence to Memphis, where he spent the winter chopping wood. He then returned to Wisconsin, and
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ยท remained till 1849, when he came to California. He mined till the fall of 1850, when he came to Sacramento and began buying beef cattle, which he took to the mines. In the fall of 1857 he came to Napa County, and set- tled two miles above Calistoga. In 1865 he took a trip to Mexico, and thence to Walla Walla, where he remained fourteen months. He then returned to Napa Valley, and purchased a fifth interest in the Pope Valley grant. In 1866 he returned to his old home in Indiana, via Panama, and spent the winter. In the spring of 1867 he returned to California overland, and has since resided in Napa County, being an extensive farmer. He was married February 8, 1857, to Miss Lizzie Deering. Their children are Eu- gene, born February 28, 1859, and Mary Emma, born November 7, 1870.
FISHER, WILLIAM FREDERICK. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Bolivar, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, December 14, 1834, and is the son of George Frederick and Eva Hipple Fisher. His father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 10, 1811, and his mother was a native of Pennsylvania. He remained at his birthplace until 1856, receiving his education in the meantime. In April, of that year, he sailed from New York for California via Panama, being at the latter place during the great riot. He then took passage on the "John L. Stevens" for San Francisco, where he arrived early in May. He immediately proceeded to Marysville, and thence to Bidwells Bar, where he engaged in staging from that place to American Valley. This business was followed till fall, when he came to Napa City and entered the employ of Nathan Coombs, thus becoming the agent for a daily stage line from Napa to Benicia, and which connected with boats at the latter place for Sacra- mento, Stockton and San Francisco. He retained this situation until the completion of the Napa Valley Railroad to Oak Knoll. He then accepted the position of express messenger for the Pacific Union Express Company, which he held for eighteen months, at the end of which time Wells, Fargo & Co. bought out the other company. He then came to Calis- toga and put on a line of daily stages between that place and Healdsburg, which he continued until the completion of the North Pacific Railroad to the latter place. He then sold his stage stock and purchased the Lodi stable at Calistoga. In 1873 the Clear Lake Stage and Navigation Com- pany was organized, of which he was a stockholder, a director, and also general superintendent. In 1876 he purchased the interest of the com- pany, and has since conducted the business himself, in a first-class manner. Mr. Fisher is, in the parlance of the day, a "rustler"-a driving, energetic man ; very prompt and liberal in all business matters ; firm in his convic- tions, honorable and upright in all transactions with his fellow men. He
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believes that success in business depends upon personal supervision by the man most directly interested, hence he can always be found at his post. He has a fine residence at Calistoga, and is enjoying not only the fruits of a lucrative business, but also the confidence and esteem of a very extended circle of acquaintances. He was married on the 11th of November, 1873, to Miss Agnes M. Safley, a daughter of Andrew Safley, who came to Calis- toga with his family in 1865. Mrs. Fisher was born in Linn County, Iowa, October 9, 1853. Their children are Howard Frederick, born May 29, 1877, and Alice Hortense, born November 17, 1879. Elma Loeda, now deceased, was born October 19, 1874.
FISHER, WILLIAM A. The subject of this sketch is the son of John and Elizabeth Fisher, and was born in Rosshire, Scotland, March 13, 1820. When ten years of age, he, with his parents, moved to and settled in Upper Canada, where he resided on a farm until 1850. In that year he sailed from New York, and after a voyage of over three months, he arrived in San Francisco, in September of that year. Thence proceeded direct to the mines, and followed that occupation for one year. Leaving the mines he began farming near Marysville, for one season. Then came to Napa Valley in January, 1853, and purchased some land and farmed. Having disposed of his interests in 1854, he engaged in the purchase and shipping of grain in Napa City for one year, during which time he purchased a tract of three hundred and fifty acres from C. Fry, about two miles north-west of Napa City. Finally, again bought part of the place owned by him in 1853, con- sisting of seventy acres, and is now residing on it. Although engaged principally in general farming, he has, more or less, taken an active part in advancing principles of sound policy ; aided and sustained the Republican party since its organization, and in the late co-operative movement towards the advancement of all interests connected with agriculture, he has some- what prominently performed his part. He was married to Sarah Atwood in 1864, and by this union, they have one child, William Morse.
FLYNN, JOHN D. Was born in Washington County, Vermont, May 9, 1844, and resided in his birthplace until 1862. He then, being eighteen years of age, and at his country's call, enlisted as a private in Company "I," 9th Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, May 30th, of the above year, and served his country for three years, and took part in all the actions in which his regiment was engaged. At the close of the war, Mr. Flynn was mustered out June 13, 1865, in Richmond, Virginia, and immediately returned to his home in Vermont, and engaged in farming. We next find the subject of our sketch in 1872 located in Chicago, where he resided until April 30, 1875. On the above date Mr. Flynn crossed the mountains to the Pacific Coast, first located in San Francisco, and eighteen months later we find him
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renting a place for five years of Mr. Wm. Baldridge, of Napa Valley, in which business he remained until he began his present business, November 1, 1880, in Oakville. Mr. Flynn was married in Chicago, April 10, 1875, to Miss Bridget Allen, a native of Ireland, and by this union they have two children : Mary A., born September 5, 1876 ; Margaret E., born April 6, 1878.
FRANCIS, G. M. Whose portrait appears in the body of this work, is the editor and proprietor of the Napa Register, and was born in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan, May 28th, 1844. He served an ap- prenticeship of three years in the office of the Grant County, Wisconsin, Herald, and was foreman of that establishment when President Lincoln called for three hundred thousand more soldiers to put down the Rebellion. He enlisted in Company "C," of the 25th Wisconsin Infantry, and served from August, 1862, to the end of the war, in the Department of the West, being with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, and through the Carolinas and Virginia to Washington. His first newspaper was the Butler County, Iowa, Argus, in 1865, and was not a paying one. June 14, 1866, he married Miss Eliza H. Horton, in Lancaster, Wisconsin, and settled in Lacrosse, of the same State, being connected with the Lacrosse Republican from that date to 1869, when he came to California, settling in Napa City in August, 1870. September 28, 1881, Mr. Francis was appointed Postmas- ter of Napa City. He has three children : Mildred, the eldest, being seven years of age ; Ethel, five; and George H., three.
FRYE, JOSHUA. Son of William A. and Eunice Ramsdell Frye, was born December 17, 1823, in Kennebec County, Maine. He resided at his birthplace until the fall of 1839, when he went to Lynn, Massachusetts, where he learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1845 he returned to Kennebec County and remained there till 1850, when he began the shoe business in Augusta, Maine. He followed this three years, when he settled in Lincoln County, that State, and began the same business in the town of Damariscotta, where he remained till 1865. He then came to California, locating in Nicolaus, Sutter County. At the end of two years he returned to Massachusetts, where he did a jobbing business in boots and shoes for the next two years. He then began business in Chelsea, and remained there till 1878, when he came to California again and settled at St. Helena. He engaged in business there for ten months, when he came to Rutherford and in August, 1880, in company with F. M. Nottage, began business in that place. Married July 1, 1850, to Miss Jane H. Porter, a native of Boston.
FITCH, ISAAC. Son of David and Sarah Fitch, was born in Clark County, Illinois, April 11, 1846, and resided on a farm in that county until 1864, when he crossed the plains to California. He first settled in Solano County, and remained there until 1869, when he moved to Wooden Valley,
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and began farming, which he followed until 1872. In that year he, with his family, went East, where they remained until 1876, and then returned to Napa County and commenced farming, which he continued until 1878, when he became proprietor of the Windy Flat Hotel, which he conducted until 1881. January Ist of this year he opened his present hotel in Monti- cello, where he is now doing business. Married November 12, 1868, to Minerva A. Bonham, a native of Clark County, Illinois, born January Ist, 1850, and by this union they have three children : Nancy E., born Decem- ber 23, 1871 ; Charles H., born May 26, 1877 ; M. I., born February 20, 1880, and two children deceased.
FRASER, GEORGE WILLARD. Second son of J. K. and Martha Crampton Fraser, was born in Shelby, Richland County, Ohio, March 16, 1855. He resided at his birthplace until he was fourteen years of age, when, with his parents, he moved to Ashland, Ohio, and there he served an apprenticeship to the barber's trade. In 1873 he located in Clinton, Iowa, and followed his trade for two years. In 1875 he came to California and settled in Napa City. In 1876 he opened his present shop, which business he has since followed. Mr. Fraser was united in marriage with Miss Josie, oldest daughter of Harvey and Martha Porterfield, October 4, 1878, who was born in Yolo County, California, July 11, 1855. They have one child, George Willard, Jr., born December 24, 1879.
FOUNTAIN, GEORGE C. Son of H. K. and Eliza Dustin Fountain, was born in Tomkinsville, Staten Island, January 19, 1826, and resided at his birthplace until he was sixteen years of age, being educated at the com- mon schools. He then entered the employ of a mercantile firm as clerk, in which position he remained for five years. In 1847, Mr. Fountain then being twenty-one, moved west, locating in Wisconsin, where he resided for two years. He then paid a visit to his home, and in February, 1850, sailed from New York via Panama for the new El Dorado, arriving in San Francisco in the following May. He immediately went to Humboldt Bay, but remained there but a short time, and then returned to San Francisco, and after a short time, engaged in the hay and grain trade, which he con- tinued until 1856. His next move was to Sacramento, where he engaged in his previous business under the firm name of Fountain & Fenel and remained there some two years. He then again returned to San Francisco and embarked in the same business until 1862. Mr. Fountain then drifted around locating in several places, at one time owning the place where now stands the Vallejo Water Company's reservoir. In the fall of 1870 he moved to Napa County and purchased his present property of fifty acres, located in the town limits of St. Helena, and is now engaged in viticulture, being proprietor of a wine cellar, a full account of which appears in its
toul go Barth .
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proper place in this work. Mr. Fountain married in Sacramento July 3, 1858, Miss Sarah Sidgreaves, a native of St. Louis, Missouri. They have four children: Maggie, George, Bud and Alice.
FIELD, WILLIAM A. Was born in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, March 15, 1834, and is the son of John W. and Ann Johnson Field. When he was but an infant his parents moved to Kenzun, Mckean County, Penn- sylvania, and his father engaged in mercantile pursuits, and resided there for ten years. They then moved to Illinois, where the subject of this sketch received a common school education, and worked on a farm until he came to California, which occurred in November, 1856. His mother having died during their stay in Illinois, he, in company with his father, two sis- ters and one brother, came by steamer via Panama, and arrived in San Francisco, December 29, 1856. Mr. Field then engaged in the hotel busi- ness for one year in Santa Clara, and then moved to Solano County, and embarked in farming, where he remained until the spring of 1864. He spent the succeeding two years in the stock business in Mendocino County. We next find Mr. Field in Santa Clara County, engaged in mercantile pur- suits, where he remained until he came to Napa County, in September, 1871. He then purchased his present place two miles south of St. Helena. The subject of our sketch was united in marriage in Santa Clara, September 10, 1868, to Miss Phidden B. Shaw, a native of Otto, Cattaraugus County, New York, who was born September 6, 1836. They have one living child, and one deceased : Carrie E., born October 30, 1872 ; Mattie E., born Decem- ber 20, 1869, died September 25, 1870.
FEALLY, T. W. Was born in Ireland in 1851. When he was seven years of age his parents came to America, settling first in New York. His father died in that State. May 5, 1859, he, with his mother's family, started for California via Panama, and arrived in San Francisco June Ist of that year. His mother located in St. Helena and he worked at different places at ranching until 1867, when he started into business in St. Helena. In 1870 he purchased his partner's interest. He now owns eighty-two acres, about one mile east of Rutherford, and is engaged in farming. He was married in San Francisco December 29, 1880, to Miss Mary Craddick, a native of New York.
FISHER, G. W. Was born in Ohio March 5, 1849. When he was two years old his parents moved to Indiana. When he was about nine years of age his parents died. At the age of fourteen he enlisted in the 12th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry as a private and served till the close of the war. He then went to Kansas and engaged in freighting from Atchison to Denver. In 1867 he went to Julesburg and freighted from there to Fort Laramie. At the end of a year he went to Laramie Plains and helped draw the logs
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for the first house in Laramie City. He then worked on the Union Pacific Railroad until the connection with the Central Pacific was made. . He then went to Elko, Nevada, and freighted from there to White Pine and other points. In 1869 he came to California, locating at Calistoga. In March, 1870, he came to St. Helena and engaged in the butchering business, and shortly afterward opened a shop in connection with J. Bruce. In May, 1876, he bought his partner out, and is still conducting the business. He was married August 25, 1877, to Miss Emma Horton, a native of Wisconsin. They have had two children, both of whom are dead.
GETLESON, HENRY. Son of Hessel and Rachel Getleson, was born in Hamburg, Germany, in May, 1832. He resided in his native place until 1848, when he sailed for New York, where he worked at his trade, that of sculptor, and remained there until January 28, 1851, when he sailed via Panama for San Francisco, arriving in the latter place March 28, 1851 ; remaining there but a short time, he went to Shasta, Shasta County, and engaged in general merchandising, and continued in business there until his store and almost the whole town was destroyed by fire, Mr. Getleson's individual loss being in the neighborhood of $20,000. In about one year after that the subject of this sketch, in company with Ball & Baker, rebuilt a block, and he there remained in business until 1863. Mr. Getleson next moved to Placerville, Idaho, and engaged in the general merchandise trade, and remained in that place until 1866. He then moved to San Francisco, and there followed his trade of sculptor, to which he had served an appren- ticeship in Germany. From San Francisco he came, at Sam. Brannan's request, and opened the first store of general merchandise in Calistoga, in which place and business he is still engaged, and in connection with it is interested in several good mining prospects near Calistoga.
GILDERSLEEVE, GEORGE W. Was born in Glen Cove, Long Island, December 31, 1828. When eleven years old he moved to the east end of Long Island, and lived with an uncle for five years ; then returned to Cold Spring and learned the silverware trade. April 15, 1850, he sailed from New York City on the ship "St. Patrick," via Cape Horn, for San Francisco, which port he reached September 17th of that year. He immediately pro- ceeded to Stockton, where he embarked in the dairy business, which he followed till 1853. He then located on Goverment land near that town, which he farmed until 1862, in which year he sold his place and removed to San Francisco, where he embarked in the wood and coal business until 1866. He then began teaming, which he followed until 1871, when he moved to Napa County and settled on his present place, ten miles north- west of Napa City, where he is engaged in farming, wood chopping, and fruit-raising. He was married February 24, 1865, to Charlotte A. White, a
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native of Chelsea, Massachusetts, born December 22, 1842. By this union they have five children : George W., born November 19, 1865; Susie M., born September 22, 1867; Charles H., born September 15, 1869; Freddie W., born February 13, 1872 ; Eddie S., born June 29, 1874, all living with their parents on their ranch in Napa County.
GREENFIELD, THOMAS G. Was born in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, June 1, 1832, and is the youngest son of James and Jane Rutherford Greenfield. He remained at his birthplace, attending the public schools, until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Soquelle, New Brunswick, and began the carriage and wagon-maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of five years. He then spent seven years in the same shop as a journeyman. In 1858 he began business for himself in the same place. In 1859 he sold out and returned to Nova Scotia, and remained idle for one year. He then went to Portland, Maine, and spent nine months; thence to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he worked seven months ; and then came to California via the Isthmus, arriving at San Francisco May 16, 1867. In a few days he went to Washington Corners, Alameda County, where he worked for A. O. Ricker. In February, 1868, he went to Santa Clara County, and worked at his trade one year; thence to Centreville, Alameda County, where, in partnership with H. Hortop, he worked for one year. In 1869 he came to Napa, where he has since been engaged in his business. He was married in 1856 to E. A. Sears, a native of Soquelle, New Brunswick. Their living children are, Charles H., Clarence F., Cassie E., William E., Fred E. and Francis E. (twins).
GOODMAN, GEORGE E. Son of Harvey and Mary N. Goodman, was born in Rochester, New York, July 5, 1823, where he resided until 1842, receiving a common school education in the meantime. He then went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he was engaged as a clerk until 1852. He then came to California via Panama, arriving in San Francisco October 5th of that year. He immediately embarked in the grocery and provision business, which he followed until September, 1855. He then came to Napa City, and engaged in the general merchandising business, which he con- tinued until 1859, when, in connection with his brother James H., he began the banking business ; and now they have one of the finest private bank buildings north of San Francisco. In 1861 Mr. Goodman was elected Treasurer of Napa County, a position he held for nine consecutive years. He was married to Carrie A. Jacks, and their children are, Harvey P. and George E., Jr.
GRITMAN, CHARLES R. Son of Samuel and Harriet R. Potter Gritman, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, December 10, 1838. When he was quite young his parents moved to New York City, and there Charles
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received his primary education, and afterwards attended Yale College, grad- uating at the age of twenty-one. He then was tendered and accepted the position as secretary of the Burlock Manufacturing Company, and came to Chicago in the interest of that company. In 1865 he changed his business and became a partner in the firm of J. A. & H. F. Griswel & Co., dealers in coffees, spices and fancy groceries, in which firm he remained until 1873. Mr. Gritman then spent two years in Wyoming Territory, and in 1875 came to this coast and accepted a clerkship in the Bank of Napa, a position he held until January 1, 1881, and on that date he succeeded Mr. W. C. Watson, as cashier of said bank, a position he now holds with credit to himself, and with satisfaction alike to the officers of that institution and the general public. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage July 22, 1869, to Miss Ella C. Head, a resident of New Haven, Oswego County, New York, where she was born July 13, 1841.
GOODRICH, HIRAM. Son of Alvin and Pauline Monroe Goodrich, was born in Cayuga County, New York, August 7, 1814. He was given the advantages of a common school education, and resided on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He then moved to Berrien County, Michigan, where he began life as a laborer. In 1840 he began the livery business in Niles, Michigan, which he conducted in connection with farming until 1853, when he came to California. In February of that year he pro- ceeded to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he fitted up ox-teams and started across the plains, coming via the old Carson route, by Salt Lake. He arrived in California, in September, 1853, and immediately joined his brother-in-law, Isaac Sackett, in Napa County, and began farming. In the spring of 1857 he settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and sixty-four acres, and is engaged in wheat and grape growing. In 1864 he took charge of the Revere House in Napa, and conducted it for thirteen months. He was married December 25, 1840, to Miss Etta Sackett, who was born in Sodus, Wayne County, New York, April 8, 1822. Their children are Harriet J., Luman L., Alice, Ida R., Lee G., and Minnie E. They have lost one child, Lilburn, aged five years, five months and twenty days.
GILES, JAMES. Was born in Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts, June 16, 1817, where he resided until the age of thirteen years. He then followed a sea-faring life for fifteen years, until he was twenty-eight years of age. He next settled in Boston, until he came to California, which was in November, 1849. He sailed on the schooner "Savilion," via Cape Horn, having the stern boat filled with onions. The vessel was owned by the passengers. He sold his onions for fifty cents each, on their arrival in San Francisco, where they landed in March, 1850, after a passage of four
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months and fifteen days. He immediately proceeded to the mines, and em- barked in mining in the vicinity of Hangtown and Georgetown, which he followed until November, 1850. He then, on account of ill health, shipped for the Marquise Islands, but went to Valparaiso, where he remained two months. He then once more returned to San Francisco, arriving in July, 1851. Here he stopped until December of that year, when he returned East via the Isthmus of Panama, locating in Boston, where he engaged in the manufacture of piano-fortes, which business he followed until 1859. He then returned to San Francisco with his family, where he sojourned for six months, and then came to Napa City and engaged in the cabinet busi- ness, in which he has been steadily engaged since that time, and is the oldest furniture dealer in this city. The subject of this sketch was married October 12, 1849, to Hannah Elizabeth Lange, who was born in Whitefield, Maine, in 1829, and by this nnion they have three living children-George F., born February 22, 1855 ; Antoinette, born June 6, 1859 ; Dody, born August 4, 1866.
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