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 91
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 91
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BYNUM, JOSEPH, M. D. Was born March 5, 1820, in Howard County, Missouri, and was educated in college at Fayette, that State. He was married in 1842 to Elizabeth Adams, and on the 3d day of February they moved to Sheridan County, where he commenced practicing medicine, for which he had his diploma two years previous to that time. He engaged in stock raising and merchandising for two years and paid but little attention to his practice. He then concluded to come to California and left his beautiful home April 7, 1853, and arrived in Yolo County in the same year, and es- tablished himself in Cacheville, and retained a lucrative practice for twelve
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years. During this time he was Couuty Physician for eight years. After practicing medicine in Yolo County for twelve years he moved to Lower Lake, Lake County, on account of the advice of friends. He settled in that place in 1864, and there were only three or four houses in the town when he arrived there. Herrick & Getz had a store. The population was so small that he could not make a living by practicing medicine, and he con- cluded to build a hotel, which was the first hotel that was ever at Lower Lake. It has been his misfortune to lose three of his children in Missouri and two in California, and he has five children living-three sons and two daughters, all residents of Lake County excepting one, who resides in Santa Clara.
BOGGS, J. W. Was born in Jackson County, Missouri, August 10, 1843. When he was six years of age he came to California with his parents, arriving at Sacramento in August, 1850. After spending a few months in Sonoma County, the family settled in Napa County. In 1858 the subject of this sketch entered the Collegiate Institute at Benicia, which he attended until 1861. In 1872 he went to the Esmeralda District, where he was employed in a quartz mill for four months. He then returned to Napa and remained there till July, 1864, when he came to Lake and took charge of his father's ranch. In 1868 he returned to Napa and had charge of his father's farm. In 1869 he returned to Lake County and settled on his present place, about five miles south of Lakeport, where he is engaged in farming. He was married, July 19, 1870, to Miss Josephine Boggs, a native of Missouri.
BROWN, JAMES W. Was born in North Carolina, September 16, 1832. When but a child he, with his parents, moved to West Tennessee, where they followed cotton growing until 1841, when they moved to Mis- souri. Here the subject of this sketch followed farming and lead mining until 1857, when he crossed the plains to California, arriving in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, in October of that year. Two years were spent near Petaluma, engaged in dairying, after which he followed the same business the same length of time near the mouth of Russian River. In May, 1862, he made a trip to Salmon River, but on account of sickness stayed but a short time. Returning he settled near Santa Rosa, and engaged in farming for a while. We next find Mr. Brown in Sebastopol, engaged in the livery business, which he conducted for four years. In 1867 he bought a ranch in Blucher Valley, and farmed until 1870, when he came to Lake County, where he has since resided. He is engaged in farming, about three miles south from Lower Lake. He married December 21, 1864, Miss Sarah J. Wood. Their children are, Harry, Joseph W., Charles W., James T., Walter M., Frank, and Mattie E.
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CRUMP, CAPTAIN R. W. Present District Attorney of Lake County, was born in Greenville County, Virginia, September 25, 1828, and is there- fore now about fifty-three years of age. At the age of about fifteen years, he moved with his mother and her family, his father having died several years before, to Shelby County, Tennessee, near Memphis. Here he resided until the fall of 1851, when he moved with his wife, having been married to Miss Caroline Pierce, of Halifax, North Carolina, in 1850, to Poinsett County, Arkansas. He was admitted to the practice of law in that county in 1855. In the early part of the year 1860, he moved to Panola County, Mississippi, where he resided until June, 1875, when he moved with his family to Santa Rosa, California, and thence to Lakeport, in the fall of 1877. Captain Crump was admitted to practice law in all the counties of Mississippi in 1860, and again in the District Courts of California in Santa Rosa in 1875. Having impaired his voice seriously before coming to California, he did not make the law a specialty after coming to this State until he was elected District Attorney of Lake County in 1879. In the meantime he was engaged on the staff of the Santa Rosa Daily Democrat as city editor for about two years, and then took charge of the Lake County Bee, and was the principal editor of that paper until the spring of 1880. Captain Crump has been twice married, having married his present wife, Mrs. Lenora B. Clanton, in Sardis, Mississippi, in the fall of 1871. He has living seven children. Though engaged in the practice of law since 1858, he was also engaged in cotton planting from the time of his majority until the close of the war, when his negroes were emancipated. He is a Democrat in politics, and made a strong fight for the adoption of the new Constitution of California, by speeches and through the columns of his paper, the Lake County Bee. Lake County having voted for its adoption by a large majority, he was elected as a New Constitution Democrat over very strong opponents to the office he now holds.
CRAWFORD, WOODS. Was born in Richland County, Ohio, Decem- ber 8, 1829. When he was nine years of age he, with his parents, moved to DeKalb County, Illinois, where he received his education. At the age of eighteen he began teaching vocal music, which he followed until March, 1850, when he went to Missouri, where he engaged in the same vocation until 1853. He then crossed the plains with ox-teams, and brought a drove of cattle. He followed mining in Shasta County for one winter, and in the spring of 1854 came to Lake County with the Hammack party, arriving where Kelseyville now stands, April 16th. He settled in Big Valley, and engaged in farming and carpentering for about four years, and then turned his whole attention to farming until 1864. He then moved to Lakeport, and engaged in the practice of law, which he has since followed. Since his residence in Lakeport he has filled the position of District Attorney for
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about five years-once by appointment and twice by election. He was ap- pointed by the Legislature as one of the commissioners who organized Lake County. He was married, October 13, 1852, to Miss Margaret A. Hammack, daughter of Martin Hammack. They have six living children-Florence H., Crockett M., Susan R., Mary L., Emma, and Frank.W .; they have lost one, Elizabeth R.
CARVER, JAMES H. Was born in Kentucky, May 3, 1840. When but an infant his father, his mother being dead, moved to Missouri. In 1859 the subject of this sketch returned to Kentucky and attended school for two years. He then went to Missouri again, where he remained until the spring of 1863, at which time he crossed the plains to Virginia City, Nevada. Here mining was prosecuted until 1864, when, on account of failing health, he came to California. He was engaged in butchering in Vacaville, Solano County, and farming near Dixon until 1875, when he came to Lake County and settled about four miles south from Lakeport. Here he followed farm- ing and stock raising for three years. He then moved to Lakeport and engaged in butchering one year. In the fall of 1879 he settled on his present place, consisting of two hundred and fifty acres, located in Coyote Valley, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Carver married August 22, 1869, Miss Gertrude Myers, a native of Missouri. They have one child, Emmett E.
CANNON, W. G. Is a native of Illinois, and was born December 12, 1831. Here he resided on a farm with his parents until 1852, when he crossed the plains to California. He came with ox-teams and arrived at Placerville in September of the above year. After spending about four months here he went to Solano County, where three years were spent, after which he went to Sonoma County. Here he followed teaming in the redwoods until 1863, when he went to Nevada, where he kept hotel for one year. In December, 1865, he came to Lake County and engaged in farming and stock raising in Coyote Valley until the fall of 1870, when he settled on his present place, about one mile north from Middletown, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Cannon married, March 17, 1861, Miss L. S. Berry, a native of Illinois. By this marriage they have seven living children, Robert B., William F., Luenma, Alzada E., Baxter B., Oroville, and Charles R. They have lost two, Ora and Rowena L.
CRUMPTON, H. J., M. D. Was born near Charleston, South Caro- lina, in 1828. At an early age he was apprenticed to learn the "art pre- servative," and while serving as a " printer's devil," he resolved to work his way through a medical education. He was thus engaged when gold was discovered in California. He at once determined to visit the new El Dorado, and started out in 1848 to "tramp it" across the continent, and
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reached the "diggins " the following year. He began operations at Cald- well's store, now Nevada City, and followed that business with varying fortunes the ensuing ten years, by the end of which time he had amassed a handsome competency. He then returned to the "States" for the purpose of completing his medical education. He returned to California after finish- ing his medical course, and engaged in the practice of his profession. Having visited the territory now forming Lake County on a hunting excursion some thirty years ago, and being charmed with its natural beauties, he determined to make his residence permanent here. He has a pretty little home on one of Lakeport's " seven hills," an extensive practice, and stands well in his profes- sion, being at this time an officer in the State Medical Society. In 1880 he was elected to the State Legislature, and in that body he stood squarely and nobly by the people, and his voice was ever raised against stock-jobbing and tax-shirking. He is a gentleman of unimpeached integrity, generous to a fault, and a citizen of whom the people of Lake County may justly feel proud.
COLLINS, J. M. Was born in Indiana. When he was but a child his parents moved to Clay County, Missouri, and settled on a farm. In 1853 the subject of this sketch came across the plains to California, and arrived in El Dorado County in August. Here he engaged in mining until the spring of 1860, when he went to Suisun, Solano County, where he re- sided until the fall of 1863, when he came to Lake County. Here he bought what is now known as the Howard Springs property, where he resided one year. We next find Mr. Collins engaged in farming near Lower Lake, where he remained until the fall of 1868, when he settled on his present place, consisting of two hundred and one acres, located about one mile west from Middletown. He married March 19, 1865, Miss Lizzie Farmer, a native of Missouri. By this union they have eight children, William M., Edward, Robert, Annie, Emma, Augustus, Eldorado, and Gracie.
COX, CALVARY M. Was born in Virginia January 23, 1833. When about seven years of age his parents moved to Missouri, where farming was prosecuted until 1854, when the subject of this sketch left his parents and crossed the plains to California, and arrived at where Woodland now stands, September 17th of the above-mentioned year. After a short rest he hied himself to the mines, and engaged in digging for the precious metal until June, 1856. In October of that year he came to Lake County, and set- tled in Morgan Valley, where, in company with his brother Thomas, he is engaged in farming and stock raising.
CRIGLER, HONORABLE J. C. This worthy pioneer of Lake County was born in Kentucky December 21, 1819. When he was five years of age his parents moved to Missouri, where his father engaged in hotel-keeping.
15
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At the age of twenty-three Mr. Crigler was employed as collector by Dr. Luflington, for whom he traveled for four years. At the end of that time he was appointed sheriff of the county in which he resided, and continued in office for a period of four years. In March, 1849, he started across the plains with ox-teams, bound for California, arriving in Hangtown (Placer- ville) in August of that year. He engaged at once in mining, which he followed until the spring of 1852. He then engaged in the stock business and followed it till the fall of that year, when he returned East via Nicara- gua. In the spring of 1853 he, in company with B. J. Payne, purchased a drove of cattle and brought them overland to California, arriving at Sacra- mento about September 1st of that year. Mr. Crigler located in Colusa County, where he followed stock raising until 1857. He then moved to Napa County and settled near Berryessa Valley, engaging in his former occupation until 1862, when he moved to Lakeport. That fall he was elected to the office of Sheriff, to which he was re-elected in the fall of 1863 and 1865, holding the office till 1867. At the election of that year he was chosen to represent Napa and Lake Counties in the Assembly and was again elected to the same position in 1869. He then returned to the life of a civilian, making his home at Lower Lake, until called to public life again by the voice of the people by being elected Sheriff in the fall of 1877. He then returned to Lakeport, where he made his home during the term of his office, and continued to reside there till the fall of 1880. He then moved to Middletown, where he remained about four months. In March, 1881, he moved to Bartlett Springs, where he is acting as agent for Mr. Greene Bartlett. Mr. Crigler has always been characterized as an enterprising, honorable and genial citizen, always having the best interest of the com- munity in which he resides at heart. That he made a popular and efficient officer is evinced by the fact that the people called upon him so often to serve them in an official capacity. It is safe to say that no man in Lake County enjoys a greater amount of confidence and esteem by the people at large than does Mr. Crigler. In Colusa County he held the office of Asso- ciate Justice for about eighteen months, also Supervisor for one term. He was married March 8, 1855, to Miss Amanda Adams, a native of Missouri. They have three children, Octavia, Katie and Jennie.
CLENDENIN, E. P. Was born in Illinois April 2, 1858. When eleven years of age his parents immigrated to California and settled in Napa County. Here they resided until 1872, when they moved to Scotts Valley, Lake County, where the parents still reside. In March, 1880, the subject of this sketch, in company with his brother, William P., engaged in general mer- chandising in Kelseyville, which business they are still conducting. Mr. Clendenin married, May 7, 1881, Miss Amanda Gard of Kelseyville.
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CONNER, D. V. Is a native of Napa County, California, and was born August 16, 1853. When but a child his parents moved to Lake County and settled near Lower Lake. Here the father was engaged in dairying until 1858, when he moved to Bachelor Valley and prosecuted farming until 1868, when he moved to Colusa County, where he engaged in the same business. In 1874 the subject of this sketch engaged in wool growing in Colusa County on his own account. In 1877 he returned to Lake County and followed the same business in Bachelor Valley until the fall of 1880, when he settled on his present place about two and one-half miles west from Lakeport, where, in company with W. P. Burke, he is engaged in wool growing. Mr. Conner also owns about forty acres located in Scotts Valley. He married October 22, 1879, Miss Sarah A. Donigan, a native of Illinois. By this union they have one child, George E.
COBB, JOHN. Was born in Henry County, Kentucky, May 19, 1814. His father was a farmer. When John was but a child his father moved to Indiana, where they remained for six years, when they returned to Ken- tucky. When John was sixteen years of age they returned to Indiana, and his father resided in Jefferson County about five years and then moved to Arkansas, where he died. In 1832 John went to Vigo County, Indiana, on the Wabash River, where he followed keel-boating, carrying freight to all the towns on the river. In October, on one of his down trips, he laid up for the night at the foot of Coffee Island, eight miles below the Grand Rapids, and two miles below Mount Carmel. About eight o'clock he noticed quite a commotion taking place with the stars; they all seemed to be falling towards the earth; they seemed to increase thicker and faster until about midnight, when all of them seemed to part in the center above, falling to- wards the earth in all directions. They resembled many balls of fire, each leaving a brilliant light behind it; one would not get out of sight till another would be coming on the same line. The whole firmament seemed to be in a blaze of fire; it was the most beautiful sight he ever saw in his life. The stars seemed to gradually decrease in motion until about four o'clock in the morning, when all was quiet and every star was in its proper place. He then proceeded down the river into the Ohio, and down that stream to Paducah, at the mouth of the Tennessee River; he then went up the Tennessee with the keel-boat to Florence, in Tennessee ; then he returned to Indiana-to the Grand Rapids, on the Wabash River. There he put in a crop of corn, sold it out, and went to Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, where he got a team and went back to Madison, in Jeffer- son County, after his mother and her family, and moved them to Tippecanoe County, where he still followed keel-boating and farming until the spring of 1836. He then took his mother, two sisters and brother, and moved to
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Iowa Territory. They stopped at a place called Bloomington, which had one house in it, owned by John Vanater the proprietor of the place. It soon grew up, however, to be quite a village and place of trade. It is located on the bank of the upper Mississippi River, thirty miles below Rock Island, and sixty miles above Burlington. The name has since been changed to Muscatine City, Muscatine County. He then resided in that place, where he followed farming and trading, for three years. In 1839 he took his mother on a visit to her mother's, who resided in Madison, Indiana ; left her there, and went south to New Orleans February 29, 1840. His mother died during his absence. He returned to Madison, Indiana, in April of that year. From there he returned to Iowa; stayed there until fall, and started for Texas; got as far as Arkansas, and was taken sick with the white swel- ling, which left him a cripple for life. Gave up the trip to Texas and returned again to Iowa in the spring of 18+1, and remained there until 1843. He then went to Quincy, Illinois. Was married to Miss Jane Ann Leypold, April 18, 1844, who was a native of Ohio. Their first child, a son, was born February 18, 1845, died August 15, 1845. The next, a daughter, was born January 13, 1847. Lost his wife January 12, 1848, and his dauguter died January 16, 1848. August 17, 1848, he was married to his second wife, Miss Esther E. Deming, who is still living. She is a native of Ohio, and the mother of six children, whose names are as follows: John R., George O., Joseph D., Mary H., William T. and Hester E., who are all living. The first one, John R., was born September 22, 18+9, and the sixth one, Hester E., was born July S, 1858. In the spring of 1850 he started across the plains with an ox-team en route for California, bringing his family, consisting then of wife and one child, with him. They reached Salt Lake, August 17, 1850, but owing to the delicate health of Mrs. Cobb, they remained there until the spring of 1851, when they crossed the moun- tains, and arrived at Ringold, near Placerville, California, July 1st of that year. He then engaged in mining for about three weeks, when he bought into a grocery store and kept boarding-house, which business he followed until September. He then sold out and moved to Napa Valley, Napa County, and rented a place of John S. Stark, about four miles below Calis- toga Springs, which he farmed one year. He sold his crop and went to Oregon in September, 1852, and spent one year there, and then returned to Napa County in August, 1853. He then rented a place of John Tucker and Peter Teal for farming purposes. In October of the same year he went out north of Napa Valley, towards Clear Lake, and took up a place, in what is now known as Cobb Valley, which took its name after him, he being the first settler there. He then moved his family there, in November 1853, a wild wilderness of a place, inhabited by various kinds of wild game and animals, elk, deer, bears, panthers, wolves, wild cats and foxes. In
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1854 he was solicited to run for the office of County Assessor, and was elected. He assessed Napa County in 1855. He lived about five years in Cobb Valley, then sold out and moved to Napa Valley again ; bought a tract of land in the said valley of M. D. Ritchie, and remained on it about eighteen months, and sold it out. He then moved out to Calyomi Valley, and settled near where Middletown now is. He farmed and raised stock on that place about three years. About that time Lake County was segregated from Napa County. He was then put in charge of the Calyomi and Guenoc grants, and moved to the Stone House. He was put in charge of the grants by Robert Waterman. He farmed that ranch two years, and leased out the farms on the grants to the settlers. He then moved to Sonoma County ; remained there two years educating his children, and then returned to Lake County with his family to his place that he had previously entered, containing five hundred and twenty acres. He resided on this farm about four years, improving it; then moved to Healdsburg; resided there about eighteen months, completing the education of his children. He then returned with his family to Lake County, to his farm, where he has resided ever since. By referring to the dates, it will be found that Mr. Cobb is about the first white settler, or the oldest settler, now in Lake County.
CLENDENIN, SAMUEL. Was born in Randolph County, Illinois, October 29, 1826. He was reared on a farm, which occupation, together with milling, he followed till 1869, when he came to California, bringing his family, consisting of wife and six children, with him. He settled in Napa County, where he followed farming till 1872, when he came to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of eighty acres, located in Scotts Valley, where he is engaged in farming and fruit raising. Mr. Clendenin was married December 27, 1854, to Miss Persis Porter, a native of Ohio, and by this union there are six living children : William P., Flora B., Edward P., Luther P., Samuel H., and George A.
DALY, P. M. This early pioneer of Lake County was born in county Galway, Ireland, July 20, 1831. Here he grew up and received a common school education, equal to the facilities which that day and age of the country afforded. He remained with his parents on a farm until 1848, when he boarded the Scotch ship "Marine Plant," and sailed for New York, at which city he arrived July 3d of that year. After spending about five months here he changed his base of operations to New Orleans, where he spent the succeeding six months. His next move was to go to Yucatan, Central America, and engage in fighting Indians. He remained there for about ten months, when he returned to the United States and located in Kentucky, engaging in work in a general mercantile establishment, where
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he remained during the following three years. He then went again to the city of New York, from which place, after a short time, he shipped on board the ship " Yorktown," bound for California. He rounded Cape Horn, and arrived in San Francisco in the fall of 1852. He went to the mines at once, and engaged in that business for a period of ten months. He then returned to San Francisco, and engaged in draying for about six months. He then sold out that business and engaged in bottling porter and ale, and continued in this occupation until October, 1857. He then came to Lake County and settled on his present place, which is located in the heart of the beautiful and fertile Big Valley, three and a half miles south of Lakeport. This farm consists of two hundred and fifteen acres, while another farm, one mile farther up the valley, contains two hundred and forty acres. This land is all very rich, and they make two as fine farms as are to be found in Lake County. He is now engaged in stock raising and speculating in stock. He was married April 20, 1854, to Miss Mary O'Hare, a native of Ireland. They have, as the fruits of their union, eight living children, as follows : Jane, Mary, Arthur, James, Thomas, William, Dennis and Mar- garet. They have lost one, Mark.
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