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 92
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 92
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DEWELL, BENJAMIN. Was born in Ohio October 27, 1823. In 1840 he, with parents, moved to Indiana, where he resided until 1845, when, in company with several others, he crossed the plains to California, arriv- ing in Napa Valley in October of the above year. The first winter was spent where Calistoga is now located; and in the spring of 1846 he went to Sonoma and served in the Bear Flag War, and then joined Fremont's regiment, and in the fall the regiment was ordered below, but only got as far as Los Angeles when a treaty was made and the war ended. The subject of this sketch then returned to Sonoma and in the spring of 1847 settled in Guilicos Valley, where he followed farming and stock raising until May, 1854, when he came to Lake County and settled on his present place, con- sisting of one hundred and sixty acres, located just above Upper Lake, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Dewell was one of the parties who made the Bear Flag which was raised at Old Sonoma June 14, 1846, and his mother-in-law, Mrs. W. B. Elliott, furnished part of the cloth of which the flag was made. Mr. Dewell married May 5, 1850, Miss Celia H. Elliott, by whom he has eight living children : Samuel L., Luella, Orlena, Elmer E., May, Lottie, John K. and Charles W. They have lost two, Sarah E. and Jane.
DEMING, THEODORE. Was born in St. Joseph County, Indiana, April 13, 1836. Here he received his education and resided until 1855, when, with his parents, he came to California via Panama, arriving at San Francisco, December 15th of the above year. After spending the winter in
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Sacramento the family settled in Yolo County, and engaged in farming. Here the parents both died, and in the fall of 1870 the subject of this sketch came to Lake County. Mr. Deming owns and conducts the Blue Lakes Hotel, as well as a farm in Scotts Valley. He married January 12, 1867, Mrs. Charlotte W. Holliday, a native of Indiana. By this union they have four living children, Mary E., Fannie E., Dasie, and Mabel C.
DAVIS, JEFF. Was born in Tennessee, December 4, 1819. Here he resided on a farm until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Arkansas and engaged in stock raising until 1848, when he went to Illinois. There he followed farming for two years, then moved to Missouri where the same business was prosecuted until 1863, when he crossed the plains to California and arrived in Solano County in November. In the spring of 1864, he came to Lake County and settled in Scotts Valley, and after a few months moved to Lakeport, where he remained until June, 1865, when he went to Napa County and followed stock raising two years. The following four years were spent in hotel-keeping at Monticello. He next engaged in stock raising, and in November, 1875, disposed of his interests in Napa County and returned to Lake and settled on his present place, consisting of four hundred and sixty-six acres, located in Coyote Valley, where he is engaged in wool growing. Mr. Davis married, September 9, 1840, Miss Nancy Brooks. Their living children are, Polly A., James, George W. and Dixie. They have lost William, Benjamin F., Lillie L. and Thomas J.
DENISON, JAMES M. (deceased). Was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, November 24, 1818. When he was eighteen years of age he went to Iowa, where he followed farming until 1852. He then crossed the plains to California with ox-teams, bringing his family with him, and arrived in Placer County in October of that year. He followed mining there until 1857, when he came to Lake County and settled on Middle Creek near Upper Lake, and engaged in farming till 1861. He then returned East, and served as First Lieutenant of Company B, 20th regiment Iowa Volunteers, for three years. His family remained on their farm during his absence, and he returned in 1866, and remained there till 1875, when he constructed - the toll-road from Upper Lake to Bartlett Springs. He was married April 26, 1843, to Miss Mary Jewell, a native of New York. He died December 8, 1876, leaving a widow, and eight children, as follows: Margaret E., Merritt L., Alice, Mary A., Victoria, Laura, James H., and Olive C .; and they have lost one, Daniel W.
DOWNES, J. S., M. D. This worthy old pioneer of Lake County was born in New Hampshire, April 14, 1831. When he was fourteen years of age he went to Michigan, and began the study of medicine with Dr. Edward Cox, at Battle Creek, where he remained for five years. He graduated at
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the McDowell Medical School in St. Louis, in March, 1848. In April, 1849, he started for California across the plains, and arrived at Sacramento in July. He practiced medicine in that city for ten years. In 1859, on account of ill-health, he came to Lake County and settled in Lakeport, where he practiced till 1862. His health being much improved then, he went to Napa and engaged in practice with Dr. W. W. Stillwagon until 1864. His health failed again, and he then returned to Lakeport, where he has since resided and followed his profession. He was married, August 16, 1858, to Miss Katie Shindon, a native of Pennsylvania. Their children are George F., Charles and Ernest.
EMERSON, S. R. Was born in Cortland County, New York, March 28, 1820. Here he remained until 1849, being engaged in farming and stock raising. He then went to Crawford County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1857, being engaged in the stock business. In the last named year he came to California via Panama, and arrived at San Francisco April 27th. He engaged at once in farming and dairying in Sonoma County, which was followed until 1859, when he turned his attention to wool grow- ing. This he continued until 1860, when he engaged in hotel-keeping in Windsor, Sonoma County, which was followed until 1869. In 1870 he made a trip East and spent the summer, returning to California in the winter of 1870-71. He came at once to Lake County and engaged in wool growing, which he has since followed. Mr. Emerson owns the Witter Spring property, a history of which will be found in this volume.
ENGLISH, B. F. Was born in Madison County, Kentucky, September 8, 1815. When he was but a child, he, with parents, moved to Howard County, Missouri. After a short residence there they moved to Salem County, and from there to Clay County. August 16, 1833, the subject of this sketch married Miss Pauline Durbin, and in 1835 they moved upon the Platt Purchase. In 1843 they moved into Atchison County, and emigrated to Oregon in 1846. Here farming was followed until 1863, when they came to California and settled in Green Valley, Solano County. While there the same occupation was followed as while in Oregon until 1870, when they moved to Lake County and settled on the road leading from Middle- town to Lakeport, near Anderson Springs, where they now reside. They have six living children: Charles H., Benjamin F., Harmon H., Eugene, Lane B. and Lucretia ; and have lost five.
FEES, JOHN W. Was born in Iowa, February 15, 1837. In 1864 he crossed the plains to Nevada, where he followed mining and carpentering until the fall of 1867, when he came to Lake.County and settled in Scotts Valley, on his present place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres,
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located about five miles from Lakeport, where he is engaged in farming. Mr. Fees married in October, 1856, Miss Rebecca M. R. Ogle, a native of In- diana. Their children are Thomas J., Sarah, Albert, Alfred, Nancy A., Mary A., John and Mabel.
FLIPPEN, W. J. Is a native of Tennessee, and was born October 24, 1826. In March, 1852, he moved to Missouri, where he followed farming until the spring of 1854, when he crossed the plains with ox-teams to Cali- fornia. After spending about three years at mining in Butte County, we find him in Contra Costa County, where he resided until September, 1866, when he came to Lake County. In the fall of 1867 Mr. Flippen settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, located in Scotts Valley, about six miles from Lakeport, where he is engaged in farming. He was married, December 21, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Palmer. By this union they have three living children : Mary H., William and Lizzie. They have lost three : John H., James B. and Jefferson.
FRITTS, H. R. Was born in Indiana June 9, 1838. When he was but a child his parents moved to Arkansas. Here young Fritts grew up on a farm, residing with his parents until 1860, when he crossed the plains with ox-teams to California. He arrived in Chico, Butte County, in Septem- ber, and engaged in teaming for one year. He then went to Nevada, where the same business was followed until the fall of 1865, when he came to Lake County, and, after a residence of about twelve years on Middle Creek, set- tled on his present place, consisting of six hundred and twenty-nine acres, located in Bachelor Valley, where he is engaged in farming and wool grow- ing. Mr. Fritts married, May 6, 1866, Miss Alice Denison, a native of Iowa. Their children are, Mattie A., Mary E., Fannie V., Laura E., Ollie M. and Maud B.
GETZ, SOLOMON. Was born in Prussia, January 29, 1850. When fourteen years of age he started for America, and in March, 1866, we find him in San Francisco, and soon after in Lower Lake, where he engaged as clerk for his brother Joseph, in a general merchandise store. After follow- ing this occupation for one year he went to South America, where he engaged in the fur trade until 1870. The succeeding two years were spent in traveling, and in 1872 he returned to Lower Lake, where he still con- tinues to run the store so early established by his brother. Mr. Getz married, March 1, 1874, Miss Dora Tobias, a native of New York. By this union they have four children : Albert, Edgar, Jacob and Mabel.
GARD, G. W. Was born in Preble County, Ohio, January 2, 1826. When he was but a child his parents moved to Rush County, Indiana, and after about five years moved to Delaware County. Here about the same
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length of time was spent as in Rush County, when they took up their resi- dence in Atchison County, Missouri. In 1849 the whole family, consisting of the father and mother of the subject of this sketch, nine brothers and sisters, and his wife and one child, crossed the plains to California. They settled in San Joaquin County, near Stockton, and engaged in farming. In September, 1859, G. W. moved with his family to Sonoma County and en- gaged in farming until January, 1860, when he went to Yuba County and spent the winter in mining. In May, 1861, he came to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, located in Big Valley, about two miles from Kelseyville, where he is en- gaged in farming. Mr. Gard married, March 5, 1848, Miss Eliza J. Hand, a native of Tennessee, by whom he has seven living children: Isaac N., Martha E., Joel R., James A., Annie M., Arthur G. and Mary E .; and have lost seven.
GREENE, W. W. Was born in Howard County, Missouri, January 22, 1827. Here he grew up on a farm and resided until 1850, when he crossed the plains to California, and arrived at Hangtown July 28th of that year. He engaged in mining in El Dorado County for about one month, and then went to Placer County and engaged in merchandising in company with two others, for about six months. He then went twelve miles below Sac- ramento and engaged in farming. At the end of four months he disposed of his interest there and went to Rough and Ready, in Nevada County, and again embarked in merchandising, where he continued until June, 1851. He then moved his stock of goods to Auburn, Placer County, and continued merchandising for about eight months. He then closed out and followed teaming until January, 1853, when he returned to Missouri via Panama. He started from San Francisco in company with Judge Wallace, now of Napa County, but at Acapulco they separated, Wallace going through Mexico and Mr. Greene via Panama. In April, 1853, he started from Missouri, accom- panied by his father, two sisters and three brothers, his wife and two child- ren, bound to California with ox-teams, and arrived in El Dorado County in the following October. He settled at Auburn, Placer County, and engaged in hotel-keeping and teaming until the fall of 1858, when he moved to Colusa County and engaged in the stock business, which he followed until 1865. He then moved to the town of Colusa and engaged in hotel-keeping until the spring of 1868. He then went to Oregon and bought horses and sold them in San Francisco. In the fall of 1868 he engaged in merchan- dising in Colusa under the firm name of Greene, Murray & Co., which he continued for one year. He then sold out and built what is known as the Eureka Hotel, which he conducted until the spring of 1871. He then moved to Lake County and engaged in merchandising in company with his brother, A. D. Greene, at Kelseyville. In April, 1872, he leased the Bartlett Springs
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and conducted them for one year. During this time he purchased the Lake View Hotel at Lakeport, and in October, 1872, he moved to that place, where he has since resided, being engaged in hotel-keeping. He has changed the name of the house to Greene's Hotel. He was married, July 23, 1846, to Miss Mary A. Moody, a native of Kentucky. The children are, Martha A., Willis E., Isabell M., Alice G. and Frank A.
GESSNER, WILLIAM. Was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 27, 1821. Here he received a collegiate education, and in September, 1839, set sail for America aboard the " Oceana," which was wrecked near Jamaica, where the crew was detained, about one month. They then got relief by the Government, and finally arrived at New Orleans about the 23d of December, 1839. Mr. Gessner went at once to Illinois, where he taught the German language two winters, working in a brick-yard in the summer. In the spring of 1842 he engaged as clerk in the hardware store of Charles Wolf & Co., in St. Louis. Here he remained until July, 1844, when he went to New Orleans, where he followed clerking until January, 1845, when he enlisted in the 2d Dragoons of the regular United States service, and was engaged in the war with Mexico, serving through the war. He was dis- charged January 20, 1850, at Sonoma, Sonoma County, California. Mr. Gessner was engaged for three months in the quartermaster's office at Benicia, after which he went to the mines, and after spending about three months came to Solano County and engaged in farming in Suisun Valley, where he remained until the spring of 1864, when he sold his farm and went via Panama to Pennsylvania, where he remained but a short time. He returned across the plains with horse and mule teams, and ar- rived in Suisun Valley in August. In October, 1864, he came to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, located at the head of Scotts Valley, where he is now engaged in farming. Mr. Gessner was elected Supervisor in September, 1879, which office he still holds.
GILLETT, CHARLES. Was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1838. When he was seventeen years of age he engaged as apprentice to the tin- ner's trade, which he followed in his native county until 1861, at which time he cnlisted as a private in the Civil War in the 1st Ohio Regiment. After four months he returned home, and in October, 1861, started for California. He came via Panama, and arrived at San Francisco November 28th of the above year. The first winter was spent in Yolo County, and the following spring he went to Virginia City, Nevada; and after a short time he returned to Woodland, Yolo County, and opened the pioneer tin shop in that place. Here he remained until the fall of 1864, when he went to Solano County, where well-boring was prosecuted for about two years. We next find Mr.
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Gillett in Berryessa Valley, Napa County, where about one year was spent. He then went to the Zem Zem Springs, and spent about two years, when he returned to Suisun, where he engaged in the livery business for about six months. He then took charge of the Roberts House in that place for about one year. He then returned to Napa County, and spent about two and a half years at Zem Zem Springs, after which he followed an engineer's life at the California Mine, near Knoxville, for one year. He then went to the Buckeye Quicksilver Mine in Colusa County, where he was employed as engineer until the spring of 1875. The following three years were spent on Cache Creek, in Lake County, engaged in wool growing. In the fall of 1879 he settled on his present place, located in the lower end of Long Val- ley, which he calls " Live Oak Nook." Mr. Gillett married, in November, 1875, Miss Caroline Pierce, a native of Kentucky, daughter of Henry Pierce, then chief engineer of the San Francisco Mint. She died November 18, 1878, leaving two living children, Elizabeth and Caroline. Caroline died November 27, 1878, aged one month and twenty days.
GOLDSMITH, WILLIAM C. Of all the old pioneers of Lake County . no one is more generally and favorably known than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Goldsmith was born in Knox County, Indiana, April 2, 1830. In 1830, with his parents, he moved to Morgan County, Illinois. Here he learned the saddler's trade, which he followed until 1852, when he came to California. He crossed the plains with ox-teams, and arrived at Hangtown (Placerville) August 8th of that year. Of course, he dashed into mining- everybody did that, then-and followed it until the spring of 1853, when he went to Santa Clara County and engaged in farming for the next two years. He then went to Grass Valley, Nevada County, and resided there until August, 1857. He then came to Lake County and located where Lower Lake now stands, and engaged in farming and stock raising for the next six years. He then engaged in hotel and saloon keeping, which he followed till 1881, since which time he has been unemployed. No lauda- tory words are necessary at our hands, for Mr. Goldsmith is too well known by all the good people of Lake County. He was married, May 31, 1860, to Miss Martha C. Asbill, and their living children are, John H., Elizabeth J., William L., Arthur H. and Edna M. They have lost three, Willie, Charles and Ernest.
GOODWIN, CHARLES. The subject of this sketch was born in Ontario County, New York, October 8, 1816. When he was eight years of age his parents moved to Detroit, Michigan, whither young Goodwin accompanied them. Here the boy was not idle but set himself vigorously at work to obtain an education, and how well he succeeded is evidenced by the fact, that at the very early age of sixteen we find him engaged in teaching,
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which profession he followed for the succeeding seven years, when, on account of failing health, he connected himself with E. and J. Wilber & Co., wholesale hardware dealers, as a traveling salesman, and remained in that position for the following two years. In the spring of 1850 he started for California across the plains, coming as far as the Truckee River with horse teams. At that point they met with the misfortune of having all their horses stolen by the Indians. Mr. Goodwin then set out to accomplish the remainder of the trip on foot, and arrived at Nevada City, California, Octo- ber 10, 1850, without a dollar in his pocket. Like all other old timers Mr. Goodwin was engaged in various pursuits, among which may be mentioned mining, auctioneering and teaming, until the spring of 1856, when he came to Lake County and settled in Big Valley, where he has since continued to reside. He now owns about three hundred acres of land, located at the extreme lower end of Big Valley and near Clear Lake, where he is engaged in farming and wool growing. Mr. Goodwin is one of those active, stirring men who pushed out to the very vanguard of civilization, and has always given his best energies to the advancement and upbuilding of the community in which he resides. He was united in marriage, March 24, 1880, with Mrs. R. J. Arnold, a native of Missouri.
GALLATIN, ABRAHAM. Was born in Pennsylvania, September 18, 1818. Here he followed farming and boat-building until 1842, when he went to Illinois. After spending two years there he returned to Pennsyl- vania, where he resumed his former business until 1852, at which time he came to California via New Orleans and Panama. We find him at once in the mines, where he remained until 1868. He then inade a trip East and traveled in several of the different States for about two years, but finally settled in Napa City, Napa County. Here he resided until 1874, when he moved to Pope Valley, where he resided until December, 1878, when he moved to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of three thousand acres, located in Coyote Valley. Here he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Gallatin married, October 18, 1870, Mrs. Slonecker, a native of Pennsylvania.
GRUWELL, L. H. Whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Quincy, Illinois, November 22, 1836. When still a child his parents moved to Iowa, where his father was engaged in farming till the spring of 1849. In that year the father of Mr. Gruwell, with his family, crossed the plains with ox-teams to California, coming in on the southern route from Salt Lake City, arriving at Los Angeles in December of that year. Soon after arriving the father, with his family, moved to El Dorado County, and remained until the fall of 1851, when they went to San José, where they engaged in farming. In the meantime young Gruwell attended
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History of Napa and Lake Counties-LAKE.
the Pacific University for one year. In 1857, then a young man of twenty- one, he came to Lake County, then a part of Napa County, and speculated in stock until 1861, when he went to Mendocino County, and bought a ranch in Sherwood Valley, continuing to purchase stock for market in the coun- ties of Sonoma, Marin, Lake and Mendocino; also, making trips to the southern counties, buying and driving cattle to San Francisco. In the fall of 1863 he sold his place in Mendocino County, and returned to Lake, where he married Miss Lizzie Lyons, daughter of Judge Lyons, who is still a res- ident of this county, and formerly a resident of Pennsylvania, where the daughter was born. In the fall of 1866 he moved, and settled on Stoney Creek in Colusa County, where he followed stock raising and speculating for a number of years. In 1872 he removed to Siskiyou County (now Mo- doc), where he successfully followed the same business till the spring of 1873. On the 15th of January of that year his wife died, leaving four small children, the youngest but a few weeks old. In a few months thereafter he returned to Lake County with his little family, locating at Lower Lake. In 1874 he married Miss Mattie Mcclintock, a native of California, and daughter of J. T. McClintock, of Scotts Valley, where he now resides. Soon after locating at Lower Lake he became interested in the stage lines from that place to Calistoga, which he followed for three years, when he sold out his interest, and has since given his attention to the livery business. He owns at present three hundred and seventy-four acres of farming land, one and a half miles from Lower Lake, and his livery stable and house and lot in town. Mr. Gruwell served for three months as Supervisor under ap- pointment by the Superior Judge. The able manner in which he discharged his duties secured his election to the position November 2, 1880, by a ma- jority clearly showing the high estimation in which he is held by the public. He has also manifested a lively interest and taken a very active part in the organization of the Lake County Agricultural Society, giving the use of the grounds for the exhibition free, and was elected its first president, which office he now holds for the second term. He has had a family of six chil- dren, four by his first wife : Millie, Robert L., Calla and Lizzie, the last- named dying at the age of four years and four months. By his second wife he has two children, both girls : Alla and Katie. Mr. Gruwell has a well- knit form, indicating great physical power, weighing some two hundred or more pounds. It will be observed by reference to his portrait that he is a man of an iron will and determination of purpose, with a vital force suffi- cient to accomplish successfully whatever he undertakes.
HERNDON, N. This old and respected pioneer of Lake County was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, September 15, 1809. He resided on a farm until nineteen years of age, when he engaged as apprentice to the
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cabinet trade. In the fall of 1833 he went to Texas, and in the spring of 1834 went to Missouri, where farming was followed until 1856. In that year he crossed the plains to California, and arrived in Lake County in October. He settled near where Lower Lake now stands and engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1877 he moved upon his present place, con- sisting of about nine hundred acres, located about five miles east from Lower Lake, where he is engaged in wool growing. He also owns his original place near Lower Lake, consisting of three hundred acres. Mr. Herndon married, July 4, 1831, Miss Caroline Sweeney, who died September 20, 1840, leaving five children : Lafayette, Frank,'Mary, William and Patsey A.
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