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 94
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 94
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which country at that time was attracting considerable attention. Before he started, however, the news of the discovery of gold in California came and changed his plans. In April, 1849, Mr. Hanson drove out of Coles County, Illinois, with three ox-teams, and a family carriage drawn by horses, headed for the new El Dorado of the Pacific. His ox-teams were loaded with an assorted stock of goods of several thousand dollars' value which he thought would be suited to the requirement of the miners of '49. Emigrants of that day rendezvoused at Independence, Missouri, where they formed themselves into companies consisting generally of thirty or forty teams, which were called trains, each train electing a captain, whose duty it was to take gen- eral rule and direction of all matters connected with the interests of the company, and to facilitate as much as possible their journey to the land of gold and anticipated fortunes. The train with which Mr. Hanson cast his lot consisted of about one hundred persons, having only three women-Mrs. George M. Hanson, his daughter Mrs. Sidney Linder, and Mrs. John Arm- strong-and about one dozen children, with an aggregate of some thirty-five wagons and teams, and a few extra oxen and milch cows, which were driven in front of the train of wagons that followed at specified distances apart as regulated by the captain. John G. Allender, who after his arrival at Cali- fornia became a son-in-law of Mr. Hanson, was duly elected captain of this train. Owing to his experience with teams, his peculiar social qualities and unrivaled memory of past events, he became very popular and never failed. to interest and entertain his company around the camp-fires. The objects the emigrants had in thus traveling in companies was protection against hostile and predatory Indians, and mutual assistance when difficulties had to be met and overcome. We will not attempt to follow Mr. Hanson across the Rocky Mountains, the burning desert sands, and over the lofty Sierras, and relate the thrilling incidents of that early emigration, or portray the trying vicissitudes that so frequently beset his path. Suffice it to say that after untold trials, hardships and suffering he arrived at Yuba City, Sutter County, in the month of November, 1849, in destitute circumstances, hav- ing lost and left everything in the mountain fastnesses and snows of the Sierras. At Yuba City he, for a short time, kept a hotel ; then built a ferry boat, connecting Yuba City and Marysville across the Feather River. Within two or three years he built a bridge across the river at a cost of $30,000, which was carried away by the floods a few years thereafter. He then sold an interest in his toll franchise to John C. Fall, of Marysville, and together they built, at a very heavy cost, another bridge. This was very valuable property, the receipts of toll being from $75 to $150 per diem. A few years after this, by an Act of the Legislature, the authorities of the county were authorized to erect a free bridge, in the face of the fran- chise held by Mr. Hanson, which was granted him for a period of twenty
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years, guaranteeing him protection of the same. Politically Mr. Han- son had ever been an old line Whig, and when the Republican party came into existence, and held its National Convention in 1856, at Phila- delphia, at which John C. Fremont was nominated for President, Mr. Hanson attended that body as a delegate from California. At that convention Mr. Hanson paid the lamented Lincoln a tribute of respect by putting his name before that body as a candidate for Vice-President, at the same time ad- dressing a pleasant compliment towards him. The following National Convention of that party having nominated Mr. Lincoln for President, Mr. Hanson was a warm and active supporter of that ticket. He made his influence felt upon the stump and in the columns of political papers. Mr. Hanson was a very effective, ready debater, and clear and forcible writer. But few men of his day were better read in general politics, and who more clearly understood the system and ideas of our form of government. After Mr. Lincoln's election Mr. Hanson was notified by that distinguished gentle- man that he was wanted to discharge the duties of some governmental office on this coast by the incoming administration. Notwithstanding his repeated assertions to the President that he was not desirous of official position; Mr. Lincoln, unsolicited, sent him a commission as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Northern District of California, which office he entered upon and discharged the duties of during that administration. After the assassination of Abraham Lincoln Mr. Hanson retired to private life again, and although his accumulated years admonished him to forsake the pursuits of active life, his restless spirit and indomitable energy induced him to again resume business. He then, in company with his youngest son, David M., a lawyer, went into the newspaper business, publishing the Clear Lake Sentinel, Sutter County Sentinel, Marysville Evening Telegraph, Daily Appeal, and finally the Gilroy Advocate, which publication ended his long and active career in business. Mr. Hanson was among the first white men who penetrated the Coast Range Mountains as far as Clear Lake. Having a large family of sons, most of whom had grown to man's estate, he was desirous of finding homes for them and settling them down to some steady pursuit. In 1853 or 1854, it was, that Mr. Hanson came in sight of the waters of Clear Lake, and after thoroughly prospecting the country, concluded that this was the very place he was looking for to find homes for his boys. He first settled them at Upper Lake, on Middle Creek and its vicinity, stocking their several places with horses, cattle, and hogs. While en route to the lake over the pathless mountains just west of Wilbers Sulphur Springs, one evening; Mr. Hanson shot and killed an enormous grizzly bear. This was near the head of what has ever since been known as " Grizzly Cañon," through which an excellent county road now passes, and from which incident that cañon and road derives the name of "Grizzly Cañon." In those
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early times large game was very abundant in this country. The pioneers could at all hours of the night hear the savage snarling and deep growling of the grizzly, with the piercing scream of the panther or California lion. The Hanson boys have seen as many as fifty deer in a drove, hundreds of elk in a band, and the killing of grizzly bears and California lions was of such common occurrence as to attract no attention whatever. Since the year 1854, Mr. Hanson's sons have lived on and in the vicinity of Clear Lake, and this county has had for him in consequence thereof, all the attractions of a home. His visits hither, when not permanently settled, were of yearly occurrence until 1874. After he had retired from business, he came to Lake County, the scene of his many early and exciting adventures, to live among his children and grand-children, and in its salubrious climate pass the few remaining days of his life. In 1877, the great affliction of his life in the shape of physical infirmity befell him. He lost his eyesight and became almost absolutely blind from cataract. This to him was an inconsolable bereave- ment, as it deprived him of the ability to read and write, in which occupa- tions he had taken his greatest pleasure. This affliction so worked and wore upon him that his health rapidly began to decline. He became helpless, and that fact so embarrassed him that life almost became a burden. His spirit of independence that had been a characteristic with him, and sustained him throughout his long life, was now utterly crushed, and he regarded his fast approaching dissolution with calm, Christian resignation. He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a respected member of the Masonic fraternity for more than fifty years, and we might safely say that no man ever lived more in consistence with his religious professions and fraternal tenets than did George M. Hanson for a half century of time. In July, 1879, he was taken with pneumonia which baffled the skill of his physicians. In a very few days it was evident that his career on earth must end. His children and grand-children were quickly summoned to at- tend that awful and solemn event. He was at the house of one of his sons in Long Valley, surrounded by weeping relatives and friends, and at about 9 o'clock P. M. on the 1st day of August, amid the heart-sobs of his devoted children and grand-children, the spirit of this good old man went back to the God who sent it to earth.
INGRAM, J. C. W. Is a native of Gallatin County, Illinois, and was born April 4, 1829. Here he received his education, and resided on a farm until 1844, when he went to Missouri, where he spent about two years. The next two years were spent in Iowa and Wisconsin ; after which he returned to Missouri, and in the spring of 1849 he turned his face towards Oregon, where he arrived, after a six months' journey with ox-teams, the last of October. Here he followed lumbering until the spring of 1851, when he
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Biographical Sketches.
came to California and followed mining at different places until September, 1857, when he came to Lake County and located in Big Valley, where he followed farming and stock raising until 1867, when he settled on his present place, consisting of two hundred acres, located in Scotts Valley, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Ingram, during the years 1858-9, held the office of Constable, and in the fall of 1873 was elected Sheriff of Lake County, which office he held four years. He married, August 28, 1858, Miss Mandana A. Musick, a native of Missouri. They have six children : Luella C., John L., Mary R., Sarah A., Ruth and Maud. Have lost two : William R. and Preston.
JONES, C. W. Was born in Carroll County, Arkansas, April 26, 1840. In 1857 he, with his parents, crossed the plains with ox-teams, and arrived in Stanislaus County in October of the last mentioned year. Here they spent one year farming, and then moved to Sutter County, and after spend- ing one winter they moved to Plumas County. After a residence here of about seven years the subject of this sketch came to Lake County and settled in Scotts Valley, where he has since resided, being engaged in farming. He settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, in October, 1868. Mr. Jones married, October 24, 1867, Miss Narcissus A. McCabe, a native of Texas. They have four living children : Mary C., Charles W., James H. and Herbert M .; and have lost three : Thomas C., Walter M. and Annie B.
JAMISON, JAMES H. Was born in Missouri September 26, 1830. Here he received his education and resided until 1854, when he, with his family, consisting of wife and one child, crossed the plains with ox-teams, and arrived at Bidwells Bar, in Butte County, August 20th of that year. Mr. Jamison engaged at once in mining, which he followed about four years. He then engaged in keeping a public-house on Feather River, which he fol- lowed about six months. We next find him in Vallejo, Solano County, where he resided until June, 1859, when he came to Lake County and set- tled on a stock ranch, located on the road leading from Lower Lake to Kelseyville. Here he followed stock raising and keeping public-house for about fourteen years, since which time he has lived in Kelseyville. Mr. Jamison has held the office of Supervisor for three terms, first in 1861, second in 1863, and third and last in 1875. Mr. Jamison married, March 9, 1852, Miss Mary Annett, a native of Virginia. By this union they have four living children : Sarah A., James B., Rosa S. and Lizzie.
JONES, J. W. Was born in Missouri February 27, 1836. When but a child his parents moved to Arkansas. In 1856 the subject of this sketch crossed the plains to California. He spent the first seven years of his Cali- fornia life in Plumas County, following different occupations. We next
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find him in Marysville, Yuba County, where he remained but a sohrt time. He next went to San Joaquin Valley, where he spent one year, and then returned to Marysville and spent two years, and again returned to Plumas County, where he spent about six months, and then came to Lake County in the fall of 1867. Here he remained a short time and returned to Plumas County, and in 1868 again returned to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, located about three miles from Upper Lake, on the Bartlett Springs road. Mr. Jones married, in 1867, Miss Mary E. McCabe, by whom he has seven living children : William, Edward, Franklin, Lucinda, Catherine, Phillip and Zeno; and have lost one: Aaron.
KESEY, WILLIAM. Was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1819. When he was seventeen years of age he became appren- ticed to the cabinet-maker's trade. When he was twenty years of age he went to Lancaster County, that State, where he worked at his trade one year. He then returned to Franklin County, where he worked at his trade until the spring of 1845, when he went to Wyandotte, Ohio, and there worked at his trade for one year. He then returned to his native county and volun- teered for the Mexican War. He was taken sick at once, and after six months he returned to Franklin County, where he remained until 1847. He then went to Ohio with his father, where he clerked in a store until Feb- ruary, 1849, when he started for California, crossing the plains with mule teams. He arrived at Sutter's Fort September 19th of that year. Here he engaged in packing and trading, which he followed until 1851. He then engaged in keeping a hay-yard at Sacramento City, and also owned and conducted a farm a short distance down the river. In 1852 he lost all his city property by fire, and all his farm products by flood. In 1853 he went to Los Angeles, and was engaged in the stock business until 1858. He then went to Yolo County, where he dealt in stock until 1862. He then went to Washoe, where he remained only a few months. He then went to Calaveras County and prospected until the spring of 1863, when he came to Lake County and located at Lower Lake. Here he engaged in carpentering until fall, when he went to Borax Lake and remained there for about four years, engaged at his trade. In the meantime he purchased a tract of land which he moved upon in 1867, and engaged in farming until the spring of 1871. He then sold out and moved to Lower Lake, where he has since resided, being engaged in wool growing since then to some extent. In 1872 he was appointed Postmaster and Notary Public, which positions he held till 1875. He was appointed Deputy Assessor in 1873, and has held that appointment ever since. He was married, May 26, 1864, to Miss Margaret Adams, a native of Missouri, and they have one child living, James, and have lost one.
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KENNEDY, JAMES. Was born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, July 12, 1796. Here he resided on a farm with his parents until 1823, when he, in company with three other men, built a pail factory at New Boston. Just as this institution was proving a success it took fire and burned to the ground. Mr. Kennedy then turned his attention to milling, and was fore- man in different grist-mills for about twenty-seven years. Then, on account of failing health, caused from the dust, he changed his labors to saw-mills, which he followed until 1849, when he sailed from Boston in the bark "Chester," and rounded Cape Horn, arriving at San Francisco, after a rough passage of one hundred and ninety days, in April, 1850. Mr. Kennedy engaged at once in mining, which he followed at different places until June, 1859, when he came to Lake County and settled in Long Valley, where he has since resided. He married, in June, 1823, Miss Phœbe Robie, who died in the spring of 1856 in New Hampshire, leaving six children : Clarinda, Diantha,“Roberta, Hiram, Almus and Esther.
KENNEDY, HIRAM. Was born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, No- vember 20, 1835. His early days were spent in a saw-mill with his father, and in 1849 the father came to California, and Hiram engaged as appren- tice to the mechanic's trade. This he followed until 1854, when he came via Panama to California, and joined his father at Dicksburg, a mining camp in Yuba County. Here he followed mining until 1859, when, with his father, he came to Lake County and settled in Long Valley, where he now resides. Mr. Kennedy married, August 20, 1872, Miss Rosa Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has three children : Alexis, Milo and Albert.
- KERR, WILLIAM. Was born in Tennessee, September 12, 1832. In 1849 he went to Missouri, where he followed farming until the spring of 1853, when he crossed the plains to California with ox-teams, and arrived at Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, on the 22d of October of the above year. Here he was engaged in farming, sheep raising, clerking, and working in a wagon shop until 1874, when he came to Lake County and settled at Upper Lake, where he has since resided. Mr. Kerr married, February 16, 1862, Miss Catharine Bradshaw, a native of Missouri. Their children are, Ida, Isaac and Bell. They have lost five : Eva, Lulu, Willie, Cora and Nellie.
KEATLEY, THOMAS. Was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, April 19, 1826. When eighteen years of age he went to Houston, Texas, where he followed surveying for about one and a half years. In 1846 he volunteered and served in the war with Mexico eight months, after which he returned to Houston and worked in a cabinet shop and saw-mill for two years. He then went to St. Louis, where he remained until the spring of 1850, when
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he crossed the plains to California. After spending about one year in Sacra- mento he went to the southern mines, and after about six months went to Trinity County. Here he followed mining until the fall of 1852, when he made a trip through Lake County to San Francisco, where he remained, being engaged in different business, until 1859, when he returned to St. Louis. Here he remained until 1861, when he again came to San Francisco, where he engaged in contracting and building until 1873, at which timne he went to Cloverdale, Sonoma County, where he spent one year. He then came to Lake County and settled at Upper Lake, where he owns and con- ducts the Upper Lake planing and grist mill. Mr. Keatley married, June 14, 1860, Miss Amelia Gibson, a native of Missouri. They have three children : William T., Fannie P. and Ella F.
KEAN, JOSEPH B. Was born in New Jersey, November 17, 1817. When but a small boy he sailed on board the ship "North Star," of which his uncle was captain, as cabin-boy. After four years he returned home, where he spent one season. He then shipped before the mast as an able seaman for about four years, aboard of different ships. He then took charge of a brig on the northern lakes for about five years. He then went to New Orleans, where he had charge of the schooner " Belle Union " for one year, after which he commanded the " N. B. George" for about seven months. Mr. Kean then returned home, where he remained until the spring of 1847, when he went to South America, and engaged in mining until 1849, when he came to California, arriving at San Francisco May 12th of the same year. He went at once to the mines on the Yuba River, where he followed mining about two years, when he was taken sick with moun- tain fever. He then went to the Sandwich Islands, where he remained about four months; then went back to his birthplace, and after making a short visit settled in De Kalb County, Illinois, where he remained until 1854. He then crossed the plains to California, bringing a drove of about seventy-five cattle. He arrived in Siskiyou County in October of the above year, where he settled, and engaged in dairying for three years, when he sold out, and moved to Petaluma, Sonoma County, where he embarked in the forwarding and commission business until April, 1867, when he came to Lake County, and settled on his present place, consisting of two hun- dred acres, located about three miles south from Upper Lake, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Kean married, in 1837, Miss Bessie M, McKane, a native of Pennsylvania. By this union they have three living children : Sylvester, Laura A. and Sarah J .; and have lost one: Levy M.
KOUNS, A. Was born in Kentucky, December 6, 1843. In 1859 he, in company with his mother, one brother and two sisters-his father being
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Biographical Sketches.
dead-crossed the plains to California. They arrived at Smith Ferry in October of the above year, and resided there until July, 1861, when they came to Lake County. In November, 1871, the subject of this sketch set- tled on his present place, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, located about ten miles south-east from Lower Lake, where he is engaged in wool growing. He married, July 5, 1868, Miss Rosette A. Copsey, who died October 21, 1873, leaving two children : Sarah L., and Jacob, who died March 16, 1874. He married, secondly, March 12, 1876, Miss Emma A. De Wolf, foster-child of C. L. Wilson, by whom he has two living children : Ira M. and Charles L .; they have lost one : Lucy M.
KEBERT, J. J. Was born in Pennsylvania, February 7, 1839. In Feb- ruary, 1856, he came via Panama to California. The first year was spent in the mines of Nevada County, and the next four were spent at the same occupation in Placer County, He next went to Virginia City, where a few months were spent, and then returned to California and spent about six months in the mines at Esmeralda, after which we find him in Yolo County, farming, which he continued until 1864. In 1865 he went to Mexico, and after mining for eight months returned to Yolo and followed dairying and butchering until May, 1878, when he came to Lake County and bought the Pearson Springs property, located about two miles east from Blue Lakes. Mr. Kebert married, January 25, 1881, Miss Antha Holstead, a native of Ontario.
KENYON, SAMUEL W. Was born in Schuyler County, New York, May 12, 1856. In 1870 he, with his parents, emigrated to Kansas, and after a residence of about one year returned to Schuyler County, where they resided until 1875. At this date the subject of this sketch left his parents and came to California. The first six months were spent at the Great East- ern Quicksilver Mine in Lake County, after which he engaged in farming, which he followed for about three years. We next find him engaged in the livery business in Lakeport for about six months, when he changed his res- idence to Middletown, where he is now engaged in keeping a livery stable. Mr. Kenyon married, June 20, 1878, Miss Ella Hudson, a native of Cali- fornia, and daughter of David Hudson of Middletown.
KIPHART, CHARLES. Was born in Clark County, Indiana, June 9, 1828. When he was but a child his parents moved to Johnson County, and after a short residence here they moved to Morgan County. Here farming was prosecuted until 1853, when the subject of this sketch left his parents and crossed the plains to California, arriving in Yuba County in October of the above year. In the fall of 1854 he went to the mines, and followed a miner's life until March, 1855, when he engaged in farming in Suisun Valley, Solano County. Here he remained until December, 1857,
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when he came to Lake County and settled about one mile south from Lower Lake, where he still resides. Mr. Kiphart married, April 11, 1850, Miss Emmarine Henderson, a native of Indiana. By this marriage they have five children : Zerelda, Sarah E., Milton, Ebenezer and Cynthia. ..
"MITCHELL .- Near Mountain House, Napa County, July 18th, I. E. Mitchell, of heart disease, aged fifty- five years.
" OBITUARY .- As a pioneer of Lake County, and the first to erect a house in the village of Lower Lake, the deceased is justly entitled to more than a passing notice. Mr. Mitchell was born in the township of Hensley, Johnson County, Indiana, August, 1826, where he married a daughter of a Mr. Henderson-a sister of Mrs. Calvin Reams and Mrs. Charles Kiphart. In 1853, in company with his father-in-law and family, Mitchell and family left Indiana for California, arriving here near the autumn of that year. In December, 1857, he came to Lower Lake, then a part of Napa County, in company with Reams and Kiphart, and erected the first house in Lower Lake, on the ground on which stands the building now occupied by Luke Evans. In 1859 he sold his claim to E. M. Day, Esq., and after several years' moving over the State returned to Lake County. Mr. Mitchell leaves a wife and three sons, on whom his sudden death falls with crushing weight. In his domestic relations Mr. Mitchell was kind, in- dulgent, and always cheerful. Possessing warm and generous feelings, he made and retained his friends through life, and the writer, with an ac- quaintance of over twenty years, bears testimony to the generous impulses of his heart, now stilled in death. Let us remember and practice his virtues. The dead have no vices."
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