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 96
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 96
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MATHEWS, WILLIAM RANDOLPH, M. D. (deceased.) Was of English, Scotch and German descent, his English and Scotch ancestors having settled in the Southern Colonies before the Revolution, and taken part with the rebels in the wild warfare of that period. His father was a Baptist minister, and William Randolph, the second son, was born at Cov- ington, Kentucky, opposite Cincinnati, November 10, 1809. He afterwards moved to Ohio, lived awhile at Chillicothe, and was a foreman in the work on the Wabash and Erie Canal. Removing to Indiana, he taught school near Rushville, and located at Shelbyville, where he was married to Martha Jane Meloy. Having engaged in a course of study with Dr. Morris at Shelbyville, he procured a medical library and moved west, settling in south- west Missouri, where he engaged in the practice of medicine in Green and Polk Counties. Dr. Mathews was among the early settlers of Lower Lake. Having crossed the plains in 1854, and imported some thoroughbred stock, he procured a band of California horses and formed a partnership with his nephew, C. N. Copsey, for raising draft horses, a business which they
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continued.for many years. The land claim on which he lived at the time of his death was bought in 1854, and he brought out his family from Missouri, in 1856. As no regular schools were then organized in the Clear Lake country, he removed with his family to Yountville, Napa County, where he engaged in the practice of medicine. He represented Napa County, then including Lake, in the Legislature of 1858, and was the Democratic candi- date for the Senate from this district at the following term, but Henry Edgerton, his opponent, was elected. Having removed to Lake in 1860, he was at the special election in 1861 elected County Clerk, and assisted in organizing the most economical county government in the State. Dr. Mathews always owned and conducted a farm, and gave much of his time to agricultural pursuits, and was at various times engaged in commer- cial and manufacturing enterprises, but with indiffernt success. He never graduated from any college, commencing life in the Western States when educational facilities were limited, and depending on his own resources for a livelihood. From a sense of honor and a peculiar idea of propriety he refused the degree of M. D., which was tendered him by Dr. McDowell's Medical College. He at one time conducted a private class in the study of medicine, and his students passed their degrees at the medical college at St. Louis. He always held the highest regard for the authority of the medical schools, and was himself always a hard student, keeping abreast with the medical literature of the day, but he regarded the distinction of being a a self-made man as an honor equal to any which could be conferred by an institution of learning. He never sought for or desired any higher recog- nition of his professional skill than was afforded by his own abundant success as a practitioner. He was generally on intimate terms and friendly relations with his acquaintances in the faculty, and only abandoned the practice of medicine as a business when his years and infirmities called for rest. In the duties of his professional life a generous and charitable dispo- sition ever stood in the way of his financial success, and he always regarded it as an honorable privilege and duty to minister to the wants of the poor and friendless. Politically, Dr. Mathews was a Democrat, having always worked earnestly for that organization since the dissolution of the Whig party at the election of Harrison and Tyler. He took a deep interest in all local enterprises, educational, charitable, and political, and too often made a personal sacrifice to promote the success of such undertakings. He was possessed of strong passions, but made it a rule of life and honor to keep them within due bounds. He was of a steady, muscular temperament, and capable of great endurance. Having a resolute disposition he was a vigilant foe, and a true and faithful friend. The traits of his character were moral, but not distinctively religious. Of a dignified demeanor, urbane and sociable, he placed a high value on a good reputation ; and elevation
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and refinement of feeling, dignity and honor, were among the personal qualities which he most admired and esteemed among men. In his last years he was affected with paralysis. Dr. Mathews died at his homestead near Lower Lake, October 6, 1880, after a lingering illness.
MUNZ, MARCUS. Is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and was born April 21, 1835. When he was but a child, his parents moved to Iowa. At the age of fifteen Marcus engaged with the American Fur Company, with whom he remained until 1857. He then went to Fort Laramie, and acted as interpreter and did trading with the Indians for two years. He then went to the Indian Nation, where he remained until 1862, when he went to Kansas and engaged in farming until 1875, when he came to California, and after spending a short time at Dixon, came to Lake County, and located at Middletown, where he is engaged in the brewing business. Mr. Munz married, March 6, 1864, Miss Mary Robertson, a native of Indiana. Their children are, Andrew, Chrysanthea, William, Alice and Emma. They have lost one, Rosie.
OLIVER, H. A. The subject of this sketch was born in Pekin, Taze- well County, Illinois, April 12, 1843. When he was but a child, his parents moved to Chicago, where his mother died when H. A. was only six years old. In 1850 the father came to California, leaving the boy with his grandparents for a short time, when they died. He then attended school, and worked out at times, until April, 1861, when he was found among the first who "went at their country's call," and enlisted as private in Com- pany "E," 16th Regiment Illinois Volunteers. Although entering the service as a private, he was in a short time promoted to the office of Sergeant, then Orderly Sergeant, and finally was chosen as Captain of Company "G," 154th Illinois Volunteers. In all he served about four and a half years, and at the close of the war was mustered out of the service at Springfield, Illinois. He then returned to Carthage, Illinois, and engaged in clerking in a store in Hancock County. At the end of sixteen months he went to Kansas, and was engaged in farming and merchandising until 1871, when he came to California. He came to Lake County in October of that year, and engaged in farming in Coyote Valley until 1875, when he was elected to the position of County Clerk, which office he still holds, giving entire satisfaction to the people of the county. In his official and social relations Mr. Oliver is a pleasant and genial gentleman, and in his office no more accommodating man can be found. He was married February 22, 1867, to Miss Sarah J. Howard, a native of Ohio, and their children are Lizzie, Mettie, Bertha and Charles E.
PINER, C. A. Was born in Callaway County, Missouri, December 6, 1827. When about ten years of age his parents moved to Dade County,
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that State, where they resided until 1849, when they concluded to visit the land of gold, and accordingly set sail in a "prairie schooner," and after a tedious journey across the plains arrived at Lassen Ranch October 6th of the above year. The subject of this sketch engaged at once in mining, which he followed for one year ; then went to Sonoma County and engaged in dairying near Santa Rosa until 1858, when, on account of failing health, he moved to Mendocino County and settled about three miles south from Ukiah. Here he followed farming and stock raising until 1861, when he came to Lake County and prosecuted his former occupation for about eight years, just west from Kelseyville. He then settled on his present place, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, located about one mile from Kelseyville, at the foot of Uncle Sam Mountain, where he is engaged in dairying and wool growing. Mr. Piner married, March 2, 1848, Miss Sarah A. Hand, a native of Tennessee. By this union they have nine living chil- dren: George W., Eliza J., Sarah C. Mary E., Charles S., John S., Matilda L., William H. and Rosie M. They have lost one, Anna V.
PHILLIPS, C. W. Was born in Iowa, October 12, 1850. When four- teen years of age he, with parents, crossed the plains to California, and arrived in Contra Costa County in October, 1864. Here they engaged in farming which business they prosecuted until 1871, when they came to Lake County and settled on a farm near Pearson Springs. His father is at pre- sent residing at the toll-house on the road leading from Lakeport to Middle- town, which road he has leased. The subject of this sketch is conducting the farm above mentioned. He was married, September 16, 1878, to Miss Ettie Smith, a native of California.
PALMER, JASPER V. Was born in Steuben County, New York, Sep- tember 29, 1836. When eleven years of age his parents moved to Illinois. Here young Jasper resided with his parents on a farm until 1854, when he concluded to go West, and accordingly set sail in a " prarie schooner," and crossed the plains, arriving in California sometime in October of the above year. The first year was spent in mining and the second in farming at Yreka. He then returned via Panama to New York, and after a short time went to Illinois, where farming was prosecuted until 1860, when he again crossed the plains and arrived late in the fall. The winter was spent at Marysville, and in the spring of 1861 we find him engaged in the wood busi- ness in Silver City, Nevada, which he followed for about eighteen months. He next engaged in farming in Yolo County until 1870, at which time he came to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of four hundred acres, located in Morgan Valley. Farming, stock raising and wool growing comprise his business. Mr. Palmer married, October 22, 1859, Miss Deborah Wing, a native of New York. By this union they have five living
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children : Carrie, Alice, Frances Nettie, and Jasper; and have lost one, Eddie.
POSTON, DALLAS. Was born in Virginia, January 9, 1844. When he was fifteen years of age he, with his parents, moved to Missouri. Here they followed farming until the spring of 1870, when the subject of this sketch went to Crawford County, Kansas, where he prosecuted farming until 1874. At this date he came to California and located at the Great Western Quicksilver Mine, where he still resides, being engaged in butcher- ing. Mr. Poston married, January 29, 1864, Miss Mary J. Funk, a native of Missouri. By this union they have six children : William, Cora, Charles, Emery, Ira and Evan ; and have lost two, Vina and Sarah.
PHELAN, N. Is a native of Ireland, and was born in the city of Kil- kenny in 1832. In 1845 he came to the United States, and in 1850 he came via Panama to California. He came to Lake County in August, 1857, and in 1864 was elected to the position of County Assessor, which office he held by re-election until 1868. From 1874 to 1878 he held the office of deputy sheriff, and was deputy clerk from 1878 to 1880. In 1879 he was elected County Assessor, which office he now holds.
QUIGLEY, R. V. S. Was born in Jefferson County, West Virginia, December 7, 1833. His father was a physician. Young Quigley attended school till he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Hagerstown, Mary- land, and engaged at clerking for two years. He then returned home and began reading medicine under his father. Finding this too confining, he went to Norfolk and began his former occupation, which he followed till he came to California. He crossed the plains, and arrived in Sutter County in September, 1853. In the fall of 1854 he began work on a ranch, and fol- lowed it for about six years. He was then in the sheriff's office as deputy and under sheriff for about eight years. He then spent a short time in the livery business in Yuba City. In 1870, on account of ill-health, he came to Lake County and settled on his present place in the lower end of Long Valley. He represented Lake County in the Legislature in 1875-6. He was married, June 13, 1864, to Miss Margaret E. Linder, a native of Illinois. Their living children are, Nannie, Robert, Mary, Thomas and Lucy ; and they have lost John and Julia.
ROCCA, ANDREW. This gentleman, whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Italy, October 8, 1838. At the age of fifteen he came to California and located in Mariposa County, where he en- gaged in mining for three years. He then went to Tuolumne County and followed mining on the Tuolumne River for about one year. He then pur- chased a ditch which he conducted for about six years, using the water in his own operations and selling it to others. He then disposed of his ditch
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and returned to Mariposa County and purchased the celebrated Bower Cave Mine, where he mined for fourteen months. Then, on account of poor health, he went to San Francisco, where he was treated for about four months. While here he bought into the Golden Rock Water Company's ditch in Tuolumne County, and returned to that county, where he remained for eight years. He then proceeded to Shasta County and became interested in the Spring Creek Ditch Mining Company, and remained there about sixteen months. While there in 1876 he was elected by the Directors as Superin- tendent of the Great Western Quicksilver Mine, in Lake County, where he has since resided. He is a thorough-going, practical miner, and is the right man for the position he holds. He was married, April 14, 1880, to Miss Mary Thompson.
ROSEBROUGH, J. W. Was born in Virginia, October 13, 1813. When he was seventeen years of age his parents moved to Missouri, where they followed farming for twelve years. The subject of this sketch enlisted in the Mexican War and served for fourtecn months. He then returned to Missouri, where he remained until May, 1849, when he started across the plains for California. On arriving he engaged at once in mining, which he followed until the succeeding June, when he opened a store at Ringold, near Hangtown. This business he prosecuted until July, 1851, when he sold out and moved to Sacramento, where hotel-keeping was followed about ten months. We next find Mr. Rosebrough in Yolo County, farming, where he remained until October, 1866, at which time he came to Lake County and settled near Kelseyville, where his former occupation was resumed until 1868, when he settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, located about three miles north from Rice's mill. He was married, April 2, 1851, to Miss Catharine Patton, a native of Alabama. They have two living children, Jennettie and Eliza; and have lost two, Robert and Sarah.
RANTZ, WILLIAM D. Was born in Indiana, December 25, 1841. When twelve years of age he, with his parents, moved to Wisconsin, and when seventeen years old he crossed the plains to California, leaving his parents behind. On arriving at Placerville, September 17, 1850, he engaged at once in mining, which he followed about eighteen months. He then en- gaged in dairying in El Dorado County, which he continued until 1874, when he sold out and came to Lake County and settled on his present place, con- sisting of four hundred acres, located in the lower end of Scotts Valley, about seven miles from Lakeport, where he is engaged in farming. Mr. Rantz married, December 21, 1864, Miss Amelia T. Glines, a native of Iowa. Their children are, Stephen H., Nellie M., Leonard A., William A. and Maud. They have lost two: Flora M. and Eva.
Andrew Povera
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REYNOLDS, ROBERT G. Was born near Mifflentown, in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, in 1841. Here he resided on a farm until he was fourteen, when he was sent to school at the Tuscarora Academy, where he remained four years. He then went to Illinois, where he taught school for six years. He then returned to Pennsylvania, and enlisted in the 198th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served first as private and afterwards as hospital steward, till the close of the war. Then, returning to Illinois, he taught school for one year at Rockwood, Randolph County, where, on De- cember 25, 1866, he was married to Miss Minnie Clendenin, a native of Illinois. He then engaged in merchandising, first in partnership with Wil- liam G. Young, now of Kelseyville, and afterwards as a druggist alone, at Steeles Mills and Coulterville, till 1873. During the years 1869 to 1871 he attended the St. Louis Medical College, from which he graduated March 9, 1871. In September, 1873, he moved with his family to California and settled at Upper Lake, where he engaged in merchandising and the practice of medicine until June, 1881, when he removed to Lakeport, where, on the 23d of the same month, he was bereaved of his excellent wife by death. He has seven living children, five boys and two girls, named Hattie Grace, Harry C., Robert G., William C., Minnie Bell, Frederic A. and John H. He is associated in the mercantile business with Godwin Scudamore, of Scotts Valley, having stores in Lakeport, Upper Lake and Bartlett Springs.
READ, JOSEPH L. Was born in Scott County, Kentucky, July 29, 1837. When he was but a child his parents moved to Sullivan County, Missouri, where they resided on a farm for fifteen years. In 1852 they crossed the plains to California, arriving at Diamond Springs October 15th of that year. In the spring of 1853 they moved to Sacramento County, where they followed mining until 1857, when they went to Solano County and engaged in farming, near Dixon. In 1861 the subject of this sketch began farming on his own account, which he prosecuted until 1874. He then came to Lake County, and settled on a farm about two miles from Middletown, where he was engaged in that occupation until 1878. Since that time he has been engaged in farming on rented land and in construct- ing roads until January, 1881, when he was appointed Postmaster at Middle- town, which position he is now holding. In March, 1881, he was appointed a Notary Public in and for Lake County by Governor George C. Perkins. Mr. Read was married, October 31, 1861, to Miss Margaret C. Davis, a native of Illinois, and they have five living children : Susan L., John W. G., Joseph Lee, Johanna E. and Thomas A .; and have lost three: George E., Jane and Ella.
RIFFE, WINCHESTER. Was born in Green County, Kentucky, February 7, 1824. When he was but a child his parents moved to Mis- souri, where the subject of this sketch remained until 1846, when he
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crossed the plains to California. In 1847 he returned across the plains to Missouri, and from there, in the spring of 1848, went to Mexico, where he served in the Mexican War until the fall of that year, and in 1849 he again crossed the plains to California. After spending one winter in the mines he engaged in farming near Stockton, which he followed about seven years. The next four years were spent in the stock business, and in 1865 he car to Lake County, and at present owns about one hundred and sixty acres, situated about two miles east from Upper Lake, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Riffe married, August 15, 1849, Miss Lucy A. Maxwell, and their living children are, Abram T., James H., Mary M., Jessie S., John W., Winchester, Calvin, Lucy M., Richard A. and Jacob C .; and they have lost three : Leonard, William L. and Sarah M.
RADCLIFF, WILLIAM P. Was born in Virginia, April 7, 1837. Here he resided until 1858, when he came via Panama to California, and arrived at San Francisco May 28th of the above year. The first five years of his California life were spent on a farm in San Joaquin County. He then took a drove of horses to Shasta County, where he spent the winter of 1863-4, and in the spring of 1864 he went to Washington Territory. Here he spent one year, and then went to Montana, and after mining for about nine months, he returned to Shasta County, California, and engaged in stock raising. Here he remained until 1869, when he went to Oregon, and, after a short stay, came down overland to Mendocino County, California, where he followed stage-driving for a short time. He then returned to Virginia. Here he engaged in the lumber trade for one year, and then, in the winter of 1870, returned to California and located about two miles above Upper Lake, where he farmed, and also conducted the stage line leading from Lakeport to Bartlett Springs, until 1873. In 1871 Mr. Radcliff, in company with Dr. Dexter Witter, bought the property known as Witter Springs, and in 1873 he moved upon the property, where he has since resided. In 1880 the subject of this sketch bought Dr. Witter's interest in the property, and conducted it alone, as well as a stage line between Lake- port and Ukiah, until the summer of 1881.
ROBINSON, JESSE B. Was born in Missouri October 4, 1824. At the age of twenty-one he began an apprenticeship to the tanner's and cur- rier's trade in St. Genevieve County, that State, and at the end of eighteen months he was put in charge of the establishment, where he remained for about the same length of time. In March, 1849, he started across the plains for California, and arrived in Sacramento in September, where he spent the winter, engaged in hotel-keeping. In the spring of 1850 he went to the mines, where he remained until the fall of 1851, when he settled at Plumas, on the Feather River, and engaged in hotel-keeping for about two and a half years. He then farmed till 1857, when he came to Lake County
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and settled on his present place, consisting of two hundred and thirty acres, about two miles south of Upper Lake, where he has since resided, being engaged in stock raising and farming. He was married, November 20, 1855, to Miss Eliza Pickett, a native of Ireland. Their children are, Thomas B., Emma F., John L., Eliza E. and Jennie B.
SCUDAMORE, GODWIN. Whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Herefordshire, England, November 28, 1824. He resided there until 1844, receiving, in the meantime, his education. In that year he came to America, landing in New York in November. He remained in New York but a short time, and then proceeded to New Orleans, where he worked in a tobacco factory for about one year. He then went to Cin- cinnati, where he spent one summer. He spent the winter following in New Orleans, and returned to Cincinnati in the spring, and located about nine miles from that city and engaged in farming. In March, 1853, he moved to Randolph County, Illinois, where he followed farming until July, 1862. He then enlisted in the United States Army, Volunteer Service, and was elected Second Lieutenant, which position he held until the following March, when he was promoted to the First Lieutenancy. Mr. Scudamore was cap- tured and placed in the notorious Libby Prison at Richmond, where he was confined for nine months. He, with others, then made a bold strike for liberty, and he was fortunately successful. They managed to work a tunnel through under the walls of the prison, and on the night of February 9, 1864, he passed out and made good his escape. He immediately re-entered the service, and was shortly afterwards promoted to the position of Captain, and had command of two companies until the close of the war. He was engaged in many of the hardest battles of the Rebellion. After being mus- tered out of service, he returned to Randolph County, Illinois, where he resumed farming, in connection with merchandising, and continued thus engaged until October, 1869, when he came to California. After spending about one month in the vicinity of St. Helena, Napa County, he came to Lake County and settled on his present place in Scotts Valley, which con- sists of five hundred and sixty acres ; and is also interested in a store at Lakeport, Upper Lake, and at Bartlett Springs, in connection with R. G. Reynolds, under the firm name of Scudamore, Reynolds & Co. Mr. Scuda- more is a thorough-going business man, and a gentleman in the true sense of the word. His pleasant business relations with all prove the truth of the assertion, and his enterprise is evinced by the thoroughness with which he does whatever he puts his hand to. Married, September 17, 1849, Caro- line A. Hampton Colby, who died January, 1866, leaving four children : Charlotte, Sarah J., Alice and Mary. He married, secondly, Miss Mary Clendenin, October 15, 1866, and by this union there are three living children : Lora E., Dick and Nannie. They have lost one, Joseph H.
18
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SLEEPER, JEROME M. Was born in Vermont, December 17, 1840. When he was but a child his parents moved to Buffalo, where about six years were spent, when they returned to Chelsea, Vermont, where he resided with his parents until March, 1863, when he sailed for California, and arrived April following. He at once settled on a ranch about one mile west from Upper Lake, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Sleeper married, August 22, 1874, Miss Mary E. Sleeper, a native of California. By this union they have three children : Flora J., Ellery D. and Mary E.
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