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 98
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 98
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Biographical Sketches.
chased a drove of cattle, which they brought across the plains in 1853. In 1856 Mr. Travis located on Mark West Creek, and discovered the hot springs there. In the fall of 1858 he went to Mendocino County and remained till the fall of 1859, when he sold his cattle, and went to Petaluma and pur- chased an interest in a livery stable. In 1860 he went to Nevada and engaged in mining until 1864, when he returned to California and spent two years in dealing in stock in Sonoma County. In 1866 he settled in Pope Valley, Napa County, where he farmed till 1869. He then moved to Napa City and spent a year. In 1871 he came to Lake County and located in Long Valley, where he has since resided, being engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1855 he took a drove of horses from California to Illinois, and disposed of them in 1856.
VANN, P. W. Was born in Illinois, August 12, 1819. In 1824, his parents moved to Sumner County, Tennessee, where they resided for six years, and in 1830, they moved to Cooper County, Missouri, and in 1836, to Polk County, that State. In 1839, they moved to Newton County, and in 1846 they moved to Greene County. In 1852 the subject of this sketch crossed the plains to California, arriving in Napa Valley October 25th of the above year. Here he resided until the fall of 1853, when he moved to Sonoma County and settled eight miles above Healdsburg, where he fol- lowed farming seven years. He then moved to Potter Valley, Mendocino County, where he followed farming about ten years ; then moved to Point Arena, where he spent one year, and then moved to Ukiah, where he re- sided about one year. We next find Mr. Vann on a cattle ranch in the Eel River country, where he remained one year. . He then, in July, 1874, came to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of forty acres, located about one and one-half miles from Upper Lake. He married, August 14, 1839, Miss Spicy E. Davison. They have six living children : Joel W., William, Sarah E., Martin B., Thomas E. and Alice. They have lost six : John W., Mary J., Ellen M., Martha A., Robert L. and Minnie.
WELCH, HON. S. K. The subject of this sketch was born in Mont- gomery County, Kentucky, August 30, 1829, where he resided until he was about twenty-one years of age. He then moved to Missouri, where he studied law, and was, in due course of time, admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of that State. In 1862 he came to California, and to Lake County in June, 1865, where he has since continuously resided. From March, 1868, till March, 1872, two terms, he held the office of District Attorney of Lake County. He was a member of the Legislature of 1873-4, representing Napa and Lake Counties jointly. He was again elected to that position in 1877-8 by the people of Lake County alone, it being then en- titled to a representative. When Mr. Welch came to Lake County he found
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all the better portion of it claimed by the claimants to a grant, which it was declared had been ceded to their predecessors by the Mexican Govern- ment. Soon after his arrival he was employed by the settlers to take charge of their interests, and to render the United States District Attorney all possible assistance in defeating the claimants. Upon investigation he found the case pending in the United States District Court at San Francisco, where it had been slumbering for some years, after having been sent back to that Court for a new trial by the Supreme Court of the United States, upon a reversal of judgment in favor of the claimants. He succeeded in getting the case docketed and noticed for trial. The trial came up in Sep- tember, 1866, at which the claimants were defeated, and in consequence thereof the settlers got their lands, which even at that time were consider- ably improved and quite valuable. The full history of this transaction will be found in the body of the work to which the reader is referred.
WILLIAMS, DAVID. Son of Stephen H. and Phoebe Ann Williams, second of a family of eight children, was born July 31, 1845, in New York City. In 1850 his father came to California, first removing his family, David being then five years old, to Caldwell, New Jersey. In 1852 his family joined him in San Francisco, Mrs. Williams and the children sailing from New York harbor in May, and reaching San Francisco, by way of Cape Horn, in the September following. For many years and up to the time of his death in June, 1880, Mr. Williams' father was in business as an architect in San Francisco. Mr. Williams' education was acquired mainly in the public schools, though he spent one year in the City College, Rev. George Burrowes, D. D., Principal. Before the completion of his school studies he was employed for six months in an intelligence office. After leaving school he was clerk for three years in a hat store. In 1865 he re- ceived a position in the City and County Surveyor's office, where he remained for eight years, devoting most of his time to field work. Not possessing a robust constitution, in 1873 his health failed. After spending a month in Lake County, with decided benefit, he returned to San Fran- cisco, but was unable to continue work. After trying Los Angeles for a time, without benefit, he returned to Lake County, and made his home at Kelseyville, clerking for some time in the store of W. G. Young. March 5, 1876, he was married to Miss Mary E. Piner, daughter of Mr. Charles A. Piner, of Kelseyville. Their union has been blessed with two children: one, Angelina M., has died ; the other, Howard Piner, is living. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Williams was elected County Treasurer, and in March, 1878, he moved to Lakeport to take charge of the office, a position which he still holds. The public appreciation of his integrity of character, urbanity of manner, and fidelity as an officer, were shown by his re-election in 1879 by a handsome majority over all competitors.
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Biographical Sketches.
WHITE, R. P. Is a native of Barren County, Kentucky, and was born January 5, 1822. When but a child, his parents moved to Gibson County, Tennessee, where they settled on a farm. In 1852 the subject of this sketch left his parents, and crossed the plains with ox-teams, arriving in Contra Costa County September 7, 1853. He settled in San Ramon Valley, where farming was prosecuted until November, 1865, when he came to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of two hundred and thirty-two acres, located in Bachelor Valley, where he is engaged in farming. Mr. White was Road Commissioner during the years 1876-7, and served as Deputy Assessor in 1880. He married, January 15, 1845, Miss Malinda Gilliland, a native of Tennessee. By this union they have seven living children : Emma P., Gustavus H., Susan M., Melcenia T., Alice A., Cheney P. and Olive J .; and have lost one, Casander A.
WALLEN, EZRA. Was born in Jefferson County, New York, Febru- ary 16, 1832. Here he resided on a farm until he was nineteen years of age, when he crossed the plains to California. The first fourteen years of California life were spent in the mines. He then went to San Francisco, and served nineteen months as a California volunteer. We next find Mr. Wallen in Sonoma County, where farming was prosecuted for four years. In July, 1870, he came to Lake County, and located on his present place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, situated about two miles from Rice's mill, where he is engaged in growing vegetables and fruit. Mr. Wallen married, March 26, 1865, Mrs. Harriet M. Johnson, a native of Ohio, by whom he has six children : Adda, David M., George R., Marchie, Char- lotte and Mabel.
WILLIAMS, RICHARD. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Wales, January 23, 1834, and resided in his native country till he was twelve years of age. In 1851 he came to California and began the brewing business in Comptonville, Yuba County, in connection with which he conducted a hotel. In 1867 he came to and took charge of the Harbin Springs, and purchased the property, which he still conducts. He was married, September 17, 1859, to Miss Mary Jones, a native of Wales, born May 22, 1834, and died September 18, 1866. Their children are, William R., born August 14, 1860 ; Margaret, born October 5, 1862 ; Mary A., born August 28, 1866, and died October 26, 1866. He was married, secondly, in 1872, to Mrs. Anna Patton, and by this union has one child, Richard, born May 29, 1875.
WALDFOGEL, MARTIN. Is a native of Switzerland, and was born September 15, 1835. When about eighteen years of age he went to France, where he spent about fifteen months, and then came to New York. After
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visiting New York, Pennsylvania, and Indianapolis, he settled in St. Louis, where he remained about fifteen months. He then went to New Orleans, and shipped for California. Crossing the Isthmus of Panama, he arrived at San Francisco in the spring of 1855. Mr. Waldfogel went at once to Marysville, where he remained about four months ; then went to the mines, where he followed mining until the spring of 1857, when he came to Lake County and located in Long Valley, where he resided about twelve years, and then settled on his present place, consisting of two hundred acres, located about three miles from Upper Lake, on the road to Bartlett Springs. He married, in August, 1871, Miss Emma Hoffner, who died in October, 1873. He married, secondly, June 13, 1877, Miss Caroline Gerr, a native of Prussia.
WILSON, H. H. Was born in Indiana, November 17, 1831. When quite a young man he engaged as an apprentice to the blacksmith trade, which he followed in Indiana until the fall of 1852, when he went to Iowa. Here he followed the same occupation seven years, and then engaged in farming until the spring of 1864, when he crossed the plains to Nevada, where he prosecuted his trade for two years. We next find Mr. Wilson in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California, where he remained until the fall of 1867, when he took up his residence in Lower Lake, Lake County, and opened a shop which he conducted until 1878, when he leased his establish- ment and moved upon a farm about one mile west from that town, where he at present resides. Mr. Wilson married, August 2, 1855, Miss Mary Henkle, a native of Illinois. By this marriage they have five living children : Florence V., Laura E., Katie A., Orville H. and William W .; and have lost one, Frank.
WALLS, BENJAMIN. Was born in Maine, May 31, 1829. When thirteen years of age he took to the sea, which life he followed for about two years. He then returned to Maine and engaged as apprentice to the carriage-making trade, which he followed three years, and the three years following were spent on the sea. In 1852 he rounded Cape Horn and arrived in San Francisco August 13th of that year. After spending about two months in the Bay City, he went to the mines, where he remained but a short time, and returned to Vallejo and secured a situation in the Navy Yard at Mare Island. Here he remained the succeeding twelve years, and then engaged in farming a short distance from Vallejo, Solano County, which he followed for about six years. We next find Mr. Walls residing in Vallejo, where he built a schooner, which he run for about two years. In April, 1873, he came to Lake County, and engaged in hotel-keeping at Lower Lake, which business he has since followed. He has also a drug
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Biographical Sketches.
store a short distance from his hotel, which has been conducted by his daughter, Mary D., for the last three years. He was united in marriage, April 27, 1860, to Miss Ellen L. Holiban. By this marriage they have five living children : Effa E., Mary D., Benicia, Frisbie and Benjamin ; and have lost two: Evalena and Ellen D.
WHITING, ELISHA. Was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, June 25, 1811. Here he resided until 1832, receiving his education in the meantime. In the last named year he engaged in running a packet plying between Plymouth and Boston, which he continued for two years. He then engaged in merchandising for one year. His next move was to Missouri, where he was mate on the steamboat " Rienzi," after which he engaged in the tobacco business and merchandising, which he followed until 1839. He then re- turned to Plymouth, where he was engaged for the next ten years in a shop where iron axles, crowbars, etc., were made. In March, 1849, he started for California on board the ship " Sweden," Captain Cotting, and, coming around the Horn, he arrived in San Francisco August 3d of that year. He pro- ceeded at once to the mines, where he engaged in mining for about one year. He then built a hotel on the road from Sacramento to Hangtown (Placerville), which he conducted for one year. He then disposed of this property and returned to the mines, and followed that occupation for two years at Union Bar, Yuba River. In the winter of 1852 he went to Butte County and built a hotel, four miles from Rabbit Creek, which he conducted till 1859. He then came to Napa City, where one year was spent. He then went to Vallejo, where he took charge of the telegraph office for seven years. In 1871 he came to Lake County and settled seven miles below Kel- seyville, where he conducted a saw-mill until 1874. He then moved to Middletown and took charge of the telegraph and post-offices until 1877, since which time he has been engaged in merchandising in Middletown. Mr. Whiting was married at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1833, to Miss Almira Holmes, a native of that place. They have four living children : Abbie I., Fannie, Mary E. and Elisha F .; and have lost two: Caroline A. and Joseph B.
WILSON, GEORGE W. Is the younger of two brothers, and was born July 19, 1847, in Washington County, Ohio, about seven miles from Mata- moras, on the Ohio River. When he was three years old his father was killed by a falling tree, and one year later his mother died, leaving his brother and himself orphans, the brother six and he but four years old. They were taken to their grandfather Wilson's, in Guernsey County, Ohio, where they found kind friends who ministered to their every want, and where George resided until 1874. He received the rudiments of his educa- tion in the public schools in his district, and afterwards attended select
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schools in Fairview and Barnesville. He also attended Miami Commercial College, in Dayton, Ohio, for eight or nine weeks, his principal instructor and warm friend being Prof. James Vinsonhaler, who died in San José a few years ago, and Kenyon Grammar School two terms. He received his first teacher's certificate when he was fifteen years of age, and taught his first school when but sixteen years old. In this school he taught three terms in succession, and continued to teach in winter and work upon the farm in summer, except while attending school, until 1874, when he moved to Cali- fornia. In his last school in Ohio he taught for four years. In the winter of 1873-4 he was married to Lucy E., eldest daughter of Robert Y. Price, a well-to-do farmer of Belmont County, Ohio, and September 1, 1874, came to California. During the nine years he taught in Ohio he boarded away from home but one term, having taught within two miles of home during the rest of the time. The winter of 1874-5 was spent in Lakeport, principally with J. W. Mackall, who was then in the drug business, part of the time after Christmas having been spent in the offices of Sheriff Ingram and County Clerk W. Mathews, and in teaching with Professor Cooper. February 22, 1875, he moved to Upper Lake and took charge of the school at that place, in which position he remained two years. He then left Upper Lake on account of the ill health of his wife, and moved to Lakeport, where he spent the winter in the office of County Clerk H. A. Oliver, who honored him with the appointment of Deputy Clerk, which position he held for about one year, when he resigned. Mr. Shirley, his successor at Upper Lake, having resigned, he was recalled to the school, where he remained another year. The winter of 1877-8 was spent in San Francisco. At this time he was chosen Principal of the Lakeport Public School. In May, 1878, Lakeport Lodge, No. 34, A. O. U. W., was organized, and he was chosen Recorder, and continued to hold the position until June, 1881, when he resigned, in order to visit his old home. In 1880 he was appointed a member of the Board of Education for Lake County.
WOODS, JAMES LORIMER. The son of Rev. James and Eliza Ann Woods, was born in Madison, Florida, October 19, 1846. He is the third of a family of eight. He is a pioneer, having come to California with his father's family in 1849. His home for many years was in Sonoma County, where he received his education and made his start in life. For two years, in his turn, he was farmer upon his father's place, then received his academical education at Healdsburg ; and at eighteen past began life with teaching district school. He studied law with his maternal uncle, Colonel S. W. Williams, of the law firm of Clark, Williams & Martin, of Little Rock, Arkansas. In the spring of 1868, in his twenty-second year, he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Arkansas, and to the United
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Biographical Sketches.
States Circuit Court of the Eastern District of Arkansas. In the winter of 1869 he was admitted in the Supreme Court of California, and in the United States Circuit Court, District of California. Having opened an office in San Francisco, he was forced to relinquish the practice on account of threatened pulmonary affections, caused by the coast climate. Upon restoration to health, his convictions of duty were changed, and he began the study of theology. Upon the organization of the San Francisco Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church, in 1871, he entered it for the comple- tion of his course of study, and was its first enrolled student. He was married Sept. 17, 1872, to Miss Susan T. Bradley, of Sonoma County, and in December of the same year removed to Lake County. In the spring of 1873, he was regularly ordained as a Presbyterian minister. With some inter- ruption he labored for five years in Lake County. The churches at Kel- seyville and Upper Lake were secured during his ministry. The organization of the Second Presbyterian Church of Clear Lake was effected through his instrumentality. Having been compelled to cease his labors through ill health in the fall of 1878, he, after a year's rest, accepted a call for six months to the Presbyterian Church of Dixon. His old troubles returned in a worse form, suffering an attack of hemorrhage of the lungs. In May, 1880, he returned to Lakeport with the conviction of being physically un- able for the future work of the ministry, and satisfied that the salubrious climate of Lake County, if any, would prolong his life and usefulness. In the latter part of June he enrolled his name as an attorney in the Superior Court, and is now engaged in the practice of law.
YOUNG, W. G. Was born in Richland County, Ohio, August 6, 1835. His father died when he was six years of age, and the young boy had very soon to assume the duties of superintendent of the farm. He remained at his birthplace until 1857, when he went to Illinois, where he followed teaching until the spring of 1860. He then made a trip to Pike's Peak and returned in the fall. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company "H," 27th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served about eleven months, when he was wounded, and in consequence received his discharge. He then went to Ohio, where he remained one year. He then went to Randolph County, Illinois, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he followed until 1873, when he disposed of his interests. In 1875 he came to California and located in Kelseyville, where he engaged in merchandising, which he followed until May, 1880, when he disposed of his business to Messrs. Clen- denin Brothers. Since then he has been engaged in farming and wool growing. He owns about four hundred acres of land, located in Big Valley, near Kelseyville. He was married, October 25, 1866, to Miss Alice O.
19
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Tuthill, a native of Illinois. They have three living children : Orrie E., Willard T. and Charles. They have lost two : Etta A, and Zoe.
YATES, IRA G. Was born in Lee County, Virginia, March 15, 1821. In 1825 his parents moved to Missouri. Here young Ira grew up on a farm and in 1855 went to Kansas, taking with him his wife and four children, which at this time constituted his family. In Kansas, farming was prose- cuted until 1864, when he moved to Montana, where mining was followed in connection with keeping hotel, until 1866, when he returned to Missouri. Here Mr. Yates once more engaged in farming, which he followed until 1870, when he came to California and located at Lower Lake, Lake County, where he has since resided. For the past seven years he has held the office of Constable of Lower Lake Township and Deputy Sheriff two years. He was married, May 25, 1842, to Miss Johanna Shepherd, and the fruits of this union are six living children : Owen C., Rebecca J., Enoch, Levina A., Susie and Sallie. They have lost three : William, James K. P. and Elizabeth.
YOUNG, E. R. Was born in Maine, January 5, 1828. Here he fol- lowed farming until 1853, when he came via Panama to California, arriving at San Francisco, November 17th of the above year. He went at once to Auburn, Placer County, where he followed mining, farming and teaming, until 1858, when he came to Lake County and followed farming in Bachelor Valley, until the fall of 1864, when he went to Humboldt County and spent the winter. Returning to Lake County in the spring of 1865, he settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and sixty-one acres, located at the head of Blue Lake Valley. Here he is engaged in farming. Mr. Young married, October 15, 1873, Miss Dollie M. Green, a native of Maine.
YOUNG, C. M. Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Menard County, Illinois, March 8, 1841, his parents dying when he was but a boy. He lived with his grandfather until he was seventeen years of age, when he commenced farmning for himself. Left for California in April, 1863, with horse-teams. After spending five months in Nevada, he re- turned to Illinois in February, 1864. He started for California a second time in April, 1864, with horse-teams, and went to Sonoma County. There he resided until January, 1867, and then moved to Coyote Valley, Lake County. He lived there four years, and then moved to Loconoma Valley, near Middletown. Lived there one year, and then moved to Middletown, where he bought a half interest in the place. Here he started in the hotel and livery business, in which he is still engaged. Mr. Young married Miss Lutita Berry, November, 20, 1866. They have three boys : Wirt H., Baxter E. and Charles W.
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YOUNG, L. A. Was born in Kentucky, July 23, 1835. In 1842 the family moved to Texas, where they resided until 1844, when they returned to Kentucky. In 1850 the subject of this sketch, his brother, Pembrooke S., and their father, crossed the plains to California, and arrived at French- mans Bar on the South Yuba September 13th of the above year. They engaged at once in mining, which they followed about six months, after which they followed different occupations until 1853, when they commenced farming in Sacramento County. This occupation they followed in Sacra- mento one season ; and in October, 1854, they came to Lake County, and, after spending about two months in Big Valley, settled at Upper Lake, where they prosecuted farming and stock raising until 1856, when they took up their abode in Big Valley. Here the father died May 22, 1872. The subject of this sketch settled on his present place, consisting of sixty- five acres, in 1873. Mr. Young married, December 26, 1864, Miss California M. Thompson, a native of Missouri. Their children are, Annie, Frank, Alma, Walter and Bettie.
EUREKA
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