USA > California > Solano County > History of Solano County...and histories of its cities, towns...etc. > Part 46
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KINLOCH, JOHN G., a native of this county, born in Benicia, Solano county, California, April 13, 1855. Came to Suisun in company with his parents in December, 1859. Here he lost both father and mother. His father, James W. Kinloch, was a native of South Carolina. He died February 9, 1861. His mother, a native of Florida, died February 11, 1878. The subject of this sketch was educated in Suisun, at the high school, after which he entered the store of E. D. Perkins, as clerk, in 1873, and has since been constantly in his employ. He is a young man of ability, and not only has the confidence of his employer, but has the esteem and good will of all who know him.
LAMONT, GEORGE A., was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, June 19, 1844. In 1847 moved with his parents to Little Rock, Arkansas, and in 1850
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proceeded with them to Boone county, Kentucky, where he commenced his early education. In September, 1854, they came to Solano county and settled in Vallejo, where he received the ground of that education which has since stood him in such good stead. In 1861 he went to the Collegiate Institute at Benicia, where he graduated in 1863, taking a high position in the law department. Was admitted to practice in 1865, and was elected District Attorney in 1869, taking his seat in 1870. Came to Fairfield in 1876, where he has since continued in the practice of his pro- fession. Married Hattie E., daughter of John E. Yount, and has one daughter, Ellen.
LE GRO, RICHARD P., was born in Cumberland county, Maine, July 4, 1844. Here his parents died, and he went to Boston, Massachusetts, re- siding there until the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, when he en- listed in the Twenty-fifth Maine Volunteer Infantry, a regiment raised for the nine months' service, and honorably discharged at the expiration of the term. In 1863 we find him in Norfolk, Virginia, whither he had gone to work in the gas-works, with a brother-in-law, for nine months; after which he returned to Boston, again enlisting, in the regular army, serving three years, and discharged at the barracks in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1868. After returning to Boston on a visit, he came to Suisun, arriving October, 1868, securing a place in the Suisun City Mills, which he still occupies. Married, in this city, Miss Kate, daughter of C. D. Smith, July 4, 1872. Bertie L. and Eva A. are their children.
LEITHEAD, WILLIAM, native of Roxburgh, Scotland, born March 28 1838. His parents emigrated to Canada when he was but six months old. Here he received his education, and learned the trade of carpenter. At the age of twenty-two years he emigrated to California, arriving in San Francisco June 3, 1859, and immediately came to this county, where he labored on a farm for nearly two years, when he went to Nevada and followed teaming for sixteen months, and then returned to this county, and worked for S. K. Nurse two years. In June, 1865, he returned to Canada and spent three years, and one year in Illinois, returning to this county in 1869. After following his trade one year he engaged in farm- ing with his brother James, for two years. In the Spring of 1874 took a trip to Carson, and returned in the Fall of 1875, since which time he has followed his trade. In February, 1879, he purchased a farm of four hun- dred and eighty acres, four miles due north from Suisun, and will make farming his business in future.
LEMON, JOHN B., son of the Honorable J. M. Lemon, was born in Clark county, Indiana, on December 19, 1825, and ten years later he moved to La Porte, Indiana, at which place he was educated. In 1849 he
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came to California, and was one of that great number of pioneers who have done so much to place this State in the proud position it holds in America. On first arriving Mr. Lemon settled in El Dorado county, where he resided two years, occasionally engaging in mining; while, during the Winter of 1849-50, he was located at Kelsey's Dry Diggings, where he opened and managed a store for general merchandise. From thence he went to Coloma, where he remained a short time and pursued the same occupation. In the Spring of 1850 he transferred his interests to Green- wood Valley, and was the first to establish a mercantile store in that place; and in the following Spring returned to Indiana, and at La Porte married, on April 1, 1852, Miss Hattie A., daughter of Dr. A. Miller, of that place, after which he returned to California, driving across the plains a herd of cattle. In September, 1852, he settled in Green Valley, Solano county, where he resided until May 1, 1856, at which date he purchased the interest of Jones & Samuels in their dry-goods store in Suisun City, which he in turn sold out in 1861, and embarked in the occupation of sheep raising, being at one time the largest buyer of wool in the county, Mr. Lemon has been inseparably connected with the political history of the county since his residence in it, and has been elected to the prominent position of County Treasurer on the several general elections held on September 6, 1865, September 4, 1869, September 1, 1875, and September 5, 1877. His children are, H. Jennie, Mamie, Dennie.
MANKA, CHRISTLEY, was born in Bautorte county, Va., April 23, 1814, and resided there till 1836, when he went to Montgomery county, Indiana ; thence to Peoria, Ills., where he stayed for a short time, and then pro- ceeded to Lewis county, Mo., where he remained till 1849, when he made the trip across the Plains to California, arriving at Sacramento, (Sutter's Fort,) on September 17th of that year. Went to the mines on Yuba creek shortly after, where he stayed for a few months, and then went to the Upper Yuba, and there principally engaged in storekeeping and min- ing till June, 1852, when he came to this district, and has been a contin- uous resident in the township ever since, except during the years 1864-5, when he was a resident of Bridgeport, after which he came to his present abode and farm of one hundred acres.
MARSHALL, CHARLES KNOX, County Recorder, and a native of Howard, county, Mo., was early sent to district schools, where he laid the founda- tions for a higher education, which he received in Benicia, Solano county, at Charles M. Blake's Collegiate Institute, now known as St. Augustine's Academy. At the age of twelve his parents moved from Howard county, Mo., to Saline, where the subject of this memoir abode until 1852, when he came to this State, settling in Yolo county. January, 1853, he settled
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near Collinsville, Solano county, but subsequently made a permanent resi- dence in Benicia. He was born January 10, 1837. Leona, daughter of Alexander Irvine, was the name of his wife, now deceased. Pauline and Lulu are their children.
MAXWELL, J. C., is a native of Niagara Falls, Niagara county, N. Y., and born June 10, 1854. He, with parents, moved to Chicago, Ills., in 1857; thence to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1864, where he attended the common schools of that city ; then sent to the Shattock Grammar School, at Faribault, Minn., remaining three years, and there acquired those fundamental les- sons that eventually ripened into a liberal knowledge of the practical affairs of life. His parents, in the meantime, having moved to Omaha, Neb., where the subject of this sketch repaired at the close of his school days, and was appointed, by the Union Pacific Railroad Co., as telegraph operator, commencing this work in the fall of 1869. In the fall of 1874 he emigrated to this State, settling in Davisville, Yolo county, and was in the employ of the C. P. R. R. Co. for one year and three months, when he was transferred to Suisun, as station agent for that company, which office he is in possession of at the present writing.
MILLER, ALLEN C., is a native of Lancaster county, Pa., where he was born, October 30, 1832. In 1833 his parents moved to Erie, Pa., and his father, Dr. A. Miller, was engaged in business with John A. Tracy, under the firm-name of Miller & Tracy. The family, in 1842, emigrated to La Porte, Ind., where the subject of this sketch received his education, under the direction of Prof. Cummings. Here Mr. Miller's father died, and he with his mother and brother-in-law, J. B. Lemon, came to this State, settling in Green Valley township, Solano county, in September, 1852. The fol- lowing year we find him mining at Jackson, Amador county, Cal., in the Placer diggings ; but in July, 1856, he returned to this county, and en- gaged in mercantile pursuits till April, 1864, when he took up his abode in Suisun City. Has been Deputy County Treasurer since the election of John B. Lemon to that office. Mr. Miller has maintained a continued residence in this county since his coming here, except one year's visit to La Porte, Ind., which he made in 1867.
MILLER, JOHN, born in Wurtemburg, Germany, August 19, 1834. Emi- grated to the United States in 1851, settling in Philadelphia, Pa., from which place he emigrated on February 22, 1856, settling in San Francisco, Cal. Came to Suisun in 1865, and opened his bakery, which business he has followed to the present time. He was educated in Germany, and those principles of honesty and integrity are deep-seated in his character, which makes him respected wherever he lives. Margaret, a native of
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Ireland, and a daughter of John Lyons, he married April 26, 1866. Mary, Freddie, and Celia are his children.
MILES, JAMES L., born in Davidson county, Tennessee, near Nashville, March 3, 1822. His mother died when he was about eight years old ; his father, H. D. Miles, married a second wife. He remained on the farm where he was raised until he was about sixteen years old; he then left the old homestead and walked one hundred miles to the mouth of Cum- berland river, or the town of Smithland, in Kentucky, where he engaged as a common hand on the steamboat " Rio," H. H. Harrison, commander: he continued to be engaged in steamboating on various boats and in dif- ferent capacities until the 5th of April, 1850, when he left Nashville, Tenn., for California. The last five years of his steamboating he was en- gaged as pilot on different boats. He left Nashville in company with Stephen J. Buckhout and wife, and Thomas L. Bowers, for California. Bowers and himself arrived at Hangtown on the 20th of August, 1850 ; he worked in the mines until the latter part of September, then he walked to Sacramento city, where he hired to one Capt. Harding, to mow grass, down below the city, where he worked until he was taken sick ; he then returned to the city, and remained there a few days, until he felt able to travel; he then walked to Suisun valley, where he arrived the 21st of October, 1850, with just one dollar and twenty-five cents in his pocket, and all the clothes he had in the world he had on his back, and one blanket. He walked to Benicia, and gave seventy-five cents of his coin for dinner ; he then returned to Suisun, located here and went to work at whatever work he could get, receiving four dollars per day for work. He married Mary J. Quentien, daughter of Allen Quentien, the 18th day of December, 1851. She, in company with her father and brother William, and a negro man, Isaac, crossed the plains in 1850, and settled in Suisun valley in October; she and her father were from Mill creek, four miles from Nashville, Davidson county, Tenn. He commenced to farm in 1851, rais- ing barley and potatoes; he shipped the first produce (potatoes) from Sui- sun City, in July, 1852; he shipped them on the schooner "Ann Sophia," Josiah Wing captain and owner. The potatoes were sold in San Francisco for 92 cents per pound. November 5, 1857, he returned to his native State on a visit ; returned to California in February, 1858. In December, 1858, moved to the Montezuma hills, and lived on a ranch near Nurse's Landing, taking care of cattle; moved from there, in 1861, six miles northwest of Rio Vista, where he lived eight years ; his wife died here, the 16th of February, 1866, and left him with an only child, and she blind ; sold his ranch here in October, 1869 (480 acres); then returned to Suisun Valley, and in July, 1870, bought a farm of ninety acres, of Lewis Pierce, where he now lives. Married a second wife, Malinda An-
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geline Mckinley, June 7, 1877, she having three children: Samuel, Eliza- beth J., and Alice Lee. He crossed the plains with mule teams ; was one hundred days from the Missouri river to Hangtown, now Placerville.
MURRAY, ALEXANDER, is a native of Earltown, Colchester, Nova Scotia. Born May, 1847. He learned the trade of shoemaker in his native coun- try, and worked at it until May, 1868, when he emigrated to California, and settled in Suisun, this county, working at his trade, where it is hoped he will last long enough to repair all the soles. This done and his mis- sion will be complete.
McCREARY, D., was born in York county, Pa., July 13, 1830, and with parents moved to Crawford county, Ohio, where he was educated. In 1848 went to Ashland, Ashland county, Ohio, and in 1854 emigrated to Cali- fornia, crossing the plains with J. L. Sanborn, arriving in the Suisun val- ley in August of that year. He paid Mr. Sanborn $100 to be taken across the plains, all the money he possessed. Having in early life learned the gunsmith's trade, he was selected as the blacksmith for the party, he being the nearest approach to that kind of a workman among their number. A horse which he brought with him he sold before arriving in the valley for $200, but sent the money home. It will be seen he commenced life in this country without means, but by prudence and economy he gathered together a sufficient amount to buy a portion of his present estate, southwest from Suisun, and has since added to it, until now he owns 760 acres of fine valley land. He moved to Suisun City in 1878, to educate his children. Married Mary, daughter of John McKnight, a native of St. Joseph county, Ind., April 24, 1866. They have Sadie and Howard.
McDONALD, D. C., of the firm of Hall, Hill & McDonald, was born in Nova Scotia, April 8, 1848. Emigrated from his native country to Cali- fornia, settling in this county, near Collinsville, in 1869; the following year he came to Suisun, and was engaged in farming until September, 1877, when he joined partnership in the livery business with the above gentlemen.
PALMER, A. M., LYMAN LUTHER, was born August 30,1850, near Medora, Macoupin County, Illinois. His father's name was Luther Bateman Palmer, a native of Knox county, Ohio, and his mother's maiden name was Louisa A. Brainard, a native of Addison county, Vermont ; entered college, October 21, 1866, at Blackburn University, Carlinville, Illinois ; graduated with honors from the Classical Department, June 12, 1873, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. June 11, 1877, he had the
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honor of having the degree of Master of Arts conferred upon him by his Alma Mater. June 25th, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Maria Frances Nantz. She was born near Carlinville, Macoupin county, Illinois. Her father's name was Edmund Walton Nantz, a native of Kentucky, and her mother's maiden name was Louisa Julia Bainbridge. June 26, 1873, L. L. Palmer and wife started for California, and located at Rio Vista, when he engaged in mercantile business for a while. He was Principal of the Public School for one year, spent a part of a year in Oakland, being connected with the press of that city, returned to Rio Vista and taught another year, and then began the publication of the Rio Vista Gleaner. In February, 1879, he became connected with the Solano Republican, and at present resides in Suisun. He has three daughters, the oldest, Sarah Estella, was born November 23, 1874 ; the second, Vesta Louisa, was born October 21, 1876, and the third, Clara Belle, was born December 19, 1878.
PALMER, S. G., the subject of this memoir, the youngest son of Phillip and Ann A. Palmer, was born in Mason county, Kentucky, August 14th, 1840, removing, with the family, to Johnson county, Missouri, in 1844. Here he remained till 1853, when, with his parents, he removed to Solano county, Cal., where he has maintained a continuous residence, locating in business in Suisun city, in 1867.
May 5th, 1865, he united his fortunes with Elizabeth T. Smith, daughter of C. D. Smith. The result of the union being a handsome business competence, and the family supplement of two bright children, Ethel A., and Clyde H. October 15th, 1870, Mr. Palmer was commissioned Post- master, at Suisun city, his commission being signed by Postmaster-Gen- eral John A. J. Creswell, which position he still fills. In May, 1879, he was elected to and entered upon the duties of the somewhat responsible, though not lucrative office, of Town Trustee. In addition to his public services, in a Federal and Municipal capacity, he also served Cristal School District one term, as Assessor and Collector, and has ever mani- fested a deep interest in the cause of true education, and the general dissemination of wholesome knowledge; having himself enjoyed the ad- vantages of a liberal education, and the conferment of the College degree of A. B., in May, 1864, after patiently pursuing the necessary course of study to entitle him thereto.
PANGBURN, GARRETT HENRY, a native of Albany county, N. Y., was born May 18, 1838. At the age of ten his parents moved to Sar- atoga county, N. Y., and, after a few years, to Belvidere, Boone county, Ills., and two years thereafter went to Sparta, Monroe county, Wis. Mr. Pangburn started for California April 8, 1861, crossing the Plains with a
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horse team, and arrived in Butte county, where he settled, in July of that year. November, 1862, he came to this township, where he has since permanently resided. Married Adeline Russell, daughter of Landy Alford, Nov. 16, 1863. There children are Lillie, Ida May, Arthur, James Francis Marion, Julia Belle, and Maud.
PEARCE, JOHN W., an old settler, of Solano county, was born in Bristol county, Rhode Island, July 17, 1829. When a little over seventeen years old, he went to Fall River, Mass., and was apprenticed to S. L. James & Co., to learn the carpenters and joiners trade, remaining with them until twenty-one years old. In 1850, went to New Bedford, Mass., where he remained until 1854, when in March of that year he arrived in this State, settling in San Francisco. Two years, thereafter, he came to Suisun, where he has maintained a continuous residence. Married Angie B. Davis, an adopted daughter of Dr. Archer, on Dec. 7, 1863. She died in Suisun, October 2, 1872. Maud M., born October 1, 1864, is their only child.
PERKINS, E. D., is one of Solano's old settlers, who was born in Canada, (his parents being then citizens of the United States,) March 15th, 1834. His parents came to Rock county, Wis., where the subject of this sketch re- ceived his education, and married Ellen Rittenhouse, daughter of William Rittenhouse, of Green county, Wis. They emigrated to this State, settling in Suisun city, in 1861. In the fall of 1871, Mr. Perkins was elected County Treasurer and Tax Collector, and in 1873, elected Sheriff, which office he held two years, and doing the county excellent service, in bringing to justice several noted criminals, prominent among which was the capture and conviction of "Black Jack," a noted safe breaker. At the time he was serving the county as Sheriff, he was also engaged in the mercantile trade, with W. K Hoyt, but afterwards bought Hoyt's interest and is, at present writing, the sole proprietor. Clara, Herman, Dorman, Hayden Ellen, and Jessie, are his children.
QUICK, W., is a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and was born September 29th, 1835. Here he received his education, and worked at farming, until about nineteen years old, and emigrated to California, crossing the plains in 1854, and located in Napa county. In 1855, he went to Vallejo, where he was engaged in draying during the winter, and then came to Suisun Valley, where he was engaged in farming, from 1856 to 1863, at which time he went to the mountains, mining for one year, and returned to Suisun Valley. In 1869, we again find him in the mines, where he stayed four years. He again returns to this county, and settled in the Montezuma hills, working for W. B. Brown one year, after which he
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farmed on his own account. In the fall of 1875, he bought the ranch where he now resides, and is located about three miles north-west of Suisun.
RICE, HARVEY, was born in Marlboro, Middlesex county, Mass., April 3, 1827. He was educated in Marlboro, and was engaged in farming during the summer, and taught school in winter, for a livelihood. Emigrated to this State in 1849, coming via Cape Horn, locating in Benicia, June 10, 1850. The following year he moved to San Francisco, purchasing stock in Oregon for the trade in California. In the fall of 1851 he made Sac- ramento his home, pursuing the butcher business as well as the stock trade, but changed his residence to this county in June, 1855, settling on a rancho in the Suisun valley. In 1863 he came to Suisun City and, the following year, opened his butcher-shop, and at the present writing is the proprietor.
RICHARDSON, J. B., is a native of Le Roy, Genesee county, N. Y., where his parents had settled in 1810, there being only three log houses in the city of Rochester when they passed through that place. Mr. Richardson has traced his genealogy to one Amos Richardson, who emigrated from England, in 1640. He was born on June 10, 1827, and received his edu- cation at his birth-place. In 1848 he moved to Lafayette county, Wis- consin, and was by occupation a farmer. Returning to his former home in 1851, where he married Miss Kate Richardson, from Le Roy, Genesee county, New York, on May 15, 1850. They returned to Wisconsin, where they abode until 1860, then emigrated overland to Suisun, Solano county, Cal., arriving September 4th, of that year. On his arrival here he was entirely destitute of money, and in order to gain a livelihood for himself and wife, worked at " whatever his hands found to do," until appointed Assistant Assessor, November 16, 1865. When the law was changed, in July, 1875, he was appointed Deputy Collector of U. S. Internal Rev- enue, which office he now holds. He has steadily pushed ahead in his special avocations, and those with whom he has had business associations aver that his efforts have been crowned with success. Belle Eliza, and William Manning, are their children.
ROBBINS, R. D., was born in Bodoingham, Sagadahoc county, Maine, Febru- ary 19, 1839. He was educated at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, in his native town. Leaving home in 1860, he took passage on a ship in New York on March 20th, of that year, for California, crossing the Isthmus on April 20th, and arrived in San Francisco on the 25th. Coming directly to the Suisun valley, he commenced life among strangers, first as a hired hand under Mr. Pearson, then hauled stone for the Fairfield church, for
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Nathan Richardson, and afterwards burning lime for James Burnett, and on August 1, 1860, commenced work in a lumber yard at Suisun, for Nickison & Crowell. May, 1862, he bought one-half interest in a lum- ber-yard, of C. Kurlbaum, the firm then being Hook & Robbins. In July following he purchased the lumber interest of Nickison & Crowell, and in January, 1864, Mr. Robbins bought out his partner, J. S. Hook, and has since been the sole proprietor. In addition to his large lumber inter- ests, he was one of the prime movers in establishing the Bank of Suisun, of which he is President. It will be seen that, step by step, the subject of this sketch rose from poverty to a position among the wealthy men of our county, envied by many. It is also a striking illustration of what pluck, energy and honesty may accomplish. Mr. Robbins married Sadiatha McCullah, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, and daughter of John McCullah, on January 19, 1871. Their children are, R. D., Mary Emma, John Lloyd McCullah, and Minnie Hoyt.
ROBINSON, D. D. S., W. H., office and residence, Suisun. Is a Canadian by birth. Being left an orphan when quite young, he had the varied tug for existence common to all boys who have no home, and who have from childhood to be the architects of their own fortunes. At ten years old we find him in the town of Brantford, C. W., sub-clerk in a grocery, wages two dollars per month ; but before he was eighteen, he had, by his own efforts, accumulated over $1,200. With this sum he determined to obtain an education, and with this object left his native land to attend Oberlin College, Ohio, he being in sympathy with the principles of freedom and manhood held and taught in that noted institution. Here he spent six years, and then chose dentistry as his life pursuit, studying with Dr. J. P Sidall, of that place, and receiving his diploma from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, in Cincinnati. He first practiced in Ashtabula, Ohio; then in Davenport, Iowa, and Leavenworth, Kansas, from 1865 to 1875. Four years ago he made California his home. During his boyhood he visited the neighboring town of Paris-a few miles from Brantford, C. W., his own home-and while at church there, the first look at a little girl sealed his door, matrimonially. That little girl was Clara Hawkins. On the 29th of June, 1864, at her own home in that town, they were married. She is now his wife. May, Leo, Clara, and Marsa, are their children. "Ad Astra per aspera."
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