USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
Nay, L. G. A native of Genesee county, N. Y., born Deccember 26, 1823. When but five years of age his parents moved to Hillsborough county, New Hampshire. Here the subject of this sketch was educated and learned the millwright and carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1856, when he proceeded to MeLean county, Ill., and engaged in farming until 1863. He then emigrated to California via Nicaragua, arriving at San Francisco April 20, 1863, proceeding at once to Marin county, where he engaged in dairying but remained only a short time as there were no school advantages, he therefore came to this county and settled in Petaluma where he has since resided. He followed his trade and contracting until 1871, when he in company with Sylvester Brooks bought the Petaluma Planing Mills, which
576
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
they have since conducted. Mr. Nay married, October 30, 1856, Miss Margareta A. Fishburn; she 'is a native of Franklin county, Pa. By this union they have had two children, both deceased, Beshie M. and Linda S.
Nay, Samuel A. Born in Hillsborough county, N. H., Feb. 18, 1830; was e lucated here and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1852 he emigrated to California via Panama, arriving at San Francisco April 1, 1852. He pro- ceeded at once to the redwoods in Marin county. After a residence here of seven months he engaged in farming for two years, after which he embarked in the dairy and wood business which he continued until the Fall of 1869 at which time he came to this county and settled on his present place located about two and one-half miles north of Petaluma. Married, in 1858, Miss Sarah E. Winnans. She was born in Ohio, July 31, 1840. By this union they have three children, Charles, J. born March 14, 1800, Herbert L., May 9, 1861, and Frank G., October 25, 1871.
Naughton, Hubert. Native of Ireland, born July 25, 1824. Came to America and settled in Boston in May, 1851, where he resided only six months, when he took up his residence in Mobile, Alabama. In 1855, emi- grated to California via Panama, and arrived in San Francisco May 31st following. He immediately proceeded to the mines in Sierra county. After toiling in the mines for a period of six months, we find him at Marysville; remaining only a few months when he went to Butte county, engaged in farming and mining. In 1864 resided a short time in Virginia City, Nevada, and in August, 1864 came to this county and settled in Petaluma. Was foreman in MeCune Bros.' warehouse until 1870, when he embarked in the grocery business. Married on September 4, 1854, at Mobile, Mary Kilduff. She was born in Ireland in 1836. John F., born June 1, 1858; Hubert J., born February 14, 1862; Annie M., born February 27, 1863; Emma, born June 1, 1869, Elizabeth L., born September 25, 1875, are the names and births of their children. John F. was admitted to the Bar of the District Court at Washington, D. C., on June 16, 1879. Mrs. Naughton was present during the Panama riot of 1856; also saw the execution of William Casey by the Vigilance Committee for the killing of James King of William. Both Mr. and Mrs. Naughton were in Mobile at the time of the yellow fever epidemie of 1853, and Mr. Naughton caught the disease but recovered under the skillful treatment of Dr. Lavort.
Needham, Festus. Was born in county Galway, Ireland, on January 3, 1834. In 1853 he emigrated to the United States and settled in North- umberland, Coos county, New Hampshire, where he was engaged in rail- roading. After two years he emigrated to California, via the Nicaragua route, and arrived in San Francisco October 13, 1855. He then went to Placer and Nevada counties, where he mined for seven years. In 1857 he visited Petaluma for two months, again going to the mining district. In
A. H. Stites
7
1
577
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
1864 he moved to the mines in Idaho, but the following year returned to this State, going to Antioch, Contra Costa county, and was employed by the Pittsburg Railroad Company as foreman and paymaster for two years. The road was then in course of construction. His next move was to Scott county, Minnesota, where he settled on a farm near Spring Lake, but only remained about eighteen months, when he returned to California and took up his residence in Petaluma, and was employed as foreman of the grading of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad, from Donahue to Healds- burg. After the completion of the work, he was appointed road master, holding this responsible position till 1873. He was at the same time engaged in the grocery and liquor trade in East Petaluma. On selling out this business in 1873, he moved to the west side of the creek and opened a like business, which is continued to the present writing. Mr. Needham married, on September 13, 1857, Miss Mary Kenney, who is a native of the county of Galway, Ireland. Their children are: Mary Ann, born October 13, 1858; Michael F., born May 24, 1861; Margaret, born November 14, 1866; Joseph, born December 27, 1868, and William P. S., born April 19, 1873.
Newburgh, Edward. A native of Bavaria, Germany, born November 24, 1827. Emigrated to America in 1850 and settled in Concord, New Hampshire. On April 5, 1853, he took passage from New York City on the "Star of the West " for California. Arriving at Nicaragua, he took the " Sierra Nevada " to San Francisco, at which place he arrived on May 6th. He immediately proceeded to the mines on the Yuba, but owing to ill health -having contracted the rheumatism-he was obliged to abandon his pursuit for gold. He then came to this county, locating in Green valley, and in company with Isaac Bernhard opened a general merchandise store. In 1864 they came to Petaluma, and in 1868 dissolved partnership, since which time Mr. Newburgh has been alone in the business. He was one of the founders of the relief association of this place, and has also been for years one of the directors of the Bank of Sonoma. He married, June 22, 1862, Miss Fanny Kusiel, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany. Albert, born April 20, 1863; Theresa, born April 9, 1866; Arthur, born June 26, 1869; Willie, born September 28, 1870; Henry, born September 13, 1873; Estella, born April 24, 1876, are the names and births of their children.
Oman, George W. This pioneer settler of California was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on January 30, 1802. In 1809 his parents moved to Sweden, Monroe county, New York, where they remained till 1820, then went to Friendsville, Wabash county, Illinois, where the subject of this sketch was engaged at blacksmithing and farming until twenty-one years old, then commenced running flat boats, and afterwards steamboats on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, which pursuit he followed for five years. At the age of twenty-five he located in Eugene, Vermillion county, Indiana and
37
578
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
was the proprietor of a saw-mill. Here he married Melvina, daughter of David and Nancy Dickey, on February 14, 1830. She was born in Wash- ington county, Kentucky, August 12, 1812. In 1834 they left Indiana and settled in Ray county, Missouri, on a farm, and in addition to their agri- cultural pursuits they kept an open house for the accommodation of the traveling public. On November 16, 1838, they changed their place of residence to Marion county, Illinois; thence to Hancock county, in that State, in 1843; then, in 1846, went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and from this place Mr. Oman enlisted in the Monnan Battalion under Captain Allen dur- ing the Mexican war, and was honorably discharged, after over one year's ser- vice, returning to Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1851 they crossed the plains to Salt Lake City, arriving there on October Ist of that year. Here he remained till April 3, 1852, when he came to this State and located at Bidwell's Bar on Feather river, but after a few months came to Sonoma county, settling on a farm seven miles north of Petaluma. In 1867 he came to this city and has since made it his permanent home. Their children are: Mrs. Abigail Williams, born March 20, 1831; John, born November 29, 1833; Jane S., born January 14, 1836; Moroni, born November 15, 1840; Marietta, born February 24, 1843; George, born August 10, 1845; Joseph S., born Decem- ber 9, 1848, and Malvina, born October 15, 1851.
Palmer, James M. A native of Buncombe county, North Carolina, born March 18, 1823, where he received his education and labored upon a farm until 1847; at which time he embarked in mercantile pursuits in his native State and county until 1849. On March 14th of the above year, he started for California. Upon arriving at Independence, Missouri, he joined a large company and the party started from Independence on May 18th to cross the plains to the land of gold and plenty. They landed at Weaver- town, El Dorado county, on September 19th, and immediately engaged in mining, where they remained about six months. Meeting with poor success, they proceeded to the North Fork of the Yuba river, where they spent the whole Summer of 1850 in draining and changing the course of the river in the vain effort to strike a bonanza. This, however, proved unsuccessful, and after they settled their accounts the company dissolved and Mr. Palmer came to Sonoma late in the Fall of 1850, and was engaged two years in gardening and farming. In 1852, he moved to Vallejo township and embarked in farming and stock-raising until May, 1879, when he took up his residence in Petaluma, and in October he formed his present part- nership in the grocery business with Mr. Holmes. Mr. Palmer was the first white settler in Vallejo township, and at that time there was no house save the old adobe. Has held the office of County Supervisor for five years, being elected in 1869 and served until 1874. Mr. Palmer married his first wife, Lucy A. Hinkston, April 16, 1854, she being a native of Missouri, born May 6, 1837. By this union there are three children, Hester, Mary and
579
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Lee, and one deceased, Laura, she being the oldest child. Married his present wife, Mrs. Mary Moore, on April 6, 1873. She is a native of South Africa, born August 25, 1846. She has one child, Emma, by her former marriage.
Parker, Freeman. Born in Orange, Orange county, Vermont, April 5, 1822. When five years of age, his parents moved to Washington, Orange county, same State. Here he attended the common schools for several years, then attended the Brownington Academy at Brownington, Vermont, then the Newburg Seminary and Theological school, and finished his education at the Norwich Military University. During the eight years he attended these latter institutions of learning, he acted as teacher in many branches. Finishing his education, he engaged in farming and lumbering, and was also interested in a starch factory. In 1849, he disposed of his interests here and started for California, and after a delay of two months in Panama, he succeeded in getting passage on the steamer "Senator," and arrived in San Francisco late in October. He was here stricken down with the Panama fever, which disease he had contracted at Panama by sleeping in a room with eighteen invalids who were suffering with the epidemic. In February, 1850, he proceeded to Long Bar, on the Yuba river, and prose- cuted mining with good success for three months, then prospected a short time, when he repaired to San Francisco about the time of the big fire in 1850; thence he set out for the mines in Tuolumne county, prospected a little, and then returned again to San Francisco, remaining a few weeks; thence to Marin county, on the northern part of the Novato Rancho, called the Hoyo, and farmed until 1852, when he returned to Vermont in December. In June, 1853, we once more find Mr. Parker on his way to California, this time accompanied by his family. On December, 1853, he located upon his present farm, where he now resides. Married Cynthia A. Roberts in Vermont October 14, 1847, she being a native of Williamstown, Vermont, born June 20, 1821, and died June 4, 1867. By this union they have: Pit- man Wilder, born October 1, 1848; Gelo Freeman, born January 17, 1854;
Alma Ruzilla (now wife of Hon. James Hynes, of Petaluma), born February 14, 1856; Laura Ada, born January 25, 1858, died October 6, 1864; George Washington, born July 4, 1860. On January 18, 1879, Mr. Parker married Mrs. Eliza Ann Jones, a native of Ryegate, Vermont. Mr. Parker is, and has been for many years, much interested in all true reforms that tend to save time and money and to make the masses honest and just, independent and intelligent thinking beings. "In literature, short-hand writing, fonetic printing and the spelling reform hav resevd his harty suport for mor than forty years. He was educated acording to the strictest sect of the Congre- gationalists."
Pepper, W. H. Was born in Dutchess county, New York, January 14, 1824; when but a mere child his parents moved to Clinton county, Ohio,
580
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
where the subject of this sketch received his education. In 1845 he pro- ceeded to Columbus, Ohio, where he learned the cabinet-maker's trade. Here he remained until 1848. Residing one year in Cincinnati, he proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, remained six months, and then set out for California, rounding Cape Horn in a sailing vessel, "Francis De Pau." He arrived at San Francisco, June 17, 1850 ; he proceeded at once to Yuba county, where he engaged in mining eighteen months. He then erected a saw mill, and conducted the same about six years, when the mill was destroyed by fire. In 1858 he came to this county, and settled on his present place, located about six miles from Petaluma. Married May 27, 1874, Mrs. Phoebe Perry, a native of Seneca county, New York, born June 9, 1839. She having one child by her first husband, Hattie M., born in Belleville, New York, January 3, 1863.
Pearce, Hon. George. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in the city of Louisville, Kentucky, on the 5th day of January, 1822, and was raised and received his early education in Shelby county, Kentucky, and completed his education in the city of Louisville. At the age of seventeen years he was left to carve his way through life without the slightest parental aid or assistance, and for a short time employed himself in the city of Louisville as a salesman, out door elerk and collector, and in the Summer of 1845 migrated to Missouri with a young man and schoolmate in quest of business, and visited St. Louis, Jefferson City, Independence, Booneville, Weston and St. Joseph, but met with little success, and in the Spring of 1846, at the commencement of the Mexican war, he was one of the very first detachment of troops that left Fort Leaven- worth for the enemy's country-in Company "C," First Regiment of United States Dragoons, Captain B. D. Moore, a noble and gallant officer. This detachment of troops left Fort Leavenworth on the 5th day of June, 1846, for the purpose and with orders to pursue and overtake a train of wagons, laden with ammunition and belonging to one Speyers, who had left Inde- pendence, Missouri, a few days before, bound for Santa Fe, and seize the ammunition; but in case of failure to overtake the train before reaching the crossing of the Arkansas river, to abandon pursuit and remain in camp near the crossing until the arrival of re-enforcements. Failing to overtake the train, the detachment camped and remained several weeks on the Arkansas river, in the vicinity of vast herds of buffalo. On the arrival of re-enforce- ments and General Kearney, the subject of this sketch was detached and assigned to special duty in the body guard of the commanding general, in which he continued until the Spring of 1847, and was at the taking of Santa Fe, and from thence to California, with General Kearney, via the Gila river, reaching Warner's rancho, in San Diego county, about the 1st day of December, 1846. At this point the commanding general was informed by a native Californian that Don Andres Pico, with about one hundred
581
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
armed men, was at a place about forty miles distant, and were foraging and might engage the forces under the general, which at that time consisted of about eighty men, rank and file, the main body of the army having been left in New Mexico, and this small force coming through to California, under the impression and on information received from California that Colonel Fremont and Commodore Stockton had already subdued the enemy and taken possession of California, and that all was quiet. The information received at Warner's Rancho was of course quite a surprise, though the writer is not certain that General Kearney was not informed at or near the confluence of the rivers Gila and Colorado that the Californians were in revolt and again contesting the field with Fremont. After a rest of one day at Warner's, the detachment moved toward San Diego, and the first rains of the season struck us that day. After a long and fatiguing day's journey in the rain, the little army camped, about eight o'clock in the evening, upon a high plain in the mountains, about eight or ten miles from the enemy's forces under Pico. At this camp, as a part of the practical life of the subject of this sketch, occurred some important incidents, a history whereof it is confidently believed has never been written or published, and with great respect for the living and veneration for the gallant dead, the subject of this sketch mentions, at the risk of being criticized and censured. After the camp fires were all started, Mr. Pearce was directed by General Kearney to take his compliments to Captain Moore and tell him that he, the general, would be pleased to see hin at his tent. Captain Johnson and Lieutenant Hammond were also summoned, and a conference held on the propriety of reconnoitering the enemy's position that night and attacking him early the following morning. Captain Moore opposed, mainly upon the grounds that discovery of our presence would necessarily follow a recognaisance, and dis- covery would certainly result in failure to obtain an advantage, as the enemy were all well mounted-were, perhaps, the most expert horsemen in the world, and we were, for the most part, on poor, half-starved and jaded mules. That it would be far better for the whole of us to move and make the attack at once, that by this course we would be more than likely to get all the horses of the enemy, and to dismount them was to whip them. The objections of Captain Moore were overruled, and Lieutenant Hammond, Ser- geant Williams and ten men were forthwith detailed and did reconnoiter the enemy's position. Mr. Pearce was present and heard the report of Lieutenant Hammond and Sergeant Williams on their return. They reported substan- tially that, as they neared some Indian huts at the base of the mountains, on the north side of a small valley, at a place called San Pasqual, the guide stopped them and called their attention to a dim light in one of the huts, and told them that Pico and his men were occupying those huts; that Ser- geant Williams and the guide (the same native Californian who had reported at Warner's Rancho) absolutely went to the door of the hut and saw a
.
582
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
number of men sleeping on the floor of the hut, and a lone Indian sitting by the fire. They beckoned the Indian without the hut, and while conversing with him and getting all the information they could, a sentinel hailed the main party or detachment under Lieutenant Hammond, and of course the whole detachment instantly retreated, without firing a gun; that they went into this little valley from the mountains on the south, and as they retreated up the mountain they distinctly heard the shouts of the enemy, " Biva, Cali- fornia !" As soon as this report was fully made, and another short council of war held, boots and saddles sounded on the bugle, and our gallant army of about eighty men moved upon the enemy, and just before the dawn of the morning light from the south side of the little valley, and almost opposite the huts, the same bugle sounded the charge as foragers, which, as the reader is doubtless aware, simply means that every one shall, single-handed, select and slay as many of the enemy as he can and in his own way. It was yet too dark to designate a friend from an enemy in a hand-to-hand fight, espe- cially after the smoke of the first volley fired. The subject of this sketch a few days before this engagement had exchanged a jaded mule for a Cali- fornia mustang, and just as all of us drew our sabres and put spurs to our animals, the mustang took fright, and for a few minutes exercised very lively, stiff-legged, trying to dislodge the rider in vain; but as all the rest of the little army were on mules, the mustang soon reached the front-in fact, did so before a shot was fired. A very lively little hand-to-hand fight ensued, in the van of which Mr. Pearce took an active part, and was in imme- diate view of and but a few feet from the commanding general at the time. In the fight the general received a wound in the loin from an enemy's lance, when he heard the second order of the commanding general to retreat, and a moment after, the countermanding order of acting Adjutant Turner, whose language may here be repeated without disrespect to any. His language was: " No, never, men. Never turn your backs on these men, or you will all be cut down. Dismount !" This countermanding order was gladly obeyed instantly, and in a few minutes the day won by this small force. There were forty-two of this little army killed and wounded in the engagement, and the dead buried temporarily on the field the night after the battle. This skirmish and the circumstances are thrown in here because they have ever seemed a part of his practical life, and because it is believed that they have never been pub- lished. The little army moved on toward San Diego two days after, and after a few miles travel, were attacked from the rear by a superior force, and took advantage of a small mountain or hill, afterwards familiarly known as Mule hill, from the circumstance of the men being while there (five days and six nights), driven from necessity to subsist, in part, upon horses and mules. The little army were embarrassed with twenty-two wounded men, and during these five days and six nights were surrounded by the enemy but were finally relieved by about two hundred marines from San Diego.
583
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Mr. Pearce was also in the succeeding engagements of San Gabriel, plains of Mesa and Los Angeles, and remained in the southern portion of this State in the service. In the month of August, 1848, he was detached and sent with a few other men to San Francisco, at which place they arrived (overland) during the month of September, when they took charge of a large amount of ordnance and stores belonging to the United States Government. The subject of this sketch, at the time of passing Los Angeles, had only partially recovered from a severe attack of fever, and during the succeeding months of October and November, and until the last day of December, 1848, continued in a very debilitated state of health, and the last day of December was struck down with a congestive chill, and remained in a very precarious state of health until about the Ist of April, 1849, at which date, by the indulgence and kindness of Lieutenant A. J. Smith, then in command of the detachment, he was granted a leave of absence until the end of the term for which he had enlisted in the service, and in a few days after went to Stockton and embarked in a lucrative busi- ness, but his health soon become worse, and in the following June visited Sonoma City, where he was honorably discharged from the service, but so afflicted with fever and ague as to almost entirely disqualify him for any manner of business, and was at first so much relieved by the climate of Sonoma that he at once closed business in Stockton and removed to Sonoma and embarked in business at that place with J. N. Randolph, and during the Fall and Winter of 1849 continued in such a state of health as to comparatively disqualify him for business, though able to be out, and took an active part in the first election; voted for the constitution as it was first adopted, and during the first session of the Legislature visited San Jose as a lobby member, at the request of the citizens of Sonoma, for the purpose if possible of preventing the incorporation of the city and valley of Sonoma in the county of Napa, which was then threatened. He was accompanied in this service by Robert Hopkins, Esq., then a practical lawyer, who but a short time previous had settled in Sonoma and commenced the practice of his profession. On their arrival in San Jose the subject of this sketch found a Mr. Turner, an entire stranger, about to be foisted upon the people of Sonoma as their first District Judge, and felt it his duty promptly to pre- vent it if possible; to accomplish this object he at once obtained the consent of and put forward Hopkins for this important position, as one residing among us and known to the people of his district, who was accordingly elected; and having also secured the other and main object of his visit, viz: bounding the county of Sonoma so as to include the city and valley of Sonoma; he returned to Sonoma about the middle of January, 1850, and continued so depressed and afflicted with fever and ague that at times he would swoon and fall unconscious for several minutes, notwithstanding which, under the advice of his physician, and his own conviction that he
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.