Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850, Part 41

Author: Fariss & Smith, San Francisco
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: San Francisco, Fariss & Smith
Number of Pages: 710

USA > California > Lassen County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 41
USA > California > Plumas County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 41
USA > California > Sierra County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 41

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).

RANCH OF N.B. FORGAY, INDIAN VALLEY NEAR GREENVILLE, PLUMAS CO. CAL.

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" (3) The style and dimensions of the building are to be as follows : (This was left blank.) " It is hoped that all friends to the undertaking will make a strenuous effort at onee to complete the proposition, which is to raise $2,000.

"AGREEMENT .- For the above-named object, we, the undersigned, agree to give, in money, materials, or labor, the amounts set opposite our names: A. J. Welden, $150; J. C. Gentry, $100; D. R. Finlayson, $100; Thos. Haycock, $100; F. B. Whiting, $50; Lee & Rogers, $50; Clark & Brooks, $25; J. P. Knisely, $12; J. C. Chapman, $10; R. H. F. Variel, $10; W. T. Byers, $20; J. H. Houck, $10; J. D. Goodwin, $50; J. L. Betterton, $60; Alex. Thompson, $50; J. F. Hartwell, $50; F. Gansner, $50; Samuel Lee, $60; A. W. Drew, $60; G. W. Meylert, $50; Wm. Schlatter, $10; J. R. Wyatt, $25; A. Cohn & Bro., $10; D. R. Cate, $50; E. T. Hogan, $20; P. L. Hallsted, $10; I. C. Boring, $20; C. C. Boyle, $10; L. F. Cate, $25; R. M. Harris, $5; J. C. Coburn, $16; J. E. Edwards, $24; B. W. Clark, $18."

As the above subscriptions failed of reaching the desired amount, the more liberal of the sub- scribers were called upon for additional contributions, which they cheerfully gave.

Quincy is now a thriving mountain town, surrounded by good farmns, and in the midst of a mineral region that is rapidly being developed. A narrow-gauge railroad will soon connect it with Reno, and in every way its future looks bright and auspicious. The business of the town comprises two hotels, the Plumas House and the Quincy House, seven stores, two livery stables, five saloons, meat market, wagon shop, several blaeksmiths, shoemaker, barber, jeweler. There are also a church, school-house, court-house and jail, post-office with J. H. Whitlock postmaster, W. F. & Co. express office with J. R. Wyatt agent, who also does a banking business, telegraph office, I. O. O. F. hall, Masonic hall, town hall, and one weekly newspaper. The Plumas National is ably conducted by its publisher, William E. Ward, son of Hon. William T. Ward, the first county judge of Plumas. The Plumas House is a splendid hotel, far above the average, and cost $30,000. It is well furnished, contains a large dance hall, and is ably managed by W. T. Byers and E. Huskinson. The proprie- tor is James E. Edwards, and to the care and supervision of his wife are largely due the neatness and comfort of the house. From this house stages run to Indian valley and Susanville, to Oroville, to La Porte, and to Sierra valley and Reno.

The Young Men's Reading Club is an association of the young men of Quincy. They have fitted up a nice hall on Main street, in which is a good library, and where they give occasional literary entertainment to their friends. The elub is doing a great deal of good, and receives the substantial encouragement of the citizens.

PLUMAS LODGE NO. 60, F. & A. M .- This was the first lodge of the Masonie order in Plumas county. On the first of May, 1854, the Masons of American and Indian valleys met at the Amer- iean hotel, then kept by H. J. Bradley, and drew up a petition to the grand lodge for a ·dispensa- tion, signed by H. J. Bradley, John Harbison, John S. Root, John M. Bass, Abram Hargrave, Gil- bert Hudson, John M. Abbott, Robert I. Barnett, John E. Smaw, Asa C. Bryan, Stephen D. Bass, John S. Ross, M. H. Farley, William Hall, James F. Ray, S. H. Mather, Jobe T. Taylor, and D. J. Gloyd. By the courtesy of Mr. Bradley, a room in the second story of the hotel was used by the lodge for its place of meeting. A dispensation was granted, and the following officers chosen : H. J. Bradley, W. M .; John S. Root, S. W .; G. W. Cowper, J. W .; John Harbison, S .; R. I. Bar- nett, T .; Abram Hargrave, S. D .; Warner H. Meeker, J. D .; S. H. Mather, Tyler. The first regular meeting was held at the hotel July 22, 1854. A public installation then took place in the old court-house in the rear of the hotel. In 1855 the lodge built their hall, the money being raised by subscription, and by the active assistance of the ladies of Quincy; and for their zeal in the cause,

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the ladies were permitted the use of the lower story for a school-room, a privilege that was con- tinued for more than twenty years. The lodge has been presided over by H. J. Bradley, John S. Root, John R. Buckbee, L. C. Charles, J. D. Goodwin, T. F. Hersey, R. H. F. Variel, and Arthur W. Keddie. Stated convocations are held on the Saturday of or next succeeding the full moon.

ALTURAS CHAPTER No. 34, R. A. M .- This chapter was organized in La Porte, July 8, 1864, with the following charter members: Creed Haymond, H. P .; J. West Judkins, K .; Charles W. Hendel, S .; A. H. Crew, T .; Fred Howard, Secretary ; Francis Descombes, Gidney Underhill, John Corbett, and Henry V. Kimberlin. Of late years the membership decreased so materially that the chapter was removed to Quiney August 6, 1881. In December, 1881, the membership was forty-five, and the officers were : J. H. Variel, H. P .; James Dempster, K .; Julian Jacquel, S .; J. E. Edwards, T .; J. A. Ketchum, Secretary. Regular meeting Friday on or after the full moon. In former years, Quincy Chapter No. 32 existed here, but surrendered its charter.

PLUMAS LODGE No. 88, I. O. O. F .- Samuel Parker, P. G. M., instituted this lodge at Rich bar, on the east branch of Feather river, July 23, 1859, installing the following officers: Abram Bolyer, N. G .; D. Paschen, V. G .; Charles Belden, S .; Benjamin F. Sheldon, T. The lodge flourished for a time; but the decline of mining on the river so reduced its membership that the charter was surrendered, the last meeting being held August 23, 1863. The lodge met in the hall of Sincerity Lodge, F. & A. M. In 1867 Mr. F. B. Whiting prepared and circulated, a petition for the restoration of the charter, and location of the lodge at Quincy, which was signed by H. W. Kellogg, Richard Thompson, Richard Irwin, Asa D. Hallsted, John P. Richards, Daniel B. Turner, and Abram Bolyer. The following gentlemen were installed as officers by Charles N. Fox, M. W. G. M., June 21, 1867 : Levin C. Charles, N. G .; John S. Root, V. G .; Asa O. Davis, S .; William Kinsey, T. The lodge occupied the Masonic hall until the completion of their fine briek hall, which cost $4,500, and was dedicated December 28, 1876. The membership in December, 1881, was sixty-eight, and the officers were : D. W. Jenks, N. G .; Joseph Braden, V. G. ; F. P. Whiting, S .; William Kinsey, T. -

QUINCY LODGE No. 129, A. O. U. W .- H. G. Oliver, D. G. M. W., instituted this lodge September 16, 1879. The charter members were: N. H. Hapgood, M. W .; J. D. Goodwin, F .; R. L. Gill, O .; B. B. Hughes, J. W. Larison, W. A. Cheney, J. H. Houck, H. N. Brown, J. P. Richards, R. H. F. Variel, Joseph Braden, George Wilson, N. G. Luke, and W. H. Moore. The present membership is thirty-five, and the officers (December, 1881) are: A. W. Keddie, M. W .; T. L. Haggard, F .; William B. Shaw, O. Meetings are held the first and fourth Wednesdays of each month in I. O. O. F. hall.

PLUMAS RANGERS .- This was an independent military company, organized in Quincy in December, 1855. E. T. Hogan received a commission from the governor as captain. The history of the organization may be briefly stated as follows: In November there came to Elizabethtown an Indian from the vicinity of Goodyear's bar, Sierra county, to whom Judge Hogan had formerly showed a kindness, and gave a warning of impending danger. He said that the Pit River Indians had at a recent council decided to begin a war for the expulsion of the whites. Judge Hogan immediately called a meeting of the citizens to consider the situation, and also disseminated the news throughout the mining eamps, so that the people might be on their guard. At the meeting it was decided to form a military company for the protection of the people, and the judge was chosen to command. Eighty-two men signed the roll, were supplied with muskets by the state, and prepared for war. The expected outbreak did not occur, and the company confined itself to parades and drills until two years later, when they went to Honey Lake valley to aid the settlers

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there in their trouble with the Indians. There they were not called upon for bloody deeds; and after a brief campaign, they returned without any scalps. Judge Hogan resigned his commission in the spring of 1858, having been chosen county judge, and Robert I. Barnett succeeded him. Again, in 1859, was the company called upon to go to Honey Lake for the protection of the settlers during the progress of the Potatoe War. Hostilities had ceased when they arrived, and the warriors returned to their homes. Captain Barnett was succeeded in the command by Noble C. Cunning- ham, who held the position until the company disbanded, in 1860.

BLOOMFIELD LODGE No. 227, I. O. G. T .- This lodge of Good Templars was organized June 15, 1866, with nineteen charter members. Meetings were held until September 10, 1868, when they were discontinued. It was reorganized September 15, 1870, with twenty charter members, by Miss Emory, D. G. W. C. T. The officers were : R. N. Smith, W. C. T .; Sarah Richards, W. V. T .; J. C. Coburn, W. S .; J. C. Gentry, W. T. The officers in December, 1881, were: L. Ewing, W. C. T .; Alice McDonald, W. V. T .; Hattie E. Kingsbury, W. S .; R. H. Whiting, W. F. S .; Abbie Huskinson, W. T .; Mrs. Alice Hapgood, P. W. C. T.

BIOGRAPHICAL .- The biographies of many of the leading citizens of Plumas township appear in the Political History and the Bench and Bar.

JOHN F. HARTWELL .- He was born at Strong, Franklin county, Maine, May 19, 1820. He was the son of Ephraim and Mary Hartwell, who died when our subject was quite young. He grew to manhood in his native state, and emigrated in 1856 to California, in company with Mr. Brett and wife, and the latter's sister. He was married August 9, 1857, to Elizabeth H. Norton of North Livermore, Maine, daughter of Zebulon and Mary Norton, who still survives him. A family of four is the result of their union : Louis B., was born August 23, 1858 ; William H., March 4, 1863; Nellie M , July 27, 1871; J. Frank, August 21, 1875. Mr. Hartwell died in June, 1880, mourned by many friends. The ranch consists of 250 acres of meadow and timber land. For many years he had been interested in lumbering and milling. The saw-mill in American valley cuts about half a million fect annually, and is conducted by his sons. The mill has an overshot wheel supplied by a flume, and was erected by Judkins & Cate. A view of the Hartwell property may be seen on another page of this work.

ALLEN J. WELDEN .- He was the sixth of a family of thirteen, the parents being Jacob and Polly (Murphy) Welden, and is a native of Sandy Creek, Oswego county, New York. His boyhood days were spent on the farm and attending school. His first venture was to purchase a farm in Oswego county, running in debt for it all. In 1850 he sold it; followed the gold excitement to California, and began mining on American river. Soon he went to Downieville, and finally to Poorman's creek, in Plumas county. In 1851 he purchased the Illinois ranch from Goodrich and others, and in the fall went back to New York for his family, returning to his ranch in 1852. This he sold the following year, and in 1855 purchased his present residence, a view of which may be seen in this work. It now consists of 300 acres of good farming land. There were four other fam- ilies in the valley when the Weldens came, and three houses at Quincy. The only two white women besides Mrs. Welden were Mrs. Judkins and Mrs. Bradley. Mails were costly, each letter requiring a dollar and a half for transportation; and other things were in proportion. Mr. Welden was married July 8, 1840, to Lucina Morey, daughter of Isaac and Sibyl Morey of Oswego county, New York. There are four children: John A., born July 8, 1850, now married and living near Reno; Lillian L., born March 26, 1855; Carrie R., born May 30, 1865; Clarence G., born June 18, 1869. Lillian was married July 20, 1881, to Elbridge K. Grove, who was born in Plymouth, Ohio, February 6, 1849, and was the son of Rev. Philetus Grove, the first minister in American valley, whose death occurred at Woodland, Yolo county, December 28, 1869.

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WILLIAM MANSON .- This gentleman is the son of John and Margaret Manson of Ayershire, Scotland, and was born in Canada West, December 28, 1840. He followed the machinist's trade until 1865, when on the fourth of May he started for California, coming via the Isthmus. He was first employed as engineer in a mine in Grass valley, and from there went to Downieville, where he opened a foundry, and operated it for nearly eleven years. At the same time he was considerably interested in the mines, and was one of the locators of the Bald Mountain extension. In 1877 he went to Greenville and opened a foundry, soon disposing of his Downieville property. He has suffered a good deal from fires, having been burned out three times. In June, 1881, he sold his foundry and turned his attention to mining at Elizabethtown. Mr. Manson was married in San Francisco, December 1, 1874, to Miss Jessie E. Pidwell of St. Johns, New Brunswick. They have two children: John Herbert, born October 23, 1875; Margaret Elizabeth, born January 21, 1877. Mr. Manson is a member of the Greenville Lodge of United Workmen, and also of the Grand Lodge of the state.

JAMES H. LARISON .- He was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 23, 1828. He is the son of James A. and Elizabeth (Olendorff) Larison. He worked on a farm until sixteen years of age, and then learned the coopering trade. He crossed the plains to California in 1850, and began mining in Placer county. In 1852 he returned to Ohio for his family, and brought them out with him the following year. Upon his arrival he settled in Plumas county, where he has followed min- ing continuously for sixteen years. He is now living on his ranch. Mr. Larison was married July 17, 1849, to Miss Arminta Reed, by whom he has had five children: James W. was born April 17, 1850; Ella, August 25, 1855; Charles, August 23, 1858; William, April 7, 1865; Kittie, January 25, 1870. A view of his residence may be seen on another page.

THOMAS F. HERSEY .- This gentleman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, May 29, 1821. He followed the sea from the time he was fifteen years of age until he came to this state, leaving home about the first of December, 1854, and arriving at San Francisco on the seventeenth of April, 1855, as first officer of the clipper ship Flying Arrow. He came to Plumas county in May, 1855, and made his home here until his death-for many years being engaged in mining. He was appointed justice of the peace for Plumas township in 1867, and in 1873 ran for county judge, being beaten by a small majority. He was appointed postmaster at Quincy in 1873, and filled that position at the time of his decease, which occurred October 13, 1878. He was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, and was buried by the lodge at Quincy, with all of the beautiful rites and cere- monies used by that organization. The procession which followed his remains to the grave was one of the longest ever seen in the place.

LAFAYETT CATE, M. D .- This gentleman is the pioneer physician of the county. He is a native of New Hampshire, and graduated at the Vermont Medical College. He came to Plumas in 1854, settled at Elizabethtown, and engaged in the practice of his profession. He has devoted much of his attention to mining enterprises, as well as to his profession. He has always enjoyed a full share of practice, and still resides in Quincy. Upon the resignation of County Treasurer Chapman, in December, 1878, Dr. Cate was appointed to fill the vacaney, and served in that office until March, 1880, when he retired from publie life, and is quietly pursuing the practice of his pro- fession in Quincy.

COLONEL CALVIN W. ROCKWELL .- The colonel is a native of the state of New York. He came to this state in 1852, and embarked in mining at Galena Hill, Yuba county. He first honored Plumas with his presence in 1856. He is the Colonel Sellers of the day, and his wise counsels are often invoked by the mining fraternity. For several years he was the acting road manager of

RANCH OF R. S.FLOURNOY, " PLUMAS CO. CAL.

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Whiting & Co.'s express, engineering the dog-team during the winter months, and became famous for his celerity of transits over the snow belt. He never yields the palm for a good story of the days of yore. He is the proprietor of Rockwell Park, near Quincy, and all who patronize his stables on that turf testify to his gentlemanly deportment. He is considered high authority in racing annals, and his famous trotter, Blue Ruin, has long been the admiration of the turf men. He was one of the founders of the town of Camptonville, in Yuba county.

DONALD ROBERTSON FINLAYSON .- He was the seventh son of John and Amelia Finlayson. His father was a native of Scotland; his mother of Nova Scotia, where Donald was born, in the town of Merigomish. When he was sixteen years of age, Donald began to work at milling, which occupation he followed for many years. In 1856 he crossed the Isthmus to California, arriv- ing in San Francisco on the first of June, and went to the mines at Camptonville; thence he moved to Alder creek, Sacramento county. From here he went to Spanish Ranch, where he mined till 1865. In 1866 he purchased the place he now lives on. He was married February 26, 1872, to Mrs. Jane Richards of Plumas county. Her maiden name was Murrish. She was born January 19, 1831, and emigrated to the United States from Cornwall, England, settling with her married sisters at Mineral Point, Wisconsin. She was married to William Richards, an Englishman, August 19, 1848. They came to California in 1855, when Mr. Richards received injuries in the mines that caused his death after six years' illness. To them were born six children : Martin, born in Wisconsin, June 22, 1849; Sarah Ann, born in Wisconsin, October 18, 1850; Francis V., Oc- tober 14, 1856; Mary Evaline, December 23, 1858; William M., July 22, 1861; Clara Emma, January 10, 1864. The last four children are natives of California. Mrs. Finlayson has born to her present husband three children, two of whom are living: John E., born March 26, 1873; Donald R., born March 22, 1875; Nellie, born December 4, 1878, and died when fifteen months old. Mr. Finlayson is a member of Plumas Lodge No. 88, I. O. O. F., at Quincy. A view of his residence and its surroundings may be seen on another page.

WILLIAM F. JOHNSON .- Mr. Johnson is a native of Elbing, Prussia, where he was born October 3, 1830. In 1853 he came to America, and in 1854 to California, via Cape Horn. In August of that year he went to Goodyear's bar, but after a short time returned to Marysville, where he made the acquaintance of John McGee, with whom he traveled to Plumas county, and engaged in mining on Coyote hill, near Spanish Ranch. From here he went to Jamison creek, where he spent fourteen months, made some money, and in a short time became one-third owner of the Mammoth ledge. It proved an unsatisfactory investment, and he sold out and went to Mexico. He soon returned, however, and after engaging in mining at Butte bar, and being proprietor of the mill in the Ar- gentine district for a time, he concluded to settle down, which he did by purchasing the home where he now resides, at the head of American valley. He was married May 29, 1870, to Maria Fisher of Somersetshire, England, where she was born November 13, 1846. Four children are the result of this marriage, with dates of birth as follows : Harry T. Godfried, April 29, 1871; William Francis, November 4, 1872 ; Carrie Sarah, February 9, 1874; Isadore R., July 18, 1878.

FLORIN GANSNER .- The proprietor of the large saw-mill at Quincy was born in the town of Seeves, Switzerland, May 28, 1829. His parents were Christian and Anna Gansner. In 1846 he came to the United States, and located at St. Louis, Missouri, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it until 1852. At that time he crossed the plains to California, and mined on Yuba river. He came to Rich bar, Plumas county, in the spring of 1853. Having done well at mining, he went back to St. Louis in 1857, and was married June 22, 1858, to Christina Pohle of that city. In 1864 he returned to Plumas county, and contracted and built ferry landings for a

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time, when he again went to mining on Rich bar. In 1868 he removed to American valley, and purchased his present home and the old mill. The new mill he built in 1878. It is run by a hydraulic pressure of 144 feet fall, and has two circular saws, sixty and fifty inches in diameter. A view of the buildings appears on another page. Mr. and Mrs. Gansner have had seven chil- dren, as follows: Benjamin C., born December 28, 1859; Henry F., July 13, 1863; William C., November 25, 1866; Flora.C., May 27, 1868; Frederick G., July 7, 1873; Anna L., March 2, 1875; Christina, May 21, 1877.

LEWIS STARK .- Squire Stark, as he is familiarly called, is a native of Tennessee, where he was born in the year 1808. He came overland to California with his family in 1852, and was among the first to go through Beckwourth pass, being conducted by Jim Beckwourth over his road. He went on to American valley. On his journey thence he camped in the ravine where Elizabethtown was subsequently built, and some of his boys, prospecting there, discovered the first diggings of that locality. Squire Stark concluded to remain there, and quite a village soon sprang up. The town was named after one of the squire's daughters, W. A. Blakesley, of Quincy. In 1853 Mr. Stark was elected a justice of the peace of Butte county, and again in 1854, after Plumas was organized. He was re-elected in 1856, '57, and '58, for Plumas township. In 1858 he removed to Honey Lake valley, and was there a justice of the peace in 1860-61. He was nominated by the democrats for county judge in 1863, and was defeated by Israel Jones. He removed to Santa Barbara in 1867, but returned and settled in Quincy in the summer of 1881.

JOHN CLINCH .- He is of English nativity, and was born June 6, 1832. His parents were John and Hannah Clinch. John left his native country in 1853, and went to Kokembo, South America. In the year following he came to California, and engaged in mining for sixteen years at Nelson Point, Onion valley, and other places. In June, 1872, he removed to American valley, and bought the ranch he now lives on, which consists of 110 acres. Mr. Clinch was married October 13, 1852, in England, to Eliza J. Oliver, daughter of Henry and Eliza Oliver. Five children have been born to them : John H., born in England, June 28, 1853 ; Eliza C., born at Sawpit flat, California, July 26, 1869 ; Anna, October 24, 1870; William J., March 15, 1873; Jane, July 2, 1874. John, the eldest, died August 8, 1871. Mr. Clinch is a member of the Odd Fellows and United Workmen lodges at Quincy.

B. B. HUGHES .- This gentleman is a native of Plumas county, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Pary) Hughes, and was born on the east branch of the north fork of Feather river, November 18, 1857. He was reared and educated in this state. He was married November 29, 1877, to Nettie M. Andrus, daughter of William H. and Annie O. Andrus, a native of Minnesota. On the eighth of December, 1877, Mr. Hughes purchased of J. R. Wyatt his drug-store at Quincy, which he has since owned and operated himself. He also does the principal exchange business of the town.

CHARLES RUPPERT .- He was born in Gaollheim, Bavaria, September 14, 1829. He came to the United States in 1838, with his grandparents, and to California in 1855, having spent the inter- vening time in New York. Upon his arrival in this state he commenced mining, which he continued for two years, when he engaged in cooking until 1861. Upon the first call for army volunteers, he enlisted in the first California regiment, and served three years in Arizona and New Mexico. In 1870 he entered the kitchen department of the Plumas House, Quincy, in which he has since been engaged. He is a member of the Masonic blue lodge and chapter, and of the Odd Fellows.

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GOODWIN TOWNSHIP.

This comprises all of the county lying south of the middle fork of Feather river, and west of Quartz township. How the La Porte district was secured from Sierra county, and erected into Goodwin township, afterwards absorbing the old township of Washington, has been related in the Official History. This is almost entirely a mining region, agriculture being carried on in Onion valley and Little Grass valley to a limited extent only. Mining is being carried on along the middle fork and its tributaries, and in the vicinity of La Porte. In the past this was an exceed- ingly rich mining region, and swarmed with miners, who dug for the precious dust on every stream and gulch.

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Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850, Part 41

Author: Fariss & Smith, San Francisco Publication date: 1882 Publisher: San Francisco, Fariss & Smith Number of Pages: 710

Author: Fariss & Smith, San Francisco
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: San Francisco, Fariss & Smith
Number of Pages: 710