Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850, Part 72

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 72
USA > California > Plumas County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 72
USA > California > Sierra County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 72

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).

DR. J. J. SAWYER, son of Thomas P. and Ann L. Sawyer, was born in Monroe county, New York, in the year 1840, where he was reared and educated. He attended for two years lectures in the medical department of the University of Buffalo, graduating from that institution in February, 1865, the degree of M. D. being conferred upon him by ex-President Millard Fillmore, then presi- dent of the college. Dr. Sawyer then went into the government service at Camp Douglas, Ill., as acting assistant surgeon, U. S. A. From there he was transferred to Troy Road barracks, Troy, New York, where he was post surgeon until the close of the war and the disbanding of the army, when he resigned his position and went to Michigan. He practiced for three years in that state, after which he came to California, and located at Cherokee, Butte county. Here he had an extensive practice, being also physician for the great Spring Valley hydraulic mine. From there he went to Quincy, Plumas county, where he had charge of the county hospital, and was surgeon of the Plumas-Eureka mine. Some years ago he removed to Sierra City, his present home, where, in addition to his large outside surgical practice, he holds the position of surgeon for the Sierra Buttes mine and the Marguarite mine. Dr. Sawyer was married in 1872, to Miss Maria L. Glass of Cherokee, California. One daughter, Anna, was born to them in Quincy, in 1875. The doctor has a very complete dispensary in Sierra City.

O. SCHEFFER was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1830. At the age of sixteen he began clerking in a store, where he remained for four years. In 1850 he crossed the continent to California, and

495

first mined in El Dorado county. In 1851 he was at Yreka, and from there in a short time went to Nevada county, where he mined until 1860. He then followed mining at Forest City until 1865, when he opened a saloon, in which business he has been engaged to the present. He was married in 1863, to Miss C. Young of Forest City, who has borne him nine children, eight of whom are living.

JOHN SCOTT, treasurer of Sierra county, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, March 1, 1830, being the son of James G. and Mary Scott. He lived at his birthplace in Ohio until February, 1853, when he camne by steamer to California, going directly to Chandlerville, in the northern part of Sierra. In August, 1853, he came to Downieville, resided there a year, and in August, 1854, went to Eureka North, where he engaged in mining and lumbering until October, 1876, being asso- ciated for ten years in the lumber traffic with Hon. G. Meredith. At that time he met with an acci- dent in a hydraulic claim, which cost him the loss of his right leg, G. B. Crooks being his mining partner at the time. Mr. Scott was elected county treasurer in September, 1877, on the republican ticket, defeating W. H. Burgess of Goodyear's bar, the democratic nominee. He was re-elected to the office in September, 1879, over his former opponent. Mr. Scott is a member of Mountain Shade Lodge No. 18, F. & A. M.

S. A. SCULLIN came to California in 1857, at the age of twenty-one. His native town was Essex, Chittenden county, Vermont. When eighteen years old he went to Troy, New York, where he lived one year, after which he spent two years in New York city. Upon his arrival by steamer at San Francisco, Mr. Scullin proceeded at once to Forest City, where most of the time since he has been engaged in contracting, mining, and timbering. For seven years he had the con- tract to furnish the Bald Mountain mine with timber. In November, 1863, he enlisted in the seventh California volunteers, was stationed for six months at San Francisco, and during the next year and a half at Fort Yuma, Maricopa Wells, and Camp McDowell, his regiment building the latter fort. He was in Arizona one year, participated in one campaign against the Apaches, and in 1865 returned to San Francisco, where he was discharged. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Scullin bought James McNaughton's interest in the Forest house, and became a partner of Mr. West. He was married in October, 1869, at Grass Valley, to Miss Mary Griffen, a native of Vermont. Three boys have been born to them, named Willis Earle, Austin Everett, and Paul Elwood. Mr. Scullin is a mem- ber of the Forest City lodge of Knights of Pythias, in which he occupies the position of Chancellor.

HENRY SPAULDING .- He is a Vermonter by nativity, having been born in Orange county, November 30, 1835. At the age of fourteen he went to Boston, entering the employ of Nourse & Co., wholesale dealers in farming implements. After staying there two years he entered upon an apprenticeship to a carpenter, and served four years at the trade. He came to California in 1857, arriving at San Francisco in July. In September he came to Forest City, where he mined contin- uously until 1870, when he was appointed under-sheriff. In 1873 he was elected sheriff of Sierra county, and served one term. In company with L. Mowry and W. J. Holmes, Mr. Spaulding, in 1878, established the firm of Spaulding, Mowry, & Co., now doing the heaviest business in the county. He was married in Downieville, April 4, 1864, to Miss Sarah Egan, who died March 8, 1872. He was married again December 24, 1874, to Miss Carrie Holmes of Forest City.

J. C. STEWART of Goodyear's bar was born and raised in Montgomery county, Ohio. He started for California, via the Isthmus, in January, 1852, arriving at San Francisco on the first day of April, a troublesome delay of six weeks having occurred at Panama. Upon his arrival, he started immediately up the Sacramento to Marysville, from whence he set out on foot up the Yuba, with several companions, having run short of money. He settled at Goodyear's bar, where he has

496

since resided, having been connected for many years with the saw-mill, in company with John Schriver. He was married in November, 1870, to Miss Alma- Clark, four children having since been born to them. He is a member of Mountain Shade Lodge No. 18, F. & A. M., at Downieville.

H. STRANGE, the present county clerk of Sierra county, was born in Suffolk, England, September 28, 1829. He emigrated to the United States in 1850, and, after spending a year in New York in the employ of the Pacific Steamship Company, came to California, arriving at San Francisco in February, 1852. In March he went to Calaveras county, and mined at Rich gulch nearly a year, when he went to San Francisco, with the intention of going to Australia. While waiting for the steamer the Russett house was burned, where the Cosmopolitan since stood ; he was present, and, in saving some of the inmates, was so badly burned that he was disabled for a year. In March, 1854, he came to Sierra county, and went to mining at Downieville. He mined for six months, in 1855, on the McCloud river, and got back to Downieville in July, 1856, without money. * In 1861 he was appointed deputy clerk, which post he held till 1868, when he was elected clerk, and has served the county in this capacity continually since, being an efficient officer and an exceed- ingly popular man. He was married at Downieville, in 1863, to Miss N. A. Hill of this place, by whom he has had one son and a daughter.

JEROME A. VAUGHN, son of Jesse and Betsey Vaughn, was born at Chardon, Geauga county, Ohio, December 20, 1837. He resided at his home until nineteen years of age, acquiring an education at the Hiram institute, and learning the printer's trade, when he went to Chicago, and for several months worked in various printing-offices. He then removed to Waukegan, Illinois, and worked on the Gazette two years; after which, in 1858, he worked on the Transcript at Peoria, Illinois, until the fall of 1859, when he again changed to Delevan, Wisconsin, and became one of · the proprietors of the Delevan Northron, that was burned out in 1860. Mr. Vaughn then became foreman of the Janesville Republican job department, but on the first of April, 1861, started over- land for California, arriving in Marysville August 10. For a short time he worked on the Express and Appeal, but in September went to La Porte, then to Sacramento, and to San Francisco, laboring at his profession. In April, 1862, he was employed as a guard in the prison at San Quentin, but soon worked on the Argus at Petaluma. During that winter's session of the legis- lature Mr. Vaughn was clerk for the sergeant-at-arms of the assembly. In the spring of 1863 he went to Carson on horseback, then to Virginia City, and in October returned to La Porte, where he bought a half-interest in the Messenger, in November, with which he has since been connected, part of the time as senior editor. Mr. Vaughn was one of the original locators of the Bald Mountain Extension mine, and is now largely interested in it, together with several other mines. He was married December 24, 1865, to Miss Eva Passage of Delevan, Wisconsin. Their children are Altie, Jessie, Eva, and George. Mr. Vaughn is a member of the Masonic order, and is district deputy and grand master workman of the Workmen's order.

ALONZO WARD was born at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in October, 1822. When seventeen years old he went into a tinshop and learned the trade. In 1844 he went to Niles, Michigan, and during the next eight years resided at that place, at St. Joseph, and at Chicago. In 1852 he came to California, and worked at his trade in Sacramento. In the spring of 1853 he went to ranching on Cache creek in Sacramento county, but soon sold his ranch, came to Sierra county in July, 1853, and stopped at Craig's flat, mining most of the time until 1854, when he went to Sebastopol. In the spring of 1855, in company with six others, he started the Pioneer tunnel, wherein he lost $9,400. Mr. Ward worked at his trade for C. W. Gilbert in Downieville from 1863 to 1873, when, with Messrs. Cole and Campbell he bought the business. In 1881 it was sold to J. W. Brown, the

€

RESIDENCE OF ALONZO WARD, DOWNIEVILLE, SIERRA CO., CAL. .

497

present proprietor. Mr. Ward was married in 1870, to Miss A. F. Flanders of Downicville. Two children have blessed their union.

H. G. WEIR was born in Brooke county, Virginia, in the year 1830. He began work in a marble-shop at the age of fifteen, and learned the trade of marble cutter and engraver, which he followed until he came to California in 1850. He crossed the plains, and arrived at Placerville in July. Here he mined until the following spring, and then came to Poker flat in this county, where he dug for the precious metal for ten years. In 1861 he went to Morristown, and mined there until 1867, when he went to Downieville, and engaged in the livery business, which he has contin- ucd to the present time.

JOHN T. WEST is a native of Denmark, where he was born in 1835. He was raised at home, learned the clock-making trade, and came to New York in 1854. In a few months he came around the Horn to San Francisco, where he lived a year, and then, in 1855, went to Nevada City, working at Cherokee during the winter. In the following spring Mr. West came to Kanaka creek, Sierra county, and from there to Alleghany in 1857, where he began mining with the Knickerbocker com- pany, of which he was a shareholder. Mr. West was engaged in mining at Alleghany and Smith's flat until 1868, when he opened a saloon. In 1873 he moved to Forest City, bought another saloon, retaining his interest in the old one. In 1880 he, with James McNaughton, bought the Forest house of Henry Ellery, and is now a partner with S. A. Scullin in the same popular hotel. Mr. West is interested in the South Fork mining company. He is a member of Forest Lodge No. 66, F. & A. M., at Alleghany; of Mistletoe Lodge No. 54, I. O. O. F., at Alleghany; and of the Knights of Pythias No. 44, at Forest City.

DR. R. S. WESTON was born at Belchertown, Massachusetts, in 1822, where he was raised. He received his education at Brown's university, from which he graduated in 1845, taking a degree. He afterwards attended a medical college in Woodstock, Vermont, where the degree of M. D. was conferred on him, and commenced practice in Rhode Island. Dr. Weston came to California in 1851, via the Isthmus, and settled in Butte county, where he practiced three years. In 1854 he came to Forest City, engaged in mining until 1863, without success, when he was elected to the assembly on the republican ticket. In 1864 he returned to Forest City; and opened a drug store, which is still owned by him. His present store was erected by him after the fire of 1865. He has been postmaster of the town since 1860, telegraph operator since 1864, and justice of the peace since 1866. Dr. Weston was married in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1847, his wife dying a year after marriage. In 1851, at Woonsocket, Rhode Island, he married again, but lost his second wife in 1857. Two children by his second wife died in infancy. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and has been connected with the Good Templars lodge of Forest City since 1867.

J. S. WIGGINS was born at Chicago, Illinois, in 1839. In 1852 he came with his father to California, arriving at Marysville in August. In May, 1853, he came to Wisconsin flat, and in the fall to Downieville, and has lived there almost continuously from that time. In January, 1854, lie began work in the express office, and carried the Rumville express from there to Foster's bar from April, 1854, to the spring of 1856. At one time he made the trip from Marysville to Downieville, 65 miles, carrying eastern papers, in seven hours and twenty minutes, riding but two animals. In 1858 he bought the passenger train (a mule train) running from Downieville to Eureka. In 1859 he sold out and worked for a company until 1861. Then he went to Forest City for a few years. In 1865, after the fire, he built a livery stable, but shortly after sold out and returned to Downie- ville. In 1866 he took charge of the train from there to Howland flat, and ran it for three years. Mr. Wiggins was married in 1875 to Miss E. Miller, daughter of James Miller of Sierra valley.

498

D. L. WHITNEY was born in Cincinnati February 3, 1827. In 1828 his parents moved to Warren county, Ohio, where he lived till 1845, when they again moved to Lee county, Illinois. When twenty-one years of age he enlisted in company G, first regiment Illinois volunteers, for the Mexican war, and served till the close of the war. In the spring of 1850 he started for California, coming across the plains with two others, and arriving sixty-five days after at Placerville. In a short time he came to Downieville, and went to mining on Durgan flat. In the fall of 1851 he was in Tuolumne county, and in the spring of 1852 in El Dorado, where he opened a store at Rock creek in the fall, and sold out in 1854. He then mined a year in El Dorado, and returned to Downie- ville. In 1855 he built a saw-mill on Shady flat, and has been in the lumber business ever since, now owning mills on China flat and at Howard ranch. Mr. Whitney represented Sierra county in the legislature of 1871. He was married at Marysville in 1862, to Mrs. E. A. Welch of Seneca county, New York, who died at Downieville in February, 1880. By her he had one daughter.

JULIUS S. WIXSON was born September 3, 1848, in Steuben county, New York. His parents removed to Alleghany county when he was quite small, in which locality he was raised, living there until twenty-five years of age. In March, 1874, he came to California, and first taught school in Sierra valley. He then taught one year at Howland flat, two years at La Porte, and one year at Gibsonville. In 1877 he was elected county superintendent, and re-elected in 1879 for the three- year term, having held the office about five years. He now resides at Sierra City, where he presides over the excellent school at that place. Mr. Wixson was married in December, 1875, to Sarah E. Peckham of Oakland, formerly of New York, who came to the western coast in 1866. Their children are Robert, born September 9, 1876; Charles Sumner, born April 10, 1881. Mr. Wixson is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges at Sierra City.

499

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHIES .- LASSEN COUNTY.

T. B. SANDERS .- This gentleman was born in Marion county, Illinois, November 29, 1848. In 1860 the family removed to California, settling in Indian valley, Plumas county. They all engaged in farming there until 1867, when they came to Susanville, where they have since resided. Since living here, Mr. Sanders has been engaged chiefly in cabinet work and undertaking. This spring, in company with George Weston, he fitted up an establishment with an engine, turning-lathe, and other machinery, preparatory to doing an extensive business in his line. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. lodges at Susanville. In politics, he is a democrat.

J. P. SHARP .- This gentleman was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, April 24, 1829. In 1849 he went to Arkansas, and in the spring of 1853 came overland to this state. He spent the winter in Marysville, and then came to Plumas county, mining until 1857. He then came to Honey Lake valley, and purchased the ranch of Marion Lawrence, in partnership with Lewis Stark. In the spring of 1859 he traded for cattle, which all perished that winter. In the spring of 1860 he went to Virginia City, and mined six months. He then teamed three years from Honey Lake valley to Virginia City and Humboldt mines. In 1864 he bought the ranch now a portion of the old Hamilton ranch. In 1866 he sold it to Hamilton, and bought the Chandler ranch. Five years later he sold that, and bought the ranch on which he now lives, three miles south-east of Janesville, containing 276 acres. Mr. Sharp is a member of the Janesville lodge and Susanville chapter, F. & A. M. He is a democrat in politics. April 15, 1866, he married Miss Lurana Walker, born in Randolph county, Indiana, March 28, 1840. Their children are Annie B., born February 17, 1867; Harriet Hill, March 11, 1869; William Walker, May 28, 1871; John Thomas, August 1, 1873 ; Mary Cordelia, February 15, 1876; Ivy Marble, December 21, 1878; Fenton, July 25, 1881.

A. U. SYLVESTER .- He was born in Suffolk county, Massachusetts, July 29, 1814. Until 1849 his principal occupation was the manufacture of boots and shoes, in Stoughton, Massachusetts. In that year he came overland, stopping in Shasta county. He mined, clerked, and then merchandised till 1851. He then kept hotel in Yreka a year. He then mined in Shasta until July, 1856, when he came to Honey Lake valley and located a section of land four miles below Susanville. With the exception of four years spent in merchandising on the Humboldt, he has lived constantly in Lassen county. He now owns a farm, in partnership with Fred Hines, 3} miles east of Susanville. In politics, he is a republican.

HIRAM N. SKADDAN .- The present sheriff of Lassen county was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, May 19, 1836. When he was three years old the family removed to New York, and two years later to Michigan, where they still live, in Ingham county. In 1862 Hiram came overland to Honey Lake valley, and soon went to Gold Hill, Nevada, engaging in hauling ore for a year. He then went home, and came back to this valley again in 1864, and farmed and teamed for two years. He then engaged in the livery business in Reno for one year. He began staging from Reno to Susanville, and followed that business six years. After this he engaged in the sheep business three years. He was then appointed deputy by Sheriff Washburn, and in the fall of 1879 was elected sheriff on the democratic ticket. December 25, 1875, he married Miss Fannie Lovell of Susanville, who died November 25, 1879. There was born to them, in 1877, a son, Vaughn, who died in infancy. November 16, 1880, he married Grace N., daughter of Captain E. S. and Sophia Talbot. Their only child, Hiram T., was born November 16, 1881, and the mother died four days later.

500

EDWARD T. SLACKFORD -This gentleman is a native of England, and was born in Suffolk, near Ipswich, November 4, 1849. In 1852 he came with his parents to the United States, settling in New York. Until 1861 he lived in that state, Ohio, and Iowa, when he came to California, and engaged in farming and mining in Lassen county. In 1867 he purchased forty acres of land three miles east of Janesville, on which he now resides. In 1881 he was appointed supervisor of the Janes- ville road district. Politically, Mr. Slackford is a democrat. He is a member of the Masonic and Workmen lodges of Janesville. December 25, 1872, he married Miss Alzina Leith, born in Wau- kesha, Wisconsin, in 1851. They have three children : Inez, born September 25, 1875; Edna Leona, April 16, 1877; Mary, September 12, 1879.

JOHN P. M. SMITH .- He was born August 17, 1850, in Cornwall, England. Six years later his father died, leaving a family of three boys and one girl. When John was twelve years of age he went to work in the mines, and so continued until 1870, when, with his mother and sister Jane, he came to California. They came to Lassen county, and have since lived on the farm of 160 acres, twelve miles east of Susanville, which his brother Robert had purchased for a homestead for their mother. John works the farm, and his mother lives with him. He is yet a single man. In politics, he adheres to the republican party.

DR. ZETUS NEWELL SPALDING .- This gentleman is descended, in the eighth generation, from Edward Spalding, through Andrew, Andrew, Andrew, Andrew, Benjamin, and Simeon, his father, and was born in Albany, Vermont, August 13, 1819. He resided for a time in Craftsbury, Ver- mont, and in 1826 the family moved to Peru, Ohio. He afterwards lived in North Norwich, subsequently named Havana, where he received his education at the common school and Norwalk Academy. In 1840 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Hugh F. Proute of Monroeville, Ohio, and finished under Dr. Moses C. Sanders of Maxville, Ohio, taking his degree in 1846 at the Cleve- land Medical College. In 1852 he left Roxana, Eaton county, Michigan, for California, coming overland, and arriving in Sierra county in August. He mined with varied success till the spring of 1855, and then went into mercantile business at St. Louis in that county. In 1857 his business was destroyed by fire. August 13, 1857, he settled on a ranch in Honey Lake valley, and lived there seven years. He then sold out, and moved into .Susanville, where he has since resided. From 1857 to the close of the civil war, Dr. Spalding was assistant surgeon of the U. S. army. August 11, 1857, he married Miss Mary A. Brown, born in Sussex, England, July 16, 1840. They have been blessed with twelve children, four of whom have been taken away by death : Ella Grace, born April 18, 1858; Ida Frances, October 15, 1859; Inez Imogene, October 5, 1861; Mary Alice, December 17, 1862; John Bridger, October 11, 1864; Wilber Neale, August 15, 1866; Jennie E., November 22, 1868 ; Zetus Newell, April 27, 1870, died October 22, 1879; Laura G., January 10, 1872, died September 8, 1877; Zella May, November 20, 1874, died November. 2, 1879; Thomas Marsh, February 5, 1877, died November 16, 1879; Clare E., April 20, 1878. They were all born in this county. Inez married L. L. Harbet, May 29, 1881, and is living in Ukiah, California.

JAMES M. STEINBERGER .- This gentleman was born in Champaign county, Ohio, September 15, 1829. In the spring of 1852 he moved to Jones county, Iowa, and engaged in farming and mill- ing eleven years. In 1863 he came overland to California, arriving in Honey Lake valley in Au- gust. For two years he engaged in farming, and then for fourteen years owned and operated the Milford Flour Mills. In the spring of 1879 he bought the Willow Ranch property of 400 acres, eighteen miles south of Milford, which is now his home. He is engaged in raising stock, hay, grain, and fruit. He belongs to the Janesville Masonic lodge. In politics, he is a democrat. March 25, 1852, he married Miss Martha M. Decious of Westville, Ohio. Their children are Alice

501

I., born February 26, 1855; L. E., January 13, 1856; Charles A., July 7, 1860, died February 25, 1861 ; Mary E., June 4, 1862 ; Effie M., December 14, 1867, died October 14, 1870; James M., August 27, 1871; Martha A., May 8, 1876. The first four were born in Iowa, the others in this county. .

JOHN THEODORE .- He was born in Wales, July 8, 1833. At the age of twenty-two he came to the United States, and clerked six years in New York, in the wholesale carpet store of W. T. Lewis & Co. In June, 1862, he landed in San Francisco, from across the Isthmus. He lived two years in Stockton, and then mined six years in Virginia City, Nevada. In the spring of 1860 he purchased 160 acres of land twenty miles east of Susanville, in what is called the Tule Confederacy. He has made that his home since, engaged in raising stock. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Janes- ville. In politics, he is a republican. March 24, 1869, he married Annie Thomas of Gold Hill, Nevada. Their children are Lottie E., born July 12, 1870; Annie K., July 16, 1872; John T., November 23, 1876; Bessie, September 24, 1881. Lottie was born in Gold Hill, and the others in Honey Lake valley.

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.

Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850, Part 72

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