USA > California > Lassen County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 73
USA > California > Plumas County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 73
USA > California > Sierra County > Illustrated history of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra counties, with California from 1513 to 1850 > Part 73
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DAVID TITHERINGTON .- This gentleman was born in County Douen, Ireland, September 11, 1810. The following year the family moved to the United States, and David lived in New York, Pennsyl- vania, and Indiana until 1849, when he sailed for California on the ship Dalmatia, rounding the Horn, and arriving in San Francisco in August, 1850. He mined nine years at Parks' Bar, Nelson creek, Elizabethtown, and Bean hill. In 1859 he came to this valley, and in July, 1860, purchased, with John S. Ward, the land located by Peter Lassen, at administrator's sale. This place has been his home ever since. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Susanville. His politics are repub- lican. May 17, 1830, Mr. Titherington married Miss Elizabeth Whitacre, a native of Ohio. She died December 20, 1876. Their children were John, born June 4, 1832; Robert, October, 1833; Mary E., January 14, 1835; Albert, October, 1837 ; Rachel, May 11, 1840; Lewis, March, 1843, died October 12, 1876; Joseph, February 22, 1845. They were all born in Wayne county, In- diana.
Bancroft Library
AMOS CONKEY .- Mr. Conkey is the son of Sylvanus and Elizabeth Conkey, and was born in Alleghany county, New York, June 4, 1831. While young, his parents removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where they remained two years, and again to Jacksonville, Pennsylvania, where they resided until 1843, when they went to Green county, Wisconsin, and remained ten years. In the spring of 1853 he, with his parents, came overland to California, arriving in Sierra county in Octo- ber of that year. His parents engaged in the hotel business, and Amos went to mining. In June, 1857, he, with his father, came to Lassen county, and made the original location of 320 acres of land, eight miles south-east of Susanville, on which Amos has since lived. His father remained here until his death, in April, 1879. Since living in Lassen county Mr. Conkey has been principally engaged in farming. He was married February 19, 1863, to Miss Eliza J. Bryant of Green county, Wisconsin, who was born in Monroe county, Illinois, June 9, 1836. To them have been born eight children : May, born May 9, 1864; Ira M. and Ida M., September 15, 1865; Ellen Blanch and Alice Maud, September 15, 1869; Jesse B., July 29, 1873 ; Earl Arthur, January 22, 1878; and Clarice Sybil, March 19, 1881-of which the following are deceased : Ida M., died May 7, 1869; May, December 8, 1879 ; Earl Arthur, December 22, 1879 ; and Jesse, December 26, 1879.
JOHN F. HULSMANN .- He was born February 18, 1837, in Prussia. He, with his sister, came to the United States when he was sixteen years of age, and settled in St. Louis, Missouri. He traveled over the western states considerably, prior to 1860, when he came overland to California, and settled in Honey Lake valley in August of that year. In 1863 he bought a portion of the
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ranch he now owns, and to which he has from time to time added. He now owns 1,040 acres of agricultural timber-land, which is situated about seven miles south-east of Susanville. Mr. Huls- mann was married February 5, 1870, to Miss Hannah Vogt, also a native of Prussia. To them have been born the following children: William, born April 1, 1872; Herman and Henry, Feb- ruary 14, 1874; Ida, May 15, 1876; Louise, April 13, 1878; Fritz, March 8, 1880. Henry died February 13, 1880.
PHILIP MYERS .- He was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1818. In 1833 he, with his parents, went to Licking county, Ohio, where he remained until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Randolph county, Illinois, and worked at blacksmithing, which trade he learned in Ohio. In 1852 he came overland to California, arriving in Marysville September 3 of that year. He here worked at his trade until February, 1854, when he went to Oroville, where, besides working at his trade, he engaged in the hotel business and farming. In 1860 he went back to Marysville, and in 1862 to San Francisco, where he remained until 1864, when he came to Lassen county and started a blacksmith and wagon shop in Susanville. He continued here until 1871, when he bought 160 acres of land one mile south of Susanville, where he has since made his home. He has since added to his farm, until he now has 640 acres. He was married December 21, 1845, to Miss Hannah A. McCormick, who was born in Boone county, Kentucky, January 31, 1827. The children born to them are Thomas A., born June 29, 1848; Cyrus R., September 10, 1849; Alice, December 25, 1850; Charles P., December 23, 1852; Emma, June 4, 1854; Zebulon M., November 17, 1855 ; Albert, March 26, 1857; Ada F., November 10, 1858; Frank L., December 29, 1863 ; Annie, No- vember 18, 1870. Alice died October 12, 1852; and Emma, June 9, 1854.
CHARLES LAWSON .- He was born August 2, 1843, in Fulton county, Indiana. While young, his parents removed to Missouri, where he remained until he came overland to California, in 1857. The fall of that year he spent in Honey Lake valley, and the winter in Sierra county. He was engaged in teaming and packing until 1871, spending only a portion of each year up to that time in Lassen county. In that year he purchased the ranch of 344 acres, three and a half miles south-east of Susanville, on which he has since lived. In politics, he is a democrat. Mr. Lawson was married April 21, 1878, to Eugenia Benjamin, of Susanville, who was born in Sonoma county, this state, December 1, 1857. Their children are Everett, born May 30, 1879; and Edna, born May 23, 1881.
A. E. DEFOREST .- This gentleman was born September 2, 1853, in Johnson county, Iowa. When ten years of age he, with his parents, came overland to California, arriving in Honey Lake valley in September, 1863, where they have since lived. While yet young Mr. De Forest engaged in stock-herding, and has managed for himself ever since. He was married December 23, 1877, to Miss Florence Edwards of Susanville, who was born in Windom county, Vermont, November 24, 1857. Their only child is Lorenzo Eugene, born November 17, 1878. In the fall of 1878, Mr. DeForest purchased a farm of 320 acres, seven miles south-east of Susanville, on which he now resides. In politics, he is a republican.
EDWARD KINGSBURY .- He was born October 29, 1830, in Summit county, Ohio, where he remained until seventeen years of age, when he removed to Illinois. In the spring of 1860 he crossed the plains, stopping at Aurora, Nevada, where he engaged in mining. He remained there until the fall of 1864, when he came. to Lassen county, but returned to Nevada the next year, stopping at Pine Grove until the fall of 1868, when he again came to Lassen, and bought the farm of 160 acres in Honey Lake valley, four miles south-east of Susanville, where he has since resided. In politics, Mr. Kingsbury is a democrat. On the twentieth of October, 1850, he was married to Miss Casandra Durbin of Illinois, to whom were born two children: David O., born October 2,
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1852; and Charles W., November 20, 1854. His wife died August, 1868, at Mound City, Kansas. He was again married to Mrs. Cynthia Wentworth of Susanville, who had one child, Clara I., born April 24, 1866, and who resides with them.
DR. GEORGE HURLEY .- He was born at Pomeroy, Meigs county, Ohio, June 15, 1850. When fifteen years of age his parents, with the family, removed to Kansas, where he soon commenced the study of medicine, and graduated at the Medical college of Keokuk, Iowa. In 1871 he came to California, and to Susanville in 1875, where he practiced his profession until his death, which occurred August 6, 1880. He was married February 16, 1880, to Mrs. M. E. Bennett. Doctor Hurley was a man of fine education, and was esteemed by all who knew him. He was a Master Mason before coming to Susanville, having received the degrees of the chapter and commandery, and was buried by the Masonic order here. A large concourse of citizens attended the funeral.
CHARLES MULHOLLAND .- He is the son of Peter and Catherine Mulholland, and was born August 25, 1838, in the county of Londonderry, Ireland. When nine years of age he, with his parents, went to Scotland, where they remained until 1862, when he came to the United States. He served throughout the late civil war, being at Hampton Roads, and taking part in the conquer- ing of the confederate iron-clad Merrimac. He was with Farragut's fleet on the Mississippi river, was in front of Vicksburg, and in 1863 was on the U. S. steamer Wachusett when the Florida was captured. At the close of the war he withdrew from the Navy, and settled in Pennsylvania. In 1873 he went to Illinois, where he remained four years, when he came to California and settled in Lassen county. Here he was a preacher in the Methodist church until the fall of 1879, when he was elected to the legislature on the republican ticket, as joint representative for Plumas and Lassen counties, serving in this body with ability, and satisfaction to his constituents. In 1881 he removed to Greenville, Plumas county, and purchased the Bulletin, in charge of which he still continues. Under his guidance this paper is wielding a moral and political influence enjoyed by few papers in ' Northern California. Mr. Mulholland was married May 4, 1865, to Miss Mary Havey of Dover, New Jersey, where she was born June 6, 1846. Their children are Irving, born February 7, 1866, in New Jersey ; Katie, June 6, 1868, in Pennsylvania; and Mary, June 4, 1874, in Illinois.
JERRY TYLER .- He was born in Pennsylvania, in the year 1828. When three years old he went with his parents to Cleveland, Ohio. As soon as old enough he worked at anything which offered. Was messenger in the Granville bank, and afterwards learned the mason's trade, at which he continued until twenty years of age. Was soon afterwards married to Miss Elizabeth Pulford, and then went to Johnson county, Iowa, where he purchased some land and also engaged in the livery business. He soon sold his interests here, and came to Lassen county, California, bringing with him twenty-five buggies and carriages, and a lot of fine horses. He stopped for a time at the place where Mr. Ridenour now lives, but afterwards removed to Nicholas Clark's place, a part of whose house he rented. The following January, while they were out, their little girl Francis accidentally set fire to the house, the fire consuming it and all their household effects. Soon after, he bought from Mr. Kingsbury the place he now lives on, near Milford. Mr. Tyler was again married February 14, 1864, to Miss Parker. Their children are Grant, born May 20, 1865; Thomas Sheridan, July 27, 1868; Stanton Farragut, September 17, 1870; Jessie Louise, July 27, 1874; Laura Edith, January 29, 1876; Sumner Custer, January 24, 1878; and Stanley Edson, February 2, 1881. Mr. Tyler is the inventor of a very ingenious appliance for unloading, stack- ing, and distributing hay and grain.
ROBERT JOHNSON, son of William and Mary, was born in England, February 23, 1827. His parents came to the United States when he was about three years of age, and settled in Columbia
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county, New York, where Robert remained until seventeen years of age, when they removed to Michigan, where his parents died. Here he remained until twenty-four years of age, when he started for California, overland, being one of nine who drove the first band of sheep across the plains in 1851, arriving in Sacramento in September of that year. In 1852 he returned to Michi- gan, and remained there until 1859, when he again crossed the plains, bringing his wife with him, arriving in Honey Lake valley in July of that year. Here he has ever since lived. That year he, in partnership with E. G. Bangham, bought a half-interest in the ranch he now lives on, and in 1862 dissolved partnership, and he ultimately bought, and now owns, 190 acres of the same place, 4 miles cast of Susanville, on the Reno road. He is a member of F. & A. M., Lassen Lodge No. 149, . and I. O. O. F., Silver Star Lodge No. 135. Was elected coroner and public administrator of Lassen county on the republican ticket in 1879, for three years. Was married March 23, 1851, to Miss Nancy Handy, born in Niagara county, New York, October 26, 1828. Their children are Adeline, born March 3, 1852; Eveline, September 6, 1853; Chester, April 1, 1856; Isabel, March 29, 1857 ; Frank, August 29, 1860 ; and Frederick, December 26, 1867. Adeline died Jannary 26, 1869, and Frederick, March 3, 1869.
CAPTAIN CHARLES A. MERRILL .- He was born in Jackson, Maine, 'November 25, 1838, from which place his parents removed, while he was yet young, to Bangor, where his father owned a large hardware business, and carried on a tannery and leather manufacturing establishment until his death, in 1845. The following year his mother died, after which he lived with an uncle, Ezekiel T. Hatch, a leading ship-builder of Belfast, Maine. Until fifteen years of age, Charles at- tended school regularly either in Jackson or Bangor, but in that year he commenced going to sea during the summer time, and attending school in the winter. This he continued until eighteen, in which year he made his first long voyage to the island of Martinique, from where he went to the Spanish Main, and in after years cruised all over the world. In 1864 he abandoned the sea at San Francisco, and engaged in land speculations in California. In 1870 he was engaged by the settlers of Santa Barbara and vicinity, to proceed to Washington and resist, and if possible prevent, the confirmation by Congress of a large Spanish grant of twenty-two leagues (66 miles) of land to a syndicate of speculators, headed by Tom Scott and Levi Parsons, which would have amounted to wholesale robbery of the settlers in that county. With the able assistance of George W. Julian, chairman of the House Committee on Public Lands, he succeeded in defeating its confirmation, and . . in having the pueblo ratified, thereby giving to the Santa Barbara people a government title to their lands. During the years 1872-3 he engaged in mining and stock speculations with great suc- cess, and in 1874 came to Lassen county, and located an extensive tract of fine timber land, just west of Susanville, in the midst of which he erected a saw-mill, which he operated for three years. In 1874 he conceived the idea of that vast irrigation scheme for the reclamation of those extensive . tracts of desert lands which lie to the north and east of Honey lake. In the winter of 1874-5 he went to Washington, and had passed " The Desert Land" bill, which then applied to Lassen county only, but which has since become general. The details of this enterprise are given else- where. Mr. Merrill is a live, shrewd, energetic man, and with his enterprise has caused large sums of money to be put into circulation in the county, and will continue so to do, to his and the settlers' material benefit. He was married in February, 1875, in Belfast, Maine, to Miss Clara A. Shibles (they had been engaged for fifteen years) of that place. He returned with his bride to San Fran- cisco, where they resided until his business began to require his constant attention, since which time they have made their home at Belfast in this county. They have had two children : Florence E., born November 1, 1876, in San Francisco; and Charles A., born February 1, 1878, but living only two years and twenty-one days.
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WILLIAM H. HALL -He is the son of Davis and Mary A. Hall, and was born in Oxford county, Maine, April 29, 1843. That same year his parents removed to Waltham, Hancock county, where our subject remained until 1861. He attended school until the age of sixteen, when he commenced to learn the plumber's trade. In February, 1861, he started for California, via the Isthmus, arriv- ing in San Francisco March 6 of that year. He soon left for the interior of the state, coming direct to Honey Lake valley. Here he engaged in farming and teaming until 1869, when he went to White Pine, Nevada. Returning in 1870, he engaged in milling at Johnstonville, where he has since made his home, and in 1872 bought an interest in the Lassen Mills at that point. In 1875 he formed a copartnership with Mr. Snyder, with whom he has since continued. He is a member of Lassen Lodge No. 149, F. & A. M. In politics he is republican. He was married December 4, 1875, to Miss Mary J. Sifford, who was born in Missouri, April 1, 1854. Their only child is Jesse, born July 4, 1879, in this county.
HENRY SNYDER .- He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, January 20, 1834. When nine years of age his parents removed to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he remained until the spring of 1855, when he went to Iowa, where he lived for ten years. While in Indiana he learned the trade of miller, which business he followed while in Iowa. In 1859 came to California, overland, driving the first team that ever crossed the present site of Virginia City, Nevada. He remained there a short time prospecting, and then went to Tuolumne county, California, and remained there about one year. He then returned to Iowa, and remained there until 1865, when he returned to Califor- nia, overland, stopping in Butte county. From there he went to Plumas county, and mined one year. From there, in 1871, he went to Lassen county, and was miller in the " Lassen Mills " at Johnstonville until 1875, when he bought a half-interest in them with W. H. Hall, which they have since managed in partnership. He is a member of F. & A. M., Lassen Lodge No. 149, and of Chapter No. 47 and Commandery No. 13. He was married April 29, 1858, to Elizabeth Heckart, who died on the plains, May 25, 1865; was again married to Mrs. Martha McColm, September 17, 1879, who was born in Warren county, Illinois, Angust 24, 1852. She has one child by her first husband : James D. McColm, born October 17, 1866. His children by his first wife are William H., born November 6, 1861 ; Fannie M., August 9, 1863, and Libbie A., May 10, 1865.
RICHARD D. BASS .- He was born in Green county, Kentucky, May 30, 1821. When two years of age his parents removed to Missouri, where he made his home until 1853, when he came to California, overland, with ox-teams, arriving in American valley, Plumas county, August 5 of that year. Mr. Bass remained in the county about three years, mining first on Nelson creek, and after- wards in various portions of the county. In November, 1857, he came to Honey Lake valley, but soon after returned to Plumas; and in May, 1858, removed his family from there to this county, settling in Elysian valley, on the ranch he has ever since owned and occupied of 400 acres, ten miles south-east of Susanville. Is a member of Janesville Lodge, F. & A. M. In politics, he is democratic. He was married May 13, 1851, to Miss Mary A. Crylon, who was born in England, May 13, 1832. Their children are Julia, born December 29, 1853; Stephen S., born January 9, 1857 ; John N., born June 1, 1859; William B., born November 28, 1862; Richard Lee, August 2, 1865 ; Mary, August 25, 1870; Charles R., September 1, 1872; Roland, born March 23, 1875.
ISAAC M. STEWART .- He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, May 17, 1838. When nine years old he went to Fulton county, Illinois, where he remained until 1855, when he removed to Madison county, Iowa. In the spring of 1861 he came to California, overland. He stopped in Honey Lake valley for about three months, and then went to Marysville. He was back and forth from there to the valley until 1866, when he settled on the O'Neil ranch, where he
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stopped until 1868, when he bought the ranch of 280 acres, six miles south-east of Susanville, where he has since resided. In polities, he is a republican. He was married in Marysville, California, April 26, 1866, to Miss Sophia More, who was born in Wisconsin, November 26, 1846. Their chil- dren are Walter C., born March 18, 1867; Jennie E., April 12, 1870; Ada E., January 3, 1873; Charles Markus, October 28, 1876; and Laura S., August 27, 1880-all born in Lassen county.
P. B. BRONSON .- He is the son of Marshall and Malita Bronson, and was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, December 16, 1839. In 1857 he came with his parents, via Panama, to Cali- fornia, settling at Rieh bar, Plumas county, in May of that year. Here he followed his trade as carpenter until the fall of 1859, when he removed to Long Valley, Lassen county, settling on the Hood place. The next spring he located and settled on a ranch in Beckwourth pass, Plumas county. In 1863 he became justice of the peace, on the republican ticket, of Quartz township in that county, which position he occupied until Lassen county was formed, in 1864, which made him a resident of the latter county. He filled that office in Long valley township, Lassen county, up to 1876. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and of Lake Lodge No. 135, A. O. U. W. In politics, he is republican. He was married November 18, 1880, to Miss Georgie Glascock of Milford, who was born in Missiouri, October 11, 1860.
THOMAS MCFADDEN .- He was born in Ireland, October 15, 1819. In 1831 he came to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, where he remained nine years, during which time he learned the tinsmith trade. In 1840 he went to New Orleans, and followed his trade until 1849, when he emigrated to California. Here he followed mining for several years, then worked at his trade in Chico, Butte county. He came to Lassen county, and settled on the farm on which he now resides, in 1849. A veiw of his place may be seen on another page.
NICHOLAS CLARK .- He is the son of William and Rachel (Ward) Clark, and was born in Petersham, Massachusetts, August 10, 1816. Mr. Clark first came to California in 1846, but went back the next year. In 1853 he returned to this state and located on his present ranch in Lassen county. He was one of the party who in 1847 went to the relief of the Domer party. Mr. Clark is one of the pioneers of Lassen county, and by his perseverance, industry, and integrity, has not only gained the respect of his neighbors, but a goodly allowance of this world's goods. A view of his beautiful residence may be seen on another page.
S. A. DOYLE .- He was born in Hancock county, Maine, April 4, 1837, and is the son of Law- rence and Lorenda (Abbott) Doyle. He came to California in 1869, and is a school-teacher by profession. He taught for a number of years, and was superintendent of schools of Lassen county for one term. In 1878 he settled in Milford, where he now resides, and engaged in the hotel busi- ness. He is proprietor of the Milford hotel, a view of which can be seen on another page. Mr. Doyle was married October 4. 1862, to Miss Orvilla H. Wilbur. Their children are Otis M., born April 10, 1864; Caddie B., August 3, 1868; Eugene H., August 28, 1872; Libbie W., November 12, 1873 ; and Edgar A. and Lorenda M., deceased.
L. B. WASHBURN .- The subject of this sketch is the son of F. A. and Adeline (Bronson) Wash- burn, and was born January 29, 1852, in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. January 28, 1872, he was married to Miss Susanna Nye, and emigrated to California in the spring of 1878, settling in Lassen county. He resides now in Milford, and is engaged in the butcher business and ranching.
GURDON W. MEYLERT .- He is the son of Seeku and Abigal (Nichols) Meylert, and was born at Montrose, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1837. He had the benefit of a good education, having attended the Lewisburg University and the Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York. At the age of fifteen he taught school at La Porte, Pennsylvania. He commenced travel-
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ing at an early age, visiting the South Sea Islands, and spending a number of months in China. In November, 1855, he landed in San Francisco, and adopted the profession of teacher. Taught for several years in Napa county. In the winter of 1861 he located in Sacramento, but the floods of 1861-62 destroyed all his accumulation's. In 1862 he was engaged in business in San Francisco, traveling over the state a portion of the time. He settled in Plumas county in March, 1863, tried mining for a time, but being unsuccessful, went to teaching, and followed it four years, during which time he held the office of county superintendent of public instruction. Since his residence here he has been identified with and largely instrumental in bringing to successful completion every publie improvement in the county. He has held many positions of trust in the county. Mr. Mey- lert has recently removed to Janesville, Lassen county, where he purchased the beautiful home for- merly belonging to L. N. Breed, together with other large interests, including a general merchandise store here, and another in Susanville. He is receiver of the United States land office at Susanville. His father, Secku Meylert, was a man of those sterling qualities which make men, and which he has transmitted to his sons, Gurdon W., General A. N., Michael, and Dr. A. P .- all of whom are men of high moral character, great energy, and strict integrity, and enjoy the confidence and respect of all who know them. Gurdon W. was married in January, 1864, to Miss H. E. Madden, daughter of G. W. and Eliza Madden of Taylorsville. His portrait and a view of his residence may be seen elsewhere in this work.
LONG VALLEY.
Lying in that narrow strip in the southern portion of Lassen county, situated between the Plumas county line and the line dividing the states of California and Nevada, is Long valley. It follows the course of Antelope creek, a tributary of Honey lake, as it flows towards the north. It V is nearly. forty miles long, and varies in width, though not exceeding a few miles at its widest point. This valley has been a stock range for many years, and is one of the best to be found in the great Nevada basin. Several thousand cattle are raised annually by the wealthy ranchers who own the valley. These gentlemen have finely improved places, and among the finer ones are the Evans, McKissiek, and the two Ross ranches, which have residences and improvements upon them as good as can be found anywhere. A post-office named Long Valley is located there. The stage road from Reno to Susanville passes through it from end to end, and the Reno and Oregon railroad will probably soon be built through the valley, giving it splendid transportation facilities.
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