USA > California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > The annals of San Francisco; containing a summary of the history of California, and a complete history of its great city: to which are added, biographical memoirs of some prominent citizens > Part 64
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The war had then been terminated, and it became necessary to select a civilian to act as collector of the port, until the reve- nue laws of the United States should be extended over the terri- tory. The late General Mason, U. S. Army, then acting as gov- ernor of the territory, appointed Mr. Gilbert to that office. This he declined. By doing so he voluntarily lost the opportunity of amassing a large fortune in a very short time. Mr. Harrison, who was subsequently appointed, having become the recipient of immense revenues, through the opportunities given him by virtue of his office of getting possession of property, was soon made almost if not quite a millionaire. About the 1st of October, he started for the mines, and after spending some three weeks there, ill health obliged him to return.
There were then two newspaper establishments in San Francis- co, the " California Star" and the "Californian." Mr. Gilbert having formed a partnership with Mr. E. C. Kemble of the "Star," and Mr. Geo. C. Hubbard, and the materials of the "Californian" having been purchased, these two papers, the only ones as yet
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published in California, were merged into a new paper, the "Alta California," the first number of which appeared on the 4th Jan- uary, 1849, Mr. Gilbert filling the position of senior editor. He continued to occupy this position until his death, except when absent in the convention which formed the State constitution, and afterwards during his congressional term. In the summer of 1849 he was elected almost unanimously as one of the delegates to represent San Francisco in the convention about to assemble tc form a constitution for the State. In the following autumn, having held himself aloof from party nomination he ran as an inde- pendent candidate for Congress, and was elected by a very flatter- ing majority. He had thus the proud distinction of being a member of the first delegation which represented in Congress a sovereign State on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. At the expira- tion of his term of service in Congress, he returned to California, where he arrived in June, 1851, with health much impaired. He soon resumed his position of senior editor of the Alta California.
During the spring and summer of 1852, the relief expedi- tion sent out to assist the incoming immigration over the plains under the law of the Legislature of that year became the subject of much criticism through the press, as well as in private circles. Mr. Gilbert could not from his nature and habits refrain from ex- pressing decidedly his opinions touching it and its conductors. This unfortunately involved him in a personal controversy with several gentlemen, and finally led to a duel in which the Hon. J. W. Denver, State Senator from Klamath and Trinity Counties, and himself were principals, Mr. Denver being the challenged party. They fought at sunrise, August 2d, at Oak Grove, near Sacramento City. The weapons used were Wesson's rifles ; the distance forty paces. The first fire having occurred without ef- fect, the weapons were reloaded, the word given, and Mr. Gilbert fell mortally wounded, the ball having taken effect just above the left hip bone. He survived but a few moments, looking up to the face of his second with a smile, and dying without uttering a word. His body was taken to the Oak Grove Hotel, and thence in the evening to Sacramento City. The next day his remains were escorted by the Sacramento Guard and Sutter Light Infantry, and a large number of the most prominent citizens, to the steam-
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er. On the arrival of the body in San Francisco it was received by the various military companies, and other associations. In the darkness of the gloomy night the silent and mournful cortège presented a peculiarly solemn appearance, and impressed all with the most melancholy reflections. In that sad hour there was not present one heart which did not condemn the bloody code by which he had been destroyed.
His funeral ceremonies were performed on the sixth of August. The California Guard, of which he had been a member, acted as escort. A very large concourse of citizens joined in the ceremo- monies and the procession. His remains were deposited in the Yerba Buena Cemetery, where amid the shrubs they rest, cut down in early prime like many of the flowers which bloom upon his grave, and are too soon shattered by the untimely wind. Many lie there in that young city of the dead, but none whose life in its various relations was based upon more high and honorable principles of conduct and feeling.
One who knew Mr. Gilbert well speaks of him thus eloquently and truly : A residence of nearly six years in a new country, which from the first became the home of his adoption, made him thoroughly a Californian in all his actions and inmost thoughts. Coming here under circumstances which remove the slightest im- putation of seeking political preferment in a new State, or of reap- ing the golden harvest which was not discovered until long after his arrival, the most rigid scrutiny of his whole course will con- vince all that he attained the proud distinction of a high, honor- able and manly identification with the best interests of Califor- nia, without any resort to means which could leave a stain upon his character as a public man or private citizen.
His position as an editor was at times difficult ; but he met his responsibilities fearlessly, and fulfilled each duty with more than common ability and discretion. For four years the conductor of a leading journal upon the shores of the Pacific, Mr. Gilbert partici- pated largely in the development of institutions which in some countries would have been the growth of gener- ations ; and it may be said with equal credit to his memory as a journalist, and as a man, that his ability has left its impress for good upon almost every important question in the history of our
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young but powerful State. Politically, he was a consistent dem- oerat, unwavering in his adherence to the great cardinal principles of his faith ; but he was no partisan. He was above the servility to party discipline which the great mass of politicians approve or endure, never forgetting his individual dignity and honor in obedi- ence to eliques and parties. As a member of the State Conven- tion and of Congress, without pretence to the showy qualities of the orator, he was one of the most indefatigable working com- mittee-men, earnest and sensible.
Yet he lacked not the qualities necessary to a fluent speaker, and was forcible, calm and argumentative. The dignity and up- rightness of his character, together with his business tact, gave him, notwithstanding his youth, a high and honorable position among his confederates, in the Convention and in Congress. As a man he was modest, unassuming, almost diffident, and his manner gave him an appearence of coldness which his intimate friends knew did not spring from his heart. His attachments, when once formed and unrestrained, were warm, generous and constant. His disposition was kind and benevolent. He scorned every thing low, corrupt and vile. He fearlessly expressed his feelings. He was as resolute in the presence of a foe as he was warm towards a friend. He was neither malignant nor vindictive. Guileless, frank, open hearted, he won the esteem and secured the respect of every cirele in which he moved. His private life and character were unblemished, and he guarded his honor with a sleepless watch- fulness. His fault was a too sensitive vigilance and excitability upon this point. It made him too keenly alive to the least ex- pression which might be tortured into an insinuation against him- self. Entirely conscious of his own rectitude and honesty, he could not and would not suffer a doubt of either to be breathed or whispered. If this was an error it sprung from a highly vir- tuous impulse and principle, and he lost his life in vindicating what he considered his honor. The gloom which hung over the city after the announcement of his death, and during his funeral ceremonies, showed how deeply he had fixed himself in the hearts of the community.
SOATTERGOOD-SOLLIN
WILLIAM D. M. HOWARD.
FEW names of individuals have occurred so frequently through- out our narrative as that of Wm.D. M. Howard. Indeed very few men in San Francisco have so continually and zealously minis- tered to its public welfare, entirely independent of political influ- ences, and in return enjoyed the same unwavering, unabated popularity through the antithetic phases of its history.
Mr. Howard is a native of Boston, and first came to Cali- fornia in the year 1838, where he resided, with the exception of a twelvemonth's absence on a visit to the city of his birth, until 1853, when his failing health again carried him from his adopted home. Prior to the occupancy of the country by the army of the United States, he was engaged as the agent of a commercial house in Boston in the hide trade, then almost the only traffic
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carried on in California. This business rendered it necessary for him to be continually travelling to and from the different por- tions of the coast, and it was not till 1846 or 1847 that he established himself permanently in San Francisco.
At that time, he associated himself with Henry Mellus, Esq. (another old resident on the Pacific), and with him purchased the establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company in San Fran- cisco, along with other property, and entered upon a commer- cial business, which was not then of much importance or of very great extent. The discovery of gold, however, gave an impetus to their operations, and ere long they became extensively engaged in great commercial speculations. In 1850, these gen- tlemen dissolved partnership, and Mr. Howard retired from the busy scenes of commerce, and devoted himself to the improve- ment of his property.
Among the political and party agitations of his adopted State, Capt. Howard has never taken an active part, but he has always been a zealous and efficient advocate for any measure conducive to her welfare ; and his name is prominent among those whose liberality and enterprise have been the spirit of the progress of San Francisco. In every popular movement in the city, he enacted an eminent and controlling part, and in the social and minor relations of life holds a merited and enviable position. His charities have been abundant. The early efforts to establish an Orphans' Asylum met in him a generous as- sistant, and in the organization of the school system and fire department, he acted prominently, tendering, besides pecuniary aid, the free use of buildings to the former, and donating to the latter a handsome fire-engine, which he had procured at his own expense. He was among the first promoters of the cause of re- ligion, and donated a lot of ground to the Howard street Pres- byterian Church. His early connection with the volunteer sol- diery led to his election as captain of the California Guard, a position he long and worthily filled. He is about thirty-five years of age, of a commanding general appearance, and a particularly benevolent expression of countenance.
JOSEPH F. ATWILL.
MR. ATWILL is another of the prominent pioneers of California, who during the past five years have labored to develope the resources of their adopted State. Ever prompt in the discharge of the duties incumbent on an active and intelligent citizen, thorough and precise in his business relations, bountiful in his charities, generous, open-hearted and benevolent in disposition, this gentleman has met with that signal success, which, like bread cast upon the waters, returns to reward an unselfish life. A resumé of his career would be that of hundreds of men, who leaving the crowded thoroughfares of the great Atlantic cities, turned to the land of promise, where the trials and hardships of ten years of active life crowded into one, were to develope traits which might otherwise have remained concealed among the ener- vating luxuries of eastern habits.
Joseph F. Atwill was born in Boston, Massachusetts, June 4th, 1811, and received the usual literary education afforded the youth of that city by its excellent school system. This com- pleted, young Atwill entered the office of the "New England Farmer," where he served a regular apprenticeship among the " types"-a hot-bed which has developed the germ of much of the world's best talent. Two years of industrious application to his business discovered to his friends that his occupation was of a too sedentary nature, and he consequently entered the music and fancy goods store of Messrs. Hewett & Co., in Boston, and subsequently removed with them to New York, in the year 1831. Having served with them the requisite time, he commenced a business for himself in 1834, and experienced the vicissitudes of a Broadway tradesman, until he became one of the most cele- brated publishers of music in the country.
Ultimately, however, meeting with severe losses, Mr. Atwill
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became one of the restless thousands, who, carried away by the excitement of the discovery of a land, embodying all the fancies of Lalla Rookh and gorgeous Cashmere, determined to tempt fortune anew on the shores of the Pacific ; and accordingly ar- rived in San Francisco, via Panama, on the 31st of October, 1849. Landing almost without a dollar, like hundreds of kin- dred spirits, he soon began to adapt himself to the place, and to move with that alacrity and determination to succeed that mark the man of will and firm resolve. After buying and selling ex- tensively for himself, and operating largely for others, he located a little store, 8 ft. by 14, on Washington street, a few doors west of the plaza, and thus became the pioneer music and fancy- goods dealer of California. In this snug little bijou of a place, he laid the foundation of his wealth. At this period society in San Francisco was almost totally disorganized, and resolved into its original elements. Each man was an independent sover- eignty, sailing under his own flag, declaring war, making treaties, and exercising all the functions of a limited government. As a consequence, some rose to imperial splendor ; others fell to ser- vile dependency. Pictures of dejected misery and princely afflu- ence met the gaze in every street ; men of the finest abilities found themselves penniless and houseless ; while others, through successful speculations, were constantly realizing fortunes. Lon- don or St. Petersburgh never offered more remarkable contrasts between luxury and distress than did San Francisco, in the memorable winter of 1849. Thus, the little tenement of Atwill was eagerly visited by his many unfortunate friends ; and the cock-loft over the miniature store often gave nightly shelter to many, who but a few months before had lived in luxuriant ease. With his characteristic generosity, its proprietor shared his lodg- ing with these friends, some of whom are now distinguished and wealthy citizens.
In the spring of 1850, after several fortunate real-estate operations, and while awaiting the arrival of goods, via Cape Horn, he prosecuted his original design of visiting the mines, and was particularly fortunate at the famous " diggings," near Georgetown, being enabled to return to San Francisco in a very few months. He then re-opened his establishment in the zinc
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building on the plaza, formerly used as the U. S. custom-house, post-office, &c., and which rented for many months at $75,000 per annum, and having repeatedly escaped the great fires, was better known as the "Salamander Block." While located here, Mr. Atwill was (May, 1851) elected assistant alderman for the fourth ward, and became president of the board,-a position which he filled with ability and honor. In 1852, he visited New York. where he finally closed up all his business affairs ; and with a view to a permanent residence in the land of his adoption, made arrangements for the removal of his family to his new home. On his return to San Francisco, he opened the fine brick build- ing, No. 172 Washington street. In the spring of 1853, his fellow-citizens of the fourth ward, mindful of his efforts to serve them in 1851, again elected him to the city council ; and on the meeting of that body, he was unanimously chosen president of the board of aldermen. At both periods of his election to the council, the municipal affairs were in a singular state of com- plexity and embarrassment, and he aided that body much in re- storing them to order and regularity.
In November, 1853, Mr. Atwill's family arrived, and found a splendid mansion, prepared and adorned for them by the judi- cious care of the husband and father. Henceforth, his home is in San Francisco, of which his extensive relations entitle him to be considered one of its most enterprising merchants. Notwith- standing his increased wealth, he has lost nothing of the charac- ter of probity and ability that have always marked his social and political life. He is distinguished for a remarkable ease and cordiality of manner. His countenance is full of good humor and bonhommie. He is domestic in his habits ; strictly moral and disciplinary in his course of life ; indeed, his rigid attention to business and propriety of conduct were such as to excite remark among the free, easy and adventurous sort of people that dwelt in San Francisco. Mr. Atwill is a self-educated man ; adding by useful and agreeable study and reading to the ex- periences of life. His personal popularity bespeaks for him the highest honors in the gift of his fellow-citizens.
B & H
JONATHAN D. STEVENSON.
COLONEL J. D. STEVENSON, as commander of the well-known regiment of New York Volunteers, in 1847 and 1848, earned for himself a high name in California, which later years have not derogated. This gentleman was born of respectable parentage · in the City of New York, on the 1st of January, 1800. His grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution ; and his father a ship-master, who was, for many years, connected with the revenue department at New York. Their descendant was bred a merchant and entered into business on his own account before he was eighteen years of age. While still a lad, and in the course of transacting some business for his employers, the subject of our memoir made the valuable and flattering acquaintance of D. D. Tompkins, Esq., then governor of the State of New York, and soon afterwards elected vice-president of the United States.
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JONATHAN D. STEVENSON.
When, early in 1818, Governor Tompkins commenced running a line of steamboats from Staten Island to New York, he appointed young Stevenson his agent. That distinguished individual indeed, to the close of his life, testified to his youthful friend much of the regard and affection which a father bears to a son, appointing him his private secretary, and always treating him as a dear and confidential companion. Mr. Stevenson, in the former capacity accompanied the vice-president to Washington, where he became acquainted with the most notable men of the nation, with many of whom he remained in habits of intimacy and correspondence until he left the Atlantic States for California. The late Honorable Silas Wright, and the present secretary of state, William L. Marcy, may be particularly mentioned as having been among Mr. Stevenson's personal friends. The latter named gentleman has given numerous evidences of high regard for his friend, while the following extract of a letter from the former to one high in authority at Washington will exhibit the estimation in which he was held by the writer :- " I will say to you, with great cheerfulness, that I consider Stevenson a warm and devoted friend to me and to the democratic party and its principles. I have known him quite intimately for several years, and have cor- responded with him a good deal, during that time, and I have ever found him, in all my intercourse, strictly faithful to truth, perfectly honorable, and most ardently, I may almost say pas- sionately, devoted to his friends, as he never seems to me to think of himself, when his friends, or his party, are in danger."
At the age of twenty-one, Mr. Stevenson attached himself to a military company in the city of New York, and in 1825 united with Col. W. W. Tompkins in organizing the splendid corps of citizen soldiers known as the Tompkins Blues, who, to this day, as the Light Guard, stand at the head of the uniformed militia companies for character and perfection of drill, as infantry and artillery. From the rank of lieutenant in the Tompkins Blues, he was elected, in 1828, to the command of a regiment of citizen soldiers in New York by the unanimous vote of all the officers. This commission he resigned in 1840, at which time he was generally considered one of the best drill officers and tac- titians in the State.
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Mr. Stevenson was for many years a leading politician of his native city and State ; and in 1846 was chosen from the former a member of the State Legislature of New York. In the month of June of that year, when on a visit to Washington, President Polk, with whom he had long been personally intimate, offered him the command of a volunteer regiment for service in Califor- nia, if he would raise one. This offer was made by the president alone, without previously consulting with his cabinet, in which, it was afterwards understood, the matter became subject of debate. However, towards the end of the same month, official instructions reached Mr. Stevenson to raise and organize the proposed regi- ment. The rolls were accordingly opened on the 4th of the following month of July. Within three days afterwards the force was filled up ; and, on the 1st of Angust mustered into service at Governor's Island. There it lay encamped for some time, until transports could be obtained for its embarkation to California. The energetic and persevering character, as well as great abilities of Mr. Stevenson, were so well known to the pre- sident and secretary of war, that he was left with the entire duty and responsibility of raising, organizing, and equipping this regiment, and of making requisitions upon the several depart- ments for the necessary supplies to his recruits.
Colonel Stevenson's carefulness in receiving volunteers for his regiment was the cause of much subsequent annoyance to him. It appears that the regulations of the service require each recruit to be examined by a surgeon within four days after enlistment. But as the surgeons of the new regiment were not appointed for twenty days after it had encamped at Governor's Island, such examination did not take place till a later period. When, however, it was made, a number of men, physically dis- qualified, were rejected and dismissed from each company. Now, most men who have ever figured in public life have had their political and personal foes ; and Colonel Stevenson had his. The propriety of his appointment to his high command had been much discussed, and though none pretended to deny his peculiar fitness for the office, still many considered that there were others who had equal if not better claims than he to the post. Some of these grumblers, who happened to be bitter personal enemies
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of the colonel, got hold of the men dismissed from the regiment as unfit for service, and persuaded them instantly to raise actions of damages against the commander for false imprisonment and what not. This was on the eve of the sailing of the expedition. If these prosecutions had been commenced and process served, interminable delay and expense would have resulted ; and, in the end, the colonel would have lost the command, which was chiefly what his enemies wished. Being informed of their plans, he determined to balk them, if he could. In a day or two the ex- pedition would certainly sail ; but that day or two was of the utmost consequence. Colonel Stevenson accordingly at once repaired on board one of the three transports, in which his men were already embarked, and issued instructions, that prepara- tions should immediately be made to sail. Meanwhile he refused to receive any person on board, unless connected with the expe- dition. By and by, the sheriff came alongside in a steamer, and wished to go on board the transport. This the officer of the watch refused to permit, and ordered a sentinel to shoot whoever should attempt to set his foot on deck. The steamer therefore went back with the disappointed official. Next morning, the deputy sheriff made his report of the resistance which had been offered to his authority-the sheriff called upon the mayor for help-and the mayor, as in duty bound, provided a little army of policemen to arrest the colonel and his officers, chartered a steamer, and with his civic force hastened to the wharf. But the birds had flown. The transports, under convoy of the United States ship Preble, were already under way, and would be beyond his worship's jurisdiction before they could be overtaken. This was on the 26th of September. Thus the colonel's tactics freed him from the danger.
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