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 65
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
In due course of time the Preble and transports reached California. When Colonel Stevenson himself landed at San Francisco, on the 7th March, 1847, he found orders awaiting him from General Kearny, directing the distributing of his regiment over various parts of the country ; which was subsequently done. Detachments were stationed at Sonoma, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Monterey, to which last place, as head-quarters, Colonel Stevenson proceeded. The Americans at Los Angeles
788
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
begging for succor, and intelligence being received that a large body of Mexicans, under General Bustamente, were approaching the southern portion of the country, the colonel with two com- panies of his regiment was ordered to that town. Here he assumed the command of the southern military district, embrac- ing Santa Barbara and all below that port. The battalion of Mormon Volunteers was then at Los Angeles, at which place Colonel Stevenson established his head-quarters. In July, 1847, the Mormon battalion was disbanded ; and from that time till the close of the war, this district of country was left under the charge of the colonel, by whose constant vigilance it was kept quiet. By his uniform kindness to the native Californians as well as to foreign residents, added to his impartial administration of justice in civil as in military matters, he endeared himself to all who knew him. No man was ever more loved and respected by those under his command than Colonel Stevenson. It is like- wise well known, that he possessed the utmost confidence and esteem of his superior officers, General Kearny and Colonel Mason. Colonel Stevenson was afterwards ordered to Monterey to await the coming of a portion of his regiment that had been sent to Lower California. This arrived in October, 1848, and was disbanded on the 24th of the same month. Their commander himself was mustered out of service two days afterwards, being just two years and one month from the time he had sailed from New York.
Colonel Stevenson afterwards formed a party, with two offi- · cers and some picked men of his regiment, to proceed to the gold mines. It was during this mining expedition that the colo- nel, at the request of the general body of miners in the district .(Mokelumne Hill), prepared a code of laws, or regulations, re- garding the proper working at the mines. These were unani- mously adopted, and their framer was elected alcalde to enforce them. This is believed to have been the first code for the regu- lation of mining claims ever proposed in California, and was the basis upon which all others have since been formed.
A short time subsequent to this, Col. Stevenson formed a business connection with Dr. William C. Parker, who had been . assistant surgeon in the regiment of New York volunteers ; and
789
JONATHAN D. STEVENSON.
the partners began extensive operations in real estate in San Francisco. They were among the first who subdivided fifty-vara lots, which they did most profitably to themselves, and with an industry and perseverance unsurpassed by any others in Cali- fornia. They soon began to be remarked as among the most prosperous and wealthy men in San Francisco. They were the first to erect and finish a dwelling-house with lath and plaster, and among the first to erect buildings on piles, on what at that time (1849 and 1850) was considered the bay. In 1850, Col. Stevenson purchased up the interest of Dr. Parker in their large estate. But, unfortunately, in the spring of the following year, when the money pressure became very severe, he was obliged to assign all his property for payment of his debts. His creditors intrusted him with the management of his affairs ; and he, anxious to be relieved from his heavy obligations, immediately proceeded to realize the estate, and convert it into cash, which was honestly applied in payment of every claim, principal and interest, which could be made against him. If a little time had been given, or which he might have taken, this property, which was hastily sacrificed, would have produced perhaps millions above what it was sold for. He is still, however, possessed of an independent fortune.
Colonel Stevenson has ever been remarked for his agreeable social qualities ; and in the memorable winter of 1849-50, he had abundant opportunities to exhibit also an equally conspicu- ous disposition for generosity and benevolence. At that period there was much suffering in San Francisco, and many were calling aloud for the exercise of charity in their behalf; and such calls never fell unheeded upon the ears of him of whom we write. Of his abundant means he contributed largely for the relief of the poor, the sick and the dying, and to the decent inter- ment of the indigent dead. Upon the organization of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons for the State, he was unanimously elected the first grand master, and served his term of office with credit to himself and the satisfaction of its members, comprising many of the most respectable, intelligent and influential men of the country.
" NJUTER
WILLIAM M. GWIN.
AMONG the leading public men in the Senate of the United States, and now occupying a prominent position before the country, is this distinguished senator from California. Dr. Gwin was born on the 9th of September, 1805, in Sumner County, Tennessee. His father, Rev. James Gwin, was an eminent clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The field of the ministrations of this good man embraced all the western and south-western States : and the zeal and energy with which he performed the duties of his sacred office were chiefly instrumental in founding in that part of the Union, the denomination of which he was a constant and devoted advocate. His son William was placed at an early age in charge of Professor Thruston, an eminent scholastic of Kentucky, and being gifted with an active and vigorous mind,
791
WILLIAM M. GWIN.
and possessing extraordinary energy and perseverance, he soon became grounded in the elements of an English education, and devoted himself to the study of mathematics and the ancient. languages. The severe mental training, which he received in the exact sciences, prepared him for any branch of learning, and per- ceiving intuitively its importance he cultivated his reasoning powers by familiarizing himself with geometrical discussions. From these he entered another field of inquiry, in the study of in- tellectual philosophy and the ancient classics, becoming well ac- quainted with the Roman language and literature, and attaining at the same time some proficiency in the more elegant and pol- ished idiom of the Greek writers. This course of study under the direction of his father and preceptor developed his great mental vigor and acuteness. His predilection for the natural sciences led him to the study of medicine, with the purpose of fol- lowing it as a profession .. Having already gone through regular courses of chemistry and anatomy, he entered the Medical De- partment of Transylvania University, where he graduated with distinguished honor, and before he had attained his majority, commenced the practice of physic near the city of Nashville, Tennessee. The bent of his mind, however, was in a different direction. As a branch of liberal education, he entered upon a course of legal study and thoroughly read the great English and American commentators, attentively examining, at the same time, the institutions of our own country and of Great Britain, and was finally duly admitted to practise at the bar. The severe training he had received in his early education and his natural abilities enabled him, however deep the research or intricate the analysis, to give freshness and interest to any subject which engaged his attention in his new profession ; while, at the same time, in its management, he ever kept in view its application to the real business and great end of life. In fact he was, uncon- sciously, preparing himself for another sphere of action, in which he has since figured among the most prominent and distinguished statesmen in the Union. Born and reared almost under the eye of Andrew Jackson, he became a favorite of that hero and states- man from early infancy. Even in boyhood he had mingled with men of no ordinary stamp-those men, indeed, whose energies
792
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
have vindicated the justice and security of popular government and spread its influence over the whole world-and they had taught him the habit of self-reliance and the value of our preva- lent institutions. He knew, in fact, but one political creed, and that was the principles of the democratic party. Installed in such a church, from youth, he has ever been zealous and true to its faith.
President Jackson, appreciating his great energy of character and integrity of purpose, tendered him in the year 1833, the office of U. S. Marshal for the State of Mississippi. This posi- tion Dr. Gwin held, during that administration and throughout President Van Buren's. He discharged the responsible duties of the office with great delicacy and humanity. Indeed, his urbanity and kindness materially lessened the severity of judicial exactions and his private fortune was eventually ruined by his frequent assumption of the liabilities of others and his forbearance from enforcing the mandates of the law.
Upon the election of Gen. Harrison to the presidency, Dr. Gwin resigned the office of marshal and became a candidate for Congress on the democratic ticket. President Harrison had received a majority of 2500 in 1840 in that district, but mainly through the efforts of Dr. Gwin, the opposite party now triumphed by an equal number of votes, and he was chosen a member of the XXVIIth Congress. He at once gave evidence of his ability as a legislator and as a business member, devoting himself with untiring assiduity to all the numerous demands for his services. The diversified matters in which his State was concerned, and more particularly the landed interests of his constituents and the extension of the postal system, occupied his attention. At the close of his congressional term he was renominated by acclama- tion, but was compelled for a time to withdraw from public life, to attend to his private affairs, which had become embarrassed by reason of his leniency in the discharge of his duties as marshal, and of serious losses he had personally sustained, by receiving in payment of executions, the perishable paper currency of that day.
In 1847, during President Polk's administration, he was ap- pointed Commissioner to superintend the erection of the U. S. Custom-House in New Orleans, the duties of which office he dis-
793
WILLIAM M. GWIN.
charged with scrupulous fidelity, but which, on the accession of President Taylor, he resigned and emigrated for California.
His thorough knowledge of the institutions of the country, his great experience in public affairs and his popular address, at once commanded the attention and confidence of the medleyed public in this quarter, and he was chosen in the primary assembly of the people to represent them in convention to form a constitu- tion for a State Government. He entered upon the duty with his usual energy, and no man labored more zealously to complete the work. He brought to bear, in the progress of the discussion, all the resources of his vigorous and cultivated mind and had the gratification of witnessing that instrument, which is now the fundamental law of the Pacific State, adopted and ratified by the people with singular unanimity.
The first Legislature under the State organization met in December, 1849, and Messrs. Gwin and Fremont were chosen United States Senators. His labors then, in behalf of Califor- nia, began in earnest, and upon a new theatre. He was untiring in collecting and disseminating among the members of both Houses of Congress, information to enable them to understand the true condition of his State, and to legislate accordingly. During the turbulent agitation of the slavery question in the public councils and throughout the country, Dr. Gwin was inces- sant in his exertion to bring about the work of pacification and secure the admission of his State, and finally, on the 9th of September, 1850, had the gratification of perceiving the passage of the Act of Congress, declaring California to be one of the United States, and to be admitted into the Union on equal foot- ing with her thirty elder sisters. He then took his seat in the National Senate, and from that day, that great body and the country at large have witnessed his statesmanlike course, and the unparalleled exertions he has made to elevate his State from the feebleness of political infancy to that commanding position which she now occupies in the American confederacy.
Thuroutes
5400FERN
SELIM E. WOODWORTH.
SELIM E. WOODWORTH, second son of the poet Samuel Wood- worth, author of the " Old Oaken Bucket," was born in the city of New York, on the 27th of November, 1815. Having had from his earliest boyhood a strong desire to travel and " see the world," he began his career at twelve years of age, by leaving clandestinely his father's house, and with a rifle and knapsack commenced what he intended should have been a grand tour to the far, far west, across the prairies and Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. He had accomplished about three hundred miles of this journey and reached the western boundary of the State of New York, when, meeting with some relatives who had heard of his sudden departure from home and of the agonizing anxiety of his parents to learn his whereabouts, he was checked in the further prosecution of his intended tour and persuaded
795
SELIM E. WOODWORTH.
by his friends to relinquish for the time being what they deemed a most Quixotic project. Regretting that in his youthful ardor he had thoughtlessly given pain to the hearts of those "loved ones at home," he concluded to return to his native city, allay the fears and anxieties of his parents and endeavor to make ar- rangements for carrying out, under more favorable auspices, his cherished project of " seeing the world." His friends assayed in vain to induce him to abandon the idea, but it had become the ruling passion of his life, and circumstances soon occurred which afforded him an opportunity of gratifying it.
Early in 1834, an expedition to the South Seas was fitted out by some merchants in New York, under the command of the celebrated navigator, Capt. Benj. Morrell. A beautiful clipper brig, the Margaret Oakley, was built at Baltimore, and fitted, armed and equipped for the purpose ; and young Woodworth, having obtained the reluctant consent of his parents, embarked in the expedition as captain's clerk. This vessel after cruising among the islands of the South Pacific for about three years, and while returning home by way of China and the Cape of Good Hope, was wrecked upon the Island of Madagascar, where our young adventurer was compelled to remain many months among a rude and barbarous people, living almost in a state of nature. He finally contrived to leave the island in a small launch, and succeeded in reaching Mauritius, or the Isle of France, from which he returned to his anxious friends at home, after an absence of nearly four years.
Mr. Woodworth's spirit of adventure being now fairly awak- ened, and filled with a fresh desire to pursue his wanderings, he applied for and obtained an appointment as midshipman in the U. S. Navy, with the object of joining the U. S. Exploring Ex- pedition, then being fitted out under command of Capt. Wilkes. His application for orders was successful ; but by an unfortunate mistake, the "yellow document" was forwarded to the Brooklyn post-office instead of to New York, and he did not receive it until several days after the sailing of the expedition.
After the lapse of a few months, Mr. Woodworth was ordered to join the Ohio, 74, in which ship he sailed for the Mediter- ranean in the winter of 1838, and spent three years cruising
796
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
on that station, visiting in the mean time all the different coun- tries bordering on that and the adjacent seas, and feasting his poetical imagination on the classic treasures of that wondrous region. Returning home in 1841, the succeeding four years were spent cruising in the Gulf of Mexico, among the West In- dia Islands, and along the coast of Africa.
In the spring of 1846, having obtained an unlimited leave of absence for the purpose, Mr. Woodworth resolved to carry out the darling project of his youth, and cross the continent to the Pacific. With this view he left home on the 1st of April of the year named. Having spent about a month in St. Louis and completed the arrangements for his journey, he finally left Inde- pendence, Mo., on the 15th of May, and accomplished the trip to the Oregon settlements, on the Columbia River, in a little over sixty days. This is one of the quickest trips across the plains on record. Remaining in Oregon until the following winter, he then came down the coast, and landed at " Yerba Buena," the site of the present City of San Francisco.
Shortly after Mr. Woodworth's arrival here, information was received of the dreadful situation of a party of unfortunate immigrants who had lost their way in the mountains, and were perishing with cold and hunger in the snows. Our hero imme- diately volunteered to take command of a party, raised for the purpose, to go to their relief. An open launch was soon fitted out and furnished with supplies of stores, provisions, clothing and other necessaries ; and with his hardy little band Lieut. Woodworth started on this forlorn hope, in aid of suffering hu- manity. It required eleven days to navigate the little craft up the Sacramento River, against the swollen current of the stream which had been rendered doubly powerful by the severe freshets of that memorable winter. The party were compelled to warp their boat along the banks nearly the whole distance, until they arrived at the embarcadero of Sutter's Fort, the site of the present Sacramento City. This place was completely overflowed at that time, so that the whole space between the embarcadero and the fort, was navigable with canoes. The party arrived at the fort, and that gallant old soldier, Capt. John A. Sutter, whose heart and purse were ever open to relieve the sufferings of
797
SELIM E. WOODWORTH.
his fellow-creatures, at once entered warmly into their plans of mercy, and furnished them with whatever was lacking to carry out their enterprise, including pack mules and a number of his Indian servants. During the course of the perilous journey, and at convenient distances on the route, deposits of provisions were made and cached, for future use in returning from the mountains. When the region of snow was reached, the party were compelled to send back their mules and pack their remaining supplies upon their own backs, for many days, over mountains almost impas- sable and over snows in many places from sixty to eighty feet deep. On finally arriving at the camp of the unfortunate suffer- ers a scene of horror was presented to them which would have shocked the sensibilities of the strongest nerve. There remained alive about seventy of the original party of immigrants. Many had died from cold and hunger, and for many days the only means the survivors possessed of sustaining life, was by feeding upon the dead bodies of their comrades. In one instance, a father was discovered lying upon the ground and eating the carcase of his own child ! Some were raving maniacs, and others were so stupefied and benumbed, as to have lost all desire or power of exertion. All who were found alive, however, were safely brought in, and thus, by the almost superhuman exertions of this gallant little band, nearly seventy human lives were saved from destruc- tion, among whom are some of the present most distinguished citizens of our State.
After returning from this mountain expedition, Lieut. Wood- worth reported himself for duty, and was ordered, as master, to join the U. S. ship Warren, then lying at Monterey. He was afterwards appointed to the command of the U. S. transport Anita. This command he retained until the close of the war with Mexico, doing much important service on the coast in trans- porting supplies, men and munitions of war, to and from the various ports between San Diego and the Columbia River.
In the fall of 1849, at the urgent solicitations of his fellow- citizens of Monterey, of which place he was at that time a resi- dent, Capt. Woodworth consented to have his name presented to the people of that county as a candidate for the State Senate at the first session of our Legislature. Having been elected, he re-
798
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
signed his post in the navy, and served his constituents in the senate chamber of the State during the first two sessions at San José. During the last session of his term, the County of Mon- terey was infested by a reckless gang of desperadoes, horse thieves, robbers and murderers, who committed all manner of outrages upon the peaceable inhabitants, until it was found abso- lutely necessary to extirpate them under authority of the State. Under commission from Gov. McDougall, Mr. Woodworth raised a company of rangers, and after many weeks of incessant effort, the campaign resulted in completely breaking up the gang, by the arrest of a number who were tried and found guilty, and several of whom were executed.
Mr. Woodworth built the first house in San Francisco upon a water-lot. It was upon the spot now occupied as the Clay Street Market. The project of erecting a store out over the water, while so much unoccupied land remained, was ridiculed at the time as visionary ; but the sequel proved the wisdom of the act. In consequence of the position, the firm of Woodworth & Morris possessed for a long period the exclusive trade of the light- erage of the port.
Although firm, determined and courageous, self-reliant and persevering, Mr. Woodworth is nevertheless one of the most quiet of men in his habits, and seems to prefer nature in her simplicity and purity, to all the bustle and turmoil of the city, the honors and emoluments of politics, and the fripperies and false glare of society. On a little island in the bay, half way be- tween San Francisco and Benicia, he has taken up his abode, where like a second Robinson Crusoe he can sit by his fire, and shoot the wild fowl he may choose from the flocks which swim close by his hearth-stone, or from the very steps of his cottage catch the finny visitant of the fishing grounds of "Red Rock." Yet, although so retiring and fond of quiet, there is not a man in California whose heart would sooner respond to the call of suffering humanity, or who would less calculate the cost of wealth, life or limb, than he, in flying to its relief ; no one on whom his fellow-citizens might more implicitly rely where toil and dangers were to be met and overcome, and the great principle of doing good to man carried out under the most formidable difficulties.
L
Thwaites
ENDOFENY.
THEODORE PAYNE.
THIS gentleman is extensively known as a prominent, useful and prosperous citizen of San Francisco. Modest and unassuming, yet honest, industrious and energetic, he has worked himself for- ward to an enviable position in the community. . Mr. Payne was born in the City of New York, on the 12th of December, 1816. He was educated for the profession of a merchant ; and during his residence in his native city, devoted his attention to mercan- tile pursuits, in which he exhibited the qualities of an active, in- telligent and talented business man. When the California gold excitement first began to prevail in the Atlantic States, he was impressed with the favorable opportunities afforded by the im- inense current of emigration that immediately commenced west- ward, for the further display and more successful exercise of the spirit of enterprise he so eminently possessed. He concluded to embark without delay for the newly discovered regions of adven-
800
ANNALS OF SAN FRANCISCO.
ture and gold, with no other capital than indomitable energy and perseverance, to a field of labor where he trusted these quali- ties would find an ample field for their employment.
From New York he took passage for Chagres, and crossing the Isthmus, reached Panama in the month of September, 1849. Here he met the first severe trial of his life, which, though it did not destroy, certainly for a time somewhat dampened his ardor. Misfortunes commencing at so early a period of his adventure, were by no means a satisfactory assurance of future success. Through carelessness on the part of the agents of the Steamship Company, he lost his entire baggage, and left for San Francisco in the steamer Panama with nothing in the world that he might call his own. Even the clothing he wore were borrowed from a friend. This was a sorry condition for one commencing a voyage of over two weeks, and destined to a country of which he knew but little, and where he expected to meet none other than strangers. Still his heart was light, and his hopes ran high. Arriving in the last named city, his circumstances would not allow him to remain long idle ; he, therefore, instantly sought after the means to employ his time and talents to their best ad- vantage. Connecting himself with Mr. W. J. Sherwood, they opened the well-known auction-house of Payne & Sherwood, and were immediately doing an extensive general auction business. Whilst conducting this establishment, by his courteous deport- ment, agreeableness of manners, and prompt attention to his patrons' interests, he gathered around him a large circle of sub- stantial and influential friends. At the same time he took an active part in all matters of public concern, associated himself with the prominent institutions of the place, was present at the various conventions of the people on public occasions, and in many other respects so employed his leisure as to draw toward himself the favorable consideration and esteem of the people at large. In October, 1850, his connection with Mr. Sherwood was dissolved, and shortly after he united with Mr. S. P. Dewey in establishing the present popular real estate auction-house of Theodore Payne & Co. The business and profits of this concern werc.immense ; for besides the extensive sales of private property which they continually effected, they were chosen by the com-
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.