The following biographies were transcribed from Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 1513 to 1850, Fariss and Smith, San Francisco, 1882. The page number of that book on which a person can be found is noted beside his/her name. In cases where, instead of first names, only initials were provided in the book, first and middle names have been provided here (whenever possible) using census records of Plumas County, vital records of Plumas County, and/or other Plumas County historical documents as source material. Known misspellings and typographical errors in the book have been corrected on this page. Corrections are {shown in brackets}. Some Lassen County and some Sierra County biographies may be included here.

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John Nevill (p. 246)
Mr. Nevill was born in Wisconsin in 1841. He emigrated to California in 1860, and stopped for a time at Humboldt bay. He removed to Plumas Eureka in 1872, and has since been connected with the mines as contractor for furnishing wood and lumber. He is a member of Mohawk Lodge No. 292, I. O. O. F. Mr. Nevill was married in 1880 to Mrs. J. V. McNichol of Plumas county.

David Derr Newman (p. 268)
This gentleman was born at Philadelphia May 29, 1833. His father was engaged in the stage business. David attended school in his native city until seventeen years of age, when he became a salesman in a wholesale and retail store at Norristown, and was afterwards in a dry-goods house. In the spring of 1853 he started for California, via Panama, arriving in San Francisco June 19, 1853, He mined first at Downieville, and until the winter of 1856 when he ran a dairy and meat market at Forest City for two years. In 1858 he sold out and moved to Sierra valley, settling on the ranch he now owns. It consists of 400 acres. Mr. Newman has been more or less interested in mining since he first came to the state. He was married June 27, 1857, to Miss Roxy Ann Lockhart of Meadville, Pennsylvania, who was born February 15, 1842. Their children are: Mary Emma, Albion K., William D., Charles F., Ferdinand, and Bradford U. Mary was married in September, 1877, to Allan Nicholson of Sierra valley.

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James Nicholson (pp. 270-271)
He was born in Nova Scotia January 1, 1848. When fifteen years of age he came to California, via the Horn, and arrived at the Golden Gate in July, 1863. He at once started for the mining regions, and in the course of his peregrinations traversed nearly every part of the state where mining was carried on, and mined himself wherever he stopped. In 1869 he came to Sierra valley, and bought the Wood ranch, four miles east of Sierraville. Here he remained until 1876, when he sold out and traveled through California and Nevada for two years. In 1878 he went east on a visit, and while there was married to Miss Mary Tate of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The same year he returned with his wife to Sierra county, and has since lived on the Olby ranch, which he bought in 1880. It is situated between Randolph and Sierraville, and consists of 300 acres. One child has been born, William, the date of whose birth is October 2, 1881.

Isaac C. Patch { Isaac Cornelius Patch } (p. 305)
Was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, May 17, 1823, where he lived until the fall of 1861, when he came overland to California, and settled at Taylorville. He is a millwright and carpenter by trade, having built six different quartz-mills in Plumas county. In 1874 he took C. H. Lawrence into partnership with him, and they together built a water-power grist-mill, a planing mill, and a sash factory. Mr. Patch was married March 29, 1850, to Miss L. Merse, by whom he has one daughter, Dora, born December 29, 1851. Mr. Patch is a member of Greenville Lodge No. 252, I. O. O. F.

David B. Patterson (p. 268)
He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, March 26, 1829. He crossed the plains to California in 1852, stopping in Sierra county, on the North Yuba, where he mined for awhile, and then was interested for some years in a saw-mill. In 1858 he sold out and went east, but was back in less than a year; and in partnership with L. T. Fox kept stock on the ranch now owned by Mr. Patterson, and ran the butchering business in Downieville, Goodyear’s bar, Monte Christo, Eureka North, Poker Flat, and St. Louis. In 1862 he sold out of the meat business, and bought Mr. Fox’s interest in the stock-ranch, which he still operates. December 25, 1860, he was married to Jane Newell of Goodyear’s bar, who died August 6, 1864. He was a second time married to Annie Parker of Canton, New York, December 25, 1865, by whom he had three children: Jane, born September 27, 1866; Cora V., February 14, 1869; and Mary, July 20, 1877. He is a member of Sierra Valley Lodge No. 184, F. & A. M.

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Elisha T. Peck (Hon.) { Elisha Thomas Peck } (p. 195)
A native of New York, was the first senator that the territory of Plumas sent to the legislature. At the time of his election, in the fall of 1853; he was a clerk in the store of Davis & Brother, at Onion valley. The democrats nominated him, and he was easily elected by the party in Butte county. Peck soon became famous for having been approached with a bribe in legislative halls, and much feeling was engendered both for and against him in the affair. He afterwards settled in San Francisco, and took a position in the custom-house as drayage contractor. He now resides in that city.

John J. L. Peel { John James LaFayette Peel } (p. 190)
A Tennesseean by birth, emigrated to California in 1850, and settled at Nevada City, where he was occupied in mining. In January, 1851 he arrived at Nelson Point, and until 1856 followed mining there on Poorman’s creek and Hopkins, when he was elected county assessor, serving one term. He was elected justice of the peace of Indian township in 1861, and three years later he was appointed county surveyor. His principal avocation during the latter portion of his residence in the county was keeping books for persons engaged in mining and other kinds of business. He removed to Truckee, California, in September, 1868, where he was agent for Wells, Fargo, & Co., until June 1, 1881. He is now superintendent of a mercantile and wood contracting firm at Truckee.

W. T. Peter { William Thomas Peter } (p. 310)
Son of J. N. and Emily Peter, was born June 26, 1837, at Sangamon county, Illinois, where his father was a farmer. When thirteen years old his parents moved to Montgomery county, where they purchased a farm. At the age of seventeen William left home, and traveled until the spring of 1859, when he came overland to California, arriving in this county in August. For eight years he mined and did carpenter work on Light creek, except two spent in Santa Barbara county. In 1868 he bought the farm he now lives on from a Mr. Latten. Originally, it consisted of 160 acres, but he has since added 225 acres. He was married September 20, 1870, to Miss Sarah I. Evans, daughter of J. R. and Louisa M. Evans, formerly of Fayette county, Illinois, but of this county since 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Peter have had four children, with dates of birth as follows: Louisa N., March 24, 1872; Claude B., November 10, 1873; Rosa M., June 18, 1873; Cora M., September 1, 1881—all of whom are now living.

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John A. Phipps (p. 245)
Mr. Phipps is a son of Joseph and Margaret Phipps, natives of the north of Ireland. John was born in the town of Mercer, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on the twenty-seventh day of December, 1841. When about seventeen years of age he learned blacksmithing from his father, who now resides in Oakland, California. He followed this work in Sharon, Pennsylvania, for a while; and in February, 1864 sailed from New York for San Francisco. After his arrival he went at once to Amador City, and for eleven years was connected with the quartz-mines there. In 1875 he removed to Plumas Eureka, and took charge of the mills of that company. He was married September 10, 1866, to Miss Isabel Creighton, daughter of Joseph Creighton of Indian Run, Pennsylvania. There are three children living: James Farley, born September 27, 1873; Eliza J., born June 6, 1876; and John A., born February 4, 1879. Mr. Phipps is a member of the Masonic lodge at Sierra City.

Elisha H. Pierce { Elisha Harrison Pierce } (pp. 186-187)
Pierce is a native of New York. In the summer of 1852 he kept a liquor stand on Rich bar, but in the fall left the river and went to the American valley. He served as deputy sheriff under George W. Sharpe, and when James D. Byers was elected sheriff held the same position under him. Having served out the term, he, with J. H. Houck, opened a saloon in Quincy, which had a very large custom. In 1861 Pierce was elected sheriff, defeating John W. McWilliams. In 1865 he again appeared before the republican convention, but failed to get the nomination, S. J. Clark being selected as the nominee. During the campaign he worked in the interest of Yeates, and in 1867, when Clark was again pitted against Yeates, Pierce took an active part in securing his defeat. He then left the county, removing to Santa Barbara. Pierce had golden opportunities during his shrievalty for making a fortune. His percentage alone for collecting the foreign miners’ tax was $18,814, after paying all the expenses of collection. On one occasion he visited Sierra valley, to serve tax summons, and his fees amounted to $1,400. He did not make many friends while in office. His conduct at the time Ross and Williams were taken by a mob and hung has received severe censure, because of his alleged negligence to offer protection to the unfortunate men. He was accused of aiding and abetting the outrage; though further than an apparent fear of interfering with the infuriated mob, there can probably be no definite charge laid at his door.

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W. M. Pratt { William M. Pratt } (p. 246)
He was born in Wayne county, New York, and removed to Plumas county, California, in 1875. For some years he has been in the employ of Plumas Eureka mine, working in the Mohawk mill. Mr. Pratt is a member of Mohawk Lodge No. 292, I. O. O. F.

Willard Pratt (Dr.) (p. 294)
Was born at Canton, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1826. His father was a physician at Canton, and Willard followed in his footsteps. At the age of twenty-two he graduated as a physician from the Pennsylvania University, Philadelphia, and emigrated to Grant county, Wisconsin, residing at Fennimore, and practicing medicine. He was married June 14, 1848, in Marshall, Wisconsin, to Miss Sarah H. Hart, daughter of Thomas Hart, and born in Huntingdonshire, England, February 15, 1825. Dr. Pratt removed to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1850, and practiced until 1853, when he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast. He spent four years in Placerville, then Hangtown, after which he went to Colusa, where he remained until 1860. Then he settled in Butte county, near Chico. Here his health began to fail, and having a call to visit Thomas Bidwell at the Big Springs hotel, his attention was called to the beauties of Big Meadows. He spent two summers there, and in 1867, having decided to make it a permanent home, he erected a residence and hotel, the first one in Prattville, or the neighborhood. He went to the centennial exposition at Philadelphia, and while there his property was destroyed by fire. He came back to find no home; but in 1877 he built his present house, which cost $10,000, and is one of the best in the mountains. It has twenty-six sleeping rooms, besides parlors, family rooms, etc., and is crowded with guests every summer. Mr. And Mrs. Pratt have six children, as follows: Emily Charlotte, born April 17, 1849; Anna E., June 21, 1851; Willie N., April 21, 1853; Thomas E., March 5, 1860; Mattie J., July 5, 1862; Marion N., December 17, 1866.

William S. Price (p. 189)
Mr. Price is a native of Maryland, and a wagon-maker by trade. His political record dates from the year 1865, when at the union convention he received the nomination for county treasurer. His political opponents were R. S. Flournoy, a democrat, and Oscar D. Peck, a union bolter, both of whom he defeated. He served only one term—two years—and was succeeded by James C. Gentry. He belongs to that class of southern men who were known as union men. He depended largely upon his assistants to do his figuring and balancing up; but his integrity was never questioned, and he left a good record as an honest and faithful official. Price is now 68 years old, and is engaged in business in Taylorville.

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E. Prowattain { Ernst Prowattain } (p. 308)
Son of Evan and Elizabeth Prowattain, was born in Philadelphia in 1852. He lived in that city until 1874, when he removed to San Francisco, where he lived three years, engaged in the wholesale hardware trade. From there he came to Plumas county, and with I. Prowattain, under the firm name of Prowattain & Co., established the first bank in Greenville. He is a single man, and in politics is democratic.

W. Smith Rains { William Smith Rains } (p. 269)
Mr. Rains was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, December 16, 1833. At the age of sixteen he left his native state, and went to Missouri, where he remained for twelve years. April 29, 1861, he started overland for California, arriving in Sierra valley in September. He soon located on the ranch of 360 acres, on which he has since lived. It is situated two and one-half miles from Loyalton. He was the first to improve a farm in that part of the valley, fencing 160 acres of land that year. He was married December 23, 1856, to Miss Mary J. Stephenson, who was born in Boone county, Kentucky. Their children are Robert Lee, born August 13, 1863; Carlotta, October 20, 1865; Ordelle, October 16, 1870; Azalia , June 20, 1874; a son not named, August 28, 1878; Olivette, January 28, 1881.

William B. Rawden { William Babcock Rawden } (p. 274)
The subject of this sketch was born in Voxhall, Surrey county, England, December 21, 1835. He went to sea at the age of twelve, and followed this life for two years, when he landed at Quebec, and went to Connecticut in June, 1849. He came to California in 1855, landing at San Francisco on the first of September. He mined in Calaveras county, and at Alleghany and Forest City, Sierra county, until 1863, when he came to Sierra valley, and took charge of Wood’s store in Randolph. Six months after, he bought Weil’s brewery, and ran it two years, when he gave it up and bought a half-interest in a planing mill at Randolph, his partner being J. D. Myers. They greatly enlarged and improved the mill, and did a fine business. In 1876 he bought out Myers, and since has run it alone. He bought the saw-mill property of James Davidson, two miles from Randolph, in the spring of 1880, where he has 320 acres of fine timber land. He was married November 22, 1870, to Miss M. E. Gates, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, September 11, 1845. Their children are Blanche, Mary Ellen, and Addie L. (deceased). Mr. Rawden is a member of Sierra Valley Lodge No. 184, F. & A. M.

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Calvin W. Rockwell (Col.) { Calvin Williams Rockwell } (pp. 284-285)
The colonel is a native of the state of New York. He came to this state in 1852, and embarked in mining at Galena Hill, Yuba county. He first honored Plumas with his presence in 1856. He is the Colonel Sellers of the day, and his wise counsels are often invoked by the mining fraternity. For several years he was the acting road manager of Whiting & Co.’s express, engineering the dog-team during the winter months, and became famous for his celerity of transits over the snow belt. He never yields the palm for a good story of the days of yore. He is the proprietor of Rockwell Park, near Quincy, and all who patronize his stables on that turf testify to his gentlemanly deportment. He is considered high authority in racing animals, and his famous trotter, Blue Ruin, has long been the admiration of the turf men. He was one of the founders of the town of Camptonville, in Yuba county.

Charles Gregory Rodgers (p. 303)
Son of Charles and Rebecca Rodgers, was born at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, August 16, 1837. When he was four years old his parents removed to Bellville, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. He attended school at Bellville for seven months, and the remainder of his education has been gathered in the school of life. At the age of thirteen he commenced work in a general merchandise store in Bellville, for his board and clothes. Through his energy and attention to business he advanced step by step, from errand-boy to manager of the business. In the spring of 1858 he started for the west, and traveled through Missouri and Kansas, spending that winter in Illinois. In April, 1859, he started for California with a mule team, arriving at Inskip, Butte county, in August. He went to work on what was called the Miners’ ditch, for three dollars per day, half in cash and half in water scrip. In a short time he bought a mining claim that was considered worthless, on the line of the ditch he had been working on. The scrip procured water for his mining claim. He went to work on it with a man by the name of Carroll, working with a rocker. It paid them about five dollars per day each for about a month. The winter coming on, they were compelled to quit work. They wintered at Inskip, and in the spring went to work on their claim again, ground-sluicing, until that fall, making $8.50 per day to the man. By this time he concluded that the claim was worked out, and they abandoned it. He spent the winter at Wyman’s ravine, and in the spring of 1861 started for Plumas county on foot, not having money enough to buy a mule. He got to Wolf Creek in July, and began prospecting. He worked there for two years, but with little success, and at the end of that time was in debt to a fellow-miner ten cents for postage. From there he went to Crescent Mills, feeding in that for Blood & Pulsifer for about six months. He worked at various mills in that vicinity, and at mining, until October, 1876, when he was appointed superintendent of the Green Mountain Gold Mining Company’s properties. He has always been engaged in prospecting and endeavoring to develop mines, at times being heavily involved on that account. When he was most involved, to the amount of $15,000, his health gave out, and he was sick for nearly a year. At times the future looked very dark to him; but he kept his courage up, and finally paid all his liabilities, and to-day is in easy circumstances. Through energy and skill he has made the Green Mountain one of the best paying mines in the state, and for himself an enviable reputation as a mine and mill manager. August 16, 1876, he was married to Miss Libby M. Hamler of Utica, Licking county, Ohio. They have had two children: Philip James, born September 4, 1877, and Oscar Charles, born April 4, 1879, both at Green Mountain. He is a member of Greenville Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Greenville Lodge, A. O. U. W.; in politics a democrat.

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F. Rodini (p. 246)
He is a native of Switzerland, and emigrated to the United States in 1877 and resided for a short time in St. Louis, Missouri. He removed to Plumas county, California, in 1878, and began business at Johnsville, as F. Rodini & Co., in 1880. Mr. Rodini is a member of Mohawk Lodge No. 292, I. O. O. F.

Francis M. Rowland { Francis Marion Rowland } (p. 264)
He is the son of Clark and Agnes Rowland, and was born at Independence, Missouri, April 23, 1834. Francis and his older brother, John R. (now in Oregon), learned the blacksmithing trade, their father being a cabinet-maker, wagon-maker, and a farmer. In May, 1852, Francis left his native home, and arrived at San Jose, October 6, where he was engaged in teaming for two years. He then went to Downieville, and for seven years followed the packing business. In 1862 he purchased the claim of John Reeves to one thousand acres of land in Sierra valley, where he still resides. He was united in marriage May 18, 1862, to Miss Mary Church, daughter of Ezra and Harriett Church of Ferrisburg, Vermont, where she was born July 5, 1843. Her parents are now living in Sierra valley. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have had six children, born as follows: Hattie, May 15, 1864; Agnes, July 9, 1867; Edgar, December 9, 1870; Iva, February 17, 1872; Clark, June 3, 1875; Frances, June 9, 1880. Mr. Rowland is one of the heaviest cattle dealers in the valley. On his home ranch he feeds from 100 to 150 head every winter; and in company with Jared Strang, handles from ten to twelve hundred on their Nevada range. The Feather river runs through his farm, which, with many never-failing springs, supplies water for stock and the meadows. The fire of 1881, which destroyed the business portion of Sierraville, consumed his fine, brick store-building and stock of goods. Mr. Rowland is one of the company that projected and built the telegraph line from Truckee to the valley. He is a member of the Sierraville Lodge No. 184, F. & A. M.

Charles Ruppert (p. 286)
He was born in Gaollheim, Bavaria, September 14, 1829. He came to the United States in 1838, with his grandparents, and to California in 1855, having spent the intervening time in New York. Upon his arrival in this state he commenced mining, which he continued for two years, when he engaged in cooking until 1861. Upon the first call for army volunteers, he enlisted in the first California regiment, and served three years in Arizona and New Mexico. In 1870 he entered the kitchen department of the Plumas House, Quincy, in which he has since been engaged. He is a member of the Masonic blue lodge and chapter, and of the Odd Fellows.

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H. P. Russell (Gen.) { Henry P. Russell } (p. 186)
The defalcating and absconding of George Sharpe, the first sheriff of Plumas county, resulted in the succession to the office of General H. P. Russell, who was coroner, and by virtue of the law became sheriff upon a vacancy occurring in that place. The general was hardly qualified for the responsibilities of that position, and in the discharge of his official duties was much ridiculed and criticised. He was formerly a New Yorker, but at the time was a farmer in American valley. He assumed the shrievalty of Plumas county on the first day of August, 1855. His term in office was exceedingly short, lasting only until the winter, when his successor elect was qualified, he not being favored with a re-election. He then retired to his farm, called the Uncle Sam ranch, where he devoted himself to agriculture until the year 1861, when he took the Washoe fever and removed to Carson City, Nevada. Shortly after, he received the appointment of adjutant-general of the territory, and several years subsequently died in Sacramento, having failed to accumulate wealth, but being held in kindly remembrance by hundreds of friends.

Niles Searls (Judge) (p. 176)
Was born in New York in 1825, where he remained as a student until 1848. He then removed to Missouri, and upon receipt of the news that gold had been discovered in California, came overland to the new El Dorado. In 1850 he settled in Nevada City and engaged in the practice of law. He was elected district attorney of Nevada county in 1852, and in 1855 was elected judge of the fourteenth judicial district, which office he held until 1862. Plumas county was in his district until 1857, and Judge Searls held several terms of court here. In 1877 he was elected to the state senate from Nevada county, but only served during one session, his term being shortened by the adoption of the new constitution. Judge Searls is still engaged in the practice of law in Nevada City, and enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. In 1853 he married Mrs. Mary C. Niles. He has two sons, one of whom, Fred Searls, is engaged with his father in his legal practice.

Claude Francois Seltier (pp. 264-265)
He is the son of Antoine and Jeannie (Segu) Seltier; was born January 20, 1818, in St. Gaud, Canton de Fresne, rue Mames, department de la Haute, Saone, France. His father was a farmer; and young Claude spent his time at work on the farm until thirty-three years of age, excepting five years’ service in the army. In the autumn of 1851 he left his home, and after a short time spent in traveling in his native land, embarked for the United States, sailing from Havre. A thirty-eight days’ trip brought him to New York. From there he journeyed to Meadville, Pennsylvania, and to Clearfield county, where he engaged in lumbering. He next went south to Vicksburg, and from there to St. Croix Falls, Minnesota. In the fall of 1855 he journeyed, via Panama, to California, to join his brother who had come the year previous. In 1858, in company with his brother John F., and James Calvin and Abel Adams, he came to Sierra valley and located in what is known as Adam’s Neck. At that time there were but two settlers on that side of the valley. Mr. Seltier is now the only one of the original settlers who remains in the “Neck.” The first cabin erected in the vicinity was by himself and brother, a half-mile from our subject’s present home. In 1856 he opened a store at Harrison’s diggings, which he kept for about eighteen months, when the camp disappeared, and there was no longer need of his merchandise. Mr. Seltier is a member of the Masonic lodge at Beckwourth, of Lassen Chapter No. 47, and of Lassen Commandery No. 13, at Susanville. A view of his residence may be seen on another page. He is now the possessor of 320 acres of land, and is regarded one of the substantial men of Beckwourth valley.

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Warren T. Sexton (Judge) { Warren Thompson Sexton } (p. 176)
He was born in Warren county, New Jersey, in 1823, and while still a young boy his father moved with his family to Michigan, and there engaged in building railroads by contract. At an early age he fitted for and entered Ann Arbor College. While there he imbibed a strong penchant for the classics, which led him, during his later years, to study the works of the ancient authors for his recreation. The failure of his father in business, before he had finished his course, compelled him to leave college and engage in the active pursuits of life. In 1849 he crossed the plains with the Wolverine Rangers, and in October of that year came to Butte county. His first and only mining was done at Long’s bar. He was elected county clerk in June, 1850, and held the position until 1853, when he became district attorney, serving as such for two years. He resided at the old town of Hamilton during its period of county-seatship; and when Bidwell’s bar became a favored spot, he followed its fortunes until they waned, and then took up his permanent abode in Oroville. The early records of the courts of that county are all in his well-known handwriting. Care and neatness pervade all the work of his life. While at Bidwell’s bar he formed a law-partnership with Judge C. F. Lott, who still survives him. During this partnership he rarely appeared in court to argue either questions of law or fact. Being naturally timid and diffident, he had no desire to speak in public. He had often remarked that he thought he had left the imprint of his fingers on the table in the old court-room at Bidwell, as he nervously grasped it when addressing court or jury. When Judge Lott did the talking, Judge Sexton gave his attention to the preparation of the case, and it was prepared with the skill of a master hand. In 1857 he was elected district judge, beating Judge Lewis by a large vote. He was re-elected in 1863, and again in 1875. In 1869 he was defeated for the same position by Judge Lott. It will be seen that he held the position of district judge for fourteen years and three months. The last time he appeared in court he was hardly able to walk up the stairs leading to the court-room; but when on the bench, he sat as erect as ever, listening to the argument of counsel. On the eleventh of April, 1878, he died at his residence in Oroville. Judge Sexton was married at Rough and Ready, in this state, November 14, 1855, to Miss Z. Stevens, who still survives him. There were born to them two children, Warren Sexton, Jr. and a daughter, both of whom are at present residing in Oroville. In Plumas county, as in every other part of the district, Judge Sexton was generally admired and loved. His charge to the jury in the celebrated Francis murder case elicited the highest eulogiums from the bench and bar of the state. The memory of the eminent virtues and abilities possessed by Judge Sexton will be kept alive in the minds of the people, and it will be long ere another can rise to usurp the place he holds in their hearts.

-also from History of Butte County, California: From its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. II, Harry L. Wells & W. L. Chambers, 547 Clay Street, San Francisco, Cal., 1882., pp. 191-194-

The death of this man, who has been prominently connected with the affairs of Butte county from the date of its organization, which occurred on the eleventh of April, 1878, called forth from all sides the highest eulogiums upon his character, both public and private. He was universally esteemed and respected. The bar of Butte county unanimously adopted these resolutions as the spontaneous and heartfelt expression of its regard for him, and its deep sorrow for his removal from its circle:

“Resolved—That the members of the bar of the second judicial district of the State of California received the intelligence of the death of Warren T. Sexton with feelings of profound sadness and sorrow. By his long and honorable service at the bar and upon the bench, distinguished by uniform courtesy and kindness of demeanor, as well as by eminent ability and profound learning, he endeared himself to all his professional brethren; and now, at the close of his earthly career, they find a melancholy pleasure in giving to his memory this public expression of their respect and regard.

“Resolved—That in the death of Judge Sexton the state has been bereaved of a just and upright citizen. Of mild and unassuming manners, he was firm and unfaltering in noble purposes. In his profession he was among the foremost and ablest of his associates. And upon the bench his sterling integrity gave additional dignity to the court, while his pre-eminent talents and unrivaled learning shed new luster upon the already brilliant pages of our law; and while we, the members of his own judicial district, feel most keenly his loss, we can point with pride at the record of a life well spent in the labors of a profession to which he has left the priceless legacy of a spotless name and the example of what may be achieved by patient industry and persistent labor.”

Concerning his early life, prior to his coming to California, he left but little record. His was seldom heard to speak of his boyhood days. He was born in Warren county, New Jersey, in 1823. While still a young boy, his father moved with his family to Michigan, and there engaged in building railroads by contract. While still at an early age, he fitted and entered Ann Arbor College. While there, he imbibed a strong penchant for the classics, which led him, during his later years, to study the works of the ancient authors for his recreation. The failure of his father in business, before he had finished his course, compelled him to leave college and engage in the active pursuits of life. In 1849, he crossed the plains with the Wolverine Rangers, and in October of that year came to Butte county. His first and only mining was done at Long’s bar. He was elected county clerk in June, 1850, and held the position until 1853, when he became District Attorney, serving as such for two years. He resided at the old town of Hamilton during its period of county-seatship, and when Bidwell’s bar became the favored spot, he followed its fortunes until they waned, and then took up his permanent abode in Oroville. The early records of the courts of this county are all in his well-known handwriting. Care and neatness pervade all the work of his life. While at Bidwell’s bar, he formed a law partnership with Judge C. F. Lott, who still survives him. During this partnership, he rarely appeared in court to argue either questions of law or fact. Being naturally timid and diffident, he had no desire to speak in public. He has often remarked that he thought he had left the imprint of his fingers on the table in the old court-room at Bidwell, as he nervously grasped it when addressing court or jury. While Judge Lott did the talking, Judge Sexton gave his attention to the preparation of the case, and it was prepared with the skill of a master hand. In 1857, he was elected District Judge, beating Judge Lewis by a large vote. He was re-elected in 1863, and again in 1875. In 1869, he was defeated for the position by Judge Lott. It will be seen that he has held the position of District Judge for fourteen years and three months. The last time he appeared in court, he was hardly able to walk up the stairs leading to the court-room, but, when on the bench, he sat as erect as ever, listening to the argument of counsel. Judge Sexton was married at Rough and Ready, in this state, November 14, 1855, to Miss Z. Stevens, who still survives him. There were born to them two children, Warren Sexton, Jr., and a daughter, both of whom are at present are residing in Oroville. The former edited the Oroville Mercury for some time, was admitted to the bar, and is now practicing law in partnership with Hon. John C. Gray. The memory of the eminent virtues and abilities possessed by Judge Sexton, will long be kept alive in the minds of the people, and it will be long ere another can rise to usurp the place he holds in the hearts of his fellow men.

-also from History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, Cal., J. M. Guinn, The Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, 1906, p. 418-

Eminent in the legal affairs of Butte county for years, and closely identified with its various interests from the time of organization until his death, the late Judge Warren T. Sexton became a resident of California in 1849. Jacob Sexton, his father, was a native of New Jersey, and was a prominent railroad builder and contractor. Warren T. was born in Warren county, New Jersey, in 1823, accompanied the family to Michigan when a small child, and there received a good common-school training, completing his education in the university at Ann Arbor. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California in company with the Wolverine Rangers and in October of that year first set foot in Butte county, locating at Long's Bar, where he engaged in mining. In 1850, at the first election held in this county, he was chosen clerk. During his services as such he continued the study of law, to which he had given some attention in former years. In 1853 he was elected district attorney, residing at Hamilton, then the county seat, and later removing with it to Bidwell's Bar. When Oroville became the seat of justice he made it his permanent home. The early court records are all in his own handwriting and evince the care he bestowed upon them. While at Bidwell's Bar he entered into partnership with C. F. Lott, a relation which proved a strong and lasting one, Mr. Sexton preparing the cases with unusual legal ability, and Mr. Lott presenting them in court in the same manner. In 1857 he was elected district judge, re-elected in 1863 and again in 1875, being the incumbent at the time of his death, April 11, 1878. Capable as an official, sound and learned as a jurist, and of strict integrity, a credit to the legal profession, it is not surprising that his loss was keenly felt. On November 14, 1855, Judge Sexton was united in marriage with Sobia Stevens, a native of Michigan. Three children were born to them, one of whom died in infancy; Warren and Caroline survive.

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Thomas B. Shannon (Hon.) { Thomas Boales Shannon } (p. 196)
Is a native of Pennsylvania. In early life he emigrated to Illinois, where he worked at the tinsmithing trade. In 1849 he came to California, and worked at his trade for E. C. Ross in Marysville. From there he removed to the upper Sacramento region, and engaged in gaming and sporting. In 1865 Shannon came into Plumas county, and with James A. Blood started a store at Elizabethtown. Under the law creating the board of supervisors, Shannon was elected a member of the Plumas board April 9, 1855, from district No. 2. He was re-elected that fall, but resigned in October; at the same time sold his business at Elizabethtown, and purchased a one-third interest in the firm of Clark, Wagner, & Co., at Meadow valley—Shannon assuming control of the business. Injudicious speculation caused the firm to collapse in 1861, with liabilities amounting to $50,000. Shannon was elected to the assembly in 1858 over Dr. Walker, and re-elected in 1859 as a Douglas democrat, over Parsons, the Breckenridge candidate. He was again run for the assembly in 1861, appearing on the political turf as the unconditional-union candidate, and was elected, defeating William Wagner and William Jacks. Shannon became an intense war man from this period, and declared in favor of the emancipation as the best means to preserve the union. In 1862 Shannon was pitted against Richard Irwin for the state senate, and beat him by 261 votes. He now gave up his residence in Plumas, and in the canvass of 1863 was elected to congress from the third district. He has since served as surveyor of the port of San Francisco, a member of the assembly from that city, speaker of the assembly, and collector of the port of San Francisco. He was married in August, 1856, to Miss Avis Folger, at Meadow valley.

George W. Sharpe (pp. 185-186)
A Missourian by birth, was engaged in the saloon business at Rich bar, east branch, in 1852. He left the river in the fall, and came to American valley, where he resided when the first election occurred in April, 1854. Sharpe was the successful candidate for sheriff. He was re-elected in the fall of 1854, for a full term. In common with many others, Sharpe was addicted to gambling, and early in the spring of 1855 it became rumored that he was not paying into the treasury the revenue he collected from foreign miners’ licenses. An investigation being ordered, he absconded early in July. Though it was afterwards learned that he had made a clandestine visit to his family in May, 1856, his whereabouts were never ascertained. In 1859 his wife applied for a divorce from him, on the ground of desertion, which was granted, and she afterwards married Elisha H. Pierce.

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Roy R. Sheer { Roy Raymond Sheer } (p. 273)
Mr. Sheer was born at Chesterville, Ohio, July 21, 1854. When he was about sixteen years old his parents removed to Woodford county, Illinois, where they still live. Roy received his education at the public schools of Ohio and Illinois, and at the age of twenty-three came to California by rail, arriving in Sutter county April 26, 1876, where he engaged in farming until the fall of 1881, when he moved to Randolph, and has since made that place his home. He is in the employ of G. Q. Buxton, manager of the Truckee and Plumas Eureka mine stage line and Randolph hotel.

James L. C. Sherwin (Hon.) { James Leander Cathcart Sherwin } (p. 197)
This gentleman was the democratic candidate for the assembly in the campaign of 1857. He defeated Sylvester A. Ballou, John K. Lovejoy, and Samuel Black. Mr. Sherwin was from Nelson creek, where he had followed mercantile pursuits, and also engaged in mining. Jim got enough of legislative life, and did not want more of it. When he bade adieu to the assembly hall, he publicly offered to wager a thousand dollars that he could beat any man living on foot, to “Nelson P’int.” A brother law-maker inquired: “Where in the d----l <devil> is Nelson P’int?” At which Jim expressed his supreme disgust at the man’s lamentable ignorance. A few years after he left the county, and never returned, but is still living in one of the southern mining counties.

Charles Otto Simons (p. 311)
Son of Horace P. and Harriett Simons, was born April 9, 1859, at South Bend, Indiana. He learned the trade of upholsterer in Chicago, and in 1874 went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he remained three years. In 1877 he came to California, and to Taylorville in January, 1878. The next three years were spent in Taylorville, Watsonville, Oakland, Folsom, and Oakdale, Stanislaus county. At the last place he opened a furniture store, which he sold out in the fall of 1881, and came to Greenville, opening an upholstering shop, which he is now conducting.

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J. H. Smith { John Harvey Smith } (p. 309)
Son of Ephraim and Amanda Smith, was born at Williamsburg, Ohio, August 5, 1834. When twenty years old he went to Illinois, where he lived until 1859, when he made the journey to California. At Light’s canon he mined for five years, then returned east, and was married November 19, 1863, to Miss Martha A. Peter of Illinois. Mr. Smith came back in 1865, and bought a ranch in the north arm of Indian valley, on which he lived ten years. In 1875 he sold it to Mr. McCutcheon, and removed to San Benito county, where he purchased another farm. In 1879 he bought the Ashim ranch in Plumas county, and in the year following brought his family and settled on it. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith are Thomas E., born September 7, 1864; Elmore E., October 22, 1867; Plumas, October 20, 1871; Clinton, born January 15, 1875, and died July 18, 1877.

W. A. Sperry { William Albert Sperry } (p. 265)
Mr. Sperry was born September 9, 1837 in New York. While a young man, his parents removed to Wisconsin, settling in Dodge county, where our subject lived until he had attained the age of twenty-five; when in 1863, he came to California, via Panama, and mined at Howland flat, Sierra county, for seven years. In 1870 he located 320 acres of land six miles southeast of Beckwourth, where he has since lived. He was married July 16, 1869, to Miss Annie McFarlan, of Lower Canada, then a resident of Howland flat. Their children are Nettie M., born May 3, 1871; Nellie M., July 7, 1872; Lilly B., August 2, 1874.

N. Stamfli { should be Stampfli - Nicholas Stampfli } (p. 310)
Son of O. J. and Catherine Stamfli, was born in Switzerland, July 22, 1816. In 1856 he came to New Orleans, stopped two weeks, and then started, via the Nicaragua route, for San Francisco. From there he came to Plumas county, mined eight months, went to Guatemala and farmed twenty months, and then returned and bought the Waterworth ranch of 160 acres. In 1867 he purchased the Chapman ranch of 290 acres, adjoining him on the east, all of which is now known as the Stamfli ranch. In these transactions, his brother Frank J. has been an equal partner. October 10, 1842, he was married to Catherine Zuber of Switzerland.

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Lewis Stark (p. 286)
Squire Stark, as he is familiarly called, is a native of Tennessee, where he was born in the year of 1808. He came overland to California with his family in 1852, and was among the first to go through Beckwourth pass, being conducted by Jim Beckwourth over his road. He went on to American valley. On his journey thence he camped in the ravine where Elizabethtown was subsequently built, and some of his boys, prospecting there, discovered the first diggings of that locality. Squire Stark concluded to remain there, and quite a village soon sprang up. The town was named after one of the squire’s daughter, W. A. Blakesley, of Quincy. In 1853 Mr. Stark was elected a justice of the peace of Butte county, and again in 1854, after Plumas was organized. He was re-elected in 1856, ‘57, and ’58, for Plumas township. In 1858 he removed to Honey Lake valley, and was there a justice of the peace in 1860-61. He was nominated by the democrats for county judge in 1863, and was defeated by Israel Jones. He removed to Santa Barbara in 1867, but returned and settled in Quincy in the summer of 1881.

R. Stover { Reuben Stover } (pp. 322-323)
Mr. Stover was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, where he remained until 1839, when he went to Iowa. He came across the plains to California in 1850, with his father, and brother. He mined one month at Bidwell’s bar, then went to Sacramento, but soon went to Marysville, and settled on a ranch one mile south of town. He remained here two years. Then mined one year in Nevada county, and six years in Placer. He then engaged in stock-raising in Butte county. June 20, 1859, he came to Big Meadows, and located his present ranch, spending his summer months here and winters in Butte county, until 1863, since which time he has been a permanent resident. Mr. Stover is in the dairy business, and has a model farm. He keeps from fifty to seventy-five cows, and makes from 6,000 to 8,000 pounds of an excellent quality of butter each season. He has all the modern appliances for butter-making. Numerous springs of cold water are on his farm. He was married in 1862 to Mary Ann Rose, who was born in Wisconsin in 1846 and came overland to California in 1852. Their children are four girls and three boys.

Jared Strang (pp. 263-264)
The subject of this sketch is a son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Strang, and was born on Prince Edward’s Island, March 12, 1837. His ancestors were early settlers of New York, and his grandfather on his mother’s side was a participant in the Revolutionary war. Jared’s boyhood days were spent on his father’s farm. When ten years old, his father removed to West Duxbury, Massachusetts. In the spring of 1858 Jared came to California, via the Isthmus and soon settled in Sierra valley, joining his father, who had come in 1856, his mother having died when he was a small boy. They went into the cattle business, which they continued until 1867, when Jared purchased his father’s interest. He located a quarter-section of land, to which he has since added 260 acres, making 420 acres in all. Mr. Strang is a member of two firms, the heaviest cattle dealers in Sierra valley, handling from five to ten thousand heads annually. The firms are Rowland, Flint, Hainten, & Strang, and Strang & Humphrey, and they have been associated together for nine years. Mr. Strang mines to some extent, and is the sole owner of the Blue Gravel mine. He was married in November, 1865 to Eleanor Mickey of Illinois, by whom he had four children; viz., Ada, born October 6, 1866, died in 1870; Steven L., born October 20, 1867; Jared W., born October 1, 1871; Ida, born June 20, 1875. He was again married August 1, 1880 to Mrs. Lula Currier Robbins, daughter of Isaac C. and Elizabeth Currier of Androscoggin, Maine. By this union there has been one son, Earle L, born April 30, 1881. By her first husband, Mrs. Strang had one son, Herbert S. Robbins, born November 3, 1877. A view of their residence and surroundings can be seen on another page. Mr. Strang is a member of the Sierra Valley Lodge No. 184, F. &. A. M.

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This page was revised last on 30-Sep-2012 12:44