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H. PALMER { Henry Palmer } (Appendix p. 4)
Was born in England December 9, 1825, coming to America when two years of age. His early education was received at New York, in which city he remained until reaching his twenty-fourth year. In 1849 Mr. Palmer, catching the “gold fever”, took passage on board the ship “George Washington” and arrived in San Francisco August 28th of the same year. Proceeding to Tuolumne County, he located some claims on Wood’s Creek near Campo Seco; in fact, was one of the first settlers in that neighborhood. Leaving Campo Seco in 1853, he went to Algerine, from which place he removed two years later to Knight’s Ferry, Stanislaus County, engaging at the latter place in merchandising, which occupation he followed until 1870. After a trip to the Eastern States, Mr. Palmer returned to California and has since been connected with the wine interests of San Francisco and Oakland.

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EDMOND PARSONS (p. 347-348)
Was born in Greenville County, Virginia, on December 25, 1831. When about eighteen years old he went to Shelby County, Tenn., where he completed his apprenticeship to the carpenter’s trade. In 1852, he came to this state, via Memphis and the Isthmus, and arrived in San Francisco on the 23rd of December of that year. He went to Ione City, Amador County, where he commenced mining. After three months he moved to Volcano, in that county, where he followed the same occupation as before, together with that of his trade. Here he married Mary Jane Bradford December 6, 1855. She is a native of Missouri. July 15, 1856, they moved to this county, settling on Woods’ Creek in Saw Mill Flat. In 1861, he went to Mariposa County, but in the following year returned to the Flat. The Montana gold excitement took him to that country in 1864, but he came back to his old home in the same year. In 1868, he located in Columbia and in 1872 settled in Sonora, where he now lives. Mr. Parsons was twice elected Supervisor of this county and was Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff David F. Baxter. He is now one of the “City Fathers” of Sonora. Charles H. (now a resident of Sacramento), Nettie, William D., Lottie, Mary, Lillie and Edmond are the names of his living children.

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C. S. PEASE { Charles Stone Pease } (p. 330)
Born in Broome County, New York, in November 1827, he there passed his earlier years, leaving his native state for the Pacific Slope in 1851. First mining for two years at Rough and Ready, he then returned to the East, where he exchanged his state of single-blessedness for that of a Benedict. Returning to California in 1855, he engaged in mining and teaching school as occasion required and served one term as Superintendent of Common Schools for Tuolumne County. In 1865, he moved on his ranch on Blanket Creek, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Pease’s children, seven in number, are Philip M., Ella L., Alice, Alfred, Henry, Edward and Grace.

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HENRY M. PEASE { Henry Martindale Pease } (p. 384)
Was born in Williamson County, Illinois, on April 22, 1856. He was reared in his native county and at Carbondale. He left the latter place for this state, arriving on the 27th of March, 1875, and settled in this county. He followed mining for a period of six years, when he bought an interest in the principal livery stable at Sonora and retains it to the present writing.

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OTIS PERRIN (p. 406-407)
Mr. Perrin was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, in 1826. Starting for California, he arrived in Tuolumne County in September 1849 and mined for a time at Hawkins’ Bar, ultimately removing to Jacksonville in the winter of the above year, then entering into partnership with J. L. Cogswell, also a noted pioneer, they built the Washington Hotel at Big Oak Flat, remaining proprietors of that inn for a number of years. When, in 1859, the Golden Rock Water Ditch was commenced by Messrs. Murphy, Watts & Co., Mr. Perrin took a contract for building the first thirteen miles of that raceway for the sum of $152,000, completing the section in one year. In 1862 the gentleman was elected to the State Legislature. Afterwards he became Superintendent of the Golden Rock Ditch, so remaining until the high flume fell, which put a stop to the company’s business. Subsequently Mr. Perrin began to work the Rutherford Quartz Mine, occupying himself in that manner until his appointment, in 1869 as Receiver of the United States Land Office at Stockton, his appointment having been continued by Presidents Grant, Hayes and Garfield.

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I. J. POTTER { Isaac Justus Potter } (p. 351)
This old settler of Tuolumne is a native of New York City, where he was born on September 21, 1827. When three years old, his parents moved to Philadelphia, Pa., where he received his primary education at the public schools, graduating at the Central High School. He came to this state in company with Jarvis Louderback and family on the ship “Levant” and arrived in San Francisco on September 15,1849. On October 5th following, he arrived in this county and went to mining at Swett’s Bar, remaining there until 1853. From this place he moved to and mined in Gold Springs, until October 1861, when he settled in Sonora, accepting the position of Deputy Clerk of Tuolumne County under Clerk R. E. Gardner. In September 1873, he was elected County Clerk, and has been his own successor to the present time.

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JOSEPH POWNALL, M D. (p. 342-344)
Is a native of Hackettstown County, New Jersey, and was born on August 8, 1818. His primary education was received in that town, after which, at the age of nineteen, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. William Rea and in the spring of 1841 attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York City, followed by another course during the summer and fall at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, then returned and entered the Medical Department of the University of the City of New York at its first session in the fall and winter of 1841-2, from which he graduated on the 9th day of March 1842. After a visit to his home for six months, he returned to the city for a month or so, then went to Savannah, in Georgia, remained there a short time and settled in Laurens County in that state. After a six months’ residence there he moved to Micanopy, Alachua County, Florida, remaining until about July 1, 1846, when he went to New Orleans, thence to Matamoras and Monterey in Mexico, returning to New Orleans about January 1st, 1847. He remained there until September 1848, then moved to Keachie, De Soto Parish, Louisiana.

On the 28th of March 1849, he, in company with Capt. I. G. Messec of Gilroy and fifty others, started for this state, taking the El Paso route, and arrived in California about the 20th of July of that year. The Doctor first settled in Mariposa, the same fall going to Stockton and engaging in “packing” to the mines for a short time and then returned to Mariposa. From there he came to Big Oak Flat in this county on March 18, 1850. In the winter of 1850-1 he was engaged in mining at Quartz Mountain, near Sonora. About February 1851, he went to the northern mines, where he remained till January 1852 and returned to this county, settling in Columbia. He acquired an interest in the Tuolumne Water Company in January, 1852and in 1856 waselected its Secretary and is now Secretary, Treasurer and Superintendent, as well as being one of the Board of Directors. On March 10, 1857, Dr. Pownall married Mary C. Newell. Joseph B., aged 24 years, and Lucy A. H., aged 22 years, are their children.

Among the Doctor’s lively recollections is an account of an affray between white men and Indians, which took place at Big Oak Flat in very early times and which has been previously mentioned in this work. This account is given nearly in the gentleman’s own words, he having been an eye witness: When the Doctor was coming to the Flat from a gulch beyond, he witnessed a scene of blood on the 5th of June 1850 at a place called Savage’s Old Camp. A small tribe of Indians were encamped there and on that day the Chief, Lotario, and a few chosen warriors, becoming a little more fuddled than would be considered genteel in the higher walks of life, concluded to have a row with some Americans encamped there. Words with them not being quite potent enough, bows and arrows were called into requisition and the melee became general and as he came from work he saw the whole tribe of warriors, squaws and pappooses taking French leave of their heretofore quiet abode and making tracks for parts unknown amid an accompaniment of howls, shrieks and lamentations that would have done no discredit to a pack of hungry wolves. When coming in he saw the Chief and several others lying dead and another badly wounded. One unfortunate American, named Rose, was so badly wounded with arrows that he died in about an hour.

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A. B. PRESTON { Alvin Bacon Preston } (p. 416-417)
Judge Preston was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on October 3, 1829, receiving there his primary education. He reached the age of fifteen years, when, going to New York City, he there engaged as a clerk, which occupation he followed until his departure for California. He arrived in San Francisco on March 9, 1849, staying in that city until 1850, when he came to Tuolumne, settling at Columbia. Mining for a time at Columbia and at Jacksonville, he then moved to Campo Seco in January 1851, where he became Constable and Interpreter for Judge Halsey’s Court. He moved to Jamestown in 1852, where he has since lived. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1856 and was his own successor up to 1878. We do not remember of ever having recorded another instance where a person has held the same office continuously for twenty-two consecutive years. In 1856 Mr. Preston was appointed by Governor Neely Johnson as Notary Public and has held that office also up to the present time. He was elected one of the Supervisors of this County in 1878 and is the present incumbent. He married Maggie C. Donovan on May 21, 1870. They have three children living: Howard, Gracie and Pearl and have buried three others.

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LEANDER QUINT (p. 377)
Lawyer, came early to Sonora and engaged in the practice of law as early as 1850.A part of his business was in the court of Judge Barry and this anecdote of the two is given on the authority of an eyewitness: Quint had a singular habit of gesticulating with one of his hands, from which he had lost the three first fingers, the remaining thumb and the little finger being extended in a peculiar and disagreeable manner. On one occasion Barry had ruled against Quint, who exclaimed, “Judge, I never did have any show in your Court!” “No, damn you, sir,” replied Barry, ‘‘and you never shall have any! When a man comes into court and wiggles his fingers and rolls up his eyes as you do, he can’t have any show here. In Texas, we had man-traps, sir, that cost thieves their fingers. It looks damned suspicious, sir - it looks damned suspicious - but I hope it is all right!” Mr. Quint was not utterly extinguished by this, but went on and became County Judge. Following the example of others of his profession, he removed to San Francisco, gained a large practice and achieved honors. He was attorney for the defendant in the celebrated trial of Laura D. Fair for the murder of Crittenden - a fact that proves his high standing at the Bar.

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JUDGE CHARLES H. RANDALL (p. 418-419)
Judge Randall, now the editor of the Union Democrat and a resident of Sonora during some thirty years, and, withal, one of the most widely-known and honored of all those who have owned Tuolumne as their home, has kindly put the publisher of this book in possession of a few plain facts relating to his life, of which of the following are subjoined:

The Judge was born in Providence, Rhode Island, June 7, 1824. Went from there to New York City in 1844, from New York City to Tennessee in 1846, coming to California around Cape Horn, landing in San Francisco September 9, 1849. In that year he mined at Weber Creek, a tributary of the American River. In 1850 he went to Central America, spent the winter in Nicaragua, returned to California in 1851, and came to Chili Camp, Tuolumne County in that spring. Followed mining in the county until the fall of 1853. In October 1853, he entered the Sheriff's Office under Major P. L. Solomon, continuing with him during the term, or until the spring of 1856. Solomon was appointed United States Marshal in 1857 and Mr. Randall was Deputy in his office until the fall of 1858, when he returned to Sonora and entered the mercantile business with the late James Lane, doing business under the firm name of Lane & Randall until 1862. In 1861 he was elected Supervisor and served six years. In 1867 he was elected County Judge, serving from June 1, 1868 to January 1, 1872. In 1869 he bought the Union-Democrat, conducting it until August 1875, when he sold it and moved to San Francisco. In two years he came back and bought into the Democrat again, where he now is. In politics he was originally a Whig. After the Presidential election of 1852 he was identified with no political party until 1856, since which time he has supported the Democratic party. Most of the time since 1856 he has been an active partisan and has taken much interest in the welfare of the county. The Judge was one of the mass in early times and saw many of the exciting scenes of those days. He says, “I hope to always live in the county, for it is my home and all other places are strange to me compared with it.” It may not be out of place to say that he has been an active Odd Fellow since 1846, was Grand Master of the State of California in 1878-79 and has represented the Grand Encampment of California in the Sovereign Grand Lodge, I.0.0.F. for five sessions.

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ROBERT S. RAYMOND (p. 359)
Born in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on March 5, 1832. He left the island in October 1854, taking passage on the steamer “North Star” for the Isthmus of Panama and arrived in San Francisco in November of that year. He came direct to Sonora and, with the exception of six months spent in the East on a visit, he has maintained a permanent residence in Sonora, where he has been steadily engaged in the hardware trade.

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R. A. ROBINSON { Robert Austin Robinson } (p. 413-414)
Born at Patterson, Putnam County, New York, March 29, 1813. Came to California, arriving November 7, 1852 via Panama. Remained in San Francisco until about March 1, 1853. Went to Sacramento, taking a position in the banking house of D. O. Mills & Co., remaining however only two months, going from there to Tuolumne County, engaging in mining in the vicinity of Columbia. In the summer of 1853 he became Secretary of the Tuolumne Water Company. In the fall of 1855 he was elected County Clerk, his opponent being General Evans, and held the office for two years. In 1859 Mr. R. left Tuolumne County to take charge of Lloyd Tevis & Co.’s ditch and lived in Knight’s Ferry and vicinity for two years. Since his departure from Stanislaus County, Mr. R. has been placed in numerous positions of trust, especially may be mentioned his connection with various copper interests in Calaveras and some of the southern counties, where his sound judgment saved his patrons thousands of dollars which might otherwise have been uselessly involved. For the past nine years he has been in the office of the Superintendent of Streets and Public Highways, occupying the position of Chief Deputy. Though taking the post under Republican administration, such were his capability and efficiency that with each change of party the incumbent of the office - the Superintendent of Public Streets - has deemed it desirable to retain Mr. R. in the capacity of Chief Deputy.

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HON. EDWIN A. RODGERS (p. 394-395)
Mr. Rodgers has spent thirty years of an active and successful life in Tuolumne County, having come here in 1852. Born in the Green Mountain State in 1825,he entered Harvard College at a suitable age and graduated duly, having acquired an excellent classical education that has served him excellently well throughout all the ensuing years. Pursuing legal studies in the office of an able practitioner, Judge Underwood, he was admitted to the Bar, but did not engage at once in the practice of his profession, but came to California. Spending first a year at Jamestown in mining pursuits, he next removed to Sonora, where he has since made his home. His law practice began on his admission to the Bar of Tuolumne County, which took place June 20, 1854, he then entering upon a prosperous and active career, which has continued up to the present time with unabated vigor.

Mr. Rodgers’ first labors being in mining, he had little opportunity to attract the attention which his original genius and undoubted mental powers have since com­manded, but about 1853 he began to interest himself in political affairs, and in a series of articles upon political topics, published in the Sonora Herald, there are the first evidences which we have of the remarkable way in which he has impressed his individuality upon his surroundings. His succeeding career has been that of a very successful attorney, who has at times entered upon politics and who has done a great deal of work for the good of his fellow citizens. In 1860 the citizens of Tuolumne demonstrated their sense of his abilities by electing him to the Legislature. In 1869 he became District Attorney, holding that office to the general acceptation of the citizens. Mr. Rodgers married Miss Henrietta Morrow, a native of Massachusetts.

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HON. J. F. ROONEY { John Francis Rooney } (p. 387-388)
Judge Rooney is a native of Cold Springs, New York, and was born on the 27th of July 1836. His parents took him to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1840. Mr. Rooney was placed under the instructions of a private tutor and this method of laying the foundation for a thorough education was pursued for a number of years. He then entered Sinsinawa Mound College in Wisconsin, receiving there his academical education. The Judge came to California via Panama in 1862, arriving in San Francisco on the 19th of July. On the 28th of the same month he arrived in Sonora, where he has since lived. Here he studied law and was called to the Bar in November 1863, commencing and continuing to practice in Sonora. In September 1877, he was elected District Attorney. This position seemed to be but the stepping-stone to higher honors, for in December 1879 he resigned that office to be sworn in as the Superior Judge of Tuolumne County, to which office he had been elected. Evidently Judge Rooney’s motto through life has been “Aut vincere aut mori” - to conquer or die. When we contemplate his career we may well suggest the idea. One who has, without the aid of anyone, gained an honest living, a liberal education, and reached a high and honorable position while still young, must glance over his past life with feelings of pride when he thinks that what he is, and what he has, are due entirely to his own unaided resources. He married Virginia, daughter of Dr. W. E. Eichelroth, and has two children.

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H. M. ROSEKRANS { Henry Mosher Rosekrans } (p. 417)
Was born in Saratoga, New York, January 24, 1829. In 1852 he came to California, locating in Tuolumne County and for one year kept a store at Kincoole's Flat. Next he engaged in mining, but concluded to give that up to follow his trade of painting. As an example of the prices obtained for provisions in those days, for a load of flour, which in 1852 Mr. Rosekrans brought from Knight's Ferry, he received $200 a barrel. After over three years' residence in Sonora, he removed to San Francisco, still following his trade, all his undertakings in the latter place having been attended with success.

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W. G. RUDORFF { William Gustave Rudorff aka William George Rudorff } (p. 401)
Among the pioneers of ‘49, is the one whose name appears at the head of this sketch. Mr. Rudorff is a native of Prussia and was born May 3, 1825. Mr. Rudorff rounded the Horn on the old ship "Talisman”, landing in San Francisco on September 12, 1849. Here he remained until February, then went to the mines at Dutch Bar, near Coloma. After mining here during the summer season and then working and prospecting in various mining districts thereabouts, he bought a ranch in Mokelumne Hill in 1851 on which he settled. This farm he sold in 1852 and in the summer of that year settled at Springfield, in this county, where he kept the old Union Hotel, then settling at Sonora in 1860. On September 12th of this year Mr. Rudorff will have been a resident of the state thirty-three years and of Sonora twenty-two years. He married, while residing at Springfield, Henrietta Schleicher, a native of Saxe-Weimar, Germany, on July 23, 1854. They have four boys and four girls.

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CHARLES B. RUTHERFORD (p. 383-384)
This gentleman was born in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts, in September 1835. Leaving there when ten years of age, he settled in Canandagua, New York, growing up and attending the Academy with Henry H. Haight, afterwards Governor of California. In 1849 Mr. Rutherford, holding a position in the service of the United States Government, was located at San Antonio, Texas. In 1852 he went to Sonora, having arrived in this state a few weeks previous. Taking a partner, he erected a cloth tent on Washington Street, it being just after the great fire, and commenced business as painters. The hook and ladder company had just been organized and Mr. R. painted all the paraphernalia required by its one hundred and fifty members. During his stay in Sonora he erected the brick building which Dr. Sears now occupies, also the brick residence of Mr. John Cowie. Leaving Sonora in 1861, Mr. R., after three years spent in various parts of the state, located permanently in Oakland and carries on the painting business at 1014 Broadway. His family comprises three children.

CHARLES B. RUTHERFORD (Appendix p. 15-16)
Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in September 1835, Mr. Rutherford left there at the age of ten years and settled at Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York. In the schools of that place, the young Rutherford was a classmate of the late Governor Haight of this state. In 1849 he went to San Antonio, Texas, holding there the position of clerk in the Quartermasters Department of the United States Army. Going to Mexico for a time, he then went to California, getting to San Francisco in October 1852. Although obtaining remunerative occupation there, he nevertheless left that place in a month or so, going next to Sonora. He arrived there after the great fire and set up a tent on Washington Street, in which he did business, following his occupation of painter. His first work in Sonora was to paint the apparatus of the new hook and ladder company and which contained one hundred and fifty members, many of whom achieved subsequent fame in their several walks of life. Mr. Rutherford, in the course of his residence in Sonora, erected the brick building now occupied by Dr. Sears, also the pretty brick structure now occupied by Mr. John Cowie as a dwelling-house. Selling out to Mr. Cady, Mr. Rutherford left Sonora in 1861 and went to San Francisco in 1861, remaining there two years, then spending one year in San Luis Obispo County. He next went to Oakland and has been a constant resident there since, carrying on his painting business at No. 1014 Broadway. He has held the office of Public Administrator of the county for four years. The gentleman is married and has three children.

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JOHN A. SAMPSON (p. 413)
Born in Kingston, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, October 3, 1831, came to California in 1852. Proceeding almost immediately to Tuolumne County, he engaged in mining in the Corral Ranch Claims situated on Curtis’ Creek. Mr. Sampson was one of the proprietors of a tunnel which was run into Table Mountain, called Scooperville Tunnel and which was completed to a length of 3,500 feet. His sojourn in the county extended over a period of twelve years, during which time he was one of the originators of the Republican Party, in connection with Dr. Gunn. In 1864 Mr. Sampson came to San Francisco and for the past fifteen years has been employed in the Custom House, at the present time holding the responsible position of Assistant Cashier.

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JOHN SEDGWICK (p. 378)
At first Deputy to James Stuart, the valorous Sheriff of Tuolumne, afterwards elected to that office himself, succeeding Stuart, cut a prominent figure in both positions. He was always regarded as a most capable and energetic officer, the terror of roughs and thieves and the reliance of the law-abiding. Leaving Tuolumne for Stockton, Mr. Sedgwick held the government position of Collector. Now in San Francisco, he is Sheriff of that city, an office achieved through his well-known merit.

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HENRY SEVENING (p. 395)
The subject of this sketch was born in Germany on June 8, 1833. He was educated in his native country, from which he removed in 1852, coming direct to San Francisco, at once settling at Jamestown, where he was engaged in mining and later on followed the same occupation at Yorktown. We next findhim keeping a store at Campo Seco, where he remained till coming to Columbia in 1860. Here he was engaged in mercantile pursuits until May 1, 1872, when he was appointed Wells, Fargo & Co.’s agent and is now carrying on the express and banking business. In 1879, he was elected president of the Tuolumne County Water Company, which position he now fills with credit to his company and honor to himself. It can be truly said of Mr. Sevening that he is beloved by his family and friends and honored and respected by the community in which he lives. Married Louise Wedel on June 17, 1860. Johanna L., Frederick, Lulu and Alma are his children.

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DANIEL SEWELL (Appendix p. 17-19)
The subject of this sketch was born in Staleybridge, Lancashire, England, on June 12, 1836 and came to the United States in October 1847. His parents first settled at Wappinger’s Falls, Duchess County, New York, he remaining with them until May 1854, when he was bound as an apprentice to Stephen Armstrong, a carpenter and joiner in Poughkeepsie, with whom he was connected until June 1857. Following this trade for two years in the State of New York, in 1859 Mr. Sewell determined to try his fortunes in California. In September of that year he sailed and landed in San Francisco about the 29th of the same month. There he stopped only two days, proceeding to Tuolumne County and adopting Sonora as his place of residence. On April 27, 1861, he became a member of the old Sonora Hose Company and for fifteen years was identified as one of the most earnest workers in the same. Of his connection with the Sonora Fire Department, the following facts have been obtained: Six times Mr. Sewell was elected secretary of Hose Company No. 1, once treasurer of the same, twice appointed secretary of Board of Fire Delegates, three times elected one of the five trustees of the City of Sonora, five times elected First Assistant Engineer of the Sonora Fire Department, and four times Chief Engineer of the same. To the above flattering record is added the following tribute by a former officer: “Mr. Sewell is a self-made man, having come among us a few years ago as a stranger. By his sterling worth and indomitable perseverance he has endeared himself to his fellow-citizens. During his connection with the Fire Department, though the same covers a space of fifteen years, in danger he has never been found absent from his post, nor from our counsels when our interests have been at stake.”

In 1857 Mr. Sewell, in New York, joined the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. Withdrawing from the Eastern Lodge in 1861, he became a member of Sonora Lodge No. 10, passing through the various offices and in the years of 1876 and 1879 represented his Lodge in the Grand Lodge of California. In 1862 he associated himself with Bald Mountain Encampment No. 4 of the same order, from time to time filling the different official places in the same and at the time of his departure for the Bay City held the position of scribe. Mr. Sewell was three times appointed City Clerk by the Board of Trustees of the City of Sonora, resigning the office in August 1879, the date of his removal of business to San Francisco.

While in Sonora, for four years he was a contractor and builder, relinquishing that occupation to succeed W. H. Rulofson, the well-known photographer. In the latter branch of business he was quite successful, but in August 1879, concluded to remove to San Francisco, where he bought an interest in the New York Gallery on Third Street, continuing there at the present time. During his residence in Tuolumne County, when the public welfare was concerned, few names were more prominent than that of Daniel Sewell. It may also be mentioned that he was one of the Committee to receive subscriptions for the opening of the road from Sonora to Groveland, by way of Wards’ Ferry, this being a direct route to Yosemite. In 1864 Mr. Sewell married Lucie Elvira Worden and has four children: Daniel R., Lillie Eldora, Dell Elvira and Nettie Mira, all of them born in Sonora.

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J. H. SMITH { Joseph Henry Smith } (p. 340)
*Note: The following biography was attached to “W. J. Smith” erroneously in the book, the “J” being a typographical error of “P”. It was Joseph, not William, who was born 1835.
This gentleman is of English descent, having been born in Somersetshire, in the southern part of England, on November 20, 1834. His parents removed to New York in 1849, settling in Cortland County in that state. In 1853 Mr. Smith, then a youth of nineteen, started, in company with W. P. Smith, his brother, for California, via Panama, arriving in March of that year. Settling at Springfield, the twain commenced mining, hauling their gold-bearing dirt about half a mile to a spring, where it was washed. In 1862 Mr. Smith mined near Soulsbyville, remaining so employed until 1866, when he, together with his brother, located in their present situation near Cherokee and have been engaged in mining ever since. Among other property possessed by Mr. Smith was an interest in the ‘‘Mastodon Ledge”, sold to a Boston Company in 1880 and an interest in a mine near Summersville, which he still retains. At present, the gentleman is engaged in gold extraction through the medium of his arastra, which he constantly operates.

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W. P. SMITH { William Paul Smith } (p. 341)
*Note: The following biography was attached to “J. H. Smith” erroneously in the book. It was William, not Joseph, who was born 1824 and who married Caroline A. Barker.
Mr. Smith, who is mentioned above as a brother of W. P. Smith, was born December 17, 1824, in Somersetshire, England. Coming to New York May 1845 and remaining in Cortland County until 1853, when he came to this state. Mining at Springfield for a time, he went back to New York for a while, afterwards spending four years in Iowa as a farmer. The attractions of the “Sunset Land” were too great, however, and he pulled up stakes in 1859 and came across the plainswith his wife. In 1862, they went to Soulsbyville, where they resided until 1866, Mr. Smith working as a miner. At that date he removed to Cherokee, where he now remains. The brothers were owners of the “Mastodon Ledge”, mentioned as having been sold in 1880 to a company of Boston capitalists. Mr. Smith is still engaged to some extent in mining affairs, but carries on besides some farming operations. His wife, above spoken of, was Miss C. A Barker, to whom he was married in 1850.

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C. W. H. SOLINSKY { Christian William Hugo Solinsky } (p. 315)
This estimable gentleman is a native of Poland, his birth occurring on August 14, 1814. Coming to the United States in 1840, he enlisted six years later in Quitman’s Division and fought through the war with Mexico, returning at its close to Pennsylvania. Still unsettled in mind, he embarked at the end of the same year – 1848 - on the ship “Osceola” and camein her to this state to enter upon mining, which he followed for three or four years in Calaveras and Mariposa Counties and then in the vicinity of Sonora, until he found more acceptable occupation as a member at the firm of Miller & Co. Afterwards becoming agent for Adams & Co.’s Express line, he held that office until the company’s dissolution. In 1857, he received a similar appointment from Messrs. Wells, Fargo & Co., which he has retained until the present time. During these years Mr. Solinsky has also engaged in several mining operations, nor is this all that is within the scope of his business activity. One of the best appointed and well-managed hotels in the foothills has been under his proprietorship for a number of years. The Solinsky family includes three children: Frank, now a promising young lawyer of San Andreas, Wm H. Solinsky and Margaret F. Solinsky.

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MAJOR P. L. SOLOMON { Perrin L. Solomon } (p. 400)
"King Solomon”, Sheriff, came from Tennessee. He was a hatter at first, then Mexican War soldier, rising to the rank of Major. Democrat in politics. Did excellently well as Sheriff. Quiet, far-seeing, energetic. He afterwards became U.S. Marshal in San Francisco, dying in 1863.
*Note: Solomon was a native of Kentucky.

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BEN SOULSBY { Benjamin Soulsby } (p. 324-325)
Is a Pennsylvanian, having been born in Alleghany County of that state in October, 1840. In 1851, he, together with his parents, came to this state by way of New Orleans and Panama. Living first on Sullivan’s Creek, the family moved thence to Brown’s Flat, there remaining until the fall of ‘53, when they changed their residence to Soulsbyville, where Ben has since resided. Mr. Soulsby was the discoverer of the celebrated ‘‘Soulsby Mine”, a claim that has enriched many, but which circumstances compelled the discoverer to part with. A veteran prospector, Mr. S. still evinces a most excellent judgment in mines, owning now an interest in a valuable claim a mile north of Soulsbyville, which he with his partner are in process of developing. Possessing also a well-improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which is a tiptop residence, the gentleman is well-situated to enjoy life and to dispense an open-handed hospitality, as all who have experienced the latter may testify. Mr. Soulsby and his excellent lady have one child, Thomas by name.

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ALEXANDER STAIR (p. 412-413)
Who was born in York, York County, Pennsylvania, on February 9, 1828, came to California in November 1849. Locating first at Sonora and stopping there for a brief period, he went from there to Mariposa County. Remaining in the latter place for a short time, he returned to Tuolumne County, this time taking up his residence at Chinese Camp in 1854, his occupation being stage agent, which place he filled for nine years. Leaving Chinese Camp in 1863, he came to San Francisco and engaged in mercantile pursuits, at which place he yet remains, at present being connected with the firm of J. Wagner & Co., Nos. 105 and 107 Mission Street.

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JOHN B. STETSON (Appendix p. 14-15)
Mr. Stetson, whose portrait is presented herein, was born in Kingston, Massachusetts, on the 27th of March, 1831. He came to California in 1852, arriving in San Francisco in September. Somewhat later in that year, he arrived at Shaw's Flat in Tuolumne County and afterwards entering into business at Columbia as a dealer in hardware, his firm being known as Osgood & Stetson. Remaining in Columbia until 1860, the firm then removed to San Francisco and opened a store where the Occidental Hotel now stands, continuing in the hardware business. In 1877, his partner having retired, Mr. Stetson conducted the business alone for one year, at the end of that time forming a partnership with others under the designation of Holbrook, Merrill & Stetson. The business house of this great firm is now No. 225 Market Street. Mr. Stetson is a man of family, having four children - Sarah F., Nellie M., Albert L. and Harry N. Mrs. Stetson, formerly Miss Maria Slack, is a native of Pennsylvania.

The gentleman, like many of the former settlers of Tuolumne County, carries in his memory a very large store of reminiscences of the early days. Among these recollections, some relating to the time of his stay at Shaw’s Flat are peculiarly interesting. It is related that during the time in which he there resided he held the office of constable, assisting in the capture of Ned McCaulley, who murdered Bond, an account of which has been given. The circumstances of the capture not having been mentioned, place may be given here. The slayer had, previous to the killing, been engaged in an assault, for which he had been brought before Judge Drake at the Flat and allowed to go on his promise to return later, when sentence would be pronounced. This somewhat loose way of transacting affairs had a painful result, for it gave the desperado an opportunity of seeking the quarrel which led to such a lamentable result. When the murder took place, Mr. Stetson set out to apprehend McCaulley, but was unable to ascertain his whereabouts, because none of the neighbors cared to win the enmity of his gang. At last a half-breed secretly gave the desired information, and, securing help, Mr. Stetson proceeded in the gloom of the evening and apprehended the murderer, who was awaiting the arrival of his friends, who were expected to bring him money wherewith to make his escape from the vicinity.

Mr. Stetson was at Columbia when the murderer of John Leary met his deserved doom at the hands of the mob, being hanged to the flume. The gentleman relates an anecdote bearing upon this affair. J. L. Hamlin, once Assemblyman, was a man of imposing presence, being over six feet in height. This gentleman, out of his own sense of fitness and respect for the laws which he had helped to frame, stood up at the hanging and, stretching out his hands, cried out that he thanked God that his soul was free from the blood of the executed man! At this a little fellow stepped forth from the mob and in a calm voice said to Hamlin that if he uttered another word they would hang him too. The ridiculous part of the story relates to the terrified departure of the moral lawmaker, as he rose to a full appreciation of these words and retired from the scene with a velocity that made his coattails assume a horizontal position.

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COLONEL (or CAPTAIN) THOMAS R. STODDART (p. 389-390)
Was for many years a noted character in Tuolumne. Originally a man of intelligence and education, he passed his life amid stirring scenes in Texas, Mexico and other distant lands, eventually finding his way to Tuolumne, where he exercised his talents in various ways to gain a livelihood, but with meager success. As a newspaper correspondent he had few equals, his letters signed “Cosmorama” in the Tuolumne Courier and other communications from time to time, entitling him to a good standing among writers. He prospected, he did ornamental writing, as cards, diplomas, etc. and he taught writing school. At a later date his mind became weakened and nature gradually broke up. During these later years he was a resident of Sonora, where he lived in the solitary life of a bachelor. Interested in military affairs, the old soldier joined the Tuolumne Rangers. Afterwards he was a member of the fire department of Sonora and almost the last recollections that the people retain of him is the spectacle of Colonel Tom parading at the head of the new wingproud and erectly conscious of his imposing figure and grandly bearing the beloved Stars and Stripes, in whose defense he had given freely of his best blood. His last years were divested of care by the ministrations of kind friends and the veteran sank peacefully to rest a few years ago.

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W. S. STONE { Willis Shackelford Stone } (p. 323-324)
This gentleman, now a prosperous and valued citizen of Tuolumne County, was born in Montgomery County, Missouri, on the 4th of March 1830. When he was quite young his parents removed southward to Washington County, Arkansas, where they followed farming. When twenty-one, Mr. Stone was united in marriage to Miss I. Fitzgerald and the following year the young couple ‘‘crossed the Plains”, coming with their ox-teams via Salt Lake, arriving in Tuolumne in November ‘52. After a short time spent in mining in Jamestown, he accepted a situation in a sawmill on Sullivan’s Creek, remaining so employed for two years, then purchasing the ranch now owned by Mr. Major, but selling it in 1856 to occupy his present beautiful farm, situated in the loveliest of valleys eleven miles from Sonora. The amount of land embraced within the ranch is three hundred and twenty acres. Their children are five in number, whose names are 0. P., Thomas J., George L., Isabelle C. and Ida V.

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C. L. STREET { Charles Levi Street } (p. 372-373)

Is a native of Sheldon, Wyoming County, New York, and was born on November 10, 1821, receiving his primary education in that state. In 1840, the family moved to Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois. Prior to this, however, Mr. Street paid a visit to the southern states, but located, finally, with his people in Carthage, where his uncle, M. B. Street, had also settled. In 1846, the Street families migrated to Johnson County, Arkansas, where they lived until coming to California via Fort Smith, Fort Yuma, thence to San Diego and San Francisco, where they arrived on November 1, 1849. Here they resided until February 1850, then came to this county, camping a short time at Jamestown, thence going to Woods’ Creek, about one-half a mile above Sonora. In May 1851, he, in connection with his brother, H. L. Street, raised a tent where the Episcopal Church now stands, in which they conducted a commercial business. Mr. Street sold out on March 15, 1851, returned east, but again returned to Sonora in August of that year. He purchased a one-half interest in a store then owned by his uncle, his partner being his brother, H. L. Street, and the business was conducted by them until 1859. The subject of our sketch was elected Justice of the Peace in 1859, remaining in that office until 1866. He was also one of the Associate Justices of this county. He commenced the study of law while a resident of Sonora and was admitted to the Bar and opened his present office on the corner of Washington Street and Yaney Avenue. He has since associated himself with his cousin, Frank W. Street. He married Phoebe Weston, a native of Rockville, Connecticut, and by this union had one child, H. L. Street.

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H. L. STREET { Harlow Lounds Street } (p. 333-334)
The subject of this sketch, who is one of the pioneers of Sonora, was born in Genessee County, New York, on May 23, 1823.Prior to the year 1840, his uncle, M. B. Street, had taken up a residence in Hancock County, Illinois, and the nephew, H. L. Street, persuaded his parents to move to that place, which they did in the year above mentioned. Here the uncle and father were engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1846, the Street families migrated to Johnson County, Arkansas, where they lived till Mr. Street’s father and brother came to this state via Fort Smith, Fort Yuma and San Diego to San Francisco, where they arrived November 1, 1849. Here they built a canvas house in which they lived till February 1850, then came to this county, passing through San Jose. They camped a short time at Jamestown, thence moving to Woods’ Creek, about one-half mile above Sonora. Here Mr. Street remained till about May 1850, when he in conjunction with his brother, C. L. Street, raised a tent at the head of Washington Street, in which they opened a store, purchasing eight hundred dollars worth of goods in Stockton, on which they paid four hundred dollars for their transportation to Sonora. Here Mr. Street followed trading and mining until March 15, 1851, then selling out his business and returning east by steamer to New York, thence to the State of Arkansas. He only remained, however, till August 1851, when he returned to this state, coming via New Orleans, bringing his wife, and at once settled in Sonora, where he purchased a half interest in his uncle’s store. Mr. Street continued in trade until 1859. A year or two thereafter he went to Lewiston, Idaho, there going into business, but sold out, returned to Sonora and opened a store in 1861, which business he now follows at his place on Washington Street. He was appointed Postmaster in 1861 and has continued in the office to the present time. He married Ascenith, daughter of Dr. McConnell, on February 22, 1849. The lady is a native of Kentucky. Charles E., their eldest son, was born on April 17, 1852 and is the first white child born of American parents in Sonora. Harlow M. (deceased) and Minnie B., the wife of I. M. Kalloch, are the names of their other children.

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J. W. STUART { Joseph Warren Stuart } (p. 357)

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