Among Americans who are engaged in dairying within the county none stand higher than the brothers Charles and Thomas S. Mabel. The following particulars of their life have been collated:—
CHARLES MABEL
Was born in the county of Roxburgh, Scotland, December 26, 1834. He was the second child of Robert and Helen (Scott) Mabel, there being six children in the family, three sons and three daughters. In 1861 he came to California, and first settled in Sacramento, but finally went to Sonoma and Marin Counties, where he engaged in dairying, continuing in the business until 1876, when he changed his location to his present place of residence. The ranch comprises 1,040 acres, located on Old Creek, three miles from Cayucos, and is well stocked with choice cows and all the conveniences for successfully conducting the business of butter-making. From 120 to 150 cows are usually milked, and butter is made for the San Francisco market. A view of the ranch is given in this book.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p345. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
THOMAS S. MABEL
Brother of Charles Mabel, and youngest son of the family noticed in the preceding paragraph, was born in Roxburgh County, Scotland, April 15, 1839. Until seventeen years of age he remained in his native land and there attended school and received his education. He came to America in 1857, and settled in Delaware County, New York, where he remained eight years, engaged in farming. In 1865 he came to California, via the Isthmus of Panama, and for three years was engaged in various occupations in different parts of the State. He then settled in Marin County and engaged in dairying, which business he continued in that county for eight years. In 1876 he came to San Luis Obispo County, locating on the ranch now occupied by himself and brother, on Old Creek, three miles from Cayucos, where they are now extensively engaged in the manufacture of butter, which finds a ready sale in San Francisco.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p345. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
CHARLES MAXWELL
In the noble profession of the “art preservative of all arts” there are few more competent, or gentlemen more reliable than Charles Maxwell, one of the publishers and proprietors of the Daily and Weekly Tribune. Mr. Maxwell was born at Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland, September 2, 1834. In that quiet old-fashioned town of western Maryland he spent his boyhood days in the usual routine of the public schools, until, at the age of fourteen, he entered the office of his father, a printer and publisher, to learn the art of printing. Subsequently he removed with his parents to Ohio, and at the age of twenty-two commenced his career as a publisher. In 1856 he became the publisher of the Cardington Flag at Cardington, Morrow County, Ohio, afterward changing the name to Morrow County Herald, that being the name of his father’s paper in Maryland and for which he confesses a predilection, while residing at Cardington he married on the 25th of May, 1858, Miss Eunice D. Tucker, daughter of Ira Tucker, Esq., of Westfield, in the same county, and this accomplished lady, through the quarter of a century of their married life, has shared with him his vicissitudes and triumphs, settling in San Luis Obispo in the bright prospect of a pleasant future. On the 25th of May, 1883, the happy couple celebrated the silver wedding of their twenty-fifth anniversary, receiving the congratulations of friends from far and near.
In 1874 Mr. Maxwell established the Modesto Herald, in Stanislaus County, California, making a paper of unusual excellence in the San Joaquin Valley. That paper he continued with good success until 1880, when he sold it and undertook the business of a miller, manufacturing flour on a large scale. Such a business was out of his line, and in 1882 he disposed of his flour-mill and removed to San Luis Obispo, purchasing, in company with Myron Angel, the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Of this paper he took possession on the 11th of January, 1883, and continues the publication, having added to it a daily edition.
Mr. Maxwell is a genial member of society, he and his wife being members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic Order, also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the encampment I. O. O. F., of the Order of United Workmen, and of the Knights of Honor. He has passed the chair in each of these orders, and has been representative to the Grand Lodges of the I. O. O. F., and of the Order of United Workmen. In politics he is intensely Republican, but has never sought or held a political office, working like a true and high principled journalist in the ranks for the good of the party. Since his arrival in San Luis Obispo he has been followed by many of his friends from Stanislaus County, who have made their homes in this city and county, making quite a colony of high respectability and influence, much to the honor of Mr. Maxwell.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p276. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MAYFIELD
Is a veteran of the Mexican War and one of the pioneers of California. This gentleman was born in the State of Tennessee, June 27, 1826, remaining in that State until ten years of age, when his parents moved into the State of Illinois. There he attended the schools of the country, passing the quiet life of a farmer until, at the age of twenty, the sound of war called the brave young men of the land to arms. In 1846 he joined the volunteers for the war with Mexico, and under the command of Col. Philip St. George Cooke, marched across the plains, down the Rio Grande through New Mexico, and through Sonora to California. In the spring of 1848 the regiment was disbanded, and Mr. Mayfield was discharged from service at Los Angeles. Then came the exciting reports of the discovery of gold on the American River, and he was among the first in the diggings at Sutter’s Mill. The events in that connection form one of the most interesting portions of the history of the State, and are detailed elsewhere in this volume. The occupation of a miner he followed until 1852, when he removed into the farming region of Sonoma County, engaging in the cultivation of the soil until 1868. He then came to San Luis Obispo County, locating on San Simeon Creek, where he has since lived, engaged in farming and dairying, milking from twenty-five to thirty cows. His residence and its surroundings are shown by an engraving on another page. Mr. Mayfield was married in 1857 to Mrs. Terrill, and seven children have been born to them, all of whom are living.
This gentleman is noted for his public spirit and the interest he takes in public affairs, particularly those relating to the welfare of his county and community. He has filled the office of Supervisor, Road Master, and School Trustee, and is always identified in the management of the business of the county, earning the respect and confidence of all.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p92. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
O. P. MCFADDEN
Mr. O. P. McFadden bears the reputation of being one of the substantial and worthy citizens whose efforts have made Cambria and vicinity celebrated over the State as a foremost agricultural community. The gentleman came to the county in very early times, dating his arrival from April, 1856. He was the first to settle in the neighborhood of the Paso de Robles Hot Springs. Nine years later, or in 1865, he removed to the pleasanter locality, where he still resides, on Santa Rosa Creek, three miles from Cambria. Here he has located a ranch, and surrounded himself with the conveniences of life. His home , shown prettily in this volume, is all that could be desired in many respects. An orchard, planted sixteen years since, is a great attraction, and a most necessary and valuable appurtenance. Adjoining the orchard upon the side nearest the hills, is the family mansion, with its ornamental surroundings of trees, shrubbery, etc. Commodious out-buildings provide conveniences for the rearing and preservation of stock. Green pastures and fertile fields give promise of abundance, and picturesque diversity delights the eye and enchains the imagination. Here, in the sylvan retreat surrounded by the comforts and luxuries that pertain to prosperity, Mr. McFadden has elected to spend the years of an active and useful life.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p339. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
JAMES CULTER MCFERSON
Is one of the brave stock of ’49ers whom fate and love of adventure brought to this coast the year following the discovery of gold in the race of Sutter’s Mill. Mr. McFerson was born in Brown County, Ohio, August 5, 1824. In the home of his nativity he remained until he had reached the age of sixteen years, there attending school and preparing himself for his future contest with the world. He then moved into the adjoining State of Indiana, where he remained until 1847, when he returned to Ohio. In 1848 came the news which aroused the young men of the world to unusual energy. This was the discovery of gold in California. Mr. McFerson was then in his twenty-fifth year, full of vigor and enterprise, feeling as if the new world of the West had opened especially for him. He was in the prime of young manhood, of sufficient age to have experience in business, and thus peculiarly fitted to become a pioneer in a new country. In the spring of 1849 he joined the throng for California, crossing the plains as a passenger, with sixty-one companions, in the passenger train of Turner, Allen & Co. The train was four and a half months making the journey, arriving safely in the mines, when each of the company started out to seek his fortune as he thought best. Mr. McFerson engaged in mining until 1857, when he took a contract to supply wood to a quartz mill belonging to Fremont on the Mariposa estate. In this he was engaged for two years, when, in 1859, he removed to Tulare County and commenced farming. In December, 1865, he removed to San Luis Obispo County, locating upon a tract of Government land, where he now resides, two miles from the village of Cambria. A view of this pleasant and prosperous home , made through the industry of the owner, is given on another page. The ranch contains 370 acres, and is devoted to farming, dairying, bee-keeping, etc. Mr. McFerson is a man of enlarged views in public matters, a Democrat in politics, liberal in sentiment and practice, and highly respected by all. On numerous occasions he has been called to responsible official positions. He was elected Supervisor of Tulare County while residing there, and since he came to live in San Luis Obispo County has been four times elected to the same office, being Supervisor at the present time. He is also a School Trustee, which position he has held for the past seven years, although he has no children to attend. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows classes him among its members, and all society feels his influence for good. Mr. McFerson was married August 5, 1855, at Indian Diggings, El Dorado County, to Mrs. Guegnon, nee Titus, a native of Ohio. They have no children.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, pp182-183. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
JEREMIAH FRANCIS MUIR
Was born in Missouri, April 11, 1846, his parents being Presley Thomas Muir and Mahala (Floyd) Muir. The family were among the first American pioneers of the West, the father of Presley Thomas Muir being a soldier of the Black Hawk War, which opened the fertile region of the northern Mississippi Valley to the peaceful settlement of the white race. Mr. Muir grew to the age of eighteen in his native State, attending the public schools of the country and performing the work incident to a farmer boy’s life. In 1864 he left Missouri for California, taking the route across the plains, and was six months making the toilsome journey. His first location in this State was in Sonoma County, where he resided three years, and then removed to Mendocino County. In 1870 he came to San Luis Obispo County, where he has since dwelt. Here he is engaged in farming and dairying. His farm is located on Willow Creek, four miles from Cayucos, and comprises 320 acres of excellent land for his purposes. He milks upwards of forty cows, and is constantly increasing his herd. A view of the ranch is given in this book.
Mr. Muir was married August 16, 1870, to Miss Emma English, a native of Missouri. He is a highly respected member of society, and belongs to the Order of Freemasons. In politics he acts with the Democratic Party and takes great interest in public affairs, and in whatever measures he regards as of benefit to the public and to the community in which he lives.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, pp342-343. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
GEN. P. W. MURPHY
The history of the pioneers of California presents a remarkable array of men of extraordinary enterprise and courage; of stalwart manhood and high-souled honor, attended by brilliant successes in business and statesmanship, or untiring energy in the ordinary walks of life. The family of Murphy was the first of the pioneers, and are among the first in wealth and in social and political influence. Their history runs far back into Ireland, thence to Canada, and to the United States in Missouri, and at last to California when it was a Mexican dependency, and to the present. The founder of the family in California was Martin Murphy, Sr., who early in the present century went with his family from Ireland to Quebec, Lower Canada, as the agent of a body of colonists of that region. In 1840 he removed to Holt County, Missouri, and there founded a colony at a place called “Irish Grove.” The locality was not a healthy one, and the settlers were afflicted with malaria. In their illness they were visited by the Priest of the Jesuit Mission at Council Bluffs, Rev. Father Hoskins, who told them in glowing terms of the beauties of the land by the sunset sea, where malaria did not exist, and disease was scarcely known. Father Hoskins had lived eight years in California, and was so enthusiastic in its praise that he instilled the desire in the stricken colonists to seek a home in that fair and distant land. On the 24th of May, 1844, the settlers of Irish Grove started on their pilgrimage across the trackless wilderness to the land of their hopes and their future. Their journey was long and toilsome, but fortune favored them, and late in the fall of that year they arrived at the Eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, near the shore of a beautiful lake, which now bears the name of the unfortunate Donner, and there the company halted for the winter. Cabins were built and preparations made for the long period of isolation and danger. A portion of the company, however, concluded to push forward, and did so, entermg California by way of the Bear River and to Sutter’s Fort. This party gave the name to Truckee River in honor of a faithful Indian guide who accompanied them. In the chapter devoted to Early Immigrants this party is more fully noticed.
Patrick Washington Murphy was one of that noted band of pioneers, although then but a mere child. He was born while his parents resided in Missouri, September 11, 1840. His grandfather, Martin Murphy, Sr., was the commander and master spirit of the first party of emigrants ever to cross the Sierra Nevada with wagons and oxen to California. His father is Martin Murphy, Jr., who was born in County Wexford, Ireland, November 9, 1807. His mother’s maiden name was Mary Bulger, a native of the same county. They were married in the cathedral at Quebec, July 18, 1831, and fifty years later celebrated their golden wedding with great eclat, and in the presence of a large assemblage at their homestead at Mountain View, in Santa Clara County.
In the pleasant Santa Clara P. W. Murphy grew to manhood, there attending school and graduating at Santa Clara College, receiving the degree of B. S. After leaving college he removed to San Luis Obispo County to take charge of the great landed property of his father, the ranchos of Santa Margarita, Atascadero, and Assuncion, comprising about 70,000 acres. At a later date he became the owner of these ranchos, and also of the Cojo Rancho, of 9,000 acres, near Lompoc in Santa Barbara County. These are grand estates, and in monarchial countries would ennoble the holder with lordly titles and high distinction. The owner has many times borne the title of Honorable, as the political history in this volume shows him to have been three times elected to the office of State Senator, and once to the Assembly of California. These positions he filled with distinction, and his frequent re-elections indicate the satisfaction he gave his constituency. He bears the title of General, having been appointed by Governor Irwin Brigadier-General of the Second Brigade of the National Guard of California.
The Santa Margarita is the home rancho of General Murphy. This is often mentioned in these pages, and is one of the loveliest and most valuable in San Luis Obispo. General Murphy’s land is chiefly devoted to grazing, and his cattle are numbered by thousands. In the business of cattle-raising he has been eminently successful, and his property is valued at $1,200,000. The family have been equally successful, and their fortune aggregates $4,000,000, the result of energy, business ability, and the opportunity of life in California. As a business man in San Luis Obispo he has always borne a prominent part, being first in all the great enterprises. He was one of the originators of the San Luis Obispo Water Company, and a large stock-holder, also an incorporator of the Bank of San Luis Obispo, and one of the Directors. In other enterprises he has been active, and in his charities munificent, giving thousands of dollars where the wants of the poor and suffering require it.
General Murphy was first elected to the Senate as an Independent, but in politics he is a Democrat and exercises a powerful influence in his party. His brothers are politicians as well as capitalists. Burnard D. Murphy has often been Mayor of San Jose, and State Senator, and his youngest brother, James T. Murphy, was the first Bank Commissioner appointed to that office. His sister, the late Mrs. Taffe, of San Francisco, was the first American child born in California. Two other sisters are Mrs. Mary Carroll, wife of Richard T. Carroll, merchant of San Francisco, and Mrs. Helen Argués, of San Jose. His relatives in California are numerous and of the most wealthy and prominent people.
He was married, February 23, 1870, to Miss Mary Kate O’Brien, daughter of Dr. P. M. O’Brien, a well-known gentleman of San Francisco, one of the founders of the Hibernia Bank, and the author of its constitution and by-laws. Mrs. Murphy was a native of Philadelphia, a lady of elegant accomplishments, and highly esteemed. She died in Santa Clara some years since, deeply mourned by all who knew her, as an irreparable loss to her husband and to society.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, 2pp. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
TIMOTHY MURPHY
A view of whose dairy farm and residence is given on another page, was born in County Cork, Ireland, and when quite young was brought by his mother to America, settling in Lawrence, Massachusetts. There he passed his childhood years, attending school and working as he was able. In 1859 he came to California, first locating at Benicia, but tarried there only two months. He afterwards resided two years in San Mateo County, engaged in farming, then went to Marin County, where he remained, as dairyman, for about ten years, coming to San Luis Obispo in 1874. Here he purchased a finely located ranch of 850 acres, lying between Cayucos and Cambria, where he milks 100 cows and carries on the business of dairying extensively.
Mr. Murphy, in 1878, married Miss Johanna McCarty, and the happy couple reside in the pleasant home shown in the engraving.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p341. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
ALEXANDER MURRAY
Mr. Murray was Postmaster until his death in 1870. He was a native of England, and brother of Judge Walter Murray. His obituary, published in the Tribune, giving a sketch of his life, is as follows:—
Alexander Murray died at San Miguel, San Luis Obispo County, May 16, 1870, of consumption, at the age of thirty-six years. The death of this gentleman was a public calamity. The place occupied by him in this community for the last sixteen years could not be filled by another. Mr. Murray was born in London in the year 1834. He came to California in the spring of 1850, and soon after settled in Sonora, Tuolumne County, where for a time he was one of the publishers of the Sonora Herald. In November, 1854, he came to San Luis Obispo, where he resided uninterruptedly until the time of his death. In 1855 he was appointed Postmaster, and continuously occupied the position up to the time of his death. From 1862 to 1866 he was County Superintendent of Public Schools. He has also been Deputy-Collector of United States Internal Revenue for San Luis Obispo County for several years. In all of these positions Mr. Murray proved himself to be an upright, conscientious, and reliable public servant. Never has there been left to his charge the slightest irregularity in the discharge of his duties in any of them. Always at his post, he was invariably polite, accommodating, and exact. He never seemed to forget that he was the servant of the public, and that the administration of office was a duty and not a privilege. Accordingly, all who had business with him learned to know and appreciate his many good qualities, and to accord to him the highest qualifications for the positions he filled. For six or seven years he was the agent of Wells, Fargo & Co. The duties of Postmaster and express agent, combined, even in San Luis Obispo, have been for the last five years of his life sufficiently exacting and trying, and it is owing, in a great measure, to the courteous, precise, and accommodating manner in which these have been administered that the deceased had become so popular in this community. He seemed to take an actual pleasure in doing favors, and was, withal, a perfectly just man. Largehearted, disinterested, and generous; no one ever appealed to him in vain to assist a charity or lend a helping hand to the deserving. There was no disguise about the man; outspoken and straightforward, every one could see the genial heart within him. After a life so spent, when death came he had nothing to fear. His many good qualities, at this last moment, were so many attendants about him, which, in the language of Lord Bacon, “won the great combat for him.” The funeral ceremonies were conducted by Master Masons of the San Simeon Lodge, and brethren of the Masonic Fraternity.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p312. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
ABRAMO MUSCIO
first saw the light of day in the mountain Republic of Switzerland, the European land that reaches its snow-crowned peaks nearest to the heavens, the land that stands as the bulwark of human liberty amid surrounding despotisms, the land of rich cream and Schweitzer kase. He was born March 12, 1849. In his native Switzerland he passed his early years, attending school and to such labors as the youth of the country are called on to perform. In 1866 he departed for that land of greater opportunities which was to be his future home, coming to California direct. His object was, like that of many of his countrymen, to pursue the avocation of dairyman, with which he had become familiar in the land of his nativity, and for this purpose sought employment in the dairies of Marin County. There he remained in the business until 1876, a period often years, when he removed to San Luis Obispo County, where he has since continued to reside. Here he conducts two dairy farms, on one he milks 150 cows and on the other 140. His ranch contains 1,370 acres, lying in Green Valley, about nine miles from Cayucos. A view of his place has been engraved for this book, showing a characteristic scene in San Luis Obispo County.
Mr. Muscio was married, June 25, 1871, to Miss Assonta Righetti, a native of Switzerland, and seven children, of whom four are boys and three girls, are the fruits of the marriage.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p344. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
JOSEPH MUSCIO
is the eldest in a family of nine children of Theodore and Eugenia (Righetti) Muscio. He was born in Switzerland, March 30, 1847, where he lived until seventeen years of age, when he set out to seek his fortune on the Pacific Coast, many thousand miles from his parental home. Arriving in California in 1864, he at once located in Marin County, and engaged in the business of dairying. There he remained eight years, and then removed to San Luis Obispo County, engaging in business at San Simeon. In 1873 he settled upon his present ranch on Villa Creek, six miles from the village of Cayucos. The ranch contains 1,250 acres, and Mr. Muscio milks about 175 cows, making butter wholly. He takes pride in the neatness and completeness of his place, his fine lot of cows, and especially in his superior stock of horses.
Mr. Muscio was married July 12, 1875, to Miss Adeine Stone, a native of California, and has four children, three boys and one daughter.
A view of the home and dairy farm is given on another page.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p344. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.