Included in Chapter XLVIII of Myron Angel’s History of Placer County, California (Oakland, Calif.: Thompson & West, 1882), page 408, is the following: “In closing the history of Placer County a brief farewell notice is due to those of her prominent pioneer citizens who have passed from the stage of their early toils, triumphs, and disappointments, hoping to revive a kind and sympathetic memory of those who bore a part in the settlement of the State. Many have been noticed in the preceding pages whose names will not be found in this chapter, and the records of many are lost.”
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Benj. C. Allen, one of Auburn’s old-time and prominent residents, died at his residence in Centerville, R. I., March 20, 1880. Mr. Allen was a member of the firm of Hall & Allen, bankers, of Auburn, and, to use the language of an old acquaintance, “Ben. Allen was a glorious fellow.” He was sociable, and accommodating.”
Lisbon Applegate, a pioneer citizen of Placer County, and one of the projectors of the tunnel at upper Horeshoe Bar, on the Middle Fork, in 1850, father of George Applegate, died at Keytsville, Missouri, January 23, 1875. Judge Applegate came to California in 1849, and for several years lived at Lisbon, between Auburn and Illinoistown, which placed was named after him. He was a practical surveyor, and assisted in locating the western boundary of the State of Missouri, as well as making extensive surveys in the celebrated “Platte Purchase.” In 1845 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Missouri, and during his lifetime filled many important public trusts.
Judge L. B. Arnold, one of the leading citizens of Dutch Flat, and once County Judge, died at his home, March 10, 1879, at the age of sixty-five.
John Babney, a native of Switzerland and a resident of Placer County since 1852, died at his home between Clipper Gap and Colfax, June 20, 1880, aged eighty-seven years. He was a highly respected citizen, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and remarkably vigorous in his extreme age. His wife, Marain Babney, followed on the 25th of January, 1881, aged sixty-seven years.
B. H. Bartlett, for twenty years a resident of Dutch Flat, a gentleman very highly respected, died May 10, 1879. He was a native of Maine, forty-seven years of age.
C. Beckman fell over an embankment near Forest Hill, December 25, 1872,and was almost instantly killed. He was a gentleman of more than ordinary talent and correct judgment, and as a citizen was highly esteemed. Mr. Beckman was a native of Mecklenburg, Germany, and was thirty-nine yars of age.
Conrad John Belty, a native of Germany, died at Wisconsin Hill, May 5, 1871, aged ninety-three years. Deceased was a good and brave man. Three times was he decorated on the field of battle with medals made by his commanding generals. His last battle was Waterloo.
Wm. Bissett, died at Rock Creek, June 18, 1875, aged sixty-six years. He was one of the oldest residents of that section of the country, and was always respected as one of Rock Creek’s best citizens.
E. L. Bradley, an old resident of Placer County, but later of San Jose, died at his home in the latter place, July 17, 1880. Mr. Bradley was a valuable acquisition as a citizen to any community.
Mark Buckley, one of Placer’s oldest residents, died at his home near Clipper Gap, November 21, 1880. He lived to the good old age of seventy-seven.
Thomas Coffey died at Pine Grove, March 24, 1860, in the thirty-first year of his age. He was formerly of Staten Island, New York, and came to California in 1849. He was a resident of Placer County, during the entire period. Possessing many qualities to insure the good will of men, he died leaving sincere mourners.
William Cory died at Auburn, September 20, 1863, aged thirty-nine years. He was a native of England, but at an early age came to California. At the time of his death he was County Clerk of the county of Placer, an amiable gentleman, upright in his dealing, and firm and true to his friends.
Edward Cook died at Auburn, August 14, 1861, of consumption. Mr. Cook was formerly from New York, and came to California in 1849. He was thirty-three years of age.
Paul Cox, one of Placer’s oldest pioneers, was, instantly killed by falling from a loaded wagon, September 6, 1879. Deceased had been a resident of Coon Creek for twenty years, and was particularly noted for his quiet, sober, and industrious habits.
George Crisman died at his home in Auburn, May 14, 1879. Deceased was forty-seven years of age. Few men were better liked, none would be missed more.
Col. Geo. Cullum, died at Lincoln, December 23, 1877. He was a native of Ohio, aged seventy-four [page 409] years, ten months, and four days. He came to Placer county in 1852, where he resided up to the time of his death, and was held in in high esteem by all who knew him.
Edgar Culver died at Newcastle, May 23, 1871. Deceased was an early settler in Auburn, having been a member of the firm of Hubbard, Woodin & Calver, in Auburn, in 1852-53. He was universally esteemed by all his acquaintances.
Wm. H. Davis, an old resident of Auburn, died at Iowa Hill, October 11, 1880. Deceased was a native of Woodstock, Maine, and was an exceptionally good man.
Horace Davenport died at Newcastle, December 3, 1875. Mr. Davenport came from New York to California in 1851, and settled at Rattlesnack Bar, where he resided until 1870, when he removed to Newcastle. He was an intelligent man, an honored citizen and a good neighbor.
A. C. Denton died at Lincoln, December 25, 1877. He was an old resident of Placer, and a native of Kentucky, and was seventy-seven years of age.
Thomas Dodds died at Todd’s Valley, December 10, 1880. Of Mr. Dodds, it can be said that no man was his superior in moral rectitude, and strict business integrity. He was a native of Scotland, and aged sixty-six years.
Michael Donnelly, a native of New York, aged fifty-two years, died at Forest Hill, December 28, 1881. Deceased was well-known by everybody on the divide, where he had resided since the early days of California gold mining.
Daniel Downs, who came to California in 1849, and resided in Placer County from that time to the day of his death, died at Rocklin, February 20, 1875. Mr. Downs was a native of Monticello, Sullivan County, New York, and at the time of his death, aged sixty-eight years. His naturally quiet and kind disposition won for him the respect of all, and there can be said of him what can be told of a few—he left not an enemy behind.
Thos. Entwistle, an old Californian, and an old and highly esteemed resident of Iowa Hill, met his death in the Aurora Mine, June 8, 1880.
Henry Hart Fellows died at Auburn, July 8, 1874, aged thirty-eight years. Mr. Fellows was an old resident of Placer County, and an attorney by profession.
Mr. Robert J. Fisher, died in Auburn, August 8, 1861, of enlargement of the heart. He was thirty-four years of age, and a native of Baltimore, Maryland. In 1849 he came to what is now Auburn. Unlike many of the gold-hunters of those days, who were constantly wandering after richer diggings, Mr. Fisher remained upon the scene of his first essay at mining, and saw the scattered camp assume the shape of a town, and receive its name of Auburn. He was a man of amiable disposition and kindness of heart.
Henry E. Force died at Auburn, January 19, 1856. Deceased was thirty-two years of age. He was a member of the bar, and editor of the Place Press for a short time.
Capt. S. J. Frisbin died at Michigan Bluff, September 27, 1862, aged forty years. He was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to California in 1850, and was a resident of Placer County during that entire period, variously occupied in mining and merchandising. He was a worthy citizen, and commanded the respect of friends and acquaintances.
John P. Gaines, a native of Virginia, aged sixty-three, died at his home, near Auburn, October 22, 1879. Deceased crossed the plains in 1849, and was a continual resident of the county.
Mrs. Eliza Elliott Gibson, the second white woman resident in Auburn, died at her residence in Silver City, Nevada, March 11, 1872. Deceased arrived in Auburn in the spring of 1850, and remained until 1864, when she removed to Nevada. She was a kind-hearted, capable, and industrious business lady, and many there are who have cause to remember her as the good Samaritan of Auburn.
Robert Gordon, one of the oldest residents of Auburn, and a very highly respected and much esteemed citizen, came to his death January 8, 1877, by the accidental discharge of a pistol which he was handling. Deceased was a native of Ireland aged fifty-four years.
John R. Gwynn died at Auburn, April 27, 1876, aged seventy-six years, six months, and eighteen days. Mr. Gwynn was one of California’s earliest pioneers and one of Placer’s oldest citizens, having arrived in Auburn with his family from his native State, Maryland, in September, 1850. Mr. Gwynn possessed, as he well deserved, the profound respect of all his acquaintances, and was a kind, generous and indulgent parent.
Wm. Hamilton died at Doty’s Flat, December 9, 1881, aged fifty-one years. Deceased came to California in 1859, and settled near Ophir, where he resided up to the time of his death.
Dr. John P. Harper died at Yankee Jim’s, November 23, 1854. He was a native of Virginia, and was thirty year of age. He came to Auburn in 1851, and commenced the practice of his profession.
Dr. J. C. Hawthorne, at one time State Senator from Placer County, and for many years Superintendent of the Oregon Insane Asylum, died at his home in Portland, February 15, 1881. He was an old resident of Placer, but had moved to Oregon several years previous to his death.
J. M. Hogue died at Newcastle, June 3, 1872. Deceased was a pioneer of Placer County, and one of her most worthy and highly esteemed citizens. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Illinois in 1847-48, besides holding many positions of trust in that State. All who knew him were his friends, enemies, he had none.
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Edward P. Holle died at his home in Auburn, November 21, 1880. Mr. Holle was a native of Germany, and came to Placer County in 1858. He was, therefore, one of the oldest residents. As a gentlemen [sic] and citizen, words seem wanting to express his full merits.
Franklin I. Houston died at Auburn, June 30, 1861, of inflammation of the brain. He was thirty years of age, and had resided in the county a number of years. He was a prominent member of the bar, and one of the compilers of the Placer County Directory in 1861, a man of unwavering integrity, and a faithful and upright lawyer.
John Jacob Howald died May 10, 1881. He was a native of Switzerland, aged eighty years, and had been a resident of Auburn for about thirty years.
John Larkin died at Stewart’s Flat, May 12, 1863, in the thirty-second year of his age. He was born in Tipperary, Ireland. Came to America when very young, and was a resident of Placer County from 1849 to the time of his death.
William Rufus Longley died in San Francisco, June 22, 1863. Judge Longley was about forty years of age, and resided in Todd’s Valley. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and was held in high esteem. He was one of the original locators of the famous Dardanelles claim. He was widely known, and much respected for his sterling qualities.
Wm. McErnerny died at Clipper Gap, March 16, 1870. Deceased was a native of Ireland, aged thirty-three years, and came to Placer County in 1856. He was an energetic man, and had accumulated considerable property and means.
Col. Wm. McClure died at Oakland, February 1, 1871. He was a native of Pennsylvania and was sixty-four years of age. For twenty years he was one of the most esteemed, honored, and loved of all of Placer’s leading citizens.
Mr. E. Mills died at Auburn, October 24, 1862, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. He was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Placer County in 1851. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the county in 1854, and filled the office with ability.
Samuel G. Morris died at the American Hotel, in Auburn, April 9, 1871, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. He came from South Carolina to California in 1852, and located in Ophir. Mr. Morris was a man of sterling integrity, energetic, and honest in all his business dealings, and was universally loved and respected.
Capt. P. Mundy died in Cisco October 14, 1872. He had been a resident of Placer County for many years and was ranked among her most popular, highly esteemed, and worthy citizens. He was a native of Ireland, and forty-nine years of age.
James Munsell, Sr., died at Newcastle November 6, 1879. Mr. Munsell came to California in 1849, and resided in Placer County up to the time of his death.
James Nolan, a native of Ireland, aged forty-five years, and an old resident of Auburn, died at San Francisco October 2, 1869.
Capt. John Nye died at Washington, D. C, July 7, 1871. He came to California in 1 849, and was a resident of Placer County for many years. Previous to coming to California he had been Mayor of the city of Mobile, besides holding several other high offices. Deceased was a man of warm impulses and fine conversational powers.
W. K. Parkinson died Carson City in October, 1869. Deceased crossed the plains and arrived in Auburn in 1852. He resided in Auburn until 1861, when he removed to Humboldt County, Nevada, where he filled several high offices with trust and honor. In 1866 he was elected State Comptroller, which office he held at the time of his death.
Joseph Perkins died at his home near Clipper Gap, September 15, 1880. He was an old resident of Placer and a California pioneer. It is said that he commanded the first sailing vessel that ascended the Sacramento River in 1849. He was a respected gentleman.
Mrs. Rosanna Redfern died May 2, 1881. She had lived at Virginiatown since 1850, and through the lapse of thirty-three years had seen that place stripped of its once large mining population, and all the houses that were at one time the scene of so much business. She had a good, a generous, and noble heart. Few ladies were better or worse favorably known than was Mrs. Redfern. She was a native of Pennsylvania, aged fifty-two.
Daniel A. Rice died at Newcastle, November 23, 1881. He had been a resident of Placer County for thirty years and was a substantial, energetic and intelligent citizen.
Jonathan Roberts died in Auburn, January 27, 1853, in the fifty-second year of his age. Deceased was one of the organizers of Placer County, together with Joseph Walkup, J. D. Fry, H. M. House and Wm. Gwynn, and was afterwards elected Public Administrator.
Siffroid E. Roussin, one of Auburn’s earliest pioneers, died at Auburn, July 5, 1857. He was highly esteemed as a man of sterling integrity, of high sense of honor, and as a kind and generous frined. In his native State, Missouri, he filled several high and honorable offices and was a member of the Legislature, but no temptation seduced him from his duty and no act of his sullied his reputation.
Andrew Sampson Shaw, a forty-niner, died in Alta, December 13, 1879. Deceased was a native of Massachusetts. He lived formerly at Forest Hill, but for the twenty years previous to his death he had been a resident of Dutch Flat and Alta.
Daniel Sickes died at Virginiatown, December 19, 1881. Mr. Sickles was one of the old pioneers of Placer, having been a resident of the county since 1850. He was seventy-two years of age, and a native of New York.
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L. G. Smith died at Rocklin, November 24, 1880, aged fifty-four years. Deceased came to the county in 1850, in company with J.T. Kinkade, of Auburn, with whom he crossed the plains in 1849.
Col. Richard N. Snowden, in the early days of California, a resident of Auburn, died at Unionville, Nevada, September 16, 1863.
Mr. John Stephens, a brother of Thos. E. Stephens and Mrs. M. Andrews, of Auburn, was killed at the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, in the front rank of his company. He was nineteen years of age and a member of Company A, Ninth Regiment, “Hawkins’ Zonaves.” It was his first battle. Peace to the memory of the gallant young soldier.
Daniel Stephenson died on his farm near Roseville, November 13, 1881, aged sixty-three years. Deceased was familiarly known as “Uncle Dan,” or “Blackhawk,” and was a native of North Carolina. He came to California in 1857, and at one time was an unsuccessful candidate for Legislative honors from this county.
Leander Strong, a native of New York, aged fifty-three years, died at Auburn, April 3, 1880. Deceased was an old Placerite, having come to the county in 1849.
Gen. J. B. Taylor died at Rock Creek, near Auburn, October 25, 1875. He was an old resident of Placer County, and a much respected citizen. He was a native of Kentucky and aged fifty-three years.
Dr. S. P. Thomas died at Sacramento, January 11, 1878. Deceased was an old Placerite and a native of Maine, aged fifty-four years.
Thomas Urea died at Dutch Flat, December 19, 1873. Deceased came to California in 1848 and was consequently one of the oldest pioneers of the State. He was a machinist by trade, a good man by will, and a good companion by nature.
David Wade died at the Grizzly Bear House, April 21, 1863, aged thirty-four years. Mr. W. was an old resident of Placer County, and respected by all who knew him.
Elisha Webb, who was counted among Placer’s old and respected citizens, died July 31, 1881. He was a native of Ohio, aged forty-four years.
Jacob Welty died November 17, 1879, on his farm near Lincoln. Deceased was well-known in the county, having served one term in the Legislature from Placer County.
Mr. James Wells, one of the old and very highly-esteemed citizens of Michigan Bluff, died at San Francisco September 18, 1880.
Mr. George Willment, one of Placer’s earliest settlers and a 49er, died at Auburn December 22, 1878, aged fifty-eight years. His honesty and integrity were proverbial.
John B. White died at Pine Grove, January 5, 1864, in the thirty-fourth year of his age. He was a native of Maine. At the time of his death he was Collector of Township No. 9; and an active and efficient officer.
John Winders, aged sixty-seven years, a native of Virginia, and for many years a resident of Auburn, died at Stockton, March 25, 1872. He came to California in 1847, and was at Sutter’s Mill with Marshall and others during the winter of 1847-48. Winders in company with others, aided in quieting the troubles of the Indian massacre which occurred at Murderer’s Bar at this time, and from which it received its name. He was a brave and upright man.