Alameda County
Biographies
Augustine Alviso
Augustine Alviso was born at the Presidio of San Francisco, on the 28th day of August, 1809, and is the son of José Ygnacio Alviso and Margarita Bernal, two of the founders of California. At an early age he removed with his parents to the Mission of Santa Clara, where he grew to manhood. Here he was engaged, under his father, who was then administrator of that mission, in various capacities, mostly in the cultivation of the soil, overseeing and directing improvements then being made. On the 1st day of May, 1940, he was appointed by José Maria Amador foreman (Mayor-domo) of the Mission of San José. He received from his predecessor as property belonging to said mission over 25,000 head of cattle, 40,000 head of sheep, and over 1,000 head of horses, there were also over 1,000 tame Indians, most of them engaged in various industries, and under the control of the mission authorities. In the year 1841 there was a great drought. The scarcity of feed was such that it was necessary to send the Indians to the nearest forests of trees to chop the limbs for the stock to feed on. The year 1842 was a favorable one for rain, the low lands being all inundated. On the 5th day of May, 1842, he commenced to build a house on the Rancho Potrero de los Cerritos (in Washington Township), having obtained permission from the Governor of California to do so, In December of the same year he removed, with his family, to the rancho; and shortly afterwards obtained a grant of three leagues of land, in company with Tomas Pacheco, his brother-in-law, on which he continued to reside up to within one year past. While on his rancho, he engaged in the raising of horned cattle, sheep, horses, and in the cultivation of the soil. In the year 1844 he raised over 600 fanegas (120 lbs.) of wheat, 200 of beans, and over the same quantity of corn. The market for all these products was the Presidio Ruso, in Bodega. The price of wheat then was $3 for a fanega; for beans, $1.50; for corn, $3; the price of cattle was $1.50 per head. In the year 1844 he took part in expelling Governor Micheltorena from the country, and was taken prisoner by Gen. John A. Sutter. Through the assistance of his friend, the late Robert Livermore, in the autumn of the same year, while camping near the latter’s house in Livermore Valley, he escaped. Augustine Alviso married Maria Antonia Pacheco, the daughter of two colonists, on the 7th day of May 1831. There were born to them five children—one girl and four boys—all of whom are now living. His wife departed this life on the 15th day of June, 1871.
Many of the immigrants and early settlers of the valley of Alameda will remember his hospitality and kindness of heart. It is gratifying to the members of his family that during his long life he has never been accused or even suspected of a dishonest act, or of breaking a promise, when once made. He is a good citizen and a distinguished patriot. At the time of the intervention against the Republic of Mexico by France, England, and Spain, in order to establish the empire of Maximilian, still retaining his liberal sentiments, he aided General Placido Vega, the representative of the Juarez Government in this State, with his means and influence. Señor Alviso has a worthy descendent in his son Valentine, at present Supervisor for Murray Township.
Centennial Yearbook of Alameda County, California - Oakland, Calif., 1876 Pages 558-559
Transcribed by Peggy Allen, April 23 2006
Henry C. Smith
Henry C. Smith, a son of the late Maj. Timothy S. Smith, was born at Fort Defiance, Ohio, October 25th, 1824. Removed with his father to South Bend, Ind., in 1826, and the following year to St. Joseph, Michigan. In July, 1845, he emigrated to California. He left Fort Independence, Missouri, August 12th 1845, and, after passing through many perils and hardships, arrived at Sutter’s Fort, California, on Christmas-day of that year. In 1846 he entered upon military service under the celebrated Bear Flag, and served under General Fremont in his battalion, and remained in the service of the United States until peace was declared between Mexico and the United States. He was one of the first Alcaldes appointed by Gen. Riley, Military Governor of California. He was elected to the Legislature in 1852, from Santa Clara County, and acquitted himself with much credit, and organized Alameda County out of Contra Costa And Santa Clara. He was elected a Supervisor from Washington Township, in March, 1855, under the provisions of an Act of the Legislature of California, entitled: “An Act to create a Board of Supervisors for the County of Alameda,” approved March 8th, 1855. The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors of this county, under that Act, was April 2d, 1855. September 3d, 1855, he was reelected to the Board, and on its organization, September 12th, 1855, was elected chairman, which position he held while he continued a member, to December 1st, 1856, when he was succeeded by Joseph r. Mason. In 1859 he was the candidate of the Democratic party for County Clerk. Bit was unsuccessful—his opponent, Joseph R. Mason, being elected by a majority of 13 votes. In 1861 he removed to the State of Nevada with his family, and remained there till the summer of 1864, when he returned to this county. While in Nevada, he ran for the Assembly, but was defeated. In 1867 he removed to Livermore Valley, where he settled on a quarter section of government land, and continued to reside there till within a few weeks of his death. He was elected a Justice of the Peace for Murray Township in October, 1871, and assumed the duties of his office on the 1st day of January following. He resigned his office in December, 1872. He died in Livermore, November 24th, 1875, aged 51 years and 1 month, leaving a wife and grown-up family. Mr. Smith was a very genial and warm-hearted man, who never tired of serving his friends and making himself useful in the community. His career was a very eventful one. He commenced to write his memoirs some time before his death, but made little progress with them.
Centennial Yearbook of Alameda County, California - Oakland, Calif., 1876 Pages 559-561
Transcribed by Peggy Allen, April 23 2006