El Dorado County
Biographies
W. A. BUCKNAM
M. J. Bucknam and his two sons, C. C. and William A., removed from Dubuque county, Iowa, to California, and settled at Spanish Dry Diggings and engaged in mining.
Mr. Bucknam, Sr., crossed the plains in an early day, and W. A. and C. C. came via the Isthmus of Panama a few years later. The sons are engaged in mining and merchandising at Spanish Dry Diggings, whilst their father is conducting a farm in the immediate vicinity. The store they are now proprietors of was opened by G. W. Hunter in 1852, he was succeeded by Wilson, and he in turn by the Bucknam Bros., and is the only business place left at Spanish Dry Diggings.
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 235
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
FREEMAN BRYANT and FRANCES STAUNTON
Were born in North Hampton, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, and they were married there in May, 1817. They were the children of well to do and highly respected parents. The Bryant’s were of Welch and the Stauntons of English ancestry.
At the time of the marriage of Mr. Bryant and Miss Staunton, a colony had been formed to go into the wilds of Cattaraugus county, New York, to develop and cultivate what was then but a wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Bryant joined them. By patient and steady endeavor the little colony planted their homes, and the wilderness was changed to pleasant villages and handsome farms.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bryant were born six children, of whom the second, named Joseph, the subject of this sketch [?], was born in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 5th of November, 1822.
At the age of 28 he had accumulated a good property, was engaged in farming, dairying and lumbering, had built a handsome residence, and upon the 3d of September, 1850, married Miss Jane W. McKallor, whose ancestors were among the Scotch colony who settled Washington county, New York, and who built the town of Argyle, naming it in honor of the Duke of Argyle, the chief representative of their clan McCallummore.
In 1858 Joe Bryant, grown tired of the rigorous winters of New York, bade farewell to his wife and two babies, and came to California to build a home in the more genial clime of the Golden State. Four years afterwards he sent for his family, having established a home in Diamond Springs, which has ever since been their residence. Mr. Bryant has lived an active life, lumbering, farming and stock raising.
Mr. and Mrs. Bryant have two children, Charles F. and Agnes J., who are grown to manhood and womanhood.
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 235
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
[Transcriber’s note: This biography was labeled Freeman Bryant and Frances Staunton in the book.]