El Dorado County
Biographies
D. W. CHICHESTER
One of the territorial pioneers of El Dorado, and one of the most conservative citizens of Placerville, was born at Coeymans, Albany county, New York, on the 21st of July, 1831. The first years of his infancy were spent at the aforementioned place, but with the removal of his parents to Shoharie county, New York, he had to accompany them and stayed with them at the latter place until about 17 years of age, when he left home to work for a relative at New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he could attend good schools at the same time. Young Chichester, however, remained here but two years on account of the California gold fever getting higher and higher, it took him also, and in January, 1850, he took passage in the ship Hibernia, which sailed from New Bedford around Cape Horn, and arrived at San Francisco on June 2d. After looking around over the different mining districts, he came to Placerville in the fall of 1850, and has resided there ever since. Mr. Chichester was a member of the firm of Predmore & Co., who started the first sawmill at the lower end of Placerville, which commenced running in May, 1852, and some time later was connected with a stamp mill to crush the ore of the old Pacific mine; since then he is and always has been principally engaged in the lumbering business. Mr. Chichester has been married twice and became father of six children, four of whom are still living.
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p – 239-240
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
F. R. J. DIXON
Was born in Humbleton, near Hull, in Yorkshire, England, June 8th, 1829. He received a collegiate education, intending to fit himself for a physician, but when nineteen years old he accepted a position as assistant in the Colonial Secretary’s office at Melbourne, Australia. He resigned this position and went to the gold diggings to engage in the mercantile business. While merchandising he also acted as a correspondent for the English newspapers. In January, 1860, eh arrived in California and engaged in mining at Pilot Hill, and thence to Bath, and engaged in farming. From here he went to San Francisco, where for four years he was in the insurance business, after which he again returned to the mines in Placer and El Dorado counties. In 1879 he removed to Greenwood, where he is Justice of Peace and Notary Public; before the adoption of the new Constitution, he did some law practice. Mr. Dixon is an enthusiastic opponent of Chinese immigration; in 1867 he was President of the Anti-Coolie Convention, etc. On the 18th of August, 1851, he was united in marriage to Rebecca Chappell, by which union there have been nine children, six of whom are yet alive, viz.: William H., Robert P., Eleanor J., Frederick R., John H. and Mary H. The three deceased ones are Frederick E. K., Isaac J. and Arthur C. These three and William H. were born in Australia, the balance of the family in California. The first venture of the Dixon Brothers was in establishing themselves in the butchering business at Greenwood, on December 1st, 1881. They are both active workers in the order of the Blue Ribbon temperance club, of which Mr. Dixon, Sr., is President.
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 240
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler