El Dorado County
Biographies
JAMES CROCKER
Is a son of Samson and Mary Crocker, who were natives of Devonshire, England, where they were married about the year 1815; they came to the United States and settled in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, where John, the oldest brother of the family, was born. From Baltimore they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where James, the subject of this mention, was born on the 21st day of January, 1833, and is the fifth child of a family of nine children, eight of whom grew to be men and women and are yet living. Mr. Crocker’s boyhood days were spent in working on the farm, and his education confined to the public schools. Early in the year 1855 he was seized with a mania for the gold fields of California, and started via the Isthmus of Panama in pursuit of his fortune in the same.
On the 17th day of June, 1855, he arrived and began mining at Coloma, then a prosperous and populous town. He followed the mines most of the time, from his arrival until 1874. Spent some time in freighting over the Sierra Nevada to Nevada mining camps.
In 1874 he began farming and fruit growing. Has about 17 acres of land on which there is about 1,700 fruit trees and one thousand vines.
On the first day of January, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary McKay, and to them 6 children have been born, viz.: John O., deceased; Frederick, James H., Mabel, William and Sarah. Is a member of A.O.U.W., at Coloma, and also of the Sutter Mill Grange.
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 236
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JOHN CARRE
Is of French ancestry, but was himself born in Southampton, England, on the 15th of April, 1834. When 8 years old his parents removed to the United States and settled near Marion, Lain county, Iowa. When he was 17 years old he crossed the plains to California. He payed $125.00 for passage across with a man by name of Walton, and then walked most of the way. He arrived at Placerville on the 15th day of September, 1851. Mr. Carre’s parents died when he was quite young, leaving him entirely dependent upon his own resources. He has been very active and persevering, and success has rewarded his efforts. He engaged at whatever his hands could find to do when he first came to California. He soon bought a mining claim and was quite successful, clearing $1,000 the first three months he operated it. In 1859 he began mining on Gray’s flat, and for some time was mining on Jayhawk.
In 1862 he began clerking for Wm. Dorman, on Jayhawk. In 1863 bought him out. In 1876 he removed to where he now lives and opened a store, here he carries a stock of from four to five thousand dollars, and is Postmaster. The office is known as Green Valley. He was married in 1864 to Mary Connor. An attempt was made in 1881 to rob his store, in which encounter Mr. Carre was severely wounded by a pistol shot.
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p – 236-237
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler