Plumas County
Biographies
William F. Johnson
Mr. Johnson is a native of Elbing, Prussia, where he was born October 3, 1830. In 1853 he came to America, and in 1854 to California, via Cape Horn. In August of that year he went to Goodyear’s bar, but after a short time returned to Marysville, where he made the acquaintance of John McGee, with whom he traveled to Plumas county, and engaged in mining on Coyote hill, near Spanish Ranch. From here he went to Jamison creek, where he spent fourteen months, made some money, and in a short time became one-third owner of the Mammoth ledge. It proved an unsatisfactory investment, and he sold out and went to Mexico. He soon returned, however, and after engaging in mining at Butte bar, and being proprietor of the mill in the Argentine district for a time, he concluded to settle down, which he did by purchasing the home where he now resides, at the head of American valley. He was married May 29, 1870, to Maria Fisher of Somersetshire, England, where she was born November 13, 1846. Four children are the result of this marriage, with dates of birth as follows: Harry T. Godfried, April 29, 1871; William Francis, November 4, 1872; Carrie Sarah, February 9, 1874; Isadore R., July 18, 1878.
SOURCE: Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 1513 to 1850. –
Fariss and Smith, San Francisco, 1882. p 285
Transcribed by Craig Hahn, Dec. 2004
Florin Gansner
The proprietor of the large saw-mill at Quincy was born in the town of Seeves, Switzerland, May 28, 1829. His parents were Christian and Anna Gansner. In 1846 he came to the United States, and located at St. Louis, Missouri, where he learned the carpenter’s trade, and worked at it until 1852. At that time he crossed the plains to California, and mined on Yuba river. He came to Rich bar, Plumas county, in the spring of 1853. Having done well at mining, he went back to St. Louis in 1857, and was married June 22, 1858, to Christina Pohle of that city. In 1864 he returned to Plumas county, and contracted and built ferry landings for a time, when he again went to mining on Rich bar. In 1868 he removed to American valley, and purchased his present home and the old mill. The new mill he built in 1878. It is run by a hydraulic pressure of 144 feet fall, and has two circular saws, sixty and fifty inches in diameter. A view of the buildings appear on another page. Mr. And Mrs. Gansner have had seven children, as follows; Benjamin C., born December 28, 1859; Henry F., July 13, 1863; William C., November 25, 1866; Flora C., May 27, 1868; Frederick G., July 7, 1873; Anna L., March 2, 1875; Christina, May 21, 1877.
SOURCE: Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 1513 to 1850. –
Fariss and Smith, San Francisco, 1882. p 285-286
Transcribed by Craig Hahn, Dec. 2004
Lewis Stark
Squire Stark, as he is familiarly called, is a native of Tennessee, where he was born in the year of 1808. He came overland to California with his family in 1852, and was among the first to go through Beckwourth pass, being conducted by Jim Beckwourth over his road. He went on to American valley. On his journey thence he camped in the ravine where Elizabethtown was subsequently built, and some of his boys, prospecting there, discovered the first diggings of that locality. Squire Stark concluded to remain there, and quite a village soon sprang up. The town was named after one of the squire’s daughter, W. A. Blakesley, of Quincy. In 1853 Mr. Stark was elected a justice of the peace of Butte county, and again in 1854, after Plumas was organized. He was re-elected in 1856, ‘57, and ’58, for Plumas township. In 1858 he removed to Honey Lake valley, and was there a justice of the peace in 1860-61. He was nominated by the democrats for county judge in 1863, and was defeated by Israel Jones. He removed to Santa Barbara in 1867, but returned and settled in Quincy in the summer of 1881.
SOURCE: Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 1513 to 1850. –
Fariss and Smith, San Francisco, 1882. p 286
Transcribed by Craig Hahn, Dec. 2004
John Clinch
He is of English nativity, and was born June 6, 1832. His parents were John and Hannah Clinch. John left his native country in 1853, and went to Kokembo, South America. In the year following he came to California, and engaged in mining for sixteen years at Nelson Point, Onion valley, and other places. In June, 1872, he removed to American valley, and bought the ranch he now lives on, which consists of 110 acres. Mr. Clinch was married October 13, 1852, in England, to Eliza J. Oliver, daughter of Henry and Eliza Oliver. Five children have been born to them: John H., born in England, June 28, 1853, Eliza C., born at Sawpit flat, California, July 26, 1869; Anna, October 24, 1870; William J., March 15, 1873; Jane, July 2, 1874. John the eldest, died August 8, 1871. Mr. Clinch is a member of the Odd Fellows and United Workmen lodges at Quincy.
SOURCE: Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 1513 to 1850. –
Fariss and Smith, San Francisco, 1882. p 286
Transcribed by Craig Hahn, Dec. 2004
B. B. Hughes
This gentleman is a native of Plumas county, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Pary) Hughes, and was born on the east branch of the north fork of Feather river, November 18, 1857. He was reared and educated in this state. He was married November 29, 1877, to Nettie M. Andrus, daughter of William H. and Annie O. Andrus, a native of Minnesota. On the eighth of December, 1877, Mr. Hughes purchased of J. R. Wyatt his drug-store at Quincy, which he has since owned and operated himself. He also does the principal exchange business of the town.
SOURCE: Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 1513 to 1850. –
Fariss and Smith, San Francisco, 1882. p 286
Transcribed by Craig Hahn, Dec. 2004