San Diego County
Biographies
EDWARD W. BUSHYHEAD,
one of the most prominent pioneers of Southern California, was horn in Cleveland, Tennessee, March 2, 1832, the son of Rev. Jesse Bushyhead, a Baptist minister. His grandfather was a Cherokee Indian, whose English name was Bushyhead. The maiden name of his mother, a native of Tennessee, was Eliza Wilkerson.
The subject of this sketch began to learn the printers' trade in 1844, working in the Indian Territory and at Fort Smith, Arkansas. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, stopping near Placerville, El Dorado County, where he engaged in mining, and a year afterward removed to Tuolumne County, and followed mining there for two years, and afterward in Calaveras County. In the latter place he engaged in printing until 1868, when he came to San Diego, bringing with him the printing-office material, with which was started the San Diego Union. Soon afterward it was purchased and published about one year by C. P. Taggart and Mr. Bushyhead. Then Mayor Gunn bought Mr. Taggart's interest, and the company established the daily edition. In 1873 Mr. Bushyhead sold his interest also to Mayor Gunn, made a visit to the East, and then worked on the Union here until 1875, when he was appointed Deputy Sheriff. This office he held until 1882, when he was elected Sheriff by the Republican party. He was re-elected in 1884: was nominated both times by acclamation.
He is now a member of the printing firm of Gould, Hutton & Co., having purchased an interest in their business July 1, 1889. He became an Odd Fellow in 1864; and he is also a Knight Templar. He built his residence at number 1146, corner of Third and Cedar streets. Was married in 1876 to Mrs. Helen C. Nichols, who was born in the State of New York August 13, 1839. Mr. Bushyhead is a hard worker, a generous man and a warm-hearted friend.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 273-274
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
G. RAFFI
was born at Fontana Chiosa, Italy, November 11, 1845, his
parents being natives of Italy. Being an enterprising boy he left his native
country at the age of twenty-one years and came to America, landing at New York
and starting immediately for the Isthmus, taking the steamer from there to San
Francisco, where he landed after a comfortable voyage. He found friends there
and with them went to Colterville, Mariposa County, where he followed placer
mining, at which he met with
no more than reasonable success. In 1868 he left the mines and went to Snelling,
where he entered service as clerk, but after two years he went to San Diego city
and immediately opened a grocery and fruit store on the plaza, changing his
location as the city advanced and improved until 1886, when he came to his
present stand at 557 Fifth street. He carries a stock of fine groceries, valued
at about $8,000.
Mr. Raffi married Mary Verlague April
8, 1882. She is a native of France, but then resided in San Diego. They have
three children, two daughters and one son. Names in order of birth being: Italie,
August and Elizabeth.
SOURCE: An Illustrated History of Southern California: Embracing the Counties of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange, and the Peninsula of Lower California… Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1890. p.- 274
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler