Solano County
Biographies
GEORGE BINGHAM
was born in Philadelphia, May 1, 1820 At the age of seventeen he went to learn the trade of bookbinding, with the firm of R. P. de Silver & Co.; and the next year he shipped on board the sloop-of-war “Dale,” as first-class boy, and sailed to join the Pacific squadron, of which Commodore Jones was in command. Was present at the hoisting of the American flag at Monterey in August, 1831, when the coast was taken by the United States Government, eight days after returning it to the Mexicans. Remained on the coast about two months, then sailed to Callao, where he was transferred to the “Yorktown,” and proceeded to New York, where he arrived in July, 1843. From 1843 till 1846 he remained in the Eastern States, and in the latter year he volunteered for the war in Mexico. In December of that year left Philadelphia to join the expedition; was present at the capture of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, taking of Conteras, Cherubusco, Molino de Rey, Chapultepec, and the storming of the city of Mexico; was with the forces two years, when, on the proclaiming of peace, he returned home, where he remained until 1849, when, on May 5th, he sailed for California, and arrived in San Francisco September 15, 1849. On arrival, joined the police force on its first organization, under Malachi Fallon, John W. Geary being Alcade. Resigned in the spring of 1850, and went to the mines at Long bar, Yuba river, immediately prior to the discovery of gold in that part; remaining there one month he started for Slate creek, staying there until the Gold Lake excitement, when he proceeded thither. From there he went to Grass Valley, now American, and followed up the different ranges of mountains between the Pitt and Feather rivers to the head-waters of the latter at Goose lake, but found nothing. Returned to Nelson creek, where he struck good claims; stayed there a few days, then went to the east branch of Feather river and arrived at Rich Bar, where he remained two weeks, after which, he returned to San Francisco. Remained in that city five months, establishing himself in a saloon, but was burnt out in the fire of November, 1850. After his catastrophe he once more returned to Feather river; but, not being successful, he proceeded to Yreka, where gold diggings were found in Humbug creek. In 1851 Mr. Bingham again arrived in San Francisco, paid a visit to the Sandwich Islands; returning shortly after, he proceeded to the southern mines, in Sonora, from whence he went back to Yreka, and remained there six months, at which time the Gold-beach fever started every one in that direction, he amongst the others. In June, 1853, he found his way to Scott’s bar, and, after two months, again removed to San Francisco, staying there for some time, when he once more departed for Sonora, and lived there seven years, at the end of which he returned to San Francisco, and at the outbreak of the rebellion, enlisted in the Second Cavalry, (Sacramento Rangers) in Company F, in which he remained for nine months, serving in the Provost’s Guard at San Francisco, receiving his discharge there in 1862, when he came to Vallejo. From 1865 he worked for six years in the completing of the capitol at Sacramento, and returned to San Francisco, where he sojourned for one year, then locating in Vallejo in 1873. In 1876 visited the Centennial Exhibition, and finally came back to Vallejo, where he has since resided. Is a member of the Vallejo Pioneer’s Association. Mr. Bingham’s grandfather served in the Revolutionary war, under George Washington, and his father took part in the war of 1812. He married in the Sandwich Islands in 1850, and has one daughter, Madeline, who was born in Honolulu in 1851.
History of Solano County…. – San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley & Co., East Oakland, pub 1879
pp 332-333
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
WILLIAM S. BROOKS
was born in Franklin County, New York, in 1820. When quite young he removed with his parents to New Orleans, and at twelve years of age returned to Brooklyn, New York. In 1832 shipped on board the “Henry Clay,” then the largest vessel sailing out of the port of New York, and made a voyage to Liverpool, England, following a seafaring life up to 1846, when he shipped in the United States sloop-of-war “Prebble,” as convoy to Stevenson’s regiment, which was then on its way to California, and arrived in San Francisco in March, 1847. The vessel lay two months in that harbor, during which time a party of eighteen men, under command of Lieutenant Lanman, afterwards Commodore, was dispatched up the Carquinez straits in search of a boat reported missing, which was conveying $80,000, or thereabouts, pay for the troops at Sutter’s fort. (The boat has never since been heard of.) On the cruise, landed at what is now called Mare Island, where he remained about two weeks. On making the island, they saw two wigwams standing where the magazine and flagstaff now are, while on the Vallejo side, there was one at the foot of Main street, of to-day. Since then he has, on more than one occasion, dug up the bones of Indians who had been buried on the spot where Woods Hotel is built, on that street. On another occasion, a party landed where Starr’s flour-mills are now, in South Vallejo, to shoot beef, but after killing one animal, the cattle gave chase, when they were driven back to the boat. Up till 1850 was in government employ, on board of men-of-war, during which time he visited China, Japan, and the Sandwich islands; then shipped on board the Revenue brig “Lawrence,” and was wrecked in her outside the heads of the Golden Gate in 1852. Afterwards was employed in the Appraiser’s store of the Custom House in San Francisco, where he remained seven years and four months, then came to the Navy Yard in Vallejo, in 1858, where he has ever since been employed. Has been Acting Gunner of the U.S.S. “Independence,” guard ship at the Yard, and is now Machine Tender to the sectional docks there.
Mr. Brooks married, firstly, at San Francisco, B. M. Maguire, in 1856, (died 1858) by whom he has one son, William Charles, born 1856. Secondly, Catherine Irena Coen, married 1860, by whom he has: George T., born October 30, 1862; Mary Emma, born April 8, 1865; James C., born June 26, 1868; John, born March 26, 1870; Gertrude B., born January 26, 1873, Loretta Anna, born January 28, 1876; and Angeles Agnes, born February 18, 1878.
History of Solano County…. – San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley & Co., East Oakland, pub 1879
pp 334
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler