Solano County
Biographies
EDMUND R. COLHOUN, U.S.N.
Commandant Mare Island Navy Yard, was born in Pennsylvania, May 6, 1821; appointed midshipman from Missouri, April 1, 1839; attached to sloop “Marion,” Brazil Squadron, 1839-41; frigate “Congress,” Mediterranean and Brazil Squadrons, 1842-44; Naval School, Philadelphia, 1845; promoted to passed Midshipman, July 2, 1845; frigate “Cumberland,” Home Squadron, 1846-47. Commodore Colhoun took part in the Mexican war, being present at the first attack on Alvarado, under Commodore Connor, and that at Tabasco, under Commodore Perry, which resulted in its capture. Served as passed Midshipman on board the armed prize schooner “Novata”; attached to the receiving ship “Philadelphia,” 1850-51; frigate “St. Lawrence,” Pacific Squadron, 1851-53; resigned, June 27, 1853. Re-entered the service as Acting Lieutenant in 1861; commanded steamers “Shawsheen” and “Hunchback,” North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1861-62. Was present at and took part in the following engagements: Battle of Roanoke Island, February 7 and 8, 1862; capture of Newbern, March 14, 1862; engagements on the Blackwater river, below Franklin, Virginia, October, 1862; received his commission as Commander November 17, 1862; commanded steamer “Ladona,” North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1863; commanding monitor “Weehawken,” South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1863; was present at the different actions with Forts Sumter, Wagner, Beauregard, etc., from July 10 to September 15, 1863; commanded the monitor “Saugas,” North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1864-65; engaged Howlett’s Battery on James river, June 21, and again on December 5, 1864; took part in the bombardment of Fort Fisher, December 25, 1864, and the different engagements therewith until its capture on January 15, 1865; was on special duty at New York, 1866; Fleet Captain, South Pacific Squadron, 1866-67, and commissioned as Captain 1869; commanded iron clad “Dictator” 1869-70; appointed in 1873 to command the flag-ship “Hartford,” on the Asiatic Station; was in command of that Station four months, when he was transferred to the “Richmond” flag-ship, on the South Pacific Station, where he served from August, 1874, to July, 1875. The Commodore’s next official duties were in connection with the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, where he was three months, when he was placed on the Examining Board at Washington, serving on it for six months. Promoted to the rank of Commodore April 26, 1876, and, having been appointed to Mare Island Navy Yard, he relieved Admiral Rodgers of the command April 17, 1877. Commodore Colhoun is married and has a family.
History of Solano County…. – San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley & Co., East Oakland, pub 1879
pp 343-344
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
JAMES CONDON
born in Ireland, in 1826, and came to America in 1848, first settling in New York. In 1855, he came to California and located at Sacramento, engaging in the nursery business in connection with A. B. Smith, whose agent he was until 1862. In that year he went back to the Eastern States, returning to California in 1864, and once more settled in Sacramento, where he stayed four years, after which he engaged in farming in Yolo county, and remained there until he took the management of the White Sulphur Springs near Vallejo, where he now resides. In 1855, he married, in New York, Miss Rose Maclean.
History of Solano County…. – San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley & Co., East Oakland, pub 1879
pp 344
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
HENRY CONNOLLY
was born in 1826, in the county of Fermanagh, Ireland, from whence he emigrated to the United States in 1846, and settled in New York city, remaining there till 1853, when he left for California and settled in San Francisco. In 1857, he removed to Vallejo, where he commenced business in the Washington Hotel, which he carried on for many years and which property he still owns. In connection therewith, he opened a livery business in 1859, which he still continues. Mr. Connolly also opened a wholesale wine and liquor store in 1875. He married Catharine Elliott in 1853, who was born in county Fermanagh in 1826.
History of Solano County…. – San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley & Co., East Oakland, pub 1879
pp 344
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler