Civil War Veterans of Mendocino County, California.
James M. Painter

Researched and Compiled by : 
Ronald Cannon, MA 
Submitted June 2010

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James M. Painter, 11 October 1839 VA-16 July 1920
Co. K, 11 VA Inf. CSA
Little Lake Cemetery, Willits

PIONEER OF ‘58 TAKEN BY DEATH JULY 16TH – WILLITS, July 19. – James M. Painter died at the home 
of his daughter, Mrs. Anna Matteson, July 16 after an illness of several months’ duration. Several weeks 
ago he was stricken with a third stroke of paralysis and it left him helpless.
	Mr. Painter was born in Winchester, Virginia, October 11, 1939 [sic]. He first came to California 
in 1858 and afterwards joined the group of Indian fighters and guides under the command of Lieut. 
Sublette and Kit Carson. When the Civil War broke out he returned to his old home in Virginia and enlisted 
in the Confederate army under General Green. He was in thirteen battles and was finally made prisoner at 
Vicksburg and sent to a prison camp in Illinois.
	He returned to California in 1866 and the following year followed the gold rush to Montana, but 
was unsuccessful in his quest for gold. He then returned to Virginia and married, and three children were 
born to this union, only one of whom, William, is living. In 1868 he again returned to California and followed 
farming near Petaluma until 1882 when he moved to this county and settled in Ukiah valley.
	He moved to this valley about 1866 and rented the old Frost ranch which he farmed for several 
years. He then went down on the Outlet and took up a claim near what is now Arnold station.
	His second wife died while he lived at Ukiah, and one daughter, Anna, now Mrs. Matteson, was the 
only child of this union. Dispatch Democrat, 23 July 1920.

1870 U.S. census, Lewis County, Missouri, population schedule, Monticello post office, dwelling 67, family 67, 
James Painter; NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 787.

1880 U.S. census, Mendocino County, California, population schedule, Little Lake Voting Pct., ED 60, p. 232-A 
(stamped), dwelling 41, family 41, Jas M Painter; NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 68.