Amador County Biographies

PETER FAGAN
Is a native of Canada West, having been born at a place called Bytown, now known as Ottawa, in the year 1835. The first sixteen years of his life were passed on Canadian soil, and his early education was obtained in the schools of his native town.
In 1851 he emigrated with his parents to the State of Illinois, and located in Bureau county, and for about eight years devoted hi8 time to the tilling of the soil, which experience was of service to him in later years. In 1858 he came to California, by way of New Orleans and Havana. He remained a short time in San Francisco, and then came to Amador County, locating at Sutter Creek, where he has since resided, engaged in various occupations. The first four years of his residence at this place, he was engineer at the Eureka mine, a position ho filled with more than ordinary ability. He then turned his attention to teaming, and for two years followed that business.
Desiring something better suited to his tastes, he gave up teaming and opened a livery stable, and has the satisfaction of knowing that his is the only first-class establishment of the kind in the town, in fact, no better can be found in many large cities. He is also considerably interested in ranching, owning a fine farm, containing two hundred acres. He has a mill in which he grinds the feed for his livery stock, and also for the public. The mill was originally run by steam, but is now run by water-power.
Mr. Fagan is one of the live men, noted for energy and executive ability, and deserves, and does possess, the confidence of the community. He held the responsible position of Sheriff, in the years 1874-75, and performed the duties of the office to the satisfaction of all.
He was married in 1864, to Miss Maggie Duke, a native of New York. They have seven children living, six girls and one boy.

History of Amador County, California: With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
By Jesse D Mason
Thompson & West, Oakland, California – 1881
Pp 304
Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham

                                                                                            STEPHEN FINN
Few places in Amador county are better known than Finn's ranch. Like the Q ranch, Buena Vista, Buckeye, and other well-known places, it was not a town, but like them early became noted as among the first to establish the comforts of home and its refining influences, and reveal the possibilities of thenew State. It was hardly possible to come into the county without hearing of Finn's ranch, or to converse about any matter without mentioning it. Every place was located as so many miles from Finn's ranch. Stephen Finn was born in County Wieklow, Ireland, December 26, 1829. Some nine years afterward his parents, following the great stream of emigration, went to Canada with their family of four children, Stephen being the youngest. They settled in the county of Kent, and commenced anew the struggle for a home. A rigorous climate, lands to be cleared of trees, and buildings to be erected, made this a laborious task, but young Finn did not flinch from the trial, but stayed by his parents until the coming of age, acquiring the habits of industry and self-reliance which proved so valuable in the State of his adoption.
    On the sixteenth day of February, 1852, he married Miss Catherine Martin, a native of Canada, of French descent, who was born August 2,1830. From this marriage came nine children, of whom six survive. In 1853 Mr. Finn, with his young wife, came to California, settling first in El Dorado, then known as Mud Springs. Their stay there was short, however, soon moving to this county, which he made a home for more than a quarter of a century, or until his death, which occurred on February 28, 1880.
    He was a Roman Catholic in his religious opinions, but his charity and hospitality was not limited by church lines, all being welcomed to the comforts of his home, until the white house under the tree became famous for its good cheer. Easter, Christmas, Now Years, and Thanksgiving, as well as birthdays, all found a large company of neighbors and friends at his table.
    He was a good citizen, industrious in his business, true to his promises, and faithful in every position in life.

L. J. FONTENROSE
This gentleman was born September 27, 1850, of Italian parents, coming with them to California seven years later. He received his education in the public school of Sutter Creek, carrying off a large share of the honors, being, in every sense of the word, but birth, a native Californian. His education has been supplemented by a liberal course of reading, encouraged by his father, who early perceived the advantages of education to a citizen of the Republic. At the age of fifteen he entered a mercantile house, which position he retained until he was twenty-one, when he abandoned that business and engaged in quartz mining, running an engine most of the time. At the death of his father, five years later, he returned to his homo and took charge of the business until 1879, when he was appointed Deputy County Clerk, a position ho was especially qualified to fill. At the county election hold in 1880, be was chosen to the same position which he still retains. He is a trusty, patient, pains-taking man, and wins the confidence of all with whom he has business.

MARGARET FOSTER
The lady referred to in the following sketch is a native of the State of Illinois, having been born in Madison county on the 15th of February, 1818. Her life was passed in her native State until the year 1852, at which time she, in company with her husband, crossed the plains to California and settled in Amador county. She was married February 14, 1842, to Claiborne Foster, who departed this life at the place where his widow still resides, September 6, 1876. Being loft alone in the world with the exception of her two children, Mrs. Foster managed the business and ranch in a very creditable manner to herself. She has conducted a hotel for the weary traveler and teamster for some years, and it is a pleasure to become an inmate of her hospitable home. Her ranch is beautifully situated in the mountains six miles from Volcano, on the old emigrant road, and contains three hundred acres of choice land. Her union with Mr. Foster was blessed with two children, both girls, who are married, and each have families of their own.

JOHN H. GRAMBART
Was born July 22, 1830, near Bremerhaven, in the Kingdom of Hanover. He came to New York in October, 1845, and to California, via Panama, in
1853, arriving in San Francisco on the anniversary of Washington's birthday! lie came to Dry town Boon after, and engaged in the retail dry goods and
grocery business with J. C. Williams. lie was married August 15, 18GO, to Miss E. D. Wells, daughter of Mr. H. Wells, of Amador Crossing. They have one child, a boy, thirteen years of age. He purchased the Central House in company with his father-in-law, Mr. H. Wells, February 4, 1863. This is one of the best known places in the county, occupying a central position on the lines of travel. It can hardly be surpassed for natural scenery and beauty of location, having an extended view of Sacramento valley and the western part of the State.

CHARLES GREEN
Is a native of Ohio, having been born in Licking County, December 5, 1830, in which State he resided until 1850, when ho emigrated, coming to
California. His first halt was made in Sacramento, when, attracted by the rich bottom-lands and beautiful crops, he went to farming, raising stock, hay
and grain. He sold out in 1852, and moved to Yolo county, engaging in much the same business, where ho again stayed about two years. Like almost every one, he had to try his luck in the mines, and mined two years at Salmon Falls, on the American river. In 1862 he went to Folsom and became
interested in a large flouring mill, which he ran for three years. He then went out on the line of the Central Pacific railway, in the interest of T. H.
Carroll & Co. He again turned to the mines, and in 1870 located in Amador county, looking for two and a half years after the property of the Sacramento
and Amador Canal Company. In 1872 he went into the employment of the Phoenix Mill and Mining Company, then controlled by the Hoopers, as super-
intendent of the ditch, and was finally made foreman of the mill, and eventually superintendent. His incumbency was marked by a great development of
all the works about the mine, until it became the most extensive in the county. He was married, June 23, 1878, to Miss M. Russell, a native of
Illinois, having been born Septcmber 19, 1848, in the town of Fillmore, Cole County. Mr. Green has a beautiful residence with pleasant surroundings, situated on a gentle eminence overlooking the town of Plymouth, a large portion of the western part of the county, and part of the Sacramento valley.
His family at this time, 1881, is himself, wife and one child.

I. B. GREGORY
Was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, April 5, 1819, and for the succeeding thirteen years remained a resident of that State. His advantages for obtain-
ing an education were somewhat limited, but he managed, by energy and close attention to his studies, to acquire a knowledge of the common branches, to
which he added, in after years, a large amount of practical knowledge, which places him on a firm basis in that direction. In 1832 be removed from Tennessee to the State of Missouri, where he remained until 1846, at which time he went to Texas, and for about three years was a resident of that State. In 1849 he again emigrated, this time to Iowa, and stayed there three years, and then returned to Missouri. One year later lie started for California by
way of the plains, and after experiencing the usual incidents connected with such a trip, reached his objective point and located at lone City, Amador
county, where he followed the occupation of contractor and builder. In 1862 Mr Gregory was elected a Supervisor of his district, serving in that
position about three years. In 1867-68, he represented his people in the Assembly of the State Legislature, in a very creditable manner to himself
and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, and was solicited to again accept the nomination for the same office, but declined. Mr. Gregory possesses the enviable distinction of being almost the only man ever elected to office in the county who did not urge his canvass with whisky. Some years since he joined a temperance society, the secretary of which firmly pasted the two sheets containing his signature and pledge, together, in consequence of which he cannot erase his name, and still feels bound by the obligation. His honor and integrity are the brightest jewels in his character. About three years since he removed from lone City to his present home in Jackson valley, a view of which is to be found in this volume. Mr. Gregory was married to Miss Martha Jane Mc Murry, March 2, 1843; nine children are living at the present time to bless their union, one being laid to rest to meet them no more on earth.

A. C. HAM
Was born on the Licking river in Kentucky in 1841. Soon after the family removed to Illinois, where the resided until 1855, when they came to California,
joining the father, J. C. Ham, the extensive contractor and builder, who had preceded them some years. They made their residence at Aqueduct City,
the headquarters of some of the largest enterprises of the senior member of the family. Young Ham soon "struck out" for himself, engaging in mining
and other business. On the opening of the Amador wagon road our friend established a hotel, called Ham's Station, about twenty miles above Volcano,
which he managed for some years, but which since the building of the larger hotel at Aqueduct City, he has left to the management of an agent. Mr. Ham
has now become sole owner of the Modoc mine, in the Pioneer district. The mine bids fair to take its place among the bullion producers of the Pacific
coast. Persons wishing for a few days' rural amusement in a romantic valley will do well to make Mr. Ham's place their headquarters, as he is familiar
with all the resorts of the grizzlies and other game.

FRANKLIN HERMAN
The subject of the following sketch is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Franklin county, February 27, 1830. When five years of ago he
removed with his parents to the wilds of Ohio, where he remained until he entered the army, and engaged in the war with Mexico. His education was received in the common schools, and leaving school and friends at such an early age, he was necessarily deprived of advantages in that line. He, however,
obtained a thorough knowledge of the common branches, and with his one year's service in the army placed himself on a fair footing with many who received more advantageous schooling. At the expiration of his term of service ho returned to Ohio, where he remained about two years. He was married when quite young to Miss Mary G. Dreisbach, a native of Ohio, and soon after started with his bride for the Pacific coast, and located at Shasta in 1853, where he remained about four months. He is by trade a blacksmith, a business he has followed during all his life on this coast. Upon leaving Shasta he settled at Sutter Creek, Amador County, where he has since resided. Mr. Herman is at the present time engaged by the Mahoney Mining Company, as a true son of Vulcan. He has very few superiors, and is withal a gentleman
in whom repose the respect and confidence of all who know him. His family consists of himself, wife and two children, a son and daughter.

R. S. AND J. M. HINKSON
Are natives of Washington county, Missouri, where they resided until 1849, when they crossed the plains with the extensive family of that name, with their
connections by marriage, the Boones. They located at Drytown, on the north side of the creek, in what was soon alter El Dorado county, Dry creek being
the dividing line. Few families have been better known than the Hinksons. They wore the first to open and develop the Potosi mine. The elderly
Hinkson did more, perhaps, to restrain and calm the anger of the people during the terrible affair of August, 1855, than any other man, his age and rep-
utation being appreciated by the honest, though hasty minors. Thu two sons whose names are at the head of this article, came to Volcano in l879, and engaged in the livery business, which they are still carrying on. They run a stage line to Jackson and also have a mail contract between Jackson and Volcano, and also carry the express for Wells, Fargo & Co., and do an express business on their own account. They both have families residing in Volcano. The Hinksons are reckoned amongst the solid, reliable men of the county.

                                                                                             FRANK HOFFMAN
Was born April 18, 1827, in Evarsdorf, in Germany, coming to America at the early age of sixteen, New Orleans being his first residence. After remaining
here three months he went to St. Louis, in Missouri, where he remained seven years, engaged in the butchering business. In 1850 he fell into the big
column of immigration and crossed the plains to California, reaching Mud Springs (El Dorado) among the earliest. Here he followed the same business as
in St. Louis until the following Spring, in company with John P. Hoffman, now living near Ukiah City. In the Spring he went to Grass Valley and started
business there, continuing in it for about six months, when he sold out and went to the Missouri House, near Auburn, where he remained about six months.
Mokelumne river was his next location, settling on a ranch and remaining about four years. While engaged in ranching with a partner, they started a
livery stable at Mokelumne Hill, but not being satisfied with it, they abandoned the project, but started in the following season the same business at Jackson, which venture proved profitable and permanent, for the business has been continued in the same place to the present day.
    He was married in 1862 to Miss Christina Clem. They have no children.
    He has a well-equipped stable, fine residence, and a highly cultivated farm of one hundred and sixty acres, adjoining the town of Jackson. He is one of
the solid men of the county, who was willing to wrest wealth out of the chaos of early days, with hard work and close attention to business, and who did
it too.

JAMES H. HOLMAN
Was born in the town of Versailles, Indiana, February 18, 1831, residing there until he was twenty-one years of age, acquiring the education and business
habits which has served him to such good purpose in California. The great wave of gold fever, which swept over the country in 1852, took him from the
parent home, and March 1st we find him among the crowd, driving an ox-team and plodding his weary way across the plains towards the sunset. The long-
est journey must have an end, and August 7th he looked down into the Hangtown (Placerville) basin, famous for murder, hanging and gambling, as well as
its rich placers. What a contrast then with now ; then Lucky Bill was coining money on the streets, a meal of bread, tough steak and black coffee was
worth a dollar, and Coon Hollow was giving up its millions to those who would dig. The oldest Yuba Dammer would say that it was a " right peert place ; "
now——? He followed mining for two years and then went to teaming, a business which .he has followed extensively to the present time, latterly for the
Empire Mining and Mill Company at Plymouth. In 1856 he located at Fiddletown (Oleta) where he remained for five or six years. In 1870 he located on
his present ranch one mile and a half west of the town of Plymouth, and commenced making a permanent home. His farm contains 160 acres of highly im-
proved land. In connection with farming and teaming he has raised stock of all kinds. He enjoys the confidence of the community and has held several
responsible offices. He was married August 4, 1856, to Miss Catherine Asbby, a native of Illinois, by whom he had one child, not now living. Mr. Hol-
man's surroundings are pleasant and comfortable, a good place to anchor to, after the hurry-skurry of thirty years of excitement and labor.

JOHN HOSLEY
"I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy." Who does not know John; "rough, but generous, brave and kind." He has
played more jokes, said more pithy things, and spent and given away more money than any other man of his inches or avoirdupois in the county, if not in
the State. The good jokes and sayings of his would fill a book, and make interesting reading, too. His love of fan is the strongest element in hi» character.
Sample No. 1 of a lot: A number of San Francisco mining sharps had been to Washoe in an early day, and returning with sacks of ore from newly-dis-
covered mines, stopped at his place. He listened to their speculations about the value of this and that package of ore, and after they had gone to bed
judiciously exchanged ores, putting in those he know to be first-class. They continued their way to San Francisco, and hastened to put their specimens in the
hands of the assayers. Their most extravagant hopes were realized. The ores assayed up into thousands. Companies were formed, the mines purchased, and the expectant millionaires started back in all haste to take possession and make their fortunes, but no ores of the same sort wore found. When they related the circumstances, they had the comforting remark that they were sold by old John, whereat they went home wiser, but not wealthier men.
He was born in Yorkshire, England, July 14,1825, emigrating when about ten years of age. He first lived in Canada, but afterwards in Vermont, coming
to California in.1849-among the pioneers. He lived at Mokelumne Hill for some years, and ran the first ferry-boat that was established on the river, it being
at first only a dug-out. He enlarged it to a plank-boat, capable of carrying three or four passengers, and finally sold out, having made all the money he
wanted. Dr. Sober soon afterwards purchased the same institution for twelve thousand dollars, and expending some thirty thousand dollars more, inaugu-
rated the Big Bar bridge. John was present at the birth of Mokelumne Hill, knew all its crooked habits; kew all the defaulting treasurers, sheriffs, and tax-
collectors; can tell more yarns of their doings than they or their friends will like to have recorded. He has made many rich discoveries in quartz and placer,
but money would never stick to his fingers long enough to stain them a bit. What he had belonged to all his friends, and their name was legion. As the
country became settled up, and the free, flush times of '49 became impossible, he retreated into the mountains, and is now manager and proprietor of
the toll-road leading over the mountains from Antelope Springs to Kirkwood's and Carson valleys. He has a nice place some nine miles east of Volcano,
where we advise all to repair who wish to catch a whiff of pioneer times, or get materials for a book of fun.

History of Amador County, California: With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers.
By Jesse D Mason
Thompson & West, Oakland, California – 1881
Pp 308
Transcribed by: Martha A Crosley Graham

JOHN W. HUTCHINS
Is a native of the State of Maine, and was born in Hermon, Penobscot county, June 24, 1828. His father was one of the principal fanners and lumber-dealers of that section of the country, and our subject was trained to those callings during his early life. He received a common school education, and in 1853 cut loose from the ties that bound him to his native town, and sought his fortune in the far West. During the last-named year be arrived in California, and for ton years was engaged in mining in Amador county. In 1863 he entered the United States Army as a member of the seventh-regiment, California Volunteers, and served as a soldier for about eighteen months. his service was principally in Arizona, a country well calculated to destroy the ambition of the most valiant and patriotic of our boys in blue. After his discharge from the service ho returned to Clinton, where be has since resided. Mr. Hutchins has held the office
of Justice of the Peace, being elected in 1856 and '57, a position he creditably filled. The history of his successes and reverses in fortune would fill an ordinary volume. He is unmarried.

Amador County Biographies