Collection: Books and Periodicals

About This Item:

Title: A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California (1891) Collection Type: Books and Periodicals Publisher: Lewis Publishing Company Published: 1891 Copyright: In the public domain or published before 1925 Source(s): Google Books # of Pages: 713 Download PDF: User Login Required Download OCR Text: User Login Required

Date Scanned: 2024-07-22 00:25:09 Item Sourced From: PDF First Created: 2025-03-17 03:11:29 Last Updated: 2025-03-17 06:30:36

Original Held At: Searls Historical Library Location: 161 Nevada City Hwy, Nevada City, CA 95959

Page: of 713  

HISTORY OF NORTHERN OALIFORNIA. 299" the plains had been a pleasant one, the only annoying feature of the whole trip, as far as Mr. Churchill was concerned, being the fact that he had cholera on the jboat between St. Louis and St. Joseph, from which he speedily recovered under the care of the famous Dr. White, of St. Louis, who happened to be aboard, though the two others who were atilicted with the disease both succumbed to its ravages. They arrived at Lassen’s on the 31st of August, and there the party with whom they had made the journey broke up, Mr. Churchill and his triends going onto Sacramento. After remaining but a brief time in that city they proceeded on tu. the Mokeluinne River, and the next day our subject, who had been feeling badly, was taken down with sickness. After lying there helpless for nearly two weeks, he recovered sufticiently tu return to Sacramento. From there he went to Auburn, where he mined that winter, and also ran a pack-train in connection with others. As far as mining was concerned he at least wag not successful that season. In the spring of 1850 he proceeded northward, going to Weaverville, Trinity County, and engaged that summer in packing between Humboldt Bay and the Trinity River. The district traversed by him in these trips was then very wild, and trouble was experienced with the Indians, who had a bad habit of shooting into camp or occasionally stealing an animal, yet he was more fortunate than others so engaged, some of whom lost their lives. In the fall of 1850, having suld outa portion of his pack-train, he went to Sacramento, and in company with his brother-in-law, William Wesencraft, he established a hay yard on K_ street, between Eighth and Ninth. Becoming sick, however, he gave up the business, and taking his mules began packing between Sacramento and Downieville and points on Feather River, also transferring a number of loads from Nevada City to the mountains late in the fall of 1850. He packed all that winter, and in the spring came up to Yreka, Siskiyou County, arriving here some time in June, 1851, bringing with him a pack load of goods. Yreka was then a primitive-appearing though thriving place, and was composed of tents and canvas houses. He went into business with Silas Parker in a cloth house, which they erected on the corner of Main and Miner streets, where Mr. Churchill now owns a brick and stone building. He remained in partnership with Mr. Parker three or four years, then bought him ont, and carried on the store alone until 1858. During this time, besides conducting a large merchandise business, he ran a pack-train of over vixty mules, packing from Red Bluff, the head of navigation. Sometimes, however, when in a hurry for supplies, he would have goods transported by team froin Red Bluff to Shasta and thence back to Yreka. He controlled «a very large and extensive trade during all this time, but sold out in 1858, and the following year went East via Nicaragua, returning to Chicago with the proceeds of his successful business venture in California. Late ir 1861, however, he again started for California, making the trip this time via New York and Panama. He came again to Yreka and engaged in the loaning business. In 1884 he entered upon a general banking career, he with others buying the institution known as the E. & H. Wadsworth Bank, which had been conducted by the Wadsworths, and incorporated under the banking laws with the name of the “ Siskiyon County Bank,” with a capital of $100,000. At the organization of this institution Mr. Churchill was elected its president, which position, to which he is so well adapted, he yet holds. He has been a heavy investor both before and since entering the bank, and has for years counted among his property two ranches in Siskiyou and one in Modoc Connty, the three containing between 30,000 and_40,000 acres, and being well stucked with horses and cattle, there being something like 6,000 head of cattle and 1,500 horses. Mr. Churchill is one of those men who attain power by the exercise of firmness, determination and decision, and of him it may be