Alameda County
Biographies
HENRY DUSTERBERRY
The county of Alameda is noted for its valuable farm properties. Not the least among these is the ranch of Henry Dusterberry, one mile from Centerville, which for years has been his home and the scene of his activities. Although of recent years he has given over the management of the land to his eldest son, he still maintains a general supervision of the property and has not permitted the approach of his age to wholly preclude his participation in its improvement. With him life in the west has been devoted to ranching and kindred pursuits, with the exception of a brief period during the early years of his residence in California, when he experienced the ups and downs incident to a miner's work. Of German birth and parentage, he was born in Hanover, February 17, 1830, and received a fair education in the German language. At the age of eighteen years he came to the United States on a sailing vessel, which cast anchor in the harbor of New York, in September, 1848, after a tedious voyage of five weeks. When Wisconsin was still a territory he became a pioneer in the county of Racine and secured work as a farm hand at $4 per month, remaining for eight months. During the entire time he drew but $2 of his wages, the balance being paid him when he left. In the following winter he worked for his board, with the privilege of attending school three months.
In those days much was heard concerning the great west with its rich mines of gold. Thousands of young men left their eastern homes to seek the new El Dorado with its fabled wealth. Few of those who crossed the plains in prairie schooners or rounded Cape Horn in sailing vessels ever gained the object of their early ambition, but many settled on the coast, and gained independence and prosperity, and still remain to enjoy the fruits of their toil in occupations less hazardous than that of mining. Among this number is Mr. Dusterberry, a pioneer of 1852, who spent a little more than five months in crossing the plains. He and his two companions bought four yoke of oxen before starting. From Council Bluffs they followed the usual route across the plains and over the mountains. While on the road they cut their wagon in two and also sold two yoke of oxen. Toward the close of their journey they traveled in a two-wheeled cart. In September, 1852, they arrived at what is now Placerville, and at once commenced prospecting.
After two years in the mines Mr. Dusterberry found himself no richer than when he started, and concluded that it would be wiser to attempt to earn a livelihood at some other occupation. Accordingly he abandoned the mines and came to what is now Irvington, Alameda county, where he secured work on a ranch by the month. With his savings he bought a one-half interest in a threshing machine, which he operated several years. In 1863 he bought eighty acres in Washington township, and the same year brought his bride to the new home. She was Ellen Foley, a native of Ireland, and a woman possessing many admirable traits of character. Until her death, in April of 1894, she continued to be his efficient helpmate and assistant. Five children were born of their union: Mary G., who has had charge of the home since the death of her mother; Henry E., who manages the home farm; Frank T., a merchant at Centerville; Frederick F., who is engaged in the plumbing business at Centerville; and Elizabeth, at home.
Ever since becoming a citizen of the United States Mr. Dusterberry has advocated Democratic principles and given his allegiance to the candidates and platform of the party. During his younger years he was active and influential in local affairs. In 1877 he was elected county supervisor for a term of two years, and at the expiration of that time was re-elected for a similar period. Subsequently he served a term of three years and another term of four years as a member of the same board, being honored with the office of chairman during the two long terms. Among the enterprises of importance promoted by the board during his connection with it may be mentioned the building of the bridges at Niles and Alvarado and the building of the hall of records at Oakland. For several years he held the office of school trustee. Fraternally he holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in religion is identified with the Roman Catholic Church, of which his wife was also a member.
Transcribed
9-1-16 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1293-1294. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2016 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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