ERSKIN GREER

 

Erskin Greer, orchardist, Sutter Township, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, June 12, 1832, son of Robert and Catharine Greer. In 1834 his father died, and in 1836 his mother, with a family of twelve children, sailed from Londonderry for America, landing at Philadelphia, where they resided five or six years, and then emigrated further West, settling in Schuyler County, Illinois, in what was known as the Military Tract. Mrs. Greer lived there until her death, in 1856. Ten of her children are still living, viz.: George, Joseph, John and Alexander, in Schuyler County; Mrs. Lucy McClintock and Mrs. Jane Williams in Adams County, Illinois; Mrs. Charles Miller, Mrs. Ellen Hamilton, Andrew and Erskin Greer in this county. Mr. Greer, the subject of this biographical sketch, has earned his own livelihood ever since he was six years of age, never having a dollar given to him during his youth; and besides, he has aided in the support of his mother and sisters until he was twenty-five years of age. From the time the family located in Illinois, in 1842, he lived in Schuyler County until 1850, during which time he was employed in his brother’s store as a clerk. Afterward he learned the cooper’s trade, and carried on that business on a large scale, employing a number of men, until he came to California on account of ill health. March 18, 1850, he left Illinois with three others, and after arriving at Independence, Missouri, a party of thirty or forty was organized to cross the plains with ox teams. They had no trouble until they reached the Big Blue River, where the Sioux and Pawnees were at war, and they captured a number of emigrants, not knowing whether they were friends or enemies, but as soon as they became satisfied they were friends would release them. These were the first hostile Indians Mr. Greer had ever seen. At Pacific Springs, near the summit of the Rocky Mountains, they met with Asiatic cholera. They arrived at that point about two o’clock in the afternoon, and before night they helped to bury a number of people of other trains who had died of that fearful scourge. The next morning Mr. Greer and his party left that place to avoid the epidemic. After passing Fort Hall they ran short of provisions, and a detachment hastened on to this State to procure some of the necessaries of life. At this time there were ten or fifteen men in the train, with whom Mr. Greer remained, taking charge of the cattle. Had they not found a sack of corn in one of the wagons the party would probably have starved to death. At the head-waters of the Humboldt their supplies were so reduced that they ventured to kill one of their cattle; but the flesh proved to be so alkaline that they could not eat it in any shape. In that part of the route they also found the cholera prevailing in other trains, and the grave of William Burnside, brother-in-law to Mr. Greer, a member of their own party, who had started in advance to this State for provisions, and who had died of that epidemic. Along the Humboldt, too, the Indians were troublesome. In two localities not far distant they had attacked trains and committed murder. Provender was also scarce, and their horses and cattle suffered. The first supplies they received were at the sink of the Humboldt, from a relief train sent out by Ralston and others. Thence forward they could buy what provisions they wanted, if they could only afford to pay at the rate of a dollar a pint, which was the price of every commodity! In crossing the forty-mile desert Mr. Greer saw, in both man and beast, more suffering than he has ever witnessed in his life before or since. At the old Mormon station they found a plenty, but the prices of course were exorbitant. The route over the Sierra Nevada was exceedingly rough. They arrived at Hangtown September 6, 1850, disposed of their cattle and went to mining, which they followed until spring. Then they began prospecting toward the south, going below Fort John to a place called South Grass Valley; but after incurring heavy expenses in reaching the place, they found the reports they had heard concerning the region were all hoax. There being a heavy snow on the ground, they were compelled to remain awhile, and even feed their oxen with flour to keep them from starving, thus limiting their own bread supply. Disposing again of their cattle and wagon upon their return to Hangtown, they took their blankets upon their backs and started out again prospecting. Mr. Greer was compelled to give up miner’s life on account of ill health, although while actually employed in mining he had good success. Working in water and exposure in camping out brought on rheumatic troubles, from which he never has entirely recovered. Coming into the Sacramento Valley he engaged himself upon the ranch of Jerome C. Davis, and cut a large amount of hay during the summer; and next began hauling goods to the mines. In 1853 he settled upon a ranch within five miles of Sacramento, almost due west from his present place, and began stock-raising and farming. In 1855 he visited his old home in the East, returning to California well pleased with the visit, but disgusted with the country there. He was very successful in his pastoral and agricultural pursuits until 1861-’62, when the great flood carried away everything he had; but, undaunted, he continued in the good work of recuperation. In 1863 he entered the employ of the Sacramento Valley Railroad Company, J.P. Robinson, superintendent. His particular station was to superintend and cultivate a large tract of land belonging to the railroad company in the neighborhood of Freeport, which position he filled about four years. During this time, September 22, 1864, he married Miss Harriet Ellis, a native of Rushville, Schuyler County, Illinois, and a daughter of Hon. William Ellis, for many years judge of the Circuit Court there. In 1868 he became part owner of the railroad tract just referred to, buying out the entire town site. His position was one of responsibility. A great deal of business of the town of Freeport was under his supervision. His erection of a hotel on the property in 1864 was the beginning of the town. Business here was lively until the railroad was bought up by the Central Pacific Company, and the track taken up. Mr. Greer remained in the employ of the company, and as proprietor of the town site up to the time of this transfer. In 1874 he sold his property and removed to Sacramento, where he bought other property at 812 K Street, and also at the corner of Ninth and K, where the Hale block now stands, and engaged in the grocery trade for about ten years. In 1882 he bought his present ranch of 100 acres, when it was entirely devoid of trees and devoted to the raising of grain; but it is now one of the prettiest places in Sacramento County, and the right distance from the city to have all the advantages of both city and country, and the disadvantages of neither. It is situated three and a half miles from the city, between the upper and lower Stockton roads. It is called Fruit Ridge Home. The state of everything on the premises exhibits the ambitious and well-cultivated designs of the owner. For the past two years Mr. Greer also had the superintendency of what was formerly known as the Winters ranch, or Rancho del Rio. In political affairs Mr. Greer has always been a consistent Democrat, versed in the principles and baptized with the spirit of Democracy. He was an ardent admirer of Douglas in his day, and still believes in the doctrines of that great statesman. For two years he served as justice of the peace of Franklin Township, and while in office he was generally able to settle about four out of every five cases without bringing them to formal trial. In 1854 he drew up the subscription paper for building the first school-house in the Freeport district, then called the West Union school district. That building is still used as a school-house, but has been moved four or five times to suit the convenience of the people. Mr. Greer has also served as School Director in West Union, and also in Capital school districts. During his residence in Sacramento city he served on the Board of Education two years with marked efficiency; and since November 1888 he has been a member of the Board of County Supervisors. Mr. and Mrs. Greer have two children: W. Walter and Robert E.