JONATHAN DRAKE STEVENSON

 

 

JONATHAN DRAKE STEVENSON, attorney at law, San Francisco, is one of the most noted pioneers of California, his name occurring in the biographical sketches of scores of well-known residents of this state.  Here's probably best known on the coast by having brought hither a regiment during the Mexican war.  He was born Jan. 1, 1800,--the first day of this century,--a son of Matthew Stevenson, who was a native of Massachusetts, and a United States revenue officer.  His mother, whose maiden name was Ann Drake, was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier.  Colonel Stevenson and Commodore Vanderbilt were children together, and when the latter went to New York with his father to sell oysters, his mother would not permit him to remain overnight except at the residents of Jonathan's parents.  Colonel Stevenson taught Vanderbilt how to steer a boat, and gave him his first employment afterward, writing up his books for him in the trade of his vessel along the coast.  When a member of the Legislature he had passed the Hudson River Railroad Bill.  Being an intimate friend of James K. Polk, of Tennessee, he and several others brought about his nomination for President of United States.  Polk wanted to be Vice-President with Van Buren, but by an alliance formed through the efforts of Colonel Stevenson and others, Polk was nominated for President, and was elected during his administration he offered Colonel Stevenson his choice of seventeen consular positions, but it was refused.  The only position he would except would be, in case of trouble on account of slavery extension, an engagement in the "54 degrees-40’ or fight."  Polk gave him a regiment, and when trouble seemed imminent, he gave him the authority of command, and he gave him three ships of troops, which were distributed at the four posts in California,--Los Angeles, Monterey, San Francisco and Santa Barbara.

 

In early days Colonel Stevenson was also intimate with Clay, Webster, Jackson, Benton, Marcy, Silas Wright, etc., and had a personal acquaintance with Presidents Jefferson, Madison and Monroe.  He served on the staff of General Jackson when he visited New York in 1819, and was the last man to shake his hand in the city of Washington. He was also private secretary to Daniel D. Tompkins, 1818-20; went to Washington with him and remained until his death, when Vice-President of United States.  In 1808, when but eight years old, he wrote the ballots of the first ward of New York city and peddled them at the polls when James Madison was elected President.  Later he was among the first to bring of General Jackson's name for nomination as President of United States.  During all his active life he was identified with politics.

 

He married Eliza Rider, of New York, who died in July, 1845, leaving one son and three daughters.  The son graduated at West Point and came to California with his father as Captain, and died in 1862.  Colonel Stevenson first became a Freemason by initiation September 3, 1821, in Phoenix Lodge, No. 40, New York city; December 22 following he was elected Senior Warden of his lodge; the next year he received the Royal Arch degree; and April 17, 1850, he was elected the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California.  As a lawyer, military man and civilian he has filled exalted positions, and during a long and arduous career in serving his country and humanity he has led an honest and blameless life.

 

 

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco" Volume 1.  Lewis Publishing Company 1892. Page 420-421.

Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.