San Joaquin County
Biographies
JOHN BEHAPS
JOHN BEHAPS.--Among the
pioneers of California now resident of Stockton is he whose name heads this
sketch. He was born in a small village in Holland in 1840, and when a mere
child he was brought by his parents to America, they locating in Missouri,
where he spent his early boyhood days, but being left an orphan then, both his
parents having fallen victims to the cholera epidemic. Our subject had an
opportunity of coming to California with Peter McLean in 1850, and did so,
making the trip across the plains with an ox team, and having a pleasant
journey for the most part. The last part of the way they packed across. They
brought up at Weaverville and went to mining there. After about a year there
they went through the mining country almost up to Feather river, then back to
Mosquito Camp, and from there to Stockton in the fall of 1852.
Mr. Behaps took care of stock about three
years, then worked at farm work, and finally acquired land of his own. He now
has a fine ranch of 320 acres in Douglas Township, where he carries on grain
farming. He resided on that ranch for twenty-five years, and in 1888 built a
handsome residence in Stockton, now the family home.
Mr. Behaps was married in this city to
Miss Mary Dunham, a native of Massachusetts. Mr. Behaps was almost reared in California,
and has been an eye-witness to her wonderful growth since the pioneer day. He
is an active member of the San Joaquin Society of California Pioneers.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Page 595. Lewis Pub. Co.
Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Genealogy Databases