San Joaquin County
Biographies
JOSEPH H. JEFFERSON
JOSEPH H. JEFFERSON, an
honored pioneer of this State, was born within a short distance of Richmond,
Virginia, February 6, 1838. When he was about two years old his parents moved
to Columbus, Ohio. When he was eight or ten years of age the family moved again
to Des Moines County, Iowa. He went to Minnesota, when seventeen years old,
remained until November or December, 1852, when he returned to his home in
Iowa. The following March he started for California, with a train of five, with
one wagon and five yoke of oxen. They arrived in American valley, this State,
about the latter part of September, where they broke up camp, each one starting
out for himself. Joseph engaged in digging a ditch for a company near American
valley. After he had obtained a little money he went to Marysville and
commenced wood-chopping, remained there a nearly a month, then went to digging
potatoes up near Vallejo, where he stayed for a couple of weeks. From there he
came to Stockton and was employed at driving a team for San Andreas in
Calaveras County. He made from four to five trips: part of the time worked on a
ranch. In the following spring he hired out to a survey party under Captain A.
W. Von Schmidt, who was running Government surveys in several of the northern
counties. He remained with the party for about four years or more. In 1858
during the time of the Fraser river excitement he went up there and remained
about six months. When he came back to this county he hired out to R. C.
Sargent, and remained with him till 1866 working on his ranch. He then moved to
his present place, which he bought in 1862, and where he has made his home ever
since. The ranch contains now about 240 acres, situated five miles north of
Stockton on the lower Sacramento road, and is devoted to farming.
Mr. Jefferson was married, in 1878, to
Mrs. Winifred O’Brien, who was born in Ireland; she was a mere child when she
came to the United States with her parents. They have four children of their
own, also one son of Mrs. Jefferson’s by her former marriage. Mr. Jefferson has
also raised three children, all boys, of his brothers. They were left orphans
and were given a home by Mr. Jefferson; they are now almost of age.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 300-301. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2008 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
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