San Joaquin County
Biographies
WILLIAM NORTHROP
WILLIAM NORTHROP, of Elkhorn Township, was born May 13, 1830, in Litchfield County, Connecticut, his parents being Lord W. and Cornelia (Buckley)
Northrop. Lord Northrop was raised as a farmer, which occupation he followed up
to the time of his death. He came to California in 1857, via the Isthmus. He came to Elkhorn Township and purchased land, the present homestead, nine miles
from Stockton. He died August 15, 1889, at the age of eighty-six
years. His wife is still living, aged eighty-one years. In the family were
twelve children, nine boys and three girls, four of whom are now living. Mr.
Northrop was a successful and practical farmer; he is well remembered by a host
of friends. He has passed away like many other old settlers, and leaves only
his children to tell the story of his early life.
William, the subject of this sketch, was
raised on a farm until sixteen years of age, when he learned the plasterer’s
trade, which he followed until he came to California. In 1851 he sailed from New York for California, coming via the Isthmus. He went at once to the mines
at Sonora, where he remained about a year, when he came to this
valley and settled on a piece of land. In the summer of 1852 Ezra Fiske was
taken into partnership with him. In the fall of that year their first crop of
grain was planted. They continued their partnership until July, 1853, when
William sold his share to Baker, went again to the mountains and engaged in
teaming. In the fall of that year he returned to this valley and located on a
ranch of 160 acres in Elkhorn Township, on which he remained until 1869, when he sold out
for $30 an acre. He then went to San
Francisco, where he remained
until 1887, working at his trade. At the present time he is superintending the
home farm, showing great ability as a farmer. He resides with his aged mother.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 321-322. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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