Tuolumne
County
Biographies
ANDREW J. ELSBREE
The subject of this sketch, Andrew
Jackson Elsbree, is a well known and highly esteemed early settler of Sonora,
Tuolumne County, California, who came to this state in 1855. He was born in Fall River, Massachusetts,
September 18, 1828, his ancestry being easily traced to the landing of the
Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock. His parents
were John and Susan (Sanford) Elsbree, the mother also descending from an old
New England family. Her sister, Mrs.
Martha Tinkhan, is still living near Boston,
Massachusetts, at the age of eighty-nine, showing remarkable vigor for one of
her advanced years. Mr. Elsbree was a nailer by trade, an
industrious and temperate man, but his death occurred at the early age of
thirty-eight, and our subject is the only survivor of the four children. Mrs. Elsbree died at the early age of
twenty-nine years.
Andrew J. Elsbree was educated in
his native town, and at the age of seventeen began a seafaring life, going
almost over the world. He cast anchor in
forty-two seaports, sailing on commercial vessels and on the warships Albany
and Franklin, and following the sea for nine years. He then took passage from New York to San
Francisco, by way the Isthmus, arriving there June 7, 1855, and thence making
his way to Jamestown, Tuolumne County.
Here our subject began placer mining, remembering his stepmother with a
gift of the first gold he took out of the river.
Mr. Elsbree worked at various claims
in Columbia with the usual amount of success and failure familiar to the
California placer miner, but finally came to the spot in Sonora upon which his
pleasant home now stands, known as the Greaser Gulch. A small ravine runs through the rear portion
of the property, and in 1858 he took from this ravine from thirty to forty
dollars per day, taking out forty-four ounces of gold in one week, and in ten
weeks he had taken out three thousand, four hundred and eighty-one
dollars. He is still engaged in mining
on his own place, and upon one occasion took out a nugget weighing six and a
half pounds! Upon one part of his
property stands his fine residence, the fruit and
ornamental trees surrounding it having been planted by his own hands.
Mr. Elsbree was married November 23,
1867, to Mrs. Pamelia C. Tucker, a native of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, the
widow of a soldier in the Civil War, who suffered at Andersonville and finally
gave up his life for his country. His
one son, George Tucker, resides in Oakdale and is a splendid specimen of
manhood, being considered the strongest man in Tuolumne County. Of the family born to Mrs. and Mrs. Elsbree,
Andrew Eugene was killed in a mine accident at the age of twenty-seven; he had
been successful in his mining operations, taking out as much as five thousand
dollars in one month; Alonzo E. is a cigar manufacturer of Sonora; Susan S. is
the wife of Eli Miller; Fannie, the wife of Henry Ball; and Sadie, Charles,
Hattie and Laura, are at their parental home.
This is a highly respected family, well known throughout the community.
Our subject has seen many changes in
this locality. He has often been placed
in positions where he was obliged to exert great shrewdness to avoid personal
violence. Being well known as a man of
courage, he was made deputy constable, with full power to keep the peace, and
for twenty-three years and seven months was the night watchman for the city of
Sonora, being the oldest night watchman in the state. Many thrilling experiences and hairbreadth
escapes has he had in the prosecution of his duty, and ever has he been loyal
to those whom he served. At all times he
was assisted by his faithful dog “Rover,” which on a number of occasions was
instrumental in the saving of his life.
Night Watchman Elsbree and his dog “Rover,” are widely known in their
section of the state to both desperado and the law-abiding citizen.
Socially Mr. Elsbree is an Odd
Fellow, joining the order in 1856, and is one of the oldest members in
California. He is also connected with
the Chosen Friends. In politics Mr. Elsbree
is a staunch Republican and has done much for his party. Although seventy-two years
old, our subject is as well preserved as many younger men, his vigor testifying
to a life of virtuous activity.
He is one of the best representatives of the early settler to be found
in Tuolumne County.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 279-280. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.