Lassen County Biographies

R. B. Jenison

Transcribed by Craig Hahn, Nov. 2004

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


 
He was born in Walpole, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, March 19, 1817. In 1847 
he went to St. Louis and engaged in merchandising. In 1850 he crossed the plains 
with a stock of goods for Kinkead & Levison, of Salt Lake City. He then came by 
the way of Mojave river to California, and staid on the San Joaquin river until 
December, 1851. He then went, via Panama, to Cincinnati, and the next spring 
started overland with his family. Upon reaching Salt Lake he decided to go to 
Oregon, which he did, settling in Rogue River valley, near Jacksonville, in 
September. The next summer he was burned out by the Indians, and moved to 
Ashland and bought a farm there. Fort Lane was afterwards built on his former 
ranch. Indian troubles again began in 1855, and he abandoned his place and went 
to Yreka, and mined a year. He then took some cattle to Petaluma. In June, 1858, 
he came to Susanville, and that fall moved his family here. In the fall of 1859 
he built the first frame house in Susanville, and occupied it ten years. In 1861 
he spent some time in the Humboldt mines. In 1869 he moved his family to the 
Humboldt mines, and five years later returned with them to Susanville. He 
continued mining there until 1878. The next year he was afflicted with paralysis 
in his right side, and has since been unable to engage in active pursuits. In 
politics, Mr. Jenison has been both democratic and republican, and now gives his 
adherence to the greenback party. September 9, 1841, he married Miss Mary J. 
Howard, of Alstead, New Hampshire, born March 29, 1824. Their children are Ellen 
E., born in Alstead, July 31, 1844; Mary L., born in Rogue River valley, 
September 20, 1853; William H., born in Petaluma December 6, 1856.
 
Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 
1513 to 1850. � Fariss and Smith, San Francisco,  1882. p 408