Lake County Biographies

GEORGE E. McKINLEY

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

 
The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in the body of this work, was 
born in New Brunswick, August 9, 1837.  When he was five years of age, he with 
his parents moved to Iowa.  They resided in Burlington, that State, until 1849, 
when they moved upon a farm and remained until 1852.  In that year the subject 
of this sketch came across the Rocky Mountains and spent four years in Utah in 
the stock business.  In 1856 he came to California, and after spending a few 
months in Plumas County, he came to Lake County, arriving in December of that 
year.  After remaining here a short time he went to Napa Valley.  In the summer 
of 1857 he returned to Lake County and settled on his present place in Loconoma 
Valley, about three miles north-west of Middletown, where he has since resided, 
being engaged in farming and stock raising.  He has always lived an active and 
earnest life of usefulness, and is now enjoying the highest regard and esteem of 
a large circle of acquaintances.  He was married December 10, 1862, to Miss 
Caroline Springston, a native of Pennsylvania.  They have seven living children: 
 Sidney, George, Eva, Ada, Lillie, Mary and Charles; and have lost one, Ella.
 
History of Napa and Lake Counties, California, publ. 1881 � pg. 264
 
RUFUS D. MERRITT
 
Was born in Franklin County, Maine, March 24, 1834.  Here he received his 
education and resided with his parents on a farm until he was sixteen years of 
age.  He then engaged in school teaching, which he followed during the winter 
season until 1857.  In the meantime he worked on his brother�s farm during the 
summer, and attended school during the spring and fall.  On account of failing 
health he was obliged to change climate, hence he came to California via Panama, 
arriving at San Francisco about May 12, 1857.  After about two weeks he went to 
Tuolumne County for the purpose of mining, but finding water very scarce he 
engaged in wood-chopping for about six weeks.  He then engaged in mining which 
he followed till the fall of 1860.  He then rented a ranch in the same county 
and followed farming for about one year.  He then engaged again in mining 
through the winter, and in the spring of 1862, he engaged in the meat business, 
supplying the miners with that article of food.  In the fall of 1863, he went to 
Alameda County and spent the winter on a farm.  In the spring of 1864, he bought 
an interest in an express line between Oakland and San Francisco, which he 
conducted until the spring of 1866.  He then started a hay and grain store on 
Broadway, Oakland, which he conducted for three years.  In the fall of 1869, he 
went to San Jose and opened a hay, grain and coal store, which he conducted till 
the fall of 1871.  He then came to Lake County and settled at Kelseyville, where 
he has since resided, being engaged in farming and raising sheep.  He was 
married April 28, 1860, to Miss Caroline D. Wheeler, a native of Maine.  By this 
union they have five living children:  Mabel E., Marion E., Carrie A., Fred and 
Harry.  They have lost one, Annie M.
 
History of Napa and Lake Counties, California, publ. 1881 � pg. 265