El Dorado County Biographies


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




JAMES MOON
 
            The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Dayton, 
Yorkshire, England, August 26, 1824.  His education was limited to that which he 
could secure in the common school in boyhood, but being fully determined on a 
further knowledge of surveying and gaugeing [sic] he prosecuted the study of 
these branches alone, intending to enter the government employ as a custom�s 
house agent.  He abandoned this idea early in 1848 and emigrated to America and 
settled near the town of Neponsett, Burean county, Illinois.  In 1850 in company 
with four others followed an ox team across the great American desert to the 
golden west, he crossed the Missouri river on May 1st, and landed in Hangtown 
early in August.  He went at once to Coloma and engaged in mining.  All went 
well until the news of the Frazer river discovery reached him, whereupon like 
many others, he started for that new El Dorado.  It proved to him a better field 
than to many others, as he returned in 1859 with some money saved from his 
efforts.  For two  years more he mined at Coloma and then moved on to Travers 
creek, where we find him yet about six miles from Georgetown in the undisputed 
possession of 160 acres of land on which he has an orchard and a promising mine. 
 The location is a pleasant one in a beautiful canyon close by the junction of 
Travers creek and Bear creek, surrounding his cabin home is a beautiful green, 
and on either side of same is towering hills covered with lofty pines.  In 
politics, Mr. Moon has always been Republican, since that party had a being.  In 
religion is a Protestant.  Is an active and enthusiastic admirer of the Masonic 
fraternity.  Is a member of the Acazia Lodge at Coloma, of the Royal Arch 
Chapter at Georgetown, and a Knights Templar, belonging at Placerville.  He has 
been Master of his Lodge and High Priest of his Chapter.  Mr. Moon is an 
unmarried man, the only social duty he has neglected.  Is a man in the full 
enjoyment of the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and in aiding others 
he has been more generous even than his means at times would warrant.
 
Historical Souvenir of El Dorado County, California with Illustrations & 
Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men & Pioneers - Oakland, Cal. - Paolo 
Sioli, Publisher, 1883. p - 254
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler