Napa County Biographies

Captain M. G. Richie

Transcribed by: Bonnie Phelan

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

 
We take pleasure in according herewith, a position of prominence to the 
following sketch of the eventful and interesting life-story of Captain M.G. 
Richie, an Argonaut of California and one of the most esteemed and 
representative citizens of Napa County. He has the honor, moreover, to have 
visited these shores long before the tide of gold-seekers set in, consequent 
upon the discovery of the precious metal in 1848, and is consequently entitled 
to speak with authority upon all questions of the older days.
      Captain Richie was born September 26, 1813, on the banks of the noble St. 
Lawrence River, in Jefferson County, New York, about two miles below the town of 
Cape Vincent. Being of an active disposition, he manifested a preference for the 
sea, starting out before the mast on the rivers and lakes first and afterward on 
deepwater vessels. He made many long voyages, visiting, in the course of them, 
almost all portions of the globe. It was on a whaling voyage to the Pacific 
Ocean that he visited California, as already stated, running into Yerba Buena 
for water and supplies and wintering at Sausalito. This was in 1836, during the 
Mexican occupation, when Yerba Buena was a very insignificant little village, 
little foreshadowing the great city that was afterward to rise upon its site. 
Captain Richie was also for a number of years upon the great lakes, spending his 
summers there during the season of navigation, and the winters upon the 
Mississippi and tributary rivers, in command of schooners and of steamers on the 
Mississippi. He also spent considerable time in traveling over a great portion 
of Canada, making collections for a Connecticut firm of clock-makers, and in 
other employments. Captain Richie started at the bottom, without financial 
assistance of any magnitude from his parents, but honorably making his own way 
and earning every dollar he could call his own. The best part of his education 
has been gained in the practical school of experience, for being watchful and 
observant he was always ready to take advantage of every opportunity that 
presented itself. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that upon the news of 
the discovery of gold flying over the land, he should turn his face again to 
this fair land of California; and accordingly, in the summer of 1849, he crossed 
the Isthmus of Darien, made his way to San Francisco, and at once went on to the 
diggings at Hangtown, now Placerville. He engaged extensively in the business of 
carrying goods by pack train throughout the northern diggings, also running 
trading post at different points, such as Nevada City, Grass Valley, Minnesota 
Bar, etc, etc. He continued in the mines, meeting with fair success until 1857, 
when he came down to Sonoma County, purchased a ranch on Mark West Creek and 
engaged extensively in the stock business, raising cattle, horses and sheep. 
During his residence there he discovered the Mark West Springs, now so 
celebrated for their medicinal virtues, and popularity as a summer resort. Later 
on he engaged again in mining, making a trip through Mexico with an eye to 
investing in mining property, but finding nothing satisfactory. He got back to 
San Francisco the very day the ship Aquilla was sunk at Hathaway�s Wharf in 
1865. The Captain then began the development of quartz mining at Agua Caliente, 
in the mountains back of Los Angeles, erecting a mill and engaging extensively 
in business. He still owns mining properties in that section, but is not at 
present working them. In 1867 he came up to the Napa Valley and commenced 
farming on a ranch of 250 acres, which he rented of the Money estate, but has 
since purchased. Later on he bought the ranch on which he now resides, lying 
just south of the other place. The soil comprised in these ranches is the 
fertile black alluvium for which the valley is celebrated, there being no better 
land anywhere under the sun than it is. Here he carried on general farming for 
many years, until feeling a desire to enjoy the pleasures of a quiet life during 
his later years�so amply deserved by his long, active and energetic youth and 
manhood�he has given over the management of affairs to his step-sons, and is 
himself living the life of a retired gentleman in his comfortable home.
      He was married November 28, 1867, to Mrs. Elizabeth Money, in Napa County, 
she being a native of Illinois, and her maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Martin. 
By her first husband she has four boys, of whom two, John C. and Cornelius C., 
are engaged successfully in business in St. Helens; and the other two, Thomas P. 
and Joseph C., live on the ranches, and are carrying them on. They are all 
married, and are doing well for themselves, being sensible, energetic and 
deserving young men, in every respect.
      Captain Richie is a member of the Masonic order, of high standing. He 
become a member of Occidental Lodge, No.22, F.&A.M., December 21,1862,; of St. 
Helena Chapter, No.63, R.A.M., June 16,1886, and of Santa Rosa Commandery, 
No.14, Knights Templar, August 2,1886. He is a shareholder and director of the 
Carver National Bank in St. Helena.
      Captain Richie has led a very active and useful life, full of change and 
variety. In all he has been the soul of honor and uprightness, winning the 
respect and confidence of everyone, and is able now to look forward with 
calmness to a serene and happy old age, surrounded by his excellent family, and 
in possession of all the comforts of life.
      
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Page 803