Yolo County Biographies


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



G. D. STEPHENS
 
G. D. Stephens, farmer near Madison, Yolo County, is one of the old �49ers of 
this golden county.  Leaving Cooper County, Missouri, May 10, 1849, he crossed 
the plains to the Golden Coast, arriving in Sacramento August 6, following.  He 
followed mining at Mormon Island, Missouri Bar, on the American River and 
Hangtown, and then with other parties he wintered in a cabin on the Sacramento 
River.  In the spring he returned to mining, on the middle fork of the American 
River.  July 4 he returned to Sacramento.  Soon he entered the business of 
buying cattle and mules from arriving immigrants, and drove them down to Cache 
Creek, where in 1850 he made a camp, thinking it was Government land, but found 
it to be on the Berreyesa grant, which they bought.  In 1853 he returned to 
Cooper County, Missouri, bought cattle, and in 1856 went to Oregon, continuing 
in the cattle trade.  He arrived again in Yolo County in March, 1861, where he 
has ever since made his residence.  Of the home ranch there are 3,400 acres and 
on the Gordon grant 1,000 acres.  He is engaged principally in the raising of 
livestock and grain.
 
Mr. Stephens was first married in 1872, in Sacramento, to Laura G. Wilcoxson, 
and they had two children:  Josie and Katie L.  He was subsequently married to 
Miss Nanie Lucas, in Woodland, in 1877, and by this marriage there are nine 
children:  John L., Lulu M., Sally S., Minnie, Bessie, George D, William F., 
Frank W. and Benjamin G.
 
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California, The Lewis Publishing 
Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler