Amador County Biographies

JOSEPH WOOLFORD

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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


Was born at Ramsbure, Wiltshire, in England, February 7, 1832, where he resided until 1858, when 
he went to Peru, in South America, by way of Cape Horn, where he resided for four years. After this 
he came to California and lived at the place then called "Puckerville," about a half mile to the west 
of the town of Plymouth. 

Mr. Woolford is a blacksmith by trade, having followed it most of his life, being at present in the employ 
of the Pacific Mining Company, though he has at other times been employed by the Empire Mining 
Company. He is a first-class mechanic, and has suggested and perfected many improvements in tools 
and machinery. Among other things he has invented a ratchet wrench which works equally well on round 
as on square heads, for which he has obtained a patent. 

He is a single man, living with his brother, who occupies his ranch. His experiences in the mines 
and in South America, make an interesting narrative when he can be induced to speak of them. 

History of Amador, California With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches 
of its Prominent Men and PioneersOakland, California, Thompson and West, 
1881.