California Biographies
Case, A. B. 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Case, A. B. A native of Spencertown, Columbia county, New York, born April 6,
1823. When one year old his parents moved to Greene county, same State, where
they resided for seven years; thence to Ulster county, New York, where the
subject of our sketch received his education. After a residence here of ten
years, they moved to Camptown, New Jersey. In 1844, he left his home and
proceeded to Brooklyn, New York, engaged as teamster on the dry docks, where he
continued until the administration of President Polk, when he went to New
Hartford, Connecticut, where he followed house-painting for one year. He then
accepted an invitation from his brother, H. T., who was engaged in the
brush-manufacturing business at 36 Hanover street, Boston, as traveling salesman
through the Southern and Northern States. In 1848, the business was removed to
St. Louis, Missouri. Here the subject of this sketch remained one year, thence
to Weston, Missouri. In the Spring of 1852, in company with his brother and two
sons of Governor Boggs, he started across the plains for California, with a
drove of cattle. As Governor Boggs, the father of the young men, was known to be
a bitter enemy of the Mormons, and was instrumental in routing and driving them
from the State of Missouri, this little party became somewhat alarmed when they
neared the Mormon settlements, and Mr. Case and his brother came to the
conclusion that it would not be safe for them to travel through the Mormon
settlement with any one by the name of Boggs, who looked like Boggs, or had any
of Boggs' blood coursing through their veins. Owing to this and a little
difference of opinion arising in regard to Sunday travel, the brothers parted
from their companions after traveling with them for a little over two weeks, and
took the northern route via Fort Hall. Upon their arrival at the North Platte
river, they found the stream very high, which was crossed by the subject of this
sketch with little difficulty; but his brother H. F. in attempting to cross was
drowned. All efforts made to recover the body proved fruitless, and the brother
was obliged to proceed on his journey, bowed down with sorrow at his brother's
untimely demise. This sad occurrence took place on June 29, 1852. Upon his
arrival at Independence Rock he was joined by the Boggs brothers, and from this
point they traveled together, arriving at Sonoma city October 1st. After
dividing the property with his brother's widow, and disposing of his own
interests, he returned to his native State via Panama, sojourned until the
Spring of 1853, when he proceeded West and purchased another drove of cattle,
and crossed the plains that year to Sonoma the second time. The following
Winter, a younger brother, G. W. Case, returned with him to New York via the
Isthmus, and in the Spring of 1854 went to Illinois and purchased another drove
of cattle, and drove them across the plains to California, making the third
trip, stopping during the Winter of 1854-55 on Cache creek. In the Spring they
took their cattle into the valleys below, and there engaged in the manufacture
of butter and cheese until late in August. He then went to Tomales, Marin
county. In 1856 he disposed of his stock and once more returned East, where he
married in Greene county, New York, on November 26, 1857, Miss Harriet, daughter
of William and Catherine Crapser. She was born in Dutchess county, New York,
October 6, 1825. In January, 1859, returned with wife to California, and settled
on his farm in Marin county. In the Summer of this year he came to Petaluma, and
soon after opened a crockery store, which business he followed till 1873, when
he disposed of it to T. J. Haskins and Prescott, since which time he has lived a
retired life. To him belongs the credit of building the Case block in Petaluma
in 1868. Carrie B., born December 28, 1860; Hattie C, born March 31, 1862, are
the names and births of their children.


Source: HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, Alley, Bowen & Co. 1880