California Biographies

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

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


WILLIAM R. COOPER.   Was born, in Buffalo, New York, January 7, 1830. At the age of fourteen, he 
learned the miller's trade. February 1, 1853, he sailed for California on the steamer "Ohio," via 
Aspinwall, and arrived at San Francisco March 3d of that year. He went to the mines on Bear River, and 
at the end of a month returned to San Francisco and engaged in his business, which he followed, with 
the exception of one year spent in Sacramento, till June, 1859, when he came to Napa County. He 
began working for Heald, Seawell & Gregg at the milling business, and at the end of eight months 
purchased Mr. Gregg's interest. He continued in the business until June 11, 1877, when he became 
sole proprietor, and has since conducted the business - the Vernon Mills. He was married in 1856 to 
Elizabeth Bunting, a native of Erie County, New York. Their children are Ella M., and Herbert L