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


THOMAS H. EPLEY.  Was born in Washtenaw County, Michigan. October 18,1836, and is the second 
child of Henry K. and Rachel Moe Epley. He resided at his birthplace until 1852, receiving his education 
in public and private schools in the meantime. In the fall of that year, he went to Fayette County, 
Iowa, where he built the first house in Brush Creek. In the spring of 1853, he erected the first hotel in 
that place. In that year he moved to Central Point, Goodhue County, now Lake City, Wabasha County, 
Minnesota, where he engaged in farming for three years. He then went to work for Starr, in a saw-mill 
at Lake City. In 1857, he went to Davenport, Iowa, on a raft. In the fall of that year he returned to 
Michigan. Thence in 1858, he went to Lake City, and thence to Omaha, where he spent the summer, 
and in the fall he went to Savannah, Missouri. In 1859 he returned to Omaha, and during that year he 
crossed the plains to California with ox-teams, and arrived September 20th. He first worked on a ranch 
in Lassen County, and then run an engine in a saw-mill. In the spring of 1860, the mill was moved to 
Washoe Valley, and was the first steam mill ever put up in Washoe County, Nevada. During that spring 
the Piute War broke out, and he enlisted in the volunteer service, and was detailed to guard Carson 
City, and was not in any active engagements. After this excitement died out he finished the erection 
of the mill, and ran it for Penroad & Lewis, until the fall of that year. He then rented the mill, paying a 
rental of $1,000 per month, and ran it for six months. In the spring of 1863, he built a, house in Gold 
Hill, where he ran a lumber yard, and also purchased forty feet in the Crown Point Mine, and set the 
first engines to work on it, and worked there for six. months at six dollars a day. On account of failing 
health he began teaming. In 1864, he traded his Gold Hill property for a section of land in Honey Lake 
Valley, Lassen County, California, and farmed until 1874, when, in the spring of that year he moved to 
Napa County. While living in Honey Lake Valley he owned a saw-mill, which he lost by fire. He began 
his present business of stationery, notions, etc., in 1874, and conducts it in connection with Mr. L. 
Paccaud. He was married January 1, 1858, to Miss Mary E. Robinson, a native of Calhoun County, 
Michigan. They have three children: Dora M., Carl and Myrtle Leona.