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 FREDERICK FISHER.  The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in the body of 
this work, was born in Bolivar, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, December 14, 1834, and is the son of George 
Frederick and Eva Hipple Fisher. His father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 10, 1811, and his 
mother was a native of Pennsylvania. He remained at his birthplace until 1856, receiving his education 
in the meantime. In April, of that year, he sailed from New York for California via, Panama, being at the 
latter place during the great riot. He then took passage on the "John L. Stevens" for San Francisco, 
where he arrived early in May. He immediately proceeded to Marysville, and thence to Bidwells Bar, 
where he engaged in staging from that place to American Valley. This business was followed till fall, 
when he came to Napa City and entered the employ of Nathan Coombs, thus becoming the agent for 
a daily stage line from Napa to Benicia, and which connected with boats at the latter place for 
Sacramento, Stockton and San Francisco. He retained this situation until the completion of the Napa 
Valley Railroad to Oak Knoll. He then accepted the position of express messenger for the Pacific Union 
Express Company, which he held for eighteen months, at the end of which time Wells, Fargo & Co. 
bought out the other company. He then came to Calistoga and put on a line of daily stages between 
that place and Healdsburg, which he continued until the completion of the North Pacific Railroad to the 
latter place. He then sold his stage stock and purchased the Lodi stable at Calistoga. In 1873 the Clear 
Lake Stage and Navigation Company was organized, of which he was a stockholder, a director, and also 
general superintendent. In 1876 he purchased the interest of the company, and has since conducted 
the business himself, in a first-class manner. Mr. Fisher is, in the parlance of the day, a " rustler".  a 
driving, energetic man; very prompt and liberal in all business matters; firm in his convictions, 
honorable and upright in all transactions with his fellow men. He believes that success in business 
depends upon personal supervision by the man most directly interested, hence he can always be 
found at his post. He has a fine residence at Calistoga, and is enjoying not only the fruits of a lucrative 
business, but also the confidence and esteem of a very extended circle of acquaintances. He was 
married on the llth of November, 1873, to Miss Agnes M. Safley, a daughter of Andrew Safley, who 
came to Calistoga with his family in 1865. Mrs. Fisher was born in Linn County, Iowa, October 9, 1853. 
Their children are Howard Frederick, born May 29, 1877, and Alice Hortense, born November 17, 1879, 
Elma Loeda, now deceased, was born October 19, 1874.