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


GESSNER, WILLIAM. Was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 27, 1821. Here he received a collegiate 
education, and in September, 1839, set sail for America aboard the " Oceana," which was wrecked 
near Jamaica, where the crew was detained, about one month. They then got relief by the 
Government, and finally arrived at New Orleans about the 23d of December, 1839. Mr. Gessner went 
at once to Illinois, where he taught the German language two winters, working in a brick-yard in the 
summer. In the spring of 1842 he engaged as clerk in the hardware store of Charles Wolf & Co., in St. 
Louis. Here he remained until July, 1844, when he went to New Orleans, where he followed clerking 
until January, 1845, when he enlisted in the 2d Dragoons of the regular United States service, and was 
engaged in the war with Mexico, serving through the war. He was discharged January 20, 1850, at 
Sonoma, Sonoma County, California. Mr. Gessner was engaged for three months in the 
quartermaster's office at Benicia, after which he went to the mines, and after spending about three 
months came to Solano County and engaged in farming in Suisun Valley, where he remained until the 
spring of 1864, when he sold his farm and went via Panama to Pennsylvania, where he remained but a 
short time. He returned across the plains with horse and mule teams, and arrived in Suisun Valley in 
August. In October, 1864, he came to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of two 
hundred and forty acres, located at the head of Scotts Valley, where he is now engaged in farming. 
Mr. Gessner was elected Supervisor in September, 1879, which office he still holds.