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


JOHN GILLAM.  Was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1830. At the age of sixteen 
he moved to Illinois, and was engaged in blacksmithing in Rushville for three years. In 1850 he crossed 
the plains to California, arriving at Placerville August 23d. He mined there for two months and then 
went to Coloma, where he engaged in the restaurant business. In 1851 he went to Mormon Island, 
and in 1853 to Mud Springs, El Dorado County, where he engaged in blacksmithing and continued until 
1860. He then came to St. Helena, Napa County, and began working at his trade, which he followed for 
ten years. He then took a contract for supplying wood to the Central Pacific Railroad, and remained in 
that business for six years. He then went to Salmon Creek, Mendocino County, and built a saw-mill in 
company with D. A. and J. A. McKinley. He is next found in Lodi as superintendent of a lumber 
company. In 1877 he returned to St. Helena, where he still resides. May 23, 1855, he married Miss 
Mary Perry, a native of North Carolina.