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 SCOTT KISTER.  Third son of Jacob E. and Catherine Hart Kister, whose portrait appears in this 
work, was born in Newberrytown, York County, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1828. At his birthplace he was 
educated at the common schools, and there served an apprenticeship to the boot and shoemaker's 
trade, and resided there till September 7, 1850. He then emigrated and settled in Decatur, Illinois, 
where he followed his trade and carpentering till March 22, 1853. He then came across the plains to 
California. When three days travel from the Platte River, Mr. Kister started on in advance of the train in 
the morning, and after walking a few miles he was attacked on both sides by two Pawnee Indians, 
who walked him in front of them for three hours, trying to find out the size of the train and number of 
men behind, and would probably have killed him had he not made them believe that he had a 
revolver in his inside vest pocket. He entered the State by the Lassen cut-off, and arrived at Shasta 
City August 22d of that year. He immediately proceeded to Mill Creek, forty miles from Shasta, where 
he engaged to drive ox-teams, drawing lumber to the Sacramento River, at which occupation he 
continued till the fall rains. He then went, by their orders, to one mile above Tehama, where he made 
rails and fenced a farm for Black & Sanborn. Late in February, 1854, he went to Middletown, Shasta 
County, where he worked one week in the mines, and then returned to Shasta City, and was 
employed by the Clear Creek Mining Company; and after he had been with them two weeks he was 
honored with the position of foreman of the sluice, and worked with that company till July. He then 
came to St. Helena, Napa County, and leased the Bale saw mill, and sawed lumber during the winter of 
1854-5. At the same time he leased David Hudson's farm, which he continued to conduct till 
November, 1856. He then moved to St. Helena, and erected a small building, where he began the boot 
and shoe trade, and in which he continued till 1865. He then sold his interest, and moved to Conn 
Valley and began farming, which he followed till 1869, when he again returned to St. Helena and 
purchased his present place, consisting of twenty-one acres, where he has since been engaged in 
grape growing. He was united in marriage February 18, 1862, with Miss Julia Etta Spear, who was born 
near Aurora, Kane County, Illinois, December 2, 1842, and by this union they have two living children: 
Alice Emma, born December 27, 1863, and Lilian Ainsworth, born November 6, 1869.