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


THEODORE VAN TASSELL. The subject of this sketch was born in New York City, April 11, 1 834, where 
he was educated at the common schools, and resided until his twentieth year. At the age of twelve he 
was apprenticed to the trade of hatter, and at this he continued up to his leaving his native State, with 
the exception of one year spent in a commission house. June 18,1854, found Mr. Van Tassell on board 
the steamer "Surprise," Captain Ned Wakman, bound for California, coming via, the Straits of 
Magellan, and after a passage of six months entered the Golden Gate December 14, 1854. After a 
short time spent in visiting his relations who had preceded him to this coast, he found employment in 
the hat store of O. H. Boyd & Co., where he remained until 1857. After one year spent on a farm near 
Sacramento, he again returned to San Francisco, and took charge of a hat store for J. B. Le Gay, and in 
1862, in partnership with Wm. H. Mead, and under the firm name of Mead & Van Tassell, he 
conducted a mercantile house in that city. After a short time he bought his partner's interest in the 
stock and moved to the Russ House Block, and there carried on business until 1867, and then accepted 
a position in the insurance office of R. B. Swain & Co. In July, 1871, he moved to Napa County, and after 
spending one year with his father-in-law on the "Hillside" farm, near St. Helena, he entered the 
employ of J. A Jackson & Co., lumber merchants. This firm selling out in 1874, Mr. Van Tassell 
succeeded them, and remained in this business until 1880, when he took charge of the White Sulphur 
Springs Hotel, which he conducted to the satisfaction of all the patrons of that noted summer resort. 
The subject of our sketch was united in marriage in San Francisco July 23, 1863, to Miss Emma S. 
Pollock, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and by this union they have four children. Their names are, 
Theodore S., Emily F., Florence L. and Philip L.