The first mills appeared on Humboldt Bay in 1850, powered by steamships run ashore. In 1855 there were nine mills on the bay and over 140 schooners in the lumber trade. One of the early routes, 1860's, from California to Humboldt County, California was crossing the Isthmus of Panama. Others routes were around South America.
William Carson was a native of Elmsville, Saint Patrick Parish, Charlotte County, N.B., Canada. He practically built up the town of Eureka the Capital of Humboldt County, CA. When he died he was worth $20,000,000. One writer states Mr. Carson moved to California in 1849 in search of gold and had the Carson mansion built in 1885.
In the 1880 Naturalization Records of Humboldt County, California, William's age was listed as 53 years old and naturalization papers taken out 2 Sep 1862.
William Carson was married late in life, in May 1864, when he was 38 to Sarah Wilson, who was also from New Brunswick. His wife died in May 1904 at the age of 71, therefore, born about 1833. William died 19 February 1912, based on his marriage of 38 in 1864, he must have been born about 1826.
It is stated they had five children born in the marriage - three sons and two daughters. Carson left his business to his sons, and when they died, they left large legacies. The first son to die was Charles Sumner Carson on 06 Oct 1933, followed by Wiliam Wilson Carson on 28 Oct 1938. John Milton Carson was the last one to die on 25 Aug, 1941.
Amos H. Connick was office manger for Mr. Carson. He died in April
6, 1921 in Eureka, CA and bequeathed $80,000. My grandfather Warren
Hasty received $1000 from this estate in about 1926. His parents
were William & Ann (Connick)
Hasty.