Napa County

Biography of Charles Edward Graham of Yountville

Title Page vol 1 The New California

Charles Edward Graham, born September 29, 1838, in Cornwall, England, is an esteemed Civil War veteran and adjutant of the Yountville Veterans’ Home in Napa County, California. Son of Rev. Elliott Graham and Elizabeth Leeds, he received his education in England, including at Eton College, and traveled the world before moving to the United States in 1863. During the Civil War, he served as a lieutenant and later adjutant in the Fifth New York Heavy Artillery. Post-war, he worked as a traveling salesman and custom house assistant weigher. Graham moved to California in 1880 and took his current position in 1893. He married Frances Taverner in 1865, and they have three children: Charles E., Maude E., and Frances.

Biography of George Frank Gardner of Wooden Valley

Title Page vol 1 The New California

George Frank Gardner, born September 8, 1855, in Wooden Valley, Napa County, California, served as a dedicated public official in Napa County. By 1904, he was deputy tax collector and deputy treasurer. His parents, George Gordon and Sarah T. (Rice) Gardner, had roots in Arkansas and Tennessee, respectively. Gardner’s father was a Mexican War veteran who journeyed to California in 1849. Gardner’s career began in mercantile establishments before he was elected Napa County tax collector and treasurer in 1892, serving ten years. He married Dora L. Hill in 1880, and they had three sons. Gardner was active in Democratic politics and various fraternal organizations.

Biography of Hon. Frank L. Coombs

Title Page vol 1 The New California

While the disposition to do honor to those who have served well their race or their nation is prevalent among all enlightened people and is of great value everywhere and under all forms of government, it is particularly appropriate to and to be fostered in this country, where no man is born to public office or to public honor or comes to either by inheritance, but where all men are equal before the law, where the race for distinction is over the road for public usefulness and is open to everyone who chooses to enter, however humble and obscure he … Read more

Biography of Ebenezer Biggs

Title Page vol 1 The New California

Ebenezer Biggs, who is engaged in teaming and contracting at Napa, is a self-made man and all that he has enjoyed or possessed in life has come to him as the direct reward of his own labor. He started out for himself when but eights years of age. He was very young to face the world alone, but as the years have advanced he has progressed and his life has been characterized by industry, perseverance and steadfastness of purpose. He was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1826, and has, therefore, reached the seventy-eighth milestone on life’s journey at this … Read more