Calvin C. Griffith - This old and respected pioneer of Napa County, whose portrait appears in this history, is the son of James A and Elizabeth Rogers Griffith, and was born in Chatham County, North Carolina, March 1,1828. When he was but seven years of age, his parents moved and settled in Macon County, Missouri, and engaged in farming and stock raising, and there the subject of this sketch received the education that the common schools of that place afforded at that early date. After a residence of ten years in Missouri, he, with his parents, with ox-teams started for California in company with others, among whom may be mentioned Mr. John York, David Hudson, James Gregson and Harvey Porterfield, and under command of John Grigsby, started from Independence, Missouri, to cross the then almost unknown plains, with the intention of going to Oregon. On their arrival at Fort Hall, however, they procured a guide, John Greenwood, who prevailed on them to change their route and come to California. A division of the original train took place - some going on to Oregon, while the balance turned their faces toward what afterward proved to be the Golden State. Among the latter, was the subject of our sketch, and with thirty wagons, out of as high at one time as one hundred and twenty-five, arrived in California, and we believe this to be the first train that ever successfully crossed the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They arrived at Johnsons Ranch October 17, 1845. In a few days they proceeded to Sutters Fort, near Sacramento, and there, building a raft, they crossed the Sacramento River and proceeded to Napa Valley, arriving on Mr. Yount's ranch November 1, 1845. After six months residence in this valley, Mr. Griffith and family were compelled to seek protection in the town of Sonoma on account of the Mexican War. Calvin Griffith was a volunteer under General Fremont, during the war in California, serving in all about nine months, receiving his discharge in April, 1847, and now has a medal made out of the brass of one of the cannons captured during this war. At the close of the war, Mr. Griffith returned to Sonoma, and went thence to the mines. In 1852, he embarked in farming, and in the fall of 1853, returned to Napa Valley, and engaged in farming near St. Helena, for three years. In 1856, he returned to Sonoma County, continuing farming on Mark West Creek until the spring of 1871. He then purchased his present property, consisting of eighty-three acres, and engaged in general farming, about one-half mile north of Rutherford. Mr. Griffith was united in marriage in St. Helena September 6,1855, to *Miss Lydia Lensibaugh, a native of Wisconsin. They have seven living children: Oliver C., Mary E., Alice M., Clara A., Albert J., George A. and Jessie G.

* According to, The Men of the California Bear Flag Revolt and their Heritage, by Barbara R. Warner.
Published by Arthur H. Clark Publishing Company for the Sonoma Valley
Historical Society, 1996, pages 103 /323, 324/467.
Miss Lydia Lensibaugh is: Lydia Senisbaugh Born 20 Dec. 1837 Lexington, MO, died 18 Feb. 1913, St.Helena, CA. Also according to family sources the birth place for Miss Lydia Lensibaugh is Lexington, MO.
Both Lydia and Calvin are buried in the Griffith plot in the St Helena Cemetery, there is also a Griffith / Standiford plot. Lydia died 18 Feb. 1913, St.Helena, CA.

G. Groezinger - Was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, September 18,1824. There he received his education, and learned the trades of hotel-keeping, baking, and wine-maker. He resided in his birthplace till 1840, when he went to Switzerland and embarked in hotel-keeping, which he continued till 1848, when he immigrated to America and settled in New York City. There he was engaged as head-waiter in the Delmonico Hotel. In January, 1848, he sailed in the steamer "Oregon " to Panama, and there engaged as steward on that steamer, but gave it up and came on to California, arriving in San Francisco February 22d of that year. He soon found employment as steward in a hotel, which he followed only a few months. He then proceeded to Yuba County, where he opened a general miners' store, which business he continued till 1854. He then made a trip to Switzerland, Germany and France, being absent one year, and returned to San Francisco, bringing along several thousand grape cuttings of best varieties. In 1858 he turned his attention to the manufacture of wine in San Francisco, buying his first grapes of Colonel Haraszthy, and paying him for the same three cents per pound. He has since continuously followed that business. In 1871 he came to Yountville and erected his present wine-cellar, a full history of which will be found in its proper place. He now owns five hundred and fifty acres of land, and has two hundred and thirty acres in vines. Married in 1872 to Kosalia Trondle, and has two sons, Gottlieb and Emile.

John Greer - Was born in Ireland. When he was eighteen years of age he went to England and remained for three years. He then went to the West India Islands, and resided there two years. In 1850 he went to Albany, New York, where he worked in a hotel for five years. In 1855 he came to California, arriving December 15th. He engaged in various pursuits till May, 1856, when he came to Napa County, locating at the White Sulphur Springs, and in the following year he took charge of the Spring's stables, and conducted them for the following fourteen years. He, in company with Mr. Tainter, purchased one hundred acres of land, on which is now situated the business portion of St. Helena, and he still resides on about thirty acres of that tract, lying on Spring street. He has also other extensive interests in Napa Valley. He was married in Albany, New York, October 15,1854, to Mrs. Ellen McGuire, a native of Ireland. Their children are Mary, John, Thomas, Clarence and Lizzie.

Jesse Grigsby - Whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Roane County, Tennessee, February 23, 1819, and is the son of George and Rebecca James Grigsby. When he was quite young his parents moved to Monroe County, that State, where he received his education and resided till 1837. He then went to Missouri and located in Pulaski County, where he engaged in farming and stock raising until 1840. He then moved to Greene County, and began the same business, which he followed until the spring of 1850. February 19th of that year he started across the plains for California, coming via Green River route and South Pass, entering the State by the Truckee route, and arrived in Napa County September 18th of the above year, and settled with his brother, Captain John Grigsby, who was then residing in the valley. Here he began farming and stock raising, which he followed till 1872, when he sold to D. Emerson. He then moved to Berryessa Valley and engaged in the same business, smd remained there for one year. He then gave up his farm to his son, P. D. Grigsby, and has since retired from business. He has held the office of Supervisor for two terms, and has always been one of Napa County's most staunch and stable farmers and citizens. He was married June 27,1837, to Margaret Alexander, who was born in Gifford County, North Carolina, in March, 1819, and they are still hale and hearty, after spending over forty-four years of married life. They have seven living children; Pulaski D., William T., John W., Rebecca, Willis P., James, Jesse F., all but one of whom are now living in Napa County.

P.D. Grigsby - Oldest son of Jesse and Margaret Alexander Grigsby, was born in Pulaski County, Missouri, April 30,1838. When he was hot two years of age his parents moved to Greene County, that State, and there resided until April, 1850, when they came to California, locating first in Napa Valley, where they arrived September 18th of that year. They resided near Yountville until 1857, when he embarked in business for himself. He began farming near Oakville, and remained there until 1859; he then moved to the Trancas, one and one-half miles above Napa City, which he rented for five years. In 1864 he purchased a farm on the "Big Ranch" road, and remained there until 1875. He then moved to his present place in Berryessa Valley, consisting of two thousand acres, and is extensively engaged in farming and stock raising. He was married August 26,1857, to Miss Louisa Crowey, who was born February 19,1840, and died February 25,1871, leaving the following children: Margaret J., born June 1, 1858; Jesse W., born December 11,1860; Rebecca, born September 2,1862; John W., born February 1,1864; Louisa D., born June 14,1865; William W., born November 11,1869. He married, secondly, November 14,1872, D. Garner, who was born March 2,1844. Their children are : Julia A., born December 29,1873; Nelson, born June 19,1875; Dana, born November 23,1876 ; Estella, born September 5,1878; and Homer, born April 23,1880.

C. Gosling - Was born in England January 16,1829. In 1836 he, with his parents, came to America and settled in Oakland County, Michigan. In 1846 he went to steamboating on the Mississippi River, running from Memphis to St. Louis. May 5,1850, he started overland to California, arriving in July of that year. He proceeded to Sacramento and began steamboating between San Francisco and Marysville, which he continued until March, 1851, when the steamer sunk. He then returned East via Panama, and returning to California overland, brought his family with him. He went to Sacramento and engaged in the hotel business, keeping the Bee Hive House, in connection with which he ran a bakery. In the fall of 1852 he went to near Freeport, on the Sacramento River, and engaged in farming. In 1869 he purchased his present place of two thousand acres in Berryessa Valley, and has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1879 he was elected Supervisor from his district. He was married August 11,1852, and now has seven children, as follows: Adela (now Mrs. F. G. Huskey), Mary E., Lucy E., William H., Emma M., Walter J., and Alice A. They have lost Frank W., Emily E., Austin F., and Letitia A.

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 PlacerviHe Augut 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.

Judge S. Clinton Hastings - The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Jefferson County, New York, November 22,1814, and is the son of Robert C. and Patience Brayton Hastings. His mother's family, the Braytons, were among the first settlers in that section of New York State. His father, a native of Boston, in early life moved from Rhode Island to the interior of New York, where he married, and reared a family of seven children, all of whom are now deceased except the subject of this sketch and one sister, Mrs. Suel Foster, now a resident of Iowa. When young Hastings was but ten years of age, his father moved to near Geneva, New York, where the father died at the end of a year. After this event occurred, he, with his mother's family, moved to St. Lawrence County, where he was nominally a member of the Governeur Academy for a period of six years, under the special instruction of two tutors, who were graduates of Hamilton College, New York. At the age of twenty he became principal of the Norwich Academy of New York, and filled that position for one year with great credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the institution, having in that short space of time fully restored the success of the academy. He then went to Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where he engaged in the study of law with Daniel S. Mayor and the Hon. Amos Lane for about two years. During the campaign of 1836 he edited a political paper in the interests of the Democratic Party. In the spring of 1837 he went to the then Blackhawk Purchase, now the State of Iowa, and settled at where is now the City of Muscatine; and was honored while a resident of that place, with the position of member of the Territorial Legislature of Iowa for several years. In 1846 he had the still greater honor conferred upon him of being elected to the United States Congress, being a member of the famous Mexican War or Twenty-ninth Congress. Upon his election Iowa was not yet admitted into the Union; but through his exertions she was added to the sisterhood of States, and he then took his seat. Upon his return from Congress, he was appointed Chief Justice of the State by the Governor. In the spring of 1849 he set out overland for California, arriving in Sacramento City in August of that year. He was elected by the Legislature of California to the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State. Having filled his term of two years, he was elected by the people to the office of Attorney-General. Having become almost entirely impoverished during his term upon the Bench, owing to the great expense of living at that time, he sought the office of Attorney-General, so that he might be able to practice his profession in connection with his office, and thus replenish his exchequer. At this time he had a family of four sons and three daughters. After practicing law for a year or two, his accumulations of property became so great and his interests so varied that he ceased its practice, and has since then to the present devoted his entire time to the management of his country and city real estate. He has made his home principally in Napa Valley, where he has a fine, large estate near Rutherford station. Here he has hurried his wife and two of his sons. He is extensively engaged in vineyards and vine planting in Napa and Lake Counties, and wool and wheat growing in other counties. For the last twenty years he has devoted a great amount of his time to foreign travel, and while abroad took occasion to investigate carefully the various systems of instruction in prominent institutions of learning in those countries. He has also carefully studied the systems of instruction hi the law in the prominent law schools of those countries and the United States. In 1878 he donated to the State of California, and paid into the Treasury thereof, the sum of $100,000 with which was founded the law department of the State University, which is known as the "Hastings College of the Law." The only conditions that restrict this magnificent bequest to the State by one of her most honorable citizens, is that no more than the amount of interest which would accrue from that sum at seven per cent, per annum, shall be expended out of this endowment for compensation to instructors in the department; and further, the privileges and benefits of the school shall not be confined to those only who intend to make the practice of law their life work, but it shall be free to all. The founder is thoroughly impressed with the grand truth that the study of jurisprudence in all of our institutions of learning, will conduce greatly to the advancement and advantage of the future of the commonwealth, hence the last condition of the bequest. Having fixed the course of study at three years, Judge Hastings has personally devoted the most of his time since the founding of the school, now three years, in establishing the institution and getting it into successful operation. The best of talent was secured at the first to fill the chairs, and professors and lecturers of eminence were employed. Judge Hastings was also instrumental in founding the St. Catharines Convent and School at Benieia. In 1869 he accompanied ex-Governor William H. Seward as an escort, on his celebrated voyage to Alaska, when that gentleman went there to "spy out the land," as it were, examine its resources, and form an opinion of the value of that country. The party proceeded to Alaska in the Oregon Steamship Company's steamer "Active," which was tendered to the Seward party, and they were absent from San Francisco about forty days. On his celebrated voyage around the world, ex-Governor Seward and suite were the guests of Judge Hastings for two weeks. On this occasion the Judge's eldest daughter, Clara L., was united in marriage with Col. E. C. Catherwood. It was agreed at this time between ex-Governor Seward and Judge Hastings that upon the arrival in New York City of the former gentleman from his voyage around the world, the latter should join him, and they together should proceed to the North Sea and explore the north-west coast of Norway and Sweden, The Governor was very urgent in desiring the Judge to spend a few months at his home in Auburn before they proceeded on their projected tour. With this object in view the Judge proceeded to New York City, and while waiting there to meet the Governor the latter died. The excessively warm friendship which existed between these two men was remarkable in many respects. In religion their thoughts ran in widely different channels, and in politics they were at antipodes. The ground for the attachment on the part of the Judge was that in ex-Governor Seward he recognized the greatest living ethnological philosopher, and on this account he was universally known as the "Sage of Auburn." Judge Hastings stands to-day in the front ranks of California's best men. From almost impecuniosity he has climbed the ladder of fortune, till he is to-day a millionaire, owning property in almost every county in the State. As a financier he is not excelled on the Pacific Coast, and we doubt if he is equalled. He is broad and liberal in his views, strong in his convictions, and thoroughly in earnest in whatever he undertakes. His is a mind well and richly stored with the golden cream of literature, and his library at his Napa homestead is a marvelous collection of the choicest works of the world. Through his munificent gift to the State in the endowment of the Law School his name will be justly perpetuated through the generations yet unborn, until the great commonwealth of California shall become a thing of the past, so long forgotten that its records will not cover a page of history. In 1845, in the city of Muscatine, Iowa, he was united in marriage with Miss Azella Brodt, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, who at the time of her marriage was only seventeen years of age. She died in 1874 at Pau, in the south of France. Her remains were brought home and are now resting in the family grounds in the cemetery at St. Helena. He has now six living children, two sons and four daughters, as follows: C. F. D., at present married and residing in Solano County, near Suisun, and is one of the prominent farmers of that section, being also largely interested in, and one of the trustees of the Bank of Suisun. He received his education principally in England, at the Trinity College, Cambridge; Robert P., his second son, was educated in England, in the primary branches, and .graduated from Harvard College, and is also a graduate of the Hastings Law School. He is at present engaged in the practice of that profession, being associated with R B. Wallace, Esq., son of ex-Chief-Justice W. T. Wallace. His eldest daughter, Clara L., was united in marriage in 1869 with Col. E C. Catherwood, and has been residing abroad for the past three years, educating her children. The second daughter, Flora A., was married in 1879 to W. S. Keyes, Esq., son of General E. D. Keyes, late of the United States army. His two younger daughters, Ella and Lellia are unmarried, and reside with their sister, Mrs. Keyes. We will conclude this sketch with the statement that we have not space to give in detail the many interesting incidents of this gentleman's life. He is a life-member of the California Pioneers, of which association he has been president; is a life-member of the Academy of Sciences, and at the special instigation of President D. C. Oilman, of the Johns Hopkins University, of the world-renowned botanist, Sir Joseph Hooker, and Dr. Asa Gray, procured contributions from several distinguished citizens, and caused to be published in two volumes the botany of the Pacific. This work was accomplished to rescue the botany from destruction. Dr. D. J. Whitney, in his prefatory note to the second volume, thus speaks of the subject of this sketch: That the volume of 1876 and the present one could be laid before the scientific public in a style worthy of the subject, and uniform with that of the other publications of the Geological Survey, is chiefly due to the zeal and liberality of Hon. S. C. Hastings, who solicited and obtained the necessary means for this purpose.

Hon. Chancellor Harston - Whose portrait will be found in the body of this history, is one of the pioneers of Napa County, and has acted a very important part in the history of both the county and city of Napa. He was born in Otsego County, New York, in 1824. At the age of twenty-one, in 1845, he received a diploma from the Madison University, an institution of learning second to none in his native State. Then he entered the Fowler Law School, located at Cherry Valley, from which he graduated with credit in 1848, and was soon after admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in New York. In 1850 he determined to seek his fortunes in the far-away gold fields of California, and he accordingly came to the State in that year. In July of the following year he came to Napa Valley, and has since remained here, doing giant service for the advancement of everything that would go to build up the commonwealth wealth among whom he had cast his lot. He at once entered upon the practice of law, and in September of that year was elected to the position of District Attorney. In September, 1853, at the close of his term of office as District Attorney, he was elected County Judge, which office he held until 1858. In 1856 he was found in the foremost ranks of the Republican party, just then springing into existence, and from that day to this he has ever been a staunch advocate of the principles he then espoused. In 1861 he was elected to the lower house of the State Legislature, and in 1862 to the upper house of the same body. In both the Assembly and the Senate he was appointed to serve on the Judiciary Committee, and was chairman of both committees. He remained in the State Senate until 1866, and by his entire devotion to the best interests of his constituency gained the admiration of all. At the close of this term of public service he returned to the pursuit of his profession, in which he remained until 1871, when he turned his attention to financial matters. In that year he aided in the establishment of the Bank of Napa, and was then elected to the position of president, which he filled until January 1,1879. In the meantime he also took a prominent part in the organization of the Bank of Lake, at Lakeport, and was for years a member of the Board of Directors of that institution. In 1879 W. J. Maday was elected to the Assembly, but shortly afterwards he was called from earthly scenes, and his place had to be filled. In casting about for a suitable man for the position, the eyes of the entire population seemed to turn instinctively upon Mr. Hartson, and despite his protestations he was elected by a large majority. In this session of our State Legislature, he was certainly the peer of any man upon the floor of either House, and his natural abilities as a close and careful financier, came into grand use when the subjects of revenue and taxation came up for discussion. His speech on Assembly Bill 404, which embodied those subjects, was the masterpiece of the session, and we may say of his life. So great was the demand for it, that in a very short time an edition of seventy-five thousand was exhausted. A short extract from it will give the reader a good idea of the character of the man who enunciated such grand sentiments : " I rise under deep feelings of embarrassment and regret, inspired principally by the painful reflection that in the advocacy of this great constitutional measure, I am in conflict with the wishes of many highly esteemed friends, in and out of this House, whose good will I crave, and for whose opinions I entertain the highest respect. Nothing but a strong sense of duty and a clear conviction of right has impelled me to take so dedded a stand, and maintain it with whatever of vigor and ability I possess. So far as I am concerned, I have no trouble in so construing that language as to tax all credits, all stocks and all property. I am decidedly in favor of rolling back and off the industries and lands of this State, and back on the bondholder and stockholder, the great burden of taxation that belongs to the latter class to bear.. I came here to do a great constitutional duty. I promised the suffering men and women of my home, when elected, that I would stand up for their rights against power and wealth, and prerogative. I am here by my voice to fulfill that promise. My judgment approves this measure, and the work done for its accomplishment is the work of my hand and my heart, as well as my intellect." In November, 1880, he was elected to the same position, and did good work in the Legislature of 1880-1. In 1881 he received the appointment of Collector of the Port of San Francisco, from President Garfield, the duties of which position he is now performing. For thirty years Mr. Hartsonhas resided among the people of Napa County; has been honored with high positions of honor and trust more frequently than any man in the county; has done as much as any man to advance the financial prosperity of the community in which he resides; and in no particular has he been found wanting. A man whose keen perceptions cause him to see the right, and a man who never fears to do it. The intimidations of enemies nor the pursuasive influence of friends, never cause him to swerve from his high sense of honor and justice. He was married in February, 1854, to Miss E. Burnell, who is a native of New York, and their children are: Burnell C., Ernest, Channing and Asenath.