Solano County Biography
George Bingham
George Bingham - was born in Philadelphia, May 1,1820. At the ago of seventeen he went to learn the trade of bookbinding, with the firm of R. P. de Silver & Co.; and the next year he shipped on board the sloop-of-war " Dale," as first-class boy, and sailed to join the Pacific squadron, of which Commodore Jones was in command. Was present at the hoisting of the American flag at Monterey in August, 1831, when the coast was taken by the United States Government, eight days after returning it to the Mexicans. Remained on the coast about two months, then sailed to Callao, where he was transferred to the " Yorktown," and proceeded to New York, where he arrived in July, 1843. From 1843 till 1846 he remained in the Eastern States, and in the latter year he volunteered for the war in Mexico. In December of that year left Philadelphia to join the expedition; was present at the capture of Vera Cruz, Cerro-Gordo, taking of Conteras, Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec, and the storming of the city of Mexico; was with the forces two years, when, on the proclaiming of peace, he returned home, where he remained until 1849, when, on May 5th, he sailed for California, and arrived in San Francisco September 15,1849. On arrival, joined the police force on its first organization, under Malachi Fallen, John W. Geary being Alcade. Resigned in the spring of 1850, and went to the mines at Long bar, Yuba river, immediately prior to the discovery of gold in that part; remaining there one month he started for Slake creek, staying there until the Gold Lake excitement, when he proceeded thither. From there he went to Grass Valley, now American, and followed up the different ranges of mountains between the Pitt and Feather rivers to the head-waters of the latter at Goose lake, but found nothing. Returned to Nelson creek, where he struck good claims; stayed there a few day, then went to the east branch of Feather river and arrived at Rich Bar, where he remained two weeks, after which, he returned to San Francisco. Remained in that city five months, establishing himself in a saloon, but was burnt out in the fire of November, 1850. After this catastrophe he once more returned to Feather river; but, not being successful, he proceeded to Yreka, where gold diggings were found in Humbug creek. In 1851 Mr. Bingham again arrived in San Francisco, paid a visit to the Sandwich Islands; returning shortly after, he proceeded to the southern mines, in Sonora, from whence he went back to Yreka, and remained there six months, at which time the Gold-beach fever started every one in that direction, he amongst the others. In June, 1853, he found his way to Scott's bar, and, after two months, again removed to San Francisco, staying there for some time, when he once more departed for Sonora, and lived there seven years, at the end of which he returned to San Francisco, and at the outbreak of the rebellion, enlisted in the Second Cavalry, (Sacramento Rangers) in Company F, in which he remained for nine months, serving in the Provost's Guard at San Francisco, receiving his discharge there in 1862, when he came to Vallejo. From 1865 he worked for six years in the completing of the capitol at Sacramento, and returned to San Francisco, where he sojourned for one year, then locating in Vallejo in 1873. In 1876 visited the Centennial Exhibition, and finally came back to Vallejo, where he has since resided. Is a member of the Vallejo Pioneer's Association. Mr. Bingham's grandfather served in the Revolutionary war, under George Washington, and his father took part in the war of 1812. He married in the Sandwich Islands in 1850, and has one daughter, Madeline, who was born in Honolulu in 1851.
History of Solano County, California
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February Pages 332-333
Solano County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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