Solano County Biography
William S Brooks
William S Brooks - was born in Franklin County, New York, in 1820. When quite young he removed with his parents to New Orleans, and at twelve years of age returned to Brooklyn, New York. In 1832 shipped on board the "Henry Clay," then the largest vessel sailing out of the port of New York, and made a voyage to Liverpool, England, following a seafaring life up to 1846, when he shipped in the United States sloop-of-war "Prebble," as convoy to Stevenson's regiment, which was then on its way to California, and arrived in San Francisco in March, 1847. The vessel lay two months in that harbor, during which time a party of eighteen men, under command of Lieutenant Larnnan, afterwards Commodore, was despatched up the Carquinez straits in search of a boat reported missing, which was conveying $80,000, or thereabouts, pay for the troops at Sutter's fort. (The boat has never since been heard of.) On the cruise, landed at what is now called Mare Island, where he remained about two weeks. On making the island, they saw two wigwams standing where the magazine and flagstaff now are, while on the Vallejo side, there was one at the foot of Main street, of to-day. Since then he has, on more than one occasion, dug up the bones of Indians who had been buried on the spot where Woods Hotel is built, on that street. On another occasion, a party landed where Starr's flour-mills are now, in South Vallejo, to shoot beef, but after killing one animal, the cattle gave chase, when they were driven back to the boat. Up till 1850 was in government employ, on board of men-of-war, during which time he visited China, Japan, and the Sandwich islands; then shipped on board the Revenue brig "Lawrence," and was wrecked in her outside the heads at the Golden Gate in 1852. Afterwards was employed in the Appraiser's store of the Custom House in San Francisco, where he remained seven years and four months, then came to the Navy Yard in Vallejo, in 1858, where he has ver since been employed. Has been Acting Gunner of the U. S. S. "Independence," guard ship at the Yard, and is now Machine Tender to the sectional docks there.
Mr. Brooks married, firstly, at San Francisco, B. M. Maguire, in 1856, (died 1858) by whom he has one son, William Charles, born 1856. Secondly, Catherine Irena Coen, married 1860, by whom he has: George T., born October 30, 1862; Mary Emma, born April 8, 1865 ; James C.,born June 26,1868; John, born March 26, 1870; Gertrude B., born January 26, 1873, Loretta Anna, born January 28, 1876 ; and Angeles Agnes, born February 18,1878.
History of Solano County, California
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February Page 334
Solano County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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