Isaac Alter - This worthy pioneer of Lake County was born in Pennsylvania, March 5, 1821. Here the boy grew up and reached manhood's estate, receiving, in the meantime, a very liberal education. At the early age of nineteen he sundered the ties which bound him to his boyhood's home, and bade a long farewell to the dear associations of the happy days of his youth. Striking out boldly for himself at this time, he pushed westward into the State of Ohio, which was then in the rude condition of pioneerism. Here the youthful adventurer engaged in school teaching in winter and farming in summer, until 1846. Again the spirit of unrest came over him, and he pushed one step farther into the great and nearly boundless empire of the then almost unknown West, taking up his residence in Indiana. Here he followed farming for the next four years, when the old desire came upon him to follow up the star of empire, and another step westward was made. This time he planted the stakes of his tent on the broad and fertile prairies of Iowa, where he again engaged in farming which he followed until the spring of 1852. Long had he heard the marvelous stories concerning this wonderful land of gold - California, and long had he withstood the almost consuming desire to be himself among the band of hardy pioneers, who were destined to change the wilds of nature into the blooming gardens of civilization, and at this time he fully resolved to push across the. plains and reach this wonderful Mecca, concerning which such goodly reports continued to fill the air. Accordingly in the spring of 1852 he made the necessary arrangements for the long and tedious, as well as dangerous trip across the plains, and set sail in a " prairie schooner " for the land of gold. After quite a wearisome, though comparatively expeditious journey, he arrived at the Indiana diggings, in El Dorado County, August 26th of that year. Once arrived in the State he began mining, and continued this occupation in connection with hotel-keeping for the following two years. In 1854 we find that he purchased a farm in the same county, and that he moved upon it and prosecuted that occupation until August, 1858. He then began casting about for a suitable place to make for himself and family an enduring abiding place, and fortunate circumstances directed his steps to Lake County. After viewing it over he decided to locate in a lovely and well sheltered little dale on the northern side of that most lovely sheet of water, dear Lake, which he has so very appropriately designated by the name of Paradise Valley. Here he has a beautiful home, and is surrounded with all that goes to make up the sum of human happiness during his earthly existence. His fine farm consists of five hundred acres of excellent land, and he devotes his attention to farming and wool growing. His son Henry has a beautiful steam yacht that he built himself, which brings them into easy communication with the outside world at any point on the lake, and his charming place is the surprise and admiration of all who pass by or visit it. Mr. Alter is one of those solid, substantial citizens who are the very bone and sinew of a new country, and his vast experience in pioneer life well fits him for assuming the duties of a citizen in any new country. He was united in marriage, February 3,1842, with Miss Catharine Brundridge, a native of New York, and by this union they have one son, Henry.

Joel G. Ashley - Was born in Pennsylvania August 2,1881. When he was six years of age he, with his grandfather, moved to Wisconsin, where thirteen years were spent. While here he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1850 he came to California, and spent about four years in the mines; then engaged in butchering, which he followed at different places until 1860. He then went to the Humboldt Mines in Nevada, where mining was followed for about two years. We next find Mr. Ashley engaged in butchering in Folsom, Sacramento County, for about one year. He then engaged in carpentering at Colfax, Placer County, until 1869, when he came to Lake County. After residing on rented farms for about four years, he settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and seventy-eight acres, located about seven and one-half miles south of Lower Lake. Here he is engaged in farming and wool growing. Mr. Ashley married January 1,1860, Miss Catherine S. Whiteside, a native of Illinois. They have four living children : William I., Alice M., Charles R., and Ida M., and have lost one, David B.

Hiram Allen - Was born in Wood County, Ohio, January 21,1822. When eleven years of age he engaged as clerk in a commission house in Erie County, which occupation he followed until 1849, when he crossed the plains with mule teams to California, and arrived at Placerville September 12th of the above year. After mining for one year we find Mr. Allen engaged in clerking in Jackson, Amador County, which he followed one year. He then returned via Nicaragua, to the East, where he remained until 1853, when he again crossed the plains, bringing with him this time his wife. After a slow and tedious journey Jackson, Amador County, was reached October 12,1856. Here he engaged in hotel-keeping and other occupations until 1861, when he came to Lake County and located at Lakeport, where he conducted a livery and feed stable for a few months, after which he engaged in farming for three years. We next find him in Sutter County, where one year was spent, when he returned to Lake County and engaged in farming in Big Valley, which he followed for two years. In 1866 he settled at Lower Lake, and in 1871 was elected Assessor, which office he held for eight years. He next engaged in merchandising at Lower Lake, which he followed until the spring of 1881, when he sold his stock to H. R. Bolter. Mr. Allen married, February 15,1849, Miss Henrietta M. Bill. Their children are, Fannie C., Maria J. and Mollie. They have lost Seneca, Mary C. and Nellie.

Charles W. Armstrong - Was born in Washington Territory, November 5,1858. He resided on a farm with his parents, during which time he received his primary education at Vancouver. In the year 1869 he came with his parents to California, and spent the following winter in Tehama County. In the spring of 1870 they went to Chico, Butte County, where the subject of this sketch attended the High School Moved to Lower Lake, Lake County, the following year, after which he spent a few months in a printing-office. He then began the drug business in the store of F. Delmont, where he continued for several years. Afterwards became manager for J. Ivancovich. He then came to Middletown, and spent the summer of 1875 in brickmaking, with his father. His father then bought the Pioneer Drug Store of Messrs. Whiting & Smith, and the son took the management of it. In June, 1878, the business was sold to William Amesberry, Charles still remaining manager; and in March, 1879, he became sole proprietor. The business has rapidly improved under his ownership, and is now very prosperous. In 1879 he became manager of the telegraph office at Middletown, and still retains the position. He was married August 7, 1878, to Miss Amanda M. Poulson, a native of Napa County, and they have one bright little girl, Evelina, born June 16,1879.

David Alexander - Was born in Pennsylvania March 15,1830. When he was eighteen years of age he went to Ohio and engaged in the milling business for four years. He then returned to his native State and engaged in farming until 1855, when he came to California via Nicaragua, arriving at San Francisco May 10th. He engaged in mining, which he followed at different places until 1863, when he went to Humboldt County and followed staging for one year. A year was then spent in Nevada, engaged in prospecting. In 1865 he returned to Nevada County, California, and followed mining for eleven years. In 1876 he came to Lake County and leased the Bartlett Springs property, which he conducted until the spring of 1881. He was married December 30,1866, to Mrs. Pauline Twiggs, a native of Missouri. She has, by her first marriage, one son, Milton E.

William D. Bassett - Was born in Ohio February 4,1842. Here farming was prosecuted until 1853, when, with his parents, he came to California. They crossed the plains with ox-teams, and arrived in Tehama County in October of the above year. Farming was followed in that county for three years, after which they moved to Sonoma County, and resided near Santa Rosa until July, 1858, when they came to Lake County, and settled about four miles south from Milddletown. Here they resided until 1867, when they bought what is known as Glenbrook, in Cobb Valley, where they are engaged in farming and stock raising, as well as keeping a summer resort.

W.J. Butler - Was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, October 29, 1842. When but a child his parents moved to Iowa, where they settled on a farm. At the age of twenty the subject of this sketch crossed the plains to California, and arrived at San Francisco June 19,1863. After about two months, which were spent in the city, he went to Solano County, where he worked at farming until the fall of 1866, when he came to Lake County, where he still resides. Mr. Butler settled on his present place in Big Valley consisting of five hundred acres, in 1869, and is engaged in stock raising. He married, November 5,1866, Miss Annie G. Ryan, by whom he has six children: James, William, John, Edmond, Elizabeth and Frances A.

E.W. Britt - Was born in Cass County, Missouri, December 25,1855. He received his education at the North Missouri State Normal School, and at the Missouri University at Columbia. In December, 1877, at the age of twenty-two, he began the study of law at Harrisonville, the county seat of his native county, in the office of Messrs. Wooldridge & Daniel, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Missouri in April, 1878. In the same month he came to California, and to Lake County in May following. Here he entered into partnership with Hon. S. K. Welch, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. Britt is an exceptionally close student, and by strict attention to his work in hand has built for himself a reputation that is second to none in Lake County. A very prominent attorney once remarked to us that Mr. Brittcame the nearest to being a natural born lawyer of any man he had ever met, and we are sure that he but stated a truth which is observed by all who are brought into contact with him.

S.G. Butler - Was born in Pennsylvania, August 29,1830. Here he resided on a farm with his parents until 1854, when, with his family, consisting of wife and one child, he moved to Hamilton County, Iowa. Here he followed farming until 1869, when he came to California and settled in Coyote Valley, where he followed farming for one year. He then moved into Loconoma Valley, about one and one-half miles from Middletown, where he still resides, being engaged in farming. Mr. Butler married February 28,1854, Miss Angeline Simpson, a native of Pennsylvania. By this marriage they have five living children: Alta U., William E., Rhoda E., Stella M., and Margaret S.; and have lost two, Theodore M., and Eva.

Jacob Bower - Was born in Stockstadt, Bavaria, Germany, on the river Main, March 31,1821. When eleven years of age he, with parents, moved to Maryland, and after three years settled in Knox County, Illinois. Here farming was followed until 1843, when they took up their abode in Iowa. In 1847 the subject of this sketch crossed the plains to Oregon. Here he spent eighteen months on the Columbia River, part of the time in the employ of a Columbia River bar pilot In April, 1849, Mr. Bower came to California and engaged in mining until 1853, when he engaged in dairying near Smiths Flat, Sierra County. This he followed until 1855, when a change was made to stock raising and farming, which was continued until 1881. In 1857 he came to Napa County and settled where Lower Lake wharf landing stands, but was driven away from there by the Clear Lake Water Company's dam of 1867 and 1868. In 1867 he settled on his present place, consisting of four hundred and eighty acres, located in Burns Valley. He also owns about three hundred acres at the Lower Lake landing. Mr. Bower married, March 9,1855, Miss Clarinda Thomas, a native of Illinois, by whom he has two living children, Henry T. and Allen V., and has lost two, Sophia and Ada F.

Peter Burtnett - The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, March 20,1822. His mother died when he was quite young, and he resided at his birthplace with his father until 1840, when he, leaving his father, went to Richland County, same State, where he learned the millwright's trade. In 1842 he went to Knox County, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for seven years. He then filled the office of deputy sheriff and sheriff alternately, until 1860. He then came overland with horse and ox-teams to California, arriving in Napa County September 22d of that year. He at once engaged in his former occupation in connection with farming, which he followed until 1867. He then moved to Lake County and located about two and one-half miles from Kelseyville, where he built a flouring mill for other parties, but he finally bought them out and still owns the mill, it being under the management of his son, Charles G. In the fall of 1879, the subject of this sketch was elected to the office of Sheriff on the Republican ticket, which position he still holds. This fact alone is a fair indication of Mr. Burtnett's popularity in the county in which he resides, as it is Democratic by quite a large majority. In March, 1880, he moved to Lakeport, where he at present resides. While living in Napa County he was honored with the office of Supervisor for five years, and is well and favororably known all over the county. Mr. Burtnett was married March 20, 1843, to Miss Christiana Speck, a native of Ohio. They have five living children: William C., Sarah, Marvin L., Charles G., and Emma L., and one adopted daughter. They have lost one, Annie.

William Ballinger - Was born in South Carolina, November 22, 1823. When twelve years of age his parents moved to Boone County, Missouri, and settled on a farm. The subject of this sketch resided with his parents until 1857, when he "came the plains across" with ox-teams, arriving in Placer County September 15th of the above year. After a rest of a few days he continued his journey to Sonoma County and located on a farm near Healdsburg. Here he followed farming until the fall of 1870, when he come to Lake County and settled in Big Valley, where he resided about eighteen months, after which he settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and twenty-three acres, located in Bachelor Valley, where he is engaged in farming. Mr. Ballinger married, February 18,1847, Miss Elizabeth A. Payne, a native of Missouri. Their children are, Mary J., Laura C., Susan F., Julia A., Celia I., Alice E., and Hattie L.

Henry Bond - Was born in England March 12,1832. In 1848 he immigrated to New York and engaged in farming until 1854, when he came via Nicaragua to California, and arrived at San Francisco April 1st of the above year. Mr. Bond went at once to Mormon Island, where he followed mining for three years. In 1859 he came to Lake County and located in Coyote Valley, where he followed stock raising until 1860, when he settled on his present place, consisting of one thousand acres, located in Morgan Valley, where he is engaged in stock raising and wool growing. He was married, June 20, 1860, to Miss Martha Capps, by whom he has two children: John and Joseph. He married secondly, February 21,1871, Miss Mary Gentry. By this marriage there are four children: Mary, Frank, Mattie and Maud I.

H.R. Bolter - Was born in Oneida County, New York, May 17, 1825. Here he attended school until 1844, when he went to Iowa, where about four months were spent. He next went to Missouri, where he taught school one term and then returned to Iowa. The following two years were spent at clerking in a store. We next find Mr. Bolter in New Orleans, where he remained one winter and then again returned to Iowa. In the spring of 1849 he started across the plains for California, and, after a long, tedious trip with ox-teams, arrived at Sacramento in September of the above year. The succeeding eleven years were spent in mining at different places, and in June, I860, he came to Lake County, where he has since resided. He first located in what is known as Cold Valley, where he followed farming and stock raising until the fall of 1880. At that date he sold out and returned East on a visit, where he remained about five months; then returned to Lake County, and is at present engaged in general merchandising at Lower Lake.