P.H. Thorton M.D. - Was born in Tennessee, fifty miles east of Memphis, January 13,1836. He received his education at Chalmers Institute, in Mississippi, graduating in 1852. In 1853 he commenced the study of medicine in Louisville, Kentucky, where he graduated in 1856, and in 1857 commenced the practice of medicine near Memphis, Tennessee, which he continued until 1861, when he joined the army, serving as medical inspector and surgeon under General Hardee until the retreat from Tollaheoma, Tennessee; then under Lieutenant-General Wheeler as chief surgeon to all the infantry, until the surrender of Lee. He then returned to Memphis and engaged in the commission business for one year. Then practiced medicine until the fall of 1873, when he was compelled to retire from practice on account of failing health. In 1875 he came to California, and, after a residence of about four months in San Jose, he came to Lake County and located at Lakeport, where he is at present engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Thornton married, January 13,1869, Miss Bell J. Dockery, a native of Columbia, Tennessee. They have two living children: Mary H. and Bruce P.; and have lost two: Percy and Glover.

L.B. Tremper - Was born in Niagara County, New York, January 24,1825. Here he resided with his parents on a farm until 1844, when the family moved to Lake County, Indiana. Here the father engaged in farming, and the boy worked at farming, milling and blacksmithing until late in 1849, when he went to Galena, Illinois. Here he joined a party of five others, and in the spring of 1850 they started across the plains, bound for California. They came with horse-teams, and arrived in El Dorado County July 31st of that year. Here he engaged in blacksmithing until September 1st, when he sold out his shop and tried his luck at mining. He followed it for four months, and when he "cleaned up" found that he had made $35! He says that the "diggins" were good enough, but he did not understand how to work them. He then engaged as boss of a gang of hands to conduct a "Long Tom" for $2 per day, which he followed for one month. He then helped to construct the first quartz mill ever put up in California, it being located on Mathews Creek, El Dorado County. In the fall of 1851 he was working at getting out timber at $8 per day, when he met with a serious accident-the cutting of his knee-which laid him up for fourteen months, and from the effects of which he has suffered to this day. In the fall of 1852 he opened a blacksmith shop in El Dorado County, where he remained about three months. He then again engaged in mining until the spring of 1854. He then went to Shasta County, and from there to Arcata, and then back to Weaverville, where he was sick with the chills. He then mined a little while, and then went to Tehama and bought a ranch in partnership with two others. At the end of four months he sold out to his partners, and returned to El Dorado County and engaged in mining until 1858. He then went to Napa County and opened a blacksmith shop, which he run until the fall of 1859. He then went to San Jose and worked at his trade for about three months. He then, in the spring of 1860, came to Lake County and opened a blacksmith shop in Coyote Valley, where he worked until the spring of 1861. He then came to Lower Lake and opened a shop, which he run for seventeen years; since which time he has been engaged in farming. He has one hundred and sixty acres where he resides, in the environs of the town of Lower Lake, and one hundred and sixty acres about five miles above that town. In 1872 he paid a visit to Indiana, being gone about four months. Married, May 23,1863, Miss Matilda Slater, a native of Illinois. They have five living children: William G., Christopher, Diantha, Nellie and Julia; and have lost one, Henry.

D.V.Thompson - Was born in Missouri, June 28, 1820. When about sixteen years of age he, with his father, made a trip to Florida, where they remained about nine mouths. On returning to Missouri the subject of this sketch engaged in school-teaching, which he followed until 1839. He then spent two years clerking on different steamers plying between St. Louis and St. Joseph. The next year was spent in farming, after which he engaged as clerk in a general merchandise store in St. Joseph, Missouri, which he followed about eighteen months. In 1844 he was elected Sheriff of Buchanan County, Missouri, which office he filled to the full satisfaction of the people. About July 1, 1846, he joined Company "H," Donovan's Regiment, and went to Mexico, where he served as a private for one year. He then returned to Missouri and engaged in merchandising in Holt County until the spring of 1849, when he sold out and crossed the plains to California. He left Missouri May 1, 1849, and arrived at Lassens Ranch October 14th of the above year, making the trip with ox-teams. Like all who arrived in the days of '49 he engaged at once in mining, which he followed, in the northern part of this State and in Oregon, until November, 1853, when he sailed via Nicaragua for the land of his birth, where he arrived January 8,1854. Here he remained until the following spring, when he again crossed the plains, this time bringing a drove of cattle. He arrived in Contra Costa County in September of the above year, where he remained until December, 1856, when he moved to Solano County and located near Vacaville. Here he followed stock raising in connection with farming until November, 1863, when he came to Lake County and located where he now resides, about one-half mile south from Upper Lake. Here he owns about two hundred acres of land, and is engaged in farming. Mr. Thompson has held the office of Justice of the Peace for the past eight years. He married, in October, 1856, Miss Martha C. Powell, a native of Missouri. Their children are, Bettie, William A., Jeff. L. and Minnie R.

George Tucker - Was born in Kentucky, April 3, 1812. His father was a farmer, and George lived with him until his death. At the age of fourteen he commenced work in a distillery, which he followed for about eight years. He then engaged in farming for about three years, and then returned to his former occupation, which he followed for about eight years. He then again turned his attention to farming for about three years, and then again resumed the business of distilling, which he followed for about two years. He then went to Missouri and engaged in farming until 1859, when he crossed the plains with ox-teams, arriving in the Sacramento Valley September 15th of that year. He spent about two months in Butte County, and then went to Coloma County and followed farming one season. In September, 1860, he came to Lake County and settled in Scotts Valley, where he engaged in farming until 1864. In November of that year he settled about one mile south of Lakeport, where he has since resided. Since his residence in Lake County he has filled the position of County Surveyor for three terms, and has held the position of Deputy United States Surveyor and Deputy County Surveyor for several years. Mr. Tucker was married in July, 1835, to Miss Eliza Tomlinson, who died in August, 1841, leaving two children, Jeremiah and Laura A.; the former is now deceased. He married secondly, in June, 1847, Miss Joan Yager, who died in the spring of 1856, leaving five living children: John W., Mordecai, Benjamin F., George R., and Frederick N.; and they have lost, George R. and Frederick N., in California. In June, 1856, he was united in marriage, for the third time, with Mrs. Martha C. Shirley, and they have one living child, Joseph M,, now a resident of Washington Territory.

Richard P. Thurber - Was born at Saratoga Springs, New York, May 17,1823. When he was seventeen years of age, he engaged as apprentice to the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1856, when he engaged in merchandising. This business he followed about five years, when he closed out and went to Michigan. Here he followed carpentering for about twelve years. In the fall of 1880 he came to California, since which time he has been a resident of Lake County, and is engaged in the lumber business at Rice's mill.

S.A. Thompson - Was born in North Carolina, December 20,1852. When but a child his parents crossed the plains to California, and settled at Folsom, Sacramento County. In 1863 they came to Lake County, and after a residence of, about two years at Lower Lake moved to Big Valley. In 1871 the subject of this sketch went to Cloverdale, and after a short residence there went to Sacramento, where he worked in a machine shop for about two years. He then returned to Lake County, and, after filling the position of engineer at Bogg's mill for three years, he took up his residence at Rice's mill, where he fills the same position. Mr. Thompson married, December 18,1876, Miss A. Benton, a native of California, and they have two children: Carrie M. and Emma L.

Rev. D.T. Taylor - Was born in Missouri, December 26, 1829. Here he resided with his parents on a farm until twenty years of age, when he crossed the plains with an ox-team and arrived at Sacramento September 16, 1850. Like all who came at that early day, he engaged in mining, which he followed five years. We next find him in Petalnma, Sonoma County, where he followed the wood business for two years. He then returned, via Panama, to Missouri, where he prosecuted farming for fourteen months, after which he returned to California, arriving at San Francisco January 12,1859. After attending school at Healdsburg, Sonoma County, for about eight months, he engaged in fanning, which he followed until 1869. He then came to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and ninety-three acres, located in Bachelor Valley, where he still continues to reside. Mr. Taylor was ordained, in 1863, as a Baptist minister, and has preached more or less ever since. He was married, March 3,1861, to Miss Susan C. Jones, a native of Missouri. By this union they have seven living children: Margaret J., Caleb L., George N., Mary E., Jessie J., Alice R and Charley; and have lost two: William S. and Minnie M.

R.C. Tallman - Was born in Syracuse, New York, June 28. 1823. When he was but a child his parents moved to Canada, where they resided about two years, when they moved to Michigan. Here young Tallman grew up on a farm. In 1852 he, leaving his parents behind, came via Panama to California. He arrived at San Francisco February 23d of the above year, and went direct to the mines at Iowa Hill, where mining was followed for about four years. From this time until 1856 he was engaged in prospecting in different localities. In November, 1856, he came to Lake County, and engaged in the stock business in the upper end of the county. In September, 1865, he returned East, where he remained until the fall of 1867, when he returned and settled on his present place, consisting of fifty-seven acres, located a short distance above Upper Lake. Mr. Tallman married, September 1, 1861, Miss Mary E. Moore, a native of Missouri. Their children are, Grace I., William W., Berdenia M., George T., Mary E., Fred. L., Walter R. and Winnie F.

William Travis - Was born in Putnam County, New York, November 6,1826. At the age of nineteen he learned the bricklaying and plasterer's trade, and followed it until 1849, when he came to California via Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco about the middle of September. He proceeded to the mines at Hangtown, and engaged in that business till the spring of 1850, when he went to one of the forks of the American River, where, in company with Colonel William Hagan, he prosecuted mining till fall He then went to Nevada County and mined for two months. During the summer of 1851 he and Colonel Hagan cut hay at the sink of Putah Creek, which they lost by floods. He then went to Sonoma County and settled about one and a half miles from Santa Rosa, where a year was spent He then moved to Vallejo Township, that county, where he lived till 1856. In 1852 he, with Colonel Hagan, returned East via Nicaragua, and purchased a drove of cattle, which they brought across the plains in 1853. In 1856 Mr. Travis located on Mark West Greek, and discovered the hot springs there. In the fall of 1858 he went to Mendocino County and remained till the fall of 1859, when he sold his cattle, and went to Petaluma and purchased an interest in a livery stable. In 1860 he went to Nevada and engaged in mining until 1864, when he returned to California and spent two years in dealing in stock in Sonoma County. In 1866 he settled in Pope Valley, Napa County, where he farmed till 1869. He then moved to Napa City and spent a year. In 1871 he came to Lake County and located in Long Valley, where he has since resided, being engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1855 he took a drove of horses from California to Illinois, and disposed of them in 1856.

P.W. Vann - Was born in Illinois, August 12, 1819. In 1824, his parents moved to Sumner County, Tennessee, where they resided for six years, and in 1830, they moved to Cooper County, Missouri, and in 1836, to Polk County, that State. In 1839, they moved to Newton County, and in 1846 they moved to Greene County. In 1852 the subject of this sketch crossed the plains to California, arriving in Napa Valley October 25th of the above year. Here he resided until the fall of 1853, when he moved to Sonoma County and settled eight miles above Healdsburg, where he followed farming seven years. He then moved to Potter Valley, Mendocino County, where he followed farming about ten years; then moved to Point Arena, where he spent one year, and then moved to Ukiah, where he resided about one year. We next find Mr. Vann on a cattle ranch in tile Eel River country, where he remained one year. He then, in July, 1874, came to Lake County and settled on his present place, consisting of forty acres, located about one and one-half miles from Upper Lake. He married, August 14, 1839, Miss Spicy E. Davison. They have six living children: Joel W,, William, Sarah E., Martin B., Thomas E. and Alice. They have lost six: John W., Mary J., Ellen M, Martha A, Robert L. and Minnie.

Hon. S.K. Welch - The subject of this sketch was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, August 30,1829, where he resided until he was about twenty-one years of age. He then moved to Missouri, where he studied law, and was, in due course of time, admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of that State. In 1862 he came to California, and to Lake County in June, 1865, where he has since continuously resided. From March, 1868, till March, 1872, two terms, he held the office of District Attorney of Lake County. He was a member of the Legislature of 1873-4, representing Napa and Lake Counties jointly. He was again elected to that position in 1877-8 by the people of Lake County alone, it being then entitled to a representative. When Mr. Welch came to Lake County he found all the better portion of it claimed by the claimants to a grant, which it was declared had been ceded to their predecessors by the Mexican Government. Soon after his arrival he was employed by the settlers to take charge of their interests, and to render the United States District Attorney ,all possible assistance in defeating the claimants. Upon investigation he found the case pending in the United States District Court at San Francisco, where it had been slumbering for some years, after having been sent back to that Court for a new trial by the Supreme Court of the United States, upon a reversal of judgment in favor of the claimants. He succeeded in getting the case docketed and noticed for trial. The trial came up in September, 1866, at which the claimants were defeated, and in consequence thereof the settlers got their lands, which even at that time were considerably improved and quite valuable. The full history of this transaction will be found in the body of the work to which the reader is referred.

David Williams - Son of Stephen H. and Phoebe Ann Williams, second of a family of eight children, was born July 31, 1845, in New York City. In 1850 his father came to California, first removing his family, David being then five years old, to Caldwell, New Jersey. In 1852 his family joined him in San Francisco, Mrs. Williams and the children sailing from New York harbor in May, and reaching San Francisco, by way of Cape Horn, in the September following. For many years and up to the time of his death in June, 1880, Mr. Williams father was in business as an architect in San Francisco. Mr. Williams' education was acquired mainly in the public schools, though he spent one year in the City College, Rev. George Burrowes, D. D., Principal. Before the completion of his school studies he was employed for six months in an intelligence office. After leaving school he was clerk for three years in a hat store. In 1865 he received a position in the City and County Surveyor's office, where he remained for eight years, devoting most of his time to field work. Not possessing a robust constitution, in 1873 his health failed. After spending a month in Lake County, with decided benefit, he returned to San Francisco, but was unable to continue work. After trying Los Angeles for a time, without benefit, he returned to Lake County, and made his home at Kelseyville, clerking for some time in the store of W. G. Young. March 5, 1876, he was married to Miss Mary E. Piner, daughter of Mr. Charles A. Finer, of Kelseyville. Their union has been blessed with two children: one, Angelina M., has died; the other, Howard Piner, is living. In the fall of 1877 Mr. Williams was elected County Treasurer, and in March, 1878, he moved to Lakeport to take charge of the office, a position which he still holds. The public appreciation of his integrity of character, urbanity of manner, and fidelity as an officer, were shown by his re-election in 1879 by a handsome majority over all competitors.