Hon. Nathan Coombs - The subject of this memoir, whose portrait will be found in the body of this work, was born in Middleborough, Massachusetts, in 1826, and at an early age went with his mother to the Territory of Iowa, and settled near the then embryotic city of Muscatine. His father was dead, and his mother was then married to a Dr. Carpenter. In 1842 the family went to Oregon across the plains, and in 1843 came to California, locating in Yolo County. In 1845 the subject of this memoir came to Napa Valley and purchased a farm from Salvador Vallejo, which was located about one and a half miles north-west of where Napa City now stands, and where he resided till his death. He also owned the land on which a portion of Napa City now stands, and laid out the original town site in 1848. He served in the State Legislature, and always took a very active part in whatever conduced to the welfare and advancement of the city and county in which he resided. He was a very liberal contributor to public improvements, and was well known all over the State as a raiser of blooded stock and a patron of the turf. He reared a family of intelligent children, one daughter having married Hon. John M. Coghlan, and one of his sons is the present District Attorney of Napa County. Much more could be said of the life of this most worthy pioneer, but we regret that the proper data could not be obtained, and we were dependent upon the press notices for all the facts stated above. His death occurred December 26,1877. On the 29th of that month, the following resolutions were placed upon the records of the Board of City Trustees of Napa: Resolved, That the Board of Trustees of the City of Napa deplore the death of Hon. Nathan Coombs, an early pioneer and a distinguished citizen of California, and the founder of this city. Resolved, That, as a mark of respect for his memory, the Board do now adjourn.

B.A. Chapel - Was born in Chenango County, New York, July 10, 1831. When nineteen years of age he went to Illinois, and in March, 1854, started for California. He came by steamer, and arrived at San Francisco, May 19th, of the above year. The following two years were spent in the mines of Placer County. He then went to Nevada County and engaged in milling for about four years. We next find him once more in Placer County, where he followed different occupations until 1868, when he sold all his interest in Placer County and went to San Jose, where he engaged in hotel-keeping. In 1869 he sold out and moved to San Diego, where he followed carpentering about fifteen months. He then went to Colusa, where he remained a short time. In April, 1871, he went to Olympia, Washington Territory, where he remained until the fall of the same year, when he returned to California, and resided at Healdsburg, Sonoma County, until July, 1872; then moved to Oakland, and after a short time went to Sacramento. Here he remained six years, and then returned to Oakland, and from there he came to Napa County, where he has since resided, being engaged in farming. Since Mr. Chapel's advent into California he was in the employ of the Central Pacific Railroad Company, and Contract and Finance Company, until he located in Napa County. He married, April 1,1863, Mrs. Ellen Vincent, a native of Quincy, Illinois.

Hon. John M. Coghlan - The subject of this memoir, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, December 8,1835, and was the son of Cornelius Coghlan, a native of Philadelphia, and Lavina Fouke Coghlan, a native of Kaskaskia, Illinois. When he was but a boy he came across the plains to California with T. Frank Raney. He went to Nevada County with A. J. Raney, and made his home with him until 1859, when he came to Gordon Valley and engaged in farming till 1861. In that year he came to Napa City, and became foreman for Nathan Coombs, and employed his leisure moments in reading law. He was then appointed to the position of Deputy Recorder by J. H. Howland, but being ambitious he soon gave it up, and entered the law office of J. Brunson, and was admitted to practice in the courts of Solano County in 1864. He shortly afterwards formed a partnership with Hon. W. S. Wells. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1865, and to the Congress of the United States from the Third District in 1872. He was appointed Supreme Judge of Utah in 1875, and United States Attorney for California in 1877. He was tendered the position of Supreme Judge of Utah a second term, but declined the honor. He died March 26, 1879. Truly he was a self-made man, building up from humble foundations to almost the topmost pinnacle. He was the only man who was ever elected on the Republican ticket to Crongress from the Third District. He was married July 14,1864, to Miss Eva, only daughter of Nathan and Isabella Gordon Coombs, who was born in Napa. Their children are Mary, born December 28,1865; Willie 0., born February 22,1870, and died March 19, 1871; Katie E., born August 11,1872, Nathan Coombs, born April 5,1875; John C., born December 25, 1878.

George N Cornwell - Was born in Albany County, New York, March 22,1825. When he was quite young, his parents moved to near Lake George. At the age of eleven he moved with his parents to Lansingburg, that State, and at that place his mother died. At the age of fourteen he moved to Fulton, Oswego County. At the age of sixteen he, with his father, went to Helena, Arkansas, where his father died. During this time young Cornwell had partially learned the cabinetmaker's trade, at which he worked two years. At the age of eighteen he went to Cincinnati, where he completed his trade. In the summer of 1846 he returned to Albany, New York, when he enlisted in Stevenson's regiment and came to California, arriving in March, 1847. He remained in the service until the fall of 1848. He was a member of Company H, under Captain J. B. Frisbie. In 1848 he went to the mines and spent about six weeks. He then returned to Sonoma and shortly afterward came to Napa as the manager of a store for Vallejo and Frisbie. In 1850 he had a field of grain near McBain's tannery, this being the first grain raised in the vicinity of Napa City. In 1852 he purchased the vessel "Josephine," and used it as a store-ship in Napa. In 1853 he was elected to the Legislature. At the end of his term he returned to Napa and engaged in farming. In 1860 he was one of the locators of the Redington Quicksilver Mine, and still owns a large interest in it. He has served on the Board of Supervisors for three years - from 1860 to 1863. In 1875 he was elected to the Legislature a second time. In 1876 he was sent from this district to the National Democratic Convention in St. Louis. His present beautiful residence, located in the south-western portion of Napa City was erected in that year. Mr. Cornwell has always been prominently identified with the interests of Napa County from, its incipiency to the present time, and in all his relations of life, both social and political, he has been found a worthy and honorable gentleman. He was married, November 20,1854, to Anna J. West, a native of Bangor, Maine. Their children are: Fannie G., Clara F., Morris L. and Carleton M.

Hon. Robert Crouch - Was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in the year 1823. He was educated in the town of Hopedale, and, after leaving school, lived on a farm until the waning of his minority. When twenty he lodged in Farmington, Fulton County, Illinois, and there, after a course of pharmacy, clinical instruction, and surgical experiments, began the practice of medicine. The gold of California had more charms for him though than the healing art, and in 1850 he, with others, started out on the long journey across the plains to the Pacific. He reached the Napa Valley, and it is small wonder that he has not cared to reach any other part of the State. It was not in his present position that he took up his residence among the oak-covered knolls of that garden corner of the earth, but, bidding goodbye to Esculapius - whom he found would have to be attended with more patience than patients - he accepted an offer to work at good wages in a carpenter's apron. In those days, when a handy man could make from half an ounce to an ounce and a half gold a day at mechanical labor, lawyers, doctors, merchants, and soft-handed people of all kinds were glad to harden them for such good pay. Mr. Crouch did not find himself one whit less respected because he pulled his coat off to work; to the contrary, in fact, and in 1855 he was made Deputy County Clerk of Napa, and in 1857 elected Clerk by a large majority. This latter office he retained until December, 1863, at which time he was elected County Judge, holding that position for nearly eight years. Law here seemed to offer advantages as a profession, and, studying, he was soon admitted to practice in all the courts of the State, and today is one of Napa's prominent lawyers. He is married - those for whom he works being a wife and two children. Mr. Crouch was elected on the Republican ticket to the Constitutional Convention which convened at Sacramento during the winter of 1878.

William R. Cooper - Was born, in Buffalo, New York, January 7, 1830. At the age of fourteen, he learned the miller's trade. February 1, 1853, he sailed for California on the steamer "Ohio," via Aspinwall, and arrived at San Francisco March 3d of that year. He went to the mines on Bear River, and at the end of a month returned to San Francisco and engaged in his business, which he followed, with the exception of one year spent in Sacramento, till June, 1859, when he came to Napa County. He began working for Heald, Seawell & Gregg at the milling business, and at the end of eight months purchased Mr. Gregg's interest. He continued in the business until June 11,1877, when he became sole proprietor, and has since conducted the business - the Vernon Mills. He was married in 1856 to Elizabeth Bunting, a native of Erie County, New York. Their children are Ella M., and Herbert L

J. Cook - Was born in Canada, May 10,1841, and resided at his birthplace until he was twenty-two years of age. May 10, 1863, he came to California; and after spending a month in San Francisco, he came to Napa Valley, and began work on a ranch for Mr. Grigsby, near Yountville, where he remained for two years. He then farmed one year at that place, when he came to Calistoga, and engaged in driving a stage from that place to Harbin Springs, which he followed for two years. He then opened a saloon and fruit stand, which he has since followed, except two years of the time, when he was working for J. A. Chesebro at the Magnolia Hotel, and stagedriving. He was married in August, 1875, to Mrs. Snow. They have one child, Gertrude, born August 18,1876.

Silas M. Craddock - Was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, December 25, 1825. Leaving there in his tenth year, he moved to Wilson County, Tennessee, where he resided until 1846, being then twenty-one years of age. He moved with his parents to Laclede County, Missouri, and there followed farming until 1852. April 1st of that year he started across the plains with an ox-team, and driving a drove of cattle, arriving in Napa County in December of that year, having first stopped a few weeks in the mines. He located at Yountville, and remained there until the fall of 1853, when he returned to Missouri, where he remained until April 14, 1856, when he once more returned to California, driving a drove of cattle to Sonoma County for his brother-in-law, Elija H. Duncan. He then again returned to Yountville where he fanned until he removed to Chiles Valley in 1873, purchasing his present farm, consisting of four hundred and fifty-three acres.

James Coleman Craddock - Born August 16,1827, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and followed the moves of his brother, Silas M. and is at present with him. Both are unmarried.

A.F. Carrillo - Was born in Santa Rosa, California, May 1,1855, and is the son of Julio Carrillo, and a nephew of General M. G. Vallejo. He remained at his birthplace until he was of age, receiving his education, and learning the butcher's trade in the meantime. He then spent two years in San Francisco, working at his trade for J. Y. Wilson & Co. He then returned to Santa Rosa and followed his trade for two years. In 1876, he came to Calistoga, and worked at his trade for Mr. Wooley. In 1881, he, in company with Mr. Bennett, opened a meat market. He was married September 20,1879, to Miss Maggie Enright, a native of the city of New York.

Connelley Conn - The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in this work, was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, June 13,1832. He came from Liverpool, England, to America, leaving the former place April 28,1852, and arriving at New Orleans June 20th, of that year. He proceeded to Illinois, where he engaged with an uncle in the cattle business, and remained there upwards of two years. Thence he went to Philadelphia, where he made arrangements to proceed to California to join an uncle, who then lived in Conn Valley, Napa County, and who was a pioneer of the valley, and from whom it was named. His uncle had written to his friends but once in many years. After arriving in Conn Valley in 1855, lie soon proceeded to the mines with a small party from Napa County. He engaged in mining with varied success until 1856, when he returned to Napa County, and has since resided in Conn Valley, being engaged hi farming and stock-raising.

Frank L Coombs - Son of Nathan and Isabella Gordon Coombs, was born in Napa County, California, December 27,1853. He received a common school education in the public schools of his native place, and graduated at the Columbia Law School, in Washington, District of Columbia, June 10,1875. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Courts of Washington, District of Columbia, in June, 1875, and to the Supreme Court of California in March, 1876. He was elected to the position of District Attorney for Napa County in September, 1879. He was united in marriage, December 27,1879, with Miss Belle M. Roper, a native of Boston, born November 14,1855. She was educated at Mount Holyoke Seminary, and a teacher in the public schools of Boston. They have one child, Nathan Foster, born January 1,1881.

H.W. Crabb - Was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, January 1,1828, and is the eldest child of Henry and Esther Walker Crabb. When he was twelve years of age, he, with his parents, moved to Adams County, Ohio, and he received his education at the common schools of that county. January 4, 1853, he sailed from New Orleans for California, and arrived in the State on the 31st. He immediately proceeded to the mines, and engaged in that occupation in Placer and Nevada Counties for about six months. He then settled in Alameda County, and engaged in farming near the town of Haywards. He remained here till 1865, when he came to Napa County and began the grape business, and he is now one of the largest wine makers in the county. A full description of his wine cellar, etc., will be found in its proper place. He was married in 1851 to Rebecca A. Donohoo, who died in 1862, leaving three children, Amanda M., Adda H. and Horace A. He married secondly Miss Elizabeth P. Carmer, a native of New York, and by this union they have one daughter, Cora Carmer, born in 1864.

Sidney Clark - The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Kentucky, October 21, 1829. While he was still quite young his parents removed to Boone County, Missouri, where young Sidney resided until 1850. April 22d of that year he started for California, coming with ox-teams across the plains, and arriving in September of the same year. He began mining operations at once in Calaveras County, which he followed some seven months. He then opened a store on a tributary of the Amador River, which he conducted for one year. May 28,1852, he moved to and settled in Suisun Valley, his place still being one of the well-known landmarks on the road leading from Suisun to Vacaville, and being adjacent to the famous Tolenas Springs property. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising till 1876, when he moved to Berryessa Valley, and engaged in the same occupation. He owns eight hundred and five acres of valuable land in the valley. He held the office of Supervisor for one term in Solano County. Mr. Clark married Miss Elizabeth Jane Devilbiss, December 23, 1869, who is a native of Missouri, born March 23,1849. Their children are Sidney 6., born December 19, 1870; John R., born September 18, 1872; Elizabeth Jane, born June 18,1874; Emma Ella, born July 23,1876; Lulu Margaret, born October 29,1878; Sarah Ann, born April 6,1881.

Jos. Carter - Was born in Ireland, where he resided till 1850. He then emigrated to America and resided in Wisconsin and Illinois, where he was engaged in surveying until 1854. He then came to California, and was engaged in mining for three years. In 1856 he came to Napa County and began the mercantile business in connection with which he was engaged in buying and selling real estate. He continued in this until 1875, and since that tune has not been engaged in any active business. Mr. Carter is one of Napa County's well-to-do citizens, and now owns some of the choicest business blocks in that city, and is highly respected by all. During the last five years he has visited the European countries and the Eastern States twice. His visits to Europe were made for the purpose of settling the estates of his deceased mother and brother.

John Cleghorn - Was born in Haddington, Scotland, November 11,1820, and there, at an early age, he learned the trade of harness-maker, and resided in his native county until March, 1847, when he started for America. He sailed from Glasgow and arrived in New York in May of the above year. Remaining in that city a short time, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and remained one year. He then traveled through the Southern States, and in the spring of 1862 left Macon, Georgia, for California, coming through Texas and Mexico, and thence to Havana, from which place he took passage to San Francisco, arriving in August, 1862. He first located in Sonoma County and remained one year, and the following three years the subject of this sketch spent in Australia, and returned to this coast in 1867. In July of the above year he proceeded to Napa County, locating in St. Helena, and opened his present business of saddle and harness-maker, located on the corner of Main and Spring streets, and in 1874 built his present shop next to the National Hotel Mr. Cleghorn is yet unmarried.