Maurice O'Connell - Was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1841, and is the son of Patrick and Katherine Stapleton O'Connell. He resided at his birthplace until 1868, learning the shoemaker's trade in the meantime. In that year he came to California, and located in Napa, where he has since resided and followed his trade. In 1873 he opened a general stock of ready-made goods in his line.

Charles W. Plass - Son of Peter and Elizabeth Plass, was born in Columbia County, New York, March 4,1818. He received a common school education in the county where he was born, and resided at home till he was eighteen years of age. He then began the trade of engineer and machinist, which he followed till 1853. January 20th of that year he sailed on the steamer "Uncle Sam," from New York to Aspinwall, and at Panama he took the steamer "Winfield Scott" for San Francisco, where he arrived February 22d of that year. He began working at his trade for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company, with whom he remained until 1858. In 1856 he purchased his present farm. In 1857 he was joined by his family from the East, and in the following year he moved to his present place, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock raising. He now owns five hundred acres of land in Napa County. He was married, May 13,1839, to Trinah Sheffer, who was born in Columbia County, New York. She died in 1859. He was married secondly to Miss Catherine Harris August 24,1864, who is a native of Rhode Island.

Harvey Porterfield - This worthy old pioneer was born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, March 15,1823, and is the son of John W. and Julia Edgington Porterfield. He resided at his birthplace until 1839, being reared on a farm and having only the advantages of a common school education. In 1836 he came to Jackson County, Missouri, where he worked on a farm until the spring of 1845, when with Capt. John Grigsby's Company, he started for Oregon, At Fort Hall they met John Greenwood, an old Bocky Mountain hunter and trapper, who had been to California in the pursuit of his avocation. He was piloting a party consisting of the Gordons and Winters back to the States. The two parties struck camp near each other, and Greenwood proceeded to give them a glowing description of California, and urged them to go there. The next morning Captain Grigsby, David and William Hudson, William Elliott, and others, drove out to one side of the train and announced their intention of going to California. The train was about evenly divided, and Mr. Porterfield, who was acting as teamster, came with the California party. They came on, and arrived at Johnsons Ranch, on Bear River, September 6, 1845. Up to the time of the Mexican War there was but little doing in California, and money was very scarce indeed. Mr. Porterfield went to Sonoma and worked at the carpenter's trade, getting two dollars a day, and taking his pay in hides and tallow. He remained in Sonoma until two days before the Bear Flag War broke out, when he went to the Kellogg place, near the Bale mill, and did his part in warning the citizens of impending troubles. He joined the Bear Flag company, and passed all through that exciting and important aflair. He then enlisted in Capt. J. B. Ford's company at Sonoma, and served in the Mexican War for one year. The company first went to Sutters Fort, thence to Monterey, where they were taken on board the whaling vessel "Stonington" and landed at San Diego. There the company was divided, a portion of them remaining at San Diego and the remainder coming back with Fremont to meet the immigration of 1846. Mr. Porterfield was of those who remained in San Diego. In the spring of 1847 General Kearny, with Kit Carson as a guide, came in from New Mexico with about one hundred dragoons. They stopped at a place known as Warrens Ranch, and sent word to where the California volunteers were stationed. Captain John Grigsby, Samuel C. Hensley, and Lieutenant Gibson, took a party of thirty men and went out to meet them. They came up with Kearny on the evening of the second day out, and camped near by. They were within ten miles of Andreas Pico and his band of California-Mexicans. That night they sent men out to reconnoiter Pico's camp, and the next morning at daylight they attacked him. Captain Moore was detailed to take twenty dragoons and make the charge, and General Kearny brought up the rear. Kit Carson went with ten men to capture the horses. Pico's men killed Captain Moore and his squad of twenty men, but when the rear came up he retreated. They buried the killed, and remained on the scene of battle until four o'clock that afternoon. They then took up the line of march, but had not proceeded more than five miles, before they were attacked by the Mexicans and driven upon a round hill with plains all around it. Here they were surrounded by five hundred men. On the second day of the siege they saw four men on horseback, and the Mexicans in hot pursuit. The horsemen got into the timber, but were captured in less than two hoars. The siege continued until their provisions became exhausted, and they began to eat their mules. In fact it had come to that pass that something had to be done. Volunteers were called for to pass the lines and go to San Diego for assistance, and Kit Carson and Lieutenant Peal came to the front and said they would make the attempt. That night they stole quietly down the hill-side, out through the Mexican sentry lines, and then away they sped on the wings of fear as well as of hope, and soon reached their destination and related the precarious condition their comrades were in. A force of three hundred men was sent to their rescue, and when Pico saw the force approaching he beat a hasty retreat. They then went to San Diego, and thence Mr. Porterfield's company went to Los Angeles and passed through that campaign with General Fremont, and in the spring of 1847 he received his discharge. He then returned to Napa Yalley and made his home with the Hudson brothers during that summer. In the fall he went to live with Nathan Coombs. April 15,1848, at the very dawn of the gold excitement, he went to the Coloma Mines and remained there until November of that year. He spent that winter with Mr. Coombs, and spent the next summer in driving stock to the mines. In tile winter of 1849, he, with Major Reading, fitted up a vessel to go to the mouth of the Trinity River. Meeting with a storm their vessel was blown ashore on Vancouver's Island and became a total wreck. Here they were detained for one month, when they returned to San Francisco on the bark "Josephine." He then went to Cache Creek, and worked for Matt Harbin, caring for stock. In the spring of 1850 he took up a place in Yolo County and began stock raising. In 1852 he returned East via Panama, and while in Iowa was married. In 1853, with his wife and his father, he started across the plains for California, bringing a drove of cattle. He went back again to his Yolo farm, and remained there till 1856, when he came to Napa County and settled on the Chapman ranch. In 1857 he moved to his present farm, which consists of four hundred and eighty acres, and is engaged chiefly in stock and grain raising. In January, 1853, he was married to Miss Martha Alexander, who was born January 23,1833, and died in 1866, leaving three children William, Josephine and Emily. He married, secondly, in 1868, Miss Mattie A. Galbraith, who was born November 18,1839. His children by this union are Alfred, Mattie, Mary and Harvey.

Louis Paccaud - Was born in Switzerland February 3,1829, and resided in his birthplace until he was sixteen years of age, receiving his education there. At the above age he went to Paris, France, where he secured a situation as clerk, and remained there until 1848. He then came to America, first settling in New York City, securing a situation at his former business. In June, 1852, he sailed from New York on the steamer "John L. Stevens," and at Panama taking the steamer "Tennessee," arrived at San Francisco in July of that year. He immediately proceeded to the mines, in Yuba County and engaged in mining, which he followed for eighteen months, when he removed to Placer County and continued in his former business until 1871. He then came to Napa County and embarked in farming, three miles from Napa City, which he followed until 1877. He then moved to Napa, purchasing an interest in the book and notion store of the now well-known firm of Epley & Paccaud. Mr. Paccaud was married in 1855 to Miss Julia Justice, a native of England, born in 1825. By this union they have three children, Francois, Julia, and Grace.

Theodore R. Parker - Son of Wm. M. and Caroline T. Hogan Parker, was born in New York City, October 21,1838. He was educated at the public schools of that city, and at the age of fifteen became an apprentice to the gas-fitter's trade. When seventeen years old he began working as full journeyman, which he continued until 1859. He then went to Exeter, New Hampshire, and took charge of the Exeter Gas Works, a position he held for three years. In 1862 he came to California via Panama, arriving in San Francisco April 28th of that year. He immediately proceeded to Mokelumne Hill, where he embarked in running a saw mill for Wiley & Washborne, which he continued one year. In 1864 he located in Marysville, where he took charge of the Marysville Gas Works, which position he filled until February, 1869. He then came to Napa, and immediately became connected with the Napa Gas Works, which business has since received his entire attention. Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Eliza M. Cate, July 9, 1861, she being a native of Exeter, New Hampshire, born May 25, 1841, and by this union they have six children, all living: William M., born October 5,1864, and Adah A., born December 3,1866, in Marysville; Joseph R., born August 27,1870, Caroline T., born February 6,1873, John W., born December 24,1876, and Theodore R, born October 1,1879, in Napa City.

Philip Henry Palmer - Whose portrait appears in this work, is tile son of Philip and Ann A. Palmer. He was born in Mason County, Kentucky, December 8, 1838. When but six years of age he, with his parents, moved to Johnson County, Missouri, and there resided till the 10th of May, 1850, when, with his parents, he started across the plains to California, arriving in Nevada City October 6th of the same year, locating on Brush Creek, two miles from Nevada City, and there remained until October, 1852. In that year he moved with his parents and settled in Suisun Valley, Solano County, and there resided until 1867, and for several years during the latter part of this time was engaged quite extensively in the stock business near Fort Ross, Sonoma County, when he came to his present ranch in Pope Valley, October 16, 1867, consisting of five hundred and forty-four acres. Was married August 9,1865, to Miss Sarah E. Lewellin, who was born in Harrison County, Indiana, October 13, 1841. By this union they have no children.

Eugene F. Pratt - Was born in Du Page County, Illinois, June 23,1851, and is the son of W. B. and Alzina Page Pratt. He resided in his birthplace until he was eight years of age, and then moved with his parents to Missouri. Remaining there about two years, he returned to Illinois, attending school at Lake Forrest, Lake Country, in the above State. He then returned to Cole County, Missouri, and engaged with his father in the milling business, and continued in this until August, 1870, when he started for California, his father having preceded him to this State. Remaining in this State but a short time, he proceeded to Idaho and there remained until March, 1874, when he returned to California, locating in Calistoga. He opened a livery and feed stable, and remained in this business for eight months and then sold and engaged in farming for one year. In May, 1878, he, with his family, moved to Washington Territory and remained two years, and then once more returned to Napa Valley and purchased his present property of twenty acres. He was united in marriage with Miss Emma Teale, October 29, 1875. By this union they have two children: Henry T. and Eleanor.