Biographies: Founders & early settlers
Denis MARTIN
Denis MARTIN, an immigrant from Ireland, was born in 1819. He, his father and brother were members of the Murphy-Stevens Party, the first group to arrive in California by wagon train across the Sierras in 1844. He resided for time at Sutter’s Fort before coming to the bay area. On March 15, 1846, he purchased land in the lower part of Rancho Canada de Raymendo from Juan Coppinger, began harvesting timber from the property and built homes for himself and his workers. He married Bridgett O'NEIL at Mission Delores in San Francisco on February 19, 1849. He also purchased land in Rancho Corte de Madera. The timber industry thrived from the mid 1850s to the mid 1870s when the stands and groves of Redwoods along Skyline Ridge had all been harvested to support the rapid growth created in neighboring communities due to the 49er's Gold Rush. He owned several lumber mills in San Mateo County. Martin's land holdings exceeded 1,250 acres. He was a devout Catholic and built the St Denis Catholic Church on his private property in 1856. A major set back occurred when the deeds to his property were challenged in US court. There had been confusion on the boundaries of the Mexican Land Grants and Coppinger had sold Martin land he did not own. By decision of the court, his land was taken from him. The timber boom over and now deeply in debt, Martin moved to San Francisco. He died there in poverty in 1890.
John SEARS
John SEARS, founder of La Honda, was a well-liked early pioneer, storeowner and cattle rancher. The town of Searsville was named after him. He was a resident there and owned a local store.
William Chapman RALSTON
William Chapman RALSTON, was founder and president of the Bank of California in San Francisco and garnered a vast fortune through shrewd investments in particular the Comstock Lode Silver mines in Nevada. He migrated from the east to the 4 corners area of San Mateo County in 1864 buying 12 acres along the canyon. He then built an elegant villa, "Ralston Hall", complete with ballroom, banquet hall, opera balconies and 50 bedrooms. At one time, he owned most of the canyon that we call Belmont. The property and Ralston Hall is currently owned by College of Notre Dame. Ralston Hall is a State and National registered Historic Landmark. You can take tours during the weekdays. Call (650) 508-3501. Ralston fell on hard times during the panic in 1874 in San Francisco and his bank was forced into bankruptcy. In the summer of 1975 broke and having lost his fortune he was accused of embezzling $4.5 Million from his bank. Controversy surrounds his death. He went for a swim in San Francisco Bay and his body was recovered the next day. He was 49 years old.
Faxon ATHERTON
Faxon ATHERTON, was a prosperous hide and tallow trader from Chile. In 1860, he bought 600 acres of the Pulgas property along the El Camino in what is now called Atherton. At the time, he called his mansion "Valparaiso". This was the first mansion in the south San Mateo County. He married Gertrude Franklin who became one of California's most popular novelists.
Anson BURLINGAME
Anson BURLINGAME, 1820-1870, was a U.S. Congressman and professional diplomat. He was born in New Berlin, New York, and graduated college at University of Michigan and Law Degree at Harvard. State Senator and latter US Congressman from Massachusetts on the No Nothing Party Ticket. Abraham Lincoln named him minister to Vienna after his defeat in congress. Burlingame was a brilliant and dynamic orator but Austria found him unacceptable because of certain inflammatory speeches. He was then appointed, by Lincoln, minister to China where he met with great success. China was so impressed with his charm and good council that upon his resignation as minister he was named Imperial Envoy by the Chinese government to conduct their international affairs. On his return to the United States, Burlingame bought property, which was later to be named Burlingame during one of his visits to San Mateo County in 1866. He died of pneumonia during a European diplomatic tour in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1870.
John DALY
John DALY, 1840-1923, set sail for California in 1853 from Boston at age 13 with his mother. While crossing by land near the present site of the Panama Canal to catch a sailing ship to San Francisco his mother fell ill and died. John proceeded on alone. Upon arrival in California, he obtained work on a dairy farm on the peninsula and latter married the owner's daughter. He eventually purchased 250 acres at "Top of the Hill" (Daly's Ranch) and founded the San Mateo Dairy. He became a prominent businessman and community leader. He opened a successful bank in San Francisco and donated sums of money for the first library. He died at home in San Francisco on January 1, 1923 at age 82.
