Napa-Sacramento County CA Archives Biographies.....Lyman, William Whittingham 1850 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 31, 2007, 3:39 pm

Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

W. W. LYMAN.-In no part of Napa Valley visited by the writer was so much of
general and historic interest found attaching as to the Lyman place, which lies
advantageously a few miles north of St. Helena. It is the site of the old
homestead of Dr. Bale, whose memory as one of the earliest pioneers is indelibly
attached to the valley, and the picturesque old mill standing in ruins beside
the creek, is one of the noteworthy and suggestive objects to be found. A part
of the house, too, which is a rambling but comfortable place, well-fitted and.
furnished, is about forty years old, and worthy of a place in history. A walk
about the vicinity was found of great interest, showing the great
picturesqueness and natural beauty of the spot. Lyman Creek comes tumbling down
from the mountains at the rear, furnishing an inexhaustible supply of water for
every purpose, and being dammed at a suitable point to form a fish pond and
reservoir for general purposes. It is the water power afforded by this mountain
stream that caused the erection of the old mill, with its gigantic and most
picturesque overshot water-wheel. This great wheel has been long disused,
however, and is now overgrown with ivy, a little turbine out of sight below the
building doing all the work with little noise or fuss. This establishment was
long carried on as a flouring-mill, both before the purchase of the place in
May, 1871, by Mr. Lyman's father, and since then by him, part of the time in
partnership with Mr. Joseph Mecklenburg, an account of whose life will be found
elsewhere.

  The estate is a magnificent one of 800 acres, extending from the summit of the
hills enclosing the valley on the west to the banks of the Napa River on the
east, comprising all varieties of soil and exposure, from the rich black
alluvium of the river bottom to the gravelly hillsides. There is a fine vineyard
of 100 acres, most of it of the choice varieties, and planted on the hillsides,
thus assuring quality of the product. Mr. Lyman has a concrete cellar not far
from the house, and in it wines that will compare favorably with the best made
in the State. The house is situated just on the edge of a splendid grove of
forest trees, the grounds and surroundings being very attractive. An adjoining
portion of this beautiful site has been lately purchased, and is now being
improved by a son of J. B. Haggin, who is erecting a summer residence. To
appreciate the beauties of this spot a visit must be paid to it, to see the
flowers, shrubs and semi-tropical trees and growths, and the visitor will come
away with the liveliest recollections both of the attractiveness of the place
and of the kindness and courtesy of its owner.

  William Whittingham Lyman is the son of the Right Rev. Theodore Benedict
Lyman, D.D., LL.D., of the Episcopal Church, now bishop of North Carolina. He
was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1850. He resided at his birthplace
until 1860, when he, with his parents, went to Europe, and remained there ten
years. During this time he was educated at the School of Mines, at Freiberg,
Saxony, and at the University of Berlin. In December, 1870, he returned to
America, and in 1871 came to California, purchasing his present beautiful place,
where he has since carried on wine-making, general farming, milling, etc., as
well as many outside matters. Mr. Lyman is the Secretary of the Napa Valley Wine
Company, one of the most extensive companies engaged in the wine business in the
State. This company was founded in 1883, and each year has seen an increase in
its business. They have cellars in Yountville, Napa City and San Francisco, the
principal as well as the head office being located in the latter city.

  Mr. Lyman is a member in high standing of the I. O. O. F., being a Past Grand
of the lodge in St. Helena, of which lodge he is chairman of the board of
trustees. He was a chief actor in the erection of the fine I. O. O. F. Hall in
St. Helena, which was erected at a cost of $22,000. Mr. Lyman is also a Past
Grand Patriarch and Past Grand Representative of the order in the State. He is a
Past High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons, and a charter member of St. Helena
Chapter, R. A. M., No. 63, also a member of the Turn-Verein in St. Helena. It
was partly owing to him also that the handsome little stone Episcopal Church in
St. Helena was erected. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the State militia, and was
a member of Governor Bartlett's staff and an Aid-de-camp. The orange trees set
out by him in 1878 were among the first planted in the valley. They are fine
large trees now. Mr. Lyman has also paid attention to the matter of blooded
stock. His stallion, Prince Bismarck, of Black Hawk, Morgan strain, is known
widely for his excellent qualities.

  Mr. Lyman is a Democrat and takes an interest in matters political, his views
being broad and general, rather than local. He was married in Sacramento, in
1880, to Mrs. Sarah A. Nowland. They have two sons: Theodore Benedict, Jr.,
named after the bishop, his grandfather, and William Whittingham, Jr., named
after his father.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.


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