Napa-Sacramento-San Francisco County CA Archives Biographies.....Mecklenburg, Joseph 1825 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 29, 2007, 6:09 pm

Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

JOSEPH MECKLENBURG is the pioneer milling man of Napa County, and a gentleman of
experience, well posted in regard to the history of the county, and one who is
well regarded and popular in the county, being now the Roadmaster of his
district. Mr. Mecklenburg was born in Germany, in 1825. In 1842, when a lad of
seventeen years of age, he came to America, and at Toledo, Ohio, learned the
milling business, following it later at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, for five years.
After that he was engaged in his business in Illinois, having married, in
Michigan, Miss E. Hamilton, a native of New York State. Her mother, born in
Connecticut, is still alive, at a very old age. She draws a pension as the widow
of Bemis Hamilton, a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1852 Mr. Mecklenburg aud
family crossed the plains to California, and spent two years at Sacramento, San
Francisco and Davisville, running flouring mills for Wilson and Conroe & Co. at
the former cities, and for Jerome C. Davis at the latter place. In the fall of
1854 he removed to Napa County, with which he has since been prominently
identified. He first started a mill at Yountville, for Mr. Yount, and ran it for
a year and a half. He then went to the mines in El Dorado County, spending a
year at that business. He then returned to Yountville, and for a year longer
carried on the mill at that point. In 1858 Mr. Mecklenburg took the mill on the
Bale place, where W. W. Lyman now lives, carrying it on for a year, later on
again returning to Yountville, spending in all about five years at that point,
between the years 1854 and 1864. Later, in partnership with Mr. Lyman, he
carried on the Turbine mill at the Lyman place, until the extension of the grape
business in the valley made it unprofitable. For twelve years, from 1865 to
1876, inclusive, Mr. Mecklenburg was a Supervisor of Napa County, and-was one of
the most active promoters of its interests. During Garfield's administration he
was appointed United States Deputy Collector under Hartson, for Alameda, Contra
Costa and San Joaquin counties, holding the position four years. For a time he
was also the tobacco inspector at San Francisco, under United States Secretary
of Treasury Folger, but he early resigned that position. For the past three
years he has served as Road Overseer of this district. Mr. Mecklenburg is an
ardent Republican, an abolitionist and free-soiler, with very decided opinions
on the leading questions of the hour, in regard to which he takes a broad and
comprehensive view. Unfortunately, failing health has of late militated much
against his comforts, but it is hoped that he will overcome this and regain
health and strength.

  Mr. Mecklenburg has three children,—one daughter and two sons. The former is
now Mrs. Cora Fawle, of Oakland; the sons, Lincoln, is a printer in Oakland, and
J. H. is engaged in ranching near his father's place, four or five miles above
St. Helena.


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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