Solano-Humboldt County CA Archives Biographies.....Brownlie, James 1836 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 18, 2007, 9:20 pm Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891) JAMES BROWNLIE, one of the prominent citizens and business men of Vallejo, has been a resident of that place ever since 1858. Born at Carluke, Lanarkshire, Scotland, August 15, 1836, he learned there the trade of carpenter and joiner, exhibiting in his work the thorough traits of the Scotch character. After spending about two years at his trade in the lumber districts of the north of Scotland, he then, at the age of twenty-two years, namely, in 1858, emigrated to California in company with his brother, John Brownlie, who had come six years previously and was established in business at Vallejo, and thus he was at once thoroughly posted in the peculiarities of his newly adopted country. They came by way of New York and Panama, landing in San Francisco June 1, 1858, and in Vallejo the same day. After working a short time at his trade in this place, he went to the mines in Humboldt County, where he met the usual experiences of those who endeavored to become rich by digging gold. His first misfortune in that region was a shipwreck on the Humboldt Bar; but, undaunted, he pushed onto Klamath River, where he worked hard, with no success. Winter came on, and at one time he was lost for three days and nights in the snow, experiencing much hardship. In March, 1859, he returned to Vallejo, having learned all he cared to about mining. He followed his trade on Mare Island until 1869, thus accumulating sufficient capital to embark in business, meanwhile making in 1863 a visit to his native land. On his return to this country he was one of the passengers on the Ocean King from New York to Aspinwall. On board this ship was a draft of 100 United States sailors carried as passengers and intended for the man-of-war vessels on the Pacific coast. They were under the command of ____ Am men, now Admiral in the service. The sailors were mutinous during the whole passage. On one occasion, when off the Cuban coast, they made an attempt to capture the ship, with the intention, it was supposed by some, to turn her over to the Confederate authorities. Captain Ammen was aware that some mutinous intention was entertained, and had a barricade built between the fore and after parts of the ship. The mutineers made a rush to pass this barricade, when they were fired into by Captain Ammen, who, reinforced by the captain of the ship and the Union men that were armed. Two of the mutineers were killed and the others retracted. The ring-leaders were put into irons, and the balance guarded until the ship reached Aspinwall. Only the bravery and determination of Captain Ammen and the Union men prevented the capture. In 1869 Mr. Brownlie formed a partnership with the late John E. Williston, and they opened a grocery store, conducting it three years; then Mr. Brownlie took the sutler's store on Mare Island, on his own account, and by this business he accumulated considerable means. In 1879 he opened his present grocery store, in addition to his store on Mare Island, and he continued to operate both until the incoming of the late Democratic administration, since which time he has devoted himself exclusively to his business in Vallejo. In his entire business career he has exemplified the industry and perseverance and thrift which characterized the sturdy Scotch from whom he descended. He is Republican in politics and a thorough American in habits and principles, though still retaining a kindly remembrance of his childhood home; is full of pleasant reminiscence of his early life in "Bonny Scotland," and of his trials and experiences of his first years in this State. He has been City Trustee for three terms, and now holds that office, to which he has been elected rather for the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-citizens than for any strictly party reasons. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the order of the Knights of Honor. In 1867 Mr. Browmlie married Miss Mary H. McMillan, a lady of Scotch birth, and they have two sons: John A., who is now employed with his father as book-keeper and general manager; and Wallace McMillan, born July 17, 1890. 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. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/solano/bios/brownlie745gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb