Sonoma-Los Angeles-San Diego County CA Archives Biographies.....Bedwell, Franklin 1810 - ************************************************ 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 March 3, 2006, 12:56 am Author: Alley, Bowen & Co. (1880) Bedwell, Franklin. Was born in White county, Tennessee, August 21, 1810. At the age of nine he moved to Missouri, his father being one of the first pioneers of the State. Franklin's father died in 1825, leaving to him the care of a large family, which was in almost a destitute condition. Seeming almost impossible to get better of the prevailing ague, in 1833 he started for the Rocky mountains, hoping in that salubrious climate to regain his health. He joined a company under the command of Alexander Campbell, went as far west as Fort Laramie, and, meeting two trappers, went with them to Green river. Here several were bitten by a mad wolf, but Franklin escaped. He joined a Rocky mountain company of thirty men, which was divided into small parties. Franklin joined a party taking a south-westerly course to Bear river, where they camped a few days preparing buffalo meat. Going as far south as Humboldt river, the party again divided, part resolving to go to California; but some of the men becoming intoxicated, a quarrel ensued, and one man was killed. The whole party returned to Snake river. In the Spring of 1834 they went a hundred miles down Snake river, and, taking some Indians with the party, went as far west as Fort Walla Walla. Dividing into small parties, they passed several weeks in trapping. While returning, they met men coming from California with horses, and all joined the trapping party, going as far as the Yellowstone river and west to the Madison forks of the Missouri, and then returned to Snake river for winter quarters. Here Franklin, with a small party, went in search of Buffalo, and the snow beginning to fall, he got lost from his party. Knowing he would be frozen to death by remaining where he was, he resolved at all hazards to seek the trail that would take him to camp. About midnight he waded a stream, the water being up to his waist. After crossing, his clothes became frozen, and he almost gave up hope of reaching his friends; but an ever-watchful Providence guided his footsteps to a warmer stream, which, in crossing, thawed his frozen clothes. Then being within a mile of camp, he pressed on until he reached it, where his friends had given him up for lost. In March, 1835, while preparing for the Spring expedition, the horses were stolen by the Indians. In recovering them one man was wounded by the name of Kit Carson, who was then just beginning a career that has since made his name renowned. The party took a north-westerly course, and, after an absence of three months, returned to wait for supplies. Becoming impatient, Franklin, with six others, started east to meet the supplies. This persevering little party, three having returned, traveled on, crossing the South Platte, and reached the Arkansas river, where they sold their furs, and, obtaining supplies, returned to the north side of Cherry creek, near where Denver now stands, and spent the remainder of the Winter trading with the Indians. In the Spring of 1836, they attempted to make flat-boats to take their goods down the river, but, failing in this, went to Big Islands, remaining until parties from the East came after their goods. While here they were often on the verge of starvation. After their goods were sold, the rest of the summer was spent in trapping, enduring all the hardships that fall heir to men who explore the "western wilds." In the Spring of 1837, while returning to camp, a storm came up, making it impossible to travel. Wrapping their blankets around them, they laid down by the banks of a swollen stream to wait for the storm to abate. Morning came, but the storm continued to rage in all its fury, and was so severe that one of the mules was frozen. On the third morning they succeeded in getting across the stream^ and, on the evening of the fourth day, reached camp, where they could relate the sufferings of the "starving time." In the Spring of 1838, Franklin, with one more> went as far south as New Mexico, and on the route the Indians attempted several times to take their lives; but after two months a company was sent out to fight them, and captured some prisoners and horses. Then, going to the east side of the mountains, he remained two years trapping and trading with the Indians. In the latter part or the Summer of 1840, he started for California, taking three months to make the journey. He located in the San Joaquin valley, and remained six months trapping. Stopped the first Summer near San Gabriel Mission, and in the Fall started on a trapping expedition with three Mexicans. About Christmas left them and started north alone, and having met some Indians who were altogether " too friendly," in order to escape, deceived them by saying a large company of Americans were coming, and the Indians, becoming alarmed, allowed their prisoner to go. Camped that night with only a dry biscuit to eat; next morning, however, had a sumptuous breakfast on a wild hawk and bread bought from some passing Indians. Went through the Santa Clara valley to San Francisco, then comprising a few Spanish huts. After selling what beaver he had, went back to Santa Clara and worked in the redwoods until Spring, and then started for Oregon; but having been taken sick at Sacramento, gave up the trip. In the latter part of that Summer went to Sonoma county, locating on the Russian river, on a tract of land bought from Cyrus Alexander, Esq., and remained until 1846, at which time the Mexicans took up arms against the inhabitants of Sonoma. Franklin joined a small party going from Russian river to Sonoma. The first engagement took place in June, 1846; the Americans compelled the enemy to surrender, and took some of their officers to Sacramento as prisoners. Thinking all danger over, they returned to Alexander's ranch; but four days had not passed when they learned the Mexicans were not subdued. A force was sent out to find a missing party who had been out for supplies, and traveled through Guillico's valley. Arriving at the old Santa Rosa house (east of the present city), they learned from the Indians that the enemy had captured some of the lost party, and so Franklin and his comrades traveled south to San Antonio creek, where they captured some prisoners. Soon the American army was marching (in very imperfect order) towards the enemy. The Americans retreated to some bushes near by, and, after a spirited contest, the Spaniards retreated, with the loss of six men killed and more wounded. The Americans gained the victory without the loss of a man. Returning to Sonoma, they found Colonel Fremont had arrived with seventy-five men, and that evening went to San Rafael under the command of Colonel Fremont. After a short engagement the Spaniards evacuated the mission. After threatening Sonoma again, the enemy got on board a schooner and crossed the bay. The little army went to Sacramento, whence, being joined by Fremont, they all proceeded to San Diego, to keep the Spaniards from landing. After recruiting and procuring horses, they started for Los Angeles, leaving about thirty to guard San Diego—among whom was Franklin. After two weeks they joined the rest of the company at Los Angeles. The Spaniards constantly made attacks for two months, but were each time repulsed. The contending forces had a skirmish on the hill near Los Angeles, the Americans having to retreat to a vessel; but the next morning an American man-of-war came into port, and the captain decided to make an attack on Los Angeles, as he had about three hundred sailors and marines. That night the Americans camped on the shore, and at day-break marched two miles, encountering the enemy drawn up in line of battle. Bravely did that little army fight, but were compelled to retreat to the vessel, and ordered to San Diego. Two months after this, thirty men joined Colonel Kearney, and made another attack, driving the Spaniards back with a loss of thirty. Resuming their journey to San Diego, they were attacked by the Spaniards, and sent to San Diego for assistance. After the wounded got well, under command of General Stockton, they started for Los Angeles. Two days later, Colonel Fremont came from Monterey and made a treaty with the Mexicans, which ended the strife, (December, 1846.) Franklin remained there till Spring, and spent the Summer in improving his farm. In 1848, during the gold excitement, he went to the mines, but returned in the winter, and met a brother he had not seen for thirteen years. Having given up a roaming life, he began to think more of home and friends. After trying in vain to find where his mother was, he started for Sonoma, and met her on the way to Russian river. It was a happy meeting. Separated for fourteen long years, and knowing the hardships the son must endure, many, many were the sad thoughts the mother had for her absent son. She returned to the home of her wandering son, and lived with him for years. In 1858, Mr. Bedwell married Miss Selina McMinn, of Tennessee. Not having any children, "they lived for each other." He is now living on his well-improved place—a hale and hearty old man, as is plainly seen in his portrait in this work—surrounded by many friends, and ever taking a deep interest in the welfare of his State and country. Additional Comments: Russian River Township Extracted from: HISTORY —OF- SONOMA COUNTY, -INCLUDING ITS— Geology, Topooraphy, Mountains, Valleys and Streams; —TOGETHER WITH— A Full and Particular Record of the Spanish Grants; Its Early History and Settlement, Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources; the Names of Original Spanish and American Pioneers; a full Political History, Comprising the Tabular Statements of Elections and Office-holders since the Formation of the County; Separate Histories of each Township, Showing the Advancement of Grape and Grain Growing Interests, and Pisciculture; ALSO, INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE; THE RAISING OF THE BEAR FLAG; AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN; —AND OF ITS— Cities, Towns, Churches, Schools, Secret Societies, Etc., Etc. ILLUSTRATED. SAN FRANCISCO: ALLEY, BOWEN & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1880. 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