Thomas Earl
Thomas Earl - This worthy pioneer, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Canada, and is the son of John and Frances Burney Earl. In 1835 he emigrated to Richmond, Ray County, Missouri, where, with the exception of a year spent in Lexington, Kentucky, he remained until 1850. May 20th of that year he, with three others, started overland from Independence, with a team of mules, bound for the land of gold. On the Platte they joined the Henry Boggs' train. The party made the trip in the short period of three months, arriving in Sacramento in August of that year. He paid Napa a visit, then mined a while, and finally, in 1851, he returned to Napa and established the pioneer saddlery in the place. In this pursuit he was very successful, and, satisfied that Napa's future was destined to be bright and prosperous, he determined to cast his lot permanently with her citizens. Accordingly, in 1853 he purchased a tract of eighty-five acres from James M. Harbin, and erected a house thereon. The tract was used by tenants for farming purposes until 1858, when he disposed of it to John Lawley, and it is now known as the Lawley Addition to Napa City. In 1853 Mr. Earl bought a lot sixty feet square on Main street, adjoining the lot on the corner of Main and First streets, owned by William H James. In 1856, after much urging, the latter joined Mr. Earl in the erection of a substantial brick building covering the two lots, which was the first business building of brick ever erected in Napa City. The brick were procured by Mr. Earl in Sacramento. The first floor was used for stores and the second story of Mr. Earl's part of the block was occupied for several years as a Masonic hall. In 1857 he erected another brick store building of thirty-six feet frontage, adjoining the first. The upper story was finished into one room, 36x55 feet, and was used for a hall for lectures, theatricals, etc., and was known as Earl's Hall. It was subsequently occupied by the Odd Fellows for a lodge-room. This building had an iron front, and was the first of the kind ever erected north of San Francesco. In the spring of 1858, he returned to New York for the purpose of purchasing a large stock of saddlery, etc., in his line. He combined business with pleasure, and proceeded to Monroe County, Michigan, where he formed the acquaintance of Miss Fannie Montgomery, and married her on the 3d of January, 1859. He then returned to California and erected a third brick building, and the second one with an iron front. In 1861 he had the honor of erecting the first concrete house ever built in Napa, it being 30x34 in size, and is his present residence. It will thus be seen that Mr. Earl has contributed in no small degree to the improvement of the appearance of the town. In 1857, when the big fight was being made concerning the re-cession to Solano County of a strip of territory annexed to Napa by the Legislature in 1855, Mr. Earl was found in the foremost rank, standing out boldly and doing his share towards retaining this valuable property as a portion of Napa County. He also took a very prominent part in securing the making of the toll-bridge across Napa River a free bridge, heading and circulating the subscription himself. He also took a very active part in the locating of the Odd Fellows College and Home here. He also took a very active part in striving to get the State Normal School located in Napa City. In 1863 he was elected to the office of Public Administrator, which he filled two years. He was again placed in nomination, but declined; he was put on the ticket, however, and elected, but refused to qualify. He held the office of City Marshal during the years 1874-5-6. In September, 1879, he was elected President of the Pioneer Association of Sonoma, which position he has since filled. Mr. Earl is a man of worth and integrity, one who has full and unbounded faith in the future of his favorite city and county; one who has not been sparing of time or money for their advancement; and while some have been loud in their acclamations of what they intended to do, Mr. Earl has gone quietly along and accomplished great results. To him then let us accord the honor.
History of Napa and Lake Counties,: San Francisco, Cal.: Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers, 1881
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February, 2007 Pages 457-458
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Last updated February 1, 2007