William A. Elgin
William A. Elgin - This old and respected resident of Napa County is the eldest son of the Rev. Lewis and Elizabeth Thompson Elgin, and was born in Patrick County, Virginia, January 4,1829. When he was but two years of age his parents moved and settled in Howard County, Missouri, where his father engaged in farming, and the subject of this sketch received his education at the common schools, with the exception of eighteen months, when he attended the Highland Academy, of Jackson County, same State. He then engaged in teaching school and followed that vocation for three years, his parents having in the meantime moved to Greene County. From that place, in April, 1853, Mr. Elgin, accompanied by his wife.and young daughter, and in company with his brother-in-law, the Hon. William L. Anderson, of Lake County, started across the plains for the Golden State, at that time the land of promise, and after a tedious journey of some five months, finally arrived in Sacramento. He remained there but a few days, and then proceeded to Napa Valley and first camped on Cache Creek, when the subject of this sketch proceeded on horseback to seek a location in the then almost uninhabited Napa Valley. He finally settled three miles east of St. Helena and engaged in stock-raising and there resided until August, 1857, when he moved to the town of St. Helena and embarked in merchandising in the building now occupied by the Swiss Union Hotel, and continued in that business until the spring of 1860. Mr. Elgin then bought the place now occupied by E. Heyman and then engaged again in farming until 1866, when he sold his ranch and in 1867 embarked in his present business of livery and feed stable, located on Main street, opposite the Palace Hotel. In 1859 Mr. Elgin was elected a member of the County Board of Supervisors from this district, and in 1880 to the office of Justice of the Peace of Hot Springs Township, an office he now holds. Mr. Elgin is one of St. Helena's most energetic and thriving citizens, and one most highly esteemed by all who know him. He was united in marriage in Springfield, Missouri. March 12,1851, to Miss Mary A. Andersen, a native of Tennessee, and by this union they have five living children and one deceased: Sarah C., now Mrs. L. H. Boggs; Ira P., Clarence K, Lewis H., deceased, Jessie F. and Alice G.
History of Napa and Lake Counties,: San Francisco, Cal.: Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers, 1881
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February, 2007 Pages 456-457
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Last updated February 1, 2007