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| ALBERT GLENFIELD LAFFERTY, one of the earliest settlers of Humboldt County and of the Mattole Valley, is still remembered by the old timers of Mattole community. He resided in Upper Mattole and on Elk Ridge from the earliest white men's settlement until about 1890, when he purchased a home on Francis Creek near Ferndale where he passed the rest of his life. He was born in Arkansas in 1828 or 1829. When a mere boy, he enlisted in the United States Army and fought through the Mexican War. Shortly after his discharge from the Army he joined the pilgrimage to California. After some improfitable work in the mines, he came to Humboldt County and became one of the pioneer residents of the Mattole Valley. In 1863 he enlisted in the Mountaineer Battalion and fought through the Indian War. After being discharged from the service, he married an Indian girl and lived with her until she died. After her death he married another Indian Girl. She also died a few years later. Lafferty was thus left alone in the world to rear a family of several children. All these children, with the exception of one son, Albert H., fell victims to tuberculosis. One of Lafferty's daughters, Mrs Frances Steeve, a prominent, active, consistent member of the Salvation Army in Ferndale, was well-known throughout Humboldt County for her beautiful Christian character. Lafferty's youngest son, Albert H., was killed in a sand slide on the wild Cat Road near Ferndale in the spring of 1929. After the close of the Indian Wars in 1865, Albert G. Lafferty made his home in Upper Mattole for about ten years. He acquired title to a claim of 160 acres of land eleven miles southeast of Petrolia on the south banks of the Mattole River. This land, in 1874, was sold to Isaac Cook. He then moved his family to Elk Ridge and remained there until 1890. He then moved again and located on a farm near Ferndale. Here he remained until his death in 1921. He was a man of strong religious convictions and was very desirous of having his children receive proper religious training. He grieved beyond measures over the death of his children. He was greatly pleased that his daughter Frances was such an ardent religious worker. He was radically opposed to the business and strong supporter of law enforcement. His zeal in this respect won him many enemies, but he courageously faced the outcome. In his old age he was granted a comfortable pension from the federal government for his military service. He was also granted an allowance from the United States Government for damage done his property during the Indian depredations between 1858 and 1865. During the last thirty years of his life, supported by his pension, he lived in comfort at his residence on Francis Creek near Ferndale. He was said to be the last survivor of the Mexican War in Humboldt County, and one of the last in the United States. He passed away peacefully at his home near Ferndale in 1921, being ninety three years old. In 1855 A. G. Lafferty sold supplies to the Government in California which must have consisted of buffalo and wild game that was furnished the troops. For this he was compensated by the Government. (Letter from John McCaleb Lafferty 1910) Susie Baker Fountain Papers, Humbolt, County, California. Submitted to Genealogy Trails by Mary Wilson ALEXANDER BRIZARD―The history of the growth of the great establishment of A. Brizard, Inc., from the small store opened during 1863 in Arcata (originally known as Union Town) to the institution now receiving patronage from every community in the northern portion of Humboldt county, is the history of the man whose name it bears and who as its founder laid the basis of the business wisely and well, while as its proprietor for more than forty years he developed its trade with courage and efficiency. Descended from an old French family and himself a native of France, born in Bordeaux March 17, 1839, he knew practically nothing of his native land by actual experience or childhood recollections, for in 1843 he was taken to Peru, South America, by his parents and there he lived for six years, meanwhile learning Spanish in school and French at home. His father, Capt. Paul Theodore Brizard, a sea captain fond of adventure, engaged in the transportation business between Lima and Callao until news came concerning the discovery of gold in California, at which time he immediately left South America for San Francisco and embarked in the transportation business between that city and Sacramento. September 25, 1849, he was joined by his wife with their ten-year old son and infant daughter. The family established a home in the midst of the turbulent conditions then existing in San Francisco and the son was at once sent as a pupil to the first Protestant school in the state, a small institution established by Rev. James S. Ver Mehr. As early as June of 1850 Capt. Brizard came to Humboldt county and decided to locate at what is now Arcata, where the family joined him in August, occupying a portable house which he had brought from Peru and which in later years was regarded as one of the landmarks of Arcata. Being of an adventurous spirit the Captain was not satisfied to locate permanently in an isolated region while there existed in his mind any hope of success in the finding of gold. Leaving his wife and small daughter in Humboldt county he took his son, Alexander, to the mines on Trinity river, where for three years they endured the privations and hardships incident to such an experience. Many comforts to which they had been accustomed could not be bought at any price, while flour sold as high as seventy-five cents a pound and other necessities were equally expensive. In the midst of such conditions the younger member of the family learned to do the humblest tasks and do them well. As they found no fortune in the mines, he turned his hand to any work that offered an honest livelihood. If riding the bell-animal of a pack train was the best thing that offered, he took the job and did it to the very best of his strength and ability. In that way he learned lessons far more valuable to him than the chance finding of gold would have been. On returning to Arcata he took up school studies, which were interspersed with occupar tive duties contributing to his support. During the summer of 1858 a young Hollander named Van Rossum introduced him to his employer, the head of the firm of Roskill & Co., and the result of the interview was an offer of a clerkship in the Arcata store. As a clerk Alexander Brizard
at once proved his value. It proved to be the thing for which he was
best qualified by natural endowments. Business capacity quickly
developed. Working conscientiously in the interests of his employer,
giving his entire time and thought to the upbuilding of the
business, he rose in the estimation of all, and with the recognition
of his value came increase in salary. With the passing of time there
came new opportunities to him. The firm of Roskill & Co. retired
from business. Their principal competitors, the firm of Spencer,
Manheim & Stern, secured the services of Mr. Brizard and his friend
and co-worker. Within a few years, owing to the death of one of the
partners, the firm was dissolved, which gave an opportunity for the
two clerks to embark in business. The Humboldt Times of June 20,
1863, contained the following item: “New firm: In our advertising
columns today will be found the business bow of our young friends,
Alexander Brizard and J. A. C. Van Rossum, of Arcata. They have
opened business at the old stand of Spencer; Manheim & Stern, and if
experience, ability, close attention to business and honesty are any
guarantee, we predict for them success.” An old account-book kept by
Mr. Brizard shows that the partnership was formed June 8, 1863, for
the purpose of con-
Just when the outlook was most favorable and the future had every promise of gratifying growth, a fire destroyed a large part of the village of Arcata and the Brizard store with its contents became only a memory. There being no insurance, Mr. Brizard found himself worse than penniless, for his assets had gone in the fire and only his liabilities remained. At this dark period of his life his creditors proved his best friends. They promised him further credit and urged him to return to business, believing that by this step he could reimburse them fully in the course of some years. This he did, although it required many years to regain his financial footing. Customers of the old store stood by him in his new undertaking and the business grew so rapidly that four years after the fire he had to seek larger quarters. The store was then moved to its present site, where a building constructed of stone from the Jacoby creek quarry offered ample facilities for the expanding trade. During 1879 Mr. Brizard purchased the building and the ground upon which it stood. As the years went by the business grew beyond the most sanguine hopes of its proprietor in the early period of his connection therewith. Eventually he decided to incorporate. Papers were taken out in April, 1904, and in May of the same year Mr. Brizard passed away, leaving to his widow and three sons, Paul A., M. Brousse and Henry F., the legacy of one of the largest and most substantial organizations in northern California, but leaving to them a heritage even more to be desired, the memory of a life devoted to the principles of truth and honor. History of Humboldt County, p. 175-177 [Includes photo of A. Brizard, p. 174] CHARLES H. WRIGHT.―For a number of years Charles H. Wrignt, of Eureka, had the distinction of being “the F street jeweler,” having been the first man in his line of trade to become established in business on that street, where practically all the jewelry concerns of the town are now to be found. The beautiful sfore into which the business was recently moved is but a few doors from his old location. Mr. Wright’s success in building up a large trade entitles him to recognition as a merchant of substantial qualities, but he is also a skilled workman and a scientific optician, his attainments in both lines having contributed materially to his popularity and proved valuable factors in attracting patronage. Resides looking after his own affairs he has done public-spirited work in the cause of Eureka’s development along modern lines, his name appearing in the membership of most of the organizations which have come into existence for that purpose. Mr. Wright was born September 6, 1864, at Almont, Mich., and grew up in his native state, in his early boyhood enjoying common school advantages, but he has had to make his own way in the world since he was eleven years old. When a boy of fifteen he commenced to learn the jeweler’s trade at Saginaw, Mich., where he served an apprenticeship of three years with Brown & Ward, after which he went into business on his own account at St. Clair, Mich. Being obliged to do work of a varied nature, he became an expert engraver and watch repairer. After some time at that location he began to look about for one that promised more in the way of development. He had a fine offer to go to Sitka, Alaska, but he finally decided to settle at Martinez, Contra Costa county, Cal., where he did a successful business for a period of four years. In 1890 he came thence to Eureka, Humboldt county, and at once opened a jewelry business on F street―for several years the only place of the kind on that street. For about fifteen years he had a store at No. 209, in December, 1913, removing thence to his present site, No. 217. He has a commodious store, specially appointed for the requirements of the trade and skillfully arranged both for the display of goods and the care of the large and complete stock, which is valued at $40,000. It includes a fine assortment of jewelry, watches, diamonds and silverware, Mr. Wright’s superior taste in the selection of goods drawing patronage from the most fastidious element in Eureka and the surrounding territory. Twenty-six years ago he took up the study of optics, and he has become an expert optician, his thoroughness in examination of the eyes and skillful adjustment of glasses winning a reputation for reliability which has never been shaken by any negligence on his part. Mr. Wright is very optimistic in his faith in the future of Eureka, and he has imparted something of his enthusiasm to many of his fellow townsmen, who cannot doubt his sincerity in the light of the efforts he has made to realize some of the possibilities of the town. A mere mention of his associations will serve to show how broad are his sympathies and how ready he has been to support all worthy movements: He is a member of the Eureka Development Association, was one of the original members of the Humboldt Club, was a charter member of the Humboldt Wheelmen, and belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, the Humboldt Promotion Club and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, being a charter member of Eureka Lodge No. 652 of the last named. He is also a member and vestryman of the Episcopal Church, and politically is identified with the Republican party. His pleasant personality accounts for his popularity and the spirit of friendliness which he attracts wherever he goes, while his many substantial qualities hold the esteem of even the most conservative. In 1889, while residing at
Martinez, Cal., Mr. Wright was married to Miss Cora B. Hough, a
native daughter, whose parents came across the plains in the year
1852. They have a fine residence at No. 1230 H street, which Mr.
Wright built in 1906. Their only child, Carl J., graduated from the
Eureka high school as a member of the class of 1914, and is now
studying the History of Humboldt County, p. 177-178
Pioneer Days in California
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