Genealogy Data Page 331 (Notes Pages)

Note: The sources for the information on the family of George A. Lyon are: (a) Biographical Sketches, Mendocino and Lake Counties, (b) THE PROMO BULLETIN, Lakeport, CA. May 1958, (c) Index of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Lake County Newspapers, 1863-1949, (d) Lake County Library, Lakeport Branch, Reference Section, Ms. Sandi Frey, as well as family members Loie Montgomery Ford, Calapatria, CA., Marilyn Foster, Vancouver, B.C., Wilfred L. Johnson, San Leandro, CA., Steven Orner, Red Bluff, CA., Harry E. Kane, Olympia, WA. Raymond G. Lyon, Orland, CA., and Marjorie Needham Beeston, Paradise, CA.

See "THE GOLD MINES OF CALIFORNIA" September 24, 1849.

Also," Ancestry Of Steven Dean Orener", sorner@@snocrest.net, GGrewell@@aol.com and enterpri@@cswnet.com.

George attended in 1840, Allegheny College, Meadville, Crawford Co., Penn.; 1843-44 taught school in Canada; 1845-46, living in Penn. manufacturing pig iron; 1847-49, deputy Serif in Mercer Co., Penn.; March 1849, to California. Hotel operated, Placer Co. Ca. to 1855; to Lake County, September 1858.

1850 US Census, Sacramento Co., CA. lists George as a merchant living in Sacramento, 30 years old, born in Canada, married but no other family listed. 1860 US Census of California shows him living in Clear Lake, Napa Co., with wife Prudence and five children.

George left Independence, MO. with his brother Walter via ox team and covered wagon for California March 20, 1849, leaving his wife and daughter with relatives in Pennsylvania. Son George Jr. was born after he left for California.
(see ARGONAUTS OF CALIFORNIA, C.W. Haskins)

After arriving in California he at first tried his hand at mining(1849-50) but found it hard work with little reword. Subsequently, he established a store in Jackson, CA. and six months later with two partners, they opened a store in Sacramento on the corner of J and 11th streets. The 1851City Directory list the store under the name "Haynes, Lyon and Co.". He sold his interests in both stores to his partners in 1852.

In 1852 he returned to Pennsylvania for his family and brought them to California via ship and the Isthmus of Panama.

With his family, in 1853 he moved to Placer County where he purchased and operated a hotel. In 1858 he moved his family to Lake County where he homesteaded 640 acres north of Lakeport on what was known as "Blackoak Point"; the first home was known as "The Locust" It was located about a quarter of a mile toward the Lake from the present bridge on Hwy 29. A large fourteen room home was built later called "The Oaks". Here he raised sheep and fruit trees such as peaches, apricots, plums, and prunes.

In 1859 he was elected Justice of the Peace of Clear Lake Township which at that time was part of Napa County. Held this office for three years and was there after called "Judge".

From daughter Clara's diary, Oct 6, 1891, "My father was a "forty niner". He made money in the early days, but like may others, he did not ralize that money would not always be so plenty and the last days of his life were spent in workng hard to keep a home for his numerous family."

Other sources: Narrative by George from the gold mines in California, Sept. 24, 1849 and letter from wife Prudence to her sister Kate in Penn., Oct 1, 1853. Chart by Ray Lyon, Orland, CA.[2.FTW]

Back to Main Page

This HTML database was produced by a registered copy of GED4WEBŠ version 3.31 .