He was the first justice of the peace of Laytonville, serving for 32 years. He was also a notary public for 17 years, a county supervisor for four years, and a deputy sheriff for two years.
He grew up on a southern plantation owned by his father and received a good education of a true southern gentleman.
He left home in 1851 to seek his fortune in California, settling in Mendocino County. He and his wife Mary Burns had 11 children - six died at an early age. The children were Olive, who later married J. Glover; Ottis, Howell and Alice, deceased at an early age; Albert; Bessie and Oscar died as infants; Charles, who became a surveyor; and Elsie.
Lived in Geyserville, California
Lived in Oakland, California. Married a man named Cottrell.
Said to be a plantation owner.
She came around Cape Horn alone to San Francisco.