James Henry Hornage

From: PAlbe74721@aol.com
Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 10:29:52 EST
Subject: GOLDRUSH MOST WANTED - HORNAGE

My gggrandparents James Henry HORNAGE and Jane WILLIAMS were married in Belmont, Ohio on 20 December 1855 and had a son by the name of Harry S. HORNAGE in Ohio. They came to California by boat via the isthmus and settles in Forbestown, Butte County, where on June 10, 1859, my ggrandfather was born George HORNAGE. James Henry HORNAGE was a miner at Forbestown and had varied success and when he accumulated a little competency he decided to take his family back east. Passage was engaged on the famous ship, Golden Gate, but he was delayed in Stockton, California at a friends house and when they arrived at the wharf the boat had already left on its long voyage. It proud very lucky for them, for later came the news of the destruction of the ship by fire, bringing a sudden death to its crowd of passengers. James then mined in Amador and Calaveras counties from 1862 until he moved to Stockton on July 3, 1871. He remained there until his death in 1896. For fifteen years he held the position of secretary to the chief of police. On various occasions he acted as deputy sheriff under Thomas Cunningham and he took an active part at the time of the Mokelumne troubles. The two sons remained in Stockton as well until their deaths. All I have to remind me of their mining days is the candle-mining pick that he once used.