William Coleman Carson (1825 - 1912)

Born 15 Jul 1825 in Elmsville, Saint Patrick, Charlotte, New Brunswick, Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Wilson) Carson — married 1864 in San Francisco, California, United States

Descendants

Died 20 Feb 1912 at age 86 in Eureka, Humboldt County, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David Urquhart [send private message]

Biography

William Carson is Notable.

William Carson was born at New Brunswick , Canada on July 15,1825.

William Carson was a California gold miner who went on to become one of the states most renowned lumber barons.

The California Gold Rush served as a catalyst, drawing many of the original inhabitants of New Brunswick and Maine to California. Among them was William Carson, who would later become renowned as one of the redwood lumber barons. Initially a gold miner, Carson, like many others from Maine and New Brunswick, found his calling and fortune in the Redwood Timber Industry.

Redwood, known for its durability and resistance to insects and decay, is also particularly beautiful. These qualities quickly propelled it to global popularity. Much of San Francisco, along with other local cities, was built using redwood.

The first mills sprang up on Humboldt Bay in 1850, powered by steamships that had run ashore. By 1855, the bay was home to nine mills and over 140 schooners engaged in the lumber trade. One of the early routes to Humboldt County, California from the rest of the state during the 1860s involved crossing the Isthmus of Panama. Other routes included a journey around South America.

William Carson was a native of Elmsville, Saint Patrick Parish, Charlotte County, N.B., Canada. He practically built up the town of Eureka the Capital of Humboldt County, CA. When he died he was worth $20,000,000. One writer states Mr. Carson moved to California in 1849 in search of gold and had the Carson mansion built in 1885.

In the 1880 Naturalization Records of Humboldt County, California, William's age was listed as 53 years old and naturalization papers taken out 2 Sep 1862.

William Carson was married late in life, in May 1864, when he was 38 to Sarah Wilson, who was also from New Brunswick.

His wife died in May 1904 at the age of 71, therefore, born about 1833.

William died 19 February 1912, based on his marriage of 38 in 1864, he must have been born about 1826.

It is stated they had five children born in the marriage - three sons and two daughters. Carson left his business to his sons, and when they died, they left large legacies. The first son to die was Charles Sumner Carson on 06 Oct 1933, followed by Wiliam Wilson Carson on 28 Oct 1938. John Milton Carson was the last one to die on 25 Aug, 1941.

•Name: William Carson •Sex: M •Birth: 15 JUL 1825 in Elmsville, St. Patricks Parish, Charlette Co., New Brunswisk •Burial: Murtal Grove cemetery •Emigration: 1484 San Francisco, California •Event: _FA1 Arrived San Francisco in April 1850 on "Brazilian" after 6 month voyage •Event: _FA2 One of the founders of the Dolbeer Carson Mill •Event: _FA3 built the famous Carson mansion •Death: 19 FEB 1912 in Eureka, Humboldt Co., CA of Pneumonia •_DCAUSE: Pneumonia •Note:

Father: *Charles Carson b: 1794 in Enniskillen, Fermanagh, Ireland Mother: *Jane Baldwin b: MAR 1803 in Charlotte Co., New Brunswick

Marriage 1 Sarah Wilson b: 04 JAN 1833 in Rollingdam, New Brunswick, Canada•Married: MAY 1864 in San Francisco, California Children1.Has Children John Milton Carson b: 1865 in Eureka, Humboldt Co., California 2.Has Children Carlotta Carson b: 1867 3.Has No Children Charles Sumner Carson b: 06 NOV 1873 in Eureka, Humboldt Co., California 4.Has No Children William Wilson Carson b: 1879 in Eureka, Humboldt Co., California

CARSON MANSION

Riding down the famed Highway 101 from Oregon, just over the border into California, we passed through the picturesque town of Eureka. We actually had no particular plans for stopping as we were on our way to the "Avenue of Giants" drive further south. As we passed through the heart of town, a steeple on a building several blocks off the main road caught Laura's eye. As she is a bit of an impulsive driver she simply made a right turn and wondered off onto the side streets on yet another impromptu adventure. What she had seen was the Carson mansion, a three story Victorian house of 18 rooms, located at Second and M streets . Now known as the Ingomar Club, it was built between 1884-86 and was occupied by the family until purchased in 1950 by a group of Eureka businessmen to preserve the structure's unique 19th century splendor. Eureka lies in the heart of the Redwood Empire, renowned Eureka-01 for the magnificent coastal redwoods "Sequoia sempervirens". In 1850, gold was found in the nearby Trinity region, and prospectors needed a more convenient alternate to the tedious overland route from Sacramento. Schooners and other vessels soon arrived in Humboldt Bay, supplying the men working on the Trinity and Klamath Rivers. As in all gold rush areas most prospectors soon ran out of supplies and the money to buy more. Many had come from the nearby timber lands and returned to their trade, harvesting the trees that abounded all around. The next four years saw seven saw mills open in Eureka. In another year there were 140 schooners in Humboldt Bay ferrying lumber to the growing cities up and down the Pacific coast. Eureka-01 Arriving with some of the first prospectors was a Canadian timberman named William Carson. Just 24, he and his friends were determined to strike it rich in the great California Gold fields. When this failed to turn out, young Carson and his friends turned to lumbering the giant trees for the, just opened, first sash mill in Eureka. It is believed that William Carson with the help of Jerry Whitmore chopped down the first saw-log in Humboldt County. Remaining a bachelor for 38 years, William Carson finally married Sarah Wilson in 1864. They would have 3 boys and a girl which they would raise in a modest two-story house. It was not until the children were older that Carson found time to consider a new house. This mansion would be the showplace for Eureka, from the day it was finished to the present day. It has been touted as the “most photographed residence in America”, though I question that, considering 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. One can certainly find its image in drawings, painting and film throughout the US. Eureka-103 A broad porch rims the front and south side of the house. Wide steps provide the two major entrances. Huge carved pillars stand on balustrades. Rhododendrons abound in the garden area below. The carved front main entrance is representative of William Carson's love of wood. Honey colored primavera hardwood from South America frames the doorway in the entry hall. Large panels of colored leaded glass have figures from Shakespearean dramas. Carson would try prospecting one more time before returning to Eureka with his friends who would soon go their separate ways. By 1854, Carson was an established figure in the community, having taken over the operations of the Muley Mill, which processed Spruce and Cedar only, as no one cared to tackle the 400 ton Redwoods even though they knew it was where the big money lay. Eureka-107 The huge hallways on the second floor shows and Oriental influence, particularly in its arches and niches. What appears to be wood carving in the arches are actually fine impressions of plaster molding. Some of the molds are still in the basement. Redwood pillars at the right sit on a handy primavera railing, which shows the rich color contrast between the wood. In 1854 Carson took the challenge and felled the first Redwood for a sawmill, and shipped it out on the schooner “Cydras”. In 1863 Carson entered into partnership with John Dolbeer, who would go on to invent the “steam donkey”, which would revolutionize logging. Together they would reap the benefits of being the first and the fastest in the lumber industry. Carson would become a millionaire as co-owner of four mills, vast timber forests, and a fleet of lumber schooners. Eureka-109 The most spectacular room in the mansion is the front parlor. One of three onyx fireplaces is found here. The onyx came from Mexico where it was personally purchased by Mr. Carson on one of his numerous trips to that country. The stone has a delicate, almost translucent shading of pink and blue. A huge gold framed mirror tops the fireplace, reaching almost to the ceiling. An alabaster chandelier, similar to several in other rooms, hangs in the center. On the wall to the right is an original oil painting of the sailing ship "William Carson", named in honor of the lumberman. Eureka-106 William Carson spared no expense when it came to the production of the house. Oak predominates in the dining room where the sideboards were built to Mr. Carson's specifications, copied from a castle in Mexico City. William Carson's sailing ships brought materials from Mexico, South America and the Philippines, including 97 thousand feet of hardwood for the interior. Massive chairs that match the table are upholstered with French tapestry. Eureka-108 Carved oak frames the fireplace. The beveled mirrors and glass were imported from England. Although remaining a private person, one can imagine the eloquence of dining in such majesty. Mr. Carson appreciated the designs in leaded glass and they appear in several places throughout the house. Most notable of the stained glass windows are found in this grouping at the turn of the main stairway. The medieval garbed figures represent the four arts: painting, music, drama, and science. Eureka-105 Another example of this glass works can be found in the onyx fireplace in the music room. The fireplace itself is flanked by redwood paneling and Philippine mahogany carved with an intricate leaf design. The fireplace has a double flue which divides to provide space for a leaded stained glass window. There is a third fireplace in the library on the second floor. All together there are five fireplaces in the house. It is believed that he brought at least two wood carvers from Europe for the project. John Rudoff Etteline came from Switzerland and Patrick Glennon came from Ireland. These men are credited Eureka-04 with several other artistic endeavors about town. Red colors and redwood woodwork dominate the music room. The window alcove is framed in all three types of the wood's grain, namely burl, curly and clear. The mansion’s outstanding example of the woodcarvers' art is found in this room, which still display the original chairs, upholstered in red. William Carson died quietly, on February 10, 1912, in the castle where he had lived for 24 years. His sons would continue running the various business that he had created. The house would be occupied by various family members until, in 1950, it was sold for a token thirty fire thousand dollars to a local group who created the Ingomar Club.

***THE END*** ______________________________________________________________________________ WILLIAM CARSON. - It is difficult to say anything of William Carson without referring at once to the salient feature of his business career, his preeminence in the redwood lumber industry in Humboldt county. One of a little group of Canadians from the province of New Brunswick who started out together in the famous year of the exodus to California, instead of "striking it rich" in the mines he found his early training in his native woods the best possible preparation for success in his new field. He did follow mining part of the time during the first few years after his arrival, but it was as a lumberman that he acquired fame and fortune, and did most to attract attention to the resources of his adopted county. When the comforts and luxuries of the civilized world began to find their way into the settlements about Humboldt bay and the social order became established, none was more prompt to encourage the improved living conditions made possible by the numbers of enterprising tradesmen and merchants who flocked to this promising region. Eureka especially felt the impress of his interest and generosity. His heavy investments in local undertakings and property were not made entirely with the idea of personal profit, for all of them contributed to her upbuilding. He did not hesitate to show his faith in her prospects in the most substantial manner, putting his capital into buildings and public utilities as the spirit of the town warranted such expenditures, and doing more than his share in the furtherance of projects which were purely the expression of civic pride. The North Mountain Power Company, now known as the Western States Gas & Electric Company, was one of the ambitious concerns he fostered to success. Something of the man's wonderful mental and physical vigor may be understood from the fact that he remained in active connection with his large financial and lumbering operations up to the age of eighty five years. As one of the characters whose deeds stand out in the records of the early days he could never be forgotten, and he was spared to see and take part in so much of the modern development of his section that his name enters into practically all of her history from 1849 to the present.

Mr. Carson was born in Charlotte county, New Brunswick, July 15, 1825, and had his early experience in lumbering there, assisting his father, who was engaged in getting out ship timber for exportation to Liverpool. The year of the gold excitement he decided to join the adventurers flocking to California, and on September 18, 1849, embarked at The Ledge, New Brunswick, in the ship Brazilian, which was several months on her journey around the Horn, arriving at San Francisco April 1, 1850. His companions were Oliver Gilmore, Jeremiah Whitmore, Daniel Morrison and Sandy Buchanan, all like himself woodsmen from New Brunswick. They found temporary employment at San Francisco, part of the time rolling out (by hand rollers) gold bars; from which the fifty dollar slugs of those days were made. Going to Sonoma city, the party bought wild horses from the Mexicans, packed their goods and proceeded to the Trinity gold fields. When they struck the watershed of the Eel river on their journey north they mistook the stream for the Trinity and followed its downward course until their approach to the ocean told them they were on the wrong track. They eventually reached their destination and worked there during the summer of 1850. Food in that region being scarce and high priced, they decided to winter in Humboldt county, where game of all kinds was plentiful, and therefore made their way to the bay, arriving late in October. At that time Martin White was about to build a small slash sawmill with an estimated capacity of four thousand feet per day, and for this mill Mr. Carson and his companions contracted to supply logs. On the 1st of November, 1850, they started out and located their logging camp between Ryan's slough and Freshwater, at a point where spruce and similar timber of a size suitable for a small mill was available, close to the slough. It was at this camp, in November, 1850, that Mr. Carson and Jerry Whitmore cut the first tree for a saw log that was ever felled in Humboldt county. Thus began his remarkable career as a lumberman. "His history has been similar to that of many of the successful pioneers of California. He came to get gold out of the ground, but he did not get it in the shape of virgin metal, but in the form of another product of the ground, the wonderful lumber resources of this county."

After a winter of logging the party again went to the mines, starting March 1, 1851. They arrived at Big Bar, on the Trinity, about the middle of the month, and resumed work on the claims they had left the year before. During that summer they constructed the Arkansas dam across the Trinity. The following May they learned of the construction of a sawmill on Humboldt bay by Ryan & Duff, and leaving the mines they went to the Sacramento valley, where they bought oxen with which they drove to Humboldt, with the view of engaging in logging. Reaching Humboldt again in August, 1852, the original party divided, and Mr. Carson went into the lumber business, with which he was thereafter permanently associated. In the summer of 1854 he operated the Muley Mill in Eureka, located at the foot of I street, and during that year worked as a sawyer, his shift being every day and every alternate night. In the fall he shipped on the Cydras the first cargo of redwood lumber which was sent out from Humboldt bay, all previous shipments having been of spruce and fir. The partnership between William Carson and John Doibeer was formed in 1863, and continued until the death of Mr. Dolbeer in 1902.

The Daily Humboldt Standard in its announcement of Mr. Carson's death mentions him as the dean of redwood manufacturers of the state, and he was survived by only one of the pioneers in that line, Noah Falk, who went into the business considerably later. But it was not merely because of his prominence as a lumber manufacturer that Mr. Carson was entitled to recognition among the leading men of the state. Financial institutions and public utilities of various kinds were among the useful enterprises he promoted, and while he was interested in most of the local undertakings of the kind his operations extended all over the state. He was one of the founders of the Humboldt County Bank, of the Bank of Eureka and of the Savings Bank of Humboldt County. As one of the incorporators of the Eel River & Eureka Railroad Company, and one of those who made possible the Bucksport & Elk River railroad and the Humboldt Northern railroad, in both of which he held interests, he deserves credit for the introduction of transportation facilities which brought new business and new life into his section, enabling, it to compete with other localities on terms of comparative equality. The first large modern brick business structure in Eureka was the Carson block, the three story building which occupies a quarter of a square at the northeast corner of Third and F streets. Mr. Carson built it in 1890;, at a cost of $100,000, besides which he put $30,000 into the part of the second and third floors devoted to theater purposes. At the time of the erection of the building a number of citizens of Eureka were clamoring for a modern playhouse, and it was to meet their wishes that Mr. Carson fitted up the theater, which is still considered the finest between Portland and San Francisco. The North Mountain Power Company, which has since become the great electric power and light distributing concern of the county, now known as the Western States Gas & Electric Company, also numbered Mr. Carson among its founders. Outside of Humboldt county, the Milford Land & Lumber Company, the San Diego Lumber Company and the West Coast Lumber Company owed their development to Mr. Carson's participation and influence, which he also exerted towards building up the shipping so important to the lumber companies. In the latter connection he was one of the powers of the Humboldt Lumber Manufacturers' Association of Eureka, which handled exclusively foreign lumber shipments from the mills represented in its organization, and operates the tugs Relief and Ranger on Humboldt bar.

It is noteworthy that Mr. Carson continued to give his personal attention to his large milling and other interests up to two years before his death, remaining in active business up to the age of eighty five years, when he turned his affairs over to his sons, whom he had trained for the purpose, J. M. and. C. Sumner taking charge of the milling and lumbering operations at Eureka, and W. M. Carson having charge of the San Francisco offices.

Except as a life member of the Humboldt Club, and a member of Humboldt Lodge No. 79, F. & A. M., Mr. Carson belonged to no social organizations. Nothing more complimentary to Mr. Carson could be cited than his popularity as an employer. It is no exaggeration to say, that in the great county of Humboldt, and probably in all California, there was none more respected and beloved by his employees. Nor was there an employer who gathered about him better men. He was a friend to them all, particularly in sickness and in trouble, although they may not always have realized it. In his own early experience he became thoroughly familiar with their side of affairs and their attitude, and he never forgot the lessons then learned, as his regard for their comfort, sympathy in all his dealings with them and kindly understanding well showed. It is significant that in the court records of Humboldt county there is no instance of a suit for damages for personal injuries to which Mr. Carson was defendant.

Mr. Carson died February 19, 1912, after several months' illness, at his home in Eureka. His modesty and unassuming disposition had always made him averse to publicity so far as his personal affairs were concerned, but just before the San Francisco fair C. P. Soule, of the Bank of Eureka, of which Mr. Carson was president, prevailed upon him to compile a brief autobiography, and the outline of his career which appeared in the Daily Standard at the time of his death was written from notes taken then and formed the basis of the present article.

In May, 1864, Mr. Carson was married to Miss Sarah Wilson, of San Francisco, whose death in 1904 terminated a union remarkable for happiness and devotion. They are survived by four children.: J. Milton and C. Sumner, of Eureka; William M., of San Francisco; and Mrs. Carlotta C. Tyson, of Piedmont, Cal.

The beautiful residence on the mill st, at the head of Second street, was one of the most significant indications of Mr. Carson's affection for Eureka. This palatial dwelling, not excelled by any other home in the state, was one of his most important contributions to the beautifying of his chosen city, the scene of the interests closest to his heart.

From: History of Humboldt County, California With a Biographical Sketches History by Leigh H. Irving Historic Record Company Los Angeles, California 1915 ___________________________________________________________

Movies Filmed in Humboldt County

The Valley of the Giants(1927) 7 reels, Directed by Charles J. Brabin, Cinematography by Ted D. McCord, with Milton Sills, Doris Kenyon, Arthur Stone, George Fawcett, Paul Hurst, Charles Sellon, Yola D'Avril, and Phil Brady. (First National) The use of Scotia Bluffs and the Nanning Creek Bridge have some impressive shots in the film. The Eel River, with the Scotia Bluffs in the background can also be recognized in scenes where passengers from the NWP#132 are spilling down the hill. The Carson Mansion, which serves as Sill's Family home, is another spot of beautiful filming. The film has one of the greatest fight scenes of all silent films; also, a great love scene and a great runaway train sequence. Shot in Humboldt over a six week period, the film was made almost entirely on location.

The Valley of the Giants (1919) 5 reels, Directed by James Cruze, Cinematography by Frank Urson, with Wallace Reid, Grace Darmond, Will Brunton, Charles Ogle, Alice Taaffee (later known as Alice Terry) , Ralph Lewis, Kay Laurel, Hart Hoxie, Noah Berry, Guy Oliver, W.H. Brown, Richard Cummings, and Virginia Foltz. (Paramount - Famous Players - Laky) Lost Film . It was an accident during the making of Valley(1919) that led to Reid's morphine addiction and early death. The company stayed at the Hotel Arcata and left many legendary stories when they returned to Hollywood. Besides the locations previously mentioned, Valley(1919) included scenes around Korbel, Eureka (including scenes taken inside both the Carson Mansion and the Sumner Carson home) and Arcata.

Ruggles of Red Gap (1923) 8 reels, Directed by James Cruze, with Edward Everett Horton, Ernest Torrence, Lois Wilson, Fritzi Ridgeway, Charles Ogle, Louise Dresser, Anna Lehr, William Austin, Lillian Leighton, Thomas Holding and Frank Elliott. (Paramount - Famous Players - Lasky) Lost film. The original newspaper article of July 3, 1923 says, "...the closing scenes were enacted at the beautiful Carson home between Sixth and Seventh streets, on J. The lawn of the place, already beautiful with shrubbery and flowers, was made more picturesque by the addition of redwoods, which were planted bodily about the grounds..." For the full two weeks of the film's shooting, the company stayed at the Eureka Inn and took several publicity stills behind the Inn where the swimming pool is now located. There was also one scene taken out on a nearby ridge overlooking redwoods and stumps. The most famous version of Ruggles was the 1935 film with Charles Laughton; it had previously been made in 1918; and was later made as Fancy Pants with Bob Hope and Lucille Ball in Technicolor in 1950 -- none of these were made in Humboldt. The story was also developed in 1957 into a TV musical, with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Leo Robin, starring Michael Redgrave as Ruggles, Peter Lawford, Imogene Coca, David Wayne, and Jane Powell (in her TV debut). This version stuck with the book's title, was shown February 3, 1957 on network television, and later had an LP of just the fine musical numbers released.

Sources

• http://www.rvtravelog.com/eureka.dir/eureka1.htm
• Wikipedia:Carson Mansion
• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=66856836 : accessed 25 February 2017), memorial #66856836 for William Coleman Carson (1825 - 1912) - Find A Grave Memorial.

• Fact: Burial Sunset Memorial Park, Eureka, Humboldt County, California, USA

1.Jump up ^ Graves, Wally (October 1995). "Carson Mansion, the inside story". North Coast Journal. Retrieved October 24, 2013. 2.^ Jump up to: a b c d Sacks, Benjamin (1979). Carson Mansion and Ingomar Theatre: Cultural adventures in California. Valley Publishers. ISBN 978-0-913548-64-6. 3.^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Carson House, Eureka, Humboldt, CA". Historic American Building Surveys, Engineering Records, Landscape Surveys Prints and Photographs Online Catalog. Library of Congress. 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2011. 4.Jump up ^ Sanderson, Helen; Keith Easthouse (August 7, 2003). "The Eureka icon that's off limits: Tourists feel misled by promotion of Carson mansion". North Coast Journal. Retrieved October 24, 2013. 5.^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Leigh Hadley Irvine (1915). History of Humboldt County, California: With Biographical Sketches of the Leading Men and Women of the County who Have Been Identified with Its Growth and Development from the Early Days to the Present. Historic Record Company. 6.Jump up ^ Lynwood Carranco; John T. Labbe (1 January 1975). Logging the Redwoods. Caxton Press. pp. 112–. ISBN 978-0-87004-536-3. 7.Jump up ^ "Colorful past, uncertain future for Engine No. 9". The Scotia Independent 1 (1): 1. March 28, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2013. 8.Jump up ^ "Welcome". Ingomar Club. 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013. 9.Jump up ^ David G. De Long (1986). American Architecture: Innovation and Tradition. Rizzoli. 10.^ Jump up to: a b c Overholt, Ken (1987). Eureka, an Architectural View. Eureka Heritage Society. ISBN 978-0-9615004-0-5. 11.Jump up ^ Samuel Newsom; Joseph C. Newsom; David Gebhard; Harriette Von Breton, Robert Winter, UCSB Art Museum, Oakland Museum (1979). Samuel and Joseph Cather Newsom: Victorian architectural imagery in California, 1878-1908 : UCSB Art Museum, Santa Barbara, April 4 through May 6, 1979, the Oakland Museum, Oakland, May 22 through August 12, 1979. The CSB Museum and The Oakland Museum. 12.^ Jump up to: a b Naverson, Kenneth (1998). Beautiful America's California Victorians. Beautiful America Publishing Co. pp. 1858–. ISBN 978-0-89802-701-3. 13.^ Jump up to: a b Stenger, Richard (October 28, 2010). "The Creepy Carson". North Coast Journal. Retrieved October 24, 2013.