Alonzo Sweet (1827 - 1895)

Born 11 Dec 1827 in Colden, NY

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Ann (Hampton) Sweet — married 10 Sep 1850 in NY

Descendants

Died 8 Jun 1895 at age 67 in Ferndale, Humboldt, CA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Karen Ferrero [send private message]

Biography

Alonzo Sweet 1827-1895 Mary Ann Hampton 1828-1883

In 1850 Alonzo Sweet and Mary Ann Hampton were married in Hamburg, NY. In 1854 they and their two daughters moved, with Mary Ann’s parents [David Hampton and Anna Baker] to Potosi, Wisconsin. Wisconsin must not have had much appeal to Alonzo, as in the spring 1857 he left for California; preceding his family by two years. It is possible that Alonzo wasn’t cut out for farming, as he engaged only in business after the move. He lived both in Modoc Co, and Trinity Co during this time.

Alonzo and Mary Ann were almost certainly reared in the Quaker faith. It is not known if the break with the Friends came with the move to WI, but it was most certainly over with their arrival in CA. By the time Mary Ann died she had come to believe in the Spiritualist movement, and she had spiritualist rites at her funeral.

In 1859 Mary Ann and their two oldest daughters [Delia and Ella] joined Alonzo in Trinity Co, where they stayed until June of 1865 before moving to Humboldt Co. By January of 1871 the family is operating Sweet’s Hotel in Centerville and Alonzo is made Postmaster of ‘False Cape Hope’ Post Office there. Their daughter Carrie arrived in 1862, Artie May in 1865, and Willie in 1871. Willie died young sometime after 1880.

By 1881 their daughter, Ella, had remarried and relocated to Berryessa Valley and they joined her until Mary Ann’s death in 1883, at which time Alonzo moved back to Humboldt Co. and lived out the rest of his life in the home of his daughter, Delia Sweet Morrison.

Truly biographical material has been difficult to obtain for this couple as they were on the trail so much of their lives; but if the reader should be inclined to read the letters that Alonzo sent to the newspaper from time to time, it is clear that he received an excellent education in the then wilderness of Erie Co, NY. Either a home school or a one room schoolhouse provided him with the basics and more. Both he and Mary Ann wrote in a lovely script.

[See below a letter Alonzo wrote to the Ferndale Enterprise while he lived in Berryessa Valley.]

8 June 1883 ‘Ferndale Enterprise’

Monticello, Napa, Co., May 27

I have learned a method of treating kicking cows which works so charmingly that I want to give it to friends in Humboldt through your paper. Pass a strap around the body of the cow forward of the hip bones. Draw the strap tight and buckle it. The cow will probably buck some when you first put it on, but as soon as she stops you can sit down and milk with perfect safety. I have tried this on two vicious cows, and it works splendidly. A rope will do, but a strap two, or two and a half inches wide is preferable. The breast strap of a harness will span a small cow. A strap six and a half feet long will span any cow of ordinary size.

Well, summer has come at last and farmers are busy harvesting hay. The long looked for rain came just in time to save the crops and the farmers are jubilant. We had nine rainy days in the fore-part of the present month. The thermometer is up to 98 degrees above zero. How is that for high? The railroad engineers have gone from our gaze, but I believe it is pretty certain that the road will be built next summer.

Doctor, I admire your liberal, common sense views on the subject of dancing. King David, I believe, danced before his family in a nude state. That kind of dancing would not be countenanced in this age of civilization. The author of the Dance of Death acknowledges that he has been a man of pleasure, and I would infer that the picture of the subject presented in the Dance of Death was drawn principally from the low dance houses, instead of the social dance, where brothers and sisters, parents and their children mingle joyously together. Such vicious thoughts as portrayed in the Dance of Death does not enter their heads. ----A. Sweet

• The son, Willie, who is listed with them in the 1880 census probably died young and should not be confused with the other William H. Sweet who was born to an entirely different Sweet family in Humboldt Co. As you can see from the obituaries [for Alonzo; and later his daughters] there is no mention of a son.

Timeline for Alonzo and Mary Ann Hampton Sweet

• 1850: Married in Hamburg, Erie, NY
• 1854: Went to Wisconsin with Mary Anne's parents
• 1857: Alonzo went to CA; Alonzo preceded the family by two years and was living in Modoc Co. Later moved to Hayfork Valley, in Trinity.
• 1859: Mary Ann and two oldest daughters (Delia and Ella) went to CA, living in Shasta and Trinity Co.
• 1865: June of 1865, left Trinity and went to Humboldt
• 1871: January 14: Alonzo Sweet is made Postmaster of "False Cape Hope" Post Office at Centerville, Humboldt Co., and is operating Sweet's Hotel.
• 1881: Alonzo and Mary Ann move to Berryessa Valley to live with daughter Ella, and her new family.
• 1883: Alonzo moves back to Humboldt, after death of wife.

Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings

14 January 1871 “SBF”'

A new post office established at Centerville, Humboldt county with Alonzo Sweet as Postmaster. Name given the office is “False Cape Post Office”.

'“Where the Ferns Grow Tall”' (A local history compiled by Ferndale Union High School in 1976. Centerville is an outskirts community 5 miles from Ferndale, and on the ocean.)

SWEET’S HOTEL On the beach at Centerville (Eureka and Petrolia Road) A pleasant place of resort during the spring and summer months, affording a splendid opportunity to drive or ride on the beach, or through Eel Rive Valley. The best accommodations for travelers and visitors at moderate charges. A SWEET, Proprietor ~ Centerville, January 20, 1871

' 4 August 1882 ‘Ferndale Enterprise’

A. Sweet, formerly of this place, is residing at Monticello, Napa County. He writes us that the mercury stands at 90 deg. in the shade, and that the mornings and evenings are delightful.

'9 March 1883 ‘Ferndale Enterprise’

COMMUNICATIONS, Monticello, Napa Co., Cal. Feb. 24, 1883

Dear Editor and Kind Friends:

We have had a very cold, dry, frosty winter in this little valley up to the twentieth of this month, but it is warm enough for summer now, and some of the trees are in blossom. We have had but very little rain yet, and the people are afraid that crops will be a failure in Berryessa. The railroad survey goes on, drought or no drought. Stanford and Crocker have a company of surveyors laying out a road to the redwoods. They started at Vacaville and passed through Monticello, and one of the party informed me that they were bound for the redwoods by way of Clear Lake. It begins to look as though Humboldters would have a chance to ride to the city without getting sea-sick, Dr. Alford in particular. Monticello is a little village about half the size of Ferndale, situated near the center of the valley.

More Anon, A. Sweet

'8 June 1883 ‘Ferndale Enterprise’

Monticello, Napa, Co., May 27

I have learned a method of treating kicking cows which works so charmingly that I want to give it to friends in Humboldt through your paper. Pass a strap around the body of the cow forward of the hip bones. Draw the strap tight and buckle it. The cow will probably buck some when you first put it on, but as soon as she stops you can sit down and milk with perfect safety. I have tried this on two vicious cows and it works splendidly. A rope will do, but a strap two, or two and a half inches wide is preferable. The breast strap of a harness will span a small cow. A strap six and a half feet long will span any cow of ordinary size.

Well, summer has come at last and farmers are busy harvesting hay. The long looked for rain came just in time to save the crops and the farmers are jubilant. We had nine rainy days in the fore-part of the present month. The thermometer is up to 98 degrees above zero. How is that for high?

The railroad engineers have gone from our gaze, but I believe it is pretty certain that the road will be built next summer.

Doctor, I admire your liberal, common sense views on the subject of dancing. King David, I believe, danced before his family in a nude state. That kind of dancing would not be countenanced in this age of civilization. The author of the Dance of Death acknowledges that he has been a man of pleasure, and I would infer that the picture of the subject presented in the Dance of Death was drawn principally from the low dance houses, instead of the social dance, where brothers and sisters, parents and their children mingle joyously together. Such vicious thoughts as portrayed in the Dance of Death does not enter their heads. ----A. Sweet

'15 November 1889 ‘Ferndale Enterprise’ Capt. Foss Geer and daughter Nora, of Blue Lake, were called to Bear River this week by the serious illness of Alonzo Sweet, Miss Nora’s grandfather.

14 November 1890 ‘Ferndale Enterprise’

Alonzo Sweet, of Bear River, received the sad intelligence this week of the death of his brother Otis Sweet, at Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo county.

12 June 1895 Paper Unknown

DEATH OF ALONZO SWEET Alonzo Sweet, a pioneer of Humboldt and Trinity counties, died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. S.W. Morrison of Bear river, last Saturday morning, June 8th, says the “Oracle”.

About eight years ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis, since which time he has been an invalid, tenderly cared for by his loving daughter and last Saturday he passed quietly away.

Alonzo Sweet was a man respected by all who know him for his many sterling qualities. He was on of Nature’s noblemen---honest, upright and possessed of a kind and generous nature. He was a native of New York, from which state he emigrated to Wisconsin. In 1859 he came to this state and located at Weaverville, Trinity county. In 1865 he removed to Humboldt county, settling in Bear river valley. He was located at Centerville for many years, engaged in the hotel business.

He leaves four daughters to mourn his death, namely, Mrs. S.W. Morrison, of Bear river, Mrs. T.S. Scribner, of Napa county, Mrs. Carrie Weckworth of Ashland, Oregon, and Mrs. M. Christiansen, of Tillamook, Oregon. The funeral took place from G.W. Dungan’s undertaking parlors at 1:30 o’clock Monday. Rev. S.R. Wood officiating, and was largely attended by the pioneer friends of the deceased. The remains were placed at rest beside the grave of his wife in Ferndale cemetery. Pioneers A. Berding, H. Hollisster, J.B. Grover, C.A. Doe, J.W. Kemp and G.A. Dungan acted as pall bearers.

14 June 1895 Ferndale Enterprise'

TO HIS FINAL REST Last Sunday morning at three o’clock Alonzo Sweet passed to his final rest at the home of S.W. Morrison on Bear river. About seven years ago the old gentleman suffered a stroke of paralysis and has been a helpless invalid ever since, during which time he has been carefully cared for and tenderly nursed by his loving daughter Mrs. Morrison, assisted by members of her family.

His death was painless and was as peaceful as the going down of the sun. His remains were interred in the Ferndale cemetery Monday afternoon along side of those of his wife, whose death occurred several years ago. Rev. S.R. Wood officiated and the following named citizens acted as pall bearers; A. Berding, H.W. Hollister, Jas B Groves, C A Doe, J W Kemp and G A Dungan.

Alonzo Sweet was born in Erie county, NY, and was 68 years of age. In 1854 he went to Wisconsin, coming to California in 1859. He lived in Shasta and Trinity counties until 1865, when he moved to Humboldt, where he has since resided. He was married in 1850 to Mary A. Hampton, and has four daughters who survive him---Mrs. F. Weckworth and Mrs. Jas Christensen of Oregon, Mrs. T.S. Scribner of Napa county and Mrs. S W Morrison of Bear river.

He was a man whom everybody respected and was possessed of many noble qualities and a most kindly disposition. To his bereaved daughter and sorrowing relatives our sympathies are extended, and they will surely find consolation in the fact that the old gentleman is now beyond the reach of further suffering and pain. In peace shall he rest.

Sources

Birth and Death [1] Census 1850 [2] 1870 [3] 1880 [4]