Brill wasn't here very long- but just in case someone is looking for him....... http://ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/extension/ALFP98.htm A German Immigrant - Frederick L. Brill was born in Bilstein, Westphalia, Prussia (Germany) on April 4, 1833. He attended public schools and took a college course at Lippstadt, Germany before leaving for the United States in 1849 at the age of 16. His ship put in at New Orleans, where he got work as a cigar maker. A year later, the young Brill moved to San Antonio, Texas and, having learned the trade, opened his own cigar factory. He was only 17, but extremely industrious and knowledgeable of business. He ran his cigar factory for two years, built up the business, and sold it in 1852. Now, with the money in his pocket, he decided to head for California. He arrived in San Francisco and headed into the placer fields of Mariposa County. He opened a boarding house, taking advantage of the heavy influx of miners into the area. He sold that business in 1855 and moved to San Diego. There Brill went into the cattle business and made a name for himself in the community. Within five years, he became an American citizen.