This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Bishop, Wallis, U'ren Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/ZW.2ADI/1972 Message Board Post: This is an autobigraphy writen by my 2nd great grandfather; Thomas Kendall Wallis b. 1 Nov 1837 d.26 Jan 1904 Crows Landing, Stanislaus Co., CA. I was born Noveber 1, 1837, in Meneral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin. I was the fourth son of John and Elizabeth Wallis, pioneer settlers of Mineral Point, coming there immedately afer the Black Howk War. My childhood and yourth were passed on a grain and staock farm, with I worked during the farming season, working in the lead mines, for which the place is noted, during the winter. I was married to Miss Jane U'Ren, September 13, 1862. She was a native of England, but came to Mineral Point whe she was about two and a half years of age. I resided at Mineral Point until March 17, 1863, when I left for Califronia, leaving my wife at home. I came via New York, and Panama, across the Isthmus of Darien (now the Isthmus of Panama). I arrived in New York, March 20, and the next day took sail on the steamship OCEAN QUEEN for Aspinwall. We went by the way of Key West, seven hundred miles out of the rgular line of travel, to escape the ALABAMA which was lying in wait for mail steamers. We arrived in Aspinwall after one of the most pleasant voyages, the captain said, he had made in twenty years. Crossing the Isthmus by rail to Panama we were to have sailed on the steamer UNCLE SAM for San Francisco; but the vessal being under repair, we were compelled to sail on the old condemned steamer, SONORA. This vessel was too small for the fifteen hundred passengers who came on the OCEAN QUEEN and we came near bing lost, as the steamer sparng a leak when several days from San Francisco. We were saved brom being swamped when crossing the Japan current by the Captain's ordering the sterrage passengers below, and barring down the hatchway to prevent return. An officer of the vessel told me that if the passengers had known the conditions of the vessle, it would have been almost impossible to have saved her. When we anchored in the BAy of Sn Francisco, there were nine feet of water in the hold in the bottom of the vessel. We arrived in San Francisco, April 19 1863, having been twenty-nice days coming from New York. I left San Francisco April 21st for the San Jaquin River by the way of Stockton, arriving at my brother's ranch on the San Joaquin River, in Stanislaus County, April 23, 1863. WILD CATTLE OF THE VALLEY When I arrived in Stocton I found that no steamer would leave for the San Joaquin river for two weeks, and as there was no stage line or team coming this way, I concluded to come across the country afoot. There were no houses on the plains at that time, and wild cattle roamed over them at freedom in vast numbers. When traveling between the San Joaquin and Tuolumne rivers, I saw a band of wild cattle coming toward me, shaking their heads. I immediately fell to the ground and crawled on my hands and knees for a long distance until they had lost sight of me. I afterwards learned that they were infuriated by being caught and branded, and would have killed me had they caught me. I remained with my brother William K. Wallis, assisting in branding and working among wild cattle, until the 4th of the following August, when I started on horseback across the mountains to Virginia City, Nevada, going by way of Sonora, Big Trees, Big Meadows, and Faith, Hope and Charity valleys, arriving in Virginia City, August 9th after five days toilsome journey. A few days later I went to Gold Hill (one mile from Virginia City) when I remained working by contract in the Caledonia mine until February 16, 1864. At this time I went to American Flat three miles from Gold Hill, where I wroked in the Central Park mine for a short time. At the rate of four dollars per day. February 16th, I was employed to sink a shaft in the "Gongosoco" claim, at which I worked until March 5th, having in this time sunk a shaft eighty five feet in depth. A short time after this, I went to Daneyville, in Spring Valley, where I was employed to take charge of the property and look after the interest of Charles Caney Mining Company. This mine having ceased to operate, my duty was to report to Donald Davidson, the superintendent the conditions of the adjoining Caney nad other mines which the company were interested. February 1, 1865, I was called by the company to San Francisco, leaving the property in charge of another man. Previous to this, in October 1864, my wife came out from Wisconsin, and lived with me in Daneyville. We now went to San Francisco, by the way of Grass Valley, Nevada County, California, where we spent a few pleasant days, and arrived in San Francisco, February 9th. Soon after this we came to the San Joaquin river where we have remained ever since engaged in stock farming and dairying. My stock farm contains seven hundred and sixty acres of land, situated on the San Joaquin river, twelve miles south of Modesto, the county seat, and one mile below Crow's Ferry. Turlock, the nearest railroad station is ten miles east of my ranch which is situated on the east bank of the San Joaquin river. This stream is navigable for steamboats most of the year. My ranch is well timbered with oak, willow and ash and isgood for grazing purposes. I also have a farm of onhundred and twenty acres for grain land, situated six miles south of Modesto, on the road to Crow's Ferry. We live four and a Half miles from school and eight miles from church. I own on an average, one hundred cattle, one hundred fifty sheep, twenty hogs, and fifteen horses. I raised and sell annually about thirty-five cattle. At this point Thomas listed his brothers and sisters. His son Delmar Wallis latter added many of his cousins and their families. If any one would like this listing pleas write me at jfrancis1@austin.rr.com Laura