John Marsh (pioneer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Marsh
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John Marsh in 1852
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| Born | June 5, 1799 Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Died | September 24, 1856 (aged 57) |
| Citizenship | United States Mexico |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Occupation | Medical doctor, rancher |
| Known for | Early California pioneer |
| Spouse(s) | Abigail Smith Tuck |
| Children | Charles (son), Abigail (daughter) |
| Parent(s) | John Marsh Sr. (father), Marguerite Deconteaux (mother) |
John Marsh (born June 5, 1799 – died September 24, 1856) was an important doctor, rancher, and language expert in California. He lived there when California was still part of Mexico. Born in Massachusetts, Marsh moved to California in 1836. He became a Mexican citizen and was baptized as a Roman Catholic so he could buy land.
He bought a huge area of land called Rancho Los Méganos in Contra Costa. He became one of the richest ranchers in California. Marsh was also a very influential person who helped California become a U.S. state after the Mexican–American War. Marsh knew several languages, including Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. He even created the first dictionary of the Siouan language. Places like Marsh Creek and Marsh Creek State Park are named after him.
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John Marsh's Early Life
John Marsh was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1799. He went to Phillips Academy and then to Harvard University. He studied medicine with a doctor in Boston.
Later, Marsh moved west to the Michigan Territory. He started a school there, which was the first in what is now Minnesota. The government also appointed him as a U.S. Indian agent at Fort Snelling. While at Fort Snelling, Marsh had a son named Charles. He also became known as "Judge Marsh" because he was appointed Justice of the Peace.
Marsh continued his medical studies at Fort Snelling. He later moved to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He became involved in the Black Hawk War, a conflict between the U.S. and some Native American groups. After some difficulties, Marsh left the area. He placed his young son, Charles, with a family in New Salem, Illinois, to be raised.
In 1836, Marsh moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and then traveled to Southern California. Both of these areas were part of Mexico at the time.
Life in California
In southern California, John Marsh claimed he was the only person who knew about Western medicine. He showed his Harvard degree to the local Mexican government. Since his degree was in Latin, and no one there could read it, they trusted him. They allowed him to practice medicine. Marsh was very successful as a doctor, but he charged high prices. Sometimes he would charge a whole cow to deliver a baby! He is known as the first person to practice medicine in California.
He was often paid with cowhides and tallow (animal fat). In 1836, he sold his goods and rode to Northern California to find a ranch. To own land in Mexico, he had to become a Roman Catholic, which he did.
In 1837, Marsh bought a large piece of land called Rancho Los Méganos. It was about 17,000 acres. This land was near what is now Clayton, California and Brentwood. He paid $500 for the rancho, which was all his savings. He became the first non-Hispanic white settler in Contra Costa County.
Marsh did very well as both a rancher and a doctor. He bought even more land, and by the time he died, he claimed his ranch was about 40,000 acres. He continued to charge high prices for his medical services, especially if he had to travel far. He even helped some survivors of the Donner Party.
Marsh owned tens of thousands of cattle. In 1841, when the first American pioneer group, the Bartleson–Bidwell Party, arrived in California, Marsh invited them to stay at his ranch. This meant the California Trail ended in Brentwood.
Marsh was very concerned about keeping his land. He felt that Mexican courts were not always fair. He also saw that other countries like Russia, France, and England might try to take over California. Marsh believed the best way to protect his land was for California to become part of the United States. He wanted to encourage more Americans to move to California.
He wrote many letters describing California's great climate and soil. He also shared the best routes to get there. These letters were read all over the country and encouraged many people to move to California. Marsh even let immigrants stay on his ranch until they could get settled.
Marsh also worked secretly to help California become a U.S. state. He wrote a letter in 1845, asking foreigners to meet to discuss the future of California. He also helped in the Battle of Providencia, convincing Americans not to fight each other. This led to the last Mexican governor leaving California.
In 1851, Marsh married Abigail "Abby" Smith Tuck, a schoolteacher. They had a daughter named Alice Frances in 1852.
John Marsh House
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Marsh soon started building a large house made entirely of stone from nearby hills. Abby chose a spot next to Marsh Creek, with a beautiful view of the valley and Mount Diablo. The house was designed in a Gothic-Revival style and cost about $20,000. Sadly, Abby died in 1855, before the house was finished. Marsh moved into the new house only about three weeks before his death.
His son and daughter inherited the ranch and the stone house. The mansion is now part of the Marsh Creek State Park. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Cowell Foundation donated the house and land in 1960, hoping it would be restored. The house is still waiting for funding to be fully restored.
John Marsh's Death
John Marsh was involved in California politics. On September 24, 1856, he was traveling from his ranch to San Francisco. On the road between Pacheco and Martinez, he was attacked and killed by three of his ranch workers. They had a disagreement about their wages.
The three men escaped at first. Ten years later, two of the killers were found and brought to trial. One was released, and the other was sent to prison for life. He was later pardoned. The third man was never caught. A California Historical Landmark plaque marks the site where Marsh was murdered.
John and Abigail Marsh are buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California.
John Marsh's Legacy
It is said that shortly before Marsh's death, his son Charles arrived at his house, looking for his father. They had a happy, but short, reunion. Charles later helped bring one of his father's killers to justice.
John Marsh's daughter, Alice Marsh, was cared for by Mrs. Thompson. As a young woman, Alice moved to Oakland and married William Walker Camron. They lived in the Camron-Stanford House, which still stands. Alice later divorced and never remarried. She and her daughter Amy are also buried in Mountain View Cemetery.
Many places are named after John Marsh. Marsh Creek, a stream in Contra Costa County, is named for him. An elementary school in Antioch, California also bears his name. The John Marsh Historic Trust is a group that works to protect places connected to his history. Part of California State Route 4 around Oakley and Brentwood is called the John Marsh Heritage Highway in his honor.
