San Joaquin County, California
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

San Joaquin County is one of the original 27 counties Created on February 18, 1850. Territory which at one time was in San Joaquin County is now in Stanislaus County. The County has had two Boundary Changes:

Most of San Joaquin County has been in the county since 1850.
Territory was in Sacramento County from 1850 to 1878 when it was added to San Joaquin County.

The County takes its name from the San Joaquin River. In the early 1800s Lieutenant Moraga, commanding an expedition in the lower great Central Valley of California, gave the name of San Joaquin (meaning Saint Joachim) to a rivulet that springs from the Sierra Nevada mountains and empties into Buena Vista Lake. The County Seat is Stockton . See also County History for more historical details.

Counties adjacent to San Joaquin County are Stanislaus County (south & southeast), Alameda County (west), Contra Costa County (west), Sacramento County (north), Amador County (northeast), Calaveras County (east).

San Joaquin County Cities Include Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Ripon, Stockton, Tracy. CDPs (A census-designated place (CDP) is a type of place or area identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes) Include August, Country Club, Farmington, French Camp, Garden Acres, Kennedy, Lincoln Village, Linden, Lockeford, Morada, North Woodbridge, South Woodbridge, Taft Mosswood. Unincorporated Communities Include Banta, Mountain House, Victor

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Extended History

San Joaquin Co Courthouse
Completed 1890

Of all the substantial buildings erected in the late-19th-century boom years in Stockton ("destined to become the Chicago of the West," according to one writer at the time), the courthouse was the most impressive. Among its many marvels was a gas well "providing heat and light without cost to taxpayers" and a statue of Justice atop a dome that rose 172 feet above the street. The building was demolished in 1961 to make room for a new courthouse

Captain Charles M. Weber, the father of Stockton, the county-seat, and practically of San Joaquin County, was born in the Netherlands in 1814, came to America in 1836, and in 1841 to California,, with the Bartleson party, stopping first at Dr. Marsh's, near the east base of Mt. Diablo. During the ensuing winter he was an assistant of Captain Sutter at the fort, where he, with an eye to the future, cultivated friendly relations with José Jesus (pronounced hozay hasoos), the celebrated chief of the Siyakumna tribe, in this region. Seeing also that California would probably soon fall into the possession of the United States, he began in his calculations to cast his anchor in that direction.

In the spring he settled at San Jose, in mercantile business, in. partnership with Guillermo (William) Gulnac, a Mexican citizen. Not yet being naturalized himself, and desiring a tract of land, he persuaded Gulnac to obtain for him a grant, in his, Gulnac's, name. This grant was of about 44,000 acres of land, in the heart of what is now San Joaquin County, called Rancho del Campo de Los Franceses, whereon the city of Stockton now stands. Weber, however, did not move his residence upon this land until after the close of the Mexican war, in which he took a conspicuous part, for the United States. Moving upon the grant he proceeded to lay out a town, which he at first named Tuleburg, on account of the great quantity of rank tules in the vicinity. Soon afterward he named it Stockton, because Commodore Robert F. Stockton, while meeting him at Los Angeles during the war, made great promises as to what he would do in Congress for him by way of improving the navigation of the San Joaquin River, etc., but which were never fulfilled, and Weber was sorry afterward that he had named his pet village in his honor. Another name he had reserved for it was Castoria.

Weber was an exceedingly generous man, making many large donations to all the churches and schools, etc., although, especially toward the latter part of his life, his idiosyncrasies became rather conspicuous. Had he been as penurious as the average man he would have been worth hundreds of thousands of dollars more than he was at the time of his death, which occurred May 4, 1881. In 1850 he married Miss Helen Murphy, a member of the celebrated Murphy party of 1844, and they had three children, namely: Hon. C. M. Weber, who resides in the Santa Clara Valley, and is managing their vast estate there; Julia H. and T. J., residing at Stockton.

THE COUNTY

is probably the best part of the great San Joaquin Valley, and is characteristic of that level section of the country, being but twenty to 100 feet above the sea level. The lower portions are of adobe soil, which prevails mostly in the western part of the county, while the rest is more sandy. It has always been a great grain-raising section, but, like most other parts of California, it has of late years been drifting more into fruit-culture. All the fruits raised in California do well here, in streaks and spots, especially where irrigation can be had, for the county is greatly dependent upon this. Many artesian wells are in operation, and schemes are contemplated for the more thorough supply of water by canals from the mountains.

The digging of artesian wells has developed the fact that there is at least a thousand feet of "mountain wash" here, and that therefore the valley has, geologically speaking, been but recently elevated above the sea. But, to the surprise of the world, natural gas is found in the county, and already Stockton and other points are abundantly supplied with this most useful product.

San Joaquin County, where now live about 30,000 inhabitants, is the next south of Sacramento; is bounded on the east by Amador, Calaveras and Stanislaus, on the south by Stanislaus, and on the west by Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara. The lines of latitude 38° north and longitude 121° 20' west cross near the center of the county.

Politically, this is one of the original counties of February 18, 1850. In 1860 a slice was taken off its southeastern corner and attached to Stanislaus County.

For the purpose of forming a State government, General Bennett Riley, by virtue of his office as Military governor, issued a proclamation in 1849, calling for a convention to frame a constitution, and dividing the Territory into districts in order that there be a fair geographical representation. The San Joaquin district comprised all the territory south of the Cosumnes River lying between the Coast Range and the Sierra Nevada mountains. The delegates elected were J. McH. Hollingsworth, O. M. Wozencroft, Thomas L. Vermeule, S. Lippincott, B. F. Moore, J. M. Jones, C. L. Peek, S. Halley, M. Fallon, B. Ogden, G. A. Pendleton, J. Ford, B. L. Morgan, Colonel Jackson and Walter Chapman,—only the first six named serving.

March 2, 1850, the county organized by the election of the following officers: Benjamin Williams, Judge; S. A. Booker, District Attorey; R. P. Ashe, Sheriff; A. C. Bradford, Clerk; A. A. Mix, Recorder; B. F. Whittier, Assessor; H. W. Aldin, Treasurer; Walter Herron, Surveyor; E. L. B. Brooks, Administrator; and J. B. Clements, Coroner. Some amusing anecdotes are related with reference to the looseness with which the election was conducted. At one place a game of "seven-up" was played to decide a question in regard to counting of certain votes!

The court of sessions was organized June 3, 1850, consisting of Judge Benjamin Williams, ex-officio, and the associate justices Harrison Amyx and O. C. Emory. This court proceeded to levy a tax on all merchants, brokers, owners of hotels, etc., for the purpose of creating a county fund. These business men were thus aroused into opposition by such an unusual poll tax, and excitement grew so strong that bloodshed seemed imminent; but, taking the second thought that they could easily indemnify themselves by raising the prices of their goods they calmed down.

The first court-house was completed in the spring of 1854, at a cost of $83,920, built of brick manufactured in the vicinity, and served until it was torn away in 1888 to make room for the erection of the present magnificent structure, at a cost of about $229,000, in 1890. The new jail when completed will cost about $60,000.

The county hospital is a fine institution just outside the city limits east. The main building, erected about 1879, cost nearly $11,000. Two wings have since been added, at a cost of $5,000 or $6,000 each. Present number of inmates, about 175, who are kept at an average cost to the county of 42½ cents per day.

The first railroads in the county were the "Stockton & Copperopolis" and the Western Pacific, both built in 1869, the same year that the great trans-continental line was completed to Sacramento. The Western Pacific, afterward the Central Pacific, was the line from Sacramento through Stockton to San Jose. As usual there was a deal of underhanded work, delay and waste of funds, and even the citizens of Stockton themselves overreached when they imposed so great burdens upon the Central Pacific Company in 1869 that they lost the junction now at Lathrop. The "San Joaquin & Sierra Nevada" narrow-gauge road, running from the northwestern corner of the county to Burson in Calaveras County, was completed to the latter point in 1885. All these roads are now operated by the great Southern Pacific Company.

CHAPTER I - SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY THE GATEWAY OF THE VALLEY - The Valley Gateway—The Inland Sea—Nature, the Soil Builder—The Work Complete—The Spring Floods—The Tule Land—Fish Aplenty—The Underground Springs—A Climate Unsurpassed—Varieties of Soil.
CHAPTER II - THE FIRST LANDOWNERS - Indians Everywhere Found—Name and Location of Tribes—Their Food Supply—Indians versus Bears — Physical Appearance—Indian Wikiups — Their Clothing — Courtship and Marriage— Woman's Degraded Position—Childbirth—Form of Government—Famous Chiefs—Estanislao, the Warrior Chief—His Fight with Soldiers—He Defeats General Vallejo—Jose Jesus, the White Man's Friend—The Indian's Religion—The Sweat House—The Ravages of Disease—A Night of Mourning—Disposal of Their Dead—A Sorrowing People—Calaveras River, How Named—An Extinct Race—A Brutal Law—The Barr Collection.
CHAPTER III - THE DAWN OF CIVILIZATION - Moraga Discovers the San Joaquin Valley—Hunters and Trappers—The Trail of John C. Fremont —First Family in San Joaquin—Captain Charles M. Weber—El Campo de los Franceses— Weber's Treaty with the Indians—Indians Kill James Lindsay—The Murder Avenged—Gulnac Sells His Half of Grant—Weber Again Tries to Locate Settlers—Tuleberg's First Inhabitants— Indian Raids.
CHAPTER IV - THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD - Marshall Discovers Gold—Great Excitement at Tuleberg—The Stockton Mining Company— Stockton's First Mercantile Store—The First Murder—The First Merchants—Christmas and July 4th—The Great Fire on Christmas, 1849—Stockton a Lively Burg—The Rush of '49—The Population of State, County and City.
CHAPTER V - COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND LAND GRANTS - The Mexican War—The Rush to California—First Constitutional Convention—Fight to Seat Delegates—San Joaquin County Elects Senators—The Van Buren-Fair Contest—Resignation of Assemblyman—Boundary of County—Origin of Name San Joaquin—The County Land Grants—-Settlers Fight with Southern Pacific—First County Election—Citizens Oppose Taxation—The People Score the Court—Creation of Townships—Staten Island—Efforts to Divide County—The Scheme a Failure—Court House Square and Title—The Court House and City Hall—The Old Time Dirt Roads—Beginning of Good Highways—The Father of Good Roads—The Educational Campaign—The Result.
CHAPTER VI - BUSINESS DAYS AND BUSINESS WAYS - The Rush to California—Mountain and Valley Population—The Magic City—Stockton's Business Center—Benjamin F. Cheatham—Importation and Exportation of Merchandise—Food Prices— Business Losses—Foreign Miners' Tax—Ships Block the Harbor—The Brig Adelaide—Great Fires in History—The Era of Frame Buildings—Fire of July 30, 1855—Fire of February, 1855—Fire Limit Ordinance—The Spectacular Fire of 1864—A Block of Fire Traps—A Horrible Death— Destruction of City Property—Building Progress—The First Up-to-Date Buildings—Merchants and Their Locations in 1864.
CHAPTER VII - COMMERCIAL EVENTS UP TO 1869 - South Stockton—The Pioneer Steamer—Criminal Neglect of Life—Explosion of Steamer Stockton —The American Eagle on Fire—The Mosquito Fleet—Excitement Over Steamboat Competition Merchants' Steamboat Company—The Project a Failure—Merchants’ Social Customs—State Telegraph Established—Stockton Boys Learn Telegraphy — An Enthusiastic Editor — Atlantic Cable Celebration—Advertisements and Boycotting—Early Auctioneers—A Wild Horse Sale—The Drayman on Duty.
CHAPTER VIII - EARLY DAY TRANSPORTATION - The Pioneer Ferryman—First River Ferry Boat—Heath & Emory Ferry—The Benson Ferry Tragedy—Woods Ferry—The Fighting Ferryman — The Staples Ferry—Bridges of County — Stockton the Mining Depot—The Mule of Commerce—A Pack Mule Train—First Freighting Business—The Mogul Teamsters—The Commission Merchants—China John—Prairie Schooners— Hauling Big Loads—Expert Mule Drivers—The Bell Mule Team—Heavy Freight Shipments— Miners Short of Food—The Road Stations—The Camping Ground—Highwaymen Hold Up Stages —Decrease of Mining Population—The Copper Excitement—Teamsters' Association—Marrying the Mountain Maids—Staging to the Mines—Fisher Brothers' Stage Line—The Live Yankee Stage Man—The Coaches and Routes—Overland Mail Line.
CHAPTER IX - JUSTICE COURTS—SQUATTERS—MOB LAW - Respect for Law—A Riot of Crime—Courts and Law—David S. Terry's First Duel—The Stocktons Alcaldes—Tragic Death of Alcalde Belt—Punishment for Crime—The Chain Gang—A Fake Shakespearean Actor—Judge Reynolds Holds Court in Saloon—The Prison Brig Susanna—Heavy Jail Expenses — Market Street Jail — Imperfect Land Titles — The First Squatters — A Rough-handed Proceeding—The Battle of Waterloo—The Comstock Affair—A Mob Law Court—Russell, the Sydney Duck—The Vigilance Committee.
CHAPTER X - THE MAYOR AND THE COMMON COUNCIL - Necessity of Law—The Unfortunate Town Council—Preliminary City Government Meeting— Report on City Government—Judge Williams Orders an Election—A Nonpartisan Ticket—First City Election—Samuel Purdy and David S. Terry—The First City Survey—Laying Off a Big City—Naming the Streets—The Flood of 1852—Reception to Peter Rothenbush—The Bridgers and Diggers—Mayor Kenney's Administration—Assassination of William A. Brown—Disposal of the Dead—The City Burial Place—J. M. Burlington's Administration—The City Rents Property —Victory of the American Party—A Banker for Mayor—Deserting the Democratic Party— Mayor Bours' Farewell Message.
CHAPTER XI - THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT - The Fire Heroes—Social and Civic Leaders—Preliminary Organization of the Department—The First Hook and Ladder Truck—The Weber Bucket Company—Organization of Weber Engine Company—City Buys Fire Engine—Protection No. 1 Organized—Reorganization of Weber Company—The New Yorkers Secede—The Eurekas' Housewarming—The Button & Smith Engine—San Joaquin No. 3—The Firemen's Favorite Daughter—Presentation of Diamond Pin—A Gift of Banners—Howard Engine Company Visits Stockton—Eurekas Make a Return Visit— Patriotic Firemen—The Weber's Flag Pole—First Steam Fire Engine—Dedication of Engine House—The Horse-Drawn Steamer—The City Fire Wells—"Old Betsey"—Members of Weber Engine Company—The Young Fire Volunteers—Water Playing Contests—Eureka Members— Marshall Hook and Ladder—Members of Protection No. 1 — The Eureka Serenaders — The Double-Deck Engines—The Eureka Association—Eureka Steam Fire Engine—"The Day We Celebrate"—Decoration of Graves—The Fire Bell—The Babcock Chemical Engine—San Francisco Exempts Visit Stockton—Stockton Exempts—Bad Morale of Fire Department—The Paid Department in Politics—The Splendid Department of Today.
CHAPTER XII - TEN YEARS OF DEMOCRACY - California a Free State—The Congressional Fight—The Slavery Question—First County Convention—Ben F. Moore, Lawyer and Fighter—Purdy Whips an Editor—Party Hatred—Sheriff Nominees and Election—Democratic Convention of 1853—Campaign Speakers at Stockton—The Bigler Campaign—George Kerr, State Printer—The American or Know-Nothing Party—The Campaign of 1855—Terry Deserts His Party—The Know-Nothing Victory—Henry A. Crabb— His Tragic Death—Judge Weir, the Filibuster—Crabb's Fugitive Slave Law—The Sale of a Slave —David S. Terry Stabs Hopkins—The Democratic Rallying Song—United Whigs and Democrats—The Republican State Organization—Republican County Organization—First Republican County Ticket—Democrats Again Win—An Exciting Campaign—The United Democracy— Terry's Abusive Speech—The Republican Convention—Reception to Latham—The Death of Broderick—The Farcical Murder Trial of Terry.
CHAPTER XIII - THE FOREIGN POPULATION - America the Melting Pot—Stockton's Foreign Population—The Mexican People—The Mexican Home—Occupation of the Men—Expert Horsemen and Thieves—Joaquin Murietta—Organization of Outlaws—The Capture and Death of Murietta—The Fandango or Spanish Dance—The Cascarone Ball—Hanging of Judas—The Flour Battle—Rooster Pulling—Jewish Occupations and Characteristics—Building a Synagogue—A Hebrew Marriage—The Jewish Place of Burial—The Oppenheimer Duel—The Jewish Reform Movement—Dedication of the Temple—Arrival of Chinese—An Outrageous Affair—Burning of Chinatown—Persecution of Chinese—A Tong War—The Joss House—A Chinese Funeral—The Chinese New Year.
CHAPTER XIV - THE PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY - The First Sermon Preached in Stockton—Arrival of Protestant Pastors—A Noisy Church Service—Whisky Barrels for Seats—Organization of the Church—Captain Weber Donates a Lot— Dedication of Church—A Strenuous Life—A Handsome Brick Church—The Presbyterian Choir— East Side Presbyterian Church—Grace Methodist Episcopal Church—Christian Church or Disciples of Christ—The Church Choir—The Congregationalists—Celebration of Forefathers Day— First Baptist Church—Elder Knapp—A Baptist Church Secession—The Episcopalians—St. Mary's Catholic Church—San Joaquin Cemetery—Memorial to Father O'Connor—Central Methodist Church—People's Temple—German Churches—Colored Congregations—Unitarian Society— The Christian Science Church—The Hindu Temple.
CHAPTER XV - SAVED TO THE UNION - Slavery and State's Rights—Secession Threats—Birth of the Republican Party—New Year's Day, 1860—City Election of 1860—The Fourth of July, 1860—State and National Democratic Conventions—Abraham Lincoln for President—Local Campaign of 1860—Election of 1860—Talk of a Pacific Republic—Bear and Secession Flags—Washington's Birthday—Secession News from the South—War News and City Election—The Famous Woodbridge Meeting—Republican County Convention—The Fourth of July, 1861—The Secessionist Pastor—State Democratic Convention— Budd-Underhill Debate—Exciting Meetings at Woodbridge and Liberty—Tyler's Assault on Budd—Republican Campaign Eve of Election—Union Men Rejoice—County Convention—Hook's Sensational Speech—Union Clubs Formed—News of Gettysburg and Vicksburg—Campaign of 1863—Fall of Atlanta—State Campaign of 1864—Loyal Business Men—Close of the War— Assassination of Lincoln.
CHAPTER XVI - HOTELS OF OTHER DAYS - Baltimore House—Eagle Hotel—Dickenson House—Stockton House—The Magnolia—New York Hotel—Crescent City Hotel—Golden Lion Hotel—The Gault House—United States Hotel-----Stockton Bakery Hotel—The Cottage Home—The Weber House—The Yosemite House—Hotel Stockton and Hotel Clark.
CHAPTER XVII - NEWSPAPERS OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY
CHAPTER XVIII - THE MILITIA AND THE PATRIOT
CHAPTER XIX - HISTORY AND PROGRESS OF EDUCATION
CHAPTER XX - THE BUILDING OF RAILROADS
CHAPTER XXI - SECRET AND BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS
CHAPTER XXII - COURTS AND CRIMINALS
CHAPTER XXIII - POST AND RAILROAD TOWNS
CHAPTER XXIV - LODI, THE TOKAY CITY
CHAPTER XXV - AGRICULTURE - HORTICULTURE - MANUFACTURERS
CHAPTER XXVI - MOSAICS OF HISTORY - Miscellaneous newspaper clippings.

San Joaquin County, California
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

County Court Courthouse Records

See Also California Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in California

County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for California

County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

County Military Records

See Also Military Records in California

County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other California Genealogical Addresses

County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in California

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

Extended History

San Joaquin County, California History, Records, Facts and Genealogy

County Court Courthouse Records

See Also California Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

County Vital Records

See Also Vital Records in California

County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist for California

County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

County Military Records

See Also Military Records in California

County Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other California Genealogical Addresses

County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in California

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

Extended History

San Joaquin County, California
History, Records, Facts and Genealogy