John Marsh | |
|---|---|
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:John_Marsh,_Pioneer,_1852.jpg) John Marsh in 1852 | |
| Born | June 5, 1799 Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | September 24, 1856 (aged 57) |
| Citizenship | United States Mexico |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Occupation(s) | Medical doctor, rancher |
| Known for | Early California pioneer |
| Spouse | Abigail Smith Tuck |
| Partner | Marguerite Deconteaux |
| Children | Charles (son), Abigail (daughter) |
| Parent(s) | John Marsh Sr. (father), Polly Brown (mother) |
John Marsh (June 5, 1799 – September 24, 1856), later known in Spanish as Don Juan Marsh,[1][2] was a physician, ranchero, and linguist in California when it was still part of the Republic of Mexico. Born in Massachusetts, Marsh immigrated to California in 1836, where he became a Mexican citizen. He was baptized as Roman Catholic in order to buy land, and acquired the vast land grant of Rancho Los Méganos in Contra Costa. He became one of the wealthiest ranchers in California, and was among the highly influential men who worked to gain United States statehood after Mexico ceded this area following its defeat in the Mexican-American War.[3][4]
Marsh knew Hebrew, Latin and Greek, and, while working as a US Indian agent at Fort Snelling, was the first person to compile a dictionary of the Siouan language.[5][6] He is the namesake of Marsh Creek and Marsh Creek State Park in Contra Costa County. The John Marsh Historic Trust was organized to protect his legacy.
- ^ San Joaquin Republican, Volume XI, Number 95, 21 April 1861
- ^ Petition of Juan Marsh to establish residency, 1836
- ^ Lyman, George D. John Marsh, Pioneer: The Life Story of a Trail-Blazer on Six Frontiers, pp. IX, 209, 231, 238-9, 246-51, 266-7, 268-71, Chautauqua, New York: The Chautauqua Press, 1931.
- ^ "Pioneer Doctor Foully Murdered," Berkeley Gazette, p. 1, Centennial Edition, July 5, 1976, Berkeley, California.
- ^ George D. Lyman (1930). John Marsh, pioneer: The life story of a trail-blazer on six frontiers, p. 73. Scribner's & Sons.
- ^ Winkley, John W. Dr. John Marsh, Wilderness Scout, p. 35, Contra Costa County Historical Society, Martinez, California, 1962.