Shasta County
Biographies
THE FRANCK BROTHERS
(Frederick & Ignatz)
pioneer settlers of French Gulch, and leading mine-owners and merchants, are natives of Mannheim, Baden, Germany. Their ancestors were Germans and their father was a soap manufacturer of that country.
The older brother, Frederick Franck, was born January 15, 1826. He was educated in his native town and there learned the trade of lock-making. In 1846 he emigrated to New York, and from there went to St. Louis and worked at his trade four years. In 1850 he started with a mule team across the plains for California, the land of gold. They came to Sacramento by the way of Ringgold, and on the last part of the journey suffered much for want of food, and were greatly reduced. While recovering strength at Sacramento he worked at his trade for two months. He then started for the mines at Salmon River and mined there all winter, then went to Whiskytown and worked in the mines successfully until the following spring. In 1852 he came to French Gulch and mined until September, 1853. Having made a good stake he returned to St. Louis and spent the winter, coming back to California across the plains. In 1854 he opened a store at Dutch Gulch, -- miners’ supplies and general merchandise. After being there a short time he removed to French Gulch and continued the same business until 1856, when his store burned and he met with a heavy loss. His brother had joined him, and they built their present store building, a fire-proof one, in 1867. They are also interested in a ranch on which they raise fruit, clover, potatoes and vegetables.
Frederick Franck was married in 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Garecht, a native of Germany. They have had twelve children, all born at French Gulch. Those living are Fritz William, John C., Henry, Louise, William, Gustave, Julia, Lena, Eliza and Mary.
Ignatz Franck, the younger brother, was born July 12, 1831. He was educated and learned the carpenters’ trade in his native land, and came to the United States in 1846. He worked at his trade in St. Louis until 1852, when he came to California and mined on Feather River. After a short time spent in mining, he engaged in an enterprise to turn the river, and lost all he had. Then he came to French Gulch and engaged in mining, with good results. In 1860 he returned to Germany to visit his friends, remaining six months. After his return to California he engaged in quartz-mining with his brother. In their first venture they lost $2,000; but in his next, with his nephew, J. C., they made $3,000 a piece, and afterward sold the mine for $4,500. He then bought a mine in Deadwood, in connection with the McDonald Brothers, paying $1,100. This they still own. They have taken out $450,000, and they are still developing the mine.
Mr. Franck was married in 1870, to Mrs. Eliza Stark, a native of Germany. They have had six children, born in French Gulch, namely: Henry, George, Louise, Annie, Maggie and Clara. Mr. Franck has been a Republican since the organization of the party. He is an Odd Fellow, and has been Treasurer of his lodge for the past twenty-five years. The Franck Brothers are among the best known and most honorable and reliable men of Shasta County.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California,
The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler
THOMAS LOWDON
Among the prominent residents who have identified themselves with French Gulch and the mining interests of Shasta County is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Lowdon has been a resident of this county for twenty-seven years. A brief review of his life is a follows: He was born in Westmoor village, near New-Castle-on-Tyne, Northumberland County, England, July 12, 1827, the son of Richard and Isabella Lowdon, natives of the same county, in which their son was born. Mr. Lowdon’s early life was spent at his native place and his education was obtained there. He learned the business of coal mining in all its departments and became an expert coal miner. In 1849 he emigrated to Pennsylvania and engaged in coal-mining in Schuylkill County for ten years. He came to Forest Hill, Placer County, California, in 1859, and turned his attention to gold-mining, remaining there three years without meeting with success. The mine, in which he lost $3,000, afterward sold for $225,000. In 1863 he came to French Gulch, Shasta County. Mr. Lowdon worked a few months for the Washington company. He then purchased a tenth interest in the Highland mine, worked it three years, and took out $130,000 for the company. In 1867 he sold his share for about $1,000. Since then he bought back one-half of the Highland mine and mill and is working it successfully. After the sale of the mine in 1867 he prospected and engaged in the lumber business at French Gulch, continuing it for seven years. In 1875 he returned to his old home in England to visit his parents and friends and to introduce miners’ squibs, a machine in which he was interested and with which he was successful. He visited the Centennial at Philadelphia, and the following year returned to England and established the business of manufacturing miners’ squibs. He then came back to his home at French Gulch, where he has since resided, being engaged in prospecting for gold, mining and ranching.
In 1865 Mr. Lowdon built the comfortable home in which he resides with his family. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Isabella Brownlees, a native of Cornhill, Northumberland County, England. They had three children, all born in Pennsylvania, viz.: John R., George B. and Isabella. The latter is now the wife of George Simmons. Mrs. Lowdon died in 1875.
Politically Mr. Lowdon is a Republican. In 1880 he was elected Justice of the Peace, has been re-elected several times, and is now (1890) the nominee of his party for that office. He was reared by Methodist parents, and in his religious views is very liberal. He is a most worthy and reliable man, and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens.
Memorial & Biographical History of Northern California,
The Lewis Publishing Co., 1891
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler