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| William Neill Slocum and Luella Jane Fish |
| My Great Grandfather, William Neill Slocum, descends from a large family of early settlers on the East Coast. The Slocum families were Quakers and despite many hurdles they became a respected family name among the "Original People" as well as the settlers. William Neill Slocum (Matthew B.,7 Benjamin,6 John,5 Benjamin,4 Eleazer,3 Giles,2 Anthony,1) according to the book "The Slocums of America", was born 24 November, 1828, in Delphi, NY. In July, 1844, he became apprenticed to the Editor of "Madison County Eagle" newspaper at Cazenovia, NY. After two years in this office, he finished his apprenticeship in the printing office of "The Syracuse Journal". He then taught Public School one or two years, and in 1850 went to New York City where he engaged with "The New York Sun, first as proofreader, then as reporter, and assistant editor. In 1854 he became City editor of "The Morning Express. In 1855 held position in the office of the Associated Press; and during the rule of the Vigilance Committee in San Francisco in 1856, he was sent to that city as agent of the association. The committee disbanded about the time of his arrival and, in 1857, several months after quiet was restored in the city he bought an interest in a placer gold mine by the Merced River in Mariposa County, CA. This business not proving profitable, he returned to San Francisco and engaged in newspaper work. He was never an aspirant for office; but, at the solicitation of friends, he served two terms as Assistant Clerk of the California Assembly. Also one term during President Lincoln's administration, as Collector of Internal Revenue. Since the year 1868, most of his work has been as editor of reform journals in California. Originally an Abolitionist, he has been successively a Republican, a 'Greenbacker', a member of the Workingmen's Party, a Populist, and latterly a Socialist, changing (so he writes) as the changing times required. He married first in 1862 widow Amanda M. Taylor, of San Francisco. Married second in March, 1880, Luella Fish of Los Angeles. He sent his report for this book from Los Angeles in 1905. He wrote of the increasing pleasures of the suburbs of this city; the seashore, and the mountain resorts, as his sight and hearing fails. Children, by First Marriage: Clara, born 28 Feb 1863; died in 1880 Frederick, born February 1864; died Oct 1868 By Second Marriage: Leona Pearl, born 17 Aug 1882 m: David W. Wickerd (my grandfather) Avis, born 17 June 1884 m: Walter Shook of Los Angeles. (this information was transcribed from pages of "The Slocums of America", by Evelyn Hanks.) My Great Grandfather, William Neill Slocum age 90, died 21 Feb 1918 in San Bernardino Co., CA. Jan. 20, 2004 I am very happy to have received some very old family pictures. Among these pictures was this one of William Neill Slocum and Luella Jane Fish. I do not know for sure, but I believe it to be their Wedding photo. |
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