Person:John McMullin (6)

CAPTAIN JOHN McMULLIN.
Possessed of a temperament that fitted him for daring deeds and the
endurance of frontier hardships, Captain John McMullin came to the regions of
the Southwest at a period when ample opportunity was afforded him for the
exercise of his natural instincts and the gratification of his desire for
adventure. The record of his life reads like a romance, such as was often lived
out in the careers of the hardy pioneers of the early part of the nineteenth
century, but it was not his good fortune to be spared to witness the marvelous
prosperity of the West and the remarkable development of its vast resources.
Death ended his labors ere success had crowned his efforts, yet he had been able
to lay the foundations of a prosperity that later brought ample returns to his
family and, in addition, he had been an integral factor in laying the
foundations of our commonwealth broad, deep and strong, capable of sustaining
the superstructure of twentieth century civilization.
Born in Baltimore, Md., June 27, 1824, John McMullin was taken to
Florida at the age of four years and afterward attended the schools of
Tallahassee. When fifteen years of age the desire for adventure led him to run
away from home for the purpose of joining Col. Jack Hays. After arriving at San
Antonio, Texas, he traveled westward alone through the country of hostile
Indians and in due time arrived safely at the camp of Colonel Hays, whom he told
that he was not afraid of any hardships endured by soldiers. Many times in later
days his courage was brought to a test and in every instance he proved himself
undaunted by any hardship, undismayed by any peril, and through all that wild
region he became known as a brave Indian fighter. Though always in the thickest
of the fights, he escaped without injury and seemed to lead a charmed life, for
none was more eager than he to throw himself into the most dangerous places and
sustain the weakest division. His bravery elicited the highest approval of his
superiors and led to his promotion to the rank of captain, in which capacity he
took part in the Texas and Mexican wars. As a member of a party of 180 soldiers
he made a raid from Texas into Mexico. During the war he was taken prisoner by
the Mexicans and for two years he was confined in the City of Mexico, in the
castle of Perote, which is still standing. Eventually he was exchanged, though
in the meantime he had made several unsuccessful efforts to escape rather than
suffer the indignities heaped upon the prisoners.
As early as 1848 Captain McMullin had decided to establish himself in
California and had already started via the Mexican overland route when he
received news of the discovery of gold. When he started for California Captain
McMullin came through Vera Cruz, and while there met a banker and the two became
well acquainted. This banker said that he had a brother somewhere in California
and gave Captain McMullin a letter to hand him if he should run across him in
the new country. A comrade on his journey, from Mexico was G. W. Trahern, who
had served with the Captain in the Mexican war. On their arrival in the mines
they concluded to go into the cattle business, buying them in Southern
California and driving them to the mines. Meantime an incident occurred which
was remarkable. Going into a business house in one of the early mining towns to
see the proprietor, on learning his name he found him to be the brother of his
Vera Cruz friend and the Captain said, "I have a letter for you." After reading
the letter the gentleman said, "Do you know what this letter contains?" The
Captain replied that he did not have the least idea. The gentleman then said,
"This letter contains unlimited credit for yourself," but the Captain said he
could not accept it for he was a stranger to him as well as his brother. The
gentleman, who was a wealthy business man, said that the offer was always open,
nevertheless, but Captain McMullin remained firm and did not use the credit
volunteered him. He and Mr. Trahern then proceeded to Los Angeles and purchased
a band of cattle which they drove to the Southern Mines, crossing the San
Joaquin River at Casa Blanca. Selling the cattle in the mines they netted
splendid returns. At the crossing of the San Joaquin River they became
acquainted with the Imus Brothers who had settled there. Finding this was a
favorite crossing for the herds of cattle driven to the mines, Captain McMullin
concluded it could be a good location for his headquarters, so he purchased the
place from the young claimants and this became the nucleus of his large
holdings. The Imus boys had sent to Boston for the material for their house and
it came in parts around the Horn on a sailer. This house they had painted white,
from which it had taken its name, Casa Blanca. The tract comprises 640 acres, to
which he added by purchase from time to time until he had a ranch of about
30,000 acres lying in San Joaquin County between the Stanislaus and San Joaquin
rivers. Here he engaged in raising stock, finding the mountain range very
suitable for breeding horses, for they thrived better here than in the valley
and he raised some fine specimens of horseflesh, of which he was a great
admirer.
Throughout his life Captain McMullin was loyally devoted to the progress
of Stockton and his death, which occurred in 1868, was a serious loss to the
highest citizenship of the entire county. Through his large holdings and his
commanding personality he had ever been a prominent figure in the history of the
county and had been instrumental in promoting movements for the general welfare.
One of his hobbies was a fondness for fine stock. As an organizer and president
of the first county fair association, he had been in a position to arouse an
interest in stock among the ranchers of the valley and had introduced many
breeds of exceptional merit through his own efforts. In spite of maintaining a
constant interest in politics he never aspired to office and invariably declined
appeals to fill positions of that nature, yet in other ways he was ever alert to
aid in the upbuilding of the community. The first theatre building in Stockton
was owned by him and many other early enterprises were fostered by his
progressive spirit. During the Civil War the governor of Texas offered him a
post as chief of cavalry, but although he desired to go he had a family of
little children and felt that his first duty was to them, so declined the honor.
Land in Texas which he secured in an early day is still owned by his heirs, as
is also the Stanislaus and San Joaquin county lands and the Stockton real
estate.
During a visit in Washington. D. C., Captain McMullin met Miss Eliza
Fleming Morgan, who like himself came from a sturdy stock fitted to endure the
privations in frontier regions. ... [more]

DEATH of a PROMINENT CITIZEN -- Captain John McMULLIN, long a resident of San Joaquin county, and a highly respected gentleman, died at his residence in Castoria township, at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, of typhoid fever. He was a native of Maryland, aged about 45 years. He came to California in June, 1849, and settled first on Wood's Creek, Tuolumne county, and in 1854 removed to San Joaquin, where he has since resided. Captain McMULLEN was a gentleman of high character and sterling worth. He leaves a wife and 9 children to mourn his death. The sadness occasioned by the loss of a loving husband and an indulgent father is shared by the community at large, who deeply sympathize with the family in their bereavement. The funeral takes place from the First Presbyterian Church in this city, at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
The pall-bearers were: H.O. MATHEWS, Dr. HOLDEN, General S.A. BOOKER, John SEDGWICK, P. WILKES, G.W. KIDD, T.C. YANCY, M. KEENE, T.K. HOOK, W.H. GLASKIN, G.C. HAVENS, Frank STEWART.

[Includes gravemarker and monument photo.]