[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 121 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN MARSH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD W. POMBO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2006

  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John Marsh, an 
important figure in the history of the Nation, California, and 
California's 11th District. This Sunday marks the 150th anniversary of 
this early pioneer's death at the hand of bandits.
  The legacy of John Marsh is storied. He was one of the first educated 
Americans to settle in the far west and was dedicated to bringing more 
settlers into the region. Born in 1799 in Salem, Massachusetts, he 
received a bachelor's degree at Harvard University in 1823. Between 
1828 and 1832, Marsh studied medicine under an army physician.
  Marsh arrived in Los Angeles, CA on Feb. 4, 1836. He worked as a 
self-appointed doctor and was paid in cowhides. Traveling to northern 
California, he bought a tract of land in 1837 measuring 17,000 acres. 
He named the land Ranchos Los Meganos, which means ``sand dunes.'' This 
land included parts of what is currently Contra Costa County and the 
northern San Joaquin Valley. He had an adobe house built on his 
property and would treat explorers as they came by. His payment was in 
heads of cattle, which increased his cattle stock to 6,000, and his 
settlement grew quite prosperous.
  Years before the 1849 gold rush, Marsh sent out letters to his 
friends in Missouri, calling them to come out and enjoy California's 
environment. These letters were published in many Missouri newspapers 
and in 1841 30 travelers from that state visited his ranch. Other 
letters wherein Marsh gave accurate details about the land potential of 
California reached the governor of Michigan.
  During the Mexican-American war, Marsh opposed any military endeavors 
in order for America to gain land. However, he supported the ideals of 
Manifest Destiny and peaceful westward expansion into Mexico's 
territory. In order to accomplish this, he continued to write letters 
and send maps to encourage settlers to come into the area and promote 
the annexation of California into the United States.
  During the gold rush, Marsh was able to sell off some of his 6,000 
head cattle to feed miners coming into the area. He also found gold 
himself near the Yuba River before the incoming rush of miners.
  In 1851 he married a schoolteacher named Abigail Smith Tuck, who gave 
birth to his daughter Alice. He started construction on a Gothic-style 
manor made entirely out of stone that included a 65-foot tower. He had 
it built for $20,000 and it was completed in 1856, after the death of 
Abigail. On September 24, 1856 Marsh was murdered by three bandits on 
the road to San Francisco.
  The Marsh House still stands as a tribute to Marsh's contributions. 
Marsh's pioneer spirit helped make California and the Nation what it is 
today, and on the anniversary of his death, I honor his legacy.

                          ____________________