doc241 - Schoenherr Home Page in Sunny Chula Vista

Past Master's jewel, which the latter later gave to his beloved lodge, and which is now a
cherished item of their furniture.
He married Josefa Lopez, a daughter of Bonifacio Lopez, of San Diego, 1848.
They had a large family, of which seven sons and two daughters survived him. His
daughter Mary was married to J. N. Briseño, of San Diego, but the others live in Lower
California. He died in San Diego, February 19, 1903. Mrs. Wm. Jeff Gatewood was his
sister. It is said he had nearly fifty grandchildren at the time of his death.
Crosthwaite was a well built man, with a full beard and a remarkably deep voice.
It is related that an uncle by marriage, Mr. Hempstead, stopping off at La Playa on his
way to San Francisco in the 50's, recognized him by his voice, though he had not seen
him for years. He was known to be an utterly fearless man, whose courage was proved
in many hard encounters. He was a man of strong character and had enemies as well
as friends. Part of these troubles were due to religious differences, he being an Episcopalian
and his wife a Catholic. He was fond of telling his recollections of early days and
his stories were not always accurate or free from prejudice. He was fond of a joke, and
it has been said that he carried this propensity into his tales of old times; but a careful
study of them shows clearly enough that the inaccuracies and discrepancies are no
more than was natural with one who talks a good deal and whose memory is not remarkable
for its accuracy. That Crosthwaite had some faults is doubtless true, but he
was beyond question a strong, resolute man, well fitted for the rough life of his time.
CURLEY, William. Was an otter hunter with Crosthwaite and others, in 1846.
Served as a volunteer in the Mexican War. He was an elector at San Diego, April 1,
1850. Married Ramona Alipás, daughter of Damasio and Juana Machado de Alipás,
(later the wife of Thomas Wrightington), in 1844. He was drowned in December, 1856,
on the beach near Point Loma, while out otter hunting with an Indian. His widow afterward
married William Williams, and moved to Los Angeles.
Page 278
DARNELL (or Darnall), Thomas R. Kept a store in San Diego in the early 50's;
his store was robbed in February, 1856. In the following March he was chosen city trustee.
He was an organizer of the San Diego & Gila Railroad Company. He was unmarried.
Was Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge in 1858. He left San Diego soon after
the latter year.
ENSWORTH, A. S. Squire Ensworth came to San Diego as a teamster in government
employ. He was elected justice of the peace in 1856 and assemblyman in
1859. He was a "self-made man," who studied law after being elected justice, and later
engaged in the practice of law, with considerable success. He was quite a reader and
had a large library, for the times. He died in a hospital at Los Angeles.
FERRELL, William C. This pioneer came from North Carolina, where he had two
daughters living. He settled at San Diego about 1850, and at the first election, held in
that year, was chosen district attorney. He was a lawyer of ability and a useful member
of the community. He was one of the founders of new San Diego, with Davis and others.
In 1852 he was appointed collector of the port and served one year. In 1854 he was assessor
and school commissioner, and, the following year, served as assemblyman. In
1858 he was a city trustee, and in 1859 district attorney again. In December of the last
named year, he went to Reventadero, near Descanso, Lower California, where he lived
the life of a recluse until his death. The reason for this action is somewhat obscure, but