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Charles August Lauff

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Charles August Lauff

Birth	:	26 Feb 1822 Strasbourg, Departement du Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France
Death	:	24 Jul 1917 Bolinas, Marin County, California, USA
Burial	:	Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church Cemetery, Bolinas, Marin County, USA
Coordinate	:	37.9212570, -122.6938858
Inscription	:	Bolinas Pioneer
Description	:	Veteran Mexican-American War Mariner, Prospector, Adventurer Bolinas Pioneer This gentlemen and old pioneer, was born at Strasburg, at that time a city of France, February 26, 1822, and was the youngest child of Jacob and Caroline Ashelmann Lauff. While yet an infant, his father died, and at the age of five years he came with his mother to New York City. With the exception of two years spent at his birth place, he remained in New York till he was nineteen years of age, when he shipped before the mast on board the bark "Byron," Captain Wilcox, master, for a cruise to the... Read More	Veteran Mexican-American War Mariner, Prospector, Adventurer Bolinas Pioneer This gentlemen and old pioneer, was born at Strasburg, at that time a city of France, February 26, 1822, and was the youngest child of Jacob and Caroline Ashelmann Lauff. While yet an infant, his father died, and at the age of five years he came with his mother to New York City. With the exception of two years spent at his birth place, he remained in New York till he was nineteen years of age, when he shipped before the mast on board the bark "Byron," Captain Wilcox, master, for a cruise to the South Shetland Islands. At the end of eighteen months the vessel was wrecked while trying to make port during a heavy snow-storm. He was soon after landed by another bark at Cape Horn, from which place he shipped on the bark "Warren," Captain Barnham, master, bound for Sitka and the north-west whaling grounds, and at the end of her cruise, which lasted for six months, he came to San Francisco. This was in the Fall of 1844. He applied to Thomas O. Larkin, American Consul, for a transfer from the "Warren" to some coast vessel. He was transferred to the bark "Tasso," Captain Tibbey, master, a vessel engaged in the hide-droghing business. At the end of three months he left this vessel and shipped in the bark "Pisquamma," Captain J.B.R. Cooper, master, and cruised as far south as Callao, engaged in whip-sawing. He returned to San Francisco from this voyage in 1845, and went at once to the Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio, Marin county, and engaged in whip-sawing. He remained here until the breaking out of the Mexican war, when he enlisted under Colonel Thomas McLane, and served till the close of the war, being honorably discharged at Los Angeles. In the Fall of 1847 he was again in Marin county, this time at Ross' Landing, working for James Murphy, and remained in this vicinity till the gold excitement in 1848. He was among the first to go to Sutter's Fort, and remained at Coloma for six months. He then returned to San Francisco, and engaged in piloting vessels up the San Joaquin river to Stockton. He was the first man to take a vessel through what is now known as New river. He took one Chillanian ship through to Stockton and received five hundred dollars gold coin for his services. He and two other men purchased a top-sail schooner, paying ten thousand dollars for her, which amount they cleared on their first trip to Stockton. This is but one of the many fabulous fortunes which were made. "In the days of old, in the days of gold, In the days of '49." He continued in the piloting business till December, 1849. In the spring of 1850 he came to Bolinas for the purpose of getting out timber for the San Francisco wharves, having a sub-contract under Hoff & Hatch. He remained here one year, when he started for the Trinity mines, but did not go all the way, having heard that they were a failure. He then returned to Bolinas, and soon, after took charge of Rafael Garcia's ranch in Mendocino county, where he remained one year. He then came to Fort Ross, Sonoma county, and had charge of that ranch, for Benitz and Meyers. He then went on an extensive prospecting tour through the Coast Range Mountains with the Kelsey expedition. We next find him, in 1856, in charge of the Rancho Punta de los Reyes, under Joseph McCorcle, where he continued for one year. In 1857 he purchased a squatter's claim near Olema, where he resided till 1862, when he purchased his present homestead in Bolinas. He now owns two hundred and ninety-eight acres, and is engaged in dairying. Mr. Lauff is still as hale and hearty as at thirty, and is withal a very genial gentleman, and a few hours spent with him while rehearsing the old pioneer experiences afford a very rare treat. He was married April 19, 1862, to Mrs. Maria J. Sebrean, daughter of Gregorio and Ramono Briones, who was born in Santa Clara, June 8, 1831. His children are: Joseph L., born August 17, 1856; Charles A., born March 27,1861; Oscar, born June 26, 1863; Caroline, born January 24, 1866; Valentina and Julia, twins, born February 16, 1868; Alfred, born May 20, 1869; Marcus, born October 16, 1870; and George, born November 17, 1872. Mrs. Lauff had by her former marriage two children: Mary Adaline, born February 9, 1850; and John, born June 8,1852. History of Marin County Alley, Bowen & Co., Publishers San Francisco, 1880 Interesting Charles first wife was not listed in the book, even though his children by that marriage were. *** * * * 1850 census Marin County Charles age 28, Farmer from France 1852 Marriage Eliza Garcia, born about 1832 1860 census Olema Charles, age 35 Eliza, age 28 Manuel, age 7 & (Joseph) Lawrence, age 4 1861 Last son with Eliza born March 27; Charles August Lauff, Jr. Divorce or Widowed do not know what happened to Eliza 1862 Marriage to widow August 19. Charles and Maria's story was an enduring one, which began years before when Maria was 13. There is a romantic accounting of it on Maria's memorial. 1867 Naturalized Citizen San Francisco, U.S. circuit court 1870 census Bolinas township Charles, age 48, Dairyman Mary, age 32, keeps house (cannot read/write) Joseph 14, Oscar 6, Caroline 5, Mary 4, Valentine 2, Julia 2, Alfred 1 Ramona Briones age 60, mother-in-law 1880 census Bolinas township Charles A., age 59 , Farmer Mary J., age 47, keeping house Lawrence 22, Buttermaker Oscar 17 Caroline 15, Valentine D., 12, Julia V., 12 Fred 11, Marcus 9, George 7 1900 census Bolinas Chas. age 78, widowed dau Julia, 32, dressmaker dau Valentine, 32 1910 census Crescent, Del Norte** Charles is living on "own income" son Oscar is running Hotel on 1st St. both men are widowed Between Jan. 25, 1916 and May 23, 1916, Charles wrote a series of articles for the San Rafael Independent reminiscing about his early days in California. *** * * * step-children from Maria's first marriage John Baptiste Sebrean and Mary Sebrean * * * *** Published obituary on page 2

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Charles August Lauff's memorial?
Charles August Lauff's memorial is located at: Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church Cemetery, Bolinas, Marin County, USA.
When did Charles August Lauff death?
Charles August Lauff death on 24 Jul 1917 in Bolinas, Marin County, California, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Charles August Lauff's memorial?
Latitude: 37.9212570
Longitude: -122.6938858

Family Members:

Spouse

Maria Jesus “Mary” Briones Lauff

(1831 - 1894)

Children

Joseph Lawrence Lauff

(1856 - 1895)

Oscar Bengua Lauff

(1863 - 1939)

Mary J. Lauff

(1865 - 1877)

unexist

(unknow - unknow)

Julia Valentine Lauff MacKenzie

(1868 - 1945)

Charlotta “Lottie” Lauff

(1869 - 1872)

Alfred V. “Fred” Lauff

(1869 - 1939)

Marques A. Lauff

(1870 - 1948)

George Marcus Lauff

(1872 - 1897)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church Cemetery
Bolinas, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9212570, -122.6938858

2. Bolinas Cemetery
Bolinas, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9212600, -122.6938900

3. Druid Heights Burial Site
Mill Valley, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8892100, -122.5647100

4. Taylor Cemetery
Lagunitas, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0272580, -122.7346590

5. First Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden
San Anselmo, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9703310, -122.5667860

6. Montgomery Memorial Chapel Crypt
San Anselmo, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9687940, -122.5638630

7. Mount Tamalpais Cemetery
San Rafael, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9861984, -122.5544891

8. Olema Cemetery
Olema, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0313988, -122.7789001

9. Mission San Rafael Arcangel Cemetery
San Rafael, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9744330, -122.5280570

10. Fernwood Cemetery
Mill Valley, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8767014, -122.5231018

11. Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery
San Rafael, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0024986, -122.5397034

12. Marin County Farm Cemetery
Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0285500, -122.5652530

13. San Quentin Prison Cemetery
San Rafael, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9436480, -122.4883760

14. Saint Vincents Orphanage Cemetery
San Rafael, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 38.0355800, -122.5334550

15. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Memorial Garden
Belvedere, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8767515, -122.4712901

16. Sailors Cemetery
Sausalito, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8442390, -122.4774770

17. Golden Gate Cemetery (Defunct)
San Francisco, San Francisco County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7851990, -122.5013850

18. Beth Olam Cemetery (Defunct)
San Francisco, San Francisco County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7840450, -122.4987420

19. Caledonian Cemetery (Defunct)
San Francisco, San Francisco County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7857070, -122.4958030

20. Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery (Defunct)
San Francisco, San Francisco County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7819420, -122.4994290

21. French Benevolent Cemetery (Defunct)
San Francisco, San Francisco County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7849610, -122.4947080

22. Pioneer Memorial Cemetery
Novato, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1132532, -122.5902599

23. German Benevolent Cemetery (Defunct)
San Francisco, San Francisco County, USA
Coordinate: 37.7828920, -122.4945580

24. Angel Island Cemetery (defunct)
Tiburon, Marin County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8621830, -122.4325920