AN 1849 SAN FRANCISCO PIONEER
Charles Hays Gough was born in 1828, at Southampton Farm on Moores Mill Road, Bel Air, Maryland. Charley and his identical twin brother, Harry were the 3rd & 4th children of Harry D. and Mary O'Brien Gough. The boys grew up in a life of privilege on their parents' plantation just outside the county seat of Bel Air. They probably received their education at the Bel Air Academy where their father served as a board member. Charley and Harry Gough were not as scholastically motivated as 2 of their younger brothers Thomas and Dorsey, who were college valedictorians. However, Charley and Harry were precocious and adventuresome young men. Charley was the first of the 4 brothers to arrive in San Francisco by steamship--July 21, 1849. Physical description on his Jan 13, 1849 passport: 20 years old, height 5' 10", ruddy complexion, dark blue eyes, sandy hair, medium forehead, nose and mouth, round chin and face. The steamer he boarded for California took months to travel around Cape Horn, South America and to arrive in San Francisco the summer of '49. The cost of a ticket was about $32,000 in today's dollar value!
When he arrived in S.F., Charley is said to have peddled pails of milk around the S.F. region. Early S.F. was reportedly a violent, lawless city of tents from 1849-1853. By 1853, S.F. was filled with buildings and Charley was elected a delegate to the Whig Party's State Convention from S.F.'s Second Ward.
He helped frame San Francisco's first city Charter, served as an Alderman (1854) and as Treasurer to the County Clerk's Office (1855) and was a member of San Francisco County Board of Supervisors (1855). The 1860 S.F. City Directory lists "Gough & Bro."-- Charley and twin brother Harry were employed as street contractors. Charley helped to map out the original boundaries of the city of San Francisco. Gough Street was named for his family and Octavia Street for his sister, Octavia Gough Dallam. He was a concerned citizen, serving for many years as a member of the local volunteer fire department in his district. Charley served as captain and president of the Exempt Fire Company of San Francisco. The 1870 census lists Charles H. Gough as a deputy sheriff, living at 830 Pacific Ave, with personal property of $1,000. His younger brother, Dorsey 29, a lawyer, and younger sister Mary 25, keeping house, as also living at Charley's residence. The 1877-1880 S.F. Directories list Charley as a deputy license collector. In 1877-1880, Charles H. Gough was the Democratic California State Assemblyman from the 9th District in S.F. In 1883-1886, Contractor Gough was Superintendent of Repairs for the Harbor Commission. He was arrested by Officer Pugh on July 18, 1885 for "fast driving over the street crossing on Kearny Street" in San Francisco.
In his later years, Gough founded the "Old Friends Society", a fraternal organization. The S.F. Call newspaper printed on Apr 18, 1892, "President Harrison will be received by the Society of Old Friends when he visits S.F. The Society's president, Charles H. Gough will be among those who will meet the President."
Charles Hays Gough was an Argonaut, a member of the elite Pioneer Association of San Francisco--men who had arrived in San Francisco by the year 1849.
Charley died a pauper at the City and County Hospital. His obituary stated, "He was one of the men who figured in the fifties-- he and his brother Harry. They were twins...Harry was Inspector of Weights and Measures...I do not believe there ever were twins who looked so much alike!" His obituary states that Charles H. Gough "was a liberal man, spending his money in an open-handed way and helping friends in need. He died poor, having, like many pioneers, lost his property in unfortunate litigation...All that was mortal of the late Charles H. Gough was borne to the City Cemetery and tenderly laid in the grave... He was the last of his race, and no relative stood around the coffin during the simple services, but friends by scores were there to do honor to him and to his memory, for the old pioneer was known and loved by all the survivors of '49." -- quote from San Francisco Call newspaper July 19, 1895, pg 3
Charles Hays Gough was born in 1828, at Southampton Farm on Moores Mill Road, Bel Air, Maryland. Charley and his identical twin brother, Harry were the 3rd & 4th children of Harry D. and Mary O'Brien Gough. The boys grew up in a life of privilege on their parents' plantation just outside the county seat of Bel Air. They probably received their education at the Bel Air Academy where their father served as a board member. Charley and Harry Gough were not as scholastically motivated as 2 of their younger brothers Thomas and Dorsey, who were college valedictorians. However, Charley and Harry were precocious and adventuresome young men. Charley was the first of the 4 brothers to arrive in San Francisco by steamship--July 21, 1849. Physical description on his Jan 13, 1849 passport: 20 years old, height 5' 10", ruddy complexion, dark blue eyes, sandy hair, medium forehead, nose and mouth, round chin and face. The steamer he boarded for California took months to travel around Cape Horn, South America and to arrive in San Francisco the summer of '49. The cost of a ticket was about $32,000 in today's dollar value!
When he arrived in S.F., Charley is said to have peddled pails of milk around the S.F. region. Early S.F. was reportedly a violent, lawless city of tents from 1849-1853. By 1853, S.F. was filled with buildings and Charley was elected a delegate to the Whig Party's State Convention from S.F.'s Second Ward.
He helped frame San Francisco's first city Charter, served as an Alderman (1854) and as Treasurer to the County Clerk's Office (1855) and was a member of San Francisco County Board of Supervisors (1855). The 1860 S.F. City Directory lists "Gough & Bro."-- Charley and twin brother Harry were employed as street contractors. Charley helped to map out the original boundaries of the city of San Francisco. Gough Street was named for his family and Octavia Street for his sister, Octavia Gough Dallam. He was a concerned citizen, serving for many years as a member of the local volunteer fire department in his district. Charley served as captain and president of the Exempt Fire Company of San Francisco. The 1870 census lists Charles H. Gough as a deputy sheriff, living at 830 Pacific Ave, with personal property of $1,000. His younger brother, Dorsey 29, a lawyer, and younger sister Mary 25, keeping house, as also living at Charley's residence. The 1877-1880 S.F. Directories list Charley as a deputy license collector. In 1877-1880, Charles H. Gough was the Democratic California State Assemblyman from the 9th District in S.F. In 1883-1886, Contractor Gough was Superintendent of Repairs for the Harbor Commission. He was arrested by Officer Pugh on July 18, 1885 for "fast driving over the street crossing on Kearny Street" in San Francisco.
In his later years, Gough founded the "Old Friends Society", a fraternal organization. The S.F. Call newspaper printed on Apr 18, 1892, "President Harrison will be received by the Society of Old Friends when he visits S.F. The Society's president, Charles H. Gough will be among those who will meet the President."
Charles Hays Gough was an Argonaut, a member of the elite Pioneer Association of San Francisco--men who had arrived in San Francisco by the year 1849.
Charley died a pauper at the City and County Hospital. His obituary stated, "He was one of the men who figured in the fifties-- he and his brother Harry. They were twins...Harry was Inspector of Weights and Measures...I do not believe there ever were twins who looked so much alike!" His obituary states that Charles H. Gough "was a liberal man, spending his money in an open-handed way and helping friends in need. He died poor, having, like many pioneers, lost his property in unfortunate litigation...All that was mortal of the late Charles H. Gough was borne to the City Cemetery and tenderly laid in the grave... He was the last of his race, and no relative stood around the coffin during the simple services, but friends by scores were there to do honor to him and to his memory, for the old pioneer was known and loved by all the survivors of '49." -- quote from San Francisco Call newspaper July 19, 1895, pg 3
AN 1849 SAN FRANCISCO PIONEER
Charles Hays Gough was born in 1828, at Southampton Farm on Moores Mill Road, Bel Air, Maryland. Charley and his identical twin brother, Harry were the 3rd & 4th children of Harry D. and Mary O'Brien Gough. The boys grew up in a life of privilege on their parents' plantation just outside the county seat of Bel Air. They probably received their education at the Bel Air Academy where their father served as a board member. Charley and Harry Gough were not as scholastically motivated as 2 of their younger brothers Thomas and Dorsey, who were college valedictorians. However, Charley and Harry were precocious and adventuresome young men. Charley was the first of the 4 brothers to arrive in San Francisco by steamship--July 21, 1849. Physical description on his Jan 13, 1849 passport: 20 years old, height 5' 10", ruddy complexion, dark blue eyes, sandy hair, medium forehead, nose and mouth, round chin and face. The steamer he boarded for California took months to travel around Cape Horn, South America and to arrive in San Francisco the summer of '49. The cost of a ticket was about $32,000 in today's dollar value!
When he arrived in S.F., Charley is said to have peddled pails of milk around the S.F. region. Early S.F. was reportedly a violent, lawless city of tents from 1849-1853. By 1853, S.F. was filled with buildings and Charley was elected a delegate to the Whig Party's State Convention from S.F.'s Second Ward.
He helped frame San Francisco's first city Charter, served as an Alderman (1854) and as Treasurer to the County Clerk's Office (1855) and was a member of San Francisco County Board of Supervisors (1855). The 1860 S.F. City Directory lists "Gough & Bro."-- Charley and twin brother Harry were employed as street contractors. Charley helped to map out the original boundaries of the city of San Francisco. Gough Street was named for his family and Octavia Street for his sister, Octavia Gough Dallam. He was a concerned citizen, serving for many years as a member of the local volunteer fire department in his district. Charley served as captain and president of the Exempt Fire Company of San Francisco. The 1870 census lists Charles H. Gough as a deputy sheriff, living at 830 Pacific Ave, with personal property of $1,000. His younger brother, Dorsey 29, a lawyer, and younger sister Mary 25, keeping house, as also living at Charley's residence. The 1877-1880 S.F. Directories list Charley as a deputy license collector. In 1877-1880, Charles H. Gough was the Democratic California State Assemblyman from the 9th District in S.F. In 1883-1886, Contractor Gough was Superintendent of Repairs for the Harbor Commission. He was arrested by Officer Pugh on July 18, 1885 for "fast driving over the street crossing on Kearny Street" in San Francisco.
In his later years, Gough founded the "Old Friends Society", a fraternal organization. The S.F. Call newspaper printed on Apr 18, 1892, "President Harrison will be received by the Society of Old Friends when he visits S.F. The Society's president, Charles H. Gough will be among those who will meet the President."
Charles Hays Gough was an Argonaut, a member of the elite Pioneer Association of San Francisco--men who had arrived in San Francisco by the year 1849.
Charley died a pauper at the City and County Hospital. His obituary stated, "He was one of the men who figured in the fifties-- he and his brother Harry. They were twins...Harry was Inspector of Weights and Measures...I do not believe there ever were twins who looked so much alike!" His obituary states that Charles H. Gough "was a liberal man, spending his money in an open-handed way and helping friends in need. He died poor, having, like many pioneers, lost his property in unfortunate litigation...All that was mortal of the late Charles H. Gough was borne to the City Cemetery and tenderly laid in the grave... He was the last of his race, and no relative stood around the coffin during the simple services, but friends by scores were there to do honor to him and to his memory, for the old pioneer was known and loved by all the survivors of '49." -- quote from San Francisco Call newspaper July 19, 1895, pg 3
Charles Hays Gough was born in 1828, at Southampton Farm on Moores Mill Road, Bel Air, Maryland. Charley and his identical twin brother, Harry were the 3rd & 4th children of Harry D. and Mary O'Brien Gough. The boys grew up in a life of privilege on their parents' plantation just outside the county seat of Bel Air. They probably received their education at the Bel Air Academy where their father served as a board member. Charley and Harry Gough were not as scholastically motivated as 2 of their younger brothers Thomas and Dorsey, who were college valedictorians. However, Charley and Harry were precocious and adventuresome young men. Charley was the first of the 4 brothers to arrive in San Francisco by steamship--July 21, 1849. Physical description on his Jan 13, 1849 passport: 20 years old, height 5' 10", ruddy complexion, dark blue eyes, sandy hair, medium forehead, nose and mouth, round chin and face. The steamer he boarded for California took months to travel around Cape Horn, South America and to arrive in San Francisco the summer of '49. The cost of a ticket was about $32,000 in today's dollar value!
When he arrived in S.F., Charley is said to have peddled pails of milk around the S.F. region. Early S.F. was reportedly a violent, lawless city of tents from 1849-1853. By 1853, S.F. was filled with buildings and Charley was elected a delegate to the Whig Party's State Convention from S.F.'s Second Ward.
He helped frame San Francisco's first city Charter, served as an Alderman (1854) and as Treasurer to the County Clerk's Office (1855) and was a member of San Francisco County Board of Supervisors (1855). The 1860 S.F. City Directory lists "Gough & Bro."-- Charley and twin brother Harry were employed as street contractors. Charley helped to map out the original boundaries of the city of San Francisco. Gough Street was named for his family and Octavia Street for his sister, Octavia Gough Dallam. He was a concerned citizen, serving for many years as a member of the local volunteer fire department in his district. Charley served as captain and president of the Exempt Fire Company of San Francisco. The 1870 census lists Charles H. Gough as a deputy sheriff, living at 830 Pacific Ave, with personal property of $1,000. His younger brother, Dorsey 29, a lawyer, and younger sister Mary 25, keeping house, as also living at Charley's residence. The 1877-1880 S.F. Directories list Charley as a deputy license collector. In 1877-1880, Charles H. Gough was the Democratic California State Assemblyman from the 9th District in S.F. In 1883-1886, Contractor Gough was Superintendent of Repairs for the Harbor Commission. He was arrested by Officer Pugh on July 18, 1885 for "fast driving over the street crossing on Kearny Street" in San Francisco.
In his later years, Gough founded the "Old Friends Society", a fraternal organization. The S.F. Call newspaper printed on Apr 18, 1892, "President Harrison will be received by the Society of Old Friends when he visits S.F. The Society's president, Charles H. Gough will be among those who will meet the President."
Charles Hays Gough was an Argonaut, a member of the elite Pioneer Association of San Francisco--men who had arrived in San Francisco by the year 1849.
Charley died a pauper at the City and County Hospital. His obituary stated, "He was one of the men who figured in the fifties-- he and his brother Harry. They were twins...Harry was Inspector of Weights and Measures...I do not believe there ever were twins who looked so much alike!" His obituary states that Charles H. Gough "was a liberal man, spending his money in an open-handed way and helping friends in need. He died poor, having, like many pioneers, lost his property in unfortunate litigation...All that was mortal of the late Charles H. Gough was borne to the City Cemetery and tenderly laid in the grave... He was the last of his race, and no relative stood around the coffin during the simple services, but friends by scores were there to do honor to him and to his memory, for the old pioneer was known and loved by all the survivors of '49." -- quote from San Francisco Call newspaper July 19, 1895, pg 3
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