Charles Franklin Willey came across the plains to California in 1850, in a group of pioneers who were just shortly behind the ill-fated Donner party. He had a long career in San Jose as a painter. The old capitol building was one of his first jobs in the city. In the 1880 census, he was described as an ornamental painter, which would have been in high demand for the colorful Victorian homes and buildings of the time.
Charles's first wife, Margaret, died in 1873. His second wife, Sarah, died Apr. 23, 1886, according to probate records. After Sarah's death, he lived alone at the family home on East Santa Clara street, despite the urging of his children to come live with them. He became unable to work due to his age and "acute neuralgia" of the head. On June 20, 1902, he boarded a steamer from Alviso to San Francisco, and while en route, he leapt off the deck into San Francisco Bay. His death was ruled a suicide based on a bundle of belongings that he left that day with friend, George Jamison of the Auzerais saloon. The bundle contained fine brushes, painters tools, and gold tint, and a note which read, "Mr. Jamison: These traps I have no more use for. I am going to the city this afternoon on the boat." He was survived by three daughters, Mrs. James P. Clarke and Mrs. Mary A. Smith, both of San Jose, and Mrs. William Morrison of Castelo, Shasta county. A son, Henry Willey, died "some time ago" while in the employ of the Farmers' Union. (San Jose Mercury, June 22, 1902; San Jose Evening News, June 21, 1902.) His step-son, Frank M. Palmer, lived in Los Angeles according to Sarah Willey's probate file.
His body was was recovered and buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. (San Jose Evening News, July 2, 1902.)
Likely the father of Fannie Willey who died in 1866 at age 4 and is buried in the Willey family plot at Oak Hill.
Charles's first wife, Margaret, died in 1873. His second wife, Sarah, died Apr. 23, 1886, according to probate records. After Sarah's death, he lived alone at the family home on East Santa Clara street, despite the urging of his children to come live with them. He became unable to work due to his age and "acute neuralgia" of the head. On June 20, 1902, he boarded a steamer from Alviso to San Francisco, and while en route, he leapt off the deck into San Francisco Bay. His death was ruled a suicide based on a bundle of belongings that he left that day with friend, George Jamison of the Auzerais saloon. The bundle contained fine brushes, painters tools, and gold tint, and a note which read, "Mr. Jamison: These traps I have no more use for. I am going to the city this afternoon on the boat." He was survived by three daughters, Mrs. James P. Clarke and Mrs. Mary A. Smith, both of San Jose, and Mrs. William Morrison of Castelo, Shasta county. A son, Henry Willey, died "some time ago" while in the employ of the Farmers' Union. (San Jose Mercury, June 22, 1902; San Jose Evening News, June 21, 1902.) His step-son, Frank M. Palmer, lived in Los Angeles according to Sarah Willey's probate file.
His body was was recovered and buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. (San Jose Evening News, July 2, 1902.)
Likely the father of Fannie Willey who died in 1866 at age 4 and is buried in the Willey family plot at Oak Hill.
Charles Franklin Willey came across the plains to California in 1850, in a group of pioneers who were just shortly behind the ill-fated Donner party. He had a long career in San Jose as a painter. The old capitol building was one of his first jobs in the city. In the 1880 census, he was described as an ornamental painter, which would have been in high demand for the colorful Victorian homes and buildings of the time.
Charles's first wife, Margaret, died in 1873. His second wife, Sarah, died Apr. 23, 1886, according to probate records. After Sarah's death, he lived alone at the family home on East Santa Clara street, despite the urging of his children to come live with them. He became unable to work due to his age and "acute neuralgia" of the head. On June 20, 1902, he boarded a steamer from Alviso to San Francisco, and while en route, he leapt off the deck into San Francisco Bay. His death was ruled a suicide based on a bundle of belongings that he left that day with friend, George Jamison of the Auzerais saloon. The bundle contained fine brushes, painters tools, and gold tint, and a note which read, "Mr. Jamison: These traps I have no more use for. I am going to the city this afternoon on the boat." He was survived by three daughters, Mrs. James P. Clarke and Mrs. Mary A. Smith, both of San Jose, and Mrs. William Morrison of Castelo, Shasta county. A son, Henry Willey, died "some time ago" while in the employ of the Farmers' Union. (San Jose Mercury, June 22, 1902; San Jose Evening News, June 21, 1902.) His step-son, Frank M. Palmer, lived in Los Angeles according to Sarah Willey's probate file.
His body was was recovered and buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. (San Jose Evening News, July 2, 1902.)
Likely the father of Fannie Willey who died in 1866 at age 4 and is buried in the Willey family plot at Oak Hill.
Charles's first wife, Margaret, died in 1873. His second wife, Sarah, died Apr. 23, 1886, according to probate records. After Sarah's death, he lived alone at the family home on East Santa Clara street, despite the urging of his children to come live with them. He became unable to work due to his age and "acute neuralgia" of the head. On June 20, 1902, he boarded a steamer from Alviso to San Francisco, and while en route, he leapt off the deck into San Francisco Bay. His death was ruled a suicide based on a bundle of belongings that he left that day with friend, George Jamison of the Auzerais saloon. The bundle contained fine brushes, painters tools, and gold tint, and a note which read, "Mr. Jamison: These traps I have no more use for. I am going to the city this afternoon on the boat." He was survived by three daughters, Mrs. James P. Clarke and Mrs. Mary A. Smith, both of San Jose, and Mrs. William Morrison of Castelo, Shasta county. A son, Henry Willey, died "some time ago" while in the employ of the Farmers' Union. (San Jose Mercury, June 22, 1902; San Jose Evening News, June 21, 1902.) His step-son, Frank M. Palmer, lived in Los Angeles according to Sarah Willey's probate file.
His body was was recovered and buried at Oak Hill Cemetery. (San Jose Evening News, July 2, 1902.)
Likely the father of Fannie Willey who died in 1866 at age 4 and is buried in the Willey family plot at Oak Hill.
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