Entrepreneur, business magnate and politician. John Baptist Frisbie was an American businessman and politician who served in the California legislature and in the United States Army as a general during the Mexican-American War. He was one of the founders of the cities of Vallejo and Benicia in California, whose names honor his in-laws. In California, he was vice president of the California Pacific Railroad. After moving to Mexico City, he became close to President Porfirio Díaz by fixing some of Díaz's financial and political problems in Washington DC , giving him as payment, among other things, a gold mine. Along with James Ben Ali Haggin, he developed Camp "El Oro", and his American Mining Company sold the property in 1900 for $5 million at the time.∼General John Baptist Frisbie, founder of Vallejo, California. Born 20 May 1823 in Albany, New York, he traveled to California in 1847 as a Captain in Jonathan D Stevenson's First Regiment of New York Volunteers, and stayed. A lawyer, he never practiced law actively in this state, but did participate in several large cases for which he received handsome fees. Instead, he was a merchant in Sonoma and Napa counties. He unsuccessfully ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1849, losing to John McDougal. Frisbie married Epifania "Fanny" Vallejo in 1850, and in 1851 founded the city he named for his father-in-law, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. Becoming the vice-president of California Pacific Railroad in 1869, in just a few years, the company was facing financial and expansion difficulties. The California Pacific was sold to the railroad bullies Central Pacific in 1876---after first rejecting their more lucrative offer 5 years earlier. Owning 18,000 shares of stock in the California Pacific, Frisbie lost his fortune, and he and his family left for Mexico City in 1878.
Becoming friends with the President of Mexico, Porfirio Díaz, Frisbie helped fix a few financial and political problems for Díaz in Washington DC, and Díaz paid him well, including a gold mine that had been abandoned for centuries. With Frisbie's come-and-go luck, the mine ended up being very rich, but Frisbie ran out of money again trying to develop a mining operation there. Seeking a partner, he found one in his good friend---attorney, horse breeder, and mining magnate James Ben Ali Haggin. Together they developed the El Oro Camp, and their American Mining Company sold the property in 1900 for $5 million dollars (about $153 million in 2020 dollars). Fortunately, General Frisbie was able to hold on to this fortune, even after showering his children with money, and was worth about $1 million ($31 million in 2020) when he died. He was the namesake of the steamship General Frisbie (1900–1931), designed for use as a ferry between Vallejo and San Francisco, which was the fastest ship on the route when she began service.
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VALLEJO'S FOUNDER IS DEAD IN MEXICO
General John B. Frisbie Passes Away After Lingering Illness in Southern Capital
General John B. Frisbie, one of the builders of California and for the last quarter century a dominant figure in Mexico, died in the City of Mexico yesterday after a lingering illness. With his passing ends the life of a man who figured extensively in the romance days of California and then continued his picturesque career in the capital of the adjoining republic. A telegram announcing the death of General Frisbie was received by relatives in this city yesterday.
Born in Albany, N. Y., May 20, 1823, John B. Frisbie was educated in the Albany academy, after which he studied law in Buffalo. He and the late Senator Leland Stanford were admitted to practice at the same time. In 1847, just after the close of the Mexican war, Frisbie came to California as a captain in Stevenson's regiment, which was disbanded at Black Point.
MERCHANT IN SONOMA
Frisbie engaged in merchandising in Sonoma and later in Napa, his being the first store in the latter town. He never practiced law actively in this state, but he did participate in several large cases for which he received handsome fees. In 1849 he was a candidate for lieutenant governor, but was defeated by John McDougal. In 1850 Frisbie became the son in law of General Vallejo by marrying Fannie Vallejo. daughter of a holder of considerable land in the vicinity of Benicia and prominent during the Mexican rule in this state. After residing for a time in Benicia Frisbie established the town of Vallejo in honor or his father ln-law and assumed the management of Vallejo's property, which consisted of a large grant received from the Mexican government in settlement of a claim. Frisbie showed his real ability by settling the squatter troubles on the Vallejo place in 1864 in short order. After parts of the Vallejo land had been subdivided and sold squatters asserted that Vallejo's title was not good. Frisbie went to Washington and cleared the title by paying the government $1.25 per acre, adjusting the matter with an act of congress. Frisbie operated extensively, with the result that in 1876 he lost his fortune. He was the first vice president of the California Pacific in 1869 and had 18,000 shares of stock in the California Pacific Extension railway, a $50,000,000 corporation promoted with a view to building a network of railroads in the coast states. He lost heavily in this, and in 1878 decided to seek fortune anew in Mexico.
WON DIAZ'S FRIENDSHIP
It was not long before Frisbie, won the friendship of Diaz. In late years he was one of the most intimate friends of the Mexican president. Several years ago Diaz commissioned Frisbie to go to Washington, in an effort to adjust a matter with the United States after Diaz had failed time and again. Frisbie was successful. In addition to a large fee, Diaz gave Frisbie. an abandoned gold mine, which had not been worked for two or three centuries. It was reported to be very rich, however, and Frisbie accepted the gift. His small means were soon exhausted and he then prevailed upon J. B. Haggin, with whom he had been very intimate in California, to Join him in the enterprise. They developed the property and sold it for $5,000,000. At the time of his death Frisbie was worth nearly a million. During his lifetime he gave large sums to his children.
His wife died in 1905 in the City of Mexico. He left the following sons and daughters: Mrs. Fannie F. de Sequeira, Baroness Eclat, John Bernard Frisbie, Platon Frisbie, Mrs. Josephine Elescales, Leo C. Friable and Madeline Ramon y Navarre. Four children died. They were Sarah Morgan, Benicia Semperie, Guadalupe, David Farragut and Cecilia.
John Blackman, a half brother, who joined General Frisbie in this state January 1, 1860, is a resident of this city, as are also Dr. E. G. Frisbie and Attorney N. B. Frisbie, sons of Edward Frisbie, brother of General Frisbie. Edward Frisbie died October 7, 1908. He was president of the Bank of Northern California in Redding. Dr. L. C. Frisbie. another brother of the general, died in Vallejo in 1892. Eleazer Frisbie, also a brother, died in Redding in 1888. Mrs. Cynthia Lynch, his only sister, died in Syracuse in 1896.
- San Francisco Call, Volume 105, Number 163, 12 May 1909
Becoming friends with the President of Mexico, Porfirio Díaz, Frisbie helped fix a few financial and political problems for Díaz in Washington DC, and Díaz paid him well, including a gold mine that had been abandoned for centuries. With Frisbie's come-and-go luck, the mine ended up being very rich, but Frisbie ran out of money again trying to develop a mining operation there. Seeking a partner, he found one in his good friend---attorney, horse breeder, and mining magnate James Ben Ali Haggin. Together they developed the El Oro Camp, and their American Mining Company sold the property in 1900 for $5 million dollars (about $153 million in 2020 dollars). Fortunately, General Frisbie was able to hold on to this fortune, even after showering his children with money, and was worth about $1 million ($31 million in 2020) when he died. He was the namesake of the steamship General Frisbie (1900–1931), designed for use as a ferry between Vallejo and San Francisco, which was the fastest ship on the route when she began service.
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VALLEJO'S FOUNDER IS DEAD IN MEXICO
General John B. Frisbie Passes Away After Lingering Illness in Southern Capital
General John B. Frisbie, one of the builders of California and for the last quarter century a dominant figure in Mexico, died in the City of Mexico yesterday after a lingering illness. With his passing ends the life of a man who figured extensively in the romance days of California and then continued his picturesque career in the capital of the adjoining republic. A telegram announcing the death of General Frisbie was received by relatives in this city yesterday.
Born in Albany, N. Y., May 20, 1823, John B. Frisbie was educated in the Albany academy, after which he studied law in Buffalo. He and the late Senator Leland Stanford were admitted to practice at the same time. In 1847, just after the close of the Mexican war, Frisbie came to California as a captain in Stevenson's regiment, which was disbanded at Black Point.
MERCHANT IN SONOMA
Frisbie engaged in merchandising in Sonoma and later in Napa, his being the first store in the latter town. He never practiced law actively in this state, but he did participate in several large cases for which he received handsome fees. In 1849 he was a candidate for lieutenant governor, but was defeated by John McDougal. In 1850 Frisbie became the son in law of General Vallejo by marrying Fannie Vallejo. daughter of a holder of considerable land in the vicinity of Benicia and prominent during the Mexican rule in this state. After residing for a time in Benicia Frisbie established the town of Vallejo in honor or his father ln-law and assumed the management of Vallejo's property, which consisted of a large grant received from the Mexican government in settlement of a claim. Frisbie showed his real ability by settling the squatter troubles on the Vallejo place in 1864 in short order. After parts of the Vallejo land had been subdivided and sold squatters asserted that Vallejo's title was not good. Frisbie went to Washington and cleared the title by paying the government $1.25 per acre, adjusting the matter with an act of congress. Frisbie operated extensively, with the result that in 1876 he lost his fortune. He was the first vice president of the California Pacific in 1869 and had 18,000 shares of stock in the California Pacific Extension railway, a $50,000,000 corporation promoted with a view to building a network of railroads in the coast states. He lost heavily in this, and in 1878 decided to seek fortune anew in Mexico.
WON DIAZ'S FRIENDSHIP
It was not long before Frisbie, won the friendship of Diaz. In late years he was one of the most intimate friends of the Mexican president. Several years ago Diaz commissioned Frisbie to go to Washington, in an effort to adjust a matter with the United States after Diaz had failed time and again. Frisbie was successful. In addition to a large fee, Diaz gave Frisbie. an abandoned gold mine, which had not been worked for two or three centuries. It was reported to be very rich, however, and Frisbie accepted the gift. His small means were soon exhausted and he then prevailed upon J. B. Haggin, with whom he had been very intimate in California, to Join him in the enterprise. They developed the property and sold it for $5,000,000. At the time of his death Frisbie was worth nearly a million. During his lifetime he gave large sums to his children.
His wife died in 1905 in the City of Mexico. He left the following sons and daughters: Mrs. Fannie F. de Sequeira, Baroness Eclat, John Bernard Frisbie, Platon Frisbie, Mrs. Josephine Elescales, Leo C. Friable and Madeline Ramon y Navarre. Four children died. They were Sarah Morgan, Benicia Semperie, Guadalupe, David Farragut and Cecilia.
John Blackman, a half brother, who joined General Frisbie in this state January 1, 1860, is a resident of this city, as are also Dr. E. G. Frisbie and Attorney N. B. Frisbie, sons of Edward Frisbie, brother of General Frisbie. Edward Frisbie died October 7, 1908. He was president of the Bank of Northern California in Redding. Dr. L. C. Frisbie. another brother of the general, died in Vallejo in 1892. Eleazer Frisbie, also a brother, died in Redding in 1888. Mrs. Cynthia Lynch, his only sister, died in Syracuse in 1896.
- San Francisco Call, Volume 105, Number 163, 12 May 1909
Entrepreneur, business magnate and politician. John Baptist Frisbie was an American businessman and politician who served in the California legislature and in the United States Army as a general during the Mexican-American War. He was one of the founders of the cities of Vallejo and Benicia in California, whose names honor his in-laws. In California, he was vice president of the California Pacific Railroad. After moving to Mexico City, he became close to President Porfirio Díaz by fixing some of Díaz's financial and political problems in Washington DC , giving him as payment, among other things, a gold mine. Along with James Ben Ali Haggin, he developed Camp "El Oro", and his American Mining Company sold the property in 1900 for $5 million at the time.∼General John Baptist Frisbie, founder of Vallejo, California. Born 20 May 1823 in Albany, New York, he traveled to California in 1847 as a Captain in Jonathan D Stevenson's First Regiment of New York Volunteers, and stayed. A lawyer, he never practiced law actively in this state, but did participate in several large cases for which he received handsome fees. Instead, he was a merchant in Sonoma and Napa counties. He unsuccessfully ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1849, losing to John McDougal. Frisbie married Epifania "Fanny" Vallejo in 1850, and in 1851 founded the city he named for his father-in-law, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. Becoming the vice-president of California Pacific Railroad in 1869, in just a few years, the company was facing financial and expansion difficulties. The California Pacific was sold to the railroad bullies Central Pacific in 1876---after first rejecting their more lucrative offer 5 years earlier. Owning 18,000 shares of stock in the California Pacific, Frisbie lost his fortune, and he and his family left for Mexico City in 1878.
Becoming friends with the President of Mexico, Porfirio Díaz, Frisbie helped fix a few financial and political problems for Díaz in Washington DC, and Díaz paid him well, including a gold mine that had been abandoned for centuries. With Frisbie's come-and-go luck, the mine ended up being very rich, but Frisbie ran out of money again trying to develop a mining operation there. Seeking a partner, he found one in his good friend---attorney, horse breeder, and mining magnate James Ben Ali Haggin. Together they developed the El Oro Camp, and their American Mining Company sold the property in 1900 for $5 million dollars (about $153 million in 2020 dollars). Fortunately, General Frisbie was able to hold on to this fortune, even after showering his children with money, and was worth about $1 million ($31 million in 2020) when he died. He was the namesake of the steamship General Frisbie (1900–1931), designed for use as a ferry between Vallejo and San Francisco, which was the fastest ship on the route when she began service.
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VALLEJO'S FOUNDER IS DEAD IN MEXICO
General John B. Frisbie Passes Away After Lingering Illness in Southern Capital
General John B. Frisbie, one of the builders of California and for the last quarter century a dominant figure in Mexico, died in the City of Mexico yesterday after a lingering illness. With his passing ends the life of a man who figured extensively in the romance days of California and then continued his picturesque career in the capital of the adjoining republic. A telegram announcing the death of General Frisbie was received by relatives in this city yesterday.
Born in Albany, N. Y., May 20, 1823, John B. Frisbie was educated in the Albany academy, after which he studied law in Buffalo. He and the late Senator Leland Stanford were admitted to practice at the same time. In 1847, just after the close of the Mexican war, Frisbie came to California as a captain in Stevenson's regiment, which was disbanded at Black Point.
MERCHANT IN SONOMA
Frisbie engaged in merchandising in Sonoma and later in Napa, his being the first store in the latter town. He never practiced law actively in this state, but he did participate in several large cases for which he received handsome fees. In 1849 he was a candidate for lieutenant governor, but was defeated by John McDougal. In 1850 Frisbie became the son in law of General Vallejo by marrying Fannie Vallejo. daughter of a holder of considerable land in the vicinity of Benicia and prominent during the Mexican rule in this state. After residing for a time in Benicia Frisbie established the town of Vallejo in honor or his father ln-law and assumed the management of Vallejo's property, which consisted of a large grant received from the Mexican government in settlement of a claim. Frisbie showed his real ability by settling the squatter troubles on the Vallejo place in 1864 in short order. After parts of the Vallejo land had been subdivided and sold squatters asserted that Vallejo's title was not good. Frisbie went to Washington and cleared the title by paying the government $1.25 per acre, adjusting the matter with an act of congress. Frisbie operated extensively, with the result that in 1876 he lost his fortune. He was the first vice president of the California Pacific in 1869 and had 18,000 shares of stock in the California Pacific Extension railway, a $50,000,000 corporation promoted with a view to building a network of railroads in the coast states. He lost heavily in this, and in 1878 decided to seek fortune anew in Mexico.
WON DIAZ'S FRIENDSHIP
It was not long before Frisbie, won the friendship of Diaz. In late years he was one of the most intimate friends of the Mexican president. Several years ago Diaz commissioned Frisbie to go to Washington, in an effort to adjust a matter with the United States after Diaz had failed time and again. Frisbie was successful. In addition to a large fee, Diaz gave Frisbie. an abandoned gold mine, which had not been worked for two or three centuries. It was reported to be very rich, however, and Frisbie accepted the gift. His small means were soon exhausted and he then prevailed upon J. B. Haggin, with whom he had been very intimate in California, to Join him in the enterprise. They developed the property and sold it for $5,000,000. At the time of his death Frisbie was worth nearly a million. During his lifetime he gave large sums to his children.
His wife died in 1905 in the City of Mexico. He left the following sons and daughters: Mrs. Fannie F. de Sequeira, Baroness Eclat, John Bernard Frisbie, Platon Frisbie, Mrs. Josephine Elescales, Leo C. Friable and Madeline Ramon y Navarre. Four children died. They were Sarah Morgan, Benicia Semperie, Guadalupe, David Farragut and Cecilia.
John Blackman, a half brother, who joined General Frisbie in this state January 1, 1860, is a resident of this city, as are also Dr. E. G. Frisbie and Attorney N. B. Frisbie, sons of Edward Frisbie, brother of General Frisbie. Edward Frisbie died October 7, 1908. He was president of the Bank of Northern California in Redding. Dr. L. C. Frisbie. another brother of the general, died in Vallejo in 1892. Eleazer Frisbie, also a brother, died in Redding in 1888. Mrs. Cynthia Lynch, his only sister, died in Syracuse in 1896.
- San Francisco Call, Volume 105, Number 163, 12 May 1909
Becoming friends with the President of Mexico, Porfirio Díaz, Frisbie helped fix a few financial and political problems for Díaz in Washington DC, and Díaz paid him well, including a gold mine that had been abandoned for centuries. With Frisbie's come-and-go luck, the mine ended up being very rich, but Frisbie ran out of money again trying to develop a mining operation there. Seeking a partner, he found one in his good friend---attorney, horse breeder, and mining magnate James Ben Ali Haggin. Together they developed the El Oro Camp, and their American Mining Company sold the property in 1900 for $5 million dollars (about $153 million in 2020 dollars). Fortunately, General Frisbie was able to hold on to this fortune, even after showering his children with money, and was worth about $1 million ($31 million in 2020) when he died. He was the namesake of the steamship General Frisbie (1900–1931), designed for use as a ferry between Vallejo and San Francisco, which was the fastest ship on the route when she began service.
--
VALLEJO'S FOUNDER IS DEAD IN MEXICO
General John B. Frisbie Passes Away After Lingering Illness in Southern Capital
General John B. Frisbie, one of the builders of California and for the last quarter century a dominant figure in Mexico, died in the City of Mexico yesterday after a lingering illness. With his passing ends the life of a man who figured extensively in the romance days of California and then continued his picturesque career in the capital of the adjoining republic. A telegram announcing the death of General Frisbie was received by relatives in this city yesterday.
Born in Albany, N. Y., May 20, 1823, John B. Frisbie was educated in the Albany academy, after which he studied law in Buffalo. He and the late Senator Leland Stanford were admitted to practice at the same time. In 1847, just after the close of the Mexican war, Frisbie came to California as a captain in Stevenson's regiment, which was disbanded at Black Point.
MERCHANT IN SONOMA
Frisbie engaged in merchandising in Sonoma and later in Napa, his being the first store in the latter town. He never practiced law actively in this state, but he did participate in several large cases for which he received handsome fees. In 1849 he was a candidate for lieutenant governor, but was defeated by John McDougal. In 1850 Frisbie became the son in law of General Vallejo by marrying Fannie Vallejo. daughter of a holder of considerable land in the vicinity of Benicia and prominent during the Mexican rule in this state. After residing for a time in Benicia Frisbie established the town of Vallejo in honor or his father ln-law and assumed the management of Vallejo's property, which consisted of a large grant received from the Mexican government in settlement of a claim. Frisbie showed his real ability by settling the squatter troubles on the Vallejo place in 1864 in short order. After parts of the Vallejo land had been subdivided and sold squatters asserted that Vallejo's title was not good. Frisbie went to Washington and cleared the title by paying the government $1.25 per acre, adjusting the matter with an act of congress. Frisbie operated extensively, with the result that in 1876 he lost his fortune. He was the first vice president of the California Pacific in 1869 and had 18,000 shares of stock in the California Pacific Extension railway, a $50,000,000 corporation promoted with a view to building a network of railroads in the coast states. He lost heavily in this, and in 1878 decided to seek fortune anew in Mexico.
WON DIAZ'S FRIENDSHIP
It was not long before Frisbie, won the friendship of Diaz. In late years he was one of the most intimate friends of the Mexican president. Several years ago Diaz commissioned Frisbie to go to Washington, in an effort to adjust a matter with the United States after Diaz had failed time and again. Frisbie was successful. In addition to a large fee, Diaz gave Frisbie. an abandoned gold mine, which had not been worked for two or three centuries. It was reported to be very rich, however, and Frisbie accepted the gift. His small means were soon exhausted and he then prevailed upon J. B. Haggin, with whom he had been very intimate in California, to Join him in the enterprise. They developed the property and sold it for $5,000,000. At the time of his death Frisbie was worth nearly a million. During his lifetime he gave large sums to his children.
His wife died in 1905 in the City of Mexico. He left the following sons and daughters: Mrs. Fannie F. de Sequeira, Baroness Eclat, John Bernard Frisbie, Platon Frisbie, Mrs. Josephine Elescales, Leo C. Friable and Madeline Ramon y Navarre. Four children died. They were Sarah Morgan, Benicia Semperie, Guadalupe, David Farragut and Cecilia.
John Blackman, a half brother, who joined General Frisbie in this state January 1, 1860, is a resident of this city, as are also Dr. E. G. Frisbie and Attorney N. B. Frisbie, sons of Edward Frisbie, brother of General Frisbie. Edward Frisbie died October 7, 1908. He was president of the Bank of Northern California in Redding. Dr. L. C. Frisbie. another brother of the general, died in Vallejo in 1892. Eleazer Frisbie, also a brother, died in Redding in 1888. Mrs. Cynthia Lynch, his only sister, died in Syracuse in 1896.
- San Francisco Call, Volume 105, Number 163, 12 May 1909
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