born Aug. 5, 1819, Chautauqua county, N.Y., U.S.
died April 4, 1900, near Sacramento, Calif.
U.S. political leader.
He was a member of the first group to travel by wagon train to California from Independence, Mo. Reluctant to join the Bear Flag revolt of Americans in California against Mexico, he nonetheless helped draw up the Bear Flag Republic's resolution of independence in July 1846. He fought under Prohibition Party .