Notes for William Osman BREYFOGLE

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Notes for William Osman BREYFOGLE

William O. Breyfogle, of Madera, is a native of Delaware County, Ohio, born in 1837. He was educated in the common schools, and then gave his attention to learning the trade of a carpenter, which he first put into practice in Kansas City, in 1856. In the fall off 1857 he joined a prospecting company visiting the mining districts of Denver, and in 1858 Mr. Breyfogle came to California. He went to the mines at Auburn, Placer Country, but devoted most of his time to his trade, in building the mining camps. He then passed one year in looking about Oregon and northern California, and in the fall of 1860 returned to San Francisco and was engaged by the San Francisco and was engaged by the San Francisco & San Jose Railroad Company in building bridges. He was with the company two years, and constructed every bridge on the line.

In 1863 he began contracting and building in San Francisco, where he remained until 1869, when he went to San Jose, following the same pursuit and also engaged quite extensively in bridge-building. In 1878 he retired from active business to accept the position of superintendent of streets, to which he had been elected, and was re-elected in 1880. This second term was abbreviated in 1881 by his resignation, in order to come to Madera to superintend the yards and manage the factory of the Madera Flume & Trading Company, where he is still engaged. Mr. Breyfogle was one of the incorporators of the Bank of Madera, which began business November 25, 1889, and January 1, 1891 was elected president of the bank.

In 1867 he celebrated an important event in his life, by his marriage, in San Francisco, to Miss Rebecca Croskey, an estimable lady, who was a native of New York State. Four children have been added to the household: Nellie M., William R., Lillian, and Olive. Mr. Breyfogle is a member of Howard Chapter, No. 14, Royal Arch Masons, and of Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, all of San Jose.

Source:Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare, & Kern California, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, IL Copyright 1891

The December 2, 1884 Fresno Expositor reported on the new Madera School House as follows:

"The schoolhouse is one of the largest and finest in the county, and will cost when completed $5,200. W. O. Breyfogle has the contract for building it." The article goes on to relate the size and scope of the building and concludes with: "Over 80 scholers now attend the public school of the town, and it is proposed to secure the services of two teachers when the school is opened in the new building. A number of new families have signified their intentions of moving into town and erecting residences so as to secure the advantages of the school."

In a related article Nellie Breyfogle, William's daughter, is listed as one of the current teachers.

Source: http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/MaderaMethod/xdt_1880_12.html - Local file name MADERA.doc

The October 1, 1890 Fresno Expositor contained an article concerning the Madera Fire Department. In this article William was listed as the Fire Department Treasurer, and earlier edition of this paper (October 26, 1887) gave the same information. In this same edition William was listed as the director of the Bank of Madera.

Source: Madera Project website - Local file name Madera Project.doc

Election Returns

Additional LIst of Delegates to the Republican Convention

J. W. McLaughlin and J. D. Galloway have been elected delegates from Oleander precinct to the Republican county convention.

Maderan, the banner Republican district, held a spirited primary election last Saturday. The vote between J. B. Meloche and W. D. Bresce resulted in a tie and Mr. Meloche withdrew in favor of Mr. Bresce. The following are the delegates: W. D. Bresce, W. O. Ring, W. O. Breyfogle, Matt Medill, A. A. Holbrook, John Edwards, L. O. Sharp.

SOURCE: Fresno Weekly Republican, Fresno, CA, April 22, 1892

Flora Grumman indicated that William died in his home.

SOURCE: The Breyfogle Genealogy, Flora Breyfogle Grumman, About 1909, Page 5

William O. Breyfogle was born in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1837. After completing his education in common schools, he became a carpenter and went to work in Kansas City in 1856. In 1857 he traveled to Denver and joined a prospecting company. The following year he ventured to California. For a time he mined and built mining camps in Auburn. He then spent about a year exploring Northern California and Oregon.

Breyfogle took a position in 1860 with the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad Company and built bridges for two years. He then engaged in contracting and building on his own in San Francisco until 1869, when he moved to San Jose. There he followed the same trade until 1878, when he became Superintendent of Streets. He resigned that position in 1881 to move to Madera.

In Madera, Breyfogle managed and superintended the yards and factory for the Madera Flume and Trading Company. He became a prominent citizen in that community and helped incorporate the Bank of Madera in 1889. Although he became president of the bank in 1891, he appears to have kept his hand in building and practical architecture, as represented by this simple plan for a small jail building at Raymond, California. William O. Breyfogle died on December 24, 1906, in Alameda County.

Written by John Edward Powell.

© 2001 John Edward Powell.

William O. Breyfogle, one of the pioneers of Madera and one of its best known citizens, passed away in Oakland Monday after a short illness. Death was caused by a general breakdown, due to old age. Mr. Breyfogle was 70 years of age, but appeared rugged and hearty. He came to Madera from San Jose in 1881 and was connected with the Madera Flume and Trading Company for may years. Several years ago he went to Sanger to superintend a mill there, but for the last year has been in the contracting business in Oakland and San Francisco. Mr. Breyfogle was a native of Ohio. He leaves a wife, one son, William R. Breyfogle, of Tighe-Breyfogle company, and three daughters: Mrs. J. E. O'Connor of Florence, Ariz., Mrs. Dixon, of Los Gatos and Miss Olive Breyfogle, of Madera. The funeral took place in San Jose today.
SOURCE: The Fresno Morning Republican, Fresno, CA December 27, 1906

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