Morning journal and courier., 1888-05-04

 being one of the old Grays.
 Since this series began we have had occa- sion to speak of many prominent Argonauts, but in all the list is none certainly who hold e higher place in public esteem than the sub feet of this sketch, Colonel G. W. Granniss. Not that Colonel Granniss has in any way striven for public favor, for had he the very endeavor might have defeated itself; nor has he had political favors to confer, but that the esteem is voluntary, for it is just tribute to his sterling qualities and to that bonhommle that is characteristic of him. Colonel Gran miss by natural magnetism makes friends more than the great majority of men. He is genial, sociable and has all the better traits of the old time Californian. He is favorably known to the majority of our people, there- fore sketch of his California history will certainly prove interesting reading matter.
 Colonel Granniss escapes being pioneer, so called by but Q few months. The differ euce is at best but technical one, for in those months but very little was accomplished towards the present prosperity of the city and State. He came in the ship Houqua from New York. This ship had been in the East Indian service and was chartered for the voyage as freight vessel; it was not the in tention to accept passengers. When Colonel Granniss with eleven other associates, how ever, offered $3, 600 for the cabin, it was too tempting to be refused, and so the bargain was completed.
 The voyage was made around the Horn in 131 days and on the 4th of July. 1850, the ship stood of the heads, and shortly after wards the passengers landed in the young city. There were no wharves then excep- ting the Long Wharf at the foot of Com mercial street and the transfer was made by small boats. Houses were few and far between, rough shanties at best Many resi- dences were Tn fact tents. Sandhills were where now are handsome houses and well laid out streets. Telegraph hill had not yet
 been touched by the plaster. Money was plentiful, however, and gambling lively.
 Few women were here, and the town was
 filled with 8 very miscellaneous multitude. Like the majority of the passengers who
 came here with him, Colonel Grsnniss was from the New England States. He was born in Connecticut and there received his educa- tion Included in this was military train ing, which he afterwards perfected. He be- lonesd in New Haven to the celebrated New Haven Grays Many members of this company afterwards gained national reputation, among them Major General Terry, who was con temporary with Colonel Granniss in the ranks.
 The trip the colonel made to California was
 not with the intention of remaining here. It had been taken, in fact, to recuperate after some years of close application to busi- ness. It is an old saw, however, about man proposing which it is necessary for us to re- neat. He has in the main been with us since for the intention was put off indefinitely after his arrival, although it js true he re- turned in 1851 for time.
 Shortly after his arrival he went to Sacra- mento, where he engaged with John H. Scran- ton who had 8 general merchandise store there In Sacramento he became a member of the militia and his company was called for service during the squatter riots there.
 The early military history of the State tells of the short, sharp and effective service ren- dered.
 I As we stated he returned home in 1851 and this was to settle up his business in the East. When he came back in 1852 he entered with spirit into an enterprise to dam the American | river near Texas Bar.
 This was with Captain Paul and others. They carried the river long distance, went down twenty-eight feet, in fact, but finally f had to abandon the enterprise, as bed rock was found to be even beyond that and the \ undertaking showed conclusively 1t would not \ pay the expense of finishing. A lot of money was naturally lost in this. The colonel met with further heavy loss the same year, for \ his property in Sacramento was burned up in \ the great fire of that winter.
 He had every confidence in California spec { ulation, however, and this he showed conclu- I sively at this time, for he ordered sold in the ! East his property there and with this money commenced anew. He changed the field of | his operations, however, by coming down to the Bay, With others he purchased the \ Major Tomkins, a steamboat, and began \ 6 coast steamboat service between here ! Monterey, Santa Cruz, etc. At that time ' freights were very high, and everything promised well for success, but his star was \ not in the ascendant, for owing to @ lively \ comuetition started shortly afterwards the en- \ terprise did not succeed. This was about | 1S53-4 He next went into general mer. chandising, and from that accepted an offel
 from the government, going into the custom | house as bond clerk. This responsible posi- | ton he held under MT. Rankin and Mir. Low afterwards governor. From the early '60i dates his connection with the Halleck estate At that time the firm of Halleck, Peachy 6 Billings, lawyers, was largely interested 1T real estate and many other enterprises. II \ was one of the most important here. Ht | was rendered by these parties the very re | sponsible position of cashier, and had 1T charge the entire financial department. Wher the war broke out Halleck went east. The
 record he made in the conflict is matter
 of history, Colonel Granniss on ac to remain in charge Although eager and
 ambitious to proceed to the front, he felt il ! q duty to remain at his post. Indeed, had
 he left, it is within the probabilities Hal leck would have been compelled to come out nere. The colonel no doubt by his determi nation lost the opportunity of his lifetime He had been rendered a commission and un der the circumstances was obliged to refuse I When we consider his previous military | training and his standing, joined with his ! undoubted ability, that he would have ariser ! to high command is even more than proba ble. and additionally so, considering the mer
 who did rise without any of these qualified tions. He has, however, the sense of duty
 fulfilled, and time certainly has tempered
 the regret for @ ife's opportunity lost | Ever since he began his connection with this
 estate has Colonel Granniss remained ir
 charge.
 Of Colonel Granniss' popularity with oul people, it is not pertinent fer us to speak | We will say, however, he is popular, and cer tainly without seeking it. Political place he has never desired, although it is not to bt doubted, had he sought it, he would have
 been elected to any position he asplred to He is more content with his business occu
 patton. He has ever been active for the ad'
 7ancement of the city and State. His very ' example has been instrumental in this, To owing to just such men has the country be come conservative and the law been made re spected. We will conclude the sketch b1 l the following as to the colonel's military his tory since coming to this coast, which VI take from the Pacific Life: As we hay, | stated, Colonel Granniss first joined the Stat militia in Sacramento. Afterwards be \ coming a resident of San Francisco Colone Granniss enrolled himself in the "Inde
 pendent City Guard l" in 1856. Moving t. Sonoma county in 1858 he became second lieutenant of the s'Sotoyoms Guard" Th first lieutenant at that time was Colone
 Rod Matheson, who was killed at the battl'
 of Champion Gap, or Choat Mountain, whii' in command of the 32d New York regiment or First California regiment, as it was called
 Colonel Granniss returned to San Francisco
 in 1860, and rejoined his old company, B, o1
 the list infantry. On October 2sth, 1861, h'
 was appointed fourth corporal, and May
 18th, 1862, first corporal of the company
 On August 14th of the same year he wal promoted second sergeant, and on July
 31st, 1863, he was advanced another grade
 Two years later, on July 9th, 1865. he was commissioned junior second lieuten-
 ant, and on September 18th following, SC nior second lieutenant. He was elected first lieutenant before the commission was issued A vacancy occurring in the captainey, he was
 en October 16th, 1866, elected and cemmis
 stoned captain. On November 18th, 1e6s he was promoted major of the 1st regiment \ and he succeeded to the lieutenant-col0nelcy ' Hxm- f.k fQR0 Ha ar1AA0aded w H