The morning call., 1890-09-07
JONATHAN ID. STEVENSON. :


Colonel j. D. Stevenson, who commanded the
famous regiment OF New York volunteers which
came 10 assist In the reduction OF this part OF the
Mexican territory In 1S47-4S. Is a native of
New York City, where he was born ON January
i, 1900. His father was an old-li shp-mas-
ter, attached to The Revenue Department at
New York, and from him Jonathan acquired a
strong Taste for navigation. The lad, however,
was brought up TO a mercantile life, and when 18
years old was appointed agent of Governor ID. d.
Iompkins' steamboat line from Staten Isand 10
New York. In 1925 he united with Colonel w.
w. Tompkins In organizing the " Tompkins
Blues" which, as the Light Guard" was rec
ognized for years the most sOldierly OF the uni.
formed militia and from the rank OF Lieutenant
lie soon rose TO the command OF a battalion.
In 1916 President Polk commissioned him to
organize regiment for service In California aud
inside OF three days the muster-roll was hlled.
Great delay was accustomed, however, by the
want OF transports, and it was not until Septen-
Der 2Sth that sail was set. The eXpedtlOn ar
rived at San Francisco In March. 1S47. On land
ing, Colonel Stevenson found orders awaiting
him from General Kearny, dire citing him 10 dis
tribute his regiment through various parts of the
country. Detachments were accordingly sent TO
Sonoma, Santa Barbara and Monterey, and part
OF the force stationed IN San Francisco Colonel
Stevenson established his headquarters at Mou-
terey. but soon afteIwa' d the Americans at Los
Angeles begged for help, and he moved there
with two companies. while others Of his reai-
ment were sent into Lower California.
In October, 1913, the regiment was mustered
Out vi Tue SERVICE, ana COlO0eI, Win q Few
picked men. went 10 the mines of the MOkelumne
ilI district, where lie prepared the first code of
laws ever drawn for the regulation of mining
claims. subsequently he formed a business
partnership with DIR. William q. Parker, the as.
sistaut surgeon OF his regiment and together
they operated In San Francisco real estate. The
partners were the first TO subdvde 50-vara lots,
TO erect and finish dwelling houses with lath and
plaster, and TO construct buildings on piles on
what at the time QS49-5O) was considered part
OF the bay. Subsequently he bought out all OF
DIR. Parker's interests, but in the financial panic
OF 1851 he was Obliged 10 part with most of his
possessions at merely nominal figures. He con-
tnued 10 invest In real estate for several years,
and was at one time the owner of large tracts OF
timber land in Santa Cruz. agricultural land and
town lois at Suttervlle, and between sixty and
seventy acres OF San Francisco property lying
between Van Ness avenue aud me Preside, all
OF which are jumped by squatters or eaten up
In subsequent litigation.
Colonel Stevenson received the appointment Of
Shipping Commissioner In 1872 aud held office
until CIeyeland's Admiulstr atiou During the
long years OF his !ncnmbency be earned the re-
speet OF all who came in coniacl with him. and
by his thorough knowledge OF shipping matters
corrected many OF the abuses under which tie
sailors labored up the time OF his taking
office.
OF late, Colonel Stevenson has been Court
Commissioner for the Superior Court OF this city
and county, and i'll his Office in Montgomery
Block, when business is slow. lie delights 10 en-
terrain his visitors with graphic accounts of the
early days OF California. He is now living with
his three married daughters on Van Ness ave-
nue.. and is command n-ehief OF small army
oil grandchildren aud grea;-gt andchldren.