DAVID ZUCK
GILROY TOWNSHIP
BIO- Alley Bowen
SURNAMES: LINTON
This worthy pioneer, who has given two sons to the Legislature of
California, was born in Ross county, Ohio, January 30, 1808, where he
was educated , and resided , until February, 1835, at which time he
moved to Marion county, and for five years engaged in farming. Thence
he proceeded to Caledonia, in the same county, and combined a
mercantile and tailoring business. Two years after, he embarked
in hotel-keeping, seceding from the first-named , and continued it
until his determination to proceed to California was arrived at.
Early in the ever memorable year of 1859 Mr. Zuck entered into a
contract with General George Rowe to accompany a party across the
plains to the Pacific. They were fitted out at St. Joseph,
Missouri, and a start effected April 12th of that year.
All went well with our travelers until the Platte river was reached, on
June 1st, when a raid was made upon them by Indians, and two of their
oxen stolen. After a chase of five miles the depredators were
overhauled and called upon to surrender, when a skirmish ensured.
One of the party, Dr. Fisher, had his horse shot under him, and other,
Ben Toppin, was wounded by an arrow piercing his thigh. Four of
the red skins were made to bite the dust. The remainder of the
journey was made without further mishap, and Mr. Zuck believes that
even the misadventure that happened might have been avoided. On
October 26, 1849, the subject of our narrative arrived at the mines on
the Yuba river, and there remained until January 28, 1850, when he
moved higher up the stream, to Bullard's Bar, but had poor
success. In December, 1850, he worked as a farm laborer on the
Horn Cut, and four months later purchased a ranch. Hitherto he
had had no financial success; now he essayed practical farming.
Purchasing two hundred acres of land in partnership with R. F. Piat, he
located about fourteen miles from Marysville, on the Horn Cut,
and there took up his residence. Mr. Zuck now determined to visit
the East. He therefore sailed from San Francisco, December
5, 1851, in the steamer Golden Gate, on her first voyage, and arrived in New York on New Year's morning, 1852.
Having recrossed the plains, he arrived on his farm, near
Marysville, on September 17th, of that year, whence he removed to Santa
Clara county, November 7, 1853, and on the following day located on the
property he occupies, now comprising eight hundred and forty acres,
where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Married, April
11, 1833, Maria Eliza Linton, a native of Ohio, who died , May 10,
1881, by whom he has Mary Ann, born March 25, 1834; John, born November
5, 1835, died March 22, 1867; {The Hon. John Zuck was elected to
the House of Assembly of the State of California, on the Republican
ticket, September 4, 1861, when he polled one thousand seven hundred
and sixty-seven votes, being forty-five more than the Hon. Charles
Maclay, Republican, and one hundred thirty-one more that Hon. J. Brown,
Republican. He died full of promise, and much
regretted.} Harriet, born May 10, 1838; WIlliam H., born November
16, 1841, who died December 27, 1863; James C., born January 14, 1844;
{The Ho. James C. Zuck is the confrere of the Hon. G. F. Baker,
in the present Senate of the State of California.} Albion Theo.,
born May 30, 1846, who died April 29, 1870.
History of Santa Clara County, California
San Francisco: Alley, Bowen & Co., 1881, 838 pgs.
page 639-640
Transcribed by cdf