Marsh, John, 1799-1856

John Marsh came to California in 1836. He was a doctor, owning Rancho Los Medanos at the foot of Mt. Diablo.

From the description of John Marsh Letters, 1823-1850. (California State Library). WorldCat record id: 58855211

Indian agent, author, physician, and California pioneer.

After graduating from Harvard in 1823, Marsh tutored officers' children, studied medicine, and served as sub-agent to the Sioux at Fort St. Anthony, Minn. In 1826, Marsh was appointed sub-agent for Indian affairs at Prairie du Chien, Wisc., a post he held until 1831, when his half-Sioux wife died. During the Black Hawk War, Marsh organized and led a band of Sioux, and later fled West to evade arrest for supplying arms to the Indians. He finally settled in California's San Joaquin Valley, where he practiced medicine and became a wealthy rancher.

From the description of Letter : Prairie du Chien, W[isconsin] T[erritory], to D.P. Campbell, New York, [N.Y.], 1831 Apr. 17. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 38500833

Biography

John Marsh was born June 5, 1799, in Massachusettts and came to California in 1836. He was a doctor. In 1839, he became owner of Rancho Los Medanos at the foot of Mt. Diablo near present-day Antioch, California. He lived a solitary existence, though taking some interest in politics and favoring California's incorporation into the United States. He was murdered September 24, 1856, on the road between his rancho and Martinez.

From the guide to the John Marsh Letters, 1823-1850, (California State Library)