| Notes |
- From the "Prather Story" in the publication "Grass Roots of Anderson Valley,
Ca."
When William Prather was about 15, he was "bound out" to a neighbor to learn
the shoemaking trade. He was to serve for five years, according to the papers
of indenture. But sitting at a cobbler's bench all day, to a boy accustomed
to the freedom of a farm was too much. When only a short time remained for
the fulfilling of the contract, he heard that a caravan bound for California
was forming in the community. (Libertyville, Jefferson Co., Ia.)
When the carravan set out one morning, 19 year-old William was with it, riding
a good horse and driving cattle for the leader of the party. This was early
spring of 1852.
After an arduous journey of 6 months, the caravan reached Sutter's Fort on
the 20th of Sept., 1852. William spent only 2 weeks working in the mines, and
"decided that life was not for him".
The slow trip down the Sacramento Valley came next, ending in Solano Co., Ca.
He worked on ranches near Benicia and Vacaville forr 2 yesrs, learning
blacksmithing and working with metals to make farming tools.
But William Prather wanted land. Learning that the Mexican land Grants of that
area were in litigation in our courts, he decided to go farther north.
Reports of a valley that was not included in land grants had reached him. On
the weat, the "Grant Del Norte" (Garcia Grrant) extended from the mouth of the
Gualala River to the Mal Paso, and inland to the top of the range dividing
Anderson Valley and the Coast. On the northeast, the Yakayo (Ukiah) Grant
which was only about 18 miles long and 1 mile wide, did not include the range
of hills between Ukiah and our valley. This left what became Anderson Valley
free from grants.
Williams daughter,Hattie, wrote in a letter: William started north "in a
vehicle resembling a buckboard" an that a man came with him whose name she
could not remember. This was in 1854. Driving through the level land was easy
and they reached the site of the present Cloverdale, where a "trading post"
had just been established. A mile or so north of this, they came to the big
hill. Today Highway 128 zigzags smoothly to the top, but the Indian trail
started to the right accross the gulch.
William became a partner with a man by the the name of Hawkins and established
his ranch.
He built a new home about 1874 and planted cypress trees for shade.
The fields below the road, luxuriant with wild oats at first, produced hay and
grains. Two orchards and a small vinyard flourished. In a stream below the
road a dam was built, pviding irrigation for the upper part of one field.
here William grew vegetables, berries, and melons. The lower part of the steam
was wooded, and provided a perfect camp spot in summer for any of the family.
A spring gushed out of the bank just above. Here always hung a dipper made
from a gourd. The large end of the gourd had been hollowed to make the cup
part and long part became the handle. There was another up at the house by the
well for the Indians, who always stopped on their trips from Ukiah or Hopland
to the coast.
We children were always excited as their parade came up the walk. The men came
first, carring nothing. The small ones cme next, smiling shyly at us, followed
by the squaws, their backs loaded with bundles. After quenching their thirst,
the men sat down along the porch edge to rest, while the squaws went up to the
chichen yard where a huge oak tree stood. They shook the branches or hit them
with a long stick and the acorns came rattleing down. These were piled on old
piecies of cloth, the corners of which were knotted together for easy carring.
In a short time William appeared from the garden below with a heavy looking
grain sack over his shoulder. He stepped onto the porch, put down his load and
out rolled big watermelons. How their stoic faces changed. With broad smiles
they began cracking the melons on the edge of the porch and devouring them.
Appreciation was expressed very simply, as one of the men volunteered, "Good"
"Bill". Williams attitude, like that of our other pioneers, was understanding
and friendly, and because of this, we had no Indian trouble.
William built a hay barn and a stable below the road. There was always a row
of horses at the long manger, cared for by Williams sons.
William built a shop below the road where horses were shod and metal work
done.
Most of the children, on leaving home, were given a hand-crafted fireplace
set, complete with andirons, shovel, poker and tongs. He buit the first
bathroom off the kitchen. No plumbing, of course, and water had to be heated
in two large black, cast iron pots and carried the few feet to the tub. This
tub he made from wooden boards, and lined it with tin. these sheets of tin
were salvaged from empty five gallon cans of coal oil used in lamps.
Earl and Johnny became ranchers and stock raisers, Carl and Maurice were
"teamsters" at that time. Hauling tanbark out of the valley around the turn of
the century.
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Prater/Prather Genealogy* 120,000+ Family Members
1832 - 1908 (76 years)