ALBERT GLENFIELD LAFFERTY, one of the
earliest settlers of Humboldt County and of the Mattole Valley, is
still remembered by the old timers of Mattole community. He resided
in Upper Mattole and on Elk Ridge from the earliest white men's
settlement until about 1890, when he purchased a home on Francis
Creek near Ferndale where he passed the rest of his life. He was
born in Arkansas in 1828 or 1829. When a mere boy, he enlisted in
the United States Army and fought through the Mexican War. Shortly
after his discharge from the Army he joined the pilgrimage to
California. After some improfitable work in the mines, he came to
Humboldt County and became one of the pioneer residents of the
Mattole Valley.
In 1863 he enlisted in the Mountaineer Battalion and fought through the
Indian War. After being discharged from the service, he married an
Indian girl and lived with her until she died. After her death he
married another Indian Girl. She also died a few years later.
Lafferty was thus left alone in the world to rear a family of
several children. All these children, with the exception of one son,
Albert H., fell victims to tuberculosis. One of Lafferty's
daughters, Mrs Frances Steeve, a prominent, active, consistent
member of the Salvation Army in Ferndale, was well-known throughout
Humboldt County for her beautiful Christian character. Lafferty's
youngest son, Albert H., was killed in a sand slide on the wild Cat
Road near Ferndale in the spring of 1929.
After the close of the Indian Wars in 1865, Albert G. Lafferty made
his home in Upper Mattole for about ten years. He acquired title to
a claim of 160 acres of land eleven miles southeast of Petrolia on
the south banks of the Mattole River. This land, in 1874, was sold
to Isaac Cook. He then moved his family to Elk Ridge and remained
there until 1890. He then moved again and located on a farm near
Ferndale. Here he remained until his death in 1921.
He was a man of strong religious convictions and was very desirous of
having his children receive proper religious training. He grieved
beyond measures over the death of his children. He was greatly
pleased that his daughter Frances was such an ardent religious
worker. He was radically opposed to the business and strong
supporter of law enforcement. His zeal in this respect won him many
enemies, but he courageously faced the outcome.
In his old age he was granted a comfortable pension from the federal
government for his military service. He was also granted an
allowance from the United States Government for damage done his
property during the Indian depredations between 1858 and 1865.
During the last thirty years of his life, supported by his pension,
he lived in comfort at his residence on Francis Creek near Ferndale.
He was said to be the last survivor of the Mexican War in Humboldt
County, and one of the last in the United States. He passed away
peacefully at his home near Ferndale in 1921, being ninety three
years old.
In 1855 A. G. Lafferty sold supplies to the Government in California
which must have consisted of buffalo and wild game that was
furnished the troops. For this he was compensated by the Government.
(Letter from John McCaleb Lafferty 1910)
Susie Baker Fountain Papaers, Humbolt, County, California.
SBF Papers V 117 p 170. December 10, 1859.
Duel in Mattole- the people of Mattole seem disposed to keep pace
with the duello. Last week one duel and one flash in the pan took
place there. The dual occurred in Upper Mattole, between a Mr.
Lafferty and his brother-in Law.
The social position of the parties is about equal, one of them being
an Indian, and the other claiming to be white, lives with the
Indian's sister. they were both wounded at the first fire, after
which a reconciliation was brought about by the sister.
Unfortunately their wounds are not considered dangerous.
He settled and lived out his last years in Humboldt County,
California. In 1920 his son who was 44 (born in California) at the
time was enumerated next door to him and both were living alone.
Submitted to Genealogy Trails by Mary Wilson
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