John Gideon Hallick

Narrative:

     John Gideon Hallick was born about 1833 in Kentucky.^5,6,7
     He was probably one of the two males under age 5 listed in the household of his father, John Hallick, in the 1840 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., Kentucky.¹³
     His mother died on 16 Feb 1841, when John was about 8 years old.¹⁴
     His mother's brother, Robert Livingston Cobb, was appointed his guardian by the Caldwell Co. County Court on 16 Jan 1843, in the expectation that he and his siblings might be entitled to proceeds from the estate of their mother's brother, Isaac Clark Jr.^4,15 On 15 Jan 1848 Robert reported to the Caldwell Co. County Court that he had received $87.05 as guardian of John and his siblings, their late mother's share of the estate of her brother Isaac. He reported he had loaned it at 6% interest to James H. Holloway. No further record of his guardianship have been found.¹⁶
     John moved to Chicat Co., Arkansas, with his father by 1848.
     John appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Oden Twp., Chicot Co., Arkansas, enumerated 26 Sep 1850, apparently boarding with Thomas H. River, a tavern keeper, his wife and two children, along with nine other residents.¹⁷ He was a carpenter at age 17.¹⁸

Joining the Gold Rush --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     John moved to extreme northern California shortly afterwards. He might be presumed to have been drawn there by the gold rush then underway. Why he chose to settle in the far northern part of California, where gold was newly discovered, rather than the better known central areas is unknown. If he did indeed engage in mining he seems to have abandoned that occupation before long. He seems to have been more interested in fighting Indians in the early years. The only occupation found for him in the records was some years later, when he is listed as a laborer.^19,20

Becoming an Indian Fighter --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     By 1852 the growing number of immigrants into northern California and southern Oregon was becoming a serious concern for the Indians there. Ben Wright, who had established a name for himself as an Indian fighter, assembled a company of men to oppose the attacks. When wagon trains arrived that summer over the Oregon Trail to Yreka, the first by that route, they were attacked by the Modocs.²¹
     John enlisted 6 Oct 1852 in Capt. Wright's company of Siskiyou Volunteers.^22,23 Wright's company made a number of attacks on the Modocs that fall, but which one John was involved with is unclear. He seems to have clearly been present at the final encounter of the season, when Wright met with Modocs over several days, encouraging them to return the livestock and goods they had taken from the settlers and live in peace. at least one contemporary account says his intent was to recover as much as possible then kill all the Indians present. In any event they did attack the Indians, killing 49. John was credited with parting from his companions when they became too violent in celebrating their victory on their return to Yreka.²⁴ John was discharged 24 Nov 1852. He was paid for 49 days by the state, which was later reimbursed by the U.S.^25,26
     In the spring of 1853 a small band from the Pit River tribe raided a ranch and stole five horses. John was a member of a group of 13 who set out in response. They found the Indian's camp and surrounded it during the night. At daybreak they killed all the occupants and recovered the stolen horses.²⁷
     In the summer and fall of 1853 the governor of Oregon Territory maintained a military company in Modoc Co. for the protection of emigrants. The same thing was done in the summer of 1854. A number of parties coming to Siskiyou Co. were expected that fall, so a company of volunteers was raised there to protect them as they passed through Indian country. Fifteen men, including John, started northward about 1 Aug 1854 and met the advance guard of Capt. Jesse Walker's company four days later. The next day they were attacked on the trail by Indians. Moving to higher ground they spotted the Modoc village, and John offered to try out his new rifle. His shot killed one of the Indians and scattered the rest.²⁸
     The Siskiyou Co. group continued with Capt. Walker's company until all the expected Siskiyou families had passed through, then most of them returned home. But three, including John enlisted with Capt. Walker's command for scout duty. He was recorded as enlisting as a private on 18 Aug 1854 in Capt. Jess Walker's Co. A of the 9th Regiment, Oregon Mounted Militia. He was discharged from that unit 6 Nov 1854. He was paid for 81 days, by the U.S. Treasury in 1887.^29,30,31

Settling in Yreka --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     By a law enacted 3 Mar 1855 Congress authorized the issuance of warrants for up to 160 acres of land to those who had been engaged in wars on behalf of the Federal government. John received a warrant for his service with Capt. Wright's unit. He sold it to George K. Adams and William Selby, who obtained a patent with it for 170 acres in the foothills of Tehama Co., west of Corning, on 1 Dec 1860.³²
     John registered for the draft for the Civil War, appearing on the register dated in Jan 1864, while living in Yreka, Siskiyou Co., California, reporting he was employed as a laborer.³³
     John has not been found in the 1860 nor 1870 censuses, though it seems he remained in the area. He appears repeatedly on lists of registered voters in Siskiyou Co., shown as a resident of Yreka having registered 9 Jan 1867, and again 19 Oct 1878.³⁴
     John served in the fire department in Yreka, including as foreman of Klamath Engine Co. No. 2 in 1877. He also served on the Fire Department Board of Delegates in 1879.³⁵ John served as constable of Yreka Twp., taking office 23 Oct 1879 and a renewed term two years later. He was named marshal of the city of Yreka for the 1881-81 term.³⁶
     John married Emily Grutze, daughter of Charles Grutze and Mary [surname unknown], on 7 Apr 1880 in Yreka, Siskiyou Co., California, with E. Steele, judge of Superior Court officating.^8,9
     John and Emily appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Yreka, Siskiyou Co., California, enumerated 9 Jun 1880. Her daughter Louisa was listed as living with them.³⁷
     John died on 23 Dec 1899.^10,11 He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Yreka, California.¹²