Description
Account of a voyage from San Francisco to New York City via Panama, with later entries from Lena, Illinois
Background
John Marcellus Schermerhorn was born about 1830 in Fultonville, New York state. His family moved to Lena, Stephenson County,
IL. With the gold rush, he and his father came to California, where they mined, and John spent two years in a law office.
He may be the John Schermerhorn of Harney's Exchange, Brenham Place, who is listed in the 1854 LeCount & Strong San Francisco
directory. Unsuccessful in mining, the two returned to their Illinois farm. John married Rachel J. Dodd, and served in the
Union army in the Civil War. He worked almost forty years as Lena's village clerk, was postmaster there for several years,
and died there in 1917.
Availability
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.