HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 2018 SLOWhatHistory of SLO: Pioneers’ Story
W ITH JOSEPH CAROTENUTI, CITY HISTORIAN/ARCHIVIST
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com Visit: www.joefromslo.com 09/2018
John Jacob Simmler
Our last guest, Walter Murray (1826-1875), came
from England to San Luis Obispo. When asked
if any other pioneer had come from a greater
distance, he quickly responded “Jake Simmler.”
Our guest today, John J. Simmler (1826-1906) had
a varied career in our area and is still remembered
by a small settlement to the east.
So, just how far did you have to travel to get here
and how long did it take?
“First, thank you and Judge Murray for this
opportunity. He was my predecessor as postmaster
and died much too young. We were born in the
same year and close friends. I had the honor to be
the executor of his estate.
But to answer your question, I was born in France
in 1826 and first set foot here over a quarter
century later. Judge Murray and I remembered
those pioneer years getting here. I know he had
many adventurers along his way, but my story is
much less complicated.
My parents were educated and I had three brothers
and sisters. I went to school until I was 15 and then
apprenticed as a painter. For about three years, I
traveled around France and nearby Switzerland and
Germany earning my way by painting. I’m sure I could
have spent the rest of my life doing so. But I think this
was when I realized there was a huge world to see. It
was not long before my brother, Emile, and I decided
to try seeing some of the new world.”
Is that when you came to California?
“No, not directly. I was 20 – Emile was older - when I
left home and we lived and worked in Texas until 1852
before we sailed for here. It was a busy few years. I
tried to make a living, learn the language and customs
just as I had done in my homeland. Remember: we
arrived in Texas not long after the disagreement with
Mexico and there still was a lot of turmoil.
(NOTE: The “disagreement” was the Mexican-
American War that formally ended in 1848.)
All the while, we kept hearing about the gold and
California. More and more people were heading west.
We were young, looking for a good future and finally
decided we might make our fortune by finding some
gold. That never happened.
In many ways, I wish we had stayed in Texas. As it
turned out, Emile and I could have gone faster with
horses. Of course, crossing by land was an extremely
dangerous thing to do. Just ask Parker French.
First, we made our way to Mazatlán in ’52 which had
the shortest port to sail north to San Francisco. We
soon learned the ship was ill-equipped for the trip. We
got lost at sea and the miserable delays resulted in a
lack of supplies. Men died and – finally - after 60 awful
days, we jumped ship at Avila. I never left.”
You mentioned Parker French was with you. Should
we talk with him next?
“Well, you can talk with whoever you want but, be
warned, French is not a reputable person.”