Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 05:25:56 :
Marin Journal
Thursday, Jan. 4, 1900
Page 8
Death of Two More Pioneers
Thomas Wosser, of Sausalito, and James Mulhern, of Ross Valley
On Wednesday of last week two other pioneers passed away. James Mulhern of Ross Valley died at the age of seventy-one. He was the father of James Mulhern, Jr., who is employed in the postal service in San Francisco, and Frank Mulhern, who is in business in Ross Valley.
At Sausalito, Thos. Wosser, after a protracted illness, departed from this life to his reward beyond. He was well known and highly respected by the residents of Sausalito and by many in San Francisco. Coming to this state in 1849, in a few years he found employment as fireman and then as assistant engineer with the California Navigation Company. In 1868 he became chief engineer of the Princess, the first ferry boat plying between San Francisco and Sausalito. He continued in the employment of the company until the purchase of its business by the N. P. C. R. R. Co. and retained his position under the new management until about four years ago when he retired on account of ill health. Deceased was 71 years and 6 months old. He leaves a widow and a large family of children to mourn his loss. Three of his sons are employed at their father’s chosen profession.
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Sausalito News
Saturday, January 6, 1900
Page 2
Died
WOSSER – In Sausalito, January 3, 1900, Thomas Wosser, beloved husband of Margaret Wosser, a native of Ireland, aged 71 years and 6 months.
And on page 3:
Death of Thomas Wosser
Sausalito mourns over the bier of another respected citizen and pioneer. Thomas Wosser passed away Wednesday evening as if going into a restful sleep. He had been ill more or less for the past 4 years, but able to be up and around most of the time. Deceased arrived with his parents from Ireland when a small boy and settled in Albany, NY, and came around the Horn to San Francisco. In 1851 and 1852, he was employed as boatman for Commodore Harrison, who was then in the ship chandlery business in the city. He then entered the service of the California Navigation Company, first as fireman, then as assistant engineer. In 1859 he married Miss Margaret Whelan, daughter of the late Thomas Whelan of Buffalo. In 1868 Commodore Harrison made him Chief Engineer of the steamer Princess, the Commodore being then the Captain. The Princess was the first ferry boat plying between Sausalito and San Francisco, and was owned by the Sausalito Land & Ferry Co. The deceased remained in the employ of that Company until it sold out to the N.P.C.R.R., when he went into the service of the latter Company, and remained with it until 4 years ago, when his health failed.
He was aged 71 years and 6 months. Commodore Harrison, in speaking of him, said: “He was reliable, and never left his work undone. A good man has gone to his reward.”
He leaves a large family to mourn his death. The ties of affection that bound him to his family were very strong. He was throughout his long life essentially a domestic man. His hours off work were spent in the bosom of his family, where his presence always commanded that respect due to devotion and love. His family grew up a credit to their home and an honor to their town. They enjoyed the benefits of a most liberal education, and when school days were past betook themselves to useful and honorable toil. Of his 5 sons, 3 are marine engineers – James, Chief Engineer Oakland Ferry; Joseph, Chief Engineer Tiburon; Richard, Assistant Engineer Sausalito. Edward is Engineer on the N.P.C.R.R., and William is an apprentice in the machine shops of that road. Of his 7 daughters, one is in the employ of Wells Fargo, one is bookkeeper for the Sausalito Lumber Company, one (Mrs. O’Neal) is married, and the others at home.
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