Trafton family - Revision history

Carey at 20:29, 8 July 2025

2025-07-08T20:29:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:29, 8 July 2025
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	[[Category:Persons]]		[[Category:Persons]]
			[[Category:Persons of Pajaro Valley]]
	[[Category:1850-1859 arrivals]]		[[Category:1850-1859 arrivals]]
	[[Category:Government officials 1880-89]]		[[Category:Government officials 1880-89]]

Carey at 20:28, 8 July 2025

2025-07-08T20:28:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:28, 8 July 2025
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	The [https://www.santacruztrains.com/2017/02/stations-trafton.html Santa Cruz Trains] website has more history of the Trafton family, including the fact that in 1914 there was a "Trafton" railroad siding on the edge of family land south of Watsonville. According to the webpage, David's son John Edmund [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372060/john-edmund-trafton (1837-1920)] became head of the family after his father's death.		The [https://www.santacruztrains.com/2017/02/stations-trafton.html Santa Cruz Trains] website has more history of the Trafton family, including the fact that in 1914 there was a "Trafton" railroad siding on the edge of family land south of Watsonville. According to the webpage, David's son John Edmund [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372060/john-edmund-trafton (1837-1920)] became head of the family after his father's death.

			Today's Trafton Road runs through an agricultural area that was formerly Trafton land (at least in part), roughly parallel both to the [[Pajaro River]] and to the no-longer-existing rail line, on the south side of the river in Monterey County.

	John's older brother George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store and flour mill, and served in "civic affairs". A photo of the flour mill is in [[Harvesting Our Heritage (2017 book)]], page 14. George was president of the Watsonville Board of Trustees 1881-85, and was the first mayor in 1889-90.		John's older brother George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store and flour mill, and served in "civic affairs". A photo of the flour mill is in [[Harvesting Our Heritage (2017 book)]], page 14. George was president of the Watsonville Board of Trustees 1881-85, and was the first mayor in 1889-90.

Carey at 20:15, 8 July 2025

2025-07-08T20:15:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:15, 8 July 2025
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	[[File:1937_Trafton-Melissa-obit.jpg\|right\|500px]]		[[File:1937_Trafton-Melissa-obit.jpg\|right\|500px]]
	David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.		David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.

	~~Son~~ George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store and flour mill, and served in "civic affairs". A photo of the flour mill is in [[Harvesting Our Heritage (2017 book)]], page 14. George was president of the Watsonville Board of Trustees 1881-85, and was the first mayor in 1889-90.		The [https://www.santacruztrains.com/2017/02/stations-trafton.html Santa Cruz Trains] website has more history of the Trafton family, including the fact that in 1914 there was a "Trafton" railroad siding on the edge of family land south of Watsonville. According to the webpage, David's son John Edmund [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372060/john-edmund-trafton (1837-1920)] became head of the family after his father's death.

			John's older brother George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store and flour mill, and served in "civic affairs". A photo of the flour mill is in [[Harvesting Our Heritage (2017 book)]], page 14. George was president of the Watsonville Board of Trustees 1881-85, and was the first mayor in 1889-90.
	*[https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/134101#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 Watsonville Mayors, 1868-2017], SCPL Local History Articles		*[https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/134101#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 Watsonville Mayors, 1868-2017], SCPL Local History Articles

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	[[Category:Persons in Martin]]		[[Category:Persons in Martin]]
	[[Category:Persons with 3 historical-source biographies]]		[[Category:Persons with 3 historical-source biographies]]
	[[Category:Pioneer Cemetery]]		[[Category:Watsonville Pioneer Cemetery]]

Carey at 19:33, 30 April 2024

2024-04-30T19:33:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:33, 30 April 2024
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	[[Category:Persons in Martin]]		[[Category:Persons in Martin]]
	[[Category:Persons with 3 historical-source biographies]]		[[Category:Persons with 3 historical-source biographies]]
	~~[[Category:Elected officials]]~~
	[[Category:Pioneer Cemetery]]		[[Category:Pioneer Cemetery]]

Carey at 19:32, 30 April 2024

2024-04-30T19:32:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:32, 30 April 2024
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	David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.		David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.

	Son George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store and flour mill, and served in "civic affairs". A photo of the flour mill is in [[Harvesting Our Heritage (2017 book)]], page 14. George was the first mayor ~~of Watsonville~~ in 1889-90.		Son George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store and flour mill, and served in "civic affairs". A photo of the flour mill is in [[Harvesting Our Heritage (2017 book)]], page 14. George was president of the Watsonville Board of Trustees 1881-85, and was the first mayor in 1889-90.
			*[https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/134101#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 Watsonville Mayors, 1868-2017], SCPL Local History Articles

	George's oldest son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served three separate terms as Watsonville mayor between 1900 and 1921. George's second son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter. "The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.		George's oldest son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served three separate terms as Watsonville mayor between 1900 and 1921. George's second son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter. "The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.

Carey at 19:28, 30 April 2024

2024-04-30T19:28:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:28, 30 April 2024
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	David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.		David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.

	Son George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store and flour mill, and served in "civic affairs". A photo of the flour mill is in [[Harvesting Our Heritage (2017 book)]], page 14.		Son George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store and flour mill, and served in "civic affairs". A photo of the flour mill is in [[Harvesting Our Heritage (2017 book)]], page 14. George was the first mayor of Watsonville in 1889-90.

	George's oldest son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served as Watsonville mayor. George's second son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter. "The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.		George's oldest son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served three separate terms as Watsonville mayor between 1900 and 1921. George's second son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter. "The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.
	* [[Dunn, Geoffrey\|Geoffrey Dunn]], "Death In the Afternoon", ''Santa Cruz Style'', Spring-2019, p.60-63, republished online at [https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/135599#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 SCPL Local History Articles]		* [[Dunn, Geoffrey\|Geoffrey Dunn]], "Death In the Afternoon", ''Santa Cruz Style'', Spring-2019, p.60-63, republished online at [https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/135599#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 SCPL Local History Articles]

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	[[Category:Persons]]		[[Category:Persons]]
	[[Category:1850-1859 arrivals]]		[[Category:1850-1859 arrivals]]
			[[Category:Government officials 1880-89]]
			[[Category:Government officials 1890-99]]
			[[Category:Government officials 1900-09]]
			[[Category:Government officials 1910-19]]
			[[Category:Government officials 1920-29]]
	[[Category:Persons in Harrison]]		[[Category:Persons in Harrison]]
	[[Category:Persons in Guinn]]		[[Category:Persons in Guinn]]

Carey at 19:02, 27 April 2024

2024-04-27T19:02:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:02, 27 April 2024
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	David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.		David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.

	Son George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store, and served in "civic affairs".		Son George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store and flour mill, and served in "civic affairs". A photo of the flour mill is in [[Harvesting Our Heritage (2017 book)]], page 14.

	George's oldest son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served as Watsonville mayor. George's second son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter. "The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.		George's oldest son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served as Watsonville mayor. George's second son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter. "The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.

Carey at 18:59, 27 April 2024

2024-04-27T18:59:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:59, 27 April 2024
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	David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.		David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.

	Son ([George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store, and served in "civic affairs".		Son George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store, and served in "civic affairs".

	George's oldest son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served as Watsonville mayor. ~~"The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.~~		George's oldest son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served as Watsonville mayor. George's second son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter. "The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.

	George's second son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter.
	* [[Dunn, Geoffrey\|Geoffrey Dunn]], "Death In the Afternoon", ''Santa Cruz Style'', Spring-2019, p.60-63, republished online at [https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/135599#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 SCPL Local History Articles]		* [[Dunn, Geoffrey\|Geoffrey Dunn]], "Death In the Afternoon", ''Santa Cruz Style'', Spring-2019, p.60-63, republished online at [https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/135599#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 SCPL Local History Articles]

Carey at 21:01, 31 January 2024

2024-01-31T21:01:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:01, 31 January 2024
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	[[File:1937_Trafton-Melissa-obit.jpg\|right\|500px]]		[[File:1937_Trafton-Melissa-obit.jpg\|right\|500px]]
	~~The first of the '''Trafton family''' to arrive in Santa Cruz County was George A.~~ Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/~~5372154~~/~~george-arthur~~-trafton ~~1834~~-~~1927~~]), born in ~~Canada~~, ~~who came~~ to California in ~~1851 and to Watsonville in 1858~~, ~~shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis~~ in the ~~Sacramento~~ Valley. ~~George established a general store, and served in "civic affairs"~~		David Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372033/david-trafton 1790-1852]), born in Maine, set out to bring his family to California, but died during the trip in 1852. The rest of the family continued, settling in the Pajaro Valley.

	Son ~~William Abraham~~ Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/~~5384503~~/~~william~~-~~abraham~~-trafton ~~1864~~-~~1931~~]) ~~served as~~ Watsonville ~~mayor~~. "~~The Trafton brothers~~" ~~are profiled in Harrison, p.281~~.		Son ([George A. Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5372154/george-arthur-trafton 1834-1927]), born in Canada, established the family in Watsonville in 1858, shortly after his marriage to Melissa Matthis in the Sacramento Valley. George established a general store, and served in "civic affairs".

	~~Son~~ Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter.		George's oldest son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served as Watsonville mayor. "The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.

			George's second son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter.
	* [[Dunn, Geoffrey\|Geoffrey Dunn]], "Death In the Afternoon", ''Santa Cruz Style'', Spring-2019, p.60-63, republished online at [https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/135599#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 SCPL Local History Articles]		* [[Dunn, Geoffrey\|Geoffrey Dunn]], "Death In the Afternoon", ''Santa Cruz Style'', Spring-2019, p.60-63, republished online at [https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/135599#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 SCPL Local History Articles]

	A daughter named Ida moved to southern California. The other ~~four~~ family members are buried in Watsonville's Pioneer Cemetery.		A daughter named Ida moved to southern California. The other family members are buried in Watsonville's Pioneer Cemetery, including David.

	[[Category:Persons]]		[[Category:Persons]]
			[[Category:1850-1859 arrivals]]
	[[Category:Persons in Harrison]]		[[Category:Persons in Harrison]]
			[[Category:Persons in Guinn]]
	[[Category:Persons in Martin]]		[[Category:Persons in Martin]]
	[[Category:Persons with 2 historical-source biographies]]		[[Category:Persons with 3 historical-source biographies]]
	[[Category:Elected officials]]		[[Category:Elected officials]]
	[[Category:Pioneer Cemetery]]		[[Category:Pioneer Cemetery]]

Carey at 05:43, 19 January 2024

2024-01-19T05:43:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:43, 19 January 2024
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	Son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served as Watsonville mayor. "The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.		Son William Abraham Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5384503/william-abraham-trafton 1864-1931]) served as Watsonville mayor. "The Trafton brothers" are profiled in Harrison, p.281.

	Son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925]) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter.		Son Howard Trafton ([https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178626228/howard-valentine-trafton 1871-1925], bio in Martin) was elected County Sheriff in 1902, and still held that position in 1925, when he was killed in a gun battle while trying to evict a squatter.
	* [[Dunn, Geoffrey\|Geoffrey Dunn]], "Death In the Afternoon", ''Santa Cruz Style'', Spring-2019, p.60-63, republished online at [https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/135599#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 SCPL Local History Articles]		* [[Dunn, Geoffrey\|Geoffrey Dunn]], "Death In the Afternoon", ''Santa Cruz Style'', Spring-2019, p.60-63, republished online at [https://history.santacruzpl.org/omeka/items/show/135599#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=0 SCPL Local History Articles]

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	[[Category:Persons]]		[[Category:Persons]]
	[[Category:Persons in Harrison]]		[[Category:Persons in Harrison]]
			[[Category:Persons in Martin]]
			[[Category:Persons with 2 historical-source biographies]]
	[[Category:Elected officials]]		[[Category:Elected officials]]
	[[Category:Pioneer Cemetery]]		[[Category:Pioneer Cemetery]]