Person Page - 109

     Mabel B. Rogers was born in 1898.¹ She was buried in 1976 at Divide Cemetery Plot 3:484, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.² She died in 1976.¹

     Charles M. Rothe was buried at Divide Cemetery Plot 4-154, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹

     Hazel L. Royse was born on 17 March 1912.¹ She died on 13 May 1986 at age 74.¹ She was buried after 13 May 1986 at Divide Cemetery Plot 4:213-A-1, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹

     Judith D. (Larvick) Ruckman was born on 13 June 1941 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California.^1,3,2 She married Bill J. Ruckman, son of George L. Ruckman, circa 1958.⁴ Judith D. (Larvick) Ruckman died on 22 June 2004 at Stanford Medical Center, Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., California, at age 63.^1,5 She was buried after 22 June 2004 at Divide Cemetery Plot 3:496-A-1, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹

     Bill J. Ruckman was born on 9 January 1939 at Bunch, Oklahoma.^1,2 He was the son of George L. Ruckman. Bill J. Ruckman married Judith D. (Larvick) Ruckman circa 1958.¹ Bill J. Ruckman died on 5 December 2002 at Chinese Camp, Tuolumne Co., California, at age 63.^1,3 He was buried before 12 December 2002 at Divide Cemetery Plot 3:496 A-1, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.^1,4
     He was a building contractor between 1960 and 2000 at Tuolumne Co., California.⁵

     George L. Ruckman was born on 23 July 1910 at Arkansas.^1,2 He married Opal Pearl Ruckman circa 1938; since their son Bill was born in Oklahoma, they were possibly married there.³ George L. Ruckman died on 31 May 1985 at Tuolumne Co., CA, at age 74.^1,2 He was buried after 31 May 1985 at Divide Cemetery Plot 3:495, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹

     Donna (Ruckman) Hollowell was born in 1943.² She was the daughter of George L. Ruckman.¹ Donna (Ruckman) Hollowell married Bill R. Hallowell, son of Roy Hallowell and Mrs. Ruby Hallowell. Donna (Ruckman) Hollowell was buried circa 2006 at Divide Cemetery Plot, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California. She died circa 2006 at Nevada.³
     Donna (Ruckman) Hollowell was also known as Donna Ruckman.¹ Donna (Ruckman) Hollowell was also known as Donna J. Hallowell.²

     Kelly Colleen Atkins was born on 12 November 1965.¹ She was the daughter of Donna (Ruckman) Hollowell.² Kelly Colleen Atkins died on 1 December 1965.¹ She was buried after 1 December 1965 at Divide Cemetery Plot 3:476, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹

     Opal Pearl Ruckman was born on 23 January 1916.¹ She married George L. Ruckman circa 1938; since their son Bill was born in Oklahoma, they were possibly married there.¹ Opal Pearl Ruckman died on 23 March 1972 at age 56.¹ She was buried after 23 March 1972.¹

     Florence Sanfilipo was born on 13 May 1914.² She died on 9 July 1993 at age 79.² She was buried after 9 July 1993 at Divide Cemetery Plot 3-390-a, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.²

     Charles Schmidt was born on 6 June 1863 at California.^1,4 He was the son of Chas Gottlieb Schmidt and Mary E. (Hanson) Schmidt.^2,3 Charles Schmidt died on 13 May 1952 at Tuolumne Co., California, at age 88.^1,4 He was buried after 13 May 1952 at Divide Cemetery Plot 5-121, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹
     He Buried w/Chas. G., Mary E., William, and Myrtle Schmidt.

are they sons of Charles G. and Mary and brother to William?
These two men are buried in adjacent graves and share a headstone. Are they brothers or cousins?

Brothers according to Schlichtmann & Paden (pg 182))

They are also [BStevens 8/2007]. He was a witness In town on business with Daniel Corcoran on 7 March 1925.⁵ Charles Schmidt was a witness (an unknown value) with William Schmidt on 7 March 1925 at Groveland, Tuolumne Co., California.⁶ Charles Schmidt Mr. and Mrs. Dan Corcoran, of Priests, and constable Wm. Schmidt and Chas. Schmidt of Groveland, were business visitors in Sonora Thursday.
The Union Democrat
on 7 March 1925.

     Frederick Schmidt was born on 9 February 1877 at California.^1,4 He was the son of Chas Gottlieb Schmidt and Mary E. (Hanson) Schmidt.^2,3 Frederick Schmidt died on 30 June 1952 at Tuolumne Co., California, at age 75.^1,4 He was buried after 30 June 1952 at Divide Cemetery Plot 5-122, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹
     He witnessed the marriage of Nettie Emma (Cope) Gilliam and Daniel Gilliam on 28 January 1903 at 2nd Garotte, Twp 4, Tuolumne Co., California; Applied for License to Marry.^5,6,7

     Chas Gottlieb Schmidt was born on 2 March 1835 at Baden, Germany; Census reports show he was born in Germany.^1,2 He married Mary E. (Hanson) Schmidt before 1862. Chas Gottlieb Schmidt died on 27 January 1889 at 2nd Garrote, Tuolumne Co., California, at age 53.¹ He was buried after 27 January 1889 at Divide Cemetery Plot 5-100, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹
     He from a biography of his son HENRY SCHMIDT: ... Mr Schmidt was born in Second Garrote Tolumne county California January 16 1870 a son of Charles Gottlieb and Mary Hanson Schmidt His father was born in Baden Germany of a prominent family and came to California across the plains in 1850 settling at Big Oak Flat Tuolumne count He clerked in a store for a time then went into mining and finally engaged in farming until his death which occurred in 1888 His wife a native of New Orleans and of German descent and a daughter of a California pioneer is still living on the home place in Tuolumne county ...³ He lived in 1850 at Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California. He was store clerk, miner, farmer between 1850 and 1888. He appeared on the census of 1870 at Twp 4, Tuolumne Co., California.⁴ He appeared on the census of 1880 at Twp 4, Tuolumne Co., California.⁵

     Mary E. (Hanson) Schmidt was born in 1848 at New Orleans, Louisiana.^1,2 She married Chas Gottlieb Schmidt before 1862. Mary E. (Hanson) Schmidt died on 1 June 1915 at Tuolumne Co., California.^1,3 She was buried after 1 June 1915 at Divide Cemetery Plot 5-101, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.^1,3
     She appeared on the census of 1900 at Twp 3, Tuolumne Co., California.² She appeared on the census of 1910 at Twp 3, Tuolumne Co., California.⁴

     Louis H. Schramm married Josephine M. Schramm.¹ Louis H. Schramm was born in 1898.² He was buried in 1980 at Divide Cemetery Plot 5-263-d, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.² He died in 1980.²

     Josephine M. Schramm married Louis H. Schramm.¹ Josephine M. Schramm was born in 1899.¹ She was buried in 1968 at Divide Cemetery Plot 5-263-e, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹ She died in 1968.¹

     Bertha B. Shedd was born on 8 March 1900.¹ She died on 31 March 1973 at age 73.¹ She was buried after 31 March 1973 at Divide Cemetery Plot 5:228, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹

     William Shoemaker was born in 1906.¹ He was buried in 1967 at Divide Cemetery Plot 3:465, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹ He died in 1967.¹

     Joseph Siler was born in 1895.¹ He was buried in 1967 at Divide Cemetery Plot 1:603, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹ He died in 1967.¹

     Neal Sinclair was born in 1863 at MICH.^1,2 He was buried in 1963 at Divide Cemetery Plot 3:330, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹ He died in 1963 at Tuolumne Co., CA.^1,2

     Lawrence Thomas was born in 1907.¹ He married Evelyn (Sinclair) Thomas, daughter of Neal Sinclair and Mrs. Ida May Sinclair, between 1930 and 1940; Per Denise Henderson, Lawrence Thomas married the daughter of Neal Sinclair. Lawrence Thomas died in 1991 at San Joaquin Co., CA.^1,2
     He lived; According to Florence Egger, the house that is now the All Seasons Groveland Inn was used for years after Margaret Simmons' death as a rental duplex. At some point, Irene and Ken Kimmie lived upstairs in the house, and Lawrence Thomas lived downstairs. He appeared on the census of 1940 at Groveland, Tuolumne co., CA; laborer @ power plant

Note: Lawrence Thomas MAY have worked for Hetchy Hetchy.³

     Evelyn (Sinclair) Thomas was born in 1913 at MINN.^1,2,3 She was the daughter of Neal Sinclair and Mrs. Ida May Sinclair. Evelyn (Sinclair) Thomas married Lawrence Thomas between 1930 and 1940; Per Denise Henderson, Lawrence Thomas married the daughter of Neal Sinclair. Evelyn (Sinclair) Thomas died in 1977 at Tuolumne Co., CA.^2,3
     Evelyn (Sinclair) Thomas appeared on the census of 1930 at Twp 3, Tuolumne Co., CA, as a daughter in the household of Neal Sinclair.¹

     Louise Margurite Smith was born on 29 May 1907.¹ She died on 5 September 1989 at age 82.¹ She was buried after 5 September 1989 at Divide Cemetery Plot 3:356, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.¹

     John Burley Smith was born circa 1831 at New Hampshire.^2,3 He married Mrs. Charlotte (Allison) Smith before 1854.⁴ John Burley Smith died on 10 May 1889 at Tuolumne Co.?² He was buried at Divide Cemetery Plot 5:81, Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne Co., California.²
     He Brief Bio:

The Big Oak Flat Road (1955) by Irene D. Paden and Margaret E. Schlichtmann

A rough and inadvisable road breaks away to the south going to Hell’s Hollow. Investigation along its dusty miles discloses a saw mill and some nice stretches of the old ditch. Along the highway, one-half mile from its junction with Hell’s Hollow Road, is a fine meadow. At first it was known as Sprague’s Ranch and appears as such in Scenes of Wonder and Curiosity in California, by J. M. Hutchings, 1871. John B. Smith then homesteaded the flat and became George E. Sprague’s partner. Smith’s large two-storied frame house stood exactly where the the modern house is today, separated from the road by a picket fence. The open meadow is bordered with cone-shaped pines and cedars. The dominating feature is still a large and ancient barn which held the relays of stage horses, for Smith’s was a change station and boarded the hostlers. When the Big Oak Flat Road Company was organized, construction started at this point and the first toll gate was temporarily located here.

Curving past the barn a crossroad leads south six miles to historic Dudley Station on the Coulterville Road where lives Mr. W. D. McLean, grandson of Hosea E. and Fanny Dudley, the founders of the station.

Smith’s Flat, at about 3000 feet elevation, is gay in springtime but is too low for summer wild flowers. Across the hills to the north lies what was Charles Kassabaum’s Meadow. Both are favored spots for deer. At dawn and dusk they may be seen grazing where formerly hay was harvested for the stage horses.

John Smith came to California in 1854 and eventually his wife, Charlotte, came out to join him with the son who was born in Maine the year that his father left for the west. Young John was seventeen and had never seen his father. A daughter, Mary, was born at Smith’s Flat some years later. She became Mary Smith Lindsey of Stockton.

Smith’s was one of the first of the isolated ranches above the settlements. In the summer they had overnight lodgings for stage passengers and served hot meals. Few of the travelers made any impression on a small girl but Mary never forgot Theodore Roosevelt. They also had a steady clientele among cattlemen, sheepmen and teamsters.

Winters were very lonely.

“When the snow fell,” Mrs. Lindsey said, “there was no travel on the road and we were often shut in for weeks. When I was about ten the Gravel Range School was built and mother didn’t have to hear my lessons while she sewed as she had always done before. Beside myself the Sutton, Meyer, Watson, Boitano and Hobron families attended.

“We had many pleasures. I remember going with my father to cut the snow-piled Christmas tree. I remember the red-throated linnets in the lilacs. And most of all I remember the great tenhorse freight wagons in front of the house which, twice a year, brought supplies all the way from Stockton.

“When I was thirteen father died.

“Mr. Sprague had sold his interest in the property to father and now he deeded an extra 16o acres to mother. So for a long time,” Mrs. Lindsey concluded, “the place was known simply as ‘Smith’s Flat’.”

The Flat was afterward sold to the Cassaretto family and had also other owners but was eventually purchased by Warren Burch who is still in possession so that, after the logical manner of the mountains, it is now called “Burch’s” by most of the passers-by.
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Carrie Carter submitted an article on Smith's Station and it can be found in the December 2016 Issue of both the PML News and the Highway Herald. John Burley Smith was also known as John B. Smith.⁵ He was Authorized to build turnpike road

Director of Chinese Camp and Yo Semite Turnpike Co.
The Chinese Camp and Yo Semite Turnpike Company he company obtained a state franchise on 20 February 1869. In September, company directors George E. Sprague, Leo E. Stuart and John B. Smith persuaded the Board of Commissioners of the Yosemite Grant to award them an exclusive franchise to construct a wagon road entering the Yosemite Grant from the north side of the Merced River. The franchise carried a stipulation that the road was to open by 1 July 1871
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The Chinese Camp and Yo Semite Turnpike Company estimated their cost for a road as far as the Valley rim at $10,000; it would be supplemented by a wire suspension bridge across the Tuolumne River at Deering's Ferry at an additional $10,000 cost. The investors hoped to have the road opened by 1 June 1869, and hoped to attract users of the Central Pacific Railroad's "short line" from Stockton to Milton in Calaveras County, near the western end of the road. (The branch line was completed in 1870.) George W. Coulter was company president, and Charles Cutting was secretary. The company obtained a state franchise on 20 February 1869. In September, company directors George E. Sprague, Leo E. Stuart and John B. Smith persuaded the Board of Commissioners of the Yosemite Grant to award them an exclusive franchise to construct a wagon road entering the Yosemite Grant from the north side of the Merced River. The franchise carried a stipulation that the road was to open by 1 July 1871.3
in 1868 at Tuolumne Co., CA. He appeared on the census of 1870 at Big Oak Flat P.O., Tuolumne Co., CA.³ He appeared on the census of 1880 at near 2nd Garrote, Tuolumne Co., CA.⁶