Lewis May Schrack

baptized: Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013 PA - Montgomery Norristown Episcopal St John´s Episcopal on August 29th , 1819

As a an enterprising single man, Lewid benefitted from the investments of both the Bean and Schrack families.
See the clipping of 1839 for the sale of many Pa properties. Various relatives by marriage were involved with this. The funds probably helped Lewis get established in California anf to fund his travels.

curator note: Married twice. Sent his two children from his 1st marriage to live with his sister back in Norristown PA. One is listed as having been born in Indian territory. Lewis' detailed bio. does not cover the first marriage; but John , his first son. child was born in Indian territory and was age 5 in 1850, living with Angeline Bean back in Norristown. Another dau, was born earlier in Norristown.

The 1st son: "John Jones Schrack" was almost certainly born at Fort Washita in 1845.
The Fort was established in 1842 by General (later President) Zachary Taylor to protect citizens of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations from the Plains Indians, it was later abandoned by Federal forces at the beginning of the American Civil War.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113042332/lewis-schrack-originally-...

Another relative had moved south, away from Pennsylvania before him: William Wells Griffith , his uncle, had moved to Kentucky. ~• maybe Lewis and his wife Rebecca had stopped by KY on their way to Arkansas/Texas?

innkeeper after mining in Calaveras County

"Mokelumne River, where he engaged in mining, spending the winter at Mokelumne Hill. On the 21st day of August, 1851, he camped on the site of the farm. He saw that there was water there; and as the place was on the direct trail from Stockton to the mines†† he decided that it was a favorable location, and entered from the government one hundred and sixty acres of land. He established a stage station and conducted a wayside hotel, which was well patronized, for there was much travel in those days and a pressing need was felt for such a place of entertainment, many guests taking accommodations there for the night. Mr. Schrack thus became widely and favorably known, his qualities being such as to commend him to the friendship and confidence of all. In his business affairs he prospered, gaining a very desirable competence. He spoke several languages and was a gentleman of talent and ability, capable of filling almost every position in life."

The bio does not cover his first marriage which yielded at least two children. The complete bio. is appended as a source here.

• trail from Stockton to the mines†† Ironically, it was in Stockton where he set up his son John, from his first marriage, in business after the Civil War

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88427584/lewis-may-schrack

Tenure in the Cal. Legislature

For California Legislature historical information dating back to 1849, visit the Assembly Clerk Archive (http://clerk.assembly.ca.gov/archive-list)