The Caswells were on the
move again. The lure of cheap land and
employment with the railway seems to be the impetus behind the many moves. By the time of Andrew's death in 1877
John and Joseph Caswell, along with brother-in-law Hugh Donnan were residing in
Williams, California. At some point brother David
joined them.
They were most likely all employed
by the Southern Pacific Railway. The
railroad reached Williams and the first train entered the town June 23, 1877.
Wallace Donnan was born in Williams in 1879 and his sister Emma was born in Williams
in 1881.
Williams is located in
Colusa County, not too far north of Sacramento.
From the 1880 directory Williams was described as having “a population
of 400 people, and depends entirely on the agricultural interests for its
support. It is on the California Pacific
and Northern Railway. Williams was the
terminus for something more than a year after the first train arrived, before
the road was completed to Willows." (http://www.angelfire.com/mac/Milpillas/History.htm)
From Rob’s memoirs: "While
I was stationed at Stonewall my brothers John, David and Joseph and my
brother-in-law, Hugh Donnan, my sister and their children arrived from
California. My brothers had been
railroaders in California. They got work
on the CPR at Winnipeg; Joseph as engine fireman and John as car repair man in
the car shops."
Envelope of letter sent to John Caswell in Williams, California in 1877. Contained his father Andrew's funeral notice
Donnan family in the 1880 Williams, California census
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