John Earl

Born: August 16, 1836, Visalia, California, according to newspaper reports

Died: February 23, 1921, San Francisco, California
(California Death Index at Ancestry.com)

Union Navy

The Association to commemorate the Chinese serving in the American Civil War has a San Francisco Chronicle, November 5, 1920, article about Earl. There is additional research questioning Earl’s service in the Union Navy.

The steamship Antiope crew list included John Earl. On February 11, 1911, the ship departed Newcastle, Australia and arrived in San Francisco, California on May 8, 1911. Sevety-five year old Earl was a cook.

A crew list, dated March 12, 1917, listed Earl on the American schooner “Bluga” A ship by that name has not been found, however, there was a whaling steamer named Beluga. The ship departed Iquique, Chile and arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 9, 1917.

Earl was aboard the Army transsport ship, S.S. Great Northern, when she sailed from Honolulu on March 16, 1917. Earl arrived in San Francisco on March 20. His final destination was Watsonville.

On May 20, 1918, Earl filed an Application for Seaman's Certificate of American Citizenship. He named two ships that employed him as a cook. At the time Earl resided in San Francisco at 734 1/2 Washington Street. On the back of the application was a handwritten note.

Affiant produced printed card stating he was born in Visalia, Cal. in 1826 — His father was a Chinaman. Was cabin boy for Admiral Farragut on the S.S. “Old Ironsides” — Was captured by Confederates and held prisoner in the Civil War. Lives in Watsonville, Cal.

Earl was certified as a citizen of the United States.

Earl was found in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census which was enumerated January 22 and 23. At age 84, he resided in Los Angeles, California at 325 Apoblosa Street where Ying Hom was the head of the household. Earl’s father was born in China and his mother in Mexico. The San Francisco Chronicle article said Earl’s “mother was a half-caste Mexican”. A widower, Earl’s occupation was cook on a steamship.

From the port in Papeete, Tahiti, Earl departed on the R.M.S. Marama, June 26, 1920. On July 8, he landed in San Francisco. The passenger list recorded Earl’s address as “140 Bridges Street, Watsonville”. In the 1920 census there was a family at 140 Bridge Street, Watsonville: Portuguese emigrants Jo. Jorike and his wife Mary, and their California-born daughter, Amelia. The census enumeration was in January, so it’s possible this family moved soon after the census and was replaced by one of Earl’s children.

In the following San Jose Mercury Herald article, Earl said he served on the Bear but did not say when. The photograph, below, is a detail of the crew of the Bear, taken in Summer 1895. The entire image is at the United States Coast Guard website. In the San Francisco Chronicle article, Earl said he left the Navy in 1870 and a year later served on the Bear.

San Jose Mercury Herald

(California)
May 6, 1917
Farragut's Cabin-boy Has Wanderlust at 81
by Maude C. Pilkington

Could a great kaleidoscope with its shifting scenes of chameleonic colorings be held up to the gaze of the world it would be but crude in hue and rough in outline compared with the life of John Earl, American citizen, born of Chinese parents, civil war veteran and pensioner, survivor of several shipwrecks, 81 years old and lately cook on the American bark, “Baluga” plying between Australia and San Francisco.

I found him at the home of his daughter yesterday in Watsonville, romping and playing with his two grandchildren to whom he is devoted and one glance at the trio established firmly the impression that the devotion was mutual. And when I shook his hand and was favored with his winning smile and greeting I knew that wherever he might be that cheery smile was fatal to any feeling but that of friendship.

Immediately I launched my ship of inquiry and prepared to cruise with him for an hour or two through the seas of his memory.

Enjoys a Joke.

“You’ve have been going to sea for a long, long time, I understand.” An amused expression danced across his countenance and his eyes twinkled, “Not ver’ long,” he said, “only 70 years!” And he said it so naively that my laughter mingled with his over this little joke.

“You are an American citizen,” I said. He nodded and then added, “Chinese back-born, but I have never been to China. I like not very much to go there, I like California much better.”

A Life of Adventure.

He was born in Visalia, Cal., 1836. At the age of 11 the craving to see strange places, to sniff the fragrance of the tropics, to feel the biting cold of the north, to cruise about islands lying somnolent in the burning sun and girdled by blue waters, to mingle with people of different customs, could no longer be stifled and he ran away to San Francisco where he shipped as cabin boy on the “John Wade,” bound for Boston.

Although he knew it not then, nor even now, something of the same spirit must have possessed him that always prompted John Muir to give his address as “Earth-Planet, Universe.”

It was a glorious voyage, that first one, and even yet, though many have been more adventurous, the memory of it brings to his face a happy expression.

Young as he then was, he undoubtedly possessed the same genius for making friends, for upon arriving in Boston the captain took him home with him to Salem, “because,” he told me, ”he seemed to take a fancy to me.”

For several years he stayed in Salem and attended school. “It’s ver’ funny how I then get my name of John Earl,” he said with a chuckle. “My schoolmaster say I such a little fellow he give me a great big name.” John loves a joke and fun above everything else.

Ships on Old Ironsides.

And continuing he told of the outbreak of the civil war and his eagerness to serve his country. The captain’s family did not want him to go, so one night he slipped away from them and shipped as cabin boy to Admiral Farragut on “Old Ironsides.” He was ten years with the admiral to whom he was devoted and whose memory he now lovingly cherishes. One of his duties during the Battle of Mobile Bay was to carry powder from the magazines below to the gunners as they needed it, and he compared the old manner of fighting with our modern methods, adding that the boats then could be shot through many times and still not sink, which was at least something in their favor.

The compass of time represented in his life is startling. At times he seemed like a hollow voice out of the past, yet there he sat, very alert, smilingly chatting about events which are but dimly engraved o our country’s escutcheon, and the marks of which have almost disappeared under the salving influence of time.

Captured by Privateer.

In 1870 he shipped from New York to San Francisco on “The Commonwealth.” Off the coast of South America a confederate privateer was encountered, and he, along with the rest of the crew, was taken prisoner and their ship burned. All hands, except the captain, whose wife was with him were put in irons and held on an island. They were told they must join the southern navy and when they refused were put in double irons where they were kept for three weeks. Eventually word of their predicament reached the American consul at Brazil and he sent a steamer to take them off and eventually the were returned to New York.

Again he shipped for San Francisco on the “Lancashire,” and in due time reached his destination. For a number of years he cruised up and down the Pacific coast on lumber schooners coming often into San Francisco where he met and married Wina Hov, a missionary from China. “But,” he added sadly, “she is now dead 26 years.”

His Religion.

I next spoke to him of his religion. His face brightened again and he said, “Oh, I have no particular religion. Just everything square and fair. If you buy a thing you pay for it,” and I understood that in his philosophy was included the same idea of a dualism which Emerson contends exists in every element and phase of life.

For four years John Earl was wardroom steward on the U.S. Revenue Cutter “Bear.” One winter he stayed at the government station at Point Barrows, the most northerly point in Alaska. Then he was off to London and Belfast and Queenstown and back again to Philadelphia. Then off to Cape Good Hope to get cargo of tea; wrecked on St. Helena where is Napoleon’s tomb and where a forced stay of three months was made, then on to London.

Next the insatiable goddess of unrest beckoned him South America. Outside Valparaiso a French ship was run down and his boat was taken into Basagera and all hands paid off. “Just the carpenter and cook and a couple of the boys stay on the ship,” he told me. “One day he put up the sails and start for ’Frisco, for we want to come home. But they send a ship after us and take us back,” and he chuckled over the reminiscence of this adventure.

Stevenson had a favorite expression which occurred to me as I chatted with John Earl, which was “I am convinced that to maintain oneself on this earth is not a hardship, but a pastime, if we will live simply and wisely.” The little man sitting before me, vigorous and alert, neatly dressed, looking for 30 years younger than he is, allied this statement.

We talked of the European war and he said he would like to join the navy if he was 10 years younger. “I no like that kaiser; if he win we have only one king and one God!” he said. “We must not let him win, we must try very best we can.”

Changing the subject, I asked: “How do you like Watsonville?” “It is too lonesome,” he said over twice as if to emphasize the statement. “I like big town and want to go back to city, but my daughter want me not to go. I like California, sure; it’s the best place in the world. But I like the water; I feel better there.”

Pining for the Seas.

That he is chafing under the necessity of remaining on shore even a little while is not hidden by his jocund manner. Only last summer he visited his daughter and when he could no longer resist the call of the sea, shipped as cook on the “Baluga,” going to Newcastle, thence to Chile, where the vessel was loaded with saltpeter. “About 100 miles out of Honolulu on the return passage the captain got sick so we put into Honolulu,” he said. “I get little sick, too, so I come home.”

He then reiterated an amusing experience with the custom house officials in Honolulu. They were new, he explained and did not know him. “So,” he continued, “they tell me I must get a passport. I say, ‘what is that?’ And they say, “you must go to the captain,’ so I say, ‘All right.’ On the barkentine Discovery I was with him 30 years ago and when he see me he say, “Why, hello John Earl, you getting’ be pretty ole man now! Where you want go?’ ‘I want go home and they won’t give me certificate!’ ‘Sure,’ he say, ‘you go down steamer office and say you citizen!’ Oh, I had lots of fun all right, better than a picnic.

There is nothing of the mystery of the Orient about him, except perhaps when he turns to speak to his daughter in their own language or to pat his grandchildren on the head as he whispers some terms of Celestial endearment.

He has always been temperate and would vote tomorrow for a dry town. Surely here is a life that is entitles to high respect, for in it have been contained elements which make it worthy: Service to country, service to mankind an service to God. And long may your course yet be, John Earl, and these moments which hold so much of the future because they contain so much of the past, be happy to the very last.

The San Jose Mercury Herald, May 6, 1917, said Earl “ran away to San Francisco where he shipped as cabin boy on the ‘John Wade,’ bound for Boston.”

According to American Clipper Ships, 1833-1858, Volume 1 (1926), Reed & Wade of Boston Massachusetts, commissioned Hayden & Cudworth to build a medium clipper ship. The John Wade was built in 1851 at Medford, Massachusetts.

The ship made three round voyages; beginning at Boston on September 5, 1851 and ending at New York, June 16, 1854.

“First, 131 days to San Francisco; thence 47 days to Hong Kong; thence 118 days to New York.”
[In 1851 Earl would have been 15 years old. The John Wade arrived in San Francisco around February 1, 1852. It’s not clear which voyage Earl boarded the John Wade. It’s not known how long the ship stayed at each port of call.]

“Second, 117 days to San Francisco; 46 days transpacific and 106 days to New York.”

“Third, 120 days to the Golden Gate; 52 days across and 96 days home. …”
[This voyage may have started in Spring or Summer 1853.]

In the summer of 1854, the John Wade was purchased by J. J. Dixwell who discontinued the California trade.


The Seattle Star
(Washington)
August 17, 1917

Saginaw Daily News
(Michigan)
August 20, 1917
With Farragut at Battle of Mobile
John Earl, of Watsonville, Cal., who was born in Visalia, Cal., Aug. 16, 1836, which makes him 81 years of age, and one of the oldest pioneers on the west.

In 1863 served as cabin boy for Admiral David G. Farragut on the "Old Ironsides," and was abroad [sic] that vessel during the battle of Mobile Bay. Later he served on other United States vessels.

He is now spending his last days on his farm near Watsonville.

Tacoma Times
(Washington)
August 27, 1917
With Farragut at Battle of Mobile
John Earl, of Watsonville, Cal., who was born in Visalia, Cal., Aug. 16, 1836, which makes him 81 years of age, and one of the oldest pioneers on the west.

San Francisco Chronicle
(California)
November 5, 1920
‘Happy John’
“Happy  John” Earl, a Chinese veteran of the Civil War and lifelong Republican, who voted for every Republican Presidential candidate from Lincoln to Harding.

Miami Herald
(Florida)
November 25, 1920
70 Years a Tar, Takes Rest Now
Man Who Was Cabin Boy, Steward for Farragut on Ironsides, Is Living in Frisco, 84
San Francisco, Nov. 24.—After a life of seventy years on the sea, including service as cabin boy and steward for Admiral Farragut, on the Ironsides and in the battle of Mobile Bay, where he was wounded twice, John Earl, eighty-four, native Californian, and by blood half a Chinese, is spending his declining years in San Francisco.

John Earl, who has a $50 a month government pension, recently applied for admittance to the San Francisco hospital, seeking a transfer from the Marine hospital, which he claims is in a too cold section of the city. In the meantime he was quartered in the Central Emergency hospital. While there he displayed an unusually keen sense of humor and kept the nurses in constant mirth.

The Eurasian was born in Visalia in 1836. His father was a Chinese and his mother a Mexican. At the age of eleven he ran away to Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, and became cabin boy on the ship John Wade, which sailed to Boston. The skipper took an interest in him and put him to school at Salem, Mass., where he remained for seven years.

From Salem Earl returned to the sea, sailing to Europe. He was shipwrecked on the island of St. Helena and spent several months at the scene of Napoleon’s last days. Once his ship was captured by privateers. Later he served as cabin boy with Farragut for seven years and was then honorably discharged. He stuck with the sea. Three years ago he made a nine month’s trip on a sailer to Sydney. Once he made a trip on a cutter to Point Barrow, in far northern Alaska. Till three months ago he was on the pilot boat America.

The old veteran owns thirty-six acres of land at Watsonville, but he says he’s land poor now. His wife, Wina Hoy, a missionary from China, died twenty-nine years ago. His daughter, Mrs. Rose Yit, was killed three years ago in an automobile accident. He worked the Watsonville ranch for a while, and then his family moved to China, where he himself has never been, and his health and income declined.

It is expected that John Earl will be assisted by the six companies, lords of affairs Chinese.

Duluth News-Tribune
(Minnesota)
November 28, 1920
Cabin Boy for Adml. Farragut Quits Sea Life
John Ear, Half Chinese, Apples to Enter Frisco Hospital.
San Francisco, Nov. 27.—After a life of seventy years on the sea, including service as cabin boy and steward for Admiral Farragut, on the Ironsides and in the battle of Mobile Bay, where he was wounded twice, John Earl, eighty-four, native Californian and by blood half a Chinese, is spending his declining years in San Francisco.

John Earl, who has a $50 a month Government pension, recently applied for admittance to the San Francisco hospital, seeking a transfer from the Marine Hospital, which he claims is in a too cold section of the city. In the meantime he was quartered in the Central Emergency Hospital. While there he displayed an unusually keen sense of humor and kept the nurses in constant mirth.

The Eurasian was born in Visalia in 1836. His father was a Chinese and his mother a Mexican. At the age of eleven he ran away to Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, and became cabin boy on the ship John Wade, which sailed to Boston. The skipper took an interest in him and put him to school at Salem, Mass., where he remained for seven years.

From Salem Earl returned to the sea, sailing to Europe. He was shipwrecked on the island of St. Helena and spent several months at the scene of Napoleon’s last days. Once his ship was captured by privateers. Later he served as cabin boy with Farragut for seven years and was then honorably discharged. He stuck with the sea. Three years ago he made a nine month’s trip on a sailer to Sydney. Once he made a trip on a cutter to Point Barrow, in far northern Alaska. Till three months ago he was on the pilot boat America.

The old veteran owns thirty-six acres of land at Watsonville, but he says he’s land poor now. His wife, Wina Hoy, a missionary from China, died twenty-nine years ago. His daughter, Mrs. Rose Yit, was killed three years ago in an automobile accident. He worked the Watsonville ranch for a while, and then his family moved to China, where he himself has never been, and his health and income declined.

It is expected that John Earl will be assisted by the Six Companies, lords of affairs Chinese.

Chattanooga News
 (Tennessee)
November 30, 1920
Chinese, Cabin-Boy for TT [sic] Farragut, Who at 84 Quits Sea for a Rest
John Earle [sic], Chinese, but a native son of California, at the age of 84, has just been admitted to the Marine hospital at San Francisco. For nearly three-quarters of a century he has sailed the seven seas as a cabin boy, cook and steward. When he was 11 he was cabin boy with Admiral Farragut on board Old Ironside [sic]. John says that after a short rest he might run away to sea again.

Idaho Republican
(Blackfoot, Idaho)
December 1, 1920
Admiral Farragut’s Cabin Boy Retires. In Mobile Battle
San Francisco, Dec. 1.—After a life of seventy years on the sea, including service as cabin boy and steward for Admiral Farragut, on the Ironsides and in the battle of Mobile Bay, where he was wounded twice, John Earl, eighty-four, native Californian, and by blood half a Chinese, is spending his declining years in San Francisco.

John Earl, who has a $50 a month Government pension, recently applied for admittance to the San Francisco Hospital, seeking a transfer from the Marine Hospital, which he claims is in a too cold section of the city. In the meantime he was quartered in the Central Emergency Hospital. While there he displayed an unusually keen sense of humor and kept the nurses in constant mirth.

The Eurasian was born in Visalia in 1836. His father was a Chinese and his mother a Mexican. At the age of eleven he ran away to Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, and became cabin boy on the ship John Wade, which sailed to Boston. The skipper took an interest in him and put him to school at Salem, Mass., where he remained for seven years.

From Salem Earl returned to the sea, sailing to Europe. He was shipwrecked on the island of St. Helena and spent several months at the scene of Napoleon’s last days. Once his ship was captured by privateers. Later he served as cabin boy with Farragut for seven years and was then honorably discharged. He stuck with the sea. Three years ago he made a nine month’s trip on a sailer to Sydney. Once he made a trip on a cutter to Point Barrow, in far northern Alaska. Till three months ago he was on the pilot boat America.

The old veteran owns thirty-six acres of land at Watsonville, but he says he’s land poor now. His wife, Wina Hoy, a missionary from China, died twenty-nine years ago. His daughter, Mrs. Rose Yit, was killed three years ago in an automobile accident. He worked the Watsonville ranch for a while and then his family moved to China, where he himself has never been, and his health and income declined.

It is expected that John Earl will be assisted by the Six Companies, lords of affairs Chinese.

Charlevoix County Herald
(East Jordan, Michigan)
December 3, 1920
Farragut’s Cabin Boy
John Earle [sic], Chinese, but a native son of California, has sailed the seven seas. His maritime memory recalls the time when, ay eleven years of age, he was cabin boy with Farragut in the old Ironsides, back in the youth of the United States navy.

Evansville Journal
(Indiana)
December 5, 1920
Farragut Cabin Boy Quits Sea
John Earl, Half Chinese, Retires After Seventy Years on Ships
San Francisco, Dec. 4.—After a life of 70 years on the sea, including service as cabin boy and steward for Admiral Farragut, on the Ironsides and in the battle of Mobile bay, where he was wounded twice, John Earl, 84, native Californian and by blood half a Chinese, is spending his declining years in San Francisco.

John Earl, who has a $50 a month government pension, recently applied for admittance to the San Francisco hospital, seeking a transfer from the Marine hospital, which he claims is in a too cold section of the city. In the meantime he was quartered in the Central Emergency hospital. While there he displayed an unusually keen sense of humor and kept the nurses in constant mirth.

The Eurasian was born in Visalis [sic] in 1836. His father was a Chinese and his mother a Mexican. At the age of 11 he dan [sic] away to Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, and became cabin boy on the ship John Wade, which sailed to Boston. The skipper took an interest in him and put him to school at Salem, Mass., where he remained for seven years.

From Salem Earl returned to the sea, sailing to Europe. He was shipwrecked on the island of St. Helena and spent several months at the scene of Napoleon’s last days. Once his ship was captured by privateers. Later he served with Farragut for seven years and was then honorably discharged. He stuck with the sea. Three years ago he made a nine month’s trip on a sailer to Sydney. Once he made a trip on a cutter to Point Barrow, in far northern Alaska. Till three months ago he was on the pilot boat America.

The old veteran owns 36 acres of land at Watsonville, but he says he is land poor now. His wife, Wina Hoy, a missionary from China, died 28 years ago. His daughter, Mrs. Rose Yit, was killed three years ago in an automobile accident. He worked the Watsonville ranch for a while, and then his family moved to China, where he himself has never been, and his health and income declined.

It is expected that John Earl will be assisted by the Six Companies, lords of affairs Chinese.

Washington Times
(Washington, DC)
December 6, 1920
Leaves Sea After 70 Years’ Service
John Earl, Now in San Francisco, Was Cabin Boy to Admiral Farragut.
San Francisco, Dec. 6.—After a life of 70 years on the sea, including service as cabin boy and steward for Admiral Farragut, on the Ironsides and in the battle of Mobile bay, where he was wounded twice, John Earl, 84, native Californian and by blood half a Chinese, is spending his declining years in San Francisco.

John Earl, who has a $50 a month Government pension, recently applied for admittance to the San Francisco Hospital, seeking a transfer from the Marine Hospital, which he claims is in a too cold section of the city. In the meantime he was quartered in the Central Emergency hospital. While there he displayed an unusually keen sense of humor and kept the nurses in constant mirth.

The Eurasian was born in Visalia in 1836. His father was a Chinese and his mother a Mexican. At the age of eleven he ran away to Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, and became cabin boy on the ship John Wade, which sailed to Boston. The skipper took an interest in him and put him to school at Salem, Mass., where he remained for seven years.

From Salem Earl returned to the sea, sailing to Europe. He was shipwrecked on the island of St. Helena and spent several months at the scene of Napoleon’s last days. Once his ship was captured by privateers. Later he served with Farragut for seven years and was then honorably discharged. He stuck with the sea. Three years ago he made a nine month’s trip on a sailer to Sydney. Once he made a trip on a cutter to Point Barrow, in far northern Alaska. Till three months ago he was on the pilot boat America.

The old veteran owns 36 acres of land at Watsonville, but he says he is land poor now. His wife, Wina Hoy, a missionary from China, died 28 years ago. His daughter, Mrs. Rose Yit, was killed three years ago in an automobile accident. He worked the Watsonville ranch for a while, and then his family moved to China, where he himself has never been, and his health and income declined.

Daily Ardmoreite
(Oklahoma)
December 8, 1920
p3 c4: Chinese, Cabin-Boy for Farragut, Who at 84 Quit Sea for Rest
John Earle [sic], Chinese, but a native son of California, at the age of 84, has just been admitted to the Marine Hospital at San Francisco. For nearly three-quarters of a century he has sailed the seven seas as a cabinboy, cook and steward. When he was eleven he was cabinboy with Admiral Farragut on board Old Ironsides. John says that after a short rest he might run away to sea again.

Albuquerque Morning Journal
(New Mexico)
December 9, 1920
p2 c7: Chinese, Cabin Boy for Farragut, Who at 84 Quits Sea for a Rest
John Earle [sic], Chinese, but a native son of California, at the age of 84, has just been admitted to the Marine hospital at San Francisco. For nearly three-quarters of a century he has sailed the seven seas as a cabin boy, cook and steward. When he was eleven he was cabinboy with Admiral Farragut on board Old Ironsides. John says that after a short rest he might run away to sea again.

Anaconda Standard
(Montana)
December 12, 1920
Was Cabin Boy for Farragut
John Earl, Half Chinese, Leaves Sea After 70 Years on Ships
San Francisco.—After a life of 70 years on the sea, including service as cabin boy and steward for Admiral Farragut, on the Ironsides and in the battle of Mobile bay, where he was wounded twice, John Earl, 84, native Californian and by blood half a Chinese, is spending his declining years in San Francisco.

John Earl, who has a $50 a month government pension, recently applied for admittance to the San Francisco hospital, seeking a transfer from the marine hospital, which he claims is in a too cold section of the city. In the meantime he was quartered in the Central Emergency hospital. While there he displayed an unusually keen sense of humor and kept the nurses in constant mirth.

Born in 1836.

The Eurasian was born in Visalia in 1836. His father was a Chinese and his mother a Mexican. At the age of 11 he ran away to Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, and became cabin boy on the ship John Wade, which sailed to Boston. The skipper took an interest in him and put him to school at Salem, Mass., where he remained for seven years.

From Salem Earl returned to the sea, sailing to Europe. He was shipwrecked on the island of St. Helena and spent several months at the scene of Napoleon’s last days. Once his ship was captured by privateers. Later he served as cabin boy with Farragut for seven years and was then honorably discharged. He stuck with the sea. Three years ago he made a nine month’s trip on a sailer to Sydney. Once he made a trip on a cutter to Point Barrow, in far northern Alaska. Till three months ago he was on the pilot boat America.

The old veteran owns 36 acres of land at Watsonville, but he says he is land poor now. His wife, Wina Hoy, a missionary from China, died 28 years ago. His daughter, Mrs. Rose Yit, was killed three years ago in an automobile accident. He worked the Watsonville ranch for a while, and then his family moved to China, where he himself has never been, and his health and income declined.

It is expected that John Earl will be assisted by the Six Companies, lords of affairs Chinese.

News Scimitar
(Memphis, Tennessee)
December 14, 1920
Was Cabin Boy Under Farragut
John Earl, Half Chinese, Leaves Sea After Spending Seventy Years on Ships.
San Francisco. Dec. 14—After a life of 70 years on the sea, including service as cabin boy and steward for Admiral Farragut, on the Ironsides and in the battle of Mobile Bay, where he was wounded twice, John Earl, 84, native Californian and by blood half a Chinese, is spending his declining years in San Francisco.

John Earl, who has a $50 a month government pension, recently applied for admittance to the San Francisco hospital, seeking a transfer from the marine hospital, which he claims is in a too cold section of the city. In the meantime he was quartered in the Central Emergency hospital. While there he displayed an unusually keen sense of humor and kept the nurses in constant mirth.

The Eurasian was born in Visalia in 1836. His father was a Chinese and his mother a Mexican. At the age of 11 he ran away to Yerba Buena, now San Francisco, and became cabin boy on the ship John Wade, which sailed to Boston. The skipper took an interest in him and put him to school at Salem, Mass., where he remained for seven years.

From Salem Earl returned to the sea, sailing to Europe. He was shipwrecked on the island of St. Helena and spent several months at the scene of Napoleon’s last days. Once his ship was captured by privateers. Later he served as cabin boy with Farragut for seven years and was then honorably discharged. He stuck with the sea. Three years ago he made a nine month’s trip on a sailer to Sydney. Once he made a trip on a cutter to Point Barrow, in far northern Alaska. Till three months ago he was on the pilot boat America.

The old veteran owns 36 acres of land at Watsonville, but he says he is land poor now. His wife, Wina Hoy, a missionary from China, died 28 years ago. His daughter, Mrs. Rose Yit, was killed three years ago in an automobile accident. He worked the Watsonville ranch for a while, and then his family moved to China, where he himself has never been, and his health and income declined.

It is expected that John Earl will be assisted by the Six Companies, lords of affairs Chinese.

Weekly Times-Record
(Valley City, North Dakota)
January 6, 1921
p8 c2: Farragut’s Cabin Boy
John Earle [sic], Chinese, but a native son of California, has sailed the seven seas. His maritime memory recalls the time when, ay eleven years of age, he was cabin boy with Farragut in the old Ironsides, back in the youth of the United States navy.

Cordova Daily Times
(Alaska)
February 24, 1921
p1 c3: Aged Chinese Dies from Starvation
San Francisco, Feb. 24 (by Associated Press).—John Earl, a Chinese, aged 84, credited with having served with Admiral Farragut in Mobile bay, was found dead in a room here from starvation. He was a former cook on a revenue cutter and took his name from a sea captain.

Duluth News-Tribune
(Minnesota)
February 24, 1921
Chinese Who Sailed with Farragut Dies of Hunger
San Francisco, Feb. 23.—The body of John Earl, 84-year-old Chinese, credited with having served with Admiral Farragut at Mobile bay, was found today huddled in a corner in a cheap lodging house with indications that starvation caused his death. Records show Earl had been a Confederate prisoner. Earl has been a cook on revenue cutters.

Grand Forks Herald
(North Dakota)
February 24, 1921
Chinese Veteran of Civil War Is Dead
San Francisco, Feb. 23.–The body of John Earl, 84 years old Chinese, credited with having served with Admiral Farragut at Mobile Bay, was found today huddled in a corner in a cheap lodging house with indications that starvation caused his death.

Records show Earl had been a Confederate prisoner. Earl had been a cook on revenue cutters. Age incapacitated him and after his funds were gone, he sought squalid lodgings and lay down to die, police said.

Rockford Morning Star
(Illinois)
February 24, 1921
Chinaman Who Served Admiral Farragut Dies of Starvation
San Francisco, Feb. 23.–The body of John Earl, 84 years old Chinese, credited with having served with Admiral Farragut at Mobile Bay, was found today huddled in a corner in a cheap lodging house with indications that starvation caused his death.

Sacramento Bee
(California)
February 24, 1921
Happenings Around the Bay
Chinaman Starves to Death—John Earl, 84, Chinaman, credited with having served with Admiral Farragut at Mobile Bay, was found yesterday in a corner in a cheap lodging house room in San Francisco. Indications pointed to starvation. Earl, who also was credited with having been a Confederate prisoner, took his name from a sea captain. Earl had been cook on the revenue cutters Bear and Thresher. Age incapacitated him and, with his funds exhausted, police said he found the squalid lodgings and lay down to die.

San Francisco Chronicle
(California)
February 24, 1921
Chinese Civil War Vet Dies in Want
Onetime Cabin Boy for Farragut Found Dead
John Earl, an American born Chinese 84 years old, who served through the Civil War as Admiral Farragut’s cabin boy, was found dead yesterday in a rented room at 833 Kearny street. He was pennyless [sic] and alone, and Deputy Coronor [sic] Frank Becker attributed his death to old age and neglect.

An enviable record of faithfulness was the life of John Earl. He was born in Visalia, in this State, in 1836 and at the outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted in the United States Navy and kept his berth for more than thirty years. In later years he served as a cook on merchantmen. Besides his Navy record he was proudest of being an American citizen and a registered Republican. He had been living on his savings recently, but these funds gave out unknown to his friends or his relatives living in Watsonville. His body weighed a scant forty pounds, and it is believed he had not eaten since Saturday, when he rented the room in which he was found.

San Jose Mercury News
(California)
February 24, 1921
Chinese, Farragut Seaman, Found Dead
Man Who Served at Mobile Day Victim of Starvation at San Francisco.
San Francisco, Feb. 23.—Huddled in a corner of his cheap lodging house room and with strong indications that starvation caused his death, the body of John Earl, 84-year-old Chinaman, who is credited with having served with Admiral Farragut at Mobile Bay, was found by fellow lodgers today. He was also a Confederate prisoner, local records state.

Earl, who took his name from a sea captain under whom he served was former cook on the revenue cutters Bear and Tresher [sic]. Age incapacitated him and, according to the coroner’s deputy, he “knocked around” until his funds gone, starving and alone, he found the squalid lodgings and lay down to die.

Tacoma Daily Ledger
(Washington)
February 24, 1921
Chinaman Who Was Farragut at Mobile Bay Is Dead
San Francisco, Cal., Feb. 23.—John Earl, 84 years old, Chinaman, credited with having served with Admiral Farragut at Mobile Bay, was found dead today in a corner in a cheap lodging house room in San Francisco. Indications pointed to starvation.

Earl, who also was credited with having been a Confederate prisoner, took his name from a sea captain. Earl had been cook on the revenue cutters Bear and Thresher. Age incapacitated him and, with his funds exhausted, police said, he found the squalid lodgings and lay down to die.

San Francisco Chronicle
(California)
February 27, 1921
Weekly Review
Chinese Civil War Vet Dies in Want
John Earl, an American born Chinese 84 years old, who served through the Civil War as Admiral Farragut’s cabin boy, was found dead yesterday in a rented room at 833 Kearny street. He was pennyless [sic] and alone, and Deputy Coronor [sic] Frank Becker attributed his death to old age and neglect.

An enviable record of faithfulness was the life of John Earl. He was born in Visalia, in this State, in 1836 and at the outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted in the United States Navy and kept his berth for more than thirty years. In later years he served as a cook on merchantmen. Besides his Navy record he was proudest of being an American citizen and a registered Republican. He had been living on his savings recently, but these funds gave out unknown to his friends or his relatives living in Watsonville. His body weighed a scant forty pounds, and it is believed he had not eaten since Saturday, when he rented the room in which he was found.

Copper Era and Morenci Leader
(Clifton, Arizona)
March 18, 1921
p3 c2: John Earle [sic]
John Earle, Chinese, but a native son of California, has sailed the seven seas. His maritime memory recalls the time when, ay eleven years of age, he was cabin boy with Farragut in the old Ironsides, back in the youth of the United States navy.


The California, Mortuary Records of Chinese Decedents (viewed at Ancestry.com) recorded Earl’s death on February 23, 1921 at 833 Kearny Street in San Francisco.

Earl is profiled in the National Park Service book, Asians and Pacific Islanders and the Civil War.

(Revised and updated August 5, 2019; Next post: North & South)