Joseph William Josselyn (June 28, 1837–October 21, 1868) was the deputy county clerk of Alameda County, and was killed in the great earthquake of 1868.
Joseph was born in Pembroke, Massachusetts, to Daniel Josselyn (May 18, 1800–June 18, 1887) and Deborah (Damon) Josselyn (December 9, 1801–July 29, 1889). He was one of 8 children, but seems to have been the only one to come to California.
Death and Burial
Josselyn was already at work on the morning of October 21, 1868, when a 7.0 earthquake struck on the Hayward fault. He and his co-worker, Charles Palmer, ran for the door. Joseph was killed when part of the building fell on him. 1, 2 Joseph Josselyn is buried in Mountain View Cemetery.
Additional Links
- 1. Earthquakes The Elevator October 23, 1868 (The Elevator was "a weekly journal of progress" published in San Francisco)
- 2. Joseph "J.W." Josselyn on Lives of the Dead
- The Great Earthquake Sacramento Daily Union October 22, 1868
