John H. Jewett arrived in 1850 in what would someday become Yuba City. He was accompanied by Horace Beach and a train of pack mules loaded with merchandise. After about a week, they decided to establish their business in the new city of Marysville rather than the future Yuba City, so they swam the Feather River with their mules and soon established a profitable business. Jewett employed Yuen Yeck Bow as his cook until around 1864, when Jewett and his wife left on an extended trip to Europe.