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William Deacon Passes Away

William Deacon, one of the oldest residents of the Santa Cruz Mountains, passed away at 1:45 A.M. May 21st, after an illness of a month's duration. The end came suddenly and peacefully, and though it was not unexpected, it was something of a shock to the neighbors.

Mr. Deacon was much respected by all who knew him for his honesty, integrity and the high moral tone of his life, and his death is a loss, not only to his own family, but to the whole community. He was a good neighbor and will be sorely missed. He leaves a son, James who, with his wife and two sons, live in Berkeley, and a daughter, Elizabeth, who was her father's constant companion after the death of his wife and daughter Fannie.

Mr. Deacon was born August 9th, 1834, in Barrie, County Longford, Ireland, and was brought to this country as a baby, his parents settling at Wappinger Falls, N.Y.

When the Civil War broke out, he entered the navy and continued to sail the seas as engineer for many years, finally settling at San Francisco. There he established a foundry with which he was connected until about the time of the earthquake. He also established the reputation of being a good man to work for.

He bought his ranch in the mountains many years ago as a summer residence, and always looked forward with keen anticipation to the time when he could live here altogether as he loved the Santa Cruz Mountains.

He had nearly reached the age of 77, and until a year ago seemed hale and vigorous.

Mr. Deacon was one of a large family, all of whom except Mrs. Axtell, of Honolulu, have preceded him to the great beyond. Within a few years his brothers, George and Henry, and his sisters, Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. Ketchson, have passed on, and he had begun to feel the loneliness of age.

As Mr. Deacon was a Mason the funeral was conducted by that order in San Francisco, and his remains will be laid to rest besides those of his wife and daughter in Cypress Lawn.

The Deacons have always been as kind as possible in cases of illness, so it was natural that neighbors should be anxious to render all help in their sorrow at this time, for which help Miss Deacon expresses herself grateful.

Flora E. Beechler Wrights, May 21st

Date of Birth: 1834-08-09

Date of Death: 1911-21-05

County: San Francisco

Cause of Death: Natural

Occupation: Mfg/Foundry

Local Address: (SC Mountans)

Native of: IR

Enlisted: 1861/

Military Unit: USN_

Military Notes: Not on HDS/SSS Database 04/04

GAR#: N/R

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
California Death Index
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1911/05/23