Raven, Hamilton Wagon Train Diary, 1862 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Hamilton Samuel Raven, who died near Alamo, December 27th, 1904, was born in New York, but was taken to Michigan when a small child and made his home there until about twenty-three years of age. From there he traveled across the plains to California. He was a teacher in Michigan and after arriving in California he took a normal course to better prepare him for his chosen work. He taught for thirty years; twenty-five of them in Contra Costa county, principally in the region near Walnut Creek. He was a conscientious and successful teacher who commanded the respect of his pupils. For one term he served as superintendent of schools for the county. In 1870 he was married to Almira Baker of Walnut Creek, who died January 17, 1891. From the marriage there was one daughter and five sons. Four of the sons have taken courses in civil engineering at Berkeley and are following their profession - one in Honolulu, one in Shanghai, China, and two in the state of Washington. The youngest is still in school. Seven years ago Mr. Raven was married to Mrs. M.N. Bregard of Walnut Creek, who survives him. For several years their home has been a farm near Alamo. For some time he complained of a strange sensation in his head. About two weeks before his death he lost the use of an arm and a week later a stroke of paralysis occurred. From the first the indications seemed to him unfavorable and he made his plan for death. The funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 29, at the M.E. Church in Walnut Creek. He had been a member of the church from early life, a faithful officer, and especially efficient as a teacher of the Bible class. Although a modest man, slight in body and often in feeble health he was not inclined to push himself into notice. He lived an honest, conscientious life and was a consistent Christian and died respected by all. (Hamilton Raven Obituary, [i]Contra Costa Gazette[/i], Contra Costa County, California, 7 Jan 1905)