Francis Doud

Francis Doud (January 20, 1820 – December 3, 1910) was a California pioneer of 1849, a veteran soldier of the Mexican–American War, who enlisted in the army "to fight the Indians". Doud left his homeland at age sixteen and emigrated to New York City, where he briefly visited relatives.

Military career

In 1838, Doud enlisted in the United States Army with the mission to fight the Native American peoples. He served in the Seminole Wars (1835–42) in Florida for four years under General Bennet C. Riley. Doud then served 2nd Regiment in the Mexican–American War again under General Riley. His wife was with him during the time of the Mexican War. Doud was the custodian of government property at the Presidio of Monterey.

On February 26, 1873, Doud became a member of the Society of California Pioneers.

The family's wood-frame ranch house burned to the ground in the 1960s. The State acquired its first parcel of the property in 1980. The Garrapata State Park (Garrapata being Spanish for tick) was classified a state park in 1985.

Death and legacy

Doud died in his home on December 3, 1910, at the age of 90. The inscription on his grave says: "A native of Castle Bar, County Mayo, Ireland aged 90 years."

The Online Archive of California contains the collection known as the Francis Doud Papers that comprises various records spanning the years 1847 to 1919, a significant number of which are accompanied by typewritten duplicates. Among the contents are two letters of correspondence addressed to Doud, one letter directed to Francis Doud Jr. concerning his father's death, and two letters concerning property matters in Monterey, California.

The Monterey Chamber of Commerce said this about the death of Doud: "Whereas, We have heard with profound sorrow of the death of Francis Doud, a respected citizen of this city and an esteemed member of this organization; therefore be it Resolved, that he business of the Monterey Chamber of Commerce be now suspended, that opportunity may be given for tribute to the memory of the late Francis Doud and as a particular mark of respect to his memory and in recognition of his many sacrifices for this county, his family and the community in which he lived... Resolved, that when this meeting adjourn it do so with respect to the memory of our late member Francis Doud. Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the family of the late Francis Doud, and that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this meeting."