Biographical Note:
Charles and Edward Hosmer left their parents, brothers and sisters in Avon, New York in March 1849 for California, arriving in September 1849. Edward travelled around Cape Horn by boat while Charles went overland by wagon train. In San Francisco, they became commission merchants and were doing well until robbed by a partner and burned out of their store. In the fall of 1851 Charles returned to New York to proceed with litigation against the partner. Edward went prospecting in the Feather River area but was unsuccessful.
From the guide to the Hosmer Correspondence, 1849-1853, (Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.)