Folsom, Joseph Libbey, 1817-1855.

Joseph Libbey Folsom was born May 19, 1817, in New Hampshire. He was a graduate of West Point and went to California in 1846 as Captain and Assistant Quartermaster of Stevenson's Regiment of New York Volunteers. After the Mexican War, he settled in San Francisco and was the Collector of the Port of San Francisco. He invested in real estate in San Francisco and beyond, notably purchasing rights to William A. Leidesdorff's large estate, the Rancho Rio de los Americanos in Sacramento County. Folsom died in San Jose, California on July 19, 1855, at the age of 38. At the time of his death, he was developing Leidesdorff estate land into town lots, and the resulting town, Folsom, was named in his honor. The executor of his estate was the San Francisco law firm Halleck, Peachy & Billings.

From the guide to the Joseph Libbey Folsom collection, 1849-1855, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)

Joseph Libbey Folsom, a West Point graduate, went to California in 1846 as a Captain in the New York Volunteers (Stevenson's regiment). After the Mexican War, he settled in San Francisco, and was the Collector of the Port of San Francisco. He invested in real estate in San Francisco and beyond. After his early death, the town of Folsom, Sacramento county, was named for him.

From the description of Joseph Libbey Folsom collection, 1849-1855. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 81070914

From the description of Joseph Libbey Folsom collection, 1849-1855. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702163988

Joseph Libbey Folsom, a West Point graduate, went to California in 1847 as a Captain in the New York Volunteers (Stevenson's regiment). After the Mexican War, he settled in San Francisco, becoming the first collector of the port of San Francisco under American rule. He invested in real estate, including the Leidersdorff estate, and Folsom, Sacramento county, was named for him.

From the description of Joseph Libbey Folsom papers, 1849-1852. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702128442

California pioneer. The town of Folsom was built on property purchased from the Leidesdorff estate and named for Captain Folsom.

From the description of Joseph Libbey Folsom Collection, 1848-1859. (California State Library). WorldCat record id: 58746689