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Joseph Henry “Joel” Mansfield

Date of Birth: 7 Jun 1850

Born In: Maryland

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired sheriff

Marital Status: Married

Died: 22 Apr 1916

Cause of Death: Lobar pneumonia

Death Location: San Mateo

Burial Plot: 83

FindaGrave ID: 12512250

Joseph Henry “Joel” Mansfield

Obituary

JOEL H. MANSFIELD
Redwood City Democrat
Thursday April 27, 1916
Joel H. Mansfield, former sheriff of San Mateo County, and one of the most beloved citizens, passed to rest last Saturday morning after an illness extending over a period of many months. Mansfield was born in Baltimore. Md. On June 7, 1855. He was reared and educated in Massachusetts and at the age of 12 years became a messenger boy in the U.S. Navy. After years service, he enlisted in the 2nd Mass. Cavalry, which was composed of the 2nd Mass. and 2nd California.

At the battle of Fisher's Hill, Mr. Mansfield was shot in the left side just below the heart and was again wounded at the battle of Opequan Creek and Harper's Ferry. His position thru out the war was one of extreme danger and his experiences are indicative of his courage. He received his honorable discharge June 27, 1865.

He returned to Boston where he learned the painters trade and in 1867 came to California, settling in San Francisco, where he remained until 1880. Becoming interested in the oil agitation which was occupying the minds of the western people at that time, Mr. Mansfield gave up the business in San Francisco and with a company that had been formed, came to San Mateo County in 1880 and began boring for oil at Purissima. After six months he with drew from the company and re-engaged in his trade at Half Moon Bay.

In 1882, he was elected constable and also appointed deputy sheriff for the 4th District which office he held until 1903 when he was made under sheriff by the late Phil McEvoy. It was in this position Mr. Mansfield distinguished himself as a courageous officer and won the confidence of the people by participating in a number of arrests which were wrought with the gravest danger on account of the desperate character of the criminals. Among these was the arrest of A. Azoff, May 15, 1895, the murderer of Detective Leonard Harris

In 1895 Sheriff MeEvoy was wounded in a desperate battle with a criminal and died a week later. Under-sheriff Mansfield who played an important part in the battle which proceeded the arrest of the man, and who received a bullet wound in the arm, was a unanimous choice of the supervisors to succeed McEvoy. After serving the unexpired term, Mr. Mansfield was elected to the position. He held the office continuously until 1914 with the exception of one term 1906-1910, when Robert Chatham was sheriff. He was defeated for re-election in 1914 by Michael Sheehan, the present sheriff.

Mr. Mansfield's illness was the result of a severe nervous breakdown following a strenuous but unsuccessful campaign, in the fall 1914 for re-election. Heart trouble and other complications developed which gradually undermined the once powerful constitution of the former popular police officer and Civil War veteran. Pneumonia set in on Wednesday and hastened the end. Surrounded by his faithful wife, who had been constantly by his side during his long illness, tenderly and lovingly caring for him and by his two sons Albert, the city attorney and Harland. Mr. Mansfield peacefully passed away at 9 o'clock in the morning.

The announcement of his death was the cause of widespread sorrow through-out the city where Mr. Mansfield was loved and respected by all. Flags were raised to half mast on the principal buildings in the city and at the courthouse out of respect to the memory of the departed.

Mr. Mansfield married Alice Mansfield, daughter of a prominent lodge man. He belonged to the Masons, Knight Templars, Mystic Shriners, Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Ancient Order of United Workman, Druids, and Grand Army of the Republic. The funeral was held Monday afternoon from his late residence on Hamilton St. The services were conducted by Rev. C.H. Stevens of the Congregational Church and Rev. M.B. Young of the Methodist Church. Hundreds of sorrowing friends came from all parts of the county to attend the funeral. The members of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Relief Corps turned out in body and marched to Union Cemetery where the interment took place.

Additional Information

    Luella E Mansfield

    Date of Birth: 17 Jan 1887

    Born In: Half Moon Bay

    Age: 9

    Occupation: Child

    Marital Status: Single

    Died: 3 Oct 1896

    Cause of Death: 

    Death Location: Redwood City

    Burial Plot: 83

    FindaGrave ID: 13916105

    Obituary

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      Margele E Mansfield

      Date of Birth: 16 Jul 1891

      Born In: Half Moon Bay

      Age: 6

      Occupation: Child

      Marital Status: Single

      Died: 20 Oct 1897

      Cause of Death: Heart Failure

      Death Location: Redwood City

      Burial Plot: 83

      FindaGrave ID: 13916111

      Obituary

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        Mary Alice Martin Mansfield

        Date of Birth: 6 Jan 1863

        Born In: 

        Age: 81

        Occupation: Housewife

        Marital Status: Widowed

        Died: 13 Dec 1944

        Cause of Death: 

        Death Location: Belmont

        Burial Plot: 83

        FindaGrave ID: 12512260

        Mary Alice Martin Mansfield

        Obituary

        MARY ALICE MANSFIELD
        Dec 14, 1944
        San Mateo Times and Daily News Leader
        Coast Pioneer Dies in Belmont
        Mrs. Mary Alice Mansfield, 81, member of one of the early coastside families, widow of Joel H. Mansfield, San Mateo county sheriff at the turn of the century, and mother of the late City Attorney Albert Mansfield of Redwood City, died last night in a Belmont rest home after a long period of failing health.

        Mrs. Mansfield was born on the coast side in 1863, the daughter of Nicholas H. Martin, who came to California during the 1850 gold rush and afterwards became a wealthy rancher. He founded the fishing resort and community of Martin's Beach, south of Half Moon Bay.

        She came to Redwood City in 1893, and resided in this area continuously.

        Her husband, a Union soldier in the Civil war, was constable of Half Moon bay from 1880 until 1892, in which year he was made a deputy sheriff under Sheriff W. P. McAvoy. When the latter was killed in 1897, Mansfield was appointed sheriff for the unexpired term, was subsequently elected to the office and served until his death in 1914.

        Mrs. Mansfield was past matron of Sequoia chapter, Order of Eastern Star, and a member of the Rebeccas and General Geo. S. Evans corps No. 36, Women's Relief corps. Her son, Albert, city attorney here for nearly 34 years, died in April, 1942.

        She leaves one son, Harland, of Los Angeles; three sisters, Mrs. Evelyn Dimock and Mrs. Florence Bebee of this city, and Mrs. Luella Struthers of San Francisco, and five grandchildren. Funeral services under O. E. S. auspices will be held tomorrow at 2 p. m. from Layng & Tinney chapel, with interment in Redwood City Union cemetery.

        Additional Information

        1. https://historicunioncemetery.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/LuAgnesJohnieAliceJoelMrsBeebeBert.jpg

        Peter Marchant

        Date of Birth: 1853

        Born In: Canada

        Age: 38

        Occupation: Laborer

        Marital Status: Single

        Died: 5 Dec 1891

        Cause of Death: Suicide by strychnine

        Death Location: Redwood City

        Burial Plot: PG

        FindaGrave ID: 247447856

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          Lousia Marcopulos

          Date of Birth: 6 Feb 1914

          Born In: Redwood City

          Age: 3 months

          Occupation: Infant

          Marital Status: Single

          Died: 30 May 1914

          Cause of Death: Broncho pneumonia

          Death Location: Redwood City

          Burial Plot: 180

          FindaGrave ID: 13916118

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            Female Twins Marcopuloy

            Date of Birth: 8 Mar 1918

            Born In: Redwood City

            Age: 0

            Occupation: Infant

            Marital Status: Single

            Died: 8 Mar 1918

            Cause of Death: Premature

            Death Location: Redwood City

            Burial Plot: 

            FindaGrave ID: 247448223

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              William Morey

              Date of Birth: 1827

              Born In: Maine

              Age: 49

              Occupation: Teamster

              Marital Status: Single

              Died: 8 Nov 1876

              Cause of Death: 

              Death Location: Redwood City

              Burial Plot: K110

              FindaGrave ID: 247449235

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                John Marian

                Date of Birth: 1900

                Born In: Romaina

                Age: 27

                Occupation: 

                Marital Status: Single

                Died: 13 Aug 1927

                Cause of Death: Pulmanery Tuberculosis

                Death Location: Community Hospital

                Burial Plot: 

                FindaGrave ID: 247449342

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                  Stillborn Marine

                  Date of Birth: 1 May 1924

                  Born In: Redwood City

                  Age: 0

                  Occupation: Infant

                  Marital Status: Single

                  Died: 1 May 1924

                  Cause of Death: Stillborn

                  Death Location: Redwood City

                  Burial Plot: 

                  FindaGrave ID: 247446996

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