Natasha Borovsky (1924-2012): Russian-American poet and novelist; American Book Award winner

Grave marker of Natasha Borovsky

Plot 49A

Natasha Borovsky (born Nataliya Alexandrovna Borovskaya) was a Russian-American poet and novelist. She is best known for her two sweeping historical novels, A Daughter of the Nobility (1985) and Lost Heritage (1995), which explore the upheavals of 20th-century Europe. Borovsky’s work often centers on the shattering effects of war on aristocratic families and the decline of the old European nobility. Her writing, informed by her own émigré background, also touches on themes of exile and cultural identity as experienced by displaced European elites.

Borovsky was born in Paris to a family of distinguished heritage. Her father was Alexander Borovsky, a renowned Russian concert pianist, and her mother, Maria Sila-Nowicki, was of Polish and Russian noble descent. As a child, Natasha spent summers and winters at her maternal family’s estate near Kazimierz Dolny in Poland, while also attending schools in Germany, Switzerland, and France. In 1940, at the outset of World War II, the advance of Nazi Germany forced the family to flee France. Borovsky emigrated with her mother to the United States, seeking safety from the war’s destruction. Settling in New York, she pursued higher education at Sarah Lawrence College for two years. Thanks to her extraordinary gift for languages (she was fluent in multiple European tongues), Borovsky was hired during the war as a translator for the CBS “Listening Post,” where she transcribed and translated wartime broadcasts from around the world. She later worked for the U.S. Office of War Information in New York City and for the Hoover Institution’s library in postwar Paris, roles that deepened her engagement with historical research. Borovsky eventually settled in California; she married Stuart Dodds, an editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, and made her home in Berkeley. 

Originally published in 1985, A Daughter of the Nobility is Borovsky’s most acclaimed novel. It is an epic historical saga that follows the life of Tatyana Silomirskaya, a young Russian aristocrat (and goddaughter of Tsar Nicholas II) who witnesses the cataclysmic events that transform Russia in the early 20th century. Through Tatyana’s privileged yet tumultuous vantage point, the novel spans major upheavals from the Russo-Japanese War and the 1905 Revolution to World War I, the fall of the Romanov dynasty in 1917, and the subsequent turmoil of civil war. Borovsky drew heavily on her own family’s imperial Russian background to imbue the narrative with rich historical detail and authenticity. Reviewers praised the panoramic scope and historical accuracy of the novel, although some criticized the characterization as melodramatic or stereotypical.

Upon release, A Daughter of the Nobility enjoyed international success. It was translated into ten languages, including Russian and Polish, and became a best-seller in several countries. The novel’s broad appeal stemmed from its vivid depiction of a bygone aristocratic world swept away by war and revolution, as well as its dramatic personal story of love and loss amid historical chaos. In 1986 Borovsky received an American Book Award for this work, recognizing it as a notable contribution to American literature by an immigrant author. Decades later, A Daughter of the Nobility remains the author’s signature achievement and a significant entry in the genre of historical fiction about Imperial Russia.  

Borovsky’s second novel, Lost Heritage, was published in 1995 as a continuation of the grand historical tapestry she began in her first book. Although not a direct sequel in terms of characters, Lost Heritage completes the saga by carrying the story of Europe’s aristocratic families into the mid-20th century. This expansive novel opens during the Russian Revolution of 1917 and concludes around the time of the Yalta Conference of 1945, thus encompassing the World War II era and its profound impact on European society. Borovsky herself described Lost Heritage as a stand-alone work that could be read independently, yet it clearly echoes the themes of its predecessor. The novel is notable for its unrivaled historical detail – Borovsky, determined to preserve the full scope of her vision, chose to publish it through her own imprint (Sila-Nova Press) rather than abridge the content to suit a commercial publisher. Lost Heritage revisits the decline of Europe’s old nobility under the pressures of war, totalitarianism, and exile, reflecting events that occurred within Borovsky’s own lifetime. While Lost Heritage did not attain the same level of popular renown as her first novel, it stands as an ambitious work of considerable depth and research, rounding out Borovsky’s contribution to historical fiction. 

In addition to her novels, Natasha Borovsky had a distinguished career as a poet. She wrote poetry throughout her life, often exploring philosophical and spiritual themes, and her verse was widely published in literary journals. Borovsky released several poetry collections that showcased her versatility and multicultural perspective. Her early collection Drops of Glass (1981) introduced readers to her poetic voice. This was followed over a decade later by Desert Spring (1993), a volume of poems accompanied by sketches by her daughter, artist Malou Dodds. In the mid-1990s she published Grasp the Subtle Lifeline, a collection of spiritual poems also illustrated by her daughter Malou. Borovsky’s poetry, like her fiction, often grapples with themes of dislocation, memory, and faith, reflecting the sensibilities of an exile straddling different cultures. She remained active in the literary community, giving poetry readings and lectures in her later years.  

Natasha Borovsky is remembered for her unique literary contributions that bridge continents and eras. Her writing earned formal recognition, most notably the 1986 American Book Award for A Daughter of the Nobility, honoring the novel’s achievement in capturing a diverse cultural experience. Throughout her career she received praise for preserving the history and heritage of European aristocracy through compelling narrative. Borovsky’s novels and poems serve as a chronicle of exile – by portraying noble families uprooted by war and revolution, she illuminated the human cost of political upheaval on those who lost their homeland and social position. As a Russian-born author who adopted the United States as her home, Borovsky brought an émigré’s insight into questions of cultural identity and belonging. Her works highlight the tension between the opulent world of pre-revolutionary Europe and the stark realities of the 20th century, often through the lens of characters who must reconcile their aristocratic upbringing with the demands of a changed world. This focus on the fate of displaced aristocrats, combined with her meticulous historical research, has made Borovsky’s literature a valuable source of understanding the personal side of history’s great upheavals. 

Sources: San Francisco Chronicle obituary (2012), Los Angeles Times review by Linda Simon (1985), Wikipedia entry on Natasha Borovsky, Natasha Borovsky’s profile on Goodreads, American Book Awards winners list (1986)

Dr. Paul “Buck” Samson (1905–1982): U.S. Olympic Swimmer and Polo Player; Noted Thoracic Surgeon

Image from Collegiate Water Polo Association

Plot 52D

Paul Curkeet “Buck” Samson was an American competition swimmer and water polo player who represented the United States at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. He was an elite collegiate swimmer for the University of Michigan, winning the NCAA 220-yard and 440-yard freestyle titles in 1927, as well as being a member of two national championship water polo teams. He was a recipient of the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor in 1927 for excellence in scholarship and athletics

In 1928 he earned a place on the U.S. Olympic team, participating in both swimming and water polo. Samson swam in the men’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay. He swam for the U.S. team in the semifinal heat, helping set a world-record time of 9:38.8. The American relay went on to win the gold medal in the final with a different quartet (Austin Clapp, Walter Laufer, George Kojac, and Johnny Weissmuller) in a time of 9:36.2. Because Samson did not swim in the final race, he was not eligible to receive a medal under the Olympic rules of the time. In addition to swimming, Samson was also a member of the U.S. men’s water polo squad in Amsterdam. The American water polo team was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Hungary and thus finished outside the medals. 

1928 Olympic teammates: Buster Crabbe, George Kojac, Ray Ruddy, and Johnny Weissmuller

Samson was one of the few athletes in 1928 to compete in two different sports, alongside teammate Johnny Weissmuller. Weissmuller, already a multi-gold-medalist from 1924, also played on the 1928 water polo team, and he later became famous as a Hollywood actor portraying Tarzan in a series of films. Another of Samson’s 1928 swimming teammates was Clarence “Buster” Crabbe, who won a bronze medal in 1928 and a gold in 1932 and went on to a successful film career starring as Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers in 1930s adventure serials. 

Though Buck Samson did not match Weissmuller’s record-setting medal haul, he contributed to the U.S. team’s dominance with strong performances in relay events and national championships. Known for his quiet discipline and technical mastery, Samson often played the role of anchor in team relays and was respected for his tactical awareness in the pool.

After retiring from competitive swimming, Samson pursued medical studies, eventually becoming a surgeon. With the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with distinction as a medical officer in the Pacific Theater, tending to wounded soldiers under harrowing conditions. In 1937, he moved to Oakland where he began a surgical practice. He gained the distinction of performing what was probably the first successful pneumonectomy in the overseas theater using the individual ligation technique.

Grave marker for Dr. Paul "Buck" Samson

Following the war, he returned to northern California to continue his thoracic surgery practice, specializing in the treatment of tuberculosis and empyema.  Samson started and directed the thoracic surgery training program at Highland General Hospital in Oakland, which was the first approved training service in thoracic surgery north of Los Angeles on the West Coast.

To honor him for his service to thoracic surgery, Samson’s close friends and colleagues founded the Samson Thoracic Surgical Society of Western North America in 1974 because they believed that such an honor was due him during his lifetime.  Following his death on February 10, 1982 at the age of 76, the Samson Thoracic Surgical Society was renamed The Western Thoracic Surgical Association in 1983 to achieve representation at the American College of Surgeons Board of Governors, which did not recognize societies named after an individual. Samson’s name, however, is preserved in the Samson Endowment Fund, the Samson prize for the best resident paper, and other activities of The Western Thoracic Surgical Association.

Sources: Collegiate Water Polo Association, Encyclopædia Britannica, Wikipedia, Find a Grave. Olympics.com, Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 

 

Edgar Harkness Gray (1813-1894): Officiated at Abraham Lincoln's Funeral

Gravestone of Rev. Edgar Gray

Plot 38, Lot 10

Edgar Harkness Gray was born on November 28, 1813, in Bridport, Vermont. He pursued theological studies and graduated from Waterville College (now Colby College) in 1838.

Gray became a prominent Baptist minister in Washington, D.C., serving as pastor of the E Street Baptist Church. In the wake of the Civil War, he was appointed Chaplain of the United States Senate, a post he held from 1865 to 1869 . In this role, he offered spiritual guidance during a critical era of American history and led prayers and devotional services within the Senate chamber.

Following President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in April 1865, Rev. Gray was among the four clergymen selected to officiate at Lincoln's funeral services in Washington, D.C. His presence reflected the high esteem in which he was held by the nation’s leaders and his influence on public life.  

After completing his term as U.S. Senate chaplain (1865–1869), Gray emigrated west. He became the first pastor of the Baptist church in San Francisco, later serving in Oakland, where he also held roles such as Superintendent of Baptist Churches in California and Dean of Oakland Theological Seminary. 

Sources: Wikipedia, Find A Grave, US Senate 

Giulio Minetti (1866–1958): Italian-American violist and conductor embroiled in scandal

Giulio Minetti and Grave Marker

De Fremery Family - Plot 8

Giulio Minetti was an Italian-American violist, conductor, and prominent figure in the early musical life of San Francisco. He played a key role in the development of orchestral performance in California in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Minetti was born on November 22, 1866, in Turin, Italy. Trained in the European classical tradition, he emigrated to the United States in 1891, arriving in New York aboard the vessel La Normandie before settling in San Francisco. His arrival coincided with the city’s growing appetite for professional musical performance and culture. He remained lifelong friends with his Italian classmate and colleague, conductor Arturo Toscanini.

Shortly after arriving in San Francisco, Minetti quickly established himself as a sought-after violist and conductor. He was an early and leading member of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble founded in 1881 by German conductor Fritz Scheel. This orchestra should not be confused with today’s San Francisco Symphony, which was founded in 1911 under Henry Hadley. The earlier organization in which Minetti was involved dissolved around 1906 and served more as a semi-professional or ad hoc orchestral society, often assembled for touring European conductors or civic occasions. 

Concert Ad and Minetti Headshot

Minetti also performed with the Bohemian Club, taught at the California Conservatory of Music, and served as a conductor for various civic music events in the Bay Area, including opera productions and concerts in Berkeley and Oakland.

In 1912, Minetti married Alice Frances de Fremery, a member of one of Oakland’s most prominent families. The de Fremery family was deeply involved in civic and philanthropic affairs, and their estate later became DeFremery Park in West Oakland. The marriage further embedded Minetti in the East Bay’s social and cultural circles.

Minetti’s public career came to an abrupt end in early 1930 when he was accused of misconduct involving a female music student. The incident was reported in local newspapers, including the Berkeley Daily Gazette on January 6, 1930, but the student’s name was not disclosed. Although the case was dismissed for lack of evidence and no formal charges were pursued, the episode tarnished his reputation and effectively ended his work as a public conductor and music teacher. Following the scandal, Minetti withdrew from professional life and lived in relative obscurity until his death.

Giulio Minetti died on March 31, 1958, in Berkeley, California, at the age of 91. His funeral was held at St. Augustine’s Church in Oakland, and he was interred at Mountain View Cemetery in the De Fremery family plot. At the time of his death, he was remembered as a pioneering figure in California’s early symphonic culture and one of the few remaining links to San Francisco’s pre-earthquake musical elite. 

Sources: The San Francisco Call (June 9, 1912; July 19, 1896), the Berkeley Daily Gazette (January 6, 1930), the Oakland Tribune and Bakersfield Californian obituaries (both April 1, 1958), and the San Francisco Public Library Art, Music and Recreation Center’s profile on Giulio Minetti. 

  

Robert Henry “Fast Floyd” McKenzie (1950–1993): San Francisco Punk Rock Legend

Fast Floyd and a concert poster for his band

Robert Henry “Fast Floyd” McKenzie was an American guitarist and bandleader best known for his role in the early punk and R&B scenes of New York and San Francisco. A founding member of Mink DeVille, he played guitar alongside his childhood friend Willy DeVille (born William Borsey) during the band’s formative years in San Francisco. When DeVille relocated to New York, McKenzie—known professionally as Fast Floyd—remained in California due to unresolved legal matters and went on to establish a distinctive musical identity on the West Coast.

After leaving Mink DeVille, McKenzie immersed himself in the burgeoning San Francisco punk scene centered around the famed Mabuhay Gardens club. Though he played primarily R&B, Fast Floyd became a fixture in the inclusive and experimental punk milieu of the late 1970s, sharing bills with acts such as DNA, MX-80, The Offs, The Mutants, and The Controllers. He later formed his own group, Fast Floyd and the Famous Firebirds, who gradually refined a hard-edged R&B sound that resonated with a loyal audience independent of the punk movement.

Archival images of Fast Floyd and the Famous Firebirds

By the early 1980s, the Firebirds had become known for their provocative stage shows, especially after the addition of Floyd’s girlfriend “Silke” as a vocalist. Her performances—often in negligees and marked by uninhibited theatrics—earned the group a reputation as “San Francisco’s raunchiest band” and made them perennial favorites at the city’s Exotic Erotic Ball.

In 1983, the group released their sole LP, Devil’s Daughter. The album’s cover featured an uncredited photo of famed exotic dancer Candy Barr (Juanita Dale Slusher), who was widely known for her connections to Jack Ruby and Mickey Cohen, her conviction in a notable marijuana case, and a brief prison sentence for shooting a husband. Barr, having since become a Christian, objected to her image being associated with the album’s title. A copy of her letter to the band survives in the archival record, in which she disputed the photo’s authenticity but nevertheless requested a financial gift should the album turn a profit.

A comprehensive archive of Fast Floyd’s career—containing original lyrics, over 60 promotional flyers, photographs, contact sheets, handwritten setlists, and fan correspondence—provides rich documentation of both his artistic output and the DIY mechanics of life in an independent band during the late 20th century.

The band's only LP release "Devil's Daughter"

McKenzie was also a member of a lesser-known band called The Spiders and maintained a lifelong passion for history, ancient weaponry, and vinyl records. He died by suicide in May 1993. Despite his relatively brief career, Fast Floyd remains a cult figure in the annals of West Coast punk and R&B history.

Sources: Find A Grave, Between the Covers Rare Books archives, Discogs, YouTube, eBay, the Max’s Kansas City 1976 & Beyond album booklet, and the blog Too Short a Life.

Richard “Dick” Duvall (1933–1960): CHP Officer Killed in Line of Duty

Dick Duvall and Grave Marker

Plot 71, Grave 290

Richard “Dick” Duvall (1933–1960) was a California Highway Patrol officer whose tragic death in the line of duty led to lasting changes in law enforcement procedures and posthumous honors in his name.

Born in Oakland, Alameda County, California, in 1933, Duvall was the son of Cecil and Dorothy Jensen Duvall. During his early childhood, the family relocated to San Leandro, where he attended local schools and became a standout football player at San Leandro High School. Following his graduation, Duvall enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving two years before returning to civilian life. He went on to attend Armstrong College of Business in Berkeley, graduating in 1956.

In September 1957, Duvall married Gwenellen “Gwen” Jones. He soon entered the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Academy and, upon completion of his training, was assigned to the Victorville office. There, he served as a patrol officer for just under two years.

On February 23, 1960, Officer Duvall was fatally shot during a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 66 outside Victorville. His final radio message was, “I’m chasing a fast one.” Unbeknownst to Duvall, the motorist he was pursuing, James Kendrick, was an escaped felon in a stolen vehicle, wanted for armed robbery. As Duvall approached the car, the suspect opened fire, killing him instantly. The fugitive was apprehended six days later in Shell Beach, California, after a gunfight with law enforcement. He was convicted of first-degree murder and executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison on November 3, 1961. Authorities believed he may have had an accomplice, but none was ever located.

Officer Duvall’s death, at age 26, was a pivotal moment for the California Highway Patrol. Commissioner Bard Crittenden subsequently implemented a policy requiring officers to work in pairs during graveyard and parts of the evening shifts—a practice designed to increase officer safety during nighttime patrols.

Duvall was survived by his wife Gwen, who was pregnant at the time of his death, and their daughter Deanne. His son, Richard Jr., was born in July 1960.

In 2010, in recognition of his service and sacrifice, a portion of State Highway Route 15 in Victorville was officially named the" CHP Officer Richard D. Duvall Memorial Highway."

There is a Facebook page that honors his life. 

Sources: California Highway Patrol Memorial Records, San Bernardino County Historical Archives Facebook, Find a Grave, San Bernardino Sun and Los Angeles Times.

John D. "Jack" Fletcher (1921–1990): TV and Movie Character Actor

 

Sherman Hemsley and Jack Fletcher

Plot 52D, Lot 129  W 1/2

Jack Fletcher was an American character actor and theater educator whose career spanned stage, film, and television from the early 1960s through the late 1980s.

Born in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, Fletcher became a respected presence in both theater and screen. He was deeply involved with the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in San Francisco, where he taught acting and directed productions, including Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and Richard III. His work at A.C.T. helped shape the careers of emerging performers and contributed to the company’s national reputation for theatrical excellence.

On television, Fletcher was best known for his recurring role as H.L. Whittendale on The Jeffersons, appearing in six episodes between Seasons 4 and 11. His character was the wealthy and eccentric owner of the Whittendale Building, where George and Louise Jefferson’s dry cleaning business was located. Fletcher’s portrayal of the imperious landlord added a recurring dose of corporate satire and class contrast to the show.

Jack Fletcher

Fletcher also made guest appearances on numerous television programs and performed supporting roles in several films. His work was marked by a distinctive presence and versatility across genres.

Television credits include:
The Jeffersons, Bewitched, Chico and the Man, Welcome Back, Kotter, Gimme a Break!, Knots Landing, Charles in Charge, Charlie's Angels, Silver Spoons, Small Wonder, and The Munsters Today.

Film credits include:
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988), Pennies from Heaven (1981), Any Wednesday (1966), Rabbit Test (1978), Off Beat (1986), and Once Upon a Mattress (1964).

He died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California, on February 15, 1990, at the age of 68.

Robert Wasson aka "Fat Fairy" (1935-1985): Drag Performer, Chef, and LGBTQ Community Icon

 

Robert Wasson, left with Harvey Milk; right, as "Fat Fairy"

Section 73, Plot 1470

 Robert Wasson, affectionately known in San Francisco’s queer community as the “Fat Fairy,” was a beloved drag performer, culinary professional, and activist figure during the transformative LGBTQ movements of the 1960s and 1970s. With his self-styled nickname, audacious humor, and signature flair, Wasson became an enduring part of the Bay Area's queer cultural landscape.

Wasson rose to prominence as a regular presence in drag performances and was an active member of both the Court de San Francisco and the Royal Court of Oakland—two cornerstone institutions of queer pageantry and activism. He is remembered for his appearances at community events and his bold participation in street-level politics, including his close friendship with civil rights pioneer Harvey Milk.

Professionally, Wasson was a chef for many years, most notably at the Pall Mall Grill on Haight Street, where he worked during the “Summer of Love” in 1967. Later, he transitioned into catering before settling into a quieter life as an employee at a bookstore in Oakland.

Newspaper account of gravemarker being place 3 1/2 years after death

Tragically, Wasson’s life was cut short during a robbery at the bookstore. When confronted by an armed assailant, he fought back, and was fatally shot in the torso. He died at the scene.

Robert Wasson’s funeral reflected his theatrical spirit and deep impact on the community. Attended by several hundred mourners and carried by eight pallbearers, his elaborate service featured his personal theme song, “If They Could See Me Now.” Per his final wishes, Wasson was interred in full drag regalia, wearing a light gray evening gown. A bottle of Pepsi and a bag of potato chips—his favorite snacks—were placed in his casket. His burial was reported on the evening news. A grave marker with the inscription “They Can See Me Now!” was placed nearly four years after his death.

Bois Frederick Burk (1906–1993): Early Gay Rights Advocate; Part of Kinsey Study

 

Bois Burk and Burial Vault

Main Mausoleum, Section 12, Crypt Niche 2, Tier 1

Bois Frederick Burk (1906–1993) was an early gay rights advocate, diarist, and archivist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, known for preserving a unique and candid record of mid-20th century gay life, culture, and activism. His papers, held by the GLBT Historical Society, provide an important window into the "homophile movement," the rise of gay liberation, and the personal experiences of gay men navigating social stigma, legal discrimination, and aging.

Born on November 4, 1906, in Kentfield, Marin County, California, Burk was the youngest of four sons raised on a five-acre ranch. His father, Frederic Lister Burk [featured on this site HERE], was a pioneering educator and the first president of San Francisco State Normal School (now San Francisco State University). His mother, Caroline Frear Burk, came from a prominent Hawaiian family.

Burk graduated from Tamalpais High School in 1924 and earned a degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1929, where he was president of the Cal Chess Club. He worked for insurance firms in San Francisco before joining the UC Berkeley Physical Education Department as a clerk in 1942. In 1956, he was forced to resign—apparently due to his homosexuality—though the circumstances remain unclear. A later attempt to obtain a federal job was rejected by the Civil Service Commission in 1959 on grounds of “gross immoral conduct.”

Burk lived a largely solitary life, never having a long-term partner, and resided in boarding houses and hotels around Berkeley. Despite frequent arrests related to public sexual activity and ongoing social marginalization, he was a tireless participant in the early gay rights movement. He was interviewed by Dr. Alfred Kinsey in the 1940s, became a member of the Mattachine Society in 1952, and actively participated in the League for Civil Education and the Society for Individual Rights during the 1960s. He embraced the philosophy of Gay Liberation after 1969 and attended many community events, leaving behind a trail of annotated programs and newspaper clippings.

In 1976, Burk filed and won a landmark age discrimination case against a gay bathhouse after being turned away for being “an old toad,” highlighting intersectional biases within the LGBTQ community. His extensive archives include autobiographical writings, correspondence, reflections on public sex and police entrapment, and records from local gay organizations. They are among the earliest and most personal documentary legacies of gay life in the Bay Area.

In his final years, Burk moved into a retirement facility in Berkeley under the care of relatives. He died on June 5, 1993, at the age of 86.

Sources: GLBT Historical Society, Bois Burk Papers; Online Archive of California (oac.cdlib.org); J. Howell Genealogical Database; Kinsey Institute, Find a Grave

Samuel Thompson Leet (1828–1890): California State Senator, Pioneer Merchant, and Landholder

 

Samuel Leet & Family Plot

Plot 26, Lot 152

Samuel Thompson Leet was a 19th-century California pioneer, merchant, and public official, best known for his contributions to the early development of Placer County and for serving as a State Senator in the California Legislature during a formative period of statehood.

Born on November 26, 1828, in DeRuyter, New York, Leet came to California soon after it became a state in 1850, accompanied by three of his brothers. He initially settled in Placer County, where he engaged in mining and mercantile pursuits during the height of the Gold Rush. He was one of the early residents of Michigan Bluff and later Dutch Flat and Colfax—important hubs in the Sierra Nevada gold region. He was also listed among the principal early traders in Auburn following the 1848 discovery of gold along the Auburn Ravine, which led to the establishment of one of the state’s earliest and most enduring mining settlements. His name appears alongside other pioneer merchants and traders such as Bailey & Kerr, Disbrow & Willment, and Wetzler & Sutter, marking him as a key figure in Auburn’s transformation into a major trading post.

Leet Oakland home at 562 East Fifteenth in 1887

Leet's role in California extended into public life when he was elected State Senator from Placer County in 1859, representing the area in the 11th Legislature (1860–61). He served during a time of political turbulence and infrastructural expansion, notably around issues like taxation of mines and support for the development of the transcontinental railroad. His vote for Lecompton Democrat Milton Latham in the U.S. Senate selection process suggested independent thinking within a fractured Democratic Party.

Outside of politics, Leet continued his work as a businessman. He operated a provision store in Colfax during the early railroad era and partnered in land acquisitions, most notably filing for a massive 10,500-acre claim in the Pleasant Grove district of western Placer County using federal land scrip. His ventures extended to real estate as co-founder of the San Francisco-based auction house Talbert & Leet, which was appointed to handle high-profile state tide land sales in the late 1860s.

Later in life, Leet relocated to Oakland, California. City directories from the 1880s list him as a resident of 562 East Fifteenth in Oakland, where he lived with his wife, Cynthia Roanne Pomeroy Leet, and several of their children. He died there on December 20, 1890. His estate was formally administered in Alameda County the following year, as confirmed by court records.