USA > California > San Benito County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 1
USA > California > Monterey County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
REFERENCE DEPARTMENT.
CALIFORNIA
ANNEX
SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1223 90192 1420
SIN
MORS
FERIS
BOOK NO.
ACCESSION
979.475 G948- 2
4.45247
NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM THE LIBRARY
FORM 3427-BM-10-41
$
7
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from California State Library Califa/LSTA Grant
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HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
OF
MONTEREY AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES
AND
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
CONTAINING BIOGRAPHIES OF WELL-KNOWN CITIZENS OF THE PAST AND PRESENT
STATE HISTORY BY J. M. GUINN, A. M.
Secretary and late President of the Historical Society of Southern California, and Member of the American Historical Association of Washington, D. C.
ILLUSTRATED. COMPLETE IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOLUME II.
HISTORIC RECORD CO. LOS ANGELES, CAL. 1910
*979.475 G9482
445247
4
.
.
BIOGRAPHICAL
INDEX.
A
Bray, John, Jr. 626
Bray, John H., Sr
679
Copley, Andrew J., Sr 502
Breen. Edward J. 760
Abbott, Edwin K. 604
Agostini, Attlio 729
Alexander, John K. 375
Alves, Joseph P. 649
Andersen, August A 655
Andersen, Edward E 699
Andersen, Jens
759
Anderson, Edward
701
Anderson, Gilbert P 645
Anderson, John 485
Andresen, Heinrich 685
Andresen, . H.
687
Archer, William A 649
Armstrong, John A.
567
Armstrong, John G. 653
Azbell, Newton 584
B
Badasci, Charles 702
Bailey, Jotham A 751
Balestra, Joseph 654
Ball, Henry S 376
Bardin, J. A. 634
Casey, William 461
Douglas, Charles D 748
Barnhisel, Frederick L 694
Cavalli, Gattardo
679
Douglass, Joseph L. 685
Bertelsen, James
658
Chaney, A. J.
387
Downes, Mrs. Catharine A 587
Drake, John W. 606-
Dryden, John W 436
Dudgeon, Lee
577
Duncan, James 478
Bidache, Victor
Christensen, C. J.
566
Binsacca, D.
731
Christiansen, Hans B 483
E
Eade, Heman T 478
Eade, William E.
620
Black, Samuel M.
380
672
Clark, William H. 667
594
Blaettler Brothers
Collins, Michael C.
681
Blinn, George W
Collins, Philip
342
Boekenoogen, George J
648
Comminge, German 618
Condon, George W 381
Conklin, Seth W 499
Fiese, William C .. 614
Filcher, William B 577
Bowden, Warren J
379 Cooper, Charles P
595
Flint, Benjamin 409
Flint, Robert W 404
Bramers, Albert J 573 Cooper, Capt. J. B. R. 34I
Flint, William R
545
Copley, Joseph M. 591
Copley, William C. 428
Corda, Frank 651
Brown, Harlow C. 620
Brown, Henderson
644
Cox, Daniel 749
Croxon, Jeremiah J 500
Cunning, Francis A. 662
D
Daly, John 661
Danini, Peter 703.
Daugherty, George A 385.
Davis, George L. 397
Davis, John W 601
Day, Lewis V. 435.
Dayton, Joseph H. 743
Dedini, Steve
726
Cahill, Hiram S
744
Dexter, Mason L 385
Dill, James C.
621
Carnahan. Francis M. 598
Carnahan, Harry L. 643
Casey, Jeremiah 708
Dorn. Hon. N. A 539
Bevans, John J 386
Biaggi, Constantine 712
Biaggi. Lawrence
712
Bianchi, Joseph
718 694
Binsacca, Joseph
757
Church, Thomas W. 528
Bixby, Charles H.
398
Cienega de los Paicines Rancho. 557
Clark, Frank S. 669
Eaton, Alexander 434
Eddy, Earl D 489
Blackie, George
417
Cochran, John D.
Elliot, George T
521
F
Fanoe, Paul 704
Faulkner, George F 472
Bonifacio, Charles 433
Bordges, Antonio S
698
Conlan, John 609
Bralee, Thomas P 427
Cooper, J. B. H. 34I
Copley, Andrew J., Jr 565
Copley, Edward J 428
Breschini, Bernard 750
Brindeiro, F. A. 629
Bromley, George A. 47I
Brown, Perry
599
Brown, William L 625
Burchard, Adolf 669
Burchard, Frederick
477
Burmester, Louis 645
Burnett, William F 559
Butts, John F
677
Butts, William
344
Buzzini, Joseph
761
C
Cagney, William 675
Carlson, Charles 706
Domianovich, John 555
Dooling, Hon. M. T 424
Chaney, J. M. 58.4
Chapues, Camille 728
Chase, Henry 422
Chavoya, Lawrence P. 663
Black, William W
699 480
Bolce, Edmund J. 580
Abbott, Carlysle 523
Corey, Hiram 369
11
INDEX.
Flynn, Lawrence 670 Hodges, Judson C. 741
Foletta, John 690
Hohstadt, John W. 517
Fonte, Manuel
635
Hollenstein, Hans H
639
742
Locatelli, John 695
Foster, Chapman 534
Hook, Frank E. 626
Lnzier, Charles E
632
Franscioni, Andrew 681
Howland, Charles W 394
M
Franscioni, Aquilino C. 731
Hubbard, Thomas B. 529
Franscioni, Candido
733
Hughes, James M. 474
Franscioni, Ferdinand
697
Hunter, Henry A. 579
Franscioni, James 708
Hutz, Leonard 408
Franscioni, Virgil 624
I
McDougall, John 602
Fredson, Alonzo H. 407
Introzzi, Joseph 717
Mckinnon, Duncan F 377
Freitas, John 701
French, Theodore H.
439
Frese. Frederick
705
Iverson, E. Peter.
354
Madsen, Iver 729
Manuel, A. A. 663
Fretwell, John W.
617
Iverson, John
391
Marcetti, Valentine 714
Fritz, John A., M. D.
744
Frunz, Nicholas 693
Furlong, W. N
486
G
Gambetta, A. 739
Gambetta, G. B. 638
Garcia, John 660
Gardner, Nicholas
556
Johnson, Isaac V
758
Matthews, John L. 716
Gardner, Peter
556
Garside, Thomas
505
Johnson, Joseph O
746
Mauldin, William P 582
Gatton, Lewis A.
616
Jolly, Mark L.
656
Mayers, Alfred C. 598
Giacomazzi, I. G.
709
Joy, Charles 426 Mayn, Herman W. 508
Giacomazzi, James
687
Joy, John G.
458
Mehlwood, J. P. 378
Giacomazzi, Joseph F
697
Joy. Thomas P
469
Metz, William H. H. 5II
Giacometti, Guy
710
Juhl, Catherine 707
Michaelis, Ernest 596
Gilson, John 619
Juhl, Chris
720
Mitchell, George F
493
Gomez, Joseph
691
K
Kalar, John
469
Mortensen, Chris
636
Graves, James E
Kelly, Martin P
715
Mortensen, Rasmus N
728
Kelly, Peter 640
Murley, William P
623
Kilburn, Hon. Paris. 462
Murphy, Abner S.
592
King, James H. 348
Murray, Ernest E. 740
Myers, Andrew J 464
Myers, John A
742
Mylar, Isaac
600
N
Nadermann, John H. E. 647
Nash, F. O., M. D 357
Nash, Granville S. 540
Nesbitt, William J. 450
Newlove, John
347
Hazelton, Harry R. 546
Lauenstein, Frederick L 582
Nielsen, Hans
682
Hebbron, James R. 491
Lawrey, Mrs. M. E
745
Hebbron, John J. 364
Leese, Jacob P. 457
Henry, Philip
537
Leibbrandt, David 550
467
O'Connor, Jeremiah
676
Hill, W. J.
445
Leoni, Patrizio 711
Ober, John
652
Olesen, Hans O. J.
665
684
Jacks, Perry M.
349
Martin, Andrew W 671
Jefferson, Jacob
343
Martin, Rev. Azariah 668
Jewell, Frank F 747
Johanson, Solomon
640
Martin, Daniel C. 671
Johnson, Benjamin
605
Martin, William J. 671
Johnson, Charles W
615
Mathieson, Mrs. Marie 660
Johnson. John A. 696
Mauldin, Robert G. 625
Gregg, Joseph W. 632
Griffin, James H. 550
H
Kiser, Frank 537
L
Lanini, Celeste 723
Lanini, Henry 631
Hansen, P. A.
749
Lanini, Joseph
725
Harkins, M. H.
Lanini, Simon
631
Hart, Charles H. 366
Lanini. Valentine J 631
Lathrop, Levi B. 514
Hatton, William 496
Lathrop, Ransom P 603
Hawkins, Thomas S. 543
Lauenstein, Mrs. Caroline O. 583
Nielsen, Carl
671
O
O'Connell, Thomas 613
Higbie, A. L.
764
Leonard, Allen
Hiner, Eldridge H 574 Little, David S. 500
Little, Milton 365
Little, Milton T 759
Lloyd, David W. 355
MacDonald, Joseph H 601
MacLean, Donald G. 45I
McConnell, George W 571
McCoy, William 452
Frasier, James A 593
Ioppini, Albino 710
Machado, Christiano 705
Irvine, Samuel 359
Machado, Christiano L. 678
Frese, Mads J.
622
Iverson, James B 484
Marquehosse, G. 651
J
Martan,
Martin, Daniel R .. 671
Goodrick, John A 641
Monterey County Abstract Co. 673 Moore, Murray 612
Grant, George 562
Hamilton, J. G. 372
Hansen, Andrew 630
Hansen, Hans
734
Hansen, Hans J.
721
495
Harvey, John H. 558
610
Forster, Allen 552 Holst. Lawrence
iii.
INDEX.
Ollason, Stanley W. 630
Ollason, Wallace E. 610
Olson, Otto 659
Osio, A. M 761
P
Russell, F. N. C. 636
608
Thomas, John 757
Thompson, William R 656
Thomson, James 560
Tillman, John G. 535
Titus, Benjamin 382
Tomasini, Martin 664
Tomlinson, William T 530
Townsend, Vernon 533
Treat, Willard F 423
Trescony, Julius A. 363
Trimmer, Oliver S., M. D 468:
Trine, Elmer E. 581
Tucker. Ira 401
Twisselman, John C. 658
Twisselman, John H. 721
Tynan, Michael
683
U
Underwood, Alexander R.
..
470-
V
Valenzula, Cipriano
702
Vallejo, Gen. M. G. 416
Vasquez, Antonio E 657
Vett, Frederick 634
Violini, Joe
680
Vosti. Joseph
646
Pugh. Samuel O
650
Pura, Jacob
653
Pura, Jeremiah
546
Q
Quentel. George 360
Quilla, Manuel 693
R
Raine, Alexander 590
Raymond, John P 536
Redfern, Ira B 494
Redmond, J. E. 589
Reid, George L.
629
Reid, Warren I 629
Rianda, Andrew
712
Struve, James P 643
Wiley, Leander H.
393
Rianda, Antone
692
Rianda, Henry
695
Rianda, Louis
732
Rianda, Tranquillo
727
Rich, Edwin B. 5,38
Riley, John
410
Roberts, George B.
556
Tavernetti, Henry V. 713
Tavernetti, Paul 727
686
Wolter, Manuel 473
Rohde, Hans P.
714
Tavernetti, Vincent 673
Woodworth, William B. 717
Rohde, Lauritz P 612
Tavernetti, Walter R. 704
Work, T. A.
463
Rohnert. Waldo
402
S
Parsons, Abraham 464
Parsons, Solomon A 449
Parsons, Wells H. 726
Parsons, Worthington 447
Patton, Garrett J. 456
Paulsen, H. 735
Pearce, Edward F 490
Pence, Wallace M. 549
Perry, Oliver H. 561
Pesante, John 448
Petersen, Peter 724
Petersen, Peter C.
633
Phares, Jasper
589
Sgheiza, Emil 723
Sgheiza, James P. 691
Pincini, Leo
736
Shearer. Samuel M.
515
Pine, Charles A 568
Pisoni, Victor
725
Shore, Richard E. 388
Potter, Andrew P
403
Shotwell. Cyrus S.
755
Pozzi, Angelo 733
Proctor, John W 359
Pugh, Joseph A.
666
Silveira, Joseph R. 703
Slate, Thomas B 521
Slaven, Thomas H. 719
Smith, James H. 637
Smith, John B.
736
Walker, Frank
607
Walker, George C. 607
Walker, Walter W 607
Warnock, Robert 762
Warth, Joseph 689
Waters, Edmund S 566
Steinbeck, John A
61I
Watson, Thomas 512-
Watts, Frank H 44I
Whitam, John 627
White, Ernest C. 734
Wicker, Santos 618
Wiley, Joseph F 402
Wiley. William 642
Wilkinson, George H. 424
Willey, Robert H 763
Williamson, William J 762-
Wilmoth, Johnson E. 737
Winchell, Charles H. 578
Winchell, Henry G. 752-
Roberts, John L. D.
737
Roddick, Alan L.
722 Tavernetti. Paul
588
Soberanes, Esequie]
415
Sparling, E. J
754
Sprague, Nathaniel R.
753
Stirling, Duncan
455
Stirling, John B.
418
Stow, William A. 55I
Stranbe, Charles 752
Struve, August 643
Sundberg, Hans 688
Swetnam, Eustace E 356
T
Talhott, David 527
Tash, Ardilous M. 623
Teumert, Frederick E. 533
Wright. Silas W. 440
St. Clair, Thomas J 592
Sales, H. 7II
San Benito County Land & Wa- ter Co. 720
Sargent, Hon. Bradley V 392
Sargent, Bradley V. 399
Sargenti, B. 739
Schmalmak, John 543
Seegelken, John 628
Semas, Antonio J 698
Settrini, Serafino 700
Pihl, Mrs. Catherine 730
Sherwood, Eugene 506
Silacci, Baptiste 738
Silacci, Mateo 689
W
Wagner, Hiram 674
Smith, Owen
718
Smith, William J.
Ronning, James
Ross, Jesse 358
Ross, Thomas 615
Roth, Mrs. Mary 571
Rothe, William A. 426
Palmtag, William 353
1
Wolter, Luis 421
J. B. H. COOPER.
Although death has terminated his activities, it has not dimmed in the hearts of friends the memory of the manly qualities possessed by Mr. Cooper. Born in Monterey, September 4. 1830, he spent practically all of his life in Cali- fornia, and for years was an honored member of the Native Sons of the Golden West. His father, Capt. J. B. R. Cooper, came to this state as early as 1823, and his mother was Dona Encarna- cion Vallejo, daughter of the general of that name, so that on both sides lie descended from prominent pioneer families of the Pacific coast. For a time during boyhood he attended the schools of the Sandwich Islands, but on his return to Monterey county, in 1844, he completed his studies in the schools of this locality. As soon as he was old enough to assume responsibilities his father placed him in charge of his ranch of eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-four acres, where grain and stock were raised and the dairy industry was conducted upon an ex- tensive scale.
Eventually Mr. Cooper acquired large tracts of his own, and at one time his landed posses- sions aggregated seventeen thousand acres, which made him one of the largest land-owners in the entire state. Included in his estate was the Moroco Jo ranch, between Castroville and Salinas, a valuable property, containing twelve large wells of fine water that furnished com- plete irrigation facilities. After the Spreckels factory was established a portion of this ranch was devoted to beet culture and excellent re- turns were realized from this crop. Another large estate owned by Mr. Cooper was the San Barnaba ranch of thirteen thousand acres, near King City, the cultivation and management of which he personally superintended up to the time of his death. During 1881 he removed from Monterey county to San Francisco and purchased valuable property at No. 1926 Octa- via street, where he established one of the most beautiful homes of the city of that day. Fre- quent visits to Monterey county enabled him to
superintend his numerous interests and also to keep up pleasant associations with old friends. For nine years he served as chairman of the board of supervisors, and in that responsible position he safeguarded the interests of the tax- payers, while at the same time he favored pro- gressive measures for upbuilding the county.
The marriage of Mr. Cooper occurred during 1870 and united him with Miss Martha Braw- ley, a native of Illinois. They became the par- ents of four children, namely: Hon. J. B. R. Cooper, of Salinas, who has represented the dis- trict with honor as a member of the state legis- lature; Abelardoe E., who resides in Salinas; Alfred H. G., of Monterey; and Alice F., who became the wife of Frank Orcutt and makes her home in Boston, Mass. In Mr. Cooper the sturdy virtues of the Anglo-Saxon and the pro- verbial hospitality of the Spaniard were blended in a happy combination, making a rounded char- acter that commanded the respect of those who knew him personally or by repute. His hospi- tality was boundless. He was never so happy as when using his wealth for the benefit and pleasure of his friends. Withal, he took a warm interest in the affairs of his native Cali- fornia, and delighted in the development of the state, whose resources he believed to be as at- tractive as its climate. To the call of charity he never turned a deaf ear, and there are those still living who owe their present comfort and prosperity to kindnesses and practical aid ren- dered by him in years gone by, when the re- cipients of his bounty were in need of a helping hand and a sympathetic friend.
CAPT. JUAN B. R. COOPER.
It has been said that the history of a state is the biography of the eminent men thereof. Could there be written a full account of the life of Capt. Juan Baptiste Roger Cooper it would throw light upon the early days of Cali-
22
342
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
fornia history ere yet the state had become a portion of our commonwealth. As early as 1823 he first landed in the golden west as master of his own vessel, the Rover. All around him he found evidences of Spanish domination. The land was held in vast estates by Spaniards who extended to him a hospitality and friend- ship that won his esteem from the first. Through all of his life he remained a devoted champion of the old 'Spanish grandees, whose passing marked the ascendency of American interests along the coast.
It was on the island of Alderney, off the coast of England, that the eyes of Juan Baptiste Roger Cooper opened to the light in 1792 and from there in boyhood he came to the United States with his mother. The latter was thrice married and Captain Cooper was a half-brother of Thomas O. Larkin. From an early age he followed the sea and such was his ability that he rose to be master of a ship, for years com- manding vessels of his own or for other owners. After he came to the western coast he sold the Rover to Governor Arguello, but he still con- tinned in command of the vessel and made trips to China and elsewhere.
By reason of one of his voyages to China on the Rover, under a contract with Governor Arguello, owner of the vessel, Captain Cooper became involved in a lawsuit with the governor. The dispute was finally referred to arbitrators, who decided that the captain was entitled to $5,000 from the governor in settlement of amounts due him by contract. During 1846 Captain Cooper made a voyage to Peru and in 1849 he went to China as master of the Eveline. From 1850 until some time in the '6os he made his home in Monterey, butt about the year 1865 he removed to San Francisco and there in 1872 his eventful life came to an end. In his death the state lost one of its earliest American settlers, a man of decided talent, rare executive ability and unsurpassed knowledge of seacraft.
During the early period of his residence in California and while he was yet a young man, Captain Cooper had the privilege of becoming an intimate friend of the famous Vallejo family, whose principal member, the illustrious general, Don Ygnacio, occupied a prominent place in the history of California during that epoch.
General Vallejo had married Dona Maria An- tonia Lugo and their family comprised thirteen children. The captain asked in marriage the hand of one of the older daughters, Dona Mag- dalena Vallejo, who refused him, although her father favored the suitor. On the very day of his return from his next voyage, the captain had the pleasure of meeting his former sweet- heart as she came from the San Carlos Mission, having just been married to Don Antonia de Val. That evening he danced "la jota yeglesa" with the bride at her father's home in honor of her marriage. Afterward the captain fell in love with a younger sister of Dona Magdalena. This was Dona Encarnacion, whom he courted with success and with the consent of her father, who highly esteemed him. In 1827, when she was but thirteen years old, they were united in marriage by Padre Ramon Abelle. After his marriage the captain continued his seafaring life and from 1839 to 1844 he made many trips to the Mexican coast and to the islands of the Pacific, in command of the California, a vessel belonging to the government. Gradually, how- ever, he began to acquire ranch lands and event- nally he gave up the sea for the more tranquil existence of a landsman, finding his chief pleas- ure in the society of his family and in the care of his vast estates. Of his six children four attained maturity, namely: Ana Maria (Mrs. Wohler), Juan Baptiste Henrique, Amelia (Mrs. Molera) and Guadaloupe, and of these the two daughters are living.
Captain Cooper brought the first moolie cow to California from Japan, proving to the natives there were cattle without horns.
PHILIP COLLINS.
Incidents innumerable can be cited of young men of foreign birth and antecedents who have come to the United States empty-handed and in the course of a few years of industry and per- severance have become well established in some honorable employment and in many instances have established enterprises of their own. Among the latter class of citizens in Monterey county may be mentioned Philip Collins, whose ranch and stock-raising enterprise in the vicinity of
343
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Gonzales is one of the most thriving in Monterey county. A native of Ireland, he was born in County Cork, April 13, 1849, the son of parents who knew no other home than the Emerald Isle.
It was during the year of his birth, 1849, that the attention of the world was drawn to the western coast of the United States through the discovery of gold in California and in less than twenty years thereafter Mr. Collins was among the number who sought the advantages here offered. In the meantime, however, the cause of the interest in this western country had been changed from mining to agriculture. Filled with a desire to begin life for himself under con- ditions more promising than were obtainable in his own country Mr. Collins took his fate in his hands and boarded a vessel destined for the har- bor of New York. His interest lay in the far west, however, so as soon as transportation could be arranged he started on his western voyage. He reached his destination, San Francisco, in due time, arriving there just prior to the famous earthquake of 1868. His recent expenses had made it imperative that he find employment as soon as possible and this he readily found on one of the ranches of Charles Lux, a famous cattle man at that time. Mr. Collins' experiences there were of untold benefit to him, for during the two years he remained in Mr. Lux's employ he gained a practical knowledge of stock-raising as conducted along scientific lines. A desire to visit other portions of the state took Mr. Collins to Hollister, where he remained a short time and then went to Salinas, in the latter place readily finding employment in the harvest fields. From Salinas he came to Gonzales and engaged in the sheep business on his own account, but the un- dertaking did not prove as profitable as he had anticipated and after two years he gave it up. Believing there were possibilities in raising cat- tle and hogs, however, he immediately turned his attention to this business, and that his judgment was correct it is but necessary to say that he has followed this business continuously ever since. His initial experience here was prior to the ad- vent of railroads and a shipment of hogs from his ranch constituted some of the first business carried over the new road. Besides his own ranch of two thousand acres Mr. Collins rents a like acreage adjoining, all of which is used as a
range and for stock-raising purposes, and also rents four hundred acres for farming purposes. This latter tract, however, he sub-lets to farmers in small acreages. In addition to raising cattle and hogs in large number Mr. Collins also raises high grade horses, and taken all in all he is one of the best posted and most successful men en- gaged in this branch of agriculture in Monterey county.
Mr. Collins' association with Gonzales dates several years before its incorporation as a town, and the house he then built still furnishes shelter to himself and family. His marriage, which oc- curred April 21, 1885, united him with Miss Rachael Robinson, who though a native of Texas has been a resident of California since 1860. Three children, two sons and one daughter, com- prise their family, Jack, Catherine and Ed- mond, all of whom are at home with their par- ents. The family are communicants of the Cath- olic church in Gonzales. In his political affilia- tions Mr. Collins is a Democrat, although he is not a partisan in his views, and believes in voting for the best candidate for the office in question, regardless of the party supporting him. For many years Mr. Collins has served as a member of the school board.
JACOB JEFFERSON.
One of the most valuable ranches in Monterey county lies in the vicinity of Castroville and em- braces two hundred and sixty-seven acres of land along the Salinas river. The farm was for years the property of the widow of John Jeffer- son and upon her death in 1903, at the age of sixty-eight years, the estate passed into the hands of her children, the joint owners of this place being Jacob Jefferson and a brother. The soil differs from other land in that it is princi- pally sediment and therefore productive to a re- markable degree. Beets and potatoes are espec- ially adapted to the soil, and the present occu- pant of the place has been meeting with gratify- ing success in the raising of these products.
Among the older residents of Monterey county the late John Jefferson is remembered with affec- tion, for he was a man who won many friends. and universal regret was expressed when, in
344
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1884, death brought an untimely end to his ac- tivities. He was then only forty-nine years of age, but already had laid the foundation of a success that, had life been spared, would have reached gratifying proportions. He was one of the early California pioneers, crossing the plains with an ox-team. The lady whom he married bore the maiden name of Mary Martin and after his demise she took charge of the estate and reared the children with a mother's wisdom and tact. The afternoon of her life was unsparingly devoted to her family. The years could bring her no good more desirable than the promotion of their happiness. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson : William, Henry, Mary E., and Martha, all deceased ; and Agnes, wife of J. L. Douglass, of Salinas ; Cynthia, wife of V. H. Lent ; Martin and Jacob.
The gentleman whose name introduces this article was born April 25, 1879, and conse- quently is now in the prime of manhood's busy activities. The best advantages the locality af- forded were given to him in order that he might be prepared for the duties of life, and since leav- ing school he has been a student and a thought- ful reader, so that now he is a well informed man. Since the death of his mother he has en- gaged in farming on the old homestead and has met with excellent returns from the growing of products suited to the soil. The high prices of products during recent years have aided him in placing his finances upon a sound basis, and he has the gratification of witnessing his work bring its just reward. March 19, 1900, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Maude Clarke, and four children blessed this union, namely: Ed- ward, Gertrude, Walter and Maria, all of whom are living with the exception of Maria. By her previous marriage Mrs. Jefferson is the mother of a daughter, Willielmina Clarke, now twelve years of age.
WILLIAM BUTTS.
Extensive agricultural operations have charac- terized the activities of William Butts, who en- joys the distinction of having under his direct supervision a larger area of land than is per- sonally managed by any other farmer of San Benito county. In addition to his manifold en-
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