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

Author: Guinn, J. M. (James Miller), 1834-1918; Leese, Jacob R. Monterey County; Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849. Story of San Benito County
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 454


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


$


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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from California State Library Califa/LSTA Grant


http://www.archive.org/details/historybiographi02guin


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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