USA > California > A Volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of northern California, including biographies of many of those who have passed away > Part 100
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MARTIN MICHAEL.
Martin Michael is the proprietor of the leading meat market of Lin- coln, Placer county. A native of Missouri he was born in Gasconade, on the 17th of April, 1856. His ancestors came to America from the land of the
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Alps. His parents, John and Mary (Gansner ) Michael, were both natives of Switzerland, and during childhood were brought to the new world by their emigrant parents. They were reared and married in Missouri, and were numbered among the industrial farming people of that state. They still reside there, respected by all who know them for their many excellencies of character. They hold membership in the Congregational church and their lives are consistent with their professions. Mr. Michael is now sixty-three years of age and his wife is sixty-eight years of age. In the family were seven children, of whom only three are now living.
Martin Michael is the only representative of the family in California. He obtained his education in the public schools of Missouri, and when twenty- one years of age started for the Golden state, arriving on the 28th of March, 1877. Here he began learning the butchering trade, working for wages for three years, during which time he became very proficient in the line of his chosen vocation. In 1880 he opened a meat market of his own in Auburn and there carried on business for five years in a most successful manner. He then came to Lincoln and during the past fifteen years has conducted the leading meat market in this place, furnishing to his patrons an excellent quality of meat at moderate prices, and by his industry and upright methods he has secured not only the liberal support of the publie, but also enjoys the esteem and good will of the business men and citizens of his town.
In 1885 Mr. Michael was united in marriage to Miss Florence V. Meyers, one of Auburn's native daughters, her father being Judge Meyers. of that city. They now have three interesting children : Benjamin Frank- lin, John Leslie and Ellen Arline. They have a nice home of their own and its gracious hospitality is enjoyed by a very large circle of friends. Mr. Michael has taken the symbolic, capitular and cryptic degrees of Masonry and is also a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Chosen Friends and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. On questions of state and national importance he supports the Republican party, but at local elections votes independently, for then no issue is involved and the fitness of the candidates for the discharge of the county and state business is all that should be considered. He is now serving as deputy sheriff and as a citizen, officer and business man he merits and enjoys the confidence and regard of those with whom he is associated.
FRED. B. GRANT.
Fred. B. Grant, of Penryn, is one of California's native sons and is an important factor in the business circles of the town, where he is well known as the proprietor of the Grant Hotel. His birth occurred in Rich Gulch, Placer county, on the 13th of August. 1857. his father being Elisha Grant. who came to California in 1872 and is now one of the prominent pioneers of the state. He was born in Prospect. Waldo county, Maine, on the 24th of February, 1815. His father, Elisha Grant, Sr., was born in the same town, was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving as a surgeon, and lived to the
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advanced age of eighty-eight years. In early manhood he married Polly Mudget, a native of Massachusetts.
Elisha Grant, the father of our subject, acquired his education in his native town and after putting aside his text-books worked for the govern- ment at Fort Knox for six years. In 1852 he sailed around Cape Horn to California. They saw much rough weather, and in a severe storm the fore- mast of the ship was carried away and they were obliged to stop at Rio Janeiro for repairs, and there secured a new mast. This caused a delay of a month at that point. Upon arriving in California Mr. Grant engaged in mining on Yuba river, at Rose's Bar, where he was paid five dollars per day, but the cholera became prevalent and he left there in August, spending the winter in the mountains. He engaged in mining at Deer Creek, in Penn valley, but his efforts were attended with poor results and he went to Calaveras county, engaging in mining operations at Rich Gulch. He had been married in the east, in 1849, to Miss Dorothea Blake, who after his removal to the Pacific coast sold their property in Maine and joined her hus- band in Rich Gulch, coming by way of the isthmus route and bringing with her their first born child, Ellen, who is now a widow. Subsequently Mr. Grant engaged in mining at Mokelumne Hill, where he took out consider- able gold, his largest nugget weighing two ounces. In 1863 he arrived at Penryn and engaged in quarrying granite for G. Griffith. He had been in the hotel business in Calaveras county from 1856 until he came to Placer county : in 1873 he built and opened the Grant Hotel in Penryn, which he successfully conducted until 1895, when his wife died and he turned over the hotel business to his son. Fred B., who has since been its manager. The father has supported the Republican party since its organization and socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. During his long residence in California he has become widely known to its pioneer settlers and to the later arrivals, and enjoys the high regard of those with whom he comes in contact.
Fred B. Grant attended school at Mokelumne Hill and for six years was engaged in work in the quarry in Calaveras county. He afterward secured a situation as brakeman on the railroad, in which capacity he was employed for two years, and was also a fireman on the division of the Southern Pacific from Sacramento to Truckee. He served as deputy assessor of Placer county for four years and filled the office of constable for six years. He is a man of much ability who seems to have inherited the talent of his grand- father, of whom it was said that "he could make anything or do almost any- thing." He has done much building and painting and other kinds of work and is now engaged in taking the census of his district, at the same time con- (lucting the Grant Hotel, of which he is the popular host, doing all in his power to promote the comfort of his guests.
Mr. Grant was married, in 1878, to Miss V. A. Logan, a native of Penryn and a stepdaughter of J. A. Griffith, who was a prominent citizen of Penryn, but is now deceased. Her own father was Edward Logan. Their chikIren are Sydna V .. Eddie Elisha, Effie Mabel, Freddie and Dorothy. Mr.
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Grant is a stalwart Republican and is a prominent representative of several fraternal organizations, including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a man of fine personal appearance, of attractive face and large physique, and his social qualities and pleasant disposition render him particularly well quali- fied to conduct the hotel of which he is now proprietor.
JAMES M. WALDEN.
Among the early arrivals in California after the discovery of gold was made was James Madison Walden, who came to the state in 1859 and is now a valued resident of Rocklin. A native of Georgia, he was born in the city of Macon, November 3, 1842, and that state was the birthplace of several generations of the family. His paternal grandparents reared their children in that state, among the number being James Walden, the father of our sub- ject, who was born and reared there. After arriving at the years of matur- ity he wedded Miss Matilda Tuchiri, also a native of Georgia, and by their union there were three daughters and three sons. The wife died when her son James M. was only three years of age, and the father departed this life in the fifty-second year of his age. He had removed to Alabama where he was the owner of a plantation and he became one of the widely and favor- ably known citizens of that state.
James Madison Walden was educated and reared to manhood in Ala- bama, and when only seventeen years of age he came to California by steamer from New Orleans, landing at San Francisco. A desire to see the country was the principal reason that led him to the Pacific coast. From San Fran- cisco he made his way to Sacramento where he was induced to accept a clerk- ship with an auctioneer, and in 1860 he came to a farm within three miles of Rocklin. He worked at different places and engaged in teaming from Sacramento to the different mining towns, including Virginia City and Carson. That was then a paying business for there were no railroad facilities and the freight rate was quite heavy. In 1864 Mr. Walden accepted a clerk- ship in the store of Smith & Hobbel, at Smithville, where he continued until 1867. when he went to Newcastle, Placer county, where he was engaged in the livery-stable business. In 1868 he engaged in hauling stone at a quarry, and the following year he became a salesman in a store owned by L. G. Smith, at Rocklin.
After his marriage, which occurred in 1870, he conducted a hotel in Rocklin for a short time, and in June, of that year, entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, with which he was connected as loco- motive fireman until 1872. He then removed to Loomis and was in the employ of William Quinn until the fall of 1873, when he was elected con- stable of township No. 9. In March of 1874, he entered upon the duties of his office and in 1875 he was elected to the same position, being again chosen for that place in 1879, 1882, 1884. 1886 and 1888. That he discharged his duties in the most prompt and satisfactory manner is indicated by his long
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continuance in a position that is held through popular suffrage. He was fearless, earnest and reliable and received the commendation of all law- abiding citizens. In 1890 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace and in 1894 was re-elected to the same position in which he served continu- ously until 1899. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial, and such was his ability and knowledge of the law that his judgment was never once reversed by the higher court. He was entirely without prejudice in adminis- tering justice, basing his points upon the law and the evidence introduced. In 1893 he was appointed clerk of the city of Rocklin and in that position, by re-election, has been continued since. For the past ten years he has served as a notary public, appointed by the different governors of California, and he is also the health officer of Rocklin.
On the 15th of February, 1870, Mr. Walden was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Ryon, of Auburn. Their married life was a happy one for six years, being then terminated by the death of the wife, whereby Mr. Walden was left with the care of his five children, namely : Herbert James, Albert Madison, Lester, Violet Joseph and Melvin John. On the 19th of April, 1890, Mr. Walden wedded Mrs. Carrie Gillis, a widow who had one child, Ernest, by her former marriage. Our subject and his estimable wife are valued members of the Congregational church, in which he is serving as treasurer and as president of the board of trustees. He does all in his power to promote the work of the church in its various branches and con- tributes liberally to its support. As a public official he has made for him- self a most enviable record. He has ever retired from office as he entered it, with the confidence and good will of his fellow men, and his services have ever been a public benefit. His career shows the power of honesty and fidelity in winning prominence and success in life.
LEANDER L. LEWIS.
Rising above the heads of the mass there has always been a series of individuals distinguished beyond others, who by reason of their pronounced ability and forceful personality have always commanded the homage of their fellow men, and who have revealed to the world those two resplendent virtues of a lordly race,-perseverance in purpose and a directing spirit which never fails. Throughout all the great west have been found men who have marked with deeds the vanishing traces of swift-rolling time and whose names are kept green in the memory of those who have cognizance of their lives and accomplishments. Mr. Lewis is one whose identification with the interests of Sacramento have been of the greatest public benefit. He has been the promoter of many of the enterprises which have contributed in large degree to the city's welfare, progress and prosperity, and while promoting his indi- vidual success he has been the means of securing marked advancement in the capital city and of aiding many of his fellow men to secure an honest liveli- hood by furnishing them with remunerative employment.
Mr. Lewis was born in Genesee county, New York, in 1831, but spent
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much of his childhood in Arcade, Wyoming county, where he was reared on a farm, early becoming familiar with the labors of field and meadow. Through the summer months he followed the plow and in the autumn as- sisted in harvesting the crops. He was then permitted to attend the district schools where he laid the foundation for the keen mental grasp of affairs which has been one of the potent elements of his success. His parents were Timothy and Mary ( Olmsted) Lewis, also natives of New York. The mother died in Genesee county, of the Empire state, and in 1844 the father removed with his family to Belvidere, Illinois, where he died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. He served in the war of 1812 and won the rank of captain.
Our subject was a youth of only thirteen years at the time of their emigration westward and through the succeeding four years he lived upon the prairies of Illinois, after which he went to Iowa. However, about 1849. he determined to learn the trade of the tinsmith and plumber and accord- ingly he returned to Arcade, New York, where he entered the service of John Dillingham. There he remained until he had become an expert work- man and had completed his three-years term of apprenticeship. In 1856 he started out as a journeyman and was thus employed until 1859, when he came to California, making the journey by way of the isthmus of Panama. He arrived in Sacramento on the Ist of December and joined his brother. Sherman G. Lewis, who had previously come to this state and was already an active factor in its business interests. During his early years here he was prominently connected with the journalistic ventures in California and es- tablished and successfully conducted the Foot Hill Tidings, at Grass Valley. which became one of the leading agricultural and horticultural papers of Nevada county, California. He afterward turned his attention to the culti- vation and shipping of fruit, and also creditably filled many positions of public trust. His death occurred in Grass Valley.
Soon after his arrival in Sacramento Mr. Lewis, of this review. ac- cepted a position as tinner with the firm of Lord & Halbroo, proprietors of the establishment of which Mr. Lewis is now the head. After a year he became a partner in the enterprise, in connection with H. Vaneberry, under the name of Lewis & Vaneberry, a connection that was maintained for two years. Other changes afterward occurred in the ownership of the business. and in 1872 Mr. Lewis became sole proprietor. Gradually his trade grew until he is now the recognized leader in his line, and the firm of L. L. Lewis & Company stands second to none on the Pacific coast. Under his wise and progressive, yet conservative management it has extended its fields of operation until there is not a village or hamlet north of the Tehachepi in which the name of Lewis & Company is not well known. The firm enjoys a most enviable reputation for reliable dealing and for exacting only such profits as a legitimate use of capital in business justifies.
Mr. Lewis is a man of resourceful business ability whose efforts have by no means been confined to one line of endeavor. In various industrial and commercial enterprises he has shown the ability to cope with intricate com-
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mercial problems and to turn the tide of success, making unprofitable busi- ness concerns prosperous, paying enterprises. His ability was soon recog- mized, and his counsel and aid were sought in developing the material re- sources of the state. In 1865 he operated quite extensively mining interests in Alpine county and later in other counties, and to the control of the mines lie gave much personal attention. No movement calculated to promote the material welfare of Sacramento has ever sought his aid in vain and in many enterprises he has borne an active part. His labors in advancing material in- terests have been continuous and effective. In 1870 he became actively en- gaged in organizing building and loan associations whereby many an honest laborer has been enabled to provide his family with a comfortable home. He was one of the first to advocate and assist in the organization of an electric street railway company and continued his efforts in that direction until the electric street railway was put into successful operation and is now the equal of that found in any city of its size in the United States. The first line was built from the Southern Pacific depot through J street and out to a suburban tract known as Oak Park, where now hundreds of beautiful homes are to be seen. From the time when he first became a resident of Sacramento Mr. Lewis has been most zealous and earnest in advocating anything for its ex- pansion along commercial lines, and to this end has been an active factor in connection with the board of trade, the chamber of commerce and other organizations for the development of business interests in mercantile and manufacturing departments. Many of the leading business concerns of the city gladly acknowledge their indebtedness for successful establishment to him. He is a director of the Sacramento Improvement Association, through whose instrumentality marked progress has been made.
In 1866 Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Lerisa Corriger. of Sonoma, and to them have been born three children : Mabel. Edna, and Alice. For thirty-five years Mr. Lewis has been an exemplary member of the Ma- sonic fraternity in which he has taken both the York and Scottish rite degrees. He cast his first presidential vote in 1852, and since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its stanch advocates. He has long been recog- nized as one of the most able business men of Sacramento. His sagacity and foresight enabling him to make judicious investments, while his diligence, indomitable energy and undaunted perseverance won him a prosperity that numbered him among the most substantial citizens, he has not only advanced his individual interests, but has done much toward promoting the general welfare by encouraging trade and commerce. His career, both public and private, is marked by the strictest integrity and faithfulness to every trust reposed in him. The record of his life is unclouded by a shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
GEORGE H. HILBERT.
The state had not passed the first decade of its existence as an organized commonwealth when George Il. Hilbert became one of its native sons, his birth occurring in Placerville, Eldorado county, July 21, 1856. His father,
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Charles Hilbert, the pioneer banker of Placerville, was born in Baden Baden, Germany, and in 1854 came to California, making the journey around Cape Horn. Before leaving New York he was married to Miss Elizabeth Shaw, a lady of Irish lineage. He had learned the banking business in Germany, and soon after his arrival in Placerville he established a bank, which he has since conducted, the enterprise being one of the most reliable and conservative financial institutions in this part of the state. It has weathered many finan- cial storms, thus demonstrating its strength and the trustworthiness of its founder and manager, who has passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey but is still actively connected with the affairs of business life. In . addition to his banking business he has throughout the greater part of his residence in California engaged in mining with the usual success that has attended the efforts of the brave and persistent pioneer. His wife is also living, sharing with him in the prosperity which has crowned his later years, and to them have been born five children, all natives of Placerville, namely : J. H., Lizzie, William Charles, Albert Greely and George H.
George H. Hilbert, the youngest son of the family, conned his lessons in the Placerville public schools in early boyhood and afterward pursued an academic course in the academy at Placerville, conducted by E. B. Conklin. For three years subsequent to leaving school he traveled in Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Montana, and also visited Seattle, Washington. After his re- turn he was made deputy constable under J. G. Bailey, and deputy sheriff under Thomas Galt, in 1884. As an officer he was very efficient and capable and made for himself an enviable record in the murder case in which Colby was killed by Frier, in 1885. He found and secured the wadding at the scene of the murder and extracted the wadding from the other barrels of the shotgun and found that it was taken from the same paper, the Sacramento Weekly Bee of December 11. 1885. The cutting of the paper and the coffee stains on it matched exactly and proved an incontrovertible element in the evidence. Mr. Hilbert worked upon several other cases, displaying superior ability and acquired great credit and commendation for his expert detective work. He was very efficient in ridding the county of the criminals that infested it, through his arrest, conviction and execution of a number who had committed crime. He was first elected sheriff of the county in 1892 and filled the position so ably that he was re-elected in 1896, making a very enviable record. His deputies were J. W. Corrigall and George Hofmeister, both of whom rendered him valuable assistance.
In politics Mr. Hilbert is a Democrat, giving an unwavering allegiance to his party. He is a charter member of Parlor No. 9. Native Sons of the Golden West, and belongs to Placerville Lodge, No. 70, K. P., and has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for a number of years. Mr. Hilbert's occupation is that of an expert amalgamist, and he has located and owned a number of gold properties. He located and was the owner of the Gentle Annie mine, out of which he took considerable ore. afterward sell- ing the property to a good advantage. He is still engaged in mining enter- prises and his judgment is regarded as authority on matters connected with
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this industry, which is probably the most important followed by the citizens of California. In social life he is a true friend, and has many admirable qualities which renders him popular with his fellow citizens.
JOHN HOESCH.
One of the most prominent state officials of California is this gentleman, who is occupying the position of deputy secretary of state, and the onerous duties that devolve upon him he discharges with marked capability. fidelity and promptness. He is among the best-known and most popular Republi- cans in the commonwealth. Commanding the confidence of the leaders of the party, and richly endowed with the tact that makes and retains friends, he enjoys a well merited popularity. Few men have been so long in active politics and created so few antagonisms, or awakened so little envious criticism : and he owes much of his success and signal freedom from bitter partisan ani- mosity to his cheery bearing toward all with whom he has relations, either of a business, social or political character, and to his uniformly consistent honesty and integrity of character and through loyalty to friends and to principle.
Mr. Hoesch was born in Louisville, Kentucky, September 28, 1848, and is a son of John and Josephine ( Semonis) Hoesch. His paternal grand- parents were John and Rosina Hoesch, both of whom are natives of Ger- many. The grandfather died in Indiana, in 1831, and the grandmother died in Marysville, California, in 1874. The maternal grandparents of our sub- ject were John and Catharine Semonis, and the former passed away in Louis- ville, Kentucky, in 1850, while the latter departed this life in San Francisco, in 1892. John Hoesch, the father of our subject, was born in Germany, September 26, 1826, and became a capitalist of California. When about five years of age he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, the family locating in Indiana. His father died when he was nine years of age and he was therefore forced to begin life for himself. He secured a position as cabin-boy on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and saving his money he was eventually enabled to engage in business for himself in Louisville, Ken- tucky. In 1852 he started for California, making the journey across the plains to Sacramento. After a year he removed to Marysville, where he con- (lucted a restaurant and also engaged in other lines of business. He made judicious investments in property and became the owner of considerable real estate, which gave him standing among the capitalists of the commonwealth. His death occurred in Marysville, July 30. 1868, and his wife, who was born in Germany. April 9. 1830, departed this life in San Francisco, April 15. 1898. They were the parents of three children who are now living- Mrs. Mary Josephine Bodwell, Mrs. Annie Isabella Packard and John : and two sons and one daughter of the family are now deceased.
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