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 102
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business now, save the management of his property interests, but through his own efforts he has become one of the capitalists of California.
In 1858 Mr. Batcher was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kort, a native of Germany, and to them have been born two children,-Mary, wife of A. P. Booth, by whom she has a daughter, Elsie M. ; and John H., who was mar- ried September 12, 1883. to Maggie Muer, by whom he has two daughters, Rena and Edna. To the children of Mr. Batcher the educational privileges of Sacramento were extended and thus they were well fitted for the practical duties of life. In his political views Mr. Batcher has been a stalwart Repub- lican since the organization of the party and has been a leading factor in political circles. He has served as a member of the state central committee and has been chairman of the city central committee. In this way he has largely promoted the welfare of the party and has labored untiringly in its growth and success. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a charter member of the Order of Elks, and belongs to the Pacific Coast Commercial Travelers' and the Travelers' Protective Associa- tions, being president of the latter since its organization. His capability in controlling extensive business interests and his wisdom in making judicious investments have brought to him wealth that is well deserved, and in busi- ness circles he gained an unassailable reputation. While prominent in the councils of the Republican party in Sacramento, while a public-spirited citizen whose name is connected with nearly every movement that promises good for society, while conspicuously connected with social and fraternal organiza- tions, his chief interest has centered in his business and he is justly proud of the honorable name which he bears among commercial representatives.
CECIL CORWIN.
Among the younger representatives of professional life in Nevada county is Dr. Cecil Corwin, who has achieved success in the practice of dentistry and is now enjoying a liberal and constantly increasing patronage. The Doctor is a native of Oregon, his birth having occurred in Tillamook county on the 26th of June, 1871. His father, Samuel Corwin, was a native of Canada, born February 19, 1834, and the ancestors were from Ohio. They had removed to Canada, but later returned to the United States, locating in Iowa, where Samuel was reared to manhood. He came to California with the pioneers of 1852, and ten years later removed to Oregon, where he engaged in mining and merchandising. His death occurred in 1883. During his residence in Oregon he was united in marriage to Miss Emeline A. Richard- son, a native of that state and a daughter of Clayton Richardson, who was one of the first emigrants to that state, taking up his abode there in 1842. The mother of our subject is still living and now makes her home in Auburn. California.
Dr. Corwin is the youngest in a family of three children. lle was reared in the Golden state, acquiring the greater part of his education in the public schools of Oakland, where he was graduated in 1886. After a
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period of clerical and railroad service with the Central Pacific system he began the study of dentistry in the office and under the direction of Dr. Crechbaum, and was graduated in the dental department of the University of California with the class of 1891. He practiced his profession in the city of Oakland for seven years and then located in Grass Valley, where he has since secured a large and lucrative patronage. He is thoroughly conversant with the science of dentistry, and is an expert in the use of its mechanical appliances, so that his labors are crowned with a high degree of success.
On the 8th of April, 1895. the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Bessie F. Hall, a native of Alameda county and a daughter of Alwell R. Hall, of Maine, who came to California in 1853, and has been county assessor of Alameda county for eighteen years. Dr. and Mrs. Corwin have one child, Cecil M. Politically Dr. Corwin is an active Republican, and socially he is connected with the American Order of United Workmen, of Grass Val- ley. For several years he has been a member of the State Dental Association and keeps thoroughly abreast with all the improvements that are being made along professional lines. He is recognized as one of the prominent and suc- cessful citizens of his adopted town, being active in support of all measures which he believes will prove of public benefit.
THOMAS H. CARR.
Thomas H. Carr was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the IIth of April, 1850, and is now a resident of Nevada City, California. He is the youngest in a family of eight children born to James and Sarah E. ( Donohen ) Carr, both natives of Ireland. The father came to America in 1818, locating in Ohio in 1826, and in 1868 he made the voyage to California by way of the isthmus route. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, how- ever, his death occurring in 1869. By occupation he was a farmer. His wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1893.
Thomas H. Carr obtained his education in the public schools and was graduated in the normal school of the state. He was a youth of eighteen when he came with his parents to the Pacific slope. His boyhood days were spent upon the home farm and he was ever familiar with the work of fields and meadows, but after his arrival in California he engaged in teaching school for twelve years, proving a most capable instructor. For three years he held the office of deputy county clerk, and later engaged in the drug business for three years. He was again called to public service by appointment as deputy assessor, in which office he served for four years, and in 1880 he was elected to represent Yuba county in the state legislature, where he took an active part in advocating many measures which have proven of great good to the commonwealth. He served for one term as justice of the peace, and in 1887 was elected city trustee, which position he has since filled, covering a period of more than twelve consecutive years. He was also a candidate for secretary of state in 1883. but the Democratic party met defeat at that time. For twenty years he has been a member of all the state conventions, and his
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counsels carry weight in such political organizations. He now represents several old-time insurance companies and is doing a good business in that way.
On the 30th of May, 1873, Mr. Carr was united in marriage, in Trinity county, California, to Miss Ella M. Husen, of Illinois, a daughter of W. C. Husen, who came to California in an early day. Their children are: Leo F., Agnes C., Sadie J., Clarence C., Eugene E., Ernest C. and Lena M., but the last named is now deceased. Mr. Carr belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Sacramento, to the Hibernians, the Legion of Honor and to the Order of Pendo. He is a communicant of the Catholic church. His public service has been worthy of the highest commendation, for he is ever faithful to his duty and the trust reposed in him.
A. J. WILSON.
A. J. Wilson is a well-known business man of Sacramento and is num- bered among the native sons of California, his birth having occurred in the capital city on the 22d of April, 1864. His father, Jesse W. Wilson, who has long been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of the city, is now in Europe, having gone abroad in connection with his business inter- ests. He was born in the Buckeye state and at the present writing is sixty- seven years of age, although one not acquainted with this fact would take him to be not more than fifty-five. He is hale and hearty. possessing the energy of a much younger man and is still an active factor in the business life of Sacramento. During his early boyhood he removed with his parents from Ohio to Granville, Indiana, where he was reared and educated. In 1854 he came to California and for many years he has been engaged in deal- ing in horses, and in connection with his sons conducts the largest and best equipped livery stable in the city, catering to a very fashionable patronage. In politics he has been a prominent factor, and his fellow townsmen, recogniz- ing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. He lias served as fire commissioner, as coroner, as supervisor and as county sheriff. filling the last named office for eight years. He is now a member of the state board of agriculture. After his arrival in California he was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Ryan, a lady of Irish birth, who came to the Golden state in 1859. Their family includes four children, A. J., of this review. being the eldest.
Mr. Wilson, whose name introduces this sketch, spent his youth in Sacra- mento and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational priv- ileges which were afforded him. He made good use of his opportunities, gaining knowledge that well fitted him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He has been connected with his present business from boyhood. He is a well-known horseman of Sacramento. His judgment of the noble steed is rarely at fault and is based upon practical experience, covering a long con- nection with the business. The firm of Wilson & Sons enjoys a very liberal patronage and carries a very large line of handsome and stylish turnouts, while the stables are filled with a high grade of horses.
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On the 10th of October. 1890, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Josey Sellinger, a native of California and a daughter of Charles Sell- inger, of Sacramento. They now have an interesting family of four chil- dren. namely : Irene MI., Jessie W., Clara M. and Josey. Mr. Wilson is connected with the Native Sons of California, the Order of Foresters and the Y. M. I. In politics he is an ardent Republican and does all in his power to secure the success of the party. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded to him due recognition of labor. H interests are thoroughly identified with those of the west and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
DANIEL W. CARMICHAEL.
For twelve years Daniel Webster Carmichael has been a resident of Sacramento, connected with its business, political and social advancement. He is distinctively American and has aided in developing at this place .a typical American city, whose progress and enterprise are worthy of the spirit of the west. He is now a member of the firm of Curtis, Carmichael & Brand, who are in control of one of the largest real-estate and insurance businesses in the capital city. In the real-estate business the fact is especially apparent that realty is the basis of all security. This basis is found in the knowledge and probity of those through whom the transactions are conducted. In view of this fact there is probably no one in Sacramento possessing more of these qualifications than Daniel W. Carmichael. He has been connected with some of the largest sales of property that have been made here during the past decade, and his business interests have been closely interwoven with the history of the city. This knowledge, together with his experience, is an invaluable aid to investors and has enabled hin to contribute materially to the substantial improvement of Sacramento.
Mr. Carmichael is a native of Georgia, his birth having occurred in Cherokee county February 15. 1867. The Carmichaels are of Scotch extrac- tion, the first of the family in America being William Carmichael, the great- grandfather of our subject, who emigrated to the United States during the close of the eighteenth century and served in the war of 1812 as a member of the American army. William M. Carmichael, the father of our subject, was born in North Carolina and after attaining his majority married Miss Evaline Fincher, a native of Georgia and a daughter of Joseph Fincher, who was born in the Hawkeye state, whence he removed to Georgia. They were married in the latter place and have had six sons and a daughter.
Daniel Webster Carmichael, the sixth in order of birth, was reared to manhood in Georgia and acquired his education in the public schools. His early life was devoted to farming, and in January, 1885. he came to Cali- fornia, where for a year he engaged in agricultural pursuits near Modesto. Later he took up his abode in the city of Stockton and in order to further prepare for the responsible duties of life he entered the Stockton Business
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College, completing a course in that institution in 1887. Immahately after- ward he located in Sacramento and for several years held the position of book- keeper in the house of Kendall & Company. He then became a member of the firm of Curtis, Carmichael & Brand, real-estate and insurance brokers, doing business at Fourth and J streets. This is perhaps the best organized real-estate firm in the county and controls a greater amount of business than any other. They handle property throughout the entire section of northern California, and also negotiate large money loans, collect rents, write deeds, mortgages and other legal documents. A specialty is made of handling prop- erty and transacting business for non-residents. The firm was organized January 1. 1895, and was incorporated on the 15th of February of the fol- lowing year. Each member of the firm is a thorough-going and reliable busi- ness man and the enterprise has been most successful from the beginning, their patronage constantly increasing. Mr. Carmichael is the secretary and treasurer of the Sacramento Oil Company, which was incorporated in Feb- ruary, 1899. They own and operate wells in the Kern river district in Kern county, this state.
Mr. Carmichael was married in Sacramento, January 12, 1892, to Miss Mirtie Robb, a native of Nevada. In politics he is associated with the pro- gressive wing of the Democratic party and takes an active interest in political matters. In 1895 he was elected city treasurer, which position he acceptably filled until 1897. Socially he affiliates with the A. F. & A. M., the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Order of Elks. In office he is resolute. (letermined, enterprising and at all times thoroughly honest, and in social life he is a courteous, affable gentleman. Above all, wherever he is f. und, whether in public or in private life, his integrity is above question and his honor above reproach. Sacramento owes much to him and numbers him among her valued citizens.
JOHN W. BARRETT.
Iowa has given to California many citizens who have attained prom- inence in different ways, and one of the best known of these is John Walter Barrett, manager of the West Coast Lumber Company at Carters, Tuolumne county. Mr. Barrett was born at Dubuque, Iowa. December 19. 1844. a son of John and Mary (Guinan) Barrett. His father and grandfather Barrett were both born at Baltimore, Maryland, and his mother was a native of Paris, France. The Barretts descended from an old English family and emi- grated early from Liverpool to Maryland, and John Walter Barrett, the grand- father of the present John Walter Barrett, fought for American independence in the Revolutionary war. The parents of Miss Guinan died of cholera. and while she and her brother were en route for New Orleans she first met John Barrett, whom she soon married. After they were married they located at Galena, Illinois, where Mr. Barrett was employed at lead-mining. Hle soon acquired land and mining interests and owned considerable property in Iowa across the river from Galena. He died of typhoid fever in 1844 and left a
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wife and six children. He was in his twenty-ninth year at the time of his death and his wife survived him many years, dying at the age of sixty-eight. She was an estimable woman, a life-long member of the Christian church and exerted herself to the utmost to bring up her children to good and useful lives. Three of her sons are living at this time.
Mr. Barrett was educated in his native town, learned the carriage-maker's trade and worked at it for four years. He then turned his attention to mill construction and became an expert millwright, and as such has achieved great success. He came to California in 1866, arriving on the 10th of May, and located in San Francisco, and since then has devoted much of his time to building sawmills on the Pacific coast and has achieved a reputation second to no other in his field of endeavor. He built the mill of the company by which he is now employed at Carters, and as the manager of that and the company's other extensive interests there has achieved a notable business suc- cess. The sawmill has a capacity of one hundred and fifteen thousand feet per day, and the company owns in connection with it sixty thousand acres of land heavily timbered with yellow and sugar pines, and has a large depart- ment store, also under Mr. Barrett's supervision.
While not in the ordinary sense a politician, Mr. Barrett has pronounced views on all political questions and is active in the furtherance of such inter- ests as he deems worthy of advancement. He is a self-made man who deserves the high position he has gained and fills it honorably and capably, with great credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the corporation he serves.
ROBERT O. CRAVENS.
While this gentleman is numbered among the pioneers of the Pacific coast and has been an important factor in the development and progress of California, his ancestors were among the early settlers of the Atlantic coast. In the year 1730 William Cravens, the great-great-grandfather of our sub- ject. crossed the broad Atlantic to the new world. He was a native of county Louth, Ireland, and took up his abode in Virginia in 1730. John, the great- grandfather, was born in Ireland and came with his parents to America. His son, Joseph, was born in the Old Dominion in 1769 and became the paternal grandfather of our subject. The father of the Judge was John Cravens, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1797. He mar- ried Ruhama Chapline. On the maternal side the ancestry of Mr. Cravens can be traced back in direct line to the year 1092, the first known ancestor being John Nourse. Ruhama Chapline was a native of Washington county, Maryland, born March 26, 1805. and was of English lineage, although several generations of the Chapline family had resided in Maryland.
Judge R. O. Cravens was born January 13, 1829. in Harrisonburg, Vir- ginia, and was the third in the order of birth in a family of ten children. With his prents he removed to Missouri, in 1839, and his early life was passed upon his father's farm. His father, however, was a physician, and
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in connection with the management of his landed interests he engaged in the practice of medicine. Our subject acquired his education in a private school and in 1850 he started across the plains for California, making the long and arduous journey across the sandy deserts and through the mountain passes to the Pacific coast. He journeyed by way of the old emigration trail, passing by Fort Hall on Snake river, and after one hundred and twenty days spent upon the road, arrived in Sacramento. Here he sold the stuff which he had brought with him and for a time he engaged in teaming, but later went to the mines near Georgetown, Eldorado county, where he spent the summer of 1851, being very successful in his mining ventures. He next engaged in merchandising at the Yankee Jim mines in Placer county, where he remained for several years. In that period, when disorder ruled to some extent, he was elected justice of the peace, in 1853. and aided in maintaining the law. The position was one which demanded great bravery and fearlessness on the part of the incumbent and at all times the Judge was faithful to his duty and the trust reposed in him.
Determining to make the practice of law his life work. Judge Cravens began studying in the office of General Joseph Hamilton, of Auburn, and after his admission to the bar engaged in the practice of law in Auburn until 1870, when he returned to Sacramento. His fellow townsmen recognized his worth and ability and called him to public office, and various appointments have retained him in the public service for many years. He was appointed state libarian, which position he held for twelve years, and during President Cleveland's first term of office he was deputy internal revenue collector. On his retirement from that position he was elected police justice and served for one term, after which he again became connected with the state library. hold- ing his position for four years. He has ever been most loyal to the trusts reposed in him and his service has been efficient and capable. In politics he has always been a stalwart Democrat and was especially active in the work of the party during his residence in Auburn.
March 4. 1855. Judge Cravens was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Robinson, a native of New York, and they had two children, but Fannie E., the eldest daughter, born September 23, 1870, died July 23. 1892. Mary R., the younger, was born July 19, 1880, and is at present a student at Stan- ford University. Socially the Judge affiliates with Tehama Lodge. No. 3, F. & A. M., and has filled all the chairs of the order. He has also taken the Royal Arch degree of Masonry, and he and his family are consistent members
of the Episcopal church. Not all men order their lives to their liking, nor yet are all men true to themselves in living as near to their ideals as possible and attaining to such heights as their talents and opportunity render accessible. In recording the history of Judge Cravens, however, we write of one who has done much and has done it well .- wherein all honor lies. Not a pre- tentious or exalted life has been his, but one that has been true to itself and its possibilities and one to which the biographer may revert with a feeling of respect and satisfaction.
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MARTIN A. SCHELLHOUS.
From the early period in the pioneer development of California until the time of his death Martin Andrew Schellhous was a highly esteemed resident of California, his last days being spent near Roseville. He was born in Ohio in July, 1819, and was of German lineage. His paternal grandfather came from Germany to America about 1756, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was with Washington at Valley Forge and was wounded in two battles. The maternal grandparents, named Anderson, were Scotch people and emigrated from Vermont to Ohio about 1812, locating in Huron county. The father of our subject was born in Vermont in 1790, and became a resident of Ohio in 1808. In 1812 he commanded a brigade under General Harrison, and after the war settled in Huron county, where he opened up a farm. In 1831 he removed with his family to Michigan, which was then a territory, and in 1835 he was elected a delegate to the con- vention which framed the first constitution of the state. Afterward he was also a member of the legislature for a number of years. He died on his farm in Michigan on the fifty-ninth anniversary of his birth, passing away January 1, 1849.
Martin A. Schellhous, his eldest son, pursued his education in the dis- trict schools at intervals until eighteen years of age and was then sent to the State University, where he remained for several years pursuing the higher branches of learning. He remained in Michigan until March, 1849, when he started across the plains to California. Marshall had discovered gold, others had seen evidences of the precious metal and news of the rich finds had reached the east. Many young men had crossed to the Pacific coast with the hope of rapidly acquiring a fortune and among the number was Martin Schellhous. He traveled with a company of friends and neighbors, the journey being made across the plains with ox teams. They did not reach Salt Lake until August and there exchanged their outfit for pack horses, as it was too late in the season to cross the country with ox teams. When they had proceeded about two hundred miles their company was fired upon by about four hundred Indians. This was about one o'clock in the after- noon. The emigrants returned the fire and the battle lasted until night. The Indians killed two of the company and stampeded all of their horses, also carrying away all of the provisions and blankets.
With the aid of some Mormons, who were going from California to Salt Lake, Mr. Schellhous and the other members of the company returned to that place, where they obtained some mules and provisions, and in November. 1849. they again started for the Golden state by the Santa Fe route, reaching Los Angeles in February, 1850, after a long and painful journey. They then chartered a small sail- ing vessel and in that way proceeded to San Francisco, where they arrived in April. There taking passage on another vessel up the Sacramento river, they finally reached the mines. Mr. Schellhous and his brother engaged in placer mining and soon took out between five and six thousand dollars. In the fall of 1851 he returned to Michigan with the intention of returning to
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