A Volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of northern California, including biographies of many of those who have passed away, Part 12

Author: Standard Genealogical Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Standard Genealogical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 902

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 12

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To man the piratical commissions decried by its framers and created by the marvelous new constitution, was the first order of business. Among them the railroad commission was freighted with the most inviting rewards for anti-railroad reformers, who should pose as impartial judges. It was the most tempting prize in the political raffle of 1879 .- memorable for the fusion of Kearney sand-lotters with the new constitution party. The fusion

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candidates for the coveted office of Railroad Commissioner had voted for its creation and for their own eligibility as first-termers, while members of the convention. Against such a union of forces and such titles to public preference and amazement, the subject of this narrative was made once more an emergency candidate of the undefiled Democracy of his district, which, to the surprise of friend and foe, gave him nearly fifteen thousand votes.

In proportion to the population polled, it was the largest Democratic vote received by any candidate for any office, state or district, in that cru- cial and memorable campaign. For his party it was an auspicious result and converted uncompromising defeat into ultimate success; and four years later the man who had from the first confronted and denounced the new constitution as a shabby fraud on all concerned was renominated for Rail- road Commissioner by the party which he had thrice served as a forlorn hope in its direst need, and was elected by the normal Democratic majority! As was to have been expected, he was followed through the canvass and into his office by venal and vindictive hatred, inspired by past antagonisms and resulting disappointments. But, trammeled by no electioneering pledges or other prejudgment, as president of the Railroad Commission, which up to that time had been the tin horn and sport of officious and intermeddling agitators, he incurred their renewed enmity by dispensing with their patri- otic services. Thus discarding all sinister and blackmailing influences of newspapers and demagogues, he made the powers, duties, facts, figures and constitutional finalities of his office the basis and burden of its administra- tion. In doing so he substituted settled rules of evidence and of judicial fairness for the irresponsible clamor of shysters, and panders, whether on or off the commission, to public prejudice against railroad or other legiti- mate interests, subject to its jurisdiction and supervision.

Thus alone were the rulings, orders and decisions of a quasi-judicial tribunal, made in fact what they were in contemplation and presumption of law,-"just and reasonable." And in this connection it may also be said that the official record of the commission during his term of office is chiefly his in conception and execution ; and he has lived to see much, if not all of it, endorsed by his successors in office ; and so far as controverted in analo- gous cases, uniformly sanctioned by judicial decisions.

That a man whose life has been so full of exceptional situations and exacting episodes has after all a sunny soul and social side, is his greatest merit. Of him, therefore, the best things remain to be said. In 1857. while he was in the State Senate, he was married to Miss Mary A. Whit- ney, then recently from her paternal home in Wheelock, Vermont. With him she has shared and survived the vicissitudes of his busy career. Of their two sons, Prentiss is married and has a life sketch in this book; and Galusha resides with his parents, as does their daughter, Mollie, who is a gifted and cultivated musician.

At intervals for many years, subject to overruling circumstances, the paternal head of the family made the storm a shelter and was much away from home. But in recent years, as editor and proprietor of "The Mount-

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ain Democrat," the oldest and best equipped journal in Eldorado county and one of the three oldest in the state, he has devoted himself to his edi- torial and private affairs. Besides his paper he has a handsome residence in Placerville and a small suburban ranch. As a man and politician. friend and foe, his fearless courage of settled convictions and self-reliant staying qualities, inspired by clear conceptions of right and wrong, have been the dominant and decisive characteristics of his long and eventful life.

HUGH M. LA RUE.

That the plenitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life is to be considered as a most grateful and beneficial deprivation, for where ambi- tion is satisfied and every ultimate aim realized-if such is possible-there must follow individual apathy. Effort will cease, accomplishment be prostrate and creative talent waste its energies in supine inactivity. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of progress have been those to whom satiety lay ever in the future, and they have labored continuously and have not failed to find in each transition stage an incentive for further effort. Hugh M. La Rue is one whose efforts have been continuous and whose labors have won him a position among the representative business men of the state. His identification with California and its interests also covers a period greater than that of almost any other of its citizens, and no history of Sacramento county would be complete without the record of this honored pioneer.

Hugh McElroy La Rue was born August 12, 1830, in Hardin county, Kentucky, and is a representative of one of the old families of America. The family is of French lineage, the original ancestors being Huguenots, who left their native land to seek freedom of conscience in the new world. They located in Virginia,-two brothers, one of whom was Jacob La Rue, the great-grandfather of our subject. That was at an early period in the develop- ment of the Old Dominion, and representatives of the La Rue family have been pioneers of Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri and California. The grandparents of our subject were William and Sarah ( Hodgen ) La Rue, the former a native of Virginia, whence he removed to Kentucky about 1787, and died there some years later. His home was in La Rue county, which was named in his honor, and his son, Jacob H. La Rue, the father of our subject, was born December 3. 1799. in that county, where lie followed the occupations of farming and blacksmithing. Subsequently he removed to Lewis county, Missouri, but his last days were passed in California, taking up his residence in this state in 1873. His death occurred in 1884. He was a relative of Governor Helm and other prominent men in Kentucky. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah C. McElroy, who was born in Washington county, Kentucky. She was a cousin of Governor Proctor Knott. She became the mother of four children, of whom two are now living. Hugh M. and J. Hodgen, the latter a resident of Fresno, California. Her death occurred when about twenty-eight years of age. Her ancestors were Hugh and Deborah ( Dorsey ) McElroy, the former of Scotch and the latter of Irish lineage.

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The ancestors on the paternal side can be traced back in Scotland to the first half of the seventeenth century, and the family is of Celtic origin. In the latter part of the seventeenth century members of the family removed to Ire- land. The religious faith of the MeElroys was that of the Presbyterian church. The great-grandfather of Mrs. La Rue was James McElroy, who had three sons, one of whom was Hugh McElroy, who married Ester Irwin, and removed from Virginia to Kentucky in 1788. They became the parents of ten children, including Hugh McElroy, the grandfather of our subject. He mar- ried Deborah Dorsey, and his death occurred in Washington county, Ken- tucky. His widow afterward married again, and resided upon the farm where the birth of Abraham Lincoln occurred. in La Rue county, Kentucky. She was more than ninety years of age when called to the home beyond.

Hugh McElroy La Rue spent his early boyhood days in Kentucky, but when about nine years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Lewis county, Missouri, which was then largely inhabited by Indians and was situated on the very border of civilization. Our subject was thus reared among the wild scenes of pioneer life, and when not more than fifteen years of age became imbued with a strong desire to cross the plains to the Pacific coast. Even prior to the discovery of gold he was making preparations to that end, and when the news was received that the precious metal was found in California he was all the more anxious to make the contemplated trip, and became a member of the expedition to cross the plains under the leadership of V. A. Sublette and Dr. Conduitt. They crossed the Missouri river at Boone- ville and on the 2th of April. 1849. left Independence, Missouri, which was their last point within the limits of civilization. By way of the Platte river. South Pass, Sublette's cut-off and Fort Hall they traveled over the inter- vening stretches of country between Missouri and California, crossing the Truckee river about twenty-seven times in thirty miles.

On the 12th of August, they reached the Bear river mines at Steep Hol- low, and near that place during the succeeding six weeks Mr. La Rue had his first mining experience. After visiting Grass Valley, Nevada, and Deer Creek, he located at Fiddletown, Amador county, now called Oleta, being one of the first party of white men to build a cabin at that point. They discovered and operated the first mines there, and soon after their arrival they were joined by a party of men from Arkansas, among whom were several violin players. The winter being much too wet to permit of mining comfortably, they passed their time largely in violin-playing. card-playing and dancing, and thus the name Fiddletown was given to the new settlement. Subsequently Mr. La Rne went to Willow Springs, four miles west of Drytown, and pur- chased a small eating-house, which he conducted until the first of March. At that time he removed to Marysville, California, and in the spring of 1850 went on a trading expedition to Shasta, carrying with him a stock of provisions and groceries, which he sold directly from the wagon at that place to the mer- chants and miners, receiving very excellent prices, and his goods were the first to arrive there. He received forty cents a pound for flour, from a dollar to a dollar and a quarter for pork, sugar, coffee and rice, and about eight dol-

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lars a gallon for whiskies and brandies. After making one more trip to that point he came to Sacramento, in June, 1850.

In this city Mr. La Rue turned his attention to blacksmithing and wagon- making, but the cholera epidemic of that year forced him to close out his busi- ness and he went to the Norris grant,-Rancho del Paso,-where he rented a small tract of land and began the cultivation of vegetables. He was after- ward engaged in raising grain and stock, and was thus occupied until 1857, when he planted an orchard of seventy-five acres, principally in peach trees, -the most extensive orchard in the vicinity at that time. In the new enterprise he met with good success until the floods of 1861-2 damaged his orchard. Mr. Norris failed that year and Mr. La Rue then purchased the property, but the floods of 1868 utterly destroyed the tract and ended the venture.

In 1866, however, he had purchased about nine hundred acres of land in Yolo county, and, feeling the necessity of providing his children with better educational privileges and also of being nearer his Yolo ranch, to which he had added additional purchases until it was two thousand acres in extent, he removed to Sacramento. After the floods of 1868 he sold his interest in the Rancho del Paso tract and gave his attention exclusively to the Yolo ranch. He has made many improvements, and is recognized as one of the leading representatives of agricultural and horticultural interests in this section of the state. He now has about two hundred acres of vineyard, one hundred acres of almonds and ten acres of prunes. He raises all kinds of grain, and is one of the extensive and leading stock-growers in central California, making a spe- cialty of Hereford and Durham cattle and mules. In Napa county, this state, he has extensive vineyard property, and derives from his vineyard and fields a handsome income. In the cultivation of his land he has followed very pro- gressive methods, ready to adopt all practical improvements in the way of operating his land and raising grains and fruits.

May II, 1858, in Colusa county, California, Mr. La Rue was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Lizenby, a native of Lewis county, Missouri, and a daughter of Thomas and Susan ( Miller) Lizenby, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky, The father was of German lineage, was a millwright by trade, and died in Missouri in 1854, while his wife passed away in 1852. They were the parents of five children, but. Mrs. La Rue is the only one now living. She came to California with her brother in 1852, taking up her abode in Colusa county and completing her education on the Pacific coast. Unto our subject and wife have been born five children, but the only daughter, Marie Virginia, died in 1888, at the age of twenty-two years. Jacob E. married Adaline E. Rankin and has one son, Morgan E. Jacob E. com- pleted his education in the State University and is now associated with his father in extensive farming operations in Yolo county. Calhoun Lee, the sec- ond son, married Mildred L. Spires, and has one son, Elwin Lee. Calhoun Lee resides in Napa county, where he superintends his father's extensive viticultural interests. He is the present (1900) senator from his district. Hugh M. was educated in the State University, was admitted to the bar about six years ago, and is now an attorney at law at Sacramento. John R. is now

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the secretary of the Grangers' Bank of San Francisco, and assistant cashier of the Standard Oil Company, of San Francisco. He married Marie Estelle Mc- Murray.

In his political views Mr. La Rue is a Democrat, and in 1857 was a can- didate for county sheriff of Sacramento county on that ticket. He was elected by a small majority of seven or eight votes, but the case was contested in the courts and he lost the office. In 1873. however, he was elected to that office by a large majority, and discharged his duties with fearlessness and fidelity. In 1879 he was a member of the state constitutional convention and took an active part in framing the organic laws of the commonwealth. In 1863-4 he was a member of the general assembly, and was the speaker during both ses- sion .. He was a prominent factor in the movement for the erection of the exposition building and the organization of the State Agricultural Society : also in the revision of the general laws, in the county government act, the bill reorganizing the senatorial and assembly districts and the laws relating to taxes. In 1888 he was a Democratic candidate for senator, but though he ran ahead of his ticket he was defeated. In 1867 he was made a member of the State Agricultural Society, was a director for twenty years and was its presi- dent for a term of years,-in 1879, 1880 and 1882; and for many years he has been the director and superintendent of the pavilion during the expositions. While the speaker of the assembly and president of the state board of agricul- ture. he was ex-officio a member of the board of regents of the State University and was a member and the president of the board of railroad commissioners from 1895 to 1899. He was the superintendent of the Bureau of Viticulture at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Ile has been a member of Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M., for many years, and is a Royal Arch Mason. In 1856 he became a member of the Sacramento Society of California Pioneers, was made a member of its board of trustees and served as its president, and has served as the master of the Sacramento Grange.

His public and private life are alike above reproach. Honesty has char- acterized all his business dealings, and his enterprise and indefatigable effort have brought to him a high degree of success. In his fraternal relations his genial qualities and sterling worth have gained him warm friendships; in his public life he has honored the state which has honored him.

ENRICO GINOCCHIO.

From the land which Mr. Ginocchio claims as the place of his nativity came the discoverer of America, and since that time many of the worthy sons of Italy have sought and obtained homes in the new world. Promi- nent among the representatives of the latter in northern California is he whose name introduces this review, a well known member of the firm of Ginocchio Brothers, merchants of Jackson. Amador county. He was born in Italy, March 14. 1838, and is a representative of an old family of that land of blue skies and brilliant sunsets. Ilis parents were Joseph and Rosa-

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linda ( Raggio) Ginocchio. His father was a manufacturer and one of the honored citizens of the community in which he resided. He died in the eighty-fourth year of his age, and his wife reached the age of ninety-seven years, retaining her mental and physical faculties to the day of her death. Both were devoted members of the Catholic church, consistently adhering to that faith in the conduct of their lives. In their family were thirteen children, six of whom are still living.

Mr. Ginocchio, of this review, obtained his education in the land of his nativity, and when sixteen years of age the spirit of adventure prompted him to seek new scenes. He set sail for California and in January, 1853, arrived at Bear valley, Mariposa county, where he obtained a placer claim and took out considerable gold. Owing to his youth, for he had just left college, he was allowed only a half claim by the miners, but he continued his search for the precious metal at Coulterville, Mariposa county, until 1857, when the Fraser river excitement drew him to that locality. He lost all he had, how- ever, in that venture, and returning to California he resumed mining on Mugson creek, where he found a very fine nugget.

He did not, however, meet with very good success at that place in his mining ventures and accordingly turned his attention to merchandising, which he continued in Mountesume, Tuolumne, for two years. He then sold out with the intention of engaging in business in Copperopolis, but was persuaded by a friend to come to Jackson, where his uncle, E. Bruno, and C. Curotto were in business together. Mr. Ginocchio purchased an interest in their business and the firm carried on operations for two years, when our subject purchased Mr. Curotto's interest, remaining in partnership with his uncle for some time. Subsequently he became the sole proprietor and in 1866 he sent for his brother Alphonso to join him in the business. The partnership relations between them have since been maintained, each owning an undivided half of the store, which under their capable management and honorable deal- ing has steadily grown until they are at the head of the largest mercantile establishment in the county of Amador. Their store and warehouses, which are more than a block in depth, are stocked with goods from garret to cellar and embrace every line of merchandise that is in demand in Amador county. In fact their store would be a credit to a much larger place than Jackson. Their sales are very extensive. as they draw a large trade from the surround- ing country, their straightforward business methods commending them to the confidence of all. The brothers also have large and valuable mining inter- ests and are connected with the new bank operated under the name of the Mercantile Trust Company of San Francisco.

The Ginocchio Brothers enjoy a most enviable reputation in trade circles throughout northern California. They are men of enterprise and marked executive ability, and their keen discernment in business affairs has enabled them to so conduct their affairs as to gain a handsome financial return; yet they are widely known for their generosity and for their kindliness to their customers in not pressing a claim when it would have to be met at great inconvenience by the debtor. The younger brother has never mar-

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ried, but Enrico Ginocchio was united in wedlock, in July, 1871. to Miss Julia Raggio, a native of Italy and a daughter of John Raggio, of that country. Their union was blessed with four daughters and a son, namely : Joseph, a young man of excellent ability who died in 1899, at the age of nineteen years; Rosa, the wife of Frank Padesta; Lena, the wife of Frank Bergin; and Henrietta and Julia, who are students at college. The parents have a beautiful home, which Mr. Ginocchio erected in 1891. They are members of the Catholic church and enjoy the high regard of a large number of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Ginocchio deserves great credit for his success in life, and it has been gained entirely by his own well directed efforts and capable management. Adapting himself readily to the manners and cus- toms of the new world, he has overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and to-day stands upon a plain of affluence commanding the respect and admiration of his fellow men.

JOSEPH CLAYPOOLE FITHIAN.

The history of California as the state of to-day began in 1849. when from the central and eastern portions of this country men of enterprise, individuality and strong purpose made their way by land or water to the Pacific slope, there laying the foundation for the present development and advanced position of this commonwealth. It is now an honor to be num- bered among the "49ers," -- the honor to which Mr. Fithian is entitled. His residence in Amador county dates from 1856, and as one of its pioneers he well deserves representation in this volume.

He was born in Green township, Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 18th of September. 1826. The family is of French origin and was founded in America by Amos Fithian, the grandfather of our subject who left his home in France and located in Bridgeton, New Jersey, where he was married to Miss Sarah Filer of that city, and probably of one of the earliest families there. Their son, Ephraim Fithian, the father of our subject, was born in New Jersey and was married there to Miss Nancy Claypoole, also a native of the same state. Removing westward to Ohio they established their home in Green township, Hamilton county, where they reared their children. In 1852 the father came to California, by way of the isthmus of Panama, accom- panied by his wife and their daughter Matilda. They located at lone, and thence moved to Petaluma, bought and settled on a fruit farm, where he live 1 for a number of years, but subsequently removed to Anaheim, in the southern part of the state, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in his eigh- tieth year. His wife died at about the same age. They were Baptists in relig- jous faith and were people of the highest respectability.

Mr. Fithian of this review was the eldest of their five children. He enrolled as a volunteer for service in the Mexican war, but the quota was filled before he was mustered into service and consequently never went to the front. Like hundreds of other young men, the discovery of gold in California filled him with a desire to make his fortune upon the Pacific

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coast, and in 1849 he crossed the plains with a wagon and mule team. With two companions he prepared an outfit and they started with a large company. They had not been long upon the way when one of the party shot an Indian. They were followed by a band of red men who demanded the murderer. The man who fired the shot was given over to them and undoubtedly met his death at the hands of the savages. Mr. Fithian and his friends decided it was not best for them to travel with such a large com- pany and together they came on alone.

After reaching Hangtown they proceeded to Sacramento, where they arrived on the 7th of August, having completed the journey in three months. While the party were on their way to California, as they were one day riding along they were hailed by two men who were sitting under a bush. One of them was ill and had been left to die. Mr. Fithian and his companions put the sick man into their wagon and brought him with them. When they arrived at the south fork of Bear river our subject rode one of the leading mules into the stream for the purpose of finding a fording place, and as soon as the party got into the water their mules and wagon were carried down the stream and the sick man was thus upset in the water. It took some time to secure their things and the man stood in the stream with water almost to his neck. This involuntary bath, however, cured him of his fever and he was soon well again. He was William Bolt, and his com- panion was Joseph Shepherd. They were from Illinois and were well off. Mr. Fithian says he believes this was the beginning of the "water cure!"

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A Volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of northern California, including biographies of many of those who have passed away, Part 12

Author: Standard Genealogical Publishing Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago, Standard Genealogical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 902

Author: Standard Genealogical Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Standard Genealogical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 902