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 16
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active in causing a bitter feeling against Mr. Clark, charging him with being friendly to the Mexicans, which nearly caused Mr. Clark to lose his life.
In 1844 Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Julia R. Applebee, of Ottawa, Illinois, a niece of Senator Sanger, and to them was born a son, H. O. Clark, who is now a piano dealer in San Francisco. For forty-two years Mrs. Clark was to her husband a faithful companion and helpmeet on life's journey, but in 1886 she was called to her reward. She was a true wife and loving mother, a devoted Christian woman, and her loss was mourned by all who knew her. In 1888 Mr. Clark was again married, his second union being with Mrs. M. C. Dennis, a widow, and by her first marriage she had four chil- dren, three of whom are living. Her maiden name was Miss Fenwick, and she is a representative of a family of great respectability. Her youngest son, Ed- ward S. Dennis, is now living at home with his mother and assists Mr. Clark in the care of the farm, thus relieving him of much labor in his advanced years. Although he has passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey, our sub- ject is yet hale and healthy, and his excellent health he attributes to his absti- lience from the use of intoxicants and to his careful husbanding of his mental and physical powers. His vigorous old age is certainly a strong argument in behalf of temperance principles. Of course he gives his political support to the Prohibition party. He has gained that broad knowledge and true wisdom which only travel and experience can bring, is a man of high intellectuality, broad human sympathies and tolerance, and imbued with fine sensibilities and clearly defined principles. Honor and integrity are synonymous with his name, and he enjoys the respect, confidence and high regard of the community.
On October 20, 1875, his personal friend and brother, General A. M. Winn, the author and founder of the "Native Sons of the Golden West," at a meeting of the Sons of Temperance held in San Francisco, presented Mr. Clark with a beautifully engraved gold-headed cane, an offering from the members of the grand division, and was requested to wear it as a memento of their high appreciation of his moral worth.
JOHN MONAHAN.
Among the California pioneers of 1851 there is no one more highly esteemed than the popular public official, John Monahan, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Ireland, in the county of Tyrone, December 25, 1832. His parents were Roger and Bridget (Goodwin) Monahan, natives of Ireland and devoted adherents of the Catholic faith. They became the parents of five children, the mother dying at the age of forty-five, but the honored father lived to the advanced age of ninety.
In his native land John Monahan received his education and when thir- teen years old, in 1845, he left Ireland for America, where he learned the trade of machinist in Sing Sing, New York. When he had accumulated a sufficiency he sailed for California, where he arrived in April, 1851, and was soon working in San Francisco at his trade, finding a good opening at the establishment of the Donahue Brothers, now the Union Iron Works.
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On Christmas day of that year he came to Sonora, but returned to San Francisco, coming back to the former city two months later, since which time he has made his home here. In 1852 Mr. Monahan engaged in mining, first visiting Columbia, working placer ground until the water gave out, when he went to Jacksonville on the Tuolumne river and was very successful, as at one time he took out a nugget valued at one hundred and ten dollars, and with two companions he worked in the Tuolumne river for a time, when the find was eight ounces per day, averaging sixteen dollars an ounce. He also was employed until the fall of 1859 as an engineer in some of the mountain sawmills of the region.
For eight and one-half years following his location in Sonora, Mr. Monahan was engaged in the livery business, in partnership with A. A. Whipple, becoming also interested in other lines. For six years he served as a constable and acted as stage agent between Stockton and Sonora, in which latter position it became his duty to capture several stage robbers and secure their conviction and punishment. So efficiently did he perform all the duties of his position that he was later honored by election to the office of deputy assessor, under John A. S. Troutt for three years, and in 1878 he was appointed the assessor of the county for one year, to fill out the unex- pired term of said Troutt. He was then elected county assessor and since that time he has been re-elected for six successive terms, never having had an opponent against him for the nomination in the Republican ranks, on account of his personal popularity, the people believing so completely in his justice that he was always re-elected, defeating many popular Democratic candi- dates, and is still the county assessor. Our subject is a member of the Repub- lican party and feels it to be an honor to have voted for John C. Fremont, in 1856. In order to cast this vote for the man he so sincerely admired, Mr. Monahan was obliged to make a trip into the mountains where he had left his bag containing his naturalization papers. The rats and squirrels had committed depredations and destroyed all of his belongings except his natur- alization papers, which he yet has in good condition.
Our subject was married July 9. 1860, to Miss Catherine Fahey, a native of Ireland, a daughter of Patrick Fahey. Iler family had emigrated to Canada when she was three years old, lived a time in Vermont and she came to California in 1858. Mr. Monahan is the fortunate possessor of an accomplished and intelligent daughter, Mary R., who is his efficient deputy. Socially he is connected with the .\. O. U. W. and the Chosen Friends, being active in both organizations. He counts his friends by the number of inhabi- tants, all of whom wish him long life and prosperity.
FRANCIS J. LOCHER.
Francis Joseph Locher, of the firm of Burt & Locher, wholesale and retail grocery and provision dealers at Auburn, California, is one of the prominent and enterprising business men of the town. For a period of thirty-five years he has been a resident of California, and since 1875 he has
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maintained his home in Auburn. A brief sketch of his life is herewith presented.
Francis J. Locher was born in Grass Lake, Jackson county, Michigan, on the 22d of December, 1841, of Swiss descent. His parents, Francis J. and Martha ( Holderum) Locher, were born in Switzerland and New Jersey, respectively, and it was in 1834, when a young man, that his father came to this country, stopping first in New York. In 1837 he removed to Mich- igan and settled at Grass Lake, where he became a prominent and influential farmer, and where he spent the rest of his life and died, his death occurring in 1875, at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow survives him and still resides at the old homestead, where they settled in 1837. They had seven children, all of whom are living.
The third born in the above famliy was Francis J. His boyhood days were passed on his father's farm, assisting in the work of the farm in summer and in winter attending public school. At the age of twenty-one lie started out in life on his own responsibility, and on leaving the farm went first to the iron and copper mines in Marquette and Ontonagon, Michigan, where he remained a short time, going thence to Stillwater, Minnesota. At the last named place he engaged in the lumber business, and remained there until 1865, the year he came to California. His trip to this state was made via the Isthmus route, the Atlantic voyage in the Costa Rica, the Pacific, in the Golden Age. From San Francisco he went direct to Sacramento and thence to Bath, Placer county, where he was engaged in hydraulic and drift mining, working for three dollars a day. Subsequently he went to Truckee, where he was employed to haul logs. Thus he was occupied during the summers and in the winter he went to Silvan in the Sacramento valley, where he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land which he took from the government. After several years spent on his farm, he returned to the mines at Bath and again engaged in mining, this time as part owner of the Greek claim, out of which he made some money.
In 1875 he came to Auburn and turned his attention to work at the car- penter's trade, and from 1875 until 1883 was engaged in contracting and building. The last named year he became associated with Mr. Burt in the grocery and provision business, and from the first has prospered in this enter- prise. They do both a wholesale and retail business in all kinds of groceries and provisions and also handle hay and grain, and their success may be attributed to their keen business insight, their liberal and honorable methods and their uniform courtesy.
Mr. Locher was happily married in 1875 to Miss Marian E. Mitchell, a native of New York. Three children came to bless their union .- Albert J., Edward W. and Carrol D.,-and for nearly twenty-five years the home circle was unbroken. October 18, 1899, death claimed the beloved wife and mother. Of Mrs. Locher it is said by those who knew her best that she was a most estimable woman, kind and amiable and devoted to her family.
Mr. Locher has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1867.
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Politically he is what is called an independent. He is thoroughly posted in regard to public matters and casts his vote where he thinks it will serve the best purpose, choosing for his candidate the best man-or the one he believes best fitted for the office-regardless of party affiliation. A man of strictest integrity and enjoying a justly deserved business success, Francis J. Locher stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
CHARLES M. BECKWITH.
In no profession is there a career more open to talent than in that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful prepara- tion, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life, or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privi- leges. Unflagging application, intuitive wisdom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand, are the elements which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice ; and it is one into which none should enter without a recognition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be won, for success does not perch on the falchion of every person who enters the competitive fray, but comes only as the direct result of capacity and unmistakable ability. Possess- ing all the requisite qualities of an able lawyer, Charles M. Beckwith has attained distinction in his profession.
A native of California, Mr. Beckwith was born in Woodbridge, San Joaquin county, on the 28th of June, 1863, and is a son of Francis M. and Betsey (Quiggle) Beckwith, both of whom were natives of Ohio. His father was one of the honored California pioneers of 1850. He returned to the Buckeye state for his bride, but after his marriage again came to California, in 1858. He was a man of prominence and broad influence. He held the office of justice of the peace and presided over the first Union federal meeting held in that state for the support of the Union. He died January 20. 1863, five months before the birth of our subject, and the mother passed away in 1871. so that at the tender age of seven years Mr. Beckwith of this review was left a full orphan.
He was reared and educated by his paternal uncle, Byron D. Beckwith, pursuing his studies in the schools of Woodbridge and Lodi, supplemented by private instruction and one year's course in Oberlin College, in Oberlin, Ohio. After completing his literary education he spent several years in following different vocations, including farming and stock-raising. He was also a special agent for an insurance company, but throughout that period he carried with him the determination to make the practice of law his life work. and in 1893 he associated himself with Colonel Gus G. Grant, in Stockton, in the study of law and later spending a short time in the office of Hon. Frank HI. Gould, of San Francisco. He successfully passed the examination and was admitted to practice before the supreme court of the state of California on the 17th of November. 1893. Immediately afterward he opened an office in
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Sacramento, where he has maintained an increasing patronage and is to-day numbered among the rising young attorneys of the state.
On the 27th of November, 1895, Mr. Beckwith was united in marriage with Mrs. Annie ( Ross) Hurd, a daughter of Thomas Ross, one of the pioneer settlers of Sacramento, having come to this state from Ohio in 1849. He was prominetly identified with the busines interests of the capital city and aided in laying the foundation for the present prosperity and advancement of Sacramento. In politics Mr. Beckwith is a Republican, standing with unswerving fidelity upon the platform and supporting the principles of the party. He is a member of Woodbridge Lodge, No. 131, F. & A. M .. , is a past chief ranger of the Independent Order of Foresters, and a past regent of Capital Council, No. 1183, R. A. In his religious views he is liberal. His business qualities and his sterling worth of character have made him well known and highly esteemed at the Sacramento bar. He seldom loses a case in whose support he is enlisted, which affords the best evidence of his capabilities in the line of his chosen calling.
CHARLES DONALD SWAN.
The combination of Highland Scotch and German ancestors is one which under ordinary circumstances must make for progress and prosperity and result in citizenship of highest grade. Of such ancestry is Charles Donald Swan. of Modesto, California, county auditor and recorder of Stanislaus county. whose creditable career has not belied the promise of his nativity. Mr. Swan was born in Pike county, Illinois, January 6, 1866, a son of Donald and Ann M. (Middlekauff) Reeves Swan. His father was born on the island of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland, and when a young man emi- grated from his native town of Dunvegan to Canada. From Canada he went in 1855, to Pike county, Illinois, and located on land near Barry, where he married Mrs. Ann M. Reeves, a native of Harper's Ferry, Maryland, of the German family of Middlekauff, and where he lived until his death, at the age of seventy years. His wife surives him and is living, aged seventy-two years, with a daughter at Modesto, California. Mr. Swan was an industrious and successful farmer, a respected citizen and during all the active years of his life a devoted supporter of the Baptist church, of which his widow has been practically a life-long member.
Charles Donald Swan was educated in public schools in Pike county. Illinois, and in 1883, at the age of seventeen years, came to California, with- out money or influential friends, but with a firm determination to make his way to a good position in life. His first employment was on a ranch near Modesto. Later he handled grain in different warehouses in the county until he had saved enough money to enable him to enter a buisness college at San Francisco, where he obtained his business education. Not long afterward he married Miss Mary .A. Jones, a daughter of Levi J. Jones and a granddaughter of J. W. Jones, a highly respected California pioneer of 1849. He resumed the warehouse business and farming at Montpelier, Stanislaus county, where
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he and Mrs. Swan own a fine farm which he still operates. They have a pleasant home in Modesto, made brighter by the presence of their little son, Charles Leslie Swan, another and older son, Clare Jones Swan, having died December 7. 1897.
Mr. Swan is a Knight of Pythias, a Free and Accepted Mason, a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar. In politics he has been a life-long Repub- lican and in 1898 he was, on that ticket, elected to the office of auditor and recorder of Stanislaus county, a position which he is now serving.
JAMES F. LUCAS.
Among the residents of Placerville who are the native sons of the town is James Franklin Lucas, who now occupies a creditable position in business circles. On the 22d of December, 1853. he first opened his eyes to the light of day, his parents being W. C. and Ellen ( Johnson) Lucas. The father was one of the honored pioneers of 1849. He was born in the state of Tennes- see, and at Galena, Illinois, was united in marriage to Miss Johnson, a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia. They became the parents of five children dur- ing their residence in Galena.
When the news of the discovery of gold in California was received W. C. Lucas became imbued with a strong desire to try his fortune upon the Pacific slope, hoping to gain easily a competence that would amply provide for his family. He made the journey by way of the isthmus of Panama, and arriving in Eldorado county engaged in placer-mining in White Rock canyon, with excellent success. In 1851 he returned by the way of the water route for his family, whom he brought to California, this time making the journey across the plains, arriving September 9. 1852. On again reaching the Pacific slope he renewed his mining operations and later engaged in teaming. at a time when that business was profitable, hauling goods from Sacramento to Virginia City and other points in the surrounding country. During this time he made his home in Eldorado, locating there in 1860. He continued in the teaming business through the greater part of his remaining days and his efforts brought him a good financial return. In all business transactions he was thoroughly reliable, and he not only enjoyed the patronage but also the confidence of his fellow men. He was a worthy representative of that pio- ncer class that came to California in 1849-50 and succeeded in establishing the foundations of a commonwealth that is now second to none in the Union. Both he and his wife are valued members of the Episcopal church. He died in his forty-first year and was buried at Mud Springs. Mrs. Lucas still survives him and is now in the seventy-seventh year of her age. They had eight children, five of whom are living. James F. Lucas, the fifth in order of birth, acquired his education in the public schools of Eldorado. He and his brother walked from Eldorado to Shingle Springs to see the first train of cars that ran into that town. Mr. Lucas began work on the railroad October 18, 1873. in the position of fireman, in which capacity he served for four and one-half years, after which he was an engineer for three years, and
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in 1883 he became a conductor. He has since filled that position on the Southern Pacific branch running from Sacramento to Placerville and is one of the most trusted employes of the corporation, his long service being a high testimonial of his fidelity. He is also the proprietor of a cigar manu- factory in Placerville. Among other brands manufactured is the J. F. L. cigar, which has found a ready sale on the market, owing to its excellence.
In 1886 Mr. Lucas married Miss M. C. Burke, who was born in Fol- som, California, and is a daughter of J. J. Burke, one of the early pioneers of California who in early life took an active part in reclaiming the state for the purpose of civilization. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have been born three children,-George T., Alice Ida and Mary Ellen: In politics Mr. Lucas is a Republican. In 1900 he was chosen as one of the aldermen of his town for the first ward. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the Knight Templar's degree. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. For the past three years he has enjoyed the honor of being the high priest of his chapter, and in the commandery he is the senior war- den. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and is the captain of the uniformed rank of the latter. His life stands in exemplification of the principles of mutual help- ness that form the basic element of these fraternities. As a public officer he is true to the public trust and at all times he has contributed as he could by influence and aid to the promotion of those interests calculated to prove of benefit to the general welfare.
THOMAS H. GARTLIN.
One of the widely and favorably known citizens of Ione is Thomas H. Gartlin, assistant superintendent of the Preston School farm. He is a native of Massachusetts, born on the 19th of November, 1855, and with his parents he came to California in 1860, when only five years of age. His father, Pat- rick Gartlin, was born in county Monaghan, Ireland. He was there educated. On crossing the Atlantic he took up his abode in Massachusetts, where he was married to Miss Alice Kelly. They now own and occupy a farm on Irish Hill, in Amador county, where Mr. Gartlin is successfully engaged in agri- cultural pursuits and stock-raising. During his early residence in California he engaged in mining with gratifying success. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church, and in politics he is a Democrat. He has reached the age of seventy-five and is still actively connected with business pursuits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gartlin were born six children, two sons and four daughters, all of whom are yet living. The daughters are engaged in school-teaching and the family is one well worthy of the high regard in which it is held.
Thomas H. Gartlin, the eldest child, conned his lessons in the public schools of Amador county. For a number of years he has been engaged in hydraulic mining and has also been successfully employed in farming for some time. In 1897 he was appointed to his present position as assistant
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superintendent of the Preston School farm and in that position is serving with marked ability, for he has a comprehensive knowledge of the best meth- ods of farming so as to produce the desired results.
In 1895 occurred the marriage of Mr. Gartlin to Miss Bryson, a native of Amador county. They have one child, Clara Alice.
In his political views Mr. Gartlin is a stalwart Democrat who keeps well informed on the issues of the day and he is therefore enabled to give an intelligent support of the principles of the party. For a number of years he has served on the Democratic county central committee and has done much valuable service in the interests of his party. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed all the chairs in the order. He is also a past district deputy, has represented the subordinate lodge in the grand lodge, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His energy and earnest purpose have enabled him to work his way upward to a plane of affluence and now in business circles he occupies a leading position.
JOHN H. TINNEY.
John Henry Tinney, one of the prominent young men and successful fruit-growers of Eldorado county, is a native son of California, born October 8. 1870, at Granite Hill, on the farm where he now resides and on which his father settled at an early day in the history of this state.
His father, Henry John Tinney, was born in Somersetshire, near the Cathedral of Wells, in England, April 19, 1831, and was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Griffin) Tinney, both natives of England. Unfortunately his father died when he was a mere lad and his educational privileges were limited and his boyhood days were mostly spent at work. With the hope of bettering his condition and securing a fortune in the new world he likewise crossed the ocean, at the age of seventeen years, going direct to Chicago, where he learned the trade of sailmaking: and his spare moments were devoted to attending night school, until 1850, when he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he followed his trade and furthered his school work until 1853. He had learned of the rich gold fields in California and the fortunes that were awaiting the ones who had the courage and strength to battle with the hardships of pioneer life. He likewise determined to cast his lot in the far- off west and with a small company crossed the plains, with ox teams, landing in Placerville in the fall of 1853. For five years he was engaged in placer- mining in Eldorado county, with the usual "ups and downs" of a miner. In 1858 he located upon the ranch above referred to, where he resided for a period of thirty-nine years and where his death occurred, July 5. 1897. when he had attained the age of sixty-four years. He early turned his attention to fruit raising, beginning at first in a small way and proving the adaptibility of the soil for fruit culture, including peaches, French prunes, pears and apples, before he extended his operations. Then he planted a large portion of his land with fruit trees, of choice varieties, and gave his best efforts to their cultivation, the result being a superior product. Frequently he exhibited
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