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 18
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Tiring of public life, he again turned to general merchandising, opening a store in Auburn, which he has since successfully conducted. His honorable business methods, his reasonable prices and unselfish dealing have secured him success, yet he has met many obstacles. On the 20th of September, 1898, two
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of his warehouses were destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of five thousand dollars. He is a man of marked perseverance and courageous spirit, however, and these qualities have enabled him to work his way steadily upward.
In 1874 occurred the marriage of Mr. Burt and Miss Ruth Augusta Eastman, a native of New Hampshire. Their union has been blessed with one daughter, Sarah Willis, who is now in school. They have one of the pleas- antest homes in Auburn and are among the most respected and prominent citizens of that place. He has ever been a stalwart Republican since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and in political circles he has attained prominence, which is a merited recognition of his ability. He has long been recognized as a leader in public thought and opinion and his influence in the legislature of the state has been beneficial. He has a wide acquaintance among the most prominent men of California and is held in the highest regard. After a pure, honorable and useful life, actuated by unself- ish methods, prompted by patriotism and guided by truth and justice, he may, in the evening of life, rest assured that the people of his county are not unmindful of those who have devoted themselves to its interests.
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS LELAND.
The same characteristics which made the pilgrims and their successors successful on a foreign shore have made their descendants successful as pio- neers in all parts of the country. This has been proven especially true in Cali- fornia, where the number of New England representatives among early set- tlers was large. One of these, Gustavus Adolphus Leland, the subject of this sketch, came to this state in the fall of 1850 and is now a well known citizen of Jamestown, Tuolumne county.
Mr. Leland is of English extraction. His first American progenitor was Henry Leland, who came over as early as the year 1700, and his father was John Leland, a native of Holliston, Massachusetts, who married Sylvia Leland, a distant relative, who also was born at Holliston. His two grand- fathers, Daniel and Oliver Leland, fought for American independence in the Revolutionary war, and each lived to be more than ninety years old. His father was a captain of militia, was a prominent man in his town and lived eighty-five years. His mother died when in her sixtieth year. John and Sylvia (Leland) Leland had thirteen children, of whom Gustavus Adolphus Leland was the youngest, and of whom he is the only one now living. One of his brothers came to California in 1849 and two of his sisters in 1855.
Gustavus Adolphus Leland was born in Holliston, Masschusetts, Novem- ber 19, 1830, and was educated in common schools near Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. For four years he sailed before the mast, and in 1850, when he was in his twentieth year, he started for Panama en route for California, on board the steamer Republic, which left New York city April 14. 1850. While helping to take in water at Panama, he was knocked senseless by a heavy cask which came in contact with his head and fell into the ocean; but
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though he was unconscious when rescued, he soon recovered from his injury and went on his journey apparently none the the worse for it.
Soon after his arrival at San Francisco, he went to Mokelumne Hill with the intention of engaging in mining, but fell a victim to ague and was obliged to return to San Francisco, where, as soon as he was able, he worked at whatever his hands found to do until January. 1851, when he went to Shaw's Flat and from Shaw's Flat to Sonora until 1853, when he went to Jamestown. For a time he did placer-mining, with some success, but went to Sonora and was a salesman in the store of Ford Brothers until the fall of 1853, when he came back to Jamestown and engaged in merchandising there with Stephen Streeter as a partner. In 1855 Mr. Leland gave up the general mer- chandising business and opened a bakery, which he conducted successfully for thirty years. He early bought one hundred and four acres of land at Jamestown from the United States government. To this he added a subse- quent purchase of about one hundred and eighty acres and eventually he sold a portion of his property to Mr. Nevils, who later transferred it to the Sierra Railroad Company, and the station building at Jamestown stands on that purchase. He is at this time the owner of considerable property, includ- ing a good home at Jamestown and a business building on the main street of the town. His house, which was built in 1856, is surrounded by fruit trees and flowers of Mr. and Mrs. Leland's own planting.
Mr. Leland was married in 1856 to Miss Frances McPhillips, a native of Ireland, who came to California in 1855, and the union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, five of whom are living. Alice is the wife of C. C. Miller, of Anaheim, Orange county, California. William lives in San Fran- cisco. John is a resident of Jamestown. Cordelia married William Symons, of Carters. Thomas B. W. is a physician and lives in San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Leland have three grandchildren.
Mr. Leland has been a Republican since the organization of that party and while never an active politician he has always labored quietly and respect- ably for the success of Republican principles. Public education has always had in him a true friend, and he has filled the office of school trustee and has other- wise done all within his power to elevate the educational standard of his town and county.
DANIEL A. RUSSELL.
Daniel 1. Russell, a prominent citizen and business man of Colfax, Placer county. California, is a native of the Golden state, and dates his birth at Georgetown, December 21. 1857. The Russell family, of which Daniel A. is a representative, is of Scotch origin. His father. Daniel Russell, and mother, nee Elizabeth Duncan, were born, reared and married in Scotland, and in 1843, with their first child, William, sought a home in America. This son, William Russell. is now a resident of Santa Clara, California. For several years after their arrival in this country the family made their home in Kansas City, where two daughters were born: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wardwell: and Nellie, the wife of Fayette Moore. In 1853 the parents
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with their three little children crossed the plains, with ox teams, to Cali- fornia, landing, after a long and tedious journey, at Georgetown, Eldorado county, where the father engaged in merchandising and where they made their home until 1857. That year they removed to Salmon Falls and he turned his attention to stock-raising and later to teaming, freighting between Sacramento and Virginia City, at that time a profitable business. His son William was then old enough to drive a team, and was of valued assistance to the father in freighting, which they conducted together successfully until the advent of the railroad. The elder Russell was a man of sterling integ- rity and was well known and much respected by the early pioneers of the locality in which he lived and through which he traveled. He was a worthy member of the Masonic order. Both he and his good wife have long since passed away, his death having occurred in 1871; hers in 1867, and side by side they rest at Salmon Falls in Eldorado county. Three children were added to their family circle after their removal to California, namely: Katie, now Mrs. William Pearson; John H., a resident of Santa Cruz; and Dan- iel A.
Daniel A. Russell. the direct subject of this sketch, was educated at Salmon Falls and Rattlesnake Bar, and at the early age of sixteen showed his independence by starting out to take care of himself. His first venture was stock-raising and buying and selling cattle, in which he was successful from the start. He did a large business, supplying the butchers of the adjoining counties, and later also carried on a butcher business of his own in Auburn, New Castle. Forest Hill, Iowa Hill and Colfax; was also for five years in the saloon business at Iowa Hill. In December, 1898. he concen- trated all his interests at Colfax, where he has the exclusive control of the meat-market business of the town. He owns valuable real estate here, includ- ing the opera house. the building in which his market is located, and his residence. one of the most attractive homes in Colfax.
Mr. Russell was happily married, in January. 1882, to Miss Lizzie Lautgroff, of Green Valley. Eldorado county, California, a daughter of Antone Lautgroff, and their home is made cheerful by the presence of three children, viz. : Melvin. Edna and Donna.
Mr. Russell is a member of the I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M.
HERMAN M. ALBERT.
Among the prominent lawyers of Colusa is Judge Herman M. Albery, who has practiced at the bar of this state for twenty-three years, winning an enviable reputation by his erudition and ability to give to each point of the case its due prominence, his force of argument and his mastery of the intricate problems of jurisprudence. He is now occupying the bench of the superior court, and. thoroughly versed in the principles of law, he is indee'1 capable of handling the involved questions which present themselves for solution. Ilis success and standing at the bar afford the best evidence of liis capability.
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The Judge was born in Franklin county. Ohio, October 12. 1851, and traces his ancestry back to John Albery, a native of England, who came to the United States soon after the Revolutionary war. He was married, in Maryland, to a German lady, who was born in Pennsylvania, and about the year 1804 they removed to Licking county, Ohio, where he lived to a ripe old age. They were farming people and had the respect of all who knew them in the locality in which they made their home. Their family num- bered seventeen children, including seven pairs of twins, but five of the children died in youth. The others located in Licking and Franklin counties, Ohio, where they followed agricultural pursuits and had large families. Among the children of the next generation were judges, lawyers, doctors, mechanics, civil and operative engineers and ministers of the gospel, these departing from the business to which their parents and grandparents had devoted their lives. Mr. Albery, the father of our subject and the son of John Albery, the English emigrant, was born in Ohio and was married in Franklin county, that state, in 1832, to Miss Sarah Baldwin, a daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Keepers) Baldwin, the former of French and the latter of Scotch lineage. Her father was a native of the Empire state, was a millwright by trade and in New Jersey married Miss Keepers, whose birth occurred in that state about 1774. In 1814 they removed to Muskingum county, same state, and later to Franklin county, where both attained an advanced age. They had two sons and five daughters, the sons being Thomas, who died in 1847; and Isaac, a carpenter residing in Sonoma county, California.
Mr. and Mrs. Albery, the parents of the Judge, resided in Franklin county, Ohio, until 1863, when they removed to Mercer county, that state, where the mother died in 1869. the father, however, spending his last days in Iowa, where his death occurred in 1872. They had eight sons and four daughters, four of whom-Keepers, Morgan, John Wesley and Herman Meir-reside in northern California. The first named is a lawyer at Wil- low. Glenn county. John Wesley resides at Butte City and is the super- visor of the fifth district. in Glenn county. Morgan is a carpenter, mill- wright and engineer and resides in Inwood, Shasta county. Martin is a carpenter, making his home in Celina, Mercer county, Ohio. Richard is the proprietor of a mill and electric plant in Covington, Miami county, Ohio. Amanda is the wife of J. J. Ayers, a chief engineer at Logansport. Indiana. Mary Jane is the wife of a Mr. Lyon, who resides on a farm near Pleasant- ville. Marion county, Iowa. The other four children have long since been dead.
Judge Albery spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in the Buck- eye state and pursued his preliminary education in an old log school-house furnished with crude benches. In 1864 he removed with his parents to Mercer county, Ohio, where he remained until the fall of 1871, when, at the age of nineteen years, he bade adien to his old home and went to Iowa, locating near Des Moines. He attended school there, earning the money with which he paid his tuition by working at the carpenter's bench. In December. 1873. he returned to Ohio on a visit and while there entered the
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law office of his brother at Celina, in Mercer county, continuing his read- ing until February, 1876, when he was admitted to the bar before the supreme court of the Buckeye state. He then determined to follow Horace Greeley's advice, "Go west, young man; go west," and with borrowed money he made his way to California. In that year a history had been published, giving an account of every county in the United States, and his perusal of this volume led him to select Lane county, Oregon, as his destination. On his way he visited his brother in Colusa county, California, and eventually reached Eugene City, Oregon, where he remained six weeks, and after visiting sev- eral other places in Oregon he returned to California, going to his brother's home, where he resumed work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed until he had accumulated one hundred dollars. It was his intention, how- ever, to devote his energies to the practice of law, and in the spring of 1877 he started out in search of a location, and at length arrived in Colusa with seven dollars and a half in his pocket, having traveled extensively in the meantime.
Since July, 1877, Judge Albery has been a resident of this place and has won distinctive preferment as a representative of the bar. He was twice elected district attorney and ably conducted the litigated interests which devolved upon him. He cast his first presidential vote for General Han- cock, in 1880, and has since been a supporter of the Democracy. In 1896 he was elected superior judge for a six-years term and is therefore filling the position at the present time. His decisions are models of judicial sound- ness, for perspicuity and comprehensive legal knowledge. He leaves no one in doubt as to his position concerning any suit and his opinions stand the test of the closest criticism.
On the 29th of December. 1881, Judge Albery was united in marriage to Mrs. Florence L. ( Hatch) Kirk, a daughter of Hon. F. L. Hatch, now deceased. Mrs. Albery had two daughters by her first husband. and by the second marriage has a son, Herman, who is yet in school. She attends the Episcopal church, is an accomplished musician and a lady of culture and refinement, enjoying the warm regard of many friends.
JOHN W. SURFACE.
In modern times and to a large extent in the past, banks have constituted a vital part of organized society, and governments, both monarchical and popular, have depended upon them for material aid in times of depression and trouble. Their influence has extended over the entire world, and their prosperity has been the barometer which has unfalteringly indicated the financial status of all nations. Of this important branch of business John Whitten Surface is a worthy representative, he and his son Jacob being the owners of the bank at lone, Amador county, California, where they are conducting a perfectly reliable institution, which now receives a liberal and constantly growing patronage.
Mr. Surface is one of the prominent and early settlers of this state. IIe
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was born in Henry county, Missouri, on the 18th of November, 1833, and is of German lineage, his ancestors having come to America from the father- land at an early day. The first of the name to locate in Virginia was Jacob Surface, the great-grandfather of our subject, who was German Lutheran in his religious faith. The grandfather, who also bore the name of Jacob, was born in Virginia, as was Jacob Surface .- the third,-the father of our subject. Each generation of the family has used the name of Jacob. The grandfather removed with his family from Virginia to Indiana, becoming a pioneer settler of the Hoosier state. He located there a large tract of land, which he later divided with his children. Jacob Surface, the father of our subject, accompanied his parents on their removal to Indiana and was there reared amid the wild scenes incident to life on the frontier. He married Miss Almyra Cecil, and they became the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom three sons and a daughter are yet living, two of the sons being in Ione, while the third is in Los Angeles, California. Esther 1. Neill, now the only surviving daughter, resides in Seattle, Washington. The father of these children removed to Missouri, and died in that state, at the early age of thirty-three years, although his father had attained the age of eighty years. His wife survived him, and, coming to California, died, in Ione, in the sixty-ninth year of her age. The Surface family, in its earliest history, were farming people, of the highest respectability, and were members of the Christian church.
Mr. Surface of this review was the second child in his father's family. He is largely self-educated, and is a man of much practical information and ability. In 1852, when only seventeen years of age, he crossed the plains to California, accompanied by his mother, two sisters and two brothers. They made the journey with ox teams, leaving their Missouri home on the 15th of May and arriving at Volcano, Amador county, on the 17th of September. Fifty people made the trip together, and there was much sick- ness, the cholera being prevalent that year: but Dr. Fitchew, a most able physician, was of the party. and was instrumental in saving the lives of those who were ill. They passed through the Indian country in safety, and settled first in Dry creek valley, where Mr. Surface and his brothers engaged in farming, raising grain and stock. The property on which the family located is still known as the Surface ranch.
In 1861 Mr. Surface of this review went to Lewiston, Idaho, where he engaged in prospecting. In 1863 he returned to Ione, where he engaged in the livery business, in which he continued successfully for twenty-nine years, making and saving money. During that time he also gained a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the county, and became recognized as a very reliable business man. During most of that time he was in part- nership with Robert Ludgate, who died in 1878, after which Mr. Surface and his brother became sole owners of the business. In 1895 the former opened the bank, under the firm name of J. W. Surface & Son, the latter being Jacob Surface, who was born in Amador county and is a very capable
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and reliable young business man. They do a general banking business and from the beginning have met with creditable and gratifying success. Mr. Surface was also one of the founders of the Amador flouring-mill, and is also a member of the Brighton Milling Company, in Sacramento. He and his son have a fourth interest in twenty-three hundred acres of land in Contra Costa county, which rents for seven dollars per acre and is yearly growing in value, and is used for raising potatoes. They also have property in Oakland and Santa Cruz, and in Ione have a one-half block, on which they have one of the finest residences in the town, together with other val- 1table real estate liere.
In 1866 occurred the marriage of Mr. Surface and Miss Mary C. Rector, a native of Arkansas and a daughter of James P. Rector, who came to California in 1855. Their union has been blessed with three daughters and a son1. The daughter, Susie A., is now the wife of M. C. Harris, of San Francisco; Lucy H. is the wife of L. A. Moberry, assistant cashier in the bank at Ione; and Ethel A. is at home. The family attend the Presbyterian church, taking an active and zealous interest in its work. Mr. Surface was largely instrumental in the erection of the church, and his son Jacob is now acting as one of its trustees.
In 1855, when he attained his majority, he became a Free and Accepted Mason, and has most acceptably passed through the different branches of the order and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. His son Jacob, also, when he attained his majority, became a member of the Masonic fraternity, passing through all its branches, including the Mystic Shrine. He has filled all the offices in the blue lodge and chapter, and is a thoroughly well informed Mason. He has been a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for over twenty years and also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is also a trustee of the Masonic and the Odd Fellows lodges. He is a good citizen and successful and reliable business man and stands very high in the county in which he has so long resided. The cause of education has always found in him a warm friend, and for twenty-five years he has served as a trustee of the Ione schools, doing all in his power to advance their standard and promote intellectual activity in the community.
In politics he has been a lifelong Democrat, but is not strongly partisan. For a number of years he took a very active part in county and state politics, but more recently has devoted his attention to his business and local interests, outside the pale of politics. Through more than forty years' residence in Amador county he has been a substantial factor in the material upbuilding and improvement of this part of the state, and well deserves honorable mention in its history as one who has ever been true to his duties of citizen- ship and faithful in all business and social obligations. He was elected township assessor, serving for four years, and in 1865 was elected the asses- sor of Amador county, in which position he was retained by re-election for six successive years.
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FREDERICK BIRDSALL.
Frederick Birdsall, now deceased, was one of the most prominent pio- neers of northern California, the year 1850 witnessing his arrival in the state. He was born in Peekskill, New York, in 1829, of Holland lineage, repre- senting one of the prominent New York families that was established in the Empire state during the pioneer epoch of its development. His educa- tion was obtained in New York city, and when in his twenty-first year, having heard of the gold discoveries in California, he sailed around Cape Horn, making his way by the Pacific ocean to San Francisco. He thence came to Paradise, Placer county, where for some time he was engaged in selling supplies to the miners. Subsequently he was the owner of a silver mine in Nevada and very successfully engaged in its operation for a number of years. He afterward sold the property and removed to Sacramento, where he was connected with a number of prominent enterprises of the city that contributed not only to his individual prosperity but was also of marked benefit to the public. He was the builder of the narrow-gauge railroad from Lodi te Valley Springs, in Calaveras county, and afterward sold it to the Southern Pacific Railroad Company.
In 1887 he purchased the heights above Auburn, a beautiful, sightly, attractive tract, and with characteristic energy began the improvement of the property. He named the place Acolia, laid out drives, built a beautiful residence. planted an olive orchard and otherwise added to its value and attractive appearance. He sold a few lots to persons who have built elegant homes thereon ; but the Birdsall family still retain possession of sixty-five acres, on which they have eight thousand fine olive trees and are now erect- ing an olive-oil manufactory. In the midst of the successful conduct of his numerous business undertakings, however, Mr. Birdsall became ill and passed away on the 23d of April, 1900, at the age of seventy-one years. five months and fourteen days.
In 1866 he was happily married to Miss Esther Stratton, a native of Marietta, Ohio. a nost estimable lady. Their union was blessed with five children, three of whom are living, namely: Etta Tylor, Jane and Ernest Stratton. The last named is now managing the estate, and to him we are indebted for the material which furnishes the substance of this brief account of his hondred father. The daughters are at home with their mother in Sacramento, but the son resides in his beautiful home in Acolia Heights. He was born in Sacramento June 27. 1876, and was educated in the State University at Berkeley. On putting aside his text-books he became asso- ciated with his father in the improvement of Acolia Heights. He was mar- ried, en the 7th of January, 1899, to Miss Mabel Blair, a native of Placer- ville. Eldorado county. He belongs to California Lodge. No. I. F. & A. M .. of San Francisco, and is a progressive, enterprising business man who has a bright future before him.
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