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 20
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very active interest in politics, and, though he never sought or desired office for himself. labored earnestly to promote the growth and insure the suc- cess of his party. All through the dark days of the Civil war, when sectional feeling ran very high in California, the stars and stripes floated above his hotel and signified his unwavering allegiance to the Union. No one could mistake his position, and when he passed away, at the age of fifty years, the community lost one of its most valued and honored citizens.
Edward P. Colgan, whose name introduces this review, spent his child- hood and youth in his native city and acquired his education in its public schools. On laying aside his text-books he began to prepare for the practical duties of life, and learned the trade of blacksmithing, which he followed for more than thirteen years and doubtless developed thereby his fine physique.
Mr. Colgan was married, in Santa Rosa, November 24, 1880, to Miss Mary Smith, a native of Sonoma county and a daughter of John and Tressa (Banks) Smith. Her paternal grandparents were Jacob and Eliza ( Elliott ) Smith, who were pioneer settlers of Illinois, originally from Kentucky. With a party they crossed the plains to California and became residents of Sonoma county in 1854. Mr. Smith was a very prominent and influential early settler of that section of the state, and largely aided in its public develop- ment and growth. He died in Santa Rosa, at the age of seventy-five years. and his wife passed away at the same age. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Colgan were Willis and Evelyn ( Thomas) Banks, natives of Kentucky, whence they removed to Kansas, where Mrs. Banks died. In 1875 Mr. Banks came to the Golden state for his health, but his death occurred in Bakersfield, when he had reached the age of seventy-five years. John Smith, the father of Mrs. Colgan, was a native of Quincy, Illinois, and by occupa- tion was a lumberman and farmer.
In 1854 he came overland with his parents and a large party to Cali- fornia, Dr. Boyce, now of Santa Rosa, being among the number who then made the long and perilous journey across the plains. They were six months on the way and Mr. Smith first took up his residence upon a farm near Santa Rosa. Subsequently he removed westward into the mountains, where he operated a sawmill and conducted a lumber business. He and his wife are still living.
During the Civil war the Banks home in Kansas was a rendezvous alternately for Federals and Confederates and many an exciting episode occurred there. Mrs. Colgan has spent her entire life in the Golden state. She acquired her early education in a primitive school among the mountains where her father operated a sawmill, and later was graduated in the Santa Rosa high school with the first class that completed the course in that institu- tion. She is a cultured and refined lady and a loving and faithful wife and mother. She is a lady of genuine worth and the honors which have been accorded her in connection with her husband's position have by no means affected her sweet womanliness. She believes not in station, but in character, and true worth and not position is the passport to her friendship.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Colgan have been born five children, but one died in infancy. Those still living are Edlo May, Evelyn, Ralph Waite and Helen.
Mr. Colgan first became actively connected with political affairs in 1886, in which year he was elected county sheriff. However, he had given a stalwart support to the Republican party since casting his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield in 1880. He filled the office of county sheriff for a term of two years and so fearlessly and acceptably discharged his duties that he was re-elected for a second term. In the meantime his loyalty to the party and his fitness for political duties became known throughout the state, and in 1890 he was the choice of his party for the position of state controller. For three terms he has now filled that office, and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His course has ever been honorable and straightforward, and he has never been drawn into any factional differences, content to let the voice of the people choose or reject him. That he has the public confidence in an unusual degree and that he fully merits it, is indicated by his long retention in office. His duties are discharged with the utmost fidelity and ability. He is the first to reach the office in the morning. the last to leave it at night, and neglects no duty or detail no matter how unimportant it may seem.
Mr. Colgan is very prominent in civic societies and is a valued member of various orders, including the Masonic fraternity and the Mystic Shrine, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also prominent in every good work to advance humanitarian interests or promote the industrial growth of the state. With him friendship is inviolable, and at great sacrifice to himself he will favor a friend if it is at all possible to do it. In manner he is cordial and genial and has the regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. His unassailable reputa- tion makes his career an honor to the pages of the history of the state that has honored him and which claims him among her native sons.
WARREN O. BOWERS.
Statisticians tell us that ninety per cent. of business undertaking's are fail- ures, either partial or total. This is often due to the fact that the line of busi- ness chosen is not adapted to the particular ability of the man, or else he fails to recognize the fact that the present and not the future holds his opportu- nities. Many there are who, dazzled by alluring promises of the future, forget the duties of the moment, and the advantages which are accorded them are therefore lost. The greatest English poet that the world has ever known wrote: "There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at its flood. leads on to fortune :" but few realize when this favorable moment has come. War- ren O. Bowers, however, is one who entered upon a business especially adapted to his temperament and capability, and as a hotel man he is widely known on the Pacific coast, and his friends are found throughout the Union. Ile has so guided and directed his business interests that to-day he is num-
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bered among the wealthy residents of the capital city, and if indolence and idleness were not so utterly foreign to his nature it would be possible for him to put aside business cares and rest in the enjoyment of the fruits of his for- mer toil.
Mr. Bowers was born in New Hampshire, April 26, 1838, and is a son of Thomas and Betsey ( Conerv ) Bowers. His father died in October, 1857, and his mother passed away in 1895. Their son Warren spent his boyhood days in his native town of Nashua, New Hampshire, and to its public schools was indebted for his, early educational privileges which he received. At the age of sixteen he went to Northfield, Vermont, and entered the railroad shops of the Vermont Central Railroad as an apprentice. On the completion of his term he removed to Wilmington, North Carolina, where he made his home during the war, engaged in railroading. When the strife between the north and south was ended he was commissioned to go abroad, having in charge the supervision of steamboat work in Europe for over a year, returning to New York in 1867.
Mr. Bowers then came to the Pacific coast and entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, and at a later date he engaged in steamboating, spending three years in that way. When that period had passed he returned to the Southern Pacific Company and continued with them until 1878, when he removed to Sacramento and became the proprietor of the Union Hotel, on the corner of Second and K streets. His extensive acquain- tance and his excellent business qualifications soon secured him a fair share of public patronage. He was also connected with other business interests, hav- ing become a half owner of the Capital Ale Vaults on J street, between Third and Fourth streets. For about four years he continued that enterprise, and then entered the hotel business. For five years he was the proprietor of the U'nion Hotel, after which he rented the Golden Eagle and for many years con- ducted there one of the finest hotels on the Pacific coast. It stands at the corner of Seventh and K streets, and since the founding of the city has been the site of one of Sacramento's hotels. In 1851 Dan Callahan erected there a frame lodging house, making an annex of canvas, and upon the flaps of the tent a man of jocular qualities, with a piece of charcoal, drew the figure of an eagle with outspread wings and serious mien, and dubbed the place the Golden Eagle Hotel, a name which has since been retained. It was Mr. Bowers, how- ever, that brought the hotel up to a high standard of excellence. Progress and improvement are salient elements in his character and he is not content with stagnation in any business project with which he is connected. He began the task of improving the Golden Eagle, and soon it became the leading hotel of Sacramento. Although of extensive proportions it was found incapable of entertaining the guests who applied for admission. The business and social qualities of Mr. Bowers rendered him very popular with the traveling public and he conducted the hotel with marked success until at length he deter- mined to retire from business. As a man of leisure, however, he is not a success, and after a period of idleness, which grew very burdensome to him, he leased the Capital Hotel, in August, 1899, and has since refitted it and has
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raised to a high standard, even superior to that of the old Golden Eagle Hotel.
His name is known to the traveling public throughout this western sec- tion of the United States, and those who seek first-class entertainment always give their patronage to him on visiting Sacramento. Combined with sound judgment. indefatigable energy and resolute purpose, he displays charming social qualities and a sincere interest in the welfare and comfort of his guests. and to these qualities may be attributed his marked prosperity.
RICHARD WEBB.
Richard Webb, a prominent citizen and capitalist of Jackson, Amador county, is a native of England, born in Oxfordshire on the Ist of October, 1843. His parents. Henry B. and Harriet ( Flowers ) Webb, were both na- tives of England, whence they emigrated to Australia, taking with them their family of seven children ; and the father followed the blacksmith's trade dur- ing his active business career. He is now in his ninety-sixth year, but his wife has passed away, her death having occurred when she had attained the age of eighty-three years. They were reared in the Episcopal church but later became Methodists. Seven of the family are still living and all resi- dents of Australia with the exception of our subject.
Richard Webb was only three years of age when his parents removed to Australia. He was educated in Adelaide, South Australia, finishing in the Congregational College at Melbourne, Victoria, with the intention of en- tering the ministry. He began to preach when only sixteen years of age. as a disciple of the Methodist faith and for a number of years was a very ac- ceptable local minister. Before attaining his majority he learned the printer's trade in Adelaide, and in his twenty-first year he became the editor of the Northern Argus, in that colony. At length he determined to establish his home in America and in 1871 sailed from New South Wales to San Fran- cisco, after which he worked on various newspapers in that city and in Sac- ramento for about three years. In 1874 he went to Utah, where he estab- lished a paper, but conducted it only three months. Subsequently he worked in various newspaper offices in Salt Lake City, being for some time connected with the Salt Lake Tribune, after which he went to New York. Six months were passed in the eastern metropolis and at the end of this period he took up his abode in Virginia City, and Winnemucca, Nevada, where he contin- ued his journalistic work until his removal to Sutter Creek, Amador county, where he began the publication of the Fort Hill Ensign, which he issued for five months. In 1875 he purchased a half interest in the Amador Ledger. took editorial charge and later became the sole proprietor, editor and pub- lisher. For seventeen years he continued his connection with that journal, until selling out, in 1892. Two years later he became the owner of the Ama- dor Republican, which he issued until 1808, when he sokl the paper and plant and retired from the journalistic field.
During his long connection with newspaper work in Amador county
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Mr. Webb wielded a potent influence for good. earnestly supporting every measure which he believed would be a public benefit. He was very outspoken on the side of justice and right, sparing neither high nor low when their conduct was reprehensible. On one ocasion, when a number of robbers were tried and acquitted, he was very severe in his criticism on the court and for this was arrested on the charge of contempt of court. At the trial he was fined and imprisoned, but appealed the case on habeas corpus and was ac- quitted by the supreme court. Later he again severely criticised things which he deemed wrong and was arrested and tried for libel, but was able to prove that that which he had published was fact and again came off victorious be- fore the court. His prosecution of course cost him some money, but during the trial the subscriptions to the Ledger increased rapidly, and instead of the arrests harming him they served but to build up the paper. As a jour- nalist he was ever independent, fearless and true, and he espoused with the same loyalty and strength any cause which he believed right. He has 'al- ways been an active Republican, giving his aid and influence for the pro- motion of the party's interests. In 1892 he received the appointment of United States commissioner of Amador county, which office he holds at the present time.
As a business man and financier Mr. Webb has met with very creditable success and has become one of the large property-holders of the town. He is the owner of the new National Hotel and built and owns the Webb Block, one of the finest structures of the town, and he has two store buildings and several dwellings. He is also the owner of the Lode Hotel and the Pine Grove Hotel, all in Amador county and good paying property. He is a man of sound judgment in business affairs and his capable management has brought to him creditable prosperity.
In 1877 Mr. Webb was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jones, a na- tive daughter of Jackson, and her father, Thomas Jones, was one of the first settlers of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Webb enjoy the high regard of all who know them. He is not connected with any sect or society and is a materialist in his views of life. His fearless conduct in what he believes to be right, his fidelity to duty and his sterling worth commend him to the respect of all.
PRESTON W. SMITH ..
Of the educational interests of Placer county Professor Preston W. Smith is a well known representative. Occupying the position of county superintendent of schools, his marked ability has gained him prestige in the line of his chosen calling, and his influence in educational circles has been of great benefit in promoting efficiency and raising the standard of the schools in this part of California. He is a man of strong mentality, of earnest purpose and keen discrimination, and with a just appreciation of the importance of intelligent training in early life he has devoted his efforts for many years to the improvement of the schools of his native state.
Professor Smith was born in Dutch Flat, California, August 12, 1861.
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His father. Thomas R. Smith, came to the Pacific coast in 1850. He was a native of New York city and was of English lineage, his ancestors having come to the new world at an early period in the development of New England. making a settlement in Connecticut. The paternal grandfather of our sub- ject served his country in the war of 1812. Thomas R. Smith, the Profes- sor's father, married Miss Louisiana Fuller, a native of the state whose name she bore, and a daughter of Jacob N. Fuller, a veteran of the Mexican war. Mr. Smith came to California by the ocean route, making the voyage around Cape Horn in a ship which a company of California pioneers had purchased and fitted out for this particular purpose. After his arrival in San Francisco the father of our subject made his way to Newcastle, where he engaged in mer- chandising. Later he conducted a store at Iowa Hill, and he also employed teams and was engaged in freighting. He purchased the Empire ranch and was one of the first who, by practical experience, demonstrated the productive- ness of this soil in producing grain, hay and vegetables. He found a ready market for his hay with the stage companies. Prices were high in those days. flour sometimes bringing fifty dollars per sack, while other commodities were proportionately high : but the miners had gold and spent their money freely. In 1855 Thomas R. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Fuller, and they became the parents of seven sons and five daughters, of whom four sons and three daughters are still living. The father was a Presbyterian i.1 his religious faith, while his wife was identified with the Baptist church. He was never an office seeker, but the cause of education found in him a warm friend, and he rendered valuable service to his school district while serving as school trustee for a number of years. Both he and his wife are still living, at the ripe old age of eighty years, and are esteemed as worthy pioneer people and valued citizens, who through an honorable career have enjoyed the confidence and respect of all with whom they have come in contact.
Professor Smith, their eldest surviving child, acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of California, and later supplemented his early studies by a course in the Battle Creek College, of Battle Creek, Mich- igan. He then began teaching in Dowagiac, Michigan. Subsequently returning to California, he spent twelve years as a teacher in three different towns of Placer county. For five years he was the popular principal of the Auburn schools, and his efforts resulted in raising the educational institu- tions of that city to a high standard. In 1894 he was elected county superin- tendent of schools, and after filling the office with much ability for four years he was re elected, in 1898, for a second term, the citizens of the county thus indicating their appreciation of his faithful and valuable service.
Superintendent Smith is an enthusiast in his profession, and as the head of the Placer county schools he has introduced many improvements in the courses of its study and the methods of teaching. All the schools of the fifty-eight districts of the county are systematically graded and a record of the scholarship of the pupils and samples of their work are kept in the superintendent's office. Through the influence of Superintendent Smith
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many of the school grounds have been enlarged and ornamented with trees, the school rooms made more convenient and decorated with appropriate pictures, and improvements have been made in heating, lighting and ventil- ating. the school buildings. Largely through his instrumentality the school libraries have been filled with books suitable to the various ages of the pupils and made more accessible and therefore more useful to the public. He has also succeeded in placing the school districts on a good financial basis. The books and records of his office have been kept so well and so system- atically arranged that he has been very highly commended by all the county experts who have examined the affairs of the office. He has also been instrit- mental in organizing reading circles among the teachers of the county, which, with the teachers' institutes under his supervision, have been the means of awakening much professional interest and enthusiasm. These
various lines of work have resulted in great good, and the schools of Placer county now take rank with the best public institutions of the state.
Professor Smith is a stalwart Republican in politics, and as the candi- date of that party he received a majority of more than three hundred at each election.
In 1891 was celebrated the marriage of Preston W. Smith and Sophia E. Roelok, a native of Eldorado county and a daughter of George H. Roelok, ex-supervisor of Eldorado county and a veteran of the Mexican war. Trey have two children, Mildred and Virgil Thomas. Before her marriage Mrs. Smith was a successful teacher. She is a lady of marked culture and refinement. Mr. Smith and his wife attend the Congregational church, and she is a member of the Congregational Guild, and of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Smith is a past president of the Auburn Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West. He also belongs to the Foresters, the Knights of Pythias and to the Masonic fraternity. In the last named he is now filling the position of senior deacon and in the others he has served as the chief officer. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a beautiful home in Auburn and take great delight in the cultivation of flowers and in improving their well kept grounds. Their home is the center of a cultured society circle and its social functions are greatly enjoyed by their many friends. In personal appearance Mr. Smith is tall and he is an excellent example of the sterling type of California's native sons.
WILLIAM P. PEEK.
William P. Peek, one of the early settlers of California, is a native of the Green Mountain state, his birth having occurred in Bethel, on the IIth of March, 1828. The family is of English lineage on the paternal side and of Irish descent on the maternal side. The great-grandfather of our subject emigrated from England to America at an early period in the history of the country, taking up his residence in Vermont. John Peek, the father of our subject, was born in that state and was married there to Miss Lucretia Lamb. In 1837 he removed with his wife and seven children to Polo,
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Ogle county, Ilinois, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that state Ile established his residence on a farm, where he resided until his death. which occurred in the seventy-seventh year of his age. His wife passed away in her sixty-fifth year. The farm is still in the possession of the family, being owned by two of the sons, George and Frank Peek, and it is now a desirable country property. One child was added to the family in Illinois. and the eight sons and daughters are all yet living.
Mr. Peek, of this review, was the second son and was only nine years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, and was therefore reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier and experienced all the hardships and trials that fall to the lot of those who establish homes in a new district. He worked on the farm through the summer months and during the winter season pursued his education in a primitive school near his home. In 1852 he crossed the plains to California in search of gold, leaving Council Bluffs on the 13th of April and arriving at Volcano, in Amador county, on the 13th of September .- that season of the year in which the emigrants suffered so extensively with cholera ; but the party with which he traveled were not attacked by the disease, nor were they troubled by Indian raids, making their five months' journey in safety to the place of their destination. Mr. Peek first began teaming. hauling goods from Stockton to Mokełumne Hill. After following that occupation for a year he opened a livery stable, having but one horse at first. He soon secured a larger stock, however, and his business steadily grew, while in proportion lie increased his facilities.
After carrying on operations along that line for thirty years he came to Jackson, in 1884. purchasing a half interest in a livery business here, and conducted that enterprise for fourteen years. He then sold his interest to his partner and in February, 1897, retired, after a connection of forty-four years with that enterprise. Ile met with creditable success in his under- taking and is now the owner of a nice home in Jackson, together with twelve acres of land which he has platted, laying it off in town lots, which are fifty by one hundred feet. Each lot fronts on a street and has an alley fifteen feet wide in the rear. He sells these lots for two hundred dollars each, and upon a few of them good residences have already been erected. The land is beautifully located on a hillside near the business center of the town and is a very valuable property.
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