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 27
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In politics he is a Democrat and by appointment of Governor Budd is serving as trustee of the State Mining Bureau. A man of generous impulses and sterling worth, he enjoys the high esteem of all with whom he is brought in contact and his worth as a man and a citizen is widely acknowledged.
JOHN J. DAVIS.
With the great tide of emigration which brought so many worthy citizens to California in 1852, John James Davis came to the west, arriving at Placer- ville, Eldorado county, on the 14th of September of that year. He came from the Hoosier state, his birth having occurred there in Ripley county, on the 11th of March, 1826. His paternal grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky and in that state his father, James Davis, was born and reared. When he was sixteen years of age, the family removed to Indiana, becoming pioneer settlers of Ripley county, in which location James Davis, having arrived at the years of maturity, was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Smith, a native of the Empire state. They were farming people and were valued members of the Methodist church. Thirteen children were born of their union, ten of whom reached the years of maturity. The father attained the ripe old age of seventy-seven years, and his wife, surviving him several years. passed away at about the same age. Many of their children have also joined the silent majority.
Mr. Davis, whose name introduces this review, was reared on his father's farm in the county of his nativity, and, as soon as old enough to handle the plow, began work in the fields. AAfter the harvests were garnered in the autumn he would attend the district school of the neighborhood and therein pursued his education until the coming of spring brought new duties to the far- mer lad. At the age of twenty-two years he removed to Iowa, where he fol- followed the cooper's trade until 1852, when he determined to see a home on the Pacific slope and started across the plains with ox teams. He paid thirty dollars for the privilege of traveling with a party under command of R. I. Finch. The journey was safely accomplished, and, after reaching his destina- tion, Mr. Davis engaged in placer-mining at Diamond Spring, where he met with fair success. He also followed mining at Webber creek, between Dia- mond Spring and Placerville, and on one occasion took out eighty-five ounces of gold in a single week. The largest nugget which he found at Diamond Spring was worth ninety dollars. He continued his mining operations in various places for seven years, and in September, 1859, settled upon his present ranch, where he now has four hundred and fifty-two acres of valuable land, constituting one of the best fruit farms in Amador county. He makes a spe- cialty of the cultivation of pears, apricots, plums, grapes and almonds, and
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these fruits, so well adapted to the climate, bring to him a handsome finan- cial return.
In 1869 Mr. Davis was happily married to Mrs. Mary Davis, who by her former marriage had a son, Stephen K. By her present marriage she has six children, named James Lawrence. John Sheridan, Joseph, Thomas Smith, Robert Ingersoll and Mary S. Mr. Davis has for many years been a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his political views is a Republican, unswerving in his loyalty to the party. For many years he has served as a trustee of the school district, doing all in his power to promote the educational interests and to insure progress along many other lines of ben- efit to the county. He has been the architect of his own fortune and has managed his business well. Realizing the importance of industry and close application to the affairs of life, he has so directed his efforts with reference to those characteristics that he has become the possessor of a very valuable property and he is regarded as one of the leading agriculturists in his section of the state.
EARL S. BARNEY.
Great changes have occurred since Earl S. Barney arrived in California. for he was one of the "49ers" who, attracted by the discovery of gold, sought a home on the Pacific slope. The little mining camps in which there was always found a lawless element as well as a better grade of settlers have long since been replaced with thriving towns in which the advantages of civilization are equal to those afforded in the older east. The work of trans- formation, however, has been one of arduous labor, carried forward by men of resolute will, energy and enterprise. To this class belongs Mr. Barney.
He was born in Montgomery county, New York, on the 3d of Decem- ber, 1826, and is of English lineage, his ancestors having removed to Ver- mont at an early period in its history. Several generations were born in New England, including Mr. Barney's father, Dr. Ezadick Barney, who was born in Vermont and married Elizabeth Swane, a native of Nantucket and a representative of an old American Quaker family, and they became the parents of five children, three of whom are living : H. S. Holland, a prom- inent merchant of Schenectady, New York; Mrs. Mary A. Phillip, also of Schenectady; and Earl S. The father attained the ripe old age of eighty years and the mother was seventy-five years of age at the time of her demise.
Earl S. Barney, the youngest of the family, was educated in his na- tive town of Schenectady. New York, and entered upon his business ca- reer as a clerk in a store, but, attacked by the gold fever, he severed his commercial relations in the east to connect himself with a party of seventy- five who were making plans to go west in search of the golden treasure. They purchased the bark Nautilus, commanded by a captain and a crew of twelve seamen. They secured a year's provisions for the company and sailed around Cape Horn for the golden west. The cost of the ship and outfit, including provisions, was four hundred dollars to each one of the party. They
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were seven months and ten days on the voyage, arriving at San Francisco on the Ioth of October, 1849.
Mr. Barney at once secured a share of the food supplies and then started on a boat for Sacramento, in company with two partners, Spencer Sweet and Dudley Jones, the latter a resident of Little Rock, Arkansas. After ac- complishing part of the journey on a whaling boat, they continued the trip on a sailing vessel to Sacramento, which city was then in its infancy. Mr. Barney and his partner continued on to the placer mines in Eldorado county, California, and engaged in digging for the precious metal on South bar, and continued in that vicinity for eight months, during which time they each took out about one and a half ounces of gold per day. On one occasion Mr. Barney secured gold dust to the value of one hundred dollars. Return- ing to Sacramento he obtained a clerkship in the employ of Gideon Wood- ruff, with whom he remained for a year, receiving five hundred dollars per month for his services. He next went to the American river, and, with his partner. Spencer Sweet, engaged in conducting a miners' supply store until the fall of 1854. when he went to Red Bluff, opening a store there which he conducted for a short time. He then sold out and removed to Shasta county, where he engaged in silver-mining on Squaw creek: but that venture proved unprofitable and in 1866 he removed from that locality to San Fran- cisco, whence he went to Austin, Nevada. He engaged in merchandising at White Pine and invested his money in erecting a number of buildings, but the town ceased to grow and he lost nearly all the money which he had put in the property there.
Removing to Calaveras county, he operated the reduction works at the Gwin mine from 1871 until 1873. after which he carried on business in the same way at Sutter Creek until his removal to Drytown. In January. 1877, he built the reduction works at that place, in partnership with C. J. Garland. their business relationship being maintained for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Voorhies bought out Mr. Garland's interest. They also pur- chased the works at Sutter Creek and operated both plants until 1877, when their interests were divided. Mr. Barney taking the property at Drytown and Mr. Voorhies that at Sutter Creek. The business was carried on after the following manner : The sulphates are purchased from the mine operators, reduced in the reduction works and then the gold is sent to San Francisco. Mining and its collateral branches formed one of the most important indus- tries and such enterprises contributed in no small degree to the prosperity and well-being of many communities in the commonwealth. In the conduct of his enterprises Mr. Barney has not only contributed to his own success but has also promoted the welfare of the community. Ile has given close at. tention to business and as a result of his upright methods and careful man- agement he has become one of the wealthy men of the county.
.A man of resourceful business ability, his efforts have not been con- fined to one line. He is to-day the owner of a ranch of fourteen hundred acres, near Drytown, on which he has a comfortable residence, presided over by a competent housekeeper. Four men are employed there in raising grain
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and stock, making a specialty of high-grade Percheron horses and high-grade cattle. Mr. Barney boards at the hotel in Drytown and has commodious rooms and offices at his reduction works.
His political support has ever been given to the Republican party and he does all in his power to promote its growth and secure its success. Of the seventy-four men who came with him to California on the bark Nautilus he knows of but two who are still living. Thus the ranks of the brave pio- neers are rapidly being decimated, but their memory will long be cherished for their important contribution to the work of civilization in opening up this vast region of wealth and beauty and making it one of the most valuable as well as favored sections of our great nation. Mr. Barney's life has been one of activity and close connection with affairs of great usefulness. He is uniformly honored and esteemed and his record is one in many respects worthy of emulation, while it has been characterized by fidelity to duty in all life's relations.
A. S. GREENLAW.
Among the county officials of Sacramento county is numbered this gen- tleman, and his reputation is unimpeachable. Applying honest business prin- ciples not only in his ordinary business affairs but also in his politics and in the discharge of his official duties, he has won the confidence of the public in a high degree. That a trust committed to his care will be administered hon- estly and with ability there is never a doubt. His business and political ca- reer in Sacramento is a guarantee that he will acquit himself in any position in which he may be placed with credit, and to the satisfaction of those most interested. While a community might sometimes have been anxious as to the course its public officials would take upon vital questions, not a doubt has ever been entertained as to where Mr. Greenlaw would stand when the moment for action came, for he is ever found on the side of reform, progress and the right. Such men, it is needless to say, are not too nume. ous; men who inspire confidence in our large cities ; men who in their unswerving con- servative uprightness and fearless defense of the right are the balance wheel in the often seemingly reckless whirl of the political machinery. The history of the county treasurer of Sacramento county cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers, for he is both widely and favorably known.
A. S. Greenlaw was born on his father's farm in Waldo, Maine, Au- gust 29, 1832, and is a son of Alexander and Catharine ( Staples) Greenlaw. The father was born in Bristol, Maine, February 18, 1799, and died in North- port, that state, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. He was reared on his father's farm, received a common-school education, and at the age of twenty-two removed to the county of Waldo, where he married Susan Staples, by whom he had one son. After the death of the mother he was again mar- ried, his second union being with Catharine Staples, who was born in Ox- ford county, Maine, June 9. 1798, and died in Northport, in the Pine Tree state, at the age of seventy-two years. By the second marriage there were
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three dangliters and six sons. At Waldo the father followed agricultural pursuits antil after he had educated his children, when he retired to a quiet life. m.mg his home with his son William, in Northport, Maine. He was a member of the Methodist church and took a very active part in its work. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Alexander and Susan (Cox) Greenlaw, and the maternal grandparents were Luke and Sarah ( Cox) Staples. On the paternal side the ancestors can be traced back to William Greenlaw, a native of Scotland, who crossed the Atlantic, taking up his abode in the town of Bristol, Maine, in the early part of the seventeenth century. Among his descendants were those who loyally fought in the Co- lonial army, notably under Arnold in the invasion of Canada. The Staples fam- ily were descendants of early settlers of Oxford county. Maine, and the Cox family was founded in Franklin county, that state. Among its repre- sentatives were those who engaged in the privateering service in the Revo- lutionary war. The father of our subject served as a substitute in the war of 1812, being too young to enlist in the regular way, and three brothers of our subject "wore the blue" in the Civil war. It will thus be seen that the family has ever been noted for its loyalty and patriotism and the record is one of which the present generation may well be proud.
In the public schools of his native state Mr. Greenlaw, of this review, obtained his preliminary education, which was supplemented by a course in the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, in which he was graduated in June, 1852. Ile taught mathematics in the seminary for two years, and in April, 1855. started for California, and through the succeeding five years was engaged in mining and trading. He took up his abode on a fruit and dairy farm near Sac- ramento in 1860, and for twenty-three years was successfully engaged in horti- cultural pursuits. In 1883 he was elected to the position of county treas- urer, which position he filled for two years, and in 1885 he resumed the dairy business, which he conducted with success until 1893. In that year he was made deputy treasurer under Edward Lyons. Upon the death of Mr. Lyons in 1897 he was appointed to serve the unexpired term, and in 1899 was elected to the office, which he is now acceptably filling.
Mr. Greenlaw has been twice married. On the 26th of June, 1861, he wedded Amon la Smart, who died on the 20th of November. 1879. She was a daughter of Jesse and Nancy ( Clough) Smart. Her father was born in Troy. Meine, in 1802, was married in 1822, and died in Sacramento, Cali- fornia, in December, 1860, while his wife, who was born in Camden, Maine, in 1802. died in Troy, Maine, in 1841. They were the parents of ten chil- dren. Mr. Smart obtained his education in the common schools, and after- ward located on a farm in Troy. Maine, but his last days were spent in the Golden state. He three times represented his district in the Maine state legislature. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Greenlaw were: Flora M .. born August 10, 1862, is the wife of Henry Grupe and they have one dangh- ter, Eunice Louise : Alice L., born June 9. 1864, is the wife of Charles E. Mack, and has two children, Charles E. and Elwood; Horace, born Feb- ruary 20, 1868, died in March, 1872: Jessie, born January 22. 1872, died
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in April, 1896; Amy L., September 25, 1873; Lester A., November 21, 1875; and Edna I., October 9, 1877. After the death of his first wife Mr. Greenlaw was again married, Mrs. Templeton . Corlis becoming his wife on the 13th of October, 1883.
Mr. Greenlaw cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856, and has been a stalwart advocate of Republican principles ever since, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and socially he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Pythias and the Patrons of Husbandry.
HIRAM C. STANTON.
Among the officials of Glenn county is numbered Mr. Stanton, who is now acceptably filling the office of sheriff and in the discharge of his duties manifesting fearlessness and fidelity that render him a very competent official. He was born at Canton Corners, Ohio, on the 18th of June, 1838, and is a son of Joseph Stanton, a native of the Empire state. His father was a mechanic and engaged in the construction of carding machinery. He also fol- lowed farming to some extent, but devoted the greater part of his attention to industrial effort. His political support was given to the Whig party and he died in Hancock county, Illinois, at the age of sixty-one years. In early manhood he married Clarissa Griffin, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in California, at the age of seventy-eight years. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom are yet living. Her father was Samuel Griffin, a mechanic, who resided in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where he died at the age of sixty years.
Hiram C. Stanton, the youngest in his father's family, spent his boyhood days on the old home farm, and when a youth of sixteen began working as a farm hand, which pursuit he followed for six years. He then determined to seek a home in California and in 1862 made his way to the Pacific slope, locat- ing at Grand Island. He settled on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of partially improved land and devoted his time and energies to the further devel- opment and cultivation of that property through the succeeding seven years. He then removed to another farm, seven miles southwest of Willow, where he built the first grain warehouse in that locality. In the fall of 1894 he was elected to the office of sheriff of Glenn county and the following year came to Willow, where he now makes his home. He still superintends his farm, however, and derives therefrom a good income. In 1898 he was re-elected county sheriff and displays fearlessness and loyalty in discharging the onerous duties which devolve upon him.
Mr. Stanton is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Order of the Eastern Star. He has always been a stanch Republican in his political views since casting his first presidential vote for Lincoln in 1864. Industry and enterprise are numbered among the salient points of his character, and these
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are bringing to him success in his business, while in public life they have won for him the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
December 28, 1858, Mr. Stanton was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Evans, a daughter of James and Mary Evans, of Adams county, Illi- nois, and they are the parents of six children: Wilford A., born April 14, 1860; Laura Cornelia, January 15, 1862; Harry E., December 28, 1866; Seth W., July 14, 1871; Mary Clarissa, April 14, 1873; and Florence Belle, August 21, 1875.
Wilford A. married Louisa Mason and has one son, Arthur. Laura Cornelia is the wife of Henry St. Louis and they have two children,-Cori- don and Wilowbell. Harry E. married Mary Whitlock and they have three children,-Myrtle, Violet and Elsie. Seth W. married Bertha Pitcher and they have one son, Pollard. Mary Clarissa and Florence Belle are at home.
DANIEL STEWART.
No mercantile enterprise of Ione antedates the establishment of the store of which Daniel Stewart was the proprietor. Through long years he was an ac- tive factor in the commercial interests in this place and had marked influence on the business life of the city. His efforts not only contributed to his in- dividual prosperity, but were of marked benefit to the community, for in this utilitarian age everything depends upon progressive business enterprises. As one of the pioneers, citizens and merchants of Amador county, Daniel Stew- art is certainly deserving of mention in this volume.
He came to California in 1850 and was a native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurring in North Liberty, Mercer county, on the 6th of January, 1824. He was reared upon a farm and his educational privileges were very meager, but his training at farm labor was not limited. He was eminently a self-made man, owing his advancement to his own efforts. In company with his father and brother he crossed the plains with ox-teams in 1850. They made a safe journey, their numbers being undecimated by the Indians and the cholera. After arriving at Sacramento Mr. Stewart of this review proceeded to Ione and es- tablishied the first store in that town. The enterprise had a small beginning, but owing to the business ability, firm determination and energy of the owner, the trade constantly increased and the facilities were in consequence enlarged. Owing to his generous impulses and thorough reliability, Mr. Stewart made many friends and his business prospered. In 1856 he and his brother erected the first brick store in the town and since that time their concern has been one of importance, the trade constantly growing. He had the unqualified con- fidence and patronage of a large number of the best people in his portion of the state, and not only did he win financial success, but he also gained a char- acter for upright dealing that was indeed enviable. Mr. Stewart was also an active Republican and was frequently selected to act as a delegate of the party to the county and state conventions. He also took a deep interest in the educa- tional affairs in Ione and for several years served as a member of the school board. It was largely through his instrumentality that the ten-thousand-dollar
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brick schoolhouse which is now one of the creditable institutions of the town was erected. He withheld his support from no movement or measure which he believed would contribute to the public good along social, intellectual, ma- terial or moral lines. He was also one of the founders of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows in Ione and became one of its charter members, and through his entire life was one of its most ardent and helpful supporters. He served in many of its offices, and to his labors has largely been attributed the success of the lodge in this place. He was a member of the Veteran Odd Fel- lows Society of San Francisco and was also a member of the Pioneer Society at Jackson.
In 1848 Daniel Stewart married Miss Caroline Forker, a native of Penn- sylvania, and in 1853 he returned to the east to get his family. Their eldest child, J. F. Stewart, was born in the east, and with his wife and infant son Daniel Stewart returned to Ione, where five other children were afterward added to the family, namely: Harry ; John C .; Willie; Thomas, who died in infancy; and Eva, who is now the wife of W. A. Bennetts. In 1866 the mother died and in 1868 Mr. Stewart was again married, his second union being with Talitha B. Forker, a distant relative of his former wife. Their union was blessed with two children,-Walter and Agnes. This marriage also proved a harmonious one and they lived happily together until the 27th of February, 1899, when the honored pioneer settler, Daniel Stewart, was called to the home beyond, at the age of seventy-five years. His death was a great loss to his wife and children and was deeply mourned throughout the entire county. His lodge and the people in general gathered in large numbers to pay their last tribute of respect to one whom they had long honored. His exten- sive business and large property interests were left to his wife and children, and on the 19th of February, 1900, the business was incorporated under the firm name of D. Stewart & Company, with the following officers : J. F. Stew- art, president : Mrs. Daniel Stewart, vice-president ; J. C. Stewart, secretary; Harry Stewart, treasurer; and W. A. Bennetts, manager.
The children were all educated in Amador county and the family is one of marked prominence and the highest respectability. They have one of the finest homes in the town and their store is a leading mercantile establishment of Amador county, in which they carry a large stock of general merchandise. The sons are all men of good business ability, energetic and enterprising, and their straightforward course in life's relations adds honor to the untarnished family record.
W. A. Bennetts, who is acting as the manager of the store, is a native of England, born June 29, 1847. He was educated partly in his native land. completing his course, however, after his emigration to the United States in 1866. He is a graduate of Heald's Commercial College at San Francisco, and immediately after his graduation he became a resident of Amador county. For a time he was engaged in clerking in Amador City and Sutter Creek. In 1874 he was united in marriage to Eva Stewart, and he then became an assistant in her father's store, where he has since remained. His wise business policy has contributed in no small degree to the successful conduct of the business. Unto
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