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 43
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Mr. Bennett and his family made their way direct to Angel's Camp, where he engaged in mining on the Calaveras river, after which he secured a claim, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits. From time to time he added to his realty possessions until his land aggregated ten hundred and eighty acres. He raised stock, grain and hay and his crops brought him
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a good return. In 1859 he sold his farm for nine thousand dollars and returned to his native state, where he remained for six months, but Cali- fornia had become dear to him and on the expiration of that period he again started for the Golden state, making the voyage in the Jenny Lind. He located in Sonoma county, and was engaged in lumbering. He also pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres upon which he resided for five years, when he sold that property and returned to Angel's Camp. there spending his remaining days. His death occurred in 1870, when he was in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His good wife afterward started on a visit to her people in Mount Carroll, Illinois, but died in New York city, about a year after her husband's death, in the fifty-fourth year of her age. They were both highly esteemed people who gained and retained friends by their many excellent qualities. Mr. Bennett was a man of temperate habits, industrious, energetic, and always true to the duties of citizenship. while his wife was to him a faithful helpmate and was a loving and devoted miother.
James Frederick Bennett is now the only survivor of the family. He attended the schools at Angel's Camp, but his opportunities in that direction were limited and he is largely self-educated. He is now recognized as a man of intelligence and ability, and through reading, observation and experi- ence has broadened his knowledge and made it of a practical character. Throughout the greater part of his business career he has followed mining. Ile engaged in placer mining at Jenny Lind, where he obtained from a third of an ounce to an ounce each day. There he continued for about five years, after which he went to Sonoma county, where he engaged in clerking in a store for two years, after which he removed to Austin, Nevada, where for four years he made his home, successfully engaged in silver mining. On the expiration of that period he returned to Angel's Camp and followed quartz mining with arrastras which he built. At one time he was interested in eleven of these, finding it a cheap way of obtaining gold by men who had a limited capital. He prospered year by year, his possessions steadily increas- ing. and in 1808 he purchased a five-stamp mill, in partnership with Robert Leeper. Ilis mine is known as the Pilot Knob and is being successfully worked.
On the 6th of October. 1871. Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Ann Elizabeth Rasberry, a native of Angel's Camp and a daughter of Bennager Rasberry, who was born in Georgia and married Miss Maria Bowes, a native of England. They were married in the east and in 1852 crossed the plains to California, from Wisconsin. One of their children died on the journey and his wife suffered with the cholera, but ultimately recovered. Theirs was a most trying trip, but eventually they reached Cali- fornia and for a short time the father engaged in mining at Volcano, and later at Angel's Camp. Ile then turned his attention to horticultural pur- suits and planted and became the owner of the first orchard in the moun- tains. He departed this life on the 4th of September, 1893. at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife still survives him, in the sixty-seventh year
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of her age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born two children,- a son and a daughter,-George Bennager, who is now working in a mine; and Maria Amanda, who became the wife of D. Rolleri, and shortly after- ward was taken ill with typhoid fever which terminated her life. She was a lovable daughter and young wife, and her death was the occasion of great grief to her parents and her husband, and the entire community. She passed away in her eighteenth year.
Mr. Bennett has been a lifelong Democrat, unswerving in his loyalty to the party. He formerly belonged to the lodge of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, but the organization has given up its charter. He and his wife are independent in their religious views, but their lives are upright and honorable, commanding the confidence and good will of all. They have a cozy home at Angel's Camp, surrounded by shade and fruit trees, and there they are spending the evening of life surrounded by many comforts in the midst of friends who entertain for them a high regard. Great changes have occurred since their arrival in the west. In the winter of 1852 it required two months with an ox team to go to Stockton to bring back a load of pro- visions, which incident indicates in a slight measure the difficulties that the first settlers had to undergo. With Mr. Bennett success in life has been reached by sterling qualities of the mind and a heart true to every manly principle. In his varied business interests his reputation has been unassail- able, his name being synonymous with honorable dealings.
WILLIAM NICHOLLS, JR.
William Nicholls, Jr., is a prominent citizen of Dutch Flat and a mem- ber of the banking firm of W. & P. Nicholls, of that town. Mr. Nicholls was born in St. Austell, Cornwall, England, November 5. 1850. His ances- tors were English people and were engaged in mining and farming. His father, Philip Nicholls, was born in England and came to California in 1852, arriving in San Francisco June 19. . From San Francisco he went to Placer- ville, where he engaged in placer-mining, and later was thus occupied at Georgetown and Forest City, meeting with gratifying success. A partner- ship was formed with his brother William and they bought gold and carried it to San Francisco, taking upon themselves the risk of being murdered or robbed in crossing the mountains, which were wild and unsettled. They packed their gold upon mules and were well armed. By taking a different route than was expected they managed to escape highwaymen as a rule. However, they were occasionally attacked, but. fighting desperately for their lives and treasure, which sometimes was worth one hundred thousand dol- lars, were victorious in these struggles. In 1860 the brothers came to Dutch Flat to reside and established the private banking business, which they con- tinned until both passed away. The business is now conducted by the sons, under the same firm name, thus perpetuating the memory of their honored parents. Our subject's father died January 25, 1886, aged fifty-nine years; his uncle died April 23, 1877.
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Mr. Nicods Mas educated in England and came to San Francisco December 25. 1860, From the latter place he went to Dutch Flat and became connected with his father's banking business. In later years, in addition to his banking interests, Mr. Nicholls has been engaged in the development of mines and is the owner of much valuable mining property, among which is the Polar Star, near Dutch Flat, which he is operating with a force of from twenty five to thirty men. He is also the owner of large tracts of timber and farm lands.
Fraternally he is identified with the I. O. O. F., which order he joined April 9. 1873. being a member of Olive Lodge, No. 81, Dutch Flat. He Was passed all the chairs in both branches of the order and has been a trustee oi his lodge for twenty years. As a district deputy grand master he has served for seven years. Becoming a member of Auburn Encampment Jan- uary 3. 1879, he has filled all its offices : has been a member of the grand lodge since May, 1878. Ile had the honor of being the grand warden of the grand lodge and, in May, 1900, was elected deputy grand master, without opposition. Mr. Nicholls received the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Fort Lodge. No. 1528, Newquay, Cornwall, England, in 1889, and is now a member of Nevada Lodge, No. 13, Nevada City. He is also a mem- ber of Nevada Chapter. No. 6. R. A. M., and of Nevada Commandery, No. 6. K. T. Himself and wife are members of Placer Chapter, No. 49. O. E. S. Politically he is an active member of the Republican party.
Mr. Nicholls was married. in 1876, to Minerva VanDolah, a native of the town of Andrew, lowa, and of Dutch ancestry. Her people were carly settlers in Illinois and removed to Iowa in its early days. her father being a soldier in the wars with the Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholls have four children : George VanDolah, Arthur Wallace, Anna May and William Clyde. They have a pleasant home at Dutch Flat and the family are well known and have hosts of friends.
JACOB VANDAMENT.
A half century has passed since Jacob Vandament came to California, and for forty-five years he has been a resident of Amador county. His. superior business ability has been an integral factor in the commercial and industrial activity whereon has depended much of the prosperity of northern ( alifornia. He is a native of Ohio, where four generations of the family had resided, his birth occurring in the Buckeye state on the 3d of August. 1828. Ile is of German lineage. his great-grandfather having emigrated from Germany to Ohio at an early period in the history of that common- wealth. Jacob Vandament, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Brown county, Ohio, where also occurred the birth of Abraham Vanda- ment. the father. Ile was married to Miss Mary Burt, a native of New Jersey, and they became the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living.
Mr. Vandament, of this review, was educated in his native town and
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reared upon his father's farm. Through the summer months he assisted in the work of the field and meadow, and in the winter season pursued his studies in the little log school-house of the neighborhood. In 1850, attracted by the gold discovery in California, he crossed the plains with four com- panions. The little party traveled alone, but were unmolested by the Indians and at length arrived safely in Placerville on the 10th of August, 1850. Mr. Vandament at once engaged in prospecting and in digging gold wherever he could find it. For two months he succeeded in making ten dollars a day, and then went on a prospecting trip into Calaveras county, but was unsuc- cessful in his mining ventures there and after two months he removed to Sierra county, where he secured a good claim. Good gold was found on the surface and he and his companions worked the mines to the depth of sixty feet and had not then reached the bottom. They sluiced and worked from the top down and did not separate the gold until summer, when, in the "clean up" they took out gold at the rate of one thousand dollars per day. Our subject remained at that place for three years. during which time he cleared eleven thousand dollars. He then returned to the home of his father, who was then living in Illinois, just opposite the city of Han- nibal, Missouri. He remained but a year, but was ill during the greater part of the time. and in consequence retraced his steps across the plains to California, bringing with him his father, mother and two brothers. This was in 1855. They came to Amador county and settled near Pine Grove. where our subject became the owner of a ranch. He there engaged in stock-raising and also carried on the lumber business for a number of years, his parents continuing with him until called to their final rest. Both were buried at Pine Grove. His brothers Willis and Eli still reside in Amador county.
Mr. Vandament was united in marriage, in 1854. to Miss Annie Top- ham, a native of Ireland. and they have nine children, four of whom are living, namely: George W., who resides at Pine Grove; Mrs. Mary Lowry, a widow who is acting as her father's housekeeper ; John T., who is connected with his father in mining interests; and Lizzie, the wife of Richard Barrett, a resident of Tuolumne county. The mother died in 1865, and in 1877 Mr. Vandament was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Julia Tanner, who was to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey for twenty years, her death occurring on the 3d of September, 1896.
Mr. Vandament is the owner of one hundred and forty-five acres of land a mile east of Sutter Creek. and his property is crossed by the great Mather lode of California. The South Eureka quartz mine is located on his farm and he is one of its stockholders and also one of the owners of the Mutual mine, which is located between Sutter Creek and Amador. also on the Mather lode. He has always been interested in mining and the prop- erties with which he is now connected are considered very valuable. On his farm he raises hay and grain of every kind and has a rich, arable and highly cultivated tract of land.
In politics he is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired public
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office. Ilis parents were members of the Baptist church and he was reared in that faith, but has never connected himself with any religious organiza- tion. From an early age he has made his own way in the world, depend- ing entirely upon his own efforts, resources and business ability. The suc- cess he has achieved is therefore a monument to his labor. His energies are largely devoted to business interests and he is a man of excellent executive force whose resolution enables him to prosecute his work most successfully. Hle forms his plans readily, is determined in their execution and his regard for the ethics of commercial life combined with his integrity has won him the respect and confidence of the community.
WILLIAM W. McCOY.
William Woodruff McCoy, who resides in a pleasant home on a farm located on the south side of Salt Spring Valley, in Calaveras county, was born in Conway county, Arkansas, October 21, 1829. His ancestors were from Virginia and Kentucky. His father, Silas McCoy, was born in the latter state. in 1802, and married Miss Elizabeth Carlysle, the wedding being celebrated in Arkansas at an early day. Seven children were born of their imion, but only three are now living, two daughters and Dr. McCoy. The father died on the 16th of May, 1863. at the age of fifty-one years, and the mother passed away in her sixty-second year.
William W. McCoy of this review acquired his education in Arkansas. learning the blacksmith's trade, and afterward turned his attention to stock- raising. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Anna Stagner, a native of Kentucky, the wedding being celebrated on the 12th of October, 1854. Her parents were William and Rosana Stagner. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy had been married only a few years when the great Civil war broke out and when the need of his people of the south became pressing he volunteered as a defender of the Confederacy and joined the southern army. He was elected a lieutenant of Company A, Seventh Arkansas Infantry, and fought in several battles of the war, including the engagements at Shiloh. At that place he received three gunshot wounds,-one in the jaw, which knocked out several of his teeth, another broke his collarbone, while the third ball struck him in the hep. Ilis wounds were of such a nature that he was discharged. He went home to recuperate, and when well he joined the cavalry under Colonel Timothy Reaves, and was honorably discharged at Jacksonport, Arkansas, in the spring of 1804. On other occasions he had narrow escapes. At one time he was cut off from his regiment and escaped capture only by swimming his horse across the river. He could not swim himself and did not know whether his horse could, but in his extremity he took the chance and thus escaped being made a prisoner. He was a brave and capable soldier and did his best for the cause which he deemed just.
After the war Mr. McCoy returned to his family and continued to make bus Home in Arkansas until 1872, when he came to California, accompanied by his wife and their only surviving son. Timothy R., who now resides with his
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parents in their declining years at their pleasant home in Salt Springs Valley, and is in partnership with his father in the management of the ranch. Seven other children have been born to them, but all have passed away. Mr. McCoy here owns three hundred and seventy-four acres of land and is raising grain, produce and stock, making a specialty of the breeding of Hereford cattle.
He has gained the title of Doctor by reason of his successful treatment of cancers, having become a specialist in this line. His constantly growing repu- tation and his skill have caused many patients to come to him not only from all parts of California but also from adjoining states as well. He has prac- ticed in Stockton and San Francisco and has attended many thousands of cases, effecting more or less wonderful cures. His efforts in this direction are worthy of the highest commendation and have made him widely known far beyond the confines of his adopted state.
THOMAS HARDY.
The history of the pioneer settlement of Angel's Camp would be incom- plete without the record of this gentleman, who from the earliest founding of the town has been a prominent factor in its substantial growth and improve- mient. When California was cut off from the advantages and comforts of the east by the long, hot stretches of barren ground and the high mountains he made his way across all these, braving all the trials and hardships of pioneer life in order to make a home in the west,-rich in its resources, yet unclaimed from the dominion of the red men.
Thomas Hardy was born in Danvers, Essex county, Massachusetts, on the Ioth of September, 1816, and is descended from a prominent old Eng- lish family. He is a grandnephew of Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, of the English navy. Isaac Hardy, his father, was born in New Hampshire, and married Miss Lydia Herrick, a native of Topsfield, Essex county, Massa- chusetts. He engaged in the butchering and meat-market business in Dan- vers, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. The father died at the age of sixty-three, the mother at the age of eighty-three. In religious belief they were Congregationalists and were worthy and respected citizens. One of the brothers of Isaac Hardy was a minister and the family were all interested in religious work, doing everything in their power to promote the adoption of Christian principles which ennobled and uplifted humanity.
Thomas Hardy was educated in his native town, and when sixteen and one-half years of age he began learning the tanner and currier's trade. On attaining his majority he started in business for himself, in Danvers, Mas- sachusetts, which he conducted with success for four years, when he sold out and went to Alexandria, Louisiana, under contract to carry on business for a man; and later entered into partnership with a Mr. Little in tanning. currying and shoe manufacturing. and later bought out the interest of the man for whom he went under contract and furthered his business by him- self. He introduced the first two splitting machines ever in that state. He manufactured the first negro shoes made in Louisiana. He spent five years 22
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in that portion of the country, finding the people hospitable and kindly. When he visited'a Lousiana Home its owners would say to him, "You will aberys find a bed and plate when you come here."
but gold was de-covered in California and he decided to make his way to the El Doradoof the west. Ile sailed from New Orleans to Chagres. Mit was detained on the isthmus for two months before he could secure a beat for the Pador passage, which chanced to be the steamer California. At length he arrived in San Francisco, in September, 1849. He had made arrangements with a man to engage in the lumber and shipping business, but the partner died and thus all of Mr. Hardy's high expectations came to naught. It was necessary that he gain employment at once, and he turned his attention to mining, in which he met with moderate success. He has engaged in silver, copper, gold and coal mining, and has thus done much for the development of the rich mineral resources of the state. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability for leadership, elected him to the state senate from Calaveras county, and he at once became a prominent and influ- ential member of the upper house, opposing every movement or measure that he believed would prove detrimental to the public, and thus saving to the state much unnecessary expense. To his work in that session of the senate is given credit for the completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad. His straightforward, forcible and logical speech, ringing with truth, induced many of the senators to favor the road who had hitherto opposed it.
From his copper mines Mr. Hardy had taken out one hundred thousand dollars, and then he sold the property for three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. While engaged in placer-mining he at one time found a sixteen-ounce gold nugget which was worth three hundred and thirty-three dollars, securing the same on Carson Hill in Calaveras county. He first visited Angel's Camp in 1850, and in that year he also engaged in mining on the middle fork of the American river, where in four months he took ont six thousand dollars. He was always very successful in his mining operations, but lost large amounts of money through over-confidence in his friends to whom he lent money without full security. His knowledge of mining interests gained him the reputation of being an expert, and his labors in the development of the mineral resources of the state have contributed in a large measure to California's prosperity and growth. He is now inter- ested in six different mines and has over half a million dollars due him exclusive of interest money. At one time he owned five-sixteenths of the Black Diamond and Cumberland mines, and was offered six thousand dol- lars for one sixteenth of it. He purchased five-sixteenths more of that prop- erty, and then sold nine-sixteenths, on which he cleared in one afternoon twenty thousand dollars.
While in Volcano. Amador county, in 1862. Mr. Hardy assisted in organizing a vigilance committee, the list containing five hundred names. This seemed necessary because there were three hundred gamblers and law- less persons in the town. Mr. Hardy was elected its president, or captain. lle decided to rid the town of the gang and became one of the executive
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committee of twelve. In the gang there was one big fellow named Brewster, who was a prize fighter and was kept by the gamblers to settle all their dif- ficulties either harmoniously or by force. He would go into a store, take a hat, coat, or anything he wanted without paying for it, and leave laugh- ing defiance at the proprietor. Soon after the committee was formed this fellow was seen walking toward a store. The merchant went in and fastened the door, but the desperado got a large stone and began to break down the door. Mr. Hardy, seeing that it was time to act, seized the man and threw him down and choked him until he was black in the face. He held him in that way as long as he thought it was safe, for he did not wish to kill him. He then let go of his throat and caught him by the hair and banged his head upon the ground until the breath returned to him. He then marched him up the street to put him in prison, but when the fellow saw that he was to be incarcerated he begged for mercy and said if he would let him go he would behave and make no further trouble. Mr. Hardy told him to go and prove from that time on he was a man. The gang decided to seek other quarters. Mr. Hardy was a man of great muscular power and force, therefore was well qualified to act at the head of a vigilance committee, for his bravery and fearless spirit were also well known. When occasion war- rants he is one of the most kind and considerate of men.
During the Civil war he made three donations to the sanitary commis- sion, one of two hundred and fifty dollars, one of five hundred dollars and a third of five thousand dollars. He is very liberal in his giving to benev- olent work, yet in his charity he is always unostentatious. For many years he has been a prominent and highly respected member of the Pioneers' Society of California. His pleasing, genial manner has made him popular in social circles and his sterling worth commands the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
STEPHEN DOUGLAS BURDGE.
Before California was admitted to the Union Stephen Douglas Burdge arrived on the Pacific coast, locating in this state in August. In September the territorial government gave way to statehood, and throughout the fol- lowing half of the century our subject has borne his part in promoting the interests and welfare of California. He was born in New York, in the town of Milton, on the Hudson, in Ulster county, September 15. 1811, and is therefore eighty-nine years of age at the time of this writing. He is of French-Scotch ancestry and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Stephen Douglas, having served with the colonial army in the war for independence, after which he located in Steuben county, New York, where he spent his remaining days. Richard Burdge was born in Monmouth, New York, and married Lydia Douglas, an aunt of the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois. By this marriage there were seven chil- dren, but the subject of this review is now the only survivor of the family. The father died in 1854, at the age of seventy-six years, and the mother
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