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 46
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John Adams was the seventh born in his father's family. He was edu- cated in the public schools, and in Central College, Franklin county, Ohio, and was still in school at the time the Civil war was inaugurated. He had just reached his twenty-first year when President Lincoln made his second call for volunteers, and on the 7th of August, 1862, in answer to that call. young Adams volunteered for service in the Union army and became a mem- ber of Company G, Forty-fifth Ohio Infantry. The fortunes of this command he shared in Kentucky and Tennessee for five months. Then typhoid fever visited the regiment, resulting in the death of no less than two hundred of its members. Mr. Adams was one of its victims, was confined to hospital eight months, and barely escaped with his life. This long sickness unfitted him for
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further service at the time, and he was honorably discharged and returned to his home. It was two years before he fully recovered his health.
After this he farmed for a time. Then he became the owner of a portable sawmill, and was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for four years. In 1870 he came to California, locating in Sierra Valley, Plumas county, where he remained three years, after which, on account of the sickness of his son, he returned east. In 1880 he again came to California, this time locating in Placer county and purchasing a farm near New Castle, where he engaged in fruit-farming, making a specialty of peaches. He still retains this farm, but has for some time owned and occupied a pleasant home in Auburn.
Mr. Adams was happily married in 1867, on the 6th of February, to Miss Josephine Tyler, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, and a daughter of Lyman Tyler, of old Revolutionary stock. Her grandfather, George Tyler, was a colonel in the seven-years struggle for independence, and the family has spared its full quota of soldiers, having been represented in every war in which this country has been engaged. Joseph Tyler, the original progenitor of the Tyler family to which Mrs. Adams belongs, settled in Massachusetts in 1640. His progeny have scattered over various portions of this country and many of them have occupied prominent and influential positions. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have had four children, two of whom are living, both natives of California. Eugene is engaged in farming and resides with his parents in Auburn.
Mr. Adams has been a life long Republican. In 1886 he was elected recorder of Placer county, and it was at this time that he moved to Auburn. where he has since resided. He was again elected to the office of recorder, to succeed himself, and served two terms of two years each. He was also elected and served four years as the assessor of Placer county, and he is at present the incumbent of a city office, having been elected one of the trustees of Auburn in the spring of 1900. By his uniform courtesy and the fidelity to trust reposed in him, Mr. Adams has made a most acceptable official and given general satisfaction to all concerned. As a business man he has proved himself a success, having accumulated a competency. Besides his farm and his property in Auburn, already alluded to, he has valuable mining interests.
Mrs. Adams is a member of the Methodist church, of which the family are attendants and to which Mr. Adams is a liberal contributor. Fraternally he is identified with the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. R., being a charter mem- ber of Baker Post at New Castle, in which he has always taken much interest. Ile has filled nearly every office in his G. A. R. Post and is now a past com- mander.
Such is a brief sketch of the life of one of Auburn's leading citizens.
FREDERICK FRANK.
The proprietor of the Washington Brewery, at Grass Valley, Frederick Frank, is a native of the town in which he makes his home, his birth having occurred March 31. 1871. being the fifth in order of birth in a family of thirteen children, only three of whom are now living. The parents, John and
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Catherine (Lepharts) Frank, were both natives of Germany and are now deceased. The father was born in Wurtemberg, and there learned the baker's trade. In 1850 lie crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up his residence in New Orleans. A year later he came to Grass Valley and for some time was identified with mining interests. In connection with David Binklemann, he established the first brewery of Grass Valley. Later he sold his interest to his partner and established another brewery, conducting the same until the time of his death, which occurred in 1883. After his demise the business was carried on under the supervision of his widow until April, 1895, when she transferred it to her sons G. W. and Frederick. The partnership be- tween them continued until June 3. 1898, when the elder brother died. The mother's death occurred in 1896.
In the public schools of Grass Valley Mr. Frank, of this review, ob- tained his education and has spent the greater part of his life here. He was, however, at one time a resident of San Francisco, where he remained for four years, learning the harness-making trade during that period. After his return he became associated with his elder brother in the brewing busi- ness, and, as stated, their connection was maintained until the death of G. W. Frank, when our subjeet became the sole proprietor of the plant and business. He is a practical brewer, having an excellent knowledge of the business both in principle and detail. The Washington Brewery is one of the best in California and its products are very popular and have a large local sale, wherefrom Mr. Frank derives a good income.
On the 20th of February, 1895, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Frank and Miss Mary Hurley, of Nevada county, California. They now have three sons,-Ellsworth, Robert and John. Mr. Frank exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, and affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, the Foresters of America, the Native Sons of the Golden West and the American Legion of Honor.
AMOS A. WOOD.
In no profession has there been greater advancement during the past fifty years than in dentistry. One of the ablest and most prominent exponents of this profession in Stanislaus county, California, is Dr. Amos A. Wood, of Modesto.
Dr. Wood is a native of Parke county, Indiana, and was born Septem- ber 7, 1839. His ancestry was English and his progenitors in different lines settled in New England and were all members of orthodox churches. His parents were Amos and Sarasila Wood, and he was orphaned by the death of his father when he was only six months old, and when he was seven years old his mother died, leaving five children, the oldest of whom, Mary, now Mrs. Baker and a widow, living near Linden, cared for the others. Dr. Wood's eldest brother. John, came to California in 1849 and now lives in Nevada. Another brother. Zachariah, lives near Fresno, California.
Dr. Wood received his education in public schools in Indiana and lowa
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and at the outbreak of the Civil war responded to President Lincoln's initial call for tr ops Ify enlisting in Company H, Nineteenth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected the first sergeant. His first experience under fire was at the battle of Prairie Grove. He had not at that time yet fired a gun in the war. His regiment unexpectedly met an overwhelm- ing force of Confederates and was driven back after a few minutes' fighting, with the loss of one hundred and eighty killed and wounded, including Colonel McPherson and other officers. From Prairie Grove the regiment went to Van Buren. Arkansas, and thence to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where it par- ticipated in operations against that Confederate stronghold until it fell. At Vicksburg he suffered a sustroke which necessitated absence from his regi- ment for three months, during which time the regiment participated in ser- eral engagements and was captured at Baton Rouge. When he rejoined his regiment it was stationed at New Orleans, but it soon afterward embarked for Texas on board the old ship Banks. The vessel carried fifteen hundred men altogether and on the gulf of Mexico encountered a severe storm which came near wrecking it. The ship sprang a leak and it was difficult to keep it afloat even after the artillery and other heavy material had been thrown overloard. The storm lasted twenty-four hours and at times the sea ran so high that every life on board was imperiled. The regiment remained sev- etal inchths in Texas and later went to Alabama and fought at Mob'le, where it was stationed when General Lee surrendered and the war ended. Dr. Wel was mustered out September 18, 1865, after a continuons service of only eighteen days short of the three years for which he had enlisted. He was & fortunate as not to receive even the slightest wound and was pro- nitel to the office of second lieutenant by the governor of Iowa in recog- nition of faithful service rendered his country.
After the war Dr. Wo al became a stock-raiser and ranchman in Kan- a loit was obliged to give up the work of such an occupation on account of the sun-troke he lind received in the war, the effects of which had re- 100: 4. lle studied dentistry and practiced his profession in Kansas until 1880, win the come to Modesto, where he has continued the practice of his profession with such success that he has gained a high reputation and acquired consideralde property. He is one of the owners of Hors shoe mine in Tuolum- ne county anddowns a st ck ranch in Sanislaus county, which he is conduct- ing successfully. In partnership with his son and another gentleman, he has a prospector in the Klondike, where they have several valuable mining claims. He has taken an interest in every public enterprise at Modesto and is one of the leading and progressive citizens of the town. He is an active Republi- en, a member of the Republican county central committee and of the Re- publican county executive committee. He is an Odd Fellow in high standing and is a pist commander of Grant Post. No. 9. Grand Army of the Republic.
Dr. Wood was married in 1860. to Miss Catharine Byers, a native of Ohio, a daughter of Samuel Byers and a descendant of an old and honorable Ttode. and they have three sons and two daughters: their son, George F. Wond is the postmaster at Modesto. Minie married James G. Smith, of
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San Francisco, California, and is now a member of her father's Household. C. C. Wood is a dentist at Oakdale, Stanislaus county. Jessie Kate married S. L. Hanscom, of Stanislaus county. Edward E. Wood is a popular jeweler at Modesto. Dr. and Mrs. Wood have a pleasant home at Modesto and are active and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal church in which Dr. Wood has for many years hekdl the office of steward.
WILLIAM R. DEES.
There is ever an element of interest in the history of the self-made man, --- one who starts out in life empty-handed and wrests fortune from an adverse fate. Obstacles and difficulties are encountered, but to the man of resolute purpose these but call for renewed effort and serve as stepping-stones to some- thing higher. The life record of Mr. Dees stands in exemplification of what may be accomplished in this free land of ours where the man of ambition and determination is unhampered by caste or class.
A native of Georgia, Mr. Dees was born on the 3d of October, 1835, and represents one of the old families of that state. His father, John Dees, was born in North Carolina and married Miss Keziah Taylor. For a number of years they were residents of Alabama, and both departed this life in 1865. They had seven children, of whom only two are living.
Mr. Dees, the only one in California, was reared in the state of Alabama. where he received but limited educational privileges, his knowledge having been acquired mostly in the school of exprience. He has, however, become a well informed man of practical learning, and through the exercise of sound judgment he has worked his way steadily upward. Crossing the isthmus of Panama, he made his way to the Pacific waters, having previously sailed from New Orleans to the dividing land between the continents. Making his way to the Pacific coast on one of the vessels in use in that day, he arrived in San Francisco, on the Ist of April, 1852, and thence went to Coloma, in Eldorado county, and later to Cold Springs and Placerville. He first engaged in mining at Alabama Flat, where he met with very gratifying success, making as high as one hundred dollars in a single day. He continued to mine for a number of years with the varying luck of the gold-seeker, and then turned his attention to raising sheep, having a large ranch on which he had from two to three thou- sand sheep at all times. He continued that industry for thirteen years and then sold his sheep for nine thousand dollars, after which he was engaged in the livery business for three years at Milton. In that enterprise, however, he lost nearly fifteen hundred dollars anl then turned his attention to other affairs. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land a half mile from Milton and is now cultivating wheat, barley and hay. He keeps a number of horses and cows and has a well improved farm supplied with all modern accessories. His home is one of the pleasant residences of Milton and there he resides with his family, contentedly passing the evening of an upright and consistent life.
In 1855 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dees and Miss Helen Vir- ginia Burdis, a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Two children have come
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to bies their anom -Cora Elizabeth and John W. In his political affiliations Mr. Dnes is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired public office. In 1880 at Copperopolis, he was made a Master Mason, and has since been identified withwhat fraternity, filling the various offices in his lodge. He now holds mem- berAmp m Keystone Lodge, No. 161 F. & A. M., of Milton. He and his wife are devout members of the Methodist church and are people of the highest respepalulity.
CHARLES A. WERLE.
The fact that honesty, industry and perseverance will triumph over for- nadala sistacles has been many times proven; but the story of the struggles and spicesses of self-made men is always interesting. Any truthful biogra- play of charles A. Werle, ice manufacturer and the proprietor of the bottling work- 50 Mokelumine Hill. Calaveras county, must of necessity be an indorse- meloxi the value of the priceless qualities to which reference has been made.
(Tarles A. Werle was born at Buffalo, New York, May 21, 1849, and is descended from German ancestry. Michael Werle, his father, was born of German parents at Paris, France, and his great-grandfather and his sons were the owners of a flouring mill in the fatherland. Michael Werle was only six months old when his parents brought him to America. They located at Buffalo, New York, and there he was reared and educated and married Miss Rosilia Baumgarten. He came to California in 1852, and mined at Mokel- umne Hill with satisfactory success until 1858, when he went back to Buffalo, New York, and brought his family to California. Locating at Mokelumne Hill, he engaged in freighting between Mokelumne Hill and Stockton and between Stockton and Bakersfield, Kern county. He died in 1875, at the age of forty seven years, of pneumonia, which resulted from a cold caused by his getting wet in Kern river, where he met with an accident in the prosecution of his business. His wife survives him and is now seventy-two years of age. Three children were born to them after they came to California. William theday m. age of five years : Estella when in her twenty-first year ; and Mary is in charge of the telephone office at Mokelumne Hill.
Mr. Werle was nine years old when he was brought to Mokelumne Hill by his parents in 1858. Ile attended the public schools there and finished his education at St. Mary's College, at San Francisco. He was engaged in pros- pecting and mining until 1874, when he established at Mokelumne Hill his present luismess of bottling all kinds of temperance drinks, with which he com- bines the manufacture of ice. He has built bottling works and an ice factory and keeps several teams busy distributing his goods throughout the surround-
In profities he is a Democrat, and he was appointed postmaster at Mokel- move HOby President Cleveland and hell the office during that national exceptice- administration ; and his sister. Miss Mary Werle, was his deputy. Hi- - necess in life has been well earned, and he is widely and deservedly
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In 1871 Mr. Werle married Miss Emma Fray, a native of Calaveras county, and they have five children, all of whom were born at Mokelumne Hill,-Charles William, Frank W., Lee, Herbert and Rosalia. The latter is the wife of Victor S. Lagarmarsino and lives at Mokelumne Hill. Mr. Werle's residence is near his bottling works and most of the members of his family assist him more or less in his business. Mr. Werle is a progressive and capable business man who has material gains to show for his labor, and his public spirit is such that he is regarded as a patriotic and helpful member of the community.
GEORGE OPEL.
George Opel was born in Germany, July 20, 1831, of German parents, John and Margaret ( Keslevey) Opel, and one of a family of seven children. In 1849 the Opel family emigrated to America, locating at St. Louis, Mis- souri. Subsequently the father died of cholera, while on his way from St. Louis to New Orleans. The mother resided with her chillren in Jefferson county, Missouri, and reached a good old age, being ninety at the time of her death. Of the children only two are now living.
George Opel, at the time he came to this country, was eighteen years of age. He remained with the other members of the family in Missouri until 1853, when with four other young men he came to California. Their jour- ney was made overland in a "prairie schooner" drawn by oxen, and it was six months before they reached their destination. The leader of the little party had been to California before and it was at his suggestion that they trav- eled leisurely, his idea being to reach the mines about the time the fall rains set in. Their first stop in California was at Grass Valley. There they mined during the winter, but with little success, however. Subsequently they were more fortunate on the north fork of the American river, where Mr. Opel had a claim of his own, in which he worked from 1858 until 1894, and during that time took out a great deal of gold. He sold his claim in 1894. Since then he has been more or less interested in mining, and still owns a good drift mine, but for the past ten years he has not been engaged in any active business, on account of ill health, being troubled with bronchial asthma.
Mr. Opel was married in 1885 to Mrs. Drusilla Barber, the widow of Will- iam Barber. By Mr. Barber she had ten children, five of whom are living, and in the support and education of this family Mr. Opel has shown as much interest as if they were his own. The eldest, Amelia, is the wife of Charles Kellogg, of New Castle, California; Maria H. is the widow of E. Towle; Jennie is now Mrs. Val Curran; Louise is the wife of James W. Jameson, postmaster and merchant of Dutch Flat; and the only son is Charles E. Mrs. Opel has been a resident of California since 1861. She was born in England, a daughter of James Sherrin, and in her girlhood was brought to the United States by her parents, their settlement being in Pennsylvania, where she was reared.
At the time lic came to California Mr. Opel was a poor young man, with
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mogliny Dat Mais pluck ind energy and his willing hands For capital, and as ie reshprint lns industry and good management he has acquired a sufficient amouse of this world's goods to make him and his family comfortable: they occupy one of the best homes of Dutch Flat and are held in high esteem by the people of the community. The only fraternal organization with which Mr. Opel is connected is the I. O. O. F., and with this he has been identified for a number of years.
PETER KING.
Peter King. the manager of the Union Lumber Company of Grass Valley has been actively identified with the growth and prosperity of Nevada county, especially along the line of its lumber interests, for a number of years. His business ability is such as to aid in qualifying him for the control of extensive interests, and his enterprise and determination have been stepping- stones on which he has risen to the responsible place which he now occupies in commercial circles.
A native of Maine, Mr. King was born in Whitefield, Lincoln county. on the 12th of August, 1854, his parents being Enoch and Eleanor ( Baily ) King. both of whom were natives of the Pine Tree state. His ancestors on both the paternal and maternal sides resided in America prior to the Revolu- tionary war, and the grandfathers of our subject were patriot soldiers in that memorable struggle which brought independence to the nation. Enoch King was a lumberman by occupation, and for many years engaged in the operation of a sawmill and the sale of lumber in Maine. He died in 1870. In the vanily were eight children, including a pair of twins, one of whom is our subject.
Peter King is indebted to the public-school system for the educa- Found privileges which he received in literary lines. Hle afterward entered Vie Dirigo Business College, of Augusta, Maine, where he gained a Theer geal knowledge of the principles and practices of business life. Ilis only move, days were spent upon a farm and he assisted in the labors of bet ml meadow. Subsequently he secured a clerkship in a mercantile expliquent, and was thus employed for six years, In 1877 he came to Cabrona, beating in Grass Valley, where for twelve years he was employed Wy tie Molenk Lumber Company, and after the expiration of that period he sem wne winter in San Francisco. He then removed to Georgetown, ILJERky moty. and later he had two years' experience in the boot and shot podle in Fureka. Humboldt county. On selling out that business he returnon . Grass Valley, where be entered into partnership as a member of the firm of King & Wolford. proprietors and operators of a sawmill. This lusine -- connection was formed in 1803. and the firm purchased and operated the phundg-mill of George Murphy. Later the company was incorporated under the firm name of the Union Lumber Company, of which Mr. King Das since been manager, the directors being George W. Towle. Sam. Wolford. Mrs. Emma Kitts, William Coyne. Grant McMullen and Peter King, who
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also holds the office of manager and secretary. Messrs. King & Wofford also own other mill property located about sixteen miles from the city, and having a capacity of fifteen thousand feet of lumber daily. The business done by the Union Lumber Company has reached extensive proportions, and under the capable management of Mr. King the enterprise has proved a very profitable one. He is a man of great energy, of resolute purpose and marked executive ability, and these qualities have enabled him to secure an excellent trade.
On the 17th of November, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. King and Miss Catherine Mulkohey, a native of California, and they now have two children,-Sunrin D. and Carl. In politics Mr. King is a Republican, but has never sought or desired public office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business interests. Socially he affiliates with the Masonic order, having taken the degrees of the blue lodge and chapter. He deserves credit for his success in life, for it has been achieved entirely through his well-directed efforts, and at all times his reliability in business transactions has commended him to the confidence and regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
ALBERT L. CRESSEY.
The subject of this sketch has several claims to consideration. He is the president of the Modesto Bank, at Modesto, Stanislaus county, Cali- fornia, one of the stanchest financial institutions in that part of the state. He is one of the most prominent citizens of his town and county and was an early settler in California. He was born of old English stock and some early representatives of the family in America were prominent in Massa- chusetts and New Hampshire. Curtis R. Cressey, his father, was born in New Hampshire and married Miss Susan Littlefield, a native of that state. They were prosperous farmers, who were respected by all who knew them and were active and consistent members of the Baptist church. Curtis R. Cressey lived to be eighty-three years old and died at Brownfield, Maine. which had for some time been his home. His wife died when in her thirty- sixth year. They had six children, of whom two are living.
Albert L. Cressey, who first saw the light of day in New Hampshire. was reared to the work of the farm and had few early opportunities for "book learning." and his education, which impresses one as being quite ample. was acquired by self-directed reading and in the broad and instructive field of human experience. Sailing from New York by way of Panama, he ar- rived at San Francisco in 1857, young, single and with just money enough left after having paid his passage to settle his first hotel bill at St ckton. His knowledge of farming was turned to good account and he farmed in one way or another on other mnen's land until he was able to take up one hundred and sixty acres of government land on his own account. He pros- pered and as occasion offered added to his possessions until he had a fine farm of five hundred acres. He gave his attention exclusively to farming
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