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 47
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for a mmirs of years, until teaming became profitable in his part of the state, when le pit a number of teams on the road hauling goods from Sacra- mento and Strakton to Virginia City and other mining towns in Nevada. This enterprise was successful and he directed it from headquarters on the Calaveras river north of Stockton and later at a point in Merced county, where he owns a second farm.
He took up his residence in Modesto in 1875. and he and his brother, C. J. Cressey, organized and opened the Modesto Bank, the first bank in Stanislaus county, of which C. J. Cressey was the president until he organ- ized and assumed the management of the Grangers' Bank in San Francisco, when Albert L. Cressey became the president and manager of the Modesto bank. The two brothers were partners in these and various other business enterprises until the death of C. J. Cressey in 1892. During his entire active career. Mr. Cressey has been a hard worker and his industry and business actaver have brought him well-deserved success. During a serious drought in the Calaveras valley he obtained water and irrigated his wheat-fields, and by so doing was able to insure a good yield, when the wheat crop was a failure throughout the valley, and he sold his wheat in his granaries at five cents a pound and took notes of the purchaser at two-and-a-half per cent a month, and it was ten years before he received final payment! They were for some time in the sheep and wool growing business and their enterprise in that line brought them the money with which they erected a one-story brick building and organized the Modesto Bank. Their building was used for the bank until 1893. when the stockholders erected the present bank build- ing, which is one of the finest banking structures in the state and is a credit alike to Mr. C'ressey's enterprise and to the city of Modesto. It is a three- story stone and brick building, with the bank on the ground floor. fitted up with elegance and with due regard to safety, the floors above being utilized for office purposes by some of the leading business and professional men of the town. The institution does a general commercial banking business. Franl. A. Cressey, a son of C. J. Cressey, deceased, is its vice president, and G. R. Broughton has ably filled the office of cashier for more than twenty years.
Mr. Cressey owns nine thousand acres of land, including farms already mentioned in the counties of San Luis Obispo, Kings, Merced and Stanis- laus and farms on a large scale. He formerly owned more than eight thou- sand sheep, but now gives his attention principally to wheat, horses and cat- tle. Ilis Hanford ranch is devoted to the raising of horses and mules. By the importation of a Norman Percheron Draught stallion weighing thirty- two hundred pounds. Mr. Cressey not only improved his own stock but also the stock of many neighboring ranchmen. He was one of the organizers and the president of the company that made the first irrigating ditch in the county. That innovation showed the great productive possibilities of the land when properly watered, and it is believed that in all his useful career Mr. Cressey has done nothing for which he is entitled to more credit from the general public than for that unique and beneficent enterprise. His in-
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terest in the affairs of his town and county has always been active, and there has never been a movement for the general benefit to which he has not given his moral encouragement and financial aid. He has for some years been the president of the Stanislaus County Agricultural Association, which holds successful annual fairs, for the satisfactory management of which he is personally largely responsible. Mr. Cressey is, first of all, a business man, but his business enterprises are deep and broad and their success is as bene- ficial to the community at large as to himself. He is a tireless worker and attributes much of his success to habits of industry early acquired and to close attention to business details. He has been an Odd Fellow for more than thirty years.
In 1870 Mr. Cressey married Miss Sylvia Swan, of Maine, who im- mediately after their wedding came to California with him. Of their four children, Charles, the eldest, died at the age of six years. Nellie is the wife of C. M. Maze, of Modesto. Alberta married Howard Taylor and lives in San Francisco. George is a bookkeeper in the Modesto Bank. Mrs. Cressey, who died February, 1895, was a woman of great nobility of char- acter and a most faithful and loving wife and mother, who was held in affectionate regard by all who knew her. The loss to her husband and chil- dren occasioned by her death can never be repaired, and Mr. Cressey has often said that words fait him when he attempts to offer a tribute to her life and character.
SAMUEL CHARTER PEEK.
Vermont has given California many good citizens, and one of the best known and most highly esteemed of these at Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras county, is the prominent mine-owner whose name is above. Mr. Peek was born in Vermont, May 9. 1825, and is descended from good English an- cestors who settled early in the colonies. He accompanied his father's fam- ily to Illinois in 1838 and was there educated and reared on a farm.
When he attained his majority he became a traveling salesman and col- lector for the Gradatour Plow Company and later he served the Moline Com- pany in the same capacity for four years. After that, until 1859. he farmed and sold goods in Ogle county. Early in the year mentioned he started for California, and going by way of the isthmus of Panama arrived at San Fran- cisco June 14, 1859. The next day but one he was at Mokelumne Hill, where for the seven years which followed he was a successful liveryman, notwithstanding he was three times burned out, and then he became a partner of Myher Davidson's in the mercantile business and was associated with him until 1892. During his connection with Mr. Davidson, he was inter- ested in the management of the Quinn mine, attended to supplying it with everything necessary, paid the men employed there and ran the boarding house in connection with it. He bought five hundred acres of land, partly in the town of Mokelumne Hill and partly just outside its boundary line, and sold two hundred and forty acres of the tract for ten thousand dollars and has
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imped eighty artes more of it to a mining company for three thousand dol- la -. a part of yoich sum has been paid; and he has another mine on the summe property, covering two acres, which he has bonded for one thousand As thesy mme- are on the Mather lode of California, which has yichild -ich vast treffsure to gold-seekers, they are considered very valuable. Mr Peck was the deputy sheriff of Calaveras county during the ad- mimsotien of George C. Tryon. He was made a Master Mason at Mount Morris many years ago and has been prominent as an Odd Fellow, having possel the chairs in both branches of the order. Mrs. Peek has passed all the dears in the order of the Daughters of Rebekah. They have a pleas- Aff laune and are surrounded with everything tending to their comfort and commonence. Their residence was built in 1897.
AWy Peek was married March 3. 1867, to Miss Emily Fitzgerald, who W-dem in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1852, and was brought to California by hier mother in 1854, having been eight months en route. Mr. and Mrs. Peek force three sons and three daughters: Charles S .: Ella K., who mar- ned For F. J. Blaisdell, the latter practicing medicine in San Francisco; Estello @ho married Frank Bernardi, and Addie C., who married William L. Daoust, and both live at Mokelume Hill: George F .; and Allen H. is a student at Cooper Medical College. Charles S. and George F. have re- cently returned from a visit to Cape Nome, Alaska, bringing with them five thousand dollars each, as the fruits of their first summer's labor, and aluable presents for the family, one of which is a magnificent watch chain ud charm made of nuggets from their claim, and which was presented to their
PETER PURCELL.
Peter Purcell, deceased, was the proprietor of the Fashion Livery Sta- Me of Grass Valley, and has carried on business here for many years. A ope of the Emerald Isle, he was born in Kings county on the 2d of July, 1833, and was a son of Peter and Mary ( Colgan) Purcell, who also were datives of Ireland. His father was a merchant tailor by occupation, and died in 1884. while his mother passed away in 1880. The family is noted for longevity.
Peter Purcell, the fourth in order of birth in their family of five chil- dren, spent his boyhood days at his parental home, and in the schools of the neighborhood acquired his education. In his youth he also learned the trade of merchant tailoring, which he followed until coming to America. In the year 1861 he determined to seek his home beyond the Atlantic, and after reaching the new world took up his abode in Peru, Indiana, where he remained for two years, after which he came to California, locating in Sweetland. Nevada county. There he engaged in mining for a short time, and in 1872 came to Grass Valley. From 1872 onward he conducted a livery business. having well equipped barns on Main street, adjacent to the Holbrook House. and where he had hansoms and carriages and other stylish turnouts which he furnished to the public at reasonable rates. He received a liberal share of
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the public patronage, and his business brought to him a comfortable com- petence.
In July, 1873, occurred the marriage of Mr. Purcell and Miss Margaret Moroney, a lady of Irish birth. They had eight children, namely: Thomas J., Mary, Peter F., Joseph, Margaret, Catherine, William and Theresa. They also lost three children.
Mr. Purcell was a Democrat in his political views and kept well informed on the issues of the day and did whatever he could to promote the success and welfare of his party. For seven years he was connected with the Grass Valley fire department, being a member of Hose Company No. 2. He was deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his adopted city and withheld his support from no measure which he believed would prove of general good. His hope of bettering his financial condition in America was realized, and he not only won here a good business but also gained many warm friends. March 17. 1900, he was kicked by a horse, injuring him to such an extent that he passed away April 2, 1900. His loss to the community is a painful one, as he was a valuable citizen.
JOHN ROCCA.
Among the residents of Tuolumne county, California, of Italian birth, none occupies a higher place in public esteem than the well known citizen of Jamestown whose name is above and who has lived in California since 1859. when he was about fourteen years old.
John Rocca was born of Italian parents, both of whom were of old Italian ancestry, June 27, 1845. His father was Lazaro Rocca, an Italian by birth, breeding and education, who came to America in 1860 and settled at Jamestown, Tuolumne county, where he remained until 1874, when he returned to Italy, where he died at the age of eighty-two years, and where his wife survived him, having at this time ( 1900) attained to the same advanced age. John Rocca, who is now the only member of his family in California. was educated in Italy so far as was possible and left home while yet a mere lad, going to South America, whence he came to New York, where he labored under the disadvantage of not knowing the English language. He man- aged to support himself by peddling, however, and in 1859 came to California by way of the isthmus of Panama, arriving at San Francisco, August 27. From San Francisco he came to Jamestown, where he was employed four years as a clerk in the general store of his uncle, J. Lartora. After that he was employed at good wages as a miner and later worked a claim of his own. with satisfactory success. When he had acquired some capital he bought a forty-acre farm a mile north of Jamestown and engaged in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. He prospered and added to his landed possessions until be owned one hundred and ten acres, which he sold in 1866, for a good price. in order to buy land in Algansin, four miles from Jamestown, where he prospered so well that he now owns one thousand acres, including a fine vineyard, and raises grain and stock. He is the owner also of seven business
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bniklings on Main street. Jamestown, in the business center of the town, and of the Base-of-the-Slope mine, a profitable property three miles from James- town and of important interests in other mines in the Mather lode, and is regarded as one of the wealthy men of Tuolumne county. He is a public- spirited and progressive citizen who has used his influence freely for the advancement of the best interests of the county and its people. Politically he is a Democrat and he has filled the offices of county supervisor and collector of licenses and has been road overseer.
Mr. Rocco was married in 1864 to Miss Anna Stulla, who bore him six children and died in 1871. Two of his children by that marriage are dead also. In 1874 he married Miss Margaret Gianilli, who has borne him thirteen children, three of whom are dead. Mary, his eldest daughter mar- ried Lewis Gandolfo. Theresa is the wife of William Whippy. John J. is married and lives at Stent. Anna married George Gianilli. Rosa is Mrs. E. J. Knowlin. Lottie, Millie, Kate. Laura, Madalane, Maggie, Lodge, Joseph and Angeline are members of their father's household.
JOHN P. ALLEN.
Perhaps no state of the Union has been more richly endowed by nature than California, with its vast mineral and agricultural resources, from which spring the other great branch of activity,-commerce. Its orchards furnish most unprecedented yield, its verdant valleys and fertile hillsides furnish pas- turage for flocks, and its mines yield the greater part of the precious metal that forms the standard of our currency and is in use as a medium of trade through- out the country : but nature merely provides the material for the workman, and it remains to man to develop its resources and adapt them to his own use. Actively interested in the mining region of Eldorado county is John P. Allen, one of the early and well known settlers of this portion of the state and now residing in Cedar Ravine, a short distance from Placerville, where he has val- table mining interests.
Mr. Allen was born in Fairfield, Maine, on the 22d of February, 1826, and from Scotland to New England came his ancestors at an early period in the development of that portion of our country. Holoway Allen, the father of our subject, was born in Maine and there married Miss Hannah Spaulding. They became the parents of six children, and the father died at the age of sev- enty-four, while the mother reached the very advanced age of ninety-nine years. She was a member of the Society of Friends. Mr. Allen of this sketch was reared on the farm of an uncle until his nineteenth year and then served an apprenticeship at the ship joiner's trade. In 1858 he sailed on the Star of the West for California, and on reaching the Pacific Ocean took passage on the John L. Stephens, landing at San Francisco on the 17th of October of that year. Ile worked for a month at his trade in that city, but he had been attacked by the gold fever and in consequence started for the mines, going by steam to Sacramento, whence he proceeded on foot to his destination, carrying his blankets upon his back. For three years he engaged in placer mining near
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Newtown, meeting with moderate success, after which he came to his present location in Eldorado county. With two partners he engaged in mining on Spanish Hill, where they continued their efforts for six months, without result. Forming another partnership, Mr. Allen put a tunnel in the hill and the prop- erty then yielded to them a good return. Subsequently he sold his property there and in the winter of 1861 purchased a claim in Cedar Ravine. Here he has since prospered, and mine yielding a good percentage of gold. In 1862 he built a pleasant and comfortable residence on the banks of the ravine, so that he is pleasantly located near his business. The hillside shows the marks of his industrious hand. He has vigorously prosecuted his work and he is accounted one of the leading representatives of mining interests in this locality.
In 1849 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Allen and Miss Crispianna Young, a native of Bath, Maine. Two children were born to them in the Pine Tree state, and in 1862 the mother and children joined Mr. Allen in his new home in California. The younger daughter, Kate, married a Mr. Hart, and the elder daughter, Mary Ann, became the wife of G. W. Van Vleck and passed away, leaving three sons. Her husband is still living in California. After arriving in this state Mr. and Mrs. Allen became the parents of two daughters and two sons: George W .: Drucilla, the wife of George Bertschi ; Frederick, who is associated with his father in the breeding of Belgian hares ; and Mildred C., who is assistant chief operator in the Sunset Telephone Company in Sacra- mento.
In 1851 Mr. Allen took the initiatory degree in the Masonic fraternity, joining Solar Lodge, No. 14, at Bath, Maine ; and on the 26th of June, of the same year, was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, joining Montgomery Chapter at Bath, Maine, on the 8th of April, 1857. He afterward took a demit from Solar Lodge, No. 14, and now affiliates with Palmyra Lodge, No. 151, at Placerville, California.
Mr. Allen has been a life-long Republican, but has never sought or desired the lionors of emoluments of public office. His pleasant. genial manner wins him friends wherever he goes, haughtiness and ostentation forming no part of his composition. Although well advanced in years, he is still quite vigorous. He is a typical representative of the age in which he lives and of the state which is his home, and truly his life may be termed as a success, for the principles for which he has lived he has seen adopted and honored .- a success which is above that of the millionaire.
ROBERT M. LATTA.
Robert M. Latta has spent his entire life in the Golden state and is well known to many of the citizens of Nevada county. He is now success- fully engaged in business in Nevada City as the proprietor of a well-equipped livery and feed stable. He was born in the county which is still his home, on the 8th of September. 1868, and is the youngest of the five children of Robert W. and Sarah A. ( Darling) Latta. The father, a native of Ohio, came to California in 1850 and for many years was connected with the
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stage business, driving the stage on the Washington route. His death oc- curred on the 11th of November, 1877, and his wife, a native of Michigan, was one of the first teachers in Nevada county and for a number of years was thus connected with the educational interests of this locality. Her death occurred on the 2d of October, 1888.
Robert M. Latta obtained his education in the public schools near his home, spent his boyhood upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He also spent considerable time in Yuba and San Joaquin counties, but in 1896 re- turned to Nevada county and established his present livery and feed stable at the foot of Broad street, near Plaza. He is prepared to furnish stylish turnonts at reasonable rates and his energy and earnest desire to please have secured to him a liberal patronage. While living in Yuba county he served as a deputy sheriff, but has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests.
Mr. Latta was mited in marriage, in Yuba county, February 2, 1888, to Miss Mary Stineman, a native of California and a daughter of John Stine- man, a pioneer of California in 1850. and one of the Reese river victims. He is still living, making his home at Wheatland. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Latta has been blest with four children, who are yet living .- Esther. Wallace. Oscar, and Kenneth; and one daughter died in 1898. Mr. Latta affiliates with the Independent Order of Foresters, of which he is now the financial secretary, and with the Woodmen of the World and the Native Sons of the Golden West.
JOHN H. LAKAMP.
Forty six years have passed since John Henry Lakamp came to Cali- formig. and thus through more than four decades he has witnessed the growth and development of the state. To those who saw California in its early mining days and now travel over the beautiful state, rich in all the natural resources and in all the improvements that man has made, it is no w der that her citizens feel a deep pride in her progress and upbuilding .- a pride that is amply justified by what has been accomplished. Each com- munity has its leading men who have been foremost in promoting the work di advancement, and among this number is classed Mr. Lakamp.
! native of Hanover, Germany, he was born on the 16th of October, 1835. Is parents being Joseph and Margaret Lakamp, also natives of the ame comftry. The father died when his son was only six years of age. The roother afterward became the wife of Adam Hespa. In 1845 they came lo Anierica, bringing with them her son John. He was afterward afforded the educational privileges of a religious school in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also learmi the shoemaker's trade as a preparation for life's practical duties. Init was liter obliged to abandon that vocation because of his health, and 1 1854 be came to California, by way of the isthmus. He sailed from New Work on the George Low. Subsequently that vessel was brought around
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into the Pacific waters and was finally wrecked and sank, the passengers and crew all being lost.
Mr. Lakamp arrived at Dutch Flat on the 27th of March and worked on a ranch, being employed at the manufacture of charcoal and "shakes." He was willing to accept any employment that would yield him an hon- orable living until he could get a start. A little later he began mining on the river and was among the first to engage in hydraulic mining, in which enterprise he met with success. His largest find was a nugget of gold worth four hundred and twenty-one dollars and twenty-five cents. There were five of his party working at that place and they used to take out about one hundred dollars each in a week. They worked the mine until they supposed its mineral resources were exhausted, after which it was jumped by others and for some time still proved to be a good producer. In 1861 Mr. Lakamp resumed mining on the same river where he had worked for three years, and then sold his property to good advantage. He has since operated and owned several mines, and like most mining men he has made and lost much money ; but in the aggregate his career has been a prosperous one and he has now retired from active business with a good competency, having a commodious and comfortable residence in Dutch Flat, where he enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens to a high degree. He is still interested in various mining properties, but leaves their operation to others.
Mr. Lakamp has been a life-long Democrat, but has never sought official preferment as a reward for party fidelity. In 1860 he was made a Mason and has since continued an active and valued representative of the fraternity. He has also taken the Royal Arch and the Knight Templar degrees and is a worthy representative of the beneficent principles upon which the order is founded. His home relations have been very pleasant. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Margaret Hild, a native of Germany, and they became the parents of six children, of whom four are living, namely: Esther: Emma. the wife of M. S. Skeagen, by whom she has two children-Milton and Margaret : Frank, who has gone to Cape Nome, Alaska, to try his fortune there; and Augusta, who lives in Chicago, Illinois. The mother died in April, 1879. and her loss was deeply felt by her family: Mr. Lakamp has since remained single. He has a nice residence in Dutch Flat and Mrs. Skeagen with her husband and children reside with him. He is one of the well preserved early settlers of California who can relate many interesting incidents of the pioneer government of the state when California was largely the home of the mining population and when the seeds of civilization were being planted. He is highly spoken of in the town in which he has so long resided and justly deserves mention among its leading respected citizens.
ROBERT MUNRO.
Among the energetic, wide-awake and alert business men of Placer county is Robert Munro, who conducts a large general mercantile establish- ment at Dutch Flat, and is also the station agent at that place. He is a native of Embro, Oxford county, Canada, born on the 23d of June. 1849,
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