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 49
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Mr. Prindle was married February, 1863. to Miss Nancy M. Newhall, a native of Washington, Maine, a daughter of William Newhall and a rela- tive of George Peabody, a banker and philanthropist of Massachusetts. Mrs. Prindle, who came to California in 1862, bore her husband four chil-
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dren : Charles Everett, of Mokelumne Hill; William Newhall, now in the state of Washington; Ira Nelson, of Rich Gulch, Calaveras county; and Alice Augusta, who married Joseph Dell' 'Orto. Mr. Prindle was long a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and always connected himself with any movement which he believed would benefit the people of Calaveras county. He prospered in life and left a fine property to his family, including Buena Vista ranch, which is given up partially to fruit of different varieties, including raisin grapes, and which is the home of Mrs. Prindle.
Charles Everett Prindle was born December 1, 1864, and at his father's death, January 1, 1889, took his place as the secretary and manager of the Mokelumne and Campo Seco Canal & Mining Company, which owns one hundred and sixty-five miles of ditch pipe and all the water of the Mokelumne river and its branches. The construction of its works was begun in 1856 and it has since sold water for mining and domestic purposes; and in this way and for the admirable motive power which it supplies the enterprise is an important one, of immense value to citizens along its line. Mr. Prindle was reared at Mokelumne Hill and was graduated at the Stockton Business College. Following in the footsteps of his father, he became an Odd Fellow and has passed the chairs in both branches of the order. As a business man he has shown that he possesses marked ability, and he is regarded as a use- ful and helpful citizen.
SOLON M. STEVENS.
Solon M. Stevens is the pioneer druggist of Auburn and has been an active factor in promoting the business activity of the town. He is a native of the Green Mountain state. his birth having occurred in Bethel, Windsor county, Vermont, on the 26th of January, 1829. His grandparents, Oliver and Lucy ( Hayward ) Stevens, were pioneer settlers of Bethel and were participants in the events that formed the early history of that locality, the grandfather serving in the Revolutionary war. In the Christian church they hell membership and were people of the highest respectability. The son, Oliver Stevens, was born in Hartland, Vermont, and when he had attained man's estate married Miss Lucy Mills. Both he and his father served as captains in the militia and were men of ability and influence in the county in which they resided. Both died in Vermont at a ripe old age. The mother of our subject died when he was only six years old, leaving a family of six children, of whom only two are living. Frederick A. Stevens being still a resident of the Green Mountain state.
Solon Mills Stevens, who has traveled far from his native place to establish a home and seek a fortune on the Pacific coast, was educated in the public schools of Vermont, finishing his education in Royalton and West Randolph Academies, and there learned the carpenter's and carriage maker's trades. Subsequently he engaged in business in the east and was there hap- pily married September 29. 1852, to Miss Olivia Cushing, a native of his
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own town and a daughter of Willard Cushing, a prominent farmer of that place. In 1855 he decided to seek a home in the new and rapidly develop- ing state of California, and by way of the isthmus of Panama he came to the Pacific coast, landing at San Francisco, whence he made his way directly to Auburn. In this locality he purchased a ranch and engaged in farming, but his fellow townsmen, recognizing his ability, soon afterward elected him to public office. He was chosen on the Republican ticket as the assessor of township No. 4, Placer county, and removed to Auburn in order to better discharge the duties of the office, in which he capably served for two years. Later he was appointed postmaster, and satisfactorily served during the administration of President Lincoln and of President Johnson. In connection with the discharge of the duties connected with his position he conducted a book and stationery store, but in 1870 sold liis business and returned to San Francisco, where he resided for a year.
In January, 1871, Mr. Stevens again came to Auburn and established his drug business. For eleven years he was in a little store, but by reason of the growth of his trade he removed to his present fine building in 1882 and was for a number of years the only druggist in the town. His brick store occupies one of the best business corners of Auburn and the building is thirty-two by sixty feet, two stories and a basement in height. The upper story is used for office purposes and his rental annually augments his income to a considerable degree. Mr. Stevens continued in active business with very gratifying success until 1896, when he sold his stock to his son Fred, who has since conducted the enterprise. He is, however, the owner of the building and has also one of the most delightful residences of the town, in which he is now spending the evening of his life with his good wife, who for many years has been the partner of his joys and sorrows and has shared with him in the adversity and prosperity of his business career. For thirty years he was also the manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company and has witnessed wonderful improvement in the system. In the early days it cost nine dollars to send ten words to New York, but during the latter part of his connection with the company the rate had been reduced until a message could be sent for a dollar. In pioneer days the transmission of messages to all other points was proportionately high and later proportion- ately reduced. He was one of the oldest managers of the Pacific division at the time of his retirement. He enjoyed the unqualified confidence of the corporation. For twenty-six years he had conducted his drug store and his labor resulted in largely promoting the commercial activity of Auburn.
Mr. Stevens came alone to California in order to prepare a home for his family, and in 1857 was joined by his wife, who brought with her their little son Clarence. He lived to manhood and at his death left a wife and two children. Three sons were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Stevens in Auburn, namely : Frederick. Frank and Willard. Frank and Willard are operating a mine at Gold Hill, and Frederick is his father's successor in the drug store. Mr. Stevens has served as supervisor of the county four years. He has been a prominent and valued member of the Independent Order of Odd
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Fellows for the past thirty-three years, and has filled all the chairs in both branches of the society and has often been its representative to the grand lodge. In every position in life he has performed his part well and hon- orably. Ile is a representative of the class of substantial builders who have served faithfully and long in the enterprising .west, nobly doing their duty in establishing and maintaining the material interests, legal status and moral welfare of the community.
IANTHIS J. ROLFE.
Few men can trace their ancestry farther back than can Mr. Rolfe. Tra- dition says that the representatives of the name are descended from Rolla, who went from Norway to England with William the Conqueror. The fam- ily was first known in New Hampshire in the early part of the seventeenth century, and in the Pine Tree state Mr. Rolfe, of this review, was born, his birth having occurred in Rumford, Oxford county, on the 8th of Septem- ber. 1826. He is the fourth in a family of nine children, whose parents were Samuel and Elizabeth (Hathway) Rolfe. Both parents were natives of Maine, but the Hathways were among the early and influential settlers of Rhode Island.
When Ianthis J. Rolfe was eight years of age his parents removed to Caldwell county, Missouri, where he spent his boyhood days and acquired his education in the public schools. On the tide of westward emigration, which swept over the country in 1850, he was carried to California, making the journey across the plains. As almost all of the other pioneers, he first turned his attention to mining and worked with pick and shovel in Placer and Nevada counties for about four years. In 1854 he returned eastward and was married, in the city of Boston, on the 30th of August of that year. to Miss Emily Lindsey, a native of Maine.
With his bride he returned to California, by way of the Nicaragua route. and upon his arrival in Nevada City he formed a partnership with his brother. Tollman H .. and purchased the newspaper plant. Young America. They conducted that paper until 1863, since which time Mr. Rolfe has been notary public and the representative of seventeen insurance companies. Ile c rries on one of the largest insurance businesses in this section of the state, and as he takes the agency of only the most reliable companies he has the confidence of all with whom he has been associated in business affairs. In 1870 he was appointed deputy internal revenue collector and held the position for fifteen years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rolfe have been born six children, namely: Hattie P .. now the wife of I. M. Buffington ; Nelly B., the wife of H. Julian Wright; Dwight F .: Belle, the widow of H. L. Douglass: Horace C .: and Emily, who died in July. 1897. In politics Mr. Rolfe is a stanch and steadfast Republican and does all in his power to promote the growth and success of the party. Socially he is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to blue lodge. chapter and commandery, and in each branch of the order he
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has filled all of the offices. For the past twelve years he has been the sec- retary of the lodge and is the present incumbent. He is a man of exemplary habits and character, of broad sympathy, and is ever willing to lend a help- ing hand to those in need, thus fulfilling the precepts and tenets of the fraternal organizations with which he is connected.
HENRY A. FROST.
California would have become known to the entire country through its fruit-growing interests even if no other industry had called to it the attention of the world. Of this enterprise, wltich has contributed in a large measure to the prosperity of the commonwealth, Henry Andrew Frost is a representa- tive. He resides in Dutch Flat and is engaged in horticulture. He was born in Connecticut, May 15, 1830, but was reared in the state of Vermont. He represents a family that was connected with the English royalty, but he lost his parents in infancy and became an adopted son. In the public schools of Vermont he acquired his education and when twenty years of age he went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he engaged in the manufacture of farm- ing implements. He married Miss Alvira L. Page, and they had one daugh- ter. Lillian Alvira, now the wife of Henry C. Keys, of Stockton, California.
In 1861 Mr. and Mrs. Frost came to California, accompanied by their little daughter, who was born February 13, 1860. Their son, Clarance A., was born August 8, 1868. They sailed on the Atlantic and the gulf to the isthmus of Panama, and after crossing the little narrow strip of land con- necting the continents of North and South America they proceeded up the Pacific coast to San Francisco, whence they came direct to Placer county. In 1862 they took up their abode at Dutch Flat and Mr. Frost engaged in min- ing, becoming one of the owners of Central mine, which he developed, taking out considerable gold. He afterward sold his interest for two thousand dol- lars and the mine afterward proved to be a very valuable producer. In 1880 he became one of the pioneers of the fruit-growers in this section of the state, commencing operations on a small scale, but from time to time he extended his orchards until he has seventy acres planted in winter apples and Bartlett pears. In this business he has met with good success. The fine fruit which he raises commands an excellent price on the market. He has made a close study of the business and his knowledge of horticultural inter- ests is accurate and comprehensive. His labor has shown the possibilities of Placer county for fruit culture and many have profitably followed in his lead in the business.
In 1878 Mr. Frost was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died at Dutch Flat in that year. June 14, 1881, he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah A. Waggoner, who had two sons by her former marriage, J. L. and George N. Waggoner. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Frost there is one son, Alvin E., born June 21, 1886. This union has been a very happy and congenial one, and their home is celebrated for its good cheer and generous hospitality. Mrs. Frost is an active men-
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ber of the Baptist church, also of the W. C. T. U., and has been a member of the Good Templars for many years, having passed all the chairs in the organization. In his political views Mr. Frost is a Prohibitionist. He strongly favors the temperance movement and indicates this by his right of franchise. In this respect his example and influence are valuable to the com- munity, and in many other ways his life is worthy of emulation, for it has been characterized by the faithful following of manly and honorable prin- ciples.
CAPTAIN STEPHEN STANLEY HILL.
This venerable citizen, who has passed the eighty-seventh milestone of life's journey, came to California at an early epoch in the development of the state, and while he was connected with the mining interests he also became an important factor in the development of the splendid agricultural resources of the state. When it was found that mining would not prove a profitable source of income to a great number of people who flocked to California after the dis- covery of gold, he was among those who tested the fertility of the soil and demonstrated the splendid possibilities of land here for farming purposes.
Captain S. S. Hill is a native of Concord, Essex county, Vermont, born March 28, 1813. He represents a family of English ancestors who settled in New England more than two hundred years ago. His grandfather. Moses Hill. was born in the state of Massachusetts and became a well-to-do farmer there. On the old homestead in the Bay state Elijah Hill, the father of our subject, was born, and the property is still in the possession of his descendants. Ile married Miss Caroline Reed, a native of New Hampshire and a daughter of lines Reed, who served as a drummer boy in the Revolutionary army. while her grandfather. Joseph Reed, was a brigadier general and commanded a New Hampshire militia at the battle of Bunker Hill. The parents of our subject had seven children, five sons and two daughters, while three of the sons still survive. The father attained the ripe old age of eighty-eight and a half years, while his estimable wife passed away in the sixty-fifth year of her age.
Captain Stephen Stanley Hill, whose name introduces this record, was reared on his father's farm and his educational privileges were limited, only two months' attendance at the district schools during the winter, but his father was an old school-teacher, under whose direction the son studied at night. Having a thirst for knowledge he thus acquired a good education, and in his eighteenth year he enjoyed the privilege of five weeks' study in the academy of his native town. Subsequently he engaged in teaching through three winter seasons, before he attained his twenty-first year, and was highly recommended as a teacher. For about twelve years he followed that profession through the winter season, while in the summer months he worked at carpentering and as a salesman in a grocery store.
The year 1854 witnessed Mr. Hill's arrival in California, the journey being made by way of the Nicaragua route. He arrived at his destination, San Francisco, on the ist of February, and there he was employed at anything that would yieldl bim an honest living until the Ist of April, when he went to
C. I. S. Hill
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Knight's Ferry to assist in building a saw and grist mill, being thus engaged for five months, after which he turned his attention to placer mining, making fair wages in his new venture. Subsequently he went to Keeler's Ferry, where he opened a miner's supply store and sold goods for two years, or until placer mining ceased to be profitable in that locality and the population of the neigh- borhood consequently decreased. He then removed his store to Knight's Ferry, where he continued in trade for fifteen years, his sales bringing him an excellent income. In 1862. however, a flood came which washed away a part of the town and eight feet of water stood in his store room and caused him a loss of ten thousand dollars. He, however, continued business until 1870, but the inability of his patrons to pay him what they owed him finally forced him to abandon his enterprise. He then located one hundred and sixty acres of land four miles above Oakdale, and purchased another quarter-section, after which he furnished wood to the railroad company under contract. In that way he gained a good start in business. In 1874 he sold three hundred acres of land for four thousand dollars and removed to Oakdale, where he worked in the depot, shipping goods. Occasionally he also did some carpenter work.
In 1879, in company with a partner, he purchased six hundred and eighty- nine acres of land, lying on two sides of the town, for which they paid fifteen dollars per acre. Mr. Hill cleared and improved his portion of the property and engaged in farming until 1885. when he returned to the east to visit friends and relatives. He was also accompanied by his wife, who had three brothers in that portion of the country. They spent that season in the east and after his return Mr. Hill platted into town lots that portion of this farm which joined the corporation limits of Oakdale, and then sold town lots and acre lots. thus disposing of about one hundred acres. He continued to farm the remainder and also purchased another ranch of one hundred and sixty acres and leased eight hundred acres. He then bought farm implements and was extensively engaged in wheat-raising : but light crops and poor prices caused him to run continually behind, and again misfortune overtook him, for his fine new barn caught fire and the flames spread to the other buildings on the place, so that the farm was almost utterly despoiled of its improvements.
Mr. Hill then sold his land, for fifty dollars per acre, and that, with the insurance on his buildings, helped him to again get a start. He reduced his debts to four thousand dollars and gave a trust deed on two hundred and sixty- five acres ; but such was the stringency of the money market of the time that he could neither sell nor redeem his land, and after paying interest for a num- ber of years he was at last compelled to let the property go. Now. in his old age, after an active and busy life, he has only four or five residences left of all his large property; yet lie is hopeful and is a well preserved California pioneer, now in his eighty-eighth year. He is a good penman and writes a remarkably steady hand.
In 1843 Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Ann Bingham, of Vermont, who was reared in his own neighborhood. She has a cottage at Pacific Grove, where she spends the hot summer months. She is in her seven- ty-eighth year and is a faithful companion and helpmate. She has traveled
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the journey of life by her husband's side for fifty-seven years. They had four children, but all died in infancy. Mr. Hill was a Jackson Democrat until 1856, when he voted for Fremont and has since been a Republican. For twenty years he was a notary public and for seven years a justice of the peace, and such was his good judgment and understanding of the law that not one of his decisions was ever reversed. His has been an honorable and upright life, and though he has met financial reverses he has ever retained the respect and confidence of his fellow men, by reason of his fidelity to duty and his unques- tioned integrity.
MARTHA ELLEN TUCKER.
The state of Maine has supplied to the west some of its most excellent citizens and more than one member of the old family of Dingley has become prominent in one way or another. One of its most notable representatives in public life for many years was the Hon. Nelson Dingley, editor and states- man and author of the Dingley tariff bill. Of this same family came Samuel Dingley, an honored California pioneer of 1850, who was born in Maine in 1810 and married Mrs. Sarah Sherman, also a native of the Pine Tree state. Samuel and Sarah ( Sherman) Dingley, who were the parents of Martha Ellen Tucker, of Modesto, Stanislaus county, have a most interest- ing history in connection with early modern civilization in California. Mr. Dingley came to this state fifty years ago by way of the isthmus of Panama and mined at different camps and kept hotel at Keeler's Ferry.
In 1853 he sent for his wife and she came from her old home in the east by way of the isthmus, bringing with her her two little daughters,-Martha Ellen and Emma Frances. The latter died September 21, 1879, aged twenty- nine years, and the former is now Mrs. Tucker, who has kindly furnished to the editors of this work the brief history of her parents and her family here given and who at this date ( 1900) has been a resident of California for half a century. She relates that the family remained at Keeler's Ferry for some time, until their hotel was destroyed by fire. They then removed to Knight's Ferry. Stanislaus county, and Mr. Dingley built another hotel on Buena Vista hill. This second hotel was burned, as is supposed, by Indians. butt was rebuilt by Mr. Dingley and managed by him until it was again burned, without insurance, after which he engaged in stock-raising on his ranch above Knight's Ferry, an enterprise which he continued with success until he removed to Oakdale, where after several years he died, June 30. 1886. at the residence of his daughter in his seventy-sixth year, as the result of an injury received by being thrown from his buggy. He was an intelligent, progressive citizen. a Republican and during the war a strong Union man. Ilis good wife died October 17. 1874, in the fifty-sixth year of her age. . 1 son and a daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dingley after they came to California: Albert Dingley, now the county clerk of Stanislaus county ; and Etta, who is the wife of John Richards, of Fresno.
Martha Ellen Dingley attende 1 the public school at Knight's Ferry and
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finished her education at the Stockton Female Seminary. She was mar- ried, at Knight's Ferry, December 17, 1868, to Simon Enslen, who left his old home in the east and crossed the plains to California in 1854 and became a prominent sheep-grower and general business man, popular for his personal worth. Mr. Enslen died January 22, 1880, aged forty-eight years, leaving a widow and two daughters, in good circumstances. His elder daughter is the wife of Albert Holthom: his younger daughter is the wife of John McMahon, and they both live at Modesto. February 15, 1882, Mrs. Enslen married John Franklin Tucker, a native of Kentucky and. a member of an old and respected family of that state and a prominent business man of Modesto, where, as a member of the firm of Tucker & Perley, he is a leader in real-estate circles. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two sons,-Clarence Eugene and Elmer Carlyle. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have a wide acquaintance throughout central California and Mrs. Tucker is highly esteemed by early settlers in all parts of the state.
JOHN R. SIMMS, M. D.
The life of Dr. Simms has not been one of unvarying monotony circum- scribed by the habits, thoughts and customs of some narrow community, but contains many interesting instances that come with travel and extensive inter- course with the world. Born on the Atlantic seaboard, he has viewed many of the interesting scenes of our country and is now located in the pretty little town of Milton, where he is devoting his time and attention to the practice of medicine.
John R. Simms is a native of Virginia, his birth having occurred near Standardsville. Greene county, on the 25th of April, 1821. The ancestral history of the family accords to it an English origin and the early establishment of one of the family branches in Maryland. His paternal grandfather removed from that state to Virginia. His youngest son. the Doctor's father, was born at the family homestead in the Old Dominion, and when he had arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Lucy Early, a native of his own town and a cousin of General Early. They became the parents of eight children, but only four are now living. The father departed this life in 1861, at the age of sixty-one years.
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