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 50
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The Doctor is the only representative of the family in California. His childhood and youth were passed at his parents' home, and when he had completed his literary education he entered upon the study of medicine in the office and under the direction of Dr. Hugh McGuire, a noted surgeon of his time. When he was well qualified for his chosen calling he began prac- tice in 1849. in North River Mills, West Virginia, and was for a time a prac- titioner at Capon Springs, removing thence to Texas. He settled near Austin. in Travis county, where he was successfully engaged in practice for eight- een years, when he came to California, taking up his abode in Los Angeles county, where he remained until 1872 and then settled in Santa Rosa, Sonoma county, where he conducted a ranch until the fall of 1880. He then removed
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to San Joaquin county, where he practiced until 1892, the year of his arrival in Milton. His practice has extended to many parts of the Golden state and he has had an eventful life, devoted largely to the alleviation of suffering humanity. Day or night, he has responded to the calls of those in need of his services without regard to the pecuniary return which he would receive. The poor have indeed found in him a friend, one whose generons and chari- table impulses have made him a noble representative of the profession.
In February, 1858, Dr. Simms was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Kerr, a native of Virginia, and by their union have been born eight children, namely: Virginia, who died in her seventeenth year at Santa Rosa, Sonoma county. California, her death being occasioned by consumption ; John K., who was one of Stockton's prominent young men and died at the age of twenty- six, mourned by a large circle of friends ; James M., who died in his twenty- fifth year: Lucy, who died in crossing the plains and was buried in San Diego, California: Harry L., now a resident of San Joaquin county ; Eugene S., who is a mining expert, living in Denver, Colorado, and has invented an electric hoist, on which he has secured a patent ; Thomas E., of San Joaquin county : and the twin sister of Eugene S. died in infancy. The mother died in April. 1880, and was laid to rest in the Santa Rosa cemetery. She was most devoted to her family, doing everything in her power to promote the welfare and happiness of her husband and children, and by all who knew her she was held in the highest regard. The Doctor maintains his office and residence in Milton and has a liberal patronage from among the best class of people. In politics he is a Democrat, and when in Texas he was appointed by the governor one of the trustees of the blind asylum of the state. He has never been identified with fraternal organizations, finding that his profes- sional duties occupied his entire time. His labors have been attended with excellent results, viewed from both a professional and financial standpoint, and to-day he enjoys the high regard and confidence of all with whom he has formed an acquaintance.
GEORGE C. WEST.
The honored and popular manager of the American Hotel at Auburn is a native of Placer county, born in Todd valley on the 4th of March, 1859. Ile is of English and Irish lineage. His father. Elliot West, was born in Belleville, Canada, on the 3d of April, 1832. He married Charlotte Carr and in 1856 came to California by the way of the isthmus route, and by steamer proceeded up the river from San Francisco to Sacramento, whence he came on foot to Placer county. He spent the first night at Auburn in the American Hotel, of which his son George C. was afterward to become the proprictor and manager. For a short time he engaged in mining and then he purchased a ranch in Todd valley. His wife afterward joined him in his new home and he continued farming and stock-raising with good success until the winter of 1861-2. when in a snowstorm the most of his stock died.
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cansing him to lose heavily. He afterward engaged in teaming from Auburn station to Todd's valley and other mining camps in the mountains.
In 1864 he returned to Auburn, where he purchased sixty-five acres of land, where the Freeman Hotel now stands. He built that hotel and man- aged it until 1869. his efforts being attended with excellent success. The land extended from the railroad to the present residence of Dr. Todd. He laid out Railroad street and donated it to the town, and this led to the upbuilding of that portion of the city. Railroad street becoming one of the most important thoroughfares in Auburn. He disposed of this property in 1869. At length he became interested in various mining claims in the county. both quartz and gravel mines, but his speculations in that direction did not prove very profitable, and he took up his abode at Iowa Hill. Here he became superintendent of the Morning Star mine, and later of the Big Dip- per mine, both of which under his management became good producers.
Mrs. West, his wife and the mother of our subject. died in 1870. leav- ing him with two sons: James F., who is now residing at Forest Hill; and George C., of this review, who has kindly furnished us the history of his honored father. In 1895 the father came to live with his son in the American Hotel and died on the 6th of November. 1897. in the same house in which he spent his first night in Placer county forty-one years previously. Like many of the brave pioneers of California, he was a liberal, whole-souled gentleman, physically strong and robust, and in the early days was consid- ered one of the strongest men in Placer county. He was as generous as he was strong and he left many warm friends to mourn his loss.
George C. West. the youngest of the family, was educated and reared to manhood in Placer county, and for some years was connected with mining interests, following that pursuit until 1884. He then began a successful career as the proprietor of a hotel, keeping a small hotel on the divide for eleven years. On the expiration of that period he sold his property there and came to Auburn, in 1895, purchasing the American Hotel, of which he has since been the accommodating host. This building is a fire-proof brick structure, three stories and a basement in height and containing forty rooms. The brick walls are unusually thick and it has iron shutters, and iron windows and door frames, making it an extremely safe building. It is located in the heart of the best business district of the town, and Mr. West and his excel- lent wife give their personal attention to the comfort of their guests. They are rightfully receiving a liberal patronage and Mr. West is known as a very popular host, owing to his uniform courtesy and his earnest desire to please his patrons. Much credit is also due to his wife for the splendid man- ner in which the hotel is conducted. Everything about the place is neat and the dining-room is especially popular with its patrons on account of the excel- lent table which is there set.
In 1879 Mr. West was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Doherty. a native of Forest Hill. California, and a daughter of Michael Doherty, who came to this state in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. West have a very nice family of eight children, all born in Placer county. namely: Mary. Elliott. Guy and
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Clayton, twins, Michael J .. Walter, Agnes and Ray. The eldest son assists his father in the conduct of the hotel. The family is one of prominence in the community, its members enjoying the high regard of many friends and the hospitality of the best homes in this locality.
Mr. West is Democratic in his political affiliations. Socially he is con- nected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Native Sons of the Golden West. having served as the president of his parlor. He is a wide-awake, active business man, giving close attention to the enterprise which he conducts and has a host of warm friends in the county in which his entire life has been passed.
CHRISTOPHER C. PROUTY.
Christopher Columbus Prouty, who is occupying a prominent position in political, social and business circles in northern California, was born in Knox county, Ohio, September 22, 1839, and is a son of Anson T. and Eliza- beth ( Helms) Prouty. On the paternal side he is of Scotch and French ancestry, while on the maternal side he is of German lineage. He repre- sents the fifth generation of the family born in America. His great-grand- father. Cyrus Pronty, emigrated from France and located in New York, where the grandfather and the father of our subject. the latter Anson T. Prouty, were born and reared. For many years Anson T. Prouty resided in the Empire state, taking a prominent part in its public affairs, while other members of the family also aided in promoting the substantial upbuilding of the sections of the state in which they resided. Two of his uncles par- ticipated in the war of the Revolution, and Hugh Prouty, another uncle, served in the war of 1812. The religious faith of the family has been that of the Methodist church. The business of its representatives has been farming or professional duties.
Anson T. Prouty was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Helms, a native of Pennsylvania and a descendant of an old German family that was early founded in the new workl. Her father was Charles Helms. By her marriage Mrs. Pronty became the mother of seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom four are now living. In 1852 the parents, with their children, started on the long journey across the plains to California. For five years previously they had resided in Iowa, where the father had located land now occupied by Newton, the county-seat of Jasper county. On the 20th of April they left their Iowa home, crossing the river near Omaha on the oth of May. The country to the westward was an open waste, trav- ersed by the Indians. After the party had passed Fort Laramie the cholera broke out among them and many died. The Prouty family suffered the ter- rible affliction of losing the husband and father, who was ill for only one day when death claimed him. The mother and children, however. escaped the (Iread disease, although there were many graves along their route. They were also in constant danger from the Indians, but were not attacked. Joseph Pronty, a son of the family, now deceased. emigrated to California the year
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previously. The widow and her three sons, after witnessing the burial of the husband and father on the plains, proceeded on their way to the Pacific slope, arriving at Volcano on the 24th of August, 1852, after a journey of four months and four days. Mrs. Proutty's capital amounted to a few thou- sand dollars.
In taking up the personal history of Christopher Columbus Prouty we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Amador county. He began his education in the subscription schools of Iowa and in the summer months assisted in the work of the home farm until his father removed to California. For one year after his arrival in the Golden state he worked on a farm on Dry creek for his mother, after which he went to Ione and attended the public schools. During that time he boarded with his sister, Mrs. Dooley. The following year he built a cabin and boarded himself, contintting his education there another term of school. He then returned to his brother's farm and was employed at work upon the farm and in driving a team for two years, after which he again came to Ione and rented a house, his mother acting as his housekeeper, while he attended school for another term. In the spring of 1859 he and his mother returned to his brother's ranch and he purchased a portion of the property, after which he engaged in tilling the soil and in raising stock, his mother still keeping house for him. He was thus employed until 1864, when he purchased prop- erty and removed to Latrobe, Eldorado county, where he carried on the livery and feed business, but that venture did not prove profitable and he sold out. returning to the ranch, of which he again assumed control, operating the land until he was dispossessed by the Arroyo Seco grant. Subsequently he leased from the Arroyo Seco company the same ranch and continued his business there, meeting with good success.
On the 27th of April. 1868. Mr. Prouty was united in marriage to Miss Austrillia Bennett, a native of Missouri, who came to Sacramento county, California. in 1858. She was a daughter of Thomas and Mary Bennett, both of whom were natives of Missouri and came to the Golden state in 1854. Their union has been blessed with fourteen children, twelve of whom are yet living, namely : Anson Valentine and Clarence Simon, both of whom are married and reside in Fresno: Vincent, deceased : Clara Elizabeth, who also has passed away: Robert, who is living in Mariposa county; Francis J .. who is married and resides with his father upon the ranch : Herbert V., who is now attending a medical college in San Francisco: Gladys, the widow of Rowley Druland: Christopher Columbus, who is living in Fresno; Ralph L .. who makes his home in Merced county: William, who is a student in school: Elnor and Almyr Leland, who also are attending school; and Douglas, who completes the family.
In 1870 Mr. Prouty removed to Jackson valley, where he rented a ranch for two years, carrying on farming and stock-raising. He then purchased the old homestead of the Grant company which he still owns, devoting his attention to farming and stock-raising. At different times he has pur- chased more land from the Grant company and from others until he has
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accumulated about two thousand acres of fine land well adapted to farming and stock-raising. In 1890 he purchased forty acres near Stockton and removed his family there. They reside upon that farm, but Mr. Prouty continues to manage his property in Amador county. He also owns valuable real estate in Stockton and in 1885 he became interested in a corporation in Clements, California, with which he was connected until 1891. In 1899 he aided in the organization of the Ione Creamery Company, which has proved a successful venture, bringing a good financial return to the stockholders.
Mr. Prouty is a member of the Odd Fellow's society and has filled many of its chairs, including that of noble grand, and has been a delegate to the grand lodge. He was reared in the Methodist faith, but has never become a member of the church. His wife belongs to the Catholic church. In politics he was a stalwart Democrat, but afterward aided in organizing the Populist party in the county and was its first chairman. In 1890, however, he returned to the Democratic party and has since voted with it. He served his township for ten years as a school trustee, and the cause of education has always found in him a warm friend. He is a very popular man, is recognized as an excellent financier, reliable and trustworthy in business; and in every relation in life is found at his post of duty.
DANIEL S. BAKER.
Daniel S. Baker is among the "Argonauts" of 1849 who started for California in search of the "golden fleece." making the long journey around Cape Horn. Prior to the Mexican war California yet belonged to Mexico, and the customs and habits of that country were followed out in this sec- tion of the country. The land had not yet been dominated by the American spirit to any great extent, but when gold was discovered there came to the Pacific coast from all sections of the country men of resolute purpose, of strong determination and of unfailing industry and the state entered upon a new era of development and improvement, which work has been carried on unceasingly up to the present time. Daniel S. Baker was among those who sought the Golden state in the hope of benefitting his financial condition, and for more than fifty years he has been identified with the interests of Nevada City.
He is a native of the far-off state of Maine, his birth having occurred there in Lincoln county on the 29th of April, 1822. His father, John Baker, was also a native of Maine and was a representative of one of the old families of the Pine Tree state. of English lineage. He learned the car- penter's trade and followed that occupation as a means of livelihood. He wedded Ilarriet Sherman, also a member of an old and influential Maine family, and they became the parents of four children, of whom Daniel S. was the youngest. Ile was left an orphan at an early age. after which he went to make his home with his maternal grandfather. Early in life he went to sen, and during the winter season, when navigation was practically closed, he pursued his education in the public schools. Ile followed that occupa-
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tion for eighteen years. At the age of twenty-seven he made a trip around Cape Horn to California from Bath, Maine, landing in San Francisco in 1849. Leaving the ship at that point he made his way at once to Nevada county, where for six years he engaged in mining. Later he turned his attention to merchandising, and for more than twenty-five years he has been engaged in the transfer business as the head of the Nevada City Transfer Company. Fifteen horses are used in the service and at times five men are employed. The company receives a very liberal patronage, its business being large and profitable. Mr. Baker has always been connected with mining interests during his residence in California and his income is thereby mate- rially increased.
In 1862 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Baker to Miss Asenith Cnn- ningham, of Maine, who came to California in 1860 and was married in Sacramento. They now have four living children: Lottie M., the wife of George Johnson, a business man of Nevada City; Emma B., the wife of George K. Danforth, who is living in Nevada county; Nellie and Edward J. They have lost two sons, Sherman B. and Bradford. Socially Mr. Baker is connected with the Knights of Pythias, being also connected with the uni- formed rank. He has passed all the official chairs in the order and is an exemplary member of the society. He is also a member of the Rathbone Sisters. His political support is given to the Republican party and for more than ten years he has served as a member of the city council. His uncom- promising integrity of character. his fearlessness in the discharge of his duty and his appreciation of the responsibility that rests upon him were such as to make him the most acceptable incumbent of that office, and his worth then, as now, was widely acknowledged.
ALBERT W. KENISON.
While there is to some extent truth in the claim that is made, that city politics are corrupt. it will be found that throughout this land in the smaller cities and towns, men of ability, loyal in citizenship and faithful to public trusts are filling official positions. Such a one is Albert Wesley Kenison, who is now serving on the board of supervisors of Placer county. He is a native of the far-off state of New Hampshire. his birth having occurred in Jefferson on the 13th of January. 1855. The blood of English and Scotch- Irish ancestors flows in his veins, but the family has long been represented in the new world and is strictly American in thought, purpose and sympathy. His great-grandfather. Benjamin Kenison, emigrated from Ireland and located in the state of Massachusetts, where the grandfather was born. The father. Benjamin R. Kenison, was born in New Hampshire. The latter mar- ried Miss Fanny Moulton, whose father, Nathan Moulton, was of Scotch lineage, while her mother was of English descent. They spent their married life in the old Granite state. Mr. Kenison attained the advanced age of seventy-two years, while his wife passed away in her sixty-eighth year. They had eight children, five sons and three daughters, three of the sons and two
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of the daughters surviving. The parents were respected farming people and members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Albert Wesley Kenison is the only member of the family in California. He was educated in the public schools and reared to manhood in his native town. The year of 1876 witnessed his arrival on the Pacific coast. He had just attained his majority and came to the west hoping that better business opportunities would be afforded him in this part of the country. He located in Rocklin. Placer county, where he was employed in a hotel, after which he spent a year in San Francisco. Subsequently he returned to Rocklin and in 1879 bought an interest in a mine called the Dam claim on the Forest Hill divide, where he remained one year. With the capital he had acquired through his own efforts he opened a mercantile store at Bath in 1880. There he carried on business for seven years, with good success, but in 1887 he soll his enterprise there and came to Auburn, where he has since engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor business, also dealing in carbonate beverages. In this he has prospered, his sales reaching extensive proportions, and in 1898 he built the fine large block which bears his name. It is fifty by sev- enty-five feet and two stories and a basement in height. It is fitted through- out with every modern convenience and facility for carrying on his large business. Near by he has also erected a building for his extensive bottling works, the structure being sixty by eighty feet, supplied with all the newest appliances for bottling his products. He is also the owner of the Auburn theater, the building adjoining his own. The theater is fifty by one hundred and sixty-five feet, splendidly constructed for the purpose used, and tastefully finished and furnished throughout in modern style. It has a large stage and beautiful scenery, and is a theater that would be a credit to a city of much larger size than Auburn. It will be seen that Mr. Kenison has been actively connected with the business interests of the town and has contributed in a large measure to the improvement and substantial progress of the city. He is recognized as a popular and successful business man and his efforts have certainly been of benefit to Auburn.
In politics Mr. Kenison has been a life-long Democrat and in 1896 he became a candidate on the ticket of the party for the office of supervisor of Placer county. In that position he has served for the past four years and therein has labored untiringly for the welfare of the community. His efforts were largely instrumental in securing the erection of the county hos- pital, which is a' credit to the people in this portion of the state, indicating their charity and kindness. It was erected at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars and its furnishings have made an additional cost of ten thousand. It furnishes a good home for the indigent old people of the county, for there those who have outlived the years of activity can spend their remaining days in quiet and comfort. Mr. Kenison is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery.
March 31, 1879. he was married to Miss Mary McCormick, a native of Placer county and a daughter of James D. McCormick, who formerly served as the county sheriff. They have four sons and one daughter, namely :
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Francis, Albert, James, Benjamin and Mary Teressa. Theirs is one of the pleasant homes in Auburn and the family are highly respected in the com- munity in which Mr. Kenison is known as a reliable and successful business man.
CHARLES J. HELLWIG.
Charles John Hellwig, one of Auburn's genial and intelligent old-time residents, came to California in 1852 and for many years has been the reliable dealer in and manufacturer of harness in the town in which he now lives. The record of his life, briefly sketched, is as follows:
Mr. Hellwig was born in Prussia on the 25th of February, 1826, a son of Carl August and AAdelgumla ( Schultz ) Hellwig, both natives of Prussia. Carl August Hellwig was an officer in the Prussian army and participated in the war against Napoleon Bonaparte. Both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church, in the faith of which they reared their family. Of their five children, three are still living, namely : Charles John and Theodore and their sister, Mrs. Frances C. Vandeler, the last two being residents of Brooklyn, New York.
Charles J., the eldest of the surviving members of his father's family, was educated in his native land and there learned the harness and saddlery business. In 1848 he came to the United States in search of civil liberty, and upon his arrival in this country located in New York city and went to work at his trade. He was thus occupied there when news of the discovery of gold in California spread like wild-fire over the country. Imbued with a spirit of adventure and with a desire to see something of the country as well as to make his fortune in the far west, young Hellwig set out for California. He sailed from New York via the Nicaragua route for San Francisco, which port he reached in due time and whence he at once went to the mining dis- tricts. His first mining experience was in Eldorado county, near Coloma. In speaking of his early mining days, Mr. Hellwig says that the largest nugget he ever found weighed eleven ounces, and his six weeks' most suc- cessful mining averaged one hundred and seventy-five dollars per day. This was on the Middle Fork of the American river, in the latter part of the sun- mer. The following winter he had a drift claim, in the tunnel of which he put all the money he had taken out of the river. He continued to mine for about two years, chiefly in Placer county, after which, with the money he had made in the mines, he purchased a farm. On this farm he lived two years, devoting his time to its cultivation and improvement, only to find, at the end of that time, that it was a Spanish grant and that his title to it was not good. Thus he lost the land, improvements and all. He had money enough left, however, with which to establish himself in the harness business, which he did in Auburn, in 1861, and here for the past forty years h> has conducted a successful business, passing through the fires which swept away portions of the town, and surviving the financial disasters that overthrew many a business house. Throughout his whole career here he has enjoyed
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