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 52
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1862 he abandoned placer mining and opened a retail liquor house in Sonora. In the new enterprise he met with creditable success and continued in that business throughout the remainder of his active career, acquiring a compe- tence that now enables him to live retired, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
Mr. Ryan and his wife became the parents of the following named children, in Sonora: John T .: James, who is engaged in quartz mining; Joseph B., who is now the principal of the Jamestown school : Dennis W., a printer in San Francisco: Falo, a printer in Sonora; Mary, who became the wife of M. D. Kelley and died at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving one child; and Susie, who is at home. Mrs. Ryan is also spared to her fam- ily, and they reside in a commodious dwelling which was erected by the subject of this review. They all adhere to the religious faith of their fathers and are worthy members of the Catholic church. Mr. Ryan's political views are in harmony with the principles of the Democracy, but at local elections, where no national issue is involved, he votes for those whom he thinks best fitted for the position, regardless of party affiliations. He is a member of the Chosen Friends and is one of the highly respected citizens of Sonora.
JOHN COLEMAN SAFFORD.
Figuring as one of the prominent and active business men of Anburn. Placer county, California, is the subject of this sketch, John Coleman Safford. who has for several years been a dealer in furniture. He is a native of New York, born in Perry, Wyoming county, August 14, 1851, and is descended from English ancestry.
His forefathers were among the early settlers of Connecticut, their iden- tity with that state dating from the sixteenth century ; the family was repre- sented in the Revolutionary war and was prominently connected with civil affairs also at that early period in this country's history. Samuel Safford. the grandfather of John C., married Miss Ellen Moss. Their son John, born in Perry, New York, grew up at that place and there married Miss Caroline Coleman, also a native of Perry. She was the daughter of John and Julia ( Ainsley ) Coleman. They became early settlers of Seneca Lake, where he was a farmer. John Safford was a farmer and local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in the thirty-sixth year of his age, his death resulting from the effects of a cold contracted while baptizing some converts in the creek in winter. She was fifty-six years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of three sons and one daughter, all of whom are living, John C. being the eldest son. The others are George S., Charles S. and Helen. George has been a resident of Los Angeles, California, since 1873. Helen is now the wife of Edwy Knight and resides in Jackson, Michigan.
John C. Safford was educated in New York, and his first business expe- rience was in a book and stationery store, after which he was engaged in the painting and decorating business. He came to Auburn, California, in 1881, seeking a change of climate, which has proved beneficial. He first pur-
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sued the occupation of painter and decorator here. after which he became associated as partner with W. A. Crowell in the furniture and undertaking business. At the end of five and a half years this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Crowell taking the undertaking department and Mr. Safford the furniture. The latter now has a large furniture store, well stocked with a fine line of fur- niture, carpets and wall paper, and he also deals in paints and oil. From three to five persons are employed in the store, the business is successfully con- ducted, and the proprietor enjoys the reputation of being one of the enter prising, up-to-date business factors in the town.
Mr. Safford was married in 1871 to Miss Mary Ann Appleby, a native of Warsaw, Wyoming county, New York. She is the daughter of George Appleby, a native of England, while her mother was of French descent. Their union has been blessed with two sons: Lucius Elbert, a clerk in his father's store ; and Edwy Knight, a student in Berkeley College. Mr. Safford built the pleasant home he occupies in Auburn, and has surrounded his residence with! an attractive lawn, dotted over with flowers, shrubbery and shade trees, mak- ing it an ideal home.
Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, blue lodge. chapter and council, also as a member of the I. O. R. M., and politically is a Republican.
P. G. SCADDEN.
Among those who have been distinctively conspicuous in connection with the substantial upbuilding and legitimate progress of the attractive municipal corporation of Nevada City is P. G. Scadden, to whom distinct recognition must be given in a complete account of the development and advancement of the community. He is now classed among its leading merchants, and it is a well known fact that commercial activity is the main source of a town's pros- perity and material growth. His entire life has been passed in California, and Nevada City is the place of his birth, which occurred on the 3d of Feb- ruary, 1874, his parents being Thomas and Elizabeth ( Hodge) Scadden, both of whom were natives of England. The father came to California in 1857 and engaged in mining for thirty years, his death occurring in 1892. His wife became a resident of the Golden state in 1858. Her father was a merchant and followed that pursuit for many years, and also established the first brewery in Nevada county, the enterprise being located near Grass Valley.
During the greater part of his life Mr. Scadden, of this review, has been connected with mercantile pursuits. He was reared and educated in Nevada City, and after putting aside his text-books he entered upon the practical duties of life, becoming connected with the purchase and sale of merchandise. In 1894 he bought the grocery owned by James Kidd, and is now successfully conducting the enterprise, having a large and well equipped establishment. Ilis place of business is located on Commercial street, and is characterized for its marked neatness. It is well supplied with .a complete line of all staple and fancy groceries, and the energy of the owner, combined with his honor-
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able dealing and earnest desire to please, have secured to him a liberal patronage.
In matters affecting the public welfare Mr. Scadden takes a deep interest and is a public-spirited and progressive citizen. For the past eight years he has been connected with the city fire department, and at this writing is chief engineer. Socially he is a valued representative of the Order of For- esters of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has taken the encampment degrees, and Hydraulic Parlor, N. S. G. W. His sup- port and co-operation are given to every movement for the public good, anid his well spent life has gained him the confidence and good will of his fellow men wherever he is known. On the 5th of June, 1895. Mr. Scadden was united in marriage to Miss Honor, a daughter of John Stephens, of Nevada City, who came with his family to California from New Jersey in 1874. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Scadden has been blessed with a little son. Mal- colm, born June 6, 1897.
JACOB M. PIKE.
There are two things which are an unmistakable indication of the con- dition of a community. These are its newspapers and its hotels. No other enterprises so correctly mirror forth the enterprise and progressive spirit of a town or give indication of its lack of growth and advancement. As the proprietor of the Tynon Hotel, at Modesto, Mr. Pike is a typical representa- tive of California's spirit of improvement which has led to the marked advance- ment of the state. He arrived on the Pacific coast on the Ioth of February. 1850, finding here a collection of mining camps scattered over a territory giving little indication of the marks of civilization. From that time to the present he has ever borne his part in reclaiming the wild lands for purposes of civilization and in promoting those interests whereby is secured material and intellectual advancement.
A native of Maine, Mr. Pike was born in Eastport, Washington county, on the 23d of August, 1831. His grandfather, James Pike, emigrated from Scotland to Nova Scotia and thence made his way to the Pine Tree state. William Pike, the father of our subject, was born in Nova Scotia and accom- panied his parents on their removal to Maine, where he was reared, educated and married, Miss Lydia Cutter, a native of Massachusetts, becoming his wife. He was a sea captain and died by drowning in 1837, in the thirty- fifth year of his age, leaving a widow and five children: Samuel T., George K., William, Jacob M., and Celia Ann, now the widow of George Paine, living in Eastport, Maine. Mrs. Pike nobly took up the burden of caring for her children and early instilled into their minds lessons of thrift, industry and honesty. She died in Eastport, Maine, in 1897 in the eighty-ninth year of her age.
Mr. Pike of this review acquired his education in the public schools of his native town and when eighteen years of age sailed from Eastport on the ship Nathaniel Hooper, a New York vessel, of which he was made second
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mate. He had previously acquired a thorough knowledge of navigation, hav- ing sailed for four years on vessels engaged in the West Indies trade and on ships that sailed the Mediterranean sea. He arrived safely in San Francisco on the 10th of February, 1850, and proceeded at once to the mines on the Tuolumne river, but in 1851 returned to San Francisco and took passage for Mexico. When the vessel arrived at port it was sold and the crew dis- charged.
Mr. Pike then returned to San Francisco on the United States sloop of war Vincennes and in that city was employed for a short time, being there joined by his brothers, Samuel T. and William. Together they went to the southern mines on the Tuolumne river and spent the winter at Big Oak Flat. In 1854 they engaged in mining on the Stanislaus river and made on an average from ten to fifteen dollars each daily for some time. In 1856 the sub- ject of this review purchased a store at Peoria, on the Stanislaus river, where he continued in business until 1858, when he sold the enterprise, but continued merchandising by opening a store in Salt Spring Valley, Calaveras county. He again sold out in 1860 and then opened a similar establishment in Copperopolis, supplying the needs of the public in his line until 1866. The mining boom in that locality then collapsed and business proved unprofitable. Mr. Pike had made considerable money, which he invested in property and when the boom was over he lost heavily.
Going again to San Francisco, he accepted a position as salesman in the tobacco and cigar store of Weil & Company, with whom he continued for five years, when, with the capital he had acquired through his diligence and economy, he purchased a restaurant in San Francisco, at the corner of Clay and Kearney streets. Three years later he purchased the United States restant- rant, on Clay and Montgomery streets, conducting both establishments in a manner that secured him a liberal patronge and won him a very gratifying fortune. In 1875 he opened a wholesale grocery house at the corner of Clay and California streets and also became a stock-dealer, but through specu- lation he lost one hundred thousand dollars. He then closed out his whole- sale grocery business and was engaged in the manufacture of cigars until 1885, when he disposed of that enterprise and became the proprietor of Swain's bakery, which he conducted for five years. Disposing by sale of that busi- ness he next purchased the Manning Restaurant, on Powell street, opposite the Baldwin Hotel, but that proved an unprofitable venture.
In 1895 he managed the Stoneman House, in the Yosemite Valley, and in November of that year came to Modesto, where he purchased the furniture and leased the Tynon Hotel, a fine modern structure built in improved style, tastefully furnished and containing sixty rooms. Mr. Pike is doing a large and remunerative business. His hotel is splendidly equipped and he employs good help and conducts his hotel in a manner entirely satisfactory to his guests. His long experience in the business has taught him how to manage a hotel so as to promote the welfare and happiness of his guests, and he spares no effort that will provide for their comfort. He is most genial, obliging and courteous, and these qualities have rendered him very popular among the tray-
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eling public, and any who have once been entertained by him are always glad when they can find opportunity to become his guest.
Mr. Pike was married in 1866, to Miss Mary L. Howell, and nine chil- dren, eight sons and a daughter, were born unto them. Three of the sons, however, have passed away, while the surviving children are Charles W., a resident of San Francisco: Willis, who is living in Fresno, California : Thomas and Roy, who are in the employ of their eldest brother : Percy, who is employed by his brother Willis : and Laura, the wife of W. P. Fuller, who is prominently engaged in the paint and oil business in San Francisco. The mother departed this life in 1892. She had been a most faithful and devoted helpmate to her husband and her loving care for her children won her their filial devotion and gratitude. Mr. Pike has given to his children good educational advantages. thus fitting them for life's practical duties and they do honor to their careful training.
He is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter, with which he has been identified since 1864. He is also a member of the Druids and in politics he is a stalwart Republican, giving his earnest support to the principles of the party which stands for protection of American industries and for the honor of the American flag wherever it waves, whether it be in the western hemisphere or in the islands of the Orient.
CHARLES E. CLINCH.
Charles E. Clinch is the honored mayor of Grass Valley and one of the representatives of commercial interests in northern California. He is a self- made man who has not despised the day of small things, but has used the obstacles in his path as stepping-stones to higher successes and has a right to regard his advancement with pride. It is comparatively easy for a man of rea- sonably good ability to achieve a business success on capital, either borrowed or inherited : but it requires real force of character to earn a capital by hard, persistent work and save it and invest it successfully. This, however, Mr. Clinch has done, and he enjoys the distinction of being one of the leading merchants not only of Grass Valley but even of this section of the state.
He was born in Eldorado county, California, October 31. 1858, and is the eldest of the two children of Patrick and Elizabeth (Gill) Clinch. His father was of Irish birth, and in 1850 came to California, where he was actively engaged in mining up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1866. His wife, who is a native of Australia, came with her people to California in 1850.
Charles E. Clinch, of this review, was a lad of eight years when he came to Nevada county, where he has since made his home. He is indebted to the public-school system of Grass Valley for the educational privileges which were accorded him. Since his early manhood he has been connected with mer- chandising, first as a salesman and afterward as the proprietor. About six- teen years ago the present grocery firm of Clinch & Company was formed. and our subject has since been the manager of the business, which is one of the most extensive in its line in this part of the state. In addition to the large and
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well selected stock of staple and fancy groceries, the firm carries glass, crock- ery, tin and agate ware, also the highest grade and best brands of bottled liquors for medical purposes. Steadily the trade has grown both in volume and importance until it has now assumed extensive proportions and a liberal income is therefore derived from the sale of their goods.
On the 16th of March, 1884. occurred the marriage of Mr. Clinch to Miss Emily Jenkins, a native of Nevada county and a daughter of John Jenkins, of English birth, who came to California in 1849 and died in 1888. Five children blessed the union of our subject and his wife, namely : Charles R., Emily M., Willis W., Janet and Marian. To the Republican party Mr. Clinch gives an earnest support. In 1882 he was elected public administra- tor for a two-years term, and in 1898 he was chosen by popular ballot to the responsible office of mayor. He handled the reins of the city government with great care, his administration being business-like, practical and progressive. He now affiliates with both the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic fra- ternity, the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the lodge and the uniformed rank of the Knights of Pythias. the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Honor and Quartz Parlor, No. 58, Native Sons of the Golden West. His standing in busi- ness and social circles is deservedly high and he is ever loyal and true to the public interests of his native state, being a public-spirited citizen who has at heart the progress and prosperity of the town of his adoption and who gives his helpful encouragement to every movement having for its object the enhancement of the welfare of its people.
ROBERT WISE.
Robert Wise, the popular cigar merchant and manufacturer of Auburn, Placer county, California, is a native of Germany, and was born December 2. 1855. In his native land Mr. Wise received a common-school education and learned the cigar-maker's trade, and in 1873 at the age of eighteen, he sailed from Germany for this country, landing in due time at New York and going from there to Richmond, Virginia, where he worked at his trade four years. At the end of that time he turned his face westward again, California the objective point, and upon his arrival in this state located at San Fran- cisco, where he resided six years, engaged in the cigar business. From San Francisco he came to Auburn. Here he secured work in the store with which he has since been connected and of which he is now the owner. He manufactures the General Gomez cigar, for which he has a large sale, and he deals in other cigars and all kinds of tobacco and smokers' goods. A man who thoroughly understands his business and who attends strictly to it, he is meeting with deserved success.
Mr. Wise has for his wife one of the native daughters of the city of Auburn, nec Ada S. Lipsett, whom he wedded in 1895. and they have one child, named Robert Lipsett Wise.
Mr. Wise has for several years been identified with the Knights of
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Pythias and has attained prominence in the order, serving in various official capacities. He is also a member of the Uniform Rank, K. of P. He casts his franchise with the Democratic party, but is not, however, a politician, as his business demands his time and attention. He is a member of the Cigar Makers' Association. An enterprising, thoroughgoing business man, inter- ested in the improvement and welfare of his town, he enjoys a high standing among his large circle of friends.
SAMUEL S. MOSER.
The early 'Gos saw the advent in California of a class of men who have exerted a marked influence on the development of the state since that time and have come to the front prominently in mining, in general business or in a profession.
Samuel S. Moser, of Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras county, is one of the well known Californians who came to the state in 1861, and in his forty years' residence here he has made an enviable record for progress and integ- rity and all those other qualities which enter into the mental constitution of the successful business man and the useful citizen.
Samnel S. Moser is descended from German and English ancestors who settled in America before the Revolutionary war. Daniel Moser, his father, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1793, and married Susan Everett, who was born in that county in 1799, a member of the well known family of Everett, which produced Hon. Edward Everett, the great American statesman and orator. AAfter his marriage he removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he became a farmer and died at the advanced age of eighty-one years and where his wife died at the age of fifty-seven. In religious faith they were Lutherans and in politics Mr. Moser was at first a Whig and after- ward a Republican. They had nine children and three of their sons fought in the Civil war for the preservation of the Union.
Samuel S. Moser was born in Liberty township. Trumbull county, Ohio, December 9, 1837, and was educated there and lived there until 1861. when, in his twenty-fourth year, he sailed from New York for Aspinwall on the Champion, crossed the isthmus of Panama by rail and was taken on the Golden Age up along the Pacific coast to San Francisco, where he arrived April 21, without means but with an amibition to "get on in the world." He went at once to Mokelumne Hill, and, making his headquarters there, mined and taught school at different places in Calaveras and Amador counties. He prospered and became the owner of the Bonanza mine, which he opened and in which he employed from eight to sixteen men until the passage of the law prohibiting hydraulic mining, and out of which he had taken by that time one hundred thousand dollars. Meantime he had come into possession of a tailings claim, which yielded him thirty thousand dollars, and later he pros- pected a quartz ledge, which is bonded for fifty thousand dollars.
In politics Mr. Moser is a Republican and he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for forty years, and has passed all the
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chairs in its different branches and is at present serving as the secretary in the subordinate and encampment branches. In 1868 he married Miss Almena Maria Harrington, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, who came to California, October, 1859, where her father, George F. Harrington, had been a pioneer in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Moser have three daughters, named as follows, in the order of their nativity : Eugenie C., Florence M. and Mamie E. Eugenie C. married E. C. Fisher, the express agent at Merced, Merced county, California, and a prominent citizen of that town. Florence M. and Mamie E. are popular and successful school-teachers. The several members of the family are com- municants of the Protestant Episcopal church. The family residence at Mokelumne Hill is one of the most homelike and hospitable in the town and the Mosers are held in high esteem by all who know them.
HENRY C. MILLS.
There are few of the pioneers of 1850 left to tell the tale of the early development and progress of this section of California; but Henry C. Mills is one whose memory can picture forth the experiences of that frontier epoch. For almost half a century he has resided in Nevada county and therefore needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, to whom his personal biography, however, will prove a matter of interest. Mr. Mills is a native of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Portage county, Ohio, July 21, 1828. His father, Uriel Mills, was born in Connecticut and was a representative of one of the old and influential families of that commonwealth. He was a lawyer by profession and was also a practical farmer, meeting with success in those widely different callings in life. He married Miss Mary Etta Streator, who was also descended from one of the old New England families. She died in 1841, the year following the removal of the family from Ohio to Marion county, Illinois. The father's death occurred in 1886.
In the Prairie state Henry C. Mills was reared to manhood, becoming familiar with the work of the farm. In 1850 he sought a home in California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope, and made a location in Grass Valley, where he was actively engaged in mining for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Nevada City, where for six years he was engaged in the dairy business, after which he established a feed and livery stable, carrying on business along that line for about forty years. His barns are located at the corner of Pine and Spring streets and he now has a liberal patronage. He is also the owner of one hundred and ten acres of land, located about four miles west of the city. Of this six acres are planted to fruit, principally pear trees of the Bartlett variety. His business interests bring to him a good income that has classed him among the substantial citi- zens of his adopted county. He has now passed the Psalmist's span of three- score years and ten, yet displays an activity in business affairs that would do credit to a man of much younger years.
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