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 61
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Mr. Allen was born in New York city, on the 11th of July, 1841 and was of English lineage. His parents, natives of England, emigrated to New York city in their early married life, and both died of cholera in the first year of their residence in the new world, leaving their little son of only one year. He was reared by an uncle in Rochester, and in his nineteenth year took passage on a sailing vessel for San Francisco, arriving at Sutter Creek on the 2d of March, 1800. Here he began the battle of life in earnest. working as a laboring man for twenty-five dollars per month. In early manhood he was employed as driver of a team, but he saved his money and soon had a team of his own. He then began business on his own account, and later he took up government land, which was heavily wooded. Becoming engaged in lum- bering, he was for thirty-five years the principal lumber merchant at Sutter Creek, and sold nearly all of the lumber used in the construction of the build- ings in this town. As his patronage increased he enlarged his facilities, and his trade steadily grew until it had assumed extensive proportions. He also became the owner of large tracts of land, on which he raised grain, hay and stock, becoming prominent in that department of industry. He was a man of energy, good judgment and high moral character, and not only won a richly deserved success in his business endeavors but also gained the high regard of all with whom he came in contact.
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In 1870 Mr. Allen was imited in marriage to Miss Annie E. Bradbury. of Montville, Maine. a daughter of John Bradbury, who was born in the Pine Tree state and was descended from English ancestors, several genera- tions of the family, however, having been born in America. Their union was blessed with five children, three of whom are living, namely: George E., Sophie M. and John F. They now assist their mother in the conduct of the large business interests belonging to the estate and are energetic and pro- gressive young men, a credit to the family name. In connection with the lumber business they now have three thousand acres of land, on which they are raising cattle ; and the ranch yields to them an excellent income as a result of their capable management. Two daughters of the family. Flora E. and Annie E., have both passed away, the former at the age of six years and the latter when five years of age. In his political views Mr. Allen was a Repub- lican, earnest and active in the support of the principles of the party. He was also a vahied member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the Knight Templar degree, and at his death was laid to rest with Masonic honors. He passed away on the 6th of September, 1896, after a short illness of pneu- monia, and his loss was deeply deplored not only by his immediate family but by many friends. His commendable principles of conduct at all times won him the regard of those with whom he came in contact and his many estimable characteristics gained for him a large circle of true friends. Mrs. Allen and her sons and daughters reside in a very pleasant home in Sutter Creek, and in social circles they occupy an enviable position. They are surrounded by the comforts which it is possible for them to obtain through the estate left theni by the honored husband and father, but they do not claim this as the greater part of their heritage, having received from him the priceless treasure of an untarnished name.
JOHN STUDARUS.
This gentleman, who is now a leading, well known representative of the business interests of Sacramento county, is conducting a large general store at Mills post-office, which in the olden days was known to the pioneer set- tlers as langtown Crossing. He is a representative of one of the early fam- ilies of California, and the name of Studarus is closely interwoven with the history of the development of this section of the state, especially in agricul- tural lines. His father, John B. Studarus, was for many years a leading farmer and fruit-grower of Brighton township.
lle was born in the land of the Alps, his birth having occurred in St. Gall. Switzerland. December 10, 1824. Upon a farm in the land of his nativity nativity he spent the first seventeen years of his life and then learned the baker's trade, which he followed for five years in one locality. In 1847 he determined to try his fortune in America, and after a voyage of forty-two days landed at New York. It was his intention to go to Cincinnati, but on reaching Pittsburg he found that the Ohio river was too low for navigation, and accordingly remained at Allegheny City until 1850. For a time he was
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employed as a gardener and then engaged in operating a dairy farm, on his own account, in connection with Nokear Stahele, a friend who had accom- panied him on the voyage to the new world. Mr. Studarus drove a milk wagon for his friend.
In the fall of 1848 he went down the Mississippi to New Orleans, but, not successful in an attempt to secure work there, he returned to Cincinnati, where he found employment. For the first three weeks he was engaged on a packet steamer running between Cincinnati and Madison, Indiana. He was then taken ill and thus exhausted his small supply of money so that he was obliged to accept the first work that offered. Accordingly he drove a milk wagon in that city, for seven months. During this period the awful cholera was raging to a fearful extent. Over five thousand people died there in three months! In August he went to Pittsburg, and being taken ill was cared for by his old friend Mr. Stahele He there met a young lady whom he had known in Europe-Miss Mary Reisch, and they were married, in Allegheny City. After a short time, however, they went to Wellsville, West Virginia, where they were both employed in the family of a Mr. Arbuckle.
After six months, however, they began operating the farm on shares, remaining there until March, 1853, when, with their two children, they made the overland journey to California, arriving at Diamond Spring, Eldorado county, about the Ist of September. At a place called Logtown Mr. Studarus began mining, but a year later came into the Sacramento valley, renting a farm on the American river, at Brighton. He had that property for two years, and then, in 1857, he purchased a squatter's title to the place, which is a part
of the old Folsom grant. He then became the owner of three hundred and thirty-eight acres of rich land, most of it being in the river bottom. For several years he engaged in raising barley and wheat almost exclusively, and then added to this the cultivation of broom-corn, Indian corn and melons. After the Central Pacific Railroad was completed the demand for fruit increased so greatly that this turned his attention to horticultural pursuits, planting fine orchards and vineyards. This industry also gave rise to others, and Mr. Studarus became one of the charter members and a director of the Sacramento Cannery, which was established in the summer of 1888. His well directed efforts in business life won to him a handsome competence and he became a substantial famer of his adopted county.
In October, 1872, Mr. Studarus was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. Thirteen children were born to them, of whom three sons and six daughters are now living. In 1873 he married Barbara Bollenbacher, who died December 10, 1884, leaving three children,-one son and two daughters. In his political sympathies Mr. Studarus was a Republican during the Civil war, but afterward affiliated with the Democracy. He is also a charter mem ber of the American River Grange and was a public-spirited citizen, who took a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of his adopted county. He died May 10, 1899, and thus passed away an honored pioneer who played no unimportant part in the work of development in central California.
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John Studarus, whose name introduces this review, was born in Ilancock county. West Virginia, and the duties and labors that fell to the lot of the agriculturist early became familiar to him. He worked in field, meadow and orchard and in the winter season attended the public schools, acquiring a good, practical English education. Ile is now devoting his energies to mer- cantile pursuits and is one of the wide-awake and enterprising business men of the locality. He carries an excellent line of goods, such as are in demand by the general public, and his honorable dealings, reasonable prices and earnest desire to please have secured for him a liberal patronage, which brings to him a good income.
In 1879 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Studarus and Miss Sine Lauridson, and unto them have been born three children,-Lawrence, Henry and Howard. In the community Mr. and Mrs. Studarus have many warm friends and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in the locality. He is a typical western man. full of the enterprising spirit and resolute courage to which is due the wonderful upbuilding and advancement of the Golden state. His genial manner renders him popular and he is accounted one of the prominent residents of Brighton township.
MORRIS BRIAN.
For forty years a prominent business man and successful merchant at Sutter Creek, Amador county, was Mr. Brinn, who is a native of Germany, born on the 20th of June, 1838. Ilis parents were William and Rachel (Joseph) Brinn. His father was a merchant of Germany, and both he and his wife were of the llebrew faith. He attained the very advanced age of ninety-two years, while she passed away at the age of seventy-one. In their family were six children, all of whom are now living.
MIr. Brinn, of this review, was educated in his native county and in 1855 came to the United States, whither two of his brothers had preceded him, locating in California in 1850. They were then engaged in business in Butte City, Amador county, where he joined them, acting as a clerk in their establishment for five years, or until 1860, when he came to Sutter Creek and began business on his own account as a general merchant. Here he has remained through four decades, yet may be said to have been con- nected with the mercantile interests of Amador county for forty-five years. In 1873 he erected the business block that he now occupies,-a substantial structure thirty five by one hundred feet, with a basement under the entire building. The large store is filled from top to bottom with an extensive and well selected stock of general merchandise, and by close application to business. honorable methods and reliable dealing Mr. Brinn has secured a very ex- tensive trade, which has brought to him a good income. He has the respect and confidence of the public and the esteem of his business associates.
In 1866 Mr. Brinn was united in marriage to Miss Rose Marks and they Have two daughters. Stella and Ray, both at home. The Brinn household ie noted for its hospitality and the members of the family occupy enviable po-
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sitions in social circles. Their residence is a comfortable and attractive one and Vir. Brinn has also a dwelling in San Francisco. In addition to these he owns large mining interests and other property in the county, all of which has been acquired through his well directed efforts.
A life-long Republican, he has been unswerving in his support of the principles advanced by the party and he is now serving his county in the important position of county supervisor. He has filled all the offices in both branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge. He is also a valued member of the Masonic fra- ternity, is a past master of the blue lodge, past high priest of the chapter and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He is very widely and favorably known in Masonic circles and throughout Amador county he has a wide acquaintance, his friends being drawn to him by his many excellent qualities and characteristics. His hope of bettering his financial con- dition in America has been more than realized, for he has not only gained a gool living but has won a handsome competence which numbers him among the substantial residents of his adopted county. Marked business and ex- ecutive ability, keen discernment and the power of planning and executing the right thing at the right time have been salient features in his success.
GEORGE K. RIDER.
George K. Rider is numbered among the capitalists of Sacramento city, a position which he has attained through his own energy, business ability, diligence and resolute purpose. Industry is the golden key which unlocks the portals of success. Possessed of these elements in a high degree, Mr. Rider has steadily worked his way upward. He was born in Wellsville, Co- lumbiana county, Ohio, October 14, 1844, and is a son of John Rider, whose birth occurred on the 13th of March, 1815, in Jefferson county, Ohio, his parents being George and Jane (Culp) Rider, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather of our subject, however, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and became the founder of the Rider family in America. John Rider, the father of our subject, was early employed on a flatboat on the Ohio river. He married Nancy Ann Stoakes, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, August 6, 1819, a daughter of John and Nancy ( Tillingham) Stoakes. Her father was born in London, England, and her mother was a native of New Jersey. In September, 1852, John Rider came with his family to California, making the journey across the plains. Here in Sacramento he engaged in contracting and building until March, 1869, when he was elected street commissioner for a term of six years. On the expiration of that period he retired to the old home place, at the corner of A and Eighteenth streets, and put aside all business cares. He cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison and on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks, continuing one of its stalwart advocates until his death, which occurred January 8, 1901. His wife died in Sacramento, at the age of seventy-four years and six months.
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George K. Rider continued under the parental roof during his minority or until the call for troops was issued during the Civil war, when he re- sponded and joined the Union army, as a member of Company G, Second California Cavalry. Ile enlisted for three years, but on account of the close of the war was honorably discharged. Ile held the rank of corporal. On his return from the army he became connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, and in 1867 was appointed a member of the police force of Sacramento, which position he occupied for ten years.
On the 19th of March, 1874, Mr. Rider was united in marriage to Miss Anna Eagan, of Boston, Massachusetts, a daughter of Thomas and Mary A. Eagan, who were natives of Ireland but died in San Francisco, the former at the age of seventy years and the latter at the age of sixty years. They were the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom are yet living. It was in 1860 that they took up their abode in California, and Mr. Rider has since been a resident of this state. In his political views he has al- ways been a stalwart Republican since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He is an inflexible adherent of the principles of the organization, and dees all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success, yet has never been an office-seeker. For thirty-two years he has been numbered among the members of the Odd Fellows Society, is also a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association, and has been the commander of Fair Oaks Post, G. A. R. His fidelity to duty, whether of public or private nature, is most marked, and has won for him the confidence and esteem of his fellow men, which he enjoys in an unusual degree.
CHARLES S. WOODMANSEE. M. D.
For nearly forty years Dr. Woodmansee has engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, and his marked skill and ability have gained him prestige in the ranks of his chosen profession. It is a calling in which suc- cess must depend upon individual merit, upon a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the medical science, upon deep interest in the work and upon fidelity to the responsibilities that are imposed by the calling. When one has reached a position of distinctive preferment it is an indication that he merits the advancement accorded him, and this is certainly the case with Dr. Wood- mansee.
Born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 3d of June, 1836, he is a son of James Woodmansee, who was a native of Pennsylvania. His paternal ancestors resideil in New Jersey, and their advent on American soil ante- dates the Revolutionary war, in which the family was worthily represented by many eminent heroes loyal to the cause of independence. The Doctor's mother bore the maiden name of Joanna Cook, who was born in Virginia. being descended from one of the old and influential families of the south. In 1852 James Woodmansce removed with his wife and children from Ohio to Knox county. Ilinois, where the Doctor acquired his education, including a course in Knox College, at Galesburg, that county. lle was a student
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in that institution for one year, and was graduated in 1860. Subsequently he attended Abingdon College, in Abingdon, Illinois, where he pursued a three-years course and was graduated with the degree of bachelor of science. His excellent literary learning served as a foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge, and during the four years succeeding his graduation in Abingdon his entire attention was given to the study of medicine. In 1864 he won his medical diploma from the Col- lege of Physicians & Surgeons, in Keokuk, lowa, and soon afterward he entered the army as a surgeon, being attached to the One Hundred and Twen- tieth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He was on detached duty as post surgeon at Fort Pickering, in Memphis, Tennessee, and continued at the front until 1865, rendering effective service to the ill and wounded.
When the war was over Dr. Woodmansee located in Aberdeen, Missis- sippi, where he continued in active practice for twenty-five years. In 1890 he located in Grass Valley, where he has since secured a large and lucrative practice. Although a general practitioner and well versed in every depart- ment of the medical science, he makes a specialty of office practice in the treat- ment of eye, ear and throat diseases, in which he is very proficient. From the faithful performance of each day's duty he gains inspiration and en- couragement for the work of the next, and his labors have been followed by such excellent results that he is accorded a foremost place among the medical practitioners in northern California.
In 1866 the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Harrington, a native of Mississippi, whose ancestors were among the old families of South Carolina. The Doctor is prominent in Grand Army circles, being a member of Chattanooga Post. No. 115. G. A. R., of Nevada City, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, of which he has taken the Royal Arch and Knight Templar degrees. He is a man of many excellencies of character. of de- termined purpose, of strong mentality and of broad, human sympathy. These have not only gained him professional eminence but have won him the re- gard of his fellow men in the various communities where he has lived and wherever he is known.
JOHN N. LYON.
The story of the struggles and triumphs of a self-made man is usually interesting. and it is always instructive and encouraging. One of the best known of this class of men in Tuolumne county is John N. Lyon, the pro- prietor of the Stent hotel, who is also well known in connection with min- ing interests. Mr. Lyon was born in Mentone, Kosciusko county, Indiana. March 4, 1869, a son of Isaac and Sarah ( Nichols) Lyon, both of Irish an- cestry but descended from early settlers in New York. They were them- selves pioneers in Ohio and later in Indiana, and in 1869 removed to Kansas. where Mr. Lyon died. in November, 1882. in the thirty-seventh year of his age, and his wife three years afterward, at the age of thirty-five. A man and woman of the highest respectability, they were members of the Meth-
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wwlist Episcopal church, and Mr. Lyon's keen intelligence made him locally prominent as a business man, and, as a Republican, he filled the office of county assessor for three terms. Isaac and Sarah ( Nichols) Lyon left three sons and a daughter. Their daughter, Charlottie, died in March, 1897. and two of their sons, John N. and William, live at Stent. The other son. David, lives in Labette county, Kansas.
John N. Lyon was reared on his father's farm and had small opportunity to obtain an education during the years of his youth, but by reading and observation he has become a well informed man. At the age of eighteen years he began to earn his own living, as a miner in Missouri and Kansas. After coming to California he remained a while at Fresno, and then came to Stent. where he was one of the first settlers and where he built the Golden Rule store, the first building erected in the town, in which he engaged in mer- chandising, and in which, as postmaster, he handled the mail of the town. Eventually he sold out his stock of goods, and in 1896 he built the Stent hotel, a sightly structure containing an office, parlor, dining-room, kitchen and forty-four rooms for the accommodation of guests. By close attention to business and by his studying the wants of the traveling public he has made a success of the enterprise and does the hotel business of the town. He is perhaps the best representative of the class of self-made men so large in California which his town affords. No longer ago than 1893. he was in such a financial strait that his capital amounted to no more than fifteen cents: but he is now the principal property-owner and business man of his town and is the proprietor of a part of the town-site, and also the owner of un- clevel ped mining claims. He is a member of the Miners' Union, of the Order of Foresters and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a lead- ing and influential Republican and a citizen of much public spirit. who never loses an opportunity to advance the interests of his town. He gives the closest attention to his business and is of a genial, whole-souled nature, easily making and retaining friends. Mrs. Lyon is a most hospitable woman and is known as a model "landlady" and has contributed not a little to his success in the hotel business.
Mr. Lyon was married October 1. 1898, to Miss Alice Fitzgerald, a native of Tuolumne county and a daughter of Andrew Fitzgerald, an early settler in California, and they have a little daughter named Maud, who was born December 4. 1809.
WALTER G. THOMAS.
There is perhaps no profession in which such rapid progress has been made through the past half century as that of dentistry. In fact it has been a comparatively short period in which the profession has had a place among the business interests to which men devote their energies. Wonderful discov- cries, however, have been made, and dentistry has reached a degree of per- fection that is truly marvelous. In all the discoveries connected with the Feierice Dr. Thomas has kept abreast, and is particularly skillful in the manip- Milation of the tools used in the practice of his chosen calling. Thus has he
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won a large practice and has gained a place among the leading representatives of dentistry in this section of the state. His parlors are located on the corner of Main and Mill streets, in Grass Valley, and there his time is largely occupied with the labors resulting from the large practice which he now enjoys.
The Doctor is a native of the Keystone state, his birth having occurred in Susquehanna county, September 29, 1866. His father, Charles Thomas, was also born in Pennsylvania and was descended from one of three brothers who came from Wales in the early part of the seventeenth century. His wife. who bore the maiden name of Lydia Giles, was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Judge Samuel Giles, who was one of the loyal American soldiers during the Revolutionary war. Dr. Thomas is the youngest in a family of five children, and with his parents he removed from Pennsylvania to Iowa county, Wisconsin, in 1867. He was seven years of age when taken by them, on their removal, to DeKalb county, Missouri, where he obtained his lit- erary education in the public schools.
He was but a youth when he started out to make his own way in the world, and many are the experiences that have come to him through the varied business interests with which he has been connected. Upon leaving home he went to Topeka, Kansas, where he began the study of pharmacy, spending two years in a drug store there. On the expiration of that time he went to St. Clair county, Missouri, and was employed in a drug store for five years at that point. Although not a graduate of any school of pharmacy. he has a comprehensive knowledge of the science and also of anatomy, which he has made a special study for several years. In 1888 he came to Cali- fornia and accepted a position as a traveling representative of a wholesale drug house, and later he became associated with Dr. C. A. Perry, a dentist of San Francisco, having in the meantime passed an examination before the state board of California. For five years he engaged in practice in San Francisco and then came to Grass Valley, where he opened an office.
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