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 74
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WILLIAM ALEXANDER ANDERSON.
Out of the depths of his mature wisdom Carlyle wrote. "History is the essence of innumerable biographies;" and Macaulay has said. "The history of a nation is best told in the lives of its people." It is therefore fitting that the sketches of California's eminent and distinguished men should find a place in this volume, and to the number belongs Judge William Alexander Anderson, a resident of Sacramento. He holds a distinguished position as a member of the bar and has gained high honors in the prosecution of his chosen profession by reason of the marked ability with which he conducts his litigated interests.
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Judge Anderson was born at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, on the 25th of February, 1846. His parents were Hartford and Susan Anderson, pioneers of California. His grandfather was a native of Scotland, his home being in Edinburg, and the paternal grandmother of our subject was born in the north of Ireland. Hartford Anderson was born in Pennsylvania, and his wife, Mrs. Susan ( Atkins) Anderson, was a native of Kentucky, but for some time they resided in the Badger state. He was a wagon and carriage- maker by trade, and in 1849, hoping to benefit his financial condition in the land which held forth golden promises, he crossed the plains to the Pacific slope, bringing with him his little family. Mrs. Anderson did not long sur- vive her arrival here, her death occurring in 1852, during the cholera epi- ciemic. Mr. Anderson, however, was a resident of Sacramento not only through the part of its early development but also during the era of much of its latter-day progress and advancement, his death occurring in October, 1896.
Judge Anderson was only four years of age at the time the family came to the west. He obtained his literary education in the common schools, in Santa Clara College and at the Benicia Law College. His earlier studies were directed in such a manner as to prepare him for the profession of civil engineer, but at a later date he determined to pursue the study of law and was graduated in the Benicia Law College in the class of 1865. Immediately afterward he began practice and has since followed the profession with excel- lent success. He was admitted to the bar of the supreme court in 1866 and to the United States circuit court in 1880, and has held a member of offices in connection with his profession. His knowledge of law is comprehensive and exact and its scope is being constantly increased, for he is an earnest student. His devotion to his clients' interests has been proverbial and in argu- ment he has ever been forcible, logical and convincing. The earnest prepara- tion which he gives his cases enables him to present each case in a manner that will show it forth in its strongest light, and his keen analytical mind enables him to give to each point in controversy its due prominence.
The Judge was first chosen to public office before attaining his majority. being elected county auditor in 1866. He was assistant adjutant general in the Fourth Brigade of the California National Guard from 1868 until 1879. and was city attorney from 1875 until 1886. In 1890 he was super- visor of the census, being one of the three supervisors for the state. In 1893 he was elected to represent the eighteenth district in the general assembly, and his course in the house won him the commendation of his constituents and the respect of his political opponents. At the present time he is the police judge of Sacramento and is strictly fair and impartial in the discharge of the duties that devolve upon him. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican and has canvassed the state in the interest of the party. Ile was one of the originators of the MeKinley movement in California, a member of the executive committee and has been a delegate to nearly every Repub- lican state and county convention for thirty years. In 1898 he was a dele- gate t. the National Republican League convention in Omaha.
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Judge Anderson has been twice married, and by the first union had one son, Osmer W. Anderson, who was born August 22, 1871, and is a volunteer in the Philippines. On the 8th of September, 1880, the Judge married Miss Mary C. Cadwell. Their home is the center of a cultured society circle and they occupy an enviable position in society where true worth and intelligence are received as passports. The Judge is a member of the orders of Free- masons and Odd Fellows. He was reared in the Episcopal faith, but is a man of broad and liberal views in religious matters and is not a communicant of any church organization at the present time. A man of literary tastes and of broad general, as well as classical, information, he finds considerable enjoy- ment in giving his time to literary pursuits and is a frequent contributor to the daily papers. He was one of the founders of a literary journal called Themis, which was noted for its historical merit and for its clear-cut and literary editorials. He has written some dramatic works and is well known as a dramatic critic and lover of the drama. He has studied from the art standpoint many of the most celebrated dramas of the world and has had a personal acquaintance with most of the great dramatists of a generation ago, including Edwin Booth, John McCullough, Lawrence Barrett and other emi- nent actors and actresses. His writings are fluent and entertaining, eloquent and versatile. For thirty years he has been known to the public on the lecture platform and his lectures have created wide-spread interest. He has borne a marked influence upon the literature and esthetic culture of the state and at the same time has given a practical support to the measures intended to advance the material interests of Sacramento. In fact he deserves mention among the distinguished citizens who are honored and respected in every class of society. He has for some time been a leader in thought and move- ment in the public life of the state and his name is inscribed high on the roll of honor and fame, his honorable and brilliant career adding luster to the history of California.
ADAM KEILBAR.
Adam Keilbar is the proprietor of a meat market at Murphy's. A native of Germany, he came to the United States in 1854, arriving in Wisconsin with only five cents left in his pocket. He possessed a determined purpose. however, and sought and obtained a position on the Milwaukee & La Crosse Railroad. In 1856 he went to Chicago, by way of the Illinois Central Rail- road proceeded to Cairo, thence to New Orleans and on to Havana and to. Aspinwall. Crossing over to Panama, he took passage on the Golden Age for San Francisco, and when he reached California his capital was entirely exhausted, nor had he an acquaintance in the country. He was willing to accept any employment which would yield to him an honorable living until he could better his financial condition. He worked at dishwashing in the Philadelphia Hotel for three years and then took a position on a Stockton boat. working as a deck hand for his passage to the city of Stockton, whence he walked to Vallicita, where he obtained a position as a cook, serving in that capacity for two and a half years. On the expiration of that period he was
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receiving eighty-five dollars a month for his services. With the capital which he had acquired through his own efforts he then opened a meat market at Vallicita and also at Murphy's, conducting his stores in both towns through the past forty-three years.
He is a man of unquestioned business integrity and unfaltering energy, and by his honorable endeavor he has made a success of his business, steadily advancing in the public regard and in financial circles until he is now so favor- ably known that his check for any amount is accepted anywhere in this sec- tion of the state. In addition to his commercial interests he owns a number of farms and holds a number of mortgages on farms, and through the careful conduct of his affairs he has become a wealthy man in this county, owing his prosperity entirely to his unaided efforts.
In 1868 Mr. Keilbar was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Thompson, a native of Long Island, New York. They were married in Murphy's, and unto them nine children have been born,-all natives of that place. In order of birth they are as follows: Ida, who is a teacher and resides in Oakland; Effa. also a teacher: Ollie, Theodore, Alice, Florence, Leland, Clarence and Eda.
In his political views Mr. Keilbar is a Republican, but he has never sought office. nor has he become identified with any society, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs, in which he has prospered beyond his expectations. His desire of attaining success in America has been more than realized. for in this land where energy and ambition are not hampered by caste or class he has worked his way steadily upward and to-day his record is such as to command the respect and excite the admiration of all who are familiar with his history.
WILLIS BLEDSOE.
The American family of Bledsoe is of French extraction and has long been prominent in Virginia, where Willis Bledsoe, Sr., the father of the sith- ject of this sketch, was born in 1797. Early in life he settled in Kentucky. where he married Miss Jane McDonakl. a member of an early and prominent pioneer family of that state. Their son Willis was born in Kentucky March 22. 1841, and three other sons and a daughter were born to them in that state. In 1846 Mr. Bledsoe removed with his family to Missouri, where he bought a farm and became a successful, well-to-do and highly respected citizen. Originally of the Baptist faith, Mr. Bledsoe later became a Univer- salist. He died in 1870, having attained the ripe old age of eighty-four years. Their children are all living and Willis Bledsoe is the only one of them in California.
The subject of this sketch was educated in public schools in Missouri and at the end of April. 1862, when he had just passed his twenty-first birthday, he set out for California overland with Dr. Glenn, assisting the latter to bring out one hundred and forty-six head of mules, and they arrived at Sac- ramento July 6, following. They were enabled to make this journey in such a short time because Dr. Glenn had previously crossed the plains seven times
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and therefore knew all the camping places at which water could be obtained for the mules. Mr. Bledsoe secured his first position in California in a garden, at twenty-five dollars a month. From there he went to Shaw's Flat, Tuolumne county, but remained only a week, going from there to San Joaquin county, where he had a letter of introduction to J. W. Jones, on whose farm he worked for five years, beginning at thirty dollars a month and receiving additions to his salary until he was paid six hundred dollars a year and his board. During the succeeding six years he and Mr. Jones were partners in the sheep business, owning at times as many as fifteen thousand sheep. Dis- posing of this interest, they engaged in farming on a large tract of land which they had acquired, Mr. Jones owning twenty-one thousand acres and Mr. Bledsoe one thousand, two hundred and eighty acres. Since then Mr. Bledsoe has acquired three thousand and two hundred acres more, making an aggregate of four thousand and four hundred and eighty acres, which he has farmed successfully, harvesting in one year twenty thousand sacks of wheat, which he sold at one dollar and sixty cents a hundred pounds. Of course that was an exceptional yield and an exceptional price, but he has been continuously successful and is regarded as one of the successful men of the county.
He is a Freemason and a Democrat, and as a citizen is widely known and popular. In 1885 he built one of the most delightful residences in the city of Modesto, which is surrounded by beautiful grounds that he himself planted and improved and is an eloquent witness to his good taste and refine- ment.
In 1870 Mr. Bledsoe married Miss Edna M. Jones, a daughter of his former partner. J. W. Jones, who was a California pioneer in 1852 and arrived there a poor man with only such effects as were hanled by one horse and bringing no other stock except a cow. His family consisted of his mother, his wife and four children. The present Mrs. Bledsoe was then only three months old. Mrs. Jones was taken sick while crossing the plains and died of cholera on the Platte river. The history of Mr. Jones' business success is well known in California, where by the most admirable methods he rose from comparative poverty to affluence. Mr. and Mrs. Bledsoe have had three children. Effie A. is the wife of M. E. Leek. of Modesto, who is the official reporter of the courts of Stanislaus county. Walter G. is a farmer living in Merced county. Alfred L. is a student at the University of California at Berkeley. Mr. and Mrs. Bledsoe are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Bledsoe is holding the office of trustee.
HON. HAROLD T. POWER.
Harold T. Power, the president and superintendent of the Hidden Treas- ure Gravel Mining Company, has the distinction of being the first white child born in Damascus, Placer county, California, the date of his birth being Feb- ruary 7, 1857.
Mr. Power's father, Michael Harold Power, was a native of Waterford,
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Ireland, and was descended from English nobility. several of his ancestors having been prominent officers in the English army. When but a youth he left the Emerald Isle and came to America, landing at Philadelphia and going from there to New York city, where he was in business for a number of years, until his health failed and he was advised by his physician to take an ocean voyage. Accordingly, in 1854, he sailed from New York for San Francisco, via the isthmus of Panama, and early in September landed in the Golden state. His first work in California was building the toll road between Iowa Hill and Illinois Town. Later he was engaged at Iowa Hill in the manage- ment of the ditch interests of James Hill, and from there he went to Damas- cus, where he resided until 1875. being interested in the Mountain Tunnel and Mountain Gate mines, where his efforts were attended with success.
Selling his property at Damascus in 1875. he came to the Sunny South side of the divide, and he and William Cameron became the discoverers of the Hidden Treasure mine. A company was at once organized for the deveiop- ment of this mine, of which Mr. Power was the secretary from the time of its organization until Mr. Cameron's death, the latter portion of that period also being its superintendent. To his talent and industry is due much of the credit for the successful development of this mine.
1 public-spirited citizen, from the time of his coming into the county to reside he took an active part in public affairs, doing all in his power to advance the best interests of the county. An enthusiastic Republican, he was honored by his party with official position, being elected in 1867 as one of the county supervisors, and two years later, in 1869, being elected to repre- sent his county in the state legislature. These offices he filled in a manner that reflected credit both upon himself and the people whom he represented. For years he was a valued member of the Masonic order, and in his life exemplified its teachings. When he passed away. July 17, 1885. the com- munity at large as well as his immediate family circle felt a deep loss, and long will his memory be cherished.
Of his domestic life it may be said that Mr. Power was happily married. June 1. 1856, to Miss Isaline K. Devely, a native of Switzerland, who came to New York when a young girl and to San Francisco in 1855. Previous to her marriage she was a governess in the family of Commodore Stockton, of California. Accompanying her husband to Damascus, they began house- keeping in a rude cabin and she soon adjusted herself to the style of living so different from that to which she had been accustomed. For nearly a year she was the only woman in that mining camp. Small and destitute of con- veniences though the cabin was, she by her refinement and her cheerfulness made it a charming home and exerted an influence that was felt for good throughout the camp. It was in this cabin that her son Harold T. was born. One other son and two daughters blessed their union, and of this family of four only two are now living. the subect of our sketch and his sister, Mrs. Lizzy P. Biggs, a widow, residing with her mother in Auburn. To Mrs. Power was given the honor of naming the Hidden Treasure mine. On her sixty-sixth birthday. 1899, she read a paper entitled "The Gokl Belt of the
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Sierras," before the annual meeting of the pioneers of the county, the article showing that she has a remarkable knowledge and memory of life here in the pioneer days. This paper was published by the press throughout the county and was highly commented upon.
From the honored father to the worthy son has fallen the mantle of use- fulness and deserved success. Harold T. Power received his early education in the public schools of his native county, after which he entered the Pacific Business College in San Francisco, of which institution he is a graduate. L'pon completing his course in the college he accepted the position of assist- ant bookkeeper for the firm of Stien, Simon & Company, of San Fran- cisco. He found, however, that the close confinement of office work was detrimental to his health, and, acting upon the advice of his physician to adopt a more active occupation, he went into the Union Iron Works and served an apprenticeship of four years to the trade of machine smith. At the end of this time he came to Sunny South and entered the blacksmith shop of the mine with which his father was connected, as above stated, and worked at his trade until his father's death. In September, 1887, he was made the secretary of the company, the office his father had filled, and also soon succeeded to the superintendency of the mine. In 1890 he was elected to superintend the Mayflower mine, and filled that position two years, in addition to performing his duties connected with the other mine. During those two years his residence was at the Mayflower mine. At the end of that time, in 1893, he returned to reside at the Hidden Treasure mine, and since that date has operated the property on a larger scale than ever before. The following year. 1894, the company was incorporated under the name of the Hidden Treasure Gravel Mining Company. Thirty-six thousand shares, at the par value of ten dollars each, were issued, to the twenty-eight stock- holders, in numbers ranging from 100 to 11,500, Mr. Power having a con- trolling interest and being the president and superintendent. The mine is equipped with an electrical plant costing twenty thousand dollars, which has reduced the expense of mining and handling no less than thirteen per cent. One hundred and ninety men are employed, and under Mr. Power's able management-he being recognized as an expert mining engineer-the prop- erty is a most productive and paying one. He is likewise the president and superintendent of the Morning Star Mining Company, at Iowa Hill, this state.
While he has been so successful as a mining engineer, Mr. Power has not confined himself exclusively to mining, but has, like his honored father, taken a prominent part in promoting the welfare of the county and state. He is the president of the Placer County Miners' Association and a member of the executive committee of the California Miners' Association. The aims of these associations are the protection and development of the mineral in- dustries of this county and state and the rehabilitation of hydraulic mining. Mr. Power has been a director of the agricultural society of the county, a director and stockholder in the Placer County Bank. and has served a term in the legislature of California, having been elected in 1897. He was a
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delegate from California to the Republican national convention held in Phila- delphia, in June, 1900, which renominated Mckinley for the office of presi- dent of the United States, and nominated Roosevelt for vice president. He was nominated and elected a presidential elector, of this state, on the Repub- lican ticket in the last campaign.
November 23. 1871, Mr. Power was married to Miss Mary V. Sweeney, of San Francisco, and they have seven children, namely : Harold, Treasure, Henry, Anita, Edward. Grace and Raymond Mckinley.
Fraternally Mr. Power is identified with the Freemasons. Native Sons of the Golden West and the order of Elks. As a business man, a public-spirited citizen and gentleman, he is a credit to the state.
CROCKER BROTHERS.
The history of a community is no longer a story of wars and conquests but is an account of its business activities, whereon depends its growth and prosperity. The Crocker Brothers, now at the head of one of the leading mer- cantile concerns of Placerville, are prominent in commercial circles and are recognized as enterprising citizens, widely and favorably known in their com- munity. They are both native sons of California, the elder. Frank Crocker. having been born September 29, 1858, and the younger. Warren Crocker, on the 20th of March, 1863, in Eldorado county.
Their father. Benjamin S. Crocker, one of the early and respected pio- neers of the county, was born in Virginia. April 20, 1827, and in 1832 accom- panied the family on their westward journey to Hannibal, Missouri. Three years later they removed to Grant county, Wisconsin, and when fourteen years of age Benjamin S. Crocker started out in life on his own account, work- ing in the lead mines. Later he took flatboats down the Mississippi river to New Orleans, and in 1851. attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made his way to this state, coming by the Nicaragua route. The ship on which he sailed on the Pacific being an old slow-going tug, the supply of water and provisions became exhausted ere he reached his destination. This occa- sioned much suffering, and a number of the passengers died. They were obliged to fight for water and the captain landed them at San Diego instead of taking them on to San Francisco. Mr. Crocker remained there for a time, working in a hotel, after which he made his way to San Francisco and sub- sequently to Sacramento. There he earned a few dollars by removing prop- erty that was endangered by a flood which threatened to carry them away.
In March, 1852. he arrived in Placerville, without friends and without money: but he soon discovered an old acquaintance whom he had known in the lead mines of Wisconsin and who rendered him kindly assistance. He engaged in placer mining, meeting with desirable success in his work, and after about a year opened a large mercantile store in Upper Placerville. The enter- prise has since been conducted. being now the property of his two sons. . 1s a business man the father was thrifty and straightforward and had the trade and confidence of a large circle of friends. He was one of the successful pio-
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neer merchants of the town and his business contributed in no small measure to its commercial activity. On the 29th of June, 1858, he married Miss Mary Myers, and they had six children, namely : Emma Artilla, William Franklin, Dora, Warren, Arthur Benjamin and Irving Samuel, all of whom are living with the exception of Dora, who died March 11, 1863. The mother was called to her final rest in March, 1870, and on the 5th of May, 1872, Mr. Crocker married Miss Caroline E. Cruson, who with four children survived him, namely : Robert, Raymond Clinton, Sarah Catherine and Bernice. The father of these children departed this life on the 6th of September, 1895, and in his death the community lost one of its valued citizens.
Frank Crocker, as he is familiarly called, was educated in Placerville and when eighteen years of age began hauling goods for the store of which he is now the proprietor. He was thus employed for twenty years, and upon the death of his father he became a partner in the store in connection with his borther Warren. On the 17th of April, 1900, he was elected one of the alder- men of the town and is now acceptably serving in that capacity. Warren Crocker was also educated in Placerville and during much of his life he has been connected with the store as his father's assistant and now as a partner. Under his father's direction he acquired a thorough knowledge of the business and was well qualified to assume the management when he became one of the partners. In addition to their mercantile interests they are largely interested in valuable mining properties and are wide-awake, progressive business men who carry forward to successful completion whatever they undertake, deterred by no obstacles that can be overcome by honorable effort.
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