A Volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of northern California, including biographies of many of those who have passed away, Part 75

Author: Standard Genealogical Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Standard Genealogical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 902

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 75

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Our subject was married, in 1881, to Miss Alberta Coats, a native of Placerville and a daughter of George Coats. He came to California at an early epoch in the state's history. They have two children,-Elma and Marion. The brothers, Frank and Warren Crocker, are both Republicans.

SAMUEL C. PELTON.

Occupying the position of postmaster at Shingle and identified with its mercantile interests, Samuel C. Pelton is numbered among the progressive men of his community. He was born on the Ist day of February, 1837, a native of Canada, but his parents were natives of the United States. His father's birth occurred in Vermont, in which state he was married to Miss Margaret Wagner, who also was born in the Green Mountain state. Subsequently they removed to Canada and in 1858 came to California, establishing their home in Eldorado county. The father became the owner of the Pelton claim located near Shingle Springs. He operated his mine for a number of years and it is still being worked, the yield thus far amounting to one hundred thousand dol- lars. His political support was given to the Democracy and he served as a jus- tice of the peace for a number of years, discharging his duties without fear or favor. He was a citizen of upright and honest principles, and respected for his sterling worth. He died in 1882, at the age of eighty-two years, and his wife passed away in 1884, at the age of seventy-three. They had

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thirteen children, of whom seven are yet living. The mother and her children joined the husband in California, in 1862, making the journey thither by the way of the Nicaragua route. They narrowly escaped shipwreck off Cape Hat teras and were six weeks on the voyage.

Samuel C. Pelton was twenty-five years of age at the time of his arrival in California. He engaged in mining with his father and two brothers, and they have since worked the claim continuously. In 1888 he opened his mer- cantile establishment, successfully carrying on business until 1898, when his store was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of between six and seven thousand dollars. Phoenix-like, however, his new enterprise arose from the ashes and with characteristic energy he purchased his present store building. secured a new stock of goods and has since engaged in general merchandising. keeping dry goods, boots and shoes, drugs and farm implements,-in fact everything needed by the citizens of Shingle and vicinity. He has also a branch store at Folsom, and is a part owner of a steam laundry at Placerville. He is also interested in several mining enterprises, being part owner of the Rose Kim- berly mining claim. In addition to these he is the owner of a farm and is interested in agricultural pursuits.

In 1882 Mr. Pelton was united in marriage to Miss May Biggs, a native of West Virginia and a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Tomlinson ) Biggs. The Biggs family were early settlers of Ohio, while the Tomlinson family were very prominent in West Virginia. His political allegiance is of benefit to the Republican party and its principles he warmly advocates. He attends the county and state conventions and his opinions carry weight there. He has the honor of being the postmaster at Shingle, under the administration of President Mckinley. He has seldom sought political preferment as a reward of party service. He is a man of resourceful business ability whose efforts have never been confined to one line and his marked energy and enterprise in indus- trial and commercial affairs have enabled him long since to leave the ranks of the many and stand among the successful few. He is one of the substantial residents of Eldorado county.

L. P. A. SONNE.

L. P. A. Sonne, a well-to-do and highly intelligent citizen of l' cklin, is from the little kingdom of Denmark, where on the 24th of November. 1836, he first opened his eyes to the light of day. His parents, Peter and Kate Sonne. were also natives of that country and were farming people of sterling worth who, in the faith of the Lutheran church, of which they were members, reared their family of four children. The father departed this life in the sixty-fifth year of his age, and the mother died in her seventy-fifth year. Three of the children survive, two in California, Andrew, of Sacramento, and L. P. A.

The subject of this review was educated in his native land and in early life went to sea. A life on the ocean wave was his lot for nine years. He has visited many ports throughout the world, but sailed principally to Europe and South America. In his voyages he gained a wide knowledge of Jie countries

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which cover the face of the globe and the people which inhabit them, knowl- edge that can be obtained so well in no other way. During the last Schleswig- Holstein war he served as a sailor on the frigate Jylland and took part in the engagement at Heligoland on the 9th of May, 1864.

After the war was over, on deciding to make his home in America, he took up his abode in Illinois, in 1865, and three years later came to California, making his way across the isthmus. He established his home here with the hope that its mild climate would prove beneficial to his health. In the mean- time he had spent nearly all of his money in paying physicians' bills. He located in Stanislaus, making his home with a physician in order to have his care. Subsequently, however, he removed to Loomis and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he improved and cultivated success- fully, thus demonstrating to the people of Placer county that crops might be raised in this portion of the state. After residing upon his farm for eleven years he sold the property, for five thousand dollars, and in 1883 took up his abode in Rocklin, where he became a dealer in real estate, principally town lots. He is not only the owner of many desirable lots but also has come into possession of ten dwelling houses, which he rents, his income being thus mate- rially increased. His home is a comfortable cottage which is also one of his realty possessions.

Mr. Sonne's study of the political issues and questions has led him to give his allegiance to the Republican party. Although baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church, he now attends the Congregational church in Rocklin. He owes his success in life to his well-directed efforts, his willing hands being directed by sound judgment, his indefatigable energy being supplemented by keen sagacity. He has never interfered with other people, but has attended closely to his own business and is now the possessor of a comfortable compe- tence which earnest toil has brought to him.

JAMES H. SHERER.

James Hamilton Sherer is acceptably filling the office of high sheriff of Colusa county. We hear much to-day of corruption in politics and that public offices are filled by men who care naught save for self-aggrandizement : and while this may be true in a degree concerning the larger cities and towns, places of public trust are occasionally filled by those who are competent to discharge the duties and are conscientious in the performance of the tasks that devolve upon them. Mr. Sherer is one in whom the county may well place confidence, and in the office which he is now filling he has manifested marked loyalty and capability.

A native of Missouri, he was born in Andrew county, on the 6th of November, 1856, and is a son of Joseph Sherer, of Arbuckle. His paternal grandfather, William Sherer, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. in the year 1809. On the paternal side he was of German lineage, while on the maternal side he was of English descent. At an early age he was left an orphan and was reared in Virginia, by an uncle and aunt by the name of

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Buchanan, who also held a similar relationship to President Buchanan. In Knox county, Ohio, in 1829, he wedded Mary Kincaid, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1811, and was of Puritan Scotch ances- try. Her father, Joseph Kincaid, was a native of Pennsylvania and was of Scotch lineage. In Maryland he married Martha John Alexander, who was born in Scotland, and is a representative of a family whose members are still living in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland. Her grandmother resided in the last named state. After their marriage they remained in Ohio until 1848, when they removed to Missouri, and in 1857 they started for California, crossing the Missouri river on the 13th of April, arriving at Sacramento river on the 25th of October of the same year. They settled on the old home place and there resided until death, the father passing away in April, 1882, while the mother died May 20, 1895.

Joseph Sherer, the father of our subject, was born in Knox county, Ohio, December 14. 1835, and after arriving at years of maturity married, in Andrew county, Missouri, July 5. 1855, a daughter of Ezekiel and Sarah ( Walker) Smith. They were both natives of Tennessee and in an early day removed to Missouri, locating in Andrew county, before it was organized. In pioneer days he was appointed sheriff and after the organization of the county he was twice elected to the same office, discharging his duties with marked fidelity and ability. At the time of his death he was a candidate for the general assembly. He passed away in April, 1849, and his wife, long surviving him, departed this life July 24. 1874. Their daughter, Mrs. Sherer, was born in Clinton county, Missouri, January 7, 1835.

Upon the old farm James H. Sherer was reared to manhood, acquiring his education in the district schools. He was in his first year when his parents came to the Golden state, taking up their residence near Arbuckle. When he had mastered the rudimentary branches of learning he pursued more advanced studies in Pierce Christian College, and prepared for his business career as a student in the business college of San Francisco. On putting aside his text-books he engaged in farming and stock-raising, and in these enter- prises met with creditable success. He has shipped stock extensively, one of his principal markets being the Hawaiian islands.

On the 16th of September, 1883, Mr. Sherer was united in marriage to Miss Maria Gillenwaters, who was born in Nevada county, California, her father being Joseph Gillenwaters, of Nevada City. Mr. and Mrs. Sherer have had a daughter, Mary Agnes Sherer, who died at the age of thirteen years, eleven months and three days. He and his wife attend the services of the Christian church, in which Mrs. Sherer holds membership, and in the community where they reside they have a wide acquaintance and are favor- ably known.

Mr. Sherer cast his first presidential vote in 1880, supporting the candi- (lates of the Democratic party, and has since that time labored for the success and upbuilding of the political organization with which he is identified. In 1898 he was elected sheriff of Colusa county, and for two years has held the position, discharging his duties without fear or favor. He is a prominent

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Mason, belonging to both the blue lodge at College City, California, and Chapter No. 60, R. A. M., at Colusa. A self-educated, self-made man, his position in life is due entirely to his own efforts, and his prosperity has come to him as a reward for his labors. He has many excellent qualities, and his genial nature has gained him the warm regard of those with whom he has come in contact.

DAVID T. LOOFBOURROW.

One of the leading and influential citizens of Eldorado county living at Diamond Springs is David T. Loofbourrow, whose residence in California covers a half century, the date of his arrival being September 9, 1850, the very day on which California was admitted into the Union. He has already reached the Psalmist's span of three-score years and ten, for he was born in Ohio, December 6, 1829. The blood of Scotch and English ancestry is in his constitution and in his life he has exemplified many of the best characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon race. The first of the name to settle in America located in Pennsylvania. His father, Wade Loofbourrow, was born in the Keystone state, and on emigrating to Ohio located in Washington, Fayette county, where he was married to Miss Nancy Swinney. He was a lawyer by pro- fession, attained prominence at the bar and was elected and served as the judge of the district court. Many positions of honor and trust were conferred upon him and he was accorded an eminent place in the ranks of the legal fraternity. He died in 1852, at the age of sixty-seven years, and his wife passed away at the age of forty-seven years, leaving four children, all of whom yet survive.

Mr. Loofbourrow of this review. the only one of the family in California, pursued his education in the academy at Chillicothe, Ohio, and entered upon his business career as a salesman in a store. Hoping to better his financial condition in the far west he crossed the plains to California in 1850, allured by the discovery of gold and the prospect of securing a fortune in the gold fields. He traveled with a company of one hundred and thirty men who with thirty wagons crossed the hot and arid plains. They were annoyed by the Indians, but a guard was kept on watch most of the time and thus they avoided an attack. Ten of their number died of cholera and the route was marked by many a new-made grave. For ten days they were without bread and they suffered other hardships and difficulties. A short time after leaving Salt Lake they abandoned the wagons and packed the oxen with their goods. On reaching Humboldt, Nevada, they sold their oxen and came on foot to Placer- ville, which was one of the historic places in California in the early mining days,-the scene of its most noted gold diggings. Thus the long journey was safely pursued but the experiences of that trip will never be forgotten by those who made it. During a part of the time they made bread of bran without salt, but although it was not very palatable they had keen appetites and were glad to get what they could.

After reaching California Mr. Loofbourrow engaged in mining for a

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number of years on Webber creek, also in the neighborhood of Kelsey and Auburn and in various places in Nevada county. He never met with more than moderate success, although he found one nugget of gold that was worth sixty dollars, another worth eighty and a third worth ninety dollars. With his two partners he took out one day two hundred and fifty dollars. Like other miners, he traveled over the country a great deal to see what he could find, when it would have been more profitable to have remained at the mines when they were meeting with fair success,-thus "letting well enough alone." During his first day's mining on Webber creek he dug a little hole in the bed of the creek and from thirty-five panfuls of dirt he took out gold to the value of seventeen and a half dollars. The hole filled with water and they abondoned it: but had they been more experienced they would have continued there and probably would have realized a handsome fortune.

In 1860 Mr. Loufbourrow returned to Eldorado county and took charge of the Gold Hill canal and continued in that occupation for five years. In 1866 he began merchandising at Cold Springs. For seven years he engaged in trade at Grizzly Flat, and in 1879 he removed to Eldorado, where he sold goods for fourteen years, meeting with excellent success. lle next went to Tacoma, Washington, and dealt in town lots, meeting with some success dur- ing the boom. He was fortunate enough to leave just before the boom sub- sided, and since then he has been engaged in merchandising in Placerville. and also at his present location at Diamond Springs and Eldorado.

Until 1896 Mr. Loofbourrow affiliated with the Democratic party, but since then he has entertained socialistic and populist ideas. In 1858 he was elected by his party a member of the state legislature and in 1873-4 was the chief clerk of the state assembly.

He was married in 1863 to Miss Elizabeth Englesfreid, a native of Illi- nois, and unto them were born ten children, all of whom are living, namely : Wade, who resides in the state of Washington: Reno Paul, who is with his father in the store : Charles F., an agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany: Nancy, the wife of E. L. Ronssin: Kate. the wife of R. M. Wren : Twinney, the wife of Albert Bliss; Margaret and Emma, who are attending school at San Jose: and Clance, his youngest son, and Agnes, who also are students. Mr. Loofbourrow has never been identified with any social or fraternal society, giving his attention exclusively to his business, and by an upright and honorable course he has prospered.

JOHN W. CROFF.

Through forty-nine years John Wesley Croff has been a resident of California. Hle was born in the far-off state of New York, his birth having there occurred, in Genesee county, on the 13th of October. 1830. He is of Ger- man and English lineage. his father, Nathan Croff, having been born in Ger- many, whence he came to the United States at the age of thirteen years, lo- cating in New York city, where he learned the trade of shoemaking. He married Miss Olive Marston, a native of New Hampshire, who, however, was

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reared in the Empire state. After their marriage they removed to Wayne county, Michigan, and subsequently resided in the town of Eaton, that state. They were industrious farming people and reared nine children, five of whom are now living. The father attained the very advanced age of ninety-eight years, two months and two days, while his wife was seventy-four years of age at the time of her demise.

Mr. Croff, their fifth child, was reared to manhood in Michigan, ac- quiring his education in Wayne county. When the discovery of gold was made in California the hope of rapidly acquiring wealth drew him to the Pacific coast. He crossed the plains in 1851, with a company of ninety-two men, and the journey was safely accomplished, he arriving in Sacramento on the 20th of August, 1851. As did most of the other immigrants, he made his way to the mines, searching for the precious metal on the middle fork of the American river, on New York Bar. He met with good success in the undertaking. taking out one thousand dollars, above expenses, before the time of high water, in November. Subsequently he engaged in mining in Placerville, Eldorado county, where he was successfully engaged for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Fiddletown, now Oleta. He had sent twenty-five hundred dollars to the east and had fifteen hundred dollars remaining. He had also spent considerable money in prospecting. In Amador county he made a claim of one hundred acres of government land, on which he has since engaged in farming, in connection with placer-mining, and during all these years has met with creditable success in his undertak- ings. He also has a very pleasant home and five acres of land in Oleta. He still continues placer-mining, and with his own hands has taken out seventy- five thousand dollars.

In 1866 occurred the marriage of Mr. Croff and Miss Mary McKee, the wedding being celebrated in Oleta. The lady is a native of Ohio and came to California in 1863. Both Mr. and Mrs. Croff were reared in the faith of the Methodist church and are worthy and reliable citizens. He has made the golden rule his practice through life and his integrity is above question. In politics he has long been a supporter of the Republican party ; and, other than being deputy sheriff in Eldorado county for three years and deputy sheriff in Amador county for two years and constable for six years, he has never sought or desired political office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with most credit- able success. His life has been well spent, and he justly deserves mention among the honored California pioneers.

SIMEON C. JORDAN.

To the development of the mining interests of California the state largely owes its prosperity ; and in presenting the life record of Simeon C. Jordan we give a history of one who has been an active factor in developing the mineral resources of his portion of the Golden state. He now resides at Dutch Flat : but Iowa is the state of his nativity, as he was born at Dubuque, on the 30thi

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of March, 1845. On the paternal side he is of German and Irish ancestry. and on the maternal, of English and Scotch. Several of his ancestors came to America before the war of the Revolution, and his grandfathers Clark and Jordan both aided the colonists in their struggle to attain independence. The latter afterward located in Iowa, becoming one of the very first settlers of that state: and George Washington Jordan, the father of our subject, was born there.

In 1850 George W. Jordan started across the plains to California, but died at Fort Laramie. He left in lowa his wife and four children,-three sons and a daughter. For her second husband the mother chose Lewis Costell, and in 1852 she came to California with the family, by way of the isthmus, Simeon C. Jordan being then in his eighth year. They located three miles from Dutch Flat, at Mountain Springs; but not even a single cabin marked the spot at which our subjeet now lives. Mr. Costell had come to California in 1850. starting in the same company with Mrs. Costell's former husband. He made a fortune in this state and returned and married Mrs. Jordan, and together they came to the Pacific coast, and here Mr. Costell spent his fortune in mining enterprises.

In 1857 Mrs. Costell, the mother of Mrs. Jordan, married Eben Smith and the next year they moved to Colorado, where Mr. Smith entered into partnership with Jerome B. Chaffee, constituting the mining firm of Smith & Chaffee, who owned the Gregory and Bobtail mines, which produced many million dollars' worth of ore. Mr. Smith is still living and is associated with the David Moffit National Bank at Denver. The mother of our subject died in 1892, at the age of seventy-three years. The children who came with her to California were William Thomas, Simeon C., F. W. and Mary Ann. The daughter is now the wife of Charles B. Patrick, of Pocatello, Idaho.

Simeon C. Jordan was educated in the public schools of Dutch Flat and Woodland, and graduated in the commercial college at San Jose. Throughout his business career he has been connected with mining enterprises, having engaged in mining and been active in the development and disposal of mines. and thus acquiring a considerable competence. His early experience was in quartz and hydraulic mining, being trained to this work under the direction of his stepfather in Placer county. His first introduction to quartz-mining was under the guidance of Mr. Smith, already spoken of. whose knowledge of quartz mines and mining in general is the best in the world to-day. Mr. Jordan made considerable money in Placer and Nevada counties, his net gain being about ten thousand dollars a year; but the debris law put an end to hydraulic mining and since that time his attention has been given principally to drift mining. He is now engaged in operating the Blue Lead mine just below Dutch Flat. He has recently erected a good ten-stamp mill, each stamp weighing one thousand and fifty pounds. The mill and all of its machinery is of the latest improved patterns, and he is now operating the plant with the aid of sixteen employes. He is rapidly extending his work. however, so that he will soon furnish employment to sixty men. He has bonded this mine to a large company and its success is assured.

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Mr. Jordan is considered a mining expert whose understanding, expe- rience and practical working has made him an excellent judge of minerals and the best method of securing the metal from the earth and of preparing it for use. He is a man of great energy and strong purpose, and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His opinions are considered authority throughout Placer county and his portion of the state; and he has spent considerable time investigating mining properties throughout California. so that he is well known in mining circles.

In 1879 Mr. Jordan was married to Miss Augusta M. Horner, of Nevada City. and they have had five children, only two of whom are living, however, namely: Caroline S. and Irene Ruth. They have a nice home in Dutch Flat and its generous hospitality is enjoyed by their many friends.

Mr. Jordan is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, joining the party at an early period in its history. He lost his left arm while loading a cannon during the second Lin- coln campaign ; but he has never swerved in his loyalty to his party, which saved the Union during the Civil war, which has ever been the champion of American rights and liberties, the protector of American industries and now favors national expansion. It is a record of which he is justly proud ; and throughout his active business career he has ever kept well informed on the issues of the day, so that he has been able to support his position by intelli- gent argument.

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A Volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of northern California, including biographies of many of those who have passed away, Part 75

Author: Standard Genealogical Publishing Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago, Standard Genealogical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 902

Author: Standard Genealogical Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Standard Genealogical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 902