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 81
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Lorenzo Dow Adams, whose name introduces this record, was only eleven years of age when he arrived in California. He had attended school in the Empire state and continued his studies in Grass Valley, Nevada county. Under the parental roof he remained until twenty-one years of age, when he began to earn his own livelihood driving a team. A little later he began ped- dling in the counties of Sierra, Nevada and Placer. This was not an inde- pendent venture, however, as he was employed by a merchant. He worked for wages for three years and then took out a load of goods to sell on com - mission. His industry and enterprise enabled him to add to his capital and in February, 1881, with the money which he had acquired through his own efforts he opened a small store in Sheridan, where he continued in business until 1888. In August of that year he became identified with the mercantile interests in Lincoln and has since been the proprietor of a general mercantile store at this place, where, as the result of his close application to business and straight- forward methods, he has met with gratifying success. He carries a large stock of everything found in a first-class establishment of the kind and is a very popular as well as prosperous business man of his town. His trade is con- stantly increasing and has reached extensive proportions.
Recognizing the obligations of citizenship and the responsibility that de- volves upon those to whom is given the right of franchise, Mr. Adams keeps well informed on political affairs and gives his support to the Republican party. In April, 1898, he was elected a trustee of Lincoln and was chosen by the board to act as its president, in which capacity he is still serving. In the same year he was elected as one of the supervisors of the county and is now the incumbent in both offices. He is very active in every enterprise intended to improve and upbuild the town and his official prerogatives have been exercised in support of all measures for the general good. His is a spirit of earnest loyalty and one which has gained high commendation. Mr. Adams also has a number of gold-mining interests both in California and Alaska, and he is also a stockholder in an oil company in Fresno county, California, and the president of the Lincoln Oil Company.
In 1881 Mr. AAdams was united in marriage to Miss Ida V. Williams,
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a native of Michigan Bluff, Placer county, and their union has been blessed with two sons and two daughters. The daughters, Mabel D. and Myrtle V .. are still living, but the sons have passed away, Elmer having died in infancy, while Earl Frederick died at the age of ten months. Mr. Adams was bereft of his wife on the 16th of August, 1895. She and her daughters were driv- ing in a carriage when the horse became unruly and backed over a steep place, cansing her death. She was a woman of splendid attainments and of marked refinement. She was a valued and consistent member of the Methodist church and greatly beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Adams was again married on the 31st of January, 1896, his second union being with Mrs. Arzalia Crossman, a widow, of Sierra valley. By her former marriage she had a daughter. Vyone, who is now living with her and Mr. Adams. Ilis record is one which will bear the closest inspection. His business affairs have ever been conducted honorably, and the most envious can scarcely grudge him his success, so well has he earned it. He is kind, unaffected and approachable, and every comer he regards as having a claim upon his courteous attention.
CHARLES F. MACY.
Charles F. Macy, who for the past thirty years has been the druggist of Iowa Hill and for a half century has been a respected resident of the state, was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on the 4th of October, 1828, and has therefore passed the Psalmist's span of three-score years and ten. Although his has ever been an active and useful career he has not yet put aside the cares of life, and his close identification with commercial pursuits at this time shouldl put to shame many a man of younger years who, grown weary of life's toils and struggles, would relegate to others the burdens that he should bear.
Mr. Macy is of English lineage, representing a family that was founded in New England in early colonial days. When his ancestors left the merrie isle to seek a home in America they took up their abode in Amesbury, Massa- chusetts, which place they were obliged to leave to avoid persecution for the acts of harboring and protecting Quakers. Pursued by a fanatical force of officers, Thomas Macy and wife took refuge in an open boat, and, subjecting themselves to the mercy of the ocean wave, they followed down the coast until they discovered and reached the island of Nantucket, which was inhabited by friendly Indians ( a detailed account of which may be found in John G. Whit- tier's poem, "The Exiles" ). Others followed them and there they found home of religious toleration.
The Macy's were among the prominent, respected and reliable citizens of the place and were members of the Quaker church. The grandfather. Job Macy, and his father, Alexander Macy, were both born in Nantucket, and the latter was for many years the captain on a whaling ship, but for some years before his death he left the sea and took up the quiet life of the farm at the old home of his youth where he attained the ripe old age of eighty eight years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Maria Pinkham, was also a native of Nantucket, and they became the parents of five sons and one daughter ; but only
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two of the number are now living, namely : Alexander, a resident of San Jose, California, now in his eightieth year, and Charles F. The mother passed away in the eighty-sixth year of her age.
Charles F. Macy acquired his education in the schools of his native town and remained in the east until allured by the discovery of gold in California. He started for this Mecca in 1849, making the long voyage around Cape Horn. He joined a company of twenty-four young men who purchased a ship and started out with food and such an outfit as they supposed they would need in their search for gold. They were each permitted to select a young man to sail with them and who were permitted to work their passage. It was expected that they would be able to sell the vessel advantageously on reaching their destination, but after several futile attempts they were obliged to take a merely nominal sum for it.
Mr. Macy went first to the slate range on the North Yuba, but met with unsatisfactory returns in his labors there and again went to San Francisco, where he spent the winter of 1850-1. In the spring he made his way to the big bar on the middle fork of the American river, and in the winter of 1852-3 went to Lowell Hill, in Nevada county. There he and three companions had small mining claims and on one occasion they were fortunate enough to take out a nugget worth nine hundred dollars. At this place they met with very gratifying success, but, like the majority of the brave California pioneers, they invested their money in the hope of securing still greater returns and lost much that they had made. At times they were prosperous and again met with reverses, and in this manner Mr. Macy's mining operations continued until November, 1866, when he arrived at Iowa Hill. Ten years previously this place had been the fifth in population in the state and was a very prosperous mining camp until the law put an end to hydraulic mining. Mr. Macy opened a store and carried on general merchandising for a number of years, but at length closed out that enterprise and for thirty-three years has conducted the only drug store in the town. In this he has been very successful, enjoying a liberal patronage which comes from Iowa Hill and the surrounding country. During all the years of his residence in Iowa Hill Mr. Macy has continued interested in mining, and in the development of the mineral resources of this part of the state he has done his full share. Ile is still a part owner in a nuin- ber of valuable mining properties, among which are the Orion, the Rule, the Success and the Juno. He was one of the organizers of the Iowa Hill Canal Company, which was formed in 1872 and brought water to the mines, a dis- tance of twenty-five miles, for hydraulic purposes. This enterprise proved a very valuable one at the time they were permitted to engage in hydraulic mining, but at present the great outlay is completely useless.
Mr. Macy's first vote was cast for Franklin Pierce for president of the United States, but his love of liberty and hatred of oppression led him to support John C. Fremont for the presidency in 1856. He became one of the organizers of the Republican party, and during the Civil war was a strong Union man. He has never wavered in his allegiance to the grand old party and has been chosen by his fellow townsmen on that ticket to the office of
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justice of the peace, in which he has served continuously and well for a nun- ber of years. Ile has also been notary public for a number of years ani is thoroughly acquainted with the law connected with justice courts. He has won favorable comment by his ability in drawing up legal papers and contracts and does all that kind of work in the town. He has also made out the papers for mining parties and as their attorney has procured many United States mineral patents to their lands, and is thoroughly acquainted with judicial prin- ciples concerning all such subjects. He is likewise well known for his ability as a Fourth-of-July orator, for his patriotism and loyalty are of a high order, and his love for his country has inspired him with an eloquence that cannot be obtained from beautiful rhetorical phrases, but must rise from the occasion.
In 1873 Mr. Macy selected for his wife, and was happily married to, Miss Mary E. Nahor, a native of Nashua, New Hampshire, born June 25. 1845, of English and Scotch lineage, her ancestors being among the noted early set- tlers of that colony. She is a direct descendant of Captain Aquilla Chase, who came to America in 1630. She is also a descendant of the Shattuck family, which traces its history back to the year 1500 in England. Her great-grand- father, Captain Joseph Chase, fought in the battle of Bunker Hill and partici- pated in the entire struggle for independence. General Miles, who now stands at the head of the American army, is also a member of the family. Her father, Joseph Nahor, came to California in 1849 on the ship Edward Everett, with Alexander's geological surveying party, their purpose being to locate all the gold in this state; but nearly all of them died poor. Soon after arriving in the state he left the party, and in the winter of 1850-I he located at Auburn, camp- ing in front of the present site of the American Hotel. Mrs. Macy came to California in 1857, when she was twelve years old. Her father died at or near Iowa Hill, in 1871, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. Her mother still sur- vives and is now living with Mrs. Macy, in the eighty-ninth year of her age. The esteemed wife of our subject spent her early girlhood days and acquired her education in the schools of Massachusetts. For forty-three years she has been a resident of California, living at lowa Hill during the greater part of the time. She is a lady of marked intelligence and a splendid representative of the brave pioneer women who came to California in an early period in its development and are entitled to great credit for the part they have taken in the settlement of this great commonwealth. Mr. and Mrs. Macy have had three children, but their daughter Ella died in the twelfth year of her age. The sons are Waldo S., who is now in charge of his father's mining interests, and C. Everett, who is now in school. The family occupy a pleasant home in lowa Hill and the parents and their sons are high respected in the community in which they live.
WILLIAM B. CROOP.
William B. Croop. the county clerk of Merced county, was born in Tunk- bannock, Wyoming county, Pennsylavnia, on the 12th of January. 1852, and is a representative of an old Holland family that was founded in Pennsylvania
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at an early epoch. His father, Peter S. Croop, was born in Easton, Pennsyl- vania, and was an intelligent, industrious and reliable farmer. He departed this life in 1889, at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years. For a number of years he held the office of supervisor of his county and was a very competent official. He married Miss Julia Sleagle, a native of Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of twelve children, of whom nine are living. She was an exemplary member of the Christian church.
The subject of this review is indebted to the public-school system of his native county for his early educational privileges, which were supplemented by study in the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pennsylvania. In June, 1877, he arrived in Merced county, California, a young man, ambitious, deter- mined and energetic. For eight years he engaged in teaching and was recog- nized as a sucessful and able educator. He served for four years as a member of the board of education of the county, and in the fall of 1898 he was elected the county clerk for a term of four years, being chosen to that office as a repre- sentative of the Democratic party. His administration has been commendable and he is known as an official fully worthy of the trust reposed in him.
On the Ist of September, 1886, Mr. Croop was united in marriage to Miss Grace M. Beecher, of New York, and they now have two children : Ada A., and Cyrus William. Of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Mr. Croop is an active member, having passed all the chairs in both branches of the fraternity and also served as district deputy grand master, receiving the appointment in May, 1900. He also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. and is a citizen of the highest integrity and worth, whose circle of friends is almost co-extensive with his circle of acquaintances, this showing that he has the high regard of all with whom he has been associated.
THE LOGAN BROTHERS.
Among the native sons of California are William, David and Frank Beam Logan, natives of Stanislaus county, the former born in 1854, the latter in 1856. They are the sons of James Logan, now deceased, who was one of California's honored pioneers, having come to the state in 1849. He was a native of Missouri, born August 20, 1817, and in 1831 he became a resident of Arkansas, where he was married to Miss Jennette C. Johnson, a native of Tennessee. He served his country faithfully in the Mexican war, and in 1849, lured by the gold discovery in California, he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast and became identified with mining interests at Wood's creek, Tuolumne county, meeting with fair success. In 1852 he retraced his steps to the Missis- sippi valley in order to bring his family to his new home, this time making the journey by way of the isthmus of Panama. During their passage their elde-t daughter was born, but died in infancy, at Sonora. On their arrival in Cali- fornia they located in Sonora, but shortly afterward removed to a farm in Stanislaus county, near the present home of their sons. There the father con- ducted a hotel and also engaged in raising stock. In 1863 he removed to the farm now owned by his widow and her sons, filing a soldier's warrant and pur-
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chasing other land until he had one thousand acres. He had been a life member of the Democratic party, but was never a politician in the sense of office- seeker, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs and to promoting the welfare, comfort and happiness of his wife and children. Ile was an honored member of the association of Mexican Veterans at Stockton. As a man and citizen he was highly respected by all who knew him. His widow still survives him and is now, in 1900, in the seventy-third year of her age, one of the brave pioneer residents who came to California during its early history to share the good or ill fortunes of those men who> laid the foundation for the present prosperity and advancement of the commonwealth. By her marriage she became the mother of six children, four of whom were born in California, namely: Lilly J., now the wife of George T. Hanscom: Minnie, the wife of B. F. Wulff ; and William D. and Frank B., whose names are found at the head of this sketch. James J., the eldest child, was born October 6, 1848. in Arkansas and died September 15, 1850.
William D. Logan was educated in the public schools of his native county and in the Pacific Business College, being graduated in the latter institution in 1875, after which he clerked for a time, acquiring a good knowledge of busi- ness. He was afterward deputy assessor of Stanislaus county, from 1880 until 1884. but is now devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits, in con- nection with his brother. In 1879 he was married to Miss Sarah Gardiner, who was born at Knight's Ferry. Stanislaus county, and their union has been blessed with one son and one daughter: William Francis, and Hattie May. The father is a well informed Freemason and now has the honor of being mas- ter of Summit Lodge, No. 112. F. & A. M., at Knight's Ferry.
Frank B. Logan, the younger brother, is indebted to the public-school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He has been a life-long farmer, associated with his brother in the successful operation of the land, which was left by their father. The place is under a high state of cultivation and the well-tilled fields yield a golden tribute in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them by the owners. Upon the place are found all m xlern improvements and accessories and the farm is characterized by neatness and thrift.
Frank B. Logan was married to Miss Ella M. Lewis, also a native of Stanislaus county, and a neighbor of the Logan family. They now have three children : Callie .A., Sidney E. and James.
The Logan brothers are supporters of the Democratic party and are citi- zens of sterling worth, giving an earnest and commendable support to all measures calculated to prove of public benefit.
FRANCIS NICHOLLS.
Francis Nicholls, a prominent old time citizen of California residing at Coloma, and now having charge of the Marshall monument and grounds at that place, is of English birth and descent, the date of his birth being November 5, 1838.
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Mr. Nicholls' parents. Francis and Margaret ( Hoskins) Nicholls, left their native land in 1848 and with their family emigrated to America, selecting a location in Wisconsin, where their new home was established. Here all went well until 1850, when the father and two of the children, daughters, died of cholera. Subsequently the widowed mother became the wife of Roger Cox, and by him she had a daughter, who is now a widow, Mrs. Annie Mark- ham, and who presides over the home of the subject of this sketch.
The younger Francis Nicholls passed the first ten years of his life in England, the next seven in Wisconsin, and in 1855, at the age of seventeen, landed in Coloma, California, having made the journey via the Nicaragua route, in company with an acquaintance, his stepfather having preceded him. It was on the 3d of July that young Nicholls landed in Coloma. From that time up to 1800 he devoted his time chiefly to mining. Then he turned his attention to fruit-raising, in which he has since been engaged. Peaches and prunes are his chief products, and his farm comprises one hundred and seventy acres. In addition to this property, he owns the comfortable home he occupies in Coloma.
Mr. Nicholls has been a life-long Republican, his first presidential vote having been cast for the great Lincoln. At different times he has been chosen to fill local office and has filled the same with credit to himself and those who have thus honored him. For eight consecutive years he served as a deputy assessor. He was elected and served as a county supervisor, and recently he was appointed by Governor Gage as guard of the Marshall monument and grounds, the duties of which position he is now performing.
Mr. Nicholls was made a member of the Masonic Order in 1876, and during all the years that have intervened since that date has taken an enthusias- tic interest in the work of that ancient and honored order. He served his lodge fifteen terms as worshipful master and has been the inspector of the district since 1883, with the exception of one year. There is perhaps not another Mason in the county of Eldorado who takes a deeper interest in Masonry than does Francis Nicholls.
GEORGE W. McKEE.
George W. McKee, a prominent business man of Placerville, displayed in his life many of the sterling characteristics of his Scotch ancestry, including the reliability, perseverance and keen discrimination for which the Scotch people are noted. In 1805 his grandfather, with his wife and children, emi grated from the land of hills and heather and took up their residence in Penn- sylvania. Soon afterward Andrew McKee, the father of our subject, was born. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Miss Mary Hill, who also was of Scotch lineage and was born in the Keystone state. He was a blacksmith by trade and was a man of considerable reputation and influence in his county. For a number of years he served as a captain of the militia of Beaver county and throughout his entire life he lived in that county, bearing his share of the work of progress and improvement. Both he and his wife
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were worthy members of the Presbyterian church. In their family were four children, viz. : Andrew James, deceased : Mary Elizabeth, the wife of James Magill, a merchant living in Pueblo, Colorado; Agnes Jane, the wife of Will iam Curry, a farmer living near Burgettstown, Washington county, Pennsyl- vania ; and George W., the subject of this review.
George W. McKee was born in Beaver county, in 1840, and there he pur- sued his education. He spent the greater part of his youth with an aunt upon a farm. With a desire to try his fortune on the Pacific coast he left home at the age of eighteen years and in 1858 sailed for California, crossing the isthmus of Panama and thus making his way up the Pacific coast. He located in Alleghany, Sierra county, where he became engaged in drift and tunnel mining, meeting with good success in his ventures. In 1864 he returned to his home in the east to visit his mother and relatives, again making the journey by way of the water route. The same year he returned by the Nicaragua route and once more took up his abode in Alleghany, where he continued until 1874. In that year he removed to Fairplay. Eldorado county, where he purchased the Fairplay House, conducting it successfully for twelve years. In 1886 he became the owner and proprietor of the Ohio House in Placerville and con- tintied the conduct of the same until 1898, when he sold out. Thus for twenty- four years he engaged in the hotel business and was a popular landlord, widely and favorably known throughout the northern part of California. His earnest desire to please his guests and his well-conducted hostelry won him a liberal patronage, while his admirable qualities of manner gained him many warm personal friends.
In 1870 Mr. McKee was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Bain, who was born in Oleta, Amador county, California, and is a daughter of August Bain, a California pioneer of 1852. The have one son, Joseph F., who is now a progressive young business man of Placerville. Mr. McKee is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has three times served as the master of his lodge. Ile is also a Royal Arch Mason, is a past king of the chapter and a past com- mander of Eldorado Commandery. He also belongs to the Mystic Shrine. his membership being in Islam Temple, at San Francisco. In politics he is an earnest Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the party principles, but he has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his time and atten tion to his business affairs, in which he has met with creditable and well- deserved success.
GEORGE T. MCCABE.
George T. McCabe, a representative of the mercantile interests of Oak- Cale, Stanislaus county, is a native of Driftwood. Cameron county, Pennsyl vanja, born on the 6th of February, 1858, and he traces his ancestry back to a Scotch-Irish source. His father, Asa McCabe, was born June 24. 1824. in Nova Scotia, learned the trade of a ship-buikler and removed to Philadelphia wllere lie followed his chosen occupation. Ile was also for some time engage 1 in building bridges for the Philadelphia & Pittsburg Railroad Company, dur-
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ing the construction of its line. He continued in business in the Keystone state throughout the remainder of his life, and died September 30, 1884. at the age of sixty years. He married Miss Nancy Sullivan, a native of Ire- land, born July 4, 1828, who yet survives her husband and is now living with her son George in Oakdale, at the age of seventy-six years.
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