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 86
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On the 31st of December. 1857. Mr. Ordway was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth H. Kennedy, a native of Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Kennedy, whose ancestors were from the north of Ireland. She came to California in 1857. Seven children were born of their marriage: Walter K .. who is the baggagemaster and car inspector at Oakdale: Clara D., at home;
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J. Ernest, of Oakdale: William \., who is engaged in railroading; Fanny M., now the wife of William H. Shipman, of Oakdale; and Frank M. and Lizzie, who are still with their parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ordway are valued members of the Methodist church, and several of their children also belong to the same religious body. For years he has been a trustee in the church and is one of the earliest members of the church at Oakdale. During the intervening years he has ever been loyal and true to its teachings, doing all in his power to advance its work. He is a strong temperance man and is a member of the Order of St. Paul, a church society whose members make it a principle of their lives to do good to every one.
Mr. Ordway has had an eventful experience, and if his history should be written in detail it would prove more exciting and interesting than many of the tales of fiction which so enchain the attention of the young. He has endured the hardships of pioneer life, the storms at sea, has faced the robbers of Australia and wild animals of South America, and though never courting danger he has resolutely manifested a fearless spirit that has awakened a high admiration. His life has been honorable and trite and of manly prin- ciples, and among the worthy pioneers of the state none are deserving of a higher regard than Nehemiah F. Ordway.
REUBEN MOORE SPARKS.
Emigration to California in '49 and the early '50s was drawn from the best element of the east and middle west, and, in fact from all parts of the world; for in those days it took pluck and courage to brave the dangers of overland travel or voyage; months were consumed in making the journey; and uncertainty, and in many cases hardship, awaited the traveler. Among those who landed in California at that early date, have passed through the varied experiences of a half century and are now comfortably situated in the Golden state, is Reuben Moore Sparks, a resident of Sunny South, Placer county. It was in 1853 that he came to California.
Mr. Sparks was born in Kentucky January 8, 1835, a son of Mattison and Winfred (Thomas) Sparks, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia, the Sparks family having lived in Kentucky for several generations, the Thomases being an old Virginia family. His ancestors were prominent in the early history of this country and were participants in both the war of the Revolution and of 1812. Mattison Sparks attained the ripe age of eighty-seven years. His wife was sixty-five when she died. They had eight sons and a daughter, four of whom are living.
In his native state Reuben M. Sparks spent the first eighteen years of his life, and then came to California, stopping first at Grass Valley, Nevada county, where for a year and a half he worked for wages on a ranch. We next find him at Deer Creek, where he spent the winter in mining. With a partner he secured a claim at Bear river, out of which they took about four thousand dollars. They mined thirteen hundred dollars in a single week. and out of one pan of dirt took ninety-three dollars. Also they had a canyon
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claim, which they mined successfully. Later Mr. Sparks came to Iowa Hill, where he and his brother invested in a mine. This, however, proved a failure. He then went to Wolf creek, where he mined one summer with good success, at the end of the season returning to lowa Hill and going thence to Damas- cus. There he became a partner with Mr. M. H. Power and others in the Damascus mine, which they consolidated with the Mountain Gate mine, in which he is still interested. He is also a shareholder in the Hidden Treasure Gravel mine. Since 1876 he has been a resident of Sunny South, where he now has a pleasant home, and, surrounded with comfort and plenty, is spend- ing the evening of life.
Mr. Sparks was married, in July, 1880, to Miss L. B. Bank, of Nevada county, a daughter of F. W. Bank, who has been a resident of this state since 1855 and now resides at San Juan. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks have an only daughter, Miss Hattie.
Of Mr. Sparks' political and fraternal affiliations it may be said that he has been a life-long Democrat and has long been identified with the Masonic order, having membership in both the blue lodge and chapter.
JOHN H. CUSHING.
From the far off Pine Tree state Mr. Cushing came to identify his inter- ests with those of California, and through forty-one years he has been a resi- (lent of this state, his home being now in Penryn. Placer county. He was born in Blue Hill, Maine, on the 23d of March, 1838, and represents a family that was founded in New England in colonial days by English ancestors. His grandfather and his father, the latter bearing the name of John Cushing, were both born on the old family homestead in Maine which the great-grand- father had located. John Cushing was born in 1800 and was reared and educated in the place of his birth. He married Miss Eliza Hinkley, a native of Blue Hill and a representative of an old and honored family there. They had three sons and a daughter. The father was a sea captain and in 1849 he came to California as the master of the ship Governor Stevens. He died at his home in Bhie Hill, in the fifty-second year of his age, leaving a widow and four children. In 1873 the mother came to California, spending her last days in the home of her son John, her death occurring in 1894. at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. She was a member of the Baptist church and an excellent woman who carefully reared her family.
When the father of our subject died the latter was a young sailor. He went to sea when only fourteen years of age and sailed until his twenty-first year. In 1859 he came to California, by way of the isthmus route, landing in San Francisco. In the early years of his residence in this state he engaged in mining and farming and followed other pursuits which would yield him an honest living. In 1862 he returned to the cast, around Cape Horn. as a sailor on a clipper ship, after which he settled in Boston and resided there till 1867, When he returned to California by way of the isthmus route, locating in the Livermore valley. in Alameda county, where he engaged in farming for a
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time. Subsequently he removed to Arizona, where he followed placer-mming and also engaged in copper-mining and in prospecting to a considerable extent. He found valuable claims, but no transportation facilities were near and they are still undeveloped. Mr. Cushing then returned to San Francisco, where he was engaged in the manufacture of syrup of figs, and in 1886 he came to Penryn, Placer county, where he has since engaged in fruit-raising. His orchards and residence are in the town, only a short distance from the railway station, and he is now conducting a large and profitable business.
In 1881 Mr. Cushing was happily married to Mrs. Emily J. Brown, a daughter of John Brenan. She came to California in 1854 and for a number of years resided in Sacramento and San Francisco. Since 1872 Mr. Cushing has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and he and his wife are charter members of the Eastern Star lodge in Penryn, in which he is serving as worthy patron, while his wife is conductress. His political support is given the Republican party. They are highly esteemed people of the community and their extensive circle of friends is an indication of their sterling worth.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS SANDERS.
Prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and successful business men of northern California was the subject of this sketch. His life history most happily illustrated what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy were the crowning points of his success, and his connection with various business enter- prises and industries was a decided advantage to this section of California, promoting its material welfare in no uncertain manner. At all times he was honorable and straightforward and gained a reputation for integrity in the affairs of life that was indeed enviable and worthy of emulation.
Mr. Sanders was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, on the roth of Octo- ber, 1834, and his parents, Jeremiah and Ann Maria ( Ramey) Sanders, were also natives of that state and descendants of old southern families there. In the state of his nativity the subject of this review acquired his education and when twenty years of age he became one of California's pioneers, a young man of courageous spirit. full of enterprise and determination, and was well qualified to meet the hardships inseparable from the development and improve- ment of a new section of country. It was in the year 1854 that he crossed the plains. He was accompanied by a cousin and together they brought a drove of cattle. For a short time they remained in the Sierra valley and then went to Coon creek, where they herded their cattle and later sought pasturage in many sections of the state, including the site of the present town of Lincoln. Mr. Sanders first engaged in mining in the Auburn Ravine and in his scarch for gold he was rewarded by a fair supply of the precious metal. He was also for a time engaged in the hotel business and was agent for a ditch company.
In 1861, when gold was discovered in Idaho, he went to that territory, making his way to the Warren diggings, he and his companion each carrying
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a sack of flour and other equipments on their backs. Mr. Sanders continued his mining operations in Idaho for three years, but returned to Placer county each winter. He was a man of great endurance and energy and his long sustained effort enabled him to acquire a large amount of gold. In this way he got his start in life. Later he engaged in business at Lincoln and was one of the most active promoters of the town, his efforts contributing in a large measure to its growth. When the pottery was established in the town, in 1875, he entered into contract to furnish teams and haul the clay to the factory ; and such were the pleasant business relations between him and the company that he continued to do the hauling up to the time of his death, and his teams have since been engaged in that work. In all his business relations he was a man of the highest integrity and honor.
In 1864 Mr. Sanders was united in marriage to Miss Mary Burdge, a native of Linn county, Missouri, and a daughter of Stephen Douglas Burdge, one of the honored California pioneers of 1850. Mrs. Sanders came to this state with her mother in 1852 and has therefore witnessed the wonderful development of California from a mining camp into a commonwealth possess- ing all the industries, enterprises and indications of civilization known to the older east. Three children came to bless their union: Lottie, who was born in Lincoln, is now the wife of Henry P. Sartain, who is conducting the Burdge, the leading hostelry of the town of Lincoln; Frank L., who is the managing editor of the Placer Herald, at Auburn, and married Miss Mattie Newton; and the third child died in infancy.
Mr. Sanders always gave his political support to the Democracy and for several years he served the city of his choice as a member of her board of trustees, and in that way he earnestly labored for her upbuilding and progress along substantial lines, and was ever ready to do all in his power to promote the welfare of the town. His efforts were of a practical nature and resulted to the immediate benefit of Lincoln and also proved of worth in later years. He was one of the leaders in procuring the water supply and water system which furnishes the town with an abundant supply of pure water, not only for use in the homes and in the business houses but also as a protection against fire. Mr. Sanders also served for one term as license collector.
In 1859 he received the sublime degree of Master Mason in Gold Hill Lodge, No. 32, F. & A. M., and at once became a valued and active worker. He was honored by election to many of the offices in the lodge, which he filled in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to the brethren of the fraternity. For three years he was the capable and efficient master. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in his life exemplified the helpful spirit of those fraternities. His death oc- curred on the 12th of February, 1898, occasioned by rheumatism of the heart. The end came suddenly and was a sad bereavement to his family and the whole city. He was serving as trustee of Lincoln at the time of his demise, and the board of which he was a member passed the following resolution as a tribute to his memory: "Resolved. that it is but a just tribute to the memory of the departed to say that in regretting his removal from our
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midst we mourn for one who was in every way worthy of our respect and regard; an active member of the board whose utinost endeavors were for the welfare and best interests of this town; a friend and' companion who was near to us all; a citizen whose upright life was a standard of emulation to his fellows." In manner Mr. Sanders was very pleasant, courteous and frank. He was ever ready to assist the needy with open hand or to relieve any form of suffering or distress. He was a man of the highest integrity of character and his word was as good as any bond that was ever solemnized by signature or seal.
Mrs. Sanders and her children are well known in Placer county. She is a lady of marked refinement and she and her daughter are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which she is past matron. She is now con- ducting the Burdge Hotel, which was built by her father. In this she is assisted by her son-in-law. Mr. Sartain. The hotel is a large, well-kept house, the leading one of the town, and Mrs. Sanders and Mr. Sartain do all in their power to promote the comfort of their guests and provide their house with every convenience found in first-class establishments. They have made many warm friends among the traveling public and in Lincoln, where they are widely known, and their circle of friends is limited only by their circle of acquaintances.
FREDERICK W. TURNER.
Frederick William Turner, whose identification with the business interests of Loomis in mercantile lines and as the proprietor of a hotel has made him one of the leading factors in commercial circles there, well merits representa- tion among the leading citizens of Placer county. For forty-seven years a resident of California, he has always maintained a deep interest in the develop- ment and progress of the state and at all times has borne his part in the work of mpbuilding and advancement.
He was born in Needham, Massachusetts, on the 17th of May, 1847. and is the son of Joseph and .Ann (Dexter ) Turner, both of whom were natives of England, whence they emigrated to the United States in 1816. The father was then three years of age. His parents settled in Needham, Massachusetts. where he was reared, and after arriving at years of maturity he was mar- ried. In April. 1850, he came to San Francisco, leaving his family in the east. He hoped to rapidly acquire wealth here. for he had heard of the splendid gold discoveries, and to mining on the American river he directed his attention. Later he engaged in mining at Secret Ravine, a half-mile from the present site of Loomis. In 1853 he sent for his wife and two sons, Fred- erick William and Joseph Charles, who joined him in his California home. where three other children were added to the family, Frank A., Elizabeth and George W .: but the last named and our subject are now the only sur- vivors of the family.
On arriving in California they located on a farm of two hundred acres a half-mile from the town of Loomis and there developed an excellent property,
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the father continuing his farming operations until 1894, at which time he retired to private life, making his home with the subject of this review in Loomis until his death, which occurred on the 8th of December, 1899. He was one of the brave pioneers of 1850, a man of courageous spirit and marked energy and uprightness of life, and he was well and favorably known by all the pioneer settlers of the community and held in the highest regard by all later arrivals who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. His wife departed this life in 1895. She was devoted to her family, considering no sacrifice too great that woul I promote their welfare and happiness; and she was a worthy representative of the brave band of women who bore uncomplainingly the hardships of life in the far west before the introduction of the comforts of the east.
Frederick W. Turner was but six years of age when he arrived in Cali- fornia in 1853. He was educated in Placer county, where he has made his home for forty-seven years, and upon the home farm with his father he remained until twenty years of age, when he accepted a position as a brake- man for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. He was afterward a freight conductor and subsequently a passenger conductor. In his boyhood he peddled 1k Mspapers, at the tinie the Southern Pacific was being built. Since retiring from the employ of the railroad company he has been recognized as one of the leading factors in the business life of Loomis, conducting here a general mer- cantile establishment and also carrying on a hotel. In the store he carries a large and well selected stock of general merchandise, such as is in demand by the mining and fruit-growing community surrounding Loomis. The hotel is a new one, which he has built for the accommodation of the traveling pub- lic, and the enterprise has met with favor, as is shown by the liberal patronage accorded it. Both Mr. and Mrs. Turner do all in their power to promote the comfort of their guests and have supplied the hotel with all the modern conveniences and accessories. Mr. Turner is also the postmaster of Loomis. to which position he was appointed in 1889 by President Harrison. He has since served in that capacity in the most creditable manner, his administration of the office being satisfactory to all concerned. It is conducted in his large mercantile store, and his son Frederick William is acting as his clerk and deputy postmaster.
Mr. Turner was married, in 1869, to Miss Martha E. Whitehead, a native of Missouri and a daughter of Timothy Whitehead. In 1853 she crossed the plains with her parents and has since been a resident of California. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have one child. Frederick William, who is now his father's able assistant. Mrs. Turier acts as agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Com- pany, and in addition to his other business interests Mr. Turner is a notary public. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his support of the party. He has never joined any fraternal society, but has steadily given his attention to his business affairs : and his close application, methodical habits an I his careful management of his enterprise have made him one of the sub- stant al citizens of this community who now enjoys a comfortable competence that is an honorable reward of his labors.
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GABRIEL L. RODDEN.
Each community is judged by the character of its representative citizens, and its social, intellectual and business standing is determined thereby. The sterling worth, commercial ability and enterprise of the leading men are mirrored forth in the public life of the town, and therefore the history of the people of prominence is the history of the community. No account of Oak- dale would be complete without the life record of Gabriel Lindsay Rodden, a man whose public spirit is manifested in his many efforts to improve the con- clitions and promote the upbuilding of the town. Throughout a period of forty-seven years Mr. Rodden has been numbered among the residents of northern California, his home being now in Oakdale, Stanislaus county.
He is a native of North Carolina, born near Charlotte September 15, 1823. On the paternal side he is descended from an old family of that state, while on the maternal side he represents an equally okdl Virginian family. Both of his grandfathers served in the Revolutionary war. Jackson Rodden, his father, was born in North Carolina in 1788, and was married, in that state, to Miss Mary Corum, who is closely connected with the historic Settle family of North Carolina. One of her brothers was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was killed at the battle of New Orleans. Six children were born to them in North Carolina, after which they removed to Tennessee and there four children were added to the family. Subsequently he, with his wife and three children, took up his abode in Arkansas, but he was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for at the end of one year he departed this life, in 1852, being then sixty-four years of age. His wife long survived him and attained to a ripe old age.
Mr. Rodden of this review acquired his education in Tennessee, and afterward engaged in teaching there for a year. Subsequently he was for eight years a teacher in the subscription schools of Alabama. In 1853 his health failed and he was advised to seek the climate of California. From the isthmtts of Panama he journeyed to the land of sunshine. On reaching the Pacific coast he made his way direct to Sonora, Tuolumne county, where in connection with some of his Tennessee friends he engaged in mining at Colum- bia, but they met with very moderate success and accordingly he secured a situation as clerk in a store owned by Mr. Moss. Afterward he became the proprietor of the Sierra Nevada House, which he conducted for its owner, being paid by the month for his services. Subsequently he again tried mining, at Sonora, but made little more than his expenses. He next went to the mountains, where he engaged in making sugar-pine shakes and shingles, that enterprise proving a profitable one and occupying his attention until 1856. He then engaged in teaming from the mountains to Columbia, Sonora, Knight's Ferry and Jamestown, with oxen.
In 1857 Mr. Rodden returned to Alabama to wed his sweetheart, Miss Elizabeth Ditto, a native of that state and a daughter of William Ditto. With his bride he again started for California, by the isthmus route. accompanied by one of his wife's brothers. After their arrival they lived for some time
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in the mountains, where Mr. Rodden had pre-empted a claim, and later they took up their abode in Sonora, where he built a good residence. For some years he was engaged in freighting from Stockton to Sonora and Columbia and also in Mariposa county. While residing in the mountains the Indians stole his neighbor's oxen and with a party of others he went in pursuit of the red men, and when they found them discovered that one of the oxen had been killed and partially eaten. Shots were exchanged and some of the Indians were struck, but were carried off by their unwounded comrades. The pursuers, too, had several narrow escapes, but succeeded in driving away the red men and securing the stolen stock, after which they returned in safety.
Mr. Rodden was often in Oakdale between 1871 and 1879, and in the latter year he took up his permanent abode in the town. He continued in the transportation business until the building of the Sierra Railroad and met with gratifying success, accumulating a handsome competence which enables him to live retired from active business, the interest on his capital being sufficient to supply him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He has a nice home in Oakdale, where he and his good wife reside in peace beneath the shade of beautiful fruit and ornamental trees which they have planted. Their union has been blessed with five children, four of whom are yet living, namely : Mary, now the wife of D. B. Warfield, of Oakdale; Liz- zie, who for the past thirteen years has been successfully engaged in teaching; William . A .. a money-lender and a notary public ; and Edward, who is engaged in business with his brother William, under the firm name of Rodden Brothers.
Mr. Rodden of this review has been a life-long Democrat, but he has never sought or desired office. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend and he has done much to promote the efficiency of the schools. He served as a trustee for twelve years, and while in Sonora had the honor of organizing the public school under the school law of California. He was also the clerk of the school meeting in that city and was secretary of the first school meeting held in Tuolumne county.
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