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 90
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John Marion Eaton is the only representative of the family in California. He is the eldest of the sons and was educated in Tennessee, being reared to manhood on his father's farm. In 1883 he was married and came to Stanis- laus county, California, having no capital but possessed of a strong determina- tion to improve his opportunities and steadily work his way upward to success if he could do so through earnest and honorable efforts. He began work here as a farm hand and was thus employed for six years, after which he rented land. which he put in wheat, sowing as high as twelve hundred acres in 1884. In that year he raised six thousand sacks of wheat, which sold at one dollar and forty cents per hundred. Ile is now farming eight hundred acres, which is planted in wheat, and his labors are bringing to him an excellent financial re- turn. Ile owns a residence in Oakdale and has one hundred and seventeen acres of land adjoining that town.
In 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Eaton and Miss Mary Eard- ley, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Charles and Emma Eardley, now re-
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spected citizens of Oakdale. Their marriage has been blessed with three chil- dren : Alpha Myrtle, Inez Vivian and Eva. The parents hold membership in the Methodist church and are people of the highest respectability. Mr. Eaton exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, but has never been an office-seeker. He is a good citizen who has a wide reputation as a man of sterling worth and who in all life's rela- tions is faithful and true to the trust reposed in him, to the obligations of citi- zenship and to the duties of manhood.
JOHN COLLINS.
The business interests of Rocklin are entrusted to a board of trustees, one of whom is Mr. Collins, and in the faithful discharge of his duties he manifests a loyal and progressive spirit that is of marked benefit to the community. Mr. Collins was born in Staffordshire, England, on the 5th of September. 1841. His father, James Collins, was born in Ireland and belonged to a wealthy and prominent family who owned large estates there. In England he married Miss Bessie Elizabeth Hughes, who was born on the merrie isle and was of English lineage. By trade the father was a glass cutter and engraver, but his business career was not of long duration as he died in the thirty-fourth year of his age. leaving two sons to the care of the widowed mother. The daughters died when very young. In 1844 Mrs. Collins married John Meyrick, a blacksmith. by whom she had six children,-Richard, Martha, William, Samuel. Janey and Lucy. Richard and William are deceased. Mrs. Meyrick passed away in the fifty-eighth year of her age, in the city of York, Yorkshire, England. Mr. Meyrick's father kept the Royal Oak Inn, at Clayhills, near Ludlow, Shrop- shire.
The subject of this review was educated in England and in his native land learned the blacksmith's trade. He chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Sarah Hannah Francis, who was born in England and belonged to one of the old families there. A daughter came to bless their home, to whom was given the name of Ann Elizabeth, and with their first-born they crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1869, settling in Wyoming, where Mr. Collins worked as a blacksmith for the Union Pacific Railroad Company for one year. He then removed with his family to Carlin, Nevada, where he remained for two and a half years, and then came to California, taking up his , abode in Sacramento. In the latter part of September, 1876, he arrived in Rocklin, where he has since resided and has been continuously employed as a blacksmith for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company at this place. He is sturdy, capable and industrious man and an expert mechanic, capable of mak- ing anything out of iron. He has ever given the best satisfaction to the com- pany through his excellent service and enjoys the unqualified confidence of those by whom he is employed.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Collins in California. namely : Fannie, now the wife of Paul Walters: Charles Albert. Arthur and Alma Willard. Mr. Collins has erected a commodious residence in Rocklin
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and owns six city lots, on which stand his home and outbuildings. The grounds are ornamented with trees, flowers and shrubs of his own planting and the art of the landscape gardener has added much to the attractiveness of the place. He also has a forty-acre farm a short distance from the town, and his posses- sions are as a monument to his industry and enterprise.
Socially Mr. Collins is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and politically he is a Republican. He was elected one of the trustees of the town in April. 1900. an office which he is filling with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituents. He is spoken of as a sensible, practical business man, ever ready to do his part in promoting the best interests of the town, and he and his family are held in high esteem by their fellow citizens among whom they have so long resided.
BENJAMIN A. MARDIS, M. D.
Dr. Benjamin Allen, Mardis, a prominent practicing physician of Forest Hill, claims California as his native state and dates his birth in San Francisco on the 17th of April, 1870. He is descended from French ancestors who were among the early settlers of the South. Both his grandfather and father were born in the state of Mississippi, and the latter. Benjamin Allen Mardis, Sr., married Miss Fannie Washington Read, by whom he had two children, Benja- min Allen, Jr., and a daughter, who is now Mrs. W. H. Foulkes, a resident of San Francisco. The father served his country in the Mexican war, and soon after the close of that war came to California, where he spent the rest of his life and died, his death occurring in 1873. His widow survives him.
The subject of this sketch was three years old when his father died, and was reared by his uncle, T. J. Read, his early education being received in the public schools of Napa county. Entering the University at Berkeley, Califor- nia, he pursued a course in pharmacy and graduated in due time. Then he took up the study of medicine in Cooper Medical College, and of that institution is a graduate with the class of 1892. Immediately after his graduation he came to Forest Hill and entered upon the practice of his profession, and for the past eight years has conducted a practice in the town and surrounding coun- try that has gradually increased, each year adding to his success and popularity. He also owns and conducts a drug store in the town.
Having established himself in his profession, Dr. Mardis took to himself a wife, wedding, in 1896, Miss Belle Nevada Hines, a native of Nevada City, California, who presides over his pleasant home.
Like many of the leading citizens who were born in this sunny state, the Doctor has identified himself with that popular organization known as the Native Sons of the Golden West. He is also a prominent member of the Ma- sonic order, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and being a thrice past master of the blue lodge. Of him politically it may be said that he is an independent. as he votes for men and measures rather than holding close to party lines.
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SAMUEL B. HARRIMAN.
Included among the prominent citizens of Dutch Flat, California, is Samuel Bacon Harriman, who has long been a resident of the place and who owns and occupies one of its most commodious and attractive homes. Mr. Harriman is a native of the Green Mountain state, and was born August 26, 1828. His ancestors were of German and Scotish origin. Several gen- erations of the family have been residents of New England, and John Har- riman, the grandfather of Samuel B., was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject's parents. Joshua and Mary ( Elkins) Harriman, were born, reared and married in Vermont, and in that state reared their family and died, each reaching an advanced age. He was ninety-four years of age at the time of his death; she, eighty-four. Of their eight children, six are still living.
Samuel B. Harriman passed the first twenty years of his life on his father's farm in Vermont. About that time Wisconsin was receiving emigration from the east, and among those who landed there in 1848 was young Harriman. He spent four years in Wisconsin. In the meantime news of the discovery of gold in California spread over the country like wildfire, reaching even the remote and sparsely settled districts. Leaving Wisconsin in 1852, Mr. Harri- man started for California, making the journey by way of New York and the isthmus of Panama. The Atlantic voyage he made on the Moses Taylor, and the Cortez carried him from the isthmus to San Francisco. A number of passengers on the last named steamer sickened and died and found a grave in the Pacific. In due time Mr. Harriman landed safely in San Francisco and at once sought the mining districts, going first to Placerville, Eldorado county, where he met with good success and where he was engaged in mining until the fall of 1853. At that time he went to Michigan Bluff, Placer county, and dur- ing the winter he worked for others at six dollars per day. His next move was to Dutch Flat. This place has since been his home and he is now regarded as one of the oldest citizens of the town. After mining for wages here for a time, he purchased an interest in the Eastman Hill. He mined there and at Gold Run for a number of years, taking out considerable gold. During the whole of his residence in California he has been interested in mining.
After a little more than a decade spent in the Golden state Mr. Harriman took to himself a wife and made a wedding journey to the east, visiting his relatives and the scenes of his childhood in Vermont. He was married July 14, 1863, to Mrs. Sarah Bradly, a native of Madison county, New York, and a daughter of Stephen Reed, of that state. They have two daughters, both married and living in San Jose,-Mary Grant, the wife of George Forbs, and Flora May, the wife of William Steward. Mrs. Harriman is a member of the Congregational church.
Mr. Harriman's political views are in harmony with the principles of the Republican party, and he has served his county in the official capacity of supervisor. AAn important work accomplished while he was on the board of supervisors was the building of a county hospital, a refuge for the indigent sick and aged people of the county. Fraternally Mr. Harriman has long been
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identified with the Masonic order. He was made a Mason in Clay Lodge, No. IOI, F. & A. M., at Dutch Flat, in 1857, and has since maintained member- ship in the same, filling acceptably at different times its various chairs, two terms serving as the master of the lodge. Mrs. Harriman is a charter mem- ber of Placer Chapter, No. 49, of the Eastern Star.
GEORGE H. HENSER.
When a life-record is ended it is customary to take in review the principal events which form the history and to make an estimate upon the character of him who has passed away. George Henry Henser, long a resident of Georgetown, but now deceased, was regarded as one of the prominent and influential men of his community. His efforts contributed in no small degree to the upbuilding and progress of Georgetown and Eldorado county. He came to California in 1851 and from that time until his death bore his part in the work of public progress.
A native of Germany he was born in 1829 and in his native land acquired his education and learned the baker's trade. Upon his arrival in San Fran- cisco, in 1851, he followed the same pursuit and there engaged in business for a few years. He was married in that city in 1854 to Miss Mary Lahr, a native of Germany, born on the river Rhine in 1835. She came to California in 1854. and after their marriage they located on Mormon island, in Sacramento county, where Mr. Henser conducted a bakery and store until 1869. That year wit- nessed their arrival in Georgetown, where he built the American Hotel, in part- nership with John Bundshale. This partnership was continued until 1876 and a successful business was carried on, the firm receiving a liberal patronage from the traveling public. In that year Mr. Henser was called to his final rest, passing away in the forty-seventh year of his age. He was an upright, indtis- trious citizens, and in his well-conducted business affairs gained a deserved prosperity. He also had a wide acquaintance among the citizens of this county and with the traveling public and was held in warm regard by all who knew him.
Mr. Henser is survived by his widow and two of their three children. Henry, the elder, was born at Mormon island, Sacramento county, March 4. 1859, and is a prominent stock-raiser living in Georgetown. He is also one of the supervisors of his county and is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity. He wedded Miss Mary Gunn and they have three children .- Edna, Lynet and Georgia. The one daughter of the family, Katie, became the wife of Joseph Forbes and died at the age of thirty-nine years, leaving two children, George Oscar and Sadie. The younger son, William Albert Henser, was born in 1863, was educated in Georgetown and became his father's assistant in the hotel, and at the latter's death, in connection with his mother, assumed the management of the hotel. The hotel property was destroyed by fire on the 3d of April, 1899. They had but a small insurance and their loss was a heavy one, but on the old site they at once began the erection of a splendid new hotel. of modern design, commodious and well equipped. They enjoy a large share
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of the business that comes to the town. The building is two and one-half stories high, contains thirty-four rooms and is forty-six by eighty feet on the ground floor. The rooms are large, with high ceilings, are well ventilated, and the place is neatly finished throughout with new furniture. The first meal was served therein on the ioth of July, 1899, and the hotel has since enjoyed the reputation of being a first-class house and one of the best in the county.
William Henser, who is the proprietor of the hotel and its able and pop- ular manager, is a Native Son of the Golden West and is past president of his parlor, in which he has been honored with the office of treasurer for the last ten years. He belongs to both the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has likewise taken the Rebekah degrees. His political support is unfalteringly given to the Republican party. but the emoluments of public office have had no attraction for him. His mother is now in her sixty-fifth year. She was to her husband a most excel- lent helpmate and her efforts contributed in no small degree to his success. She possesses many excellent qualities and her circle of friends in Georgetown is very extensive.
REUBEN HI. COPP.
Reuben H. Copp, one of the supervisors of Placer county, residing at Rocklin, is the owner of the Secret Ravine granite quarry at that place. Ile is a native of New Hampshire, born on the 22d of December, 1848, and rep- resents a family of English origin that was early founded in New England by descendants of Sir John Copp, of England. The Copps were among the earliest residents of southwestern Maine, and Samuel Copp, the father of our subject, was born in South Berwick, of the Pine Tree state. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married there to Miss Jane Tibbetts, a native of New Hampshire. They were farming people who lived quiet but honorable lives. The mother of our subject was a second wife, and by that marriage there were six children. She died in the fifty-sixth year of her age, while the father passed away at the age of sixty-eight years. Through many generations the Copps were influential members of the Methodist church. The parents if our subject both passed away in the old Granite state and their remains were there laid to rest.
Reuben H. Copp, whose name introduces this record, was the fourth in their family. He was reared to manhood upon a farm in his native state. ; nd as he worked in the fields he gained in mental and physical strength that fitted him for life's duties in later years. The public schools afforded him his edu- cational privileges, and when seventeen years of age he left home to make his way in the world, going to Massachusetts, where he learned the granite-cut- ter's trade, following that pursuit in Cape .Ann and in Hollowell. Hle año worked at Fork's Island, and in 1876 he went to San Francisco, where he followed his chosen occupation for a year and a half, arriving in Rocklin in 1877. Here he accepted the position of superintendent of a granite quarry
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anıl Faler acted as manager for G. Griffith for seven years, during which time he de a large amount of granite work, including the work on the San Joaquin county court house, at Stockton California, and then became the owner of his present quarry. For the past eleven years he has engaged in business on his own account, during which time he has taken and executed many large con- tracts supplying the granite for the Hall of Records at San Jose, as well as for many large edifices in San Francisco. The granite from the Secret Ravine quarry is of superior quality, being unsurpassed by any found in the state of California, and the output of his quarry therefore finds a ready sale on the market and commands excellent prices. He also furnishes a large amount of granite for monumental work throughout the state, for the stone is capable of receiving a very superior polish. He has at the quarry all the machinery and appliances necessary for carrying on the best work in his line and his business has increased in volume and importance until it has assumed extensive pro- portions.
Mr. Copp has been a life-long Republican, his study of the issues of the dlay resulting in the belief that the platform of that party contains the best element of good government. However, he is not aggresively partisan, but is a man of liberal and generous spirit and has made many friends in all parties." In 1898 he was nominated on the Republican ticket to the very important and responsible office of supervisor, was triumphantly elected and is now filling the position to the best of his ability-and that ability is of the highest order-fully appreciating the importance of using good judgment and sound business ability in the management of the affairs of the county. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows Society, has passed all of its chairs and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the state.
In 1870 Mr. Copp was married to Miss Laura Goddard, of Vermont, but after two short years of happy married life death claimed her. For six years Mr. Copp remained single, but in 1878 was again married, in Rocklin, his sec- ond union being with Mrs. Page, a native of New York and the widow of Dr. Page. They have a very comfortable and commodious residence situated in the midst of large grounds and there their many friends delight to gather, enjoying the social functions which are held in this hospitable home. From early life Mr. Copp has depended entirely upon his own resources, but the qualities of a successful business man lay dormant in his nature, needing only the awakening touch of effort to make them result to his benefit. His energy and keen discrimination in business affairs have enabled him to wrest from fortune a comfortable competence, and he is now one of the substantial citizens of his adopted county.
D. C. W. HODGKIN.
A native son of the g 'den west. through the years of his boyhood and of wagtive business career. Mr. Hodgkin has been identified with the interests vi California and is now a prominent merchant of Shingle. He was born in San Francisco, on the 25th of June, 1854, and is the son of J. W. Hodgkin,
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whose birth occurred in Buffalo, New York, in 1823. He came to California in 1854 and during much of his business life followed merchandising. In his early manhood, however, he was captain of a vessel sailing from Chicago. He is a Republican and is a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, having exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit of that fraternity. He is now seventy-six years of age and his wife is seventy-four years of age. They are spending the evening of their days with their son, D. C. W., receiv- ing from him filial care and attention. Thus he repays the debt which he owes them for their tender rearing. They had five children of whom three are living : Calista, wife of C. I. Pelton ; Ella R., wife of A. J. Hare, a resident of Oakland, California; and D. W. C.
The last named was educated in the city of San Francisco and entered upon his business career in the capacity of an accountant and cashier in a lumber yard. He followed this pursuit for a number of years during which time lie gained a thorough knowledge of practical business methods. In 1886 he embarked in business on his own account and has since carried on merchan- dising. He has a large stock of goods and also owns his store at Shingle, and by close attention to business, liberal methods and a straightforward policy he has secured a good trade which is constantly increasing. He carries every- thing needed by the mining and farming community by which the town of Shingle is surrounded and his patronage is now quite extensive. Mr. Hodgkin also has several valttable mining interests and one of his placer claims is now being worked with gratifying results.
In 1879 Mr. Hodgkin was united in marriage to Miss J. G. MeChire and their union was blessed with two children, Howard and Ray. In 1898 he wedded the lady who is his present wife and who bore the maiden name of Emily J. Cobal. They now have one child, Kenneth Lee. Mr. Hodgkin holds membership relations with the Native Sons of the Golden West, belong- ing to the South San Francisco Parlor. In 1884 he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason and in that fraternity he has many warm friends. The salient features in his success have been his earnest purpose and his inde- fatigable energy and through these means he has advanced to an enviable position in commecial circles.
FRED B. LEMOIN.
Fred B. LeMoin, a resident of Drytown, has spent his entire life in Cali- fornia, and the fact that he is serving as county supervisor indicates that he is numbered among the leading residents of his community. Ile was born on the 14th of March, 1862, and his ancestors were French Canadians. Ilis father, E. D. LeMoin, was born in East Paw Paw and married Miss S. J. Marble, a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio. With his young wife he started across the plains to California, and on the way their first child was born. They came with oxen and cows, the latter helping to draw the wagons as well as furnish the milk supply. They had no trouble with the Indians and there was no sickness in the company, so after a pleasant journey they settled
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at Brownsville, in Eldorado county, where the father engaged in placer min- ing, while the mother conducted a boarding house. Their combined efforts brought to them a very comfortable competence. Four children graced their union after their arrival in California, and in 1864 they were deprived by death of the father, who died in the thirty-fifth year of his age. Our sub- ject was then only about two and a half years old. He and his brother George are now the only surviving children of the family, but the mother is still living in her sixty-seventh year. She is a Presbyterian in religious faith. Mr. LeMoin had served as tax collector of Drytown for a number of years and was a detective. Through his duties throwing him in close con- tact with the Chinese he had learned their language and had a Chinese deputy for his assistant. He was prominent in the early days in this section of the state and was widely and favorably known.
After the death of her first husband Mrs. LeMoin was again married, and the step-father would not allow our subject to attend school. so that at the age of thirteen years he left home, determining to rely upon his efforts and resources for a living. He obtained such employment as a boy of his age was capable of performing,-waiting on the table in a hotel and doing other odd jobs, and in this manner he obtained money with which to buy books and secure an education. Subsequently he worked at the butcher's trade for six months, but not finding that to his taste he became an apprentice at the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for seventeen years in Drytown, becoming an industrious, honest and expert workman. His ability won for him a liberal patronage and his reliability gained him the confidence of all with whom he came in contact. An accident, however, occurred which forced him to retire from business. He was struck in the eye by a piece of steel, and the sight was thus destroyed. AAfter that he turned his attention to the manufacture of grave railings, in which business he has since engaged. He has leased his blacksmith shop. but still continues to make his home in Drytown, where he has a good residence. In many other enterprises he has become financially interested, his investments bringing to him good returns. On attaining his majority Mr. LeMoin gave his political support to the Republican party. casting his first presidential vote for Hon. James G. Blaine. He has since been a steadfast advocate of its principles and on its ticket he was chosen to the office of county supervisor, which position he is now creditably filling. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having attained the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Drytown Lodge, in April, 1898. The following December he was elected its secretary, and in the craft he enjoys the high regard of his brethren. He is also a member of the Eastern Star and of the Knights of the Maccabees, having two thousand dol- lars life insurance in the latter order. He is likewise a member of the order of Native Sons of the Golden West, was president of his parlor for two years, its secretary for three years and was the installing officer of the district of Amador, which included five parlors. He has been a delegate to the grand parlor and is very prominent in the order.
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