USA > California > A history of the new California, its resources and people; Vol I > Part 43
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the store, and although he had to incur an indebtedness to do this he had soon discharged his financial obligation and his store was free from any in- cumbrance. The following spring he went to Carson valley, where he pur- chased the stock,-cattle and horses-of the incoming emigrants. In the fall of 1851 he purchased a butcher shop at Salmon Falls, Eldorado county, and later went to Shingle Springs in the same county, where he dealt in stock and land and was in the butchering business. In the spring of 1852 he sold a half interest in his business to C. W. Clarke, and their interests have since been largely identical, the partnership relation being maintained between them up to the present time, covering a period of more than a half century. This is certainly a splendid business record, indicating congeniality between the partners and the endorsement by each of the other's business methods. They sold their store at Shingle Springs in 1854, and in the summer of 1855 went to Grass Valley, where they engaged in the butchering business and also built and conducted the Exchange Hotel. After a year there they became extensively interested in the cattle business, buying land upon which they have raised cattle to the present time. They are now operating in this business in Oregon and California, and the extent of their trade is very great, their annual sales having reached a large figure. In 1881 Mr. Cox be- came identified with other business enterprises as one of the organizers and directors of the California State Bank, and since 1894 he has been its presi- dent, being thus active in the control of financial interests in Sacramento.
In 1857 occurred the marriage of Mr. Cox and Miss Jennie A. Hold- bridge, of New York, who came to this state in 1852 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Holdbridge, who settled in Sacramento. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cox, namely: Crawford J., now deceased ; Jen- nie, the wife of George W. Peltier, manager of the California State Bank; Fredda; Emma, who died in infancy: and Fred, deceased. The family home is in Sacramento. where Mr. and Mrs. Cox occupy an enviable position in social circles. He is a recognized leader in the ranks of the Democratic party, and in 1882 was elected to the state senate of California, serving for four years in the upper house of the assembly. Although seventy-six years of age he is yet hale and hearty and is one of the best known and most highly respected men of the county. He has so directed his efforts as to win pros- perity, and his entire career has been characterized by an honorable purpose that makes him a notable figure in business circles in his state. The favor- able judgment which the world passed upon him in his early years has never been set aside nor in any degree modified, but has on the contrary been em- phasized by reason of his straightforward career and upright life.
EUGENE D. GRAHAM.
Eugene D. Graham, county clerk of San Joaquin county, California, is a native of this county, born near Stockton, January 22, 1866.
His parents, Robert L. and Caroline (Stokes) Graham, were born in Kentucky and belonged to old Kentucky families; both had ancestors who fought for independence in the Revolutionary war. On the paternal side the
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ancestral line can be traced back to Scotland, while the maternal ancestry is of German origin. In 1852 Robert L. Graham, with his wife and one child, Surelda, left the Kentucky home and came to a new one in the far west. Their journey hither was made with ox teams, they brought with them about fifteen hundred head of cattle, and on their arrival in California they located in San Joaquin county. Here the father engaged in farming and stock-raising, among the pioneers of the county, and here he still resides. Another daugh- ter and two sons were added to the family after they came to California. The daughter Surelda H. is now the wife of A. M. Hale, and Ella B. is the wife of C. E. Hull. The sons are Robert L., Jr., and Eugene D.
Eugene D. Graham was reared on his father's farm and educated in the public schools near his home. The time between his fifteenth and nineteenth years he spent at Lodi, where he was assistant postmaster and drug clerk. Returning to the farm then, he was occupied in agricultural pursuits until 1895, when he was appointed deputy county clerk. He served as deputy in the clerk's office for a term of five years, during which time his faithful service and his genial manner brought him into favor with the people of the county, and in 1902 he was elected to the office for a term of four years.
Mr. Graham married, in 1888, Miss Frances E. Mann, a native of Iowa, who came to California when two years of age, in 1869, with her parents, Daniel L. and Jane Mann, their settlement being in Solano county. The fruits of this union are three sons, Robert E., Lloyd L. and Myrl E. Mr. Graham is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the W. O. W. He harmonizes, politically, with the Republican party.
WILLIAM C. NEUMILLER.
William C. Neumiller, county treasurer and tax collector of San Joaquin county, was born in Stockton, California, March 8, 1868. Mr. Neumiller's parents, Christ and Mary Neumiller, came from Germany, their native land, with their parents, to this country in 1850, settling first in New Jersey and in 1856 removing to California and locating in San Francisco. Christ Neu- miller came to Stockton in 1857 and engaged in farming and fruit raising, among the pioneers of San Joaquin county. He and his good wife are still living at their old homestead on California street. For many years he had the management of the bakery department of the State Hospital for the In- sane. Two sons and two daughters compose his family, namely: Mrs. Mary E. Minta, William C., Emma C. and Charles L.
William C. received his education in the public schools of Stockton. Leaving school at the age of sixteen, he was employed as clerk in a hardware store, where he remained six years, until 1891, when he engaged in the hard- ware business on his own account, in partnership with W. G. De Vries and E. E. Tretheway, with whom he was associated eight years. Then, on ac- count of failing health, he sold out and spent a season in the mountains. In 1902 he was elected county treasurer and tax collector, for a term of four years. At the time he was elected to this office and for six years prior to that
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date, he was city councilman, representing the fourth ward. For the past ten years he has been active in politics, affiliating with the Republican party, and although the office of county treasurer and tax collector had been filled by a Democrat for twelve years previous to 1902, Mr. Neumiller was elected on the Republican ticket and by a majority of 1.400 votes.
Mr. Neumiller has a wife and two children. In 1895 he married Miss Lillie P. Logan, a native of Sonoma county, California, and a daughter of James V. and Phoebe Logan, pioneers of Sonoma county. Their children, Leonora and Irving, are aged six and four years respectively.
The N. S. G. W. have in Mr. Neumiller a prominent and active mem- ber. He is past president of Stockton Parlor No. 7 and at present its financial secretary. Also he holds the position of district deputy grand president of the twenty-sixth district, comprising San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. He is a member of local lodge of W. O. W.
WALTER FRANK SIBLEY.
Walter Frank Sibley, sheriff of San Joaquin county, California, may well be termed a self-made man. A native of Maine, he was born in Penob- scot county, that state, in 1858, son of Frank and Julia (Leavitt) Sibley, both natives of the Pine Tree state. Both his father and grandfather were mer- chants in Penobscot county, and his ancestry in this country dates back to three years. after the landing of the Mayflower, when the progenitor of the Sibley family in America made settlement in Renthem, Massachusetts. The Sibleys were represented in the Revolutionary war, fighting for independence.
Walter F. Sibley is one of a family of six sons and three daughters. He received his early education in the public schools of his native county, and at the age of twenty, ambitious to make his fortune in the far west, he decided to come to California. Borrowing a hundred dollars, he purchased a suit of clothes and a ticket, and, with five dollars in his pocket, started for the Golden state. For a year and a half after his arrival here he worked on a farm, and with the earnings he saved he took a course in the Stockton Business College. Then he engaged in farming in a small way, leasing land in San Joaquin county, six miles and a half from Stockton, where he prospered and where he has accumulated property to the amount of six hundred acres, which he still owns and operates, wheat and barley being his chief crops.
Mr. Sibley has always been an enthusiastic Republican, was the choice of his party in 1898 for the office of county sheriff, and was re-elected in 1902 for another term of four years. He possesses the characteristics necessary for the faithful performance of the duties of this office, and to the same is giving his best energies.
Mr. Sibley married, in 1881, Miss Clarance Beecher, a native of San Joaquin county and a daughter of John L. Beecher, who came to California in 1852 and has for years ranked with the prominent farmers of San Joaquin county. Of their union are two children, Hazel and Gladys. Mr. Sibley is a worthy member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks.
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THOMAS ALVIN NELSON.
Thomas Alvin Nelson, postmaster of Stockton, California, was born in Plain Grove, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, in 1862. His parents, James D. and Margaret (Gealey) Nelson, were both of Pennsylvania birth and mem- bers of families long resident in this country. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. James D. Nelson was for many years engaged in farming and still lives on the old homestead in Pennsylvania. His fam- ily consists of seven children, five sons and two daughters.
Thomas A. was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools near his home, remaining on the farm until he reached his majority. Then he started out to make his own way in the world and came to California. For about five years he taught in the country schools of San Joaquin county. In the spring of 1890 he engaged in a mercantile busi- ness at Lathrop, which he conducted for a period of four years. As a teacher and business man he gained a wide acquaintance, and his election to the Cali- fornia state legislature in the fall of 1894 showed the popular favor in which he was held by the people of San Joaquin county. He served one term of two years in the legislature. His next business venture was in the real estate line, and this occupied his attention until 1898, when, in March of that year, he was appointed postmaster of Stockton, under President Mckinley. He was re-appointed under President Roosevelt's administration, and is still fill- ing the office.
Mr. Nelson married, in December, 1888, Miss Mary A. Howell, a na- tive of Stockton and a daughter of Christian Y. Howell, one of the early set- tlers of San Joaquin county. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have two daughters, Velma G. and Veda A.
An enthusiastic Republican since he became a voter, Mr. Nelson has served his party in various ways. Previous to appointment to his present position he was chairman of the Republican county central committee. He is a member of the following fraternal organizations: I. O. O. F., B. P. O. E. and K. of P.
OTTO VON DETTEN.
Otto Von Detten, auditor and recorder of San Joaquin county, California, is one of California's native sons. He was born near Stockton, December II, 1871, son of Clement and Agnes (McElroy) Von Detten, the latter a native of New York.
As the name indicates, the Von Dettens are of German origin. Clement Von Detten was born in Germany. In 1847 he came to California, making the voyage via Cape Horn from New York city, and upon his arrival in San Francisco became a wholesale merchant of that city. Although a man of means when he came to California, he did not at first meet with success in his business ventures, on account of heavy loss he sustained by fire, being twice burned out in San Francisco. Late in the '5os he moved to Stockton, where he became the owner of a large vineyard and later was extensively engaged in exporting wines to the eastern markets. He continued in that
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business under the firm name of Clement Von Detten & Son up to the time of his death, in 1888. He left a family of five children, three sons and two daughters.
His son Otto was educated in private and public schools in Stockton, concluding his studies with a course in a normal and business school. At the age of fifteen he accepted a position as bookkeeper and later was employed as clerk, after which he learned telegraphy and was a telegraph oprator for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. While with the railroad company he took up the study of law, diligently devoting his leisure time to it with a view of engaging in legal practice. In 1894 he was elected justice of the peace. This office he filled for a term of four years, it being followed by his election in the fall of 1898 to the office of county auditor and recorder, to which office he was re-elected in the fall of 1902 for another term of four years, his re-election being evidence of his acceptable service, and his popu- larity in San Joaquin county.
Mrs. Von Detten, who was formerly Miss Katharyn Sutherland, and whom he wedded in 1898, is a native of Stockton and a daughter of James and Helene Sutherland, California pioneers who crossed the plains in 1848.
Mr. Von Detten is a past president of Stockton Parlor No. 7, of the N. S. G. W., and a member of the Elks and the Order of Eintrachts. Polit- ically he has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the party that has hon- ored him with official position-the Democratic party.
ARTHUR L. LEVINSKY.
Arthur L. Levinsky, who has for nearly twenty years figured as one of the leading lawyers of San Joaquin county, has had a career of remark- able self-achievement and self-advancement. Lack of finances and unfor- tunate circumstances in his early life made it impossible for him to carry out his cherished ambitions as quickly and as easily as he had anticipated, and in the end he made his own way in gaining admission to the bar. Since his start he has rapidly gained favor throughout the state, and he is at present legal representative for many of the most important corporate and financial interests of the state. He is a man of determination and power of character, and would be more apt to attribute his success in life to his energy and perseverance in pushing ahead through and over obstacles to the goal of his ambition, than to any fortunate circumstances or inherited tal- ents. He has held an assured position among the reliable and successful men of Stockton for some years, and his personal worth and professional ability are entirely deserving of the esteem in which he is held.
Mr. Levinsky was born in Jackson, Amador county, California, July 9, 1856, a son of John and Mathilde Levinsky, both of whom are deceased. His father was a merchant in Jackson, and also in other places in Amador, San Joaquin and Merced counties. Mr. Levinsky has one brother and one sister, Henry M. and Felicite B., both residing at San Francisco.
Mr. Levinsky had his schooling in the country schools at Woodbridge, in the county of San Joaquin, and Jackson, in the county of Amador, and
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also in the Lincoln grammar school in San Francisco. He had entered upon a course at the preparatory department of the University of California, but owing to his father meeting with an accident, had to defer his plans to study law at the University. During 1874-5 he was on the road as a salesman for a glove company, and then for a boot and shoe firm. He was a travel- ing salesman until 1881, and on December 12, 1882, he became a clerk in a law office, his principal object being to study law. He gained both practical and theoretical experience during his connection with the law firm, and on August 3, 1885, was admitted to practice before the supreme court. On September Ist following he became a member of the law firm of Louttit, Woods and Levinsky. This partnership was continued until December 31, 1893, and Mr. Levinsky then formed a coalition with Mr. S. D. Woods, which continued until quite recently. Mr. Levinsky now represents many of the large corporations of this state, he being the local attorney for the Atch- ison. Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company, the Stockton Savings Bank, the California Navigation and Improvement Company, the Stockton Electric Railroad Company, the Royal Consolidated Mines of Hodson, and other large interests. He was the first city attorney of Stockton under the new charter, holding that office during the years 1891-92. He is a staunch Re- publican in politics, and takes much interest in party affairs.
Mr. Levinsky affiliates with San Joaquin Lodge No. 19, F. & A. M., and Stockton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W., and is a prominent member of the Union League, and the Transportation Club of San Francisco, and also numerous local clubs.
WILLIAM EMIL GERBER.
William Emil Gerber, actively identified with industrial and manufactur- ing interests in central California, makes his home in Sacramento. He is deeply interested in community affairs and his efforts have also been a potent element in the business progress of this section of the state. He has with ready recognition of opportunity directed his labors into various fields wherein he has achieved success, and at the same time has promoted a business enter- prise that has proved of more than local value, largely promoting commercial activity of the state.
Mr. Gerber is a native of Buffalo, New York, born September 8, 1852. The family is of German descent, and his parents, Pantalion and Sybilla (Gerber) Gerber, were both natives of Germany, whence they came to America in 1844. The year 1860 witnessed their arrival in California and the establishment of their home in Sacramento. The father was a butcher by trade and in this city conducted a wholesale butchering business until his life's labors were ended in death in 1878. He was then succeeded in business by his three sons, John, Henry and Louis, and at the present writing the busi- ness is conducted by John and Louis Gerber.
William Emil Gerber was a pupil in the public schools of Sacramento in his early boyhood days, having been brought to California when in his eighth year. In 1866, however, he returned to Buffalo and attended the St.
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W. E. Leclerc
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Louis Academy, devoting a year and a half to the study of German. He afterward pursued a course of study in Bryant and Stratton's Business College in Buffalo, New York, and in 1869 returned to California. The following year and a half he devoted to the work of a clerkship in a grocery store, and in 1870 he purchased a half interest in a mercantile enterprise in Sacramento, the funds for this business venture being advanced to him by C. W. Clarke, to whom he has ever expressed deepest gratitude for his friendship and timely assistance. Mr. Gerber continued in the grocery business for seven years with excellent success, putting forth every effort in his power to build up a good trade and make the enterprise profitable. On the expiration of that period he sold out, and in the same year, 1877, was elected county auditor and recorder of the county. He filled the position so acceptably that in 1879 he was re-elected and again in 1881 and 1883, so that he was the incumbent in the office for four consecutive terms and continued to discharge its duties until January, 1885.
At that time Mr. Gerber was appointed assistant cashier of the California State Bank and filled the position for nine years or until 1894. He was then elected cashier and served in the latter capacity until 1901, when he resigned that position in order to devote his time and energies to the development of various business concerns with which he had become connected. He was, however, elected a director and vice president of the bank, which is his present connection with the institution. In the meantime Mr. Gerber has become connected with various industrial and commercial interests of the state, and his sound business judgment and enterprise have proved important factors in the successful control of many important interests. He is the president of the Earl Fruit Company, and has been the secretary and a director of the Buffalo Brewing Company since its organization in 1889. He is president of the Folsom Development Company, engaged in mining with dredging processes near Folsom. This is one of the largest companies of the kind in the state. Mr. Gerber is a director and the vice president of the Sacramento Natural Gas Company, is a director of the California Winery and president of the California Manufacturing Company, which is engaged in the manu- facture of fruit boxes and baskets and other supplies used by fruit shippers. He owns and operates cattle and sheep ranches in Tehama county, his landed possessions there comprising eleven thousand acres.
On the 21st of December, 1881, Mr. Gerber was united in marriage to Miss Hattie A. Lyon, a daughter of Edward Lyon, who came from Vermont to the Pacific coast in 1860 and was for many years a prominent and leading merchant of Sacramento. They now have five children: Edward H., Anna, Irma, Harriett and William E., Jr. Mr. Gerber belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a believer in Republican principles, is an active worker in the ranks of the party and has frequently been a delegate to county and state conventions. In 1901 he was appointed state fish commissioner by Governor Gage and in 1903 was re-appointed by Governor Pardee. For many years he has been connected with the upbuilding of Sacramento and central California, and has just reason to be proud of the fact that to his efforts can be traced many a substantial
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enterprise or advancement contributing greatly to the growth and prosperity of this section of the state. In every sense of the word he is a representative citizen and a business man of marked capacity. He always attributes his success to his friend, Mr. Clarke, who loaned him the money to engage in business before he had attained his majority, but while this certainly is a matter of gratitude it was to the inherent force of character and commendable ambition and the unremitting diligence of Mr. Gerber himself that he steadily advanced in the business world until he now occupies a leading place among the active and representative men of central California.
EUGENE ARAM.
Eugene Aram, a prominent lawyer of Sacramento, is certainly one of the very oldest living native sons of California, with whose business, pro- fessional and political affairs he has been identified to a degree most honor- able and creditable to an eldest son. He was born at Monterey, in what is now the state of California, on January 26, 1848, two days after Marshall had made his epoch-making discovery of gold in Eldorado county. Mr. Aram was one month old when the treaty of peace was concluded with Mexico which ceded to the United States the great territory now comprising California and other states of the west, and he was over two years old when California was admitted to the Union. Thus he has grown as the land of his nativity has grown, and as he himself has prospered in material and pro- fessional advancement so he has likewise been active in promoting the im- provement and welfare of his commonwealth, so that Senator Aram ranks foremost among the men who have proved themselves public benefactors and have given their time and unsefish efforts for enterprises of public mo- ment and worth. Throughout his career he has been actuated by the highest principles of integrity and devotion to the general good, and in public and private life his record is without blemish.
Mr. Aram is only the third generation removed from the ancestral home in Yorkshire, England, where his grandfather Matthias was born, and whence he emigrated to New York, and during the war of 1812 was drillmaster of the United States troops. The history of Mr. Aram's parents has special connection with pioneer records of California, and they must always be ranked among the prominent early settlers, distinguished not only because of their early arrival in the Eldorado country but also for what they accom- plished during the remainder of their lives. His father, Joseph Aram, was born in the state of New York, and joined a party that crossed the plains to California in 1846. He arrived while the Mexican war was in progress, and was met in the foothills by a detachment of soldiers sent by Fremont to protect them against roving bands of Spaniards. The party made their first camp at Sutter's Fort, and then they were accompanied by the soldiers as far as Santa Clara, where Fremont commissioned Joseph Aram captain of a company and placed him in charge of the fort, at which Captain Aram re- mained until the close of the war. He took part in the battle at Santa Clara, and later built the old fort at Monterey. He was elected a member of the
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