USA > California > A history of the new California, its resources and people; Vol II > Part 4
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Socially Dr. Watts is connected with the Masonic fraternity, the Inde-
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pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order of United Work- men. He was married May 7, 1890, in Monson, Massachusetts, to Miss Alice G. Brockbank, a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of John and Martha Brockbank. The father was born in England, while her mother belonged to an old family that was represented in the continental army in the Revolutionary war. Dr. Watts and his wife have one child, Carl W. They have gained many friends during their residence in Sacramento and the hospitality of many of the best homes of the capital city is freely accorded them. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party. He was prominent in local politics, was burgess of Connecticut for two terms and was also a delegate to the state convention. In California he has taken no active part ini politics, but gives his undivided time to his professional duties with a growing knowledge of surgery and a constantly enlarging efficiency in his chosen field of work.
HENRY MARTIN MEACHAM.
Henry Martin Meacham has filled the office of assessor of Napa county for twenty consecutive years, and his official career has been characterized by an unfaltering devotion to the general welfare and by promptness and aptitude in the discharge of his duties. He was born on the Atlantic coast. his birth having occurred at Pulaski, Oswego county, New York, on the Ist of January, 1846. His father, Chauncey Meacham, was a native of Ver- mont, as was his mother, whose maiden name was Betsey Thompson. They represented old American families that have been established in New Eng- land through various generations. About 1823 the parents removed from the Green Mountain state to New York, where the father turned his atten- tion to farming, and there he resided for many years, his death occurring in 1877, at his home within three miles of Pulaski. His wife survived him for about five years. They left three children: William, who is the eldest of the family; Harriet, the only daughter; and H. M., of this review.
At the usual age H. M. Meacham entered the public schools, where he mastered the elementary branches of learning and subsequently became a student in the Pulaski Academy, in which he remained for eight years or until 1866, when he was graduated. Following the completion of his aca- demic course he engaged in clerking in Pulaski for the firm of Jones & Com- pany, for a period of two years until 1868, when he embarked in business for himself as a dealer in dry goods, continuing in that trade for two years. In 1870 he went to Syracuse, New York, and accepted the position of travel- ing salesman with the dry goods house of Atwell & Hubbard for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Pennsylvania, which site was the old home of his wife. For about three years, however, he was in poor health, during which time he resided at Meadville. Pennsylvania, and hoping that he might be benefited thereby he came to California in the fall of 1878 to enjoy the less rigid climate of the far west. In the fall of 1878, still in poor health, he went to St. Helena, California. and was engaged in
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planting vines from 1878 until 1887. His official service has been marked by the most loyal devotion to the general good. He was appointed to fill out an unexpired term in the office of assessor, vacated by John Kean, and he has since been continued in the position, having been re-elected for four terms. Twice he had an opposing candidate in the field and at each election he polled a very large vote, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the unqualified confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.
On the 6th of July, 1869, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Meacham was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Cullum, a daughter of Horace Cul- lum, who was a barrel manufacturer. By this union have been born two children, who are yet living: Etta S., who is now studying preparatory to becoming a professional nurse; and Charles Henry, who at the age of nine- teen years is attending school in Napa. Mr. Meacham is a valued and rep- resentative member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and he also holds membership relations with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a man deeply interested in community affairs, and his public-spirited interest in the general welfare has been shown through active co-operation in many movements for the public good.
DANIEL MACLEAN, M. D.
Advance has been no more pronounced in any line of activity or business life than in the medical profession. The discoveries resulting from experi- ence and scientific research have brought to the knowledge of men many facts which have proved of the utmost value in checking the ravages of disease and restoring health, and there is continually demanded of the fol- lowers of the medical profession more careful preparation and greater skill and ability. Possessing all the requisite qualifications of an able member of the medical fraternity, Dr. Daniel Maclean has in his chosen calling won a success that is indicative of his skill and knowledge and well entitles him to the prominent position which he holds in the public confidence and re- gard.
He was born in Prince Edward Island, January 7, 1843. His father, Duncan Maclean, was a native of Scotland, and in the year 1806 crossed the Atlantic, taking up his abode in Prince Edward Island, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming. His life record covered the long period of ninety-six years, and he passed away in 1888. In early manhood he had married Miss Flora MacPhee, a native of Scotland, who came to Prince Edward Island in her girlhood days and was there married. She too at- tained an advanced age, passing away in 1886, aged eighty-five years. In the family of this worthy couple were two sons and three daughters.
Dr. Maclean is indebted to the public schools of Charlottetown for the early educational privileges which he enjoyed. He afterward entered the normal school and was graduated at the age of seventeen years. Later he be- came connected with educational work and engaged in teaching for six years, but determined to make the practice of medicine his life work and
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in 1866 went to Chicago, where he matriculated in Rush Medical College, pursuing his studies there until 1868, when he went to Michigan, where he engaged in the drug business. Subsequently he returned to Chicago in 1873 and was graduated on the completion of a course in Bennett Medical College with the class of 1874.
In the same year Dr. Maclean located for practice in Douglas, Michi- gan, where he continued to devote his time and energies to the duties of his profession until 1879. Wishing, however, to make his home on the Pacific coast, he arrived in California on the 2d of October of that year and entered upon practice in San Francisco, where he has remained to the present time, covering a period of almost a quarter of a century. In 1879 he was elected president and dean of the California Medical College, and has since stood at the head of this institution. He is an educator of ability and has main- tained a high standard in the school with which he is connected. Dr. Mac- lean is president of the San Francisco Society of Physicians and Surgeons, and was formerly president of the Eclectic Society of the State of California. He belongs to the National Eclectic Medical Association, of which he was at one time president. He has also been president of the state board of medical examiners.
In 1870 occurred the marriage of Dr. Maclean and Miss Jane Gray, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Thomas and Lucy Anne Gray, early settlers of that state. Three children have been born to them, Sybil, Cecil and Don. Dr. Maclean and his family are well known in San Francisco. He is a man of broad scholarly and scientific attainments, with an analytical mind that enables him to readily grasp the questions bearing upon his pro- fessional work and also upon his duties as an educator. He is, moreover, a gentleman of broad humanitarian principles and keen sympathy, and his native talents and well developed powers have won for him a conspicuous position as a representative of the medical fraternity in his adopted state.
JOHN T. DAVIS.
John T. Davis, a capitalist, makes his home in San Francisco and from this point superintends his extensive investments largely represented by farming interests. In his business career he has manifested unflagging indus- try, marked enterprise and keen discernment, and thus through the manipu- lation of his various interests has made for himself a place among the most prosperous residents of California.
Mr. Davis was born in November, 1830, and is a native son of Illinois, his parents having been early settlers of that state. He had three brothers and three sisters, and was reared upon his father's farm, his boyhood days being quietly passed. His education was acquired in a school conducted on the subscription plan, there being no public institution of learning in his home locality at that time. He continued to reside in Illinois until 1852, when, at the age of about twenty-two years, he went to Texas, locating on some property which his father had purchased, comprising about thirty thousand acres of wild land. He continued to reside in the Lone Star state until
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1854. when he came to California, settling first in Tulare, where he took up farming land, beginning his operations here on a small scale. After operat- ing his place there to some extent he removed to Stockton, California, in 1862, and began farming on an extensive scale in that locality in 1864. He made considerable money in buying standing grain and harvesting and marketing it. He continued in this department of agriculture until 1868, when he purchased a tract of land of twenty-seven hundred and twenty- eight acres in Stanislaus county. He also invested in one thousand acres in San Joaquin county, placing the same under a high state of cultivation. In addition to this he purchased twelve hundred acres in Glenn county, Cali- fornia, equipping the same with substantial and commodious' buildings and supplying it with modern machinery for farming purposes. In his agricult- ural interests he has always employed the most advanced methods to make his place of greatest value in the production of grain and for the raising of stock. In 1872 he gave up the active operation of his ranches and leased the different properties to tenants. Since that time he has devoted his energies to the supervision of his investments, his interests being vast and important. In 1900 he removed to San Francisco and has since made his home in this city.
In October, 1857, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Mary Marion, a native of Ireland, who came to California in 1855 and two years later gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Davis. They have one daugh- ter, Josephine, who is now the wife of C. S. Eltinge, a banker of Spokane. Mr. Davis gives his political support to the Democracy. Almost the entire period of his manhood has been passed in California, and. coming to his state at an early period in its development. he has witnessed its growth and progress through many decades. He has seen the great changes which have occurred, transforming it from a wild frontier region to a state equal to any in the Union in its advantages, its possibilities and its accomplishments. He has a wide acquaintance throughout this section of the country, and the extent and volume of his business interests and the success which has attended his efforts indicate his superior capability. He has been watchful of all the details of his business and of all indications pointing toward pros- perity and in all transactions has been energetic, prompt and notably reliable.
ORRIN S. HENDERSON.
Orrin S. Henderson, a potent factor in the business, political and social circles of Stockton, California, was born at San Andreas, Calaveras county, California, June 2. 1863, son of Milton P. and Hannah L. (Coombs) Hen- derson, natives of Maine and representatives of old New England families.
Milton P. Henderson came to California in 1857, making the journey via the isthmus route and landing in San Francisco. Like most new arrivals in California at that time. Mr. Henderson tried his luck first at mining. A short experience, however, was sufficient to convince him that some other line of occupation would be more suited to him, and he accordingly engaged in the manufacture of carriages, at San Andreas, with his brother, Orrington
C. E. adams
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L. Henderson, of Vallejo, California (lately deceased), and continued there until 1865, when he moved to Stockton. In 1867 he engaged in the same business in this city on a more extensive scale, and has continued his enter- prise up to the present time, manufacturing a variety of vehicles, including wagons, fine carriages, etc., and making a specialty of building Concord stage coaches. His family consists of a son and a daughter.
The son, Orrin S., was educated in the public schools of Stockton, gradu- ating at the age of eighteen years, with the high school class of December, 1881. After his graduation he entered his father's office, and in 1884, when he reached his majority, was made a member of the firm, and as he grew older the active management of the business devolved upon him until now he relieves his father of many of the arduous duties connected with the man- agement of this large establishment.
Mr. Henderson's political affiliations are with the Republican party, and his public service as well as his business career began in early life. In 1894 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of San Joaquin county, was re-elected to succeed himself, and served two terms of four years each, during most of which time he was chairman of the board. In 1902 he was elected Railroad Commissioner of the Third Railroad Commissioner Dis- trict, State of California, for a term of four years, and is now serving in this capacity. He has just been selected as the first vice president of the State League of Republican Clubs for the State of California. Also he is a member of the state board of trade, representing San Joaquin county.
Mr. Henderson is an honored member in many prominent fraternal or- ganizations. He has advanced through the various degrees of Masonry, including the chapter, commandery, and Mystic Shrine, and is a past grand master F. & A. M., of the state of California. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He has filled all the official chairs in the local parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden West. He has membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of Foresters, the Independ- ent Order of Foresters, the Pacific Coast Commercial Travelers' Association, the Union League Club of San Francisco, the Yosemite and Union League clubs of Stockton, and was a member of the old Stockton Guard, N. G. C., un- attached, during its existence.
Mr. Henderson was married in 1885 to Miss Lavern Viets, of San Jose, California. They have two sons, Erledean Orrin Henderson, aged seventeen years, and Reed Coombs Henderson, aged thirteen years.
CHARLES EDWARD ADAMS.
Charles Edward Adams, proprietor of a hay and feed store at Nos. 1108 and IIIO J street in Sacramento, was born in Randolph county, Illinois, on the 28th of March, 1841. He was seven years of age at the time of his par- ents' removal to New Orleans, and in 1853 the family took passage on a steamer at that port bound for California. The family home was established in Sacramento, and there Mr. Adams continued to attend school for two years.
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In 1855 he returned to the east, going to Massachusetts in order to complete his education, and following his graduation he made his way to St. Louis, Missouri, where he entered the office of the Missouri Republican in order to learn the printing business. In 1859 he made his way to New Orleans, where he again spent six months, but in the fall of that year returned to California, this time by way of the isthmus and arriving in San Francisco early in 1860. He did not tarry at the Golden Gate, however, but at once continued his jour- ney to Sacramento, and shortly after his return to the capital city entered the employ of James I. Felker, a grocer, with whom he remained until after war was declared between the north and the south in 1861.
At the outbreak of hostilities Mr. Adams enlisted in response to his coun- try's call for aid and became a member of Company F, Second California Volunteer Cavalry, for three years. He served as quartermaster sergeant un- der the command of Captain A. De Merritt, now deceased, and with part of his company was detailed to do provost duty in San Francisco, where he remained until mustered out on the 25th of November, 1864, at the expira- tion of his term of service. While he and his comrades were much disap- pointed in not seeing active service in the field Mr. Adams recalls many pleas- ant experiences and incidents of his military life. When he was mustered out the officers of the regiment signed a recommendation for a commission for him, but he considered the war practically at an end and did nothing toward securing the commission. Ten years later, however, he learned that he could have had the commission had he so desired.
At the end of his term of enlistment Mr. Adams went to Mazatlan, Mexico, where he opened a hotel. The place at that time was occupied by the French. Mr. Adams, however, was a loyal citizen of the United States and he had his wife make a large American flag, which he raised over his hotel on the 4th of July, 1865. This was the only American flag displayed in the town, and his courage and patriotism found ample justification in the universal respect paid to the stars and stripes. In December, 1865, he sold his hotel and made his way to a mining camp near Durango, where he opened a general store. There he had remained for a year, carrying on his business with fair success, when the clamor of war was raised and his fighting blood again manifested itself. He believed that he would be safer in the Mexican army than the disturbed condition of the country warranted as a civilian, and accordingly he made his way to Durango. American service was held at a premium and Mr. Adams was given a commission as captain of engineers. At that time the campaign against the French under Maximilian was being vigorously pushed. Shortly after receiving his commission orders were re- ceived to lay siege to the city of Queretaro, and after some bombardment and numerous engagements, which continued for two and a half months, Max- imilian surrendered the city unconditionally on the 15th of May, 1867. The next move was toward the city of Mexico under the command of General Por- firo Diaz, the present president of the republic, and this city was forced to capitulate on the 21st of June. 1867. In his capacity as captain of engineers Mr. Adams came into very close contact with General Diaz and speaks of him in terms of highest praise. He remained with that general until the end of
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the year and then went to the state of Zacatecas, where he was engaged in mining until the spring of 1875, when he returned to California. After working for two seasons on a threshing machine he opened the hay and feed store which he has since successfully conducted, having built up a good business which returns to him a gratifying annual income.
In 1864 Captain Adams was united in marriage to Miss R. D. Hite, of Sacramento county, who accompanied him to Mexico, sharing with him in all the hardships and privations of a soldier's life, as well as its dangers. She died in the fall of 1890, and her loss has been greatly mourned by her hus- band and many friends. By this marriage two sons and a daughter were born: Frank H., who is associated with his father in the hay and grain business, and married Mabel Southworth; Charles William, who at the age of nineteen years is studying music in Boston, Massachusetts, and is organist of St. Mathew's Protestant Episcopal church, of that city; and Elizabeth Mary, who is the wife of J. O. Hand, a locomotive engineer of Sacramento.
In his political views Mr. Adams is a stanch Republican, and he took a very active part in the work of the Lincoln campaign in 1860, although he was not old enough to vote at that time. He takes a great interest in the local government and municipal affairs, and has rendered his party valuable service, yet has never been an aspirant for political honors, preferring to do his duty as a private citizen. He is a prominent and influential member of the Grand Army post, having joined Sumner Post No. 3, in Sacramento in 1867. He has creditably filled all the positions in the post, including that of commander. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor, and in the latter order has been assistant grand dictator, while for a number of terms he has been treasurer of the local lodge. Mr. Adams owes his success in business to his strict integrity and careful attention to the wants of his customers. He is devotedly attached to Sacramento, its welfare and its progress, and although he has seen much of the world he has found no place more attractive than the one he has chosen for his home.
CHARLES JAMES LUTTRELL.
Charles James Luttrell, district attorney of Siskiyou county, belongs to the more influential younger class of citizens, and since arriving at years of maturity has taken an active part in professional, public and political affairs of Siskiyou county. He has been especially interested in the material prog- ress of his county, whose great agricultural and mineral resources, when properly brought to the attention of the world and fully developed, will make this one of the premier counties of the state in wealth and general prosperity. He has found this a fruitful field of his endeavor, and in his own profession he has attained well merited recognition during the few years of his active practice.
Mr. Luttrell was born January 18, 1875, in Fort Jones. Siskiyou county, so that his entire career has been passed in the county of his nativity. His father, Lloyd Benjamin Luttrell. was born in Tennessee, and crossed the plains to California in 1864. He located in Scott valley, Siskiyou county,
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and bought a farm, where he has ever since been engaged in general agri- culture and stock-raising. He is one of the leading Democrats of his sec- tion. The paternal side of the family is of Scotch-English descent, but of long residence in America. John K. Luttrell, a brother of Lloyd, served in the state legislature two terms from what is now the first assembly dis- trict, during the sixteenth and seventeenth sessions. He was congressman from the first California district for three terms, 1873-79, was state prison director 1887-89, and was occupying an appointive position in Alaska under President Cleveland at the time of his death, which occurred in Sitka, Oc- tober 4, 1893. Mr. Lloyd Luttrell married Miss Lizzie Jordan, who was born in Brunswick, Maine, and is still living. Her father was a sailor throughout his early years, and in the early fifties came out to California. She came to the west by way of the Isthmus of Panama about the same time as her husband. She is of an old New England family of English descent. There are six living children in the family besides Mr. C. J., and two boys are deceased: Peter is a student at the Cooper Medical College; George is principal of the public school in Hornbrook; John and Bernard are at home; Miss Emma is a public school teacher; and Martha is at home.
Mr. Charles J. Luttrell was educated in the public schools of Siskiyou county, and at the age of eighteen commenced teaching, which he continued in this county for six years. In 1899 he entered the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and in June, 1901, graduated with degree of LL. B. About the same time he was admitted to the su- preme court of Michigan, and on his return to California was admitted to the supreme court of this state. He began practice in Yreka in September, 1901, and has since carried on the profession along general lines.
He became active in Democratic circles before beginning the study of law, and in 1898 represented his party in state and county conventions. In November, 1902, he was elected, on the Democratic ticket, to the office of district attorney for Siskiyou county, for the term from 1903 to 1907. The court records of the county show his activity in this office and how success- ful he has been in the prosecution of cases in behalf of the state. He has fra- ternal affiliations with the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masons, and the Rebekahs and the Order of the Eastern Star.
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