USA > California > A history of the new California, its resources and people; Vol II > Part 44
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Thor Bair
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banking business. During this time Mr. Bair has also purchased timber lands, farm lands and stock ranches, and has carried on an extensive dairy business. He is the president of the Redwood Land & Investment Com- pany, which is capitalized for two hundred thousand dollars, and is the presi- dent of the Eureka water-works.
In 1876 occurred the marriage of Mr. Bair and Miss Alice Boyce, a native of Michigan, and to them were born three children: Hugh, now de- ceased; Thomas; and Fred. In 1882 Mrs. Bair passed away, and in 1886 Mr. Bair was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Stone, a native of Illinois. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in politics is a Democrat. He certainly deserves great credit for the success he has achieved, for, starting out in life at the early age of eleven years with- out capital or the assistance of influential friends, he has steadily worked his way upward and has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the so- ciety of his family and friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. A man of great natural ability, his success in business, from the beginning of his resi- dence in California, was uniform and rapid. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early oppor- tunities for obtaining the requirements which are sought in the schools and in books, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character ; and this is what Mr. Bair has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained the most satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in all respects, and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation.
EDWARD C. PRATHER.
Edward C. Prather, county surveyor of Alameda county, California, dates his birth in Louisville, Kentucky, in August, 1855. His parents, G. M. and Eliza A. (Coke) Prather, were natives of Kentucky, and his father was a farmer. In 1870 the Prather family, consisting of father and mother, two sons and two daughters, of whom Edward C. was the eldest, left their Kentucky home and came to California, taking up their abode on a farm in Sacramento county. There the father farmed until 1898, when he retired, and since which time he has resided in Oakland.
Edward C. Prather received his early education in a private school in Louisville, and soon after his arrival in this state he entered the University of California, where he took a four years' course, making a specialty of civil engineering. On leaving the university in 1874, he took up the work of his profession and has ever since given his whole time and attention to it. For fifteen years he was deputy surveyor of Alameda county and during that time had much to do with the road construction and bridge building in the county. And when we take into consideration that Alameda is one of the largest counties in the state and now one of the best improved counties,
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so far as roads and bridges are concerned, it is understood that Mr. Prather's life has had not only great activity but also great responsibility. So well did he perform the duties of the deputy that in 1902 he was elected to fill the surveyor's office for a term of four years.
Mr. Prather is a Republican. He has always taken an active interest in politics, both local and state, and is one of the staunch and worthy mem- bers of his party.
In 1885 Mr. Prather married Miss Agnes Webb, a native of California and a daughter of A. H. and Helen S. Webb, early settlers of this state; and their union has been blessed in the birth of one child, a daughter, Edna A., now a member of the Oakland high school.
ROBERT WELCH.
Robert Welch, now deceased, was identified with the farming interests of Santa Clara county for a number of years and came to California in its pioneer days when the mining interests of the state were attracting to this portion of the country men from all sections of the east. Throughout the community in which he made his home he was known as a man of genuine worth, activity and industry in his business career, and at all times honorable and straightforward in his dealings with his fellow men.
Mr. Welch was born in Quebec, Dorchester county, Canada, on the 22d of July, 1832, and was a son of Thomas and Mary (Kahoe) Welch, who were natives of Wexford county, Ireland. The father died when his son Robert was but three years of age and the boy was reared by his mother on the old homestead farm, where he continued until he attained his majority. He left home to make his own way in the world and came to California by way of the Nicaragua route, arriving in Santa Clara county about 1853. He then worked for his brother Edmund in the fall of 1854, after which he spent about six months in mining on the south fork of the American river and throughout the remainder of a period of two years he carried on farming in Alameda county, California. In May, 1856, he returned to Santa Clara county, purchasing a farm of one hun- dred and eighty-three acres, on which he began the production of grain and the raising of stock, making a specialty of thoroughbred Norman and draft horses. He continued in these lines of business up to the time of his death and was well known throughout the community as an enterpris- ing business man who made the most of his opportunities and so improved his time that his efforts were attended with a gratifying measure of success.
In November, 1868, Mr. Welch was united in marriage to Miss Cath- erine Kennedy, a daughter of Timothy and Margaret (Dorsey) Kennedy, who were residents of Canada West, but were natives of Tipperary county, Ireland. The following children were born of this union: Mary Ellen, the wife of A. W. Jones, who is postmaster of Milpitas; Thomas Francis ; Catherine Isabelle, the wife of P. W. Carroll, of San Jose; Alice: Robert; Timothy: Cecelia Viola, who is now a student in the State Normal school at San Jose ; Edmund John; Anna Louise; Agnes; and James Leo.
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Mr. Welch passed away on the 22d of February, 1896, in the faith of the Catholic church, of which he had long been a prominent member. Since his death his eldest son, Thomas Welch, has taken charge of the farm, which he operates under his mother's supervision. The ranch com- prises one hundred and seventy-eight acres and includes a splendid orchard of forty acres, which is planted to prunes. The remainder of the farm is devoted to general farming and stock-raising purposes, and the place is pleasantly situated not far from Milpitas, on the Berryessa and Milpitas road. The family is one well known in the community and the members of the household enjoy the warm regard of many friends.
CHRIST P. ANDERSON.
Christ P. Anderson is numbered among the leading citizens and in- fluential business men of San Jose, and a review of the chief events in his life will prove of interest to his hosts of friends. He was born in Sonder- burg, Germany, June 27, 1859, and in the public and high schools of his native land he received his educational privileges. When fifteen years of age he was employed as a clerk and hookkeeper in a general merchandise store in Sonderburg, and at the age of twenty years entered the army, serv- ing for two and a half years as a member of the infantry regiment No. 86, in which he was raised to the rank of corporal. At the close of his military career he came to America, arriving in San Francisco, California. on the 16th of November, 1881, and from there went to Alma, Santa Clara county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits with his brother Neil, who had preceded him to America about twenty years. In 1883, however, Mr. Anderson abandoned his farming operations and took up the life of a miner, which he followed until 1887, and in that year removed to San Diego and accepted the position of collector for the First National Bank of that city, thus continuing until 1889. In that year he resigned that posi- tion and entered the employ of Gruendike & Balling, proprietors of a whole- sale meat market, in the capacity of manager and head bookkeeper, his ef- forts being thus directed until the fall of 1890, when he again resigned. During the following year he traveled through the Pacific coast states and Idaho, returning thence to Alma, Santa Clara county, January 1, 1892, and entering into business with his brother Neil in a meat market, serving as manager of the firm of Bohlman & Anderson, who were also large farmers and cattle raisers, supplying the mines and surrounding country. In 1899, on account of the death of his brother Neil, the firm discontinued operations, and Mr. Anderson then came to San Jose and embarked on his present mercantile career, in which he has met with a high degree of success. His store is located on the corner of Orchard street and Alma avenue, and is filled with a complete and well selected stock of general merchandise.
The marriage of Mr. Anderson was celebrated in 1892, when Miss Paulina Platzer became his wife, she being a native of Tyrol, Austria, and a daughter of a civil engineer in the employ of the Austrian govern-
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ment. Mr. Anderson is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, Mispah Temple, Rathbone Sisters, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Ancient Order of Druids and the Knights of the Royal Arch. In his political affilia- tions he is a stalwart Democrat, and is one of the influential members of the party.
SETH BURNHAM FOSTER, M. D.
Dr. Seth Burnham Foster has been engaged in the practice of medicine since 1869, and his usefulness in his profession has been far-reaching, his efforts being exerted along many lines wherein his skill in connection with the science of medicine and surgery is proving very valuable to his fellow- men. Since 1886 he has been acting assistant surgeon of the United States Public Health and Marine Hospital service, performing the duties of that office in connection with those of a large private practice.
Dr. Foster was born on the 6th of January, 1843, in Lunenburg, Essex county, Vermont. His parents were Zadoc and Jane (Goodall) Foster, both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain state and were representatives of old New England families that sent their members to the patriot army in the war of the Revolution. The ancestors of Dr. Foster in the paternal line came from Glasgow, Scotland, and his grandfather fought for the independ- ence of the nation in the war in which the colonists threw off the yoke of British oppression. His wife's ancestors were from England, and on crossing the Atlantic settled in New Hampshire. Zadoc Foster was a farmer by occupation, and throughout his entire life devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He passed away at the advanced age of eighty years, and his wife died at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Zadoc Foster were blessed with four sons, Charles Westley, George Burnham, John Henry and Seth Burnham. All were strong and healthy children. Charles Westley is still alive at the age of seventy-eight and lives in Vermont. George Burnham died when he was but twelve years old; he cut his leg with an axe, and this caused his death. After his death the youngest son was named Seth Burn- ham. John Henry lived on the old farm and died at the age of fifty years, from pneumonia.
Dr. Foster was reared upon the old homestead farm in New England, and in his youth attended the public schools. He left home at the age of twenty years, and during the winter months he engaged in teaching, while in the summer seasons he followed farming. Not content, however, with this business activity, he determined to become a member of the medical profes- sion, and in 1865 began reading medicine at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, under the direction of Dr. George B. Bullard. In March, 1866, he went to Bur- lington, Vermont, and matriculated in the state university, where he pursued two years of medical lectures. In the fall of 1866 he went to New York city. where he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and was graduated from that institution in March, 1869. He located for practice in New York, where he continued until September, 1875, when he came to Eureka, California, and opened an office. He has continued to the present time as an active representative of his chosen calling in Humboldt county,
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SB. Poster
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and is now one of the oldest physicians in years of practice within the county borders. He served for ten years as county physician, and in 1886 was ap- pointed acting assistant surgeon of the United States Public Health and Marine Hospital service, in which capacity he has since served. For four years he was city health officer, and is now acting in that position. He has also been examiner for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York for the past twenty years, and is likewise examiner for the New England Life Insurance Company, the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company of Portland, Maine, and the Northwestern Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee. He is an extremely busy and successful practitioner. The demands made upon his time and services are many, and his skill has gained him prestige in his calling, making him one of the foremost representatives of the medical frater- nity in Humboldt county.
Dr. Foster was married in New York in 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Addie L. Hollowell, a native of Thomaston, Maine, and a daugh- ter of Captain Ruell Hollowell, of that place. They have two children, Hallie De Vere, the wife of Dr. Harry Nelson Winton, a practicing physician of Haywards, Alameda county, California; and Emily Lois, who is living with her parents. Dr. Foster is identified with the Masonic fraternity and has a thorough knowledge of its teachings, while in his life he exemplifies its prin- ciples and its tenets. His study of the political issues of the day that divide public opinion into two great parties has led him to give his allegiance to the Republican organization, but he has neither time nor inclination for political office. He is a physician of high character, an industrious and ambitious student, genial in disposition, unostentatious in manner, and in his expressions concerning fellow practitioners is friendly and indulgent.
NORMAN B. KOOSER.
Norman B. Kooser, a practitioner at the bar of San Francisco, is a native son of California, his birth having occurred in Santa Clara county on the 18th of August, 1876. His father, Herman H. Kooser, came to California in the latter part of 1848, having made the long journey across the plains to Monterey. The following year he became a resident of Santa Clara county and was engaged in mining for a few years, but not finding in the gold fields the fortune that he had anticipated he turned his atten- tion to farming and stock-raising. He was one of the pioneer residents of Santa Clara county and took an active part in reclaiming the wild land for the purposes of civilization. In other ways he aided in the early develop- ment of this part of the state and his active co-operation in measures for. the general good made him a public-spirited and valued citizen. His fam- ily numbered two sons and two daughters. Both the parents are still liv- ing and the father has now retired from active business life. He is a most highly respected citizen and is enjoying a well earned rest.
Norman B. Kooser acquired his early education in the public schools of his native county and afterward attended Stanford University, in which
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he prepared for the practice of law. On leaving school he entered upon active connection with his chosen profession, being admitted to the bar in 1899. He had first pursued his law studies under the direction of Senator H. V. Moorehouse and in 1900 entered into partnership with his former preceptor, while later they were joined by a third partner under the firm style of Moorehouse, Kooser & Alexander. This relation was main- tained until the fall of 1903, when Mr. Kooser returned to San Jose, where he is now engaged in general practice, having secured a good clientage.
On the 20th of August, 1902, occurred the marriage of Mr. Kooser and Miss Lucile E. Staffar, a native of Santa Cruz, California, and a daugh- ter of George Staffar, who is a capitalist of that place and an honored pio- neer settler. To Mr. and Mrs. Kooser has been born one son. In social circles they occupy an enviable position, enjoying the warm regard of many friends. He is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the San Francisco Olympia Club. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party.
WILLIAM MANDEVILLE LENT.
William Mandeville Lent is one of the oldest old-time settlers of Cali- fornia and San Francisco. Hardly had the first reports of the marvelous Eldorado of the Pacific coast reached the eastern metropolis when this man, who was at the time steadily advancing in commercial life in New York city, joined the bands of gold-seekers and adventurers and landed in Cali- fornia when San Francisco was truly " the city of tents." Many wonder- ful things have occurred in the subsequent half century, and back of the Golden Gate now lies a substantial city of three hundred and fifty thou- sand souls. Mr. Lent has been connected with both the mercantile and mining life of California, and during his active career rose from the com- mon walks of life to a place of affluence and prominence among his fellow citizens. He is eighty-six years of age now, perhaps the oldest living pio- neer in the city, and he is honored and esteemed for the useful part he has played in the upbuilding and development of his adopted city and for his own high character and worth among men in public and private life.
Mr. Lent was born in New York city, March 15, 1818, a son of Peter Waldron and Cathrine Sickles (Forbes) Lent. He received his early schooling in his native city, and began his business career with the Schum- marhorn firm, with which he was connected as a clerk at the time the won- derful news came from the west. . He went to the Isthmus of Panama, and from there took passage on the steamer Oregon, which landed him in San Francisco on the Ist day of April, 1849. He began here as a commission merchant, at first by himself, then as Grogan and Lent, later Lent, Neville and Company, and then Lent, Sherwood and Company. He gradually drifted into mining, which was the most attractive field of endeavor in those days, and in his ventures had remarkable success, acquiring a large fortune. He still resides in San Francisco, and for a number of years has enjoyed the results of his earlier business enterprise and astute manage- ment.
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Mr. Lent was one of the first members of the board of trustees of Santa Clara College, California, and is now a member of the Pioneer So- ciety of California and of the Cobden Club, London, England. He was married in San Francisco in 1857 to Miss Frances . E. LaForge, a member of an old Huguenot family that settled on Staten Island generations ago. Four children were born of this union. William died when hardly out of his teens; Eugene is a prominent and well known attorney, of the law firm of Lent and Humphreys of San Francisco; Fannie is unmarried and the only daughter; and George H. is a member of the real estate firm of Hooker and Lent.
DON CAYETANO JUAREZ.
Don Cayetano Juarez, known as the pioneer of California pioneers, was one of the most picturesque and at the same time most influential figures of early California history. It is common to reckon the beginning of Cali- fornia history as taking place with the discovery of gold, and the sudden bursting of the young territory into the full bloom of statehood with a large organized population and institutions and industries, obscures the fact that for many decades the country had been as much settled and as closely populated as many other communities on the outskirts of civilization. This was the period in which Don Juarez was most active, and as he was loyal to the government of Mexico during the period before the cession, 30, after the coast country fell to the United States, he was most useful and helpful to the settlers and interested in the development of the state. His deeds and life must form a lasting record on California state history, and his descendants may well be proud of their relationship with such a historical personage.
Don Juarez was born at the Monterey presidio, February 24, 1809, and was the seventh son of Joaquin and Josefa Pasquala Juarez. He was edu- cated by private tutors, and on April 1, 1827, enlisted in the Mexican army under Lieutenant Martinez. He served with distinction throughout the sec- tion of the present state known as the San Francisco bay district. Most of his campaigns were against the Indians of the Napa and Sonoma val- leys, with the base of operations at the presidio at San Francisco. He and his companions had hundreds of thrilling experiences with the Indians in the bloody warfare of those days, and he was always noted for the dash and bravery with which he entered upon service however dangerous or arduous. He bore till his death many scars made by the arrows and other weapons of the Indians.
He received his honorable discharge at the San Francisco presidio on February 19, 1836. During the winter of 1837-8 he bought and sold horses and cattle. In the following year he again entered the service as a scout When the Americans began to settle in the country, especially after the treaty with Mexico, he rendered invaluable service by mediating many of the differences between the Americans on the one hand and the Spaniards and Indians on the other. He was on intimate terms with General Fremont and other pathfinders, and often entertained them at his home and aided
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them in their work of exploration and discovery. He was often consulted as to the best method of procedure with the Indians, and more than once averted threatened clashes between the Americans and the red men. He built and occupied many of the old adobe habitations which still remain as landmarks in Sonoma and Napa counties.
He was married February 14, 1835, to Maria de Jesus Higuerra, who was born at San Francisco, December 4, 1815, a daughter of Francisco Higuerra. They became the parents of the following children: Sinforosa, born May 3, 1838; Domitila, born November 22, 1839, now Mrs. Domitila Metcalf, a widow, and residing in an adobe house in Napa county, which had been built by her father; Pasquala, born June 28, 1846, now Mrs. Maria Pasquala True, of Vallejo; Augustine, mentioned below : Cayetano P., born April 28, 1852; Dolores, born April 7. 1854: and Francesca J., born Octo- ber 16, 1856, now Mrs. Bale, of Healdsburg, her husband being in the United States postal service.
Augustine Juarez, who was born August 28, 1848, is now one of the prominent ranchers and farmers at Napa. He was educated in the public schools at Napa, and his long identification with the industrial interests of the county and state has placed him among the leading and prominent citi- zens. He was married in Napa, June 29, 1882, to Miss Maggie Sheen, of St. Helena, and they have six children: Clyde, Carmer, Milton, Esther, Viola and an infant. Mr. Juarez has fraternal affiliations with the Improved Order of Red Men, and in all the relations of his busy life has been found honorable and upright and deserving of the esteem in which he is held.
PETER BELCHER.
Peter Belcher, whose intense and well directed activity has made him one of the forceful factors in community interests, exercising a potent in- fluence in business and political circles, has arisen from humble surround- ings to the plane of prosperity, and the secret of his success lies in his utili- zation of the opportunity which is the pride of our American life. No coun- try affords such ready recognition of individual worth as does America, and in this land "labor is king." Mr. Belcher has many of the strong and ster- ling characteristics of his Dutch, English and Irish ancestors, and also pos- sesses the unwearied enterprise so characteristic of the American.
He was born in Sloatsburg, Rockland county, New York, December 23, 1839, a son of John and Eleanor Anne (Kelly) Belcher, the former of Dutch and English lineage, while the latter was of Irish parentage. The father was a stonemason by trade and during the latter years of his life was a contractor and builder in Paterson, New Jersey. He died in 1903, at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife passed away in 1902, at the age of eighty-four. They were the parents of five sons and nine daughters, of whom Peter is the eldest. His brother William Henry is now a prominent corporation attorney and the present mayor of Paterson.
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