USA > California > A history of the new California, its resources and people; Vol II > Part 54
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On the third night out the company had camped at a spring and put their guards around their stock and were nicely rolled up in their blankets when the blood-curdling yell of the Indian was heard. The redskins dashed in between the wagons and stock, and had run off with every animal in the train before the white men could prevent. Half of the men, including Mr. Taylor, went after the stock, and after traveling some distance heard some- thing coming toward them, which they naturally supposed to be Indians. The object of their alarm soon resolved itself into a single badly frightened white- faced, sorrel mule. which had escaped its captors and was returning to camp. They soon gave up the search for the stolen stock and returned to camp, whence the owners of the mules and half of the company returned to Paso del Norte and bought other teams and continued the journey.
They had now reached the Apache country, where no white man could feel sure of his life, but they continued two hundred miles without mishap. Just before reaching Guyago springs they were attacked by sixty Indians, painted for war and with their bodies decorated in red gauze that they had stolen a few days before from a Mexican pack train. They were well mounted and armed with bows and arrows and some guns and spears. The
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attack was a complete surprise, and they had possession of half the wagons before the whites recovered. After a hot fight the latter recovered their property. but in the meantime one man was captured and killed. The Indians cur of his head. stock it on a spear and galloped around the camp. all the Sme screeching and taunting the white men at the top of their voices. Several of the company were wounded. and they were taken to Chihuahua and left a: the hospital tiere.
On arriving t: Durango Mr. Tavior and his companion hired pack mules to carry their possessions over the Sierra Madre mountains to Mazatian. whence they embarked on the sailing vessel Barkazan, and five days later arrived at Cape St. Lucas, and thirty days later. on May 12. 1850, entered the Golden Gate. They were both hard up financially. and young Gordon was sick and despondent. Mr. Tavior got a job in a lumber yard, but had => pat on two estra shirts in order to appear large enough to handle the iember For aus wor's he was paid a dollar an hour, and he thus provided Sor iumseli and his partner until the latter got well. They then began mining :n Deer creek. where Gordion contracted the fever and died on November 20. With the aid of some mmers Mr. Tayior paid the last sad rites to his cour. ani also marked his grave with a carvel wooden headboard and encirsel it with a pahng fence
M- Taylor spent the winter there, and in the spring went north into che mimtains abvet Canyon creek, and on October I. OS;I. wer: 0) Narchez renaming iser mitts = Robinson ravine, where he found the Largest nugget of his mining career. it being worth ninety-eight dollars. In the following Apel be went to Downieville, where he had his quarters dur- ng the following winter, and also had one other of the hard experiences of ming hie. One miming he amoke to find the snow six feet deep about his Foie caom. and the spirit continued for tiny weeks. Provisions ran out and could not be bought at any price. The miners virew lots to see who should go over the soom for supplies. and Mr. Taylor was one of those desig- matel. On the following morning twenty-eight men started for Foster's ber. but three men game out and had to be carried. Night came on, and they found the station only by firing their guns. They set out on the return trip the next morning. each man with a sack of flour, reaching their destina- tice about nightfall. Mr. Taylor was offered serenty-five dollars for his tag of Hour. but refused to sell it.
In the following spring Mr. Taylor bade farewell to Downieville. and after walking nmety miles to Marysville and going from there by stage to Sacramento. arrived in San Francisco by boat. In the same year. r$53. he came to Santa Rosa, and his principal interests have been identified with Sonoma county ever since. for omer fifty years. He settled on the ranch which is a part of his present estate. Titles were then hard to secure owing 30 of Spanish gramts. so that at first be cock only one hundred and sixty acres, bet he ris thrift. goud management and business ability he has since been aiding to his possessmems until he now owas fourteen hundred acres la one piece. He carries on general farming and stock-raising. and aiso
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has a vineyard of fifty acres and a big dairy. The white sulphur springs on his ranch is a favorite resort.
A half century ago, when Mr. Taylor cast in his lot with this county, there was no town of Santa Rosa. and settlers were very few. Petaluma was the nearest market, and all goods had to be hauled in by teams. The main business then was cattle-raising. He has thus been a pioneer of this county and foremost in its development into one of the leading agricultural and stock-raising sections of the state. In addition to conducting success- fully his extensive ranch. he has also had much to do with the financial and commercial interests of the city. He is vice-president of the Santa Rosa Bank and one of its directors. He has done a large amount of building in the town, being now the owner of one of the best three-story brick buildings in the place. He also built the Masonic temple for the Masons. and so con- ducted the enterprise that he turned it over to the order without its costing them a dollar. He was also one of the builders of the Methodist college.
Mr. Taylor was married March 7. 1876. to Miss Nannie Clark. a daughter of David Clark, who came from Illinois to California in 1863. Two children have been born to them. Zana Mildred and John S .. Jr., the latter of whom is attending school in Santa Rosa. Mr. Taylor affiliates with Santa Rosa Lodge. F. & A. M .. and with the Commandery No. 14. K. T. He is a Democrat in politics. and has been offered the nomination for various offices. but has always preferred to devote his time to private interests.
COLONEL RICHARD C. WALRATH.
Colonel Richard C. Walrath has an interesting and eventful history, and his life record will be gladly received by his many friends in Nevada county and other portions of California. He was born in Madison county. New York. November 30. 1828. and his ancestors. coming from Holland. settled in the Empire state an at early period in the colonization of the new world. The family was represented in the patriot army by those who gal- lantly fought for the independence of the nation. Abraham Walrath, the father. was born in the Empire state and was one of those who built the Riarton & Jersey canal. For many years he carried on business as a con- tractor and was a very prominent man in local public affairs. taking an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of Madison county. New York. where he served for some time as a county treasurer. He married Miss Catherine Casler, who was likewise descended from old Revo- lutionary stock. She was a niece of General Bellinger. who figured promi- nently in connection with the continental army in the Revolutionary war. Her birth occurred at Little Falls on the Mohawk river in New York. Abra- ham Walrath passed away in 1831 at the comparatively early age of thirty- nine years. while his wife died in 1873. Five sons of the family have also passed away. There is one living daughter. Mrs. Elizabeth French. the wife of Benjamin French. a resident of Syracuse. New York.
Richard C. Walrath was educated in the public schools ci Madison
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county, New York, and in the Yates Polytechnic Institute, of which he is a graduate.
He then entered mercantile life as a clerk at Chittenango, Madison county, New York, and was employed in that way for a time, after which he became a partner in the enterprise and was thus continued for seventeen years. In 1859 he joined his brother, John H. Walrath, in the establish- ment of a dry-dock business on the Erie canal. They built a large dry dock at Chittenango and conducted the enterprise for five years. While engaged in merchandising Mr. Walrath had formed a company of the National Guard of New York and was elected its captain. He filled that office for six months, when the company became a part of the One Hundred and Fifth of the New York National Guard. It was in 1856 that he was chosen colonel, filling that position for nine years. His regiment formed a part of the brigade under the command of Brigadier General Petrie, the "war horse of New York." During his term of service Colonel Walrath's regiment was called out on waiting orders three times, once by Governor Seymour in New York city, during the disturbances there; once for Buffalo; and once for Oswego, New York. The members of the regiment were all very anxious to go to the front, but Governor Seymour would not allow this, retaining them in the state to act as home guard. Brigade and division reviews were held every year, the former at Sherburn, New York, and the latter at Rich- field Springs, New York.
In 1864, after closing out his dry-dock business, Mr. Walrath gave his attention to settling up his affairs in Chittenango, New York, where he built for himself and family a very fine residence. In 1868, however, ac- companied by his wife and two children, he left for California by way of the Isthmus of Panama and made his way to San Francisco. There he em- barked in the hardwood lumber business, dealing in hardwood lumber for carriages and wagon-finishing materials. He followed that pursuit until December, 1870, when he came to Nevada City and purchased the Provi- dence mine, which had been operated to a limited extent. He paid sixty thousand dollars for the property, and in this deal was associated with his brother Austin Walrath and with John V. Hunter and W. H. Smith. He then began operating the mine and was interested in it for thirty-two years, when, in 1902, he sold out. During that period he erected the best works in the state, with a forty-stamp mill thoroughly equipped. The property is now known as the Champion and Providence group. During the time that Mr. Walrath and his associates owned this property they took out about seven million dollars. Colonel Walrath also owned the Reward mine, situated only a half mile from Nevada City. He put that mine into the hands of a company and worked it for nine years, after which he sold out to the Gold Tunnel Mining Company. The heirs of his brother Aus- tin's estate are associated with Richard C. Walrath in the ownership of the Thomas mine one mile from Nevada City in the Grass Valley road, but it is not being worked at the present time. It was operated by them for five years and was then closed down.
Colonel Walrath, in connection with A. Isorard and W. WV. Stowe, one
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of the noted men of the state, now deceased, worked what was called the West Harmony gravel mine in the ridge back of the town, and he was also interested in the Cold Spring gravel mine in Washington ridge, two miles from Nevada City. He is likewise interested in the Eldorado quartz mine in the northern part of the state, and also has large holdings at Summit City in the Meadow Lake district, where he built a mill and tried the chlorina- tion process, but the ores would not respond to it. He was one of those who organized the Nevada County Winery Association and manufactured clar- ets, at one time having seventeen thousand gallons of wine on hand.
He was also interested in a powder company, which manufactured the haffanager powder for use in the mines, the basis of this being chlorate of potash. In this venture he was associated with Robert McMurray, George G. Allen, Austin Walrath and J. V. Hunter. They built extensive works, which they operated for two years, but it was considered too dangerous and explosive and the manufacture was discontinued.
Mr. Walrath opened and started the Gracie quartz mine a mile and a half from Nevada City, and as a member of a company he opened and placed in operation the Old Flag mine in the Browns Valley district in Yuba county. He was one of the eight promoters of what is called the Nevada City and Marysville Water and Power Company, with a plant on the north fork of Yuba river, now engaged in running tunnels and building canals. He was one of a company of eight which owns three hundred and twenty acres of oil land in the McKitrie district in Kern county, the company composed of local residents. He is one of the owners with the heirs of the W. W. Stowe estate and with M. L. Marsh in the Yuba Buena gravel mine in Washington ridge, comprising one hundred and sixty acres three miles from the town. He was interested with others in the purchase and opening of Glenbrook park, one of the best race tracks in the northern part of the state, and still has some financial holdings there. Until the year 1903 the annual agricultural meetings were held there.
On the 14th of June, 1854, Mr. Walrath was married in Chittenango, New York, to Miss Catherine Ehle, who was born in that town, a daughter of Henry Ehle, owner of large farming interests in that portion of New York. Henry Ehle belonged to a family represented in the continental army during the Revolutionary war and was also connected with General Bellinger's family, these being distant relatives of Mr. Walrath's mother. The name Ehle is of German origin, and the first ancestors of Mrs. Walrath in America came from the fatherland. She died in San Francisco, December 26, 1869. There were two children of that marriage: Austin H., who is engaged in mer- chandising and mining in Nevada City and in fact has followed mining throughout the United States, having for some time been in the employ of Chalmers & Company, of Chicago; and Grace L., who is now the wife of C. D. Vincent, a contractor of Oakland, California.
In his political views Mr. Walrath has long been an active Republi- can, taking a helpful interest in the work of the party. He has attended its county conventions, but the demands made by his business affairs have been too great to allow him to take an active part in politics as an official,
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even had he so desired. He was one of the first members of the Califor- nia Miners' Association, and one of its early directors. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and at one time held membership in a local organization known as the Sons of Freedom. Its membership was limited to thirty-three and of that number only three are now living.
When Colonel Walrath came to Nevada City the grass was grow- ing in the streets and only one mine was in operation. The starting of the Providence mine was largely instrumental in the upbuilding of the town, for during eleven years one hundred and thirty men were constantly employed in that mine. If a life record of Mr. Walrath was written in detail it would contain many interesting incidents, more wonderful than those which are oftentimes found in fiction. He came to the west with broad business experience, clear and decided ideas and marked enterprise in addition to a goodly capital, and has instituted many enterprises and business concerns which have proved of great value as well as a source of revenue to himself and his associates.
GEORGE HINDLEY.
George Hindley, who is serving as supervisor of Humboldt county and makes his home in Ferndale, was born in Elgin county, Canada West, in the year 1846. His parents were Henry and Betsey (Lauton) Hindley, both of whom were natives of England. The father engaged in stock-rais- ing and in the butchering business, and upon the home farm the son was reared, assisting in its cultivation and also aiding in the conduct of the butcher shop, so that he gained thorough practical training in two pursuits. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native county and of California. In the year 1851 the father came to this state, locating in Weaverville, Trinity county, and engaged in mining on Trinity river for a time. Next he turned his attention to the butchering business, and with the pioneer settlement of the county he was closely identified, becoming one of the early merchants of that part of the state. Determining to make California the place of his permanent abode he sent for his family, who joined him on the Pacific coast in 1854, and in this state he continued to make his home for about thirty years, passing away in 1885.
George Hindley, arriving in the west at the age of nine years, con- tinued his education in the schools of Humboldt county until eighteen years of age. When he had attained his majority he entered a claim in the Mattole country, and turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, with which business he had become familiar in his youth. He has pros- pered in this undertaking and he yet owns the property which he secured from the government.
In 1866 Mr. Hindley was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Jane Holman, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Nicholas Holman, who was one of the early settlers of Trinity county. They have thirteen chil-
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dren, nine of whom are yet living: George L .; Annie, the wife of Walter Hackett; Ernest; Cora; Verna; Enid; Rebecca; Joseph and Henry.
Mr. Hindley is identified with a number of the leading fraternities. He has attained the Royal Arch degree in Masonry and is also affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star. He belongs to the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, is noble grand of his local lodge, and is also identified with the encampment and the Rebekah degree. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and its auxiliary branch, the Rathbone Sisters, and is also connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in these various organizations he has won the strong regard of his brethren, while in his life he has been most true and faithful to the beneficent teach- ings of the lodges. His political support is given the Democracy, and from 1885 until 1888 he served as supervisor from the first district of the county, while in 1901 he was re-elected for a term of four years. He was again re-elected on November 8, 1904, to another term, by a majority of two to one, so that he is now the incumbent in the office, the duties of which he discharges with dispatch and fidelity that is above question.
THOMAS J. HOUSTON.
Thomas J. Houston, of Redding, Shasta county, is proprietor of the largest furniture business in the northern part of California, and has built up his business by most honorable methods and on sound and business-like principles, so that he is fully deserving of his reputation as a substantial and representative citizen of his town and county. He is one of Redding's old-time citizens, for when he came here over thirty years ago there was not much in the way of a town, and the surrounding country had hardly begun its development and growth into a solid community. He has been identified with all that is best in the history of the county since that time, and he is to-day a capable, upright and public-spirited man of affairs.
Mr. Houston was born in Baltimore, Maryland, June 24, 1847, a son of C. H. and Mary ( Johnson) Houston, of old English families long set- tled in this country. His father was a shipsmith by trade.
Mr. Houston was reared in Maryland and in Missouri, his father having moved out to the latter state and established a blacksmith shop in the town of Brussels. After finishing his common school training he learned the blacksmith trade in his father's shop, and later learned the trade of saddle and harness maker. For a time he had a shop of his own at New Hope, Missouri, and in April, 1872, he came west to the Pacific coast and bought and operated a farm near Redding for several years. He became tired of farming, and then opened a harness shop in Redding. In 1899 he established his furniture and undertaking business on Market street, and has built this up so that it now ranks foremost in its line in this part of the state. He disposed of his harness shops some time after en- tering his present business.
Mr. Houston has given all the time he could spare from his private interests to the welfare and upbuilding of his adopted city. He served
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one term as city treasurer, and for a term of four years was sheriff of his county, and at a time when the country was overrun with a lawless element, and in the discharge of his duties he had several close calls with criminals. He had fraternal affiliations with the Masonic order, the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, the Independent Order of Foresters and the Knights of Pythias, and is a very popular fraternity man.
In 1874 he married Miss Henrietta Beard, a native of Illinois and a daughter of the late Edward Beard, of Shasta county. They have one son, Thomas A., aged eighteen, who is attending high school and is also manag- ing a dairy farm of his own, being a very bright and energetic young man, and with fine prospects of future success.
HARRY LAWRENCE GUNN.
Harry Lawrence Gunn, the president of the Napa Business College and auditor and recorder of Napa county, was born at Point Douglas, Minne- sota, on the 5th of July, 1850. He is a son of S. R. Gunn, who was a native of Indiana, while the grandfather was born in Virginia and became one of the pioneer settlers of the Hoosier state. After arriving at years of ma- turity S. R. Gunn was married in Indiana in 1849 to Miss Martha J. Innis, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania. He carried on the lumber business and general farming, and was not only active in commercial and industrial circles in his community, but was also an influential factor in political affairs, was a member of the legislature of Wisconsin, doing all in his power to sup- port the principles and measures in which he believed.
In the family were three sons and one daughter: Charles E., who is now superintendent of mines and also an attorney at Chihuahua; Frank L., who is engaged in the lumber business near Nehalen, Oregon; and Emma I., the wife of Emery Barris, a lumber merchant at Dinuba near Fresno, California.
Harry Lawrence Gunn acquired his early education in the common schools of Wisconsin and Minnesota, then in 1869 entered the University of the Pacific at San Jose, California. His course there, however, was not continuous, for on account of ill health he did not pursue his studies con- secutively and in the meantime was graduated from Heald's Business Col- lege at San Francisco with the class of 1873. He afterward returned to the university, where he continued his studies until he was graduated with the class of 1877, winning the degree of Master of Arts. In the same year Mr. Gunn began teaching school at West Point, Calaveras county, being iden- tified with public school work there for a year. He then accepted a position in Napa College and for sixteen years was at the head of its commercial department. He was also financial secretary for twelve years during this period and continued his connection with the institution until 1894, when he organized the Napa Business College and has since been at the head of this institution. Such a school is of value to the community. because it prepares young men and women for the practical and responsible duties of the busi- ness world, and under the guidance of Professor Gunn many have been
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qualified who are now filling important business positions. In 1895 he ac- cepted the position of deputy county clerk and acted in that capacity for eight years. In the fall of 1903 he was elected county auditor and county recorder of Napa county. These are two distinct offices with salaries of five hundred and two thousand dollars per year, respectively. In the dis- charge of his duties he is prompt, faithful and reliable, and the public trust is, therefore, well reposed in him.
On the 16th of June, 1880, in Watsonville, Professor Gunn was united in marriage to Miss Della L. Ercanbrack, a native of Watsonville, Califor- nia, and a daughter of Caleb B. Ercanbrack. Five children have been born of this union, as follows: Roy C., who is now twenty-two years of age and is a student of the University of California at Berkeley, California; H. Pearl, at home: Elbert E., who at the age of fifteen years is a student in the business college: H. Laverne, thirteen years of age; and Harold, who completes the family at the age of six years.
Professor Gunn is a Republican in his political views and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He is first lieutenant of Company H of Napa, Fifth Infantry Regiment, National Guard California. He has been with the company eleven years and has been first lieutenant for seven years. Almost his entire life has been devoted to educational work, and his labor has been of an important character, for he has the ability to impart clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he has acquired. He is a man of scholarly attainments, a typical representative of our high Amer- ican manhood, and because of his strong intellectuality, his genial manner and his commendable personal traits he has won the good will and respect of all with whom he has been associated.
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