A memorial and biographical history of northern California, illustrated. Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy...and biographical mention of many of its most eminent pioneers and also of prominent citizens of today, Part 102

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1000

USA > California > A memorial and biographical history of northern California, illustrated. Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy...and biographical mention of many of its most eminent pioneers and also of prominent citizens of today > Part 102

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Mr. Alvord was united in marriage, in Iowa, in April, 1845, to Miss Christina Brown, a na- tive of Canada and of Scotch ancestry. Their union has been blessed with two children. All- gusta was born in Scott County, Iowa, and is now the wife of William T. Cresler. They re- side at Cedarville, Modoc County, California. Charles T. was born at the same place. He is married and resides at Seattle, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Alvord are charter members of the Christian Church of Red Bluff, and they aided in building their house of worship. Mr. Al- vord is a deacon in the church. Before the or- ganization of the Republican party he was a Whig, but since that time has given his influ- ence and vote to the Republicans.

H. GROSSMAN, manager of the Gold- stein orchard, vineyard, wine cellars and

O distillery, one of the oldest establishments of the kind in the valley, has been since his boyhood engaged in horticulture and wine- making. In addition to the management of this large concern, he has a nice place of his own, containing about ninety acres, sixty acres in vines, of which about forty are in resistant stocks. He is one of the earliest advocates and practical demonstrators of the value of the use of resistant vines. He began as early as 1875, growing the Californica from the seed as well as from the roots and cuttings, but was not suc- cessful with this variety. His experience demonstrates that the Riparia and Lennar, if properly grafted, will succeed. Of course it re- quires thorough knowledge, skill and patience, as well as large capital to make a success of such

an enterprise. It took him eight years to learn to graft these vines satisfactorily. The Gold- stein ranch has over 100 acres in orchard, forty in vineyard, and over 300 acres in general farm- ing. On the place are two wine cellars, with a storage capacity of over 150,000 gallons. He has also a very compact and effective distillery, with a special apparatus for distilling brandy from pommace, which is of Mr. Grossman's invention. This can also be used for distilling brandy from wine or other liquors. On this ranch is an old and very spacious adobe build- ing, which is said to have been used by the Mexican Government in the early days of Cali- fornia history. Itis a more commodious build- ing than Sutter's Fort, and is in a better state of preservation, being still occupied, the upper part as a lodging for the farm hands, and the basement for storage purposes. The stables and other buildings are very complete, making this place one of the best equipped in the val- ley. Mr. Grossman's ranch near the asylum was purchased by him in 1883. Besides his vineyard he has an orchard of five acres, mostly in Bartlett pears and apricots, and in addition a well-selected general assortment of fruits. He has on this place a wine-cellar of a capacity of 30,000 gallons, a nice residence, good barns, etc. The resistant vines are still young, yet he made abont 8,000 gallons of wine this season. Mr. Grossman was born in Hungary in 1849. His parents were D. S. and Maria (Silvany) Gross- man, his father a native of Wurtemburg, and his mother of Hungary. While yet a lad he come to this country, staying for a time in the East, but he soou came to this State. His early experience having been entirely with vineyards and wine-making he soon found the opportunity to put his knowledge to practical use, as dis- tiller at Buena Vista ranch and vineyard. In 1872 he leased the Huichica (Simonton) vine- yard for a term of six years from Mr. Winters. He then took charge of the Dreyfus & Co. vineyards at Anaheim, in Los Angeles County, for one year, and returning to Napa leased the same ranch he now manages for Mr. Goldstein.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

Mr. Grossman has never married. His life has so far been devoted to the viticultural and horti- cultural development of California.

AMUEL P. FILLMAN is one of the enterprising business men of Redding, California. He is manager of the water- works and the electric light, and thus has con- trol of two of the important things that con- tribute to the well-being of the city-water and light.

Mr. Fillman was born in Pottstown, Penn- sylvania, January 6, 1854. His parents, Cunard and Hannah (Peters) Fillman, were both natives of Pennsylvania. He was the sixth of their eight children, two of whom are deceased. Mr. Fill- man received his education in Williamsport, early evinced a liking for and interest in ma- chinery and learned the machinist's trade. In 1873 he came to California, and worked at his trade in San Francisco. Later, he became superintendent of the Oakland Mine, in Grass Valley, Nevada, in which capacity he remained a year and a half. In 1887 he came to Redding and put in the pumping system, which supplies the city with water. They pump into a reservoir which holds 350,000 gallons of water, and the pumping capacity is 58,000 gallons per hour. Mr. F. Smith, a capitalist of San Francisco, and Mr. Fillman formed a stock company, with $100,000 capital, and purchased the electric light plant, 650 lights, of Thompson & Huston. They have now in use abont one-half of the lights. The works are run by a fifty-horse- power engine. As yet there are no street lights in the city, but the light is such a success that, doubtless, it will soon be used on the streets.

Mr. Fillman has a one-third interest in a very valuable patent medicine, the celebrated McClellan Diphtheria Remedy. It is being put up and is for sale by Dugan & Dickey, San Francisco. As an efficient remedy it is un- excelled.

In 1882 Mr. Fillman was united in marriage

to Miss Lotty Rawson, a native of Wisconsin. To them have been born a daughter and son. The latter is deceased.

Mr. Fillman is a member of the American Legion of Honor, and politically he is a Demo- crat.

ALLUSTRO AND THE CALLUSTRO COMPANY .-- The story of Callustro is of that strangely interesting character that always enlists the most active attention of the auditor, and told, as it was to the writer, by "one who knew," in one of the comfortable offices of the company in the Palace Hotel block, San Francisco, it struck him as one well worthy the telling, and thoroughly typical of our wonderful State and its products. For Callustro has a history, and an unusually rapid rise and development, partly as a series of most lucky accidents, but still more in consequence of the great energy and business ability dis- played by the ladies in wliose hands its future lay. This new mineral substance, Callustro, which is arousing so much talk and attention, is a new gift of nature to man, nothing of its peculiar constituent elements in similar propor- tion having ever been previously discovered. Professor H. G. Hanks, formerly State Mineral- ogist, gives his analysis showing it to contain almost two-thirds silica, and one-third alumina, with lesser quantities of magnesia and some other ingredients. It will be noted that in no other known substance has so large a propor- tion of alumina been found-that most valnable and also mnost plentiful, bnt almost ineliminable metal which is at once the hope and despair of chemists, metallurgists and inventors. The fame of Callustro has gone abroad and already the company is thronged with inquiries about it and offers to secure its product. But we are ahead of our story, for these inquiries are a later result of the knowledge that has got abroad. The story of its discovery and intro- duction to the public is about as follows:

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

Mrs. Eells chanced to be present, some time in September, 1885, at the nprooting of an old fir stump on her snug ranch of 100 acres called "Forest Farm," which is situated a couple of miles above the charming little town of Calis- toga. The tenacity with which the tree seemed fixed to the soil led her to examine some of the peculiar blue-gray clay that came up with the roots. While most people would have passed the matter over with a casual glance, she, quick to perceive and equally quick to act, picked up a piece of the clay remarking its freedom from grit and smoothness. Taking out her penknife she shaved off a little of it, and on brushing off the dust from her hands noticed its great polishing power upon her rings, and in all was so taken with it that a piece of it went into the house. It was not long before it found its way to the wash-room, where more of its excellencies were discovered, not only as an adjunct to the soap, but as a sconrer and polisher. Every visitor from the city examined the new substance, and aided in spreading a knowledge of its virtues. Troubles and cares, however, connected with the lamented death of her husband, and later the total destruc- tion of her home by fire, prevented Mrs. Eells from doing anything to make practically valu- able her discovery. Late in 1888, however, a company was formed, consisting wholly of Oak- land ladies at first, the name Callustro was wisely chosen, and the preparations made up were placed npon the market.

But now to return to the earliest portion of my account. Mr. D. B. Huntley, a mining expert of the first rank, declares: "It proves wonderfully efficient in giving a brilliant and lasting polish to all metallic surfaces, as well as glass and precious stones," a statement worthily borne ont by experience. Professor Hanks says it is entirely new to him, nothing like it ever having come to his hand before, and that in its finest powdered form, under microscope the motes still show the keenest and sharpest cut- ting edges, rendering it extremely valuable as a polishing agent. The extended and critical

tests to which it has been subjected has more than borne ont this prediction. In powdered forin, thongh a gray, flour-like substance, free from grit, delicate and soft to the touch and ex- ceedingly agreeable to the skin, it polishes each of the common and precious metals in use as well as glass and all precious stones with mar- velous quickness and a luster that is wonderful, and possessing the invaluable property of re- maining a much greater length of time than the Inster of any other known polish. The first step constitutes Callustro in its various preparations, the honsekeeper's greatest and hitherto unknown aid for polishing, cleaning or cleansing jewelry, plated ware, glass, marble, paint and all articles or utensils of copper, zinc, tin, brass or steel, as well as wooden ware and all woolen fabrics. Wherever polishing, scour- ing and cleaning is a desideratuin, as on rail- roads, steamships, etc., it will prove the same grand labor-saving factor. Future steps will prove its value in the arts and sciences. A property which makes Callustro stand in greatest favor from the first touch is its exceeding pleas- ant and beneficial effects upon the skin. In fact four of its preparations already offered to the public are for the toilet. Moreover, the toilet soaps are the very finest for washing in salt water ever tried. A donble appreciation attaches to them in this respect, as they are plain, pure soaps, depending for effect on Cal- lustro solely. In each and every preparation put out by the company there is not a particle of lye, acid, or any other chemical whatever added, as is so often the case. As a consequence the more one dabbles in the use of any or all of these preparations, the more soft, delicate, white and comfortable will the flesh and hands become, which fact is already abundantly veri- fied by hundreds of the ladies of Oakland. An item important to observe in nsing Callustro preparations is not to use too much water. Only enough water should be used to dampen, or at most to make pasty, and after rubbing do not rinse off with water, but rnb off with dry cloth or chamois, etc., as the case may be. The com-

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

pany guarantee each of the soaps to be the best quality of pure vegetable oil soap with Callus- tro added. The company has now ten prepara- tions ready for consumers and the trade, patents for all of which having been applied for and several already secured.

The Callustro Tooth Powder is a snre remedy for tartar on the teeth, and leaves the mouth delightfully sweet and pure. (This is the writer's own experience from personal nse of this agree- able dentifrice.) The company has been devot- ing considerable attention to the use of Callus- tro in the form of paint and kalsomine. The California Paint Company has been making ex- periments and seems satisfied that Callustro is a good thing. Mr. Percy, of Oakland, and other architects are of opinion that as paint the material is undoubtedly of great value.

The Callnstro Company is proven a great success. Among its customers are the Southern Pacific Company, which has ordered a consid- erable quantity for use in its depots. The brass, bright steel and glass surfaces on the ferry steamers Alameda, Oakland and Newark are now polished with Callustro. The San Pablo Avenue Cable-road Company, of Oakland, uses it with beneficial effect on its cars. It is also used in the principal hotels of the city, upon the fire engines of Oakland and elsewhere, and in fact is coming into general nse. The con- venient window bag is an invention of the dis- coverer of Callustro, who evidently understands the needs of the housekeeper. It promises to become the popular " fad " of the day. In fact' Callustro seems a natural glass polisher, being a perfect substitute for the costly and deadly patty of lead until now exclusively used. It is also found to make an excellent fire-briek, never eracking or breaking out as often happens now in grates or furnaces. As tiling, too, whetlı- er for the ornamental or the more ordinary uses, it is found to be the very best. For the cleansing of wool it proves a superior sort of fuller's earth. Callustro and its products are well covered by patents, the advice and assistance of the best legal talent having been secured in this respect.

The company was incorporated December 10, 1888, with a capital stock of $100,000, shares being originally issned at $1 per share. The price has now advanced to $5, and none for sale, this advance being made only after the new dis- coveries of the mineral's unusual value. The President is Mrs. Emma P. Eells; General Manager, C. L. Paige, and Board of Directors, Mrs. Susan L. Mills, Mrs. Clara F. Ham ilton, Mrs. Sarah Haight Tompkins, Mrs. Rebecca Knox, Mrs. M. Belle Holmes and Mrs. Phoebe Watkins, a truly representative set of names. They own and operate an ex- tensive industrial establishment in Oakland, where the soaps and other preparations are put up. Only careful and reliable people are em- ployed, a true philanthropy being shown in securing the services chiefly of those who have known better days. To use the words of our bright San Francisco lady, Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper, " Callustro lias brightened many other things than household matters only-hearts and homes and hopes." At the mine has lately been erected a new mill and grinding machine, run by a powerful engine, all under the charge of a skilled and competent man. The Behin mineral pulverizer used is a magnificent piece of machinery, pulverizing being done entirely by compressed air and the centripetal motion of the pulverizer. There are only three of these perpetual pulverizers in use in the world, this machine being the latest advance. All is so arranged, however, that resort may be had at any time thought necessary to the triturating process by water, of which there is abundance.

Callustro is found, strangely enough, nowhere else save on the ranch formerly owned by Mrs. Eells and the immediately adjoining property, all now controlled by the company. The deposit covers about 150 acres, and seems to have been a formation by deposit from perfectly still water at a great depth, afterward squeezed up or upheaved by some geologic agency. The longer acquaintance with it, the stranger and more valuable its properties are discovered to be, and each day shows some new development,

John J. Ellison

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

and, indeed, the end is not yet. It might, too, he noticed as a side issue at the present, but some day perhaps to take the lead in the valnes of this strange mineral, that it has a larger constituent proportion of aluminum in its mass than any other known substance. This fact is beginning to arouse the attention of scientists and others interested throughout the world, and much inquiry is being enlisted. The indica- tions of quicksilver, too, upon the property are very pronounced and may eventually add largely to the wealth of the company.

As might be expected the company is in re- ceipt of hundreds of testimonials testifying to the excellent qualities of its preparations. We give a few names: E. N. Bellisle, Master Car- builder Southern Pacific Company; V. D. Moody, President First National Bank, Oak- land; Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper; E. H. Woolsey, M. D .; D. S. Hirshburg, Chief Clerk United States Mint, San Francisco; H. T. Webster, M. D., Oakland; John Mallon, Glass Staining and Embossing Works, 19 Fremont street, San Francisco; Charles Evans, Chief of the Salvage Corps, St. Louis, Missouri; Charles E. Rector, of Rector's Oyster Honse, Chicago, Illinois, etc.

The company has agents in England and Australia, and the principal States of the Union, and inquiries from everywhere, with shipments increasing very fast.

JON. JOIIN FRANCIS ELLISON, a prominent citizen and lawyer of Red Bluff, was born at Falls Church, Fairfax County, Virginia, November 30, 1853. His father, William H. Ellison, a native of the State of New York, removed to Virginia about 1845. He married Miss Elizabeth Fish, who was born on the farm in Virginia, where he still resides. To them were born three sons and one daughter. Mr. Ellison's grandfather, Andrew Ellison, was of English ancestry and an early settler of this country. The Ellisons 41

were Methodists, and were highly respected for their honesty and industry.

The subject of this sketch received his early education in a private school; afterward attended college at Richmond, Virginia; read law under the instruction of Judge Cox; and graduated at the University of Virginia, in 1877. Immediately after his graduation he came to Red Bluff, Cali- fornia, and engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. As a lawyer he has met with marked success and occupies an enviable position among the members of his profession. He is an enthn- siastic and influential Republican, and is well known throughout the State. During the Pres- idential campaigns of Garfield, Blaine and Har- rison he took an active part, doing much for the success of his party and dealing the opposite party powerful and effective blows. Mr. Elli- son is an eloquent and argumentative speaker, carrying his opponent's position by storm. In 1884 he was nominated for the State Assembly by his party, and was elected by a large major- ity. He served during the session and also the extra session of 1886, in a manner which re- flected credit both on himself and his constitu- ents. While there he held the important posi- tion of Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He is now a member of the Republican County Central Committee of Tehama County.

In 1888 Mr. Ellison was a Republican dele- gate to the National Convention at Chicago, and was strongly in favor of the greatest states- man in the country, James G. Blaine; but finally aided in the nomination of President Harrison. After the convention he visited his relatives and friends in Virginia, took a trip through the East and returned home. In 1890 he was a delegate to the Republican State Con- vention held at Sacramento, and was one of the Committee on Resolutions. His name was urged for chairman of the convention, but he declined to accept.

Aside from the many duties of his profession and the numerous public positions he has filled, Mr. Ellison has also been engaged in other pur- snits. He has a ranch of 1,500 acres, on whichi

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

he is raising hogs, mules and trotting horses. He owns 640 acres of choice farming land in Colusa County, and 240 acres near Corning, Tehama County. He has a fine residence at the corner of Main and Cedar streets, and also owns other valuable property in Red Bluff.

In 1880 Mr. Ellison was united in marriage with Miss Minnie B. Cason, a native of How- ard County, Missouri. She is a daughter of Mr. Benjamin Cason, a prominent planter of Missouri before the war. He lost nearly all his property in that great struggle, and died from exposure incurred while in the Southern army.

Mr. Ellison is a member of the A. O. U. W. and a Royal-Arch Mason. He is a man of force and energy of character, a thorough law- yer, standing in the front rank of his profes- sion. He has just been elected by a large majority Superior Judge of Tehama County.

RED GROTEFEND, cashier of the Shasta Connty Bank, is a native of Shasta, Cali- fornia, born February 18, 1857. His father, Augustus Grotefend, was born in Ger- many; came to the United States when a boy; crossed the plains to California, in 1849, with Mr. H. F. Johnson. Upon arrival in this State he located at Shasta and engaged in mining. Ife married Miss Amelia Znindahl, a native of Germany, who crossed the plains to California in 1852. To them were born seven children, all of whom are living. The father died in June, 1889.

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in his native town. At the age of thirteen years he entered his father's store, and remained there until April 1, 1886. At that date he came to Redding to accept the position of cashier of the bank in which he is a stock- holder. Mr. Grotefend has built a nice resi- dence on Pine street, between Shasta and Sac- ramento streets; has several other residences and city properties in Redding; owns a num-

ber of ranches in Shasta and Trinity counties, and also has mining interests.

April 14, 1886, he married Miss Elizabeth Eaton, a native of California. The writer of this article learned from the files of the Red- ding papers that the marriage of this prominent young couple was the finest and most noted event of the kind which ever occurred in this county. They have one child, a daughter. Mr. Grotefend is a member of Mount Shasta Parlor, N. S. G. W., and is Past President of the parlor. For two terms he has been Treas- urer of Redding. In polities he is a Repub- lican. Mr. Grotefend takes a lively interest in the affairs of his county and country, and is a most agreeable and obliging business man.

HARLES R. GRITMAN, cashier of the Bank of Napa, has been a citizen of that place since 1876. He was born in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, December 10, 1838. At- tending the local schools and academy in his native place he entered Yale Callege in 1861, but soon enlisted in the Twenty- third Connecti- cut. He remained with this regiment during its term of service, when he was employed for some time in Washington in various positions under the Governinent. Engaging in business in Chicago, in 1865, his firin was so crippled by the great fire that they retired a year later, and Mr. Gritman removed to Evanston, Wyo- ming Territory. After several years' connec- tion in business there he decided to come to California, and settled in Napa, where he has since resided, and as will readily be seen is one of the most active and enterprising citizens. He is interested in the Napa Woolen Mills and Napa Valley Wine Company, is a director in both of these companies, and the secretary of the former. He is also the treasurer of the Napa Building and Loan Association, which has been of great assistance in the erection of a large number of houses for its members. This association is also extending its operations to

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

the building of houses on the ranches in the vicinity.

Mr. Gritman was married July 22, 1869, to Miss Ellen C. Head, of New Haven, Oswego County, New York. He is a member of the Masonic order, Yount Lodge, of Napa Chapter, and of Golden Gate Commandery, Knights Templar, of Napa Lodge, No. 18, I. O. O. F., of the Knights of Honor, and of the American Order of United Workmen. He is the Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Califor- nia, F. & A M., and filled for several years the position of chairman of the committee on finance of the Grand Lodge previous to being elected Grand Senior Warden.

HARLES CAMDEN is one of the pioneers of California and one of' the prominent citizens of the State who are justly en- titled to the honor of having founded the great commonwealth in which its citizens and the nation take such pride. Charles Camden is not a man who desires notoriety,-indeed, he shinks from anything that would appear like it; and it was with great difficulty that he could be induced to give the modest statement on which this brief story of his life is founded. Having been one of the pioneer miners and early settlers of Shasta County, and having taken a prominent part in the development of the county and its rich mines, a history of Shasta County and her citizens would be incom- plete without a few ungarnished facts in regard to him, and on that basis he has been persuaded to give them.

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A memorial and biographical history of northern California, illustrated. Containing a history of this important section of the Pacific coast from the earliest period of its occupancy...and biographical mention of many of its most eminent pioneers and also of prominent citizens of today, Part 102

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1000

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1000