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 106

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 106

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June 24, 1889, Mr. Cleghorn married Miss Saralı ()'Brian, a native of Canada. She is a

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member of the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Cleghorn is a Republican. He is a meni- ber of the F. & A. M.

ILLIAM RUSSELL, a prominent farmer between Winters and Madison, in Yolo County, was born April 17, 1834, in Ohio County, Kentucky, being a son of J. G. and Mary (Dudley) Russell, natives of that State. At the age of seventeen years he came to California, landing in San Francisco in May, 1852, and worked in the gold mines until autumn, when he settled upon a ranch on Willow Slough, near Woodland, and lived there until 1856, when he settled upon the place where he now resides. In 1864 he took a trip to Oregon, Nevada and Montana, spending one season on the journey; and in 1886 he visited his old Kentucky home, in company with his brother Samuel. His ranch, containing 160 acres, is situated between Winters and Madison and con- sists of very fine land, well improved. He has twenty-three acres in figs, fifty in oranges and twenty-five in other kinds of fruit, besides three acres in grapes. He is continuing to improve the farm by planting fruits of all kinds, and the time is not distant when his farm will be truly a garden spot. It is so peculiarly situated that fruit ripens here three or four days sooner than in any other part of the State.

He was married September 17, 1874, to Miss Susan Wilson, who was born in Missouri, June 25, 1841, a daughter of Joseph A. and Mary J. (Dairing) Wilson, natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Russell's children are: Susan M., born July 18, 1875; James W., February 16, 1877; and Florence, December 26, 1878.

OSEPH WEXELBERGER is one of the enterprising business men of Red Bluff. He is a native of Austria, born December 11, 1849. His parents were both natives of

that country, and were members of the Catholic Church. His mother died in 1876, and his father in 1882. Mr. Wexelberger received his education in Austria, learned the cabinet trade with his father, and worked at the business there for eleven years. He then came to America, went first to Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he worked in the coal mines for three years, and from there went to Alabama, where, for three more years, lie also worked in the coal mines. After that he came to California, and for three years was employed in a quartz mine at Anburn, working for wages. Next he purchased a toll bridge, which he kept for two years and a half. In 1884 Mr. Wexelberger sold out and came to Red Bluff. Here he bought a bakery and saloon of Mr. John Dyer, put the property in fine condition, now employs three hands, and is doing a prosperous business. He has the pat- ronage of the leading citizens of Red Bluff, and sells a large proportion of the bread and cakes used. He combines the two great commodities of life for which people expect to pay money; and, being a shrewd, obliging business man, his enterprise is a successful one.

Mr. Wexelberger was married, November 5, 1882, to Miss Maggie Frech, a native of Ba- varia. Their union has been blessed with two children: Charles and Thraca, the former born in Tehama and the latter in Placer County. Mrs. Wexelberger is a Methodist. He was reared a Catholic. Politically he is a Repub- licau, and is liberal in his views on all subjects.

RANCIS E. RUSSELL, a farmer between Winters and Davisville, Yolo County, was born October 7, 1824, in Canada, a son of Peter and Abigail (May) Russell, both natives of that dominion, who passed their lives there, except eight or ten years in Vermont. At the age of fourteen years young Russell went to Vermont, and in 1849 sailed from Boston for California on the ship Herculean, coming around Cape Horn and arriving in San Francisco May

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3, following. The first season he was engaged in gold-mining, and then settled on grant land in Suisun Valley. In the fall of 1853 he sold ont his interest there, went to Vaca Valley, Solano County, and bought a piece of grant land, which he held and occupied until the autumn of 1858. He sold out again and bought 396 acres of the Wolfskill grant, where he now lives. He has increased his landed estate to 800 acres. In 1868 he erected a fine large residence, both beautiful and comfortable.

He was married in Vacaville, September 25, 1856, to Miss Lacy C. Ogburn, a native of Texas, and a daughter of John C. and Mary M. (Love) Ogburn; her father was a native of Vir- ginia, and a physician, and her mother was a native of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have five children, living: Cornelius E., born June 13, 1858; Mary A., August 31, 1861; Charlie F., born November 25, 1864, and died September 10, 1869; William O., born June 1, 1867; Lucy L., born July 3, 1869, died October 9, 1872; Frank E., born September 25, 1875; and Lulu M., March 20, 1882.

OBIAS OSSMANN is a native of Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, born December 22, 1822, of German parents. He was edu- cated in his native country, graduating at Gies- sen College, In 1836; held the position of reporter for the court; served nine years in the German army; and came to America in 1848. In this country he learned the trade of carriage painter, and worked at it in one house in Cleve- land, Ohio, for nineteen years, from 1851 till 1870. When he came to Cleveland that city contained only 7,000 inhabitants, and when he left it had increased to 200,000. During his residence there he purchased property in the city, which he owned for a number of years. For five years he was Captain of militia at Cleveland. He met with a railroad accident by which he lost his right limb.

Mr. Ossmann was married September 23, 1853.

to Miss Catherine Hanser, a native of Germany, by whom he has had eight children, all of whom are living: Amelia, born in Ohio, is the wife of Henry Kern, by whom she has five children. Gustave A. is married, has three sons, and re- sides in San Francisco. Lonisa married Harry Ellmore and resides in San Francisco. Emina B. is single. The family were reared Protest- ants.

Since coming to California Mr. Ossmann has resided in Redding. He was Deputy County Treasurer during the years 1870 and 1871. Twelve years he acted as Assessor of the city. He was Notary Public eightcen years. He has 160 acres of land and owns three houses and lots in Redding. He is a man of much expe- rieuce, intelligence and reliability.

HOMAS J. MAXWELL, a farmer at Winters, Yolo County, was born in Madi- son County, Kentucky, January 3, 1815, His father, Thomas Maxwell, was among the first settlers of Kentucky, moving to Madison County, Missouri, in 1825, where he died March 18, 1826. His mother, who was a Miss Gardes, was born on the Potomac River and died in 1862, in Madison County, Missonri. The first school that she ever attended was at the house of General Washington. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents in Mis- souri nntil 1856, when he came overland to Cali- fornia, landing near Cacheville, Yolo County, and took up a tract of land which proved to be upon a grant. He accordingly abandoned it, moved to Buckeye, bought a claim and built there the first store in the place, and also held the office of Postinaster from 1857 to 1859. He then disposed of his ranch and store and went into the hills with a band of stock and afterward disposed of his stock, and he now lives iu Winters, retired from active business. IIe is the proprietor of 500 acres of good land, seven acres of which are set ont in fruit.

He was married December 8, 1836, in Cooper

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

County, Missouri, to Miss Rhoda Campbell, who was born February 4, 1817, in Tennessee, the dangliter of James B. and Nellie (Stevens) Campbell, both natives of Virginia. Their children are: J. O., born May 26, 1838; Susan F., born January 14, 1848, and is now the wife of R. York; and Thomas J., born January 20, 1856.

ARSHALL ARNOLD, Cashier of the Bank of Lake at Lakeport, was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, March 24, 1856, educated in St. Lawrence Uni- versity at Canton, New York, and graduated at the Hastings College of Law in May, 1882, and during the next two years was engaged in surveying. In 1884 was he elected to his pres- ent position. He was married in December, 1883, to Miss M. A. Castlio, and has one child, a daughter. Mr. Arnold is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is now (April, 1890) Master of Hartley Lodge, No. 199; he is also treasurer of Lakeport Lodge, No. 351, I. O.O.F.

ILLIAM J. DE FRIES, M. D., a physi- cian and surgeon of Woodland, is a son of John William and Susanna (Her- genga) De Fries, natives of Monroe County, New York. His father was born August 31, 1816, graduated at Leyden, Holland, Europe, when twenty-two years of age; was a physician by profession, and died in Paineville Center, New York, in 1817; and the subject's mother, who was born September 15, 1818, died in 1871.

Dr. De Fries was born February 5, 1841, in Monroe County, New York, and at the age of twenty-one years graduated at the Leyden Medi- cal College of Holland. He then went to Tippe- canoe, Indiana, where he entered the service of the Second Indiana Cavalry, in 1863, enlisting as a surgeon. Serving until 1866 in this capacity,

he entered the corresponding department in the regular army. While in the volunteer service he was shot several times. His nervous system at length becoming somewhat affected, he was trans- ferred to the position of Veterinary Surgeon, and served as such from 1867 until 1880. He then practiced his profession as surgeon on the Sand- wich Islands three years, and in 1884 he located in Petaluma, California, for one year, when he finally came to Woodland, where he enjoys a supremacy in the surgical practice of the county. He takes great pride in his profession.

June 15, 1882, in the Sandwich Islands, the Doctor married Miss Valmena Boremann, a native of Bremen, Germany, born there in 1861, and they have had five children, viz : John William, born in 1883, and died the next year; Wilhelmine M., September 20, 1885; Fredie L., February 17, 1887; and Bertie, Dc- cember 21, 1888.

RANK N. FULLER is a native of Red Bluff, California, born May 28, 1858. His father, who was born in the State of New York in 1828, came to California in 1856. For a time he was engaged in the lumber business at Spring Creek, Shasta County. He afterward turned his attention to brick-laying and contract- ing, and many of the first brick buildings in the county were constructed by him. He married Miss Sarah Mears, a native of Wisconsin. Six children were born to them, five in Red Binff and the youngest at Santa Rosa. The father died in 1887, and the mother is still living.

Frank N. was educated in the public schools of Red Bluff. In 1879 he began the study of dentistry at Santa Rosa with Dr. Caldwell. After remaining with him two years he went to Chico and continned his studies two years more in the office of Dr. W. L. King. At the end of that time he opened an office in Red Bluff, and did a successful business there for five years. December 5, 1888, he removed to Redding and has since continned his business here, having a

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fair share of the practice and giving entire sat- isfaction to his patrons.

Mr. Fuller is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, and is justly proud of the State in which he was born. In politics he is a Republican.

LIZA WELSH, Superintendent of Public Schools of Shasta County, California, is a lady endowed with remarkable mental vigor and unusual executive ability. A few facts, briefly stated, in connection with her life and work are as follows:

Miss Welsh is a native of California, born near Shasta, in Shasta County, July 16, 1857, the daughter of M. K. and Margaret (Welsh) Welsh. She has two brothers and two sisters. Her father was born in Ireland, and was reared and educated there, coming to America when quite a young man. He married at Sacramento, and in 1856 settled in Shasta County. A fact worthy of note in the history of Miss Welsh's ancestry ie that both her paternal and maternal grandfathers were named Welsh,-John and Michael, - both were born in the County of Cork, Ireland, and, although their names were the same they were not related to each other. Her father has been a miner for thirty years, and has only recently retired from that business. He resides on his fruit farm near the village of Shasta.

Miss Welsh obtained her education as well as nearly all her experience in teaching in her native county. She posted herself thoroughly in regard to text-books, methods of teaching, school government and all matters concerning her profession. During her twelve years' ex- perience as a teacher and member of the Board of Education, she has won for herself an en- viable reputation. She has the rare ability to express her ideas and convictions in a clear and concise manner; and she not only holds the at- tention of her listeners by her easy and affable address, but also convinces them of the truth

of her statements. The citizens of her county showed their appreciation of her as an enthusi- astic educator by electing her Superintendent of Public Schools. When she was first elected in a Republican county, by a majority of 500 (though on the Democratic ticket), the editor of her home paper called her the " Rock Creek Racer," in honor of the days when he used to see her walking three miles a day to school. Her first term in office proved a success, and she was re-elected by an overwhelming major- ity. He then began to think he must give her a higher sounding name and called her the "Maid of Orleans." Miss Welsh very grace- fully gives eredit to her predecessor in office, Mrs. D. M. Coleman, for the fine condition of the schools in the county. She says that the county is rapidly developing and that the schools and school facilities keep pace with the other advancements. The subject of this sketch furnishes a fine illustration of the many things her sex can accomplish just as well, if not a little better than, the " lords of creation."

J. MORBY, a native of Sweden, was born in Linkoping, a city in central Sweden, January 13, 1850. At the age of ten years he went to serve an apprenticeship in the harness and saddlery trade in his native town. After serving five years, he traveled through Sweden and worked as a journeyman. In 1869 he went to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he worked at his trade one and a half years. He then went to Berlin, Germany, where he worked for six months. From here he traveled through France and England, on his way back to Sweden. On his return to Sweden he opened a business for himself in Stockholm, where he remained till 1888. On November 28th of that year he sailed for the United States, on the steamship Heckla, and landed in New York, January 1, 1889. From New York he came direct to Middletown, Lake County, California, where a brother re-

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sides, who had preceded him to this country. On June 24th he bought ont the harness and saddlery store of C. T. McHarvey in Lakeport, where he is now established in business. He manufactures a greater portion of his stock of harness, and does a general line of repairing.

He was married in Stockholm, January 18, 1876, to Miss Christina Nyberg. They have two children, a son and a daughter: Seht and Rode.

W. GOULD, one of the prominent agri- culturists of Yolo County, was born in that county, in 1858. His parents were Samuel and Mary Ann (O'Conners) Gould, early settlers of this State. His father was born in the State of Maine and lost his life in 1877, possibly in being drowned in the Sacra- mento River. He was a well and favorably known citizen of Sacramento Valley. Mrs. Gould, the mother, was born in Ireland, and she is still living in Woodland, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mr. Gould, whose name commences this paragraph, has a farm of 160 acres four miles from Woodland, where he raises wheat, barley, live-stock, etc.

His wife, nee Hattie Griffith, was born also in this county, and they were married in Cache- ville. Their two children are: Mabel and Abraham.

R. WILLIAM D. OLENDORF, who for many years has been a resident and prac- ticing physician of Red Bluff, came to California in 1849. He was born in Coopers- town, Otsego County, New York, June 18, 1820. His father, Peter Olendorf, was a na- tive of that State, born in the Mohawk Valley. Grandfather David Olendorf was a native of Germany, came to America before the Revolu- tion, and participated in the struggle of he colonics for their independence. The Doctor's

mother was nee Cornelia Murry. Her father, William Murry, came to this country from England before the Revolution and was a soldier in that war.

The subject of this sketch is the only son and the fifth born in a family of ten children, six of whom are living. He was educated at Clinton, New York; read medicine with Dr. F. G. Thrall, of Hartwick; and attended a course of lectures at the Geneva Medical College, graduating at the session of 1842-'43. He was then engaged in the practice of his pro- fession in his native State for five years. In 1849, as already stated at the beginning of this article, Dr. Olendorf came to California and settled in Shasta County, where he resumed practice and remained seven years. In 1858 he located in Red Bluff. Dr. Bradway had preceded him to the town, but Dr. Olendorf is now the living pioneer physician of the city. By devoting close attention to his business lie soon established a Incrative practice in Red Bluff and vicinity, which he has continued for thirty-two years, meeting with eminent success and numbering among his patients nearly all the old residents of the place. He has had charge of the county hospital, and has been honored with the office of president of the Medical Society of Tehama County.

In 1844 he married Miss Emily A. Harring- ton, who has since that time shared the joys and sorrows of his life. Their union has been blessed with three daughters, all born in Red Bluff. Georgene is the wife of D. B. Lyon, a prominent business man of Red Bluff, whose history appears in this book. Frankic C. and Nettie reside with their parents. The single daughters are members of the Episcopal Church. The Doctor built an attractive home on the corner of Oak and Jefferson streets, where he is spending the evening of his busy life in quietude and com- fort. He has taken an active interest in the growth and development of Red Bluff and from time to time has made investments in real estate here. He is the owner of several dwelling-houses, has a half interest in a book-

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store, and has ten acres of land, one-half mile from the city, which is devoted to French prunes.

Dr. Olendorf is a Mason and has held the office of Master of the lodge. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln.

OHN G. J. DIESTELHORST, of Redding, came through the Golden Gate to Califor- nia and sought a home in this sunny clime in 1851.

He was born in Germany, April 3, 1821, the son of German parents. His father was a car- penter and cabinet-maker. In religious belief he was a Lutheran. Mr. Diestelhorst received his education in his native land; learned his father's trade, and worked at it there; married Miss Caroline Meine, a native of Germany, and brought her and his two sisters with him to California. After his arrival in this State he worked for six months in San Francisco, and made money. Then he purchased a land claim of 160 acres, and after living on it six months sold it and came to Shasta County and settled in the new town of Shasta. At that time it was a mining town of twenty-three restaurants and private boarding houses, besides a large number of business establishments. It was a place where supplies were obtained, and frequently there would be 500 pack mules in the town at once, and more than 1,000 transient people to be fed. When the table was ready, two men stood at the open door and collected one dollar from cach one as he went in to eat, and as soon as the tables were filled the doors were shut and kept so until they were again ready for the crowd. Lumber was twenty-one cents per foot, or $210 per thousand feet.

When Mr. Diestelhorst went to Shasta he was nearly out of money, and they made fifty dol- lars per week by washing. Seeing the lack of garden stuff and that there would be a great demand for it, he conceived the idea of going

into the business of gardening. He purchased a little mule with which he hauled brush from the hills to fence the ground. He asked a teamster what he would charge a load to hanl manure to it from a corral near by. His reply was " four dollars per load." Mr. Diestelhorst helped, and they drew nine loads in the day. He tried to get a reduction in the price, but could not; bnt this enterprise was a good invest- ment. The lot he had already purchased, so he spaded it up, planted his seeds and raised some fine radishes, lettuce and onions. He had never peddled garden stuff and was ashamed to do it, but his wife was sick and they needed money, so he was forced to do it by stern necessity. He suspended two large baskets from his shoulders and these he filled with his garden productions. The lettuce he sold at two bits each, or five for a dollar, and the other vegetables at the same rate. He made several trips that day before the first bell rang for dinner, and he came far from sup- plying the eager demand. When he went home his wife sat up in bed and asked him how well he had done. He told her to hold her hands, which she did, and he took froin his pockets $26 and put in them! For some time after this his little garden yielded $10 each time he gathered the vegetables. In the meantime he purchased some cows and sold milk at $2.50 per gallon.

In 1852 there was a flood that stopped com- munication, except by swimming the river with the mules. Flour went up to $1 per pound, hay to $400 a ton, barley $600, and other things in proportion. Mr. Diestelhorst says he lost abont $1,500 that winter. The Indians stole his mules. With some inen to assist him he pursued them, but they succeeded in getting away with one mule and the other they tied to a tree and ent his ham strings, so that he was afterward of little account.

Mr. Diestelhorst purchased four cows and their calves for $380, and sold the calves to the butchers for $100. His cows and his garden brought him $1,000 per monthi, and he soon re- covered what he had lost.

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He remained in Shasta nntil 1865. Four of his children were born there, namely: Louise, the first white child born in Shasta; William, Justice and Carrie. The following were born at Clover Creek and at Redding: Jennie, Charles and John.

In 1859 he purchased eighty-three acres of land, now included in the corporation of Red- ding. At that time, however, there was no sign of a town there. He moved to this place, built and improved it, and raised hay, vegetables and other farm products. He sold his farm to his sons and retired from active work. He resides at his home, and still cultivates a nice garden, not from necessity, but to have some pleasing employment to occupy his time. He surprises himself with almost every plant he cultivates. What may be expected, therefore, with a good system of irrigation ? Mr. Diestelhorst retains his mental faculties, and is a fine representative of the worthy pioneers of this great State.

In 1889, after a useful and happy life, Mrs. Diestelhorst was called home to her reward. For forty-nine years she was a loving and faith- ful wife, and her loss was deeply felt by her aged companion, her children and her many friends. She is buried at Redding.

R. YORK, a farmer of Yolo Connty, and at present one of the Supervisors, is the son of Meredith and Martlia (Browning) York. His mother was born in Kentucky in 1805, and died in 1887. His father, born in Tennessee in 1800, was a farmer and a minister of the Christian Church, and died in 1851. Mr. York, our subject, was born in Clay County, Tennessee, in 1839, and came to Woodland in 1859, where he received most of his schooling. At the present time, 1890, he is a County Supervisor from the fifth district, being elected January 1, 1889. The same year he erected a beautiful residence upon his farm, which comprises 320 acres of well improved land, and whereon the principal product is wheat

Mr. York, November 3, 1867, married Susan Maxwell, a native of Cooper County, Missouri. and the names of their children are: Mattie, Rhoda, William N. and Ella. Another child, Maud, died March 29, 1884.

OHN S. TUTT, a prosperous farmer of Yolo County, is the son of Philip and Cath- erine Tutt. His father, a native of Cul- peper County, Virginia, followed school teach- ing to 1835, and then moved to Cooper County, Missouri, where he was County Surveyor for six- teen years, and where he died in 1871; and the mother, native also of Culpeper County, Vir- ginia, died in Cooper County, Missouri.

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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 106

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