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 110

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 110

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The subject of this sketch received much of his schooling at his home, being furnished by his father with teachers, who were men of ex- ceptional ability and learning, and his education thus received was enhanced by later experience as a teacher, which vocation he followed for two years previous to 1846. Then he enlisted for the war with Mexico, being a member of the company of which Joseph L. Stephens, previ- ously mentioned, was chosen Captain. This company was a portion of the force designed for the relief of General Taylor, and, when innstered into the United States service by Colonel Robert Campbell, was ordered to quar- ters at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis. While there a dispatch was received conveying the information that General Taylor had already

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been relieved, and the command was sent to l'oonville, subject to orders, and afterward dis- charged by general proclamation.

At the close of his term of service Mr. Stephens entered upon a course of study with a view to acquiring the profession of medicine. For two years he applied himself diligently to fitting himself for this field of labor, studying under Dr. Chilton. of Vermont, Missouri, a celebrated physician. His progress during this time had been sufficiently encouraging to war- rant him in the hope of soon becoming himself a practitioner, but about this time an event oc- curred which changed the entire trend of his career. That event was the discovery of gold in California,-one which had as much effect, perhaps, upon this country as had some of her wars. The apparent genuineness of the dis- covery had the effect of sending to California the flower of all States and of all countries. The youth, the enterprise, the adventure and daring of the world were represented in that throng of 1849, which had for its common center California. Rightly judging that the best means of making the long journey to the coast was one which would allow of expedition, while not sacrificing safety or comfort, Mr. Stephens decided to pack across, and by this means he arrived at Sacramento on Angust 1. He was accompanied by his brother, George D., and five others at the ontset, and on the way they joined a party of mountaineers and trappers with whom the journey, while one of interest, was accomplished withont unusnal in- cident.

But little time was spent in Sacramento, and after getting as thorough an idea as possible of the country he went to Mormon Island, and in company with his brother and a couple other members of their party, he commenced mining there, panning out the gold in the primitive manner of the early days. By this means he was able to clean np about §8 a day; bnt a couple months of such work showed him that it was a pretty difficult way to make money, and not such a fine one as his mind had pictured,

while atter.ded with considerable inconvenience and more or less privation, provisions being sometimes scarce, and the work compelling him to be always in the water, which was not con- ducive to good health. Accordingly, after studying over the situation, he concluded that there were other sources of revenue than the mines, and one probably more to his taste, and he went about looking np the possibilities.

After inspecting considerable territory in Sacramento and Yolo counties, with a view of selecting a location for the stock business, he chose the Capay grant, in the latter county, as the place most suitable for his purpose, and there he and his brother located. In 1851 they bought a league and a half of land there, in partnership with John S. Jury and John Q. Adams. In 1856 they bought ont Mr. Jury's interest, and later Mr. Adams sold his interest in the property. The title was perfected by a United States patent, which our subject secured on a personal visit to Washington. During this time Mr. Stephens had been active in in- porting and improving the quality of stock, and for this purpose made trips East in 1853 and 1854, while others made similar journeys for them, with the same object in view at other times, bringing back some excellent stock, in- cInding cattle, horses and mules. He also bought sheep of Rowles & Rawson, at Oakland, and did mneh toward giving an impetus to im- provement in that quarter. Among his pur- chases was that of the famous Southdown ram, World's Prize, which cost $2,000. When the State Fair was organized he took an active in- terest in its success, and lent to it his encour- agement, being a constant exhibiter from its organization nntil 1864.

In 1861 Mr. Stephens, accompanied by his wife and daughter, went East, and upon land- ing at New York first learned that the civil war had broken out. While he was at his old home in Missouri the battle of Booneville took place, and he will never forget the comical side of the situation as he saw the vanquished senr- rying along in retreat after their first battle,

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one of them occasionally explaining how they were mowed down, with all the exaggeration occasioned by their excited frame of mind. In 1862 he took another trip East, via Panama, and spent the winter there, returning in the spring. In 1859 Mr. Stephens organized the Capay Ditch Company and was elected presi- dent, a position he has ever since held. This enterprise was one of the first of its kind in this part of the State, and besides is one of consid- erable magnitude. He gave his personal atten- tion to the management of the large land, stock and water interests in the Capay Valley until 1864, when, leaving his brother George D. in immediate charge, he went to Virginia City, Nevada, with capital to invest in mining enter- prises, etc., there. For a time he was engaged in operating a quartz mill there, and during his entire stay of four weeks was active in financial matters. Leaving there in 1868 he went over- land to San Diego in search of grazing land, and having concluded his mission there re- turned to Yolo County. He then bent his en- ergies to the establishment of the Bank of Woodland, which he accomplished in connec- tion with others, he taking nearly half the stock. This bank, which is noticed at length elsewhere, is the largest financial institution on the Pacific coast ontside of San Francisco. It is safe to say that no bank in California has been the medium of more genuine accommodation to inen in need of assistance than the Bank of Woodland. Its immense power and prestige, with its paid-up capital and surplus of over $1,000,000, has always been used to build up rather than to tear down, and it has been of in- calculable benefit to the community. Ever since its organization Mr. Stephens has been its presi- dent, and the only change in the officers have been in that of cashier, now ably filled by C. F. Thomas.

In 1871 the Pneumatic Gas Company, which had undertaken to supply Woodland with light, failed on account of defects in its system, and a company was formed to buy its plant, with Mr. Stephens as its president. . The purchase

effected, coal gas was substituted, and the new sys- tem, which at once proved a success, has since been in vogue. In 1872 J. W. Peek undertook to supply the city with water, but his project ended in failure. Recognizing the fact that Woodland's prosperity demanded a plentiful supply of water, Mr. Stephens came to the front, took hold of the enterprise, and in company with two other enterprising gentlemen soon placed at the disposal of the citizens a supply inore than sufficient for all purposes. These are but a few of the undertakings to which he has lent a helping hand and assisted to place upon a substantial foundation. Hardlya church is there in Yolo County but acknowledges his liberal generosity, and this though he is not himself identified with any denomination. He has been the consistent champion and patron of education, this fact being particularly empha- sized in the case of Hesperian College, to which his donation was double that of any others and of which he is now a trustee. He has never allowed a benevolent scheme of merit to pass him without substantial encouragement, and yet it is not in such a manner that his benevolence has been. There are men to-day living in California in comfortable and even affluent circumstances, and some who have passed away bore similar testimony, that ascribe-and justly too-to Mr. Stephens their success in life. He found them sometimes in the midst of financial difficulty, made personal investments for them, gave them the results and stood by them when they were on their feet. While one of California's suc- cessful men, he has truly attained his independ- ent affluence without harm to other men. No man is the power for his riches, but many are better and more prosperous.

Perhaps the most striking feature of Mr. Stephens' character is the entire absence of greed of gain, which so often characterizes men wlio are the architects of their own fortunes. A cool, collected, self-contained and apparently easy-going man, of plain, entirely unostenta- tious demeanor, fond of art and of collecting the relics and mementoes of aboriginal times,

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one wonders where there is room for the busi- ness side of his nature which has accomplished such results in the world of commerce and of finance. It is a latent strength which, if nnseen, is none the less felt for that effect. In this re- spect Mr. Stephens may justly be considered a remarkable man, illustrating to a nicety the idea of force without friction.

He has for over forty years been connected with the Masonic order, in "which he yet takes an active interest. He was one of the charter members of the Woodland Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he has since served as Eminent Commander. He is a member of the Sacramento Society of California Pioneers, believing with the best minds of the day in the preservation of the annals of the early days of the State and the recollection of the mem- ories of the men who made the present Cali- fornia possible. He has been a member of the Union Club of San Francisco since 1883. While it may be said that he has never been a man of leisure, but rather one withont leisure from boyhood, he has recognized the necessity of a inan with his many business cares abstaining at times from his customary active methods, and has usually spent his vacations in travel. Among the trips thus taken was one in 1876, during which year he visited the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia and attended the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis. In 1878 he made a tour of Europe, visiting all points of interest. In 1881 he made his last trip East, combining business with pleasure, and in 1885 he visited the New Orleans Exposition and traveled through the Southern States. He also visited Alaska in 1888. Perhaps the most memorable of his pleasure excursions, however, was the one to the Sandwich Islands, in 1887, as one of the Masonic guests of King Kalakaua, a trip which will be incidentally mentioned in connection with its sequel further on in this article.

Mr. Stephens was married at Bellair, Mis- souri, January 4, 1854, to Miss Mary F. Alex- ander, a native of Kentucky, who removed with

her parents to Missouri in 1845. She is of Scotch descent, and her ancestors settled in Virginia at an early day, the city of Alexandria in that State having been named after her grandfather. Three children were born to them, of whom the only one surviving is a daughter, now the wife of Joseph Craig, of Woodland. Mr. and Mrs. Stepbens make their home in the block surrounded by College, First, Cross and Pendegast streets, where they have a stately inansion surrounded by grounds embellished in a happy style of art, which is yet suggestive of nature. These grounds are traversed by walks and drives and ornamented by semi-tropical and other trees, palms, century plants, orange and other trees. One spot is in the form of a circle completely embowered by tropical trees, and in this circle on October 12, 1887, occurred the banquet which may here be reconnted as a fea- ture of one of the most noted entertainments that has ever ocenrred in California.

The following extract from the San Fran- cisco Call well describes the event and the occa- sion for it.

" The Stephens' Luau at Woodland .- The Juan which took place at the residence of Mr. J. D. Stephens, in Woodland last Tuesday even - ing, was an event that will not be forgotten by those present for a long time to come. Mr. Stephens spent a part of last summer on the Hawaiian and neighboring islands, having gone there in company with a large number of Masons, who were invited there by their brother Masons, residents of the island. To illustrate to liis neighbors and friends the habits and customs of the natives in the Cannibal Islands, Mr. Stephens conceived the idea of giving a social party at his residence which would repre- sent similar gatherings of the upper class in that country. While Mr. Stephens and party were at the Hawaiian Islands they were tend- ered a reception after their return home, and re- quested Mrs. George D. Hall, then of Virginia City, Nevada, now of Alameda, and Miss Josie Watkins, now of Tacoma, Washington, who were among his companions to make minute

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note of the details that it might be faithfully reproduced, which was done in the most suc- cessful manner, being both amusing and in- structive to the large number of people present.

" The beautiful residence is situated in the southern part of Woodland city and occupies a place in the middle of a park of abont four acres of ground. The park is laid off in walks and driveways, and is ornamented with shade trees, flowers and fountains. On the east side of the park there is an arbor which is of an ob- long shape, 30 x 80 feet, inclosed by thickly planted cypress trees, which make a solid foli- age on all sides, the branches being sufficiently long to inclose the top, and which has been used for playing toka, and a dining-room on special occasions. It was in this arbor that the aloha was held. The ground had been thickly covered with straw, which was covered with matting. The novel dining-room had three long tables running lengthwise, ten inches high, and the room was lighted by fitty Chinese lanterns, which included all its furniture, there being no chairs. The low tables were well loaded withi all the good things of the State, including stewed dog meat, which is prized so Inghly by the natives of Hawaii, together with many things brought from the islands for the occasion.

" Everything having been put in readiness long before the setting of the sun, the invited guests commenced to arrive before the sun hid itself behind the Coast Range of mountains. As fast as the guests arrived they were con- ducted to a room on the second floor of the resi- dence, were they were provided with a wreath of flowers, which passed under one arm and around the neck. The Woodland orchestra soon took its place on the lawn and filled the park with excellent music, the park being lighted with more than 100 Chinese lanterns, some of which were as large as flour barrels, giving it a most beautiful appearance.

" About six o'clock the grand march com- menced to the arbor, where the royal banquet was spread, all things being represented that were given to the Masons by King Kalakaua on

their arrival at Honolulu, the capital city. The guests first took their places around the table, where the order was given to sit down on the matting with feet under the tables, which was not much of a feat for the young and light weights, but no easy task for the old and corpn- lent. After much time had been spent in feast- ing of the dainties, G. C. Grimes, who had been selected as master of the ceremonies, arose and announced the first toast, " Aloha," which was responded to by Professor J. I. Me- Connell.

" The toasts and responses continued as fol- lows: California, R. H. Beamer; Fraternal Friendship, F. M. Brown; Masonic Excursions to Honolnin, Judge Crowly; Yolo County, F. S. Sprague; Poi, Dr. Ross; Pleasure of a Sea Voyage, E. C. Dozier, of Rio Vista; The Social Side of Life, Hudson Grand; Our Lady Guests, Hon. F. E. Baker; The Pioneers and Native Sons, C. H. Garontte; Music and Flowers, Colonel G. P. Harding; Our Host, Judge J. C. Ball.

"The responses were well received by quiet recognitions of the audience, who were twist- ing their bodies in all kinds of positions hop- ing to find an easier position, with their feet still under the table. While there were many dishes on the tables that are common with the Kanakas, "poi " is the national dish of the Sandwich Islanders. It is obtained from the root of the kalo, which, after having been baked and well beaten on a board with a stone pestle, is then made into a paste with water and allowed to ferment for a few days, when it is fit to be eaten. There is a peculiar breed of dogs which, when exclusively fed on poi, is considered a great delicacy. The kalo plant is grown in wet places. It is said that a patch of kalo forty feet square will yield sufficient food to support a native for a whole year. A square mile would support 1,700 persons. The stewed dog looked tempting, and several partook freely of the dainty dish and pronounced it good. After all had risen and had a good stretch, the music commenced, when a social hour was enjoyed in

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a free-and-easy way which was most suitable to each individual until after midnight."

HOMAS WESTWATER, whose ranchi of fifty acres is about half a mile from Napa, has forty acres in orchard and ten acres in vineyard. The orchard consists of sixteen acres of French prunes, ten acres of Kelsey Japan plnins, eight acres of Bartlett pears, two acres of cherries, two acres of apricots, one acre of peaches, and the remainder in a family variety orchard. The vines are all of the Zinfandel variety. All the fruit trees were planted by Mr. Westwater, the grapes having been planted before he purchased the ranch,

Mr. Westwater has been a resident of Cali- fornia since-and has ever since exhibited a good example to older citizens in the thorough development he has made.

Mr. Westwater was born in Kirkudbright- shire, Scotland, in 1863. He was educated in his native town up to the age of eighteen years, and then engaged in learning the trade of linen manufacturer, in which he spent two years. Business in that line becoming dull, he went to New Zealand and spent two years there in the printing business. His father having come to California and purchased this ranch and some other property, persuaded him to come here also, and he has since developed the great model farm just described. His parents were Andrew and Maggie (Patterson) Westwater, natives and still residents of Scotland.

EORGE W. AND WILLIAM F. OLIVER, two yonng farmers well known throughout Yolo County, are natives of Missouri and the sons of James and Louise Ann (Yornnell) Oliver. Their father was born in Kentucky, in 1807, and has been a farmer all his life; their mother is a native of Missouri, and they are still living, about two miles from their sons.

The family came to California overland in 1859. having a weary voyage of five months. First they rented 200 acres of land in Sacramento County and worked upon it two years. They next moved to a point on the upper Stockton road, five miles southeast of Sacramento, and remained there but one year; then they went into Yolo County and the first year rented a tract of land, and finally, if: 1882, entered the quarter section where they now reside, three miles from Woodland. At present there are eighty acres, which is principally devoted to the raising of grain, and a moderate quantity of fruit.

George W. Oliver was born in 1837; William F. Oliver was born in 1851, and in 1885 mar- ried Miss Mary Billings, in Yolo County, and their children are Elma L. and Daisy E.

- FLANAGAN .- Riverdale, Stanley's ranch, comprises 1,600 acres, all till- able land,-sixty acres in orchard, mostly Bartlett and Beurre Clairgeau pears and French prunes, 110 acres in grape- vines, all resistant stocks, grafted with a variety Clarette grapes, about half of which is now in bearing. There is also a dairy of 266 cows and a tract of about 400 acres devoted to grain- raising; and there is a winery, with a erpacity of about 120,000 gallons of storage, where about 15,000 gallons have been made during the past two years, leaving on hand about 30,000 gal- lons. For his wine Judge Stanley has always had as high a price as forty cents a gallon, while other growers have received from ten to fifteen cents. He expects to extend his vineyard con- siderably. The present stand is: Zinfandel, 10,000; Mataro, 14,000; Black Burgundy, 10,- 500; Cabernet Franc, 6,000; Cabernet Sau- vignon, 6,000; Bedan, 4,500; Tannot, 5,000. The remainder are made up of Tinto Val de Peñas, 8,000; Lenoir, Verdot, Pied de Perdrix, Clarette Blanche, Mondeuse, etc. The wines from each of these grapes is kept separate in the cellar. On the premises there are also ten

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agres of Bartlett pears, ten acres of Benrre Clairgeans, twenty-five acres of French prunes, ten of Japan plums and ten acres of other va- rieties of fruit. Along the roads and through the ranch are avenues and groves of Eucaplytus, which are not only ornamental but useful. They serve as a guard against high winds, and even against frost, thus making a perceptible differ- ence in the climate. For two years, when al- most all the vines in the valley were destroyed by frost, none were injured on this place. The wine cellar has two rooms below and one above gronnd.

Mr. Flanagan has lived in California and on this place for the past nineteen years. On his arrival in this State he ca'ne at once to Napa County and engaged in farming, renting this place from Governor Stanley, the former owner who purchased it from the original grantee. After Governor Stanley's death Mr. Flanagan has been superintendent of the place, managing it for the past fourteen years. He has planted, or superintended the planting of, all vines and trees on the premises, and since the vines have been bearing he has had charge of the winery, making wine of so fine quality as to be worth three times as much as any other manufactured in the State.

Mr. Flanagan was born in County Lowth, Ireland, in 1839. From the age of seventeen to twenty-one he served an apprenticeship in mer- cantile business. He next followed mining eight years in Australia, and five years in New Zealand. In 1870 he came to California, and settled where he now lives.

RS. BARBARA DURST, manager of a farm near Madison, Yolo County, was born in Switzerland, in 1836, daughter of Boldsaer and Anna M. (Swerl) Schengler, natives of that country. Her father in Switzer- land was engaged in the manufacture of woolens in several establishments for twenty-one years, and then he emigrated to the United States and

settled in Wisconsin, where he followed farining until his death in 1870. Her. mother died in 1876, near Cacheville, Yolo County. In 1859 the subject of this sketch was married in Wis- consin, to David Durst, also a native of Swit- zerland. In 1869 they came to California and located at once on Cache Creek, where Mr. Durst died January 13, 1884, leaving three children, namely: John J., who is now aged twenty-seven; Willie B., twenty-five; and Annie M., twenty-two. In October, 1887, Mrs. Durst changed her residence to her present place, four miles from Madison, on the main road to Wood- land. The ranch there contains 160 acres of land, and she also has another adjoining on the southeast, containing 240 acres. The principal product of these farms is grain.

LBERT F. ROSS, Clerk of Shasta County, was born near Millville, same county, June 23, 1861. His ancestors were na- tives of Sweden. His father, Herman F. Ross, was born in Sweden, December 24, 1833. While a boy he was in the mercantile business. In 1842 he went to England and enlisted in the English navy, and participated in the opium war with China. He afterward served on the coast of Africa, capturing slave-traders and sup- pressing the nefarious traffic at that time exten- sively engaged in; and was finally captain of a merchant vessel. He subsequently retired front the sea, settled in the State of Maine and en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. He was there when gold was discovered in California. In 1849 he joined the ranks of those who were seeking the new El Dorado and arrived in Cali- fornia in the spring of 1850. He engaged in mining near Sacramento and on the American River. In 1852 he came to Shasta County, and settled on a farm at Oak Run. He took a prominent part in opening up the country, which was a wilderness at that time, and mak ing roads across the mountains. He was after- ward engaged in teaming from Red Bluff to

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Snsanville, at that time a profitable business. In 1867, in partnership with H. N. Wilkinson, he became the owner of a flouring-mill at Mill- ville. They did a large business, supplying several counties of Northern California with flour and feed, until 1880. This property he still owns, but the construction of the railroad to some extent injured their business. In No- vember, 1859, he married Elizabeth Hunt, a native of Missouri. To them were born two sons, of whom Albert F. is the older one.

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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 110

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