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 117

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 117

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overland to California, with ox teams, starting March 10 and arriving Angust 14. His first stop was among the mines on Hopkins' Creek, in Onion Valley, where he followed mining until about the middle of November, when he went to Yolo County and located 160 acres of land, which has ever since been his home. It was then perfectly wild, the country being over- run with antelope, wild horses and grizzly bears, etc. in the mountains, but he has long since made it a model residence. He also in early day followed mining in Grass Valley, Nevada, and on Feather River, with moderate success. The place at present comprises 340 acres, three miles southwest of Woodland, where Mr. Bray followed general farming, stock-raising, and raises what frnit is needed for family use. He is a practical farmer and a reliable citizen.

lle was married March 4, 1860, to Miss Har- riet Eakee, a native of Jackson County, Ten- nessee, and of their seven children six are now living: Alexander C., John E., who died January 22, 1878, aged fifteen years, four months and twenty-five days; Sara A., Lncy J., James I., William H. and Mary C.

ANS P. JESSEN, dealer in lumber and building material of every description, also liay, grain, coal, salt, bale rope, barb-wire, etc., Haywards, is also the owner and manager of a line of freight schooners plying between Jessen's Landing and San Francisco, making regular trips, and also of a warehouse at the landing. He is a native of Schleswig, Germany, born January 4, 1847, and was brought np there in farming pursuits until 1864, when he came to America, landing at New York. He came thence by way of Panama to San Francisco, and soon located near Haywards, engaging in farm- ing. In 1867 he established the salt works four miles west of Haywards, which he conducted for a number of years and still owns. Later he leased the works and established his present business. He is also agent for the Sun Fire

Insurance Company of London. Mr. Jessen was the son of Jesse and Katrina (Kirkman) Jessen, natives of Germany. He was married at Monnt Eden, Alameda County, March 16, 1877, to Miss Christina Hansen, and they have three children,-Catherine E., James F. and Ada. Mr. Tessen is a member of Sycamore Lodge, No. 129, I. O. O. F., and also of the Encampment, No. 28, at Haywards.

ILLIAM F. CASSEL, a farmer residing between Woodland and Davisville, was born October 10, 1832, in Washington County, Virginia, a son of John and Anna (Week:) Cassel. His father, a native also of Virginia, and a farmer by occupation, moved from that State to Cole County, Illinois, in 1833, being a pioneer there. He took up Government land, a part of which is now within the limits of Charleston, the connty-seat, and remained thereon until the death of his wife in March, 1855. He then sold ont and removed to Adams County, same State, where he resided nntil his death, March 24, 1887, when he was aged ninety-three years and three months, and three days before his death he walked a distance of six miles.

Mr. William F. Cassel, the subject of this biographical mention, was brought up on a farm. At the age of fifteen years he left home and drifted about, visiting New Orleans, St. Louis, Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc., until Decem- ber 9, 1850, when he left for California. He sailed from New York on the Northern Light to Greytown, and from the Istlimns to San Francisco, arriving March 9, 1851. He went to the mines in Sierra County, near Downieville, and he remembers well the evening that place received its name. He thinks that Mr. Downie spent at least $10,000 for drinks that evening ! Mr. Cassel remained there until 1863, experi- encing the usual vicissitudes of a miner's life and enjoying moderate success. He then por- chased land in Sonoma County, near Santa Rosa

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improved and cultivated it and made it his home until October, 1877, when he sold out and moved into Yolo County, upon his present property of 320 acres of choice farming land, six miles from Woodland and four from Davis- ville, with good gravel roads to each place. There he is engaged in stock-raising and gen- eral agriculture. He is a practical fariner and his place is always found in a presentable condi- tion.

He was married in December, 1860, to Mrs. Sarah Lowe, a native of England, and they have five sons and two daughters, viz .: Hiram F., deceased, Robert E., William F., Leonard J., Sarah B., Addie M., deceased, and Richard C.

ATTHIAS C. PETERSEN, a horticult- urist and farmer near Haywards, was born in Denmark, May 22, 1850, and was brought up a farmer. In 1869 he emi- grated to America, landing at New York, whence he shortly came on to San Francisco by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and immedi- ately located at Haywards. There he worked upon a farm until 1875, when he purchased thirty-five acres of fine orchard and farm land, and devoted it to the purposes mentioned. He has twenty-two acres in choice fruits, the prod- ncts of which he ships to the San Francisco markets. He is a member of the Board of Town Trustees, and in his political views is a Demo- crat. He was married at Haywards, to Ther- esa Frank, a native of Germany, who came to America in 1868. Their six children are Mar- tin, Catherine, Arthur, Mattie, Edlif and Eu- gene. Mr. Petersen is the son of Martin and Hachie (Eskelsen) Petersen, both natives of Denmark.

B ENNETT JAMES, deceased .- Since the settlement of Napa County it is probable that no other man ever attained so warm a place in the hearts of his fellow-citizens as he 47

whose name commences this article. No his- tory can do credit to such a man in a personal mention of his career, as being of a modest de- meanor many of the acts of kindness and charity which so endeared him to all with whom he came in contact are not matters of record except in the hearts of those who are better for having known him. This innch may be said in this connection, however, that the impress of his character is indelibly affixed upon the commun- ity of which he was so long an honored mem- ber. In a work such as this, a part of whose mission is to collect and preserve for posterity, not only the deeds of worthy men, but some- thing in regard to those who performed them, a more than passing notice of such men as Ben- nett James becomes valuable and even essential.

He came of a family prominent in business and other circles, many of whose members achieved positions of high honor and trust. His father, Colonel Austin James, who was reared at Florissant, Missouri, and afterward removed to Illinois, was a prominent figure in the early political history of the latter State, as well as in the military circles; while his uncle, General Thomas James, was one of the early traders, who, while residing in southwestern Illinois, took an active part in the early commercial business of the Southwest, his operations ex- tending as far as Santa Fe and the Rocky Mountains, and even as a member of the Mc- Knight party, the well known old-time Indian traders to the Pacific coast.

Bennett James, the subject of this sketch after receiving the education afforded by the schools of his native place, began attendance at the St. Louis University. When about nine- teen years of age his talents won for him the appointment to a cadetship at the National Military Academy at West Point at the hands of the Congressman from his district, where he made an enviable record. Having completed the course within three months of graduation, and not desiring a commission in the army, he was honorably discharged. Returning to his home in Illinois, he resided at the home farm

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of his father until 1852, when he joined a party made up for the most part at St. Louis, bound for California. With them he made the long trip across the plains, and, as the journey was accomplished with ox teams, considerable time wag consumed before the goal was reached. The first permanent stop in California was made at Hangtown, and Mr. James was soon engaged, like so many others, in gold-seeking. His prin- cipal mining experience at first was in the canips of Calaveras County. Later, however, he went up on Feather River, and there he al- lied himself with a company which organized to turn the river and work the bed, which was considered to be rich in gold. At the cost of enormous labor and expense the work was finally completed, and when everything was in readi- ness the men were set to work mining, and Mr. James went to breakfast. While at his meal the damn gave way and an investment of $100,000 was swept away almost in the twink- ling of an eye. This misfortune decided Mr. James' conrse, and his intention was at once formed to give up mining. He began settling up his business affairs in the State; and a few months later, April 18, 1859, he started on his return, via Panama, to Illinois, and arrived at his old home in the following month. On the 18th of April, 1860, just a year after he left California, he was married to the lady who was thereafter his life companion. On his return he engaged in the general merchandise trade at Harrisonville, and in 1861 embarked in ware- housing and shipping on the river.

In 1868 he removed with his family to Cali- fornia, via New York and Panama, landing at San Francisco on the 2nd day of December. After some two weeks spent in the city, they went to Mission San José, where they remained abont six months, then came to Napa County. Mr. James purchased a ranch of 287 acres about two miles west of Napa, and to this he devoted his attention largely for years, giving some prominence to fruit-raising. There he resided until the removal of the family to Napa. He established himself in the lumber business in

Napa and carried on a successful business in that line until, on account of ill-health, he relin- quished its managementto his son, L. L., in 1879.

From the carly days of his residence in the county, his many sterling qualities began to at- tract to him a strong personal following, and this eventnally resulted in his being called to official life, though he was not. in the strict meaning of the term, a politician. He was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, and his record therein for two terms fully justi- fied the high estimation in which he was held by his friends. This was followed by his elec- tion to the office of Sheriff, which he held from 1877 until the time of his death. He was not a man to go out and work for his own political advancement, and would never consent to make the race for a nomination unless satisfied that the field was open for him without antagonizing those whom he counted among his friends.

In his family relations he was peculiarly happy, and in his own home his noblest quali- ties were brought out. His wife, whose maiden name was Emily Bamber, was a native of Har- risonville, Monroe County, Illinois, a daughter of William and Mary (James) Bamber. IIer father, who is still living, was born in Mary- land of English parentage, and removed with his parents to Illinois when he was a mere child. There he married and yet resides, though his wife is now deceased. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James, of whom one died in infancy. Those living are: Leander L., whose sketch follows; Clement Laurel, who is in the hardware business in Napa, manager of the firin of James & Son; Agnes M., Annie T., Edward A., William B., Francis L. and Edith.

The death of Bennett James occurred on the 30th of November, 1884, and a profound gloom was thereby thrown over the community, where he was so loved and honored.

HIis funeral, which is said to have been the most notable one held in Napa County is thus referred to by the Napa Journal of December 4, 1884:

" The funeral of Sheriff Bennett James took

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

place from the family residence Wednesday morning at half past nine o'clock, the following gentlemen acting as pall-bearers: B. Little, A. J. Raney, Dennis Spencer, J. A. McClelland, Dr. F. M. Hackett, B. L. Robinson,. N. L. Nielsen, E. G. Young, F. L. Coombs, George E. Goodman, Judge W. C. Wallace, Eli Hottel, John Simmons and A. G. Boggs. The sad pro- cession proceeded to the Catholic Church where a requiem high mass was celebrated for the repose of the soul of the faithful departed. The church was filled with the mourning relatives and friends who had gone to pay their last re- speets to the mortal remains of that noble man, whose death had cast a gloom over the entire community. The mass was chanted in solemn tones by Rev. Father Slattery, and the responses came in silvery tones from the regular church choir, assisted by the Misses Edith and Rose Stanley, of St. Ignatius choir, San Francisco. The Misses Stanley also sang several duets ap- propriate to the ceremony. At the conclusion of the elaborate mass, Rev. Father Slattery said it was not the custom of the church to deliver a sermon on the death of a member, extolling the virtues he possessed in discharging his duty, but, in obedience to the dictates of his con- science, on this occasion he could not refrain from memtioning some of the noble traits of the deceased who had ever been a fearless and faithful champion of his religion, a generous and hearty supporter of the church, a true and devoted husband, and a loving and indulgent father, and an honorable citizen in the com- munity. During his remarks he delivered a eulogy on the life of his beloved friend that touched the hearts of all present.

" The funeral cortege left the church about 12 o'clock and the remains were escorted to Tulo- cay cemetery by the heart-stricken family and a great concourse of sorrowing friends, there being in the line of procession about 120 car- riages. Arriving at the grave the priest read the services of the Catholic Church, and thus the last sad rites were performed over him whose life was a noble example to all mankind."

The Board of Supervisors, recognizing his services in behalf of the people and his high standing in the community, expressed the gen- eral sentiment of the citizens, together with their own in the following:

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE BENNETT JAMES, SHERIFF OF NAPA COUNTY.

WHEREAS, Death has taken from our midst the late Sheriff of Napa County, Bennett James, it is therefore, by the Court and its officers,

Resolved, That by his death this Court has lost a faithful and conscientious officer, the county an efficient servant, the community an honorable citizen and his family a true and affectionate husband and father.

Resolved, That in his publie and private life he was esteemed as a man of unswerving honor and integrity, and of high and moral character; that he was benevolent in his daily walks of life, kind and sympathetic by nature, a Christian in faith and in practice, and his conduct always the result of his convictions.

Resolved, That the family of the deceased have the profound sympathy of this Conrt and its officers.

Resolved, That this resolution be spread upon the minutes of this Court, and that a copy of the same be transmitted to the family of the de- ceased.

SEAL.

F. L. COOMBS, DENNIS SPENCER, HENRY C. GESFORD, E. D. HAM, F. E. JOHNSTON,

A trne copy. Attest

N. L. NIELSEN, Clerk.

Mr. James was in his every-day life a Chris- tian man, and was one of the mainstays of the Catholic Church of Napa. In February, 1846, while a boy attending the St. Louis University, he identified himself with the Arch-Confrater - nity of Our Lady of Victory, and took an active part in the work of the Young Men's Sodality. His zeal in the faith continned all through lite and was one of his greatest consolations in the

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hour of death. On the monument which marks his last resting place, this simple, yet touching inscription, suggested by his fellow officials, tells the epitomized story of his character.

"An honest, upright man-in all things just."

EANDER L. JAMES, the eldest of the children of the late Bennett James, and one of the leading business men of Napa, is a native of Harrisonville, Monroe County, Illinois, born in 1861. When he was eight years of age be accompanied his parents on their removal to California and was virtually reared in this State. He commenced his education in the schools of Napa and finished at St. Mary's College, San Francisco, where he graduated in June, 1879. Hardly had this event occurred when he was called to assume the cares and responsibilities of business, his father's sickness necessitating our subject's presence in the office and yards of the lumber establishment in Napa. He at once set abont familiarizing himself with the details of the business, inside and outside, and soon assumed the entire management, which he thereafter retained. When his father's death occurred, our subject was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill out the unexpired term in the office of Sheriff, and although only two months of the term remained, he settled up in a most complete manner, all his father's official business. Regarding his appointment to this position, the Napa Journal of December 4, 1884, says:

" A GRACEFUL COMPLIMENT.

" The Board of Supervisors met pursuant to call last Monday morning for the purpose of filling the official vacancy caused by the death of Sheriff James. All the members were pres- ent, and they decided unanimously to appoint Mr. Leander L. James, eldest son of the deceased Sheriff, to fill the unexpired term which runs till the first Monday in January. Mr. James the same day filed the necessary bond with the

following sureties: A. G. Boggs, John Even and J. A. McClelland, in the sum of $5,000 each; F. Borreo and C. B. Seeley in the sum of $2,500 each. The appointment of Mr. James meets with approval everywhere, and is a grate- ful acknowledgment of the popularity of the deceased Sheriff. and of the respect in which he was held by the people of Napa County. The new Sheriff is a young man of excellent char- acter, enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him, and will no doubt discharge the duties of the office during the remainder of the term in a satisfactory manner. He is probably the youngest Sheriff in California, being but twenty-three years of age."

Since leaving the Sheriff's office Mr. James has, with the exception of the commendable in- terest he has taken in the advancement of the welfare of this community, devoted his entire attention to the lumber business of the firm of L. L. James & Co. This business was started abont 1875, by James & Boggs, but since 1886 has been conducted under the present firm title. A large wholesale and retail business is done in redwood and pine lumber, importations being made direct from the Humboldt region and from Puget Sound. Their yards are located adjacent to the river, so that they have unusual facilities for the speedy loading and nnloading of vessels. Besides their large local and water trade, they ship a great deal of building mate- rial by rail and teain up the Napa Valley and along its borders.

Much of Napa's outside reputation has been achieved through the medium of her splendid agricultural fairs and races, which easily hold a place in the front rank on the Pacific coast. This reputation has not been acquired without hard work, push and enterprise on the part of her people, and especially of a few leading spirits. Among these Mr. James is recognized as one of the most active. His labors as Presi- dent of Agricultural District No. 25, and of the Napa Agricultural Society (which owns the Napa Agricultural Park, at which the district fairs are held), have been invaluable as a means of

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promoting a spirit of emulation among the pro- ducers of the soil and of the factory, and last, but not least, among the breeders of fine stock who have made California famous. Good man- agement is required to attract the best of these, and their coming to Napa each year has now become an established custom.

Mr. James also takes a lively interest in the work of the Young Men's Institute, of which he lias for two terms been President, as well as having served the grand body in the capacity of Grand Marshal.

Mr. James is a Democrat, but though re- garded as a power in political circles he lias never yet consented to stand for official position.

He was married in 1883 to Miss Sylvia Mc- Glew, of San Francisco, daughter of Thomas McGlew. They have two children, viz .: Ben- nett and Leander L.

LBERT E. AKERMAN, one of the old and respected tradesmen of the pleasant and prosperous town of Haywards, was born at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, June 14, 1824. His father, Barnett Akerman, was a native of the same State, and a wheelwright by trade. The subject's mother, maiden name Margaret Whidden, was also a native of New Hampshire. Albert learned his trade in Ports- mouth, and went to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1845, and followed his trade there nntil 1849. Then he continued in the same business at Can- ton, Illinois, until 1851, when he came across the plains to California, by way of the South Platte. After arriving here he followed his trade for a few months in San Francisco; then six months in Nevada County; next he followed mining at Alta, Placer County, until 1856; then he pursued his vocation at Redwood City, San Mateo County, for about four years; then in San Jose one year; returning to Redwood City, he established a shop there and carried on his business until 1864, when he sold out and went to Stockton; a year afterward he went to

Alvarado, Alameda County, and was there until 1869; next he spent a short time in Haywards, and then three years at Redwood City again; and finally he located permanently at Haywards, where he carries on a good shop and has a good business on B street, painting carriages and wagons. He is at present one of the Town Trustees; is a Republican, and a member of Crusade Lodge, No. 93, I. O. O. F., of Alvarado.

Mr. Akerman and Mrs. Priscilla Patch were joined in wedlock in Oakland in 1867, and their two children are Sarah and William.

RANK L. COOMBS, attorney at law, and now for the second termn representing his district in the State Legislature, is a native Californian, having been born in Napa, Decem- her 27, 1853. Attending the public schools until sixteen years of age he was then sent to Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended the High School. He received his legal education at the Columbian Law School, Washington, District of Columbia, being admitted to prac- tice before the District Supreme Court in 1875. Returning to California he engaged in the practice of law, and was elected District At- torney of Napa County for two terms. Ile served five years, holding over for one year on the first term, until the provisions of the new constitution should take effect. His parents were Nathan and Isabella (Gordon) Coombs, his father a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of New Mexico. His father crossed the plains to Oregon in 1842, arriving in this State a year later, and settled in Yolo County, where he engaged in cattle-raising. Ile was one of the original " Bear Flag" party, which in Sonoma in 1846 first raised the flag of Califor- nian independence of Mexico. In 1845 he acquired a Spanish grant, which included the present site of the city of Napa, and mnuch of this land is still in possession of his children. He represented the county for two terins in the State Legislature.

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Mr. Frank Coombs was married in 1879, to Miss Belle M. Roper, a native of Boston, whom he had met while attending school there. Her parents were Foster and Sophia Roper, now residents of Napa. They have three children, Nathan, Amy and Frank. Mr. Coombs and family are attendants of the Presbyterian Church. He has always been an ardent sup- porter of the Republican party and its ideas. He is largely interested in stock-raising, agri- culture and horticulture. He has one ranch of 350 acres and another of 1,200 acres in the vicinity of Napa. On one of these he has an orchard of twenty acres of peaches, the fruit of which is mostly sold in San Francisco. The balance of these ranches is devoted to the rais- ing of fine stock, and the necessary hay and pasturage for them. His cattle are mostly dairy cows of fair grade, but his horses are of fine trotting strains, of the Dexter, Wilkes, Mambrino, Patchen, Almont and other leading families. One of these, Lillie Stanley, has muade 2:17g on the Napa course. Those still too young for the track are giving promise of great speed. But his enthusiastic interest in his work as a legislator has given Mr. Coombs his greatest prominence in public affairs. Dur- ing the two sessions in which he has been a Representative, lie has never missed a morning roll-call, and in the last he was the Republican nominee for Speaker of the Assembly. Among other important measures with which he has been identified was the passage of the " pure wine law," which he framed, and which promises to be of great benefit to that interest in the State. He conceived the idea that as the citrus fruits matured too late to take advantage of the county fairs, there should be held in the winter season a series of citrus fairs, and to that end introduced an item into the general bill appro- priating $10,000 to aid that movement, and in order to prevent any conflict arising from local jealousy provided that one-half should be ex- pended in Sonthern and one-half in Northern California. He assisted materially in the pas- sage of the Wright Irrigation Bill, to which,

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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 117

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