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 127

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 127

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famous Thomas Jefferson. Now he devotes himself to Hambletonian stock altogether, being the owner of Whippleton, a stallion that has become famous as the sire of fast horses. He is a beautiful black stallion with tan muzzle and flanks, stands almost if not quite seventeen hands, and is well finished in every particular. He is an exceptionally well put-up animal, strong and museular, with the well developed Hambletonian characteristics. His colts are uniformily cast in his own mould, and all of them are speedy.

On the same farm there are two other stallions standing for public service, both of which are worth more than passing mention.

The first of these is Alcona 730, by the great Almont the Kentucky horse, by Alexander's Abdallah (sire of Goldsmith Maid, 2:14), he by Rysdyk's Hambletonian, Aleona's dam, Queen Mary by Mainbrino Chief, the celebrated Lillie Stanley, record 2:172, belonging to Hon. Mr Coombs, and Homestead, 2:16g, belonging to Senator Hearst, are both of same get.

Aleona is a beautiful chestnut 16.3 hands high, of grand conformation and undoubted speed. Since his advent into California the mares served by him have not been gilt-edged, as far as fashionable breeding is concerned, yet his colts all show good speed, several of which are far above the average.

Grandissimo is a full brother to Grandec, 2:23g, made as a three-year-old. He is by Le Grande (son of Almont, and out of Jessie Pep- per, by Mambrino Chief; dam Norma by Ar- thurton; Grandam Nourmahal.

Grandissimo is only three years old, is a magnificent mahogany bay, and will be when at full growth over sixteen hands in height. He is a splendid specimen of the perfeet horse, and should be a valuable adjunct to the Vineland Farm.

Mr. Loeber has made careful selection of the mares on his place, and they are all individually of great merits, of which he has a large number. He has worked himself up from bedrock, as the saying is, beginning in a very small way, and

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gradually increasing his business as opportunity offered, and arousing a great deal of enthusiasm throughout the county. As already stated he was one of the most active mnovers in the organ- ization of the Napa and Solano Agricultural Association as a distinct body from the well- known Sonoma and Marin Association. It is admitted on all hands that they have the best track in America, if not in the world, and is utilized by leading horse-breeders throughout the continent for speeding trials. Mr. Loeber was the president of the association for the first two years of its existence, and is still a director. He is on the high road to success, and he fully deserves it, for he is an earnest, conscientious horseman, liked by all who know him, and with well wishes, whose name is legion. He is an ardent and active Democrat, having taken part in all their conventions of late years, although refusing himself to accept office. He was mar- ried February 5, 1880, to Miss Alice Griffith, daughter of the well-known pioneer Calvin C. Griffith, of the Napa Valley. They have three children.

APTAIN M. G. RICHIE .- We take pleasure in according herewith a position of prominence to the following sketeh of the eventful and interesting life-history of Cap- tain M. G. Richie, an Argonaut of California and one of the most esteemed and represent- ative citizens of Napa County. He has the honor, moreover, to have visited these shores long before the tide of gold-seekers set in, con- sequent upon the discovery of the precious metal in 1848, and is consequently entitled to speak with authority upon all questions of the older days.

Captain Richie was born September 26, 1813, on the banks of the noble St. Lawrence River, in Jefferson County, New York, about two miles below the town of Cape Vincent. Being of an active disposition, he manifested a preference for the sea, starting out before the mast on the

rivers and lakes first and afterward on deep water vessels. He made many long voyages, visiting, in the course of them, almost all portions of the globe. It was on a whaling voyage to the Pacific Ocean that he visited California, as already stated, running into Yerba Buena for water and supplies and wintering at Sausalito. This was in 1836, during the Mexican occupation, when Yerba Buena was a very insignificant little vil- lage, little foreshadowing the great city that was afterward to rise npon its site. Captain Richie was also for a number of years upon the great lakes, spending his summers there during the season of navigation, and the winters upon the Mississippi and tributary rivers, in command of schooners and of steamers on the Mississippi. He also spent considerable time in traveling over a great portion of Canada, making collec- tions for a Connectient firm of clock-makers, and in other employments. Captain Richie started at the bottom, without financial assistance of any magnitude from his parents, but honorably making his own way and earning every dollar he could call his own. The best part of his education has been gained in the practical school of experience, for being watchful and observant he was always ready to take advan- tage of every opportunity that presented itself. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that upon the news of the discovery of gold flying over the land, he should turn his face again to this fair land of California; and accordingly, in the summer of 1849, he crossed the Isthmus of Darien, made his way to San Francisco, and at once went on to the diggings at Hangtown, now Placerville. He engaged extensively in the business of carry- ing goods by pack train throughout the north- ern diggings, also running trading posts at dif- ferent points, such as Nevada City, Grass Val- ley, Minnesota Bar, etc., etc. He continued in the mines, meeting with fair success until 1857, when he came down to Sonoma County, pur- chased a raneh on Mark West Creek and engaged extensively in the stock business, raising cattle, horses and sheep. During his residence there he discovered the Mark West Springs, now so cele-

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brated for their medicinal virtues, and popularity as a summer resort. Later on he engaged again in mining, making a trip through Mexico with an eye to investing in mining property, but finding nothing satisfactory. He got back to San Francisco on the very day the ship Aquilla was sunk at Hathaway's Wharf in 1865. The Captain then began the development of quartz mining at Agua Caliente, in the mountains back of Los Angeles, erecting a mill, and engaging extensively in business. He still owns mining properties in that section, but is not at present working them. In 1867 he came np to the Napa Valley and commenced farming on a ranch of 250 acres, which he rented of the Money estate, but has since purchased. Later on he bought the ranch on which he now re- sides, lying just south of the other place. The soil comprised in these ranches is the fertile black allnvium for which the valley is cele- brated, there being no better land anywhere under the sun than it is. Here he carried on general farming for many years, until feeling a desire to enjoy the pleasures of a quiet life during his latter years -- so amply deserved by his long, active and energetic youth and man- hood-he has given over the management of affairs to his step-sons, and is himself living the life of a retired gentleman in his comfort- able home.

He was married November 28, 1867, to Mrs. Elizabeth Money, in Napa County, she being a native of Illinois, and her maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Martin. By her first husband she has four sons, of whom two, John C. and Corne lius C., are engaged successfully in business in St. Helena; and the other two, Thomas P. and Josephi C., live on the ranches, and are carrying them on. They are all married, and are doing well for themselves, being sensible, energetic and deserving young men, in every respect.

Captain Richie is a member of the Masonic or- der, of high standing. He became a member of Occidental Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M., December 21, 1862,; of St. Helena Chapter, No. 63, R. A. M., Jnne 16, 1886, and of Santa Rosa Com-

mandery, No. 14, Knights Templar, August 2, 1886. lle is a shareholder and director of the Carver National Bank in St. Helena.

Captain Richie has led a very active and use- ful life, full of change and variety. In all he has been the soul of honor and uprightness, winning the respect and confidence of everyone, and is able now to look forward with calmness to a serene and happy old age, surrounded by his excellent family, and in possession of all the comforts of life.

EORGE P. WALLACE .- This worthy pioneer and respected citizen of Napa County was born October 6, 1812, near Murfreesborongh, in middle Tennessee, his father, who was a native of the State of Georgia, bearing the same name. He is the sixth child of a family of nine children, of whom three sons and two daughters were older, and two sons and one daughter were younger. The boys were all tall and well-built men, having a united length among the six of them of thirty-nine feet and a weight of 1,200 pounds! Mr. Wallace was, until bowed down by sickness, a man six feet six inches in height, and of fine proportions. From the first he had to make his own way, being raised on his father's farm and tanght to work hard. In 1835 he left Tennessee and went to Benton County in Northwestern Ar- kansas, where he farined, until, in 1852, he determined to come to California with a band of cattle, his brother-in-law, Mr. Calvin Holmes, now of Knight's Valley, coming with him. They made the trip overland to Nicolans, on the Feather River, in five months, bringing a band of between 500 and 600 cattle,-a pretty good record. From Nicolaus Mr. Wallace went to Mark West Creek, in Sonoma County and purchasing a place carried on general farm- ing until, in 1862, he sold out and went to the Loconomo Valley, settling where Middletown is now situated. From there he came to Pope Valley in 1868 and bought 500 acres, which he

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still owns, and is now being farmed for him by his son George P., Jr. This is a very valuable piece of property, having a hill of limestone, upon which Mr. Wallace has constructed a lime- kiln, one of the few in the county. In October, 1887, he came to St. Helena and bought his present pleasant residence on Spring street, with the two lots adjoining, where he is spending in comfort and quiet the evening of a long, event- ful, energetic and useful life. He is a decided, out-and-out, straight Democrat of pronounced principles. His hosts of friends have repeat- edly solicited him to allow himself to be put up as a candidate for County Judge, for the Legis- lature, for Justice of the Peace, etc., but he always consistently refused, preferring to devote himself strictly to private affairs. Mr. Wallace is a man of immense determination and an iron constitution, otherwise he could not have ac- complished what he lias and to go through what he has. On December 10, 1867, he had a stroke of paralysis, from which he is still a sufferer, but yet clear-headed, bright, and, considering the circumstances, remarkably active. He was married at Osage Prairie, Arkansas, to Miss Cynthia Holmes, and when he crossed the plains had four small children. His wife and two sons, and two daughters, now lie buried in the cemetery at St. Helena. Three sons and one daughter are still alive. They are: Clarence H., a civil engineer in San Francisco; Phineas, who is farming 320 acres in Pope Valley; George P., Jr., on the home place, also in Pope Valley, and Sarah P., with her father at home.

J. McINTIRE .- The history of this wor- thy resident of the Napa Valley is one of steady, consistent progress, of hard nnre- mitting labor, it is true, yet crowned with suc- cess so amply 'deserved by him. He was born in Ohio, December 24, 1835. When he was but thirteen years of age he had the misfortune to lose his parents, and since that time has had to struggle for himself, making his way from

the first. He went to Kentucky and ob- tained work upon a farm, and continued at it until 1856, when he determined to come to California. He set out with a train of some 100 wagons and a great many head of cattle. There was much trouble on this journey, as the whole plains were covered with outfits and the stock so numerons that the grazing was worthless. Indians, too, were very bad at this time, run- ning off stock at every opportunity. As a result, there was a great deal of dividing and parcelling and much loss. At one place Mr. McIntire helped bury three men who had been killed by the Indians. The time consumed on this passage was about four months. Young McIntire, for he was only nineteen, came di- rectly to Napa Valley, and rented land from Mr. Yonnt, which he farmed, continuing to rent for fifteen years. He then bought his present fine ranch of 750 acres, and has resided there since, putting up one of the finest residences in the section, surrounded as it is by a splendid grove of trees. He has always been a farmer, attending to his own business and interfering with none. He is a Democrat of decided views, but has never accepted office. He was married February 4, 1864, to Mrs. Elizabeth Walters, in this valley who has since died. He has one son named Henry Clay, after the great statesman. He was born June 16, 1865, and is of the same open and engaging manners as his father.

D. HUGHES .- Like so many others of the older citizens of Napa Valley, Mr. Hughes has had a life of unnsual activity and incident, one that is well worth both the telling and the hearing. He was born in Gal- latin County, Kentucky, in 1819, his father being a fariner of that section, and was raised and educated there. For six years of his younger lite he acted as pilot on the Illinois River, but at the outbreak of the Mexican war enlisted and served in the American army. He saw active service during the whole contest.

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taking part in the battle of Buena Vista aïnong others. It was after this battle that the Mexi- can commander used the words now become historical, that " it was the first time he had ever fought with men who did not know when they were whipped, for he had had the Ameri- can forces defeated more than once." Yet they fought on and won the victory against odds es- timated at ten to one. In 1854 Mr. Hughes came overland to California by ox team, the journey from Independence, Missouri, to Chiles Valley in this county, his destination, occupying six months to the day. He camne at once down to the Napa Valley and stayed until the spring of 1855. From there he went to the Putah Valley, and in 1857 to Spring Mountain with stock, where he remained until 1861. That being the time of the Washoe excitement he teamed for a year from Sacramento to Carson City, finally in 1862 returning to the Napa Valley and taking stock over into Nevada. In 1863 he moved his cattle into Idaho and stayed until 1867. Coming back to California he went with a band of horses and mules to Oregon in the fall of that year. In the following spring lie took them to Idalio, and in the fall sold out and once more returned to California. In 1869 Mr. Hughes went back to Kentucky and re- mained until 1872, taking to himself in the meantime, in 1870, a wife in the person of Miss - Brown, herself a native of Kentucky. They came direct to St. Helena, when Mr. Hughes took a band of jacks and jennies up to Oregon. On his return he bought a ranch of 160 acres, which he still owns, in Chiles Cañon, and put stock on it. For twelve years he re- mained in the stock business there, when the encroachments of settlers so limited the monn- tain ranges as to force him out of the business on anything but a small scale. He accordingly removed to St. Helena in 1882, and has lived here since in a comfortable residence on Kear- ney street, surrounded by all the comforts of life amid a circle of warm friends. They have only one son, James Neil Hughes, born in 1870 and residing at home. Mrs. Hughes carries on

the leading general millinery and dressmaking establishment on Main street, in St. Helena, being the oldest of its kind in the town. She employs from six to twelve persons according to the season, and commands a large and fashion- able trade.

ILLIAM HAWES, one of the leading and most influential ranchers of Shasta County, was born in New York, May 8, 1836. His father, Michael Hawes, was a native of Germany, born December 25, 1811, was an industrious farmer and blacksmith in the father- land, and came to America in 1830, settling in the State of New York. He married Martha Hoffon, a native of Pennsylvania, and they had ten children, six of whom still survive.

The subject of this sketch was raised and educated in his native State, attended the public schools in winter, and in summer helped his father on the farmn and in his blacksmith shop. When twenty-four years of age he de- cided to try California, and in 1859 reached the Pacific coast. He went to Shasta County and at Horsetown engaged in mining and entting logs. A year afterward he removed to Oregon Gulch and worked in the mines eighteen months withont losing a day, and received for his work $900. He then went to the American ranch and worked six months. April 20, 1862, mar- ried Miss Rebecca Foster. They had six chil- dren, five of whom are living, namely: John L., Henry N., Grandville, Daniel R. and Alice, al born in Shasta County.

For a year Mr. Hawes ran the Anderson Hotel. That was before the farmn of Anderson was started, and it was then called the American ranch, and many teamsters and travelers stopped there. Then Mr. Hawes came to his present locality, and purchased 120 acres of rich farm- ing land for $700; and since then he has pur- chased 1,400 acres, 1,200 in one body. On this property he is carrying on stock and grain farm- ing on a large scale; keeps improved machinery.

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He raised in one year, from 400 acres of wheat, 7,200 bushels, and his smallest crop of wheat has been 3,000 bushels, but that year he did not have so much land sowed. He built a good raneh residence in 1876; has surrounded him- self with fruit of nearly every description and is also turning his attention considerably to raisin grapes. He has four-year-old vines from which he has picked from forty to sixty pounds to the vine.

In 1875 it was his misfortune to lose his wife by death, and in 1876 he married Miss Hen- rietta Young, a native of Germany. They have one son, Jacob. Mr. Hawes has belonged both to the Grangers and Odd Fellows. In polities he is a Republican. He has frequently been trustee of his school district, and in 1890 was elected a delegate to the Republican State con- vention at Sacramento, which nominated Colonel Markham for Governor. Mr. Hawes is a man full of enterprise, eager to help in every under- taking intended to improve and benefit his county, and he is one of its most successful ranchers.

EORGE C. FOUNTAIN, viticulturist, was born at Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York, January 19, 1826, at a point only a 100 yards from the bay, now used as a quaran- tine station. His father was an extensive vessel owner, having many schooners trading on the bay and sound. The son received his educa- tion in the schools of the section, and when six- teen years of age entered the employment of a mercantile firm. Later he went to Wisconsin, where he remained for some time, and in the summer of 1849 sailed one of his father's schooners. Finally, in February, 1850, he set ont for California via Panama, coming up on the first trip of the old Tennessee. After two weeks in San Francisco lie set out for Humboldt Bay on the schooner J. M. Ryerson, in charge of a stock of goods which he was to sell for another party on shares. They had the terribly long passage

of twenty-six days, but crossed the bar safely, the Ryerson being the second vessel to do so, and at Uniontown (now Arcata) landed to begin busi- ness. His partner sold out withont consulting him, however, leaving him stranded. He set out for the Klamath mines, but was driven baek by the Indians, and at the end of summer re- turned to San Francisco. He then engaged in the draying and lighterage business, which at that time was very profitable. This he continued until 1852, when the construction of wharves, etc., destroyed his business. The hay, grain and feed business was his next undertaking, carry- ing it on upon one of his lighters, which he turned into a feed-boat and moored at the corner of Jackson and Sansome streets. A few months later he removed to Pine street, near Sansome, and with a partner, under the firm name of Chase & Fountain, conducted business until 1852. In the spring of that year he rented the old Niantic, corner of Sansome and Clay streets, and did a great business in supplying water to ships and those who needed it. The water was drawn from a pile which had been sunk deep and then bored through. He used to water horses at fifty cents a week, and sell the fluid at fifty cents a barrel. In a year he sold his in- terest and opened np a feed store on Davis street, where he continued till 1856. Mr. Fountain is now the last of the old hay, grain and feed dealers of San Francisco's early days that is left alive. His accounts of the quick gains and the equally quick losses of those times and the strange shifts to which they were often redneed, is very entertaining. In 1856 Mr. Fountain went to Sacramento and carried on the feed, storage and commission business in the old Car- penter building, the firm being Fountain & Ferral. He resided there until 1860. Being an active Republican he naturally took a great interest in political matters. It was chiefly on inoney supplied by him that the newspaper, The Republican, so well known to old-timers, was started. In 1860 he went baek to San Fancisco and under the firm namne of Place & Fountain, at the corner of Stewart and Folsom

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streets, was engaged in the hay trade until 1863. He then went to Vallejo and purchased the farm upon which is now situated the Vallejo Water Company's reservoir. After farming there nntil 1872 he came up to St. Helena, bought his present snug little place and engaged in the growing of grapes and making wine, having forty acres of vines. He has a substan- tial concrete wine cellar, wherein is stored the wine made from grapes grown on his own place and that of his wife, on the other side of town, He has occupied a position on the Board of Town Trustees for three terms, being one of the first board ever elected.

He was married July 3, 1858, in Sacramento, to Miss Sarah Sidegraves, who was born in St. Louis. They have a family of four children, two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, George, is with Whittier, Fuller & Co. in San Francisco; the younger, Bnd, is at home. Maggie, the eldest daughter, is married to Dr Sabin, of St. Helena, and the younger, Alice, is at home.

RS. LOSINA E. DAVIS, proprietor of the Ladies' Millinery and Fancy Goods Store at Redding, is a native of New York, born August 29, 1840. Her father, Henry Davis, was anative of the Green Mountain State. and her mother, Nancy (Sherman) Davis, of the Empire State. She was the first-born of a fam- ily of five children, all of whom are living. She received her education in New York city, and learned millinery and dressmaking there, and also for five years she taught school in New York. She was united in marriage with Mason L. Davis, a gentleman of her own State and name. They had five children. A son and daughter only are living, namely: Franklin Mason and Gertrude Luthera, both born in New York. Mr. Davis died in Ogdensburg, New York, in 1873, and he was buried there. In 1878 Mrs. Davis went to Boston and opened a millinery establishment, which she conducted

successfully for three years; then spent a year in Texas; next went to Los Angeles, and then to San Francisco, and for a year had charge of the cloak department of the Samuels Lace Ilonse. In 1884, hearing of a vacancy in her line of business at Redding, she went there and opened her present fine establishment, which has from the start grown in favor with the best citizens of Redding and adjoining country. She has connected with her store a dressmaking department, and during the busy season of the year employs eight hands. She also has a branch business at Anderson. In July, 1890, the block in which her establishment was located was consumed by fire. Her insurance had ex- pired and she was a heavy loser, many of her goods being injured and lost in the removal; but a portion was saved, and with the most commendable courage and enterprise she opened in a temporary place the next day and continued the business. The people of Redding, seeing her loss and her commendable enterprise, helped her in many ways. A nice new brick block was erected and she now has a fine stock on the ground where she was before the fire, and enjoys the patronage of the best customers in the city and county. She is an active and obliging sales- woman, well informed on the quality and value of goods, skilled in both millinery and dress- making. She not only knows how, but has also a most exacting æsthetic taste. This makes her a valuable acquisition to the business of her city. Then there is added to this the fact that she is so liberal in her ideas of business that she is satisfied with moderate profits. From all of these things there has sprung up between her and her customers a mutual pleasant under- standing that is worth a fortune.

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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 127

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