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 128

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 128

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It has been said that it were " better to be born Incky than rich;" but it is not all in Inck by any means: there is a great deal more in natural talent and enterprise than in Inck. However, it has been Mrs. Davis' good fortune to become the possessor of 820,000 paid up as unassessable stock in a rich tellurinm gold mine recently discovered within three miles of the

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city. A stock company has been formed, and she is one of the directors. They are now open- ing the mine and getting on the machinery for a mill. Everything connected with the enter- prise betokens a grand success, both for the stockholders and the city. Two assays of the ore have been made: one showed $3,333 to the ton of ore, and the other, made at the United States Mint, went $3,000 to the ton.

The history of the life of an honorable and self-reliant woman like this one should inspire every lady, who should see it with more faith in herself and in the capability of her sex.

ON. S. W. COLLINS .- In the following pages will be found sketched briefly one of the most interesting and eventful life- histories that it has ever been the good fortune of the writer to hear related, and not alone a busy one either, but full as useful also, many of he incidents being an intimate portion of the early pioneer history of the old-time Western States.

Mr. Collins is a Kentuckian by birth, dating his nativity at a point some two miles from Car- lisle, Nicholas County, on June 13, 1829. When a child of two and a half years the family removed to Green County, Illinois, where his father took up a farm. His father's name was John W. Collins, of Danish descent, born near Snow Hill, Maryland, and raised in Baltimore. His mother was a Miss Piper, of Irish descent, born and raised in Kentucky. For thirty years Mr. Collins remained in Illinois, some of his brothers and sisters still residing there. Mr. Collins was brought up to the life of a farmer, and afterward started a store, carrying on a farm as well. Living, as lie did, on the margin of the Indian country, he became thoroughly acquainted with Indian life and character, learned to speak their language thoroughly (the Osage), and came to wield over them a great influence,-an influence, let it be said, that was always exerted for good. As a consequence he

was much employed by the Government in their dealings with the redskins, especially during the war and later. For many years Mr. Col- lins was post trader in the Neosho Valley in Kansas, and in all important matters represented the United States Government as interpreter, negotiating for the sale of lands, etc., etc. He assisted in raising Colonel Phillips' Indian Regi- ment in 1861, and was one of the most active and effective workers for the Union cause. In connection with these times Mr. Collins has many soul-stirring incidents to relate. Indeed, he is one of the most interesting talkers whom it is possible to meet, possessing a good mem- ory and rare descriptive powers. He has also many mementos of early western times and ways. Twice he was taken prisoner during his war experiences, and has sustained and over- come a wound that would have laid out a man of lesser mettle. As is but proper under the circumstances, he is an active and enthusiastic member of the Grand Army and a stanch sup- porter of good government. He recollects well the days when buffalo roamed over the plains by the million, and has hunted and trapped when the Indians and a few hunters and trap- pers were about all west of the Missouri. In 1875 Mr. Collins tired of life on the Western plains changing so rapidly as it was with the influx of population, and accordingly he set his face westward and came to the Pacific coast. Choosing Calistoga as his home, he pur- chased fifty-five acres in the outskirts of town, and settled down to enjoy the quiet so deserved after his long and busy years. He has laid out a vineyard of twenty-five acres, has a small but choice orchard for house use, and posse-ses a magnificent water privilege, having an abundant spring 1,400 feet above the house, with a water-head of 400 feet as piped down. Five acres of his property he laid off as the Calis- toga cemetery, the cemetery of the town. Mr. Collins is one of the incorporators of Calistoga, this useful move taking place in 1885. For two terms now Mr. Collins has been Supervisor of the county from his district, six years in all.

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During the latter term he has been Chairman of the Board, and the most active and useful member of the Board. Indeed, it is customarily said that he is the best Supervisor the county has ever had. For eight years he has been Justice of the Peace for his township, from which circumstance he acquires the honorable title of "Judge," by which be is generally known. There is not a more popular man in the county than he, and no one gifted with more energy or sound common sense on all matters. He is a worker, and cannot help com- ing to the front. Heis too useful to his fellow- citizens to be let go by himself.

Mr. Collins was married in December, 1850, to Miss Sarah E. Dickerman, a native of Mount Holly, Vermont. She died March 26, 1867, in Kansas, leaving the following children: Miriam HI. (now Mrs. Piper), born December 30, 1852, living near Lawrence, Kansas. Samuel A., born September 18, 1855, living in Labette County, Kansas. Nelson W., born January 29, 1862, now in business in Calistoga. All the above were born in Illinois. Major Clinton, born in Labette County, Kansas, February 20, 1866, the first white child to be born in that county, now working on the railroad. By the way, it should be stated that Judge Collins helped organize Labette County, and gave it its name. He was married, secondly, March 10, 1869, in Labette County, to Mrs. Mary A. Howe, nee Connor, a native of Miami County, Indiana. They have one daughter, Annie C., born October 14, 1870, in Kansas. A singular circumstance in connection with Judge Collins' family history is the following: His mother died, leaving one daughter and three sons, the daughter being the eldest. His first wife died, leaving also a daughter and three sons, the daughter being again the eldest. His son Samuel A. has also lost a wife, who left a daughter and three sons, the daughter being again the eldest. Judge Collins is a member of Governor Morton Post, No. 41, G. A. R., and also of the I. O. O. F., having joined the latter order so long ago as October 10, 1850,

when just of age. He has held every honor conterrable by the order.

ON. J. H. WHEELER .- The history of the work of the Wheeler family can not be told in a few words. It has been too im- portant and too far-reaching in its effects. A plain statement of facts, however, will be found both readable and instructive and accordingly we herewith present them. Mr. Charles Wheeler, father of R. M. Wheeler (now de- ceased), and the gentleman whose name is seen at the head of this article, is a native of Ver- inont, being born at Vergennes, February 22, 1818. He removed to Oswego, New York, and there for a number of years carried on the grain and milling business, being largely inter- ested also in the elevator business at that point. In Oswego both his sons, Rolla M. and J. H., were born, the former in 1854 and the latter in 1856. In 1867 Mr. Wheeler removed to Cali- fornia with his family, and at Vallejo engaged here also in the grain business, endeavoring also to introduce here the elevator system which was found so successful in the East. In these undertakings he was connected in partnership with such men as Friedlander, putting up the first elevator ever erected on the coast. This attempt proved unremunerative, and in 1869 Mr. Wheeler came up to the Napa Valley and purchased the beautiful vineyard at Bello Sta- tion, now managed by his son. This vineyard consists of thirty-five acres of rich loan soil, un- excelled in fertility anywhere in the world. An instance of this may be noted when twenty-two tons of grapes per acre were taken from the vines. Grapes were selling at $30 a ton that year-what we should call a satisfactory return. This vineyard was originally planted to Zinfan- del, Riesling, Burgundy, etc., but has mostly since been grafted into choicer improved stocks. We noticed that the vines in this place were fully a week ahead of the average vines of the valley, justifying entirely any praise that can

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be given to the spot. Mr. Wheeler has lately added fifty more acres on the corner opposite his own, and, notwithstanding the depression that seems to cripple so many, is launching in other directions. Business tact and manage- ment, coupled with the splendid convenience of everything, as will be seen when the winery and cellar is described, is the secret of it.

Mr. Charles Wheeler retired from active business some time ago, the vineyard and cellar being managed by Mr. Rolla M. Wheeler with great success. Unfortunately, lie was acci- dentally killed by a kick from a horse March 1, 1889, his death being felt to be a severe loss to the community. His widow and two little sons reside in a handsome cottage adjoining Bello Station.

Hon. J. H. Wheeler came to California in 1867 with his father. He received his educa- tion chiefly in this State, graduating in 1879 from the University of California as a mnining engincer after a course of four years. He went at once to Bodie, but a few months of frontier life satisfied him that there were better fields for his ambition, and he returned to San Fran- cisco. After some desultory work, Mr. Wheeler' began the study of law, but being offered the Secretaryship of the State Board of Viticulture upon its formation, in 1881, and the work of his life was fortunately won for the bettering of the wine industry of the State. Mr. Wheeler began the work, and with the energy inherent in his nature worked for the general benefit of the cause he represented. Until May, 1888. he continued to serve the Viticultural Association as Secretary, and was then appointed its Chief Executive officer, in this duty visiting all parts of the State and regulating the many compli- cated affairs of the department. Meanwhile Mr. Wheeler had been watchful also of his own interests. He purchased and planted the Cor- nelia Vineyard and Orchards (named after his eldest danghter). Mr. Wheeler has also an- other vineyard and orchard higher up the valley. Upon this estate there is a large winery, fruit dryers, etc. It is owing to Mr. Wheeler's

efforts that the only effectual fight is being made against the destructive pest, phylloxera. Perceiving the need for something to be done if wine raising were to become a permanent in- dustry in California, he established at Melrose, Alameda County, his carbon-bisulphide manu- factory, this chemical being the only effective remedy. His efforts in this direction have been very highly appreciated by every one interested in the welfare of the coast, and the substance is being called for largely not alone by vineyard- ists but also by wheat farmers and others, for the destruction of gophers, squirrels, etc. This is the only manufactory of the kind on the coast. During the winter Mr. Wheeler mann- factures sufficient to meet the demands of the season, shipping it out as called for. Upon the unfortunate death of his brother, Rolla W., Mr. Wheeler came up to Napa Valley, and in addi- tion to his multifarions duties, has taken upon himself the management of the vineyards and cellar at Bello Station. The cellar is a well constructed one, of a capacity of 300,000 gallons. lu addition to making up his own grapes he buys largely from his neighbors, taking last year 2,000 tons of grapes in this way, and making up the largest vintage of any one in the valley. The cellar is located right at the station and thus handling of full casks is avoided, the empty casks being first placed in the car and the wine being pumped directly into them. In the distillery connected with the cellar from 6,000 to 10,000 gallons of brandy are annnally made. Sales are made chiefly to the wholesale dealers in San Francisco.

Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss Frankie V. Jones, of Chico, a sister of Senator A. F. Jones, and a graduate of Mills Seminary in 1879. Her father was a pioneer of 1849, and was a partner formerly of such men as Mayor Pond of San Francisco, and others. They have two children: Ella Cornelia, the eldest, and Elliott H., both hearty, promising little folks. Mr. Wheeler has settled down at Bello Station to build up a busi- ness for himself, having thoroughly identified himself with the welfare of Napa County. The

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benefit of his labors will be felt for good in the future as in the past. Mr. Wheeler is at the beginning of a brilliant career, following up the energetic and useful careers of his father and brothers. He has worked always quite as inch for the welfare and general interests of the State as for self, a splendid instance of our better younger citizens.

M. LEE, proprietor of a furniture store in Woodland, was born in Massachu- setts, the son of John and Mary (Bnekman) Lee, natives of Maine: father was a dentist in New Hampshire, and his mother died in 1878, in Sacramento, this State. Mr. Lee received his education in Boston, and in 1853 came by way of the Isthmins to California, and, like nearly all others, tried his hand first at mining. He followed this for two years in El Dorado County; then for a time he was em- ployed at painting buggies and carriages in Sac- ramento; next he went to Chico, Butte County ; then until 1858 he was in San Francisco, where he ran the largest photograph gallery in the city; next until 1662 he was a boatman on the Sacramento River, making Sacramento his headquarters; next he purchased a blacksmith shop in Placer County, and while there he was appointed Postmaster under the administration of President Lincoln, and after filling this office four years he went upon a ranch on Dry Creek in Sacramento County, where he remained three years. Returning to San Francisco he worked at odd jobs for several years. He then built a large wagon for the purpose of traveling through California in the photograph business, but he quit that at Woodland, and resorted at carpentering for Goble Bros., and was employed on their house 130 days. He then opened his present place of business, on a cash capital of $7.50, and he now carries abont $2,000 worth of goods. He has several lots in Woodland and a nice dwelling, all of which he has earned by the hard knocks of a life of business vicissi-

tndes. He is a member of the order of Good Templars.

November 3, 1884, he married Emma Graft, in San Francisco. She is a native of Sacra- mento County, this State.

EONARD W. KIDD, a "Native Son of the Golden West," is publisher and proprietor of the East-Side Times, published at Millville. He was born at Placerville, February 2, 1852, of good old Scotch ancestry. Archi- bald and Edgar Kidd, brothers, came from Scotland to America in 1810 and settled at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Archibald Kidd, his grandfather, was a civil engineer at the eoal mines of Pennsylvania, and there his father, Captain John Kidd, was born.

Mr. Kidd, the subject of our sketch, was one. of three children, himself and his sister being the only survivors; she is now Mrs. Grace E. Hussey. He was educated at Sacramento city, and when a boy worked two years in a drug store, and after this went to learn the printers' trade in the State printing office. Was there two years from March, 1866, till January. 1868, when he went to San Francisco to com- plete the trade, and there he served an ap- prenticeship on the Overland Monthly, con- tinuing with them until February, 1874. Next he went to Portland, Oregon, and worked in a job office. From there he went to Seattle, Washington, and worked six months; then he returned to San Francisco and worked at inter- vals. For a time he was foreman for the "patent outside" Newspaper Union. After this he worked for the Pacitic Newspaper Union until 1882. He was then engaged, at the mission at San Francisco, in a job office and on a local paper called the Saturday Local. In November, 1883, he went to Millville and started his own paper, the East-Side Times, publishing the first issue November 10, 1883, and successfully continuing it since. He has purchased a residence and two other honses and

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his office, and is interested in a farm and in stock-raising, and also in lands at Seattle, Washington.

He was married December 24, 1872, to Miss Cora M. Pepper, a native of Sonoma County, this State, and they have two boys and a girl,- Leonard L. and Grace A., born in San Fran- cisco, and John Arthur, born at Millville. Mr. Kidd is one of the oldest native sons on the coast, and his paper is the first published on the east side of the river in Shasta County. He is president of Millville Parlor, No. 165, Native Sons of the Golden West, and was one of the charter members of Pacific Parlor, No. 10, San Francisco. He is a Republican, a member of the State and County Central Committees, and in 1888 was elected Justice of the Peace in Mill- ville, which office he now holds.

OBERT SPENCE HASTIE, deceased, was during his life one of the most ener- getic and valuable citizens of Napa County, a man of extended views, of large nndertakings, and in soul of justice, honor and uprightness. He was born in the city of Edinburgh, Scot- land, in 1830. When twelve years of age, be- ing a lad of independent and romantic disposi- tion, he ran away from home, crossed the ocean, and in New York learned the carpenter's trade. In 1860 he came to California and made his way to Napa city, working at his trade in that place until 1862. He then came up to St. Helena and for a time worked at his trade. Being of too enterprising a disposition for this, however, he soon afterwards engaged in the mercantile business, dealing largely in real estate, etc., in later years. He took a great interest in the mineral wealth of the section as well as of other parts, being interested in Idaho and elsewhere, and being intimately acquainted with the country, and at one time was possessed of much property. Unfortunately he died in 1883, eut off in his prime, regretted and mourned by all.

He was married in 1862 to Miss Lizzie Hud-

son, a most estimable lady, who made him a good wife, and has since his death shown her- self a capable manager and good business woman, educating her children well and bring- ing them up to habits of thrift and diligence. She was born in Napa County, and is the daughter of William Hudson, who crossed the plains in 1849 from Missouri, and was one of Napa County's most honored pioneers. Mrs. Hastie has six children living and two deceased. The names of the former are: Ernest, who is now the manager of Colonel Carr's place near St. Helena; William, now in Alaska; Alex- ander Hudson, Lillian May, Lewis Elgin and Robert Spence, all at home.

F. MARCH. This gentleman is the genial proprietor of the Villa Hotel at Rutherford, and also of the livery and feed stables of that thriving little town. The hotel is well fitted and furnished and con- tains accommodations for about twenty-five persons. A good table is set, and every care taken to snit the wishes of the guests. Under its present management it is becoming popular as a summer resort, for which it is well suited both by the attractiveness of the house itself and of the beauty and salubrity of this portion of Napa Valley. Regular stages leave the house for Walters, Soda Springs and other mountain resorts. Its convenience of position to the rail- road at Rutherford is not the least recominen- dation, permitting easy access to the city and elsewhere. Mr. March has the house on lease since January 1, 1890. He is a native of Scot- land County, Missouri, where he was born May 3, 1849, but came to this country with his parents when but six years of age. His father, Mr. R. B. March, was engaged in mining at different times, and also ran a livery stable at Elmira, Solano County, which he still owns, but is now retired from active business, caring only for his orchard. He was assisted in the livery business by his son, Mr. W. F. March, until the

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latter came over to this county. It should be stated further, however, that the family resided for some time in the earlier years in this valley, coming here in 1857, where Mr. March carried on farming, so that he is no stranger to the beauties and capabilities of this section.

Mr. March was married at Rutherford, in 1887, to Miss Mary Cavanaugh. They have one child.

W. CHAPMAN, a prominent farmer and sheep-raiser of Yolo County, was born April 29, 1829, in Wilcox County, Ala- bama, and was three years of age when his father, W. M. Chapman, moved to Macon County, that State, where he lived until Jan- uary 18, 1854. Then he came to California, crossing the Isthmus, February 18. He spent nearly three years in the mines near George- town, El Dorado County, not striking very rich diggings, however. September 2, 1856, he ar- rived in Yolo County, where he has since fol- lowed farming and stock-raising, making sheep a specialty; and in this enterprise he has done well, keeping about 5,000 head through the winter seasons. To his industries he devotes 18,000 acres of land, on which there is no mortgage.

May 4, 1870, is the date of Mr. Chapman's marriage to Miss Zilpah Stephens, of Cooper County, Missouri, and they have three sons and two daughters, ranging from ten to eighteen years of age.

RANCIS SIEVERS purchased a ranch of 286 acres in Chiles Valley three years ago, and came here to reside one year ago. He has a fine vineyard and orchard of twenty-five acres, chiefly prunes and peaches, which have grown wonderfully and are already beginning to bear. The vines also are thrifty. He is grafting this year on resistant stock and

expects to put up a wine cellar and also a fruit cellar.

Mr. Sievers was born November 4, 1829, in Holstein, Germany, and came in 1857 to Cali- fornia by way of Cape Horn. In the old country he was in the military service in the German-Danish war.

In 1857 also he was married in San Fran- cisco to Miss Klenwort, of Altona, Holstein, Germany.

After spending a year in San Francisco, lie went to San Mateo County, where he was en- gaged in farming and stock-raising for eighteen years, paying $5,000 a year for rent; but he spent a part of the time at San Pedro. In 1870 he visited Germany, returning in 1875, when he became a book-keeper in the Anglo- California Bank. His youngest son, Henry, is assisting him; his son, Otto, is in the employ of Tileman & Bendel; and his daughter is the wife of Henry B. Russ, who is the treasurer of the Olympic Chib and formerly its president. Mr. Sievers has been a Supervisor of San Francisco County and has held other public positions.

A. DOWNEY .- This gentleman is the superintendent of "Inglebourn," the mag- nificent lower ranch of Mr. W. B. Bourn, situated a short distance north of Rutherford in the Napa Valley. It consists of 325 acres of the splendid fertile land of the valley, run- ning from the county road across the creek to the opposite side and comprising all classes of soil. Of this acreage eighty aeres is in hay, twenty in pasture and the balance in grapes of the better varieties, all presenting a fine thrifty appearance and well taken care of. On this place too are the carriage and repair shops be- longing to Mr. Bourn, as well as his blacksmith shop, paint shop, ete., all the repairs, etc., for the great wine cellar as well as for the two vineyards being done here. There are never less than ten, and during the season, as

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inany as ninety, men employed about the place. The first of the vines were put out about nine years ago, care being taken to seleet only the best varieties. Mr. Downey, the superintend- ent, has been with the place since 1879, be- ginning when only sixteen years old and learning the whole business from the ground floor up. For the past eight years he lias been superintendent, everything flourishing nnder his hands. He was brought up on a farm and has made grape-growing a practical and life- long study, and is worthy of his position. His father is Mr. D. Downey, the owner of a vine- yard just below Rutherford, and an old and re- spected resident of the valley.

J. A. Downey was born in Calistoga, October 20, 1863, on his father's ranch up there. He was educated and raised in Napa County and has spent his life so far at farming, stock- raising and vine-growing. He is a great lover of good horse-flesh, having a record on that point. He has three as good horses as are in the vicinity, one of them, a four- year-old mare, being a very handsome animal. He is unmar- ried, is a member of the N. S. G. W., St Helena Parlor, and is one of the most popular young men of the county, the fortunate pos- sessor of a level head, a handsome figure and a genial disposition. He is Mr. Bourn's trusted and confidential man, having at one time had charge of all three of his places until compelled by overwork to give up the other two. During Mr, Bonrn's many necessary absences he leaves all buying, selling, etc., to Mr. Dowi.ey, know- ing it is in good hands.

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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 128

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