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 61

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 61

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land, in whose interests and enterprises he has taken great delight. In politics he has been a Republican ever since the party was organized. From 1863 to 1866 he was under Sheriff for the county, being appointed by C. H. Gray, and this is the only position of publie trust he has ever held. He is conservative and retired in his manner, preferring to devote his whole attention to the managementof his own business.

He was united in matrimony, 1861, to Julia L. Hannon, native of Massachusetts, and they have four sons: John B., Henry J., James A. and Angustine.

McCLURG, deceased, formerly a farmer of Yolo County, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, April 18, 1829, a son of Robert and Nancy (Eaton) MeChuirg, and was nine years of age when his parents removed with him to Knox County, Ohio; his father was a farmer all his life, his death occurring in Knox County, Ohio, in 1865, at the age of seventy- two years. Accordingly the subject of his sketeh was raised on a farm. In 1852 he came to California, by way of New Orleans and the Isthinus, landing in San Francisco after a voyage of sixty- two days by sail vessel on the Pacific ocean, as he could not obtain passage on a steamer. The first year in this State he spent in the mines, with poor success, and then he located upon his ranch in Yolo County, four miles southwest of Woodland, consisting at that time of 160 aeres. He since then inereased his estate to 470 acres. By his industry and good judgment he converted his place from one of a bare plain to a farm as fertile and well-improved as any in the county. After an active and well spent life he died, February 20, 1889, at the age of fifty-nine years. The farm is still devoted to general agriculture and a small dairy, at present being four miles south of Woodland. It is superintended by Miss J. McClurg, a sister of the deceased, who came to California in February, 1869, to keep house for him. By

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his will she was made the executor of the estate, and she has managed the affairs with as great financial ability as the best of men could do.

ILLIAM A. TRUBODY, Supervisor of Napa County, residing seven miles northwest of Napa. near Trubody Sta- tion, has been a resident of California since 1847 and of Napa Valley since 1856. His par- ents were John and Jane (Palmer) Trubody, botlı natives of Cornwall, England, who came to this country in 1833, and settled in Penn- sylvania, afterward removing to the vicinity of Lexington, Missouri, where they lived for ten years. In 1847 the family, consisting of the parents and two children, William and Josiah P., crossed the plains with ox teams, with a party which was formed on the road in the spring of that year. They reached California early in October, locating at Sutter's Fort, and remaining there about two months, when they moved to San Francisco, then Yerba Buena, where the father worked for a time at his trade, which was that of carpenter. Soon after the discovery of gold at Sutter's mill, he, as did almost every other white man in California, went to the inines. After about six months of work in the mines, in which he was quite suc- cessful, he returned to San Francisco and in- vested his earnings in real estate. He built the first brick house ever erected in that city, and also the first marble-front, on Dunbar Alley and Washington street, with marble he imported from New York. Coming to this coast before gold was thought of in connection with the country, he has figured conspicuously in the history of the State; but in the main his life has been devoted to the promotion of the re- ligious and material interests of the city, where he so early made his home.

The subject of this sketch was born in Mis- souri, in 1839. He attended the schools there and afterward in San Francisco until about 1850, when with his brother he was sent East

to enter the Mount Pleasant Academy, near Sing Sing, on the Hudson River. Returning to this State he attended the University of the Pacific at Santa Clara, now at San José, until 1856. In that year, still in company with his brother, he came to his present home, which is a part of the ranch purchased by his father in 1850. This ranch was first used for stock, and later for a grain and stock ranch combined. In 1869 they planted about eight acres in black- berry vines, gradually increasing the acreage until ten years later they had about thirty-eight acres in blackberries. There are still about eighteen acres devoted to that fruit, thongh most of the early vines have been worked out. The average crop is about three tons to the acre, though they have gathered five tons when the vines were in full bearing. Mr .. Trubody was married in 1868 to Miss Lura Grigsby, a native of Missouri, who came with her parents to Cali- fornia in 1852. They have four children liv- ing: George and Lulu, who are attending the Napa College, and Clara and Frank, who are in the local school. Mr. Trubody is one of the County Supervisors, having been elected to that office in 1867 and again in 1888. He has al- ways devoted himself to the management of his farming interests. He has tried office-work, but found it less suited to either his health or tastes than out-door pursuits. He is a member of the Masonic Order, Yount Lodge, No. 12, of Napa, and has always been identified with the Republican ideas, and is an earnest supporter of the Republican party.

ENRY GARDEMEYER, a liquor dealer at Livermore, is a native of North Ger- many. He was born December 17, 1850, and was brought up in the grocery business nn- til 1871. when he joined the army and served three years as a private soldier. In 1875 he emigrated to America, landing at Philadelphia, where he worked in a sugar refinery for a time, when he came to Livermore and engaged in the

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beer trade for a year. Quitting this business, he went to Danville, Contra Costa County, and managed the Danville Hotel as proprietor for one year; and then, in 1878, he returned to Livermore and located permanently, first en- gaging in real-estate business, and next, in 1879, in the soda-water works until 1885, when he sold that out and has since been engaged in the liquor trade. He is a whole-sonled, generous- hearted gentleman, a member of the A. O. U. W. and of the Sons of Hermann.

He was married in San Francisco, November 8, 1877, to Miss Anna Behnken, a native of North Germany. Of their six children only lIenrietta and Minnie are living.

L. PRINCE .- One of the most pleasant ranches in the mountains is that of Mr. A. L. Prince, which is situated at the head of Soda Spring Valley, off from Chiles' Valley. He has owned the place for two years past, and is making many improvements, setting out a fine young orchard, etc. The situation is lovely and the conditions favorable for a very valnable place in time. Above the house at a little distance are soda and sulphur springs of fine medieal qualities; when better known they will be much resorted to by invalids.

Mr. Prince has had a life of unusual interest and variety as will be seen in the following article. He was born in Massachusetts in October, 1843, but when young the family re- moved to Pennsylvania, where he was raised. IIis father was C. E. Prince, a cousin of Mayor Prince, of Boston, and a prominent wholesale carpet importer. His mother died when he was but eight years of age. He had been sent back to Boston to complete his education, and was a student at the Harvard College at the time of the call for more men. He at once, although but seventeen years of age. enlisted in the first Massachusetts, being afterward transferred to the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. which was commanded by his uncle, General Gregg.

He was appointed First Lientenant, rising by merit to be Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment. General Devine was in command of the brigade, which won the honorable title of the " Iron Brigade." General Merritt was in command of the division and General Sheridan of the corps. In company with his regiment he went through the campaign under Mcclellan to the end of the war in the celebrated Army of the Potomac. Colonel Prince took part in no less than sixty- two engagements, and except the first battle of Winchester, when Sheridan went up the valley, he had a hand in every principal engagement of the corps. "He was wounded twice, but for- tunately received only flesh wounds.

At the close of the struggle he was inustered out and in October, 1865, came West to the mining regions, being engaged in mining in Sierra City, Nevada, and in fact all along the foot-hills until, desiring a more quiet life, he came to Napa County in 1888 and purchased his ranch of 160 acres. Colonel Prince was married in July, 1881, to Miss Clara de la Mater of Solano County, her father being a prominent fariner at Rockville. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Colonel Prince is a member of John A. Dix Post, G. A. R., o Ogden, and a member in good standing of the Masonic order. He is still extensively engaged in mining interests.

ILLIAM J. G. DAWSON, M. D., a leading physician of St. Helena, Napa County, was born in New Bandon, Gloncester County, New Brunswick, Dominion of Canada, on January 12, 1846. When but fourteen months old, his mother died, and he was taken by his grand-parents to New Castle, Northumberland County. where he was brought up and received his preliminary education. For a year and nine months he pursued medical studies under a preceptor at home, and then entered the University of New York (medical department) in the fall of 1865. In Marelı,

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1867, he graduated therefrom with the degree M. D. He was then appointed assistant phy- sician in the New York City Lunatic Asylum, a position that he held for a little over one year. In the spring of 1868 he was admitted, by competitive examination, one of the house staff of the Charity Hospital, New York, aet- ing as assistant physician for six months, and then entering as one of the house physicians and surgeons in October, 1868, a position that he held for one year. At the end of the year he returned to his home at New Castle, New Brunswick, where he practiced his profession until the fall of 1876, when, owing to the severe climate and failing health, he came West. After a few weeks spent in Colorado, he continued on to California, finally locating in St. Helena, January 12, 1877, and has since that time suc- eeeded in building up his health as well as a lucrative practice. Dr. Dawson is an active inember of both the State and County Medical Societies, being President of the latter, and Chair- man in the former of the Committee on Med- ical and Surgical Diseases of Children for the years 1889-'90. He was also Vice President of the State Medical Society for 1888- 89.

Dr. Dawson was married in New Brunswick, and has a family of five children, two boys and three girls. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

J. NICKELL, a well known Yolo County farmer, was born about 1820, the son of Robert and Ellen (Perry) Nickell, both of whom were natives of Virginia ; the father, by oc- cupation a farmer, die l in Mason County, Ken- tueky, when the subject of this sketch was a small boy; his mother died in Fleming County, Kentucky, in 1852. He was born in that County in 1820, and in 1852 he went to Missouri, where he was engaged in farming up to 1864, why he ca ne to California, across plain and mountain, being six months on the way. He first stopped in Yolo County, where he has ever

since remained, and he now has a good farm of 160 acres, where he raises wheat, barley, etc.

He married Miss Mary Taylor, who was born in Tennessee, their marriage taking place in Linn County. Missouri. They have six children living, namely: Ellen E., now the wife of J. P. Goodnow; Martha J., now the wife of George Tilly; Lena F., now Mrs. Fred Mast, Jr .; Henry T., attending school; James W., at home; and Mary T., attending college at Woodland. Three children are deceased.

VEN S. BARLEY, a farmer near Red Bluff, is a prominent and progressive citi- zen of Tehama County. Born in Virginia November 1, 1838, he was educated in his native State and reared to the life of a farmer. His parents, James P. and Mary Barley, were both natives of that State, and trace their ancestry to the French and Irish respectively. Even S. is the second of nine children in his father's family, and comes from a long-lived race. His pater- nal grandfather lived to the age of 114 years. Our subject left his home in 1858, traveled in Mississippi. Tennessee and Georgia, and after a few years of rambling returned to his native State. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Regi- ment of Virginia Cavalry, serving as a private for a time; later he was promoted to a non- commissioned office, serving as such until May 5, 1865, when he was discharged at Appomat- tox. After the close of the war he again en- gaged in farming until 1868, when he came via Panama to California, locating in Colusa County, where he purchased farm land and en- gaged in general farining and stoek-raising, making a specialty of sheep. In 1871 he sold out his farm and stock and removed to Tehama County, where he now resides on his farm of 160 acres, located three and a half miles south- west of Red Bluff. Thirty-five acres of this is in young orchard and large varieties of deciduous fruits, and 2,000 almond trees. He owns also other ranch property, which is rented out; 560

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acres in Tehama County, ten miles southwest of Red Bluff, and 280 acres near Chico, Butte County.

Mr. Barley was united in marriage at Red Bluff, November 7, 1877, with Miss Lizzie H. Barker, a native of Wisconsin. Her people are from Vermont, and she traces her ancestry on the paternal side to Scotland, and on the maternal side to the English. Mr. and Mrs. Barley have four children, viz .: Lena E., Mary A., Charles S. and Edward C.

Mr. Barley is politically a Democrat, and takes an active part in politics.

CRAMER, a farmer at Cacheville, is the son of Lawrence and Mary (Barbary) Cramer, both natives of Germany. The father, a farmer, came to the United States in 1803; and both parents died in Hamilton County, Ohio, the mother in 1876 and the father in 1881. Mr. Cramer, of this sketch, was born in Covington, Kentucky, June 25, 1836, and when but two months old he was taken by his parents to Ohio, in their immigration to that State. At the age of sixteen years he came across the plains to the gold country in California, with a train of ninety wagons, leaving Ohio on Febru- ary 1, 1852, and landed at Grizzly Flat, about sixteen miles from Diamond Spring, Placer County, where he mined that winter. After spending three months at Sacramento he came to Cacheville, Yolo County, where he has ever since remained, and where he has a fine farm of 100 acres two miles from town, on Cache Creek. He also owns 11,000 acres, partly in Yolo County and partly in Colusa County. On the home ranch he raises grain principally, and the large tract is devoted to stock-grazing. He is a member of Yolo Lodge, No. 81, F. & A. M., and of the Knights Templar Lodge, No. 22.

HIe married Miss Mattie Pace in Yolo County, whose father, Russell Pace, was born in Ken- tucky and whose mother was a native of Vir- ginia. Mr. and Mrs. Cramer have five children,

as follows: Lawrence E., born in 1872; Bertha S., 1874; Mattie V., 1876; Charles V., 1878; and Greta G., 1886.

OHN A. ZIMMERMAN, an extensive and successful rancher of Yolo County, is the son of Jacob and Mary (Betzold) Zimmer- man, both natives of Germany; the father was a wheelwright and farmer and remained in his native land all his life. John was born in Germany, March 9, 1829, and in 1852 emi- grated to America, the land of opportunity, stopping first at New Orleans. Going immedi- ately up the Mississippi River to Quincy, Illinois, he there learned the trade of carriage- making; then he worked six months at that trade in St. Louis, and then for a time at Daven- port, Iowa, then four months at Peru, Illinois; next he was nine months employed at Gales burg, same State, then eleven years in Minne- sota, and finally went to California, landing here January 15, 1868; he came by water. After spending six weeks in Sacramento, he located npon a ranch in Yolo County, which he has ever since occupied, and which now contains 320 acres; he also owns 560 acres in the hollow seventeen miles from his home place.

For his wife he married Miss Dina Magdens, who was born in Prussia in 1838, and they have eight children: Frank, Bertha, Jacob, Oscar. Mary, Bill, Lena, and Clara.

B. F. DUNCAN, an extensive rancher of the Capay Valley, was born February 2,

o 1840, in Vigo County, Indiana, and the son of John I. and Margaret (Toler) Duncan. natives of Virginia. The senior Duncan fol- lowed agricultural pursuits all his life. At one time he was judge of this district. In 1842 he removed to Missouri, where he remained until his death, which occurred when he was seventy- four years old; his wife also died in that State.

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in 1849. Mr. B. F. Duncan, our subject, was raised on the farm in Missouri. At the age of twenty-one years he enlisted in Company G., Captain Curry, Eighth Regiment, Colonel Mitchell, Parson's Brigade, Cavalry, and was six months in the service. He was mustered ont at Shreveport, Louisiana, after a service of three years and three months. Was wounded fonr times, twice in one engagement. Was taken prisoner at Cassville, Missouri, but a week afterward escaped, in company with others, crawling out under the floor. After the war he remained in Missouri nntil 1870, when he came to California and settled near Cottonwood, Yolo County, on land which he purchased. He re- mained there until 1878, when he sold out and purchased his present place two miles west of Capay, in the celebrated Capay Valley. This ranch consists of 737 acres of choice bottom land, on which Mr. Duncan carries on a general farming business, and is preparing to establish himself in the fruit industry next year (1891). He is a very practical man and enterprising. He has two brothers in this county, whose sketches will be found elsewhere in this volume.

EO DOLAN, one of the leading citizens of Livermore, is a native of Kentucky, born at Georgetown, Scott County, March 12, 1824, and when young accompanied his parents on their removal to Wisconsin. Our subject, on growing np, engaged in the lead mines of Ben- ton, Wisconsin, and was employed about ten years. The California gold fever affected him like so many others, and in 1850 he left Benton by team for the new El Dorado. Crossing the Missouri River at St. Joseph, he proceeded on his westward journey via Kearney. Laramie and Salt Lake City, and "brought up" at George- town, El Dorado County, and he was there en- gaged principally in mining until 1856. Thence he removed to Calaveras County, and was en- gaged in ranching until 1889, when he moved to Livermore, Here he carries on a large wood

and coal business, and also owns and operates the business of the Livermore Transter Com- pany, giving steady employment to two teams, and transacting the principal business in this line in Livermore.

Mr. Dolan was married in Jackson, Amador County, to Miss Irene Meyers, in 1866, who is now deceased. By this marriage there was one child, Walter L. Mr. Dolan married his pres- ent wife, Mrs. Ellen Duffy, a widow, January 18, 1877, at Angel's Camp, Calaveras County. Mr. Dolan is one of the whole-souled, hospit- able, old-time Californians, and has been an eye-witness to the great growth of this coast. He is a Democrat politieally.

EORGE H. BEACH, realestate and in -- surance agent, St. Helena, Napa County, was born October 5, 1817, at New London, Connecticut, the son of Chauncey and Mary (Holton) Beach, his father being born on the banks of the Connecticut River, near Chatham now Portland, and his mother in Winchester, New Hampshire. His parents moved to New London about 1805, where his father was en- gaged in the mercantile business. During the war of 1812, his father was appointed sutler to the forces stationed south of and near his town; and at a time when the British threatened to land at Light-House Point, three miles below, he, with hundreds of his fellow-civilians, volun- teered his service, standing guard at Light-Honse Point until the British withdrew to a point nearer New York. Prior to their departure they threw ball and shell all one night into the American camp. Just when the shells were falling thickest, a volunteer named Charles Londen, who was under fire for the first time, in his fright slipped unseen out of camp and jumped over a stone wall, dropping one foot into an iron messpot of scalding hot soup. The moment the cook saw the foot go into the sonp he called out, ". Take your foot out of that pot!" The man obeyed promptly, leaving a portion of

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the flesh of his foot with the eook. From that time on the phrase, " Take your foot out of the pot." beeamne a lasting by-word.

In 1821, when young George was four years old, his father died, leaving six children, three girls and three boys. At the age of seventeen the subject of our sketch left school, taking a situation as a bundle carrier for Charles C. Williams in the dry-goods business. After going up all the rounds of the ladder, in due time he entered into business for himself, in partnership with his brother, under the firm name of C. E. and G. II. Beach. They suffered such reverses, however, in the crash of 1842, that they were forced to suspend business. Soon after Mr. Beach accepted an offer to become principal salesman for the firm of William A. Bucking- ham & Co., of Norwich, Connecticut, wholesale and retail dealers in dry goods and carpets, they being manufacturers.

In 1845 Mr. Beach again began business for himself in dry-goods in Norwich, in partnership with Mr. G. B. Goddard, son of Calvin Goddard, ex-Judge of the State Supreme Court, the firm being Goddard & Beach.

June 1, of that year, Mr. Beach was married to Miss Elizabeth T. Morgan, daughter of Dr. Consider Morgan, of East Windsor, Connecti- cut, where she was born; they built a comfort- able residence and settled down to stay; but in the summer of 1848, finding that by long and close confinement his health was breaking down, he determined to try his luck in the new El Dorado, exciting stories of the gold discoveries in California having been confirmed to his sat- isfaction. He sold his interest to his brother and began preparations. He went by the steamner Worcester to spend Thanksgiving with his mother and relatives at New London, as a good-by, landing there during a heavy snow- storın. The steamer proceeded on for New York, but went ashore with great loss of life. A two-story frame building for business pur- poses in California, and a full stock of mer- chandise were shipped via Cape Ilorn, and on February 1, 1849, Mr. Beach sailed on the

steamer Falcon for Chagres with about 300 passengers, among whom were Colonel Geary and Captain Simmons, and their wives, the lat- ter being the only ladies on board. At Panama there was a delay of twenty-eight days waiting for the Oregon, which was on its way ont via the Cape. On this trip an effective choir was formed under the leadership of Mr. Beach, the ladies, whose voices were rich and full, supply- ing alto and soprano, C. Loomis, tenor, John Benson and Mr. Beach, bass. They reached San Francisco April 1, without accident of note. On the fourth day after landing Mr. Beach completed the purchase of a business lot on the north side of Sacramento street, 110 feet west of Montgomery, for $3,000, of which $1,000 was cash. On the 9th he started for the South- ern mines, via Stockton, taking a sinall stock of high-colored handkerchiefs, calicoes and scarfs, which he had brought with him. With these, and buying and selling job lots of miners' goods from pack trains, he returned to San Francisco the latter part of June with money sufficient to pay off his land indebtedness and settle the freight on his honse and goods, which arrived early in July. The store was erected, goods moved in, and business begun. In ad- dition to merchandise, Mr. Beach had three consignments of vessels to him sailing from different ports in Connecticut. Ile also pur- chased invoices of goods brought by adventur- ers, and bought interests in small sailing vessels and steamers, receiving their agency and direct- ing their business. He was also agent for the ship Glenmore, running to Panama; the brig Sarah M. Farlaine, running to Portland; the schooner Alfred, to the Sandwich Islands, and the steamner West Point, to Sacramento. In passing through the two great fires of 1850 and 1851, he lost his store and large stock each time, the loss of both being probably 850,000. In July, 1851, his wife arrived.

Having a branch store in Marysville, Yuba County, under the firm name of Beach & Brown, run by Brown, he discovered the latter to be a defaulter in $10,200. He had him arrested,

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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 61

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