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 90

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 90

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

He was born in 1837, near Genoa, in Oreglia, in the olive-growing district of Italy, near the

sea coast, and as a boy he engaged in the sea- faring lite, making his way to California in 1858. Appreciating the great advantages of this new conntry he decided to remain. He followed mining pursuits until 1866, when he came to Napa and engaged in the general mer- chandise and warehonse business, which he sold out in 1889, coming to live on the ranch which he has owned and operated since 1883. Besides this ranch and vineyard Mr. Borreo owns valuable property in Napa City. He has always been a supporter of the Republican party, and though not desiring any official rec- ognition he has been a representative in county conventions and has been prominent in the local conncils of his party.

He was married in 1864, in Virginia City, Nevada, to Miss Maria Arata, a native of his own district in Italy, who died in May, 1885, in Napa, leaving six children. They are: Josephine, now the wife of Frank Hodgdon, of San Francisco; Nellic, now the wife of G. B. Cerrut; Mary, William, Ernest and Archibald.

ARCUS R. HOOK .- Among the rep- resentative business men of Red Bluff, California, we find the name that heads this sketch. An outline of his life is as follows: Mr. Hook was born in Maryland, eight miles from the city of Baltimore, November 25, 1842, and was reared in that city. He is a son of Marcus R. Hook. His grandfather's name was also Marcus R. Both were natives of Maryland. The Hooks trace their ancestry for several generations and find the family had its origin in Scotland. Mr. Hook's father was a prominent Democrat, a politician, and a mem- ber of the Legislature of Maryland. His mother, nee Elizabeth Ann Bruff, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and hier ancestors were also natives of that State. Of the family of five children only Mr. Hook and a sister sur. vive.

Our subject received his education in Wash-

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ington city. At the age of eighteen years he entered the Railway Postal Service, occupying that position ten years. He was clerk in the office of Vital Statistics for two years, under Dr. Bliss, of President Garfield notoriety.

In 1876, in answer to a telegram from his friend, General Chipman, Mr. Hook came to Red Bluff, California, to take a position with the Sierra Lumber Company. After being with them four years he opened his own real- estate and insurance business, which he still continues. He is the owner of 140 acres of land, just west of the city, on which he has built a beautiful residence. On this property he has planted ten acres of almonds, several acres in a home vineyard, and a large variety of fruit trees. Sixty acres of the property he has subdivided into ten-acre tracts.

Mr. Hook was married March 17, 1866, to Miss Anna M. Lay, a native of Washington, and a daughter of Richard Lay, who was born in Connecticut and is a descendant of an old Connecticut family. Mr. Lay was for many years a resident of Washington, where he held a Government office. Mrs. Hook's grandfather, Richard Lay, Sr., on the paternal side, was a descendant of the Wollcott family, who traced their ancestry back to the Oliver Wollcott, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Her mother, nee Ann Mattingly, was a native of Maryland and came from an old family of that State. Both her paternal and maternal ancestors participated in the Revolution. They were also Unionists, and two of Mrs. Hook's brothers were captains in the United States army and did service in the civil war.

Mr. and Mrs. Hook have been blessed with five children, all born in Washington except the youngest, who is a native of Red Bluff. Their names are as follows: Charles K., Ruth C., M. Madaline, Addie T. and Marens R., who takes the family name. Mrs. Ilook and the children are devout members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Ilook is in politics an ardent Republican, and has been such since he became a voter. For the last six years he has been a

member of the Board of Supervisors, and has two years more to serve before his term of office expires. He was the only Republican on the county ticket that was elected. Since he became a resident of Red Bluff Mr. Hook has thoroughly identified himself with the best in- terests of the city, and county as well. He is a life member of the Agricultural Society of the county and is secretary of the same.

AMES B. GRIFFIN, a prosperous farmer near Winters, Yolo County, was born in Ralls County, Missouri, Angust 12, 1852, the son of Joseph and Nancy (Ely) Griffin. His father, born in Virginia, February 6, 1818, crossed the plains to this State in 1850; in 1852 returned to Missouri and in 1857 came again to California, bringing with him his family of wife and five children: T. D., George W., Annie E., Margaret J. and James B .; and he lived until 1885. The mother, who was born February 6, 1828, in Missouri, is still living, on the home ranch, where she is spending the remainder of her days. James B. was but five years of age when he was brought to the Golden State. He lived and worked for the interests of his parents until 1877; then until 1880 he was engaged in Colusa County, when he bought land.

In 1889 he came to Yolo County and pur- chased 320 acres north of Winters, and during the same year he and his brother, John F., bonght of Levi Morris one of the finest ranches in the county, situated about three miles north of Winters, toward Madison. It contains 500 acres, of which 100 are in fruit. On the prem- ises is a magnificent residence. James' interest is 170 acres, while the rest belongs to his brother. The subject of this sketchi was married Novem- ber 19. 1874, to Miss Minerva C. Miller, who was born in California September 17, 1854. Their three children are: Emma G., born Feb- ruary 9 1879; Bennie, October 21, 1881; and Joseph R., December 27, 1883.

JOHN F. GRIFFIN was born in Yolo Connty,

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October 25, 1859, and was married November 8, 1887, to Miss Alice Martin, at her home in Ralls County, Missouri. She was born in that State, April 14, 1862. Immediately after marriage they came to California, and they are now making their home with his widowed mother. The farm is both useful and beautiful, being well kept by its intelligent proprietors.

ON. JOSEPH CRAIG .- The Old Domin- ion has probably done more than any other State in the Union toward building and assuring the status of her young sisters in the roll of statehood, giving freely of her best sons and representatives of her oldest families to help thein form a solid basis for the future. In this regard, at any rate, California has certainly fared well, for wherever we go in this "Golden State" are found prominent and efficient men who owe their lineage to Virginia, and whose names recall circumstances that stand out brightly in the early annals of our country. One such name is that of Hon. Jeseph Craig, of Woodland, who, though born in Missouri, and his parents both natives of Kentucky,-that State with the most stirring and romantic early history of all,-yet is descended directly on his father's side from the celebrated Craig family of Virginia. His mother, too, who is still liv- ing, at a good old age, and now a resident of San Francisco, is a granddaughter of Captain Jack Ashby, the great scout and Indian fighter of Kentucky, and is therefore of the well-known Aslıby family. Mr. Craig was born August 14, 1849, in Clinton County. Missouri, and is the son of Randolph R. and Minerva R. (Darneal) Craig. The parents were both born in Ver- sailles, Woodford County, Kentucky, but re- moved to Missouri about the year 1837, settling in Clinton County. Later they went to Liberty, Clay County, where they remained until they came to California. The father came in 1849, attracted hitler by gold discoveries. He mined

with success until 1852, when he returned to Missouri, and in August of that year brought out his family. Mr. Craig was interested in mines all his life, and was long one of the most prominent men in the Sierras and foothills. He located in Nevada City, and lived there for many years. In later years he made his home in San Francisco, looking after his mining interests from that city. He died at Auburn, Placer County, in March, 1866. He left seven children, five sons and two danghters, all now living in California.

The subject of this biographical sketch is the youngest of these. His early life was spent chiefly in Nevada County, where he attended school, and at the same time laid the foundation of a practical knowledge of mining, which has shown its results, among other ways, in the in- vention and patenting, in 1869, when he was twenty years of age, of the hydraulic monitor, which has since then beeu almost exclusively used in hydraulic mining, and almost revolution- ized the whole business. For about two years Mr. Craig lived in Marysville, running a foundry and machine-shop, during that time largely de- voted to the manufacture of the monitors. In the winter of 1872 he went to San Francisco and engaged extensively in the same manu- facture. In 1875 he was elected to the State Senate from the Tenth district of San Francisco, and is probably the only Democrat ever elected from that Republican stronghold, a sure test of Mr. Craig's popularity. He filled the seat for two sessions, and has had the good record of being one of the five Senators who voted against the new constitutional convention. Mr. Craig began his legal studies in Nevada County, and continued them for some five or six years be- fore applying for admission to practice. He was first admitted to practice by the district court in San Francisco, and three years later was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court. While in San Francisco he was a member of the law firm of Marshall, Sinoot & Craig, at that time one of the leading firms in that city. In 1878 Mr. Craig removed to Yolo County, tak-

HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

ing up his residence in Woodland, and immedi- ately beginning the practice of law. In 1882 he was elected District Attorney of Y olo County and served one term. He declined to be a candidate a second time, preferring to devote his attention to his extensive private practice On January 17, 1889, he was appointed a mem- ber of the Board of State Prison Directors, in which board he is now serving. The legal firm of which he is the head, is Craig & Hawkins, well known throughout the State. It goes with- ont saying, of course, that Mr. Craig is an active Democrat, and has been all his life.

He was married May 1, 1874, to Miss Kate Stephens, daughter of John D. Stephens, of Woodland. They have had four children,-two sons and two daughters,-of whom, one son, John S., and one daughter, Mary A., are living. Those that died were Tilden J. and Josephine Marshall.

Mr. Craig is of an inventive turn of mind, and besides the mining monitor previously mentioned has conceived other valuable me- chanical devices. The principal one is what might be termed a combined plow, as it not only loosens the ground to the desired depth but also leaves it in such a condition that no harrowing is needed. The plow is constructed under a new principle, one never before advanced in con- nection with the subject of farming, and is capable of doing much more work with a great deal less power than any plow ever constructed on the old system. If it proves the success that is now promised this invention will revo- lutionize farming, or at any rate that portion of it which consists of preparing land for crops. Mr. Craig was the first one in Yolo County to take measures for the propagation of the Ger- man carp, which are now to be found in the greatest abundance in a natural fish-pond on his ranch. To give an idea of the matter to those who may be interested, the following is taken from a letter written by Mr. Craig in answer to inquiries from a gentleman in another country:

" In 1882 I purchased from a gentleman at Lakeside, in Sonoma County, forty German

carp,-twenty brood and twenty small,-and placed them in a natural pond about two acres in size. They multiplied very rapidly, and grew to large size, some weighing from six to ten pounds. The high water of the following season carried a number of them into a stream called Cache Creek, where they did well and in- creased with wonderful rapidity, until now both the pond and creek are alive with them. It would be impossible to estimate the number taken, as the public have had free access to both pond and creek, and the number now remaining is without limit.

" When first put in, the pond contained bull- head in large numbers, but the carp have either destroyed them or driven them away, until they are almost extinct. From my experience, I am prepared to say that they are a fine food fish, and easily propagated. Persons having water facili- ties can, with little or no difficulty, raise the carp for food."

Mr. Craig, while one of the hardest and closest workers in business and professional matters, is a pleasant, genial gentleman, and enjoys a State reputation of being one of the best civil and criminal lawyers in Central and Northern California.

EORGE W. MADISON came to Califor- in 1852, landed at Marysville September 22, and in the following spring, March 18. 1853, came to Red Bluff. Thirty-seven years of his life have been spent in active busi- ness in this city, and few are more deserving of honorable mention in the history of Tehama County than he.

Mr. Madison was born in Londoun County, Virginia, December 14, 1833. IJe was reared in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, attending school four months during the winter and working on his father's farm the rest of the year. His father, John R. Madison, a native of Denmark, was a midshipman in the Danish navy, under his brother, Nicholas Madison, who was an ad-

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miral in the Danish navy. In 1815, when he was sixteen years of age, his ship lauded in New York, and, being pleased with the country, he remained in the United States. For six months they hunted him, but he succeeded in eluding his pursuers. Until 1825 he worked on a farm. In that year lie purchased the Shen- andoah Springs, which he conducted for a num- ber of years. He married Miss Nelson, a na- tive of Virginia. Her ancestors, originally Dutch people, had for many years been residents of the Old Dominion. It is said of them that they emancipated their slaves, numbering about 1,900, and that they bought Greene County, lu- diana, and colonized them there, sustaining them until they became self-supporting. A grander deed could not be recorded of any man's ancestors. Two of Mr. Madison's uncles were ministers of the Bible Christian Church, and he supposes that the family adhered to that church. Another interesting item of history in regard to them is that his mother was an intimate friend of Mrs. General Jackson and was her brides- maid when she married Mr. Mason. At the time of her marriage to Mr. Mason she was only thirteen years old. General Jackson and Mr. Mason fought a duel in which the latter was killed, and the widow subsequently becanie General Jackson's wife.

Upon his arrival in the Golden West, Mr. Madison began mining on the Feather River and continued it through the winter of 1852- '53, spending a part of the time at Campton- ville and Oroville. He was not successful in his mining operations, as he only made his ex4 penses. In March, 1853, he started north, re- mained a week in Red Bluff, and then went to Shasta, Shasta County. He mined at Whisky- ville and Mule Town, still without success. In July, 1854, he took a contract to cut 2,000,000 saw logs in the northeastern part of Shasta County, completed the contract, made some money by it, and, in March, 1854, came to Red Bluff, where he has since met the reverses and successes of life. He engaged in draying and dealt in hay and stock, and also engaged in the

manufacture of soda water, continuing this un- til 1869. In that year lie went to the eastern part of the county and became interested in the saw-mill business on Battle Creek. In connec- tion with the mill he dealt in lumber. He was unsuccessful in this enterprise, in two years losing about $30,000. Then he returned to Red Bluff, and in 1871 again started his old business. He went in debt for his start, soon built up a good business and accumulated fast until 1888, when a fire came and burned his dwelling, soda water manufactory and another dwelling. Mr. Madison lost about $16,000. Ile at once began to rebuild and now has a nice new dwelling and a soda water manufactory. He runs two trucks, employs three men, and sup- plies all the surrounding towns with soda water.

In 1858 Mr. Madison was married to Miss Lydia L. Burton, a native of Barry County, Missouri. This union has been blessed with eight children, five of whom are living and all were born in Red Bluff. Their names are: Minnie, Alice Mand, Clay B., Lydia May, George S. and Samuel.

Mr. Madison's political views are Republican. He is a member of the K. of P. lodge and also of the A. O. U. W.

EORGE COCKING is one of the worthy residents of Red Bluff who has made his way in the world by honest toil and the judicious investment of his savings. He is a native of England, born at Balderton, near Newark, October 29, 1839. His parents, Thomas and Ann Cocking, were both English people. To them were born seven children, of whom George is the fifth. He received his edu- cation in his native land, and, some time after reaching the years of manhood, went to New Zealand. He arrived at that place in August, 1864, and worked there as a farm hand and was also employed on the railroad, remaining two years and a half. He then came to California. At Sacramento he was variously employed nntil

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he was taken sick, and there lay in the hospi- tal for some time. Upon his recovery he went on the Central Pacific Railroad to IHumboldt City, and worked on the road until it was com- pleted. He was brakeman and afterward con- dnetor. From there he went to Santa Cruz, where he worked in the redwoods, and where, for a time, he was employed in a paper manu- factory. He returned to Sacramento and came to Tehama on the first passenger train that crossed the river at Tehama. He then spent several years in railroad employ. Mr. Cocking quit that business to engage in draying at Red Bluff and bought a horse and truck and was thus employed for two years. From time to time he had invested his spare money in prop- erty, and now owns eight houses and lots, which he rents. Excepting the care of his property, collecting rents, etc., he has retired from busi- ness.

Mr. Cocking was married in 1874. Mrs. Cocking is now (1890) an invalid. Politically the subject of this sketch is a Republican.

H. SOULE, a hardware merchant at Woodland, is a native of Maine. His

parents, William F. and Elizabeth M. (Frost) Soule, were also natives of that State. His father was born March 5, 1800, and his mother in 1802. In the spring of 1852 they went to Wisconsin for a short time, and in the same year came on to California, by water. The ship on which they were to sail became dis- abled and they were landed on the Isthmus, where they were compelled to wait until a re- lief ship came; and the place being very un- healthful, James Sonle, brother of W. H., was taken sick and afterward died at sea and was thrown overboard off Monterey, and his sister Eliza died on the very day they landed in San Francisco, and shortly after that, September 5, 1852, their mother also died, in San Francisco. There were originally five daughters and four ons, of whom four danghters now reside in

San Francisco. William Soule, the father, fol- lowed mining a short time, when his health failed and he went to Pnget Sound for a year. In the spring of 1854 he and son W. H. went to Port Orford, Oregon, during the " Beach " excitement, where they mined and prospected on their way back to Marysville, this State, and proceeded on to San Francisco. In 1855-'56 they followed farming in Marin County, and then in Sonoma County until 1861, when they dissolved partnership, the father going to San Francisco, where he died February 19, 1876. Mr. Sonle, our subject, went to Idaho during the gold excitement and followed mining there until the autumn of the next year, then for three years he followed freighting between Sac- ramento and Virginia City. From 1865 to 1873 he followed agricultural pursuits in Solano County; then he purchased 320 acres on Putah Creek, in Yolo County, and occupied it until 1884; then he spent six months in Texas; next, returning to Woodland in 1886, he pur- chased a half interest in the hardware store of P. W. Barnes, and after a partnership of one year he bought ont Mr. Barnes' interest, and is now enjoying a substantial patronage.

Mr. Soule was born February 12, 1837, and was married in Solano County, September 2, 1871, to Mary Cunningham, a native of Canada, and they have two adopted children, William H. and Minnie A.

- -

UGH MOONEY, one of the early settlers and well-known citizens of Tehamna County, came to California in 1852, and to Red Bluff in 1854. He is a native of County Down, Ireland, born July 15, 1826. He is the oldest of a family of seven children, tive sons and two daughters. His parents, Bernard and Nellie Mooney, were both natives of Ireland, and were devout Catholics. His father was a blacksmith and also carried on farmning in a sınall way. Mr. Mooney received his education in the Hibernian schools, and he says " Devilish

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

poor schools they were, too." He learned the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop. When he became twenty years of age he decided that there was not much chance for a man to rise in Ireland and concluded he would try his fortune in the United States. Upon his arrival in America he worked at his trade in Philadelphia, Pittsburg and at Cincinnati, remaining in the latter place three years. He then went to the lead mines in Wisconsin. There he met with bad luck. His partner defranded him, and he lost the $90 he had put into the business and six months' work. From that place he went to Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, and worked three months.

At this time he was seized with a desire to come to California. April 1, 1852, he went to St. Louis. He continued his way westward, stopping at St. Joseph, Missouri. When he reached.that place he had just $60, and there he worked for six months. He shod the horses for four Scotchmen who were making prepara- tions to go to California; and with these gen- tlemen he made a bargain whereby he was to travel to the Golden State in their company. They charged him $100 for board and trans- portation. Fifty dollars he paid cash and gave his note for $50 to be paid when they reached California. Their animals soon gave ont and a greater part of the journey was made on foot. When they reached Sacramento Mr. Mooney found a good friend in James McGuire, who let him have a gold slug, $50, with which to pay his note, and he worked for his friend at $6 per day until he had $600. He then thought he would try his luck in the mines. Went to Rah- bit Creek, Poor Man's Creek and Sutter Creek, and expended his $600 in about six months' time, after which he returned to Marysville, barefooted and financially embarrassed. His feet were not only bare but they were ex- tremely sore when he passed the Oregon House. There he fell in with a former acquaintance, who langhed at him and asked him where he was going. He replied that he did not know. This friend insisted on taking him to the Stage

and Steamboat Hotel with him, and there Mr. Mooney stoppei until his feet began to get well. Then he sought employment and worked for Mr. Drake two months, after which he re- turned to Sacramento and was again employed by Mr. McGuire. Mr. Mooney worked for him until he quit the general blacksmith business. In 1854 he came to Red Bluff with William Fag, and worked for him for three years, at 87 per day and board. During that time he made $3,000, and he says he has never felt so rich since. He then started to Philadelphia for a visit, and, when there, learned by letter that his father was sick. He went to Ireland and visited his father and friends. During his four months' stay in his native land he spent his money freely, inade his father a valuable pres- ent, and when he returned to California he had but $500 left. IIe went to work again with his usual vim and soon earned $2,000. A dull time came on at Red Bluff and an old Yankee asked Mr. Mooney to accompany him to Te- hamna. He went, and in 1858 opened his first shop and carried on business there for eight years. During that time he purchased 200 acres of land, located one mile north of Te- hama, and in addition to his work in the shop also conducted the ranch. He soon found, how- ever, that one business was enough for him and he sold his shop and devoted his whole time and attention to the farm. Two years after his first purchase he added 200 more acres to his ranch, making 400 acres in one body, the cost of the whole being $20 per acre. In 1876 he pur- chased 2,000 acres, four miles north of Tehama, at $15 per acre. After giving his personal supervision to both places for seven years he rented the latter place and still has it rented. His time is now given to the management of his home farm. He erected buildings on both places, and has built a beautiful and expensive residence, where he resides with his family. Mr. Mooney has been remarkably successful in his business undertakings; and to God he is thank- ful for his many blessings, for health and abil- ity to make and enjoy his beantiful home.

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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 90

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