USA > California > A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California > Part 27
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INCINNATUS MORRISON, a repre- sen tative California pioneer and a worthy citizen of San Benito county, was born in Marion county, Indiana, May 22, 1826. His father, Ephraim Morrison, an early set- tler of Louisa county, Iowa, lived on the Mississippi river between Muscatine and Bur- lington. Cincinnatus was reared on a farın. In 1850 he came across the plains to Califor- nia, making the journey via the Carson river route. At Green river he traded his team | for horses, packed his effects thereon, and
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walked the remainder of the distance to Hangtown. He farmed near old Mission San José until about 1873. In July of that year he located near Paicines, on the Tres Pinos creek, where he still lives under the shadow of his own vine and fig-tree. He has one of the prettiest and inost fertile spots in all this section of the country. Grapes grow to per- fection here, and from them he produces the finest quality of wine. Here Mr. Morrison and his old friend and cousin, Henry J. Den- nis, enjoy life as men can only in the sunny quietude of a California valley home.
Mr. Dennis is a native of Indiana, born April 23, 1828. He came to California as early as 1852, has seen much of pioneer life, and expects to spend his remaining years in this beautiful San Benito country.
OBERT BURNS, who resides near Mul- berry, San Benito county, California, is one of the most substantial farmers of the county.
Mr. Burns is a native of Madison, a town on the Kennebec river in Somerset county, Maine, and was born May 18, 1839. His father, Samuel S. Burns, a farmer by occupa- tion, was of Scotch nativity and a relative of Robert Burns, the eminent Scotch poet. The subject of our sketch came to California in 1860, making the journey via Panama, and landing at San Francisco. He located at San Juan, on the San Justo ranch, and in 1878 went to San Luis Obispo, where he continued stock-raising, operating on the Huerhuero ranch. In 1884 he took up his abode on his present farm, 640 acres, on the San Benito creek.
Mr. Burns was married in 1870, to Miss Florett Willington, a native of Maine. Their
four children are: Willis L., Mabel E., Ger- trude and Herbert,-all living at present with their parents.
SAAC THEXTON has for eleven years been the efficient manager of the Paicines ranch, and is well known throughout San Benito county as an enterprising citizen and thorough farmer. The Paicines ranch com. prises about 9,000 acres, from 500 to 1,000 acres of which are annually devoted to grain. Stock-raising is also a prominent feature of the place, from 800 to 1,000 head of stock, besides about 100 milch cows, being the aver- age number kept here.
Mr. Thexton is a native of Scotland, born in Perthshire, April 2, 1849. He was reared a farmer, and has made this business his life work. Upon coming to California, about eighteen years ago, he came to Paicines rancho as manager. In his present position as manager of all the Grogan interests in San Benito county, he has exercised good judg- ment and displayed marked ability, conduct- ing the ranch in such a manner as to advance the interests of all concerned.
He was married in 1885, to Miss Helen Crawford, daughter of Robert Crawford, of Glasgow, Scotland. Mrs. Thexton's untimely death occurred September 1, 1890.
- ILTON T. LITTLE, a member of the Board of Trustees of the city of Monterey, is the second son and fourth child of the lamented Milton Little, an esteemed pioneer of Monterey county, of whom mention is made on another page in his book. Our subject was born at Monte-
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rey, October 3, 1855, and has continuously made his native town his home all his life.
Mr. Little was married September 16, 1879, at Salinas, to Miss Nancy, a daughter of James and Margaret (Childres) Davis, natives of Kentucky and Virginia. Mrs. Little was born at Leon, Iowa, April 19, 1858. She came to California with her par- ents in 1862, and has since made this State her home. Mrs. Little has borne ber hus- band two children, Elsie and Frederick.
Mr. Little is a man of sterling traits of character and modest bearing. There are few who hold to a greater degree the confidence and good will of the public than Mr. Little. · He is now serving his second term as a member of the City Board of Trustees, and is a member of Monterey Lodge, No. 317, F. & A. M.
ERY REV. CAJETANUS SORREN- TINI was born in Rome, Italy, Au- gust 7, 1815. From his youth up he felt called to the ecclesiastical state, and hence devoted himself assiduously to study and prep- aration for the work before him. His early education was received in Naples, which he completed at the Jesuit College in Rome, where he graduated and was ordained priest on September 19, 1839. Shortly after his ordination he was appointed a professor of theology in the Seminary of Amolti, Italy, which position he retained till he received instructions from the Propaganda to journey to Jerusalem in the capacity of a missionary. After three years of severe labor in this field, his impaired health compelled him to return to his native Rome, but not till he had left behind him a substantial memorial of his zeal and humanity in the construction of St. John's
Hospital, which he founded and pushed to completion.
After recruiting himself in " The Eternal City," he came to the United States, and was for a time assigned to important pastorates in the dioceses of Philadelphia and of New Or- leans. He also, in a religious capacity, visit- ed Peru and Chili and other countries on the west coast of South America, where his elo- quence as a pulpit orator attracted much at- tention.
In 1877 Father Sorrentini came to Salinas, Monterey county, California, where he has since continued to reside. On his arrival here the outlook was not promising. There was no pastoral residence, ouly a small wooden church, and the flock had grown negligent. He set himself to work to restore matters, to renew and reform, and now the fruit of his labor is seen in a handsome brick church, with frescoed walls, containing a costly mar- ble altar; a parochial school, with accommo- dations for one hundred and fifty pupils; a comfortable residence for the pastor; and a spirit of unity and zeal in the congregation that is indeed refreshing.
His golden jubilee, the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination, was celebrated in Salinas, September 19, 1889; on which occasion a vast concourse of the clergy and high diguitaries of the church assembled to felicitate the ven- erable priest.
A. McCROSKEY, an early settler and an influential business man of Hol- lister, has been a resident of California since 1859. His father, John McCroskey, was a native of Sevier county, Tennessee; was born about thirty miles east of Knoxville, March 17,1798. He was a farmer by occupa-
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tion, a man of local influence, and of great character. He was twice married, first to Miss Lucinda Ann, a daughter of Renben Grant, a merchant of Shelbyville, Tennessee, who was for several years Sheriff of Mon- roe county, Tennessee. Mrs. McCroskey was born in 1799. She bore four children, of whom Mrs. M. A. McCray, widow of the late Daniel McCray, of Hollister, is the oldest. One other now survives, viz .: J. P. T. Mc- Croskey, of Washington. The mother died in 1833. In 1836 Mr. McCroskey mar- ried Mrs. Priscilla McCray, a danghter of Harry McCray, by whom he had six sons and two daughters, viz .: John A., subject; Penta- lope, Henry M., Robert C., Frances, Thomas H., Benjamin B., and Edgar H. Of these children our subject and Benjamin, who is located in Hollister, are the only ones in California.
When onr subject came to California he located at San José, and later lived at Gilroy and engaged in farming. Upon the forma- tion of the San Justo Homestead Association and the division of the Hollister Grant, he came to San Benito county, and was the orig- inal settler on 172 acres of farming land, adjoining the town site. Here he remained for about eight years, when he engaged in the warehouse and grain shipping business, which he followed about nine years. At that time he leased his property to the Hollister Warehouse Company and retired from busi- ness, and now devotes his time to the care of an eight-acre fruit farm, his home in the city of Hollister and other business affairs.
His marriage occurred at Gilroy, in 1863, to Elizabeth F. Howkins. This lady has borne her husband six children, five living and one deceased. All the living children are residing at home. Two are teachers in the public schools of San Benito county.
Our subject has been a successful business man, and has the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
EORGE BROWN, EsQ., a pioneer of California and a highly respected citi- zen of San Benito, San Benito county, was born in England, July 11, 1827. At the age of eleven years he left home, and from that time forward took care of himself. In 1846, at the outbreak of the Mexican war he enlisted in the United States Navy at Boston, being assigned to the ship Cumberland, which ship joined the Gulf Squadron, commanded by Commodore Connor and afterward by Commodore Perry. He served all through . the Mexican war, was present at the import- ant engagements at Vera Cruz, Tabasco, · Tuspan and Alvarado, and was honorably dis- charged at the termination of the war. In 1850 he located at Fall River, Massachusetts, where he was employed in an iron mill until 1854, when he came to California, making the journey from the East to San Francisco via the Nicaragua route.
Upon his arrival in the Golden State Mr. Brown sought the gold mines of Shasta and Trinity counties, and was engaged in mining until 1865. That year he located in Watson- ville, Santa Cruz county, and turned his attention to farming, remaining there until 1869. In November of that year he located in the Dry Lake district, San Benito county, on a fertile farm of 320 acres, his present home. Besides this property he also owns 940 acres of untilled land. He has been prominently identified with the best interests of this county ever since he settled here. He held the office of Justice of the Peace eight
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years, and for a number of years was Post- master of San Benito.
He was married, in 1853, to Miss Catharine Kennedy, in Fall River, Massachusetts. She was a native of England, and a woman of rare domestic qualities. She died, leaving five sons and one daughter, namely: John, Joseph, George W., P. F., Kate M. and W. K., all of whom now occupy honorable positions in life.
Judge Brown, as he is familiarly called, has a wide circle of friends, and is highly esteemed throughout San Benito county.
J. COPLEY, a representative citizen, farmer and a pioneer of southern Monterey county, is a native of Dela- ware county, New York, having been born in that county and State, at the town of Harpers- field, December 18, 1829. When only seven- teen our subject started out from home, locat- ing first in Knox county, Illinois. His next home was at Monroe City, Louisiana, on a plantation, where he remained one year. In 1850 he came to California, by water, and upon his arrival went into the mines, on Feather river, in 1850. He next went to . El Dorado county, where he spent eighteen years, in the mines, meeting with fair success. He then located in the southern portion of Monterey county, in Long valley. Later he removed to Peach Tree valley, but finally located in San Lucas, where he has made his home for so many years and developed one of the finest farms in the county. His Spring- valley farm comprises 640 acres of fine graz- ing and grain lands, which are well watered.
Mr. Copley married, in El Dorado county, in June 27, 1852, Miss Hannah Nattrass, a
daughter of Cuthberth Nattrass, a pioneer of 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Copley have four sons, three daughters and twenty-seven grand- children.
Our subject has held the position of Justice of the Peace for two years, and has served four years as a member of the County Board of Supervisors.
ARIANO MALARIN, a native son of the soil, having been born in Monte- rey county, where he figured conspic- ously in the early history of California, is now a resident of Santa Clara county.
Mr. Malarin's birth occurred in 1827, and he is a son of Juan Malarin, a native of Peru, of Italian parentage. Mr. Malarin, Sr., was a mariner, and as such came to California in 1820 or 1822. As a reward for services ren- dered the Mexican Government he was made a Lieutenant in the Mexican Navy. In 1824 he married Josefa Estrada and made Monte- rey his home. Although still going to sea, from that time on he took an active part in Mexican-California affairs, and is frequently mentioned in history as a participant in im- portant political matters. In 1833 he was Captain of the port and grantee of the Gua- dalupe rancho, and later was granted the Chua- lar rancho. In 1843 he was Justice and President of the Tribunal Superior. He died in 1849, when nearly sixty years of age, leav- ing a large and valuable estate and an honor- able name to his posterity. Of his ten children our subject was the second in order of birth.
This last-named gentleman had the honor of being born in the government house at Monterey. When nine years of age he was sent to Oregon to attend an English school, said to have been established by the Hudson
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Bay Company. Failing to find it as reported he went to Lima, Peru, in South America, where he received instruction in the Latin, French, English and Spanish languages, be- ing then eleven years of age. He remained in Lima until the death of his father, when he returned to Monterey and assumed charge of the family estate. That same year he was appointed Judge of the First Instance; in 1850 and in 1851 he held the office of City Assessor and Public Administrator. In 1858 he was elected to the position of Supervisor, and represented his district in the State As- sembly, session of 1859 and 1860.
Late in 1859 Mr. Malarin married Ysidora, a daughter of Francisco Pacheco, one of the influential and wealthy rancheros of those days in California. Mrs. Malarin was born on the Pacheco grant, at the present country resi- dence of the family, now the well-known Malarin ranch, near Hollister. The ranch now consists of 67,000 arces of land, 8,000 of which are in San Benito county. Of the 4,000 which are tillable, 3,000 acres are cultivated by tenants. The old adobe mansion, built by Don Francisco Pacheco and remodeled by Mr. Malarin, is one of the finest specimens of early-day architecture now to be found.
Mr. and Mrs. Malarin have two daughters, Mariana F. and Pauline E., the latter the wife of Dr. L. Fatjo. Mr. Malarin's home is in Santa Clara county, although he has ex- tensive interests in San Francisco and San José. The mother of our subject, Josefa Estrada, was born in California, as was also his grandmother, Arguello, and in this State the entire family is highly honored and es- teemed.
He is president of the San José Safe De- posit Bank of Savings. He is a quiet, unob- trusive man of exalted character and influence. Although now a resident of Santa Clara county
he is largely interested in San Benito county, where he is one of the largest property own- ers. Mr. Malarin enjoys the esteem and respect of the entire community, where he is so honored a citizen.
ILLIAM H. GARMAN, one of the unique historical figures of Monterey county, may well be called one of the veritable " Path Finders," having come to the State when it was but little known. He was one of the members of the Joe Walker expedition that piloted General Frémont over the mountains to California.
Mr. Garman is a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and was born within twelve miles of Daniel Boone's birthplace. His fa- ther, Philip Garman, was of German descent, a breeder by occupation, which calling he pursued in Harrisburg, in addition to carry- ing on a brewery and tannery on a large scale. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Elizabeth Hirsch, also a na- tive of Berks county.
Our subject was educated in Harrisburg, and there learned the trade of a printer, which he followed for about eight years, a portion of the time in St. Louis, Missouri. He also was engaged with Lieutenant (now General) W. B. Franklin, in the survey of the breakwater at Michigan City, Indiana, and later at St. Joseph, Michigan. His next move was to Chicago, and from there he en- tered the service of the Government and fought in the Seminole war in Florida. The next account we have of him is in the Mex- ican war, where he served as Courier from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fé, New Mexico. After the close of the war he joined Walker's expedition bound for California, and was one
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of the twelve men that explored the country and directed General Frémont's course through the Rocky mountains, westward. It was this party that first invaded the quiet precincts of Priest Valley, in 1850, although their stay was but a brief one at that time and the party puslied on, over the mountains into the valleys of the Tulare and Kern rivers. They found the valleys uninhabited, save by a priest and a small band of Indians, camped near the center. They failed to get the name of the good priest, but named the valley in which he resided, " Priest Valley," a name that has clung to it ever since. So impressed were Captain Walker and Mr. Garman with the beauty of the valley that they returned to it in 1854, and Mr. Gar- man made a location, where he has since re- sided, but Captain Walker did not remain for any length of time. These old-time ex- plorers built the first house in the valley, in 1854, under a large oak tree near the present Palmer residence and but a short distance from Mr. Garman's present home.
Ever since his residence in this valley Mr. Garman has led a quiet, inoffensive life, and is well known for his kindness of heart and other sterling traits of character. He never married, but a host of friends unite to pre- vent his feeling lonely in his declining years. His is a happy old age, for he has the con- sciousness of having led a good life and spent wisely the goods bestowed upon him by the all-wise Creator.
B. HUBBARD is a well-known and successful farmer of Hollister. He O was born in Sullivan county, Mis- souri, June 18, 1840. His father, James Hubbard, was a farmer and carpenter and a
mason by trade and occupation, and his son was born with the true instincts of a me- chanic and was successful in all his under- takings in that line.
Our subject crossed the plains from his native State in 1864, and lived about four years at Middleton, twenty-five miles north of Boise City, Idaho. He then went to Ne- vada and carried on a freighting business until 1871, when he engaged in stock-raising, continuing therein until 1882, when he came to California and purchased his present home. near Hollister, on the San Benito creek where he owns and farms about 900 acres of' the best land in San Benito county.
Mr. Hubbard married, in Missouri, in 1875, Miss Sarah R. Purdin, daughter of William Purdin, a farmer by occupation and an expert carpenter by trade. Mrs. Hubbard was born June 18, 1848, and she has borne her husband six children, namely: Harmon W., Virgil P., Eva, Lena, Ella and Edna.
Mr. Hubbard is School Trustee of his dis- trict and an active member of long standing in the Christian Church.
ODERICK SHAW was born in Liver- pool, England, September 5, 1851. In 1853 his father fitted out a vessel and, accompanied by his family, sailed for Aus- tralia, landing at Melbourne. He remained there for seven years. Then, in 1860, he went to New Zealand, where he sojourned eight years, after which, in 1868, he went to the Sandwich Islands. He remained there until 1869, when he landed in San Francisco. In 1872 he came from that city to Hollister, San Benito county. Here he founded the San Benito county newspaper, Advance, which paper is now owned by his two sons,
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George and Albert D. Shaw. The father subsequently went back to England to visit his native home, and on his return to Amer- ica was taken sick at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and died in July, 1876. Roderick being the oldest of the children (there being eight sons and one daughter in the family) the care of his brothers and sister fell largely on him, and in a measure he filled his fa- ther's place toward them. All are now mar- ried and settled in life except the youngest brother.
Mr. Shaw, the subject of our sketch, served for several years as Deputy County Treasurer, and in 1885 was elected County Treasurer. In the fall of 1886 he was elected County Clerk, which office he is now filling with ability and honor, and to the entire sat- isfaction of all concerned. He is also prom- inent in social circles, being identified with the Masonic lodge, the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. Of the first two he is secre- tary, and of the last-named, financier.
July 29, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Mead, by whom he has three children, two sons and one danghter, --- Richard, Ernest and Susie. His mother makes her home with him, and is now sixty- one years of age.
Mr. Shaw is ranked with the pioneers of the county, and is respected by all who know him. Although his county is Demo- cratic, and he is a strong Republican, he has always been elected by a large majority.
B. TEMPLETON .- Mr. Temple- ton is a well-known citizen of Monterey county, and is known especially for his business energy and enter- prise. He is a native son of the " Golden 15
West," and was born in Trinity county, Cal- ifornia, May 13, 1860. He was reared in Alameda connty and was in the railroad serv- ice for about six years, when he came to Monterey county. His father, Benjamin S. Templeton, was a wool-grower and a native of Ohio. His mother (now deceased) was born in Germany.
In 1885, Mr. Templeton, in company with F. O. Oaks and T. A. Cunningham, pur- chased 4,000 acres of land of the Moro Cojo ranch, made extensive improvements on the same, and the purchase was recently divided between the partners, Mr. Templeton tak- ing 380 acres, upon which he has put out about 3,000 fruit trees, erected new and com- modions buildings and otherwise made great improvements. His estate lies in a fertile and picturesque county, especially adapted to fruit culture.
AMUEL M. BLACK, a well-known farmer of Blanco, Monterey county, has been a resident of California since 1861. He is a native of New York, having been born at Anburn, Cayuga county, No- vember 22, 1840. His father, Robert Black, was a farmer, who reared his sons to that calling.
Upon coming to California, our subject engaged in the occupation he had been reared to near Sacramento, in 1861. As the Sac- ramento river flooded his section of the country and retarded work, he left that local- ity and engaged for a time in mining. He also visited Nevada and Montana in 1864, but in the fall of 1867 he returned to Cali- fornia and located in the Salinas valley, near Castroville, where he leased lands of the Cooper ranch, and there farmed until he
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purchased his present farm of 100 acres, at Blanco. In addition to this farin he owns a stock range of 368 acres. Mr. Black was Supervisor of Monterey county one term, which lasted six years,-from 1869 to 1875. He has also been Clerk of the Board of Trus- tees for Blanco district for many years.
In September, 1869, our subject was mar- ried to Amelia Warth, a daughter of William Warth, deceased, who lived and died at Blanco, after coming from Germany, of which country he was a native. He located in California in 1864, and his daughter, Mrs. Black, was only an infant when he made his settlement here. She was born in Germany just before the trip was begun, which carried the parents and little ones to this great land of freedom and plenty. Mr. and Mrs. Black have nine children, namely: William, Rob- ert, Elizabeth, Amelia. James, Samuel, Clara, Marguerite and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Black are substantial people and enjoy the respect of their fellow-citizens.
L. NASH, a well-known farmer of Hollister, came to California in 1853, from his native state of Maine, where he was born in Washington county, Jannary 22, 1839.
The journey to California was made with his father, Shaw Nash, and upon arrival the father and son went to the mines and en- gaged in that perilous and fascinating pur- suit until 1864, when they located in the Santa Clara valley and engaged in farming at Warm Springs. They removed therefrom to Hollister, in 1869, where onr subject has since resided, pursuing his calling of farming very successfully. Besides his home in Hol- lister, Mr. Nash owns 300 acres two and
one-half miles southeast of Hollister, and another tract of 300 acres three miles west of the same city.
Mr. Nash was married, July 25, 1866, at Warm Springs, to Miss Perthina N. Cates, a daughter of Edward Cates, a native of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Nash are highly respected in Hollister, where they have resided for so many years, and where Mr. Nash has amassed a small fortune.
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