USA > California > A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California > Part 30
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A. SCHOLEFIELD, the greatest skep- tic in the county, could not doubt the adaptability of the section of country abont Hollister for frnit-growing purposes 16
after paying a visit to Bonnie Brae farm, which lies across the San Benito river, two and one half miles west of Hollister. The owners of this now celebrated property are Messrs. Cunningham, Curtis & Welch, of New York and San Francisco.
Previously to 1888, the firm owned prop- erty in Santa Clara county, but having sold it they must needs look about the State to find another location suitable for horticultural purposes, but where land could be purchased at a low figure. Their attention having been called to San Benito county, the firm sent hither the superintendent of their Santa Clara ranch, Mr. J. A. Scholefield, the subject of this sketch, who made a thorough ex- amination of the Hollister valley as a whole, and this property in particular, with regard to the probable successful cultivation of fruit. He tested the soil, obtained statistics as re- gards rainfall; summer and winter tempera- ture, etc , and finally reported to the company, that although fruit trees had never been planted in the locality, that the soil and cli- mate were eminently adapted for horticulture, and he was convinced that fruit trees would thrive and bear as well here as in any portion of California. His report was accepted, and what was known as the McCroskey ranch, of 365 acres, was purchased. The work of pre- paring the ground commenced at once. On February 7, the work of laying off the ground was begun, and by March 1 about 10,000 trees were planted, finished just before the heavy rain of the season. Twenty acres of apricots (Moorpark and Hemskirk), five acres of peaches (Foster, Newhall, Salway and Muir), ten acres of Bartlett pears, two acres of cherries (Black Tartarean, Royal Ann, Governor Wood and Rockport Bigarreau), ten acres of apples (Rhode Island greening, Violet, Baldwin and Newtown pippin), 500
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silver prunes, 100 Adriatic figs, twenty acres of French prunes, twenty-five Præparturiens walnuts and 700 Picholine olives, were planted; also fifteen acres of wine grapes, seven and one-half acres each of the Cabernet Franceand Carrignane varieties. The second year the planting continued, until there are now 150 acres planted. The place contains now: 2,500 apricot trees, 750 peach, 1,500 pear, 300 cherries, 1,500 apple, 1,000 silver prune, 2,500 French prune, 500 plum prune, 600 almond, 1,000 walnut, 300 pecan, 150 fig, 250 chestnut, 800 olive.
The growth of the young trees, all of which are, as any one who is initiated will re- cognize, very choice and each a staple fruit. Being very much rushed, the care bestowed on the young orchard was only common, nothing scientific, though thorough. Yet the result has been marvelous. While in many localities of the State the percentage of loss of young trees was heavy, Bonnie Brae farm lost less than three-fourths of one per cent the first season. The young trees have been pruned and repruned, so rapidly has the new wood grown. Though not quite three years old, at the present time (1892) the orchard has the appearance of being al- most twice that age. As a two-year old, it bore heavily, Mr. Scholefield being obliged to pick off a large amont of fruit in order to save the young trees. This coming season the orchard will be four years old and much of the fruit will be allowed to remain on the trees and ripen.
This orchard, the first one of any extent in the valley, has proven beyond a doubt how fully this country meets all the requirements of a fruit-producing region. The orchard is situated in the San Juan valley, which belongs largely to Dr. Thomas Flint, who is subdivid- ing it and putting it on sale. As yet, fruit-
growing there is but an infant industry, and is just emerging, as it were, from an experi- mental period. San Benito county is now able to take its stand among the other fruit- producing counties of the State, and will aid them in meeting the constantly increasing demand for California fruit,-a demand that is increasing marvelously, not only in Amer- ica, but in all civilized countries where fruits, preserved and dried, are coming to be re- garded, not so much as luxuries, but as ne- cessities. In a year or two, Bonnie Brae farm will add its quota to the tons of fruit that are being shipped from Central Cali- fornia.
Besides horticulture, Bonnie Brae farm is also devoted largely to fine stock, there being on it a herd of about fifty thorough- bred Holstein cattle, the original stock of which was imported from Pennsyl- vania, and the bull at the head of the herd from New York. At the recent annual State fair, at Sacramento, the herd had four entries, secured one first and two second premiums. It also has one of the finest poultry yards in this section of the State, including the high- est grade of domestic fowls.
The able superintendent of this vast enter- prise is J. A. Scholefield, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Scholefield is a native of Ger- many, and came to America in 1866, when only seventeen years of age, having been born November 18, 1848. His father, M. H. Scholefield, was a wholesale merchant in the city of Hamburg.
Onr subject was very poor when he landed in America, but possessed one faculty that eventually was of more benefit to him than mere riches would have been, that of cultivat- ing and caring for fruits and plants. He had studied and labored in the field of scien- tific horticulture from his youth np, and
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located in Grundy county, Iowa, where he re- mained for about fifteen years. In 1882 he came to California to take charge of a ranch for John Campbell, in Santa Clara county.
Mr. Scholefield was married in Indiana, in 1888, to Miss Celia Zimmerman, a native of Ohio, and two children have been born to them, namely: Crighton W. and Arthur H.
AMUEL BLACK, a repected citizen of Castroville, has been a resident of Cali- fornia, since 1863.
He is a native of Indiana, born in Posey county, January 15, 1821. His father, James Black, was a native of North Carolina, and a pioneer of Indiana, having located in Posey county at an early day, where he lived and died. He was a miller by trade and occupa- tion, and built one of the first grist mills in Southern Indiana. Samnel Black was there- fore reared a miller. In March, 1846, he was united in marriage with Nancy A. Stall- ing, a native of Indiana.
The earlier years of his life Mr. Black de- voted to milling in Indiana. In 1863 he came to California. He engaged in the mill- ing business at Los Gatos until 1869. He was also at Soqnel, Merced Falls and So- noma. Then he came to Castroville, and has since resided here. He and his son, Victor D., purchased the Castroville mills in 1880, of Mr. George Chalmers, and in 1887 sold the same to the Central Milling Comp iny. The machinery was soon removed therefrom, and Mr Black repurchased the building and ground. He has introduced a barley-crush- ing mill into the building, and propels the same with a gasoline engine, the first engine of the kind used for a like purpose in Monte- rey county.
Following are the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Black, three of whom are living: H. C., born May 18, 1848, now of Oakland; Julius, born May 1, 1850, died July 10, 1852; Julia A., born January 20, 1853, was married June 1, 1870, to Professor"J. G. Kennedy, of San Francisco. She died Janu- ary 14, 1874, leaving one daughter, Julia May, born January 7, 1874. Victor D., born August 11, 1855, is superintendent for the Central Milling Company, at Salinas; Esther, born April 14, 1858, is now Mrs. J. R. Cran- dall, of 46 Liberty street, San Francisco.
Mr. and Mrs. Black are among the most highly respected people of Monterey county, and live in comparative retirement at Cas- troville.
G. HARDWICK, a resident of Pai- cines and a pioneer of the Golden State, is well known in the agricultural and political circles of San Benito county. He came to California in 1853 from Edgar county, Illinois, crossing the plains with a regulation, early-time, overland outfit, and coming over the mountains via the northern route.
Mr. Hardwick was born in Greenup county, Kentucky, April 20, 1835. His father, J. W. Hardwick, a farmer and stock-raiser, came to California in 1850; merchandised at Coloma and Placerville, and returned East in 1851 for his family. In 1853 he brought his family to California, located in Eagle Gulch, Plumas county, and transferred his business to that point. Two years later he moved to Santa Clara to educate his children, and bought a ranch near San José. In 1872 he came to San Benito county, lived two years on Tres Pinos creek and then settled in Hollister, where he died in 1878. Of his six children,
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four are living, viz .: Lucinda, wife of G. W. Moody; J. S., of Virginia City, Nevada; J. H., of Helena, Montana; and N. G. His wife, nee Lovey Pugh, a native of Virginia, died in Hollister in 1877.
N. G. Hardwick has been a life-long farmer and stock-raiser. His home farin consists of 200 acres, and is located on Tres Pinos creek:
Mr. Hardwick was married at San José, January 1, 1867, to Miss Mary Dean, a na- tive of Illinois, and a daughter of Isaac Dean. They have five children: John W., Etlic J., Matilda M., Charles N. and Howard H.
AVENPORT BROMFIELD, Esq., of Redwood City, California, has been a resident of this State since 1883. He is a native of Australia, born in 1862, son of James A. Bromfield, a chemist.
Mr. Bromfield served a four years' ap- prenticeship as a Civil Engineer, and thor- oughly prepared himself for the profession he had chosen. He served two years. as Deputy County Surveyor of San Francisco under George Rogers; was subsequently em- ployed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Com . pany, as Civil Engineer, and in 1890 was elected County Surveyor of San Mateo county. The latter position he is at present occupying.
In 1879, previous to his coming to Califor- nia, he was united in marriage with Mary Ware, by whom he has two sons and two daughters.
M. R. PARKER is a native of Bos- ton, Massachusetts, born Novem- O ber 15, 1837. He availed himself of the educational advantages for which that
city is celebrated, attending the Quincy grammar school and the English high school, and gradnating at both. Before reaching his majority he was employed in a commercial house, acting as clerk.
In 1856 he resolved to visit California, and, directing his steps hither, he arrived in San Francisco, where he remained for two years, employed in surveying. He then drifted up to Colnsa county, laid out the town of Princeton, being one of its orig- inal founders, and opened a general store there. He continued in this business till the fall of 1858. Looking about for a suitable location, lie found himself in Sonoma county, where he taught school on Mark West creek till the latter part of 1861. His next move was to Monterey county, in January, 1862. Here he engaged in farming, putting in a crop on what is now known as the Beet ranch, near Castroville. Mr. Parker had proved himself capable and able to follow almost any useful pursuit, his versatility being early recognized in Monterey county, and he turned from farming to enter the office of the County Clerk as Deputy, in November, 1862, under George W. Bird. The latter however, failed to qualify on his re-election, and Mr. Parker was appointed County Clerk in March, 1864, holding the office till March, 1868. Next he was ap- pointed Under Sheriff to Thomas Watson, serving in that capacity from 1868 to 1870. He left his previous employment at the call of the people to serve four years as County Clerk, his terin of office expiring in 1874. At this time the county was divided (San Benito county being organized), and Gover- nor Booth appointed him County and Probate Judge, which office he filled two years. Since then he has resided in Salinas, and devoted himself exclusively to the practice
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of law, having been associated with Hon. N. A. Dorn from 1878 till January, 1881.
He was married in 1863, to Miss Lola Dutro, of Monterey, and their union is blessed with nine children.
In his law practice, Judge Parker makes a specialty of the land business. His knowl- edge of the Spanish language, of the intrica- cies of the old Spanish boundaries, together with a thorough understanding of the Span- ish system of jurisprudence, have caused him to be regarded as the most accomplished authority on land titles in this part of Cali- fornia; hence his services in this depart- ment are much sought after.
HILIP OYER, Esq., one of the most worthy citizens of Pacific Grove, has been a resident of the State of Califor- nia since 1851, having come from Jackson county, town of Springport, Michigan. He is a native of Cayuga county, New York, and was born in the town of Genoa, August 11, 1834. His father (Philip Oyer) was born in Pennsylvania, of German parents, and he was by trade and occupation a stone-mason. His mother was also of German descent, and a native of the same place, her maiden name being Sarah Wagner. Mr. and Mrs. Oyer were blessed with eight children, our subject being the youngest child.
Mr. Oyer's route overland to California was by way of the Carson river, and upon his arrival in the State, he like many others engaged in mining in Yuba and Placer counties, in which he had varied successes and failures. He then went into the logging business in El Dorado county, and furnished large quantities of pine and cedar logs for local mining and building purposes.
In 1859 he removed to Nevada, where he engaged in freighting wood, quartz, etc., in the mining regions of this State. He also embarked in the butchering business, and supplied Carson City and Virginia City with their meats, controlling the wholesale trade of those lively mining centers. He also engaged in the sheep-raising business on an extensive scale, and owned large herds numbering as high as 11,000 head.
In 1864 he engaged in the same line of business in Fresno and Sacramento counties, on equally as large a scale for five years, when he shifted his base of business to New Mex- ico, where he is still largely interested in cattle.
Mr. Oyer was married June 21, 1876, to Miss Caroline Stolts, a native of California, and a daughter of Herman Stolts, a farmer of Sacramento county. She is, like her hus- band, of German descent. They have four children, namely: Daisy, born December 3, 1877; Frank, born January 25, 1880; Philip, born December 9, 1881, and William, born December 25, 1886.
Mr. Oyer removed with his family to Pa- cific Grove, and there permanently located in 1887, where he erected one of the most at- tractive homes in the city of beautiful cot- tages by the sea. He has been and is still engaged in the lumbering business. Has invested liberally in local realty and takes a pride in the beauty and growth of the town of his adoption. The adjoining town of New Monterey is likewise receiving the bene- fit of his business push and enterprise, where he in partnership with Mr. R. L. Holman is erecting a substantial and attractive public house at a large expense, which is located on one of the most sightly eminences of the town overlooking the lovely bay of Monte- rey.
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Mr. Oyer takes a becoming interest in the -; two years. He located at Soledad, May 15, civil affairs of his locality, and is always 1876. found on the side of progress and good gov- ernment.
OSEPH A. RICHARDSON was born in Monterey, California, in 1847. Will- iam B. Richardson, his father, came from Maryland to California as early as 1830, locating in the town of Monterey. Here he wedded Josefa Soberanes, a daughter of one of the distinguished early citizens of this coast. She is still living and is now in her. eightieth year. Joseph A. was reared in his native town and educated in her schools. He has made his home in or near Soledad for many years, a portion of the time engaged in ranching. He is now occupied in the harness-making business in Soledad.
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GNACIO P. VILLEGAS .- The sub- ject of this sketch is a native of Lower California, having been born near Cape St. Lucas, October 3, 1848. His father, Francis Villegas, was born in Mexico, but took up his residence in Alta California in 1848.
Ygnacio was reared a vicurio and from 1849 to 1874 his parents lived in Monterey on the Pacheco ranch, and later on the Los de Paicenes and also at San Juan. Mr. Ville- gas followed the life of a vicurio until 1868, excepting the year 1858, which he spent in the mines of California. He received a liberal education at the Santa Clara College, where he studied telegraphy and since then has been in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, with the exception of
He married at San Jnan, in 1871, Miss Gandalupe Salgardo, a lady of California birth. She died in 1887, at Soledad, leaving a family of two daughters and five sons.
Mr. Villegas is highly esteemed for his sterling traits of character, and is regarded by the railroad company that employs him as an astute and faithful employee.
OHN T. PREWETT, a successful farmer and one of the pioneers of Bear Valley, San Benito county, California, is a na- tive of Missouri, born in Cass county, De- cember 17, 1840. Samnel Prewett, his father, a farmer by occupation, was a native of Whitney county, Kentucky, and his mother was of Kentucky birth. Of their tive chil- dren, John was the second born and is one of the two now living, his sister, Sarah, being the wife of Andrew Irwin of Bear Valley.
John T. Prewett located in Bear Valley in 1871. He is well known throughout San Benito county as an aggressive and enterpris- ing farmer, and by dint of his industry and business tact he has here developed a good farm and fine estate, having abont 1,100 acres.
He introduced into San Benito county the first sawmill, in 1878; and in 1891 intro- duced the first successful traction engine.
He was married December 19, 1860, in Cass county, Missouri, to Miss Elizabeth J. Rayburn, daughter of Alexander R. Rayburn, who was a native of Virginia. They had known each other from childhood, having at- tended the same school together. His father crossed the plains to California, in 1849, making the journey with ox teams. He first
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engaged in mining at Georgetown, El Dorado + Monterey in 1835 and '36. He was also county, and subsequently turned his attention appointed Government Agent to Mexico, which honor he declined. to farming in Sonoma county. Mr. and Mrs. Prewett have five children: Nellie E., Mar- garet B., Lizzie, Ray and Lena.
ELIPE N. GOMEZ, EsQ., is a well- known citizen of Monterey, because of the active part he has taken in its business and civil development and of the historic prominence of his family in the State.
His father, Rafael Gomez, was one of the conspicuous figures in California's Mexican history; coming to California from Mexico in 1830. Being an able and eminent lawyer he was sent as an advisor of Governor Manuel Victoria, Commander-in-Chief of the Mexican forces, and Mexican Governor of California during the year 1831.
Victoria was an honest and an energetic officer, as well as aggressive, yet well mean- ing in the enforcement of the rules of good governinent. Disregarding the counsel of his friends, he made frequent short-cuts to justice by military methods, thereby exciting the people to revolution. His rule was there- fore decisive and brief, and, in 1832, he left the country in evident disgust. Gomez, however, had the respect and confidence of all law-abiding people and he remained in the State.
His official acts were later passed upon and approved by the then home government at the city of Mexico.
In 1831 he was grantee of the ranche Santa Rosa. He was a supporter of Figueroa's government, but resigned this position; and, in 1834, he was granted thie Tularcitos ranche, and held local offices in
He married, March 7, 1831, Josefa Estrada, to whom were born Felipe, the subject of this sketch; a daughter, Ysibela; and Jnan, a prominent business man of San Francisco.
Mr. Gomez lost his life in 1838, by an accident, being entangled in a lareta while looking after his stock on the Tularcitos ranche in Monterey county. He was born in the State of Jalisco, Mexico; was of Spanish decent, and a man of broad intelligence, a lawyer of fine legal ability, and possessed of a kind heart. His wife, Josefa Estrada, was a daughter of Mariano Estrada, a Lieutenant of Mexican Artillery, who was born at Loreto, Mexico, 1784, and came to Cali- fornia iu 1797 with Arrillaga as Alférez of Monterey, which position he held for ten years, being Habilitado most of the time. He was granted the Buena Vista ranche for his efficient services as a soldier, military and civil officer, retiring from the public service in 1829. He was one of the most respected and influential men in northern California.
Felipe Gomez is a prominent citizen of Monterey, and inherits many of the excellent traits of his illustrious father's character. He was born at Monterey, California, May 25, 1832, and was educated at a Latin college in Guadalajara, Mexico, taking a classical and physiological course of study, receiving his diploma in 1848. He then returned to Monterey, where he has ever since resided. On December 12, 1870, he received the appointment of Postmaster at Monterey from Postmaster-General Creswell. He was again appointed to the same office, January 2, by President Chester A. Arthur, and held this position until the expiration of the term, April 4, 1887, when he turned it over to Ed
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Ingraham, Esq. Mr. Gomez was appointed Notary Public in and for the county of Mon- terey, by Governor Newton Booth, May 20, 1874. He was married February 5, 1860. at Montercy, to Refugio, daughter of H. Sanchez, Esq., and they are the parents of the following children:
Josefa, married in Santa Cruz; Concepcion and Alex. (deceased), Mariana, Adelaida, Martha, Mary Y., Amelia (deceased), Charles, (married), Frank and Julio M.
Mr. Gomez is an active man of affairs, strictly honorable and just in all his business dealings, and owns a fine ranche near Pacific Grove, besides his city property in Mon- terey.
H. SLAVEN, one of the leading citi- zens of San Benito county, post office Paicines, is identified with both the farming and banking interests of the county, and for many years has also been prominently connected with educational affairs.
Mr. Slaven was born in Erie county, New York, October 21, 1837, on the farm where he spent his boyhood and youth. His parents, P. and Eliza (Walsh) Slaven, were natives of Long Island, New York, and Westchester county, that State, respectively. They had a family of ten sons and one danghter. Owing to ill health, the subject of our sketch aban- doned farming and engaged in teaching school. He made four trips to California at various times. His first journey was in 1866, via Panama. Here he continued teach- ing until 1882. He holds a life certificate to teach in this State. For a number of years he has been, and is still, a member of the County Board of Education, having always shown a keen interest in educational matters. Of late years he has been successfully en-
gaged in farming. He owns a fine farm in San Benito county, his present home, and has landed interests in San Joaquin county. He is also interested in banking, being vice- president of the Farmers & Merchants' Bank of Hollister, one of the wealthiest financial institutions in California.
Mr. Slaven was married June 7, 1859, to Miss Ellen Marr, a native of Boston, and a daughter of John Marr. They have six children: Thomas, Ellen, Isaac, Eliza, Ed- ward and James. Ellen is the wife of E. Chamberlain and lives in New York city.
HOMAS WATSON, a leading citizen of Monterey county, and an esteemed rancher of Corral de Tierra, is a native of Monterey, born June 14, 1834.
His father, James Watson, was known also as Santiago, the Spanish for St. James, often by Spanish-speaking Californians so-called. He was one of the most prominent citizens of Monterey in his day. He was an Englishman by birth, and came to this country as a sailor on a trading vessel. He left his ship at Santa Barbara, and came to Monterey by land as early as 1823. Here he located and engaged in merchandising, becoming identified with local publie matters. He wasone of about fifty citizens to organize a compania estranjera (meaning company of strangers) for the de- fense of Monterey against forces from the interior, when, in 1832, the country was in a state of warfare. In 1834 he married Mariana Escamilla, by whom he had eight children. The year previous to his marriage he was naturalized, and afterward was often a mem- ber of the local legislature of Monterey. Hon. Thomas Larkin writes of him as "an educated, unambitious, honest man, not in- ·
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