USA > California > A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California > Part 33
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birth, would have been obliterated to give place to Monterey's public school buildings, which through Mr. Greene's efforts were built on a more desirable location, and on more spacious grounds, thus saving the grand monument to early California's industry, the place of the making of the first constitution of the Golden State.
AVID J. WATSON, of Hollister, is a California pioneer, who came to the State in 1849, being at that time ten years of age. His father, Jacob Watson, came originally from Virginia, lived two years in Missouri, and then started to Cali- fornia across the plains, with ox teams. He joined a train of sixty-four wagons which started from " Big Blue," near the present city of Omaha, and proceeded irregularly westward and over the Truckee route, leaving Salt Lake to the south. Jacob Watson was a teamster and wagon freighter by occupation, and worked his way to Sacramento by follow- ing his trade. He brought with him a wife, Phobe Baldwin, and eleven children, which flock was later increased to the number of fif- teen. Upon his arrival in California, he, like nearly all others in those days, was seized with the mining fever, and from 1849 to 1850 he spent his time in the diggings on the Ameri- can river, with gratifying success. He later lived in Sutter county, and in Grass Valley, and then in Nevada, coming at last to San Benito county, where he engaged in the stock busi- ness and merchandising, at San Juan. He died in 1874, when seventy-three years of age. Mrs. Watson is still living in San Benito county, on Tres Pinos creek. Twelve of her fifteen children are still living, namely: Jonathan, deceased; James, living on Tres
Pinos creek; Henry, resident of Fresno county; Stephen, a prosperous farmer of Tres Pinos; Hiram, deceased; David J., snb- ject; Nancy A., resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Julia M., Mrs. Harris of Downey, Los Angeles county, California; Sarah E., now Mrs. Mankins, of Santa Bar- bara county, California; Jane, now Mrs. Sheegle, of Fresno county; Arminda, de- ceased; Jacob, on Tres Pinos creek, living with his mother; John M., of Lompoc, Santa Barbara county, and Charles H., on Tres Pinos creek.
David J. Watson was born in Scott county, Virginia, in the mountains of the Blue Ridge, coming to this State, with his father, when he was still a very young lad. In his youth he was associated with his father in his min- ing operations, and later in the stock-raising business, and at twenty-one he embarked in that business for himself. He located 824 acres of stock range, at the head of San Juan valley, which he after a time converted into a farm, and operated it until 1888, when he sold out and retired to Hollister, where he owns a beautiful home.
He married, in 1862, Miss Nancy J. Cox, daughter of David Cox, a pioneer of Califor- nia, who crossed the plains from Missouri in 1849.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson have no children. They have the esteem and respect of all who know them.
LAUDIUS F. RUBELL, a native of Greene county, Missouri, was born at Springfield, December 15, 1853. Three years after his birth his father, W. H. Ru- bell, emigrated to California, making the trip overland with ox teams. He was one of
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the first settlers of the present city of Chico, California, where, in 1860, he built the first house. General Bidwell's home adjoined Mr. Rubell's, but was located outside the city limits. Mr. Rubell remained there un- til 1866, when he removed to Eugene City, Oregon, and in 1870 to Dallas, Polk county, Oregon. In 1884 he returned to the "Golden State," and located at Bitter Water valley, San Benito county, and there died December 1, 1890. He was a native of Tennessee and married Mrs. Tabitha Johnson, a native of the same State. In his youth and early man- hood he pursued farming, but later learned the trade of a carpenter, which occupation he followed for several years. Mr. Rubell next learned the dentist profession and pursued it for the last thirty years of his life. The mother of our subject died in Oregon, in 1867, leaving three children, of whom our subject is the oldest.
Mr. Rubell, the subject of this sketch, re- ceived his early education at Eugene City, Oregon, and Salem, the same State. Later, he had the advantage of attending the La Creole Academy at Dallas. After finishing his course there he adopted school teaching as a profession, which he followed in Polk, Lane and Linn counties, Oregon, for six years. In 1878, however, he came to Cali- fornia and taught school for two years at Salinas, in Monterey county. In 1888 he taught in Priest Valley, San Benito county, for three terms and then came to Bitter Water. Mr. Rubell's ranch comprises 160 acres of land, a portion of the Domingo Villa ranch, with ample stock range adjoin- ing. In the fall of 1891 Mr. Rubell em- barked in the nursery business, in partner- ship with Mr. B. F. Gruner. They have about 30,000 almond, apricot and peach trees.
Mr. Rubell was married in Salinas, in 1880, to Miss Emma, a daughter of Samuel Gruver, of Priest Valley. She was born in Stanislaus county, September 2, 1858, and has borne her husband three children, namely: William H., born August 26, 1881; Samuel G., born November 30, 1884; and Hattie A., born January 16, 1887. Since 1890 Mr. Rubell has been an active member of the Bitter Water Alliance, No. 30, which was the first alliance organized in the county and now has seventy-five members. He is Pres- ident of the County Alliance and Secretary of the Sub-Alliance. For four years he was a member of the San Benito County Board of Education, and for two years served as its president. In 1879 he was the Constitution candidate for County Superintendent of schools of Monterey connty. As an in- structor Mr. Rubell was unexcelled, and the educational interests suffered when he aban- doned that calling for an agricultural one.
UFUS H. SMALL, a well-known citi- zen of Bitter Water valley, San Benito county, has been a resident of the State since 1858, having arrived in San Francisco in May of that year. He is a native of the town of Bucksport, Hancock county, Maine, where he was born March 14, 1833. Upon arrival in California he spent one year on a farm, and in 1869 went to the red woods of San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties and en- gaged in Inumbering for abont sixteen years, but in 1871 he located on his present fine home in Bitter Water valley.
Mr. Small was married in 1885, and the lady he chose to be the partner of his joys and sorrows was Miss Temperance Lewis Farnham, of Hancock county, Maine. Mr.
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and Mrs. Small have three children, namely: Fred M., Elmer W. and Lena E. Mr. Sınall has been Road Master of his district for six years and is, at this writing (1892), the Peo- ples' Party candidate for Supervisor. Mr. Small is a man of energy and good standing, and is highly respected throughout the com- munity.
LFRED J. MCCOLLUM .- This gentle- man is a native of Byron Center, Gen- esce county, New York, born Septem- ber 27, 1841. His early life was spent in farming and in other laborious occupations, and the education he acquired, which fitted him for the practical duties of life and use- fulness as a public official, was the result of some sacrifice on his part, coupled with a firmn endeavor to succeed. He attended the pub- lic schools until he had reached his seven- teenth year, working hard in the summer and doing chores iu the winter to pay for his board while he went to school. When he was nine years old his parents removed to Paw Paw, Michigan, and nine years later he went to Lake county, Illinois. He traveled for four years as an agent, and was employed as salesman for the same length of time in a store at Waukegan, Illinois. In 1866, he tried his strength and fortune in the mines near Central City, Colorado; but, it not prov- ing a bonanza, he went back East, locating in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he farmed for four years. Later he engaged in the wood business. In 1876, during his resi- dence in Kenosha county, he was married to Miss Belle McDougall, by whom he has six living children. In 1876, and for three years thereafter, he held an important position as foreman of a large stock ranch at Ottawa, Illinois.
In the fall of 1879, Mr. McCollum, ac- companied by his family, arrived in Califor- nia, and located in Salinas, where he has ever since made his home. The diversity of his experiences in the East had fitted him to fill almost any position offered, and during the first six years of his residence in Salinas he was employed as clerk in the post office and store. For four years he served most ac- ceptably as Deputy Tax Collector; was after- ward elected Tax Collector by a popular ma- jority, and is now serving his second term in that office.
LEXANDER EATON, a citizen of Hol- lister, but a native of the State of New York, having been born there, Jannary 18, 1830, in Orange county. He is a son of John Eaton, a carpenter by trade, who was born, reared and died in the town of Mini- sink, the same county.
Our subject learned the trade of black- smith in his native town, in 1845. After learning he pursued his chosen trade until 1852, when he embarked for San Francisco from New York city, on the bark Fannie Major. He sailed around Cape Horn and reached his destination in safety. Mr. Eaton spent about three weeks in the mines, but then went to San Francisco and began practic- ing his trade. In 1857 he engaged in busi- ness for himself and pursued the same in San Francisco for about twenty years. At that time, on account of the poor health of his wife he was obliged to seek a more con- genial climate, and so came to Hollister, in 1871, which place he has since made his home and place of business.
Our subject has been twice married. His first wife was Martha Lockwood, a daughter of J. Lockwood, a farmer. She was born in
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Orange county, New York, and bore him three children. Her death occurred August 8, 1887. Her children are: Edwin A., of Kings City; Charles L., who lost his life by an accidental discharge of a gun, July 2, 1887; and Ivy M. Mr. Eaton again married April 18, 1888, this time Miss Nettie Brewton, of Placerville, California.
Mr. Eaton is one of Hollister's most enter- prising and public-spirited citizens. He is a member of the City Board of Trustees, and is now serving his second term in that posi- tion. For eight years he has been Chief of the fire department of Hollister, and has been largely instrumental in putting and keeping it on its present sound footing and efficient working order. He takes an active interest in educational matters, and in every move- ment tending to benefit the people or the business interests of his town or county.
EORGE A. MOORE, a successful farmer and an esteemed citizen of Hollister, has been a resident of California since 1857. Almost immediately after he came to this State he located in old Monterey county, and commenced work on the Hollister Grant for Flint & Bixby. He spent a brief time for the same firm in San Luis Obispo county, and in 1859 he engaged in business for him- self. He raised sheep on the open range of Santa Barbara county until the drouth of 1864, after which he returned to Monterey county. The years 1868-'69 he spent in Los Angeles county. In 1870 he purchased 1,070 acres of the Hollister grant, a part of which he has under a high state of cultiva- tion, and which produces a variety of fruits of excellent quality and flavor. Few if any farms in San Benito county are better watered
or have better improvements than that of G. A. Moore.
Mr. Moore was born in Somerset county, Maine, August 15, 1829. He married Miss Emma L. Carr, a native of Hallowell, Maine. They have six children, viz .: George H., Car- rie C., Arthur S., Irving W., Helen G. and Winfield R.
EORGE M. ROBERTS is a California pioneer of 1852, who came from Mis- souri. He is a native of Mercer county, Kentucky, where he was born June 11, 1830. His father, John Roberts, was a native of Virginia, and a farmer by occupation, and lived and died in Kentucky, the latter event occurring in 1845.
Our subject removed to Missouri and lo- cated at Independence, but remained there only one year, and then, in 1852, crossed the plains for California. Upon arrival in the Golden State he worked at his trade of car- pentry, in Yolo county. During 1855-'56, he mined in Plumas county, but again re- turned to his trade and pursued the same at San José. Finally he followed stock-raising for twelve years, from 1857 to 1869, in Con- tra Costa county.
The marriage of our subject occurred in Independence, Missouri, where he was united to Rebecca Clevenger, daughter of Archibald Clevenger, March 4, 1852. She was a pio- neer of 1849, who lived for many years at San José, and is now a resident of San Diego. Mrs. Roberts was an estimable lady, wlio reared a family of four sons and three dangh- ters, all of whom are living. She died De- cember 27, 1877, and was interred in the cemetery at Hollister. After this lamentable event Mr. Roberts spent about six years traveling in the State, also in Mexico and
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Central America, and in 1888 he returned to Hollister, where he has since resided. His energy in business and frugal habits have been rewarded by a competency. He owns valuable real estate in and about Hollister, where he has ever been esteemed as a citizen and known as a resolute and typical Califor- nia pioneer.
ANDREW BLOMQUIST, the subject of this sketch, came to Monterey county, California, from his native land, Sweden, in the year 1868. Here he was first employed by Hon. C. S. Abbott, near Salinas, at $30 a month, taking his pay in calves. He had a good education in his own language, and speak the English language sufficiently to be understood. His father, also named Andrew, was born in Malmo, Sweden. His mother's maiden name was Kate Andresen. They were married about the year 1841, and to them were born five children, all of whom are living, namely: Anna born February 20, 1842; James A., October 24, 1844; Andrew, December 6, 1846; Peter, in 1847; and Jnana, in 1849.
After working three years for Mr. Abbott, Mr. Blomquist formed a copartnership with Charles McFadden, which lasted two years. It being dissolved, Mr. Blomquist engaged in business for himself-dairying and farming- near Chualar, Monterey county, where he Dow resides. In this enterprise he has mnet with eminent success. He now owns 5,000 acres of land, valuable horses and hogs, and over 1,000 head of cattle.
He chose for his life companion and wedded Miss Matilda Lenander, who was born in Orkolljunga, Sweden, February 24, 1858. This union resulted in the birth of five chil- dren, of whom four are living, namely: Mida
Nervida, born March 11, 1881; Anna Louisa, deceased, born July 28, 1882; Ada Elizabeth, September 30, 1883; Andrew Bernhard, Sep- tember 5, 1885; Charlotte Christinia, Jan- uary 21, 1887. Mrs. Blomquist's untimely death occurred on the 3d of Angust, 1891. Mr. Blomquist still keeps his little family together, preferring to take care of them himself rather than to entrust them to others.
As an honorable and upright citizen, Mr. Blomquist sustains an unblemished reputa- tion, his word being considered as good as his bond. He is economical, yet generous, and has good cheer for all who visit him. He is popular as a citizen, and more so as au employer. Doing an extensive farming and dairying business (milking about 150 cows), he, of necessity, keeps a large number of men around him, and many of them have been with him for years without making changes. Eschewing all vices and bad habits, he is a most exemplary man.
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LEXANDER MCCUNE, a prosperous farmer of San Benito county, Califor- nia, post office Hollister, came to Amer- ica in 1869, as an importer of Ayrshire cattle for the Grogan estate, and has since been identified with the interests of this county.
Mr. MeCune was born in the north of Ire- land, near Belfast, October 3, 1842, son of Andrew and Eleanor J. (Barn) McCune, both of Scotch ancestry. His father, however, was a native of New York city, born in 1807, and was by trade and occupation a boot and shoe mannfacturer. He finally returned to Ireland and engaged in keeping a cab yard or livery stable. His mother was a native of the north of Ireland.
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Alexander McCune is married, and has six children: James; Mary, wife of James Sted- man; Charles, Thomas, Alexander and Mag- gie, all save the oldest born in California.
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OUIS B. JENKINS, a native son of Cali- fornia, was born at Stockton, September 27, 1859, a son of John G. Jenkins, for many years a resident of San Joaquin county, and a prominent member of the State bar. This gentleman came to the "Golden State" in 1852, from Dodgeville, Wisconsin. He was born in Tennessee, and married Mrs. Marella A. Rhodes in Wisconsin, a native of New York, of German descent, and our sub- ject, Louis B., is the youngest of her four children.
Louis B. Jenkins was reared in Stockton, graduated at the Stockton public schools, and later he studied law at Santa Cruz, and was admitted to practice in 1881.
As soon as he was admitted to the bar he located in Santa Cruz, and from there came to Salinas in 1886. Two years later he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and in 1890 succeeded himself. He is a popular Democrat in politics, and in his election ran far ahead of his ticket.
Mr. Jenkins married in 1889, Miss Carrie O. Pursell, a native of Tulare county, and was born in 1871, and to these parents two daughters have been born, Stella and Ella. Mr. Jenkins enjoys a large practice, and has gained the respect and esteem of all who know him.
EORGE W. LOVIE .- The life of this gentleman illustrates, in a marked degree, that high type of American character that this country has developed.
Mr. Lovie was born in Maumee City, Ohio, March 4, 1848, and with his heroic mother came to California in 1850, to join his father, who had crossed the plains in 1849. His boy- hood was spent in the mining districts of Placer, El Dorado and Nevada counties, where the self-reliance and hopefulness so characteristic of the time were strongly en- grafted in his disposition.
In 1868 he married an accomplished woman, Maria F., daughter of Mr. O. S. Holbrook, a prominent mining man of Ne- vada county, and the union has proved an exceptionally happy one. His parents died soon after his marriage, and he then assumed the responsibility of educating and support- ing his brother and sisters (five in number). He engaged in the draying business in San Francisco, but, not taking kindly to city life, he in 1871 removed to San Mateo county and engaged in farming. His ability as an enterprising citizen was at once recognized, and he soon became.prominent in county af- fairs. In 1884 he was elected Tax Collector of the county and moved to Redwood City, the county-seat. Having served with great success in that office, he was elected in 1886 County Assessor, re-elected in 1890, and is at present discharging the duties of that of- fice with signal ability.
While the subject of this sketch excels as a public officer, he is eminent in his private capacity in what is known as a "society man." He was Chief Engineer of the Redwood City fire department; I. G. of Ocean View Lodge, No. 143, I. O. O. F .; P. C. P. Hope Encamp- ment, No. 60; F. S. Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 48; and Grand Sentinel of the Grand En- campment, I. O. O. F .; Chairman of the Committee on Credentials and Returns, Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias; and holds im- portant official position in the Great Council
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of Improved Order of Red Men. He has served on several important committees in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and during the past year be was the Noble Grand Arch of the United Ancient Order of Druids, visiting every grove of that order in the State and organizing two new groves. At the close of his term, in recognition of his valuable services in behalf of the order, he was presented by the Grand Grove with a handsome gold watch. He was Captain of the successful team in the K. of P. competi- tion in rendering the work, which took place during the recent session of the Grand lodge in this city.
Mr. Lovie is now in the prime of life, and is a man of pleasing address. The keystone of his character is strict integrity, personal honesty and geniality. He is a representa- tive specimen of that class to whom the people must look forward to give credit and tone to American politics. He is a maf of much magnetic influence, and is well calcu- lated to be a leader.
TAIX is well known in San Benito county as one of the enterprising and successful men of San Juan. He has recently purchased one of the most beautiful spots of land in that locality, which will be his future home.
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Mr. Taix was born in the Alps of France, July 30, 1853. When scarcely seventeen years of age he volunteered his services in the ambulances during the Franco - Prussian war; hence, during the ministry in the latter part of 1871, longing to see the world, he embarked for San Francisco, went to work and pushed himself rapidly forward on the road of success. Two years later he moved
within the boundary of San Benito county. He then turned his attention to the sheep industry, when the county was then open and ranges plentiful, with good results.
In 1882 he next engaged in merchandising and operating a meat market in the old town of San Juan, where he is still doing a lucrative business, with the best intention to live and reside among his many friends.
Mr. Taix has four bright children to suc- ceed him in life: Antoine, Vickie, Lena and Rosie Taix.
RANCIS BLACKIE, of Castroville, is one of Monterey county's most energetic farmers and business men. He came to California in 1862, almost directly from his native county, via New York city. He is a native of Roxburghshire, Scotland, born October 4, 1840, where he was reared to the occupation of a merchant. In time, as many other young men of his native land have done, he came to America, choosing California as his objective point, and sailed for that State, via the Isthmus of Panama, and in the fall of 1863 reached Salinas valley and engaged in farming on the Cooper estate.
In 1887 he purchased the warehouse busi- ness of Mr. Charles Louis, which he had been operating since 1881, when he had leased it. This warehouse is located near Castroville, on the Monterey line of the Southern Pacific railroad, and is the shipping point of the product of a fine portion of the Salinas valley, and Mr. Blackie handles an unusually large quantity of potatoes, beans, barley, etc., yearly. In this he is very successful and has gained the respect and esteem of all who know him by his honesty and fair dealing.
Mr. Blackie was married in 1874, to Miss Jane Mullis, daughter of John Mullis, of
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Salinas. Mr. and Mrs. Blackie have four children, namely: Francis, Walter J., Sarah M. and William G. Mr. Blackie is esteemed as a citizen and a prompt and successful busi- ness man.
W. PATTON, EsQ., a wealthy stock: raiser and farmer of Salinas, California, has been a resident of this State since 1860.
A native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, he was born November 1, 1833. When a young man he directed his way westward, first to Salt Lake, and thence to California via San Bernardino county or the Southern route. After prospecting along the coast he finally located at Natividad, Monterey county. He commenced farming on a comparatively modest scale, and from time to time has add- ed to his acreage until he now owns about 2,500 acres of the best soil of the Salinas valley.
He was married in 1859, to Miss Cornelia Stewart, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have one son and four daughters, namely: Alice, William, Emma, Mary and Annie. Mr. and Mrs. Patton are both of German descent. They and their family are highly esteemned by all who know them.
ILLIAM SCHMIDT, deceased. - William Schmidt was one of the first settlers of the Salinas Valley, and a pioneer of California. He was born in Olden- bnrg, Germany, in 1815, and came to America in 1845. He is an industrious and frugal farmer, and located on a claim in the Salinas valley of 160 acres.
He was married in 1865, to Miss Francis
Fabry, daughter of John Fabry, Esq., an early settler of Salinas valley. Mr. Schmidt died leaving a comfortable estate, a widow and the following children: William F., An- nie J., Francis M., August H., Emma L. and Fannie A.
Mrs. Berg is a lady of great business energy and executive ability, and has a personal pride in her family. She, in a large degree man- ages the family estate, and is respected by a large circle of friends.
ANIEL TUTTLE, one of the success- ful business men of Watsonville, and a pioneer, was born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1823. He is a son of Hiram and Annie (Dille) Tuttle, who were among the earliest settlers of Ohio. In that State his father built a house which had not a single nail in it, even the doors being pinned to- gether. They had six sons and two daugh- ters. The father died in 1848 and the mother in 1890.
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