USA > California > A memorial and biographical history of the coast counties of Central California > Part 54
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D. B. Castro
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ger of want. His time is spent mostly on his ranch in company with his family, who are mostly settled down around him ; occupied in making or repairing wagons and other farm machinery,-for he is 'a jack of all trades,' -- and writing occasional articles for the press, on political and social economics, many of which have been extensively copied throughout the land.
"Mr. Tully was ' born a Democrat' and lived a Democrat until the late campaign, when he joined the F. A. & T. U. and became a ' Populist,' dedicating himself to the cause of ' the class with which his lines in life have been cast' (to use his own words) the · labor- ing and producing class.' He was a dele- gate to the late " Supreme Council' of the F. A. & T. U. from California; is Deputy State Organizer and Lecturer for his State; and expects to make a vigorous canvass, in the interest of the order for the next campaign. Such, in brief, is the man whose biography we have presented in these pages."
UAN B. CASTRO .- It is safe to say that no citizen of Monterey county is more widely or favorably known through- out the central coast counties, than Don Juan Bautista Castro. His family name has been a conspicuous one in the annals of old Span- ish history and the Spanish-American history of the last two centuries. He is a native of the old city of Monterey, California, and was born June 24 (St. John's day), 1836, and was the son of Hon. Simeon de Castro, deceased, the first Alcalde of Monterey, later Judge of the First Instance, and one of the wealthiest men of his day and a most distinguished figure in California's civil and political life. The mother of our subject was Maria Antonia
Pico de Castro, a sister of Governor Pico, likewise a distinguished family. Juan B. in- herited many of the excellent traits of his father's character, a warm, loyal heart, a mnost amiable and social nature, and a laudable busi- ness ambition. He received his carly school- ing in Monterey. His father died in 1842, leaving a large landed estate, and at the age of twenty-one he assumed the business con- trol of this property, embracing about eight leagues of land in Monterey county. He was one of the first Californians to discern and concede the necessity of dividing up and settling the old land grants of California, if they would have the State develop in popula- tion and wealth. He demonstrated his faith in this theory by subdividing a portion of the Castro estate and selling it off to actual set- tlers, or leasing to those who were unable to buy. Also, in December, 1863, he platted and laid the foundation of the present little thrifty city of Castroville. In 1868 he sub- divided the ranchos Balsa Nueva and Moro Cojo, a total of 39,000 acres.
The city of Castroville, which he founded, grew rapidly and did a large business until the coming of the Southern Pacific railroad, wherenpon a share of the business was di- rected to other points on this line. In Decem- ber of that same year he founded the Castro- ville Argus, which for a period flourished as one of the most influential newspapers of the State. There is scarcely a public enterprise of merit that Mr. Castro has not promptly identified himself with and become a chief sup- porter of the same. He has always been a con- spicuous figure in local politics, and is a loyal, ardent Democrat. Mr. Castro has never failed to do his utmost to promote the success of his party in every contest. He has willingly expended thousands of dollars to maintain Democratic organization in this
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county, when it was uphill business. He has always befriended the poor man, often to his own detriment, and has always encouraged American labor by employing it at good wages.
In 1871 our subject was made the nominee for State Treasurer of California, and received a flattering vote, his party being in the minor- ity. Touching his candidacy, we make the following clipping from the Stockton Daily Leader, which is in touch with many other articles upon the subject that appeared in many other leading State journals: " The State Treasurer is made by law the custodian of the public moneys, hence in the choice of a candidate for that office the people ought to be vigilant and prudent. Hon. J. B. Castro, of Castroville, is announced as a candidate for the office of State Treasurer. He is a brother of the late Governor Castro, of lower Cali- fornia, and also of Don Manuel Castro, a respected citizen of San Francisco, and a member of a family honorably identified with the history of the State. He has filled the office of Treasurer of Monterey county for several terms, and discharged its duties in such a manner as to win the approbation of all parties. We can say with truth that the people of Monterey and adjoining counties honor Mr. Castro and would give him a nearly unanimous vote for the office of State Treasurer. There is one other reason why his nomination would be most gratifying, and that is because he is a native Californian. That gallant people onght to have at least one representative npon every ticket placed in the field, and the political party that ignores the native Californian may count upon inevitable disaster and ntter overthrow. The Americans, who have professed such ardent friendship for the natives of our favored State, must remember that they are
to-day, as ever, alert, vigilant and powerful, and that it is their boast and pride that they never turned their back on a friend nor an enemy."
Our subject was offered the nomination for the same office later on, but he declined. He has twice held the office of Treasurer of Monterey county, and several times has been Supervisor of the First District.
Mr. Castro was married in 1868, to Miss Catalina, a daughter of the late Louis Pom- bert, a California pioneer, further mention of whom appears in this volume in the sketch of Juan Pombert, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. Cas- tro have three sons and fonr daughters, namely: Juan B., Jr., Elijah, José, Louis, Lucy, Felicia and Maria, and three who died in infancy.
Mr. Castro's interests, landed and other- wise, are extensive, and his circle of friends large throughout the State.
General Castro, brother of our subject, now deceased, was a remarkable man, and passed through a career at once brilliant and varied. In his death, not only his relatives and immediate friends mourned, but accord- ing to Spanish history all Christendon should have wept, for he was, without doubt, a lineal descendant of the General Castro who ex- pelled the Moors from Spain. The death of this distinguished gentleman occurred April, 1891, at the residence of his brother, Juan B. Castro.
From the Castroville Enterprise, May 1, 1891, we add the following paragraphs:
GENERAL CASTRO'S DEATH-AN OLD HERO AND EARLY PIONEER PASSES AWAY.
The woodman goes through the forest and at night time many a tree has fallen; he comes again, and other trees fall, but we do
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not note his progress until some special favorite of ours, or a grand old monarch of the forest is taken from us; then we grieve and mourn over the ruthless work of the woodman's ax.
Last Saturday night, at 3 A. M., General Manuel Castro, a man with an individuality and character that marked him as a monarch oak in the forest of life, was cut down by Death's sharp battle-ax. Here was a special favorite, a man who had played many im- portant parts in the history of California under the old Spanish régime, and his death will be a matter of regret to many of the early pioneers who knew him and loved him for his goodness of heart and head.
General Castro had been lying dangerously ill for some time at the residence of his brother, Juan B., of this place, and though his deathı seemed sudden, as death always does, still it was not unexpected. The de- ceased was a native of Monterey county, and his life seems intimately connected and woven in with the history of the same. Strong and stanch, and ever ready to ad- vance the best interests of those around him, Monterey county and California generally will cherish the memory of him who helped to mold and make her early history.
In his last hours of suffering he had the kind attention of his brother, Supervisor J. B. Castro and wife, Mrs. C. Pomber de Castro, and her two nieces, Misses Rnfina and Rosa Pomber, daughters of the late José Manuel Pomber. One striking coincidence is that General Castro was sponsor for the late Pomber, father of the young ladies who were among his last attendants, and who ever waited upon him day and night.
The funeral services were held at 3 o'clock on Sunday. Many friends of the deceased from Monterey, Watsonville and Salinas were
present to pay their last sad tribute to the dead.
We are indebted to E. B. Kelley, who had the pleasure of being a personal warm friend of the deceased, for the following interesting account of his life:
General Castro was a remarkable man, and passed through a career at once brilliant and varied. Born at the old presidio of Monte- rey (where the present Catholic church stands) on Christmas day, 1821, he was ushered into Mexican rule at the beginning of her independence from Spain, and was destined to play an important role in the country's government. Mexico then included all the territory from the gulf of Mexico west to the Pacific ocean, and north to the northern boundary of California.
His father was the late Simeon de Castro, the first Alcalde of Monterey, and one of the wealthiest and most prominent men in California, afterward holding the office of Judge and other offices of honor and trust. The mother was Maria Antonia Pico de Cas- tro, a sister of Governor Pico. Backed by a parentage so distinguished and wealthy, he was given every opportunity that wealth and influence could bring to him. Being naturally ambitious and possessing great native ability, he improved all advantages. In 1839, at the early age of eighteen years, he was Secretary and Collector of the port of Monterey, and three years later, in 1842-'43, was Secretary to the Prefect of Monterey. He was the prime mover in the revolt against Michelto- rena, Governor of Alta California, and took an active part throughout the troubles of 1844 and 1845. He was once captured and exchanged, and was finally commissioned to make a treaty. Under the administration of 1845 he was made Prefect of Monterey dis- trict and Lieutenant of the Monterey com-
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pany. He was little less distinguished in civil affairs, and was the warm supporter of Governor Pico, against General José Castro. In 1846 he was promoted as Captain of the Santa Bárbara company, and received a grant of eleven leagnes of land, the celebrated Laguna Detache, bnt continued his services as Prefect.
In the war with the United States for the conquest of California, he was the most prominent figure on the Mexican side, and fought General John C. Frémont's army to the last. He was a patriot and fought in de- fense of his government and its citizens. His trouble with General Cambuston is too well known to review at this time. He was sent south in July, 1846, as comisionado to effect a reconciliation between his cousin, General José Castro, and Governor Pico, who was his uncle. On the departure of General José Castro, he was elected to command at Los Angeles.
General Castro would never admit that he was, and it is not known whether he was, one of the officers captured and paroled by Stock- ton's men. On the outbreak of the Flores revolt, he was put in command of the north- ern division, and commanded during the en- tire Natividad campaign. After the war he fled to Mexico with Flores, where he con- tinned in the military service several years. He was violently opposed to the treaty of peace, and for his opposition was, together with several other generals, arrested by the Santa Ana faction, but was released and ap- pointed to command in Lower California. He afterward yielded the command to Gen- eral Negrete, and venturing to San Francisco in 1854, has since resided the greater part of his time in California. To the moment of his death he remained loyal to his country, and never became an American citizen, pre-
ferring to spend the remainder of his life true to the sentiments and principles for which he had staked his life and fortunes. One thing noticeable in his character, how- ever, was the interest he manifested in the growth and prosperity of his native State- California. The American people, appre- ciating the patriotic desires of the General, joined Mexico in pronouncing his conduct brave, heroic and patriotic. Indeed, all who knew his kind, gentle manners, could only the more admire his devotion to his lost cause.
· During the Maximilian war he aided in raising troops, arms and money to fight Maxi- milian, and, together with Generals Hocho and Bega, accomplished much in that direc- tion.
For the distinguished services rendered by him to the Government, General Diaz, Presi- dent of Mexico, tendered the appointment of colonel and brevet-general in the regular army, with full pay, or offered him the choice of going on the retired list of the army, with half pay, and in addition a patent to twenty square leagues of land, on condition that he would reside upon Mexican territory. To this condition he would never accede, and de- clined the offer made him.
The General was refined and courteous, but firm in his opinions and his demeanor. He was a Roman Catholic, and never be- longed to any secret society of any kind. While he loved society and was well known for his gallantry, he preferred to remain sin- gle, and therefore never married.
Two brothers, Juan B. and Leandro Cas- tro, survive him; while two sisters, Juana Castro de Merritt and Maria Castro de San- chez, and four brothers, Manuel, Jr., Pedro José, Antonio and José Francis, preceded him to the grave. In his death not only his
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relatives and immediate friends mourn, but according to Spanish history all Christendom should weep, for he was, without doubt, a lineal descendant of the General Castro who expelled the Moors from Spain, under ap- pointment (as Generalissimo) of a king of Spain who was canonized and made a saint.
HOMAS J. RIORDAN, the efficient and popular Clerk of Monterey county, residing in Salinas, was born in San Francisco, November 15, 1859. His family removed to Salinas valley in 1860, his father, Michael Riordan, having come to California in 1854. After attending the public schools of Natividad, in this county, he was two years in St. Mary's College, San Francisco, leaving this latter institution in 1876. He commenced his business life as a clerk in the general merchandise store of John S. Paine, at Pájaro, where he remained about a year. After this he went to the southern part of the county with W. H. Taylor, superintend- ent of the coast stage line, coming to Salinas later, in the employ of W. W. Battles, a prominent grain buyer. After the death of W. W. Battles, he went into grain business for himself, and while in this business was elected Auditor. He was elected County Auditor in 1882; subsequently he went into the tailoring and furnishing goods business with T. B. Johnson, under the firm name of Johnson & Riordan. After three years of successful business operation he sold out, in October, 1887, and went into the grain-buy- ing business with S. Z, Hebert. He was elected County Clerk in 1888, 1890 and again in 1892, which fact plainly shows the general satisfaction his services have given and the esteem in which he is held.
Mr. Riordan was married October 21, 1884, to Miss Madge Sheehy, daughter of ex-Super- visor John Sheehy, and they have two bright children, a son and daughter.
Socially, Mr Riordan belongs to the Native Sons of the Golden West, one of the largest societies on the coast.
In all the various walks of life, as a hus- band and father, business man and public official, he has always been the same able, honorable and kind-hearted person, and has achieved an enviable position in life and in the regard of those who know and appreciate his many excellent qualities.
E. G. ANZAR, of San Juan, Califor- nia, a descendent of one of the earliest settlers of California, and a man of wealth and influence, was born in this city, February 10, 1851. His father, Juan M. Anzar, was grantee of Aromitas rancho in 1835, and of the Santa Ana ranch in 1839, constituting him a man of wealth; and pos- sessing strong traits of character, he had great influence. He served as Justice of the Peace at San Juan, from 1839 to 1841, and favored the cause of the United States. He married Marie Antonio Castro, who was the mother of the subject of this sketch. She was a daughter of Mariano M. Castro, a na- tive of San Juan, and a man of considerable prominence.
P. E. G. Anzar, whose name heads this notice, grew up at his native home and re- ceived a good business education. He spent several years in business in San Francisco and Los Angeles, after which he returned to the place of his birth, where he now owns and cultivates about 3,500 acres of the old family estate, situated near San Juan, which is one of the finest ranches in the county.
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He married Miss Zenetta of San Juan, in 1877, and they have three interesting children.
Mr. Anzar is a leading Democrat of San Benito county. As a business man and citi- zen, he stands deservedly high in the esteem of his community, who know and appreciate his sterling traits of character.
RED PORTER NASON, one of the most prosperous farmers of Corral de Tierra, near Salinas, Monterey county, California, widely and favorably known as a progressive business man and public-spirited citizen, was born in Haverhill, New Hamp- shire, January 24, 1856. In many respects his has been a most remarkable career, rival- ing in interest that of Robinson Crusoe's, and which when written, as it soon will be, will furnish much food for wonderment to all those fortunate enough to read it. Advent- ure and patriotism are in his blood, as his ancest- ors have been men of prominence and action from the earliest known records. His great- grandfather fought at Bunker Hill, and also with two brothers, fought all through the war of the Revolution, from 1776 to 1783. His grandfather, John Nason, was a faithful soldier in the war of 1812. He was a native of Massachusetts, and one of the earliest set- tlers of Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he was a sawmill owner and farmer, and who lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years. The father of the subject of this sketch, also a native of Haverhill, was a loco- motive engineer and was killed in an accident when his son, Fred, was five years of age, after which young Fred went to live with his grandfather. At the age of fourteen, he left home with only $1 in money, and worked
his way to Boston, Massachusetts, where he shipped before the mast in the whaling bark, Louisiana, for a three years' voyage. After six months at sea, he was made boatsteerer or harpooner, and before he was fifteen years of age had harpooned his whale. This voy- age lasted thirty-two months, the vessel in that time circumnavigating the globe, so that before he was seventeen, Mr. Nason had been around the world. Upon his return to Boston, he shipped as second mate in the merchant service, in which he spent about two years, during which time he was twice ship-wrecked. Upon his return, he again shipped on a whaler for a short voyage, as third mate, making $1,500 in five months. He then embarked on another vessel and went around the world on an extended whal- ing voyage of nearly four years' time, meet- ing with many adventures, some of which rival Robinson Crusoe's; he fonght with Chinese pirates in their own waters, and with the cannibals of the Fiji islands on their own shores. Returning again to New Bedford, Massachusetts, he once more, in 1876, shipped as second mate of a large whaler, on which he went around Cape Horn and up into the Arctic ocean, where he spent two seasons, coming to San Francisco in the fall of 1879. He then resolved to quit whaling, so left the vessel and came to Monterey county, where in 1880, he settled on his present farm of 484 acres, which he has cultivated with care, and on which he has made many improve- ments in the way of substantial buildings, etc., until he now owns one of the finest places in the connty.
In 1881, he married Adeline Watson, an estimable lady, and daughter of ex-sheriff Thomas Watson, of Monterey county. They now have, in 1892, three sons and two daugh- ters.
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Mr. Nason has always been a Democrat until recently, when he went into the People's Party. He is a leading member of the Farm- ers' Alliance, for which cause he has done much good work.
He has nearly ready for the press, a his- tory or narrative of his personal adventures, extending over the time he was a sailor, about ten years, which will be a very interesting work.
As a husband and father, seafaring man and citizen, he has always been the same hard-working, conscientious, brave man; uni- formly genial and courteous, and ever popu- lar with his fellow-men.
R. WHITCHER, Jr., is a son of C. R. Whitcher of Castroville, and is an in- fluential citizen, merchant and Post- master of the town. C. R. Whitcher, Sr., is an Englishman by birth, having been born in the suburbs of London. He was abont nine years of age, when, with his parents, he came to America and settled in Canada. He there grew up and learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1859, he came to California, and worked at his trade at Degraw's mills, near Cypress point, in Monterey county. He later opened a wagon-shop at Salinas in partnership with Joseph Lacy. He was afterward at Monterey, Watsonville and for a time at Virginia City, Nevada. In the fall of 1865, he settled in Castroville, where he has since resided, and where he enjoys the universal respect of his fellow-citizens.
He married to Miss Ann Coy, at Lowell, Massachusetts, and of their three living chil- dren, the subject of this sketch is the young- est. A brother, F. L., is a resident of Los Olivos, Santa Barbara county, and a sister,
Lizzie, is the wife of H. J. Langhlin, Esq., of Moss Landing.
The subject of this sketch entered business as a general merchant in 1887. On Septem- ber 22 of that year he married a daughter of William Stirling, Esq., of Castroville, and they have one daughter, Jeane Rozella.
OSEPH FRANCICSO VIERRE .- This successful and respected citizen is one of the thrifty fariners of Blanco, Monterey county, California. Like many others of his nationality, he came to this county withont money, and laid the foundation for a compe- tency by working on the farın.
Mr. Vierre was born on the Azores, off the coast of Portugal, February 28, 1836. He came to America on a whaling cruise in 1856, and made voyages on the coast of Nova Scotia and South America. Upon arrival in California he spent about five years in the mines. He then came to Monterey county, and worked four years on the wharf at Moss' landing. He then spent seven years on farms in the Carmel valley, after which he came to Salinas valley and located at Bianco, where he has since lived. Here he owns 150 acres of fine farming land, and also rents ninety-three acres from J. Jacks, Esq.
Mr. Vierre was married in Monterey, in 1866, and has four attractive daughters.
HESTER R. WITTER, a pioneer of California. resident of San Benito county and a native of Albany county, New York, was born near Albany city, October 17, 1833. His father, Robert Witter was a farmer by occupation and was one of the pioneers of Wisconsin, during 1833 and
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1840. The family was of German descent and were noted for their industry and thrift.
The subject of this sketch came to Cali- fornia via northern route and arrived at Placerville, August, 1853. He spent the greater portion of ten years in the gold diggings, and then resumed his occupation of a farmer in the vicinity of Stockton. In the fall of 1872 he came to San Bernardino county and located on Santa Ana creek, near the fort of Santa Ana peak, where he has since resided and reared his family. The home farm comprises 186 acres of valua- ble land.
Mr. Witter was married, in 1862 to Miss Nancy Skaggs, a native of Missouri, and they have seven children and four grandchil- dren.
Mr. Witter is among the most highly re- spected citizens of San Benito county.
APTAIN WILLIAM J. TOWLE, a California pioneer of 1850, who crossed the plains from Pittsburg, Pennsylva- nia, where he had been born February 22, 1834. His father, Thomas F. Towle, was a pioneer of Pittsburg, who worked in the first nail factory built in that city. He was born at Exeter, forty miles east of Boston, in 1809, and came to California in 1850, but returned East the following year. In 1860 he again made the trip and is now a resident of Sonoma, California. Several sons of Thomas F. Towle live in California,- George W., Hugh P., Thomas S. and Oliver C., all farmers of San Benito county. Calvin F., the oldest of the family, is a merchant of Los Gatos.
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