An illustrated history of Sacramento County, California : containing a history of Sacramento County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future portraits of some of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also prominent citizens of today, Part 89

Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 916

USA > California > Sacramento County > An illustrated history of Sacramento County, California : containing a history of Sacramento County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospective future portraits of some of its most eminent men, and biographical mention of many of its pioneers and also prominent citizens of today > Part 89

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ACOB MILLER, manufacturer of furniture and undertaking materials, Folsom, was born in Germany, March 1, 1835, a son of Jacob Miller. His mother died when he was about four years old. A little before he was twenty years of age he emigrated to the United States, landing in New York. Going to Bos- tou, he apprenticed himself to the cabinet-mak- ing trade and served three and a half years. He continued as a journeyman in that city until the commencement of the war of the Rebellion, when he came to California by steamner from New York, by way of Panama, and landed in San Francisco. Coming to Sacramento, he hired out at his trade to J. J. Clark, who at that time was the only one who imported goods from the East. After about three years' service he was promoted to be foreman and salesman in the warehouse. He continued in the employ of

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this house abont eight years, during which time the firm changed hands a few times. In 1869 he came to Folsom and started in business for himself. At that time Folsomn was a lively place; the railroad was running, the overland route was just completed, a great deal of min- ing was in progress and everything had the air of briskness. Mr. Miller bought property here and commenced the manufacture of furniture and undertaking goods, which business he has now followed in this place for twenty years. By economy and deliberate judgment he has accu- mulated some property. He is zealously inter- ested in Folsom's prosperity, and sincerely believes that at no distant day the town will be a city. In political matters he is a Republican, but will vote for a good Democrat in preference to a bad Republican. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' order of nineteen years' standing, belonging to Granite Lodge, No. 62; also be- longs to the Folsom Encampment, No. 24; has been a member of the Masonic order for fifteen years, being a member of Natoma Lodge, No. 64, and is also a member of Folsom Lodge, No. 109, A. O. U. W., and Excelsior Council, O. C. F. Mr. Miller was united in marriage. in 1860, with Louisa Cling, a native of Baden, Germany; she died in 1865, the mother of two children: Emil and Mrs. Louisa Klumpf. Mr. Miller was again married, this time to Mahdalena Hauser, a na- tive of Switzerland, and by this marriage there are five children, whose names are: Emma, IIat- tie, Mollie, Alma and Oscar Jacob. The eldest daughter by the first marriage was born in Bos- ton, and all the other children are natives of Sacramento County.

REDERICK COX, of the widely known firm of Clarke & Cox, extensive ranchers, capitalists, etc., was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1828, and was only a boy when the family emigrated to the United States. After spending about six months in New York city they removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where

the father was a book-keeper and buyer for a firm carrying on a wholesale and retail meat business. In 1849 Frederick was seized with the California fever, but owing to a lack of means was unable to start until the following year. when he joined a party of six to cross the plains. Crossing the Missouri River about the present site of Omaha,-then called Winter Quarters, because the Mormons had spent a winter there on their way to Utah,-they obtained there guide-books published by the Mormons, which contained full particulars as to the route and camping grounds, and which was found reliable. They arrived at Salt Lake withont having en- countered any difficulties. At that point they procured another book which was to guide them to California, but this publication led them into many troubles. In spite of these, however, the party arrived at Ringgold, El Dorado County, in the fall of the year. Soon after leaving Salt Lake the funds of the party, with the exception of Mr. Cox, became exhausted, so that from that time until they reached Ringgold he footed all bills. Pitching their tent in the middle of the street, the entire capital of the company, $7, was invested in beefsteak, molasses and flour. After regaling themselves with this sumptuous fare, Mr. Cox made his first attempt as an ora- tor and addressed his comrades very briefly but to the point, saying that it was now " Every one for himself and the devil for the hindmost." In the fall of 1850 he met Lloyd Tevis in Ring- gold, of the firm of Haggin & Tevis, trading in horses and buying immigrant stock; and ever since then they have been firin friends. Six of the party betook themselves to the store of Sargent Bros., and being granted a limited credit procured the necessary tools and started out in search of gold. Mr. Cox, however, hired himself out to a butcher in the town, for whom he worked two months, receiving for his services $250 per month. His employer being desirous of going away, Mr. Cox purchased the business and conducted it for about nine months, when he sold out, went to Carson River, Nevada, in company with a young man named Frakes, and

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

engaged in the purchase of horses and cattle from immigrants. After fattening them, they drove them over the mountains into California, and disposed of them at a good profit. In the fall of 1851 Mr. Cox started a butcher's shop at Salmon Falls, El Dorado County, which at that time was one of the liveliest mining camps in the State. He formed a partnership with Charles Bonstell, which lasted until the spring of 1852, when Mr. Cox moved to Shingle Springs, same county, and purchased an already established meat market. After continuing alone for a short time he sold an interest to C. W. Clarke. This partnership still exists, and nothing has yet occurred to disturb their amicable relations. At the end of two years the business was dis- posed of, and both partners made a trip to the Eastern States, where they spent about six months. Returning in the fall of 1854, they opened a butcher's shop in Grass Valley, Nevada County, where, besides carrying on the retail trade, they engaged largely in the buying and selling of cattle. Finding the latter business nery profitable and growing to large proportions, they sold out the meat market, and, removing to Sacramento, confined themselves to the cattle trade. As their bands increased and lands in the neighborhood of. Sacramento became scarce they found themselves compelled to seek loca- tions elsewhere, and bought extensive cattle ranges in the counties of Sutter, Yuba, Tulare, Kern and San Luis Obispo, which they still hold for their large herds. Mr. Cox is a self-made man. As a business manager he is very clear headed and persevering, never having failed in anty venture he has made, and consequently has amassed a sufficiency for the autumn of his life, which he is enjoying to the fullest extent. His home he has made for himself, where he intends to spend the remainder of his days, and where his friends are welcomed with unlimited hospi- tality. In politics he is a Democrat. He was elected State Senator in 1882, and served through two regular and two extra sessions. He was the choice of his party again in 1886, but he declined to run. He has been appointed on

three occasions by the Governor of the State as a member of the State Board of Agriculture, the last being in 1887, which term is unexpired. In November, 1857, he married Miss Jennie A. Holdridge, of El Dorado County, and they have had two sons and three daughters; one son and two danghters are living.

ILLIAM JOHNSTON, an eminent farmer residing a few miles south of Sacramento, was born at Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, eight miles from Pittsburg; came to California in 1849 with a party of 300, who engaged in mining. After engaging himself in the same business in El Dorado County for about a year, with varying results, he bought a squatter's title to a quarter section of land, where he has since re- sided, a prosperons farmer. He is eminent as a Granger, having held the chief offices in the State in that order, and been twice a delegate to the National Grange. For the past five years he has been president of the Grangers' Co-opera- tive Business Association, a director and vice- president of the People's Savings Bank in Sac- ramento since its organization, and recently Junior Warden of the Masonic Grand Lodge. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly in 1871-'72, and of the Senate in 1880-'81, of which body he was president pro tem., and in 1883 was a member of the State Board of Equalization. In all his public positions he has given good satisfaction. He acts with the Republican party.

R. G. B. CLOW, of Sacramento, was born in Morris, Grundy Connty, Illinois, Octo- ber 3, 1856. The family removed to Pottawatomie County, near Louisville, Kansas, and there at the age of eighteen he became en- gaged on his father's farm. Subsequently he tanght in the district school, and studied medi-

Hugh Mo La Rue

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

cine under Dr. Taylor, and completed a four years' course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, under Dr. J. C. Hughes, Surgeon and Dean of the institution, Dr. J. M. Angear, who afterward removed to Chicago, and Prof. A. M. Carpenter. He gradn- ated with honors at that institution in the class of 1880, and began the practice of his profession at Delaware, Ripley County, Indiana, thirty- eight miles from Cincinnati, Ohio. To find a wider field he came to the Pacific coast, locating first at Downieville, Sierra County, and then at Colfax, taking the place of Dr. Runey. There in February, 1882, he married Miss Julia Stose, a native daughter, and a niece of George Koch, of San Francisco. Her grandfather many years ago was a resident of this city, owning the property now occupied by A. A. Van Voorhies. Immediately after his marriage, Dr. Clow re- turned to Chicago to take a special course at the Rush Medical College, and graduated there February 20, 1883. He then came to Los Angeles, this State, but in September, having purchased the business of Dr. Grindle, he re- moved with his family to the Capital City. Here he has just completed a fine residence on the corner of Twelfth and L streets, opposite the Capitol, and therefore in one of the most eligi- ble locations in the city.

M RS. M. E. MAXFIELD was born March 2, 1824, in Garrard County, Kentucky, a daughter of John and Dorcas (McLin) Banks, both natives of Virginia. The family moved to Kentucky in an early day, thence to La Fayette County, Missouri, where the mother died. In the spring of the same year the father came to California, returning in the fall. IIe died shortly after, at the age of seventy years. The subject of this sketch was married Septem- ber 21, 1837, to George W. Maxfield, a saddler by trade, and a native of Kentucky. They came to California in 1859, crossing the plains and stopping a year at Salt Lake City. On arriving 37

in California they put up at the Fifteen-Mile Honse. They went to Liberty, remaining a year: thence to Elk Grove, where they lived three years on the Charley Price place. From there they came to their present home, where Mr. Maxfield died October 14, 1872. With the assistance of her older sons, Mrs. Maxfield has made her home one of the most attractive and fruitful places in this county. There is always to be found at her home that generosity and hospitality which is seldom found save in the houses of people of her nativity. She always has a welcome and a kind word for the needy stranger asking alıns, and none who are thought to be honest go from her door hungry. She has had twelve children, five girls and seven boys, nine of whom are living, viz .: Robert B., Margaret J., Gershom B., George W., Samuel P., Louisa, John C., Clara, Richmond G., Charles F., Mary M. and Anna O.

UGH MCELROY LA RUE, a leader among the representative business men of Sacra- mento, was born August 12, 1830, in Har- din County, Kentucky, north of and adjacent to the county which bears his family name. At that early day the State of Missouri was being rapidly settled up, in great part by some of the best Kentucky families. About the year 1839 the family removed to Lewis County, Missouri, when the Indians, even if nothing else, were plentiful. Mr. La Rue early evinced a desire to extend his travels to the far West, and as early as 1845, when he was but fifteen years of age, he began talking about his intention to cross the plains. It is not, therefore, surpris- ing that the excitement resulting from the dis- covery of gold should lead him to become a member of a party in V. A. Sublette and Dr. Conduitt's expedition across the plains. This party, however, had been formed before the news of the gold discovery had reached there. They crossed the Missouri River at Booneville, and April 29, 1849, left Independence. that State,

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

which was their last point within the limits of civilization. They came by way of the Platte River, and the South Pass, by Sublette's cut- off and Fort Hall (the Oregon trail), and came into this State, crossing the Truckee River about twenty-seven times in thirty miles; and about August 12 reached the Bear River mines at Steep Hollow. Near this place, during the following six weeks, Mr. La Rue had his first mining experience. After visiting Grass Val- ley, Nevada, and Deer Creek, he located at Fid- dletown, Amador County, now called Oleta, being one of the first party of white men to build a cabin at that point, and discovered and worked the first mines there. The name "Fid- dletown thus originated: Soon after the arrival of Mr. La Rue and his party at that point, a number of men from Arkansas, among whom were several violin players, settled near them, and, the winter being rather too wet to perinit of mining comfortably, they passed their time largely in violin playing, card playing and dane- ing. In this Arkansas party were the Gentrys, Logans, Rubottoms and Bettis. Mr. La Rue next went to Willow Springs, fonr miles west of Drytown, bought out a small eating-house there and conducted it until abont the 1st of March. From there he went to Marysville, and thence made, in the spring of 1850, a trad- ing expedition to Shasta with a stock of grocer- ies and provisions, which he sold directly from the wagon at that place to the merchants and miners at very remunerative prices, as his goods were the first to arrive there. His flour he sold at 40 cents a pound; pork, ham, sugar, coffee and rice, $1 to $1.25 a pound; whiskies and brandies, about $8 a gallon; and other articles in proportion. After making one more trip to that point, he came to Sacramento, in June, 1850, and engaged in blacksmithing and wagon- making. The cholera epidemic of that year broke up the business and he went out upon the Norris grant (Rancho del Paso), rented a piece of land and began the cultivation of vegetables, . and afterward grain, and thus employed himself until 1857, when he planted an orchard of

seventy-five acres, principally in peach trees,- the most extensive orchard in this vicinity. In this enterprise he was doing well until the floods of 1861-'62 damaged his orchards. Norris failed that year, and Mr. La Rue bonght the property; but the floods of 1868 utterly de- stroyed this tract and ended the venture. In 1866, however, Mr. La Rue purchased 800 or 900 acres of land in Yolo County; but after a while he felt the necessity of moving his family into town, for the sake of schooling his children, and also for the sake of being nearer to the Yolo ranch, to which he had added by purchase from time to time until it reached 2,000 acres. After the floods of 1868 he sold his interest in the Rancho del Paso tract and gave his undivided attention to the Yolo ranch. He now has about 100 acres of vineyard, sixty acres of almonds, grain of different kinds, 250 mules and horses, and about 100 head of cattle, Herefords and Durhams; and is making a specialty of mules, importing jacks from Ken- tucky. This interest is now in charge of and managed by his son, J. E. La Rue. In 1885 he bought a vineyard of ninety acres-in a 140-aere tract-at Yountville, nine miles above Napa; it is now all in vines. This place was settled in 1846 by Charles Hopper. It is remarkable for its fertility, and is in charge of another son, C. L. La Rue. Of his political and public career, it may be mentioned that in 1857 the subject of this sketch made a canvass for sheriff of Sac- rament County on the Democratic ticket, was elected by a small majority of seven or eight votes, but, the case being contested in the courts, he lost the office. In 1873 he was again a candidate for the same office and was elected by a handsome majority. In 1879 he was a member of the State Constitutional Convention, elected from the Second Congressional District. In 1863-'64 he was a member of the Assembly, and was speaker during both sessions. He was a prominent actor in the movement for the erection of the exposition building of the State Agricultural Society; also in the revision of the general railroad laws, in the county gov-

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ernment act, the bill reorganizing the Senato- rial and Assembly districts, the laws relating to taxes, etc. Ile was the Democratic candidate for Senator in 1888, in which canvass he ran ahead of his ticket. He has been a member of the State Agricultural Society since 1867, was its president in 1879, 1880 and 1882, and has been a director since that time, and superin- tendent of the pavilion during the exhibitions. While Speaker of the Assembly and President of the State Board of Agriculture, he was ex officio member of the Board of Regents of the State University, and he has held, and is hold- ing, many official positions of less notoriety. He has been a member of Sacramento Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M., for thirty one years; and is also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter. In 1856 he became a member of the Sacramento Society of California Pioneers, in which body he is a member of the board of trustees; he is also a member of the Sacramento Grange, of which he is the present master. Mr. La Rue was married in Colusa County, this State, in 1858, to Miss E. M. Lizenby, daughter of Thomas Lizenby, formerly of Lewis County, Missouri, and a half-sister of the Rev. Dr. William M. Rush, of the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of Judge John A. Rush, formerly of Colusa, and now At- torney-General of Arizona. They have fonr sons: Jacob Engene, Calhonn Lee, Hugh McElroy, Jr., and John Rush. Their ouly daughter, Marie Virginia, died in 1898,-an inexpressible loss.

DWARD F. AIKEN, a pioneer of Sacra- mento. In the little village of Halloweil, Kennebec County, Maine, August 22, 1827, the subject of this sketch was born, destined to become at length one of California's pioneer settlers and a prominent fruit-grower of Sacramento County. His father, Jesse Aiken, was a merchant and ship-owner well known throughout New England, while his mother,

nee Mary A. Fuller, danghter of Judge Fuller, was a descendant of the Weymonths, a Puritan family of Plymonth. Edward received his early education at the Hallowell AAcademy, after which he attended Bowdoin College. At the age of sixteen years he started on a trip around the world, in the whale-ship General Pike, Captain Pierce, of New Bedford, and visited Portugal, the Western Islands, the Cape of Good Hope, the Island of Desolation, Auckland, New Zea- land (at that time a town with about 800 in- habitants), the Feejee Islands, Wallace's Island, Samoa, Tongatoboo, the Society Islands, and Moai, a port of the Sandwich Islands, where the vessel lay up two months, and where Mr. Aiken received letters from home and met friends. John Ladd, who was the American Consul at the port, was a relative of his. Thence they crossed to the Japan Islands, the Seas of Kam- tchatka and Okotsk, and after seven months returned to the Sandwich Islands, and on to California in the fall of 1845, in pursuit of sperm whales along the coast. They landed at Monterey, which was then only a whaling station, consisting of abont a dozen adobe houses. While there he learned that gold had been discovered by Antoni, a Portuguese sailor. After this voyage of nearly three years lie re- turned home, spent six months in his father's store, and then started on another voyage, going before the mast in the new ship Italia, Captain Baker. This was a vessel of 900 tons, a large ship for those days, and with it they sailed for Charleston, Sonth Carolina, Liverpool, and thence with 500 passengers to New Orleans. Mr. Aiken was promoted second mate. They returned to Liverpool with a cargo of cotton, tobacco and rice; thence to Cadiz for salt, and returned to Bath, Maine, after an absence of over a year. Afterward he sailed again to Charleston for a cargo of rice, going out as second mate with Captain Warren; thence to London, and returned to Boston with railroad iron. During the year of the great famine in Ireland he made three trips to Liverpool, as mate on the ship Requa. Next he made two

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HISTORY OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.

voyages as mate in the packet ship Mary Ann, Captain Patten, and bore all the responsibility during the return trip. During one storm he was on deck for sixty-five hours withont inter- ruption, when it was covered with ice. Return- ing to Boston, his attention was called to the discovery of gold in California by Marshall, and he then recalled the story which he had heard of the Portuguese sailor, Antoni, at Mon- terey. A stock company was in process of formation, and be and his friend D. H. Has- kell, an old classmate, became shareholders in the enterprise. Of those who joined the com- pany, nine had been before the mast, and six had been ship captains, and among the others was the genius, Rev. Ferdinand C. Ewer, who afterward had charge of St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Sacramento, and was editor, author, etc. The company secured the ship York, and as cargo brought to California material for several houses, ready to be put up, also for a small steamboat, tools, seeds, provisions, etc. Leaving Boston April 1, 1849, and coming by way of Cape Horn, they arrived at San Fran- cisco September 12. There, on account of dis- agreement, they disorganized, and most of them sacrificed the largest proportion of their original investment. Captain Aiken improved the time in superintending the removal of a small build- ing, receiving $16, which was the first money he earned in this State. Coming to Sacra- mento the second week in October, with five others, they camped out on the banks of the American River, about where the railroad shops now are. The river then was a clear stream and deep, and a ship of 600 tons could safely ride at anchor off Third street, with eleven feet of water under her keel. For five years he was employed with others in conducting the wood station, twenty-two miles south of town. In October, 1853, he went East and married Miss Mary Wright Lee, daughter of Thomas Lee. His father being opposed to his returning West, he came here to dispose of his interests; but not being able to do this in a satisfactory man- ner, he concluded to remain, and the next

spring his wife arrived. They lived on the river until the fall of 1861 or 1862, when he bought the Ralston tract; but he had become interested in horticulture seven or eight years previously, starting the first nursery on the river, and obtaining his stock from Oregon and elsewhere. By the year 1861, when he sold ont, he had over 7,000 bearing trees. In 1863-'64 he changed his location to Sutter Township, east of the city limits, where he re- mained until recently, devoting his attention almost exclusively to fruit-growing and intro- ducing many new varieties from abroad. Lately he has purchased property on G street in Sacra- mento, where he expects to spend his declining years. In his political views Mr. Aiken is an independent Republican. Was instrumental in organizing the first Union League at Richland, of which Mr. Nathan Williams was the first president, and Senator William Johnston and J. B. Green were prominent members. He was for many years an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the A. O. U. W .; was a charter member of Lodge No. 1580, K. of H., being organizing deputy of this order for the State and also for the K. & L. of H .; organized the first farmers' club, which three years later was merged into the Patrons of Husbandry,of which order he was lecturer for three years. He was Supreme Representative of the Knights and Ladies of Honor to the convention in Cleveland, in September, 1889.

OHN T. GRIFFITTS, capitalist, Sacra- mento, was born in Burlington County, New Jersey, in December, 1835. His father, Samnel Powell Griffitts, was engaged in mercantile pursuits and farming, but in 1849 he removed, with his family, to Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Indiana, the former home of Charles Crocker. Indeed, when Mr. Griffitts, our subject, came to California ten years later to reside, it was under an engagement to Mr. Crocker. Landing in Sacramento in April,

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Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 916

Author: Davis, Winfield J., 1851- 4n
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 916