USA > California > San Joaquin County > An illustrated history of San Joaquin County, California. Containing a history of San Joaquin County from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its future prospects; > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
Pythagoras Lodge, No. 41, K. of P., was or- ganized February 17, 1877, with, for its first officers, E. B. Sherman, C. C .; H. C. Gilling- ham, V. C .; H. M. Craig, Prelate; John Rutan, K. of R. & S .; F. Davis, M. of F .; M. Bruml, M. of Ex .; G. Kirkland, M. at A .; E. W. S. Wood, I. G .; W. D. Smith, O. G., and a stroug membership. In the spring of 1883 a division took place, and out of the old society was formed Salem Lodge, No. 105, and the two organiza- tions continued separate until Jannary, 1887, when they were united under the name of
Lodi Lodge No. 41, K. of P., which now has a membership of eighty, and the following offi- cers: E. B. Wright, P. C .; George E. Carver, C. C., and H. S. Clark, K. of R. &. S. Lodge meets every Saturday night. This society lias paid ont large amounts of money for benefits.
194
HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
Lodi Lodge, No. 189, I. O. G. T., was organ- ized October 19, 1877, with the following per- sons for its first officers: J. II. White, W. C. T .; Mrs. Mary Hill, W. V. T .; D. Wardrobe, R. S .; Mrs. Aldridge, F. S .; Miss J. Parmeter, Treas .; Frank Smith, M .; Mrs. Blanck, D. M .; A. Ward- robe, I. G .; J. Rixon, C .; Rachel Parmeter, P. W. C. T. This society went down and
Enterprise Lodge, No. 285, I. O. G. T., was instituted during the first week of November, 1887, with about fifteen charter members; there are now seventy in good standing, and the chief officers are: J. A. Anderson, C. T .; May Pick- ings, V. T .; Frank Christie, Rec. Sec .; Marion Elliott, Fin. Sec. Friday evening is the time of meeting.
The W. C. T. U. of Lodi was organized November 29, 1884, with only six members; there are now thirty-five. The officers from the first to the present have been: Mrs. William Moore, president; Mrs. C. F. Grant, Secretary. Society meets every two weeks. At one meet- ing there will be a bible exercise, at another, hygiene will be the topic, at another heredity etc., there being a regularly elected superin" tendent for each department. For the free distribution of temperance literature they have two boxes in public places in town. They have also to some extent introduced temperance literature in the public schools.
The Loyal Legion, No. 1, a branch of the above, and consisting of persons of both sexes and of all ages, has been in existence for three or four years. They undergo a sort of military drill. The membership in this society is about seventy.
Lodi Grange, No. 92, P. of H., was organ- ized Angnst 29, 1873, and erected the " Odd Fellows Hall" building, which they still own. The Odd Fellows sub-lease a portion of the building to the Knights of Pythias. The first story is devoted to mercantile business. The Grangers' Co- operative Business Association was a private stock company which ran a gen- eral store. Lodi is also the headquarters of the Pomona, or county grange, whose regular
meetings occur four times a year. S. Ferdun is master of the subordinate grange, and J. D. Huffman is secretary of both granges.
The Mokelnmne Ditch and Irrigation Com- pany is noticed in Chapter VIII.
WOODBRIDGE.
Where the little town of Woodbridge now stands, grew in 1851, the first crop of barley raised in the township. In the fall of 1850 the Sargent Brothers, G. W. Emerson and Jacob Brack came to that place, and the Sargents erected a log house; the first below Staples' ferry, on the Mokelumne river.
Angust 8, 1852, J. H. Woods arrived at Sar- gent's place, with his family, and camped nnder a tree, using the side of an old boat for a table, where they remained until he could erect a cabin, enclosed with stakes, which took several weeks to accomplish. In the fall of that year a little incident occurred, which exhibits the presence ot mind and nerve, which was so universal a characteristic of the California pioneer. Mrs. Woods had left some fresh meat hanging on the outside of the cabin, which attracted a hinngry grizzly, who proceeded to take it down for a repast. Mrs. Woods, intent npon some house- hold dnties, was awakened from some pleasant day dream by hearing a noise at the door, and, upon looking around, beheld a bear sitting on the threshold, taking a survey of the inside workings of domestic economy. Understanding the position in an instant, Mrs. Woods seized her children and thrust them up on the string- ers of the cabin, out of Bruin's reach, and then turned to face the danger, but the shaggy mon- ster had in his turn become alarmed at the strange proceeding, and beat a hasty retreat to the bottoms.
Mr. Woods and A. McQueen bonght the Sargent Brothers' claim to the land in the vicin- ity of, and where Woodbridge now stands, in 1852. Immediately after his arrival and after finishing his cabin, he proceeded to build a ferry-boat and establish the crossing known as Woods' ferry.
195
HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
In October of that year John A. J. Flood, E. H. Comstock and others petitioned the Court of Sessions to create, by order, a public road from Stockton, by way of Woods' ferry, to Davis' bridge, on Dry creek (Fugett's). Viewers were appointed, C. Mitchell being one of them, but this effort failed. June 23, 1853, J. Brenn, J. C. Davis and G. Van Riper petitioned for the same public highway. J. H. Woods was ap- pointed, withi J. B. Osborne and J. S. Whitney, viewers, and the result was an order of the court, dated August 29, establishing the route as a connty road.
In the spring of 1853 there was a flood; the waters ran through the country where Wood- bridge now stands. The country was generally submerged, and, on account of it, there was a scarcity of provisions in the inining camps, in the mountains. Mr. Woods fitted out a pack train that was the first to reach the hungry miners. He obtained his goods at Stockton, bringing them to Woods' Ferry in row boats. An idea of the scarcity of provisions in the mines at the time may be arrived at, by the knowledge of the fact that Mrs. Woods sent by her husband some eggs to be marketed, on the first trip throughi, and they sold for three dollars per dozen. Mrs. Woods had at this time twenty four hens, each hen being the proud owner of a name. The poet has said, " What's in a name?" In this case there were shekels, each name representing four dollars that were paid to get that lien,-an amount of money that would in 1877 have bought, in California, thirty- two sheep. It was early in this spring that the only sloop ever reaching that place unloaded a cargo of freight for the mines, at the ferry.
The fall of 1852 was the last time that the water flowed in its channel as a clear, crystal stream: the miners, in using the mountain brooks for sluicing and digging up the beds of channels, have left the river a turbid flow of mind-charged waters. It seems that in the fall of 1852, Mr. Woods established a ferry, which is referred to in the county records as Woods' Ferry as early as October of that year, but there
is no record by the court to establishi such ferry until June 5, 1854. at which time the court, upon the petition of J. H. Woods and Dr. Case, granted those parties the right to establish a ferry at Woods' Ferry, four miles below Bene- dict's Ferry, upon their entering into $5,000 bonds to comply with the requirements of the law in such causes. On the 8th of the same month, the bond was filed.
July 4, 1855, a national holiday dance was given at Woodbridge (then Woods' Ferry), that never has been surpassed in the county. Mr. Woods was eminently a representative man of the intensely characteristic pioneers of that period, and whatever he undertook was prose- ented with vigilance and precision that was equaled probably by none of liis contemporaries. In preparing for this dance he spent a great deal of money. Flowers were even procured from San Francisco, at a cost of $75, to decorate the table. The bill of fare was printed upon white satin, and enumerated a variety of dishes that would be a credit to the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. The services of the band cost $250. In the grove under the canvas were set two tables, each 240 feet in length. The price of tickets was $10. To " get their money back," they commenced dancing at four o'clock in the afternoon and continued until ten o'clock, fore- noon, next day! Guests came from various points to a distance of seventy-five miles. The entertainment was in every way a success ex- cept that Mr. Woods lost money.
In July and August, 1858, Mr. Woods built a bridge at the old ferry, at a cost of $1,000, and during the very first year afterward took in $9,900 from tolls. The rates were $1 for a span animals and wagon, and fifty cents extra for every additional team and wagon.
In April, 1859, " Woods' Ferry " was sur- veyed as a town plat, and to it the name of Woodbridge was given. The first town lots were sold to E. J. McIntosh and W. H. Smith, October 28 following, for $500; other lots were sold the same day, but before the title to the land was perfected Mr. Woods died, June 4,
-
196
HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
1864, from the effects of a stab from William Wilkinson. The land was not opened to mar- ket by tlie Government until September 18, 1865, but the squatters neglected to perfect their titles for a number of years.
December 27, 1861, the bridge was carried away by a flood to a point half a mile below, whence it was towed back and raised bodily upon its old foundation. It was during this time of the bridge's absence that steamers passed up the river amid great excitement, as described in Chapter IX.
In 1874 the old toll-bridge was removed and a free one substituted at a cost of $5,000, mostly by private subscription; but of this sum $1,000 was paid to the heirs of J. H. Woods for the old structure and the charter to keep a toll-bridge.
The Mokelumne inundated the streets of Woodbridge during the freshiets of 1862, 1868, 1872 and 1878.
It was in Woodbridge that the Nevada Asy- lum for the Insane was established by Drs. Clark and Langdon in 1871; it was moved to Stockton in 1877. See sketch of Dr. Asa Clark on a subsequent page.
The establishment of Lodi in 1869 two miles southeast of course put a stop to the growth of Woodbridge, which has had for a number of years a population of about 300.
The Church of the United Brethren in Christ at Woodbridge was organized in 1864, during which year services were held by Rev. J. W. Harror and Elder Jackway, in the Franklin and Mokelnmne school-houses. In 1878 the society built a church, costing about $2,700, in- cluding bell. The first officers of the church were: R. Metcalf, Chairman; J. A. Sollinger, Sec. and Treas .; H. J. Becker, R. W. Williams, H. J. Keen, Thos. J. Pope.
The Presbyterian Church here was organized May 1, 1870, but religious services were con- ducted in Woodbridge by a Presbyterian, Rev. Joshua Phelps, D. D .. three years previously. John and Andrew Rutledge were the first elders.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Woodbridge was organized many years ago.
St. Ann's Church, Catholic, was established in 1876, by Rev. W. B. O'Connor, of Stockton, who had hield religions services there in private houses two years previously. For a house of worship they purchased and repaired a schiool building at an expense of $1,100.
Woodbridge Lodge, No. 131, F. & A. M., was organized May 10, 1850, the charter mem- bers being C. Carpenter, W. H. Yonng, Thos. Henderson, L. F., Neely, D. P. McNeill, C. H. Over, J. H. Woods, R. H. McCracken. The first officers were: C. Carpenter, W. M .; W. H. Young, S. W .; L. F. Neely. Tyler.
Jefferson Lodge, No. 98, I. O. O. F., was instituted August 2, 1860, with the following officers and charter members: S. H. Axtell, N. G .; Freeman Mills, V. G .; E. Young, Sec .; W. H. Smith, Treasurer; H. Bentley, Per. Sec .; H. Hoeber, James Taylor, W. H. Smith and T. B. Hill. Present membership, forty-four.
Duroc Lodge, No. 50, K. of P., was insti- tuted November 23, 1878, with fourteen charter members, and is still flourishing.
Woodbridge Grange, No. 84, P. of H., was organized September 30, 1873.
A lodge of Good Templars was organized here in December, 1877, and had at one time as many as seventy-one mein bers.
A newspaper entitled the Weekly Messenger, was for a time published in Woodbridge, started May 18, 1865, by Shekells & Spencer.
LOCKEFORD.
The village of Lockeford is built npon the ranch or farm owned by Dr. D. J. Locke, and upon the bluffs about one mile south of where the section line between ranges seven and eight crosses the Mokelumne river. It is very pleas antly located among the live oaks. The river bottom is about one mile wide at this place, and the banks on the south side rise suddenly from the low land about forty feet, where Lockeford is built, and one seldoms looks out on a more attractive landscape than is presented on looking
197
HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
over and down upon the sleepy valley, sprinkled with oak, that cast their dark shadows upon the carpet of green.
Originally there came to this part of the country, in 1850, E. H. Locke, since deceased, and the beauty as well as the utility of the surroundings of this place filled him with en- thusiasm for settlement. He returned to Mis- sissippi Bar, where Mr. Holman, D. J. Locke and his brother were stopping, and the result was tliat all these parties, as well as some others, packed np and moved to the Mokelumne, with a view of remaining and utilizing the soil for grazing and farm purposes. The Lockes pur- chased 360 acres of land for $360, and Captain G. C. Holman and Charles Massack each 160 acres for $360 apiece from, D. J. Staples. The Lockes erected a log cabin, on'a knoll in the river bottom, that has since been destroyed. In those days when night came their hired men roosted highin the trees like turkeys, for fear of grizzlies.
The first house built in Lockeford was by Dr. Locke, in 1855. The second was a hotel, built by John A. Clapp, in 1860, and called the Lockeford House; this hotel gave the town its name, in 1860. On the 5th of April. 1862, the little pioneer steamner Pert first tied up to the Lockeford landing, and the event was made the cause of general public demonstration, for the particulars of which see Chapter IX. The first goods for mercantile purposes arrived in that village on the 24th of February, 1862, and the private residence of Dr. Locke's father was used for a store nntil in the fall.
On the 14th of June, 1862, the town was laid out and platted. S. P. Sabin came to the place in 1860 and built a blacksmith shop, and tlie same year he built a dwelling-house, which was afterwards converted into a store, and was burned down in 1865, a child of N. Kolman perishing in the flames. The wagon shop was built in 1860, by W. D. Read. Mr. Brnml erected a brick store in 1865.
The second school building erected in the township was an octagon building, situated inid- way between Staples' Ferry and Lockeford, and
was erected in 1856. It took the place of the cloth building nearer the ferry. The octagon was moved to Lockeford in 1864, but the dis- trict increased to such an extent that, in 1874, a new and more commodious building was erected, where a graded school has since been tanght, that is a credit to the place.
There are at present about 500 inhabitants in the village. The postoffice was established in June, 1861: Luther Locke, postmaster.
Congregational Church .- As early as No. vember 24, 1861, Congregational services were held in Sons of Temperance Hall, Lockeford (this hall is now used by Dr. Locke as a gran- ary), and a Sunday-school was organized July 28, 1861, at the residence of W. D. Read. It was February 12, 1862, before the Congrega- tionalists attempted a church organization. On that date a preliminary meeting was held, and an organization perfected Marclı 2, of that year. The church was built in 1869, costing $2,800, including $300 for a bell, and dedicated Sep- tember 19, of the same year. The first officers were: T. B. Day, trustee for five years; D. J. Locke, for four years; George Hammond, for three years; Thomas B. Jeffroy, for two years, and Isaac Brown, for one year.
The "Church of Christ" was organized in Lockeford in March, 1876, the first religious services being held at Hotel Hall, by Rev. R. H. Boyles. The first officers were: J. H. Haley, James Moshier and B. F. Morrain.
The San Joaquin Catholic Church was estab- lished here in 1876, by Father O'Connor.
The Sons of Temperance in 1860, and the Good Templars in 1869 began to flourish here. Lockeford Grange, No. 131, was organized in January, 1874.
Progressive Lodge, No. 134, was instituted May 11, 1867, with the following members: Peter Moore, N. G .; Philip Wagner, V. G .; S. P. Sabin, Rec. Sec .; P. Cahill, Treas .; J. S. Christian and John McDonald. The present membership is fifty-eight.
Vesper Lodge, K. of P., is in existence at Lockeford.
198
HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
ELLIOTT,
formerly known as Hawks' Corners, is in the northwest corner of Elliott Township. A Methodist Episcopal church (South) was organ- ized there in 1858, and subsequently, the Good Templars, Patrons of Husbandry and Odd Fellows. The latter, as No. 288, was instituted February 25, 1880, with five charter meinbers, and the following as officers: H. II. West, N. G .; J. W. Fitzgerald. V. G .; W. S. Hickey, Sec .; J. Lamb, Treas. They now number thirty- three in membership.
CLEMENTS
is a flourishing little village on the railroad abont five miles northeast of Lockeford, with all the initial elements of a good society. Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 355, here was organized December 4, 1889, with five members: there are now twenty-two. W. Buchnaw, N. G .; J. Harris, V. G .; R. Baird, Sec .; and H. Plum- mer. Banner Lodge, K. of P., is flourishing at Clements. Population of Clements, about 200.
LINDEN.
This village of about 400 population is sit- uated on what was known in the early days as the Mokelumne Hill road, twelve to thirteen miles from Stockton in a northeasterly direc- tion, and two miles south of the Calaveras river. Originally this point was known as the Fifteen-Mile House, and then as Froeman's ranch up to August, 1862, when it was laid out by Mr. Froeman and given its present name by J. Wasley. In the spring of 1849, when water covered nearly all the country around, two brothers named William D. (a doctor) and Jolin Trebilcock, who were freighting to the mines, noticed the highest point of land in the valley on this ronte, and, soon afterward locating here, opened a public honse, which was at first merely a rough board shanty. It was named the Fifteen-Mile House, on account of its distance by road at that time from Stockton. In the summer of 1851 they put up a better building, and afterward made additions. Subsequently these brothers sold the house to C. C. Rynerson,
who had married their cousin, Mary Wasley, and who was afterward sheriff of this county. The latter sold to Froenian & Beritzhoff, and it was long known as the Froeman ranch.
Atter Mr. Rynerson, the second settler, came Jolın Haines, Samuel Froeman and A. C. Beritzhoff, the last two being the later proprie- tors of the tavern just mentioned.
The Moore school-house was the first built in the township, Linden being a part of the dis- trict: it was on Charles Hayden's ranch. In August, 1858, the Jefferson school district was formed, taking in the present village site, and that year the first school-house was built. In 1862 the name of Linden was given to the dis- trict. In 1864 the old school-house was burned down, and since then several new ones have been erected.
The flour-mill was first built in 1854, by Jolın Doak and N. Burroughs, who ran it for about two years. In 1859 it was sold to C. C. Rynerson and John Wasley, who operated it until 1865, when it was destroyed by fire. The following year they rebuilt, and again the new mill was burned in 1868. Then the Linden Flouring Mill Company was organized and still another mill was erected, in 1871, a three-story brick, at a cost of $35,000. Its name from 1854 to 1859 was the " Calaveras Mill," then it was the "State Mills " until 1860, when it was changed to " Linden Mills." It has been idle for a number of years.
The first store at Linden was started in 1856 by Thomas McCarter, who in April, 1857, was succeeded by Wasley & Rynerson, and they in 1860 by E. Case and J. S. Smith, and the latter afterward to Prather & Aull, etc.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, Soutlı, at Linden, was organized in 1855, with Rev. Ira Taylor as pastor. The first services had been held by Thomas Barton, in the old Moore school- house. In 1857 they erected a church edifice, at a cost of $2,000. Rev. R. F. Beasley is the present pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church (Nortlı) at Linden have for their pastor Rev. H. L. Gregory,
199
HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
who also has in his charge a church at Farm- ington, preaching in each place ou alternate Sundays.
There is also a Catholic church at Linden.
Valley Lodge, No. 135, F. & A.M., was organ- ized July 27, 1858, with the following charter members: J. C. Pendegrast, J. C. Reid, J. H. Cook, James H. Gardner, Thomas T. Wasley, J. S. Haines, W. B. Stamper, J. F. Howard, W. H. Russell, Thomas T. Brook and T. W. Jarraed. Pendegrast was W. M.
Scio Lodge, No. 102, I. O. O. F., was organ- ized June 13, 1861, with the following officers and members: John Wasley, N. G .; C. W. Leach, V. G .; I. Smith, Sec .; Andrew Showers, Thomas McCarter, C. W. Martin and C. Oxtoby.
A grange was organized here in 1873, a Good Templar society in 1878, etc.
In 1887 the people by vote introduced the grammar-school course, and during the month of June, 1889, three girls and two boys grad- uated therein. There are six classes (graded) in the primary and four in the grammar cuorse, which latter comprises " high-school " studies. The principal is J. S. Moulton, while Mrs. Moulton has charge of the intermediate classes and Miss Agnes Fine of the primary. The school has a good philosophical apparatus, pur- chased about three years ago, and a good libra- ry of 300 volumes, including a cyclopedia. There are about 130 scholars, averaging over a hundred in daily attendance.
FARMINGTON.
In 1858, W. B. Stamper took up the west half of section 16, township 1 north, range 9 east, upon which Farmington now stands. He sold lots soon after to William and Daniel Sand- erson, who put up the hotel and blacksmith shop. After the hotel was erected, Dr. Stamper named the place Farmington, because it was the center of an extensive and rich farming country. This was on what was then the Stockton and Sonora road. The plat was surveyed by N. S. Harrold, when the Farmington branch of the Copperopolis Railroad was built through that
place. The initial point of Farmington was the " Oregon Tent," where Mr. Harrold now lives. Thayer & Wells were the first owners.
About 1859 or '60 L. J. Morrow and Alex- ander Harne built and stocked a general mer- cliandise store where Farmington now is, and the postoffice was removed there from what was the Marietta House-Thomas J. Brooks' place-three miles above. Harne is now living six miles front Stockton.
Where Mr. Patterson now lives there was another tavern, aud still another where Mr. Ben- ton now resides.
Farmington, a place now probably of about 250 inhabitants, and about seventeen miles east of Stockton, is appropriately named, being in the midst of an excellent farming district, where wheat has been for many years the great specialty. It now has all the conveniences of a country village,-a good graded school, in a fine building erected in 1888 at a cost of over $6,000, three hotels, two general stores, express and telegraph offices, three blacksmith shops, a harness shop and a livery stable, besides churches and societies.
The Cumberland Presbyterian church was organized in May, 1872. Previous to this, services had been held in the Shady Grove school-house, by Rev. C. Yager. In the fall of 1876 a church was built by the combined sub- scription of all denominations, at a cost of about $1,500. The first officers were W. B. Ford, J. M. Groves aud Joseph Manchester. In the pastoratc Rev. Yager was succeeded by Dr. Crawford and E. C. Lattia. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Elder.
The Episcopal Methodists (North) organized a society here in May, 1878, and continued in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. It was in this place they held their first religious serv- ices, in October previous, conducted by Rev. A. T. Palner. In 1889 they built a church, at a cost of $2,500, and dedicated it November 10, same year. Rev. H. L. Gregory of Linden is their present pastor.
The Southern Methodists established a class
500
HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
here in 1877, and Rev. R. F. Beasley is their present minister.
The school-house, of two stories, costing over $6,000, was completed in 1889. The Odd Fel- lows' Hall building, two stories, was erected in 1881, at a cost of $2,500, and is used also by the K. of P .; and the lower story is used as a dance hall.
In Farmington are three hotels or taverns, three blacksmith shops, one tinware and pump shop, one harness shop, a barber shop and two general stores.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.