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 35
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successful he gave it up and returned to team- ing, which he followed for some time, then started a feed stable in Stockton, running it for about two years, when he rented it and returned East in 1852. In 1853 he purchased stock, sheep and cattle, and drove them across the plains. He continued this for a number of years, and was very successful at the enterprise. He was one of the number who received 160 acres from Captain Weber as a gift, in conse- quence of their being the oldest settlers in California. He was, by the way, a great friend of Captain Weber's. He afterward purchased more land adjoining his 160 acres. He was one of the inost successful farmers in this county.
He was married in 1853 to Miss Annie Gray, a native of Scotland. They have nine children -five boys and four girls-seven of whom are living, viz .: Mrs. M. F. Merrill; W. E., resi- dent of Santa Barbara; Mrs. A. B. Treadwell; C. C .; Mrs. Swain, of Stockton; F. G .; A. B.
Mr. Fairchild died in 1882, at the age of sixty-three years. He is still remembered by his many friends and acquaintances. His wife is still living, and makes her home on the old place, which is situated five miles from Stock- ton, on the Waterloo road.
OVEMAN LUMAN RUMRILL, de- ceased, was born in Vermont, January 13, 1829, a son of John Loveman and Susan (Chittenden) Rumrill, both of New England descent for several generations. The father lived to be eighty-eight, and the mother seventy years. Grendfather Chittenden was a Revolu- tionary soldier, and lived to an advanced age; grandmother Chittenden's family was long- lived, one brother living to the age of ninety.
Loveman L. Rumrill, the subject of this sketch, received the usnal district-school edu- cation, and learned the trade of millwright, which was also his father's, and worked in that line for several years in Springfield, Vermont. Marclı 9, 1851, he was there married to Miss
Phoebe Diana Eddy, born in that State, Decem- ber 4, 1829, daughter of Jacob and Sally (Salis- bury) Eddy, both deceased at the ages of sixty and fifty years respectively. In 1860 Mr. and Mrs. Rumrill came to California by the Pan- ama route. After a few weeks in Stockton, and about three months in Murphy's, they settled on the Calaveras, spending four years working on a place abont two miles nortlı of Waterloo. In 1864 he bought 160 acres, and afterward 200, about ten miles northeast of Stockton, where Mrs. Rumrill still resides, the owner of 360 acres left by Mr. Rumrill at his death. He had bought and sold other lands during his life. The chief products of the home ranch are wheat and barley.
John Loveman Peck, a nephew of Mr. Rum- rill, is now employed on Mrs. Rumrill's place. He was born in Vermont, April 21, 1850, a son of Hiram H. and Maria (Rumrill) Peck, both deceased. Grandfather Calvin Peck was over ninety years at his deathı. J. L. Peck came to California with his uncle in 1869, and lived with him until 1875. He then went into cattle- raising in Lassen County, for five years, and af- terward clerked in a store at Hayden Hill seven years. For two years he mined in that district, making only wages; and in 1889 came back to the Rumrill homestead to work on the ranch for Mrs. Rumrill. He was married December 25, 1882, to Miss Ruth A. Anderson, a native of Ohio, born September 23, 1862, of Harmon and Nancy (Cummings) Anderson. She came to California with her widowed mothier in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Peck have one child-Clarence Luman, born September 29, 1883.
OSEPH F. MOSELEY, present incumbent of the office of Recorder and Auditor of San Joaquin County, is a native of West Virginia, born at Charleston, Kanawha County, on the 20th of August, 1854. His father, John L. Moseley, was born in Bedford County, old Virginia, and was educated at Lee and Wash-
3. Lang ford
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ington University in the collegiate and law courses. After his graduation he located at Charleston, where he practiced the profession of law until the time of his death, which occurred just before the outbreak of the civil war.
J. F. Moseley was brought up at Charleston until he reached the age of eight years, when he was sent to old Virginia (after the invasion) to be educated. He attended Emory and Henry College until his seventeenth year, and then re- turned to his old home at Charleston. There he followed business pursuits until 1873, when he removed to California, arriving on the 8th of May, and at once locating at New Hope. He was interested in farming there until 1886, but for four years previous to that date had had the business management of the Farmers' Business Association. In 1886 he was elected Recorder and Auditor of San Joaquin County, and sev- ered his former business relations upon assuming the duties of his office. Mr. Moseley is a thor- ough business-like and painstaking public offi- cer, yet genial and obliging to all under all circumstances. These qualities make the ef- ficient and popular official.
He was married to Miss Mary A. Ray, a native of Oregon, reared in this county, and daughter of Samnel Ray. Mr. Moseley is a member of the Woodbridge Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the Eastern Star; also of Truth Lodge, Rebekah Degree, and Encampment, I. O. O. F., and of Upchurch Lodge, A. O. U. W.
ON. B. F. LANGFORD .- In reconnting the history of the California pioneers who have been associated with San Joaquin County, there are none who appear in a light more prominent or more honorable than tlie gentleman above named. A few facts of inter- est in relation to his early life and antecedents introductory to his career in California, will therefore be of interest in this volume. Mr. Langford is a native of Smith County, Tennes- see, born about thirty miles from Nashville, on 16
the Cumberland river, December 27, 1829, his parents being William and Mary (Coffey) Lang ford. The Langfords were of Scotch origin, but were known in this country as one of the old Virginia families. Grandfather John Lang- ford removed from Virginia to Tennessee and implanted the family there, and afterward died in the latter State. The Coffeys, also of Scotch origin, were likewise long established in Vir- ginia, though the mother of our subject was born in Tennessee. B. F. Langford was the third child and only boy of his parents' seven children. He was reared at his native place, and received all the educational advantages pos- sible there. His schooling finished, he entered the employ of the well-known mill-builder and contractor, Ephraim Whitmore, of Maryland, and commenced the trade of millwright with that gentleman, whose business extended over a very wide scope of territory. His first work was in Maryland, and afterward throughout the Western States. It was not long before Mr. Whitford noticed that his new apprentice was going about his work with something more than machine-like plodding, and that his nights were employed in familiarizing himself with the plans of work on hand; and he observed that the boy's knowledge of what was wanted in particular instances often gave him an advantage over old workmen, whose only aim was to plod along in the old grooves in which they had started. The result was that when yet a mere boy in years he was placed in a position of responsibility, and in control of men who had spent many years at the work. He next turned his attention to pattern-making, for which he had a natural talent and became superintendent of a large foundry in St. Louis. Going back to Tennessee, at his father's advice, he started in the foundry business in a small way in Nashville, in part- nership with a man named Ament. The build- ing of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad gave them an opportunity for advancement which was readily taken advantage of, and from a small shop their place of business grew to be a great establishment with a plant capable of
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turning out the largest work which could be demanded of them, and they had a monopoly of the Nashville & Chattanooga's trade.
Among Mr. Langford's intimate friends were H. M. Newhall (who later became so prominent and wealthy in San Francisco) and J. G. Shep- herd, editor of the Nashville Union, and one of the brightest minds in the South. One of the three received a letter from John C. Fremont, in which he spoke of the fabulous golden wealth of California, where quartz rock would turn out fifty cents' worth of the precious metal per pound. They at once set about making preparations to go to California, Mr. Langford manufacturing in his iron works the necessary machinery for quartz mills, and having the work done by the end of 1849. Early in 1850 they started, mak- ing the trip via New Orleans and Panama, and transporting their machinery across the Isthmus on mule-back. On the Pacific side they arrived in time to take a passage with Captain Peck, on the first trip of the steamer " Columbus," and arrived in San Francisco on the 5th of May, 1850. Mr. Langford, on behalf of his own im- mediate party, and Dr. Harris, on behalf of those whom he represented, went to the mnoun- tains of Nevada, Amador, Mariposa and other regions where there were supposed to be pros- pects for quartz mining. Having reached and examined the cliff quartz district of Mariposa, and being satisfied that prospects for quartz mining were not of the best, they returned to their friends, and it was decided to put their machinery in warehouse and go to the placer mines. Their expensive machinery was stored in a building near the present site of the San- Francisco postoffice, until such time as the in- dustry should grow to their preconceived ideas. There it was afterward destroyed in one of the fires which swept that city. Accompanied by a couple of negro boys whom they had brought along from Tennessee, the little party of gold- seekers proceeded to Douglas' Diggings, where they arrived about the 15th of May. They were soon at work, and met with rich success from the start, which continned all the time
they remained in that vicinity. In August a party of miners from the Merced river came along, and told of the great wealth to be found there, but which they were unable to garner, having not the funds necessary to accomplish the turning of the river. They had the funds, and concluded to go to the Merced. They did so, turned the river near Horse Shoe Bend, ac- cording to program, but found nothing worth trying for after all. After their failure in that enterprise, the party separated, Mr. Shepherd going back to his newspaper at Nashville, Ten- nessee, and Mr. Newhall going to San Francisco, where he embarked in the auction business, and set about laying the foundation for his future great fortune. Mr. Langford went to Big Oak to continue mining, and met with such success there in that direction, that in October he was able to open a mercantile establishment at Gerota, in partnership with George W. Bracken, with a stock of goods worth $24,000.
Mr. Langford's wounds, received on the 3d of February, 1851, in an encounter with the Indians, cansed him to be laid up for five months, and he closed out his mercantile busi- ness. In company with Mr. Bracken he settled a ranch in a valley between Horse Shoe Bend and Don Pedro's Bar. They bought horses and cattle, had an extensive range, and kept a public honse and store. They also ran teams between their place and Stockton, where they bought goods.
In the fall of 1851, while still retaining his ranch, he and Dr. Harris, with several others, bonght out a quartz mine owned by a man named Bostick, at Nashville, on the North Fork of the Cosumnes river, and built a twenty-stamp niill. He was interested in this for about a year. In the fall of 1851 Mr. Langford, his partner Bracken and Addison Beatty located a ranch in San Joaquin County, where the former now resides. Mr. Langford bought out his partners, and when it was surveyed he entered it with State warrants. This land was at that time covered with a dense growth of timber, and shortly after he located on the place he
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built a saw-mill on the river about a inile and a half below his present residence, with a view of cutting the timber into lumber and floating it down the river. He operated the mill a couple of years, cutting up the oak tim- ber in the immediate neighborhood, and then, finding it impracticable to float the lumber as planned, he sold the machinery to Judge Terry, and used it in putting up a grist-inill for him at Clements. For this mill Mr. Langford built the first engine ever made in Stockton. He let the contract for building it to Burdsall, of Stockton, but when he came around sixty days later to see what progress had been made, he found it had not been touched, as Burdsall had no work- men who could build an engine. He then took off his own coat, got out the patterns, and superintended the whole job, doing most of the work himself. Their engine is still able to do good work, though built in the pioneer days, and is in McGee's mill, at Clements, which has never used any other power.
After locating on his large San Joaquin ranchi, Mr. Langford set abont improving it in an in- telligent manner, and devoted most of his time to agriculture. He had not, however, lost his taste for mining, and in 1859, when the excite- ment of the Washoe discoveries in Nevada was in its incipiency, he went to that new camp in company with Louis Sloss, being among the first to locate there. He became interested in Gonld & Curry, Choler, Choler-Potosi and Hearst & Meredith inines, and had the founda- tion laid for immense wealth; but being unfa- vorably impressed by the apparently wild-cat nature of most of the inining schemes then on foot at Virginia City, he decided to leave, and returned to California. While there, however, he was elected one of the six judges, and was one of those who decided the title to the savage grounds.
In 1863, he went out of sheep raising, in which he had been theretofore heavily engaged, and, going to Mexico, obtained control of some valuable mining interests there. The French invasion under Maximilian, however, so disar-
ranged affairs in our neighboring republic that 110 enterprise could be successfully prosecuted, and he returned to his home in this county to resume charge of his ranch interests. For a time also, hie operated the Canada mine, in Amador County, and still has some very valu- able mining property, notably in Arizona.
Though his interests lie in many varied directions his main efforts have been in the direction of agriculture. It was on this account that he associated himself with other men of wealth and enterprise to place the nec- essary capital at the back of the efforts to make the combined harvester successful. Being one of the large wheat-growers, he experienced mnuch difficulty in securing men when wanted to harvest his large crops, which satisfied him that the machinery in use must be radically im- proved if wheat-raising was to remain a paying industry. He entered enthusiastically into this task, which was accomplished through the agency of the Stockton Combined Harvester and Agricultural Works, and his thorough knowledge of machines proved a great assist- ance in producing the final and crowning suc- cess. He has been a director of the company since its organization.
In 1887, seeing that this locality must have other farm industry than that of raising wheat, in order to retain its prestige, he commenced giving his attention to fruit-growing; and he has pursued this subject with his usual intelli- gent tenacity until he now easily takes rank as the foremost man in this county in the en- conragement of fruit culture. He induced some of the best fruit men in California to take hold on his land with the result that 2,000 acres are already in the best orchard trees, and all promising splendid success. Besides this, lie has himself set out 320 acres of fruit, his orchard being pronounced one of the finest in the county. Its trees are peaches, apricots, prunes and almonds. His efforts in that direc- tion will prove, -- in fact, liave already done so, -of great value to the community, for which he has heretofore done much. He established
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the Bank of Lodi, and is its president. He was also one of the prime movers and principal owners of the San Joaquin & Sierra Nevada Railroad, and still retains his interest in the road, which is now a part of the Southern Pacific system.
Mr. Langford has served four terms in the State Senate of California, having been first elected in 1879, and has made a splendid record in the halls of legislation. He has not tried there to build up a reputation by the common method of the introduction of new measures, having done so only when the interests of the State demanded them. But as a faithful watcher of the people's interests he has been a constant thorn in the side of dishonest schemers and jobbers, who always count on his opposition to their measures. In his fight against monopolies he has not adopted the blind measures of re- formers working for reputation. but has consist- ently held to the middle line of justice between the public and corporations, only attacking when this line has been deviated from. In com- mittees he has been especially active, believing that there is where a man can best represent his constituents. Some of the battles which he has fought in defense of the rights of the people have become matters of State history, among which may be mentioned his leadership of the fight against the brush dam systemn. Another mem- orable contest in which his able leadership was well displayed was that in which he opposed the scheme to legalize the claims of those who had appropriated extensive water rights, thus rob- bing of water those who had a natural claim upon it. Men with vast holdings of desert lands had turned from its natural course the water of important streams, letting it out upon large stretches of sandy plain, while those who had improved small holdings lower down on these water courses, notably along Kern river, were thus deprived of the means of making a living, and despoiled of that which was already theirs. A great lobby fund was behind the course of the land kings; but Senator Lang- ford's strenuous opposition to the scheme was
one of the leading reasons for his ultimate defeat.
By securing for the San Joaquin District Agricultural Fair an appropriation of $3,000 per year, he materially assisted in promoting the prospects of that splendid institution. The people have not been uninindfnl of his efforts in their behalf, and the citizens of San Joa- quin have but echoed the wishes of duty-lov- ing people throughout the State by enthusiast- ically re-electing him to the seat in the Senate which he has honored.
He has taken a very active part in the Grange movement, and by his efforts secured the meet- ing of the National Grange in California in 1889.
While he has been more intimately associ- ated with San Joaquin Connty than any other, he still has inany interests and considerable property outside of it. Before the city of Fresno was built he went down to that region and located 24,000 acres of public land in that and adjoining counties. To his credit it may be said that he has put to use all his land and assisted largely in developing the country by his direct work and by example. His life, as well as being one replete with interest, has been one of constant work; indeed, so marked has been this characteristic that, although forty years have passed away since he opened a pros- perous career in this State, he has never yet found time to visit the old scenes of his boy- hood. To-day, having passed through all the trying scenes which have accompanied the pro- gress of this beautiful State from the time it was a mere collection of mining camps nntil it has reached its present prond position in the bond of the American Union, he is yet in the prime of life, familiar with the State and its men, an active, aggressive man of ripe expe- rience.
He was married in this county, in 1870, to Miss Catharine M. Kane, and has two sons, George and James, who are now being educated. He is a member of Woodbridge Lodge, No. 131, F. & A. M., of Stockton Chapter, No.
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28, and of Stockton Commandery, No. 8. He is also associated with the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He was one of the orig- inal incorporators of the Grangers' Union, of Stockton.
ORNELIUS SWAIN, one of the enter- prising and successful farmers of San Joa- quin County, is a native of Davidson County, Tennessee, where he was born February 17, 1826, a son of John and Mary (Ormes) Swain; the latter a native of Tennessee, her parents being of Pennsylvania Dutch extrac- tion. His father, John Swain, was a native of North Carolina. In 1830, when our subject was abont four years of age, the family migrated to Illinois, and located in Jackson County, where Cornelius was raised. He was a school- inate of John A. Logan, whose parents were near neighbors. In 1850 Mr. Swain moved to Missouri, and located in Westport, which town is now part of Kansas City. In 1851 he was married to Eliza Catharine Davis, who was born in Jackson County, Missouri, daughter of An- derson Davis, who was born in Roan County, North Carolina, December 25, 1801, and is one of the oldest citizens living in San Joaquin. County. He is a man who has seen his share of this world's hardships; his whole life, it might be said, has been spent upon the frontier.
Mr. Swain continued to make his home in Missouri until 1853, when he and his family, together with his wife's parents and a few inti- mate friends, left Missouri April 28, and arrived in Stockton September 28, 1853, after a journey of five months to the day. Mr. Swain located almost immediately on the ranch where he now lives, buying a claim of what was a Spanish grant, and has inade his home there ever since. His landed possessions at this time amount to 1,240 acres, and all the improvements that are seen on it to-day were made by Mr. Swain; when he first settled on it there was not even a furrough plowed. The ranch is situated on the
Cherokee Lane road, five miles from Stockton. During his residence in the county Mr. Swain has been principally engaged in raising grain, although he has dealt somewhat in stock, mules being his principal favorite in the stock line. His ranch is one of the finest in the county, and the improvements are a valuable acquisition. In business matters Mr. Swain has been very successful; he ranks among our best and most respected citizens. Is a stockholder and director of the San Joaquin Valley Bank.
He has a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for over twenty odd years, and has taken nearly all the degrees of the order. He belongs to the Morning Star Lodge, No. 63, also the Chapter, both lodges of Stockton.
EFFERMAN & HEFFERMAN. - This firm, which is doing a large livery bnsi- ness in Stockton, is composed of J. W. Hefferman and T. H. Hefferman, who suc- ceeded the firmn of Hefferman & Hersom, which firm began business May 1, 1889. October 12, 1889, W. J. Hersom retired from the firm, and was succeeded by T. H. Hefferman, one of the inost popular young men in Stockton. The present firm is composed of energetic young men of business, and they have a reputation for fair dealing and good treatment toward all pat- rons of their establishment. They carry in the neighborhood of nearly a dozen livery horses and nearly as many vehicles, which are of every kind liable to be required by the patrons of a first- class livery barn. Their success is due in a large measure to their efforts to please their customers.
J. W. Hefferman, of this firm, is a native of San Joaquin County, born ten miles from Stock- ton, near Waterloo, July 18, 1860, his parents being Patrick and Ellen (Murphy) Hefferman. His father came to California from Boston in 1850, and located at Copperopolis, engaged in the copper mines there. He followed mining about a year, and then, acquiring land, engaged
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in ranching, where the subject of this sketch was born. In this he was successful and accumn- lated a great deal of land. He still follows farm- ing, and after selling off a great deal, still retains 120 acres of land. His wife died in 1886. They had ten children, of whom three are liv- ing, viz .: Annie, wife of Daniel Doane, living on the old homestead; Joseph W., the subject of this sketch; and Ellen, at home.
J. W. Hefferman, with whose name this sketch commences, was reared on the home farm, and received his education at the neigh- boring schools. In October, 1887, he went to San Diego County, and engaged in the dairy business and cattle raising, being thus employed for some ten months. He then came to Stock- ion, was here married May 30, 1888, to Miss Annie Kelley, a native of Gateshead, England. They have one child, Alice Bernardine. After locating here he followed dealing in horses four or five months, and then embarked in his pres. ent business. Mr. Hefferman is a member of Y. M. I., No. 105, of Stockton, and of the Total Abstinence Society. He takes an active inter- est in public affairs, and is a Democrat politically.
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