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 44
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Mr. Rolland was married in this city, Octo- ber 10, 1866, to Miss Mary Goodsill, daughter
of Richard Goodsill, and a native of County Waterford, Ireland. They have two children, a son and daughter.
Mr. Rolland is a member of the San Joaquin Society of California Pioneers, and of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. He is a genial and courteous gentleman, and has many warm personal friends.
RS. SARAH McMURRAY, one of our early pioneers, was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, a daughter of William and Rosanna (Pyle) Whiteman, who were a part of the Murphy party, arriving in San Jose in September, 1846, where they remained that winter. Mrs. Whiteman was born in Virginia, in 1805, and was there raised to womanhood. After her marriage to Mr. Whiteman they moved to Missouri, then to Chicago, thence to California, in 1846. Mr. Whiteman was drowned on his way to the mines in 1848. By this mar- riage there were four children, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth McCracken, Mrs. Sarah McMurray, the subject of this sketch, John, deceased, and Eliza Whiteman,-all of whom, excepting Mrs. McMurray, reside in San Jose. Mrs. Whitemall remained a widow for ten or twelve years, then married Samuel Hill. They have no children. Both are living on the original ranch, which Mr. and Mrs. Whiteman took up, and a part of which is a part of San Jose.
Mrs. McMurray, the subject of this sketch, was raised in San Jose from the time she was four years of age. She was married. May 6, 1858, to Abraham Jefferson of San Joaquin County, California, who came to this State about 1850. After their marriage they moved to San Joaquin County, and lived in Stockton about a year, then returned to San Jose, where Mr. Jefferson died May 15, 1865. Mrs. Jefferson remained a widow two years, when she married, May 15, 1867, James McMurray, an old pioneer of San Joaquin County, a native of Plattsburgh, New York, where he was born October 4, 1829.
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
He came to California in 1852, making the voyage around Cape Horn, and from that year up to the time of his death has been a resident of San Joaquin County. He spent a short time in the mines, when he was taken sick and came down to Stockton and found employment with a Mr. Belden in the soda factory. A short time afterward he started in the liotel business at the five-mile house on the Lower Sacramento road. One year later he settled on his farm, where he remained until his death, which occurred Octo- ber 4, 1886. He was inourned by a large circle of friends and neigbors. The widow still re- sides on the ranch which she gives her personal supervision. She is the mother of ten children, three by her first marriage and seven by the last. Six of the latter are still living.
IRAM M. JONES was born in Washing- ton County, New York, February 27, 1826, his parents being Cornelins and Fanny (Wilson) Jones; the father of Welsh descent and the mother of Irish. The father was a school-teacher in his early days, but spent the latter part of his life in farming. He emi- grated to Illinois in 1835 and to California in 1850. In 1853 he returned to Illinois, and died in Batavia at the age of eighty-six years; the mother died the same month at the age of seventy- two years
Hiram was reared on a farm in Illinois. He started for California in 1850, crossing the plains with mnle teams. The trip was a pleas- ant one and lasted seventy-one days. For three months after his arrival he carried on mining, then engaged in the mercantile business. At tlie termination of a year he commenced mining once more, following the same until the spring of 1852, when he settled on the Guadaloupe river in Santa Clara County. He was among the first farmers of the State. In 1855 he sold out and returned East, with the intention of remaining. He did remain three years, then sold ont and crossed the plains once more. He settled in
Alameda County, where he remained until 1861, when he went to Prescott, Arizona, where he followed the mercantile business and mining. In 1865 he returned to California and located in San Francisco, where he remained eiglit years. In 1871 he sold out his business and located in San Joaquin Valley, five miles from Stockton on a ranch of 120 acres. He afterward pur- cliased ninety-six acres on the Waterloo road. He has improved his land greatly and has been very successful as a farmer. He owns 480 acres on Lone Tree creek. In 1888 he erected his fine residence, one of the handsomest and neatest on the road.
In 1848 he was married to Miss Ann Tro- bridge. She died leaving him four children, -- Seymore, Mary A., Filmore and Fremont, twins. In 1877 he was married to Miss Lovina Morton, a native of Ohio. They have one child, Bertha L.
RS. JANE SANDERS has been a re- sident of San Joaquin County since 1862. Her ranch on the Lower Sacra- mento road, four iniles northwest of Stockton, contains 180 acres devoted principally to general farming. She is a native of Lynn, Massachu- setts, where she was born and raised. From there she came to this State by steamer from New York, July 22, 1862, landing in San Francisco August 22, after a voyage of four weeks.
ORENZO D. WAKEFIELD was born in Brownfield, Oxford County, Maine, July 27, 1833. He lived in Maine till nineteen years of age, np to which time he made liis home with his parents. August 30, 1852, he started for California, landing in San Francisco October 6. Like so many others, he went to the inines at Jamestown, where he stayed that win- ter and the following spring. March 20 he came to Stockton and hired out to a man named
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
Hamilton, driving teams and carrying freight from Stockton to the various mining camps. He continued that business for five or six years; while engaged in the business he encountered many hardships peculiar to the early day in this country. When the Fraser river excitement broke out he was one of those that went there and did a little prospecting, but, finding that it was mostly a humbug, he stayed but a short time, then returned to Stockton. He next turned his attention to raising cattle, at which he was engaged for two years. Again he com- inenced teaming, going over the mountains to Virginia City, Gold Hill and other places out on the plains. In 1864 he made his first pur- chase of land, 160 acres in township 2 north, range 6 east, which he still owns. For five or six years he farmed near Modesto, where he and his brother, C. H. Wakefield, were in partner- ship for fourteen or fifteen years. In Novem- ber, 1873, he moved to his present place, containing at first 160 acres, but now 880 acres, lying mostly in the above-mentioned township. He is one of the leading farmers in this section. For the past two years he has been running one of the improved combined harvesters.
He is a member of Truth Lodge, No. 55, I. O. O. F., of Stockton.
Mr. Wakefield was married in 1873 to Miss Susan M. Stickeye, a native of the same place that he caine from. They have a family of four children-three sons and one daughter; they have also lost one son. Mr. Wakefield was in California twenty years before being married, then returned East, where he was married. He made another trip East in 1879.
ON. ROBERT S. JOHNSON, one of the prominent citizens of Stockton, is a native of Bedfordshire, England, born April 10, 1835, his parents being Robert B. and Ann · ( Smith) Johnson. When he was eight years of age the family removed to America, locating
in Montreal, and he lived there eight years, and at Toronto two years, receiving his education at St. Bernard's College, Montreal. He went to Chicago from Toronto and engaged as clerk for C. M. Murray, the first store-keeper on the west side. He next went with Frank Newhall, at No. 9 Clark street, with whom he remained eight years. While in Chicago he took an active part in fire department matters, and ran with the old Fire King along with C. P. Brad- ley and others whose names have occupied prominent places in Chicago history. He was for five years foreman of Hope Hose Company, and became chief engineer of the Chicago Fire Department. He went from Chicago to Racine, Wisconsin, and there, in 1859, went with a party which he organized there, to Pike's Peak. He returned to Racine and then came out to Cali- fornia, via New York and Panama, landing at San Francisco from the steamer Orizaba. After spending some time looking about the State for a favorable business opening, he located in Stockton, embarking in the produce and com- mission trade on the levee. In 1867 he bought ont the livery stable of George Fox, the oldest one in the city, which was started by a inan named Dallas. The livery business of Mr. Johnson is extensive, and his stables are fur- nished with the best of stock and equipments.
Mr. Johnson was married at Racine, Wiscon- sin, April 6, 1857, to Miss Mary Philomena Shaw, a native of Maine, who died in Stockton in 1871. By that marriage there were three children, viz .: William Russell, Eva L. and Charles R. Mr. Johnson was again married, in this city, to Miss Mary L. Chittenden, a native of Warsaw, Hancock County, Illinois. She died on the 6th of November, 1889, leaving two children, namely: Ida May and Roy Stephen.
Mr. Johnson was one of the strongest sup- porters of the Government in this State when the Union was endangered during the civil war, and in 1862 personally raised a company for the defense of the old flag, which was mus- tered into the service as Company K, First Cali- fornia Cavalry. He commanded that company
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until the close of the war, their services being principally with Kit Carson, engaged in Indian fighting, and confined mostly to Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. During this time, besides the almost constant skirmishes which such service entails, Captain Johnson participated in some eight or nine fights with Indians. He was discharged and mustered out at Fort Union in 1865, and returned to Stock- ton. He was one of the organizers of Rawlins Post, G. A. R., and is one of the oldest Grand Army men, in point of service, on the Pacific coast. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of the Grand Army, and has, in all, served five terms as Commander of Raw lins Post. In 1884 he was elected department inspector, and was elected in Jannary, 1889, Senior Commander, Department of California. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Johnson is politically a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and has always been an active worker in its ranks and a leader in its councils. He has served six terms as a member of the City Council of Stockton, and two terms as its president. At the general election of 1888 he was elected to the General Assembly of California from this district, taking his seat in January, 1889. He took an active part in the work of the session, and came out with a remarkable record. He served on the following committees: Labor and Capital, Municipal Corporations, Silk Culture and Mil- itary Affairs. He introduced a number of important measures, and has the splendid record of carrying them all to a successful issue and to approval by the Governor, as follows: House Bill No. 48 .- An act to amend an act in regard to county and township government. House Bill No. 282 .- An act to amend the code of civil procedure. House Bill No. 299 .-- An act to provide for the erection and furnishing of armories for the National Guard. House Bill No. 318 .- An act to make appropriations for deficiencies in armory rents. House Bill No. 50 .-- An act for the benefit of Union vet- erans, providing that no veteran should be
buried as a pauper, and appropriating $50 in each case; approved March 15, 1889. House Bill No. 283 .- An act providing for the mainte- nance, support and discharge, in certain cases, of insane persons. An act to provide for defi- ciency in the appropriation for the State Board of Forestry. An act appropriating $40,000 for gas wells at the Eastern Insane Asylum, Stock- ton. Resolution No. 4 .- Relative to approval of charter of city of Stockto '. He also got a proper appropriation for the Eastern Insane Asylumı, though he does not get credit for it on the records. All in all, this is a record of which any old campaigner in the halls of legis- lation mnight well be proud-ten important measures undertaken, and all successful.
March 5, 1889, Mr. Johnson was appointed one of the directors of the State Insane Asylum by Governor Waterman, his term of office hold- ing till March, 1893. On the board he is Chairman of the Improvement Committee, and a member of the Auditing and Visiting Com- mittee. Mr. Johnson is one of the brightest and most enterprising of Stockton's citizens, and has always taken an important part in all mat- ters of public welfare in whichi his city or county was interested.
C. HOLMAN, proprietor of the United States Hotel, Stockton, one of the most popular landlords of the city, first en- gaged in the hotel business here in 1871, when, in conjunction with Charles Schmieder, lie bought the Columbia House. They conducted it until 1873, when they took charge of the old Pacific Ilouse and named it the United States Hotel. It has a prominent place in the early history of the city. The original building was partly con- structed from lumber that had been brought around Cape Horn. One of the early proprie- tors, known as " Uncle Billy," was a well-known figure in his time. A Mr. Freeman, since de- ceased, was a later proprietor, and after him was Henry Lewis, now of Modesto. In February,
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1873, Messrs. Holman and Schmieder took charge and changed the naine to its present style. The partnership continued about eight years, when Mr. Holman bought his partner's interest, and has since been the sole proprietor. On the 30th of October, 1879, Mr. Holman purchased the building and property from John B. Nye, paying $10,000. On the 20th of An- gust, 1881, the structure was destroyed by fire, being a total loss. There was but $3,000 in- surance on the building, and none on the fur- niture. Mr. Holman did not allow his heavy loss to crush his spirit, but at once set about rebuilding. As a result of his enterprise the present handsome and commodions structure, corner of Center and Market streets, known as the United States Hotel, was thrown open to the public on the 4th of March, 1882. There are about eighty rooms; and in this particular, as in that other essential, the table, the house enjoys and deserves a high reputation.
The proprietor, Mr. H. C. Holman, is a native of Germany, born at Dötlingen, Oldenburg, February 24, 1843, his parents being Henry and Katharine Holman. When he was six years of age he lost his father by death, and six years later, by the death of his mother, he was left totally an orphan. He attended school between the ages of six and fourteen years, and there- after was engaged at farm work as long as lie remained in his native country.
In 1862, taking passage on a sailing vessel, he emigrated to tlie United States, landing at New York. Thence he proceeded to Chicago and found employment in a flouring mill on Clark street. In the spring of 1864 he went to Peoria, Illinois, and there joined a party destined for California. Crossing the Mississippi river at Burlington and the Missouri at Council Bluffs, they proceeded by way of Fort Kearney and Laramie, Salt Lake City, and the Sink of the Humboldt to California. The trip was a pleas- ant one in most respects, though, as the season was a dry one, some delay was necessitated for the purpose of recruiting stock. On bringing up at Mokelumne Hill, Mr. Holman turned
lris attention to mining for a time, but gave up that occupation to enter the service of the coun- try of his adoption. He enlisted in Company E, Seventh California Volunteers, for three years or during the war. The command as- sembled at the presidio, and after drilling for a time there they were sent to Arizona, to figlit Indians. By this arrangement Mr. Holinan saw considerable active service, returning when the trouble was over, from Tucson to the pre- sidio, where he was discharged in June, 1865, after a service of about eighteen inonthis.
For the succeeding three years Mr. Holman followed agrienltural pursuits on a farm about three miles from Waterloo, in this county, and then embarked in the hotel business in Stock- ton, as already mentioned. His success since that time shows his fitness for the position of landlord-one of the most difficult to fulfill known to the business world.
He was married September 13, 1876, to Miss Hattie Grupe, daughter of J. Carsten Grupe, a prominent pioneer who, though now deceased, is properly remembered in an extended mention elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Hol- man have three children - Charles Francis, George Alexander and Lelabd Hermann. Mr. Holman is a member of Stockton Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F., and is a trustee of Parker En- campinent; is also a member of the Stockton Turn-Verein, and of Rawlins Post, No. 23, G. A. R. Concerning national issues he is a Re- publican. Mr. Holman is a pleasant, affable gentleman, having a host of friends among the citizens of the county and the traveling public.
II. VAN NESS, of the Mansion House, is one of tlie most popular hotel men in
0 Stockton. The Mansion House was built for hotel purposes by the firmn of Simpson & Gray, the present proprietors of the building. The firm which has made the hotel what it now is, is composed of B. H. Van Ness and John Ogulin, who succeeded Schinieder & Hoch in
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
April, 1888. The Mansion House has sixty rooms, which are admirably arranged for the purpose intended, and the capacity of the house is now tested to the utmost.
B. H. Van Ness, of the firm of Van Ness & Ognlin, proprietors of the Mansion House, is a native of Auburn, New York, born May 14, 1852, his parents being Abraham and Cather- ine (Van Keuren) Van Ness. When he was ten years of age, his parents removed to Roch- ester, New York, and there his father died about one year later. He obtained his school- ing mostly at night school, and there received a good business education. He became en- gaged with the wholesale firm of Pritchard & Likely, dealers in trunks and traveling mens' supplies, and remained with them until No- vember, 1878, when he came to California, lo- cating at Stockton. For some time he was engaged in various occupations, and eventually became employed at the Grand Central Hotel, where he was clerk for several years. In 1885 he bonght into the Eagle Hotel, and conducted it until he purchased his present interest in the Mansion House.
He is a member of the Truth Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Parker Encampment, of Stockton Lodge, of A. O. U. W., and of the A. O. F.
Mr. Van Ness is a genial, courteous gentle- man, and has been largely instrumental in giv- ing to the Mansion House the great degree of popularity it now enjoys.
OHN A. CAMPBELL, of Farmington, de- ceased. The subject of this sketchi was born in Wellsville, Ohio, February 6, 1833, son of George and Rachel (Bilderback) Camp- bell. The father, born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1800, and the mother, a native of the sanie State, born No- vember 12, 1812, were married August 16, 1829, and moved to Ohio some time between 1830 and 1833. George Campbell was by trade a millwright, with some knowledge of civil en-
gineering and surveying. About 1834 he moved to Indiana, settling ten or twelve miles from Delphi, and about 1839 to Kaskaskia, Illinois. In 1844 he moved to Grant County, Wisconsin, where the wife died October 8, 1846, he following December 7, 1849. Five sons and one daughter survived him, of wliom four sons are living at the present time, namely : Thomas, George, Columbus and Henry; the last named two being well-known residents of Stockton. The grandparents, Alexander Camp- bell and wife, had emigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, toward the close of the last century, and settled in Washington County, Pennsylva- nia, where they owned a farm on which both died at an advanced age and not many days apart, in 1838. Grandfather Thomas Bilder- back was a native of Pennsylvania, of Penn- sylvania-German descent, and was married to Miss Preston, a native of the same State, or of what is now West Virginia; these two lived to a ripe old age.
Jolin Campbell, the subject of this sketelı, came to California in 1851 and to San Joaquin County in 1852. He was a teamster for a short time, and then engaged in farm work near French Camp. Abont 1855 he formed a part- nership with Mr. Sharp and went into the business of threshing and farming. This ar- rangement lasted three years, when Mr. Camp- bell sold out to his partner. In 1859 he rented 300 acres on Mormon slough near Holden, and was married the same year to Miss Savilla A. Funck, an adopted daugliter of the late J. P. Funck, a well-known rancher of Douglass Town- ship. In the summer of 1861 Mr. Campbell bought 160 acres adjoining the village of Farm- ington on the west, and the same year became the owner of the Farmington Hotel. This he sometimes rented and at other times conducted himself together with liis farm. He also re- snmed the business of running threshing-ma- chines, using two every season for eight or ten years, and four at least two seasons. He was justice of the peace for eiglit years, road over- seer for two years, school trustee for several
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years, and postmaster of Farmington from Jan- uary 1, 1872, until his death, of typhoid pneu- monia, May 21, 1873. He was a inan of unquestioned integrity and highly esteemed throughout the entire country. He left five sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living.
John Franklin Campbell, born in Holden, August 26, 1860, received a fair education in the local schools and worked on a farm after quitting school. In 1881 he rented 150 acres and entered agricultural pursuits on his own account, since which time he has been farming from 500 to 900 acres. Eugene was a farmer in 1884-'85-'86. He now rents 850 acres near Grayson, Stanislaus County, where he has re- sided since January, 1887, and owns 160 acres in Fresno County. In 1883 he bought a half interest in a steam threshing-machine and be- came sole owner in 1884; also, in 1883, John and Eugene ran a barley crusher, John be- coming sole owner in 1888.
Mr. Campbell was married April 7, 1885, to Miss Hattie Ellen Rogers, a native of this State, born in Placer County, February 26, 1865, a daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Hattie E. (Lowe) Rogers. The mother died June 24, 1865, in this State; the father, born near Lock- port, New York, April 7, 1833, came to Cali- fornia in 1849, and has resided for many years near Stockton, where he served some years as chief of police. Grandfather John Rogers, an American by birth, and a soldier of the war of 1812, died in Battle Creek, Michigan, several years ago, aged about eighty. Grandfather Lu- ther Lowe, born in 1805, in Maryland, is still living in Missouri, and the grandmother, Han- nah E. Lowe, born September 15, 1807 and died October 21, 1885, seventy-eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell have one child, Errol Preston, born August 28, 1889.
Thomas Eugene, the second son of John A. Campbell, was born October 18, 1861, and re- ceived the usual district school education with some interruptions. After quitting school he went to work on a farm, and in 1883 he became
a partner with his brother John as above stated. In January, 1887, he bought a half interest in a blacksmith shop in Farmington, and in Sep- tember, 1888, bought out his partner in the blacksmith shop. In November, 1888, he was elected constable for two years, and early in 1889 was appointed deputy assessor for Douglass Township. December 18, 1889, he married Miss Celia Ratledge.
Albert Grant, the third son of squire Camp- bell, born September 3, 1863, has been foreman of a large ranch in Douglass Township since 1884, and his brother, William Lincoln, born August 30, 1865, is engaged on the same farm at present. The four brothers belong to tlie Knights of Pythias, lodge No. 124; Eugene is also an Odd Fellow, lodge No. 296; and John F. belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workinginen, lodge No. 23.
Their only sister, Dora Birdena, born Octo- ber 14, 1869, and the youngest brother, Charles Henry, born May 21, 1872, are attending Stockton Business College, and are living at the old homestead near Farmington, with their mother, who by her second marriage is the wife of Milo M. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Church are the parents of four children.
ARTIN SCHNEIDER, manufacturer of furniture and cabinet work and wood carving, Stockton, is a native of Ger- many, born at Leidringer, Wurtemburg, near the Black Forest, December 25, 1856, his par- ents being John and Anna Katherine (Messmer) Schneider, the father a cabinet-maker.
He was reared at his native place, and received his education there between the ages of six and fourteen years. He then commenced in earnest the cabinet-making trade with his father. When he had reached the age of seventeen years, he was a journeyman, and he then took the road, as is the custom with German mechanics who have finished their apprenticeship. He brought up at Zurich, Switzerland, and remained there
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