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 59
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The subject of this sketch received but a limited education and helped his widowed mother on the farm until his marriage October
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7, 1840, to Miss Elizabetlı Calvert, born in Ken- tncky, December 20, 1814, a daughter of George and Sarah Calvert. Both died on their farm in Indiana, she a native of South Carolina, at the age of eighty-four, and he, a native of Virginia, at the age of seventy-three. In 1850 Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson moved to lowa and settled on a farm in Davis County, where they remained fifteen years. They came across the plains in 1865 in a train of about 100 wagons, of which they owned three, one with two horses, another with three yoke of oxen, and a third with four mules, and six loose ones to use at pleasure, all of which were very valuable in those days. The trip took six months, from Davis County, Iowa, to San Joaquin County, California. Mr. Wilson bought 200 acres, in 1865, about ten miles east of Stockton on the Copperopolis road, near what is now called Holden Station. Hle traded some of his mules for eighty acres adjoining his first purchase, and in 1866 he bought twenty acres. In 1885 lie bought another twenty, making a half-section in one body. In 1888 he sold eighty acres for a fruit ranch, and still owns 240 acres of excel- lent land. After first settling there in 1865 he farmed right along until 1877, after which he rented the ranch until 1889, meanwhile re- siding with his family on the place until 1884, when he moved to Stockton, where he remained until near the close of 1889. In 1871 the founder of Holden bought 100 acres and laid out a village plat, whichi, however, reverted to Mr. Wilson the same year, and the village plat was legally annulled in 1889.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of two children that grew to maturity, both natives of Indiana: Sarah Ellen, born in 1842, by mar- riage Mrs. S. M. Hnglies, has three children: Laura, born in 1877; Lottie, in 1878; and John M., in 1880; all living with their mother on her father's ranch. William Duncan Wilson, born in 1844, received a good education in Iowa, and on the breaking out of the civil war he en- listed for three months, in 1863, and then re- enlisted in the same year for the war. He lost
his health and was discharged before the close of the war. In 1869, hoping to recover liis strength, he went to Europe by way of New York, but neither that trip nor the care of physi- cians at home or abroad were of any permanent benefit, and he died unmarried on his father's place in 1872. Mr. John Wilson was brought up in the Presbyterian faith, but is not a mem- ber of any church. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the First Baptist church of Stockton.
AFAYETTE SELLMAN, deceased, was born in Canandaigua, New York, Novem- ber 24, 1825. He was educated in the district school and brought up on a farm. He came to California in 1849, and went to mining in Sonora, and afterwards engaged in the cattle trade. He came to Stockton in 1868 and went into the laundry business, buying two lots for his home and business on the east side of Grant street, north of Main, and another across the street for his horses and wagons. In 1880 he began the use of steam and introduced all the modern conveniences and appliances necessary to place liis " Stockton City Steam Laundry" in the front rank in that line of industry.
Mr. Sellman was married in Michigan, about 1847, to Miss Margaret Coon, by whom he had seven children, of whom ouly one survives, Charles Baltus Sellman, was born in 1868 and married in 1889, to Miss Maggie Sexton, a native of this State. His wife died young about 1877, and Mr. Sellman was again married December 18, 1878, in this city, to Miss Anna Shafer, born in Calaveras County, California, a daughter of Adam and Julia (Belirent) Shafer, both natives of Germany; the father, a rancher of Calaveras County, died in 1876, aged forty-seven, and the mother died in 1872, aged forty-six. By this second marriage he had six children, all of whom survived him, and five are living: Henry Lafay- ette, born September 22, 1879; Grace, Febru- ary 26, 1881; Maud, September 30, 1882; Elsie,
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November 12, 1886; Ivy Frances, January 2, 1889.
Mr. Sellinan was a member of the San Joa- quin Valley Society of California Pioneers, and of the Iroquois Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men. He died at his home in this city, March 25, 1889, a member of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his widow is also a member.
ILLIAM BRONSON NUTTER, an at- torney at Stockton, was born in Nevada County, California, December 15, 1859, a son of William M. and Julia A. (Murphy) Nutter. His father, a native of New Hamp- shire, enlisted for the Mexican war, in the First Mississippi Rifles, of which the late Jefferson Davis, afterward president of the Southern Con- federacy, was colonel. He came to California in 1849 by the Panama route and engaged in mining for a few years, when he went East, about 1851, and was married in St. Louis, his wife being, however, a native of Boston. Upon their marriage they set out for this coast in 1852, and settled eight miles from Grass Val- ley, where they eventually became owners of 450 acres. His father was also interested in mines, with but little or no profit. He was a supervi- sor of Nevada County for four years, and a school trustee for many years. He was a charter mem- ber of Mountain Rose Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Rough and Ready. He died on his ranch in Nevada County, aged about fifty years. One brother at least is living in Fall River Mills, New Hampshire, who is over sixty years of age. William M. Nutter left two surviving children : the subject of this sketch and a daughter, Geor- giana, now Mrs. Charles M. Paine; the latter, with her hushand, is living with Mrs. Nutter, on the ranch in Nevada County. They have two girls, Mary and Daisy.
William B. Nutter was educated in the local district school, and afterward in Heald's Busi- ncss College in San Francisco. He then read
law in the office of Judge F. T. Baldwin, of this city. He was appointed deputy Recorder, then deputy Treasurer and finally deputy Clerk of this county, acting as clerk in department one of the Superior Court. He was admitted to the bar of this State November 10, 1885, and has since practiced in this city, being associated for some time with August Muenter. He was elected City Attorney by the city council in December, 1888, and was one of the board of fifteen freeholders who framed the new city charter passed by the Legislature in the session of 1889. He formed a law partnership with Martin De Vries, August 3, 1889, under the style of Nutter & De Vries.
Mr. Nutter was married in this city, April 20, 1887, to Miss Clara Belle Davis, born in Stockton, February, 1865, a daughter of Ste- phen H. and Caroline Davis. The father died August 19, 1885; the mother is living.
Mr. Nutting is Past President of Stockton Parlor, No. 7, N. S. G. W.
DWIN J. McINTOSH, of Elkhorn Town- ship, was born in Homer, Cortland County, New York, November 6, 1826, his parents being Jonathan and Anna (Crane) McIntosh. The father was a native of New York State, whose father was a Scotchman. The mother was a native of Massachusetts; her father was eight years in the Revolutionary war.
Edwin was reared on a farm and remained at home till fifteen years of age, when lie started ont in life for himself; in fact he has been self- supporting ever since he was eleven years of age. He learned the trade of carriage blacksmith, then went to Canada, where he worked at his trade, remaining until 1847, when he enlisted (by tel- egraph) in Company D, Tenth Infantry, under Captain Wilder, and served until August, 1848, when he was discharged at Fort Hamilton, New York. He went to Rochester, where he followed his trade until 1849, when he started for Mexico. He got as far as New Orleans and his funds gave
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ont. At that time the cholera was raging in that city. He remained three weeks, when he again enlisted in the ariny and served for five years in Company C, Fourth Artillery, under Captain S. C. Ridgeley. They went to Florida in 1850 and to Fort Lafayette in the spring of 1851. There the subject of this sketch super- intended the raising of the first flag-staff, act- ing as Quartermaster and Quarter Sergeant. He remained there until the next spring, when the fugitave slave law was passeed, and was then ordered back to New York, thence to Ontario, then to Oswego, where he remained until August, 1853. Then he was ordered to Philadel- phia, thence to Fort Independence, Boston Harbor, where he was discharged May 17, 1854. He sailed immediately for California, via the Isthmus. He came at once to Stockton and took up 160 acres of land in Elkhorn Township; he then went to work in order that he might earn money enough to put in a crop. He then began work on his property, remain- ing there until 1856, when he sold out to his brother, R. C. McIntosh, and went to Stockton and engaged in the livery business in partner- ship with George Blake, remained three months, when he withdrew and went to work for W. P. Miller at his trade. March 1, 1859, he went to Woodbridge and established a blacksmith and wagon-making shop, remaining until 1866. He built the first brick building in that town. In 1862 le purchased his ranch and now owns 480 acres, located on the Davis road.
Mr. McIntosh was married, January 9, 1862, to Miss Malaney D. Minor, a native of Massa- chusetts. They had seven children, namely: Carrie B., born April 21, 1863; Anna, June 27, 1865; George, August 9, 1866; Edwin, July 9, 1867; Adeline, September 6, 1868; Thomas B., September 6, 1869; and Malancy D., born July 15, 1871. The following deaths have occurred: Carrie died April 25, 1863; Anna, July 15, 1865; George, August 31, 1866; Edwin, November 30, 1869; Adeline, May 14, 1870; and Malancy D., July 24, 1871. Mr McIntosh was married a second time to Mrs.
L. M. Blakeley, July 24, 1876. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, which he joined in 1853; also of the Woodbridge Grange. In 1879 he was elected to the Legislature and was in the session of 1880, of 103} days. Po- litically he is a Republican. He is well known by the early settlers of this connty and his friends and neighbors of to-day, by whom he is highly respected.
R. LEADBETTER .- Among the prominent educators who have been asssociated with the schools of Stock- ton, none have enjoyed a higher reputation for sound views and business methods than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of Maine, born at Leeds, Andros- coggin County, Angust 14, 1838, his parents being Horace and Eliza D. (Shaw) Leadbetter, both of whom were natives of Kennebec County, Maine. W. R. Leadbetter spent his early boy- hood days in his native county, and then com- inenced his schooling. He afterward attended the Maine Seminary (Wesleyan) at Kent's Hill, and also Monmouth Academy. His higher education, completed in 1860, was paid for by his own efforts, with money he obtained as com- pensation for teaching, which he commenced when but eighteen years of age. He followed his chosen profession in Maine (mostly at Au- gusta) until 1863, having meantime been hon- ored with several terms as superintendent of schools of his native county. He removed to California, via Panama, in 1863, and tanglit his first terin, in this State, at the Henderson school, near Woodbridge, San Joaquin County. After teaching four years in this connty he went back to Maine, and was soon afterward elected to the Legislature of that State. Ile served out his term of office, remaining in his native State abont a year, and then returned to California, again locating in San Joaquin County. One year later he was elected superintendent of schools of San Joaquin County, and served four
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. years in that office, by virtue of re-election. He then retired from the active pursuit of his pro- fession, bought a rancli near Collegeville, and for ten years devoted his attention to agricnl- tural pursuits. In the meantime, however, he was elected to represent this district in the State Legislature, and served in the session of 1880. Among the committees on which he did duty in that body were those on Education, and on Public Buildings and Grounds.
In 1884 Mr. Leadbetter removed into the city of Stockton, and in the following year was elected City Superintendent of Schools. He has been re-elected, and is now serving his third term, his administration of the duties of the office being eminently satisfactory to the citizens.
Mr. Leadbetter is a member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he is a Republican. He is a man of broad views and extensive experience in educational affairs, firm yet courteous in his business dealings, and is a very popular official.
H. DINNING, Vice-Principal of the Washington High School, Stockton, though one of the later additions to the public school staff, has already taken rank as one of the prominent educators of the city. He is a native of Maine, born at Bangor, Penobscot County, August 28, 1860, his parents being Thomas and Mary Dinning. His father, a Union soldier, was killed at the battle of Baton Rouge, and our subject was left an orphan at an early age. He commenced his education at the Maine Central Institute, Pittsfield, Somerset County, spending four years there fitting for college. He then eutered Bates' College, Lew- iston, Maine, where he finished his education. He came to California in 1882, locating at Stockton, and taught one term in the Stockton Business College. After that he taught in the district schools of San Joaquin County until 1886. In that year he again taught a short terin in the Stockton Business College, and there was appointed to the principalship of the
Weber school, taking the position in January, 1887. In 1889 he was elected Vice-Principal of the high school, and assumed the duties of his new position with the opening of the fall term, 1889.
Though yet a young man, Mr. Dinning has already had much experience in educational work, and it has been of such a character as to point to a bright career for him in the future.
ARION DE VRIES, an attorney of Stockton, was born in this county, August 15, 1865, a son of W. H. and Cornelia (Crowe) De Vries. The mother, a na- tive of Virginia, died September 28, 1866. The father, born in Maryland in 1834, came to California in 1852, and followed the butcher- ing business for ten or twelve years, running shops at different points in this and Calaveras counties. At an early period in his career he took up 160 acres, afterward increased by pur- chase until he became the owner of 760 acres, which he still holds in 1890. Was educated fairly well, and was elected a Justice of the Peace in this county. Grandfather Henry De Vries, also a native of Maryland, lived to be over seventy, and his father, also namned Henry, died at abont the same age. This Henry was the original emigrant who settled in Maryland, and both Henrys were farmers or planters in that State, the grandfather being also a carpenter. Grandmother Mary J. Crowe died in this county in 1868, aged sixty-four years.
M. De Vries, the subject of this sketch, re- ceived a regular collegiate course at San Joa. quin Valley College, Woodbridge, California, and studied law in the University of Michigan, and was admitted to the bar in that State, June 13, 1886, and in this State July 2, 1886. Re- suming his studies in the same university he was elected orator of his class of 143 members, and graduated at that institution June 28, 1887. Returning to Stockton he entered on the prac- tice of his profession, being associated for some
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time with John B. Hall, and formed a partner- ship with W. B. Nutter, Angust 3, 1889, under the style of Nutter & De Vries.
Mr. De Vries is a member of Stockton Par- lor, No. 7, N. S. G. W .; of Woodbridge Lodge, No. 131, F. & A. M .; of Washtenaw Lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F., at Ann Arbor, Michigan; of Nemo Lodge, No. 161, K. of P. of Stockton, and of Homo Lodge, No. 50, O. E. S., of Stockton.
L. DORLAND is the proprietor of the California Poultry Farm, which is lo- cated in French Camp, township of Cas- toria. This farm, one of the most successful of its kind on the coast, was established in 1880. Here are to be found the choicest strains of thorough-bred poultry, much of the stock being imported from the most noted breeders in the East. A large poultry trade has been built up, and is constantly increasing, not only with the people on this coast, but also with Japan. In the fall of 1890 over $1,800 worth of poultry was sent to Japan from this farm. Eggs for hatching are shipped to all parts of the coast, and even as far as Honolulu, and a fair hatch reported. Most of the chickens on this place are hatched by means of incubators, and two glass houses are arranged to accommodate a hatch of 1,000 chicks a month.
OUIS HANSEL, a merchant of Stockton, whose "pioneer grocery store," on the southwest corner of Hunter and Channel streets, has been occupied as such since 1850, was born in Buffalo, New York, 1837, a son of Michael and Mary (Reileng) Hansel, both natives of Baden, Germany, who came to Amer- ica in 1832. His father was born in 1796, and his mother in 1800. His father was in business in Buffalo for some years and at other points in the East. Both came to Stockton in 1875, and
his father died in 1878, but his mother lived to 1880.
The subject of this sketch received a fair education, helped in his father's store in his youth and afterward learned the trade of car- penter. He came to California in 1855 and first worked at his trade a little, then in a hotel, and lastly tried mining, near Murphy's, all in 1855. The mining experience was very encourag- ing on the outset, as he happened to scoop up $50 in a few hours, only to learn very soon that such "finds " were very exceptional. Two and one half miles further on, or four miles from Murphy's, he and three partners dug in what they thought a promising place, dug and piled up dirt for a month, built a damn and bought sluice-boxes, only to find as net result $2 or $3 in gold dust. Disgusted, Mr. Hansel sold his interest in the sluice-boxes for a few dollars and struck out for Stockton. He went to work as a teamster until the Fraser river excitement reached this city, when he started for that region. Arriving in Victoria, whence there had been a stainpede of workingmen for the new "diggings," he worked at his trade for a few days at $8.50 a day. He then went forward with some comrades as far as Fort Hope, when he concluded to return to Victoria while his com- panions should go ahead and ascertain what the prospect was on Fraser river. He was again at work in Victoria but a short time when the crash came and everybody was hastening back to Victoria, and wages soon fell to a minimum. He then returned to Stockton and resumed teaming to the mines about 1860. In 1861 lie bought a team and outfit and did a good busi- ness. In 1862 he bought his present place, which is thought to have been run as a grocery store since 1850 at least. It is certain from the records that Captain C. M. Weber deeded the lot, 50 x 50 feet, on half of which it stands, to Ellen Murphy, apparently before his marriage to that lady, and that she sold it, still as Ellen Murphy, to Guillaume Bouillon, for $2,500. The latter sold it to C. C. Grellet, December 22, 1855, and he to Deftot & Chevalier in
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1857, and they to Lottman & Meyer in 1860. In 1861 Lottinan bought out his partner and Mr. Hansel bought out Mr. Lottman in 1862 and has held it ever since. In those first years he loaded many teams every day for the mining regions, but on the completion of the railroads in 1869 and 1870, his trade with freighters was cut off to a great extent. He, however, continues to ship goods in considerable quanti- ties to different parts of the State, besides has city and county trade. He is a member of Truth Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Willow Lodge, K. of P., and of the Stockton Turn-Verein.
Mr. Hansel was married in this city in 1863, to Miss Katrina Pforr, a native of Hesse Cassel, Germany, who had come to California in 1860. They have six children living: Henry C, born May 26, 1864; Emına L., November 23, 1868; Kate M., May 12, 1872; Louis John, July 6, 1873; Fredrica C., October 17, 1875; and Ger- trude May, August 23, 1878.
R. R. W. HENDERSON, one of the ablest exponents of the profession of den- tistry who has ever resided in Stockton, is a native of Lisbon, Maine, his parents being Orrin and Hannah (Staples) Henderson. His father was an extensive business man, engaged in several lines of trade and industry, notably those of manufacturer, speculator, shipowner and mer- chant. When the subject of this sketch was a child of about three or four years, his parents removed to Penobscot County, Maine. There he grew up and was educated in Charleston Academy. His earlier employments were in connection with the mercantile business. When he had reached the age of twenty-one years, having removed to Rockford, Illinois, he com- inenced the study of medicine in that city with Dr. Dewey, an oculist and specialist. His fine inechanical ability led him to the practice of dental surgery. After acquiring the profession he practiced in Illinois and Indiana. From there he went back to Maine, locating at Bangor,
where he remained five years. In that city he built up an extensive practice, employing at one time three assistants. The climate there, however, brought on pulmonary complaints with him, and he was therefore compelled to seek a change, and late in 1858 decided to remove to California. He came to the Pacific coast via Panama, on the steamers "Atlantic" and "Golden Gate," arriving at San Francisco in January, 1859. He located at Stockton, which has ever since been his home.
Dr. Henderson was married in Maine, to Miss Amanda Pierce, a native of that State, they have four children, viz: Edward O., a resident of Seattle, Washington, where he is engaged in the carriage and wagon business; Maud, wife of Fred. Dorrance, now a resident of Portland, Oregon; Dr. Walter R., a graduate of the Dental Department, University of California, class of 1885, now engaged in practice in connection with his father; and Ella, his youngest daughter.
Dr. Henderson is a member of San Joaquin Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the Knights of Honor. He is a thorough master of his pro- fession and a contributor to the literature of the dental profession. He has held the position of clinical instructor in the dental department of the University of California for several years. With his son, he has a large patronage.
LIZABETH C. WILSON was the wife of John Wilson, who was born in Ohio, June 3, 1816. He came to California, in 1857, and, by his energy and industry, earned for himself and family a fine farm of 270 acres, which he bought in 1858. In 1880 he died leaving a wife and seven children.
His wife, Elizabeth C. (Sherman) Wilson, was born in Logan County, Ohio, August 6, 1841. At the age of four years she went to Logan County, Illinois, where she resided until sixteen years of age. In 1857 she came to California. Her parents were Jacob and Caroline Sherman, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter
F
1
A SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY COUNTRY HOME.
The Beautiful Residence and Barn of Mr. GEORGE L. MOSHER, Cherokee Lane Road.
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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY.
of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were mar- ried October 18, 1857. They had a family of seven children, viz .: Eliza J., now the wife of G. Phipps; Mary E., wife of Mr. Thorp; Josie, John J., Samuel L., Hester A. and Lotta.
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EORGE L. MOSHER, one of our most substantial citizens, is a native of Oswego County, New York, where he was born Angust 18, 1841. When he was eight years of age he was left an orphan. His father, Lemuel Mosher, died of cholera on the Erie Canal, he being the owner of two boats that plied there. He was a young inan at the time of his death, being about thirty-eight years of age, and was the head of a family of nine children, six of whom are now living. Our subject spent some time in New York after that, then went to Kane County, Illinois, where he remained up to 1857, when he fell in with a friend, who, seeing his industrious habits, advised him to go to California, offering to advance the money to pay expenses. This, however, Mr. Mosher refused, saying that he might die in the land of gold and then his would be benefactor would be deprived of liis money. He continned at his work, and finally had enough to pay his way. He sailed from New York in November, coming by way of Panama, and landing in San Francisco, pro- ceeded direct to Stockton. There he arrived sometime in December, 1857, $9 in debt. He went north on the Mokelnmne river, and com- inenced chopping wood for McMullen & Beck- worth, continuing till abont the middle of May, and, to cap the climax, was swindled out of his wages. This was rather a hard experience for a young man in a new country. He then hired out to Trahern & McMullen, his work being to handle and brand cattle; his employers at that time were the largest cattle dealers in the coun- try. After that lie turned his attention to farm- ing, working out by the month. In the fall of 1858 he purchased 131 acres of land, six and a half miles from Stockton, and worked the place 26
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