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 67
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7Mr. Mckinnon has been an Odd Fellow since 1862, joining the order in Metropolis, Illinois, and a Mason since 1867, joing that fraternity in Dubuque, Iowa, but has transferred his cards to lodges in this city. He also joined Dubuque Lodge No. 9, A. O. U. W., and still retains his membership in that lodge.
ALENTINE KAISER, a farmer of Cas- toria Township, San Joaquin County, was born in Germany, December 19, 1826. He was reared and educated in the country of his birth. In the year 1847, he sailed for New York in the vessel Konigunde, reaching there after a voyage of forty-two days. He started for Cincinnati, Ohio, in search of his brother: upon reaching there he found out that his brother had enlisted in the United States army under General Taylor, and was slain in the battle at Palo Alto, Mexico.
Mr. Kaiser worked five years in the iron foundry of Wolf Brothers.
In 1850 he married Miss Catharine Nagle.
In May, 1853, he, in company with eight, other men, with their families, started for California, in wagons drawn by oxen, passing through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming Territory, reaching Salt Lake city Oc- tober 15.
After crossing the Missonri river they did not see any white inhabitants until they reached Salt Lake City. They were attacked by Indians in Nebraska, and were compelled to give them nearly all of their provisions, in order to escape unharmed. Being thus deprived of the larger part of their provisions, they could not afford to lose any chance of securing food. On reaching the Sweetwater river, Mr. Kaiser shot a buffalo, which was standing at some distance from him. It was the closest shot he had had during the trip, but he brought down his game beautifully. Upon reaching Salt Lake City they decided to remain there for the winter, then, in the spring, they continued their journey to the " land of gold."
Mr. Kaiser settled in Alameda County, and rented a farın of J. Nagle. In 1845 he came to this county and bought his present farm of 418 acres of land. It is highly cultivated and has the best of improvements.
Mr. and Mrs. Kaiser have twelve children, whose names are as follows: Elizabeth, Lena, Henry, Valentine, Catharine, George, Mary, Louise, William, Emma, Lottie and Chiarley.
C. BACON, a farmer of Elliott Town- ship, is a son of Samuel C. and Finetta Bacon. The father, a native of Connecti- cut. died in 1861, and the mother, a native of New York, died in 1852. In 1854 E. C. Bacon left home, traveling through a good many Western and Southern States. He followed engineering on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers for a period of nine years. Caine to Cal-
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ifornia in January, 1864, landing at San Fran- cisco, where he remained four months. He went from San Francisco to Virginia City, Nevada, was employed as engineer by the Gold & Curry Company, remaining with them two years and fonr months. From Virginia City he came to San Joaquin County, where he still resides. In 1867 he married Miss Ellen Vin- cent. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon have two children, viz .: Charles A., born July 25, 1868, and Ethel, born October 2, 1876.
OHN YORK, Principal of the Lafayette School, Stockton, is a native of Cattaraugus Connty, New York, born May 18, 1840, his parents being John, Sr., and Catherine York. In 1853 his father joined the throng of emigration formning toward California from the Eastern States, and engaged in mining in what was known as the Northern Mines. He after- ward removed the scene of lis labors farther south, locating at Sonora, Tuolinne County. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in his native State, and in 1855 accom- panied his mother and the family via Nicaragua to California, proceeding to Sonora where his father was engaged in mining. Our subject grew to manhood at Sonora, and adopted the main industry, that of mining, which lie followed there for two years. After that he inined on the Stanislaus river until 1861, and then taught his first term of school at La Grange, then the seat of justice of Stanislans County. He next went to Knight's Ferry, where he served one terin as Deputy Clerk, and then taught school there four years. For the nine years fol- lowing he was principal of the Sonora schools, leaving there to accept a principalship at Mer- ced, which he held a couple of years. He next went to Oakdale, where he served seven years as principal of the local school. He came to Stockton, was elected principal of the Lafayette school, and assumed the duties of the position in 1888.
He was married at Sonora; to Miss E. C., daughter of James and Emily Root. They have two children, viz .: John and Lee.
Mr. York is an active member and officer of Nemo Lodge, K. of P. He is an educator of large attainments and great experience, being withal a courteous gentleman and a conscien- tions, enthusiastic worker, and is one of the most popular school officers that has ever served the city of Stockton. His abilities and admirable qualities have won him recognition in other com- munities; he has served as County Snperin- tendent of Tuolumne County, and has been a favorite nominee of his party (Republican) for other important offices.
AMES A. BARR, Principal of the Jefferson School, Stockton, is a native of Brecken- ridge County, Kentucky, born July 19, 1863, his parents being H. H. and Susan M. (Moorman) Barr, both of whom were Kentucky born. When the subject of this mention was but five years of age, the family removed to La Harpe, Illinois, and a year and a half later to Missouri, locating at Rockville, St. Clair Connty. There the family lived until 1875, when they removed to Stockton. James A. Barr com- menced his education at Rockville, Missouri, continued in the high school at Stockton, and later attended the Stockton Business College, where he was gradnated in the class of 1885. He chose the profession of teaching as his voca- tion, and tanglit his first term in Julian district, Amador County. His next school was at Clements, San Joaquin County, then he was chosen principal of the Jefferson school, Stock- ton, which position he has since filled with eminent satisfaction to those having the welfare of the city schools at heart. He possesses those qualities of tact and perception so neces- sary to the successful educator, and is well fitted for the position of principal.
He is Vice Grand of Truth Lodge, No. 55, I. O. O. F., and is also an officer of Parker
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Encampment, No 3. Since July 1, 1889, he has been a member of the County Board of Education.
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RS. AMELIA DARRA was the wife of John Darra, one of the pioneers of Cali- fornia, and one of our most successful grain and stock raisers. He bought a fine im- proved ranch in 1868, containing 350 acres, and situated about five miles east of Stockton. He died in 1888, leaving his entire property to his wife. She was born in Germany, February 20, 1830. Leaving Germany, she came to Balti- more, Maryland, where she remained but a short time, thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1861 came to California via Cape Horn, settling on the ranch which she purchased seven miles southeast of Stockton, and on which she now resides. She has no children, excepting an adopted daughter.
M. WELSH, manager of the Crown Mills, is a native of Dundee, Scotland, born in 1845, and son of a grain and commission merchant. When he was but five years of age, the family came to America, locating ten miles from the city of Toronto. There he was reared to the age of eighteen years, then went to learn the milling trade. In 1868 he left New York city, where he had been at work, and caine to California. Arrived in this State, he became engaged in the McCreary Mill at Tehama, after which he went to the Antelope Mill at Red Bluff to assume control of the mill of J. S. Cone (afterward railroad commissioner). From there he went to Sacramento and had charge of Mc- Creary's Mill there until 1872. In that year he received an advantageous offer to go to Ore- gon City to take charge of the mills there. He accepted the proposition, and four years later he bought an interest in the Eureka Mills at Walla Walla. The firmn then became Welsh &
Co., liis partners being Schwabacher Bros., who are now interested with him in the Crown Mills. He was there nntil November, 1881, when he went East, and in the spring of 1882 came to Stockton, and the Crown Mills were built, with Schwabacher Bros., Balfour, Guthrie & Co. and J. M. Welsh as proprietors, doing business under the corporate title of the Stockton Mill- ing Company. The history of this great estab- lishment is given in its proper place in this volume. Mr. Welsh has managed the business of the Crown Mills with great ability, and their product can compete with the world.
Mr. Welsh has taken an active interest in public affairs here since he became identified with Stockton, and in 1884 was elected Mayor of the city, being the first mayor under the new charter. He served as Stockton's chief execu- tive three years and three months, one year and three months in the first term, and two years in the second, being succeeded by L. U. Shippee in 1887; and the city never had a more popular official.
He is president of the Alta Fire Insurance Company, and has been president of the Stock- ton Land, Loan & Building Association since its organization. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Chapter and Commandery at Walla Walla; also of Truth Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Stockton. He was niar- ried April 15, 1872, to Miss Mary E. Wheeler, a native of New York. They have three chil- dren: Grace, Beatrice and Maude.
Mr. Welsh is one of Stockton's most promi- nent and energetic workers.
B. MEYER was born November 10, 1827. in the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland. His father and family emigrated to Marion County, Ohio, in 1830, and in 1832 re- mnoved to Seneca County and engaged in farm- ing. He remained on the farm with his father until April 6, 1852, when he started across the plains to California, with two of his brothers, a
prisher
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sister, her family and some friends. They came with ox teams, and drove some loose cattle. They had a reasonably good journey, and ar- rived in Stockton October 27 of the same year. In the course of time he purchased a farm of 320 acres, where he now resides. His land is all under good cultivation; he raises mostly wheat, barley and hay. He has a good dwell- ing-house and fine barn on his place, which is located eight miles south of Stockton, and two miles north of Lathrop.
In May, 1869, he went back East, by over land, to Seneca County, Ohio, on a visit. He was married there in the fall (September 28, 1871), to Miss Margaret Thoman, also a native of Switzerland and from the same connty, born April 22, 1847.
He then came back with his wife to Califor- nia, in December of the same year, to his home, where he has lived ever since.
They have had six children, five of whom are living. Their names are as follows: Minnie M., born June 28, 1872; Nellie E., born April 6, 1874; Annie A. and Albert, born April 2, 1876; Jacob K., born August 9, 1880; Henry H., born December 21, 1882. Albert died Febru- ary 12, 1879.
UTNAM VISHER, one of the leading citizens of Stockton, is a native of New York State, born on the Mohawk river, about fonr miles from Schenectady, November 16, 1836, his parents being Sebastian and Eliza- beth (Putnam) Visher. His ancestors were among the early settlers of the Mohawk valley, where the families were well known and promi- nent. He spent his boyhood days in the vicinity of his birthplace, and in 1852 accompanied the family to California to join his father, who had come to this State in 1849, and had been en- gaged in mining for a time on the Sacramento river just above Auburn, but afterward locating in San Joaquin Connty. They left New York city on the 5th of July, 1852, on the large 29
steamer Ohio, which carried 1,400 passengers. They crossed the Isthmus of Panama, part of the way by rail, part by boat, and the remainder on mule-back, and resumed their sea voyage on the steamer Columbia, landing at San Francisco on the 13th of August. They at once proceeded to Stockton, where they arrived on the following day, and where the father of our subject met them. Putnamn Visher took charge of a ranch on the San Joaquin which belonged to his father, and conducted it for some time. He was four months of twenty-one years of age when he left home to start in life for himself, and his capital was $10. He came to Stockton, borrowed $3,000, and went down to Monterey, where he bought a band of cattle. He brought them up here and sold them, and then took a lot of sheep on shares for A. W. Root & Brother. His next investment was in ranching in this county, which lasted a year and four months, and during that time he drove an ox team hanling hay to the mountains and lumber back. At the end of the time mentioned, Mr. Visher found himself " broke," and had to start in again, having lost $2,800. He obtained employment as a super- intendent of a levee that his father was building on the San Joaquin river, which engaged his time and attention for about six months. He then got a six-horse team, and commenced hauling freight to Aurora, Nevada. Four months later he turned out the team, and took a job driving an ox team at a logging camp near Aurora. He drove a month for $75, then caught up his own team, went to Folsom, and loaded np with freight for Reese river. After getting there he was swindled out of the freight money, and his ill-fortune was completed by the death of all his horses but two. He then took a job digging a ditch, the contract amounting to $1,840. About the time the job was finished, the merchant who was having the work done failed, and all he got in payment was a four- mnle team. He located in the town of Wash- ington and commenced hanling poles, but after he had teamed awhile the best mule of his four was stolen. In 1863 lie embarked in the butcher
C
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business at Washington, and in the fall of the year, his brother John coming by the place, he sent his three mules, one horse and a wagon, by him into California. Later in the same year, he went to farming on Dry creek, in Stanislaus County, three miles from Modesto, in partner- ship with his brother. They were together two years, then our subject bought his brother out. He farmed one year alone, then sold the ranch. He then rented a ranch from J. L. Grover in San Joaquin County, on the French Camp road, and remained there two years. He then took his stock and went across the San Joaquin into the Coast Range. Eight months later he sold his stock, then bought 160 acres of land seven- teen miles south of Stockton. He commenced farming that, and the same season bought 140 acres more adjoining. He farmed it two years, then bought 320 acres adjoining it, which he farmed five years, then bonght 160 acres more adjoining his last purchase. He next bought 320 acres additional in the northeastern part of the county, and farmed the entire 1.100 acres in the several pieces mentioned until 1884, when he removed into Stockton. He is yet largely engaged in farming and stock-raising, but since June, 1885, has been owner of the Hunter street Barley Mills, which he has sever since operated with success.
Mr. Visher was married in this county, Sep- tember 17, 1866, to Miss Lucy H. Gardner, a native of Maine, who died in September, 1870. By that marriage there is one child, viz .: John Foster Visher. Mr. Visher's present wife was formerly Louisa Wolf, a native of Ohio, born in Greene County, about seven miles from Dayton. By this marriage there are two children, viz .: Ilattie May and Mary Myrtle.
Mr. Visher has served as president of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and of A. O. U. W. Lodge. No. 23. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, and is known as an ardent worker in the cause. He is a zealous supporter of the Methodist Church in this county, and has very often lent a helping hand when the various
congregations were in need. He was one of the prime movers in the erection of the building of the Atlanta Methodist Episcopal Church. He canie to the rescue of the mission started by the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, gave it splendid financial aid, and it was named the Visher Chapel. He is now one of the most prominent and active members of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of Stockton, is a trustee and member of the official board, and one of the building committee which has in charge the construction of the splendid house of wor- ship now under way on San Joaquin street.
Mr. Visher's career is a lesson to young men, in that it shows how success may be achieved even though one is beset with misfortune, and after many set-backs, if only one perseveres, and does not allow reverses to overcome him.
USTUS SCHOMP was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 24, 1835, his par- ents being David J. and Eliza (Ditmars) Schomp. The former was born in 1803, in New Jersey, in a small county called Hunterdon County, bordering on the Pennsylvania line; the latter was also born in that county, in 1809, and they were school children together. In 1833 Mr. Schomp, with his family, moved to Wayne County, Ohio. In the spring of 1851, having sold out his property there the year previous, he moved to Allen County, Indiana, near the city of Fort Wayne, where he made his home up to the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1884. His wife died two or three years previous, at the age of seventy-two years. She was the mother of ten children, all of whom are alive except one.
Justus, the subject of this sketch, remained at home until 1855, when he started out for California, across the plains, with a train, which originally consisted of six wagons; when they got out on the plains they were joined by other trains in order that they might be better pre- pared to meet the hostile Indians. The Mis-
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souri river was crossed at Council Bluffs, May 8, 1855. The train stopped on Clear creek, in Carson valley, in order to recruit the cattle, which had suffered very much from crossing the sandy desert. Our subject being a strong, ro- bust fellow, and very anxious to reach the gold fields, could not stand it to wait there till the train should take up its line of march, so, with two other young fellows, he started out afoot, crossing the Sierra Nevada mountains and ar- riving at Hangtown, August 10, 1855. He en- gaged in mining for two or three years; he then went to freighting, at times having three or four teams of his own, besides employing a number of others engaged in hauling the freight. He continued in this business np to the fall of 1866, when he left El Dorado County and came to this eounty, settling on the place where he now resides, which was then covered with brusl. A man was considered lucky if he made a bare living off of it. He had originally bnt 160 acres, but subsequently acquired 160 acres inore, which latter piece he sold this last summer. The ranch is situated on the Cherokee road, in Liberty Township, three miles north of Lodi. It is to-day one of the most highly developed places in the county, and, as reeent develop- inents have shown, it is one of the finest fruit localities that we have seen. He has on the place an orchard of 100 bearing trees of different varieties, and a small vineyard of selected vari- eties. The most of the place has heretofore been generally devoted to wheat raising.
Mr. Schomp has always taken a deep interest in politics, and has been identified with the Re- publican party. He was one of the five dele- gates who were selected by the people of this county at a non-partisan convention to attend the Constitutional convention, held in Sacra- mento, September 28, 1878, the object of which was to frame a new constitution for the State.
Mr. Sehomp was inarried at Diamond Spring, El Dorado County, February 5, 1861, to Harriet Jane Knight, a native of Caledonia County, Vermont. Their family consists of four ehil- dren, viz .: Mande Eleanor, Elmer Justus, Ralph
C. and Ethel May. Maude Eleanor is now the wife of W. C. Kirkman, and a resident of Woodbridge.
SCAR J. HEMPHILL, Justice of the Peace of Elkhorn Township, and son of John Hemphill, deceased, was born in Linn County, Iowa, July 8, 1855. He came to Cali- fornia in 1867, with his family, and has since that time been a resident of San Joaquin Coun- ty, with the exception of two years he spent in Waslington Territory and Idaho. He has been engaged in farming until the last year.
In 1888 he became a Republican candidate for the office of Justice of the Peace, to which office he was elected by a handsome majority.
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RANK DYCKMAN COBB, resident part- ner of the dry-goods house of Hale & Co., of Stoekton, was born in Kalamazoo, Mich- igan, May 1, 1849, a son of Samuel P. and Prudence (Dyekman) Cobb. The father , born in Springfield, Vermont, September 10, 1811, received a fair education for the times, and at eighteen entered the employ of Franeis Kidder, who built and conducted a cotton factory in that section. A few years later he married a daughter of Mr. Kidder, but she died after thirteen montlis of wedded life, leaving no issne. In 1838 Mr. Cobb moved to Michigan and settled in Schoolcraft, where he conducted a general store and bonght grain. He became the owner of 200 acres near the village, and was married in Schooleraft, abont 1840. In 1844 he moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he con- tinued in mercantile business, with a partner, under the style of Cobb & Fisher, being inter- ested in a general store, a grist-mill and a dis- tillery. In 1845 his wife died in Kalamazoo, leaving two children: Libbie and Mattie, the former dying in girlhood, the latter living in 1890, the wife of George Hannah, a capitalist
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of San Diego, California. Mr. Cobb was mar- ried for the third time, June 27, 1848, to the mother of our subject at her home in School- craft. He died in Kalamazoo, November 26, 1852, of typhoid fever. Grandfather Moses Cobb, M. D., a native of some section of New England, died there also in October, 1849, in his sixty-sixth year. Four of his sons: Moses R., of Schoolcraft, Steplien, Thomas and Charles, of Kalamazoo, are living in 1890. The mother of the subject of this sketch nee Prudence Dyck- man, was born in the town of Clay, Onondaga County, New York, October 9, 1828, now Mrs. Marshall Hale, of San Jose, California. Grand- father Evert B. Dyckman was born in Green- bush, New York, September 25 1799, a son of Willian and Maria (Smith) Dyckman. In 1802 the family moved into an almost unbroken wilderness near Liverpool, New York. In his youth Evert B. went to work for John N. Smitlı, a brother-in-law, engaged largely in manufact- uring business. In 1817, the family moved into the town of Clay, in Onondaga County, where E. B. bought 100 acres, on the Seneca river and built a home for himself and his par- ents. The father, born of Knickerbocker par- entage, near Tubley Hook, now Inwood, New York, had been a soldier of the Revolution, and was married in 1784 to Maria Smith, of Jersey, near the Hudson. In three years Evert B. paid for his land, and on March 17, 1825, was mar- ried to Miss Harriet Hinckley, of Liverpool, New York. He then carried on a general store in Clay Corners until 1827, and buying more land farmed more extensively, giving some at- tention to stock-breeding. The Oswego canal being laid out through his land, he engaged in its construction, established a boat-yard and cooper-shop, besides running his store. In 1836 the tide of emigration setting westward, he made a trip into southern Michigan and bought 1,000 acres in Van Buren County. Mrs. Dyckman died during his absence, leaving seven children, of whom four are living in 1890. In 1838, winding up his old business, he moved to Paw Paw, Michigan, with his aged parents,
his children and two nephews and nieces. He was again married, October 16, 1839, to Mrs. Almira (Hobbs) Van Vranken, who died Sep- tember 17, 1840. He was elected clerk of Ant- werp Township in 1840, and associate judge of Van Buren County, in 1841. He was married September 19, 1841, to Mrs. Amelia (La Grave) Daniels of Schoolcraft, Michigan, and moved to that city in 1842, where Mrs. Dyckinan died April 14, 1843, leaving one daughter by their marriage, who is living in 1890. Again com- panionless, Mr. Dyckman was married Novem- ber 25, 1844, to Mrs. Eliza (Woodhouse) Crossinan, of Dexter, Michigan. In 1853 Mr. Dyckman purchased 600 acres at South Haven, which included what is now the chief part of the village. He there erected a steam saw-inill, a store and several houses, besides improving the river and building a pier. Before his re- moval from Paw Paw he had there also erected a steam saw-mill, a store and the Dyckman Honse. In Schoolcraft he became engaged in several important enterprises besides running a bank, with his son-in-law, M. R. Cobb. He was active in promoting railroads and other public improvements, and was elected to several offices of trust and honor. He was a member of the Legislature, taking an active part in the re- moval of the capital to Lansing. Having accu- mulated a fortune in legitimate business, he lived to realize his long-cherished desire of being the administrator of his own estate, and divided his property among liis heirs, besides leaving them conjointly the heritage of a good name. He was universally respected as a man and citizen in whom good fortune liad not dimmed the love of kindred or of humanity. Strong and energetic without coarseness or ar- rogance, and considerate without weakness in all the relations of life, he died October 14, 1880, leaving a widow, four daughters and one son, his only child by his last wife-Mr. Clovis C. Dyckman, of Schoolcraft, Michigan, having died June 11, 1879.
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