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 69
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Returning then to Marion County, Indiana, he began farming. In 1855 he built the steam
saw-mill on the Indianapolis & La Fayette Rail- road, near the town of Zionsville, Boone County, and after it was completed he operated it for several years, carrying on farming at the same time. In September, 1860, he sold his inter- ests there and started for California. Winter- ing in Missouri, opposite Quincy, Illinois, he crossed the plains in the spring of 1861, ar- riving at El Dorado, Calaveras County, October 8. After renting a place for a year near Locke- ford, he came down and bought the place where he now lives. It contains 200 acres of choice grain land, well adapted also to fruit. Politi- cally Mr. Stephens has always been a Douglas Democrat, although not radical. He has been a member of both the State and county conven- tions of liis party. In 1882 he was elected to the State Assembly, serving two years. For the past twelve years he has filled the office of Justice of the Peace.
Mr. Stephens was married in 1852, in Rush County, Indiana, to Miss Melissa Walker, a native of that State, who died in 1876, the mother of five children. Of these, two sons and two daughters are living. Mr. Stephens was again inarried in 1882, to Lavina Potts, of Illinois, and by this marriage there are a son and a daughter.
USTAVE GUMPERTZ, a merchant of Stockton, of the firm of Arndt & Gun- pertz, proprietors of the well-known " 181 El Dorado Street Store," was born in Bavaria, in 1852, a son of Herman and Letta (Stock) Gumpertz. The family came to America while the subject of this sketch was but three years of age, and settled in Alexandria, Virginia, where the father became engaged in the clothing busi- ness. They came to California in 1875, and settled in San Francisco, the father continuing in the same line of business. The mother died in San Francisco, aged fifty-four, but both her parents lived to an advanced age, being over eighty when they died. The father, H. Gum-
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pertz, is living in San Francisco, in 1890, aged sixty-four. Uncle Rufus Gumpertz, M. D., born about 1820, is a physician of the regular school, long established in Paris, France. Another uncle, born about 1822, is a manufacturer of high-art pottery in Cologne, where he has been estab- lished in that line about forty years. A third uncle, Gustave Gumpertz, came to America be- fore the civil war, and served in the Union army in a New York regiment during the war.
The subject of this sketch, arriving in America in his childhood, is an American in everything but the accident of his birth. He received a good education, including the junior course in the University of Virginia. Among his un- pleasant reminiscences of the war period are the murder of Colonel Ellsworth in Alexandria, in 1861, and the assassination of President Lincoln in Ford's Theatre, Washington, in 1865, at both of which typical illustrations of the blind vio- lence of human passion he happened to be present. On leaving college he served as a clerk in his father's store for some years, but, his ambition urging him to higher pursuits, he engaged in the study of law for three years under United States Senator Henderson, of St. Louis, and was admitted to the bar of the State of Missouri in 1873. He practiced his profession one year in St. Louis, only to find that to reach the eminence that would alone satisfy his aspirations involved such intense and persistent study as would en- danger health and therefore be no real gain. He decided to enter a business career, and in fur- therance of that design came with his parents to California in 1875. In San Francisco he engaged with H. Weinstock, of Weinstock & Lubin, Sacramento, and was chiefly instrumental in building up that famous commercial house.
Mr. Gustave Gumpertz was married in San Francisco, February 3, 1878, to Miss Julia Arndt, a native of Stockton, California, then in her eighteenth year, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Arndt. Mr. Gumpertz went into the clothing business in San Rafael in 1878, and in 1879 opened a branch store in this city, closing up his business in San Rafael in 1878. Mr.
Gumpertz, with his father-in-law as partner, under the style of Arndt & Gumpertz, gave un- divided attention to their business liere, at No. 181 El Dorado street, as clothiers, merchant tailors, boot and shoe dealers, and men's ont- fitters in all departments. Through the excel- lent tact, liberal education and advertising talent of Mr. Gumpertz, the location and business have become household words throughout the San Joaquin valley, and synonyms for fair dealing and superior goods. Mr. Arndt died in 1885, aged fifty-six, but the family interests and style of the firm remain unchanged. Mr. Gumpertz is a life trustee of the Stockton Free Library, and is interested in all movements for the ad- vancement of this city.
Mr. and Mrs. Gumpertz have five children: Sidney A., born in San Rafael, in 1879; Milton G., born in Stockton in 1880; Zetta, in 1882; Selma Muriel, in 1884, and Ruby in 1886.
R. ARTHUR BLONDIN, one of the lead- ing representatives of the dental profession, is a native of Ogdensburgh, New York, born November 15, 1845, his father being J. B. Blondin, who was connected with the Royal Canadian Company, navigating the St. Lawrence river. Arthur Blondin was educated at Mon- treal, after which he entered the study of den- tistry and attended the Dental College at Albany, where he was graduated in 1871. He had been steam boating meantime during the seasons, and was for nine years connected with the Royal Canadian Navigation Company, having charge of passenger steamers on the St. Lawrence from the age of twenty years, and was called the " Boy Captain." From 1873 to 1876 he was employed by the Hudson Bay Company as a fur agent in the Northwest during the winter seasons, and in the summers during that period was appointed their marine agent, and in that capacity made two trips to England. In 1876 he moved to California, and opened a money brokerage office at No. 814 Market street, San Francisco; lie
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carried on that business in connection with that of stock-broker for two years, retiring when money values became eqnal, and then took a trip to Australia. On returning he resumed the practice of dentistry, and in 1888 located at Stockton, where his office is in the Newell Block.
ZRA BUTTERS, proprietor of the Family Bakery, Stockton, was born at Exeter, Maine, January 23, 1821, his parents being Simeon and Sarah V. (Shaw) Butters, the father a native of Maine, and the mother of New Hampshire. Ezra Butters was reared at his native place, and when a mere lad in years en- gaged on the Penobscot river, in the logging business. When he was about sixteen years of age he located at Bangor, and there learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. He was for twenty-eight years after that engaged at work at that trade in Bangor, with the exception of about four years at Corinth, and short periods at other places. In 1878 he came to California, locating at Stockton, and obtained employment at the works of the Stockton Furniture Com- pany. They failed, and later he went into the shop of Logan & Doan, remaining in their em- ploy for seven years. His next employer was Mr. Sylvester, and when his engagement with him closed, Mr. Butters was idle for three months. Things then appeared very blue, but he decided to make a strong effort to get to the front financially, and went into the bakery busi- ness, thongh on a small scale. That was early in 1886, and on the 17th of February he re- mnoved his place of business and took charge of the Family Bakery as an experiment. The ba- kery had formerly been running at a loss, but a remarkable change came over it under the new management and a splendid trade has been built up. They supply only family trade, as they make only the best grade of bakers' goods, and therefore do not cater to hotel and restaurant trade, which demands inferior grades. Among
the novelties introduced by Mr. Butters in this city is that by which he supplies to his custom- ers on Sunday mornings a pot of baked beans and Boston brown bread at a sınall price; these are baked to order only.
Mr. Butters was married at Bangor, Maine, to Miss Snsan Jane Bean, who died in that State, in Corinth, in 1868. By this marriage there is one child, viz .: Fannie A. Gay, of San Francisco. Mr. Butters' present wife was formerly Miss Eveline Holinan. They have two children, viz .: Edgar W. and Franklin W. Mr. Butters was an abolitionist in times gone by, and has been Republican ever since the organization of that party. He is making a great success of his present business, and his motto is, "Bny the best, make the best, sell the best."
ENRY H. BECKMAN, a farmer near Lodi, was born in Prussia, near Bremen, March 13, 1834, his parents being Will- iam and Wilhelmina Beckman. The father was a farmer by occupation, and one of Bonaparte's soldiers, and after he was captured he fought for Blucher. He died in 1868. Henry was raised on a farm in Prussia. His mother hav- ing died when he was only three years old, he was put out among strangers, and remained thus until fifteen years old. In 1848 he came to America, in company with his brother, Christopher, sailing from Bremen and landing ing Baltimore. They went to New Haven, Pennsylvania, thence to Illinois, where they re- mained a year, working most of the time at farming for $65 a year and board. Then they were for a time engaged in lumbering and farming in Wisconsin. In the spring of 1853 they came to California, crossing the plains with ox teams. They arrived in Stockton after a journey of six and a half months. After be- ing here a year they settled on the land where his brother Christopher now is, in Elkhorn Township. They remained there ten years, making improvements, and in 1859 they di-
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vided up the land. In 1859 Henry purchased his present ranch, which is located about twelve miles from Stockton, and two miles from Lodi. He is one of the enterprising farmers of this towuship, now owning about 1,000 acres of land, well improved, with substantial buildings, which show neatness aud order.
In 1868. he was inarried to Miss Margrate Toni, a native of Switzerland. They have four children, viz .: George V., Theodore H., Frank W. and Eva M., all at home. Mr. Beckman is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Wood- bridge, No. 131, and of the Woodbridge Grange, of which he was a charter member. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a steady, industrious inan, kind to his family, and respected by all.
EORGE A. FOSTER, a farmer of Elliott Township, was born in New Brunswick, near Towner Hill, December 30, 1848, the son of Edwin and Abigail (Scott) Foster, both natives of New Brunswick; the former was born in Providence, January 8, 1807, and died April 20, 1877, at nine o'clock P. M. at his home in San Joaquin County; the mother was born in Fredricktown. Edwin came to California in 1852 and remained in San Francisco until his family joined him one year later, when they at once inoved to San Joaquin County, where they kept the Benedict Ferry, on the Mokelumne river, until 1854, when they homesteaded a quar- ter section of land in Elliott Township, which has been in the family ever since.
The subject of this sketch, George A., came with his mother to California in January, 1853. He lived with his parents until he was thirty years of age, when his father died. He now lives on a part of the old homestead, which con- tains 170 acres of land, three miles west from Lockeford; he also owns eighty acres a fourth of a mile from where he resides. He raises grain and stock principally, and some fruit for his own use. He has a nice home and the land is well improved.
He was married to Matilda Martin, who was born March 15, 1851, in Illinois, a daughter of Hiraul and Lucretia Martin; the former a native of Pennsylvania, and tlie latter of Ohio, both now living in Arizona, Mr. and Mrs. Foster have one child, Albert M., born September 15, 1887.
L. GRAHAM was born in San Joaquin County, California, December 16, 1855, son of Robert Linville Graham, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Rob- ert Levi remained with his father up to 1882, during which time he labored on his father's ranch, and two years he worked in a drug store kept by B. D. Beckwith. of whom he partially learned the trade. In 1882 he bought out the store and engaged in busines for him- self, where he has continued ever since. He keeps drugs, books and stationery, on the corner of Sacramento and Elin streets. He is a mem- ber of K. of P., Lodi Lodge, No. 41. He first joined the lodge in 1879. He was appointed Notary Public by Governor Bartlett in 1887, and reappointed by General Waterman in 1889. He was appointed Postmaster by Postmaster- General Thomas L. James, January 1, 1882, and served for four and a half years, up to July, 1886.
He was married June 22, 1886, to Miss Sarah J. Schu, of San Joaquin County, daughter of John A. Schu. They have two children : Larelda Roe and Gladys Frances.
ILTON MILLER, a farmer of Castoria Township, San Joaquin County, was born in Missouri, May 18, 1826. He was reared and educated on a farm. March 29, 1849, he started for California, crossing the plains with ox teains and entering Sacramento Valley October 10. He worked at the mines during 1849 and '50 and was quite successful. In the latter part of 1850 he returned to Mis-
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souri, but soon crossed the plains once more to California, making the best time that had yet been made, ninety-three days. In 1863 he par- chased the ranch on which he now resides. It contains 1,232 acres, situated on the French Camp road about eight miles from French Camp. He is one of our most successful and extensive grain raisers.
Mr. Miller was married in Stockton to Miss Sarah M. Maxwell. They have eight children, namely: Ida M., James H., Mary Etta, Milton E., Jesse F., Charles A., William T. and Lau- rence L.
MERSFELDER, proprietor of the Eureka Bakery, Stockton, was born at Offenbach, Prussia, May 29, 1820, his parents being Jacob and Kate (Grill) Mersfelder, the father a miller by trade and proprietor of an establish- ment. He was reared at his native place, and there educated to the age of fourteen years, and found his employment in early life in assisting his father in his mill. He decided, however, to cast his lot in the new world and try his fortunes there; accordingly he sailed from Havre, on the Rhone, a French packet ship. He landed at New York and from there went by rail and water to Baltimore, arriving at the latter city just as the railroad between there and Washington was finished. He had a brother, named Simon, in business in Baltimore, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the business of the baker's trade. He afterward worked in a large establishment in Baltimore. He then traveled, working in other cities, among them Cincinnati and New Orleans. From the Crescent City he returned by sea to Baltimore and worked there three or four years; then went in business for himself. In 1853 he started for California, going by rail to New York, where he took a steamer for the Isthinus, which he crossed as follows: the first twelve miles by way of the Chagres river and thence on mule-back to Panama. There he spent the Fourth of July, and a lively one it
was too. He left Panama on the evening of the next day on the steamer "Golden Gate," and landed at San Francisco July 28, 1853. Later in the same day he started for Stockton on the little steamer Julia, landing here next morning and paying $10 for the passage. At that time his brother Simon was carrying on the Stockton bakery, where the business college now stands, and our subject went to work there. Nine months later he opened a coffee saloon on the levee. His family arrived a short time later, and about that time he opened the Stockton restaurant, where the Eureka saloon now is. In 1857 he closed there, bonght property on the corner of Hunter and Channel streets, and opened the Eureka bakery, which he has carried on ever since. In 1870 he built the spacious and handsome brick business block which now adorns this corner.
Mr. Mersfelder was married in Baltimore, in March, 1846, to Miss Amelia Haupt, a native of Prussia. They have four children: Amelia, wife of Louis Gerlach; Louisa, wife of Charles Liegen- ger; Laura, wife of A. J. Hahn of the Cominer- cial Hotel; and Frank, at home.
Mr. Mersfelder is a charter member of Stock- ton Lodge, I. O. O. F., and an Exempt Fireman, having been an early member of the Weber Engine Company. He is a man of the highest standing in the city where he has lived so long, and remembers many interesting anecdotes con- nected with noteworthy periods in times gone by. During the flood of 1862, when his shop was on the business college site, there was three feet of water in the building and the workmen had to wear high boots while employed. He well remembers how the boats ran up as far as the asylum during that year, going up past the tannery and between where the house of John . Hart and Charles Haas now stand, then on past Rothenbusch's place, unloading at the upper end of the brewery. During the six or seven weeks the flood lasted, boats went up half a dozen times to the highest point, and the water did not remain so high more than a day or two at any time during that period. However,
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there was no other way of hauling supplies to the asylum. Only two trees had to be cut down in order to render navigation practicable.
ENRY ROHRBACHER, one of the leaders of the bottling business in Stock- ton, is a native of Alsace, and was born on the 20th of July, 1845, his parents being George Henry and Barbara (Happel) Rohrbacher. When he was a mere boy, his father died. He was reared to farm life, and followed as a busi- ness hemp pulling for the manufacture of linen. In 1868 he came to America, landing at New York. He remained in the American metropolis only thirteen days, and then set ont for Califor- nia, via Panama. He landed at San Francisco from the steamer " Golden Gate " on the 16th of May, 1868, and on the following day he arrived in Stockton. He obtained employment at the Pacific tannery, where he worked that summer, and then engaged in the steamboating for the winter. During the next summer he worked in the harvest field and on threshing-machines, and then obtained employment with Mr. Wagner in the butchering business. In 1870, in con- nection with his brother, Philip, he engaged in the bottling business, under the firm name of P. Rohrbacher & Bro., and that firm continued until 1874. In that year Henry Rohrbacher became sole proprietor, and he has ever since carried on the business alone. He bought a building on Channel street, fitted it up with all proper convenience for his business, including a first-class cellar, and has ever since done bnsi- ness tliere. He is sale agent and bottler of the Willows brewery beer and also of the lager beer manufactured by the United States brewery, and has built up a very large trade, including an extensive family custom, giving constant employ- inent to three inen. He is Past Grand of Stock- ton Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F., Past Sachem of Iroquois Tribe, No. 35, I. O. R. M., Past Arch of Stockton Grove, No. 25, U. A. O. D., and has been first assistant engineer of the fire
department. Being a gentleman of pleasant manners, he enjoys a wide popularity.
Mr. Rohrbacher was married, in this county, to Miss B. C. Leffler, daughter of George Jacob Leffler, and they have four children: Hattie, Birdie, Ernestine and Gustav.
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K. DOAK, one of the well-known and prom- inent residents of Stockton, is a native of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, born December 16, 1827, his parents being H. C. and Margaret (Morrow) Doak, both of whom were native Pennsylvanians. When he was eight years old the family removed to Vincennes, Indiana, and there he resided from 1835 to 1851. In the latter year he removed to California. Going to New Orleans, he took steamer to Havana, thence to Chagres, then up the Cha- gres river to Gorgona and from there walked to Panama in a day. There he took the steamer " Monumental City " to San Francisco, where he arrived on the night of March 4. After ten days in the city, he went up to Murphy's in company with a cousin, John Doak, and they pnt up a saw-mill, which had been constructed for them in the East. It had been their inten- tion to take the mill to Humboldt Bay, but they learned that the field was greater in the mines. After two and a half years at Murphy's they dissolved partnership, and Mr. J. K. Doak re- moved near Mokelumne Hill, and there he car- ried on lumbering, ranching and stock business. In 1869 he removed to Stockton, and in the following year he purchased the livery business of J. C. Gage, which he has since conducted. This is one of the oldest livery establishments in Stockton, having been started by George Congdon in 1850. He was succeeded by Mr. Gage, who sold to the present proprietor.
Mr. Doak was an old-time Whig in his younger days, and when the forces of that party scattered he became a Democrat, but since 1861 he has been identified with the Republican party, and prominent in its councils. He was
George S. Locke
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elected Mayor of Stockton in 1872, and re-elected in 1874, and from 1876 to 1889 was a trustee of the State Insane Asylum at Stockton. He was a delegate to the National Republican con- vention at Chicago in 1880, which nominated James A. Garfield. He was President of the San Joaquin District Agricultural Society from 1867 to 1872. He has passed the chairs of San Andreas Lodge, No. 50, I. O. O. F., and of Lone Star Encampment, No. 10, but has been a mem- ber of Charity lodge, No. 6, since 1870. He has been asiociated with the order for over forty years, having joined Wabash Lodge, No. 20, at Vincennes, Indiana, in 1849, before he came to California. He is also Past Chief officer of Parker Encampment. Mr. Doak has been all his life an active man, and his standing in the community has always been of the highest.
Mr. Doak was married in Calaveras County, in November, 1862, to Miss Sarah E. Chase, a native of Nashua, New Hampshire, and their children are: John E., Sarah Elizabeth and Clara. The first-named, who was graduated from the University of the Pacific (class of 1884), has been attending the Boston Institute of Technology for four years, and has decided upon the profes- sion of mechanical engineering for his future career.
EORGE S. LOCKE, of Elliott Township, one of the substantial men of San Joaquin County, is a native of Langdon, New Hampshire, born October 30, 1830, the youngest of four children of Lnther and Hannalı (Wil- lard) Locke. The founder of the family in this country was Deacon William Locke, who was born in Stepney Parish, London, England, De- cember 13, 1628. He came to Massachusetts in the ship Planter (Nic. Yrarice, master), in 1634. On the 25th of December, 1655, at Wo burn, he married Mary Clarke, daughter of William and Margery Clarke, of Woburn. She was born at Watertown, December 20, 1640, and died at Woburn, July 18, 1715. Deacon 30
Locke died at Woburn, June 16, 1720. His direct descendant, Calvin Locke, grandfather of our subject, was born at Ashby, New Hamp- shire, June 18, 1765. On the 25th of Febru- ary, 1796, he was married to Sarah Jewett, who was born at Rindge, August 19, 1763. She was the danghter of Stephen Jewett, of Rindge, who married Miss Bancroft.
Luther Locke, father of our subject, was born in Sullivan, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, December 6, 1796. When a young man he started in mercantile pursuits in Langdon, in October, 1818, and after the first year took into partnership his brother Calvin. The latter, being of a speculative turn of mind, got the firm into outside ventures, so that they were ruined financially. Luther Locke was twenty years paying up the debt thereby incurred. Having saved up $800, he came to California, July 1, 1855, with his son D. J., when he re- turned with his wife. He lived with his son Ehuer, in San Joaquin County, but afterward took up part of the land where Lockeford now stands. He gave the land to build the first hotel, called the Lockeford House, and built the first permanent dwelling in the town, and on its second floor kept the first store in the place, the goods having been brought up the Mokelumne on the first steamboat to navigate the river, the Fanny Ann, September, 1862. His son D. J. bonght his land, and went in with liim in the store. They remained in part- nership until the father's health failed, and the the latter sold out to his son D. J.
Luther Locke was a Congregationalist in re- ligion, and was one of the founders of the church at Lockeford. His children were four in num- ber, as follows: Luthier Franklin Locke, who was born November 3, 1820, and now lives at Nashna, New Hampshire. He was graduated at Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1845, and at Cambridge Medical College in 1849, taking up dentistry as a profession to pay his way through college. He became a physician, but was so successful as a dentist that he did not follow up the practice of medicine as a pro-
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