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 82
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C. A. Rich, the subject of this sketch, is the only living member of his family. When quite young he joined his father at Covington, Ken- tucky, where the latter was in the machine business and went into the business with him. While there he also turned his attention to tele- graphy. In 1875 he went to Illinois, and was stationed principally at Beardstown as telegraph operator for the Rockford, Rock Island & St.
Louis Railroad, remaining in the employ of tlie company for over a year. Onaccount of the severe malarial climate, he was compelled to leave there, coming back to California in the winter of 1877. He located in Stockton and engaged in tending hay scales, which his grandfather Camp had built in opposition to other parties. He after- ward went into partnership with another gentle- man in the manufacture of soap; the business not proving a financial success he came to Lodi in 1878. July 20 he organized his general mercantile business, which he has carried on ever since. He is the oldest merchant now in business in Lodi. September 15, 1884, he was appointed agent for Wells-Fargo, but was agent a year before this, having met C. O. Loory, the former agent, and taken the commission from his hands, before getting the appointment him- self. August 1, 1888, he was appointed agent for the Pacific Postal Telegraph Cable Company, which he has been running ever since. As a business man Mr. Rich has always assumed a careful and safe system of conducting his affairs, which has won for him the confidence of all and established him as a successful busi- ness man. He is a gentleman, kind and conrt- eous to all. In the welfare of Lodi he has always taken great interest, and in the building up of this little city great pride. He is a prominent member of the K. of P., and the Odd Fellows, and has held some of the principal chairs in both lodges.
Mr. Rich was married, October 1, 1879, to Minnie A. James, daughter of T. J. James: she is a native of California. They have two chil- dren: George Albert and Fred Arthur.
W. ROBBINS & CO .- No more pleasant task is accorded the local historian in chronicling the business history of a city, than that of narrating the success of young men, who, starting in life without financial backing, make their way to the front rank in commercial circles by their own efforts, and
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through their own business abilities. Such a one is L. W. Robbins, who has in a short space of time built up a trade extending to the re- motest corners of San Joaquin County. The following facts in regard to him therefore be- come of general interest.
L. W. Robbins is a son of Henry P. and Ann (Osgood) Robbins, and he was born during the progress of their trip overland to California, on the 13th of August, 1859, after they had passed through Utah. His father was a native of England, who came to America in 1850, locating at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he fol- lowed his trade, that of cooper. He afterward removed to Utah Territory, and there resided until 1859, when he came to California with his family by ox teanı. In 1860 he came to Stock- ton and located at the corner of Clay and American streets, where he carried on cooperage and wine- making and dealt in fruit. There he carried on business until his death, which occurred in 1872. His wife had died in 1868.
L. W. Robbins, with whose naine this sketch commences, was reared in Stockton, and edu- cated in her public schools. After completing his schooling he engaged as clerk with D. J. Lewis & Co., butchers, with whom he remained over a year, following this engagement one year in the same capacity with James M. McCarthy, retail grocer. His next employment was in the manufacturing works of Matteson & Willianison. After quitting their employ, lie was for seven years with C. E. Perkins, whom he succeeded in business.
Mr. Robbins was married in this city, October 17, 1886, to Miss Cora Stine, born at Tomales, Marin County, this State. They have one child -Alma.
Mr. Robbins is a prominent member of Charity Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., of which he was Noble Grand in 1885 and Representative to Grand Lodge in 1886. He is also a member of the Rebekah degree lodge; an active member of Centennial Lodge, No. 38, K. of P., and has held the post of Sub-Chief Ranger in Court San Joaquin, No. 17862, Order of Foresters.
The business which Mr. Robbins is so snc- cessfully conducting was started in early times by H. S. Sargent. He was succeeded by C. E. Perkins & Co., and that firm by Mr. Robbins, who has carried on the business since 1885. A large trade is done by muil orders, extending as far as Fresno sonth, and east to Sonora and the monntains. A large proportion of the more proin- inent ranch operators of San Joaquin County trade exclusively with this house in its line, and the store on Hunter street square is at all times a busy hive of industry. Mr. Robbins handles only the best goods, from the most responsible manufacturers, and has made his reputation by his method of carefully looking out for his cus- tomers' interests.
Mr. Robbins is certainly one of the most progressive of Stockton's business men, young or old, and well merits the success which has attended his efforts.
EORGE A. GRAY .- In connection with the mercantile interests of Stockton, but few are more widely or favorably known than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and who is associated with the firm of L. W. Robbins & Co. He is a native of Can- ada, born at Cowensville, near Montreal, July 4, 1852, his parents being John and Margaret (McClay) Gray. Both parents were born in Scotland, and the father, a native of the town of Cullen, learned the tailor's trade in early life, but afterward followed the vocation of buying wheat for inills. When the subject of this sketch was a mere infant his parents removed to Sparta, Illinois, and there he was reared and attended school. When a boy he was for two years a deputy in the postoffice at Sparta, and after that served an apprenticeship at printing in the office of the Sparta Plaindealer. He next learned the trade of shoemaking, which he followed there until twenty-one years of age, then went west and followed his trade there. Among the cities in which he was so engaged
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were Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita. He was in the latter place during its second year, when there was but little indication of its growth to its present position. Hc remained in Wichita about three years, then went back to Illinois, where he remained until 1878. In the latter year he came to California and located in Stockton. He worked here with Thomas Hersey, after which he became United States mail agent, running between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Later he entered the employ of Nolan in the shoe trade, at first as a workman, afterward as a salesman. Since 1887 he has been with the grocery house of L. W. Robbins & Co., on Hunter street square.
Mr. Gray was married at Sparta, November 17, 1876, to Miss Anna Gossuchi, a native of that place. They have one child, John Crane Gray. Mr. Gray has taken an active part in Charity Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs. He was Noble Grand in 1884, and representative to the Grand Lodge in 1885. He also belongs to Charter Oak Lodge, K. of P. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Gray has made a large number of warm friends since locating in this city, and there is not a more popular man connected with the mercantile trade of Stockton.
UTLER SALMON a farmer of Castoria Township, was born in New York in 1809. His father, John Salmon, was a native of New Jersey, and of German descent; and his mother's maiden name was Sarah Skellinger. The family moved to Ohio in 1814, locating in Coshocton County. John Salınon died in Indi- ana, where he afterward moved. In 1825 the subject of this sketch went to Kentucky, and two years later to New Orleans, and in 1828 to Wisconsin, which State he left in April, 1853, for California, being six months on the journey. Mr. Salmon did all the cooking for the party on the way, except three meals. The trip was very enjoyable; their route was by Fort Laramic, 35
Fort Bridger and Salt Lake. Mr. Salınon lo- cated on the place which he still occupies. It now consists of 1,006 acres. The celebrated gas well, 1,250 feet deep, which Mr. Salmon has been using for all domestic purposes, was dis- covered in 1883, while boring for water. It was on the 17th day of August, that year, that he took the augers out of the well, and the flowing of gas created great excitement in the neighbor- hood, as it was the first in the State to be util- ized for domestic purposes, and it created a great gas boom in the San Joaquin valley. At a depth of 280 feet the augers passed through a mass of drift-wood; the bark was identified as that of redwood.
Mr. Salmon married Miss Jane Reynolds, who was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, and a daughter of Richard, a native of South Carolina, who emigrated to Grant County, Wis consin. Mr. and Mrs. Salmon have ten children, of whom only four are now living, viz .: Glen- dora P., James, Mary and Elizabeth.
UGUSTUS RHODEN, a native of Russia, was born February, 1827. He was reared in his native country, and there learned the carpenter's trade. In 1848 he camne to America, sailing from Bremen to New York. He went to Maryland, where he remained abont two years, working at his trade. He then started for California, coming via the Isth- mus and landing in San Francisco. He came to Stockton with the last 50 cents he had, which was borrowed money at that. Therc he went to work at liis trade, following that occupation nntil 1865, with the exception of two scasons spent at Folsom. By his hard work, economy and industry he accumulated a considerable amount of money. His present property he took as pay for hard work, as he could not get the money: In 1865, his health being poor, he was obliged to leave the shop, and hence came to his ranch, where he has remained ever since. He lias made all the improvements, and
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the property is to-day in a fine state of cultiva- tion. It contains 320 acres, which is devoted to general farming.
Mr. Rhoden was married in 1862 to Miss Cecilia Rock, a native of Ireland. They have four children living, three boys and one girl, and two deceased. The living are: Joseph, Linus, Snsie and Daniel.
ILLIAM H. POST .- The large number of travelers and tourists who visit this State every year will, in many instances in the course of their travels, pay a visit to the great San Joaquin valley. Here will greet the eye a vast stretch of country, thickly settled by a class of people who in point of thrift and economy are the exponents of our best classes of society; land covered with vast fields of grain, together with orchards and vineyards which are a marvel to the whole country. The question will naturally be asked, How came this to be so? In answer to this a great many things must be consulted and taken into con- sideration, and underlying all the main credit must be given to those old pioneers who first emigrated to this far-off land in the early day. There are none more fitting of special mention, as a remarkable type of those sturdy veterans, than William H. Post, the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Southhampton, Long Island, where he was born March 16, 1821. When he was nineteen years of age he shipped before the mast on the whaling vessel Nimrod, bound for the Indian Ocean, a full-rigged vessel with a tonnage of a short 300 tons. While out on this voyage the ship was filled with oil in thir- teen months. William was a stout lad and could pull an oar with any of the older seamen, and in consequence of this, and being on good terms with every one on board, was rather a favorite with them. When the vessel was full she returned to Sag Harbor, Long Island, the port from which she had sailed. His next voy-
age was also to the Indian Ocean, on the bark Gem, commanded by Captain Worth. On this voyage William was given the position of boat steerer. After a trip of eleven months the ves- sel returned with 3,200 barrels of oil. His third voyage was on the ship Illinois, which sailed from Sag Harbor for Kamtschatka, on the Siberian coast, making the voyage around Cape Horn and being out eighteen months, and re- turning with 3,000 barrels. His next voyage was in the same ship, as second officer, bound for the same place. They remained twenty-five months, and obtained a little over 2,500 barrels, some of which was got near New Zealand, on the way home. While on this voyage, making a stop at the Sandwich Islands, he came very near leaving his ship and coming to California, before gold was discovered. Upon returning to Long Island, it was not long before he received the news of the discovery of gold. A number of his friends who were almost all sailors, some being officers, organized a company and bought the Sabina, a full- rigged vessel, and after taking a few passengers, set sail from Sag Harbor, February 9, bound on one of the most interest- ing voyages he was ever on. After being out at sea three days they encountered a severe storm, it being so rough that if the crew had not all been experienced seamen she would cer- tainly have been lost. By skillful management she was brought safely through, and they made such repairs as they could until arriving at St. Catharine, on the coast of South America, where they stopped and gave the ship a general over- hauling. August 9, 1849, they reached San Francisco.
As stated before, they were a joint stock company, and by the articles of agreement were all to stay together and work for the interests of the company. They had on board a large stock of provisions, which they intended to open on shore and sell while engaged in mining. During the three days they stopped in San Francisco they had considerable trouble in keep- ing the crew together; finally they proenred a a pilot for their vessel, and sailed up the bay to
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the mouth of the San Joaquin river. Their's was the first three-masted ship that, np to that time, had come up so far. While opposite the fort of Benicia they were fired upon and com- pelled to lay to, under the pretense of finding whether the boat had been entered at 'Frisco. However, the ship remained there, and some of the goods were taken up to Sacramento in small boats with the most of the crew, leaving a few behind to look after the ship. At Sacramento they bought six mule teams and went up to the mines. Our subject was left behind on the banks of the river. While there, enjoying a bath in the water, he was taken with a terrible cramp in the stomach, and for some time was very near death, the sickness finally resulting in chronic diarrhoea. This trouble continuing with no signs of improvement, he finally took passage on a ship bound for the Sandwich Islands, which resulted in his entire recovery. From the Islands he took the position of officer on the ship Deucalion, bound for Sydney, Aus- tralia. After being loaded with her cargo, she sailed again for San Francisco, where she ar- rived on the 9th of August, just a year after their arrival the first time. Mr. Post then dis- charged the cargo, remaining with the vessel all winter, up to the following March. This was the last of his experience on the sea, with the exception of one voyage to New York, via the Isthmus, in 1851. returning to California the same way the following May.
In March, 1850, after leaving the ship at San Francisco, he started for the mines and spent about a year and a half there. In October, 1853, he settled on the ranch where he now re- sides, containing 300 acres, situated on the Cherokee Lane road, nine miles from Stockton, where he has made his home ever since. In 1883 Mr. Post made a trip to New York, and spent four months in visiting among his old friends. His farm is principally devoted to grain-raising, besides having some fine grades of stock, particularly horses. Politically he was raised as an old Henry Clay Whig, many of the principles of this party sticking to him yet.
Since the organization of the Republican party he has affiliated with them.
Mr. Post was married on Long Island in 1848 to Miss Ann White, a native of that place, who came to this State in 1854. They have a family of two sons, both residing in this county.
EUBEN PIXLEY dates his birth Marchi 2, 1842, in Genesee County, Michigan, the son of Theron and Sarah (Brannack) Pixley. Theron Pixley, the father of the sub- ject, was a farmer by occupation. He was a native of Ohio, but went to Michigan when a young man and was one of the early settlers of that State, and took his land from the Govern- inent. He remained there until 1849, when he came to California, crossing the plains, and re- turning East in 1852, where he remained but a short time, when he returned again to California and located in San Joaquin County; there lie remained until 1888, when he removed to Wash- ington Territory, where he now resides. Mr. Reuben Pixley was born on a farm and remained at home until twenty years of age, when, in 1856, he came to California via the Isthmus, sailing from New York on the Atlantic. He landed in San Francisco, where he remained but two days, when he went to San Joaquin County, where his father was located on a farm. He remained here until 1861, when he enlisted in the United States army, going to Salt Lake, where he was quartered for four years, at the end of which time he returned to San Francisco (January 9, 1865). Thence he returned to San Joaquin County, where he has been a constant resident ever since. He purchased his present property, consisting of 160 acres, in October, 1873. It is under a superb state of cultivation, and improved with the very best of buildings. Mr. Pixley does general farming, raising hay, grain and stock. He was married in 1868 to Miss Mary Briggs, a native of Illi- nois. They have two children, a girl and a boy, viz .: Ora E. and Chester B. Mr. Pixley is a
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member of the I. O. O. F., of Lodi Lodge, No. 259, and also Lodi Grange. He is a practical farmer and plainly shows the early training in that direction. His farm is situated two miles from Lodi.
ILLIAM R. PEARSON was born in Meade County, Kentucky, on the Ohio river, seventy miles below Louisville, August 21, 1830, son of John and America (Renfrow) Pearson, both natives of Virginia. The father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1833. He used also to run flat-boats down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers ; it was on one of these trips that he was taken sick with cholera and died, while in the State of Mississippi. Mrs. Pearson after- ward married again, and in 1849 the whole family emigrated to Buchanan County, Missouri, twelve miles from St. Joe. The mother returned to Kentucky after the death of her husband. Before returning, however, she spent a year in California; she died shortly after her return to Kentucky. She was the mother of two children by her first marriage,-S. A. and William R., bothı residents of this county, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. By her second marriage there were nine children, two sons and seven daughters, five of whom are now living.
William R. Pearson was raised principally in Kentucky up to 1849, when the family moved to Missouri, where he lived until 1863. April 15, of that year, he started for California, cross- ing the plains with ox teams, and arriving in Stockton after four months' journey. The first work he did in California was baling hay, at which he was engaged just a week. He thien went down to San Jose, working there off and on till 1854, when he made his way to Monte- zuma and worked in the mines a couple of months. He went to Placerville, prospected there a while, and, not liking the diggings, came down to Michigan Bar, where he settled down, and was married in the fall of 1855. He re- mained there four or five years, engaged all that
time in mining. When he left the mines he came direct to the ranch on which he now lives, in San Joaquin County. It was a wild place then, covered with brush and timber; he made all the improvements himself, and it is now one of the best improved farms in the county. The ranch contains 160 acres situated on Cherokee Lane, section 13, northeast quarter, four miles north of Lodi. Mr. Pearson is undoubtedly one of the largest and most successful farmers in the county. For the past eleven years he has farmed 2,000 acres just west of Galt, Sacramento County ; for the same length of time he has been engaged in threshing all through this section of the county.
Mr. Pearson is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, which he joined about ten years ago, Phœnix Lodge, No. 239, of Galt. He is also a member of the Chosen Friends of Galt.
Mr. Pearson's first wife, Saralı Ellen Baker, a native of Indiana, died in 1861. She was the inother of three children,-Seth Allen, Willian Alfred, and the other deceased. He was mar- ried to his present wife, Mrs. Mary Jane Red- don, whose maiden name was Storry, a native of Kentucky, They have six children, fonr daughters and two sons, as follows: Augusta May, John Walter, America Frances, Peter B., Bertha Eveline and Susan. Mrs. Pearson had two children by her first marriage,-Nora, wife of Frank Laning, of Fresno, and Silas H. Red- don.
ETH A. PEARSON, a native of Kentucky, was born March 1, 1832, his parents being Allen and Anna (Renfro) Pearson, both natives of Virginia. They moved to Kentucky in an early day, in the days of Daniel Boone. Mr. Pearson, a farmer by occupation, died of cholera in 1834, in Louisiana. He had been to New Orleans with a boat load of farm produce. He was returning on foot when he met his death.
Seth was reared on a farm in Meade County, Kentucky, and remained at home until eighteen
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years of age, when he went on the river with his stepfather and followed boating until 1853, when he started for California. He went to St. Joe, Missouri, and, in company with his cousin, J. B. France, started to cross the plains with six yoke of oxen and one of milch cows. After a journey of six months they landed at Stockton. Mr. Pearson went to San Jose, thence to the mines at Montezuma, where he remained about two months, then returned to Stockton and went to work as a farm hand for Captain Thomas at $60 a month. Next he went to Michigan Bar and engaged in mining for the next two years. At the end of that time he rented land and tried farming, then purchased a team of mules and went to freighting. In 1859 he purchased his present ranch of 100 acres, and has added to it until he has 232 acres of choice farming land. The ranch is under a good state of cultivation and is devoted to general farming. He raises some very fine horses, for which he has always had a fancy.
Mr. Pearson was married June 3, 1859, to Mrs. Susan Willis, a native of Kentucky. They have nine children, six of whom are still living, namely: Charley B., Seth A., Nellie M., Jesse, Juanita J., and a babe unnamed at the time of writing.
Mr. Pearson is a member of Valley Lodge, Masonic order, No. 135.
ANIEL ODELL is a native of Clyde, Wayne County, New York. When he was about eight years old his father, James Odell, died. There was a large family of chil- dren, some eight or ten in number. The home- stead farm being encumbered, the widow lost it, and the family had to get other homes. Daniel obtained a home for himself in a good Connecticut family who were living in New York. He remained with them three years. When he was fifteen years of age he went as an apprentice to the carpenter's trade in Clyde, but not being exactly satisfied, quit his employer
and went to Waterloo, where he completed his trade until he was able to take charge of build- ings and do for himself. He went to Michigan and went to jobbing, remaining two years. At this time there was a great financial depression in the country ; what was called the "wild-cat" money was in circulation, and it was difficult to make it a legal tender between the different States. Finally, after having his share of this difficulty, Mr. Odell went back to Clyde and carried on the jobbing business there for five years. He next went to Indiana, but finding much sickness there he concluded to go on to Adrian, Michigan, as he had a brother living abont twelve miles from there. It was there that he became acquainted with the lady who afterward became his wife. They were married there August, 1843. Mr. Odell bought a farm in that locality and they lived upon it, although he devoted his time to his trade.
When the gold excitement was at its height, he decided to come to California. April 15, 1852, he started across the plains with ox teams, also horse teams, arriving in Hangtown October 15. He was about dead broke, and finally took a position as cook for a man who was running a saw-mill, the man having offered Mrs. Odell the position with $150 a month, with Mr. Odell to help her as assistant cook. They remained but a month; tlien friends in Stockton wrote them to come here, offering good inducements, the proposition being accepted. The winter of 1852-'53 was a very rainy and wet one, and very little could be found to do; but when spring came he obtained work at his trade, commanding a salary of $8 a day. For six years he continued to work, until wages came down to $5 a day; then he gave it up. Coming ont into O'Neil Township, he bought the ranch where he has resided for thirty-one years. The ranch contains 264 acres, situated on the lower Sacramento road, six miles north of Stockton, and is devoted to farming and stock-raising.
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