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 84
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Her husband, Panl C. Hubbs, was born in Ontario County, Canada, in 1843, and is now running a saloon on the Mariposa road. They have two children: Cornelius A. and Leolia B.
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ENRY KAISER, afarmer of Castoria Town- ship, San Joaquin County, was born March 7, 1856, on the trip across the plains, com- ing near being a native of California. His father settled on a farm in this connty where he was raised. He now owns a farm of 280 acres of fine improved land, on which he raises hay and grain. He bought the place in 1879. He is still single. He is one of our most en- terprising young farmers.
EORGE HOGAN, of Elkhorn Township, was born July 12, 1837, in Jefferson County, New York, his parents being Edward and Jane (Hutchins) Hogan; the father, a carpenter, was a native of Vermont and the mother of New York. The family removed to Ohio in an early day, remaining in that State a number of years, thence to Illinois, where the father died in July, 1876, at the age of seventy- five years. There were nine children in the family, namely : Charles, deceased ; Jolın, George, Edward, Frank, Nancy, wife of E. Campbell, of New York; Jane, married; Clara, also married; Nellie, wife of Lewis Card, residents of Mc- Henry County, Illinois.
George, the subject, is the only one in Cali- fornia. As a boy he was raised on a farm nntil thirteen years old, when he started out for him- self, working five years on a farm, then starting for California, in 1864. He crossed the plains
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with a train of about 40 families. The trip occupied about four months; it was a very pleas- ant one, as they had no sickness and lost no stock. Mr. Hogan spent about a year on John Dodge's ranch on the Calaveras river, then pur- chased land on the Waterloo road, which he sold ont at the end of a year and went on the upper Stockton road, where he rented land and farmed one year. He then went to Lodi and there again rented land which he worked about a year, then, in 1875, he purchased 380 acres of land three and a half miles from Lodi and ten front Stock- ton, on the Cherokee Lane road. He has made most of the improvements himself and now possesses a splendid farm, devoted principally to the production of hay, grain and stock. He has a small vineyard for family use.
He was married, in 1861, in Illinois, to Miss Elizabeth Bennett, a native of Illinois. They have twelve children, all living, namely: Lewis V., Eugene S., Mary, wife of Charles E. Door; Lena, Clara, Jennie, Cora, Estella, Frank, Walter and Hazel May. Mr. Hogan is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., lodge No. 259, also of the Lodi Grange, No. 92.
The subject is indeed an example to the pres- ent generation; looking at his career we see what energy and pluck can do. He landed in Cali- fornia with the sum of $1.25 in his pocket, and to-day he is one of the most prosperous farmers of San Joaquin County.
LIAS HILDRETH was born in Gardiner, Maine, November 13, 1825. He spent his youth in his native State and when seventeen years of age commenced learning the blacksmith's trade. When nineteen years old he went to Rhode Island, where he worked at his trade, which he had so thoroughly mastered by this time that he was able to command good wages. In 1849 he determined to come to California, took passage in the sailing vessel Semaust, leaving New York on the 22d of March. He rounded the Horn, stopping only
twice,-at Rio Janeiro and Valparaiso, and landed at San Francisco September 9, after a passage of six months. Mr. Hildreth was abont broke when he got there and worked at his trade until he had money sufficient to take him to the mines. He worked in the mines at Hangtown till the spring of 1850. From there he went to Marysville, worked at liis trade there, then went to Trinity river, where he did some mining. Returned to Marysville in 1851, thence to Stockton, working at his trade there for two or three years; next returned to San Francisco, where he remained three or four years. In 1860 he again caine to San Joaquin County and bought the place where he now lives. It con- tains 354 acres, situated on Cherokee Lane, six miles northeast of Stockton. In 1886 he bought another ranch of 240 acres on the Waterloo road, about five miles from Stockton. The home place, when he bought it, was in an almost barren condition and all the improvements have been made by its owner. It is now one of the finest ranches in this section of the county, situated in the best wheat-growing district of the State. Mr. Hildreth began life in Califor- nia without anything, and now, by his own efforts and energy, has succeeded in overcoming all obstacles and to-day is one of the most suc- cessful farmers.
Mr. Hildreth was married in Rhode Island to Miss Miranda Chamberlain. They have two children: George F. and Wilmarth. They lost a daughter, who died in this State.
ANDREW M. HARSHNER was born March 22, 1839, in Richland County, Ohio, his parents being Andrew and Mary (Murray) Harshner; the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation and lived in Ohio till his death, which occurred April 1, 1889, at the age of eighty-six years. The inother died in July, 1878, aged seventy years. There were eight children in the family, six
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boys and two girls, all of whom are living, and one, William Harshner, is a resident of San Joaquin County.
Andrew was reared on a farm and remained at home till twenty-one years of age. In 1864 he came to California, crossing the plains to Sacramento, when he went to work putting np hay by the month. In March of the follow- ing year he went to San Francisco to meet his family, who came via the Nicaragua route; he then came to San Joaquin County, rented land, which he farmed for two years. In 1867 he purchased the place on which lie now resides. It contains 160 acres, on which he has made all the improvements, and to-day has one of the best farms in this locality. He raises hay, grain and stock.
He was married in 1860 to Miss Mary A. Graver, a native of Ohio, daughter of John and Elizabeth Graver. They have five children liv- ing and tliree deceased. The living are: Allen T., Mary E., Clara, Lillian and Winfield S.,- all natives of San Joaquin County. Mr. Harsh- ner is a member of Woodbridge Grange, No. 84. Politically he is a Democrat; lie cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas.
NDREW W. HANSEN was born in Hol- stein, Germany, April 25, 1821. His father, Jerry Hansen, died in Germany in 1827, at the age of thirty-six years. Andrew, when a boy, learned the trade of ship-carpenter- ing and went to sea at a very early age. In 1838 he went to sea on a whaling vessel, called the Sall Henry, bound for Greenland. In 1839 lie sailed again on a brig; in 1840 went on a man- of-war. In 1841 he sailed on the bark Wild Irish Girl. The next voyage was made to the West Indies on board the Solar. In 1843 he sailed from Liverpool on a full-rigged vessel, tlie Rhine, as cook, cooking for 700 passengers. He followed this seafaring life nntil 1851, having inany varied experiences and meeting with many an adventure. He landed in San Fran-
cisco in 1851, after a long sea voyage, and obtained a position on board the steamboat Empire running between San Francisco and Stockton. Three months later he went to Tuol- nmne County, where he engaged in mining, following that occupation for about eighteen months. He then commenced teaming. Spent the next few years, until 1860, working for wages. In 1860 he went to Stockton and there followed his trade of carpenter. In 1881 he purchased his present property of 167 acres, seven miles from Stockton on the Davis road. He does a general farming business. Mr. Han- sen has been twice to Europe, in 1869 and in . 1888, and is now contemplating another trip.
Mr. Hansen was married in 1860; his wife died August 11, 1877, leaving him one child, a son, Andrew W.
OHN B. HARELSON was born in Ken- tucky, July 15, 1818, his parents being Ezekiel and Anna (Beagles) Harelson, both natives of North Carolina. The father was a farmer by occupation and emigrated to Ohio in an early day, thence to Kentucky. Finally, at the age of seventy-five years, lie moved to Wis- consin, where he died in 1855. John B. was raised on a farm in Kentucky, remaining at home till he was eighteen years old, wlien he went to Wisconsin, engaging in mining and farming. In the spring of 1850 lie and his two brothers, Edmund and Ezekiel, both of whom are now deceased, started across the plains with mnles and horses. Their destination was the American river, where they mined abont four- teen months, with bnt moderate success. They returned to Wisconsin in October, 1852, via the Isthmus. They remained there until 1864, when he sold out his property there and re- turned to California with his family, crossing the plains for the second time. At St. Joseph, Missouri, Mr. Harelson was chosen captain of a company of abont 100 people as lie had crossed the plains before. The trip was a very pleasant
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one and they landed in the beautiful San Joa- quin Valley, in September, the same year. Mr. Harelson shortly after purchased his present property, containing 120 acres of choice farming land, situated about six miles from Stockton on the Waterloo road. The ranch is principally devoted to the production of hay and grain. He also owns 160 acres in Fresno County.
Mr. Harelson was married in January, 1852, to Miss Candace Graves, a native of Missouri. They have five children, namely: Ella, wife of J. B. Worley; Martha, wife of Henry Irvine; Lucy, wife of Stephen Overhiser; Flora A., and Effa B.
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ACOB GERTEN was born on the Rhine river in Prussia, in February, 1833, his parents being John and Eveline Gerten. John Gerten followed farming exclusively in that country. In the family there were seven children, four boys and three girls. Jacob, the subject of this sketch, was raised on a farm and remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he came to America, sailing from Ant- werp in 1852 and landing in New York. His funds being exhausted he worked in New York for a month or two, then finished learning the trade of blacksmith. After three months spent there he came to Chicago, where he remained fifteen montlis and purchased property, which he afterward sold and went to St. Louis, thence to Memphis, Charleston, Vicksburg and New Orleans, in all of which places he worked for the railroad company. In the spring of 1856 he came to California, via the Isthmus, arriving in San Francisco that same year. He spent a year in mining, but with poor success. He then came to this valley and worked at his trade and on ranches till 1859, when he returned to Tennessee, but being taken sick he came once more to California via the Isthinus. He re- inained for a while in Alameda County, thence came to Stockton and engaged in driving teams,
which occupation he followed for ten or twelve years.
In 1871 he purchased his present property of 160 acres, on which he moved his family and has, since that time, been a continuous resident. He was married in 1863 to Miss Wilhelmine, a native of Saxony. They have six children, one boy and five girls, namely: Mary, wife of Wallace Galesby; Maggie, wife of William Tecklenburg; Lucy, Bertie and Minnie. Mr. Gerten is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Stock- ton and of the Knights of Pythias, No. 41.
ILLIAM GOLDEN, farmer of Tulare Township, was born in Ireland in 1841. In 1857 he came to America, landing in Boston, where he remained until 1861, when he started for California by water; remained in San Francisco a few months, taking in the sights, then came to this county and purchased his ranch of 320 acres on which he resides. He owns another ranch near Tracy, which con- tains 3,340 acres.
He was married on his ranch to Miss Jennie L. Brown, a native of Indiana, born in 1849. They have two children, Addie R. and Marion.
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ENRY GIMBEL, of Elkhorn Township, was born October 6, 1843, in Germany, his parents being Henry and Lizzie Gim- bel. The father was a brick-maker by trade, which he followed till his death in 1849, at the age of forty-five years. When his father died, Henry, the subject of this sketch, was but a boy of six years of age. He was turned out into the world among strangers. In 1870 he came to America, landing in New York. He came at once to California, locating in Sacramento, where he remained abont three years working for other people on different ranches. In 1873
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he purchased his present ranch of 320 acres, situated about twelve miles from Stockton. He does a general farming business, raising hay and grain.
Mr. Gimbel was married in 1868, to Kate Wieleiser, a native of Germany. They have four children, namely: Katie, Louisa, Emma and Tilla.
ALBERTI, who is now the leading repre- sentative of the musical-goods business in Stockton, is a native of Italy, born at a place ninety miles from the city of Naples, April 6, 1848, his parents being Dominico and Portia (Imperatrice) Alberti. He spent his early boyhood days at his native place, and in 1861 emigrated to America, remaining in New York until 1863. In the latter year he came to California via Panama, landing at San Fran- cisco from the steamer Golden Gate. For the two years following he devoted himself to the profession which he had followed almost from infancy-that of music. He then went to South America, and for four months followed the pro- fession of music in Peru. He then went back to Italy, but in 1866 returned to San Francisco. He next visited some of the territories, being in Washington, and in Idaho, about Boise City and other towns. From there he returned to San Francisco, and while there learned the piano-tuning trade. In 1873 he came to Stock- ton, and here followed the business of piano- tuning, and also the profession of music, on his own account and as a member of the band. In 1875 he entered the employ of Amy & Lang, of San Francisco, and when he left thiem he re- turned to Stockton. In 1881 he went back to San Francisco, and was with Sherman & Clay about six years. After that he was with Kohler & Chase until early in 1889, when he camne to Stockton and embarked in business for himself, erecting a handsome and commodious building for that purpose, which is two stories in height and has a gronnd area 24 x 46 feet. He handles
the Decker Bros., Fisher and New England pianos, and Weaver and Mason & Hamlin or- gans, as well as all other kinds of musical goods and supplies. His local trade is exten- sive, and he also does a large business with surrounding counties, while he also retains a large patronaze for piano-tuning.
Mr. Alberti was married in this city to Miss Carlotta Lastreto. They have two children, viz .: Beatrice and Ellena.
Mr. Alberti is a member of Charter Oak Lodge, No. 11, I. O.O. F .; of the A. O. U. W .; of Lodge No. 85, K. of P., San Francisco, and of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is a thorough business man, fair and courteous in his treatment of his patrons, and well deserves the success with which he is ineeting in business.
ARRY C. GILLINGHAM was born July 6, 1830, in Pennsylvania, his parents being John and Mary (Price) Gillingham, bothı natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1853.
Harry remained at home on the farmn until nineteen years of age, when he left for California via the Isthmus. He landed in San Francisco April 6, 1850. He was engaged in mining until the 1st of October, then came to Stockton and remained during the winter of 1850. The next four years were spent in running a threslı- ing-machine and in teaming to the mines. In 1854 he came and located 160 acres of land about ten miles from Stockton, on the Davis road, in Elkhorn Township. He made his home there until lie purchased his present prop- erty in 1883. Since that time that has been his home. He built his new and elegant resi- dence in 1884, making many other improve- ments at the same time. The property is situated about two miles from Lodi and twelve from Stockton, on the Sacramento and Stockton road. Mr. Gillingham is one of our leading
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farmers, and his ranch shows neatness and order.
Mr. Gillingham was married in 1856, to Miss Rachel A. Henderson, a native of Ohio, since deceased. She died in 1878, at the age of forty-two years, leaving a loving husband and two children to mourn her loss. The children are Samuel A. and Ida L., both at home. Mr. Gillingham is a member of the K. of P. Lodge, No. 50, of which he was one of the charter members. He was also a charter member of Lodi Lodge, No. 41. Politically he is a Re- publican; his first vote was cast for Franklin Pierce. He has seen his share of early Califor- nia life. The conuty in which he resides was once a barren plain, and is now one of the most productive and fertile parts of the State.
OHN BEHAPS .- Among the pioneers of California now resident of Stockton is he whose name heads this sketch. He was born in a small village in Holland in 1840, and when a mere child he was brought by his par- ents to America, they locating in Missouri, where he spent his early boyhood days, but be- ing left an orphan then, both his parents having fallen victims to the cholera epidemic. Onr subject liad an opportunity of coming to Cali- fornia with Peter McLean in 1850, and did so, making tlie trip across the plains with an ox team, and having a pleasant journey for the most part. The last part of the way they packed across. They brought up at Weaver- ville and went to mining there. After about a year there they went through the mining coun- try almost up to Feather river, then back to Mosquito Camp, and from there to Stockton in the fall of 1852.
Mr. Behaps took care of stock about three years, then worked at farm work, and finally acquired land of his own. He now has a fine ranch of 320 acres in Douglas Township, where he carries on grain farmning. He resided on that ranch for twenty-five years, and in 1888
built a handsome residence in Stockton, now the family home.
Mr. Beliaps was married in this city to Miss Mary Dunham, a native of Massachusetts. Mr. Behaps was almost reared in California, and has been an eye-witness to her wonderful growth since the pioneer day. He is an active member of the San Joaquin Society of California Pioneers.
H. BOGGS, liveryman and proprietor of the Stockton Horse Market, is a native of Warren, Knox County, Maine, born October 8, 1837, and son of Paul and Elizabeth (Vose) Boggs. Paul Boggs, also a native of Warren, Maine, and a merchant and shipbuild- er, was in the fifth generation from the pro- genitor of the family in this country, who was Scotch-Irish. The mother of our subject was also born at Warren, and the Voses were one of the fifty families which first settled in the town.
P. H. Boggs was reared and educated at his native place, and at the age of eleven years en- tered his father's store as a clerk. Thereafter he followed mercantile pursuits, and from 1861 to 1865 was engaged in the wholesale Yankee notion trade. In the latter year he came to California for his health, landing at San Fran- cisco from the steamer Golden City, on the 16th of April, 1865. The same year lie bought a $40,000 rauch on Sherinan Island, and after a residence of three or four years in the city he removed to his ranchi and farmed there for eight years. During the next twenty months he re- sided at Antioch, then returned to Sherman Island.
In 1878 the levees broke and the island was completely flooded, and has remained in that state ever since, causing immense loss to the land owners. Iu 1879 Mr. Boggs rented a sec- tion of land and put in 400 acres of grain. Just before harvest time, the following spring, he was flooded out there, losing his entire crop. He then came to Stockton and commenced bus-
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iness at his present location on Hunter street. He does a large business in buying and selling horses, besides conducting a livery and feed stable. He also has a grain warehouse on Rob- erts' Island, which he built in the fall of 1880. It is located at Lindstrom's Ferry, and lias a capacity for the storage of 3,500 tons of grain.
Mr. Boggs was married at Warren, Maine, in September, 1860, to Miss Eveline T. Andrews, a native of that place. They have seven chil- dren, viz .: Lizzie, Ada A. and Henry T., born in Maine; Mamie, born in San Francisco; Helen and Clifford, born at Sherman Island; and Eva B., born in Stockton.
Mr. Boggs is a progressive business man, genial and courteous in disposition, and has borne up under unpreventable disasters that would have utterly discouraged most men.
He takes an active interest in public affairs, and, while not in any sense a politician, affiliates with the Democratic party.
C. CARLON, one of the prominent citi- zens of Stockton, is a native of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, born April 5, 1834, his parents being George and Eliza (Eld- er) Carlon. Both parents were born in Penn- sylvania, and the father was a farmer.
George C. Carlon, with whose name this sketch cominences, was reared in his native county until in his twenty-first year, and in 1855 started out to make his own way in the world, amid new scenes and among strangers. Proceeding westward to Iowa, he went up on the Des Moines river to Kossuth County, hunting land, and pre-empted a tract there. That sec- tion was then in a state of almost primitive wilderness, and at that time there were almost no neighbors, even of the long-range sort, as Mr. Carlon was one of the first settlers of Kos- suth County.
In 1859 he joined the rushı for Pike's Peak, in company with a cousin, J. R. Carlon, now a res.dent of this county, and G. Tully, now a
large land-owner of Stanislaus County. They did not visit Pike's Peak, but kept right on to California. Their route was via the North Platte and Sublette's cut-off, having some trouble with the Indians the latter part of the journey. They proceeded directly to Stockton, but Mr. Carlon took sick at Murphy's.
On arriving at Stockton, he located, and has been a resident of the county ever since. He took charge of a ranch for Sperry & Co., be- tween Stockton and French Camp, and remained in that capacity until 1865. He then leased the ranch and operated it until 1870. He then went into the hay and grain business in Stockton, continuing about six years. In the spring of 1876 he sold out that business and went East, visiting the Centennial Exposition at Philadel- phia. On his return to San Joaquin County he resumed ranching, leasing land for two years, at the end of which time he bought a farmn fif- teen miles east of Stockton, on the Copper- opolis road, and has ever since carried on farin- ing there, the place having been principally devoted to wheat and barley. He is branch- ing out somewhat from these lines, however, and in the spring of 1889 set out 1,000 vines of choice raisin grapes. His intention is to experiment with the raisin-grape without irri- gation, and, so far as the test has gone, it has been satisfactory. The vines are all of the Muscat variety, brought from Fresno. The land on the ranch has been cultivated many years, but holds np as well as ever. Irrigation has never been employed. He also leases 320 acres adjoining his own tract, and farms the whole section.
Mr. Carlon also condnets the bonded ware- house, No. 3, corner of Sutter and Market streets, Stockton. The building was constructed by Henry Hoffman, many years ago, for a freight warehouse. In 1877 Mr. Carlon leased the structure for the purpose of a bonded ware- honse, and opened it for business in October of that year.
Mr. Carlon is also proprietor of the livery stable on Market street between San Joaquin
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and Sutter, now operated by Hefferman & Hef- ferman. He carried on the business himself for somne time, and tlien rented the establishment to Hefferman & Hersom. They were succeeded by the present firm.
Mr. Carlon was married in this county June 7, 1866, to Miss Abbie Lizzie Woodbridge, a native of Newcastle, Maine, and daughter of D. K. and Abbie Woodbridge, who are now residents of Stanislaus County, though having formerly lived in San Joaquin. Her father came to California in 1850, and was joined by his wife and two children in 1852, they having come around the Horn. He was engaged in teamning for a time, afterward in fruit-raising on Frenchi Camp slough, and is now farming. Mr. and Mrs. Carlon have one child-Mabel.
Mr. Carlon is a charter member of the first lodge of A. O. U. W. established in Stockton. He has always been an active and is conceded to be a shrewd and successful man of business. Besides the interests mentioned in this article, Mr. Carlon has other valuable property. He is a Republican politically, but not a politician.
RANKLIN DAVIS, of the firm of Guern- sey & Davis, Stockton, is a native of Hannibal, Marion County, Missouri, born December 2, 1840, his parents being Joseph M. and Hannah (Myers) Davis. The father, who was born and reared in Virginia, went from there to Missouri, and was married in the latter State, in Randolph County, afterward removing to Marion County. He was a blacksmith by trade. In 1849 lie came to California, making the journey across the plains. He went to Mariposa County and commenced mining, which occupation engaged his attention until early in 1851, when, coming to Stockton, he opened a blacksmith shop on the corner of Mar- ket and San Joaquin streets, near the present jail building. Later in the same year he went back to Missouri, and in 1852 he again came out across the plains, and brought his family to
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