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 85
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Stockton. He established a blacksmith shop on the corner of American and Channel streets, and conducted it three or four years. He then gave up blacksmithing, and for the next couple of years was engaged in teaming to the mines. He then located on a farm on the Cherokee Lane, six iniles nortli of Stockton, the place being now a part of L. U. Shippee's ranch. In 1872 he established a stock ranch in Lassen County. He died while making a trip up there, at Beggs Station, May 18, 1876, in his sixtieth year. He had been in poor health for several years previous to his deatlı. His widow died May 11, 1887, aged about seventy-two years. They were the parents of five children, of whom one died in 1851. Those living are: Hartwell, a resident of Stockton; Franklin the subject of this sketch; Alice E., wife of E. R. Hedges, a prominent merchant of this city; and Eliza C., wife of G. W. Melone, furniture dealer of Stockton.
Franklin Davis, with whose name this sketch commences, caine as a boy across the plains to California with his parents, and grew to manhood in this county, receiving his education at the pub- lic school which stood on the present site of the Lafayette school building, in the public school in the McNish building, corner of Channel and Hunter streets, and afterward in the private school kept by Dr. and Mrs. Collins. He was brought up principally to farm life. In 1864 he went to Idaho, and remained there until 1866, when he returned to this county. In 1870 he went to Linn County, Iowa, and was in business there during that and the following year. He then returned to San Joaquin County, where he has since resided. He has been en- gaged in ranching ever since, and for twelve years farmned the land that now constitutes a portion of the Shippee ranch, handling 600 acres. In May, 1887, Mr. Davis, in partner- ship with D. A. Guernsey, bought the stock yards of J. C. Gage, on California street, and liave since carried on business there, making it the headquarters for the buying and selling of stock, principally horses and mules. Mr. Davis
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now has 320 acres of land, which he farms, and the firm of Guernsey & Davis also have 243 acres in O'Neil Township, devoted principally to grain-raising. In May, 1885, Mr. Davis commenced the construction of his handsome and spacious Stockton residence, removing into it in October.
Mr. Davis was married, August 23, 1868, to Miss Margaret Nevin, a native of Linn County, Iowa, whose father, Alexander Nevin, died in this county. They have two children, viz .: Maud and Ethel.
Mr. Davis, though not a politician, affilliates with the Democratic party. Though compara- tively a young man, he has been an eye-witness to most of the county's growth from the pioneer days.
EONARD FURRY, one of the old-time Californians now resideut in Stockton, is a lative of Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, born May 20, 1827, his parents being David and Mary (Shipe) Furry. The father, a carpenter by trade, was born in Pennsylvania (probably in Westmoreland County), and the mother was born in Lancaster County, Penn- sylvania. Leonard Furry grew up to manhood in his uative county, and learned the carpenter's trade with his father. In 1847 he went to Illi- nois, and located at Quincy, where he followed his trade. In the following year his parents removed out to Adams County, Illinois, buying and locating on a farm eighteen iniles from Quincy, where both lived until their deaths oc- curred.
Leonard Furry, the subject of this sketch, embarked in farming in Illinois for a time, but his crops were drowned out and he gave it np after an experience of two years. In 1859 he left Quincy by wagon for St. Joseph, Missouri, taking his wife and two boys. At St. Joseph he bought another wagon and three additional yoke of cattle, and started for Pike's Peak. After having started, however, he decided to
keep on to California, and did so, taking the Salt Lake route. He brought up at Murphy's, California, and then took up some land and planted six or seven acres of fruit-trees and grape-vines. He also carried on work at his trade. He worked at Virginia City during the excitement there, afterward at Quail Hill, and the next summer lie came down to Stockton and worked. The next season, the building of the Yosemite House commenced, and he worked on it during its construction. In 1869 he came to Stockton to live, and built his present family residence. He has followed contracting in the building line ever since, his work being mostly in Stockton and the surrounding country. Among other structures which he has built may be mentioned the Eastern Insane Asylum barn, and the addition to Dr. Clark's Pacific Insane Asylum. His work mostly, however, has been on private residences.
Mr. Furry was married in Quincy, Illinois, to Miss Margaret Hoover, a native of Pennsyl- vania, but reared in Illinois. They have three children, viz .: William, a printer on the Inde- pendent; J. E. and John Nathaniel.
Mr. Furry is a member of Stockton Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of the K. of H. In politics, while liberal in his views, he is a supporter o the Democratic party on national issues.
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ILLIAM G. HUMPHREY .- Among the young business men of Stockton, none enjoys a higher standing than he whose name heads this sketch. He is a native of Stockton, born January 22, 1857. His father, Thomas G. Humphrey, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and a school teacher by profession, came to Stockton, California, in 1850. He was in Stockton in that year, and went from here to the mines of Calaveras County. After a com- paratively brief mining experience at San An- dreas and at Angel's Camp, he gave up that occupation and returned to Stockton, where, in partnership with Robert Miller, he engaged
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in the grocery business, on the corner of Main and Sutter streets. This firm continued in business several years. Mr. Humphrey also manufactured drapers and grain cleaners in this city. He was one of the organizers of the Avon Theatre, and managed it until his death, in 1884. Before the building of the Opera House, he operated a planing-mill on that site for several years, in connection with S. Will- liams, the firm beiug Williams & Humphrey. He was an active man, and had served the city as a councilman. His wife, who is yet living in this city, was formerly Jane D. Churchill, and her maiden name was Reed. She was born at Plymoutlı, Massachusetts, and came to Califor- nia by sea iu 1849.
Willianı G. Humphrey, with whose name this sketch commences, was reared and educated iu Stockton, and on arriving at a suitable age, began to assist his father in connection with his various business enterprises, to which he suc- ceeded upon his father's death. He carries on the business of manufacturing drapers, as well as managing the Avon Opera House. He also owns the bill-boards throughout the city, and has an extensive business in the line of display advertising in thecity and country surrounding.
He was married in this city to Miss Luella Sınitlı, a native of Napa.
Mr. Humphrey is a member of Charter Oak Lodge, K. of P. He is a Republican politically, and is an important factor in the councils of the party.
Mr. Humphrey is a genial, courteous gentle- man, and a thorough business inan, and enjoys the respect and confidence of the urany with whom he is thrown in contact in business cir- cles.
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ILLIAM J. HERSOM, a member of the firm of Middlekauf, Hersom & Harri- son, is a native of San Joaquin County, born on a ranch about two iniles from Farming- ton, March 6, 1864, his parents being Henry
and Mary (Marklee) Hersom. His grandfather, Willianı Jacob Marklee, was one of the pioneers of California, and a well-knowu and respected figure in the early days, the mining point, Mark- leeville, taking its name from liim. He carried on a large business, and operated several stores. Henry Hersom, father of our subject, came to California from Maine, and after some time spent in mining, eventually located in San Joaquin County. He was a carpenter by trade, but is now engaged in prospecting on Shaw's Flat.
W. J. Hersom, whose name heads this sketch, was raised in San Joaquin County, and received his schooling here and in the East. In 1874 he went to his father's native State, and resided at Fairfield, Maine, five and oue-half years. Returning, he engaged at farm work iu this county, and afterward went to ranching on his own account, which engaged his attention until he entered the livery business as a partner of J. W. Heffernan. In October, 1889, the part- nership between Messrs. Hefferman aud Her- som was dissolved, the latter retiring from the firin to take an interest in the Middlekauf patent gate, as a member of the firm of Middlekauf, Hersom' & Harrison. This gate is mentioned more at lengthi elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Hersom was married in this county, Sep tember 22, 1885, to Miss Laura Ferguson, a native of this county.
Mr. Hersom is a pleasant, genial young man, full of business, and like his partners is popular with all who know him.
GAMBETTA, Public Administrator of San Joaquin County, is a native of Italy, born in the suburbs of Genoa, March 5, 1847, his parents being Joseph and Marianna (Croza) Gambetta. In 1855 tlie family came to the United States, their route being an un- usual one, and taking them via Gibralter, Car- thagena, San Juan de Caraga, Acapulco, across the Istlimus of Panama, and . thence to Sau
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Francisco on the steamer Golden Gate. Our subject, though but a young boy, soon went to work in the store of Lorenzo Costa, and was thus engaged about a year and a half. For a similar period of time following this he was in the employ of Captain Weber. He then en- gaged in selling apples for his father, who had a fruit store. After that he was for five years clerk in a hardware and crockery establishment. After that, acquiring possession of a piece of land, lie engaged in gardening, and was thus employed for two or three years. After this he clerked again about a year, and then embarked in business for himself, on the corner of Mar- ket and El Dorado streets. Eighteen months later he had five places of business, and within two years and a half from the time he com- menced, so well had he managed, that he had accumulated about $30,000. He lost abont $18,000 in San Francisco through the failure of other parties, and sold a one-half interest in his business to Peter Musto, and afterward disposed of the other half to him. Having wound up all his old business affairs, he started in anew, buy- ing out the Weber House. A year later lie sold out and took a trip to Nevada. His finances were then at a low ebb once more. He went to Virginia City, and when he arrived there his capital amounted to $17.75. In about ten weeks he had cleared up $10,000, buying junk. He then took in a partner, and shortly afterward went to San Francisco on business for the firm. While he was gone his partner sold out the business, and went away with the proceeds. Mr. Gambetta then returned to California, and put in a crop in Stanislaus County, but lost everything by flood. He then walked back to Stockton. After he had been here about two years, he borrowed $1,000 from a friend, and in about a year's time had made $8,000. He was elected Coroner of San Joa- quin County, and served out his term. He was nominated for Public Administrator, but at the election was defeated. He was nominated for that office again in 1886, and that time was elected, assuming his official duties in Janvary,
1887, and still holds the office by virtue of re- election in 1888. He has been in the real- estate business since 1881.
Mr. Gambetta was married in Stockton, April 10, 1872, to Miss Carmelitta Capurro, a native of Stockton. They have five children, viz .: Blendina, John, Jr., Eugenia, Della and Pan- line.
Mr. Gambetta is a member of Stockton Lodge. I. O. O. F., and Charter Oak Lodge, K. of P. He holds a prominent place in the coun- cils of the Democratic party.
Mr. Gambetta has set up on his residence lot in this city, the stump of a tree, which is note- worthy for its size. It is called the " Pioneer," having been brought and placed in its present position, in honor of the pioneers of California, by Mr. Gambetta. The tree of which it was a part was 237 years old, and the stump, whichi weighs thirty-seven tons and is twenty-four feet in circumference, was moved to its present resting place with immense difficulty and at an expense of $800, all of which was borne by Mr. Gambetta. It was taken from the place of W. G. Phelps, and moved two miles and a half. On the Phelps place three tons of grapes were picked from one vine. This vine was planted the day General Kearny was there with the troops, on his way to Salt Lake. He threw away four cuttings, and Mr. Phelps, picking up one, planted it. From it grew this great vine.
IANELLI BROS., grocers, with stores at the corner of Fremont and California, and corner of Market and Hunter, have built themselves up from small beginnings to their present position in the business world. The last-named store is managed by Giuseppi Gian- elli, and the first-named by Joseph Gianelli, who together constitute the firm of Gianelli Bros. They started first in a little place on California street, next to their present location, in 1876, with a combined capital of abont
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$1,400, and in 1878 removed into their present building on the corner. In 1880 they com- menced at their store on Hunter strect, succeed- ing L. Basilio there. Their business has in- creased with steady and rapid strides, and in their two houses they now carry stock to the amount of some $15,000, selected goods. Their trade, at first confined to a few customers, now extends throughout the entire city, while they also supply many ranches, large and small, with their groceries and provisions for the entire year. Their success lias been duc to their watchful care and prudent business manage- ment, combined with their practice of always catering to the wants of their patrons at as low rates as practicable. Since they have built themselves up in this city, a sketcli of the mnem- bers of the firm will not be out of place in this connection.
Giuseppi Gianelli, tlie senior member of the firni, is a native of the Province of Genoa, Italy, born in 1853, and is a son of Antoine Gianelli, a farmer. He was reared at his native place, and on arriving at suitable age, engaged in buying and selling stock for an uncle, a iner- chant. In 1873 lie emigrated to America, land- ing at New York, and coming to California located in Stockton. He first obtained employ- ment with G. Beiso, and a year and a half later entered the employ of L. Basilio as a clerk in his grocery store. On the 14th of November, 1876, in company with his brother, B. Gianelli, he embarked in business for himself. The re- sult of this venture is given above. He re- mained at his post with Mr. Basilio, however, until 1880, when they bought out that gentle- man.
Mr. Gianelli was married in 1877, to Miss Louisa Sanguinetti. They have five children, viz .: Antoine B. G., Basilio E. R., Amarie R. E., G. B. and Rachele G.
Mr. Gianelli is a charter member of the first society of Bersaglieri organized in Stockton, known as Compagna Italiana de Bersaglieri, No. 1; was six years its treasurer; has held the offices of president, secretary and trustee, and
is at this writing secretary and treasurer of the society.
Mr. Gianelli was once the object of a plot to take his life, which was laid and discovered during 1889, and the account of which was written up in many columns of the local and San Francisco papers. It was for a time geil- erally supposed that he had been foully dealt with, but he turned up when the chief conspira- tor had been arrested.
Mr. Gianelli is a careful business man, and deserves the success he has met with.
B. Gianelli, the younger member of the firm of Gianelli Bros., is also a native of Italy, born in 1856. Hc spent his boyhood days at liis native placc, and in 1874 came to America, and locating at Stockton went to work for G. Beiso, on the corner of Church and Center streets. He was employed there until he commenced in business for himself, an account of which has been given in a former portion of this article.
He was married in this city on the 1st of December, 1884, to Miss Louisa Gianelli. She died on the 19th of September, 1888, leaving two children, viz .: Etta and Irene.
Mr. Gianelli is a member of Iroquois Tribe, No. 35, Red Men, and of Compagnia Italiana de Bersaglieri, No. 2, of which lic has been treasurer since its organization.
Mr. Gianelli is an enterprising business man, of quick perception, and owes his success to his clear-headed business methods.
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OHN HERRMANN, one of the well-known business men of Stockton, is a native of Hamburg, Germany, born August 15, 1846. He was reared at his native place, educated at boarding-school, and at the age of thirteen and a half years, went !to sea on the sailing vessel Falke, a brig in the Brazil coffee trade. He made two trips on her, and his next voyage was on a barque from Hamburg to Valparaiso and the coast of Chili, in the saltpetre trade. After two trips on this barque, he made a journey
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from Hamburg to Buenos Ayres and return in the sugar and coffee trade. His next vessel was the Amazon, bound for California, and she ar- rived at San Francisco after a voyage of 199 days. He left the vessel there and came to Stockton, remaining here till 1871, engaged in ranching in this vicinity most of the time. He next went to Marysville, where he remained till 1878, being in business two years of that time. He next located in Stockton, and has since that time operated the Chicago Exchange, on the corner of Main and California streets, which was started by Max Von Helmrich in 1874. This house has an extensive patronage of the best character. Mr. Herrmann also has the agency for this district of the celebrated Fredericksburg lager, his territory embracing San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, Yuba and Calaveras counties, and the Yo Semite valley.
Mr. Herrinann was married at Santa Rosa in September, 1878, to Miss Ella Mosher, a native of Maine. They have two children, viz .: Harry and Eddie.
Mr. Herrmann is a member of Charter Oak Lodge, K. of P .; of the Stockton Turn-Verein, and of San Joaquin Grove, No. 9, A. O. D., in which he has passed the chairs.
He is an active, enterprising business man, and has an extensive circle of warın personal friends. He has a ranch of forty acres, located ten miles north of Stockton and four miles west of Lodi. His plan is to devote practically all of this tract to vineyard and orchard, and in the spring of 1889 he set out ten acres of table grapes, principally Muscat, Black Ferrara, Black Hamburg and Tokay. He has also planted some almond and fig trees, and will devote the re- mainder of his place to fruit and wine grapes.
W. YOLLAND, the efficient County Clerk of San Joaquin County. is a native of Dubuque, Iowa, born April 8, 1852. His father, Thomas Yolland, was a native of England, born at Devon, county of Exeter, who
carne to the United States in 1850, and after traveling throughout the country some time, settled at Dubuque, where he kept hotel for two years. In 1853 he removed with his family to California, making the trip across the plains by ox teain, and located in San Joaquin County. He engaged in the dairy business, eight miles north of Stockton, in Elkhorn Township. Hav- ing but $12 capital when he arrived in this county, he was enabled, by his industry, to ac- cumulate a competency, and in 1871 he removed to Oakland, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 5th of September, 1880. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Ra- chel Mills, was a native of England, born at Boutel, four miles from Liverpool. She sur- vives her husband, and resides at Oakland.
C. W. Yolland, with whose name this sketelı commences, was but a year old when brought by his parents to California and San Joaquin County. He was raised here and educated, commenced his education in the schools conven- ient to the home of his parents, continuing at Stockton, afterwards attending the University (then the Oakland College School), and finish- ing at the Pacific Business College, San Fran- cisco, where he was graduated in 1871. He engaged as note clerk in the Oakland Bank of Savings, but gave up this position one year later to engage in farming on his father's ranch. He was thus occupied until elected to the po- sition of clerk of San Joaquin County, in 1884. He served out that term, and has continued in office ever since by virtue of re-elections.
He was married in San Francisco October 8, 1879, to Miss Pernesie Jefferson, a native of San Jose, and daughter of Jacob and Saralı (Whiteman) Jefferson. Her mother, who is yet living in this county, was a member of that fated band of early immigrants known to history as the Donner party. Her father died in Sau Jose. Mr. and Mrs. Yolland are the parents of one child-Willa.
Mr Yolland is a member of Stockton Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F .; of Parker Encampment, and of Centennial Lodge, K. of P. In the days
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of the volunteer fire department, he was identi- fied with Protection Hook and Ladder Company, and is now an exempt fireman. Mr. Yolland is one of the most popular officials who has ever served San Joaquin County, being thoroughly efficient in the discharge of his duties, and uni- formly courteous and obliging in his methods.
H. WIEDMAN, proprietor of the Bon Ton Coffee and Lunch Rooms, started in business in Stockton in October, 1881, on Levee street, between El Dorado and Center. In April, 1882, he removed to a place opposite the old postoffice on Center street. In December, 1885, he removed to his present lo- cation, at No. 210} Main street. Here he has built np a fine trade, his place having a reputa- tion for neatness and attention unexcelled in Stockton.
Mr. Wiedman is a native of Berkeley County, Virginia, near the village of Girardstown, which is at the head of Mill creek, and about midway between Winchester and Martinsburg. He was born on the 27th of September, 1820, his par- ents being Abraham and Mary Catherine (Ans- pach) Wiedman, who removed to Virginia from Berks County, Pennsylvania. When our sub- ject was ten years old his parents removed to Champaign County, Ohio, and there he grew up to manhood. Both his parents died there; his father in 1838, and liis mnother in 1841. W. H. Wiedman resided in Ohio until the spring of 1845, when he removed to Iowa, locating at Dubuque, where he resided until 1847, follow- ing teaming. He then removed across the county line into Jackson County, Iowa, where he farined until 1853. In the latter year he and Williamn Hughes, outfitted with three teams apiece, and started with their families overland to Califor- nia. They left home on the 8th of April, 1853, and went to Kanesville, where they crossed the Missouri river. They proceeded by the ronte on the north side of the Platte river, and via Sublette's cut- off, etc., into California, bringing
up at Uniontown, El Dorado Connty. Some in- cidents of their trip are worthy of relation here. During the first part of the trip, their principal obstacle was high water. When they reached Elk river, they learned that the ferry was five miles farther up the stream than where they had expected to cross. Mr. Wiedman and his party were the first ones to arrive there; but before the boats got ready to operate, there were thou- sands waiting. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, they were ready to cross, but just as the boat got to their side, a terrific rain and hail storm set in, accompanied by thunder and lightning. There was a big bend in the river, and there the wagons were drawn up. By 7 o'clock the water covered that neck of land to a depth of three feet, and an hour later it was nearly np to the wagon beds. They then commenced to run them up on higher ground, twenty-five or thirty inen taking one wagon at a time. The rain continued incessantly until about day break next morning, and the day dawned upon a very distressed lot of people. Mr. Wiedman got ont his tent and pegged it down, put up his cooking stove, ent down a snag of ash, and cutting it up built a fire. A warm breakfast was got, iu- cluding hot coffee and other things which would be especially relished on such an occasion. When they had finished eating, they told the other people to go in and cook for themselves. The wet and shivering emigrants gladly availed themselves of this kind offer, and in such num- bers that it was noon before all who came had finished eating. About noon the sun came out, and it was never more welcome. Their cattle, which were loose, had scattered on both sides of the river, the whole country around being one vast sea of water. They gathered up what stock they could then, and Mr. Wiedman found his cattle all together. One man caught hold of the tail of an ox and was drawn across the . river by the animal. The people drove to a good camping ground that day, went into camp, and then renovated everything, while waiting to get across the river. They got the boats in shape again after great difficulty, seventeen yoke
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