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 86
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of oxen being required to pry up one of them. They lay there eight days before they could cross the river, and all this time the emigration was coming up. The streamn ran very swift, and while the crossing was made in safety, it was only accomplished after immense difficulty, and many experiences, amusing and otherwise. When they had reached the Loupe Fork of the Platte river, they also had serious difficulty, in crossing. Mr. Wiedman waded the stream thir- teen times getting things across, making the last trip of that number about sundown. Then lie found he had everything across except a favorite cow, and another trip was necessitated, in his tired and drenched condition, to get her. Two or three days later another terrible thunder- stormi set in, and along abont two o'clock in the morning Mr. Wiedman was awakened by feel- ing water around him. He called to the others, and it was then seen that there was two or three inches of water all around them, as they lay in the wagon beds. One of the boys jumped out of the wagon into the sea of water about, which was waist deep. On getting up they looked for their cattle, and found them about a mile and a half away. They started on and got on to high ground some eight miles farther on. Another time, they enconntered a creek which they could not ford, and they stretched a rope across, and utilized it to transfer themselves and their ef- fects to the other side. It was about noon when they reached Wood river. It had not risen, and they built a temporary bridge across. They gave the owners of two wagons the privilege of crossing on it for a jug of whisky, and had con- siderable fun over it, as the parties met with an amusing mishap.
When they brought up at Uniontown, El Do- rado County, Mr. Wiedman decided to locate there. He went to inining, and for two years was successful. He then went into a ditch- digging speculation with a company, and lost all lie had, and more. He remained about the inines until 1860, when he went to Bodega, Sonoma County, and commenced ranching. He afterward embarked in lumbering, and did well.
Ile again went to ranching, but had a bad year, although he came out even, selling the crop in mid winter. He moved his family into Peta- luma, and during the excitement of 1863-'64, went to Nevada, and remained sixteen months. He then returned to Petaluma, and there worked at different occupations. He then worked in the mountains of Tehama and Butte counties, lumbering. From there he came to Stockton, and engaged in the restaurant business, as pre- viously mentioned.
Mr. Wiedman was married in Dubuque County, Iowa, February 5, 1846. to Miss Mary A. Higgins, a native of Waldo County, Maine. They have three children, viz .: Einma E., wife of L. Dean, of Reno, Nevada; Alice and Nettie.
Mr. Wiedman is a genial entertainer, and this, with his proper business methods, have inade his business a success.
A. RUHL .- One of the busiest hives of industry to be found in Stockton, and yet one over which no boast is made, is the establishment of the gentleman whose namne heads this sketch, which has been built up from very small beginnings, at the present location, on Hunter street square. Mr. Ruhl has a mnodel store for the sale of stoves, ranges, and everything pertaining to a heating or culinary establishinent, but the portion of his business which will receive attention here is the manu- facturing department, which has sent Stockton- made goods many hundred miles from this city. He manufactures all kinds of tin-work, as well as piping and pump machinery of his own invention, and in making these articles uses in some instances appliances which have been thought out and perfected by himself. Twelve men here find steady employment and in turn- ing out his pumps, two men are kept busy the year round. It is universally conceded that the pump for which Mr. Ruhl obtained his patent in 1875 has no superior, and he turns out twelve sizes, four of deep and eight for shallow wells.
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He buys his brass cylinders direct from the factory in New York, and keeps a man, assisted by two boys, constantly busy fitting up valves. The trade in these pumps extends to great dis- tances, and to Mexico alone he has already sent thousands of dollars' worth, while the demand in all directions is constantly improving. He has forges for coppersmith and blacksmith work required in his business, and constantly employs a first-class coppersmith. He also has a pipe department. About the entire place one thing is noticeable, and that is, that there is a place for everything, and everything is in order, while each employé has his own particular duty.
Mr. F. A. Ruhl, who founded the business above mentioned, is a native of Germany, born in the town of Rothenburg, Hesse-Cassel, on the 8th of November, 1839. His father, Mat- thew Ruhl, and his mother, whose maiden name was Bodenstadt, died when he was but ten years of age, and he was thus left, a mere boy, to fight the battle of life as an orphan. According to the governmental regulations in Germany, he attended public school between the ages of six and fourteen years, and then commenced the tinsmith's trade, at which he served an appren- ticeship of four years. After that he worked in his native country as a journeyman until 1860, then emigrated to America, sailing from Bre- men and landing at New York after a voyage of twenty-one days, a quick trip for a sailing vessel. He worked at his trade in a big factory in Brooklyn until the troubles between the factions enlininated in the outbreak of the Rebellion. He was among the first to respond to the first call of the President for volunteers to defend the stars and stripes, and on the 15th of April enlisted in the service of the Union, being assigned to Company B, Sixth New York Regi- ment. The command left New York on the 17th, moved forward to Annapolis, and were stationed along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to protect its property and its opera- tion. When relieved, they were ordered to Washington, and thence sent to Harper's Ferry
to cut off the rebels retreating from Bull Run. As the results did not turn out as surmised, their movement was, of course, not successful. Their term of enlistment having expired, the members of the command were sent home and discharged. Mr. Ruhl resumed work at his trade, and made money quite rapidly. He was employed for a time in the establishment on the corner of Front and Adams streets, which is now owned and operated by the Havemeyer Company, and afterward in other places, one of his last places of employment being at Williams- burgh. He worked in that section of country all the time until 1866, and in December of that year started for California. He left New York by steamer, crossed the Isthinus of Pan- ama, and landed at San Francisco from the steamer "Oregon " on the 10th of January, 1867. A few weeks later he went to Sacra- mento, and entered the employ of Gillig, Mott & Co., afterward changing his working place to the establishment of Holbrook & Merrill. When the firm established a branch house in San Francisco, he went there to work for them, while there, Mr. Sanders, of Stockton, met him, and induced Mr. Ruhl to come to this city to work for him. He was in Mr. Sanders' employ until 1869, when he started in business for himself where the Mansion House now stands, afterward removing to his present location. He saw at once that pumps were what were needed here, and set about supplying the demand. This is one of the secrets of his success in business, having the foresight to discern in time the needs of the country in which he had cast his lot.
Mr. Ruhl was married in this city, June 1, 1872, to Miss Mary Grieth, a native of Saxony. They have one danghter, Hattie, who, at the date of this writing, is completing her education at Mills College.
Mr. Ruhl is a member of Stockton Lodge, I. O. O. F .; of Rawlins Post, G. A. R .; of the Stockton Turn-Verein, and Red men. He was for four years a councilman of this city.
Mr. Rnhl's history since coming to this country has been quite a remarkable one: when
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lie arrived at Sacramento he liad but $5, and when he commenced business here, he liad saved up $900. He has made a fine success of his business enterprise, and is now able to retire if he wished, but his habits of industry would not permit him to lie idle at his age. Even yet he gives his attention to the improvement of mechanical appliances, his latest invention being a spraying pump for the use of orchardists and others, which was patented Novein ber 10, 1885, and which has attracted very favorable attention.
RAAB, of the firmn of H. Raab & Co., proprietors of the Russ House, Stockton, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born near the town of Kriegsfeld, Rheinpfatz, on the 29th of July, 1835, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Horneker) Raab, the father a farmer.
He was reared at his native place, and attended the public schools between the ages of six and fourteen years. When he was sixteen years of age, he left home, and emigrated to America, sailing from Havre on the 10th of March in the old ship " St. Nicholas," and land- ing at New York the day before Easter Sunday. He learned the shoemaker's trade on what is now Canal street, and remained in New York city until 1858. In March of the latter year he left New York on the steamer Moses Taylor for California, via Panama, and landed at San Francisco from the steamer John L. Steph- ens, Marchi 28, 1858. A few days later lie came to Stockton, and was soon at work at his trade here. In the spring of 1863 he went to the mines of Aurora district, Nevada, and was there engaged in mining and other occupations until the spring of 1871, wlien he returned to Stockton, and resumed work at his trade liere. He was tlins employed until 1875, when he embarked in the hotel business, in the east por- tion of the present Russ House. He prospered, and in 1878 acquired the building west to Center street. The hotel now occupies that entire
space, and a large patronage lias grown up under the present management. There are now fifty- four sleeping rooms at the disposal of the guests, arranged in a convenient manner. Improve- ments have been made from time to time, and are yet made as occasion requires.
Mr. H. Raab, who has done so much towards building up the business of the Russ House, is at liome as a hotel man. He is a member of Stockton Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F., and has passed the chairs in Esmeralda Lodge, No. 6, of the same order, at Aurora, Nevada. . He is also a member of tlie Stockton Turn- Verein.
Mr. Raab was married in this city, October 9, 1883, to Miss Kate Fisher, a native of Cala- veras County, California. They have two chiil- dren living, viz .: Melville F., and an infant unnamed.
W. PRUGH, Superintendent of that portion of the Southern Pacific systein known as the Stockton & Copperopolis Railroad (a history of which is given elsewhere in this volume), is a native of Winchester, Preble County, Ohio, born August 12, 1847, his parents being Jacob and Lucinda Pruglı. When he was but two years old, his parents removed to Burlington, Iowa, and there he grew up and received his education. In 1864, he entered the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company as messenger, and eight months later commenced an engagement in the office of the Burlington & Wisconsin Railroad at Mt. Pleas- ant, as telegraph operator. In November, 1866, he went into the Sandwich (Illinois) office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad as op- erator and ticket clerk. In May, 1868, he en- tered the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad then engaged in the construction of its great overland line to Ogden, and went into Laramnie, Wyoming, on the first train, and took the posi- tion of night operator there, afterward becom- ing division operator, which position he held until November, 1868. From that time nntil
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November, 1869, he was telegraph operator and ticket clerk at Chariton and Ottumwa, Iowa, on the Burlington & Missouri Railroad. After that until June 20, 1870, he was night operator at Wasatch, Utah, and telegraph operator and ticket clerk at Cheyenne, on the Union Pacific. From June 27, 1870, to September 15, 1870, be was agent at Greeley, Colorado, opening that station. After that until May 14, 1872, he was superintendent's clerk at Denver. From then until March 31, 1879, he was local agent of the Denver & Rio Grande at Denver, and was the first agent of that company there. From September to December 25, 1879, he was night operator at Terrace, Utah, for the Central Pacific Railroad. From December 28, 1879, to August 4, 1880, he was station agent at Benicia, California, and opened that office. From that time until February 1, 1882, he was superin- tendent's clerk and trainmaster of the western division, at Oakland Pier. From that time until November 24, 1884, he was assistant di- vision superintendent at Tulare. In connection with that position, from November 13, 1882, to July 1, 1883, he was in charge of construction of the Nevada Division of the Southern Pacific, Mojave to The Needles. From November 21, 1884, to April 10, 1886, he was division super- intendent at Tulare. From June 10, 1886, to date, he has been in charge of the Stockton Di- vision of the Southern Pacific Railroad. He is Second Vice-President of the Stockton Board of Trade, and a member of the board of directors.
He is a member of San Joaquin Lodge, No. 19, A. F. & A. M .; is " C. of H." in Stockten Chapter No. 38, R. A. M .; is "C." of Stockton Council, No. 10, R. &. S. M., and a member of Stockton Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar. He is Past Master of Stockton Lodge, No. 27, A. O. U. W., and is Incorporate Director of the Grand Lodge of California. He is one of the most experienced railroad men in California, and is a popular official alike with the employés and patrons of his company.
Mr. Prngh was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Yo Semite Club, and was
its vice-president and chairman of the house committee, the first year.
Mr. Prugh was married in Denver, November 25, 1874, to Miss Henrietta Morey, a native of Albany, New York.
MONACO, the leading representative of the photographer's art in this city, is a native of Canton Tecino, Switzer- land, born in 1854, received his education in his native country, and in 1869 came to Amer- ica, and was in Nevada until 1875, at Gold Hill, Virginia City and Eureka. From there he came to Stockton, and in 1876 first became con- nected with his present business, in the studio of Mr. Batchelder, and in 1883 purchased the business and appliances of J. B. Baldwin. Mr. Monaco has kept pace with the rapid progress made in photography, always making it his business to secure the latest improvements. His greatest advantage, however, lies in the possession of natural artistic taste, which his business has cultivated, and which has enabled him to produce the best effect with his appli- ances. As a result, Mr. Monaco stands to-day admittedly in the front rank of his profession, while his work is deemed, by the judges of the. Exposition, as worthy of the highest premiums for photography. It is safe to say that through the gallery of Mr. Monaco, Stockton can com- pete in photography with the best work pro- duced on the Pacific coast.
MCCARTY, manufacturer and con- tractor of Stockton, is a native of Ire- land, born in 1840, his parents being Matthew and Lizzie (Bland) McCarty. At the age of sixteen years he came to America, on the steamship Meridian, and locating at Cincin - nati learned the carpenter's trade. He resided there until 1868, when he removed to Califor- nia, via New York and Panama, landing at San
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Francisco on the 9th of July, 1868, from the steamer Sacramento. He came at once to Stock- ton, which has ever since been his place of residence. He engaged in contracting in the building line, in partnership with James Fickett, with whom he was associated about fifteen months. He then went back to his native coun- try, but returned to Stockton in 1870. He re- sumed the business of contracting, and a large number of public and private buildings have since been constructed by him. Among these may be mentioned the convent buildings, Hen- derson's carriage factory, St. Mary's church (in- side work), etc., etc. Since August, 1889, he has been engaged in the mill business, in part- nership with M. Fitzgerald. They have a num- ber of workmen employed, and rent a portion of the Matteson & Williamson works. Mr. McCarty is a member of the Catholic church, and is an active and enterprising business man, and one of high standing in the community.
He was married on the 1st of March, 1870, to Miss Margaret Hickey. They have four children, viz .: Matthew William, John Edward, Joseph Aloysius and Lizzie Annie.
EWIS LAUMEISTER, of Stockton, is a native of Germany, born at Himmelthal, Bavaria, May 12, 1822, his parents being John Anthony and Mary Anna (Hartmann) Lanmeister. The father had a mill there, and his father had also been a miller. Lewis Lau- ineister attended school between the ages of six and thirteen years, and then went into his fa- ther's establishment and served a thorough ap- prenticeship as miller, which ended when he was seventeen years old. He then traveled througli- out Germany to polish off his trade, according to the custom, taking in Bavaria, Nassau, Wur- temburg, Hessen and part of Prussia, and in 1843 went home for conscription. He was not drawn, however, and continued at his trade. In 1845 he emigrated to America, sailing from Rotterdam on the old ship Utica and landing
at New York in the latter part of August. He remained in the city about two months, working a portion of the time at button-making, and about two weeks as a barber. He then went to Syracuse, where he obtained employment, at first packing and cooking salt, and afterward at grinding in a inill. About the first of January the mill burnt down, and he obtained employ- ment in the manufacture of furniture.
In the spring of 1846 he went to New Hamp- shire and worked for a time on a railroad. Then a strike broke out on the road, and he went to Boston, where he obtained employment in the hotel of Peter Biebricken, as a waiter. He next got a chance to work in a flour-mill, which he gladly accepted, and worked there until 1849. He then went to New York again and obtained a sitnation as foreman in a factory on Twelfth street, Manhattanville, making mills for grinding paint, the proprietor being Daniel F. Diemann. Mr. Laumeister held that posi- tion until 1852, when he was compelled to give it up on account of his health.
In 1853 lie came to California via Nicaragna, on the steamers Star of the West and Samuel S. Lewis. The last-named vessel was wrecked at Bolinas Bay on the 9th of April, and they lay a couple of weeks ashore, at last being taken off and carried to San Francisco on a lit- tle schooner. He met a cousin (Frank Lan- ineister) at San Francisco. He went to work at the Union fonndry, preparing millstones for a mill at San Jose, and remained there about two months at $8 a day. He was then taken sick with Panama fever, and as it became evident that he would never get well in San Francisco, the doctors advised liim to go to the mountains. He accordingly located his family in Stockton, while he went to Tuolumne County, and en- gaged in prospecting and mining. He recov- ered his health and came to Stockton to live, in 1855.
He at first went to work for Moses Severy and Pearsall in their slaughter house, and afterward engaged as a carpenter on the con- struction of a large building for the State In-
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sane Asylum, and he followed the carpenter trade for some time. In 1858 he and his broth- er Leonard (now deceased) built a flour-mill at Linden for ex-Sheriff Rynerson. He then en- gaged by letter to go to Brown's Valley and run a inill there for Squire Brown, which he did until 1860. Then in connection with his broth- er Leonard he rented the mill of Sebastian Visher and Jabez Daggett, at Stockton. They were successful in operating it, and took all the prizes for flour, farina and pearl barley at
the first agricultural fair held in Stockton.
In 1862, however, they were washed out by the flood, and lost all. They had intended to buy the mill, that privilege having been given them.
Mr. Laumeister next engaged in teaming be- tween California and such localities in Nevada as Virginia City, Reese River, Fort Churchill, etc. He was engaged in teaming until 1866, and then engaged in millwrighting again. In that year he bought the lots where he now re- sides, and built improvements. For a time he worked altogether for mills here, next at Merced Falls, then at Sonora for a couple of seasons. After that he went to Linden, and operated the mill there until the company stopped running. He next went to King's River and built a mill for E. Jacobs and J. Morrow. When it was completed he ran it for a while, but was taken sick with chills and fever, and returned to Stockton. Here he followed contracting and building windmills until about 1877, and then started in the grocery business, which he carried on until February, 1889, when he was succeeded by his son S. H. He is now retired from busi- ness, except that he lias a ranch of 160 acres in Calaveras County.
He was married in Boston, in 1848, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Zang, a native of Gladbach, Bavaria. They have five children, viz .: Louis Lorenzo, in Butte County; Anna, wife of Will- iam H. White (engineer of the Oakdale train); Mary Josephina (now Mrs. Ahearn), of San Francisco; and Simon II., merchant, Stockton.
Mr. Laumeister is a member of the Catholic
Church. He is an old-time citizen of Stockton and a man universally respected.
S. H. LAUMEISTER, merchant, youngest son of L. Laumeister, was born in Stockton, May 13, 1862. He was educated in Stockton, then fol- lowed clerking here, at Modesto and San Jose, when he returned and clerked for his father four years. He became proprietor of the store in February, 1889. His wife's maiden name was Miss Mary Smith. He has been financial secretary of the Y. M. I. for two years.
OHN HENDERSON, proprietor Grand Central Hotel .- Among the pioneers of California now resident in Stockton, and prominently engaged in business here, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Henderson is a native of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, born on the 4th of October, 1835, his parents being David and Cecelia Jane Hender- son. His father was a jute mannfacturer in Scotland, but after coming to this country in 1854 he was retired from active business pur- suits. He lived after that in Stockton, and he and his wite both died in this city.
John Henderson, subject of this sketcli, was reared in his native country, and received his education at Dundee. In 1849, when a mere boy in years, he left the parental roof to make his own start in life, and proceeding to Liver- pool took passage on a sailing vessel bound for California. The voyage, which was a fortunate one, with only one stop (at Valparaiso), occu- pied seven months, and in February, 1850, Mr. Henderson landed in San Francisco. He soon was on his way to the mines, and bronght up at Agna Fria, Mariposa County, where he commenced prospecting. He continued his labors there and in that vicinity, moving down upon the Tuolumne river, and continuing his prospecting in this direction. After a year in the mines he went to San Francisco, and there embarked in business pursuits. He built up an extensive business as a coffee and spice mer-
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chant, his place of business being in Happy Valley, opposite the present site of the Phila- delpliia Brewery. In 1854 lie was joined by his parents, who came out from Scotland, and in that year he removed to Stockton and en- gaged in the restaurant business on the levee, in company with William Inglis, who is also one of the prominent citizens of Stockton, and whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. This business continued for about ten years, when Mr. Henderson, attracted by the reigning excitement of the Comstock inines, went to Ne- vada and located at Aurora, where the celebrated Del Monte mine was opened. For five years he carried on the restaurant and hotel business there, and then went to Diamond City, Montana, where he kept hotel and also followed mining, spending two winters there. In 1869 he once inore returned to Stockton, and built the Grand Central Hotel, which he completed to its present condition in 1876.
Mr. Henderson was married in San Francisco while residing in Stockton, to Miss Mary Wal- lace, a native of Knox County, Illinois. They have two children, viz .: Grace Cecelia and Ila Lonise.
Mr. Henderson is a natural hotel man, and conducts one of the best and most pleasant honses in central California. The Grand Cen- tral is a handsome, commodions structure, ad- mirably arranged, and containing seventy-five well lighted and well ventilated rooms, in one of the most pleasant locations in the city. The house lias a large patronage, and has the repu- tation of always maintaining its guests, who come to it when in Stockton as to a home.
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