USA > California > Sonoma County > An illustrated history of Sonoma County, California. Containing a history of the county of Sonoma from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time > Part 103
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OPColyan
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worthy of mention. It is healthy, productive, and of immense growth, covering a space sixty feet in diameter. His vineyard occupies fifty acres (all but five acres planted by himself'), producing wine grapes of the Zinfandel and Ferdeges variety, also twenty-three other varie- ties of table grapes mostly. Thirty-one acres are devoted to hay, and six acres in alfalfa for pasturage. The rest of his land, except twenty acres of corn, potatoes, etc., is devoted to stock purposes, nearly 100 acres of this being tim- bered and still in its wild state. Among the stock are 100 sheep of the Sonthdown and French Merino breeds. Horses and cattle, such as are required to conduct his farm operations, are also bred. Among the cattle are some thoroughbred Jerseys. Among the many build- ing improvements made by Mr. Surryhne, is a winery and dry-house, both capable of caring for a large portion of the products of his vine- yard and orchard. A comfortable residence in which he has many of the luxuries of modern life, and commodious ont-buildings, bespeak the prosperous farmer. Mr. Surryhne, during his comparatively short residence, has so identi- fied himself with all enterprises tending to promote the interests of the county, and par- ticularly of his section, that he is well and ex- tensively known. His previous business habits, coupled with unbounded energy and enterprise, have enabled him to accomplish as mneh, in less than ten years, as many do in a life-time. Ile is a consistent member of the Methodist church, also a member of the order of Odd Fel- lows and the A. O. U. W. Of the latter order he was one of the charter members of the first lodge started on the Pacific coast, and was its first master workman. He was first assistant chief of the Oakland fire department. At pre- sent lie is a school trustee of his district, a position he has held for eight years. Politically he is a Republican, and was the treasurer of the Republican Central Committee of Oakland in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Surryhne have nine chil- dren, namely: Emma I., who married W. F. Price, now living in Oakland; Charles E., Ben-
jamin Franklin, George J., Robert, Mabel, Hiram, Elizabeth and John C.
DWARD P. COLGAN. This gentleman, who is one of Sonoma County's most esteemed and popular native sons, was born in Santa Rosa in 1856. His father, for whom he was named, was one of the famous forty-niners, having come from New York, the State of his nativity, and settled in San Fran- cisco in that year. In 1853 he moved to Santa Rosa, then an infant village, where he passed the remainder of his life, and passed away in 1878, leaving a widow who is still a resident of the City of Roses. In his youth the subject of this sketch learned the trade of blacksmith, and about eight years ago, in company with W. R. Smith, established the blacksmithing and car- riage and wagon manufacturing business in his native city. Several changes have taken place in the partnership since that time, the firm now being Colgan & Simpson, and they do a large · business on West Fourth street, near A street, and employ quite a number of skilled mechanics in the manufacture of all classes of vehicles and repair work and general blacksmithing. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Colgan was nominated for sheriff of Sonoma County, on the Republican ticket, and though the county had always been Demo- cratic by a large majority, he was elected over his competitor by a majority of 816 votes. He filled the office with so much ability and satis- faction to his constituents that he was again nominated in 1888, and notwithstanding that a special contest was made by the opposing party for the office of sheriff, and his competitor was an old, highly respected and wealthy citizen, Mr. Colgan was re-elected by about 400 major- ity, while the general ticket went Democratic in the county by about 100 majority. This re- sult needs no comment as to his popularity as an officer and a gentleman. Mr. Colgan is identified with a number of the social and fraternal societies, being a member of the order
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of the Native Sons of the Golden West, of the Knights of Pythias, and a trustee in the local lodge; of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows-lodge and encampment-and has served as treasurer of the Santa Rosa lodge for six years. Mr. Colgan married Miss Mollie Smith of Santa Rosa.
RED T. BROWN, of Russian River Town- ship, has a ranch of 240 acres on the Healdsburg and Santa Rosa road, some two miles north of Windsor, on which many noteworthy improvements have been made sinee the present owner came into possession. IIis vineyard covers an area of seventy-five acres, with all vines in excellent condition and of good varieties, namely: Zinfandel, Riesling and Golden Chasselas. Of these vines twenty-five acres were planted in 1881, while the remaining fifty acres were set out by Mr. Brown in 1885. It is his intention to erect a commodions and substantial winery in 1889. Mr. Brown has also set out over forty acres of orchard and has chosen the trees and varieties with the utmost eare and judgment, so that the products of the place will always be in demand. Ile has prunes, Bartlett pears, Japan plums, shipping cherries, and peaches of the Orange cling, Sal- way, Crawford and Honest Abe varieties. All are in the most healthy condition. Mr. Brown will plant one acre of olives in 1859, and if successful with them will go more extensively into the culture of that excellent and valuable fruit. While tree fruit and grapes command most of his attention, general farming is also carried on to some extent on the ranch. A never failing spring of water supplies all needs of house and stock, and its capacity is not ex. hausted by a windmill, constantly in operation, using an inch and a quarter pipe. All in all, the ranch has an excellent location and shows by its appearance the care and trouble which have been bestowed upon it, as well as the capi-
tal expended to bring it to its present condition. Fred T. Brown, the proprietor, is a native of Columbus, Ohio, born September 26, 1852, and son of Abraham C.and Frances (Taylor) Brown, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Ohio. The family came to California via Panama in 1855, locating in Alameda County. where Mr. Brown, senior, engaged in farming. Ilis farm of that day is now in the heart of Oakland, Telegraph avenue running through a portion of it. A. C. Brown died in 1880, and his wife in 1872. Fred T. Brown was educated in Oakland, and in 1874 engaged in business for himself. He embarked in the grocery trade, and also dealt largely in hay, grain, wood and coal. Three years later he re- moved to Nevada City, where he engaged in mining and afterward in the wholesale tobacco trade. In 1881 he returned to Oakland and re- sumed his old business, but in 1883 sold ont, bought where he now resides and has since de- voted his time to the improvement of his ranch, which he has transformed from a rough place, covered with stumps and trees, to one of the most handsome appearing farms in the county. He was married in Nevada City, in 1881, to Miss Ella Hamilton, a native of California, whose parents came to the State in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three children, viz .: Addie, Harry and Edna. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican.
UGUST MICHAELS resides on the Santa Rosa and Sebastopol road, about four and one-half miles west of Santa Rosa, at which place he has a blacksmith shop, in which he follows his trade of blacksmith; he also has at this point a wayside saloon and residence, and is the owner of two and one-half acres of land. His shop is well patronized and is a de- sirable acquisition to the neighborhood. Mr. Michaels is a native of Prussia, and was born in 1826 in Adersedt Anhalt, Bernberg. His par- ents were August and Katrina (Holwig) Mich-
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aels, who were also natives of that place. Ilis father was a blacksmith, and at the age of four- teen years he was put into h's father's shop to learn that trade. Ile worked at this calling at the place of his birth until 1855, and in that year came to the United States. He located in New Haven, Connecticut, where he worked at his trade until the following year when he eame to California. Upon his arrival in San Francisco, being unable to secure employment at his trade, he shipped as a cook on a schooner bound for Oregon, and after making one or two voyages, left that occupation and worked at his trade in Portland, and also for the United States Gov- ernment at the Dalles, Oregon. He also worked as a buteher in Portland. In 1858 he returned to San Franeiseo, where he worked for the next three years, after which he went to San Jose and was there employed two years. lle engaged in mining for some time at Oroville; for sev- eral years condueted a shop in Bolinas Bay and also in San Rafael; in 1878 engaged in work in Alameda; several years later located in Peta- luma, Sonoma County; and in 1885 purchased the place he now ocenpies. Mr. Michaels is a self-made man, and his success in life is due to his good mechanical ability and energetic and industrious habits. Mr. Michaels was united in marriage in 1872, in San Francisco, to Miss Anna Mitehell, daughter of Arthur and Susana Mitehell, natives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. They have two children: Anna and Albert, who are residing with their parents.
SA HIGGINS was born on Cape Cod in the town of Orleans, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, September 22, 1829. The family is of English descent. Asa Iliggins, grandfather of the subject of this sketeh, was born in England September 3, 1766, and his wife, Luey Higgins, was born Mareh 18, 1769. They emigrated to the United States and settled in Massachusetts, where they reared a family of seven children, of whom Horton Higgins, the
father of our subject, was born August 23, 1816. He was an old seaman and followed that vocation during his life time. Ile died Sep- tember 12, 1842, after which his widow, Sallie (Niekerson) Higgins, made her home with her children in this State until her death. They had two children: Asa, and Lucy A., wife of Samuel Morrison, of Santa Clara. Asa llig- gins lived with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to Boston and en- gaged in the Faneuil HIall market, where he remained until he was nineteen. He then sailed from Boston in the sehooner Boston, a vessel of ninety-six tons burden, rounded Cape Ilorn, and after stopping about a month in port at St. Catherine, landed in San Francisco July 5, 1849. After remaining there some two or three weeks, he went up to Sacramento and from there to the mines on the Little Fork of the American River where he worked abont a year and a half. From there he went to Amador, and remained in that vicinity until he left that section of the coun- try. Ile had fair success at mining. The cost of living was pretty high, and about all they could get to eat was flour, pork and beans. From there he went to Santa Clara County and took up a quarter section of Government land, situated between Alviso and Santa Clara, where he remained until the fall of 1858. He then sold his land, changed his residence to Sonoma County and bought the place where he now lives, consisting of 220 aeres. There were no improvements when he came here, no public road anywhere near him, and it was a good day's work sometimes to drive to Petalnina and back, a distance of only four miles. The ranch is now under a high state of cultivation, and is devoted mostly. to raising grain and stock. The land is particularly adapted to the raising of wheat, the highest yield in any one year being forty-eight bushels to the aere. The average erop now ranges from twenty-five to thirty-five bushels to the aere. He has about fifteen head of cattle, of which ten are thoroughbred stoek. Mr. Ilig- gins is a great admirer of fine horses, and has turned his attention to breeding and raising
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some of the finest horses in the county. Ile has some particularly fine ones of Electioneer and Pachen trotting stock, and also some dratt horses. He has been a member of the Sonoma and Marin District Agricultural Society for about ten years, and takes a great interest in the welfare of the organization. Mr. Higgins was first married in 1858 to Rebecca T. Wis- well, a native of Maine, who came to this State in 1855. She died December 29, 1874, at the age of forty-seven years. She was the mother of two children: Anson W., born February 15. 1860, died September 26, the same year; Charles B., born August 22, 1861, died March 7. 1885. Mr. Higgins was again married July 2, 1576, taking for his second wife Ilelen HI. Jones, a native of New York and a lady of most excellent worth. She died May 28, 1587. at the age of forty-nine years.
EOPOLD S. GOODMAN .- Among the prominent merchants and business men of Bodega Township is the above named gentleman. A brief review of his lite and con- nection with the business interests of Sonoma County, herewith given, is of interest. The subject of this sketch was born in Germany in 1538, his father being Solomon Goodman, a stock-dealer and farmer. Mr. Goodman re- mained at home, attending school and working on his father's farm until he was seventeen years of age. His energetic and ambitious disposition then prompted him to seek his fortune in newer countries, and in 1555 he emigrated to the United States, landing in New York in the spring of that year. Mr. Goodman stopped in New York for about a year, engaging in various occupations, a portion of the time being in a hotel. In 1857 he came by the Isthmus route to California. Shortly after his arrival in San Francisco he commenced the business of a ped- dler, confining his operations to the city, but as his capital increased he enlarged his business and made regular trips through the counties of
Yoło, Napa, Solano and Sonoma. During the time he was engaged in peddling he was also seeking a desirable location in which to engage in permanent business. Sonoma seemed to have the most attractions, and in 1864 he established a general merchandise store at Bodega Corners, an enterprise which he has sinceconducted. In 1574 a disastrous fire completely destroyed his store and stock of goods, but nothing dannted, he started again and in less than a week was meeting the demands of his customers in his new establishment. Mr. Goodman is a fine illustration of the success that men of his char- acteristics achieve. He came to California with no capital but untiring industry and a desire to succeed in life. These traits of his character, combined with a manly course of life, and square straightforward dealings have insured his suc- cess and secured him a competency. Ile has now one of the representative mercantile estab- lishments of Bodega Township, and is well supported by the community in which he re- sides. Ilis establishment is complete in all its appointments, and his well laden shelves contain all articles necessary in meeting the most ex- acting demands of the community, even to drugs and medicines. Mr. Goodman has also large . real estate interests in the county. Ile is the owner of 914 acres of timber and farming lands near Glen Mills, with substantial improvements, including orchard, etc. This place supports a farge dairy of 120 eows. He also owns 419 acres in Ocean Township, consisting mostly of grazing lands. He is the owner of the buildings occupied in his business, and a residence at Bodega Corners. For nearly a quarter of a cen- tury Mr. Goodman has been engaged in mer- cantile pursuits in Bodega Township. He is well known throughout his section, and has gained the respect and esteem of the community in which he resides. Enterprising and progres. sive in his views, he believes in the full growth and prosperity of Sonoina County, and is ever ready to aid in any enterprise tending to de- velop its resources. In 1585 he was appointed postmaster, a position he still retains. Politi-
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
cally, he is a Democrat. Ile is associated with Bodega Lodge, No. 213. F. & A. M., was one of the charter members of that lodge, and is now its master. In 1574 Mr. Goodman married Miss Fanny Kline, a native of Germany, but a resident of San Francisco. They have three children living Rebecca, Frederick S., and David L.
ADWARD T. BALE, of Healdsburg, is a representative of one of the earliest white settlers of California, Ile was born at St. Helena, Napa County, January 7, 1544. His father, Dr. E. T. Bale, was born in London, England, in 1811, and there was reared and educated to the medical profession. He was commissioned by the Queen as surgeon of the English ship Harriet, which in the year 1832 made a voyage around Cape Horn and to the California coast. The ship put into port at Mon- terey, and soon afterward the young surgeon was married to Donna Maria Ignacia Soberanes, daughter of a Spanish military officer, who had come out to Mexican California in the interest of the Spanish Government and had married a sister of General Vallejo. Dr. Bale located at · San Francisco, and was soon after granted four leagues of the finest land in Napa County, the tract extending from what is now Rutherford Station to the line of Napa and Sonoma Coun- ties. Ile located at St. Helena, and beinga man of extraordinary push and enterprise, he soon commenced improvements which were the won- der of the natives. Among these were a grist and saw-mill (the first in California), which were operated by water power, and which are still standing on that portion of the Bale grant known as the " Lyman place." It yet retains the name of the Bale Mill. Mr. Bale let the job of its construction to Sam Brannan, the Mormon, who disappeared after its completion without having paid his help. Ile took an active interest in all matters promising to promote the welfare of the country, and was one of the party who raised
the bear flag at Monterey. In 1849 he went to the mines, but became sick with fever, and re- turned to his ranch, where he died in October of the same year. His widow is still living on the old homestead, aged seventy-two years. Their children were six in number, as follows: Loleta, wife of Louis Brooks, of Napa County: Caroline, wife of Charles Krug, one of the prominent men of Napa County: Edward T., Jr., whose name heads this sketch; Anita, who died at the age of twenty; Juanita and Mariano, who reside in Napa. The subject of this sketch was reared at the home place in Napa County until he was thirteen years of age when he was sent to Boston to be educated. After spending five years at Cambridge College he returned to the ranch. He was yet a boy at the breaking out of the civil war, but he enlisted in the service of the Union, and was assigned to the First Cali- fornia Cavalry, and commissioned Second Lien- tenant by Gov. Lowe. He was promoted to First Lientenant, and finally received from Presi- dent Lincoln his commission as Captain. He served with credit at Salt Lake and in Arizona until the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge and returned to the ranch. From 1878 to 1880 he represented the railroad company and Wells, Fargo & Co., at Calistoga, and then removed to Sonoma County to look after his interests there. He has resided in Healdsburg since November, 1887. Mr. Bale was married in May, 1872, to Miss Francisca Juarez. They have had nine children, viz .: Edward, deceased; Freddie, Loleta, Anita, Ernest, Charles, Carolina, Edward and Dora. Mr. Bale has a membership in the N. S. G. W. and I. O. O. F. at Calistoga, and in the A. O. U. W. at Healdsburg. Mrs. Bale also belongs to the historic families of California. Her father, Don Ceyetano Juarez, was born at Monterey Presidio February 24, 1809, and is the seventh son of Joaquin and Josefa Pasquala Guarnuno de Jnarez. He received his education from private tutors, and on April 1, 1527, enlisted in the Mexican army. He was stationed at Presi- dio, San Francisco, until August 14 of that year,
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when he went with his command to Sonoma to keep the Indians of Sonoma and Napa Valleys in subjection. One night in February, 1849, he was informed by an Indian that the citizens and soldiers stationed at San Rafael had been driven out by 2,000 Indians. The Don took five pieked men and started for the seene. After his arrival there he found out the situation and started in pursuit of the hostile Indians. IIe overtook them at the Laguna, southwest of the present site of Petaluma, and after a skirmish the Indians retreated, but were again overtaken at the Wahluni rancheria, near where Sebastopol now stands. There he defeated them, and re- leased 200 prisoners-eivilized Indians, whom the hostiles had made prisoners at San Rafael. In the fight Don C. Juarez was wounded, an arrow entering his breast after having passed through a vest made from some thicknesses of rawhide. He sent a courier to the Presidio, San Francisco, with news of the affair, and forty soldiers were sent to meet the Indians. At the present site of Healdsburg the two forces came together, and this time the Indians were victo- rious. The soldiers, most of whom were wound- ed, returned to San Francisco, not having accomplished as much as did Juarez and his little band. He was honorably discharged from the army February 19, 1836. In the winter of 1837-'38 he brought horses and cattle into Napa Valley, and herding them during the day time, would return at night to Sonoma, where his family lived. In December, 1837. his assistance was required by General Vallejo in quelling a mutiny among the soldiers, and he aided in the sneeessful accomplishment of that purpose, not without peril to himself. In 1839 le accom- plished the return of twenty Indian soldiers who had deserted from General Vallejo, again placing his life in jeopardy in carrying out the dietates of his indomitable will. In 1840 he removed his family to his present place, the Tulueay grant (of two leagues), which was ceded to him by the Mexican Government October 6, of that year, and built an adobe house for a residenee. In 1845 he built a larger adobe, and
both are yet standing. In 1848 he was elected Alcalde of the District of Sonoma. The same year about twenty Americans assembled near where Healdsburg now stands, and Juarez raised a foree and drove them away. The ex- eitement was thereby raised to a high pitch, bad feelings prevailed, and the bear flag war resulted. On January 14, 1846, the Americans captured Sonoma Presidio, taking the garrison as prisoners. On June 18, Juarez was sent to join the Mexieans, who proposed to engage the Americans in war. He arrived at the rendez- vous, near Santa Rosa, in time to save the lives of two Americans, and this act subsequently gained for him immunity from disturbance by the Americans. Ile took a neutral part during the subsequent troubles, and although he was often put to annoyance, received no personal in- jury and suffered no serious pecuniary loss. Heis one of the few men granted lands by the Mexi- can Government, who preserved his possessions until they reached a large valuation, and he is now a wealthy man. His life has been full of adventure, and if published would read like a romanee. Ile was married February 14, 1835, to Maria de Jesus Higuena, daughter of Fran- eisco Higuena. She was born in San Francisco 'December 4, 1815. They have seven living children, viz .: Aujustin, Cayetano F., Dolores, Francisco J. (Mrs. Bale), Pasquala, Domitila and Sintoresa.
OHN STRONG .- The subject of this sketeh resides in Bennett Valley, about two miles southeast of Santa Rosa, in the Santa Rosa school distriet, at which point he owns 240 acres of rich and productive land. He has twenty-five acres of vineyard, prodneing wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety, also three acres of orchard containing a large variety of fruits, among which are apples, peaches, pears, quinees, plums, and figs. The rest of his land is devoted to hay, grain and stock-raising. A comfortable cottage residenee, large and commno-
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dions barns and out-buildings attest the success which Mr. Strong is attaining. A brief resume of this gentleman's life is of interest and is as follows: Ile was born in County Donegal, Ire- land, in 1838, and is the son of George and Jennie (Vance) Strong, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Until the age of seventeen years he was reared upon his father's farm, where he became well versed in the practical details of farming and stock-raising. In 1855 he emigrated to Canada, and there engaged in farm labor until 1858. He then served an ap- prenticeship as a miller until 1862. In this latter year he started by the Isthinus route for California. Upon his arrival at San Francisco, not being able to secure work at his trade as a miller, he went into the country and engaged in farm labor, and later went to Santa Clara County, where he worked as a miller for about eighteen months. He then located in Plumas County, and for a short time was engaged in mining and also in farm work. In 1864 the Washoe mining excitement induced him to try his luck in that direction. 1 short stay at Washoe convinced him that he was not snited to the business of a miner, and he went to Napa County, engaging in agricultural pursuits until 1865. At this time cotton growing in Mexico was attracting considerable attention, and Mr. Strong coneluded to embark in that en- terprise. He proceeded to Mexico, but finding the climate, people and condition of the enter- prise utterly unsuited to him, after a short stay he returned to San Francisco. IIe then entered the employ of the Central Pacific Railroad, and was for several months at work near Antioch. He then located in Knoxville, Lake County, where he was employed in the quicksilver mines. He then returned to Napa County, and in 1866 came to Sonoma County and located in Franze Valley, near Calistoga. There he rented a farm which he conducted for the next two years. In 1868 he moved to Santa Rosa, where he rented 172 acres of land from Winfield Wright, which he occupied for about a year. He then rented the Clark farm near Sebastopol, and conducted
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