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 106
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ULIUS ORT, one of the leading agricult- urists and stock-growers of Santa Rosa Township, has a beautiful home on his splendid rauch, two and one-half miles south of Santa Rosa, on the road leading to Petaluma. Mr. Ort has been identified with Sonoma County sinee 1861, and a resident upon the property he now ownsand ceenpies since 1866. His estate in- eludes about 250 acres of land in the foot-hills, a large portion of which is especially adapted to fruit and vine growing, and all or nearly all adapted to cultivation. One hundred and fifty acres of this property are of the choicest valley land. The whole was in a state of nature when Mr. Ort became the owner. The modest residence occupied as the family home up to 1883 was in
that year abandoned, and the family now occupy one of the finest rural homes in the Santa Rosa Valley, costing abont 87,000. From the hills one-half mile away pure water for all purposes is brought. Nothing conducive to comfort and convenience seems to be overlooked in the con- struction of the home. The beautiful sur- roundings and other building improvements all combine to make the property noticeable and very attractive. A brief review of the former life of the subject of this sketeh gives the following facts. Mr. Ort was born in the Electorate of Ilesse Cassel, Germany, son of Herman and Martha Julia Ort, July 29, 1827. In his youthful days he received a good German education, attending the high school at Ham- burg. Reaching his seventeenth year, and be- ing possessed of a spirit of adventure and anx- ions to commence life for himself, he resolved upon emigrating to America, a land giving more freedom to an ambitious youth. Anxious to make his way in the world, in September, 1844, he landed in New Orleans, after a voyage of tifty days. In that city he found employ- ment and there learned the language of our country, remaining in that place until the dis- covery of gold in California. Almost with the first whirl of ontward emigration he started for the new El Dorado. After a voyage of 250 days around Cape Horn, he landed in San Fran- cisco in June, 1849. On the North Fork of the American River and at other points, with pan and rocker and erevice knife, etc., he spent eighteen months, industry and prudence eu- abling him to save $4,000. He then became the owner of 640 acres of land in the Sacra- mento Valley in Colusa County. There he en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising, and there, April 2, 1855, he married Miss Virginia Josephine Rollins, a daughter of Lloyd Rollins, a pioneer of southern Iowa. She was born in that State (then a Territory) June 14, 1834. With her father she left her native State in 1849, went to Oregon, and thence eame to Colnsa County in 1852. Her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ort have four children,
PRAUDIBERT ( MEIGO
C. P. Poulson.
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two sons and two daughters. Clara, the eldest, is now the wife of Rufus A. Temple, of Santa Rosa; Rosa H. as yet remains at the home of her parents; Otto V. is a business man of Santa Cruz; and the youngest, Julius E., is with his parents. Mr. Ort is a member of the Santa Rosa Grange, No. 17, P'. of II. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party. Ile is one of the stoek-holders and a director of the Santa Rosa Savings Bank. His sterling worth and strict integrity are the leading qualities which have won for him the respect and esteem of all who know him.
LIVER PERRY POULSON, of Russian River Township, is an old settler of Cali- fornia. He is a native of Loudoun County, Virginia, born December 17, 1821, his parents being John and Hannah (Buffington) Poulson. When he was but four years of age his parents removed to Hohes County, Ohio, locating near Millersburg, in which vicinity they were early settlers. There Oliver Perry Poulson was reared to manhood. In 1841, in company with a brother-in-law, William Davenport, he removed by team to Henderson Connty, Illinois. There he resided until 1846, when, together with some acquaintances, he decided to try his fortunes on the Pacific coast, which was then attracting considerable attention among those seeking homes in the far West. When eight wagons were gathered together, the party set out on their long journey. They left home about the middle of April, and when they crossed the Missouri River at St. Joe the cavalcade had been augmented until there were over forty wagons. The year 1846 is a memorable one in the annals of travel across the plains, on account of the many perils that beset the path of the hardy people who attempted the journey. For a considerable time during the trip Mr. Poul- son was in the train commanded by Captain Donner, but luckily he was one of those who, chafing at the slow progress made, decided to
increase the speed, and thus he became a mem- ber of one of those small parties which branched off from the main train, and crossed the moun- tains before winter set in, thus escaping their share of the terrible experiences of the ill-fated " Donner party," as it is known to history. It had been the intention of most of the emigrants to locate in Oregon, but after leaving Donner's train they were met by a man acquainted with the northern ronte, who told them of the almost certain danger that awaited them if they under- took to carry ont their original intention, and all the wagons bound for Oregon were, there- fore, turned toward California. Mr. Ponlson's party found their provisions running short to- ward the close of the journey, and the members were placed under the restraint of stipulated rations. Ilis own wagon had been well sup- plied, but some of the others on account of prodigality in the use of their supplies, or owing to undne preparation, became destitute, and those well equipped generously divided with their less fortunate neighbors. Money was not scarce, however, and it was supposed that when they reached Johnson's ranch they could obtain provisions, including flour, as it was known that a mill was among Johnson's possessions. In many respects they were doomed to disappointment, however, as scarcely anything eatable was to be had there, and the nearest approach to flour to be obtained was a little bran. An exchange of two horses for a cow was affected, and when this was slaughtered, a pudding of the meat and some of the bran was made. This pudding did not turn out to be a suceess, and was, to say the least, unpalat- able. They were enabled, however, to push on to Sutter's Fort, where, for the first time in many days, they ate good, nourishing food. Though their experiences in this regard were alone sufficient to make their journey memora- ble to them during life, these had not been their only troubles. Several times during their trip across the plains their stock had been stampeded by Indians, and in one attack they lost a man killed, while others were severely wounded.
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
From Sutter's Fort Mr. Poulson went with Fre- mont's battalion on the expedition to southern California, bringing up at Los Angeles on New Year's day, 1847. lle took part in all the ex- periences of that patriotic band, and in May started on the return trip in a small party, with Major Bidwell. He next went up on the Ameri- ean River, onto what is now known as the Nor- ris (now Sinclair) ranch. He was engaged by Captain Sutter to get out a lot of timber and shingles, going into the mountains for that pur- pose. He and a man named James Anderson afterward broke forty-one mustangs to harness for Captain Sutter. In the spring of 1848 he came down to the town of Sonoma, and there engaged at the carpenter's trade, doing a good deal of work for General Vallejo. In company with John Stark he operated a saw-mill at So- noma, turning out a great deal of lumber. When gold was discovered at Coloma, he de- eided to go there, and two months later was on the seene and at work. He remained there till fall, and then returned to Sonoma with nearly 82,600, his season's profits. In the following spring he went back to the mines. He worked there that season, then removed to Napa County, locating four miles above St. Helena. There his family resided until 1868, Mr. Poulson himself being in the meantime engaged in mining on Mokelumne River, about five miles from Mokelumne Hill, also in trading in stock, ete. In 1868 he removed to the lower part of Lake County, near Middletown, and there en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. He still retains 250 acres of the 1,250 aeres which comprised his Lake County farm. In Novem- ber, 1887, he purchased twenty acres of land in Russian River Township, Sonoma County, near Healdsburg, and soon after moved to it. Nearly eleven acres are planted to fruit, mostly prunes, plums, peaches and pears, and all are in bear- ing. The place is a valuable one, and makes an attractive home. Mr. Poulson was married at Sonoma by Governor Boggs, February 28, 1847, to Miss Harriet Ritchey, a native of Lit- tle York, Mereer County, Illinois, and daughter
of M. D. and Caroline Ritehey. Her parents eame to California in 1846. Both died at Napa City. Her father was a prominent man, and was known as Col mel Ritehey. Mr. and Mrs. Poulson have had twelve children, viz .: John, resides in Lincoln County, Washington Terri- tory; Caroline, wife of Samuel Shilling, resides in Santa Barbara County: Mary, wife of Horace Schwartz, lives at Santa Anna; Cynthia, wife of Robert Quigley, who resides in Lake County; Emily, died in Napa County, aged three years; Angeline, wife of John Nelson, resides in Lake Connty; AAmanda, wife of Charles Armstrong, a druggist of Calistoga; Lizzie, wife of William Foster, agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad at Los Angeles; Addie, at home; Nettie, wife of Nias Deeker, of Healdsburg; Willie and Mattie, at home, Mr. Poulson is a Republican politically. He is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church. He ean justly lay claim to being a pioneer of California, having been one of those who preceded the Argonauts of '49, and made the way for them compara- tively easy. He was a resident of Sonoma County when most of it was an almost unknown and nnbroken wilderness, while his coutempo- raries in the county at that time, who are still here, ean be counted on the fingers of one hand.
ILLIAM AMESBERRY, of Mendocino Township, has a ranch of over thirty acres, convenient to Healdsburg, which he purchased in 1884. Nearly twenty-eight aeres of the place is in fruit, only a small por- tion of which had been planted before the pre- sent owner took possession. Most of the trees, which are in splendid condition, were set out in 1SS5. The trees are principally French prunes, with some plums, peaches and apples. Large quantities of pumpkins, potatoes, ete., are raised on the place. Mr. William Amesberry, the proprietor, is a native of England, born in Somersetshire in 1840. When but a child he accompanied his parents to America, and was
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reared to manhood in Onondaga County, New York. In 1858 he started for Washington Ter- ritory, and, in company with two companions, made that perilous trip by way of British America. Those who have made that journey in winter by the Canadian Pacific Railroad can possibly appreciate the hardships of those men who traveled all winter over that route thirty years ago. They were nearly eleven months on the journey, and at one time were nearly nine days without food, and their hunger was only allayed by finding a few red haws. Almost by a miracle they reached their destination on Frazer River, over the mines of which location there was then great excitement. There Mr. Amesberry followed mining for some time, and was thus employed in Idaho and Washington Territory until 1867, when he removed to Lake County, California. Since that time he has been engaged in blacksmithing, saw milling and mining until coming to Sonoma County in 1882. Two years later he located where he now re- sides. Ile was married in this State to Miss Mary Ilanna, a native of the East, who came to California when a child. They have six chil- dren, viz .: Milton, Annie, George, William, Ehhel and Karel. Mr. Amesberry is a Demo- crat, and takes an active part in politics. He is a member of Healdsburg Lodge, K. of P.
P. PASSALAQUA, of Healdsburg, is a native of Italy, born about twelve miles from Genoa, March 12, 1845, his parents being Lorenzo and Rose (Roccatelliata) Passa- laqua, the father a farmer. The subject of this sketch was reared to the age of nineteen years at his native place, assisting his father on the farm. February 2, 1865, he sailed from Genoa for New York, which port he reached April 23. Twenty-two days later he sailed for Cali- fornia via Panama, arriving in San Francisco June 5. For two months he followed fishing and then went into the mines in Calaveras County. One year later he returned to San
Francisco and engaged in gardening. One year in this pursuit was followed by a similar period devoted to fishing. Ile then followed garden- ing for four years at Sacramento, after which he went to Stockton. A year and a half later he sold out and went to the vicinity of Vallejo, where he conducted a vegetable garden for six years. He then sold out and for the next six months was in business in San Francisco. He then came to Healdsburg, and has resided here since that time with the exception of six years spent at Cloverdale. In 1882 he purchased about sixty acres of the best land in Sonoma County immediately adjoining Healdsburg, but he has sold off portions of it until now he has only nine acres, it being wonderfully produetive. He raises all kinds of vegetables for which there is a demand in this market, and has a crop of something at every season of the year. From three-fourths of an acre of strawberries he picks 1,000 to 1,200 baskets a week. Ile has a vari- ety of fruits, including apricots, blackberries and eurrants. He has an engine of six horse power for irrigating purposes, the water being drawn from a ten-inch bored well, 125 feet in depth. The pump has a capacity of drawing 20,000 gal- lons per hour. Mr. Passalaqua also has a hand- some piece of residence property on one of the desirable streets of Healdsburg. He made his start since coming to California, and by indus- try and perseverance has placed himself on a solid financial footing. He has purchased a handsome properly in Italy, twelve miles from Genoa, where all kinds of tropical fruits are raised. Mr. Passalaqua was married at Vallejo to Miss Laura Lodjevello, a native of Italy. They have two children, viz. : Edward and Sylvia.
R. WILLIAMSON, one of the pioneers of California, was born in Bedford County, Virginia, April 8, 1830, being a descend- ant of an old Virginia family. His father, Jesse Williamson, early in life married Miss Frances Richardson, and when the subject of
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this sketch was quite young they moved to Boone County, Missouri, and later to Lawrence County, in the same State, where both himself and wife, after useful and honorable lives, died at an ad- vanced age. J. R. Williamson led the quiet life of a boy reared to farm life principally, until, seized by the gold fever, he joined an overland train fitted out with ox teams, and left the old home April 22, 1549, reaching Bidwell's Bar on Feather River, October 22. With fair success he engaged in mining, continuing in that occupation for eighteen months. Ile then went to Butte Mountains, near Marysville, and there engaged in general farming and stock- raising until he came to this county in Septem- tember, 1853. Here, after farming one year, he entered into the livery business at Santa Rosa, which business he conducted until 1865, after which he was engaged in agricultural pursuits at Dry Creek, near Healdsburg, for four years. A few years after this he resumed a trade he had partly learned in his youth, that of blacksmithing, and worked at it in Healds- burg. In 1878 Mr. Williams established his present residence upon the well-known David- son Ranch, a little west of Santa Rosa. He reealls with vivid recollection and peculiar in- terest the excitement attendant upon the re- moving of the county's official records from the old town of Sonoma to Santa Rosa, when the county seat was changed to the latter place. Owing to the belief on the part of the Sonoma people that they had been unfairly treated, they were determined to at least exhaust all legal process to prevent the carrying away of the records. Mr. Williamson, with his speediest team was employed, and to his individual effort much of the success of the removal, attended by no delay or opportunity to serve legal process, is dne. May 22, 1856, Mr. Williamson married Miss Mary L. Davidson, daughter of J. E. Davidson, one of the pioneer agriculturists of Sonoma County, a biographical notice of whom appears in this work. Mrs. Williamson was born May 30, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have had three children, only one of whom,
Jesse C., is living. Ile is yet a school-boy. One daughter, Fannie A .. died at the age of three years and nine months; and one, Laura B., died at the age of two years and two months. In politics, Mr. Williamson is identified with the Republican party.
F. KILLAM .- The subject of this sketch was born in the western part of Canada, in the town of Chatham, April 16, 1851. His parents, Jacob and Ruth (Corning) Killam, were both natives of Nova Scotia. from which place they moved into Canada where they made their home, with the exception of a short res- idence in Cleveland, Ohio, until the time of their death, the former in 1870 and the latter in 1869. They reared a family of eight sons and three daughters. A. F. Killam spent his boy- hood days in Canada, where a part of his educa- tion was received. When he was thirteen years of age he began life for himself and has made his own way in the world from that time on. While living in Canada he was apprenticed at the shoemaker's trade, at which he labored one year, when he came to Cleveland. In 1867 he entered the employ of W. P. Southward & Com- pany, which to-day is the largest wholesale and retail grocery house in that city. After remain- ing in his employ about a year Mr. Killam en- gaged with J. A. Barstow & Company, cigar and tobacco dealers, with whom he remained four years, buying and selling for the house, and a part of the time traveling on the road. In 1873 he came to California and settled in Peta- luma, engaging in the dairy business and start- ing a cheese factory just below the city at what was called Newton, it being the first cheese fac- tory put in operation on the Pacific coast. About a year later the factory was moved on the San Antonia Creek in Marin County. Mr. Killam associated other gentlemen with him in the business, which was carried on under the firm name of Payne, Killam & Co. The busi- ness was run on a large scale, manufacturing
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during the milking season about aton of cheese a day from the milk of two thousand cows. After being thus engaged for about three years, Mr. Killam sold his interest in the business and started a eity express in Petaluma, also receiv- ing the contraet from the Government to carry the mail between the depot and postoffice, which business he ran for two years. He then took the management of a grocery house for Mitehell & Gleason, a Petaluma firm, who started a braneh business in San Francisco. After serv- ing in this capacity for fourteen months, Mr. Killam not being able to endure the elimate of San Francisco was compelled on account of his health to relinquish this position and return to Petaluma. In June, 1882, he entered into the grocery and fruit business in the Lodge building on Western avenue, where he remained for about three years, during which time he took in as a partner James Patterson under the firm name of Killam & Co., and moved the business into the Case building on the same street. This firm continued about a year and the location was again changed to the Mutual Relief build- ing. In April, 1886, Mr. Patterson's interest was sold to Daniel R. Stewart and the firm became Killam & Stewart, which partnership eontinned until October 12, 1887, when Mr. Killam sold his interest to Mr. Stewart and on the 12th of November of the same year opened his present business in the Case Building on the corner of Kentucky Street and Webster avenue. He carries a full assortiment of gro- ceries and provisions and also handles a choice line of fruits and vegetables. Mr. Killam is a courteous gentleman of sterling business quali- ties and conducts his affairs on a basis that has placed him among the better class of business men. Ile was married in Petaluma, April 22, 1878, to Parmelia L., daughter of Hngh Col- qnhon, of Boston, Massachusetts, a veteran of the Union army, who enlisted in 1861, and fell in the first battle of Bull Rum. Mr. and Mrs. Killam have one son, Walter, born January 31, 1883. Mr. Killam became a member of the Washington Lodge, K. P., of Cleveland, Ohio,
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and was transferred from that lodge to the Petaluma Lodge, No. 100. He has been master of finance of this lodge for the last four years.
ILLIAM BRAUNERN, of Russian River Township, is a native of Nassa- on-the-Rhine, born October 16, 1828, li's parents being Christian and Elizabeth (Zapa) Brannern, the father a shoemaker by trade. The subject of this sketeh attended sehool from the age of six to fourteen years, and in 1844 sailed from Hanover for America, landing at New Orleans, where he grew to manhood. Ile learned the shoemaker's trade in the Crescent City, and followed it there until 1852, when he came to California via Panama, landing in San Francisco in May. He pro- ceeded to Yuba County, and after a time went to the Territories. He remained in Montana, Idaho and Nevada until 1878, when he returned to California, and located where he now resides, opposite Healdsburg, on Bailhache avenne. Mr. Braunern's ranch consists of nine and three fourths aeres, of which five are devoted to hops, the yard having been planted in 1881. In this undertaking he has been very sneeess- ful, harvesting on an average three and one-half tons. HIe has about four and one-half aeres in fruit, the trees being mostly Coe's Golden Drop, Yellow Egg and Prince of Wales plums, and Gross prunes, with a few cherries and apples. This place is in excellent condition, and refleets eredit on the proprietor. Mr. Braunern was married in this State, to Miss Kate Reeher. They have one child-William. Politically Mr. Braunern is a Democrat.
ERHARD DIETZ, of Guerneville, is a native of Frankfort-on-the-Main, born April 26, 1846, his parents being John George and Maria (Kirshten) Dietz. IIis father was in the government employ, a cashier in the
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
revenue service. Gerhard Dietz, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in his native city. The civil war in Amerien had great interest for him, and he decided to take up arms in the Union cause. Being unable to gain the consent of his parents, he ran away from home in 1863, and came to America. He enlisted in the service of the United States at Bridgeport, Connecticut, November 15, 1862, and proceeded to the front near Richmond, where he joined Company D of the Sixth Con- necticut Infantry, which was a part of the Second Brigade, First Division, Tenth Army Corps. After spending three months in front of Richmond, his command went with Sher- inan's army. They marched with Sherman through North and South Carolina, and partici- pated at Morris Island, Fort Wagner, Chester Station, Bermuda Hundred, Deep Run (Va.), and Fort Fisher. At the latter place Mr. Dietz was taken sick with typhoid fever, and was sent to Ilampton hospital, near Fortress Monroe. After two months he rejoined the command at Wilmington, North Carolina. and served until August. 1565, when he was discharged at New Haven, Connecticut. He-soon went to New York, and two or three weeks later to Balti- more, where he was engaged until 1869 at watch-making, the business he had commenced in Germany. In 1869 he went back to his native country, but after one year he returned to Baltimore. Ile remained there a little over a year, then went to Humboldt, Allen County. Kansas, where he was in business until 1575. In that year he came to California, and resided at Lakeport until May. 1879, when he came to Guerneville. In May, 1880, he became agent for Wells, Fargo & Co., and in June, 1880, he was appointed postmaster, holding the office until 1886. Ile is yet agent for the express company, and does an extensive business in watch-making and jewelry. Mr. Dietz was married in Kansas, to Miss Bessie Bacon, a native of Wisconsin. They have three children, viz .: Daisy. Edith and Warner. Mr. Dietz was one of the charter members of the Guerne-
ville Post, G. A. R., and has been adjutant since the organization. He also belongs to the A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and K. of P. He has been treasurer of the Odd Fellows lodge for eight years. Politically he is a stanneh Repub- lican.
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