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 36
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
metropolis, and which is so admirably and con- veniently located, with reference to the avenues and centers of trade.
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As Sonoma County was first among the early settlements of this State, as it is greater than any other county in its early historie associa- tions and interests, so let it be our endeavor to make it stand forth in the fore-front of the pro- ducing counties, crowned not only with its well- deserved citrus wreath, but with other agricult- nral wreaths as well, the proud abiding place of intelligent and cultured farmers, wide-awake to every improvement, unceasing in experimen- tation, characterized by a thorough, thrifty and cleanly husbandry, with peaceful, happy and charming homes scattered all along these pictur- esque hills and valleys. Don't forget that a subdivision of your lands into smaller holdings, where they are suitable for vitienlture or fruit, is of prime importance and will be attended with the most beneficial results. Twenty-acre or forty-acre farms, planted to the vine, the peach, the pear or the prune, would be the crowning glory of old Sonoma. It would place on her brow a richer diadem than that which sparkles even on the front of the mining coun- ties. It would mean thoroughness in farming, beautiful gardens, arehitectural models and dis- play, a general lauded appreciation, home com- forts and the security of our horticultural and viticultural renown.
When we bear in mind the rich soil from the decomposed granite and slate in the foot-hill connties, their eligible location on the line of eastern travel, their growing ambition for the enltivation of the vine and of fruits, and their climatic eqnability, it must be acknowledged that they are formidable rivals to Sonoma and may yet eclipse her.
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By a judicions snbdividing of our large hold- ings we may retain the vintage that we now enjoy; otherwise, sooner or later, the finest dis. plays will be seen at the Placer, El Dorado and Nevada fairs, or in the sunny land of Southern California.
The farmer's life can be made more pleasant
and successful than almost any other. 1 refer to the enterprising and enlightened farmer. le can surround himself with all the conveniences of life, keep abreast of the general culture of the times, maintain his independence and dignity, live on the best productions which his farm will permit of, and market the remainder. Hle ean have his cool grottoes, his shady nooks, his books within his cultured home. He ought to grow happy and joyful with his open-air feel- ings, soothed by wikl-wood notes, and in some little natural or artificial forest of Arden be- come philosophical as he meditates:
"And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything. I would not change it."
Refreshing slumbers come to him unsought, and the morrow's sun finds him like some oiled Olympian wrestler ready for the fray.
I want to see our young men aspiring after these rural pleasures and building up for them- selves homes in the country, where they can fol- low out some lofty, bncolie ideal, instead of being lured away by the city's falsetto tones and maddening strife. It is the way to enjoy a healthful and successful manhood, an honorable and contented old age. ('icero was never so much delighted as in his Tusenlum villa, and Horace on his Sabine farm. And the coming generations, as long as time shall last, will be taught to read the praises of agriculture in the beautiful and fin shed poetic numbers of Man- tua's bard.
The Sonoma Democrat was first issued Octo- ber 16, 1857, by A. W. Russel. The following year he sold the paper to E. R. Budd and L. II. Fisher. Mr. Fisher sold his interest to B. F. Pinckham. Budd and Pinekham could not agree politically, and Mr. Budd purchased the interest of Mr. Pinekham and became sole pro- prietor. Mr. Budd issued a very good paper, neat in its appearance and well edited. At the close of his volume, October 13, 1859, he says: " For two years we have labored with a zeal that deserves a degree of success; we have
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
grappled with nearly every question of im- portanee brought to our notice, and have decided for ourselves on their several merits. llitherto our paper has been an experiment; it is now an established fact." In 1860 the Dem- ocrat was purchased by T. L. Thompson, and was much enlarged and improved. In 1566 a Hoe cylinder press, the first in Sonoma County, was added to the office, the paper at this time, having very largely inereased in business and in general cirenlation. From 1868 to 1871 the Democrat was run by Peabody, Ferral & Co. In the latter year it was repurchased by Mr. Thompson. R. A. and F. P. Thompson were associated with him until 1877. The Sonoma Democrat has devoted much space to the in- dnstrial development of Sonoma County. The paper is now under the management of T. L. Thompson. The Daily Democrat was begun in 1575, was discontinned in 1577, and reissned in 1879. It is now published daily. The weekly edition is issued every Saturday morning. The office is provided with steam-power presses, and a job, office complete in all its appoint- ments.
Daily and Weekly Republican .- This paper was established as the Press by W. A. Wheeler. In January, 1875, it was purchased by Geo. H. Marr, and the name changed to the Times. Mr. G. Il. Marr was the publisher until his death, which occurred in March, 1878. It was then purchased by T. N. and J. W. Ragsdale, who commeneed the publication of the Daily Times. Mr. T. N. Ragsdale died in December. 1879, and shortly after the paper was purchased by Colonel J. B. Armstrong. Colonel Armstrong gave the paper its present name the Repub- lican. lle is a writer very much above the average of men, and had. besides, a large ex- perienee as correspondent of some of the leading eastern papers. Under his control the Repub- licun at once took rank as one of the best country papers in this State. The editor was especially well np in agriculture. He devoted also mneh attention to local matters. Colonel Armstrong, having other affairs to engage his
attention, sold the paper to .J. W. Ragsdale, who soon after sold a half interest to John Fiteh. Mr. Fiteh and Mr. James O'Meara purchased the remaining interest of Mr. Ragsdale, and the paper was run for some months under their management. In the fall of 1883 the interest of the latter gentleman was purchased by Mr. E. W. Davis, who, on account of failing health, sold the establishment to Richard Cannon, who published the paper until 1887. when he sold to the present proprietor, A. B. Lemmon.
The Grand Hotel is a first-class honse, situ- ated at the corner of Main and E streets. It is a large brick building, in the center of the eity. and it accommodates a large and regular eus- tom from all parts of the county and State.
The Occidental Hotel is situated on the cor- ner of Fourth and B streets. It is a commodi- ous brick building, and handsomely furnished. G. A. Tupper is a widely known citizen of So- noma, public spirited, attentive to his guests, and deservedly one of the most popular landlords in the State.
The following is a list of the principal eor- porations doing business in Santa Rosa, other than banks and railroads:
Santa Rosa Gas Light Company .- John A. Paxton, deceased. President: Santa Rosa Bank, Treasurer; A. G. Murdock, Secretary and Sn- perintendent.
Santa Rosa Atheneum Company .- B. M. Spencer. President: Guy F. Grosse, Viee-Pres- ident: (. 1. Wright, Secretary; L. W. Burris, Treasurer; Trustees: B. M. Spencer, S. Ilutch- inson, J. C. Mailer, 1. DeTurk. Guy E. Grosse, W. C. Good, C. A. Wright.
Agricultural Park Association .- J. N. Bail- hache, President; S. T. Allen, Vice-President; G. A. Tupper, Secretary; E. W. Davis, Treas- urer; Directors: B. M. Spencer, Jas. Il. Langh- lin, S. I. Allen, J. N. Bailhache, I. DeTurk, Guy E. Grosse, E. W. Davis.
Musonic Hall AAssociation .- John S. Taylor, President: E. Noblet, Vice-President; B. M. Spencer. Secretary; L. W. Burris, Treasurer; Directors, B. M. Spencer, J. S. Taylor. W. C.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
Good, A. D. Laughlin, E. Noblet, Il. L. Tripp, Guy E. Grosse.
Stock Breeding Association. - I. DeTurk, President; L. W. Burris, Secretary ; J. II. Laugh- lin, Treasurer; Direetors, I. DeTurk, R. Mnr- phy, J. HI. Laughlin, Geo. E. Guerne, Guy E. Grosse.
Fruit and Grape Growers' Association .- Jonathan Roberts, President: W. C. Kellogg, Secretary; Gny E. Grosse, Treasurer.
Hop Growers' Association .- Guy E. Grosse, President; Ferdinand Ilenzel, Vice- President, Fulton Distriet; J. P. Graham, Viee-Presi- dent, Mark West Creek Distriet; Lossen Ross, Vice President; Green Valley Distriet; T. B. Miller, Vice-President, Santa Rosa Creek Dis- triet; J. E. Ilall, Vice-President, Santa Rosa Creek Distriet; Otis Allen, Vice-President, Se- bastopol and Laguna District; V. Watson, Vice- President, Freestone Distriet; C. R. Farmer, Treasurer; N. Winants, Secretary.
Santa Rosa Water Company .--- Mark. L. MeDonald, President and Manager; Directors: M. L. MeDonald, T. J. Proctor, I. G. Wieker- sham, R. Press Davis.
Santa Rosa Street Car Company .- Operates on Fourth street and MeDonald avenue; Mark L. MeDonald, President and Manager.
People's Street Railway Company .- Presi- dent, A. Shaw; Vice-President, S. 1. Allen ; Secre- tary, J. D. Barnett; Treasurer, J. W. Warboys; Directors: J. D. Barnett, A. Shaw, S. I. Allen, J. W. Warboys, B. M. Spencer.
Santa Rosa Woolen Mills Company .- John Walker, President; P. M. Walker, Secretary and Treasurer; F. X. Longhery, Superintendent.
Santa Rosa Packing and Canning Com- piny .- A branch of the Cutting Packing Com- pany, of San Francisco. J. Black, President; C. A. Perry, Secretary, Treasurer and Superin- tendent.
Methodist Episcopal Church, Santa Rosa .- Organized about 1855; among the first, if not the first, pastors was Rev. R. Williamson. The deed to the property seenred December 15,1858, deeded by Hoen, Hartman and Hahman, as a
donation from them. Property comprises four city lots on the corner of Third and D) streets. The first church building was ereeted in 1861, under the supervision of Rev. James Corwin, it was enlarged in 1877 by Rev. Lovejoy, in- einding a prayer room and a pastor's study. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 264 persons. The following are the pastors who have ministered to the church: Rev. R. W. Williamson, John Walker, James Corwin, Noah Burton, Wm. Hulbert, A. L. S. Bate- man, George Clifford, Win. Anguin, George Walter. G. D. Pineo, Lovejoy, C. E. Riel, E. I. Jones, George Adams, T. HI. Woodward, Geo. Clifford. The present parsonage was ereeted in 1884 under the supervision of Rev. T. H. Woodward. The present membership is about 150. The Sunday school has 160 seholars enrolled and the regular attendance is about 118.
The Christian Church, Santa Rosa .- To El- der Thomas Thompson is the honor due of or- ganizing this congregation in November, 1854, and preaching the first sermon to them in that month. The original members of the church were: T. B. Hlood and wife, Mrs. C. E. Hood, Joel Miller, Sarah Miller (now Mrs. Shane), Elizabeth Miller, Harrison Valentine, W. R. ()'Howell, J. M. Case, Samuel Hand and wife, Mrs. Coleman Talbot, and R. Fulkerson and wife. Services were then held in the town of Franklin, in the Baptist church, and continued there until the town was moved to Santa Rosa, when the congregation met in the court-house, but after the removal of the church building from Franklin to Santa Rosa in 1856, then in that edifice, where they prosecuted their devo- tions until the erection in 1857 of their own place of worship on the corner of Fourth and B streets, which, in 1874, was transferred to its present position on Fifth street. The entire cost of the church, inclusive of lot, bell, fixtures, etc., was abont $3,000, while its size is 38 x 60 feet.
Presbyterian Church .- On March 17, 1856, Mr. Woods organized the Presbyterian Church, consisting of twelve members: Cyrus Alexan-
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
der. A. P. Wilson, John Barbour, John Tread- way, Mrs. Henrietta Treadway, Mrs. E. 1. Woods, Mrs. Jane Ormsby, Mrs. Hattie Hendly, Mrs. JJane Drum. Mrs. Elizabeth Bledsoe, Mrs. Kate Green, and Mrs. Louisa Me Donakl. Cyrus Alexander and John Treadway were elected ruling elder». Mr. Alexander was or- dained and installed, and Mr. Treadway, having been previously ordained, was dnly installed.
Baptist Church. Early in the year 1973 the trustees of the Baptist Church of Santa Rosa purchased a lot on the corner of B and C'en- ter streets on which, in the month of February, they commenced the erection of a building, Goth- ie in style of architecture, and of the following dimensions: The main church building. 56 x 37 feet, with an elevation of thirty-two feet. Ad- joining the main building, in the rear, is a chapel 30 x 40 feet, containing, besides accom- modation for the Sunday-school, the library and committee rooms. Over the front entrance to the church is a large Gothic window. From the base to elevation of tower and spire, located at the left front corner of the editice, is sixty- nine feet. The building cost about $5,000. The first house of worship was built in 1854 at Franklin, a mile and a half from Santa Rosa, but, in 1855, it was removed with the rest of that short-lived village to this town and placed upon the lot on Third street where it now stands, being used as a tenement house. It was the third Protestant church erected in the county, James Crane being the contractor. The cost of the building was defrayed by public subscription, with the provisions that it should be free to all denominations when not in use by the Baptists. Elder J. McCorkle held the first services in the building.
Episcopal Church. On the 14th of October, 1972, the preliminary steps were taken to organize a parish at Santa Rosa under the Episcopal Church, by electing the following gentlemen as officers: Dr. R. P. Smith, Senior Warden: W. H. Bond, Junior Warden; E. W. Maslin, G. W. Jones, F. G. Nagle, L. A. Martin and F. P. Thompson. Vestrymen. The
Rev. (. C. Lane, who had been officiating, noti. fied the bishop of the election of church officers, and requested his consent to the organization, which was granted by Bishop Kip on the 1Sth of December, and the vestry formed by electing F. G. Nagle, Secretary, and L. A. Martin, Treas- urer. the parish, on the motion of Dr. Smith, receiving the name of " The Parish of the In- carnation," and Rev. G. C. Lane appointed Rec- tor for the ensning year.
Santa Rosa Water Company .- Articles of incorporation of the Santa Rosa Water Company were filed on February 27, 1573, the capital stock being $100,000 divided into 1,000 shares of $100 each, the Directors being E. T. Farmer, C. F. Jnillard, F. G. Hlahman, Jackson Temple and James P. Clark; term of existence fifty years. In reference to this undertaking the water is taken from the junction of the Alamo and Santa Rosa creeks and conveyed on the south side of the latter to the reservoir, one mile below, on the lands of the Gibb's estate. The fall. from where the water is taken at the creeks, to the reservoir is thirty-five feet: the supply pipe to the reservoir is eleven-inch, and the mains, from the reservoir to the town, are nine- inch for a portion of the way and seven-inch for the remainder. The reservoir has a capacity of not less than 30,000,000 gallons.
Santa Rosa Gaslight Company .- The Max- im Gas Company was incorporated April, 1572, the citizens of Santa Rosa taking one half the stock, and the Maxim Gas Company of San Francisco holding the balance. The whole stock was subsequently purchased by the citizens and the Maxim Works run by them until the spring of 1876, when they were disposed of to Santa Rosa Gaslight Company, which had been incor- porated March 9. 1876, under the supervision of L. A. Kelly. The new company, at an ex- pense of $30,000, erected their works on First street, just below Main, which consist of a large brick retort-house, with iron roof, brick purifying house in the rear, office and workshop, with large holder, 20,000 cubic feet capacity, with brick eistern.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
Santa Rosa Commandery of Knights Tem- plur .- This order was organized under dispen- sation March 11, 1878, the charter being grauted April 11, 1879. The charter members being Sir Leonard Harrison Buckland, Sir Thomas Phipps Baxter, Sir Samuel Bard, Sir Arthur Lockard Cox, Sir Milo Smith Davis, Sir Guy Emanuel Grosse, Sir George AAshbury Johnson, Sir John Mellmoil, Sir James Clark Mailer, Sir Byron M. Spencer. The original officers were: Sir George Ashbury JJohnson, Eminent Com- mander; Sir Byron M. Spencer, Generalissimo; Sir Leonard Harrison Buckland, Captain-Gen- eral; Sir Thomas Phipps Baxter, Prelate; Sir Guy Emannel Grosse, Senior Warden; Sir James Clark Mailer, Innior Warden; Sir Sam- nel Bard, Treasurer; Sir Arthur Lockard Cox, Recorder; Sir Milo Smith Davis, Warden; Sir John MeIlmoil, Sentinel.
Santa Rosa Encampment, No. 53, 1.0.0. F. -- This order was instituted in Santa Rosa on December 14. 1875, the charter members be- ing: J. J. MeClelland, A. G. Shannon, A. P. Petit, George T. Gregg, C. D. Frazie, W. R. Morris, William Strom: the original officers being: C. D. Frazie, C. P .; A. G. Shannon, Il. P .; J. J. McClelland, S. W .; William, Strong; William R. Morris, Treasurer; A. P. Petit, J. W .; S. T. Coulter, Guide.
Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 5.3, 1. O. O. F. This lodge was instituted February 28, 1856, the following being the charter members: John Hendley, Jacob M. Gallagher, Adam Shane, W. R. Smith, James A. Reynolds, Horace B. Mar- tin, Julio Carrillo and W. M. Menefee. The order held their meetings in Good Templars' IIall, No. 222 Third street, until the comple- tion of their own building, at a cost of $18,000, on the corner of Third street and Exchange ave- nue. The first officers were: John Hendley, N. G .; W. R. Smith, V. G .; Adam Shane, Re- cording Secretary; N. McC. Menefee, Treasurer.
Purity Lodge, No. 33, 1. O. G. T. Was first organized May 14, 1861, in Temperance Hall, 222 Third street, there being seventeen charter members. The following were elected
offiers: William Churchman, W. C. T .; Maud Latimer, W. V. T .: Frank W. Brown, W. S .; T. J. Smith, W. F. S .; Caroline E. Hood, W. T .; W. W. Morrow, W. M .; J. W. Town. W. 1. G .: C. G. Ames, W. O. G.
Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 370, 1. O. G. T .- The charter members being: llarry Rich, D. S. Lacey, Harry T. Case, C. T. Barnes, T. II. Barnes, Ben- jamin Farmer, James Morrow, Jr., S. Childers, J. D. Stockton, Rebecca Stockton, P. B. Owen, Mrs. L. R. Latimer, Miss A. Small, James Roberts, W. Churchman, J. M. White, O. D. Metcalf, Miss S. M. Baxter, J. T. Littaker, Mrs. Dora Metzler, W. 11. Mead, Walter Ferrall, Mrs. E. llodgson, V. Fortson; the officers appointed were: D. S. Lacey, W. C. T .; Mrs. S. R. Lati- mer, W. V. T .; Rev. G. D. Pinneo, W. C .; Walter Ferrall, W. S .: Miss Fannie Farmer, W. A. S .; O. D. Metcalf, W. F. S .; Miss T. M. Baxter, W. T .; James Morrow, Jr., W. M .; Miss Abbie Small, W. D. M .; Rebecca Stock- ton, W. I. G .; James Roberts, W. O. G .; Mrs. Dora Metzler, W. R. 11. S .; Miss Lizzie Fort- son, W. L. II. S .; I. D. Stockton, P. W. C. T.
Pacific Methodist College. The first regu- lar session of the college was opened in July, 1861, with Professor C. S. Smyth, department of mathematics; Professor S. B. Morse. depart- ment of languages, and Miss A. E. Caldwell in charge of the primary department. The first day showed an attendance of only thirteen students; within four months the number had increased to forty-six. Three weeks before the elose of the session Rev. W. T. Lucky, who had been elected president, arrived and took charge of the institution. The first annual catalogue. published in May, 1862, contained the names of over eighty students. There was a period of uninterrupted prosperity from 1862 to April, 1865, when the main college building was de- stroyed by fire-the work of an incendiary. Provision was made for the accommodation of classes, and the exercises of the institution went on without the loss of a single recitation. AAf- ter a year and a half of zealons effort on the part of the agent, Rev. W. M. Winters, another
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
building was erected. at a cost of $16.000. In December. 1866, Dr. Lucky tendered his resig- nation, to take effeet in May, 1567. At the annual meeting of the board of trustees, in May, Dr. J. R. Thomas, of Emory College, Georgia, was elected president. The institution eontin- ned its session in Vacaville until May, 1870, when, by vote of the trustees, it was removed to Santa Rosa. The citizens of Santa Rosa donated ten aeres of land and erected thereon a college building, at a cost of 825,000. The present value of the building and grounds is estimated at $30,000. The college grounds are situated in the northeastern part of the city. The building is commodious, affording aecom- modations for 300 students. There are two literary societies connected with the college. The libraries of the two societies contain about 800 volumes. The first regular session in Santa Rosa was opened in AAngust, 1871, with A. L. Fitzgerald, A. M., president and professor of mental and moral science; C. S. Smyth, pro- fessor of mathematies; Charles King, professor of languages. In July, 1876, President A. L. Fitzgerald tendered his resignation, to take effect in October, when Rev. W. A. Finley was elected to take charge of the institution. The prospects of the college are now encouraging. At no time in its history have its friends been more determined to sustain it with their means and influence. The graduates number 101. The larger portion of the interest-bearing debt has been paid. Three gold medals are given anni- ally, one for best declamation, one for the best seleet reading, and one for excellence in scholar- ship and deportment. The medal for scholar- ship and deportment has been endowed by T. J. Brooke, and is known as the Brooke medal; that for seleet reading by T. II. B. Anderson, and is known as the Anderson medal; the one for best declamation by Senator G. A. Johnson, and is known as the Johnson medal. The situation of the college is all that eonld be desired. At no place in California are students under better infinenee than in Santa Rosa. The course of instruction consists of Greek, Latin, German, |
French, Spanish, and a course of English mathe- maties, philosophy and the natural physical sciences. Colonel J. M. Austin, A. M .. is presi- dent, with the following eorps of professors and teachers: Rev. S. M. Godby, A. M., Ferdinand Kenyon, Rev. George B. Winton. A. M., E. Lerch and Miss Callie Brook. This institu- tion is deservedly popular. The college building is a fine structure.
The Ursuline Leudemy is beautifully located on B street, surrounded by large and commodi- ons grounds, beautifully ornamented with trees, shrubs and flowers. The building is a fine ar- chiteetural structure in a six-aere plot of ground in the center of the city. Sister Alphonse Cas- tillo is superioress, assisted by seven other sister. Latin. French. Spanish, and vocal and instrumental music are taught in this academy. There are quite a number of boarders. Near the academy and adjoining St. Rose Church, is a large free day-school in charge of Sisters Angela Gallagher and Ursuline Maxwell.
The Santa Rosa Ladies Seminary is owned and presided over the Misses Chase, two excel- lent edueationists, who give a thorough course of instruction and have made this a popular institution of learning. The Misses Chase have two assistants.
The Santa Rose Young Ladies College is an excellent institution of learning of a very high order, with Rev. W. A. Finley, A. M., D. D., president, assisted by an able corps of professors and teachers. This eollege stands deservedly high.
Fire Department .- The Santa Rosa fire de- partment is one of the most notable and the most deserving institution in this eity. It never balks or sulks, but answers every call upon it, whether to save life or property, regardless of any risks to its members. The Santa Rosa en- gine company was organized in 1860. T. L. Thompson was the first foreman, C. Kessing first assistant, M. Wise second assistant, JI. Doychet secretary, and Joe Richardson treasurer. The present officers of Engine Company No. 1 are: E. P. Colgan, president ; Ilenry Baker, fore-
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
man ; L. Keser, Jr., first assistant ; J. F. Fick, second assistant ; M. J. Steining, secretary, and J. H. Richardson, treasurer. The Santa Rosa hook and ladder company was organized in 1874. 1. Korbel was first foreman and J. Royal was first assistant.
City Hall. In 1883 a very neat building for a City Hall was erected. The lower part is used for the engine of Santa Rosa Engine Com- pany No. 1, and the upstairs for a council cham- ber and library rooms. The building is located on the east side of the plaza, and is quite an or- nament to that heretofore neglected part of the town. It was built by T. J. Ludwig, at a cost of 84,500. It was a graceful and proper thing to do, to house in comfortable and roomy quar- ters the engine, and to give the brave fellows who guard the property of the people a respect- able room. It was justly due them, and no one should for a moment complain of the outlay. If there is anything to complain of, it is that the building is not so good as the company deserve.
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