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 38
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April 30, 1850-F. P. MeNear, assistant cashier of the Bank of Sonoma County, died.
March 4. 1881-Harlow Hinkston, an aged gentleman of Petaluma, died.
May 13. 1881-Captain Weimer sold the steamer Pilot to A. McFarland & Co.
June 3, 1581-Wm. II. Dalton, one of Peta- Inma's most valned business men, died.
June 22, 1881-A California lion of large size was killed within the limits of Petaluma.
May 12, 1852-The new water reservoir for Petaluma, with a capacity of 2,500,000, was completedl.
June 2, 1852 -- Captain Oliver Allen, an esteemed citizen, died.
July 28, 1552-Josiah Chandler, one of the oldest citizens of Petaluma and a lawyer of good ability, died.
March 3, 1853-A company was organized and a fruit cannery started in Petaluma.
May 19, 1583-A. J. J. Pearce, a young man of prominence in Petaluma, died.
May 26, 1553 -- The steamer Pilot blew up a few miles below Petaluma, and seven lives were lost.
December 8, 1883-The Main street of l'etalnma was being paved with basalt blocks.
February 16, 1884-Hon. A. P. Whitney, one of l'etaluma's most stirring business men, died.
July 5, 1884- G. R. Codding, who had long been identified with Petaluma, died.
August 16, 1884-A fruit dryer was put in operation in Petaluma.
September 13, 1884-Dr. J. B. Christie, one of Petaluma's most cultured professional men, died.
September 27, 1584-Colonel Robert Inger- soll, the great orator, lectured in Petaluma.
December 6, 1884-Dr. Isaac L. Dias, a dentist and quite an inventor, was killed accidentally while hunting.
December 13. 1884 - Captain James Kennelly, a well-known and much respected mechanic, died.
December 27, 1884-The Petaluma Golden Eagle Flour Mills were burned.
April 18, 1885-Dr. A. P. Lovejoy, a dentist and for many years telegraph operator in Petaluma, died.
September 19, 1585-"Josh Billings " (Il. W. Shaw), the humorist, lectured in l'etalnma. It was next to the last lecture he ever delivered, as he died very suddenly at the Hotel Del Monte, Monterey, a few days thereafter.
October 17, 1885-Captain Cornelius loyer,
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who had had long experience as a sea eaptain, died at a ripe old age.
April 24, 1886-William L. Van Doren, an old-time resident, and a pioneer hotel-keeper in Petaluma, died.
September 4, 1886 -- The residence of Mr. HIenry Homes, of Petaluma, was burned, and his little daughter Pearl, nine years of age, perished in the flames.
October 9, 1886-Henry Goldstein, who had been in business in l'etaluma over a quarter of a century, died.
October 16, 1886-Jerome B. Gossage, an old resident near Petaluma, died.
October 25, 1886 - J. MeA. Brown was thrown violently from his vehicle and sustained injuries that resulted in death.
October 30, 1886-C. P. Bigsby, one of the first members of the Congregational Church in l'etaluma, died.
November 6, 1886-William D. Bliss, one of Petaluma's most cultured citizens, and a lawyer of long practice, died. His mother, now de- ceased a few years, was the wife of George Baneroft, the American historian.
December 3, 1887-John Bowman, an oeto- genarian, and esteemed by all, died.
December 17, 1887 -- Henry Gregory, a good and useful eitizen, died suddenly at his brother's ranch in the country.
December 24, 1887 -- Julius Bloom was killed at Petaluma by a railroad accident. Ile was city marshal of Petaluma.
December 31, 1887 -- William L. Keys, than whom a more eonseientions man never lived, died.
January 22, 1888-B. Hlaskell, an old-time merchant of Petaluma, died.
January 22, 1888-James D. Thompson, one of Petaluma's oldest citizens, died.
February 4, 1888-Joshua S. Brackett, one of Sonoma County's pioneers, died.
March 3, 1888-Deaeon David Stuart, a good and exemplary eitizen, died.
May 5, 1888-The corner-stone of the Catho- lie convent building was laid with the usual ceremonies.
July 28, 18SS --- By the death of Dr. W. W. Carpenter, Petaluma lost one of its most enl- tured eitizens.
We have given in their chronological order the deaths of many of Petaluma's pioneer and prominent men. It is in place to mention the names of some of the matrons who were pioneer residents of Petaluma. In the Petaluma Argus of June 11, 1880, we find the following:
" Thursday last was the occasion of a very pleasant gathering of aged ladies in this eity, at the residence of Mrs. Jacob Gilbert, who on that day had reached her seventy-eighth birth- day. Some seventeen of her aged lady friends organized a surprise and in a body called upon Mrs. Gilbert. Although it may not be con- sidered very gallant in us to give to the world the respective ages of these mothers in Israel, yet, as we have them from one who knows, we give them as follows: Mrs. Button, Vermont, 70; Mrs. Colby, Vermont, 73; Mrs. Weber, Vermont, 75; Mrs. Otis, Vermont, 71; Mrs. Pierce, Vermont, 66; Mrs. Donaldson, New York, 70; Mrs. Piekett, New York, 78; Mrs. Gilbert, New York, 78; Mrs. Cooper, New York, 66; Mrs. Sweatland, Massachusetts, 79; Mrs. Rickert, Massachusetts, 64; Mrs. Mc- Curdy, Maine, 76; Mrs. Lewis, Virginia, 62; Mrs. Garrett, Maine, 66; Mrs. Williams, Maine, 88; Mrs. Galispie, Indiana, 60; Mrs. Keys, England, 66; Mrs. Brown, Ohio, 79. Total ages, 1,287; average ages, seventy-one years and six months. Of the eighteen assembled sixteen were widows. We presume that these now aged matrons little dreamed in the long ago that life's sunset would find them on the golden shores of the l'acifie."
Of these aged ladies who met in social re- union in 1880, at the present writing (1888), the feet of two thirds of them have pressed already the summit between earth and the illim- itable vales of the great evermore.
Below we give a fair statement of the magni- tude and importance of Petalumna, its industries and advantages:
Petaluma has a present population of nearly
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5,000. She is located about thirty-eight miles by rail, north of San Francisco. She commands the head of navigation on an arm of San Pablo Bay, and ocenpies a position of freight advant- ages, considering the vast amount of produce of which she is the shipping center, enjoyed by no other city of the size in the State. Back of, and tributary to Petaluma, is an extent of rich territory of an average of twelve miles in width and twenty miles in length, that sends all of its produce this way, including much prodneed outside of these lines that seeks Petaluma for cheap transportation.
Referring back to statisties published we find the following in reference to the magnitude of the railroad traffic between Petaluma and San Francisco: In 1577 the railroad company took in for passenger fares $213.879.23; for freight, $208,256.00; for other items, 85,546.13; a grand total of $430,681.36. By reference to a statistical article it will be seen what the traffic on the creek route was in 1880. By combining these figures of the two carrying routes the reader will get an approximate idea of the busi- ness of Petaluma and surrounding country at the present time.
hi order that people of future generations may rightly understand the extent of Petaluma as a trade-eenter we submit the following com- pilation of statisties for the year 1880. These statisties were prepared by I. G. Wickersham. John A. McNear and A. P. Whitney (sinee de- ceased) and submitted to the city rrustees of Petaluma at the time Congressional aid was be- ing asked to straighten the creek. The report is prefaced by saying: "The steamer Pilot makes daily trips to and from San Francisco, and in addition to her freight, has carried 13,000 passengers. Thirty schooners, of an average tonnage of fifty tons, are engaged regularly in the trade, and about twenty other transient schooners a portion of the year. We have not ineluded in our estimate shipments made over the railroad by way of Donahne, many shippers preferring that route on account of the delay and uncertainty of time by the creek." The
following showing was then made for the year on the creek route alone:
Wheat, 28.825 tons; barley, 3,000 tons; oats, 3,425 tons: potatoes, 9,997 tons; bran and mid- dlings. 375 tons; corn, 250 tons; hay, 5,700 tons; coal, 1,500 tons: fruit, 60,000 boxes, 1,333 tons; butter, 1,277 tons; cheese, 129 tons; salt, 200 tons; wool, 81 tons; leather, 50 tons; other and mixed merchandise, 31,200 tons; eggs, 95,668 dozen; wood, 1,000 cords; tan-bark, 250 cords; briek, 100,000; lumber, 1,230,000 feet; lime, 1,000 barrels; basalt par- ing blocks, 1.583,000; live-stock, 53,200 head; poultry, 5,350 dozen; quail and other game, 5,100 dozen; hides (green), 6,413; sheep pelts, 5,110.
It should be remembered that all these figures relate to the traflie for one year by water route between Petaluma and San Francisco, and that there must be added thereto the heavy business done by way of the railroad.
Another great advantage which Petaluma possesses-and which can never be taken from her-is competition between rail and water in getting her products to market. There are no hydraulie miners on the high ground to fill up the channel with debris. No farmers are im- poverishing the soil by washing the finer par- tieles into the stream by irrigation, for here irrigation is unknown and entirely unnecessary, as nature abundantly supplies us with the neces- sary moisture from the elonds to produce a erop in the dryest years. For a town of only 5,000 inhabitants, Petaluma enjoys a very large trade. The merchants of Petaluma, in consequence of the low freights to San Francisco, can pay a higher price for produce than others not so well sitnated. The town is surrounded by a rich and prodnetive country, and all the produce of this region is shipped from here. Among the many advantages Petaluma possesses as a place for residence, it may be mentioned that the death rate is as low here as it is in any town of its size that we have any account of. The climate is as near perfect as could be reasonably desired. The temperature, as will be seen by the table
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
furnished by the accommodating agent of the S. F. & N. P. R. R., appearing in another col- nmn, is abont as even as at San Diego. It is rarely below 32° in the winter or above 90' in the summer months. Petaluma has more clear, sunny days than any place on the Pacific coast from which the Signal Service makes reports except Fort Yuma. Petalumna is abundantly supplied with good, pure water from the Sonoma Mountains. The manufacturing industries are quite an important item -and constantly grow- ing. The public and private schools, the high- school, are a credit to the place, and our school facilities will soon be materially enlarged. She has a fine publie library, and churches of all denominations-except Mormon. The business streets are paved with basalt rock blocks, and all the streets are liberally lighted with gas. Liv- ing is cheap in l'etaluma, and the markets well supplied with fresh vegetables every month in the year, that are raised in this city and its im- mediate vicinity. In order to reach Petaluma from San Francisco, get on the Tiburon ferry- boat at the foot of Market street and it will land you at the cars which run through the whole length of Sonoma County. You can ob- tain an excursion ticket to Petaluma and return for $1. If you have plenty of time and wish to see the splendid bays of San Francisco and San Pablo, and the fine scenery on the way, take the steamer Gold, which leaves Jackson street wharf every day at 2:30 r. M. The fare by this route is 50 cents, including the ride in the 'bus from the steamer landing to the hotels in Petaluma.
There is not another city in the State of its size that has as good a system of water-works as las Peteluma. The water comes pure from the streams of the Sonoma Mountains about four miles distant and fills a reservoir of near three million gallons capacity. This reservoir is at such an altitude as to give great pressure upon the water pipes of the city. As a consequence our numerous hydrants give almost absolute security against fires. This, in addition to our excellent fire department, reduces fire insurance to the lowest rate.
Petaluma has as complete a system of gas works as is to be found in the State. All the leading streets are illuminated. On account of the cheap transportation of coal the gas is fur- nislied at prices as low as in any eity outside of San Francisco. The gas works are of capacity sufficient to accommodate a large increase ot population.
The health of a city is largely dependent upon good sewerage. Petaluma, in this respect, occupies a most favored position. Twice a day, with a rise and fall of six feet, salt water fresh from San Francisco Bay ebbs and Hows through the city. The streets have ample grade, and a thorough system of stone-pipe sewers precipi- tates the drainage into this ever moving salt water. There are inland cities of California that would gladly give $100,000 for Petaluma's drainage facilities.
Masonie Temple is an imposing structure erected by the Masonic lodges of Master Ma- sons of Petaluma at a cost of about $40,000. It is a three-story building, and the hall, proper, is one of the most ornate rooms in the State, in which two lodges of Masons, the chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Knights Templar and the Eastern Star hold their stated meetings.
The Mutual Relief Association of Petaluma, out of its reserve fund, has built one of the finest three-story, fire-proof buildings in the county.
The new city hall is a very imposing strnet- ure, and cost the city over $16,000. It is an ornament to the city, and strangers visiting here will see in it a sample of Petaluma's thrift and prosperity. But few eities in the State can afford so elegant an edifice simply for municipal purposes.
The Petaluma Tannery is an old and well established manufacturing establishment of Petaluma. The ont-put of leather from this establishment is very large every year, and it takes rank with the best leather manufactured west of the Rocky Mountains. This tannery has been in successful operation for twelve or fifteen years.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
Mr. W. Worth who had previously occupied the position of superintendent and foreman of the great Union Iron Works of San Francisco, came to Petaluma in 1550 and bought out the foundry business then owned by Mr. Hateh. On his acquiring possession he turned his at- tention to the wants of Sonoma and Marin counties, the former being largely interested in grape growing and wine making, and the latter principally dairying. Mr. Worth, who pos- sesses more than ordinary genius for mechanical appliances, has patented his justly celebrated dairy horse-power, which has proved a great success and can be found in nearly all well equipped dairies in the State. He next turned his mind to assist the vigneron in the produc- tion of wines, and therefore manufactured a wine press, which he had invented and patented in 1884. Previous to Mr. Worth's introducing his press there was in use the old Spanish style of press, consisting merely of a timber 20x24 inches thick and about thirty feet long, built usually where they could find a tree for a ful- crum using a basket held by two hoops with the staves bolted to them, leaving spaces between for the juice to escape.
The Petaluma Woolen Mills have the reputa- tion of turning out the best flannels and blankets manufactured in the State. Its flannels are in such demand that our local merchants can hardly secure their fair share for the home trade. As time progresses its manufacturing capacity will be enlarged and we expect to see the day when the woolen goods manufactured in Petaluma will be sought for far and wide. The wool from Sonoma, Mendocino and Humboldt counties is the best and cleanest in the State, which enables this mill to do superior work.
Petaluma is not behind any city in the State of her size in reference to her capacity to turn ont good merchantable flour. The Oriental Mills have for long years turned out a good quality of domestic flour, and have built up a wide trade. The Golden Eagle Milling Co. has established a large manufactory by the roller process, which is turning out flour of as good
quality as can be found in the State. This mill is a four-story briek structure with one of the largest warehouses in the county from which it draws choice grain for milling purposes.
Petaluma has become famous for its mann- facture of wagons and carts. All up and down the State her wheeled vehicles are in common use. This attests that our various mannfactur- ers in this line have the capacity and mechani- cal skill to manufacture all kinds of wheeled vehicles of best quality and pattern. Wher- ever you go in California you see Petaluma inscribed upon the axles of vehicles.
Next to natural advantages a manufacturing enterprise is condneive to the welfare of any community in which it is situated, but when one like the Petaluma Fruit Packing Company, purchasing the products of the surrounding country, paying the highest market price there- for, and producing an article that is in demand all over the land, is there situated, it becomes an institution such that the benefits resultant therefrom can hardly be computed. In this respeet the citizens of l'etaluma have special cause for congratulation, and regard the Peta- luma Fruit Packing Company as one in which they take an individual pride: and not only is the industry of local interest, but it is one whose renown is as wide as the boundaries of the State. The company was organized in 1883. The firm of De Long, Ashby & Co. succeeded to the interests of the Petaluma Fruit Packing Company about three years ago, and have under the able management of Mr. D. E. Ashby, estab- lished a business that is equal to any in the State.
The Odd Fellows have a fine iron front block in which they have a large, commodious hall. This organization has a large membership. and is financially prosperous. It is one of the solid and enduring institutions of Petaluma.
For long years a planing mill has been in suc- cessful operation in l'etalnma. In all Peta- luma's vast improvements it has turned out the sash, doors, moldings, cornice and brackets for local use. It is one of her useful and perma- nent industries.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
There are but few cities on the Pacific coast with the population of Petaluma (about 5.000) that has four banks. Petaluma has four banks capitalized as follows: First National Bank, paid-up capital, 8200,000, surplus, $75,800; Bank of Sonoma County, paid-up capital $300,- 000, surplus, 826,000; Petaluma Savings Bank, paid-up capital, $100,000, surplus, 860,000; llill & Son, capital, $150,000. It will thins be seen that the capital of our banks alone amounts to over $900,000.
There is not a city in the State of like popu- lation that has a better showing of public school edifices than Petaluma. She had already five school edifices, but to meet a growing need, a new building costing over $16,000 is just near- ing completion.
The outlying country around Petaluma, em- braced in Petaluma Township, amounts to over 40,000 acres of good farming, fruit and dairy lands. Immediately north of Petaluma, and bordering on the city limits, are several thou- sand acres of choice fruit land. Two Roek Val- ley is in this township, and it is one of the rich- est and most productive little valleys in the connty. West of Petaluma, and extending to the San Antonio Creek, is a fine dairy and stock re- gion. The assessed value of property in city and township is over $3,200,000.
Stony Point (sometimes designated Washoe House) is in Petaluma Township. It is in the midst of a productive fruit country, and has a hotel, postoffice and blacksmith shop.
The following members of the medieal pro- fession have occupied the Petaluma field:
Dr. S. W. Brown, died in 1862.
Dr. Wm. Wells is a pioneer of Petaluma.
Dr. T. A. Hylton, died on his way to Neva- da, in 1859.
Dr. T. L. Barnes left Petaluma about 1865, and went to Ukiah, where he now resides.
Dr. Iloffman staid but a short time.
Dr. Bond died here about 1870.
Dr. Burnett was elected State Senator and died before his term expired.
Dr. Cluness was partner of Dr. Burnett; went
to Sacramento in 1870, to succeed Dr. J. F .. Morse, and still resides there.
Dr. Voellen went to Sacramento, and is there at present.
Dr. Alex. Stewart succeeded Dr. Wells; went to San Francisco abont 1875 and died there.
Dr. Gildersleave succeeded Dr. Stewart, and left about 1878 for Arizona.
Dr. Patty succeeded Dr. Gildersleave, and is now in Petaluma.
Dr. MeTaggert resided in Petaluma a short time, then went to Sonoma and from there to San Francisco.
Mrs. Dr. S. Nichols resided in Petaluma about seven years and left in 1887; is now in San Diego County.
Dr. McWhinnie came to Petaluma from New York, practiced two or three years and died at Petaluma.
Mrs. Perkins practiced in Petaluma, where she is now living.
Dr. and Mrs. Remarque have been in Peta- luma for twenty years and still remain.
Dr. and Mrs. Fifield have been in Petaluma five or six years.
Dr. Ivancovich has been in Petaluma about eight years.
Dr. Proctor came to Petaluma about two years ago and is still practicing.
Dr. J. B. Smith came to Petaluma from Ukiah abont fifteen years ago and is still in practice.
Dr. Trenholtz has been in Petaluma three or four years.
Dr. G. B. Davis succeeded Mrs. Nichols and is still practicing here.
Dr. W. W. Carpenter came here about twenty years ago and died lately in San Francisco.
Dr. Goshen, specialist.
Dr. M. Donald, specialist.
Dr. Warren came to Petaluma from Valley Ford; died recently in San Francisco.
Dr. Shepperd has been in Petaluma over twenty-five years and is now here.
Dr. Christie came to Petaluma from Canada; practiced a few years and died.
Dr. McGuire practiced a few years in l'eta-
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
luma, then went to Guerneville, where he died.
George Walker Graves, M. D., born in Vir- ginia, near Richmond, in 1831; commenced medical studies in 1855; entered Medical College of Virginia and graduated March 9, 1858; came to Petaluma in spring of 1869; been here since.
Josiah HI. Crane, M. D., born in Warren County, Ohio, August 31, 1820, near Lebanon ; commenced the study of medicine in St. Louis; graduated from St. Louis Medical College in 1844; located in the spring of 1844 in St. Jos- eph, Mo .; 'came to Petaluma in 1865.
In the following we summarize a few of the most important institutions and industries of Petaluma:
Petaluma Lodge F. d .L. M .- Organized January 15, 1855; with Dr. T. L. Barnes, S. J. Smith, W. R. Swinerton, Uriah Edwards, 11. Bassett, B. Newman, A. P. Barton, L. llan- cock, L. Walker, Wm. Conley, James Samuels, J. G. Huff, I. K. Walker and J. C. Derrick, as charter members.
Petaluma Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M. This chapter was organized under dispensation and granted a charter, the members applying for such being Thomas L. Barnes, Philip R. Thomp- son, L. E. Brooks, M. R. Evans, William Bur- nett, I'. W. Randle, S. Powell, Job Cash, William Ross, and others. The first holders of office were: Iligh Priest, Thomas L. Barnes; King, Philip R. Thompson; Seribe, L. E. Brooks.
Arcturus Lodge, No. 180, F. & A. JI .- This lodge was organized on Octobler 11, 1866, and a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of California to Right Worshipfnl Master, C. Sim- mons; Senior Warden, Simon Conrad, and Junior Warden, Benjamin F. Tuttle, who held office under dispensation. The lodge now has a roll of seventy-five members.
Relief Encampment, No. 29, 1. 0. 0. F .- Was instituted July 11, 1868, the charter mem- bers being David Sullivan, G. Warren, B. Bow- man, J. S. Cutter, L. Ellsworth, James K. Knowles, William Zartman, Moses Korn. The first officers of the encampment were: G. War-
ren, C. P .; J. S. Cntter, H. P .; L. Ellsworth, S. W .: B. Bowen, Scribe; William Zartman, Treasurer; David Sullivan, J. W.
Petaluma Lodge, No. 30. 1. 0. 0. F .- This lodge was instituted on September 30, 1854. with the following charter members: Daniel McLaren, S. C. Ilayden, S. M. Martin, Thomas M. Murray, E. S. Mc Murray, Stephen Payran, Charles Purvine, William Ayers. The original officers were: Daniel McLaren, N. G .; S. C. Hayden, V. G .; S. M. Martin, R. S .; William Ayers, Treasurer.
Petaluma Lodge, No. 161, I. O. G. T .-- This lodge is the result of the consolidations of the lodges Star of the West, No. 380, and Star- light, No. 161, which was effected February 3, 1879. The number of charter members was thirty-five, and the officers under that grant: William C. Ordway, W. C. T .; Clara Wright, W. V. T .: J. S. Fillmore, Chaplain; Ella Gale, W. S .; A. G. Twist, W. A. S .; L. D. Gale, W. F. S .; Mrs. C. A. Ten Eyck, W. T .; Gordon Cameron, W. M .; Jennie Cameron, W. D. M .; Dollie Schlosser, W. I. G .: Aleck Connelly, W. O. G .; Sadie Wright, W. R. S .; Ella Benja- min, W. L. S .; J. B. Schlosser, P. W. C. T .; II. II. Jessup, L. D.
Methodist Episcopal Church. - In August, 1855, a church was organized at Petaluma, and a building erected where now stands the new city hall. In the very early days Rev. Jonas Speck was the minister in charge of the Petaluma cir- enit as was also Rev. A. L. S. Bateman. Peta- luma was then made a station and Rev. James Hunter was the first pastor. It has always been a prosperous church. The church buikling, on the northwest corner of Keller street and West- ern avenue, was begun in 1565, and finished in 1874, during the pastorate of Rev. 1. . J. Nelson. It is of brick, gothic in style of archi- tecture. is 85 by 56 feet in dimensions, and 35 feet from floor to ceiling. It is handsomely finished and furnished, and is lighted with gas, by means of two large sun burners. It has gallery, orchestra and class-rooms. The build- ing was erected at cost of $18,000.
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