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 39
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
The First Baptist Church, Petuluna .- On Sabbath, the 17th day of July, 1853, in Bodega, Sonoma County, upon a call made by Rev. A. A. Guernsey, the following brethren and sisters presented themselves for the purpose of being organized into a Baptist church: John C. Hughes, Jane Ilughes, Worham Easley, Eliza- beth A. Easley, Ari Hopper, Susannah Hopper. The church was duly organized as the First Bap- tist Church of Bodega. Rev. A. A. Guernsey was elected pastor, and Worham Easley, clerk. Articles of faith and practice were adopted. The church held its regular monthly meetings at Bodega until the second Saturday in October, 1853, when it was voted to adjourn, to incet in Petaluma. The meetings were continued in Petaluma statedly. On the Saturday before the first Sabbath in November, 1854, the church, by vote, changed the name from the First Bap- tist Church of Bodega to the First Baptist Church of Petaluma. In February, 1855, a movement was set on foot to secure a suitable lot and procure funds to erect a meeting. house. In March, 1855, a corporation by the name of the Baptist church and society was formed, with James Hogal, William Conley and Mr. Mathews as trustecs, Fleming Spencer, elerk, and deacon Michael Barnes, treasurer. During the year 1857, a church edifice, 40 by 60 feet, was completed, with a seating capacity of about 400. The same edifice, with some improve- ments, remains to the present time.
Methodist Church, South .-- This church which is situated on the southeast corner of Liberty street and Western avenue, Petaluma, was the outgrowth of the labors of Samuel Brown, who came to this city by direction of the Pacific Conference, commeneed preaching in the fall of 1859, and finally established a church under the rules and regulations of the above-named body. The organization was rep- resented by about twenty-five members, who held their first services in the Baptist Church and Me- Cune's Hall until the present cdifice was erected in the year 1860. This structure is 40 x 60 feet, built of brick, and has a seating capacity of 250.
St. John's Episcopal Church is located at the corner of C and Fifth streets. The church is gothic in its style of architecture, with a seat- ing capacity of from 300 to 400. The interests of the parish of St. John were first entrusted to Rev. G. B. Taylor, who after a time was suc- eceded by the Rev. Mr. Smeathman, the vestry being at that period composed of Messrs. Ilnie, Wickersham, Carder, Weston, Sprague, Sweet- land and Cooper. Messrs. Carder, Cooper. Sprague and Wickersham being nominated treasurer, secretary, and wardens respectively. On January 29, 1860, the church was declared ready for consecration, which was duly done by the Right Reverend W. Ingraham Kip, bishop of the diocese of California, before a large con- gregation.
Congregational Church .- This is one of the oldest church edifices in Petaluma. It is on the corner of Fifth and B streets. The building was erccted in 1857, Rev. A. A. Baker being its first pastor. After a few years the building was found inadequate for the size of the eongre- gation and it was enlarged. Around it cluster a great many pioneer memories.
St. Vincent's Catholic Church. The old Catholic church stood on the hill, on Prospect. between Liberty and Walnut streets. The pres ent fine edifice, at the junction of Howard and Liberty streets, was completed and dedicated in May, 1876. Father Cleary has been in charge for many years.
First Presbyterian Church. This is a neat cditice on Fourth street, Rev. W. HI. Darder pastor. The church edifice was completed in 1885, and has a seating capacity for 275 people. The first elders were: David Stuart, C. S. Gib- son, John P. Twist, David Ross, William C. Dunning and Dr. J. II. Crane. The trustees were: David Stewart, A. Iliggins, John Todd, John E. Gwin and N. M. Hedges.
Christian Church .-- The neat edifice of this denomination is located on Western avenue. The building was completed in 1887. and the society is in a prosperous condition.
Two Rock Presbyterian Church .- Was or-
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ganized October 21. 1860. The church building was built in 1563. The church was organized by Rev. Thomas Frasier, of the Benicia Pres- bytery, and assisted by Rev. Frederick Buel, of the Presbytery of California. There were taken in on the organization fourteen members, as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Stephen II. Fowler, Mr. and Mrs. Ilenry Schuler, Samuel Schuler, Alexander James Waddel, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. David Morton. Mrs. W. Il. Dalton, Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Wigam, and R. A. Morton. The following persons, Stephen Fowler and Robert Andrews were elected elders on the organization; also, David Morton. The present church building is at Two Rock, eight miles west of Petaluma. The membership at the present time numbers fifty-two persons, seventeen males and thirty-five females. The present elders are: Robert Andrews, Silas M. Martin, and Solomon Q. Barlow. Rev. George W. llays has been the stated supply for the past three years.
Library Association .-- The public library in Petaluna was organized under the auspices of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Pet- aluma, in January, 1567, the first officers being: T. F. Baylis, President; L. Ellsworth, Vice President; Dr. J. II. Crane, Secretary; William Zartman, Treasurer. In October, 1878, the in- stitution was turned over to the city and organ- ized as a public library. The library now contains several thousand volumes. The rooms are on the upper floor in the new City Hall building, and are as fine library rooms as can be found outside of San Francisco. Mrs. J. P. Lackie. who has been librarian for more than a decade, keeps everything in good order.
Washington Hall Association .- This com- pany was incorporated February 22, 1870. the first officers being: Lee Ellsworth. President; Philip Cowen, Secretary: C. P. Hatel, Treas- urer. It consists of a theater, stage, side and end galleries, auditorium and basement of the following dimensions: Stage, twenty-four fect; two dressing rooms under the stage, and one on each side of the first entrance, 14 x 20 feet; the
whole is lighted by 140 burners, the gas being generated by a pneumatic gas machine. The building, which was opened on September 7, 1879, includes an auditorium 56 x 66 feet while its entire dimensions are 60 x 100 feet, erected at a cost of $25,000.
Cypress Hill Cemetery .-- To the northward of the city of Petaluma, on an eminence com- manding a beautiful prospect of the fertile val- leys and hold mountains. is situated this hand- some cemetery. This cemetery is the result of the private enterprise of one of Petaluma's most prominent citizens, John A. MeNear. Previous to 1866 there had not been any very suitable place for a cemetery provided for by the citizens of Petaluma, but in that year Mr. MeNear put into execution a project for providing for the pressing necessity. Accordingly the present site of Cypress Hill was chosen and burial lots laid ont. Thousands of trees were planted and miles of road made, and other work done at great expense, to make it as attractive and well adapted as possible for a cemetery.
NEWSPAPERS.
The Petaluma Weekly Argus is a representa- tive journal of Sonoma County, having not only a good home circulation, but a liberal patronage in surrounding counties, As it is the ontgrowth of a combination of journals, its history very fitly illustrates the mutations and changes at- tending journalism on this coast. In chrono- logical order the Sonoma County Journal is entitled to precedence, its publication commenc- ing on the 18th of August, 1855, with Thomas L. Thompson as editor and proprietor. It was strictly neutral in politics, and soon won for itself a high standing as a news and family journal. In 1856 Mr. Thompson sold the jour- nal establishment to Il. L. Weston, who con- tinned its publication as an independent journal, enlarging it from time to time as the growth of the population of the county seemed to require. It held Petaluma as its exclusive field until the fall of 1859, when the Petaluma Argus, under the proprietorship of J. J. Pennypacker, as a
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
Republican journal, made its appearance, to share the field with the Journal. The latter, under the continued and exclusive proprietor- ship of Mr. Weston, pursued the even tenor of its way without change or variableness until February of 1864. During these years the Argus passed through many changes. Pennypacker having become involved. the Argus material was sold under execution in May of 1860. Samuel Cassiday getting possession of the material, in June following started the Petaluma Republi- can, six issues of which appeared, when Penny- packer recovered back the material, and on the 25th of August of the same year resuscitated the l'etaluma Irgus. In December of the same year, Pennypacker sold the _Argus to A. Drouil- lard, who on the 4th of January, 1861, formed a partnership with J. Il. MeNabb. Drouillard & MeNabb continued the publication of the Argus until July, when Drouillard retired from the paper, and Samuel Cassiday became Mr. MeNabb's partner in the proprietorship and editorial management of that journal. From this time until February of 1864, the Argus and Journal divided a field between them which it required but little practical business sagacity to see was not more than equal to the support of one good paper. As a consequence, at that time the two journals were united under the name of the Petaluma Journal and Argus, Mr. Weston retiring from the management, but re- taining a third interest in the paper. From this time until June of 1866, MeNabb & Cassi- day published the Journal and Argus, when the former retired, and Cassiday remained as sole editor and publisher until February of 1869, when he sold the establishment to Il. L. Weston. For a year Mr. Weston remained sole proprie- tor and publisher, when in February of 1870, he took in as partner J. E. Guild, who filled the office of business manager. This partner- ship was terminated in May of 1871, by Mr. Guild selling out to James Il. MeNabb and N. W. Seudder, who became equal partners with Weston in the Journal and Argus establish- ment. Under the firm naine of Weston, Seud-
dur & Co., the paper for a brief period was under the management of these three gentle- men, when Mr. MeNabb receiving the appoint- ment of Deputy Collector of the Port of San Francisco, retired from the management, leav- ing Weston and Seudder sole publishers and editors of the Journal and Argus. During 1872-3, Messrs. Weston & Sendder published a daily paper in connection with their weekly. At the commencement of their new volume of date February 7, 1873, the name Journal was discontinued from the title of the paper, and from thence forward its title has been The Petaluma Weekly Argus. Under the proprie- torship of Weston & Seudder the Argus was enlarged to its present size, and its office fur- nished with all the appointments of a first-class country journal. In April of 1579, Mr. Seud- der sold his interest in the Argus and retired, giving place to Samuel Cassiday, who, after a rest of ten years resumed his connection withi that journal. In August of 1881, the firm be- came Weston, MeNabb & Cassiday. In 1883, II. L. Weston having been appointed postmaster of Petaluma retired from the firm and Hast. 1. Downer became a partner for a year. Then S. P. Weston became a member of the firm for a short time, and afterward Harry MeC. Westou was of the firm. lu November. 1887, B. HI. Cottle, long of the San Jose Mercury, bought the Weston interest, and the firm is now Me- Nabb, Cassiday & Cottle.
Following are sketches of the members of the above firm:
JAMES HENRY MCNABB Was born in Springfield, Illinois, in 1833. Ilis father, James Crawford MeNabb, was born near the city of Richmond, in Virginia, of Seoteh-Irish parentage. His mother, Ann Rebecca Watson, was born at Maysville, Kentucky. Mr. MeNabb took the " gold fever" in the spring of 1849 and crossed the plains as an ox-driver that year, landing in the Territory of California September 17th, 1849, at the point on the Sacramento River now ealled Vina. le mined with good and bad luck for a few years and then bought an interest in
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
a printing office and completed the trade of printer. He published a paper ealled the Plumas argus, at Quiney. Plumas County, which he disposed of in the spring of 1860, and during the same year he removed to l'etaluma. and became interested in the Petaluma Llrgus, with which he has been connected ever since, except from June. 1866. to June, 1571. Hle has held several official positions, and so far as we know, always came out elean. Ile was justice of the peace and associate justice of the Court of Sessions in Plumas County. where he also served one year as assessor. Ile served one term as State Senator from Sonoma, 1862 '3. lle was Deputy Collector of Customs in San Francisco, in charge of the Warehouse Depart- inent for nine years, from July, 1972, to July, 15$1. In 1859 he was married to Mary E. Sendder, at Quiney, California. His wife was born in Morris County. New Jersey. They have had six children born to them, and five are now living. Adelaide and May Louisa. the eldest daughters, are compositors in the Argus office.
SAMUEL CASSIDAY was born April 12th, 1830, near Reedsburgh, Wayne County, Ohio. Of his grand parents three were natives of the north of Ireland, and the fourth a native of . Pennsylvania. His father, John Cassiday, was a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, and his mother's maiden name was Sarah MeGee, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio. In 1841, when eleven years of age, he moved with his parents overland to the then Territory of Iowa, settling near Libertyville, Jefferson County, and within fifteen miles of the boundary between government and the hunting grounds of the Sae and Fox Indians. From this time until 1847 he worked upon the farm nine months out of the year. receiving the benefit of such education as the rude log school-house of the frontier afforded during the winter months. In 1847 he entered the office of the Des Moines Valley Whig. published at Keosauqua, to learn the printer's trade. Having completed his apprenticeship the winter of 1849- 50, he filled the position of assistant teacher in a private
academy at Oskaloosa. From that place he started overland the spring of 1850, and arrived at Sacramento in the early part of September. From the time of his arrival in California up to the spring of 1554 he was engaged in various mining operations, mostly in the neighborhood of Rough and Ready, Nevada County, and Parks and Long Bars, Yuba County. In 1554 he came to Sonoma County, and from that time until 1561 he was engaged in farming, dairying, and stock raising. In 1561 he embarked in journalism as one of the editors and proprietors of the Petaluma Argus. In 1866 he assumed the entire proprietorship of that journal, which he retained until 1869 when he sold that establishment to 11. L. Weston, Esq., and leas- ing over 11,000 aeres of land in Monterey County, for a term of years, moved to that portion of the State where for ten years he followed the varied pursuits of farming, sheep raising, and general real estate business. With the exception of a brief residence at Gilroy, Santa Clara County, he resided most of this time at Salinas City. In 1565 he passed an exami- nation and was admitted to the practice of law in the District Court of the Twentieth Judicial Distriet. In the spring of 1879 he returned to l'etalunna, and resumed his connection with the Petaluma Argus. In 1864 Mr. Cassiday was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia Francis Denman, a native of Sullivan County, New York. Iler father's name was William Den man, a native of England, and her mother's maiden name was Naney Curry, a native of New York. He has five children: the oldest, Sarah Franeis, born June 18. 1566: the see- ond, Elizabeth Louisa, born May 29th, 1868; the third, Benjamin Franklin, born Jannary 16, 1870; the fourth, Samuel Denman, born AAngust 14, 1873; and the fifth, Minnie Belle, born May 2. 1875.
BENJAMIN HINCKLEY COTTLE was born in T'ennebee County, Maine, in 1833. His parents, Isaae and Abigail (llinekley) Cottle, were natives of the same State. He was brought up on a farm until he was seventeen years of
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
age, when he began to learn the printer's trade in Gardiner, in his native county. In 1856 he came to California by the Niearagua route; was delayed in Nicaragua about six weeks on account of the filibustering operations of William Walker. After mining gold for awhile in Stanislaus County, Mr. Cottle settled in Stock- ton, at his old trade of printing, continuing there for a period of three years. Next, after visiting in the East for a year he returned to the Golden State and settled in San Jose, where he became one of the proprietors of the San Jose Mercury, in partnership with J. J. Owen. which relation he sustained for thirteen years. Ile then employed himself in the job printing business in that city until the latter part of 1887, when he came to Petaluma and purchased the interest of II. L. Weston in the Petaluma Argus. Mr. Cottle has ever been a zealous and consistent Republican, and is a member of the Orders of Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor. While in San Jose he was a member of the city council for a number of years. In 1867 Mr. Cottle married Miss Nellie D. Skinner, who is a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Judge 1l. C. and Susan Skinner. Her parents came across the plains in 1849 and located at San Jose, where her mother is still living; her father died at San Diego in 1877. The children of Mr. Cottle are Bertha. Claire, Harrold and Estelle.
The Petaluma Weekly Courier was started by Win. F. Shattuck, October 5, 1876. From a small patent outside sheet it soon grew to be a pretentious eight-column paper and an estab- lished institution, being considered one of the reliable Democratie journals of the State. The first year of its existence the Courier was edited by Professor E. S. Lippitt, a gentleman well known throughout the coast. His vigorous, well-written editorials brought the paper into notice, and gave it considerable influence. Mr. Lippitt was succeeded by F. W. Shattuck in the editorial management, a prominent attorney of Sonoma County. By an independent style the Courier won its way to publie favor. Mr. 17
Shattuck continued to publish the paper until December, 1883, when he sold the establishment to Woodbury & Raveneroft, who are now the publishers.
The Daily Morning Imprinted was estab- lished December 15th, 1884, with J. W. Hoag, 11. B. Hinkle and J. T. Studdert as publishers and proprietors. The interest of Hinkle and Studdert has been purchased by J. W. Hoag. and the paper changed from a morning to an evening publication. It is the only daily paper published in Petaluma, and is prosperous.
The Orchard and Farm is a monthly illus- trated journal that has just reached its third number. It is a neat publieation and is gaining a good eireulation. Samuel E. Watson is pub- lisher and proprietor.
The First National Bank of Petaluma .- This banking institution, which holds a promi- nent and honorable position in financial cireles not alone within the limits of Sonoma County, but likewise throughout the Pacific coast gen- erally, was originally established as a private bank by I. G. Wickersham, and was first opened to do business on February 1. 1865, in a building on the northeast corner of Washington and Main streets. In 1868 the building still occupied by the bank was ereeted, being the first bank building in Petaluma. It is a solid and substantial structure, with fire and burglar proof vaults, ete., and elegant and tasteful fit- tings. On September 23, 1874, the bank was organized as a national bank, receiving its charter and entering on business on January 1. 1875. It is the oldest bank in existence north of the bay and is the first that was established in So- noma County. Its history of now nearly twenty- four years has been one of continued progress, possessing to the fullest extent the confidence of the community. It has been conducted upon a liberal yet conservative basis, meeting with but few losses, but employing its capital where it would manifestly benefit the county, both i' the way of developing its natural resources and of extending its trade. This bank has been the most prominent feature, indeed, in this regard
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in Sonoma County, as when no other institution of its kind was in existence in this part of the State, its money was freely loaned to those who were laboring to build up the material interests of this section, at a time when without it the wheels of progress would have met with serious delays. The capital stock of the bank fully paid in consists of $200,000, and in addition to that a surplus fund has been accumulated of $80,000; this large surplus fund showing the careful and conservative management. The to- tal assets of the bank amounts to the large sum of 8563,955.61 at the close of business, October 4th of this year. As showing the trust reposed in this bank by the people it should be stated that there are private deposits in the bank of almost a quarter of a million dollars. IIon. I. G. Wickersham has always been the president of the bank. and, ndeed, it is largely with his capital that it has been car- ried on. Mr. II. II. Atwater has been its trusted cashier since the spring of 1866, and Mr. Fred A. Wickersham has been assistant cashier since 1883. The board of directors consists of Messrs. Wichersham and Atwater already mentioned, and of Messrs. L. Ellsworth, L. G. Nay. Dan- iel Brown, C. P. Hlateh, and Anton Meyer. gentlemen well known and of the highest stand- ing in this section.
Mutual Relief Association of Petaluma. It is with peculiar pleasure that the writer un- dertakes a description of this well-known in- stitution, which is not only the oldest, but is also the most successful of all societies of its elass upon this coast, and has aided more than anything else by its careful management and solid career. to prove the efficaey and necessity of this method of life insurance. The thinking public has long tired of paying the enormous pre- miums required in advance by the old-line stock companies to be used by them for the support of a horde of high priced officials and other unnecessary expenses, and turns with relief and gratitude to an institution such as this which affords the same safe and reliable insurance at the real eost of such insurance, and on
the fair and equitable principle of calling for funds only when needed to incet claims. In the long life of this association, which has now extended over almost nineteen years, the benefi- eial working of its methods have been completely proven and its practical and successful career has demonstrated not only the correctness of its plans but also its wise and careful manage- ment. During its existence it has paid in the shape of benefits the large sum of $460,000 to its benificiaries. relieving many destitute wid- ows and orphans from want at a period when most in need-namely, upon the removal of the bread-winner and head of the househokl. It has also accumulated during the same period a reserve fund of $50,000 which is securely in- vested. thus placing it on a sound financial basis and assuring payment of all just claim> against it. It has also erected a fine building for its own use on the corner of Western ave- nne and Kentucky street in Petaluma. It is the finest erection in town and a credit archi- tecturally to the county.
The Mutual Relief Association of Petaluma is incorporated under an act passed April 22, 1550. entitled. " An Aet for incorporating Re- ligious, Social, Beneficial and Literary Associa- tions," and reincorporated under the act passed March 23, 1874, entitled " An Aet relating to Mutual, Beneficial and Relief AAssociations." This latter act was passed especially for the pro- tection of this and similar societies and to guard them against the unjust encroachment of the life insurance companies. These statutes are very strict in their requirements especially in regard to the funds, whch cannot be applied in any other manner than that set forth in the act of ineor- poration. If they should be wrongfully diverted from their proper use, they can be reclaimed at any time within six years upon the complaint of any member of the association -- thus secur- ing an absolute safeguard to the members.
.1 few words may not be amiss as to the origin of this method of life security. This class of mutual associations originated, it is believed, with the Episcopal clergy for the pro-
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teetion of their families. Other denominations. as also the Masons, Odd Fellows and other orders, soon adopted the same plan. It gave such general satisfaction, accomplishing its de signs with such a certainty and at such a trifling expense that it has steadily and rapidly grown in favor throughout the eastern States for more now than a third of a century. Realizing these facts, the citizens of San Francisco formed an as- sociation, confining its membership to that city. Some citizens of Petaluma applied to become members, and having been denied, by reason of its restrictions, they determined to organize an as- sociation in Petaluma, but on a more liberal scale. A meeting was accordingly called by a number of its leading citizens, and the result was the organizing of the Mutual Relief Asso- ciation, embodying all the best principles of its predecessors. ¿ Notwithstanding it has met with the most strennous opposition on the part of the old-line life insurance companies, misrepre- senting it in the most subtle and stealthy manner by every means fair and unfair in their power, through almost innumerable publications and their hundreds of paid agents, still this association has steadily .increased in numbers and influence, until it is known throughout the land, and has had the satisfaction of relieving the needy to the extent already mentioned, and has a list of members that steadily averages about 2,000, which are all that are sought.
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