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 40
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The following in reference to the objects of the association is elipped from their paper, the Mutual Relief:
" The object of the association is to secure pecuniary aid of $2,000 to the families or de- pendents of deceased members. This is aceom- plished in the most perfeet and substantial manner, as has been substantiated within the last few years by this and kindred societies: and that, too, with an expense so light that it has not proved a burden upon its members, which fact not only increases its popularity but brings it within the reach of those most need- ing its protection and aid.
" Any person, may become a member of the
association, if in good health and not under eighteen nor over forty-five years of age.
" Each member pays, according to age, four to eight dollars annually, and one dollar on the death of a member.
"On proof of the death of a member of the association, his family, or the person he has appointed as his nominee, receives immediately from the association 82,000 in case the deceased has been a member for ten years, or if not, a like proportion to the number of members.
" AAll surplus funds are loaned on good and sufficient security (on real estate) to form a ' per- manent reserve fund,' the interest on which annually reverts to members in the form of a divi- dend. In case of death a notice is sent to each member. Agents in each town receive the assessments.
" The association, as well as its funds, is under the control of a board of twelve directors, who are elected annually by the members of the association, and is also incorporated under the beneficiary act of the State, which act does not allow any funds to be used for purposes other than set forth in the rules and regulations. while the secretary and treasurer are required to give heavy bonds for the faithful performance of their duties.
"The officers and directors of the association, receive no compensation whatever for their ser- vices except the secretary, who is simply paid for keeping the books of the association.
" The association is designed to save money, not to spend it. None will feel poorer for belong. ing to it, while many will bless the day that their father, mother, husband or brother joined it.
" The annual payments are: For those under thirty years when they join. $4; over thirty and under thirty-five, 85; over thirty-five and under forty. 86; over forty and under forty- five, SS. These payments are not raised.
If a member prefers, he can make the fol- lowing full payments in advance, and not be required to make any further annual payments: For those under thirty years at time of joining, $30: over thirty and under thirty-five, $35;
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
over thirty-five and under forty, $40; over forty and under forty-five, 845.
" Do not confound this association with life insurance. It is a 'protective association,' and does business in a different way. for the same pur- pose, but for one-half the expense to members.
" The board of directors is a representative list of some of the most prominent business men of Petaluma. They are all residents of this place, and are men of means and integrity. The names of the officers and board of directors are as follows: D. W. C. Putnam, President; E. Newburgh, Vice-President; P. B. Gilbert, Secretary: A. B. Ilill, Treasurer. M. Walsh, W'm. Camin, II. L. Weston, D. W. C. Putnam, E. Newburgh, John Cavanagh. Wm. Zartman, J. L. Dinwiddie, Kelly Tighe, Wmn. Robinson, HI. Johnson, P. B. Gilbert, directors."
The Pacific Benefit Association .- This asso- ciation incorporated November 18, 1880, was designed to afford a cheap and safe means of in- surance for those unable or unwilling to pay the cost of a policy in one of the old-line companies. Its inceptor and founder, G. R. Codding (since deceased), at the time of its or- ganization had been engaged in the insurance business some ten years as secretary of the Mu- tual Relief Association, and had made a care- ful study of the various plans of the mutual or co-operative insurance companies. This associ- ation was the result of his labors. It combines some of the best features of the intnal relief (now in successful operation nearly twenty years) with that of graded assessments now so popular.
During the few years it has been in existence it has paid in benefits over $100,000. Its pres- ent officers are: F. A. Meyer, l'resident; J. A. Cowen, Vice-President; Geo. C. Codding, See- retary, and H. B. Higbee, Treasurer.
The Real Estate Association of Petaluma, Cal- itornia, was organized and incorporated in 1876 with a capital stock of $50,000. Its object was and is to buy and sell real estate for cash and on the installment, to loan money on real estate or other security and to carry on generally the business of trading and dealing in real
estate. G. R. Codding, its organizer, was its first secretary, and L. F. Carpenter its first pres- ident. They have done much for the city in the way of subdividing tracts, opening streets and building houses for those unable to do so with- out help. Its present officers are: T. A. Gilbert, President : S. J. Hopkins, Vice- President; Geo. C. Codding, Secretary, and Philip Cowen, Treas- urer.
William Hill & Son, Bankers. -- Organ- ized January 1, 1887; Wm Hill, President; A. B. Hill, Cashier; was organized with capital stock of $100,000, which was afterward in- creased to $150,000.
Statement made, July, 1888:
Capital, $150,000; profit and loss account, $11,036; deposits, amount, $125,882; real es- tate of bank premises, $11,000; loans on real estate, 8114,745; loans on personal security. $148,000; money on hand, $27,800.
Alfred Borel & Co. is their San Francisco correspondent. The bank draws direct on New York, London, German and other European cities.
Bank of Sonoma County .- This bank was incorporated May 10, 1866, with an authorized capital of $100,000 in one thousand shares of $100 each. The incorporators were: J. A. Mc- Near, G. W. MeNear, W. Hill, W. Dutton, E. Denman, J. R. Rose, A. Mills, G. W. Case, A. B. Case, 11. Mecham, C. Railsback, G. R. Cod- ding, 11. Hall, W. S. M. Wright, R. Bailey, W. R. Roberts, W. P. Hinshaw, G. Woodward, I. Bernhard, E. Newburgh, S. C. Hoag. J. E. Fowler, Jno. Sroute and A. Sweetland. The first Board of Directors were: J. A. McNear, W. HFill, W. Dutton, E. Denman and A. Mills. Wm. ITill was elected President and E. Sprague, Cashier. The prosperity of the new bank was remarkable: only 90 per cent. of the eapital stock being actually paid in. The remaining 10 per cent. was capitalized from the earnings.
In November, 1872, the bank took possession of the present location on the northwest cor- ner of Main and Washington streets, the build- ing having been especially erected for its use. February 1, 1877, the capital was increased in
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
parsnanee of the certificate of the Secretary of | State from $100,000 to $300,000. No assess- ments were levied on the stockholders as there had acerned a surplus of $200,000 from earn- ings subsequent to April 22, 1867.
Sinee organization the bank has paid $340,- 500 in dividends, besides capitalizing the above mentioned $200,000.
The present officers are:
Directors: E. Denman, Geo. P. McNear, J. E. Gwin, Thos. Hopper and T. C. Putman. E. Denman is President; Geo. P. MeNair, Vice- President; Frank H. Denman, Cashier, and II. B. ILigbee, Assistant Cashier.
The bank is now in a very flourishing con- dition with a constantly increasing business, having the entire confidence of the publie.
Petaluma Savings Bank .--- Incorporated by II. T. Fairbanks, J. M. Bowles, A. P. Whitney, B. F. Tuttle, A. Poverton, J. II. Crane, F. T. Maynard, Wm. Zartman and S. F. Carpenter on Angust 30, 1870.
The first president was J. M. Bowles, who filled the office until January, 1871, when he was succeeded by II. T. Fairbanks, who has filled the position to the present time.
The first cashier was O. V. Walker, who re- mained with the bank till 1874. W. B. Ilaskell then followed until Jannary. 1878, when D. B. Fairbanks was elected, and has been in continual service till the present writing.
The officers of the bank are: II. T. Fairbanks, President; J. M. Bowles, Vice-President and D. B Fairbanks. Cashier. The finance committee is composed of II. T. Fairbanks, president, and Messrs. J. M. Bowles and F. T. Maynard.
The bank does a general banking business and was the first to establish the rule of paying in- terest on deposits. It has met with unvarying success, occupying commodious and well fur- nished quarters on Main street, and having bur- glar and fire-proof vault with Hall's patent steel burglar-proof safe and time lock. The capital stoek is $100,000, and the stockholders have been paid sixty-one dividends amounting to 8205 per share since the bank started. The
surplus now carried amounts to 879,000. The correspondents of the bank are: The Bank of California, San Francisco; Ageney Bank of Cal- ifornia, New York; N. M. Rothschild & Sons, London, England.
The Petaluma Incubator, one of the leading mannfactures of the county was awarded med- als at the California State Fair in 1881-'82-'83 and '84. The first one a silver, the others gold medals. Also a gold medal at the Sonoma County Agricultural Park Association, 1883, besides eleven diplomas of merit at various district fairs.
The machine, in its original form, was intro- duced by I. R. Jacobs and I. L. Dias, the former, however, withdrew before the business assmned any practical shape, and was soon after sne- ceeded by L. C. Byce. The business was there- after condneted under the name of the Petaluma Inenbator Company.
Mr. Dias died in November, 1884, since which time the business has been owned and eondneted by Mr. Byee, under the same name.
The first year there was less than fifty ma- chines sold, but the practicability having been so thoroughly demonstrated, the demand has steadily increased until the sales for 1888 ex- ceed 1,000 machines.
Mr. Byce is the original patentee, to whom several additional patents have been granted for improvements. With many of the machines there are sold from one to three brooders.
The factory is large and commodious and oc- enpies a prominent location on Main street.
Petaluma Woolen Mille-Torr & New- burgh, proprietors. Was built April, 1875, and started as a stock company; it run as a stock company for about a year, when they rented it to R. 11. Dunean & Co. They had it for about eighteen months. It then laid idle for about two years and a half. It was then taken in charge by Charles L. Torr, who bought the con- trolling interest. In January, 1886, Mr. Man- rise Newburgh came in as partner, under the present firm name. They made extensive ad- dition by enlarging the building and putting in
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
two-thirds new machinery. Previous to the time Mr. Torr took the mill the most they run per day was 160 yards of flannel: he inereased it by improving the machinery to about 350 yards per day. Since Mr. Newburgh came in it has still increased, so at present it turns out 750 yards per day. At present turning out forty- five pair of scarlet blankets per day, and 250 yards of flannel. The plant eost the stock com- pany, when put up, $22,500. There has been in the neighborhood of $1,800 added since in the machinery, addition of buildings, and other improvements. They have their own artesian well, which also supplies the railroad with water.
American Hotel. This is the oldest hotel in the city of Petaluma, dating its history since the latter part of 1852, when it was erected by Mr. George B. Williams. It was then little better than a boarding-house, but being the only place where shelter was furnished to strang- ers it enjoyed an extended patronage. It was then a small story and a half wooden building, with not over three or four rooms. It has grown since then, until now it is a substantial briek, three stories in height, and containing no less than fifty rooms. Twice it has been burned; the first time when it was a wooden building, being entirely consumed, and the second time when a brick, being gutted. It has had many owners and proprietors, nearly all of them popular with the public, but none so mueh so as the present proprietors, Messrs. Soldate & Giacomini, mention of whom is made in another place. A list of the varions proprie- tors is given, although it is not certain whether the catalogue of the earlier times is quite com- plete. After George B. Williams eame Dong- lass & Adams, in 1852, who ran it until it came into the hands of Anthony G. Oaks, the well-known " Toney," now of Alameda County. On December 1, 1855, the men who kept the American were Brown & Rexford, well known by all the old-timers. The building had been rebuilt in brick by this time and was owned by William Ordway. From his hands it passed into those of J. M. Bowles, and then to the
banker, II. T. Fairbanks; and from him to Mr. J. A. McNear, the present owner, through Mr. Matzenbach, who kept the hotel for a long time and was one of the most popular bonifaces. In 1883 the lessees were Roberts & Smith; then, in qniek succession, Messrs. Beggs & Sol- date, Beggs & Tornasini, F. R. Shield, M. Giacomini, and now Soldate & Giacomini, who took possession on the 11th of December, 1584. and in their management leave nothing to be desired. Since they have had the house it has been thoroughly overhauled and partially re- furnished, and has been placed upon a modern and popular basis. It is a three story brick building of solid and substantial construction, having a fine Gothie front on Main street, sup- ported by massive finted iron pillars. The rooms are large and airy, and are arranged so as to be used either single or en suite. The dining-room will scat eighty guests, and the commissary department is not the least im- portant of the house. The cuisine is presided over by a skilled chef, and the service and at- tendance is perfect. Connected with the house is a well stocked bar, a spacious billiard-room, commodious sample-rooms, barber shop, and other conveniences. In short, the house pos- sesses all enstomary modern conveniences, and is a thoroughly first-class establishment. Lastly, we must not forget to mention what is certainly not the least attractive feature of the house, and that is the genial Joe Soldate, who knows so well how to make his guests at home.
OFFICERS OF THE CITY OF PETALI VS.
John Cavanaugh, Recorder; John P. Rod- gers, City Attorney; Charles Polk, Assessor; F. M. Collins, Marshal; H. B. Higbee, Treas- urer: W. Worth, George F. Allen, John A. Me Near, J. L. Winnans and William Lewis, Trustees. 1I. P'imm is chief of Fire Department.
City Board of' Education: JJames Singley. President : Henry P. Brainerd, Frank II. Den- man, Joseph Campbell: Frank T. Maynard, Secretary.
l'. Hall is the present postmaster of Petaluma.
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
CHAPTER XXIX.
MENDOCINO - CLOVERDALE -SONOMA -- ANALY -- BODEGA -- RUSSIAN RIVER- WASHINGTON - RED. WOOD -- OCEAN-SALT POINT -- KNIGHTS VALLEY -VALLEJO.
MENDOCINO TOWNSHIP. XCLUSIVE of Healdsburg, this township includes 79,232 acres, assessed at $779,850, an average of $10 per acre. The entire tax- roll of the township, exelnding Healdsburg, is 81,242,056. The taxable property of Healdsburg amounts to $595,338, which makes the assessed value of the property of the township $1,837,394. In shape, it is the most irregular of all the town- ships in the county. It is bounded by Lake County on the northeast, and following the meandering of steams or convolutions of monn- tain ranges it encompasses Cloverdale and Washington townships on three sides, winding between them and Mendocino County on the north, with Knights Valley, Russian River, Analy and Redwood townships on the south, and Salt Point and Ocean on the west. Ilealds- burg, containing a population of 2,000 is the principal town, and is splendidly situated on the north bank of the Russian River. Property in this seetion is changing hands very rapidly, its fertile plains, fine grazing lands and splendid fruits and vine-growing areas being justly ap- preciated. The products of this township are almost as varied as the wants of man, and in quantity and quality are not surpassed. Its
population in 1880 was 2,874; now abont 3,500. There is not a vacant house or store in Healds- burg, and building is progressing rapidly. In common with all parts of the Russian River Valley the farm houses are, many of them, fine substantial structures, and many improvements are continually being made. In this section no little attention is being paid to hop raising. The celebrated Geyser Springs are in the eastern part of this township.
As Cyrus Alexander had settled in this town- ship at a very early day, Americans coming in were naturally attracted to his neighborhood. Of those who came to California previous to the discovery of gold, were the Gordons, Morrow, Storey, and W. J. March, who all found their way to the Russan River Valley and in 1848 settled on land now comprised in this town- ship. As month followed month, and year succeeded year, so did the population increase. In 1849 arrived William T. Allen and others ; in 1831, Richard E. Lewis and many more. In these years the gold fever had stocked California with denizens from every known part of the globe ; every tongue spoken on the face of the globe was to be heard in the gold mines, while all were bent on acquiring a large and
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
rapid fortune. Failure or success caused many to leave the pursuit of treasure and look for somewhere to settle, and thus in the next five years every portion of the State received a mar- velons increase to the number of its residents. In Mendocino Township the few residents that were not taken with the gold disorder, watched carefully passing events and tilled their ground, and planted their produce, waiting for a certain harvest of dust. Our okl pioneer Cyrus Alex- ander knew that wealth was now within his grasp: he sent his cattle to the mines and there received fabulous prices for them. In the sun- iner of 1850 he succeeded in raising a good erop of large sized onions -- about two tons in all ; these he dispatched to the mines by an ox- team and cleared about $1,200 on the venture by retailing them at from 40 to 75 cents per ponnd. Hog's flesh had been up to that time a scarce commodity ; they had been, however, introduced by Alexander in 1550 or before then. At any rate, in that year a drover named Ohn- stead came from the mines and wanted to strike a bargain with Alexander for certain pigs, the priee wanted being $50 each. After much hag- gling. Olmstead paid the $1,000 and took the twenty pigs.
Some of the immigrants coming to the Rus- sian River Valley at this period east longing eyes upon the fertile lands of Alexander Valley, and taking it for granted that they knew all the intricacies of the land law as relating to Califor- nia, oceupied such portions as they had a mind to; among others who were thus honored by the presence of self-invited guests was Cyrus Alexander. With these, however, he never quarrelled, but would simply warn them off, advising them of the consequences should they remain. As a rule they went away quietly, Alexander always paying them a fair price for any improvements made. Afterward, finding that his property was absolutely needed by those who would pay for it, he concluded to dispose of all his wild cattle and have the ranch surveyed. This he did, dividing it into two reserves, and offering the remainder for sale in lots to suit
purchasers. The valley in this way became soon peopled by immigrants from Illinois, Iowa. Tei nessee, Missouri, Indiana, and New York.
HEALDSBURG." AAs the crow flies, " Healds- burg is about sixty-five miles west of north of San Francisco, being thirty-five miles from Peta- luma and fifteen from Santa Rosa by the rail- road. It oeenpies a beautiful location on Rns- sian River, near its confluence with Dry Creek. and rests pleasantly on rising ground between the two valleys of Russian River and Dry Creek, near to it being the eminence nsnally known as Fitch Mountain, though there are those who name it by the more euphonious title of Sotoy- ome. the name given to the grant made to ('ap- tain Henry D. Fitch. It is a hill of much symmetry, the upper portion being well wooded, while at its base are rolling lands, offering the advantage of magnitieent pasturage; around the foot of it meanders the Russian River, elinging to the fertile region as if loth to part with the luxuriant vegetation on its slopes.
The site of the city was originally a portion of the grant named above. In the year 1552 Harmon Heald, who had crossed the plains in 1849, and settled in the county in 1850, not far from the position of the future eity, located the land, the proper ownership of which was at that time in dispute. Heald arguing that should it turn ont to be Government property he could pre-empt it, and if owned privately he would have a like opportunity offered for purchase. On this ground he erected a small clap- board cabin, placing it on the side of the main road to Mendocino and the connties to the north. then the only artery for wagon travel in this part of the country; he thus seized the oppor- tunity, and procuring a small assortment of goods, opened a store in the fall of the year. and that winter disposed of them, principally to the Indians, of whom there were a great nmmn- ber, who usually paid for their purchases in cash, and the travelers on the route. This erection stood on the site of the present express office of Wells. Fargo & Co., the original building being until lately still standing, a little to the rear
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
thereof. This was the first building in Ilealds- burg. In this winter there came to live with Ileald, Thomas W. Hudson and wife, who as- sisted him in his household and other eares, and in the following spring, having disposed of his original stock in trade, he set to work to re- plenish his shelves, the goods being proenred in San Francisco, and thenee transported by steamer to Sonoma, and by wagon or pack, or both, to their destination. A blacksmith's shop was shortly after built by a man of the name of Morse, on the site of the store now kept by Sam Myers; he, however, was suecceded by William Dodge and William Dow, who had moved their smithery business from the Russian River banks, thus making the second building in the embryo eity. The third house was constructed by August Knaaek, on the ground now oeenpied by the eastern end of the Sotoyome HIonse, where he established himself, making chairs and repairing wagons. This house adjoined the blacksmith shop already mentioned; Knaack, it is said, performing all the woodwork in connec- tion with that business. This was in the winter of 1833-'4, at which time there also came HI. M. Wilson, who, with A. B. Aull, entered into partnership with Harmon Heald, who built an addition to the store, the business of which was afterward controlled by Wilson alone for eight- ren months. Early in the year 1853, Harmon lleald lost his youngest brother, who had crossed the plains, with his mother, sister, and another brother, in 1851, his being the first funeral in the little settlement. He was interred by the side of a eluster of madronas, in what is now the school lot, then apparently far away in the backwoods, now surrounded on every side by houses. His remains along with those of many others, were afterward removed to Oak Mound Cemetery. In May of this year there also hap- pened the first birth in the eity, in the person of llenry II., son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Hudson, who soon after moved from the little settlement, for we find that in 1854 the town, which at that time knew no other name than that of Heald's Store, was composed of the build-
-
ings mentioned above, with their occupants, HIarmon Heald and his wife, for he had married at Mark West Creek in the previous year ; II. M. Wilson, William Dow, William Dodge, and AAugust Knaack. About this period was estab- lished in Healdl's store the first postal station, the nearest offiee prior to that time being at Sonoma, whence the mail service was conducted by private enterprise, at a charge of two, and, sometimes, four bits a letter.
Nothing of any importanee transpired in the following year; in Mareh, 1856, however, Me- Manus moved his store from its position in Rus- sian River Township, making the second store within what is now known as the corporate limits of the eity of Healdsburg. There was still another store, but ontside the limits, kept by a man named Engle.
In the spring of the year 1857, the town site was surveyed by 11. P. Mock, and the lots, with the exception of those donated for a district school, cemetery, Methodist Episcopal church, Baptist church, Methodist Episcopal church, Sonth, Presbyterian church, and plaza, sold by private contract.
In the year 1867, the town was incorporated under the law of the State as it then existed, but during the twentieth session of the Legis- lature a special law was passed incorporating the city of Healdsburg, which was adopted by the vote of the city on April 18, 1874.
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