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 47

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 786

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 47

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KNIGHT'S VALLEY TOWNSHIP.

Situated in the eastern portion of the county, its eastern verge extending up the rugged sides of Mount St. Helena, lies one of the fairest of ('alifornia's valleys, from which this township takes its name. It contains 36,808 acres, assessed $263,500, or $7 per acre. Total assessed value of all property, 8385,550. Its population in 1880 was 230. The tide of immigration that set in has caused numerous settlements to be made on chemisal-covered hills, which are rap-

idly being converted into vineyards, the soil and climate for this purpose being excellent. It was named in honor of Thomas Knight, who, in 1853. purchased a large tract of land from a Spaniard named Berryessa. California's staples

wine, wool, and wheat -- are produced in great abundance. Kellogg and Fossville are two towns along the road leading from Calistoga to the Geysers. Both are resorts. Many cottages and a hotel are to be found at Kellogg.

The earliest settler in Knight's Valley was William MeDonald, who came there from Napa Connty in the year 1550, and was the first to aet as guide to the geysers, vistors to the springs being provided with saddle horses by him.

The scenery in Knight's Valley embraces the characteristie groves of oaks and other wouds on the hills and in the hollows, which are to be found all over the county; walks and drives of rare beanty, exeelling those which might be de- vised by man's handiwork, intersect the low- lying grounds and mountain slopes, while through its length passes one of the roads -- that from Calistoga-leading to the far-famed gey- sers, the most marvelous of Sonoma's romantic pictures.

While the principal industry of this township is wheat growing, sheep-raising and fruit enl- ture, yet it has mineral wealth. The Great Western quicksilver mine is partly situated in Knight's Valley Township, the workings rnn- ning under the dividing line between Sonoma and Lake counties.

Any account, however meager, of Knight's Valley would be incomplete withont mention being made of the fine estate of Calvin Iolines, a portion of the original Rancho de Malacomes. Here Mr. Holmes has erected a superb mansion, and magnificent farm houses, arranged with every design to insure the care and comfort of his stoek. Adjoining this farm is the elegant residence and fine ranch of George Hood, of Santa Rosa.

KELLOGG .- This summer resort is situated in Knight's Valley, at the foot of St. Helena Mountain, about seven miles from Calistoga,

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

nineteen from the Geysers, and seventeen from llealdsburg. The original building (now re- modeled as a hotel) was built by Berryessa and was constructed of adobe clay, to which he made additions of frame and stone; it next passed into the hands of Knight and Rockwell, who disposed of it to a man named Hasbrook, who in turn sold it with the Knight's Valley Ranch to one Stewart. Ile incorporated it into the Knight's Valley Land and Contract Com- pany.

Fos>VILLE. This is a station between Kellogg and Calistoga, named after the late Clark Foss, then proprietor of the stage-route to the Gey- sers, who came here in 1871 and opened a hotel.

VALLEJO TOWNSHIP.

Noted for all kinds of agricultural and dairy prodnets, fruits and vines, lies betwee Sonoma on the east, Petaluma and Analy on the west, and extending from Santa Rosa on the north to San Pablo Bay. It comprises 61,855 acres, assessed at 81,241,013, or $20g per acre. The entire assessed value of the property in this township is $1,681,563. Its population in 1880 was 1,471. The towns are Donahue and Lake- ville. It is a fertile section, well tilled. Con- siderable land bordering on San Pablo Bay is being reclaimed.

This township received its name from General Vallejo, who owned the Petaluma Rancho, and constructed the famous large adobe building, a considerable portion of which still stands. The erection as originally constructed had a frontage of 150 feet, with walls twenty feet in height. At the western end projected a wing running south 128 feet, while on the east end was another, with a length of sixty-eight feet. All the walls were two and one-half feet thick. In this mansion the generous General was wont to keep his state of almost potential splendor; his courts were full of Spaniards and Indians; his rooms were thronged with guests, while his tłoeks fed upon a thousand hills. In the vieinity of this homestead had he erected, long before

Americans came to settle in the country, a mill wherein he ground his grain, a smithery, wherein were manufactured horse-shoes, spurs, bits, and other military gear, while all around were evi- dences of his foresight and unstinting hand.

The earliest American settler was Frederick Starke, who settled there in 1845. In 1852 there came W. J. Hardin, J. M. Palmer, David Wharff: in 1853, Abner Clark, Isaac Cook, G. B. Hickston, and William Mock; in 1854, G. R. Codding.

As a matter of encouragement to aspiring young men of the future, we mention the fact that Senator, and millionaire, James G. Fair was once constable of Vallejo Township.

Vallejo Township is famous for having some of the finest herds of imported cattle in the State.

DONAHUE. This place used to be the ter- minns of the San Francisco & North Pacific Railroad and is situated on the Petaluma Creek. about eight miles from Petaluma; the ears at this point connected with a steamer to San Francisco, which is distant twenty-five miles. The town received its name from the enterpris- ing builder of the railroad, and here was situated the machine shops and other buildings of the company. It had a hotel and many cottages for the laborers. But on the changing of the road terminns to Tiburon, these buildings and machine shops were removed to that place; and Donahue may be classed among the things of the past.

LAKEVILLE .-- This is a small village on the Petaluma Creek, abont a mile above Donahue. During the days of steamboats and stages it had some importance, but its glory has departed. The first settler at Lakeville was A. M. Bradley, who built the landing about the years 1852 '53. Bradley sold his interest to Joshua Chadbourne, George Carter, and Josiah Bacon, he at the time having only possessory rights as a squat- ter, there being no title from General M. G. Vallejo; this right he sold to the above-named parties, who, in turn, disposed thereof to Niles Mills and Peter Donahue.

JW Ragsdale

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

AMES W. RAGSDALE, the senior propric- tor of the Sonoma County Abstract Bureau, is a native of Indiana, where he was born forty years ago, but passed his boyhood and youth in Iowa, and there entered upon his career as a journalist in 1867. in connection with a local newspaper. In 1872 he came to California and located in Sonoma County. During subsequent years he has been con- nected as an editorial writer with three different newspapers in the county. In 1878 he and his brother purchased the Santa Rosa Republican. which he owned and edited for a period of about six years, terminating his connection with it in 1886. to give his entire time and energy to de- veloping and perfecting the Sonoma County Abstract Bureau, which, through his unflagging zeal and arduous, persistent labors, has become one of the most important business enterprises in the county. Obtaining the exclusive fran- chise of the Durfee self-correcting system for abstracting for Sonoma County, the laborious task of making a complete transcript of the records of the land titles in Sonoma County was entered upon several years ago by Mr. Rags- dale, who was joined some time later by Mr. II. C. Brown, his present partner and joint mana- ger. Having entered upon the work it was of the utmost importance that the transcript be ; 20

pushed to completion as rapidly as possible. Accordingly a corps of expert copyists were em- ployed and have been constantly at work for the past six years. During this time a complete transcript copy has been made of 140 deed- books and ninety-two books of mortgages of 640 to 960 pages each, besides copying the sat- isfactions of mortgages. releases, assignments. homesteads, powers of attorneys, probate ree- ords. attachments, tax sales, possessory titles. etc., making in all about 600 large record vol- umes which have been copied verbatim. In the county clerk's office there are records of 7,000 civil suits, requiring an average of twenty-five pages of foolscap each. There are also records of 1,600 probate cases that are even more lengthy, which have been copied with the utmost care, and read and compared word by word. This vast aggregate of records has cost the proprietors years of patient toil and many thousand dollars in money, but they now enjoy the satisfaction and reward of their completed efforts, and own a property worth $30,000. The advantages of the Durfee system of abstracting cannot be overestimated, as this system is abso- lutely self-correcting, thus rendering a serious mistake impossible. By the old method of ab- straeting serious difficulties are not infrequently met with by examiners of titles, due to mis-

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takes in indexing the records, many instruments on record not being indexed through oversight, and hence are only discovered by the searcher by sheer accident. Again, by misspelling names and mistaking initial letters, errors occur in indexing which are liable to he overlooked. While by the Durfee system this trouble is avoided, because the copyist begins at page one and goes elear through the hook leaf by leaf. The title of every instrument of record is posted similar to an account in a merchant's ledger, thus enabling this company to furnish an ab- straet in one-fifth the time required by search- ers generally. With each abstract a plat is furnished showing the exact lines and location of the land, making it plain and easily under- stood. This burean has the most correct and only complete map of Sonoma County in exist- ence. being compiled from all the private and official surveys made by Government, county and private surveys. Bankers, money. loaners and land-holders prefer abstracts made by the Durfee system, which has received the nnquali- tied endorsement of all who have examined it. The Sonoma County Abstract Bureau is situ- ated on Exchange avenne, in the building lately occupied by the Santa Rosa Bank, which is equipped with commodious fire-proof vault, and furnished with all the conveniences for conduct- ing their business. The company is incorpo- rated with a view not only of abstracting. but to do conveyancing, negotiating loans and buying and selling real estate. Mr. Ragsdale was elected to the General Assembly in November, 1555, running far ahead of his ticket.

AMES P. GANNON .-- Among the well- known and representative citizens of Analy Township and Sebastopol is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, April 27, 1837; his father, Michael Gannon, was a native of Ireland, who came to the United States when but ten years of age. His mother, Mary (Tracy) Gannon, was

born in the same country, and when a girl eame to the United States. Mr. Gannon's boyhood until twelve years of age was spent in Brooklyn, where he received the advantages of a good schooling. In 1846 his father removed to Ilancock County, Illinois, and located on a farm. to which calling Mr. Gannon was reared until the age of eighteen years. In 1855 he came overland to California. arriving in September of that year. Soon after his arrival he engaged in mining in Butte County, and followed that call- ing until 1850 when he came to Sonoma County and the next year engaged to work for Mr. W. HI. Wilson, in his hotel (Wilson's Exchange) at Sebastopol. He continued this work until 1860 when he entered into partnership with his em- ployer. and successfully conducted the hotel until 1862. when he sold his interest to Mr. Wilson and started for the Salmon River mines in Oregon. Arriving at John Day River, he stopped until the fall and then returned via Portland, Victoria, and San Francisco to Sebas- topol. The next two years he was engaged in farm labor, but in 1864 the Reese River mining excitement attracted his attention, and he left for that point. There he spent about ten months' time and $2,000. when, concluding he had enough of that, be returned home. and in Jan- uary, 1865, established a meat market in Sebasto- pol. In June of that year Mr. Gannon was united in marriage with Sarah Ellen Sebring, daughter of Thomas and Margaret ( Piper) Sebring. Mr. Sebring came with his family to Sonoma County in 1853, he being a native of Pennsylvania and his wife of New York. Mrs. Gannon was born in Illinois, where her parents resided before coming to Sonoma County. In 1866 Mr. Gan- non sold out his market, and was engaged as a salesman by Newburgh & Zielcke of Sebastopol until 1868. In this latter year he purchased 160 acres of land in the Laguna School Dis- trict just north of Sebastopol, and commenced . its improvement and cultivation. Since that time he has devoted his attention principally to agricultural pursuits, conducting general farm- ing operations, raising hay, grain, and stock.

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Mr. Gannon has always been noted as a public- spirited and progressive citizen, one who has gained and held the respect of the community in which he resides. Politically he is a strong and consistent Republican, taking a deep inter- est in the success of his party. In 1882 he was elected supervisor of his district and served with credit until the expiration of his term. Ile has also been a school trustee in the Laguna District for ten years. lle is a member of Lafayette Lodge No. 126, F. & A. M., of Sebas- topol, and also a member of Sebastopol Lodge, No. 167, I. O. G. T. Mr. and Mrs. Gannon have but one child, James Edwin, born January 25, 1869, who resides with his parents.

EWIS M. ALEXANDER, eashier and active manager of the Santa Rosa National Bank. This bank though not old in years is one of the city's most substantial and pros- perous business institutions. This is the only National Bank in Santa Rosa, and the youngest bank in the city. It opened its doors for busi- ness the first of February, 1887, with a paid np capital of $100,000 and authorized capital of $500,000. The first officers were E. W. Davis, President: J. HI. Brush, Vice-President; Lewis M. Alexander, Cashier. The present officers are S. R. Cooper, President; A. B. Ware, Vice. President, and L. M. Alexander, Cashier. The business of the bank grew so rapidly that it was soon found necessary to increase its capital stock to $150,000. Being a national bank its transac- tions are purely of a commercial nature, and so marked has been its career of prosperity that it has paid four per cent. semi-annual divi- dends on its stock since January 1, 1888. Its deposits are $250,000, and its loans exceed that sum. This bank has correspondents in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and draws direct upon all the principal eities of Europe. Lewis M. Alexander was born thirty years ago in Mitchell County, lowa, where he was edneated and had an experience of eight

years in a banking house in Osage City. Resign- ing his position there he came to California, and engaged in general merchandising in Healds- burg, Sonoma County, nearly three years. But not faneying that line of business, he sold out, and upon the organization of the bank, accepted the position he now fills. Mr. Alexander pos- sesses considerable interest in real estate, and was one of the promoters of the new South Side Street Railway Company in which he is a stock- holder and a director of the company. Mr. Alexander's father, Henry Alexander, moved from Illinois, his native State, and settled in Mitchell County. lowa, in 1850, where he re- sided until 1881, then came to California and located in Healdsburg, Sonoma County, where he now lives a retired life. Of his large family of seven sons and three daughters, Lewis M. is the fourth in age. The three eldest are settled in Iowa and all the others are in California. Lewis M. Alexander married the eldest daughter of J. 11. Brush, who died of consumption a few months after her marriage.

R. ELISHA ELY, of Healdsburg, is the oldest resident practicing physician in Sonoma County. He is a native of New York City, born December 25, 1819, his parents being Elisha, Sr., and Elouise (Curtiss) Ely. On his father's side he is of English origin, the family traeing their ancestry back to the Saxons of the sixth century. The family seat, the town of Ely. in Cambridgeshire, has 8,000 inhabi- tants. Richard Ely, the founder of the family in this country, settled in the vieinity of Lyme, Connecticut, in 1660, and about this place his descendants still center, the town being estab- lished by representatives of the family. David Ely, grandfather of the subject of this sketch. was a doctor of divinity of the Presbyterian faith, his views being of the liberal Calvinistie order. He was an officer of Yale College. Dur- ing the Revolutionary war he took an active part on the patriot side, and served with the

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army as Chaplain. Elisha Ely, Sr., father of our subject, was born and reared in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and was educated at Yale College, of which institution he was a graduate. Ile undertook the study of theology, but although he progressed so far as to graduate from a religions college, he did not cling to the pulpit, but going to New York, entered upon a life of trade, and became a successful merchant of the American metropolis. Dr. Elisha Ely received his school training in Fairfield County, Connecticut, and in New York City. At an early age he entered upon a business career as a bank clerk, but finding such a life distasteful, commenced the study of medicine at Roches- ter, New York, his preceptor being Dr. William W. Ely, a first cousin. He attended lectures at the medical department of the College of Geneva, New York, at Buffalo Medical College, and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, graduating from the latter in 1847. Ile had commenced practice in the line of his studies while at Rochester, and after graduating he practiced his profession there until December, 1848, when he turned his steps toward the golden shores of the occident, taking the steamer Crescent City as far as Chagres. Delays caused him to spend forty days on the Isthmus. At Panama the Oregon was taken, and this vessel took him through the Golden Gate on the first of April, 1849. Ile at once settled himself for practice in San Francisco, which then consisted of two frame buildings, one brick structure just finished, and less than halt a dozen old adobes, and the inhabitants of the infant city not fortunate enough to possess sneh substantial houses camping about in tents. Until November, 1849, he practiced in San Francisco, and for a month or two he knew of but one other physician actively engaged there. In the month mentioned he set out for Sonoma County in a little sail-boat, but owing to inanspi- cions weather he was delayed in Sonoma until De- vember, and he then went back to San Francisco. 1 cataract, which had formed on his right eye, gave him much trouble and interfered with his

surgical labors to such an extent that he decided to cast about for land to fall back upon, in case his worst fears should be realized. He then came to Sonoma County and purchased a tract of land about one mile from the present town of Sonoma. After completing his purchase, he went back to San Francisco. going down the bay in a small skiff. While on the water the smell of smoke became distinctly noticeable, and on arriving at the wharf he found that San Fran- eisco had been blotted out by fire. This de- cided his immediate return to Sonoma County, and he opened an office at the town of Sonoma. In the fall of 1851 he removed to what is now known as Geyserville, and there resided until 1873, when, in order to secure better educa- tional facilities for his children, he removed his residence to Healdsburg. This city has since been his home. Dr. Ely was married at Buf- falo. New York, in August, 1848, to Miss Asenath Narcissa Campbell, a native of Roches- ter, New York, reared there, but whose parents afterward removed to Buffalo. Her father had been extensively engaged in the milling busi- ness at Rochester. Dr. and Mrs. Ely were the parents of four children of whom two sons died in childhood, while two daughters (twins) grew to womanhood. Their names are: Louisa Maria. wife of Benjamin Fowler (residents of San Bernardino); and Mary Campbell, who were born in July, 1856, Mary C. dying in Septem- ber, 1873. Dr. Ely has had a varied experience in Sonoma County since those days back in the forties, and has been an eye-witness and partici- pant in most of the stirring scenes in the county's history. He has practiced in Sonoma County when there was no other physician in its borders, and his professional labors have called him to rides of many miles, over untrav- eled roads, Indian trails and bear and deer paths. while his professional duties often entailed visits to the counties of Marin. Napa, Lake and Mendocino, as well as the county of his home. On one of his trips to Sonoma, while a resident of Geyserville, he was compelled to swim nearly half the distance of fifty miles, by the flooded

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condition of the country, and the round trip re- quired three days of time. Like most of the pioneers he was a good shot, and in the early days would as soon think of going on a profes- sional trip without his medicine case as withont arms. The Doctor was a Whig in early life, and followed the fortunes of that party until its disintegration, since which time he has been identified with the Republican party. He is still in active practice of his profession.

AMES AUSTIN, who ranks among the leading agriculturists and vitienlturists of Santa Rosa Township, has a large ranch in Rincon Valley and the adjoining foot-hills, four miles east of Santa Rosa; it is counted among the finest properties in that part of the county. Mr. Austin came to the county in 1871, and laid the foundation of his present prosperity by buying of General John B. Frisbee a one-fourth interest in 1.178 acres of land where he now lives. Later he acquired a title to the whole. To the original estate Mr. Austin has added qnite largely, and, subdividing, has sold from it eight small farms, which, having been converted into orchards and vineyards, have added materi- ally to the interests of the neighborhood. The ranch is bounded on the south and east by the Santa Rosa and Alamos creeks, and now consists of 1,077 acres; 125 acres are in vineyards, the remainder of the property being devoted to grazing, general farming and stoek-raising. In the beautiful and picturesque Rincon Valley no more delightful home can be found than the Austin family home. With the parents live their four sons, the eldest now thirty-four years of age and the youngest fourteen years. Having said this much of Mr. Austin's interests in So- noma County, we give in the following facts a brief review of his former life. He was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, December 2, 1824. After attending the common schools, he was sent, at the age of nineteen, to the Derby Center Academy, in the State of Vermont. His

studions habits and manly conduct won the es- teem and approbation of his teachers and fellow- students, and at the expiration of the second term he accepted an opportunity to teach. After teaching one term, he was enabled to enter the Sheffield Academy in Canada. Here he studied diligently for two terms, and then entered the St. Hyacinth College. The following winter he taught again, but resumed his studies in the college at the end of one term. llis next step was to teach the English branches at Belocil College, where he studied the Franch language. In 1848 he returned to his father's home, and on May 22, 1849, married Anna, daughter of Osgood Peasley. This lady was born in the Pro- vince of Quebec Jannary 6, 1828. Mr. Austin was elected mayor of the township of Bolton in 1858, which office he held until his removal to the United States in 1868. During the latter terms of his office he was appointed warden of the board of mayors. It will be well here to explain that the office of township mayors in Canada is similar to the board of supervisors in our counties, and the warden is the chairman or president of the board. The office of mayor clothed him with the dignity and power of a magistrate; but as he was regularly appointed to the office by the Crown, he became, therefore, one of the "Crown's Magistrates." For ten years he was one of the board of directors of the Stanstead, Shefford & Chambly Railroad, holding the position as an ex-officio officer. Ile was twice nominated by the Liberal party, which was largely in the minority, for the provincial parliament of Canada, and at the first election received an almost unanimous vote in his own township. The entire number of votes in his own township was a little less than 800, and all but thirty were cast in favor of Mr. Austin, and he was beaten in the county by only eighty votes. lle emigrated to the United States in 1868 and settled in American Cañon, Green Valley Township, Solano County, this State. He remained three years when he removed to Santa Rosa and has since occupied his present home. The names of the children of Mr. and

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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 47

Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 786

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 786