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 50

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 50

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OIIN FULKERSON has been a resident of Santa Rosa sinee October 4, 1854. He dates his birth in Vigo County. Indiana, October 17, 1835. He is a son of Richard and Sarah Fulkerson. (For more extended men- tion of his parents, the reader is referred to the biography of Richard Fulkerson.) When in his ninth year the subject of this sketch was taken to Davis County, Iowa, then (1844) an ahnost uninhabited wilderness of prairie and timber. In that county the next ten years of of his life were spent in the ocenpation so com- mon to sons of pioneers in all countries, neces- sity demanding almost continuons toil. His youthful days afforded none of the advantages which fortunately he has been enabled to afford his children. In the hope of bettering his for- tunes, a hope fully realized, his father deter- mined to emigrate to this favored State. The trials of crossing plain, desert and mountain, were safely passed, and the parents with their five children reached Santa Rosa October 4, 1854, since which time John Fulkerson has continuously resided in or near Santa Rosa. He has devoted his life to agriculture, and in all his undertakings has been successful. It shonkl be here related that, young as he was, he could not eonelude to come to California without one of his dearest school-mates. Accordingly, he married Miss Dica Ann Wooldridge, November 17, 1853. She was a Kentuckian by birth, but was reared in Davis County, Iowa. She be- came the mother of two children: Abner D.,

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

who died at the age of twenty-seven years; Lillie, who wedded J. B. Clark, and died in February, 1884, leaving two sons. Mrs. Ful- kerson was not spared long to her husband and children, her death, at the early age of twenty- four years, oceurred April 14, 1859. For his second wife, Mr. Fulkerson wedded Miss Rachel A. Cannon, daughter of Lewis Cannon. She was born in the State of Missouri in 1846. The following year her parents, passing all the dan- gers of an overland trip in those early years, emigrated to Oregon, thence, in 1857, they came to this county. Her father now lives in Tehama County. Of the nine children born to this union seven are living, viz .: Diea A., Robert E: L .. Ida M., now wife of Frank B. Wood; Luda V., Charles A., Daca C. and Sylvester S. The deceased are: Jolm W., who lived to be nine- teen years of age, and Byrd, who died in infaney. Mr. Fulkerson is the owner of a good residence property in the city of Santa Rosa, besides other city property, two residences, and a busi- ness house located on the corner of Mendocino and Cherry streets. One of the choicest farm properties in the vicinity of Santa Rosa is the fine ranch of fifty-one acres owned by him in Rincon Valley, situated on the Santa Rosa and Sonoma road, three miles east of the city. The location is one of great natural beauty. The fine dwelling house commands from its eleva- tion a view of the charming valley, and makes the location one suited for a delightful home.

S. FULKERSON, M. D .- The subject of this sketch, both in years and in the 9 length of time devoted to the practice of his profession, ranks among the oldest physi- cians, if not the oldest, in Sonoma County. 1 brief review gives the following faets relating to his history. Hle is the son of Fulkird and Sarah Fulkerson, born in Grayson County, Ken- tneky, October 11, 1807. His grandfather, John Fulkerson, was of German descent, and perhaps of German birth. Ile was one of the

pioneers of the State of Kentucky, settling there from the State of Pennsylvania, very soon after the close of the Revolutionary war. Only those fully informed as to the history of Ken- tncky have even a slight conception of the trials, privations and extreme danger of life in the frontier of that day. It was the " dark and bloody ground " consecrated and immortalized by the heroic deeds of valor in its defense against the red men by Boone, Harrod, Rogers, Clarke and their compatriots. The Fulkerson family, with great difficulty in extreme danger, found their first refuge in the stoekade at Lex- ington. Even while passing through the gate admitting them, one horse was shot down out of a team by the Indians. Fulkird Fulkerson, the father of the subject of this sketeh, was then eleven years of age. The grandfather. John Fulkerson, lived to see the then wilder- ness converted into a land filled with happy homes, luxuriant with wealth, and the last of the red men disappear. He died at the age of nearly 100 years, leaving a long line of aneestry to revere the memory of a noble, heroic anees- tor. Fulkird Fulkerson married Miss Sarah Davis, a native of Virginia. Her father, Theo- dore Davis, was also one of the heroic pioneers of Kentucky, and one of the defenders of Ilar- rachs Fort. Ile and his family had suffered greatly at the hands of the Indians. Five of his brothers had been slain by the Indians in the old State of Virginia. After a long resi- dence in Kentucky, where all of his children were born, Fulkird Fulkerson removed to Mont- gomery County, Indiana, about 1829, and again commenced pioneer life in its dense forests. Ilis wife passed to the better land shortly after- ward, her death occurring in February, 1830. About the time the family settled in Montgom- ery County T. S. Fulkerson, whose name heads this sketch. commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. William B. Crook, at Middletown, in that county. Atter four years of preparatory study he commenced the practice of medicine at Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, his father soon after moving

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

to the same county, where he died in 1837, aged seventy years. Here it would be well to state that the late Richard Fulkerson, of Santa Rosa, was the oldest of his family of children, and that Dr. Fulkerson is the only surviving mem- ber of the family. The doctor continued in successful practice in Terre Haute and surround- ing country about twenty years. In those early years, in the sparsely settled country, with often times impracticable roads, the practice of medicine was no easy road to fortune. It re- quired a strong constitution, indomitable will and an unfailing fund of energy, and with all a willingness to work with or without fee. All these qualifications the doetor possessed to a remarkable degree. No night was ever too clark. no road ever too long or too deep for him when called to relieve the siek. In 1834 he married Miss Rebecca Morris, daughter of David and Falby Morris, also a Kentnekian by birth. In 1853 the doctor, with his family, removed to lowa and established his practice at Bloom- field. the county seat of Davis County. There he devoted himself to the practice of his pro- fession until 1864, in which year he came to Santa Rosa, and the following year removed to his present home, in Rincon Valley, three miles east of the city, on the road leading to Sonoma. There his wife died in 1571, aged fifty-three years. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom Mrs. Sarah Grider, a widow, residing in Tulare County, is the only one now living. September 13, 1876, Dr. Fulkerson for his second wife married Mrs. Fanny (Lock) Grimsley, daughter of William and Mary Loek. She was born in Davis County, Iowa, Novem- ber 4, 1848. By her former marriage she has one child living, Eva, now the wife of John Mc- Knight, of Santa Rosa. Mrs. Folkerson came to Sonoma County with her parents in 1875. Later they returned East. Her mother now resides in Marion County, Kansas, where her father died August 10, 1887. Dr. Fulkerson has devoted his life in Sonoma County, up to within a comparatively recent period. almost exclusively to the practice of his profession.

Now over eighty years of age. he feels the necessity of rest and proposes to quietly. under his own vine and fig tree, enjoy the well earned peace and quiet, which, if the prayers of hosts of many warm friends be answered, may for many years yet be his. Politically, since the first presidency of Andrew Jackson. the doctor has been identified with the Democratic party. Sixty years he has been a member of the Ma sonic fraternity, and was one of the charter members of the Santa Rosa ( hapter.

T. FULKERSON, of Rincon Valley. Santa Rosa Township, is the son of Rich- ard Fulkerson, whose biography will be found in this connection. The subject of this sketch was born in Grayson County. Kentucky, July 7. 1840. Ilis parents became pioneers in Davis County, lowa. in 1844. There, in the new country, with its limited advantages, he was reared to his fourteenth year. In the spring of the year 1854 the family started on the over- land journey to this State, reaching Santa Rosa the fourth day of October. Of the five children who came to this State with their parents, the subject of this sketch was the youngest. Ile has always followed agricultural, pursuits, and with the exception of a temporary absence of eighteen months, has resided in Santa Rosa Township continuously sinee he was fourteen years of age. August 29, 1858, he married Miss Amanda Ellen Cockrill, danghter of Har- rison and Ruhama Cockrill, who were also early settlers in the county, coming in 1853. Iler father lived only three years after his arrival here. Her mother married Henry A. Grant, and is again a widow, now living in Monterey County. The fine ranch with its shaded, commodious residence, owned and occupied by Mr. Fulker- son and his family, is located on the east side of Rineon Valley, abont six miles from the city of Santa Rosa. The residence, elevated above the level of the valley, affords a view pleasing to the eye. It has been occupied by the family since

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

1883. The ranch consists of 312 acres, includ- ing, as it does, some of the choicest of valley and foot-hill lands. It is well adapted to every variety of production as well as general farm- ing. Twenty-five acres are in vineyard and a few acres in a general variety orchard. The rest is devoted to stock and general purposes. We give the names in the order of their births of their nine children (two of whom are de- ceased): Henry H .. September 12, 1859, who died May 13, 1876; Alice Clara, December 20, 1861, is now the wife of Theodore Grider, of Tulare County; Laura E., March 9, 1865, wife of Douglas Badger, of Rincon Valley; William E., February 10, 1868, died July 20, 1883; Richard, February 19, 1871; Mollie L., Janu- ary 9, 1874; Nora C., January 12, 1877; Bruce C., August 2, 1881; and Ida Helen, January 23, 1886.

R. THOMAS W. BROTHERTON, pastor of the Episcopal congregation of Ilealds- burg, is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, born December 8, 1828, and son of Thomas W., Sr., and Phebe (Taylor) Brotherton, the former a sea captain, and both natives of Maryland. The doctor was reared at Baltimore, and was there educated for the medical profession. In 1849 he accompanied his father, who sailed his ship around the Horn to San Francisco, and decided to remain in California. Ile located at Georgetown, El Dorado County, and practiced medicine there until 1855, when he removed to San Andreas. Hle had given much time to re- ligions study, and in 1860 was ordained as deacon by Bishop Kip of the Episcopal church, and took charge of St. John's parish, as rector. He built St. John's Church, San Francisco, as it stands to-day, and was for thirteen years its pastor. Ever zealous in his religions work, he built, in the mean time, St. Luke's Hospital, and placed it on a firmn basis. In 1864 he founded the Pacific Churchman, and was its first editor, continuing in that capacity for one year. Ilis

labors and methods in founding St. Luke's Hospital are thoroughly indicative of his char- acter. He had commenced this work while yet in charge of St. John's parish, but having reached a certain point in the work, he felt the need of a more thorough acquaintance with the practical side of hospital work. He went cast and spent an entire year in becoming acquainted with the details of hospital construction and conveniences, then returned and resumed work. . The result is to be seen in the noble tribute to humanity which was soon brought to completion. He gave np the parish and confined his attention entirely to the direction of the hospital until 1877, when, having completely exhausted his health and strength, he was compelled to re- sign his labors. He then removed to Healds- burg, bought the place where he now resides, and improved it, giving his time to denomi- national labors when able, and being now the pastor of St. Paul's parish, Healdsburg. Dr. Brotherton was married, while a resident of San Francisco, to Miss Mary E. King a native of Washington, D. C. They have three children, viz .: Thomas W., Jr., who resides at Los An- geles; Blanche M., and Mary E.

EORGE IVANCOVICH, M. D .- The subject of this sketch is a native of Aus- tria, where he was born December 15, 1848. He received a good education from the schools of his native country and in 1866 went to London where he commenced the study of medicine and prosecuted his labors there for four years. In the latter part of 1870 he came to California, and in 1877 entered the Pacific Medical College of San Francisco, where he graduated in 1878. The name of this college has since been changed to Cooper's Medical College. Dr. Ivancovich went to Grass Valley, Nevada County, the same year he graduated and soon established a fine practice, remaining there until 1884. He then came to Petaluma, where he opened an office and has since con-

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tinned to reside here actively engaged in the practice of his profession. The doctor is an intelligent gentleman, particularly upon ques- tions of medical or surgical science. He is en- joying a fine practice together with the esteem and confidence of his friends and patrons. He was married December 26, 1875, to Miss Nellie R. Jones, a native of Chicago, Illinois. They have five children, two daughters and three sons.

UDGE ALBERT P. OVERTON can justly claim the title of pioneer in California, He avingbeen a resident of the State over thirty-eight years. He was born in Independ- ence, Missouri, in 1830, and grew up to man- hood on his unele's farm near there. Ilis father, Moses, was a native of Alabama and his mother, Mary Turner, of Tennessee. They were married in the latter State and soon after settled in Mis- souri, where they passed the remainder of their lives. They had a family of three sons and one daughter, all now deceased but the subject of this sketch. Losing both of his parents in early childhood, being but four years old when his father died. Albert was adopted into the family of his uncle, Jesse Overton, who was a farmer and mill owner, and was largely engaged in the manufacture of lumber and flour. On reaching his twentieth birthday, the gold excitement in California being at its height, Mr. Overton, fired by the ambition of young manhood, started from Dallas, Texas, for the new El Dorado. Coming by [the southern route, he arrived in San Diego on August 1, 1850, and obtained employment in the Quartermaster's Department in the Gov- ernment service, till the following February, when he came np to San Francisco, and thence to Sacramento, where he stopped a short time before going on to the mines on Trinity River to try his hand in digging for the yellow dust. Three months' experience dispelled from his inind the charm of gold seeking in that uncer- tain channel, and leaving the mines, he returned to El Dorado County, and built a hotel, on the | later the collapse came and the house went to

road leading from Sacramento to Placerville. This was known as the Duroc House, which he conducted until August, 1852, when he sold out and came to Petaluma, Sonoma County, passing en route over the site of Santa Rosa, then with- ont a building in the place, and only three in Petaluma. The total number of voters in So- noma County which at that time included Mendocino County, was only a little over 300. Mr. Overton, in company with a man named P. B. Smith, purchased a tract of timber land two miles and a half west of Petaluma, hired men to chop the timber into wood, bought teams, all on credit, having no money, and they hanled the wood to town to be shipped by schooner to San Francisco. Getting some money ahead, after paying for their outfit, they bought a lot in Petaluma, on which to store their wood. In the winter of 1853- 4 Messrs Overton and Smith went to the redwood forests and ent and split timber and lumber, and erected a building on a part of this lot. To get their finishing Inmber sawed they exchanged work with George B. Williams, who is still residing in Petaluma, and who owned a whip saw, they getting out part of the Inmber for the Washington Hotel. Both of these still stand, with some modifications, as old land-marks in that city, When finished, the Overton-Smith building cost $300, not in- cluding their labor, and the lot $300, and they rented the property for $75 per month. About a year after the completion of the building, Mr. Overton sold his interest in the wood ranch and, in company with two partners, Arthur and Wiley, opened a store of general merchandise in the building above mentioned, Mr. Overton putting it in as his share of the capital, at $3,000. All mercantile business was done in those days on the long credit system; and as many of their customers were nomadic stock-raisers with no permanent abiding place (there being then no established land titles), Mr. Overton saw that future disaster stared them in the face, and at the end of three months proposed to sell out. His partner bought his interest and a few months

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the wall. On retiring from the mercantile busi- ness Mr. Overton resumed the study of law, which he had begun in Missouri, and in 1857 was admitted to the bar. Forming a partner- ship with J. B. Campbell, now superior judge in Fresno, he opened a law office in Petaluma and commenced practice. Previous to this, while reading law, Mr. Overton had been elected and served as constable of Petaluma. In 1860 he was appointed censns agent, and the same year and for three years following was appointed deputy assessor for the sonthern end of the county. In 1867 he was elected district attor- ney, and was re-elected for a second term, mak- ing four years' service in that capacity. At the expiration of his second term he was elected eounty judge and filled the office four years. In 1879 Judge Overton was chosen one of the thirty-two delegates at large to the Constitu- tional Convention which framed the present State Constitution, and which held its six months' session in Sacramento in 1879-'80. The 152 men comprising that distinguished body were among the ablest minds in the State. On his election to the office of District Attorney, Judge Overton moved to Santa Rosa, and has since been a resident of this place. Some time prior to this he had organized the Petaluma Sav- ings Bank, and sold his interest when he left. In 1873 he organized the Santa Rosa Savings Bank, and has been its President till the pre- sent time. In the spring of 1887 he was elected Mayor of Santa Rosa, on the Democratic ticket, and held the office one term. In 1855 Judge Overton married America Ilelen, the daughter of Coleman Talbot, of a prominent Kentucky family, who settled in Bennett Valley about 1853. Miss Talbot was a school teacher, who, being remarkable for her beauty, was styled the " Belle of the Redwoods." An anecdote related of Judge Overton's courting illustrates the char- acteristie business methods of the man, and runs as follows: Becoming weary of bachelorhood while on his wood ranch, near Petaluma, he re- solved to either get married or leave California and go back to the States; and knowing Miss

Talbot, the Judge decided to call on her and state his ease in a business way. Ile made the call, was pleased with her appearance and made the object of his visit known, giving her a month in which to decide, at the end of which time he was to call and get her answer. Meantime he learned there were several other suitors for her heart and hand, some of whom were men of wealth and distinction, and concluding his ease was hopeless, he did not go back for the young lady's answer for nearly a year; when, learning she was still unmarried, he determined to see her. He went, was cordially received, and after duly apologizing, renewed his question to which she gave an affirmative answer. The Judge never regretted his second visit to Bennett Valley, for she made a model wife and mother. She bore him three sons and one daughter, all of whom have been finely educated. The eldest son, Theodore, is engaged in the stock business and mining in Arizona. The second son, John P., is cashier of the bank of which his father is President. The other son, Nicholson R., lost his life by the accidental discharge of a gun, in 1886. The daughter, Jessie, is in school in the East. Mrs. Overton died in 1869. Several years after the Judge married Jennie A. West, whose maiden name was Olmstead, a native of Vermont and a lady who has been a model step- mother, and devoted wife. John P. Overton married Miss Laura Edwards, whose parents were New Jersey people. They have two chil- dren, daughters:

ENRY FOX is a native of Kentucky, born at Paducah, October 24, 1848, his parents being Christian and Adelia (Kehr) Fox. Both parents were natives of Germany, born near the river Rhine, and came to America early in life and were married in Connecticut. When Henry Fox was an infant his parents removed to McGregor, Iowa, and there his father en- gaged in the hotel business. The subject of this sketch was reared there receiving his edu-

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cation in the common schools of MeGregor. He commenced life for himself in the hotel bus- iness in that place and so continued until 1877, when he removed to the Pacific coast. After a short stay in Eureka he went to San Francisco, and from there he came to Healdsburg in Jan- nary, 1878. In that year he entered upon a business eareer in this place. He purchased an interest in the drug business in Healdsburg, which was carried on for several years, when Mr. Fox purchased his partner's interest in 1881 and since that time has conducted the business alone. ITe has a finely appointed store and ear- ries the largest stock of drugs and faney goods, stationery, etc., in the place. Mr. Fox is also postmaster of Healdsburg, having received his appointment to that position January 29, 1887 Ile was married in this city August 10, 1881, to Miss Lola J. Hall, a native of Sonoma County, and a daughter of L. J. Hall, one of the old settlers. They have one child, Christal F. Mr. Fox has demonstrated in the few years he has been a resident of Healdsburg what busi- ness sagacity and enterprise will do in this region, and he now ranks among the solid men of the city. He acquired the large brick Ma- sonic block by purchase, and is also the owner of his business building and residence property in Healdsburg. His home place is particularly attractive and is worthy of mention. The house is a handsome one and the grounds are very large and well cared for. Ile is a member of the local lodges, A. F. & A. M. and A. O. U. W. Politically, Mr. Fox is a Democrat.

YRON M. SPENCER, one of the repre- sentative business men of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County, was born in the Empire State forty-six years ago. and received his early business training in one of the largest merean- tile houses of New York City. Leaving the. American metropolis at twenty-seven years of age, young Spencer traveled westward to seek a field of usefulness and of fortune, and located in

the thriving city of Omaha, Nebraska. Ile re- mained there about five years, when he decided to continue his journey across the continent, and arrived in Santa Rosa in the fall of 1574. The following year he opened a grocery and general merchandise store, as the first ocenpant of the then new buildling on the northeast corner of Fourth and B streets, in which Mr. Carither's dry-goods store is now located. In 1877 he took in Mr. S. Armstrong as a partner, and the firm inaugurated the cash system of doing busi- ness, being the first honse in Santa Rosa (if not in California) to adopt that plan. all com- merciał business having hitherto been condueted upon long eredits and yearly settlements. This was such a radical departure from the old estab- lished methods, that the wiseacres predicted certain disaster to the new firm, giving them six months existence in which to demonstrate their folly. But even that short time proved the wisdom of this sound business policy in the rapid development and growth of their trade, and the firm has adhered strictly to the cash system throughout the entire history of the house. Buying for cash and selling for cash enabled them to give their customers the benefit of the lower prices which always attach to this mode of dealing, and the new firm soon stepped to the front, while many of their competitors went to the wall, until, of the twenty grocery firms in business when Mr. Spencer started only two now remain. Observing the very satisfae- tory result of their experiment, other business firms gradually adopted the cash system, and now almost the entire volume of Santa Rosa's mercantile transactions are upon the cash basis. Indeed, the innovation has spread throughout Sonoma and other counties, until the antiquated and ruinous credit system is well nigh obsolete in the Golden State. During the intervening years the house of Spencer & Armstrong changed location twice, finally moving into the very large and commodious store Mr. Spencer now occupies at 435 and 437 Fourth street, in 1886. The store is one of the largest in the in- terior of California, being 40x 200 feet in area,

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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 50

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