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 52
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destroyer. Mary Stuart was a child possessed of those rare qualities of mind and heart which command "love at first sight " of every one who came in contact with her. With brightness of intelleet, bordering or precocity, was joined a sweet amiability of spirit which drew everyone to her as with the power of a magnet. She was born in Winona, Minnesota, October 31, 1871. and died August 23. 1883. In the home and the hearts she had filled with sunshine her death was like a total eclipse of the sun. Her fond father never recovered from the shock, and fol- lowed her four years later; while her mother cherishes her memory as the jewel of her life. Since the Medical College of the Pacific was merged into the Cooper Medical College Dr. . 1. MeG. Stuart has received the honorary degree of M. D. from the latter institution. She is an hon- ored member of the State Medical Societyof Cali- fornia, and of the American Medical Association.
- . ROGERS resides near the city limits east of Santa Rosa, and is one of the county's leading horticulturists and one of its most active citizens. Mr. Rogers dates his birth in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1837, son of Clayton and Tryphosia Rogers. The family is one of the oldest known to the history of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch is a lineal descendant of John Rogers, one of the Penn colonists, who bought his land of William Penn at 64 cents per acre. A long line of descendants, scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific, look back with pride to their com- mon ancestor, John Rogers, the sterling, honest Quaker, one of the Penn colonists. E. A. Rogers was thirteen years of age when his father, with his family, moved from Pennsylvania and lo- cated in Dane County, Wisconsin. Four years later they removed to Towerville, Crawford County, the same State. The parents there passed their remaining days, their lives of great usefulness having been prolonged to an ad- vanced age. In the near vicinity of the parental
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home the family of children, one after another. commenced life for themselves, principally in Vernon, an adjoining county, and Vernon County never had better men. The writer of this sketch, an old acquaintance and friend of the family, wishes to record that for devoted loyalty and manhood the family was excelled by none. When the call for volunteers came to suppress the slave holder's rebellion. the five Rogers boys at onee entered the service, and for soldierly bear- ing under all circumstances they were second to none. Several of them held commissions before the struggle was over. The old Quaker ele- ment in their blood seemed to have entirely dis- appeared. Returning to the peaceful walks of life they became as useful citizens as they had been soldiers, and in business, political and so- cial eireles, have been ever since prominent. E. A. Rogers, whose name heads this sketch, served in the engineer corps. attached to the Army of the Potomac. Returning to Wisconsin he, February 15, 1866, wedded in Vernon County, that State, Miss Lonisa Williams, who was born in Walworth County. Mr. Rogers followed agricultural pursuits in Vernon County, Wis- consin, until 1874, when, feeling the need of a more congenial climate and a more congenial avocation, he came to Sonoma County. Mr. Rogers has a good home, which, sitnated as it is, only one and one-half miles east of the court honse, gives him all the social advantages of a city residence. Connected with his residence are twenty-two and one-half acres of the choicest of Santa Rosa Valley land. Fifteen acres are devoted to orchard, where we find the choicest peaches, Bartlett pears, French prunes. apples, ete. Although but fourteen years a resident of Sonoma County, few men are more widely or favorably known than the subject of this sketch. Much of the success Sonoma County has had in its exhibits at the Mechanics' fair at San Francisco, must be attributed to the energy and skill of its executive committee. The exhibit made this year (18SS), in which the county, without the aid of any public appropriation was enabled to win the second prize, $600 (Santa
Clara County taking the first), innst largely be attributed to Mr. Rogers, who, associated with S. Il. Shaw of Sonoma, was in charge. Sonoma County received the first prize, $75, on wine grapes; first prize, 845, on olive oil and olives, and the first prize, 825, on hops. The county has no more enthusiastic believer in its grand future in horticulture and viticulture than the subject of this sketch, and to the hast- ening of the " good time coming" he devote> much of his present. Politically, Mr. Rogers is a radical Republican. In Odd Fellowship he is prominent, and affiliates with Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 53: Santa Rosa Encampment. Santa Rosa Canton, and he and his wife are both members of Oak Leaf Rebecca Lodge. No. 74. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have four children: George, Will, and Hattie and Howard (twins).
LEXANDER C. M.MEANS is one of Sonoma's most tried and efficient teachers, having first entered the profession of teaching in this county in 1565, and been most of the time since then engaged in educational work. He came to California with his parents from his native State, Alabama, in 1855. Ilis father, Dr. S. A. MeMeans, practiced medicine for some years in California, and when the silver mining excitement arose in Nevada, he removed to Virginia City, and there pursued his profes- sion for many years. Dr. MeMeans died in Reno, Nevada, in 1876. Mr. MeMeans came to Sonoma County in 1864 from Yolo County. where he had been attending Woodland College, and, as above stated, began teaching the follow- ing year. In 1871 he was elected principal of the Santa Rosa schools, which position he tilled three years, resigning it in 1874 to enter upon the duties of county superintendent of schools. to which he had been elected. Ile was re- elected for a second term and served four years in that office. In the meantime he had become interested in a mining company organized in Santa Rosa, and known as the McMillan Mining
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Company, whose property was situated near Globe City, Arizona, and on retiring from the office of county superintendent, was chosen secretary of the company. At the end of two years he resigned the secretaryship, and in 1880 opened in Santa Rosa a private normal school for preparing teachers to pass the required ex- aminations for teaching. He has conducted his school ever since with success, except two years, 1883 and 1884, when he was elected to and filled the office of recorder and auditor of So- noma County. His sehool embraces strictly a normal course, and during its existence has pre- pared about 250 teachers to obtain certificates. The past year he has erected a building for his school near his residence on East Third street, which has a capacity of about forty students, and is well equipped for school purposes. The school year consists of two terms of five months each. He has ever been an energetic worker in every educational field looking toward the intel- lectual advancement and moral elevation of youth. He has been for several years and is now a member of the Santa Rosa School Board, and was its president during the year 1877. Mr. McMeans married Miss Carrie R. Brown, of San Jose, in July, 1835.
OHN P. RODGERS, a prominent member of the Sonoma County bar and an enter- prising citizen of Petaluma, is a native of Andrew County, Missouri, and was born Sep- tember 24, 1849. Ile is a son of Alexander W. Rodgers, a sketch of whom appears in this work. le came to the State in 1854, with his parents, and to Petaluma in 1856. He attended the public schools of this city and afterward the Pacific Methodist College at Vacaville, and sub- sequently the Baptist College of Petaluma, an institution which has since been closed. In 1867 he retired from his school studies and en- tered the employ of the San Francisco & Hun- boldt Bay Railroad, afterward changed to the San Francisco & North Pacific. He remained 22
in the employ of the company until 1869, and from that date to 1872 was engaged in the real estate business with his father. In 1872 he began the study of law with Hon. George Pearce, of Sonoma County, with whom he remained until the spring of 1875. In April of this year he was elected assessor for the city of l'etalumna. and held the office until the following Decem- ber, when he was elected copying clerk for the Assembly of the State of California. After the close of the session of the Legislature of 1876 he returned to Petaluma, in the meantime having been admitted to the practice of law by the District Court o: Sonoma County. In July of the same year he was appointed deputy dis- triet attorney for Sonoma Connty, which posi- tion he held under Barclay Henley, W. E. McConnell and A. B. Ware, until the 1st of January, 1883. The same year he formed a co-partnership with Hon. M. E. C. Munday, under the firm name of Rodgers & Munday, which relation existed up to March, 1888, when the firm was dissolved, Mr. Munday moving to Los Angeles, and the business in Petaluma be- ing prosecuted by Mr. Rodgers. In April, 1885, he was elected eity attorney of the eity of Petaluma, which position he now holds. Mr. Rodgers was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of California, November 10, 1879, and by the United States Circuit Court March 2, 1887. His marriage to Miss Frances J. Hinkle, a na- tive of this State, was celebrated December 3, 1879, by which union they have three children, one son and two danghters.
IRAHI LUCE, of Healdsburg, is a repre- sentative of one of the long resident fami- lies of Sonoma County. He was born at Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, October 3, 1843, and is the son of Jirah, Sr., and Mary (Cottle) Luce. In 1849 the father became one of a party organized to go to California. This company purchased a small vessel and made the journey around Cape Horn to San Francisco.
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lle was an energetic man and was soon estab- lished in business. He followed mining, and was also engaged in the carrying trade with a vessel. In 1557 he sent for his family, who joined him at San Francisco. In 1562 he re- moved to Sonoma County, locating at Healds- burg. He purchased a ranch some three miles from Healdsburg, which is now owned by his sons. While a resident of Healdsburg he held the office of justice of the peace and judge of the police court. His death occurred in 1881. Ilis widow, who survives him, resides in Healds- burg. Jirah Luce, the subject of this sketch, was in his fourteenth year when he accompa- nied his mother to California, and he was reared to manhood in this State. He was married on the 10th of March, 1886. to Nina Matheson, daughter of Colonel Rod. Matheson, whose sketch follows. They have two children: Mary Antoinette and Nina. Mr. Luce's ranch on Russian River comprises over 300 acres of land, and is devoted to stock-raising, fruit and vines. On the place there are forty acres of wine grapes. all choice varieties, which are in first-class con- dition. The orchard consists of ten acres, mostly peaches, prunes and pears. Mr. Luce's portion of the home ranch consists of 300 acres adjoining Healdsburg. On this place there are thirteen acres of orchard, set ont in 1983, con- sisting of peaches, plums and prunes. There are also seven acres of vineyard. planted in 15$4. The grapes are principally Zinfandel, and are all wine varieties.
COLONEL RODERICK N. MATHESON, one of the distinguished men of Sonoma -County, whohave passed away, was a na- tive of Inverness, Scotland, born in 1825, and son of Thomas and Jane Matheson. When in his fifteenth year he accompanied his parents on their removal to America, locating in New York City. There the father engaged in a business career, and the subject of this sketch was reared in the metropolis. In 1844 he was married to
Miss Antoinette Seaman, a native of New York. Hle soon afterward removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and. was there engaged in the real estate busi- ness for three years. He then returned to New York City and resumed his connection with a large importing house with which he had been formerly associated. He had given up mercan- tile life, and had commenced teaching school, when the California gold fever came on, and he found the temptation to join the throng bound for the west more than he could resist. Early in 1849 he took passage on a vessel bound for California via Cape Horn. The voyage was a rough and lengthy one, and was not completed without the vessel on which he was a passenger being compelled to put into a South American port to avoid shipwreck. After a brief experi- ence in the mines, he located in San Francisco, and his talent soon brought him into prominence. Hle took an active part in every project cal- culated to advance the interests of the city of his adoption, and helped to organize the Mechanic's Institute, and became its president. In 1852 he was made controller of San Francisco. Ile was an active member of the fire department and one of the founders of Vigilant Engine Company, No. 9, and a member of the Marion Rifles, In 1854 he was appointed a General of Division of the Mexican army, and Resident Commissioner of Mexico in San Francisco. By his effective aid in this capacity he contributed largely to the successes of Alvarez and Comonfort. His Mexican commission was confirmed by Juarez. then Chief Justice of Mexico, and was still in force at the time of his decease. In 1856 he removed to Sonoma County with his family and located on a farm adjoining Healdsburg. Ile cultivated his land and at the same time was engaged in teaching, and founded the Alexander Academy. Ile' went to Washington to attend the inauguration of President Lincoln, and there met Colonel E. D. Baker. Ile was in New York City when the war broke out, and immediately became conspicuons in the further- ance of the Union cause, taking a leading part in organizing the First California (or Thirty-
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second New York) Regiment, of which he was chosen Colonel. Ile was soon at the front with the command and participated in the first Bull Run fight. Through the Peninsular campaign he led his command, and at the battle of Cramp- ton Gap, or Cheat Mountain, on the 11th of September, 1862, he was wounded so severely while leading his regiment in a charge, that his death resulted on the 2d of October. Ilis re- mains were taken to New York City, and lay in state in the Governor's room of the city hall until October 9, when the body was taken to Green Street Methodist Episcopal Church and funeral services held. The Seventy-first New York Regiment was a gnard of honor, and the following noted men acting as pall-bearers: Generals John C. Fremont and John S. Ellis, Hons. E. F. Burton, C. K. Garrison, F. F. Low, Samuel B. Smith and J. A. MeDongall, Dr. Eugene Crowell, George Wilkes, IIenry Thompson and Eugene Kelly. After the ser- viees the remains were placed on the California steamer. Extensive preparations were made for the obsequies at San Francisco, the leading men and organizations of the city being active in the matter. At the meeting held to devise the plans for the funeral, the following gentlemen were designated as pall-bearers: IIis Excellency, Leland Stanford, Hons. Ogden Hoffman, T. G. Phelps, F. M. Pixley, Ira P. Rankin, HI. F. Tischemacher, Messrs. J. B. Thomas, R. E. Rimond, W. Ralston, E. T. Batturs, Benjamin l'. Freeman, Engene L. Sullivan, E. W. Leonard, Il. A. Cobb, W. M. Lent and Colonel W. D. Thompson. The First California Guard was the guard of honor which received the remains at San Francisco. After the services there the body was taken to Healdsburg for interment. The Petaluma Guard and Eminet Rifles met the cortege at Petaluma, the Santa Rosa Mili- tary Company at that place, and all that was inortal of Colonel Matheson was laid in its last resting place at Healdsburg on the 9th of November, 1862, amid the universal sorrow of the community. Colonel Matheson was the father of six children. The oldest, Emma, who
was born in Ohio, died when a mere child; Roderick, who was born in New York, was killed in a threshing machine aceident at Davis- ville, July 27, 1870; Frank died when twenty- one months old, at Ilealdsburg; George was killed in November, 1887. There was also a ehild that died in infancy. Mrs. Colonel Mathe- son died the 28th of February, 1884. Mrs. Nina Luce, the third child, is the only one re- maining of the children of Colonel Matheson, one of California's noblest heroes.
HOMAS B. MILLER .- Among the pio- neer and representative farmers of Sonoma Connty is the subject of this sketch, a brief resume of whose life is herewith given. Mr. Miller was born December 31, 1826, in Rhea County, Tennessee. ITis father, James P. Miller, was a native of Virginia, who went to Tennessee in his youth. His mother, Charlotte (Bell) Miller, was a nativeof Tennessee. In 1830 Mr. Miller's father moved to Alabama, and five years later to Arkansas. In 1840 he located in Newton County, Missouri, where he remained two years and returned to Benton County, Arkansas, where he resided until 1846, when he entered the United States military service as a Lientenant in the Twelfth Regiment of the United States In- fantry, and served with distinction throughout the Mexican war. Resigning his commission at the close of the war he returned to his family, and in 1849, accompanied by his sons, Thomas B. and Gideon T. Miller, came overland to Cali- fornia and located at what was afterward known as Millerstown, near Auburn. There he opened a general merchandise store, and later went to Washington on the Yuba River, where he eon- tinned his mereantile pursuits until 1850, when hc returned East. The subject of this sketeh upon his arrival at Sacramento, proceeded to the mines in Placer County, near Auburn. There he was engaged until the spring of 1850, when he went to Nevada City, Nevada County, California, making quite a strike and being
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
very successful in his mining operations there. lle went from there to the middle fork of the Yuba River and was engaged with thirteen others in digging a large ditch which turned the middle fork of the river from its bed. This enterprise was a failure as far as finding gold was concerned. Mr. Miller then went to Cache Creek in Yolo County, and spent the winter at that place in farm operations. Not being suited with the locatior, in the fall of 1851 he came to Sonoma County and engaged in farming near what is now Sebastopol. In 1852 he went to Blueher Valley, about three miles south of Se- bastopol, and there entered into farm operations. April 17, 1853, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann King, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Horn) King. Her parents were na- tives of Virginia, and resided in Missouri before they came to California in 1850. The subject of this sketeh resided in Blucher Valley until 1853 and then moved to a farm near Tomales in Marin County. In 1855 he took up his resi- denee upon 160 aeres of land near Healdsburg, on the Russian River. Ile first bought the set- tler's elaim to this land and afterward was com- pelled to purchase the elaims of the grant-holders. There he engaged in farming and in stoek- raising on the coast until 1874. He then sold out, came to Santa Rosa, and purchased 320 acres of land on the river road, in the Ilall school distriet, about five miles west of Santa Rosa. Since that date Mr. Miller has devoted his at- tention to the cultivation and improvement of his farm, and now ranks among the leading and successful farmers of his section of the county. He has fifty- five aeres devoted to hop cultiva- tion, and two dry houses for curing the hops. These buildings are each 80 x 24 feet with 20 feet studding. The capacity of these dryers is four tons of green hops daily. He has also thirty aeres of orchard, comprising twelve aeres of French prunes, and twelve acres of peaches. The rest of the orchard is producing apples, pears, plums and cherries. Hle also has a family vineyard which prodnees both wine and table grapes. The balance of his land is devoted to
hay, grain and stock. Among the latter are some fine Norman horses, and cattle improved with Durham and Jersey stock. Mr. Miller is an active and publie-spirited citizen, deeply in- terested in all enterprises that tend to advance the interests of Sonoma County. In political matters he is Democratic, but is very liberal and conservative in his views. He is a consist- ent member of the Christian church. From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Miller ten children are living, viz .: James P., born May 8. 1854, married Miss Birdie Brown, is living in Green Valley; Charlotte E., born February 24, 1857, married E. II. Parnell, residing in Colusa County; Thomas B., born January 6, 1859, liv- ing on Mark West Creek; Louisa H., born January 8, 1861, married S. W. Purrington, residing in Green Valley; Mary Alice, born December 19, 1862, married Alexander Ragle, living in Green Valley; Irene B., born Novem- ber 1, 1864, married S. E. Ballard, residing in Shasta County; Josephine, born November 14, 1866; Laura E., born August 27, 1869; Hen- rietta, born October 27, 1871, and Robert L., born June 25, 1876, residing with their parents.
MATHIER, of the Santa Rosa Flour Mills, and the subject of this sketch, was born
Ô in England and came to this country at the early age of thirteen. Landing at Phila- delphia, he worked his way to Salt Lake City, arriving late in the fall of 1859. The snow falling soon after, he remained in that city dnr- ing the winter, earning his subsistence as elerk with one of the merchants. In the summer of 1860 he engaged to assist in driving a herd of cattle to California, and being eheated out of his wages, landed in the State without a cent in money or a coat to his back. We have no doubt but our young friend finding himself among strangers in a strange land, had many longings for the comforts of his old home, but like many others who had preceded him and endured the hardships of a journey across the plains, though
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considerably humbled his hopes were not crushed; although penniless he was not entirely discouraged but struck out for work and got it. being employed on a ranch, where he remained for several months. Having recommendations and letters of introduction from his former em- ployer in Salt Lake City to merchants in Sac- ramento and San Francisco, and not liking the life of a farmer, when his earnings were suffi- cient (as he termed it) to buy a presentable rig, he visited those cities, but received no encour- agement as the places were swarming with clerks waiting for engagements. Not having means to live in idleness and being desirous of earning something he returned again to the shades of a country farm, where he saved up $500, which he loaned to a friend and lost both the friend and the money. Feeling a little sore over the loss he continned to work and com- menced saving again, but being offered a situa- tion in a flour mill, he left the farm and accepted it and learned the trade. His wages at first in his new vocation were small, but were gradually increased, and interest being high in those days, by sticking to work and loaning ont his money, the end of five years found him the happy possessor of the snug sum of $5,000 About this time his employer and instructor erected another flour mill, and he loaned him the money. Reverses came; his employer died, and in the general wreck he lost the $5,000. This last stroke of ill luck was a sad blow to his ambition and nearly paralyzed his efforts, bnt fortunately he made the acquaintance of a gentleman who listened to a recital of his mis- fortunes with interest, and whose kind advice · and assistance inspired him with new hopes. and to whose good counsel and enconragement Mr. Mather acknowledges a debt he can never repay. Through the influence of this friend he leased a flour mill he formerly built and owned in partnership, and ran it successfully for three years, when the mill was sold to a miller. Ile then moved to the adjoining county of Lake, where he again established himself in the mill- ing business by renting a flour mill and buying
an undivided one-half of another. Having had a period of success, in 1873 he bought the Lower Lake Brewery, which he operated in con- junction with a partner for a number of years. Desirons of still further extending his enter- prises, in 1878 he purchased a half interest in a general merchandise store. In 1880 the Santa Rosa mills were offered for sale, and Mr. Mather wishing to return to his early associations bought the property for $15,000. Taking an- other miller in company, they did a profitable business for several years, when the roller pro- cess was introduced, and our enterprising friend not deeming it good policy to be left behind, associated with him the late E. T. Farmer, president of the Santa Rosa Bank, and had the mill enlarged and changed to the new system, putting in the very latest and most improved machinery. He bought the adjoining splendid brick warehouse, incurring an additional ontlay of nearly $40,000, making it one of the most perfect and complete milling plants in the State, an honor to the town, beneficial to the people and a crowning monument of perseverance and unyielding resolve.
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