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 56
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ILL. HUNTLEY, of the real estate firm of Abraham & Huntley. Healdsburg, is a native of Meigs County, Ohio, born July 13, 1844, and is a son of John and Louisa (Conner) Huntley. His father is a native of New York City, and his mother of Meigs County, Ohio. When the subject of this sketch was three years of age, his parents removed to Haneock County, Illinois, arriving at Warsaw the night that the Mormon temple at the neigli- boring town of Nauvoo was burned. The mother died during the following fall at the family home on the West Fork of Crooked Creek, Hancock County. In 1860 the father, together with a brother and his son Will, set ont for California across the plains. The land inarks of the journey were Nebraska City (where they crossed the Missouri), Fort Kearney (where they crossed the Platte), Independence Rock and Lander's ent-off, thence to the head waters of the Humboldt. this route being chosen on account of hostile Indians, and as wagons enough could not be got together to protect themselves over other and more frequented ways. There were but three wagons in the party until they got to Independence Rock, when a train was made up of forty-five men capable of bearing arms. After reaching Susanville they journeyed east of Shasta Butte and Yreka. crossed the Siskiyou to Oregon, and located at Dry Diggings, on Rogne River, near what is now Grant's Pass. The subject of this sketch attended Umpqua Academy at Wilbur, during the season of 1863-'4, and in the summer assisted his father in farming. In the fall of that year he started ont in lite for himself and engaged in lumber- ing on the coast. The terms of 1864-'5 were again spent at Umpqua Academy, and during the summer of 1865 he taught school at Wil- bur. Ile assisted John M. Eberlein in starting
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a mill on the South Umpqua, and was engaged in the lumber business for a time after its com- pletion; he also helped his father in the work of starting a saw-mill in Cammas Valley. When the work was completed he went again to Eberlein's mill and during the summer was engaged in harvesting in Umpqua Valley. Next he drove a number of hogs to Ashland Mills, Rogue River Valley, and while there was employed in the work of carpentering, a trade he had previously become familiar with. In the winter of 1868 lie returned to the Umpqna country, locating at Ten-Mile. In 1870 he went to Portland, Oregon, and after a month or two, to Vancouver, Washington Territory. Thence he returned to Portland, and in May went to the Dalles, east of the Cascade Moun- tains, and from there to the head waters of North Fork of John Day River, thence to Canon City, on Middle Fork. After running a saw-mill there two months, he went to Camp Harney, and there engaged in making hay for the Government for two months. He then served in the quartermaster's department till January, 1871. Thence he went to Canon City, and to South Fork of John Day River, and then taught a term of school. In the summer of the same year he built a saw-mill for T. P. Dean, fifteen miles southwest of Cañon City. During the winter of 1871-'2 he taught school near the latter place, and in the following summer ran a steam saw-mill. In the fall he went to Idaho, and engaged in teaching school on Dry Creek. In the summer of 1873 he built a large barn there, and that fall constructed a suspension bridge across Boise River for William Litell. Thence he traveled, mostly afoot, to Kelton, Utah, and from there to Salt Lake City, then back to Ogden, from there to Omaha, Burling- ton, Carthage, Illinois, and the vicinity of his old home in Hancock County, at Huntley's Mills. He spent the winter there and in Janu- ary went to Parsons, Kansas, taught school, and on the 6th of May started back to California. Ile went first to San Francisco, then to Liver- more. After that he returned to San Francisco
and took an ocean steamer for Crescent City, thence overland to the month of Rogue River, and was engaged in mining until the spring of 1881. During that time he made two trips back East, once via St. Louis to the Centennial at Philadelphia and back by the way of Chicago. In 1881 he went to Napa Valley, and in the fall came to Healdsburg, where he engaged in carpentering. In 188S he became a member of the firm of Abraham & Huntley, real estate, loan and insurance brokers. Mr. Huntley is a member of the Healdsburg Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the local fire department, being a member of the standing committee. Politically, he is a Republican. The life of Mr. Huntley has been an eventful one, full of adventures in unsettled regions.
REDERICK A. WOODWORTII, the can- didate of the American party for Repre- sentative from Sonoma County in the campaign of 1888, is a native of California, having been born in San Francisco October 12, 1858. The Woodworths rank among the oldest of American families. Walter Woodworth, from whom the subject of this sketch is in the direct line of descent, is on record as having been appointed wolf-catcher by the anthorities of Scitnate, Massachusetts, in 1635. Ile was of English origin, and from him has sprung a family, many of whose representatives have made for themselves names high in the learned professions, in letters and in mercantile life. Samuel Woodworth, grandfather of F. A., was the author of the "Old Oaken Bucket," that most touching production which will ever have a place among the best of American songs. He was born and reared at Seituate, and drifted at an early age to New York, where he became a printer. Ilis genius soon found for him fit associates, and he became connected with Morris, the poet, and Nathaniel B. Willis, and they to- gether edited the New York Mirror. Hle died while yet a resident of New York, but his re-
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mains have found their final resting place in the Woodworth family vault at San Francisco. Selim E. Woodworth, father of F. A., was one of a family of ten children. When sixteen years of age he went into the navy. When the troubles with Mexico eame on in 1846, his ves- sel was cruising on the Pacific coast, and he took part in the naval portion of the war which followed. After the cessation of hostilities he resigned with the rank of Lieutenant and settled in California. He was chosen as member of the first Territorial Legislature of California, at Monterey, and bore an honorable part in its proceedings. Ile was one of the foremost pro- moters of the first San Francisco vigilance com- mittee (1851), and was its president. When the Civil war came on he again volunteered his services in behalf of his country, and served through all that struggle as a commander in the navy. He had become possessed of valuable real estate in the city and was the owner of the 100-vara lot on which the Grand Hotel was built, and which property is now owned by the family. He was married in 1856 to Miss Lizette Flolır, a native of Baltimore. Ile died in San Francisco and his widow is now a resi- dent of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Frederick A. Woodworth, whose name heads this sketch spent his early boyhood in San Francisco. For purposes of education he was sent to Enrope, and for three years attended the schools at Dresden, afterward other institutions else- where in Germany and Franee. On his re- turn to America he attended military school at Sing Sing, New York, and in 1575 entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and subsequently entered Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut. In 1877 he commenced attendance at Ilasting's Law School, San Francisco, and for two years prosecuted his legal studies, read- ing with Delos Lake. After a trip to Europe, he located on a ranch in Fresno County and was one of the first to embark in grape growing there. He afterward removed to Tulare County, and from there to Sonoma County in May, 1888. Ilere he has what is known as the
Everett ranch, a mile and a quarter west of Healdsburg. It contains 247 acres, all of which is utilized for pasture, farming or the cultiva- tion of the grape, with perhaps seven or eight acres of orchard. The vineyard of sixty acres contains mainly Zinfandel vines. while the re- mainder of the acreage is well divided between the different varieties of fine French wine grapes. All the grapes are made into wine on the place, and there are now sufficient in bear- ing to make from 12,000 to 15.000 gallons of wine in 18SS. It is the intention of Mr. Wood- worth to keep his wine a sufficient length of time to realize for himself the benefits of the added age. The winery, a first- class stone struct- ure, with the best appointments, has storage and capacity and cooperage for 50,000 gallons. The ranch is well watered by springs, all of the water from these sources being collected in two reservoirs, one a concrete affair of 25.000 gal- lons capacity. Mr. Woodworth devotes his time to the improvement and proper working of the place. IIe is a member of Fresno Parlor, No. 42, N. S. G. W., of which he was one of the organizers, and also belongs to the Society of California Pioneers at San Francisco. Ile is a member of Fresno Lodge, No. 249, F. & A. M. While at Fresno he was active in the first efforts toward the establishment of the present Amer- iean party movement.
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YRD S. YOUNG, M. D., one of the rep- resentative physicians of this county, and president of Sonoma County Medical So- ciety, was born of South Carolina parents, in Jackson County, Tennessee, in 1831. Ilis fa- ther, James Young, was a planter and a iner- chant; served that county as sheriff for a num- ber of years, and was also a member of the State Legislature. The subject of this sketeh began studying for the medical profession at the age of eighteen years, but before completing the course, on attaining his majority, he went into the mercantile business with his brother, contin-
J. J. Proctor
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ning several years. Concluding to complete the preparation for his chosen calling, Mr. Young attended school at Burritt College, Ten- nessee, and commenced practice in his native county with Dr. Paul Clay. Desiring to better equip himself by educational training for his profession, Dr. Young went to Chicago in the fall of 1857 and entered Rush Medical College. where he subsequently graduated. Ile at once began practice in that city under the direction of Dr. Brainard. In January, 1861, he returned to Tennessee, and again, in 1864, returning to Chicago, he purchased mules and other neees- sary articles for an outfit with which to cross the plains to California. The train he accom- panied, composed of fifty-four wagons, left Bur- lington, Iowa, April 12, 1864, and Omaha a month later. They stopped a week in Salt Lake City and a week in Sacramento, where he loaded his teams for Oakland, arriving there in Au- gust. He settled in Oakland and pursued his profession about two years, in which time his health became seriously impaired by the trying sea-shore elimate, and he removed to St. Helena, Napa County. During the ten years of his res- idence there Dr. Young's health was entirely restored, and he enjoyed an extensive and lucra- tive practiee. Wishing to give his two daugh- ters better educational advantages than the Napa Valley afforded, the Doctor removed, in 1875, to Santa Rosa, where he soon secured and has maintained a fine professional business. In 1856 Dr. Young was nnited in marriage with Miss Carrie B., daughter of Samuel Bell, a prominent citizen of Cayuga County, New York, and a warm personal friend of Ilon. William H. Seward. Dr. and Mrs. Young have two children, Minnie E. and Neva, both of whom are graduates of the Pacifie Methodist College. The eldest is married to Mr. Kolliker and resides in Sacramento. Dr. Young has taken an active interest in whatever tends to improve and elevate society in Santa Rosa, as well as in its material prosperity. Ile has served eight or ten years as a member of the city board of education; has been a trustee of Woodland
College ever since it was chartered; was physi- cian of the Sonoma County Hospital three years; is a member of the California State Medical Society, and president of the Sonoma County Medical Society. Besides their beanti- ful home on East Fourth street, Dr. Young owns real estate interests in Tulare County and some redwood lands in Mendocino County.
HOMAS JEFFERSON PROCTOR was born April 12, 1825, in Jessamine County, Kentucky. At the age of twenty-one years he entered the Mexican war as Lieutenant in Company F, United States Volunteers, un- der Captain Willis. He fought in the battle of Buena Vista two days and a night without food. After serving fourteen months he was dis- charged and returned home. Mr. Proctor was married May 4, 1848, to Joanna P. Thomas, a native of Mercer County, Kentucky. In 1851 they moved to Trenton, Grundy County, Mis- sonri. There Mr. Proctor was engaged in con- tracting and building for twelve years, and in that time did a great deal of business. May 4, 1862, they left Trenton, came across the coun- try to Oregon, arrived in Powder River Valley September 7; resided in Baker County one year and in Union County four years. In the spring of 1863 he erected a large hotel be- tween Baker City and Union, known as the " Kentucky House," and conducted it four years, doing a large business. He sold it and in 1867 came to Santa Rosa, where he passed the remainder of his life. Up to 1875 he was engaged in varions business enterprises. That year he opened a real estate office, founding the real estate firm of Proctor, Reynolds & Co., the oldest real estate office in the eity. Ile was appointed mayor of Santa Rosa September 24, 1878, and was elected supervisor in 1883 or '84. Mr. Proctor was a member of the city council several years, and also served a number of years as a member of the board of education of Santa Rosa. Ile was an active mover in securing the
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erection of the new court house. and in having the county hospital moved to the county farm. He died December 6, 1886, leaving a widow and one son, Thomas A. Proctor. Mr. and Mrs. Proctor lost two adult sons. Edward P. and William M. Mr. Proctor was a fine speci- men of manhood and would attract attention in any crowd. He was a man of sympathetic and benevolent nature, and contributed many a dol- lar. in a quiet way. to the worthy poor from whom his death wrung tears of sorrow for the loss of their benefactor. Thomas A. Proctor was born in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, January 12. 1555. Ile was educated in Santa Rosa in the public schools, at the Pacific Methodist Col- lege. and also took a course in a business col- lege. Leaving school at the age of seventeen, he opened a gents' furnishing store in Santa Rosa in 1873, and successfully condneted the same for three years, when, on account of ill- health, he sold out. lle was then employed as a bookkeeper for about a year, after which he entered the employ of Wells, Fargo & Co. He has filled various positions for the company in the past twelve years. October 12, 1884. he took charge of the company's office and business in Santa Rosa, and is manager of the Express and Western Union Telegraph business. He was married May 14, 1884, to Miss Mary E. McEwen, a San Francisco lady. In 1885 he built his beautiful home on Third street, east of D street.
AMES W. KELLY. The subject of this sketch is one of the representative and suc- . cessful farmers and dairymen of Sonoma County. IIe was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1841, his parents being William and Ellen (Kentick) Kelly, both natives of the same country. His mother died when he was but a few years of age. Mr. Kelly was the only child in the family, and in 1850 his father emigrated to the United States, bringing his son with him. Upon his arrival he located in Massachusetts, where the
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subject of this sketch was reared and schooled until 1854. At that early age he commenced life upon his own account. His first work was in a lumber mill. He worked there until 1856 and then went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he re- mained until the next year. He then proceeded to Monroe County, Missouri, where he was en- gaged principally in farm labor until 1861. In that year he came to California and joined his fa- ther who hadpreceded him 1854. and was located in San Francisco. Soon after Mr. Kelly arrived at that place he engaged in work for John Mil- Jer, in the furniture factory of the McDonald Bros. in that city. He continued this occupa- until 1863. Ile then went to Nevada with the intention of engaging in mining, but ill-health compelled an abandonment of that project, and he proceeded to Oregon, locating at Portland. There he engaged in the manufacture of furni- ture until 1865. He then returned to San Fran- cisco and resumed work for his old employer, Mr. Miller. In 1867 Mr. Kelly married Miss Mary Pierce. a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Donlon) Pierce, natives of Roscominon County, Ireland. He continued his work in the furni- ture manufactory until 1871. In that year he came to Sonoma County, and located at Clover- dale, where he rented land and entered upon farm operations. In 1972 he moved to Santa Rosa Township, and rented a farm on Santa Rosa Creek, where he remained for two years. Ile then rented a farm near John Walker's place at Sebastopol, which he successfully conducted until 1876. In that year he rented a farm on the Santa Rosa and Sebastopol road, in the Llano school district, six miles west of Santa Rosa, and one mile east of Sebastopol. Ilere Mr. Kelly entered into farming and the dairy business, a business which he has successfully conducted since that date. He afterward pur- chased the farm which he rented and from time to time purchased adjoining lands until he owned a tract comprising 540 acres. A short time ago lie sold off a portion of his land and noir (1588) is the owner of 315 acres of pro- dnetive farm lands. Among the improvements
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he has made upon his land is the planting of thirty acres in grape vines of the Zinfandel va- riety for wine purposes, also a family vineyard containing a large variety of table grapes. Ile has seven aeres in orchard producing apples, peaches, French prunes, pears, plums and other fruit. One hundred acres are in hay and grain, and the rest is devoted to stock-raising. There are eighty head of eattle upon this farm, forty of which are milch cows used for dairy purposes. These cattle are mostly Durham stock. Mr. Kelly raises only such horses as are required on the farm. The subject of this sketch is well known in Sonoma County as an enterprising and pub- lie spirited eitizen. Ilis success in life has been due to his sterling qualities and straight forward dealing, coupled with an energetie pros- eention of his business. He is a member of Evergreen Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F., at Se- bastopol, and of Santa Rosa Eneampment, No. 53, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. of Santa Rosa, and of the Se- bastopol Lodge of Chosen Friends. He is a school trustee of his distriet, and has ever taken a deep interest in the publie sehools. Politieally, he is a liberal and conservative Dem- ocrat. The following are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly: William H., J. I'., Edward T., Frank, George Robert and Thomas E. The fourth child, John Joseph, died at the age of eight years.
ILLIAM IL. MANION is one of So- noma County's favorite sons. He dates his birth in Bennett Valley, Santa Rosa Township, October 16, 1856. Hle is the son of William and Elizabeth (Barnett) Manion, early settlers of Sonoma County. Mr. Manion was reared to farm life upon his father's farm, receiving his education in the public schools of his distriet, and later in the Santa Rosa College. After the death of his father, which occurred in October, 1887, Mr. Manion commenced the im- provement and cultivation of his portion of the
estate, which is situated on the Santa Rosa and Petaluma road. Ile is also the owner of 400 aeres of land in Bennett Valley, which is devoted to stock-growing. Mr. Manion is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, and was a charter member of Parlor No. 28, of Santa Rosa. He is also a member of Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 53, I. O. O. F. In 1887 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Johnson, the daughter of Snelling and Amanda (Pierce) Johnson, residents of Oregon, but formerly of Napa County.
TILLIAM MANION, deceased .-- Among the pioneer and representative farmers of Santa Rosa Township was the sub- ject of this sketeli, a brief resume of whose life is well fitted to appear in the history of Sonoma County. Mr. Manion was the son of Edmund and Elizabeth Manion. natives of the State of Kentucky. Mr. Manion was born in the same State in the year 1816, and when a youth went with his father's family to Missouri, locating in Cooper County and afterward in La Fayette County, where the father was engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. Mr. Manion was reared on a farm, receiving such educational advan- tages as the common schools of pioneer settlements afforded. In 1847 he entered the Mexican war, enlisting in the Missouri Regiment of cavalry commanded by Colonel Doniphan. This regiment was engaged in New Mexico and also on the plains against the Indians. Mr. Manion served until the discharge of the regi- ment from the service in 1848. Soon after his discharge he returned home and was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Hatton, the daugh- ter of Joseph and Millie Hatton, residents of La Fayette County, Missouri. Mr. Manion engaged in farming and stock-raising in that county until 1850, in which year he erossed the plains to California, attracted here by the pio- neer instincts that were born in him as much as by the gold fever that was sweeping over the
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land. As before stated he was reared as a farm. er, but arriving in California in the fall of the year, when hills and valleys were sere and brown, he concluded the occupation of a farmer must be a hard one in this country, so he turned his attention to mining. In 1550 he had the misfortune to lose his wife. She had followed his fortunes even to the hardships of a miner's camp. This was more than her frail system could bear, and, after a brief illness, death called her home. No children were born from this marriage. Mr. Manion continued his mining with varying success until 1852, when, tired of that life, he sought a more congenial occupation in the fertile valleys of Sonoma County. His first location here was in Los Guilicos Valley, where he rented land from Martin Hudson until 1853, when he located in Bennett Valley. In 1952 he married for his second wife Miss Eliza- beth Barnett. the daughter of James and Rebec- ea (Bryant) Barnett, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Manion came across the plains to California in 1551, accompanied by her brother, who died on the plains, leaving her to the care of her friends with whom they were traveling. The subject of this sketch was one of the pioneer farmers of Bennett Valley, and soon came to be recognized as a fine representative of his class, taking a lead in agriculture and stock-raising. He remained in that valley until 1573, when he moved to Santa Rosa Valley and located two miles south of Santa Rosa, on the Petaluma road, where he purchased 260 acres of choice lands upon which he continued his farming operations (also still owning 400 acres in Bennett Valley) until his death, which occurred October 11, 1587. In the death of Mr. Manion the community lost one of its most worthy and respected citizens. He was a man who for over thirty-five years had been identified with the best interests of Sono- ina County, a public spirited, enterprising, pro- gressive farmer, and one who ever stood ready to aid in any enterprise that tended to advanee the welfare of and benefit the community in which he so long resided. To his family le was ever the indulgent husband. father and
friend. He was a sincere and consistent mem- ber of the Christian church, practicing his pre- eepts in full. A strong supporter of churches and schools, he was always ready to aid in the establishing of both, without regard to denomi- nation or sect. In him the poor and needy always found a cheerful and liberal benefactor. From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Manion there are four children living: William Henry, a sketch of whom appears in this work; Sarah Frances, born April 29, 1939, lives on a portion of the old homestead, and is the wife of W. C. Woolley; Lilly Belle, born June 24, 1864; and Louella, born November 27, 1866. Mrs. Man- ion and her two youngest daughters are residing on the old homestead.
ICHARD E. LEWIS, one of the substan- tial men of Mendocino Township, is a native of Wales, born February 22, 1829, and a son of Richard and Rachel (Evans) Lewis. In 1840 the family emigrated to. America and located on the bluffs of St. Clair County. Illinois, where Caseyville now stands. In 1548 R. E. Lewis took a trip to New Mex- ico as a teamster, and from there returned to St. Clair County, where he remained until 1850. In March of the latter year he started with a St. Louis party for California. The train was made up between Independence, Mis- sonri, and Westport, at which point they crossed the Missouri River. While on the Platte the train became afflicted with eholera, and as a con- sequence, they split up in little parties. Mr. Lewis came via Salt Lake, at which point he and two friends traded their oxen for horses, and packed aeross to California, following the Car- son route, the men walking the most of the way. Before they had completed their journey their horses had all either given out or had been stolen, so that when they arrived at Sacramento, on the 20th of October. they had little to en- cumber them in the way of personal effects. Mr. Lewis went to the mines at Nevada City,
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