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 63
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The packers congregated to quite a number and went in pursuit. The search, however, was fruitless, and Mr. Peters returned to Red Cap's Bar, where he disposed of his effects and re- turned by the way of Port Trinidad to San Francisco. From there he went to Louisiana Bar in Placer County, where he had other in- terests. When at Sacramento he received the painful intelligence of the death of his father. This severed the last bond which drew him to his home. Six months had elapsed after the father's death before the news reached his son on the Pacific slope. Ile remained and worked his claim until the latter part of October, when he returned via the Isthmus, to New York, thence to Sheboygan, his old home, remaining there during the winter of 1551 and '52, settling up affairs preparatory to returning to Cal- ifornia. In the spring he proceeded to St. Jo- seph where he purchased an outfit, but came in contact with a company to whom he sold out, and engaged as captain of the company. This company consisted of a man and his wife, their five children, a young lady and five other gen- tlemen. They passed about the same route as in '49 and were unmolested until they reached the Platte River, where they were called to a halt by a band of Indians. The party, however, soon dispersed them and they had no more trouble until they reached the Humboldt River, where they again encountered the In- dians. The redinen were accustomed to run off the cattle from the trains. All the volunteers from the trains to the number of 100 were se- cured, and the Indians were pursued and pun- ished; they being concealed in a large willow thicket it was necessary for the force to be divided; six of them were to ride into the thicket and the remaining ninety-four to watch the outside, and shoot them as they emerged. On being driven out by the party within, the most of the Indians were killed and but two of the emigrants were injured. Again pursuing their journey they arrived in Sacramento Octo- ber 1, 1852. Mr. Peters then went to Marys- ville, where, on the 6th of October, he was
united in matrimony to Miss Eleanor Lowe, who is a native of Nova Scotia, born May 28. 1828, in Cornwallis Township, Kings County. IIer ancestors on her father's side were Scotch and on her mother's American. Her parents were Ruth and John Lowe. The name of John Lowe's mother was Martha Gibson, and the par- ents of Ruth Lowe were Stephen and Eleanor (Godfrey) West. In company with his wife they moved to Grand Island where he er gaged in farming, remaining there for two years. From there they removed to Dry Creek, Amador County, following the same business as at Grand Island, and after remaining there one winter went to Sacramento, where he engaged in the milk and hotel business for a year. They then went to Georgetown, El Dorado County, and engaged in mining, following that industry until the year 1860. In that year he came to Petaluma, and again engaged in farm- ing and dairying, which business he has since successfully condneted. They have reared a family of nine children, viz .: Johannah, Charles R., Frances A., Cassius M. C., Emma J., John L., Clara B., Nellie N. and Jessie S. Fickle fortune has to him shown its bright and its dark side, but through it all he has proved himself equal to the emergencies and has secured for himself and family many of the comforts of life, and has given to his children the advantages of a good education.
A. NORTON, JR .- Of the rising young business meu of Sonoma County, we must not overlook Mr. L. A. Norton, Jr., the second son of Col. L. A. Norton, of Healds- burg. IIe is a " native son," born in Healds- burg, April 16, 1867, and, although scarcely past his majority, is already identified to a re- markable extent with the progress and enter- prise of his native city. Starting out in life when yet a boy, he engaged in the cigar and tobacco business, on the east side of the plaza. In February, 1888, he associated himself with
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liis present partner under the firm name of Bates & Norton, in the line of fancy groceries, and such is the energy and business ability of these young men that they are rapidly outstrip- ping many of the older established business firms, and securing to themselves a lucrative business which extends over the city and its sub- urbs. Not only this, but sueli is the popularity of Mr. Norton among his associates that, unso- licitel by himself, he has already occupied many honorable positions of trust and responsibility. Always being ready to extend a helping hand to encourage enterprise, he has been foremost in several local organizations, among which may be mentioned the Elites, a juvenile base ball club, and the Enterprise Base Ball League, a county organization composed of clubs at Santa Rosa, Lytton Springs, Healdsburg and other points. In 1886 he organized the Sotoyome Cadets, an athletic and military organization, which, in 1887, was merged into the Healds- burg Athletic Club, Mr. Norton being its first president. He is foreman of the Rescue hook and ladder company; also assistant engineer of the fire department; is drum-major of the Healdsburg band, and in fact it may be said that no enterprise in Healdsburg can be consid- ered perfected without the support of the subject of this sketch. He is still unmarried, living at the Sotoyome IIotel, where he entertains his many friends.
AMES R. MELSON, of the firm of Kuy- kendall & Melson, contractors and builders, has been a resident of Sonoma County four years. He is a native son of California, born in El Dorado County, thirty-four years ago. Ilis father, Isom Melson, came with his father from Indiana, during the early gold excitement, to California, and engaged in mining for a num- ber of years. Some years ago he returned to the East and settled in Missouri, where he still lives. The subject of this sketch is one of four children, one sister being deceased and two sis-
ters living in Washington Territory. Mr. Mel- son learned the carpenter's trade in Sutter County, and for the past eight years has been steadily engaged in the building business. Ile contracted for buildings, in partnership with a brother-in-law, in Sutter County, and after leav- ing that place in 1883, he worked one season in Mendocino County, where he erected a number of buildings and then came to Santa Rosa. After working a year for another contractor, he launched out in business for himself. In 1887 he formed a partnership with Mr. Kuykendall, which continues to the present time. They have erected abont twenty-five buildings, prin- cipally residences, and have now (August, 1888) four under contract, costing from $3,000 to $4,000 each. They employ an average of thirteen skilled mechanies, paying the most of them $3 per day. Mr. Melson also designs buildings when desired. He was married Oeto- ber 12, 1885, to a lady who was born in Norway, reared in Minnesota from her early girlhood, and who came to California some years ago. Her par- ents, Mr. and Mrs. Swenson, were among the early settlers in New London, Minnesota, and are now residents of Santa Rosa. Mr. Swenson owns and operates a tannery near the Santa Rosa brewery. Mr. and Mrs. Melson have one child-a son.
R. A. J. MILLER. - The subject of this sketch plainly shows in his physique the union of good old Scotch blood with that of the American pioneer. His mother, Adelia McCook, emigrated to this country from Scot- land at the age of twenty-two years, and his father was a native of Pennsylvania, and was for many years a preacher in the Evangelical denomination, stationed at Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, where, in 1833, the doctor was born, and where his mother died a few years later. After the death of his mother he re- moved with his father to Holmes County, Ohio, where he attended school, but it being only the ordinary type of country school at that early
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period, and his father desiring that he should receive better school advantages, he returned to Lancaster, making his home with his grand- father. When fifteen years of age he determined to see the world, and shipped as a cabin boy on board the ship .luark. of the Merchants' Line, spending the next five years aboard ship. It the expiration of that time he returned to Lan- caster and read medicine with Professor Fire- stone and Doctor Perkey until 1851, when he entered the Western Reserve College at Cleve- land, Ohio, at which institution he graduated with high honors in 1854. That same year he was nuited in marriage with Samantha Woods, daughter of James Woods, a farmer of llancock County, Ohio; and began the practice of his profession in Wayne County, Ohio, removing to Jerusalem in 1557, and returning to the United States in 1560. At the first eall for volunteers in 1861, he enlisted as Assistant Surgeon in the Fourth Ohio, under Colonel Cantevell, serving three years and re-enlisting in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio, under Colonel Ennis, re- maining in the service until the close of the war. The war record of the doctor is as varied as it is interesting. Beginning with the first engagement at Pea Ridge it includes the first battle of Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Rhomany, New Creek, etc. At Harper's Ferry he was captured by Jackson, but happily was paroled at Arlington Heights three days later. Hle served on detached duty at Georgetown and again at Fortress Monroe in the spring of 1864. Then came the memorable battle of the Wilder- ness, Petersburg and the operations before Richmond at the close of the war. During all this time the doctor's wife and son was with her father in Hancock County, Ohio. At the close of the war Dr. Miller returned to Cleveland and entered the Cleveland Medical College (Homece- pathie) and graduated in 1868. Ile continued the practice of his profession in Hancock County until 1870. in which year he emigrated with his family to Schuyler, Nebraska, engaging in the drng business, but returning again to Ohio in 1875. In November of 1876 he once more
turned his face westward, this time locating in Ilarvey County, Kansas, where he practiced his profession until 1881, at which time lie came to California, coming via the Santa Fe route. He first located at Los Angeles and after remaining there six months returned to Kansas. The fall of 1888, however, he came back to this State, this time selecting Sonoma County as a per.na- nent residence, settling at Healdsburg, where his experience as a practitioner, his urbane man- ners and thorough good-fellowship are rapidly making him popular. lle is a member of Bu- ford Post, G. A. R., of Halstead. Kansas; is a Mason of high degree, and has affiliated with the Odd Fellows since 1866. The doctor is a member of the Christian church, and politic- ally he is a Republican.
ILLIAM PRINDLE, senior partner of Prindle & Seavy, dealers in saddles and harness, No. 518 Fourth street, has been a resident of Sonoma County fifteen years. On settling in Santa Rosa he engaged in the market business, purchasing an interest with J. W. Gray. Failing health compelled Mr. Prindle to abandon that occupation, as he could not en- dure the exposure and labor. After selling his interest in the meat market he was out of busi- ness for three years, when he opened a harness shop and store opposite the Occidental Hotel, buying out the stock of G. W. Hamilton, in 1885. About a year later he sold a half inter- est to his late partner, S. A. Seavy. In the fall of 1556 they bought the stock of L. Keser, and consolidated the two stocks into the present store, since which time their business has pros- pered and grown. They keep a fine assortment of saddles and harness, the most of which they manufacture, employing from four to five mechanies in the shop. Their stock embraces every grade from the heavy draft to the finest carriage harness. They also carry a fine assort- ment of saddles, robes, horse clothing, whips. hardware, horse pads, toe weights. and every-
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thing pertaining to track horses. In short, it would be hard to mention an article used about a horse which cannot be found in their store. They buy in large quantities and get the ad- vantage of lowest wholesale prices. Mr. Prindle is a native of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and left his home at the age of nineteen years, to seek his fortune in the mines of California, coming, in 1853, via Central America. Upon his arrival he at once engaged in mining and passed eighteen years of his life in the mines, the most of that time in Placer and El Dorado connties. In 1854 he helped to erect the first hydranlie machinery ereeted in Placer County, the first Mr. Prindle ever saw. ITis experience was altogether in gold mines, and he has seen panned out as high as thirty-six ounces to a single pan of dust, on the North Fork of the American River, an ounce at that time being worth $18. On the other hand, he and six partners put in a flume for the North Fork of the American River, working from April till November, employing sometimes as high as twenty men, and the total result of their sea- son's labor was five dollars in gold dust. He left the mines in 1868, with about $15,000, and went back to his native State, where he lost $7,000 in buying a farm near Sedalia, Missouri. Ile lived there about a year and a half of the two years he spent in the East. He then re- turned to Placer County to take charge of a mine at $5 per day. From that place he came to Santa Rosa. On the whole, his mining ex- perience was satisfactory and successful. He owned a number of mines, some of which proved valuable property. One he sold for $1,800, which the purchaser sold for $20,000, and the second purchaser sold it for $50,000. This was the hydraulic mine litigated in the courts and closed by legal process several years ago. On the steamer en route to California, Mr. Prindle formed the acquaintance of Miss Nellie L. Ben- ton, a native of the same county as himself, and with whom he was afterward, in 1864, united in marriage at Dutch Flat. They have two children: Frederick A., aged twenty-one, who
is engaged in the store with his father; and a daughter, Mamie, thirteen years of age. Mrs. Prindle's father died in 1877, and in 1882 her mother died. They left quite an estate of im- proved and unimproved property in Santa Rosa, in what is known as Benton's addition. In 1877 Mr. Prindle built a nice residence on the northeast corner of D and Third streets, at a cost of $3,300, which he still owns.
RANK A. BOHLIN is the manager of the Stegeman Winery. The ranch on which the winery is located, contains 240 aeres, and is located within one mile of Clover- dale. Twenty-five acres are in vineyard, and of this acreage ten acres are from twelve to fifteen years of age, and the remainder from one to three years old and npward. The varieties are Muscat, Farisago, Black Hamburg, Isabella, Tokay, Mission, Zinfandel, Riesling, Burger, Sweetwater, Malvoise, Mataro, etc. The winery was established by William Stegeman in 1868. It has cooperage for the storage of 26,000 gal- lons, while the annual ontput is about 23,000 gallons. Some wine is carried over each year for aging. There is also a distillery in connec- tion and some excellent brandies are turned out. The products of both winery and distillery have a high reputation and command a ready market. Frank A. Bohlin, who so ably condnets the busi- ness, is a native of Germany, born in Hanover, February 13, 1856, his parents being John Henry and Annie Kathrina (Banes) Bohlin, the father, a farmer. Frank A. Bohlin was reared in his native country, and attended school be- tween the ages of six and fourteen years. In March, 1873, he sailed from Bremen to Balti- more. Ile soon went to Washington and from there to Illinois, locating in Clinton County, and working a year at the town of Breese. Ile then went to Florisant, St. Louis County, Mis- souri, and worked there three years. After this he attended St. Mary's College, in Indiana, for nine months. From there he went to Logan,
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Felix County, Kansas, and after two or three years went South. He traveled throughout the States of Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, etc., and while in the South was attacked with the yellow fever. After reeover- ing he went to Arizona, and was a resident of Prescott for seven months. He then went to San Francisco and from there came to Sonoma County. Mr. Bohlin was married in this county to Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Stegeman. She was born in Sierra Connty. Mr. Bohlin is a Democrat politically. He has seen a great deal of the world, having traveled extensively throughout this country and Europe.
W. CRAIG, the subject of this sketeli, is one of the pioneers of California, a man widely known and universally respected. Ile dates his birth in Grafton County, New Hampshire, April 3, 1809, and is a deseendant of an old New England family. He received in his youth only a fair practical education, but contact with the world from an early age has more than compensated any lack of youthful school advantages. He was reared to the boot and shoe maker's trade, and left his native county when sixteen years of age. Afterward lie spent several years in traveling through the Eastern and Middle States, following his trade until he came to California, which was as soon after the discovery of gold as he could arrange to come. Mr. Craig reached San Francisco July 6, 1849, having left Boston, Massachusetts, in the schooner Boston, January 26, the same year. Of course, as he had intended before leaving New England, his venture was in mining, in Placer County. Less than two years satisfied him that placer mining would not suit him as a vocation. He then came to Sonoma County and laid the foundation of a goodly fortune by the purchase of 230 acres of the choicest of land in Sonoma Valley, on the west side of Sonoma Creek. There on a gentle eminence giving a magnificent view of the valley in all directions,
Mr. Craig erected his cottage home, and there he has ever since resided. His substantial building improvements, his finely cultivated land, liis orchard and splendid vineyard of thirty acres, etc., all betoken thrift and well earned wealth on the part of the owner. In 1888 npon the completion of the Carquinez and Santa Rosa Railroad, which crosses his prop- erty, he sold his ranch for $40,000, to the projectors of the promising new town of El Varano. Until late years Mr. Craig has devoted his time and farm almost entirely to stock-rais- ing and general farming, growing of grapes, making wine and distilling grape brandy. Al- ways thorough, his efforts in viticulture have been very successful, as is evinced by the fact that he, in 1888, was enabled to market his choice crop of wine grapes, 120 tons, from 30 acres, at $30 per ton. Until recently he has manufactured largely of wine, his output of wine having reached as high as 40,000 gallons per annum, using both his own grapes and pur- chasing of his neighbors. February 14, 1849, Mr. Craig was married in the State of Massa- chusetts, to Miss Sophia T. Clark, who was born in Rockport, that State, October 8, 1820. To- gether they have traveled life's pathway full forty years, but their union has been blessed with no children. Politically, Mr. Craig is a Republican. In all the relations of life, as a citizen, neighbor and promoter of public good, he has ever been a true, upright man, and the memory of few of California's pioneers, grand men as so many of them were, will be more kindly cherished than will his.
WEN IIARAN, son of Owen and Bridget (Leonard) Haran, was born in the north of Ireland in October, 1844. There were eight children in the family of whom four are living, the subject of this sketch being the only one in the United States. In 1868 he went from Belfast to Liverpool and from there to New York, thence by water again to San Fran-
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cisco, where he landed in August of that year. He remained there until 1873 in the employ of tlie North Beach and Mission Street Railway Company, as conductor. From there he went to Austin, Nevada, where he engaged in mining for a short time, and then went into the deep mines of Idaho. From Idaho he went to Vir- ginia City, Nevada, where he was engaged in mining and speculating in stocks. Meeting with success he finally, in 1878, came to Sonoma County and bought his present ranch, consisting of 230 aeres. lle was married in 1882 to Annie Cassidy, who was born in Ireland, June 1, 1856, near the birth-place of her husband. Mrs. Haran was about fifteen years of age when she came to New York City, where she lived with an aunt until coming to California in 1882, the year of her marriage. They have two chil- dren: Elizabeth B., born September 11, 1883, and Frances W., born November 27, 1886.
AVID N. CARITHERS, senior propric- tor of the dry goods and clothing honse of D. N. Carithers & Son, corner of Fourth and B streets, is the oldest resident dry goods merchant, as well as one of the most successful business men of Santa Rosa. Ile was born in central Illinois, Fulton County, in 1837, when that was a frontier country, and there he was trained to habits of industry fron early boyhood, taking his first lesson in business in his father's country store. Robert Carithers was born in Cadiz, Ohio, of Irish parentage, and married Miss Humphrey, also a native of the Buckeye State, and of Scotch ancestry. They settled in Fulton County, Illinois, in an early day, where Mr. Carithers engaged in mer- chandising and dealing in live stock. Of their family of living children, the subject of this sketch is one of three sons. IIe was educated in the common schools and in Illinois College at Jacksonville; and after a brief experience in teaching he began the study of law in the office of the now eminent lawyer of Chicago, W. C.
Gondy, in Lewiston, Illinois, and continued about three years. Before being admitted to the bar, he decided that mercantile life would be more to his taste than the legal profession, and abandoned further preparation. Returning to his first love he engage l in merchandising in Illinois until 1867. Having been married in the meantime to Miss Mary E. Clark, a native of Fulton County, that State, Mr. Carithers de- cided to cast his lot in the Golden West, and arrived with his family in Santa Rosa, in No- vember of the above year. This now flourish- ing, beautiful city was but a village of 800 inhabitants when he landed here. With a capi- tal of 82,500 he opened a store on Third street, opposite the court house plaza. Under his judi- cious and enterprising management the business grew and prospered, necessitating several ehanges of location to secure more commodious and de- sirable quarters. His first removal was to Main street, opposite the Grand Hotel, where his store remained five years. From there it was removed to Fourth street, west of Mendocino street, and five years later, in 1881, to the fine large store the firm now occupies on the northeast corner of Fourth and B streets, the building having been purchased by Mr. Carithers for the pur- pose soon after its erection. The store is 40 x 100 feet in area, and is an elegant eommer- cial emporiumn stocked with choice dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, hats and gentlemen's furnishings of the latest and mnost approved patterns and styles. The firm purchase their goods direct from manufacturers or their job- bers and discount all bills, so that they are en- abled to give customers the benefit of as low prices as the same class of goods can be sold for anywhere in the State; and their motto is to not be outdone either in price or quality. This wise business policy has always kept the firm of D. N. Carithers & Son at the front in the dry goods trade in Sonoma County, and has built up a business from a few thousand dollars to $80,000 or $100,000 per annum, giving em- ployment to seven elerks besides the proprie- tors. During the history of this house Mr.
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Carithers has had several partners at different periods, whose interests he has purchased. I 1887 he took in his son and only child, William R. Carithers, as a partner, since which time the firm title has been D. N. Carithers & Son. William R. Carithers is a young man twenty-two years of age, who has been schooled in the busi- ness from childhood, is thoroughly conversant with every detail, and gives promise of becom- ing one of the most snecessful merchants on this coast. Mr. Carithers has invested a large por- tion of his accumulated surplus capital in Santa Rosa real estate, and owns $75,000 worth of choice improved city property. Ile is also a stockholder in and a director of the National Bank of Santa Rosa. The residence of Mr. and Mrs. Carithers, on B street near Fifth, is one of the most beautiful of the many elegant homes in this " City of Roses,"
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