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 66
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OSEPH H. HUNT, proprietor of the Santa Rosa Alden Fruit Evaporators, is a native son of the Golden West, born in Sierra County, California, in 1864. His father, W. J. Hunt, came to this State in 1861 from Mis- sonri, and settled in that county. In 1870 he moved with his family to Green Valley, Sonoma County, where he still resides. He built an Alden dryer in connection with his orehard in 1876, being the pioneer in fruit drying in that part of the county. The subject of this sketeh having thus been trained in the business from boyhood, is thoroughly conversant with handling and preserving fruits, in which he is now so ex- tensively and successfully engaged. In the spring of 1887 he built the Santa Rosa Dryer,
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near the bridge which spans Santa Rosa Creek, in the southwestern part of the city, putting in the process known as the Improved Alden Dryer, of large size. Ilis buildings, machinery and appurtenances are of the latest improved patterns and are best adapted both for conven- ience and the perfection of the work, as the results demonstrate. The first season his man- nfactory was in operation, Mr. Hunt dried twenty- five tons of prunes, fifty tons of peaches, and 300 tons of apples, seventy-five per cent. of which ranked as first grade, and sold in the market at from two to five cents per pound higher than other machine dried fruits. The canse of this superiority of his goods is readily understood by any one visiting his factory and observing the perfect order and cleanliness of the premises, and the extraordinary care exhib- ited in every stage of the work from the time the fruits are unloaded from the growers' wag- ons until the beautiful cured prodnet is neatly boxed and labeled in packages for shipping. Mr. Hunt's dried fruits are doing much to build up a prond reputation for California dried fruits in Chicago, New York, and other great eastern markets where they are sold, as well as in the metropolis of this State, where many of them find a market. In the season of 1SSS he cured 143 tons of French prunes, besides other fruits, in the Santa Rosa Dryer, for which he paid the or- chardists from one to one and three-quarter cents per pound. He is a joint owner, with his brother, of a dryer of equal capacity at Geyser- ville, which they built in 1888, and which manufactured about one-fourth as much the past season as the Santa Rosa dryer. Mr. Hunt is also interested with his brother in the Sebastopol Cannery, in which they put up 1,500 cases of fruit in 1888, and expect to increase their capacity as the trade demands. He and his brother have the largest blackberry ranch in California, if not in the world, near Sebastopol, from which they harvest forty tons of berries a year, worth from $60 to $70 per ton. The average yield is three tons to the acre. For the past two seasons Mr. Hunt has bought and
shipped to eastern markets large quantities, ag- gregating many thousand boxes each year, of choice, fresh picked fruits, for which was re- ceived the highest prices both by the producer and the shipper. Mr. Hunt is held in high es- teem for his business integrity and honor, and is one of California's most energetic and prom- ising native sons.
ILLIAM HARVEY HAYNE was born in Greenville, Darke County, Ohio. April 8, 1837, son of Joseph and Mary (Riley) Hayne, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Virginia. Joseph Hayne moved from Ohio to Indiana in 1838, and settled in a little town near Elkhart, where he resided a few years, engaged in mer- cantile trade. From there he moved to Daven- port, Iowa, remaining there a short time, thence to the Des Moines River to a little town called Charlestown, where he taught school for one winter; thence to Iowaville on the river, where he again went into the mercantile business and also did some trading with the Indians. He made his home there for two or three years, when he went farther up the Des Moines River and took np a government claim, living on it nearly a year, then going to Ottumwa. While there he received the appointment of sheriff of Wapello County, Ottumwa being the county seat, and served in the different county offices for twenty-one or twenty-two years. His death occurred in July, 1881. Mrs. Hayne died Jan- nary 1, 1884. She was the mother of seven children, three sons and four daughters, of whom two danghters and the subject of this sketch are the only ones now living. W. H. Hayne lived with his parents until he became of age, receiving his education in the public schools of Iowa. In 1859 he came to California, leaving Iowa on the 16th of May and making the journey overland with ox teams, arriving in Sonoma County on the 16th of Novem- ber. Ile engaged in farm work at different
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places, and from 1861 to 1863 was in Nevada working on ranches. In 1865 he went to farm- ing for himself, renting a piece of land near Strong Point. remaining there one year. He tlen rented land near Petaluma where he stayed three years, after which he sold his stock and farming utensils and went back to lowa, where he remained twenty-two months. Returning to California again he remained near Petaluma for a while, making more or less at farming, when in February, 1575, he purchased his present place about two miles from Petaluma, on the Santa Rosa road, known as the . Chicken Rancho." IIe commenced dealing in poultry and eggs, buying and shipping in large quan- tities, liis principal market being San Francisco. This business has resulted very satisfactorily. Mr. Hayne has been an Odd Fellow for several years and is also a member of the Knights of Honor, a beneficial association. He was married in 1566 to Miss Ellen Gossage who was born in Iowa, daughter of Zephanair Gossage, and came with her parents to California when she was a small child. They have seven children: Mamie, Dallas, Joseph, Daisy, Adlda, Laura and Clif- ford.
OBERT H. DELAFIELD .- One of the notable places of Sonoma County is the ranch of the young gentleman whose name heads this sketch. It is situated in a picturesque portion of Knight's Valley, six miles from Calistoga, and is a portion of the old Mallacomes Rancho. In extent it embraces 540 acres, a large portion of which is still wooded land. When Mr. Delafield purchased the place, the hill land where he has planted his vineyard was covered with timber and under- brush. Though the latter was probably the greatest obstacle to clearing, yet the timber was not to be despised on account of its size: one tree had at its base a diameter of twenty-five feet. This hill-side now bears a vineyard which, for excellence of varieties of grapes and uni-
form thrift and healthy appearance of vines. certainly cannot be excelled in California. The results achieved here may truly be said to be remarkable. There are forty acres in this vine- yard, rising by regular ascent from a point 300 feet above the valley (the elevation of which is 800 feet above the sea level) to a height of 1,350 feet above the level of the sea. The views to be had from different points at the summit of the vineyard ridge are beautiful indeed. The varieties of grapes are especially worthy of mention. They are as follows: Cabernet Sau- vignon. making the Chateau Lafitte wine; Mal- bec (variety de Bordeaux); Mataro (Burgun- dy); Semillon, Sauvignon Vert and Sau- vignon Blanc, making the Chateau Yquem wine; Grey Riesling (hock), Golden Chas- selas (light white wine), and Burger (Rhine wine). When these grapes are in full bearing Mr. Delafield will be enabled to make annually a large quantity of wine, which will be aged in his cellars before being placed on the market, and which can compete for patronage with the best imported wines. The vines were planted in 1885, and have shown a notable growth, the stumps having sufficient body for a much greater age. The wine cellar is situated across the road from the vineyard land. It is a very substantial building, the walls of stone being two feet in thickness. It is three-stories in height, and covers an area of 40x60 feet. It was constructed in 1887. In addition a tunnel 100 x 17 feet, excavated in 1888, and lined with stone, extends into the hill-side, greatly adding to the storage capacity. The latest and most improved machinery and apparatus is used in every department. The engine, of twenty horse- power, though only a third of that power is needed at present, was built in St. Helena. The boiler is twenty horse-power. It is splendidly set, having been placed in position, like every- thing about the place, under the personal super vision of Mr. Delafield. Cleanliness is the first consideration in the wine cellar at all times, and during the fermenting season when disorder might be expected a thorough cleaning is given
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
after every day's work. The average annual out-put of the cellar is abont 100,000 gallons Mr. Delafield also has thirty acres in fruit, planted in 1886. Of this acreage one-half is planted to the Kelsey Japan plums, which might better be described as a peach-apricot plum. This is an exceptionally fine variety, and the acreage exceeds that of any other orchard in the State. The plums have a fine, thin skin, yet they can be shipped without diffi- culty. The skin has a yellowish-white tinge. with pink blush on one side, the blush extend- ing from deep to very light on either side. They bear early, in fact producing rome good fruit the first year. He has about ten acres of choice Beurre Clairgean pears, besides Bartlett pears, French prunes, Mnir peaches. Moorpark apricots, etc. The residence which is roomy and conveniently constructed, was finished by Mr. Delafield in 1884. It stands on the same side of the road as the vineyard, at an elevation of fifty feet above the level of the valley. The proprietor takes a pardonable pride, also, in his horses, which are Norman and Vermont Mor- gan, and splendid specimens of their respective races. Mr. Robert H. Delafield, to whom these improvements mentioned are dne, is a native of New York City. He received the advantages of an advanced education, beginning with a two year's course at Vevey, Switzerland, following with five years at St. Paul's, New Ilampshire, and finishing at Harvard College. lle entered into business in New York City, but in 1883 came to California with the intention of engag- ing in the wine and fruit business. In order to familiarize himself with details he commenced at the bottom and went to work by the month, thus gaining an insight into the culture of fruit and grapes and the making of wine which could not have been otherwise obtained except at the useless sacrifice of much time and capital after
he had commenced business for himself. As a
result he has had to undo nothing that has once been done on his Knight's Valley ranch, and every dollar invested gives promise of profitable return. Mr. Delafichl's plan is to have the best
of everything, and he thinks a poor article dear at any price.
ON. A. P. WHITNEY .- In the annals of the city of Petaluma, a name that stands pre-eminent in the record of its progress and business prosperity is that of the late Hon. Albion Paris Whitney, long the leading busi- ness man of the place. Mr. Whitney was born at Corinth, Penobscot County, Maine, on Sep- tember 15, 1825. In that place he resided un- til, at the age of fifteen, his parents, whose names were William and Olive Whitney, re- moved to the northern county of Aroostook. His education was obtained in the schools of the State, and his after knowledge gained from gen- cral reading as well as the great practical school of the world. At twenty he began the strug- gle of life, engaging, as was natural for a boy brought up in the pine regions of Maine, in the lumber and milling business. Until 1856 he resided at Fort Fairfield and Fort Kent, Aroostook County, pursuing those avocations, but in that year removed with his family to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he remained for one year. He then removed to the new county of Meeker, in the same State, and laid ont the now flourishing town of Kingston, erecting inills and engaging in the flouring and lumber- ing business, and also opening the first general mercantile business house in the town. Hle quickly built up a very extensive trade in this place, and so won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens that in 1858 he was elected by the Republicans and Douglas Democrats to the State Legislature to represent the district comprised in Meeker, Benton and Stearns coun- ties. Deciding to come to California he set out across the plains in 1859 arriving in Sacramento in August, fortunately without serions mishap. As he soon found that the idea that gold could be gathered in abundance was a false one, he went to a Placer mining town, and took con- tracts for furnishing mining timber, his skill in
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
that work making suceess to him possible against competition. After three seasons at this work he came to Petaluma in the autumn of 1862 with about $3,000 capital; immediately engaging in the grocery business, at first in part- nership with Mr. Cross, he soon built up a business of large and growing dimensions. At the time of his death, in 1884, it had long ranked as the most extensive in the county, a position that it still holds to-day under the hands of his son and successor, Mr. Arthur L. Whitney. This first establishment was situated where the Masonic temple now stands, immedi- ately opposite the present location of the house. Shortly after the grocery business was estab- lished, the warehouse, commission and shipping business was added to the other. This depart- ment grew to one of very extensive dimensions, warehouses being built as occasion demanded until there were at the time of his death no less than nine. Several packets were necessary in the carrying trade from Petaluma to San Fran- cisco. The great success of this house is note- worthy as being a signal instance of what invariably follows upon energy, correct and hon- orable methods and the desire to do fairly and liberally by others. As a consequence of these things Mr. Whitney possessed to the fullest extent the confidence and esteem of the community. In whatever tended toward the de- velopment of the county or was of general bene- fit Mr. Whitney was always found taking a leading hand. From the first he was one of the most active supporters of the Sonoma and Marin District Agricultural Society, and for two years was its president. Ile was also one of the organizers and was heavily interested in the Petaluma Fruit Canning Company, and in an almost infinite number of other ways his assistance was given to the welfare of his chosen home. In politics Mr. Whitney was always a staunch yet liberal Republican. In 1876 he was chosen as one of the delegates from California to the National Convention at Cineinnati that nominated Presi dent Hlayes. In 1877 he was elected State Senator from Sonoma County, winning a seat
which had formerly been uniformly Democratie. During the time he was in the Legislature he was upon several important committees, and was a laborions and prominent member of the Senate. Mr. Whitney was a large-hearted man of gener- ous impulses, a careful and attentive business man yet ever ready to respond to the calls of duty in whatever direction. During his life he was one of Sonoma County's leading citizens, and the day of his death, February 11. 1884, was felt to be one of loss and sadness to all. Mr. Whitney was married on February 10, 1850, to Miss Susan D. Eastman, a native of Jackson, New Hampshire. Seven of their children are living. Their names are as follows: Calvin Eastman, now in business in San Francisco and the head of the eminent house of C. E. Whit- ney & Co .; Arthur L., at the head of the busi- ness in Petaluma, and by following in his father's footsteps, is carrying the house to a still higher success; Cleora M., now the wife of Fred Hew- lett of the well known firm of Ross & Hewlett, San Francisco; Nancy J., now the wife of George P. Morrow, the head of the leading firm of George Morrow & Co., San Francisco; Ella, Albion II. and Clara, all at home. The com- fortable homestead is situated at the corner of Sixth and F streets, Petaluma, where Mrs. Whitney resides, enjoying the evening of life surrounded by comfort and the attentions of her devoted children. The adjoining residence is the elegant home of her second son, Arthur L., who is married and possesses an interesting young family. Such, in brief, is a sketch of the life and family of one of Sonoma County's most deserving prominent citizens.
ATHAN LAUTER & CO .- This firm opened business in the mercantile line in Ilealdsburg, August 1, 1888. At that time they put in a large stock of goods, embrac- ing dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, gen- tlemen's furnishing goods, etc., and alnost immediately a good trade sprang up. It was
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found that the best of goods in these lines eould be purchased at this place at city prices, and much trade, which before went to San Francisco and Santa Rosa, was thus kept at home. It was thought by many that there was not room for another store of this kind in Healdsburg, but the keen business principles of Mr. Nathan Lanter soon proved that this was a mistaken idea, for his trade has constantly increased since he came here, and is now of large proportions. All this has been accomplished in a few months, and already the firm stands in the front rank of Healdsburg houses. This shows what courte- ous treatment and a desire to please the publie in quality and prices of goods will do. Nathan Lauter, the young man who conducts this ex- tensive business, is a native of East Prussia, born November 27, 1862, his parents being W. and R. Lanter. The family came to California in 1881, locating at St. Helena. Nathan Lan- ter received his education in his native country, and there commenced his business eareer. At St. Helena he was associated with the firm of A. Goodman & Co., dealers in dry goods, eloth- ing, boots and shoes, etc. Mr. Lauter's parents reside at 529 Turk street, San Francisco. Na- than Lanter, having been reared to a business eareer since thirteen years of age, has had much more experience than most merchants many years his senior. It is seldom that so young a man is so successful in business. He is a member of the St. IIelena Lodge, K. of P.
NOCHI W. HAYDEN .- One of the most noticeable vineyard and orchard properties in Analy Township, is that owned by the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is the owner of and resides upon eighty-five acres of productive land. situated upon the Sebastopol and Petaluma road, in the Sebastopol school district, about one mile south of Sebas- topol. Seventy-five acres of this land are de- voted to orchard and vineyard, about equally divided. In his orchard may be found nearly
all varieties of fruit grown in this section. The principal productions are peaches, apples, pears, apricots, French prunes, eherries and plums. Of the vineyard, thirty-five acres are devoted to wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety and about two acres to table grapes, comprising all the well known varieties grown in Sonoma County. The rest of the farm is pasture and woodland. The improvements are first-class, comprising a two-story residence, commodious and complete in all its appointments, suitable outbuiklings, and a dry house in which there are two patent dryers of sufficient capacity to dry and eure all products of his orehard. Mr. Hayden is a native of Penobscot County, Maine, and dates his birth from December 22, 1835. His father, Enoch Hayden, was a native of Maine, and his mother, Relief (Adams) Hayden, was born in Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer, receiving at the same time a good academic education, and in his young manhood taught school in his native county for one or two winters. He was also engaged in the lumber woods on the Penobscot River, where he became versed in the practical knowl- edge of the lumber business. In 1856 he went to Wiseonsin and after working for some time in the lumber woods in connection with his brother, engaged in the Inmber business near Stevens' Point, in Portage County, on the Wis- consin River. This business was successfully condueted until 1864. In that year Mr. Hay- den came across the plains to California, and after a tedious trip of six months, located in Marin County, where he rented land on the De Long raneh. With his brother, Amazeah Hay- den, he engaged in the dairy business, their dairy being one of the largest in the county, and having from 150 to 300 cows. While there Mr. Hayden took a prominent part in all publie enterprises and was well known throughout that section of the county. He was for six years postmaster at Black Point, Marin County. He also took a deep interest in the public schools, and for four years was school trustee of his distriet. In the fall of 1887 Mr. Hayden sold
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
out his interests in Marin County and came to Sonoma County. He then purchased his pres- ent residence and at once entered upon a career of orehard and vineyard cultivation, bringing to his new calling the same business capacity and energetic habits that have heretofore insured him success in his various callings. It is safe to prediet that Mr. Hayden will do much to up- hold the fruit and grape interests of the county. Although never seeking office he has always taken a deep interest in the political questions of the day, and is a strong and consistent Re- publican. Ile is a member of the Congrega- tional church. August 27, 1870, Mr. Hayden married Miss Kate P. Johnson, daughter of Bartholomew and Susan (Cloudman) Johnson, residents of Marin County, but natives of Maine. They have one child, Eva W., who is residing with her parents.
ACOB HARRIS. This well known pio- neer of Santa Rosa was born in Grayson County, Kentucky, August 24, 1827, son of Samuel and Phebe (Fulkerson) Harris, each of whom where born of families among the oldest in Kentucky. In 1828 the family moved to Vigo County, Indiana, and settled at Terre Haute. From thence, when Jacob Harris was in his nineteenth year, they emigrated to Davis County, Iowa. There, in 1845, the subject of this sketch wedded Miss Phebe Fulkerson, daughter of Richard Fulkerson, whose history appears in this work. From Davis County Mr. and Mrs. Harris came to Santa Rosa, accom- panying Mrs. Harris' father and other members of the family in 1854. The journey was made overland without serious loss or delay. Since coming to Santa Rosa Mr. and Mrs. Harris, with the exception of from 1560 to 1863 spent in Sutter County, have resided near the city of Santa Rosa. Their present residence, which was built in 1882, is a little northeast of the eity and is well located upon a gentle eminence. giv- ing a fine view of the city and surrounding
country. Mr. Harris has erected a fine cottage home and has made many other improvements on the place. The ranch consists of forty-six aeres, thirty of which are devoted to table and wine grapes. Mr. and Mrs. Ilarris are the parents of five children: Thompson M., who lives near his parents; Isabel, wife of Richard Weatherington of Santa Rosa Township; Alice Clara, who died aged six years; Richard A., who is a near neighbor, and Florence, the youngest, still resides with her parents. The parents of Mr. Harris left Davis County, Iowa, and settled at the head of Rincon Valley in this county, in 1860, where they lived with their son-in-law, Josiah Downey. His father died in 1864, and his mother, who survives, makes her home with the subject of this sketch. She is now (188S) ninety-three years of age and her physical and mental vigor are preserved to a remarkable degree. Mr. Harris is prominently associated with the Masonic order, being a mem- ber of the Santa Rosa subordinate lodge, Santa Rosa chapter and commandery, and also of the Santa Rosa Lodge of Knights of Pythias. A thoroughly radical advocate of temperance, he is a member of the Santa Rosa Lodge of Good Templars, No. 370, and in 1887 was an officer of the Grand Lodge of the State. In politics, he is identified with and prominent in the coun- cils of the Democratic party.
OLOMON SCHOCKEN is one of the en- terprising and successful merchants of Sonoma. Ilis large and well stocked mer- eantile establishment is situated on the north side of the plaza, in the old adobe barracks, formerly occupied by the United States troops in the early days of California. These build- ings have been repaired and fitted up until they constitute as fine a store as there is in Sonoma Valley. In Mr. Schocken's establishment may be found every article that the requirements of the town and country demand. Dry goods, clothing, groceries, hardware, agricultural im-
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plements, harness, saddles, etc., are among the staple articles. Mr. Schocken does not confine himself to mercantile pursuits alone, but is en- engaged in other industries that tend to build up his town and section, among which is that of quarrying basalt rock. His quarries are located upon a sixty-two aere tract which he owns just north of Sonoma. In this business he employs over forty men and a dozen horses. The basalt paving stones find ready sale in San Francisco, about 60,000 being shipped every month to that point. He is also quite largely interested in real estate in Sonoma County, owning five or six residence properties. The subject of this sketch was born in Prussia, in 1843. His father, Abraham Selocken, was also a native of Prussia. Mr. Schocken's early life was spent in schooling and in acquiring the trade of a baker. Being of an ambitious disposition, he decided to seek his fortunes in the new world, and at the age of nineteen years, in 1862, he emigrated to the United States. Upon his arrival in New York, he engaged at his trade until 1863, and then came to California, arriving in San Fran- cisco in the spring of that year. Soon after his arrival he started in business as a peddler, a business which he gradually increased until he had a large and Incrative trade in the mining connties. In 1864 he went to Oregon and en- gaged as a elerk in a general merchandise store, but, not being suited with the prospects in that section, he returned to San Francisco, and in the fall of 1865 he took a trip to the Sandwich Islands. Upon his arrival in Ilonolulu, not finding business suited to his calling, he did not spend his time in idleness, but accepted a situa- tion as a waiter in a restaurant. Soon after this he opened a restaurant upon his own ac- count, a business he conducted nntil 1867, when he sold out and returned to San Francisco, and soon after located in Napa County, at Monti- cello, where he was employed for some months as a clerk in a general merchandise store. In 1868 Mr. Schocken established himself as a merchant in that place, and conducted a success- ful general mercantile business in Napa County
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