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 68
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They have one child, Frank. Mr. Shaw is a charter member of the local lodges A. O. U. W. and Chosen Friends, and has passed the chairs in both. Ile is a Republican politically, and takes an active interest in public affairs. For seventeen years he has been treasurer of Cloverdale.
APTAIN CHARLES M. SCAMMON.
Among the noticeably beautiful residence properties in Analy Township is that of the above named gentleman. It is situated one mile north of Sebastopol, at which point he is the owner of thirty-five aeres of rich and pro- dnetive land. Captain Scammon purchased this land in 1874 and commenced its improvement the same year, building a beautiful and conven- ient cottage residence and suitable out buildings. His residence is finely located upon high ground, which is approached by a beautiful drive way, and his grounds are highly improved, shade
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trees, flowers, etc., surrounding his home. The view from his study window is one of surpris- ing beauty, overlooking as it does the Laguna with its placid waters and the beautiful meadows on the lower platean. Captain Seammon is de- voting his lands to general farming. In fruit culture he contines himself to a family orchard and vineyard, in which he has some of the most valuable and improved varieties of fruit and table grapes grown in Sonoma County. All his stock are of the best. The cattle are improved by the famous Holstein and Jersey breeds, and the horses are improved by thoroughbred stock. The subject of this sketch (whose portrait ap- pears in this work) is thoroughly identified with Sonoma County, and a brief resume of his life is as follows: Captain Scammon was born in Pittston, Kennebec County, Maine, May 25, 1825. He was the son of the Rev. Eliakim Scam - mon, a native of New Hampshire, who was well known in the legislative halls of Maine. IFis mother, Joauna (Young) Seammon, was born in Maine. The captain's early life was spent in school. his opportunities for an education being good. It was the desire of his father that he should receive a college education, but from his childhood he had a strong predilection for the sea, and at the age of seventeen years, he en- tered upon a sea-faring life, an occupation which he engaged in for nearly forty years. Captain Scammon was young, energetic and ambitious. A close attention to his calling and study of navigation, etc., secured his rapid promotion, and at the age of twenty-three years he was a master in his profession. The first vessel he commanded was the schooner Phoenix, trading to the Carolinas. In 1549 he was placed in command of the bark Sarah Moers, of Bath, Maine, from which port he sailed in Angust of that year, bound for San Francisco, where he ar- rived in February, 1850. Upon his arrival there the Captain found the gold fever at its height, but the gold fields failed to attract him from his calling, and he continued in his profes- sion upon the Pacific coast until 1861. During this time he was actively engaged in the various
occupations of his calling. trading, freighting. whaling. sealing-always as a master, fully competent and commanding vessels froin the coasting schooner to the largest class of full- rigged ships. Among the vessels he commanded mention may be made of the following: barks, Emma, 1850; J. 1. Thompson, 1850-'51; brig. Mary Hellen, 1852; bark, Rio Grande, 1853; schooner, Mary Taylor, 1854; ship, Lenore, 1855-'56. In 1957 he was in com- mand of the brig Boston, with the schooner Marin as tender, upon a whaling voyage, and in 1859-'60, while whaling and sealing on the coast of Lower California, was in command of the barks Ocean Bird and Carib, with the schooner Kate and A. M. Simpson as tenders; also in 1860 he commanded the ship Wm. C. Nye, upon a whaling cruise to the Okhotsk Sea. Captain Scammon's long years of service and experience had made him a thorough master of his profession, practically as well as theoreti- cally, and in 1861 he received an appointment from the United States Secretary of the Treas- ury as a Lieutenant in the United States revenue marine service. He immediately entered upon his duties as an officer in that service and his promotion was rapid. In 1863 he was placed in command of the United States revenne ma- rine steamer, Shubrick, so well known on the Pacific coast. In the winter of 1865 the Cap- tain with his vessel was transferred to the United States navy for ninety days. This was done in order that the vessel might visit the Russian American possessions. The steamer Shubrick under his command conveyed Colonel Charles S. Buckley, chief of the Western Union Telegraph expedition, to Sitka. Upon arrival at that place, the usual salutes were passed be- tween the Russian fort and the steamer. The Governor informed Captain Scammon that the Shubrick was the first United States vessel that ever saluted the Russian flag at that port. Up- on his return to San Francisco the captain was granted leave of absence by the Secretary of the Treasury in order that he might take command of the Western Union Telegraph fleet. "Per-
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mission was also granted to fly the United States revenue marine flag upon the flag-ship. This responsible and important command may be better appreciated when we consider that the fleet comprised eight vessels as follows: ship Nightingale, steamer George E. Wright, barks Golden Gate, Palmetto, Clara Bell, Onward, II. L. Rutgers and schooner Milton Badger. The bark Golden Gate was the captain's flag- ship the first year, and the Nightingale was used as such during the second year. This tele- graph enterprise, which contemplated running a line through Siberia and Western Russia, was abandoned when the success of the Atlantic cable was assured, and Captain Scammon re- turned with his fleet to San Francisco and resumed his position in the revenue marine service, taking command of the United States revenue marine cutter, Joe Lane, after which, in 1868 and 1869 he was in command of the United States revenne marine steamer Wayanda. In 1870-'71 he was given the command of the United States revenue marine steamer Lincoln. In 1872 he took command of the revenue steamer Oliver Walcott. This was the first revenue marine steamer ever built on the Pacific coast. Captain Scammon had at this time been almost continuously engaged in his profession for over thirty years. The exposure, hardships and cares attendant upon his calling had so undermined his naturally strong consti- tution, that he became an invalid and was ad- vised by the physicians to abandon a sea-faring life for a time at least. The department readily granted him a leave of absence. While in search of a desirable location for the recovery of his health he visited Sonoma County and was so pleased with its many attractions, soil, cli- mate, etc., that he purchased land and took up his present residence. In 1880 he had so far recovered his health that he applied for active service, and in the spring of that year was ordered on duty on the coast of Florida, where he commanded the United States revenue marine steamer Dir. While on that coast he contracted a malarions fever and was compelled again to
avail himself of a sick leave. He then returned to his California home, where he remained until 1882, when he went East and took command of the steamer MeLane. This vessel was engaged in cruising from Mobile, Alabama, to the Rio Grande, the southern boundary of the United States on the Atlantic coast. The subject of this sketch remained in the active service until ill health again compelled his retirement from duty, and he returned to his home in Sonoma County, where he has since resided. The cap- tain is still an officer in the United States reve- nue marine service, but it is doubtful if his health will ever again permit him to enter into active service. Captain Scammon started in his profession at an age when most young men are attending school. He was naturally of studious habits, and during all the years that followed was a close observer of nature and a student of natural history. His literary attain- ments and works are of no mean order. He devoted many years to magazine and other scientific writings. His writings date back to the early days of California literature. Among his first writings were several articles in the Alta California upon Southern California, also numerons contributed articles for the Orerland Monthly of San Francisco, in the days of Bret Harte. Among the results of his study and scientific research while following his profession, special mention should be made of his work en- titled " Marine Mammals of the Northwestern Coast of North America," together with an ac- count of the American whale fishery, which is a full and comprehensive publication, and to-day stands as the only recognized authority upon the subject upon which he treats. These works have been published and extensively circulated, and the Captain has a just reason to be proud of the reputation he has gained in the scientific circles of the world. Captain Scammon is well known in the community in which he resides, and is esteemed and respected by his many friends and acquaintances. He is closely iden- tified with and a strong supporter of all enter- prises tending to advance the best interests of
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the section in which he resides. Politically, he is a strong and consistent Republican, well read and informed upon all the leading national issues of the day. He is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., of Sebastopol. In 1848, in Pittston, Maine, Captain Seammon was united in marriage with Miss Susan C. Norris, daughter of Jeremiah and Harriet (Crowell) Norris. Her father was a native of Maine, and her mother of Massachusetts. They have three children living, viz .: Charles K., Alexander E., and Lawrence N. Charles K. is now (18SS) residing in Oregon. The other sons reside with their parents.
OLEN TINNEN. - The subject. of this sketch was born in New York City, August 23, 1832. his parents being John and Nancy (Harrison) Tivnen, natives of Sligo County, Ireland. When but eight years of age. September 4, 1840, the death of his father left the care of himself and sister to the mother, and consequently Mr. Tivnen was early in life schooled to labor. At the age of ten years he commenced at such work as a boy could per- form, and at the age of fourteen years ap- prentiecd himself to Andrew Simpson of Christopher street to learn the trade of baker. By elose application and strict attention to his business he mastered all the details of his call- ing and gained the confidence of his employer, and when but eighteen years of age was given the position of foreman of the bakery and shop. lle continued this occupation until 1854. The death of his mother, which occurred in July, 1849, having broken up the family, his desire to travel induced him to start for California, which he did February 4, 1554, embarking on the steamer Northern Light, via the Niearagua route. From Nicaragua heeame in the steamer Cortes to San Francisco, at which place he ar- rived Mareh 4. Soon after his arrival he secured work at his trade as a baker in the American Bakery on Pacific street, and afterward was en-
gaged at the New York Bakery. In the years 1856 and 1557 Mr. Tivnen visited Sonoma County, and being much pleased with its many attractions decided to make it his home. In , 1838 he left San Francisco and located in Sonoina and the next year established a bakery, and being a practical baker and a man of sound business principles, this enterprise proved a success. He also engaged in other enterprises, and in 1871 took the agency for the Firemen's Fund Insur- anee Company of San Francisco: lle afterward increased his insurance business by accepting agencies in other fire and life insurance compa- nies. In 1877 he erected a bonded warehouse in Sonoma, it being the only one in Sonoma Valley. This warehouse was accepted by the Government in March, 1878. January 1, 1875, Mr. Tivnen sold ont his bakery and has since conducted his warehouse and insurance business. llis warehouse is of the most substantial order, built of concrete, the doors and windows being guarded by strong iron shutters. This building is 80 x 60 feet, and has a storage capacity of 60,000 gallons. llis insurance business is also quite extensive, as he is representing some of the best known and substantial fire and lite insurance companies in the country. He has also considerable real estate in Sonoma, both residence and business property. Mr. Tivnen is well known both in Sonoma Township and County. His residence of over thirty years, and his straightforward business dealings have gained him hosts of warm friends and the re- speet and esteem of the community. IIe has been called upon to fill many places and offices of trust in the county. En 1579 he was ap- pointed to fill an unexpired term as supervisor of his district, and in September of the same year was elected as supervisor of the first dis- trict of Sonoma County, which includes Sonoma and Vallejo townships. November 13. 1878, he was appointed notary public. He was also appointed to the same position November 17, 1584, and re-appointed November 17, 1586. En 1586 he was elected public administrator and coroner of Sonoma County, a position which he
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filled so entirely to the satisfaction of the people that he was re-elected in 1888 by one of the largest majorities given to any officer in the county. Ile is a straightforward Democrat in polities, taking a deep interest in all matters affecting the success of his party, but always using his influence for the best elements, and for what he considers the best interest of that party. Mr. Tivnen is a member of Sonoma Lodge, No. 28, I. O. O. F., also a charter mem- ber of Bear Flag Lodge, No. 97, Knights of Pythias, and a member of Pueblo Lodge, No. 168, A. O. U. W. June 2, 1851, Mr. Tivnen married Mrs. Sabrina Clara (Callaway) Syndor, the widow of Robert Bailey Syndor, a former resident and prominent merchant of Sacramento and Stanislaus counties. Mrs. Tivnen was born in Mobile, Alabama, September 11, 1943. She was the daughter of George and Eve (Cohen) Callaway, both natives of Alabama. She died April 5, 1882, leaving four children, viz .: Mary Clara Tivnen, born March 30, 1882; and from her first marriage, Bertie Syndor, born March 25, 1869; Eva Syndor, born October 25, 1871, and Addie Syndor, born January 29, 1877.
M ILO S. DAVIS, one of the best known and highly esteemed business men of Santa Rosa, was born in Delaware County, New York, in 1828. In youth he - learned the trade of millwright and pursued that business for many years. When twenty- seven years of age he left the Empire State, went to Minnesota, and for seven years was actively engaged in building and putting in mill machinery in that greatest milling center of the world-Minneapolis. In 1864 he came to California, and, settling in San Francisco, formed a co-partnership with a Mr. Amos, under the firm name of Amos & Davis. and carried on a prosperous millwright business there, which extended throughout this State and into adjoin- ing States and Territories. The firm manufact- ured and put in the works for both flouring
and quartz mills, shipping machinery as far as Central America. In April, 1876. Mr. Davis closed ont his business interests and spent some time at the Centennial Exposition in Philadel- phia. Returning in the fall he came to Santa Rosa and engaged in the furniture and under- taking business, in company with T. R. Roller. Subsequently they dissolved partnership, having sold the furniture business to L. W. Smallwood and Mr. Davis retained the undertaking depart- ment. Since that time he has given his atten- tion solely to this branch of business, and is the only exclusive undertaker and funeral director in Santa Rosa. Mr. J. P. Stanley. who has active charge of much of his business, possesses rare qualifications, both by nature and training, for performing the last sad rites for the dead and comforting the bereaved hearts of the living. Four years ago Mr. Davis erected the portion of his fine brick block in which his office is situ- ated, on the south side of Fourth street between A and B streets, and the present year he built the remainder of the block, which now com- prises a hundred feet frontage on Fourth street, is two stories high, and is one of the most at- tractive and valuable business buildings in the city. This property, including the lots, is worth 840,000. Ile has also a fine residence property situated at the rear of this and fronting on Third street. The office and undertaking rooms are admirably adapted and arranged for the pur- pose, and are cheerful and inviting, presenting to the casual visitor no suggestion of deatlı or the tomb, and revealing no hint of the large and complete stock of funeral goods they con- tain. Mr. Davis is a member of the Masonic order, in which he took the commandery orders in Zion Commandery, No. 2, in Minneapolis. Ile served as eminent commander of Santa Rosa Commandery the year of 1881, and as re- corder of this commandery nine years. By virtue of being a Past Eminent Commander he is a member of the Grand Commandery of the State of California. Ile attended the Triennial Conclave of Knights Templar held in Chicago in 1880, in San Francisco in 1883, and in St.
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Lonis in 1886. The subject of this memoir was nnited in marriage with Miss N. Skinner, in 1876. They are rearing a nephew of Mrs. Davis, Herbert H. Moke, who is seventeen years of age.
REED DICKINSON is proprietor of the Studio Vineyard School adjacent to Wind-
sor. Mr. Dickinson purchased the beau- tifnl Studio vineyard in 1886, and at once set about its improvement on a liberal seale. Having three boys and desiring to give them an education which would combine all the advant- ages of a refined home with the discipline and efficieney of a first-class school, Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson decided to open an establishment at their home for the education of a limited num- ber of pupils. The result is the Studio Vine- yard School. All the branches of a liberal education are taught here as well as the French, German, Spanish, Latin and Greek languages, while instructions are also given in painting and drawing. In all these respeets the school fulfills its mission, and in most of them advant- ages are had that cannot be found in any simi- lar institution in California. Mr. Dickinson, besides being a thorough seholar, ranks among the leading artists of the day and his work has commanded the highest eneominms at the hands of the eities in the art centers of Europe. Mrs. Diekinson, an accomplished and refined lady, gives her personal attention to instruction in the Spanish language. Assisting them is Pro- fessor Walters, who was educated in Berlin and at the University of Marburg. He is a thorough master of the English, French and German lan- gnages. In the points mentioned are to be found some of the leading advantages of the Studio Vineyard School. To have instruction in art and drawing from an artist who ranks among the leaders, and in languages from those who are themselves proficient in them, are ad- vantages which are indeed seldom met with, while, it would seem, essentially necessary.
When these facilities are to be had by the young student while he is surrounded by the influence of a refined home, the inducements to parents to send their children here to be edn- cated beeome at once apparent. Some parents objeet to sending their children to many board- ing schools because of the impression that the youth, while removed from all surroundings of work of a physical nature, forgets his habits of industry. In this case the work of the vine- yard and farm is going on around the same as the raneher's son sees it at home, and indeed it is made an object of interest to the pupils. As references Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson give Mrs. Mills and Dr. C. C. Stratton, of Mills College- Seminary: Mrs. A. P. Hotaling, Mrs. Zelia Nutall, Mrs. Colonel Holt, Judge and Mrs. Selden S. Wright, Dr. A. P. Hayne, C. A. C. Duisenberg, Esq., former German Consul ; Charles Bundschn, Esq., W. B. Bourn, Esq., Mr. and Mrs. David Bixler, W. W. Blow, Oak- land, and many others. J. Reed Diekinson is a native of London, England. He comes of one of the oldest families of the North, and indeed the Reeds, his mother's family, have been prominently known in the history of North- umberland running back 150 years before the conquest. His father, Robert W. Dickinson, was a famous artist, and, while inheriting his father's talents for art, enjoyed an entree into art eireles which were of mnuch value to him. Ile received his first instructions under John Ruskin, and afterward studied with Herbert, of Paris. Then he spent three or four winters studying from life. For six summers he sketehed in Britany; also in Germany, and finally making his headquarters in London during the winter seasons, he spent his sumn- mers sketehing throughout Europe, in such localities as faney dictated. His works in Nor way attracted mueh attention, and in eonse- qnence he received a letter of invitation from H. R. H. Prinee Arthur, Duke of Connaught, requesting the opportunity of seeing the pie- tures in the Prince's rooms, in Buckingham Palace. At the international exhibition in
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1873. in Albert IIall, London, his work received the highest praise, and he was awarded a gold medal by the Prince of Wales. In 1879 Mr. Diekinson came to America, and after spending some time in New York and Boston, located in California, and in Sonoma County in 1886. He has painted over 1,000 portraits since coming here. Ile has furnished the sketches of the black and white work for the London Graphic from California, since coming to the State. At his studio home he has many beantitul studies, some of them sketches of Sonoma County scenery, others glimpses of home scenes, and others too numerous to mention. Mr. Dickin- son was married in California to Mrs. Martha Holland, whose maiden name was Thede. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have two places in Sonoma County: the Studio Vineyard, and a place of 160 acres above Skaggs' Springs, which is one of the romantie spots in Sonoma County. It is here where they intend moving the school later on. The home ranch contains eighty acres, convenient to Windsor. Between fifty and sixty acres of the tract are in grapes, which range in age from four to twelve years. There are twenty-five acres of Zinfandel and five acres of Silver Leaf Zinfandel, the remainder being Muscats, Tokay, Mataro and Rose of Peru. This place presents a handsome appearance and everything is kept in the best of order.
OHN W. CASSIDY .-- It was with con- siderable interest that the writer set ont on a visit to the well-known fruit orchard of John W. Cassidy, which is cosily situated amid the hills adjoining Petaluma. It comprises a tract of twenty acres, and lies in a basin and on the slope of gentle hills that have an eastern and northern exposure. The only winds that are found troublesome in this locality are those that come from the ocean to the westward. Against these the ranch is protected by the crest of the hill along which Mr. Cassidy has planted a line of encalyptus trees as a windbreak. Most of the
orchard was set out in 1858 and 1859, the bal- ance since. The kinds chosen are cherries, plnms, apples, peaches and pears. The cherries and the finer apples are marketed fresh. The plums are dried and the inferior apples are made into cider. In apples he is gradually working ont the winter varieties on account of the ravages of the coddling moth, and is substituting the summer and fall varieties, such as the Alex- ander, Astrachans, Gravenstein and Holland pippin. The ranch is a picture of thrift and culture, and one perceives at once that the hand of a lover of the business and a careful student of the necessities, controls the place. In con- nection with the place are fruit houses, driers, cider mill, vinegar works, etc., so as to utilize every department. As a result Mr. Cassidy has the satisfaction of taking off his little raneh of twenty acres as large an income as is usually gotten from the average farm of 160 acres farmed in the general way. When the writer called on him he was on a step-ladder pruning an apple tree. During the busy picking season he sometimes employs as many as thirty people, but less of course at other periods. He uses the concentrated fertilizers on his land, finding that they give the best returns. From the house. which is a comfortable cottage, a lovely view is obtained stretching off over the Petaluma Valley to the Sonoma hills beyond. Altogether the situation is a charming one, quite out of town, yet easily within the city's reach along a romantic winding road. Mr. Cassidy is a native of New Jersey, where he was born August 13, 1822. While but a child his parents removed to Wayne County, New York, near Clyde, and there he lived until he set out for California. At home he assisted his father, who was a mann- facturer in a modest way of threshing machines and other agricultural machinery, and here he also gained a practical knowledge of engineering and similar duties. IIe began this work when only fourteen years of age. On January 1, 1852, he started for California, accompanied by his brother James. They came via Panama, and had the unpleasant experience of a passage 102
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