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 69
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days long, in the latter part of which they were redneed to short allowance, from that point up to San Francisco. Landed there June 7, 1852, being at that time the possessor of a fortune consisting of just $2.50. Ile obtained a situation as an engineer, but as his brother couldn't also get a job, he preferred to go to the mines. They went to Amador County and they each got a quartz mill to run. He had held his position just two days when he fell sick with typhoid fever. He was sick four weeks, was given up to die, but he wouldn't give up, and his determina . tion brought him safely through. Ile had a relapse after getting up, however, and was worse than ever, and when he finally got out was a crippled man. Thinking a change of air would help him he was lifted into the stage, made his way to San Francisco, where he was wheeled on a hand-cart to a hotel. Ile had been given $10 to make his trip by a friend, and in addition possessed a silver watch. But this small capital and his honest face carried him along until he was able to go ont and set to work. In March, 1853, we find him at Columbia, Tuolumne County, mining, but after a few days fie went back again to take a position, which he held for four years, as foreman with Stratton & Lane, contractors. In 1853 he in partnership entered into the nursery business at the head of Merritt Lake, Oakland, and continued in this until 1855. At that date they removed their trees to Contra Costa County. In 1858 he sold the ranch, dug up his trees, of which he had abont 50,000, sold most of them and set out the rest of them on the ranch that he now owns and where he has made such a snecess. Mr. Cassidy is the pio- neer nurseryman of California, being the first man to make a business of it, and to put genu- ine bndded and grafted stoek on the market. The first trees they used were imported from New York and freight alone in those early days amounted to 30 cents a pound. Mr. Cassidy reached Petaluma in October, 185S, since which time he has been a constant resident here, save for a period of three years from 1861 to 1865, when he was superintending mines in the inter-
ior, and in 1868 when he took a trip East. Mr. Cassidy is a man of public spirit and a pro- moter of whatever is of publie weal. IIe was the prime mover, and was a stockholder in the fruit packing establishment here, and has in other ways aided materially in building up the county. IIe is an inventor of some distinction, and is the owner of patents upon a dryer that is a manifest improvement upon existing makes, especially in its successful employment of petroleum for heat- ing purposes. Ile is a stauneh Republican, hav- ing been a consistent member of the grand old party since the days when the Free-Soil party originated. He has never sought for public office, thinking his duty best subserved by a strict attention to the calls of business. Ile was married Jannary 1, 1848, to Miss Laura L. Crommett. She came out to join her husband via Panama, reaching California May 4, 1854. She was born April 5, 1829. The marriage was celebrated at Newark, Wayne County, New York. They have had four children, of whom three are living: Wilmot Abbott, born Octo- ber 31, 1848, now the manager of the Bachelder Rancho in Alameda County; Fred Byron, born March 3, 1860, died in San Francisco, February 6, 1863; Ellen Louise, born November 4, 1863, the wife of Mr. Webster, superintendent of schools, Solano County; and Albert II., born July 7, 1868, and still at home. It should be stated further that Mr. Cassidy is a prominent member of the Masonic order.
JOHN HENRY BAILEY was born in Here- fordshire, England, October 19, 1820. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Powell) Bailey, were both natives of that country. In 1851 the family came to the United . States and located at Cleveland, Ohio, where Mr. Bailey died the same year. The family, however, con- tinued to make that their home, the widow dying there in 1868. Their family consisted of seven children, of whom two sons and a dangh- ter are still residing at Cleveland. John Henry
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
Bailey, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm in England, and when he was nineteen years old he went to the Con- tinent and traveled in different countries for a period of eight years. Hle came to the United States in March, 1851 (a few months previous to the coming of the family), landed in Philadelphia, from there went to New York, and in the fall of the same year located in Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged in the mercan- tile business, in which he continued for seven- teen years. Ile then came to California, sailing from New York by the way of Panama and landing in San Francisco November 17, 1868. Hle came to Sonoma County and bought his present place, about three miles north of Peta- Inma, consisting of 115 aeres, which is devoted to the raising of fruit, hay and potatoes. Ile has abont twenty aeres in fruit of all kinds, but principally winter apples. Twenty-five acres are in potatoes this year. One of the great resources of the ranch is the poultry, there being between four and five hundred chickens. The amount of eggs sold in 1887 was about 3,000 dozen. Mr. Bailey was married in 1853 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Mary Ann Rothermel, a native of New York. They have nine children, seven sons and two daughters: Thomas B., Mary B., wife of J. W. MeNally; Frank R .. Alfred G., Rose E., Charles E., Pierre, Engene R. and Alban L. The two eldest sons are in business in San Francisco.
HARLES D. FRAZEE, the well known druggist and former proprietor of the old Pioneer drug store, Santa Rosa, was born in Rensselaer County, New York, October 20, 1828. Ilis father, IIenry Frazee, was of Scotch descent, born in New Jersey. His mother, Han- nah (Sharp) Frazee, was a native of New York, and a descendant of an old family of that State. The subject of this sketch was given a good common school and classical education, and at sixteen years of age he entered upon the study
of law in the office of Judge Lansing at West Troy, New York. He continued these studies for about three years, and then commeneed the study of pharmacy. In 1849, after thoroughly fitting himself for a druggist, he went to New York where he remained until 1850. Ile then went west and spent about a year in St. Louis and from there, in 1851, went to New Orleans, where he had charge of a large retail drug store for three years. In 1854 Mr. Frazee went up the Mississippi River and attached himself to an emigrant train bound for Oregon. IIe worked hard on this journey, driving stock, ete., until they arrived in Oregon, October 1. From there Mr. Frazee came into California, and for the next three years was engaged in mining in Siskiyou County. This i ot proving successful, in December, 1857, he went to San Francisco, and thenee to Chili, South America. Unable to obtain employment in that country he was soon without mneans, and accepted a position as steward of a vessel bound for San Francisco. Upon his arrival in that city, again being unable to find employment at his calling, he spent the season in the harvest fields, after which he se- cured work with the firm of R. Hall & Co., of San Francisco. In 1859 he located at Mokelumne Ilill where he was engaged as a clerk and druggist. With the exception of about six months spent in Austin, he remained at that point until 1864. He then went to Reese River and engaged in mining enterprises. These proving unsuccessful he returned to San Francisco and in 1865 came to Sonoma County and was employed as a druggist in Petaluma until 1868. Ile again went to San Francisco and was employed with the well known firm of Wakelee & Co. until June, 1869. In that year he returned to Sonoma County and located at Santa Rosa where he established him- self in business as a druggist in the Pioneer drug store. This business he successfully con- dneted until August 30, 1887, when he sold out and retired to his present home in the court- house school district, one mile west of Santa Rosa. Since that time Mr. Frazee has devoted
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
much of his time and attention to fruit growing. The thirty-eight acre tract purchased by him in 1576, under his care and direction has been fully improved, and is now highly productive. He has over thirty acres of orchard containing 2,500 French prune, 500 pear, 300 plum, and 100 each of apricot, peach, cherry and apple trees. Many other varieties of fruits, berries, and grapes are also successfully cultivated. Mr. Frazee also owns valuable business and resi- dence property in Santa Rosa. The subject of this sketch was for nearly twenty years eon- nected with the business interests and industries of Santa Rosa, and during that time has gained a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the county. Ile is a progressive and enterprising citizen, always ready to aid in any enterprise tending to build up the city of his choiee. Politically, he is a Demoerat. In 1871 Mr. Frazee was united in marriage with Miss Isabella I. Davidson, daughter of Jaeob E. and Mary (Winn) Davidson, pioneers of So- noma County. From this marriage there are two children: Edwin Charles and Henry De Witt.
AMES H. LAUGHLIN. The subject of this sketch stands pre-eminent as one of Sonoma County's representative citizens, and suecessful farmers. A sketch of his life is of interest; briefly stated it is as follows: Mr. Laughlin is a native of Tennessee. Ile dates his birth June 11, 1519, in Warren County of that State. His parents, Alexander and Eliza- beth (McGill) Laughlin, were natives of Vir- ginia. His early life was spent on a farm, where he became versed in the practical knowledge so necessary to those who secure suecess in that calling. His father died in 1531, and in the fall of 1839 his mother moved her family to Hancock County, Illinois. At that time MIr. Laughlin was twenty years of age. He left the family in Illinois, went to Van Buren County. lowa, and spent the winter in clearing off land and building a log cabin into which his mother's
family moved the next spring. Mr. Laughlin was the oldest of the children and was really the head of the family as far as farming and out-door ocenpations went. In 1853 he mar- ried Miss Frances E. Briggs, the daughter of Jerome and Frances (Wing) Briggs, who were natives of Vermont. He continued his farming and stock-raising operations in Van Buren County until the spring of 1854, when, in com- pany with his wife, mother, brother, and sister, he crossed the plains to California. They brought with them a drove of about 200 head of cattle, and arrived in October of that year, locating in Yolo County. Mr. Laughlin en- gaged in farming and stock-raising there until September, 1855, when he came to Sonoma County and settled on the north bank of Mark West Creek. Here he found a tract of rich deep soil lying in its wild and nncultivated state, and at this place he camped, using the bodies of his emigrant wagons as a shelter while he went to the redwoods, and split out the lumber with which he built a humble cabin for his family. Since that time, for more than thirty years, Mr. Laughlin has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. The wild and nneulti- vated land has been made to blossom and yield its hidden riches like the veritable garden of Eden. Ilis humble cabin has been replaced by one of the most elegant residences in Sonoma County, surrounded by beautiful shade trees, lawns, flowers, ete .. while the numerous well filled barns and stables attest the success at- tending his labors. To his original 160 acres he has added tract after tract until his present magnificent farm comprises 1,200 acres, all in one body. As before stated, this land is located on the Mark West Creek, in the Russian River Township, and Lone Redwood school district. The North Pacific Railroad passes through his land. Ilis residence is located at Mark West Station, a thriving little village with its railway station, postoffice, etc. Mr. Laughlin early saw that success lay in diversified farming, rather than in grain raising, and has conducted his operations upon that basis, always seeking for
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
and producing the best. Ilis farm may well be styled a model. Thirty acres of his land are in vineyard, producing wine grapes of the Zinfan- del variety. He also has a large variety of table grapes for family use, and twenty aeres in orchard, yielding apples, peaches, and pears principally, but also contains French prunes, plums, cherries, figs, persimmons and crab-apples. He has also forty acres of alfalfa, and despite the fact that this land is not irrigated, the yield is noticeable. Two or three erops are cut yearly, and then months of pasturage is afforded his stock upon the alfalfa fields. A large share of Mr. Laughlin'sattention is devoted to stock-raising, in which he takes a just pride. Among his stock are 500 head of Span- ish merino sheep, and 100 head of high grade Durham cattle. For years Mr. Laughlin has been interested in improving the breed of horses in Sonoma County. He is one of the pioneers in the breeding of thoroughbred and improved stoek, sparing neither time nor expense toward this end. Among his draft horses are magnifi- cent specimens of " Suffolk Punch," " Clydes- dale " and English stock, while his roadsters and trotting horses show beautiful specimens of " Anteo" from Hamiltonian stock. Hle is a prominent member of the Santa Rosa Stock Breeding Association, and also of the Sonoma County Agricultural Park Association. Any enterprise that tends to advance the agricultural, hortienltural and stoek breeding interests of Sonoma County always receives the hearty sup- port of Mr. Laughlin. He is also a stockholder and director of the Santa Rosa Bank. In all matters pertaining to the welfare and morals of the community in which he resides, he has ever taken a prominent part. A strong supporter of the publie schools, he has for over thirty years been a school trustee in his distriet. Ile is a member of Russian River Lodge, No. 181, F. & A. M., Windsor. Politically, Mr. Laughlin is a consistent Republican, and although not an office seeker his influence has always been felt in the ranks of that party, and always for what he believed was for its best interests. His long residence, publie spirit, and large business in-
terests have made him extensively known, and have gained him the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances through- out the county and State. Mr. Laughlin has also large interests in Mendocino County. Ile is the owner of 6,000 acres of land in that county, which he has stocked with over 3.000 head of Spanish merino sheep. From the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin there are six children living, viz: Ada S., Annie A., James Ilenry, Frank W., Alexander Grant, and Clyde C. All are residing at home except Ada S., who married Heber Thompson, and is now living in Washington Territory.
L. WARNER has a ranch of 110 aeres in Mendocino Township, five miles from 0 Healdsburg, on the road between that place and Guerneville. Ile purchased the ranch in November, 1874, and moved to it the follow- ing month. At that time there was a vineyard of one and one-half aeres, but he now has twenty-five acres in vines, the younger vines ranging in age from three to six years. They are mostly Zinfandel, Riesling, Chasselas, Foun- tainblean, Red Chasselas, Museats and Tokays, and find a market at Healdsburg and at San Francisco, though it is his intention to ship the finer table varieties directly East. Ile has about eighteen acres in orchard. All were planted by him except a few apple trees that were in bear- ing when he came into possession of the place. He commeneed planting in 1883 and set out the last trees in 1986. llis peach trees have already yielded heavily, and others are coming into bearing. In 1588 he sold ten tons of peaches, two tons of Bartlett pears, and four tons of plums to canneries, and dried more than he sold. Ilis peaches are of the finest varieties, being Orange Cling, Lemon Cling, Salway, Smocks, Honest Abe, Foster, Early Crawford and Wager. He has both French and Silver prunes, and Yellow Egg, Jefferson and Coe's Golden Drop plums. There is also a variety of
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
figs, including the White Smyrna packing fig. Mr. Warner, who has proven himself a suceess- ful fruit grower, is a native of Erie County, New York, born March 18, 1826, his parents being Levi and Hepsibah (Dickerson) Warner. Ilis father, a seion of an old New England family, was a native of Rutland, Vermont. Ilis mother was born at Amherst, Massachusetts, but removed with her parents to New York when a child. The father of the subject of this sketch was the son of a Revolutionary soldier, who fought at the battle of Bunker Ilill. He cleared np a farm in the wilderness of western New York and there made his home. A. L. Warner was reared in Erie County, New York, educated at the schools of his neighborhood and at the age of seventeen commenced teaching school. In 1844 he removed to Wisconsin, locating in Walworth County, east of Beloit, and afterward attended Beloit College. Hle ! followed his profession of teaching for a number of years in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. When the Civil war eame on his every effort was lent to the advancement of the Union cause. He helped Farnsworth raise his Eighth Illinois Regiment, and was offered the Majorship of it. After a conversation with that gentleman later he decided to raise a com- pany under the call for 600,000 men. He met Governor Yates at the Sherman House, Chicago, obtained his permit to raise a company, and going to Sycamore, De Kalb County, had the requisite number of men within twenty-four hours. They were mustered in at Dixon, as Company C, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois, with Mr. Warner as Captain. They proceeded to Evansville, and the regiment was brigaded alongside of President Harrison's command, in Ward's Brigade, Twentieth Army Corps. They proceeded to Kentucky, and were soon engaged at Bardstown, next at Bowling Green, and thence to Tennessee. But Mr. Warner's health had been completely broken down, and at Gal- latin, Tennessee, he found it necessary to resign. Ilis whole left side was nearly paralyzed from the effect of his sickness. He returned to Syca-
more, and in 1864 came to California for his health, crossing the plains with a train, and bringing 100 head of horses. At Virginia City he stopped to recruit his stock, then proceeded to Marysville. For the next four years he dealt in stock in the mountains of Sierra County. He then went to Oakland, where he engaged in the hay and grain business, and so remained until coming to his present location. He was married at St. Charles, Illinois, to Miss Mary P. Elliott, a native of Indiana. They have four children : Mary E., wife of Seth B. Malone, of Alameda County: John E., of Sonoma County; E. L., who is in the railway baggage department, at the foot of Market street, San Francisco; and Cora E., wife, of Martin V. Frost, foreman of the Hopkins ranch. Mr. Warner is an active and influential man and a prominent Republi- can. Ile served seven years in the City Council of Oakland, and in the East held many posi- tions of honor and trust. Ilis brother, A. J. Warner, of Ohio, is one of the oldest members of Congress, in point of service, and is one of the leaders of his party in the House. Mr. Warner is a member of the Baptist church. HIe belongs to the Healdsburg Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is a Knight Templar in the order. Ile is now Commander of Rod Matheson Post, G. A. R., Healdsburg, and has passed through the chairs in the Grange, and is a member of the Odd Fellows order of twenty years' standing
JOHN BACON LEWIS was born in Sara- toga County, New York, March 15, 1825. Ilis father, Reed Lewis, was a native of Vermont, and was one of the first settlers in Saratoga County, New York, where he died in 1835. His mother, nee Margaret Bacon, was a native of New York State. The subject of this sketch was ten years old when his father died. After going to school in Greenbush one year, he went to Farmington, Hartford County, Con- nectient, where he lived with a brother-in-law, James Cowles, until 1847. He then returned
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
to New York and entered into the mercantile business at Schuylerville. In Jannary, 1849, lie started for California. Before leaving New York a stock company was organized, with its regular officers and code of laws governing the same, the object of which was to go to Cali- fornia and commence operations in the gold fields where the earnings of each member was to go into a pool, after which regular dividends would be declared. No individual member could do or control anything but what would be in joint accord with the company. They pro- vided themselves with everything they needed for the enterprise and started out on their jour- ney, not one of them expecting to remain in California longer than a year, by which time they all expected to be millionaires, and would then return to the East. They reached Chagres and crossed the isthmus to Panama, where they remained some four months. Here they had some very exciting times and many interesting events took place, that if they were properly written up would form an interesting work of itself. At Panama there were some three or four thousand people assembled waiting to be con- veyed to the mines. The gold fever that had broken out had caused such a panic and conster- nation among so many inhabitants from all quarters of the globe that those of this party who had congregated in that particular section, realized, or thought they did, that fortunes were being lost every day by their inability to reach the land of paradise, where, judging from the reports that were constantly coming in, all they would have to do was to pick the gold up almost anywhere. The Sacramento River was said to be full of it, and by dredging the bot- tom of the stream great quantities of gold conld be taken from the soil. There was but one steamer plying on the Pacific coast and this ves- sel could make Fut one trip a month. It was surprising to see the danger some of them would risk in order to further their ends. Sev- eral frail barks were improvised in any way they could be fashioned, and set out to sea with some adventuresome persons on board; but in 29
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every case they would be obliged to return, as that was not a day when miracles of such a na- ture could be performed. Mr. Lewis, just be- fore leaving his native soil had borrowed $25 of which he gave $20 to his wife for her support and that of their infant child, while the other $5 he had put into his own pocket to defray his incidental expenses. llis experience in Panama soon cansed him to realize that something must be done in order to care for his wife and for himself. Accordingly he opened a restaurant and fed the hungry such as he could give them, and also offered lodging to those who wished to accept of the accommodations-a tent over head and a blanket and the ground for a bed. The rates for lodging were $1 per night. This adventure, although only a temporary one, proved financially very successful. By this time some parties had purchased an old brig called the Two Friends, that was laying there almost rotten, and fitted her up for the purpose of continuing the journey to California. She was of about 150 tons burden, single deck, and when loaded there was very little comfort al- lowed the passengers. Tickets for passage were . sold to the number of 250, and when the pas- sengers boarded the vessel they realized that it would be impossible for so many to be accom- modated. Complaint was made to the mana- gers and the money paid for passage was demanded to be given baek by many who had purchased their tickets. This the managers re- fused to do, as it was a money making scheme on their part, when finally one of them was cornered on the beach and the demand made to him by the angry crowd, and in order to save his neck, the manager fixed the matter up in a satisfactory manner with those who did not take passage. They left the Two Friends at the island of Toboga near Panama, and after re- maining there awhile, a Dutch vessel, called the Alexander Von Humboldt, came in loaded with coal. This vessel was purchased for $60,- 000, and condemned and sold in San Francisco for $12,000. This vessel was chartered and the remainder of the journey was made with it.
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There were over 300 passengers and 200 of them had purchased cabin tickets. The cabin was capable of accommodating sixteen persons, which luxury was given to the most deserving of the company, while the rest had to fare as best they could. The food for the passengers was all cooked in one large, common caldron. The passengers were divided up into messes of fifteen each, and the steward of each mess would go up to the caldron and get as much food as was allowed for his mess and return to them. The bill of fare varied of course, and they never had more than one variety at a time. Their allowanee of hard-tack was served ont twice a week. Sugar was served in the same way. Tea was made in the morning and then the grounds thrown out and the caldron used for something else: sometimes in making this change from one thing to another it would be cleaned, and then again it would not be; in fact, whether it was or not made little difference. PIum-duff was a rarity and a favored dish, which was served once a week, and only one meal a day was allowed on the Humboldt. At Acapulco a stop of two weeks was made, where the half starved passengers feasted on fruit. Finally, after being out 102 days from the time they left Panama, they arrived in San Francisco Angast 29, 1849. According to the articles of the com- pany they had to remain together three months, and after arriving in San Francisco they found that as a company they could do nothing. There was considerable property that had been sent out to them, and which had to be disposed of. So they opened a store and set out to get the goods up from the beach, but the question was how to get them hauled. Mr. Lewis managed to secure a horse and cart, and by using a little ingenuity, made harness which completed the outfit. After their business was about settled up Mr. Lewis purchased the horse and cart of the com- pany for $250. The next.day he was offered $1,000 for it, but refused as the outfit was worth to him at least $25 a day for hanling pur- poses. This was the beginning of Mr. Lewis's dray business in San Francisco, which he fol-
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