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 75

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 786

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 75

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LIVER M. LEFEBVRE. - Among the representative citizens and business men of Bloomfield is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. His residence of over thirty years, and his association with the busi- ness interests of Bloomfield have made him

known, not only throughout his seetion, but throughout the whole county. A sketch of his life is of interest and is worthy of a place in this history. Mr. LeFebvre was born near Mon- treal, Canada East. He dates his birth from December 6, 1836. Ilis father, Toussaint Le- Febvre, was a native of Canada, but of French deseent, and his mother, Catherine (Roy) Le- Febvre, was also a native of Canada. Ilis father was a hotel-keeper and Mr. LeFebvre was reared in his father's hotel, and received at the same time a good education. At the age of eighteen years he entered into mercantile life as a elerk in a general merchandise store, continu- ing in this occupation until 1856. At that time, desirous of bettering his condition in life, and also wishing to visit the far West, he went to New York and embarked on the steamer, via the Nicaragua route, for California. This jonr- ney was attended with many trials and hard- ships. Upon the arrival of the passengers at Grenada on the Lake San Juan, upon the over- land ronte across Nicaragua, they found their further progress impeded by the filibustering troops of General Walker, who was at that time operating in that country. Here they were de- tained for weeks, suffering for the actual neces- saries of life. Amidst all their sufferings the dreaded yellow fever broke out and over 100 of these ill-fated passengers died from that disease. Mr. LeFebvre was also stricken down, but his yonth, strong constitution, and indomitable will carried him safely through. Soon after his re- covery the route was opened to the Pacific and the passengers proceeded to San Francisco, where they arrived June 6, 1856, having been sinee April S in making the trip. Upon his arrival in San Francisco Mr. LeFebvre songht employment and was engaged as a elerk in the old Rasette House for several months, after which he came to Sonoma County and located at Bodega, where he remained for a short time on a ranch with an old friend, after which he opened a boarding-house and saloon, which he condneted until 1859. In that year he came to Bloomfield and purchased the small hotel of A.

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

S. Patterson. Upon his purchase of this prop- erty Mr. Le Febvre commeneed making improve- ments, and finally established his present large and commodious hotel - the " Big Valley House "-the largest and best conducted hotel in Analy Township. Since 1859 Mr. LeFebvre has personally conducted this hotel. His repu- tation as a hotel-keeper extends throughout the State, and he certainly deserves the well-inerited praise he has received, for he is the man " who knows how to keep a hotel." Ile lias also dur- ing his long residence been largely interested in building up Bloomfield and establishing indus- tries, and is the owner of considerable property in the village, among which is the skating rink hall, a fine structure 44 x 80 feet, with a fine lot two acres in area. Throughout his long resi- dence Mr. LeFebvre has ever been one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of the community in which he resides, and always ready to aid any enterprise that tends to de- velop and advance the interests of his section of the country. The straightforward manly course he has always displayed in his dealings have secured him hosts of friends. He is a promi- nent member of Bloomfield Lodge, No. 191, I. O. O. F., a charter member of Bloomfield Encampment, No. 61, I. O. O. F., and is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and has long been associated with the Vitruvious Lodge, No. 145, F. & A. M., of Bloomfield. In political matters Mr. LeFebvre is Democratic, but is liberal and conservative in his views. Ou December 19, 1859, the subject of this sketch married Miss IIelen Caseres, a native of Sonoma County, born in 1840. Her father, Francisco Caseres, was a native of Spain. She died August 15, 1874. The children born to this marriage were: Amelia C., born in 1860, and died May 31, 1877; Isa- bella Louise, who died when two and one-half years of age; Eugene Oliver, born May 20, 1866; and Louis Alfred, born August 22, 1869. Mr. LeFebvre married his present wife October 23, 1878. She was Mrs. Isabella (Light) Jew- ell, the widow of D. II. Jewell. She was born in New York, April 11, 1850, her parents being

Elijah and Emily (Frasier) Light, natives of the State in which she was born. Mrs. LeFebvre's children by her first marriage are: Emma M. Jewell, born in 1867; Jesse E. Jewell, born in 1868, and Isaac R. Jewell, born in 1870.

HIOMAS S. GLAISTER .- The subject of this sketch is ranked among the leading viticulturists of Sonoma Valley. "Green Oaks," his home, is located four miles southeast of Sonoma, on the road leading to Napa. This splendid estate, consisting of 2382 acres, lies mainly in the foot. hills, giving every advantage to be gained by diversified production. It is well adapted to hay and grain culture, and equally well to horticulture. No lands equal choice locations in the hills like his for the cultivation of the vine. Mr. Glaister is one of the most successful grape growers in the State. No disease or pest has in the twenty years he has been devoted to the business ever reached his vineyards, which include the different varie- ties of choice wine grapes. He has 150 acres, the products being manufactured in his own winery which has a capacity of 100,000 gallons. His brands are well known and find ready markets. The especial product of the establish- ment is white wine. An orchard of five acres on the place produces in abundance almost every variety of deciduous fruit indigenous to the climate. About 100 acres of the property are devoted to general farming and is elevated above the valley. No frost has during Mr. Glaister's residence ever appeared near his home. A very fine mineral spring is found on the place. An excellent soil for all purposes, pure air, pure water and absolute exemption from frosts all combine to make "Green Oaks" one of the most desirable rural homes to be found in So- noma County. Mr. Glaister was born in Cumberland County, England, June 12, 1824, son of Thomas and Sarah Glaister. He early mastered the ship builder's trade (his father's occupation). He was quite liberally educated,

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In 1849, in his native land, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Metealte. The same year they emi- grated to the United States, and located in Chicago where he entered a drug store as a elerk. In 1854, in the city of New York. he learned photography, and full of adventure, sailed for Australia, where he followed photog- raphy as a profession until 1869, in which year he came to California and at once established his present home. His eldest child, Skelton, died in Australia in 1577, at the age of twenty-seven years. Blanche E., the only remaining child, makes her home under the paternal roof. Politi- cally, Mr. Glaister is identified with the Repub- lican party. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Free Masons. In the support of his church (Congregational) and of the public schools, he is liberal and constant. Several years he has served his ( Huichica) school dis- triet as trustee.

EORGE T. MILLER, of Healdsburg, is a native of North Carolina, born in Ashe County, August 14, 1831. son of Henry and Charity ( Welch) Miller. When he was a mere infant his parents moved to southwest Missouri, locating in McDonald County. There the subject of this sketch grew to manhood and both parents lived until their deaths. They had a family of nine children-John. Nancy, Will- iam, Mary, James, Isabel, Joshua, Susan and George T. Nancy, now Mrs. Tyre, James, Joshua and George T. are residents of Healds- burg. Susan, now Mrs. Laymance, lives in In- diana. John, William, Mary (Mrs. Gunther) and Isabel (Mrs. Testament), are deceased. James married Martha Walters, sister of Sol. Walters, and Joshua married Augusta Logan, of Missouri. George T. Miller came to Cali- fornia in 1557, leaving home on the 22d of April, in company with Lorenzo and Parker Maddux. They passed through the Indian Ter- ritory and followed the course of the Arkansas River in the direction of Denver. Their fur-

ther journey took them up the Green River route. Arriving in California, they turned their steps toward Sonoma County, where Mr. Miller had a brother, James Miller, who crossed the plains to California in 1849. George T. Miller had brought with him a drove of cattle, which he took to the mountains near Skaggs' Springs. There he remained until 1566, when he went to Idaho, loeating in Owyhee County, and driving eattle there from Texas. In 1871 he entered into partnership with Sol. Walters (now of So noma County). This partnership continued until 1878, when Mr. Miller returned to Sonoma County. His residence is in Healdsburg, but he has large ranch interests in the county, be- sides being a partner in the drug firm of Mil- ler & Whitney. He has a ranch of sixty acres adjoining Healdsburg, of which twenty aeres are planted to fruit of choice varieties, the trees be- ing in fine condition. The oldest were set out in 1883, and the remainder in 1886 and in 1887. Corn, wheat and alfalfa are also raised on this place. On Dry Creek, five miles from Healdsburg, he has another ranh of 110 aeres, all of which is cultivated except sixteen acres, thirty-four acres being in a vineyard. On the eoast he has a stoek and timber ranch of 953 aeres. He also in partnership with Sol. Walters owns a gold and silver mine at Silver City, Owyhee County, Idaho. Ile is one of the directors of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, at Healdsburg. Mr. Miller was married in Idaho November 27, 1878, to Miss Prudie Har- ley, a daughter of William S. and America (Leadley) Harley, the father born in Maine, in September. 1821, and the mother in Ohio in 1831. Mr. Harley was taken to Ohio in his infaney, and from there to Mississippi, where he lived with his father's sister, Mrs. Prudence Hunt, until manhood, his uncle. William Hunt, being a wealthy man. He was married near Peoria, Illinois, in 1551, and in 1852 moved to Oregon, and later settled in Idaho, where he and his wife still live. Their family of ten children are all living, and with the exception of Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Sol. Walters, live in

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Idaho. Their names are as follows - - Mrs. Mary E. Peyton, Mrs. Julia E. White, Mrs. Prudie Miriam Miller, Mrs. Susie J. Walters, Andrew J., Mrs. Alice M. Sommercamp, Mag- gie O., William Lee, Annie G. and Ida May. In politics Mr. Harley is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have four children: George T., John J., Prudie May and Cecelia Marguerite. In politics Mr. Miller is Republican.

FOIIN BAYLER owns and occupies a fine country home and an estate of eighty acres on Adams Lanu, one and one-half miles north of the court-house of Santa Rosa. With the exception of a small orchard and vineyard, he devotes his ranch to the raising of Norman grade of horses. Mr. Bayler has owned and resided upon this property since 1881. He was born in the Province of Würtemberg, Achstet- ten Ober Auet Laupheim, Germany, May 2, 1835, and was reared and educated in his native place. In 1854 in company with his eldest brother, Alois, he emigrated to this great land of free men. He landed in New York, then proceeded to Cineinnati, and later spent some time in Kansas and Nebraska; but in 1858 he came to California and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Yolo County. In 1864 lie came to Sonoma County and went into the redwoods, engaging in lumbering and also keeping a hotel, a business which he followed, achieving marked success and accumulating wealth, until he estab- lished his present residence, as before stated, in 1881. February 20, 1870, Mr. Bayler was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Bucher, who was also a native of the Province of Wür- temberg, born JJune 30, 1835. She is the mother of six children, viz .: Joseph A., John, Teresa, Cresent, Mary and Reinhard. The names of the parents of Mr. Bayler are Joseph and Teresa (Riehsteiner) Bayler. Mrs. Bayler's parents were Ernest and Cresent (Schroeder) Bucher. Mrs. Bayler came from Germany alone to meet her future husband. They had

been reared in the same district and were ae- quainted from childhood. Coming via the Isthmus route, she landed in San Francisco February 13, 1870, just one week before her marriage. The family are consistent members of the Catholic church.

REMAN PARKER .- In the town of Orange, Washington County, near Knoxes Mountain and in view of Camel's Hump, Vermont, Mr. Parker was born April 5, 1822, his parents being E. P. and Laura (Flanders) Parker. In 1827 he was taken by his parents to Washington, Orange County, where, until seventeen years of age, he attended the common schools and diligently applied himself to his studies. He then went to Brownington Acad- emy, and afterward taught school for a year. After that he entered Newberry Seminary and Theological School, pursuing his studies here with the exception of the winter terms when he was engaged in teaching. He finished his school education at Norwich Military Univer- sity, but continued teaching several years longer, and after retiring from that profession, turned his attention to farming, lumbering and mann- facturing starch from potatoes. October 14, 1847, Mr. Parker and Cynthia Adaline Roberts were united in marriage by Rev. Ely Ballon, of Montpelier, Vermont. Mrs. Parker was also a native of Vermont, born in Williamstown, June 20, 1821. Their first child, Pitman Wilder, was born October 1, 1848. In 1849, like hun- dreds of others, Mr. Parker set out for the gold fields of California. After a rough passage on a steamship from New York to Chagres, an exciting trip across the Isthmus, and a linger- ing delay in Panama, he obtained a passage on the steamship Senator which had just rounded the Ilorn, Charles Minturn being agent. Late in October, 1849, Mr. Parker landed in San Francisco where he found his brother Wilder, who had come to this State a year previous and was at that time keeping a boarding-house on

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Sacramento street. Being affected with the Panama fever, contracted in Panama by lodging in a room with eighteen invalids, Mr. Parker was unable to do much. and so remained in San Francisco until February. 1850. He then took another trip in the old Senator to Sacramento, tickets costing 825. From Sacramento he went to Marysville in a row boat, and from there to Long's Bar on the Yuba River, where he en- gaged in mining until June with moderate suc- cess. At that time the Placer diggings seemed to be exhausted and he returned to San Fran- cisco, arriving there just in time to see the big fire of 1850, which consumed most of the bnsi- ness part of the city. July, Angnst and Sep- tember were spent in prospecting on the river Tuolumne, but, being dissatisfied with the irreg- ular returns of the mines, he again went back to San Francisco. In December, with two part- ners, Needham and Allen, Mr. Parker located on Hoyo Rancho on the northwest corner of the Novato Rancho, and here they followed farming and stock-raising for two years. At the ex- piration of that time, December, 1852, Mr. Parker returned to Vermont for his family, and in June of the following year arrived in Cali- fornia with his wife and son Pitman. During the summer one of his partners, John Allen, was drowned in San Francisco Bay by the sink- ing of a boat which contained four persons. Allen, Knox and an Indian were drowned and Wheeler was saved. In December 1853, Mr. Parker purchased his present place. Here their other children were born: Gelo Freman, Jannary 17, 1854; Alma R., February 14, 1856; Laura Ada, January 25, 1858. died October 6, 1864, and George W., born July 4, 1860. There be- ing no school near, Mr. Parker educated his son Pitman mostly at home, having him get and recite his lessons aloud to him while he was at- tending to his milk, butter and cheese. He pursued the same plan through all the common branches of study from the spelling book to geometry. Mr. Parker being an advocate of facts and practical education, he procured type and a printing press and established a family

newspaper, in which all the members of the family took an active part. Mr. Parker is deeply interested in educational matters, hav- ing been a school trustee for many years. Ilis son Pitman was county superintendent of schools in Alpine County, this State. He is now proprietor of the daily and weekly Astorian in Oregon. His son Gelo is also in Astoria, Oregon, and is county and city surveyor. His danghter Alma married IIon. James Hynes, by whom she had two children. After his death she married David Walls, at the Haystack, or steamboat landing near Petaluma. George is in Oregon engineering and speculating. Mr. Parker's first wife died June 4, 1867. January 18, 1879, he married Mrs. Eliza Jones, a native of Ryegate, Vermont, but after one year they agreed to separate. She has since died. Mr. Parker is and has been for many years much in- terested in all true reforms that tend to save time and money and elevate the people to a position of independence and make them lionest, just, intelligent, thinking and self-reliant. Lit- erature, philosophy, short-hand writing, phonetic. printing and the spelling reform have received his hearty support for many years. He was educated according to the partial salvation doctrine, but by thinking he grew to be a Universalist, and finally to be a Freethinker. He now believes that the more superstitious and ignorant we are the less we are fitted to take care of ourselves and help others, and on the other hand the more we know the better we are prepared to meet and manage all difficulties. Facts about this world are important, but, "One world at a time" is his motto.

W. SYLVESTER, of Geyserville, is one of the leading fruit-raisers of the Geyserville district. He has a ranch of forty acres, which he purchased in 1877, and on which he has since made many noteworthy im- provements. In the winter of 1881-'82 he set ont two acres of fruit trees and three acres of

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

vines. Two years later he planted twelve acres additional of trees and four acres of vines. The trees are as follows: Four hundred Crawford and Honest Abe peaches, forty Solway peaches, thirty Orange Clings and fifty mixed early peaches; seventy-five apples; 100 Bartlett pear; between 400 and 500 trees divided between Coe's Golden Drop and Jefferson plums, and French and Hungarian prunes. The grapes are: Three acres of Mataro and Muscats, and the rest Rose of Peru and Mission. IIe will graft the latter two varieties to table grapes. The peaches have been bearing since 1886, and all fruits are now coming into fine bearing condi- tion. Ile picked forty-four tons of peaches from five acres in 1888, and on that acreage only 450 trees were in bearing. Hle markets most of his fruits at Santa Rosa canneries, the remainder being sold in the local market. Mr. Sylvester has received $20 per ton at Santa Rosa for his Muscat grapes. The remainder of the place is devoted to vegetables, alfalfa, etc. D. W. Syl- vester is a native of Piscataquis County, Maine, born at Dover, January 11, 1831, his parents being Noyes and Elizabeth (Wright) Sylvester, both natives of Maine. The father was a mill- wright. D. W. Sylvester was reared at Dover, and resided there until he reached the age of twenty-four years, with the exception of a year spent in Massachusetts. He learned the woolen- making business and worked at Dexter six years, and also at Dover. In 1855 he came to California, sailing from New York October 20, on the steamer Empire City as far as Aspin- wall. He crossed the Isthmus and at Panama took the John L. Stephens, on which he arrived at San Francisco October 14, 1855. One week later he went to Knight's Ferry, Stanislaus County, where he remained nearly two years, following mining and also teaching one term of school. He then went to Butte County, and was at Oroville and in its vicinity for two years and three months, spending the summer, how- ever, in Plumas County, mining for the most part, but one season engaged in logging. He then returned to Knight's Ferry, and there re-

mained until 1868, mining and ditching, and for the last three years of that period was en- gaged in merchandising with a partner, C. S. S. Hill. Hle removed in 1868 to San Francisco, and after a little over a year spent in business there, he went to San Mateo County, where with headquarters at Woodside, he was engaged in the redwoods, getting out cordwood, lumber, ete., for the San Francisco market. He was so occupied until coming to his present residence, with the exception of a brief period spent on a farm in San Mateo County. Mr. Sylvester was married in San Francisco to Miss Augusta P. Chapin, a native of Newport, New Hamp- shire, and daughter of Moses and Lydia (Hurd) Chapin. She was reared in Massachusetts from an early age, and came to California (her parents being deceased) in June, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester have three children, viz .: Chester Wright, Daniel Hurd and Albert Hale. Politically Mr. Sylvester is a Republican, with Prohibition proelivities. Mrs. Sylvester comes of an old New England family. Her mother was born in New Hampshire, of English ances- try. When Mrs. Sylvester was but three years of age her parents removed to Irving, Massa- chusetts, fifty miles west of Boston. Her parents both died there, and are buried at Northfield, near Irving, the father dying in the spring of 1861, and the mother in 1836.

W. C. PUTNAM .- First impressions are nearly always the strongest, and in a majority of instances they will generally be found the nearest correct. If a newcomer to a town finds the people live, energetic and " go ahead," while the streets present a scene of busy activity, he cannot but form a good opinion. Petaluma is one of the towns where one gets such a good impression. Among her leading citizens is Mr. D. W. C. Putnam, proprietor of the carriage and wagon manufactory, located or. the corner of Western avenue and Keller street, Petaluma. Mr. Putnam was born at Palmyra,

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New York, in 1830. IIe removed from there in 1852 to Illinois, making that State his home until he decided in 1862 to come to California. In the fall of 1862 he reached San Francisco a'ter an uneventful journey across the plains. Ile set ont on a tour of inspection of the various portions of the State in the vicinity of the bay and arrived at Petaluma on a Friday evening. The town presented such a busy appearance and there was so much life and activity manifested that Mr. Putnam determined at once to make this place his home- a decision which, as he says, he has never had occasion to regret. Mr. Putnam learned the business of carriage-making in all its branches at Palmyra, his old home, and has followed it up ever since. His estab- lishment in Petaluma is an extensive one, includ- ing not alone the making, but also the repairing, painting, blacksmithing and other shops. Mr. Putnamn is not alone a workman and manufac- turer, however. Ile is an inventor of wholly original designs, which promise to make him a wealthy man. His roadeart, of which a descrip- tion is here given, has received a great deal of attention, and the cart is coming into general and popular use. It was patented on Septem- ber 14, 1850. Although it was originally designed and made for a breaking cart, it almost immediately found favor as a general business vehicle for all purposes where a light rig was wanted for driving, etc. For farm purposes and for children attending school at a distance, physicians, commercial travelers, mail carriers, overseers of ranches. sugar plantations, sheep herding, stock men, livery stables, etc., and indeed for alinost any and all purposes where cheapness, convenience and durability are concerned, this vehicle cannot be surpassed. It is light, weighing only 200 pounds; it is easy on the horse, and with the patent foot-board very easy riding, taking the place of the buggy and saddle horse, while the price is so low as to place it within the reach of all, made either with pole or shafts, or both. Ile is receiving orders for this vehicle from all over California, as well as Nevada, Oregon. Sandwich Islands, New

Zealand. Australia and New Mexico, the Cana- dian northwest and Manitoba. Mr. Putnam is a Republican of life-long standing and has been a foremost standard bearer in this part of the State. Ile is a prominent member of the Con- gregational church of Petaluma, and a worker in all matters of public and general benefit. He is a whole-sonled gentleman, popular with all, and is considered a representative and leading citizen of Petaluma. His family consists of his wife and fonr sons, Of these the eldest is in business with his father. They are "chips from the old block." take an active part in the practical work of the Republican clubs, and promise to become, like their father, honored and valuable members of the community. Mrs. Putnam's maiden name was Rebecca Aun Town- send, and they were married October 27, 1559, and she is a native of Maryland. The boys are named Charles Stephen, who assists his father; George Clinton, Frank Townsend and Jay Rodney. The three younger are all at home, and the two younger are attending seliool.

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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 75

Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 786

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 786