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 77
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Hattie S. Miller. They have had two children, John A., Jr., and Erskine B., both at home. Such is a deseription, necessarily brief, of a man, whose name is widely known in California, for breadth of view, vigor of action and aecom- plishment of result. He is a typical Californian, honorable as the daylight itself, hearty and free, a man who has forced his way to the very front without making an enemy on the path, and who is best liked by those who know him best. It should be stated further that Mr. McNear is the owner of much outside property in this State, including valuable redwood timber lands in Mendocino County, property in San Francisco, Santa Clara County, Washing- ton Territory, ete. In Marin County he owns an undivided half interest in the splendid San Pelro Ranch of 1,400 aeres, devoted to farming and dairying, briekmaking, ete., and possessing the finest and best sitnated deep water land for railroad terminns, wharfs, warehouses and town on this side the bay. He does an enormous trade in flour, grain and hay, his warehouses being connected by rail and water.
TIS GALE, residing on Sonoma avenne in the city of Santa Rosa, was born one mile west of Worthington, Franklin County, Ohio, in 1832, son of Richard and Mary Gale. He was reared to a farm life and early learned those lessons of industry and close attention to detail in agricultural pursuits that to hini be- eame so valuable in after life. for, from small beginnings, he has been successful in all or nearly all of his undertakings in life. In 1840 his parents moved to Seotland County, Missouri, where he lived until 1852, when he came to this State. Ile became engaged in teaming in Placer County, where he remained until 1856, when he removed to Sonoma County. In So- noma County, in 1962, he was nnited in mar- riage with Miss Maria Merritt, the estimable wife who has so well aided him in building up their fortunes in this country. Mrs. Gale was
born in the State of Indiana, but when a child was taken by her parents, Charles and Jemima Merritt, to Missouri. Years afterward, conclud- ing to make California their home, they eame across the plains and settled in Petaluma Town- ship, and later in Russian River Township, Sonoma County. Both her parents are now deceased. In 1864 Mr. and Mrs. Gale made their home in what is now the Todd school dis- triet, five miles from Santa Rosa, on the road leading to Stony Point. Mr. Gale began ların- ing operations on 160 aeres of land, and has added to it by purchase until he now owns 410 acres of choice valley land. In the spring of 1877 he rented the ranch and moved to Santa Rosa, where. with the exception of one or two seasons spent upon the farm, he has since re- sided. Besides his tine residence property. Mr. Gale owns other houses and lots in Santa Rosa. Mr. Gale's parents never came to California, but ended their days in Scotland County, Missouri. Two of his brothers, Demus and Lorenzo D., eame ont in 1853, and now live in Petaluma Township. Mr. Gale has one brother. Riley, and two sisters, Mrs. Adelia MePherson and Mrs. Mary Nuckols, living in Scotland County, Missouri. Mrs. Gale has one brother, John, residing in Petaluma Township, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Nichols, in Santa Rosa Town- ship, Sonoma County; also a sister, Mrs. Lydia Redemyer, in Ukiah, Mendocino County, and still another sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Kemper, in Humboldt County.
OLOMON Q. BARLOW .- The grand- father of the subject of this sketch, War- ren Barlow, emigrated from Connecticut to Sullivan County, New York, where his children, three sons and three daughters were born. Thomas Barlow, the fifth child, was born June 25, 1809. He lived in Sullivan County until 1856 when he moved to Ulster County, that State, where he died April 22, 1882. His wife was Rachel Quimby, also a
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native of Sullivan County, who died April 16, 1553. In their family there were eight children, four sons and four daughters, as follows: War- ren, a resident of San Diego, California: Solomon Q., the subject of this sketch: George Q., San Jose, California: Mrs. Helen L. Perkins, Houston, Minnesota; Mrs. Anna E. Du Bois, residing in Coin. Whitman County, Washington Territory; Inldah L., deceased; Evalina S., of Sonoma County, California; and Thomas E., residing in Ulster County. New York. Solomon Q. Barlow, a native of Sulli- van County, New York. was born May 20, 1537. There he received his early education, and as- sisted his father in the business of farming and lumbering: finishing his education at the age of twenty-one, at the Ellenville high school under Professor S. A. Law Post, principal. He then purchased the homestead, farm and saw mill, of his father who had removed to Napanoch. New York. There he continued the business of farming and lumbering till 1962, when he re- moved to Pompton. New Jersey, where he was agent for James Horner & Co. for two years during the ereetion of their steel and file works at that plaee. Ile then emigrated to California, via Panama, and arrived and settled in Two Roek Valley, in this county, April 21, 1964. In 1572 he settled on his present estate, which contains 220 aeres. in the same valley, six miles west of Petaluma. The ranch is devoted to dairying. stock-raising and general farming. Ile has a fine orchard of six aeres in various kinds of fruit, mostly apples. He is also largely engaged in raising poultry, having about 400 hens from which he sold in the year ending October, 1835, 6.444 dozen eggs. February S, 1560. Mr. Barlow married Miss Elizabeth J. Denman. a native of Sullivan County, New York. She was born March 14. 1537, and died December 3, 1574. Their children are: Eva R., born April 17, 1861, wife of Thomas Mor- decai of Petaluma: William Denman, born December 29, 1862, and died September 16, 1563; Anna D. and Fannie D., twins. born July 4, 1865; the latter is now the wife of Rev.
W. H. Darden, Presbyterian minister of Peta- Inma: Thomas Edgar, born February 2. 1567, and Libbie Louisa, born February 12, 1870. Mr. Barlow's second marriage took place at Point Arena, California. October 9, 1579. to Miss Lonisa E. Brandon, a native of Iowa City, Iowa, born November 16, 1841. By this mar- riage they have two children: Mary Grace, born March 23, 1882; and Florence, born February 28. 1584. They have also lost two children, twins. Edna Mabel and Edith Elma. born Jnly 3. 1850, and died, the former August 16, 1850, and the latter August 23, 1850. Mr. Barlow and his wife are members of the Two Roek Presbyterian church; also all of his children by his first wife became members of the same church. He is now, and has been for the past twelve years, an elder in the church, and on two occasions has been appointed by the Benieia Presbytery commissioner to the general assem- bly of the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM J. EARDLEY, one of Santa Rosa's most active and prosperous young business men, was born twenty- six years ago. and is the third of a family of six children of J. R. Eardley, who came from England, his native country, after his marriage with Miss Sarah J. Jackson, also of English birth, and lived for a number of years in Ne- vada. In 1867 they removed to California and settled at Gilroy. Santa Clara County, and since then have lived several years in both San Benito and Monterey counties. They now live in Montana where Mr. Eardley, Sr., is engaged in the business of stock raising. William Eard- ley graduated from the high school and at twenty years of age started in business for him- self. Six years ago he purchased a half interest n the insurance business conducted by W. S. Davis. a successor to one of the oldest insurance firms in Santa Rosa. After a little more than a year of partnership with Mr. Davis the latter was appointed deputy county recorder and
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sold out the remaining half interest to Mr. Eardley. Under his judicious and energetic management the business has increased in volume from the first until he now occupies a prominent place among the insurance men of Sonoma County. Ile represents thirty-five fire companies also life and accident companies many of them among the very highest in rank and standing in the United States, such as the Continental of New York the Phoenix of Brook- lyn, the America of Philadelphia, the Anglo- Nevada of California, and the Prussian National. the strongest German company on the Pacific coast. He insures all classes of insurable prop- erty, both real and personal; and the premiums on his yearly business amounts to many thou- sand dollars. In the early part of 1587 Mr. Eardley formed a partnership with E. B. Cal- well in the real estate business, which continned till the close of that year. Mr. Eardley then bought his partner out. and has since carried on both lines of business himself. His office is in the Occidental Hotel Block, next door to the Santa Rosa National Bank, on Fourth street, and is one of the most convenient, cozy and busy offices in Sonoma County. MIr. Eardley stands high both as a business man and a citizen. and few young men have a more promising future before them. In September, 1557, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Jimella, danghter of Colonel J. A. Hardin, and a native of Sonoma Connty.
HARLES WESLEY MATTHEWS, one of the old settlers of Sonoma County, is a native of Warren Connty, Tennessee, born July 22, 1324, his parents being Abner and Ellen (Fox) Matthews. The father was a native of North Carolina, reared in Virginia, and the mother was born in Tennessee. The subject of this sketch was sixteen years of age when he ac- companied his parents in their removal by team to Lawrence County, Missouri, where they set- tled. There the father spent the remainder of 32
his life. but the mother came to California in 1557 and died here. When the gold fever of 1549 came on. C. W. Matthews decided to try his fortunes in the new land of promise, and in accordance with that decision left Mt. Vernon on the 16th of April, 1549, and came out by ox-team, following the old Fremont route. and arriving at the Feather River seven months to a day after starting. While on Lawson's cut- off. in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the party with whom he was traveling ran out of provi- sions, and were in danger of starvation, when they met a government train, and were supplied with sufficient to enable them to complete their journey. Mr. Matthews stopped for a time at Bidwell's Bar, and then went above there to Stringtown. where he mined almost a year. He then went to Nevada City, where he mined from spring until the spring of the following year. 1551. at which time he removed to Snisun Valley, and farmed there until the fall of 1552. He then came to Sonoma County and located on a farm (which he afterward bought) adjoining the present southern limits of Santa Rosa. He improved the place. but sold it and opened a blacksmith and wagon-repair shop in Santa Rosa, having learned the trade with his father in Missouri. In 1565 he bought the place where he now resides, and has placed on it all the improvements now to be seen. The ranch contains 595 acres, and is located in Alexander Valley, seven miles from Healdsburg. He has twenty-two acres in grapes in one vineyard, and fourteen acres in another. They are nearly all Zinfandels and mostly in bearing. There is also a bearing orchard of eight acres, the trees being peaches, plums. apples, and also a few pears. The remainder of the ranch is devoted to general farming. Mr. Matthews was mar- ried July 10, 1553. to Miss Mary Ann McMIinn, a native of Illinois, born in Blunt County, and daughter of Joseph and Mary ( Dixon) McMinn. Her father was a nephew of Governor McMinn. They have eight children, viz .: Mary Ellen, wife of John Bidwell; Salina A., wife of Isaac Beason ; Ilattie E .. wife of James Patrick; John
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
Wesley. who married Martha Johnson: Charles II .: Gerenia E., wife of Monroe Chitwood; Joseph F., and Frances B., wife of G. A. John- son. Mr. Matthews is a member of the Healds- burg Lodge. F. & A. M. Politieally he is a Democrat, and religionsly he affiliates with the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
HOMAS FULTON .- Among the repre- sentative men and well known citizens of Santa Rosa Township is the subject of this memoir. Ile is a pioneer of the State and an early settler of the county. A sketch of his life will be found interesting and is as follows: Mr. Fulton was born in Lawrence County. In- diana, in 1823, his parents being Richard and Rebecca (Barnhill) Fulton. Hle was a native of North Carolina of Scotch and Dutch descent. Ilis mother's parents were natives of Ireland. In his early youth his father and family moved to Davis County. Indiana. where he resided until 1538. In that year he emigrated to Mis- sonri and located in Buchanan County. There Mr. Fulton was reared as a farmer, receiving only such an education as the pioneer schools afforded. He also learned the trade of black- smith. Mr. Fulton's father was a prominent man in that county. was elected sheriff, and also held the position of postmaster for a number of years in the town in which he resided. In 1844 Mr. Fulton accompanied his father to Texas, to which State he drove a large band of horses. U'pon his return home he established a blacksmith shop and conducted the enterprise until the spring of 1549. In that year, accom- panied by his father and brother James, he crossed the plains by ox team to California, arriving in what is now Nevada County, Sep- tember 13, 1549. After a few weeks' stay in that county they went to Santa Clara County where they embarked in the lumber business in Campbell's redwoods. The next year they returned to Nevada County and for some time were engaged in mining, after which Mr. Ful-
ton entered into business as a trader, purchas- ing stock, teams, wagons, etc., from emigrants, which he placed on a ranch in San Joaquin Valley, where he was also engaged in stock- raising. His brother aided in this enterprise, and in 1852 went East and returned overland with a large drove of cattle. This enterprise was conducted until 1854 when Mr. Fulton, with his father and brother, came to Sonoma County, and located in Santa Rosa Township, at what is now known as the town of Fulton. Ilere he purchased 160 acres of land, and while he established a blacksmith shop and worked at his trade, his father and brother conducted the farm operations. Quite a little settlement finally sprang up around them, which was first known as Fulton's Cross-Roads. Upon the completion of the North Pacific Railroad through this place, a town site was laid out and named Fulton. A postoffice was also estab- lished, and from that time the town has grown and prospered. Mr. Fulton has done much to produce this result. His liberality and enter- prise have been felt in all public movements toward advancing the growth of the town. In 1874 he built the first warehouse, besides being interested in other enterprises. He was for several years the postmaster at Fulton and also i s constable. In politics Mr. Fulton is a life-long Demoerat, but is liberal and conser- vative in his views. He has several times been elected a delegate to the county conventions, and has always taken a great interest in the politieal questions effecting the interests of the county. He is now a school trustee in his dis- triet. a position he has held for many terms. He is a member of Russian River Lodge, No. 181, F. & A. M. Mr. Fulton is the possessor of 107 acres of land at Fulton, upon which he resides and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. This land is in a desirable loca- tion and is very productive. Six acres are de- voted to orchard and six to vineyard, the former containing a large variety of fruit and the lat- ter wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety, and also a variety of table grapes. The rest of his
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land is devoted to hay, grain and stock. Of the latter he has draft horses improved with " Pa- citie Punch " stoek. Mr. Fulton is a fine speci- men of the pioneer element of the Pacific coast -intelligent, energetic and progressive, en- dowed with that indomitable will that overcame all obstaeles, the vanguard of American civili- zation. He has lived to see the plain where but little over thirty years ago he pitched his tent, then an uncultivated waste, bloom and yield like the veritable " Garden of the world," while a populous and prosperous town springs up as if by magic. Ile may well feel proud of the part he has taken in producing these results. " Ilonor to whom honor is due." Let the future generations, when reaping the benefits resulting from the work of our pioneers, fail not to award full honor and praise to the Fultons of Fulton.
OSHUA CHAUVET. -- Among the success- ful business men who settled in Sonoma Connty during its pioneer days must be mentioned him whose name heads this sketch. Few men from small beginnings have equaled him in grand results. A brief review of his active lite enables us to give the following facts: He was born at St. Jean sür Moivre, in the Champaign province of France, July 20, 1822, son of Francois Chanvet. a millwright and mill- owner near Chalons-sur-Marne. His youth was spent in toil, and early he commenced to learn the trade of milling. Some years after reaching manhood he resolved upon emigration, and ac- cordingly he embarked at Havre, February 1, 1850, with thirteen copper sous in his pocket, on a sailing vessel bound for San Francisco, via Cape Horn. Landing in San Francisco Septem- ber 17th, he at once proceeded to Calaveras County, where for a time he engaged in mining and later started the first bakery in Mokelmmne Hill. In 1851 he opened the first bakery in Jackson, Amador County; thence, in the fall of that year, he located at a place ealled Sandy Bar, on the Mokelumne River, where in part-
nership with a countryman of his named Le- beaux, he engaged in general merchandising, and in condueting a bakery. Ile remained in Sandy Bar only one year, and in the fall of 1852, he returned to Mokelumne Hill and again conducted a bakery at that place. While engaged in this business in the early days of California, lie often paid as high as $120 per barrel for four, and at the same time was sell- ing bread at $1 per pound. Early in the year 1553 he purchased in France a two-running stone flour mill and machinery, which, by reason of delay in transportation, did not arrive until 1854. On its arrival it was put up in Oakland. near where McClure's Military Academy now stands, and was run by wind power. This was the first flouring mill operated in Oakland. It proved a failure, however, to the owner, and was soon given up. A year later Mr. Chauvet returned to Sandy Bar, but in 1856 came to So- noma County, and with his father purchased 500 aeres of land and a mill site from General M. G. Vallejo, at the junction of Sonoma Creek and Ashberry Canon, on the Sonoma and Santa Rosa road, via Bennett Valley, six miles north of the former place, and near the village of Glen Ellen. There he operated a saw mill, and after running it eighteen months, converted it into a flonr mill, which was kept in operation until 1881. On this place also his aged father died, and after his death Mr. Chauvet sold back to General Vallejo 300 of the 500 acres he had purehased from him. Mr. Chauvet early planted grape vines, and in 1875 began the manufacture of wine, increasing the business until in 1880 his out-pnt was 125,000 gallons. In this year he became associated in business with the firm of Walter, Schilling & Co., of San Francisco, a connection which was pleasant and profitable to both parties. His present winery, one of the largest in Glen Ellen district, was erected in 1881 at a cost of over $14,000 for the building alone. It is three stories in height. 50x125 feet in size, having a storage capacity of over 200,000 gallons, two double-head tanks having a capacity of 10,000 cach. In 1888 Mr.
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
Chauvet manufactured 175,000 gallons. The shipping facilities are excellent, his establish- ment being connected by a railway over Sonoma Creek with the Sonoma Valley and the Santa Rosa and Cargninez railroads. Mr. Chauvet also operates a distillery called the "Egrot." im- porten by him from France a few years ago. From 5.000 to >,000 gallons of brandy is the annual product of this establishment. No better products are turned out in the county than his, and the brands are a guarantee of ex- cellence wherever known. From his estate the water flows that furnishes his steam power that drives all his machinery, and also to supply the needs of Glen Ellen, to which picturesque and thriving village Mr. Chauvet, in 1555, added a plat of fifty acres. In 1564 Mr. Chauvet wedded Miss Ellen Sullivan, a lady of Irish birth who came to the United States when quite young. They are the parents of two children: Henry J. and Robert A. Mr. Chauvet is a member of Temple Lodge. No. 14, F. & A. M .. at Sonoma, and of the Society of California Pioneers, comprising the counties of Sonoma. Lake. Mendocino, Napa and Marin.
R. STEARNS. Among the noteworthy mercantile establishments of the eity of Petaluma that of the gentleman whose name heads this article is considered the lead- ing house for jewelry, optical goods and kindred lines. The store is a spacious one, centrally lo- cated in the best part of Main street, and is quite a gem itself in appearance, containing a large and well selected stock, tastefully ar- ranged. Mr. Stearns is a practical optician and manufacturing jeweler of experience and hence commands a large trade in these directions, whilst in his stock are found full lines of watches. clocks, silverware, ete., in addition to those already mentioned. Mr. Stearns was born at Townsend, Vermont, April 20, 1554. He received his education and learned his trade in his native State, remaining there until in the
fall of 1869 he determined to remove to Cali- fornia. He went to Los Angeles, entering into business there and continuing with sueeess for two years and a half. He then went to Santa Clara, where and in the adjoining city of San Jose he conducted a jewelry establishment for another two years and a half. He came to Petaluma ten years ago, and has been engaged in business here constantly since he arrived. Ile was married January 1. 1576, to Miss Ida Corner. They have one son how aged eight years. Mr. Stearns comes from an old Vermont family. Ilis father served gallantly throughout the civil struggle, and after its conelusion settled with his family at Woodstock, Vermont, where the family still resides. Ile died in 186S. Mr. Stearns is a very pleasant gentleman, in the highest standing in every circle, and possesses one of the handsomest business houses north of San Francisco.
EORGE II. KENNEDY .- Few of the pioneers of Sonoma County had in the early and later days more to do with the development of its resources than the subject of this sketch. His life has been one of increas- ing activity and altogether devoted to agricult- ural pursuits. Mr. Kennedy was born in Lowell. Massachusetts, September 8, 1537, a son of James and Electa (Noble) Kennedy. Ilis father was born in the State of New Hampshire in the year 1511. Ile was an active, energetic. pushing New England man, who, early in life became a thoroughly competent machinist, and was for a time the foreman of machine shops at White River Junetion, Vermont. The mother of George II. Kennedy was born in Lamoille County, Vermont, in 1809. James Kennedy, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was of Scotch extraction, but was a native of Ireland, and was a man of great force of char- acter and noted for his energy. He came to the United States in the prime of manhood. Ile was initiated into the mysteries of the Masonie
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Patrick M. Christian.
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order in the old country, and died in the East many years ago. James Kennedy and his fam- ily emigrated to Illinois and located at Wanke- gan in 1850, and two years later crossed the plains and mountains to this State. Mr. Ken- nedy engaged in mining and hotel keeping in Placer County. The following year (1853) George II. Kennedy, then sixteen years of age, came to Sonoma County and purchased 160 acres of land, one mile and a half east of Wind- sor. IFis father and family, two years later, bought and settled upon an adjoining traet. Here we record that Charles W., a brother of George H. Kennedy, now lives at Fort Bidwell, Modoc County. The improvement of both properties was pushed forward energetically. James Kennedy soon became widely known and was recognized as a leading man. He was one of the very few men who organized the Repub- lican party in Sonoma County, and was promi- nent in its councils, and at one time its candidate for county treasurer. After a life of great usefulness he died at his home, January 20, 1878. He was a Mason of long standing and was buried with Masonic honors. His widow survives, and at this writing, in her eighty- eighth year, has her home at Healdsburg. March 15, 1863, George H. Kennedy was united in marriage with Nancy Ann Salee, daughter of Philip and Mary Jane (Wiltley) Salee. She was born in the State of Missouri, but from three years of age was reared in California, hav- ing come to this State with her mother and grandfather Wilfley. Her mother, the widow of Cooper Kise, now resides in Santa Rosa. Mr. Kennedy added to the ranch purchase made in 1853 until he owned a finely improved ranch of 400 aeres. embracing orchards and vineyards. In 1855 he ran the second grain separator ever used in the county. From that time to this he has extensively operated threshing machines, owning and operating some seasons three steam threshers. Honorable and square in all his dealings, he more than commands his share of work in this line. In 1881 Mr. Kennedy sold his home and bought a stock ranch of 1,400
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