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 78
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acres at Skaggs' Springs. In February, 189S, he sold this property, reserving 160 aeres only, and in the following May, with his family lo- eated in the city of Santa Rosa. We record in the order of their births the names of the chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy: Alice Cary, widow of Fred Hazleton, late captain of an English steamer in the Hong Kong and Cal- cutta line; Charles W., a conductor on the Sut- ter line in San Francisco; Elbert L. and Edwin H., living at home; Georgie Z., who died at eight years of age, and Maud Ethel, at home. Mr. Kennedy is one of the prominent members of the Masonic order. He served Russian River Lodge, No. 181, two terms as worthy master. In polities, he is a strong believer in protection for American industries.
ATRICK M.CHRISTIAN (deceased). - Among the earliest pioneers of Sonoma County must be classed the subject of this sketch, who was here while it was still a Mexi- can Territory, and who also took an active part in the stirring events that resulted in securing this fair land to the United States. He was born in Rochester, New York, November 22, 1825. His father, Patrick McChristian, was a native of County Down, Ireland, and came to the United States, locating in Rochester when bnt fifteen years of age. There he married Miss Maria Church and, in 1831 moved to Perry County, Ohio, where he remained until 1843. He then located in Andrew County, Missouri, and two years after, in 1845, came with his family overland to California and set- tled in Napa County. The subject of this sketch was then twenty years old and took a promi- nent part in the movements and emigration of the family. In Napa County his father put in a crop of grain which they harvested, although the feeling of the Mexicans was so strong against the Americans at the time that it was necessary to post guards to protect the harvest hands while at work. Mr. McChristian took part in the
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historic events of this period (1846) and was one of Captain Merrett's band that captured the garrison of Sonoma and made General Vallejo a prisoner. He wasalso present at the bear flag rais- ing. The inneh vexed question in regard to the material of which the bear flag was constsneted Mr. McChristian has often declared to be easily settled. Mrs. Sears, the wife of Captain Sears, furnished the white cloth, and Mrs. William Hudson, the red flannel. Of this he was confi- dent, as he himself obtained the material from the ladies above mentioned, and was present and saw Mr. Todd and others make the flag. In the fall of 1848 Mr. MeChristian, in connection with Jasper O'Farrell, Samuel Norris, Daniel Lehigh, John Rose, George Kenlock and a man named Leese, went to prospeeting on the Yuba River, and were the first to discover gold on that river which afterward became one of the great plaeer mining centers in the State. Ile followed mining operations until 1850, when he entered the employ of Mr. MeDougall as a clerk in his store at Sacramento, and was also in charge of McDougall's ferry at that point. In the same year, in partnership with James Hayes, he purchased four square miles of land on Mókelumne River. He took up his residence there, but not liking the location, he soon after sold out his interest to his partner and returned to Sonoma County. From his father he por- chased 220 aeres of land which is located in Green Valley, in the Oak Grove School Dis- trict, about three miles west of the present town of Sebastopol. Mr. McChristian did not take np his permanent residence here until 1857. In that year he married Miss Sarah McMenamin, danghter of James and Rosa (Burns) MeMen- amin, natives and residents of Tyrone County, Ireland. After his marriage Mr. MeChristian devoted himself to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in August, 18SS. His widow is now residing on the old home- stead. Mr. McChristian was well and favorably known in the community in which he resided for over forty years. Politically, he was a Dem- ocrat and a strong Union man. Mr. and Mrs.
MeChristian were the parents of two children: one died in infancy and the other. James, grew to manhood and died in 1877, at the age of twenty-six years. The widow still resides upon the home place, which is managed by her nephew, James Me Menamin.
F AON. J. C. HOLLOWAY, of Cloverdale, is a native of the Genessee Valley. New York, born in Livingston County, July 7, 1826. Ilis father, John Holloway, a native of Massaelmsetts, was a son of a Revolutionary soldier-a blacksmith in a cavalry regiment. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Lucy Burt, was a native of New York State, of Quaker origin. J. C. Holloway, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in Livings- ton County, New York, and received his educa- tion there. At the age of twenty-one years he started out in life for himself, and going to Marion County, Ohio, was there for three years engaged in growing and dealing in live stock. Ile removed to Lancaster, Grant County, Wis- eonsin, and there continued in the same business, being the first one from Grant County to send stock to the Chicago market. Hle gradually increased the scope of his operations, and in 1860 embarked in mercantile trade and banking. He subsequently erected woolen mills, oil mills, etc., and through his many enterprises became one of the main factors in the development of Lancaster and Grant counties. An active Re- publican, he took a prominent part in Wiscon- sin politics, and served four years in the State Senate and two years in the House of Repre- sentatives. In 1576 he came to California for the purpose of choosing a new location, and one year later located at Santa Rosa. He has made his residence in Sonoma County ever since, al- though his extensive business interests at his old home have called for considerable personal at- tention at intervals. He has, however, chosen Cloverdale for his place of residence. Since coming to Sonoma County, Mr. Holloway has
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interested himself in its leading industries, and is now raising some fruit as fine as any prodneed in the State. IIis raneh adjoining Cloverdale contains eighty-eight aeres, and on this tract he has planted 3,500 trees of selected varieties of fruits. Among them may be especially men- tioned 700 white Adriatic fig trees, as Mr. Holloway intends to make the packing of figs a specialty and endeavors to foster that branch of the fruit industry. He also has fifty-six orange trees, which have shown splendid development. The remainder are mostly apricots, peaches and Kelsey's Japan plums. The entire orehard is in splendid condition, and shows that it has re- ceived that attention which alone can produce proper results with fruit. Ilis fruit farm ad- joining Sebastopol, however, being more ad- vaneed, presents a more striking appearance of thrift, and in fact, is not excelled in Sonoma County. The place comprises eighty-one and a half acres. On this tract are planted 10,000 trees, with nearly five acres of currants on the same ground between the rows. Of the trees, 4,500 are peaches of choice varieties, 3,000 are French prunes, while the remainder are pears, aprieots, ete. These trees were planted from 1884 to 1886, both years inclusive. What is probably the richest portion of the ranch was formerly marsh land, but having been reclaimed. is now devoted to strawberries, to which it seems to be peculiarly adapted. From fifteen acres of strawberries, on which no irrigation is required or utilized, July and August are the only months withont full erops. These berries are of the finest quality, and do not have to be sent to San Francisco for a market, as all are taken at Santa Rosa and points above, at Guerneville. ete. A third ranehi, containing 530 aeres, is situated about three miles above Fulton, a por- tion of which will be subdivided and sold. Mr. Holloway's services have been called into req- uisition by the Republican party in California, and he is now a member of the State Central Committee, having served in that capacity through the trying presidential campaign of 1888. Hle is a dignified gentleman of great
business and executive ability, and a valuable acquisition to the citizenship of Sonoma County. Mrs. Holloway was formerly Miss Mary E. Baldwin, a native of Cooperstown, New York. They have had six children born to them, but two living-John, who is engaged in the furni- ture business in Cloverdale, and Miss Addie, liv- ing at home.
OBERT ANDREWS .- In sketching over the history of the AAndrews family we find that the forefathers were residents of Ireland, near the town of Derry. The paternal grandfather was born not far from the town of Derry. Not much of the early history of the family is known as the elder Andrews died when his son, the father of our subject, was a child, and the latter was reared by an uncle. Our subjeet's maternal grandfather was Samuel Ken- nedy. He also lived near Derry, and was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church over fifty years. On a certain Thursday William Andrews was united in marriage, and with his bride on the following day sailed for the United States, and never saw his native land again. He settled in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg, just about the close of the eighteenth century, where he remained to within the last fifteen years of his life. He removed to Ohio in 1840, and settled in Guernsey County where he died. llis wife's maiden name was Jane Kennedy. She was two years younger than her husband and survived him two years. dying in 1856 at the age of seventy-two years. They reared a family of eight children, as fol- lows: Samnel and Elizabeth, both deceased; Mrs. Ellen Abels, of San Jose, California; Robert; J. K .. a minister of the Presbyterian church in Bedford, Pennsylvania: J. K., a resi- dent of Guernsey County, Ohio; Jane and William, both deceased. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm in Alle- gheny County, where he resided until he was twenty-seven years old. Ilis education was re-
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ceived in a log school house, which was for- nished with long benches without any backs to them, upon which the scholars had to sit eight hours per day. After he was fourteen he went to school very little, and was put to work on the farm. He was married in Ohio, January 27, 1842, to Mary Orr, daughter of William Orr, a colonel in the war of 1812. Mrs. Andrews was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, October 17, 1822. They resided in Ohio until 1857, when they started across the plains bound for Cali- fornia. This was the year of the Mountain Meadow massacre, although no such tronble as this was experienced by their party, while, on the contrary, the trip was marked with pleasant- ness. The train consisted of eight wagons drawn by oxen, and was made up of six families. One birth on the way was an important event that happened. After being in their wagons five months and ten days, they landed in this county and went directly to Bloomfield where Mr. Andrews had a sister living, whose hus- band, William Abels, was captain of the wagon train, he having made a trip across the plains previous to this one. Mr. Andrews camped over night within a mile and a half of his present place. Ile moved on the Gaston ranch, which he rented for two years, and then bought the place where he now lives. At that time there was not a tree or shrub growing on the place, and but very little fencing. They first moved into a tent, dng a well, and then put up a shell of a house. The ranch contains 172 acres of land which is devoted to dairying and general farming. Both Mr. Andrews and his wife became members of the Two Rock Presby- terian church, joining by letter when the church was first organized, October 21, 1860, and they are the only ones lett of the original seventeen who founded the organization. Mr. Andrews was chosen one of the original elders, which position he has filled with credit to himself and to the organization from that time to the present. They have five children, as follows: William Clark, born May 5, 1844; Sarah Eliza- beth. born October 11, 1346; Cyrus Newton,
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born May 17, 1552; Howard, born December 16, 1854, and Rollin Watson, born March S, 1857. One death has occurred in the family, Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Charles Hutton, of Santa Rosa, died March 25, 1873.
JAMES CLARK .- Among the representa- tive farmers and early settlers of Bodega Township, is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Clark is a native of Ireland, born in Antrim County, December 17, 1828, his parents being Francis and Elizabeth (McCrea) Clark, both natives of Ireland and of Scotch descent. When Mr. Clark was but a youth his parents moved to Scotland where the father was engaged as a farmer and stock-raiser. James was reared as a farmer, receiving at the same time a fair edu- cation. He was also engaged as a miner in the iron mines of Lenrickshire County, Scotland. At the age of twenty-three years, in 1851, he decided to try his fortunes in the new world. He therefore embarked for New York, and soon after his arrival in that city went to Connecticut where he worked at farm labor and other occu- pations until 1853. In the latter year he started via the Isthmus route for California. He suf- fered some weeks delay on the Isthmus and was obliged to traverse the Isthmus on foot, and was also detained on the Island of Toboga, twelve miles from Panama, for about three weeks. He finally reached San Francisco in the fall of 1853, and after a short stay in that city came to So- noma County and located at Bodega where he seenred work in a Inmber mill. After some months of this labor he concluded to seek his fortune in the mines and he visited several min- ing districts in the State, but not meeting with the desired success in the mines, he returned to Bodega Township and rented a tract of land trom Jasper O 'Farrel, located between Valley Ford and Bodega. Since that time Mr. Clark has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. Ile has been eminently successful in his opera- tions and was soon able to purchase the land he
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had rented, and as the years rolled by he in- creased and added to his landed possessions until now (1888) he is the owner of a rich and pro- ductive farm comprising 904 acres. This mag- nificent farm is situated on the Valley Ford and Bodega road, in the American Valley school district, abont one and one-half miles west of Valley Ford. Mr. Clark has spent nearly thirty- five years in cultivating and improving this farm. When first occupied by him the land was in its wild and uncultivated state. He has now one of the representative farms of Bodega Township. With the exception of a family orchard which is producing a fine variety of apples, pears, quinces, plums and cherries, his land is devoted to hay, grain and stock grazing. Among his stock is a dairy of 150 cows. He has also such horses as are needed for farm and road purposes, among which are some fine specimens improved by MeClellan and Alexan- der stock. Ilis hogs, of which he has a large number, are of the thoroughbred Berkshire breed. The building improvements upon this place are substantial and first-class, including a comfortable and well ordered residence, com- modious barns, dairy and other suitable out buildings. They all denote the successful and prosperous farmer. He is also the owner of forty acres of woodland about four miles from his home farm. Mr. Clark's success in life, by which he has secured a competency, is due entirely to his own exertions. His energetic and industrious habits combined with sound business principles have produced good results. He is well known throughout his section as an intelligent and public spirited citizen, and he has gained the respect and esteem of the com- munity in which he resides. He is a member of Bodega Lodge, No. 213, F. & A. M. In political matters Mr. Clark is associated with the Republican party, taking a liberal and con- servative view npou all party questions. In 1874 Mr. Clark married Miss Martha Caughey, the daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth Caughey. She was born in Canada. From this marriage there are six children, viz .: Elizabeth and
Mamie, born February 15, 1875; Hattie. born March 5, 1877; Annie, born September 26, 1878; James, born January 27, 1880, and George W., born June 23, 1882.
AMUEL J. AGNEW. The subject of this sketch was born in Floyd County, Virginia, in 1830, his parents being Will- iam B. and Elizabeth (Carter) Agnew, both na- tives of that State. When Mr. Agnew was two years old, his parents moved to Missouri, locat- ing in Boone County, and then moving to Livingston County, and finally, in 1844, settling in Cass County. His father was a farmer and a carpenter, and Mr. Agnew was reared upon his father's farm, where he became versed in the practical knowledge of that life, and also became a fair carpenter and blacksmith. During this time he received such an education as the com- mon schools afforded. His natural inclination toward mechanical pursuits led him at an early age to seek other employment than farm labor, and he went to work in a woolen mill where he learned the trade of a carder. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Agnew decided to seek his fortunes in the Golden State, and he set out across the plains for California driving a mule team. This journey was performed in good time and on July 22d he arrived in Sacramento. Immediately after his arrival he turned his attention to min- ing, which occupation he continued on the Yuba River and at other points until 1854. In that year he located in Solano County where he rented land and established a dairy, after which he engaged in trading and peddling tinware, etc., and was also for some time a clerk in a general merchandise store. In 1857 he came to Sonoma County and located in Sonoma Val- ley where he engaged in farm labor until 1860. . In that year he rented 1,600 acres of land from General Vallejo, upon which he engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1866. He then purchased 152 acres of land on the west bank of the Sonoma Creek, and located in what is now
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the Watmangh school district. This land was then almost in its wild State, and Mr. Agnew devoted himself to its cultivation and improve- ment. In this he has been eminently snecess- fnl, and now (1885) has a fine farm of one hundred aeres, having sold fifty aeres to J. A. Porter of highly cultivated and improved land. With the exception of fifteen acres devoted to wine grapes of the Zinfandel and Berger varie- ties, his land is producing hay and grain, and supporting stock. Among the improvements Mr. Agnew has put upon this place is a com- fortable and well ordered two story residence. Ile has also erected a large barn, substantial out buildings, and has fitted up a carpenter and blacksmith shop. thus being able to make all re- pairs to his farming implements, etc .. and even shoes his own horses. Mr. Agnew is an intelli- gent and industrions man, and well deserving of the snecess he has achieved. As a respected citizen and desirable neighbor he is above re- proach. Taking a great interest in public schools, he has held the office of school trustee in his districts for over twenty-five years. In political matters he is a staunch Republican. He is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., and also of Sonoma Lodge. No. 28, I. O. O. F. In 1858 Mr. Agnew married Miss Emma Champlin, danghter of Charles C. and Sarah A. (Bartlett) Champlin. From this mar- riage there are eight children living, viz .: Lizzie, Ida, Mary, Charles, Ella. Newton, Asahel, and Sadie. The third child. William, died in 1886, at the age of twenty-two years. The oldest child (Lizzie) was married December 25. 1852, to Charles V. Champlin, and they are now living in The Dalles, Oregon. From this marriage there are three children, Walter, Edwin and Bell.
OLONEL J. S. AUSTIN, A. M., presi- dent of the Pacific Methodist College, has devoted almost his entire active life to the higher grades of educational work, and has won
an enviable name and fame as an educator. He is a native of South Carolina, born in Green- ville in 1835. Ile graduated at the Sonth Carolina Military Academy, in Charleston, in 1861. Ile filled the chair of mathematics in a military school in Maryland in 1868, and the following year was elected professor of mathe- matics in the Kentucky Military Institute, occupying that position till 1876 when he re- signed to accept the presidency of the Franklin Female College at Franklin, Kentucky. In 1880 he removed to Georgia to serve as presi- dent of a female college in that State. and five years later, in 1585. he was elected president of the Pacific Methodist College in Santa Rosa. Sinee assuming the duties of this honored and responsible position. Colonel Austin has de- voted his best thought and energies not only to the executive and class-room work of the college, but has zealonsly and efficiently labored among the people of the church in their annual confer- ences and elsewhere, to build up an endowment fand, and thus lay a solid foundation for the permanent prosperity of the institution. HIe presented a powerful appeal to the last annnal conference in behalf of the endowment fund, which promises to bear rich fruit. Pacific Col- lege is taking on a new era of prosperity under President Anstin's administration, which in- spires hope and confidence among its friends and patrons for its future. Colonel Austin's accomplished wife was Miss Essie Earle, with whom he was united in marriage soon after his graduation. She is also a native of the Palmetto State. Four daughters and one son compose their family of children.
ESTER STEVENS, one of the most popu- lar teachers of Sonoma County, was born in Noble County, Ohio, April 4, 1841, his parents being Leicester and Joanna (Stone) Stevens. The father was a native of New York and his parents were born in Massachusetts. The mother was born in Ashtabula County,
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Ohio, and was the first female white child born in Ashtabula Township. Lester Stevens was but five years of age when his parents moved to Washington County, Ohio, and when he was fifteen they removed to Wanshara County, Wis- consin. He was educated in the public schools of Ohio and at the public and normal schools in Wisconsin. On the 10th of May, 1861. at the village of Pine River, Wisconsin, he enlisted in the service of the Union. The company ren- dezvoused at Berlin, then proceeded to Madison, where they went into camp and were organized as Company G, Fifth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was ordered South immediately following the first Bull Run fight, going to Baltimore, a few days later to Washington, and shortly afterward they were encamped before Manassas. They participated in the movements about that place and Center- ville. In the spring of 1862 they were sent to Fortress Monroe on the Peninsular campaign, in which they took part, and in the subsequent movements about Richmond. Throughout these movements Mr. Stevens was notably engaged with his command in the charge of Hancock's Brigade at Williamsburg, in the seven days' fighting, and at Malvern Hill, besides many other figlits of the Army of the Potomac in that historic year. When the army was ordered back to Alexandria, he was taken sick and went into the hospital at Baltimore. After five months there he was discharged and sent home. Ile taught school one term while at home, but in February, 1864, went to Madison, re-enlisted and was assigned to Company B, Sixteenth Wisconsin, and appointed Corporal. They were ordered to join Sherman's force at Clifton, Tennessee, and overtook his army at Big Shanty, on the famous Atlanta campaign. Ile partici- pated in the battle at Kenesaw Mountain. and from that on. During the great three days" fight at Atlanta he was wounded in the left arm and left lung in the charge upon and capture of Leggett's Hill by the Union army. Ile was carried off the field and taken to hospital in front and thence was sent to hospital at Mari-
etta, and from there went home on a thirty days' furlough. At its expiration he reported at Madison, and was given twenty days addi- tional. Reporting again at the end of that time, he was discharged. He commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. B. Jewell, and two years later entered Rush Medical College, Chicago. Ile resumed teaching in Wisconsin in 1867, and so continued until the fall of 1869, when he came to California. He taught two months in Solano County that year, and then came to Sonoma County, where he taught pri- vate school for a time. He then went back to Solano County, but after piloting a school through one summer term, returned to Sonoma County, where he has ever since resided and where he has taught in the following named districts the stated number of years: Washing- ton district, three years; Geyserville, one; Men- docino, three; Grape, one: Oriental, one; Guil- ford, one; Lafayette, one; Mill Creek, five and one-half; and is now in Alexander district. Mr. Stevens is a member of Rod Matheson Post, G. A. R., of which he has been Senior Vice Com- inander. He is Noble Grand of Healdsburg Lodge, I. O. O. F .; is a member of the encamp- ment and Rebecca degree; also of the Knights of Honor, and Ladies of the G. A. R. Politi- cally he is a Republican.
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