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 80

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 80

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W. FERGUSON, of Mendocino Town- ship, is a native of North Carolina, born in Gnilford County, December 13. 1810. his parents being David B. and Nancy (Pegram) Ferguson, both of whom were born in North Carolina. They removed to Pulaski County, Kentucky, and when they arrived at their new home the subject of this sketch was just one day less than three months old. There he was reared to the age of nineteen years, when he went to Owen County, Indiana, and two years later was joined by his parents. There the father lived until his death, which occurred in 1834, when he was fifty years of age. The mother afterward removed to Iowa, and died in Marshall County, the same State, at the age of eighty-six years. William W. Ferguson was married in Clay County, Indiana, November 15, 1832, to Miss Mary Cooprider. In 1845 they removed to a wild portion of Iowa, which was at that time unorganized. When the county was organized Mr. Ferguson had the honor of naming both the county and county seat, which are respectively Jasper and Newton. Early in 1849 he decided to emigrate to California, and going to Okaloosa to obtain an ontfit, they started from there on the 2d of May, in a party of fifteen wagons. They crossed the Missouri River at Council Bluff's, at which place the train was augmented to forty-eight wagons. When the train was attacked by cholera, further on the journey, however, it split up into smaller par- ties. Their route took them across the Loupe fork of the North Platte River, whence they proceeded to Fort Laramie, crossing the North

Platte, and going through the Black Hills. They recrossed the North Platte 125 miles above Fort Laramie, then went in the direction of the Sweetwater and followed that stream to the sum- mit of the Rocky Mountains. From there they chose the Sublett's cut off route, and to the head water of the Humboldt River, which they followed until within forty miles of its sink. At this point they were met by a man who told them that there was no grass for stock the way they were going and advised them to take the Lawson route by Pitt River. This they struck near its head within four miles of Goose Lake, and followed it to Lawson settlement, three miles above Tehama. They then went to Ynba City, and after spending a year there proceeded to Marysville. From there they went to Ohio Flat, a mile and a half from Forbestown. where they remained until 1857, when they removed to Sonoma County, locating in Alexander Val- ley, where John N. Ferguson now resides. The trip across the plains was uneventful except for some disturbances by Indians. The savages killed fourteen yoke of oxen belonging to the train, one yoke being the property of Mr. Fer- guson. When, however, they got within thirty- five miles of Lawson settlement, an accident occurred which for the first time cast the shadow of gloom over the party. They were encamped for the night at the point mentioned, and a man named Alfred had put up his tent between his own wayon and Mr. Ferguson's tent. While the camp was wrapped in slumber, without warning, a heavy tree fell directly across the tents mentioned, and Mr. Alfred, his two sons and a man named Cameron were killed. Mr. Ferguson had two daughters wounded. Eliza- beth S. (now Mrs. Hagler) was injured inter- nally, and could not be moved for six days; Nancy Ann (now deceased) had her foot so badly hurt that she could not walk for six weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have seven children living: John N., Henry O., Elizabeth S. (widow of Paul H. Hagler), Paris Jasper, Mattie (wife of James Watson, Jr.), Dora (IIall), and William W., Jr. Politically, Mr.

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

Ferguson is a Democrat. Ile celebrated his golden wedding in 1582: his brother John J., of Marshall County, Iowa, did the same in 1885, and in October, 1838, Joseph M. Ferguson, the youngest brother of W. W., became the third in that family of three brothers to celebrate his golden wedding. The latter lives in Manning, Carroll County, Iowa. All three of the brothers are yet living with the wives of their youth. Mrs. W. W. Ferguson was born in Harrison County, Indiana. IIer father, John Cooprider, was a native of Pennsylvania. He emigrated to Ken- tncky in 1505, and two or three years later to the County of Harrison, in the Territory of In- diana, it being then an unbroken wilderness in the possession of the Indians. His mother-in- law, who lived with him, had seen Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown. In 1821 he entered land in Lewis Township, Clay County, Indiana. On account of a mistake in the description, he had to go elsewhere, and in the spring of 1825 removed to Middlebury, Harrison Township. There in the fall of 1826, he sowed the first wheat ever planted in Clay County. He died there March 19, 1877, having lived to see the county grow from a wilderness to a prosperous and cultured community.

OHN N. FERGUSON, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Ferguson, is a native of Clay County, Indiana, born September 3, 1835, and was in his thirteenth year when he accompanied the family across the plains, and on their trip he drove an ox team. He made his home with his parents until he was twenty- eight years of age, and has lived on his present farm since coming to this county in July, 1857. He was married at this place to Miss Elizabeth Moody, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Simon S. and Hannah (Caldwell) Moody. She came to California in 1863, and after residing in Sutter County one year, came to Sonoma County. She died in 1870. By that marriage there were three children, viz .: Erwin Emmett,

Clarence Moody, and William Homer, the latter dying at the age of fourteen months. Mr. Ferguson's present wife was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, September 28, 1845. Her maiden name was Sarah Jane Ellis, a dangh- ter of Esquire Leander T. and Harriet (Um- ber) Ellis, both parents being Kentuckians who removed from their native State to Mis- sonri. Mrs. Ferguson was previously married, and was the widow of Ransom Basford. who died in Nodaway County, Missouri. She came to Cal fornia in 1870, with two children, Ida Ellen and Claudius R. Basford. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have four children-Mary Jestine, Mattie Isadora, Florence Almeda, and Albert Llewellyn. Politically, Mr. Ferguson is a Re- publican. He takes an interest in edneational matters and for a number of years has been trustee of schools. He is a member of the Christian church at Healdsburg.

ON. EZEKIAL DENMAN .- No part of the United States has made such rapid ad- vancement as California, whether in the accumulating of wealth or the gathering of the creature comforts of human life. There are two reasons for this fact. The one is the immense natural resources of the country and its un- equaled climate, and the other, and chief one, is the fact that it was settled by a class of men, active, energetie and ready to work hard and honestly for the great results we see, -- men of brains and muscle and of untiring diligence. Wherever we look in California we find these men, most of whom came here in the early days, and are now, having achieved the competency they so amply deserve, enjoying the fruits of their hard labor, respected by all and looked upon as the leading figures in their commun- ity. Such a man pre-eminently is the Hon. Ezekial Denman, the president of the Sonoma County National Bank in Petaluma. He was born December 2, 1827, in Sullivan County, New York. His father, William Denman, Jr.,

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

was a native of England. but came to America with his parents when but three years of age. Ile became a well-known and prominent farmer and stock-raiser in Sullivan County, where he brought up his large family of nine chiklren to honest diligence and honorable independence. Of these children tive are still living, four of them being residents in this State, of whom the subject of this article is the fourth in point of birth. Mr. Denman's mother's maiden name was Miss Nancy Curry. She was a native of Sullivan County, New York. It was in the district schools of his neighborhood that he re- ceived his education, attending school during the winter and working on his father's farm during the summer. When twenty years old he began teaching school, and for three years continued this occupation, chiefly in Ulster County, although for a portion of the time also in Sullivan County. lle then purchased a farm in Sullivan County, which he carried on sue- cessfully for two years. Being seized with the desire to test for himself the truth of the stories of this Golden State that found their way to the East. he sold his farm and in the middle of August. 1551, set ont for California. He took the Panama route, sailing from New York City on the steamer Georgia for Panama and making the balance of the trip to San Francisco, where he landed at the close of September. on the steamer Orgon. He remained in San Francisco but a few days, but went at once to the mines at Buckeye Guleh near Mokeluinne IIill. Here he stayed abont eight months; then went to Ione Valley, and thence to San Fran- cisco. reaching there early in 1552. From there until June of that year he engaged in the milk business in San Francisco, when he came to Petaluma and after a short sojourn here pur- chased a ranch in Two Rock Valley, part of the old Bojorques Rancho, and also engaged in the buying and selling of land. Mr. Denman made his home in Two Rock Valley up to 1569. being among the first as well as one of the most extensive farmers in that seetion, possessing a farm of no less than a 1.000 acres, and hav-

ing onee no less than four hundred acres of potatoes at one time. It might also be stated that the house Mr. Demman built for himself there in the early times was constructed of red- wood, cut by himself from the redwood forests. He has always been an enterprising dealer in landed property, buying, selling and bringing under cultivation, and to-day possesses about 2,200 acres in this county and Marin, all fine land, with excellent improvements and devoted to grain farming and stock-raising. On his ranch in Two Rock Valley he has about 2,500 fruit trees, of which 1,500 are plums and the balance apples and other fruit. In November, 1869. Mr. Denman came to Petaluma, where he has since resided, devoting his attention largely to financial matters and to affairs of a general and public interest, although continuing the management of his ranches until 1SS7, when he rented them. He was one of the first and largest stockholders in the Sonoma County Bank, which was organized in 1866, and was its first Vice-President, holding that position until 1556. when he was elected to the presidency. Ile was one of the original stockholders, also, in the Petaluma woolen mills when first organized. Mr. Denman has never been a seeker after pub- lie offices. yet the suffrages of his fellow citizens have more than once compelled him to serve them. For several years he was a member of the board of city trustees, and once their president. He has also been a member of the board of education. Perhaps the most note- worthy public position he has held, however. is the directorship of the Sonoma and Marin District Agricultural Society, which he has held for fifteen years. For two years he was also its president. This society has had remarkable success, being in the lead of any in California, and owes no little to the indefatigable zeal and matured judgment of Mr. Denman. In June, 1555. he returned to visit his old Eastern home. While there he married Miss Naney Louise Hardenburg of Sullivan County, New York, October 3, 1555. She died Jannary 9, 1870. She was the mother of nine children. of whom

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

six are living. Their names are- Frank Il .. Nellie L., Ida B., Carrie E., John R., and Kate C. The names of those deceased were Mary, James, and Martin. Mr. Denman was married again October 15, 1577, to Mrs. Isabella St. John, who has no children. The names of Mr. Den- man's brothers and sisters are as follows: Prof. James Denman, a distinguished educationalist of San Francisco, Mrs. Samuel Cassidy, of l'eta- Inma; Martin P. Demnan, a well-known farmer on the coast in Mendocino County, and Michael in Sullivan County. Such is in brief a sketch of the life and family of Hon. Ezekial Denman, a gentleman who commands the esteem and confidenee of all by his strict integrity and care- ful consideration for the rights of others. He has always been a leader in this community, and has contributed much both in a financial way and by his wise counsels in upbuilding this portion of the county. A full description and history of the bank, of which he is the con- trolling spirit, appears elsewhere in these pages.

LBERT CALDWELL. - The genial cli- mate. rich soil, - beautiful scenery, and many other attractions of the Sonoma Valley have induced many men to seek it as a place of residence aud rest, after a life of strug- gle, toil, etc., in other parts of the country. Among them is the above-namned gentleman, a few brief facts of whose history are as follows. Mr. Caldwell is a native of Putnamn County, New York, dating his birth in 1827. His par- ents. Absalom and Mary (Ludington) Callwell, were descendants of the old Knickerbocker fami- lies of that State. IIe was reared as a farmer, receiving a good co.ninon-school education. At the age of twenty-one he started out in life. and, going west, located in Washington County. Wisconsin, where he purchased lands and en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, also conducting an extensive flouring mill. In 1553 he left Wisconsin. and, in connection with his brother, established one of the first banking houses in

St. Paul, Minnesota, under the firm name of Caldwell & Co. This enterprise was successfully conducted until 1860, and during that time they were identified with inany of the enterprises that developed the great northwest. Soon after his arrival in California Mr. Caldwell turned liis attention to the mining industrie- of the Pacific coast, and for years was associated with and conducted some of the most prominent mines in California. Nevada. Arizona and Mex- ico. In Nevada he was the owner of the "Hawk- eye," and ran the first tunnel in that well known mine. Ile also built the Franklin mill on the Carson River, and was among the first to develop the White Pine distriet. Mr. Caldwell was

largely interested in the development of the State of Nevada, and it was through his per- sonal representation to the Interior Department at Washington that the land office at Carson was established in 1862. Later he turned his attention to the mining industries of Arizona and Mexico. and for several years preceding 1885 was personally identified with the devel- opment of several mining districts in those sec- tions. His long experience and business talents have insured him success in many a mining en- terprise where others failed. As a farmer, mer- chant. banker. and miner, years of his life were passed in activity and toil that resulted in secnr- ing him a competency. Desirons of retiring to a more peaceful and quiet life, in 1555 lie pur- chased a thirty-five acre tract of land in Sonoma, upon which he resides. This land is located about a mile and a half east and south of Sonomz. Mr. Caldwell is enthusiastic in the calling of a vine and fruit grower. To this occupation lie applies the same energies, business tact, etc., as to other enterprises. and his success is notice- able. He has twenty aeres of table grapes, such as Tokay, Museat, and Rose of Peru, and the care and attention he has bestowed upon them has brought its reward by yielding him over $300 per acre, net. in 1555. There are also 1.500 fruit trees upon his land, comprising a large variety of the most approved fruits grown in the valley. A comfortable cottage residence

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

and suitable out-buildings, surrounded by shaded and well kept grounds, make a pleasant home in which he is enjoying a well deserved rest after a long business career. Mr. Caldwell was married in 1856 to Miss Cordelia Hayt, daughter of Ilarry and Thankful (Crosby) Hayt. Both of Mrs. Caldwell's parents were born in New York and are from some of the oldest families in the State. The old homestead, so full of historical reminiscences of the Revo- lutionary war, is still held and cherished as an heirloom by her family. Its broad acres was the rendezvous for General Putnam as he crossed the country to reach Newburg. Wash- ington's headquarters. Mrs. Caldwell's grand . father was a captain during the war, and the certificate with General Washington's autograph is still preserved by her family. From this marriage three children are living: Mary II .. Martha HI. and Frederick R. Mary II. married William F. Hooper, now a banker in San Ber- nardino County. Martha II. married Martin T. Morton, and is residing in Sonoma Valley, and Frederick R. resides under the parental roof. Politically Mr. Caldwell is a strong Re- publican. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Tucson Lodge, No. 4, of Tucson, Arizona.

OSEPH P. MERRILL, of Geyserville, is a native of Cumberland County, Maine, born at the town of Falmouth, September 2, 1827, his parents being Daniel and Dorcas Mer- rill. Both parents were natives of Maine, and the grandparents were also New Englanders by birthi. The father of the subject of this sketch, a farmer, was a prominent man, much respected in the community in which he resided. He was one of the selectmen for eighteen years out of twenty, and represented his district three years in the State Legislature. Ile also settled up a great many estates in the community. He died in 1580, his wife having preceded him in

death many years. Joseph P. Merrill was reared in his native State, attending the acad- emy at Lewiston Falls, also Kent's Hill Academy and other institutions of learning. HIaving finished his education, he taught several terms of school in the vicinity of his home. In 1553 he came out to California, via Panama, landing at San Francisco early in May. He went to Benicia, thence to Green Valley. and in 1554 to Snisun Valley, where he resumed teach- ing, which he followed for over a year. He then went into a store as clerk, and followed that occupation, and afterward merchandising on his own account for about three years. He then came to Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, and farmed there for a year and a half. From there he went back to Solano County, and re- sumed teaching. He then took charge of a flour-mill. which he operated until 1865, when he went to Owyhee County, Idaho, where he had an interest in a saw-mill near Silver City; remained there about one year, then went to the region of the Owyhee River in Baker County, Oregon, and located on a ranch, remaining there until 1584. At that time he sold most of his stock and ranches, and moved further back onto the range, away from the road and from civilization, and engaged in horse and mule rais- ing, moving his family to Berkley. Early in 1885 he purchased the site of his present residence. on which he has put building improvements at a cost of about $10.000. making the place a very handsome one. Mr. Merrill was married in this State. May 13, 1858, to Miss Martha M. Lyon, a native of Logan County, Ohio, and daughter of Asher M. and Martha Lyon. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, born near the Schuylkill River. They went to Ohio in an early day. In 1841 they removed to Washing- ton County. Iowa, among its early settlers. The father crossed the plains to California in 1850. returning two years later. The next year he lost his wife by death. Ile again came to Cali- fornia in 1866, locating in Suisun Valley in June of that year. He died there in 1867. Mrs. Merrill came out to California when a girl.

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

with a married sister. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have had seven children, of whom five are living, viz .: Lillie J., wife of R. A. Barnes, re- siding near Los Angeles; Rose Elizabeth, wife of T. C. Fletcher, residing in Malheur County, Oregon: Ernest L., a resident of Passadena; Birdie, a young lady aged eighteen, died Octo- ber, 1887, and Annie, died May, 1877, aged five years and three months; Mabel and Mand are ten and six years old. Politically Mr. Merrill is a Republican.

NDREW JACKSON MILLS is a native of Chemung County, New York, and dates his birth February 28, 1819. His father, Thomas Mills, was also a native of the same county, and his grandfather was among its earliest settlers. His mother was Elizabeth (Bennett) Mills. Her parents were natives of Connecticut. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, where his father was reared a farmer and later became a lawyer. His health in youth and young manhood was such as prevented his following the arduous labors attending farm operations, therefore his time was spent in school and such occupations as were afforded in his father's office, his father being justiee of the peace, an office which he held for twenty-eight years. At the age of twenty years he had the misfortune to lose his mother, who died in 1839. In 1842 he went to St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Missouri, and joined his father, who had preceded him some years. There he located 160 acres of govern- ment land, within a mile of the village of St. Joseph. His continued ill health, however, compelled his abandoning all idea of a farm life. He engaged in various pursuits until 1846. In this year he went to Fort Leavenworth and en- gaged as a teamster in the United States employ. While in this employ he was attached to a freighting train bound for Santa Fe, New Mex- ico, arriving at that place in the fall. He found the prospeet such as would compell him to

spend most of the winter there. Being desir- ons of a change he engaged as teamster with a detachment of troops bound to the Indian country to join Colonel Doniphan's First Regi- ment of Missouri Volunteers, which was an ex- pedition against the hostile Indians in New Mexico. Ile accompanied this command until its arrival at New Orleans. There he was dis- charged and paid off in July, 1847. He then returned to St. Joseph, where he remained until the winter, when he again entered the service as a teamster, and was engaged in hauling supplies to Fort Mann. The next spring he was again on the road to Santa Fe. Upon his arrival at that place he left the government employ and took up a tract of land about 180 miles south of Santa Fe with the intention of establishing a supply station for emigrants and traders, but finding this to be grant lands and liable to in- volve him in litigation with the grant holders, he abandoned the project and returned to Santa Fe. He was then appointed assistant forage master in the government department of the United States army, and stationed at San Mig- uel, fifty miles east of Santa Fe. There he remained until 1850. In that year he proceeded overland to Mazatlan, Mexico, and from there by steamer to San Francisco. After a short stay at that place he went to Sacramento, and from there to Nevada County, where he engaged in mining. He was snecessful in this work and continued it until the fall of 1851, when he re- turned by the Isthmus route to Missouri. In the spring of 1852 he married Miss Naney MeClelland, the daughter of John G. McClel- land, a resident of Missouri. In May of the same year he started overland with his bride to California. After five months' of travel over plains, deserts, and mountains, he reached Ne- vada County, California. There he engaged in mining until 1855. In that year he came to Sonoma County and took up his residence upon 160 acres of land, upon which he has sinee re- sided. This land is located in Bennett Valley, in the Santa Rosa school district, about three and a half miles from Santa Rosa. The land

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

was long claimed by grant holders; but Mr. Mills resisted their demands, and was one of the strongest fighters in the valley against fraudulent grants. After years of litigation he was successful in his resistance, and secured a government patent for his land. During this time he was successfully conducting his farm- ing operations and adding to his landed posses- sions by purchase of school lands, etc., until his present (1888) holding comprises a magnificent farm of 325 aeres. With the exception of six acres of orchard, Mr. Mills devotes his land to the production of grain, hay and stock-raising. He is a believer in improved stock, and among his stock may be found some fine specimens of improved " Norman " and "Suffolk Punch" horses. Mr. Mills' long residence and the in- terest he has always taken in the prosperity and welfare of Sonoma County have gained him a large circle of friends and acquaintances, by whom he has ever been held in the highest re- spect and esteem. Ilis industry and energetic habits coupled with straightforward, honest business dealings. have insured his success, and secured him a competency. Ile is a member of Santa Rosa Grange, No. 17, Patrons of Hus- bandry. A strong supporter of the. public schools, he has for many years been one of the efficient school trustees of his district. From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mills but two children are living, viz .: Don, who is living in San Francisco; and Emma, who resides with her parents.

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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 80

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