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 85

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 85

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W ALTER PHILIPS .- Among the notice- able and representative vineyards of Sonoma County is that owned by Mr. Walter Philips, and is situated in Bennett Val- ley, Santa Rosa Township. The above named vineyard is on the Bennett Valley and Petaluma road, in the Strawberry school district, seven iniles southeast of Santa Rosa. It contains 230 acres of choice land well adapted to grape and fruit culture. One hundred and thirty acres are devoted to vines, producing the most ap- proved wine grapes grown in Sonoma County, among which are eighty acres of Zinfandel, twenty acres of Gray Riesling, fifteen acres of Burgundy, and many other well known and approved varieties. The products of this vine- yard are manufactured into wine upon the place, and for this purpose Mr. Philips has erected one of the most complete wineries in his section, it having a capacity of 150,000 gallons. No ex- pense has been spared in securing all the latest improvements needed in conducting his enter- prise, and the products of his winery, claret and Riesling wine, always command the highest market rates. Mr. Philips also devotes con- siderable attention to general farming, having one hundred acres of land which is producing hay, grain and stock. The improvements on this place including residence, ont-buildings, winery, etc., have all been made by Mr. Philips. He purchased the land in 1871, it being then a comparative waste. The snccess which he has achieved, has been the result of the energy and industry, combined with sound business prin- ciples that are characteristic of the man. He is

HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

one of the representative, public spirited, and progressive citizens of Sonoma County, and is deserving of his well earned success.

IZRA W. WOOLSEY .- Among the rep- resentative farmers and prominent stock growers of Santa Rosa Township is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Woolsey was born in Sitfolk County, New York, in 1824. 1Te is a descendant from old New England fami- lies. llis father was Nathan W. Woolsey, son of John Woolsey, of Darien, Connecticut, a soldier of the Revolutionary war. ITis mother, Lettitia (Conklin) Woolsey, was a native of New York. When but two years of age Mr. Woolsey's father died, leaving him to the care of his mother. Ile was reared in Suffolk County, receiving a good education, until the age of six- teen years. He then started in life for himself, left his native place and proceeded to New York City. In the year 1849 he entered mercantile life as a clerk for his brother, which he continued until 1855, when he established a large whole- sale provision house. Ile successfully conducted this enterprise until 1861. The breaking out of the war and consequent depression of his bnsi- ness, a large portion of which was connected with the South, compelled him to seek other pursuits. He then engaged in the insurance business, being connected with some of the most reliable companies in the East. Ile continued that business in New York until 1868. In that year he came to California and located in San Francisco. There he established a general lite insurance agency, which he conducted for several years. Mr. Woolsey's attention was early at- tracted to the wool growing industry of Cali- fornia, and to the improvement of the sheep of the State, and in 1880 he established himself at Berkley, Alameda County, where he engaged in importing and breeding some of the finest thoroughbred sheep to be procured. This enter- prise proving successful and desirous of enlarg- ing his operations he came to Sonoma County,

and in 1880 purchased 490 acres of land on the south bank of the Mark West Creek, in the Russian River school district. This fine farm is located on the Guerneville branch of the North Pacific Railroad, near Meacham Station, about two miles west of the town of Fulton. Since taking up his residence here in 1880, Mr. Wool- sey has devoted his attention to the breeding of thoroughbred sheep, fruit cultivation, and gen- eral farming. He has made many improve- ments, planted orchards, vineyards, etc., and his rich and productive soil seems adapted to the production of all and every variety of products grown in the county. He has fifty acres in orchard which may be classed as follows: Six- teen acres of peaches, fifteen acres of French prunes, ten acres of olives and five acres of pears. The rest may be styled a family orchard and there are few fruits grown in the county that Mr. Woolsey is not producing in this orchard. Seven aeres are planted in wine grapes, Muscat, Zinfandel, Rose of Peru and other varieties. As tending to show the productions and adaptabil- ity of this soil, etc., for fruit growing, it is worthy of mention that the peach crop upon this farm in 1888 yielded at a rate of $400 per acre. Another remarkable production is fifty acres in alfalfa, which, with no irrigation, pro- duces from two to three crops each year, and then affords fine pasturage for stock until the next season. One of the largest industries of this model farm is the breeding of thoroughbred Spanish merino sheep. His floeks average about 1,000 head, and contain some of the finest specimens to be found in the State, as is attested by the many first premiums awarded to his stock in the different agricultural fairs of State and county. His wool also received the first premiums at the Mechanics' Institute fairs in 1886 and 1887 at San Francisco. Mr. Woolsey is also devoting considerable attention to the breeding of fine horses and cattle, showing good specimens of horses improved by " Dawn," " Adventure," and " Electioneer " stock, also cattle of Durham blood, and some thorough- bred Jerseys. The rest of his land is devoted

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to hay, grain and pasture. Mr. Woolsey is an enterprising and progressive citizen, greatly in- terested in all that affects the well-being of the community. Ile is a strong advocate of churches and public schools, and is an elder of the Pres- byterian church at Fulton, and the superintend- ent of its Sunday-school. In politics, he is a strong and consistent Republican, well versed in all the political questions that affect the indus- tries and interests of State and nation. Mr. Woolsey married Miss Martha A. Weeks, the daughter of Jonathan Weeks, of New York, and granddangliter of George Weeks, of IIempstead, Long Island, New York. From this marriage there are four children living, viz .: Edward W., Louise M., William E., and Frank. William E. is residing on the farm and is interested with his father in all the farm operations, stock-rais ing, and industries before noted. Much of the success of these various enterprises is due to his intelligent and energetic management. The ripe experience, tried, and matured business principles of the father combined with the ener- getic and industrious qualities of the son has made the name of Woolsey & Son the synonym of honor, business integrity and success. They are well and favorably known throughout the county, and are both firm believers in the future prosperity of Sonoma County, and are ever ready with time and means to aid in all enter- prises that tend to alvance the interests and welfare of the section in which they reside.

RANKLIN SEARS .- In noting the rise progress, and present condition of Sonoma County, the old pioneers of the days before '49 are particularly worthy of special mention. Among the very few of that hardy raee now (1889) living is the well known gentleman whose name stands at the heal of this sketch. He has been a resident of Sonoma Valley for over forty years, and no man now living in this beautiful valley has more of the well merited respect and esteem than Mr. Sears. A review of his life is of

interest. Mr. Sears was born in Orange County. Indiana, June 28, 1817. He is the son of James B. and Jane (Walker) Sears, who were among the pioneers of that State. IIis father was a native of Tennessee, and his mother of Kentucky, and both were descendants of old pioneer families of those States. When he was ten years of age his parents removed to Saline County, Missouri, where his father engaged in farming and stock-raising, to which oceupation Mr. Sears was reared, his education in the mean time being obtained in the pioneer schools of that date. In 1844, Mr. Sears being imbued with that spirit of adventure and pioneer daring that was so characteristic of his forefathers, started across the then, almost unknown plains and mountains for Oregon. This journey was successfully accomplished, and he remained in Oregon until the next year when he came to California. This was then Mexican territory, but the events were rapidly transpiring. which were to wrest the land from Mexican dom- ination. In 1846 Mr. Sears settled in Sonoma County and when Captain Fremont called for volunteers he was one of the first to join that gallant band, and enlisted as a soldier under Captain Gillespie. His service continued until the force was disbanded, and afterward in 1847, he was enrolled under Commodore Stock- ton, as one of his Life Guards. At the close of hostilities in California, Mr. Sears returned to Sonoma County and settled upon his farın, at once beginning its cultivation and improvement. The long years devoted to this occupation hare produced wonderful results. The then barren waste has during this time been transformed into one of the richest and most productive farms in Sonoma Valley. Mr. Sears' farm con- tains 600 acres of productive valley land, lo- cated on the west bank of the Sonoma Creek, in the Watmaugh school district, about two miles southwest of Sonoma. Among the im- provements is a vineyard of eighty acres of wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety, and a magnificent winery with a storage capacity of 150,000 gallon. Much attention in the years

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past has been paid by Mr. Sears to wine making, and his success has been noticeable. Fifteen acres in orchard show fine results also, pro- ducing a large variety of the most approved fruits grown in the valley. But the greater part of the farm is devoted to hay and grain and also stock. Among the latter are some fine specimens of graded horses, improved by " Nut- wood " and " MeClelland" stock. A comfortable cottage residence, surrounded by shade trees, substantial barns and ont-building-, attest the successful farmer. In July, 1851, Mr. Sears was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Swift, who died August 19, 1888, leaving two children: Rachel J., who married Jacob R. Snyder (whose sketch appears in this history); and Granville C. P'. The third child, William J., died in 1877. Mr. Sears has now retired from the active cares of his farm and resides with his daughter, Mrs. Snyder. The large farm is therefore under the direct control and management of his energetic son Granville C. l'. Sears, to whom is due the credit for its tine condition. Granville C. P. Sears married, in 1879, Miss Mollie P. Walker, daughter of Jefferson Walker, of Colusa County, a native of Kentucky and one of California's pioneers. Both Mr. Sears and his son are Democratic in polities, but liberal in views and conservative in political action. Both are also deeply interested in the future growth and prosperity of their beautiful valley, and are always identified with any enterprise that will develop its resources.

were devoted to the reading of good books such as he could obtain, and his last schooling was received at an academy, a private school taught by a man named Low. Soon after he was elected to teach a district school in the com- munity, and continued in that occupation about three years. In the fall of 1852 he sailed for California, via Nicaragua, and landed in San Francisco. The voyage from Nicaragua was au eventful one and full of trials and hardships. Fever raged furiously among the passengers and crew. the result of which was nineteen deaths, and the bodies were thrown overboard. Mr. Campbell was one of those stricken down with the disease and was almost momentarily ex- peeted to be the next one to find a watery grave. However, he survived his illness, and shortly after arriving in the State proceeded to this county, and went up into the redwoods where he recovered his health and remained until the next spring. He then went back to San Fran- eisco, joined a party of United States surveyors, went into Yuba County, and remained with them in that neighborhood about four months, after which he returned to Sonoma County and engaged in farming. Every one was expecting big results from the potato erop, as the one of the previous year resulted in large profits to the grower. This year, however, was quite different in the results, as many failed entirely who were engaged in this industry. The price paid for seed was five eents a pound and a team to put it in with cost ten dollars a day, besides big wages paid for digging and five dollars a ton for hauling them to market. After settling up the potato part of the year's business Mr. Camp- bell had left 8750 paid him by one party the next spring. Turning his attention in another direction for employment he selected teamning, which seemed to be a profitable business, and made a purchase at first of two yoke of oxen and a wagon, but after a time got more eattle and another wagon. Being at this time in toil with his oxen, he was able to pay off every claim against him, besides having a little money

OSEPH CAMPBELL .- The subject of this sketch was reared principally in Sullivan County, New York. When a mere boy he was left entirely on his own resources and through his own perseverance and energy was able to get a good common school education. During the interval of his school days he chopped wood and did other farm work in order : debt for everything, after two years of constant to get sufficient means to defray his expenses. Being a natural student his spare moments

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left. The experience which befell his lot at this early day was of such a rugged nature that would astonish some of the coming generation and would perhaps dampen their prospects if they had to pass through anything similar to it. Many a night Mr. Campbell has slept under his wagon or perhaps secured a night's lodging in some friendly shanty that would happen on his way, and prepared his meals as best he could in those primitive times, and as now only the pioneers can understand and appreciate. After abandoning the teaming business he again took up the vocation of teaching and taught, with but little interruption, for about three years, the most of the time in Petaluma Township. After the varied experiences and occupations given above we next find Mr. Campbell em- barked in an entirely new enterprise. Going to San Francisco he opened a commission house, where he carried on a successful business for nearly seven years. Disposing of his interests there, he returned to Petaluma and engaged in the mercantile trade which he has carried on ever since, being one of the oldest merchants in the city. About 1856 he bought the business property where he is now located, and the next year commenced to improve it, which he has done from time to time as his business de- manded. Mr. Campbell has always taken an active interest in the growth and development of the city, and especially so in the establishing and improving of the public buildings of learn- ing, and the education of the young. Being an old school teacher himself, his ripe expe- rience in this respect has been of valuable assistance to the city school board of which he has been an active and earnest member for the past four years. Ile has been a member of the Public Library Association since its or- ganization and has held numerous offices in the same, in the transaction of its business. He became an Odd Fellow soon after his arrival in the State, and has been a trustee in the Petaluma lodge during nearly the whole of his residence in the city, also attending largely to the business management of the Odd Fellows

Hall Association. Soon after the organization of the A. O. U. W. lodge in Petaluma he also became a member of that order. Mr. Campbell was nnited in marriage July 20, 1871. to Lucy Mann, a native of Ohio, born of English parents. They have one son, H. R. Campbell.

AMES RUSSELL ROSE was born in Richland County, Ohio, October 22, 1822.

He is of Scotch and English descent, his ancestors coming to this country in the seven- teenth century. Both of his grandfathers were veterans in the Revolutionary war, James Hark- ness, his mother's father, serving six years and his grandfather Russell Rose, who enlisted at the age of fifteen, served seven years. His father,

Enos Rose, was born March 31, 1793, in Poult- ney, Rutland County, Vermont, and married Elizabeth Harkness, who was also a native of that State, born January 14, 1797. Their marriage

was celebrated January 14, 1819, in Springfield.

Bradford County, Pennsylvania, after which they took up their residence in Richland County, Ohio, where they remained about eight years. They then removed to Bradford County, Penn- sylvania, and lived there about the same length

of time, when they again returned to Ohio. They made their home in Huron County, that State, the remainder of their lives. The old gentleman's death however occurred in Lake County, Illinois, in November, 1870. He was buried at his old home in Huron County, be-

side his wife, who died in August, 1855. She

was the mother of five children, of whom three

the living children, made his home with his are now living. James Russell, the eldest of

parents until he was twenty-eight years old. He was reared on a farm, attended the district schools of his neighborhood, served some time at millwrighting under the guidance of his father, and also at the carpenter's trade. Dur- ing his residence in Huron County he put up a steam saw-mill of his own and run it for about five years, until he sold the mill in 1857.

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

In 1858 he came to California, sailing from New York via Panama, and landing in San Francisco on the 30th of April. On the same day he came to Petaluma. About the first of July he went to Bloomfield. and in October located in Tomales Township, Marin County. where he successfully followed farming until 1864, when he disposed of his land there and returned to this county, purchasing his present property of 2,200 acres near Lakeville, in Vallejo Township. He lived in Petaluma about six years, meantime improving his Lake- ville farm, and in 1870 made the place his home. In the beauty of its location, command- ing as it does such an extensive view of the surrounding country, it is not to be surpassed. With his characteristic energy devoted to the enlture and improvement of his place he has made it one of the model farms of Sonoma County. He was one of the first in the county to engage in the raising of fine stock. He has a fine hierd of thoroughbred Devon cattle, and his horses are among the best in the county. He has in former years made extensive exhibits both at the State and county fairs and has taken many premiums on his stock which has become well known all over the State. Since his settlement in the county Mr. Rose has been one of the most enterprising of its citizens. In the organization of the Sonoma and Marin District Agricultural Society he was one of the prime movers and its president for the first three years, and has since been one of its most ardent supporters, having since been its presi- dent for two years, and contributing much of his time and means to its permanent success. Every public enterprise for the development of the resources of the county, and for the build- ing up of the best interests of society. has always found him a zealous worker and a hearty co-laborer. During the war he heartily endorsed the Union cause and gave liberally to the Chris- tian and Sanitary Commission for the benefit of the sick and wounded of our soldiers, and also sent large amounts to be distributed among the needy widows and orphans of soldiers of his

old home in Ohio. In religions belief he is a Baptist and labored assiduously in Petaluma for many years to build up that church. Mr. Rose was united in marriage to Annie Ken- worthy, a native of England, born May 2, 1825. Mrs. Rose died at the old home place Decem- ber 21, 1852. She was a lovely woman, of great grace and dignity of character, and held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. She will long be remembered by many who learned to appreciate the rare qualities of her mind and heart in the early days of California when all were enduring the trials incident to pioneer life. Her helpful hand smoothed many a rough way and her influence was that that only a refined and good woman's can be. Her last days were cheered and comforted by the tender care, she so well deserved, of her devoted husband and daughters, and now has left them to cherish the precious memory of a faithful and devoted wife and mother. She was a mnem- ber of the Baptist church of Petaluma, first uniting with the church in Ohio, in 1857. She was the mother of two children, Anna E. and Florence L.

- -

ON. JOHN GOTEA PRESSLEY, who is one of the judges of the Superior Court of Sonoma County, was born in Williams- burg district (now county), South Carolina, on the 24th of May, 1833. His parents were John B. and Saralı (Gotea) Pressley, both " na- tives and to the manor born," and of ancestry identified for generations with the history of South Carolina. His father was a successful planter of Williamsburg district and a man of great personal worth and social influence. The son enjoyed the advantages of early moral and religious training, and, after a preparatory course in the country schools of the neighborhood, re- ceived an appointment in January, 1848, to the State Military Academy at Charleston-an in- stitution whose system and course of instruction was very similar to that of West Point. Hle

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.

graduated in November, 1851. The career of young Pressley at the "Citadel Academy," as it was generally known, was marked by rigid truthfulness, manly self-respect, diligence in study and a conscientious observance of the stringent military rules and regulations of the institution. While a cac'et he was, in the year 1850, detailed to act as assistant professor of mathematics, and at his graduation, in 1851, he ranked fourth in a class of twenty-six, and held the command of one of the companies of the Cadet Corps. From the military academy he entered as a student of law the office of his kinsman, B. C. Pressley, Esq., then one of the leading members of the bar of Charleston, and now an honored circuit judge of the State, where, under the guidance of this relative and friend, he pursued his studies until February, 1854. By a special dispensation of the Court of Appeals of South Carolina he was accorded an examination in May, 1854, while still under age, and received his commission as attorney upon attaining his majority a few weeks after- ward. He was the only law student ever ac- corded an examination by that court under the age of twenty-one. He immediately opened a law office at Kingstree, the county seat of Williamsburg district, and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he pursued with diligence and snecess in the districts of Williamsburg, Marion, Darlington, Georgetown and Clarendon until January, 1861, when the war destroyed his Incrative and growing busi- ness and literally closed the doors of his office for five years. In those early years of his pro- fessional lite, he represented his district in the Legislature of the State during the sessions of 1858 and 1859, being the youngest member ex- cept one in the Lower House, and assistant cashier of that body. This of itself attests the influence which he had acquired and the confi- dence in his judgment and fidelity which he had inspired in the constituency that was noted for selecting its best citizens for positions of public trust. Then came the war. Of his Participation in the great strite, no sketch of

his life would be complete without some men- tion. From the commencement until its disas- trous end, he gave himself up unselfishly and wholly to the cause of the South and rendered it loyal and efficient service. Ile entered the military service in January, 1861, as captain of infantry, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant- Colonel of the Twenty-fifth Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, and commanded that regi- ment almost continuously and with marked ability and gallantry until the end of the war. Ilis regiment experienced hard and dangerous service and was engaged in some of the most desperate and destructive confliets of the war, in one of which, near Petersburg, in 1864, he himself received a dangerous wound from the effects of which he still carries a partially dis- abled arm. The war over, he honestly and with patient submission accepted in good faith the situation. In January, 1866, he reopened his law office at Kingstree and resumed the practice of his profession. At the annual ses- sion of the Legislature for that year (under the reconstruction plan of President Johnson) he was elected district judge of Williamsburg dis- trict, but on account of the inadequaey of the salary, declined to qualify. Hle maintained the struggle against the adverse influences of the "reconstruction " period until weary of the un- equal strife, discouraged concerning the future outlook, and having regard for the interest of his family, he sought a haven and a home for them on the Pacific coast. He arrived in California on the 24th of April, 1869, via the Isthmus of Panama, and took up his residence first in Suisun, Solano County, and opened his law office there and afterward at Fairfield, the county seat. It should be remembered to the credit of the people of California that in spite of their extreme devotion to the Union. and notwith- standing their strong sectional prejudices en- gendered by the war, they never failed to extend a hearty welcome to any worthy Southerner who came among them with the honest purpose of making a home in this much blessed land of plenty, beauty and pleasantness. The people

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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 85

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