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 86
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108
582
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
of Solano County soon began to appreciate the sterling worth of the stranger who had come among them without friends and unknown, and to recognize in John G. Pressley a valuable ac- cession to their county. His ability and fidelity as a lawyer becoming known, business came to him, and a lucrative law practice was the result. He became the city attorney of Suisnn and held this position three years and until his re- moval to Santa Rosa. In Jannary, 1873, he moved to Sonoma County, and took up his residence in Santa Rosa, where he formed a co- partnership with Judge A. Thomas, an old and respected citizen and able lawyer. In the fall of 1873 he became the city attorney of Santa Rosa, and at the judicial election in 1875, after a residence of less than three years in the county, he was elected county judge of Sonoma County. From this time until January, 1880, he continued upon the bench of the county conrt, and at the same time practiced at the bar of the district court and engaged as counsel in some of the most important civil cases tried in the county. The constitution of 1879 reorganized the judicial system of the State, abolishing the district and county courts and substituting for them a Superior Conrt for each county. At the first election in Sonoma County under the new system, John G. Pressley and Jackson Temple were elected judges of the new court and took their seats on the 1st of January, 1880. The wisdom of this selection has been justified by the able and efficient services of these judges, who have justly earned for Sonoma County the reputation of having one of the best, if not the very best, Superior Conrt in the State. Both of these judges were re-elected in 1884. Judge Temple has since been removed to the bench of the Supreme Court of this State, a position which he honors. Judge Pressley still adorns the Superior Court bench, universally esteemed for his great personal worth and faithful public services. Judge Pressley is emphatically a popular man. He is always and under all cir- eninstances courteous, genial, considerate and kind, a warm friend and a charming companion.
Upon the bench he presides with grace and dignity, without severity. He is always a willing and attentive listener. He is as prompt and positive in his rulings as is consistent with dne deliberation and prudent care. When the occasion calls for it, he is patient and laborions. In legal knowledge he is well equipped. In method he is systematic. In action he is de- cisive and firm. In judgment he is cool and impartial. His decisions have rarely been re- versed by the Supreme Court. In religion, Judge Pressley is and has for many years been an earnest and zealous Baptist, but not a nar- row sectarian. In every walk of life his Chris- tian faith, generous, genial temper, and courteous manner, adorn a character marked by purity of mind, truthfulness and sincerity of purpose, fidelity to principle and love and charity for men. In February, 1854, Judge Pressley mar- ried Miss Julia C. Burekmyer, daughter of Cornelius Burekinyer, a prominent merchant of Charleston, South Carolina. She has shared with him the ups and downs of an active, event- ful life, and still remains the faithful companion and comfort of his quiet domestic life. To them have been born ten children, six of whom survive and are residents of California.
ETER HOLST, of Mendocino Township, has a ranch of 172 acres, on the west side of Dry Creek, four miles from Healds- burg. He has thirty-five acres in grapes, which range in age from four to twenty years. They are mostly Zinfandel and Riesling, with some Mission and a few Cabernet Sauvignon and Mataro. His winery, which is 30 x 44 feet in area, was erected in 1884, and the storage capa- city is 16,000 gallons. He makes from 8,000 to 10,000 gallons per year, all white wines and clarets. His wine has an excellent reputation, as he thoroughly understands the business, and gives his personal supervision to the manufact- ure. The portion of the ranch not in vineyard is devoted to general farming. Peter Holst is
583
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
a native of Germany, born in Schleswig-IIol- stein, April 17, 1847, his parents being Peter and Anna (Johannsen) Holst, the father a shoe- maker. Mr. Holst attended school for nine and a half years from the age of six, and then farmed for a time. In 1869 he came to Amer- ica, sailing from Hamburg to New York City, where he remained five years, employed in a packing house. From there he went to Naug- atuck, Connecticut, where he was engaged as a wheelwright for two years. He then came to California, and in 1877 located where he now resides. He has made about all the improve- ments on the place since that time. He was married in New York City to Miss Caroline Thomsen, also a native of Schleswig-Holstein. They have four children: Annie, Mary, Charles and George. Politically, Mr. Holst is a Demo- crat.
-
LAUS MEYER, of Washington Town- ship, has a ranch of sixty-five acres, on the Healdsburg and Geyserville road, a mile and a half south of the last named place. He moved on the ranch in 1879 and in 1881 became its owner by purchase. He now has thirty-five acres in vines, which range in age from three to eight years, and nearly all in bear- ing. They are Zinfandel, Riesling, Charbenau, Burgundy, Golden Chasselas, Cabernet Sauvig non, all choice varieties of wine grapes. In fruit he has about 300 trees, planted in 1885, and consisting of apples, pears and prunes. His winery, which was built in 1886, has an area of 38 x 54 feet, with walls of stone eighteen inches thick. The storage capacity approxi- mates 30,000 gallons, which is augmented by the use of a barn for the same purpose. The vintage of 1888 was about 40,000 gallons. His wine has an excellent reputation and cominands a ready sale. Claus Meyer is a native of Ger- many, born at Helmeste, three miles from Hamburg, March 24, 1849, his parents being Peter and Rebecca (Elilers) Meyer. He attended
school from the age of six to fourteen years, then followed farm work until 1873. June 27 of that year he sailed from Hamburg, bound for New York. After spending about three years employed in nurseries thirty-five miles from Sing Sing, and at Morrisiana, he came to California. Ile obtained work in the nursery business at Oakland, which engaged his atten tion most of the time until he came to Sonoma County. He was married in San Francisco to Miss Anna Lohsen, of Heyerhofen, near Bever- stedt, Germany. They have two children, Lillie and Ernest. Mr. Meyer is a man of strict busi- ness principles, and is making a success of the wine and grape industry.
ILLIAM L. KNAPP .- The subject of this sketch is among the well-known men and representative farmers of Santa Rosa Township. He is the owner of 320 acres of rich and productive land, located at the northwest corner of the Santa Rosa and Ful- ton and Redwood roads, in the Piner school dis- trict, five miles northwest of Santa Rosa, and one and three-fourth miles south of Fulton. Eighty acres of his land are devoted to the production of wine grapes of the Zinfandel, Golden Chasselas, Riesling and Beryer varie- ties. Ile also raises table grapes of several varieties, among which are the Rose of Peru, Flaming Tokay and Muscat. A fine orchard of thirty acres is producing apples, peaches, plums, French prunes and other fruit. The rest of his land is devoted to the production of hay, grain and stock-raising. Mr. Knapp was born in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, in 1828. flis father, Jonas Knapp, was also a native of that State. His mother, Mary (Whittaker) Knapp, was born in Pennsylvania. His father was a farmer, to which calling Mr. Knapp was reared until the age of eighteen years. Dnr- ing this time he attended the public schools. After leaving school he engaged as a clerk in a grocery store in Rochester, and continued that
584
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
occupation until 1852. January 1st, of that year he left New York via the Nicaragua route for California, arriving in San Francisco Febru- ary 5, of the same year. There he engaged as a teamster. Wages were good and Mr. Knapp by his industry and constant labor was soon able to purchase horses and a dray, and start in life upon his own account. He continued his oc- enpation as a drayman and teamster until 1859. He then went to Santa Cruz County, and for the next four years was engaged as a foreman and superintendent in the loading of humber into vessels bound for San Francisco and other ports. In 1863 he engaged in prospecting and mining, first locating in Nevada, where he was engaged for the next two years. He then spent one year in Idaho. From there he went to Montana, where he was engaged in the same calling for the next three years. The next four years he spent in Utah and Nevada. In 1873 he came to Sonoma County and took up his residence at Petaluma. He was married in Nevada to Miss Mary A. Burnett, the daughter of Colonel John S. Burnett, one of the early pioneers of Oregon, and a soldier of the war of 1812. The next year, in 1874, he purchased his present residence. Since that time Mr. Knapp has devoted his time to agricultural pur- snits. Mr. Knapp, by his industrious and ener- getic habits, and sound business principles, has achieved a success in his calling, and is building up one of the model farms of the county. He is a strong believer in the prosperity and- future wealth of Sonoma County, and is always ready to aid in every enterprise which he thinks will advance the interests and welfare of his see- tion. Only one child, William D., has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Knapp.
HARLES C. CHAMPLIN was born in Alexander, Genesee County, New York, March 30, 1812. His father, John Champ- lin, was a native of Rhode Island, and his mother, Osterhans, was born in New
York. Mr. Champlin was reared as a farmer upon the farm of his father, and received such an education as the common schools of that date afforded. His parents moved to Illinois in 1834, where they resided until their death at a ripe old age. In 1835 Mr. Champlin moved to Illinois and located in Will County, where he engaged in farming and stock-growing. In 1838 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Bartlett, the daughter of Robert and Versallias S. (Newton) Bartlett, who were natives of Connecticut. The subject of this sketch continued his farming operations in Illi- nois until February, 1853, when he started over- land by ox teams for the Golden State. This long and toilsome journey across the plains, deserts and mountains was accomplished in due course of time, without more than the usnal discomforts attending a journey of that charac- ter. Upon his arrival in California he located in Solano County, near Suisun, where he pur- chased land and entered upon farming and stock- growing. Mr. Champlin remained in that county until October, 1556. In that year he removed to Sonoma County, and located upon a traet of land on what is now the Sonoma and Petaluma road, in the Watmaugh school district, about four miles southwest of Sonoma, and there es- tablished a dairy, and also engaged in general farming. He still resides upon that tract of land, but has changed somewhat his occupation, tor, finding the cares of a dairy farm too bur- densome, he has of late years devoted his atten- tion more to general farming. His present farm comprises 274 acres, 100 acres of which are de- voted to hay and grain. Ten acres are in or- chard, prodneing pears, apples, quinees, peaches, apricots, plums, etc., showing that the climate and soil are well adapted for fruit culture. With the exception of a small family vineyard, the rest of his land is devoted to the pasturage of stock, among which are 125 head of Southdown sheep, and such horses and cattle as are needed for farm purposes. Ile has some fine specimens of Clydesdale and Morgan horses, of which he is justly proud. The subject of this sketch has
555
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY. .
been a resident of Sonoma County for more than thirty years, and during that time he has gained many friends, by all of whom he is greatly esteemed and respected for his manly qualities and straightforward course of life. Al- thoughi fast approaching four-score years of age he is still hale and hearty and in the full pos- session of all his mental faculties. In polities, he is Republican, taking a lively interest in the political questions of the day. From the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Champlin there are now (1888) living the following named children: Emino Sophia, who married Samnel J. Agnew (a sketch of whom appears in this work); Asa- hel Warner, who married Miss Addie Park, of San Francisco; he is residing on the old home- stead, and his wife is the matron of the State Insane Asylum at Agnew, Santa Clara County, and Mary Louisa, who married Charles Pressey, and is now residing in Washington Territory.
EORGE HALL, Superior Court reporter of Sonoma County, has been in California since the winter of 1861. He came to Sonoma County the day President Lincoln was assassinated in April. 1865. He taught school in different parts of the county three years, and in the meantime studied short-hand and law, being admitted to the practice in 1568. He then went to San Francisco. Up to the winter of 1867-'68 there was no provision for steno- graphic reporters for county courts; and Mr. Hall, conceiving the idea that they as well as the district courts ought to have them, went into the Legislature that winter with a bill, prepared by himself, authorizing county courts to employ reporters, and the bill became a law. He went to San Francisco with very strong recommenda- tions from the bench and bar of Sonoma County. and was appointed by Judge E. W. Mckinstry reporter for his court, the county court of San Francisco. Judge Mckinstry was subsequently elected district judge, and Mr. Hall followed him there. When Judge Mckinstry was
elected Supreme Judge, Mr. Hall was relieved by his successor, and was appointed to this dis- triet by Judge W. C. Wallace. He then came to Santa Rosa, but his home remained in San Francisco until this district was divided and he was appointed to the District Court by Judge Jackson Temple, and to the County Court by Judge Pressley. He then, 1877, moved to Santa Rosa. Upon the adoption of the new constitution he was appointed reporter for both departments of the Superior Court of Sonoma County, which he has since filled. Mr. Hall is a native of New York City. When in his teens he left home for California, sailing on board of a clipper ship, before the mast, consuming 120 days en route. Arriving in San Francisco he went to Oregon, where he remained three years, and there taught his first school. He left that country on account of the extreme wet weather in winter. Mr. Hall is serving his third term as a member of the city board of education, and is secretary of the board. He is a member of the Masonic order, K. of P., A. O. U. W., and Knights of Honor, and has passed through the chairs of the three latter orders. Mrs. Hall was formerly Miss Flora MeDonald, a native of Sonoma County, to whom Mr. Hall was married in 1878. Since their marriage she has studied and mastered stenography, and is deputy official court reporter, reporting in one department when both are in session. MIr. Hall is conceded to be one of the most efficient stenographers on this coast, and in his years of practice has orig- inated many new and improved features in re- porting differing from those laid down in the books.
RANK TURNER MAYNARD. - Cali- fornia owns no prouder or more honorable names among her citizens than the Argo- nauts-the men of '49, who risking everything, even life itself, landed upon her then wild shores and founded deep and wide the basis upon which she has since reared her wonderful ad-
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
vancement and prosperity. Hence it is that we never feel any hesitation in presenting the name of one of those men-too much cannot be said about them. Among this honorable list in Peta- luma is found prominently that of the gentle- man whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Lyme, Connectieat, April 26, 1832. Five years later he went with his parents to Conneaut, Ohio, and resided there, attending school and giving his extra time to work on his father's farm, until 1840, when he went to Madi- son, Indiana, and there learned the drug busi- ness in the establishment of his brother. In 1845 he accepted a position with the drug house of G. W. Norton at Lexington, Ken- tucky, where he remained for four years. Upon the news of the discovery of gold in Califor- nia flying over the land, he formed one of a company of young men who styled themselves the Kentucky and California Company. They prepared the materials for a large hotel build- ing, which they shipped along with themselves and personal baggage upon the Andalusia, which sailed from Baltimore, Maryland, April 22,1849, and arrived in San Francisco September 27 of the same year, the monotony of the voyage be- ing broken by a stop of a week at Valparaiso to revictual. Upon reaching San Francisco they erected their hotel on the corner of Kearney and Pacific streets, named it the " Graham House," and it became at once the most fashionable, as it was the finest hotel in town, having all the distinguished men of early days as guests. In June, 1850, the hotel was purchased by the city, to be used as a city hall, for the sum of $150,- 000. The terrible conflagration that swept over San Francisco two years later utterly destroyed it. After the sale of the hotel Mr. Maynard occupied himself, with the exception of the year 1853, which he spent on a visit to the East, in speculation and the investment of money until in 1861 he decided to come to Petaluma and estab- lish a drug business. From that day to this he has carried on what is considered the leading business in his line, and has a handsome and well ordered establishment on Main street that
i
would be a credit to any metropolitan city, and affords a creditable example of enterprise and correet business principles. The high personal popularity enjoyed by him and the confidence reposed in him is most elearly shown from the fact that he was eity treasurer for a period of some eight years, and has held the important office of a member of the board of education for this city continuously for over twenty-six years. It is admitted on all hands that Petaluma is excep- tionally favored in school matters, having large fine buildings and efficient teachers in all depart- ments. A full deseription of these departments is given elsewhere. Mr. Maynard was married in 1860 to Miss Mary A. Hoyer in San Fran- cisco. They have three living children: Harry HI., Eva E. and Grace Russell.
ULIUS WEGENER. There is no portion of Sonoma County that has so large a pro- portion of the German element among its representative business men and farmers and particularly among the wine producers as So- noma Valley. These energetie and skilled men of German birth brought to the new country the experience of years in wine making acquired at home, and, as all other enterprises where skill is required, it has brought forth good re- sults. The gentleman, whose name heads this sketch, is justly entitled to mention in connec- tion with the wine industry of the valley. He is the owner of ninety-seven and one-half acres of vineyard lands, located among the hills about one mile west of Glen Ellen, in the Glen Ellen school district. Forty-five aeres of this land have for years been producing wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety, which he has skillfully manufactured into first-class wine. Coming to the place in 1868, when the land was almost in the state nature had decreed, he commenced a vigorous clearing and cultivation, making the necessary building improvements as required. His success has been remarkable. A substan- tial cottage residence, large barns, etc . and a
587
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
perfectly appointed winery and wine cellars are some of the noticeable results of his efforts. Mr. Wegener's winery and cellars have a capac- ity of 30,000 gallons and he mannfactures to the full capacity every year, procuring grapes from his neighbors whenever the supply from his own vineyard proves inadequate. In con- nection with his winery, he has a distillery for the making of brandy. Although not as exten- sive as many others in the valley, he has one of the best ordered establishments to be found. His wines are always first-class and find ready sale. In addition to his wine industry he de- votes some attention to the cultivation of a large variety of fruits, including lemons and oranges, having about five acres devoted to this purpose. The rest of his land is used in pasturing stock and in producing hay. Among his stock are graded cattle, improved with Durham and Jer- sey stock. Mr. Wegener was born in Germany, October 24, 1840. He emigrated to the United States, and, soon after his arrival in New York, came to California and located in Sonoma County, where he purchased the land before de- scribed and took up his present residence. In addition to managing and improving his farm, Mr. Wegener has also been engaged in other occupations. From 1872 to 1882 he was the efficient superintendent of the ranch of Colonel George F. Ilooper. He has a large circle of friends and acquaintances in Sonoma County, and by his consistent course of life and honest business transactions he has gained the respeet of all who know him. In political matters he is a Republican, but is liberal in his views. In 1882 Mr. Wegener married Mrs. Mary Boyle. Mrs. Wegener has two children, Mary and Katie Boyle, by her former marriage, who are members of the Wegener family.
1
OLSON BROTHERS are among the en- terprising men of Mendocino Township. John and Alex Colson have a ranch of 240 acres west of Dry Creek and about four
miles from Ihealdsburg by the road. They have forty acres in wine grapes, mostly Zinfandel. The rest of the place, except that which is in timber, is devoted to general farming purposes. In 1884 they established the wine-making in- dustry on the place. The winery is 72 x48 feet in ground area, and two stories in height. They have the best machinery for their business, and employ the most approved methods of manufact- uring wine, making annually from 25,000 to 30,000 gallons and having a storage capacity for 30,000 gallons. Alex Colson, of this firm, is a native of France, born April 8, 1834, and of John Baptiste and Frances (Disset) Col- son. The father was a farmer and vineyardist, who was engaged to some extent in wine- making. Alex Colson grew to manhood in his native country, and in 1854 sailed from Havre on the steamship Carrick, bound for New Orleans, at which port he arrived after a voyage of forty-nine days. He then proceeded np the Mississippi River to St. Louis, and from there to Keokuk, Iowa. In the latter place he learned the tinsmith's trade. In 1858 he came to California via Panama, landing at San Fran- cisco from the steamer General Stephens. After remaining in the city five months, he went to the mines and was in the region of Marysville, Oroville, Yerka and Siskiyou for three years, working at his trade and mining. He then returned to San Franciseo, but soon after went to Solomon mines, where he remained from March 9th to August 4th, then returned to San Francisco again and opened a tin shop. Hle was thus engaged until 1870, at which time he came to Sonoma County and entered into partnership with George Block in the wine business, and was thus associated until 1884, when the firm of Colson Brothers commenced operations. Jolin B. Colson, of the firm of Col- son Brothers, is a native of France, born in de- partment of Haute-Saone, February 9, 1839. Ile was reared there and followed farming in his native country. In 1868 he sailed from Brest to New York, and from there proceeded to San Francisco in the fall of the same year.
588
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY.
In May, 1869, he came to Sonoma County, and has been associated with his brother Alex since that time, in ranching. and in the wine business since 1554. He was married in San Francisco to Miss Mary Pedenet, a native of France. In politics he is a Democrat. Nicho- las Colson, another brother, has a ranch near by, but is not associated in the wine business. He was born in the old family home in France, Jan- uary 2. 1528, and was there reared until he had reached the age of twenty years. On the 16th of March, 1845, he sailed from Havre to New York, at which port he arrived after a voyage of thirty-seven days. He remained in the city one week. then went to Massachusetts, and fifteen months later to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. After being engaged in the latter place four and a-half years in a saw-mill, he went to Texas. Ile next spent four months in New Orleans, six months in Nanvoo, Illinois, three years in Keo- kuk, Iowa, and six years in Van Buren County, Iowa. From the last named place he started across the plains with a wagon train, via the Salt Lake route. At Reece River he stopped two and a-half years and then continued his journey by stage to California. Mr. Colson re- sided in San Francisco four months, then rented a farm in Marin County, and in the fall of 1869 took up the place where he now resides, adjoin- ing his brothers. On this ranch he has a fine vineyard, six acres being in Zinfandel grapes and four acres in Missions. Mr. Colson's wife, a native of Germany, was formerly Miss Louisa Peper. Like his brothers, Mr. Colson affiliates with the Democratic party.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.