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 88
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H. SCHNITTGER is one of the progres- sive men of Mendocino Township. Ile has a ranch of sixty acres on Dry Creek road, eight miles distant from Healdsburg, which he purchased in 1883. Twenty acres are in vines, ranging from two to four years in age, and of the following varietie .: Gray Riesling, Franklin Riesling, Green Riesling. Burgundy, Johannisberg, Zinfandel, and Golden Chasse- las. It will thus be seen that he has kept in view the idea of progress in setting out his vineyard. In orchard he has abont nine acres, the trees ranging in age about the same as the vines. Ile has silver prunes, French prunes, yellow egg plums, late peaches, (orange cling and smoked slate), early peaches (Honest Abe, Wager, etc.), Bartlett and late pears and apples. The trees are in excellent condition, as are also the vines, and his efforts in these directions are . a credit to him. The rest of his farm is devoted to alfalfa, hay and corn. Mr. Schnittger is a native of Germany, born in the province. of Ilanover, January 18, 1844, his parents being II. and Anna (Lammers) Schnittger, both of whom are now deceased. He was reared in his native country, attending school from the age of six to fifteen years, and after that assisting his father on the farm until 1566. In that year he emigrated to America, landing at New York. Ile decided to try his fortune on the Pacific slope, and two months later was on his way to California, via the Panama route. He landed at San Francisco October 13, 1866. and became connected with the grocery trade, in which he was interested until coming to this county, the last twelve years being in business for himself.
John Wiley.
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He was married in San Francisco to Miss Emma Meyer, a native of Germany. She died in this city. His present wife was formerly Friedericke Hahn, a native of Hanover. They have two children-Arnold Frederick and Johann Hein- rich. Mr. Schnittger made his start in life since coming to California, and now enjoys a high reputation for integrity.
OHN W. WILEY. - No history of Analy Township or of Sonoma County could be considered complete without a mention of the pioneer whose name heads this sketch. Besides his long residence of over thirty-eight years, his connection with, and pioneer efforts in establishing the fruit industry in this county has made his name known throughout the county, but more especially in Analy and Santa Rosa townships. His residence in Green Valley is in one of the finest fruit-growing sections of Sonoma County, if not in the State of California. And he has done more than any other man in the county in establishing this fact. Nearly thirty- five years ago Mr. Wiley entered into fruit cultivation in Green Valley, at a time when it was not considered suitable for anything but agricultural purposes, and he has ever since been the leader in introducing new varieties. The famous Wiley cling peach was propagated by him in 1880. The seed of this peach origi- nally came from Virginia, but it was under his skillful and intelligent cultivation that the present magnificent peach that bears his name has been produced. A brief resume of . Mr. Wiley's life herewith given is of interest. Ile was born in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, November 5, 1830. Ilis father, Levi Wiley, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was one of the carly pioneers of Ohio. Ile located at what is now the flourishing city of Columbus and the capital of a great State, when it was only a wilderness, and he was there engaged in con- strueting the first house ever built in that place. He lived to be over 100 years of age,
dying in 1878. Mr. Wiley's mother was a Miss Elizabeth Legg, a native of Virginia, who married his father in Ohio. The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm until fourteen years of age, his schooling facilities during this time being merely nominal. At that early age Mr. Wiley displayed the charac- teristic energy and ambition that have carried him successfully through so many trials in after life. He purchased his time from his father, paying $100 per year until he reached the age of twenty-one. He commenced life upon his own account by farm labor and other occupa- tions, and despite being hampered by paying for his time, before reaching the age of nineteen years was the owner of a farm. Mr. Wiley made three trips to the West, first in 1848, when he went to Santa Fe, and second to Chi- huahua in 1849. Then came the gold fever of 1849, and it struck Mr. Wiley with its full foree, and as soon as he could arrange his affairs he started in the spring of 1850, for the new El Dorado. Young, aetive and ambitious, he started, across the plains, seeuring the only occupation available, and that was the driving of an ox team. The trip was one of toil and hardship for him at least, for of the hundreds of miles of this journey he walked and drove an ox team all but eighteen miles. He arrived at Placerville August 20, 1850, and immediately commenced mining operations, but he was bro- ken in health, and after four weeks' trial was compelled to abandon the search for wealth in that occupation. That same fall he came to Sonoma County and located in Green Valley. Here he purchased from 1. W. Sullivan 222 acres of land in what is now the Green Valley school district, six miles northwest of Sebasto- pol. In 1858 he sold 150 acres of this land to Isaiah Thomas, retaining the rest, upon which he has sinee devoted himself to clearing and culti- vating, until now he has one of the finest farms in the valley. Ilis orchard contains sixteen acres, eleven of which are in peaches, a fruit which, as before stated, Mr. Wiley has devoted years in perfecting. The rest of his
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orchard contains varieties of nearly all fruits grown in Green Valley. Ten acres are in Zin- fandel wine grapes, fifteen acres contain a large variety of the most approved and productive table grapes, and the rest of his farm is devoted to hay, grain, and stock purposes, except such lands as are produeing eorn, potatoes, etc. Mr. Wiley is also the owner of forty aeres of valuable timber land two miles west of his home farm. In 1849, while driving a government team Mr. Wiley was shot by an Indian with a poisoned arrow. In 1866 a saw-log rolling on him broke seven ribs in his left side, three in his right side and his collar bone. In 1983 he again received severe injuries by the gin pole of a pile driver falling on and crushing his right foot, and in 1586 his right leg was broken by being run over with his wagon which was loaded with oats. Again in 1887, when jumping from his wagon he fell on his right arm, breaking it. Mr. Wiley is an enthusiast over the future prospects of the beautiful valley in which he lives, and is ever ready to aid in all movements that tend to advance its interests and the welfare of the community. He is a member of Sebastopol Lodge, No. 161. I. O. O. F. Always taking a deep interest in his district, he has served for some time as one of the school trustees, and also as road master. In 1855 Mr. Wiley was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Ann White, a native of Chicago, Illinois. She is the step- daughter of J. A. Steel, of Sonoma County. From this marriage there are nine ehildren living, viz: Lewella A., wife of Victor Piezzi, resident of Sonoma County; Jolin M., who married Miss Hattie Parmeter; Elizabeth, wife of S. M. Thomas, of Sonoma County; William N., Laura M., Lillie Arria, Minnie H., Warren D. and James Earle.
WEN MICCHRISTIAN was born in Rochester, New York, in 1840. and has spent nearly all his life in California. His parents, Patrick and Mary (Church) Mc-
Christian, came across the plains to California in 1845. His father was a native of Down County, Ireland, and when but fifteen years of age emigrated to the United States, and located in Rochester, New York, where he grew to man's estate, and married. After his marriage, in 1831, he moved to Perry County, Ohio, re- maining there until 1843. He then moved to Missouri and settled in Andrew Connty, and in 1845 came to California. He located in Napa County, where he remained until 1848, when he came to Sonoma County, and settled in Green Valley. He purchased 452 acres of land from Jasper O'Farrell, upon which he resided until his death. The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm until the age of twelve years. At this early age he started ont in life upon his own account,and engaged in herding stock and other farm labor. He continued this occupation in Sonoma and adjoining counties until 1862. In this year, during the Salmon River mining excitement, he took a band of twenty-five horses, with saddle equipments, to Oregon, and established a saddle train for the transportation of travelers from the Dalles to the John Day River and Salmon River mines. After conducting this enterprise for some months, he disposed of his train, and engaged in mining, which he followed for about three years. He then returned to Sonoma County, and engaged in stock-raising at Cloverdale, after which he went to Enreka, Humboldt County, and was extensively engaged in the same business until 1872. In that year he took a band of 420 horses across the plains to Omaha, being five months on the route. Disposing of a portion of them at that point, he took the rest as far east as Illinois, then went to Con- nectient, where he spent the winter. In 1873 returned to Sonoma County, and settled on a portion of the old homestead in Green Valley. In 1874 he married Miss Susie Smith, the daughter of Hezekiahı Smith, of Iowa. She came to California in 1873. Since 1873 Mr. MeChristian has devoted his attention to farm- ing and stock-raising. He is the owner of a
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fine tract of land, 290 acres in extent, located in the Spring Hill school district in Green Valley, about two and one-half miles northwest of Se- bastopol. Twenty acres of this land are in orchard, producing apples, peaches, pears and plums, eighty acres are devoted to the growing of hay and grain, and the balance is used for stock purposes. Among his stock are about sixty head of Merino and Southdown sheep. He also pays considerable attention to the rais- ing of draft horses, and has some fine specimens of Norman horses. Mr. McChristian is a pub- lic spirited and progressive citizen. His suc- cess in life is to be attributed more to his native wit and natural good sense, than to any educa- tional facilities he had in early life. He is a school trustee in his district, and takes a deep interest in the public schools. Politically he is a Democrat, but is very liberal and conservative in his views. Ile is a member of the Lafayette Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., of Sebastopol, also of Rebecca Degree Lodge, No. 44, I. O. O. F. Both he and his wife are members of the Sebas- topol lodge of Chosen Friends. Mr. and Mrs. MeChristian have five living children, William, Owen E., Cecil G., Pearl and Chloe.
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ON. H. W. BYINGTON .- In every com- munity there are always found some few men, who, in virtue either of their talents, their energy or their position, achieve an emi- mence not enjoyed by their fellow citizens, and become, in the eyes of the world, representative of their section. The placing upon record of the life history of these men-the leaders of their age and country-is a duty laid upon the contemporary historian, and should be accom- plished as fully as may be, for the two-fold purpose of ensuring the preservation of some of the best phases of our national progress, and of proving a means for the instruction and encour- agement of succeeding generations. This is of peculiar value in California for the reason that her history is unique among all countries of the
globe, for the variety, change, incident and the unconquerable diligence and enterprise of her sons. This is true chiefly, it should be stated further, of her pioneers, the men who came in the early days and in the face of the greatest difficulties, and frequently in spite of them, earved out of a barren wilderness, a success that the world has never seen before. It is hence with no feeling of apology that we present herewith a few facts connected with the history of Hon. II. W. Byington, a gentleman whose name has become known across the country as one of the Golden State's most talented, ener- getic, successful and representative sons, one who would have been in the lead wherever his lot was cast, and who has made noble use of the opportunities afforded him here. Mr. Byington was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, December 1. 1828. From his parents he re- ceived nothing to pave his way to easy fortune save alone that best heritage of man-a sound frame coupled with intense energy, economy and the strietest rectitude. He is of Puritan stock, that firmest root of the American people, and from his ancestors derives the peculiar qualities that have set him in the front, although to reach there he has had to fight his way against the greatest odds. At twelve years of age, when most boys think only of play, he was thrown upon his own resources, and has had. from that early age, only himself to depend upon. As a natural consequence his opportuni- tics for schooling were limited. The education gained from experience and a knowledge of the world have been made the most of, however, and by negleeting no opportunity to improve himself Colonel Byington is fitted to adorn any society, and moves with freedom in every circle. In 1842 he became an apprentiee to a clock-maker, learned the business and carried it on until the year 1849. Like so many others in that year, he could not withstand the tempt- ing chances of the wonderful stories of gold on this distant western shore that were flying thick and fast over the country, and determined to test their truth in person. Even at that time.
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although but twenty years of age, his business taet and splendid executive ability were already appreciated. One of the organizers, he became the prime mover in the " Brothers Mining and Trading Company," of New Haven, Connecti- cut, which was formed to make the journey to this State, young Byington being one of the first directors, and a leading figure, although the company comprised men of ages ranging as high as sixty years, and he was one of the youngest. He had contrived, by rigid economy, in saving $300 from the small wages of the time (when he first began clock-making he was paid only twenty-five cents a day), and this he contributed to the undertaking. They pur- chased the new bark, John Walls, Jr., and navigated her "around the Horn" to San Francisco, reaching there safely, after an un- eventful voyage, on Jannary 1, 1850. Mr. Byington never missed an opportunity in his life. He took advantage of the flush times to turn an honest penny by the sale of three pairs of boots he had brought with him from the ! East, where they had cost him 812. He sold them for $50, $100, and 890 a pair respectively. This simple faet illustrates admirably the tre- mendously inflated priees of those flush days. The first position he held in San Franeiseo was in the office of the county surveyor, under the late William M. Eddy. Later, he embarked in the mercantile business in the city of Saera- mento, being the senior member of the firm of Byington, Clark & Co. Returning to San Franeiseo, he opened a wood and coal yard and carried on a successful business until 1860. He then engaged in the livery business, and con- tinued it upon an extensive scale until the year 1875. In that year, desiring to find a more favorable location, he visited every part of the State, and after a thorough investigation re- moved to Santa Rosa, sinee which time he has been actively identified with the best interests of that portion of California. Before dismissing this period of Mr. Byington's life, we must mention several incidents of the greatest inter- est. It was by a far-sighted investment in San
Francisco real estate that he obtained his first big lift to financial independenee. While he was in the surveyor's office he purchased eighty aeres of land in the then outskirts of the eity, out among the sand hills. For it he paid 81,000, and was well laughed at by his friends for his folly. "Hle laughs best who langhs last," however, and when he sold it in 1860 for 845,000, the laugh was the other way. This is the tract now familiarly known as the " Bying- ton Tract." and is to-day worth millions. During the tronblous times of 1856, when the vigilance committee was organized and the en- tire community of San Francisco were exeited and a state of chaos existed, Mr. Byington, who belonged to a cavalry company known as the " National Lancers," then under command of Captain Thomas Hlayes, inspired by a sense of duty obeyed the order of his superior officer, under the direction of the governor of the State, and allied himself with what was then termed the "law and order " forees. Of all the State militia or volunteer companies the " National Laneers" were the only company whose arms were not surrendered to the vigilantes. Although Mr. Byington felt that the organiza- tion of a vigilance committee was a necessity to eradieate many growing evils in San Francisco, he believed it to be his first duty to maintain the laws of the State, to whom he, as an officer, had sworn allegianee. In this position Mr. Byington was consistent, as he was in a later period of our country's history, when insurrec- tion acerued and he again stood loyal to his country and faithful to the trust reposed in him. It was in San Francisco, also, that Mr. Bying- ton began to take that active and intelligent interest in polities by which he has been always characterized. In 1869 he received the nomina- tion on the Republican tieket for a member of the State Legislature. It was a period of disas- ter, however, as the entire legislative ticket was defeated. Having settled in Santa Rosa in 1875, Mr. Byington immediately engaged in business and opened a livery stable, buying the lot on Fourth street, adjoining the Occidental
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Hotel on the west. Here he erected commodi- ous stables, which stood until swept away by the fire of May, 1885. Ile immediately rebuilt, but in a more substantial manner, putting up the elegant Byington brick block, 120 x 200 feet in dimensions, two stories in height and of a light and graceful style of architecture. The fine livery stable now owned and controlled by his sons under the firm name of the Byington Brothers, is 80 x 200 feet in area, and probably has no superior in the State in the matter of equipment and accommodation. Mr. Byington has long been a leading figure in the politics of this State, and is recognized as a man of power and unusual ability. Until 1860 he was a Douglas Democrat, but upon the breaking ont of the war of the Rebellion, when the life of the nation was threatened, he joined the Union party and became a pronounced and active Re- publiean, and as such took a prominent part in San Francisco, as has been already mentioned. When he first settled in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County was almost entirely Democratie, and the few Republicans had alinost given up heart and abandoned the fight. With his characteris- tic energy, however, Mr. Byington set himself to remedy matters. In the campaign of 1876, under his leadership, the Republicans mustered their forces and made a vigorous and successful contest, and for the first time showed the ruling party that it could not longer have things its own way. In 1884 a well-fought and aggres- sive contest was conducted under the general- ship of Mr. Byington with the result that, for the first time in its history, Sonoma County went Republican, giving Blaine, the Presiden- tial candidate, a majority of 100. Mr. Byington was himself a candidate for Senator. He bent all his energies, however, toward the head of the ticket and for protection. Ile sneeeeded in his undertaking, only to suffer defeat himself by a very few votes. In the spring of 1888 he was chosen by his party as their standard bearer in the municipal election and became mayor of Santa Rosa by a handsome majority, being the first Republican ever elected to that office. He
was chosen to represent the first congressional district in this State at the national convention assembled in Chicago, which nominated General Ilarrison for President. In this he served with honor and distinction. As an indication of his political sagaeity and judicious discrimination it may be stated that in his speech at the recep- tion tendered him on his return by his fellow citizens, he predicted that Harrison would be elected and would carry not only every North- ern State, but the Pacific coast as well. In business matters Mr. Byington is broad minded and progressive, quick to see a favorable oppor- tunity and prompt to take advantage of it. In public matters, as has been already stated, he has always taken a prominent part, devoting no little of his time, his means and his business energies to the forwarding of all undertakings that looked toward the general welfare. Ile formed one of the little band of five or six men who inaugurated the movement to organize the California State Board of Trade, and it was at his suggestion that the appropriate name it bears was adopted. Ile was elected and is now, at time of writing, serving as vice-president of that body, and is one of its most active and efficient members. The work accomplished by the State Board of Trade is one of the very greatest importance, as it is opening the eyes of the world to the unparalleled climatic and other advantages, and the enormous and as yet bnt partially developed resources of California. Mr. Byington was also one of the organizers of the Santa Rosa Board of Trade, and was elected its first president. At the present moment the name of Mr. Byington is being urged by the Republicans and other citizens of this State for the honorable and responsible appointment of Surveyor of the Port of San Francisco, as one of the first steps to be taken by President Harri- son under the coming administration. For this post he is eminently well fitted by every con- sideration, as his life training has been in business and commerce, and his knowledge of men is comprehensive. We shall be grieviously surprised if we do not hear of his appointment
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very soon after the inauguration. Personally, he is a gentleman of captivating appearance; a speaker of clear and forcible oratory; an able ! organizer, and an excellent presiding officer. In all his relations with his fellow men he is candid, ontspoken and free from evasiveness or affecta- tion; but is conservative and considerate of the opinions and feelings of those who are of oppos- ing political faith, conducting his contests upon broad and liberal principles, and numbering among his most ardent and effusive personal friends some who are most stoutly opposed politically. Mr. Byington is married to an English lady, whose maiden name was Gordon. They have been blessed with a family of three children, two of whom are sons and one a daughter.
OHN TYLER CAMPBELL is a native of Bowling Green, Pike County, Missouri, where he was born September 9, 1843. He attended the common schools of his native town and two years at McGee College, Macon City, Missouri. When the Civil war broke out in 1861 he joined the Union army and attained to the rank of Captain in the Thirty-second Missouri Infantry Volunteers, and participated with the command in the leading battles of the West, including Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, and the Georgia campaign. He was appointed Major of the Fifty-second Regiment of Mis- sonri Infantry, but the war closed before the regiment was mustered into the service. After the war he studied law and located in Kansas City, where he was elected prosecuting attorney. Removing to California in 1875 he settled in Santa Rosa, where he has since resided. Ile was city attorney for two terms, and was elected a member of the Legislature of California, serv- ing in the sessions of 1833 and 1854 as speaker pro tem. of the House. In 1886 he was ap- pointed American consul to New Zealand, and in 1888 he was appointed consul to Foo Chow, China, one of the most important positions in
the foreign service. Referring to him the Santa Rosa Republicun said: "Judge Campbell is an able lawyer, an exemplary citizen, and has in private life won the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is a good, pure, excellent man of singularly genial nature and correct deportment. At the bar he has the respect and kindly regard of all his professional brethren and the confidence and esteem of the bench. He is a pleasing orator and is honored throughout the county, and in Santa Rosa, where his home has been, he is trusted and liked by all classes." The subject of this notice deserves even a more glowing enlogy than the foregoing one from the Santa Rosa papers. He is a fine lawyer, ranking with the ablest lawyers that have ever practiced at the Santa Rosa bar. He is clear, methodical and learned, and in the preparation of his plead- ings, briefs and papers in general, is a model. Wherever he is known he exerts a commanding influence. With a fine presence, a singular sweetness of temper and a most captivating address, he attaches people to him, and his com- panionship is sought and prized. As a legisla- tor he took at once a high standing. grasping the situation almost intuitively and bringing into play his great resources, apparently with- out any effort, in accomplishing the end in view. As presiding officer of the Assembly, in the absence of the Speaker, he evinced great knowledge of parliamentary law. was clear, em- phatic and at the same time suave in his decis- ions, so that even an adverse ruling caused no bitterness of feeling in any heart. He is charming in social intercourse, and the delight of the fireside circle. Being comparatively a young man, with high moral promptings and a laudable ambition, he is destined to rise much higher in his professional and political aspira- tions. He is warm hearted and never deserts a friend. Confidence in him is never misplaced. In a word, few better men have ever lived in Sonoma County than the Hon. John Tyler Campbell, and few are better qualified to add additional laurels to her fair renown in any civil capacity to which he may be called by the
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