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 91

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 91

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ETER N. STOFEN .- The subject of this sketch has the past twenty-five years been one of Sonoma Valley's active, enterpris- ing, public-spirited citizens. He dates his birth in the Duchy of Holstein, now a part of the German Empire, May 29, 1836, son of Wilken and Catherine Stofen. When seventeen years of age, in company with his brother, John J. Stofen, two years older than himself, he left the old home, and as sailor lads they shipped be- fore the mast, and started in life for themselves as sailors on a merchant vessel. They reached San Francisco in 1856. Bidding farewell to

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ocean life they went to Tuolumne County and engaged with fair snecess in mining until 1861, when, returning to San Francisco, they found employment until June, 1963. Then they located at Embarcadero, or San Luis as it is perhaps more properly called. There in eo- partnership they became the owners of 190 acres of land, and established what is known as Stofen's Landing, on Sonoma Creek, and became actively engaged in the carrying and passenger trade between Sonoma Valley and San Fran- cisco. Each of the brothers built for himself a fine cottage home, which was soon surrounded by shade and ornamental trees. A portion of their land was devoted to fruit culture, but the greater part was devoted to general purposes. The shipping business grew with the produc- tions of the valley and became large and Inera- tive, necessitating the building of four ware houses and the owning of several schooners and barges; finally the steamer Sonoma, owned by the brothers, was placed in the trade in 1574. The Stofen brothers were widely known, and for their energy and honorable dealing and enterprise in meeting all demands upon them in a business way, will always be well and far- orably remembered. The advent of the Sonoma Valley Railroad commenced the period of de- cline in the water carrying trade of the valley's products. Still the business is kept up, two vessels being employed in making regular trips to San Francisco. John J .- Stofen now resides in San Francisco and is the master of the gov- ernment steamer. General McDowell. Peter N. Stofen, whose name heads this sketch, was united in marriage November 9, 1575, with Miss Dora Thiesson, who was also born in the Duchy of Holstein. She has resided in California since sixteen years of age. They have two children, Meta and William. Mrs. Stofen is a enltured lady, much respected by all who know her. She is the worthy matron of the " Valley of the Moon " Chapter, No. Số, Eastern Star, a Masonic organization. Mr. Stofen is also a member of the same organiza- tion, and of Temple Lodge, No. 14. F. & A. M ..

having served the lodge as secretary, senior and junior warden. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W., No. 168, Pueblo Lodge, and of the Master Mariners Benevolent Association, of San Francisco. Mr. Stofen's parents and a younger brother, Herman W., now a resident of San Francisco, also an older sister, Mrs. Mar- garet Stademan, now a resident of Embarcadero, joined him in 1870. Both of his parents lived to a ripe age, his mother dying in 1883, aged seventy-eight years, and his father dying De- cember 6, 1856, aged eighty-six years. He was remarkably strong physically and mentally to the last. and died of heart disease, without a moment's sickness. November 6, 1888. Mr. Stofen was honored by the votes of Sonoma County, by being elected county treasurer, on the Democratic tieket, by a vote flattering and complimentary to himself. Since his taking possession of the office he has been a resident of Santa Rosa. His many warm friends in So- noma Valley and otherwheres prediet for him an honorable career as a public officer.

OBERT W. BELL, proprietor of the Santa Rosa nurseries, snecessor to Luther Bur- bank, is a native of Britain, but resided in Canada for twenty years prior to 1877, when he came to Santa Rosa. He afterward removed to Napa Valley and spent some time there en- gaged in fruit enlture, returning to Santa Rosa in September, 1885. In April, 1888, he pur- chased the Santa Rosa nurseries from Mr. Bur- bank. These nurseries were established by Mr. Burbank ten years ago, and since that time have gained a State, and even a national reputa- tion. The trees from these nurseries are free from the insect pests which affect nurseries in many parts of the State. They are grown without irrigation, and hence are much better rooted than those produced by the irrigation method. Mr. Bell has made fruit culture a study for a large part of his life, and is passion- ately fond of his chosen ealling. Besides the

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grounds on Tupper street, he has lately added twenty-two and one-half acres of choice sedi- ment land, well adapted to the nursery busi- ness, and located one mile west of the city. Being entirely isolated from other orchards he can guard against insect pests that might be propagated by shiftless neighbors; and the land being new, will produce healthy, vigorous trees, thus enabling him to maintain the enviable reputation which these nurseries already pos- sess. Mr. Bell is determined to earn and de- serve a reputation for reliability which is so essential in this business, where dishonesty cannot be detected for some years. He employs a foreman, who was for many years foreman for Mr. Burbank. He expects to have over a mill. ion of fruit, shade'and ornamental trees and plants for the season of 1889-'90, and, as busi- hess may demand, will continue to enlarge liis nurseries. May his shadow never grow less.

-40 RTHUR L. WHITNEY & CO .- The above named firm, one of the largest, if not the largest grocers, shippers and commission merchants in the city of Petaluma, consists of A. L. and C. E. Whitney. The business was first started by A. P. Whitney and I. D. Cross, who remained together about oue year, when Mr. Cross sold his interest to George Lamoreaux, and the business continued under the firm name of Whitney & Lamoreanx. About a year later Mr. Whitney became the sole proprietor and remained alone for some time when I. T. Fairbanks purchased an interest and the firm became Whitney & Fairbanks. This partner- ship lasted about a year and a half, when Mr. Whitney again became the sole proprietor and continued as such up to the time of his death in 1884, when his sons, A. L. and C. E. Whit- ney succeeded to the business and the name changed to what it now is. Their business in San Francisco, under the firm name of C. E. Whitney & Co., dairy produce and provisions, corner of California and Davis streets, is one of

the largest in that city, and is a solid, substan- tial house. Arthur L. Whitney, the manager of the house in Petaluma, was born in Kingston, Minnesota, May 26, 1858. Ile came to Peta- Inma with his mother and the family in 1861, his father, A. P. Whitney, being here at that time, having come in the fall of 1858. Arthur was reared in Petaluma, attended the public schools of that city, and graduated May 26, 1876. He next entered the University of Cali- fornia at Berkeley, and graduated from that institution June 2, 1880, receiving the degree Ph. B., also just before graduating, received the commission as Captain of the University Corps of Cadets. After a short course at Heald's Business College he returned to Petaluma and entered the employ of his father, with whom he remained two years, when he went to San Fran- cisco and became associated in business with his brother under the firm name of C. E. Whitney & Co. lIe remained there until his father's death in 1884, when he assumed the manage- ment of the business in Petaluma under the name of Arthur L. Whitney & Co., at the same time retaining his interest in the firm in San Francisco. Mr. Whitney is a Knight Templar, belonging to Mt. Olivet Commandery, No. 20, of Petaluma. He was united in marriage No- vember 23, 1882, with Anna B. St. John, step- daughter of E. Denman, president of the Bank of Sonoma County. They have two sons- Arthur St. John and Leslie Denman.

BON. ROBERT HOWE .- The subject of this sketch is well known in California's business and political circles, having been over a third of a century identified with the State, and at the present time one of the most active and progressive men of Sonoma County. It is fitting that more than a passing mention of him should be made in this historical work. A brief review of his life gives the following facts: lle was born in the city of New York, October 23, 1831, and was educated and reared

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in that city. In February, 1853, he embarked for California, via the Isthinus route. From Panama, on the old steamer Tennessee, he was a passenger bound for San Francisco. The ill- starred steamer was destined never to reach her destination, for March 6. in a dense fog, she lost her reckonings and ran ashore at Tagus beach, Bolinas Bay, Marin County, at a point ever since known as Tennessee Cove. The passen - gers and their effects were all saved. The first nine years of Mr. Howe's residence in California were spent in mining in Tuolumne County. He then returned to New York City and remained in the East until 1856, when, returning to this State, he again made his home in Tuolumne County. In that county, in 195S, he was elect- ed on the Democratic ticket to the Assembly of the State, and in 1859 was re-elected. In 1859 Mr. Howe was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ellen Hammond, who was born in the State of Tennessee, but from girlhood was reared in California. In 1862 Mr. Howe became a resident and an active business man of San Francisco and one of the city's leading public men. As one of the firm of J. W. Gale & Co., commission merchants, he engaged in business on Davis Street. In 1869 the firm became Howe & IIall. Many years this well-known firm did an extensive business with correspond- ents in many different parts of the Pacific coast. The firm was dissolved in 1882, Mr. Ilowe, however, continuing the business until January 1, 1884. In 1873, when San Francisco elected twelve members of the Assembly at large, or upon one ticket, Mr. Howe was a nominee upon the Democratic ticket, and the only one on the ticket of twelve who was elected, a fact the mere statement of which is a great compliment to him. In 1875 he was elected one of the city's representatives in the State Senate, serv- ing four years to the satisfaction of his con- stituents, during which time he aeted upon many important committees, and was chairman on the committee on commerce and navigation. In 1872 Mr. Howe and his partner, Mr. Hall, bought 100 acres of choice valley land, two miles

south of the old historic town of Sonoma, in this county, and at once commenced its im- provement. From time to time they added to this purchase until they owned an estate of nearly 400 acres. This property was equally divided by the partners in 1885, Mr. Howe having the year previous established his home upon the portion he now owns. .. Eden Dale," the name of this place, is one of the finest rural properties to be found in Sonoma County. The estate of 200 acres is under a high state of cul- tivation, and all in orchard or vineyard, seventy- . five acres being devoted to deciduons fruits, including twenty aeres planted with quince trees, the largest quince orchard in the United States. This orchard was planted by Mr. Howe in 1977. The crop of quinees for 1887 was fully 175 tons. Peaches and pears form a large portion of the annual production, 3,000 boxes of pears being marketed in 1987. The elegant residence. commodious, substantial, furnished and finished with regard only to comfort and convenience, was erected in 1879. All the building improvements are noticeably good and all help to make " Elen Dale" a charming pic- ture of a delightful rural home. Sonoma Creek passes from the north to the south through the estate, and upon its banks near the southern boundary of the property, stands a historie building, erected in the early days, before Cali- fornia was a State. It is 40 x 40 feet, and is a story and a half high. It is substantially built of hewed square timber and hewed boards, and originally had not a nail, spike, or iron of any kind in any of its parts. In the old time it was used as a flour-mill, but is now occupied by men in the employ of Mr. Howe. The public career of Mr. Howe was not ended with his coming to So- noma County. November 6, 1888, he was elected to the Assembly from the Twenty-fifth Assembly district, by a vote peculiarly complimentary to him. Generally voting Republican the district gave him a handsome majority and elected him by a vote exceeding the vote for the Democratic electoral ticket of nearly 100, and upon the organization of the Assembly he was elected its

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Speaker, an office in which he served with con- spicuous and marked ability. Mr. Howe is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a member of Unity Lodge, and of Oriental Encampment of San Francisco. Hav- ing passed the chairs of his lodge, he is a member of the Grand Lodge of the State. Val- ley Lodge of San Francisco, A. O. U. W., the largest in America, numbering over 1,000, also claims him as a member. The names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ilowe, in order of their birth, are: Mary, wife of Charles Wanga- man; Lydia, wife of Asa Wangaman; Nellie, Dora, Zarifa and Robert.

RRIN HOWELL .- The subject of this sketch was born in Delaware County, New York, January 15, 1839, where he resided nntil 1857, in which year he emigrated, by way of Panama, to California, arriving at San Francisco in August of the same year. Ile engaged at once as clerk in a wholesale grocery store. This occupation he followed about eighteen months. He then clerked for J. H. Whiton & Co., in Cloverdale, Sonoma County. for the same length of time. We next find him in Humboldt County, where he remained until 1862, when he removed to Mendocino County, and, after remaining there two years, he went to Oregon, where he remained for over a year. Ilc then returned to San Francisco, and in 1868 he again took up his residence in Mendocino County, at Hopland, where he resided until 1886. He then removed to Sonoma County, and opened a grocery store at Santa Rosa, in the Atheneum building, in partnership with A. Bryant, the firm name being Howell & Bryant. Mr. Howell is now a member of the Santa Rosa city council, and an active and energetic man in all matters of public concern to Santa Rosa and the county at large. May 11, 1871, Mr. Howell was united in marriage with Miss Liz- zie, daughter of S. M. Brooks, of San Fran- cisco, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, Sep-

tember 14, 1847. The result of this union is six children, two daughters and four sons. Clara was born March 14, 1872; John, November 9, 1874; Walter, March 9, 1877; Frank, January 31, 1879; Eva, February 4, 1881; and Fred., March 31, 1884. Mr. Howell is a man of high standing in the community in which he lives and is a genuine type of the self-made man.

ENRY WINKLE .- Winkle's vineyard two and one-half miles east of Sonoma, consists of 110 acres, and, although not the largest, is one of the best improved proper- ties in Sonoma Valley or Sonoma County. Mr. Winkle's fine cottage residence is approached by an avenue leading north from the Sonoma and Napa road, nearly 400 rods of the avenue being shaded by Lombardy poplars. Mr. Winkle purchased the property and commenced its further improvement in 1869, he being at that time a resident of San Francisco. In 1876 he established his residence upon it, since which time his almost undivided attention has been given to its care and development. His wine cellar, a model in architecture and equipment, was erected at a cost of $20,000, in 1871. His distillery, a building also perfect in all its appointments, was erected in 1873. Water for use in all his establishments and grounds sur- rounding is piped in abundance from wells in the neighboring hills. The reader will under- stand something of the excellence of this ranch, when told that it represents an investment of nearly $80,000. Mr. Winkle dates his birth in IIesse Cassel, Germany, March 10, 1821, and is the son of William Winkle. He was reared to an agricultural life, and given good educational advantages. Resolving upon emigrating to the United States, he landed at New York City in the winter of 1840. There he learned the baker's trade, and remained in that city until the autumn of 1843, going thence to Florida, where he engaged one year in the hotel busi- ness. From there he went to Fort Gaines,

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Georgia, and spent two years in the bakery business. In 1846 he returned to Pensacola, Florida, where he remained until 1849, engaged in a bakery and grocery. In October of the latter year he came, via the Panama route, to San Francisco, arriving in March, 1850, having spent three months in Panama. IIe located in Sacramento, opened a bakery and coffee restaurant and also engaged in the real estate business. No- vember 2, 1852, the whole city of Sacramento was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Winkle was a heavy loser. He rebuilt shortly after, with enormous expense for material, and one month later in December. 1852, and January. 1553. the city was overflooded, so people had to move into the second story of their buildings, and Mr. Winkle was financially ruined, property decreasing in value to fifteen and twenty cents on the dollar. In 1854 he went to San Francisco, and on the cor- ner of Vallejo and Battery streets, opened " Winkle's Bakery," where he conducted a large business until 1871. Later he became engaged in the wine and liquor business. It should be further stated, in connection with the enter- prises with which Mr. Winkle has been con- nected, that he manufactured the first cement made on this coast. During his residence in San Francisco the buying and selling of real estate made no small part of his business, in fact, he is yet the owner of quite large specula- tive interests. His wife, Mrs. Emma (Steude- man) Winkle, is a lady of German birth.

ILLIAM G. RACKLIFF has a ranch of sixty-eight acres on Dry Creek, seven miles from Healdsburg. Twelve acres are in grapes, consisting of Zinfandel, Mataro, Malvoise, and a few Mission, the vines ranging in age from two to three years. Ile has three acres of peaches and French prunes, two years old, and a small orchard of old trees. Mr. Rackliff was born in Sonoma County, March 28, 1862, his parents being Peter K. and Lucinda (Higgins) Rackliff. Peter K. Rackliff

was born in Lincolnville, Maine, and was a school teacher. Ile came to California, via Panama, early in the 50's, locating at Petaluma and teaching there and in that neighborhood for several years. He removed to Dry Creek in 1861, and after that followed farming as well as teaching. His wife was also a native of Maine. They were married in Lincolnville, Maine, in 1848. Mr. Rackliff died in May, 1871, and his wife in June, 1885. They had six children, of whom three are living, viz .: Eugene, Ella, wife of Will Litton, and William G., the subject of this sketch. The father was a Republican, and a member of the Masonic lodge of Healdsburg. William G. Rackliff was reared in the locality where he now resides, attending the schools of his neighborhood and Healdsburg for nine years. Hle has been at his present location since 1876. Mr. Rackliff is a member of Healdsburg Parlor, N. S. G. W., and, like his father before him, is a staunch Re- publican.

EONIDAS J. CRALLE was born April 12, 1818, in Campbell County, Virginia, his parents being Lindsey and Nancy (Rosser) Cralle, both natives of Virginia. His father was a descendant of a French family who came to Virginia at an early date. He died when Leonidas was but four years of age. The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer until the age of eighteen years, at the same time receiving such an education as the public schools afforded. In his young manhood he took the sole charge of his mother's farm, where he be- came versed in all the practical duties of farm operations. Between the ages of eighteen and twenty years he took a course in a private high school. He made rapid progress, and later entered upon the study of law in the office of his brother-in-law, Edwin Bolton. In 1842 he moved to Union County, Kentucky, where he was admitted to the bar and practiced law until 1849. In that year he came overland to Cali-

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fornia. arriving here September 9, 1849. Mr. Cralle was almost penniless upon his arrival, but with his characteristic pluck he started as a miner on the Feather River. As an illustration of Mr. Cralle's speculative tendencies, and the manner in which business was conducted in the mines in the old times, the following is of in- terest. The second day after his arrival in the mines (his first day's "clean up" gave him thirty-seven eents), a man who was working a elaim hailed him and asked him if he did not want to buy him out. Mr. Cralle's financial status was such that he considered this proposition as merely amounting to an insult, and so told the claim-holder; but the man meant business, and after some talk over prospects, agreed to sell him the claim, tools and tent for about $1,300, and give him three days in which to pay for it. This verbal bargain was soon elosed. Mr. Cralle hired a man and went with him into that elaim, and in three days took out enough gold to pay for it. This same claim afterward yielded him several thousand dollars. Mr. Cralle conducted his mining operations with varying snecess until 1854. He then located at Oakland, where he purchased 160 aeres of land, and engaged in farming. He also entered into the practice of law at Oakland. In 1858 he moved to Fresno County, and settled on King's River, where he engaged in stock-raising and orchard cultivation. In 1860 he elosed ont his business there and moved to Mono County, where he entered into mining and prospeeting operations. He found many rich lodes of gold and silver, and in company with three others put up a mill for the purpose of developing one of them, he doing the carpenter work. Imme- diately after the completion of the mill there was an Indian outbreak, and he was one of the party who went out in defense of the white settlers. Fifty Indians and six whites were killed before hostilities ceased, which consnmed three months' time, and when they returned to their camp they found their mill, with others, burned. Ile remained there until 1864, when he came to Sonoma County, and located on a

farm near Petaluma. In 1864 he married Mrs. Naney J. Middleton, widow of William T. Mid- dleton, a farmer of Sonoma County. In 1867 he moved to Santa Clara County, and there en- gaged in farming and stoek raising until 1870, when he returned to Sonoma County and located on his old place, where he lived two years. In 1872 he purchased 800 acres of land in the mountains, abont nine miles east of Santa Rosa, which he stocked with 500 Angora goats. Ile conducted this enterprise until 1884, when he sold out and moved to Santa Rosa. Shortly after, in company with Mr. Heirshler, he bought 320 acres of land near his old stock ranch, and planted 130 acres of grape vines. Ile also, in the same year, bonght 174 aeres of land on the Santa Rosa and Fulton road, four miles north- west of Santa Rosa, and two years later sold a half interest to William Benson. Ile subse- quently sold his interest in the 320-acre tract to his partner, Mr. Heirshler, and has since de- voted himself to the care and cultivation of the last purchase. One hundred and sixty-four acres of the land is devoted to vineyard, producing wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety. There is also a small family vineyard, producing a large variety of choice table grapes. The rest of the land is used as a pasture for his stock. Mr. Cralle is a practical vineyardist. The intelli- gent care and attention he is devoting to his present enterprise is producing grand results, and he seems destined to build up one of the model vineyards of the county. Among the improvements on his place is a winery, having a capacity of over 70,000 gallons. Mr. Cralle is a California pioneer of '49. Nearly forty years of his life have been spent in the varions counties of the State, and nearly half of that time in Sonoma County. IIe is a strong be- liever in the future prosperity and wealth of this "Garden of the World," and is ever ready to aid in any enterprise that will tend to advance the interests and welfare of the section in which he resides. IIe is a life-long Democrat, liberal and conservative in his views, and though not an office-seeker, he takes a deep interest in the sue-

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cess of the best elements of his party. Mrs. Cralle has one child by her previous marriage - Lillie Middleton, born February 12. 1357. She married A. M. Butler, and is now (1558) re- siding in Fresno County.

TEPHEN CORNELL FOWLER was born in Lakeville, Queens County, Long Island, January 3, 1797. His ancestors were among the early settlers of the Island, and came from England a hundred years prior to the Revolutionary war. His father served with the militia in the war of 1512, and took part in the defense of the city of New York and vicinity. He was married to Martha Fowler, on the 25th day of December, 1819, who died on the 25th day of November following. Ile married Rebecca Lawrence, December 31, 1521. She was the eldest danghter of Whitehead Lawrence, who was also descended from one of the early settlers of Long Island, and counted among his ancestors the Lawrence who first settled that portion long known as " Lawrence's Neck," now called College Point. The result of this marriage was ten children: Mary, born in 1822, died in 1523; Stephen Lawrence, born January 31. 1825, died at Valley Ford, California, March 4, 1868; Cornelia Wykoff, December 7, 1526; James Edgar, December 25, 1828; Benjamin, May 25, 1532, died June 14, 1533; Whitehead, May 5, 1534: Sarah Ann, February 14. 1537; John Henry, Septem- 14, 1539: Benjamin, December 17, 1841; Nathaniel Darling, October 15, 1845. The two eldest sons, Stephen and James, were among the first who left New York for California when the news of the discovery of gold in the country reached there. They took passage on the ship Brooklyn, which sailed from that port January 12, 1849, and arrived at San Francisco August 12, 1849. Cornelia and Whitehead soon tol- lowed. The subject of this sketch embarked with his wife and the remaining portion of his family on board the clipper-ship Lookout, Cap-

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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 91

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