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 92
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tain John G. Joice, and sailed from New York. December 28. for San Francisco via Cape Horn, which port they entered safely May 6, 1554, and on the 12th came, per steamer Reindeer, to Petaluma, thence by ox team to where the town of Valley Ford now stands. Having passed that period in life when they were ambi- tious to accumulate wealth, they built them a home around which they gathered fruits and flowers and every thing that was calculated to make life pleasant in their declining years. Mother Fowler being the first female resident of the town, many still remember the generous hospitality of the old couple. On the 31st of December. 1871. with their children gathered around them, they celebrated, in a becoming manner, the anniversary of an event that took place just fifty years previous amid the quiet surroundings of their childhood home, having wandered toward the golden sunset and rested within hearing of the ceaseless roar of the Old Pacific. Mother Fowler, as she was called, died in April, 1884. at the advanced age of eighty- two years. As she passed peacefully away her last word was " Home." Mr. Fowler was a lover of his adopted State. an enthusiastic ad- mirer of her climate, and a firm believer in her destined greatness. Particularly was he at- tached to Sonoma County. He took a deep interest in all that pertained to the welfare and prosperity of the State, and willingly assisted in aiding every enterprise in the community in which he lived that seemed to him to have for its object the promotion of the public good. The Rev. Thomas Fraser, synodical missionary, thus speaks of him in the Occident of January 1, 1879: " Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live forever? He whose death was noticed in a recent issue of the Occi- dent, was one whom I dearly loved, the father of a large and most estimable family, and truly a father in Israel. My acquaintance with him commenced in the spring of 1860, when he showed himself, as ever after, an humble, sincere and consistent Christian. Thoroughly attached to the Presbyterian church, he loved all good
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people, and was loved and respected by all who knew him. As a man, he was kind, just and trne. As a Christian, he had remarkably clear preceptions of divine truth, with strong and positive convictions. His religious feelings were exceedingly warm, easily excited and not easily controlled. As a friend of religion and supporter and officer of the church which he loved, all knew where Father Fowler stood. Ile was one of the original members and elders of the first Presbyterian church founded in this section of the country. As the work grew it became necessary to organize another church, and he was a member and elder of that until he died. During many years missionary work in Sonoma County, he was my warm and stead- fast friend. In his last sickness, which was ex- tremely painful and protracted, lie waited patiently with childlike trust in his Savior for the relief which death only could afford. His last words to me were: ' I am waiting for Christ to take me to himself; yon will soon hear that I am at home.' He died just before midnight, November 27. 1878, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, ten months and twenty-four days, and was buried in the cemetery at Bloom- field. His life was a worthy example of patience, industry, sobriety, humility and broth- erly love."
AMES E. FOWLER .- The subject of this sketch is the second son of Stephen C. and Rebecca Fowler. He was born in New York City, December 25, 1825, where he spent the most of his youth in acquiring an education. His father being a builder and contractor hie adopted that occupation as a basis for future operations. Unlike many eity youths James felt the restraint of city life and longed for some new field where he thought he could use what talent he possessed to a better advantage. The fall of 1848 brought vague rumors of the discovery of gold in California. A few weeks of suspense and the most exaggerated stories of the wonder-
ful wealth of the new El Dorado were confirmed. In company with his elder brother Stephen, he sailed in the old ship Brooklyn, January 12. 1849, with upward of 200 Argonauts on board. and as motley a crowd as ever ventured forth on old Neptune's broad domain. One hundred and twenty days brought them to the Island of Juan Fernandez where Alexander Selkirk spent four years solitary and alone, where his cave dug ont of sandstone with its smoke begrimined walls still stands as when he left it so many years ago. A few days spent there while the ship took in a supply of fresh water, was like an oasis upon the desert. After ninety days of monotonous sea life varied by a burial at sea, and a narrow escape from shipwreck at the month of the Garcia River. they entered the Golden Gate with every thing set alow and aloft and came to anchor opposite the canvas town of Yerba Buena. Without a parting tear they left the old ship that had been their home for seven months. In a cozy little valley where they had wood and water convenient they pitched their tent. The Oriental Block now occupies the site. All kinds of labor were in demand, skilled or unskilled. Mechanics' wages were $12 per day. Laborers shoveling sand received $8 per day. The Fowlers erected several buildings by con- tract and. having accumulated quite a pile of doubloons, concluded to try mining. sailed up the Sacramento, organized a party, chartered a team for Dry Town, Amador County, mined successfully till January. 1550, when they sold ont cabin, mining tools, rocker and entire out-fit, and packed their blankets on their backs and were once inore on their way to San Francisco where they hoped to take part in rebuilding some of the burnt district just laid waste by the first great fire. A short time had wrought great changes, for it was only in its infancy and was yet the mnost cosmopolitan city in the world. After erecting a few small buildings they set sail for the new town of Marysville, built quicksilver machines for saving the fine gold on the lower Ynba. and later became interested in the new town of Plumas on Feather River. just laid out
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by Captain Sutter and G. Il. Beach. Who could shove a jack-plane while the stories of the fabulous wealth of Gold Lake were being repeated every day? With all their worldly effects upon a pack-inule, they reached Downie- ville just in time to meet the victims of mis- placed confidence returning. Ilowever, nothing daunted, they went to work on the bar opposite the town. There was no credit asked or given. The old rocker paid cash every night; if they worked hard an ounce and a half was made. As winter was approaching this could not be continued. They returned to Plumas, were taken with the agne and could not shake it off. While in search of a more congenial climate they brought up on the table-land above Salmon Creek, in Bodega, and engaged in raising pota- toes. In the summer of 1852 Mr. Fowler bought land where Valley Ford now 'stands. In the fall of 1555. in company with George Stanley, he opened a restaurant in Petaluma. Hle revisited the scenes of his childhood in the summer of 1857, and was married to Charlotte E., daughter of Jacob and Sarah Palmer, of Morris County, New Jersey. On his return he settled down to agricultural pursuits, but that soon be- came too tamne for one of his temperament and for fifteen years he was actively engaged in merchandising, lumbering and farming. In 1561 he built the residence in which himself, wife and daughter, Lottie Bertha, who was born March 3, 1864, still reside. In 1865 he erected the Good Templars Hall, in which Valley Ford Lodge has met weekly ever since. He also as- sisted, financially, in building the church and all public improvements in the village. During the dark days of our national trouble, the Union had not a more stannch friend than Mr. Fowler. His liberality in aiding the Sanitary and Christian Commission fund was well known throughout the community. His home for more than a quarter of a century has been an abiding place for the stranger and the homeless. Many will recall his genial welcome with pleas- ure. During his long residence in the county he has been interested in developing the re-
sources of his section. Ile was among the prominent workers in bringing his district into railroad communication with San Francisco. having given the North Pacific Coast Railroad the right of way for a mile through his ranch. His farm of 340 acres has a fine orchard, con- taining nearly all varieties of fruit and berries that are raised in his section. He has a dairy of sixty cows, and a considerable portion of the ranch is devoted to the prodnetion of hay and potatoes for market. Mr. Fowler has been long and favorably known as a true friend to religion and temperance, is honorable and npright in his business transactions. He has won for himself the confidence and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances all of whom unite in according him that respect and esteem to which he is so justly entitled.
TEPLIEN L. FOWLER, deceased .- Among the pioneers of California and early settlers of Bodega Township, Sonoma County, was the subject of this sketch. His early advent into this county and the prom- inent position he occupied in his section entitles him to more than a passing mention in this his- torical work. Mr. Fowler was born in New York, January 31, 1825. His parents, Stephen C. and Rebecca (Lawrence) Fowler, were natives of the State of his birth, and his ancestors were among the early settlers of Long Island, having emigrated from England to the American colo- nies over 100 years prior to the Revolutionary war. Mr. Fowler was reared in New York City, and received a good education in the public schools, after which he served an apprenticeship as a carpenter, and as a journeyman engaged at his trade in New York City and also at Sag Harbor. In 1945 he engaged as ship's carpen- ter on board the ship Huron, bound on a whaling voyage on the northwest coast of the United States and Behring Sea. This voyage did not terminate until the spring of 1548. Upon his return to New York he engaged at
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his trade in Brooklyn until early in 1849, when the first news of the discovery of gold in Cali- . fornia reached New York. Young, ambitions and fond of adventure, he promptly decided to seek his fortune in the new El Dorado of the West, and on January 12, 1849, he embarked with his brother, James E. Fowler, on the old ship Brooklyn, a vessel of but 450 tons, for a voyage round Cape Ilorn to California. Slow progress was made by this old ship, and it was not until four months after leaving New York that they reached the Island of Juan Fernandez. After a brief stop at that island the vessel pro- ceeded on her way to San Francisco. There were over 200 people on board of the Brooklyn, and when about sixty days from the island and a long way from San Francisco, all hands were put upon a short allowance of water. There was much suffering on board, as nearly all were affected with senrvy. The vessel also narrowly escaped being wrecked at the mouth of the Gar- cia River, and it was not until August 12, 1849, that they reached San Francisco, having spent seven months on the voyage. Upon his arrival in San Francisco, he and his brother located in Pleasant Valley, pitehing their tents where now stands the Oriental Block in that city. He readily found employment at from $12 to $16 per day, but deeming it more profitable to en- gage in contracting and building, he went to work with his brother in that enterprise. They were successful and ereeted several frame build- ings in the vicinity of Clay and Montgomery streets. They were also engaged upon the first brick building ever ereeted in San Francisco. As the winter approached the oldest inhabitants predicted a season of unusual severity, and Mr. Fowler and his brother concluded it best to winter in the mountains. They therefore took passage on the schooner John Dunlap, for Sac- ramento, and from there, in company with several others, they chartered a team and pro- ceeded to Dry Town, Amador County, where they engaged in mining. This enterprise was successfully conducted until the first great fire occurred in San Francisco. The prospect for 98
paying contracts in rebuilding the city induced them to abandon their mining operations and return to San Francisco. Upon reaching the city they found the rebuilding of the burnt dis- tricts nearly completed. After erecting a few small buildings for Sam Brannan, they left San Francisco February 1, 1850, taking passage on the schooner Eclipse for Marysville. Upon their arrival they spent some time in making quicksilver machines for saving the fine gold on the lower Yuba River, after which they took up their residence in the new city of Plumas, a town laid out by Captain Sutter and G. II. Beach. There he worked at the carpenter's trade and also engaged in mining enterprises until the spring of 1851, when he came to So- noma County and located at Bodega, and in 1852 purchased land at Valley Ford and com- meneed its cultivation and improvement. Mr. Fowler brought to his new ocenpation the same energy, industry and sound business principles that had characterized his other enterprises, and these soon assured his snecess, and his fine farm of 340 acres soon ranked as second to none in the county. This is best illustrated by noting the fact that in 1860 Mr. Fowler was awarded the first prize, a silver cup, by the Napa and Sonoma County Agricultural Society, as having the best improved farm in the two counties. Mr. Fowler was a strong believer in the future growth and prosperity of Sonoma County. Public-spiritel and progressive in his views, he was always ready to aid in any enterprise that tended to develop the resources of that section of the country. In 1853 and 1854 he was a member of Sonoma County board of supervi- sors, a position that he filled with eredit to him- self and his constitueney. May 17, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellisiffa Cockrill, daughter of Judge L. D. Coekrill, of Bloomfield. Mrs. Fowler died August 22, 1860, leaving two children: Edgar J., born March 7, 1856, and William W., born February 17, 1858. Mr. Fowler's second marriage occurred Novem- ber 19, 1863, when he married Miss P'hebe Elizabeth Ames. She died March 10, 1871.
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No children were born to this marriage. In 1866 Mr. Fowler's ill health induced him to seek relief in other climes, and he went to the Sandwich Islands, and from thence around Cape Horn to his old home in New York, after which he returned to his California home, where he remained until his death, which ocenrred March 4, 1868. Ile was a man universally respected and esteemed, and his death was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. In political matters Mr. Fowler always took an intelligent interest, and was a Democrat until treason dared to assault the old flag that had protected him in so many foreign ports, when with some regrets he abandoned the old party to join the new in defense of the Union.
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DGARJ. FOWLER, oldest son of Stephen L. Fowler, was reared to farm life upon his father's farm, receiving a liberal education in the public schools and at the University Mound College in San Francisco, after which he returned to the old homestead and has since devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. This fine farm is well worthy of mention. It contains 340 acres of rich land, situated one-half mile east of Valley Ford, and under his able management still ranks as one of the representative farms in the valley. There is a fine family orchard npon the place, containing a variety of apples, pears, plums, cherries, etc., which attests the adaptability of these lands for fruit culture. The rest of the land is devoted to hay, grain and stock. Among the latter are seventy-five head of graded cattle, improved by Durham and Jersey breeds. Sixty head of these cattle constitute a dairy, producing a superior grade of butter. Mr. Fowler is also interested in improving his stock of horses. He has some fine roadsters improved by MeClellan stock, also good speei- mens of draft horses from the Norman breed. Among the improvements upon this place is a neat cottage residence, beautifully located upon present fine quarters, in the choice business
high ground, giving a pleasing view of the val- ley. There are also substantial and commodious barns, dairy and other out-buildings. May 23, 1877, Edgar J. Fowler was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Cordelia Rien, the daughter of John W. and Ann R. (Brown) Rien, born in Missouri. They have three children, viz .: Ada R., born June 15, 1878; William C., born June 5, 1880, and Ethel E., born Angust 10, 1882. Stephen L. Fowler's second son, William W. Fowler, married Minnie 1. Seavey. April 13, 1886. He was for some years employed in the United States mail service, but is now (1888) in the employ of Wells, Fargo & Co., and is a resi- dent of San Francisco.
LFRED BUTT, manufacturing jeweler and watchmaker, No. 511 Fourth Street, has been in the business in Santa Rosa since 1884. Ile carries a large stock of watches, clocks, jewelry, silverware, and optical goods. He does fine watch repairing, at which he is an expert, also does engraving, enameling and lapi- dary work, having all the tools necessary for the manufacture of any kind of jewelry, in any design. Ile has made all the prize medals for the Pacific Methodist College that have been given since he came to this town, and the police- men's stars for the force of Santa Rosa, and also designs and manufactures numerous prize medals for societies and orders. Mr. Butt has rare taste and skill in his trade, in which he has been engaged since he was fifteen years of age, and he is now thirty-nine. The subject of this sketch is an Englishman by birth, and came to America when twenty years old. He was for ten years engaged in his business in San Fran- cisco. When lie came to Santa Rosa he bought the stock of L. A. Kelley, a small stoek worth about $1,000, located on Exchange Avenne. From there he moved to the block on Fourth street, east of Mendocino street, and the latter part of November, 1887, took possession of his
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block of the city. Mr. Butt was married in his native land and had one child born there. They now have six sons and one daughter. The fol- lowing orders elaim Mr. Butt as a member: the A. O. U. W., K. of P., and the Foresters.
LAYTON WINKLER .-- Among the well known pioneers of California, of Sonoma County and of Green Valley is the sub- ject of this sketch. He was born in Estell County, Kentucky, January 12, 1831, his par- ents being David and Sarah (Asbell) Winkler, both natives of Kentucky. His grandfather, Jacob Winkler, was a native of Germany, who emigrated to the United States and located in Kentucky. In Mr. Winkler's early youth his parents moved to Missouri and located near St. Joseph. They died in 1840, leaving Clayton an orphan only nine years of age. After their death he was taken to La Porte County, Indiana, where he became a member of the family of Steward A. Reynolds, who had married his sister. Mr. Reynolds gave the little orphan all the eare and attention that was given to his own children, edueating him in the practical duties of farm life, and giving him the benefit of a good sehooling, first in the common school and then in the high school and academy at South Bend. In 1849 Mr. Winkler was one of the thousands that were stricken with the California gold fever, and though but little over eighteen years of age, he had the spirit and ambition of a man. In the spring of that year he started upon the long and tedious journey across the plains. Ile eame as did multitudes of others, toiling and driving ox teams. The einigration was devoid of much interest until the party reached the IIumboldt, and there the Indians stampeded and stole their cattle. Fortunately the emigrants were able to recover the most of them withont any fighting. They suffered the loss and proceeded on their way, arriving at Sacramento, October 16, 1849. Immediately after his arrival Mr. Winkler went to the mines,
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and engaged in mining in what is now El Dorado County until the spring of 1851. At that time he came to Sonoma County and the next year purchased 280 acres of land in Green Valley. He engaged in various occupations until 1854, and then entered largely into potato cultivation upon his land, which oeeupation he continued for two years. IIe then engaged in mining and other occupations mostly in California, but in 1862 and 1863 he was in the mines in Nevada. IIe had the experience of thousands of others in his mining and other enterprises- one day rich and another day poor, but he always held on to the land he had purchased. Tiring of the toils, struggles, and uncertain fortunes attending min- ing operations, he decided to retire to his farmn. In 1866 he married Miss Martha Brain, daugh- ter of Samuel and Sarah (Powell) Brain, natives of England, but residents of Sonoma County. After his marriage he took up his residence upon his farm and has since devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. His energetic and indus- trious nature found something eongenial to his tastes and he has gone on improving his lands, planting, building, etc., until now he has one of the best conducted and productive farms in his vieinity. It is well worthy of a brief descrip- tion. Mr. Winkler is the owner of 150 aeres, located on the Santa Rosa and Guerneville road, in the Oak Grove school district, in Green Val- ley, about nine miles west of Santa Rosa. Of this fine farm twenty-five acres are devoted to orehard purposes. Great attention has been paid to this and it is in splendid condition and yielding largely. The greater proportion of his trees are peaches and apples. Of peaches he has the Wiley eling, orange cling, and Crawford. His peach crop is worthy of mention. As a sample of the prodnetiveness of trees that are coming into bearing, his books show that from 800 trees, occupying five acres of ground, he sold in 1887, $1,061 worth of fruit: this was from trees four years old (from the dormant bud). He also raises pears, plums and French prunes. On this place is a family vineyard in which there is a large variety of table grapes of
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the most approved varieties. The rest of his lan l is devoted to hay, grain and stock-raising. Mr. Winkler is a strong believer in the future prosperity of Green Valley, and also of the value of these lands for fruit cultivation, and he in- tends to increase his orchards as the demand for fruit increases. As one of the pioneers of the State and Sonoma County he has gained a large circle of friends and acquaintances, not only in Sonoma County but throughout the mining counties of California and Nevada, and by all are respected and esteemed. He is a consistent member of the Methodist church, a strong be- liever in the building of churches and schools, and also a liberal contributor to the support of the same. Hle donated one and one-half acres of land npon which the Congregational church society of Green Valley built their church. He has taken a deep interest in the public schools and has for a number of years been a school trustee in the district in which he resides. Ile is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., of Sebastopol. In political matters he is a Republican, but is liberal and conservative in his views. Mr. and Mrs. Winkler have eight living children, viz .: Sarah Jane, Arthur S., George II., Ilattie L., Oliver M., Edward C., Samuel Ernest, and Walter S. At the present writing (1888) all are residing upon the old homestead.
O. HEATON, of Mendocino Township one of the old settlers of Sonoma County,. has a ranch of 266 acres on the Dry Creek road, seven miles from Healdsburg. He has over thirty acres 'in grapes, ranging in age from one year upward, about one-half acre of Missions being some thirty years old. There are four aeres that are six years old, the re- mainder being younger. The varieties are Zinfandel. Golden Chasselas, Burger. Grenache, Mataro. Crabb's Burgundy and Gray Riesling. Mr. Heaton has an apple orchard of two acres, the trees being twenty-seven years old. He also
has four acres of younger trees, two acres of the Jatter being plums and French prunes, and the rest peaches. Mr. Ileaton is a native of Ken- tncky, born in Nicholas County, November 22, 1831. his parents being Shaftner and Elizabeth (Tucker) lleaton. Shaftner Heaton was born in Mason County, Kentucky, and his parents in Mary- land. Mrs. Heaton was a daughter of Samnel and Elizabeth Tucker. Iler father was born in what is now the District of Columbia, about 1782, and her mother was a native of Kentucky, in which State they were married. In 1829 they removed to Illinois, and from there across the plains of Oregon, in 1848. Mrs. Tucker died in 1839. He married again in 1840. They died in Oregon at an advanced age. When S. O. Heaton was but one year old his parents re- moved to Pike County. Illinois, where the father died the following year. and where the mother continued her residence until her death which occurred eleven years later. Mr. Ileaton was reared to manhood in Pike County, and in 1852 accompanied William McCloud and John Shafer. with their wives, to California, making the trip across the plains in the usual way. They also brought along a man named Haggard and his son. Leaving home on the 6th of April, they crossed the Missonri River eighteen miles below St. Joe, the 6th of May. Their route took them to Ft. Kearney where they forded the South Platte above the month of North Platte, east of Ft. Laramie. They struck the Sweetwater at Inde- pendence Rock and followed it nearly to the summit of the mountains at Sonth Pass. They left Salt Lake to their left and Ft. Hall to the right and came through the Thousand Spring Valley, striking the Humboldt pretty well to- ward its head. In reaching the Carson River, they crossed a desert of fifty miles, and thence followed the Carson route, arriving at Placer- ville Angust Sth. Mr. Heaton at once com- menced mining and worked in the following camps: Kelsey's Bar, on Middle Fork of American River, two months; Frankfort Bar, on Weber Creek, three years: on Sweetwater Creek, six months; nearly six months, below the pres-
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