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 93
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ent site of Folsom, on American River; Frank- ford Bar, again, a month or two. Hle then came to Sonoma County and bought land on the Tzabaeo grant, where he now resides. Ile was married in October, 1872, in Mason County, Kentucky, to Miss Rebecca Agnes Bullock, a native of Kentucky, born in Lewis County, but reared in Mason County. She is a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Cooper) Bulloek. Iler father, a native of Mason County, Kentucky, was a son of Major Lewis Bullock, who went from Virginia to Mason County, Kentucky, where he was an early settler, and did most of the surveying. The mother of Mrs. Heaton was formerly Elizabeth Cooper, whose father was a native of Scotland, but her mother was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, near Lexing- ton. The father of Mrs. Ileaton died in 1841 and her mother in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Heaton have four children-Mary Lou, Bessie, Charles and Robert Bruce. Politically, Mr. Ileaton is a Democrat, and he takes an interest in publie affairs.
EWIS HENDRIX resides on the Hendrix road, in the Pioneer school district, about one and one-half miles southeast of Fulton, at which place he owns a rich and productive farm of 154 acres. With the exception of a family orchard and vineyard, containing a large variety of fruit and table grapes, his land is de- voted to hay, grain and stock-raising. Among the stock are some fine specimens of American horses improved with Normali stock. ITis rich soil is yielding thirty bushels of grain per acre, and his hay land produces about two tons per acre. Among the improvements mention should be made of his comfortable residence, in which he combined all the conveniences of a well ordered and modern house. Commodions and convenient out-buildings attest the pros- perity which has attended his farming opera- tions. The subject of this sketch was born in Butler County, Ohio, February 25, 1815. His
father, Eli Hendrix, was a native of Virginia, who came to Ohio at an early date. His mother, Mary (Paugh) Hendrix, was born in New Jer- sey. Mr. Hendrix was reared as a farmer and stock-grower. Ilis educational facilities were limited to the common schools of the pioneer settlements of that date. Early in life, as soon as he was able to help in farm labor he was taken from school to assist his father on the farm. In 1833 his father removed to Fountain County, Indiana, and commenced anew in building up a pioneer farm. Mr. Hendrix worked with his father until twenty-one years of age, and then started in life upon his own account. In 1838 he married Miss Rebecca A. Cook, the daughter of Jacob and Lidia (Droll- inger) Cook. Her father was a native of Mason County, Kentucky, and her mother was born in Butler County, Ohio. Mrs. Hendrix was also born in that county. In 1820 Mr. Hendrix moved his family to Van Buren County, Iowa, where he located land and entered upon farming operations. He remained there until 1852 when he removed to Davis County. the same State, where he was engaged in like occupations. In 1865 he started across the plains to Califor- nia, and after months of tedious journeying arrived in the Golden State and located in So- noma County. He took up the land where he still resides, erected a small dwelling-house, and commenced the building up and improvement of his lands. Since that date he has devoted himself entirely to agricultural pursuits. Mr Hendrix's long residence has gained him a large circle of friends and acquaintances in his sec- tion of the county, and his straightforward and consistent course of life have seenred their re- speet and esteem. Ile is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, a strong believer in the future prosperity of Sonoma County, and ever ready to aid in all enterprises that he believes will benefit the community in which he resides. Ile is a consistent member of the Christian church, taking a deep interest in the public schools. He has served many terms as a school trustee in his district. There have been born
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to Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix eleven children, three of whom are now living, viz .: Sarah Ann, who married Isaae M. Harvey, and is now living in Oregon; Belle M., who married Harvey T. Teague, residing in Los Angeles County; and Edwin U., who married Susan A. Peterson, daughter of William J. and Martha A. (Steel) Peterson, of Sonoma County. The first child. Mary L., married Robert W. Herod. She died in Kansas in 1872, at the age of thirty-three years. The third child. Emily J., married William S. Kinney. She died in Iowa in 1864, aged twenty two years, Mr. Edwin U. Hendrix is residing upon the old homestead, and is as- sisting his father in conducting the farm opera- tions. He is the father of three children- Lewis E .. Granville L. and Harvey L.
RS. I. M. HARTSOCK, of Mendocino Township, has a ranch of eighty-seven acres, on the Dry Creek road, about eight miles from Ilcaldsburg. There are ten acres of the place in orchard, the trees being from tive to eight years in age, and consisting of apples, pears, peaches, plums, prunes, nec- tarines, apricots, cherries, figs. ete. There are three acres of grapes, the varieties being Rose of Peru, Muscat of Alexandria and Malvoise. Mrs. Hartsock is the widow of Adolphus Hart- sock, who was a native of Indiana, born near Indianapolis, in Marion County, Jannary 12, 1834. His parents were Isaac and Susan (Ash- poe) Hartsock, both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1852 he came to California via Panama, and went at once into the mines, where he was en- gaged for eleven years, a portion of the time in Amador and Placer counties. He then came to Sonoma County, but afterward went baek to the mines. In September, 1876. he purchased the place where the family now live. Mr. Hart- sock was a member of Curtis Lodge, F. & A. M., and in politics affiliated with the Republi- ean party. He and Mrs. Ilartsock were married in Solano County. July 31. 1864, and his death
occurred in this county. June 16, 1885. The subjeet of this sketch was formerly Miss Isabel M. Freeman, a native of Greene County, Illinois, and daughter of T. W. Freeman and Elizabeth (Fort) Freeman. The former was born in Sainte Genevieve County, Missouri, in 1819. When he was ten years of age his parents removed to Greene County, Illinois, and were among the early settlers in that section. There T. W. Freeman was reared to manhood and there mar- ried to Elizabeth Fort, a native of Kentucky. From there they removed, in 1855, to western Missouri. In 1857 they crossed the plains to California, and settled in Solano County, where Mrs. Freeman died in 1858, and subsequently the family removed to San Joaquin County. Mr. Freeman now makes his home with his daughter in Sonoma County. Mrs. Hartsock has four children living, viz .: Emma, Delia, Bonnie and Freedom, all natives of this county.
C. MICHAELSON, of Knight's Valley Township, has a ranch of seventy-five aeres in Alexander Valley, some sixteen miles from the county seat. IIe has about 500 fruit trees, which are peaches and apples, with a few young prune and pear trees. He has eight acres of twenty year old vines of the Mission variety, and four acres of table grapes, which are Muscats, Tokays, Mediterraneans, etc. He has now also sixteen acres of grapes on his hill land, ranging in age from two to four years. The varieties are Carignane, Grossblane, Mataro and Grey Riesling. He has been manufacturing 5,000 gallons of wine per year, and has a stor- age capacity for that amount. Ilis vintage is excellent, and enjoys the highest reputation. That portion of his ranch not devoted to orchard or vineyard, is used for general farming pur- poses. Mr. Michaelson is a native of the prov- ince of Hanover, Germany, born January 19. 1824, his parents being Dietrich and Salome (Roschen) Michaelson. The father, a farmer and merchant, was also a native of Germany,
I. I. Juradou.
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but the mother was a native of Lexington, North Carolina. Her father was a minister of the Lutheran denomination, and. while in America, was stationed for a portion of the time at Lexington. Ile afterward went back, how- ever, with his family. to Germany. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared in his native country, and from the age of six to fourteen at- tended the public school. according to the re- quirements of the law of the land. Ile then entered the seminary at Stade, and for over five years received the advantages of the higher education to be obtained there, with the view of becoming an instructor. After completing his education he began teaching school, and followed that profession in Germany until 1566. He then emigrated to New York, and thence, via Panama, to San Francisco, arriving in the latter city on the 13th of August. On his arrival lie set about obtaining employment at his pro- fession, and soon obtained a position as teacher at St. Marens German Lutheran School. After two years there he became an instructor of German in the public schools. For five years he was connected in this capacity with the South Cosmopolitan school. for three years with the North Cosmopolitan, and for three years with the Valencia public school. Ile then opened a private school, which he conducted until 1884, at which time he removed to So- noma County, and located where he now resides. He is a member of St. Marcus Lutheran con- gregation, San Francisco, and was for many years associated with it in an official capacity. In politics Mr. Michaelson is a Republican.
ULES A. AURADOU, of Mendocino Town- ship, is a native of Paris, France, born December 12. 1532, his parents being John and Alexandria (Cellard) Anradou, the father being a hotel proprietor. Early in 1849, after hearing the news of the great gold excitement in California, John Auradon decided to come with his son to America and try his fortunes in
the new El Dorado. March 22. 1549. they sailed from Havre on the ship Meuse, and started on the lengthy voyage around Cape Horn. They were favored with fine weather during the jour- ney except when off Cape Horn. At Callao they inade their only landing. and there learned of the gennineness of the tales about the gold of California. They landed at San Francisco on the 14th of September. At San Francisco they remained about three weeks. making an attempt to burn charcoal, but at the end of that time. having had poor success. made a big bonfire. and then took a small vessel and proceeded to Sacramento. At the latter place they remained three days and then went up the American River to Mormon Island, staying there until the river got so high they were washed out. Mr. Auradou and son then went to Sacramento and established a boarding house, but were soon drowned out and had to move into an old scow. They went up the Sacramento River as far as the site of Marysville, thence on a mining expe- dition np Ynba River. The same year they located at Downieville, and there Mr. Auradou and his father engaged in prospecting. In this work they had very trying experiences, and a number of times were snowed in and nearly starred to death. They finally settled down at Foster's Bar. and mined in that vicinity for five years, and along the river until 1857. Then Jules A. Anradon, the subject of this sketch. left the mines and went to San Francisco, where he was employed in a meat packing establish- ment. He became a partner in the business and a member of the firm of Anradou & Bunker in the California market. In 1570 he sold ont his business interests in San Francisco, and went back to Paris, where he visited his father (who had gone back in 1858) and friends and relatives. Both parents are now deceased, the father having died in 1875, and the mother later on. In 1871 Mr. Auradou returned to California and located where he now resides. His ranch con- sists of sixty-six acres. and is devoted to vine- yard. orchard and general purposes. He was married in San Francisco to Ernestine Buruonf.
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a native of Ilavre, France, whose parents came to San Francisco abont 1562. They have four children. viz .: Maria Jane, Lonisa, Jules and John. Mr. Auradon is a member of Parfait Lodge, No. 17, F. &. A. M., San Francisco. Ile joined the Masonic order in 1563. Ile is also a inember of Abou Ben Adhem Lodge, No. 112. I. O. O. F .. San Francisco. Politically he is a Democrat. Ile takes a deep interest in schools and has been a trustee in Grape district since 1578. Mr. Auradou is one of the pioneers of ('alifornia, and has seen all phases of life in this State. Ile is a hospitable gentleman, intelligent and enterprising, and a desirable acquisition to the citizenship of Sonoma County.
ENRY COFFEY was born in New York, Jannary 26, 1832. His father was a na tive of England, who emigrated to the United States in his youth. He died while Mr. Coffey was an infant. Ilis mother, Cynthia (Beals) Coffey, was born in Vermont, and in 1834 she moved with her family to Michigan. where she took up Government land, and began the struggle of establishing a farm and support- ing her children. Here Mr. Coffey was reared until the death of his mother, which occurred in 1844, and he then lived with his older broth- ers until eighteen years of age. At that time he went to St. Joseph County, Indiana, and en- gaged in work in saw mills and lumber busi- ness. In 1854 he married Miss Nancy Gitchell, daughter of the Rev. David D. Gitchell, a well- known Methodist clergyman of St. Joseph County. Ile continued his labor at that place until 1855, when he returned to Michigan and located in Livingston County, where he engaged in farming and stoek-raising. In this same year, February 12, 1856, his wife died, and the next year he moved to Van Buren County, where he rented land and continued his farming operations. In 1858 he married his present wife, Miss Rebecca Davis, the daughter of JJolin and Narcissa (Ilall) Davis. Mr. Coffey con-
ducted various enterprises, farming, stock-rais- ing, etc .- one year of which time he lived in Illinois-until 1862. He then came overland to California and located in Sacramento County, where he engaged in farming. In 1865 he re- moved to Contra Costa County where, in addi- tion to farm operations, he was quite extensively engaged in stoek-growing. He remained there until 1570 and then removed to Hill's Ferry, and there established a dairy and stock ranch. The drought soon compelled him to leave that place and he took his herds to New York ranch, near Antioch. After a few month's sojourn there he drove his cattle into Mendocino County, where he established himself in the stock busi- ness and remained until 1579. In that year he sold out, and with his family-moving by teams in emigrant style --- started for the southern country. . He continued his journey into Arizona and located at Prescott. Shortly after his arrival at that place he purchased a stock range and Government station at the Oaks and Willows, about fifty-two miles from Prescott. He engaged in farming and stock- raising, his products finding ready sale in sup- plying the United States Government military forces with cattle, forage, etc. He was success- ful in his operations in that place and contin- ned them until 1885. In that year he sold out, and returning to California, located in Sonoma County, where he purchased 320 acres of land in Santa Rosa Township, formerly known as the Sampson Wright place, situated in the Piner school district, about two and one-half miles northwest of Santa Rosa. This farm is of rich and productive soil, devoted mostly to the production of hay and grain. There is upon this farm an orchard of abont ten acres, pro- ducing a variety of fine fruits, such as French prunes, apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, etc. ; also a family vineyard in which table grapes of the Sweetwater, Muscat and Rose of Pern varie- ties are grown. In purchasing these lands Mr. Coffey was governed in a large degree by his desire of furnishing suitable homes for his chil- dren. To each of his nine children he has deeded
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twenty acres, upon which they are establishing their homes and fulfilling his wishes, that the family may be united in common enterprises during his life at least. The homestead portion of 140 acres, with the residence and out-build- ings is reserved for the mother. The lands are worked by himself and sons in common, each devoting himself to improving and building up the whole. Mr. Coffey is an energetic and in- dustrions man of sound sense and business habits. His success in life is the result of these qualities combined with straightforward, hon- est dealings. Wherever he has resided he has always been a respected and esteemed eitizen, and is a desirable acquisition to any commun- ity. Ile is public-spirited and progressive, ready to aid any enterprise that will add to the prosperity of his seetion, and the county. While not a politician, he takes an intelligent interest in the political questions of the day. He is a liberal and conservative Democrat. As before stated, Mr. Coffey is the father of nine children, viz .: James II., William M., Maryette, Charles H., Joanna, Samuel A., Adeline N., Minnie and Octavia. With the exception of Maryette, they are all living upon the homestead and lands before mentioned. The following are the mar- riages in the family: William M. married Miss Etty E. Cutmire, and has one child, William H .; Maryette married O. M. Tuttle; they are living in Mendocino County, and have one child, Edith; Charles II. married Miss Belle Banting; Joanna married H. M. Finley; they have two children, Bertha and Lena; Samuel A. married Miss Nellie Houx, and Adeline married Fred Mize. William M. Coffey is a member of Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 53, I. O. O. F.
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OHN A. LOSEE .- The subject of this sketch, with his wife, has, since November, 1868, owned and resided upon a fine ranch of moderate dimensions, one mile and a quarter south of Sonoma. A passing review of the lives of both Mr. and Mrs. Losce will prove of
great interest to the reader. Mr. Losee dates his birth in Fishkill, Dutchess County, New York, November 27, 1822. He was reared to a farm life, and received such an education as was common to the sons of fairly well-to-do farmers in those years. Hle early showed that spirit of adventure that later led him to leave relatives, friends and native land, and visit lands then but little known. Endowed as he was by nature with rare courage and a perfect command of himself in moments of peril, he was enabled to pass unscathed through seenes of extreme danger. Ilis school days having passed, he mastered the painter's trade. At twenty- two years of age, in the flush of young, vigorons manhood, he embarked for South America. In Peru and Chili he worked much of the time at his trade until 1849; in that year going to New Zealand, where he found profitable employment. and led an active life several years. While in New Zealand, January 7, 1851, he married Miss Hannah Brickwell, a cultured English lady, born in Buckinghamshire, England, and who liad made her home in New Zealand after reach- ing womanhood. Mrs. Losee is a little lady, possessed of marvelous energy, pluck and en- durance, which the then not distant future was to test in the utmost degree. In 1853 Mr. Losee and his wife went to Australia, where Mr. Losee was in business in Sydney the year following. For some time they had contem- plated visiting California with a view of estab- fishing themselves permanently. Accordingly, in September, 1854, in the bark Sarah Morse, the voyage to San Francisco was undertaken, but the fates decreed that years of suffering and separation were to be passed before they were to reach the Golden State. Their ill starred ship was wrecked in December at Ravens Island, one of the Caroline group of islands, on a reef, and became a total loss. After making his wife as comfortable as possible among the natives, Mr. Losee made one of a boat's erew who attempted to reach Aseension Island to bring succor and relief, but their boat, largely at the mercy of the waves and currents of the
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ocean, drifted so far from its course, that hunger and privation compelled them to seek shelter and food upon another of the Caroline group of islands. There two of the party were murdered by the natives, and their captain (not their ship's captain, but a white man hired for the trip) died, and the party was robbed of all their effects. The living made their eseape, largely through the address and energy of Mr. Losee, to another smaller island of the group, having spent three days and nights without food or water. Here they found the natives absent, and the island stocked with chickens, cocoa-nuts and bread fruit. Immediately they commenced laying in supplies for another at- tempt to find relief for their comrades and partners in distress. The natives returning, their departure was attended with danger, but accomplished in safety. Again on the broad ocean the long weary days passed into weeks. No friendly sail greeted the anxious strained eyes of those poor men striving so manfully to save themselves and their dear ones. Their slender stock of food and water diminished un- til for fifteen days they were reduced to a half pint of water and one-half a cocoa-nut to each of their party of four. Death was the only fate to be expected from the natives, but they were compelled to accept the chance of life among them or starve on the apparently deserted ocean. Accordingly, after a voyage of twenty-one days. a landing was made upon a small island where no white man had ever been seen by the natives. To their great joy and relief they were kindly received and cared for, and Mr. Losee was so evidently the master spirit among his three comrades, that he was awarded the distinction bestowed upon a chief, and taken under the protection of the head chief of the island. There two of his three companions died and there Mr. Losee lived like a native two years and eight months, learning their language and acquiring great influence over them. They learned to love and believe in him, and he used his influence over them only for good. Ilad we space for detail, a chapter of anecdote and in ,
cident could be written illustrative of life among those simple minded sons of nature. Indeed, Mr. Losee claims that they practiced the attributes of justice and charity in a greater degree than is common in many communities boasting of civilization and Christianity. At the end of two years and eight months, upon his promise to return to them in four moons (months) and bring tools of iron and open a market forthem for their cocoa-nuts and abalone shells, he was allowed to depart with a stock of cocoa-nuts for food and cocoa-nut shells filled with water. Taking with him a young boy to whom he had taught the English language (his only comrade, Edward Collins, had not the eonrage to again plaee himself at the merey of the ocean), in a frail canoe his departure was made, and again Mr. Losee was looking for re- lief on the broad Pacific. Only a few hours passed before quite a violent wind upset his fail bark and brought extreme peril. With difficulty he righted the canoe and bailed it out, saving only a small portion of his food and water. In almost a perishing condition seven days later he landed among cannibals in Green's Island, Solomon's Group. The sparing of his life by the natives he considers providential. IIe was rescued by a small trading vessel after some weeks, and, after an absence of three years and six months, was again in Sydney. His promise to his island friends was faithfully kept. He induced a trading master with his vessel to visit them, and accompanying him was the boy he had taken away with him. He also brought the promised tools, etc., and some chickens and a pig. Returning to Sydney, Mr. Losee sought by all avenues of information tidings of his wife. There we will leave him to speak of the brave little woman. Mrs. Losee, after spending six months at Ravens Island.in dreadful anxiety and in great suffering and pri- vation, was rescued by the whale ship M. Tul- mudge, and taken to the Island of Guam, the capital of the Phillipine Islands; thence to Manilla on a small Spanish schooner; thence to Hong Kong, China; thence to New York,
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where, having no tidings of her husband, she thought him dead, and like the courageous lady she is. she having learned that business oppor- tunities were opened to her, returned to Ilong Kong, where she was employed at a liberal salary in an English mercantile establishment. In 1859, having saved £200 in lawful currency, she joined her husband in Sydney. Let those who will try to imagine what the meeting must have been after a separation of four years and five months, and to them such eventful years and months. In Sydney Mr. Losee conducted an extensive business, dealing in hardware, paints, oils, paper-hangings, cordage, etc., until 1868, when, again, and this time attended by no untoward event, the journey was undertaken to this State. Their only child, a daughter, who, had she lived, would now be a young lady, died young. And in conclusion we are pleased to be able to state that, surrounded by all need- ful comfort, this worthy couple are enjoying that peace and rest so well earned and so richly deserved by them.
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