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 94
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DWARD SPALDING LIPPITT .- The subject of this memoir was born in the town of Woodstock, Windham County, State of Connectient, September 17, 1824. His father was of the stock of the Lippitts of Rhode Island, who were among the earliest settlers of the Providence plantations. Ilis mother, nee Lois Spalding, was the daughter of a substan- tial farmer of Thompson, Connecticut, and on each side the family was of English extraction. While a child, his parents removed to the town of Killingly, Connecticut, where they resided upon a farm until 1832, when they removed to Thompson, Connecticut, where they also resided upon a farm. Edward was the third son and fifth child in a family of nine children. Ilis early education was limited to the four months schooling each winter usually given in the coun- try of New England to all the children. At the age of sixteen he attended the academy at
Thompson for part of one year and one winter. In the fall of 1842 he entered East Greenwich Academy, Rhode Island, where he spent one term in study, and taught a district school four miles south of East Greenwich, in the winter of 1842-'43, for four months. In the fall of that year he entered the Freshman class in Wes- Jeyan University at Middletown, Connecticut. In his class were Senator Cole, of California, Professor Martin, of the University of the Pa- cific, Orange Judd, of New York, Bishop An- drews. of the Methodist Episcopal church, Alexander Winchell, the naturalist and author, Drs. King and Pillsbury, of the New York Conference, and others of distinguished merit. In April, 1847, he was elected principal of the Collegiate Institute and Gymnasium at Pem- broke, New Hampshire, and left college three months before commencement to enter upon his new duties, returning to graduate with his elass in July, when he was elected president of his class, and presided at the class meetings and ex- ercises of commencement. During the year 1847-'48, while teaching, he commenced the study of law, spending his vacations at Harvard Law School. In the fall of 1848 he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was elected Pro- fessor of Mathematics and Natural Science in the Wesleyan Female College in that city, where he continued until 1852, when he founded the Scientific and Classical Institute of that city, for the instruction of young men. In 1855 he retired from school teaching, and entered upon the practice of the law, for which he had been preparing himself by assiduous labors for all the years he had been engaged in teaching, and was admitted to the bar of the State of Ohio in that year. During the years 1856-'57 he was a member of the school board of the city of Cincinnati, and chairman of the committee on text-books. During the next four years he was associated with W. B. Probasco, in the law business. In 1859 he was elected city solicitor with R. B. Hayes (President Hayes), which office he held until the breaking out of the war in 1861. After his entry upon the practice of
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the law. he entered also earnestly into politics. making the eanvass of Hamilton County several times, and in 1860 canvassing the southern part of Ohio for Abraham Lincoln, and was then accounted one of the most effective speakers among the young men of Ohio. In 1856 he was a delegate from Cincinnati, First Congres- sional district, to the National Convention at Philadelphia, which nominated Fillmore for President, and took an active part in the cam- paign of that year. In the spring of 1862 he emigrated to California, making the trip over- land, and was elected Professor of Mathematics at the University of the Pacific at Santa Clara, remaining there only one year. In July, 1563. he came to Petaluma, to take charge of the pub- lic schools of the city, which he retained for four years, bringing them up to a high state of excellence. During that time he also, during the absence of Mr. Taylor, preached for the Congregational church for the year 1863-64, and under his charge that church edifice was enlarged. The next year he took charge of the Methodist Episcopal church, and began the ereetion of the present structure, buying their present location, and laying the solid foundation and building the first story of what was intended to be one of the finest churches in the State. In 1867 he built the fine buildings on D street, now oceu- pied by the city high school as a collegiate in- stitute, but in the spring of 1570 was obliged by his pecuniary losses to relinquish the enter- prise, losing his whole investment therein. He then returned to his old profession, the practice of the law, which he has since pursued with un- remitting care and attention. During the ten years that have intervened. he has built up a lucrative practice, and taken rank among the best lawyers of the distriet. During the war Mr. Lippitt took an active part for the Union canse, and by his endeavor and eloquence raised large sums of money for the sanitary and Chris- tian commissions. Ile is one of the most elo- quent and popular speakers in the State, and is ever ready to respond in behalf of every good
·enterprise. On November 20, 1848, he was married to Miss Helen M. Young, of Lebanon, New Hampshire, who died June 27, 1849, in Cincinnati, of cholera. On July 3, 1851, he married Miss Sarah L. Lewis, of Monroe, Lonis- iana. They have had nine children, tive of whom are living. Mr. Lippitt is still in the vigor of his manhood, and bids fair to add many years to his life of usefulness.
URANT LITCHFIELD was born in Co- shocton Connty, Ohio, in 1833. His par- ents. Chauncey and Martha (Knight) Litchfield, were natives of New York. When he was four years old his father removed with his family to Illinois, and located in Fulton County. There he engaged in farming, and young Litchfield was reared to the same calling until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving at the same time such educational facilities as were afforded by the public schools. At the age of twenty-one he commenced life on his own account. Ilis father died in 1843, leaving the farin to the care of mother and sons. Mr. Litch- field continned on the home farm until 1862, when, the war of the Rebellion being in its height, and his strong Union sentiments and love of his country prompting him to engage in its defense. he enlisted as a private soldier in Company F, Eighty-fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He served faithfully until the elose of the war. The fatigues and hardships of cam- paigns and dangers of battle were cheerfully encountered, and not until the Rebellion was sup- pressed and the last shot fired did he return to his home. Among the many severe and import- ant engagements that Mr. Litchfield participated in, were the following battles so well known in the history of our country : Chickamanga. Stone River, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Ringgold and Chattanooga. Soon after his return to Illinois he married Miss Elizabeth Adams, the daughter of Hawthorne and Mary (Wertz) Adams, both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1566 he moved to
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MeDonough County, Illinois, where he pur- chased a farm and engaged in farming and stock- raising. He was successful in this enterprise and soon ranked as one of the representative farmers of that county. In 1979 Mr. Litch- field eame to California, and after visiting several sections of the State decided that Sonoma County combined the necessary conditions that would make life in California a constant pleasure. He returned to Illinois. sold his farm, and in 1ss1 moved his family to Sonoma County. Upon his arrival he purchased fifty-seven acres near Sebastopol. mnoved his family upon it and com- menced his career as a fruit grower. Since that time he has devoted himself to its cultivation and improvement. This land is just north of Sebastopol. in the Laguna school district. on the Green Valley road. He has twenty acres in wine grapes of the Zinfandel variety, also a fine orchard which is producing some of the best fruit grown in that section. French prunes be- ing the principal production. but he also raises peaches, apples. pears, plums, etc. The remain- der of his land is devoted to hay and stock. The land is all well adapted to fruit cultivation, and Mr. Litchfield intend- increasing his orchard in the near future. Among the many improve- inents he has made during his residence on this place. is the building of a neat and attractive cottage residence It is beautifully situated in a grove of evergreen trees, upon rising ground. which gives a pleasing and attractive view of the surrounding landscape. Well ordered and commodious ont-buildings, good fences, and the general air of comfort pervading his place, at- test the snecess that Mr. Litchfield is achieving in his vocation. He is an intelligent, enterpris- ing and public-spirited citizen. a believer in the glorious future that awaits his section of the State, and ready to aid in all movements tend- ing to advance the interests and welfare of the community in which he resides. During his short residence here he has gained the respect and esteem of his associates. Ile and his wife are members of Sebastopol Grange. Patrons of Husbandry, and their daughters are members
of the Good Templars Lodge at Sebastopol. In politics he is a strong and consistent Repub- lican. Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield have four chil- dren living. viz .: Laura B., Alice M .. Martha Irma and Mary E. Mr. Litchfield is liberally educating his family. His daughters, Laura B. and Aliee ME., are both graduates of the Normal School at Santa Rosa, and are now ( 1553) teach- ers in the publie schools of Sonoma County.
ALEB C. CARRIGER .- Among the valued and esteemed men who came to Sonoma Valley in its pioneer days were the Carri- ger brothers. A brief review of the subject of this sketch, with mention of other members of the family, gives the following facts. His father. Christian Carriger. was of German birth. and his mother. Lovisa (Ward) Carriger. was born in England. After marriage they located in Carter County. Tennessee. and there all of their children were born. When Caleb C. Carriger was a small boy the family mnoved to Andrew County, where stories reached them of the great fertility and delightful elimate of lands west of the mountains. The Carrigers as a family were noted for daring and adventure. It is believed that the proposition to brave the dangers to be encountered in coming to this coast, met with no opposition from any member of the family. April 27, 1346, the family started with the intention of going to Oregon. but later determined to make California their desti- nation. The journey was attended by danger. privation and great suffering. On Yuba River, September 26. Christian Carriger. the head of the family. died at the age of sixty-seven years. Sadly and tenderly the family buried him in his lonely grave, and then pursued their weary way. The first place reached in California was Johu- son's ranch on Bear River. From there. slowly but without unnecessary delay. the family made their way to Sonoma Valley. reaching Sonoma October 6, 1546. and making that their home. Daniel. Nicholas and Solomon, the three eldest
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of the boys, at once enlisted in the war for the acquisition of California, Daniel and Solomon under Fremont, and Nicholas in the navy. Each did good service. Daniel, a year or two after, died at Sonoma. Nicholas lived to acquire great wealth, his death occurring in 1885. (The reader is referred to his biography elsewhere in this work.) Solomon, who a few years ago re- turned East, is now sixty-two years of age, and lives in Tennessee, in the county of his birth. One sister who came to this coast later, Mrs. Phebe Whitington, now lives in Oregon; and another sister, Mrs. Lovisa McAllan, lives in Missouri. Caleb C. Carriger, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Carter County, Tennessee, November 11, 1832, and he was in his fourteenth year when his family left Andrew County, Missouri, to cross the pla ns and inoun- tains to this coast. His home was made with his widowed mother in Sonoma for several years. She passed to the better life many years ago. . In partnership with his brother Solomon, Mr. Carriger bought 640 aeres of land on the west side of the Sonoma Valley, nearly due west of Sonoma. Upon a portion of that purchase he yet lives. In the thirty years that Mr. Carriger has kept a record of the tempera- ture of this location, but onee has the thermome- ter registered as low as twenty degrees above zero, and that was in the winter of 1887-'88. Oranges grow abundantly and profitably upon his property. From 170 trees a single erop has marketed for $700. Apricots, prunes, plums, quinees, pomegranates, pears and lemons all thrive at this favored place, and produce abun- dantly. October 29, 1863, Mr. Carriger wedded Miss Lizzie Veirs, who was born at Stenben- ville, Jefferson County, Ohio, and who came to California in February, 1861. Six of her seven children are living and at home, viz .: Margaret, Frederick, Nellie, Lizzie, Henry W. and Jessie. Frank, the second child, died at the age of fif- teen months. Mrs. Carriger's father, Jesse Veirs, an educated and cultured business man, was formerly a hardware merchant at Stenben- ville. He was of an old Virginia family.
Leaving his family in the East, he came to California in 1851. In San Francisco he was for many years intrusted with honorable posi- tions, managing the interests of others. His family joined him in 1861. Ile lived a useful and honorable life, was respected and esteemed by all who knew him, and died in Oakland in December, 1876, at the age of fifty-eight years. Mrs. Carriger's mother, Margaret (Sweeney) Veirs, is a native of Ireland, and her home is now (1588) in San Francisco.
ADWIN HARRISON BARNES, banker, of Healdsburg, is a native of Kentucky, born in Livingston County, not far from Smithland, December 26, 1827, his parents being John and Diana Y. (Harrison) Barnes. Ile traees his ancestry back to North Carolina, his father either having been born in that State, or shortly after the family left there for Ken- tucky. IIis mother was born near Cadiz, Ken- tucky, and came of one of the oldest families of that State. In 1833 the Barnes family removed from Kentucky to Missouri, located in Scott County, and there the parents lived until their deaths. E. H. Barnes was in his sixth year when the family removed to Scott County, Mis- souri, and there he received his early education, finishing at Ford's Seminary, Cape Girardeau. On the discovery of gold in California, he de- cided to try his fortunes in the new field so full of promise, and on the 10th of April, 1849, he left home to attempt the then perilous journey across the plains. He followed the regular emi- grant trail until the way diverges, one road going to Salt Lake. Instead, he chose the route by Sublett's Cut-off, thenee via Bear River and the Lawson route. He reached California about the 10th of September, and on the 1st of Octo- ber was at Bidwell's Bar, on Feather River, where he lay sick with fever previously con- tracted. He proceeded to Sacramento, and from there came to Sonoma County, arriving about the 1st of December, 1849. Here he had rela-
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tives living, Joseph Gordon, one of the pioneers of the county, being his mother's uncle. For ten months he lived on Russian River, in Men- docino Township, then moved to the opposite side of the river, in Russian River Township. and, in partnership with William Potter, opened the first tra ling post north of Sonoma. The land he had selected lay in the tract claimed by Captain Cooper, under the El Molino grant, and he decided to take such measures as would in- sure his title, whether the grant was confirmed or not. Going to the captain, he offered him a price for 250 acres, which was to be the pur- chase money in case the grant stood the test of the courts, and for the return of which he de- pended entirely upon the honor of Captain Cooper, in case of an adverse decision on the legality of the grant. The captain was glad to be recognized in the matter to that extent, and the affair was satisfactorily adjusted, so that Mr. Barnes, by acting with good judgment at that time, secured his land at a cheap figure, with- out having any cost of litigation to pay, or any of the aggravating annoyances which others ex- perienced. Of the wisdom and justice of his course there is now no doubt. In 1852 he bought out Mr. Potter's interest in the partner- ship, and sold a half share in the land and store to Lindsay Carson, brother of the noted scout, Kit Carson. He sold his share to Mr. Carson, who afterward sold to John G. McMeans, and the store was removed by him to Healdsburg .in 1855. On January 5, 1854, Mr. Barnes started on a trip baek to Missouri, choosing the route via Nicaragua. In Missouri he visited friends and relatives, and, buying cattle, drove them across the plains and placed them on his ranch in Russian River Township. He im- proved the place and made his residence there most of the time until 1882, in which year he moved to IHealdsburg. From 1864 to 1867 he was associated with R. A. Petray in business at Windsor. Since the organization of the Farm- ers' and Mechanics' Bank of Healdsburg, he has been its president. Mr. Barnes was married in this county, September 20, 1855, to Miss
Mary M. Thompson, who came out to California in 1853, from Johnson County, Missouri, with her parents, John D. and Eliza M. (Steele) Thompson. Both parents died in this county. Mr. Barnes is past master of Russian River Lodge, No. 181, A. F. & A. M., Windsor, of which he was a charter member. He has been an eye witness to the changes which have trans- formed Sonoma County from a wilderness to its present prosperous condition. When he first came to the county, Sonoma was the only trading point or settlement, and the Carrillo adobe was the only ranch house of any conse- quence between Sonoma and Captain Fitch's place. The Pinos adobe, where D. D. Phillips now lives, was the only house on Dry Creek. There are bnt few, indeed. left in the county who were here during the first year or two of Mr. Barnes' residence in the county, yet he is to-day one of its active business men. His snecess in life is due solely to his own good judgment, business sagacity and industry, and he has always commanded the highest respect and esteem of the community. Mr. Barnes has never been from choice in public life, though always taking an active interest in the welfare of the community. However, in 1851 he was elected justiee of the peace.
CHARLES McHARVEY was born in Os- wego County, New York, December 21, 1826. His father, Charles McHarvey, was of Scotch descent, but a native of New York. llis mother, whose maiden name was Amplias Jones, was a native of Vermont and a descendant of the Puritans of New England. The father died just before the birth of the sub- jeet of this sketch, and in 1827 his mother moved to Crawford County, Pennsylvania, where she married John Welch, a farmer and shoemaker. Mr. Mellarvey was reared upon his step-father's farm until about seven years of age, when he left home and worked for a farmer in that seetion of the country until 1836. HIe
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then went to Titusville. Pennsylvania. in the same county, and there remained, earning such a living as he could at farm and other labor, until fourteen years of age. While there Mr. Mellarvey gathered oil (petroleum) from the springs, and in the seetion that has since become so noted for its oil wells and mineral wealth. He returned to his former home in 1840. con- tinued his farm labor, obtained what schooling he could until eighteen years of age, when he entered upon a three years apprenticeship as a blacksmith and carriage maker in Meadville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. After serving his full apprenticeship, he established a shop in Randall Township, in the same county, and carried it on for two years. In 1849 Mr. Me- Ilarvey married Miss Arrilla Near, a native of Jamestown, New York, and in 1552 removed to Meadville and carried on his business until 1554. when he started via the Isthmus route for Califor- nia, arriving in San Francisco April 14th of that year. Soon after his arrival helocated in Soroma County and established a blacksmith and car- riage shop at Sonoma. it being the second shop of this character opened in Sonoma Valley. In 1555 he entered into partnership with R. B. Lyon, with whom he continued the enterprise until early in 1556, when he disposed of his interest to his partner, and took a trip through the mining distriets. He then, in the same year, returned to his old home in Pennsylvania, and after remaining about a year, eame back to So- noma County. Upon his return he purchased an interest in his old shop. it being at that time conducted by his old partner. Lyon, and V. Hope. Under the firm name of Mellarvey. Hope & Co. this enterprise was successfully carried on until 1560, when Mr. Lyon retired. and eight years later again purchased an inter- est in the firm, which in 1870 he sold to his partners, who conducted the same until the death of Mr. Hope, which occurred in June, 1588. Since that time Mr. McHarvey has con- tinned the business under the old firm name, the widow of Mr. Hope retaining his interest. Thus it will be seen that for over thirty years
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Mr. McIlarvey has been prominently connected with one of the most important mechanical and manufacturing industries of Sonoma Val- ley. These works are located on the west side of the plaza, and though the manufacturing industry is comparatively small, he is well pat- ronized in the blacksmith and repair shops. He is also dealing in wagons, agricultural imple- ments, ete. Mr. McHarvey is a part owner in the shops and also owns a fine cottage residence property on the corner of Spain and Third street west. also two lots and cottage on Napa and Second street east. Mr. MeHarvey's long residence and business here has made him one of the well-known men of Sonoma Valley. Itis early life was spent in the struggle for a living among comparative strangers, thus being de- prived of the advantages of schooling; never- theless, by his industry, mechanical ability and straightforward course in business, he has achieved a much greater success in life than many who start in the race with all the advantages of which he was deprived. He is an enterprising citizen and has for the past four years been a member of the board of city trustees, and is now (1558) president of the board. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has for many years been asso- ciated with Temple Lodge. No. 14, of that order. Politically, he is a Republican, taking a deep in- terest in the success of his party. From the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McHarvey there are three children living, viz .: Tammy, who married J. M. Cheney, living in Sonoma; Clarence. who married Miss Alice Porterfield, of Cloverdale. now living in Lake County, and Mary. who is married to R. M. Lee, of Jamestown, New York, and resides in San Francisco.
RS. FANNIE MCG. MARTIN, super- intendent of Sonoma County publie schools, was born in Pennsylvania, of which State her parents, Hugh F. and Jane
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( Walker) McGanghey, were also natives. In her early childhood the family moved West and set- tled in Macomb, McDonough County, Illinois. where her parents passed the remainder of their lives and both died in 1863. Some time after their decease Miss MeGanghey went to Minne- sota, and desiring to prepare herself for the profession of teaching. took a course in the Minnesota State Normal School at St. Cloud, from which she was graduated in the class of 1871. She taught in St. Cloud and Minneapo- lis three years, and in 1874 came to California, and has been engaged in school-work, either as teacher. principal or superintendent in Sonoma County almost constantly since. She taught in Healdsburg one year as assistant principal, and the two years following was employed as prin- cipal of the schools of that place. She served one year as principal of the school at Sebastopol, after which she was elected principal of the Sonoma schools and occupied the position three years, resigning to enter upon the higher and more important duties of county superintend- ent, to which she was elected in the fall of 1586, and for the term of four years, took charge of the office January 1st, 1987. She was elected on the Republican ticket by the handsome ma- jority of over 400 votes over her male competi- tor, notwithstanding the county has usually gone Democratic. She is the first lady super- intendent of schools elected in Sonoma County, and is conceded to be one of the most pains- taking, thorough and efficient officers who have filled the position in this or any other county of the State. Mrs. Martin is a zealous student of her profession, and having added to her theo- retical training fourteen years of practice in the school-room as teacher and principal, she ranks among the leading public school educators of California. She belongs to the progressive school, and has instituted several valuable new features in the pedagogical work of this county. On May 31, 1576, the subject of this memoir was united in marriage with Edgar Martin, of So- noma County, but a native of Iowa, and a de- scendant of Virginia parentage. Two children 39
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