USA > California > El Dorado County > Historical souvenir of El Dorado County, California : with illustrations and biographical setches of its prominent men & pioneers > Part 51
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247
BIOGRAPHY.
27th, 1861, carrying away with them about $1,200 besides watches and other valuables. Since this oc- currence Mr. Hakemoller has followed teaming and ranching. He was married February 14th, 1858 to Mary Mahnen, who was born in Prussia, April 11th, 1835, and came to the United States in 1853, she lived in New Orleans five years and in 1858 came to El Dorado county. They have five children, viz : Mary A., born February 3d, 1859 ; Alice M., born November 24th, 1862 ; James A., born January 18th, 1866; Caroline L., born October 21st, 1869, and William H., born April 26th, 1874. Mr. Hakemoller has 172 acres of land on which he has a good orchard and buildings for care of all stock and products.
HUGO T. HART
Is one of the principal wine makers in Salmon Falls township, where he has 200 acres of land and about 14,000 vines of the best varieties. He was born near Rotterdam, in Holland, on the 19th of July, 1827. When a boy of only about 14 years old he went to sea, and in the time that he was a sailor, traveled the world over. visiting the ports of all nations. In the month of May, 1849, he left New York city on the brig Emma Prescott, going around Cape Horn . to San Francisco, where he arrived December 30th. Af- ter a few months spent there, in company with five others run a "whaler " boat up to Sacramento, tied the boat to a tree and went to the Yuba river to mine. Flour was $50.00 per sack and all other articles of food so high that Mr. Hart tired of working simply to pay for "grub," hence he abandoned the mines, worked his passage to Sacramento, and there paid $17.00 to get to San Francisco. He engaged in the lighterage business for a time.
After earning money enough to travel, he came to Mormon Island and began mining there and at Mc- Dowell Hill, there he was quite successfull and went east to New York city, where he was married to Miss Eva Mahl, on the 7th day of May, 1852. The same year he returned to California via Cape Horn again. There are two children, Edward T. Hart, the first child, born on McDowell Hill, and Mary, now Mrs. James Hoke. Edward was married to Mrs. Ida (Shaff) Knight, who had one child, Sadie, and their son is called Albert T. Mrs. Hoke has four children, viz : Fannie, Sophia, Henry and Hugo. Mr. Hart has been successful in building up a good home from noth- ing on which to work in 1856, when he took up his present place. In 1858 he began planting vines. In 1870 he moved into his present residence, which is 60 feet long, 24 feet wide and 2 stories high, the base- ment is used as a wine cellar. He makes large quan- tities of vinegar and turns out about 3,000 gallons of wine and 500 of brandy per annum
POWELL F. T. HART
Was born in Rotterdam, Holland, on the roth day of April, 1825, and was one of a family of seven children of Ira Cornelius and Johanna Maria Hart. When young he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for over fifteen years in one shop. In 1854 he determined to come to the New World and left Amsterdam on the bark Bacon, bound around Cape Horn to San Francisco. He arrived October 27th, 1854, and went at once to McDowell Hill, where he began mining. He met with several accidents in the mines and abandoned them to resume labor at his trade. During the ten years that he worked at car pentering he was also engaged in improving his farm where he now lives, on the banks of the South Fork of the American river, consisting of 200 acres on which he grows all kinds of fruits and has about 12,000 grape vines. He was married in Holland on the 24th of March, 1850, to Maria S. Knight. To them were born seven children. Ira T., Michael T., Mary, Catherine, Sarah, Annie and Michael. Ira, Michael and Sarah are dead ; Mrs. Hart died on the 6th of October, 1871, and he was again married to Mrs. Emma Sims, a native of Cornwall, England, and a daughter of Mathew and Martha Williams. Shehad two -
children yet living, viz : John W. and Martha Francis.
WILLIAM H. HOOPER
Was born in the city of Cincinnati, on the 16th day of January, 1832, and is a son of W. F. and Nancy (DeBreuler) Hooper. His father was born in the State of New Jersey, and mother was of French an- cestors. His father was a potter by trade and Wil- liam worked at the same until 1850, when he crossed the plains to California. His first work in California was on Mansfield Bar, near the present residence of Mr. Valentine. In the fall of 1850 he went to Cen- treville and in company with Thomas Hooper, an uncle, and John Sevier, a brother-in-law, erected the second house in the place, the first one having been built by Samuel Stevens. They opened a store here which was the first one kept at Centreville. In 1851 he went to Yolo county and spent the summer, after which he followed mining continuously until 1869, when he purchased the Tunnel Hill vineyard of about 48 acres agricultural land, and an undivided two-third interest in 55 acres of mineral land. In November, 1876 he was married to Emma Davis. They have three children, viz : Dorcas, William B., and Albert. Mrs. Hooper was a daughter of Luther Davis, who came from Boston to California in 1849, and kept a bakery aud confectionery opposite the present store of John Price in Coloma. Mr. Hooper is a charter member of the A. O. U. W., and also of the Grange at Coloma.
248
HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
P. B. HOGAN
Proprietor of the Ringgold ranch, one of the most beautifully located and pleasantly surrounded homes in El Dorado county. Is a son of David and Mary Hogan and was born on the 21st day of July, 1815, near the town of Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
His parents moved to Edwards county, Illinois, where he was reared until 17 years old. In 1833 they went to the lead mines in northern Illinois, and here he worked in the mines and on a farm for about eight years, and for about nine years more in a flouring and saw mill. In 1850 he crossed the plains. In 1851 returned east, and in 1852 again came to California, bringing his family with him. In 1853 he settled on his present home and for a number of years has been actively engaged in mining, milling, building, lime burning and operating a box factory. More recently he has devoted his time entirely to the care of his farm and orchard of about 2,500 fruit trees and 11,000 grape vines, together with a great abundance of all kinds of small fruits. The place is well provided with buildings for the care of stock, and all products of the ranch, as shown by a view of the residence and sur- roundings, to be found on another page of this volume.
Mr. Hogan was married on the 6th of March, 1842, to Miss Jemima Gallahan of Dayton, Ohio. They have five children, Charles, Louisa, now Mrs. James Dean, Philipp B., John K., and George, who died when 17 years old. Mr. Hogan has been an active man in business pursuits. He constructed the vaults in the Court House at Placerville, and raised the Ac- ademy at the same city to the present three story building, but when there was no job for him near home he went outside for contracting on buildings or brick burning.
THOMAS HARRIS.
Early in the fifty's, Diamond Springs was rated high among the towns of El Dorado. In 1854 excitement ran to fever heat, and the business pulse throbbed fast and strong. We are creditably informed that from 40 to 50 mercantile houses were open and doing a good trade. Substantial buildings were erected of stone and brick that would do credit to our most pre- tentions towns of the present time.
the struggle for self support, engaged in dispensing drugs and medicines in his native town for about four years, thence to the Isle of Wright where he pursued the same business until 1848, after which time he spent a few months at his home and in 1849 he crossed the briny deep to America, and remained in New York State, at Rochester, untill 1852, when the news of the famous gold fields of El Dorado enticed him to her domain. Since January, 1853 Mr. Harris has been counted among the substantial and perman- ent residents of Diamond Springs. Most of the time from '53 to '64 he was engaged in mining, occasionally clerking in McHatton's store. In 1864 he bought the place in company with Nathan Levy, after one year Keegan bought the interest of Levy and that firm continued for about 18 months, when Harris pur- chased the entire business and has conducted it alone since, as a general merchandise store. Married in 1860 to Margaret W. Corcoran, this union has been blesse i by a family of seven children, viz: Maria M., Mary A., Thomas J., Carrie V., Susan F., Charles E. and one died unnamed, Susan F. died on February 1, 1882. Mr. Harris came to the States poor, but by faithful attention to business, fair dealing and prudent economy, has gained for himself a good home and competence. He is surrounded by an intelligent and interesting family that contribute much to his happi- ness in declining years.
JOHN L. HOUX
Is a native of Missouri, where he was born on the 20th of February 1849, is a son of Leonard and Sarah L. (Tebbs) Houx. In 1852 his parents crossed the plains to California and settled near Black's sta- tion in Yolo county, where John L. lived until 1877, when he came to El Dorado county and purchased his present home, known as the Bugby farm, located on the stage road leading from Sacramento and Fol- som to Placerville. The farm comprises 220 acres. On the place is one of the oldest vineyards in the county of about 20,000 vines. He was married March 25th, 1875, to Miss Mary Viola Gray, a daughter of Allen T. Gray, the pioneer settler of Gray's Flat. They have two children, Ensley L., born November 26th, 1876, on the homestead, Gray's Flat, and Eliza J., born July 2d, 1880, on their pres- ent home. Mr. Houx is part owner in the recently discovered quartz mines known as the Houx mine and Sailor Jack, and. also interested with his brother in an extensive drug store in Folsom. From 1874 to 1882, in company with two other brothers carried on a wheat ranch of about 6,000 acres in Colusa county. There is a family of nine children, brothers successful business habits and none of them more so than the subject of our sketch.
The failing of the mines and the devastation by fire wrought the ruin of the place, and of all that once was, naught now remains save the business houses and surroundings owned and operated by Thomas Harris, the subject of our notice. He was born in the town of Wingham in the county of East Kent, England, on the 14th day of April, 1828. His father was John Harris who kept a bakery and con. and sisters of Mr. Houx's. They are a family of fectionary in which Thomas worked when a boy. At the age of 13 years he left his father's home and in
249
BIOGRAPHY.
JOSEPH IRISH
Is a son of Freeman and Almeda (Rowe) Irish, of Ox- ford county, Maine, where he was born on October, 6, 1832. He worked on a farm till 21 years of age, then went to learn the shoemaker's trade. He worked at his trade in the town of Randolph, Massachusetts, until 1853.when he emigrated to California and located on Dry creek, below Placerville. In 1864 he removed to Bear creek and engaged in operating a saw mill, now owned by Reuben Demuth. In 1876 he moved to his present home of 240 acres, on which he grows all kinds of fruit and does a general farming business. He wis married in 1856 to Mary Russell a native of Boston, Massachusetts. They have a family of four daughters and two sons, viz: Charles F., Mary E., Franklin H., Rosa A., Ella M. and Alice J. Mr. Irish is a member of the I. O. O. F., and Ancient Order of United Workmen at Georgetown.
ALEXANDER JACOBSEN
Was born in the province of Schleswig, Germany, on the 30th of May, 1830.
When but a boy he went to sea and served three years in the service of a Dutch ship off the western coast of South America. He came to California in 1853, and in 1854 moved on to Weber creek, near where he now lives. Was married to Margareta Clawson, of Coloma, on Feb. 15, 1858, and to them three children have been born, Maria Sophia, Peter C. and Jacob. Mr. Jacobsen is engaged in the dairy business on Weber creek.
WILLIAM ANTONE KRAMP
1834, educated the same as his brother in his native country. They have by industry and clear business calculation, erected for themselves a handsome prop- erty and comfortable hoine, consists of about 100 acres, adjoining the village of Diamond Springs, El Dorado county, the highest spot of the land can be flooded with water from the Eureka Ditch company, and in addition towhich there is living springs of water on the place. They are engaged in growing fruits, wine, brandy and vinegar, about 500 apples, 1500 peach, 50 pears, 500 plums, 50 apricots, 40 nectarines, together with cherries and small fruits, and about 20 acres in vines, to which they are yearly adding more. The grapes are all made into wine and brandy on the place and at times purchase grapes to make. They have made as high as 6,000 gallons in one year.
Phillip was married Dec. 19, 1859, to Catherine Schmidt, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Schmidt, married in San Francisco, born in same place as her husband, in Germany, they have one child living, a son, Albert Louis, born 24th of June, 1864. There was Wm. Antone, born Jan. 31, 1875, died July 19, 1877. The son attended school in Diamond until fifteen, then two years to Placerville Academy and for one year at Placerville Business College, which course was interrupted by sickness. Both be- long to the Grange at Placerville. In politics Demo- cratic, in religion Protestant, belonging to the Episco- pal church at Placerville. In 1876 William attended the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, and vis- ited his parents, who were at that time living in Missouri. He had not seen them since 1854, when he left the paternal roof for California. They have had the usual experience of early pioneer troubles and trials attended their building up, but through a stead- fast determination to come through they have been prosperous.
Was born in the village of Linter, in Province of Nas- sau, March 28, 1829. Son of Christian and Anna Maria Kramp. During boyhood days, spent on his father's farm, in general work, attended school eight years, as by the law of his country, completed his edu- cation at age of 14, still continued working on the JOHN WESLEY KILLOUGH farm, until Oct. 17, 1852, he emigrated to United Was born in the town of Gossport, Owen county, Indiana, on the 25th day of December, 1832. He is the third child of a family of six children of John and Delila (Henderson) Killough. His father was born in Pennsylvania and mother in Virginia. John W. was raised on a farm until sixteen years old when he went to learn the carpenter's trade. He worked at this and manufacturing fanning mills until 1853, when he came to California and located at Cold Springs. In 1879 he bought the place he now owns, of about 480 acres. It was located and im- proved by J. P. Poteel, whose daughter Elizabeth F. he married in 1872. There are two children Mary A. and Emeretta. The ranch is located on what was States in company with his parents to Hermon, Mo., where he again worked on a farm for 16 months. In 1854, March 17th, and on April 26th crossed the Mis- souri river at St. Joseph, for California, cooked for the train of 26 men and 3 women, across the plains. On 17th of October, 1854, landed at Diamond Springs, and engaged in mining and general industries, until he saw that the mines would not hold out and took measures to prepare a home, in 1858. He was joined on April 17th by his brother Phillip, who had re- mained behind with the parents in Missouri. When he arrived he was made an equal partner with his brother, and since then has remained as such. Phillip was the second child and second son, born July 2, once called Iowa Flat, a mining camp of considerable
250
HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
importance. On the place is to be found a fine orchard of about 800 fruit trees. In addition to farming he is engaged in mining and growing angora goats.
HON. HENRY LARKIN,
Of Diamond Springs, was born at Oneida Lake, Madison county, New York, January 2d, 1826. The discovery of gold brought him early to California. He crossed the plains and arrived September Ist, 1849. Was Deputy Sheriff from 1852 to 1855, and in 1860 was the Census Marshal for El Dorado. He was elected to the State Senate in 1869 ; was candi- date for Congress in 1875. On the 19th of June, 1878 was elected to represent his county in the Con- stitutional Convention, being elected on the Working- man's ticket by a majority of 710 over the Independ- ent and 562 over the non-partisan candidate.
Mr. Larkin as a law maker is a decided progressist, when a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1878, his standpoint towards the anti-coolie question was characterized by the following article proposed for adoption into the new Constitution of this State :
Sec. 1. " No person shall be permitted to settle in this State, who is not eligible to become a citizen of the United States, after adoption of this constitution.
Sec. 2. " All contracts made with such person or persons coming into the State contrary to the provis- ions of the foregoing section, shall be void, and any person who shall employ such person, or lease, rent or let a house to him or them, or encourage him or them to remain in the State, shall be fined in any sum not less than $20, nor more than $r,ooo.
Sec. 3. " All fines which may be collected for vio- lation of the provisions of this article, or of any law which may hereafter be passed for the purpose of car- rying the same into execution, shall be set apart and appropriated to the Common School Fund of the State.
Sec. 4. " The Legislature shall pass laws to carry out the provisions of this article."
A. J. LOWRY
The present Postmaster of Placerville, was appointed to the office first on July Ist, 1866, and has been re- appointed at each succeeding term since. The posi- tion as resident agent of Wells, Fargo & Co's express he also holds, was conferred to him on December 28th, 1871. Mr. Lowry was born December 16th, 1828, near Roseville, Ohio, here he was raised and spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and in attending public school and whatever chance there was at those times to give a young man the average business education. Up to the time of maturity young Lowry remained with his folks at the old home;
but just at that time the news of the discovery of gold in California had arrived and opened a new field for all energetic young men. It did not take him a long time of hesitation, and he concluded to try his fortune like others in the new El Dorado. He crossed the plains in 1850, and arrived at Hangtown on August 18th, the same year, about three weeks be- fre California was declared a State in the Union. Immediately after his arrival he began to work at mining on Hangtown creek and followed this voca- tion,-with the exception of a short period from 1853 to'54, when he was Deputy Sheriff under D. E. Buel, Sheriff-here, on Weber creek and at In- dian Diggings, with but very indifferent success, up to 1862, when he quitted mining entirely. Under Sheriff Alex. Hunter he was ap, ointed Deputy, for the whole term, from 1862 to '64, and thereafter he was appointed Deputy Clerk under G. J. Carpenter; which office he kept until his appointment as Post- master. Mr. Lowry is one of the most active mem- bers of the Society of Territorial Pioneers of El Dorado.
JOHN HOPWOOD
Was of English birth, came to the United States on Jan. 1, 1855 was married to Julia Waterman, daughter of John Waterman, of Virginia, came to California and settled at Placerville, in October, 1855, where he engaged in mining. Followed the Frazer river excite- ment and was killed by the Indians in the North.
Jno. E. Hopwood, the only son was born at Placer- ville, Oct. 30, 1856. He is a steady young man, and at present engaged in the mill at the Grand Victory Mine. In June, 1864, Mrs. Hopwood was again mar- ried to Isiah Zumwalt, who was born in Mo., August 8, 1836, and by this union there are six children, viz : James H., Charles F., Ida, George, May, and Freder- ick. The farm has 160 acres of good tillable soil, with a good residence, etc. Both Hopwood and Zuni- walt are members of the I. O. O. F., at Diamond Springs.
JOSEPH LYON
Son of Jacob and Elizabeth Lyon, born in Ohio, Dec. 16, 1841, and when in infancy parents removed to Tenahasta, Ind., in four years removed with parents to Iowa, located in Polk county, near Des Moines city. Boyhood days spent on the farm. In 1860 went to Colorado and was in the mines for about two years, and returned to Iowa, where he found the boys of the 2d. Iowa Regiment, Company D., and set out there Jan. 29, 1864, was mustered in at Davenport, Iowa, served until July 12, 1865, and was sent then on March from Pulaski, Tennessee, to Washington city and was at the Grand Review, at Washington, af- ter marching from Raleigh. In 1866, crossed the
RESIDENCE AND VINEYARD OF HENRY METTE ELDORADO C9,CAL.MORMONISLAND,P.O.
251
BIOGRAPHY.
plains to El Dorado county, California, and has since been farming and teaming. Married July 3, 1870, to Lucy J. Creighton, daughter of James Creighton, of Rockland, Me. There is one son, now living, Arthur Sherman, born April 20, 1871, who in company with his father conducts a farming and teaming trade. Er- ected his residence 1881.
L. H. LOVEJOY
Is the third child of a family of seven sons and daughters of Jacob and Sarah (Townsend) Lovejoy. He was born in Sidney, Kennebeck county, Me., Dec. 18, 1820. When but 13 years old he was thrown upon his own resources and worked at whatever his hands could find to do until 1853. When he came to California he spent his first year near Redwood city in lumbering. In 1854 he moved to El Dorado county, and acquired and improved the Penobscot property in 1855. He kept it one year, leased it one year, and then sold it, and moved to Murderer's Bar in 1857, here he remained at mining until 1862. This year his family, who he had left in the east, joined him and he settled on what was known as the Blue Tent ranch, after about one year he bought a claim at Yankee Jims, and also leased the toll bridge at Murderer's Bar. In 1864 he moved on the Knickerbocker ranch and soon after opened a public house. In 1872 opened a blacksmith and carriage shop. In Novem- ber, 1869 became interested in the stage route from Auburn to Georgetown and Placerville, and as soon as the Central Pacific Railroad was completed to Auburn "Lovejoys'," became a junction. In 1848 he was mar- ried to Miss Clara G. Page, of Maine. There have been born to them five children, viz : Thatcher T., Amanda, Fred, Stephen and Maud. Mr. Lovejoy is a member of the Pilot Hill Lodge, No. 160, F. and A. M.
SOLOMON ALEX, LONG
Born at White Sulpher Springs, Green Brine county, West Virginia, December 25, 1825, son of William Long, who was a native of Maryland. In boyhood days was engaged in almost every pursuit, at times going to the seas, most of the time on farms. In April 4, 1848 started across the plains to Oregon, ar- rived September 21, at Oregon city, remained for the winter. Erected a school during the winter and in the spring sailed down the coast to San Francisco, then to North Fork of the American river and mined at Barnes Bar, then to Sacramento and after attending stage for awhile went again into El Dorado county and has been in this county ever since. Is member of Pal- myra Lodge No. 157, F. and A. M., is Past Master. Is now Postmaster at Pleasant Valley.
JACOB LYON,
Was born in Mason county, Kentucky, on July I, 1816. Son of Jacob and Jane Lyon, who were natives of Maryland from whence they removed in a very early day to Ohio. The Indians were very bad there and drove them away to Kentucky and from there en- listed in the war of 1812. Jacob is one of a family of eleven children, eight of whom grew to be men and women. His firs tventure for himself was tilling a rented farm, at the age of 19. There were no free schools those days and his father being poor and unable to educate him, he was compelled to struggle against large odds for a livelihood. In 1846 he removed to Des Moines, Iowa. Was married August 3, 1837, at Terra Haute, Vigo county, Indiana to Elizabeth Howard, daughter of Samuel and Susanna Howard. She was born in Ohio, October 7, 1818. They have had but one child, a son, named Joseph, who now lives near the homestead. They removed from Iowa to California in 1860, and settled on the section of land where they now live. Mr. Lyon came to Califor- nia in 1852, but sickness at home caused his return and then he removed to Dallas county, Iowa (from which place he moved in '60 to California.) His home is on section nine, where both he and his son erected good and comfortable homes in 1881, views of which can be seen in another part of this volume. Mr. L., never has used tobacco and strong drinks and is at an advanced age, active and well. Is Republican in politics and Protestant in religion, member of Grange at Placerville.
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