USA > California > San Benito County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 30
USA > California > Monterey County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 30
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was reared as strong and sturdy as their rock- bound shores. Relatives of the family had sought the larger opportunities offered by the new world, whence they sent back to the old home messages breathing contentment and pros- perity. Under these circumstances it was nat- ural that C. J., upon leaving school at the age of fourteen years, should decide to cross the ocean, a decision that he immediately carried into execution. After having landed in New York he traveled to Iowa and joined an uncle living in that state. There he gained his first knowledge of the language and customs of the people among whom his later years were to be passed. After a few years in Iowa he proceeded west to Oregon and made a brief sojourn, thence coming to California, where he joined a married sister at the time residing in Oakland. Some- what later Monterey county attracted him by its opportunities and he became a permanent resi- dent.
After working for others until he had accu- mulated a small capital, Mr. Christensen in- vested his savings in a farming outfit and began to cultivate land. At this writing he is engaged in raising grain and potatoes on a farm of about one hundred and twenty-five acres situated near Blanco. The land is productive and his farm- ing operations are conducted with care and in- telligence, hence his prospects are bright for fu- ture success, especially if the present high prices of cereals continue in force during future sea- sons. Personally he is a sober, industrious and friendly man, who from boyhood has steadfastly refused to use tobacco or intoxicants. His at- tention is given closely to farm work. Partici- pation in politics or social affairs does not in- terest him, but he is popular with all classes and has many friends in his part of the county.
JOHN A. ARMSTRONG.
The president and general manager of the J. G. Armstrong Co., Incorporated, is one of the influential and prosperous citizens of Salinas, where he owns and occupies a comfortable res- idence at No. 327 Church street. Although not a native of Monterey county, practically all of his life, of which he entertains any recollections,
has been spent within the boundaries of this county and he has won a recognized position through energy and the exercise of his fine men- tal endowments. The cattle business has been his specialty. There are perhaps few men in the entire state who are more proficient judges of cattle than is he and his judgment as to weights and values is seldom at fault.
John A. Armstrong was born in Delaware county, N. Y., February 27, 1863, and is a son of John G. and Christina (Smith) Armstrong, also natives of that county and descendants of old eastern families. During the year 1868 the family migrated to California and settled in the vicinity of Blanco, where the father bought a quarter-section of land. From time to time he increased his possessions until he became one of the large land owners of the locality. In early years he gave his attention to grain farming al- most wholly, but little by little he began to be interested in cattle raising. At times he had as many as twenty-five hundred head of cattle on the ranch. The business grew to such dimen- sions that an incorporated company was or- ganized.
The J. G. Armstrong Co., with J. A. Arm- strong as president, makes a specialty of raising, buying and selling cattle. Operations are con- ducted upon a large scale. Sales are made to every part of the state. In many new ideas for the promotion of the business and the develop- ment of lands the company has been a leader. To them is due the credit for originating the method of feeding the cattle on the pulp left from the beets after the sugar is extracted. When they began to experiment with this feed they were able to buy the pulp at ten cents a ton, but as the use of the refuse was proved to possess merit the price advanced and is now fifty-five cents per ton. Another plan originated by the com- pany was that relating to the irrigation system of the county. In 1898 they sunk wells and pumped the water to various parts of their ranch. Others soon saw the good results of the plan and now this idea has been carried into execution on many ranches throughout the county, their own ranch now having three pumps that furnish an ample supply of water for irrigation.
The president of the company gives his atten- tion closely to the business, in the interests of
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which he has formed acquaintances among cattle- men all over the country. It has not been possi- ble for him to identify himself closely with civic affairs, for the details of his business are too exacting to permit of additional responsibilities. His home is presided over by Mrs. Armstrong, formerly Miss Susan Irvine, who was born and reared in Monterey county and was married here August 3, 1893. They have three sons, James Irvine, Max and Samuel Maitland.
CHARLES ANDREW PINE.
Enduring the hardships and participating in the activities that transformed California from a wilderness into a productive region of wealth and beauty, Charles Andrew Pine gave the best years of his life to the task of aiding in the de- velopment of the agricultural and commercial resources of the west, and when finally death terminated his useful career he passed into eter- nity, mourned by those to whom his manly quali- ties and pioneer fortitude had endeared him. In patient endurance he had a worthy companion in his noble pioneer wife, who survives him, and in the evening of her days, ministered to by three generations of descendants and surrounded by a circle of warm friends, is quietly and happily living at her pleasant home on Cedar street, Pa- cific Grove, where recently a family reunion was held, with four generations present.
Vermont was the native home of Mr. Pine, who was born at Williston, February 15, 1826. During boyhood he accompanied his parents to Michigan and there learned the trade of a cabinet- maker, which he followed as a journeyman for a brief period prior to coming to California. Dur- ing the early '5os he and his brother, Sardis Pine, landed in San Francisco, where he embarked in the lumber business. Later he carried on a simi- lar business at Sacramento.
From there he removed to Bucksport, Hum- boldt county, and opened a general merchandise store, and while living there had to go about well armed to protect himself and his family from the Indians, and many times he went with the other settlers in their raids against the red men. Sometime later he became interested in a lum- ber mill in Eureka. After having conducted that
industry for some time, he came further south, and at Rio Vista, Solano county, engaged in the dairy and stock business. While he remained here he was deeply interested in all movements that came up to promote the growth of the small town. He also built and conducted a large ware- house at this place. The heavy cares and re- sponsibilities of his many activities impaired his health and caused him to remove to Arizona, where he had charge of a cattle ranch, seventeen miles from Prescott. During the period of his residence there the Indians, under Geronimo, were operating against the settlers in the south- ern part of the territory, and while he and his family were in constant danger, fortunately es- caped them. He never left home without being armed, and left the house well protected while away.
When he returned to California, about 1884, the family took up their residence in San Jose, and later moved to Watsonville. In 1890 he re- tired to Pacific Grove, where he died, November 12, 1891. Fraternally he was a Mason and a past master of Rio Vista Lodge, F. & A. M., and was also a member of the Suisun Chapter, R. A. M. While making his home in Solano county he was elected county assessor on the Republican ticket.
The marriage of Mr. Pine was solemnized in Eureka, December 28, 1854, and united him with Louisa Wasgatt. She is a daughter of the late Cornelius Wasgatt, a pioneer of the state, who, in 1849, came as captain and part owner of a vessel around the Horn. He plied his trade along the coast for some time, or until his ves- sel was wrecked on the bar at the mouth of Humboldt bay. At this time he gave up the sea and made his home in Humboldt county until his death, at the age of over ninety years.
Mr. and Mrs. Pine had but one child, a daugh- ter, Carrie, now the wife of G. F. Faulkner, V. S., of Salinas. Mrs. Pine was born in Salem, Mass., in 1836, and in 1853, with her two sisters, sailed from Boston for California via Cape Horn on the clipper ship Morning Light, owned by Glidden and Williams and commanded by Cap- tain Knight. These sisters were young and in- experienced travelers, and, coming alone, were consigned as freight to Flint, Peabody & Co., of San Francisco. The voyage was pleasant as long
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JOHN ROTH
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as the ship was on the Atlantic ocean, but after the Horn had been passed the vessel encountered severe storms on the Pacific, and during one of these hurricanes shipwreck was narrowly averted. However, the sisters finally arrived safely at Eureka, Cal., and there Miss Wasgatt remained until after her marriage. While living in Hum- boldt county she was ofttimes in peril from the "digger" Indians, who were then raiding the country. Many skirmishes were fought near the Pine home, and more than once, when the dan- ger was greatest, Mrs. Pine helped to run bul- lets for the men to use against the savages. Dur- ing the siege a large number of Indians were killed, some of them near the Pine place. For months the family slept at night with a gun at the head of the bed. The Indian uprising greatly retarded the development of that part of Cali- fornia, for, naturally, settlers chose portions of the state less exposed to murderous attacks from the red men.
MRS. MARY ROTH.
Upon no other condition in life does so much depend as upon the possession of a sound body, for hand in hand with this goes the sound brain, both of which combined, form a complete organ- ism which enables the possessor to perform his or her part in the world worthily. This blessing has been bestowed upon Mrs. Mary Roth in bountiful measure, and now, although she has reached the ninetieth mile-stone of her life, is still hale and hearty and in full possession of all of her faculties.
A native of Ireland, Mrs. Roth was born in the town of Amly, county Tipperary, in 1820, the daughter of James and Alice (Sheehan) Heffer- nan. lifetime residents of the Emerald Isle. Making her home with an aunt until grown to womanhood. Miss Heffernan then boarded a ves- sel bound for the United States, and after the necessary time spent on the ocean she was happy to touch foot to the soil which was henceforth to be her home. California was her objective point, and immediately upon landing she made inquiry concerning transportation hither, arriving in Monterey county in 1863. and settling in the town of that name in the same year. There it was that she met her future husband, John Roth,
to whom she was married in 1863. For several years prior to his marriage he had conducted a merchandise business in Monterey, and continued the same for a number of years afterward, but finally, in 1869, retired from business altogether. It was about this time also that they removed to Castroville, and here it was that the death of Mr. Roth occurred in 1870, and his body was in- terred in the Catholic cemetery in Castroville. His demise was a sad blow to Mrs. Roth, for their union had been one of unusual felicity, and in his death she was left entirely alone, for no children had blessed their marriage. Personally Mr. Roth was a man of fine characteristics, ten- der and sympathetic, and all who were privileged to know him loved him as a friend. In his busi- ness dealings he was an example of honesty and trustworthiness, traits which were always upper- most, in whatever position he was placed.
Mrs. Roth's recollections of California cover a period of nearly half a century, and the greater part of this time has been spent in Castroville, which she has seen grow from a mere hamlet to be a town of considerable size and importance to the commonwealth. During the early days of her residence in the state she and her husband formed the acquaintance of such old-time pio- neers as Michael Hughes, of Salinas, and Daniel Harris, of San Juan, San Benito county, and throughout their lives the friendships thus formed continued unabated. One by one Mrs. Roth has witnessed the passing of the old pio- neers and upbuilders of this Pacific common- wealth, and though now in her ninetieth year she shows no sign of breaking health and bids fair to outlive her contemporaries.
GEORGE W. McCONNELL.
The discovery of gold in California attracted to our western coast sturdy, enterprising settlers from every section of the country, and among the argonauts came G. M. McConnell, who was born and reared on a Tennessee plantation and descended from an old southern family. When he was a boy he had among his playmates a southern girl, Mary J. Adams, who was born on a plantation adjacent to the McConnell home- stead. Their marriage was solemnized while they
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were yet in early maturity, and they started out for the cheaper lands west of the Mississippi, bidding a last farewell to the friends and asso- ciations of youth and going as emigrants to the the then frontier country of Missouri. Three children were born on the farm they acquired in that state. Reports that came from the west caused them to close out their Missouri interests and outfit for the long trip across the plains, and during the summer of 1850 they traveled in a "prairie schooner," drawn by oxen, across the plains, over the mountains, through the deserts, until they landed safely in Hangtown, then the center of mining activities in California. An experience of two years in the mines did not prove successful, and the father thereupon began to buy cattle, which he butchered, selling the meat to the miners. Next he removed to Yolo county and took up land, a part of which is now occupied by the site of Woodland.
In order that he might give his children good educational advantages, in 1859 Mr. McConnell sold his Yolo county land and moved to Sonoma. Ten years later he disposed of his interests there and came to Hollister, where he camped under the trees during the erection of a house for the family. Lumber for the cottage was hauled from Gilroy and the work was hastened as expe- ditiously as circumstances permitted. In the spring of the following year he was bereaved by the death of his wife. In had been his intention in coming to San Benito county to seek a loca- tion for the sheep business and he soon found suitable quarters on a range fifteen miles south of Hollister, where he conducted an industry that proved profitable until the drought of 1877. The long continued dry weather ruined the pastures and he was obliged to sell his sheep at fifty cents per head. For some time afterward he en- gaged in ranching at Bitter Water, occupying the farm then owned by his son, G. W., and from there he removed to Hollister where, at the age of ninety years, he is enjoying excellent health, with mental and physical faculties well preserved.
Born in Yolo county, this state, June 15, 1855, George W. McConnell was four years of age when he accompanied the family to Sonoma. For a time he attended the schools of that city and later spent a year as a student in the college at
Woodland. During October of 1869 he came to Hollister with his parents and later herded sheep for his father, but after the disastrous drought he turned his attention to general ranching on a quarter-section that he secured in the southern part of the county. Hollister was his nearest market and all of his grain and other produce was hauled to this point. Coming to reside in the city during the autumn of 1880, in the fol- lowing year he married Miss Annie Kennedy, who was born at French Corral, Nevada county, Cal., in 1861, came to San Benito county in 1869, and died at Hollister in 1908, at the age of forty- seven years. Three sons blessed the union, namely: William E., who is employed in the abstract office of the Santa Cruz Land Title Company; George R., who is associated with his father in business; and Warren S., at home.
After a clerkship in various stores, during 1884 Mr. McConnell bought the Advance and for eighteen months he had charge of the same, but eventually sold to other parties. Later he bought and improved a four-year-old orchard comprising twelve and one-half acres near Hol- lister. In 1894 he started a set of abstract books and now he has the only set in the entire county, having evolved a very complete and accurate sys- tem of maps and indexes. To his abstract busi- ness he added the handling of insurance and real estate. After having served as deputy assessor for eight years, in the fall of 1898 he was elected assessor and assumed the duties of the office on the Ist of January, 1899, since which time he has continued in the office. The first election came at the close of a strenuous fight, but since then he has been twice elected without opposition, this being the result of his avoidance of factional affairs and his high standing in the confidence of the people. The fraternal connec- tions which he has assumed include membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Woodmen of the World. On the organiza- tion of Fremont Parlor No. 44, Native Sons of the Golden West, he became one of its charter members, and contributed to its early growth. Active in the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, he is identified with Mound Lodge No. 166, also with Pacheco Encampment No. 50 and Can- ton Hollister No. 8, Patriarchs Militant. In the lodge and encampment he has passed all of the
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chairs and in addition he has become a member of the grand lodge. Public-spirited in his sup- port of beneficial movements, progressive in his ideals as a citizen and generous in contributions to philanthropic projects, his residence in Hol- lister has been contributory to the advancement of those enterprises, whether commercial or moral, best adapted to secure the permanent prosperity of the people.
ALBERT J. BRAMERS.
The identification of the Bramers family with the agricultural development of the United States began in the year 1845, when a sailing vessel brought to the shores of the new world an energetic young German, T. M. Bramers, a native of Oldenburg, born February 20, 1825. At an early age, through the death of his parents, he had been forced to take up the battle of life on his own responsibility and thus was deprived of the higher educational advantages. Without any capital except such as was repre- sented by youth, a determined will and a rugged constitution, he left his native land, where he was no longer bound by ties of filial service, and came to the United States, proceeding westward to the open prairies of Illinois and securing em- ployment as a farm hand in the county.
The domestic life of T. M. Bramers began in Illinois. His wife was born in Oldenburg, Germany, March 24, 1825, and hore the maiden name of Etta Blohm. By her first marriage she had a son who died at the age of ten years, while by her marriage to Mr. Bramers she had three children, of whom one daughter died at the age of five years. The only son of the sec- ond marriage, Albert J. Bramers, was born on the home farm near Owatonna, Steele county, Minn., February 23, 1862. The remaining child, a daughter, Annie, was born in Nevada when the family were en route from Minnesota to California. She became the wife of Fred Betz and is now deceased.
For four years the Bramers home was in the vicinity of Owatonna in the southern part of Minnesota, where Mr. Bramers undertook to develop a tract of raw land, but the rigor of the climate induced them to join a party of emigrants
starting for the coast. It was their original in- tention to settle in Oregon and with that purpose in view they started across the plains in 1864 with a train of eighty wagons. Indians were unusually troublesome and it was advisable to travel with large expeditions from the stand- point of safety. For one year the family stopped at Virginia City, where Mr. Bramers raised veg- etables and sold them to the miners. Prices were exceedingly high and in later days he was accustomed to tell how, while living there, he had to pay fifty cents for three pears and the same price for three peaches.
Coming to Monterey county, T. M. Bramers settled on the Cooper ranch in the fall of 1865. leasing the land at $1.25 an acre and engaging in raising grain and potatoes. Prices were high at the time and he prospered accordingly. The market place was Watsonville, to which point all of the produce was hauled for shipment. When he came to the county he was without means, but by economy and industry he was able in time to acquire land for himself. In 187I he bought a squatter's right and then proved up on the land, to which he subsequently added from time to time, buying some land from the government and the balance ( for which he paid $2.50 to $5 an acre) from the railroad company. The entire tract was fenced and buildings .were erected for the storage of grain and the care of the stock. Many years after acquiring that property he purchased near Salinas a tract of seventy-five `acres for which he paid $80 an acre and there he made his home for seven years, but more recently the land has been rented for the raising of beets. During the last six years of his life he made his home with his son on the home ranch and here his death occurred, January 4, 1908. His widow continues at the old homestead and is hale and robust, notwith- standing her advanced age. Both were reared in the Lutheran faith and adhered to its doc- trines. While Mr. Bramers had few advantages in youth he became a well-informed man and kept posted concerning current events, being a broad thinker, logical reasoner and a man of public spirit. At the time of the building of the Washington school he contributed generous- ly to the project and through all of his life maintained a warm interest in the public schools.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The earliest recollections of Albert J. Bramers cluster around scenes in Monterey county, where he has made his home from childhood. It has been his privilege to witness the im- provement of this region and the development of its resources. One of the incidents of early life which he recalls was the robbing of the Monterey stage-coach seven miles from Salinas. It was the expectation of the robbers to secure a large amount of money, but by a happy chance the package had been taken to Monterey by Mr. Jacks, and thus the thieves were frustrated in their plans. Ranching has been his life-work and he received a thorough training under his father's oversight. The old homestead has been the scene of his activities and he has added two hundred and eighty acres to the tract secured by his father. Of the ranch one hundred and fifty acres are seeded to oats and barley and the balance is devoted to the stock business, which is one of the owner's specialties.
The marriage of Albert J. Bramers took place in 1890 and united him with Miss Bertha Menke, a sister of J. H. Menke, of the First National Bank. They are the parents of four children, namely: Etta R .; Wilhelmina E .; William T., a student in the high school of Salinas; and Adele K. In political faith Mr. Bramers fol- lows the example of his father and gives staunch support to Republican principles. For seven- teen years he held the office of trustee of the Washington school and during ten years of that time he acted as clerk of the board. With the exception of his school service, he has devoted his attention exclusively to ranching and has at- tained a position among the sturdy, prosperous farmers of Monterey county.
ELDRIDGE HOPKINS HINER.
Fifty-five years have come and gone since Mr. Hiner first set foot on California soil, and like all those who have passed through the trials and vicissitudes which are a part of the progress and development of a new country, Mr. Hiner can faithfully portray the life of the pioneer of the early '50s. One of his first experiences in the west was assisting to quell the Rogue River Indians on Pitt river in Northern California, who
were on the warpath in the mining sections on account of the invasions of the white man. For six months the pioneers in the vicinity were on duty before peace was restored and before it was safe to pursue their mining undertakings in safety unguarded. Mr. Hiner is a native of In- diana, born in Bartholomew county, May 19, 1834, and there his early boyhood years were spent. His education was received at a public school in his home town, and later he com- pleted his studies in Hartsville College. During this time he had developed a natural aptitude for music and for two years taught this study in Indiana.
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