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 34
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 34
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The northwest did not bring prosperity to. Mr. Cooper. On the contrary, his experiences there were so discouraging that he decided to seek a location where the climate was less rig- orous and the soil more productive. When he came to California he left behind him in the- Dakota home his wife and children. The for- mer, whom he had married February 28, 1876,. was in maidenhood Miss Helen Chooker, of French descent. Three sons and one daughter were born of their union, and all are still living. The daughter, Tillie, is the wife of Samuel Kelly and has two children. One of the sons, William C., who is married and has two chil- dren, makes his home at Yuma, Ariz., on land the father and son purchased jointly, consisting of four hundred and twenty-five acres. Land that cost $33.33 and $60 an acre would readily bring $100 at this writing. Charles and Frank are both at home with their father.
After a brief sojourn in Fresno, following his arrival in California. in 1891, Mr. Cooper walked to Salinas, where he found two friends, Frank Vierra and Fred Chappell. For a time he was employed by Herbert Carey on a chicken ranch on the Buena Vista, but the money he made there. was lost through investing in hogs on the Badue ranch. Later, however, his fortunes began to take a turn for the better, and in four years after coming he sent to Dakota for his family. He then bought fifty-five acres near Salinas:
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from James Dill for $60 an acre. Four years later he bought fifty-five acres from John J. Hebbron for $60 an acre. Meanwhile he and his sons were never idle, but labored early and late to pay off the indebtedness that covered the ranch. When finally the debt was paid, all were happy. The family then moved to the Chualar ranch of David Jacks, and there they farmed three thousand acres of the grant, grow- ing good crops of hay and grain. Their next lease covered some of the Spreckels land, where they grew sugar beets and raised hay in large quantities. It has been the privilege of the father to receive the stanch aid of his sons, and to their youthful energy he owes not a little of his prosperity, while on the other hand they have enjoyed the benefit of his ripened expe- rience, sound judgment and wise foresight. During his residence in this county Mr. Cooper has met with discouragement, but by the kind- ness of the people with whom he was doing business and with the co-operation of his good wife and children (climatic conditions also as- sisting), he has been enabled to succeed beyond his expectations.
ERNEST MICHAELIS.
The history of Monterey county during the past thirty years has been watched with the deepest interest by this influential German-Amer- ican citizen, who has made his home here during that period and by progressive spirit has con- tributed to local development. A native of Prussia, he was born in the town of Bismarck July 2, 1847, and there he was apprenticed to the barber's trade at an early age. The monot- ony of the work proved irksome to a lad longing for adventure and he finally ran away from home to try his fortunes in the new world. However, he never forgot the associations of youth and the kindred at the old home, and long afterward he sent the money for his father to join him in California. The old man made the long journey to the western coast and for twenty-three years was an inmate of his son's home, dying here No- vember 29, 1908, at the age of ninety-one years and eight months.
Shipping on board a merchant-vessel, Ernest Michaelis came across the ocean to New Haven,
Conn., where he landed in 1863. He started to walk to New York, not having the money for a more comfortable mode of travel. When he reached Bridgeport he stopped, having secured employment as a polisher and varnisher in the factory of Wheeler & Wilson. January 27, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company H, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, under Colonel Kel- logg, and served until he was honorably dis- charged June 27, 1865. Meanwhile he had seen considerable fighting with such disastrous re- sults that his regiment won a record as having lost (with only one exception) the largest num- ber of men of any regiment in the entire service.
After having worked for eleven months at the barber's trade Ernest Michaelis enlisted in the regular army and was chosen recruiting sergeant, in which capacity he enlisted more men than any of the other officers. To him was due the idea of advertising in German papers for recruits and the plan proved very successful. While in the office he enlisted a band leader with his entire band, which was recognized as an important ser- vice to the army. Early in 1868 he chose an as- signment to the Fourteenth with assignment to Arizona and in August of the same year he landed at Angel Island, San Francisco, with a detachment. Later he received an honorable dis- charge in Arizona, and then went back east via San Francisco, but soon returned to that city, where he engaged in business from 1870 to 1879. meanwhile being part owner of the Washington baths, one of the old landmarks of the town.
Intending to go to the coal mines, Mr. Michaelis arrived in Monterey county in 1879, but he found reports concerning these mines had been exaggerated, and he thereupon turned his attention to the barber's trade, which he followed altogether for twenty years in Monterey. From 1894 to 1900 he conducted the Monterey Cypress, which he published in his own building and under his supervision the paper was greatly im- proved. Finding that the care of the shop and the publication of the paper proved too heavy a responsibility, he closed the shop at a moment's notice. For twenty years or more he has served as justice of the peace. He is interested in gold mining in the southeastern part of the Withers tract and organized a company for the develop- ment of the mine.
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The marriage of Mr. Michaelis took place in San Francisco October 25, 1875, and united him with Wilhelmina Erdlen, who was born in Augs- burg, but reared in Munich, Bavaria. They are the parents of five children, namely: Fred C., of Los Angeles; Ernest W., of San Francisco; Charlotte, wife of Martin Duffy, of San Fran- cisco; Helene, who is employed as bookkeeper for the Hartford Insurance Company; and Louise M., who resides with her parents in Mon- terey. Politically a Republican, Mr. Michaelis for many years has been a member of the county central committee and also has served as a dele- gate to county and state conventions. For twenty years he was identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and his fraternal relations further included membership in the local and grand lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, where he passed all the chairs of the home lodge.
On account of the many inquiries made of Mr. Michaelis as to his methods of locating water, petroleum, coal, gold, silver or other minerals, he wrote an explanatory article which appeared in one of the local papers, from which we quote as follows: "There are three ways or modes by which I make locations. First, by the use of a so-called divining or locating rod; sec- ond, by attracting magnetisms of different bodies, such as water, minerals or metals; third, I locate through psychic power or spiritual inspiration, this latter being the most reliable.
"I commenced the use of the divining rod some years ago, and achieved a partial success with it, particularly in locating underground streams. The rod used was one I purchased of Francisco Peche of Santa Clara. This instrument is con- structed upon the principle that like attracts like.
"After experimenting with it for four years and learning all that I could through its means, which has been of great value to me in my sub- sequent studies, I decided to seek a more perfect means of locating, as owing to the extreme sen- sitiveness of the rod I could not distinguish quantities, it being too easily attracted by small quantities.
"Three years ago I formed the acquaintance of Professor Rollie M. Jamison, the noted psychologist, under whom I have since studied psychology, and with whom, and his wife, Mrs.
Jamison, I am now associated in locating water, petroleum, coal, gold, silver, and other under- ground substances.
"After attending a few of his private seances, I soon became interested in the wonderful phe- nomena of psychical or spiritual manifestations, and after a short time I made through this means what I call for want of a better name, a spiritual rod, which supplied the want of a perfect locating rod. By its means I am enabled to locate exactly, tell both the depth and the quantity in water and petroleum wells and bodies of mineral matter.
"The second method of locating we employ is by mental concentration. Every subject under the sun has a peculiar magnetism of its own; by concentrating the mind upon a particular sub- stance, we fasten that magnetism upon the brain, and as soon as we step upon the spot beneath which the substance is hidden in the earth we are enabled to attract the corresponding magnet- ism.
"This manifests itself in different ways in dif- ferent individuals, I, myself, heing made aware of the presence by a violent twitching of the eye- lids. which does not cease until I think of some- thing else, and thus change the magnetism, or by rubbing the eyes.
"The third way is through spiritual power, by going into what is called a subjective or trance state. When in that state we can easily tell the location of any substance, such as water, petro- leum, coal, gold, silver and other minerals or met- als. We can also tell the depth of a reservoir of water or oil or a mineral deposit, and the quan- tity it contains.
"There is nothing at all supernatural in any- thing that we do. It is all perfectly natural. We 11se the spirit power inherent in every man, cul- tivate the spirit that God has given us, and by study and application develop the brain cells along certain lines of thought and in due time re- sults appear.
"We receive that which we can grasp accord- ing to our state of mental and spiritual develop- ment. We do not get something for nothing in this line of endeavor. We must work and apply ourselves earnestly, according to the universal law and the eternal plan to place ourselves in harmony with the Infinite. Then all is visible and present with us."
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
FRANCIS M. CARNAHAN.
An influential position among the ranchers of Monterey county is held by this honored Cali- fornia pioneer of 1853, a native Kentuckian, born in that state in 1831 and educated by private tutors, but since the age of twenty-two years a citizen of the west. It was during the autumn of 1853 that he left the home of his father and started upon the long journey to California, traveling first to New York, where he took pas- sage on an ocean vessel for the isthmus of Pan- ama, and from there sailing northward on the Pacific ocean to San Francisco. After having landed in December of 1853 he took passage on a boat for Sacramento and from the capital city proceeded to Grass valley, where he prospected and mined. During 1855 he changed his head- quarters to the mines of Trinity county, where he remained until 1860 and then discontinued the search for gold in order to work in the red woods of Santa Clara county.
Coming to the unimproved lands of what is now San Benito county (but at that time Mon- terey county) in 1868 Mr. Carnahan took up a raw tract near Hollister, where he spent eight busy years. The year 1876 witnessed his arrival in Monterey county, where he bought a squat- ter's title to one hundred and sixty acres and this he homesteaded, developing the property until it became productive and highly remunerative. Later he acquired a tract of two hundred and fifteen acres and a portion of this tract he has since cultivated. The larger part of his prop- erty is utilized for pasture for his cattle and horses, the raising of which forms one of the important activities of the ranch. A fine orchard of three acres is irrigated by means of a pumping plant put in under his supervision and he has been active in making other valuable improve- ments on the ranch, including a thorough system of fencing. Thirty-five acres of the ranch are under cultivation to wheat and barley, large crops of which bring a neat return for the labor ex- pended thereon.
The marriage of Mr. Carnahan occurred in 1866 and united him with Miss Charlotte Hamil- ton, who was born in Iowa, but came to Cali- fornia at an early age and settled in San Jose. Nine children were born of their union. The
eldest, Elizabeth, married J. M. Smith, of Mc- Kittrick, Kern county. Nellie died in 1894. Nancy married A. M. Colthart, of Los Banos, Merced county. Minnie married William Greene of Salinas and passed from earth in March of 1904. Harry L. is engaged in ranch- ing on his farm near Metz, Monterey county. Alice married Charles Ioppini, of Orland, Glenn county. Francis, Jr., is farming near Aromas. Lottie Belle attended the Bakersfield high school and is now at home, and Pauline attends the Los. Banos high school. For fourteen years Mr. Car- nahan officiated as a trustee of the Metz district and during that period he labored earnestly and effectively to aid in the upbuilding of the schools and the enlargement of their usefulness.
ALFRED C. MAYERS.
Numerous business interests have engaged the attention of Mr. Mayers since he came to Pacific Grove in 1905, perhaps the most important of these being the establishment and supervision of the Pacific Grove Plumbing Company. The equipment of buildings with a full line of plumb- ing brought him in touch with the carpentering business and he began to take contracts, not alone for plumbing, but also for building, since which time he has constructed many attractive cottages in the eastern part of the town and also erected the elegant residence owned by Miss Sarah Park, as well as other structures artistic in design and modern in finish.
Born in San Francisco June 18, 1866, Alfred C. is a son of Henry and Isabella (Robinson) Mayers, the father a California pioneer of 1849 and for forty years a prominent business man of San Francisco. On the completion of public school studies Mr. Mayers served an apprentice- ship of four years to the trade of manufactur- ing jeweler in San Francisco. On leaving his native city he went to New Mexico and remained for four years, meanwhile working as a mill- wright and building quartz-mills. From New Mexico he went to the mining camp of Bisbee, Ariz., where he had charge of the lumber yard owned by Phelps, Dodge & Co., incorporators of the Copper Queen Mining Co.
Returning to San Francisco and remaining for
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
one year, Mr. Mayers then went to the Mammoth copper mines, seventy-five miles from Tucson, Ariz., and constructed a large cyanide plant. From there he went to Morenci, Ariz., and secured employment in the office of Phelps, Dodge & Co., proprietors of the Detroit Copper Mining Co. At the same camp he was with the Arizona Copper Co., being what was in local parlance known as the "shot-gun man"; that is, it was his duty to keep order in the camp. After four years there he went to Freshwater, Humboldt county, Cal., and had charge of the shop of the Freshwater Lumber Co., after which he came to Pacific Grove and now resides at No. III Fourth street, this city. Since coming here he has been a member of the board of trade. His marriage took place February 15, 1893, and united him with Isabel Hebbron, a daughter of that well-known California pioneer, J. R. Heb- bron, of Salinas. One daughter, Gladys, blesses the union. . For some years Mr. Mayers has been identified with the California Fish & Game Association and during the past two years he has served as a deputy state fish and game com- missioner. His duties carry him into different parts of the state in search of violators of the law and he keeps in close touch with sportsmen throughout the entire state.
PERRY L. BROWN.
It lacks but a few years of being a half cen- tury since Mr. Brown became associated with California, during which time he has witnessed many changes, yet, vast as have been the trans- formations of the past, he realizes that the en- tire country is still in the beginning of its de- velopment. Those who will be living several generations hence will see improvements of which we of to-day cannot even dream ; comfort and plenty will be the rule, instead of the ex- ception, and all of the land which is now a waste or uncultivated will be made to blossom and bear abundant harvests.
Perry L. Brown was born August 8, 1856, in Salt Lake, Utah, where, up to the age of seven years (1863), he was reared and educated. His parents, Alonzo and Mary (Bevans) Brown, then transferred their home to California, locat-
ing in Sacramento, where Perry L. continued his school training for a number of years. The next removal of the family, in 1872, took them to Sonoma county, where they lived until 1880, when they removed to Monterey county. Here the remainder of their lives was passed. Since 1876 their son has been a permanent resident of Monterey county, and also of Pine valley. At the time he came here he was young and eager to get a start in a business way, so accepted the first work that came to his hand. This he found on the large ranch of Miller & Lux, where the diversity of the work and method and care dis- played in the superintendence of the ranch all contributed to the wholesome education of the young prospective rancher. Finally he deter- mined to secure a ranch of his own, and in 1887 he homesteaded a quarter section of land in the valley, later purchased a like amount, and still later added to his holdings until he owned six hundred and forty acres, all in one body. He made that his home until 1905, when he removed to his present place, where he leases five hundred acres, which he has in barley and wheat. He also raises horses, cattle and hogs, and altogether maintains one of the most profitable and well- conducted ranch enterprises in this section of country. His yearly income is further enhanced by the maintenance of a confectionery store in San Lucas, which is under the supervision of his daughter, who also acts in the capacity of postmaster.
Mr. Brown's marriage was celebrated in 1881 and united him with Miss Ella M. Winchell, a resident of Long valley. Four children have been born of their marriage, three daughters and one son. The eldest child, Winnie, is now the wife of William Wansleben, of San Lucas ; Effie is postmaster of San Lucas and also has charge of her father's store; while Elmer C. and Adeline are both at home with their parents.
Movements for the country's progress have received the support of Mr. Brown, who has been a close reader of current literature and has given stanch support to the Democratic party in national issues, although in local affairs he is independent, voting for the men whom he con- siders best qualified for the office. The subject of providing good schools for the young has been one to which he has given much thought,
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and to him is largely due the organization of the Sherman school district, of which he has been a trustee for sixteen years, and ever since its organization he has served as clerk of the board. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, holding membership in San Lucas Lodge, No. 154. In 1908 Mr. Brown, with oth- ers, organized the San Lucas Belgian Horse Company and purchased a Belgian stallion.
ISAAC MYLAR.
The family represented by this honored pio- neer of Monterey county was planted along the shores of the Atlantic ocean during the colonial period of our country's history. The grand- father was a typical frontiersman and a friend of Daniel Boone, whom he assisted in the early development of Kentucky, remaining in the wil- derness until he fell a victim of the attacks of savage Indians. The father, James Mylar, was born in South Carolina, but at an early age mi- grated to Kentucky, where he met and married Henrietta Jett, of Virginian birth and ancestry. For a time they remained in Kentucky, but later planted a home in the wilderness of Illinois, and still later became pioneers of Missouri. Their family consisted of eight sons and four daugh- ters, namely: Enoch, Frank, Israel, Douglass, Fanny, Mary, Rachel, Julia, James L., Isaac, John and Thomas, of whom the only surviving son is Isaac, now in his eighty-second year.
Madison county, Ky., is the native place of Isaac Myler, and December 24, 1827, the date of his birth. When a small boy he was taken to Illinois by his parents and later went to Mis- souri with them. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted as a volunteer in the Mexican war and served until the close of the struggle, his services having been recognized by a pension of $20 per month from the government. On hiş return from the war he established domestic ties, being married, October 11, 1849, to Talitha Wolley, a native of Illinois.
When news came of the discovery of gold in California a desire to go to the west was aroused in the heart of Mr. Mylar. Bidding farewell to his young wife in 1850 he started across the plains with an ox-team and in due time arrived
at his destination. His first experience in min- ing was gained at Hangtown, Placer county. Later he joined a brother who had preceded him and had settled in Calaveras county. In 1851 he returned to Missouri, where a daughter had been born during his absence. During 1854 he brought his family to California. The following children were born of his union: Emmeline, Thomas, Josephine, Mary Jane, Henrietta, Em- ma E., Clara and Minnie M., all of whom are now married with the exception of Thomas. There are also nineteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and in these Mr. Mylar takes the deepest interest.
After having spent a short time in Calaveras county Mr. Mylar began to mine at Shaw's Flat, Tuolumne county, where he and his broth- er, Thomas, had a claim. Within nine months. he took out $8,000 in gold. At the expiration of that time he sold his claim for $3,000, cash, to John Russell, after which he came to Mon- terey county and settled three miles from Salinas at what was then known as Hill Town (now Riverside). Only a short sojourn was made there. Next he bought a claim on one hundred and sixty acres at San Juan, but finding the title imperfect he sold his right and moved to Santa Cruz county. A venture there proved unfor- tunate, for he was ejected from four hundred acres of grazing and farming lands on the Mes- qua grant, which he had purchased for cash. Returning to San Juan, where his brother, Is- rael, made his home, he soon bought land in the San Juan canon and later purchased eighty acres near William Prescott's ranch in what is. now San Benito county. The land was traded to W. G. Hubbard for a blacksmith's shop, but this did not prove a profitable venture. Re- turning to agricultural pursuits he bought land from B. F. Ross and forty acres from James Collins, selling both tracts to Miller & Lux for $5,300.
The next location selected by Mr. Mylar was at Peach Tree or Lonoak, where he embarked in the sheep business, continuing in the industry until the dry season of 1877, when he lost his flock of twenty-five hundred head. This forced him to turn his attention to other forms of ag- ricultural activity. Meanwhile he remained on the property, to which he added until he owned
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eleven hundred and thirty acres. A part was under cultivation and the balance used for the pasturage of stock. During the year 1905 he sold out for $10,000 and since then he has lived retired, enjoying a well-deserved rest after years of constant endeavor and ceaseless industry. Upon leaving the ranch he established his home at No. 2112 Grant street, Berkeley, but, though no longer a resident of Monterey county, no one is more deeply interested than he in its prog- ress and no one contributes more generously to movements for the upbuilding of its permanent interests and the development of its resources.
JOSEPH HOWARD MACDONALD.
The MacDonalds belong to an old clan of Highlanders that furnished to Scotland many of its most illustrious chiefs in times of war. As far back as the lineage could be traced it is found that loyalty to country was a family characteris- tic, and this trait predominating in the Scotch progenitors is noticeable in descendants of the present day. Joseph Howard MacDonald, though not a Californian by birth, has evinced the ut- most devotion to the welfare of his adopted country, and no movement is inaugurated for the common welfare which lacks his co-operation and support.
Born at Truro, Nova Scotia, October 25, 1857, Mr. MacDonald is a son of Alexander and Ra- chel (Allister) MacDonald and a grandson of the illustrious Colonel Duncan Allister of the Eighty-fourth regiment of Scotch Highlanders, and a brave participant in the memorable battle of Waterloo. In the early days when everything was made by hand, Mr. MacDonald learned the carpenter's trade under a skilled builder in Nova Scotia, and after the close of his apprenticeship he engaged in building in his native province. At Truro, March 26, 1884. he was united in marriage with Miss Lilla Jessie Vincent, who was born in Nova Scotia of American parentage, and is a cousin of Bishop Vincent of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and illustrious through his association with the Chautauqua movement.
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