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 37
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 37
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MURRAY MOORE.
Through the united efforts of father and sons the name of Moore became a synonym for all that is straightforward and just in a business sense, and though the father has long since passed away, his memory is still cherished and his policy of uprightness continued in the busi- ness in which his sons succeeded him. The fa- ther, Harvey Moore, was a native of Canada, born in Ontario in 1841, and until he was a young man of twenty years he remained with his parents on the Canadian homestead. In 1861, however, he came to the United States, thence via the Isthmus of Panama to California and located in the Santa Clara valley. Subse-
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quently he settled in what is now San Benito county and carried on a ranch there until the year 1887, when he came to the Salinas valley, in Monterey county, and purchased the prop- erty of which his sons are now the proprietors. He did not survive long to enjoy his new home, however, for his death occurred November 28 of the same year. His widow was before her marriage Miss Mary Doty, a native of Illinois, and the daughter of Martin Doty, who came as a pioneer to California during the early days. Nine children were originally comprised in the parental family, but of these only seven are now living, as follows : William H., Murray and Martin D., all engaged in ranching in this coun- ty; Carrie I., the wife of George B. Roberts, of Chualar; Etta, the wife of R. A. Smith, of Salinas; Kate, who makes her home with her mother in Pacific Grove; and Jesse L., a physician.
Next to the oldest of the children now living, Murray Moore was born in San Benito county in 1877, and when the family home was trans- ferred to Salinas he was a lad of ten years. His schooling was begun prior to this removal, and thereafter he attended the schools of Salinas for one year, but after the father purchased the ranch in the Buena Vista school district his school days were at an end. As has been pre- viously stated the father did not survive long to enjoy his new home, and thus it became nec- essary for the sons to assume the interests of the home place which they have since done to their credit and profit. The ranch comprises one hundred and eighty acres of excellent land, well adapted for the raising of potatoes, grain and beets, to which the land is principally de- voted, while sufficient alfalfa is raised to supply the needs of the stock on the ranch. Besides managing the homestead property the brothers rent three hundred acres adjoining devoted to grain raising and pasturage, and three hundred and twenty acres in the hills which is used ex- clusively as pasturage for stock. The raising of stock and horses is comparatively a new un- dertaking with the brothers, but the venture has proven a success and will undoubtedly receive more and more of their attention. A number of the horses raised on their ranch have been trained for the race course. That portion of
the ranch under cultivation is well equipped for irrigation, and taken all in all the property un- der the control of the Moore brothers ranks among the most thrifty and productive in the county.
Murray Moore was united in marriage in 1908 with Miss Lola Bryant, a resident of Soledad at the time of her marriage. Much praise is due Mr. Moore for what he has accomplished, and with the past as a criterion it may be predicted that a larger success awaits him.
THOMAS O'CONNELL.
As indicated by the name, the O'Connell fam- ily sprang from Irish progenitors. The discov- ery of gold in California had turned the tide of emigration to the western coast and it was early in the '50s when Thomas O'Connell took the long voyage via the isthmus to San Francisco with the intention of trying his luck in the mines. However, not finding a fortune in that occupation, he secured employment in the red- woods and later went to Nevada, where he fol- lowed the draying business and had other in- terests.
The marriage of Thomas O'Connell united him with Margaret Sheehy, a native of Ireland. They became the parents of seven children, name- ly : John, who was born at Carson City, Nev., in 1865, and is a resident of Monterey county ; Thomas and Edward, both living in San Fran- cisco; Mrs. Margaret Hauser, of Salinas; Mamie (better known as Mollie), a teacher in the Salinas schools; Mrs. Annie Clausen, whose home is in the Blanco district, and Ella, deceased, who was a sister in Notre Dame Convent. The sons and daughters were educated principally in Salinas and were given the best advantages af- forded by the locality and the means of the family.
After 1884 Thomas O'Connell made his home in Monterey county, where he bought six hun- dred and seventy-five acres at $8 an acre. The land was covered with live oaks and brush. No fences had been built and no roads had been opened. The clearing of the land was the first task before him and he devoted himself to the work with the greatest possible energy. The
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removal of the timber gave him pasturage for stock and caused him to turn his attention to the cattle business, but he was unfortunate in the venture. Seeking other uses for the land, his attention was called to the favorable pros- pects for fruit in the locality, and he was among the very first to experiment in horticulture. Thirty acres of trees were planted and a vine- yard of three acres. The work was inaugurated in 1892 and was largely of an experimental na- ture. Practical experience was necessary to prove the kind of fruits adapted to the climate and soil and certain varieties had to be dug out after being proved worthless. In the end only those varieties were retained whose value was proved beyond question. The orchard has proved a wise investment and is now a source of large revenue to the estate, three thousand boxes having been sold in 1907 at excellent prices.
Of the original purchase one hundred and twenty acres have been sold, but the balance is still in the possession of the family. The father passed away in 1892 at the age of sixty-eight years ; the mother is still living at the old home- stead. Both enjoyed the high regard of ac- quaintances and had hosts of friends among the people with whom so many years had been busily passed. After becoming a naturalized cit- izen Thomas O'Connell voted the Democratic ticket and maintained a warm interest in public affairs. His son, John, who was engaged in the grocery business for six years and who still calls Prunedale his home, has had charge of the orchard ever since it was planted and its excel- lent condition may be attributed largely to his wise supervision.
WILLIAM CHARLES FIESE.
Few men are more familiar with the soil of Monterey county, its proper treatment, the best methods of its cultivation and its possibilities in response to judicious oversight, than is Mr. Fiese, a life-long resident of the county and one of its well-known agriculturists. The ranch which he now controls he has managed since it was vacated by his father and, having been trained by practical experience to a knowledge of its cultivation, he is amply qualified for the re- sponsibilities he has assumed. Varying success
has rewarded his efforts. As is the case in all grain-raising sections, the crops vary according to the season. His most successful crop was harvested in 1908, when he threshed eight thou- sand nine hundred and fifty-four sacks of grain that sold for $1.1712. Of this record he is justly proud and it is his belief that with other seasons as favorable this result can be duplicated.
On the B. F. Porter ranch, four and one-half miles east of Salinas, William Charles Fiese was born February 9, 1880, being a son of George J. and Samantha Fiese. The father, who was a native of Germany, crossed the ocean to America in early life and for a time worked in Montana. From there he went to Salt Lake City and en- gaged in the restaurant business. On coming to California he settled at Soquel, Santa Cruz county, and for a time conducted a lumber busi- ness. During the autumn of 1877 he came to Salinas and shortly afterward made his first trial in agriculture on the B. F. Porter ranch. The years that followed brought their share of trouble and hardship, but in the end he felt re- paid for his arduous efforts on the farm. While living on the ranch he sent his children to the country school near by and later sent them to the Salinas schools. The only daughter, Margaret, is now living in Salinas, and the only son, Wil- liam, took up the management of the farm on the retirement of the father. From an early age he was interested in farming and stock-raising and gained an especially thorough knowledge of horses while yet a boy. A number of cows are kept on the farm and the milk, sold to the cream- ery, brings in an income for the defraying of household expenses. The farming of seven hun- dred and fifty acres, the care of the cows and calves, and of the fifteen head of work horses, gives him an abundance of work, but as ranch life is congenial to his tastes he finds the work pleas- ant instead of onerous.
From his parents Mr. Fiese inherited mechan- ical ability, which enables him to repair his ma- chinery and do other work on the ranch along the same line. Near the home is a lake and, de- siring to navigate the water, he built two boats according to models of his own design and with- out having seen any boats of similar construc- tion. The result was satisfactory and the boats are now in use. Mr. Fiese has not established do-
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mestic ties, but when at leisure from farming he devotes himself to boating or to reading or other forms of recreation. Especially is he fond of reading and he always keeps posted concerning the issues of the age.
CHARLES W. JOHNSON.
The remarkable changes wrought in California for more than thirty years past have been wit- nessed by Charles W. Johnson, who since his arrival on the western coast December 25, 1874, has made his home in Monterey county. Born in Sweden in 1849, he received a common school education in his native land and early imbibed the principles of industry and economy character- istic of the sons of Scandinavia. From a brother living in Monterey county reports were received at the old home concerning the opportunities of- fered hy the west to young men of energy and industry. The inducements thus presented led him to decide to join his brother, which he did, after having made a temporary sojourn in Iowa while en route to the coast.
In those days Salinas was an insignificant ham- let whose few citizens as yet had not been in- spired with the progressive spirit now noticeable throughout the city. The surrounding country was unimproved. Transportation facilities were meagre and there was little market for the few crops raised. The ranch now owned by Mr. Johnson was then a stage station, and no attempt had been made to cultivate the land. When he arrived here he was entirely without means, so secured work at wages, continuing in that ca- pacity for a year. Afterward he leased land near Chualar and began to raise grain. Later he ran a hotel and livery barn and engaged in business at Chualar, where he owned twelve lots and as- sisted materially in the early growth of the vil- lage. The friends whom he made there have since mostly sought other homes and in 1895 he likewise removed, having decided to relinquish the hotel and livery business for ranch pursuits.
The farm on which Mr. Johnson has made his home since 1895 comprises four hundred and ten acres of excellent farming land, besides which he operates one hundred and forty acres of rented land. The principal crops raised are alfalfa, po-
tatoes, beans, barley and oats. In stock a spe- cialty is made of hog-raising. The land, at the time of purchase, cost Mr. Johnson $45 an acre, but its value has been greatly enhanced by his systematic and intelligent labor in clearing out the timber, building substantial fences and erect- ing needed buildings. Through his capable work the property has been increased in value until now it is classed among the best improved ranches in the district. When he came to the county there were only two houses between Chualar and Salinas, across the river, but since then many changes have been made, excellent farm houses have been built, lands have been brought under cultivation, roads have been opened and an era of advancement and prosperity has been inaugu- rated. For a time he served as trustee of his district and he also has been a delegate to the Republican county convention. By his marriage to Miss Johanna Swanson, a native of Sweden, he has three children, Carl Edwin, Gustav Adolph and Ann Alida E., the last named being now a student in the Salinas high school.
THOMAS ROSS.
To a considerable degree the present prosper- ity of California may be attributed to those who have come here from the eastern states, men who came to the west when, judging from ap- pearances, there was little to warrant them in their undertakings. Thomas Ross was born in Indiana in 1850, the son of parents who were thorough-going farmers, who during the early childhood of their son removed from Indiana and settled in Missouri. There he was reared and educated, and in the meantime he was absorb- ing a knowledge of agriculture which in later years was to be turned to good account.
At the age of twenty-five years Mr. Ross left his home and parents in Missouri and carried out a plan which had long been formulating in his mind, to immigrate to the far west, where he felt confident of greater opportunity of advance- ment and larger outlook than was possible in the vicinity of his home in the middle west. Go- ing direct to Santa Cruz county, he located near Watsonville, and in that locality engaged in ranching, following this continuously for about
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ten years. In the meantime he had become in- terested in Monterey county as an agricultural center, and in 1885 he came to San Lucas and purchased eight hundred acres of fine land near town, the property which forms his present homestead. In its cultivation he has been suc- cessful beyond his expectations, and in addition to the care and cultivation of his own land he rents twelve hundred acres of adjoining land known as the Trescony grant. The raising of barley forms the chief industry, although in ad- dition to this Mr. Ross raises draft horses, and from both industries he receives an excellent an- nual income.
The marriage of Thomas Ross united him with Miss Louisa F. Foster, who was born in Missouri, but who has spent the greater part of her life in California. Mr. Ross has espoused Republican principles ever since attaining his majority, and has been an efficient worker in party ranks since locating in Monterey county, having served as a representative to county con- ventions for a number of years. He has also been an interested worker in behalf of education, and for the past twelve years has rendered effi- cient service as school trustee of Alberta district. Mr. Ross finds pleasure and recreation in his fraternal associations, holding membership in San Lucas Lodge No. 154, K. P.
LEWIS A. GATTON.
Monterey county and the Salinas valley lost a devoted citizen when, on May 12, 1908, Lewis A. Gatton passed away at his home. A native of the middle west, he was born in Canton, Ill., December 14, 1848, the son of Lewis A. and Lydia (Keeling) Gatton, natives, respectively, of Zanesville, Ohio, and Illinois. The parents of Mrs. Gatton were natives of Scotland, who came to this country and settled in Illinois in an early period in its history.
Lewis A. Gatton, Jr., was educated in the schools of Canton, continuing his studies up to the age of fifteen, when his thoughts were so ab- sorbed by a desire to enter the army that learn- ing from text-books was no longer possible. His parents, however, were greatly opposed to this, on account of his youth, so he ran away from
home in order to carry his point. Going to Mis- souri, in 1863, he enlisted in Company E, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, for three years' service, and after the war was ended he continued his term of enlistment. Immediately afterward he was sent with his regiment to the frontier in Montana to fight the Indians, and a little later he did simi- lar service in Idaho. After a service of about three years he was honorably discharged and mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kas., from there going to his home in Illinois. He remained there but a short time, however ; instead, he went north, and after purchasing a team engaged in construction work on the Northern Pacific rail- road. From there he went to New Mexico and engaged in the cattle business near Mimbres. It was while located in the latter town that he was united in marriage, January 14, 1878, to Miss Melissa Hicks, who was born in Missouri, the daughter of James Hicks. He was one of the pioneers to California during the year 1849, at which time he brought with him considerable stock. After a time spent in the state he started on the return trip on board the Yankee Blade, but the boat was wrecked off the coast of Santa Barbara and he remained in the state until the following year. On account of the climate and other advantages which New Mexico offered he determined to locate there, and the success with which he met as a stock-raiser more than met his expectations.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gatton settled on the ranch which Mr. Gatton had pre- viously purchased near Mimbres, N. Mex., and was fairly well satisfied with results until over- taken by the three dry years, when he determined to come to California. He located in Monterey county and began farming on property which he had purchased, but as the methods of agriculture were so different from those prevailing in New Mexico his progress was slow and not altogether satisfactory, until, after a trip to Nome, Alaska, in 1903, he returned to the Salinas valley and remained here contentedly throughout the rest of his life. Leasing land, he engaged in raising beets, a commodity which produced abundantly in this locality and for which there was a strong demand.
While a resident of the Castroville district Mr. Gatton was made a Mason, and with his wife he
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was a member of the Eastern Star. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and as a partial reward for the services which he rendered his country he received a pension. Po- litically he was a believer in Republican princi- ples. Personally Mr. Gatton was a man who stood high in the opinion of those about him, and his greatest happiness lay in doing kindnesses to his fellow men.
While Mr. and Mrs. Gatton were living in New Mexico two children were born to them, Joseph A. and Lulu, the latter passing away in New Mexico in 1892. The son is now in charge of a ranch in the Salinas valley, making a spe- cialty of growing beets, and the success which he has thus far achieved in his agricultural enter- prises gives reason to believe that he is destined to take his place among the successful and well- to-do ranchers of Monterey county.
JOHN W. FRETWELL.
From the time of his arrival in California in 1873 until the present time Mr. Fretwell has been identified with various enterprises tending toward the development of Monterey county, and he has not been less efficient and active in a public ca- pacity, having served as justice of the peace, notary public, trustee of his school district for fifteen years, and is now serving as roadmaster of his district, near Parkfield.
The Fretwell family had been associated with the state of Missouri for many generations, and in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Fretwell in Lewis county, Missouri, John W. was born in 1852. Such opportunities as the locality afforded for an education were turned to good account by Mr. Fretwell in his boyhood, and when his school days were past he found ample opportunity to employ his time on the home farm. The training and knowledge which he gained thereby con- stituted his chief asset when, at the age of twenty- one, he left home and friends in Missouri and came to California to begin life on his own ac- count. The year 1873 marked his advent into the Sacramento valley, where, at Winter's, he remained three years, and thereafter came to Monterey county and settled in the Big Cholame valley. Pleased with the conditions which he
found there, he engaged in ranching on a large scale, putting one thousand acres under cultiva- tion to barley and wheat, besides raising stock extensively, and altogether his ranch was con- sidered one of the best in the way of productive- ness in this part of the county. Notwithstanding this Mr. Fretwell disposed of his property after making it his home for over a quarter of a cen- tury, and coming to the Little Cholame valley, near Parkfield, rented four hundred acres upon which he carried on general farming for five. years. His experience here proving satisfactory he determined to locate here permanently and ac- cordingly purchased one hundred and sixty acres. of land near Parkfield, upon which he has since been engaged in stock-raising and general ranch- ing. Besides the land which he owns he rents three hundred and twenty acres, of which two hundred acres are under cultivation. Besides raising the crops generally grown in this part of the county he raises cattle, horses and hogs, his combined efforts bringing him the financial re- muneration which his unwearied efforts deserve. For twenty years he was also engaged in thresh- ing throughout the valley and San Luis Obispo- county, but in later years he gave this up, in order to give his time to the increasing demands of his own ranch.
Mr. Fretwell is a man of generous impulses and broad views, not allowing his private busi- ness to narrow his vision and consume his entire- thought and attention, to the exclusion of his duties as a citizen. On the other hand he has done his part as a good citizen and every project for the betterment of conditions in either town or county has been encouraged by his sanction and support. For the past five years he has served as roadmaster of the district about Parkfield,. under William Casey, has served as justice of the peace for seven years, also as notary public for six years, and for fifteen years was trustee and clerk of the Melville school district.
Mr. Fretwell was married in 1877 to Louisa Walters, a native of Cholame valley and a life- time resident of this part of the state. Six chil- dren have been born of this marriage, named in order of their birth as follows: Ida B., now the- wife of Louis Golden, of Parkfield; Clarence Leroy of Santa Cruz ; Nanny M., the wife of P. T. Carr, of Hog Canyon ; Bert L., living in Park-
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field ; and Claud L. and Lester, both of whom are still at home with their parents. Mr. Fretwell is a member of but one fraternal order, holding membership in Nacimiento Lodge No. 340, I. O. O. F., of San Miguel.
GERMAN COMMINGE.
More than twenty-five years have brought their varying changes to the residents of California :since German Comminge first came to the state, in search of opportunities withheld from young men in his native land ,and with the determina- tion to earn a livelihood in the region concerning which he had heard so many favorable reports. Born in 1857, he was a young man of twenty-six years when in 1883 he bade farewell to family and friends in his native France and started on the long journey to his new home in the west. He came direct to Monterey county, where in the vicinity of San Ardo he put to practical use the knowledge of farming he had gained in his native land. His first experience was on land which he rented for a number of years, in the meantime looking about for a suitable tract to purchase and make his permanent home. This he found in the Pine valley in 1899, at which time he took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres, to which he later added by the outright purchase of three hundred and sixty acres in close proxim- ity. At the time this property came into Mr. Comminge's possession it was in its primeval condition, not a furrow having been turned, so that all that it is today in point of productiveness and improvements is the result of his efforts entirely. Commodious residences and barns have been erected, and neat, well-kept fences enclose the property, which added to the general thrifty appearance of the place marks it as the abiding place of one who understands and believes in scientific ranching. Climatic conditions as well as favorable conditions of the soil contribute to making the land especially adapted to the raising of barley, with the result that he raises a supe- rior grain, for which he finds a ready market. One hundred acres are devoted to the raising of this commodity, while the remainder of the acre- age is used as pasturage for the large number of horses and cattle which he raises. In more recent
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