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 42
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 42
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JOHN A. GOODRICK.
As one of the sons of England who have con- tributed to the citizenship of Monterey county, mention belongs to John A. Goodrick, who lo- cated in the state in 1873 and has resided on his ranch near Salinas since 1887. During the twenty-two years past he has demonstrated his ability as a rancher, which proves him to be one above the average, and moreover he has shown a public-spirit and wholesome interest in the wel- fare of his adopted country, state and immediate community which makes him a valuable acquisi- tion. Born in Thorpbank, England, March 12, 1852, he made his home in the Mother Country until he was sixteen years of age, when, in com- pany with a sister and her husband, he came to the United States. Wisconsin was their des-
tination, and for several years Mr. Goodrick worked as a farm hand in the vicinity of Edger- ton, Rock county.
From the fact that he had a friend in Cali- fornia Mr. Goodrick became interested in the west and finally, in 1873, he came to California, com- ing direct to Salinas, where his friend was lo- cated. Near Natividad he secured a position in a lime kiln, and later he engaged in teaming throughout this part of Monterey county, re- maining altogether in this occupation about five years. In the year 1879 he entered the employ of Hiram Corey, one of the extensive ranchers in Monterey county, remaining with him at this time for about nine years, and subsequently he ran a header for Mr. Corey for four years.
Mr. Goodrick's marriage, July 1, 1882, united him with Miss Rufina Cantua, a daughter of Don Ygnacio Cantua, and a granddaughter of Vicente Cantua, representatives of an old Span- ish family. The grandfather was the original owner of the old Nacional rancho located in Riverside county, which later became the prop- erty of his son Ygnacio, and there the latter died April 18, 1907, at the age of eighty years. His widow is still living and makes her home on the old ranch, at the age of eighty-one years. All of the children born to this worthy couple were reared on this ranch, and of the number four are still living, Dolores, Amanda, Rufina and Rosenber. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Goodrick returned to the employ of Mr. Corey, remaining with him about four years, or until 1887, when he settled on his present property near Salinas. This was railroad land, for which he paid at the rate of $2 for about eighty acres and seventy-five cents for fifty-seven acres, the original purchase comprising one hundred and thirty-seven acres. In recent years, however, he has sold sixty-five acres, thus making his acreage seventy-two acres. This he has under a fine state of cultivation, devoted principally to rais- ing hay and fruit, his prune trees and other fruit numbering at one time about twelve hun- dred.
Four children, all sons, have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Goodrick, as follows : William, who is married and resides in Spreck- els; John C., who is also married and resides on the home place ; Joseph L. and Thomas A., all of
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the children having been born and reared in this county. In his political leanings Mr. Goodrick is a pronounced Republican, and has represented his party as a delegate at a number of conven- tions. For twelve years he served as road master of Buena Vista, at a time when it was known as Toro district, and he also served as trustee of the same district for twelve years. His long re- tention in office is conclusive evidence of his ability, and the excellent roads throughout this part of the country speak louder than can words of the faithful service rendered his fellow-citi- zens.
WILLIAM LINCOLN WILEY.
It is rare indeed for one who has been born and reared under California skies to seek a home elsewhere on attaining years of discre- tion, and William L. Wiley is proving no excep- tion to this well-established rule. At the time of his birth his parents were making their home in San Joaquin county, but ten years thereafter, in 1870, they removed to Monterey county, and here William L. Wiley has since been content to remain. Although he had attained school age before removing to this county, it was not until locating on a farm near Salinas that he took up his studies in earnest, being a pupil in the schools of the latter city for a number of years. After remaining in that vicinity for about six years the family removed to Soledad, in the outskirts of which town the father located upon a ranch which he maintained until his death in 1888.
By the time he was eighteen years old Will- iam L. Wiley began to be self-supporting, he and a brother, Leander H. Wiley, in 1878, rent- ing two hundred acres of the Zabala ranch, which they ran in conjunction with a quarter section of land which the latter had taken up from the government. Here they carried on a general ranching enterprise with considerable success for about four years, when, encouraged to larger undertakings, they rented eight hun- dred acres in the same vicinity and carried it on with increasing success for seven years. This latter ranch was in close proximity to the parental home, and during the ill-health of the father the sons were enabled to manage the
home ranch in connection with their own enter- prise. In 1888 William L. Wiley bought a squatter's title to three hundred and twenty acres in the hills near Soledad, and until 1905. cultivated this in connection with the other land in which he and his brother are interested. In the year just mentioned, however, he sold this land and bought seven hundred acres on the Arroyo Seco of the Clark colony, and here the three brothers, William L., Leander H. and David W., have since worked harmoniously to- gether. In addition to the two thousand acres which they have under cultivation, they own three thousand acres in the Cholame valley for grazing purposes, where they range four hun- dred head of cattle. The cattle business main- tained by the Wiley brothers is the outgrowth of the business partnership entered into in 1878, when William L. and Leander H. Wiley united their energies on the Zabala ranch, and for over thirty years this association has continued to the profit and pleasure of each. For about ten years, from 1895 until 1905, William L. Wiley main- tained a dairy on the Mission ranch, milking. one hundred and twenty-five cows and manufac- turing the milk into cheese on the ranch, but in the latter year he discontinued the dairy and has since devoted the land to the raising of pota- toes. With his nephew, Arthur Franklyn Wiley, Mr. Wiley is also interested in raising sugar beets on seventy acres of irrigated land, on The Mission, which in 1908 averaged a crop of sixteen tons to the acre. The numerous in- terests already mentioned do not represent all of Mr. Wiley's activities, and as a part owner in the Soledad Land and Water Company he has helped to promote one of the most important enterprises in Monterey county. The company now has facilities for furnishing irrigation to. over eight hundred acres of land, water for the purpose being obtained from the Salinas river. Mr. Wiley also owns stock in the Rochdale Company of Fort Romie, and also in the Farm- ers Mercantile Company of Salinas.
William L. Wiley was united in marriage, November 9, 1899, with Miss Vinnie Craig, a native of Soledad, and the daughter of a promi- nent physician of that place, Dr. T. L. Craig. Two children have been born of this marriage, Mabel and Laughlin, the former attending
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
school in Soledad. Mr. Wiley has reason to be proud of the success which has come to him in response to his efforts, and Monterey county in turn has reason to be grateful for a citizenship which has meant so much to her as has that of Mr. Wiley.
JAMES P. AND AUGUST STRUVE.
The well-known truism that in union there is strength, is brought forcibly to mind in read- ing of the lives and accomplishments of the Struve brothers, native sons of Santa Cruz county, and now well-known citizens of the county of Monterey. Through their father, James Struve, they are of German descent, the latter having come to the United States in young manhood in 1867. Subsequently he married and established his family in Santa Cruz county, Cal., where all of their five children were born and reared. Of these, two sons are now living in San Francisco, two sons in Monterey county, and the only daughter is also living in San Fran- cisco. The home ranch in Santa Cruz county consisted of three hundred and fifty acres near Watsonville, which at the time of purchase was in a primitive condition, but before his death Mr. Struve had the satisfaction of seeing the land in excellent bearing condition and taking high rank with the best ranches in the county. He passed away on the home ranch in 1907, mourned by many friends and acquaintances who had become endeared to him on account of his genial nature.
James P. and August Struve were born in 1870 and 1874 respectively, and educated in the public and high schools of Watsonville, and when not in school were familiarizing themselves with agricultural life through assisting their father in the care of the home ranch. As they gained ex- perience and confidence in their own ability they leased land on their own account, each having charge of separate ranches until 1903. Later uniting their energies, they leased land from H. Corey. The entire tract, which includes about twelve hundred acres, is under cultivation, and seven men in addition to the proprietors are required to care for the crops. A specialty is made of raising beets, which average seventeen tons to the acre, and between six and seven hun- dred acres are devoted to this commodity. The
land is exceptionally well adapted to raising this vegetable, and as rapidly as is practicable it is the expectation of the proprietors to sow the whole tract to this commodity. When it is con- sidered that neither of the brothers had anything. when they started out in business and are now classed among the prosperous young ranchers of this vicinity it goes without saying that they have been industrious. In addition to the beet- raising enterprise above mentioned, they are also largely engaged in breeding and raising horses.
James P. Struve started in business $7,500 in' debt, and the first year paid off the entire in- debtedness by raising grain, abundant crops and excellent prices making this possible. While in Santa Cruz county he was married to Miss Lillie- Hansen, a native of that county, and three chil- dren, Hazel, Freddie and Helen, have been born to them. Mr. Struve has made his home in Mon- terey county for the past fifteen years, and since. his children have attained school age he has lived in Salinas, at No. 114 John street, where he is convenient to good schools. Politically he is a believer in Democratic principles, and is active- in the cause of his chosen party, having served as a delegate to a number of county conventions, as well as a delegate to the state convention in Santa Cruz in 1902, and he has also been a mem- ber of the county central committee. August Struve is also a Democrat in his political belief, and like his brother, believes that the principles for which the party stands, if rightly understood" and carried out, would be to the best interests of this country.
HARRY L. CARNAHAN.
Whatever may be accomplished in future years by the agriculturists of California, whatever of success they may attain, whatever of prosperity they may enjoy and whatever improvements they may consummate on their country estates, a due share of praise for the advancement may be given to the native-born sons of the commonwealth, the men who were reared in the environment with which they are still familiar and who from their- earliest recollections were trained to a knowledge- of our climate and our soil, together with the best methods of conducting agricultural opera -- tions under the conditions existent in the west.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
A son of Francis M. Carnahan, an honored pioneer of 1853 in California, Harry L. Carnahan was born on a ranch near Hollister, San Benito county, this state, in 1875. When he was two and one-half years of age he was taken by his parents to Monterey county, where his father took up a homestead near Metz. Here he at- tended the public schools and became trained to efficient work on the ranch, remaining at home to assist his father until 1901, when he went to Alaska. For three years he engaged in mining at or near Nome, after which he returned to California and has since remained in Monterey county.
On his return from Alaska Mr. Carnahan bought two hundred and forty acres near Metz station and here he has since given his attention to the cultivation of the land, the making of needed improvements and the raising of stock. Ever since he settled on the place he has made a specialty of raising barley and recently also he has become interested in the raising of alfalfa and sugar beets, both of which are proving the sources of a neat income in return for his efforts. Hogs are raised on his land for sale in the mar- kets and good horses and fine cattle also are to be seen on the place, the whole forming a home- stead indicative of the thrift and energy of its proprietor and bearing testimony as to his future success.
HENDERSON BROWN.
The life history of the pioneer, the man who braved the dangers and hardships of frontier life and assisted in building up new territory, will never cease to be read with interest by those of later generations whose only knowledge of those early times comes to them through others. As one of the earliest of those who crossed the plains to this state, Mr. Brown met with many experiences which those who came later were able to guard against through profiting by the misfortune of those who went before. While the hardships which they were called upon to endure were many and trying, none could equal the horrors which they underwent in running out of provisions. Their mules and cattle were dying from starvation and the same fate threat- "ened the entire party, and at last, as the only
means of saving their lives, they were compelled to eat the dead animals.
For many generations the Brown family had been associated with the south, William Brown, the father, being a native of Virginia. Sub- sequently he removed to the adjoining state of Kentucky, and it was in that state, at Hardins- burg, that the birth of Henderson Brown oc- curred October 14, 1833. His early life was passed in the locality of his birth, but during his boyhood the family home was transferred to Missouri, where, in Monroe county, the father carried on agricultural pursuits, as he had in the previous places of his residence. The finding of gold in California came at a time in the life of Mr. Brown when he was filled with energy and ambition, and the allurements of gaining sudden wealth were too bright to pass him un- heeded. Setting out with a party behind oxen, they finally reached their destination at Ringo, Cal., in August, 1850, after a trying experience covering many months. Going direct to Placer- ville, Mr. Brown began mining on the middle fork of the American river, and later mined at Georgetown and other mining centers, in each of which he was successful, and with the com- bined proceeds of his efforts he was enabled to purchase land and establish himself in the cattle business. Coming to San Benito county, he pur- chased a ranch in Brown's valley seventeen miles from Hollister, which he stocked with cattle and horses, and for many years thereafter made the raising of fine stock and blooded horses his chief business. Many of the horses which he bred and raised brought him as high as $500 each. In later years, however, Mr. Brown disposed of his business and also of his ranch, which in the meantime had been increased in size until it contained twenty-three hundred acres, and re- moved to Hollister, making this his home ever since. His great faith in the future of the city has prompted him to invest considerable of his means in real estate here, and his holdings in- clude a number of valuable lots in the best part of the city. Further than looking after his prop- erty Mr. Brown is not engaged in business of any kind, but is enjoying the fruits of his former years of activity.
A marriage ceremony performed in Coloma, Placer county, Cal., united the destinies of Hen-
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
derson Brown and Sarah R. Moore, the latter a native of Missouri. Four children were born of their marriage, as follows: Lulu, living in Stockton; Ella, the wife of James McCord, of Salinas; Joseph, who is engaged in the manu- facture of harvesting machines in Boise City, Idaho; and William, a resident of San Benito county. The name of Henderson Brown is en- rolled among the substantial pioneers of San Benito county, and his successes in his adopted state are worthy the emulation as well as a source of encouragement to those who are start- ing out in active life.
LOUIS BURMESTER.
The early home of Mr. Burmester was in the seaport city of Hamburg, where he was born in 1842 and where he attended the schools whose thorough system of training has given to Ger- many a world-wide fame. Often in boyhood he watched the great ocean vessels as they cast anchor at the end of their long voyages or as they started out upon trips to the remotest parts of the world, and in his heart there was awak- ened a keen desire to be a sailor. As soon as he could leave school he apprenticed himself on shipboard and in a very humble capacity began to learn the duties of ocean life. For a number of years he continued to make voyages to various parts of the globe, several times coming to the United States and by degrees he was promoted until he held a responsible position on the ship.
Giving up his seafaring existence in 1868 Mr. Burmester came to California and from San Francisco proceeded to Sonoma county, thence to San Mateo county. His first work in Califor- nia was with the Humboldt Bank of San Fran- cisco, with whom he remained three years. During 1878 he became a resident of Monterey county and rented a part of the Old Mission ranch near Soledad, where he engaged in farm- ing for four years. For the five ensuing years he rented land from Francis Doud and since then he has held a responsible position as foreman of the angora goat ranch owned by C. P. Bailey & Sons. This ranch and its owners are known to stockmen throughout the entire country.
The principal industry on the ranch is the
raising of angora goats of the purest breed. As an indication of the quality of the stock it may be stated that one of the bucks from the ranch was sold to Mrs. Armour, of New Mexico, for $1050. Only the fancy stock is kept here, the balance of the herd being sent to ranches owned by Mr. Bailey in Nevada and New Mexico. Shipments are made from Monterey county to all parts of the world, for the standard breed of the goats is such as to bring orders from breeders of the highest standing and most exact- ing demands. In all the world's fairs held during the past twenty years the Bailey goats have taken the first prizes and wherever exhibited they have won new admirers and champions. A re- cent industry established on the ranch is the raising of Persian sheep, which were imported by the United States government and sent to Mr. Bailey for the purpose of having a thorough test made as to their adaptability to Californian climate.
The ranch-house on the large estate is pre- sided over by Mrs. Burmester, who was Miss Margaret Cole, a native of Elmira, N. Y., and who shares with her husband the esteem of the community. The oversight of the large flocks en- gages Mr. Burmester's attention to the exclusion of outside matters and he has little leisure for participation in local affairs. In addition,to the care of the goats and sheep, he has cattle of his own on the hills near by and also raises barley in large quantities. In each of these departments of agriculture he is experienced, practical and sagacious, and is meeting with deserved success.
GILBERT P. ANDERSON.
As one of the native sons of the state Gilbert P. Anderson is bearing out the reputation which they have for devotion to their birthplace, and it is safe to say he will not seek a home else- where, although temporarily he has been in- terested in other parts of the country. He was born in the paternal ranch near Chualar, July I, 1887, the son of a former sailor, Edward An- derson. and his wife, Botilda (Johnson) An- derson. Gilbert P. Anderson was given good educational advantages in the schools of Chualar, this training being supplemented by a course
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in Heald's Business and Commercial College of San Francisco.
Simultaneous with the close of his school course Gilbert P. Anderson sought and obtained employment, putting his recently acquired knowledge to account as bookkeeper in the Alas- ka Packers Association, in San Francisco. From there he subsequently went to Bristol bay, an arm of Behring sea, working there during two sea- sons, then returning to San Francisco for the winter. He alternated between these places for two years, when he resigned his position with the association and returned to Chualar. In 1907 he bought an interest in and is junior member of the firm of Anderson, Beck & Co., who carry one of the most complete lines of general mer- chandise in Chualar. Mr. Anderson is one of the youngest business men of this part of Mon- terey county, and the enthusiasm which he ra- diates is proving a noticeable inspiration to other business men.
JOSEPH VOSTI.
The natives of Switzerland have contributed largely to the citizens of California, where they find a climate not unlike that with which they have been familiar from childhood, but where on the other hand they are surrounded by ad- vantages and opportunities of which their fel- low-countrymen in the home land have never dreamed. Monterey county is the home of many representatives of the little republic of Switzerland who have come to the New World to find scope for their abilities, and of this num- ber mention belongs to Joseph Vosti, a well- known rancher and business man in the vicinity of Chualar. Born in the canton of Ticino in 1855, he was early in life made familiar with the dairying business through associations on his father's farm, and the lessons which he there learned served him in good stead, when as a
young man of nineteen years he came to the . 10, 1895, to Miss Annie Petersen, a native of United States to carve out his fortune.
It was in the year 1874 that Joseph Vosti landed on our hospitable shores, and from the port at which he landed he immediately made his way to California. His chief asset was his knowledge of dairying which he had obtained in his native land, and this he endeavored to put
to good account. Going to Santa Cruz, he was successful in obtaining work on a dairy ranch, and during the three years he remained there he learned many things about American methods of ranching which were to be of great value to him later on. At the end of this time he went to San Francisco, where in company with a cousin he established a dairying business which they operated with varying degrees of success for about ten years, when they gave the business up as unprofitable. Mr. Vosti then came to Monterey county, and near Natividad he carried on a similar undertaking for eighteen years, this, however, meeting with better success than his former undertaking. From there he went to Hollister, San Benito county, but the business which he established there proved a failure, so it again became necessary to seek new fields. His next move again brought him to Monterey county, in 1890, at which time he located on the Malarin ranch, near Chualar, which has been his home ever since. Here he carries on dairy- ing to some extent, although he makes a spe- cialty of raising stock, horses and hogs, also having considerable of his land in grain. In addition to his private interests Mr. Vosti in 1902 became associated with John Vosti and Charles Lanini in the purchase of seven hun- dred acres of land near Soledad, where they are raising grain in addition to maintaining a dairy of one hundred and fifty cows. On this prop- erty Mr. Vosti has recently installed a pumping plant to put the ranch under irrigation; the equipment includes a one hundred and fifty horse- power engine and a double suction sixteen-inch pump. Eight wells have been drilled. Other interests also claim a share of Mr. Vosti's time and thought, thus proving his versatile ability and knowledge, both of which he brings to bear in the capacity of stockholder in the First Na- tional Bank of Salinas and in the Salinas brewery.
In Chualar, Cal., Mr. Vosti was married July
California and the daughter of M. Petersen, who located in the state during the days of the gold excitement. Two children have been born of this marriage, Edward and Minnie, both of whom are attending the public schools of Chualar. Be- sides the home ranch near Chualar Mr. Vosti owns five valuable residence lots in Salinas, and
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