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 55
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 55
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fornia in 1851 and settled in San Juan, San Benito county, where he afterward resided until deathı.
Among the children of R. L. Matthews were two sons, John Lowrie and Samuel, the former of whom was born at San Juan, San Benito county, in 1858, and received his education in public schools and under the instruction of pri- vate tutors. After leaving school he embarked in the sheep business with his brother, Samuel, and carried their flocks on large ranges in San Benito and Monterey counties for two years, but on account of the drought of 1877 they took their sheep to Nevada and traded them for cattle. After continuing in the cattle industry for a long period in partnership, in 1900 John L. sold out to his brother and then purchased a new drove of cattle, which formed the nucleus of his present herd. One of his specialties is the buying of cattle to be fattened for the markets.
The holding or control of large tracts of lands is necessary for an industry as extensive as that in which Mr. Matthews engages. At this writing he has five thousand acres in the ranch near King City and six thousand acres in a ranch in San Benito county. All of this vast area is utilized for cattle with the exception of one thousand acres, which is rented to farmers for the raising of grain. In order to irrigate one hundred acres of alfalfa for his stock he is now putting in an irrigation system of his own at the ranch head- quarters. Besides his other holdings he has fifty acres near Blanco which he rents to a farmer for $15 an acre. Besides his ranch inter- ests he holds stock in and is vice-president of the Topo Valley Oil Company of Los Angeles and is further a stockholder in the Lonoak Oil Company of Monterey county. Since 1907 he has acted as purchasing agent for the Standard Oil Company and meanwhile has bought over sixty thousand acres of mineral rights.
By the marriage of John Lowrie Matthews and Miss Rose Beemin of Gilroy, there are two chil- dren, Jack and Jean. Fraternally Mr. Matthews is identified with Salinas Lodge No. 614, B. P. O. E., of Salinas. In politics he is a stanch Re- publican, devoted to the principles represented by the party. From 1890 to 1894 he served as a deputy sheriff of Monterey county and in the latter year he was elected sheriff, serving by
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re-election until 1900, when he removed to Men- docino county and for two years remained there engaged in the cattle business, returning at the expiration of that period to his old headquarters. Not only in the vicinity of his home ranch near King City is he well known, but his influence ex- tends throughout other parts of the county and everywhere he is honored as a man of energy, res- olute forcefulness and high principles.
WILLIAM B. WOODWORTH.
The first association of the Woodworth family with the history of California dates back to the year 1860, when the father of our subject brought his family across the plains from the Mississippi valley and located in this commonwealth of the Pacific coast. At the time of the birth of Will- iam B. Woodworth the parents were living in Indiana, his birth occurring in 1845, but while he was still a very small child his parents removed to Minnesota, and up to the age of fifteen years his life was associated with that northern state.
The overland journey behind slow-plodding oxen may not sound thrilling or even interesting to the average person, but to a boy of fifteen years the actual journey was a novel experience. No serious difficulties were encountered on the way, however, and the little party finally reached their destination in Sacramento, where they re- mained for about a year. From there they went to Sonoma county and engaged in the dairy busi- ness, an undertaking which the father followed with splendid success for about eight years, when the death of the wife and mother broke up the home and the family became scattered. William was thus about twenty-three years of age at the time of the death of his mother. For a time thereafter he continued in Sonoma county, but before finally taking up his residence in Monterey county he located temporarily in several neigh- boring counties. From 1868 until 1873 he was in Mendocino county, after which for eighteen
months he was in Santa Cruz. From there he came to Monterey county and located in John- son's canyon, near Gonzales, having taken up from the government one hundred and sixty acres, to which he has added from time to time until his holdings now include four hundred and
twenty-five acres all in one body. This was de- void of all improvements when it came into his possession, so all that is now visible in the way of residence, barns, fencing and other necessities and conveniences, is the work of the thrifty own- er and occupant. Besides the home place Mr. Woodworth rents three hundred and twenty acres nearby for grazing purposes, his specialty being the breeding and raising of high-grade stock, horses and cattle.
Mr. Woodworth was married to Miss Emma Maule, a resident of California since 1852, at which time her parents crossed the plains and settled in Sonoma county. Both parents are now deceased. Seven children, four sons and three daughters, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood- worth.
JOSEPH INTROZZI.
Included among the foreign-born citizens of Monterey county is Joseph Introzzi, a well- known dairyman, near Salinas, and the proprie- tor of a ranch equipped with fine stock and mod- ern improvements. At the age of seventeen years he had emigrated from Switzerland, where he was born, at Ticino, July 3, 1873, and where he had received the advantages of the Swiss schools. After landing in this country he trav- eled leisurely from the east, stopping at various places in his journey toward the western coast and arriving in California during the year 1891. For a time he worked for wages in San Benito, Santa Clara and Monterey counties.
The frugal saving of wages enabled Mr. In- trozzi to start out as an independent farmer, and he leased land for dairying in Santa Clara coun- ty, but at the expiration of two years he came to Monterey county, where since he has made his home. Dairying has been his principal occupation and he now maintains a dairy of twenty-five cows. The output is used in the manufacture of cheese, in which he is considered an expert. His ranch comprises four hundred and seventy-five acres, all of which may, if desired, be devoted to the raising of barley, oats and hay. In addition to the home farm he leases two hundred acres for crop and pasture purposes. Employment is fır- nished to two men, who assist in the care of the stock and the cultivation of the land. Hogs and
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cattle are raised on the ranch, also enough horses to supply the needs of the large acreage under the proprietor's control.
The fraternal relations of Mr. Introzzi bring him into membership in Lodge No. 167, I. O. O. F., and he has maintained a warm interest in the affairs of the order. Since becoming a citizen of the United States he has given his support to the Republican party, and uniformly votes that ticket, but he has never been a candidate for office nor desirous of such positions. During 1907 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Angela Codoni, a widow, who was born and reared in the same locality as himself, and who shares with him the esteem of the residents of their neighborhood. The farm on which they reside is her property and is being improved through Mr. Introzzi's efforts, for he is a capable farmer and understands the best methods of caring for stock, cultivating the land and conducting the manufacture of cheese.
JOSEPH BIANCHI.
Switzerland has furnished many citizens to the farming communities of California, especial- ly in Monterey county, and among this number mention belongs to Joseph Bianchi. Born in the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, in 1867, he grew up in his native surroundings until he was about eighteen years of age, when he transferred his energies to the United States, and since 1885 has been a resident of Monterey county, Cal., whith- er he came direct as soon as he landed on our shores. His home life in Switzerland had made him familiar with farming as conducted there, and upon coming to the United States he easily adjusted himself to the agricultural life of the west. His familiarity with the work made his services in demand, and for a number of years he worked for wages on ranches in the vicinity of Soledad.
In 1906 Mr. Bianchi rented eight hundred acres of land in partnership with Andrew Ri- anda, an association which was maintained for about one year, at the end of which time Mr. Bianchi purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the property alone. It lies in close proximity to Greenfield, which is his post-
office and Soledad his market town, and here he finds a ready market for his barley, which is his principal crop. In addition to raising grain, he also raises sufficient stock to supply his own needs.
Before her marriage Mr. Bianchi's wife was Miss Margaret Tunzi, a native of San Benito county, but at the time of her marriage a resident of San Francisco. Three children have blessed their marriage, Angelina, Josephine and Philip. Fraternally Mr. Bianchi is a member of but one fraternal order, the Foresters of America, hold- ing membership in Soledad Circle.
OWEN SMITH.
The forty years covering the period of Mr. Smith's association with Monterey county as a resident have witnessed many changes, yet, vast as have been the transformations of the past, he realizes that the entire region is still in the infancy of its development. The farmer of later generations will see improvements as yet un- dreamed of. The waste lands will be made to bloom and blossom as the rose. Comfort and plenty will replace hardship and disaster, so that there will not only be a delightful climate to attract, but likewise a fertile soil to be brought under profitable cultivation.
The 12th of July, 1844 (long known as King William's day), is the date of Mr. Smith's birth, and county Monaghan his native parish in Ireland. In 1861 he bade farewell to his par- ents and associations of youth and took passage on a vessel bound for America, sailing via the isthmus of Panama to California and joining a brother, Patrick, who some years previous had settled near Cloverdale, Sonoma county.
The first industry in which Mr. Smith em- barked in California was the raising of sheep in Sonoma county, and for many years he made that his chief occupation, but ill health ultimately caused him to dispose of his interests. Since 1869 he has made his home in Monterey county, where for a time he rented land. Travels that took him through every part of California and into Arizona and New Mexico enabled him to study conditions elsewhere. In 1876 he decided to settle permanently in Monterey county and
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to re-engage in the sheep business, and here he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of gov- ernment land, later purchasing land at $6.50 to $8 an acre. Through systematic cultivation he has converted the property into one of the best ranches in the district. On account of poor health he was again obliged to discontinue the sheep business and take up cattle-raising, which is his present business.
The marriage of Owen Smith and Annetta Con- roy was solemnized in Monterey county. Their four children, Mrs. Alice Denny, Anita, Francis J., and Marie, were born in this county. Francis J. is now assisting in the management of the ranch. Movements for the county's progress have received the support of Mr. Smith, who has been a close reader of current literature and has given stanch support to the Republican ticket in national politics, although in local affairs he has been independent, voting for the men whom he considers best qualified for office.
THOMAS HARRISON SLAVEN.
How often in life are we called upon to bear what at the time seems a misfortune, but which later proves to be a blessing in disguise! This truism is brought to mind in reading the life history of Thomas H. Slaven, whose acquaint- ance with California and his subsequent resi- dence here may be traced to just such a cir- cumstance. Many years of strenuous labor in the lumber districts of northern Michigan had so impaired his health that a change of location was imperative, if not for the entire year, at least during the winter season. He came to Cali- fornia in 1866 to investigate conditions, and as they proved beneficial he spent the two following winters in this salubrious, health-giving climate. The restoration to health which this change brought about enabled him to continue the labors which he had laid aside from time to time, but in the meantime a growing desire to locate in the far west permanently was taking a strong hold upon him, and the year 1873 witnessed the ful- fillment of this desire.
Mr. Slaven's earliest memories are of a home in the east, in Erie county, N. Y., where he was born October 21, 1832, the son of P. and
Eliza (Walsh) Slaven, the latter also being na- tives of the Empire state. The father was a tiller of the soil, and the early life of the son was passed on the home farm near Buffalo, in whose schools he gained as good an education as was possible, considering the poor facilities. His chances for improvement along this line were not much better in northern Michigan, where the family removed during his boyhood. However, he was of an appreciative disposition, and by making the most of his meager opportunities and by a careful habit of observation and reading good literature he became a well-informed man. When he became old enough he began working in the lumber camps, which abounded in north- ern Michigan, a business which he continued for a number of years, to the detriment of his health. As a result he was led to investigate the condi- tions of climate and advantages in California in 1866, and his permanent settlement here followed in 1873. He first located in Santa Clara coun- ty, where he engaged in teaching school, and continued this occupation in Fresno and in the southern part of Monterey county and San Benito counties. In the meantime he had been noting the advantages of the various localities with a view to purchasing land and settling down to ranch life. The conditions offered in San Benito county in the vicinity of Paicines, six- teen miles south of Hollister, met his require- ments admirably, and in 1877 he took up a quar- ter section of ranch land in the mountains, which was his home and the scene of his labors for thir- ty years. During that time he added to his hold- ings until he had thirteen hundred acres in his ranch, which, with the passing of years and the improvements which he was continually adding, increased in value many fold. The mountainous portion of the ranch was especially adapted to the raising of stock, this forming the source of his income largely, although he also raised grain extensively. Besides the ranch which he oper- ated he also owned property in the county, at one time owning five thousand acres in the ag- gregate. All of this, however, including the ranch, has been disposed of, and since that time Mr. Slaven has been a resident of Hollister. Ever since locating here he has taken an active interest in business affairs, being vice-president of the Hollister Storage Company and owning a
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controlling interest in the Tres Pinos Warehouse Company, besides which he is vice-president of the First National Bank of Hollister, of which he was one of the organizers. Mr. Slaven's faith in California real estate has led to his making investments in various parts of the state, and in addition to valuable property interests in Hol- lister he also owns property in Fresno, Alameda and Los Angeles counties.
Before coming to California Mr. Slaven had formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Ellen Marr, a native of New England, the cere- mony being performed in Michigan in 1859. Five children have been born to them, and all are so living as to reflect credit upon their par- ents. The eldest of the family, Thomas D., is editor of the Oroville Mercury; Edward, a resi- dent of Vallejo, is employed in the Mare Island navy yard; James is manager of his father's in- terests in Tres Pinos, and in 1905 he served as assemblyman in the legislature : Ella is the wife of Emerson Chamberlin, of New York City; and Lizzie makes her home with her parents in Hollister, at No. 870 San Benito street. Mr. Slaven has always taken an interest in educational affairs, and for a number of years was a mem- ber of the board of education of Hollister. Po- litically he is a Democrat.
CHRIS JUHL.
Denmark is the native home of Chris Juhl, where, on March 5, 1861, he was born into the home of Chris and Pauline C. Juhl, life-time residents of that country. When he was seven- teen years old, in 1878, he severed home ties by coming to the New World and beginning his career, coming direct to California. Here he found work on ranches near Chualar, Monterey county, where he continued in the employ of others for about eight years. Then he rented five hundred acres of land near Gonzales and began his independent career, having charge of this property for fourteen years. During this time he frugally laid by his earnings and was finally enabled to purchase property of his own, this representing the ranch on which he now re- sides, just north of Gonzales. Here he has two hundred and fifty acres of fine land, well suited
to the raising of grain and barley, and he also makes a specialty of raising cattle, hogs and horses, his combined efforts netting him a good annual income.
SAN BENITO COUNTY LAND AND WATER CO.
In a country where the yearly rainfall is in- sufficient to supply the moisture necessary for growing crops, irrigation has taken its place in such a way as to transform the barren wastes into gardens of beauty and into valuable, pro- ductive acreages. This transformation has been nowhere more noticeable or beneficial than in California, where in the past half century the wonder-workings of irrigation have attracted the attention of the whole world to this particu- lar section of country.
Among the many agencies that have contrib- uted to the growth and well-being of Hollister and vicinity, mention belongs to the San Benito County Land and Water Company, which had its inception in 1889, being then established as the Hollister Irrigation Company. Under this name it flourished for nearly twenty years, or until 1908, when it was sold to its present own- ers and its name changed to the San Benito Coun- ty Land and Water Company. The board of directors are P. F. Brown, president; G. E. Sykes, vice-president; and Dr. H. J. Macomber, secretary and treasurer; W. K. Brown, en- gineer, and A. Kingsley Macomber, all men of ability and thoroughly acquainted with the sub- ject of irrigation in all its phases. At this writ- ing the San Benito County Land and Water Company supply irrigation to about three thou- sand acres of orchard and alfalfa land in and around Hollister, and when the plans now under way for enlarging the system are completed it is estimated that ten thousand additional acres will be benefited thereby. Even in its present condition it is given as a conservative estimate that the system has added $2,000,000 to the wealth of the county, and with this as a basis it is almost incalculable what its influence will be under its larger development.
The average rainfall in the section of country around Hollister is fourteen inches, and as it takes thirty inches to properly moisten the land
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it will readily be seen that irrigation plays a very important part in bringing about the bounti- ful crops which the ranchers enjoy at harvest time. The water which supplies the system is taken from the San Benito river, just below the junction of the San Benito and Tres Pinos riv- ers, a few miles north of Hollister, and is car- ried through canals or irrigating ditches to the ranches, in the district in all directions. Not only have the individual ranchers benefited financially through the excellent service rendered by the San Benito County Land and Water Company, but the help which it has been to the city of Hol- lister would be impossible to estimate. In addi- tion to furnishing water to the surrounding country, the company are also large handlers of real estate, the greater part of which was or- iginally undeveloped land, but which they have developed by their water system until it is now very valuable and productive. Credit for all that has been accomplished along all avenues of activ- ity by the company is due to its enterprising officials, who are men of sound business judg- ment, and stand high in the estimation of Hollis- ter's best citizens.
HANS JORGEN HANSEN.
A devotion to the development of California has been manifest in the life of Hans J. Han- sen ever since he made this his home, thirty years ago. While the memories of the home of his parents in Denmark are pleasant, still he has no desire whatever to return there for any- thing more than a visit. He was born in the province of Sleswick, Denmark, in 1862, which four years later became absorbed by the Prussians and has since been a part of the prov- ince of Sleswick-Holstein, Germany. His ear- liest memories are of the paternal homestead in Denmark, where his parents were farmers, and there he grew to sturdy young manhood.
With the hope of finding a larger scope for his abilities, Hans J. Hansen set out from his boy- hood home in 1881 for the United States, where, in California, he felt confident an opening awaited him. Coming direct to Monterey coun- ty, he readily found employment on ranches in the vicinity of Chualar, and during the four years thus spent in the employ of others he be-
came ambitious to become proprietor of a ranch of his own. This ambition was well justified, for the start which he then mnade proved the opening wedge to the success which has been his in later years. His initial venture was the leas- ing of four hundred acres of land near Chualar from David Jacks, on which he remained for sixteen years. In 1901. he located upon his present property near Gonzales. This was for- merly the property of George W. Theurkauf, of whom he at first rented the five hundred and thirty-two acres comprising the property, but since 1907 he has been the sole owner, having purchased the ranch during that year. The rais- ing of barley and the breeding and raising of cattle and horses are his principal industries. Besides the home place just mentioned, he rents two hundred and forty acres of Francis Stout. Mr. Hansen is recognized as a man of good business judgment, and is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Salinas.
Mr. Hansen's marriage occurred in Chualar, October 8, 1887, and united him with Miss Maggie Boysen, a native of the same province of which he himself was a native. Three sons have been born to them, all still under the shel- ter of the parental roof, George, Harold and Reynold. As one of the live. enterprising citi- zens of his community, Mr. Hansen is naturally alert to whatever will benefit or uplift his fel- low-citizens. In his opinion good school facili- ties are paramount in any community where progress is a feature, and as trustee and clerk of the board of the school district of Gloria for two years his influence had a marked effect. Socially he is a member of the Dania of Chua- lar.
JOHN HENRY TWISSELMAN.
The death of Claus Twisselman in 1908 was the cause of deep mourning on the part of those who had been associated with him from pioneer days. his loss being especially felt in Monterey county, where he had been a continuous resident since 1886. He lived to witness great changes in the west, especially in the agricultural re- gions, and he himself did much toward bringing about present conditions along this line in Monte- rey county. Though he has passed from earth, the
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good that he accomplished has not been forgot- ten, nor has his labor been in vain, for his sons are following in his footsteps in the matter of policy and principle, and in every way are repre- senting him worthily.
Prior to the removal of the Twisselman family to Monterey county they made their home on a ranch in San Mateo county, and it was there that the birth of John Henry Twisselman oc- curred in 1876. His brother, John Chris, was born on the same ranch two years later. Up to the age of ten and eight years respectively the brothers were reared and educated in the vi- cinity of their birthplace, but since the year 1886 their lives have been associated with Monte- rey county, the parents removing here and locat- ing on a ranch near Gonzales during that year. During their younger years the sons assisted with the chores about the ranch, but as he grew older John H. endeavored to engage in some honest employment that would contribute to his own support and thus relieve his parents of some responsibility. His first efforts were as team- ster in the country roundabout Gonzales, but finally he determined to settle down to the life of the agriculturist, and since 1904 he has been lo- cated on a ranch near Gonzales. Here he rents five hundred and fifty acres of fine land, well suited to raising barley and hay, although stock- raising is also an important feature, cattle, hogs and horses being raised in large numbers for the market. With his brother, John C., he is also interested in a ranch of one thousand acres in the foothills, where he carries on a dairy busi- ness, having about thirty cows, and also raising large quantities of hay for feed.
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