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 60
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 60
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or to the torture of thirst and starvation, there now rise flourishing cities and broad valleys with plenteous harvests. All of these changes she has seen besides many others of scarcely less impor- tance to our national development.
The life history of this brave pioneer woman began in Nashville, Tenn., March 14, 1832, in the home of Capt. Duncan and Isabel (Mc- Creary) Dickinson, from whom were inherited the traits of dauntless courage and physical hardihood necessary to existence upon the fron- tier. The first move made by the family took them to Jackson county, Mo., during the infancy of Margaret, whose earliest recollections are as- sociated with the trans-Mississippi region with its primeval aspect and its isolation. After Gen- eral Frémont, by orders of the government, had blazed a path across desert and mountains to the Pacific coast, emigration began to turn thither, and Captain Dickinson was among the- first to decide to make the long trip with all of its dangers and privations. Nature admirably fitted him for such a task and he was chosen captain of the train comprising ninety-six ox- teams and wagons which in 1846 started across the plains. Among the company was the ill- fated Donner party, whose sad end is one of the. unforgettable portions of western pioneer history.
From the first the expedition endured many vicissitudes and was exposed to constant danger. Skirmishes with Indians were of frequent oc- currence and were so disastrous in consequences that the large band of stock belonging to the company fell into the hands of the savages, while several of the white men were killed or wounded. When they arrived at Fort Laramie the Donner party decided to take the route over the moun- tains. Captain Dickinson used his influence to dissuade them from their purpose, but all to no avail, and they thus went on to their doom. One- of the Dickinson party was Capt. Joseph Aram, well known in pioneer history of California.
During the spring of 1847 Captain Dickinson arrived in Monterey. then . the capital of Cali- fornia and the most important town in the state. The daughter, Margaret, was then fifteen years of age and recalls vividly the appearance of the old Spanish city basking in the warm spring sun- shine. She also recalls the impressions received of Santa Clara county, the first location of the.
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family, and where, during the war with Mexico, they were besieged in the fort for six months, her father being captain of the company of home guard that defended the fort. During the en- tire period the white people were never free from danger and many a time the young girl and her mother were busy all night moulding bullets, thus aiding the soldiers in protecting the little company of settlers. A true daughter of her brave. father, she inherited many of his traits, and possessed force of character, patri- otism, valor and tireless perseverance ; hence the dangers of frontier existence did not daunt her nor did tales of Indian savagery disturb her calm and well-poised temperament. During her residence in San Jose she was engaged in charita- ble movements among the poor and needy. Her father died in 1869, when fifty-six years of age, and was followed to his last resting place by countless tributes from the generation that had reaped the benefit of his distinguished services as a pioneer Californian. In the annals of the state his name is worthy of perpetuation.
The first marriage ceremony ever performed in the city of Stockton, Cal., was solemnized October 29, 1849, and united Margaret Elizabeth Dickinson and Amos G. Lawrey, the latter an honored pioneer of the state, who died in San Jose April 24. 1885. He had been blind ten years prior to his death. During the year before her marriage Mrs. Lawrey had been living in frontier style on the American river near the gold mines, where she saw many interesting sights connected with the discovery of gold and the excitement created thereby. After her mar- riage she made her home at Monterey, where sixty-two years ago her husband and father erected the first brick residence in California. having. utilized in its construction brick of their own manufacture, and this was the first brick ever made in the state. The old house is now one of the landmarks of the ancient town and is in a fair state of preservation notwithstanding its long period of usefulness.
During the past twenty-three years Mrs. Lawrey has made hcr home at Pacific Grove. Though now advanced in years she retains her faculties so that she still enjoys life and still maintains a supervision of her business interests. With her resides her youngest child, Miss Lola
Belle Lawrey, an accomplished pianist. The only son. Frank Edward, is a resident of Oak- land. The older daughter, Mrs. Beatrice L. Hollenbeck, resides in Pacific Grove, and is prominent in local religious and club circles, be- ing a member of the Pacific Grove Improvement Club, and the Episcopal church. Philanthropic work has been one of her interests and many charities have received her encouragement. A number of business properties in the city have been erected and are now owned by her, among these being the Hollenbeck block on Lighthouse avenue and the postoffice block, and she has con- stantly given her enthusiastic assistance to move- ments for the local welfare.
JOSEPH O. JOHNSON.
The early development of Pacific Grove was promoted by the energy and efforts of Joseph O. Johnson, an honored pioneer, who until his death was the holder of considerable property at this point and a contributor to movements for the local welfare. Born in Rappahannock county, Va., he was the son of a Virginian planter de- scended from colonial ancestry. During the year 1869 father and son came for the first time to the shores of the Pacific, the former settling in Monterey county, where he continued to reside until his death in 1877 at Salinas.
For a year subsequent to his landing at San Francisco in 1869 Joseph O. Johnson traveled throughout the state engaged in prospecting the country and searching for a satisfactory location. It was in 1872 that he came to Monterey county and settled near Salinas. From 1875 until 1877 he sold merchandise, but in the latter year he sold out the business, after which he traveled in Northern California for a year. Particularly was he impressed with the climatic advantages offered by Pacific Grove and he determined to invest in property at this point. Upon his ar- rival at this now popular seaside resort he pur- chased from the Pacific Improvement Company the only livery business in the town and at a cost of $10,000 he erected the largest stable in the entire state, thus establishing a business of large dimensions that would have been creditable to a town with a far greater population than this.
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As superintendent for the Pacific Improvement Company in this place Mr. Johnson platted the town and took entire charge of sales, during which time he sold more than three thousand business and residence lots. It was under his able management that Pacific Grove attained its present prominence as a desirable residence town and the largest sales of property were made un- der his directorship. In addition to the real estate owned by him at this place he also had valuable farm property in Oregon, and at his death in October, 1897, he was rated among the most prosperous men of his home town. This suc- cess was the direct result of his business energy and wise judgment. Devoted to the welfare of the town, he long stood among its most influential men and its most progressive promoters.
The first marriage of Mr. Johnson united him with Miss Emma Gray, August 2, 1862, in the east. Their union was severed by the death of Mrs. Johnson at Pacific Grove September 13, 1884. His second marriage took place January 19, 1886, and united him with Miss Carrie L., daughter of the late D. W. Lloyd, of Pacific Grove. Three daughters were born of this union, namely : C. Jette, Mabel T. and Esther, who with their mother continue to reside at Pacific Grove, and are prominent in social and philanthropic activities of the town.
REV. FRANK F. JEWELL, D. D.
Perhaps no name is more intimately associated with the history of Methodism in Northern and Central California than that of Dr. Jewell, whose lofty spirituality impressed permanent vigor up- on a number of struggling congregations along the coast during the period of their infancy. Throughout his denomination he was widely known, the force of his personality and high mental endowments being made manifest in the success of every religious effort to which he gave his assistance. The best and most con- secrated aspirations of his career were centered in the church which he represented, yet as a citizen no denomination could claim him. Broad- minded and liberal he gave to his country the same ideal devotion that he gave to his church and when death finally terminated his ministries
it might be said of him that the world was better for his presence and the church more successful because of his service.
The life whose maturity was one unceasing effort for others began in Oneida county, N. Y., in 1831, and closed at Pacific Grove, Cal., Feb- ruary II, 1899. Early in the youth of Dr. Jewell it became impressed upon his soul that he must give himself to labor for the salvation of others. His religious beliefs and the training of his youth had led him to embrace the doc- trines of the Methodist Episcopal church, and afterward he never swerved in his devotion to this denomination. On the completion of the necessary preliminary theological studies in 1859 he was ordained to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church and entered upon his first pastorate at Heuvelton, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. His ministerial relations continued to be in the east until 1872, when he removed to Cali- fornia and accepted a charge in San Francisco with the Howard street church. Later he was chosen pastor of the Central Methodist church of San Francisco, still later had charge of the First church in San Jose and from there was sent back to the Howard street church. The organization of the Simpson Memorial (later known as the Wesleyan) church was the result of his labors and the erection of its house of worship came largely from his self-sacrificing efforts. Subsequently he went back to the First Methodist Episcopal church in San Jose and served for a time, then became presiding elder of the Stockton district.
As chancellor of the University of the Pacific in College Park near San Jose, Dr. Jewell at- tained pre-eminent success and proved his ad- mirable fitness for educational activities. After- ward he was appointed to the ministry of the Trinity church in San Francisco. Twice he was honored by being chosen delegate to the grand conference of his denomination, the first time being in 1872 to the conference at Brooklyn, N. Y., and the second time to Philadelphia in 1891. The founding of the church of his denomination at Pacific Grove was due to his consecrated ability and from 1897 until his death he filled with honor and ability the position of superin- tendent of the moral and prudential government of Pacific Grove.
43
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The marriage of Dr. Jewell was solemnized in 1848 and united him with Miss Charlotte Brooks, who was born and educated in New York. Three children were born of their union, all of whom are now deceased. Octavia S., who became the wife of Charles Moyes, of Pacific Grove, left two daughters, Charlotte E. and Stella Jewell, and both make their home with their grand- mother at Pacific Grove. At his death Orla H. left one son, Frank J. Stella became the wife of Thomas Walkington. It was the rare priv- ilege of Dr. Jewell and wife to be spared to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their union, which occasion was fittingly observed May 28, 1898, in their beautiful home on Forest avenue, Pacific Grove. Here, embowered with fragrant flowers and within sight of the sea, he passed his declining days in serene happiness, ministered to by his family and honored far and near for his hopeful, helpful Christian life. Mrs. Jewell makes her home at Jewell cottage, built by her husband and herself.
CAPT. CHARLES D. DOUGLAS.
A life whose eventful experiences included the perils of the desert and the mountains as well as the dangers incident to service as a cap- tain in the Civil war began in Stirling, Scotland, where Charles D. Douglas was born in 1835 in the home of Archibald W. and Annie (Mc- Dougall) Douglas, likewise natives of Scotland and descendants of honored old families of that country. Separated from his native land by con- tinent and ocean as well as by the gulf of time, in his attractive home at Monterey, surrounded by family, friends and all the comforts of ex- istence, he finds leisure for reminiscences of the days of boyhood in Stirling near the shores that are washed by the North sea, and he still cher- ishes with affection memories of auld lang syne with the lessons of frugality, patience and indus- try taught at home and in school.
Coming to the United States in 1853, the fol- lowing year the young Scot was sent west to survey lands for the government under the di- rection of John McLean, assistant surveyor of Nebraska. After a service of three years as a member of surveying expeditions he went to
Council Bluffs and there and at Omaha he spent most of the time until 1858. Meanwhile he also was proprietor of the Morton house at Nebraska City. With a party of twenty-one young men he started across the plains in 1858 and acted as captain of the train. After his arrival in Nevada he engaged in mining about Virginia City and Carson City and remained until 1861, when he came to California with the company he had raised in Nevada, paying all the expenses out of his own purse.
On the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Douglas had raised a company of one hundred men, of which he was chosen captain and which was mustered into the Second California Infantry upon his arrival in the state. The men were ordered north to Fort Gaston, in Trinity county, and Fort Humboldt, of which the captain had the command for eleven months and afterward was assigned to the command of Fort Bragg and Fort Wright, in Mendocino county, Cal., the latter of which he built and named. When he resigned from that command he returned to the east, but later came back to Fort Wright and resumed command of that post. During the war he had numerous encounters with the In- dians and more than once he was in great peril, but he escaped without injuries to himself, though he lost seven of his men. At the close of the historic struggle he received an honorable discharge and went to San Francisco, where for more than twenty-four years he was a govern- ment employe in the custom house. Meanwhile he had been active in the Republican party and in recognition of his services he was nominated to represent the district in the California state legislature. Duly elected in 1891, he resigned from the custom house and devoted his attention to the duties of the office. It is a noteworthy fact that he was the first Republican ever elected to the legislature from the forty-seventh assembly district and is the only one from the party to receive that honor up to the present time.
During 1905 Captain Douglas came to Mon- terey, where he now owns a comfortable home at No. 1115 Seventh street, Oak Grove. His marriage was solemnized May 27, 1853, and united him with Miss Ellen Joy, a native of Ireland. They are the parents of the following children : Archibald J., of San Francisco ; Alice
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
D., who married Dr. George Adam, of San Francisco; William A., who is connected with the Great Central Railroad and resides in the City of Mexico; Annie D., wife of George Mylar, residing in San Francisco; and Agnes, who re- mains with her parents. For many years Cap- tain Douglas has been warmly interested in and actively identified with the Grand Army of the Republic and during a part of his residence in San Francisco he served as commander of Lin- coln Post in that city.
P. A. HANSEN.
Familiarity with the principal ports of the world was gained by Mr. Hansen while yet a mere youth, for he followed a seafaring exist- ence in boyhood days and made voyages over the entire civilized globe. His love for the sea came to him by inheritance, he being of Norwegian birth, born in 1848, and descended from a family of sailors. He had heard of California and in June of 1872 he left Norway, bound for San Francisco. After landing in New York he started at once for the western metropolis, ar- riving in July of 1872, and was so well pleased with the appearance of the coast country that he determined to remain permanently. There- after he gave up the sailor's life with the ex- ception of making a few voyages out from San Francisco for the purpose of earning the money necessary for mining enterprises. However, the funds invested in mining at Trinidad, Humboldt county, this state, failed to bring any returns and he soon abandoned the mines for other ac- tivities. For seven years he was engaged as superintendent of a logging camp and meanwhile gained a thorough knowledge of the lumber business.
Returning to his native Norway in 1879 Mr. Hansen there married Miss Caroline Oftedal, a native of that country. Accompanied by his young wife he came to California and engaged in the lumber business at Trinidad, where he re- mained for a long period of active years. Mean- while he built at his own expense many of the country roads in Humboldt county and cleared many acres of timber land. On coming to Mon- terey in 1904 he was one of the founders of the
Union Supply Company, of which he is now the general manager and a large stockholder. The company was organized in October of 1904 by P. A. Hansen, T. H. Dean, Charles Rine- hart, G. O. DeWitt and Richard Sargent, but some years ago Messrs. Dean and Sargent re- tired from association with the concern. The officers of the company are as follows: Charles Rinehart, president; G. O. DeWitt, vice-presi- dent; P. A. Hansen, manager, and H. A. Han- sen, secretary. The company conducts a general lumber and milling business and by wise man- agement and close attention to details the officers have built up one of the leadings industries of its kind in the county. They have furnished the lumber and mill work for a majority of the prominent structures erected in Monterey and Pacific Grove since the company's organization. A due share of the credit for the growing busi- ness and profits of the concern may be given to the manager, who devotes his attention closely to the work and has the assistance of his son, Henry A., as secretary. In 1908 he was be- reaved by the death of his wife, who left, beside the son named, a younger son, Theodore, who also makes his home in Monterey.
DANIEL COX.
Travel by land and by sea, as well as experi- ences in times of war and of peace, have given to Mr. Cox a broad fund of general information, wider in scope than that possessed by many who proudly claim university degrees and scholastic attainments. England is his native country, as it was that of his parents, William and Mary (Bent) Cox, descendants of Anglo-Saxon an- cestry identified with Great Britain as far back as the lineage can be traced. Born in the vil- lage of Manea, county of Cambridge, Novem- ber 3, 1832, he passed the years of youth in the manner customary with farm boys, alternating help on the land with attendance at country schools. From an early age he began to be in- terested in the new world and emigration thither became the acme of his ambition. The hope so long cherished was realized during the spring of 1856, when he crossed the ocean on the sailing vessel, William Stetson, of Thomaston, Me., a
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slow-going craft that consumed six weeks in the voyage. In those days the expense of the trip was much greater than at present and the young stranger landed in New York on May 14 with very little money left in his possession.
After having visited a brother in New Hamp- shire for a short time Mr. Cox proceeded to Vermont and became interested in farming. During December of 1856 he removed to Wis- consin and was employed on a farm in Walworth county, where he was following agricultural pur- suits at the time of the Civil war. As soon as possible he offered his services to the Union and in 1863 he was assigned to the Ninth Wis- consin Light Artillery, in which he remained for two years, receiving an honorable discharge at Madison after the close of the struggle. Re- turning to his home he remained for a time, but he had become interested in California and had decided to migrate to the coast. The year 1867 found him a member of an expedition compris- ing forty-two wagons with drivers and emi- grants that crossed the plains. It became neces- sary to spend the winter in Salt Lake City and during the sojourn of five months he made in that place he frequently listened to sermons by Brigham Young, the apostle of Mormonism. Upon his arrival in California in 1868 he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land near Clayton, Contra Costa county, and also before his marriage he had spent some time in Nevada.
After having taken all the necessary steps to secure the land Mr. Cox returned to the east via Panama.' While traveling he was taken very ill with the Panama fever and suffered much with the disease before it was conquered. Final- ly he landed in New York and thence traveled to Wisconsin, where, at Waukesha, June 2, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Susie Hill, a native of England. Accompanied by his young wife he came to California over the Union and Central Pacific Railroads, reaching his destination in July of that year. The tickets cost $156 each and were the first through tickets to California issued from Milwaukee. On his return to Con- tra Costa county he was disappointed to learn that his claim had been "jumped" during his absence. It thus became necessary to seek an- other location, so he bought two horses and with his wife started up the San Joaquin valley in
search of a desirable place to establish a home. In a short time he bought land near Cottonwood, Merced county, and here he engaged in raising grain for eighteen years. Meanwhile he ac- quired a dairy and sold butter in the city markets.
Upon retiring in 1887 from active agricultural interests Mr. Cox came to Pacific Grove, and now makes his home at No. 238 Lobos avenue. Here Mrs. Cox passed away October 22, 1906, aged sixty-two years. Arduous work is no longer necessary and in the afternoon of existence Mr. Cox is able to enjoy the fruits of former labors. At no time has he been a participant in politics aside from voting the Republican ticket at all general elections. The only office he ever con- sented to occupy was that of school trustee, which lie filled in Merced county. The old war times are kept in memory through his membership in Lucius Fairchild Post, G. A. R. In times of peace, as well as in war, he has proved himself to be loyal to the country of his adoption and devoted to movements for the national devel- opment.
BERNARD BRESCHINI.
As the name would indicate Mr. Breschini is of foreign origin, and he himself was born across the water, in the little republic of Switzerland. There the family had flourished for many gen- erations, and he and his three brothers were the first to establish the name in the United States. Bernard Breschini was born in the Canton of Ticino in 1864, grew up under its sunny skies to boyhood and young manhood, and had formed domestic ties before he made up his mind to come to the United States.
Leaving his family in Switzerland, Mr. Bre- schini set out for the New World in 1891, com- ing direct to California, where in Monterey county he found ample opportunity to exercise his knowledge of the dairy business. This had been his life occupation thus far, and with few modifications in conformity to the American methods he was soon perfectly at home at the business in his adopted home. For about one year he worked in the employ of others, after which he formed a partnership with his three brothers and established a ranch of his own near Blanco. This association was maintained to the
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
profit and pleasure of all concerned for about five years, when Bernard Breschini disposed of his interest in the business to his brother John and thereafter maintained an independent ranch for about two years. In the meantime he had laid by from his earnings whatever was not act- ually necded for his maintenance and with the means thus saved he returned to his native land for his family. Upon his return to the United States in 1894 Mr. Breschini located on one hundred and eighty acres near Gonzales, which he maintained as a dairy ranch for about fifteen years, or until October, 1909, when he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of fine dairy and farming land near Gonzales, known as the Po- drozzi and Violini dairy. The purchase also included seventy cows. At the present time fifty acres are in alfalfa, but it is his intention to devote one hundred and fifty acres to this commodity in the near future. The ranch pre- viously mentioned he still maintains, running it in connection with his recently acquired prop- erty.
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