History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 126

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood
Number of Pages: 1206

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during which, fifty-eight of her passengers were buried in the ocean, as many more having succumbed to the cholera on the Isthmus; and shortly after landing, on January 3, 1853, he commenced the practice of his profession. This he continued until 1856, when he moved to Columbia, Tuolumne County, and lo! here the old Lancashire School system flourished like a green bay tree. To attack it was second nature with the Doctor; aided by a few citizens, in a little while the free school system was inaugurated, a brick school house was built, and accommodation provided for the instruction of two hundred children. Doctor Gibbons resided in Tuolumne County until 1862, when he made a trip to Mono County, and finally took up his quarters in Aurora, Esmeralda County, Nevada ;. moving therefrom, however, in 1863, to Alameda County and town, where he has since practiced his profession. At the incorporation of the town of Alameda, in 1872, Doctor Gibbons was elected to the position of President of the Board of Education, and was mainly instrumental in the organization of the present school system for which that town-township is so deservedly famous. Married, March 5, 1835, Mrs. Mary Robinson, a native of New York City, the ceremony being performed in the good old Quaker fashion, while their marriage certificate has on its face no less than one hundred and thurteen names. The family now surviving by this union consists of three sons, viz .: Robinson, Alfred, and William.

WILLIAM T. GIBBS .- Was born in Howard County, Missouri, June 6, 1829, and is the son of Frederick and Elvira (Fields) Gibbs. Receiving his early schooling, and having served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade there, in 1850 he started for California by way of the plains and at once proceeded to El Dorado County, where for twenty-seven years he was chiefly engaged in mining, six years of which he filled the office of Justice of the Peace, and for several years was a Notary Public. In 1877 he took up his residence in Alameda County, and commenced his present business of blacksmith in Oakland. Mr. Gibbs has always been an active Republican, and is at present Chairman of the City Republican Central Committee of Oakland. Married, November 10, 1851, Cynthia A. Turner, by whom he has eight children, viz .: Elizabeth, Elvira, William T., Jr., Olive, Alice, Mary, Andy I., and George D.

COL. E. M. GIBSON .- Of the thousands of young men, who, at the outset of the Rebellion went promptly forward at the call of their country's distress, and who fought heroically through that contest for the supremacy of the Union and the preservation of national honor, there was no one who responded more enthusiastically to the call, or who bears more lastingly the evidences of service well rendered than the subject of this sketch, Col. E. M. Gibson. It is not that his heroism was of any more distinguishing quality than that of his comrades, for all were heroes; but that he was one of that vast army of patriots who proffered their lives for a bulwark against oppression and dissension, and, as such, won for himself the meed of praise that is befittingly ascribed to those both dead and living, whose sacrifices have ennobled the inheritance of manhood in this country. Colonel Gibson is a native of Hamilton County, Indiana, where he was born on the 13th day of June, 1842. His parents were natives of North Carolina, and were of the old Quaker stock. They reared their children in accord- ance with the strict principles of worth and integrity, which are the grand foundation- stones of that most pure and elevating faith. The grandfather of our subject was a Revolutionary soldier, and a pensioner to the day of his death for service rendered in that war. His grandmother on his mother's side was a near relative of the late E. M. Stanton, the distinguished Secretary of War. His father moved to Indiana while the country was yet new, and won for his family, by industry and thrift, a moderate com- petence for their support. Col. Gibson's opportunities for an education were neces- sarily limited, as the country was but poorly developed, and log school houses with benches, desks of slabs, with one end of the room devoted to a fire-place, greased paper for window-panes, and the rudest facilities for instruction-were as much a part of his early experience as of many another Western boy who has risen to positions of honor

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and trust, if not to fame. His success to-day is due to his own resolute and steady diligence, to an inherited practical talent and a manly integrity, the best patrimony ever bequeathed by parent to child. In the midst of the slavery agitation his father, true to the principles of his religion, cast his fortunes with the growing party of free- dom, and the son, while yet a boy, following in the footsteps, likewise formed an · ardent attachment for the party of liberty and Republican ideas. At the age of eighteen, when the war broke out, he enlisted as a private soldier in Company A, 19th Indiana Volunteers, and soon went with his regiment to Washington City, which was then menaced by the Confederate Army encamped within sight of the capitol. He served with his regiment in the Army of the Potomac, participating in the battles of Gainesville, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, First and Second Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and many skirmishes and engagements, including Pope's celebrated retreat from the Rapidan River to Washington City, when the army was under fire for twenty-one consecutive days. Finally, at Gettysburg, that contest which broke the backbone of the Rebellion, he fell at the head of his men in one of the first battles, with his right ankle so badly shattered by a grape-shot that

amputation became necessary. It was thus that this youth, who went out in strength and vigor from his fond, early home, at the call of his country's distress, returned four years later scarred and crippled, and in suffering and experience veritably a veteran. Compelled by his disability to engage in an occupation of a professional character rather than in agricultural pursuits, which had been the delight of his early years, Col. Gibson chose the law. Returning to Washington City, he spent two years in the Columbian Law College, at the end of which period he graduated with honor, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. For six years he was employed in one of the Executive Departments at Washington, during which interval he married. He came to this coast in 1870; practiced law in San José, San Francisco, and Oakland, and for the last three years has been District Attorney of Alameda County. How well and how faithfully he has discharged the duties of that office the public well understand and appreciate. Such are the leading incidents in the life of this patriotic citizen, who has always maintained an elevated standard of morality and political honesty. In 1882 he received the nomination of the Republican Convention for the office.of Railroad Commissioner of the Third Railroad District, and made an active canvass of the southern half of the State, making forty-seven speeches in twenty different counties.

He was defeated, as the State went over- whelmingly Democratic at the election, but ran about four thousand votes ahead of his ticket. He is now out of politics, and engaged in the practice of law in Oakland, and is living a quiet, happy life. His most amiable and excellent wife and three bright charming little daughters, are devotedly attached to him, and make his home on Jefferson Street one of the most happy in Oakland. He delights in study and gives much time to reading history and literature, being a man of refinement and of a sympathetic nature and very temperate in his habits.

J. C. GILSON .- Was born in Rockingham, Windham County, Vermont, May 23, 1844. He received an elementary education in the common and academic schools of his own State, and subsequently spent about two years as a student in Amherst Col- lege. Mr. Gilson began teaching at the age of seventeen years, and successively taught in the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. From the latter State in the spring of 1869, he came to California and engaged in teaching in Alameda County, and continued in his chosen profession until elected County Superintendent of Schools in 1877. Having served the county for a term of two years, he was at the following election re-elected for three years, but resigned the office in March, 1882, to take the position of Superintendent of the Oakland city schools. He is married and has two children.

HON. JOHN RAGLAND GLASCOCK .- Was born in Panola County, Mississippi, August 25, 1845; thence he removed, with his parents, to North Carolina, and after-

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wards to Virginia. In 1856 he came to California, and from that time until 1858 lived in San Francisco. In the latter year the family settled in Oakland, where Mr. Glascock entered the Durant School, then under control of the Rev. Henry Durant, the father of education in this State, the founder of the College of California, and the leading spirit in the formation of the University of California. Under the influence of this wise and guileless old man Mr. Glascock was prepared for college, which he entered in 1861. He graduated in 1865 as valedictorian of his class. At school and in college he showed a quick and ready mind, and gave promise of intellectual ripe- ness, which promise his manhood has amply fulfilled. After graduation he read law in his father's office; but wishing for more advantages for legal education than our young State then possessed, in 1867 he went East, and entered the law school at the University of Virginia, where, by close application, he compressed a two years' course into one year. Returning to this State in 1868, he was admitted to the practice of law by the Supreme Court, and immediately entered into practice with his father, W. H. Glascock, with whom he has remained ever since. In the spring of 1875 he married Miss Mary Wall, a daughter of Jesse S. Wall, a prominent citizen of Oakland. The result of this union has been two children, both having been born in this county. Mrs. Glascock is an intelligent and accomplished lady, well known through her literary work, and, particularly, as being the author of an interesting novel entitled "Dare." In the fall of 1875 Mr. Glascock was elected District Attorney of Alameda County by over eight hundred majority, being the first Democrat elected in the county for many years. He served the people faithfully and conscientiously, satisfying all by his integrity and good work, and, upon the expiration of his term, declining a second nomination, returned to the practice of law. In 1880, much against his inclination, the nomina- tion for Congress in the Second Congressional District was forced upon him by the Democrats of that district. He recognized the impossibility of success, but, true to his idea of duty, having accepted, he literally took off his coat and went into the fight; and, though defeated, succeeded, through personal popularity, and a most thorough canvass, in very largely reducing the majority against him. In 1882 he was selected by the Democratic State Convention as a nominee for Congress from the State-at- Large by the handsome vote of three hundred and eighteen out of four hundred and fifty-seven members constituting that body. He made the most extended canvass of the campaign, speaking in almost every county in the State, and was elected by over thirteen thousand majority. During the campaign he earned a well deserved reputa- tion for oratory. He is a fluent and powerful speaker, drawing a crowd by his personal magnetism, and holding them well He is yet a young man, and a brilliant future is predicted for him in Congress. He occupies a high position at the bar as a good pleader and logical reasoner; and in politics, he stands forth as an incorruptible man, ever on the side of the people, and against special privilege and injustice. He is bold in enunciating his principles, and firm in maintaining them. Mr. Glascock is justly considered one of the leading young men of the State. Alameda has now the first representative, elected from her county, in Congress-one who is identified in every way with her interest, and alive to her welfare; a man upon whom she can fully rely, as a mother upon the strength and intelligence of her son.

GEORGE GODFREY .- This old pioneer of the Golden State is a native of Wind- sor, Berkshire, England, and was born October 20, 1815. The first twelve years of his boyhood were spent in his native village, when he went to London and first found employment in a coffee store, where he remained for two years. Our sub- ject then engaged in a saw factory, where he worked for the following eight years. In the fall of 1825 he enlisted in the reserve battalion Rifle Brigade, and was stationed at Dover, from whence he was ordered with his regiment to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he remained some four years. Then purchasing his discharge, he came to the United States, and first located in Boston, Massachusetts, arriving there in 1846. Then he was employed on a lighter, unloading vessels, until the summer of 1849,

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when he concluded to seek his fortune in the Golden State, and he accordingly took passage on board the Leopard. Coming via Cape Horn, he arrived in San Francisco June 14, 1850. Unlike most of the early Californians, Mr. Godfrey did not make his way to the mines, but located in San Francisco, and engaged in the laundry business, in which he was very successful; and, at the close of fourteen years, with strict economy and close attention to business he found himself possessed of an ample fortune. He sold out his laundry, and a short time after opened a real estate office on Howard Street, San Francisco, which business he still continues. He is well known in San Francisco and Oakland as a man of the strictest integrity, and highly respected by all who know him. Mr. Godfrey was united in marriage in Boston to Miss Jane Outhwait, and after a union of unalloyed happiness of thirty-seven years, they were separated on the 24th of February, 1883, when, on the above date, his dearly beloved wife departed this life. Mr. Godfrey has ever since his arrival in Alameda County been a resident of West Oakland; but in the summer of 1883 he began the erection of an elegant residence on Market Street, between Ninth and Tenth, in which he will spend the remainder of his days in that comfort which always follows a well-spent and prosperous life.

THEO. GORNER .- The subject of this sketch came to California in the year 1866, resided in Oakland, Alameda County, until 1873, having settled there in 1871. Mov- ing to Livermore, he purchased the harness shops of George A. Beebe and C. N. Lewis, and in 1877 built his present establishment at the corner of First and J Streets, where he carries on a general harness and saddlery business. During the year 1878- 79 he officiated as Town Clerk of Livermore. Is married, and has four children, viz .: Dora, Katie, Walter, and Alma.

ARTHUR JAMES GREENE .- Is the son of Ransome and Susan (Dyer) Greene, and was born in Willett, Cortland County, New York, February 19, 1857. Having, at the age of nine years, been moved to Cortland by his parents, he there attended the Cortland Academy, which leaving, he established himself in the drug business, which he continued until coming to California. In August, 1878, Mr. Greene located in Alameda, and opened his present drug store. He married, November 29, 1882, Miss Ella C. Megerle.

THEODORE GREENE .- Was born in Willett, Cortland County, New York, May 6, 1847, and is the son of Ransome and Susan (Dyer) Greene. He resided in his birthplace, going to school, and laboring on a farm until his eighteenth year, when he entered the Cortland Academy. After a two years' course, he commenced clerking in a drygoods store, and followed it three years, when he began business for himself in Cortland, the County seat, with S. E. Welch, under the firm name of S. E. Welch & Co., which was continued until the departure of our subject for California, in 1876. In April, 1877, he established himself in Alameda, where he now resides. Married, in 1872, Miss Adele Mehan, by whom he has no issue.

HENRY C. GREGORY .- Is a native of the State of New York, having been born in Hudson, on the banks of the beautiful river of that name. His earliest years, however, were passed in Schoharie County, whence, at eleven years of age, he was taken by his parents to Sullivan County, where our subject went to school, engaged in mercantile pursuits, and resided until December 27, 1859, when he proceeded to New York City, and on January 3, 1860, sailed for California, bringing with him one hundred and nine hives of bees, intending to sell them, and return. But how true is the axiom, that "the best laid plans, 'mongst mice and men, gang aft agley." Arriving in San Francisco on February 1, 1860, he went to Marin County, there bar- tered his apiary for two sloop-loads of fence-posts, which taking to Main Prairie, in Solano County, where after paying freight and expense of piling, the floods came and swept it all away; he then returned to the Bay City. In the spring of the year he came to Alameda County, learned telegraph operating, took charge of the office in Oakland, was two months later moved to San Leandro, and three weeks after

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opened the office in Centreville, where he remained three months. At the expiration of this time he was transferred to Lake Tahoe, where he had charge of the telegraph office there for eighteen months; but now Mr. Gregory made up his mind to try his luck at the mines, he therefore proceeded to Reese River, Nevada; but finding, at the end of a twelvemonth, he had lost $3,000, he changed his camp to John Day River, and during the first year there made about $40,000; but the next year, through unprofitable investments-chiefly in the purchase of a ditch, for which he paid $45,000, and two years after sold for $2,000-he lost all. He then, in 1865, came to San Francisco, and found employment with B. C. Horn, as traveling salesman. Two years later he opened a cigar store at the American Exchange, and at the end of two more years returned to Nevada, locating at White Pine, where he opened a tobaceo business, being also engaged in mining for a twelvemonth. Mr. Gregory now returned to Centreville, purchased the store of C. J. Stevens, conducted the business there until 1878, during which time he accumulated a good deal of money, and then selling out, bought the "Niehaus Ranch," and embarked in farming; but this property he has since sold, at the present time owning but fifty acres of the original purchase. While in business at Centreville Mr. Gregory held the office of Postmaster for eight years. We next find our subject conducting the New York Exchange, in San José, where he remained until his opening the Gregory House, at Centreville, one of the best hotels in the county, in connection with which he has a livery stable. Mr. Gregory has been twice married, and has three children, viz .: May, Amy, and George. CHARLES HADSELL .-- The subject of this sketch is an old resident of Alameda County, having arrived within its boundaries before it was segregated from the counties of Contra Costa and Santa Clara; is a native of Berkshire County, Massa- chusetts; born December 14, 1832, and is a descendant of the old Pilgrim stock, his father being born in the above State, November 5, 1804; and our subject is the second child of a family of five, two sons and three daughters. When but four years of age his parents moved to Chenango County, New York, where they remained for two years, and then took up their residence in Brown County, in the same State, where our subject resided until nearly eighteen years of age. September 3, 1851, Mr. Hadsell concluded to seek the land of gold, and accordingly took passage on board the steamer Illinois, via Chagres River, and after a weary journey on foot across the Isthmus of Panama, where he took passage on board the steamer Panama, and arrived in San Francisco, October 22d of the same year. On landing Mr. Hadsell, like most pioneers, immediately proceeded to the mines in Tuolumne County, and embarked in mining until October 9, 1852, when he abandoned the mines and came to this county, first finding employment at Beard's Landing, in Washington Township, where he remained until the fall of 1853; when, after one year spent in Santa Cruz County, he finally located in Santa Clara County, and followed agricult- ural pursuits until the year 1862, when he moved to Suñol Valley, Alameda County, where he has since purchased a magnificent farm, on which he resides, honored and respected by the whole community in which he lives. Mr. Hadsell was united in marriage, April 16, 1868, to Miss Anna Maria Kolb, a native of Ger- many, by which union they have three children, viz .: Bertha A., Charles F., and Annie M.

ISRAEL BIDDLE HAINES .- Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Philadelphia, January 6, 1829, and is the son of Joseph and Achsah (Biddle) Haines. On account of being unfortunate in business Mr. Haines, Senior, put his son in the way of earning his own living at the early age of thirteen years. Commencing on a farm he there remained five years, when he returned home and served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade for four years and nine months, afterwards working as a journey- man for two years more. He then left his birthplace, and emigrating westwards made his first halt at New Albany, Indiana; at the end of four months he proceeded to St. Louis and there found employment for twenty-six months more, when he returned

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home to Philadelphia. April 1, 1855, he sailed for California in the ship B. F. Hoxie and after rounding Cape Horn, arrived in San Francisco after a voyage of one hundred and fifty-two days. A few days after he came to Alameda County, and at once entered the employ of Mr. Black. A twelvemonth after he went to San Pablo, Contra Costa County, rented land and resided on it until October 16, 1862, when he settled in Alvarado, purchased his present place from J. G. Clark, and has since main- tained a residence there. Married, March 9, 1870, Miss Charlotte L. Thompson, a native of Point Pleasant, Clermont County, Ohio, who was born in the same house in which General U. S. Grant first saw the light, and has the following family: Edward L., Robert T., Joseph B., Henry S., and Florence May.

CALEB SCOTT HALEY .- Son of Ebenezer Haley, was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, February 16, 1833, was brought up on the farm, and received a common school education until December, 1847. At that time he left home to follow the sea, the usual occupation of the young men of that part of the province, it having been noted for the building and sailing of vessels for many years. His father coming to California in 1849, by the desire of his parents he remained on the farm until October, 1852, when he determined to seek his fortune in California, went to Boston, Massachusetts, shipped as seaman on the ship Whirlwind, Captain Burgess. Sailed November II, 1852, arrived in San Francisco, March 11, 1853, after a fine passage of one hundred and twenty days. Engaged in running on the bay of San Francisco for a short time, with Captain Ste- phen Larkins, now of Washington Township, in the schooner Sea Horse; he not liking that business, abandoned it, and came to the farm where he now resides, and which he afterwards purchased in company with his father in 1856. Returning to his native land in 1876, he married Miss Annie L. Barclay, daughter of the late Andrew Barclay, Esq., of Shelburne Co., Nova Scotia, October 3, 1876, and after a pleasant visit of three months in his native town, from which he had been absent twenty-four years, and which he found almost entirely changed, he felt that there was no longer any home there for him. After visiting the Centennial, and many other places of interest, he returned to California, bringing his fair wife to his old home, where he has remained since 1853, with the exception of that short visit. He has seen many changes during that time, and the greater part of his neighbors have either removed or died since he settled here. He has always endeavored to cast his influence on the side of truth and morality. Has two sons and one daughter.

EBENEZER HALEY, SENIOR .- Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, March II, 1801. His parents were some of the pioneers of that province, and he was brought up a farmer by them. He first married in 1821, and his wife died in 1824, leaving one son who was lost at sea in 1843. He was. married to his present wife in' 1832, and has five sons and three daughters, all of whom are settled on the Pacific Coast. He was among the first to leave his native land when the news of the discovery of gold in California came to that country. He and eighteen others sailed from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, November 22, 1849, in the brig Mary Jane of eighty tons burden, laden with lumber consisting of house-frames and various other articles in that line. Among the fellow-passengers and co-opcrative. owners was the late B. B. Redding, and several others who remained permanently in this State. Arrived here in May, 1850, after a passage of one hundred and eighty- three days, twenty-six days of which they were becalmed and placed on allowance of water, they finally reached the Gallepagos Islands, secured water and a lot of terrapin which they brought to this market. Went to the mines upon arrival, mined on the Yuba River at Downieville, Minnesota Flat, and in that locality, until November, 1852, during which time he suffered many hardships, and his fellow-miner and brother- in-law, Captain Ebenezer Scott, died there in July, 1851, and he himself was very sick at the same time, but finally recovered. He had the usual luck of the miners of that day, all of whom did not make fortunes. Upon arrival in Washington Township in 1852, engaged in farming until May 1855, returned to Nova Scotia with the intention

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History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 126

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood Number of Pages: 1206

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood
Number of Pages: 1206