History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 129

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

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side of the bay, where he resided continuously ever since, engaging in various profitable enterprises and materially assisting the community in its onward progress. Shortly after he came to Oakland he was appointed Surveyor-General for California by President Pierce, and discharged the duties of the office with his usual ability, and to the complete satisfaction of the citizens generally. He always figured prominently in Democratic politics, having been a delegate to nearly every State Convention and a dele- gate in 1876 to the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis, when Samuel J. Til- den was nominated for the Presidency. The wife of Colonel Hays is descended from the Calverts of Maryland, her maiden name being Susan Calvert. They were married at Sequin, Texas, and have two children, John C. Hays, Jr., and a daughter, Elizabeth, fifteen years of age. Colonel Hays was a brother of General Harry Hays, a promi- nent Confederate officer, and afterwards a lawyer in New Orleans, where he died. His sister was the wife of Major R. P. Hammond of San Francisco. She died in 1882. Colonel Hammond, whose death occurred several months ago, was a nephew of Colonel Hays, as is John Hays, at present a resident of San Francisco, the latter being a son of General Harry Hays. He also left relatives in the Southern States. His residence near Piedmont, where he died, is one of the most beautiful in the State. It is located at the base of the verdure-clad hills of the Coast Range, in a quiet nook, secluded from the bustle and turmoil of that busy world in which this hero so long maintained a gallant and successful career. Lordly oaks surround a handsome build- ing, and exquisite art has been made an assistant in adorning the natural beauties of the scene. It was meet that one who has braved the storm of battle, struggled actively, and with giant force, against tremendous odds, and transmitted to posterity a name famous in the annals of his country and honored by his fellow-men, should sink to rest amidst such a scene as that which surrounded the spot where he died. It was a sweetly appropriate finale to the stirring, thrilling drama of his life that the melodious songs of birds should be his requiem instead of the hoarse shout of armed foemen, that the warm sunshine should flicker through the curtains of the death- chamber to greet his fading vision which had so often witnessed the lurid blaze of battle. It was fitting that the veteran should sink to sleep as a child on its mother's breast, that the hero should pass peacefully, calmly to his eternal rest, surrounded by his family and devoted friends, regretting his death, yet proud of his career, his manhood, and his honored position among men.

Thou little know'st What he can brave, who, born and nurst In Danger's paths, has dared her worst ! Upon whose ear the signal-word Of strife and death is hourly breaking, Who sleeps with head upon the sword His fevered hand must grasp in waking .- Moore.

TIMOTHY HAYES .- Is a native of County Cork, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States when nineteen years of age. First settling in New York, he there resided ten years, when he removed to Wayne, Pennsylvania, and engaged in farm- ing until starting for California. In January, 1869, he made the journey by railroad to this State, but shortly after returned to the Eastern States for his family, who came back with him in the following year, when he purchased his present farm of four hundred and forty acres, situated a mile and a half from Livermore, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Is married and has a family of thirteen children, viz .: Margaret, John, Thomas, Frank, Helen, Mamie, James, Agnes, Theresa, Gertrude, Timothy, Joseph, William, and Alice (deceased).

WILLIAM HAYES .- Was born in Stafford County, New Hampshire, August 21, 1815, and is the eldest son of Isaac and Nancy (Palmer) Hayes. Having resided in his native State until he reached his twenty-second year, during which time he attended school, and learned the carpenter's trade, afterwards working at it in Man- chester, New Hampshire, Newburyport, and Boston, Massachusetts. For a few years

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he went southwards, and in the winter of 1841 located in Key West, Florida. In the following summer, however, he returned to Boston, and there carried on a sash and blind trade until leaving for the Pacific Coast. From that port he sailed, February 12, 1850, to Aspinwall on board of the Cherokee, and on the Pacific side on the old steamer Tennessee, finally arriving in San Francisco, April 15th of the same year. He at once commenced working at his trade, and followed it until the spring of 1851, when he came to the Contra Costa (now Alameda County), and worked for John M. Horner, first in his mill, and afterwards on the steamer Union, plying between Alvarado and San Francisco. In the summer of 1852 he took up his present ranch, and that fall erected a small dwelling-house, and commenced farming in earnest, an occupation he has since continued, his farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. Married, July 27, 1845, Adeline, daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Horner) Watson, and has no issue.

COMFORT HEALEY .- Was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, June 28, 1838, and at thirteen years old shipped for four years, going to many of the chief foreign ports. At the expiration of that time we find him in Boston, Massachusetts; and subse- quently proceeding to New York, thence sailed, April 22, 1856, in company with his sister and brother-in-law, on board the George Law, to Aspinwall. The journey across the Isthmus is one that can never be effaced from his memory; it was that on which the crowded train left the rails, and one hundred and ten souls were hurled, at one fell swoop, into eternity, our subject and his relatives being among the wounded. This catastrophe necessitated a return to Aspinwall, where he was detained three months with his broken legs and ribs. On having sufficiently recovered, he was taken in a wheelbarrow, and once more shipped on the cars for Panama, whence he sailed on the steamer John L. Stephens, arriving in San Francisco during the latter end of August, 1856. Coming direct to his father's residence, near which has since sprung up the town of Newark, Alameda County, he there resided until the breaking out of the Frazer River excitement, in 1858, when he proceeded thither, and remained a year. In 1859 he went to Monterey County, and for four years was engaged in boat- ing there; after which he returned to Alameda County, and embarked in farming and threshing. In 1877 he purchased his present homestead, adjoining his father's dwell- ing. Mr. Healey has been a Road Overseer for six years, and is at present a trustee of the Newark School District. Has been. twice married. His present wife, whom he espoused August 4, 1870, is Mary G., daughter of Capt. Isaac Thomas Mott, Amer- ican Consul at Mazatlan, at the opening of the Mexican War, and afterwards agent for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company at Benicia, where Mrs. Healey was born. By this union there are four children, viz .: Ethel G., Lauren E., Stella T., and Nora L.

WILLIAM H. HIGH .- Was born in Wake County, North Carolina, March 14, 1820, and is the son of Alexander M. and Elizabeth (Ray) High. He resided with his parents until he attained the age of nineteen years, when he went to Alabama, and engaged in farming in Perry County. Continuing there until the year 1844, he returned to his native State. On the breaking out of the Mexican War he joined the North Carolina regiment, but soon after entered the pay department, under Major Gastin H. Wilder, as clerk, and continued in that capacity until the close of hostilities, when he returned to his home in Raleigh, where he arrived July 4, 1848, but remained in the service until he obtained his discharge. Mr. High subsequently engaged in mercantile operations until 1850, in which year he was elected to the distinguished position of Sheriff of Wake County, an office he held up till 1865, a period of nearly sixteen years; after which he betook himself to agriculture, and so continued until 1872. He now started for California, arrived in the harbor of San Francisco, March 27, 1872, and crossing the bay to Alameda County, took up his residence in the city of Oakland, where he has since resided. Since Mr. High has been in the State he has confined himself chiefly to mining operations. Married, March 14, 1849, Miss Amanda M. Royster of Raleigh, North Car-

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olina, and has seven surviving children, viz .: Wm. H., Jr., Elizabeth (now Mrs. W. J. Pettigrew, Jr.), Rebecca (now Mrs. C. E. Carleton), Hattie (now Mrs. V. C. Ruyster), Alexander Z., Gavin D., and Geddy H.

OTIS HILL .-- The subject of this sketch is a native of Niagara County, New York, and born September 21, 1821; resided in his birthplace, until his coming to Cali- fornia, where he learned the cooper trade, which he followed until the fall of 1855, when he started, via the Nicaragua route, for California, coming into San Francisco, January 4, 1856. Mr. Hill came direct to Alameda County, locating at Haywards, and first found employment on the place now owned by Henry Marlin for one year. He then purchased a farm in Castro Valley, where he resided until 1859, when he located on his present valuable farm of fifty acres, one and one-half miles north of Haywards, where he has one of the finest fruit farms in Alameda County. Mr. Hill is an intelligent, honorable, and upright gentleman, and highly respected by all who know him; was united in marriage in the State of New York, August, 1848, to Miss Rebecca Richie, a native of the above State, by which union they have one son, Oscar Levy.

DANIEL BILLINGS HINCKLEY .-- This gentleman and old pioneer is the son of Seth and Antise R. (Gorham) Hinckley, and was born in Hardwick, Worcester County, Massachusetts, February 15, 1829. Losing his father at the age of twelve years, he went to live with his grandparents for four years, when he proceeded to Bangor, Maine, and learned the trade of iron molder, at which he served until starting for the Pacific Coast. On November 28, 1849, sailing from Cherryfield, Maine, in the bark Belgrade, he rounded Cape Horn, and cast anchor in the bay of San Fran- cisco, May 28, 1850. This was one of the vessels of which there were so large a number, in the days of "forty-nine," that were purchased in the Atlantic cities and brought out by "companies," to be sold on arrival. Upon the landing of our subject in the metropolitan city of the Pacific Coast, he at once, with his brother, secured employment in the Pacific Iron Works, then situated in that part of San Francisco known as the Happy Valley. There he remained until 1852, when he became a part- ner in the concern, and has since continued in the iron trade. But, in 1854, the Pacific Iron Works were sold to E. B. Goddard, when Mr. Hinckley paid a visit of eighteen months duration to the Eastern States, when he returned to the Bay City. In 1857 he commenced a foundry and machine shop on Davis Street, San Francisco, under the style and firm of Hinckley, Highwenter & Field (the Fulton Foundry), and con- tinued interested in its concerns until. the year 1859, when he transferred his labors to the firm of Hinckley, Worth & Field, who established themselves on the site on First Street, San Francisco, now occupied by the flour-mill of H. Davis. Here he con- tinued until 1862, when he purchased his partners' interests and carried on the busi- ness by himself until 1865, at which time Charles Marshutz was admitted a partner, with whom he continued in business until 1877, since when the firm has been Hinckley, Spiers & Hayes. This establishment is located on Fremont Street, between Howard and Folsom Streets, and as a criterion of its magnitude we may mention that business is annually done there to the amount of over $1,000,000, while its pay-roll foots up to the large amount of $20,000 per month. In 1868 Mr. Hinckley took up his residence in Fruit Vale, Alameda County. Married, December 4, 1859. Louise, daughter of W. L. Wheeler of Kennebec County, Maine, by whom he has three sons, viz., Harry G., Edward R., and Frederick W.

SAMUEL HIRSHBERG (deceased) .-- Arrived in the city of Oakland in 1852, when the then town of Oakland contained less than three hundred inhabitants. He commenced his business career in this county by engaging in the dry goods and clothing business. He was actively engaged in this branch of trade for nearly thirty years in our midst, and by fair and honest dealing established for himself an untarnished reputation and a spotless name. In 1862, in conjunction with Hon. Samuel Bell McKee, now on the Supreme Bench of California, he built the two-story brick block on Broadway, between

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Third and Fourth Streets, thus early in the history of Oakland giving evidence of his enterprise and desire to contribute to the material advancement of Oakland's interests. In 1854, when Empire Fire Company, No. I, was organized by Col. John Scott, Mr. Hirshberg was among the first to come forward to sign the roll and con- tribute liberally towards the support and maintenance of the first and primitive fire organization established. 'In 1866 he gave further evidence of his business enterprise by investing several thousand dollars in the Pacific Soap Works, of which he was the principal shareholder and manager. In 1881, by reason of failing health, he retired from business, and on the 6th day of January, 1883, at the advanced age of sixty-five years he departed this life. Mr. Hirshberg was a man universally respected in the community in which he lived and his funeral was one of the largest that ever took place in Oakland. The immediate cause of death was inflammation of the bladder. Mr. Hirshberg was twice a candidate for public office on the Democratic ticket, and though running largely in advance of his ticket, Oakland being strongly Republican, he was defeated. In 1862 he organized the Hebrew Benevolent Society and was made its first President. He was born in Exin, Prussia, and in his youth was appointed Secretary to the Burgomeister of his native town. He was thoroughly educated in English, German, and Hebrew literature. At a later period he taught German, and Hebrew at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He was at the time of his death Grand President of the order of B'nai B'rith of the Pacific Coast. He was one of the pioneer members of Live Oak Lodge, No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons, and was also a member of Oakland Chapter No. 26, Royal Arch Masons. He left a wife, Mrs. R. Hirshberg, a son D. S. Hirshberg, at present Under Sheriff of Alameda County, and a daughter, Mrs. George Mosbacher. The many virtues and manly traits in the character of Samuel Hirshberg will live long in the memories of the pioneers and residents of Alameda County.

WILLIAM HOLTZ .- Was born in Germany, September, 21, 1829, and there resided until he came to the United States in 1852, when proceeding direct to Califor- nia he arrived in San Francisco in December of that year. There he was variously employed until 1858, when he opened a grocery store in San Francisco, and remained in that business until 1869, when, selling out, he took up his residence at West End, Alameda, where he built a grocery store and established that trade there, conducting it until 1882, when he sold out to his son. Mr. Holtz is at present engaged in the Real Estate and Insurance business there. He has served for three years as a Justice of the Peace, and three years as a School Director. Married, September 19, 1858, at San Francisco, Miss Auguste Benn, a native of Germany, and has two children, viz .: Fred and Johanna, aged twenty-three and twenty-one, respectively.

JOHN B. HORTENSTINE .- Was born in Washington County, Virginia, May 19, 1852, but when two years of age was moved by his parents to Clay County, Illinois, where he resided until 1870, in which year he proceeded to the Territories, and in April, 1874, arrived in California, locating near Pleasanton. In 1875 he entered the employ of M. B. Lander & Co., and two years thereafter, purchased an interest in the firm, which is now known as Hortenstine, Storer & Co., of Pleasanton, engaged in general merchandising. Married, April 15, 1880, Miss Luella Hay, a native of Cali- fornia, and has one daughter, named Ethel. Both his father's and mother's family are identified with the early history of this country, they having settled in Virginia and Tennessee before the Revolution, in which they took part.

SOCRATES HUFF .- This worthy and well-known pioneer settled in Alameda County in the long ago time when it formed a portion of Contra Costa County. We have much pleasure in presenting to our readers a portrait of this estimable gentle- man. Socrates Huff is the son of William and Pleasa (Garver) Huff, and was born in Crawford County, Ohio, July 1, 1827, and two years thereafter was taken by his parents to St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, where he lost his mother in the year 1830. Here under the genial influences of the breezes from Lake Michigan, our sub-

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ject grew to man's estate, being there grounded in scholastic lore, and acquiring the rudiments necessary for fitting him to face the battle of life. About New Year's Day, 1849, letters were received in the town from California corroborating the excit- ing intelligence of the discovery of gold in the previous year, therefore, Mr. Huff at once set to work to form a party of his companions and townsmen to proceed to the golden shores of the Pacific in search of the precious metal and to become rich in one gigantic bound. To compass the long and dreary journey across the plains, mules were purchased in Indiana, wagons in Chicago, and provisions in St. Louis, and in February, 1849, the party-composed of Socrates and L. B. Huff, L. C. Wittenmyer (now of Contra Costa County), A. M. Church, James M. Morton (deceased), and A. P. Pinney (deceased)-started up the Missouri River on their way to the "land of promise." At the outset of their travels they commenced to encounter the dangers of the trip. When sixteen miles below Council Bluffs, the steamer " Dacota," whereon our subject voyaged, sank, and all was lost save mules and wagons. Refitting, how- ever, at this point the route was continuous, by way of the old emigrant route to Salt Lake, and finally entered California by the Truckee route, arriving at Bear River August 12, 1849. Mr. Huff now tried his hand at mining, but at the end of two weeks abandoned the pick and rocker, and moved to Sacramento, where he engaged in business, but only for a short time. when, his health being poor, he sought a more genial climate. Mr. Huff now proceeded to Mission San José, where he remained in the employ of H. C. Smith until March, 1851, when he paid a visit to the Eastern States. Returning to the Pacific shores in the following August, our subject pur- chased a vessel and put her on the line between Alvarado and Stockton, a trade he conducted until November, 1852. At this period, Mr. Huff once more returned to the Eastern States, and was married on February 14, 1853, to Miss Amelia Cassidy, a native of Pennsylvania, after which he proceeded to Iowa, and on May Ist of the same year, started for California, with a large band of cattle and horses, which he drove direct to Green Valley, to the farm now occupied by Hon. D. N. Sherburne. Here Mr. Huff resided until 1857, in which year he transferred his residence to Haywards. Eighteen months thereafter he proceeded homewards with his family, but returning in December 1859 he settled in San Leandro, where he has since resided. Mr. Huff has ever been alive to the requirements of citizenship, and when he has felt duty call, he has been foremost to obey. In 1863 he was elected to the high office of Treasurer of Alameda County, a position he held four years, while at the same time he was engaged in mercantile business in Carson City, Nevada, and continued in this business until 1870. Besides being now engaged in real estate transactions he is and has been since the founding of the Union Savings Bank of Oakland one of its directors. He has always taken an active part in politics, and in 1880 was delegate at large to the National Convention, at Chicago, that nominated James A. Garfield. Mr. Huff is a gentleman respected by all classes of the community in which he resides, as his unswerving rectitude of purpose and undeviating honesty make him a man to be trusted and honored. His family consisted of seven daughters, viz .: Ida, Jennie, Katie (deceased), Nellie, Carrie, Mamie, and Laura.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON HUSSEY .- The subject of this sketch, whose por- trait appears in this volume, was born in Olive, Noble County, Ohio, August 28, 1840. His father, Asa Hussey, married Mary Cunningham, both of Augusta, Maine, and to them were born seven children, namely: Samuel, Simon, Susan, Sally, Charles, Wil- liam (our subject), and David. Sustaining the irreparable loss of his mother when but thirty-two years of age, the future life of the family, so carefully fostered by his father, was changed. The children were kept together on a farm, and in the log- cabin which served the purpose of a school, they there received their early scholastic training, and as they grew older started out to do battle with the world. The two sisters married and settled in the county of their birth. In 1854 the father and two youngest boys removed to the State of Iowa, improved a prairie farm in Delaware

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County, and there dwelt together until 1858. Having obtained permission from his father, in the month of April of that year, our subject started for California. On his way to New York he passed a month in Chatauqua County, and finally sailed from that city in the steamship Star of the West by way of Panama for San Francisco, where he arrived June 3, 1858. The beauties of the Bay City, which he had heard so extensively lauded, and one night passed in the "What Cheer House," at once created a desire for the rural districts to arise in his breast; he, therefore, without further delay, took passage to Vallejo, Solano County, and there sought and obtained employment on a ranch not far from that city, the property of Welcome Fowler, a gentleman generous and kind. Late in that year Mr. Hussey visited the redwood forests of San Mateo County, whence he proceeded to Sacramento, returning subsequently to Solano County, and going to Mr. Fowler, who had meanwhile taken up his residence in Green Valley. Here Mr. Hussey improved the opportunity by attending school dur- ing the winter under Professor George W. Simonton. The spring and summer of 1859 he passed on a farm in Solano County. At this time the fever for mining sud- denly dictated a change of life. Mr. Hussey therefore betook himself to Rich Bar, Feather River, Plumas County, but a short lesson of ill-luck brought him back to the valleys in company with Samuel Kitto, Captain Hansen, and Gus Campbell (a brother of the Hon. F. M. Campbell), and a Newfoundland dog, the pet of Rich Bar. This was a severe journey. In crossing the mountains our subject and his companions encountered a snow-storm that quickly obliterated all traces of the trail; they there- fore left the highlands and followed the course of the North Fork of the Feather River, only leaving it at Shore's Bar to ascend the mountain in the hope of finding a trading-post of some kind, but the storm which still raged in the hills with unabated fury, defeated their purpose and forced a return to the river's bank. Thus five days and nights were passed in the Sierra Nevada, poorly clad, with nothing to eat save poor " Poison"-which was the dog's name-who was sacrificed to satisfy the cravings of his masters. On the morning of the sixth day they struck the Yankee Hill Flume whence they traveled to Cherokee Flat, thence by stage to Oroville, afterwards to Sacramento, and finally to Vallejo, where Mr. Hussey found himself comparatively at home. Here he was variously employed, and took part in the troubles that occurred on the Suscol Rancho in 1860. But soon a wider field for his operations was to show itself, and one which was not only to test his loyalty to his country but also his courage and endurance. The War of the Rebellion, which had been inaugu- rated by the firing on Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861, created a desire in Mr. Hussey's breast for military distinction. He had learned something of a soldier's duties as a member of the Vallejo Rifles, an independent organization then commanded by Capt. J. B. Frisbie, and resolved to "go for a soldier;" the opportunity to proceed to the seat of war, however, did not offer itself until the fall of the year 1862, at which time the " California Hundred " was recruited by Capt. J. Sewell Reed. In the month of November our subject was enrolled in San Francisco, and on the IIth of Decem- ber the company sailed for New York, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, where they landed January 4, 1863. They immediately took the route for Readville, Massachusetts, where they went into camp, and were mustered into the service of the State as Company A, Second Massachusetts Cavalry. On the 12th of February the First Battalion, Major Caspar Croninshield commanding, departed for Gloucester Point, opposite Yorktown, Virginia, where our subject and his company went into camp, being assigned to the command of Major-General Keyes. Here they were detailed on picket and patrol duty for a short time, with an occasional skirmish with General Wise's men, who were encamped a few miles out on the Richmond road. Mr. Hussey was here instrumental in making the first capture of the notorious guerrilla captain, Allen, and his two orderlies at the Backhouse plantation near Lower Guinea. He served in the Department of the Peninsula until May 23d, when the battalion, in company with the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, Colonel Spear commanding, took

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History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 129

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