History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 136

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

USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions > Part 136

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

947

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

valley of San José, on the shores of the bay of San Francisco, and where he resided for nearly a quarter of a century. In the latter part of 1876 Captain Moore removed to San Francisco, where, after ministering to his sick brother, William W. Moore, with such acts and words of love and kindness as he best knew how, and having seen all that was mortal of his loved brother in their last resting-place 'neath the spreading oaks of San Lorenzo Cemetery, he cast about him for a new location, deciding upon the city of Oakland as his future home. There were born to the Captain and his wife four children, two of whom died in infancy, in Illinois. Two, who accompanied him to California, the eldest, a daughter, died in the spring-time of her life, while the remaining son was called away just as he had completed his legal studies, and had the world before him.

W. W. MOORE .- Was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, February 1, 1838, and there received his carly schooling. At the age of thirteen years he shipped in the United States Navy, and served five years and nine months, after which he made several voyages in the merchant service in Vanderbilt's line, running between New York and Havre, France. Shipping afterwards in Boston in the employ of Robinson, Wiggins & Co., of that city, and subsequently with Silva, and J. J. Sparrowhawk, he made a trip to the coast of Africa in the bark Hazard, and in her returned as cabin passenger at the end of fourteen months. After a three months' stay at home, he left for California, arriving in San Francisco May 7, 1859. His first employment there was driving a coach for the International Hotel, and was present during the alterca- tion which ended in the Broderick-Terry difficulty. In 1859 he proceeded to southern Oregon, where he served as Deputy Sheriff under James Hendershott. In March, 1861, he left there, and coming south took up his permanent residence in Oakland, Alameda County. His first occupation was brick-making, at the head of the bridge on General Williams' unimproved property, for J. O. Minor, at which he continued two years; he next drove an express wagon for Wingate. In 1863 Ed. Newlands brought a hack to Oakland, which Mr. Moore drove for the first three months; he then married, purchased the hack aforesaid, and has continued in the business ever since. Mr. Moore is an ardent worker in the ranks of the Democratic Party, and was a prime mover in the organization of the Hancock Fire Brigade of Oakland. He is an active worker in the Independent Order of Chosen Friends of the Pacific Coast; he is now the District Deputy of Alameda Co., he is also a Past Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, Liberty Lodge, No. 35. He married Miss Maggie Cassidy, a native of Ireland, in 1863, and has the following family: five children, three boys and two girls.

FRANCIS D. MORIN .- Was born in St. Gregoire, County of Nicolet, Canada, January 20, 1822, where he was educated, and resided on his father's farm until the year 1836. At this time the political horizon in Canada was overcast, and fearing an outbreak, our subject removed to the United States, settled at Worcester, Massachu- setts, and there learned the trade of tanner and curer. At the end of five years he moved to Vermont, and started a tannery at North Hero, Grand Isle County, in which business he remained until 1854, when he emigrated to California, via Panama, arriv- ing in San Francisco, March 22d of that year. Proceeding immediately to Nevada County, he there was engaged in mining until 1857, when, coming to Alameda County, he became foreman in the tannery of D. C. McGlynn, in the town of Alameda, a position he held until 1858. He now moved to San Leandro and started a shoe shop, but disposing of this in 1861, he turned his attention to dairying, in which he has con- tinued up to the present time. He also owns a fine five-acre orchard. Mr. Morin was elected Justice of the Peace for Eden Township in 1860, and still performs the functions of that office. In 1878 he was elected to be a School Trustee and after serving three years was rechosen in 1882 to fill the position, being also clerk to that Board. Married in San Leandro, 1862, Miss Kate Doenan, and has two children, viz .: Frank J., and Hercules A.

948

HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

PERRY MORRISON .- Was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, October 6, 1818. At the age of six years he was taken by his parents to the vicinity of Indianapolis, where he was brought up, and resided on a farm until 1839. At this time he accom- panied his parents to Louisa County, Iowa, and there engaged in farming, in the mean time losing his father in 1843. In March 1847, in company with a train of eighteen wagons, with whom were Mr. Meek and L. Stone, at present residents of this county, they started with ox-teams to cross the plains to Oregon, to which terra incognita they proceeded by way of Fort Hall, and arrived in Oregon City, September 7, 1847. The country was at that time, as it is to-day, the perfection of a timber country, and nearly all who arrived there at that time commenced the felling of trees and the manufacture of lumber. On arrival Mr. Morrison engaged in sawing logs, and such like employment, until September 1848, when, hearing of the discovery of gold, he laid down the saw and ax, and betook himself to California and her prolific gold-fields. Arriving on Feather River in October, 1848, he followed mining, which abandoning in August, 1849, he came to Alameda County, then the Contra Costa, and located his present valuable homestead, then pointing to but little comfort, but now developed into one of the most splendid places in the township in which he resides. Married, firstly, in Tipton, Iowa, Miss Mary Davis, a native of Ohio, who died shortly after her espousal; and secondly, in San Francisco, Miss Martha Hastings, a native of Hartland, Vermont, by which union there were three children, only two now sur- viving, viz .: Samuel, and George P.

WILLIAM MORTIMER .- Was born in Yorkshire, England, May 11, 1845, and is the son of William and Mary (Hirst) Mortimer. Having resided at his birthplace until he attained the age of twelve years, his parents emigrated to the United States, and settled in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, where our subject was educated and resided until 1863, having also learned telegraphy. In this last-mentioned year he accepted a position in the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad, where he remained until 1869, when he became agent for the Union Pacific Railroad at Sherman. Here he resided until he came to San Francisco in 1872, under engage- ment to the Central Pacific Railroad Company. After a month in the general office, he was at his own request installed in the agency at Niles Station. In 1876 he began a warehouse business at Washington Corners, which was burned September 3, 1880, but this he rebuilt, and soon took J. E. Warmsley into partnership. October 15, 1880, he purchased the warehouses at Niles, and has since been conducting both places. Married September 9, 1868, Miss Mary E. Warmsley, and has three children, viz .: Florence J., Frank, and George.

ORIGIN MOWRY .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Providence County, Rhode Island, July 3, 1825, where he learned the trade of mason, and resided for a portion of the time on a farm, until starting for the Pacific Coast. In the month of February, 1846, his father, mother, and brother Rinaldo, accompanied by our subject, took passage in the historic ship, the Brooklyn, and after a voyage occupying six months, arrived in San Francisco in the month of August, among the passengers being Simeon Stivers, Mr. Nicholls, and Mrs. Marshall, all residents of Washington Township. After being employed for a short time in San Francisco, Mr. Mowry moved to Saucelito, near Mount Tamalpais, and there worked one winter. He was subsequently variously employed in different places, until the discovery of gold in January, 1848, when being then the owner of a small sloop, he found profitable employment in conveying passengers to Sutter's Fort. Afterwards he took a turn at the mines himself, and for two months worked with considerable success. In the fall of 1848 he went to Murphy's Diggings, at the back of Stockton, two months thereafter returning to San Francisco. Mr. Mowry now took a trip to Valparaiso and back, and while absent purchased a stock of merchan- dise, which he disposed of on his return to San Francisco with considerable profit. Previous to these exciting times, however, our subject and his father had taken up

949

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

two fifty vara lots in San Francisco, which are still owned by the gentleman of whom we write. They are situated respectively at the corner of Broadway and Powell, and Vallejo and Powell Streets, and are at present most valuable pieces of property. In 1850 Mr. Mowry located the place on which he now resides in Alameda County, comprising four hundred and twenty-five acres, on which with the march of advance- ment he has made vast improvements. Here he has surrounded himself with all the comforts his long life so well deserves, while his well-known kindness to the needy in early days, is reaping for him the great luxury of being highly respected and appre- ciated by the community in which he dwells. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres at Washington Corners, and a like quantity near Warm Springs. Also over one thousand acres in Fresno County, on the San Joaquin River, under fence and fine location, while he is engaged in adding to his already great wealth by agricultural and pastoral pursuits. He married May 1, 1854, and has four children, viz .: Marion L., Joseph C., Frederick W., and Abbie A.

THOMAS W. MULFORD .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Long Island, New York, April 26, 1829, and is the son of Edward and Charity (Smith) Mulford. Here our subject attended the common schools of the district and resided until the famous year of '49, having learned the blacksmith's trade. When the discovery of gold had become known on the Atlantic Coast it became the custom for a number of young men to form themselves into an association for the purpose of mining in California under a set of rules and regulations for their guidance. On February 5, 1849, our subject became associated with the Patchogue Mining and Trading Company, consisting of Abel R. Briggs, Z. D. Fanning, Israel Green, Edward F. Whiting, Elias P. Overton, Moses Wicks, Edmund Terry, Thomas W. Mulford. Leaving Patchogue on January 26, 1849, they sailed from New York on the 5th of February, on board the bark Keoka, James McGuire, Master, with thirty-four passengers bound around Cape Horn for the Land of Gold. On the 4th April they entered the harbor of Rio de Janeiro, leaving it on the 15th to recommence the tedious voyage. The varied changes from calm to storm, from day- light to darkness, were ever being rung, the monotonous cadence being occasionally varied by deck sports, or fishing for sea-birds, Mr. Briggs having been successful in hooking an albatross measuring seven feet from tip to tip. They eventually arrived in San Francisco on September 17, 1849, after a tedious passage of two hundred and twenty-four days. It is curious to note what Mr. Mulford's impressions of the Bay City were on his arrival. In a most interesting diary that he kept he states: "San Francisco is a city of men. It is seldom that one sees women or children. It now has nearly two thousand wooden buildings and as many canvas ones more. Two months previous to my arrival here, I am informed, there were not forty wooden buildings in the place. It is a city going up in a day, while every one is hurrying to and fro, paying attention to nothing but his own business. Things are very dear and wages high. Carpenters' wages are from twelve to fifteen dollars per day, and any man at work in the streets here can get from five to six dollars a day. But board is very dear-from one dollar to ten or twelve shillings per meal. A person can get pretty fair board for fourteen dollars per week, with one blanket and the floor for a bed. Vegetables are something out of the question, and it is seldom that they are to be seen on any table. Potatoes are fifty cents per pound; onions seventy-five cents, and frequently one dollar each." At the outset our subject embarked in the occupa- tion of a stevedore, but soon after crossed the bay to the Contra Costa shore and commenced the profitable occupation of hunting for the San Francisco market, and followed it until Februay, 1850. At this time Mr. Mulford determined to try his luck at the mines, but not meeting with encouraging success he returned to his old camping- ground near San Leandro, located on the land he now owns in 1851, and prosecuted hunting until the spring of 1853. He now, in partnership with Moses Wicks and E. M. Smith embarked in an agricultural, warchouse, and freighting business, and after

950

HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

fifteen years of joint farming purchased Mr. Wick's and E. M. Smith's share in the concern, and has since been engaged in general farming and warehouseing on his property, comprising three hundred and fifty acres. Mr. Mulford has been also extensively engaged in the real estate business in Alameda County and in the city of San Francisco. Our subject from 1857 to 1860 was favorably known as the propri- etor of the "Estudillo House" in San Leandro. He was a very youthful looking landlord, and travelers who stopped at the house for the first time used to laugh at his beardless face. But he was one of the few young men of the country of those days who "knew how to run a hotel." At the same time he carried on his farm mentioned above, also a livery stable and various other branches of business-in other words, he had a great many irons in the fire, but being an expert, he managed to prevent any of them from burning, and succeeded in acquiring a very considerable fortune. The executive ability displayed in his earlier life has for a number of years past been devoted almost exclusively to his farm on the bay shore two miles from San Leandro. As before stated, this farm consists of three hundred and fifty acres, and they are among the best cultivated in the State of California. His barn, his agricultural implements, his fences, his deep ploughing, his clean fields, his large stock-everything in fact indicates the thorough farmer. In addition to, but at the same time connected with, his farming business, he is proprietor of several warehouses and wharves at what is known as "Mulford's Landing," from which a line of schooners transport all the hay and grain of the neighborhood to San Francisco. Though popularly known not only in the county but throughout the State, and always taking an active part in politics and public affairs, Mr. Mulford enjoys the proud distinction of never having held and never having asked for an office. Married, in August 1866, Miss Hannah Hudson, and has two children, viz .: Katie A. and Gertrude H.

MICHAEL MULQUEENEY .- The subject of this sketch is a native of Ireland, born in County Clare, where he spent his youth and early manhood until twenty years of age, when he emigrated to Canada, and there resided for four years. His next move was to the land of the free, and in the spring of 1868 he emigrated to California. Coming via Panama he arrived in San Francisco April 23d of the above year. A few weeks later we find him in Alameda County, and in 1869 he purchased some property near where he now resides, and there laid the foundation for the successful business in which he is now engaged, adding by purchase from time to time until the fall of 1882 we find him with a sheep ranch of some four thousand acres located about two miles from Midway. In the spring of the following year he added another four thousand acres to his already large estate, and has now one of the largest ranches in Alameda County, and is the acknowledged king of that industry in this section of the State, having from five to eight thousand head of sheep on his range. Mr. Mulqueeney is a kind-hearted and genial gentleman, and is universally. respected by all who know him, and with his excellent wife enjoys the blessings of a happy home. They have a family of two children, John F. and Michael C.

EMERY MUNYAN .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Thompson, Windham County, Connecticut, on Christmas-day, 1823, where he was educated and resided on his father's farm until he grew to man's estate. At this time he proceeded to Burrillville, Providence County, Rhode Island, where he acquired the spindle-maker's trade, and at the end of three years transferred the scene of his labors to Milbury, Worcester County, Massachusetts, and there resided until making up his mind to tempt fortune on the Pacific Slopes. Sailing from New York May 20, 1852, in the steamer Prometheus, he journeyed via the Nacaragua route, and at San Juan continued the voyage in the steamer Pacific-among the passengers being his neighbor Edward Ross-finally arriving in San Francisco June 26, 1852. He at once crossed the bay to what has since become Alameda County, first locating at Mowry's Landing, and there embarked in the cultivation of vegetables. Here he resided until New Year's day, 1853, when he settled on his

951

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

present farm, comprising twenty-seven acres, situated about one mile and a half from Newark, where he is engaged in general farming and fruit-growing. As a concholo- gist Mr. Munyan has a high reputation, his cabinet of shells indigenous to this coast being one of the most perfect in the State. He also possesses a remarkably fine collection of minerals and fossils. The gathering of these specimens he commenced in the year 1869, and in 1871, having built a handsome cabinet for their reception, he generously placed the whole in the Lincoln District School, of which he has been a trustee from its organization up to date. He is also a charter member of the Pioneer Association of Washington, Murray and Eden Townships. Possessed of a singularly retentive memory, Mr. Munyan is full of reminiscences of his pioneer life in this county. He has ever taken an active part in whatever might tend to her benefit, and his love of literature and brilliancy of conversation make him a most charming associate.

EDWARD MURPHY (deceased) .- Born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in the year 1829, and was the son of Dennis Murphy, a surgeon in the British army, who fought in the War of 1812. When twelve years of age he came alone to St. John's, New Brunswick, and subsequently moving to Milford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, there found employment in a general merchandise store, where he remained until the fall of 1849. In that year, so dear to the heart of the pioneer, he started for California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and after suffering shipwreck on the coast of Mexico, ultimately arrived in San Francisco in January, 1850. Finding employment in Marin County until 1854, in the spring of that year he went to Massachusetts, but shortly after returned to the Pacific Coast, and locating in the Bay City, engaged in the livery business as proprietor of the Pioneer Stable. There he remained until the spring of 1856, when he moved to Alameda County and pitched his tent in Washing- ton Township not far from the Alviso school house. There he purchased a ranch about two miles north of where now stands the town of Decoto, and engaged in farm- ing until 1863; but selling out at this time he transferred his habitation to Alvarado and was in business there until 1869, farming near that place for the subsequent two years. In 1871 he arrived in Murray Township and leased a portion of the Dougherty Ranch where he dwelt until March, 1876, He then moved to Dublin and engaged in hotel-keeping until his decease on October 23, 1881. Married, April 12, 1855, Miss Margaret Crowley, a native of County Cork, Ireland, by whom he left five children, viz .: Mary E. (now Mrs. O. R. Owens), Edward D., Francis A. (now Mrs. T. H. Thorndyke), Daniel J., John W.

FREDERICK F. MYERS .- Was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 15, 1839, and is the son of John and Frances (Smith) Myers. Having resided in his native State until the year 1856, he then proceeded to Kansas, where he was employed as an express carrier in the Quartermaster's department of the Government. In 1858 he left Kansas with Capt. Hancock, arriving in Benicia in November of the same year, and the following spring accompanied Colonel Hoffman's expedition to Lower Cali- fornia, staying there until 1860, in which year he severed his connection with the Gov- ernment and removed to Oregon and commenced business in Salem as a wagon-man- ufacturer, remaining there until 1862, when he transferred his residence to Idaho Territory and embarked in mining. At the expiration of one season he returned to Portland, Oregon, and began a livery business, in which he was engaged until 1866, when he left for San Francisco, coming to Alameda County after a year's residence in the Bay City. He now established himself in a carriage shop in the city of Oakland, but at the end of eighteen months embarked in the lime, plaster, and cement business, which he still continues at the northeast corner of Third and Washington Streets, Oak- land. In the year 1878 Mr. Myers was elected one of the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County, for the Fifth District. He married in May, 1873, Mrs. Sarah Willis McCann, who died April 7, 1880.

HENRY F. NEBAS .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, November 20, 1830, but when fourteen

952

HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

years of age accompanied his parents to the United States and located in Buffalo, New York. When nineteen years old he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed there until March, 1854, when he started for California. Proceed- ing by way of Panama he arrived in San Francisco during the latter part of that month and immediately went to the mines in El Dorado County, where he remained until 1856. In that year we find Mr. Nebas in Alameda County, employed in various capacities for seven years. He then leased land in the vicinity of Haywards for five years, when he purchased his present farm, comprising about seven hundred acres, on which he has made many improvements, and where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Married, October 19, 1862, Miss M. A. Doody, a native of Ireland, by whom he has had six children, five of whom by the most distressing accident were killed when returning from a picnic at the railroad crossing near Haywards on May 2, 1882. His only remaining child Henry W., died of fever in 1883, while this work was in press. In Mr. Nebas we have another living example of what a life of energy and perseverance can do. He lives respected by his fellow-citizens.

WILLIAM NEWCOMB .- Was born in Quincy, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, December 1, 1808, and is the son of Thomas P. and Hannah (Hayden) Newcomb. Having resided with his parents until 1836, on the 11th September of that year he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Perez and Mary R. (Pette) Sprague, a native of Massachusetts, who was born September 1, 1811. He now settled in his native place, where he followed the boot-making trade until his coming to California. On February 20, 1853, he sailed from New York to the Pacific Coast, and after suffering shipwreck on the Tennessee arrived in San Francisco during the last days of the month of March. He at once commenced farming in Alameda County, on the ranch now owned by Mr. Emery and there remained five years, at the expiration of which he returned to the Eastern States, but in 1860, bringing with him his wife and family, he came back to California and settled in Oakland, where he has since resided. His family consists of Maria G. (now Mrs. T. L. Walker), Mary E., (now Mrs. J. H. Hobart), and Warren W.

JOHN H. NICHOLSON .- Was born in Sussex County, Delaware, April 1, 1820, where he resided until the year 1836, when he moved to Adams County, Illinois, and there dwelt until 1853. Emigrating in that year to California, Mr. Nicholson settled in San Ramon Valley, Contra Costa County, where he followed farming until 1878, when he came to Oakland and established his present business, viz .: that of a coal and wood merchant. Married, November 29, 1843, Miss Francis Field, by whom he has seven children, viz .: Henry C., Isabella, John W., Mary D., Golder A., Martha, and Adenia.

EDWARD NIEHAUS .- The subject of this memoir, whose portrait will be found in this work, was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, December 24, 1827, where he received a common-school education, and resided until the year 1842. Being then but fifteen years of age, he bade adieu to the land of his birth, and emi- grating to the United States, settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where he served a three years' apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade, and afterwards followed it there until 1850. In the month of April of that year he left St. Louis with mule-teams in Doctor Knox's company, and crossed the plains to the Land of Gold, arriving at classic Hangtown, now more appropriately named Placerville, September 11th, after a not unpleasant trip of five months' duration. Until December 8th Mr. Niehaus tried his luck in the mines; he then came to the Contra Costa, erected a house on the Horner and Beard claim, put in a crop of barley and potatoes (in which he sank five hundred dollars), and resided there for one year, on the expiration of which he returned to the mines. At the end of eighteen months, he came back therefrom with fourteen hundred dollars in his pouch, and commenced farming in partnership with L. P. Gates in the Santa Clara Valley, which continued a twelvemonth, at which time he purchased the interest of his associate, continued farming until 1874, and then sold

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 136

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