History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 142

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

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Married in San Francisco, April 22, 1860, Miss Elizabeth Kane, a native of Phila- delphia, of Irish parents; no issue.

JOSEPH SUNDERER .- Was born in Baden, Germany, February 25, 1843. On January II, 1866, he sailed from Havre to the United States, and arriving in New York on the 25th February, commenced working at his trade of shoemaker. Here he resided until July, 1867, when he sailed, by way of Panama, for San Francisco, arriving July 24th of the same year. In April, 1868, he left that city, and, coming to Mission San José, there established a boot and shoe manufactory. In October, 1877, he purchased his present residence and place of business, located on Vallejo Street. Married, and has four children.

JOSÉ NARCISO SUÑOL .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in the pages of this history, was born in Pueblo de San José, Upper California, June 10, 1835. His father, Don Antonio Suñol, was one of those grand noblemen cast in nature's mold. His birthplace was Barcelona, in Spain, but a love for the French people induced him to enter their naval service, and he was present when Napo- leon I. surrendered as a prisoner before his exile to the island of St. Helena. Coming to Monterey as long ago as the year 1818, he cast his lot in the country, married Senora Dolores Bernal, one of its beautiful daughters, in or about the year 1823, in San José, where they had long been settled. In or about the year 1839 the Rancho Valle de San José was granted to Don Antonio Suñol and others-a vast tract of fertile land, embracing eleven leagues, or four thousand eight hundred acres- while during his life in the country he held several high offices of responsibility and. trust. Don Antonio was born in the year 1797; he died at his residence in San José, March 19, 1865, having earned in life by his generosity the respect of the entire community. He left a family, five of whom are now living, viz .: Paula (Sainsevain), Incarnacion (Elchebarne), José Narciso, Antoneta Murphy), José Dolores. Our sub- ject, the eldest son, at the age of fourteen years was sent to Europe, and received his education at the Lycée de Bordeaux, where he took a commercial course, and after five years returned to California, when he settled in the Suñol Valley, where he has since been engaged in farming. He married, January 6, 1858, Miss Maria Rosario Palomares, a native of San José, and daughter of Francisco and Margarita (Pacheco) Palomares, by which union there are six surviving children, viz .: Margarita, Virginia, Frances, Eulalia, Josephine, and Juanita.

GRANT I. TAGGART .- Was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1829, and is the son of Joseph I. and Abigail H. (Smith) Taggart. In the year 1832 he was taken by his parents to Morgan County, Illinois, and afterwards, in 1837, to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided until 1844, when he transferred his residence to Galena, Jo Daviess County, and there embarked in the mercantile trade, which he followed until 1850. At that time he came to California, and commenced business in Greenwood Valley, El Dorado County. In the winter of 1851-52 he removed to San Francisco, being engaged in the like occupation up till 1853, when he transferred the scene of his operations to Shasta County until 1857. Mr. Taggart now embarked in the stage and express business there, and carried it on until 1879, in connection with which he had Government contracts for carrying the United States mails from 1864 to 1879. In 1865 he was elected County Clerk of Shasta County, a position he held for three terms, and, being again elected in 1869, performed the functions of the office until 1871, when he became Clerk of the Supreme Court of California. In 1875 he moved to Oakland, Alameda County, and commenced a real estate business, which he still continues. He was connected with staging matters until 1869. Married, May I, 1860, Miss Mary C. Metcalf, and has three children, viz .: Charles A., Joseph T., and Abbie R.

JOHN TAYLOR (deceased) .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, is a native of Cayuga County, New York, where he was born in the year 1833. Losing his parents when yet a child, Mr. Taylor lived under the care of an

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

uncle until old enough to do battle with the world. Having worked for some time upon a farm, in 1852 he emigrated by way of Panama to California, and on arrival in San Francisco, immediately proceeded to Sacramento, where he started a vegetable garden in January, 1852, and conducted it for two years. Mr. Taylor now returned for a short time to the Bay City, and finally crossed over to Alameda County, to Washington Township, where he worked on a farm for about a twelvemonth. He now rented a ranch near Dry Creek, which he farmed for one season, when he purchased a tract of two hundred and fifty acres situated between Niles and Mission San José, where he resided twenty years. He then disposed of the place, removed to the Liver- more Valley, and, purchasing the ranch known as the "Big Field," there resided until ·his death, on August 7, 1881. Mr. Taylor married February 15, 1860, Miss Rachel A. Cheney, by whom there are seven children living, viz .: Alice A., Helen H., George K., Louisa M., Florence K., Mamie R., and Lillie. There are four deceased, whose names were: Thomas, Mary Ann, John, and Janie.

JOSEPH H. TAYLOR .- Is a native of Bristol County, Massachusetts, and was born November 19, 1825. When but six years of age he was taken by his parents to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where his father engaged in farming, and our subject resided until leaving for the Golden State. On November 12, 1853, he started for New York, and on the 19th sailed therefrom for California, where he arrived December 24th, by way of the Nicaragua Route. The first six months in the State he passed in Martinez, Contra Costa County, and then coming to Alameda County, located in Eden Township, where he embarked in agricultural pursuits, on the place now owned by Mr. Stone. Here he remained until 1860, when he spent a year in Sonoma County, and subsequently returned 'to Haywards, where he dwelt until 1867. In that year he removed to the Townsend Ranch in Murray Township, where he farmed twelve hun- dred acres for eleven years. He afterwards lived for two years on the farm now occupied by Mr. Robinson, and in 1880 took up his abode in Livermore, where he now resides. Mr. Taylor has held the office of Justice of the Peace for Eden Town- ship. He is married, and has a family of three sons, viz .: Edwin, Joseph B., and George V.

DR. WILLIAM STEWART TAYLOR .- The subject of this biography was born June 24, 1847, in Saltsburgh, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. His parents and grand- parents were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, of Scotch-Irish parentage. During his boyhood his father was engaged in the mercantile business, but this being foreign to the aspirations of the son, he was kept more or less regularly at school, with a view of studying theology. But maturer years, with a better judgment, led him to choose an occupation requiring less eloquence. At the age of twenty, leaving school,: he engaged in the service of a civil engineer, on the Southwestern Railroad, in Ten- nessee, then under construction, where he remained nearly a year, when the railroad company failed financially and suspended operations. Having a desire to follow the business, he sought employment elsewhere, but failing to find a position for immedi- ate employment, he returned home and resumed his studies, continuing at the same, with the exception of one year, when he was employed as Principal of the public school in his native town, then of about one thousand inhabitants, until the spring of 1871, at the age of twenty-four, when he began the study of medicine, under the care of Dr. J. L. Crawford. He attended medical lectures during the sessions of 1871-72 and a portion of 1873, at Ann Arbor, Michigan. In the spring of 1872 he was mar- ried to Miss Martha E. Dickie, of a neighboring county. After studying and prac- ticing under the supervision of his preceptor during the summer of 1873, he went to Philadelphia, where he graduated from Jefferson Medical College on March 11, 1874. He at once entered into partnership with his preceptor, which, however, was of brief duration, owing to the latter engaging in politics, and leaving the newly-fledged Doc- tor to his practice. After a year's practice he found it necessary to relinquish a good and flattering introduction to practice, for a less vigorous climate. Consequently, in the

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spring of 1875, he came to San Francisco, locating on the corner of Sixth and Harri- son Streets, where he remained until September Ist, when he returned to Pennsylva- nia on account of family sickness. Remaining at home a short time, he went to New York and Brooklyn, where he remained until June, taking special instructions in med- icine. In June of this, the Centennial Year, at the public commencement of Wash- ington and Jefferson College, the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. In the early fall of 1876, with his wife and son, he returned to San Francisco. Find- ing his old corner taken, and with a family, and a somewhat depleted pocket-book he sought a field offering immediate returns, and that proved to be Livermore-intend- ing, however, to return to the city. But a large practice, if not a very lucrative one, with faith in the future, a glorious climate, and good health induced him to remain, where he now practices his profession.

DANIEL M. TEETER .- Was born in Pope County, Arkansas, September 5, 1838, and there farmed and worked in his father's saw-mill until he attained the age of nineteen years. On the 7th day of May, 1857, he started for California, by way of the plains, with ox-teams, three wagons, and a drove of cattle (fourteen hundred head), and, after a long and tedious march of nearly four months, arrived at Salt Lake City; and, after enduring many hardships during the winter, the journey was resumed. On the 13th day of April, he, with twenty-seven others, started afoot for California, a distance of eight hundred miles; and after the fatigues and hardships met-such as crossing large bodies of snow, and being scantily clad, and exposed to the wild savages, and living on flour alone-he ultimately arrived at Danville, Contra Costa County, in June, 1858. Here he found employment and remained until October, 1861, when he moved to Alameda County, engaged in farming for three years on a portion of the Dougherty Ranch, and then moved to the Bernal Ranch, near Pleasanton, where he remained two years. Having been engaged in farming and teaming, he was entirely uneducated, and so he then took an eight- een months' course at the college at Alamo, Contra Costa County, after which he engaged in teaming and freighting to Washoe for two years with moderate success. Subsequently he leased a farm on the Bernal Estate, which he occupied until 1874, in which year he purchased his present place, comprising two hundred and fifty acres, situated in close proximity to the town of Livermore, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Married at San Leandro, Alameda County, June 20, 1870, Miss Caroline E. Arnett, a native of Missouri, which was a happy and prosper- ous union until the 15th day of December, 1882, when, after a long and wasting attack of consumption, she departed from this world, leaving to mourn her loss him- self and two children, a boy and a girl, named Franklin and Flora Elizabeth.

GEORGE THOM .- Merchant, and Postmaster of the town of Newark, Alameda County, is a native of New York, and resided in that and the adjoining State of New Jersey until about the year 1872, when he came to this State, where he has since resided. Mr. Thom first settled in Sacramento, and afterwards removed to Oakland, where he resided until commencing business in Newark, in 1880. C. J. Thom, mem- ber of the Board of Education of Alameda County, is a son of Mr. Thom of Newark.

PHILIP THORN .- Was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 6, 1832. When but a little over three years of age, he was brought by his parents to the United States, and locating in New York, here our subject grew to man's estate, and learned the trade of baker. On February 19, 1852, he sailed from that city by way of Panama to California, and arrived in San Francisco after an unusually long voyage of four months, on June 27th. Mr. Thorn at once commenced working at his trade, and followed it in different places until 1855, when he opened a bakery and restaurant in Alvarado, Alameda County, in partnership with Conrad Hensel. Here he remained until 1858, when he engaged in business in the Bay City, but after a year he returned to Alvarado, and purchased the "Old Home" Hotel, which he conducted until 1864. At this period he went back to San Francisco, opened a bakery, and followed that

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

enterprise until the fall of 1866, when he once more crossed the bay to Alameda County, and resided for six months in Washington Township, at the end of which time he moved to Murray Township and settled on the place now owned by the Clark Brothers; subsequently, however, he removed to a farm situated about half a mile east of Livermore. In the fall of 1868 he sold out, returned to New York, and, after a visit of six months, came back to California and took up his residence on the farm he now occupies, situated four miles north from Livermore, and comprising one hundred and sixty acres. Married, June 14, 1857, Miss Barbara Link, a native of Bavaria, Germany, and has four children, viz .: Margaret E., George A., William P., and Joseph E.

M. K. THORNBURGH .- Was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, near Harper's Ferry, December 22, 1829. When he had attained the age of twenty years, he pro- ceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, where he resided five years, then moved to St. Louis, Missouri, for twelve months. At the expiration of that time he went to West Point, near Kansas City, and thence, with three companions, started to cross the plains to the Pacific Slope. After a trip of four months our subject arrived in Sacramento, the day being September 15, 1853. He proceeded at once to Marysville, Yuba County, but remaining there only a short time, he transferred the scene of his oper- ations to Cañon Creek, Sierra County, and engaged in merchandising. Two years thereafter he returned to Marysville, and obtained employment in the Sheriff's office, with his brother, but subsequently proceeded to Bear River and embarked in stock- raising, an occupation he followed for two years more. He then undertook the management of the hotel at the well-known " Johnson's Ranch," for a couple of years. Thence he moved to Lincoln, and engaged in mercantile pursuits for six years, finally establishing himself in the produce and commission business in San Francisco. There he dwelt until making his home in Oakland in 1875, when he established himself at the corner of Eighth and Chester Streets.

RICHARD THRELFALL .- This gentleman, whose portrait appears in this book, is a native of Saint Clair County, Illinois, and was born November 23, 1829. At the age of two years he was taken by his parents to Monroe County, and there he received his education, and resided until he reached man's estate. He then emigrated to California, sailing from New Orleans in the month of February, 1852, and after a delay of some forty days on the Isthmus, trying to secure a passage up the coast, he finally arrived in San Francisco by the steamer Oregon, April 6, 1852. Mr. Threlfall at once crossed the bay to Alameda County, and after a short stay moved to the San Mateo redwoods, where he worked as a teamster for four months, after which he returned to Alameda and worked in the harvest-field till October, at which date he went to the mine's on the Yuba and Feather Rivers on a prospecting trip. Returning to Marysville he purchased teams, came to Alameda County and settled (December 1852) in Washington Township on a portion of the Band & Horner tract. The years 1863 and 1864 he spent his time between Sacramento, Folsom, Virginia City, and Austin, and, in 1865, located himself in Livermore Valley, and embarked in farming, which he continued until 1870. In 1869 he purchased a tract of twelve thousand six hundred and forty acres in Stanislaus County, to which he has since considerably added. His possessions in that county are seventeen thousand five hundred acres of land, stocked with twelve thousand head of sheep, four hundred head of cattle, and one hundred and twenty-five head of horses and mules, as well as some carp ponds which are prolific in their yield. Mr. Threlfall's residence is in Washington Township, where he has a model farm. It is no species of flattery to say that our subject is regarded by his fellow-citizens in the light of an honest, upright man, whose word is his bond, and whose integrity is undisputed. He married, October 16, 1861, Miss Helen Rix, and has four children, viz., Charles H., Nellie A., Angie M., and George A.

IVAN JAMES TIFOCHE .- Was born in France, July 27, 1833, and there resided for the first ten years of his life. He then commenced a sea-faring life, which he

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followed for twelve years, sailing in the meantime to all parts of the world. In April, 1852, he entered the Golden Gate on board of the ship Five Brothers, and immediately proceeded to Nevada County, where he engaged in mining for ten years. Returning at that time to San Francisco, in August, 1862, he crossed the bay and located himself in Washington Township. Here he was variously employed until October, 1878, when he purchased the interest of George Forbes, and in 1882 made many extensive improvements. Mr. Tifoche is engaged in the liquor trade on Main Street, Centre- ville, where he also has a billiard parlor. Is unmarried.

DAVID TISCH .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in this work, is the fourth child of Michele and Madelaine (Saver) Tisch, and was born in southern Bavaria, Germany, March 24, 1849. Having attended the day school of his native place until he attained the age of twelve years, he then was placed under the tutorage of Professor Carl Presler, of Dresden, for a term of two years. Mr. Tisch now began practical working in the various branches of floriculture, and was so engaged for a further term of two years. When sixteen years old he emigrated to the United States, and locating in St. Louis, there found immediate employment in the botan- ical gardens of Henry Shaw, such were the high recommendations he had brought with him. In 1872 he emigrated to California, and was quickly employed by James Hutchison as foreman of his nurseries, where he remained some three years, at the expiration of which time he took the management of W. F. Kelsey's place, which prospered under his skilled hands and energetic surveillance. June 1, 1879, Mr. Tisch established himself in business at 479 Seventh Street, as nurseryman and florist, where we are happy to say his business blossoms as gaily as his most rare exotics. It may truly be said of Mr. Tisch that he is the right man in the right place. Married in Chicago, April 16, 1872, Miss Sophia A. Gootz, a native of Berne, Switzerland, who died September 8, 1882, by which union there are four daughters, viz .: Madelaine, Ada, Stephanie, and Daisy. It should be mentioned that Mr. Tisch is an active member of the State Horticultural Society, in which he takes a deep interest, while he is one of a committee of five appointed by the Association, to see to the advancement of floriculture. In 1875 he received from the Mechanics' Institute, the first premium for fine plants, etc., an honor which has been bestowed upon him on several occasions, both on this coast and at the East. Though young in years, Mr. Tisch has had large experience in his profession, and yet has a long and brilliant career before him.

CHARLES O. TRASK .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in this work, was born in Somerset County, Maine, September 1, 1817, and is the son of Stewart and Mary (Owen) Trask. Under their tender guidance he grew to man's estate; having labored on his father's farm during the season, and in winter attended the common school of the district. In the year 1838 he started out to face the cold world. Proceeding to New Brunswick, he there embarked in the lumber business, but at the end of five years returned to Maine, and took up the same occupation in Aroostook County, where he resided until determining to try his luck in California. Starting in 1851 for San Francisco, via Panama, he there arrived on the 5th of May, in the steamer Northerner, but he at once moved on to Sacramento, where then was centered all the mining trade, and commenced teaming to the mountains, which he continued three years. In 1853 he established a mercantile business in Red Dog, Nevada County, but shortly thereafter transferred the scene of his operations to Iowa Hill, Placer County, and there dwelt until 1862. In that year he removed to Beaver Head County, Montana, and after mining for a short time established a general mer- cantile, teaming, and lumber business, which he carried on until 1879, when, on account of ill-health, he sought the genial climate of Brooklyn Township, Alameda County, and made his residence at Seminary Park, where he enjoys a well-earned retire- ment after a long life of much activity. Married, in the year 1844, Miss Mary Ann Harvey, a native of Maine, and daughter of H. C. Harvey, and has had a family of six children, only one of whom survives, viz .: E. M. Trask, of Butte City, Montana.

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

WILLIAM TYSON (deceased) .- The following sketch of this pioneer, whose por- trait appears in our work, was written for the Rural Press at the time of his death: " One after another those hardy and enterprising men who helped to found our State are passing from our midst. Their lives of toil and wonderful adventure along the cloudy Sierra and in forgotten mining-camps, and over plains now smiling with golden harvests, had a freshness and a sense of delight which few of their children can ever know. Everything concerning our pioneers is of such interest that we narrate a few events in the life of Wm. Tyson, who died at his residence at Niles, on the first of last July. The surroundings of a man's childhood do much to form his character, and it is pleasant to know that Mr. Tyson's earlier life was passed among historic scenes. In the extreme northwestern corner of England, separated from Scotland by the Cheviot Hills, lies the county of Cumberland, whose county town is Carlisle. Once forming a part of the kingdom of Northumberland, it became later the scene of border life and frontier adventure in the days of Percy and of the Scottish marches. Peopled by a brave and hardy race of miners, mountaineers, and farmers, the Saxons mingled with the Normans less here than elsewhere, and the blue eyes and brown hair of the Saxons are oftenest seen. The Tyson family was one of worth and respectability in the rugged portion of Cumberland. They possessed the old fair-haired Saxon type, and both sons and daughters were remarkable, even in a sterner age, for bodily strength and health. William was one of eight children-five boys and three girls-and was born on the 5th of December, 1820. Dairying was the family occupation, but as William grew up, he began to show a painstaking industry and a taste for the use of tools, and his mother dying when he was thirteen, he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, after the thorough way of those good old times, when trades were well learned. The earnest lad was always busy and patient, going on from step to step until he became a good house carpenter, joiner, and wagon-maker before he was twenty-one. In 1841, at the town of Maryeport, he became an Odd Fellow, and ever after kept up his connection with that Order. This was the time when much interest was felt in America among the middle and yeo- manry classes. So, in the fall of 1841, following out a long-cherished plan, he came to the United States, and, going West, settled in Columbus City, Louisa County, Iowa. In 1846 he moved to the town of Grand View, and pursued his trade of wagon-making. The following year he married Emmeline Morrison, and removed to the little town of Port Louisa, where he remained until the gold excitement in Cali- fornia. On the 15th of March, 1849, Mr. Tyson, his wife, and infant son, with his brother-in-law, Wm. Morrison, started for California. By the 6th of May a company of nineteen wagons had been organized, for the sake of comfort and protection; but after traveling together four days, Mr. Tyson and two others left the company, and continued in advance, being able to travel faster. Game was abundant and easily obtained, Mr. Tyson being the crack shot of the party. He shot the first buffalo seen, and afterwards, whilst near Donner Lake, killed five pheasants at one shot. The party made a new trail along the Truckee, and it is remembered with some amuse- ment that they crossed that river twenty-seven times in one day. They saw the sad remembrances of the Donner party, and soon after began the wearisome ascent of the Sierra Nevada, using ten or twelve pairs of oxen to pull each wagon up, and letting them down on the western slope with heavy ropes. The 12th of September brought them safely to Sacramento, the only sad event of the journey having been the death of their child, William Perry Tyson. The early pioneers did not loaf. The Tysons, young and hopeful, went to Hangtown (now called Placerville) in El Dorado County, and opened a boarding-house. But in three weeks Mr. Tyson and his brother-in-law bought a claim for three hundred dollars, took out over one thousand dollars, sold the claim, and began work in loose diggings which paid sixteen dollars per day. Hearing of better places they started to find them, but the floods prevented their going beyond Georgetown, and they went to Sacramento for a load of groceries to start a store,

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History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 142

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