History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 143

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

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but on their return the mining-camp was almost deserted. With his capital tied up in heavy groceries Mr. Tyson's energy did not fail him, and, with the aid of his faith- ful wife, he packed his goods to Bird's Valley, and again kept boarding-house. In the fall of 1850, whilst in Sacramento, he received a letter from his brother-in-law, Perry Morrison, then in San José Valley, which decided him to realize a long desire, and become a farmer. Closing up his business he came to the Mission San José, and bought a settler's claim to a beautiful tract near the Alameda Creek. Here he brought his family; here he lived a quiet, useful life, universally respected and loved for his genial temper and uprightness. His boys and girls began to cluster around him, and the eares of life perplexed him, but he was always the same cheerful phi- losopher. His friends wanted him to run for office, but he always refused. As an instance of his probity, we may mention the fact that when the county treasury at Alva- rado was robbed, two of the four bondsmen failed to appear; but Mr. Tyson and his brother-in-law, the remaining two bondsmen, paid the county's claims without ques- tion. In 1872 Mr. Tyson and his loving wife celebrated their silver wedding, and it was a great occasion in the neighborhood. In the same year his eldest son, William Henry, married Miss Jennie Bonner, an old schoolmate. In 1874 his eldest daughter, Clara, married Mr. Martenstien, of San Francisco, and they have one ehild. In all Mr. Tyson left six sons and three daughters living. He loved home so well that he traveled but little. He went over the northern counties, however, with the publishers of the Rural and others this spring, and his mining stories, jokes, and wise sayings were a treat to us all. His years sat lightly, and none of us dreamed of his sudden departure. He was especially sorry that he could not see A. J. Loomis, of Red Bluff, his old companion across the plains. Upon the little mound where lies the man we loved, we can only lay a leaf of memory and of respect for his qualities as a friend, a father, a citizen. May peace rest upon the house of mourning, and may his sons be manly and noble, as was their father. Such quiet, untroubled lives as his are the best hope of the nation."

CAPTAIN CALVIN VALPEY (deceased) .- The subject of this sketch, whose por- trait appears in this work, was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, on the 10th day of March, 1806. When quite an infant, his father, who was a seafaring man, and master of a small vessel, was wrecked on one of the Tusket Islands, and lost with all his erew. At the age of seven years he was apprenticed to a sea-captain, with whom he lived and faithfully served during his apprenticeship. His first voyage at sea was made when twelve years of age, and from that time he continued to follow the sea, as boy, able seaman, and offieer, until the year 1832, when he first took charge as captain. In the year 1833 he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Gardner, the eldest daughter of the then late Captain Reuben Gardner, of Yarmouth. After his marriage he principally followed the sea; but having purchased some property in the country, he sometimes occupied his time in farming. On the 9th day of November, 1850, he left Yarmouth in the schooner Eagle for California, and, passing through Magellan's Straits, he arrived at San Francisco on the 20th day of April, 1851. For some years after his arrival in California he followed several occupations, such as boating, mining, merchandise, etc., but principally boating from the Warm Springs Landing, of which place he was the original proprietor. In the year 1860, his wife and children having arrived in California, he purchased the property at Harrisburgh, where he resided until his death, which occurred September 12, 1880. He leaves a wife and six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom, except one daughter, are residents of the Pacific Coast. Their names are: Emma, Calvin, Horatio, Lizzie, Charles, and Aliee.

HON. HENRY VROOMAN .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this volume, was born at Litchfield, Hillsdale County, Michigan, July 25, 1844. At the age of eight years he aeeompanied his mother to Oregon, and after a short stay in Portland, located on a farm on the east bank of the Willamette River between Mil- waukee and Oregon City, where he resided four years, attending school at Forest

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Grove during six months of that time. In the month of October, 1856, he came to San Francisco, and from there went to Neal's Ranch on Butte Creek, Sutter County, where, though only twelve years of age, he commenced to work as a farm laborer. Subsequently proceeding to Dog Town he there drove a logging team for a time, afterwards herding cattle and driving them from the valleys to market. In the fall of 1858 he found himself at Harris' Ranch, Sutter County, about a mile and a half from Marysville, where he was variously employed for two years. In the fall of 1860 he commenced mining in Tuolumne County, which he abandoned in the following spring for wood-chopping at Kincaid Flat, hauling the result of his labors into Sonora for sale. In the autumn of 1861 we find Mr. Vrooman at Shaw's Flat starting an apprenticeship to the blacksmiths' trade, which he there followed for two years, when he moved to the town of Sonora and prosecuted that calling until 1865, save a few months passed in mining on the Stanislaus River, and a trip to the State of Nevada. During the month of April of that year he changed the scene of his labors to Tomales, Marin County, afterwards proceeding to Sonoma County, and working at Bloomfield and Lakeville, in the latter place opening a blacksmith shop. In the spring of 1867, selling out, he came to San Francisco for a time, and in April of that year located in Oakland and commenced working at his trade in a shop then situated at the corner of Eleventh Street and Broadway, and there continued until the fall of the year. At this time Mr. Vrooman entered the Pacific Business College, from which institution he graduated in January, 1868, when he again betook himself to the sledge and anvil. He now determined to still further prosecute his studies, therefore he commenced attending the Brayton School, but in a year's time was compelled to go to work again. He then moved to Vacaville, Solano County, and after toiling at the forge for some time, came back to Oakland and remained until the spring of 1870. Strength of pur- ·pose and close application appear to be Mr. Vrooman's chief characteristics; we have seen how, when a mere lad, he launched forth alone to do battle with the world; we have watched him acquire the art of a skilled mechanic; and we have observed him dip into the mysteries of scholarly lore, but his present eminence among the learned was not entirely obtained in the halls of academic training. It was founded at the forge; and while his brawny arm welded the heated bars of iron, his cool brain drew inspiration from a tarnished leaf from out a classic tome as it was fastened against the wall in front of him. In such a way did he find himself accompanying Cæsar across the Rubicon, revel in the higher mathematics of Euclid, and sing the rhythmed verses of good old Homer. In the spring of 1870 our subject left California for the East, and entering Cornell University at Ithica, New York, there remained till the close of that year's term, but finding that the climate of the Atlantic Coast did not agree with him he returned to the genial shores of the Pacific in the month of December. On his return Mr. Vrooman entered the office of T. J. Arnold, City Engineer of Oakland, as chainman, and in the summer of 1871 accompanied a surveying party to Lassen County, re-entering the office of Mr. Arnold on his return to Oakland. In the follow- ing summer (1872) he went to Humboldt County, but later, returning to Stockton, was employed as superintendent of construction of a levee on Rough and Ready Island. This work completed he came back to Oakland and was appointed Engineer of Phoenix Fire Engine Company No. 1; worked at the same time in the City Engineer's office, and was engaged in writing for the Home Journal, a paper published in the town of Brooklyn, being for a portion of the time in editorial charge of it. In these last few years Mr. Vrooman had dipped into the mysteries of legal learning, but in the year 1873 he commenced the actual study of law as his future profession, and with such closeness and efficacy that on January 12, 1874, he was admitted to prac- tice in the Supreme Court of the State, while to such a high standard of knowledge had he attained, that four days thereafter, on January 16th, he was appointed Deputy District Attorney by A. A. Moore, a position he occupied until 1876. In the mean- time, in March, 1874, he had been appointed Deputy City Attorney, the functions of

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which latter office he performed in conjunction with those of the former. Indeed it had become a matter of notoriety that all the duties of the City Attorney had devolved upon him; therefore, it is not to be wondered at that at the election in March, 1876, he was chosen by his fellow-citizens to fill that onerous position. During Mr. Vrooman's term as Deputy and City Attorney, he mapped out for the Council a plan of reform, which was adopted, and resulted in wiping out the floating indebted- ness of the city, reducing taxation to the lowest figure ever known in the history of the City Government, and placing the business affairs of the city upon a cash basis- and when he retired from the office there was in the General Fund of the City Treas- ury a surplus of forty thousand dollars. During his term of office he also managed, unassisted, some of the most important suits in which the city has ever been inter- ested, and that successfully-no judgment was ever obtained against the city during his administration of the office of City Attorney. In September, 1877, he was elected District Attorney of Alameda County, and entered upon the duties of the office the following Ist of March, resigning the position of City Attorney. His administration of the office of District Attorney was highly commendable, and gained for him an enviable reputation as an able lawyer. His office began to be flooded with private practice, and finding that to attend to a tithe of the legal business offered him, he would be forced to neglect that of the county, or intrust it to a dep- uty, he determined to resign, and did so after holding the office for one year. He was immediately offered and accepted the Attorneyship of the Oakland Bank of Savings, which position he still retains. Among the important cases which our sub- ject has successfully conducted for the city of Oakland, we may mention that of the Main Lake Sewer Bond litigation; the successfully defending in all the courts the license ordinance passed by the City Council fixing the license for liquor saloons at fifty dollars, which was contested by the liquor dealers; and also the suit of Hawes against the city of Oakland and others, which was tried in the United States Supreme Court, in which Court he was admitted to practice. At the general election on November 7, 1882, Mr. Vrooman was elected to the distinguished position of Senator from Alameda County, and at once took a leading position in that august body. No question of vital importance to the State was passed by him with- out comment and able argument. His speeches are among the most exhaustive that were made in the session of 1883, and will be long remembered for their ability and display of general knowledge. Among the best known of the bills, which can only be mentioned here shortly, which he introduced were: The Vrooman Street Act; a bill authorizing the redemption of lands sold to the State for delinquent taxes; to provide for the classification of municipal corporations; to provide an industrial department for Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Asylum; to create a permanent Code Com- mission; to amend the Constitution so as to allow the State to provide text-books for common schools. Indeed it was said of him that Henry Vrooman, of Oakland, would be numbered on the fingers of the first hand in a count of the ablest men in the Senate. Senator Vrooman carries the impress of a well-balanced mind of great vigor, and is a valuable legislator. He is the author of the Street Improvement Bill, and of several other measures of important legislation, and devotes especial attention to matters pertaining to municipal corporations. He is an open defender of the rail- road company, and made an exhaustive speech in its defense on the Del Valle reso- lution, containing many strong statements of fact that remain unanswered. Mr. Vrooman, as a lawyer, has been more than ordinarily successful, and for the reason that he is a worker, always preparing himself in every case he undertakes. No man in the city of Oakland has burned as much midnight oil as he has. This preparation, with his tireless energy, is the secret of his success.

WILLIAM WALES (deceased) .- Was born in Cornish, York County, Maine, November 28, 1827, and resided there and in Massachusetts until 1852, when he ca me to California. On arrival he immediately proceeded to the mines for two years.

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Subsequently, coming to Alameda County, he worked at the Mission San José for Mr. Beard; and finally, in 1862, purchased the forty-six-acre farm now occupied by his widow. Mr. Wales died December 17, 1880. He married, October 11, 1852, Miss May Kelly, a native of Ireland, and left a family of nine children, viz .: Olive, born December 6, 1859; William, born December 16, 1861; George, born September 10, 1865; Abbie, born June 10, 1867; Maggie, born June 4, 1869; Jura, born June I, 1871; May, born May 2, 1873; Anna, born October 23, 1876; Harry, born August 5, 1878.

JARED TUTTLE WALKER .- The subject of this personal narrative, whose like- ness finds a place in this history, was born in South Bristol, Ontario County, New York, June 20, 1822, and there resided on his father's farm until he arrived at man's estate. He was educated at the common school of the district. In 1843 he proceeded to Michigan, accompanied by two sisters, where he was subsequently joined by his parents, and there engaged in farming for nine years. Mr. Walker, then, in April, 1852, determined to emigrate to California. In that month he took up the line of march from St. Louis to Fort Leavenworth, where he followed the emigrant trail across the plains. Accompanied by seven companions-two of whom died of cholera, en route- and horse teams, our subject arrived at classic Hangtown (now Placerville), August 29, 1852. Here he engaged in mining until December, when he was forced to lay aside the pick and rocker, and succumb to typhoid fever, to be, on recovery three weeks after, prostrated with small-pox; thus, in his instance, fully exemplifying the adage that misfortunes never come singly. Having regained his strength, and in consonance with the physician's advice, he abandoned the search for gold in the mines, and looked to gain it from the fields of golden grain; he therefore came to Alameda County, and pitched his tent on the two hundred and ninety acre farm he now occu- pies, situated about one mile from Washington Corners. Here he has effected many valuable improvements, until, to-day, he owns one of the very finest farms in the country. In the year 1863 Mr. Walker was elected Township Assessor, and performed the functions of that office until the fall of 1866; and is now the President of the Pioneer Association of Washington, Murray, and Eden Townships. Married in Cal- houn County, Michigan, March, 1860, Miss Jane A. Converse, a native of New York, and has: Nellie I., Pitt M., De Witt D., Roxie L., and Jaredna E.

OTIS WEBB .- A California pioneer, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, October 27, 1813. Commenced his career as a sailor upon a whaling ship at the age of eighteen. At the age of twenty-four he took command of a ship, in December, 1848, making several successful whaling voyages. After the discovery of gold in California, he and his brother Hiram chartered and loaded the bark Carib, on their own account, for California, he sailing as master. Left Boston the last day of December, 1848; said to be the first vessel leaving Boston for California, after the discovery of gold. On the voyage out, stopped at Valparaiso, and took on a deck-load of lumber; arrived at San Francisco, June 20, 1849. Imme- diately on their arrival erected a store, that had been framed upon the vessel, at the corner of Webb and Sacramento Streets. Afterwards sold the store building to Collins, Cushman & Co. Took an active part in the suppression of the "Hounds," so- called. During the latter part of 1849, and early part of 1850, erected several frame buildings, which were burned at the large fires. Afterwards sailed up the Alameda Creek as far as Alvarado, and from there walked to the San José Mission, where he took up a piece of land, but proved to be an unsuccessful squatter. In 1852, with others, purchased and fitted out the ship Nile for a whaling voyage, sailing on her as master to the Arctic, making a very successful voyage; Moore & Folger, agents. Returning to the Eastern States, spent several years there, and two years in Europe, occasionally visiting California. In 1878 returned to California and settled on his farm, at San Lorenzo, Alameda County, which he had purchased several years previ-

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ous, which had been improved by his son, Edward O. Webb, where he now resides with his family, highly respected by all. Married Deborah A. Cory in 1836, and has three children living: Mary, Edward, and Hattie E.

JOHN NELSON WEBSTER .- Was born in Sharon Springs, Montgomery County, New York, April 15, 1814, and is the son of John and Salina (Philipps) Webster. Having resided at his birthplace until he attained the age of sixteen years, during which time he received a common-school education. He then went to Albany, and, entering a dry-goods establishment, remained for nine years in that employ. Mr. Webster now moved to Fonda, Montgomery County, where he entered a drug and grocery business on his own account, and there remained until he determined to pro- ceed to California. Early in the month of March, 1849, he sailed from New York, in the bark Henry Honbeck, via Cape Horn, for San Francisco, where he arrived on the 17th September. After a short stay in that city he set out for the mines, but being taken ill on his way to Stockton, he returned to the bay, and in San Francisco, in partnership with a fellow-passenger, H. P. De Graaf, started in a ship chandlery busi- ness, under the firm name of Webster, De Graaf & Owens, on board an old vessel in the harbor. Having paid a visit to the Eastern States in 1851, in the next year he returned, bringing his wife with him, and resumed business. In December, 1853, he sold out, but continued his residence in San Francisco until June 4, 1854, when he removed to Alameda, located on the place where he now resides, but still did busi- ness in the city for some sixteen years, thereafter doing business at 506 Montgom- ery Street; and built the house he now occupies, around which he has made many and varied improvements. Mr. Webster owns, besides, fifteen lots and four residences in the town of Alameda, and has retired from business. Is married, and has three children, viz .: Edgar W., Jane E. (now Mrs. George Sturtevant), and Morris Case.

CONRAD WELLER .- Was born in Germany, November 13, 1836, and there resided with his parents until the year 1852. Being then sixteen years of age, he emigrated to the United States, first settling in Baltimore, Maryland. Having in that city, and others of the Southern States, worked at his trade, in 1861, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, he made up his mind to proceed to California. Starting for New York, and experiencing much difficulty in passing through the Confederate lines, he sailed from that city to the Isthmus of Panama, finally landing in San Fran- cisco, August 26, 1861, where he at once commenced working at his trade. In 1874 he purchased his present property, comprising some thirty-eight acres, situated three miles from Mission San José, where he has since been engaged in a general viticult- ural business, having about thirty acres laid out as a vineyard. Married, November 18, 1860, Miss Babetta Gsell, a native of Alsass, and has one child: Loretta C. W., born in San Francisco, California.

THOMAS D. WELLS .- Was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia, September, 2, 1828. In 1839 he was taken by his parents to Mississippi, where he learned the trade of blacksmith, and resided until March, 1851, when, in company with James W. Dougherty, he sailed from New Orleans by way of Panama, for San Francisco, where he arrived May 3, 1851. He went direct to Amador County, engaged at his trade, and resided there until the fall of 1868, when he came to Alameda County, leased his present farm, near Dublin, and carries on a general blacksmithing business. Married, December 31, 1854, in Amador County, Miss A. L. Fritze, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and has six children, viz .: John, Charles, Lee, Edmund, Thomas, and Grace.

WILLIAM WHIDDEN (deceased) .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, July 8, 1822, where he learned and followed the blacksmith's trade until 1847, when he moved to Exeter, and worked at his calling until April, 1850. At this period he came to California, followed mining for a short time, and located in Stockton, and engaged at his trade. In 1851 he returned to the Eastern States, but in the month of November came back

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with his family and recommenced work. In August, 1852, he moved to San Fran- cisco, and opened a blacksmith shop on Pine Street, between Montgomery and San- some Streets, where he continued until 1855, when he once more visited the East, being accompanied by his friend, Henry Vesey. In October, 1855, the two compan- ions returned, and passed the following winter in the mines at Alpha, Nevada. In the spring of 1858 he came to Alameda County, and engaged in farming near Centreville, but a few years after purchasing the Eighnbrodt Ranch near Alvarado, he took up his residence there for some years, being associated with A. E. Crane. Subsequently proceeding to Haywards, he resided there for three years, and while there was Justice of the Peace. In 1878 he removed to Alameda, where he resided until his death on September 10, 1882, leaving a widow and three sons. During life Mr. Whidden was distinguished for his many excellent qualities, and his numerous charities to the poor. In death he is remembered as the kind husband and parent, the good friend and the excellent neighbor. Mr. Whidden was a member of the Board of Trustees of Alameda, and a member of high standing in the Masonic and Independent Order of Chosen Friends Lodges of that city. Married, August 14, 1845, Sarah H. A. Kennan, by whom there is a family consisting of George A., William G., and Myron A.

CHARLES CARROLL WHEELER .- Was born in Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine, June 17, 1834, and is the son of Heber and Sarah B. (Pullon) Wheeler. Hav- ing resided at his birthplace until he attained the age of nineteen years, during which time he attended school and lived on a farm, in April, 1853, he launched forth to battle with the world. At this period of his life Mr. Wheeler, in company with a sister, his brother-in-law John W. Hilton, and a cousin, WV. P. Wheeler, now a resident of Oak- land, sailed from New York for Australia, arriving in Melbourne about the middle of August, 1853, and immediately proceeded to the mines, where he remained for upwards of three years, and meeting with fair success. Upon the expiration of that time he returned to his native place, but six months subsequently, in November, 1856, he took passage to Panama on board the Illinois, and on the Pacific side in the steamer John L. Stephens, and arrived in San Francisco in the latter part of Decem- ber. Four days later he proceeded to the mines in Tuolumne County, and there remained five years, when, disposing of his mining interests, he came to Alameda County, making the city of Fruit Vale his home in April, 1862. He there embarked in an express business with C. R. Stetson, between the towns of San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Alameda, Brooklyn, and the city of San Francisco, which he followed until 1867, and in the fall of that year selling out, he transferred his residence to Vacaville, Solano County, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. Between three and four years thereafter Mr. Wheeler transplanted his business to Healdsburg, Sonoma County, and there resided until 1876. At this date, after an absence of twenty years, he visited his birthplace, six months thereafter returning to California, taking up his residence in Alameda County, and in January, 1877, leasing the Winsor House, in Oakland, which he has since managed with much success, demonstrating the fact that he can "keep a hotel." The Winsor House is a first-class hotel, and is located at the corner of Ninth and Washington Streets. Mr. Wheeler married in Columbia, Tuol- umne County, April 17, 1859, Miss A. G., daughter of William Stetson, a native of Kingston, Massachusetts; and has three children, viz .: William R., Charles S., Ger- trude P.

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History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 143

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