History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 62

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 62

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).

* The Post-office is officially called Haywood.

David I. Smaller

441

EDEN TOWNSHIP.

1878 .- On the 8th of February the following thoroughfares were ordered to be graded: B Street, between Main and First Streets; First Street, between B and C Streets; and C Street, between First and Main Streets. The right to lay water-pipes through the town was granted to Joseph Pimentel on March Ist, for a period of twenty years; while, May 6th, the following officials were elected: H. F. Larrabee, William Brown, H. Strong, L. Linekin, John Hunt, Board of Trustees; George H. Horn, Mar- shal; Julius Volkerts, Clerk; Charles Puff, Assessor; B. Haas, Treasurer; William Whidden, Justice of the Peace. June 7th, Pierce Street, between Castro Street and the line of William Meek's land, was ordered to be graded and macadamized; on the 7th October the municipal tax was fixed at thirty-five cents on each one hundred dollars' worth of taxable property; and on November 15th, William Hayward was elected Justice of the Peace for the town.

1879 .- At the meeting of the Board of Trustees, held January 3d, provision was made regulating the building of dwelling-houses, stores, etc., having stove-pipes pass- ing through the roof, within certain limits; on February 19th it was decided to grant quarterly licenses to auctioneers; and, on the 28th of the same month, it was ordered that a tax of one dollar upon every male, and two dollars upon every female dog in the town should be levied, while all dogs found at large without "tags" were directed to be impounded under date March 7th.

On April 4th a Board of Health was created and the following appointments to it made: Doctor Smith, F. Hinckley, Mr. Thorndike, Ch. Hermann, and John Paine. On the same date William Brown, D. Salmon, and Ch. Winter were appointed Fire Commissioners; and on May 5th the following corporation officers were elected: L. Linekin, William Brown, H. F. Larrabee, John Walpert, T. A. Cunningham, Board of Trustees; George H. Horn, Marshal; F. M. Dallam, Clerk; G. Brown, Treasurer ;- Woodman, Assessor; William Hayward, Justice of the Peace.

On May 19th it was directed that the meetings of the Board of Trustees should thenceforward be held on the first Saturday of each month in the American House; and on the 24th, D. S. Smalley and George C. Baxter were appointed Fire Commis- sioners. On June 7th, J. D. Austin was chosen Justice of the Peace; on the 9th, Joel Russell was appointed to the duties of Town Attorney; and on the 2Ist the purchase of a fire-engine was ordered. August 8th, according to the financial statement of the Town Treasurer, the balance in the treasury was one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two dollars and ninety-seven cents. Under date September 13th we find the appointment of R. H. Goodwin to the office of Town Surveyor, vice Hinckley, resigned; on the 6th of October the municipal tax was fixed at twenty-five cents on each one hundred dollars' worth of taxable property; while, December 20th, certain citizens petitioned that an ordinance should be passed in regard to boys under eighteen years of age being on the streets and in saloons after night, a curfew enactment being made accordingly.

1880 .- On January 5th a new fire organization was established, the town being, on June 2d, divided into four fire districts. On the 16th, Hayward Fire Company, No. I, gave its apparatus and building to the corporation; while, July 7th, the follow-

442

HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

ing Fire Commissioners were appointed: First District, D. Salmon; Second District, P. Keating; Third District, George C. Baxter; Fourth District, Charles H. Barnes.

The municipality elected on May 3, 1880, consisted of L. Linekin, L. H. Brown, John Walpert, William Brown, D. Luce, Board of Trustees; Charles Puff, Assessor; F. M. Dallam, Clerk; George Brown, Treasurer; George H. Horn, Marshal; J. D. Austin, Justice of the Peace; the day of their meeting being changed, on May 10th- to Wednesday evening.

1881 .- At the election of town officers, held on May 4, 1881, the following officials were chosen: L. Linekin, William Brown, D. Luce, John Walpert, William Hayward, Board of Trustees; A. R. Hale, Assessor; F. M. Dallam, Clerk; A. H. Trueworthy, Marshal; L. H. Brown, Treasurer.

Upon receipt of the intelligence of the death of President Garfield, the Board of Trustees, in meeting assembled, passed the following condolatory resolutions:

WHEREAS, The Nation is bowed down in grief and anguish at the death of our greatly honored, respected, and beloved President, James A. Garfield, who was cut off in the very prime of a grand and noble life, and upon the threshold of an administration that was bright with the promise of peace, happiness, and prosperity to the whole people, irrespective of section, party, or race; a misfortune brought about by the venomous attack of a cowardly assassin, who, in striking the representative of the people, has smitten the very heart of the Republic. And

WHEREAS, It has been ordained through a proclamation, issued by Governor Perkins, that the People of the State of California shall show their respect for the departed President by assembling at their respective places of worship on Monday, September 26, 1881, the day designated for the funeral ceremonies, then and there to join in appropriate services. Therefore be it

Resolved, That we, the Board of Trustees of the town of Haywards, recognizing the irreparable loss sustained by the death of our Chief Executive, take this means of expressing our heart-felt sympathy and grief in this their hour of darkness and affliction, to the aged and gray-haired mother, the heroically-devoted wife, the orphaned children, and to our fellow-men.

Resolved, That we suggest to the citizens of Haywards the propriety of closing all places of business on Monday, September 26, 1881, and observing it as a day of humiliation and prayer.

Resolved, That as a token of respect to the memory of the deceased the Town Hall be appropriately draped in mourning for thirty days.

On October 3d the municipal tax for the year 1881-82 was fixed at thirty cents on each one hundred dollars' worth of taxable property, and November 2d certain citizens petitioned that the Sunday Law should be enforced.

1882 .- On the 3d of May the following gentlemen were chosen the municipal officers for the year: J. T. Dille, L. Linekin, Asa Collins, George A. Goodell, Chris. Meyer, Board of Trustees; A. R. Hall, Assessor; F. M. Dallam, Clerk; A. H. True- worthy, Marshal; L. H. Brown, Treasurer; J. D. Austin, Justice of the Peace. The tax for the year 1882-83 was regulated on the IIth October, and fixed at forty cents on each one hundred dollars' worth of taxable property; while, December 6th, George A. Oakes was appointed Town Clerk, in the place of F. M. Dallam, resigned.

1883 .- On February 7th of this year a franchise was granted to bring water through the town of Haywards, from Tuolumne River, by the Tuolumne Water Company, this being the last item in the records when they were most courteously placed at our disposal.

443

EDEN TOWNSHIP.

The population of Haywards is about twelve hundred, and although it is not a manufacturing center, its busy streets and handsome stores speak well for the people and the town. It has three churches-a Congregational, a Methodist, and a Catholic, histories of which we have been unable to obtain; while its school is in a most flour- ishing condition, and the building an ornament to the place. The hotel accommoda- tion is first-class, and its two newspapers-only one of which is printed in the town- have a considerable circulation in the surrounding district.

ALAMEDA ENCAMPMENT, No. 28, I. O. O. F .- This Encampment was originally instituted in Alvarado, April 4, 1868, and organized by H. C. Crowell, of San Fran- cisco, with the following charter officers: E. H. Dyer, C. P .; E. Dyer, H. P .; D. C. Owen, Scribe; M. W. Levy, S. W .; D. S. Smalley, Fin .; J. Sulz, J. W. On Novem- ber 28, 1868, they removed to Haywards, where it has since remained. The present membership is thirty-seven, while the officers for the current term are: Henry Mein- enger, C. P .; George W. Frick, H. P .; G. A. Goodell, S .; C. Sanderson, S. W .; L. Linekin, T .; P. J. Christensen, J. W. The lodge, which is in a flourishing condition, meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, in Odd Fellows' Hall.

SYCAMORE LODGE, No. 129, I. O. O. F .- This Lodge was organized on October 30, 1866, by District Grand J. N. Randolph, with the following charter members: A. L. Fuller, William Knox, William Meek, William Roberts, William C Blackwood; and with these gentlemen as charter officers :. A. L. Fuller, N. G .; William C. Black- wood, V. G .; William Meek, Treasurer; William Roberts, Rec. Sec .; William Knox, Per. Sec .; A. L. Rockwood, Warden; J. W. Josselyn, Con .; David S. Smalley, I. G .; G. E. Smith, R. S. N. G .; Joseph Graham, L. S. N. G .; J. M. Costigan, R. S. V. G .; George Brown, L. S. V. G. The Lodge at once became popular, and, at its second session, no fewer than nineteen names were added to the roll. The present membership is ninety-six, and the following are the officers for the current term: Daniel Chisholm, P. N. G .; Thomas Hellar, N. G .; H. H. Hamer, V. G .; B. F. Thomas, Rec. Sec .; C. Christensen, Per. Sec .; G. A. Goodell, Treas. The financial condition of the Lodge is most excellent; and it meets every Monday night in Odd Fellows' Hall, a large two-story building, erected on Calhoun Street in 1868, at a cost of seven thousand five hundred dollars. It was dedicated with proper ceremony, April 30, 1869, the evening being wound up with a grand ball.

HAYWARDS LODGE, No. 18, A. O. U. W .- This Lodge was organized January 19, 1878, with the following charter members: J. D. Austin, F. F. Allen, W. W. Allen, J. G. Cooper, Asa Collins, F. M. Dallam, F. C. Jessup, Rev. S. Kinsey, M. C. Hamer, Charles Prowse, E. O. Webb, George A. Whidden, D. W. Spoerer, the accom- panying being the charter officers: Asa Collins, P. M. W .; George A. Whidden, M. W .; E. O. Webb, F .; F. C. Jessup, O .; F. F. Allen, G .; F. M. Dallam, Rec .; J. G. Cooper, Fin .; James D. Austin, Recr .; M. C. Hamer, I. W .; D. W. Spoerer, O. W. There are at present sixty-seven members on the roll, while the following gentlemen are the officers for the current term: S. L. Cunningham, P. M. W .; A. M. Bullock, M. W .; William Dale, F .; G. P. Carpenter, O .; J. Brown, Rec .; J. C. Baxter, Fin .;

444

HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

G. A. Goodell, Recr .; A. Bradford, G .; Charles Barnes, I. W .; C. Herman, O. W. Lodge meets every Tuesday evening at Lucas Hall, and is in a flourishing condition.

HERCULES COUNCIL, No. 139, O. C. F .- This Council of Chosen Friends was organized February 17, 1883, with the following charter members: H. M. Federson, A. H. Trueworthy, Chris. Peterson, Axel Seebury, Charles H. Pratt, J. J. Sandholdt, J. E. Wooten, H. H. Sorensen, John Lane, George Reavey, Frank Clark, W. E. Miller, E. Nicholson, P. Keating, H. Frost, C. Hoosen, Mrs. K. Sorensen, Mrs. K. Sandholdt, Mrs. M. Peterson, S. Donaldson. The original officers, who are those at present in in office, are: J. E. Wooten, C. C .; P. Keating, V. C .; C. H. Pratt, P .; Axel Seebury, P. C. C .; H. Trueworthy, Mar .; J. J. Sandholdt, W .; F. Clark, G .; J. Lane, S .; H. H. Sorensen, Treas .; W. E. Miller, Sec. Meets every Tuesday night in Odd Fellows' Hall, the Society being in a flourishing condition.

THE HAYWARDS WEEKLY "JOURNAL." -- This newspaper was founded in 1877, by Charles Coolidge, who, after publishing it about a year, disposed of it to Frank M. Dallam, who conducted it until November 25, 1882. During the management of this last-named gentleman the Journal steadily increased in circulation and influence, while as an advertising medium it has no superior among the interior weekly news- papers of Alameda County. In November, 1882, the plant was purchased by George A. Oakes, who has grown up in Haywards, and is the present editor, publisher, and proprietor.

NEW YORK BREWERY .- This enterprise was started in the month of Septem- ber, 1866, by John Booken and Henry Hulm, under the style of Booken & Hulm, an association that continued about two years, when the interest of the last-named gentleman was purchased by Jacob Denimark, who seceded in 1871. The original premises stood on the site of the present brewery, and occupied a space of thirty by sixty feet. It had a brewing capacity of about ten barrels only. On October 17, 1872, it was destroyed by fire, and the handsome edifice now in use, erected immedi- ately thereafter. It is composed of wood and brick, has a frontage of forty feet on A Street and ninety-six feet on Third Street, and consists of brewing-house, malt-kiln, etc., being complete in all its details. In 1875 Chris. Hermann became a partner in the concern, but in 1881 he severed his connection with it, since when it has been con- ducted entirely by Mr. Booken. The yearly manufacture is from fifteen hundred to two thousand barrels, for which ready sale is found in the surrounding counties.

LYONS BREWERY -This establishment was built by Charles Lyons, and in 1874 passed into the hands of the present proprietor, L. Palmtag. This is all the informa- tion that could be obtained from the owner of this establishment, who is evidently one of those individuals that sees in every person armed with a note-book the dreaded tax-collector.

EDEN LANDING-This landing was originally established in the year 1850, by an association of farmers, who called themselves the Mount Eden Company. In

445

EDEN TOWNSHIP.

1855 Captain Richard Barron came to the place and erected warehouses, carrying on a considerable business. In 1860 he put on the steamer Poco Tempo, to ply between this spot and San Francisco. She was succeeded by the Mount Eden, who gave place to the Ellen; after her came the Emma, but finding the carrying capacity of these too limited, he built the present Mount Eden (steam-boat), of seventy-six tons, and a capacity of one hundred and sixty-five tons dead weight, which plies to San Fran- cisco, in connection with the Barron Warehouse only. Near Eden Landing are the Barron Salt Works, where, in the year 1882-83, upwards of a thousand tons of salt were manufactured.

MOUNT EDEN .- This is a small village on the road from San Lorenzo and Alvarado, and receives its name from an elevation in the plain on which it is situated, but there is nothing that could by the highest imagination receive the name of a mount. The first settler in the vicinity was John Johnson, the present proprietor of Mount Eden Grove, whither he came in 1852. About a year later the first houses in the village were built, and a store was opened by Mr. Shiman of San Leandro, a house of entertainment being also started by a man named Peterson.

Near Mount Eden is Eden Landing, and the salt-works of Captain Barron. In 1853 John Johnson commenced the manufacture of salt in a small way on the marsh fronting on his property, and in 1854 shipped his first load-twenty-five tons-to San Francisco, it being carried in the small coasters that then called at the different land- ings around the bay for the general produce of the country. His salt interest has since grown until now he has two schooners, the Augusta Johnson and Energetic, in the trade, while his annual shipments amount to between fifteen hundred and two thousand tons.

MOUNT EDEN GROVE .- This is a well-arranged picnic-ground the property of John Johnson, where he has accommodation for visitors; a well-arranged bar, a good dancing-floor, and all necessary comforts. It is a favorite resort for sportsmen in the hunting season, the marshes being the home of wild-fowl in abundance.

SAN LEANDRO .- This beautiful little town, the former county seat of Alameda County, is distant from Oakland about nine miles from which there is a splendid road, besides direct communication by railway. It is situated in the valley on the bank of the creek from which it receives its name and is possessed of so rare a fertility that every kind of produce matures most rapidly. This being the case it is embowered with trees whose wide-spreading branches make it one of the most sylvan retreats in the county. Neat houses, ample grounds, and well-kept gardens testify to the thrifti- ness of the inhabitants, while its wide and clean streets are a credit to its authorities. Such thoroughfares as Ward Avenue, a mile long, leading to the foot-hills are a credit to any place and is such an ornament as would enhance the beauty of a more ancient city.

At the commencement of this chapter it has been shown that the first settlement in San Leandro was made by Don José Joaquin Estudillo, who although he only obtained his grant in 1842 had resided on the land for several years previous to that date. This family, several of whose descendants still reside in the town and neigh-

446

HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

borhood, dwelt there until the time of the American occupation. Their house in 1850 was about the only one on the present town site, indeed, in 1855 there were but three buildings within what are now the incorporated limits of the town of San Leandro, namely, that of the Estudillo family, the same that was burnt in that year; the present Estudillo Hotel, which was erected in the spring of that year; and a saloon and stage station, kept by Charles Ray, which was built, it is thought, in 1851, on the site of the Central Manufacturing Company's premises.

The next house to go up was in the winter of 1855-56 by Jim Taylor for Mr. Hirschfeldter who started a store therein, but which he sold at the end of two years to E. D. Block. This building still stands at the corner of Watkins and Ward Avenues. In 1856 the building now occupied by J. F. Elliott was erected by Dan McMillan, now of San Francisco, while in the same year a school house was built near the site of the Catholic Church.

With San Leandro as the county seat we have dealt in the chapter on the Legis- lative history, to which we refer the reader. It was established originally where now stands Martin's restaurant, after which it was moved to the site at present occupied by the convent, the block being donated by the Estudillo family for the especial purpose.

In the early days San Leandro was one of the stage stations between Oakland and San José, the line being owned by Charles McLaughlin, and the stage being for some time driven by the famous Charley Parkhurst, who, it may be remembered, was proved to be a woman, the secret being revealed by death.

It may be said that with being deprived of the advantages of being the seat of justice of Alameda County, it remained at the size which it then was, and although it may not have lost its natural attractions in point of extent or population it has not much increased. Let us therefore pass to the year wherein it took upon itself the dignities of the " Town of San Leandro."

1872 .- In the month of February, 1872, a meeting of the citizens of San Leandro was held for the purpose of taking into consideration the matter of incorporation, when, the subject meeting with general approbation, a committee consisting of I. A. Amerman, A. T. Covell, Socrates Huff, Stephen G. Nye, and J. H. Putnam were appointed to draft an act of incorporation. The act was duly approved March 21, 1872, when the limits of the town of San Leandro were defined to be as follows :-

Commencing on the southerly bank of the San Leandro Creek where the easterly line of lands of Michael Donovan intersects the same; thence southerly along the said line to the center of the county road leading to Halversen Landing; thence south twenty-eight degrees east across lands of Wm. Able to the lands of John B. Ward and his children; thence northeasterly and southeasterly, following the boundary lines of said Ward's lands, to the eastern corner thereof; thence southeasterly along the dividing line between the lands of Patrick Murnane and Maria Dolores Cushing to the southerly corner of said Murnane's land; thence northeasterly along the line of said Cushing tract to the westerly line of the Watkins-street County Road; thence along said line of said road to where the dividing line projected between the lands of James Durnan and Silas McClure intersects the same; thence following the dividing line between said McClure and Durnan and between said McClure and R. A. Mc-

447

EDEN TOWNSHIP.

Graw's lands projected to the southwesterly line of lands of John Carroll; thence fol- lowing said line projected to the southeasterly line of what is known as Maud Avenue; thence following the southeasterly line of Maud Avenue to the northeasterly line of Santa Clara Street; thence along said line to the southeasterly line of Juana Avenue; thence along said line of Juana Avenue to Grand Avenue; thence following Grand Avenue to Ward or Estudillo Avenue; thence at right angles to said last-named avenue to the southerly bank of the San Leandro Creek; thence following down said bank of said creek to the place of beginning.

On May 13, 1872, the first meeting of the town officers elect was held, when there were present, Joseph Collingridge, I. A. Amerman, A. T. Covell, Socrates Huff, Board of Trustees; P. R. Borein, Clerk; the other officers of the incorporation being J. H. Putnam, Marshal; George Smith, Justice of the Peace; C. F. Juilliard, Treasurer. They set the municipal ball rolling by fixing the rate of licenses and establishing a uniform official grade for all streets and side-walks. On May 20th A. H. Judson was appointed Town Attorney and William Hazlehurst, a Trustee, while Luis Castro was called to the position of Town Engineer. Mr. Hazlehurst resigning, however, on June 10th W. T. Thrasher was chosen to fill his position, and on July 24th C. E. Palmer was called upon to undertake the duties of Town Treasurer vice Juilliard, resigned.

1873 .- The municipal officers elected on the 5th of May to serve for the year 1873-4 were: Joseph Collingridge, A. T. Covell, M. C. La Grange, Alexander Bald- win, George H. Payne, Board of Trustees; L. C. Morehouse, Assessor; J. M. Estu- dillo, Clerk; J. H. Putnam, Marshal; H. C. Grigsby, Treasurer; George Smith, Justice of the Peace. These gentlemen would appear to have successfully manipu- lated the reins of government during this year, while the only item of moment beyond the regular routine was the granting of a franchise on October 6th to the San Francisco and Oakland Water Company to lay pipes through the town.

1874 .- On the 5th of January Mr. Covell introduced a resolution asking Congress to appropriate funds for the prosecution on the work of making a ships' channel along the bay of San Francisco and the southerly line of the city of Oakland, and connect- ing with the San Leandro Bay in the event of a favorable report being made on the same, which was unanimously adopted. On February 16th Frederick Bryant was appointed Town Marshal in the place of J. H. Putnam, who had resigned; and on May 4th the annual election for Town officers was held with the following result: Joseph De Mont, M. C. La Grange, Jacob Price, A. T. Covell, Board of Trustees; J. M. Estudillo, Clerk; Dennis Gannon, Marshal; Frederick Meyers, Treasurer; L. C. Morehouse, Assessor; Joseph Collingridge, Justice of the Peace.

1875 .- At the election held on the 3d of May for the municipal officers no less than four out of nine candidates for a position on the Board of Trustees received the same number of votes, the result, however, being as follows: A. T. Covell, Alexander Baldwin, J. A. Estudillo, George . Smith, Socrates Huff, Board of Trustees; J. A. Murphy, Clerk; Le Roy Morehouse, Marshal; Frederick Meyers, Treasurer; L. C. Morehouse, Assessor; Joseph Collingridge, Justice of the Peace. On the 4th of

448

HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

October the municipal tax was fixed at five cents on each one hundred dollars' worth of taxable property; while, on the same date, Joseph De Mont was elected to the Board in the place of A. T. Covell, who, upon resigning, received highly commenda- tory resolutions.

1876 .- On April 24th of this year we find that authority was extended to W. W. Reid to purchase two blunderbusses for the use of the Fire Department. On the Ist of May the following gentlemen were elected to the official offices of the town: Joseph De Mont, J. A. Estudillo, M. C. La Grange, S. Huff, W. W. Reid, Board of Trustees; S. S. Saul, Assessor; J. A. Murphy, Clerk; H. G. Grigsby, Treasurer; Joseph Collingridge, Justice of the Peace. On May 8th fire-hydrants were established in the town, and on the 15th J. H. Shirley was appointed Town Marshal. July 10th Union Hose Company was admitted into the Fire Department. In the month of September we find the Board contemplating the erection of a Town Hall and jail; while, on the 2d of October, the yearly tax was fixed at thirty cents on each one hun- dred dollars' worth of taxable property.

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 62

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