USA > California > Amador County > History of Amador County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 70
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JOIIN W. HUTCHINS
Is a native of the State of Maine, and was born in Hermon, Penobscot county, June 24, 1828. His father was one of the principal farmers and lumber-dealers of that section of the country, and our subject was trained to those callings during his early life. IIe received a common school edu- cation, and in 1853 cut loose from the ties that bound him to his native town, and sought his fortune in the far West. During the last-named year he arrived in California, and for ten years was engaged in mining in Amador county. In 1863 he entered the United States Army as a member of the seventh regiment, California Volunteers, and served as a soldier for about eighteen months. His service was principally in Arizona, a country well calculated to destroy the ambition of the most valiant and patriotie of our boys in blue. After his discharge from the service he returned to Clinton, where he has sinee resided. Mr. Hutchins has held the office of Justice of the Peace, being elected in 1856 and '57, a position he creditably filled. The history of his suc- cesses and reverses in fortune would fill an ordinary volume. He is unmarried.
W. C. JONES
Was born in Lewis county, Missouri, April 1, 1834, where he spent his boyhood until he was eighteen years of age. Being of an energetie temperament, he broke away from the comforts of home and made his way to the land of gold, by way of the plains, arriving in Diamond Springs, El Dorado county, Sep- tember 30, 1852, where he remained engaged in min- ing until 1857, when he removed to Amador county. He was married October 11, 1857, to Mrs. Elizabeth
LITH. BRITTON & REY, S. F.
ISAAC LEPLEY.
TOMPSON & NEST, OAKLAND.
309
BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES.
Kelley, by whom he has had six children, four of whom are now living. He takes naturally to keep- ing hotel, having been mostly engaged in that busi- ness since his residenee in the county. All the trav- elers on the road in 1859-60 will remember the eom- forts of the Revere House under his management. He recently purchased a traet of one hundred and sixty aeres among the romantie hills, two and one- half miles east of lone, which he is fitting up as a pleasant stopping place, and as a resort for persons seeking rest and amusement. The character of his improvements will be best learned from the fine engraving of them which aecompanies this volume.
THOMAS KERR
Was born in 1843 in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until he was fourteen years of age, during which time he took advantage of such opportunities of informing his mind as the place afforded. He came to California in 1860, loeating at onee in the town of Amador which he has sinee made his home. For a few years he engaged in freighting, the immense quantities of timber and other supplies needed in the heavy mining around the town, mak- ing that a very extensive business. After four years of this kind of work he engaged in the livery busi- ness, which he has sinee followed. In 1871 he was married to Miss Augusta Fassett, a native of Illinois, who died February 25, 1880. Hlave three children, two boys and one girl. Mr. Kerr is a Californian in spirit and faet, his aetive years so far, having been given to the Golden State.
STEPHEN P. KIDD
Was born in Colne, Lancashire, England, in 1825, liv- ing there until he was twenty-three years of age, fol- lowing the business of landseape gardener, seedsman and florist, eallings for which he had been regularly educated. In 1848 he came to the United States, and four years afterwards to California in company with the Surface family, who settled on Dry creek. In the Summer after his arrival he engaged in mining at the old Winters Bar, opposite Laneha Plana, follow- ing his trade the following Sumnier on the rieb lands of Dry creek. Being naturally of a scientifie turn of mind he soon mastered all that was known of mines and mining, and his adviee beeame valuable in eon- neetion with the mines afterwards discovered in Nevada, some of the most extensive and profitable ventures in that State being inaugurated by him. The fine, artistie plans on the Edwards place, now owned by Younglove, was the result of his skill as a landseape gardener. After spending some years in the Nevada mines he finally settled down on a beau- tiful place in Jackson valley to make a home for his young and interesting family, he having married Miss Mary M. Goodding December 13, 1870; but God
disposes. In the midst of his projeets he was taken siek, and on Sunday eve he breathed his last.
As a man Mr. Kidd was quiet and unassuming, always cheerful, with a kindly word for all. In his business relations he was exaet and reliable, manag- ing with justiee and discretion. Nature forms but few such men.
MERWIN LEACH
Was born in Franklin county, Vermont, in 1837, and came across the plains in 1860, bringing up in Amador City, where he lived for ten years. In 1870 he went to Plymouth, residing there for one year; thenee to Church Union mines in El Dorado county for two years; thenee to Kelsey, where he remained until April 18, 1881, when he returned to Plymouth, and purchased a half-interest in the store of Thompson Davis, with whom he has since remained. He is not married at the time of this writing.
ISAAC LEPLEY.
It is to be regretted that we have no personal his- tory of this distinguished inventor. We can only form an opinion of his early days by the fruits of his matured mind and judgment. Those who are famil- iar with mining will appreciate the value of the machine at sight. For the information of many of our readers who have never seen a mine, we may explain that thousands of framed timbers are put into the mines; some to secure the walls from coming together when the vein matter is extracted; some to secure the passages from one part of the mine to the other, in short, timber is wanted everywhere, with mortises and corresponding tenons or slots, as the ease may be. In a building every stiek is planned beforehand; a hundred men may work at the differ- ent parts, but in a mine no one knows what is wanted until the emergency eomes. The bell rings; an order eomes for a timber of certain dimensions with tenons and slots; the safety of the mine, perhaps of human lives, depends upon having it immediately. Some- times dozens of earpenters are kept in waiting for sueh emergencies; when the order comes they jump on a log and work as if at a fire; but haste and want of space makes confusion, and liability of mistakes and accidents. The automatie timber-framing machine is equal to a dozen carpenters. The pow- erful eutting head, which, by means of hand serews, is easily handled, bends down to the log and rapidly ehips a tenon or a slot, cutting a bevel or a circle at the will of the operator; makes a mortise, enlarges it to the required dimensions, and in a moment the piece goes whizzing down the shaft a thousand feet, ready to go in where the cracking timbers and erumbling roeks indieate a coming disaster, and the danger is averted. The following deseription, with accompanying engraving, from the Scientific and Mining Press, will be read with pleasure :-
1
310
HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
A
Isaac Lepley, of Amador City, Amador county, has recently invented a novel piece of mcehanism, which is intended for the framing of timbers of all kinds, which are to be joined together. One of the machines is now in operation at the Keystone Con- solidated minc, Amador.
The invention consists in the employment of a cut- ter head or heads, which are caused to rotate upon a suitable frame, and this frame is moved both verti- cally and horizontally by means of slides and guides, so that the cutters may be carried across the timbers upon either one or all four sides to form a tenon, dove- tail, or other cut; and if desired, a round tenon may be formed by the use of a link which has one end fixed to the frame, so that the slides will move in a manner to carry the tool around in a circle.
In the engraving, A represents the cutter head, which is caused to rotate upon its shaft by a belt to the pulley, B, so that the cutter acts as a planer. It may be of sufficient height for the tenon to be cut, or by moving the timber or carriage the length de- sired may be cut at two or more operations. Its shaft is journaled at the top of a frame, C. This frame is moved up and down in guides upon the frame, E, by means of friction rollers, F, which press against a vertical central bar, K, which extends par- allel with the frame, C. . These rollers, F, are driven by pinions upon their shafts, and a hand wheel or other device upon a main shaft at the end of the machine, as shown.
The frame, E, is also adapted to move horizontally upon the main frame, G, by means of similar gearing to that which moves the frame, C, and by these two motions, it will be seen that the cutters may be moved in any direction. The log is laid upon a car- riage with its end near the frame, and its height is so adjusted, that when the frame, E', is moved across horizontally, the revolving cutters will be carried across, so as to make a cut to the depth desired.
The frame, C, is then moved downward, and the cutters will cut the vertical face upon one side. The frame, C. then remains stationary, while the frame, E, is moved horizontally backward upon the guides on the main frame, and the cutters will complete the lower part of the tenon. The frame, E, is then held stationary and the frame, C, is again moved upward, so that the eutters will be carried upward across the remaining side, and the tenon will be finished.
The cutters are blades secured to a head similar to those used upon planer-heads, but in order to make the vertical cut at the inner end of the tenon so that it will present a clean, square surface, sliding plates are fitted to move in grooves on the end of the planer- head. Their outer ends are toothed, or formed so as to make the proper cut, and they are held in place by set-serews.
In order to allow the cutter shaft and its driving pulley to move in the directions and to the distances as described, the belt which drives it is carried over tightening pulleys, suitably arranged in sliding frames with weights.
The tenons here described are those which are usually made upon the ends of timbers in timbering up mines. The timbers are united, and these tenons allow the timbers to be properly set together. It will be obvious, however, that this apparatus may be employed to make any kind of a cut on a timber, or to square up the ends of timber, as the cutter may be moved in any direction required. Upon the end of the cutter shaft, opposite the planer-head, is a peculiarly shaped boring and cutting tool, J, which is intended to form mortises either in the sides or ends of timbers. The end of this tool is nearly flat, but is provided with a cutting bit, which enables it to enter the timber as far as may be desired.
The sides of the tool (which is cylindrical in shape) are cut away so as to form an enclosed cutting edge, and after it has entered the timber far enough to give
311
BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES.
the required depth, the frame, E, may be moved npon the frame, G, where the side cutter will cut away the wood until the mortise is as long as desired. The same style of cutter may be employed to form what is termed the boxing, or the depression which is cut across the timber equal to the length of the mortise, to receive the foot of the timber which is tenoned to fit the mortise.
The tenon to fit the mortise is formed by the cut- ter, A, in the same manner as has been described, except that the ends must be rounded to fit the ends of the mortise, which may be left curved by the tool, J. In order to make these rounded ends to the tenon, it is necessary to produce a compound motion of the two frames, C and E, one of which, as before described, moves vertically, while the other moves horizontally. 4
This compound motion is produced by the aid of the arm, K, which has one end pivoted to the side of the vertically moving frame, C. The opposite end is adapted to slip into a slot in a block, L, which is piv- oted to a slide, M, this slide moving in a slot in the bar, N, which extends from end to end of the frame, G, and inside the frames, E and C. Two stops, O, are fitted to be moved to or from each other by the long right and left screw, P', these stops having projections which enter the slot in the bar, N, and they serve to limit the motion of the slide, M, and block, L. When a tenon is to be made with rounded ends, the bar or arm, K, is slipped through the slot in the block, L, and is secured by a set screw. This arm is secured at a distance from the point about which the arm turns, equal to half the thickness of the proposed tenon, added to the whole diameter of the cutter- head, as the latter must pass all around the tenon.
The stops, O, are adjusted by turning the serew, P, until they are at a distance apart equal to the width of the tenon to be made, plus the diameter of the cutter-head.
The operation will thus be as follows: The frame, C. being set at a point which will allow the cutter to form the top of the tenon, the frame, E, is moved horizontally upon the main frame, G, until the slide, M, has moved the distance between the stops, O. This earries the cutter across the top of the tenon to the point where the curve of one side or edge com- mences. From this point the frame, C, is moved downward, and the frame, E, horizontally, the arm, K, acting as the radius or link to hold the frames in their relative positions and cutter to its work, until it has passed around the side, and formed the curve at that part of the tenon. The arm, K, having then passed around its pivot to form a half circle, the frame, C, is allowed to remain stationary, and the frame, E, is moved along to allow the cutter to form the bottom of the tenon, the slide, M, moving the distance between the stops, O. From this point the curve at the opposite side of the tenon is formed in the same manner as before described.
If it is desired to form a complete cylindrical tenon,
the stops, O, are curved up close to the slide, M, the block, L, having been secured to the arm, K; at a dis- tance from the centre pivot equal to half the diame- ter of the proposed tenon, plus the diameter of the cutter, and the frames, C and E, are then moved simultaneously, so as to produce a compound move- ment, the resultant of which will be to form a cylin- drical tenon.
This machine is applicable to work upon any form of timber, and make any kind of a cut. The tool, J, may be made with cutters which can be detached to be sharpened or renewed. Mr. Lepley, who may be addressed for further information, at Amador City, has applied for a patent for his invention through the Mining and Scientific Press Patent Agency.
JAMES LESSLEY
Is one of our valuable men who go straight to work; satisfied with moderate prospects they turn neither to the right nor left, but keep on with slow and steady accumulations until they outstrip many who start in life with mueh more brilliant prospects. He was born in Putnam county, Missouri, February 16, 1840, and came to California with his parents in 1854, making his home since that time in Amador county. His education has been rather practical than other- wise, being acquired mostly in business operations. He was employed with a team soon after coming herc, and in due time acquired a team of his own and engaged in the lumber trade until he became one of the principal dealers and manufacturers in the county. Ile was married, August 22, 1869, to Miss Mary McGhee. They have seven children, two boys and five girls.
M. J. LITTLE
Was born in Bristol, Lincoln county, Maine, January 14, 1821, where he resided until he was fifteen years of age, getting such education as the town afforded. Like most young men in a maritime town he had to try his fortunes on the sea, going abroad on his first voyage at the age of sixteen. Being faithful and efficient, he was promoted from one position to another. In 1844, we find him second mate; in 1846, first mate, and two years later in charge of the vessel John F. Strout. As might have been expected of one so ambitious and energetic, the gold exeitement swept him off his feet, and a few months later found him on his way around the Horn on the brig Hungarian, arriving in San Francisco April 27, 1850. He remained in that Babel of nationalities but one month; then purchasing a small row-boat, made his way up the Sacramento and Feather rivers to Marysville, and from thence to the Butte creek mines. From here he soon returned to San Fran- cisco, and made another start to the mines, this time to Stephens Bar, on the Tuolumne river, in Tuolumne county, where he engaged in mining, also in trading
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HISTORY OF AMADOR COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
in general merchandise until 1853, when he sold out and traveled around the mines, visiting Mariposa and other places, finally settling down in Jackson in 1854, which place he has since made his home. He followed mining until 1863, when the unsurpassed fruit and other California productions led him to adopt agriculture as a calling, which he has followed since. Hlo located at that time the farm of one hun- dred and twenty-eight acres of land adjoining the town of Jackson. It is pleasantly situated, has a fine orchard and vineyard, with good buildings, and has in itself enough charms to satisfy a reasonable mind, and induce one to forego voyages and explora- tions and live contentedly under his own vine and fig tree. He was married, March 18, 1861, to Miss Mary D. Pope, of Sherburne, Chenango county, New York. Mr. Little has the same straightforward, honest ways which induced the owners of vessels to entrust thousands of dollars worth of property to his care when he was young, and enjoy's the fullest confidence of the community.
ROBERT LUDGATE
Was born in the city of Waterford, Waterford county, Ireland, September 22, 1833. Ile came to New Or- leans while still a boy and from thenee to California in 1850, settling a year later in Ione valley, which place be made his permanent residence. He was engaged most of the time in stock-raising and farm- ing until 1863, when he became associated with J. W. Surface in the livery business, in which he con- tinued until his death. In 1877 he was elceted to represent the people of Amador county in the Legis- lature of California. He had been in feeble health for some years, and was illy qualified to perform the arduous duties of a Legislator, but with the consci- entiousness and fidelity characteristic of his whole life, he gave his unremitting attention to the business until nature, overtasked, gave way, and he breathed his last February 15, 1878, at ten o'clock, having been present in his seat the same day. The next morning, after the calling of the Assembly to order, the follow- ing resolution was offered by Mr. Dunlap, his associ- ate member from the county, and unanimously adopted by a rising vote :-
Resolved, By the Assembly, the Senate concurring, that a committee of five members of the Assembly be appointed by the Speaker, and five Senators be appointed by the President of the Senate to attend the obsequies of the IIonorable Robert Ludgate, on Sunday. the 17th, at 3 o'clock, P. M., at the town of Ione City, in Amador county, and further that the Assembly attend the funeral in a body.
Upon this resolution being received in the Senate Chamber it was also adopted, the President appoint- ing Brown of Amador, Craig of San Francisco, Rogers of San Francisco, Brown of El Dorado, and Nunan of San Francisco a committee to escort the remains to the late member's home. The committee
from the Assembly was Dunlap of Amador, Wheat of Calaveras, Meyers of San Joaquin, Miller of E! Dorado and Ames of San Mateo. A resolution was also passed to wear the usnal badge of mourning for thirty days, and as a mark of respect both houses adjourned until the following Monday. In Sacramento, the Odd Fellows, of which body he was a distinguished member, assembled at their lodges and eneamp- ments and made arrangements to escort the remains of their late brother to the train which was to take them to the Amador branch of the road. On Sun- day an immense cortege, consisting of the various branches of the Odd Fellows in regalia, members of the Legislature, delegation of citizens from Ione, and private citizens, accompanied the remains from the hotel to the depot. At Galt the escort was met by the members of the Ione Lodge No. 51 and the remains transferred to the cars running to Ione, where the cortege was received by the citizens of the county generally and accompanied to the home of the late member. The funeral services were observed the following day according to the established form of the society of Odd Fellows, the Rev. J. T. White act- ing as clergyman, assisted by the Rev. E. Jacka and J. W. Huston, N. G.
As a man Mr. Ludgate was upright in his charac- ter, warm in his feelings, strong in his convictions and outspoken in his opinions ; a devoted husband and father, and a firm, unwavering friend. In busi- ness transactions his word was a bond, as sacred as though God were called to witness. He leaves a widow and three children, one boy and two girls, to sorrow for his untimely end, and inherit the honor of his untarnished name. Her maiden name Was Mary O'Brien, and they were married November 8, 1869.
O. E. MARTIN
Was born in the town of Guilford, Maine, May 28, 1848. Mr. Martin had the misfortune to lose his parents at an early age, and has no recollection of the tender love and care of a mother. His grand- parents made the loss less to him by watching over his young life, he living with them until he was eighteen years of age, at the town of Montville. From there he went to Boston, where he spent two years in the drug business. During the next four years he lived in Kansas, Missouri, and Maine, or at least such portions of the time as he was not travel- ing, for the desire to see the world was as strong in him as in most young men, and must be gratified ere the future business man can settle down to the work of life. In January, 1873, he left his native State for California, arriving in Sacramento in June, and immediately located in the county of Ama- dor, at Sutter Creek, where he was engaged in the milk business for two or three years. In 1877 he was confidential clerk in the lumber establishment of
LITH. BRITTON & REY. S. F.
THOMAS KERR.
TOMPSON &WEST, OAKLAND.
-
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES.
Tarr & Co., which resulted in the purchase of the business with J. O. Bartlett of Sutter Creek.
At the present time the firm name is O. E. Martin & Co., being the only extensive dealers in lumber'in the town of Amador. The lumber is brought from Tarr's mill, which is in the mountains twenty-one miles distant.
Mr. Martin was married November 16, 1880, to Mrs. Sarah E. Price, a native of Illinois.
L. McLAINE
Was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward's Island, March 22, 1830, where he remained until he reached manhood's estate. He received a liberal education, and in May, 1850, bade farewell to his early associa- tions to seek his fortune, in the much-talked-of Cal- ifornia. In October of the same year he located in Volcano, Amador county, and for ten years followed the usual occupation of those days. He also served six years as Supervisor for District No. 2. In 1869 he commenced business as a banker and broker, which he has followed to the present time, his pur- chases of gold-dust and bullion often amounting to twenty thousand dollars per month. He has an assaying department connected with his establish- ment. He is at present also superintendent of the Consolidated Amador Hydraulic Gold Mining and Land Company.
He was married in 1872, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Dr. Wm. Ives, of Volcano. Mrs. Mc- Laine is a native of Moorefield, Hardy county, West Virginia, and was born in 1849. Their union has been blessed with five children. .
JAMES MEEHAN
Is a native of county Monohan, Ireland, where he was born November 1, 1833. Coming to America at the age of thirteen and engaging in business, his education was somewhat limited, but by study and application during leisure hours he succeeded in fully remedying the want, and is remarkably well in- formed on all general topies. He came to New Orleans on the sailing vessel George Washington, arriving in July, 1847, in company with a brother, where he remained until 1849. On the breaking out of the gold excitement he embarked on the old sail- ing vessel Ontario, which carried him safely to Califor- nia, though the vessel was nine months on the way, reaching San Francisco in 1850. After taking a look at the chaos of people of all nations and colors, he left for the mines, making his first efforts at mining in Chinese Camp, in Tuolumne county. The follow- ing two or three years he alternated from Downie- ville to the American river, and thencc to Tuolumne again, finally reaching Volcano, where his wandering propensities were cured by meeting Miss Mary A. Rawle, who, in 1856, became his wife, since which time he has had a residence in Amador county. 40
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