USA > California > Glenn County > History of Colusa and Glenn counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 32
USA > California > Colusa County > History of Colusa and Glenn counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 32
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of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Garnett had three children. Inez, a graduate of California College, at Oakland, is the wife of C. E. Freed; they are extensive farmers, and are also in charge of the home ranch at Willows. Reba, who died in Oakland at the home of Mrs. Garnett, December 19, 1916, was the wife of Robert Black. She left one son, Garnett Black, who makes his home with Mrs. Garnett in Oakland. Hugh M. Garnett, the only son, is a prominent stockman at Willows, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.
Every movement for reform found in Peter R. Garnett a stanch assistant and supporter, and especially the temperance cause, in which he took an active interest, working conscientiously to bring about the "Dry Campaign" in the county. He was a fluent writer, and contributed liberally to the press, particularly the Willows Journal and the Colnsa Sun. An advanced thinker and student of history, he was well posted in the annals of our country. Prior to his death he was compiling a book on the "Causes of the Civil War." This work, however, was never finished.
MRS. RUTH A. MCCUNE GARNETT
To the pioneer women of California, no less than to the pio- neer men, are due the honor and respect of the generations that have followed; for without their loving sympathy and support, without their faithful devotion and toil, there had been no civili- zation carved in the wilderness and no homes built in lonely places where wild beasts prowled by day and night. They have borne their full share in the making of a great commonwealth; and their names are held in loving remembrance in the hearts of the chil- dren of the Golden West, and will continue so to be through all generations to come.
A prominent place among the women who have left their im- press on the development of Glenn County must be accorded to Mrs. Ruth A. McCune Garnett, wife of the late Peter R. Garnett, one of the foremost men of the Sacramento Valley, and one whose services to the county were of exceptional importance. In all the activities of his active career, Mr. Garnett was ably assisted by his able wife. Although her name did not appear on the public roster, she aided her husband, as only a faithful wife can, in the per- formance of his public duties.
Before her marriage, Mrs. Garnett was Miss Ruth A. Mc- Cune, a daughter of Hon. Henry E. MeCune. Mr. MeCune was born in Pike County, Mo., June 10, 1825, and received a good edu-
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cation in his native state. He was a veteran of the Mexican War, having served eighteen months with the mounted volunteers; and at the close of his service he was honorably discharged. Gifted by nature with a spirit of adventure, he had a desire to see the Pacific Coast ; so in 1854, with R. K. Biggs, he drove one hundred head of cattle across the plains to Solano County, Cal. On his ar- rival, he seemed to visualize the great future of the Sacramento Valley. He preempted one hundred sixty acres of land, and thus began his career as a pioneer of the Far West-a step which re- sulted in his becoming one of the largest farmers and stockmen of his day in Solano County. As he prospered, he invested further in lands, until he owned extensive areas in the Sacramento Valley. He was very successful in raising grain and stock, from which pursuit the greater part of his large fortune was made.
Henry E. MeCune became prominent in politics. His political career began in 1873, when he became a candidate for senator from Solano and Yolo Counties. Although a Democrat, he was elected on the People's ticket. He served two terms, taking an active part in the various deliberations of the legislative body of his state. He was greatly interested in the cause of education. For twenty years he was president of the board of education, and for thirty years he served as a trustee of California College; and for a time he was president of Dixon College. An active member of the Baptist Church, he was instrumental in the building of the church of that denomination at Silveyville. Fraternally, he was a Mason.
Senator McCune was married to Miss Barbara S. Rice, a native of Kentucky, who proved an amiable and lovable helpmate. Of this union eight children were born, of whom six grew to ma- turity, as follows: Mollie, Mrs. James Hill, who died in Dixon; Ruth A., of whom we write; Rebecca, Mrs. Henry Silver, who re- sides in Oakland; Joseph H., deceased; Jessie St. Clair, Mrs. Rice of Oakland; and Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of the late Dr. Gardner, chief surgeon of the Southern Pacific Railroad in San Francisco.
Ruth A. MeCune Garnett is a native danghter, born at Dixon, where she received her early education amid the refining influ- ences of a cultured home. Her parents were people of education and refinement ; and the environment surrounding her early years is today reflected in her charming personality. Her education was completed at Mrs. Perry's Seminary, in Sacramento, where she was a classmate of Dr. Theodora T. Purkitt of Willows, as well as of others who have become prominent socially and as women of affairs, among them Mrs. Gus Hart of San Francisco and Mrs. Ella Flournoy Hershey of Woodland. After her education was
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completed, Miss McCune was married to Peter R. Garnett, the ยท ceremony taking place at her father's home on October 21, 1873. Mr. Garnett was a prominent farmer and stockman, and one of the builders of Colusa and Glenn Counties. His biography is pre- sented on another page of this volume. Mrs. Garnett presided over her household with grace and tact, and was ever watchful of her husband's interests, meanwhile showering upon him her words of encouragement and affection, and bringing to bear, in many un- obtrusive ways, an inspiring home influence that had much to do with his success and popularity. Since Mr. Garnett's death, Mrs. Garnett has been looking after the large interests left her by her husband, as well as her heritage from her father, Senator MeCune. In this task she is assisted by her loving and devoted daughter, Mrs. Inez Garnett Freed, a splendid woman, of charming person- ality, and by her son, Hugh M. Garnett, a prominent business man and stockman. Through their assistance the mother is relieved from all unnecessary care and worry. The home place is a very valuable ranch, located two miles southeast of Willows. This property is devoted to the raising of grain and stock. Mrs. Gar- nett built a beautiful and comfortable residence at 5545 McMillan Street, in one of the most attractive residential sections of Oak- land; and here she resides with her grandson, Garnett Black.
Having traveled considerably in different states besides those of the Pacific Coast section, Mrs. Garnett had always cherished a desire to visit Europe. In the spring of 1914 she realized her ambition, when, accompanied by her daughter, Mrs. Inez Garnett Freed, and her grandson, Garnett Black, she made a tour of Ger- many, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, and the British Isles, visiting the places of interest in the various countries. They re- turned to Boston on the Laconia, after which they visited the more important cities of the East, among them New York, Washington (and Mt. Vernon), Philadelphia, and Buffalo (with a trip to Niagara Falls). They made a tour of the Southern states also, via New Orleans and through Texas, to their home in the land of sunshine and flowers.
Mrs. Garnett is a woman of culture and refinement, gifted with an amiable disposition and a winsome personality, and en- dowed with much native business ability. Her late husband gave her no small degree of credit for laying the foundation of their fortune. She is a very charitable woman, always ready to aid those who have been less fortunate than herself; but all her deeds of kindness, and all her acts of benevolence, are accomplished in a quiet and unostentatious manner.
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JAMES PATRICK O'BRIEN
Near Fruto, in Glenn County, as that section was named after its separation from Colusa County, is the large ranch that was the home of one of the pioneers of the county, known by all his intimate friends as Patrick O'Brien. He was born in Ireland, and when a small child was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled near St. Louis, Mo. He attended the district schools of St. Louis County, and grew to young manhood on the farm operated by his father. When the news of the discovery of gold in California was sent broadcast throughout the world, this sturdy young man and a friend, J. W. Robertson, decided to try their fortunes in the mines. In 1850 they joined an emigrant train, which reached this state five months later. The slow-going ox teams ended their long journey in Nevada City, where Patrick O'Brien and his friend began their mining experiences. They were successful there, and later went to Downieville, with their good fortune still following them. In 1852 they returned to Mis- souri by way of Panama, and bought six thousand dollars' worth of cattle, which they drove back over the plains. On arriving in California with their two hundred eighty head of stock, they settled on Bird Creek, in Yolo County.
In Yolo County, James Patrick O'Brien was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah Jane Musick, a native of Franklin County, Mo. She was a daughter of William L. and Elizabeth (Pritchett) Musick, native Missourians, who came to California across the plains in 1853, settling near Woodland. In 1865 they removed to what is now Glenn County and established their home near that of their daughter, Mrs. O'Brien; but twenty years later they moved to Shasta County, where, at Millerville, Mr. Musick's death occurred in 1888. His good wife also died there. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien had nine children, one of whom died very young. The others were: Mary, Mrs. Frederick Miller, and Frances, Mrs. G. C. Prentice, both now deceased; Margaret, the wife of Dr. Burnell, of San Francisco; Snsan, Mrs. MeLaughlin, deceased; Thomas Edward, who married Mabel Williams in 1894, and died in 1900; Philip; Gertrude, Mrs. M. H. Diggs, of Orland; and James P., of San Francisco.
In 1857 Mr. O'Brien took up a government claim of one hundred sixty acres, located fourteen miles west of what is now the town site of Willows. Here he improved a home place; and as snecess rewarded his efforts, he kept adding to his property until he owned some ten thousand acres of fine grazing and farm-
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ing land. He made all the improvements on the place. He erected a good house, built barns, and fenced his land; and in time he had one of the best places in that part of the county. There he made his home during the remainder of his life. He died on May 2, 1893, at the age of sixty-eight years. His passing was a loss to the community, where he had endeared himself to all his neighbors and friends. He was well known throughout Glenn County, and held the respect of his fellow citizens wherever he was known. In national politics, he aligned himself with the Democratic party. He was buried according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church, of which he was a devout member.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. O'Brien was assisted in the management of the ranch by her son, Thomas Edward O'Brien. He was a likely young man, born in Colusa County and educated at the Brothers' School in San Mateo. His school days over, he returned to the farm and worked with his father until he passed away. He then assumed charge of the ranch, and operated it until he, too, was called to join the great majority, leaving a widow and one daughter, Phelieta Scyoc, to mourn his death. After he died, Mrs. O'Brien made her home on the ranch until 1913, when she moved to Willows, where she is now living. The place is still devoted to the stock business and to the raising of wheat and barley. Mrs. O'Brien is a member and Past Grand of the Rebekahs.
DANIEL F. MONROE
A well-known citizen of Glenn County, who has made his influence felt in the upbuilding of his locality, is Daniel F. Mon- roe. He was born on Spencer Creek, Lane County, Ore., near the town of Eugene, on May 27, 1854. His father was James Monroe, born in Fort Hempstead, now in Howard County, Mo., October 8, 1814, who came by way of Panama, in 1849, to mine for gold in California. James Monroe prospected about Hangtown, now Placerville, for a time, but did not meet with the success he had anticipated. While in Hangtown he was a member of the E .. Clampus Vitus organization, which cleaned up that mining camp of undesirables. After his mining experience, he returned over the same route he had come to this state, with the intention of bringing his family West to make their home. The next year, 1852, he crossed the plains with his family in an ox-team train numbering some one hundred wagons, of which he was selected as captain, to guide them in safety on their long journey. After passing the danger line for Indians, the train divided, some coming
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on to California and the others going to Oregon. Mr. Monroe was among the latter. On arriving in that state, he settled in Lane County; and while living there he became well acquainted with John Whittaker, who was elected the first governor of Oregon. Mr. Monroe became influential in politics, as a promi- nent Democrat. He served one term as county commissioner of Lane County and one term as assemblyman, and was twice elected to serve in the state senate.
On May 13, 1865, the Monroe family left Oregon for Cali- fornia, the father bringing a band of one hundred fifty horses, which he drove down to Yolo County. These he sold, and pur- chased land, on which he lived one year. The following year he returned to Oregon, bought a band of cattle, and drove them into California, grazing them on the open range in what was then a part of Colusa County, but is now in Glenn County, on Stony Creek; and for four years he was engaged in raising cattle with success. In 1872 he bought government land in Clark's Valley, and engaged in the sheep business until 1875, when he sold his band and went to Lompoc, in Santa Barbara County, where he made his home until 1884. He then moved back to Colusa County, but soon thereafter met with an accidental death. A team ran over him, causing an injury, from the effects of which he died, October 17, 1884- another pioneer builder gone over the "Great Divide." James Monroe was married to Cynthia Brashear, who was born in Kentucky, near Roachport, March 21, 1816, of French descent, and who bore all the trials of a pioneer's wife as bravely as any who ever crossed the plains. Her death occurred at Newville, Glenn County, March 10, 1892. She gave birth to nine children, eight of them boys. James, George, Charles, and Lemnel died of diphtheria in Oregon; while Isaac, Martha, William, John, and Daniel F. lived in California. All are now numbered with the "silent majority" with the exception of Daniel F. Monroe.
Daniel F. Monroe was taught by his mother until he was eleven years old; and he first attended school in Yolo County. He was reared on a farm, and worked as a farm hand when a young man. On October 23, 1876, he was united in marriage with Mary Vanlandingham, whose father crossed the plains to Cali- fornia in 1860 from Missouri, and ranched for many years near Elk Creek, Glenn County. In June, 1877, the young couple moved to Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, where for seven years Mr. Monroe worked at the carpenter's trade and farmed. While there, he took an active interest in the public school question, and helped to build the schoolhouse in the Stuart district, serving as a trustee for four years. Coming back to what is now Glenn County, he bought land two miles west of Newville; and there the
I.M. Snowden
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family made their home until Mrs. Monroe's death, on June 2, 1901. Here he also took an active part in building up the West Side School, in the Newville district, hauling lumber and working on the building, and served as a trustee for a number of years. While living at Newville he was constable for several terms, and served as road overseer, helping to build the roads in the district.
Of the marriage of Daniel F. and Mary Monroe, five children were born: John W., county treasurer of Glenn County; James S., of Orland; Charles E., of Oakland; Melissa Olive, who married Enoch Knight, and died on June 9, 1906, aged twenty-two years; and Mrs. G. E. Schwan, of Aptos, Santa Cruz County.
After the death of his wife, Mr. Monroe went to Elk Creek and for three years did teaming and farmed. In 1904 he moved to Orland, and continued to do teaming until 1908, when he came to Willows and joined his son, John W., in contracting and build- ing, erecting many houses in Willows and vicinity; and he has lived in that city ever since. Mr. Monroe is of sturdy Scotch stock. His grandfather, William Munro, as he spelled it, was a Virginian who went into Missouri, and was associated with Daniel Boone in the early days. Mr. Monroe is a member of the Willows Lodge, No. 5, E. Clampus Vitus.
JAMES WILLIAM SNOWDEN
As a prominent factor in the upbuilding of Glenn County, James W. Snowden occupied an important place among its repre- sentative citizens. Descended from an old Eastern family, he was born March 1, 1854, in Scott County, Ill., a son of John P. and Sarah A. (Mills) Snowden, the former a Virginian and the latter born in Scott County, Ill. John P. Snowden moved to Scott County at an early period and became a very successful farmer. In 1867 he migrated to Missouri and continued to farm for a time, eventually going back to Illinois, where, in Macoupin County, he lived until his death in 1902, aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Sarah Snowden lived at the old home until her death in 1915. Eleven children, seven girls and four boys, were born to this worthy couple.
James William Snowden was a student in the public schools in Illinois. He was the eldest in the family, and assisted his father on the home farm, which experience he found valuable in after years. When he was thirteen, the family moved to Mis- souri. When he was twenty-one, he struck out for himself, and farmed near Sedalia, in Pettis County. He came to California in 19
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1877; and after a year spent on Campbell and Spurgeon's ranch, . near St. John, he entered the employ of Dr. Hugh Glenn. Soon his ability was recognized, and Dr. Glenn made him foreman of the home ranch, where he remained in that capacity for twenty- three years.
In partnership with his brother, George W. Snowden, he leased eight thousand acres of the Glenn, ranch, which included the home ranch, and farmed that property until it was divided into smaller tracts. During this time the brothers leased the Boggs ranch of five thousand acres, near Princeton, and raised grain. They operated on a large scale, using eighteen eight-mule teams to put in their crops, and harvesting with three combined harvesters. At times they had as high as thirteen thousand acres under lease, one half being sown to grain each year. They were among the largest grain farmers in the valley. At the time of his brother's death, in 1907, the property was divided and the part- nership was dissolved. In 1900 he bought six hundred forty acres eight miles southwest of Willows, and began making improve- ments on it. He also leased the Garnett ranch for some years, and also a part of the Logan property, the latter in partnership with his two nephews, and raised large quantities of grain and some good stock. Mr. Snowden believed in farming with the latest and most modern machinery; and in 1911 he purchased a sixty-horse- power caterpillar tractor, which did good service in facilitating his extensive operations. He became interested in horticulture under the firm name of Snowden, Graves & Wickes, which firm owned an apple orchard of ninety acres in Watsonville, fifty acres already in bearing condition, of the Newtown Pippin and Bellefleur varieties. He was active up to the time of his death, which occurred on March 18, 1916. He was buried with Masonic honors.
Mr. Snowden was a prominent Mason, a member of Laurel Lodge No. 245, F. & A. M., at Willows. He belonged to the Chico Chapter and Commandery, and to Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., in San Francisco, and also to Marshall Chapter No. 86, O. E. S. He was also a member of Chico Lodge No. 423, B. P. O. Elks. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and was a member of the County Central Committee for several years. At the time of the county-division fight he was strongly in favor of the creation of the new county.
Mr. Snowden was twice married. His first wife, whom he married in Bates County, Mo., was Lovenia Jane Woolf; and they had a son, Herbert Asa. Mrs. Snowden and her son died in April, 1891. His second marriage united him with a native daughter of California, Mrs. Adelia Charlotte (Gray) Brown, born near Lin- coln, Placer County. They were married in San Francisco on Sep-
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tember 5, 1904. Mrs. Snowden is a daughter of Benjamin F. and Martha E. (Heryford) Gray, both born in Missouri, who crossed the plains in pioneer days with ox teams and wagons, with their respective parents. They met and were married in California, and were farmers in Colusa County, but spent their last years in Chico. They had eight children, seven of whom are living. Mrs. Snowden was graduated from the Chico State Normal in 1895, and followed educational work until her marriage with Mr. Snowden. Since the death of Mr. Snowden, his widow has carried on the ranching interests and looked after the large business affairs left by her husband. She is accounted a good business manager.
Mr. Snowden was one of the largest stockholders in the Ma- sonic Temple Association at Willows, and was largely instru- mental in erecting the building. With him, Mrs. Snowden was in- terested in building the Willows Creamery, and in the Glenn County Garage; and she retains the interest he owned in the Elmore Pharmacy at Red Bluff. Mrs. Snowden is a member of Marshall Chapter No. 86, O. E. S., being Past Matron and Past District Deputy. Mr. Snowden was one of the most lovable of men, liberal and kind-hearted, helping the ambitious and needy alike-a fast friend, a loyal American citizen, and a gentleman. At his passing, Glenn County and the state of California lost one of their foremost citizens and upbuilders.
THOMAS L. KNOCK
A retired public official to whom the people of Glenn County owe much-a debt, they willingly acknowledge-is Thomas L. Knock, for many years county surveyor, and in 1891 an active ad- vocate of county formation. He was born in New York City, Feb- ruary 10, 1844, and was educated at the University of the City of New York, where he took courses in navigation and geology. For six years he was a member of the United States Merchant Marine. He rose to second mate of a sailing ship, and visited nearly all of the most interesting parts of the world. For a time, too, he mined in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
In 1869, Mr. Knock came to California, sailing on a ship from Australia. He settled for a while in Colusa, and then went to the mines in Nevada. Returning to California, he took up govern- ment land, which he improved, and also bought some acreage north of Orland. Eight hundred acres of his tract he farmed to wheat. In 1891, however, he sold out and again took up engineer- ing and surveying. The following year he became surveyor of
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Glenn County ; and for twenty years he held that responsible office. He surveyed all the roads in the county, laid out the county's boundaries, built bridges, and acted as engineer for the construc- tion of the Central Canal. In 1900 he took charge of the Spauld- ing ranch, a vast area of eleven thousand acres, and somewhat later began the development of the same.
In recent years, Mr. Knock has devoted himself to real estate and business interests at Willows, assuming charge of three dif- ferent estates in the county. In this enterprise he has established an enviable reputation, handling with marked success the interests entrusted to him.
Thomas L. Knock was united in marriage with Agnes M. Pullman, a native of New Zealand, of English parentage. He is the father of three sons and three daughters: Ada, in the Sand- wich Islands; Elma, well-known in insurance circles in Willows, having the largest insurance business there; Thomas; Bayard, the present county surveyor, a sketch of whose life will be found else- where in this work; Malcolm, in the Sandwich Islands, assistant manager of the Spaulding ranch; and Effie, of Willows. Mr. Knock is an active Mason, and a director of the Masonic Temple Association at Willows.
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MOSES HOCHHEIMER
A man of great executive ability, Moses Hochheimer was a moving spirit in the upbuilding of the well-known firm of Hoch- heimer & Company, with its successful branch stores at Bakersfield, Orland and Germantown. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and when still very young came with his family to California, making the trip by way of Panama. In early manhood he and his older brother, Amiel (whose sketch appears in this book), laid the foun- dation for their future success in the mercantile business' by working in stores in old Silveyville, Solano County, and at Dixon.
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