USA > California > Contra Costa County > History of Contra Costa County, California, including its geography, geology, topography, climatography and description; together with a record of the Mexican grants also, incidents of pioneer life; and biographical sketches of early and prominent settlers and representative men > Part 57
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BRENTWOOD .- This little village receives its name from Brentwood in Essex, England, whence the family of Dr. Marsh originally came. Here the owners of the Marsh Grant donated a tract of land for the purpose of
GP. E.F. Dohrmann
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laying out a town, the necessity for such having sprung from the advent of the railroad. The first building to be erected was the store of Louis Gru- neaeur, in the Fall of 1878; he was immediately followed by Joseph S. Carey, who constructed a blacksmith's shop, and moved into it November 25, 1878, since when several excellent residences have been built. The village now comprises one hundred residents, three stores, three saloons, a school-house built in 1879, a handsome railroad depot, and a fine warehouse, the property of Fish & Blum, of Martinez.
BYRON .- This is another hamlet on the line of the railroad, located about five miles northwest of Brentwood, and a like distance from the county line. It is situated in the midst of a fine agricultural district, and two and a half miles from the famous Byron Springs. The first house built was the very excellent hotel of F. Wilkening, in 1878. It now com- prises, besides that building, one store, three saloons, two blacksmith shops, Fish & Blum's handsome warehouse, one harness shop, one livery stable, and a population of about sixty souls. There is also a fine depot and a post-office.
BYRON HOT SPRINGS .- Are located about two miles and a half from the village of Byron. " These springs," says Rev. W. W. Smith, of Antioch, "have been known since 1849 to the American settler, and before that time to the Indians, who had often tested their healing qualities, whether taken internally or applied externally." The locality is not especially captivating as a place of resort, it being entirely devoid of shady walks and romantic scenery. He who visits Byron Springs must do so for the benefit of his health, and not for a pastime. We have been unfortunate in procuring an analysis of the different waters, but from our own unscientific research, we are prepared to vouch for their containing sulphur, soda and salt, in large quantities. There are five of these springs utilized for bathing purposes, having commodious accommodation for this purpose; while fifteen of them are maintained solely for drinking. Each has a name consonant with its peculiar properties ; but perhaps the most appropriate is that known as the " Surprise," which, in fact, usually proves a surprise, in more ways than one. The hotel has capacity for forty guests, while there are five cottages besides, suitable for families and coteries of friends. The time is not far distant when the curative properties of these waters will become more widely known-then Byron Springs will earn a name second to none in the world, as a place where healing the sick may be attained without the aid of allopathic powders and homeopathic globules. There is stage connection with Byron Station.
EDEN PLAIN AND POINT OF TIMBER .- These two places, one being a continuation of the other, derive their names, the first from the wonderful
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fertility of its soil, the other from the peculiar form in which the belt of timber that then covered that section grew. It was V shaped, the point coming to the vicinity of the site of the store now kept by James A. Salts, at that place. The Eden Plain school-house is about eight miles east of Antioch, while that of Point of Timber is eight miles farther south. These two tracts are peculiarly adapted for fruit and grain growing, the largest orchard being possessed by Mark Walton. The lands of the Point of Tim- ber district are wider than those of Eden Plain, from east to west, the ground on Kellogg creek being moister than that on Marsh creek. The Point of Timber Landing was burnt in the Winter of 1881-82 by tule fires, and although it was the property of the neighboring farmers, it never proved of any great practical utility or monetary advantage to them.
POINT OF TIMBER LODGE, A. O. U. W .- This lodge was instituted April 12, 1879, by D. G. M. W., H. G. Oliver, with the following charter members : George R. Dement, R. M. Vanderhoof, M. T. Plantz, H. C. McCabe, E. Bus- tard, Isadore Lippman, G. W. T. Carter, Henry Wilkening, George Cople, Peter Weiss, C. J. Preston, W. J. Casselman ; the original officers being : H. C. McCabe, M. W .; C. J. Preston, P. M .; George R. Dement, Receiver ; Isadore Lippman, Financier ; R. M. Vanderhoof, Overseer ; G. W. T. Carter, Recorder; Peter Weiss, Guide; H. Wilkening, I. W .; E. Bustard, O. W. Trustees : H. Wilkening, C. J. Preston, E. Bustard, The lodge, which is in a flourishing condition, has a membership of thirty-six, while the officers for the current term are: H. C. McCabe, P. M. W .; G. W. T. Carter, M. W .; William H. Johnson, F .; Melvin Graver, O .; James A. Salts, Recorder ; Alonzo Plumley, Receiver ; C. J. Preston, Financier ; I. Huey, G .; Henry Wilkening, I. W .; George Cople, O. W.
EXCELSIOR LODGE, No. 349, I. O. G. T .- Was organized March 7, 1869, by Rev. A. C. McDougall, with the following Charter members : C. M. Carey, Mrs. B. F. Carey, Henry Wells, J. S. Netherton, Calvin Carlton, D. K. Berry, A. Richardson, Miss Belle Eachus, Libious Perkins, Miss Ella Paige, J. T. Carey, Volney Taylor, Mrs. Mary Berry, Miss E. A. Berry, Alonzo Berry, Mrs. Laurie Carey, A. V. Taylor. The original officers were : C.M. Cary, W. C. T .; Mrs. B. F. Carey, W. V. T .; H. Wells, W. C .; J. S. Netherton, W. Sec .; C. Carlton, W. F. S .; D. K. Berry, W. T .; A. Richardson, W. M .; Cora Carey, W. D. M .; Ella Paige, W. I. G .; Volney Taylor, W. O. G .; Belle Eachus, W. R. H. S .; Miss E. A. Berry, W. L. H. S .; J. F. Carey, P. W. C. T. The lodge was organized in the old Pioneer school-house, but in 1871 was moved to the new school-house, and in 1876 transferred to the Point of Timber Grange hall. It is in a flourishing condition and has a present membership of fifty-nine. The officers serving for the current term are: W. J. Estus, P. W. C. T .; F. M. Preston, W. C. T .; Emma Andrews, W. R. H. S .; Annie Wallace, W. L. H. S .; Eugenia Wallace, W. V. T .; Volney Taylor, W. Sec .;
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Ida Burres, W. A. S .; W. M. Moore, W. F. S .; Lovina Plumley, W. T .; F. J. Netherton, W. M .; Ida Plumley, W. D. M .; Mary Taylor, W. I. G .; Charles Plumley, W. O. G.
POINT OF TIMBER GRANGE, NO. 14, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY .- This Grange was organized May 21, 1873, and is the out-growth of the Point of Timber Farmers Protective Club. It was instituted by the State Deputy, W. H. Baker, with the following officers: R. G. Dean, Master ; M. A. Walton, Overseer; J. H. Baldwin, Lecturer; J. B. Henderson, Steward ; A. Rich- ardson, Asst. Steward ; A. Plumley, Chaplain ; Thomas McCabe, Treasurer ; J. W. Carey, Secretary ; C. M. Carey, Gate-Keeper; Mrs. J. H. Baldwin, Ceres ; Mrs. C. M. Carey, Pomona ; Mrs. J. B. Henderson, Flora ; Mrs. J. W. Carey, Stewardess. The Grange is in a prosperous condition, and owns a handsome commodious hall at Point of Timber. The officers for the current term are: Volney Taylor, Master ; C. J. Preston, Overseer ; Mrs. S. J. Wills, Lecturer ; A. Plumley, Steward; Mrs. George Cople, Asst. Steward; Mrs. Richardson, Lady Asst. Steward ; Thomas MeCabe, Chaplain ; Lovina Plum- ley, Treasurer; Mary J. Carter, Secretary; A. Richardson, Gate-Keeper; Ellen Carter, Ceres ; Ida Plumley, Flora ; M. E. Jaquillard, Pomona ; Trus- tees, G. W. T. Carter, Volney Taylor, S. M. Wells.
JUDSONVILLE .- This is the camp attached to the Empire Mine, and receives its name from Egbert Judson, one of the proprietors. The Central Mine is a continuation of the vein being worked by the Pitts- burg Company at Somersville, and was located by W. B. Stewart, F. K. Shat- tuck and William Hillegas in 1860. Here is Stewartsville. In 1861 they commenced an opening, but it was not until 1864 that coal in any quantity was taken out. The mine was worked continuously until 1876, when, owing to the death of some of the parties interested, it lay unoperated for five years. Operations were commenced under a new organization in 1881.
The Empire Mine was started in the Fall of 1876 by John C. Rouse and George H. Hawxhurst, the hoisting works being erected in that year, and has since been running. These are now the property of W. Belshaw, Egbert Judson and J. C. Rouse. In 1877, the mine was connected by a railroad, six miles long, with the landing at Antioch, while, during the past year, a branch track, two miles and a half in length, to the Central Mine, has been completed.
Near these mines is the village of Judsonville, the first house erected in it being the hotel, then and now conducted by N. A. Tyler.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
J. P. ABBOTT .- Whose portrait appears in this volume, was born at Bos- cawen, New Hampshire, March 3, 1840. He assisted his father on the farm, attending the winter school until seventeen years of age, fitted for college at " Elmwood Institute," and entered Dartmouth College in 1861 ; came to California during the Fall of 1863. Taught school six months in Napa county, and during the Autumn of 1864, in company with a gentleman recently from Idaho, crossed the Sierras with a band of cattle, intending to winter on the Humboldt and reach the Idaho mines the fol- lowing Spring. The enterprise, however, was destined not to succeed. Arriving at the desert at Granite Creek Station, they camped, as usual, for the night, but awoke to find before them fifteen miles of solid ice as smooth and glassy as ever was seen on a New England mill pond. Here they were compelled to remain for six months, being joined meantime by another party on a similar expedition. While thus detained, the Piute war broke out, most of the stock died or were stolen by the Indians. One of the men.was killed by the hostile Piutes, and joining an emigrant party Mr. Abbott returned to California. Crossing the Sierras alone, and on foot, he arrived in Napa City in the Spring of 1865. He entered the law office of Thomas J. Tudler, then District Attorney of the county, and was admitted to the Bar in the Fall of 1866. After a brief visit east he returned and located at Antioch, in Contra Costa county, where, with the exception of one year spent at San Diego, he has since resided. For eleven years he published the Antioch Ledger, being editor and proprietor. Married Miss Malvina G. McMaster, June 25, 1872.
DON JUAN B. ALVARADO .- Governor of California from 1836 to 1843, died at his residence in the village of San Pablo, Contra Costa county, July 13, 1882, at five o'clock P. M. He had been suffering from a bron- chial affection, which made his breathing difficult, for some months, and some four or five weeks before had a severe attack; but from this he seemed to have recovered, and his end was peaceful and quiet, and without ap- parent suffering. He was at the time of his death seventy-three years and five months old. He was a native of California, having been born at Monterey in 1809; but, unlike most of the old native Californians, he was of pure Spanish blood, without Indian admixture. He was a man of .
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great natural talent, and displayed remarkable ability, having been one of the ablest of the old native Californians. Being carefully reared in his infant years by an exemplary mother, he early displayed a taste for learning and culture; and for this reason attracted the attention of Gov- ernor Sola, who assisted him in his studies, and aided him in acquiring a knowledge of political and military science; but under the untoward cir- cumstances of the country in those days, he was compelled, so to speak, to educate himself, and therefore became, in the true sense of the term, a self-made man. As an illustration of one of the difficulties he encoun- tered in his self-improvement, it may be stated that he was at one time excommunicated by the priests for reading Fénelon's "Telemaque." While still a very young man he entered into political life, and became Secretary of the Territorial Deputation, or California Legislature, and from that time down to the American occupation, in 1846, always held an official position. In 1836 he raised the standard of independence, and proclaimed the " Free and Sovereign State of Alta California," in opposi- tion, not exactly to the Government of Mexico, but to what was known as the then existing Centralist Government of Mexico. By this act, and the ability displayed by him in encouraging the revolution, and the suc- cess with which he carried it through, he became entitled to the name of " The Napoleon of California," though his motives were probably purer than those of Napoleon. As near as we can judge from knowing the man and looking back upon all the circumstances, his idea was to become a sort of second Washington, of whom he had read and whose example and fame fired his imagination. There were difficulties enough for him to encounter and overcome, as the head of the revolution; and, among others, he had to meet and vanquish a rival Governor in the person of his uncle, Don Carlos Corrillo, of Santa Barbara, whom he made a prisoner in his own house, and afterwards allowed to escape. In 1838 the Gov- ernment of Mexico recognized him as Governor intercino, and in 1839 appointed him Governor proprietario, or Constitutional Governor of the Californias-that is, of both Upper and Lower California-which office he held until the accession of Governor Micheltorena in January, 1843. During his incumbency he was a sort of autocrat, having almost unlimited power; but it is not known that he ever abused it, or was ever actuated by motives other than for what he conscientiously believed to be for the good of the country and the trust reposed in his hands. From 1843 to the American occupation he was for a portion of the time Collector of the Custom House at Monterey, and for a part of the time in military service as Colonel of the militia forces of the Department, known as Defensores de la Patria (Defenders of the Country). In 1845, when Governor Micheltorena was expelled, he made an able and successful military campaign, during which he and General José Castro made a
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remarkable forced march, very famous among the Californians of those days; but this, we believe, was about the only active service he saw. When the Americans raised the stars and stripes in 1846, he was far- seeing enough to understand that the struggle against them would be futile, and he appears to have taken no active part in the events which succeeded. In 1839 he married Doña Martina Cortes, daughter of Don Fran- cisco Maria Cortes, of San Pablo. About 1849 he removed from Monterey to San Pablo, and lived there with his family in the old adobe homestead up to his death. His wife died in 1875, and there survive of the family three sons and two daughters. One of the sons is in New York, and a daughter is in Washington. Two sons, Gustave and Henry, and a daugh- ter, formerly the wife of L. B. Tewksbury, of San Francisco, were present at the funeral on July 15th. When the history of California comes to be written, his abilities and virtues will be set forth-the things he did, the measures he advocated, the laws he passed, and the time of official, as well as private life, he passed. They will constitute an interesting and instructive part of the narrative; and it is believed that few men, con- sidering all the circumstances of the times and the difficulties that had to be encountered, will be entitled to kinder consideration, and be remem- bered with greater sympathy and tenderer admiration than the really great and retiring man who has just left us and passed over ad plures.
LUDWIG ANDERSON .- This descendant of the ancient Norse Vikings, whose portrait will be found in this history, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, August 26, 1825, and there resided until his sixteenth year. At this period of his life, he adopted the sea as a profession, and at the end of six years' voyaging found himself in New York in 1848, whence he came to Callao and Lima in 1849, in the latter part of which year he took passage on board the bark Ellitta, and sailed for California, arriving in the harbor of San Francisco in August, 1850. From here he made his first trip to Panama on board the steamer Oregon, in the same year, re- turning in her when she brought the first tidings of California being admitted into the Union. He then entered the coasting trade, and con- tinued in it until the year 1860. Prior to this date, however, Captain An- derson had penetrated many of the inner waters of the coast of California, and often those of Contra Costa, and saw the capabilities of several of the then prominent business points. Pacheco, at the period of which we write, was one of the most flourishing ; here, therefore, our subject determined to cast his lot. In that year he opened a lumber-yard, which he still conducts, having also branched out in that particular trade in Martinez. By an unflinching integrity and indomitable perseverance Mr. Anderson has acquired considerable possessions in different portions of the county, while the benefits derived therefrom he now reaps with satisfaction alike
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to his neighbors and himself. Married in San Francisco November 23, 1858, to Miss Honora Troy, a native of Ireland, and has seven children living, viz : Marie Carolina, Louis D., Nora Augusta, Mary Margaret, Annie M., Jence Jepson, Elisabeth Theresa.
ANDREW ANTONY (deceased) .- Born in Bavaria, Germany, July 19, 1835. When sixteen years of age he emigrated to the United States, and located in New York, and followed the trade of baker and confec- tioner. In the Spring of 1854 he started for the Golden State, via Panama, and went to Marysville, where he continued his trade. He afterwards went to Gibsonville, and there mined, in partnership with Henry Walters, for three years; after which he moved to Grass Valley, where he carried on a bakery for nearly two years. He then went to Frazer river, remained there two years, and thence to Victoria and Port- land. In 1859 Mr. Antony returned to California, and proceeded to Placerville, and purchased a billiard saloon, which he conducted for eight months, when he sold out and purchased a bakery, which he continued until 1865. He then returned to San Francisco, and found employment as baker in the International Hotel, then engaged in the saloon business, on Kearny street, for ten months, when he purchased the property situated at 1006 Folsom street, and opened a bakery, which he continued till September 1, 1871, when, coming to Contra Costa county, he purchased some property on which there was a small building. In the Spring of 1877 he commenced the erection of the San Pablo Hotel, which was completed in the Fall. Mr. Antony married, in Placerville, El Dorado county, October 20, 1862, Mrs. Josepha S. Pfaller, a native of Bavaria. On June 17, 1882, Mr. Antony died very suddenly.
SMITH ASHLEY .- Born in Huron county, Ohio, December 22, 1822, and was educated in his birth-place and resided there until 1850. He then began the trade of wheelwright, and continued it until November, 1852, when he started, via New Orleans and the Nicaragua route, for the Pacific Coast, and arrived in San Francisco January 5, 1853. His first year spent on this coast was in the San Antonio redwoods, at the expiration of which time he returned to San Francisco, and there found employ- ment in a flour-store for two years. In 1855, Mr. Ashley returned to his Ohio home, where he resided until March, 1861, when he once more re- turned to the Golden State, and to Contra Costa county-locating in Pacheco for a short time. The succeeding years, up to 1870, were passed in different parts of this State and Nevada. In the latter year Mr. Ashley bought his present place, located two miles south of Pacheco, and en- gaged in farming. Was united in marriage in Huron county, Ohio, August 9, 1846, to Sally L. Call, a native of New York. By this union
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they have three children : Julia V., now Mrs. A. Thurber; Florence A., now Mrs. Rev. G. M. Dexter; and Ella E.
SAMUEL S. BACON .-- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in the present work, is the son of Stephen and Hannah (Pshaw) Bacon, and was born in Barre, Worcester county, Massachusetts, October 26, 1833. Here he attended the common schools and resided until he reached the age of eighteen years. At this epoch in his life, Mr. Bacon started for California, setting out July 5, 1851, going by public conveyance as far as Winnebago county, Illinois, where he had friends; and while visiting them prepared for the overland trip by ox-team, leaving there with one J. Dixon, March 20, 1852, arriving at Council Bluffs May 10th, where a company under Dr. Davenport, comprising one hundred and thirty-eight persons, left May 15th, going via Fort Bridger and Salt Lake, and arrived at Volcano, Amador county, California, August 25, 1852. Mr. Bacon worked in the mines until May 1, 1853, when he turned his attention to agriculture, selecting Contra Costa county therefor, arriving on the Government Ranch, then occupied by Majors Allen and Loring. In the year 1855, Mr. Bacon pre-empted a quarter-section of land at Bay Point, where he remained until 1860, at which time he removed to the town of Pacheco and opened a fruit and stationery store. Owing to the continued annual floods in that town, our subject concluded to change his location, and selected the new town of Concord, which had then been just laid out, moved thereto, erected and occupied the first business building in that now prosperous village. There Mr. Bacon still resides, transacting a large and profitable trade, and performing, as well, the duties of postmaster, to whichi position he was appointed March 28, 1872, and Notary Public for the last eight years. He has seven children : William, Sarah, Edward, Annie, Adeline, Florence and Clara.
ANGELO A. BAILEY .- The subject of this sketch, the present Superin- tendent of the Schools of Contra Costa county, is a native of Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he was born June 25, 1844. Here he received his education, primarily at the common schools of the district, and subse- quently at the Big Foot and Allen Grove Academies, from which last- named institution he graduated. In 1865, then in his twenty-first year, he first left home to commence the battle of life. His initiation into the mysteries of " earning your own living" was in the pine forests of his native State-no holiday task we may be assured was his-and for three years he found employment there, chopping, sawing and rafting lumber, driving logs, etc. In the meantime, Mr. Bailey's father disposed of his Wisconsin home, and moved to McHenry county, Illinois, whither he was followed by his son, our subject, at the expiration of his term in the
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primeval forests mentioned above. Remaining under the family rooftree- working the farm in Summer and teaching school in Winter-until May, 1873, Mr. Bailey, in company with his brother, Jefferson A., then purchased a band of fine horses, and in accordance with the advice of the immortal Horace Greeley, went west, Denver, Colorado, being their destination. Here, disposing of their stock, they ventured into the mazes of sheep farming for a year, but finally selling out, the subject of our narrative came direct to Santa Cruz county, California, where he pitched his tent in July, 1874. Now, his early scholastic training stood him in good stead, for he almost immediately re-entered upon the onerous duties of school- teaching. To this honorable profession Mr. Bailey has since adhered. Moving to Contra Costa county in the Spring of 1877, he became Princi- pal of the Antioch Graded School, a position he filled most acceptably to the patrons of that institute for a period of nearly three years-in fact, until he resigned in order to enter upon the duties of his office as County Superintendent of Schools, to which position he had been elected at the Fall election of the year 1879. The functions of this office Mr. Bailey has since filled, and is now filling with eminent satisfaction to every School District in the county, to the entire population, irrespective of party, and with extreme credit to himself. Well can it be said, and happily may we re-echo the trite' quotation, Palmam qui meruit ferat. Married, in Richmond, Illinois, March 23, 1871, Lottie Tibbetts, a native of that State, by whom he has: Mabel R., born May 10, 1873 ; Effie L., born February 9, 1875 ; Percy S., born April 12, 1879, died April 15, 1881 ; and Irving, born April 3, 1881.
JOHN BAKER .- Was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1819. When three years of age, his parents moved to Stark county, Ohio, where John attended the common schools, and afterwards learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed while there residing until 1845, in which year he moved to Cass county, Michigan, and there pursued his trade, and, at the same time, carried on a farm for three years. He then continued his calling, in several different places, until February 28, 1853, when he started, in company with a brother-in-law, with ox-teams, to cross the plains to California, and arrived in Contra Costa county September 25th, of the same year. In the Fall of 1855, Mr. Baker located on his present well-improved farm of one hundred and eighty acres, one-half mile east of the town of Walnut Creek, where he is now engaged in general farming and stock-raising. The subject of this sketch was married in Cass county, Michigan, June 4, 1848, to Miss Martha Ann Glass, a native of Harrison, Jefferson county, Ohio ; by this union they have four children, Ahnira J., Frank P., John C., and Mary P.
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