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 64
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
.
1
559
Biographical Sketches.
out and two years later moved to Walnut Creek, purchasing his present beautiful home, situated on a nice elevation in the western part of that rising town, and is now enjoying the comforts of a well-spent and prosperous life. Mr. Ford is one of the few who have succeeded, by industry, foresight and judicious management, in acquiring a competency. He has always been a consistent Republican, and is one of the leading men of the Republican party in Contra Costa county. His present residence is one of the handsomest in the district, and the dwelling and grounds are becoming each year more beautiful by attractive improvements. Mr. Ford's influence has always been on the side of morality, and he belongs to that class, which it can happily be stated, of late years, is rapidly increasing in numbers, through whose exertions and by whose example our State is being filled with pleasant homes, and her society permeated with a healthful and invigorating moral tone. Mr. Ford was twice mar- ried : first in Berrien Centre, Michigan, October 7, 1859, to Miss Helen M. Gilson, a native of Michigan, by which union he has one living child, Jesse C. Married, secondly, in Oakland, October 13, 1867, Miss Ellen F. Nash, a native of Canada. By this union they have six living children. Their names are : Valentine, Thomas, May, Andrew, Ada and Ella.
WILLIAM R. FORMAN .- The subject of our memoir, whose portrait appears in this work, is a native of Marion county, Missouri, born May 7, 1821, was educated at the common schools and resided there until the Spring of 1848. He then moved with his parents to Wisconsin, and there found employment in the lead mines, which occupation he followed nntil October, 1851. He then started to seek his fortune in the new Dorado, and came via the Father of Waters to New Orleans, thence viu Panama, and arrived in San Francisco on board the old Columbus, December 17th of the same year. Mr. Forman immediately proceeded to the mines in Cala- veras county, and there prosecuted mining for six years, with varying success, his family having joined him in his western 'home in 1855. In November, 1857, he moved with them, and located about eight miles east of Antioch, Contra Costa county, and engaged in farming, where he resided until the Fall of 1872, when he sold out and located in Antioch, and engaged in the butcher business for two years. Mr. Forman, then, for the next few years, became a gentleman of leisure, but eventually bought an interest in the lumber firm of Rouse, Forman & Co., in which firm he is still a member. Mr. Forman was united in marriage in Elmira, Missouri, December 26, 1843, to Miss Malinda E. Highland, a native of Kentucky, by which union they had four children, two deceased and two living : Emma L. (deceased), A. R., Kate A. and Annie (deceased).
JAMES FOSTER .- The subject of this sketch was born in Waterville, Kennebec county, Maine, October 31, 1824, where he resided and attended
560
History of Contra Costa County.
the public school until fifteen years of age; he then moved with his parents to Clinton, Penobscot county, in the same State, and worked with his father at the millwright's trade until the age of twenty-one. He then went to Carmel, Penobscot county, where he followed his trade for a few years. Mr. Foster was united in marriage with Miss Nancy A. Prescott, of Dixmont, Maine, March 7, 1852. Having purchased a tract of timber land, he went into the lumber business in the town of Carmel, at which place he resided with his family until August, 1856, when, leav- ing his family at home, he started for California. He sailed from New York via Panama, arriving in San Francisco in September of the above year. Remaining in that city but a short time, he went to the San Mateo redwood forests, and there followed his trade until February, 1857. He then was engaged in building a grist mill on Bear river, near Auburn, Placer county, and, on its completion, came to Contra Costa county, in the Fall of 1857, sent East for his family (wife and two children), and located in the then thriving town of Alamo, where he opened a wheel- wright shop, and followed his trade for about twelve years. He resided in Alamo until March, 1881. He was postmaster during the greater por- tion of the time while residing in Alamo; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1860, which office he held eight years, when he was elected County Assessor (in 1869) which office he held by successive re-elections for ten years. Having devoted a portion of his time to the study and practice of law, he was admitted to the Bar, in the Fifteenth Judicial Court, in 1872. He has at various times been appointed referee in im- portant partition suits, for the purpose of sub-dividing Spanish grants, and allotting to the several owners the portion to which they were entitled. He was appointed sole referee for sub-dividing the lots in the town of Martinez; a task than which none more difficult and complicated was ever settled in the State. By adding new streets, and changing the width and location of many of the old ones, and by re-arranging and adding to the number of lots and blocks, his allotment to each owner was made with such satisfaction, that although there were over one hundred interested parties, his report was accepted without a single dissenting voice. Mr. Foster is considered one of the best judges of real estate in the county. In March, 1881, he sold his place at Alamo, and purchased a block of land in Walnut Creek, upon which he has erected a handsome residence, and improved it in such a manner as to make one of the most beautiful homes in the county. He is now the senior member of the firm of Foster & Stow, real estate agents and conveyancers. His family has consisted of three children-James Everett, who died April 21, 1864, at the age of four years; Florence, who died November 14, 1872, at the age of twenty years ; and Fred. Lewis, who is at present one of the pro- prietors, and junior associate editor of the Contra Costa Gazette.
561
Biographical Sketches.
JOHN A. FRASER .- Was born in Pictou county, Nova Scotia, June 22, 1849, where he received his education and resided until 1867, being en- gaged in farming, railroading and occupations of a like nature. In the last mentioned year he immigrated to California, and after serving his ap- prenticeship with his brother in Martinez, came to Pinole and entered into partnership with Edward Hagen in the blacksmith's shop there. In 1875, this connection was severed, and our subject became associated with John W. Boyd, with whom the business is now carried on." Married, August 7, 1875, Anna R. Rollen, a native of England, by whom he has three children, John A., born July 13, 1876 ; George W., born February 6, 1878 ; Mabel I., born July 11, 1880.
ROBERT R: FULLER .- A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, born December 13, 1818. Mr. Fuller's early life was spent in that State and Vermont, residing in the latter some twelve years. In 1832, he located in Lynn, Massachusetts, there learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed until 1846; he then moved to Philadelphia and resided four years. In the Spring of 1850, the tide of immigration set toward the gold mines of this State. Mr. Fuller sailed from Philadelphia on board the bark Delia Chapin, and, coming around the Horn, after a passage of six months, arrived in San Francisco November 26th of the same year. Mr. Fuller first engaged in mining for about two years, and, in February, 1853, concluding to embark in agricultural pursuits, therefore selected Contra Costa as his future home, and in the above year located on his pres- ent ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, adjoining the town limits of Antioch, and commenced general farming. Was united in marriage, in Lynn, Massachusetts, to Miss Sarah A. Pierce, a native of that city; by this union they have four living children, Eugene I., Ida, now Mrs. Knight, Robert H., and George W.
FERDINAND GAMBS .- Born in Germany, near Frankfort on the Main, August 24, 1838; he resided in his native country and attended the common schools until sixteen years of age. In 1854, accompanied by his father, sailed from Havre de Grace for America, first landing in New York City, where he found employment in a wholesale dry goods house as salesman, which position he held for three years. We next find Mr. Gambs in New Orleans, where he resided until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he moved to Washington City and there engaged in business and remained until 1868. His next move was to Virginia, where he married and engaged in business, but being dissatisfied with the country, he concluded to try the Golden State, and selling out his stock of goods he proceeded to New York, and there embarking on board a steamer via Panama, arrived in San Francisco in November, 1869. On
562
History of Contra Costa County.
his arrival he came direct to his brother living in Pacheco, and engaged with him for a short time in the general dry goods trade. In 1871 he located in Somersville and engaged in the mercantile business, and there resided until 1878. He then went to San Francisco and sojourned until March, 1880, when he located in Walnut Creek, and about June 1st, opened his present dry goods house, under the firm name of Morgan & Gambs. Was united in marriage in Virginia, August 9, 1868, to Miss Julia Terrill, a native of the above State. They have five living children, as follows : Ferdinand, Julia, Eliza, Henry and August.
JOHN GAMBS .- A native of Germany ; born near Frankfort on the Main, December 24, 1827. Was there educated at the high schools, and resided until nineteen years of age. In February, 1847, he started for the New World, landed in New York in April of the same year, and first found employment on a farm in Duchess county, at seven dollars per month, but only stayed one season. In December, 1848, he started for California, working his passage on board the steamer Oregon, and, after a trip of four months round the Horn, arrived in San Francisco April 1, 1849. Mr. Gambs first engaged in mining, for a short time, and then opened a hotel in San Francisco, which he conducted until he was burned out, May 5, 1851. He then went to Mariposa county, and engaged in the stock business, which he followed until 1861. His next move was to Pacheco, Contra Costa county, which has proved to be his permanent home, where he entered into the business in which he is still engaged, being proprietor of the leading mercantile house of Pacheco, and enjoying life in his fine residence, surrounded by thirty acres of vineyard and orchard. Mr. Gambs was married, in Pacheco, to Miss Helen Ohl, a native of Germany. Their children are: Louisa, John C., Helen, Harriet and Elise.
E. A. GARRIDO .- The subject of this sketch was born near Walnut, Creek, Contra Costa county, March 5, 1854, and is a descendant of one of the oldest families of this county.' Mr. Garrido began his education in the district schools of Township Number Two, and afterwards entered the preparatory department of the State University. In December, 1869, he started in business, in company with John M. Wilson, in Walnut Creek, in which he continued until 1880, when he branched out and opened a general merchandise store, in connection with which he filled the position of deputy postmaster. In April, 1882, our subject moved to Martinez, where he is, at this writing, engaged in the liquor business. Mr. Garrido was united in marriage, in Walnut Creek, November 20, 1880, to Miss Lena T. Geary, a native of this county. They have one daughter, Lyda, born July 31, 1881.
563
Biographical Sketches.
ALONZO L. GARTLEY .- Is the son of George W. and Rebecca (Beresford) Gartley, and was born in Shelby county, Ohio, July 1, 1840, where he received a common school education, and afterwards learned the trade of blacksmith. In May, 1861, then being twenty-one years of age, young Gartley answered to his country's call, and enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Ohio Infantry Volunteers for three months. At the expiration of this . term, he re-enlisted for three years, and served faithfully, being with his regiment all through, and taking part in some of the most desperate battles of the war, the marks of which he honorably bears to this day, having been twice wounded, first at Antietam and again at Mission Ridge. Serving until the expiration of his enlistment, our subject re- ceived his discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio, June, 1864, and immediately returned to his home at Sydney, in the above State, and sojourned a short time; then paying a brief visit to his relatives in Pennsylvania, he started for the Golden State, sailing from New York September 5, 1864, on board the good ship Golden Gate, to Aspinwall, and on the Pacific side on board the Sierra Nevada, arriving in San Francisco October 5th of the same year. Coming direct to Martinez, Contra Costa county, he first found employment on a ranch, where he remained for two months, but being full of patriotism and love for his country, Mr. Gartley en- listed in Company D, Eighth Regiment, California Infantry Volunteers, December 24, 1864, for three years, or during the war; but after ten months service the war was declared at an end, and our subject was again honorably discharged, October 24, 1865. He once more returned to this county, where he followed several different occupations until 1872, when he entered into co-partnership with S. Newberger, and is now engaged in the general merchandise trade on Ferry street, under the firm name of Newberger & Gartley. The subject of our memoir was united in marriage, in Martinez February 6, 1876, with Miss Florence B. Standish, a native of Columbus, Ohio. By this union they have three living children : Grace R., Alonzo, Jr., and Zoe.
JAMES GAY, (deceased) .- The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, October 12, 1828. When nine years of age he took to a sea-faring life, and followed it until his coming to California in April, 1849, when he arrived in San Francisco and entered the employ of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and in it remained until his coming to Contra Costa county in 1857. He first located on the place now owned by his widow, one mile northeast of Clayton, where he carried on general farming up to the time of his death, which occurred October 3, 1879. Mr. Gay was married in Clayton, May 5, 1871, to Mary Kirkwood, a native of Scotland, by whom there are four children, viz: Nicholas, now adopted by his uncle, Nicholas
564
History of Contra Costa County.
Kirkwood ; Jennie M., Margaret A. and Mary E. At the time of his demise the following obituary notice of Mr. Gay appeared in the Contra Costa Gazette.
" It is our painful duty to recognize the hand of Providence in calling suddenly from our midst, by death, one of our most esteemed citizens-Mr. James Gay. On Friday, October 3, 1879, Mr. Gay was at home with his family, and enjoying, as was his habit, the society of his wife and four children, of whom any and every husband and father might be proud. At noon he ate a hearty dinner, and kissed his family before going to a neigh- bor's with a load of grapes, but when nearly a half mile from home he received a stroke of apoplexy, and while in the act of securing himself and team, some kind friends chanced to meet him and rendered timely assistance. His uncle, Nicholas Kirkwood, and family, were soon at his side, when he was carried home, where every possible assistance was rendered him; but when the physician arrived death was evidently near, and in two hours from the stroke he was dead, having been unconscious from nearly the first. The sudden death of the deceased has given a shock to this community not soon to be forgotten. The last man thought to be so near the gates of death-reminding us all that 'in the midst of life we are in death.'
" The funeral services took place at the late residence of the deceased, on Sunday, October 5, 1879. There was a large concourse of people, who came to sympathize, and show the appreciation in which the deceased was held.
" The deceased was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, October 11, 1829. He came to California in 1849, and the last twenty-two years of his life have been spent in Contra Costa county, on his farm near Clayton, where, by his industry and integrity, he has made many warm friends, and by whose death the community has lost a citizen and neighbor whose place may never be filled. But where the blow falls heaviest, there is a loss we can never describe. A kind husband and an affectionate father can only be fully valued by those who have one, and to lose one is a loss keenest felt where the blow falls heaviest. We commend the widow and her children to the same Spirit who has taken the husband and father from them to rest in peace, that when they, too, shall leave the shores of Time, there may be a happy reunion. The Lord has kindly provided a Christian uncle, who feels deeply and enters with deep sympathy into the feelings and wants of the bereaved family. May the grace of God sustain them all."
LAWRENCE GEARY .- Was born in Baden, Germany, December 5, 1827, there receiving a common school education and residing until he immigra- ted, in March, 1848, to the United States. He first arrived in New York, where he sojourned for a few days, then proceeded west to Philadel- phia, and there found employment on a farm near that city, remaining there some six months ; he next moved to St. Louis, and thence south to
565
Biographical Sketches.
New Orleans, where he found employment on a sugar plantation. In the latter part of April, 1849, Mr. Geary again went west to Fort Leaven- worth, and there resided some two years. In April, 1852, he, in company with three others, started across the plains for the Land of Gold, and, arriving at Hangtown, August 26, 1852, there followed mining. In the Fall of that year he came to Contra Costa county, and engaged in farming in different localities, until the Fall of 1878, when he purchased his present ranch, located six miles south of Martinez, consisting of four hundred acres, and is now engaged in general farming. Mr. Geary was married in .Contra Costa county, November 25, 1858, to Miss Jane Wallace, a native of Missouri. They have five living children, Charles W., Thomas, Frederick, Lawrence, Hattie, and Franklin, (deceased).
ANDREW GEHRINGER .- Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, June 12, 1823, where he resided and learned the trade of line maker until the age of twenty-one years. He then sailed from Bremen for the United States, arrived in New York in July, 1843, and first found employment on a farm a short distance from the city. Here he remained until 1846, when he en- listed in Company H., First Volunteer Infantry Regiment of the United States army. In September of that year, his regiment was sent round Cape Horn, on board the Susun Drew, and, after a passage of seven months, arrived in San Francisco April, 1847; his corps being assigned to the Presidio, he there remained until his discharge. Mr. Gehringer then engaged in mining, and afterward, in 1851, moved to Santa Clara county, where he embarked in farming, and resided for twelve years; but owing to a defective title, he lost his valuable ranch of three hundred acres. In the Fall of 1863, he moved to Contra Costa county and bought his present estate of seven hundred acres, two miles east of Concord, and is now engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Gehringer was married, in San José, to Mrs. Henrietta Bollmann ; by this union they have two children, Conrad A., and Lena Christianna.
COLONEL W. W. GIFT, (deceased.) -This distinguished gentleman, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Marlborough district, South Carolina, October 24, 1796. In or about the year 1809, lie moved with his parents to Tennessee, where he resided about forty years. As a boy he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for some time, after which he married and embarked in agricultural opera- tions. In the year 1818, or thereabouts, he commenced running boats from Nashville, Tennessee, to New Orleans, an occupation he followed, with which he combined farming, until 1849. In the Spring of that year he left Memphis, Tennessee, for the Golden State, and arrived in
566
History of Contra Costa County.
. San Francisco in the month of August. When the first Legislature of California met at San José, in December, 1849, Col. Gift was Sergeant- at-Arms of the House of Assembly ; afterwards, in 1851-52, and part of '53, he held the office of Collector of Foreign Miner's Taxes. In 1853, he was appointed from Washington to the functions of Register of the . Land Office of California, a position he filled for eight years ; we next find him a Custom House Inspector on board the steamers plying be- tween San Francisco and Panama, and subsequently holding a responsible position in the Custom House on shore for five years-a long list of responsible and arduous duties which his well-known integrity eminently fitted him for. In 1854, he purchased property near Martinez, and main- tained a residence there until 1858. The Colonel was for thirty years or more one of the most conspicuous and best known personages in the State. He was a man of ardent temperament, strong feelings, warm attach- ments, and kind human impulses, though sometimes, in former years, given to domineering manifestations of spirit and speech towards those opposed to him in opinion. He was, nevertheless, always recognized as a man of honest sentiments and generous spirit, that would forbid his doing a premeditated wrong to any fellow creature, and one ready to make prompt reparation for wrong unconsciously done, or committed under misapprehension. Colonel Gift had a remarkable memory, a fund of information relating to public men and events of his own times, and a happy faculty of narrating occurrences with which he was familiar, that enabled him always to interest any circle of auditors. He was a devoted admirer and intimate friend of Andrew Jackson, who was always his beau ideal of official dignity, integrity, determination and personal excellence. Like his eminent friend and patriot statesman, Colonel Gift, nothwithstanding his ardent Southern feelings and personal sym- pathy, was a devoted Unionist, and we all remember here, with what eloquent emphasis, when the secession policy was taking shape in the resolutions of Southern Legislative bodies in 1860, he cited, as a precedent for President Lincoln, Jackson's course and force proclamation for suppress- ing Calhoun's threatened Nullification insurrection in 1832. Colonel Gift was a successful breeder of blood horses, an animal he fondly loved, and during the years that elapsed between that in which he ran his first race in Nashville, Tennessee, until he ran "Twilight," in California, sixty-two years intervened. He owned many horses during his residence in this State, was much attached to the sport, and was the soul of honor. His instructions to jockeys were typical of his uprightness : " You must ride a fair race-you can be a gentleman on horseback as well as in Congress ; General Jackson and Henry Clay ran horses, and they never threw a race in their lives." He died at the residence of his son, W. A. J. Gift, in Martinez, April 17, 1881. He was married, in the year 1819, to
THOMAS EDWARDS.
567
Biographical Sketches.
Elizabeth Dodson, a native of North Carolina, who died at Memphis, Tennessee, in 1873. By this union, there was a family of eight children, viz : John H., born April 24, 1820 ; Catherine E., born October 20, 1821 ; W. A. J., born October 12, 1823; Maria, born March 20, 1825; Sarah Jane, born March 1, 1827; Edward D., born March, 1830; G. W., born March 1, 1833; Rachael J., born April 20, 1835.
W. A. J. GIFT .- This well-known citizen of Contra Costa county is the son of the above Col. W. W. Gift, and was born in Tennessee, October 12, 1823, where he received his education and resided until 1855. On the 14th November of that year he left his home, and, proceeding to join his father, arrived in California December 15th. Coming at once to Contra Costa county, he commenced farming on the ranch of his father, where he continued until he took up his residence in Martinez, where he now re- sides. Few men have a better record than Mr. Gift. He has evidently taken his father's honesty as his guide, and fully realizes the words of the People's Poet, Bobbie Burns :-
" A King can mak' a belted Knight, A Marquis, Duke and a' that, But an honest man 's aboon his might, Gude faith, he maun 'na fa' that.
Mr. Gift married September 21, 1848, in Tennessee, Mary Jeter, and has a family surviving of six daughters and one son.
DAVID GLASS .- This old pioneer of Contra Costa county, who has resided within its limits since the year 1850, and has seen its progress from in- fancy to fruition, is a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was born March 4, 1818. When a child he was taken by his parents to Harrison county, Ohio. There Mr. Glass passed his boyhood, and received his education at the public schools. From there he went westward in the year 1841, and located on the ground where now stands the young city of Ottumwa, Wapello county, Iowa. He constructed the first house of that now thriving town, and in 1844 was married to Eliza J. Hall. In the month of March, 1850, accompanied by his wife and family, he started for California, arriving at Placerville-then known by the ominous name of Hangtown-August 1st of that year. After a short terin of merchandising there, Mr. Glass came direct to Contra Costa county, where he arrived in November, 1850, and first settled about half a mile from the village of Walnut Creek, on land now owned by Mr. Biggs, afterwards moving on to what is now the Hammitt place, and re- siding there nine years. He then purchased his present valuable estate of seven hundred and eighteen acres, located three miles south of the village of San Ramon, where he has built an elegant mansion, in which he resides,
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.