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 68
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" Then," said Mr. Jones, " you are compelled to admit that if you suc- ceed, you do it upon a falsehood ?"
To which the Doctor has, to this day, made no reply. Previous to the Civil War, there lived at Lafayette a Reverend Mr. Briare, a very radical Abolitionist. He left Lafayette, and, after several years absence, returned and remained some time. On his return he claimed to be very conserva- tive, and to prove his conservatism, told all whom he met that he was going to see Brother Jones, and, on seeing him, commenced a conversa- tion by saying :-
" Brother Jones, I can now conceive how a man can or may be a Chris- tian, and be at the same time a secessionist ?"
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Mr. Jones replied, "Parson, I do not understand."
The Parson paused a moment, apparently in deep study, and then repeated a second and third time the question.
Mr. Jones said : " Parson, you do not mean to infer that I hold that a man cannot be a Christian and an abolitionist ; if so, you do not under- stand me at all. You do not know what I am opposing, and that we may clearly understand each other, I will read to you a portion of the testi- mony of a witness on Kansas affairs."
Mr. Jones then read from Report No. 200, page 921, of the Committee of the House of Representatives, Thirty-fourth Congress, First Session, as follows :
"I supposed that the military organization was to shoot down law- abiding men, if they should attempt to enforce the laws. That was my supposition. And an avowed object of the self-defense spoken of, was to defend themselves against the enforcement of those laws, even though they were enforced by United States authority and United States officers."
"This," said Mr. Jones, " is a small portion of the testimony of one Doctor Andrew J. Francis, a captain of one of the military companies that the party claimed was organized for self-defence."
" Here are pages 1135-6-7 of a letter from ex-Governor Reeder to his dear friend in diabolism :
"' Let my name go before the Legislature, and if the party will then say they do not need my services, well and good. I shall be honorably relieved of labor, responsibility and danger. If they elect me, I shall feel bound to stand by them, and fight their battles pertinaciously, zeal- ously, faithfully. As to putting a set of laws in operation in opposition to the Territorial Government, my opinion is confirmed instead of being shaken. My predictions have all been verified so far, and will be in the future. We will be, so far as loyalty is concerned, in the wrong; and that is no trifle, in so critical a state of things, and in view of such bloody consequences. It will be an invitation to the powers that be to bring down the Missourians upon us in the assumed character of the vin- dicators of the law.'"
The Parson dropped his head between his hands, his elbows on his knees, and remained for some time as if in deep thought, when he replied:
"Brother Jones, I saw that before, and as I am in a great hurry, I will call and see you again when I have time."
But he has never had time, or has never called since.
In conclusion, Mr. Jones says upon such testimony as this, to which volumes may be added of the same character, he is willing that future generations may judge as to his fealty to Constitutional Government.
Besides three children deceased, Mr. Jones has now living the follow- ing family : Robinson M., born July 2, 1844; Martha A. (now Mrs.
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John Slitz), born December 18, 1847 ; Eliza J. (now Mrs. D. E. Cameron), born June 8, 1850; Jasper J., born June 28, 1854 ; Wallace L., born May 28, 1860.
ROBINSON M. JONES .- The subject of this sketch is the son of these old pioneers Nathaniel, and Elizabeth (Allen) Jones, and was born in Buchan- an county, Missouri, July 2, 1844; when but eighteen months old his parents started from their Missouri home to cross the almost trackless plains and inaccessible mountains to the Far West, and, after a weary trip of seven months, they arrived in Chiles' valley, Napa county, where they remained for one year, when they moved to the redwoods of Contra Costa, where our subject's childhood was spent. He attended the Lafayette district school, and afterward finished his education at the San Ramon college near Alamo. In 1867, our subject, in company with a Mr. Johnson, now of Napa county, engaged in the newspaper business, being editors and proprietors of the Solano Sentinel of Suisun, in which he remained for one year. He then returned to this county and followed farmning and teaching school until 1873, when he was elected to the office of County Surveyor ; and two years later was re-elected to the same office, butr esigned in favor of the present incumbent, Thomas A. McMahon. In 1876, on the completion of the Grangers' Warehouses at Martinez, Mr. Jones was appointed by the directors to take charge of the same, in which capacity he has simce remained, with the exception of seven months, and is now considered by that association the right man in the right place. Was united in marriage in Lafayette, October 27, 1872, to Miss Nettie Renwick, a native of California, by which union they have three sons, whose names are Emmit R., born September 24, 1873; Robert L., born August 22, 1877 ; Charles, born June 21, 1880.
FREDERICK KAPP (deceased) .- The subject of this sketch, whose por- trait appears in this work, was born in Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland, November 27, 1833. At the age of nine years his parents moved to Alabama, and there he received his education at a private school, afterwards serving a term of five years at the printer's trade. In December, 1849, our subject moved west and located in Camden, Arkansas, and there followed his trade for three years. November, 1852, Mr. Kapp entered the employ of J. West Martin, to aid in driving a drove of cattle and sheep to California, and after a weary trip consuming over one year, they arrived in Haywards, Alameda county. A few years later he began farming and stock raising on the San Lorenzo creek, where he dwelt some twelve years. In 1865, Mr. Kapp sold out and engaged in farming with his uncle, Mr. Martin, in Alameda county, where he resi- ded until the Fall of 1875, when he, in company with W. D. and W. B. English, purchased their large tract of land consisting of three thousand
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five hundred acres located three miles north of Concord, where our subject resided, surrounded by his wife and family and enjoyed the fruits of a well-spent and prosperous life, having the esteem and confi- dence of the community in which he lived ; but was called away in the full bloom of manhood and in the prime of life. Mr. Kapp died February 5, 1882. He was united in marriage in Livermore, Alameda county, May 25, 1875, to Miss Lucy Belle Clarkson, a native of Missouri, born Sep- tember 20, 1850, by this union there are four children: John English, born February 19, 1876 ; Weenie, born October 23, 1877; Bell, born January 20, 1879 ; and Kathleen, born November 16, 1880.
MICHAEL KEARNY .- Born in County Antrim, Ireland, January, 1820. On attaining the age of twenty-seven years, he emigrated to the United States, and for the first two years resided in New York City. After pass- ing two more years at Newburg, he had an engagement for a like period in the West Point foundry, at the expiration of which he returned to New York, and there remained until 1854. In that year he sailed for California, via Chagres river, arriving in San Francisco in the month of May. He now proceeded to the southern mines for a short time, but returning to the Bay City, worked as a laborer during one Summer. He next tried the mines near Downieville, Sierra county, until May, 1857, when he located in Contra Costa, near the county line, about five miles from San Pablo; at the end of two years he leased the farm where Mr. Jones now resides, and dwelt there for six years, and finally, in 1865, purchased his present property, comprising one hundred and ten acres of up-land, and one hundred and four acres of tule, on which he has made many improvements. Married in New York, September 6, 1851, Mary McPike, a native of Londonderry, Ireland, and has four surviving chil- dren : Bridget (now Mrs. O'Neil), Edward, Catherine (now Mrs. Fergus- son), and Sarah.
MICHAEL KIRSCH .- A native of Prussia ; born November 28, 1832, and received a common school education at St. Wendel. In 1849 he emi- grated to the United States ; first located in Cincinnati, and in that city served a two-years' apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade; he then passed some four years as journeyman, and at the end of that time was em- ployed by the Iron Mountain Railroad Company as blacksmith ; removed to Missouri, and continued in this position until 1858, when he emigrated via Panama, to this coast, first locating at Watsonville. There he followed his trade for six months. His next move was to San Francisco, where he opened a shop on Pacific street, between Montgomery and Sansome, and there resided until the latter part of 1858, when he moved to Contra Costa county, and located in Walnut Creek, purchased his present prop- erty, opened his blacksmith shop, and in connection with which he runs
James Stewart
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a wagon and carriage manufactory. Was united in marriage in San Francisco September 24, 1866, to Miss Julia Switzer, a native of Bavaria ; by this union they have four children : Frederick M., born November 14, 1867 ; Emma E., born December 5, 1869; Virginia P., born January 10, 1871 ; and Berthe, born April 6, 1873.
NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD .- Born in Scotland, near Glasgow, December 15, 1832. He resided in his birth-place, was educated at the common schools, and afterwards learned the trade of machinist until nineteen years of age. July, 1851, found Mr. Kirkwood on a sailing vessel in the port of Greenock, bound for the United States, via Cape Horn, coming direct to San Francisco, where he arrived February 22, 1852. He first found employment with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, on board one of their vessels running from San Francisco to Panama, and re- mained in that situation until 1857. He then purchased his present property of one hundred and forty acres, in Diablo valley, one mile west of Clayton, and has since acquired eighty acres more. He went there to reside Sepember 15, 1857, and is now engaged in farming and viticul- ture. Mr. Kirkwood never married.
PHILIP J. KLEIN .- Born at Franfort on the Main, June 10, 1840, where he was educated and resided until he attained the age of twenty-two years, when, in December, 1862, he sailed from Hamburg for New York. There he remained a few days, and came to the Pacific coast, via Panama and arrived in San Francisco in January of the following year. There he resided for four years, being engaged in the hotel business, part of the time at the Eureka Hotel and afterwards at the Nucleus Hotel. In July, 1867, he returned to his native country, where he remained eight months, during which time he was joined in wedlock. He returned to California with his wife, and on arrival at San Francisco found employment at the "Nucleus," where he remained until being taken with small-pox, when he concluded to change his residence. On February 7, 1870, he came to Contra Costa county, and located at Concord. There Mr. Klein purchased his present property, and engaged in the hotel business, which he still continues, being proprietor of the Concord Hotel. Married in Germany, March 13, 1868, Catharine Houser, a native of Germany. By this union there are : Frederick W., Louisa G., Charles W., August and Katie A.
ERNST F. KOHLER .- Born in Hanover, Germany, January 16, 1842, and there was educated and resided, being with his uncle in a distillery until he attained the age of seventeen years. He then emigrated to the United States, and arrived in New York September 3, 1860, where he resided until coming to California in December, 1861, landing in
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San Francisco on Christmas day of that year. At the end of a twelve- month he embarked in agricultural pursuits on Sherman Island, where he remained until June, 1868, when he returned to New York on a visit. In the month of August of the same year he came back to California, and engaged in wine-making in different localities until 1878, when, in Sep- tember of that year, he purchased his present ranch of three hundred and twenty acres, on which he has a vineyard and orchard sixty acres in extent. Married, in San Francisco, Miss Matilda F. A. Klussmann, a native of Mecklenberg-Schwerin, Germany, and has : Frederick, Matilda and Henry.
WILLIAM KRIEGER .- Born in Prussia, in the year 1833. In the year 1853 he emigrated to the United States, and in 1856 came to California. He first found employment in San Francisco in a restaurant, subsequently going into business on his own account for three years till October, 1859, he moved to his present ranch, consisting of one hundred acres, where he now resides, being chiefly engaged in farming and stock raising. Married, in San José, 1858, Adeline Steitz, who died September, 1861. By this union there is one child, Eliza, born June 9, 1861.
FREDERICK LANGENKAMP .- Born in the kingdom of Hanover, No- vember 20, 1817, and there resided on a farm until his twenty-sixth year. He then emigrated to the United States, and first locating in Baltimore, worked on a farm about three miles from that city for one Summer; he then found employment on the railroad at that time building from Baltimore to Harper's Ferry. January, 1844, he enlisted in the United States Army, served with General Scott in his campaign in Mexico, took part in all the prominent engagements of that memorable campaign, and on the surrender of the Mexicans to the United States forces, our subject was stationed in the city of Mexico until the expiration of his term of service, when he returned to New Orleans, and was there married. He now moved to Macon county, Illinois, and there resided until his coming to this State, via New York and Panama, and arrived in San Francisco, October, 1863. He immediately proceeded to Napa county and joined his brother-in-law, John S. Hogan, and after a short sojourn came to Pacheco, Contra Costa county, where he resided until 1869, when he pur- chased his present ranch of one hundred and eighty acres of beautiful farming land in Ygnacio valley. Mr. Langenkamp has experimented extensively in the hop and fruit business, for which his farm is well adapted. Married, in New Orleans, January 25, 1852, Miss Maria Hogan, a native of Ireland. By this union they have had five children : Henry (deceased), Francis, George, Ellen (now Mrs. Charles Campbell), and Bernard (deceased.)
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JOHN LARKEY .- The subject of this sketch was born in Delaware county, Ohio, March 9, 1831. When but four years of age his parents moved to Illinois, and in that State resided until 1846, when they moved to Wis- consin ; after a residence of two years in the Badger State they again moved, and located in Jackson county, Iowa, where his parents still reside. March 30, 1853, Mr. Larkey, then being twenty-two years of age, in company with two of his uncles, started with horse-teams to cross the plains to California, and after an uneventful trip arrived, and first located in Alameda county, where he was employed on a farm for four months. Mr. Larkey then engaged in farming for himself, and resided in that county until 1857. In that year he selected Contra Costa county as his future home, by buying his present place of seven hundred and thirty acres, situated one mile and a half from Walnut Creek, and now, after long years of labor, besides a vast outlay of money, Mr. Larkey has one of the best improved and appointed farms in the county, his beautiful residence situated on a commanding eminence being surrounded by flow- ers, evergreens, shrubbery and all the different kinds of fruit. Mr. Larkey, now in the prime of life, is enjoying the comforts of his happy home with the wife of his youth, beloved by his children and friends, and respected by the citizens of the county in which he dwells. He was married in Jackson county, Iowa, March 26, 1864, to Miss Martha E. Spore. By this union they have six children : Alonzo S., born Decem- ber 29, 1864; George E., born December 15, 1866; Ida L. and Ada L. (twins), born May 13, 1870 ; Eda L., born October 28, 1872 ; Ora E., born August 31, 1875.
JOSHUA A. LITTLEFIELD .-- The subject of this sketch was born in Wells, York county, Maine, July 24, 1836. Residing in his birth-place until sixteen years of age, he then went to Exeter, New Hampshire, and there learned the trade of tinsmith, staying there for two years, and then, after some three years spent in Lowell and Boston, he started, via Panama, for this coast, entering the Golden Gate September 15, 1857. On his arrival in the metropolis of the Golden State he immediately proceeded to Benicia; there found employment at his trade, with L. D. Sanborn, and resided until 1859, when he came to Contra Costa county, and first located in Pacheco as foreman for L. B. Dell, remaining in this capacity for eighteen months, when he bought Mr. Dell out, and continued business for himself. In 1874 Mr. Littlefield sold a half inter- est to George Wiggins, and this firm has since continued business under the name of Littlefield & Wiggins. In 1879 they started a branch store in Martinez, and in 1881 bought the property they now occupy on Main street. In that year Mr. Littlefield moved his residence to Martinez, and is now managing their tin and hardware store at that place, sur- rounded by his interesting family of five children and a pleasant home.
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GEORGE P. LOUCKS .- Whose portrait appears in this work, is the son of Peter G. and Nancy Gray Loucks, and was born July 21, 1819, in Montgomery county New York. At the age of thirteen years was em- ployed as a clerk by a general merchandise, grain and forwarding house ; remained with them until the dissolution of the firm, about two and a half years; after which engaged as clerk with a general merchandise and produce firm; remained with them about five and a half years; then returned home to his parents, and engaged in farming for one year. In 1838 Mr. Loucks was elected Captain in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth New York Volunteers ; in the following year he became Major; the following year was Colonel, and afterwards aid-de- camp to Major-General Averill. April 22, 1841, was married to Ann, daughter of John and Catharine Lyke Liebre. Engaged in general mer- chandise, grain and forwarding business until the Fall of 1848. Removed to New York City and engaged in commission and brokerage business until 1851. November 11, 1851, sailed per steamer Georgia for Chagres ;. arrived at Chagres, November 21st, thence crossing the Isthmus, and sailed per steamer Tennessee from Panama, arriving at San Francisco, December 17, 1851. After visiting friends at Sacramento, left San Fran- cisco, December 29th, for Big Oak Flat, Tuolumne county ; arrived at that place January 2, 1852, and engaged in mining; left Big Oak Flat, July 4, 1852 ; arrived in San Francisco, July 7th, and engaged in ship- store and commission business up to December, 1857. Removed to his present residence December 4, 1857, and engaged in farming and ware- housing up to March, 1864. In September, 1863, was elected County Clerk, ex-officio Recorder, etc., for term of two years; was re-elected in 1865. In 1871 was elected Supervisor for third township; was re-elected in 1873 for full term from March, 1874. He had been engaged in farming in connection with his official duties during his term of office. He has been identified with the Grangers' Warehouse and Business Association of Contra Costa county from its inception, and one of the Board of Direc- tors and Secretary. He has four children living. Peter G., his eldest son, was born in Montgomery county, New York ; Frank L., his youngest son, was born in San Francisco ; his two daughters living, Annie and Belle, were born at his present place of residence.
WILLIAM LYNCH .- Is the son of William and Elizabeth (Smith) Lynch and was born in New York, July 28, 1827. At the age of fifteen years, he commenced the battle of life as an apprentice to the carpenter's trade, and at the end of five years launched forth as a full-fledged journeyman, in New York City, for two years more. Determining, however, to try his fortune in some other part of the world, Mr. Lynch sailed from New York in the month of December, 1848, in the pilot-boat W. G. Hackstaff, via the Straits of Magellan, for San Francisco, at which place he was
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finally landed, after some six months buffeting with the winds and waves, June 28, 1849. In the Bay City he worked at his trade until the Fall of 1850, when he came to Contra Costa county, and, with Leo Norris, located in the San Ramon valley, where he embarked in farming, an occupation he still continues on his ranch, comprising three hundred and fifty acres of valuable land. Mr. Lynch married in April, 1853, Mary L. Norris, a native of Illinois, and has five children, viz : Leo, Mary, Naonie, Jane and Minnie.
LEO LYNCH .- Born in Contra Costa county, December 23, 1853, and is the son of William and Mary (Norris) Lynch. Our subject was educated in the common schools of the district of his birth, continuing his schol- astic training at St. Mary's College, in San Francisco, and that of Santa Clara, and, finally, in 1870, matriculating at the State University, where he graduated at the end of a four-years' term. He then engaged in mer- cantile pursuits at San Ramon, and was appointed postmaster there in 1877. Having disposed of his business to B. W. Dunn & Co., in 1879,* Mr. Lynch is now engaged in farming his father's ranch of three hundred and fifty acres. Married in Oakland November 28, 1878, Minnie, daughter of T. C. Coxhead, M. D., by whom he has one child, Ramona.
J. P. McCABE .- One of the most prosperous farmers of Township Num- ber Five, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Dixon, Lee county, Illinois, June 15, 1839, and there resided and received a com- mon school education until 1853, when, in May of that year, he, with his parents, three brothers and two sisters, started with horse-teams across the plains to California, arriving in Sierra county in August of that year. Remaining there but a short time, they proceeded to Nevada county, and there resided until 1860, when Mr. McCabe, Sr., moved his family to Napa county, where our subject finished his education at the Collegiate School of Napa City. They then moved to this county, and located in Township Number Five, in 1868. In 1873, the subject of this sketch purchased his present beautiful and well-cultivated farm of three hundred and twenty acres, where he now resides. Mr. McCabe has since purchased one hundred and sixty acres, one-half mile from his home, and six hundred and forty acres near the " Stone House," adjoining the Marsh Grant. Mr. McCabe has for a num- ber of years held the office of postmaster of Point of Timber. Was mar- ried, in Contra Costa county, to Miss Maggie Andrews, a native of Illinois, by which union they have two children: Lester Leroy and Rosie Edith.
THOMAS MCCABE. - This old and esteemed citizen of Contra Costa county, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Guernsey
39
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History of Contra Costa County.
county, Ohio, May 28, 1810, and is now in his seventy-third year. He was educated and resided in his birthplace until eighteen years of age; he then engaged in boating on the Ohio, and afterwards on the Wabash river in Indiana in 1830, where he remained for two years and united in marriage with his present wife. He next moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he followed farming for four years; the balance of the time until 1850 he spent in several dif- ferent counties of the same State. May 8th of the above year he, with quite a large company of others, started to cross the plains to the New Dorado, Mr. McCabe being elected captain of the train, and after an uneventful trip of three months, arrived in Placerville, August 3d of the same year. Our subject immediately engaged in mining, which he followed until the Fall of 1852, when he returned to his home in Illinois, and in the following Spring came back with his family to this coast, and located at Snow Point, Nevada county, where he engaged in mining until 1859. When we next find him, it is in Solano county, for three years ; the succeeding five years were passed on a ranch in Napa county. In the Fall of 1867, Mr. McCabe moved to this county, and located on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, one mile from Brent- wood, where he is now enjoying the full blessings of a well and pros- perously spent life, having in view of his dwelling the bright and pleasant homes of his sons, who are now substantial farmers of the Point of Timber district. Married, in Fountain, Indiana, Jannary 13, 1831, Miss Maria Peacock, a native of Ohio. By this union they have nine children living, and twenty-six grandchildren. Their family consists of Joseph, Henry, George, Edward, Frank, Annie (now Mrs. George Fellows), Jane (now Mrs. Thomas Stuart), Mary (now Mrs. Fly) and Ella.
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