History of Contra Costa County, California; with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 42

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1118

USA > California > Contra Costa County > History of Contra Costa County, California; with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 42

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In 1869 H. B. Reed came to Antioch and engaged in contracting and building; later he opened an undertaking parlor, which he carried on till he died. He was a highly respected man and a loyal citizen. Politically he was a Democrat. He was a devout Christian. The Reed family are descended from Persian ancestors and have records extending back to 2000 B. C., and a Reed genealogy is treasured in the archives of Cali- fornia. The family kept migrating westward, to Italy, to England, to Virginia, and finally to California. Members of the family are found prominent in church and state, especially in Virginia, being ministers and statesmen. Samuel Reed, father of H. B. Reed, served with Admiral Perry on the Great Lakes in the War of 1812; and his last campaign was with Gen. Samuel Houston in Mexico. On the maternal side, the Brezees came from French Huguenot stock and settled in New York State early in the nineteenth century.

WILLIAM JOHNSON .- The brave pioneers of the Golden State are fast passing away, and in the archives of the land which they settled, and out of its crudity evolved the present-day civilization, should be pre- served the story of their trials and triumphs. The subject of this sketch, William Johnson, the father of Mrs. Charles G. Goold, of Danville, was an honored pioneer of California. When a lad of sixteen he accompa- nied his father, James Johnson, across the Indian-infested Western plains and rugged mountains from the State of Michigan to California, in 1852; the father started with his family on April 6, 1852, and arrived in Sycamore Valley, Contra Costa County, Cal., on September 11 of the same year. William Johnson was born in Cass County, Mich., July 11, 1836, a son of James and Elizabeth (Mendenhall) Johnson. Mrs. John- son's brother, William Mendenhall, had preceded the Johnsons to Cali- fornia and had settled in the Sycamore Valley, Contra Costa County, and built the original home on the place now occupied by C. J. Wood. Upon arriving in California, James Johnson and family stopped for a short

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time with the Mendenhalls and then they visited in Santa Clara County, where Mr. Johnson had relatives. Then he moved to Contra Costa County, took up 320 acres of land, and followed farming for years. He was a blacksmith by trade and opened the first shop in Danville, and made the first plow ever made in this county, by hand. He passed away in 1892 at the age of seventy-two; his wife survived him until August, 1900, dying when eighty-four years of age.

William Johnson, when a young man, took up a quarter-section of government land adjoining the ranch of his father and there followed raising grain and stock. He improved the place with a substantial house, barns and outbuildings, hauling the lumber used to construct the build- ings from the redwoods in Moraga Valley. The timbers were not sawed, but were split, and the buildings were so well constructed that some of them remain standing until this time, 1926. Mr. Johnson also bought 640 acres in the Livermore mountain .district.

William Johnson was united in marriage with Annie Shimpf, a native of London, England, of German descent; and they were the parents of three children: Almira, who married Charles G. Goold, the well-known and successful farmer and banker of Danville; Emma, now deceased; and Clara, Mrs. Ralph Harrison. William Johnson, during his opera- tions as a farmer, ploughed the present route of San Ramon Creek. Heavy rains set in and washed the ditch through the newly ploughed land and it continued to grow larger and larger until it reached its present proportions. In the early days, wild Mexican cattle and horses were roaming these valleys at will, and wild oats and mustard grew so high that it was necessary for a man to go on horseback to look over their tops.

ELAM BROWN BARBER .- A son. of a Contra Costa County pioneer, Elam Brown Barber still resides on the home ranch near Mar- tinez. He was born on June 13, 1846, near Jacksonville, Ill., the son of Mathew Root Barber. The latter was born in Ohio on August 7, 1813, and when two years of age was taken to Bond County, Ill., where the family settled as pioneers in that prairie country. At an early age Mathew's father died and the lad was taken into the home of Elam Brown, at Lafayette, Ill. He attended the pioneer schools in Illinois, and on November 14, 1837, was married in Pike County, Ill., to Orpha Bean who was born on March 15, 1814. They had five children: Mrs. Maria Lander, William H., Daniel N., Elam Brown and Mrs. Clara E. Goodall. Mathew Barber farmed, raised stock and made wagons in Illinois until 1849, when on March 15 he started across the plains with an emi- grant train and in September of that year arrived at Hangtown, Cal. He mined a short time and then came to Contra Costa County, where Elam Brown was living at Lafayette, which was named after the town he came from in Illinois. For a time Mr. Barber worked in the redwoods, and while thus employed he wrote the tickets for the election of the first

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officials of this county. Later he worked at the carpenter trade and helped build many of the first homes in Martinez. On February 14, 1851, he left San Francisco for the East on a vessel, crossed the Isthmus, and arrived in Illinois, where he had left his family. They started back across the plains with covered wagons, driving a large band of stock, and arrived in Martinez on August 22, 1852, after an uneventful journey. He then purchased a ranch two miles from the town and began making a home, and during that time he was elected and served four successive terms as public administrator. Mathew Barber and his family were highly respected, and he always showed his public spirit in advancing the prosperity of the county. He died July 21, 1891, and Mrs. Brown passed away on December 2, 1899.

Elam Brown Barber started with the family across the plains when he was five years old. One incident he recalls was the overtaking of a train that had been massacred by Indians, and the men of their train buried the victims. He received his education in the public schools and Heald's Business College in San Francisco. When he had finished school he re- turned to the home ranch and ever since then has carried on the work there, keeping abreast of the times in all things. While he represents an old family, he has also made a name and place for himself and has a wide circle of friends.

JOHN NICHOLL .- Many lives have entered into the foundation of the State of California, but none more worthy to be considered in a history devoted to the biographies of its citizens than the late John Nicholl. Those who have come to California more recently, to enjoy the superior advantages now offered, do not always realize what a great debt they owe the pioneers who faced dangers and endured hardships to lay firm the foundation of a greater civilization and a permanent prosperity.

John Nicholl was born in County Antrim, Ireland, on November 19, 1822, a son of Hugh and Mary (Aiken) Nicholl, of Scotch-Irish descent. His schooling was limited; but he was taught hard work on the farm, and after reaching the age of twenty-five decided to seek his fortunes in the New World. He arrived in New York in 1849 and worked as a laborer for a time. It was in New York that he married Agnes Booth, a friend of his youth, who had come to America in 1850. In 1854, with a party numbering thirteen, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholl boarded the George Law for the Isthmus of Panama. They crossed the Isthmus, Mrs. Nicholl riding a mule while Mr. Nicholl walked. Reaching the Pacific side they boarded the John L. Stephens en route for San Francisco, where they arrived on January 16. Mr. Nicholl paid one dollar to cross the bay to San Leandro Creek, where he leased a ranch and began general farming. He worked hard and prospered, and in 1857 came to Contra Costa County, bought 200 acres of the San Pablo Rancho, and here began developing a home

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for his family. He raised grain, hay and stock, and for many years oper- ated a threshing machine within a radius of six miles of his ranch. He added to his holdings some 400 acres east of his home place and increased the volume of his production. The first school here was started by Mr. Nicholl, who hauled the lumber in his own wagon. For forty years he served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church at San Pablo, and he was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church in Oakland. He also erected the first brick building on Washington Street, Oakland. Later he was one of the large bean raisers in Ventura County, where he owned considerable land.

It was for a time impossible to get a clear title to grant lands, and for a great many years those who had bought land from the Spanish settlers were engaged in expensive litigation. Finally, when it was pos- sible to secure a title, Mr. Nicholl was advised by his attorney, Mr. Moon, to let the 400 acres go and take 150 that had been offered in exchange. at Point Richmond. This he did, and he later began the building up of the town. He sold to the backers of the Santa Fe Railroad fifty-three acres for $80,000, receiving the money in one check drawn on the Bank of California. From this time and until his death Mr. Nicholl was in- tensely interested in the building up of Richmond. He owned some thirty or forty houses, organized and was president of the John Nicholl Com- pany, and was a stockholder in the First National Bank of Richmond.

On May 13, 1895, Mrs. Nicholl passed away, and the following month Mr. Nicholl took up his home in Oakland. There he died in 1914, mourned by a host of friends made during his long and busy career.

THOMAS EDWARDS .- It seems eminently fitting that the names of early pioneers should be perpetuated in such manner that their labors in the days of trial and suffering may remain an inspiration and encourage- ment to others of the present day period. Great honor is due the pioneers of the Golden State and their descendants possess a heritage of which they may well be proud. Thomas Edwards was a pioneer of 1850 in California. He was born in North Wales on April 5, 1812, and at the age of fourteen went to sea, continuing for ten years, at which time he secured a position as mate on river steamers plying the Mississippi River. He worked for Captain Roe, who later became a large pork-packer in St. Louis, as first mate for five years. It was while he was working on the Mississippi River that he met J. B. Crockett, for whom Crockett, Cal., is named, who was then a law student in Cincinnati. On account of the news of the discovery of gold in California, in 1849 Mr. Edwards gave up steamboating and arranged to come to the Pacific Coast. The winter of 1849-1850 was spent in Louisa County, Iowa, then with his wife and three children he went to Council Bluffs and joined a party of forty men with ten wagons for the overland trip via Fort Hall and Las- sen's Cutoff to California. After a few hundred miles travel with this party, in which there were but two women, Mr. Edwards stopped at the

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Platte River to rest his stock. The rest of the train continued West as fast as they could go, thus the balance of the long and tiresome journey to Cali- fornia was made alone. They arrived on Mormon Slough, near Stockton, in September, 1850. Going to Tuolumne County Mr. Edwards rented a hotel building at Green Springs for $500 per month and opened a hotel. In a few months the owner raised the rent and he quit, moved about ten miles away and began business at Owen House; he also began raising stock. He sold out in 1856 and bought a place at Knights Ferry, the former residence of John Dent, brother-in-law to General Grant; he also bought a ranch and continued the stock business and ranching. He had settled at this place on account of the school advantages for his children. In 1863 he transferred his range over the Sierras to Owens Valley and was the second settler there. He butchered and furnished the government with meat until 1865. The town of Independence was laid out on his ranch.

In 1867 .Mr. Edwards and family came to Contra Costa County and cn Carquinez Straits ranched on 1800 acres. In 1881 he arranged with Mr. Heald for the location of a foundry on the bay frontage. Later with Mr. Heald he laid out the town of Crockett, naming it after the friend he had met while steamboating on the Mississippi and who had come to California and secured possession of this land in payment for a lawyer's services to a client. Mr. Edwards gave two lots for the public schools on the hill, but when the school house was moved the lot was sold for an apartment house site; he also gave a lot 50 by 140 for a church and parsonage, which is still used for those purposes. Thomas A.

McMahon was the surveyor who plotted the townsite. Mr. Edwards gave the right-of-way to the Southern Pacific, and land for their depot and freighthouse. His one condition was that it must be called Crockett, although the first depot was located at Valona, only a short distance away. Reaching an agreement with Dr. John Strentzel, the founder of Valona, and A. D. Starr of the Starr Milling Company, the depot was moved to Crockett to be near the flouring mill owned by Mr. Starr. When Mr. Heald located in Crockett with his foundry he bought forty-seven acres on the water front and reserved seven acres for his own plant; and every other lot was owned by him because of his help in laying out the town. Mr. Edwards sold the water frontage to Mr. Heald for fifty dollars an acre. Mr. Edwards was so closely connected with every movement in this vicinity that it would be hard to mention any improvement that did not feel his guiding hand. His circle of acquaintances was a large one and he was highly respected by all who ever had the opportunity to meet him.

Thomas Edwards, Sr., and Mary Pugh were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 19, 1843, by the Rev. John H. Jones, pastor of the Welsh Congregational Church. Mrs. Edwards had come to the United States from the same part of Wales as had Mr. Edwards, in charge of Rev. B. W. Chidlaw. She was born on July 20, 1819. Of this marriage

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the following children were born: Hugh P., named for his grandfather Edwards who died in Wales on October 2, 1844, was born in St. Louis on August 13, 1844; John, who was born in Iowa on April 7, 1847; Thomas, born December 4, 1849, and died April 3, 1851, the funeral services being read by John Dent at Knight's Ferry; Thomas (II), born August 19, 1851, in Tuolumne County, is living in Crockett; David, born December 29, 1852, in Tuolumne County, is mentioned on another page in this history; Edward, born October 8, 1854; Susan Jane, born June 10, 1858, died February 9, 1893. The original Edwards homestead is still standing at Crockett. It was built on a mound of shells on the bank of the bay and was an ideal home site. Mrs. Edwards planted many of the trees now seen on the place. Mr. Edwards, after a long and useful life, passed to his reward on Febraury 15, 1883, at Crockett, and his funeral sermon was preached by Rev. A. Drahms, a Congregational preacher from Mar- tinez, who afterwards became chaplain at San Quentin. The mother died at the age of seventy-four in 1893. David and Thomas Edwards are the only survivors of their family.

JOHN J. McNAMARA .- Perhaps no man was better known, nor more prominent in the upbuilding of Contra Costa County, than John J. McNamara, whose entire career was spent in the county, and whose life record is that of an honored and upright citizen, and a thoroughly intelli- gent, patriotic and useful man. A native son of Contra Costa County, he was born on December 28, 1867, the son of Michael and Catherine McNa- mara, both natives of Ireland. Michael McNamara came to the county in the early sixties and engaged in farming, and later in the grocery business in Martinez. John J. McNamara was associated with his father in the gro- cery business at one time, and later he engaged in that business for himself, conducting a grocery store in Martinez for twenty-eight years. He also engaged in the liquor business at the corner of Ferry and Main Streets, and another of his business interests was that of the Palm Garden Grill, of which he was the owner.

Mr. McNamara was one of the most progressive citizens Martinez has ever had, a "booster" and a builder. He served as mayor for many years, and for twenty years was on the board of trustees of the city; and during his incumbency of both offices, many improvements were made in Martinez. During his term as mayor, the new city hall was built, and his name is engraved on the cornerstone. The bridge across the creek was also built during this time, and is one of the most important factors in the growth of Martinez. Mr. McNamara did not stop at encouraging public building. He also erected many buildings on his own account, among them the Alhambra Market building, where he owned a half interest in the business ; and he built in Martinez eight residences, which he sold, and two double houses now owned by Mrs. McNamara. Seeing the need for ac- commodating newcomers to the city, he erected the first apartment house in Martinez, known as the City Hall Apartment Building, in which he re-

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tained a one-third interest. He also owned ranches at various times, which he sold. When a young man of eighteen years, he was foreman of the McNear ranch, and thus gained a thorough knowledge of the agricultural resources of this part of the State; and he never wavered in his firm be- lief in the future prosperity and advancement in store for Contra Costa County. Perhaps one of his most important works for the district was the organizing of the Martinez-Benicia Ferry, of which company he was pres- ident up to the time of his death. This ferry system has been of ines- timable benefit to Martinez and Contra Costa, and will always be a monument to the foresight and public spirit of the man. He promoted the new theatre building, now sold to the West Coast Theatres, Inc. For thirty years, also, he carried on an insurance business.

By his marriage Mr. McNamara was united with Annie E. Hitmann, also a native of this county, and the daughter of John and Catherine Hitmann, early settlers here. Two girls blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. McNamara : Mildred L., wife of Albert Bonnel; and Beatrice W. The death of Mr. McNamara occurred on December 9, 1922, and left a place vacant which can never be filled. His work here came at a time when men of foresight and public spirit were most needed to lay a sure founda- tion for future generations, and he willingly took up the burden and ful- filled the obligation in the loyal spirit of his pioneer parents. Fraternally prominent, he was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles, the Red Men, the Young Men's Institute, and the I. D. E. S. In politics, he was a Republican.

CHARLES A. SWEENEY .- The city marshal and tax collector of Antioch, Contra Costa County, is Charles A. Sweeney and he is one of the oldest city officials who have held office continuously in that city. He came to this city in June, 1880, and was foreman for a hog buyer, having charge of fattening the animals for market. He was appointed town marshal in 1914 and served ever since; and for a quarter of a century served as constable, having been elected to that office soon after settling in Antioch.

Mr. Sweeney was born in San Francisco on August 14, 1857, and is a son of the late William B. and Nora (Hartnett) Sweeney, both natives of Ireland. The father came to California via Cape Horn in a sailing vessel in 1849, and his wife joined him here in 1850. He started teaming in San Francisco and carried on that business many years. He died in Antioch in 1909; and his wife passed away in 1906. Charles A. attended the public schools in San Francisco and at an early age served an ap- prenticeship to learn the butcher's trade, which he followed until coming to Antioch in 1880. He has always been a Democrat and served as a deputy sheriff many years, also as constable and city tax collector. For many years he served as secretary of the Eagles lodge, of which he is' a member; and he belongs to the Native Sons, the Foresters of America and the Young Men's Institute.

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In 1879 Mr. Sweeney married Mary J. Curtis, a native of San Fran- cisco and they had three children: Estella J., Mrs. William J. Beasley; Charles D .; and Edward S. Mr. Sweeney holds the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens and always shows his public spirit when it comes to the development of his community.

LAFAYETTE IRVING FISH .- One of the pioneers of Contra Costa County, L. I. Fish was born in Batavia, N. Y., on October 27, 1824, the son of Libbeus and Polly (Holcomb) Fish, the former born in Townsend, Windham County, Vt., in 1781, and the latter a native of Rochester, N. Y. They were married on January 1, 1805. Next to the youngest of eleven children born to his parents, Mr. Fish was reared in Batavia, N. Y., where he attended the public schools. Later, in 1839, he attended Mr. Emmert's school for boys; and two years later still, on going to Jackson, Mich., he there attended school for two years. Upon finishing his schooling, he entered C. W. Penney's general merchan- dise store in Jackson, and from there went to Monticello, Miss., remain- ing for a time. Returning then to Michigan, he was again with Mr. Penney until he decided to come to California. In August, 1849, he left Jackson, Mich., and in January, 1850, he arrived via Panama in San Francisco. When he left New York, Mr. Fish purchased a quantity of butter in firkins, knowing that such a commodity was scarce in California and that if he could get it through safely it would sell for a good price. When he got to Panama he had an opportunity to dispose of it at a good price and the man to whom he was going to sell it asked for a sample. He bored a hole into one of the firkins and found the butter liquid; so he stopped up the hole and refused to sell. He brought it to San Francisco, where he sold it for $1.05 per pound. He often related this story as an amusing example of the trials of the pioneer. Mr. Fish came on to Marysville to join a company to engage in mining, and they pro- ceeded by ox-teams to Slate Creek. Here he found the miners leaving for Feather River; he joined the rush, and opened a store at Nelson Creek, on the north fork of Feather River, where he built a log house for store and home and often kept lodgers.

In 1852, Mr. Fish came to Contra Costa County, and soon after pur- chased an interest in the Welch grant, and there he engaged in farming for many years. He turned the virgin soil and kept at work against all obstacles-and there were many in those pioneer days, and were a real test of manhood and of the survival of the fittest. In 1853 he returned East and spent one year purchasing sheep and building wagons; and in the spring of 1854 he started across the plains with a band of 5000 sheep and a small band of cattle. With the drivers of the stock on saddle horses, and the balance of the party in covered wagons, they made their way overland, and being well armed and exceedingly watchful, they ar- rived safely in the Sacramento Valley, in October, 1854, and succeeded in

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bringing 3000 sheep and 141 head of cattle. These Mr. Fish sold at a handsome profit, receiving from $7 to $10 per head for his sheep, which had cost him $1.50. He continued ranching on the Welch Ranch, and later raised grain with a Mr. Lathrop until they dissolved partnership. Mr. Fish thereafter continued alone, and was one of the successful grain growers in the San Joaquin Valley. He was one of the first to summer- fallow the land, which proved such an important factor in subsequent grain raising in the State. In his operations he farmed very large tracts, producing great quantities of wheat and barley, and was one of the first men to ship grain from San Francisco to the Eastern markets. As early as 1855 he had sent East for a reaper, mowing machine and other machinery.

In 1873, with Hale Brothers, Mr. Fish founded and opened the Bank of Martinez, of which he served as president until he retired, in 1890, on account of his physical condition, after having made a decided success of the bank. As early as 1878 he entered the wholesale grain business with Simon Blum and Barry Baldwin, buying and shipping grain. His first-hand knowledge of the resources and opportunities for develop- ing land in California gave him absolute confidence in its future pro- ductiveness, and he purchased ranches in various counties in the State, some thirteen pieces of property all told; and his faith has been more than justified.

The marriage of Mr. Fish, occurring in San Jose, Cal., in 1881, united him with Miss Frances Webster, born in Stockholm, N. Y., April 10, 1853. She was educated in that State and attended the normal school at Potsdam, after which she was sent, together with five men, to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where they established a normal school, now known as the Iowa Teachers' College. In 1878 she became a teacher in the San Jose State Normal School, and it was in California that she met Lafayette Fish. They made their home in Martinez, where Mr. Fish built a residence for his family. Two children were born to this worthy couple : Irving Webster and Anne Holcomb. Irving Webster married Miss Clare Bristol in 1910. No children were born of this union. He was engaged in business in Honolulu, but returned to California and engaged in ranch- ing at Ukiah until his death, in June, 1922. Anne Holcomb was born in Martinez and finished her education at Miss Head's school, in Berkeley, after which she attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Mass. In company with her mother and brother, she then trav- eled for a year, making a trip around the world and visiting the different countries en route. In 1909 occurred her marriage to Robert Noble Bur- gess. Mr. Burgess was born in St. Johns, N. B., and came to California with his parents when a boy, settling in Berkeley. Among other develop- ment projects with which he has been connected was the establishment of the Mount Diablo Country Club. Five children have come to them : Robert Noble, Jr., and Frances Webster, Suzanne Fish, Nancy Fish, and

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History of Contra Costa County, California; with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 42

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P Publication date: 1926 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1118

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1118