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 57

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 57

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Walter W. Morgan married Miss Dee C. Cottrel, and they have one child, Jean. The family reside in their own residence, located at 1134 Escobar Street. Mr. Morgan is a member and Past Consul of The Wood- men of the World, and also belongs to the Native Sons.

Norton J. Morgan married Miss Teresina Burger, born in the City of Mexico. They make their home in the old Morgan homestead at Martinez. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order. Both brothers are Republicans.

JAMES M. STOW .- The late James M. Stow will be remembered as a man of unusual public spirit and enterprise who for more than four decades was actively identified with the industrial, social and politiacl advancement of Contra Costa County, and who substantially aided the growth and development of Walnut Creek. He was born in Illinois on August 29, 1847, and was a son of Josephus Stow, a native of Massachu- setts, who married Miss Susan Dodd and established a home in Spring- field, Ill. Josephus Stow left his farm in competent hands and joined the gold-seekers coming overland to California. Arriving in the Golden State, he engaged in mining with fair success, and in 1856 sent for his wife and three children, who came via Cape Horn. The family resided in Nevada County until 1859, when they removed to San Francisco, and there Josephus Stow passed away in 1860. Afterwards his widow settled at Danville, where she married John Perham. Later the family removed to Walnut Creek, and here Mrs. Perham died in 1886 at the age of sixty-six years.

James M. Stow was twelve years old when the family settled in Contra Costa County, and here his death occurred on August 17, 1919, at the

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age of nearly seventy-two years. In 1911 Mr. Stow removed to Pacific Grove. He erected one of the finest homes of that city ; and while residing there he served as one of the city trustees and was mayor of the city. but resigned to return to Walnut Creek to look after his extensive real estate holdings in Contra Costa County.

James M. Stow attended public school in Oakland, and his early business training was gained in a general merchandise store in Walnut Creek; later he became owner of the business, which he conducted until elected to the office of county assessor on the Republican ticket in 1880. This office he filled to the entire satisfaction of the people of the county for a period of seven years. In 1887 Mr. Stow disposed of his store and engaged in the real estate and insurance business, becoming one of the county's foremost promoters. He was appointed postmaster of Walnut Creek and was a faithful government servant; and at the same time he was the agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Company. He was a notary public, was one of the chief promoters and organizers of the first telephone company of the county, and for a time owned and operated the Martinez Gazette. He was a stockholder in the Bank of Martinez, the Bank of Walnut Creek, and the Bank of Pacific Grove. When a tunnel was pro- jected through the mountains, making a direct outlet to Oakland from Contra Costa County, a distance of 1026 feet, there were several bids from contractors to build the part belonging to Contra Costa County, but the county voted to have the work done by the supervisors. Mr. Stow superintended the work and saved the county over $17,000 on the con- struction of the road.

James M. Stow was twice married, the first union, which occurred on April 22, 1873, uniting him with Miss Alice Glass, a daughter of Joseph Glass, one of Contra Costa County's respected pioneers. Her death occurred on July 22, 1910. The children of this union are: Dr. Eleanor Stow Bancroft, resident physician at Mills College; Harriett, who died in infancy ; Carrie, the wife of L. R. Palmer, of Walnut Creek; Garfield. engaged in the real estate business in Oakland, Cal .; Rufus, residing on the home place and employed at Mare Island; Pearl, the wife of Joseph E. Lawrence, of Walnut Creek; Orville, engaged in the ice business in Walnut Creek; Harry, constable of Walnut Creek; Armand, in Pitts- burg; Blanche Eleen, who died in infancy; Russell, of Walnut Creek; and Forrest Chadbourne, in the Alhambra Valley. The second marriage of Mr. Stow occurred on March 20, 1912, uniting him with Mrs. Lillie (Berring) Gardner; and of this union was born one child, Berring.

Fraternally, Mr. Stow was a Mason and for a number of years served as secretary of Alamo Lodge at Walnut Creek. He was a member of the Methodist Church and served as trustee of the church at Pacific Grove. He purchased the pleasantly situated estate of Captain Fales near Walnut Creek, which he improved, making it an attractive and comfortable home place. Mr. Stow's extensive real estate holdings amounted to about 5000

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acres of land. During his last term as supervisor he was an important factor in the building of the new courthouse at Martinez. He was a Republican, always took a keen interest in State and county politics, and enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him.

FRED N. MYRICK .- A well-known member of the old pioneer fam- ily of Myricks, which has made its impress on Contra Costa County, is Fred N. Myrick, owner of a fifteen-acre ranch in Clayton Precinct, of which locality he is a native. Mr. Myrick and his wife are of that brand of God-fearing, substantial citizens who are an asset to any community, and their many friends are glad to testify as to their sterling worth. Mr. Myrick's well-cared for ranch is devoted to the growing of almonds, ap- ricots, grain and hay and is one of the most fertile spots in that section.

Fred N. Myrick was born on the old Myrick ranch in Clayton Pre- cinct on December 27, 1862, the son of Christopher Mitchell Myrick, that rugged New England pioneer, a native of Nantucket, Mass., who came to California by way of Cape Horn during the gold rush days of Forty-nine. After trying his hand at mining, but with indifferent success, he came to San Francisco where he worked as a carpenter. Later he went back to Massachusetts and married his first wife, Lydia C. Joy, whom he brought back to San Francisco and then engaged in the water business, selling it from door to door to the residents at twenty-five cents per bucket. The city then had a population of about 500 souls. There were no chil- dren of this union that lived. His second wife was Mrs. Jane (Barstow) Loring, who had a daughter, now Mrs. Annie Matheron, of Martinez. Their children were five in number, viz. : Stanley G .; Fred N .; Walter A .; Lydia C. Clayton, of Oakland; Imogene, Mrs. William Benson, died at the age of twenty-one. In 1859 Mr. Myrick came to Clayton Precinct and bought 160 acres of land which he farmed the balance of his life. He died on April 18, 1915, aged eighty-seven. He was successful in spite of an expensive lawsuit over 247 acres of land that was claimed by the railroad company, but he held the property and farmed it for about forty years, making his home on the land, in a shack, to hold possession. He was well-liked by all who knew him for his integrity of character and uprightness.

Fred N. Myrick's early schooling was meager, as was that of most of the boys of that locality in that day. He worked on his father's ranch and developed the sturdy physique of the pioneer. At the tender age of nine he was able to drive a team, milk cows and do many other of the tasks usually assigned to a full-grown man. At the age of twenty-one he left his father's ranch and commenced working on other ranches.

Fred N. Myrick was married in Concord on November 17, 1889, to Miss Phoebe Lewis, born in Wales, the daughter of William D. and Mary (Bowen) Lewis, both born in Wales, and there married, whose children were as follows: Mrs. George Bloching, deceased, and Mrs. F. N. My- rick, both born in Wales; Martha and Seth, both deceased, were born in

George ban Gorden

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Missouri; Martha 2nd, married Andrew Rumgay and died aged twenty; David, died aged four; Mrs. Margaret Llewellyn, of Washington; Edith, widow of M. Costello, of Oakland; and William C., of Washington. Mrs. Lewis died on September 8, 1925. Mr. Lewis was a miner and worked at Nortonville and Somersville in Contra Costa County, when the mines were flourishing here; also for the past thirty-eight years he has been mining in Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Myrick have had three chil- dren : Lottie B., married J. N. Wilson and lives in Martinez; Zelma I., became the wife of Thomas Bradshaw and lives in Oakland; and William, died in infancy.

GEORGE VAN GORDEN .- Of those who were drawn to Califor- nia in the forties and early fifties, but few persons who journeyed across the plains and over the mountain passes can now be found among the living. Yet among those who accompanied the undaunted pioneers of California, before the discovery of gold, there is one still living, George Van Gorden, now in his eighty-second year and a resident of the San Ramon Valley near Danville, Contra Costa County. He was born in Detroit, Mich., on September 8, 1845, a son of Ira and Rebecca ( Harlan) Van Gorden. The father was a native of Kings County, New York, and followed farming and cattle raising. Their family consisted of two boys : George, the subject of this sketch; and Jerome, now deceased. In the fall of 1845 the family left Michigan for Lexington, Mo., where they passed the winter, awaiting the coming of spring, when they anticipated making the overland journey through to the Golden State, accompanied by Grandfather George Harlan. The family joined a company consisting of 200 covered wagons bound for the Pacific Coast country, most of them expecting to locate in Oregon. As was the custom in those days of large migrations, the large wagon-train was divided into several divisions, and one capable man was chosen as leader of each party. Grandfather Harlan was chosen for their party. Another party in the same train was known as the "Donner Party," which originally started from Springfield, Ill., and was headed by George and Jacob Donner and James K. Reed, and consisted of their families. Each party was enlarged by additions and combinations as they journeyed along.

A new route over the mountains had been found and announced by Lansford W. Hastings prior to the starting of this train and it was said to save 300 miles. The Harlan party took this short-cut through Echo Canyon to what is now Ogden, over Hastings cut-off, named for Hastings. The Donner party went over the old Oregon Trail via Salt Lake, but on account of the longer route their decision proved very disastrous and the party was left snowbound in the high Sierra Moun- tains with scant provisions. They built cabins at a lake, now called Donner Lake, and sent a party of four men and four women on snowshoes in search of help and provisions. The party left December 16, 1846, with provisions for six days but the journey consumed thirty-two days and re-

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sulted in the death of two of the men. The survivors arrived at Sutter's Fort, where they were cared for, and relief parties were sent out to aid the distressed snowbound immigrants. About half of the Donner party died from starvation and exposure before assistance reached them.

George Van Gorden was a little baby when he was brought across the plains and mountains to the Golden State, but during his life in Cali- fornia he has often heard his parents and relatives narrate the interesting incidents of that long and dangerous trip. In crossing the San Joaquin River, Mr. Van Gorden says, the party had to make rafts of bundles of tule, as that was the only way the Indians had of navigating the river. He is one of the very few persons now living who crossed the plains during those perilous years in the forties. He is now in his eighty-second year and believes he has resided longer in California than any other white man now living. He is hale and hearty, and recently drove an automobile to Los Angeles in one day, a distance of 400 miles. Mr. Van Gorden says he has gone through all of the Indian uprisings without receiving a scratch. These pioneers who have survived to the present day find in the comforts of the present time ample compensation for the deprivations of the past. Mr. Van Gorden has lived to see marvelous developments and transformations wrought in California during his eighty years of resi- dence in the State. He lived in Alameda County when Alvarado was the county seat, and in 1858 removed from that county to Visalia. In 1865 he moved to San Luis Obispo County, where he made his residence for thirty years.

About 1901 Mr. Van Gorden moved to Contra Costa County, settling near Danville in the San Ramon Valley, where he owns 237 acres of land upon which he raises fruit to some extent; he has a twenty-five-acre pear orchard that he considers one of the best in the State. He also owns 450 acres in Trinity County upon which he has a gold mine, having found nuggets to the value of eight dollars and upwards; the mine is paying well. His chief occupation is stock-raising, especially race horses. On his ranch he has raised some of the best horses that have ever graced a track ; some of them have been in the winning in every race in which they have been entered. Among the horses that have been raised by him are: Captain John, that took first premium in 1920 at Madison Square Gardens in New York as the best thoroughbred stallion exhibited; and Durward Roberts, that sold for $15,000 when nine years old, a hunter standing seventeen hands high. Besides these, Sir Edward, Van Patrick, Florence Roberts, Barbara Lane, Silvery Light and Judge Sanderson, all have spread the name and fame of Contra Costa County to the world. He has a colt that he refused $2000 for when two months old, a fine animal.

On September 24, 1868, George Van Gorden and Miss Anna Steiner were united in marriage. She was born in Mariposa County but was living at Visalia when they were married. Three children blessed their marriage. Anita is the wife of Dr. H. S. Kergan, of Oakland, and the

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mother of two children, Marian and Janice; Marian married Edwin L. Bruck of San Francisco and has two children, Ann and Edwin K .; Janice is the wife of William S. Street, of Oakland. George Maurice, Mr. and Mrs. Van Gorden's only son, died at the age of thirty-nine years, un- married. Laura married F. W. Grunig and passed away six months after her son Durward was born; Mr. Grunig died three months later, and Durward was adopted by his grandparents, who reared him. He is married and has a son, Maurice Edward.

Mr. Van Gorden has seen the original gold nugget, known in his- tory as the Marshall nugget, the one that heralded to the world the discovery of gold in California. In narrating the history of this nugget he said that Mrs. Peter Wimmer, a member of the overland party, was making soft soap when one of the boys found the nugget in a ditch under construction by Mr. Marshall, and gave it to Marshall, who in turn gave it to Mrs. Wimmer to test it and ascertain whether it was pure gold or not; she put it in the lye and soft soap kettle, and when taken out it proved to be pure gold. It was originally worth about eight dollars, but by handling through the years intervening it has been worn away until now its value is reduced to about six dollars.

ANDREW WATERMAN JOSSELYN .- Among the oldest and most active contractors and builders of Richmond and vicinity is Andrew Waterman Josselyn, who lives at No. 342 South Seventh Street, Rich- mond, to which city he came in 1904, when most of the district now covered by good homes and business houses was a grain and hay field. He has been actively connected with its upbuilding, and many of the buildings in Richmond and the surrounding territory are the result of his labor and intelligence. He was born at Boston, Mass., on January 24, 1849, the son of John Henry Josselyn, a contractor and builder of that city. The family trace their lineage back to the landing of the Pilgrims, and the succeeding generations have been prominent in business and civic affairs ever since. The mother, in maidenhood, was Miss Elizabeth Sawtelle; she died when Andrew W. was twelve years old. His father passed on when the young man was eighteen. Besides Andrew W. there were the following children in the Josselyn family: George Henry, John Hatch, Marcus H., Mary Elizabeth, and Horace, all of whom are deceased.

After attending the public schools of Boston, Andrew W. Josselyn served an apprenticeship at the trade of the carpenter, and in 1873 he came out to California to seek his fortune in the land of gold. Arriving in Oakland he followed his trade about eighteen months while he was a resident of that city, and then went to Mariposa and followed the build- ing business about eight years, after which he made his home in Tulare for about eight years. Coming to Richmond in 1904 he began working at his trade here. Soon he began taking contracts, and among the build-

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ings he constructed was the Milwaukee Hotel. He mentions that many new advantages not known in early days are now in vogue, that simplify building construction, and he takes advantage of all innovations in his line. For several years he made a specialty of stair-building, at which he was an expert.

Mr. Josselyn was married on May 1, 1900, being united with Miss Lila Forsythe, who was born in San Francisco. Her father was Samuel Forsythe, born in Belfast, Ireland. He married Helena Mullins, of Queenstown, Ireland, whose father, John Mullins, was connected with the Coast Guard Station of Ireland and for sixty-five years drew pay from the government, being pensioned with full pay. Mrs. Josselyn taught school in Mill Valley and Mariposa County, having graduated from the John Swett High School of San Francisco and from the San Jose State Normal School, now the San Jose State 'Teachers' College. She is also an accom- plished musician, an honorary member of the Club Mendelssohn, and has taught music. She has been a member of the Rebekahs for thirty-six years and has passed all the chairs of the order. Her birthday is Bunker Hill Day, June 17, and the year was 1868. Mr. Josselyn is a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters and a life member of the Richmond Builders' Exchange. He believes in sticking to any job he has in hand till that job is completed, and attributes his success to that habit. In his political affiliation he is a Democrat, and when in Tulare County he served as secretary-treasurer of the County Central Committee of his party. Mr. and Mrs. Josselyn belong to the Episcopal Church. Both are fond of domestic animals. They have a wide circle of close friends in Richmond, and always show a true public spirit in supporting pro- gressive movements for the public good.

LOUIS BRACKMAN .- A native son, successful dairyman and self- made man, Louis Brackman, who owns 179 acres in the Alhambra dis- trict, just beyond the city limits of Martinez, is the sixth child of the family of seven born to the late William Brackman, a native of Germany, who came from the East across the plains to California in 1849. He mined for a short while, then engaged in business in San Francisco, and from there moved to Moraga Valley, in Contra Costa County, finally lo- cating at Pinole. Louis Brackman was born there on February 11, 1863, and was reared on the home ranch, having only the educational advantages offered by the early district school. He began to work when a lad, and early learned the rudiments of ranch work. He has owned and farmed several ranches before coming to his present place, and has made a success of horticulture as well as of dairy farming. He owned and operated a 300-acre fruit and grain ranch, and also another ranch in the Alhambra Valley, before making his selection of his present place. Here he has built a comfortable ranch home and substantial barns, and milks twenty- five cows, supplying fresh milk to the County Hospital, and separating the

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balance of his output and disposing of his cream to the Martinez Cream- ery. His dairy barn is a model of sanitation and cleanliness, as it is thoroughly cleaned twice daily, being flushed and washed with water every morning; for he takes great pride in the excellence of his product and in the healthful conditions surrounding his dairy herd.

The marriage of Mr. Brackman, occurring at Martinez in 1895, united him with Miss Nellie Carpenter, a daughter of a Contra Costa County pioneer, the late Daniel Carpenter, who served the county as tax collector. Mrs. Brackman was born at Clayton, Contra Costa County, and with her husband is interested in the upbuilding and development of their native county. They attend the Congregational Church at Martinez, and are representative citizens of their district.

JASPER H. WELLS .- An efficient and popular public officer, Jasper H. Wells, county clerk of Contra Costa County, was appointed on No- vember 21, 1908, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of J. E. Rodgers; and that he is highly regarded by the citizens of the county is attested to by the fact that he has now continuously held the office for eighteen years. Mr. Wells is a native son, having been born at Santa Rosa, January 27, 1871, a son of Philip and Margaret Wells, the former born in Kentucky, the latter a native of Illinois. The family of Philip and Margaret Wells consisted of six children: Eva, who married C. A. Tarwater of Concord; Myrtle, who became the wife of John Sutton of Berkeley; Lillie; Ernest, of Portland, Ore .; Samuel, of Martinez; and Jasper H. The parents of Mrs. Philip Wells settled on Government Ranch, Contra Costa County, in 1853, afterwards removing to Sonoma County.

Jasper H. Wells was educated in the public schools and completed a course in the San Francisco Business College, graduating with the class of 1898. After his father's death in 1890, he managed the home ranch for eight years. After completing his business course he entered the office of the county clerk, filling the position of deputy clerk so efficiently that when J. E. Rodgers resigned to enter the practice of law Mr. Wells was appointed to the position of county clerk, which office he has filled so ac- ceptably ever since.

On January 8, 1902, Jasper H. Wells was united in marriage with Miss Anna Ardelia Webb, a daughter of Frank and Phebe Webb, of Walnut Creek. This union was blessed by a son, Melvin Thomas Wells. Fraternally, Mr. Wells is a member of Pacheco Lodge No. 117, I. O. O. F., of Concord; Mt. Diablo Parlor No. 101, N. S. G. W .; and Rich- mond Lodge No. 1251, B. P. O. Elks. Mrs. Wells, who is an active worker in religious and fraternal circles, is a graduate of San Jose State Normal School and taught school for a number of years at Concord. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have an ever widening circle of sincere friends and are among the most highly esteemed citizens of Martinez and Contra Costa County.

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LOUIS FONTANA .- A well-known citizen of Pittsburg, who has many varied interests in and around this city, is Louis Fontana. Mr. Fontana owns a vineyard of forty acres which he has developed into an income property, is proprietor of Fontana's Grocery Store at No. 203 Black Diamond Street, and also owns five other business buildings, be- sides the $26,000 garage building at the corner of Cumberland and Third Streets, now occupied by the Pittsburg Motor Company. As he has suc- ceeded financially he has reinvested his money, for he realized Pittsburg would soon become one of the leading industrial cities of the East Bay district. He believes in advancement and shows his public spirit when called upon to help all projects that mean a bigger and better Pittsburg.

Mr. Fontana was born in Naples, Italy, on October 8, 1881, a son of Raffael and Maria Fontana. There were eighteen children in this family and seventeen of them are still alive. One brother died in Africa during his service in the World War. Both parents are deceased. Louis went to the local schools in his native city and was the first member of the family to come to America. He arrived in Pittsburg on April 27, 1907, and ever since has been closely identified with the best interests of the city. He believes in going ahead, keeps up with the times in all his busi- ness projects, and is counted among the well-to-do men of the county he has selected for his permanent home.

On November 24, 1913, Louis Fontana was united in marriage with Mrs .. Kate Crevallo, whose maiden name was Di Maggio. By her first husband she had a son, Joe Crevallo, now nineteen years of age, who lives with his mother. Mrs. Fontana is of great help to her husband and is deserving of much praise for looking after the store while her hus- band is taking care of his ranch and other interests. By careful manage- ment they have become very prosperous and they have a wide circle of friends in this part of Contra Costa County. Mr. Fontana is a member of Pittsburg Lodge No. 78, I. O. O. F. Both he and his good wife are looked upon as honest and industrious citizens.

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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 57

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