History of Humboldt 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 103

Author: Irvine, Leigh H. (Leigh Hadley), 1863-1942
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Los Angeles, Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1328

USA > California > Humboldt County > History of Humboldt 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 103

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Donna Anna became the mother of eight children, Mrs. Cobb being the sixth. Mrs. Cobb's opportunities for schooling were very scanty, the dreamer- father was never a maker of money, but the teaching of her mother was always her aid. Listening to the wonderful stories that her father and mother could tell was a natural advantage to her trend of literature. During her childhood she read many of the classics, including all the works of Shakespeare. At seventeen she began to write poems, but did nothing of great merit until her twenty-seventh year. In that year her poeni "The Drowned Man's Song" was brought out by Ambrose Bierce in the San Francisco Examiner with his praise. Ever after Bierce proved a friend to her in her literary work.

Mrs. Cobb has not done a great amount of literary work ; she has always had to contend with ill health-but what she has done has been pronounced exquisite. Alr. and Mrs. Jack London are warm personal friends of Mrs. Cobb and it was Mr. London who presented her poem to the Century. This poem was copied and recopied throughout the east with the following con- ment of Mr. London : "The poem 'Unkissed' which is published in the Sep- tember Century, came to the Century through Jack London, who sent it with the following comment: 'I am sending you what I consider, under the circumstances, a most remarkable poem. The writer, Margaret Smith Cobb,

is a mountain woman, who has lived all her life in the remotest mountain districts of California, far beyond the reach of any railroad. The author's mother came from the west coast of South America in 1849, so you can see that from the time of her birth to the present moment, the writer has lived a most primitive life. Yet this poem of hers has the control, the restraint. the simplicity and the chastity that would mark the expression of an elder and old country civilization, such as that of England.'"

Mrs. Cobb was born in San Jose, where she remained at the old Mission until she was six years of age, when her parents removed again to their ranch at the headwaters of the south fork of the Eel river. She met and mar- ried Oliver C. Cobb, a native of the state of Maine, born in 1858. He came to California and became the owner of a ranch of sixteen hundred acres on the Idel river south of Garberville, where his widow now resides. He was a mem- ber of a splendid family, and was a brother of Charles H. Cobb, of Seattle, Wash., millionaire real estate and mill owner of that place. His death occurred in Oakland, May 16, 1914. Mrs. Cobb is the mother of two children, Lillian, the wife of Samuel McCash, a native of California, who now rents and oper- ates the Cobb ranch, and Yvonne, aged eleven years.

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Mrs. Cobb lives a busy life, but she finds time to devote to her literary work. Among her unpublished works are two novels, the "Gold Squaw" and "Gad Wright," both of which will appear shortly. Mr. and Mrs. Jack London are warm personal friends of Mrs. Cobb and have been entertained by her at her ranch home. Mr. London is an eager admirer of her work. George Sterling is also another admirer of her poems, characterizing her lines as "exquisite." As a means of diversion, and as an outlet and satisfaction for her artistic imagination, Mrs. Cobb also does landscape painting, and has produced some very creditable canvases, both in water colors and in oils. She also makes a rare and beautiful grade of Spanish point lace, an accom- plishment which she learned from her talented mother.

It is also a noteworthy fact that with her splendid artistic and literary ability Mrs. Cobb yet possesses a business ability and power of sane and safe judgment that is unusual. She understands the conduct of her business inter- ests and keeps in close touch with all the details of her properties. She is well informed on all questions of public interest and is progressive and mod- ern in her appreciation of public needs. She has never taken an active part in the suffrage movement, but is an advocate of freedom and fuller life for women and fully appreciates the advantages that have been accorded to the sex in California.

LEWIS L. McDANIEL .- A typical California pioneer, who was en- gaged in mining and stage driving in this state and in Idaho in an early day, and who did valiant service with the California Volunteers in the days of the Indian troubles, serving for six months in Humboldt county, is Lewis L. McDaniel, who has been a resident of California for almost sixty years. In 1860 he left New York City for the west, coming direct to Humboldt county, which has been his home continuously since with the exception of a few years spent elsewhere on two different occasions. He has driven a stage in Idaho, Nevada and California, his routes in this state being both in Humboldt and Mendocino counties.

Lewis L. McDaniel is a native of Missouri, born at Palmyra, November 29, 1842, the son of William and Sarah (Nash) McDaniel, the father being a native of Virginia and the mother a Kentuckian. His parents were married in Missouri, where his father was engaged in the practice of law. He served for twenty-five years in the United States land office, and in collaboration with Major Hook he established the land office in Humboldt county, at Hum- boldt Point, in 1858, this being the first land office in the county, in which he served as registrar. He made numerous trips across the continent in his official capacity, and held two commissions under President Jackson, one from President Pierce and one from President Buchanan. He came to Hum- boldt county in 1849, crossing the plains by way of the old Santa Fe trail. From Humboldt county he removed to Idaho, where he was elected territorial auditor, and died from Bright's disease while holding this office, at the age of sixty-four years. The mother outlived him by a number of years, passing away in Eureka. There were ten children in the family, of whom the sub- ject of this sketch was the fifth born.

The mother came to California in 1860 accompanied by Lewis L. and another son and a daughter, and located on Elk river. Later L. L. McDaniel went into the mines in Idaho, just before he was twenty-one, and in 1870 he began staging, driving the stage from Boise, Idaho, to Owyhee, Reno and

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Virginia City, Nev., this line being then a part of Wells Fargo & Company's property. Later Mr. McDaniel came to Humboldt county and was engaged in driving stage for Bullard & Sweasey, and was so engaged when he joined the California Volunteers to fight the Indians, who were then causing much trouble in this part of the state. He served under Captain Work, and was in a number of sharp engagements. After quiet was restored he resumed stage driving.

The marriage of Mr. McDaniel and Miss Izetta Greenlaw took place in 1877. She is the daughter of J. C. and Mary (Morris) Greenlaw. Mrs. Mc- Daniel is a native of New Brunswick, as are both her parents, who came to California in the fall of 1858, locating in Sonora, Tuolumne county, where for two years the father was engaged in placer mining. In 1859 Mr. and Mrs. Greenlaw came to Humboldt county, locating at Eden, where the father en- gaged in logging. Later they purchased one hundred sixty acres of land, which they improved and upon which they lived until 1877. At that time this property was sold to the sister of Mr. Greenlaw, and he came with his family to Pepperwood, where he purchased three places on Eel river, includ- ing two claims of about three hundred acres each. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel have made their home in Humboldt county continually, save for four years when Mr. McDaniel was employed at the Great Eastern silver mine in Sonoma county, and two years during which he drove stage in Mendocino county. It was in the carly part of 1876 that he bought a hand- some Concord stage coach in San Francisco and shipped it to Humboldt county for service between Eureka and Arcata, the firm operating this line being known as McDaniel & Kirby, and continuing through 1876-77. This was the second coach in the county.

Mr. McDaniel's present place is located in Pepperwood bottoms, well adapted to fruit raising and general farming, he having cleared and made all the improvements himself. Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel have three living chil- dren, all natives of Humboldt county, where they have been reared and edu- cated, and where they are bearing out the traditions of the family for char- acter and ability. They are: Edna, Mrs. E. P. French, and Edith, Mrs. Carl Daggitt, both of Pepperwood; and Frank, now engaged in business in Chi- cago. There was also another child that died in infancy. Mrs. McDaniel has a large and rare collection of curios and Indian relics, not only from Humboldt and Mendocino counties, but from all over the world.

In his political affiliations Mr. McDaniel is a Democrat, as was his father before him. He is closely identified with the affairs of the com- munity and is broad-minded and progressive. Both Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel are regarded as the flower of the old pioncer stock of the county, and their daughters are prominent in the circles of the Native Daughters, being mem- bers of Alton Parlor, and high in the councils of the order throughout the county.

CHARLES F. ROBERTS .- A career worthy of emulation from many standpoints is that of Charles F. Roberts, one of the enthusiastic promoters of the enterprises of Eureka and who served as treasurer of Humboldt county from 1898 to 1911. During that time he won the confidence of all its best citizens, who appreciated to the full his faithful services. An ardent Repub- lican, he has been chairman of the county central committee and was

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appointed registrar of the United States Land Office in 1872 by President Grant ; reappointed by him in 1876; in 1880 by President Hayes and again in 1884 by President Arthur. He was appointed collector of customs in 1892 by Benjamin Harrison, and served until a change in administration. During this time he served nine years as a member of the board of education in Eureka, a part of the time as president, and also served one term as member of the city council. He is a prominent Mason, having been made a member of Trinity Lodge, at Presque Isle, Me., and is at present a member of Hum- boldt Lodge No. 79, F. & A. M., at Eureka, having served as master, senior and junior warden, senior deacon, and was treasurer for twelve years. For one year he was chief of the Fire Department; in 1888 was president of the Eureka Jockey Club, and in 1893 was president of the Humboldt Midwinter Fair Association, to the success of which he devoted a great deal of time and money. The Odd Fellows claim him as one of their most valued members, being a member of Humboldt Lodge No: 77, while with his wife he belongs to Camelia Chapter, O. E. S., and the Rebekahs. At the organization of Colonel Whipple Post No. 49, G. A. R., he became one of its charter members and has held the office of adjutant for many years.

Mr. Roberts is of English and Scotch descent and was born in Hartland, Somerset county, Me., April 7, 1843. His father and grandfather both bearing the name of Joseph, were ministers in the Baptist Church, preaching in the days when they received no remuneration for their services. As farmers they were capable and moderately successful. The mother of Charles Roberts was Atlant Ireland, also a native of Maine. He was the third in order of birth of six boys and two girls, of whom one son is deccased. After com-

pleting his education in the grammar schools, he entered the high school of Bangor, where he was prosecuting his studies at the outbreak of the Civil war. To one of loyal, patriotic spirit, his country's needs appealed with great force and young Roberts enlisted in Company H, Second Regiment, Maine Volunteers, and was assigned to the First Division, Third Brigade, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. This was in May, 1861, in the three months' service. On the expiration of his term he reenlisted in the same company for two years and saw service at the first Battle of Bull Run, the seven days fight on the Peninsula, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancel- lorsville. In the spring of 1863 he was mustered out and honorably discharged with a record of which he may well be proud.

Mr. Roberts started for the Golden State, July 13, 1863, leaving New York and coming to San Francisco via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving two months later. Like many others coming West he had hoped to secure a good position in the metropolis, a hope that was doomed to disappointment, for after a short time spent there he went by stage to Carson City, Nev .. and secured employment as tally man and clerk in the office of Folsom & Bragg, owners of a sawmill and lumber yard. Later, however, he was made book- keeper for the same firm, receiving, as remuneration for his first year's work, $50 per month. This sum was raised the second year to $75 and the third year to $100 per month. While a resident of Carson City, Mr. Roberts met and married Miss Alicia, the daughter of Albert Bragg, one of the firm of Folsom & Bragg, his employers. She was born at Dover, Me., and was well educated in the public schools of that place. On returning to California in

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1866, Mr. Roberts and wife came to Eureka and the following year he spent as swamper in the woods. This business not being to his liking he found employment on a ranch on Mad river, remaining there until 1872, when he received his appointment as registrar of the land office, then followed, as hereinbefore mentioned, thirty years of conscientious, honorable public service. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, though not members, have been active in the work of the Congregational Church, to the support of which they are most liberal contributors.

L. B. POYFAIRE .- The coming of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad to Fort Seward and Eureka and other points in Humboldt county was the beginning of a new era in the life and development of that portion of the state. Already the strides forward that have been made are stupendous, and especially has Fort Seward forged to the front, with promises of being second to none in the county as a commercial center. As the local representative of the Northwestern Pacific, L. B. Poyfaire has been exceptionally closely identified with the changes that have been worked through the opening of this splendid new artery of trade, and the growth of the business of the road since its opening has been so great that even the splendid abilities of this clever, energetic and capable young man have been taxed to their uttermost. Having been the first agent of the new line at Fort Seward, Mr. Poyfaire has been accorded a prominent place in the minds and hearts of the people, as a material evidence of a blessing so long hoped for, and it is greatly to his credit that he has not only held this position, but rather has won for himself an even warmer place in the regard of his fellow townsmen by the quality of his service and the evident interest that he takes in his work and in the general welfare of the town and community.

Mr. Poyfaire is a native of Washington, born at Woodland, August 15, 1892, the son of Isadore and Laura M. (Cook) Poyfaire, his father being a native of Nebraska, born in Lincoln county. When the son was five years of age the family left Woodland and came to California, locating at Edge- wood, Siskiyou county, where they remained for a season, and then came to Humboldt county, settling at Eureka. Later they returned to Edgewood for several years, but in the end returned to Eureka to make their home, remaining there until 1906, when they removed to San Francisco. In 1911 they again moved, this time going to Loleta, where the father is engaged as a driver of auto trucks for Libby, McNeill & Libby. Young Mr. Poyfaire attended school in Eureka, graduating from the grammar grades, and then entered the Craddock Business College, taking a commercial course, from which he graduated with the class of 1911. He then joined his parents at Loleta and at once began to work at the depot, starting at the bottom with the avowed intention of learning the railroad business from the ground up. His application and industry opened many doors for Mr. Poyfaire and he soon was firmly planted on the ladder to success, and has since climbed steadily upward. He was given a position of responsibility at Loleta within a short time, and since then has served as agent at a number of minor stations, including Scotia, Alton, Elinor, South Bay, Fortuna, Trinidad, and came to Fort Seward on the opening of the new line in June, 1914. In all the details of his business he is proficient and reliable, and his grasp of details is a matter of wonder to those who are in contact with the volume of business

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that he handles. The Northwestern Pacific has recently erected a handsome and commodious passenger station, and is already provided with huge freight stations and warehouses. The volume of business that passes through the offices and yards here can only be understood when it is realized that many thousands of acres of rich land in Trinity county also find their outlet here, as well as the country immediately surrounding Fort Seward, which is one of the richest and most productive sections of the county.

Fort Seward itself is a new town, and like most youths is possessed of a splendid amount of strength and vitality. It is located at the terminal of the new railroad and is situated on the site of the old fort of historic interest. Surrounded on every hand by the eternal hills, the beautiful little valley lies beside the river and directly on the line of the railway. There is an abun- dance of trees, madrones and oaks, which add a stately beauty to the land- scape, while leaving the land nominally clear. The growth of the city has been very rapid and the improvements that have been made by the county since the coming of the railroad and the completion of the magnificent new highway which Trinity county has built to give an outlet to the railway for her rich farm lands, have added vastly to her resources and made the future outlook very flattering. The citizens of Fort Seward are of a type that know not discouragement or faltering in reaching the goal of the heart's desire, which in this case is to make their city at least equal in importance to Eureka, and it is a known fact that they have set themselves no limits. They are all pulling together and the harmony that prevails is one of their strongest assets. In all this they are receiving the hearty support and cooperation of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Company, and of their energetic local agent, Mr. Poyfaire. Special efforts are being made to give splendid service, both in the passenger and freight lines, and the improvements that have been and are being made by the railroad are of the best, adding not only to the commercial value of the town, but also to its beauty. It is freely predicted, both in Humboldt county and in Oakland and San Francisco, that the open- ing of a regular through service from San Francisco will bring an influx of tourists, pleasure seekers and home seekers into this section of the country such as has never been known before, and that this region will become one of the most popular resort sections of the state. It is especially fitted for this, being well wooded, provided with game and fish, and blessed with a beauty of scenery that cannot be excelled.

MANUEL ENOS DE MELLO .- It is interesting to learn of the dif- ferent nationalities which constitute our American nation, the natives of certain foreign lands being represented in certain sections of our country ; and to California, which is essentially Spanish in atmosphere, the descendants of Spanish, Portuguese and South American families can hardly seem like strangers, though the old Massachusetts coast towns can also claim a degree of Portuguese population, since men of that descent were brought from the Azores in early days to assist in the whaling industry of little Nantucket Island, where their names are still to be met with, as well as in many of the tiny fishing towns along the Cape. South America, too, where old-time New Englanders used to go to make their fortunes, has given Spanish brides and pretty children of Spanish ancestry to the sedate little Puritan towns beside Massachusetts Bay.

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Both South America and the Azores are represented in the family of Manuel Enos De Mello, an old-time settler and prominent dairyman of Hum- boldt county, Cal., where his death occurred March 24, 1915, he having been born at the Isle St. George, in the Azores, in January, 1861, while his wife was born at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the daughter of Joseph Enos and Maria Brazil, natives of Isle St. George, Azores. Manuel De Mello grew up on his native isle, at the age of fifteen years removing to Boston, Mass., securing employment on a dairy in that vicinity for two years. He then, in 1878, came west to California, locating in Humboldt county, where for nine years he was employed upon the Hurlbutt dairy ranch on Bear River Ridge, during that time becoming manager of the place. After a six months' visit to his old home at St. George, Mr. De Mello returned to the United States, settling in Massachusetts as he had first done, this time at the town of New Bedford, and there his marriage took place, on December 18, 1888, to Miss Diulinda J. Brazil, of South American birth, her father being now deceased and her mother still living at St. George, her native place. Mrs. De Mello was the oldest of seven children, of whom the five at present living are as follows : Diulinda, now Mrs. De Mello; John, a dairyman at Freshwater; Julio, who makes his home with Mrs. De Mello; Ida, now Mrs. Enos, of Freshwater ; and Leonora, Mrs. Enos, residing at Modesto, Cal. Mrs. De Mello grew up at her parents' old home in the Azores, where she received a good public school education, in June, 1888, removing to New Bedford, Mass., where her marriage took place in December of the same year.

Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. De Mello moved to Humboldt county, where Mr. De Mello had spent nine years previous to his marriage, and here they now leased the Hurlbutt dairy ranch, of which he had formerly been the manager. On this estate, which comprised about five thousand acres of land, Mr. De Mello at once engaged in dairying and stock raising, milking a herd of two hundred seventy cows. In those early days it was necessary to pan the milk and skim the cream by hand, the churning also being done by hand, but Mr. De Mello soon obtained horse power for the churning and in the last two years of his residence at the place operated a separator, his butter being shipped in kegs to San Francisco and carried by six-horse teams to the wharf at the foot of Table Bluff. His next move was to rent the Robert ranch on Kneeland Prairie, where for two years he conducted a dairy, skimming milk by hand and making butter, and after a few months spent on a ranch near Arcata, he leased the Deering place at Bucksport, in the same county, operating a dairy there of thirty-five cows and running a retail milk route in the city of Eureka for a period of five years. In December, 1900, he leased the present place, the Zanone ranch, consisting of about two hundred eighty acres, situated five miles from Eureka, and here he carried on a prosperous dairy of fifty cows, besides engaging in the raising of stock. A Republican in politics, and a member of the I. D. E. S., his death occurred in 1915, after an illness of eight months' duration, and since that time Mrs. De Mello has proved herself a successful business woman by her wise operation of the ranch and dairy with the assistance of her son Alfred, a young man of much ability and worth. For fifteen years they have operated the Zanone ranch, and not only enjoy the ranch, but also appreciate the owners very

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much. Besides this son, Mrs. De Mello has two other children living, namely, Marie, now the wife of Frank X. Costa, and Rose De Mello, both of whom make their home with Mrs. De Mello, the former being the mother of three daughters, Ermaline, Marie and Diulinda Costa.

FRANK ESSIG .- It is often said of Americans, especially here on the Pacific coast, that they are not "descendants," but rather "ancestors," and in the latter statement is the truth especially told of Frank Essig; for, although he is descended from a sturdy line of old German stock, his chief pride is in his sons, their honor, integrity and Christian manhood, their achievements and their progress being the principal delight of his life. It is also worthy of note that Mr. Essig has not confined his efforts among the youth of his community to his own sons, but has reached out a helping hand to all who are in need and has done a splendid work in the community for many years. He organized a union Sunday school in Shively, where he makes his home, and was its superintendent for three years, and one of the most devoted workers in the cause at all times. He also organized the Sunday school at Holmes, attending there in the afternoon, where he was assistant superintendent, the mornings being given to similar work in Shively. The strength and straightforwardness of Mr. Essig's character and life are most strongly exemplified in his sons, who are all men of splendid character and achievements. One of his sons is now a professor of entomology at the State University, at Berkeley, the author of several books along similar lines, while the others (there being five in all) are fol- lowing various lines of occupation which are honorable, and in which they are acquiring much distinction.

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History of Humboldt 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 103

Author: Irvine, Leigh H. (Leigh Hadley), 1863-1942 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Los Angeles, Historic Record Company Number of Pages: 1328

Author: Irvine, Leigh H. (Leigh Hadley), 1863-1942
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Los Angeles, Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1328