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 111

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 111

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Since the year 1901 Mr. Tuttle has resided in Eureka, leaving the man- agement of his ranch to his son, and purchased J. W. Henderson's interest in the Humboldt County Bank and the Home Savings Bank, afterwards selling half this interest to John M. Vance, who became president of the Humboldt County Bank, while Mr. Tuttle held the presidency of the other institution. Some years later he bought back Mr. Vance's interest in the two banks, giving his attention to their management until selling out to the Crockers of San Francisco, since which time Mr. Tuttle has devoted his attention to the care of his personal investments and loans. A man possessed of an exceptionally bright mind and wonderful business acumen, Mr. Tuttle

1016

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

is rich in valuable experience and interesting reminiscences of the early days in this part of the state, his interests having covered many and varied matters. While in Sherwood Valley he served as school trustee for a period of fourteen years, and while on his ranch became interested in the Humboldt County and the Home Savings Banks in Eureka, serving as director therein before his more prominent connection with them in later years. On his estate in Sherwood Valley was located an Indian rancheria, where he was instrumental in teaching many of the Indians to perform farm work, much as the padres of the old Spanish days instructed the Indians at the California missions. At the fatal election feud between the Coats and Frosts, it happened that Mr. Tuttle was present in the town of Willits during the Little Lake tragedy, and he with Messrs. James and Fenton laid out the five or six corpses for burial. A member of the Eureka Lodge No. 652, B. P. O. E., Mr. Tuttle is well known in local political circles as a stanch Republican, firm in his belief that under Republican rule will come the greatest prosperity for our country and for the western state where he has for so many years made his home.

JOSEPH BONOMINI .- One of the sons of Italy who has come to California to make his home and has here won success in business as well as the esteem of all who know him, is Joseph Bonomini, a wideawake business man who is making a success of the big dairy which he and his brother operate at Orick, Cal.

Born in Livemmo, Brescia, Italy, December 15, 1881, Mr. Bonomini is the son of a brick manufacturer in Livemmo, Mark Bonomini by name. The education of the son was received in the public schools, after which, until the age of eighteen years, he remained at home, assisting his father in the brick- yard and likewise learning the trade of stone mason. Removing then to Canton Basel, Switzerland, he worked at his trade in that place until Feb- ruary, 1901, when he came to California to seek his fortune, as many others of his young countrymen had done. Locating at Point Arena, in Mendocino county, he entered the employ of the L. E. White Lumber Company, working in the woods as a swamper and a maker of ties for three years, subsequently going to Humboldt county and securing employment at Philbrook as head swamper in a shingle mill, continuing in this work for six years. At the end of that time Mr. Bonomini made a trip to his native land in the autumn of 1910, spending five months in a visit to his old home, on February 28, 1911, being united in marriage with Miss Mary Paccini, a native of the same place, and they are the parents of three children, Mark, Katie and the baby. Re- turning to Humboldt county two months after his marriage, Mr. Bonomini was engaged for a year in running a milk wagon in Eurcka, being employed thereafter as head swamper in Thompson's shingle mill at Bayside until the failure of the mill in 1913, when he removed to Orick, and in partnership with his brother John began the dairy business in which he is still engaged, under the name of Bonomini Brothers. Leasing a two hundred acre ranch from Robert Swan, the brothers operate a prosperous dairy, where they milk seventy cows and also raise hay, carrots, beets and corn, and have made for themselves the reputation of good business men, upright and liberal in their dealings.

1017

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

JAMES BONOMINI .- Among the numerous sons of Italy who have come to this country to make for themselves a home, and have, by persistent effort and unflagging energy, attained a high rank in their chosen line of occupation, must be mentioned James Bonomini, who was born in Livemmo, in the province of Brescia, Italy, on December 13, 1881, the son of Joseph Bonomini, a stone mason engaged in contracting and building in that section of Italy. James, the son, grew up in his native town, and attended the public schools of that place, which is situated in the beautiful Alps region. After completing his studies at the local schools, he was apprenticed to the black- smith's trade in Calleo. Italy, and after learning this business thoroughly by practical experience, he continued in that line of industry until leaving his native land in the year 1903.

The month of February, 1903, saw the removal of Mr. Bonomini to the city of San Francisco, Cal., where, not finding work at his trade immediately, he secured employment at the Hotel Del Monte, in Monterey, Cal., where he remained two years. On April 17, 1906, he started work at the Union Iron Works in San Francisco, which was the very day before the great earthquake and fire in that city, and as soon as work was once more resumed at the iron works he continued with them as blacksmith, in 1907 being sent by the com- pany as foreman at Christie, in Contra Costa county, and after thirteen months at that place returned once more to the company's works in San Francisco. A letter from his brother Joseph, who was located in Loleta, Humboldt county, asking him to join him in engaging in the dairy business there, found favor with Mr. Bonomini, who accordingly, in the year 1908, removed to Loleta, where, with his brother, he rented three hundred twenty acres of the Herrick place, which they stocked with a dairy herd, consisting of one hundred ten cows. The brothers continued to operate the ranch until October, 1914, when they gave up the place and dissolved partnership, Joseph going to Blue Lake, to follow the same business, and James removing to the Big Lagoon, Cal., where he leased his present ranch on the shores of the lake and established himself in the dairying business on an independent basis. Here he now has a fine herd of thirty-two cows, a number which he is constantly increasing, being likewise engaged in raising the necessary feed for them and in improving his pasture lands. His dairy business, however, is not the only interest which absorbs Mr. Bonomini's time, although he has attained a high grade of success therein, for by his fraternal associations he is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, where he is well and favorably known, and in his political preferences upholds the principles of the Republican party.

PATRICK E. CARLAND .- Prominent among the well-known mer- chants of Humboldt county may be mentioned Patrick E. Carland, manager of the Eel River Mercantile Company, a subsidiary company of the Pacific Lumber Company, with branch stores wherever the parent company has large interests. Mr. Carland has been associated with this company since 1909, when it purchased his general merchandise store at Dyerville, where he had been conducting a very successful business for a number of years, and made him manager of its mercantile interests. He is of the true Irish type, a native of the Emerald Isle, bright, good-natured, large-hearted, and no man at Scotia, where he makes his headquarters, has a wider acquaintance, or is

1018

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

better liked. He is a man of the strictest integrity, with a splendid capacity and will for work, and has been singularly successful. He is a prominent member of the Catholic church and of the Knights of Columbus, and is popular with all with whom he comes in contact.

The Eel River Mercantile Company has its main offices at Scotia, where it also has a large general merchandise store, while its branch stores arc located at Dyerville, Shively and Field's Landing. These stores are located wherever the Pacific Lumber Company has a mill, wharf, lumberwood, or other large interest, and practically everything is carried that the employes of the company may need, either in their business, or in their home and social life. This company has two large sawmills at Scotia and is one of the largest lumber companies on the Pacific coast. In addition to carrying a splendid line of general merchandise the Eel River Mercantile Company also buys farm produce, hay, grain and livestock, and has its own slaughter house, refrigerating system and meat markets.

Mr. Carland was born in Strabane, county Tyrone, Ireland, January 8, 1862. His father, Hugh Carland, had been in America for a number of years, having been engaged in business at New Orleans in 1830. He became a man of means through the success of his business there, and returned to Ireland with a considerable sum of money. There he found that his father had be- come seriously involved, and the fortune made in America was used to liquidate the mortgaged indebtedness on the estate. He then became inter- ested in the conduct of the estate, married and reared a family in his native county, although all the time he was desirous of returning to America and constantly made his plans toward that end. Fate, however, seemed to decree otherwise, for one thing after another prevented the culmination of his plans, and when at last he had sold his farm and was ready to make the journey, he was suddenly stricken and died before he left his native land. He was married to Ellen Farrell, also a native of county Tyrone, and they were the parents of ten children. The wife died in 1874, at the age of forty-three years. Patrick E. was reared and educated in his native county, attending first the Christian Brothers' school, and later taking a thorough business training in a com- mercial college. Following this he was employed in a large wholesale and retail establishment in his native town, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the grocery and meat business and became an expert judge of meats, fish, poultry and game, and also of various dairy products.

It was in 1883 that Mr. Carland finally came to America, New York being his point of entry. For a year he was employed as steward at the Pleasant View House, a resort hotel in the Catskill Mountains, and from there went to Chicago, where he was clerk at the St. James hotel for eighteen months. He then went to Buffalo Gap, S. Dak., where he became manager for the B. C. McCrossan Commission Company, at that place. Later he went to Rapid City, S. Dak., where McCrossan owned another commission busi- ness, and at a still later period went to Sundance, Wyo., where he engaged in the general merchandise business in partnership with McCrossan, meeting with much success, and remaining until 1887. He then disposed of his inter- ests, returned to Chicago, and became foreman of the Aldrich Bakery, which later became the National Biscuit Company, remaining with this company in the same capacity for fourteen years. In March, 1903, Mr. Carland came

1019

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

to California and for a time was traveling salesman for the National Biscuit Company, with headquarters in San Francisco, covering the territory of northern California. While thus engaged he purchased the interests of E. S. Townsend, general merchant of Dyerville, in 1903, and immediately took charge of his new business. There was a bar in connection, when he took over the business, and it was freely predicted that at least one-half of the business would be lost if this bar was closed. Mr. Carland, however, im- mediately closed the bar, and it is well worth recording that his business doubled within a remarkably short time. He built up a flourishing trade and prospered far above even his own expectations. Later he met C. W. Pen- noyer, president of the Pacific Lumber Company, with residence in San Francisco, and in October, 1909, he sold his business to the Pacific Lumber Company, and since that time the Dyerville store has been conducted as a part of the Eel River Mercantile Company interests. This company does a very extensive business, amounting to over $250,000 per year, and its capacity has been materially increased under the capable management of Mr. Carland.

Quite aside from his business prominence, Mr. Carland is a favorite in many circles, both socially and fraternally. He is a Republican in his political preferences, and is progressive and broadminded, standing firmly for all movements which tend toward the upbuilding of the community. He is a strict temperance advocate, has never taken a drink of liquor in his life, and has given his hearty support to the cause of temperance reform for many years.

The marriage of Mr. Carland was solemnized in Deadwood, S. Dak., in 1887, uniting him with Miss Louise Knight, the daughter of Charles Knight, of Fairfield, Iowa. Mrs. Carland, like her husband, is well known socially in Scotia, where she is a prominent member of the Catholic church and of the various ladies' societies of that denomination.

CHARLES C. COTTRELL, M. D .- As assistant surgeon at the Scotia Hospital for the past six years, and general practicing physician of Scotia and the surrounding country during that time, Dr. Charles C. Cottrell enjoys a wide circle of friends in his part of the county. Dr. Cottrell is a native of California, having been born in Eureka, February 20, 1883, the son of A. Cottrell, who has for many years been engaged in the grocery business in Eureka. The young Charles C. grew to manhood in Eureka, attending the public and high schools, graduating from the latter in 1903. During his boy- hood he was a well known figure in Eureka, where he assisted his father in the grocery store when not in school. After his graduation from the local high school he matriculated, in the fall of 1903, at the Stanford University Medical College, in San Francisco, and took a four years' course there, graduating in 1907. He then accepted a position in the Lane Hospital and served as an interne for a year, acquiring much valuable experience. At the end of that time he returned to Humboldt county and joined his brother in general practice at Fortuna, under the firm name of the Drs. Cottrell.

It was in September, 1909, that Dr. Charles C. Cottrell took up his residence in Scotia. The brothers are also emergency surgeons for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, at Scotia.

The marriage of Dr. Charles C. Cottrell took place in Scotia, in 1910, uniting him with Miss Marion Hotchkiss, the daughter of L. L. Hotchkiss,

1020

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. They have become the parents of two children, Helen E. and Emett M. Dr. Cottrell is also well known in fraternal circles. He is a member of the Odd Fellows at Fortuna, and of the Wecott Tribe, I. O. R. M., at Scotia, being past sachem of the tribe. In his political preferences he is a Republican and is well informed and keenly interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community.

JOHN STEVEN LYSTER .- Tracing his genealogy back through many generations of Irish and English ancestry, John Steven Lyster, himself a native of Canada, proves himself to be descended from the blood of kings of the thirteenth century, or even earlier. He is, however, a true son of the Western World, a pioneer and a patriot of the truest type. For many years he has been engaged in business enterprises on the Pacific coast, principally in Oregon, and in 1906 he came to Humboldt county, and on a date early in January of that year he purchased the business of L. Feigenbaum, the pioneer merchant of Rohnerville, the business itself dating from the very beginning of the little trading post of Rohnerville, and being the first store to be opened here, long before the coming of the railroads, and even when the wagon- roads were few and difficult, and most of the traveling was done with horses and pack mules. In those days, about 1856, Rohnerville was the scene of much activity, an average of forty pack mules per day finding their way into the trading post from the mountain and farm districts farther back. Originally there was a sawmill near the present site of Rohnerville, and later Henry Rohner, a native of Switzerland, opened his first store where the farm house of William Degnan now stands. A grist mill soon followed, and there was the nucleus of a thriving commercial center. Some time later one Benjamin Feigenbaum bought a half interest with Henry Rohner, and they erected another building for their store near the lumber and grist mill, which were some quarter of a mile from the original site of the store. This house has since that time done business here continually, with never a closing of its doors, and never any serious financial reverses. It has always paid cash, and has enjoyed the best of credit and a flourishing trade. Later still Joe Feigen- baum bought the Rohner interest and the firm became known as Feigenbaum Brothers. Several further changes of ownership followed and eventually the firm became L. Feigenbaum, of whom Mr. Lyster purchased it. The store now carries a first-class stock of general merchandise and is thoroughly modern and progressive in every sense of the word.

Mr. Lyster was born at Montreal, Canada, May 14, 1865. This family traces back to Queens county, Ireland, where they were flour millers and farmers. The Irish Lysters are a branch of the English Listers of Yorkshire, and are descended from Walter Lister (or Lyster), of Milltown, county Ros- common, who was born at Westby, county York. He was the son of Anthony Lister of Newsholme Gisburn, Yorkshire, the seventh in descent from John Lister de Derby, who was married in 1312 to Isabel, the daughter and heiress of John de Bolton, bow-bearer of Bowland, lineal descendant of the Saxon kings of Mercia. He, Walter Lyster, came to Ireland in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, with Osbaldestone, Judge of Connaught, his father-in-law, and obtained a grant of land from James I, in county Roscommon. He died January 28, 1622, and is buried in Camden churchyard, Roscommon, where his tombstone may still be seen. The Irish branch of the family spell their

1021

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

name Lyster, while the English retain the "i." The progenitor of the family in America was of the Irish branch, and they have mostly continued to reside in Canada. He was one Philip Lyster, born in 1764, at or near Mountmellick, Queens county, Ireland, and emigrated to Canada in 1820, settling in Durham, Drummond county, province of Quebec, where he died in 1822. He was a farmer and landowner and his descendants have largely followed in his foot- steps. The father of John Steven Lyster, the subject of this article, was Philip, the son of Richard, the son of Philip, the progenitor of the American branch of the family, and was born at Durham, Drummond county, Canada, in 1832. In 1858 he was married to Eliza Stevens. He is a farmer and still resides at Durham, Drummond county, Canada, and has but recently been the guest of his son at Rohnerville. The mother died at the family home in Canada twenty years ago. There were seven children in the family, of whom John Steven was the fourth born. They are: A Annie Ruth, Findley Murdock, Benjamin Edward, John Steven, Mary Elizabeth, James Edmound and Lily A.

John Steven Lyster passed his boyhood on his father's farm in Canada, and at the age of fifteen he commenced to clerk in the general merchandise store at Ulverton. Later he attended business college, where he pursued a commercial course, at Richmond, province of Quebec. In 1889 he came to Coos Bay, Ore., and entered the general store owned by the Simpson Lumber Company, as a clerk. Later he went to San Francisco, where he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Lyster, and in 1894 he returned to Canada, where for four years he ran his two hundred acre farm, at Durham. He then re- turned to Gardner, Douglas county, Ore., and assumed the management of a general store owned by Senator Al Reed, retaining this position for almost nine years. At the expiration of that time he came to Humboldt county and purchased his present business in Rohnerville, that being in 1906. The motto of the business has always been, "Short accounts make long friends," and Mr. Lyster is following the policy laid out by the former owners and is meet- ing with his customary well-deserved success.

Mr. and Mrs. Lyster are both very popular in Rohnerville, where they are prominent in religious, fraternal and musical affairs of their home city. They have two children, a daughter, Gladys Ruth, and a son, Merton Solomon.

REV. THOMAS HICKMAN STEPHENS .- After a long life of active service in the pastorate of the Baptist church, both in the east and west, Rev. Thomas Hickman Stephens is retired from active professional labors, and is living in peace and quiet enjoyment on his beautiful little farm on Jameson creek, a half mile from Rohnerville. This is an ideal spot for a home, the location being especially beautiful. There are four bubbling springs of mountain water, and the improvements of the forty-acre ranch are very attractive, including a charming cottage, with orchards, gardens, meadows and cultivated fields. Mrs. Stephens is a splendid helpmect to her husband and is his close companion in all his interests and labors. They have appropriately named their home Mill View Gardens, it being immediately below the Feigenbaum & Masson shingle mill.

Mr. Stephens is a native of Missouri, having been born in Cooper county in 1851. He attended the William Jewell College in Clay county, Mo., and there took an A. B. in 1880 and an A. M. in 1882. He had been engaged in

1022

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

preaching for some time before his graduation and as soon as he had com- pleted his studies in theology he became pastor of the Baptist church at Lick Fork, Mo. His marriage occurred in 1880, uniting him with Miss Mary May Sweeney, a native of Clay county, Mo., and descended from an old Kentucky family. It was in 1885 that Mr. Stephens first came to California, leaving his charge at Lick Fork to accept another at Wheatland, Yuba county, Cal., remaining in that charge for eight years. He then accepted the pastorate of the Baptist church at Medford, Ore., for two years and in 1894 returned to Wheatland. His next charge was at Chico, this state, and from there, in 1897, he came to Humboldt county, and for seven years was in charge of the Baptist church at Eureka. For the past few years he has been on the retired list, and has only been called upon to fill pulpits on special occasions, and when a supply is needed.

Mr. Stephens has accumulated an appreciable amount of property, having several desirable residence properties in Eureka, which he rents, in addition to the farm on Jameson creek. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have one child, a son, William Jewell, who is an express messenger on the Northern Express, at Seattle, Wash. He is married to Miss Catherine Caywood. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have many warm friends throughout California, where their work has brought them in close contact with the people of their denomina- tion. In Eureka they are especially popular, having endeared themselves to the members of their charge during their many years of devoted and loving labor there.

GEORGE W. PERROTT .- As the manager of the meat market depart- ment of the Eel River Mercantile Company, at Scotia, George Perrott is one of the best known and best liked men of that part of the county. He has occupied his present responsible position for many years, nine general super- intendents having come and gone since he first assumed charge of this depart- ment of the work at Scotia, the Eel River Mercantile Company being a sub- sidiary of the larger corporation and designed to care for the wants of its employes. Mr. Perrott is particularly well fitted for this work, having learned the details of meat market business when he was a boy, and for some ten years being so employed by Lamb Bros., in Rohnerville. He is thoroughly familiar with the handling of meats and provisions, and his long incumbency of his present position is proof of his ability to discharge his duties in an efficient manner. His department is noted for the thorough and careful systematization of all work and for the scientific sanitary condition which prevails. Its importance may be the better understood when it is known that the Pacific Lumber Company is the largest in the county and one of the largest on the coast. Their interests at Scotia are very extensive and valuable, their buildings, machinery, tracks, wharves, etc., having cost some $14,000,000. E. P. Carland is the superintendent of the Eel River Mercantile Company, which maintains a branch store at the various points where the Pacific Lumber Company has interests, the main distributing station being at Scotia.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 111

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