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 132

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 132

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For the transportation of the products of his two mills, Mr. Vance had four vessels built, the Uncle John, Oceania Vance, Lizzie Vance, and the Sparrow, which carried lumber to the principal coast markets. Through his energy redwood was exported to foreign markets, his lumber trade with Tahiti, Australia, South America, Central America and the Hawaiian Islands having been extensive. In 1872 he erected the Vance Hotel, a large and handsome block, which has ever since been the leading hotel of the city.

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One of the original stockholders of the Eel River & Eureka Railroad, Mr. Vance served as its first president, and was again made president of the company in 1887. He wisely encouraged, and generously supported, all beneficial projects, and contributed liberally to public and private charities.

Prominent and active in the management of public affairs, he was the Whig candidate for county treasurer in 1854, his nomination for the office being announced in the first copy of the Humboldt Times, towards the establishment of which he lent such financial assistance that the paper be- came a success. Although Mr. Vance received one hundred six out of the one hundred sixty-eight votes cast in Eureka, he was defeated, the county being a Democratic stronghold. From the time of the formation of the Republican party, he was one of its most loyal adherents. In 1880 he strongly advocated the election of George C. Perkins, and as a delegate to the Republican convention in 1890 cordially supported Colonel Markham, whom he entertained in a sumptuous manner at the time of his memorable visit to Humboldt county.

In 1888 Mr. Vance was elected mayor of Eureka, receiving a handsome majority, and served with such marked ability that he was reelected to the same position in 1890 for a term of two years. Before the expiration of the term, however, he was called from his earthly labors. Under his wise admin- istration many improvements were made in the city, streets being graveled, the sewer system extended, an additional number of lights provided, the city limits extended, and its prosperity in every way greatly enhanced.

In Roxbury, Mass., Mr. Vance married Sarah A. Corbett, by whom he had three sons, one of whom died in childhood. The others are Edgar H. Vance, born February 8, 1844, in Massachusetts, and now residing in Oak- land, Cal .; and Silas Albert Vance, who was born May 11, 1846, in Massa- chusetts and died in Los Angeles.

CLYDE A. BROWN .- A type of the rising young business men who are rapidly taking over the reins of affairs in all departments of life, educa- tional, commercial and governmental, Clyde A. Brown is one of the prominent young men of affairs in Ferndale, where he has elected to erect his roof tree and rear his family, making for himself a place in the life of his community which will be worthy and acceptable. He is a native of Humboldt county, having been born near Ferndale, on his father's ranch, November 24, 1885. His boyhood days were passed on the ranch, and later he attended school at Grizzly Bluff. After a time, and while he was still a lad, his parents re- moved to the island, and he attended the Grant school there, graduating from the grammar grades. Following this he spent a year attending the Ferndale business college, where he was graduated in 1904, when he was nineteen years of age.

Returning to Ferndale, he accepted a position in the Johnson Brothers General Merchandise Store, where he remained for three years, from there going to work for W. H. Robarts in his grocery store. After a short period of employment here, he purchased the business from Mr. Robarts, in partner- ship with Joseph Hansen, and has since then been engaged in its conduct. The partnership has proven to be a profitable one, the business has grown and they now have one of the best grocery houses in the city.

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Mr. Brown has always been progressive and is actively interested in all public questions that affect Ferndale. Though still under thirty, he has created a place for himself in his home city which might well be the envy of much older men. On June 10, 1908, he was married to Miss Katie Eliza- beth Ammer, a native of Humboldt county, born on the Eel river April 30, 1889. They have two charming children, little Bernice and Marian, who are the delight of their father's heart.

In addition to his business prominence, Mr. Brown is an influential member of several fraternal and social orders, prominent among which are the Woodmen of the World and the Native Sons of the Golden West.

SILVIO COMISTO .- Silvio Comisto, wholesale and retail liquor dealer of Ferndale, is a man who is exceptionally well liked by his fellow townsmen, both "wets" and "drys." Mr. Comisto is a man of sterling worth of character, honest, fearless and fair in all his business dealings. He has been a resident of Ferndale for nearly thirty-five years and during that entire time has been in the liquor business with his present partner, Philip Calanchini, he being the junior partner of the firm of Calanchini & Comisto.

Mr. Comisto is a native of Switzerland, born in Canton Ticino, September 1, 1861. When he was but thirteen years of age he conceived a great desire to come to California, where an elder brother, James, was already located, he living at that time in Sonoma county. Young Silvio Comisto made the long journey alone from his native land, and for a time he remained in Sonoma county, near his brother, working out on various dairy ranches by the month. Later on he came into Humboldt county, and in 1882 located in Ferndale, engaging in the liquor business.

The marriage of Mr. Comisto took place in 1903, uniting him to Mrs. James Comisto, the widow of his brother, then deceased. She is the daughter of John Clark, a pioneer of Sonoma county. There are no children of this union, but Mrs. Comisto has two daughters by her previous marriage, the younger of whom, Hazel, is still living at home. The elder daughter, Ruby, is now married to F. E. Kelley, a civil engineer, and is residing in Scotia.

In addition to his interest in the liquor business, in which he makes a specialty of fine table wines and all high class fancy drinks, Mr. Comisto is greatly interested in the dairy business, as is also his partner, Mr. Calanchini. Both men have heavy investments in this line of industry and give much time and thought to the development of this business.

In addition to his popularity as a business man and a worthy citizen, Mr. Comisto is well known in fraternal circles, being a prominent member of the Masons and also of the Odd Fellows, and takes an active part in the affairs of each. Mr. Comisto has never taken any active part in politics from a partisan standpoint, but is deeply interested in whatever he believes to be for the welfare of the town and its ultimate progress. He is interested in education, libraries, and such similar improvements, and is one of the strong- est supporters of the good roads movement and of all general permanent improvements, and for many years has been a director of the Ferndale Fair Association. He has the greatest faith in the future of Ferndale and vicinity and is heavily interested in property in the town and also in acreage in the surrounding country.

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ROLLIN DURAN BOYNTON .- Another of the native sons of Cali- fornia, and one who is closely identified with early history in Humboldt county, although not the scene of his nativity, is Rollin Duran Boynton, who was born in Santa Clara, Santa Clara county, January 28, 1857. The carly years of his life were, however, passed in Humboldt county on the home farm of three hundred twenty acres, on Eel River island, where he still resides and which property still belongs to the Boynton estate. He also owns other valuable real estate, and has been extremely successful in his farming and dairying ventures. IIe has always been a man of public spirit and keenly appreciative of all movements that served to uplift mankind, as well as being a kind friend, a good neighbor, and a worthy citizen.

Mr. Boynton is the son of Franklin Zouinglos and Emily Ann (Kenni- son) Boynton, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter having been born near St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Boynton Sr., when yet a young man, removed to Massachusetts, where he remained until 1850, when he came to seek his fortune on the Pacific coast, making the long trip around the Horn and land- ing at San Francisco. He at once went to work in the mines, locating and developing claims for several years and meeting with much success. Ill health compelled him to forego this line of occupation and he took up a Spanish grant and engaged in farming for three years, but did not find his former success in the new venture. It was in 1858 that he came into the Eel river valley and located on Eel River island where his family has since lived. A brother, R. C. M. Boynton, had made the trip some few weeks before and his glowing accounts of the splendid government land open for location proved the necessary magnet. The journey was made by water from San Francisco to Eureka, from there to Myers Landing and thence across Table Bluff ; then by boat up the Salt river to the island of promise. Both brothers located tracts of one hundred sixty acres each. The land was heavily timbered with spruce, alder brush, salmon berries and trees of dif- ferent varieties, and the labor of clearing it and putting it in condition for cultivation was no small undertaking. At first the brothers engaged in stock-raising, dairying, making both butter and cheese, which was sold to the soldiers then stationed at Fort Humboldt. At this time there were only two other families located on the island, and the supply of food products for the market was at the minimum. Soon, therefore, they added potatoes to their crops, and raised beef for the market. The farms proved to be very productive and the profits therefrom were large, and he afterwards purchased his brother's one hundred sixty acres, making him three hundred twenty acres. Mr. Boynton continued to reside on his farm until the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1908, although for a number of years he had not been actively engaged in business. His wife, who like himself had come to California in an early day, crossing the plains with an uncle, T. J. Finch, in 1854, had preceded him by thirty years, having passed away in 1878. On her arrival in California her people had located in San Jose, and there she resided until her marriage with Mr. Boynton.

Rollin Duran Boynton first attended school that was on the Walker place in what was known as Fern cottage, Centerville. Later he attended school on the Island and in Ferndale until he was twenty years of age. While attending school he had always assisted his father on the farm during

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vacations and on the completion of his education he assisted in the care of the home place for a number of years. Later he went to work in the mines on Trinity river at Weaverville, where he remained for two years, meeting with scant success. Returning to Humboldt county in 1875, he again worked for his father on the farm, and in 1880, together with another brother, took entire charge of the home place. At that time the land was chiefly devoted to grain raising, but in 1885 they took up dairying and have met with marked success, continuing in this line down to the present time.

On February 27, 1890, Mr. Boynton was married to Miss Minnie Hansen, a native of Davenport, Iowa, born September 9, 1861. She is the daughter of August J. and Annie (Garkan) Hansen, born in Germany. They were in New Orleans, La., one year, thence to Davenport, Ia. Mr. Hansen was a blacksmith and farmer till 1875, when they brought their family to Ferndale, engaging in farming on Eel River island until their death. Mrs. Boynton was raised and educated here. Mr. and Mrs. Boynton have two children : Elizabeth N., and Rollin Z., both of whom are well and favorably known among the younger generation in their community. Mr. Boynton is promi- nent in all local affairs of moment, and is classed as one of the most success- ful and thoroughly substantial men of the valley. His business has pros- pered and he is recognized as an important factor in the commercial life of his section. Politically he is a Republican of the old school, and his party affiliation is strong. He has always taken an active part in the governmental affairs of his county and of the state, and has several times served his party as district delegate to the state conventions. In this Mr. Boynton but fol- lows in the footsteps of his pioneer father, who like himself was a Republi- can and an ardent party man. Both men have always been interested in fraternal orders, the father being a prominent member of the Masons and Odd Fellows, while the son adds to these the Knights of Pythias.

WILLIAM ALBERT BROWN .- In this latter day, when wise men are crying "back to the soil," and young men and young women are crowd- ing into the cities, with their dust and dirt, their rush and fever and vice, there to spend their strength and energy in the unequal struggle for place and position, and ending all too often with scarcely enough to keep body and soul together, and with much that might have made life sweet crushed and broken and beaten out of them-it might be well if they would all make a study of the history of the farmer boys of Humboldt county (and other counties as well) and learn from them just what a man may make of his life and opportunities when he remains on the "soil," instead of having to go back to it. The California pioneers who came to the coast in an early day acquired farms, reared their families and educated them close to the heart of nature, gave to their sons and daughters a heritage that the children of a later generation are all too often missing, and the child of the pioneer showed the possession of these qualities in the life that he led, and which he is still leading.

Well known among the pioneers of this class, and a native of Humboldt county, is William Albert Brown, born in the Eel river valley, March 11, 1859, on his father's farm. Mr. Brown has followed farming all his life, and has accumulated a handsome patrimony from the fruits of his industry. He has been successful, and is one of the most prosperous and reliable men of

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his community, a citizen of ability and worth, with an undisputed place in the hearts of his friends and neighbors and in his section of the great com- monwealth of California. He is the son of Thomas and Sarah (Dean) Brown, natives of Tennessee and South Carolina, respectively. In about 1848 the elder Brown came to California across the plains with ox-teams, and soon afterward he settled in Humboldt county on a ranch near Grizzly Bluff, where he lived until the time of his death, May, 1906.

It was in this region that the son passed the barefoot days of his boy- hood, working on the farm when he was not in school, and becoming well versed in the lore of field and wood. He attended the district school at Grizzly Bluff until he was eighteen years of age, when, having completed the course offered there, he went to work for his father on the ranch. After a few years thus spent, he determined to start out for himself, and accord- ingly rented a ranch near Centerville and engaged in farming. He later branched out into the dairying business, which he made very profitable. He remained here for two years, then renting a property at Grizzly Bluff and continued his career as a farmer there. When at the end of two years his lease on this farm expired, he gave up ranching for himself for a few years, and became foreman for Z. Russ and Sons on an extensive property at Bear Ridge. Their interests were largely general farming and dairying, and the young foreman proved so adept in the successful conduct of their interests that he remained with them for six years.

Independent enterprises, however, proved again to be the strongest in- clination of young Mr. Brown, and he returned to the Eel river valley, locat- ing on Eel River island, where he rented a ranch of eighty acres and engaged again in farming and dairying for himself. After this property was improved and in proper condition, he rented an additional tract of forty acres, and for twelve years he followed his chosen occupation here. He has always been greatly interested in the breeding of blooded stock, stoutly maintaining that pure strains are the best investment and the most profitable. He has been especially interested in milch cows and on this property maintained a herd of sixty head of graded Jerseys.

Three years ago (1912) Mr. Brown retired from active business, and is now living in Ferndale, enjoying the just reward of his years of industry. He has erected a handsome new home, and surrounded himself with modern comforts, where he resides with his wife and children, who like himself, are natives of Humboldt county.

Mr. Brown was married in Ferndale, November 9, 1882, being united with Miss Mary E. Morgan, who was born at Cape Mendocino, Humboldt county, the daughter of Andrew J. and Emily (Pole) Morgan, born in Vir- ginia and Tennessee, respectively. The father came to California in 1852; across the plains, and was married in Sacramento, his wife having come via the Isthmus. In 1862 they came to Cape Mendocino, Humboldt county, where they were engaged in stock-raising. In 1865 he located on Eel River island, where he followed farming till they retired to Eureka, about 1904, where they spent their last days. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two children : Clyde, a merchant in Ferndale ; Muriel resides with her parents.

Mr. Brown is a stanch Republican, and is interested in both local and. national questions. He is well posted on all issues, and takes an active part

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in questions of civic improvement, always on the side of progress and better- ment. During his lifetime many changes have taken place in Humboldt county, not the least of these being the upbuilding of the city where he now makes his home. When he first came to the Eel river valley the river itself was a mere trickle of water, only about fifteen feet wide; there were no wagon roads, and the mountain trails, over which all provisions and supplies had to be packed on horse or mule back, were rugged and dangerous. That he has been a factor in the upbuilding of his community, adding to its resources and aiding in making the life of its citizens fuller of golden oppor- tunities and the joy of living, is a matter of much satisfaction to this pioneer of the Golden West.

MARTIN HAUGH .- A native of Ireland, but a true pioneer of Hum- boldt county, having come to California and located first in Arcata in 1870, Martin Haugh is today one of the respected and prosperous retired farmers of the county, a man who has wrested from the soil a goodly fortune, and who is now enjoying the fruits of his toil in peace and rest. He is the owner of several handsome properties in Humboldt county, mostly in the vicinity of Arcata, of which his son now acts as manager.

Mr. Haugh was born in County Clare, Ireland, in January, 1847. His early life was spent on his father's farm and in attendance at the national schools. He remained with his father on the farm until he was twenty-one when he decided to come to America where the opportunities were greater for an ambitious young man. He landed in New York but remained there only a short time, soon coming to Humboldt county, Cal., where he had a brother and a sister living at Arcata. He secured employment in a saw mill at Trinidad where he worked for Smith & Daugherty for a number of years, until their mill closed down. After this he returned to Arcata and took up farming. He rented land for a time, later purchasing his first farm from Nicholas Heffron, a tract of forty acres, only a small portion of which was cleared and under cultivation. For the first five years he farmed, the land not being in condition for dairying, but during the past thirteen years he has made a specialty of dairying. Twelve years ago he purchased an addi- tional tract of eight acres about three-quarters of a mile northwest of Alli- ance, of partly improved land, and moved his family there, making this their permanent home place where they reside at present. Mr. Haugh's son, William Haugh, has charge of the ranch of forty acres and also manages his father's other interests, the elder Mr. Haugh having now retired from active business life. In addition to the farm there is a timber claim of one hundred sixty acres located near the Big Lagoon on Redwood creek which Mr. Haugh has held for more than twenty-five years.

Aside from his business interests Mr. Haugh has been an active factor in the affairs of his community for many years. He is a Democrat in politics and has taken a keen interest in the affairs of his party, having been close in its councils and confidences, and serving in various capacities of trust. He has been for several years a member of the Democratic county central com- mittee and is well versed in all questions of the day. He is also a prominent member of the Catholic church at Arcata and of the Knights of Columbus.

The marriage of Mr. Haugh took place in Arcata, February 23, 1884, uniting him with Sarah Heffron, a native of the province of Quebec, Canada,

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born January 4, 1860. When she was but a year old her parents came to Humboldt county and she has since resided here. They made the long jour- ney from Quebec by way of the Isthmus and located first below Bayside, in 1861. Mrs. Haugh lived at home with her parents until the time of her marriage. She has borne her husband five children, one son and four daugh- ters. These are Mary J., William, Margaret, Alice and Grace, all well known in Humboldt county, where they have been born and educated, and where they have grown to manhood and womanhood.

Mr. Haugh is the descendant of an old Irish family, his father, Martin Haugh, having been born in Ireland and followed the occupation of farming during the greater part of his life. Both his parents died before he came to America.

The father of Mrs. Haugh, Nicholas Heffron, was also born in County Clare. He moved to Canada with his parents when he was six years of age and when grown engaged in farming there. He came to California in 1861, locating in Humboldt county, below Bayside, but soon located on Arcata bottoms, where he engaged in farming, following this occupation practically all his life. He was in Humboldt county at the time of the serious Indian trouble but escaped without annoyance. The mother of Mrs. Haugh was Ellen English, a native of Canada. She lived at home with her parents up to the time of her marriage to Mr. Heffron, and both passed away several years ago.

EARL W. HILL, M. D .- Truly a native son of California, since he was born in this state on February 6, 1888, and has devoted most of his profes- sional service to California, Dr. Hill is making for himself a record in his chosen career of which his state may well be proud. Born in Eureka, Cal., the eldest of eight children, he is the son of Uriah W. Hill, a native of Rolling Dam, New Brunswick, and Lucia (Coggins) Hill, of Minnesota, who came to California almost thirty years ago, where the father, after his experience in the lumber business in Minnesota, was employed in various sawmills and is now a millwright in the Dolbeer-Carson Mill at Eureka. In that city the son received his early education in the grammar and high schools, graduat- ing from the latter in the class of 1909, whereupon he took a four years' course at Hahnemann Medical College of the Pacific, in San Francisco, grad- uating in 1913 with the degree of M. D. For five months Dr. Hill served as house physician at the Livermore Sanitarium, Alameda county, after which he was for four months an interne at the Alameda County Hospital at San Leandro, then entering the United States Civil Service as surgeon in the Reclamation Service in Washington and Montana, a position which he filled for a period of eight months. Returning to Humboldt county, Cal., in Janu- ary, 1915, he located at Alton, where he engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, building up for himself a wide practice in that locality and meeting with the success which his careful training, practical experience and natural ability have won for him.

The marriage of Dr. Hill with Miss Goldie Hart, a native of the state of Wisconsin, was solemnized at Eureka, in December, 1914, and in the follow- ing month they made their home in the city of Alton, Cal.

FERDINANDO M. TONINI .- One of the old settlers in Humboldt county, a fine man in every respect and well liked by all with whom he is

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associated, Ferdinando M. Tonini has made for himself a name among the successful dairymen in the section of California where he has made his home. Born in Cavergno, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, November 20, 1859, he was the youngest of five children born to Celestino and Helena (Inselmini) To- nini, both natives of that place. The father, as a young man, went to Hol- land, where he spent a few years, but returned to his native land, where, after his marriage, he engaged in farming, both he and his wife being now deceased. After completing his education in the local public schools, the son Ferdinando assisted his parents on the home farm until he was past twenty-two years of age, being then fired with a desire to try his fortunes in America.

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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 132

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