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 138

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 138

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formed through his reading and keeps in close touch with the affairs of the community and the state.

A native of Montour county, Pa., born December 25, 1824, Jackson Sawyer is of English and Dutch descent. His parents both died when he was but eighteen months old and he was adopted into the family of Joseph Kerr, a farmer of Montour county, where he was reared and educated, remain- ing in his family until he was twenty-one years of age. He then went to Danville, Pa., where he found employment in the rolling mills, first as stock taker, and later receiving various promotions, due to his ability and attention to business, and to his strictly temperate habits. The discovery of gold in California prompted him to seek the new gold fields of California, and accord- ingly he made the long journey westward by way of the Isthmus of Panama, arriving at San Francisco in April, 1852. From there he went into Shasta county, where he engaged in mining on Clear creek, but not meeting with the desired success, came to Humboldt county in the fall of that year, locating at Eureka, where he found employment in lumber and sawmills. For a time he was employed by Jim Ryan in his lumber mill, and later worked on the Vance farm. Subsequently he lived at Hookton, where he had dreams of building up a commercial center, making the nucleus a wharf that he proposed building, but was unable to secure the necessary rights from the government and so gave up this project. The location of certain land at the top of Table Bluff pleased him and he bought out the squatter's rights of Capt. Edward Sanger, and later paid the government the prescribed $1.25 per acre for the land. His patent for this is signed by Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States, and has never been out of Mr. Sawyer's name or possession.

. The marriage of Mr. Sawyer bears the breath of romance, his bride, Miss Hannah Carter, being a former classmate, with whom he had entered into a wager to exchange letters on a date a year hence, shortly before leaving for California. These letters led to a correspondence, which in turn resulted in their betrothal, and the coming of the bride to California under the protection of the widowed mother of Mr. Sawyer, and their marriage in Eureka, and the establishment of their home on the ranch in Humboldt county. Mrs. Sawyer was a descendant of Scotch ancestry, her mother, Mrs. Rachael (Cameron) Carter, being a native of Scotland, while her father, James Carter, was born in Philadelphia, of English parents. Her marriage with Mr. Sawyer took place November 18, 1857, and her death occurred in 1897, she being then sixty-nine years of age. She bore her husband five children, of whom four are now living, William, Mrs. Rachael Ellery, Wilma and Annie. Mr. Sawyer is a member of the Presbyterian church at Eureka.

| Since the above was written Mr. Sawyer has passed away.]

SANTI GIUNTOLI .- The proprietor of the Star Hotel in Blue Lake, Santi Giuntoli, was born in Torricckio Pescia, province of Lucca, Toscano, Italy, September 14, 1880; he was the son of Pelegro and Amida Giuntoli, who were farmers in Italy. They were the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom are living, Santi being the second oldest. As a lad he was raised on the farm and educated in the public schools, remaining at home and assisting on the farm until twenty-one years of age. In October, 1901, he started for California, arriving November 5, 1901, and May 2, 1902, he came

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to Humboldt county, and after working three months for the Hammond Company he rented a small ranch at Sunnyside, remaining one year, when he located at Bayside, where he engaged in raising vegetables. In 1907 he located in Blue Lake and started a fruit store and ran a vegetable and fruit wagon between Korbel and Arcata, and also to Trinidad, continuing for four years. In 1911 he began the hotel business as proprietor of the Star Hotel, and he has become widely known for the excellence of his table, and the hotel is a popular place for dinners and parties. He learned cooking from his mother, and he is well and favorably known for the splendid meals he serves. He attributes his success in no small degree to his wife, who is also one of the finest cooks in the county. He was married in Eurcka, being united with Miss Mary Mattucci, born in Lucca, Italy, the daughter of Carlo and Chiarra Mattucci, who came to Humboldt county ; the father died on his ranch on Dow's Prairie, while the mother still lives there. Mrs. Giuntoli came to Humboldt county when eleven years of age and received her education in the public schools. Fraternally Mr. Giuntoli is a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters.

CHARLES LOWREY was born at Freestone, Sonoma county, Septem- ber 16, 1865. His father, William H. Lowrey, was born in Tennessee, the son of J. D. Lowrey, who served in the Black Hawk Indian war and after- wards in the Mexican war with the rank of lieutenant. William H. Lowrey was married in Missouri to Elvira Hobbs, born in Illinois. They both trace their lineage back to Virginia. In 1852 they crossed the plains with ox teams to California. For a short time he followed mining and then located at Free- stone, Sonoma county, where he owned a farm, afterward locating near Yorkville, Mendocino county, where he engaged in stock raising until he retired to Santa Rosa, where he died, aged seventy-eight, in 1898, his wife's demise occurring the same year. Of their nine children, seven of whom are living, Charles is the youngest and was brought up in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, receiving his education in the public schools. At the age of sixteen he began working on ranches and followed sheep shearing during the season. He also was engaged in freighting and teaming to Cloverdale and later in the same line on the coast at Gualala. In 1895 he came to Ferndale and for eight years hauled freight, teaming between Ferndale and Alton, after which he followed the same business at Garberville and Briceland, also driving stage for J. W. Hamilton between Garberville and Kinney. He ran the Briceland Hotel for one year and then did butchering for Fred Fearrien for two seasons.

On September 24, 1910, he was married, being united with Mrs. Nettie Grace (Cookson) McKee, born in Calais, Maine, a daughter of Bill Charles Cookson, a shipbuilder ; his wife was Desia Smith, born in Charlotte county, New Brunswick; both Mr. and Mrs. Cookson passed their last days in Cali- fornia. Mrs. Lowrey is the second youngest of their four children and the only one living; she lived in New Brunswick until ten years of age, and in June, 1880, came to Garberville, where she completed the public schools. Her first marriage was to Don Alonzo McKee, born at Sacketts Harbor, N. Y., where he was well educated, attending college in that state, after which he came west and was in Chicago at the time of the Civil war; he enlisted in the Chicago Board of Trade Battery of Light Artillery, serving the last

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year of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He then drifted west to Montana, afterward coming to Humboldt county, Cal., and followed the occupation of teaming and stock raising. He homesteaded one hundred sixty acres at Thorn and afterward added to it until he had four hundred forty acres on which he engaged in raising cattle. The place was originally called White Thorn, because the white thorn bush grew in such abundance. He died June 28, 1907, aged sixty-four years ; he was a member of the G. A. R. and a stanch Republican. He was a school trustec and was clerk of the board. He was a man of splendid traits, liberal and enterprising; he was a very courageous man and was much admired by all who knew him. Since his death Mrs. McKee continued to operate the ranch until her marriage to Mr. Lowrey. They now engage in raising cattle and goats, and are raising the finest grades of Angora goats, having a flock of about one hundred thirty.

By her first marriage Mrs. Lowrey had five children: Alonzo Grant, a mail carrier to Shelter Cove; Harold, a farmer near Orick; Grace M., Mrs. Gowan, of Potter Valley ; Vernon C. ; and Helen Gould.

In 1913 Mrs. Lowrey was appointed postmaster at Thorn, while Mr. Lowrey is assistant postmaster, the office being kept at their house. Mrs. Lowrey is trustee of White Thorn school district, and for the past eight years has been clerk of the board. Mr. Lowrey by his former marriage had two children, Shirley and Hildred.

ANDREW J. CATHEY was born twelve miles south of Warrensburg, Johnson county, Missouri, July 7, 1856. His father, John Albert Cathey, was born near Sedalia, Pettis county, Mo., February 13, 1835, but was raised in Johnson county, Mo., where he became a farmer. He was first married there, in 1854, to Miss Margaret Amelia Weaver, a native of North Carolina. In 1860, with his wife and two children, he crossed the plains with ox teams, leaving Missouri May 1, 1860; he arrived in California August 12 of the same year, and located his family at Yorkville, Mendocino county. He followed mining, and while thus employed his wife died, in 1863. After this he worked at carpentering in Anderson valley. His second marriage occurred near Christine, in Anderson valley, April 18, 1875, to Dulcina Nunn, who was born in Webster county, Mo., and came to California with her parents when one year old, in 1857, settling in Anderson valley. After they were married Mr. Cathey started a blacksmith shop at Christine, which he ran until 1885, when the family came to Humboldt county, locating on a farm on the Eel river for two years ; then at Fortuna for a period of five years, after which they moved onto a stock ranch at Bear Buttes, on the South Fork, where the father was engaged in stock raising for five years, since which time they have retired and are living with their sons near Briceland. John Albert Cathey had three children by his first marriage: Andrew J., the subject of this sketch ; Charles L., of San Francisco; and William R., who resides in South Dakota. Of his second marriage there were four children: David, mentioned below ; Robert L., of Trinity Center ; Isabella, Mrs. Wright, of Briceland ; and Stella M., Mrs. Arthur, who died in 1913, aged thirty years.

Andrew J. was raised in Anderson valley, Mendocino county, where he was educated in the public schools. He followed teaming, farming and stock raising. In 1885 he came to Humboldt county, where he followed the woods for some years. In 1895 he located the present homestead of one hundred

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sixty acres on Telegraph ridge, three miles south of Ettersburg; he bought eighty acres adjoining and with two hundred forty acres that his parents own he has a ranch of four hundred eighty acres which is devoted to raising grain and hay, cattle and Angora goats. During all these years Mr. Cathey has followed teaming, principally for the Wagner Leather Company's plant at Briceland, and also has done considerable teaming to Needle Rock.

Mr. Cathey is a generous, big-hearted man, who has always stood ready to help those who have been less fortunate, and he is a man who is much esteemed and admired for his integrity and worth.

David Cathey was born at Christine, Mendocino county, in 1876, in 1885 coming to Humboldt county with the family. His schooling was obtained at Fortuna. For many years he worked in the redwoods for Mont- gomery, at Korbel ; for the Pacific Lumber Company at Metropolitan, then again back to the Pacific Lumber Company as head chopper until he gave up the woods to take up farming, which he has followed on the home place since 1911. He married Miss Sadie Guptle, who was born at Port Kenyon, and who died at Shively, leaving three children: Andrew A., Archie E. and Myrtle M. David Cathey is a member of the board of trustees of Wilder school district, and fraternally is a member of Eureka Lodge No. 363, L. O. O. M.

ANDREW P. H. FRANZEN .- An enterprising citizen and a successful dairyman on the Freshwater, Andrew P. H. Franzen was born at Tondern, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, January 27, 1873, the son of Frederick and Catherina E. (Paulsen) Franzen. His father was a drover and engaged as a stock dealer in that country. He served in the German army during the Franco-Prussian war, and both parents are living. Of their family of twelve children six are living, Andrew being the second oldest. He was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools, after which he worked for two years for a market gardener there. Later he learned the stock business under his father, after which he began buying stock on his own account, but soon concluded to come to California. In 1903 he came west and was employed on the Meek estate at Haywards, where he was in charge of their stable for about two years. Then, in 1905, he came to Humboldt county. Here he worked as gardener for the Pacific Lumber Company at Shively, then for the Scotia Hotel, after which he bought five acres at Scotia. This he sold soon afterward to the Pacific Lumber Company and leased their dairy ranch of one hundred sixty acres at Scotia, where he milked forty cows and sold the milk at retail in Scotia. After five years there he came to Freshwater in September, 1914, and leased one hundred ninety-four acres of the Pacific Lumber Company's lands on Freshwater, which he devotes to dairying. It is mostly bottom land, which gives him ample pasturage and enables him to raise plenty of hay and green feed for his dairy herd. He is milking forty cows of the Durham breed.

Mr. Franzen was married on the Island of Fohr, Germany, in 1895, to Miss Jennie Petersen, a native of that place, and they have seven children : Margaret, Catherine, Freda, Carl, Alice, Hilda and Mildred .. Fraternally he is a member of Weeot Tribe No. 147, I. O. R. M., at Scotia; also of the Knights of Pythias of that place. In his political views he favors the prin- ciples advanced by the Republican party.

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JULES ALPHONSE LAMBERT .- An old settler of Humboldt county, having been a resident here since 1874, Jules Alphonse Lambert is now en- gaged in dairying and fruit raising on the Freshwater. He was born near Vesoul, Department of Haute-Saone, France, October 22, 1848, son of Mathieu and Theresa (Pignet) Lambert, who were farmer folk there and owned a considerable estate. Mr. Lambert was reared on the farm and educated in the local schools, assisting his parents in operating the farm until he entered the French army in 1870, at the breaking out of the Franco-Prussian war. He enlisted in the Ninth Artillery and served until after the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He then operated the home farm with a brother until 1872. In that year he came to the United States, locating in Richardson county, Neb., where he remained until 1874. It was in that year that he came to Humboldt county. For two summers he was employed in the woods, then engaged in making split shakes from stumpage which he bought, disposing of the shakes in Eureka.

In 1876 Mr. Lambert returned to his native home in France, remaining there for four years. He was married in France in May, 1878, to Miss Irma Pigrenet, born at Vesoul, France, the daughter of Jean and Pauline (Harley) Pigrenet, the former being a blacksmith there.

Mr. Lambert was engaged in the manufacture of lumber, wood, ties and charcoal, and a dealer in the same. In October, 1880, with his family, he returned to Humboldt county, where he resumed his old business of making shakes, having settled on Ryan slough. In 1887 he purchased his present place of one hundred sixty acres on Freshwater, eight miles east of Eureka. It was stump land when he purchased it, but he has since cleared and im- proved it and built a residence and other improvements. Ever since he has engaged in dairying and farming, raising potatoes, sweet corn and vegetables, also raising fruit, apples, grapes and berries.

Mr. and Mrs. Lambert have two children : Alice, the wife of Walter Renfroe and the mother of three children (Irma, Camille and Alice), and Charles, assisting his father on the farm. Politically he espouses the prin- ciples of the Democratic party and with his family is a member of St. Bernard's Church in Eureka.

FRANK and CHARLES ALLARD .- Representatives of an old pioneer family and native sons of Humboldt county, Frank and Charles Allard were born, respectively, in Kneeland Prairie December 28, 1877, and Eureka October 7, 1879, sons of Richard and Ellen (Goble) Allard. Dick Allard, as the father was familiarly called, was born in New Hampshire. Attracted by the discovery of gold he came around Cape Horn in a sailing vessel and landed in San Francisco in 1852. The first year was spent in mining in the Sierras, after which he came to the mines on Klamath river in Humboldt county in 1853. Afterward he followed logging on Elk river and also Ryan slough for a number of years, and during this time made a couple of trips back to his old home. However, he was married on Elk river in 1871, his wife having crossed the plains in the early '60s with her parents. Sub- sequently she made the trip back to Illinois, recrossing the plains with ox teams. She is still living, making her home with her two sons. The father gave his time and efforts to dairying until his death, which occurred January 14, 1898. They had six children, as follows: Laura E., Mrs. Squires, of

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Freshwater ; Clara M., Mrs. Ferguson, residing in Denver, Colo .; Frank and Charles, the two partners of whom we write; Annie M. and Hazel, both living at home.

The Allard brothers were reared on the ranch at Freshwater, receiving their education in the public schools and learning farming and dairying. After their father's death they continued with their mother until she sold the ranch, after which they purchased a part of the Spear place further up the stream and there made their home.

For some years Frank Allard worked at teaming and also drove stage to Eureka until he discontinued to give his attention to raising vegetables and fruit in partnership with his brother Charles. They operate twenty acres of bottom and bench land, making a specialty of raising berries and vege- tables, and run a wagon to Eureka six days a week. In the raising of berries they grow principally strawberries, raspberries and loganberries.

Fraternally Frank Allard is a member of Fortuna Lodge No. 221, I. O. O. F., in Eureka, and also of Mount Zion Encampment of Odd Fellows, and both brothers are members of Eureka Aerie No. 130, F. O. E. Politically they espouse the principles of the Republican party.

FRED G. HINCKLEY .- A resident of Humboldt county since 1877, Fred G. Hinckley was born in Elizabethtown, Essex county, N. Y., April 17, 1866, being the second oldest of six children born to Rodolphus and Lucy (Wells) Hinckley, also New Yorkers. The elder Hinckley served in a New York regiment during the Civil war. After the war he followed farming in Essex county until 1870, when he removed to Knox county, East Tennessee, and followed farming until 1877. At that time he brought his family to Humboldt county, Cal., locating at Yager, where he followed ranching. His wife died some eight or ten years ago, since which time he has lived retired.

Fred Hinckley was a lad of eleven years when he came to Humboldt county with his parents. He attended the local schools and assisted his father on the home ranch until he was twenty-two years of age, when he started for himself. For ten years without interruption he worked for L. S. Hurlbutt on his cattle ranch and then for three years for Nat Hurlbutt on the stock ranch. This brought it up to 1901, when he determined to engage in cattle growing as his chosen life work. Leasing the Nat Hurlbutt ranch on Mad river he started stock raising and a few years later, in partnership with his brother Rodolph, purchased the thirty-six hundred acre ranch from Nat Hurlbutt, and they have owned and operated it ever since. The ranch is well situated for cattle growing, being located just below Low Gap on Mad river. In the meantime the brothers acquired holdings of about three thousand acres at Yager and on the Grizzly range, among them the Becker ranch near Yager, where six years ago Fred Hinckley removed to make his headquarters and from which point he directs the affairs of the various ranches, while the brother Rodolph still makes the Nat Hurlbutt ranch his quarters.

Fred G. Hinckley was married in Los Angeles, being united with Miss Mattie Frame, the daughter of M. C. Frame, an old settler of Iaqua and post- master there until his death. In his political views Mr. Hinckley believes in the principles of the Republican party.

DANIEL J. EAST .- A resident of California since 1861, and of Humboldt county since 1865, Daniel J. East was born near Ballorat, Australia, Septem-

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ber 28, 1857, the oldest of nine children born to John R. and Sarah (Sweeney) East, natives of England and Ireland respectively. They were married in Australia, where John East was first a miner and later a farmer. In 1860 he came to San Francisco and the family joined him in 1861. He engaged in the wood business in Marin county. In 1865 he came to Humboldt county and homesteaded one hundred sixty acres near where Carlotta now is. The Indian war and troubles came on and after two raids of the Indians he moved his family to Hydesville. Five years later he moved to Rohnerville. One year after that he bought a farm on Eel river, where he remained until he died. The mother died in Eureka. From eight years of age Dan East was raised in Humboldt county and received his education in the public schools at Ilydesville and Rohnerville, as well as the old college at Rohnerville. He remained home until twenty-one years of age, then went to the gold mines in Trinity county, where he operated placer mines for three years, after which he returned to his old home. The next three years were spent working in the redwoods there. With his brother Ed he farmed for two years, when they bought the old ferry across Eel river at Alton. The ferry was started in early days by Mr. Barnett. Dan East and his brother Ed ran it for twenty- seven or twenty-eight years. They built five different ferry boats on the river during this time. Ed sold his interest to another brother, Louis E. East, and the old ferry is known all over the county as East's ferry. Mean- time, in 1908 Dan bought the old Humphrey Sevastes place on the middle Yager, thirty-eight miles east of Eureka, known as Thousand Acre Field. Here he owns six hundred fifty-seven acres on the main road, which he devotes to stock raising and farming, principally stock. He continued to operate the ferry until carly in 1915, when he sold it. He is principally engaged in cattle growing, his brand being D E.

Daniel J. East married in Eureka, July 3, 1893, being united with Miss Luella Hendricks, born in Healdsburg, Cal., daughter of Joseph and Lodrina (Gilbert) Hendricks, born in Missouri and California, respectively. They were engaged in stock raising in Sonoma county. In 1881 they moved to Humboldt county and engaged in farming in the Eel River Valley. He died near Fortuna. The mother now resides in Scotia. Fraternally Mr. East is a member of Eel River Lodge at Rohnerville, also the Encampment at Hydes- ville, and also is a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters in Fortuna. He has always been a stanch Republican in politics.

JASPER N. TURNER .- The Bull creek district of Humboldt county is one of the best known fruit raising sections of the state, the apples from that section being the finest of all that California produces, having taken the prize at the San Francisco Apple Show in the fall of 1914. Among the successful orchardists of this part of the county may be mentioned Jasper Turner, who owns a handsome place of two hundred thirty-two acres on Bull creek, which was the old Turner homestead, and belonged to his father since an early day. He has some ten acres in orchard, having both apples and prunes, but favoring the former, and his apples are among the finest raised in this locality. Mr. Turner is personally very highly regarded in his home community, where he has spent most of his thirty-five years, and where he now takes a promi- nent part in the affairs of the community. He is a Progressive Republican and takes an active interest in the political affairs of his section as well as

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of the county. He is broadminded and his grasp of a situation is fair and comprehensive. He has rendered valuable service to the party in various capacities, and is also serving the public at this time as a member of the local board of school trustees. In this interest in educational matters Mr. Turner is following in the footsteps of his father, who gave the land, an acre and a half, on which the local district school stands, and in many ways aided in the cause of establishing the local district on a firm foundation, until today it ranks as one of the best district schools in the entire county.

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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 138

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