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 146

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 146

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number of ranchers have abandoned sheep raising as unprofitable, but Mr. Robertson has found local conditions exceptionally favorable, as his prime stock shows. He produces high-grade wool and mutton in large quantities. The improvements on the ranch, which comprises fifty-five hundred acres particularly valuable for grazing purposes, are so in keeping with all the requirements, and so complete in their provision for the comfort of the family and facilitating ranch operations, that even the casual visitor is impressed.

The Robertson family is undoubtedly of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Robert- son's grandfather settled near Bridgeville in the early period of the develop- ment of Humboldt county, became a large landowner and engaged exten- sively in sheep raising. His son Alexander Robertson, father of Leonard A. Robertson, was born at Crescent City, Cal., and died at the age of thirty-five years. By that time he had succeeded in laying the foundations of the substantial possessions which his wife and children now have in the ranch in southern Humboldt county, having commenced the improvement of the tract and the raising of sheep. He had married Miss Belle Ferrier, who still survives with the five children born of their union: Leonard A .; Margaret, wife of Thomas Tobin, of Garberville, manager of the Garber- ville Mercantile Company ; Gertrude, who is unmarried and lives with her mother at Santa Rosa, Cal .; Clara, unmarried, who is a teacher at Santa Rosa; and Florence, wife of A. E. Connick, manager of the Russ meat 'market at Eureka, where they reside.

Leonard A. Robertson was born January 18, 1876, on the ranch where he now resides, and spent his early years here, beginning his education in the public schools of the home district, later attending at Rohnerville, and then taking his high school course at Oakland, whither his mother removed to give her family high school advantages. He graduated in December, 1894, since when he has been giving his time to the management of the Robertson ranch, which he owns in partnership with his mother and four sisters. It is a little over three miles east of Garberville, on the Harris road, and eighty-three miles south of Eureka, the county scat. Three thousand grade sheep, Merinos, interbred with Shropshires, is the average grazed upon this property, and nothing is left undone to keep them in proper condition to insure wool and mutton of the best quality. The pasture is all that could be desired, the sheep yards and shearing pens are well arranged, and there are all the conveniences that modern ingenuity has devised and prosperity makes possible, the whole making an independent establishment complete of its kind. Being a mechanic of considerable ability

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and practical attainments, Mr. Robertson has probably paid more attention to such details than the average agriculturist, having tools and shop for doing carpenter and ordinary blacksmith work. Like his father and grandfather he is noted for integrity in all his transactions, and he pays the strictest attention to everything that concerns his business interests.

The Robertson ranch is well equipped with buildings, including a fine residence and barns. There are a fine family orchard and vegetable garden, as well as other conveniences which contribute to make the place delightful as a residence. On September 14, 1905, Mr. Robertson married Miss Grace Orcutt, who was born at San Francisco and reared at Oakland, and they have two children, Leonard and Claire. Mrs. Robertson has spent all her life in California, was educated at Oakland, and is a representative "native daughter," her generous, lovable character and sensible womanliness attract- ing many friends in the locality where her married life has been spent. She is thoroughly devoted to her home and family, but also interested in the social life of the community, where her many fine traits gained her a warm welcome. Mr. Robertson is a member of the Knights of Pythias, belonging to the lodge at Garberville ; he is a Republican on political questions.

NEWELL M. PALMER .- A member of the board of education in Eureka, president of the Eureka trades council, and a resident of Humboldt county since 1889, Newell M. Palmer was born in Alton, Ill., January 5, 1855, the son of John Allison Palmer. The latter was born in Kentucky and immi- grated to Greenfield, Illinois, with his parents. By trade he was a lumber- man near Alton and ran a sawmill, in which he manufactured hardwood lum- ber until his death in 1861. Mr. Palmer's mother, Melissa Caswell, was born in Kankakee, Ill. She died in 1867, leaving two children, Newell M. and George, the latter now a farmer in Curry county, Ore.

Newell M. Palmer was left an orphan when twelve years of age, after which he lived with an uncle, John Caswell, in Alton, until he was eighteen, in the meantime obtaining his education in the schools of that city. He then went to work in a sash and door factory owned by Martin & Bowles and worked his way upward until he became foreman of the plant. In 1889 he came to Eureka and found employment in the old Lincoln mill on L and Second street, in the sash and door department, continuing there for a period of five years. When J. A. Cottrell, who was superintendent of the mill, started a planing mill of his own, Mr. Palmer resigned his position with the Lincoln mill and accepted the place of foreman in the sash and door depart- ment of Cottrell's new planing mill and continued with Mr. Cottrell as fore- man until 1906. The many years of close application and the fine dust of the planers ultimately proved very injurious to Mr. Palmer's health and it became necessary for him to have out door employment. To obviate these conditions Mr. Cottrell gave him his present position, having charge of delivering the manufactured product.

Mr. Palmer's first marriage occurred in Alton, Ill., uniting him with Mary Gotleib, a native of that place. She died in Eureka, leaving one child, Florence, now Mrs. Cornwell of Eureka. His second marriage occurred in Eureka and united him with Mrs. Clara L. (Callahan) Roberts, born in Trinidad, Hum- boldt county, of an old pioneer family. She had one child by her first mar- riage, Jack, in the employ of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad. In 1898

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Mr. Palmer was elected a member of the Eureka board of education, ren- dering efficient service for four years. His interest in the cause of education continued unabated and in 1911 he was elected a member of the board from the Second ward, and at the expiration of his term, was reelected, in June, 1915. He is chairman and a member of the finance committee and was a member of the board when the new high school bonds were voted and during the build- ing of the new high school on a site of eleven acres on J street at a cost of $160,000. In politics he is a Socialist and for four years was chairman of the county central committee. He is now serving as president of the Eureka trades council.

C. G. McKEEHAN was born in Harrisburg, Dauphin county, Pa., the son of Capt. Frank and Margaret (Bealor) McKeehan, also natives of Pennsylvania, born in Perry county. At the opening of the Civil war Captain McKeehan raised a company of volunteers and was commis- sioned captain of Company E, Two Hundred and Eighth Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, serving over three years or until the close of the war. During this time he rendered valiant service and participated in all the battles in which his regiment engaged. After the war he was engaged in farming on the Tennessee river in Tennessee for a while, after which he was a merchant at Juniata, Pa., and finally a farmer in Perry county, that state, until his death. His widow now lives in Harrisburg.

To Captain McKeehan and his wife were born twelve children, all of whom are living, C. G. being the sixth in order of birth and the only one on the Pacific coast. His boyhood days were passed on the Perry county farm, and he received his education in the public schools and at Bloomfield academy. On completing the academic course he learned the printer's trade in New Bloomfield, Pa., afterwards following his trade on various papers in Penn- sylvania.

Having a strong desire to visit the coast Mr. McKeehan came to San Francisco in 1888 and thence came to Eureka, Humboldt county, when for more than five years he was a compositor on the Humboldt Standard. During these years he became so favorably impressed with the county and the people that he resolved to locate permanently and engage in business.

Associating himself with Mr. Lambert, the firm of Lambert & McKechan was launched in 1894 by the purchase of the small printing plant of Tom Howard on Fourth street, where the proprietors continued in business for a year, then moving to their present place on Third street, between E and F. Since then their printing establishment has been greatly enlarged and mod- ernized until they have one of the largest and most complete printing, job and book establishments in the city.

Mr. McKeehan was married in San Jose, being united with Miss Annie M. Smith, a native daughter of Humboldt county, born in Eureka, and to them have been born three children, Porter, Willard and Helen. Mr. Mc- Keehan was made a Mason in Humboldt Lodge No. 79, F. & A. M., and with his wife is a member of Camelia Chapter, O. E. S., of which Mrs. McKeehan is past matron. She is also a member of Centennial Lodge of Rebekahs. Mr. McKeehan is a member of Humboldt Lodge No. 77, I. O. O. F., as well as Redwood Burhl Camp, Woodmen of the World, and the Ancient Order of Foresters, while his public spirited interest in the welfare and progress

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of the city is manifested by his membership in the Chamber of Commerce, Eureka Development Association and the Humboldt Club. Politically he is an ardent and stanch Republican.

ALBERT L. FEARRIEN is a native of Marion county, Ind., born October 15, 1867, the son of Thaddeus M. and Mary (Washburn) Fearrien, born in Kentucky and Indiana respectively. They were married in Indiana, and two children, A. L. and Alzena, were born there. In 1871 the father brought the family to Humboldt county, locating on the south fork of the Eel river three miles above Garberville, where he took up a homestead and bought land. Here also he built the first sawmill in this section and manufactured the first lumber. After running the mill for sixteen years he sold the mill, ranch and stock and moved to Oakland, Cal., where he died. The mother died near Garberville.

There were four children born in California, making six children in the family, of which Albert L. is the oldest. He was reared on the ranch near Garberville and educated in the public schools. Until he was twenty years of age he assisted his father on the ranch, in the mill and at teaming. At this time he was married in Garberville to Ada Yates, born in Colusa county. He then went to Westport, Mendocino county, in the employ of Dave Gill, for whom he worked in the woods for two years, when he returned to Garber- ville and engaged in ranching for five or six years. Following this he engaged in getting out tan bark, a business that proved remunerative and engaged his attention for fifteen years.

He handled from 2,500 to 3,000 cords a year. At first this was peeled and hauled to Needle Rock, but afterwards he hauled only to Briceland for the Wagner Leather Company. Such was the experience gained during the years passed in the tan bark business that he could make an accurate estimate of what the timber would yield in tan bark to the quoter, and he had the reputation of being the closest estimator of tan bark in the county. During all these years, after the bark season was over, he would go hunting for bear and for the purpose kept a few hounds. His success in killing bear was noted in the local papers. Thomas Bair, Jr., who was engaged in stock ranching on his Redwood ranch and was annoyed by the ravages of the bears and other wild game, after reading of Mr. Fearrien's success, got in touch with him and induced him to accept the position of superintendent of his ranch and also to rid the ranch of bears as much as possible. Mr. Fearrien assumed his duties in March, 1909, on the Redwood ranch and continued there until the sheep were sold some eighteen months later. He then entered the employ of Fred S. Bair on his Three Cabins ranch, and the combined acreage of the Three Cabins and Redwood ranches is being devoted to sheep and cattle raising. There are over nine thousand head of sheep in his flock and he is making a specialty of raising sheep. He now has a large pack of hounds, with which he hunts bears whenever he can spare the time. He has killed one hundred five bears on the ranch in the last seven years. One summer, however, he killed thirty-six bears. He has also killed fifty-three coyotes, one hundred three wild cats and eleven panthers. He has studied the habits of the animals and it is interesting to hear him relate reminiscences and experiences he has passed through while hunting wild game. He devotes all

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of his time to the superintending and caring for the two ranches, comprising thirty-four thousand acres.

Mr. and Mrs. Fearrien have three children, Wilmoth, Mrs. O'Hara of Eureka; Neetia, Mrs. Brownlow of Washington; and Newton, who assists his father in his manifold duties. All three of the children are graduates of the Eureka high school and the Eureka Business College. While living in Briceland Mr. Fearrien served as school trustee for a term of three years. He is a public spirited and liberal citizen and always ready to help all worthy enterprises. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World at Blue Lake and politically is a strong Republican. Mrs. Fearrien is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church.

THOMAS ARTHUR GROOM .- The superintendent of the Humboldt Cooperage Company and an enterprising and progressive young man of Arcata, Thomas A. Groom was born in Muskoka, Ontario, May 15, 1878. His father, John Groom, was a native of London, England, and a carpenter and builder by trade. He migrated to Hamilton, Ontario, and was there married to Theresa Williams, who was likewise born in England. After following contracting and building in Hamilton the father moved with his family to Muskoka, where as a pioneer he cleared and improved a farm from the forest. In 1880 he took his family to Chicago, Ill., where he was in the restaurant and hotel business, besides which he did contracting and building at various times up to the time of his death, which occurred in Antigo, Wis., in 1905. His widow now resides in Livingston, Cal.

Of their family of six children Thomas A. Groom is the fourth oldest. He was reared in the city of Chicago. After completing the grammar schools he entered the Lake high school, where he was graduated in 1897. For an- other year he continued his studies in the Lewis Institute in Chicago, and then entered the employ of Swift & Co., working in the receiving department for about one year. Next he became a representative for the western department of the Delaware and Reliance Insurance companies of Philadelphia, continu- ing with them for four years.

In 1900 Mr. Groom came to the Pacific coast and after a few years spent in Oregon and various parts of California located in Arcata, January 29, 1904. He immediately entered the employ of the Humboldt Cooperage Com- pany, beginning at the bottom as a laborer and working up through each department, advancing with the growth of the establishment both in the manufacturing and office work. One season he spent operating the woods, also the mill. In 1911 he was made superintendent of the plant, a position he has filled ably ever since. He owns a comfortable home on Eleventh street. Arcata, where he resides with his wife, Edith (Fischer) Groom, a native of Chicago, and they have one child, Chester Fischer Groom. Fraternally he is a member of Anniversary Lodge No. 185, I. O. O. F., at Arcata, of which he is past grand, and with his wife is a member of Empress Rebekah Lodge. He is also a member of the Arcata Club.

GEORGE EDWARD CORNWELL .- Among the young men who are making a success of their chosen occupation in Eureka we find George Edward Cornwell, who was born at Cherry Creek Cañon, near Denver, Colo., February 28, 1876. His father, Nathaniel Ephraim Cornwell, was born in Canada and learned the trades of stonemason, bricklayer and plasterer.

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Coming to the United States, he located for a time in Rockford, Ill., and later in Kentucky, following his trades. He was married in Louisville, Ky., Decem- ber 22. 1869, to Joalla H. Crouch, who was born in Lexington, Ky., October 2, 1843, the daughter of a Methodist minister. About 1871 they removed to Colorado, where Mr. Cornwell was engaged in saw-milling and later in con- tracting at his trade in Denver and Pueblo. In 1881 he came to Oakland and in 1883 located in Eureka, where he carried on contracting and building until he retired. Two years had also been spent in the same line of business in Republic, Wash. Upon retiring from business he returned to Eureka, where he made his home until he died, March 19, 1914, the mother having passed away September 23, 1911. To them were born ten children, five of whom grew up, as follows: Rose Mary, Mrs. Welch, of Arcata ; Maggie M., Mrs. Wood, of Eureka ; George E., of whom we write; Laura, Mrs. Rooney, of Ukiah ; and Alma, Mrs. Landgren, who died in 1913. George Edward Cornwell. the only son living, was reared and educated in the Eureka public schools. After completing the tenth grade he engaged in contracting lathing for a period of four years, and then began working as a plasterer in Republic, Wash., completing the trade and that of brickmason in Eureka. Subsequently he spent four years in San Francisco and Oakland, working two years of this time as a bricklayer and the same length of time in contracting brick and stone work and plastering. Desiring to return to Eureka, he came back in October, 1909, and has engaged in contracting here ever since. In 1913 he formed the present partnership with Charles Christiansen under the name of Cornwell & Christiansen. Together they have done some of the finest work in their line in Eureka and Arcata, among the jobs being the Minor Theater and Minor Bank in Arcata, the Carson, E. Cousins and Mallory residences, the Brown bungalows and others in Eureka. They have done some of the finest and best work in their line in the city. Mr. Cornwell is very careful and painstaking in the performance of his contracts, and as a result his work is always satisfactory. He owns and makes his home in the old Cornwell residence at No. 1231 Myrtle avenue.

Mr. Cornwell was married in Eureka December 18, 1902, being united with Miss Florence Palmer, born in Alton, Ill., and coming with her parents to Eureka when ten years of age. She is the daughter of Newell M. Palmer, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell have one child, George Palmer. Fraternally Mr. Cornwell is a prominent member of Humboldt Lodge No. 77, I. O. O. F., being the present Noble Grand, and is a member of Mount Zion Encampment of Odd Fellows, and also a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of the Maccabees. Mrs. Cornwell is an active member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Corn- well are very liberal and kind hearted and ever ready to help those who have been less fortunate. In political views he believes in the principles of the Republican party. He is an exempt fireman, having served six years in No. 1 Engine Company and one year in Hose Company No. 4. He also served seven years as a member of the Fifth Division of Naval Militia, the only military company here, being mustered out with the rank of coxswain.

STERLING P. ARNHART .- Persistent endeavor toward perfection in his chosen line of work has brought merited praise to Mr. Arnhart as a builder wherever his handiwork is seen. He has been a resident of California since 1873, coming from Barry county, Mo., where he was born May 14, 1862.

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He is the son of Wesley and Caroline (Morris) Arnhart, born in Nashville, Tenn., and later farmers in Missouri. In 1873 the parents came to California, locating in Woodland, Yolo county, where they engaged in farming for three and one-half years. Subsequently they returned to Nevada City, where the father has been residing ever since.

Sterling P. Arnhart, who was next to the oldest of the seven children in the parental family, was reared in Missouri until he was eleven years old and was educated principally in the public schools of Yolo county and in Woodland. While in Nevada City he picked up the plasterers' trade, and in 1883 he went to San Francisco to complete his trade, working at it until 1887. In that year he went to Tulare county, and with headquarters in Visalia con- tracted for plastering. His contracts covered a wide range of country, extend- ing from Bakersfield to Fresno. From plaster contracting he branched out into contracting and building.

In 1903 Mr. Arnhart located in Eureka and engaged in contracting and building in his line, cement, concrete, brick and stone work and plastering, in which he has engaged ever since, doing some of the largest and finest jobs in the city. He did the work on the Fort Seward Hotel, Elks Hall, Eagles Home, Bank of Eureka and hundreds of residences.

In San Francisco Mr. Arnhart was married to Miss May E. Kennedy, who was born in Michigan, and two children were born to them, Clarence, employed in San Francisco, and Leila. Fraternally Mr. Arnhart is a member of Eureka Lodge No. 652, B. P. O. E .; Fortuna Lodge No. 221, I. O. O. F .; Mount Zion Encampment, and the Rebekahs. In political views he is a Republican.

CHARLES CHRISTIANSEN .- A native son of Humboldt county, born in Eureka March 23, 1882, Mr. Christiansen is the son of Charles and Christene (Ellison) Christiansen, natives of Opsal and Vermland, Sweden, respectively. As was the custom and ambition of the boys in that Swedish seaport, the father went to sea and followed it for many years. In 1854 he came around Cape Horn to San Francisco, and being pleased with the outlook decided to remain. Here he followed the coasting trade and ultimately became captain of a schooner. Coming to Eureka in 1876, he became captain on Humboldt bay steamers. After his marriage in Eureka he determined to settle down and therefore in 1882 bought twenty acres on Myrtle avenue, where he engaged in farming, making a specialty of raising hogs. His demise occurred at his home when he dropped dead January 3, 1903. His widow afterwards sold the twenty acres, which has since been laid out into city lots. She makes her home in her comfortable residence built on a part of the former ranch.

Charles Christiansen is the third oldest of a family of four children and is the only son. He was brought up on the home ranch on Myrtle avenue and received a good education in the public and high schools of Eureka. He learned the plasterers' trade and followed it until 1913, when he entered into partnership with George E. Cornwell under the firm name of Cornwell & Christiansen, since which time they have engaged actively in contracting in their line. Both are energetic, wide-awake young men, and are making a success, having done some of the finest and most artistic work in Eureka. Mr. Christiansen owns a comfortable bungalow at No. 1237 East street, where he resides with his wife and her two children by her first marriage, Gladys and Adrian. Mrs. Christiansen was formerly Mrs. Dolly (Jones)

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Robinson, a native of Missouri, and is a cultured and refined woman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen are popular and have many friends who enjoy their hospitality and good cheer. He is a charter member of Hose Company No. 7, Eureka Fire Department, which was organized in March, 1908, he being president from the organization and first foreman of the company.

CLARENCE E. HILL .- A young man of ability and perseverance, who has become well and favorably known through his traits of honesty, industry and straightforwardness, is Clarence E. Hill, who was born in Calais, Me., July 10, 1881. He came to Eureka when about five years of age with his parents, Charles H. and Isabella (Wright) Hill, both natives of Maine, and was reared and educated in the public schools of Eureka. From a youth he learned the plasterers' and bricklayers' trade from his father, and he has followed this trade for about twenty years. Thirteen years ago he began contracting, specializing in concrete, brick and stone work and plastering, and in this time has done some of the finest work in the city. He had the contract for Nazareth Convent and Academy and with Mr. Arnhart did the work in their line on the Eagles Home, the Harpst, Leach, Wilson and many other beautiful residences in this city, as well as in different parts of Hun- boldt county, among others the Hotel Fort Seward. Mr. Hill built his com- fortable residence at No. 1183 Myrtle avenue, where he resides with his wife and daughter.

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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 146

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