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 147

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 147

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The marriage of Mr. Hill occurred in Eureka December 25, 1902, when he was united with Miss Edna G. Gardner, a native daughter of Humboldt county, born in Eureka, the daughter of M. F. and Mary E. (Allen) Gardner, natives of Hadleys Lake and Calais, Me., who came to Humboldt county in early days, the father being a prominent rancher and stockman in the Mattole valley.

Mrs. Hill is a cultured and accomplished lady and was for three years engaged in teaching in this county. Of their union one child was born, a daughter, Audrey L. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have numerous friends all over Humboldt county, who admire them for their worth, enterprise and many kindnesses. Fraternally Mr. Ifill is a member of Humboldt Lodge No. 77, I. O. O. F., while politically he is an ardent Republican.

WILLIAM J. HUNTER has for many years been superintendent of the Southern Division of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad with headquarters at Sausalito, Cal. On the completion of the road and the driving of the golden spike at Cains Rock, October 23, 1914, with through trains between San Francisco and Eureka, he became superintendent of the Northern Division of the same road, with headquarters in the city of Eureka. For years Mr. Hunter had been looking forward to the time when he would be able to ride into Humboldt county over an extension of the road with which he has for so many years been connected, and it is a great pleasure for his old comrades in the county to know that he is to have personal supervision of the welfare of the Eureka extension, especially so since the project has been recently constructed and is therefore in need of a guiding hand, such as Mr. Hunter's, not only to make the road a financial success, but also to assist the people of the county to obtain all the benefits possible therefrom.

A native of Canada, Mr. Hunter was born at Kemptville, Ontario, in October, 1853, and received his education in the little stone school house near

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his home, and in the high school of his native town. His parents were Anthony and Martha (McFarland) Hunter, the former born near Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, the latter in Ontario. The father, being the son of a shoe merchant, learned that business in boyhood but also fitted himself for the profession of teaching, which he followed for some time after removing to Ontario, and in which he was employed at the time of his marriage, later being engaged as a shoe merchant. Both he and his wife died at Kemptville, having brought up a family of nine children, of whom William J. Hunter was the oldest. Early in the year 1873 William J. Hunter came west .to fill an engagement with the old Chicago and White Stocking baseball club of that city, but instead of joining the ranks of professional baseball players, he continued the journey westward, coming to Healdsburg, Cal., in April of the same year, and two years later taking up his residence in Arcata, Hum- boldt county, where for some years he was a shoe merchant. An athletic young man of magnificent physique, Mr. Hunter became the captain and pitcher of the Arcata baseball team in the western state where he made his home, and it was this team that won nearly every battle in those days, so that Mr. Hunter could easily have won a national reputation had he cared to make a business of this pastime. But he chose a railroad career instead, having started railroading in Ontario on the Grand Trunk. On coming west. from 1873 to 1875 he was assistant agent at Healdsburg and Cloverdale, and from 1875 until 1883 he was engaged in business in Arcata. In 1883 he began as a brakeman on the old Donohue road, becoming a conductor in 1884 and continuing in that position until 1899, when he was made superintendent of the Southern Division of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, which had absorbed the Donohue and the North Shore roads. December 1, 1914, he took charge of his duties as superintendent of the Northern Division, with headquarters in Eureka, this being the new road from Eureka to Willits, and he is always alert to the successful maintenance and operation of the road.

The marriage of Mr. Hunter took place in 1875 in Healdsburg, Cal., uniting him with Miss Emma L. Gladden, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., whence she had come with her parents to Healdsburg. She was educated in the Indianapolis Normal School, and the San Jose State Normal School in California, and until her marriage taught school in Healdsburg. Mrs. Hunter's father, W. N. Gladden, was an carly settler in Healdsburg, and the pioneer horticulturist of that region, being the first man to set out a commercial peach orchard there, and has devoted his time to horticulture since first coming to California in 1871, in which line he gained much prominence in Sonoma county. In Indianapolis he had been a teacher, and a schoolmate and associate editor on the Indianapolis Journal with William Henry Har- rison, afterwards president of the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter during their honeymoon were passengers on the steamer Coquille, from San Fran- cisco to Eureka, and through the influence of a fellow passenger, the late C. B. Stone, then residing at Arcata, the young couple were induced to make their home in that town, in which place, as well as in Eureka, they soon gained a large measure of popularity in both social and musical circles. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter were born in Arcata, by name William C. and Walter G. The former, a graduate of the University of California, was engaged as a mining engineer at the time of his death, which was acci-

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dentally caused by the explosion of a blast, on June 11, 1915, while he was examining and experting the Washington mine near Nevada City, Cal. The other son, Walter G., like his brother, is a graduate of the University of California, and is well known as a civil and electrical engineer, having been city engineer of Stockton, and now holding the office of consulting engineer in charge of an extensive highway project in Arizona, with headquarters at Yuma.

The story of the life of William J. Hunter is one from which young men of today will derive a valuable lesson, and which they will do well to emulate, learning thereby that the qualities of honesty, strict attention to business, temperate habits and readiness to assist others are the character- istics which will help a man to acquire success in whatever line of life he has chosen. Beginning at the foot, Mr. Hunter has gradually worked up to the important position he now so ably fills, and this entirely through his own merit and endeavor, and the enthusiasm with which his return to Hum- boldt county was received by all who know him testifies to the high regard in which he is held. For by his sincerity and business integrity Mr. Hunter has won for himself scores of good friends in this section of the state. His fraternal associations are with the Knights of Pythias, he having been a member of this lodge at Arcata for thirty-seven years. Politically, he has always been a strong Republican, his belief being that the principles of this party are for the best interests of the entire country.

FRANK O. ENGSTROM .- A successful business man and proprietor of the California Street Market, Frank O. Engstrom was born in Jonkoping, Smaland, Sweden, October 4, 1869. The son of a farmer of that place, he was educated in the schools of that locality. From the age of ten until thirteen years he worked in a moulding mill and then took up farm work which he followed until he concluded to try his fortune in the land of the Stars and Stripes. Coming to the United States, he landed in Austin, Texas, September 21, 1890, and found employment in the cotton fields and in the cotton gin. He followed this employment for two seasons, having a con- tract for baling the cotton. In November, 1891, he arrived in San Francisco, Cal., and at Healdsburg was employed in the fruit district until March, 1892, when he came to Eureka, Humboldt county, where he has since made his home. His first employment was in the Scotia woods for the Pacific Lum- ber Company for eleven months, then in the Harpst & Spring shingle mill at Arcata, where he did teaming for a few months. Next he spent a year with the John Vance Company loading lumber, after which he was employed at the Edward Vance mill at Samoa, beginning there when the mill was started and saw the first log placed on the carriage and sawed. He continued there for two years in the trimming and in the planning departments, after which he spent two years working on the government jetties in Humboldt Bay. Fol- lowing this he became a longshoreman, continuing as such for a period of eight years.

In April, 1908, Mr. Engstrom purchased the California Street Market at No. 1909 California street, and since then has engaged in the butcher busi- ness. By his square dealing and courteous treatment of his customers he has acquired a large trade. However, this does not represent all of his interests, for he is a stockholder in the Waldner Land & Fruit Company that own about

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four thousand acres near Blocksburg and is also a stockholder and director of the Eureka Cooperative General Merchandise Company that has a large general store on the corner of California and Twentieth street, Eureka. Ile built and owns a comfortable residence at No. 2329 Fairfield street, where he resides with his family and also owns other residence property in this city.

Mr. Engstrom was married in Eureka to Miss Alma Larsen, born in Vestrejotland, Sweden. She is sister of Charles A. Larson, manager of the Eureka Cooperative General Merchandise Company, who is represented on another page in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Engstrom have four children, Ruth, Edward, Edith and Roy.

After an absence of twenty-two years Mr. Engstrom, in April, 1912. with his family visited his old home in Sweden and also other important cities in that country. He had purchased tickets to cross the Atlantic on the Titanic, but when that vessel went down on her maiden voyage to New York he took the Cedric of the same line. On returning to California he was well satisfied to continue making this city his permanent home. Although he has traveled extensively in the United States and been in most of the states, he likes the state of California best. Fraternally he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Red Men, Loyal Order of Moose and Foresters of America. Mr. Engstrom is a self-made man, having worked his way to success by his own perseverance and ability and is highly respected as a man among men. With his family he is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, of which he is an active and prominent member. He is serving as deacon and secretary of its board of trustees.

WILLIAM ELMER LINDOW .- A sawyer at the Samoa mill of the Hammond Lumber Company, William E. Lindow was born at Wabasha, Minnesota, January 24, 1870. His father, William Lindow, who was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, came to America, and was a very early settler in Minnesota, where he followed lumbering. Next he went to Michigan, where he followed farming : a part of the farm which he owned now forms a part of the present site of Saginaw, Mich. After selling this he purchased timber land in Minnesota, where he engaged in logging and lumbering. After- wards he moved to Black River Falls, Wis., where he farmed until he died. He was married in Minnesota to Minnie Long, who died in that state.

Of their family of six children William E. Lindow is the third eldest and was reared on the farm in Minnesota and received a good education in the public and high schools. When seventeen years of age he began in the lumber industry, working in the woods and at river driving on the East Fork of Black river, the Kettle and Tamarack rivers. Ilis father ran a portable saw- mill for many years. There the son learned to saw and run the stationary en- gine. Afterward he was employed with the Goodyear Lumber Company at Goodyear, Wis. He then went to Duluth, where he was employed in the Clark & Jackson mill, becoming sawyer, and continued with them for three years. Later he was with the Hubbard & Vincent mill for one year. He then went to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he found employment with the American Lumber Company as sawyer, leaving there two years later, to enter the employ of the Hume Bennett Lumber Company at Converse Basin, near Millwood, Fresno county, Cal., where he filled the position as sawyer for one season. On February 15, 1907, he accepted his present position of

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sawyer at the Hammond Lumber Company mill at Samoa and has held it ever since, operating the double cut band saw which with favorable logs and orders has cut as high as 207,000 feet in ten hours.

In Winona, Minn., Nov. 16, 1898, Mr. Lindow married Miss Matilda Staack, born in Winona, the daughter of Mathias and Mary (Petersen) Staack, the former a cabinet maker by trade and later a grocer until he retired. Mr. and Mrs. Lindow have one child, Florence. Fraternally Mr. Lindow is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is past officer, and also the Redmen. Mrs. Lindow is a member of the Royal Neighbors. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lindow are members of the Episcopal church in Eureka. In national political views he sides with the Republicans.

CAPT. HENRY H. BUHNE .- That he was one of the first white men to arrive in Humboldt county is evidenced by the fact that Captain Buhne sailed through the bar into Humboldt bay on the 9th of April, 1850, and by the further fact that he piloted the Laura Virginia into the bay not long after- ward, this being the first American vessel to cross the bar. Although still a young man at the time he first cast anchor at Eureka, already he had sailed the high seas into practically every part of the world and had gained much experience in whaling expeditions that took him over the Southern Pacific waters. As a boy he had been trained in maritime pursuits under his father, a seafaring man whose skill in carrying his craft through stormy scas de- scended to the son and impelled him to enter the same occupation. Practically all of his youth was passed in Flensburg, Schleswig-holstein, then a part of Denmark, now a German province, his birth having occurred there June 27, 1822, and his schooling having been secured in its institutions of learning. At the age of sixteen he secured a post as a cabin boy on an ocean-going steam- ship. The benefit of his training with his father soon became apparent and led to his promotion the following year. A cruise on a whaler took him into the south seas and it was not until early in 1845 that he returned to the old home in Denmark.

Appreciating the necessity of more thorough training in navigation, the young sailor entered a school June 7, 1845, and continued his studies until October 20, of the same year, when he was awarded his diploma. Through this course of practical study he was able to secure a berth as first mate on a whaler that sailed for the south October 28, 1845, and during that event- ful voyage he suffered shipwreck on the Cape Verde islands, but was for- tunately rescued with his companions in danger and in May, 1846, he arrived safely at Hamburg. Later he shipped on the whaler Clementine for the Arctic ocean. In the course of this voyage he landed in San Francisco for the first time in November, 1847. The town was very small, for it was before the discovery of gold and the cosmopolitan throngs soon to enter its port had not yet been attracted by the lure of the supposed fortunes in the mines. With the advent of mining as the chief industry the Captain retired from the sea and tried his luck at Auburn, Cal., where, however, he found nothing to repay him for his trouble. Returning to the life of the sailor he came to Hum- boldt county and piloted vessels across the bar with a whale-boat, besides being in charge of the tug boat Mary Ann. In addition to many years of experience in piloting he engaged in the lumber business in the early days, acquiring tracts of cheap lands and later built up a large hardware business in Eureka. Of his children five are now living, namely : Henry H., Mrs. W. P.

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Pratt, Georgia, Mrs. Kenneth Newitt and Alexander H. In the carly develop- men work he was a leading spirit, devoting a great deal of time to furthering sound projects that were calculated to be of the greatest good to the city and community. With his death, October 26, 1894, there passed from the county one of its earliest settlers and most loyal citizens, a man whose splendid business ability had been utilized in the amassing of a valuable estate and who was generally regarded as one of the most substantial business men in this section of the state. Possessing extraordinary individuality and mental power, he rose above every handicap of poor educational advantages, unfamiliarity with the customs of the people of America and a stranger even to the lan- guage, and out of poverty he gleaned independence and prominence. Such men as he formed the basis of the present prosperity and growing influence of Humboldt county.

OSCAR JEROME GATES .- The father of Oscar Jerome Gates was Schuyler S. Gates, born at Wallingford, Vt., January 22, 1805, a nephew of General Gates of Revolutionary fame. His mother was Mary A. (Pratt) Gates, who was born at Montpelier, Vt., December 13, 1808. The couple were the parents of six children, namely: Oscar Jerome, born March 8, 1830, at Rutland, Vt., and died in California in 1895: LeRoy J., born July 20, 1831 ; Arabella D., born February 18, 1833 ; Lena M., born June 20, 1835 ; Irene R., born in November, 1836, now Mrs. Irhman, of Perris, Cal. ; and Gertrude E., born September 5, 1845.

The son Oscar received his education at Albion Academy, Erie county, Pa. In 1849 the family removed to Adams county, Wis., where, wages being high, the young Oscar went down the Wisconsin river on a raft which he steered with swinging oars for $4 per day. When he reached his des- tination a tooth began to ache and he went to a dentist to have it pulled, for which he was charged $1. The boy then and there resolved to go into the dental profession, declaring "I will go into the dental business; that beats running the river." Accordingly he bought a kit of tools and started home afoot along the Wisconsin river, stopping at every house to see if the inhabitants were in need of the assistance of a dentist. He was successful in getting many jobs and pulled many teeth, so that, though inexperienced, he had his pockets full of money when he reached his father's home.

Still pursuing his new profession, Dr. Gates came to California in 1852, locating first in Trinity county, where he practiced dentistry at Weaver- ville and among the surrounding camps, going even as far as into Josephine county in Oregon. In 1854 he came to Humboldt county, Cal., but his stay here was short, as he soon returned to Trinity county, where he remained a number of years. Coming back to Humboldt county, he located in Eureka in the early '60s, and ever afterwards was a resident of this city, continuing to practice his profession here until the time of his death, many years later. Of the pioneers of northern California, Dr. Gates was one of the best known, being a character in his way. Not only was he a talented man, but he was a genius as well, and a splendid workman and a dentist of marked ability and originality. In the early days he made money in plenty, and with it was generous to a fault. Fearless and unhesitating, he on more than one occa- sion proved his courage and physical ability. "Doc," as he was familiarly called, was a stanch friend and had no enemies.

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Dr. Gates was first married in Rohnerville, Humboldt county, in 1870, to Mrs. Ann E. (Hook) Nelson, and by this union he has one son, Leroy Morton, who resides in Eureka. His second marriage occurred in Eureka, June 16, 1879, with Mrs. Isabella M. (Drew) Gosselin, of Eureka, a lady of good family and the union was very harmonious. The Doctor held member- ship in Fortuna Lodge No. 221, I. O. O. F., of Eureka, of which he was Past Noble Grand; in Lincoln Lodge No. 34, K. P., of which he was Past Chancellor; and in the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Eureka, wherein he was Past Master Workman. All these lodges held him in high esteem and passed resolutions of condolence and respect upon his demise.

His death occurred unexpectedly at Perris, in Riverside county, Cal., April 15, 1895, while visiting his sister, Mrs. Irene Irhman of that city. The Doctor had gone out with a pleasure party and was incidentally inspecting a mine, when he was stricken by heart failure. His remains were sent back to Eureka, where they were interred at Ocean View Cemetery amid an abun- dance of floral tributes, the offerings of friends and neighbors. From the Daily (Humboldt) Times of April 27, 1895, we quote :

"The loss of Dr. Gates will be keenly felt by many in this community who were close enough to be acquainted with his charitable work and good- ness of heart. They will join with his bereaved relatives in mourning his departure. The loved and loving husband, father and friend died in the prime of manhood. While yet in love with life and raptured with the world, he passed to silence and the pathetic dust. Yet, after all, it may be best -- just in the happy, sunny hour of the voyage, while eager winds are kissing every sail-to dash against the unseen rock and in an instant hear the billows roar. This brave and tender man in every storm of life was oak and rock, but in sunshine he was vine and flower. He sided with the weak, and with a will- ing hand gave alms; he was a worshiper of liberty, a friend of the oppressed ; he added to the sum of human joy and could everyone for whom he did some loving service bring a blossom to his grave, he would sleep beneath a laby- rinth of flowers. There never was, there is no gentler, stronger, manlier man."

FRANK E. HERRICK .- Activities far-reaching in effect give to Mr. Herrick prominence in his native county of Humboldt and add to the prestige of a family name already highly honored in the efficient and public-spirited services of his father and mother, Rufus F. and Martha (Gist) Herrick, pioneers in the work among the Indians of Northern California. It was dur- ing the residence of the parents on a farm four miles from Arcata, on Mad river, that he was born February 10, 1861, but he did not remain long enough on his native ranch to retain any vivid recollections of the place, the services of his father as Indian agent causing the temporary residence of the family on Indian reservations, at Smith River, Del Norte county, while later a home was established on the island near Ferndale on Eel river. With the coming of the family to Eureka in 1872 the son was sent to the town schools and also studied for a time under a private tutor. Meanwhile he learned much about surveying and civil engineering while helping his father and other competent engineers. Thus was laid the foundation of an occupative education most valuable to him in later years. From eighteen until twenty-two years of

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age he served on coast survey, geodetic and harbor improvement in the employ of the United States government.

Settling in Eureka and taking up the work of a civil engineer, Mr. Her- rick in 1889 was elected county surveyor on the Republican ticket, and two years later was re-elected to the office. After an interim of two years in 1895 he was elected for the third term and in 1897 became his own successor. Altogether he has filled the office of county surveyor for twelve years. In 1899 he became chief engineer for the California & Northwestern Railway, serving for two years. Acceding to the wishes of citizens of Eureka, in 1901 he became city engineer and as such he superintended the construction of the sewer system, making all plans and specifications used in the work. The city was bonded for $115,000 for improvements of sewers and schools. Under the supervision of Mr. Herrick a sewerage system was built that had no superior in the state, considering size and amount of money expended. In 1903 he was re-elected city engineer and again in 1907, so that he filled the office for six years altogether. From 1903 to 1907 he also served as deputy United States mineral surveyor for California.

Since leaving the office of city engineer Mr. Herrick has devoted himself to special engineering and surveying for a number of lumber companies in Humboldt county, doing the most of the railroad engineering for the various logging roads. Mr. Herrick is interested in property in the city of Eureka and in dairy lands in Ecl River valley.

The family of Mr. Herrick consists of a wife and three children: Ralph F., an auto dealer in Eureka ; Frank Leslie, a physician and surgeon, Oakland ; and Gladys, now Mrs. McMillan, of Oakland. Mrs. Herrick, formerly Emma J. Gish, of San Jose, was the daughter of a pioneer family, her mother. Mrs. Aquilla Glover, being one of the ill-fated Donner party in 1846. After Mr. Glover's death she married D. E. Gish, of San Jose.

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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 147

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