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 148

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 148

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

In politics Mr. Herrick has been a stanch Republican. A charter member of Humboldt Parlor No. 14, N. S. G. W., and of Eureka Lodge No. 652, B. P. O. E., he was influential in the carly history of these prominent fraternal organizations at Eureka.

EDWARD TIMOTHY SULLIVAN .- An old settler having been con- nected with the lumber industry since he came to Humboldt county, in 1879, Edward Timothy Sullivan was born in London, England, January 12, 1865. His father, Cornelius Sullivan, a coal operator, in 1868 migrated with his family to Eric, Pa., where he followed the same line of occupation until his death. The mother, Ellen (O'Leary) Sullivan, then removed to Muskegon, Mich., with her family of three sons and there she reared and educated them. She now makes her home in San Francisco.

Edward Timothy Sullivan, the eldest of the three children, received a good education in the public schools, attending the old Third ward school in Muskegon. When his schooling was completed he resumed work in the shingle mill of F. B. Peck, where he had worked during vacations from the age of eleven until fourteen years of age. As a shingle weaver he made a good record and soon was at the head with men in that line. In May, 1879 he arrived in San Francisco with $3 in greenbacks. He immediately accepted a position with the D. R. Jones mill on Gunthers Island, Eureka, and came here on the schooner Laura Pike, Captain Hansen, taking seven days from San

1286

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Francisco to Eureka. He reported and at once went to work in the shingle mills, continuing with the company for seven years, most of the time as a contractor. By 1886 all of the available lumber had been cut and the mill closed down. Ile then entered the employ of Mckay & Co. in the shingle department of the Occidental mill as filer, then contractor and later foreman, continuing in all about seventeen years.

Resigning his place in 1904, Mr. Sullivan accepted his present position, foreman of the shingle department of the Hammond Lumber Company at Samoa, and has held the position ever since. It is a very responsible position as will be seen when it is known that it is the largest redwood shingle mill on the Pacific coast. He operates five shingle machines and one lath mill. Personally, he superintends the entire shingle plant and attends to all the hammering and filing, as well as the mechanical part, keeping the machinery of the mill going.

Mr. Sullivan built and owns a comfortable residence at No. 1639 Pine street and also owns other residence property, and has great faith in the future prosperity of Eureka and Humboldt county. In 1883 he joined the Volunteer Fire Department and has been an active member ever since, and is today the fourth oldest member in the department. Ile was a member of Engine Com- pany No. 1, then Engine Company No. 3, then charter member of California Hose Company No. 5 and an active member of it since its organization. In 1904 he passed through all the offices of the company, including foreman, and is treasurer of the company. For the last five years he has been captain of the police department of fire department, is also captain of the racing teamis of the department and is permanent captain of the racing time of the Cali- fornia Hose Company No. 5, winner of three races out of four that they have entered, establishing the fastest time ever made on the Pacific coast for two hundred yards; that is, run one hundred yards with hose cart, connect with the hydrant, run one hundred yards more, then break the hose and put on the nozzle and put water through, all in thirty-five seconds, the fastest record on the coast. Mr. Sullivan is an exempt fireman of Engine Company No. 3. He is a most enthusiastic member of the department, and it is largely through the influence and work of men of his caliber, who enforce strict discipline, that the fire department has reached such a high degree of efficiency.

In Eureka Mr. Sullivan was married to Miss Geneva Tibbetts, born in St. Paul, Minn., who came to Eureka with her parents when three years of age. She was educated in the public schools. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, Grace, head saleslady at Jackson & Co., Inc., and Geneva, now Mrs. John Dunford, of Oakland. Mr. Sullivan is past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, past chief ranger of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Columbus. In national politics he is a Democrat, and has served on the grand jury. He has taken an active part in all social and public affairs in Eureka, and is always in favor of improvements of a permanent character and a fair deal for everyone and no favoritism. He believes in good morals and clean govern- ment and clean sports. He has ever been ready and willing to do his part and gives freely of his time and means to any worthy movement that has for its aim the upbuilding of the city and the betterment of the condition of its people, and no citizen stands higher in honesty and integrity of purpose than does he.

1287

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

ELI A. NORDQUIST .- An experienced man in the construction of railroads and track work, Eli A. Nordquist, a prominent and enterprising citizen of Eureka, was born in Solvesberg, Blekinge, Sweden, January 3, 1863. His father was a fisherman, owning his own vessel, and followed fishing in . the Baltic sea his entire life. From a small lad Eli learned to navigate a sail boat and became handy with nets. After completing the local schools at the age of fourteen years, he continued assisting his father in the fishing industry until he was twenty years of age. Thinking he could better his condition in the land of the Stars and Stripes, he came to Morrison, Whiteside county, Ill., in 1883, being employed in construction work for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for a period of three years. He then followed the same line of work in McHenry and Jo Daviess counties, Ill., for two years more. Having friends in Humboldt county, Cal., who wrote him of greater opportunities and higher wages on the coast, Mr. Nordquist determined to come hither, and in May of 1888 arrived in Eureka. For three months he worked in the railroad department of the California Redwood Company on Elk river, and then proceeded to Oakland, where he was with the Oakland Paving Company for six months. At the end of this time he returned to Humboldt county, where he has been content to make his home and rear his family. The next three years were spent in the employ of the Eel River & Eureka Railroad, on the maintenance of way, with headquarters in Fields Landing. He resigned this position to enter the employ of Edward Vance, lumber manufacturer at Samoa, on railroad construction, and a year later was made foreman, a position he has held ever since. When the Hammond Lumber Company purchased the mills and timber he continued with the new company in the same capacity, having charge of extensions of the road into the woods and keeping them in repair. He is a very careful and painstaking man, and it is needless to say that his work is accomplished in a satisfactory manner to all concerned.

In 1911 Mr. Nordquist built his present large and comfortable residence at No. 1337 Wood street, where he makes his home with his family. He also owns three acres in the Glatt Addition, mostly rich bottom land, where he raises hay, vegetables and fruits for family use. Mr. Nordquist was married in Eureka, being united with Miss Betsey Anderson, born in his native town, who came to Eureka in 1890. To them have been born seven children : Clarence, Elmer, Oscar, Olga, Selma (deceased), Walter and Alice, all making their home under the paternal roof. Fraternally he is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Loyal Mystic Legion of America. Both himself and wife are Lutherans, having been reared in that faith.

ULYSSES JESSE NOE was born in Marysville, Iowa, November 20, 1867, the son of Eli and Phoebe A. (Brown) Noe, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana, who were farmers in Iowa. In 1869 they crossed the plains with their two little sons, coming overland with oxteams to California, the journey being fraught with many hardships and privations. Arriving at their destina- tion, Humboldt county, the father bought a farm at Table Bluff, which he operated until 1882, when he sold the place and removed to Clackamas county, Ore. After farming there for twenty years he returned to Humboldt county, but spent only four years there when he moved to Oregon once more, residing on a farm at Woodburn. The mother had passed away in Eureka.

1288

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Eli and Phoebe A. Noe had a family of six children, four of whom are living, Ulysses being the oldest of all. His childhood was spent on the farm at Table Bluff and he received his education in the public schools. When fifteen years of age he began working in the woods, packing water for the log roads. During the eighteen months he worked at this occupation he picked up and became an adept water slinger, wetting the log roads. This was very particular work, and he soon became so proficient at it that he was considered one of the best and most thorough at the occupation to be found in the county and he was never at a loss for a good position. Having saved considerable money he determined to engage in business for himself and purchased a ranch near Elk River Corners, where he started the Excelsior dairy. On his place of one hundred thirty acres he maintained a herd of thirty- five cows, having a retail milk route in Eureka for the sale of this product and meeting with deserved success. However, in 1905, wishing to retire, he sold his route and lands and purchased considerable property in Eureka, where he has since made his home. For the last five years he has filled the position of engineer and janitor at the Franklin school.

Mr. Noe's first marriage occurred in Missouri, to Stella Townsend, a native of that state, whose death occurred in Eureka. She left two children, Myrtle, a trained nurse in Portland, Ore., and Glen, who makes his home in Eureka. Mr. Noe was married a second time, being united with Mrs. Celia (Moxon) Hayden, a native of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. By her first marriage Mrs. Noe has one child, Gordon, who is with the Red Cross Drug Company, Eureka. While on the ranch Mr. Noe served as trustee of the Bucksport school district for twelve years, being clerk of the board most of the time. He 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. He is also a member of Humboldt Lodge No. 77, I. O. O. F., being a past grand and is also a member of the Encampment and the Canton of Odd Fellows. Politically he has always been an ardent adherent to Republican principles.

FRANK ARTHUR RANN .- By those who are qualified to know, it is said that Mr. Rann is one of the most adept sawyers on the coast, and his many years of experience in this capacity may well furnish grounds for the state- ment. He is a native of Oregon and was born at John Day, Grant county, September 17, 1876, the son of Charles Rann, a native of San Francisco, Cal., born in 1852, the grandparents being very early pioneers of California. Charles Rann removed to Oregon and became an early settler on the John Day river ; his death occurred at Lovelocks, Nev. Mr. Rann's mother was Martha Harper, a native of Missouri. When a little girl she came with her parents across the plains in an ox team train. She is now Mrs. Hardin and resides in Shively, Humboldt county.

Of the marriage of Charles and Martha (Harper) Rann were born four children, of whom Frank A. is the second oldest. He was brought up at John Day and when only eleven years old began riding the range, following it until he was fifteen. During this time he attended the local public school, which was in session about three months a year. At the age of fifteen he began earning his own livelihood. Going to the Willamette valley, he was employed on a farm at Crawfordsville until November, 1895, when he came to Hum- boldt county, Cal. The first winter was spent working on a farm at Table

1289

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Bluff, and he then began driving the overland stage between Scotia and Dyer- ville, continuing in that occupation for three years. Doubling the road each night between Scotia and Dyerville was very tedious and difficult work, making a thirty-six-mile drive, rain or shine, over very bad roads, which prevailed in those days, and all this for a pittance of $22.50 per month and found. Becoming disappointed and tired of the unpleasant night work and small pay, he quit stage driving and entered the employ of the Pacific Lum- ber Company at Scotia, doing scaling of logs, and continued with the company for about three years.

While at Scotia Mr. Rann was married June 7, 1899, to Miss Effie D. Look, a native daughter of Humboldt county, born at Hydesville, the daughter of Ashel and Mary (Blanton) Look, natives respectively of Wis- consin and Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Look were farmers at Hydesville for a time, later on locating in Eureka, where the mother died. The father is now employed as a lumber cruiser. Mrs. Rann was educated in the public schools of Hydesville and Rohnerville. In May, 1901, Mr. Rann came to Samoa in the employ of the Edgar Vance Mill, and continued with the successors, the Hammond Lumber Company, starting as a scaler. Soon he ran the splitter saw, then became sawyer, running the big rig, and later on the double-cut saw. Attracted by larger wages, he resigned and moved to Siskiyou county, where he became sawyer for the McCloud River Lumber Company, continu- ing there for three seasons, or until the Italian strike, when the mill was shut down. At this time he received an offer from the Diamond Match Company at Stirling City, Butte county, at the same wages, which he accepted, operating a saw there for three seasons. Next he accepted a position with the Sugar Pine Lumber Company at Madera. However, he did not like the place and at the end of the season he resigned and returned to Eureka in September, 1912, since which time he has been sawyer for the Bayside Lumber Company. Here he is well liked and highly regarded as a very enterprising and liberal citizen. Mr. Rann owns his residence on Spring street, near Harris, where he resides with his wife and two children, Frances and Golda. Their oldest child, an only son, Shirley, was accidently drowned at Samoa in 1904, when three years old. Fraternally Mr. Rann is a member of Fortuna Lodge No. 221, I. O. O. F., while politically he believes in the principles of the Progressive party.

THEODORE MONETTE .- A native of Ontario and descended from good old French-Canadian stock, Teddy Monette, as he is familiarly called, has been a resident of Humboldt county since 1875. Mr. Monette has been employed in the lumbering industry for forty years with the one firm or its successor, and has established an exceptionally fine record in his line of work. He is one of the old timers in this section and is highly honored and respected for his splendid qualities of heart and mind, as well as for his enterprise and industry.

Mr. Monette was born at Hawkesbury Mills, on Riviere Le Grande (Ottawa river), Ontario, December 28, 1852. His father, Teddy Monette, was also born in Ontario and followed lumbering for Hamilton Brothers until his demise. Young Teddy was obliged to attend private schools, as free schools had as yet not made their appearance in that section. Being reared

1290

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

on the Riviere Le Grande he learned river driving and followed it with Hamilton Brothers on the Ottawa, or Grand river (as it is called by the old French-Canadian families), from the age of fourteen years, and later for Brunson Brothers. In 1872 he made his way to Michigan on account of the inducement for better wages. For a year he worked for Stephenson Brothers of Menominee as river driver, then entered the employ of the Calumet and Hecla Copper Mines Company, getting out timber for the mines, continuing for two years. Having a great desire to see the Pacific coast, particularly Humboldt county, he came west, and on April 9, 1875, landed in Eureka from the old steamer Coquille. At Essex he found employment with John Vance, in charge of the pond, taking care of the logs, after which he came to Samoa and worked for Edgar Vance, successor to John Vance, and after- ward for the Hammond Lumber Company (which purchased the Edgar Vance mill), the present large lumber manufacturers in Eureka, and has continued with them ever since. As foreman of the pond he has charge of the logs until they are delivered in the mill. For forty years he has held one position with the same firm or its successors. When he began the work he handled only about twelve to fifteen million feet a year, while now he handles from one hundred to one hundred twenty million feet annually. For twenty-one years he made his home in Arcata in a large residence which he erected and in which he resided until 1906, when he removed to Eureka. Here he built a large, modern residence at No. 1004 K street, in which he resides with his wife and grandson.

The marriage of Mr. Monette occurred in Crescent City, Cal., January 11, 1879, uniting him with Miss Annie L. Crowden, born in Portland, Ore. Her father, J. G. Crowden, a native of New York, was a pioneer of Portland, Ore., coming overland by teams to Humboldt county. He was one of the first blacksmiths in Eureka and worked for John Carr, the pioneer black- smith here, later becoming an engineer in sawmills and still later was fore- man of a sawmill until he retired. He died in Arcata at the home of Mr. Monette. Mrs. Monette was reared and educated in the public schools of Eureka. By her union with Mr. Monette she became the mother of two children : Ivy, now Mrs. Ackerman, of Eureka, who by her former marriage had one child, Chester Tracy Monette, who from a baby has been reared and educated by Mr. and Mrs. Monette and makes his home with them; and Lillian, who died at twenty-five years of age. Mr. Monette is prominent in fraternal orders, being a member of Anniversary Lodge No. 85, I. O. O. F., in Arcata, which he joined in 1882; also of the Knights of Pythias, for the same length of time, of which he is past chancellor. He is also a member of Eureka Lodge No. 652, B. P. O. E., and the Hoo Hoos, a lumbermen's order. He has always been a Democrat in national politics. Mr. Monette has originated several devices for handling and dumping logs. Among others he invented gillpoking in unloading logs from the cars, using the gill poke in unloading logs instead of the jack screw formerly in use. By his pleasant and amiable manner as well as his kindness and assistance to those who have been less fortunate he has hosts of friends throughout Humboldt county who all admire him and wish him well.

Date Due All library items are subject to recall 3 weeks from the original date stamped.

DEC 2 7 1999

JUN 0 6 2000

JUN 0 7 2000

OCT 2 8 2004

pri 29 200

NOV 1 9 2004

OCT 2 9 2001

DEC 1 3 2004

DEC 15 2008

Brigham Young University

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY 3 1197 21362 3215

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

History of Humboldt County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 148

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