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 41
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148
Mr. Bair's father, Hugh F. Bair, was born in Ohio and for a number of years was engaged in farming in Arkansas, where he died when forty years old. His wife survived but a few months longer and Thomas Bair was thus fully orphaned when but nine years of age. Born September 26, 1844, in Madison county, Ark., he was a boy of eleven years when he crossed the plains with his uncle, who settled in Shasta county, Cal. Only a month later he commenced to make his own living, hiring out to a merchant who was
350
HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY
engaged in freighting on the Trinity river. His youth might have seemed a drawback to his usefulness, but he rode the bell horse of a mule train which packed through the mining districts in the mountains of northern California. Liking the work, he continued at it, and was economical with his earnings, so that by 1863 he had saved enough to buy a small mule train and for the next three years he did freighting on his own account in Montana and Idaho. Selling out, he came to Arcata, Humboldt county, in 1867, and became super- intendent of the packing train owned by a merchant of the town, who car- ried on several branch stores at various points in the mining districts. He was thus engaged for five years, at the end of which time he had accumulated enough to buy the train and soon afterward he also became interested in general merchandising, having purchased the stock of goods kept in the general store at Fort Gaston, on the Hoopa Indian reservation. . It was about this time that he was appointed a government post trader, and for the next sixteen years acted in that capacity and carried on a general mer- cantile business at Fort Gaston. He also owned about two hundred mules, which he used in transporting his merchandise from Arcata to the fort. forty miles distant, in packing government supplies and in freighting all over the northern part of the state. Mr. Bair discontinued his interests at Fort Gaston when the fort was abandoned.
During the time he was in business at the Indian post Mr. Bair estab- lished his home at Arcata, of which town he is still a resident. He had been interested in founding the Bank of Arcata, which was organized with a cap- ital of one hundred thousand dollars, and he has been president from the beginning, directing its affairs to the entire satisfaction of all the stock- holders and in such manner as to win the confidence of the townspeople interested in its conduct. Mr. Bair's financial ability and judgment have been tested in many transactions. Though progressive, keeping thoroughly abreast of the spirit of the times, he is conservative of the bank's resources and most of the loans are made on first mortgages, with the depositors' money protected to the utmost. His success in the management of this institution has gained him an honorable position among the best financiers of the county and his influence in preserving high standards and encouraging safe methods of banking has been a recognized factor in the adoption of such measures as safeguard the interests of depositors and inspire their trust.
In common with most investors in Humboldt county lands Mr. Bair has acquired interests in the redwood timber region. He took a leading part in the organization of the Redwood Land & Investment Company of Eureka, was elected its first president, and continued to hold the position for a number of years, the company under his supervision making extensive investments in redwood lands in Humboldt county. His agricultural prop- erty includes two valuable ranches on the Arcata bottoms, near the town. Mr. Bair has always devoted himself closely to the care of his business af- fairs, and though he has always worked hard he has retained his mental and physical vigor unimpaired. He has never aspired to public honors or taken any active part in public life, or in politics beyond the casting of his vote, with which he supports the Democratic party. Of domestic habits and unas- suming disposition, he finds his greatest pleasure, outside of work, in his home. Mr. Bair was a charter member of North Star Lodge No. 39, Knights of Pythias, in which he still retains his membership.
351
HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Mr. Bair married Miss Alice Boyce, who was born in Michigan and died, leaving two sons, Thomas H. and Frederick. His second marriage was to Miss Mary F. Stone, a native of Illinois. The sons have the management of their father's immense stock ranch in Humboldt county, about thirty thousand acres of valuable land.
SILAS V. MORRISON .- Determining at an early age to master the creamery business, Silas V. Morrison, when twenty-one, apprenticed himself to the old Humboldt Creamery Company, and for six months worked without wages to learn the rudiments of the business, the while he milked cows nights and mornings at a neighboring farm for his room and board. As would be but natural with one who was so determined to learn, he progressed rapidly and when a short time later the Pacific Lumber Company of Scotia desired to build a creamery and conduct the same, young Morrison was recommended to them as the very man they were searching for, and accordingly he was put in charge of this work, building, equipping and for three years conduct- ing this plant with great success. This was his introduction into his chosen work, and since that time he has prospered greatly. He is now the manager of the Ferndale Branch of the Northern Division of the California Central Creameries and for a period of years has been associated with this mammoth organization, first as salesman, introducing their products into new terri- tories. He stands high in the esteem of the company and in his management of the Ferndale branch of the industry is meeting with his accustomed success. The local plant is an extensive one and consists of the two-story frame struc- ture which is the creamery building, one hundred forty-six by forty-eight feet ; a three-story dry milk plant of corrugated iron, one hundred twenty feet by forty-eight feet ; a store-house seventy feet by eighty feet of corrugated iron and containing two stories; and a cooper shop containing a carpenter shop, tin shop, plumber's shop, these latter employing two coopers, two tin- smiths and two carpenters, constantly employed. There is a can manufac- turing plant in the second story of the creamery building, where the latest improved machinery for making and sealing cans is installed, all dry milk cans being scientifically sealed under vacuum.
Mr. Morrison is a native of California and of Humboldt county, having been born in Pacific township, September 6, 1870, on the Bear river, in a log cabin. His father, Silas W. Morrison, was a '49er, and a native of Zanes- ville, Ohio. He crossed the plains in 1849 with ox-teams, first locating in Placerville, and later going to Weaverville, Trinity county. From there he came into Humboldt county and located on the Bear river in 1856, where he took up government land and engaged in the stock business, being a pioneer in this line in the county. He brought in some of the first herds of cattle that came into the county, and the first thoroughbred bull in this part of the state was his. He died October 23, 1911, at the age of eighty-three years. He remained a stockman until the end of his life, although he retired from active business a few years before his death. He is well remembered through- out the county, and wherever his name is known it is respected as that of a man of sterling worth and proven ability. He served as supervisor for his district about 1874, but thereafter declined all public honors, preferring to devote his time and attention to his personal affairs. He was married to Miss Delia Sweet, of Buffalo, N. Y., in Humboldt county, she having crossed the plains with her parents in 1858, coming to Humboldt county when she was
352
HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY
a mere child. She is still living in Ferndale at the age of sixty-three years. There were three children in the family, all sons, and all residents of Hum- boldt county. Of these, Sanford B. is connected with the Kausen-Williams Hardware Company of Ferndale; Silas V. is the subject of this sketch ; and George William is engaged in stockraising and ranching on the old Morrison homestead on Bear river.
The childhood of the present manager of the Ferndale Branch of the California Central Creameries was passed on his father's ranch, where he early learned to bear his share of the farm duties. He attended school in Pacific township and later entered the Eureka Academy and Business Col- lege, graduating in 1889. His first business experience was as a farmer and dairyman and he early conceived a desire to become associated with the creamery business. He sought employment at the old Humboldt creamery, and, on being told that there was no need for more men, he asked to be taken on as an apprentice, as stated above, and the result was he became manager for the creamery plant of the Pacific Lumber Company at Scotia. After three years he had accumulated some money, and, purchasing a herd of forty cows, rented a ranch and engaged in dairying for himself. During this time he met with a bad accident, a horse falling with him, and as a result was crippled for five years, this necessitating a grave change in his plans. Later he rented the Bunker Hill Creamery with three hundred cows, and for a time conducted it with great success, at the same time being engaged in buying and selling cattle. He continued thus for four years, then sold his cattle and with the proceeds bought a thirteen hundred-acre ranch in the Mattole district, which he still owns. He then engaged in business in Fern- dale for seven years, being a stockholder in the Aggeler-Morrison-Hansen Company, General Merchandise, of Ferndale, and an active member of the firm. At the end of this period he disposed of these interests to his partners and became associated with the California Central Creameries as salesman, introducing their products first at Portland, Ore. His territory included Washington and Oregon, and he met with much success in his efforts to intro- duce the C. C. C. products throughout those states. Later he was transferred to the San Joaquin valley, to Lemoore, Kings county, where he established a plant for the California Central Creameries. He then came back to Fern- dale and took charge of the local plant in August, 1913, and now makes his home here.
The scope and extent of the business of the California Central Creameries are very great, and the Ferndale plant is one of their most important. Their products are butter, sweet cream, cheese, dry whole milk in powdered form, and dry skim milk in powdered form. This branch (Ferndale) has just filled a contract for two hundred thousand pounds of butter for the United States navy, in five-pound cans, and also an order for one hundred fifty thousand pounds of the same for use in Alaska, in two-pound cans. The milk drying plant was installed in 1911 and during the second year of its operation, 1912, the farmers who are its patrons as milk producers were paid $18,000 more for their skimmed milk than they received for the same when it was used for the production of casein instead of dry milk. This means a clear profit of that amount ($18,000) to the farmers and dairymen of Ferndale and vicinity, the creamery drawing its patronage from a radius of five miles. The increase for 1914 will be very great over the preceding years, as the cost of
353
HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY
production has been decreased with the increase of the amount of goods handled. The creamery has its own ice plant and refrigerating system. The power plant consists of three boilers consuming fuel oil and generating four hundred horsepower steam, which is drawn off and used for sterilizing, evaporating, etc. So far as the mechanical power is concerned and the power for the electric steam plant, the company buys its electricity from the Western States Gas & Electric Company. The creamery is in operation every day of the week and uses an average of one hundred twenty-five thousand pounds of milk per day.
The products of this creamery have come into competition with the products of the best creameries of the world and have always won recognition. In Chicago at the National Dairy Show, 1913, the company exhibited dry milk products and was awarded the first premium. Every precaution is taken to have the products scientifically clean and pure. There is a wardrobe where the employes change into fresh white linen before entering the work rooms, and throughout the plant all modern means are employed to insure the desired sanitary end. The products are all pasteurized and the cans in which the milk is delivered are all washed and sterilized by steam and dried by hot air, thus ensuring their perfect cleanliness and also saving the housewife from the arduous task of washing the heavy milk cans.
The Ferndale Branch is one of eleven creameries, the distribution of the major portion of the products being made through the shipping office at 425 Battery street, San Francisco. The Northern Division includes Ferndale and Eureka, in Humboldt county, and Crescent City, in Del Norte county, with C. E. Gray of Eureka as the manager. He is also assistant manager of the entire system of the California Central Creameries, of which A. Jensen,. 425 Battery street, San Francisco, is president and general manager. The creamery department is under the management of Chevelier Turner; George Smith is foreman of the dry milk department; Fred Johnson is master mechanic and has charge of all construction, repairs and extension work ; Joseph Mabry is head bookkeeper ; G. O. Doff is foreman of the cheese fac- tory ; Henry Marvel is foreman of the laboratory.
The marriage of Mr. Morrison was solemnized in Oakland in 1896, uniting him with Miss Nellie J. Moore, the daughter of Charles Moore, of Monticello, Napa county, Cal., and of their union have been born two children : Marcus Fae and Allen Ross, both attending the local schools. Mr. Morrison has many friends throughout the county and is well liked wherever he is known. He is a prominent member of several fraternal orders. He was made a Mason in Ferndale Lodge No. 193, F. & A. M., also a member of Ferndale Chapter No. 78, R. A. M. He is a Republican in political principles, but has never taken an especially active part in politics, for with him business comes decidedly first, and he has led a very busy life. He is a public spirited and progressive man, however, and whatever is for the general welfare of the community is certain to receive his support. He is always in favor of any movement which tends to the betterment of social, moral and educational conditions, and such questions as advancement in educational lines and good roads movements receive his hearty endorsement and unqualified support.
HENRY STANLY SEELY .- A native son of whom Arcata and Hum- boldt county are very justifiably proud is Henry Stanly Seely, prominent merchant of Arcata, and at present mayor of that thriving little city, and at all times one of her most progressive and influential citizens.
354
HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY
Mr. Seely was born in Arcata, January 15, 1875. His father was John S. Seely, one of the early Humboldt county pioneers, and his mother was Virginia (Deuel) Seely. Both are well known in this county, where they passed many years of their lifetime, and where they are held in the highest esteem by all who knew them. The son, Henry Stanly, spent his boyhood days in Arcata, attending the public and later the high school, graduating from the latter in 1895. For a few years after completing his education he remained at home with his parents, working at various occupations in his native city, and in December, 1895, he accepted a position as assistant book- keeper for the Vance Redwood Lumber Company, remaining in their employ for fourteen months. At the end of that time he went to work for the J. C. Bull, Jr., Co., but in a short time gave up this position to accept an opening as bookkeeper for the Humboldt Manufacturing Company, of Arcata. He remained with this company until December, 1902, when he purchased an interest in a general merchandise store in Arcata, and was appointed man- ager and secretary of the same. The reorganized firm was known as the Seely & Titlow Company, and is at present one of the most flourishing busi- ness houses in the city. The scope of their enterprise has been increased since Mr. Seely took charge of the business and many improvements have been made in every department under his careful and skillful direction.
Mr. Seely has always been interested in political affairs and has been actively associated with the public interests of his community for many years. He is a Republican in his affiliations, but is an independent thinker, well informed, and by no means bound by party lines in his handling of vital public questions and conditions. He is open-minded and progressive and has been an important factor in the upbuilding and development of Arcata. His election to the office of mayor is only one of the many evidences of the con- fidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. For many years he has been vitally interested in the educational conditions in the city, and for six years has served continuously as a member of the board of trustees for the grammar school, and has given freely of his time and ability for the benefit of the public school system.
Socially and fraternally Mr. Seely is also very popular. He is a promi- nent member of several of the best known local lodges and is closely associated with the general management of their affairs. He is a member of the Native Sons, and secretary of the local parlor; also a member of the Eagles, and secretary of the local lodge ; he is a Mason, and a member of the Blue Lodge. Mr. Seely was also one of the men who organized the Arcata Club, and since its organization has been its secretary.
The marriage of Mr. Seely took place in Arcata, December 25, 1896, uniting him with Miss Helen Alameda Howell, a native of Colorado, born in Denver, November 13, 1874. She is the daughter of Wm. H. and Eliza- beth (Nugent) Howell, and came to California with her parents in 1893, locat- ing in Humboldt county, where they are well ard favorably known. Mrs. Seely has borne her husband four children. They are John, Grace, Charles and Mildred.
CLAUDE S. WOTEN .- As cashier of the First National Bank of Scotia since 1910, Claude S. Woten is well known throughout Scotia and the surrounding country as a man of ability and integrity of character, kindly, accommodating, and the truest type of a Christian gentleman.
groteno
357
HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY
The bank has grown almost phenomenally under his capable ministration of its affairs, the deposits increasing by leaps and bounds, from $45,949 on June 30, 1910, to $274,249.60 on June 30, 1914, an increase of something over six hundred per cent. in four years. Mr. Woten is also deeply inter- ested in religious work and is superintendent of the Sunday school of the Presbyterian church of Scotia, where he is doing much for the young peo- ple of the city. This really seems to be his greatest aim in life, the help- ing of others to live better, fuller and happier lives, appreciating and understanding the value of right living and right thinking in every detail of daily living. He is also vitally interested in educational affairs and has rendered valuable service to Scotia as a member of the school board, of which he is at present the clerk. His desire to acquire a more general knowledge of administration of business has induced him to take a course in business administration and higher accountancy with the La Salle Exten- sion, University of Chicago.
Mr. Woten is a native of Nebraska, born in Gage county, September 9, 1882. His father, William Woten, is a farmer and owns a farm at Adams, Gage county, Neb., where he and his wife are living at present. He is a native of Indiana, where he was reared and where he met and married Susan Swanner. Their union was blessed with eight children, four sons and four daughters, five of whom are still living, Claude S. being the only one residing in California. The boyhood days of the present respected citizen of Scotia were passed on his father's farm in Nebraska, and his early education was received in the common schools of his district. Later he attended the Cotner University for two years, taking a commercial course, and also studying the modern sciences. Com- pleting his commercial course he was apprenticed to learn the drug busi- ness, but this he found was not to his liking, and after six months he secured a position in the State Bank of Adams, at Adams, Neb., where he remained for a year, and then engaged with the First National Bank at St. Joseph, Mo. Following this he was with the Burlington Railway in their accounting department at Omaha, Neb., remaining until he received an offer of a position with the Columbia National Bank, at Lincoln. Neb. This position he filled until this bank was consolidated with the First National Bank of Lincoln, when he reentered the employ of this latter in- stitution, remaining until 1907, when he became possessed with a desire to come to California, and so resigned his position and departed for the west. He came at once to Eureka where he accepted a position with the Bank of Eureka, where he remained for three years, making many friends and meeting with the greatest success in his business life. At that time he came to Scotia to accept the position of cashier with the First National Bank of Scotia, which he has since filled. This bank is one of the sound- est in the state, and much of its splendid growth may be rightly attributed to the personal popularity of Mr. Woten. The officers are all men of splendid standing and strong personal character, being well known local business and professional men. They are: Donald McDonald, president : P. E. Carland, vice-president ; C. S. Woten, cashier; while the additional directors are E. L. Cottrell and H. E. Crawford.
9
358
HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY
The marriage of Mr. Woten occurred in Adams, Neb., in 1907, when he was united with Miss Dorothy Bryson, of that city. Of their union have been born three children, Marian, William and Carlton. Both Mr. and Mrs. Woten are popular with a wide circle of friends in Scotia, where they are members of the best social set. Mr. Woten is also prom- inent in fraternal circles, being an influential member of the Masons at Fortuna, and a member of Weeott Tribe, I. O. R. M., No. 147, at Scotia. He is broad minded and progressive and the best interests of city, county and state are ever his chief concern, and any movement for the social, educational or commercial interest of his community is certain to receive his instant and hearty support.
CHARLES E. HELWIG .- The city of Eureka with its various lines of activity has drawn within its hospitable and ambitious limits many men whose business capacity and fine traits of citizenship would be a credit to any community in the country. Foremost among these is Charles E. Helwig, president of the Union Labor Hospital and proprietor of the Metropole Shav- ing Parlor. A native of Ohio, he was born in Montgomery county, June 15, 1860. Dr. Adam Helwig, the father of Charles E., was a native of Witten- berg, Germany, and on coming to America with his parents, resided in Pennsylvania, where he was educated in the public schools and later entered Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio, from which he was graduated with honors. His brother, John Helwig, afterward became president of the college, holding the position for fifteen years. Having decided to adopt the profession of medicine, Adam Helwig became a student in the Eclectic Medi- cal College of Cincinnati, from which in due time he was graduated. He began the practice of his profession in Dayton, afterward going to Troy and later to Brookville, Ohio, in all of which cities he received the patronage and appreciation due his ability and fine personal characteristics. He was resid- ing at Brookville at the time of his demise. The mother of Charles E. Helwig was Leah Stauffer, born at Canal Dover, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and came of good old German stock. She is now in her eighty-fourth year and still makes her home in the residence in Dayton built by her husband in 1870. Of the seven children born of this union five are living.
After receiving his education in the public schools of Dayton, Charles E. Helwig entered Wittenberg College with the intention of taking up the profession of his father. After two years spent in the study of medicine, he left college to enlist in the army as a musician, and was with the regiment which finally captured the Sioux Indians that had perpetrated the Custer massacre. August 11, 1878, he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh United States Infantry, taking part in the campaign against the Sioux Indians and capturing their chief, Sitting Bull, and, in the spring of 1879, took them to Standing Rock Agency. After five years with the Eleventh Infantry, he served in the Seventh Cavalry for the same length of time, in the capacity of Trumpeter, and for another five years as Chief Trumpeter of the Tenth United States Infantry. After seventeen years of honorable service he re- ceived his discharge in 1895, and retired to private life, taking up his residence at San Diego, Cal. Although seeing fifteen years of active service, Mr. Helwig was only wounded once. This was during the campaign with the
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.