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 51

Author: Irvine, Leigh H. (Leigh Hadley), 1863-1942
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Los Angeles, Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1328

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Though Mr. Russ had individual interests so extensive that they required unremitting attention, many of the important idcas he introduced benefited the surrounding territory as much as his own properties. Thus he deserves great credit for inaugurating the dairy industry in this region, being one of the first to venture in that line here and going into it on a larger scale than any other individual operator, keeping over two thousand milch cows among his herds for this purpose. His work in the development of the business, and in demonstrating its possibilities in this section, represents the most import- ant progress made in that branch in his time.

So systematically did Mr. Russ plan his undertakings, and so thoroughly were his plans blocked out, that many of them were practically self-operating for years to come, and thus the estate remains intact to the present. The importance of this one estate in relation to the welfare of the community may be estimated from the single fact that three hundred men, on an average, are given employment in the conduct and management of its numerous activities.

Mr. Russ used the great influence he acquired as a trust from his fellow citizens. He could realize that the men who commanded means could also command power, and he felt it his duty to see that that power was not abused. So along with his private responsibilities he shouldered the burdens of the community in which he had cast his lot, and he never betrayed the confidence reposed in him. Ile took a leading part in politics simply because he under- stood the needs of his county and was in a position to do effective work to satisfy them. It was his belief that business men should participate in public affairs, giving the benefit of their ability and experience in directing govern- ment into the best channels. So when he was nominated for the office of state senator at the Republican convention in 1875 he accepted from a sense of obligation. He was defeated by a small majority, but met with better success in 1877, going into office with a flattering vote. In 1885 he was elected a mem- ber of the lower house of the state legislature, and was a member of that body at the time of his death, October 8, 1886. He always took a deep interest in the success of his party, and had served in 1880 as a delegate from Cali- fornia to the national Republican convention, which met in Chicago that year.

Mr. Russ's contribution to educational facilities in his adopted state de-

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serves special mention. He had all the veneration of the typical New Eng- lander for institutions of learning, and during his service in the legislature worked faithfully to secure adequate appropriations for the public schools and other causes which he considered of similar importance. He was one of the principal stockholders in the Humboldt Seminary at Eureka, and always maintained a personal interest in its well-being, giving generously to support its enterprises and broaden its work. A public school building in San Diego, Cal., bears his name as a mark of gratitude for his liberality, he having donated the lumber necessary for its construction. His reputation for giving without stint was so generally believed in that it was said he never refused assistance to any worthy cause. His means were also extensively employed in benevolent enterprises, and invariably without ostentation or self-right- eousness of spirit. They were acquired so honorably that no recipient needed to have any qualms about tainted wealth.

On December 17, 1854, Mr. Russ was married to Zipporah Patrick, who still survives, residing at the old home near Ferndale, the place being known as Fern Cottage. She was born in Wyoming county, Pa., daughter of Nehe- miah Patrick, like her husband a notable pioneer settler of Humboldt county. He came to California over the plains in 1852, and settled in this county the year following. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Russ, viz .: Edward died in infancy ; James B. is deceased ; Mary E. married James T. Robarts and both are deceased; Margaret C. married Rev. Philip Coombe, of San Francisco ; Ira A. is a resident of Eureka ; Annie J. married B. F. Har- ville, of San Francisco ; William N. is a resident of Eureka; Georgia married Frank G. Williams, of Ferndale; Edythe J., wife of H. D. Cormick, of San Francisco ; Bertha is at home; Joseph, Jr., is a resident of Ferndale; Winifred Estelle and Zipporah are deceased.

ANDREW S. WALDNER .- The Western Hotel of Eureka, of which Mr. Waldner is proprietor, deservedly occupies a high place in the estima- tion of the traveling public and has become a favorite stopping-place for people of all classes. The location of the building is on the corner of First and D streets and furnishes every facility for the prompt accommodation of travelers and is one of the largest and most popular hotels in Eureka. The hotel maintains ninety-seven guest rooms, neatly furnished and provided with modern conveniences, and brings its proprietor an excellent return upon his investment.

The country of Sweden has presented to the United States some of its ablest citizens, who have figured prominently in both political and com- mercial fields, as well as in all fields of labor requiring tact, keen perceptive ability and industry. Andrew S. Waldner is one of her sons, having been born at Muelby, Oestergoetland, September 13, 1861. His parents were Magnus and Mathilda Swanson Waldner. The father served in the Swedish army and his name of Swanson was changed by the government to Waldner, a name his family adopted. The father, who by trade was a stone-cutter and mason, invested in a small farm in Sweden which he cultivated with success, thus making it possible to give his children a good education. Andrew Waldner was the youngest of a family of ten children, five of whom are living. He was born September 13, 1861, and continued to remain with his parents in Sweden until eighteen years of age. On his arrival in the United States he remained for a short time at Greenport, N. Y. Thus forced to begin life for himself, he

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moved to Indiana and was fortunate in securing employment in the bridge building department of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railway Company. He remained for twelve years with this company, building bridges in differ- ent parts of Indiana and Illinois. While thus engaged he was married in Attica, Ind., to Miss Amanda Tolv, a native of the Hoosier state. About this time he quit bridge-building and took charge of the branch of the Standard Oil Co., at Attica, in which he continued over seven years.

In May, 1891, Mr. Waldner arrived in Humboldt county and followed his trade of carpentering at Eureka until October of the same year, when he became proprietor of the Fields Landing Hotel. It was but a short time until he became conversant with all departments of the hotel business, enlarging the building and making improvements from time to time. In November, 1913, Mr. Waldner leased the Fields Landing Hotel, in the mean- time having purchased the furnishings of the Western Hotel in Eureka from the Otto Petersen estate, and of which he assumed the immediate manage- ment. Experience has qualified him for this business, of which he has made a decided success. The entire aspect of the hotel proves that the proprietor is the possessor of original ideas and wise business judgment, enabling him to give his customers and guests the best possible service.

To Mr. and Mrs. Waldner have been born three children, two of whom are living : Elmer is a graduate of Queen's University in Canada and is at present manager of the Top Light & Shade Company, Oakland, Cal .; Marie, Mrs. Bryan, resides at Portola, Cal. In political views Mr. Waldner adheres to Republican principles, while fraternally he holds membership with Eureka Aerie No. 130, F. O. E.

GEORGE HENRY COX .- Among the bright and active young business men of Bridgeville whose splendid energy and modern methods have con- tributed not a little to the rapid growth of the community, is George Henry Cox, junior member of the firm of Henry Cox & Son, general merchants. Since embarking in this business they have built up a good trade among the people of the locality who soon came to appreciate their fair business dealings and reliability as merchants. Like many others who have helped to develop this part of the state, Henry Cox was born in New Brunswick, coming to California thirty-nine years ago and locating in Humboldt county. For a number of years he worked as a woodsman, but by frugality and well-directed energies, soon acquired property and a place among the well-to-do men of the community, among whom he has an enviable reputation, tested during the passing of many years. He was married to Miss Maria Jane Coffron, a native of Maine, who came with her uncle, Ellis Coffron, to Humboldt county in 1877. They occupy a comfortable home at Bridgeville and richly deserve their success and the good will of their associates. Their sons and daughters are: Clara B., the wife of Robert L. Thomas, a civil engineer, residing in San Francisco; Minnie, Mrs. Charles Griesbach, of Bridgeville; G. Henry, the third in order of birth; Gertie, now Mrs. Martin Crogan, farming at Larabee; Clarence W., who makes his home in Bridgeville ; Anita and Harold, attending school in this place.

G. H. Cox was born January 4, 1889, at Bayside, this county, and con- tinued to reside at home until thirteen years of age, when, thrown upon his own resources, he went to Eureka and obtained employment with the Gil- lette Tea, Coffee & Spice Co. His next position was with the Daly Bros.

G. A. Sbaldner

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Arcade dry goods house, where his innate courtesy and desire to please made him invaluable to his employers, with whom he remained for two years. The following two years he spent with the Pacific Oak Extract Co. at Briceland. Having but scant educational opportunities in his youth, later application remedied the earlier deficiencies in schooling, and, being ambitious to fit himself for a business career, he entered the Eureka Business College, gradu- ating from its commercial department in 1908. Whatever of success he has attained is therefore attributable to his natural and mental qualifications and a determination to prosper. He was married to Miss Jessie, daughter of John H. Felt, a pioneer of Cuddeback, this county, in 1910, and they made their home at Hydesville, where Mr. Cox was employed as book-keeper in the general merchandise store of Frank W. Beckwith, until taking up their resi- dence in Bridgeville, where, in June, 1912, the present partnership of Henry Cox & Son was formed.

GUSTAV ALFRED WALDNER .- Through substantial traits of character embracing intelligence, industry and great perseverance Mr. Wald- ner, a native of Östergötland, Sweden, and a resident of Humboldt county from his arrival at Eureka during 1878 until his death, February 21, 1913, was able to gain for himself financial prosperity and that which is yet more to be desired, the respect of associates and the deepest esteem of intimate friends. Different lines of labor engaged his attention from the time of his arrival in California. Like the average Scandinavian boy he had been taught to be useful and was expected to contribute to his own support as soon as physically able to perform any kind of manual work. The most important part of his education had been his industrial training and it laid the founda- tion of the ultimate prosperity to which he attained. For a number of years he owned and operated the Western hotel at Eureka. Another early enter- prise in this city was the carrying on of a fish business, while his earliest means of self-support here was through work in the redwoods.

The development of land was made a matter of importance to Mr. Wald- ner, who, with the most unbounded faith in the rise of values in Humboldt county, bought and improved a tract of forty-five acres on the Eel river, built a house on the farm and later sold out at a fair advance. During the fall of 1910 the Waldner Fruit and Land Company, of which he was president, bought four thousand acres of raw land near Fort Seward, but on the other side of the river. At the time of his death he was deeply interested in the development of this vast tract, which he had started to plant into fruit of different kinds with the intention of selling out in tracts of twenty or forty acres to the small farmer desiring a safe investment with ideal home environ- ment. The land is rich and well adapted to fruit, hence his plans for its development will in all probability be carried to a successful issue. The Humboldt County Fruit Growers' Association was organized largely through his efforts and he continued one of its leaders until his death. Through his marriage to Tillie Anderson, a native of Kalmastan, Sweden, he became the father of five children, Clarence E., Clara V., George A., Genevieve and Glenn A. Always active in civic and county affairs, he served for two terms as a member of the Eureka city council and used his influence to promote worthy movements for local development and welfare. His fraternities were the Foresters, Eagles, the lodge and encampment of Odd Fellows, and the Pioneer Odd Fellows, and with his wife was a member of the Centennial

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Lodge of Rebekahs. Mrs. Waldner passed the chairs twice. It is the united testimony of those who knew Mr. Waldner that his course in life was such as to reflect credit upon the citizenship of Eureka, and when he passed away the simple but impressive last service, the flowers and the silent sympathy of old neighbors and friends indicated the affectionate regard in which he was held.

HON. JOHN W. MCCLELLAN .- Not alone through the interesting fact that he is the son of Hugh Mcclellan, until his decease one of the most promi- nent and influential men of the county, but also by reason of his own intimate identification with public affairs and his own successful incumbency of the office of state legislator, which he filled for two consecutive terms, is Mr. John W. McClellan, one of the distinguished men of the county and state. His political career practically dates from 1906, at which time he became the Republican nominee for assemblyman, being elected in 1906 and 1908, and serving during the sessions of 1907 to 1909, including the extra sessions. So thoroughly worthy has been his political life, and so ably has he discharged his numerous responsibilities on behalf of the people, that he has made friends even among the opposite party, who readily accord him the homage due a conscientious and painstaking servant. He was chosen by his colleagues as chairman of the live stock, dairy and dairy products committee, and other- wise rendered his constituents valuable service on the other committees of the assembly ; among them, the ways and means committee.

To Hugh W. McClellan belonged the distinction of being one of the earliest residents of Van Dusen township, as well as one of its most extensive landowners. Innumerable landmarks in the community bespeak the far-sight- edness and enterprise of this honored pioneer, who recognized in the advan- tages of soil, climate and situation, splendid opportunities for the fulfilling of large ambitions and for the leading of peaceful, contented and successful lives. At the time of his decease, December 31, 1911, he was the owner of a vast estate, numbering twelve thousand acres, which he devoted to the raising of sheep.

The record of the McClellan family in America is traced back to the seventeenth century when its first representative crossed the untried waters of the Atlantic, settling in Maine. A descendant of this immigrant later went to Massachusetts, where Hugh Mcclellan was born near Deerfield. Gold having been discovered in California, which was to prove the talisman to draw thousands of emigrants to this state, the father decided to try his for- tunes in the west, and came, in 1852, via the Isthmus, settling first at Crescent City, Del Norte county. Few people had as yet been attracted to the bound- less west and few also realized its matchless possibilities of production as did young McClellan, who was engaged for a time after coming here in operating a pack train to and from the mines of Del Norte county, to southern Oregon mines and points in Idaho. Abandoning the mines in 1867, he came to Hum- boldt county and in Van Dusen township took up a claim, erecting thereon a cabin which is still standing. Ten years later this rude structure gave way to a more commodious and comfortable home, built of logs, which is now one of the landmarks of this locality. Possessing traits that enabled him to sur- mount all obstacles, he added to his landed possessions from time to time until at his death he was the owner of a large estate, which he devoted to stock-raising. When this property came into the possession of J. W., how-

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ever, he, in 1914, disposed of the sheep which he found to be no longer profit- able on account of the devastation of his flock by the coyotes, and engaged in raising Hereford and Durham cattle for the market. He was married in Ferndale, in 1905, being united with Miss Lucy, the daughter of Dr. William H. Michel. She is a native daughter of Mendocino county. They occupy a handsome residence on the home place, which indeed has no superior in this beautiful locality. Mr. McClellan is a member of Eureka Lodge No. 652, B. P. O. E., and of Humboldt Parlor, N. S. G. W.

FRANK ALBERT WECK was born in Milan, Italy, on the 5th day of September, 1843, the son of Carl Weck, who died soon afterward, when Carl, the youngest child, was one year old. His mother with her four children moved to Switzerland, and four years later emigrated to America, locating first in Galena, Ill., and later in Iowa. There the son commenced the study of pharmacy and the drug business in general, a line in the pursuit of which he won for himself considerable credit and wealth. By the Panama route he came to California in 1858, landing at San Francisco, and from that city went at once to Uniontown (now Arcata) making the trip on the bark Quada Bell with Captain Ross, where he completed his studies as a drug- gist in a drug store, then owned by Dr. F. Damour. About four years later he took a position as manager of a drug store in Eureka owned by James M. Cox, but known as the James Davis drug store, which he later purchased in partnership with James M. Short. The business prospered and eventually he bought out his partner's interest, but still later he sold an interest to S. A. Vance. This partnership proved entirely satisfactory, but on account of Mr. Vance's ill health, and wanting to take charge of his father's office, Mr. Weck purchased the Vance interest in the business and continued to conduct it alone until he sold out to his son-in-law, C. R. Fitzell, who had been in his employ for a number of years.

Mr. Weck was for many years so closely associated with the life and development of Humboldt county that its history would be in no wise com- plete without a record of the part he played here in an early day. It is also a fact of which the county is justly proud that Mr. Weck has never lost his affection for the locality that was first his home when he came a stranger to the coast, and where he still has a host of warm friends and admirers, men who remember him for his business ability and for his political sagacity in the days when he was helping to shape the destinies not alone of his home city but had his hand on the helm in affairs of the state as well.

In addition to his continuous interest in the drug business up to this time, Mr. Weck possessed other interests of a widely varying nature, each and all of which he conducted with a skill and ability far beyond the average. As was but natural with one whose faith in the future of Humboldt county, and of Eureka in particular, has been a constant flame illumining all his thought and conduct, Mr. Weck invested in real estate, doing this with such wisdom and foresight that his holdings have constantly increased in value. He erected the Week block on F and Third streets, Eureka, and still retains title to this property. Weck's addition to the city of Eureka of one hundred and ten acres was also owned by him, this property having been purchased when it was a wilderness of brush and trees, and later cleared, developed, platted, improved and sold off in town lots. Another of his ventures was the

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purchase of a three-acre tract on E and Clark streets, which he likewise sub- divided and sold in lots.

Yet another unique occupation of this interesting man was the gathering of medicinal plants and herbs, from which various medicines are compounded. These he cured and sold to the several local markets, and for a considerable time exported many to foreign markets. As a phase of this work which is of especial interest may be mentioned the fact that he had a complete collection of these native herbs mounted and framed, and presented a set of forty of these to the College of Pharmacy, University of California, and at the same time delivered lectures covering his work and discoveries along this line to the student body of the college.

His long residence in Eureka and San Francisco has given Mr. Weck a wide range of acquaintances, among whom are many celebrities, past and present. Of these, one for whom Mr. Weck probably holds dearest memories is Frank Bret Harte, with whom he was on terms of closest intimacy. While Harte was employed on The Northern Californian, the pioneer newspaper of the Bay region, Mr. Weck did relief work for him on urgent occasions. Their work threw them much together, while a multitude of common interests and tastes cemented the friendship.

Political activity has ever contained a keen fascination for Mr. Weck, both by reason of civic pride and patriotism, because he highly appreciates his duties as a citizen, and because his splendid mind delights in the "game" and its playing. He has been prominent in the affairs of his party for many years, and at one time was often spoken of as a candidate for various county and city offices. He was chairman of the Republican county central com- mittee of Humboldt county when Garfield was nominated for president, and also president of the local Republican club at Eureka at the same time. He served several terms as city treasurer of Eureka and as deputy county treasurer, always with the greatest satisfaction to his constituency and to the people in general. He was also a member of the first city council, and it was during his term that Eureka became a city.

During his residence in Eureka Mr. Weck became very intimately identi- fied with the fraternal life of the city and county, and this association has not been broken, although for more than thirty years he has been almost con- tinuously a resident of San Francisco. He is a frequent visitor in Eureka, where he still retains valuable real estate interests, and in this way has been able to keep alive his active membership in the several organizations with which he is connected. He was instrumental in getting the first Rebekah Lodge, I. O. O. F., organized under state charter (Centennial Rebekah Lodge No. 100). He holds membership in Fortuna Lodge No. 221, I. O. O. F., which he joined over forty years ago ; also Mt. Zion Encampment No. 27, I. O. O. F., and is a charter member of Lincoln Lodge No. 34, K. of P. In the Grand Encampment of Odd Fellows he holds the position of grand trustee, to which he has been elected annually for thirty years and is also a past presi- dent of the Veteran Odd Fellows Association of California. He is also a prominent member of the Elks, being identified with the Berkeley lodge. Another link which binds him to Eureka with ties of lasting strength is his membership in the Pioneer Association of Eureka, and his keen interest in the affairs of the organization. He is also the secretary of the Humboldt County Association of San Francisco.

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While he was yet a resident of Eureka Mr. Weck was married to Miss Laura M. Keleher, who came to Humboldt county in 1857 and taught for a number of years in the public schools, first at Hydesville and later at Ferndale and Eureka. Mrs. Weck, who is a woman of culture and ability, is the mother of four children, three daughters and a son ; of these the eldest, Mrs. C. R. Fitzell, now resides in Eureka ; Mrs. Lincoln Fitzell is a resident of Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras county, Cal. ; the son, Charles A. Weck, a graduate of the Uni- versity of California, is superintendent of a large mining proposition at Mason, Nev. ; the youngest daughter, Mrs. H. L. Fales, makes her home in Montana.

In San Francisco, where Mr. Weck has made his home for so many years, he is quite as well and favorably known as he is in Humboldt county, and in political and fraternal circles throughout the entire Bay district he is popular as well as a prominent factor. His activities have been wide, and his wonder- ful mind has grasped at a thousand opportunities, where a less resourceful man would have seen nothing. He is broad minded, progressive and capable, and is in every respect the type of man of which any state or municipality may well feel proud to claim as her own.

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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 51

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