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 56

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 56

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William Roberts was born in Iowa, and first came out to California shortly after the gold discoveries. He crossed the plains the second time in 1851, in the train of T. M. Brown (afterward sheriff of Humboldt county), and during the rest of his life made his home in Humboldt county. Soon after his marriage he moved out onto the Coosky range, which was then occupied by the Indians, and engaged in the stock business, being one of the earliest in that line in the county. He and Theo Aldrich ran cattle on that range for several years, and the tract of fourteen hundred acres nine miles south of Petrolia, which is still owned by the Roberts family, was always referred to as the Aldrich & Roberts ranch. William Roberts prospered, and was active to the close of his life, dying at the age of seventy-six years. The old home- stead, a tract of one hundred fifty-five acres, had been sold, but was repur- chased by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Roberts.

At Eureka, Humboldt county, William Roberts married Miss Elizabeth Lambert, then only a young girl of about sixteen, who had crossed the plains in the same train as himself in 1851. She survives him, and is now the wife of T. J. Frost, of Eureka. To her marriage with Mr. Roberts were born seven children, two of whom died in youth, and Stella passed away at the age of twenty-eight years ; she was the wife of James Kingston, well known in shipping circles in Eureka, and left one daughter, Ruth. Charles A. met his death in the sinking of the Hanalei. The three survivors are: Belle, now the wife of George Foster, of Petrolia; Sarah, wife of Otis Ellingwood, living in Washington ; and Robert, of Ferndale, where he is engaged in the furniture and upholstering business.

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Charles A. Roberts was born August 2, 1863, in the Mattole valley, where he grew to manhood, obtaining his education in the local public schools. All his mature life he was a devoted business man, and also a large stock grower and dealer, having the old Roberts homestead where he lived, two miles south of Petrolia, also leasing the Coosky ranch (the Aldrich & Rob- erts ranch) in the Coosky range south of Petrolia, where he raised large numbers of cattle, being associated in the latter ranch with his brother Robert. Besides supplying his own shop at Petrolia with wholesome and choice fresh meat he had stock for valuable shipments, sending stock by steamship to San Francisco from Port Kenyon and Eureka. As previously noted, he made his first shipment in 1894 in company with Robert W. Robarts, a boatload of cows sent down for their patrons on commission. The venture proved profitable, and Charles A. Roberts afterward continued in this line, in which he was considered one of the most reliable authorities in the busi- ness in Humboldt county, as well as an excellent judge of beef cattle. He shipped stock on all the following boats: "Hattie Gage," from Port Kenyon ; "Argo," Eureka; "Norfolk," Eureka; "Alice Blanchard," Fields Landing; "Newport," Port Kenyon; "Bonita," Eureka; "Weeot," Port Kenyon; "Po- mona," Eureka; "Willamette Valley," Eureka; "Chilcat," Port Kenyon; "Eureka," Eureka; "New Humboldt," Eureka. The shipments ranged in size from eighty to one hundred eighty-five head. From a boy he helped his father and learned to ride the range and when a lad assisted in driving cattle down the coast.

It was in 1892 that Mr. Roberts first opened a meat market at Petrolia, and though he did not continue the business steadily, since he was in it several times, for the last six years of his life he followed it without interrup- tion. His common sense and good judgment were so well known as to need no comment. Though his father's large interests and possessions gave him great opportunities for acquiring experience in his early life he showed him- self worthy of the excellent start that training proved to be, and his capabil- ity in the management of his various undertakings formed the basis of his continued success.

In Eureka June 15, 1896, Mr. Roberts married Miss Harriet S. Aldrich, daughter of William and Mary Belle (Whitson) Aldrich, the former a native of Delaware county, Ohio, the latter of Pennsylvania; they were married at. Tipton, Iowa. Mr. Aldrich first came to California across the plains in 1849 when a young man. He was successful in his undertakings and after accu- mulating considerable means he returned to Iowa, where he married. He and his wife were proprietors of the Aldrich House in Tipton, and later he purchased a farm near there and engaged in farming and as a breeder of fine cattle and standard horses, afterwards also engaging in the banking business. He finally retired from business and spent his winters in California. On his last return trip he was stricken with apoplexy and died at Barstow, Cal., March 23, 1904, aged seventy-seven years. His wife died in Iowa, January 23, 1906. Of the thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich two died in infancy, the other eleven reaching maturity and nine still survive. Mrs. Rob- erts, the seventh in the family, was born at Tipton, Iowa, and was a graduate of Tipton high school; after teaching a short time she took up bookkeeping and held that position in a bank in Tipton; in 1894 she came to visit her uncle, Theodore Aldrich, in Mattole; she liked the country and decided to

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remain and in 1896 was married. She became the mother of three children, Donald Aldrich, Harry Lambert (deceased) and Lloyd William.

There never was a bereavement that caused such general sorrow and deep sympathy in the community as the death of Charles A. Roberts and his son Harry and there was general sorrowing in all the homes where he was known. Mr. Roberts was liberal to a fault and often neglected his own business affairs to help others and do a good deed to those who were needy. He was a good husband and father and also a kind neighbor. His benignant and generous character endeared him to a wide circle who appreciated the good he accomplished in his own unselfish life and for his upright and honest methods of doing business. He is held in loving memory all over the county where his entire life was spent. Mr. Roberts and his son Harry L. took passage on the ill-fated Hanalei Sunday morning, November 22, 1914. which struck the rocks at Ducksbury Reef off the Marin shore on November 23 and went to pieces on the 24th at 3 A. M. The drowned bodies of the father and son were recovered and brought to Petrolia, where they were buried on Sunday, November 29th. Mr. Roberts was clerk of the school board of Petrolia district at the time of his death. Since his death his widow has continued the affairs of her husband, i. e., farming and cattle raising.

ANDREAS E. PETERSEN .- Descended from an ancient Danish family whose genealogy is traceable back through many generations of splendid men and women who exhibited the tendencies and characteristics representa- tive of those fair minded, firm and indomitable people who laid the foundation for the Anglo-Saxon civilization, Andreas E. Petersen is himself a man of splendid character and attainments. He and his father were well-to-do farmers in Schleswig, but smarting under stringent German domination, he sold his holdings and came to America with his wife and family, almost immediately locating in Humboldt county, where together they have formed a very valuable and desirable addition to the community. Mr. Petersen is decidedly independent and liberal in politics and religion, with most pro- nounced humanitarian views and sentiments. His wife is a delightful hostess, kindly and hospitable, whom it is a delight to know. Their home is two miles east of Ferndale, where they have a fine dairy farm which has been their home for many years. They are well-to-do and generous, believing in prog- ress, education and right living along broad lines.

Mr. Petersen was born at Kreis Aabenraa, in Schleswig, Denmark (now a part of Germany), February 21, 1847. He received his education in the Danish language, and was reared and confirmed in the Lutheran church. His father, Peter Petersen, was a dairy farmer, owning a large farm which he conducted with great profit; the mother was Johanna Cathrina Petersen ; both parents living and dying in Denmark. There were in their family six children, of which the present honored citizen of Ferndale was the eldest born. The others were: Botilla, single, and residing at Schleswig; Peter Jesperson, residing in Ferndale, and now retired from active business ; Lawrence P., a dairy farmer near Arcata; Theodore, a dairy farmer near Santa Barbara, Cal .; and Anna Cathrina, deceased, who was married and lived in Schleswig, where she died, leaving her husband, Andrias Bronson, with seven children.

The marriage of Mr. Petersen took place in Schleswig, March 29, 1873, uniting him with Miss Maria Cecelia Eskildsen, of that place. Of this union

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have been born six children, all natives of Schleswig. They are: Peter, married to Miss Sophia Quist, and engaged in dairy farming at Centerville ; Hans E., dairy farmer at Suisun, Cal., and married to Miss Marie Everson ; P. Nicolai, a dairy farmer at Grizzly Bluff, and married to Miss Johanna Linnemann ; Johannes E., who is conducting his father's farm ; Hanna C., the wife of Niss C. Eskildsen, residing at Centerville; and Caroline C., the wife of Prof. Hans C. Christensen, of the Arcata High School.

It was in 1894 that Mr. Petersen came to California and located in Hum- boldt county, purchasing a tract of only partially improved land about two miles east of Ferndale and one mile from Waddington, consisting of seventy acres. This he has cleared and improved, and today has one of the attractive dairy farms of the district. Originally it was largely swamp land, but this has been drained and brought under a high state of cultivation and pasturage. In the old country Mr. Petersen was the owner of a fine, large dairy farm, but felt that it would be preferable to start anew in a new land rather than longer endure the despised foreign rule, and so disposed of his interests and made the long journey to California, which he has never regretted. Since coming to Humboldt county he has taken an active interest in all the public affairs of the community, and is generally appreciated as a citizen of the highest type. He has always been especially interested in dairying and has done much for the development and prosperity of this great industry. He promoted the Capital creamery and was one of the stockholders in that enterprise. He has also taken a great interest in fraternal circles and is one of the important factors of the Danish Brotherhood, being secretary of that order, and being one of the organizers of the Danish Sisterhood in Ferndale. He is also a member of the Ferndale Lodge, Fraternal Brotherhood. In his political views Mr. Petersen is a Republican, although he is at all times above any party, giving his support and cooperation rather to the principles and the men who represent those things which make for the common welfare.

EMORY A. BRIGHTMAN .- A native of the Golden West and descended, on both his father's and his mother's side, from early California pioneers, while his father's ancestry is directly traceable to those pioneers of an earlier day, the Pilgrims of the Mayflower, Emory A. Brightman is a truc son of his forebears, and has inherited the sterling worth of the men who carved their future in untried ways. He himself began the fight of life when he was but fourteen years of age, at that time going to work on the neighboring farms, and at eighteen he was aiding in the support of his father and family, his mother having died at that time and his father being in ill health. Since that time he has forged steadily ahead, always dependent upon his own efforts, meeting the difficulties in his path squarely and fearlessly, and in the end vanquishing them. He is now the junior member of the firm of Goff & Brightman, proprietors of the Ferndale Meatmarket, with their place of business on Main street, Ferndale. Mr. Brightman has been in this business for some five or six years, and has met with the greatest success. Previous to his taking over the enterprise with Mr. Goff he was in the employ of the former owner, and so was familiar with the details of the business and also with the local conditions of the trade. He is the outside man of the firm and is an exceptionally hard worker, being always in evidence when there is aught that concerns his business interests to claim attention.

Mr. Brightman was born in the Yosemite valley, Mariposa county, Cal.,

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August 29, 1883, his parents being now both deceased. His father, Frederick Augustus Brightman, was a native of Massachusetts, born at Fall River. His ancestors came over with the Mayflower and settled at Plymouth, and many of the descendants are still to be found in the vicinity. His mother was Mary Duff, born at Washington, D. C., who came to California with her parents when she was a child, and met and married Mr. Brightman in Mariposa county, where the latter was engaged in driving a stage and teaming. He also drove a stage into the Yosemite valley in the early days. In 1879 Mr. and Mrs. Brightman (Sr.) came to Humboldt county, and engaged in farming and dairying. They were the parents of four children, of whom the present respected citizen of Ferndale is the eldest. Other members were: Frederick Wade, now a teamster in Ferndale; Adelle, the wife of Frank Kelley, and Esther, both residing at Independence, Orc.

Reared on a farm, young Emory Brightman learned at an early age to assume his share of the farm duties, and began milking cows at the tender age of six years. He attended school for a time, but from fourteen years of age he worked whenever he could secure employment on the neighboring farms, and at the age of eighteen he began to assist with the support of the family. His marriage occurred in Eureka, October 13, 1906, when he was twenty-three, uniting him with Miss Bessie E. McHenry, a native of Iowa, born at Woodbine, that state. She came to Humboldt county with her parents when she was but five years of age and has since that time made her home here. Her father, Henry McHenry, died before the family came to California, and her mother, who was in maidenhood Clara Moss, married again to Louis Hansen, and now resides at Pepperwood, where Mrs. Brightman spent her girlhood and received her education. She has one full brother, Arthur Mc- Henry, residing in Eurcka, and nine half brothers and sisters. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brightman were engaged on a stock ranch at Grizzly Bluff for several years, and then came to Ferndale, where Mr. Brightman entered the employment of Joe Russ in the Ferndale Meat Market. Also in the employ of Mr. Russ at the same time was Joseph Goff, and in 1909 these enterprising young men bought out the then owner and have since conducted the business under the firm name of Goff & Brightman. They have a first- class establishment in every way, modern and sanitary, after the latest ap- proved ideas, and are doing a splendid business. They have their own slaughter house and take especial care in selecting their animals for slaughter, thus securing only the highest grade of meats. They carry a complete line of fresh, dried and pickled meats, bacon, eggs, butter, vegetables, etc., and their facilities for the care and handling of these products are of the very best. They also give the most courteous treatment to all customers, and in consequence their business is not only prospering, but is rapidly growing in scope and value.

Quite apart from his popularity as a business man, Mr. Brightman occupies a very influential place in the general affairs of the city, being well and favorably known in social and fraternal circles. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Odd Fellows, being affiliated with the Ferndale Lodge No. 220, I. O. O. F., and is past grand. Mrs. Brightman is also active in the affairs of the Rebekahs, and is serving as noble grand, taking an interest in all their activities, and her influence has done much toward the upbuilding of the order. She is a member of the Methodist church, and takes a great in-

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terest in the activities of this denomination, of which she is a regular at- tendant. In their home life Mr. and Mrs. Brightman are especially happy. They are the parents of four children : Vernon, Lloyd, Mary and Leland.

HANS C. CHRISTENSEN .- The descendant of an excellent old Danish family, Hans C. Christensen bears all the marks of his distinguished ancestry in his face and figure, being a splendid type of the ancient Norseman of fable and song. His splendid physique led to his selection for service in the Danish Cavalry, where men of the greatest muscular development and activity are in great demand, and where he won much distinction. He is today one of Ferndale's most active, popular and successful business men, and possesses a host of friends. His customers always receive a square deal, and also the most courteous of treatment. He started as a penniless boy in Humboldt county almost thirty-five years ago, and by the excellent efforts that he put forth has climbed slowly and surely upward to the top of the ladder. He is now vice-president and manager of the Kausen-Williams Hardware Company, in Ferndale, and one of the heaviest stockholders of this prosperous concern.

Mr. Christensen is a native of Denmark, having been born on the Island of Fyen, June 16, 1864. His father, Christian Christensen, was a hotel-keeper at Odense, the capital of the island, and there the son passed his childhood. His mother, Mary Christensen, died when Hans was a mere babe, he being the only child of this marriage. The father married again shortly and ten children were the issue of this second marriage. The father and step-mother are both living in Denmark at present, having retired from active life. The young Hans was reared by his step-mother, and received a grammar-school education, pursuing his studies until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to work among his mother's people, being employed by his mother's sister. The opportunities of the Western World appealed to him, however, and in 1882, when he was but eighteen, he came to America. He came at once to San Francisco, and from there went to Eureka, and later to Ferndale, which has been the center of his operations ever since. On his arrival in Ferndale he found himself quite without money and was forced to accept any employment that offered. Consequently he went to work on a farm for $15 per month, and from that small start worked himself up until he was receiving the highest wages paid for farm and dairy work. In 1885 Mr. Christensen returned to Denmark for a visit, and while there enlisted in the Danish army as a cavalryman, serving for two years. He then returned to Ferndale in 1887, and resumed work on the various dairy farms. In the spring of 1892 he was married to Miss Johanna Christensen, the daughter of Christian Rasmussen, of Denmark, now deceased. In the fall of that same year Mr. Christensen rented the Waddington Dairy farm and for four years conducted this place with marked success. He then moved to the Keohan ranch of two hundred twenty acres, near Waddington, where he engaged in the dairy business for ten years. At the end of that time he was stricken with appendicitis and was obliged to undergo a serious surgical operation, in August, 1906. He was then forbidden by his physicians to do any more farm work, and so disposed of his farm and dairy interests and moved into Ferndale. Later in the year he purchased an interest in the Kausen-Williams Hardware Company, of which he is now vice-president and manager. He

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owns one hundred twenty shares out of the three hundred that are issued, and is making a decided success of his conduct of the business. The store is large and modern and the stock is excellent, while the trade is all that could be desired, and is rapidly increasing. The firm is incorporated for $30,000 with $19,000 paid in, there being 300 shares at $100 valuation each. The officers of the company are: J. C. Erickson, of Ferndale, president ; Hans C. Christensen, vice-president and manager ; and S. B. Morrison, secretary-treas- urer.

Quite apart from his business associations and his consequent popularity as a merchant, Mr. Christensen has created a place for himself in the general activities of the town that is well worth the emulation of older residents than he. He is a prominent member of the Danish Lutheran church, of Ferndale, and was a member of the building committee which erected the new church edifice. He is also well known in fraternal circles, being an influential Mason of Ferndale Lodge No. 193, F. & A. M., and of Ferndale Chapter No. 78, R. A. M., of which he is high priest. He is intensely interested in all that per- tains to the general welfare of the town and community, but has steadily de- clined to accept any public office, preferring rather to render his service as a private citizen. His support is always forthcoming for all movements for progress and municipal improvements and upbuilding along permanent lines.

In his home life Mr. Christensen is very happy. His fine family of six children have all grown to manhood and womanhood and are either located in Ferndale or within easy reach thereof. They are all men and women of sterling qualities and enjoy the honor and respect of their friends and acquaintances. They are: Mary, who is a stenographer for Puter & Quinn, attorneys at law, in Eureka ; Christ, who is a tinner for the firm of Kausen-Williams Hardware Company ; Robert, a dairyman in the vicinity of the home town ; Sophius, a clerk in the hardware store; Alfred and Elmer.

JOSEPH B. GOFF .- Although still a young man, not yet having turned the thirtieth mile-stone on his road of life, Joseph B. Goff has "made good" in his business career. For the past five or six years he has been in business for himself in the butcher and meat market business in Ferndale, where he makes his home, and is meeting with more than ordinary success. The business is conducted on a strictly business basis, the latest sanitary. devices being employed for the handling of all meats, and for their care and preser- vation. Great care is also taken in the selection of beeves and other animals for the slaughterhouse-they maintaining their own-so that only the highest grade of meats are to be found in stock. The most conscientious con- sideration is always given to every customer, this being another of their "specialties."

Mr. Goff is a native of California, having been born at Petrolia, Hum- boldt county, December 12, 1884. His father, James H. Goff, now deceased, was one of the Petrolia pioneers of an early day, and is remembered with the greatest respect. His mother, who was Miss Mary J. Patrick in the days of her maidenhood, was also a pioneer of Humboldt county. She is still living, and makes her home at Waddington. She bore her husband six sons, of whom the present respected citizen of Ferndale is the fifth. He passed his boyhood at Petrolia and Ferndale, attending the public schools, and later taking a business course at the Sisters' College, in the latter place. He then entered the employment of the firm of Russ & Patrick in their

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meat market, remaining with them for five years. Later Joe Russ bought out the interests of his partner, and conducted the business alone for a year. At the end of that time, in 1909, Mr. Goff and his present partner, Emory A. Brightman, purchased the business and have continued to conduct it under the firm name of Goff & Brightman. Their place of business is well located on Main street, and they carry a splendid line of fresh, pickled and dried meats, vegetables, lard, bacon, eggs, etc., and are doing a thriving business.

In addition to his popularity as a business man, Mr. Goff also stands exceptionally high in social, fraternal and political circles. He was elected as a member of the board of trustees for Ferndale in 1914, and is making a record that is very gratifying to his friends and supporters. It is a known fact that this small city is especially well governed and that her streets, schools, and other public institutions are well above the average city of her class. This is, of course, due to the splendid public spirit which prevails, and which has been fostered and developed by such men as Mr. Goff. He is always well to the front when matters of local importance are in the balance, and there is nothing that he considers too good for his home town. He is a member of the Ferndale lodge, Woodmen of the World, of the Eureka Elks, and also of the Ferndale Parlor, No. 93, N. S. G. W., in all of which he is an influential and a popular member.

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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 56

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