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 68

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 68

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).

610

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

of his most important contributions to the beautifying of his chosen city, the scene of the interests closest to his heart.

ROBERT PORTER .- As a typical representative of those brave, courageous pioneers who settled in this county when the country was yet in its original wildness, mention is due Robert Porter, who lived to witness the changes which fifty-seven years brought, knowing meanwhile that he had not been an idle looker-on in the transformation which had been wrought. His father, David R. Porter, who was born in Londonderry, Ireland, immigrated to the United States in young manhood and settled in Lancaster, Pa. His marriage united him with Catherine McDee, who was born in Scotland and came to the United States with her parents during her childhood. David R. Porter engaged in general merchandising in Pennsylvania and also in Bote- tourt county, Va., accumulating a competency in the undertaking, for it is known that several years before his death, at the age of seventy-two, he had lived retired. His wife passed away when in her seventy-fifth year.

It was while the family was living in Old Virginia that Robert Porter was born in Fincastle, February 22, 1828, and in that state he was reared and educated primarily. At the age of sixteen he began to earn his own living, his first work being as clerk in a general store in Virginia for two years. Later he joined an engineering corps on the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road, and during this time diligently pursued his studies in civil engineering, so that he ultimately rose to the position of superintendent of construction for the company, continuing as such until 1852. In the spring of that year he and eleven companions started for California, each of the party being well equipped for the long and tedious overland journey. June 9th was the day on which they crossed the Missouri river at St. Joseph, Mo., from there going to Salt Lake City, where they rested for about two weeks. The possibilities of making a fortune in the mines had not been the least consideration in the minds of the young men when they started on their journey, and while in Salt Lake City they made investigations as to the conditions and prospects at a camp called Seventy-six. Evidently opinions differed as to the advisa- bility of investing at the camp, for it is recorded that Mr. Porter bought the animals from those of his companions who wished to remain there, while he and his little train started out for Sacramento, reaching that town the day after the fire that nearly destroyed it. From there he went to Hangtown, now Placerville, and from there to Jay Bird canyon, but his labors did not produce the results he had anticipated, and he went to Mariposa county, where better results rewarded him. In the latter part of the '50s he came to Eureka, then a crude town on the water front claiming a population of less than five hundred inhabitants. Employment awaited him in the saw- mill of John Vance, where he familiarized himself with the business and was finally given charge of the office and finances of the concern and remained associated with it until 1866. In the meantime he had recognized a good opportunity to establish a business of his own and forthwith opened the second general merchandise store in the town, a business which he conducted suc- cessfully for two years. It was in 1868 that he went to Hydesville and en- gaged in the same business in partnership with James M. Cox, having bought out the pioneer merchant in the town, R. O. Metcalf, and thereafter business was conducted under the name of Porter & Cox. Associated with H. C. Hansen, in 1878 Mr. Porter bought a one-half interest in property which be-

611

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

came known as the Hansen & Porter stock ranch, adjoining Fort Baker. The purchase was made at a time when stock land was selling at a low figure. Subsequently the partners consolidated their interests with those of Joseph Russ, thus bringing under the control of the three over twenty-four thousand acres of fine land. Meantime Mr. Porter bought out the interest of Mr. Hansen in the enterprise and Mr. Russ and himself were thereafter equal partners. The raising of sheep and cattle formed their chief industry and proved profitable from the first. In partnership with A. W. Torrey he pur- chased the Iaqua ranch of about seven thousand acres located thirty miles east of Eureka, and of this he ultimately became the sole owner by the pur- chase of Mr. Torrey's interest, continuing to run it as a stock ranch up to the time of his death. He also owned the Kneeland ranch of sixty-five hundred acres near Blocksburg. In the meantime the general merchandise business at Hydesville had been continued in partnership with Mr. Cox, but just prior to the death of the latter Mr. Porter purchased his interest in the business and continued it alone. However, in 1898 he sold out his interests in Hydes- ville and removed to Eureka, where as early as 1858, with Richard Brett, he had purchased forty acres of land for $1000. This was afterwards laid out as Brett & Porter's Addition and is one of the finest residence portions of Eureka. In 1892 Mr. Porter erected a handsome residence in the city, and it was in this that he resided from 1898 up to the time of his death, April 13, 1906.

While making his home in Hydesville Mr. Porter assisted in the organ- ization of the Bank of Eureka and continued to be a stockholder in the same until his death, also for many years having been a director and vice-president. He was also interested in the founding of the Savings Bank of Humboldt County, of which he was also president. It was largely through his efforts also that the Humboldt Bay Woolen Mills Company was organized in 1901 with a capital of $100,000 and with himself as vice-president. Up to the time of his death he continued actively interested in the various institutions with which he was connected, as well as overseeing his large ranching interests.

On the 8th of March, 1868, Mr. Porter was married at Table Bluff, Hum- boldt county, Cal., to Miss Eliza Foss, who was born in Saco, York county, Me., the daughter of Tristram and Lydia (Cousins) Foss, both natives of Saco, Me. The grandfather of Mrs. Porter, Zachariah Foss, was also a native of Saco, Me., and a participant in the Revolutionary war. He was the owner of the old Foss farm near Saco, which is still in the possession of the family. Mrs. Lydia (Cousins) Foss was born in Lyman, Me., and died there after rearing to years of maturity a family of five children. She was survived by her husband, who passed his last days at Table Bluff, Cal. The eldest of the five children born to this couple was Tristram Henry, who died at Table Bluff, Cal. ; Mary, Mrs. J. K. Dollison, is a resident of Palo Alto, Cal. ; Samuel is a resident of Eureka ; Calvin resides in Palo Alto; and Eliza, Mrs. Porter, completes the family. She was reared and educated in Saco, Me., and in 1856 accompanied her father to Bureau county, Ill., where she taught school. In 1866 she came with her father to California, making the trip by way of Panama to San Francisco and locating at Table Bluff. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Porter eight children were born, as follows: Catherine, Mrs. H. L. Shattuck, of Denver, Colo .; Elizabeth, Mrs. O. F. Pira, of Alameda, Cal .; Robert Dol-

612

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

lison, a director of the Bank of Eureka, and who assists his mother in the care of her extensive ranch and property interests; David, who died at the age of ten years; Theodore, a resident of Eureka; Edith, who makes her home with her mother; Kendall, junior member of the firm of Sarvis & Porter, of Eureka ; and Grace, Mrs. Kimball, residing in Denver, Colo. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Porter has continued to make her home in the old family residence at No. 1710 E street, Eureka, finding her time fully occupied with looking after her varied interests and in fulfilling her social and religious duties. She is stanch in her support of Republican principles, and is a member of the Monday Club. In early life Mr. Porter was a believer in Democratic principles, but after the second administration of President Cleveland he changed his party affiliations and identified himself with the Republicans, owing to the attitude of the Democracy on the financial ques- tion. As early as 1850 he affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows in Virginia and became a charter member of Humboldt Lodge No. 77, I. O. O. F., Eureka. Mr. Porter was a noble, high-minded, useful citizen and friend, who deserves a prominent place in the history of the county and state.

CONRAD BULLWINKEL .- Descended from a long line of farming ancestors, Mr. Bullwinkel was born in Driftsete, Ampt Hagan, Hanover, Germany, March 22, 1838, the son of John and Tepke Bullwinkel, also natives of Germany. There he received his carly schooling and at the age of fourteen he began to help his father on the home place. In 1855, when he was seven- teen, he set sail for America, going direct to South Carolina, and at a small place called Valhalla he was employed on a farm for a few years. Later he became interested in the gold mines in that vicinity, but after remaining in that state for four years he decided to come to California. Taking passage on a steamer westward bound by way of the Isthmus of Panama, his journey's end brought him to San Francisco in 1859, and from there he went direct to San Pablo, Contra Costa county. There he again engaged in farming, but not finding conditions quite to his liking he went to Nevada. After en- gaging in mining in that state for one and one-half years he returned to San Francisco and obtained employment in a grocery, and later was employed in a hotel for a short time. On coming to Humboldt county in 1869 he preempted eighty acres on Little river and soon afterwards he took up a homestead claim of one hundred sixty acres of government land adjoining the original tract. This land, now the home place, is under a high state of cultiva- tion, in distinct contrast to the virgin condition at the time it was purchased. The effort spent in clearing the dense growth of brush and timber and putting the land in condition for farming has been well rewarded, for it has been transformed into a valuable dairy farm. For years he followed dairying and general farming with success, and at the present time is retired from farming activities, having leased the home place and retired to a justly earned rest. He is the only one of the original pioneer settlers in the Little river section, where he was also the first to engage in dairying. In those days the milk was skimmed from pans and churned by hand. Later the use of a separator simplified butter making; to furnish power for his churn and separator Mr. Bullwinkel installed a water wheel in the creek running past his house. In the early days he hauled the butter in kegs to Eureka, where it was shipped to San Francisco, whereas he now has a market at his door.

Canção Bullwirbel

615

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Mr. Bullwinkel has never entered into political affairs, but is an ardent Democrat and an earnest follower of the party's ideas. He is also a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a man who has been successful in his long life as a farmer and one whose success is entirely due to his own thrift and perseverance. Mr. Bullwinkel's father also devoted his whole life to farming and became one of the substantial citizens of his community.

CIPRIANO MARK BERNARDI .- One of the enterprising and progres- sive young men engaged in dairying in Humboldt county is Cipriano M. Ber- nardi, who, though of foreign birth, has brought to his work in this country the energy and ability which America is always glad to recognize among her citizens. A native of Lodrino, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, Mr. Bernardi was born August 16, 1871, the son of Natale and Marcelena Ber- nardi, both of whom died in their native canton. The father of Mr. Bernardi was a painter and decorator by trade, and spent much time in that line of work in Paris, where there are many fine examples of his skill remaining. Of the six children in the family, Cipriano was the youngest, and grew up in Lodrino, receiving a good grammar and high school education, graduating from the latter school in 1888. The next year he came to San Francisco, Cal., having been attracted hither by the good reports from his sister, Mrs. Helena Biasca, and her husband who were dairying at Capetown, Humboldt county. Soon after coming to this country Mr. Bernardi secured employment on a dairy farm at Waddington, Cal., being engaged later at others in the same locality. When he had saved sufficient money to enable him to start in the dairy business independently, he removed to Freshwater and there leased a dairy from Dr. Felt, which he conducted for twelve years with a herd of sixty cows. In 1912 he leased his present place from George Crowe, a one hundred acre ranch adjoining Eureka on the east, whereon he raises grass and clover, as well as such green feed as beets, carrots, peas and corn, for his herd of forty milch cows. His herd consists of high grade Jerseys, twenty- five of which are full blooded, of the Sam Lambert stock, which is con- sidered the finest Jersey stock in California. The bull, which was brought from Highland, N. Y., was sired by Noble Oakland, the grandsire being Golden Jolly. Mr. Bernardi has sold full blooded male and female Jersey cattle in different parts of California and has sent about fifteen head to Honolulu, always obtaining good prices because his stock is the highest strain. For some years he has sold milk to retailers in Eureka, in which city he is now starting a new milk route.

The marriage of Mr. Bernardi took place in Eureka, April 30, 1905, his wife having formerly been Celia Marcionetti, also a native of Canton Ticino, Switzerland, and they are the parents of four children, Marcelina, Emory, Lloyd and Archie. The political interests of Mr. Bernardi are with the Repub- lican party, and in fraternal circles he is known as a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.

HON. GEORGE WILLIAMS .- Between the date of his birth, March 29, 1822, and that of his death in 1908, there were compassed into the existence of Hon. George Williams eighty-six useful years. Throughout much of that period he was identified with the stock industry in Humboldt county. When he first drove a herd of cattle to Bear river in 1856 there was little in the aspect of the country to win his admiration or attract favorable notice. Very few white men had sought the isolated spot. Indians still roamed through

616

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

the forests and their occasional outbreaks kept in constant danger such hardy pioneers as dared to venture upon claims, with the hope of developing farms. With shrewd foresight he grasped the opportunities of the region and saw that the excellent range and abundant water afforded excellent advantages for the stock business ; later years proved the wisdom of his early judgment.

The grandson of Welsh people and the son of Thomas Williams, a life- long resident of Pennsylvania, George Williams was born in Lancaster county, that state, and after the death of his father in 1834 he went to Ohio with his mother, who died there at the age of forty-five. For a time he earned a livelihood as a farm hand, then at the age of eighteen learned the trade of baker, and in 1849 taught a country school in Illinois. During 1850 he came west, driving an ox-team a part of the way, but walking the entire distance from Green river to Hangtown, where he arrived almost penniless. For ten months he worked in a bakery, then for some months worked in the mines, and from 1852 to 1854 carried on a bakery at Weaverville, Trinity county, later working there as a butcher. Next he turned his attention to stock-raising and in 1856 brought his first herd of cattle to Humboldt county, where the following year he admitted to partnership Cyrus W. Morrison. It is significant of the character of the two men that they continued in har- monious and profitable partnership for forty-nine years.

Returning to Ohio in 1857 Mr. Williams married at Circleville Miss Mary Anderson, who was born there January 28, 1838. For ten years after his marriage he lived at Weaverville, Trinity county, but in 1867 brought his family to Hydesville, Humboldt county, and in 1885 removed to Ferndale, where he remained until death, a familiar and beloved figure in affairs of the town, a man of venerable and commanding presence, who bore the weight of advancing years with dignity and grace. Early in the '70s he served for two years as a member of the county board of supervisors, twice he was elected to the assembly from this district, and always he was a local leader in the Republican party. While living in Trinity county he served as member of the school board for years and as provost-marshal during the Civil war, enrolling a goodly number of volunteers, but never being obliged to make a draft for the army. Fraternally he was connected with Hydesville Lodge No. 252, I. O. O. F. He and his wife trained their five children for the responsibilities of life and had the satisfaction of seeing them fill worthily positions of honor in business and society. The older son, Frank G. Wil- liams, is president of the Russ-Williams Banking Company of Ferndale, and in his sketch further mention of the family history appears.

JACOB LOEWENTHAL .- Among the number of high-class mercan- tile houses which do credit to the city of Eureka, none in its line is more favorably known than that of Jacob Loewenthal, the veteran clothing mer- chant of the city. The attractive appearance of his store and stock is an indication of the manner in which the business is conducted. The benefits to proprietor and patrons are mutual, for Mr. Loewenthal has repaid the liberal patronage of the community in kind, giving the best possible service to his customers, excellent values and a large selection, for all of which they have shown substantial appreciation. Moreover, in the forty years of his business career at Eureka he has not only become widely and favorably known in his commercial relations, but has won a measure of esteem for his personal characteristics not bestowed except where deserved. Though never

617

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

participating directly in public affairs, he has lived up to the highest standards of citizenship, and has been a helpful influence in the promotion of different projects intended to contribute to the general welfare.

Mr. Loewenthal is a native of Germany, born at Kamberg, near Frank- fort on the Main, September 27, 1845. His father, Hirsch Loewenthal, was a dry goods merchant at Kamberg; his mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Loewenstein, died in 1893, when about seventy-eight years old. Jacob was their only son, and of the three daughters but one survives, Sarah, who is the widow of Jacob Schiller, of Schweppenhausen, who was in the cattle business at Bingen on the Rhine. Another daughter, Hannchen, who died at Eureka, was the wife of the late B. Feigenbaum, who was in merchandise business at Eureka prior to 1868, when he removed to San Fran- cisco, continuing in the same line there.

Jacob Loewenthal received ordinary public school advantages, living in his native land until after he became of age. In 1867 he came to Eureka, Humboldt county, Cal., making the long journey by way of New York and Nicaragua. On the voyage to New York he was a passenger on the Ham- burg liner Cymbria, sailed from New York to Greytown on the Santiago de Cuba, and came up from Nicaragua to Eureka on the Moses Taylor. For several years thereafter he was employed as a clerk by various merchants in the city and county. In 1874, having acquired considerable experience and thorough familiarity with the demands of the local trade, he decided to begin business on his own account, opening a store in April of that year. In the four decades which have since elapsed he has become one of the most popular merchants in the city, a fact attributable entirely to square dealing. His store is at No. 503 Second street. He carries a large and well assorted stock of clothing and men's furnishings, with an average value of $60,000, and that he endeavors to supply his patrons with the best goods may be judged from some of the well known brands of ready-to-wear articles he handles, "Griffon," "Society," "Slattford" and "Loewenthal" clothing, "Stet- son," "Barsalina" (imported) and "Imperial" (imported) hats, and Flor- sheim, William Kneeland Company, Johnson Murphy, George H. Bass and Loewenthal shoes. Here is a selection which more than meets the wants of the average customer, and well adapted to the tastes of the most fastidious, who are aware of the advantages of having an establishment of this kind in their home town. He is the oldest clothier and men's furnisher in Eureka at the present time, and has the good wishes of his fellow citizens for a long continuance of his prosperous career.

Mr. Loewenthal's life has been a success from more than the material standpoint. His means have enabled him to assist others less fortunate, and his genial, benevolent disposition is illustrated in his relations with such, as well as in the courtesies of social life. Fraternally he is well known as an Odd Fellow and a Mason. On June 7. 1873, he joined Ferndale Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Ferndale, Humboldt county, and he has attained the thirty- second degree in Masonry, is a past master of Humboldt Lodge No. 79, F. & A. M., and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, one of the two charter members of Cornelia chapter. Politically he supports the Repub- lican party.

In 1886 Mr. Loewenthal was married at San Francisco to Miss Carrie Meyer, a native of Germany, and they have a family of four children : Harold

618

HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Hirsch, Sidney Simon, Myrtile and Leon. Their beautiful residence is at No. 1405 I street.

JAMES FERGUSON .- A native of New York state, James Ferguson has been a resident of California since 1869, and is today one of the honored citizens of Arcata and a prosperous farmer of this community. He spent many years in the employ of the various lumber companies of the county, but in the end he chose the occupation of dairy farming, and in this line he has been very successful.

Mr. Ferguson was born in Rochester, Monroe county, N. Y., September 1, 1849. His father was Robert Ferguson, a native of Scotland, who was engaged in farming during practically his entire residence in the United States. It was after coming to this country that he was married to Anna (Bawks) Ferguson, also a native of Scotland, and of this union were born nine children, six sons and three daughters. Of these James was the fifth in order of birth. His childhood was saddened by the death of both his parents when he was in his tenth year, and he was forced to leave school and start out in life for himself. He therefore received little schooling from books, but has accumulated a vast store of knowledge from personal observation, from reading and from talking with persons of education and information. His practical education was commenced when he was a mere lad, and that in itself was of great importance. He first secured employment with E. J. Hill, driving a milk wagon, and remained with him for a period of nine years. At the end of that time he was filled with a great desire to come to California, and accordingly, in the fall of 1869, he left Rochester and started for the land of promise. The trip was made by steamer down the coast to Aspinwall, thence across the Isthmus of Panama, and up the coast by the steamer Guatemala to San Francisco. About ninety miles below Acapulco the ship on which he had taken passage was wrecked, and the passengers, some one hundred forty-seven in number, were cast ashore. They walked over the rugged country to Acapulco, and there they had to wait for a month before another vessel came to take them on to their destination. They arrived in San Francisco in December of that year.

From San Francisco Mr. Ferguson went at once to Petaluma, Sonoma county, and there found employment on a ranch, where he remained until April of the following year (1870), when he went into the Russian river country and secured employment in the woods, driving an ox-team. Later he rented land and engaged in farming, but was not successful in this under- taking, and shortly afterward gave it up. In 1885 he came to Humboldt county and went to work in the woods for W. Murphy, at Fortuna. After remaining a few months he accepted a position with the Korbel Redwood Company, continuing with them for six years, driving seven or eight yoke of oxen hauling a string of logs, from seven to fifteen, strung out some three hundred feet. Although this was dangerous work he never had a serious accident. From Korbel Mr. Ferguson came to Arcata and rented a forty- acre ranch near Alliance and engaged in dairying and general farming. In this venture he was very successful and remained on this place for three years, at the end of which time he purchased his present home place, three miles north of Arcata, and on which he has since that time made his home. The property consists of fifteen acres of highly improved land, which Mr. Ferguson is devoting to dairying and general farming.

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 68

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