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 73

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 73

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HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

are an inspiration to students who have become lax and are the means of renewing their interest and spurring them on to ever greater effort in com- pleting their courses.

When Mr. Werner came to Humboldt county in July, 1905, it was for the purpose of acting as agent at Eureka for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, which previously he had represented for two years at Missoula, Mont., and later at San Leandro, Alameda county, Cal. His early life had been spent in Wisconsin, where he was born in Manitowoc county, July 29, 1881, and where he had received an excellent education, later teaching school until he took up life insurance work. Education and temperament qualify him for the duties of manager with the Scranton school, and he is succeeding in a work that is worthy of his greatest energies and highest talents.

The International .Correspondence School through its two hundred and thirty-five courses and through its agencies in every part of the world has done more to prepare people for success than any other single agency or institution. The history of the students is a history of success. The leaders of the movement at Scranton, Pa., are receiving grateful letters from every part of the world, telling how their training enabled men in trades and professions to do superior work; or how young men without employment were trained to get a start; and how better salaries have resulted from the special studies. Indeed the institution carries specializa- tion further than any other school in existence. The students are not re- quired to study trades or courses in which they are not interested, but they are encouraged to specialize their energies upon the one occupation in hand. The incomparable text books explain every intricate or involved problem. The school of architecture trains men for that enduring and useful occupation, with courses in the kindred subjects of structural engi- neering, structural drafting and concrete engineering, also courses for building contractors, building foremen and masons. Essentially modern is the school of arts and crafts, with its technical training in illustrating and designing, bookcover designs, carpet designs, linoleum and wall paper designs, perspective and architectural drawing and kindred subjects. The school of civil engineering develops splendid technical instruction not alone in that specialty, but is invaluable to surveyors, topographers, draftsmen, bridge engineers, railroad engineers, road masters, municipal or city engineers, designers of water works, sewerage systems and hydraulic power plants. In recent years the school of electrical engineering has attracted many students, for it embraces a complete electrical course and is inval- uable in this age of dynamos, electric lighting and wiring, electric rail- ways and electric traction. Nor is mechanical engineering less important in this era of mechanical development and this school instructs in every department of shop practice, toolmaking, foundrywork, blacksmithing, etc. Courses in refrigeration and gas engines are most important to young men desiring to specialize in such work. There is also a course to instruct chauffeurs in the running and repairs of automobiles and many garage managers have been enrolled in this department. Mechanical drawing in- structs in the draftsman's branch of the mechanical field, where opportunity for employment is excellent and salaries for the proficient quite large. The schools of steam engineering, mines, navigation, commerce, stenography, bookkeeping, banking, pedagogy, commercial English, manufacture of monu-

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ments, sheet-metal work and boiler-making, civil service, plumbing, heating and ventilation, chemistry, textiles, advertising, salesmanship, languages, com- mercial law, locomotive running and many others, chief among which is the school of agriculture with all of its subsidiary courses, furnish an opportunity for specialization unequalled in any part of the world or in any previous era of the world's history, giving to the ambitious but unedu- cated young man a chance to reach a position high in the world of thought and activity, with the financial and social standing such advancement ren- ders possible.

LOUIS A. BERTAIN .- There are a number of residents of Eureka of foreign birth who have joined the prosperous colony of merchants and busi- ness men and themselves met with success in this thriving city where room may always be found for progressive workers. To this class belongs Louis A. Bertain, proprietor of the Bertain French Laundry on Myrtle street which he built in 1906 and has since operated.

Mr. Bertain is a native of Verdun, France, born December 25, 1867. He lived in the land of his birth until twenty-four years old, receiving a common school education and afterward working in a cotton factory, for which he later became a traveling salesman. When he came to America, in 1891, he was first at Chicago, Ill., for a short time, thence proceeding to New Orleans, and in 1893 he settled at Eureka, Humboldt county, Cal. For two years he was employed in a dairy. In 1896 he went into the laundry business at Oak- land, this state, carrying on the East Oakland French Laundry for five years, until August, 1901, when he returned to Eureka and for about four years or so worked in a laundry. By this time he had familiarized himself with the prospects in the city and the demand for good work, and felt justified in starting a business of his own, which he did in 1906, building the plant at No. 1610 Myrtle street which he has since conducted as the Bertain French Laundry. He has equipped his establishment with fine machinery, having the engines and full complement of machinery for a well appointed steam laundry, and the large trade which he has built up fully warrants the ex- penditure he has made. By improved methods and system he has been able to care for the increase of trade, which has been steady from the beginning. Fourteen hands are employed, and in his business he uses an automobile and a delivery wagon. Though Mr. Bertain had to face severe competition, especially at the start, he has kept going ahead undismayed, and as he has prospered by his industry and integrity he deserves the respect he commands among his patrons and fellow citizens generally. Strict attention to business, thorough study of the wishes of his customers and an obliging disposition have won out, and he owns a fine property on Myrtle street, having his home near his business, at No. 1614. He owns the buildings and grounds of both the business and residence locations he occupies.

In 1895 Mr. Bertain married, in Eureka, Miss Eugenia Moine, a native of Belleforte, France, and six children have been born to their union : Louis, Jean, George, Victor, Harry and Alice.

EDWARD L. LEWIS .- The president of the board of trustees of Blue Lake, Edward L. Lewis has been a resident of Humboldt county, Cal., for more than thirty years and during that time has made many friends, and has built up a business and a business reputation that are both valuable assets, both to their owner and to the community at large. His present place of

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business in Blue Lake is a credit to the city and is one of the best known of the general mercantile establishments in the valley.

Mr. Lewis was born in Smaland, Sweden, January 3, 1861. His boyhood days were passed there on his father's farm and in the vicinity he attended the public schools, graduating from the regular course in 1875. After com- pleting his education he secured a position in the postoffice department of the government, continuing there until he came to the United States in 1881. He arrived at Castle Garden, N. Y., but soon set out for Warren county, Ill., where he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad on construction work. In the meantime he was constantly on the alert for information as to the section of the United States offering the greatest oppor- tunities and in 1883 he decided that this place was California. From San Francisco he came by water to Eureka on the City of Chester, arriving on March 15. He at first found employment in the woods with Frank Graham, pioneer lumberman, working on the site of the city of Blue Lake, then thickly covered with trees. He rose gradually from one position to another until he became a foreman.

Mr. Lewis remained in the employment of this company until in 1907, at the time of the great strike. He was then president of the labor union and had been an active and a prominent member since its first organization in Humboldt county. The conditions resulting caused him to sever his con- nection with the lumber company and he went to Blue Lake, there following carpentering, contracting and building for a time. Later he carried on mer- chandising, opening with a small stock of candy and notions. From this beginning he has constantly increased his scope and added to his stock of goods, until he now carries a full line of general merchandise and is doing a profitable business, with a host of friends and his full share of the patronage of the town and community. Aside from his business he has been interested in general farming and has also built about a dozen residences in Blue Lake, most of which he still owns, as well as owning property in Eureka, on the Bay, and in Oregon. Mr. Lewis attributes much of his success to his faithful wife, who has always put her shoulder to the wheel and aided him in every way by her wise counsel and good judgment.

Mr. Lewis is popular among his business associates and friends and is . accredited a citizen of sterling worth and integrity of character. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, an Odd Fellow, a Woodman of the World and a Hoo-Hoo and is influential in each of the several orders. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and has always been interested in the affairs of his community and in the politics of the state. He is close in the confidences of local party affairs and on several occasions his constituents have shown their confidence in his ability by making him their representative at various party conventions. He is also prominent in city governmental affairs, where he stands for progress and good government and for civic improvement and general uplift. He is a member of the board of city trustees and is president of the board.

The marriage of Mr. Lewis and Mary Emily Coulter took place at Eureka, July 3, 1887. They have two children, Lucile and Carroll Lewis, to whom they are giving all the educational advantages within their means. Mrs. Lewis is a native of Gilroy, Santa Clara county, Cal. Her father is Benjamin Carroll Coulter, a native of Bledsoe county, Tenn., where he was born

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July 8, 1832. When but three years of age he removed with his parents to Arkansas territory. He attended a subscription school up to the age of four- teen years, after which he assisted his father on the farm until 1850, when he came to California with his father and brother, locating at Weaverville, Trinity county. Being attracted by the discovery of gold and interested in the mining opportunities in Trinity county they prospected and mined for gold, but failed to meet with the desired success, however, and Mr. Coulter later went into Shasta county, where for four years he engaged in independent ventures in mining. From there he went into Nevada county, where for eight years he followed placer mining, also with indifferent success.

It was in 1860 that Mr. Coulter first came into Humboldt county. His brother was located at Eureka and for a time Mr. Coulter engaged in team- ing and in working in a pack train. In 1861 the Indian wars broke out and he responded to the call for volunteers to fight the Indians, serving under Captain Work. On one occasion the company was constantly on duty for three months and on many other occasions made short expeditions after the savages.

Following this, in 1863 Mr. Coulter journeyed north into Washington territory prospecting, but again without success, and later he returned to Red Bluff and worked for J. D. Carr & Co. After a short time there he removed to Santa Clara county, and in 1872 opened a general merchandise store, which he sold the following year and engaged in the teaming business. Another trip north followed this, Oregon this time being the objective point, and for a time he looked for a suitable location there. Failing to find what he wanted he again returned to Red Bluff, where for a time he had charge of the Oak Grove House. In 1883 he removed to Humboldt county, locating at Blue Lake, where he has since remained. He purchased land and erected a house for a residence, and in this opened a small store and restaurant, but this he sold and is now living retired. When Mr. Coulter first visited Eureka there was only one street and but few houses, the surrounding coun- try being still principally virgin forest.

The father of Mr. Lewis is Lawrence Lewis, a native of Sweden. born August 14, 1830. At that time there were no public or private schools, the teachers going from house to house and giving their instruction in the homes, and Lawrence Lewis received a good education. During his early life he engaged in farming. Later he entered the service of the government as the first postmaster at Smaland, which position he held until within the past few years, when he retired on account of his age and is now passing the afternoon of his life at his old home.

JOHN PETERS .- From many foreign lands people have come to make their home in California, attracted hither by the success of others as well as by the excellent climate. John Peters, one of the leading business men of Eureka, Humboldt county, where he is well known with his partner, C. W. Widnes, in the firm of Peters & Widnes, as proprietors of the Log Cabin Bakery and also the Eureka Bakery, is a native of Finland, born at Helsing- fors, the capital city of that country, November 25, 1873, the son of Peter Peters, a farmer near that place, and Annie (Olsen) Peters, who still resides at the old home. Later the father became a contractor and builder in Helsing- fors, an occupation in which he continued until the time of his death. Of the five children in the family, three are now living, John being the second

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John Peters

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youngest and the only one who has made his home in America. He grew up in his native city, receiving his education in the public and industrial schools there, at the age of sixteen years being apprenticed as a baker for three years under his brother Andrew, a councilman. After learning his chosen trade, John Peters traveled through Sweden, Germany and France as a journeyman for a period of eight months, also visiting London and working for a time in St. Petersburg, being an expert baker and confectioner. After returning home to Finland, he took a position with his brother as foreman, where he continued until his brother's death, at which time the business was sold. Mr. Peters then accepted the position of foreman of a large co- operative bakery in Helsingfors, where he remained until enlisting in the Finnish army at the age of twenty-three years, for three years being a member of the Czar's Life Guards, after which period he was honorably discharged. Returning then to his former position, he continued there until 1899, when he went to Australia, via London, on the vessel Austrail, visiting Sydney and then Brisbane, where for six weeks he worked at railroad construction, after which he secured employment in Brisbane as a baker for six months, acting as foreman after the first month's employment. He then came to the United States, on the way spending a year as baker in Vancouver, B. C., coming thence to Seattle, Wash., where he worked at his trade, in August, 1904, arriving at San Francisco, where until the year 1907 he was foreman of the California Baking Company, the largest concern of the kind west of Chicago. For two years thereafter he made a visit to his old home in Finland, and though it was his intention to remain there, he was not satisfied with the conditions there, so returned to San Francisco to his old position as foreman of the California Baking Company. After looking for a suitable location in Washington and Oregon, without success, Mr. Peters in 1911 came to Eureka, Cal., where he started the Co-operative Bakery, meeting with much success in his venture, but on account of his wife's health sold the business and removed to Los Angeles, his wife's death occurring in Monrovia a short time later. Mr. Peters then went to Berkeley, Cal., where he secured employ- ment in the Golden Sheaf Bakery, later starting a bakery in Marshfield, Ore., which he ran for a year, selling it at a profit. Following this he returned to Eureka, where he was employed by the Mulford Log Cabin Bakery. Three months later he bought out that establishment, on February 15, 1915, and has continued it with success since that time. In April of the same year he became associated with C. W. Widnes of the Eureka Bakery, on Fifth street between E and F streets, each purchasing a half interest in the business of the other, and the two are now conducting the largest bakery north of San Francisco. They have made the Log Cabin Bakery at No. 621 Fifth street the manufacturing plant, this being equipped with the latest machinery, on the first floor, which is large and sunny. Mr. Peters' affairs go on like clock- work, large shipments of bakery goods being made to the neighboring towns each day, with an average of one thousand loaves of bread a day, besides which he has a large line of confectionery, Mr. Peters being the manager of the bread department, and Mr. Widnes of the cake department.

The marriage of Mr. Peters took place in San Francisco, his wife having been Lena Maria Ostermark, who was born in Gamle, Garleby, Finland, and died in Monrovia, Cal. They were the parents of one son, John Peters, Jr.

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In his religious associations Mr. Peters is connected with the Lutheran Church.

JAMES J. NIEBUR .- California can boast of a more cosmopolitan pop- ulation than any other state in the Union, and many of her people are of German descent. Although a native-born son of California, Mr. Niebur is of German ancestry, being the son of Henry H. Niebur, a native of Hanover, Germany, where he was born October 9, 1832. He first came to America in 1842 with his parents, and, locating in Missouri, attended the public schools, but in 1848 he engaged in mining in the Iron Mountains, later following the stone cutter's trade in the quarries in the vicinity until 1852. In this year, in the company of his brother, he started for the west, crossing the plains by ox-team, bravely facing the dangers attending such a journey. They located first in Oregon, later moving to California where he located in San Mateo county near Redwood, where he found employment in the woods. The following year he became employed by the farmers in the vicinity of Half Moon bay. In 1856, hearing of the advantages of Lake county he undertook a trip to Clear Lake but only remained there one year, leaving to move to Humboldt county, homesteading on a claim of one hundred sixty acres near Mr. Boynton's ranch on the island. Here he engaged in farming until 1861 and here he first enlisted in the army as a volunteer in Company D, Second California Infantry. In 1863 he served at Fort Bragg, Mendocino county, and in 1864 was honorably discharged. He then went to Oregon and enlisted in Company E, First Oregon Infantry, where he remained until 1866, when he returned to Humboldt county and located on a ranch near Ferndale. Here he engaged in the brick mason's trade and this he followed until the time of his death. He was married to Mary A. Dougherty, a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1840, locating in Maryland where she remained a number of years, coming to Humboldt county, California, in 1867, and here she married Mr. Niebur December 29, 1868. Mr. Niebur took up several timber claims near Ferndale where the large mill at Scotia is now located. He took an active part in all political affairs and served as justice of the peace of Ferndale for six years. He was also a member of Anderson Post, G. A. R., and was a very successful man, remaining active until the time of his death in 1906.

James Niebur attended the public schools of Ferndale until eighteen years of age, leaving then to help his father with his many duties about the ranch, remaining at home until he was twenty years old, when he entered the butcher shop of Mr. Patrick where he learned the business, but, on marrying, gave up the butcher's trade and moved to the home place of forty acres where he engaged in farming and dairying for himself. He has a fine dairy of mixed Jersey stock and is at the present time actively engaged in the business and is one of the successful men of the community. In Fern- dale, May 17, 1899, occurred the marriage of Mr. Niebur, being united with Miss Ruby A. Haley, a native of Table Bluff, Humboldt county, and they have two children : James Francis and Alma. Fraternally Mr. Niebur is a member of the Knights of Columbus and Native Sons of the Golden West.

ROBERT JOHNSTON .- One of the most public-spirited men of Hum- boldt county is Mr. Johnston, of Fortuna, who was born in Chickasaw county, Iowa, June 1, 1860, and here he received his educational training in the public schools of the county, and when seventeen years old, left school to

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live at home with his parents, Robert and Sarah L. (Crowthers) Johnston, the former a native of Ireland and the latter a native of Liverpool, England. Robert Johnston, Sr., was a man who engaged in farming the greater part of his life, and who came from the old country to Iowa and there held the office of county recorder for a number of years and always took an active part in all political affairs. When he first located in Iowa in 1857, he entered gov- ernment land consisting of one hundred sixty acres, but in later years he moved to Humboldt county, Cal., and here he passed away at Fortuna in 1899. His son, Robert, when eighteen years old, became apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, serving two years and, in 1880, decided to better con- ditions by moving to California, arriving in Sacramento February 1, 1881, where he obtained employment in a blacksmith shop. Later he moved to Humboldt county and locating in Eureka, he again engaged in a local shop for two years. In 1884 he moved to Hydesville and entering into partner- ship with another man, he successfully operated a blacksmith shop for three years, but in 1887, selling his interests in Hydesville, he moved to Fortuna and here purchased the shop belonging to W. G. Hunt, and continued to operate the business until 1902, when he engaged in the livery business and at the present time owns the only livery stable in Fortuna ; in connection he also runs a blacksmith shop. In this business he has been very successful and is a man well liked and respected in the community. He also served as school trustee of Fortuna for twelve years. In national politics he favors the principles of the Republican party, always entering actively into all of its affairs.

Mr. Johnston was married June 1, 1887, to Carrie Emma Smith, a native of Hydesville, and of their union there have been four children: Clyde Roy, Walter Robert, Mabel C., and Edna Evelyn. He has achieved his success only by his own thriftiness and perseverance and no man is better liked or more highly venerated in the community than Mr. Johnston.

JAMES UNDERWOOD .- A native of Oregon, and one of the oldest and most highly respected of the Humboldt county pioneers of today, is James Underwood. He is himself a descendant of one of the very oldest of the early California pioneer families, his father and grandfather having crossed the plains with ox teams in 1853 and thereafter making their homes in California, save for a few years when his father resided in Oregon. At present James Underwood is engaged in the general merchandise business in Trinidad, where he has made his home for almost twenty years, and is meeting with success.

Mr. Underwood was born in Clackamas county, Oregon, August 3, 1867. He is the son of John and Caroline Elizabeth (Wills) Underwood, both being early settlers in California. His early youth was spent in Oregon, but when he was nine years of age his parents returned to California, locating on the old Underwood homestead on Dow's Prairie, Humboldt county. Here young James continued his attendance at the public schools of his district, on Dow's Prairie, graduating from the grammar course. Later he completed a course in the Eureka Business College. In 1887 he gave up school and started out for himself. During the vacations for several years he had worked in the woods, and now he naturally turned to this familiar occupation and secured employment with the Riverside Lumber Company, remaining with them for five years. The following year he was with the Korbel Lumber

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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 73

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