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 79

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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HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Pardee attempted to settle down to ranching, but the Indians were exceed- ingly troublesome and much of his time and strength were devoted to sub- duing the foe and making a safe abiding place for his family. When he was sixteen years old, Gorham N. Barnum went with a pack train in the capacity of bell boy, and from this humble position he rose to be captain of a mule train of his own, packing between Arcata and the Indian reservation at Hoopa, in the service of the government. Altogether he followed packing for many years, first as just related, and later in Eureka, and finally he re- tired from business entirely, now making his home in San Diego. His wife was in maidenhood Laurana Moore, a native of Missouri, who came with her parents across the plains about the year 1857. Her father, Rufus Moore, settled in Arcata, but while in Siskiyou county attending to his mining inter- ests he was killed by the Indians. After his death his widow became the wife of James Coulter and now resides in Eureka, at the age of eighty-three.

Six children were born of the marriage of Gorham N. and Laurana (Moore) Barnum, three of whom are living, and of these Fred B. Barnum is next to the oldest. Eureka has been his life-time home. After com- pleting his studies in the public schools he took a course in Phelps' Acad- emy, after which he set about in earnest looking for an opportunity to make practical application of his knowledge. The first opening that presented itself was with the Eel River and Eureka Railroad Company, as freight clerk and relief agent, a position which he accepted and filled with efficiency for four years. Following this he filled a similar position with the Pacific Coast Steamship Company in Eureka, and this also he filled for four years, Having confidence in his ability to undertake and manage a business of his own, he opened a stationery and news stand on F street under the firm name of Nichols & Barnum, a business which was continued profitably and amic- ably for nine years, the business and good will then being sold to F. O. Moll.

Since 1908 Mr. Barnum has been engaged in the real estate and insur- ance business in Eureka, a business which is proving profitable beyond his expectations. Among the undertakings with which he has had to do may be mentioned the Argyle Park addition to Eureka, which he laid out, financed and sold off, a large venture, but one which he was thoroughly competent to handle successfully. He also owns another tract which he intends to dispose of in the same way at some future time. In addition to the real estate busi- ness he is a stockholder and a director in the Humboldt Times, a news organ of the highest repute in Eureka. A crowning honor came to Mr. Barnum in June, 1913, when he was appointed by the harbor commissioners of the Port of Eureka as secretary of the board, a position which his many splendid qualities adequately qualify him to fill with satisfaction.

Mr. Barnum and his family occupy a fine residence at No. 1436 C street, Eureka. which he erected and which is presided over by his wife, whom he married in this city and who before her marriage was Miss Jessie Dickson, a native of San Francisco. Three children have been born to them, Charles, Fred and Lorene.

In 1894 Mr. Barnum became a member of the Eureka fire department, being attached to Company No. 2, and later he became foreman of it. Other honors came to him in 1902 when he was elected chief of the city fire depart- ment, an office which he filled for two terms. He retired as chief but still continued with the company in the ranks, and for the past seven years he

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has served as treasurer of the department. Fraternal affairs have also claimed a portion of Mr. Barnum's time and thought. He was made a Mason in Humboldt Lodge No. 79, F. & A. M., and he is also a member of Hum- boldt Chapter No. 52, R. A. M., Eureka Commandery No. 35, K. T., Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., San Francisco, as well as Oakland Consistory. Mrs. Barnum is identified with the affiliated order of Eastern Star, being a member of Camilla Chapter, and she is also a member of the Native Daugh- ters of the Golden West. In addition to the lodge affiliations above enumer- ated Mr. Barnum is a member of Humboldt Lodge No. 77, I. O. O. F., and in his political views is progressive in the best sense of that word. standing ready and anxious to support any candidate whose interests are coeval with those of the citizens in general. Mr. Barnum is still a young man, with a record of splendid accomplishments, and it is only safe and just to predict an equally brilliant future for the years that are before him.

GEORGE ADELBERT KELLOGG .- Among the business men who have "done things" to bring reputation to Humboldt county, George A. Kel- logg has a distinct place of honor for the reason that he has throughout his entire business carcer occupied public or quasi-public positions, and in cach of them has shown those qualities of capacity and reliability that have earned him the respect and esteem of the community. Mr. Kellogg has passed most of his life in California, and since 1870 has been a resident of Humboldt county. His participation in its development has not been confined to his work as a business man, for he has the honor of being the first auditor of the county, and has been the secretary of the oldest commercial organization of the county continuously since January, 1896, and he has filled other posi- tions with the same efficiency which makes him so valuable in his present associations.

Eli Davenport Kellogg, father of the subject of this sketch, was born September 21, 1826, at Lansingburg, near Troy, N. Y .; and was left an orphan at an early age. Going to Philadelphia, he there learned the trade of shoemaker, but soon decided to go further west. In 1846 he moved to Illinois, settling in Boone county, about seventy-five miles west of Chicago. There he rented land and followed farming until 1859, in which year he brought his family to California. They made the trip across the plains, and settled in Trinity county, where Mr. Kellogg again engaged in farming. In 1870 he moved to Rohnerville, Humboldt county, Cal., and bought an interest in a saw and grist mill, of which he was manager for several years. Disposing of his interest in this establishment in 1882, he moved to Lincoln county, Wash- ington, where he invested in some railroad land, meanwhile acting as timber inspector for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which was then being built through the Spokane country.

Returning to Humboldt in 1884, he became the first station agent of the Eel River & Eureka Railroad (now the Northwestern Pacific) at For- tuna, which position he held until the fall of 1888, when he was elected As- semblyman to represent the southern district of Humboldt in the state legis- laturc. At the expiration of his term of office he returned to his land in Washington and again resumed agricultural work. When he felt that his ad- vancing age made it necessary for him to give up farming, he sold his prop- erty and returned to Humboldt county in 1902, locating at Eureka, where he has since made his permanent home. By his able management of his busi-

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ness affairs and noteworthy public service Mr. Kellogg made a name for him- self in Humboldt county. He held many minor public positions, filling them with a credit to himself and benefit to the public ; and was always a faithful worker for any cause that would advance the interests of the community in which he resided.

On Christmas day of the year 1848 Mr. Kellogg was married to Miss Margaret Jane Passage, who, like himself, was a native of New York state, having been born in Genesee county on November 28, 1831. Her family was among the early settlers of the state and was well and favorably known there. To Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg were born four children: Jay A., who was engaged in the real estate business in Seattle, Wash., until his death in 1910; George .\., the subject of this sketch ; Edward L., a business man and oyster farmer of Seattle, and Olive May, at home.

George A. Kellogg was born at Bonus Prairie, Boone county, Illinois, on March 24, 1853. With his father and family he came to Trinity county, Cal., in 1859, and in 1860 they settled in Hay Fork valley, where he received his early education in the public schools. Coming to Humboldt county in 1870, he passed the succeeding year at St. Joseph's College near Rohnerville. In 1873, when he was in his twentieth year, he began teaching in the district schools here, and followed the profession for about eight and one-half years, the last four as principal of the Rohnerville schools. In 1882 he was elected auditor and recorder of Humboldt county, the first incumbent of that office (its duties having been previously performed by the county clerk), and his services were so acceptable that he was retained in that position for four successive terms of two years each. After his retirement from office in February, 1891, in recognition of his qualifications for statistical and form work he was engaged by the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce to prepare and publish a pamphlet covering the productions and exports of the county, which was the first work of the kind undertaken by the Chamber. Mr. Kel- logg acted as secretary while engaged in this work, which was completed in the last three months of 1891.

In January, 1892, he became bookkeeper and office manager for John Vance, who was then seriously ill. And after the death of the latter in the following month, Mr. Kellogg assisted in closing the extensive Vance estate, continuing in this employ until May, 1894.

In January, 1896, he was chosen secretary of the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, which position he has ever since filled. And as such official he has taken a prominent part in all the activities of the Chamber, in many of which his services were invaluable. Mr. Kellogg is notable for his ability and accuracy in statistical work, and his fame in this direction is not confined to the limits of his home county. The great number of years he has been in this work has enabled him to gather up facts and figures along almost all lines of interest in county business and affairs, and he is generally regarded as an encyclopedia in these matters, open and free to all inquirers.

In 1897 he assisted in the organization of the Shingle Manufacturers' Association of Humboldt county, becoming its first and only secretary and manager. This association was very successful, and brought the shingle business of the county out of the slough of despond where it was languishing, placing it on a firm and substantial basis. In 1903 the association was reor- ganized as the Pacific Redwood Shingle Company, Mr. Kellogg continuing

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as secretary and manager. The business was continued with the same un- varying success, and by 1907 the yearly output of shingles in this county was more than double what it was when the association began, with much more profitable and stable prices. In that year the legislature of this state passed the "Cartwright Act," a rather drastic anti-trust law, and after a thorough investigation the consensus of legal opinion being that the opera- tions of the company were in conflict with some of the provisions of the law, it was decided in January, 1908, to go out of business; and thereafter the activities of the company were confined to disposing of the large stock of shingles accumulated in its drying yards at Stockton, Cal. This accom- plished, the company was disincorporated in October, 1911. In conducting the affairs of these two companies, Mr. Kellogg was associated with the leading business men of the county-men of such high standing and unim- peachable business and moral character that their confidence is a compli- ment of certain quality. They appreciate thoroughly the part Mr. Kellogg played in the advancement and development of the enterprise, and having had every opportunity to observe his career, their good-will and esteem are the best evidences of how thoroughly they have approved of him in all his relations to the community.

On December 31, 1877, Mr. Kellogg was married to Miss De Ette Felt, daughter of Dr. T. D. Felt, of Rohnerville. Three children have been born of this marriage: Georgia D., Adelbert D., and Pearl E., the last named having been married in September, 1912, to Ernest W. Pierce.

Mr. Kellogg has always been active in local politics as a member of the Republican party, whose interests he has promoted whenever possible. In fraternal connections he is an Odd Fellow and an Elk, being a member of Eel River Lodge No. 210, I. O. O. F., of Mt. Zion Encampment No. 27, I. O. O. F., of Rohnerville Rebekah Lodge No. 81, I. O. O. F., of the Veteran Odd Fellows Association of Humboldt county, and also of Eureka Lodge No. 652. B. P. O. E.

DUNCAN CAMPBELL .- Descended from a good old Highland Scotch family, and himself a native of Canada, Duncan Campbell is yet a pioneer of California and of Humboldt county, having come west and settled here in 1879. Since that time he has been engaged principally in the lumber business, and is a thorough woodsman. At the present time his home is in Blue Lake, where his family resides in one of the handsomest homes in the thrifty little city. Mr. Campbell himself is in charge of the work of felling trees in the various camps of the Northern Redwood Lumber Company, and has held this responsible position for the past nine years.

Mr. Campbell was born near Guelph, Wellington county, Ontario, Canada, April 15, 1859, and he received his education in the local schools. His parents removed to North Carolina when the son was but thirteen years of age and his teens were passed in Guilford county, that state. Here also he attended school, and worked on the farm with his father. For four years father and son farmed together, and in 1879 the family decided to make a trip west to establish a permanent home in California. They came to Humboldt county, rented a tract of land and farmed together for a year. At the end of that time Mr. Campbell, Sr., had decided that he did not care to make his home in California and returned to North Carolina in 1881. The son, however, liked the west and determined to remain. That year he worked for Bill Carson

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in the woods, remaining in his employ for two seasons. On May 24, 1883, he accepted a position with the Chandler, Graham and Jackson Company, at Blue Lake. At first he worked in the woods, chopping and felling trees, re- maining in this department for eight years. In 1905 he took charge of this department of the work for this company in all their lumber camps, and since that time has occupied this position. In the number of years that he has been employed by this company Mr. Campbell has proved himself to be an able and trusted employe. Ile is well liked by his associates and especially by the men who work under his direct supervision.

Aside from his business associations Mr. Campbell has many friends. He is a member of Humboldt Lodge No. 77, I. O. O. F., at Eureka, the Knights of Pythias at Blue Lake and of the Eagles in Eureka. He is a Republican in politics but has never been especially active in political affairs.

The marriage of Mr. Campbell took place in Arcata, September 26, 1888, uniting him with Miss Cloe L. Dodge, a native of California, born in Hum- boldt county, February 9, 1869. Mrs. Campbell is the mother of three chil- dren, namely : Laura Louise, George M., and Donald.

The father of Mr. Campbell was a native of Scotland, having been born in the Highland district in 1817. He was Robert Campbell, and came to Canada with his parents when he was very young. For a time he attended the public schools of his district, but gave this up at an early age to engage in farming with his father. In 1872 he removed to North Carolina, locating in Guilford county, and again following the occupation of farming. After his trip into the west and his brief residence in California he returned to North Carolina, where he resided until the time of his death, in 1885, living during this time on the old home place in Guilford county. His wife, and the mother of the present prominent citizen of Blue Lake, was Matilda Tarswell, a native of England. She came to Canada with her parents when she was a young girl, and there met and married Robert Campbell.

HERBERT W. HAMILTON .- In the comparatively brief period of his residence at Eureka, Herbert W. Hamilton has done as much as any one citizen of this wide-awake place to advance her to a foremost position among the progressive coast cities. He settled here twelve years ago, and has extensive lumber interests in the vicinity. Though he cannot be classed among her old residents he is entitled to be ranked with the most public-spir- ited men who have chosen this point for their headquarters, for he has given reliable proof of his interest, in his willingness to cooperate with all who have the welfare of the town at heart. His ability in the management of his own affairs is sufficient promise of what might be expected of him in any under- taking ; and he has not disappointed the confidence of those who have called upon him for services of various kinds. His removal to the city was an acquisition to its citizenship in every respect.

Mr. Hamilton's father, W. C. Hamilton, was also a successful lumberman. He was a native of Lyme, N. H., and in 1855 moved to Wisconsin, where he acquired extensive lumber interests, becoming a member of the Hamilton- Merryman Company at Marinette, where he did business the rest of his life. He died in 1899. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary T. Weed, was born at Marion, Conn., and they were the parents of six children. Herbert W. Hamilton is the only one of the family living in California. Born July 27, 1866, at Fond du Lac, Wis., he obtained his early education in his native

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state, attending public school. At the age of eighteen years he entered Phillips Academy, at Andover, Mass., and was a student for three years at that insti- tution of acknowledged excellence. For the two years following he was clerk in a bank at Antigo, Wis. He was then sent west to Leadville, Colo., where he represented the Hamilton-Merryman interests in the White Cap Mining Company for a period of four years. Returning to Wisconsin, he became interested in the manufacture of paper at Marinette and remained there until his removal to Arizona, where he engaged in ranching for six years before he came to California, twelve years ago. He has since been established at Eureka, his principal business interests being in connection with the Hamilton Land & Lumber Company, of which he is vice president, and with the Holmes Eureka Lumber Company, of which he is a director. Both are Eureka organizations, and the former has extensive holdings of timber lands in this region.

Mr. Hamilton's friendly interest in the city of his adoption has been manifested in many practical ways. The magnificent residence property at No. 2526 J street which he built and occupies with his family shows how sincere his liking is, and the many social attachments he has formed are evidence that he has found congenial companions as well as attractive sur- roundings. Moreover, he has participated heartily in various local movements since he became acquainted in the city, chief among which may be men- tioned the Chautauqua.

Mr. Hamilton married Miss Ida A. Matteson, of Eureka, Wis., whose intelligence and social qualities make their home an attractive center in the life of the community. They have four children: Staar A., Mary Esther, Francis D. and Mabel.

DILLON D. PEACOCK .- A representative of that large class of American mechanics and workmen who by sheer force of superiority of mind, intellect and ingenuity, coupled with patient industry, have put America fore- most among nations in providing human luxuries and necessities, is Dillon D. Peacock, a self-made man in the truest sense of the word. He began to be self-supporting when he was fourteen years of age, and since that time has forged steadily ahead, never shirking a responsibility and never faltering in the faithful execution of a trust. The disadvantages which curtailed his educational progress and thrust him thus carly upon an uncaring world have seemed not to be such serious handicaps after all, for he has turned them rather to his good through the splendid development of his character and mind. At an early age he commenced to work for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, and soon was placed in charge of the water supply in the southern Minnesota division, where he made a decidedly satisfac- tory record. Since coming to California he has been engaged principally in mechanical engineering and construction, in both of which lines he is especially proficient. He owns two threshing separators and has been en- gaged in threshing all over the Eel river valley, being one of the best known men in this line in all of Humboldt county. He is well and favorably known among the grain men and also among the creamery men, he having installed the machinery in many of the leading creameries of the county. He is also an authority on the building and construction of evaporators and dryers for casein, a valuable by-product of the creameries. He built the first evapora- tor ever used in Humboldt county, and is now regularly connected with the

Dillon A, Peacock

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Grizzly Bluff Creamery Company as head machinist. Mr. Peacock makes his headquarters at present in Waddington, where he conducts a machine shop in addition to his other interests.

A native of New York state, Mr. Peacock was born in North Elba, Essex county, June 10, 1860, the son of Joseph and Typhena (Osgood) Peacock. The father was in delicate health, and there was a large family of seven children, three daughters and four sons, Dillon D. being the sixth born. For a few years he was allowed to attend school, but family conditions were such that at fourteen he stopped school permanently and went to work. His first teacher was former Governor Markham, of California, and Mr. Peacock recalls many interesting incidents in connection with the early life of this distinguished man. In 1866 young Peacock came west to Minnesota and grew to manhood in Sherburn, Martin county. There he commenced to work for the railroad company, for five years being in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway as tank man. Eventually, however, he determined to continue his journey to the westward, and on December 17, 1883, left Minnesota for California, arriving in San Francisco on December 24, and from there going to Table Bluff. For a time he was employed by Mike Fitzsimmons and later chopped wood in the redwood forests until the fall of 1884, when he became interested in the threshing business, and has so continued since, having owned and operated a threshing outfit for more than twenty years. He owns two Case separators and a Rice engine, and during each season threshes from fifty thousand to seventy-five thousand bushels of grain. His record for the largest yield per acre threshed is one hundred forty bushels of barley to an acre.

The marriage of Mr. Peacock occurred in 1890, uniting him with Miss Annie Clegg. Of their union were born three children, two daughters and a son. Edith is the wife of Stanley Gow, of Eureka; Ella is Mrs. E. A. Sims, of Ferndale, and the mother of one child, Leona; and George is with his father.

Quite aside from his business popularity Mr. Peacock is an influential figure in fraternal circles of the county. He is a veteran Odd Fellow and a member of the Ferndale lodge and also of the Encampment. He has been through all the chairs of the Odd Fellows, and has taken twelve degrees in that order. He belongs to the Rebekahs and takes an active part in all the affairs of these organizations. Another order with which he is affiliated and in which he takes a prominent part is the Knights of Pythias.

During his long residence in Humboldt county Mr. Peacock has invested in real estate and now owns property at Waddington. In his home in Wad- dington he has many interesting relics, he being especially interested in fire- arms, of which he owns a very valuable and unique collection. There are guns and pistols of practically every period, among them some of great age and obsolete types, and others of strictly modern make, with the latest devices and attachments. Mr. Peacock is especially popular with the patrons of his business and also with the creamery men of the valley. He is progressive and up to date in his views on public questions and is always in favor of progressive movements along the lines that make for the future welfare of the general public. He has given his children good educational advantages, and with them he is at all times a great favorite. He is an advocate of the "simple life," enjoying the wholesome pleasures and quiet joys of the life

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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 79

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