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 80
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which surrounds him, but nevertheless living a very useful and profitable life, filled with good deeds and true intents and purposes.
FRED A. HARRINGTON .- The Punta Gorda lighthouse, eleven miles south of Cape Mendocino, on the Humboldt county coast, has been in charge of Fred A. Harrington since the station was established, May 15, 1911. His efficiency is hardly to be wondered at, as he has been familiar with the work and its responsibilities from boyhood, his father, Fred L. Harrington, being the third oldest man in the lighthouse service in the California district, No. 18. His earliest ancestors were sailors, out of the port of Boston, owned packets, and were associated with historical events as well as business activ- ities in the colonial period. Mr. Harrington's great-grandfather came to America in the carly part of the eighteenth century, and fought in the Revo- lutionary war.
Benjamin Harrington, grandfather of Fred A. Harrington, was born in Vermont, and brought his family to California in 1852, settling at San Fran- cisco. He was a stonemason and did construction work for the government, at Fort Winfield Scott and on Alcatraz Island.
Fred L. Harrington was born in Massachusetts, and was but a child when the family settled in California. When a youth he entered the navy, at the Mare Island yard, but bought his discharge from that branch of the service to join the army when the Civil war broke out and served faithfully to the close of the struggle. Returning to civil life after the end of the war, he was variously engaged until he went into the lighthouse service in 1882, taking the Cape Mendocino station for a few years. In 1885 he became first assist- ant at Point Montara, transferring from there to Piedras Blancos in 1886, and in 1888 to Trinidad, when promoted to keeper. He has been there con- tinuously since, and though seventy-one years of age (1914) is still filling the position with his customary care and punctilious attention to his duties. Mr. Harrington married Miss Josephine Evans, daughter of George W. Evans, a pioneer veterinary surgeon of San Francisco, who came to that city in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have four children.
Born January 1, 1877, at San Francisco, Fred A. Harrington is the eldest child of his parents. Much of his boyhood and youth were passed at Cape Mendocino and Trinidad, and he completed the course at the grammar school of the latter place, graduating therefrom. For two years during his man- hood he was employed in the Emporium, at San Francisco, in 1898 returning to Trinidad and taking the position of second assistant at the lighthouse there under his father. He resigned after a year and went to Fresno, where he was in the employ of the Griffen & Skelly Packing Company, packers of raisins and fruits, remaining with that concern two years, during which time he be- came foreman. He gave up this work to reenter the lighthouse service, being assigned to Fort Point, where he began his duties August 15, 1900, and stayed for eight months. He was next appointed first assistant on Alcatraz Island, transferred to the Point Reyes station in 1903, and in 1905 to Table Bluff, Humboldt county, where he was first assistant until he assumed his present position, in 1911. The Harringtons are well known in their district and have the reputation of being thoroughly intelligent and trustworthy, the kind of public servants whose vigilance and fidelity are the foundations upon which the efficiency of the whole scheme of protection for shipping rests.
Mr. Harrington has two assistants, A. M. Speelman and W. P. Holmes.
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The station is No. 84 of District No. 18, and is located one mile southeast of the point, in latitude forty degrees, fifteen minutes north, longitude one hun- dred twenty-four degrees, twenty-one minutes west. It has a light and a fog signal, the former being white, seventy-five feet above mean high water, giving a series of two flashes every fifteen seconds; the incandescent oil vapor-lamp is of thirty-seven thousand candle power. The fog signal is a first-class air siren, giving a blast of two seconds' duration and is then silent for thirteen seconds.
In 1903 Mr. Harrington married Miss Edna M. Hunter, who is about as familiar with the lighthouse service as her husband, her father, Pascal M. Hunter, having long been a keeper. He died at the Punta Gorda station April 6, 1912, after many years of faithful work. Mrs. Harrington shares the high esteem in which her husband is held by his superiors and by all who known him. They have two children, Jesse V. (now twelve years old) and Donald L. (eight years old). Mr. Harrington is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Petrolia.
GEORGE ROBERT GEORGESON .- Eureka and indeed all of Hum- boldt county may be congratulated upon such citizens as Mr. Georgeson. In the course of a remarkable career as a real estate operator he has not only forged his way to a leading position among his fellow men as his ability and force of character have won recognition, but his activities have been so indis- putably helpful in the development of local interests that his initiative and influence are regarded as invaluable in the promotion of any enterprise. His achievements mean more than the broadening of his own operations or the outlet of his own increasing capital. They are vitally important to the wealth and progress of the whole community.
Mr. Georgeson is a native of Scotland, born November 29, 1865, at Burnside, in the Shetland Islands. His father, John Georgeson, was also born there, and when a youth of fourteen years went to sea. Later he tried his fortune in the gold fields of Australia, where he accumulated a competency, after which he returned to Scotland and established himself in business as a merchant, carrying on business into his old age. He was born about 1840, and his wife, Catherine (Watt), was a few years his junior. They had a family of twelve children.
George Robert Georgeson had ordinary school advantages, attending until he was sixteen years old. Then he started out to earn his own living. He engaged in the shipping of shellfish to London, on his own account, and by the time he had followed that business two years had saved enough to take him to America. Meantime, being ambitious, he had continued his studies at night school, appreciating the value of education. He came to this country in April, 1883, and settled at once in California, though he was so short of funds that he arrived at Eureka, Humboldt county, thirty dollars in debt be- cause of the expensive railroad journey from coast to coast. During the next few years he held clerical positions in various stores in the town. In 1892 he commenced on his own account, opening a real estate and insurance office, and from that foundation has developed one of the most important businesses of the kind in the county. He has done a large general insurance business, and at various times has had other interests, but his time now is devoted principally to his real estate transactions, which have reached such magni- tude that he is regarded as one of the authorities in his line on land and
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general property values in this region. He deals extensively in city, country and timber lands, has negotiated some important deals in redwood timber, and has accumulated a vast amount of improved city real estate, his holdings at Eureka including the "Grand Hotel" property. He purchased the latter in October, 1902, and with his customary foresight began to lay plans for placing it on a profitable basis, building the hotel and owning a half-interest in it for some years, eventually becoming sole owner. The site covers half a block near the commercial center of Eureka. Another of his properties, the Georgeson building, which he erected in 1903-04. is desirably located at the corner of Fourth and E streets, and is a substantial four-story structure, the first four-story building to be put up in Humboldt county. It has solid eight- inch plank walls. It is of modern construction and conveniently arranged, being provided with elevators and other appointments for the comfort of tenants, and is devoted entirely to stores and offices.
Though Mr. Georgeson has handled so many large real estate deals he has made his fortune in the business as an investor, not in speculation. His judgment and appreciation of values are best understood in the light of this statement, as he made a remarkable success in his principal line, acquiring a large capital within a few years. As he accumulated means he became in- terested in other enterprises, and he has been able to assist many promising ventures to substantial footing. In fact, his broadness and the liberality of his opinions have been the means of gaining favor and encouragement for a number of ventures deserving of support, and if he has prospered thereby he has also enabled them to make headway which might have been impossible otherwise. His unselfish spirit and thorough honesty have gained him the approval of the best element in the community. He was one of the origin- ators of the Eureka Land and Home Building Association, of which he is half-owner, and he was one of the earliest promoters of the Humboldt Pro- motion and Development Committee, his familiarity with land and land values, and the possibilities of various locations, being of inestimable value to both these concerns.
A year after he engaged in business for himself Mr. Georgeson took the position of agent for the Wells Fargo Express Company at Eureka and superintendent of the company's affairs in Humboldt county, and in 1896 he became ticket-agent for the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, continuing to serve in both capacities until a few years ago, when he relinquished the duties because of the pressure of his increasing private affairs.
Mr. Georgeson has been active in public affairs in his city and county for a number of years, and has taken advantage of the opportunities his own business has opened to him for serving his fellow citizens from time to time. In the course of his real estate operations and building he has been able to influence the trend of development in the town especially, and his wisdom has been recognized in many plans directed by his foresight and sincere desire to do the best for his community. He was especially interested in the establishment of the Carnegie Library, and was a member of the committee appointed to solicit the subscription of twenty thousand dollars from Mr. Carnegie. He has also served as one of the trustees of the chamber of com- merce. Socially he holds membership in a number of local organizations, be- longing to the Humboldt Club ; to the Odd Fellows, Fortuna Lodge No. 221, and Mount Zion Encampment No. 27 ; and to the B. P. O. E.
Richard Sweasey
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On July 9, 1892, Mr. Georgeson was married to Miss Alice W. Randall, who was born at Eureka, daughter of A. W. and Lydia F. Randall, and they have had a family of five children, one dying in infancy. The survivors are : Lloyd W., who has graduated from the University of California and intends to take up the study of law; Vira, now a student at the University of Cali- fornia : Clair Jean, and Roberta.
RICHARD SWEASEY .- It would be difficult and perhaps impossible to name any enterprise of civic value that has lacked the cordial cooperation of Richard Sweasey, whose personal history has been associated closely with the material growth of Eureka. A resident of Humboldt county from the age of thirteen years, he has witnessed the slow but steady advancement of the past half century or more and has been a helpful factor in community devel- opment. Varied have been the business enterprises receiving his practical assistance and sagacious support, including within their scope steamship building, mercantile pursuits, agriculture, dairying, banking, and, indeed, every form of industry that goes toward the upbuilding of the coast country. Although a native of Indiana, born on Christmas day of 1843, he is practically a Californian in all else but birth. Ilis ideals are those of the west, his inter- ests are centered in this section of the country, and all of the associations from childhood bind him to the community of his present residence. The family has been identified with the Pacific coast ever since the discovery of gold. His parents, Hon. W. J. and Esther (Croucher) Sweasey, were natives of England and spent their early married life in Indiana, but the mining ex- citement brought the father across the plains in 1850 and in 1852 he served as a member of the California state legislature as a representative from San Francisco county. After his removal to Humboldt county in 1856 he repre- sented this county as a member of the state constitutional convention. For a number of terms he served as county supervisor from the Eureka district and until his death he continued to be active in public affairs. Surviving him are two sons and a daughter, Thomas W., Richard, and Mrs. Henry Axton.
The mercantile business at Eureka, the management of the farm near Hydesville, the building of a number of sailing vessels and all the other lines of development work that engrossed the attention of the elder Sweasey en- listed the intelligent assistance of the son Richard, who has been a progressive promoter of local advancement ever since the eventful year of 1856, when, with his father and about five other families, he came overland from San Francisco via Healdsburg. The oldest son, Thomas, went ahead and guided them through the mountains over much the same route now followed by the overland trail until they came to near the present site of Fort Seward on Eel river. There a raft was built from redwood logs on which they ferried the river. After this on their way down they forded the river many times until they arrived at Eagle Prairie, the present site of Rio Dell. This was the first white settlement after leaving Healdsburg, and from it they blazed the trail into Humboldt county from the south, the father bringing the first wagons that came over the mountains into Humboldt county. Much of Mr. Sweasey's life has been given to ship-building and he still acts as president of the Humboldt Steamship Company. Aside from launching several sailing ves- sels, he assisted his father in the building of the steamer Humboldt, and man- aged the vessel for twenty-one years. The second steamer Humboldt, which now runs between Seattle and Alaskan ports, was also built by them. Doubt-
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HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY
less no work done by Richard Sweasey has been of greater importance to the permanent welfare of Humboldt county than his development with eight others and the building of the Eel River and Eureka Railroad. The Sweaseys were also among the founders and original stockholders of the Humboldt County Bank, the first bank in the county.
Richard Sweasey has been active in the improvement of the agricultural interests of Humboldt county, in the development of the Sweasey Dairy Farm of three hundred acres two miles cast of Eureka, where he owns and main- tains a herd of blooded Guernsey milch cows, one hundred and twenty-five in all, of which at present seventy-five form the dairy. The original stock, brought in by him from Wisconsin and New Jersey, had the distinction of being the first Guernsey cows in the entire county and they proved popular from the first, both on account of their large size and also by reason of being valuable milk and butter producers. Had Mr. Sweasey no other work to his credit besides the building up of the dairy ranch, he might well be regarded as one of the most progressive and helpful citizens of his county, but the dairy business has been only one of his many important undertakings. In company with H. L. Ricks he installed the original water system in Eureka, which they afterwards sold to Thomas Baird and which is now owned by the city. In this city he also owns a livery stable. Besides being a member of the city council for a number of years he served as the first city treasurer under the city charter. For three terms he served as chairman of the board of supervisors and during that time the corner-stone of the county court-house was laid with appropriate ceremonies.
On the evening of the organization of the Fortuna Lodge No. 221, I. O. O. F., Mr. Sweasey was initiated into the order, besides which he is a life member of the Pioneer Society, the Humboldt Club and the Elks. His mar- riage united him with Annic M. Wilson, a native of the state of Maine, and a daughter of George D. Wilson, a pioneer of 1853 in Ilumboldt county. Both Mrs. Sweasey and her father were interested in religious work from early years and she has been a generous contributor to the erection of two houses of worship in this city. Born of their marriage were three children, two of whom are living. The daughter, Lena G., married Harold B. Gross, M. D., a leading physician of Eureka. The son, Frank R. Sweasey, is a rising attorney in San Francisco.
W. E. WASMUTH .- One of the up-to-date industrial establishments in which Eureka and Humboldt county take just pride is the Humboldt Laundry, at the head of which is W. E. Wasmuth, of Eureka, who has one brother and one sister interested with him in its ownership and operation. The laundry has the reputation of being one of the largest as well as most excellently equipped on the Pacific coast, supplying employment to a number of opera- tives and convenient service to a large circle of patrons. For modern appoint- ments, cleanliness and expert work it has no rival among plants of its size, and few superior anywhere. Mr. Wasmuth has built up the large business from a modest start to pretentious proportions.
The name of Wasmuth has been identified with this section from the days when Humboldt formed a part of old Klamath county, P. W. Wasmuth, . father of W. E. Wasmuth, having been one of the very earliest settlers in this region. He was born in Stockholm, Sweden, of German parentage, during war times, and came to the United States in 1852, the same year settling at
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Martin's Ferry, Klamath county, where he engaged for a time in placer gold mining. Having prospered and accumulated some capital, he moved to Orleans, then in Klamath county (now Humboldt), and engaged in business as a storekeeper. He was a man of strong character and influential among his fellow citizens, and having been well educated (he had studied for the ministry) he was an available candidate for offices requiring such training which many lacked. Before the division of the county he served as county clerk and county treasurer, doing efficient work in both capacities. He built a mill which he owned in partnership with "Jim" Graham and the late T. M. Brown, former sheriff of the county. Mr. Wasmuth married Rosa Behr, who was born in Alsace, then a French province, and six children were born to this union : P. W. (1st), who died in infancy ; W. E., Rosa A., P. W. (2nd), Ida E. and Charles F. The mother died when her son W. E. Wasmuth was fourteen years old.
W. E. Wasmuth was born in Humboldt county, August 29, 1874, and in 1883, when a boy of nine years, accompanied his parents to Arcata. At that time he began working on a ranch in this county. When fourteen years old he entered the employ of his uncle, J. H. Bloemer, who established the Union Laundry at Arcata and is still running it, and he has continued in that line of work ever since. Coming to Eureka, he worked in a laundry here for a time, until he went to Crescent City to undertake business on his own account, renting the premises in which he conducted the Crescent City Steam Laundry, of which he made a decided success. Following this venture he became an employe in the Palace Hotel Laundry, San Francisco, where he soon attained the position of foreman, also acting in that capacity at the Eureka Laundry, in these connections learning the details of the business thoroughly, particularly the commercial and executive end of the work.
Returning to Humboldt county on a vacation, Mr. Wasmuth saw an opening in the line he desired, buying out the Jackson Store Laundry, which he removed to its present location. As his prosperity enabled him, and as he has felt competent to undertake more responsibility, Mr. Wasmuth has bought out other laundries, three in all, and the large frame building at the corner of Sixth and C streets, Eureka, was built as the increase of business demanded larger quarters. It is sixty by one hundred ten feet, two stories in height, and equipped with all the modern machinery for turning out first- class laundry work known to the trade. It is fitted with a twenty-five-horse- power engine, electricity, centrifugal wringers, starcher, dryers, steam presses for flannel garments, collar machine, etc., the investment in building and machinery amounting to twenty-five thousand dollars. No pains have been spared to make the equipment most efficient, and the competent system adopted in the operating department is well supplemented with the business- like methods of the office and outside arrangements, all of which coordinate to an unusual degree. Every employe is expected to be an expert, and to be retained in this establishment is a sufficient recommendation of capability. The plant is light, airy and very attractive in its spotlessness. Mr. Was- muth's brother and sister work with him, and to this cooperation no doubt may be attributed the remarkable smoothness of operation which character- izes every branch of the work. At present the working force consists of twenty-eight people, and two teams are employed, and during the busier sca- sons as many as forty-five hands are employed, besides two teams and three wagons.
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Such a record entitles the Wasmuths to recognition among the pro- gressive business people of the community, where they have not only found their own opportunities, but have become a large factor in the activities of the city. Personally, they are citizens of the highest character, worthy de- scendants of an honored early settler of this region and keeping the name alive in the most creditable associations.
Mr. W. E. Wasmuth was married in Eureka to Miss Nellie Freeman, who was born in Lake county, Cal., and they have had a family of four children: Ruth, William, Charles and Marie. Mr. Wasmuth built his residence at No. 1422 B street in 1906, and he also owns a two-hundred-acre ranch on Lawrence creek, where he expects to make a specialty of the breed- ing of thoroughbred Poland-China hogs. Socially he holds membership in the Native Sons of the Golden West and in the B. P. O. E.
THOMAS KEMPER CARR .- The county auditor of Humboldt county was born at Hay Fork, Trinity county, Cal., May 15, 1860, and is a son of the late John Carr, a pioneer of about 1850, and Delilah Carr, who came to the state in 1852. Frontier life in all of its aspects became familiar to the family. The country was sparsely settled, neighbors few, ranches destitute of im- provements, and the conditions paralleling those of all outposts of civiliza- tion. The schools of Eureka were perhaps better than might have been expected of a period so carly in the county's development. When Mr. Carr completed the grammar grade he had finished the course of study that now comprises the second year of high school and definitely in his mind there had been planted a desire for additional knowledge, a sense of proportions and a realization of the need of accuracy in every business pursuit. The mental equipment with which he left the grammar school was perhaps little inferior to that of boasted graduates of higher institutions of learning today, but with a modest appreciation of his own limitations he endeavored through the following years to acquire additional information in every line of thought and activity. Educated to a love of country and an affectionate devotion to his commonwealth, he served for seven years as a member of the National Guard of California, being in what is now the Naval Reserve. Military ser- vice, however, was not his only means of proving his patriotism, for in addition he has been a promoter of the common good, an upbuilder of worthy enterprises and a believer in the great ultimate destiny of county and state. Such citizens form the bone and sinew of local advancement and arc at the basis of our national progress.
After leaving school Thomas Kemper Carr was employed as tallyman on vessels and in the sawmills of Eureka, besides which for twenty-one years, during a part of each year, he was employed as deputy in county offices. For parts of two years he served as deputy auditor and recorder under County Auditor Kellogg: for seven years he engaged, at times, as deputy under County Assessor Wallace: for ten years he was deputy under County Tax Collector Crichton ; for one year he acted as deputy under County Clerk Haw, and during parts of other years he was deputy assessor under Connick and Bell. The first steady employment in county work came to him under County Auditor Howatt, with whom he remained for four years, giving such acceptable and efficient service that in November, 1910, he was chosen for the office of auditor and was again elected as auditor in November, 1914. A total of about twenty-eight years (only seven of which, however, have been full
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