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 82

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 82

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In his political interests Mr. Docili is a Republican, and he is known

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fraternally in Eureka as a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. At Mura, Italy, in 1904, Mr. Docili married Miss Ottilia Pilotti, and they are the parents of four children : Emma, Arthur, Flora and Lina.

ISAAC MATSON .- A native of Finland, although of Swedish ancestry, and an earnest admirer of the land of his forebears, Isaac Matson is never- theless a loyal citizen of the United States, and one of the most worthy of California's adopted sons. Not only is he a skilled ship-carpenter, but is also a builder of mills, bridges and wharves, and in this line is said to have no superior in Humboldt county. Executive ability and initiative are promi- nent qualifications, and he is exceptionally capable in the handling of large numbers of workmen. He now owns a splendid place in Pepperwood Bot- toms, containing about twenty-three acres of rich, fertile land, which he has under a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Matson was born near Wasa, Finland, November 1, 1865. He worked in the ship yards at Helsingfors and at sixteen years of age was a full-fledged ship-carpenter. He became acquainted with Capt. E. Aslakson, of the Norwegian bark Sunshine, and sailed as his ship-carpenter for a year. He left this vessel at Philadelphia and later shipped as second carpenter on the American full-rigged sailor Hagerstown, on which he sailed around the Horn, arriving in San Francisco March 10, 1883. Soon afterward he went up to Mendocino county and at Whitesboro worked as a lumberman for a year or more. He then went with his employer, L. E. White, to Greenwood, Mendo- cino county, and was there engaged in mill work, bridge construction, railroad and wharf building for about six years. Among other work that he accom- plished during that time was the building of the wharf at Greenwood, which was a difficult task, well and successfully completed within a given time. About this time he became acquainted with Cal. Stewart, and while in his employ built three wharves at Bear Harbor and also constructed ten miles of railroad. Altogether he was in the employ of Mr. Stewart for sixteen years, from 1888 until 1904.

The marriage of Mr. Matson occurred at Bear Harbor, uniting him with Miss Bertha Hawley, a native of California, born and reared in Humboldt county. They have seven children living-two, twin daughters, having died when fourteen months old. The living children are: Grover Cleveland, Lillie Queen, Alice Felen, Irene, Lloyd, Eleanor and Leonard. After his marriage Mr. Matson bought a place of five hundred forty acres at the head of Bull creek, which he ran as a stock ranch for three years. Later he sold this property and came to Pepperwood, where he has since resided, his ranch comprising over forty-four acres, devoted to diversified farming and fruit raising.

Mr. Matson is a Republican in his political affiliations, and among other offices has served as election judge. He is keenly interested in educational affairs, and has helped to establish the Eleanor school district, of which he is a trustee.

HON. JONATHAN CLARK, M. D .- Vigorous in mind and body, clear- headed and the possessor of unlimited energy and sound judgment, the late Hon. Jonathan Clark, M. D., a pioneer physician, contributed his full share towards developing the resources of Humboldt county, and was justly styled one of the fathers of Eureka. A native of Crawfordsville, Ind., he was born February 26, 1826, of patriotic ancestry, being a lineal descendant of Abram

Isaac Matson.

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Clark, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. At the age of fifteen years Jonathan Clark went to Iowa, where he completed his early education, and after taking a course in medicine received the degree of M. D. Coming overland to the Pacific coast in 1849, he arrived in California in No- vember of that year, and the following four months were successfully engaged in mining. Subsequently taking passage on the brig Reindeer, he arrived at Humboldt Bay June 16, 1850, and immediately began the practice of his profession. Skilful and practical, he gained a wide reputation as a physician and surgeon, and November 1, 1853, was appointed acting assistant surgeon in the United States army. Dr. Clark, under the command of Col. R. C. Buchanan, of the Fourth United States Infantry, was assigned to duty at Fort Humboldt, which was located about two miles from Eureka, in what was then called Bucksport, and where he afterwards owned a large part of - the land. While at the fort Dr. Clark had for one of his patients Lieut. U. S. Grant. Favorable mention of Dr. Clark is made by General Grant in his memoirs. June 6, 1863, Dr. Clark was commissioned surgeon of the First Battalion of Mountaineers, California Volunteers, and served under Lieut. Col. S. G. Whipple during the Indian wars of 1863, 1864 and 1865, stationed at Fort Gaston, on the Hoopa Reservation.

Resuming his professional duties in Eureka at the close of the war, Dr. Clark continued in active practice until 1870, when he retired, his large real estate holdings and his other business affairs demanding his entire time and attention. In 1872 he laid out Clark's addition to Eureka, which consists of twenty-four blocks in one of the finest residence parts of the city, selling much cheaper to homeseekers and actual settlers than to speculators. As an enlargement to this addition, he subsequently platted and laid out forty- two blocks. He afterward laid out a second enlargement, platting fifty-nine blocks, or two hundred forty acres in all. Before he had sold any, however, his death occurred and his estate has since been managed by his son, William S. Clark, of whom a sketch may be found on another page of this volume.

Prominent and active in the management of public affairs, Mr. Clark never shirked official responsibilities, but served his fellow townsmen in many capacities with ability and loyal fidelity. He was the first postmaster on Humboldt Bay, being appointed to the position in 1851, and was also the first notary public. In 1855 he was elected a member of the Eureka board of supervisors, and reelected for a second term. In 1857 he was appointed county treasurer. In 1874 he was chosen a member of the common council of Eureka, and reelected in 1876. The same year he was elected to the gen- eral assembly, representing Humboldt county, and introduced several bills of importance and served on various committees. Among the bills which he introduced were the following: One for completing the Kneeland Prairie and Round Valley wagon road ; for completing the coast wagon road, lead- ing from Ferndale to the county line, via Petrolia; and one authorizing the construction of the Grizzly Bluff and Camp Grant wagon road. He was likewise the author of the Humboldt county road law and amended the Klamath county disbursement bill so as to secure an adjustment of the affairs of that county. He was also the author of the Humboldt county hospital law, and procured an amendment to the act incorporating the city of Eureka. He introduced into the house a joint resolution asking for a mail route from Eureka by way of Ferndale to Mendocino county. He served on the state

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hospital committee : the committee of public morals ; of commerce and navi- gation ; and was a member of the centennial committee. As a representative, Dr. Clark was active, cautious and untiring in his exertions to guard the inter- ests of his constituents, his term of service being eminently successful and highly satisfactory to the people of the county. Elected mayor of Eureka in 1878, he served for a term of two years, but declined a renomination to the office. In politics he was a stanch Republican. He was of a commanding appearance, being five feet eleven inches in height, and weighing one hundred ninety pounds. He died in San Francisco March 29, 1884, his death being a cause of deep regret to the town and county in which he had so long resided, and with whose highest interests he had been so prominently identified.

Dr. Clark married, in November, 1855, Maria Ryan, who was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, January 3, 1821, a daughter of Joseph Ryan and a sister of the late James T. Ryan. Joseph Ryan emigrated from the Emerald Isle to New Brunswick with his family during the '30s, locating first in Stanley, and then living for a while in St. John. Removing from that city to Boston, Mass., he carried on a profitable business as a builder and con- tractor for many years, living there until his death at the age of three score and ten years. Of his family of nine children, Mrs. Clark is the only survivor. Arriving in Eureka July 12, 1854, Miss Ryan soon afterwards formed the acquaintance of the active and highly esteemed young physician, Dr. Clark, whom she afterward married. In the beautiful home erected by the doctor Mrs. Clark still resides. The home grounds, which are among the most at- tractive in the city, cover four blocks. Dr. and Mrs. Clark became the parents of two children, namely : Eliza, who cares most tenderly for her aged mother ; and William_S., manager of the paternal estate.

CHARLES SPENCER FAY .- California has always been proud of her stanch, sturdy native sons, and prominent among them is Charles S. Fay, who was born in Eureka, Humboldt county, September 7, 1875. When but a baby his parents moved to Bayside and here he received his early training and education, attending the public schools of Bayside until fifteen years of age, when he left school to enter the farming business with his father. His father died when he was a young man, so his broad shoulders were well fitted to take up the burden thrust upon them. He first engaged in quarry- ing in the hills above Bayside but remained there only a short time, going north to Chehalis county, Washington, where he located in the town of Hoquiam, and followed different lines of work for one year, but on account of the death of his father he returned to Humboldt county and took charge of the farming business on the home place. His mother, now Mrs. Margaret Nicholson, was a pioneer of Humboldt and makes her home with her son, Charles S. The ranch contained forty-seven acres of good bottom land, all improved and well adapted to dairying and he settled down to the life of an energetic farmer, and on this ranch he has become one of the successful young men of the community, always alert for improved methods and equip- ment, and striving to make the place homelike for his mother. He is a mem- ber of Anniversary Lodge No. 85, Arcata, I. O. O. F., and of the Encampment and Canton of Odd Fellows, and also of the Rebekahs. He has always been active in all movements for the upbuilding of the community, and is well liked and highly respected.

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ALEXANDER JOHANSON .- Tracing his lineage back through the years in Sweden, of which country he is a native, Alexander Johanson finds among his forbears many men of more than ordinary qualities of mind and heart, men who took high rank in the affairs of their country as sailors, sol- diers, and financiers. His own father was an officer in the Swedish navy, and saw many years of service under the flag of his native land. Mr. Johanson himself embodies the finest and best of the qualities that have distinguished his ancestors, and has also acquired the most sterling virtues of the land of his adoption. He has strength of mind and body, intellect, tenac- ity of purpose, industry and enterprise, and these qualities have carried him through many difficult situations, and over many serious reverses and disap- pointments in business. The first ranch which he purchased in the Eel river valley, using money that he had saved little by little from his wages as a farm hand, was washed away by that treacherous stream, at present only seven acres of the original sixty-two remaining, and these will go within a year or two. This property was highly improved, with family orchards, a comfortable residence, barns and other out-buildings, and had been pur- chased for a permanent home. The loss was severe, but the courage of the man was not destroyed, and he has since retrieved his success, now owning two splendid ranches in the vicinity, with fine herds of cattle and milch cows.

Mr. Johanson was born in Smaaland, Sweden, March 26, 1860, the son of Johan August Nilson Nordstrom and Sophia (Ryberg) Nordstrom, both of whom are still living in Smaaland, at the age of almost eighty years. There were ten children in their family, of whom Alexander was the third born. Of the others, one died in infancy, the rest growing to maturity, and scat- tering over three countries to find their homes. Two of the brothers live in Germany, one in Sweden, while two brothers and three sisters reside in the United States, two of the sisters making their homes in Chicago, and one in Oregon, while the brothers are both living in California. Alex. Johanson passed the days of his childhood at the family home in Smaaland, attending the public schools until he was sixteen years of age. He then went to Schleswig, Germany, where he found employment for several years. While there he met with an accident which seriously injured his right knee, and which has been a decided handicap throughout the succeeding years. He was then obliged to give up his position, and, on the advice of physicians, learned shoemaking, as that trade could be followed without further injury to the injured limb. He served an apprenticeship of three and a half years at this trade and be- came a skilled workman, remaining during this time in Schleswig. In 1884 he determined to come to America, and on May 28th of that year he set sail from Hamburg to New York, and thence came by rail directly to San Fran- cisco. He again took boat from San Francisco to Eureka, and later located at Ferndale, where he was employed by M. P. Meng, boot and shoe dealer at that place, remaining in this connection for three and a half years. The marriage of Mr. Johanson took place at Ferndale, in November, 1886, and united him with Miss Meta Jensen, a native of Schleswig, Germany, who had come to America in 1885. In 1888 Mr. Johanson went into the Bear Ridge country and entered the employ of Thomas Hansen in order to learn dairy farming. The following year he came back to the Eel river country and rented the Crowley ranch of forty acres, just east of Ferndale. For twelve years he continued to rent, and in 1901 he purchased his first ranch property

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at Pleasant Point, this being the place that was washed away by the high waters of the Eel river. He also purchased a ranch of one hundred eighty- four acres on Cannibal Island, four miles west of Loleta, which he has always rented out. His present place, consisting of forty acres near Waddington, he purchased four years ago, and has since made his home there. The property is in a high state of cultivation, and is one of the attractive ranches of the district. Mr. Johanson milks a herd of twenty-six cows at the present time, and is also engaged in diversified farming.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Johanson, as well as their children, are well and favorably known in their part of the county. There are five children in the family, three boys and two girls, all natives of this county, where they have been reared and educated, and where they have a host of warm friends. Of these the eldest, Mary Sophia, is a graduate of the Ferndale Business College, and is now residing at home with her parents ; August P. is a dairy rancher at Grizzly Bluff : Alma is a graduate of the Normal school at Arcata, class of 1914; while Clarence and llarry are still in public school. Mr. and Mrs. Johanson are both faithful members of the Lutheran church, in which they were reared and confirmed in the mother country. In his political views Mr. Johanson is a Republican, and is always keenly interested in the issues of the day, especially when they in any way directly affect the welfare and progress of his home community. He is progressive and wide-awake and is always ready to support any movement for the betterment of the community and general public.

OLIVER SWANSON was born near Engelholm, Skaane, Sweden, June 26, 1849, and there he spent the years of his boyhood upon his father's farm until 1871, when he came to the United States. While the transcontinental railroad had been completed some time before, the system was still far from perfect and he spent two weeks between New York City and San Francisco. Arriving at San Jose, in the Santa Clara valley, he found employment with a threshing machine crew and followed the outfit into different parts of the valley. In a short time, however, the threshing had been completed and he left the valley, returned to San Francisco, took passage on a boat that landed him at Crescent City, Del Norte county, after six days of buffeting with a storm. It had been his intention to locate near Eureka and so he walked the one hundred miles between the two towns. The trip was one of great hardship. No roads had been laid out and a stranger experienced the greatest difficulty in traveling from one point to another through a rough, unpopulated country, but finally Mr. Swanson reached his destination. Soon he found work on a farm near the Eel river. Carefully hoarding his earnings, he was able in a few years to rent land and engage in the raising of grain and potatoes, an undertaking at first including a quarter section, but later limited to eighty acres.

On leaving the farm Mr. Swanson found employment in the Hookton warehouse in Humboldt county. When Fields Landing had only two houses he went to the new town, where for four and one-half years he held the agency for the Eel River & Eureka Railroad, besides operating a hotel and carrying on a general store. In 1904 he became proprietor of the South Park Hotel in Eureka and in 1909 he helped to build the new race track, which he operated under a lease until 1914, when he sold his South Park interests. Since that time he has engaged in farming one hundred sixty acres on Table Bluff, thus

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Oliver Swanson

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returning to the business in which he first engaged upon coming to the Eel river section. He thoroughly enjoys his work, for he loves to see things grow. In politics he voted with the Democratic party, but his participation does not include candidacy for local offices. June 26, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Tierney, who died in Eureka in 1909. Two of their children, John S. and Oliver D., likewise have passed away. There now survive two daughters and one son, namely: Marie J., wife of Louis Buhall ; Pura Jane, wife of F. W. Seymour ; and Charles F. Swanson, M. D., a practicing physician in Milford, U'tah.

CHRISTIAN SCHRODER .- The honor of being a passenger on the first train that crossed the continent to California belongs to Christian Schro- der, who dates his identification with the west from the year 1869 and who since 1876 has made his home in Humboldt county. Like many of the men from his native land of Denmark he became a sailor in youth and visited the principal ports of the world during the years of his life on the high seas. Inured to hardships and privations in the discharge of his duties as a sailor, he was well qualified to endure the trying experiences incident to army life, and his service in the Civil war, beginning in 1861 and continuing until after the fall of Richmond, reflected credit upon himself and upon Company B, Forty-third Illinois Infantry, in which he served throughout the entire war. After his arrival in San Francisco he found employment in the liquor busi- ness and followed the same line of work for many years after coming to Eureka in 1876. During 1895 he moved across the bay to Samoa and built the residence now occupied by himself and family.

For a number of years Mr. Schroder kept a record of all the vessels com- ing into Humboldt bay and he has always taken an active part in the shipping interests, one of his specialties having been the chartering of a tugboat and the conveying of parties to the deep-sea fishing headquarters off Cape Mendo- cino. His knowledge of the best places for fishing and his success in securing large catches have made him desired by fishing expeditions looking for a guide. Since coming to the county he has been a member of Col. Whipple Post, G. A. R. At St. Louis, Mo., in 1865, he married Miss Mary Inman, a native of Alabama. She was for fourteen years the postinaster at Samoa, a position now filled by their adopted daughter, Annie Hogan. In addition to this daughter they reared an adopted son, Fred Hogan, now filling a re- sponsible position as chief engineer of the steamer Tamalpais.

FREDERICK H. HOLM .- Among the honored pioneer names of Hum- boldt county there is none more respected than that of Holm, the late Hans Peter Holm being one of the men who in an early day gave of his strength and manhood to carve a new state from the wilderness, and today his son and heir, Frederick H. Holm, is proving a worthy son of a splendid sire, and occu- pies a place of prominence in the community where he lives, the family home for many years being at Hydesville. Here Mr. Holm owns a fine farm of one hundred eighty-five acres on which he resides. He is prominent in the local affairs of the city and county and is regarded as a man of unusual ability and power.

A native of California, born in Eureka, Humboldt county, December 6, 1886, the son of Hans Peter and Catherine (Petersen) Holm, young Mr. Holm has been reared and educated within the confines of this county and has passed practically his entire time here. His father was a native of Denmark,

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born April 10, 1841, and was a shoemaker by trade. He came to America when he was only twenty-one years of age, and after five months spent in New York and New Jersey, he came to California in the spring of 1864, locating for a time in Haywards, Alameda county. Later he came into Humboldt county and engaged in the sheep business with much success, his ranch being on the Mad river, and for twenty-five years he continued in this line, becoming one of the most prominent stockmen of the county, and amassing a large fortune. He also, during these years, bought the ranch near Hydes- ville which was his home place for so many years, and on which he was residing at the time of his death, August 11, 1914. The development of the county owes much to the enterprise and progress of this pioneer farmer, one of his achievements being the demonstration of the adaptability of this section for the raising of cherries. He planted three acres to this fruit, the first to be planted in the county, and sold the product of his orchard some- times for as much as seventeen cents per pound. Ile married Catherine Petersen, a native of Denmark, at Eureka, and of their union were born two children : Harry, who died in infancy, and Frederick H., the present honored citizen of Hydesville. The mother is still living at Hydesville, at the age of fifty-nine years.

Frederick HI. Holm passed his childhood on his father's farm, attending the public schools at Hydesville, and after graduation, taking a course at the Eureka Business College. He has been engaged in farming for the greater part of his life, and now has one of the most attractive places in the vicinity. He was married in Hydesville, September 28, 1911, to Miss Wilma Jewett, a native of Corning, Tehama county, the daughter of W. E. and Malvina (Rice) Jewett, born in Michigan and Ohio, respectively. Her parents farmed in Tehama county and in 1893 located at Cuddeback : the mother died in Hydes- ville and the father resides with Mr. and Mrs. Holm.

Mr. and Mrs. Holm have one child, a daughter, Lenore. They are well known in Hydesville where they have many friends and acquaintances. Mr. Holm is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Hydesville Lodge No. 250, I. O. O. F., and also of Hydesville Encampment No. 59, and has been through all the chairs of both orders. His father was also a member of these orders and took a prominent part in their activities for many years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Holm are members of the Rebekahs and Mrs. Holm is a member of the Christian church of Hydesville.

HIRAM HENRY .- In Humboldt county there will be found a large number of people of Canadian descent and among these families is the Henry family. Born at Magundy, York county, New Brunswick, April 17, 1858, Hiram Henry attended the public schools of the district. He is the son of Francis Henry who was also a native of New Brunswick, where he followed the business of farming and worked at logging during the winters. He moved with his family to Polk county, Minnesota, in 1873, and there engaged in farming, taking a homestead of one hundred sixty acres near East Grand Forks in the famous Red River valley of the north, but in 1876 he came to California and located at Bayside, Humboldt county, where he followed the lumber business, in which undertaking he was very successful, but at the time of his death, September 7, 1907, he had retired from all active labor, leaving the management of his affairs in the capable hands of his son Hiram. His wife was Phoebe Davis, likewise a native of New Brunswick, and there

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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 82

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