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 90

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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Jacob. Miner

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independent practice was continued for a year, at which time he formed a partnership with Fabius M. Clark. The partnership still exists, but Mr. Kinsey divides his time between San Francisco and Humboldt county. In 1914 he purchased the Nunn ranch near Garberville, in Humboldt county, and also the ranch of his father's near Briceland. Since joining the two proper- ties Mr. Kinsey has one of the finest cattle ranches in the state.

The marriage of Charles H. Kinsey united him with Alice Benicia Hulse on October 19, 1907. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, and while residing in San Francisco was a member of the Commonwealth Club and Union League Club.

JACOB MINER .- In his day Jacob Miner was one of the well known farmers and stockmen of the Mattole valley, and his widow still occupies the beautiful home at Petrolia which he erected in 1881. She, too, is a member of one of the early families of this region, the Johnstons, who came here with the Miners in the year 1868. Theirs were the first wagons ever brought in over the mountains, and this fact well illustrates the sturdy courage and resourcefulness which enabled Mr. Miner to make his way in the face of the difficulties which the pioneers encountered here. He was a man of high character and ability, and his widow has been no less favorably known among her neighbors and friends, her active and helpful life, and kindliness in all its relations, having been one of the distinct forces for good in the community for many years.

Mr. Miner was a native of Ohio, born February 23, 1827, and was a son of Allen Miner, a native of New York state. Though only seven years old during the war of 1812 the father was impressed into the service to the extent of taking a team and sleigh load of volunteer soldiers armed with muzzle-loaders and provided with powder horns to take part in the battle of Lundy's Lane, and was sent back home with the team. During his young manhood he drifted to Kentucky and thence to Ohio, practicing law in Cin- cinnati for a time. In Ohio he married a Miss Sophina Searles, and they had seven children: Jacob, Ichabod, David, Cyrus, Elizabeth, Lucinda and Amanda. For a number of years the family lived in Wisconsin.

Jacob Miner came to California in 1850, and ten years later married Miss Cavy Ann Johnston. For several years they lived at Marysville, in Yuba county, where he engaged in the ice and teaming business, dealing in that commodity quite extensively, and keeping several teams on the road. In 1868 they moved thence to Humboldt county, Mrs. Miner's father and his family, and Cyrus Miner, brother of Jacob, coming at the same time. They all settled on the Mattole, and Jacob Miner became a large landowner in this region, improving a stock ranch of about one thousand acres lying along the north fork of the river. In 1881 he built the beautiful residence at Petrolia where his widow still resides ; the property comprises eleven acres, on which there is a thrifty family orchard, and the place is one of the most desirable homes in the town. Mr. Miner died April 20, 1884. Having no children, Mrs. Miner reared a niece, Addie Johnston, a daughter of her brother, Charles A. Johnston, bringing her up from childhood ; she is now the wife of Rev. Ernest Gregg, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Arcata; they have three children : Edith L., Cavy A. and Marian E.

Mrs. Miner was born at Cascade, Jones county, Iowa, April 28. 1837. and was fifteen years old when she crossed the plains with her father, who

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was captain of the train. She taught school in Yuba county some time before her marriage. She is a very zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Petrolia, and her many acts of Christian devotion and loving thought for all her circle of friends and acquaintances have endeared her to a large number who are happy to count so useful a member of society among their associates.

Charles B. Johnston, Mrs. Miner's father, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, and his wife, Catharine (Smith), was also a native of that state. They were married near Bloomington, Ill. Moving with their family to the vicinity of Galena, Ill., they went farther west from there, into Iowa and Missouri, back again to Jones county, Iowa, in 1835, and thence over the plains to California in 1852. Charles B. Johnston liked frontier life and knew how to get along with the Indians, and he was personally acquainted with a number of the notable characters of the middle west, Abraham Lincoln among them. When the Black Hawk war broke out he enlisted and was captured, but fortunately he had had some acquaintance with and had befriended Black Hawk, the Indian chief, and the chief furnished him a horse to make his escape. His experience qualified him thoroughly to lead his party across the plains, and he was chosen captain. Happily they had only one small skirmish with the Indians en route, on the Platte river, and drew up safely at La Porte, near Gibsonville, in Sierra county. There the Johnston family first settled, Mr. Johnston engaging in mining at that location for six years, and for one year he was at the Cabbage Patch, in Yuba county, where he mined and kept hotel. Thence they moved to the prairie diggings near Brown's Valley, Yuba county, remaining there until 1863, after which for several years they were on a nearby ranch, which he operated. In 1868 they came to the Mattole, and Mr. Johnston took up one hundred sixty acres of land at Upper Mattole, where most of the rest of his life was passed. He died at Petrolia in 1885, when seventy-five years old, and his widow died there in 1902, at the age of eighty- five years. Nine children were born to them, only three of whom survive, William, the eldest son, having been accidentally killed in July, 1914; he was employed at the Anaconda mine. Cavy Ann is the widow of Jacob Miner. Samuel S., of National City, San Diego county, Cal., was formerly postmaster there. Charles A. is a prominent resident of the Petrolia region, mentioned elsewhere in this work.

CYRUS MINER, brother of the late Jacob Miner, was born in 1843 in Rock county, Wis., about three and a half miles from Evansville, on the old Madison-Janesville stage road, and was reared in that county up to the age of fourteen years. At that time he struck out for himself. Going down to the Kansas-Missouri border he was drawn into the local embroilments en- gendered by the Civil war, and when it was found necessary to declare martial law in the border counties he was called upon for service and placed in the militia by the sheriff of Linn county, Kans. He was drafted into the Union service under General Lane, and served in one battle and a number of skirmishes ; he saw the city of Lawrence, Kans., as it lay in ruins right after it was sacked and burned by Quantrell. In the years immediately following he led a typical frontiersman's life in Idaho, Washington, California and Nevada. In 1863 he teamed to Wallula and Walla Walla, Wash., hauling freight, and from Marysville, Cal., to Virginia City, Nev. During those adventurous years he met many of the characters famous in that region,

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Lieutenant Adams, Senator Jones, Stewart, Hearst, Stanford and Mark Twain, the latter when he founded and ran the Virginia City Enterprise. Mr. Miner continued at Virginia City until the fall of 1868, when he joined his brother Jacob on the north fork of the Mattole river, in Humboldt county, and has lived in the valley ever since. In partnership with his brother he operated in cattle and lands, and they both prospered, becoming citizens of substance and standing in this region. Mr. Miner is a Republican on political questions, but has never been active enough in such matters to take any direct part in the conduct of public affairs.

GEORGE WILLIAM PATMORE .- Well known throughout Hum- boldt county in the dual role of stockman and contractor for railroad ties, George William Patmore is one of the influential and prosperous men of the vicinity of Dyerville, where his interests are centered. Ile is also interested in the large general merchandise store at Rohnerville which belonged to his late father, George Patmore, he being one of the heirs to the family estate of which this store is a part. Although yet a comparatively young man, Mr. Patmore is the father of a large and interesting family in whom he takes a keen interest and pride. In his business interests he is broadminded and generous, and especially capable. He is possessed of the magnetic confi- dence of the successful man and is popular with a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

Mr. Patmore is a native of California, born in Brown's Valley, Yuba county, April 5, 1869, and was brought to Humboldt county when he was six weeks old. He is the son of George Patmore, one of the most respected of California pioneers, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this edition, and who died at Eureka in August, 1914, at the age of seventy, as the result of a surgical operation. He was a native of England, and crossed the Atlantic on the Great Eastern on her maiden voyage. He came to California and for a time engaged in quartz mining in Brown's Valley and at Marysville, and also worked at his trade of house painter. He met Miss Elizabeth Wright in Brown's Valley, where they were married. He came to Elk's Prairie in 1869 and engaged in ranching, meeting with much success. Ile took up the place that is now owned by John Bryan, who conducts a summer resort there, known as Bryan's Rest. A short while before taking up this property Mr. Patmore lived with his family at old Camp Grant, and while there his house was robbed by the Indians, who took everything that he possessed. The wife died while living at Bryan's Rest, leaving five children, only three of whom are now living. David John, the third born, having died at the age of seven years, and Edward, the next child, having died at the age of four. The living members of the family are: Mary, who is single and resides at Rohnerville, where she has charge of the management of her late father's general mer- chandise store; George William, the subject of this article; and Elizabeth, now the wife of Charles Avers, at Fortuna.

Mr. Patmore is one of the true pioneers of Humboldt county and can relate many interesting experiences of his childhood days. IIe attended the district school, when there was one available, and at fourteen he learned the painter's trade and thereafter worked with his father, being engaged in this occupation for some five or six years. When he was nineteen he took charge of his father's ranch on the Eel river, and when twenty-one took up a home- stead, a preemption claim and a timber claim, all adjoining. His father and

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sisters also took up similar claims in the same location. Later Mr. Patmore made a trade with his father, exchanging his redwood timber claim for the latter's stock ranch, and now owns nine hundred sixty acres, all of which is suitable for a stock ranch. He runs from three hundred to five hundred head of sheep, thirty-five to forty head of cattle, and about twenty head of horses and colts.

At Blocksburg, December 11, 1896, Mr. Patmore was married to Miss Cora Wheat, a native of Humboldt county. Mrs. Patmore is the daughter of William and Jennie Wheat, her father, now deceased, being a member of the firm of Wheat Brothers, pioneer stockmen of Dyerville. Her mother is still residing on the Wheat ranch located about four miles south of Dyerville. Mr. and Mrs. Patmore are the parents of eight children, all natives of this county. They are Fred, Nellie, Ruby, John, Edith, William, Donald and Keith.

Mr. Patmore, while giving his first thought to the conduct of his large stock business, is handling at this time an extensive contract for getting out ten thousand railroad ties for the Pacific Lumber Company, of Scotia. He maintains a camp near Dyerville, where he has eight or more men employed. He makes most of these ties from trees that float down the Eel river.

The affairs of his home community are always of the keenest interest to Mr. Patmore, and he is high in the confidence of his political party, he being affiliated with the Republicans. In all local matters he is progressive and wide awake to the best interests of the community, and gives freely of his time and ability for the public weal. In educational matters he is especially progressive and believes in maintaining a high standard of excellence in the public and high schools.

GEORGE A. PRICE .- Well known throughout Humboldt county as the descendant of one of the oldest and best known, as well as the most highly respected of the early pioneer families, George A. Price is acknowl- edged to be a worthy son of his splendid father, the man for whom Price creek was named. He is a native of Humboldt county and practically his entire life has been passed within its confines. He has been engaged in farming, dairying and stock-raising for many years, and now owns some very valuable real estate, and also some fine herds of cattle. He is still in the prime of life and takes an active part in all that concerns the general public interests of his home community, being especially prominent in lodge circles throughout the county.

George A. Price was born on the old homestead on Grizzly Bluff, August 17, 1869, the son of Isaac Price, who was born near Hot Springs, Buncombe county, N. C., in 1828, and came to California in an early day, and after spending several years in mining and other activities in this state, Oregon and Utah, finally located in Humboldt county in 1852, and thereafter made this his home. He was a soldier during the Mexican war, in 1846-48, and later did service in New Mexico, near Santa Fe, where he helped to subdue the hostile Indians. Following this he carried the mail from Salt Lake City to The Dalles, Ore., and at a still later date freighted in the Sacramento valley. For a year he mined at Yreka, Cal., and then came to Humboldt county, in 1852, as before stated. He was married in 1853 to Miss Rachael B. Wyatt, at Arcata, the bride being a native of Illinois, born near Quincy, and having crossed the plains with the Stokes family, of Arcata. The father of Mr. Price was a Democrat and took an active part in the development and

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governmental affairs of Humboldt county. They had ten children: George A., the subject of this sketch, being the youngest. Of the others, Benjamin is engaged in the creamery business, and resides in Scott's valley, near Lake- port, Lake county, Cal. ; Flora was Mrs. Parker, who died at the age of nine- teen ; Addie is now Mrs. Simonds of Fortuna, and the mother of two children ; Jefferson owns a ranch at Metropolitan, but resides with his family in Oak- land ; Dora is the widow of Brice M. Stokes, of Los Angeles; John is a con- ductor on the Southern Pacific Railroad, residing in Los Angeles; William resides near Waddington ; Milton and Fred were accidentally drowned many years ago in Price creek, aged seven and five respectively.

The boyhood days of George A. Price were spent on his father's farm, and his education was received in the public schools of his district, and later at the Eureka business college. He has been engaged in dairy-farming and stock-raising all his life, and now owns a fine ranch of four hundred sixty- eight acres on Grizzly Bluff. He was born on this place, his father having located this ranch, the only one on the Bluff, as a government claim when there were but few other white settlers in the vicinity. When, many years ago, his aged father went to Los Angeles to live with another son to escape the rigors of the northern winters, George A. took over the home place and has since continued to conduct it along profitable lines. His father, how- ever, returned to the home place and died in Humboldt county, October 4, 1909, in his eighty-second year, the mother having passed away in 1891, at the age of sixty-two.

The marriage of Mr. Price occurred in 1900, uniting him with Miss Mary O'Leary, a native daughter of Humboldt county, who only lived a year and a half after their marriage. Mr. Price is prominent in lodge circles, having been made a Mason in Ferndale Lodge No. 193, F. & A. M., and is a member of Ferndale Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West. He is also a member of the Eureka Lodge of Elks and of the Ferndale Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. He has taken an especially active part in the affairs of these two latter organizations, and has passed through all of the chairs of both orders. He was chancellor at the time of the building of the Knights of Pythias Castle at Ferndale, and was a vital factor in the successful completion of this work, which was built in 1895 and formally dedicated in 1896. In his political views Mr. Price is loyal to Democratic principles, while in local issues he supports those who are working for the greatest good of the community, and for progress along lines of permanent achievement.

ALICE E. CATON .- One of the pioneer women of California, and a native of Humboldt county, is Mrs. Alice Caton, neé Conness, who is today one of the best known and most highly respected women of Garberville. As the adopted daughter of Jacob C. Garber, the founder of Garberville, and the man for whom the town was named, she spent her girlhood in her present home city, and is remembered by its older residents from the time of her childhood. She is a woman of splendid character and ability, possessing much business acumen, and is a genuine helpmeet to her husband, and his partner in various business ventures. She is also a most womanly woman in the truest sense of the word and is accomplished beyond the usual stan- dards. She is especially talented in music, and has received a splendid musical education, being at one time a professional pianist of much ability and no little reputation.

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Mrs. Caton is now the wife of Joseph Caton, who for some years has been a foreman of the Tooby Brothers' ranch on the south fork of the Eel river, one and a quarter miles south of Garberville. The property consists of twelve thousand acres, and is one of the best ranches in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Caton are also part owners in a property of seven hundred sixty-five acres, five miles up the Eel river, where they are engaged in stock-raising, and they own their own residence in Garberville.

Mrs. Caton was born near Petrolia, Humboldt county, December 24, 1863. Her parents were John and Ellen (Sutherland) Conness, the former a native of Missouri, and the latter of Humboldt county, Cal. The father was thrown from a horse and fatally injured, dying immediately afterward, when Mrs. Caton was so young that she has no recollection whatever of him. There were two children: Alice Emma, now Mrs. Caton, and George, who died when he was eighteen years of age.

When Mrs. Caton was but seven years of age she was taken by Mr. and Mrs. Jacob C. Garber and reared by them as their own daughter, although never legally adopted. She received every advantage that was offered for education and general culture and she feels toward her foster parents all the tenderness and affection of a true daughter. After her marriage with Mr. Caton, which took place in Garberville, she went with her husband to Trinity county, where they lived for a time, later returning to Garberville, where they have since made their home, and where today Mrs. Caton is one of the leading women in the community.

Jacob C. Garber was one of the earliest settlers in this vicinity, and is often called the "pioneer of pioneers." He was born at Fort Republic, Va., January 7, 1824. His early life was passed in Virginia and in Ohio, where he received his education. Later he resided for a time in Iowa and also in New York. It was in 1845 that he came to California, locating in Trinity county, where he was engaged in mining for a number of years, later serving as county recorder with much credit to himself. He finally removed to Humboldt county, where he engaged in the general merchandise business, and in farming near the present site of Garberville.

In 1887 Mr. Garber removed to Grangeville, Idaho, and soon was made postmaster of that place, which position he held until the time of his death, October 2, 1904. Following his death, his wife, Julia A. (Wheeler) Garber, continued to conduct the affairs of the postoffice during the remainder of the term, and is still living at Grangeville. Mr. and Mrs. Garber never had any children of their own, and the place thus left empty in their hearts was filled by Alice Emma Conness, now Mrs. Caton, whom they adopted into their home when she was seven years of age, and whom they reared as their own child.

In the vicinity of Garberville both Mr. and Mrs. Garber are remembered with kindly good will by the older residents. They were people of superior worth, representing the true pioneer type, strong, energetic, industrious, with a deep love for the soil and for the growing things of the great out-of- doors. The general merchandise store opened by Mr. Garber marked the site of the present bustling center which bears his name, and which is a monu- ment to his ability and industry.

JOSEPH CATON .- Although a native of Portugal, and descended from a long line of Portuguese ancestry, Joseph Caton is none the less a true Cali-

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fornian. He came to this state with his parents when he was a child of but four years, locating in Trinity county in 1863. Since that time he has made this state his home continuously, residing for the most part either in Trinity or Humboldt county. For some years he has been a foreman on Tooby Brothers' ranch on the south fork of the Eel river, one of the most celebrated properties in the county. It contains twelve thousand acres, and was formerly known as the Wood's ranch, and is a property of great value. Mr. Caton also owns extensive property of his own, and is engaged in stock-raising on the Eel river in partnership with Norman Rice, where, together with Mrs. Caton, they own a stock range of seven hundred sixty-five acres, all valuable land.

Mr. Caton was born in Portugal, December 10, 1859, the son of Joseph and Francisca Caton. They came to America in 1863, settling in Trinity county, Cal., where the father is still living at the age of seventy-five years. He has been engaged in working in the mines during his entire lifetime. There were eight children in the family, all born in Trinity county save the two eldest, Joseph, now residing at Garberville, and Mary, who became Mrs. Rogers and lived for many years in Trinity county, passing away June 1, 1914. The other children are: Fannie, the wife of John King, and residing in Sutter county; Annie, the wife of Samuel Williams, residing in Trinity county ; Frank, deceased ; Tony, a farmer in Trinity county ; John, a miner in Trinity county : and Maggie, deceased. The mother is also deceased.

Joseph Caton began working in the placer mines of Trinity county when he was but fourteen years of age, being associated with his father for two years, and later for a like period of time with a miner named Silcox. Follow- ing this he was variously employed until he was twenty years of age, when he went into Humboldt county, arriving at Garberville in 1881. For a time he worked for Woods Brothers teaming, and later was employed on the famous Wood ranch on Eel river.

The marriage of Mr. Caton took place in Garberville, uniting him with Miss Alice Emma Conness, the daughter of John and Ellen (Sutherland) Conness, and a native of Humboldt county, Cal. Mrs. Caton was the foster daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Garber, for whom Garberville is named, and her sketch also appears in this work. Following his marriage Mr. Caton returned to Trinity county and engaged in the stock business for some three or four years, later returning to Garberville to take charge of the Ray ranch, remaining there as manager for seven years. He then moved into Garberville and took a mail contract, and drove the stage from Garberville to Kenny, in Mendocino county. Later he drove stage for Mr. Hamilton and also for the Garberville Mercantile Company.

Mr. Caton is a man of superior type. He is a true optimist with unwaver- ing faith in the future of the county, and is always bright and cheerful, even under the most trying circumstances. He is an ardent worker, never faltering because an undertaking presents difficulties, and needless to say, he is an enthusiastic booster for Humboldt county and for the Garberville region in particular. His home place in Garberville, which consists of a comfortable residence and six acres of land, is one of the most attractive places in town, being well improved and well kept.

Aside from his business associations Mr. Caton is deservedly popular for his sterling qualities as a man and a citizen. He served two years as town constable, giving the greatest satisfaction in the discharge of his duties. He

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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 90

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