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 94

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 94

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It was while Mr. Mckeon was attending business college that he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Union Labor Hospital in January, 1912.

Lanis Rasmussen

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and that he is the right man in the right place is evidenced by his uninter- rupted occupancy of the position. The hospital is a large, modern, three- story structure, light, airy and sanitary in every respect, and has a capacity of seventy-five beds. It is located at Harris and H streets.

He has taken an active interest in the Eureka Fire Department for the last eight years, having been a member of Engine Company No. 1. By right of birth Mr. McKeon is eligible to membership in the Native Sons of the Golden West, and he claims that right by membership in Humboldt Parlor No. 14. He is also a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Sequoia Yachting and Boating Club ; while in his religious affiliations he is a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

LOUIS RASMUSSEN .- It is an acknowledged fact that there is no foreign nation that sends to the United States a better and more desirable class of citizens than does Germany, or one which amalgamates and be- comes transformed into genuine Americans more thoroughly or readily. Among this type of citizens is Louis Rasmussen, one of the extensive land owners and farmers of Arcata district, and a man highly esteemed by neigh- bors and friends. He came to Humboldt county almost thirty years ago, and since that time has made this county his home, being engaged continu- ously in farming, and meeting always with great success. He has invested heavily in land, and today is owner of some of the most desirable property in the county.

Mr. Rasmussen was born at Töndern, Slesvig, Germany, April 27, 1867. His father was Soren C. Rasmussen, also born in Slesvig, Germany, in May, 1825, but at that time under the Danish flag, for at the time of his birth the country in which he was born was a part of Denmark. He served his coun- try in the Slesvig-Holstein war of 1848, and again in the Danish-Prussian war in 1864, resulting in the acquisition of Slesvig and Holstein by Ger- many. He is still living on his farm in Slesvig, and is in excellent health. He has followed farming for practically his entire life, but within the past few years he has retired from active work of all kinds. His wife, Louisa Sam- uelsen, died at the birth of the son who is now an esteemed citizen of Arcata.

The boyhood days of Mr. Rasmussen were spent on his father's farm. He attended school until he was fifteen, then began working with his father on the ranch. He was not destined to pass his entire life in his native coun- try, however, for he had heard considerable about the splendid opportunities for young men in the United States and desired to participate in them, be- sides he wished to escape the military oppression which would fall to his lot by remaining in Germany. It thus happened that in 1888 we find him taking passage for New York City. Two brothers had preceded him and were making their home in Ferndale, Humboldt county, consequently he came di- rectly to California, and for two years was employed on the dairy farm be- longing to his brother Cornelius. Following this he worked on various ranches in the vicinity for four years, and in 1894 he leased three hundred acres. At the end of six years he engaged in farming for himself near Loleta, an under- taking in which he was very successful, clearing enough during the life of his lease to purchase, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Peter Johansen, the old Titlow place near Arcata, comprising one hundred seventy acres. The two engaged in farming and dairying on this property for two years, and after selling it in 1902 Mr. Rasmussen purchased the Dolson place, upon 32

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which he now resides, comprising sixty-two acres and lying one mile north of Alliance. At the time of purchase only a small portion of the place was cleared, but since then it has all been brought under a high state of cultiva- tion and is now well improved. No water had been developed on the place when Mr. Rasmussen purchased it, but now it has an abundant water supply. Mr. Rasmussen is engaged in dairying, and has a very fine herd of Holstein cows. He is interested in the United Creameries, Inc., at Arcata, and has served on its board of directors. In February, 1915, he purchased eleven acres in the village of Bayside, with a residence, into which he has moved and will operate a small dairy, having leased his home place for one year.

Aside from his farming and dairying interests, Mr. Rasmussen is also interested in all questions which pertain to the general welfare of his com- munity. IIe is especially interested in matters of education and has served as a school trustee in his district for several years. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but has never been especially active in political affairs. He is a member of Arcata Lodge No. 472, W. O. IV.

The marriage of Mr. Rasmussen occurred in Loleta, October 29, 1894, uniting him with Miss Dora Duholm, a native of Germany, and, like her husband, a native of Slesvig, born September 22, 1866. Of this union have been born three children, all sons: Clifford, Leonard and Maynard, and all are at present attending the public schools of their district.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen have many warm friends in Arcata and the surrounding country, where they are well known. They are both mem- bers of the Danish Lutheran church in Arcata, and together with their sons, are regular attendants at its services.

WILLIAM HACKETT .- One of the most active men in the develop- ment of the dairy and creamery interests of Humboldt county for many years has been William Hackett, who, although a native of New Jersey, has been a resident of California since the age of twelve years. He almost immediately assumed a share of the duties and responsibilities of his father's dairy farm, and has for practically his entire life been associated with this line of business. Hle and his father built a creamery in the Eel river valley and conducted it with great success for many years. Mr. Hackett is descended from an old English family of wealth and refinement, and was himself born amid the surroundings of wealth and luxury. In his own family there is a large- hearted, open-handedness that precludes the accumulation of any great wealth, but he enjoys an appreciable fortune and owns some valuable prop- erty in the valley, and also some very fine cattle, especially milch cows.

Mr. Hackett was born in Newark, New Jersey, October 4, 1861, the eldest son of William Hackett, Sr., a native of New York City, where he was born August 29, 1839, and also where he was reared, educated and married. He was a jeweler by trade, and was associated with a jewelry manufacturing house in Newark, N. J., and was in very affluent circumstances. He was, however, in ill health, and so determined to come with his family to California. Accordingly, he sold his property, which was of considerable value, and July 5, 1873, he set sail from New York for Texas, expecting to remain there for a time. Arriving at Houston, however, they were not pleased with the conditions, and so came immediately by rail to San Francisco. From there they proceeded to Eureka, where they remained for a few months, and later removed to a ranch at Grizzly Bluff, which they leased for three years. At

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HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY

the expiration of the lease Mr. Hackett, Sr., purchased a farm of forty acres, all in timber, which he cleared and brought under cultivation, and on which he lived for many years. His death occurred in August, 1913, at the age of seventy-four years. The father of William Hackett, Sr., was Henry James Hackett, a native of London, England, and he also was a jeweler by trade and associated with the manufacturing business. He made his home with his son and family at Grizzly Bluff for some time, dying there at the age of eighty years.

William Hackett, Sr., was married in New York City, being united with Miss Elizabeth Cooper, also a native of New York City, and they became the parents of eight children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood save one, Joseph Edward, the sixth born, who died in infancy. Five of these were born in Newark, N. J., and the youngest three in Humboldt county. The mother still owns the Eel river valley ranch, which has been her home for so many years, but makes her residence at Weott or Ferndale. She is now seventy-five years of age, but is still interested in all that transpires about her. Of her children still living, the eldest, William, is the subject of this article ; Charles J. is a rancher near Waddington; Albert is still single and makes his home with his mother; Walter resides in Ferndale ; Ambrose is a dairyman at Centralia, Wash .; Mabel W. is now the wife of Richard Bryson, a dairyman of Waddington; Anna Louisa is the wife of Ira Goff, a clerk, residing in Waddington.

The subject of this sketch was but twelve years of age when he came with his parents to California, and located in Humboldt county. He had attended school in the east, but the duties of the farm claimed his assistance after coming west, and he attended school but three months after that time. He worked shoulder to shoulder with his father, and after a short time they built the Pleasant Point creamery, and built up a business of $3,000.00 per month, operating as a creamery until 1906, and thereafter as a skimming station until November, 1912. The younger Mr. Hackett put in eleven years and nine months in this creamery, and during that time made the phenomenal record of missing but three mornings from his duties. During a part of this time he rented the old Purcell ranch and kept a splendid herd of thirty-nine milch cows. He is prosperous and progressive and his place is one of the most attractive in the locality.

The marriage of Mr. Hackett was solemnized in Eureka, Humboldt county, February 3, 1887, uniting him with Miss Nellie Wooldridge, a native of Stuart's Point, Sonoma county, Cal., who came to Humboldt county with her parents when she was a small child. Here she was reared and educated, and many of her friends are the playmates of her childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Hackett have become the parents of three children, all natives of this county, where they have been reared and educated. Of these, Gertrude, the eldest, resides with her parents; Edna is the wife of Victor Maybury, an employe of the Central creamery in Ferndale, and they have two children, Loyd and Zearl ; and Clarence, who is still residing at home with his parents.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Hackett are well known to a wide circle of friends throughout their section of the valley. Mr. Hackett is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, and both Mr. and Mrs. Hackett are Rebekahs and take an active part in the work of that order, and both are also members of the American Nobles. Mr. Hackett is also a member of the Woodmen of the

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World. In his political affiliations he is a Republican and is well informed on all questions of the day. He is a strong party man, but is also independent in his opinions, and in local issues endorses the men and principles which stand for the best interests of the public.

WILLIAM JAMES QUINN, M. D .- In common with practically all of the men who have been lifelong residents of Humboldt county and are familiar with its development, Dr. Quinn maintains an unceasing interest in movements for the public welfare and the material upbuilding. He was born at Table Bluff, October 11, 1876, and here he laid the foundation of a splendid education by attendance upon the Eureka schools. In this county he grew to manhood and hither he returned at the close of his medical course and hospital service in San Francisco, content to engage in practice at Eureka without investigating the allurements of localities less dear to him. Largely through his own efforts he was enabled to enjoy exceptional advantages while preparing for the practice of his profession and after he was graduated from the Cooper Medical College with the degree of M. D., in 1905, he engaged as a physician in St. Mary's hospital in San Francisco, where a year of prac- tical experience in the treatment of diseases of every kind proved most helpful to him in later embarking in the profession for himself.

Upon his return to Eureka in 1906 Dr. Quinn opened an office and began to practice his profession, which has since engaged his attention and has brought him a growing prestige and popularity. Besides his private practice he is engaged as surgeon with the Union Labor hospital of Eureka. A close student of every advance made in the profession, he has been benefited by the reading of medical literature with reports of latest discoveries, and has found help also in association with the county and state medical societies. For some years he has acted as physician for the local Aerie of Eagles, to which he belongs, and his other fraternities are the Knights of Columbus and the Improved Order of Red Men. By his marriage to Norma McClean, a native of Minnesota, he has two children, Robert and Phyllis. The family home is a comfortable residence in Eureka, while the Doctor's office is in the Carson building. As yet he has taken no part in politics nor has he ever con- sented to hold office, his tastes being in the line of professional activities rather than public affairs. Yet he has been keen to give his support to every measure for the permanent progress of the community and has cooperated with helpful projects, so that he merits a place among the public-spirited men of his native county.

WALTER L. BURRILL .- Another of the rising young men of Hum- boldt county is Walter L. Burrill, an enterprising manufacturer of confec- tions, who is winning for himself and his home city general recognition throughout the county for the splendid quality of his Ferndale products. Mr. Burrill has spent most of his lifetime in California, his parents having located in Eureka when he was but thirteen years of age. There he received his education, and grew to manhood. After graduating from the grammar and high schools he served an apprenticeship with E. B. Hall, the confectioner at Eureka, and on August 1, 1899, he came to Ferndale to seek a possible location for a business of his own. On August 22 he opened up his first place in Ferndale, and has been continuously in business here since. He now has one of the finest business stands in the county, and one of which the city is justly proud. He has built up a splendid local trade in his special line of

William Crowley

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candies and is now establishing an equally desirable wholesale trade. He has a commodious ice cream parlor and soda water fountain in connection with his factory, the entire place being beautiful and attractive. In the rear is to be found the candy factory, which is every bit as good to look at as the candies themselves are good to eat. The establishment is conducted on the latest lines of modern sanitation and every precaution is taken to have the product scientifically pure. Only the best of ingredients are used, pure sugar and fruit flavors being employed exclusively. Mr. Burrill began in a very modest manner, but his business is rapidly assuming metropolitan proportions.

Mr. Burrill is a native of Maine, having been born at Fairfield, in the Pine Tree state, February 8, 1872. His father, James M. Burrill, also a native of Maine, is now an engineer for the Metropolitan Lumber Company, and resides at Eureka. The mother, like her husband and son, was born in Maine, and was Miss Mary J. Brown in the days of her maidenhood, and resides at the family home in Eureka. There were two children in the Burrill family, the son, Walter L., and a daughter, Abbie C., who is still living at home.

Mr. Burrill was married at Eureka October 30, 1902, to Miss Etta F. Allen, the daughter of Capt. H. D. P. Allen, of Eureka, a pioneer boatman of Humboldt county. Of their union has been born one child, a son, Leslie A. Both Mr. and Mrs. Burrill are justly popular in their home city, having a wide circle of friends. Mr. Burrill is forging to the front in many respects and is regarded as one of the most influential men of the community. He was elected in April, 1914, as a member of the board of town trustees, and is making an enviable record for himself in his official capacity. He is also well and favorably known in fraternal circles, being an influential member of the Ferndale lodges of Foresters of America, the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythias.

WILLIAM CROWLEY .- A man who has taken a prominent part as foreman for different lumber companies in Humboldt county. Cal., and whose proficiency in the handling of men makes him valuable as superin- tendent in charge of construction work, William Crowley understands the lumber business thoroughly, having worked in every department, from the felling of the timber until it was landed at the mill either by means of water or rail, and in early days was employed to drive a bull team in connection with the work.

Since the fall of 1875 Mr. Crowley has been a resident of California, his birthplace having been St. John, New Brunswick, where he was born Octo- ber 25, 1858. His father, John Crowley, who was born in County Derry, Ireland, removed to New Brunswick, where he later married Theresa Pierce, a native of that part of Canada, and spent the remainder of his life there, engaged in farm and lumber work. Of their eleven children, Will- iam Crowley was the oldest, and received his education in the public schools of New Brunswick, after which he was employed on his father's farm during the summer months, the winters being spent in the lumber woods. Remov- ing to California, he spent the first three years of his residence here in the Arcata woods, where he was employed by N. H. Falk, later being employed another three years by D. R. Jones & Co., on the Elk river. He was next engaged by the Excelsior Mill Company, located on Gunther Island, to work in their woods on the Freshwater, where he remained sixteen years,

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during that time becoming foreman, a position which he filled with ability and with complete satisfaction to his employers, his many years of expe- rience in the woods amply qualifying him for the position. Later he en- gaged in the manufacture of shingles, operating a shingle mill and wood yard for two years in Eureka, after which he entered the employ of the Pacific Lumber Company at Scotia as woods foreman, continuing with them for a period of fourteen years. Resigning from their employ, he accepted a position with a New York lumber company as superintendent of railroad and woods at their mills, which were located in Madero, Mexico. There he was engaged in carrying out his duties for fifteen months, when the revolution in that country became so menacing that they were obliged to leave the place, and Mr. Crowley came then into charge of the railroad of the Little River Redwood Company, in Humboldt county, Cal., being em- ployed in the woods by this company for three years and three months. In October of 1914, in company with a partner, Thomas E. Clooney, he ob- tained a contract to build three and one-tenth miles of the state highway, extending from Bear creek to Jordan creek, in the carrying out of which charge he is at present engaged. Mr. Crowley has much faith in the Pacific coast real estate, and is the owner of property in Humboldt county, in Southern California, and also along the northern coast.

A Republican in his political interests, Mr. Crowley's fraternal associa- tions are with the Eureka Lodge, B. P. O. E., the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Columbus. He was married to Miss Katherine Gorman in Eureka, who is a native of England, and they have four children, of whom three are at present living, namely : William A., an employee in the Eureka postoffice ; Millard E., a machinist in San Francisco; and Frances G., the wife of John Reedy, of San Francisco.

JOHN F. HELMS .- In the veins of John F. Helms flows the blood of a noble and ancient ancestry. The origin of the family is traced to Holland, whence members came to the new world with Peter Stuyvesant in 1616 and settled in New York. Subsequently some of the family drifted into Virginia, and it was in that state that the great-grandfather of our subject, Alfred Helms, was born, he being one of a family of eleven children, all of whom served in the Revolutionary war. It is said that Alfred Helms accompanied "Mad Anthony" Wayne to the frontier in an Indian campaign. The country was then all known as Ohio Territory, but is now the state of Indiana. At the close of the campaign Mr. Helms returned to Virginia, but the compara- tive case and quiet of life there palled upon him and he determined to go back to the frontier. With others he made his way over the mountains into what is now Dearborn county, Ind., and there purchased a claim from an Indian chief which embraced thirty-six sections. Afterward he named this Clay township, in so doing perpetuating the name of Henry Clay, for whom he had the greatest admiration. His ownership of the property was recog- nized by the government, the grant remaining valid, and the land is still in the possession of his descendants. As an indication of the political strength of the Helms family it may be said that as voters they hold the balance of power in Dearborn county today.

The son and namesake of this intrepid pioneer, Alfred Helms, the grand- father of our subject, participated in the war of his time, doing valiant service in the Mexican war. He was the father of thirteen sons, and of these nine

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followed the example of their forebears in taking up arms in defense of their country, serving in the Civil war, and though three of them were wounded, all of them lived to the close of hostilities. Next to the oldest in this large family was David Helms, who saw active service in Company B, Eighty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for a period of four years, during which time he was in numerous battles and skirmishes, having been able to respond to every call, and ultimately rose to the rank of captain. After laying down the destructive equipment of warfare he took up the peaceful and constructive life of the farmer in Indiana, settling upon a place which had been the home of three generations before him. Subsequently he sold this property and removed to Topeka, Kans., where he now makes his home at the age of eighty years. In maidenhood his wife was Jennie Johnson, a native of Dearborn county, Ind. She died in Topeka, Kans., in 1912, having become the mother of ten children, of whom six are now living.

Next to the oldest in the parental family, John F. Helms was born in Clay township, Dearborn county, Ind., May 27. 1871, and was brought up on the old home farm until he was eighteen years of age. In the meantime he had received a good education in the schools near by. He accompanied his parents upon their removal to Topeka, Kans., in 1889, and in Shawnee county he followed farming, at the same time continuing his education by attending school during the winter season. When circumstances made it possible he took a course in Topeka Business College, from which he was graduated in 1891. It was following this that he gave up farming and began teaching school in the district adjoining Topeka, and at the same time he taught at night in the Topeka Business College, continuing this dual occupa- tion for five years.

Mr. Helms' public life dates from 1896, when he was appointed clerk in the office of Sheriff Porter S. Cook of Topeka. His activity in political mat- ters led to his selection to become a delegate to the Republican county con- gressional and state convention during the years which intervened. Upon the breaking out of the Spanish-American war he resigned his position with Sheriff Cook and volunteered for service in the Twentieth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, but was rejected, after which he enlisted in the Sixteenth United States Infantry, and as a member of Company F was sent with his regiment to Cuba. At Santiago, Cuba, he and others were detailed and mounted and later were under Colonel Roosevelt at San Juan Hill, but before the charge 'he was ordered back to guard the field hospital.

At the close of the war Mr. Helms was mustered out and honorably discharged at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Mo. Subsequently his regiment was sent to the Philippines, so he again enlisted in Company F, Sixteenth United States Volunteer Infantry, and joined his regiment in the islands, making the trip by way of New York City, thence across the Atlantic and up the Mediterranean sea, through the Suez canal to Luzon Island, where with his regiment he took an active part. Soon after his arrival he was detailed as headquarter's clerk. Ile considered himself fortunate because at no time was his name on the sick report. During his service in the islands he worked his way up to sergeant-major, and passed the examination for second lieutenant, ranking third in a class of thirty-seven. Returning to San Francisco, he was honorably discharged, and liking the country, decided to remain in the west. For a year he was employed in a tannery at Benicia, after

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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 94

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