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 99

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 99

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Enoch Phelps Jewett, son of Timothy and Elizabeth (Phelps) Jewett, learned the trade of tailor, but was only a youth when he shipped on a whaler, sailing from the port of Boston. He made voyages to both the Arctic and Antarctic oceans, around Cape Horn and north to San Francisco, where he took "French leave" of the ship. This was in 1843, when California was still Mexican territory. He remained at San Francisco until 1848, and assisted in

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making the first, second and third surveys of the city and bay. Having decided to return to the east overland, he had proceeded as far as Salt Lake City when he heard of the gold finds, and hoping to make a fortune in the mines retraced his steps, going up to the north fork of the Feather river. He spent five or six years at Hangtown (now Placerville), and took part in the gruesome affair from which the place derived its early name, helping to arrest, try and execute three desperadoes. They were made to stand up in a wagon box with the ropes adjusted about their necks and attached to the limb of a trec, and Mr. Jewett was one of the men who helped pull the wagon from under them. He not only mined, but also ran a store and market at Hangtown. Later he moved to the Sacramento valley, where he was engaged in ranching, and for a time he was in Gravelly valley, hunting deer. Two of his partners, Messrs. Flick and Brown, were killed by the Indians, and in this and other experiences he had the dangers of life in the early days brought very near to him. For a few years he was located in Sherwood valley, Mendocino county, raising cattle, hogs and horses, and in March, 1863, he came up to what was then known as Little valley, in Humboldt county, but which was renamed Jewett's valley in his honor. Here he bought a squatter's claim of ten thousand acres from Mr. Redd and drove in the first cattle, horses and hogs ever brought into the valley. There are many landmarks now in the vicinity which perpetuate his name. Jewett's Rock, in full view from the little mountain town of Harris, stands like a sentinel in the midst of pic- turesque scenery, and Jewett's creek is another local feature.

Mr. Jewett had twenty-five hundred sheep, two hundred head of cattle and one hundred horses (principally saddle horses), and his sons worked with him in the cultivation of the ranch and the conduct of its various interests, becoming expert horsemen and cattlemen, and raisers of sheep and saddle horses. Here Enoch P. Jewett made his home during the last thirty-five years of his life, becoming one of the well known figures who bore a large share in the advancement and development of the locality, where he was honored for his admirable personal qualities as well as for his success in his business ventures. He perfected title to twenty-four hundred acres, now in the pos- session of his four children, who have taken proper pride in the preservation of the large estate.

By his marriage to Miss Belle Fenton, a native of Trinity county, Cal., Mr. Jewett had a family of four children : John Howard, who is extensively interested in the stock-raising: Martha Asenath, wife of George McDonald Gratto, of Harris; Edwin Cecil, who is engaged in the raising of cattle and hogs ; and Maria C., wife of Wilson Wood, of Harris. Mr. Jewett died May 16. 1898, at the age of seventy-three years, surviving his wife, whose death occurred March 12, 1888.

JOHN W. LOGAN .- The Logan ranch of twelve hundred acres in southern Humboldt county, lying about a mile from the little village of Miranda, is now operated by Albert F. and Simcon B. Logan, sons of the late John W. Logan, who live there with their mother and sister. The extensive tract has accumulated around the nucleus of Mr. Logan's homestead, taken up in the year 1875, before there was a railroad in the county, and in this region no traveled road on their way beyond Rohnerville. Mrs. Logan saw no wagon for several years after their arrival here, which circumstance of itself indicates the courage and perseverance required of the pioneers who

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braved loneliness as well as hard work and lack of comforts to found a home in a region which then held little attraction except its promise. Their expec- tations of acquiring a desirable home were fulfilled, however, after years of patient and unremitting labor, and they deserve great credit for the share ' they bore in opening up the locality to civilization.

John W. Logan was a native of Clay county, Illinois, and was a farmer all his life. In Clay county, July 4, 1867, he married Miss Amanda Ruth McDaniel, who was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph and Martha (Morrison) McDaniel, both also Pennsylvanians by birth. Mrs. Logan grew up in that state, and moved to southern Illinois with her parents. In the latter part of 1874 Mr. and Mrs. Logan, with their family, then con- sisting of three children, left Flora, Ill., journeying by rail to San Francisco. Thence they made the trip up the coast to Eureka in the old steamboat "Pelican," and from there proceeded by stage to Rohnerville, continuing from that point as far as Rio Dell in a lumber wagon. The Rohnerville teamster who brought them so far would not go on, being afraid of being caught in a winter storm, so they hired an Indian to take them on up the south fork of the Eel river, as far as Phillipsville, where Mr. Logan's brothers, Albert and Charles Logan, were then living. They had brought their house- hold goods, and had to make a second trip by boat to transport the same. Mrs. Logan's mother, who was past seventy-two years of age, accompanied the party, and in spite of all drawbacks they arrived safely. Mr. Logan took up a homestead near the south fork of the Eel river, and to this one hundred and sixty acres added as much more by preemption. Thereafter from time to time, as his means permitted, he increased his holdings by purchase until he had twelve hundred acres, on which all the improving has been done by the family, Mr. Logan's heirs having continued the work he had so well started. His death occurred November 12, 1899, when he was sixty-six years old.

Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Logan, seven of whom sur- vive at this writing: Arthur J., of Eureka, the present county surveyor ; Martha Ellen, Mrs. M. C. Burnell, of Chico, Cal. ; Albert F. is on the home ranch ; Jane is a teacher in Humboldt county ; Mary E., Mrs. L. M. Burnell, of Eureka ; Una, Mrs. Howatt, Scotia, Cal .; and Simeon B., who resides at homc.

Mrs. Logan and three of her children still reside at the home place, the sons looking after its operation. There is a substantial house on the prop- erty, considerable clearing has been done, and an orchard set out, the latter for family use, and which, in view of the large amount of labor involved in clearing, is a luxury which speaks well for the industry and perseverance of this thrifty family. Self-denying and ambitious, they have made steady ad- vancement, not only with the work necessary to improve their land but in the matter of education and other progress, and they have cooperated faith- fully, all the members of the family showing spirit and sterling qualities of character in the furtherance of their various undertakings. They are of the kind which contributes citizenship of solid worth to the community, earning all they acquire and assisting in the general welfare. Mr. Logan was a man of active nature, and his wife helped him nobly in his struggles to obtain a start in the wilderness. Yet in spite of hard work she is well and energetic at the age of seventy-eight years. She has every reason to appreciate the

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material comforts of the present day as well as the improved social condi- tions. She can remember when deer were so plentiful here that she could see as many as twenty-four at one time: at times they still come close to a field near the house.

WILLIAM JOHN JONES .- The little village of Miranda, in southern Humboldt county, derives its principal importance as the halfway stopping place of the stages between Garberville and Dyerville. The stage teams are changed there, going and coming, and the interests of the Garberville Mer- cantile Company, which operates the stage line, constitute the business life of the town. William J. Jones is the company's man in charge there, and he also acts as lineman for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, giving the greater part of his time to the duties of the latter position, which he has held for sixteen years. He has resided in Humboldt county since 1888, and has been established at Miranda since 1909. Mr. Jones' work brings him into contact with a large proportion of the residents of his part of the county, and the good cheer of his genial nature and hopeful disposi- tion have made him welcome wherever known.

Mr. Jones is of Welsh ancestry. His father, J. Jones, a native of the state of Pennsylvania, followed the business of merchant tailor throughout his active years. In 1864 he removed to Girard, Ohio, where he resided until his death, May 12, 1915, at eighty years of age. His wife lived to be eighty- one years old. Of the six children born to them three died in infancy, the survivors being: William John; Ida, married to Gomer Jones, a general merchant of Girard, Ohio; and Daniel D., a druggist, who resides near Day- ton, Ohio. William John Jones was born January 7, 1862, at Hyde Park, Pa., about two and a half miles above Scranton (now a suburb of that city). Being but two years old when the family settled in Ohio, all his education was acquired there, and he attended the high school at Girard. In 1884 he went to Chicago, where he remained until a short time after his marriage, that year (1887) moving up to Ferry, in northern Michigan. His wife's health beginning to fail in that climate he brought her out to California, arriving at Garberville, Humboldt county, May 8, 1888. For several years thereafter he ran a small ranch. Mrs. Jones was considerably benefited by the change. In 1893 she was appointed postmaster at Garberville, and she continued to fill the position until, after an attack of pneumonia, her health was so seriously affected that she was obliged to resign, in October, 1907, her death occurring the following month, at Riverside, Cal. Her maiden name was Belle Voorhies, and she was a niece of Senator Daniel Voorhies and daughter of Jackson Voorhies, who was a Union soldier during the Civil war and fell at the battle of the Wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were mar- ried at Chicago, September 21, 1887.

Mr. Jones acted as his wife's assistant in the Garberville postoffice until 1898, when he became lineman for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, and he continued to reside at Garberville until the company changed his headquarters to Miranda, in 1909. His jurisdiction is over a distance of thirty-three miles, all the telephone and telegraph wires from Grant Meyers' place to Samp's old place, nine miles south of Garberville, being under his care. That he has never lost a day's work in the sixteen years he has been in the employ of the company speaks well for his fidelity and reliability, important qualities where so much is left to his own judg-

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ment. Miranda lies half way between Garberville and Dyerville (thirty-two miles apart), in the woods, and the store of the Garberville Mercantile Company, with its barns and sheds for the stage line, a schoolhouse and a few dwelling houses and the post office, constitute the town. Mr. Jones has charge of the stage station and store, and the Garberville Mercantile Company rents the ranch of five hundred forty acres at this point belong- ing to Mrs. Jones, which she acquired as one of the heirs of the estate of J. W. Monroe, her first husband. Upon this land the Mercantile Company produces enough hay to supply the stage horses. The agricultural land forms only a small part of this property, probably twenty or thirty acres ; the country is mountainous and stony, and the hillsides are timbered prin- cipally with tanbark oak, cut for the sake of the bark.

Mr. Jones was married (second) September 22, 1909, to Mrs. Gussie P. Monroc, daughter of "Gus" Schumacher, a native of Germany, and widow of J. W. Monroe, who was a brother of Attorney Monroe, of Eureka, one of the leading citizens of that place. To this marriage has been born one child, Jay, now fifteen months old. Mr. Jones had no family by his first union. Mrs. Jones had seven children by her first husband, viz .: Sybil, who is now the wife of H. A. Ross and living in Minneapolis, Minn. ; Ann, who is engaged as stenographer in the office of the Humboldt Times, at Eureka ; Mary, at present attending Craddock's business college ; Edith, who is taking a course in nursing ; John, Frank and Loretta, who live at home and are attending the public school at Miranda. Mr. and Mrs. Jones and their family reserve the dwelling, house yards (about three acres) and barn on her ranch for their own use, residing there. They are all active and enterprising, making the most of their circumstances and helping to enliven conditions and social existence in the little town where they are so comfort- ably settled. Mrs. Jones is a capable helpmate, and her encouragement and assistance have been very valuable to Mr. Jones. She was born at Petrolia, Humboldt county. Outside of her home, her interest in public affairs has been principally in those governing educational provisions in the locality, and she is serving at present as a member of the board of school trustees. Mr. Jones is a Republican on political issues.

DAVID WAYNE MORRIS was born on a farm near Salem, Essex county, Mass., April 22, 1842. He passed his boyhood days on the farm, attending the public school in the winter and working on the farm during the summer. Thus he continued until nineteen, when the Civil War began and he responded to the first call for 300,000 men, enlisting in Company H, Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry, being mustered into service October 7. 1861. He served continuously for four years and four months, being continually at the front, and was fortunate in escaping injury. The first two years he served along the Atlantic coast, from Maryland to Florida. When General Grant took command, in March, 1864, he served under him in the Army of the James till the surrender at Appomattox.

He was mustered out in Richmond, January 26, 1866, and returned to Boston, where he was honorably discharged. Soon after his discharge, he started west and after visiting several states he located at Baxter Springs, Cherokee county, Kansas, being engaged in farming for some years. While there he met the lady who later became his wife, the marriage occurring July 16, 1868, when he was united with Miss Emily Ruth Mitchell, a native

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of Plainfield, Kendall county, Ill., and to them were born eight children, three boys and five girls. In 1873, they removed to Pueblo, Colo., where he remained two years.

It was in the spring of 1875 that Mr. Morris removed with his family to California, locating at Ferndale, Humboldt county. Here he engaged in farming and dairying until 1896, when he moved across the river to Fortuna and continued in the same occupation, residing there for eight years. In 1904 Mr. Morris purchased a forty-acre tract on Dow's Prairie, where he still resides. Mr. Morris was a member of Anderson Post, G. A. R., at Ferndale, until it was disbanded.

EDWARD LEE FITZGERALD .- Among the prominent, liberal and enterprising young men, who by his ability, energy and exertion has made a place for himself among the leading men of the community is Edward, or Judge. Fitzgerald, as he is familiarly called. A native son of Humboldt county, he was born on the old Fitzgerald place, which he now operates on Kneeland Prairie, August 26, 1874. He is the son of Michael and Margaret (Welch) Fitzgerald, natives of Ireland. They came to California in the pioneer era. Michael Fitzgerald had crossed the plains in the early days and had served in the wars with the Indians on the plains. After his arrival on the coast he followed mining in California and Nevada. He was mar- ried in the latter state, and resided there until October 23, 1867, when he arrived in Humboldt county with his family. Being desirous of engaging in ranching he looked about for a location and purchased two hundred acres, the nucleus of the present place on Kneeland Prairie. It was wild land and he set to work clearing it of brush and timber, breaking the ground and starting crops. He built a log house which was the second house on Knee- land Prairie. It was made of logs cut from the native timber and hewed into shape for use in building the house. He started in stockraising, an undertaking in which he met with success. By the purchase of adjoining land he became owner of five hundred sixty acres, which he held at the time of his death in 1890. His widow raised the family and continued to operate the ranch with the aid of the children until about eleven years ago, when she turned the management over to her son Edward L. She still makes her home on the ranch, and is hale and hearty at the age of seventy- five years, and is now the oldest settler on Kneeland Prairie. Her family comprised eight children, as follows: Mary C., of Eureka; John M., who died in 1892; James, living at Fort Baker; Nora, Mrs. Showers, of Eureka ; Nellie, Mrs. Burke, of Fruitvale; Margaret, Mrs. Kentling, of Ozark, Mo .: Edward L., of this review ; and Kate. Mrs. Delamore, of Eureka.

Edward L. Fitzgerald received a good education in the public schools, which was supplemented by a course in the Eureka Business college. For three years he followed ranching at Madera, Cal., but in 1904 he returned to Kneeland Prairie to take the management of the old homestead. Leasing the ranch from his mother he has since engaged in farming and stockraising. keeping up the improvements so that it is one of the well-kept places in the county. It is an admirable stock ranch, being well watered and wooded with sufficient land suitable for cultivation, thus enabling him to raise ample crops of hay and grain for his stock. He is making a specialty of sheepraising, growing them for both wool and mutton, his flocks number- ing three hundred or more head.

8.L . Fitzgerald

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Fraternally, Mr. Fitzgerald is a member of the Woodmen of the World at Madera, and the Knights of Columbus in Eureka. For eight years he served as Justice of the Peace of Bucksport township, holding the office from January, 1907, until January. 1915, filling the office with credit to himself as well as his constituents. He was not a candidate for a third term. Polit- ically he is independent, preferring to vote for the man rather than party.

Edward Fitzgerald is a man of pleasing personality and is highly esteemed by all who know him for his kindness of heart and charity towards those who have been less fortunate, being always ready to lend a helping hand to all worthy movements.

FRANK EDWARD MORRELL .- Another of the prominent and in- fuential men of Arcata, and one who has been a material factor in the life of the community for many years, is Frank Edward Morrell, who is at present engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and in which, although the venture is in an entirely new field, he is making a decided success. His home place is a well kept dairy farm, one mile north of town, where he has resided for a number of years, and on which his sons are now engaged in dairy farming. For many years previous to his latest under- taking in the business field, Mr. Morrell was engaged in blacksmithing, and as a workman of more than ordinary skill he is known throughout the valley.

Mr. Morrell is a native of New Brunswick, Canada, having been born at Oak Bay, that province, May 2, 1865. His father was Andrew J. Morrell, a blacksmith by trade, and when a small boy the son commenced to help about the shop, assisting his father in many ways, and by the time he was twenty-one he was a skilled workman, capable of doing all classes of the work. He attended the public schools of Oak Bay until he was eighteen, and from then until he was twenty-one was with his father in the shop. At that time he accepted a position with a lumbering company in Maine (Tracy & Love Company), to take charge of their blacksmith shop, remain- ing with them for four years, and proving himself a capable man for the position.

It was in 1888 that Mr. Morrell came west. He left Penobscot, Me., where his headquarters had been, and came directly to Humboldt county (California), feeling that the opportunities in this state were greater than those offered in the east, and naturally seeking lumbering regions. At first he went to work for John Vance as blacksmith in the woods, remaining for six months, when in partnership with Charles Smith he opened a shop in Arcata. In this new undertaking they were very successful and for three years they continued here. At that time the health of Mr. Morrell failed and it was not possible for him to continue in indoor occupation, and he was obliged to dispose of his interests and for a time gave himself up to complete rest. Later he accepted a position as blacksmith at the govern- ment jetties, remaining there but six months, when he returned to the employ of the Vance & Hammond Company remaining with them for four- teen years, eight of which were spent at Essex, and six at Samoa.

It was in 1906 that Mr. Morrell gave up his position with this com- pany and purchased his present home place of twenty acres, all improved land. Here he built a home, and has since that time resided thereon. Later he purchased an additional tract of fifteen acres adjoining, this being

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unimproved land, which has since been brought under a high state of culti- vation, and is now a part of the dairy farm. On his home place, Mr. Mor- rell built a blacksmith shop, and again engaged in his trade. He was re- membered by many people for the splendid service rendered in his similar shop in Arcata a few years previously, and within a short time the new shop was doing a flourishing business. Skilled workmanship and prompt service were two important elements which helped to build up the trade with such rapidity. He continued to conduct his shop with the greatest suc- cess until July, 1912, when he gave up active work of this kind, and leased the shop to Porter Brothers, who are conducting it at the present time. Soon after this he took up his present occupation in the real estate and insurance line, in which he is meeting with his customary success. He represents several splendid companies in his insurance business and the con- fidence and esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens are again aiding materially in establishing a most desirable clientele. The care of the home place has been given over to the sons, thus leaving Mr. Morrell free for his outside interests.

Aside from his business interests Mr. Morrell has always been keeniy interested in politics and in all the public questions concerning his com- munity and the county and state. He is a progressive Republican and is a progressive in the broadest and best sense of the word, standing for all that tends toward the social and civic betterment of the city and community. He is also interested in fraternal matters and is prominent in lodge circles in Arcata. He was made a Mason in Sussex Lodge No. 7. F. & A. M .. St. Stephens, N. B., and is now a member of Arcata Lodge No. 106, F. & A. M., of which he is Past Master. He is a member of Humboldt Chapter No. 52, R. A. M. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is espe- cially prominent in Odd Fellow circles, being a member and Past Grand of Anniversary Lodge No. 85, I. O. O. F.

The marriage of Mr. Morrell occurred in Arcata, July 21, 1891, uniting him with Miss Clara Bell Brown, a native of California, born at Pescadero. Her parents were pioneers of the state, and well known in their section, her mother coming across the plains in 1849. Mrs. Morrell grew to womanhood and received her education in this state, and has resided in Humboldt county for the greater part of her life, having a wide circle of friends throughout the county. She has borne her husband four children, all of whom are natives of Arcata, where they have been reared and educated : Vera, Earl, Chester and Alford.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Morrell are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Arcata, of which they are regular attendants.

DANIEL ALEXANDER BALDWIN .. It was in January, 1884, that Daniel Alexander Baldwin came to California, from his home in New Brunswick, Canada, locating first in Sonoma county. Since that time he has resided continually either in that county or Humboldt, choosing his wife from the former place. At present he makes his home in the beautiful little city of Blue Lake, near which he owns valuable real estate, both farming land and range lands. He has for the greater part of his residence here been associated with some phase of the lumbering business, and is also interested in farming. He has been actively associated with the governmental and political life of the county, also, and has twice been elected supervisor from

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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 99

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