USA > California > Humboldt County > History of Humboldt County, California : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, farms, residences, public buildings, factories, hotels, business houses, schools, churches, etc., from original drawings, including biographical sketches > Part 40
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About this time he received from Governor Haight ilux appointment of Assistant Adjutant-General of the National Guard of California, with the rank of Major, which position he held for two years.
In 1877, MY. Huestis became the nominee of the Republican party for the Assembly ; but the extended prevalence of the "Dolly Varden " defection in the Republican ranks, and the sharp antagonisms engendered in the contest for nomination were unfavorable to his success, and the result was the election of his rival. To one of less perseverance these adverse ex- periences might have persuaded to retirement; but no such alternative occupied his thoughts. The active arena of politics had now developed a snrer balance and counuand of his own powers, and the several occasions wherein he had experienced defeat in the past, were but preparatory steps rendering his success more certain in the future. An intercourse aud con- tact with public men for nearly twenty years had given him a pretty good chance to form correct opinions concerning them, and probably convinced him that certain opportunities being offered, he might, with equal, if not greater claim to fitness, fill a position of higher trust and dignity than he had vet sought. That opportunity soon came. In 1878 a Convention for the revision of the State Constitution had been authorized by a law passed by the preceding Legislature. Mr. Huestis matured his plans and admitted but few to his counsels. The result was that he received the nomination from the Non- partisan Conventiou for the Third Congressional District, as one of the delegates at large, to the Constitutional Convention, and was elected. To the tempest of abuse and envious detrac- tion which fairly blistered its own tongue in the intensity of its personal venom, showered upon bim by his enemies during the canvass, Mr. Huestis paid but little attention. He had no weapons to soil in an engagement of that character, but chose to wait the coming occasion, when by addressing himself to the grave demands for intelligent action on propositions involved in framing the organic law of the State, he might silence the flippancy of petty political opponents, and courpel from envy a just recognition to merit.
In the organization of the Convention Mr. Huestis was
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THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY PIONEERS
assigned to a membership on two of its committees: "Educa- tion " and " On Pardoning Power." He introduced the first proposition before that body on Reveune and Taxation, and BOIne of the best features of Article XIII. of the New Consti- tution relating to that subject, were adopted as presented by him. On frequent occasions during the protracted session, he brought to his service on the floor of discussion, the fruits of conscientious study and close application, which always com- mauded the attention of his hearers.
hubued with right principles, and showing himself a clever manager and practical parliamentarian, he was justly regarded by his associates, and the representatives of the press, having Heats assigned them in the Convention, as well able to sustain the dignity of his place. As will be seen by this brief sketch of his life, Mr. Hnestis has known what it is to meet and over- come difficulties, and to win success. From the close of the Convention to the present time he has abstained from active politienl affairs, devoting his attention to those private interests, which, long neglected, now demanded his closest business carc.
In 1861, Mr. Hnestis was married to Miss Amanda, daughter of Captain J. C. Bull, of Arcata. He now resides in the city of Eureka.
JOIIN ANDREW WATSON.
John A. Watson, a pioneer and prominent citizen of Hum- bohlt County, reached California in October, 1851, having left Brunswick, Maine, for the then distant shores of the Pacific, taking the Nicaragua route and reaching Sau Francisco in thirty days.
He was born in Dover, New Hampshire, December, 1829, and experienced the usual trials of boyhood days and early manhood, in his New England home.
Following the usual plan pursued by new-comers at that day, he proceeded to the mines of El Dorado County, in search of a fortune, and after spending some time about Mnd Springs he went to Triuity County, where he resided from February, 1852 until July, 1863.
He entered the United States service in July, 1863, and continued until the close of the war, and was mnstered out at Old Fort Humboldt in 1865. A view of this noted fort is given in our frontispiece.
He was elected County Clerk of Humboldt in 1868 and served for six years, until 1874.
At the close of his term as Clerk he was appointed Deputy Collector of Customs for that district, which position he now occupies. During his official life, by his strict fidelity and faithfulness he secured the highest esteem and confidence of all in whose society his duties have brought him. He is also en- graged in the real estate and insurance business. in Eureka.
In 1868 he married Annie E. Seaman, a native of New York, and sister of Harry Seaman, Esq. They have one child, Nellie Watson.
WALTER VAN DYKE.
Walter Van Dyke, who was connected with the Humboldt Times in 1836-78, is a lawyer by profession. Coming to Huin- bokt County during its earliest history, he practiced in the conrts until he purebased an interest in the Times. The pub- lication of the paper interfered with the practice of his profes- sion, and he was compelled to give up the former. He served as District Attorney of the county in 1855. In 1861 he rep- resented Humboldt, Mendocino and Del Norte Counties in the State Senate. In 1863 he removed from Humboldt County to San Francisco, where he would have a wider field in the practice of his profession. He now resides in East Oakland, and has a law office in San Francisco.
L. M. BURSON.
L. M. Burson was one of the first settlers of Humboldt Connty, having arrived ou the first vessel that ever crossed Humboldt Bar, the schooner Laura Virginia, in April. 1850. He was elected District Attorney in 1856 and again in 1858, and represented the county in the Legislature in 1859.
PIONEERS OF TABLE BLUFF.
Amongst those wbo camo to Table Bluff during the years 1852-53, were N. Duperu, who located the claim furthest west on the bluff, and after improving and occupying it seven years, moved to San Francisco.
The next place located on the bay side of the bluff was that of J. D. Mires, and was known as Mires' Landing. a shipping place to and from Eureka. Mires sold and went to San Diego.
Captain Wright, an old man, preempted the shipping point on the south side of the bluff for freight to and from Eel River Wright's mind became deranged and he wandered off and died. His body was found some five or six months after. Richard Woffenden occupied the claim adjoining on the east. He went to Mexico. Elisha Clark joined Mires on the east.
Captain Johnston kept the lighthouse a few years and died. The adjoining claims were those of G. H. Brown, William Espie and Allen Hawks.
FIRST HOTEL AT TABLE BLUFF.
The first hotel was kept by John Van Arenam, which at that time was the only hotel south of Eureka, and was largely patronized, as many as fifty being at dinner at one time. Van Arenam and wife were buried a few rods from the house. The eldest daughter married at the age of thirteen and the otber at fourteen, and both now reside in the county.
Jackson Sawyer owns the claim next north of the last men- tioned, which is described elsewhere. J. P. Albee located south of Jones' Landing. He with two others graded a track for a railroad for lumbering purposes in the timber north of Salmon Creek He was killed by the Indians.
Two miles southeast of the bluffs were the claims of C. Garrett, who afterwards went to the mines, and E. Bulkeley, wbo was Sheriff of Humboldt County in 1872-75.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF CITIZENS.
Sketches of Prominent Citizens.
HON. JOHN P. HAYNES.
JOHN P. HAYNES, the present Superior Judge of Iluinboldt County, was born in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, on the 3d Any of December, 1826. In his childhood, his mother, then a widow, removed to Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Ken- tucky, where he was raised and educated. In his seventeenth year he entered a store as a clerk and salesman, in which busi- ness he continued for almost three years. About this time the Mexican war broke out, and the young men of the county at once proceeded to organize a company of volunteers for the ser- vice. The subject of this notice took an active part in organiz- ing the company, and was elected Lieuteutant. The quota of the State was'filled so quickly after the issuauce of the enll of the Governor, that this company with scores of others was rejected. Young Haynes with ten or twelve others of his company then joined Company C, Capt. Rowan Hardin, which was attached to tho 4th Kentucky Volunteers, under counnand of Col. John S. Willinms, more popularly known ns "Cerro Gordo Williams," from his gallantry in the battle fought at that place. llc remained in the service until the close of the war. On his return home he commenced the study of law, and in due time entered the law department of the University of Louisville, and graduated in 1851.
A few months afterwards he started for California, via the Isthmus, and arrived in this State early in 1852. He remained in San Francisco a short time, and then started for the north- ern part of the State, arriving in Klamath County in the spring of that year. During the summer and fall he was engaged in mining on the Klamath.
At the election in November of that year, he was elected District Attorney of tho County.
In 1853, he removed to Crescent City, which about that time became the county seat. Ilere he commenced the practice of his profession, and was re-elected District Attorney. Upon the removal of the county seat to Orleans Bar, he resigned the office.
Upon the organization of Del Norte County soon afterwards, was elected District Attorney of the new county. He con- tinued in the practice of his profession in Del Norte and Klam- ath until 1858, when he became a candidate for District Judge, and was defeated by Hon. William R. Turner, by a majority of two votes. The following year he was elected Senator by a large majority, from the 12th Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Del Norte, Klamath and Siskiyou. At the expiration of his term, he resumed the practice of his profes- siou iu Del Norte, meantime making some ventures in mining without much success,
On the 1st day of February, 1868, he was appointed, by Gov- ernor Haight, District Judge of the 8tb Judicial District, com-
Inseal of the counties of Klamath, Humboldt and Del Norte, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Turner.
Hle was elected by the people to the same office at the Judi- cial election, in 1860, and re-elected in 1$75. He held the otlice of District Judge until it was nbolished by the New Constitu- tion, and at the first election under the new instrument way electedl Superior Judge of Humboldt County, which office he now holds. In politics the Judge is a Democrat, not ultra in his views, and has abstained from taking an netive part in poli- ties since he has been ou the bench. To this fact, in some mneas- ure, may be attributed his repeated election to office, in n dis- trict with a large political majority against him.
In June, 1869, he removed with his family, consisting of his wife and daughter, to Eureka, the county seat of Humboldt County, where lic now resides.
LOUIS T. KINSEY.
L. T. Kinsey is the present faithful Treasurer of Humboldt County, to which responsible office he was elected in Septcin- ber, 1877. Proving to be the right man in the right place, he was re-elected in 1879, nnd his term of office will expire Jan- uary 1, 1883.
Mr. Kinsey is a native Californian, having been born in Yrcka, Siskiyon County, December 17, 1852, where lie resided until 1857, when his parents moved to Humboldt County and located a stock ranch near Centerville, where they remained about two years when they removed to the town of Eureka where he has since resided.
Mr. Kinsey engaged in the drug business in Eureka and con- tinned in that line two years. He then associated with W. J. McNamarn in the clothing business under the firm naure of McNamara & Kinscy.
He married Miss Jenny Hart in 1872, who was a native of Santa Cruz County, in this State. They have one child Charles H. Kinsey.
J. B. CASTERLIN.
The subject of this sketch has charge of the public schools of Humboldt County, under whose able administration they are in a flourishing condition.
He was born February 22, 1845, in Seneca County, New York. His early life was spent on a farm, but he eventually drifted west, and resided for a short time in Michigan, Jowa, and Nebraskn. He left Fremont, Nebraska, in January, 1872, and came to California by railroad. He made his home in Hydes ville and engaged in teaching there until 1881. He then moved to Arcata, where he has since resided.
He married Miss M. A. Reed in 1871. She was also a native of New York.
JOHN SMITH THOMSON.
J. S. Thomson is the efficient County Clerk of Humboldt. He was appointed to fill the office of County Assessor of Klamath County in 1862. He was elected to the same position and served in 1863-64. He was the only Republican ever elected.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF CITIZENS.
While discharging his duties he was obliged to have an escort on account of the dangers from Indian attacks, who were at that time very hostile. He filled his office creditably and removed to Arcata in 1865, accepting a position in a store as clerk, where he continued to reside until 1879. That year liv was elected by the Workingmen's party to the office of County Clerk, which he now holds.
J. S. Thomson was born in Lawrence County, Penusylva- nia, June 3, 1833. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, He went to Iowa in 1852, and in 1859 he Act out for California with ox-train, consuming six months' time on the road and arrived at Orleans Bar, October 4, 1859. Hle engaged in mining and ferrying at that place on the Klain- ath River. The ferry was washed out in the flood of 1861.
He was prominently identified with Klamath Conuty and its interests until he came to this county in 1865. He proves an honest and efficient officer and stands high in the estimation of the citizens of Humboldt,
C. WANGATT.
Capt. C. Wasgatt, a well-known resident of Hydesville, first became acquainted with this county in March, 1851, when he was wrecked on Humboldt Bar, in the schoouer Susan Wardwell, which was the same vessel in which he came fromn Massachusetts. Two passengers and the cook were lost, but Mr Wasgatt escaped nuharined, after remaining in the water four- teen hours on the wreck. Soon after he located in Ecl River Valley.
Captain Wasgatt was born in Mt. Desert, Haucock County, Maine, August 28, 1801. He was born on a farm and followed various ocenpations until he was twenty-three years of age wlien he shipped as a sailor beforo the inast, and followed sea- life. lle was promoted to Captain of the schooner Bangor in 1828, which was wrecked the following year. He afterwards shipped as mate, and soon after as Captain undertook suc- cessfully several hazardous voyages.
He left Salem, Massachusetts, as Captain of the Susan Wardwell, for San Francisco, and came around Cape Horn, making the trip in one hundred and fifty-three days, reach- ing San Francisco in the spring of 1850. He followed coast- ing until wrecked as stated.
After settling iu Humboldt he followed farming until about 1866, when he sold his farm and went to reside with his daughters in Hydesville, where he now makes his home.
He was married April 12, 1832, to Miss Betsy M. Bowditch, of Salem, Massachusetts. They have lost one cbild, named Ellen, and the following are living: Sarah Ann, Louise, Cor- nelius, and Abbie Wasgatt.
A. BERDING.
In Ferndale we can also find the fine residence of one of tbe pioneers of California; a "forty-niner," as the people call him. Mr. A. Berding owns several houses and lots in
the town, and 765 acres of land (partly timber and partly farming land of good quality), outside the city limits. No one passing through Ferndale can fail to notice the nice store belonging to Mr. Berding; he is one of the most prosperous inerchants in the county.
Mr. Berding's family consists of his wife, formerly Mrs. M. M. Bium, of Germany, and five children, three of them, viz .: Josephine Gertrude, Clement Robert, aud Christina Sopl ia, being his own, and two, viz, Henry C. and Lena Blum, tbose of bis wife of a former husband.
Mr. Berding was born in Oldenburg, Germany, December 8, 1827. His father was a farmer, but he attended school until thir- teen years of age, when he went into a store as a clerk, wbere he remained until nineteen years of age. He left then and went to Rio Janeiro (South America), where he clerked for two years, after which, April 14, 1849, be and two of his friends cbar- tered the Bremen brig Adelgunde, Captain Beling commander, and loaded her with merchandise, which they intended to sell in San Francisco, thus showing an enterprising and wide awake business spirit. They had also goods belonging to sev- eral other merchants of Rio Janeiro on board. The trip was pleasant, they rounded the Horn in safety, with the exception that the vessel leaked some, so that the sailors were obliged to pump "for dear life," as Mr. Berding says, and arrived in San Francisco, September 15, 1849. There Mr. Berding sold his merchandise and went to mining in Tuolumne County. In 1852 he made a sbort trip to Mexico, returning the same year, and afterwards kept on mining until 1856, when he retired with fair success.
In 1857 Mr. Berding came to this county, where he kept a store in Centreville; in 1864 he went to Oregon, where he stayed one year, and in 1866 he settled at his present abode where he is still engaged in general merchandising.
HENRY HYDE TICKNOR.
Traveling through Humboldt County by the " overland route " and stopping at Blocksburg, the traveler will receive a cordial welcome and the best of accommodations for man and beast, at the Blocksburg Hotel, which is owned hy the subject of this sketch, Henry H. Ticknor.
In the genial proprietor of that mansion, the strangers and the people of California can greet one of the oldest pioneers of this State, whose history may prove interesting to many rearl- ers of our book.
Mr. Ticknor was born in Washington County, New York in 1814, where in his early youth, be occupied bis time partly in school, partly in working on bis father's farm, and in boat- ing on Lake Champlain. The last of these occupations struck bis particular fancy ; for when fifteen years of age be went out to follow the life of a sailor. He remained such for twenty years, until August 4, 1849, when he arrived in San Francisco, as mate of the bark Strafford (which belonged to the New
SUPERIOR JUDGE. /
OFFICERS OF
J. M. Brown SHERIFF
HUMBOLDT
COUNTY F
1882. +
J. B. Casterhis. SUPT: OF SCHOOLS.
If Thouman
CLERK
G. H. Shew ASSESSOR.
TREASURER
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF CITIZENS.
York Mining Company, and was afterwards used as a prison ship at Sacramento). Capt. Win. L. Collin was the commander.
The trip from New York was very pleasant and interesting. for the bark stopped at St. Catherine's and San Juan Fernan- dez Islanda, where all on board pail a visit to Alexander Sel- kirk's Cuve, all of which proved a good subject for " Robinson Crusoe."
At San Francisco, Mr. Ticknor lost his fancy for the sea for a while, the gold fever taking a hold on him. He accordingly went to mining on Dry Creek, Sonorian Camp, where he had vory good success, averaging an ounce a day. When the rainy senson commenced, hie again went to sea, in the ship Pacific, atuying this timo two years on board.
In 1852, Mr. Ticknor came to this county, where he deter- mined to settle for good. He occupied himself with agricul- ture, for twenty years in Bueksport Township, then went to Ilydesville, and finally, after four years' sojourn there, came to his present homo where he has ever since reside l.
While in Hydesville ho owned a l'arm of 170 acres which he traded off for a sheep ranch of 960 acres, called " Neapes' Peak Ranch," twelvo miles from Blocksburg. After four years he kept n hotel in Alder Point, whero he stayed two years.
Although there were many troubles with the Indians from 1860 until 1870, ho never had any difhienlty with them. The Chief, " Coon Skin," was friendly and protected him from all depredations, not even losing a single head of cattle through all tho troubles.
Mr. Ticknor owns & farm of 160 acres, besides his hotel, which ho bought in July, 1881. His property is so well known l'or its oxcelleney, that we ueed not make any further remarks.
Mr. Ticknor was married in 1850, to Miss Martha Creen, of London, Eugland, whose good judgment and industry does much in adding to their prosperity.
BENJAMIN BLOCKBURGER.
Our readers canuot fail to uotice the view of the village of Blocksburg, uamed from its founder, Mr. B. Blockburger, an enterprising merchant and business man.
Mr. Blockburger is a native of Hillsborough, Illinois, where ho was boru May 1, 1828, and brought up until cighteen years of age, when he eulisted in the Third Regiment of Illinois Vol- unteers, with which he went down to the Rio Grande. After- wards he lived in several of tho Southern States until 1853, when he stopped at St. Joseph, Missouri.
Mr. Blockburger was married in 1850 to Mrs. Margaret Harkey, of North Carolina. She died in 1852.
In the spring of 1853, he joined a train going to California; they set out April 10, 1853, and stopped at Sink of Humboldt, where he remained with the worn-out cattle for six weeks, while his train went on. Hc theu started on foot towards Placerville, where he arrived six hours ahead of the teams August 26, 1853.
Mr. Block burger mined in several places with fair success until 1866, at which time he came to this county, where hic first engaged in ranchiing and dairying. In July, 1872, he started the business in Blockshurg, where he built the first home the year before. He has been engaged in general mer- ehandlising and wool-buying ever since, and is the prominent citizen of that section.
DOMINGO ZANONE.
Another worthy citizen, of whom this county can justly be proud, is Mr. Domingo Zanone, who lives near Petrolia. llis farin consists of 4,550 aeres. School and church with'n about four miles.
It is within thirty miles of water communication and forty miles of the county seat. The land is splendid pasture ground, mostly rolling hills, and part of it which is cultivated produces good hay and vegetables. There is also a small orchard attached to it.
Mr. Zanone's home affords a splendid view of the ocean and is presided over by his wife, who is a native of Italy, and to whom he was married in 1874. Her maiden uame was Miss M. Madalena Ghio. She is the mother of three girls, all of them are living.
Mr. Zauone has scen a great deal of this world; he was horn in Cenoa, Italy, March 9, 1828. He followed farming un- til he was grown up and about to he drafted into the army ; not wishing to fight the battles of crowned heads, he said adieu to his native country and went to the United States, where his father had gone before, and returned to Italy in or- der to send all his sons to the United States. While in the East he worked in a foundry at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
He left New York Octoher 18, 1849, in a sailing vessel, for California. It took him eight months to accomplish the trip on account of sundry misfortunes which we will briefly relate: The vessel made a stop at Rio de Janeiro, Valparaiso, and Chili, At Rio de Janeiro the vessel sprung a leak and yellow fever was so bad that the captain returned two-thirds of the pas- sage money to the passengers, who took passage in a packet-line to Buenos Ayres and from there crossed the Pampas Plains and Andes Mountains to Valparaiso, making the trip in forty days. There they took passage for San Francisco where they arrived ninety-three days after, June 1, 1850.
The first job in California was to pack bricks at $1 per hour. He worked two days in that capacity, then started for the gold mines, at Oroville; afterwards he bought some stock in the White Rock Flume Company, but was swindled out of all of his money. After residing in Sierra County for awhile he again went to Oroville, where he mined for seven years with very good success ; but losing again most of his money, he stopped mining in 1857 with $10,000 and purchased a farm on Dry Creek, Butte County, where he raised stock.
In 1865 he came to this county. He was the first person
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF CITIZENS.
who drove stock down the coast. He is still engaged in stock- raining, owning at present 1,000 cattle, twelve horses, and five mnles.
He is also a stockholler in the Humboldt County Bank, and part owner of the steamer Ferndale. He is very generous in promoting all public cuterprises, and an honorable citizen.
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