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 45
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EUREKA POST-OFFICE.
Recommended by the leading influence of the community without respect of political distinctions Mr. Axe was commis- sioued as Postmaster of Eureka, Feburary 10, 1873, J. A. Creswell being Postmaster-General. During Graut's administra- tion, the office became one of the third class, to be filled by Presidential appointment, aud his subsequent commissions, un- der President R. B. Hayes and C. A. Arthur of dates Novem- ber 8, 1877, and January 7, 1882, respectively, is a sufficient recognition of the thorough competency, as well as fidelity, with which Mr. Axe has discharged his trust.
The following editorials from the press of the city may fitly conclude this sketch. "To say that he has been an efficient officer will scarcely express it. * We have never knowu . him to lose his temper on a single occasion. He is always affa- ble and courteous-has a pleasant word always upon his lips, and is ever attentive and obliging. His manner of conducting the business not only meets with the approbation of the people, but he has received wany flattering testimonials from the de- partment for his attention, promptness and correctuess. We do not know of a single man in our cominunity as well calculated to fill the position. He has caused to be constructed in Eureka City a fine building, especially designed for a post-office. He has done this wholly at his own expense, and it is an ornament to the city, and a monument to the euterprise of the builder. * * * Great credit is due him,and we know our people will award him all praise."-Times Weekly. "For the erection of this fine building we owe much to the worthy zeal and spirit of our efficient postmaster, Mr. Fred. Axe."-Dem. Standard.
This fine structure is represented on another page in connec- tion with the residence of Mr. Axe.
JOSEPH PORTER ALBEE.
J. P. Albee, a pioneer of Humboldt, was born in Huron, Ohio, May 20, 1815, and was raised on a farm. In 1838 he settled in Michigan, and in the fall of 1847 moved to Illinois, and in 1850 came overland to California with three men and two four-horse teams, and engaged in mining in Hangtown with good success.
He came to Humboldt in 1852 with a band of cattle. He went to Weaverville and came back with his family, in No- vember, 1853, and settled on Table Bluff, where he kept a hotel, as mentioned on page 182. In 1855 he had a pack train ruuning from Arcata to Klamath, and in 1855 removed with his family to' Redwood Creek where he planted a large orchard, built a large hotel, and accumulated a handsome fort- une. His early life in the western wilderness made him fa- miliar with toil and privation. His indomitable spirit qualified him for a successful pioneer of Humboldt.
He married Miss Caltha Putnam in August, 1839, who was
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF CITIZENS.
a native of Huron County, Ohio. The family consisted of four boys and four girls: Anna M., Electa L., Mary C., Sophia, Daniel D., Joseph C., Lincoln H., and George B. Albee. He was a inan of the purest private character among his friends anl neighbors. He was kind and humane to the Indians and had no fear of being killed. He always rode a gray horse, and said the Indians knew him and the horse and would not sboot him.
MURDER OF J. P. ALBEE BY INDIANS.
"Not contrary to the cxpcetation of many people on this Bay, news reached Arcata of the probable murder of J. P. Albee, by Indians, at his farin on Redwood. He left his fam- ily in Arcata on Saturday, November 1, 1862, going alone to his place, with the intention of looking after bis stock and taking care of his farm. This was the last seen of him alive. On Thursday following, about noon, Mr. Faulkner and a man in his employ named Ramsey, went from Minor's place down to Albee's in search of mules. When they came near the house they saw a squaw on the lookout. She gave the alarm immediately when she discovered the two men. Five bucks were then seen to break from the garden, running towards the road above where the two men were, with the intention of cutting them off. Faulkner and his companion succeeded in getting ahead of them, however, and were getting well out of reach when they were fired upou by another Indian who had headed them off. They were passing under a bank, and within a few feet of the Indian when he fired, but fortunately missed his aim, the hall whizzing in frightful proximity to Ram- sey's head. This much for them. After they bad gained the hill they looked back and discovered the house on fire. Not knowing that Albce was at his place, Faulkner went on to Hoopa Valley. From there news reached Arcata on Saturday when a party started out immediately in search of Mr. Albee. They found all his fine improvements, the labor of years, in ashes, and a few hundred yards from the house, close to his plow, where he had heen at work, pierced with two bullets and an arrow, they found the body of J. P. Albee. He had evi- dently been dead for several days. He was buried where he was found, not heing in a condition to move. The subject of this melancholy sketch was no stranger to the people of this and adjoining counties. He came here with his family in 1853, lived a while in Eureka, from whence he moved to Table Bluff. Not finding sufficient range for his stock there, he moved to Redwood in 1856, since wbich time he had resided tbere with his family. He had ever been a warm friend to the Indians, and so contident was he that they regarded bis friendship, it was with difficulty he could be induced to allow his family to be moved into town, after so many frightful massacres had taken place in localities less exposed than bis own. He leaves a wife, one married and three single daughters and four boys to mourn.
In many respects Mr. Albee was a remarkable man. Un- aided by education, be was a man of force of character and
great strength of will. No obstacles in his path deterred him from the one idea of executing what be undertook; no argu- ment could change a once establisbed opinion. His judgment was eminently sound, his integrity unquestioned. Peace to his ashes.
JAMES C. SMILEY.
J. C. Smiley one of the earliest settlers and member of the Society of Pioneers of Humboldt County, was born in the city of Brunswick, Maine. Leaving his native State, he took passage to California on the bark Sarah Moore, and after a passage of six and a half montbs, arrived in San Francisco about the first of February, 1850. Like most young men who came to the State at that early date, Mr. Smiley had marked out his plan of operations for the immediate future, and to leave out of it the usual venture of mining enterprise would fall sbort of filling the "bill." He accordingly went to Wood Creek, in Tuolumne County, where one season's trial with sluice and rocker proved quite sufficient, to the end of reward- ing him with lots of experience, but with little of the " dust." Returning to San Francisco, he remained there eighteen months.
He came to Humboldt Bay on the bark General Wool. Here be at once entered upon tbe erection of a saw-mill which, after its completion, in 1854, was known as the Smiley & Bean Mill. While Mr. Smiley's interest was connected with tbis mill it was twice partially burnt, and while engaged in putting on tbe roof the second time he marvelously escaped damage from the explosion of the boiler beneatb, which otherwise left its wreck. age about the premises of sbattered machinery and timhers. Mr. Smiley immediately went to San Francisco, where he pur- cbased a new boiler, which was sbipped on the brig Judson, Ross, master, and at last (such were the aspects in those days of coast navigation) after a passage of seventy-eight days, was landed at Eureka. After the mill was again put in run- ning condition, Mr. Smiley sold out his interest.
In 1863, in company with Frank S. Duff and the late Alonzo Monroe, he went to Reese River, Nevada, the com- pany taking with tbem the machinery for the lumber manu- facturing business in that place. This enterprise did not prove a success, nor did that of quartz-mining, in which he after- wards engaged, sufficiently satisfactory to keep him away from Humboldt, to which place he returned in 1865, where be has since permanently resided.
By profession Mr. Smiley is a house and sign painter. Tbe designs and executions of the numerous works in the last- named branch of his art, to be seen in the city, are the bighest testimonials to his skill, wbich, of the former, the principal hotels and private residences of the place, done under bis con- tracts and supervision, are abounding proofs of the taste and tboroughness of a master in his profession.
No one of our citizens is more highly respected for tbe gen- erous and exemplary traits that belong to bis private life, nor
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any one less ambitions of the tempting emoluments and honors that may attach to official position.
Mr. Smiley is a bachelor, and with the exception of what is excluded by that term, is living in the enjoyment of all that an ample fortnne can command.
JAMES E. MATHEWS.
J. E. Mathews is one of the stirring business men of' Eureka, who came in 1871, and opened a variety store aud news depot, and las conducted a profitable and constantlyincreasing business
J. E. Mathews was born in the city of New York, February 22, 1845. His carly life was that of newsboy, in New York and Brooklyn, and with his early energy he was the first to arrive in Brooklyn with extra Heralds containing the news of the firing on Fort Sumpter in 1861. The first money he earned was in selling the Brooklyn Eugle. In 1858, the Rev. Henry Ward Beccher had him arrested for striking him with a "shinney block" or ball. It was the custom of the boys while waiting for the Eagle to be issued at three o'clock to go on Columbia Street. Hill and play " shinney." Rev. Beecher generally came along about that time, and one day young Mathews accidentally struck the reverend gentleman, wlio grabbed him by the coat collar and took him up to the top of the hill and turned him over to a policeman, but no charge was preferred for the boyish sport and accident. During the war he was employed on steamers running from New York to Ha- vana, Mexico, New Orleans and Charleston. In April, 1865, on the coast of Florida they inet a gunboat painted lead-color, but on returuing from Havana the same boat was painted black, with flag at half-mast. From this tug they first learned of the assassination of President Lincoln. On arrival in New York City the body was lying in state and an immense nun- ber of people in line, extending from City Hall to Battery, to view the remains.
Iu 1864, while in Havana, he was offered hy a lady, the ' situation of overseer on a plantation in Mataurus, Cuba. But on account of age, being only nineteen, and a dislike to leave his native country, he declined the position, although every inducement was held out to bim. He afterwards worked in a glass factory as glass hlower.
On an hour's notice he set out for California from New York, December 10, 1867, and arrived in San Francisco January 23, 1868, ou the steamer Constitution. He engaged in business on steamers running from San Francisco to other ports on the Pa- cifie Coast. He was engaged in selling charts of Grant and Colfax and Seymour and Blair, in San Francisco, in the fall of 1868, and came to Eureka in March, 1871. His early life and later experience has peculiarly adapted him for the business in which he is now engaged.
He married Miss Linegar, in San Francisco, in 1873, who was born in Australia, but arrived in California at the age of six months. They have three children, named Ella Rose, Charles James, and Mary Gertrude Mathews.
ALONZO MONROE.
Alonzo Monroe, a pioneer, was born October 21, 1821, in Fair Haven, Connecticut. He was left an orphan at an early age, and went to New York City to live with his grandmother. He learned the engineers' and machinists' trade in the Novelty Iron Works. He went to New Orleans in 1843, and followed his profession until 1849. He started from there in 1849 iu a schooner for California and arrived in San Francisco in Febru- ary, 1850. Heproceeded to the mines of Feather and Yuba Rivers. He was oftentimes very successful and as often lost all.
He came to Humboldt County in the fall of 1851, as a vol- unteer to fight the Indians. He returned to Trinity County. where he followed mining until 1853. He then engaged in butchering in Weaverville and Ridgeville until 1855, when he canie to this county permanently. He was one of the Super- visors of Trinity County in 1855.
He married Miss Anna M. Alhee October 7, 1856, who was a native of Hillsdale, Michigan. There are six children, named Joseph Porter, Alonzo Judson, John W., Charles A., Horace P., Nettie S., Henry W. T., and Caltha J. E. Monroe.
Mr. Monroe drove a band of cattle from Oregon in 1856, and settled at Table Bluffs, and the next year drove them to Bear River. He sold a part of them and engaged in merchandising in Hydesville, under the firm name of Manheim & Co. Mr. Hyde gave them an acre of land if they would build a store on what was then called " Goose Prairie." He removed with his family to Eureka in March, 1861, and there remained un- til August, 1863, when he went overland to Reese River, Ne- vada, driving two span of horses. He discovered and named a good mauy muines, among them "Eureka." He endured in these trips incredible hardships incident to a new country. One night camping in the sagchrush without fire or food he lay down in bis blankets and suffered from the intense cold.
He sold his mines in Nevada for a good price and returned to San Francisco in 1870.
He built a hotel on the corner of Second and E Streets which was hurned January 1, 1876, and rebuilt of brick in April of the same year. He was a very resolute and courageous mau, and no ordinary discouragements would keep him down. He was honored as a man of public spirit and integrity. He was stricken with paralysis in 1875, which affected his mind of late years, and gradually failing, he died March 20, 1882.
The funeral obsequies were attended by an unusually large number of citizens, hoth at the church and at the grave. The remains were attended from the residence to the church, and thence to the grave (The Eureka Cornet Band acting as escort) hy Humboldt Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Humboldt County Pio- neers. The funeral services at the church were of a most ap- propriate nature, and at the grave the beautiful burial service of the Masonic Order was observed.
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S. G. WHIPPLE.
Captain S. G. Whipple, one of the early settlers, commeneed the publication of the Northern Californian at Union in 1858, and merged with the Times in 1860. In 1863, during the Indian troubles, lie was commissioned as Major of the Battal- ion of Mountaincers, and was afterward promoted to a Colo- neley. At the close of tho service he was mustered out, and placed in charge of the Indian Reservation at Hoopa as agent, serving a terin in that position; he then enlisted in the regular army, as Captain, and is now stationed at Fort Klamath. JOHN BURMAN.
John Burman, one of the old pioneers, was drowned in Mad River, at the crossing of the upper old trail, on the Ist of March, 1857. The deceased came to tlris bay carly in 1850, with the party that came up the coast in the Cameo. The party landed at Point St. George, present site of Crescent City, and he with Nelson Jenkins, Van Thulen aud Peterson coasted down in whaleboat in search of the mouth of the Trinity. the object of all the numerous adventures cruising about this coast at that date. They ran into Eel River, supposing it to be the Trinity, and then returned to their party, and after- wards tho deceased piloted the schooner J. M. Ryerson into Ech River, the only vessel that had ever been in thero. He was one of the original parties who located and laid off' Union, and resided thero. He was a native of Sweden and about thirty-three years of age at the time of his death.
WILLIAM HARRISON WOODBURY.
William H. Woodbury was horn at Salem, Essex County, Mass., Feh. 2, 1839. At the ago of fourteen years, shipped before the mast, on the barque Gay Head, of Boston, bound for Australia, the Society Islands and California. He arrived in Sau Francisco in the spring of 1854, where he left the vessel aud worked at painting, paper-hanging, and such other work as he could obtain. After working about a year he became restless ashore, aud shipped for sea again, and continued until the latter part of June, 1855, on the steamer America, at which time the steamer was burned in the harbor at Crescent City.
He then lived at Crescent City, where he engaged in boating and whale-fishing until 1857, when be engaged as clerk in the grocery store of F. Nauke; here he continued until 1861, wben he engaged with Dr. H. Smith and Wm. Coburn in salmon- fishing, near the mouth of Smith River. The flood of 1861 and 1862 came and washed fishery buildings, boats, and everything to sea, leaving nothing to show where the fisbery had been.
He next started a small cigar and stationery store, and after carrying this ou for a few months he entered into a co. partnership with T. S. Pomeroy in the grocery business, which was continued until the death of Mr. Pomeroy in 1865, since which time he has been carrying on business by himself. During his residence at Crescent City he has beld several offices, having been elected Constable at twenty-one years of age, and afterward Justice of the Peace.
He was appointed postmaster at Crescent City June 12, 1805. He was assessor of Del Norte County for seven years, and became thoroughly acquainted with its resources. He is active in all the secret and benevolent societies, and is a leading member of the Masous and Odd Fellows, as well as the United Workmen.
He was married to Elmira Fleming June 12, 1865, aud has three children-girls, aged fourteen, twelve and ten years.
WILLIAM SAVILLE, ESQ.
William Saville first saw the light of day in Old England, being the eldest son of an eminent British barrister. In early life he pored over the pages of Blackstone, hut being of a rov- ing, rollieking disposition, he abandoned the law office for " a life on the ocean wave and a home on the rolling deep," which latter occupation he followed for several years, graduating from an ordinary seaman to sailing master. He, however, getting tired of a seafaring life, landed in Crescent City in the year 1853, being then about twenty-eight years of age. Since that time he has been engaged in various occupations, and bas filled many positions of publie trust. He was one of the first Supervisors of Del Norte County, and has served one term as District Attorney of said couuty, and while practicing at tbe bar is said to be a very effective and exhaustive talker. His hearing having become somewhat impaired, owing to the effects produced from the bursting of a cannon in elose proximity to him in some naval engagement while in the British navy, he forsook his lucrative practice at the bar and now occupies thie position of Treasurer of Del Norte County, which he has filled for several successive terms. He is a whole-souled fellow, and his hand is always open to the needy. He resides in Crescent City, although he is largely interested in business in other parts of Del Norte County.
J. K. DOLLISON, NOTARY PUBLIC,
Court Commissioner, Real Estate and Loan Agent, and Conveyancer.
CITY LOTS, FARMING ANO TIMBER LANOS FOR SALE.
OFFICE :- No. 139 Second Street, Vance Block, Eureka, Humboldt Bay, California.
ATTORNEYS OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY.
The following is a complete list of the attorneys of this county as they appear on the roll of the Superior Court :-
James Hanna, C. G. Stafford, W. H. Brumfield, S. M. Buck, J. J. DeHaven, J. D. H. Chamberlin, G. W. Tompkins, R. B. Diekson, J. H. G. Weaver, G. W. Hunter, Ernest Sevier, E. W. Wilson, J. M. Melendy, T. H. Foss, Jr., J. K. Miller, P. F. Hart, G. W. Hopkins, E. G. Anderson, A. J. Monroe, R. W. Miller, James N. Shibles.
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY COMMON SCHOOLS,
First School, Present Condition, Private Schools, Financial Prospects, etc.
THE carly educational interests of Humboldt County have no obtainable statistics. Suffice it to say, the first organized free school was at Arcata (then Union). This district was organ- ized in 1852, with fifty pupils, while Humboldt County was a part of Trinity County. In the school year ending October 31, 1854, there had been three common schools, or public schools, kept in the county, as per report of school officers. There were 186 children of age entitled to school money.
In the district of Union (Arcata) there had been a school taught nine months hy Mrs. A. E. Roberts.
In the district of Eureka there had been a school kept three months during 1853, by George W. Gilkey.
In the district of Bucksport there had been a common school kept three months by Miss Louisa Wasgatt. In addition to the public school at Union there had been a private school kept for a portion of the year. Hon. A. J. Huestis was elected Superintendent of schools in 1855. In November, 1855, Bucks- port school district was organized, including Bucksport, Tahle Bluff, Pacific, and Eel River Townships.
Maj. E .H. Howard succeeded Heustis, and during his admin- istration the formation of new school districts was the princi- pal matter of interest, and procuring suitable teachers. It was a matter of great interest in early times when mails were uncertain, to get the Superintendent's reports to the State Department in time to secure the county's share of the State money.
FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT.
In 1856 there were only three schools organized under the common law: one at Bucksport, one at Eureka and one at Arcata. At Bucksport the citizens crected a fine school house, which answered the purpose of a village church. The second story had heen heen finished off by the Masonic fraternity for their meetings. At Eureka, also, there was a school building.
Arcata had not shown an equally public spirit in this respect, although a school had heen kept once and the number of pupils was greater than at the other places. But the next year Messrs. Jowby and Martin of the Trustees purchased Mr. Henry White's house for the sum of $900, one-half in hand, one-half in sixty days and had caused the same to be temporarily fitted up for the reception of the school, and it was occupied by Mr. Dusty as a school house in 1857.
Henry H. Severns was the next Superintendent. He reported in 1860 the total number of districts as nine; the number of
children in the county 502; moneys received from the State, $803.04; and the expenditures for all school purposes $7,036.
Rev. W. L. Jones was the uext Superintendent. He was an energetic, earnest Superintendent, and did much for the schools. At present he is at Hile, Sandwich Islands, in charge of a pri- vate institution. J. B. Brown was appointed Superintendent when the Rev. W. L. Jones resigned, after which he was elected continuously until he refused to accept the office. Too much cannot be be said of J. B. Brown as a teacher and Superiu- tendent, for fourteen years he had charge of the schools in En- reka. These schools have flourished and prospered uuder his supervision. These schools compare favorably with schools of the larger citics of the State.
E C. Cummings, the next Superinten lent, had been engaged for several years as teacher in various parts of the country. Previous to bis term of office he had been a member of the Board of Education, he was re-elected to the office. E. C. Cummings had no opposition to the office at the first election. At the close of his officialt erm he withdrew from the profes- sion. Perhaps no county in the State lias developed more than Humholdt during the last decade. Twenty-four school districts included all Humboldt County could boast ten years ago; now she has fifty-six, and employs eighty teachers. The school affairs of the county are now ably managed hy J. B. Casterlin.
For 1882, the Superintendent apportioned from the State School Fund, of Humboldt County, the sum of $158.50 to cach teacher assigucd to the several districts, and an additional sum from the same fund, of $7.95 per capita on the average daily attendance as shown by the last annual report. Ten per cent. of the State Fund of each district was set apart for library purposes. There was also apportioned from the County School Fund, $13.50 per teacher.
The following is the total apportionment :-
No. of Districts
56. $25,403,08 -
State.
Library. $2,326.77
County. $1,066.50
DUTIES OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS.
The powers of the County School Superintendents are greater than they were in the beginning. In 1855 they were required to aid the School Trustees in the examination of teachers-a duty which would have heen rather hard to perform in case two or more Boards of Trustees had held examination at ten o'clock of the same day. County Superintendents are now required: To apportion all school moneys; to report to the State Superintendent on hlanks furnished ; to fill all vacan- cies in the Boards of Trustees hy appointment ; to draw requi- sitions for all warrants on the school fund; to visit schools; to preside over Teachers' Institutes, and to secure the attendance thereat of competent lecturers; to issue temporary certificates in certain cases; to preserve all school reports, and to grade the schools. The County Superintendent is ex officio Secre- tary and member of the Boards of Education.
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