USA > California > Marin County > History of Marin County, California also an historical sketch of the state of California > Part 47
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TOMALES TOWNSHIP.
at the head of tide-water and navigation, being the site now occupied by the new Keys' warehouse on the debouchure known as Keys creek.
The first house built in the town was that of John Keys, and situated on the creek near the residence of F. H. Lang. It was a small shake shanty, and in it Keys and Dutton, after they had entered into partnership, kept. bachelor's hall. In the course of time, A. S. Marshall and wife came to keep house for them, and were the first family to settle in the place. In June, 1865, Keys employed John LaCrosse, a surveyor of San Francisco to plot out certain portions of his lands as a town site, while a like duty was performed by County Surveyor, Hiram Austin in April, 1868. The first house erected on the addition made by Warren Dutton was built in the Fall of 1856, and used as an hotel by William Davis, but afterwards occupied by Mr. Dutton as a residence; it is now the dwelling of F. W. Holland. In 1864, Dutton erected a store of stone, which was for many years used as a. place of business; the edifice is now in the occupancy of Kowalsky & Co .. The partnership between Keys and Dutton existed for three years and au half, when the latter sold out his interest to the former.
It has been shown that John Keys came to Tomales in the year 1850 in a small boat, and that at that time he was the owner of the schooner " Spray." He erected a small warehouse at the confluence of Dutton's and Keys' creeks, on what is now known as Stony Point. Properly speaking this sheet of water is a small estuary leading from the creek flowing into Tomales bay and running north, Stony Point being a short distance to the rear of Mrs. Keys' dwelling. At present there are all the indications of an old road as well as a few pieces of timber to mark the spot.
From this point did the "Spray" take on board passengers and whatever produce there was to be shipped to San Francisco by the settlers, but this was not her only route, for we are informed on the most reliable authority that she also made voyages to the adjacent port of Bodega, in Sonoma. county; yet how long she continued to perform this service, or what became- of her, we have been unable to gather. She was succeeded by a small vessel called the " Elk," built by Keys, which was used to tow the laden. lighters to a steamer, whose size precluded her penetrating to the shallow point whereon the warehouse was situated. This craft afterwards went on shore in the creek where she was purchased by Dr. McLean as she lay in the mud, who sent her machinery to San Francisco and disposed of it. there as. old iron. The "Monterey " made trips up the estuary as far as the point. where the railroad now crosses that body of water, about three miles below Tomales, and where Warren Dutton had constructed a large warehouse .. The present residence of A. Huff, at Hamlet, was also built there and opened as an hotel; it was, however, subsequently moved on lighters to the situa- tion on which it now stands.
When the railroad made its appearance all traffic in that direction ceased,,
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
so that to-day all that remains of the fomer places of shipment are a few pieces of lumber, as well as some posts intended to indicate where these structures once stood. Caused by the debris brought down from the moun- tain, the estuary is fast filling up, and long ere another quarter of a cen- tury shall have come and gone, naught but tradition will remain to point out the shipping, the harbor or Keys creek.
The first school was taught in 1857 by Henry Ashley, while the first post-office was established as long ago as April 12, 1854, the incumbent being Valentine Bennett.
In August, 1878, a fire was discovered in a large building used as a hotel, etc., on the corner of Main and First streets. Before it could be stopped it had devoured the hotel, together with the Bank of Tomales, Dr. G. W. Dutton's store, a watchmaker's store, and a warehouse, the latter owned by Mr. Kowalsky. The conflagration was supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
The growth of the little town has not been great, yet, though small, it has its advantages. It is possessed of a beautiful school building which stands on an eminence overlooking the town; and the two churches, with their large congregations, earnest and devout ministers, in themselves bespeak a refined and desirable condition of society. The conterminous country is varied in its scenery, while the drives in the environs, especially those fol- lowing the bank of the estuary to the bay, and that to the coast are such as should please the most exacting reveler in scenic effect.
TOMALES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- Prior to the year 1870 Presbyterian service was held in Tomales at irregular intervals. In the beginning of the year 1870 many persons expressed a desire to erect a suitable place for public worship; and, in accordance with this desire, the work of building a house of worship was begun, even before the formal organization of a society took place.
Messrs. Warren Dutton, Thomas McCune, G. W. Burbank, and Robert Bailey acted as trustees in charge of the work. During the year 1870 a fine church edifice was completed at a cost of four thousand five hundred dollars. Unfortunately the building took fire and was totally destroyed two days before the time appointed for its dedication. This was a great loss but a noble, generous people were not to be discouraged, and with a zeal and energy worthy of the highest praise, they set immediately to work to erect another building.
The second building was erected upon the foundation of the former one, and was completed in 1871 at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars. On the 24th of July, 1871, according to previous notice, the citizens of Tomales, Marin county, State of California, met for the purpose of organiz- ing a Presbyterian church. The following paper was presented and read :-
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" We whose names are hereunto affixed having strong desires to see the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ prospering in our midst, and believing the above object can be the better accomplished by the organization of a Chris- tian church, do hereby unite in requesting the Rev. C. H. Crawford to organ- ize us into a Presbyterian church, to be known as the First Presbyterian Church of Tomales, under the care of the Presbytery of Benicia and Synod of the Pacific." The Rev. R. McCulloch assisted in the above organization. The church consisted of nineteen members at the organization-John McCausland, Rachel McCausland, James Raye, Elizabeth Raye, Mrs. Esther Allen, D. Stevenson, Mrs. Paulina Burbank, John Holland, Mary Holland, Joseph Irvin, Anna Irvin, John Buchanan, Janet Buchanan, John Wilson, Christina Wilson, Mrs. Mary G. Ables, Mrs. J. M. Dutton. John McCaus- land and James Raye were elected Ruling Elders. Messrs. Warren Dutton, Thomas McCune, George Burbank, Robert Bailey and Joseph Irvin were elected Trustees. The first minister in charge of the church was Rev. C. M. Crawford. He came September, 1871. He continued in charge until the Spring of 1874, when he was succeeded by Rev. H. R. Avery, who was called in May, 1874, and remained one year. On November 21, 1875, the Rev. Robert Scrimgeour was called as pastor, and served the church until the Spring of 1878. After his departure the church was vacant until November, 1878, when Rev. James White took the field and remained until August, 1879. After his departure the church was left without either minister or elders until October 13, 1879, when Rev. J. M. Dinsmore was called and continues in charge at the present time. In November, 1879, Arthur Patterson and Josias Rock were chosen Ruling Elders. The church has a flourishing Sabbath School in connection with it, under the direction of Arthur Patterson. They also erected a large and comfortable parsonage in the year 1872. Such is a brief history of the First Presbyterian Church of Tomales, and let us hope that her successes in the past may be but the harbingers of greater successes in the future.
TOMALES LODGE, No. 233, I. O. O. F .-- Was instituted July 1, 1875, the charter members being John Cook, Warren Dutton, William Vanderbilt, John Parker, A. Little, Thomas M. Johnson, and Thomas J. Abels. They have a large, well-furnished room, situated over the store of A. Kahn, the same being on Block -, Lot -, in Dutton's Addition to Tomales. The Past Grands are Thomas J. Abels, Samuel M. Augustine, P. Burns, F. W. Holland, Thomas M. Johnson, O. F. Keim, William Vanderbilt, John Wilson and A. Kahn. The total membership is forty-threc, while the officers for the term ending June 30, 1880, are G. W. Dutton, N. G .; F. A. Plank, V. G .; F. W. Holland, Treasurer ; L. Bonneau, Secretary.
THE BANK OF TOMALES .- This institution was organized under the general
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
incorporation laws of the State of California, on June 30, 1875, by applica- tion of E. H. Kowalsky, Warren Dutton, Thomas J. Abels, John Griffin, and George Bunn, for articles of incorporation to carry on in the village of Tomales, Marin county, California, a bank of discount, deposit, loan-in short a general banking business-the authorized capital stock to be one hundred thousand dollars, divided into one thousand shares of one hundred dollars each. The number of shares subscribed for is as under :- Warren Dutton, sixty-eight shares; C. R. Arthur, M. C. Meeker & Bro., ten shares. each; T. J. Ables, Joseph Kidd, D. Thrasher, A. P. Gaver and William Rowland, forty-four shares each; Thomas Carruthers, fifty-eight shares; James McCausland and A. S. Marshall, forty-five shares each; H. Hitch- cock, seventy-five shares; John Griffin, G. W. Burbank and H. E. Lawrence, fifty shares each; E. Newburg, fourteen shares; John Giberson, twenty- nine shares ; E. H. Kowalsky and L. C. Woodworth, seventy-three shares each ; B. F. Tilton and E. R. Harmes, thirty shares each. On September, 15, 1875, six hundred and eighty shares had been subscribed for, and an assessment of fifty per cent. upon the subscribed stock levied, with which amount the bank was opened for business on September 27, 1875. Previous to- this date a lot had been purchased of W. Dutton, (lot No. nineteen, block five, of the village of Tomales, fronting on Main street and adjoining the Metropol- itan Hotel on the south) and a contract let to Joseph Kidd for the erection of a wooden building with vault, which, when completed and furnished with a safe and furniture, cost the corporation four thousand nine hundred and sixty-three dollars and fifty-six cents, which amount was paid out of the first assessment alluded to above, leaving a balance of twenty-nine thou- sand and thirty-six dollars and forty-four cents, with which amount the bank opened its doors to the public. The first officers were Warren Dutton, President, and Thomas J. Ables, Cashier, who were elected to their positions by the Directors.
The Directors met for the first time in the bank on December 30, 1875. Thomas J. Ables having been elected cashier, resigned his position as director, which was accepted and an election thereupon held, to fill the vacancy, when Hollis Hitchcock was duly installed. At this meeting an assessment was made of ten per cent. upon the subscribed capital, making a total of sixty per cent. A special meeting of the stockholders was held, April 1, 1876, when a motion was made and carried that the stock not already taken up, namely, three hundred and twenty shares, be apportioned amongst those at present holding stock in proportion to the amount of stock held by each, fractions arising from such divisions-eight shares-to be taken, voluntarily, by those desiring such shares. Additional stock was therefore issued in accordance with this motion, and an assessment of ten per cent. levied upon it on the same day. The second assessment of ten per cent. upon the new stock was levied May 2, 1876; the first regular meeting of the stockholders was
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TOMALES TOWNSHIP.
held June 3, 1876, at which the same Board of Directors was elected, and at a subsequent hour, President Warren Dutton and Cashier Thomas J. Ables were re-installed. At this meeting a third assessment of ten per cent. was levied upon the new issue of stock; a fourth on October 28, 1876; a fifth on February 24, 1877, and the sixth levy of ten per cent. on March 31, 1877, bringing the new issue of stock up to the same figure as the old, namely, sixty per cent., and making in all, the amount paid up to be sixty thousand dollars. Since that time, no more assessments have been made, but the earnings of the bank have been allowed to accumulate until now, March 15, 1880, the surplus aggregates over thirty thousand dollars. The second regular annual meeting was held June 2, 1877, when Warren Dutton, George Bunn, John Griffin, Hollis Hitchcock and H. E. Lawrence were elected Directors. Messrs. Dutton and Ables being again installed as President and Cashier.
At 3 A. M. of August 17, 1877, the Metropolitan Hotel, the bank and three other buildings were totally destroyed by fire, and so rapid was the destruction, that of the effects of the bank, unenclosed in the vaults, only three hundred dollars worth was saved. The books, papers, specie, etc., were uninjured. At a special meeting of the Directors held, September 8, 1877, it was decided that a new edifice should be erected, while the vault which had done such good service in protecting its contents during the fire, was included in the new structure. W. Dutton and G. W. Burbank were appointed a committee to award contracts, superintend the construction and accept the building from the contractor, when in their judgment it had been completed in accordance with the plans and specifications filed for that pur- pose. It was then decided that the bank buildings should be of brick, the contract for which was let to Joseph Kidd at one thousand nine hundred and forty dollars, which was accepted by the committee, December 25, 1877. The third annual meeting of the stockholders was convened, June 1, 1878, and the old Board of Directors re-elected, when also were re-instated, Messrs. Dutton and Ables in their offices of President and Cashier. The same Directors were once more elected at the fourth annual meeting held, June 7, 1879, when, by a statement made by the Cashier, the stock was shown to be worth eighty-five dollars and nineteen cents per share. Messrs. Dutton and Ables were again elected to the positions held by them since the organi- zation of the. bank. No dividends have been declared by this institution, and probably none will be until after the accumulations added to the paid up capital bring the shares up to par value.
NORTH PACIFIC COAST RAILROAD COMPANY .- Work was commenced on the above road in this township immediately below the small tunnel west from the depot, the labor being proceeded with in opposite directions. This was for the purpose of letting out the produce from the town of Tomales,
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
shipping via boats from Tomales bay, which was done before the entire com- pletion of the road to San Rafael. The first train to take goods left the warehouse on December 3, 1874; the first consignor was James Fallon, who sent to market three hundred sacks of potatoes. In the Fall of this year, 1874, Warren Dutton had erected the present warehouse, seventy by three hundred feet, through the entire length of which is a sunken railroad track the floor being on a level with that of the car, so that goods can be loaded on the cars with ease, and inside the warehouse. Mr. Dutton afterwards sold the building to the railroad company. The first shipment other than potatoes was made December 10, 1875, by P. Norton, and was one hundred and forty sacks of oats. In January 1875, the telegraph line was completed, and on the 16th of that month the first paid message was that of Miss Kate Griffin. The first shipment made over the road to San Francisco via San Rafael was on January 8, 1875, by Kowalsky & Co, the freight being fourteen boxes of butter. The first station-agent was Warren Dutton, with Frank Crawford as telegraph operator, both entering on their duties on Jan- uary 12, 1875. Dutton was succeeded by R. E. Payne, and he by A. A. Sprague, who took charge in 1877. H. D. Polhemus, the present holder, is the next in line, his record dating from May 10, 1877. In the month of January, 1875, the residents had a grand dinner in the warehouse at the depot, in honor of the advent of the railroad. The instigator of the fete was said to have been Warren Dutton. Special trains were run from San Rafael on the occasion, and people from all parts of the State were present to do justice to the viands which had been laid out on a table the entire length of the warehouse, three hundred feet-such were the inaugural ceremonies of the North Pacific Coast Railroad at Tomales.
HOTELS .- Union Hotel .- This hotel was built by Michael Hagerty in the year 1863, and is located on Block four, Lot fourteen, the same being on the corner of Main and First streets. The main building is in the shape of an L, two stories high, sixteen by sixty, and twenty-four by twenty-four feet respectively. Mr. Hagerty has been the owner and proprietor from the start to the present time.
Plank House .- This establishment was erected and is still owned by J. Z. Worth, who commenced operations on July 18, 1879. The main building fronts on First street, and is two stories in height, with wings on either side one story high. To the rear .of the wing on the east is the kitchen. The building is situated on Block five, and a portion of Lots nine and fifteen. F. A. Plank leased the property from Mr. Worth and opened it as a hotel on November 1, 1879, and has continued its proprietor to the present time.
TOMALES CHEESE FACTORY .- This enterprise was established by J. Payne in the Fall of 1875. The main building is thirty by sixty feet, with wings
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on either side fifteen by sixty, and an engine-room at the rear fifteen by twenty-five feet. The main building is two and a half stories high; directly in front of and attached to it is a receiving-room. The first or ground-floor of the principal structure is used as the manufacturing and press-room, and on the upper floor is the curing-room. The eastern wing is used for grinding feed, where there is a mill for that purpose; and the western is divided into office and butter-room, in the latter of which it is worked, moulded and packed. The engine is an upright of six-horse power, with a boiler of ten- horse power. When the factory is run to its fullest capacity it is capable of turning out two and a half tons of cheese per day. In May, 1876, Mr. Payne relinquished his claim to the instituton to a stock company, who con- ducted it till December, 1877, when F. H. Lang and J. M. Haskins bought it, and in the following June disposed of a one-third interest to Leslie Hoag. In November, 1879, Mr. Lang bought the interest of Haskins and Hoag and has since been its sole proprietor.
CARRIAGE AND WAGON MANUFACTORY-Louis Guldager .-- This estab- lishment is situated on the corner of Fourth avenue and E street. Mr. Gul- dager commenced the business in 1864 in the building which he now occupies. It is a two-story frame, facing the south, and is used principally as the wood department, with Michael Murphy as workman and proprietor. There is an L entending west from the main building which is one story in height, of wood, in which the iron work is done, over which Mr. Guldager presides and is the proprietor. Although the wood and iron shops have separate proprietors, yet the manufactory is carried on as if it were one concern. The enterprise gives employment to four men, and occasionally six, during the entire year.
PUBLIC HALL .- Was erected in the year 1874 on Block seventeen, Lot twenty-two, by the Tomales Temperance Social Club. The building is of wood, thirty by seventy feet, with a stage for the use of dramatic societies. The trustees of the Club were-Dr. G. W. Dutton, Thomas Carruthers and S. C. Percival, to whom the property is now deeded in trust, the remaining trustees-Dr. Dutton and Percival-holding the deed notwithstanding the disbanding of the society. The entire cost of the building was fourteen hundred dollars.
MARSHALLS .- This town is situated on the line of the North Pacific Coast Railroad, on the edge of Tomales bay, and at the base of the high bluffs which rise behind its single row of houses. As will be seen on reference to the county map it is located at the extreme southern portion of Tomales township.
In the year 1867, John Wightman, Jr., established the first store at this
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
place, in a building on the Petaluma road, above the ground now occupied by the village. By him the business was conducted for five years, at the end of which he was succeeded by E. O. Stratton, who in turn gave place to J. S. Bellrude, who transferred the interests to Ford & Kowalsky, by the latter of whom the trade is now carried on. Charles Howard established a mercantile firm in the town on May 17, 1877, which, with the establish- ment mentioned above are the only emporiums in the place. There is one hotel, built by Marshall Brothers in 1870, which, after having been rented at several intervals for store and hotel purposes, is now kept as a hostelry by P. J. Peterson. A good and commodious depot building was erected by the North Pacific Coast Railroad Company in 1876. The first ticket agent was A. B. Robbins, who was succeeded in 1876 by A. W. Dutton, the pres- ent incumbent, who is also the first agent appointed here by Wells, Fargo & Co. The town is represented by two stores, one hotel, one shoe and black- smith shop, and post-office, which was established February 6, 1872, with Eugene L. White as postmaster.
8
BIOGRAPHICAL
.
Joseph Irvin
BOLINAS.
Peter L. Bourne. Was born in Barnstable county, Massachusetts, April 30, 1826, and was the second child of Barnabas and Diadema Ewer Bourne. He remained at home with his parents till he was twelve years of age, when he shipped on board an Atlantic seaboard coaster. He followed this till 1843, when he shipped on board the ship " Rodman," Captain Alex. Newcomb, master, for a sperm whaling cruise to the Yellow sea, and was absent about three years and seven months. After spending four months at home, he again shipped, this time on board the bark "Dryade," bound on a Pacific whaling voyage. After cruising off the coast of Peru for two years the ship put in at Tolquagana, Chili, and the crew broke up. The ship was chartered for San Francisco, and Mr. Bourne reshipped on her, and arrived in that port September 20, 1849. After lying in the harbor for four months, the ship returned to Chili, Mr. Bourne going with her, and another whaling expedition was undertaken. He shipped on her as second officer. After the vessel had been out thirty days all hands refused to do duty, and the ship put into a port of the Tahiti Islands, and the refractory crowd turned loose among the natives. She then went to Pieta and Tom Peru, and took a cargo of vegetables for San Francisco, arriving again in 1851. He then made a three months' trip to the mines, working at Horse Shoe bar, Amer- ican river. Being forced by sickness to abandon the mines he returned to San Francisco, and shipped as first officer on the schooner " Excell," Cap- tain John Corwin, master, bound for Tahiti. He continued in this trade for three years, when he left the vessel and came to Bolinas. This was in November, 1853, and in 1854 he paid his old home' a visit, returning to Bolinas in September of that year. Captain Bourne has sailed several vessels from Bolinas to San Francisco, among which may be mentioned the sloop "Falmouth," schooner " Alexana," and in partnership with S. Clark he had the schooner "Convoy," of which he was master for three or four years. In 1866 he came to his present farm, which now consists of seven hundred and ninety-seven acres. Captain Bourne is a man of sterling traits of character, and a worthy citizen. He was married July 5, 1861, to Miss Mary P. Smith, daughter of William and Josephine Saiz Smith, who was born in Marin county. Their children are :- Zenas B., born October 30,
27
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
1862; Isabella, born October 31, 1864; Ulysses, born August 28, 1868; Frederick, born June 14, 1873; Peter, born August 6, 1875 ; Henrietta J., born August 8, 1879.
Pablo Briones. Is the oldest son of Gregorio and Ramona Garcia Briones, and was born at the Mission Dolores, San Francisco, January 15, 1823. He resided with his parents, wherever they were located, until the Fall of 1837, when he went to Bolinas and took charge of that rancho for his father, and erected the necessary buildings upon it. His mother and her other children followed him during the next year, his father remaining in San Francisco, of which place he was Alcalde still another year. He remained with his father for the succeeding several years, having charge of the place. He now resides at Woodville, and is one of the most honorable and respected Spanish-American men in the county. He was married Feb- ruary 2, 1861, to Señorita Rafaela Santilla, daughter of Juan Santilla, born in September, 1840. Their children are : - Pableto, born November 14, 1861; Fannie, born April 9, 1863; . Mary, born April 7, 1865; Teresa, born November 17, 1867, and died at the age of ten months ; Clotilda born April 9, 1871; Juan, born January 14, 1873; Belle, born March 18, 1877; Francisco, born August 19, 1878; Carlota, born September 17, 1879.
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