USA > California > Marin County > History of Marin County, California also an historical sketch of the state of California > Part 56
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James L. Fallon. Born in county Roscommon, Ireland, August 19, 1828. He came to the United States in 1849, and settled in Boston, Mass., where he resided till he came to this State in 1853, via Panama, arriving in San Francisco March 5th of that year. He remained in San Francisco about five years, and then went to the mines at French Gulch, where he remained a little over one year, then returned to San Francisco, where he remained till he came to Tomales township in 1859, and lived on the coast till he came to his present ranch. He married Delia Dunning, who was born in Ireland August 24, 1837. Their children are: Mary J., born June 9, 1861; Annie A., born October 3, 1863; Katie E., born October 23, 1865;
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Ellie F., born November 11, 1867; Emma J., born September 5, 1869; Ida L., born October 7, 1872; James L., born March 18, 1874.
William Darius Freeman. Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, September 27, 1827. When about seventeen years of age he moved to McHenry county, Illinois, travel- ing all the way by land in company with his parents. In 1854 he crossed the plains, arriving on the 27th day of September, and first settled in Ama dor county; he then came to the ranch now owned by Mr. Hubbell, and in 1864 came to his present farm, where he has since lived, having erected his house in 1877. Married, September 15, 1850, Mary Halstead, a native of Canada, by whom there are twelve children, viz: Emil R., George A., William F., Albert J., Henry D., James L., Orin D., Lillian R., Elmer J., War- ren W., Nellie E., Leona M.
Adolph Gericke. Born in Hanover, Germany April 26, 1832. When he was twenty years old he came to the United States, and to California settling in Petaluma, and the June following settled on San Antonio creek in this county, and took up land then owned by James Black. Here he lived till February, 1856. He then moved to Big Valley, Sonoma county, but only remained seventeen months. Again in 1857 he settled on land contained in the Blucher Rancho in Marin county. In 1875 he came to his present ranch of three hundred acres, where he has since resided. Married, January 9, 1858, Ellen Fallon. She was born in Ireland, and came to the United States, when five years old, being raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and came to this State in 1857. Mary Elizabeth, born Oct. 10, 1858; Otto William, September 1, 1860; George Frederick, May 13, 1863; James Rob -. ert, June 7, 1865; Adolph Mentor, May 24, 1868; Anna Matilda, May 13, 1870; Nellie Ottilie, July 15, 1872; Augusta Louisa, June 14, 1874; Agnes Theresa, May 19, 1876; Juliette Loretta, September 3, 1878, are their children.
James Graham. Born in Scotland May 15, 1832. January, 1852, he moved to Australia, where he lived till 1867, then came to California, set- tling near the coast in Tomales township. Came to his present ranch in 1873, and has one hundred and fifty-eight and one-half acres of land. His residence overlooks Tomales. Married Jane Murray in 1861. She was born in Ireland. Thomas, Lizzie Jannett, Agnes and James are their children.
John Griffin. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in this work, was born in the county Limerick, Ireland, in 1830. When seventeen years old he emigrated to the United States, where he had a brother and sister residing. Thomas Griffin, his brother, served with the
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Union Army, and now lives in Indiana. Settling in the State of Massachu- setts, he commenced life by teaming for Messrs. Phillips, Goodier & Boker, at Salem, in that State, although previous to his working for these parties he had lived a short time in Savannah, Georgia. In 1852 he came to this State via the Nicaragua route, and arrived in San Francisco November 20th of that year. He proceeded to Mariposa county, California, and com- menced mining on Sherlock's creek, where he remained in this employment for three years ; then returned to San Francisco. He only sojourned in that city about two months, and started to look for a suitable location to settle. After spending ten months traveling over California he came to and settled on a portion of his present ranch in November, 1856, purchasing at that time three hundred and twenty acres of land. He now owns ten hundred and thirty-five acres. The place where he lives is known as " Griffin's " valley. It will be seen from the above that Mr. Griffin has been twenty- four years in Tomales township, and these years have been full of manual and mental toil, not only to add to the comfort and happiness of his family and friends, but to add to the wealth and prosperity of the county of his adoption. On June 2, 1877, Mr. Griffin was elected one of the Directors of the Bank of Tomales; re-elected on June 1, 1878, and again on June 7, 1879. He married Ellen Malone, January 1, 1856. She was born in Ire- land. By this union they have :- Katie, Mary, Ella, James, Lizzie and Fannie.
John Guay. Was born in Canada, May 21, 1839. When twenty years old he emigrated to the United States and settled in New York, and was engaged in a brick yard; he afterwards moved to the State of Maine; from there he came to California in 1858, and went to the mines at Weaverville, Trinity county, on Trinity river, where he remained six years. From this place he came to Tomales, Marin county, where he has since made his home, with the exception of a trip to Oregon and Lower California. He bought out his brother in the livery business in Tomales, and at present writing is carrying on that establishment. Married Ellen Callen on June 27, 1876. She was born in Ireland. Charles A. is their only. child.
Hans Hansen Guldager. Born in Hardersleben, Prussia, December 14, 1833. When sixteen years old he went to Hamburg and shipped on the vessel "Union." He followed a seafaring life till June, 1853, at that time landing in San Francisco, having come via Cape Horn. Was engaged as a sailor on the coast for one year. Was connected with a surveying party for five years; then settled in Bloomfield, Sonoma county, in 1860, where he engaged with his brother, Louis Guldager, in the blacksmith business. He was admitted to citizenship in 1861. Here he lived till he came to this county, and settled on the Zimmerman Dairy in 1869. He came to his
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
present residence on November 1, 1872. Married Caroline Zimmerman September 20, 1863. She was born in Philadelphia June 14, 1846. Their children are :-- George M., born July 1, 1864; Lewis C., born September 8, 1868; Mary Louisa, born August 8, 1872.
Louis Hansen Guldager. Was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Prussia, April 9, 1831. At the age of fifteen he commenced to learn the black- smith's trade, completing the same at the age of twenty. He followed this occupation in various places in his native country, also enlisted for two years in the army, serving in the cavalry. In 1859 he emigrated to California, first settling at Bloomfield, Sonoma county, where he opened a blacksmith shop in 1860, with his brother, Hans H. Guldager. In the Spring of 1864 he came to Tomales, this county, where he commenced working at his trade, and has since continued in that business. He was admitted to citizenship in 1867. He married Anna M. Woldemar, July 8, 1868. She was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Prussia. The names of their children are : Anna C., born December 5, 1870 ; Louis H., born August 9, 1872 ; Albert O., born April 26, 1874 ; Caroline M., born May 18, 1876 ; William L., born Febru- ary 19, 1878.
Benjamin Harrington, Jr. Born in Durham, Cumberland county, Maine, May 5, 1830. He received his education in the common schools in his native State. Moved to Cook county, Illinois, where he remained during the year 1852, thence via Nicaragua to California, in company with John H. Osgood, arriving April 11, 1853. He at once went to the mines at Placerville, thence to Amador county, where he remained about six years. He came to this county in the Fall of 1862; and bought his present farm in company with Mr. Osgood, said place being located about two miles from Valley Ford, Sonoma county. He has since bought out his partner. Is unmarried.
Joel Harvey. Born at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, July 21, 1801. Mar- ried Lydia Barber, in Worcester, Mass., 1826. Emigrated to Pittsfield, Ill., in 1836; then, in 1846, moved to Atchison county, Mo., and in July, 1849, started over the plains for California, and arrived in Salt Lake October 17, 1849, and wintered there, and the first of May, 1850, started again for Cali- fornia, and arrived July 15, 1850, and camped thirteen miles from Sacra- mento, on the old Coloma road, and built a tavern called the Pittsfield House, keeping the place for three years, and farmed and raised stock, and in January, 1853, sold out and came to Tomales, and bought the place now owned by Sartoris, and lived upon it for twenty years, selling in 1873; then went to Sonoma valley, to live with his son, and on August 27, 1873, he died in Sonoma, at the age of seventy-two years; was the father of
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Albert Sagerne
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seven children, two of them now living. His widow is still living at the advanced age of eighty-one years and two months.
Franklin W. Holland. The subject of this memoir is a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts ; was born September 30, 1837. When quite young his parents removed to Boston, where he was educated. Mr. Holland served as salesman in different stores in that city until eighteen years of age, after which he followed the business of shipping clerk and stevedore for a period of seven years. He held the position of Assistant Master of Transportation in Butler's Department during the civil war, after which he engaged in the retail boot and shoe business in East Boston. He emigrated to California ria Panama in 1866, arriving in San Francisco in March of that year. He came at once to Tomales, and engaged with Warren Dutton for a period of three years, when he returned to his home in the East, but returning to Tomales, entered into business with Warren Dutton, which continued until the business was disposed of to Kowalsky & Co. in 1873, since when he has been in their employ. Was appointed postmaster in 1877, and still holds that position. Married, February 19, 1866, Julia Sargent of Chelsea, Mass., by whom he has Julia A., Frank S., Mabel W., Mary Emily, and Emma Gertrude.
Charles Howard. Was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 4th of March, 1838. He left the place of his nativity, coming to this State via the overland route, and first settled in Placerville, El Dorado county, where he engaged in mining. He remained in this State for a period of five years, then returned East, coming again to California after two years. He at once proceeded to the mines, where he remained two years; then he became proprietor of a packing train over the mount- ains to Carson valley, thence to Frazer river and Cariboo. In 1862 he engaged in mining in Cariboo, remaining two summers, then returned to Cali= fornia and Marin county, where he has since resided. On May 17, 1877, he established his business in Marshalls, where he is now one of the leading merchants. Mr. Howard married Mrs. Henderson,
0. Hubbell. Born in Delaware county, New York, November 27, 1832. When two years old his father died and his mother moved to Washtenaw county, Michigan, where young Hubbell was educated. From there he . came to California via Panama in 1855, landing in San Francisco in June of that year. He at once went to the mines on the north fork of Feather river, remaining two months, thence to San Leandro, Alameda county, but only remained until Fall. He then came to this county and settled on the ranch now occupied by Mrs. Clark. He sold that place in 1859 and returned to Michigan, where he lived until 1863. In August of that year Mr. Hubbell returned and settled on his present ranch. He married Eliza
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
C. Howard November 27, 1862. She was born in Waltham, Addison county, Vermont, June 19, 1832. She was a faithful member of the M. E. Church, having joined in 1855. Mr. Hubbell and wife made a visit to the East in 1876. Mrs. Hubbell died August 31, 1877. Orton B., Susan L., and George R., are their children. Married again July 3, 1879, Cynthia Foster who is a native of New York State, born in 1841.
Abraham Huff. Was born in Montgomery county, New York, Novem- ber 15, 1830. When he was four years old his parents moved to Oneida county, New York, thence to Oswego county after four years, and in 1840 moved to Orleans county. Here the subject of this sketch resided until 1857, when he took up his residence in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and in the Fall of 1863 emigrated via the Isthmus to California, arriving in San Francisco January, 1864. He resided in that city, with the exception of a short time spent in the mines, until he came to this county, settling first in Point Reyes. In October, 1869, he came to his present ranch at Hamlet, where he is station agent for the North Pacific Coast Railroad and Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express; he is also engaged in merchandising. He married Eugenia Goff December 10, 1857. She was born in Monroe county, New York, June 22, 1838. They have two children-Ettia E., born Decem- ber 11, 1861; and Luella A., born May, 1870.
Joseph Huntley. This pioneer settler of Marin county was born in Washington county, Maine, on September 22, 1821. He received his educa- tion in the common schools in the county where he was born; and here he also married Lorinda Gross, who died in 1843. In 1847 he left the home of his nativity, and shortly after took a residence in Rockville, Maine; thence to Cutler, in that State, where he engaged in building the ship " California Packet," which, when completed, was to sail for this State. Mr. Huntley was one of the owners of the vessel, also the two old settlers who have often been spoken of in these pages, namely, Hon. Sanborn Johnson and Lowell Webber. The ship was completed and set sail from Cutler to Boston, arriving in the latter place in January of that year. They left Boston March 4, 1850, sailed around the " Horn," arriving in San Francisco on August 20th of that year. Mr. Huntley only remained in that place two months, then pro- ceeded to Bodega, Sonoma county, and was employed in a saw-mill then owned by Phelps. In the Fall of 1852 he settled in Tomales township, and on the ranch now owned by James Fallon, where he raised a crop of potatoes. In the Fall of 1853 he went into partnership with Johnson & Webber on the ranch occupied by them at that time. Mr. Huntley, how- ever, sold out his interest in the ranch to the above firm and returned to Maine the following Spring. After an absence of one year he returned to this township and settled on the ranch he now owns. Married, February
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20, 1854, Keziah Huntley, who was born in Maine. Their children are Jasper, Albert, Martha and Warren.
Joseph Irvin. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Belfast, Ireland, October 14, 1832. In 1851 he emi- grated to the United States, and settled in Baltimore, Maryland, but two years thereafter he came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Francisco in April, 1853. He at once proceeded to Corte Madera, where he obtained employment in the government mill there. He also resided on the Read Rancho, and followed various pursuits until the year 1856, when he removed to Tomales township and settled on his present farm of two hundred and forty acres. Mr. Irvin married, April 13, 1868, at the Church of the Advent (Rev. H. D. Lathrop), Annie, eldest daughter of William Granlees, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1848. Mrs. Irvin came to this State via Panama, and arrived in San Fran- cisco in February, 1857. She first resided in Alameda county, at San Leandro, but removed to Tomales, Marin county, June 14, 1867. Their children are, Mary, born March 10, 1869; William Granlees, born December 24, 1870; Margaret, born July 12, 1873; James Thomas, born December 28, 1875, and Josephine, born December 16, 1878.
Ch. S. Israel. The subject of this sketch was born in Theonville, France, on September 6, 1852. He emigrated to the United States in 1877 and since that time has been a resident of San Francisco, and has been editor and proprietor of the San Francisco Punch, and is an artist by profession. He entered into partnership with Henry C. Donnell and Henry I. Kowalsky, under the name and style of " United States Map Company." Mr. Israel is making a tour through the East in the interests of the firm.
John T. James, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Niagara county, New York, March 14, 1834. Here he received his educa- tion. He also lived there till he started for California, in 1853, stopping a short time at Peoria, Illinois. He crossed the plains in company with Thomas Carruthers and L. W. Walker. He stopped about two or three months on the Sacramento river, when he came to Tomales township and settled on the ranch now owned by A. Woodworth. He was joined by Thomas Carruthers in 1854, and they were well known by all old settlers ยท by their firm name " Tom and Jack." Mr. James now lives directly south of Tomales, on the bluffs overlooking the town. Married Frances Saph, March 29, 1865. She was born in England April 4, 1837. Alice, Jessie, Harriett, Mary, Carrie, Ida and Edith are their children.
Thomas M. Johnston. Was born in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, on September 8, 1833. When quite young his parents moved to Carroll county, Ohio, and in 1847 removed to Van Buren county, Iowa. Here Mr.
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Johnston was educated. In 1854 he crossed the plains with ox-teams to this State and first settled in Marysville, but only remained about five months; thence to Siskiyou county; then to Shasta and Trinity, and back to Siski- you. He also moved to British Columbia, and then to Oregon, and returned to Placer county in this State. He sometime afterwards moved to Sonoma county, and from that place to Marin county in 1871, and to his present residence about one year previous to this writing. Married Mary E. Frisbie on May 30, 1876. She was born in Otsego county, New York, on May 16, 1842. She has two children by a former marriage, to wit: Sarah Ella and Mercie Emma. Mr. Johnston has one child, Hattie Catherine.
John Keys. Born in county Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1824. When but seventeen years old, or in 1841, he emigrated from Ireland, settling in St. Louis, Missouri, where he had an uncle residing, and under him was edu- cated in the mercantile trade. In 1849, in company with a Mr. Agnew, he bought a quantity of dry goods, took them to San Francisco, where they were disposed of, and the subject of this memoir went to the mines. There he remained for a time and then returned to San Francisco and established a commission trade. This business he followed till the Spring of 1850, when he moved to Smith's ranch, Bodega township, Sonoma county. Here, in company with Alexander Noble, he put in a crop of potatoes, the first of the kind ever grown in that section. They were raised on the head-land known as Bodega Point. After the crop was matured they had to get a vessel to take it to market. A small schooner of about fifteen tons burden was purchased by Mr. Keys. It was called the "Spray." From the circum- stances it is presumable that Mr. Keys had, on his way up to Smith's ranch from San Francisco, discovered his future home at Tomales, for, in the Fall of the year, 1850, Smith informed him that parties were about to jump his claim. He therefore, in company with Alexander Noble, sailed from Bodega, entered the Tomales bay, and before the jumping party arrived, had a tent erected on the east bank of the creek which now bears his name. His shanty, built near the same place, was the first building ever erected in Tomales. Tomales owes much to the energy and perseverance of John Keys. Not only was he interested in the welfare of the settlers of the township, fighting with vigor for over fifteen years for their rights (and was successful) against a bogus land grant, but he at once engaged in business, and not only brought goods to this market and sold them, but took the produce of settlers to San Francisco. He disposed of his mercantile trade in 1871, but continued the shipping business till his death, which occurred in August 14, 1873. He married a daughter of James and Mary Miller, February 14, 1860.
Henry I. Kowalsky. The subject of this sketch was born in Buffalo, New York, on August 16, 1859, and is the fourth living son of Levi and
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Fannie Kowalsky. Henry resided in his native city till 1866, when his parents moved to California, coming via Panama, and took up their resi- dence in the city of San Francisco. Mr. Kowalsky's father had come to this State in 1859, and from 1863 resided in Bodega, Sonoma county, return- ing to Buffalo from that place in 1866, for the purpose of bringing his family to this coast. Henry was sent to the Lincoln Grammar School in San Francisco, passed through all the grades, and completed his education in that institution in 1874. His first attempt at business was to secure a paper delivery route, but only conducted it a few days when he sold out to other parties. This was during the time he was attending school. After being associated with one or two papers in the city, Mr, Kowalsky, in company with Frank Wadleigh, established Our Boys Monthly Magazine in October, 1873, but in February following the name of the paper was changed to Field and Fireside, and edited by the subject of this sketch. We cannot better give the reader an idea of the enterprise than by copying a press notice from the Daily Examiner. " We have received from the publishers the first number of Our Boys and Girls, a California Juvenile Monthly Magazine, devoted to the interests of the youth of the Pacific coast. A review of the contents of the number impresses us with the ability and judgment of its conductor. All the matter appears to be original, and none of it is amenable to harsh criticism, considering the productions are those of young persons beginning a literary career. While we do not commend the new class of literature known as amateur journalism, we are constrained to say this juvenile magazine is deserving of encouragement. Its editor, Henry Kowalsky, is a bright youth, with an evident aptitude for the voca- tion which he has adopted at a rather early period of his life." The publi- cation of the magazine was discontinued, and its editor moved to Tomales, Marin county, in March, 1874. Here he entered the store of his brother, Edward H. Kowalsky, who had located here in 1872. Henry coutinued in the capacity as clerk till 1877; then went to Marshall, and in company with Mr. Ephraim, bought the store owned by Ford & Kowalsky. In 1878 he disposed of his interest in this store to his brother, E. H. Kowalsky, and moved to Tomales, and joined partnership with the same brother in a store at that place, where he now resides. He is also a member of the " United States Election Map Co.," Henry C. Donnell, Henry I. Kowalsky and Charles S. Israel being the firm. We are pleased to record the life of a young man now scarcely twenty-one years old, which is fraught with deeds that go to make up a man of usefulness, and is only another illustration of what pluck, energy and push can do.
Edwin Ladner. Was born in the county of Cornwall, England, Janu- ary 16, 1842, and there received his education. August 17, 1863, he joined the police force in the above county, resigned September 4, 1866, and four
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HISTORY OF MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
days later started for California, arriving in San Francisco October 24, 1866. His first work in the State was mining in the Mount Diablo coal mines. In January, 1867, he moved to Marin, and engaged in dairying and farming in Tomales township; in 1869, he leased the Crocker ranch, now owned by H. Elphick; thence he proceeded to the Marshall tract in 1870, where he remained four years; then moved on the Patrick Fox, commonly known as the Big Rock ranch, near San Rafael, where he resided five years. In the Fall of 1879, he returned to Tomales township and settled on his present farm of four hundred acres, located about half-way between Tomales and Marshall, on the hill road. Mr. Ladner married, February 9, 1872, Nancy Clark Himmah, a native of Cheatham county, Tennessee, by whom he has Albert Edwin, born June 28, 1873, and Amelia Ann, born July 2, 1877.
F. H. Lang. Born in Lorain county, Ohio, November 7, 1849. When seven years of age, his parents moved to Henry county, Illinois. There remained seven years, when the family returned to Lorain county, Ohio. Here he was educated. He engaged in the manufacture of cheese and butter in that county, and learned the business thoroughly. Married Julia Damon of Litchfield, Medina county, Ohio. Emigrated overland to Cali- fornia in the Fall of 1877, settled in Tomales where he purchased the cheese factory, and has been engaged in that business since. Leona and Lilian, are their children.
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