USA > California > Mendocino County > History of Mendocino County, California : comprising its geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber > Part 59
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Niels Iversen, Whose portrait will be found in this work, is a native of Denmark, born April 6, 1830. He acquired a common school education in the Danish language, and at the age of sixteen became a sailor before the mast on Danish coasting vessels ; soon however changing into the English mer- chant service in the Mediterranean Sea, and finally sailed for California from Scotland, arriving in San Francisco in June 1853. With that readiness to
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adapt himself to circumstances which distinguished the early pioneers, he worked at whatever he could find to do during that summer, and in the fall went to the mines at Sonora, Tuolumne county, where he followed mining. until the spring of 1854 with varying success. He then returned to San Francisco, where he remained engaged in the coopering business until 1856, when the old passion for the sea, together with the promise of high freights induced him to purchase a sailing-vessel, the Rincon Point. He afterwards built the schooners Charlotte and Golden Rule in which, and other vessels he sailed, engaged in the bay and coast trade from 1856 to 1863. In the latter year he returned to his native land and married Kristina Iversen. Re- turning to California in 1865 he settled in Mendocino county and engaged in merchandising at Point Arena, which business together with that of con- ducting a meat market he continued till 1873. In this year he again visited Europe and his native home, taking his family with him. On his return to Point Arena he resumed the butchering business. In 1870 became the owner of the hotel property known as the Point Arena House, but leased it to other parties till 1876 when he became the landlord and has continued in that business ever since. In 1878 he was appointed Supervisor of his county which office he filled for two years. He has filled the office of school trustee of his school-district for ten or twelve years. Mr. Iversen is liberal, public spirited, thoroughly imbued with a love for Republican form of gov- ernment, ever ready to contribute to the promotion of anything calculated to advance the interests of his section, and is a living example of what may be accomplished by untiring energy and perseverance. His 'living children are : George W., born July 4, 1864; Anna M., born July 28, 1866; Elsie M., born August 31, 1868; Charles M., born February 28, 1871; Iver Masten, born December 27, 1876.
Julius Garwood Morse, M. D. (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born in the State of New York in the year 1809, springing from good old revolutionary stock. His youth was passed near the city of Auburn, where he had the benefit of its best educational facilities, then not inconsid- erable. At the age of nineteen he matriculated at Fairfield Medical College, near Geneva, attending the full course of lectures and received, his diploma as M. D. from the State Board of Medical Censors. From then until 1849 he devoted his time and energies to the practice of his chosen profession, building up an extensive and lucrative business. In those days he was a radical Democrat and took a deep interest in political matters, and, being an accomplished debater, he was often involved in heated public discussions, notably one with Prince John Van Buren, in which it is said that he did not come off second best. At the breaking out of the gold fever, being of an adventurous spirit, he assisted to organize a company of gold hunters to try the perils of the plains, and was appointed surgeon of the company. After
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an unusually hard journey they arrived at Los Angeles in September, 1849, from which point the band scattered; the Doctor going to San Francisco, and from thence to the mines on the Yuba. Meeting with some success he determined to quit mining, and returned to San Francisco, and went still north to the land " where rolls the Oregon." Becoming disgusted with the proverbial slowness of the " web-feet" he came again to San Francisco, and from there ventured into the mines once more, where he remained a year ; then removed to San Francisco, and from there to Point Arena in 1858. At that time there were but twenty-five families at Point Arena, and it was, practically, shut out from the rest of the world. With commendable prompt- itude and energy the Doctor brought the people together, and established the first public school; rode day after day among the people circulating a petition for the establishment of a post-office, in which he was successful, and he was appointed postmaster. He made every effort to promote the prosperity of the surrounding country, often neglecting his private affairs for that purpose. If a neighbor wanted advice he went without hesitation to the Doctor; if a new-comer desired to know something about the country or its resources he was referred to Dr. Morse, who took keen pleasure in extending every courtesy and rendering all the information of which he was possessed. He advocated the building of roads, the erection of mills, the planting of orchards, and the improvement of stock and farms; in short, there was nothing that might benefit the country that he did not advocate. On very many occasions he acted as an arbitrator in the disputes of the citizens, and his decision was as unalterable as the laws of the Medes and Persians; no one ever thought of questioning its correctness. He never
threw " cold water" on the plans of any one starting a new enterprise, but rather assisted with kindly words and good advice. He was the dernier ressort when other men failed; presided at public meetings; made speechs at all public gatherings, for he was a ready orator, and had stored away a fund of wisdom, wit, and anecdote that he could call forth without a moment's notice to interest and please. He was the soul of honor and would rather suffer an injury than do one. If he gave his word no man desired his bond. Being no respecter of persons he showed the same unvarying courtesy to the most humble as to the most prominent of men, and though a man of considerable wealth he despised those who cringe at its beck and worship at its shrine. Not infrequently has he imperilled his life in crossing swollen streams and threading the huge forests in the dark- ness of night on an errand of mercy to some sick man, when he had not the slightest hope of pecuniary reward. He denied no man his services because the man was poor, but for that very reason rendered them with cheerful alacrity. Such qualities of head and heart endeared him to all with whom he came in contact, and won him hosts of friends. He was a tall, well- formed man, with a fine, piercing eye, and a singularly benign expression of
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countenance that indicated the benevolence within him - one of the true gentlemen of the old school now represented by so few. He died August 1, 1878, after a long and painful illness, beloved and regretted by the whole community. Probably no man that ever lived was more respected and beloved among the people with whom he associated than was Dr. Morse.
Le Grand Morse. Was born near Ithaca, in the State of New York, May 27, 1842, tracing an American ancestry back until a few years after the coming of the Mayflower. Came to California in 1852, and on the way was wrecked on the steamship North America, near Acapulco, Mexico. Arrived in San Francisco in May, and went with his parents to Forest Hill, Placercounty, and remained one year, and then returned to San Francisco, El's father being unfortunate in business enterprises, he went to work
wk at y age of twelve years, performing hard labor, occasionally going to sc Ling a short time in the winters. When seventeen he removed to
Point a, Mendocino county, with his parents and there assisted to clear, plough, and fence a farm of two hundred acres. Assisted on the farm a few years and then worked as a lumberman on the Noyo river; then returned to the farin, made a strike, then attended Sotoyome Academy, Healdsburg, one year. His money giving out he went to San Francisco, and worked for a time in a coffee and spice mill; returned to Point Arena and taught the public school in Manchester district for six months, then taught school (public) in Mendocino City for fourteen months, subsequently returned to Point Arena and acted as clerk in the store of A. W. Hall, then a heavy operator at that point. In 1869, he started a drug and general merchandise establishment at Point Arena, built up a flourishing business and successfully conducted it for ten years, during this time being postmaster for seven years. In 1876, he sold out his business and resigned his position as postmaster, and commenced the practice of law, having studied that profession at odd moments and been admitted to the bar. He is still engaged in the practice of law, having a respectable clientage. During the agitation of the New Constitution question Mr. Morse took an active part in favor of the adoption of that instrument and subsequently was nominated by the New Constitu- tion party to represent Mendocino county in the Legislature. At the election he received the support of all parties and thus became one of the members of the first Legislature that acted on the provisions of the New Organic Law. In personal appearance Mr. Morse is of medium height and spare built, agile, and wiry, with an energetic, nervous temperament. He is, politically, a conservative Republican, and in all things naturally conserva- tive, cautious, and prudent.
Lewis Morse, Second son of Dr. J. G. and Euphias H. Morse; was born in Thompkins county, New York, November 29, 1845. He resided in that vicinity till 1852, when, with his mother, he came to California, via
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HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Nicaragua, arriving in San Francisco in. May of that year. The steamer North America was wrecked eighty miles south of Acapulco. They traveled on horseback to that place and then took the steamer Independence for San Francisco. He at once went to the mines in Placer county; remained there engaged in mining and merchandising till 1853, when they returned to San Francisco, and there remained till 1858, when they came to Mendo- cino county. Young Lewis was educated in the common schools of San Francisco, and in 1863 he entered the Sotoyome Academy at Healdsburg, remaining for two years. He then returned to Point Arena and began farming, which he followed till 1878. Since then he has resided in the town of Point Arena farming and loaning money. August 21, 1869, he married Miss C. W. Pease, a native of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, born August 25, 1840. They have one child, Julius G, born May 30, 1870.
Samuel W. McMullen. This pioneer gentleman, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, January 24, 1831, and is the oldest son of Daniel H. and Nancy Fox McMullen. He resided at his native place till 1854, and during that time was educated at the common schools of the county. May 5th of the last-named year he sailed from New York City on the steamer Illinois to Aspinwall, and thence to San Francisco on the steamer Sonora, arriving May 31st. He immedi- ately proceeded to the mines in Tuolumne county, working at Montezuma. After mining till the spring of 1857, he went to Green Valley in Sonoma county, where he remained two years. In the year 1859 he removed to
Mendocino and farmed one year, when he engaged in the liquor business in the town of Point Arena. In 1865 he erected the Point Arena House, which he conducted till 1869, and then disposed of it to William Shoemake. Mr. McMullen has remained permanently in the place since coming, with the exception of six months in 1874, which he, with his family, spent in Healdsburg. July 3, 1864, he was married to Jennie Brown, a native of Missouri, born January 8, 1849. Their living children are: George, born December 5, 1865; Julia Belle, born June 4, 1867; Abby, born November 10, 1868; Rockwell, born January 18, 1871. They have lost five children.
Raymond W. O'Niel. Was born in Vigo county, Indiana, November 12, 1852. When he was one year old his parents crossed the plains to Oregon, where they resided one year. In 1854 they came to California and settled at San Jose, where they resided for one year. In 1856 they went to Healdsburg, Sonoma county, and in May, 1857, they settled two miles north of the present village of Point Arena. Young Raymond attended the com- mon schools of the section and also spent one year in the Alexander Academy in Healdsburg. In 1876 he began his present business of drugs and groceries in Point Arena. He was married, November 12, 1878, to Miss Ada J. Lyman.
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Cornelius Bullen Pease. Was born in Wilton, Franklin county, Maine, March 14, 1822. He resided in his native State until seventeen years of age, attending the common schools of the county till he was four- teen years of age, at which time he began working at the carpenter's trade, under the instructions of his father. In 1840 he left his parental roof and proceeded to Massachusetts, working at his trade in Boston, Lowell, Fall River and Bridgewater, until his departure for California which occurred February 3, 1853. On that date he sailed on the steamer Georgia from New York City for Aspinwall, and from the Isthmus up on this side, on the ill-fated steamer Tennessee which went ashore at the place now known as " Tennessee Cove or Valley" on the coast of Marin county about two and a half miles north of Point Bonita. Mr. Pease walked to Saucelito, a distance of seventeen miles, and then got passage on a water-boat for the city of San . Francisco, arriving there the same night of the shipwreck. He at once began to work at his trade in San Francisco and Sacramento, which he fol- lowed continuously till February, 1854. He then returned to his eastern home, and began operations in the manufacture of cotton gins. He remained engaged at this business for four years, when the desire to return to California became so strong that he yielded to it, and on the 5th day of March, 1858, he, with his family, set sail for the land of the sunset, arriving in San Francisco April 13th. He at once began working at his trade in San Francisco, where he continued till 1866. Meantime, in 1859, he had come to Mendocino county and purchased his present farm, and moved his family upon it, where they remained three years, and then returned to San Fran- cisco and remained till 1866, when they all came to their farm and located permanently on it. This farm consists of three hundred acres, used for dairying purposes. In 1876 Mr. Pease visited the Centennial Exhibition, and again in 1879 himself and wife visited their old eastern home. Novem- ber 1, 1846, he was united in marriage with Miss Betsey B. Snell, a native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, born February 20, 1825. This marriage occurred at Fall River, Massachusetts, and was solemnized by Rev. Orin Fowler. Their living children are: Cornelia, now Mrs. Lewis Morse, born at East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, August 25, 1847; Fannie, now Mrs. Phillips, born May 1, 1855, and Freddie, born December 7, 1867. They have lost two children, Ella J. and Charles H.
Niels Iver Pedersen. Was born in Denmark, October 28, 1856, and resided at his birthplace till 1872, during which time he received a common school education in the Danish language. He arrived in San Francisco October 20, 1872, and came immediately to Point Arena, Mendocino county, where he worked at the butcher business for sixteen months for Niels Iver- son. He then went to Little River and ran Mahlman's livery-stable for six months. He then returned to Point Arena and was variously employed at
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HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
working in the brewery, shingle mill, sailing, etc., until at last he purchased a farm about ten miles south of Arena, comprising two hundred and eighty- five acres, which he conducted until July, 1879, when he sold it, and purchased the livery stable in Arena, which business he is at present conducting. He is not married, and is a genial, pleasant, obliging gentle- man, and deserves success in business.
Cyrus D. Robinson, Son of Lyman and Susan Sears Robinson, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1823. He resided at his birthplace till he was twenty-one years of age, receiving in the meantime, his education at the common schools. In August,{ 1844, he went to Chicago, Illinois, and there engaged as clerk in a grocery store. In 1847, he opened a grocery store of his own, which he continued till the spring of 1849. In May of that year he went to Independence, Missouri, and in connection with three others purchased four yoke of oxen and started across the plains to Califor- . nia, arriving in this State October 27th of that year. They then separated and Mr. Robinson and a young man by the name of Robertson, proceeded to the mines on Feather river, and he remained in that vicinity till 1850, when his health failed him and he came to San Francisco and began operations in a grocery store. He disposed of this business and returned to the mines, where he remained but a short time, when he went to Humboldt bay and worked in the woods during the winter. He then went to the mines on Trinity river, and in October returned to Humboldt, and worked in the pioneer saw-mill of that place, which was erected by Messrs. Eddy & White, till December 15th when he took passage on the brig Colorado, which took the first cargo of sawed lumber out of that port on that trip. He remained in San Francisco till May, 1852, when he went to Colusa county, and began farming, which he followed till November of that year. He next went to Sonoma county where he remained till the fall of 1853. He then returned to his birthplace and spent the winter there. In March, 1854, he took his family and went to Nebraska, where they remained till 1856, when, with his family, he crossed the plains to California. They spent their first year in North San Juan, in Nevada county. He then went to the Russian River Crossing, where he maintained a ferry and kept a hotel till the spring of 1858, when he came to Gualala, Mendocino county, and purchased his pres- ent place, where he has since been engaged in hotel-keeping, shipping and farming. He erected his present fine hotel building in 1872. Mr. Robin- son was married March 13, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth D. Davidson, a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, born March 1, 1824. Their children are Cyrus D. Jr., Frank. L. and Delila L.
James G. Stewart. Was born in Knox county, Illinois, January 21, 1839, and while he was yet an infant his parents moved to Iowa, where they remained till 1853, when they crossed the plains to Washington Territory,
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and resided there till 1856. The family then moved to Stewart's Point, Sonoma county, where James continued to reside till 1861. He then went to the mines in eastern Oregon and Idaho, and followed trading and min- ing till 1864. In 1865 he came to Mendocino county and began stock-raising and farming with his brother, which he continued till 1867. He then went . on a trading expedition through Utah, Montana, Colorado and Kansas, being absent about two years. He then returned to Miller, Mendocino county, and again engaged in stock-raising and farming, and continued in that business till 1875. He then settled on his present place three miles north of Point Arena, which consists of one hundred and forty-five acres. He is unmarried.
Francis M. Spaulding. Was born in Galena, Jo Daviess county, Illinois, December 3, 1846. When he was three years of age his parents came to California via Panama. At the age of eighteen he began the carriage mak- er's trade, which he continued for four years at Tomales, Marin county. He then spent one year at Petaluma, working at his trade. In 1877 he came to Point Arena and bought a one-half interest in the carriage and wagon fac- tory of J. C. Holliday, and has since continued in that business. October 27, 1868, he was married to Miss Sophia A. Lamb, a native of Illinois, born January 3, 1850. Their children are : George, Frank, Le Grand and Le Roy.
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HISTORY OF MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
BIG RIVER.
Captain R. Ackerman. Was born in Prussia, December 25, 1849, where he remained till he was fifteen years of age. He then began going to sea, which he followed in his native country till 1868. He then came to San Francisco and began sailing along the coast. In 1873 he began running to Mendocino City regularly. He is now master of the schooner Alfred, ninety-five tons burthen, with which he is engaged in carrying lum- ber to the city and freight thence. His family reside in San Francisco. He was married April 19, 1876, to Miss Hattie Herbert, a native of Prussia, born July 19, 1856. Their children are: Martha, born June, 1877; and Hattie, born December 22, 1879.
George B. Beaver. Was born in Bates county, Missouri, February 18 1843, where he remained till 1852, when he moved to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he lived till 1860, when he came to California, across the plains. He came at once to Mendocino county, where he found employment at the mills, where he continued to work for five years. He followed varied pur- snits till 1878, when he erected his present hotel building, which busines he has since conducted in Mendocino City. He was married to Miss Mary S. Hogan, January 20, 1866, a native of Ireland, born June 9, 1846.
Samuel Beaver. Was born in Missouri, February 13, 1848. When about four years of age he, with his parents, went to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he resided till he was sixteen years of age, attending the common schools in the meantime. In April, 1861, he started, in company with his father and sister, across the plains for California, arriving in this State in October, and came at once to Mendocino county, and began the lumbering business, working in the saw-mill, which he followed till he began his pres- ent business in January, 1873. He is unmarried.
Eugene Brown, Son of Moses and Nancy Nesmith Brown, was born in Oldtown, Penobscot county, Maine, May 1, 1835, where he resided till he was sixteen years of age, receiving, in the meantime, a common school and and academical education. At the age of sixteen he went to New York City, and entered the ship commission house of Nesmith & Sons, as clerk, collecting and making out bills, and taking account of cargoes. He remained here two years and three months. He then returned home and spent the next two years in studying. He then entered a store in Oldtown as clerk,
John Ischeni
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BIG RIVER TOWNSHIP.
where he remained for four years. December 20, 1859, he sailed from New York on board the steamer Atlantic, for Aspinwall, and thence to San Fran- cisco, he took the steamer Golden Gate, arriving January 10, 1860. He went at once to Port Bodega, and thence to Mendocino City overland, arriv- ing January 29th. In April, he began clerking for Kelley & Rundle, where he remained for five years. March 3, 1865, he began business for himself, and has since continued it with marked success. Since October, 1866, he has been the agent of Wells, Fargo & Co. He is unmarried, and his mother resides with him, now at the ripe old age of seventy-eight.
Dr. John Lafayette Berry. Was born in Cooper county, Missouri,. December 25, 1850. His father, John Monroe Berry, is a native of the same town and State. His mother, Josephine Debora Jones, was born in Fairfax county, Virginia. Her father, Benedict Jones, was an American soldier in the war of 1812. In 1857, the year of the Mountain-Meadow massacre, John Monroe Berry crossed the plains with his family, from Missouri to California, and was many times in great danger of losing his family and all his property by the hostile Indians, whole trains being fre- quently massacred within a mile of his train. On arriving in California, in the fall of 1857, he located in San Joaquin county, near Stockton. From there he moved, in 1860, with his family to Placerville, El Dorado county, and engaged heavily in business, freighting to the Washoe mines, and built and owned the first large quartz mill at Dayton, from which he became very wealthy. Subsequently he met with reverses and lost all his property and was made quite poor. He then moved back to San Joaquin county with his family, in 1863. In 1864 he moved to Stanislaus county and located some Government land near where the town of Modesto now stands. At this time the whole country south of the Stanislaus river was a barren desert. In this county the subject of this sketch herded sheep, and time and again drove his flock over the ground where the beautiful town of Modesto was subsequently built. He also labored on the farms of his father and neighbors to assist in supporting his father's family. When not at work he was attending the public schools. At the age of fifteen years he secured a possessory title to three hundred and twenty acres of that will prairie land south-west from Modesto about two miles. In less than one year from the time he secured this land it became very valuable on account of the large immigration to that section and the large crops the "sand plains," as the country was called, produced. It was by this speculation that J. L. Berry was enabled to attend Hesperian College at Woodland, Yolo county, which he did from August, 1867, to June, 1871. In this institution he took the classical course, studying the Greek and Latin, always standing among the first in his classes. On the 4th of July, 1871, he was married to Miss Alice Medora Bunds, a daughter of J. C. Bunds, a prominent merchant in Stanis-
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