USA > California > Mendocino County > History of Mendocino and Lake counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading, men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 100
USA > California > Lake County > History of Mendocino and Lake counties, California, with biographical sketches of the leading, men and women of the counties who have been identified with their growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 100
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JOHN EDWARD HANSON .- For more than thirty-eight years John Edward Hanson has been a resident of the vicinity of Caspar, Mendocino county, and has aided materially in the development of the natural resources of the county. He was born in Uddevalla Bohuslau, Sweden, July 27, 1853, growing up on his parents' farm and receiving a good education in the local schools. In 1873 he came to Boston, Mass., where he was employed on the farms near that city until 1876, when he came to Caspar, Mendocino county, where a brother. Andrew, had preceded him two years. Having nothing to start with, he availed himself of the opportunity of working for the Caspar Lumber Co., continuing steadily with them until 1888, when he purchased his present ranch of one hundred and seventy-five acres adjoining Caspar on the
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south, extending along the Pacific ocean. He has worked diligently and has brought it to a high state of cultivation and is raising large crops of hay, potatoes and vegetables for the market, while he is also engaged in general stock raising.
In Caspar Mr. Hanson was united in marriage with Miss Emma C. Olson, who was also a native of Sweden, and they have four children living. The oldest and youngest, Arthur Herbert, and Oscar Edwin, make the ranch their home, while Walter Unor is engaged in the butcher business at Ferndale and Hilma Torinda, Mrs. Below, resides in Caspar. Mr. Hanson is an active member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Mendocino, is a very consistent member of the Presbyterian Church in the same place and politically espouses the prin- ciples of the Republican party.
MILTON WAMBOLD .- Although various lines of work have engaged the attention of Milton Wambold from time to time, it is as a well driller that he is best known throughout Lake county. For the handling of the heavy machinery used in the drilling of artesian wells his large physique and tremendous strength admirably qualify him and for more than one-quarter of a century he has carried on the business in this section of the state, owning for his special use three drilling rigs and one boring rig with modern attach- ments. He is an authority on the geological formation of Lake county to the depth required in securing an artesian flow and it is his belief that oil exists here in perhaps paying quantities. In fact, as proof of his faith in the presence of oil, as much as twenty-five years ago he brought in the celebrated Kelseyville fuel gas well at a depth of one hundred and fifty-seven feet, while at later periods he discovered oil strata in other wells. All of the artesian wells in Scott's valley have been drilled by him and, at a depth of not more than ninety-feet, he has found the best of flowing water, free from all minerals and about sixty degrees in temperature. The artesian well for the city of Lakeport he dug and cemented seven feet in diameter, so that the town now has an abundance of the best of water for domestic and other purposes.
Born at West Granville, Waukesha county, Wis., August 3, 1856, Milton Wambold is a son of Harvey and Mary (Barndt) Wambold, natives of Penn- sylvania and of German ancestry. For many years the father, who was a millwright and practical flour-miller, had charge of one of the finest mills in Milwaukee, but later he removed to Eagle, Waukesha county, Wis., and there his death occurred at the age of eighty-six. The widowed mother is still living, at the age of eighty-three (1914), and makes her home at Eagle, Wau- kesha county. Of her five children the first and third. Henry and Milton, are residents of California ; the youngest, Charles, died at seventeen years of age. The only daughter, Josie, is the widow of Samuel Gale, a farmer of Waukesha county for years prior to his death. The youngest living son, Leander, a miller by trade, is now proprietor of a large flouring mill at Eagle, Waukesha county.
When eighteen years of age Milton Wambold came to California in 1874 and settled immediately at Blue Lakes, where he and his elder brother, Henry, became interested in truck gardening, being the first to develop exten- sive market gardens in the Upper Lake region of Lake county, and being also the first to exploit the possibilities of the white string bean in this section of the country. For twelve years Wilton Wambold made a specialty of raising vegetables, but since then he has devoted his attention largely to the drilling of wells, although he still owns a garden tract of six and one-half acres west
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of Lakeport as well as an improved farm of eighty acres at Blue Lakes. In 1879 he married Miss Dollie Graham, a native of Solano county, this state. and a daughter of E. A. Graham, a California pioneer now living in Oregon. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Wambold erected a comfortable residence in Lakeport, where he owns six lots in one body, thus having the advantage of ample grounds adjacent to his home. His family consists of six living chil- dren, one son, Clark, having died at eighteen years of age. The eldest, Myrtle, is the wife of Conrad Shortridge, who conducts an automobile agency and garage at McKittrick, Kern county. The second, Harvey, a government employe, is now engaged as guard at San Quentin. The third, Ralph, is a clerk in the Monroe grocery at Lakeport. The three youngest, Henry, Edward and Evelyn, are attending the schools of Lakeport. In politics Mr. Wambold is found arrayed as an uncompromising advocate of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor, but he has mani- fested no desire for the honors of public office, although consenting to serve as a member of the board of city trustees. In religion he is of the Presby- terian faith. Loyal to civic duties, zealous in the various departments of church work. faithful in business and true in friendship, he holds a place of prominence in the citizenship of Lakeport and is a factor in the development of the resources of Lake county.
THOMAS HENRY BEGGS .- A native of Canada, Thomas Henry Beggs was born in Perth county, Ontario, October 6, 1870. His father, James Beggs, was born in the north of Ireland, but established himself as a farmer in Perth county, Canada, where he reared a family. Thomas Henry spent his boyhood on the Perth county farm and attended the local schools. In 1885 he came to Mendocino county, Cal., and was first employed on the farm for Mr. Keeser, then worked in a saw mill at Glen Blair.
Mr. Beggs then learned the butcher business in the Fort Bragg market of Jefferson & Dixon, and continued in their employ for seven years. For two years he engaged in the butcher business in Cotati, Sonoma county, when he came to Mendocino City and entered the employ of Robert McArthur. Six months later he bought out his butcher business and afterwards moved it to the company building, a more central location. He has improved it with a refrigerator and cold storage plant and aside from his extensive butcher business he is engaged in the manufacture and retailing of ice.
Mr. Beggs was married in Mendocino, being united with Miss Florence Jarvis, a native of Maine and an active member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally is a member of Stella Lodge No. 213, I. O. O. F., and locally is very enterprising and public spirited and one who can always be depended on to help out in all worthy enterprises.
DOMINICO ROSSOTTI .- A resident of California for twenty-two years Dominico Rossotti was born July 18. 1872, in Lombardy, Italy, where he spent his first nineteen years on the farm and attended the common schools. In 1892 he came to California, arriving in Santa Barbara a stranger in a strange land. He worked on a dairy farm for five years and then came north to Duncan's mills, Sonoma county, but one year later came to near Gualala and worked on a dairy farm in northern Sonoma county. In 1900 he began working in a dairy near Point Arena and after one year purchased a hotel in Greenwood and for many years was proprietor of the Roma Hotel. Although he still owns it. he leases it in order to engage in the dairy business one and one-half miles north of Greenwood, where he has a dairy of twenty-five cows,
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retailing the milk to his patrons in Greenwood. He also owns a farm of one hundred and seventy-seven acres on the coast road about one and one- fourth miles north of Navarro where he is also operating a dairy. In addition to dairying he is also engaged in raising goats.
The marriage of Mr. Rossotti occurred in Santa Rosa January 29, 1901, being united with Mrs. Rosa (Guenza) Martinetti, born in St. Rocco de Premia, Province de Novara. Italy, where she was first married to Gabriele Martinetti, who died in that country. In 1897 she brought her two children to California and resided here until her marriage to Mr. Rossotti. The chil- dren by her first union are Gabriele, who is one of the proprietors of the Roma Hotel in Greenwood, and Julius, who died at five years of age. Mr. Rossotti is well and favorably known on the Mendocino coast, being a member of the Druids, and politically is a straight out Republican.
PETER C. SMITH .- A native of Denmark. Peter C. Smith there learned the blacksmith's trade. When nineteen years of age he came to California and worked at his trade until he established himself in business at Cuffey's Cove, when it was a thriving town. January 22, 1882, he married Catherine McManus, who was born on Dry creek, now known as Whitehall, Mendo- cino county. She was the daughter of Bartholomew and Catherine (Kenny) McManus, both natives of Ireland, who were married in New York City. In 1854 they came via Panama to San Francisco and located on Dry creek, now Whitehall Station, and in 1859 they located on the ranch that Mrs. Smith now owns. Here the father died in 1893 and the mother in 1896. Mrs. Smith's uncle on her maternal side, James Kenny, was an early settler of Cuffey's Cove, where he built a landing and wharf and was practically the founder of Cuffey's Cove. He now resides in San Francisco.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew McManus were born five children, four of whom are living, Mrs. Smith being the second oldest. She received her education in Cuffey's Cove district and Notre Dame convent, San Jose. there- after remaining at home until her marriage. In the settlement of lier father's estate she became possessor of the old home and she and Mr. Smith liave given of their time and best efforts to build it up to a high state of cultivation. It is devoted to raising potatoes, wheat, barley, oats, peas, corn, and carrots and Mr. Smith is also engaged in the dairy business, besides raising hogs, sheep and poultry. The buildings are large, well built and substantial. The Smith ranch contains one hundred and sixty acres about three miles north of Greenwood on the coast road.
To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born nine children: Catherine, a nurse in San Francisco; Annie, Mrs. Isaac Crow, of Crow's Landing; James, a merchant in San Francisco; William, a machinist in that city; Alice, a nurse in San Francisco; George, deceased; Walter, Mary, and John, the last three residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are well and favorably known for their many kind deeds. The family are members of the Catholic church at Greenwood.
GEORGE F. STEWART .- Descended from Scotch forebears, George F. Stewart is a native of the state of Alabama, born in June, 1869, the son of John and Elizabeth (Stephenson) Stewart, who trace their lineage back through colonial days to Scotland. He removed with his parents to Bridge- port, Tenn., and in 1876 came to San Luis Obispo, Cal., where he resided on a ranch and attended the public schools until eighteen years of age. He was then apprenticed at the blacksmith's trade in Paso Robles and continued at
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that place for five years. In 1892 he engaged in mining in Yuba county, afterwards in Plumas and Sierra counties, until 1898, when he started on the rush to Klondyke. Through one winter he followed packing over the Chilcoot pass. Later he and a partner bought out Archie Burns' outfit and continued the business. They built a four horse whim and ran the horsepower hoist over the steep Chilcoot pass in 1898-99, and followed mining in the frozen north until 1900. In that year Mr. Stewart returned to California and located at Westport, Mendocino county. May 2, 1900, he opened a blacksmith shop which he ran for five years and after selling it bought a ranch in the Round Valley district and engaged in ranching and sawmilling, the firm name being Zeck & Stewart. A year later, however, he sold his interest and returned to Westport, being employed at building mills and blacksmithing. He helped build the Hardy creek mill. In 1912 he repurchased his old blacksmith shop in Westport, since which time he has done a large business in his line, as well as looking after two small ranches he owns a little out of Westport.
It was in Ukiah that Mr. Stewart married Miss Martha Oliver Dunn, a native daughter of San Francisco. Her father was a native of England and came to California in early days. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have two children, George William and Dorris Victoria. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Paso Robles.
FRANK KELSEY HALL was born on the Atlantic ocean January 12, 1855, the vessel carrying the "Union Jack." He was the son of Fred W. and Nora (Kelsey) Hall, who immigrated from County Antrim to Napoleon, Jackson county, Mich. The mother died before the Civil war and at the opening of that conflict the father volunteered his services and was enlisted in the Twenty-third Michigan Regiment of Engineers. While on the skir- mish line he was wounded by a sharpshooter and died eight days later, May 8, 1862. Of the three children, Frank was the second oldest and was bound out to work his own way. Until fourteen he worked on the farm, attending winter school, and after that it was all work. He spent the winter of 1875-76 in Iowa, then returned to Michigan and in 1877 he followed railroading in Kansas City, Mo. Returning to Michigan he was employed on the Michigan Central Railroad and rose to the position of engineer. He continued to run an engine until his health failed, when he came to California in 1883. The first two years were spent in San Mateo, but in 1885 he came to Rockport, Mendocino county. His first six days work was with pick and shovel at the rate of $30 per month, after which he obtained a place running a jack screw at $45 a month, which he continued through the winter. The next eighteen months were spent assisting with a bull team and during this time he had regained his health and strength. He then became foreman of logging camps at Usal, a position which he filled for eight years. In 1895 he purchased a farm near Fort Bragg, but after a year removed to Greenwood and entered the employ of the L. E. White Lumber Company, building the road for them on Elk creek. Continuing with the company he became mill foreman, a posi- tion he held for six and a half years, then was foreman of the woods until August, 1906, when he resigned and removed to Seattle, there engaging in the mercantile business for two and a half years. However, it was not to his liking, so he obtained a position as first class machinist at the Mare Island navy yard, but a year later we find him in Mono county as superintendent of mill and woods for the Bodie Lumber Company.
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In September, 1909, Mr. Hall resigned and returned to Mendocino county, and became mill superintendent at Caspar, a position he held for thirty-nine months, when he resigned to accept the place of manager for the L. E. White Lumber Company at Greenwood, which has since occupied all of his time.
In Oakland occurred the marriage of Mr. Hall with Ida J. Young, a native of Chicago, Ill. Both are adherents of the Christian Science faith, their membership being in Oakland. They are well and favorably known on the Mendocino coast. Mr. Hall is a member of the following Masonic bodies: Mendocino Lodge No. 179, F. & A. M .; Mendocino Chapter No. 88, R. A. M .; Ukiah Commandery No. 33, K. T .; and is also a member of the Hoo Hoos. In his political views he is strongly in favor of Republican principles.
CHARLES GALLETTI .- Among the men who have come to Mendo- cino county from sunny Italy and become successful business men is Charles Galletti, who came to Point Arena in 1893. He was born in Lugano, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, December 8. 1872. His father, Henry Galletti, was a mason and builder, so Charles worked with him about three years after he had completed his studies in the local schools. In 1891 he came to California and for two years was employed on a dairy in Monterey county. From there he came to Point Arena and was employed in a dairy, for five years not losing a day from his work. He then rented a ranch in Point Arena and with his savings bought milk cows and ran a dairy until 1903, when he rented a ranch of three hundred acres on Alder creek near Manchester. This dairy he still operates and he is milking from forty to sixty cows. Lately he also rented the Frost ranch a mile south of Point Arena, where he owns a dairy of forty cows. Each place is equipped with a separator operated by steam power and the cream is sold to the creameries at Point Arena and Manchester. In 1913 he engaged in the hotel business in Point Arena in partnership with A. O. Stornetta, as proprietors of the Italian Hotel. In 1914 they purchased a property on Main street which has been remodeled into business property and a hotel which they have named the Swiss-American Hotel. Since 1913 they have also engaged in the butcher business as proprietors of the Point Arena market.
In Ukiah occurred the marriage of Mr. Galletti to Miss Carrie Stornetta. who was born at Manchester, this county, the daughter of A. Stornetta, a prominent old settler who is represented elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Galletti have four children: Henry, Clarence, Leo, and Baby. Frater- nally he is a past officer in the Druids and also a member of the Eagles.
DENNIE A. BRUSH .- A native of Mendocino county, Dennie A. Brush was born December 22, 1874, on the old Nelson Brush homestead in Round Valley, which he now owns and where he is engaged in the stock business. His father, Nelson Brush, was born on the shores of Lake Champlain, in Chesterfield, Essex county, N. Y., March 28, 1836. For a time he followed school teaching and afterwards became a contractor and builder. He was married in Herodstown, N. Y., to Amelia Reynolds, a native of Vermont. In the fall of 1863 they removed to Lena, Ill., and in the spring of 1864 started across the plains with prairie schooner and mule teams. Arriving in Cali- fornia they spent the winter of 1864-65 in Red Bluff, then came to Round Valley, where Mr. Brush located a homestead and followed the building business until he reached advanced years. He and his wife now live retired on the old home. They were the parents of four children, Seymour, Robert N., Caleb W., and Dennie, all living in Round Valley.
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Dennie Brush was educated in the local schools of Eel River district. Having been reared to farming and stock-raising from a boy it was but natural he should select it as his life occupation. He became associated with his father and brothers Robert and Caleb in the stock business and ran their cattle on the north fork of Eel river until 1909, when they divided up the business and dissolved the partnership, Dennie taking as his share the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres where he continues farming and stock raising. He makes a specialty of raising cattle and hogs, his brand being N B joined together.
Mr. Brush was married near Covelo October 30, 1907, being united with Miss Lottie Hurt, who-was born at Covelo the daughter of Charles H. Hurt, who is a pioneer of California and represented elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Dennie Brush have been born three children, Vernon, Nelson, and Arnet. Mr. Brush takes part in advancing movement for the betterment of the citizens of the valley and in his political views is decidedly Republican.
MRS. AMANDA McCABE TONEY .- A native of Lake county, Amanda McCabe Toney was born near Kelseyville, the daughter of Philip and Lucinda (Mccutchen) McCabe, born in Jefferson and Lafayette counties, Mo., re- spectively. On the paternal side she is of Irish and on the maternal side of Scotch descent. Her father was a farmer in Missouri until 1854, when with his wife and four children he crossed the plains, coming overland with oxen and wagons. Their route was by the Santa Fe trail to Los Angeles, thence to the mines, where he sought the elusive gold for some time. but soon decided on farming and located a claim near Kelseyville. There he engaged in farming and cattle raising, and there his wife died, while his demise occurred at Upper Lake. December 23, 1913.
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. McCabe, Mrs. Toney is the second youngest and from the age of six years she was reared in Scotts Valley where she received her education in the public schools. In 1875 she removed with her father to Little Lake valley, Mendocino county, where she was married December 5. 1878, to William Edward Toney, who was born at Lagrange. Fayette county, Tex., December 4, 1848. When a lad he crossed the plains with his parents, Seth and Adeline (Cox) Toney. in 1854. coming through in the same train as the McCabes, his father being the captain of the train.
W. E. Toney was reared in Long and Little Lake valleys and took up farming one mile east of Willits. After selling the ranch and spending two years in the San Joaquin valley he returned to Mendocino county and en- gaged in stock raising in Eden valley. In 1903 he purchased eighty acres about two and one-half miles east of Covelo which he cleared of brush and improved for raising grain. He also started to raise alfalfa, but he died May 28, 1908. in his fifty-eighth year. Since her husband's death Mrs. Toney has continued farming and seeing the value of alfalfa has continued sowing until she now has half of the place in alfalfa. She is also engaged in the dairy business and has now a splendid herd of Jerseys. She is a stockholder in the local creamery, it having been demonstrated that it is the most valuable asset in the valley. Mrs. Toney is the mother of two children. Gertrude became the wife of William Crockett and died at Orr's Springs July 6, 1909, leaving two children, Eleanore and Russell, who make their home with Mrs. Toney Bertha was the wife of John E. Hollingsworth and died at Willits
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April 2, 1909, leaving one daughter, Elva Ilona, who also lives with her grandmother. Politically Mrs. Toney is a Democrat while in religion she is a Methodist.
RUSH MORGAN ANDERSON .- About a half a mile north of Covelo lies one of the neatest. best kept and most productive ranches, for its size, of any in Round valley, a transformation made in a few years from a place covered with brush, all having to be cleared, grubbed, leveled, and tilled. This all necessitated the incessant application of the energies and ability of the owner, Rush Morgan Anderson, who wrought this transformation in a few short years. It is now all under cultivation to growing crops of alfalfa, clover, and rye grass and a pear orchard, making the most beautiful and restful place in the valley.
Mr. Anderson was born in Bellaire, Ohio, March 23, 1862. the son of John Sample and Susan Anderson, farmers there until 1864, when they re- moved to Independence, Mo. There they again followed farming and spent the remainder of their days. Of their nine children seven are living, Rush M., being the fifth eldest in order of birth.
Mr. Anderson was brought up on the home farm in Missouri and early learned the rudiments of farming and received a thorough elementary educa- tion in the public schools of his district. As soon as he reached his majority he engaged in farming on his own account in the same vicinity until 1886. Determining to see something of the west he sold out and came to Butte City, Mont., being employed in smelters and mills until 1889. Then he again returned to the old home, resumed farming, and became the possessor of eighty acres in Howard county, Mo. He continued its operation until he sold the place in 1897 and removed to Hood River, Ore., and engaged in strawberry culture, shipping berries to Seattle as well as Denver, Colo., and Omaha. Neb. He was very successful and raised four hundred crates to the acre. After a few years he removed to Medford, Ore., where he purchased thirty-five acres, planting twelve acres to apple orchard and then leasing it. He went to Fallon, Nev., where he worked at the carpenter's trade until the big fire in San Francisco in April. 1906, when he made his way to the city of ruins and worked as a carpenter and builder for a year. During the sum- mer of 1907, with a comrade, Steve Smith, outfitted with team and wagon, he traveled, looking for a location, driving through Marin, Sonoma, and Men- docino counties, coming down the grade from the San Hedron mountain into Round Valley. On first beholding Round Valley he was impressed with the sight and remarked: "That is the most beautiful valley I have ever seen." They proceeded on to Trinity county but in a month returned to Round Valley, where he has been content to remain, in the shadow of the tall moun- tains. The two rented the Eldred place for a year and then the Evelin place of seventy-four acres for a year, then dissolving partnership. Mr. Anderson purchased the present twenty acres, then a brush heap, which he has dili- gently improved until it has become a spot of beauty, and he follows general farming and raising horses. Aside from this he also engages in the building business in the valley.
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