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 110

Author: Carpenter, Aurelius O., 1836-; Millberry, Percy H., 1875- joint author
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1090

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 110
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 110

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

LEWIS M. RUDDICK .- The record of the life of Lewis M. Ruddick shows a quiet round of patient, purposeful endeavor fired by an ambition to attain independence and governed by a strict regard for honesty. Laborious and industrious in temperament, he had the qualities that make for thrift and independence. His early life showed little of excitement or adventure nor did it bring to him any educational advantages, for the hampering environ- ment of pioneer days in Indiana forced him into the broad highway of self- support at the age of only thirteen. Self-reliance was developed through his early struggles in the world. Lack of education had it compensations in the mental traits developed in those years of youthful effort. Born in Jackson county, Ind., in 1836, he was just starting out to earn his livelihood when he learned of the discovery of gold in California. Being then too young in years to earn the money needed for a long trip to the coast, he patiently bided his time and finally at the age of nineteen he had the long coveted opportunity to come west. A tedious but to him interesting trip via the Isthmus of Panama had its finish when he disembarked from an ocean vessel in the harbor of San Francisco during 1855. Naturally the mines attracted him by their alluring opportunities. Yet he had little good luck in his mining ventures in Amador county and after a visit in 1857 at the old eastern home

992

MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES

and a return trip via Panama the same year, he turned his attention to agriculture.

A tour of investigation into Mendocino county led Mr. Ruddick to invest in one hundred acres of raw land near Ukiah, where in 1864 he began to raise hops, being one of the pioneers in the industry. Later he acquired additional land, which he devoted to hops. In some seasons the crop proved very profit- able, while at other times he was less fortunate. On the whole, however, he regarded the hop industry as well adapted to the soil and climate. In addi- tion he planted prune trees and other varieties of fruit, not only for a family orchard, but also for sale. From 1864 until his death, June 18. 1910, he remained on the same farm, successfully engaged in general farming and fruit-growing, patiently caring for the land with prudent forethought, making improvements as needed and by wise cultivation maintaining the original fertility of the soil. It was his good fortune to have an efficient wife as helpmate and children as industrious and capable as himself, and when the time came for him to lay aside heavy responsibilities, they took up the man- agement of the property, added other lands to the original holdings, and now have four of the best kept and most productive ranches in the valley. The children. eleven in number, are May (Mrs. Cowsert, of this county), Myrtle, Lewis, Ernest V., Elmer, Vernon, Archie, Myrle, Freda. Leva and Ila. all at home. The mother bore the maiden name of Sarah S. Miller. From her native place. Lafayette county, Mo., when three years of age she crossed the plains to California with her parents, James and Rosanna (Gann) Miller, in 1860, settling in Calaveras county. In 1871 they located on the old Miller place adjoining the state hospital near Ukiah, which place she now owns. When she had completed her education, on the 1st of July. 1875, she became the wife of Mr. Ruddick, thereafter establishing a home on the farm that continued the center of the activities of their later years. She survives her husband and makes her home at the old homestead and with her sons she supervises the four ranches of the estate.

HENRY WARD MONTAGUE .- Among the representatives of one of the oldest families of Mendocino county who have taken an active part in its development from a wild country inhabited by Indians, we find Henry Ward Montague, the present postmaster at Covelo. A native son of Round Valley. born at Covelo December 12. 1871. his father. Lemuel Davis Montagne. a pioneer frontiersman and Indian fighter, was born in Windsor, Vt., June 14. 1836. and there he was reared until nineteen years of age. At this time he came around Cape Horn as a sailor before the mast, arriving in San Fran- cisco in May, 1856. After a short stay at Half Moon Bay he followed mining until the fall of 1860, when he came to Round Valley and for six years spent his time hunting, fishing, fighting Indians and leading the life of a frontiers- man. In 1866 he began the hotel business in Covelo, continuing until 1876, when he leased it and made a trip back to his old home in Vermont, also visiting the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. Returning to California in 1877 he engaged in merchandising for a while and then began stockraising and wool growing until he retired. In the early days he had many hazardous experiences. In the fall of 1861, in a fight with the Indians in Horse valley, he was wounded by an arrow which took effect in his breast. but from which he soon recovered. In August. 1862, in a fight. between some of the settlers and the Indians on the Reservation, he received a gun shot wound in his right leg disabling him for three years, and from which he still suffers. He was

993

MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES

always ready and at his post. many times getting out of their clutches by hair- breadth escapes. He was married August 25, 1870, to Ann J. Martin, a native of Ohio, who died in 1893, leaving three children, Henry W., Lemuel D. and Franklin.

After completing the public school at Covelo, Henry W. Montague en- tered Heald's Business College in San Francisco, where he was graduated in 1893. The same year he entered the government service as a clerk at the Round Valley Indian Reservation, and four years later was transferred to the Klamath Indian Reservation in Oregon, continuing as a clerk at the agency from May, 1897, to March, 1901. Then he resigned and returned to Covelo, where he engaged in merchandising. For several years he served as deputy assessor and for two years also engaged in farming.

In October, 1913, Mr. Montague applied for the appointment of post- master at Covelo, and taking the civil service examination, passed with a credit of 93.80. February 19, 1914, he was appointed postmaster at Covelo by General Burleson, taking the office March 1. His experience all these years makes him especially qualified to fill this important position, and his moral worth and high standing in the community make him very acceptable to the citizens of Round Valley.

The marriage of Mr. Montague occurred in San Francisco in November, 1897, he being united with Miss Kate Short. the daughter of James Green Short, who was one of the first settlers and pioneers of Round Valley. He followed the stock business and became one of the largest wool growers and horsemen of his day, having his ranch in Williams. He died in Ukiah. His wife was a Miss Elizabeth Armstrong; she died in Covelo later. Mr. and Mrs. Montague have five children: Philo Ward, Myrtle Elizabeth, Henry W., Jr., Sterling and Adel. Fraternally Mr. Montague is a member of the Woodmen of the World, of which he is past C. C. Mrs. Montague is an active member of the Presbyterian Church and shares with her husband in dispensing the hospitalities of the home to their many friends in Mendocino county.

JAMES BRETT .- A native son of Mendocino county who, following in the footsteps of his father, has accomplished success and established an envi- able record, is James Brett, born at Noyo, Mendocino county, March 3, 1872. His father, also named James Brett, was born in North Carolina, and went to sea when twelve years of age. He sailed around the Horn to San Francisco, and from there went to Eureka, where he started lumbering. He was an early settler at Noyo, and became sawyer in the McPherson & Weatherbee mill, later rising to the position of superintendent. In about 1875 he came to Albion and became manager of both the Noyo and Albion mills. Afterwards, in partnership with Carl White, he built the mill at Salmon Creek, or Whites- boro, operating it for three years until they sold it to L. E. White. Then he went to Humboldt county for one year, returning at the end of that time to

Albion where with Mr. Weatherbee he took his old place as manager of the Albion mill, and continued until it was sold out. Such a favorable reputation had he by this time that he was made superintendent of the Fort Bragg mill for the Union Lumber Company, a position which he held for about twelve or fourteen years. Going then to Jenner. Sonoma county, he rebuilt a mill and erected a railroad. for one year remaining as manager. It was at this time that he went to Florence. Ore., where he reconstructed a mill. While

994

MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES

planning a wharf at Santa Cruz he was taken ill and died at his home in Oak- land in April, 1912; his burial was at Little River.

The mother of James Brett was before her marriage Maggie King, and she was a native of Ohio. She now resides in Oakland, Cal. Of her eight chil- dren only two are living: James; and Austin, who is a mining engineer in Oakland.

James Brett was educated in the public school of Mendocino county, and learned the lumber business under his father in all of its details. He also learned the machinist trade and mill-wrighting, aside from the mills in Men- docino county, working at Crescent City. and in Tuolumne county, becoming master mechanic. In 1907 he worked in like capacity with the Albion Lum- ber Company, proving himself capable, and in 1910 he was made superin- tendent of the mill. He married, in Albion, Miss Laura Gottlieb, who was born in Virginia City. Nev., the daughter of Julius Gottlieb, who before com- ing to Mendocino county was a mining man of that city. Of this union there are two children: Ivah, attending the San Francisco State Normal; and Florence. Mr. Brett has faithfully filled the position of school trustee of the Albion district, and is a Republican as to political tenets.

RICHARD DORRANCE BONHAM .- Since the fertility of the Lower Lake region has become known the adaptability of its soil and climate to a variety of valuable crops hitherto not considered seriously by agriculturists has come to be appreciated, and as one experiment after another has turned out successfully the assets of this section have been increased notably. As an orchardist Richard D. Bonham, who has a fine stock and fruit ranch in Weldon valley, is considered one of the most enterprising men of his section. He has given especial attention to the raising of almonds and walnuts, and his intelligent efforts have given an impetus to fruit and nut growing in his locality which has directly benefited many besides himself. Mr. Bonham rents his range land, but oversees personally all the work in his orchard, giving the details his closest attention and keeping track of results with the utmost diligence.

Hiram Jefferson and Martha Ann (Heard) Bonham, parents of Richard D. Bonham, are now living at Yuba City, Cal., the father aged eighty-four years, the mother eighty. Hiram J. Bonham is a native of Missouri, and came to California in 1862. During his active years he was engaged in farm- ing, living in San Joaquin county until about 1877 and thereafter in Tehama county. A family of twelve children was born to him and his wife, eight still surviving, viz .: H. H., a resident of Sonoma county; J. W., who is a farmer near Lower Lake; C. A., an orchardist, of Yuba City ; Richard D., our subject ; Emma. Mrs. A. P. Westfall, of Tehama county ; Mary J., Mrs. Ran- nells, of Lower Lake; Lizzie, Mrs. R. Hurlbert, and Mrs. Nellie Smith, both of Colusa county.

Richard D. Bonham was born November 30, 1864, near Stockton, in San Joaquin county, Cal., and lived there until a boy of twelve years, at which time he moved with his parents to Tehama county. His education was con- tinued in the public schools there, and he completed the grammar course in that county, after his graduation becoming his father's assistant in fruit grow- ing and stock raising, at which he had worked from boyhood. In time he became his father's partner in the farm and stock business, living in Tehama county until his removal to Lower Lake, in 1890. Here he bought the stock and fruit ranch of two thousand acres in Weldon valley which he still owns,

995

MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES

and twenty acres of this property is set out in almonds and walnuts. A part of this orchard has been in bearing for seven years, and another part is just beginning to bear. Mr. Bonham has not only kept up his original orchard by planting new trees each year as necessary, but he has been increasing it steadily as experience has made him more confident in his enterprise, and he has kept this part of his land in his own hands, directing its development and improvement with gratifying results. Usually he keeps one hundred head of cattle and one hundred and fifty hogs. The ranch, known as "Sweet Hollow Range," is watered by several small streams and numerous springs, several of them being soda springs of known medicinal value. Mr. Bonham's up-to-date ideas and progressive methods are recognized by all who know him, and have brought him considerable reputation in his agricultural ventures.

For some time Mr. Bonham has been connected with the Jago Cash Store at Lower Lake, where he is chief clerk-a trusted employe and one of the most familiarly known figures in the general mercantile business in this region. His ability and high character make him a popular and valuable aid in the conduct of this large business.

In 1892 Mr. Bonham was married to Miss Mary Margaret Hanson, whose father, D. M. Hanson, attorney, is one of the well-known pioneer residents of Lake county. He was the first man in the county to engage in the growing of almonds, and he is not only a successful lawyer and agriculturist but also an editorial writer, connected with the Vallejo Chronicle. Mr. and Mrs. Bon- ham have had one child, Virginia, now nine years old. The family occupy one of the finest residences in Lower Lake, which Mr. Bonham built in 1912, and which is a credit to the town as well as a convenient and commodious home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bonham have been active in fraternal work. He is a past grand of Clear Lake Lodge, No. 130, I. O. O. F., and has represented that body in the grand lodge, and he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs. He is also a member of Lower Lake Parlor, N. S. G. W., and Mrs. Bonham is a leading member of Laguna Parlor, N. D. G. W., at Lower Lake. On polit- ical questions he acts with the Republican party.

LOUIS JAGO .- A mercantile establishment of which the town of Lower Lake has reason to be proud is the general store known as Jago's Cash Store, owned by Louis Jago. Its stock has the reputation of including "everything from a needle to a threshing rig." Its convenience as a trading place has brought many people to the town who have found they could also serve other interests there, and has thus proved a boon to many local establishments which have enjoyed an increase of custom owing to the numbers attracted to Lower Lake by the advantages of dealing at Jago's. Mr. Jago's business ability is not his only strong characteristic. He upholds every movement which promises to benefit the community, and his influence and example in citizenship have been as important to the welfare of the town as his com- mercial activities.

Mr. Jago was married during his residence in Burns valley to Miss Emma Strothoff, of San Francisco, who is of German descent, daughter of the late Hermann Strothoff, at one time a silk merchant in San Francisco. They have three children : Edna F., now seventeen years old; John Louis, and Emma. The family home at Lower Lake is one of the finest in the town, and in 1913 Mr. Jago erected a summer residence at Point View, on Clear Lake, about six miles north of the town, toward Kelseyville. 49

996

MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES

GEORGE HENRY FEE .- Industry and versatility in varied occupa- tions have made many men of the Mendocino coast successful and independent not only in the lumber business but also in stock raising and farming. Among the men who have achieved a competency and prominence is George Henry Fee, who was born at Sulphur Springs near Vallejo, Solano county, Cal .. March 6, 1860. He is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Orr) Fee, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively, who had crossed the plains in the early days and were married in California. The father was engaged in farming at Sulphur Springs until he was accidentally killed in 1862. The mother is now Mrs. Whitney and resides in San Bernardino. Of the two children born of this union, George Henry is the oldest and came with his step-father in 1868 to a farm in Little Lake valley, where he received his education in the public schools.

When only fifteen years of age George H. Fee started out to make his own way. He made a trip to Arizona, where he stayed for one year, employ- ing his time among other occupations in shearing sheep. He also traveled to different parts of California, and in the fall of 1881 located four miles south of Westport at Old Kibesilah. He operated a farm here for a while and. then was employed with Mr. Devilbiss, getting out ties and bark, and later he became foreman for him. In 1897 he began farming and stock raising, renting the old McRay ranch, where he also engaged in the dairy business. Four years later he changed his occupation to that of contract tie-making, purchasing timber land for the purpose, at which he continued for two years. In 1904 he bought from the Switzer brothers his present place of eight hun- dred acres, which lies all around and adjoining Westport. There he engaged in farming and raising stock, grain and all kinds of vegetables and fruits. He has a dairy of Jersey and short-horn cattle besides the cattle and sheep which he raises for market. The place is well watered by streams and springs, and a fine residence adorns it, supplemented by good out-buildings. Such has been his interest in the cause of education that he has been a trustee of the Westport district schools ever since he made his residence there.

In Sherwood Valley, Mendocino county, Mr. Fee married Ellen Snider, who was born in Iowa. There are seven children living: John H., of West- port : Charles E .; Mamie E., who is Mrs. Stephenson of Westport ; George A., who resides at home; Ora May, Margaret E. and Rollin. Mr. Fee was made a Mason at Fort Bragg Lodge No. 361. F. & A. M. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat.

LORENZO S. PETERSON .- The history of the development of Spring Hill Farm, a popular summer resort located five miles west of Middletown, Lake county. is interesting evidence of the scenic and climatic attractions of this region, as well as a record of the achievements of Lorenzo S. Peterson and his father. Henry Davis Peterson. Mr. Peterson's mechanical genius supplements unusual perseverance and capacity for continued labor, and the results as shown in the condition of the Peterson property are amazing. Sub- stantial and commodious huildings are surrounded by grounds of great natural beauty enhanced by intelligent care. Fine orchards and vegetable gardens suggest the abundance of good food for which the resort is famed. The farm lands are thoroughly cultivated, and there are numerous conveniences about the place made possible by Mr. Peterson's ingenuity.

The Petersons are of Swedish origin. Abraham Peterson, grandfather of Lorenzo S. Peterson, was born near Stockholm, Sweden. When he was

997

MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES

ten years old the captain of a sailing vessel which had put into Stockholm took a fancy to the child and coaxed him aboard, and it was thus he came to America. The ship anchored off the coast of Maine, and with a young companion the boy stole from the boat and hid until she put to sea again. Then he ventured out, and he grew up in the home of a farmer in Maine, in time becoming a farmer himself, and also an expert hewer of timber, with the broad-axe. When he landed in Maine he could not speak a word of English, and he never afterward saw his people or heard from them. Of powerful physique and industrious nature, he was engaged as a woodsman in the wintertime and farmed during the summer season, he and his sons clearing two farms in Maine. In the year 1848 he moved his family to Wis- consin, the trip being made by steamship from Portland, Maine, to Boston, Mass., thence by rail to Buffalo, N. Y., by boat to Detroit, Mich., and from there by rail to Chicago. The journey was continued by wagon to Omro, Winnebago county, Wis., and the family later settled in Shawano county, that state. Abraham Peterson married Miss Clara Davis, and of the twelve children born to them two died in infancy, the others being: Matilda, James, Jane. Hannah, William, Elias. Henry Davis, Alexander. Amanda and Charles.

Henry Davis Peterson was born in Maine August 19, 1837, and he had but three weeks' actual schooling. His first recollections are of his native state, the family living near Sandy Run; the village of Phillips was their trading place. He was a lad when he moved with his parents to Wisconsin, where he lived until fifteen years old, beginning to work out for other people at the age of fourteen. When he decided to leave home he made his way down the Mississippi river to the Fever river, which he followed up to Galena, Ill., where he was engaged by Captain Harris, owner of the "War Eagle." While working in one of Harris's hotels, at Galena, he chanced to make the acquaint- ance of a man named Lunt, who wanted to go to California and needed an active, dependable young man to go with him, to help him on his way to the gold fields. He was somewhat incapacitated. having the sight of only one eye, and as he was apparently much in need of assistance and seemed to have plenty of money young Peterson was only too glad to accept his offer-to pay the boy's fare and take him to California. They went by steamer down the Mississippi to St. Louis, and took passage up the Missouri on the steam- boat Monongahela to St. Joseph. When sixty miles below that point the boat was wrecked, and Mr. Peterson was sent on ahead with some trunks. with instructions to stop at a certain hotel until Lunt could catch up with him. After he had waited patiently for several days the landlord of the hotel drove down to investigate, hoping to find out what had become of Lunt. but there was no trace, and it is supposed he was robbed and killed and his body made way with. This left the boy stranded, and to one of less courage the experience would have been overwhelming. Having heard that a rich merchant of Leavenworth, Kans., wanted a young man to drive oxen out to Salt Lake, freighting merchandise, he and seven other young "hopefuls" went down the Missouri to Leavenworth and engaged with the merchant. who was no other than the famous Ben Holliday, the pioneer merchant and frontiers- man of Leavenworth, Kans., and Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Peterson gladly took advantage of the opportunity to carry out his former plans, and during the summer started west as driver of an ox-team with a large caravan. thirty four wagons drawn by oxen and laden with merchandise. and one hundred and fifty-four head of cattle. When ont about seventy-five miles from Leaven-

998

MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES

worth, while the train was traveling along the Little Blue river, cholera broke out, proving fatal to eleven of the fifty-four men belonging to the train. Many of the remainder started back for Leavenworth, and Mr. Peterson was one of the seven who showed their fidelity and courage by sticking to their posts. They were in a quandary, however, as to whether they should attempt to proceed with such reduced numbers, Captain Holliday himself having re- mained in Leavenworth. Accordingly it was decided best to make a halt while one of the number went back for instructions, James McDeed mounting one of the best saddle horses and making a hurried trip. He got orders to proceed, and Captain Holliday furthermore promised all those who remained true to their duties twenty dollars a month and expenses out to Salt Lake City, and transportation from there to the gold diggings in California at his expense. There were Indians to guard against and many other hardships on the way, but the boy was faithful. It was so late when the train reached Salt Lake City that those who had planned to continue to California were advised to remain over winter, for fear the snows on the Sierras would block their way. But though there was danger of perishing young Peterson was not to be dissuaded, and with two or three companions put his money into a yoke of cows and one of steers. wagon and provisions, and set out. As pre- dicted, when they approached the summit of the Sierras they encountered a blinding snowstorm, and finding it impossible to proceed with the wagon sold it and the cattle for sixty dollars and went on afoot the rest of the way. In places there were twenty feet of snow. Late in 1852 the party happily reached Downieville, Cal., on the north fork of the Yuba river, and thence Mr. Peterson went on to Nevada City, Nevada county. For the next eight years he was engaged in mining, in northern California and British Columbia, first in Nevada, Placer and Shasta counties, Cal., and afterward in the Hum- boldt Bay region and along the Frazer river in British Columbia, whither he journeyed in 1858, remaining there two years. Returning to California, he followed farming for eight years in Alameda county, working for wages, and in 1868 he returned east by way of Panama. Having learned something about steamboating, he bought a half interest in a Missouri river steamboat, upon which he worked as fireman and in other capacities until he mastered the business ; but the boat was wrecked by running onto a snag, and sank at Leavenworth. Mr. Peterson losing all he had saved while in California.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 110

Author: Carpenter, Aurelius O., 1836-; Millberry, Percy H., 1875- joint author Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company Number of Pages: 1090

Author: Carpenter, Aurelius O., 1836-; Millberry, Percy H., 1875- joint author
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1090