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 22
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 22
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The marriage of H. P. Preston occurred in Ukiah and united him with Miss Effie Case, who was born in Los Angeles, where she was reared and educated primarily, completing her education in the Ukiah high school. Po- litically Mr. Preston is a Democrat, stanch in his defense of that party's prin- ciples, and personally he is pleasing in manner, gracious in hospitality, and withal a gentleman in the best sense of the word.
GEORGE T. HEYWARD .- It has been the good fortune of the North- western Redwood Company to secure for its service men of capacity for this arduous work, men possessing strong vitality and remarkable powers of en- durance, with the tireless energy and resolute purpose that carries to suc- cessful completion the large enterprises inaugurated by the concern. One
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of the youngest of these assistants is George T. Heyward, son of Jesse Hey- ward and himself as stanchly devoted to the welfare of the company a's has been his father. As a result of his industrious efforts he has advanced step by step and has made good to a degree indicative of his native endowments of mind and body. Born at Guerneville, Sonoma county, January 5, 1888, he is a representative of a pioneer family of Northern California and inherits the virile, resourceful qualities that made his grandfather a forceful pioneer in the west. Both he and his father have been lifelong residents of this sec- tion of the state and as native sons of the commonwealth have endeavored to promote its best interests, although taking little part in political campaigns aside from the casting of a Republican ticket at national elections.
The grammar and high schools of Sonoma county afforded fair educa- tional advantages to George T. Heyward, whose keenness of observation and quickness of mental comprehension give him a fund of varied and valuable knowledge. Since coming to Willits in 1905 he has assisted his father, first taking quite a humble position and about 1910 receiving promotion to be assistant foreman, in which responsible position he is now engaged. The comfortable bungalow which he erected on State street is presided over graciously by his wife, Lela, who was born, reared and educated at Willits, and in Ukiah October 30, 1909, was united with him in marriage. Her parents are Everett and Margaret (Symonds) Endicott, the former for some years the postmaster at Willits, but now a resident of Berkeley. Both Mr. and Mrs. Heyward are actively associated with Willits Chapter No. 314, Order of the Eastern Star, and his Masonic connections include membership in Willits Lodge No. 365, F. & A. M., in which in 1910 he was made a Mason. A young man possessing worth of character and energy of temperament, he is devoting himself whole heartedly to his duties and is a valuable acquisition to the community.
HON. JOHN BUNYAN SANFORD .- Any history of Mendocino county would be incomplete without prominent mention of the "Gray Eagle of Democracy," the editor and proprietor of the Dispatch-Democrat of Ukiah, who as the controlling factor in a leading paper labors for the moral. educa- tional and commercial welfare of Mendocino county, and, while voluntarily drawing away from partisan prejudice, yet exhibits a striking devotion to the principles of his party. With an unusually profound knowledge of public affairs, with an unusually powerful mind capable of analyzing motives behind deeds, and with a temperament enthusiastic yet impartial, he is admirably qualified to guide the policy of an influential paper and to stand at the head of a great party organization. Since he assumed control, January 1. 1898, the Dispatch-Democrat has led the van in every movement for advancement, has advocated schools capable of affording the best training to the young, and has headed every enterprise for good roads, well-kept premises, substantial business blocks and modern improvements. Civic pride is apparent in the policy of the editor. As a pungent and forceful writer he has attained a wide reputation. His critical analysis of public events adds interest and value to the paper. While recognizing the widespread public unrest increasing in volume within the period of his recollection, he is not oblivious to the ele- ment of personal equation, which indeed more and more appeals to his humani- tarian nature.
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Born at Mulberry, Tenn., May 17, 1869, a son of Rev. S. L. and Jane (Kennedy) Sanford, the former a Baptist minister holding successive pastor- ates at Ukiah, Potter Valley, Willits and Lakeport, Cal., John Bunyan San- ford received his training in the public schools of Ukiah, the San Jose State Normal School and the San Francisco Business College. For eight years he taught in Mendocino county, first at Yorkville and Boonville and later as principal of the schools at Willits and Point Arena. Continued interest in educational work was evinced by a service as a member of the Mendocino county board of education for several years. On relinquishing school work he entered the field of journalism and since has been at the head of the Dispatch- Democrat, making his home meanwhile at Ukiah. On Christmas day of 1898 he married Miss Nina B. Hughes, daughter of Rev. J. H. Hughes, a prominent minister of the Christian Church. They have an only son, Henry Grady San- ford, born May 20, 1901. In fraternal work Mr. Sanford is prominent. For four years he was high chief ranger of the Ancient Order of Foresters and for six years he was entrusted with the editorship of the Ancient Forester, finally resigning owing to the pressure of other duties. In the Iroquois State League he has been honored with the office of grand sachem. The Woodmen, Red Men, Elks, Eagles, Odd Fellows and Masons also number him among the members of their local organizations.
Identification with public affairs began when Mr. Sanford was elected to the California state assembly in 1894. Satisfactory service resulted in re- election in 1896 and 1898 and in three successive elections to the state senate, viz. : 1902, 1906, 1908. Altogether his service in the legislature covered a period of eighteen years. During his last term he has had the honor of being the oldest member of that body from point of service. For one term he was a member of the board of trustees of the San Jose State Normal School. In 1904 he was a delegate to the Democratic national convention and in 1912 was chosen an alternate, while at the Democratic state convention held at Fresno in 1908 he was chosen chairman. From 1908 to 1910 he acted as vice- chairman of the Democratic state committee and in 1912 he was elected a member of the Democratic national committee to serve for a term of four years. For sixteen years he has been chairman of the Democratic legislative caucus and for a similar period president of the Democratic Press League. His sobriquet of the "Gray Eagle of Democracy" came to him not alone through his forceful editorial writings in defense of party principles, but also through his service in "stumping" the state in numerous campaigns, where his familiarity with party doctrines, his earnest advocacy of old Democratic principles, his logical reasoning and remarkable faculty of interesting and impressing aud- iences united to place him at the head of the party in the state. He was appointed register of the United States land office at San Francisco, Cal., by President Wilson on June 25, 1914, and is at present performing the duties of that office.
FRANK W. NOEL .- The Noels have been people of influential stand- ing in Lake county from its early days. especially well known at Lower Lake, where the late Hon. A. E. Noel owned and edited the Bulletin until his de- cease, since when it has been conducted by his widow. A. E. Noel served his fellow citizens in various positions of honor and responsibility. He was a member of the Constitutional convention which prepared the present consti-
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tution of the state of California, and he was a leading member of the bar in Lake county, where he was elected district attorney. Later he became owner and editor of the Lower Lake Bulletin, which his widow now publishes.
Frank W. Noel, son of Hon. A. E. Noel, was born at Lower Lake July 7, 1873. He had excellent educational advantages, and also the benefit of newspaper training under his gifted father. When a young man he set type in the Bulletin office for his father, and he subsequently engaged in the livery business at Lower Lake, running a stable for four years, from 1900 to 1904. After the firm of A. M. Akins & Sons began their large general business at Lower Lake he became a clerk in the store, remaining with that concern for seven years. He has a high reputation for business ability and sterling per- sonal qualities, which have long been associated with the name he bears. He is a member of Clear Lake Lodge, No. 130, I. O. O. F., of which he is Past Grand.
On December 31, 1902, Mr. Noel married Miss Minnie Leona Manlove, daughter of William Henry and Susan (Thompson) Manlove, the former of whom had the honor of being the first sheriff elected in Lake county. He held the office two terms. Mr. Manlove was a native of Petersburg, Va., and died March 17, 1900, on his farm in Big Valley, Lake county. His wife, Susan (Thompson), now a resident of Lakeport, is a daughter of Major Thompson, of Big Valley, one of the earliest settlers in Lake county. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Manlove: One died in infancy, the others being : Louise, now the wife of Nick Cocking, a stockman at Ukiah, Mendocino county ; James Joel, a farmer, living in Scotts valley ; Virginia Bell, wife of Shafter Mathews, county clerk of Lakeport: Minnie Leona, Mrs. Frank W. Noel; Katie, who married Ed. Manlove, of Sacramento, and died when twenty-one years old, leaving one child, William Alfred, who is now in the employ of the electric railway company at Woodland, Cal. ; Hattie Lee, wife of R. F. Kerr, a farmer at Merced, Cal., and agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Company there ; William D., member of the firm of Manlove & Boone, Anaconda, Mont., dairy- men and butchers; and Navarro Pauline, wife of G. W. C. Mitchell, a black- smith, of Selma, Cal.
Minnie Leona Manlove, now Mrs. Frank W. Noel, was born and reared in Big Valley, and obtained her early education in the public school there. Later she took a course at the Lakeport academy, received a diploma, and upon examination obtained a teacher's certificate. She completed a normal course, being thoroughly prepared for teaching, which profession she has fol- lowed for the last twenty-five years, seventeen years of the time at Lower Lake, where she has been principal for the last seven years. The Lower Lake grammar school, of which she is the efficient head, has eight grades, and seventy pupils are enrolled. Mrs. Noel's close association with her pupils and the families to which they belong has made it possible for parents to have an intimate personal knowledge of the work she is doing for their children, and the appreciation and loyalty which they have shown has not only been evidence of sympathy and a desire to co-operate in her efforts, but has also been a warm tribute to her high character and womanly worth. She and her husband have used their influence to promote and encourage every good movement set on foot in the community, where they are held in the highest esteem. Mrs. Noel is a member of Laguna Parlor, No. 189, N. D. G. W., of which she is a past president and past district deputy grand president.
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CHARLES HENRY HURT .- The memories of a lifetime associate Mr. Hurt only with California, for although a native of Missouri, born in Henry county January 20, 1850, he was only three years of age when his parents, William and Mary J. (Ogan) Hurt, both natives of Missouri, crossed the plains with their few household necessities carefully packed in a covered wagon drawn by oxen. The journey, made during the summer of 1853, was one of great hardship and privation. Misfortunes more than once threatened to exterminate the little party of emigrants. Of these troubles the small son was happily ignorant, nor has he clear and distinct recollections of the early days at Lakeport, Lake county, where his father settled in 1855 and endured all the vicissitudes incident to an endeavor to establish farming in a new country upon a paying basis. Schools were few and widely scattered. It was not possible for the lad to attend regularly, but he learned much of importance as he aided his father in the daily round of toil, and the practical experience thus gained laid the foundation of his subsequent success. At the age of twenty-three years a desire to earn ready money for himself caused him to leave home and secure employment in a saw-mill. However, the call of the farm lured him back to country life and since then he has devoted his attention to agriculture in its various departments. To the worthy pioneer couple were born sixteen children, ten of whom are still living, namely : Charles H., of whom we write; William Irvin, residing in Redwood valley ; James W., a farmer in Poor Man's valley ; A. J., of Upper Lake; Molissa, now Mrs. Gravier of Covelo : Parthena, Mrs. Bates, matron of the Round Val- ley Indian School; Levi, of Covelo; L. B., of Round Valley ; Adah, Mrs. John Eldred, of Los Molinos ; and Ida, Mrs. Cyrus, of Covelo, the two latter being twins. The father spent his last days in Round valley, where the mother still resides, aged eighty years.
Upon his arrival in Round Valley, Mendocino county, August 15, 1884, Mr. Hurt secured eighty acres of land, which in 1891 the government bought from him to form a part of the present Indian reservation. Being pleased with conditions here, he decided to buy another farm and establish himself per- manently as a resident. On the east side of the valley he bought an eighty that forms the nucleus of his present highly improved property. Another tract of eighty-three acres was bought in 1904 from John Williams, and in the same year he purchased eight hundred acres of range land on the south of the middle fork of Eel river. His neat residence and adequate farm buildings are located one mile east of Covelo. Among the residents of Round valley he has a reputation as one of the most efficient farmers and stock-raisers. Nor does the care of the land and the stock represent the limit of his energies, for in addition he has been an upbuilder of the local telephone system and during 1912 consented to serve as a director of the Round Valley Creamery, in which he holds considerable stock.
Mr. Hurt was married in Lakeport June 21, 1874, to Miss Sarah Jane Scudemore, a native of Illinois, who came with her father, Godwin Scudemore, to Scotts valley, Lake county, in 1869. They have reared a large family and have endeavored to train each child to habits of industry and self-reliance and to high principles of honor. Mary, Mrs. M. N. Spurlock, and Alice, Mrs. Long, both reside in Covelo; Agnes, Mrs. Rhoads, resides at the Middle Fork ; Mattie, Mrs. R. C. Gray, is in Williams valley ; James, who married Bertha Begley and has two children, is a farmer adjoining the old home ; Molissa, Mrs. W. A.
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Gray, died April 20, 1911, leaving three children ; Lottie married A. I. Brush, a farmer in Round valley; Kate, Mrs. Laurence Hansen, resides in Willits ; Martin C. married Winnie Jamison and is superintending the Middle Fork ranch ; Charles H., Jr., died January 1, 1890, at the age of one month ; Byron is a clerk for the firm of Long & Biggar; Grover C. and Joe are assisting their father in operating the home ranch ; and Vida is also under the parental roof. As a member of the Democratic party Mr. Hurt has maintained a warm inter- est in local politics. He served for nearly seven years as deputy United States marshal for the Northern District of California under Baldwin and afterwards under John H. Shine, during which time he performed the duties of the office with fidelity and conscientiousness. In fraternal relations he holds member- ship with Covelo Lodge No. 231, F. & A. M., of which he was Master for eight years and to whose charities he contributes when called upon. He is also a member of Ukiah Chapter No. 53, R. A. M., and with his wife is a member of Augusta Chapter No. 80, O. E. S. Modern agriculture represents his chief interest. He is a believer in modern methods of farming and is quick to adopt any new method of planting or caring for the crops if once convinced of the utility of the plan. High grades of stock and the latest machinery may be seen on his farm, while the general appearance of thrift indicates that he is a farmer of efficiency and intelligence.
AUGUSTUS M. AKINS .- It is a matter of interest that the modern establishment of A. M. Akins & Sons, leading general merchants at Lower Lake, Lake county, stands on the site where he began work on coming to the town in 1862, in the employ of Herrick & Getz. Living in this region from pioneer days, Mr. Akins, though himself always engaged in ordinary business pursuits, has been brought into contact with many of the most exciting phases of its development and growth, and has had a rich variety of experiences with the characters and adventures which form so appropriate a background for the history of California. His own career to some extent has been typical of the era through which he has lived, for he was carrying on an independent business at an age when most youths are learning to take care of themselves, and he is one of the leading citizens of his town because he has shown the qualities which entitle him to such standing.
Mr. Akins belongs to an old American family. His grandfather, Middle- ton Akins, was born in Georgia, moving from that state to Arkansas with his son John and the latter's family in the year 1847. John Akins, who was the father of Augustus M. Akins, died in Arkansas, and the family (including the grandfather) subsequently came to California, in 1856. They made the journey by the southern route overland with ox teams through the Indian country, being robbed of stock by them. Arriving in San Diego, they re- mained for a year and a half, and then moved up to Los Angeles county, living at El Monte for two years. Then they followed the coast route up to Clear Lake, settling on Coal creek, three miles southeast of Kelseyville, in 1859. The mother of Augustus M. Akins, whose maiden name was Lucinda Rudy, was married (second) near Kelseyville in the fall of 1861 to S. A. Copsey, by whom she had one child, George W., who died in March, 1910. To her marriage with John Akins were born five children: Jane, the eldest, married Robert Denham, of Kelseyville, who started the first blacksmith shop at that place, and she died at Woodland; Augustus M. is mentioned below ; Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. Rannels, resides at Lower Lake; Emaline is the
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wife of Thomas Faley and lives at Calistoga; Martha is the wife of J. C. Copsey, a farmer near Lower Lake.
Augustus M. Akins was born May 23, 1845, near Augusta, Ga., and was only an infant when the family moved to Arkansas. He was a boy of fourteen when they settled in Lake county, and on April 1, 1862, he came to Lower Lake, where he found employment with Herrick & Getz, merchants, who had their store on the site where he is now located. Part of the time he was en- gaged in clerking, but he was mostly employed at outside work, taking care of teams, etc. He was less than seventeen when he began teaming on his own account, that work taking him all over Lake county, and thus he laid the foundation for his substantial fortune and the extensive business he now conducts. He drove two, four or six horse teams, as occasion required, freighting to Calistoga, Knoxville and other places, and did so well that he has always been engaged in business for himself since. His first year's wages amounted to one hundred and fifty dollars, and he attended school about three months that year. Gradually he built up a profitable trade, at one time running six six-horse teams to Sulphur Bank, Calistoga and Knoxville. After Mr. Herrick withdrew from the mercantile business Mr. Getz was burned out, and Mr. Akins bought the old Herrick & Getz lot in Lower Lake, in 1909-10 erecting thereon the fine modern store building in which the mercan- tile business of A. M. Akins & Sons is now established. They began business in June, 1904, in the old Palestine building, and their trade has been expanding ever since. Their present quarters, to which they moved in 1910, comprise a store forty by sixty feet in dimensions, the finest in the town, with a large warehouse fifty by sixty feet some fifty feet to the rear, and a lumberyard to the southeast of this property. The store is clean, light and dry, well venti- lated and conveniently arranged, and occupies an ideal location. The stock includes boots and shoes, dress goods and other dry goods, hats and caps. and jewelry. In the warehouse is the heavy stock, such as oils, machinery, farm implements of all kinds, fencing and fencing wire, hardware, cement. hay and grain, salt, etc .- a comprehensive line designed to meet all the needs of the many patrons who find this a most satisfactory trading place. Rough and dimension lumber is handled at the lumberyard. The firm are agents for Studebaker automobiles. Three clerks are employed all the year round, the members of the firm also helping in the store, and besides there are two teamsters and another outside man, as well as a bookkeeper. The firm is composed of Augustus M. Akins and his two sons, Alma and Frank, and the manner in which they have conducted their business has given a decided impetus to trade conditions in the town. Mr. Akins' early business opera- tions gained him a wide acquaintance. Though for a number of years he was brought into close association with many men of rough character and loose principles, he has always kept his own course straight, living a tem- perate, industrious life, which has been the means of keeping the confidence of all who know him. As one of the foremost residents of Lower Lake, he holds an influential position among his fellow citizens, and well deserves their high regard. He has served one term as supervisor of his district. giving public-spirited attention to his duties. In political connection he is a Democrat.
In 1871 Mr. Akins joined Clear Lake Lodge, No. 130, I. O. O. F .. at Lower Lake, and he has passed through all the chairs and represented that
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body in the Grand Lodge; for the last fifteen years he has been serving as treasurer of the Lower Lake Lodge.
One of Mr. Akins' experiences in his young manhood will serve to show the dangers to which pioneer residents were exposed in their ignorance of the character of many who came into this section, then so far from civiliza- tion. One evening, soon after he began working for Herrick & Getz, he was eating supper with a stranger when Jack Stubbs, then constable, and Frank Harrington, as his assistant, came in and ordered the stranger, seated beside Mr. Akins at table, to give himself up. Instead he drew a Bowie knife and advanced upon the officers, whereupon Stubbs shot him dead. It was after- ward ascertained that he was an escaped convict from San Quentin.
On January 4, 1872, Mr. Akins was married to Miss Elizabeth Bainbridge, in Sacramento. She was born in England, and in 1857 was brought to America in infancy by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John and Alice Bainbridge, pioneer farmers of Sacramento county. Mr. and Mrs. Akins have two chil- dren, Alma M. and Frank P., both of whom are in partnership with their father in the firm of A. M. Akins & Sons. Alma M. Akins, born at Lower Lake November 19, 1872. is married to Madeline Mahan, and has two chil- dren, Raymond and Marie. Frank P. Akins, born at Lower Lake October 1, 1875, married Maude Knauer of Lower Lake, and they also have two children, Leila and Donna.
MATT MARKKULA .- Well known among the farmers and orchardists of Little Valley is Matt Markkula, who came to Fort Bragg in 1888. He was born April 9, 1871, in a place in the northern part of Finland. His father, Isaac F. Markkula, a carpenter by trade, came to Michigan in 1882, his family joining him in 1883 in Houghton county, where he followed lum- bering. Five years later the family moved to Fort Bragg, Cal., where the father was employed at carpenter work with the Union Lumber Company until he retired. He is now seventy-three years of age. The mother before her marriage was Louisa Tuomaala, and she died in 1906. Of their seven children, three are living: Matt Markkula being the second eldest.
Attending the public schools until the age of twelve, Mr. Markkula then came to Michigan where he found it necessary to go to work and was em- ployed in the woods with axe and saw from daylight until dark. At this occu- pation he continued until 1888, when he came to Fort Bragg and first worked at making ties, later being in the lumber yard of the Union Lumber Company. It was in the car shops of this company that he began the carpenter trade in 1898. and he learned car repairing. From this he rose to the position of assistant foreman, and in 1902 became foreman of the car shop, this position including the oversight of the car department, pattern and paint shop. He owns a farm of forty acres in Little Valley, a distance of six miles from Fort Bragg, as well as two residences in the same city. He is now engaged in farming and orchard growing.
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