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 27
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 27
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JOSEPH CROCKETT HALLIDAY .- When recognition is taken of those who have been primarily influential in the commercial, agricultural and financial advancement of Point Arena, to none should greater tribute be paid than to Joseph C. Halliday, whose energies have been given to the promotion of the interests of this section of Mendocino county and whose influence in this line has been prolific of results. It was here that he established head- quarters and home in 1875 and here he has since commanded the unqualified esteem of the entire community, his sterling character and wise business judgment having gained for him distinctive popularity in the town to which his loyalty is of the most insistent type. Diversified abilities have led him into different lines of endeavor, not the least important of these being the ownership of the stage line from Mendocino to Cazadero, Sonoma county, a distance of ninety miles, this being the longest stage system in the entire state. For years this line has been of the greatest convenience to people desiring to make connection with the North Shore Railroad for San Fran- cisco. To cover the distance in the shortest possible time about forty horses were purchased, permitting the changing of teams five times during the jour- ney. Provision also was made for board and lodging for travelers at seven of the stations. The route is one of beauty and picturesqueness. At times the road rises hundreds of feet above the breakers and affords an attractive vista of the ocean, while elsewhere it leads travelers down through green and fertile valleys with giant redwood trees and winding rivers along whose banks are flowers of beautiful colors and extraordinary variety. Such a trip in the flush of spring or in the mellowing days of autumn is a delight to the eye and a source of genuine satisfaction to the mind.
In studying the personal history of Mr. Halliday, we find that he was born near Pictou, Nova Scotia, February 1, 1854, being a son of James and Mary (Crockett) Halliday, and in youth an apprentice to the trade of blacksmith. After a year as a journeyman at Pawtucket, R. I., he came by railroad to California in 1874 and followed his trade at Mayfield, Santa Clara county. During 1875 he came to Point Arena and bought the Hugh Graves black- smith shop, where he and his partner, F. Mathews, did all kinds of work in wood and iron, also made and repaired wagons and carriages. Afterward he had other partners, being successively with F. M. Spaulding, L. Archibald and N. P. Howe, to the last-named of whom he sold the business in 1908. For years he has been interested in agriculture. The O. McNeil ranch, adjoining the Point Arena lighthouse grounds, he bought in 1887, afterward purchasing the Spaulding and Minor ranches, which gave him four hundred and fifty acres in one body. On that place he made a specialty of dairying. At this writing he owns fourteen hundred acres of land and conducts the dairy industry on a large scale. Associated with W. M. Booth, H. Merrell, N. Everson and A. McClure, he built a sawmill and carried on a lumber business for some years at Riverside on the Garcia river. Another enterprise that engaged his attention was the livery business at Point Arena, where with W. H. Has- kell as partner for a time, and afterward alone, he developed a barn equipped with fine rigs and horses and built up an excellent patronage among people fond of the beautiful drives in the locality. Lately he has built a large garage which is run in connection with his livery to care for the automobiles of the motorists that are penetrating the coast country, as well as having an auto- mobile livery. To him may be given the credit largely for the building of the
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Abr.v Mrs. G. b. Halliday
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Point Arena high school in 1908 and for the building of road bridges along the coast; that is, the Garcia and Alder creek bridges, and the rebuilding of the Gualala bridge, the latter the largest bridge in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, replacing a structure that had been destroyed at the time of the earthquake. During 1912 he sold out his creamery at Manchester and since then has managed the Point Arena creamery. With the management of his large farm and dairy interests, and with the presidency of the Bank of Point Arena (of which he has been the leading executive since its organization in 1903) he is one of the busiest men in Mendocino county as well as one of the most influential at Point Arena.
Through the marriage of Mr. Halliday to Kate Hiett, a native of Iowa, Mr. Halliday became the father of ten children, namely : Mary ; Albert, who took up telegraphy as his life work; Henry, who became connected with the livery business of his father; Charles, Benjamin, Lawrence, Thomas, Helen, Bertha ; and Grant ; the latter died in infancy. The fraternities of Mr. Halliday are the Ancient Order of United Workmen ; Garcia Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Point Arena Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master ; and Mendocino Chap- ter, R. A. M. From boyhood.he was reared in the Presbyterian church and is an active member of the Presbyterian church at Point Arena, being one of the board of elders. Essentially a business man and with insistent demands upon his time in his varied business undertakings, he has had no leisure for par- ticipation in political affairs and is far from being a partisan in his attitude toward problems of national importance. Alert in the promotion of every enterprise tending to advance the general welfare of Point Arena, he has yet been guided in judgment by due conservatism and by thoughtful study of the subject under consideration. Progressive and patriotic, he has supported all movements for the general welfare and is regarded as one of the solid. reliable men of the county.
JAMES H. DENISON .- The name of Denison is closely associated with the history of pioneer development in Lake county, one of the important early thoroughfares there, the Upper Lake and Bartlett Springs toll road, having been constructed by James Madison Denison, father of James H. Denison. The latter is doing his share toward keeping the family reputation up for live ideas and the ability to put them into execution. The good he has done in promoting the raising of Angora goats alone would be worthy of notice as the establishment of an industry which has already proved its worth in the county, and his recent activities in behalf of the plan for the utilization of the waters of Clear lake for power purposes seems likely to gain him further recognition in his locality. He is extensively engaged in farming and stock raising, both on the Bonham tract, where he lives, and on his own ranch of three hundred and twenty acres located on Cache creek. He has been a lifelong resident of the county, having been born June 23. 1876, in Upper Lake precinct.
James Madison Denison, his father, was a native of Lawrence county, Ohio, born November 24, 1818, and went west when a young man of eighteen years, settling in the state of Iowa. There he followed farming until the year 1852, when he crossed the plains to California, bringing his family with him. The journey was made by ox teams, and they arrived in Placer county in October, Mr. Denison following mining there for several years, until his re- moval to Lake county in 1857. Making a settlement on Middle creek, near
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Upper Lake, he engaged in farming there until 1861, when he returned east and enlisted in the Union army, serving till the close of the war; he was first lieutenant of Company B, 20th Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry. During this time his family remained on the farm in California, to which he returned in 1866, resuming farming, which he carried on successfully for several years more. In 1875 he constructed the toll road between Upper Lake and Bartlett Springs, and in various other ways he was active in improving conditions in this section, being thoroughly identified with its best interests to the close of his life. His industrious nature and high character, and his faithful service during the Civil war, gained him the sincere respect of the many who knew him, and his name has a permanent place among those who helped to lay the foundations of civilization here. He died December 8, 1876, leaving a widow, Mary (Jewell) Denison, and eight children, viz .: Margaret E., Merritt L. (who has not been heard from since he went to Alaska), Alice, Mary Ann, Victoria, Laura, James Henry and Olive C .; one child, Daniel W., is deceased. The mother was a native of New York, and died when her son James was thirteen years old. She and Mr. Denison were married in 1843.
James Henry Denison was about eight years old when his father died. During his early years he lived at the Denison toll house on the Upper Lake and Bartlett Springs road, remaining there, though not regularly, until he reached the age of twenty-three years, and he had charge of the station from the time he was twenty-one until he left it permanently, about two years later, and his first business experience was gained there. He gave it up to embark in the industry which has since received the principal share of his attention. the raising of Angora goats, a business which to his mind had a real future in this region for one who would take it up seriously. That was seventeen years ago, and he has never had any reason to regret his choice of an occupa- tion. Though he was one of the first in Lake county to enter upon the branch of stock raising, he has made a thorough success of it. undoubtedly because he has not been afraid to venture his best resources upon it. but also because, although fearless in what he undertakes, he has the acumen to combine caution with progress in a distinctly advantageous manner. His work in this line has undoubtedly been the most important factor in establishing the Angora goat industry permanently in his section, and he has done more than any other one person in that direction, a fact which is universally recognized, for he is looked up to as an authority by all interested in the business. At present he owns about twelve hundred pure bred Angora goats, and is ex- tensively engaged in breeding. Most of his stock is kept on the Richard D. Bonham farm, the tract of thirteen hundred acres on the Long Valley road where he makes his home, and which he rents from the owner, the rest being on his own land, the three hundred and twenty acres on Cache creek. The greater part of his time and attention is given to his stock, but he could hardly confine himself entirely to one line, particularly as his agricultural operations involve other interests. He was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the Yolo Water and Power Company's right to establish a dam and operate a power plant to utilize the waters of Clear lake for power, he and Mr. Carl Ebbinghauser being foremost as champions of what they believe to be a decided force for advancement in their locality. They felt that the wealth of water and valuable power which might be derived from the lake should not longer be allowed to go to waste, and worked zealously while the matter was
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being contested, in 1913, for a project which seems to promise to be of great benefit. The recent decision of the State Water Commission, in favor of the company, giving them the right to construct and maintain a dam at Cache creek and use the same for power purposes, justifies Mr. Denison's position in the matter as sustained by so high an authority, and reflects credit on his foresight and his courage in advocating what he considered right in the face of opposition. As usual, he held to his opinions in the most optimistic man- ner. Genial, jovial and wide awake, he makes and keeps friends wherever he goes.
Mr. Denison's marriage to Miss Mabel M. Foutch, of Lake county, daughter of J. W. Foutch and his wife Lucretia (Knighton), took place in 1904. Mr. Foutch is a native of Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Denison have been born five children, Blanche D., Welty C., Norma Olive, James B. and Ada Margaret. The home is a notably happy and cheerful one, and Mrs. Denison's fine personality and lovable character are its controlling elements.
GEORGE H. NEAL .- In the capacity of secretary of the Lake County Title & Abstract Company, the leading concern of its kind in this part of California, George H. Neal has established a reputation which augurs well for the years he has before him. The company of which he is secretary and one of the directors has been doing business since 1905, and its high standards of accuracy have come to be so well recognized that it is now commanding by far the largest proportion of local patronage, its valuable work in making records which shall be of permanent worth being highly appreciated. This company owns the only complete set of abstract books in Lake county.
Until he was thirteen years old Mr. Neal lived in San Francisco, where he was born July 17, 1885, and obtained his first instruction there in the common schools. Later he was a pupil in the Clear Lake Union high school at Lakeport, as a member of the class of 1907. Most of his business career has been spent in his connection with the Lake County Title & Abstract Company, at Lakeport, and much of its success may be attributed to his conscientious, painstaking work. In this association he has become regarded as one of the rising young professional men of Lake county, and his com- prehensive knowledge of land laws would form a substantial proportion of a legal education. The study and research work he has felt necessary for the proper performance of his duties have shown his adaptability for the pro- fession of law, and the thoroughness and care with which he attends to the preparation of the documents sent out from his office would make him a successful worker in any line requiring mastery of detail. It is not likely that there is another man in Lake county with an equal knowledge of its land titles. Mr. Neal was made a Mason in Hartley Lodge, No. 199, F. & A. M., in Lakeport in 1906, and stands high in Masonic circles, being the present master of his lodge.
In 1910 Mr. Neal married Miss Anna LaMotte, a native of San Fran- cisco and a daughter of Harry D. LaMotte, retired, of Lakeport, mention of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. They have one child, a daughter, Katherine. Their home is in Lakeport, where Mr. Neal's mother, Mrs. Ida E. Neal, also resides, one of the most esteemed members of society in that town.
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REV. JOHN SIMPSON ROSS .- There is no more vital or interesting feature of pioneer history than that afforded by the life and work of the clergy of the early days, whether in California or elsewhere-men who rode through wild and rugged country to preach the gospel to the settlers, to christen, to marry, to bury the dead, and to give spiritual comfort and help to the sore afflicted. Such an one as this is the Rev. John S. Ross, who since 1869 has been a resident of California, save for a brief period of fifteen months spent in his former home in Ontario, Canada; and during all this time he has been actively engaged in religious work, preaching and teach- ing in Mendocino county when it was little more than a wilderness, and do- ing much to establish the Baptist church in this part of the state.
When Reverend Ross first came to California in 1869 it was in an effort to regain his shattered health, and he expected to remain only during the winter and then to return to his charge in Ontario. He located at San Pablo, Contra Costa county, where he preached during the winter, and in the spring his health was so much improved and he was so pleased with the climate and general conditions that he determined to remain on the coast. Accord- ingly he sent his resignation to his church in Ontario and took up the work in California which was to be his labor of love for so many fruitful years. In March, 1870, he came to Caspar, Mendocino county, and in June of the same year his family joined him here. There was no church at Caspar at that time, and he preached in the various private houses, and also extended his work up and down the coast, preaching in private homes and in school houses from Mendocino to Beall's Landing, now known as Westport. There were no roads and no bridges above the Noyo river, and he was compelled to travel on horseback over the trails, which were often rough and dangerous, and to swim the rivers and creeks. He had many narrow escapes from acci- dents and even from death, but the love of the work and of the cause which lie represented were deep in his heart and he pressed onward without thought of fear or faltering. In these early days when there were few ministers and fewer churches the denominational lines were loosely drawn, and for nearly a year Reverend Ross, though himself a Baptist, preached for the Presby- terian congregation in Mendocino.
It was in 1874 that he organized the Baptist church in Caspar, and a few years later the organization was able to build a church edifice, and for thirty-five years he was pastor of the congregation. During all these years he also preached along the coast from Navarro to Usal. His career has been full of interest and many unique experiences have fallen to his lot. He has preached more than three hundred funeral sermons, and has united more than three hundred couples in marriage. There is no possible way of even estimating the number of sick and dying that he has visited up and down the coast, nor yet of the number of sermons that he has delivered in out-of- the-way places and under unusual circumstances, for he never missed an opportunity to do either, and no record was ever kept of such occasions- they were all a part of the day's work.
Other churches organized and built by the Reverend Ross are the Bap- tist churches at Kibesilah and at Westport, and also at Fort Bragg. Of this latter he was also the pastor for the first five years of its life. In all of these various places he had organized Sunday schools in the early days
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before the churches were built, and so laid the foundation for the later work by a steady growth through preceding years.
A call from Tiverton, Bruce county, Ontario, came to Reverend Ross in 1875 and he accepted, returning at once to the Canadian city. He re- mained but fifteen months, however, coming back to California at the end of that time, on account of the ill health of Mrs. Ross's mother.
Reverend Ross is a native of Scotland, having been born near Tain, Ross shire, March 31, 1834. His father was William Ross, also a native of Ross shire, and his mother was Elizabeth Simpson. While the Reverend Ross was still a lad he was left an orphan. He continued to reside in Scotland, where he received his early education, learning to read and write both the English and Gaelic language. His knowledge of the Gaelic has been carefully kept up, and today he is as much a scholar in this language as in English. In 1847 he came to Ottawa, Ontario, where he continued to attend school. His uncle, John Ross, with whom he made his home, desired that he should learn the tinner's trade, but there was no opportunity for an apprenticeship at the time so he learned the shoemaker's trade instead. He served for four years under one man and mastered every detail of the trade, but did not enjoy it, so after a short time gave it up. After this he followed various occupa- tions until he began his studies for the ministry, earning the money mean- while for his schooling. After graduating from the Toronto Normal school he began teaching, following this profession for five years, and thus earning his way through college. He spent two years at the Collegiate University at Ottawa, and then entered the Woodstock College, in Ontario, where he completed his course in theology, graduating in 1863, and at Thurso, Canada, September 24, 1863, he was ordained a minister in the Baptist church and immediately took up his religious work. He was pastor of two churches on the Ottawa river, one in Clarence, Ontario, and the other in Thurso, Quebec, from 1862 to 1869, when on account of broken health he came to California.
The marriage of Mr. Ross occurred in Glengarry county, Ontario, Sep- tember 15, 1864, uniting him with Miss Jane Ralston, the daughter of Robert and Ann (Gordon) Ralston, natives of Scotland, and early settlers in Bran- don, Quebec, where their daughter Jane was born. Mrs. Ross has borne her husband five children, all of whom are still living and are residents of Men- docino county, where they are well and favorably known. They are William H., who is a farmer and supervisor of the fourth district in Mendocino county ; John S., manager of the Mendocino Lumber Company; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Ross-Miller ; Robert, farming with his brother William H .; and Anne. All of the family, with the exception of John S., reside on the home farm near Cleone, thus making a practically unbroken family circle.
The Reverend Ross is so well known throughout Mendocino county that there is scarcely a section where the mention of his name, especially among the older settlers, will not recall some event of an early day, and bring forth some kindly word of praise for the aged preacher. The Baptist church owes much to this earnest, conscientious and God fearing man for his splendid service, and those who came under his ministrations remember him with deep love and reverence.
WILLIAM H. ROSS .- The severest test to which the standing of a man among his fellows can be given is the test of public service, especially when the office lies within the gift of the people themselves; and when a 13
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man can successfully stand this test it is a pretty definite proof that he is four-square. And this is the case with William H. Ross, supervisor of the fourth district for Mendocino county, for his service has been of such a nature that even his political opponents have been compelled to concede that he is the right man in the right place, and that the county is more than fortunate to have him in this capacity.
Mr. Ross is a native of Canada, having been born at Clarence, on the Ottawa river, in Ontario, June 25, 1866. He is the son of the Rev. John S. Ross, whose sketch precedes this. William H., the eldest of five children, came to Mendocino county with his parents in 1870. His boyhood days were spent here, and his education received in the public schools of the county. After the completion of his education he engaged in teaming and contract- ing with different lumber companies, being with the Mendocino Lumber Com- pany for nine years.
It was in 1896 that Mr. Ross, together with other members of his family, purchased the ranch on which he now makes his home. This property lies about one-half mile above Cleone, and consists of some two thousand acres, fronting on the Pacific. It is especially well adapted for stockraising, and shortly after its purchase Mr. Ross gave up his other interests and with his brothers engaged in farming and stockraising on the new property. the ven- ture proving a success.
In 1912 Mr. Ross became the Republican candidate for supervisor of the fourth district and was duly elected for the term commencing January, 1913. This is the largest district in the county, and the care of the mountain roads requires much time and effort; but in spite of these facts the service of the new supervisor is proving pre-eminently satisfactory, and everywhere within the district, which extends from Salmon creek on the south to the Humboldt county line on the north, are to be found evidences of his ability to take care of the work devolving upon him, and consequent appreciation of the residents.
PIETRO MARTELLA .- Many of the citizens who have helped to make Mendocino county the growing and expanding place it is today have come from sunny Italy, and among them is Pietro Martella. the proprietor of the new Piedmont hotel in Fort Bragg. He was born at Locarno, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, July 25, 1864, and was there reared on his father's farm, being educated in the public schools. In 1889.he came to California and spent the first two years on a dairy at Bodega, Sonoma county, then coming to Fort Bragg, Mendocino county. Here he engaged in making ties for the Fort Bragg Lumber Company. then for their successors, the Union Lumber Com- pany. He subsequently concluded to engage in ranching and purchased a farm five miles from Fort Bragg, which he operated for four years.
Mr. Martella engaged in the hotel business in Fort Bragg as proprietor of the Italia hotel, but four years later he sold it and leased the new Piedmont hotel in partnership with John Zaina. The latter was born in Lombardy, Italy, and came to Mendocino county in 1900. They equipped the hotel with new furnishings and it is modern and up-to-date in every way.
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