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 61

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 61
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 61

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).

The first interest acquired by Mr. Loring in a newspaper plant occurred in 1895, when he went to Lakeport and purchased one-half interest in the Lake County Bee, a popular paper that wielded considerable influence in its own locality. The experience gained on that sheet was of great benefit to him, but he found no financial profit in the undertaking. The opportunities of Mendocino county attracted him to this fertile stretch of country lying between the mountains and the ocean, and at first he settled at the inland liamlet of Covelo, where he started the Review, a small weekly paper, devoted to the news of the village and county. After three years in Covelo he removed to Willits in 1907 and purchased the News, which he consolidated with the Review, so that he is now the sole owner of the consolidation, known under the name of the Willits News. The circulation of the paper is now about one thousand and the editor maintains a job printing department, the receipts of which add to his income in a desirable degree. The printing establishment is modern in every respect and furnished with the latest equipments, so that the proprietor is in a position to turn out work promptly and satisfactorily. The paper dates its existence from September, 1903, and in 1911 absorbed the Little Lake Herald, which was started in March of 1901, the merger retaining the name of the Willits News. Fraternally Mr. Loring is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge and secretary of the blue lodge of Masons of Willits.

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PHILIP LOBREE .- Mercantile pursuits have engaged the attention of Mr. Lobree from boyhood. Chance directed him to merchandising at an age when he was too young to realize in what line his talents directed, but when he was not too young to grasp the necessity of self-support and ambitiously endeavor to earn his own livelihood. Born in San Francisco January 11, 1862, he attended school between the years of six and thirteen and then entered the mercantile business as a clerk. It was his good fortune to learn the business in a large city establishment, where modern modes were in vogue and the latest methods adopted. His own qualifications fitted him for merchandising and these native gifts, supplemented by excellent training, have enabled him to conduct a business of his own with encouraging success.

From San Francisco going to Contra Costa county, Mr. Lobree held a clerkship in a general store at Clayton for eight years. In 1886 he left Clayton and came to Point Arena, Mendocino county, where he became a clerk in the store of A. Newfield. His ability being recognized, he was promoted from the position of clerk to that of manager of the store. There he remained for thirteen years. The enterprise was made profitable under his judicious management and when finally he resigned it was for the purpose of embarking in business for himself at Point Arena. Since 1899 he has conducted a general store of his own and has held a place among the leading business men of the town. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and Odd Fellows in Point Arena and has been a generous contributor to the work of both lodges. For eight years or more he has held the office of notary public. Upon the incorporation of Point Arena (a work in which he took a leading part) he was chosen mayor and filled the office for a period of two years. Through his personal influence with Congressman Kent, representative from the district, a bill was presented before congress providing for the building of a harbor of refuge at Point Arena and the bill being duly passed, men were sent thither to investigate conditions preparatory to construction work. This will be the first harbor of refuge along the entire Pacific coast. Like all the people of Mendocino county, Mr. Lobree is a firm believer in the value of its cut-over lands and this belief he has proved by the purchase of a tract of land, which he has cleared of brush and planted to apple trees. The soil and climate of the county are well adapted to apples and his horticultural venture has every prospect of successs. In movements for the upbuilding of the county lie is interested, especially when they tend to aid the development of his own locality. Of genial disposition and cheerful temperament, he wins friends socially, while his fine business qualifications give him a high place among the leading men of the county.

EDWARD FRANCIS ADAMSON .- Though at present profitably engaged in the cultivation of a fine one hundred and fifty acre farm in Lake county, following the calling to which he was reared, from youth, Mr. Adam- son has gained a wide reputation in his capacity of educator, for he followed the teacher's profession successfully for over thirty years. There are few inen better known in this section of the state than he and his brother, Professor William H. Adamson, and their influence upon the generation which came under their discipline is shown in the hearty respect with which they are regarded among the loyal pupils who owe their mental training to the careful instruction of these conscientious school teachers.

- -

Phil Libree.

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Mr. Adamson is a native of the state of Iowa, born January 23, 1845, in Washington county, whence he came west with the family. They stopped to winter at Ogden, Utah, but stayed longer than they originally intended, spending three years there. Then they continued westward to California, a man by the name of Peters helping them through. Arriving at Sutterville, Sacramento county, the father, Jacob Adamson, bought a farm and made his home there for three years, removing thence to a farm five miles from Peta- luma, Sonoma county, where he remained until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty-three. The mother, Nancy J. (Farley) Adamson, died in Chiles valley, Napa county, having reached the remarkable age of ninety-one years. Eleven children were born to these parents: Emma, widow of Joseph Roseberry, now residing in Chiles valley, Napa county (she is the mother of ex-Senator Roseberry, of this state) ; Prof. William H., of Chiles valley; Edward F., our subject ; J. Martin, who is supervisor of District No. 2, Lower Lake, Lake county ; Mrs Mary Elizabeth Thomas, of Visalia; Isaac N., who died when forty-five years old, leaving two children : Charles W., who lives at Watsonville; Milton, who died at the age of twenty-one; and Rena, Mrs. Jack Tomlinson, residing in San Francisco; two children who died in infancy.

Edward F. Adamson received the principal part of his literary training at the Pacific Methodist Episcopal Church at Vacaville, Cal., from which institu- tion he was graduated, and immediately after graduation entered upon the practical work of teaching. The latter part of his college days was marked by excitement typical of the period. Lincoln's assas- sination occurred toward the close of his senior year, and not long afterward the college building burned down, set on fire, it has always been thought, by some overzealous proslavery student, for it belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and feeling over the war and slavery ran high even out here so far from the principal scenes of active hostilities. Mr. Adamson taught one year in the Steuben district, near Santa Rosa, in Sonoma county, and was engaged in that county twelve years in all, also teaching six years in Mendocino county, and a total of twelve to fifteen years in Lake county, where his brother before mentioned is also widely and favorably known for his professional services, having taught twelve years in the Lower Lake district. Mr. Adamson's acquaintance in the three counties where he labored so long and faithfully is naturally exten- sive, and it speaks well for his genial disposition that in all the years he con- tinued teaching his popularity never waned. For some time, however, he has devoted all his energies to farming, operating a valuable tract of one hundred and fifty acres known as the "Royal Rest," which lies along the Middletown road, three miles south of Lower Lake in the Lower Lake precinct. It is particularly adapted to hay, grain and stock raising, in which line Mr. Adamson has achieved excellent results. Though he has not taken any specially active part in public affairs, he has always maintained an intelligent interest in questions of the day, with which he keeps in touch, and he is a Democrat on political matters. His religious membership is with the Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ.

In the year 1867 Mr. Adamson married Martha Jane Davis, of Vacaville, Cal., born in Solano county, the daughter of Milton Davis, a pioneer of the county. Mrs. Adamson was also educated at the Pacific Methodist College at Vacaville. To them were born three children, namely : Addie is the wife of Fred Penny, who carries on a livery stable at Middletown, and they have

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one child; Ernest Frank, a resident of Los Angeles, is the inventor of a motorcycle and is engaged in an automobile factory; Marsha is married and residing in Los Angeles. In 1893 Mr. Adamson married for his second wife Miss Marie J. Trenouth, born in Santa Clara county, Cal., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Coneybeare) Trenouth, natives of England, who came to California around Cape Horn in 1850.

W. W. P. BRUTON .- One of the most valuable tracts along the Lower Lake road in the Mountain District precinct (formerly part of South Kelsey- ville), Lake county, is the Ogden ranch, left by the late Philo Ogden, and now owned by his daughters, Mrs. W. W. P. Bruton and Miss Marie Ogden. It is managed by Mr. Bruton, who has been very successful in the care of this extensive property, which comprises one thousand and seventy acres. Mr. Bruton is also well known in the locality through his activity in promot- ing the Mountain Improvement Association, which has established a social center whose success has attracted wide attention and has been most credit- able to the officials who have had charge of its affairs.

William Wirt Pendergast Bruton was born in Lake county August 28, 1870, son of Josiah Jackson Bruton, of Lakeport, of whose life and ancestry a full account appears in this work. W. W. P. Bruton spent his early years on the parental farm two miles south of Lakeport, and was still a boy when the family settled in the town. He received his education in the public schools and at Lakeport Academy. When only twenty years old he became deputy postmaster there, holding the position for six years. The four years following he farmed in Scotts valley, and then entered into his present line, painting and paperhanging. His good taste and skillful work have brought him a large and steady custom, and his business-like methods have made satisficd patrons wherever he has been engaged. Meantime he has also served six years as deputy sheriff, having been appointed under John P. Moore. He has also been justice of the peace at Lakeport for four years, and in every capacity has given such excellent service that he is considered a worthy repre- sentative of a name which his honored father's life has brought into such high repute in Lakeport. His active intelligence and practical attainments have won recognition for him, and he is known to almost every resident of Lake county. He is a good judge in agricultural matters, and looks after the farming and stock interests of the Ogden ranch systematically, yet with all these interests he has found time for social affairs, and he has co-operated with other influential citizens of his neighborhood in establishing the improve- ment association above referred to; he and his wife are leaders in its activities.

It was formed to promote social gatherings in the locality, and has proved so popular that the active membership has reached sixty already. The associa- tion has built and owns a commodious hall, where under its auspices a number of plays have been presented, concerts and other entertainments held. Town, political, social and religious meetings of all kinds have been called there. and various social functions have taken place. As it is large and centrally located it is a convenient gathering place, available for many occasions, and the idea has taken a hold on the community which even its most enthusiastic advocates did not foresee. It has been surprising to note the histrionic and musical talents which have come to light since its inception. Several of the home talent plays have been so successful as to attract wide publicity, and favorable comment from the press and general public shows how thoroughly the objects of the association are approved. The officers are: W. W. P. Bruton, presi-

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dent; LeRoy St. Jolin, vice-president ; Annie M. Cary, secretary ; George F. Hesse, treasurer. The trustees are George E. Cary, Dr. Waldo and Roy Wilds.

In June, 1908, Mr. Bruton married Miss Alice Ogden, daughter of Philo and Matilda (Mead) Ogden, who were married in Illinois, Mr. Ogden belong- ing to the family famous in the history of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Ogden later lived in Colorado, where he improved a ranch which he sold on coming to California, in 1892. Here he purchased a ranch near Upper Lake, in Lake county, on which they lived for fourteen years, nine years ago selling it and huying the place in the Mountain District precinct previously referred to, where Mr. and Mrs. Bruton now reside. Mr. Ogden died in 1911, at the age of seventy-one years, his wife surviving him but six weeks. Her death occurred at Lakeport. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ogden, of whom three survive: Robert, who is engaged in a smelter at Durango, Colo .; Alice, Mrs. Bruton ; and Marie, joint owner with Mrs. Bruton of the Ogden ranch, who resides at Coronado Beach, Cal.

Mr. and Mrs. Bruton have one child, Warren Ogden. Mrs. Bruton belongs to the Rebekahs at Lakeport. Mr. Bruton holds membership in the Christian Church there. He is a Democrat in political connection.

JACOB BLOSSER .- To see much of life in the nineteenth century and in different parts of the country was the destiny of Jacob Blosser, whose experiences from 1860 until his death in 1890 were associated with Little Lake valley and Mendocino county. Both he and his wife, who bore the name of Martha Martin, were born and reared in Fayette county, Pa., and belonged to pioneer families of the Keystone state, but, seeking larger oppor- tunities than that region promised to them, they moved in 1837 to West Virginia and settled in the Little Kanawha valley. Ten years later they followed the westward drift of migration and became pioneers of Iowa. When they took up land in Jefferson county in 1847 the environment was that of the frontier. Neighbors were few and improvements conspicuous by their absence. Under such circumstances the discovery of gold in California found them restless, scarcely satisfied to remain, yet dreading to start on the long journey across the plains with their large family of little ones. However, they equipped with care and outfitted with ox-teams and wagons, so that the summer of 1850 brought them neither sickness nor disaster. This was all the more gratifying by reason of the fact that their youngest children were twins, seven months old.

The first stop was made at Diamond Springs and the second on the Calaveras river about fifty miles above Stockton. After a brief sojourn in the San Ramon valley, Contra Costa county, in 1852, Mr. Blosser bought a tract of raw land about two and one-half miles from French Camp, San Joaquin county. For eight years he tilled the soil of that farm, and then, disposing of the place, he drove north to Mendocino county and landed in Little Lake valley November 2, 1860. About one mile southwest of Willits he bought a claim and embarked in the raising of cattle and hogs. In addition he owned interests in lumbering. After a long identification with agricul- ture in the valley he passed away at the old home, as did his wife, three years after his own demise. They had been earnest Methodists, giving of their time and means with simple generosity to the cause of the church and singing the Gospel hymns with unabated fervor from youth even down to old age. It was their aim to rear their children to lives of usefulness and

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Christian service. With constant but uncomplaining self-sacrifice they gave themselves to the duties of parenthood and Christian citizenship, and their passing left the community richer for their lives of integrity, better for their many acts of kindness and benefited by their pioneer steadfastness of char- acter. From the organization of the Republican party until his death Mr. Blosser supported its principles. and as early as 1856 he attended a Repub- lican convention in San Joaquin county, where only nine delegates were present. At that time the principles of the party were little understood or appreciated in any part of the country, but with keen foresight he discerned the value of its platform and its possibilities of service to the country. All through his life he continued to be interested in public affairs and was well posted concerning national issues. In his family there were ten children, namely : Hannah, Mrs. Tanner, who died at French Camp: Nicholas J., of Willits: Thomas, residing at Healdsburg; Samuel, now at Santa Maria; William, 'who is engaged in farming near Willits; Lorenzo, employed at Santa Maria ; Mary, who married Abraham Cropley and died at Willits; John A. and J. Tobias, twins and business partners ; and Daniel J., who also makes his home in Willits.

FREDERICK WINDLINX .- It has been the good fortune of this well- known business man of Fort Bragg, who was born in Belgium in 1850, and crossed the ocean to Canada during 1871, to see much of life in different parts of America. As a result of this diversified experience he has been content to establish himself as a permanent resident of Fort Bragg, where, arriving wholly without means, he has been able by slow but sure degrees to work his way forward to a position of assured respect in the community and of business prominence in Mendocino county. While yet in his native land he had clerked in a wholesale and retail hardware store and there gained a knowledge in business most helpful to him in later endeavors. After his arrival in Canada he clerked in a general mercantile store at Montreal. Desiring to settle in the United States, he left Canada the same year and proceeded to Barbour county, Kans., where he took up a claim. At first it appeared as if success would crown his efforts, but before he had established himself financially the grasshoppers ruined his growing crops and left him without means to continue farming. His next efforts were made in New Mexico, where he spent three years as a sheep-raiser. From there he went to Texas and con- tinued the sheep business in Donley county and later he bought a tract of raw land in Montague county, but not liking the country he soon sold his interest in the farm and came to California. From San Francisco he pro- ceeded up the coast to Salmon creek, Mendocino county, where he found employment with the L. E. White Lumber Company. Later he entered the employ of the Caspar Lumber Company. While in the employ of the latter company he was sent to Fort Bragg and here for many years he engaged with the Union Lumber Company.

Through all the period of labor in the interests of others there lingered in the mind of Mr. Windlinx a desire to embark in business for himself and in 1903 he was in a position to carry out that long deferred plan. During that year he opened a small store in Fort Bragg. Having very limited capital, his stock of hardware was small and his assortment of plumbing appurtenances meager, but by dint of perseverance and wise business management he has made the store the leading business of its kind in the town. In the detail

J. Hindling

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work connected with the business he has the energetic assistance of his two sons, Fred J. and Francis W. Besides these two sons there is one daughter, Blanche, born of his union with Miss Jessie Lindsay, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. For some years Mr. Windlinx has served as a director in the First Savings Bank of Fort Bragg. In fraternal relations he is associated with the Improved Order of Red Men. Interested in every movement for the wel- fare of his chosen city and community, he takes pride in the fact that, during his term of four years as trustee of the town, a splendid modern and well equipped public library was erected, a structure that forms a fine addition to the substantial architecture of Fort Bragg and that is a factor in the intel- lectual progress of the people.

FERNANDO W. BROBACK .-- The distinction of being a native Cali- fornian and the son of a western pioneer belongs to the proprietor of the Elkhorn hotel in Ukiah It may be said of his father, Charles W., that he was a man of superior intelligence, a Virginian by birth, descended from an honored family of the Old Dominion, but so impoverished by circumstances that from the age of nine years he was forced to make his own way in the world. Only a lad fearless of spirit, robust in body and resourceful in mind could have survived the hardships which he continuously buffeted. For the privations of poverty and the exposure of frontier existence nature had quali- fied him by giving him as an endowment a sound mind in a sound body, and wlien he came over the plains in 1856 he was ready to cope with the severest trials besetting the pathway of a miner and frontiersman. Besides working in the mines he was employed in the stock industry and in teaming. During 1860 he drove a mule-team from Sacramento to the mines and return. On the 26th of December, 1860, he married Frances Haigh, a girl of seventeen, who had crossed the plains in 1856. The young couple settled at Healdsburg, Sonoma county, where their eldest son, Fernando W., was born September 26, 1861. The younger sons and daughters were as follows: Oliver (now deceased), Walter L., Charles A., Clarence, Etta (Mrs. Roy A. Douglass), and Alice (Mrs. Bert Miller).

The family removed to Oregon in 1862 and for a time lived in Portland, then moved to The Dalles, teaming to Canyon City and Boise City, Idaho, until 1870. The trail ran through an Indian country and he took part in many a serious fight with the Snake Indians, but was fortunate and was never wounded. In 1870 he removed to eastern Oregon and engaged in the stock business for ten years. While the family was living in Goose Lake valley Lake county was organized and Mrs. Broback has the honor of naming Lake- view, the county seat. In 1880 they moved to Rogue River valley and Mr. Broback became one of the founders of Medford, Ore., which city was built on a ranch that he owned at one time. While engaged in stock raising in Lake county he became so popular among the cowboys and ranchers that they elected him to the legislature of Oregon and he served for one term with credit to himself. Frequently he met Indians in his teaming expeditions and more than once he became involved in skirmishes with those that were hostile. Indeed, his entire experience in Oregon was fraught with danger. The small financial returns by no means represented the merited results of manifold perils. In his teaming expeditions from The Dalles to Boise City he took personal risks which none but the bravest of men would face. While his adventures in Oregon were often dangerous and always interesting. they brought him little in the way of permanent advancement until he began the

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stock business, in which he was successful, as well as in the sale of the town- site. From 1885 to 1888 he lived at Lakeport, Lake county. During the next two years he raised hops at Hopland, Mendocino county. In 1890 he retired from manual labor, settled in Ukiah, and there remained until his death, August 27, 1912. In every respect a self-made man, he was a type of that fearless, adventurous pioneer element that passed away with the passing of the last frontier. The mother died in Ukiah September 20, 1913.

At a very early age the eldest son in the family, Fernando W. Broback, began to assist in the maintenance of the younger children. As a cowboy he rode the range in Eastern Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Like his father, he was fearless, adventurous, fond of the frontier, skilled with animals and an expert rider. It was not until he came to Ukiah, August 8, 1889, that he turned his attention to business pursuits and relinquished ranching activities. With S. P. Curtis he founded the Ukiah Times, the first issue appearing August 8, 1889. Later he bought the interest of his partner and for four years continued the paper alone. During the period of his management the publica- tion was popularly known as one of the most newsy, interesting and up-to- date papers in the county. After he sold the sheet and the plant he acted as superintendent of the Ukiah Water Company for five years, and since 1906 he has been the proprietor of the Elkhorn hotel in Ukiah.

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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 61

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