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 64
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 64
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JOHN BRIEN .- A native of New Brunswick, and descended from good old Irish stock, John Brien has been a resident of Mendocino county since 1863, his father having preceded him to California by almost twenty years and being one of the true pioneers of Mendocino county, where he lived for many years. Mr. Brien has been engaged in some phase of the lumbering business for practically his entire residence in California, and has been in the employ of several of the leading companies in the region. He is one of the oldest citizens in this section, and is highly honored and respected for his splendid qualities of heart and mind, as well as for his enterprise and industry. Recently he has retired from active participation in business life, and is living quietly at his home on Little Lake street, in Mendocino.
Mr. Brien was born in Marimachia, New Brunswick, April 10, 1844. His father, James Brien, a native of Dublin, Ireland, came to New Brunswick when a young man, and there he married Elizabeth Keaton, also a native of Ireland, born in Queens county. They resided for many years with their
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family at Old Town, Me., where Mr. Brien, Sr., was a river driver. In 1854 he came to California, making the long journey by way of Cape Horn, on the sailing vessel Edward Stanley, eight months being required for the trip. He came first to Albion, Mendocino county, where he was employed as a woodsman for many years. Later he sent for his family, and together with his wife passed his last days in Mendocino, passing away at the age of seventy-six, while death found Mrs. Brien at the age of seventy years.
Of a large family of children, John Brien was the third eldest. He was reared at Old Town, Me., where he attended the public school. When he was sixteen years of age he went to work on the river as a log driver, working at this until he came to California to join his father in 1863. He left New York in April, sailing on the Ocean Queen to Panama, and crossing the Isthmus, made the trip up the coast to San Francisco on the Golden Age, where he took one of the smaller coast vessels to Mendocino. Here the young man worked in the woods, first near Albion for three years, and then with the Mendocino Lumber Company. In 1867 he was given a position in the Mendocino Lumber Company's mill as tally man, which position he held for five years. Later he became a sawyer, having charge of the large circular saws, and later was transferred to the outside work, being given a position in the logging camp. He was a log hauler with this company for thirty-three years, until he resigned his position to retire from active participation in the business world, October 13, 1913. Since that time he has been living quietly. at his home, enjoying the well earned rest that many years of fruitful toil have earned him.
The marriage of Mr. Brien took place in Mendocino July 22, 1874, uniting him with Miss Mary Cooney, born in St. Peters Bay, Prince Edward Island, and who came to California in 1877. She is the daughter of James and Mary (Leahey) Cooney, natives of Ireland. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brien were born six children, all of whom are living save two, Mary E. and Clarence. Of the others John Andrew is in the internal revenue service at San Francisco; Ellen T., now Mrs. Albert Henningsen, residing in Eureka, was a teacher in Mendocino county schools before her marriage; James Albert is teaching in the grammar school of Mendocino; and Beatrice J. is a graduate of Mendo- cino high school, class of 1914. The children were all graduates of the Men- docino high school, and Albert and Mrs. Ellen Henningsen also graduated from the San Jose State Normal.
Aside from the many friendships which Mr. Brien has formed during his many years of service in the lumber industry, he has a wide circle of friends in Mendocino. He is a Republican in his political views and a staunch party man, although he was never an aspirant for public office.
GEORGE GOLDEN .- The appearance of Fort Bragg at the time of the arrival of Mr. Golden in the fall of 1887 presented a startling contrast tc that of the present day. On every hand the dense redwood forests extended back from the shore line toward the distant mountains and a few small houses on the water front constituted the only indication of a city in the making. There was much, however, to interest a man who had traveled widely through the west and who understood the enormous value of the timber tracts in this region. Attracted by the prospects of the new town, he chose it as the scene of his future efforts and since has been identified with various enterprises of local importance. During the first twenty-three years of his life he had lived in Michigan, having been born in Parma, Jackson county, that state, July
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21, 1863. Upon coming to the west he had spent a year in Oregon in or near Portland and a year at Truckee, Nevada county, Cal., coming from the latter place to Fort Bragg in September, 1887. There he has since been identified with community development and with his wife, who was a Miss Ellen Hewitt, a native of Pennsylvania, he has a large circle of long-established and old-time friends.
Like many of the people living in Fort Bragg, Mr. Golden has had em- ployment with the Union Lumber Company. During youth he had learned the trade of a carpenter and this made him helpful in the early upbuilding of the town. Not only did he build many cottages, but he also hauled the lumber for the erection of hotels and business blocks and maintained an active part in the early material development of his chosen town. He is a director in the First National Bank of Fort Bragg, as well as the First Bank of Savings of Fort Bragg. Always stanch in support of Democratic princi- ples, he was elected constable on the regular party ticket and for fourteen years also served as city marshal. The fraternal orders have received his hearty co-operation. For some years he has served as a trustee of the Eagles, and is a member of Fort Bragg Lodge No. 360, I. O. O. F., of which he has been trustee, besides which he holds office as secretary of Santana Tribe No 60, I. O. R. M. He was made a Mason in Fort Bragg Lodge No. 361, F. & A. M., and has been secretary of the lodge since July 25, 1904. He is a member of Mendocino Chapter No. 88, R. A. M.
DICKSON STEPHEN SHATTUCK .- The twentieth century is an age of specialization. Forever gone are the days when one mind embraced every department of a gigantic business or one pair of hands constructed every part of an intricate machine. Perhaps it was a happy accident that caused Mr. Shattuck to specialize in the dairy industry when he was yet a mere youth. Certain it is that he was guided thereby into a business for which he was well qualified by natural abilities and temperament. Liking the work, it has been somewhat easy and decidedly interesting for him to concentrate his attention upon its details. He has become familiar with every department of dairying. Few surpass him in judgment as to milch cows. An instantaneous decision that resembles instinct enables him to select the best head in any large herd. Furthermore, he understands thoroughly the best methods of the care of the milk and the manufacture of butter. Any modern convenience that aids in supplying pure milk to customers he adopts without delay and his equip- ment leaves nothing to be desired as to sanitation and convenience.
Not only does Mr. Shattuck claim the distinction of being a native son, but in addition he is proud of the fact that all of his life has been passed in the same section of California. The lure of the gold mines attracted his father, David O. Shattuck, across the plains from Mississippi during the summer of 1850, but after mining without success he turned his attention to viticulture and farming. The son, Dickson S., was born in Sonoma county, near old Sonoma, September 3, 1854. When he was seventeen years old he went with other members of the family to Bachelor valley, Lake county, and there he and his father established a dairy in 1888. After the death of the father Mr. Shattuck closed out the dairy interests and began to work in the mines of Shasta county. A year later he returned to Ukiah and secured employment on a ranch. During 1909 he established a milk route in Ukiah. Six months later he took into partnership his brother, James, and
Mr. Eup Mrs. N.D. Skallwest
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the two have built up a trade of such volume that at the present time they retail one hundred gallons of milk daily, besides large quantities of cream. Their headquarters are at 1126 West Perkins street. An experience of ten years as a butter-maker in Lake county gives Mr. Shattuck a thorough acquaintance with that branch of the dairy industry, but since establishing the milk route at Ukiah he has found little time to devote to the manufacture of butter, it being necessary to give the very closest attention to the care of the milk and the selling of the same. In his dairy cleanliness and sanitation have been made the cardinal virtues. The cement floor is maintained in spotless condition, the cooling vats are ideally clean, and the same may be said of every article with which the milk comes in contact, so that customers are assured of purity and cleanliness, while in addition the high quality and uniform excellence of the product creates satisfaction among the large and growing body of customers.
Mr. Shattuck's first marriage occurred in Lake, uniting him with Clara Hartford, who died in San Francisco leaving one son, William J., of Ukiah. His second marriage was solemnized in Ukiah April 30, 1890, and united him with Mrs. Laura (Saunders) Sloper, a native of Calaveras county. Her father, William Saunders, came from Pennsylvania to California when he was twenty-two years of age and became a merchant and miner. Her mother was Mary Ellen Moore, a native of Andrew county, Mo., who crossed the plains when five years old, in 1849, with her parents, and is now residing with Mrs. Shattuck. The latter was reared and educated in Mendocino county. By her first marriage she had three children, Martin A .; Inez, Mrs. Pettit ; and Harold, who was accidentally killed by a playmate when he was fifteen years old. Mrs. Shattuck is identified with the Rebekahs and is a member of the Christian Church, while Mr. Shattuck is a Methodist.
CHARLES MIDDLETOWN HARGRAVE .- The task of placing under cultivation a large tract of raw land is not easy in any part of the country and Mr. Hargrave can attest to its hardships, for he spent years of his earlier life in developing a ranch of five hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land. That he has been successful in the effort is proved by even the most casual glance at his large farm situated two and one-half miles north of Men- docino in the county of that name. Stock-raising has aided him in making the tract a profitable investment. General farming also has rewarded his industry and energy. The assistance of his family, supplementing his own incessant labor and intelligent perseverance, has enabled him to bring the land to its present thrifty condition. Although he had no capital with which to start out for himself, nor did he even possess the advantage of a thorough education, he has made good through his own force of character and determination of will, and now he occupies a place among the progressive farmers of the county.
Born in Indiana October 17, 1843, Charles Middletown Hargrave was only one year old when his parents, John B. and Adeline (Woods) Hargrave, who were natives of Kentucky, removed to Texas and settled near the Red river. In a short time the family removed to the then territory of Oklahoma, leav- ing there in 1853 for California. The trip was made across the plains with ox-teams and wagons. Owing to constant danger from the Indians, much of the traveling was done by night, which made the journey one of unusual privation and difficulty. At the expiration of six months they arrived in Yolo 29
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county. A location was made on Cache creek six miles from the mouth of the canyon. While living on that ranch the boy was sent to school for a short time, but in the main he is self-educated. Experience and observation have taught him much and through his own efforts he has become a well-informed man. When his parents came to Mendocino county in 1855 they settled about two miles south of Mendocino City, where he rented what is now the Kent place from Lloyd Bell. Later they moved to the Coombs place near Albion and from there to Navarro Ridge. Until 1866 he remained with them. Since then he has earned his own way in the world. Beginning with 1867 he made his home on the present ranch two and a half miles north of Mendocino, where in the long period of his occupancy he has made all of the improvements now to be seen on the property. The ranch lies for a mile along the ocean, north of Russian Gulch. At the same time he has given his influence to the general upbuilding of the community.
Mr. Hargrave was married in Mendocino City in 1867 to Miss Annie Flannigan, who was born in Ireland but who was raised in Boston, Mass. She came to California in 1866, and passed away on the home place in 1912. Eight children were born to their union: Agnes, Mrs. Thompson, of Fort Bragg; Walter, a dentist and principal of the Covelo public schools; Edwin, a teacher in the high school at Vacaville; Amy, now Mrs. Anderson, a teacher in the Mitchell district; Maude, Mrs. Agnew, of Fort Bragg; Ollie, Mrs. Chauncy Baker, of Fresno; Charles, a mining engineer, but now assisting his father on the ranch ; and Rose, now Mrs. Walters, of Irmulco.
In politics Mr. Hargrave has been an active worker in the Democratic party, but no partisanship appears in his support of progressive enterprises. Patriotic citizenship and not party spirit appears in his advocacy of beneficial measures. He belongs to that fine class of pioneers whose labors have been of permanent benefit to the agricultural advancement of the county.
CAROLUS MALCOLM WALKER .- The bravery with which he has met misfortune and the determination he has exhibited in the face of obstacles entitle Mr. Walker to the respect of associates and to a high standing among the honored citizens of Mendocino county. Descended from a long line of Scotch ancestors and himself a native of the shire of Perth, born June 23, 1862, he had the advantages in youth of the local schools, but at an early age left school in order to serve an apprenticeship to the trade of wood-carver, for which he showed considerable talent. However, his desire to follow the sea was so great that at the expiration of three years devoted to apprentice work, he left Scotland to sail the high seas and for seven years he was employed on large freiglit steamers. From 1880 to 1885 he spent in South Africa, two years employed in Kimberly, two years in different parts of South Africa, and one year on the coast. A voyage during 1891 brought him to the United States and thence to Canada. The steamer sailed down the St. Lawrence river to the great lakes, where, instead of returning to Great Britain, he re- mained to take up work on the lake steamers. In 1892 he proceeded to Cali- fornia and found employment in the construction of a dam on the Tuolumne river. This proved a most unfortunate task, for in the course of his duties he met with a serious accident and lost one limb. It was some time before he recovered from the effects of the injury. As soon as able to get around once more, he went to San Francisco and devoted himself to learning the business of photography. The decision to learn such work was influenced
K. 2. Brower
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by the fact that it was no longer possible for him to engage in active manual work of any kind.
Having completed the study of photography Mr. Walker opened a studio at Greenwood, Mendocino county, in 1895, and here he has since remained, not only doing the local work in the line of photography, but in addition for eight years filling the office of justice of the peace at Cuffey's Cove township, having been elected to the office in 1906 and re-elected in 1910, also serving as notary public. On March 25, 1904, he successfully passed an examination in optometry before the state board of examiners and was licensed to prac- tice, but in the main he has devoted his attention to photography. Politically he votes with the Republican party. Mr. Walker is an example of what can be accomplished by application and perseverance, and has accomplished success in his chosen calling in spite of handicaps that may arise. He has an enviable record in his profession as well as for his services as magistrate, allowing only fairness to rule all of his acts and decisions. All in all his is a record that young men would do well to emulate.
JOHN DANIEL BROWER .- A brief vacation period spent in Mendo- cino county during 1871 while he was yet a student in school convinced Mr. Brower that there were opportunities here for the development of profitable stock interests. Later travel through other parts of the state convinced him that this section is difficult to surpass from the standpoint of stock-raising. The climatic conditions keep large herds and flocks in health. The products of the soil are such as to favor the stock business. With sagacious invest- ment in stock and prudent oversight in their care, a satisfactory return on the investment may be predicted, and such has been the experience of Mr. Brower, whose holdings in the Potter valley are utilized principally for stock. A man of decidedly progressive spirit, he was one of the very first in his locality to successfully obtain water by gravity for irrigation; this feat was accomplished through the building of a dam across the stream and when water had been secured he placed forty acres of his farm under cultivation to alfalfa, since which time he has embarked in dairying on a small scale. His father, also John Daniel Brower, born in Paterson, N. J., was a carpenter by trade. In 1849 he was one of the two hundred and five that bought the sailer Robert Bound and brought her around Cape Horn with a cargo for San Francisco. The party left New York in January of 1849, and reached San Francisco in the following August. Mr. Brower was among the first of those who settled in Alameda, locating there in 1851. He married Mrs. Charity (Bennett) Wilcox, a native of England.
Alameda is the native California home of Mr. Brower and November 2, 1854, the date of his birth. Fair educational advantages were given to him, for besides the public schools he attended the Alameda Academy and later the Doyen Academy, while at the age of eighteen he took a course at Heald's Business College. The commercial course was completed in 1873 and the same year he became manager of the farm of his father in Potter Valley, Mendocino county, where he specialized with sheep. Soon he began to build up a flock of his own, but in 1882 he sold his stock to his father and moved to Santa Rosa. During the next year he traveled in various parts of the state, looking for a satisfactory location. In the end he decided that Mendocino county offered advantages equal to those of other localities. Returning in 1883, he purchased land adjacent to the property of his father. The former owner, Mr. Maze, had commenced to improve the two hundred
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acres, but the greater part of the improvements have been made by the present owner, who through the tilling of the soil and the raising of stock has made the farm a profitable investment.
Besides the oversight of his farm and stock Mr. Brower served for a number of years as a director of the mercantile establishment in Potter Valley, also was a member of the board of trustees of the town of Potter Valley for four years and trustee for eight years in the Union school district. Movements for good roads and bridge-building, brought about by public subscriptions, have received his stanch support, for he recognizes that they are indispensable to community progress. In politics he is an independent Republican. He was made a Mason in Abell Lodge No. 146, F. & A. M., and with his wife is a member of Casimir Lodge No. 25, O. E. S., and the Potter Valley grange. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His marriage, in Santa Rosa December 20, 1877, united him with Miss Jessie Eliza Patterson, who was born in Omro, Winnebago county, Wis., and received her education in the public schools and Ripon College. After completing her studies she devoted several years to teaching music both in Wisconsin and California. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brower, namely: John Daniel, of Pacific Grove; Jessie Irene, Mrs. R. E. Dashiell, of Scotts Valley, Lake county; Hazel Edith, who died in 1906; Stella Mary, Mrs. McGuffin, of Tucson, Ariz .; Lewis Conklin, who died in 1903; Edward Patterson; Mabel Jane; Marjorie Lael; Nina, deceased; and Josephine Dorothy. Mrs. Brower's father, L. C. Patterson, was president of the New London (Wis.) Bank. He came with his family to California and settled in Santa Rosa in 1876, establishing a mercantile business there which engaged his attention until he gave it up to establish a stock business in Eastern Oregon, where he passed away.
CHARLES MCKINLEY .- The Mckinley ranch in Loconoma valley, northwest of Middletown, has the distinction of being the oldest improved farm in Lake county occupied continually from the time of its original settle- ment to the present by one family. The widow and three of the children of George E. McKinley, who was the first permanent white settler in the valley, live there now. In the course of a successful life the late Mr. McKinley acquired a number of valuable interests, and his various business affairs are being continued by his sons, who have incorporated under the name of Mckinley Brothers for the more convenient management of the estate. The Callayomi Flour Mills and the Callayomi & Middletown Electric Light & Power Company are among the enterprises controlled by this concern, as well as the Mckinley ranch, which is on the Middletown road about three and a half miles from that town.
George E. Mckinley was a native of New Brunswick, born August 9, 1837. When he was five years old his parents moved to Burlington, Iowa, where they resided until 1849, then settling on a farm near by, upon which they remained until 1852. That year George E. Mckinley crossed the Rocky mountains, and for four years was employed in the stock business. In 1856 he came to California, and after a few months spent in Plumas county pro- ceeded to Lake county, arriving in December of that year. Before long he went into Napa valley, but returned in the summer of 1857 and settled on the place in Loconoma valley which has since been known as the Mckinley ranch. Its three hundred and twenty acres comprise valuable hay, grain, grazing and timber lands, which became highly developed and productive
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under his intelligent care. Many years before his death he bought from Andrew Rocca the flour mills now known as the Callayomi flour mills, which had been built in 1887 by Mr. Rocca, and the Mckinleys in about 1906 installed the water power and electric light plant at the mill which furnish light and power to Middletown.
Mr. Mckinley led an earnest and useful life, and the example of his industry and unpretentious but worthy efforts was a permanent influence for good in his community. His kindly attitude toward all his fellow men, his hospitable nature and neighborliness, attracted the regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and the high standing he enjoyed was due as much to his sterling personal qualities as to the material success which rewarded lis work. He was a consistent member of the Church of Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ, to which faith his family also adhere.
On December 10, 1862, Mr. Mckinley married Miss Caroline Springston, a native of Pennsylvania, who was twelve years old when she came to Cali- fornia with her parents. Mrs. McKinley, now seventy-one years of age, is still living at the old ranch home near the mill, with her sons, Charles and Archie L., and daughter, Frances. Though she has lost her eyesight, she retains the cheerful, considerate disposition which has won her the loving esteem of all who know her, and is happy in the affection of family and friends. Her interest in the household is continued as far as possible. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McKinley : Sidney H., the eldest, is secretary, treasurer and manager of the corporation known as Mckinley Brothers, and is represented elsewhere in this volume. Ella died when two years old. George A., who lives near Yountville, Napa county, is a stockholder in Mckinley Brothers Corporation ; he married Florence Evelyn Wood, of Alameda, and they have three living children, Clifford, Horace and Margaret Elizabeth. Eva, who is living at Fresno, Cal., is the wife of E. Frank Yount, a merchant, and their three children are Inesse, Frances and Dorothy. Ada is the wife of W. L. Kellum, a capitalist, of Spokane, Wash., and has two children, Carroll and Ruth. Lillie died unmarried at the age of thirty-two years. Mary is married to Darrington Christopher, of Alameda, a bookkeeper, and they have one child, Bernice. Charles, Archie L. and Frances E. live at home. The three last named were born on this ranch, where they reside with their mother, the sons operating the farm and the daughter having the management of the household affairs. They give their mother loving attention. She is one of the oldest surviving pioneers in her section of the county and when in a reminiscent mood it is interesting to listen to her experiences of early days, times fraught with trials and hard- ships, to say nothing of dangers from wild beasts that abounded in great numbers. Mr. Mckinley died December 5, 1906.
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