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 65
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 65
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William and Nancy (Todd) Springston, Mrs. McKinley's parents, were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively, and married in the latter state. Her grandfather Springston, who fought in the Revolution, was drowned soon after the close of the war. After living for a time in Michigan, near Hillsdale, the Springstons moved to Lyons, Iowa, where William Spring- ston was employed on the railroad. In 1854 he brought his family as far west as Utah, where they remained over winter, in the spring continuing their journey to California, where they arrived in 1855. Eventually, during the fifties, they settled in Cobb valley, in Lake county, stopping on the Smith
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place, and their first home there was a log house. Mr. Springston was a man of character and force, and he became an influential citizen of the Middletown precinct, where he was the first justice of the peace. He lived to be sixty-two years old, the mother to the age of sixty-nine.
Charles Mckinley, third son in the family of George E. and Caroline (Springston) Mckinley, has passed all his life on the homestead where he now lives with his mother and one brother and sister. He had common school advantages and unlimited practical training for his life work, he and his brothers having always taken a hand in assisting their father, whose various undertakings they are now carrying on. Soon after his death, which occurred about eight years ago, they became associated under the name of Mckinley Brothers, incorporating under the laws of the state of California in order to take over the paternal interests and manage them to the best advantage. This means, besides the cultivation of the ranch, the operation of the Callayomi Flour Mills and the Callayomi & Middletown Electric Light & Power Com- pany, and they are capitalized at $21,000, half of the stock being owned by their mother, Mrs. Caroline Mckinley. Charles is president, Sidney H. secre- tary, treasurer and manager, and they with Archie L. Mckinley comprise the board of directors. The mill, which is situated on the Lakeport road, does a thriving business, the brothers dealing in wheat and graham flour, bran, inill stuffs, rolled barley, etc. The farm, which Charles and Archie L. Mc- Kinley manage, is devoted to grain and stock. Though a busy man, Charles Mckinley has the characteristic family trait of enterprise, and interests him- self in the questions of the day, finding time to enjoy reading for general information. He is unassuming and modest concerning his work, but his value is properly estimated by his fellow citizens, who regard him and his brothers as creditable successors to their honored father. Like him they are agreeable as neighbors and reliable in all their dealings. Politically they give their support to the measures advocated by the Democratic party. Fraternally he is a member of the American Order of Foresters.
GEORGE P. PURLENKY, M. D .- The son of a California pioneer who was attracted to the west by the undeveloped resources of the state and the opportunities offered to men of humble circumstances for the earning of a livelihood with the further possibility of accumulating a competency, Dr. Purlenky has been a lifelong resident of Northern California and is a native of San Francisco, born in that city August 25, 1880. The best educational advantages afforded by the state were brought within his reach by his own determined efforts furthered by family encouragement. After he was gradu- ated from the Lowell high school in San Francisco he matriculated in the University of California, and after two years of creditable record in the pharmaceutical department was crowned by his graduation in 1897, at the age of seventeen years, with the degree of Ph. G. Already he had decided upon his future course. In consummation of such plans he entered the medi- cal department of the State University, where he took the full course of lectures, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1901, at the age of twenty-one. Valuable experience came to him later in the capacity of interne and house physician and surgeon in the City and County hospital at San Francisco, where he continued for sixteen months of useful professional service. Up to the great fire of April, 1906, he served as city physician and health officer
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in San Francisco, but the results of the memorable catastrophe were so serious that he sought a new location.
An opportunity to take charge of the health department of the Union Lumber Company and to act as superintendent of the company hospital at Fort Bragg led Dr. Purlenky to this city shortly after the San Francisco fire, and ever since his arrival he has superintended the lumber concern's hospital, where three graduate nurses are in attendance and every equipment is pro- vided for the skilled supervision of all cases requiring physical or surgical treatment. The Doctor and his wife, who was Miss Alma Hink, a native of Woodland, this state, have become prominent in the society of Fort Bragg and are honored guests in those circles where superior mental endowments receive due appreciation. Besides being identified with the California State Medical Association the Doctor has numerous fraternal connections, including membership in Fort Bragg Lodge No. 361, F. & A. M .; Mendocino Chapter, R. A. M .; the Eagles and the Moose, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Native Sons of the Golden West, for all of which he is physician.
SAMUEL E. BROOKES .- Long and prosperous identification with the agricultural history of Mendocino county has brought local influence and financial independence to Mr. Brookes, who recently brought to a close the personal cultivation of his large holdings and, leasing the acreage to tenants, retired to the enjoyment of a leisure justly merited, establishing his home in Hopland in the midst of scenes familiar to him through a long period of successful activity as a rancher. The distinction of being the son of a famous artist of the nineteenth century belongs to Mr. Brookes, who is justly proud of the career of his father, Samuel M. Brookes, a distinguished painter of still life and still well remembered by pioneers of San Francisco, where for years he maintained one of the largest studios of that city. A native of London, England, born in 1816, he had received exceptional advantages in his own land and had developed his exceptional talents in art. As early as 1833, when Chicago (then Fort Dearborn) had a population of but five hundred, he had settled in that frontier town, where he was a leader in the early movements to interest the people in art. Later he had a studio at Milwaukee, Wis., in which city his son, Samuel E., was born August 31, 1853. The family came to California in 1861 by way of Panama and chanced to be passing through Aspinwall at the time of the burning of that town, an exciting episode that left a lasting impression upon the mind of the boy of eight. For years San Francisco continued to be the home of the family. There the father died in 1892 at the age of seventy-six and there the son received a practical educa- tion, later being employed for a short time with the publishing house of Bancroft & Co. In 1871 he came to Hopland for the first time and after a period of two years at farming he returned to San Francisco, where for about two year's he was in the employ of Wells Fargo & Co.
An experience of four years with business affairs in Petaluma was fol- lowed by the removal of Mr. Brookes to Hopland in 1879. No railroad had been built into the county and the old toll-road was still in operation. At Old Hopland on the east side of the river, he conducted the Hopland hotel during the period of teaming days, and later he leased the ranch on which the inn stood.
After engaging as a farmer for six years he went to Ukiah, bought a livery barn owned by Jack Morrison and for two years operated the stable. Next he went to Oakland and embarked in the confectionery business. Two
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years later, returning to Hopland, he bought a portion of the old Howell ranch and from time to time he added to the original purchase until his hold- ings aggregated nine hundred acres, lying along the east side of the Russian river for a mile and a half. This formed a rich estate, well adapted to dairy- ing, the growing of fruit and the pasturage of sheep. He has been exten- sively engaged in the dairy business, also in the raising of Spanish-Merino sheep. He early became interested in horticulture, setting out orchards of peaches, pears and prunes, and altogether has about twelve acres in orchard. He was one of the organizers of the Hopland Fruit Company, of which he has been manager since 1901. The company is engaged in drying fruit, in a packing house erected for the purpose, with the best facilities for drying. The undertaking has proved profitable to the proprietors, as well as a boon to the fruit growers, enabling them to obtain a higher price for their fruit than formerly. Mr. Brookes is vice-president and a director of the Hopland Bank. In 1911 he was one of the original incorporators of the Clear Lake Railroad Company, and is a director of the same. The company obtained the right of way for the railroad from Hopland to Lakeport, a distance of twenty-four miles, and graded about seven miles. After spending about $80,- 000 the work was discontinued for the time being on account of the stringency of the money market, but it bids fair to be completed and become a reality in the near future.
In San Francisco, July 26, 1875, Mr. Brookes was united in marriage with Eva Bragg, who was born in Bangor, Me., and came to California during 1872. Four children were born of this union, but of these one alone survives, Henry. He married Stella Allenbest, who died leaving a son, Frederick, who makes his home with his grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Brookes are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Brookes being secre- tary of the board, and it is largely through the efforts of himself and Elijah Dooley that the organization is kept up.
With fidelity to every duty as a citizen, as a farmer, as a neighbor and as a friend. Mr. Brookes has traveled the path of life. Financial success and honorable standing are justly merited by his sterling character, untiring industry and intelligent efforts. To an honorable family name he has added the prestige of his own sincere, purposeful and vigorous life.
RALPH CLIFTON GREENOUGH .- The supervising principal of the Fort Bragg grammar schools has the distinction of being a native son of Mendocino county and one of the most prominent members of its efficient corps of teachers, whose success in educational work gives prestige to the county and permanence to the school system. The family of which he is an honored member has had residence in California since 1877. During February of that year his father, Dixon Greenough, arrived in Mendocino county from Massachusetts, where he had followed the trade of a stone-mason at Lowell for seven years and where he had married Miss Adelaide Perkins, a native of that state. Nova Scotia was his native land, his birth having occurred in Cumberland county in 1848 and the first twenty years of his existence having been passed uneventfully in that section of the country. Upon coming to the Pacific coast he settled at Little River, Mendocino county, where his son, Ralph C., was born September 11, 1878, and where he himself was honored as a pioneer lumberman, capable rancher and loyal citizen. For a quarter of a century he was engaged with different lumber companies in mills around Little River, Big River and Albion and in time rose to foreman and later to
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head sawyer, and near the latter town he also carried on ranch pursuits for five years. Since establishing a home at Fort Bragg in 1907 he has engaged in the draying business and, although now past middle age, he still displays the energy and industry characteristic of his younger years. In his family there are four children, George, Frederick, Ralph C., and Mrs. Cora Smith.
Although employed for a time in a mercantile establishment at Albion and following similar lines of work elsewhere, always the aim of R. C. Greenough was to qualify for pedagogical enterprises. From youth he directed his studies toward that end. On the completion of the course in the Mendo- cino high school he entered the Ukiah Normal, where he prepared for teach- ing. During July of 1896 he successfully passed the required examination and received a teacher's certificate from the county board of education. Since 1897 he has engaged continuously in educational work. The first four years of the period were passed as teacher in the Olive Springs district, after which he remained for three years in the Albion school district and then devoted two years to the work of principal of the Mendocino grammar school. Coming to Fort Bragg in July, 1906, he was elected principal of the grammar schools. In 1912, the schools having grown to such an extent as to necessitate such an office, a supervising principal officership was created, to which he was duly elected, and he has since devoted his time and ability to the discharge of the duties connected with that responsible post. In June, 1906, he was appointed a member of the county board of education, serving four years, the last year as president of the board. His comfortable home is presided over graciously by Mrs. Greenough, formerly Miss Kate Van Allen, who like himself claims Mendocino as her native county. One son, John Wesley, blesses their union. Aside from his responsibilities as supervising principal Mr. Greenough has other activities to engage his attention, notably his work as notary public and conveyancer, treasurer of the Fort Bragg public library board and secre- tary of the board of trustees of the Baptist Church, all of which responsible associations, together with others scarcely less important, mark him as a man of prominence in the community and an indispensable factor in educational, religious and general advancement.
DR. P. C. JONES .- To such an extent have the professional activities of Dr. Jones been connected with Fort Bragg and to such local prominence has he risen in dentistry that any mention of his name brings to mind his energetic personality and his professional efficiency. Although still on the sunny side of life's prime, he is not a newcomer in the arena of dental practice at Fort Bragg, where for considerably more than a decade he has devoted time and study to his chosen work in life, meanwhile building up a clientele that is not limited to the seaport town itself, but extends throughout the country districts back of the city. California is his native commonwealth and all of his life has been passed within the limits of the state, while his education was acquired in its schools. The son of B. R. Jones, an honored old California pioneer, he was born at Oakland June 27, 1876, and as a boy attended the common schools of Monterey and Stanislaus counties. A thorough common- school education laid the foundation for a professional career. From an early age it was his ambition to study dentistry. The carrying out of early formu- lated plans took him to the dental department of the University of California, where he had the advantages of the entire course of lectures as well as the practical experience enjoyed by students in that institution. Upon his grad-
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uation in 1898 he was well prepared for successful practice, but he did not allow himself to cease studying with the close of his college work; on the other hand, he has been a constant student of the profession and has kept in touch with every development in a science that is responding to the quick- ening intellectual agencies of the twentieth century.
With his wife, who was Miss Elsie Bowlin, a native of Mendocino county, Dr. Jones is well known in social circles in Fort Bragg and has a host of warm personal friends among the people of the community. Although caring little for political affairs, he is a generous contributor to movements for the benefit of the town and has proved a progressive citizen in his support of beneficial measures. Fraternally he holds membership with the Santa Rosa lodge of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Fort Bragg lodge of Masons.
JOHN GEORGE NEWMAN, B. S .- Though not a native born son of California, it may be said of Mr. Newman that his life was spent almost entirely in this state, he being but three years of age when brought hither by his parents in 1882. He was born near Scranton, in the adjoining county of Pike, Pa., July 24, 1879, his parents making their home there for some years. In 1882 he removed to California and settled in Humboldt county on a ranch. The son received his elementary training in the public schools in that county, in the Dyerville district, and after graduating from the grammar school remained at home and assisted his father on the home place for about six years. Anxious to complete his education, and at the same time reluctant to leave his family, he entered the high school in Arcata, which was the first high school in the county, and was graduated therefrom in 1903. From there it was but a step in his career to matriculate at the University of California, in which he took up the study of agriculture in order to acquire a practical and theoretical knowledge of that vocation. After completing the four-year course he received the degree of B. S., in 1908, when he immediately entered the employ of the government, doing investigation work on drainage and irri- gation of the soil. After two years of this work, during which time he proved himself to be well informed and accurate at his business, he accepted a position as manager of the L. E. White Lumber Company ranches at Green- wood, Mendocino county, where he proved himself a successful and most efficient official. In 1912 he resigned from this position to engage at farming for himself on a tract of six hundred and two acres in Potter valley, which he had purchased. This land is all improved, being planted to grain, and the decided success which Mr. Newman has met in the short time he has owned the land is evidence of his unusual ability in the agricultural line of work. The methods which he employs are up-to-date in every respect, and he regulates in a way to get the best results with the least effort and expense. As rapidly as possible he is changing his crops to alfalfa, preparatory to engaging in the dairy business. At present he is raising and feeding hogs for the market.
Mr. Newman was married in Centerville, Mendocino county, on October 5. 1913, to Miss Hazel M. Barnett, who was born July 2, 1890, in Humboldt county. They have a daughter named Anna Madeline. In political senti- ment a stanch Republican, Mr. Newman's fraternal membership is in Eel River Lodge No. 147, F. & A. M., at Fortuna; Ferndale Chapter No. 78, R. A. M .; Rohnerville Chapter No. 78, O. E. S., and the Ancient Order of
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Foresters, besides which he belongs to Potter Valley Grange. He is an enterprising young man, whose every effort is put forth to the development and betterment of local conditions. He is a helpful, willing neighbor, and is looked upon as an authority among his associates as to farming and its many details. As proof of his prosperity he is completing one of the finest homes in Potter valley, to which all the friends of the young couple will be bidden with welcome and hearty hospitality.
WILLIAM F. BOGGS .- This venerable resident of the Lower Lake pre- cinct in Lake county, living at Spruce Grove, in Little High valley, is a com- paratively recent settler in that section, yet in the brief period of his residence there his high character and industrious life have won him the respect of all his neighbors, and he is a beloved member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lower Lake. His membership in the Methodist denomination has extended over a period of sixty-two years, and he has always been an interested and zealous worker in both church and Sunday school. Pennsylvania is Mr. Boggs' native state, and he was born August 15, 1834,in Clearfield county.
The history of the Boggs family in the United States commences with the immigration of three brothers, who came to this country from Ireland in Colonial times, before the Revolution, one settling in Pennsylvania and two in Maryland. Mr. Boggs is of the same family as L. H. Boggs, ex-gov- ernor of Missouri, who came to California in the year 1846, but the relation- ship is quite distant. However, the brother who settled in Pennsylvania was his ancestor. His great-grandfather, Andrew Boggs, was a trader among the Mingo Indians, and he was the first white settler in Center county, Pa. He died the year the Revolutionary war broke out, 1775.
Robert Boggs, the eldest son of Andrew Boggs, was the grandfather of William F. Boggs, and he continued the trade with the Indians established by his father until the removal of the tribe by the government to the Corn- planter reservation in New York state. He afterward became an associate judge of Center county, Pa. John H. Boggs, father of William F. Boggs, was born June 22, 1804, in Center county, Pa., and lived to the age of eighty- seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Catharine Hoover, was born in 1803 in Center county, Pa., and they were married in that state. Of the twelve children born to their union, six still survive, the youngest now sev- enty years old. The mother passed away at the age of eighty-one years. John H. Boggs was a well known resident of Center county in his day, having fol- lowed the profession of school teacher and he served as prothonotary of Clarion county, Pa.
William F. Boggs received all his school advantages before he was fifteen years old. However, he had other training, having served an apprenticeship of three years and four months at the cabinetmaker's trade, at Callensburg, Pa., and he became a most proficient workman. In the fall of 1856 he was one of a party of twenty-one persons, five families, who came westward, to Lasalle, Ill., where he worked at carpentry, and he continued to make his home in that state for five years. Early in the Civil war period, August 9, 1861, he enlisted in the Union service, joining Company K, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, and he served under Generals Sherman and Grant. He has had the privilege of conversation with both those generals at their own tents. In the engagement at Fort Donelson his regiment suffered severely, going into the battle with seven hundred and twenty men, and having only one hundred and thirty
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uninjured at its close, or after six hours' fighting. His company went in with sixty-four men, of whom but six came out uninjured, seventeen being left dead on the field and forty-one wounded. Mr. Boggs had the misfortune to be among the latter, a minie ball going through his left shoulder and injuring him so badly that his life was despaired of for three months. He was taken to the hospital, but had to be sent home on furlough, a running sore develop- ing which did not heal for three months, and he was mustered out on account of disability six months after being wounded. Under a new call for volun- teers in 1864 he re-enlisted, joining Company H, Forty-fourth Iowa Infantry, into which he was mustered as second lieutenant. During his second period of service he was on duty along the Memphis & Charleston railroad, being thus engaged until the expiration of his term, when he not only received an honorable discharge, but also a certificate of thanks for honorable service signed by President Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton. Mr. Boggs has had this certificate framed and it occupies an honored position in his home. He also has the blue coat pierced by the bullet which caused him so many months of suffering, and a poem he has written on the subject will interest the reader :
THE LITTLE BLUE COAT I WORE AT FORT DONELSON
I have a story to tell of a little Blue Coat, With bright shining buttons clear up to the throat. A belt around the waist and straps on the shoulders -
Which answered the purpose of canteen holders.
It had no long skirts to flap 'round in a gale, Or catch on the splints when we slept on a rail, Or drag in the mud when we waded in slop; Not even to sit on when we came to a stop.
It had no deep pockets to hide away a fowl, Not even a measly little screech owl. But it was warm and cosy and neat as a fiddle, E'en though it didn't reach quite down to the middle.
It was really handy to wear all around- To sleep on the bunk or roll on the ground. It was not much protection when out in a storm, And was never a burden when the weather was warm.
It was the handiest coat you ever did see- Whether out on the march or climbing a tree. I was proud of this coat if the truth I must tell, For I really thought it became me so well.
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