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 82
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 82
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At Sonoma, Cal., the Doctor married Mrs. Alice (Buckner) Luerssen, a native of Kansas, and the daughter of Capt. N. S. and Annetta (Huse) Buck- ner, now residents of Pacific Grove, Cal. He is a veteran of the Civil war, serving in the Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry with rank of cap- tain, during which he was taken prisoner and incarcerated at Andersonville. His family consisted of six children. By her first marriage Mrs. Upton had one child, Ruth, who lives with her grandfather at Pacific Grove. Two chil- dren have been born to her union with Dr. Upton, Olive Violet and Delphina.
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Besides his connection with the Napa County Medical Association Dr. Upton holds membership in Lupyoma Lodge No. 173, I. O. O. F., at Kelsey- ville. He is a Republican in political opinion, with Progressive tendencies, and always aims to keep abreast of the times, whether in lines of general thought or in his own particular work, and to give his patients the benefit of modern scientific discoveries. He has installed in his office an R. C. Bert- man Company sixteen plate static X-Ray machine and high frequency reserva- tor, and a Victor wall plate.
ROBERT EMMET DONOHOE .- As city engineer of Ukiah, which position he has filled continuously since 1894, as a director of the Commercial Bank of Ukiah, and in former positions of great responsibility, Mr. Donohoe has been indentified intimately with commercial and official affairs in Men- docino county, where he was born in 1864 and of which he has been a life resi- dent. Having completed his studies in the grammar school of Ukiah, he began to earn his livelihood as clerk in a store. Other occupations later gave him a living. For a time he engaged as a teamster and also worked on a farm, after which he began to study surveying and civil engineering. For twelve years he engaged as deputy in the office of the county recorder and he also was a deputy under the then county assessor, S. D. Paxton. As a partner with H. B. Smith for fifteen years he has conducted a title and abstract business. For eight years he filled the office of county surveyor with recognized efficiency and during four years he was the capable and efficient sheriff. A surveyor and civil engineer of wide experience, he has done extensive work in that line throughout the northwestern part of the state.
In fraternal relations he is connected with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Maccabees and local chapter of the Eastern Star. His family comprises a daughter, Ruth A., and his wife, formerly Miss Emma Mankins, a native of Mendocino county and a daughter of Peter P. Mankins, one of the honored pioneers of this county.
JEREMIAH HENRY DONOHOE .- From the time of his location in Mendocino county in 1859 until his death January 14, 1902. Jerry H. Donohoe was closely connected with the agricultural and political life of his chosen community and wielded not a little influence in public affairs. Born in Ire- land March 18, 1835, and descended from a long line of Irish ancestry, he possessed the Celtic temperament, optimism and adaptability, but this he sup- plemented with American enterprise, for from a child he had lived in the United States and thus had the advantages of education in our schools. Until the death of his father he remained in Jackson county, Mo., from which point he went to Mexico in 1850, and secured employment as a clerk. Capable of enduring hardships, indifferent to privations, fond of adventure and desirous of seeing the world, he enjoyed the experiences of six years in Mexico, but was finally content to return to the United States and resume association with Americans. During 1857 he was employed in Arizona at Fort Yuma and while there he secured a contract to drive a band of mules from San Diego, Cal .. to Fort Vancouver in Washington Territory. The task was one of great hard- ship and constant privation. On its conclusion he returned to California, where he took up mining pursuits in Siskiyou county. Later he had employ- ment at The Dalles in Oregon, whence he came back to California to take up work on a farm in the Napa valley.
An opportunity to teach school in Anderson valley caused Mr. Donohoe to settle in Mendocino county in 1859 and for six years he continued in that
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occupation. After having served as deputy county assessor under J. B. McManus and J. A. Jamison, in 1871 he was elected assessor of Mendocino county and for four years he continued in the office, giving satisfaction in a position requiring tact, wise judgment and the most painstaking accuracy. Upon his removal to Ukiah in August, 1873, he became cashier of the Santa Rosa Bank and also became interested in the sheep industry in Long valley. During the latter part of his life he engaged in the stock business with J. S. Reed as a partner. For years he was one of the well-known public men of the county and service of two terms, beginning in September of 1879, as county sheriff was sufficient to prove his fearlessness, impartial administration of justice and determination to uphold the laws. At the time of coming to Men- docino county he was unmarried and here, June 25, 1861, he was united with Miss Ellen Nunn, a native of Wellsville, Tenn., of which marriage eight chil- dren were born, namely : Mrs. Alice McAbee, Robert E., Sylvester, Mrs. Mar- garet Dollor, Mrs. Eva Melton, Martin, Alfred and Thomas, the latter deceased. Mrs. Donohoe's death occurred in Ukiah May 4, 1914. Fraternally Mr. Dono- hoe was a Mason of the Royal Arch and Knights Templar degrees and also held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A man with a re- tentive memory and a splendid narrator of events, he was an interesting con- versationalist and when in a reminiscent mood his friends listened with much appreciation. He was very liberal and charitable, it being always a pleasure to him to help in an unostentatious manner those less fortunate than himself.
PROF. ROY GOOD .- Educational work is of leading importance to all the citizens in every community. Those who enter the profession must neces- sarily possess qualities of an high order, for to their hands and to their intelli- gence is committed the task of preparing the young for the responsibilities of life. The principal of the grammar school of Willits is a young man standing at the threshold of his career as instructor, yet already shown to be the pos- sessor of the difficult qualifications called for in his chosen work. Clear insight into character, phenomenal energy and a capacity for this important work admirably adapt him for the profession, while a dispassionate attitude renders nim successful as a disciplinarian. Outside of the schoolroom he is known to be a young man of pleasing personality and broad information, a cultured con- versationalist and a keen student of life and of human nature.
Representing the third generation of the family in California, Professor Good may truly be termed of pioneer extraction. His father, Bennett, was born near Sutter's Fort, Sacramento county, in 1854, and his earliest recollec- tions were those of the gold fields, with their throngs of miners from every part of the world. While yet very young he tried his luck at mining as his father had done before him, but in neither instance was there any encourage- ment in results. Later he turned his attention to stock-raising and became a cattleman in Humboldt county, whence he came to Mendocino county to take up general farming. Upon retiring from agricultural cares he established a home in Willits and there he still resides, together with his wife, who was Lillian Emery, a native of Holly, Mich. Their family comprised four sons and three daughters, and the third in order of birth, Roy, was born at Willits December 16, 1888, received a high-school education and is one of the native- born sons of whom the community is justly proud. After having taught for a number of years in the valley, in 1912 he was elected principal of the Willits grammar school, and has since filled the office with efficiency, making good in his chosen work of educator. With a sound mind, a sound body and a
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calm temperament, he discharges the duties of each day impartially and with judicial tact. While giving himself closely to educational work he has found leisure for the fraternities and is actively associated with Willits Lodge No. 256. I. O. O. F., also with the Rebekahs at Willits.
HARRY HARRINGTON .- It is interesting to watch the career of a young man who by hard work and experience early acquired self-reliance and by tact and ability in a few short years has risen to an enviable position and acquired a competence. Such is the record of Harry Harrington, the superin- tendent of the Round Valley Land Company's ranch in Round Valley, who has demonstrated his capability as an all around ranch superintendent. He was born in Middletown, Lake county, Cal., September 8, 1881, the son of David and Mary (Cook) Harrington, natives of Kentucky and Missouri respectively. The father crossed the plains in 1849 and after mining for several years located near Middletown, Lake county, where he became a large rancher and stock inan, making a specialty of raising horses, his herd at times numbering fifteen hundred head. He died in Lake county, while the mother spent hier last days in Hopland.
Of their nine children Harry is the fourth eldest in order of birth. He was reared on the Lake county ranch and educated in the public schools until he was sixteen years of age, when the family removed to Healdsburg. There he was employed on ranches until he purchased a vineyard at Geyserville. Being desirous of engaging in hop culture he sold the place and soon after- wards became superintendent for the American Hop and Barley Company and was placed in charge of their ranch at Hopland. He continued in this capacity irom 1906 until 1910, when he was sent to take charge of their place at Chico. Soon after going to Chico the ranches were sold to Harry Fraser and Mr. Harrington continued in the same capacity the remainder of the year, after which he returned to Hopland and had charge of both ranches until 1913, when they were sold. He then returned to the employ of the Round Valley Land Company, successors to the American Hop and Barley Company, and came to Round Valley in charge as superintendent of their eighty-three hundred acre ranch, which is devoted to raising barley, hay, cattle and hogs. Besides there are one hundred acres in apples and one hundred acres in hops. Mr. Harrington's position is well merited and he has acquired a high and influential place in Mendocino county. While at Chico he purchased a twenty- three acre orchard of peaches and prunes which is now full bearing and though he leases it he finds it a very valuable asset.
The marriage of Mr. Harrington occurred in San Francisco, where he was united with Nellie Stoschke, a native of South Dakota, who has been a worthy helpmate to her husband and shares with him in dispensing hos- pitalities to their large circle of acquaintances. Fraternally he was made a Mason in Abell Lodge No. 146. F. & A. M., Ukiah, while politically he has always favored Democratic principles.
JOHN ALROY PETTIS .- A desire to secure an excellent education laid for Mr. Pettis the foundation of the professional success which he enjoys today as an attorney of note in general in Mendocino county, but more particularly as city attorney of Fort Bragg. His earliest recollections are of a home on the old Hoffman farm near Ukiah, where he was born June 27, 1877, the son of Rev. C. E. and Emily J. (Hoffman) Pettis, of Talmage, this county, and the grandson of the late J. P. Hoffman. As has been intimated, much of the early
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life of Mr. Pettis was passed on the old homestead of his grandfather. His primary education was obtained in the public schools, and his studies were continued in the University of the Pacific in San Jose, followed by a course in the Northwestern University of Evanston, Ill. At this period in his career he went to Oklahoma City, Okla., where he resided for about six years, being connected with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company. While living in that city he became particularly interested in educational affairs, becoming a member of and being made secretary of the board of education.
It was while making his home in Oklahoma City that Mr. Pettis took up the study of law in earnest, and he was admitted to the bar of Oklahoma in 1906. Following this he practiced his profession for a time in that locality, after which he spent about two years in Rochester, N. Y., in an administrative capacity, and upon his return to the west he located in his native state, com- ing to California in 1911. The following year he came to Fort Bragg, as offering an opening for his abilities, and time has proven that he was not mistaken in his choice of a location. In the short time that has intervened he has built up a surprisingly large clientele, principally among the largest and most successful manufacturing and business men of Fort Bragg. Thor- oughness in all that he undertakes may be named as the keynote of the suc- cess which has come to him. Fort Bragg is fortunate in having a man of his caliber as her attorney, and all who employ his services are not sparing of their praise of his ability. A constantly growing clientele has made it necessary for Mr. Pettis to have assistance in properly discharging the business which comes to him, and for this reason he has seen fit to take in as partner B. E. Pemberton, the firm name now being Pettis & Pemberton. Mr. Pettis is a stanch Republican, and as the candidate of this party he has been named as the future assemblyman of Mendocino county.
In Oklahoma City, Okla., Mr. Pettis was married to Miss Maude R. Baker, who was born in Clay Center, Kans. The only child of this marriage, Mabel Alice, died at the age of two years. Although Mr. Pettis is a very busy man he does not neglect the social amenities of life, nor does he overlook the more serious affairs that must enter into the experiences of every well-rounded man, and his influence for good is felt in the community in which he lives. He is a trustee of the First Baptist Church, and fraternally he holds membership in Santana Tribe No. 60, I. O. R. M., of Fort Bragg, and the Aerie of Eagles of Ukiah. Personally Mr. Pettis is modest and unassuming, conservative and quiet in manner, and in high repute with all who are privileged to know him.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK, FORT BRAGG .- From the standpoint of industrial achievement and educational and commercial enterprise Fort Bragg boasts many desirable features. Perhaps none of these is more worthy of men- tion as a substantial acquisition to the city's list of concerns than the First National Bank, which with its subsidiary institution. the First Bank of Sav- ings, shows a combined capital and surplus of $95,000, with deposits aggre- gating $450,000. The history of this prosperous institution dates back to a small beginning in October, 1891, when the Bank of Fort Bragg was organ- ized as a state institution, under the laws of California, with a paid-in capital of $26,000, and with the following officers: Calvin Stewart, president ; T. L. Johnson, vice-president; H. A. Weller, cashier, all of Fort Bragg; Thomas Pollard, E. J. Dodge and James Hunter, all of San Francisco, being asso- ciated as directors in the management of the concern. A small building on the
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corner of Redwood avenue and Main street was secured as the first headquar- ters of the new institution and it was occupied until 1904, when the new bank block was completed, one block north of the former location on Main street.
A change from a state to a national institution brought a corresponding change in the name, which since January 10, 1910, has been the First National Bank of Fort Bragg. At that time the following were chosen officers: H. A. Weller, president ; W. P. Plummer, vice-president ; and J. E. Weller, cashier. In January of 1912 W. P. Plummer was chosen president ; J. E. Weller, vice- president ; and C. R. Weller, cashier. The death of Mr. Plummer in February, 1912, caused a change in the official management, J. E. Weller being then promoted to the presidency, while L. Barnard became vice-president and C. R. Weller retained as cashier, and these still continue at the head of the institution, being aided in its management by C. F. Hunt, L. J. Scooffy and George Golden as directors. At the time of changing from a state to a national institution, the First Bank of Savings was established as an affiliating concern, with a capital of $25,000 and the following officers: L. Barnard, president ; George Golden, vice-president; J. E. Weller, cashier ; C. W. Broback and F. Windlinx, directors. The policy of both institutions has been sane, con- servative and sagacious. Speculations of all kinds have been frowned upon, but progressive business concerns have been aided and in this way the bank has not only had a steady growth, but in addition has built up a reputation as one of the substantial financial concerns of Mendocino county.
JOSEPH WALLACE HARRIS .- Various lines of enterprise have engaged the attention of Mr. Harris since he came to Hopland in the spring of 1889, having shortly before arrived in California from his native common- wealth of Kansas, where his birth occurred, in White Cloud, in 1870. He is the son of William M. and Sarah J. (Burke) Harris, natives of New York and Illinois respectively. The father was a cabinet maker by trade and followed it in White Cloud until his health failed. The family then removed to Cali- fornia, in 1888, and after traveling for a year, Mr. Harris located at Hopland, and there his death occurred some time later. The mother now makes her home in Cloverdale. Of the six children born to these parents Joseph W. ivas the fourth in order of birth. Without means, his sole capital consisting of an indomitable energy and a pair of willing hands backed by a keen mind, he bravely started forward in his self-assumed task of achieving independence. The years that followed were years of struggle. Naturally he was obliged first to work for wages until he had secured a start. With the savings of this period of salaried effort he embarked in the meat business and for eight years he carried on a shop, meanwhile increasing the amount of his savings by slow degrees through the exercise of wise business caution and capable man- agement. Upon selling out the butcher business he engaged in general merchandising and for six years carried on a store at Hopland. Mean- while he was chosen postmaster at Hopland, an office that he filled for seven- teen years with the most pronounced ability and fidelity.
Business alone did not represent the limit of the energies of Mr. Harris, who in addition engaged in general farming and stock-raising and found con- siderable profit in the raising of cattle and sheep for the markets. Realizing that the village stood in need of a bank of considerable capital and extensive facilities for financial transactions, he influenced The Bank of Cloverdale to establish a branch bank in Hopland in 1906. In 1912 this was changed and
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9. M. Ianis
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organized into a separate institution and incorporated as the Bank of Hopland, with a capital of $25,000. Ever since 1906 Mr. Harris has been cashier of the bank. He is one of the principal stockholders in the institution and is largely responsible for the conservative, sound and cautious policy that has directed ail of the bank loans and investments. Realizing the need of storage and warehouse facilities for the business men and farmers of the vicinity, in part- nership with F. M. Grant, about 1900, he built a large warehouse 50x100 feet on a switch of the Northwestern Railroad in Hopland and he manages the warehouse with ability. His political party (the Republican) has frequently chosen him to fill positions of local trust and in 1912 elected him to represent the first supervisorial district of Mendocino county on the board of super- visors, where his sound judgment is proving helpful in large measures for the county's advancement. His family comprises two children, Gregory W. and Virginia, and his wife, formerly Miss Lulu Gregory, of Petaluma, this state.
HON. THOMAS J. WELDON .- No citizen of Mendocino county has more fully exemplified the progressive spirit of the west than has Thomas J. Weldon, member of the fortieth session of the California legislature, senior partner in the law firm of Weldon & Held of Ukiah, former owner of the Times and a present Democratic leader of the county seat town. In a life of varied experiences he has directed his energies into different channels and has proved his versatility of intelligence as well as breadth of view. Essen- tially one of the representative men of the county, his accomplishment has been such as to justify in the fullest measure his election, November 5, 1912, to serve the district in the councils of the state, as a member of the fortieth session of the legislature. A resident of the county since 1887, his name has since been worthily identified with forward movements and has stood exponent with loyalty, progressiveness and co-operation in professional and material advancement.
A native of Tennessee, born near Paris, Henry county, Thomas J. Weldon is a son of Dr. Andrew J. and Sarah (McSwain) Weldon, and was educated in his native commonwealth, where he later earned a livelihood in the lumber business. Appointed by the government as clerk at the Round valley Indian reservation in Mendocino county, he came to Mendocino county in 1887 and filled the position for two and one-half years. Under J. M. Standley and J. H. Smith he served for four years as under-sheriff. Mean- while he had studied law in the office of Senator J. H. Seawell, and was admitted to the bar in 1899. Two years later the firm of Weldon & Held was established with William D. L. Held as junior partner. As previously mentioned, he was for a time the owner of the Times, a newspaper of Ukiah well-known for devotion to the welfare of the people, but recently he sold the plant to newcomers who believe in this section. As legislator his voice has been heard in earnest endeavor to effect results beneficial to his district. The interests of his constituents have been promoted with fidelity. He has a broad knowledge of the law and this has been an important factor in his work as assemblyman. In every association, whether as attorney, legislator, newspaper man or citizen, he has kept the interests of the people in view and always has been a "booster" for his adopted county. Fraternally he is a member of the Santa Rosa Lodge of Elks, the Eagles and Odd Fellows, and has filled offices in the two last-named lodges. At the time of coming west he was unmarried. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriet V. Stanfield, is a native of Mendocino county and a daughter of Ashley V. and 37
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Mary E. (Burke) Stanfield, honored pioneers here, the father of the latter also being a well-known early settler. During the opening year of the Mexi- can war Mr. Stanfield, who was a native of Tennessee, walked from Nash- ville, that state, to the city of Mexico, and gave courageous service to his country until peace had been declared with the country to the south. Mean- while he had become interested in the undeveloped regions of the west and south and, hearing of the discovery of gold, he came to California in 1849, later identifying himself with the few white settlers of Mendocino county, his home during the latter part of his life.
ERI HUGGINS .- The Huggins family is justly proud of the distinction of belonging to fine old New England stock, and each generation has con- tributed something to uphold the reputation and standing of their forebears. Eri Huggins was born in West Acton, Mass., February 14, 1848, the son and namesake of another Eri Huggins, who was born in Cornish, N. H. The latter was a merchant in West Acton, where he was carrying on a successful business up to the time of the breaking out of the Civil war. Leaving his affairs in the care of others, he enlisted in the cause of the Union in 1861, becoming attached to Company A, Twenty-sixth Massachusetts Infantry, and two years later, when he was only fifty-two years old, he gave up his life in the cause of his country, being mortally wounded in the battle of New Orleans in 1863. Before her marriage the mother was Miss Samantha Bur- beck ; she was a native of Boston, Mass., and was the descendant of a long line of New England ancestors. At the age of forty-five she was taken from the family by death, leaving three sons and three daughters to mourn the loss of a kind, devoted mother. All of these children are deceased with the exception of Eri, the subject of this sketch. Following in the footsteps of their father all of the sons enlisted their services in the Civil war, rendering valiant service in the cause of their country. John C. was a member of the Second Wisconsin Infantry, known as the Iron Brigade, in which he served faithfully for three years. His death occurred in Oakland, Cal. A. Judson was attached to Company A, Twenty-sixth Massachusetts Infantry, and served throughout the entire period of the war. Although he escaped the assailing shot and shell of the enemy during all of this long and trying period, it was his fate to be the victim of an explosion soon after the war, being killed in a locomotive explosion in Bowling Green, Ky.
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