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 94
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 94
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117
Alr. Ornbaun was married at Hermitage February 20, 1891, to Carrie May Ward, who was born in Echo, Mendocino county, and to them have come four children : Wildia, Mrs. Byron Hurt, of Covelo; Wanda, Percy and Farrance. Able, conscientious and naturally of an intellectual turn of mind. he has been offered offices of trust by his community and is active in local politics. He has held office as marshal of Fort Bragg. The Democratic
881
MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES
party numbers him among its stanch supporters and fraternally he was made a Mason in Covelo Lodge, F. & A. M., and with his wife is a member of Covelo Chapter, O. E. S.
WALTER L. PHILLIPS was born October 12, 1872, in Lake county, where all his life has been spent. He was given common school advantages and had the benefit of excellent home training to fit him for the work and responsibilities of life, for which he has a conscientious regard. Thoroughly interested in all that concerns the welfare of the community, he has taken satisfaction in promoting the educational facilities of his district and with the help of his fellow trustees has accomplished many things which have met with general approval. He has been diligent in business and has acquired the ownership of two valuable tracts in the Bachelor Valley precinct. con- taining seventy-five and forty-six acres, respectively, where he is engaged in general farming and the raising of cattle and sheep. On March 20, 1906, he married Miss Ida Kleebauer and two children have been born to them, Elmer Rose and Ruby Alice. Mrs. Phillips was born in Kelseyville, but was reared principally in Oakland, where her father. Henry Kleebauer, was an up- holsterer. He and his wife (formerly Lena Laulor) are deceased.
Mr. Phillips' father, Luther Rose Phillips, was born on Lake Erie, Ohio, August 2, 1835, son of James Phillips, who took his family to Iowa and made his home there for a number of years. From there he moved to Nebraska, thence to Idaho and eventually to California, in 1864. His first location in this state was at Los Angeles, but before long he came northward to Contra Costa county, where he arrived in October. 1865, making a settlement at Antioch, east of Mount Diablo. In the spring of 1871 he came to Lake county and bought a squatter's right on Scotts creek, in Scotts valley, in what is now the Bachelor Valley precinct. Luther R. Phillips had moved west with his father, and he was married in Nebraska April 16, 1864, to Mary D. Ewing, daughter of Jonathan N. Ewing, a native of Virginia, who died at the home of his daughter. Mrs. Phillips, at the great age of ninety-three years.
Luther R. Phillips had lived in Nebraska two'years before his marriage, after which he went to Boise City, Idaho, making the trip overland. He had set out with the idea of going to California, but on account of the reported drought in this state changed his plans at Salt Lake City and went up to Idaho, coming thence to southern California in the year 1864. For a time he lived at Elmonte. Los Angeles county, renting land there. Then he removed to Contra Costa county, where he resided until he came to Lake county in 1871, when he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in the Bachelor Valley precinct. He proved up on this land, farming it successfully, and spent the remainder of his days there, dying September 6, 1896. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Luther R. Phillips: Almira M. is the wife of Oliver Thompson, a rancher, of Hopland. Cal., and they have a family of five children ; Anvilla is the wife of J. MI. Creighton, a resident of Fresno. and has one child ; X. A., who lives at Crescent City, Cal., married Miss Anna Michler, of Pomona, and has two children: Walter L. is mentioned above : Alice C. is the wife of Charles Tyson, a dairyman, of Bachelor valley, and has one child : Luretta married Orrin H. Brush, a merchant, of Cloverdale, Cal., who died October 10, 1912, and she has one child, Donald Phillips Brush.
The widow of Luther R. Phillips subsequently married Schuyler D. Phillips, a nephew of her former husband, who was born July 17, 1861, at
882
MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES
Des Moines, Iowa, and came to Lake county with his family in 1871. He was only a boy when his mother died. Ever since he began work on his own account he has been engaged in ranching, and prosperity has followed his steady industry, for he is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres, two hundred and eighty of which are range land on Tule lake. He is a man of substance and high standing, and holds a worthy place in the esteem of all his fellow citizens.
The Blue Lakes school district in Lake county has a most efficient and public-spirited board of trustees, all of its members being citizens who arc sincerely interested in the welfare of educational projects in their locality and its progress in general. They are working earnestly to give the best possible advantages in their district, and to make it compare favorably with any, and their efforts are appreciated by the residents of the neighborhood, whose hearty encouragement and co-operation have stimulated them to continued endeavor along up-to-date lines. Walter L. Phillips, the clerk of the board, is a popular member of a family whose name has been well and favorably known in this part of Lake county for over forty years, his father. Luther R. Phillips, having settled here in 1871.
JOHN ABRAMSON came to Navarro Ridge, Mendocino county, in August, 1885, being born near Christene, Finland, January 26, 1866. His father, Abram Abramson, was a farmer, so the son learned farming as it was done in his native country. In that day there was no public school in his vicinity, and his parents taught him reading, writing and arithmetic. Con- cluding that he would have greater opportunities in the United States, he determined to try his fortune in the land of the stars and stripes.
In 1884 Mr. Abramson came to Wisconsin, and after a short time at LaCrosse he went west to Carpo, Wyo., and in that place followed mining. In August, 1885, he came to Mendocino county, Cal., and found work with the Navarro Lumber Company as a woodsman for six years, then came to Fort Bragg in the employ of the Fort Bragg Lumber Company. He then worked for its successors, the Union Lumber Company, until 1901, when he discon- tinued. to engage in the hotel business, having rented the Pioneer Hotel on Redwood avenue. Five years later he purchased the property, which he has improved from time to time and has since continued as proprietor. He is a stockholder in the Commercial Bank of Fort Bragg.
Mr. Abramson was married in Fort Bragg to Elisa Aho, a native of Fin- land, and to them were born five children: Lillian, Helme, Enon, Lela and Helen. Fraternally Mr. Abramson is a member of Santana Tribe No. 60, I. O. R. M .: charter member of the Eagles, of which he was treasurer for six years ; and he is also a member of the Kalevala Brotherhood and the Loyal Order of Moose.
MRS. ELIZABETH A. LAMB .- The pioneer element of Lake county is represented by Mrs. Lamb, a Kentuckian by birth and a daughter of William Kelsey, who came to Lake county during 1861 and settled in Big valley. A second cousin, Sam Kelsey, who settled in this region as early as 1846, was killed in an attack by the Indians. When only fourteen years of age Miss Kelsey became the wife of James Allen and their wedding tour included a trip via the Isthmus of Panama to California, where they estab- lished a home in the Sacramento valley. A brief sojourn at Winters was followed by removal to Lake county and the purchase of a farmi in 1859, from
883
MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES
which time until his death in 1871 Mr. Allen devoted himself assiduously to the improvement of the property. October 20, 1873, she became the wife of John R. Lamb, who was born in Ray county, Mo., June 30, 1840, and crossed the plains in 1861, settling in Lake county, where he has since engaged in farming. Mrs. Lamb still owns one hundred and seventy acres in Big valley and personally superintends the property, but finds leisure to aid in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Kelseyville and to enjoy the meetings of the Ladies' Embroidery Club. Indeed, so skilled is she in fancy work that her design of a silk fuchsia won the first prize at the Exposition of Richardson Silk Thread held in Chicago in 1906.
The only child of Mrs. Lamb was born of her first marriage and in young girlhood became the wife of John Elliott Shirley in Big valley, Lake county. Her death in 1900 was mourned through the entire valley, for her friends were as numerous as her acquaintances. Her children exemplify in their lives the principles of truth which she inculcated in their hearts and there are numer- ous grandchildren now to bring happiness to the older generations. The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Shirley died in 1910, leaving an only son, Clair. Susan J., Mrs. S. P. Wilkinson, has four children, Emmett, Horace, Glenn and Willie. Elizabeth Ann, Mrs. Henry Ingram, has two daughters, Shirley and Irene. Bertha, Mrs. James L. Wilkinson, has three children. Lloyd, Maude and Daisy. John Edgar married Zoda Gillari, and they live at Coalinga. Mildred J., wife of Charles H. Harris, has three children, Anita, Florence and Ruby. Maude, wife of B. J. Pardee, of Coalinga, has two children, Janet and Bill J. Paul is unmarried and Myrtle died at the age of two years. It is the chief joy of the aging years of Mrs. Lamb to witness the growth and promote the physical and moral welfare of her great-grandchildren, and they in turn reciprocate her affection with a devotion that is enhanced in intensity through the loss of their grandmother. The large family has the respect of associates in the community of their residence and is known for reliability, intelligence and progressive spirit.
WILLIAM S. MORRISON .- For over half a century there has been no better known family around Clear lake than the Morrisons. As land- owners, agriculturists and boatmen they have been associated with the life of that region in various useful capacities, and their reliable business methods and proper spirit in aiding public enterprises have won prestige for the name and universal respect for those who bear it. William S. Morrison is one of the five sons of the late Samuel L. Morrison, who came to Lake county in 1857, and an account of whose life will be found incorporated in the sketch of George E. Morrison.
William S. Morrison was born April 6, 1866, on the old Morrison home- stead, and grew to manhood there. With farming, stock raising, the manipu- lation of agricultural machinery and all the other branches of ranch life known 10 this region he has been familiar from boyhood. In his earlier manhood he spent eleven years in steamboating on Clear lake, first as owner of the Bay City, which was fifty-one feet long and had carrying capacity for fifty-five passengers. She also took the mail and supplies to Bartlett Springs, and in fact for one entire year had the monopoly of the traffic to that point. Mr. Morrison ran the Bay City six years, and then for five years was engaged in partnership with his brother George running the Kitty Kelly, owned by their father, and which was used principally as a freighter to and from the Sulphur 42
884
MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES
Banks quicksilver mines. This business gave him an excellent start in life as well as experience with different kinds of transactions and people. He has also done well in his agricultural operations, and realized considerable from the rise in land values as property has been improved in his vicinity. He owns an excellent tract of ninety-three acres in the Middle Creek valley, sixty- four acres of plow land and twenty-nine acres of range land in the East Upper Lake precinct, about two and a half miles north of Upper Lake, along the Middle Creek road. Besides cultivating this place he carries on business as a thresher, in which line he has the largest patronage of any in Lake county. His threshing rig is the best outfit of its kind in the county, being a J. I. Case steam thresher, 28 by 50 inch separator, run by a steam traction engine. There is also an alfalfa seed attachment, so that he can thresh alfalfa as well as all kinds of grain. Mr. Morrison's varied experience in handling machin- ery has been valuable to him in this connection, helping him out in many emergencies, when he has saved time and managed to get along without out- side assistance because of his own familiarity with mechanics. A hard work- er. and intelligent in the management of his various interests, he has deserved to succeed and has the good will of his associates and of his fellow citizens generally. Aside from business, he has given particular attention to securing the best possible public school advantages for his home district, and has made considerable effort in the cause. The Middle Creek district has one of the best schools and one of the most attractive schoolhouses in Lake county, and much of the credit for present conditions is given to the effective co-operation of Mr. Morrison, who has served as clerk of the board of school trustees for six or seven years. Every other project which offers to promote the good of the county receives his encouragement and support, his enthusiasm and sincere desire to aid his section being shown in the most practical manner as opportunity presents itself. Politically he is a Republican.
Mr. Morrison has improved his home property and has a beautiful resi- dence, and his wife and family. like himself, are well thought of in the neigh- borhood. He was married when twenty-two years old to Miss Emma Cald- well, a native of Sonoma county, and they have had three children: Reta, who is married to Roy York, a machinist. living at Upper Lake; Andrew, a youth of eighteen years ; and Wilfred A., both living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison hold membership in the Baptist Church at Lakeport.
E. H. WELLS .- The necessity of self-support was thrust upon Mir. Wells in early life. and when scarcely more than a boy he was doing a man's work in the world. sacrificing all educational opportunities aside from those offered by the grammar schools and taking up telegraphy as a means of liveli- hood. Born at Winchester, Scott county, Ill., May 27, 1850, he worked along the Wabash Railroad as telegrapher in Illinois and Indiana, and also held a number of positions at Iowa stations. Devotion to his work and intelligent mastery of the business led to his promotion and for two years he held the responsible position of train dispatcher at Peoria, Ill., but overwork under- mined his health and it became necessary for him to relinquish railroading and seek an entire change of climate and occupation. For this reason in 1884 he left Keokuk, Iowa, and came to Ukiah, Cal., where he has since been con- nected with different enterprises in Mendocino county. Temporarily engaged as a painter at Ukiah, also as clerk in the office of County Clerk S. D. Paxton and as a deputy in the office of County Assessor W. P. McFauld, later as
885
MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES
an employe with the Republican Press, he left Ukiah for Willits May 1, 1902, and on the 12th of June received the appointment of postmaster at Willits under the administration of President Mckinley. After a service of nearly twelve years in the same office, under three presidents, when office receipts increased about 150 per cent, he resigned July 11, 1913, and since his retire- ment from the postmastership he has engaged in the bakery and confec- tionery business in this place.
The marriage of Mr. Wells united him with Miss Viola Burris, of Illinois, by whom he is the father of two daughters, namely: Mrs. Alice E. Kinsey, of Oakland, and Mrs. Lilly D. Leak, who served as assistant postmaster at Willits under her father. On the organization of the Willits Agricultural and Fair Association Mr. Wells became a charter member, and since then he has been a director in the concern. Active in Odd Fellowship, he has passed all the chairs in Ukiah Lodge No. 174, and he also has held all the offices in Ukiah Lodge No. 33, A. O. U. W. On the organization of Willits Lodge No. 19, Knights of Pythias, he became a charter member. For five years he officiated as keeper of records and seals, while at the present writing he has the responsible position of master of finance. With his wife he holds mem- bership with the Daughters of Rebekah at Willits.
HERBERT M. JONES .- An ambitious young business man of Lower Lake is Herbert M. Jones, who has conducted the Lower Lake Stables there for the last eight years. during which time he has also taken over the under- taking business formerly run by G. W. Wayne. Before he entered this line he was engaged as a stockman and rancher, being associated in the stock business with his cousins, P. A. and A. Z. Jones, of Lower Lake. Mr. Jones was born in Scotts valley, Lake county, where the family has been located from pioneer days.
Charles W. Jones, father of Herbert M. Jones, was a native of Carroll county, Ark., born April 26, 1840. In 1857 he crossed the plains with his parents, who arrived in Stanislaus county, Cal., in October of that year. After spending one year in that section, engaged in farming, they moved to Sutter county, this state, remaining there over winter. Their next location was in Plumas county, where they resided for seven years, at the end of that time coming to Lake county and settling in Scotts valley. Charles W. Jones was a young man when he settled in Lake county, and he passed the rest of his life there, following farming very successfully. He settled upon his farm in Scotts valley in October, 1868, having a valuable tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which he improved greatly during his ownership, and he died there October 24, 1892. On October 24, 1867, he married Miss Narcissa .A. McCabe, a native of Texas, who still owns and operates the old Jones ranch in Scotts valley. Of the large family born to this union five survive, viz .: Mary C., wife of William Meador, a farmer of Scotts valley ; Charles W. and James H., both of whom are farmers in Scotts valley ; Herbert M., of whom we write; and Ada, Mrs. O. E. Smythe, residing in Scotts valley. Thomas C., Walter M., Annie B., Lena E. and Howey M. are deceased.
Herbert M. Jones was born May 10, 1880, and was reared in Scotts valley, where he acquired his preliminary schooling. Later he attended the academny at Lakeport, and also the Atkinson business college at Sacramento, Cal., from which institution he was graduated. In partnership with his cousins, P. A. and A. 7. Jones, of Lower Lake, Mr. Jones was in the stock business
886
MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES
for a few years, and also in ranching from 1902 until he made a trade and acquired the livery stable eight years ago, dissolving the association with his cousins at that time. He had been very successful in his agricultural opera- tions, and is now in command of a lucrative trade at Lower Lake, his estab- lishment being known for the quality of the stock, in which Mr. Jones takes great pride. He has lately added an automobile livery to his business. When he first began keeping the livery he assisted G. W. Wayne, the undertaker, whose shop adjoined the stables, being in a portion of the same building, and became so well acquainted with the business that when Mr. Wayne died he purchased it from the estate. With the intelligence and capability which those who know Mr. Jones have come to expect, he has endeavored to qualify himself thoroughly for his new branch, and his services have been highly satisfactory.
With wide-awake faculties and plenty of energy Mr. Jones has proved a valuable worker in the Democratic party, and four years ago he was one of its candidates for the nomination for sheriff, being defeated, however, at the primaries. He has been elected justice of the peace for Lower Lake, and served four years in that office, in District No. 2, Township No. 2. Socially he is a popular member of Lower Lake Parlor No. 159, N. S. G. W., of which he is past president.
Mr. Jones was married in Lakeport January 8, 1907, to Miss Antoinette Geenzler, a native of Lower Lake, daughter of Charles L. Geenzler, a promi- nent resident of Lower Lake, proprietor of the Geenzler hotel and an ex- tensive landowner. They have two children, Vivian and Alden. Mrs. Jones holds membership in Clear Lake Lodge of Rebekahs and of Laguna Parlor, N. D. G. W., of which she has served as past noble grand and past president.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH .- On a site donated by Judge S. C. Hastings and situated at a desirable location on West Perkins street, Ukiah, St. Mary's Roman Catholic edifice was erected during 1870 by Father Luciano O'Suna. Previous to the erection of the house of worship there had been no resident priest, the mission having been served from Mendocino. The first priest to visit Ukiah, Rev. B. Sheehan, was followed by Father Vincent Riera and Father Luciano O'Suna. After a house of worship had been built in 1870, the parish continued to be supplied from Mendocino until 1887, the last of the visiting priests under that administration having been Rev. P. O'Kane in 1885 and Rev. P. Clyne in 1886. The mission was taken over in 1887 by the Franciscan Fathers, called the Friars Minor, who remained in charge for five years, serving the congregation at first from Lake county and afterward from San Francisco. The first friar who celebrated mass, Father Victor Aertker, built a small house near the church, and this was utilized as a rectory. Dur- ing the pastorate of his successor, Father Zephrinus Englehardt, the interior of the edifice was completed in an appropriate and attractive manner, a bell was presented by Martin Corbett, of Round valley, and Patrick Cunningham sold to the parish for a merely nominal sum sufficient land for a cemetery. Father Placidus Krekeler, the successor of Father Englehardt, declared the church out of debt. Under the administration of the last Friar Minor, Father Gregory Kuepper, the church bell tower was erected.
Upon the retirement of the Friars Minor in 1893 secular clergy were appointed to take charge of the mission. The first of these, Rev. C. O'Connor, entered upon his pastorate in 1893 and remained until 1898, meantime build-
887
MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES
ing a new presbytery. Rev. William O'Grady, 1898-1903, was followed by Rev. P. B. Duffy, and he in 1907 was succeeded by Rev. P. J. O'Hara. During January of 1908 the mission again came under the supervision of the Fran- ciscan order, being committed to the care of the Friars Minor Capuchins. The first to assume charge, Father Ignatius O'Keefe, was followed by Father Edward, who during April, 1910, was succeeded by Father Aloysius Ark- wright. In December of 1912 Father Sebastian Brennan came from Fort Bragg to take charge of the parish, and he has since been the rector. with Rev. Michael Smith as assistant. Father Brennan made his studies in Eng- land and was ordained in London in 1886. In the early days of his labors as priest he served as a missionary in the central west. Nine counties of south- western Nebraska were given over to his care, and he made his trips from McCook almost entirely by teams. To superintend work scattered over so wide an expanse of country taxed his physical strength, but with self- sacrificing devotion and unwearied zeal he worked for the upbuilding of the church in that isolated frontier region of Nebraska, as well as in certain portions of Kansas and the Indian Territory, coming in 1903 to Mendocino county, where he was given charge of the coast missions. These embraced about twelve hundred square miles of territory, reached only by team, with Fort Bragg as headquarters. This he continued until 1912, when he was transferred to the Ukiah parish, which embraces all of the interior of Mendo- cino county, with churches at Willits and Hopland, chapels at three Indian rancherias (Hopland, Yokaia and Guidiville), besides which he visits the rancherias at Penoliville, Coyote Valley and Potter Valley. Father Brennan and his assistant also visit and say mass at the Mendocino State Hospital, the poor farm and the county hospital. Father Brennan is fortunate in having an assistant of much ability, whose heart is ever in his work and who gives unsparingly of his efforts in the cause which he has chosen as his life work. It has been Father Brennan's good fortune not only to win the confidence of his own parishioners, but also to secure the deep regard of people of every creed and faith, for with his own striking devotion to religion he unites a liberality of thought and breadth of view that antagonizes none. but appeals to all.
A. B. OLSON .- The proprietor of the Olson blacksmith shop at Kelsey- ville is the oldest business man in the town in point of years of continuous service, and has been a resident of Lake county since 1884. Although now fairly well-to-do, with a competency which he and his wife have accumulated through the most arduous application and intelligent labor, his life has not been without its serious discouragements. Advantages of education were not possible to him in youth, and from an early age he gave himself wholly to the earning of a livelihood. As he traveled from east to west and worked in shops in different parts of the country. he found it impossible to save much out of his small earnings. When finally he had accumulated a little fund of his own he suffered a loss of more than $4500 through fire. Un- daunted, he began anew and in the course of time was again on a firm financial footing. His next disaster resulted from sickness, a serious illness in 1912 obliging him to undergo a surgical operation. Most grievous of all his bereavements and discouragements was the loss of his son, John Ernest. who died of typhoid fever when at the threshold of manhood, prepared for a life of successful activities through collegiate education and wholesome training.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.