USA > California > Merced County > History of Merced County, California with biographical sketches of prominent citizens > Part 31
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He remained in Arkansas until the spring of 1853, when,
true to the spirit wbich characterizes the people of the West, he, with his family, wife and one daughter, (now Mrs. M. J. Wilson) crossed tho plains to California. He left his home in Arkansas on the seventeenth day of April, 1853, and arrived at Marysville, in this State, on the twenty-second of October, of the same year. As tbe great plains between the Mississippi and the Sacramento were at that time a broad thoroughfare for the thousands who were then crossing them in quest of fortunes, perbaps the incidents of his trip were only such as have been written and narrated by hundreds who experienced the same dangers and privations of a like journey.
Mr. Price remained in Marysville for a sbort time after his arrival, then removed to Sonora, Tuolumne County, wbere he lived for a few months.
On the twenty-fifth day of August, 1854, he came to this county, which was at that time a part of Mariposa County, since which time his residence and chief business interests have been here. Unlike the great majority of men who came here at that early date, he did not seek his fortune in the mines; but, realizing the advantages possessed by our valleys for the suc- cessful rearing of stock, in the spring of 1855 he returned to Texas and there purchased a drove of cattle, which he brought through to this State, and like every man who in those days gave his business personal supervision, and exercised those principles of economy which are the only safe basis for prosperity in any avocation, bis enterprise was a success. He continued in the business of stock-raising until 1871, when the great land excitement broke in upon us. Tbe hitherto public domain was taken up and owned by private individuals, and the agricultural interests became so great that as a protection to those interests, stringent legislation was bad against stock running at large. As a result of these cbanged conditions, tbe stock business was declining and Mr. Price closed out, adapted himself at once to the change and turned his attention to agriculture, followed by the same suc- cess which had attended his other pursuits.
In the fall of 1872, Mr. Price returned the second time to Texas. This time for the purpose of locating lands, but the season being to too far advanced, he was compelled to return home without effecting his purpose. However, in the following spring (1873) he again returned, when he purchased some large tracts on the frontier of Texas.
His farm in this county consists of 240 acres, located twelve miles from Merced, the county seat, three miles from the rail- road and eighteen miles from water communication. It is well improved, and under a thorough state of cultivation.
Born on the frontier, in the infancy of what is now a great commonwealth, the subject of this sketch is of that rare type of men whose determination and naturally sound judgment, coupled with a rigid observance of the principles of honor, constitute them, despite the limited advantages of carlier years, particular and valuable exemplars in whatever they undertake.
HOME RANCH" RESIDENCE OF A. G. BLACK. 5 MILES N
MILES NORTH EAST OF HORNITOS, MARIPOSA CO. CAL.
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES.
E. T. DIXON.
E. T. Dixon, son of R. L. Dixon, was born in Jackson, Mis- sissippi, November 13, 1847. While quite young he moved with his parents to Washington County, where he lived on a farm until the close of the war between the North and South. In 1867, at the age of nineteen years, he entered a drug store as an apprentice, and paid his own board for the privilege of working in the store until he became acquainted with the busi- ness.
In July, 1869, on account of ill-health he was compelled to seek a healthier climate, and decided to go to Fresno County, California, where the grain interest, though in its infancy at that time, was attracting much attention. He engaged in grain raising for three years, which proved au entire failure on account of droughts, and being satisfied that the business could not be made profitable iu this section, he decided to go to Merced, a town just being laid out on the Cen- tral Pacific Railroad, and engage in tbe drug business which he has made profitable by close attention and economy.
In April, 1877, he married Miss Minnie Ralston, of Naps City, with whom he had been acquainted ten years previous.
In 1879, the nomination for School Superintendent on the Democratic ticket was tendered him, which he accepted, and was elected and assumed the duties of the office in January, 1880, which he holds at the present time.
PETER MERRELL.
Peter Merrell, born February 17, 1825, is the son of Alexan- der and Mima Merrell of Tennessee. He had quite a good education, and learned tbe plasterer's trade, working partly in Tenuessee, Missouri and Arkansas. He also served in the army during the Mexican War, which brought the spirit of adven- ture into him, and made him earnestly think of emigrating to California, at that time to many, a land of milk and honey ; he finally did go via tbe soutbern route ; made the trip in six and one-half months, leaving Arkansas Marchi Ist, and arriv- ing in Los Angeles September 16th, without having any par- ticularly unpleasant incidents.
Mr. Merrell came to tbis county September 15, 1867, and has been engaged in dairying and stock-raising ever since he arrived.
His land comprises 1,120 acres of tolerably good quality, on which be pastures 140 head of cattle, 20 head of hogs, 6 horses and 15 goats. His residence is ten miles from the county seat with its church and railroad advantages. Tbe river is six miles distant affording at times advantages for ship- ping produce. School is two and one-half miles distant from Mr. Merrell's place.
Mr. Merrell married Mrs. Clarenda M. Hall in 1872. She was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Their children are named Mary Jane, Frances Hulda, Nancy Caroline, William, James Alanson, and Albert Alexander Merrell.
CHARLES CROSS NELSON.
Charles C. Nelson, an early resident and farmer of this county, was born in Tompkins County, New York, in 1833. He was raised on a farm belonging to his parents, Robert and Margaret Nelson.
In 1854, he also acquired a spirit of adventure, and as the State of California seemed at that time to be a very heaven for adventurers, he determined to try his luck there. That he succeeded we will see, by describing the property he owns, which he did not acquire, however, through luck, but by hard work and perseverance.
He left his native State in 1854, taking passage on the steamer Star of the West, for Nicaragua; crossing the Isthmus he took passage on a steamer for San Francisco, where he arrived after a journey of twenty-seven days.
Like most men of that date, he directed his attention first to miuing. He inined in Mariposa County from 1854 until 1855, but had indifferent success. In 1856 he came to this county, where he is engaged in general farming, owning 1,440 acres of land, within five miles of Merced County Seat.
The Southern Pacific Railroad runs past within two miles of Mr. Nelson's residence. The soil is a mixture of sandy loam and adobe. It produces from twelve to fifteen bushels of wheat per acre, and is well irrigated. Mr. Nelson's stock consists of from twelve to fifteen horses, only what is required to work the farm.
WILLIAM A. BURNSIDE.
Four miles from the village of Los Baños, and one mile dis- taut frou school and church, is situated the dairy-farm of Mr. William A. Burnside. It comprises 160 acres of good, sandy loam, vegetable and alfalfa land. The stock consists of sixty- five milking cows, about forty hogs, and four horses. The principal product of this farm is cheese, which is of an excellent quality, and can be found in many grocery stores of this State, where its reputation stands high.
Mr. Burnside is a native of Ohio. He was married, in 1862, to Miss Izora A. Frances, a native of LaGrange County, Indi- ana, and has four children, named respectively: Delcer, Ambrose E., Elmer E., Leota, and Miller Burnside.
Mr. Burnside was born December 3, 1833, and was brought up by his parents, wbo were farmers. After leaving school, he was employed as a teacher during the winter months and worked on the farm during the summer. On the first of October, 1867, he left Jessup (Iowa), by rail for New York, where he took passage on the steamsbip Jarrizonia for Aspin- wall, then, after crossing the Istbinus, he took passage on the steamer Constitution, which landed him in San Francisco October 26, 1867.
He resided first in Salinas Valley, in Monterey County, and at Hollister, San Benito County, wbich he left November, 1876, and moved into Merced County, where be has since resided.
150
HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY.
SAMUEL S. GIVENS.
Following Bear Creek, twelve iniles distant from the railroad and the county seat, we reach the eleven hundred acres of land which constitute the farm of Mr. Samuel S. Givens. This is undoubtedly one of the prettiest farms in the county, having plenty of running water and shade, and being situated within one and one-half miles of a church and school. Amongst the shady trees can be seen from forty to fifty head of cattle, about twenty horses, and one hundred hogs, which being of an extra kind and in good condition, attract the attention of all those engaged in stock-raising.
Mr. Givens attended school in Kentucky, where his parents, Thomas and Catherine Givens lived, until he was nine years of age, when they left their home (Caseyville, Kentucky), Deccm- ber 24, 1852, for California. They first went to New Orleans, which they reached on January 1, 1853, and left January 4th, per steamer Pampero for San Juan (Greytown) which they reached in twelve days; then riding (on muleback) across the Isthmus they came to San Juan Del Sur, where they agaiu took passage on a steamer bound for San Francisco. The voyage was pleasant with the exception of a storm, which almost caused the old steamer Brother Jonathan to sink. They reached San Francisco February 2, 1853, and arrived at " Texas Ranch" five days later.
Mr. Givens married Miss Susan L. Willis, of California, De- cember 20, 1877, and has two children, Mark E. and Archibald W. He mined for a short time in Mariposa County; lived suc- cessively in Santa Clara, Mariposa, and Merced Counties.
HENRY DEWEY.
Henry Dewey was born February 5, 1825, at Westfield, Massachusetts; is the son of Mr. Timothy and Clarica Dewey. He was brought up to work on a farm and in a mill until he was twenty-three years of age; he then learned the mason trade and brick-laying, which business he carried on with his brother, Mr. Ralpb Dewey, until 1856.
His wife's health was very poor, and made it necessary for tbe family to move to California. They therefore left New York, Decemher 5, 1856, for California, where they arrived, in the city of Stockton, January 1, 1857.
Mr. Dewey was accompanied to California by his fellow- townsmen, J. M. Fowler and Daniel Dewey, a cousin of Mr. Dewey, wbo owned ranches in Woodbridge, ten miles north of Stockton. Mr. Dewey worked for his relations for eight months, then bought a ranch of his own, His wife's health improved at first, but suddenly she was taken down with the measles, which brought on the old complaint, ulcers of the lungs, which caused her death in about a year after (Novem- ber 19, 1863). She was a daughter of R. L. Bromley, of Ches- ter, Massachusetts, nameil Elizabeth. They had three chil- dren, named Helen Eliza, Clara Genevieve, and Charles Henry Dewey.
Mr. Dewey married again, November 23, 1864, to Miss Jane Applegrath, daughter of John Applegrath, a native of Canada. They bave two children, named John Clarkson, and Nina Mabel Dewey.
Mr. Dewey came to Plainsburg in 1869. His farın contains 1,200 acres of choice land, yielding, in good seasons, nearly thirty bushels per acre. He cultivates most of it. The farm is four miles from Plainsburg, and about sixteen miles from the county seat. A school is within one mile of his home.
IMPROVED HEADERS INVENTED.
Mr. Dewey has also an inventive mind. He found it nec- essary to improve his farming machinery, and therefore made the first wide header of sixteen feet cut, in 1865, doing better work with it than any machine then in use. Afterwards, he made the eighteen, twenty-two, twenty-five, twenty-eight, and thirty-four feet cut, with which he can cut eighty acres in a day, and do as good work as can be done by any machine in use in Merced County.
ROBERT BAXTER.
" Baxter Ranch " is situated ten miles east of Plainsburg and is one of the noted farms of Merced County. Its owner, Robert Baxter, was born in Nova Scotia, April 16, 1828, in Caleheder County.
Mr. Baxter lived with bis parents, David and Ellen Baxter while a boy, and afterwards was employed at farming in vari- ous places until 1852, when he drifted towards Boston, where after reaching that city he hired himself out to Captain Grazier of the sailing ship Ellen Foster as a sailor, thinking it cheaper to work his way to California, than to pay passage. After a voyage of 145 days around Cape Horn, he reached San Fran- cisco, where he arrived in September, 1852.
Mr. Baxter, like many others, started his career here with mining. He mined at Chinese Camp, Columbia, Jacksonville and Volcano. Afterwards he went to farming near Stockton, then San Leandro and afterwards near French Camp.
In the fall of 1877 be reached Merced County and engaged in farming. His farın is 4,000 acres of level farming land, located twenty miles from Merced and ten iniles from the rail- road. The character of the soil is gravelly, mixed plain land, with an underground bed of marl. Large crops of wheat and barley are annually produced.
VALUABLE FARM INVENTIONS.
Mr. Baxter is a man of genius and forethought and his inven- tions have been of great value to the farming community. He discovered at an early day that the capacity of farming machinery must be increased in order to manage successfully the large crops which were to be annually sown and harvested. His first improvement was the traveling thresher in 1863. In 1864 he produced an improved gang-plow. In 1866 he brought
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BIOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES.
out a header with many new ideas put into practical use. In 1869 he made a traveling steam-engine. On all of these he has patents for improvements. They are all successfully used on his ranch as may be seen in the large illustration of his farm.
A. J. MEANY.
Nothing we can say about Sheriff Meany will more illustrate his standing in the county than the following short paragraph, which shows the esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens and the satisfactory manner in which he discharges the duties of his office :-
" A. J. Meany was first elected Sheriff in 1873 and re-elected at each election since by increased majorities."
JOHN HENRY MCCLOSKEY.
J. H. McCloskey, the subject of this sketch, and son of Hugh and Essie McCloskey, nee De Laix, was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, on the seventeenth day of April, 1837. His parents died when he was between the age of five and six years, and he was left under the care and protection of his natural uncle, Edward De Laix. He lived with his uncle but a few years, when becoming dissatisfied with the treatment he received, he embarked on a sailing vessel with some emigrants bound for San Antonio, Texas. The vessel landed at New Orleans, where the company of emigrants dispersed, and young McCloskey was left alone without money or friends. For- tunately for him, in attempting to find the "Sisters Hospital" where an acquaintance, who came over on the same vessel, was confined by illness, he made the acquaintance of a boy, to whom he made known his circumstances. This boy becoming interested in young McCloskey, introduced him to his uncle, a lawyer, who gave him employment as a messenger boy. He remained in this lawyer's office for a time, when he was induced by a carpenter and builder, one Mr. B. F. Howard, to learn the carpenter's trade. As an extra inducement, Mr. Howard, at the beginning of the apprenticeship, sold to young McCloskey two lots in the city of New Orleans, which he was to pay for in monthly installments to be taken from his wages. During this apprenticeship he attended night school, which was the source of his education aside from the practical teachings of an eventful life. At the close of his four years' apprentice- ship he was master of his trade and the sole proprietor of tbe two lots, which he sold for $700.
On the first day of May, 1852, he embarked on the steamship Fanny, Captain Pannock, for California, via the Straits of Magellan. This vessel was built at Cincinnati, and was said to have been used by the Government during the Mexican War for transporting troops, She was but little better than a flat boat. A man named Smith, from New York, purchased and fitted her out superficially for this voyage to San Francisco. Passage was from $150 to $300. Smith sold all the tickets he could, and on the day the vessel sailedl he fled the city. The
old ship scarcely afforded standing-room for the throng of people who had taken passage. When she was but fairly out on the gulf both passengers and captain concluded that it would be but destruction and folly to attempt the voyage with so inany passengers and an insufficiency of provisions to last to Rio de Janeiro, where she designed to put in for fresh supplies. The captain thereupon ran the vessel into Savannah, Georgia, where two or three of the passengers inade complaint to the United States authorities that she was carrying more pas- sengers than her tonnage legally warranted. Upon these com- plaints she was libelled, condemned and ordered to be sold. The same passengers who had entered these complaints then insti- tuted civil suits for the recovery of their passage money, and attached the provisions of the ship.
When the Sheriff made his appearance to levy on the pro- visions, the passengers offered a determined resistance. Headed by a number of returned Californians who were passengers, they claimed that the provisions belonged to the passengers in common, and that the plaintiffs in the action should share alike with the other passengers. The Sheriff was prevented from coming on board, but he proclaimed that "the laws of Georgia must be enforced," and at once summoned to his assistance 100 special deputies. The prospects for the passengers were not encouraging; but stimulated by the sympathy extended by the majority of the people of Savannah, as well as that of two of of the leading papers of that city, they determined to hold the provisions at all bazards. The Sheriff's special deputies failed to appear at the appointed time, and the matter rested. The citizens of the city called a meeting and offered two proposi- tions to the passengers of the Funny. First, they would appraise the provisions, allow them to be sold under process of law, and buy tbem in for the passengers; or, secoully, they would furnish fresh provisions of an equal amount, if the pas- sengers would allow those on board to be sold. The latter proposition was accepted.
About this time a gentleman came on board inquiring for young McCloskey, stating that he had letters from a merchant in New Orleans who was a friend of McCloskey's, requesting him to take him (McCloskey) off the Fanny, and either send him back to New Orleans or purchase a ticket for him via New York to San Francisco. Young McCloskey thankfully declined the kind offer of this friend, and declared that he would "stay with the old Fanny as long as there was a plank of her left."
The President of the United States upon receipt of a petition from the people of Savannah requesting it, released the Fanny which, after two months detention, again made ready to sail. On the evening of her departure there was great rejoicing in Savannah, for the people had become heartily sick of her, and were rejoicing at her departure. Almost every one on the vessel was drunk, and when about four miles down the river, the pilot being drunk, ran her into the bank. The captain found it impossible to get her off before the next day, and so
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HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY.
informel the passengers. The mosquitoes being perfectly intolerable, many of the passengers returned to the city to remain over night. When they arrived it was dark, and being recognized as the passengers of the Funny many of them were arrested on a suspicion that they had returned to burn the city, and were lodged in jail until the following morning when, upon an explanation of the situation, they were released.
That day the vessel sailed, intending as originally, to touch at Rio de Janeiro; but after passing the equator in the Atlantic, lier coal gave ont, and being almost keelless, she drifted by pre- vailing westerly winds on to the coast of Africa. She put into Monrovia where she was bonded, to get wood, water and pro- visions for the voyage across to Rio de Janeiro. When she was out about two days from Monrovia she caught fire, and but for the fortunate occurrence that the crew were at the time washing the decks, she would certainly have been des- troyed with her passengers and crew. The provisions obtained at Monrovia were all exhausted, save a sack of unhulled rice, when she arrived at Rio de Janeiro. The vessel was there sold to satisfy the bond contracted at Monrovia, and the passengers were taken ashore, many of them destitute, and left amidst the ravages of the yellow fever.
About this time the American ship Dacota, Captain Sloau, came into port for repairs, having been dismasted off the Rio de La Plata while en route for San Francisco. Que of the Dacota's passengers concluding to go to Australia instead of San Francisco, sold his ticket to young McCloskey for fifty dollars and a gold watch.
He arrived at San Francisco on the first day of April, 1853. The passengers who embarked at New Orleaus on the old Fanny, having been 335 days on the voyage. Young McCloskey fouud employment at his trade on the same evening of his landing, and remained in San Francisco about three weeks. He then went to Yreka to try his fortunes in the mines. However, his time was mostly occupied at his trade.
He remained in Yreka about seven years, during which time he was married to Miss Margaret Harrison, a native of St. Louis, Missouri. Two children were born to them: William de Laix, on the eighteenth of September, 1857, and Henry Harrison on the seventh of April, 1859. After the death of his wife, Mr. McCloskey gave up his business as carpenter, which he had pursued successfully, and removed from Yreka to Sau Francisco, where he could better provide for the wants of his children. In San Francisco he engaged successfully in buying and selling real estate.
In 1863 he made a visit to the Eastern States and Europe, and returned convinced that he had seen no place that was in his judgment better than California. He then returned to San Jose, where he remained until 1869, during which time he was again married. He married Miss Rhoda Furman, by whom he has had five children: Eli Leander, Olive Letitia, Mahel, Mande- ville, and De Laix.
In 1869 he removed from San Jose to this county, and located upon his farm near Plainsburg, which consists of about 1,200 acres of excellent land.
An orphan at the early age of six, cast upon his own resources l'or a livelihood as well as a character, the most potent argument that we can command to establish the fact that those resources were wholly exercised for good is that he was never intoxicated by the use of liquors, that he was never sued before a court of justice for the adjustment of a claim, or criminally prosecuted for the commission of a crime.
THOMAS JEFFERSON RAMSEY.
About sixteen miles from Merced, the county seat, lies the little village of Snelling, with its pretty church and school. If we go two and a half miles further, we find the home of Mr .. T. J. Ramsey, who owns a farm of 920 acres of grazing and agricultural land. The principal products of the farm are wheat and barley, but one of the chief resources of Mr. Ramsey is the wool which be receives from his 2,000 sheep which are grazing on his pastures. On his farm can also be found 50 head of cattle, 100 hogs, 200 sheep and 16 horses.
Mr. Ramsey was born in Clark County, Kentucky, June 7, 1835. He lived with his parents on a farm until maturity. In 1856 he left his home and spent the winter of 1856-57 in Mis- souri .. In the spring following he left the last-named place for California, where he arrived in September, 1857.
The first place in California where Mr. Ramsey stopped for some length of time was Burns' Ferry, on the Sacramento River. He superintended Col. J. B. Child's farm, in Napa County, one year. He left Napa Valley in order to go to San Luis Obispo County, where he was engaged in various occupa- tions until the fall of 1860.
In 1860 Mr. Ramsey came to this county, where he first worked for Moses A. Stevenson & Son; he remained with them for three years, after which he purchased his present farm and home of 920 acres, valued at $10,000.
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