USA > California > Monterey County > History of Monterey County, California : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, farms, residences, public buildings, factories, hotels, business houses, schools, churches, and mines : with biiographical sketches of prominent citizens > Part 35
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In 1845, Mrs. McCusker was married, and continued to reside in Santa Cruz until 1852, when they eame to Monterey. The farm consists of four hundred and thirty acres of land, under good cultivation, and with good improvements. The soil is superior, and produces wheat, harley, oats, and potatoes. The business of dairying is also condueted with profit, a superior article of butter always finding a ready market.
JOSEPH STEFFANI.
JOSEPH STEFFANI, proprietor of the " Casa Blanca Dairy Ranch," situated near Natividad, is a native of Switzerland, where he was born December 26, 1838. He lived at the foot of the San Gotard mountains, whose grand scenery is often described. He set out from Liverpool, Eugland, for Panama, and reached San Francisco in June, 1855.
He followed mining at Diamond Springs in 1856, at Fraser river in 1858, and in Washoe in 1859. He also triedl his luck in Arizona and New Mexico. He has probably mined in more localities than almost any other person in California, having done so in Georgetown, and almost every mining locality in Cali- fornia and Nevada.
He came to this county in 1859, and engaged in hutchering. dairying and cattle dealing. His present ranch is eight hun- dred and thirty-four acres, sitnaterl twelve miles from Salinas. It is devoted to dairying and general farming. He keeps one hundred and cighty head of cattle, ten horses, besides some sheep and logs.
He married Miss Lee in 1874, who was born in Galena, Illi- nois. Their children are named Nellic, Constance, Marietta, and Frances Josephine Steffani.
Mr. Steffani in his various travels met with many discour- agements and trials. Iu crossing the Isthmus he contracted the "Panama fever," and was sick for six months, and to add to his trouble, as he began to get ahout he fell on Commereial street, San Francisco, and broke his arm. But he says he has never regretted coming !to California. He went home on a visit in 1864 on the steamer Great Eastern. His career shows that hy constant perseverance suecess can he attained.
HENRY JOHNSON.
HENRY JOHNSON came to Salinas in April, 1869. He has a residence on the corner of Gabilan and Soledad streets, Salinas, which is represented among our illustrations. He is a barber, of the firm of Miller & Johnson. His career shows what industry and perseverance will accomplish. We here give, in Mr. Johnson's own words, an account of his carcer. Color in this case seems to have heen no obstacle to education and prosperity :-
" I was born in Baltimore City, Maryland, the 27th day of October, 1840; the youngest ehild of Henry and Eliza Johnson, there heing five children in the family, namely: Annie, Matdda, Sophia, Eliza, and Henry. I attended private school to Wil liam Watkins two years. He and family moved to Canada. Then I went to school to Mrs. Samuel Richard Watkins three years. Our family moved to Toronto, Canada, leaving Balti- more in September 1853, via Wilmington and Philadelphia to New York; on steamboat, Isaac Newton, to Albany; hy cars
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170
TOWNS AND VILLAGES IN MONTEREY COUNTY.
to Rochester. Here we remained all day Sunday, leaving Rochester the next morning on steamboat, crossing Lake Onta- rio to Toronto, Canada. Here I worked in L. Mark's hat, cap and fur establishinent as shop-boy. 'Tben clerked in a small grocery store. We left Toronto in June, 1854, on steam boat to Lewiston, taking stage to Suspension Bridge; on cars for Rochester, traveling all night to Springfield, Massachusetts, wbere I worked for Doctor Sweazey, then for Mr. Wallace on a sınall farm at Agawam, Commenced learning my trade in Springfield, in Mr. Gibson's barber sbop under Warrenton Hotel, in 1855. Mother died June 4, 1856. Father died October 27, 1856. In December, 1857, Mr. Gibson died, and I finisbed my trade under the Massasoit House, with T. H. Harley. Sister Sophia married Elijah Baptist. Tbey and sister Eliza went with a colony of people to Hayti in May, 1861. Sophia died in Hayti, West Indies, and Eliza returned. After working in several shops I left Springfield with Mrs. Richards and daughter, Sep. 2, 1863, for New York, leaving on steamship North Star, September 3, 1863, and arrived in San Francisco September 28, and went to Santa Rosa, Sonoma county. Left Santa Rosa March 30, 1869, taking passage on steamer to San Francisco. April 1st, took cars from San Francisco to Gilroy, and rode in stage coach over the mountains to Watsonville, thence to Salinas. April 2d, Miller and I became partners in a barber shop (Miller & Johnson.)
"On the 26th of June, 1872, I married the daughter of Robert and Sarah Johnson, Watsonville, California, named Artemissa. On May 27, 1873, she died, leaving an infant daughter, named Artemissa. December 11, 1873, the child died of ineasles. Robert Johnson's family consisted of eleven children, viz .: Ben- jamin, Margaret, Artemissa, Mary Ann, Charles, John, Susan, Albert, Carrie, Joseph, and Gracie. On September 28, 1875, I married Miss Mary Ann Johnson, October 15, 1877, a son was born to us, named Henry Penwright Jobnson. November 30, 1878, a daughter was born, named Mary S. E. Johnson. John Johnson was drowned in a lake near Watsonville, August 26, 1877. When I was two or three years old, my father's two brothers, George and Spencer, left Baltimore and went to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Then Spencer left there and went to St. Catherines, Canada, to live. The two sisters, Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Drewitt, resided in Baltimore. Mother's sister, Har- riett Redding, died in Baltimore. My sister Matilda is now Mrs. Howard, and resides in New Jersey. Sister Eliza, now Mrs. Miller, resides in San Francisco."
Chualar and Gonzales.
CHUALAR is a small place on the railroad in a region border- ing on the dry portion of the great valley; yot it bids fair to become a place of business in time. The lands surrounding it do look admirable, only they need more rain than usually had.
Yet on the eastern side of the valley where the storms are apt to bank up somew bat against the higb mountains, nearly enough water falls to insure excellent crops.
Gonzales is also on the railroad seventeen miles from Salinas. It has the same general characteristics of the town and sur- rounding country as Chualar. It has a good hotel, also a restaurant, a general merchandise store and blacksmithing establishment, together with those undoubted evidences of advanced civilization, the saloon and school-house; however, here as elsewhere in California, the saloons predominate.
Soledad, and The Mission.
THIS is the present terminus of the railroad, twenty-five miles from Salinas City, and 142.9 miles from San Francisco. Near here are the remarkable Paraiso Springs described else- where, and the ruins of the Soledad (solitary) Mission, estab- lished in 1791. The plain here was called "Llano del Reij " on account of its fertility. The Mission constructed an aqueduct fifteen miles in length, by wbich 20,000 acres could be watered. Remains of this canal can now be seen. For extended description see page 17.
Natividad.
THIS is one of the oldest towns in the county, and in early days was a station for the Coast Line Stages. Since the dis continuance of the line, it has fallen into the " sere and yellow leaf." Its business interests have gone. It at one time had a newspaper, mentioned elsewhere, and was quite a flourishing village. Natividad is situated at the foot of the Gabilan Mountains, six miles north-east of Salinas City. It is sur- rounded by a fine farming country.
Newspaper Changes.
THE Monterey Californian, heretofore owned by the Mont erey Publishing Company has changed hands. J. J. Shina- barger and S. P. Merritt are the new proprietors. Tbe office has been enlarged and large additious made to the job depart ment. The Californian has the most local items of any jour- nal in the county. These little lines always make a local paper valuable.
The Castroville Argus so long under the able management of Mr. Joseph Merritt, has lately been purchased by F. E. Rubell as editor and proprietor. He bas added considerable to tho editorial and local muatter, and all subjects of interest to residents of the county are noticed in its columns.
RESIDENCE OF J. MALSBARY, 3 MILES EAST OF HOLLISTER, CAL.
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171
OFFICERS OF MONTEREY COUNTY, FROM 1850 TO 1881. PREPARED FOR THE COUNTY HISTORY BY J. G. JOY.
Dnte.
Senator.
Assembly-
County Judge.
Auditar.
Sheriff.
Treasurer.
Assessor.
District Attorney.
1850
*Josiah Merritt. J. H. Gleason
William Roach .
J. B. Wall.
*William Bowen *C. H St. John.
1851
*Josiah Merritt_ J. H. Gleason
William Rough . J. B. Wall
*William Bowen D. R. Ashley ....
1852
*Josiah Merritt. J. H. Gleason
William Roach . J. B. Wall
*Milton Little ..
D. R. Ashley ...
1853
*Josiah Merritt. J. H. Gleason.
William Roach .
J. B. Wull
H. Cotts
D. R. Ashley
1854
*Josiah Merritt_ J. H. Gleason.
A. Lyons
J. B. Wall
H. Cotts
J. B. Phillips.
1855
*W. H. Rumsey. J. H. Gleason
A. Lyons.
J. E. Hartnell
H. Cotts
J. B. Phillips.
1856
*Stephen Castro *W. H. Rumsey.
E. Williams
J. Keating
J. L. Hartnell
H. Cotty
Azarialı Martin.
1867
*Stephen Castro *W. H. Rumsey . E. Williams
J. Keating
J. E. Hurtuell .
J. E. Hartnell
W. E. Lovett
J. W. Blair.
1859
Mariano Malnrin *W. H. Rumsey. J. H. Gleasou
A. Lyons.
T. W. Day.
1860
J. H. Watson
N. W. Blarr.
*W. H. Rumsey. J. H. Gleason
A. Lyons
T, W. Day
U. Burns
Julins Lee
1862
G. K. Porter
J. T. Cott
*W. H. Rumsey_ J. H. Gleason *W. H. Rumsey. J. H. Gleason.
A. Lyous
*Milton Little ..
1864
*F.A. MeDougall Estevan Castro .. * B. F. Flint .
MI. L. Houk
A. Lyons
William Curtis ..
1865
*F.A. McDougall Estevan Castro __
*B. F. Flint ..
M. L. Honk
A. Lyons
William Curtis.
1866
*F. A. McDougali M. C. Ireland
*B. F. Flint ___.
J. S. Britton
Thos. Watson
M. Little.
1867
*F.A. McDongall M. C. Ireland .. .
*B. F. Flint
J. S. Britton.
Thos. Watson
M. Little
1868
*F.A. McDougall E. C. Tully
*W. H. Rumsy . W. M. Barden
Thos. Watson
J. B. Castro
W. V. McGarvey J. F. Breen
1870 *F.A. McDougall J.A. Blankinship
*W. H. Rumsy __ W. M. Barden
Thoa, Watson
J. B. Castro
W. V. McGarvey W. H. Wehh
1872 Tom Beck
H. M. Hayes
J. F. Breen
W. M. Barden
A. Wasson.
Robert McKee ..
W. V. McGarvey J. L. Griffith
1874 Tom Beck
E. C. Tully
tJ. F. Breeu.
John Scott
J. B. Smith
B. F. Nixon
W. V. McGarvey M. Farley ..
1875 Tom Beck
E. C. Tully
IJ. F. Breen
John Scott.
J. B. Smith
B. F. Nixon
W. V. McGarvey M. Farley ..
1876 T. Flint
C. S. Abbott.
W. H. Wehb
Jolin Scott
J. E Graves.
B. F. Nixon
W. L. Carpenter. N. A. Dorn ..
1877 T. Fliut.
C. S. Abhott.
W. H. Webb
Tolin Scott ..
J. E. Graves
Milton Little
W. L Carpenter. N. A. Dorn.
1878 |T. Flint.
C. S. Abbott ...
IV. H. Webb
M. J. Smeltzer .. Chris. Franks.
S. P. Carter
W. L. Carpenter. H. V. Morehouse
1879 T. Flint
C. S. Abbott
W. H. Webb
MI. J. Smeltzer.
Chris. Franks
S. P. Carter.
1880 |W. J. Hill
E. S. Joslyn
+J. K. Alexander' J. G. Joy
Chris. Franks
U. Hartnell
W. L. Carpenter. N. A. Dorn ...
1881
Pari- Kilburn ..
11
Date.
Clerk.
Coroner.
Surveyor.
Supt. Schools.
Recorder.
Board of Supervisors.
1850 P. K. Woodside
Mariano Malarin James Nooney __ P. K. Woodside.
1851 |P. K. Woodside_
Mariano Malarin James Nooney .. P. K. Woodside.
1852
W. S. Johnson.
J. B. Phillips.
James Nooney .. W. S. Johnson ..
1853
W. S. Johnson ..
J. B. Phillips. .
James Nooney .. W. S. Johnson ..
*P. K. Woodside W. E. P. Hartnell. * J. P. Leese, *Milton Little .... WV. S. Johnson .. W. E. P. Hartnell, *J. P. Leese. * Milton Little_
1854
J. H. Gleason_
J. D. C'alaghan __
James Nooney ..
J. H. Gleason
S. Conover, J. Kcating, Patrick Brecn -.
1855 |J. H. Gleason ..
J. D. Calaghan
Jolın Jordan ....
J. H. Gleason ..
W. S. Johnson. -
1856
E. L. Williams
J. Rodrignes
L. Strade ..
S. Carroll.
J. H. Gleason.
J. P. Lane, D. Spence, Jr., M. C. Ireland
1859 |E. L. Williams.
._ C. G. Harron
B. B. Barker
E. L. Williams ..
J. H. Gleason ..
"David Spence, *F. A. McDougal, M. C. Ireland
1860 T. S. Robert ...
S. S. Simons
B. B. Barker
T. S. Roberts
E. L. Williams
1861 T. S. Robert
JI. Little
B. B. Barker
T. S. Roberts
E. L. Williams
James Bardin, *F. A. MeDougal, M. C. Ireland. James Bardin, B. V. Sargent, M. C. Ireland
1862 G. W. Bird
J. D. Calaghan
B. B. Barker.
G. WV. Bird.
J. S. Roberts
James Bardin, B. V. Sargent, *F. A. McDougal
1863 G. W. Bird
P. Fox
B. B .· Barker
A. L. Earle.
J. S. Speegle
James Bardin, B. V. Sargent, *F. A. McDougal. J. A. Blankenship
1865
W. M. R. Parker T. J. McKnight.
B. B. Barker
A. L. Earle.
J. S. Speegle
Thomas Flint, B. V. Sargent, M. C. Ireland, J. A. Blankenship
1866 W. M. R. Parker A. W. Billings __
S. W. Smith
T. Brailey
1867 W. M. R. Parker A. W. Billings _.
D. J. Martin
(S. W. Smith
T. W. Clay
1868 W. S. Johnson ..
E. J. Martin
S. W. Smith
T. W. Clay
\V. S. Johnson .. Stephen Hatch Stephen Hatch _ Thomas Flint, M. C. Ireland, J. A. Blankenship Thomas Flint, M. C. Ireland, J. A. Blankenship ___ Thomas Flint, Reuben Morey, J. A. Blankenship ... W. S. Johnson .. S. M. Black, Reuben Morey, E. A. Reynolds, J. A. Blankinship, C. W. Bryant.
1870 W. M. R. Parker
S. Pardee
H. M. Hayes
E. M. Alderman
E. M. Alderman. W. M. R. Parker S. M. Black, Reuben Morey, E. A. Reynolds, John
1871 |W. M. R. Parker S. Pardec
1872 A. W. Poole G. Cooke
F. L. Ripley
S. M. Shearer.
A. W. Poole
A. W. Poole
1873 A. W. Poole
G. Conke
F. L. Ripley
S. M. Shearer ..
H. Mills
1874 John Markley ..
H. P. Tuttle
F. L. Ripley
F. L. Ripley.
1875
John Markley_ _ H. P. Tuttle
S. M. Archer.
F. L. Ripley
R. C. McCrosky
1876 John Markley ..
S. M. Archer
F. L. Ripley
1877 John Markley ..
1878
John Markley. .
O. S. Trimmer
F. S. Ingalls.
F. S. Ingalls.
R. C. McCrosky.
1879
John Markley .. O. S. Trimmer
O. S. Trimmer
F. S. Ingalls
1880 M. L. Dexter.
J. B. H. Cooper (Chairman), G. W. Gordon, J. B. Castro, H. Samuels, J. O. Batcheler
1881
11
16
The years are givon in which the officers served. They were elected In the year precoding.
· Now deceased,
# Now Superior Judge.
tJudge Breen resigned when the county was divided. Hle la now Superlor Judge of San Benito county.
J. B. H. Cooper, Edward St. John, S. P. Gordon, H. Mills John Sheehe, John Breen .. J. R. Leese J. B. H. Cooper, Edward St. John, S. P. Gordon, J. A. Blankinship, E. J. Breen .. J. B. H. Cooper, Edward St. John, M. C. Ireland, J. A. Blankinship, D. Monroe .. G. W. Roadhouse J. B. H. Cooper, Edward St. John, M. C. Ireland, M. M. Speegle .. Juan B. Castro, D. Monroe .. G. W. Roadhouse J. B. H. Cooper, Edward St. John, M. C. Ireland. Juan B. Castro, D. Monree ... J. B. H. Cooper, Edward St. John, G. W. Gordon, Juan B. Castro, D. Monroe ..
S. M. Shearer .. .
14
=
11
14
R. C. McCrosky.
R. C. McCrosky
R. C. McCrosky . J. R. Leese
R. C. McCrosky.
The first Board of Supervisors of Monterey county *P. K. Woodside organized on the Sth day of November, 1852, at the *P. K. Woodside court-house in Monterey.
William H. Strambler, Jose Abrego, S. P. Hall. Mariano Malarin, J. Rico, J. Jordan ..
J. Rodrignes. 1857 'E. L. Williams .. 1858 |F. L. Williams __ C. G. Harron
L. Strade.
E. L. Williams
J. H. Gleason
J. P. Lane, D. Spence, Jr., M. C. Ireland _
J. P. Davenport_ |S. Carroll
J. H. Gleason
W. V. McGarvey W. H. Webh.
1871 *F.A. McDougall|J. A. Blankinship *W. H. Rumsy .. W. M. Barden ..
Thos. Watson.
T. B. Castro
W. V. MeGarvey J. L. Griffith
1873 Tom Beck.
H. M. Hayes
+J. F. Breen.
W. M. Barden
A. Wasson.
Robert McKee ..
W. V. McGarvey J. F. Breen
1869 *F.A. McDougall E. C. Tully
*\V. H. Rumsy .. W. M. Barden
Thos. Watson
J. B. Castro
W. E. Lovett
J. W. Blair ..
Mariano Malarin *W. H. Rumsey _ J. H. Gleason ..
A. Lyons
T. W. Day
U. Burns
D. S. Gregory ..
A. Lyons
*Milton Little .. S. S. Osio.
W. E. Lovett
1863 G. K. Porter
MI. A. Castro.
W. V. McGarvey W. E. Lovett
W. V. McGarvey Samnel Geil
W. V. McGarvey Samuel Geil
WV. V. McGarvey J. F. Breen
W. V. McGarvey J. F. Breen
1858
*Stephen Castro *W. H. Rumsey . J. H. Gleason.
Henry Degraw
1861
J. H. Watson.
1864 W. M. R. Parker T. J. MeKnight_ B. B. Barker
G. W. Bird.
J. S. Roberts
IS. W. Smith
T. Brailey
W. M. R. Parker S. M. Black, Reuben Morey, E. A. Reynolds, John Sheehe, C. W. Bryant ..
H. M. Hayes
Sheehe, C. W. Bryant .. S. M. Black, Reuhen Morey, S. P. Carter, John Sheche, F. Martin .. John Breen, Reuhen Morey, S. P. Carter, John Sheehe, F. Martin .. J. B. H. Cooper, S. P. Gordon, S. P. Carter, John Sheehe, F. Martin
1869 W. S. Jobnson ..
W. L. Carpenter. H. V. Morehouse
11
J. R. Porter Azariah Martin.
172
SKETCHES OF SAN BENITO COUNTY CITIZENS.
Sketches of San Benito Citizens.
MANUEL SAN PEDRO.
ONE of the most prosperous citizens of this county is Mr. Manuel San Pedro; a gentleman of large experience and cul- ture. He is the son of Andreas and Manuela San Pedro, and was horn in Spain ; at the age of fourteen he went to sea as a cahin-boy, and rose quickly to the position of captain. He was captain of several. vessels, making voyages to Brazil, Buenos Ayres, Chili, Peru, and Panama, and quitted his sea- faring life in Panama, which place, after a short stay, he left as a passenger on hoard of a steamer going to San Francisco, arriving there in March, 1861, after a voyage of thirteen days
In California Mr. San Pedro went to mining at several places viz: Jacksonville, Amador county ; Virginia, Nevada (Comstock); Humboldt, Reese river ; and lastly in Grantsville, Nye county, Nevada, where he is part proprietor and superintendent of the great Alexander mine, having a forty-stamp mill constantly at work. He has heen very successful in his mining enterprises.
Mr. San Pedro made this county his home in 1877, buying his present fine farm of three hundred and ninety-seven acres, which is managed by his father-in-law, Mr. Y. Altozano, while he is ahsent. On the land is an orchard of one hundred and eighty acres; sixty acres are planted with apricot trees, the largest in the county, and the rest of the land averages about sixteen sacks of wheat per acre. He keeps fifteen horses, a few milch cows, and hogs on the farm.
His residence, which is two and a half miles east of Hollister, and thirty miles from water communication ; is one of the prettiest spots in the county. The drive to it is lined on either side with various colored roses and evergreen trees; the grounds are well-kept and full with a profusion of shrubs; a housed windmill and two tanks supply it with water; and a vineyard of one and one-half acres is close by. A fine view of Hollister and the valley can be had from the front veranda' and Gilroy, as well as Santa Anna Peak, is to he seen front the rear porch on a clear day.
Mr. San Pedro married Miss Maria Altozano (a native of Australia) in 1873, and had one child, a girl, Matilda San Pedro, who, most unfortunately died very young.
HENRY WATSON.
The residence and finely improved home farm helonging to Mr. Henry Watson, is situated one and three-fourth miles distant from Paicines post-office, and the same dis- tance from the store where the celebrated murderer and outlaw, Vasquez, committed his last rohhery and murder. Vasquez remained all that day on the hill in front of Mr. Watson's resi- denee, watching his opportunity to commit the vile deed. The railroad runs within 7 miles, and the county seat is 14 iniles.
Mr. Watson owns also two thousand acres of land on the south hranch of Tres Pinos creek, about fifteen miles from his residence. He keeps five cows, thirty hogs, seven horses, and three thousand sheep on his excellent pastures, and devotes three hundred acres to growing grain. The soil ahout the house is admirably adapted to raising all sorts of vegetables and fruits; and a fine clump of white oaks serves to heautify and adorn the place. It is all fenced and improved.
Mr. Watson's history is also one of various fortunes, he heing a pioneer, arriving in California in 1849. He was born in Virginia, February 22, 1837. In 1846 his parents, Mr. Jacob and Mrs. Phebe Watson, moved with their family to Missouri, where they farmed for three years, when the excitement over the discovery of gold in California took hold of them, and they started overland, Salt Lake rout, making the trip in four months, and reaching Sacramento, September 4, 1849.
Mr. Watson went to mining on the Yuba river and Mormon Island, on the American river. He had good success. He came to this county in 1854, and bought his home in 1875.
April 27, 1869, he married Miss Margaret E. Mankins, of Arkansas. They have six children, which are: Jonathan, Hat- tie, Henry L., William L., Thomas B., and Mollie May Watson.
Mr. Watson is a determined man. When he started life he had only his hands and good hahits to depend upon. He suc- ceeded in his enterprises, and owned, in 1864, sheep to the amount of two thousand four hundred head, which he lost, reducing his finances to one horse, saddle, bridle, and $80 in cash. He tried again, and with energy and economy succeeded in acquiring what he has at present.
L. M. LADD.
Maine furnished this county with another practical farmer, whose name is L. M. Ladd. His parents were Eben and Sylvia Ladd, of Starks, Maine. He was born October 16, 1842, and lost his father when eight years old. He was raised a farmer hut received good schooling.
Having to look out for himself he concluded that in Cali- fornia he might make his fortune. So, when twenty years old," he came across the Isthmus, twenty-four days' pleasant trip, but a good deal of sea-sickness, in 1863, to California. Arriving in San Francisco without money, he walked to May- field, Santa Clara county, the place of his original destination where he arrived on the third of March, 1863.
Working his way up and pushing stoutly forward, Mr. Ladd at one time farmed three thousand acres on the Salinas river, Monterey county, and then had the entire control of " The Catrina Grant," a ranch eomprising seventeen thousand acres. Coming, in 1868, into this county, he bought his present farm of two hundred and eighty-four acres, one hundred and eighty-four of which is good land, averaging about fifteen sacks per acre, and one hundred acres overflowed pasture land, in which he keeps two thousand sheep, fifty horses and thirty hogs.
173
SKETCHES OF SAN BENITO COUNTY CITIZENS.
The farm is only one and one-half miles distant from the city of Hollister, is within one-quarter of a mile of the rail- road, and forty miles distant from water communication.
Like most self-made men, Mr. Ladd is a gentleman of liber- ality, who responds to wortby plans and enterprises for the publie good. He is quite ambitious, and an excellent father to his three children-Frank, Naomi and Llewellyn-who, if they grow up according to his directions, cannot fail to become good citizens. His worthy wife is a native of Maine. She was a Miss Thursia M. Baxter until on December 7, 1869, she became Mrs. Ladd.
J. C. F. STRAUBE.
Among the citizens of this county we also count Mr. J. C. F. Stranbe, wbo is a native of Saxony, Germany, where he was born in 1830. His parents were J. C. F. Stranbe and Hannah Strauhe, and while at bome he learned the butcher's trade.
When still yonng he left his native land, and adopted America as his country, living for a number of years at Louis- ville, Ky.
In 1853, he started from Louisville, via New York and Pan- ama, for San Francisco, where he, after a pleasant journey of sixty-five days, arrived September 15, 1853. From San Fran- cisco he went to Dutch Flat, where he owned a mine which averaged about eight dollars a day.
In 1863, October 21st, he married Miss Augusta Richter a native of his mother country, with whom he had three chil- dren: Charles, Paul, and Lily. He lived for a while in Hol- lister, arriving in this county December 6, 1875, and buying his present fine farm. He now lives within one mile of Hol- lister, where there is a church and school. The railroad runs past within one and one-quarter miles, and boats within forty miles. The county seat is only one mile distant.
Although Mr. Stranbe owns a fine farm of two hundred acres (one bundred and forty-eight of which are number one, and the rest overflowed land), which brings him one hundred bushels of barley, or thirty-five bushels of wheat per acre › he gives his especial attention to raising splendid horses. He owns thirteen bead of excellent work horses and six cows. He also owns an orchard bearing all kinds of fruit of superior quality, which, in deliciousness, equals or excels the products of San Jose, and his house is beautifully situated on the east bank of the San Benito river. Groves of live-oak trees surround his place, and the county road runs along the entire length of his farm.
WILLIAM I. REED.
MR. WILLIAM I. REED, born at Burr Oak, Michigan, Novem- ber 27, 1840, attended the district schools of his native home, and followed farmning throughout his life. He left his home in April, 1860, to make his fortune in California, where,
after a journey of four months, having had a very pleasant trip, per wagon-train, via Salt Lake and the Humboldt Pass, he arrived August 8th, in Santa Clara county; from which he moved afterwards into Alameda county, where he owned the Mission Peak ranch, which is two thousand six hundred and sixty feet above the level of the sca. He attempted to mine, one day, at Nevada City, but became so disgusted with it that he gave up all thoughts of continuing it.
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