USA > California > Napa County > History of Napa and Lake Counties, California : comprising their geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, together with a full and particular record of the Mexican Grants, also separate histories of all the townships and biographical sketches > Part 53
USA > California > Lake County > History of Napa and Lake Counties, California : comprising their geography, geology, topography, climatography, springs and timber, together with a full and particular record of the Mexican Grants, also separate histories of all the townships and biographical sketches > Part 53
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one of the prominent farmers of that section, being also largely in- terested in, and one of the trustees of the Bank of Suisun. He re- ceived his education principally in England, at the Trinity College, Cambridge ; Robert P., his second son, was educated in England, in the primary branches, and graduated from Harvard College, and is also a graduate of the Hastings Law School. He is at present engaged in the practice of that professsion, being associated with R. B. Wallace, Esq., son of ex-Chief-Justice W. T. Wallace. His eldest daughter, Clara L., was united in marriage in 1869 with Col. E. C. Catherwood, and has been re- siding abroad for the past three years, educating her children. The second daughter, Flora A., was married in 1879 to W. S. Keyes, Esq., son of General E. D. Keyes, late of the United States army. His two younger daughters, Ella and Lellia are unmarried, and reside with their sister, Mrs. Keyes. We will conclude this sketch with the statement that we have not space to give in detail the many interesting incidents of this gentleman's life. He is a life-member of the California Pioneers, of which association he has been president ; is a life-member of the Academy of Sciences, and at the special instigation of President D. C. Gilman, of the Johns Hopkins University, of the world-renowned botanist, Sir Joseph Hooker, and Dr. Asa Gray, pro- cured contributions from several distinguished citizens, and caused to be published in two volumes the botany of the Pacific. This work was accom- plished to rescue the botany from destruction. Dr. D. J. Whitney, in his prefatory note to the second volume, thus speaks of the subject of this sketch : That the volume of 1876 and the present one could be laid before the scientific public in a style worthy of the subject, and uniform with that of the other publications of the Geological Survey, is chiefly due to the zeal and liberality of Hon. S. C. Hastings, who solicited and obtained the neces- sary means for this purpose.
HARTSON, HON. CHANCELLOR. Whose portrait will be found in the body of this history, is one of the pioneers of Napa County, and has acted a very important part in the history of both the county and city of Napa. He was born in Otsego County, New York, in 1824. At the age of twenty-one, in 1845, he received a diploma from the Mad- ison University, an institution of learning second to none in his native State. Then he entered the Fowler Law School, located at Cherry Valley, from which he graduated with credit in 1848, and was soon after admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in New York. In 1850 he deter- mined to seek his fortunes in the far-away gold fields of California, and he accordingly came to the State in that year. In July of the following year he came to Napa Valley, and has since remained here, doing giant service for the advancement of everything that would go to build up the common-
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wealth among whom he had cast his lot. He at once entered upon the practice of law, and in September of that year was elected to the position of District Attorney. In September, 1853, at the close of his term of office as District Attorney, he was elected County Judge, which office he held until 1858. In 1856 he was found in the foremost ranks of the Republican party, just then springing into existence, and from that day to this he has ever been a staunch advocate of the principles he then espoused. In 1861 he was elected to the lower house of the State Legislature, and in 1862 to the upper house of the same body. In both the Assembly and the Senate he was appointed to serve on the Judiciary Committee, and was chairman of both committees. He remained in the State Senate until 1866, and by his entire devotion to the best interests of his constituency gained the admiration of all. At the close of this term of public service he returned to the pursuit of his profession, in which he remained until 1871, when he turned his attention to financial matters. In that year he aided in the establishment of the Bank of Napa, and was then elected to the position of president, which he filled until January 1, 1879. In the meantime he also took a prominent part in the organization of the Bank of Lake, at Lakeport, and was for years a member of the Board of Directors of that institution. In 1879 W. J. Maclay was elected to the Assembly, but shortly after- wards he was called from earthly scenes, and his place had to be filled. In casting about for a suitable man for the position, the eyes of the entire population seemed to turn instinctively upon Mr. Hartson, and despite his protestations he was elected by a large majority. In this session of our State Legislature, he was certainly the peer of any man upon the floor of either House, and his natural abilities as a close and careful financier, came into grand use when the subjects of revenue and taxation came up for dis- cussion. His speech on Assembly Bill 404, which embodied those subjects, was the masterpiece of the session, and we may say of his life. So great was the demand for it, that in a very short time an edition of seventy-five thousand was exhausted. A short extract from it will give the reader a good idea of the character of the man who enunciated such grand senti- ments : "I rise under deep feelings of embarrassment and regret, inspired principally by the painful reflection that in the advocacy of this great con- stitutional measure, I am in conflict with the wishes of many highly esteemed friends, in and out of this House, whose good will I crave, and for whose opinions I entertain the highest respect. Nothing but a strong sense of duty and a clear conviction of right has impelled me to take so decided a stand, and maintain it with whatever of vigor and ability I possess. So far as I am concerned, I have no trouble in so construing that language as to tax all credits, all stocks and all property. I am decidedly in favor of roll- ing back and off the industries and lands of this State, and back on the
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bondholder and stockholder, the great burden of taxation that belongs to the latter class to bear. I came here to do a great constitutional duty. I pro- mised the suffering men and women of my home, when elected, that I would stand up for their rights against power and wealth, and prerogative. I am here by my voice to fulfill that promise. My judgment approves this meas- ure, and the work done for its accomplishment is the work of my hand and my heart, as well as my intellect." In November, 1880, he was elected to the same position, and did good work in the Legislature of 1880-1. In 1881 he received the appointment of Collector of the Port of San Francisco, from President Garfield, the duties of which position he is now performing. For thirty years Mr. Hartson has resided among the people of Napa County ; has been honored with high positions of honor and trust more frequently than any man in the county ; has done as much as any man to advance the financial prosperity of the community in which he resides; and in no par- ticular has he been found wanting. A man whose keen perceptions cause him to see the right, and a man who never fears to do it. The intimida- tions of enemies nor the pursuasive influence of friends, never cause him to swerve from his high sense of honor and justice. He was married in Feb- ruary, 1854, to Miss E. Burnell, who is a native of New York, and their children are : Burnell C., Ernest, Channing and Asenath. '
HOGAN, JOHN S. (deceased). Was born in Nenagh, Ireland, May 29, 1837. His early boyhood was spent with his uncle, Henry Smithwick of Smithwick Manor. While under his charge he was placed in Youghel College, where he remained until 1849. Some years previous, part of the family had moved to the United States, and were residing in New Orleans. Sep- tember 2, 1849, Mr. Hogan, then a boy, started from his old home, bound for America. On his first arrival in New Orleans, he engaged himself in acquiring the trade of a cooper. He served faithfully for two years at this trade, and then became a master workman. Being offered à position at the desk of the St. Charles Hotel, Canal street, he abandoned the adze and first connected himself with the hotel business, a vocation in which he passed the remainder of his years. During the ever memorable yellow fever epidemic of 1853, he was stricken by the dread disease, but careful nursing, tender care and a strong constitution, saved him from death. During his six years' life in New Orleans, he acquired a business knowledge and tact, and developed traits of character that in after life had much to do with his financial successes. The fame of the Golden State, and the opportunities offered industrious and enterprising men reached Mr. Hogan in his Southern home, and despite protestations he abandoned his position at the St. Charles, and on the morning of February 8, 1856, he stood on the deck of the outward bound steamship " Daniel Webster," and saw fade into the lazy distance
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the " Crescent City," the " Queen of the South." He crossed the Isthmus of Panama at the time of the riots between the natives and the passengers of the Panama Railroad, taking an active part on the side of the latter He received a wound on the head, the scar of which he carried to his grave. On the Pacific side of the Isthinus he took passage on the steamship " Oceanic," and after a pleasant trip, landed in San Francisco May 3, 1856. He was accompanied on this voyage by his sisters, Ellen and Margaret. After remaining in San Francisco for a short period he, in company with James Kelly, started for the southern mines at Sonora. Here was staked out a claim and hard work done for some time, but failing to strike " pay dirt," the mine was abandoned, and Mr. Hogan returned to San Francisco with a considerable amount of money out by the venture. Strange to say, the claim abandoned turned out afterward to be one of the richest in the district. Mr. Hogan then started for Napa, and first entered the town in the summer of 1856, and secured a position at the American Hotel, then con- ducted by " Uncle " Tom. Alcher. July 4th of the same year he assisted in turning out the first copy of the Napa Reporter that ever left the press. He remained in Napa until November, 1858, when he removed to Healdsburg, having been engaged by Allen & Dickinson, managers of the Russian River Hotel at that place. He remained with these gentlemen until the following fall. In the meantime he invested what money he pos- sessed in real estate. In May, 1859, he purchased the grounds, and buildings thereon standing, which is now the site of the Union Hotel, in Healdsburg. In October, 1859, he left Allen & Dickinson and went to San Francisco, and November 1st of that year, at St. Mary's Cathedral, he was married to Miss Ellen Barrett, Rev. Hugh Gallagher performing the ceremony. After a brief honeymoon, in company with his bride he returned to Healdsburg and opened business in the Union Hotel. Possessed of more than ordinary business capacity, and of an enterprise bounded only by his ability to act, his business continued to increase and fortune smiled upon him. During his residence in Healdsburg the Russian River Flag was started. He assisted Alexander J. Cox in presenting its first number. Here, Septem- ber 2, 1860, his eldest child was born. He was named after his father's uncle-Henry. After a fire had almost entirely ruined Healdsburg, but from which Mr. Hogan's property fortunately escaped, he visited Napa, and seeing the progress it had made, and, finding a good opening, he leased his hotel in Healdsburg and bought out the restaurant conducted by Frederick Gerkins, situated on Main street, where the stores of Levinson and Mabys now stand, and opened here in November, 1860. Being well acquainted and very popular, he commanded a large patronage, and after two years' industry he leased the Napa Hotel, and December 2, 1862, he took possession, suc- ceeding Daniel Wheelock. Here he was in his element, and all his efforts
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were crowned with success. Owing to the growing extent of his business, he kept continually adding to and improving the building, and when his lease expired he purchased the hotel and grounds and subsequently pur- chased the entire square, now known as Hogan's Block. He was ever alive to the interests of the town, and, believing in its advancement, he invested heavily in real estate. One addition of twelve blocks bears his name, and several subdivisions of additions were laid out in town lots, sold and built upon through his energy and enterprise. He took no interest in politics ; although a public man and a highly popular one he never aspired to office. During the war he was what might be called a Union Democrat. He be- lieved in the indissolubility of the Union, yet held a strong sympathy for the South-the home of his boyhood. He continued in the Napa Hotel up to the time of his death, a space of nineteen years. The illness that carried him off was sudden and severe, and only of about a week's duration; but the dread conqueror had uplifted his scythe and the blow could not be stayed by human hands or human arts. He departed this life, surrounded by his family and friends, in full possession of his mental faculties and at peace with all mankind, on Friday, March 23, 1877, a young man in the prime of life, being but thirty-nine years of age. He was buried on the Sunday following, and one of the largest funeral corteges that ever left Napa accom- panied the remains to the grave. A magnificent monument now marks the place of his rest. In private life he was all that could be desired in a hus- band, father or friend-indulgent, loving and unselfish. Publicly he was a man of enterprise and ability ; honest and upright, generous to a fault, re- nowned for his hospitality and genial nature. During the time he lived in Napa he contributed much towards its advancement, and being constantly before the public he necessarily came into contact with a very large number of people, among whom he made many thousands of warm friends and scarcely an enemy. No man was more universally respected than he, and his untimely death was a loss to the community in which he resided. Peace to his ashes.
HEYMANN, E. Was born in North Germany, June 26, 1845. In 1860 he engaged as clerk in the wholesale merchandising business. He continued in this till 1868, when he came to New York, and thence to California. He soon came to Napa County and located at the White Sulphur Springs, where he kept bar and had a store. In 1874 he purchased his present place of thirty-two acres, within the city limits of St. Helena, on which he has twenty-two acres of vineyard and a wine cellar. November 19, 1873, he was married to Miss Matilda Kneer, who was born in South Germany. There children are, Frieda, Matilda, Karl, and Edmund.
HATT, A. E. Was born in Prussia, May 3, 1848. At the age of fourteen he began a seafaring life, which he followed for two years. In
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habits of industry, and an acquaintance with wool. He prepared for college at the New Hampshire Conference Seminary at Tilton, New Hampshire, where he was attending school at the breaking out of the Rebellion. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the 16th Regiment, New Hampshire Volun- teers, and served one year in the army under General N. P. Banks, during his Louisiana campaign. Returning from the army he completed his pre- paratory course, and in 1865 entered Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, where he graduated in 1869. Returning to Concord he at once entered the law office of Minot & Mugridge, where he remained for three years, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar of Grafton County, New Hampshire. He formed a law partnership at Bristol, New Hampshire, with Hon. S. K. Mason, under the name of Mason & Holden, which continued until 1875, when he came to Napa. A charter had been obtained for the Bristol Savings Bank ; Mr. Mason was made president, and Mr. Holden, treasurer, which position he also held at the time of his coming to Cali- fornia. The bank, without any capital, in a little town of two thousand inhab- itants, in the space of three years accumulated deposits to the amount of $60,000. In 1869 Mr. Holden married Mary E. Taylor, daughter of J. S. Taylor, Esq., of Sanbornton, New Hampshire. One child, Hattie M., died in infancy. In 1875 the failing health of his wife induced him to bring her to this State, but, as is often the case, the change was made too late to be of any benefit, and she died in Napa two months after leaving New Hampshire. On his arrival in Napa he became book-keeper for B. F. Sawyer & Co., and was also interested with them in the purchase of fleece wool. On their reorgan- ization, April 1, 1880, he became a member of the company. He has devoted himself entirely to business during his stay in this State, and only allowed the claims of one institution, the Napa Collegiate Institute, to divide his attention. He is at present a member of its Executive Board and president of its Board of Trustees. January 8, 1879, he married Anna Smyth, daugh- ter of Hon. Robert Smyth of Mount Vernon, Iowa, a pioneer preceptress of Napa Collegiate Institute. They have one child, Robert, born May 13, 1880.
HILL, DEMING D. Son of Daniel and Esther Merriam Hill, was born in Washington County, Ohio, May 14, 1836, and resided at his birth- place until his twenty-first year, when he moved to Chillicothe, Ross County, that State, where he worked at his trade-tinsmith-to which he had served an apprenticeship in his birth-county. There he remained until 1858, and then returned to his native county and established himself in the tin bus- iness, which he followed one year. September 22, 1859, (the day that Broderick was shot) he landed in San Francisco. After following his trade for some years in San Francisco and Oakland, he became agent for the Howe sewing machine, and continued at that business for two years. He
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then went to Placer County, and for six months was freight agent for the Central Pacific Railroad. He next proceeded to Collinsville, on the Sacra- mento River, where he had charge of the wharf for a short time, and then proceeded to Fairfield, Solano County, and began his old business-that of tinner. In 1869 he came to Napa, and settled on his present estate of four hundred and forty acres, where he is chiefly engaged in stock-raising. Hill's patent medicated nest-eggs, and also medicated paint for hen-roosts, have proved to be effectual destroyers of hen lice, and great credit is due the gentleman for his patent. Married February 22, 1863, Catherine Burns, a native of Ireland, born February 8, 1839. Daniel D., Francis D., Marietta, Clarence E., Martha N., Alonzo C., and Oswell N., are their children.
HOTTEL, E. W. Was born in Harrison County, Indiana, March 16, 1843, and resided in his birthplace until 1864, during which time he was educated at the common schools. In 1864 he came across the plains in an immigrant train, arriving October 10th of that year. Mr. Hottel immediately came to Napa Valley and engaged in farming for one year, when he removed to Napa and started an agricultural and general machine business, in which he continued until July, 1877. He next embarked in the grocery trade, under the firm name of Hottel & Smith, of which firm he is still a member. The subject of this sketch united in marriage, February 24, 1880, with Miss Jennie M. Brown, born in Ulster County, New York, September 12, 1856.
HULL, A. J. Was born in Johnson County, Indiana, September 8, 1846. He resided there until the fall of 1857, when he, with his parents, moved to Illinois, residing there until December, 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, 2d Illinois Light Artillery. Re-enlisted in March, 1864, and was mus- tered out August 8, 1865, having served in the 17th and 20th corps of the Army of the Tennessee. He returned to Illinois, remaining in that State and Iowa, working on a farm and teaching school for awhile. He after- wards attended the Iowa State University, from which he graduated in 1873; was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Iowa in December, 1872. April 12, 1874, he was united in marriage with Lottie J. Waite, of Vermont, at Mason City, Mason County, Illinois, who was born in Shore- ham, Addison County, that State, March 4, 1848. April 29, 1874, they arrived in California, settling in Napa County, where he engaged in teaching school through the summer and fall of that year, and began the practice of law in December, 1874, at Napa. One child, Lottie May, born May 27, 1880.
HENRY, JOSEPH. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, August 15, 1827. He remained at his birthplace until he was eleven years of age, when his parents moved to Iowa, and settled in Cedar County, where he resided until
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1849. In May of that year he came across the plains to California, arriving in the State in the following October. He at once began mining which he followed for two years. In March, 1851, he returned to Iowa, where he remained for nearly two years. In 1853 he again crossed the plains and immediately came to and settled in Napa County, and in 1862 began the stock business near Napa City, and the butcher business in that place, which he continued till 1879. In that year he was elected to the position of County Treasurer, which office he still fills with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He had previously served for four years on the Board of City Trustees. He was married December 30, 1851, to Cynthia Lewis a native of Ohio, born January 30, 1832. Their children are John M., Stephen A., Joseph H., Cornelius E., Rosa M. and Clarence.
HAAS, DAVID L. Was born in Germany, October 7, 1842, and is the son of Leopold and Caroline Gassdorfer Haas. He resided in Germany until 1859, receiving his education in the meantime at the mercantile college at Offenbach. In 1859 he came to America, and shortly after came by way of the Isthmus to California, in the ill-fated steamer " North Star." He came at once to Napa City and in connection with his brother Martin L. he began his present business of bookseller, newsdealer and stationer. He was mar- ried March 31, 1868, to Miss Frances May Squibb, a native of Indiana, who was born September 12, 1842. By this union they have Leopold, born March 11, 1869, and Munson, born April 1, 1871.
HORTOP, HENRY. Was born in Ontario, Canada West, June 23, 1848, where he resided until he was nineteen years of age, during which time he served an apprenticeship of three years to the blacksmith's trade. We next find him in Oneida County, New Nork, where he followed his trade for six months, at the end of which time he returned to Uxbridge, Canada, and again engaged at his trade, where he remained until he came to California, which occurred in 1869, arriving in San Francisco January 1st of that year. For the following two years he worked in that city, Stockton and Alameda ; and in 1871, by the advice of his physicians, he took a sea- voyage for his health, going to Australia, and returning via Honolulu, arriving on this coast March 5, 1872. In July, 1872, Mr. Hortop came to Napa County, locating first in Napa City, in the employ of Mr. Hunter, where he remained until 1874, when he moved to Rutherford, and purchased a small building, and began business for himself; and in the same year built his present extensive manufactory. In connection with his blacksmith business Mr. Hortop is a manufacturer and dealer in hardware and agricul- tural implements, and enjoys the patronage and confidence of the whole community in which he lives. Mr. H. was united in marriage in Elmira, Solano County, September 7, 1873, to Mrs. C. A. Edington, a native of Missouri.
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HAGEN, HENRY. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, is the son of Philip and Katherine Hagen, and a native of Germany, born at Manheim, June 5, 1836. In the year 1852 he came to California, and made San Francisco the seat of his success. After holding for four years different positions, for various parties, he began a retail cigar and tobacco business on the south-east corner of Pine and Montgomery streets. He then was engaged as assistant by Messrs. Kohler & Frohling, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the wine trade, and gave rise, after leav- ing that firm, to the California Wine Depot, on the north-east corner of Pine and Montgomery streets, which he managed with success for a number of years. In partnership with his brother Peter, who died June 11, 1880, he bought, in 1877, in Napa County, the Cedar Knoll Vineyard, which contains four hundred and thirty-six acres of land, of which one hundred and fifty acres are at present bearing grapes, and each year Mr. Hagen enlarges their number by a perceptible extension. Not only the vineyard is of note, but also the houses and implements necessary for the conversion of its produce. Of these, the most worthy of mention are the wine and fermenting cellars, and also the sherry house. The products of this vineyard enjoy a very favorable reputation among the wine-consuming community of this and other counties.
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