History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 104

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660

USA > California > San Joaquin County > History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 104

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He was married on March 7, 1858, to Miss Emily J. Southerland of Stockton, a daughter of Jacob Southerland, deceased, a well-known pioneer of San Joaquin County. Mrs. Ladd accompanied her par- ents across the plains to California in 1852, coming by the old southern route. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ladd; Lillie I. is the owner of the Ladd homestead near Stockton; Addie A., Mrs. W. C. Salmon, deceased, survived by two sons, Ira T. residing at Coalinga, and William L. who is manager on the Ladd homestead, having made his home with his aunt, Miss Lillie Ladd, since his mother's death when he was three years of age; Fred G. is married and has two children and they reside at Coalinga; Emily J., Mrs. Walter Vincent, has three children and they reside in Stockton; Ira G. is deceased. Mrs. Ladd passed away on May 21, 1908, at the age of sixty-seven, while Mr. Ladd survived her until he was seventy-nine years old, passing away on March 8, 1916, at his beautiful ranch home south- east of Stockton. Mr. Ladd served as a trustee of the neighboring Weber school district for many years, and always took an active part in the educa-

tional affairs of his locality. He was a Republican in politics and fraternally was affiliated with Stock- ton Lodge No. 11, I. O. O. F., and was well known through his section of the state. He was a member of the San Joaquin Society of California Pioneers and Mrs. Ladd was one of the charter members of the auxiliary of the same society. Since her father's death Miss Lillie I. Ladd has successfully handled the extensive interests left by her beloved parent and is worthily perpetuating the Ladd name in the lo- cality where he was so long an honored citizen. She has a fully equipped wireless station at her residence on the homestead, demonstrating that she is far ahead of many in seeing the value of modern science in business as well as pleasure.

HARVEY E. VICKROY .- Widely known as one of the most experienced and progressive of building contractors in San Joaquin County, Harvey E. Vick- roy, of 1122 North Commerce Street, Stockton, never wants for advance commissions to keep him and his force of expert workmen busy. He was born on a farm in Warren County, Iowa, on November 20, 1875, and reared and educated at Chariton, in the Hawkeye State. He learned his trade of a carpen- ter under Benjamin Frazer, and at that occupation worked in Omaha, Neb., for a year and a half. Arriving at Oakland, on October 1, 1906, he built a number of fine homes there, and also two apart- ment houses for A. V. Faight, now of Stockton, and on August 4, 1909, removed to the latter city, where he has since followed his line of work. He first worked for Dockendorff, the contractor, and as fore- man had charge of the construction of the Con- gregational Church on Park Street, and also of the second addition to the Moline Plow Building.

In 1910 Mr. Vickroy entered business on his own account, and soon was called upon to put up a four- flat apartment house in San Jose. He next erected both the Arlington Hotel and the Coffee Club build- ing in Stockton, and then he formed a partnership with A. J. McPhee, under the firm name of McPhee & Vickroy, and as partners they built the Griffith Block, the Carlton Block, and the McCoy Block, at the corner of Market and Stanislaus streets. They also constructed a block at East and Main Streets, the Salvation Army Building on South San Joaquin Street, an eight-flat building at the corner of Cali- fornia and Park streets, two residences in Willow Street, and still other apartment houses. Then Messrs. Vickroy & McPhee dissolved partnership, and our subject operated alone. He erected the Stockwell three-story brick block, and a number of houses for himself, which he built to sell. In 1920 he formed with E. L. Morrison another partnership, under the firm name of Morrison & Vickroy, and they erected the four-story brick block known as the White Hotel, a two-story brick block in El Dorado Street, at the junction with California, while one of their best specimens of work in construction was the new Odd Fellows Building, completed in the fall of 1921. This is located on South Hunter Street, and is one of the best buildings in the city: The firm have also built residences in Tuxedo Park and the Sperry Addition, and a four-flat building near the Sampson Iron Works. Mr. Vickroy has also operated in the Delta district. He built the Waukeen Hotel at Manteca, the best building in that city, and in the same progressive town erected several houses and a business block for Ed Powers. On

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

August 1, 1922, the firm became Vickroy and De Atley, composed of our subject and O. C. De Atley, the latter being an expert builder of concrete build- ings. This firm has at present under construction the building of J. C. Renny on Sutter and Miner streets which will be occupied as the new Buick Garage. They are also building the large three-story brick at South California and Lafayette streets for the Italian-American Realty Company and several other structures, business and residences. They employ from fifteen to forty men.

At Leon, Iowa, in 1905, Mr. Vickroy and Miss Caroline L. Smith, a native of Iowa, were married; and nine children add to their comfortable home.

OTTO M. VOGELSANG .- A worthy citizen of Stockton, who has a record of continuous service with one firm of thirty-eight years, is Otto M. Vogel- sang, the owner and proprietor of the James T. Mills Hardware Company, 30 East Main Street. He was born in Petersburg, Calaveras County, Cal., on December 12, 1864. He received his education in the country schools and his first job was herding sheep for three months for Fred Beal. In 1882 he went to Stockton and was employed with James T. Mills, and there he learned the tinsmith and plumb- ers' trade; later he became the foreman of all outside work. Upon the death of Mr. Mills in 1900 he as- sumed the management of the business. Mr. Mills' daughter, Miss M. Alice Mills, succeeded to the busi- ness and when she passed away in 1920 she willed the entire stock and fixtures of the hardware store, free of debt, and $3,000 in cash to Mr. Vogelsang, a fit- ting tribute for his faithful and efficient years of serv- ice to her father and herself. Miss Mills was gradu- ated from the Stockton high school in 1871, this being the first graduating class from that institution.

James T. Mills was a native of Hartford, Conn. When he was a young boy he ran away from home and went to sea; he sailed around the Horn to Cali- fornia in 1849 and in 1850 settled in Stockton and opened a plumbing and hardware store, the first of its kind in Stockton. He was a fine mechanic and worked on many of the first buildings to be erected in Stockton; among them the Catholic Church, the First Presbyterian Church, the First Methodist Church, and the first court house erected in Stock- ton. He was active in civic affairs, serving on the city council, the city board of education; was a mem- ber of the Volunteer Fire Department and Exempt Firemen's Association; he was a charter member of Charity Lodge of Odd Fellows. He was an active member of the Congregational Church, and a strong temperance advocate, and was beloved by all who knew him.

The marriage of Mr. Vogelsang united him with Miss Nancy Gertrude Wyatt, a native of Stockton, Cal., whose parents were pioneers of that section. They are the parents of two sons. Harold A. is sec- retary to the chief of police of Stockton. During the World War he was sent to France and became machine-gun and bayonet instructor and during his service of eighteen months drilled 40,000 men; he was one of five who went from San Joaquin County to serve as instructors during the war. Ralph Leslie, formerly treasurer of the Yosemite Theater, is now a stage carpenter. He served the last two months of the war in the motor truck division at Tacoma, Wash. While the greater portion of his time is consumed

by his business, Mr. Vogelsang can be counted upon to support all public-spirited movements for the good of the community.

CHARLES A. BACON .- Besides having the hon- or of being a native son of San Joaquin County, Charles A. Bacon is also the only son of a pioneer family who came to this State in 1863, and was born on the Bacon ranch, three miles from Lockeford on July 25, 1868. His father was Eugene Charles Ba- con, a native of New York, and a son of Samuel C and Finetta Bacon, natives of Connecticut and New York State respectively. Samuel C. died in 1861 and Finetta Bacon died in 1852. In 1854 Eugene Charles . Bacon left home and traveled through many western and southern states, fol- lowing engineering on the Illinois and Miss- issippi rivers for a period of nine years. He arrived in San Francisco in 1863, but after four months went to Virginia City, Nev., where he was employed by the Gould & Curry Company for three years, then removed to San Joaquin Coun- ty, Cal., settled on the ranch that became known as the Bacon Ranch and followed ranching and stock- raising until his death in 1913, aged seventy-seven.

In 1867. Mr. Bacon was married to Miss Ellen Vincent, daughter of Capt. Ashmit B. Vincent, who came to California as master of a sailing vessel, around Cape Horn in 1850. Upon his arrival here he spent two years in the mines, then went to Mokelumne Hill and was engaged in gardening until 1855 when he removed to San Joaquin County where he bought a squatter's claim to 160 acres of land from Merchant and Moore. This he cleared and farmed until his death in November, 1870. He had made arrangements to have Mrs. Vincent join him in California with their two daughters, Ellen and Cora, who came in 1853 on a clipper ship around the Horn. Mrs. Vincent died on January 23, 1861. Mrs. Eugene Charles Bacon is still living on the home place near Lockeford and at eighty years of age is hale and hearty and is surrounded by a host of friends who enjoy her tales of pioneer conditions in the Golden State. Mr. and Mrs. Bacon had two children, Charles A. and Ethel, who with their moth- er reside on the home place.

Charles A. Bacon received his education at the Harmony Grove school and after his school days were over worked on the ranch and at the same time has followed the machinist's trade, as well as learning the plumbing and sheet metal trades. From 1900 until 1912 he conducted a shop in Lockeford, during which time he perfected an acetylene gas machine which he manufactured and sold. After moving his shop to the ranch he has devoted part of his time to managing the home estate and doing expert repair work on all kinds of machinery, his equipment being adequate to handle almost any kind of a job. For more than fifteen years he has engaged in well boring, specializing in deep water wells for irrigation purposes. On the ranch they maintain a dairy of twenty cows and raise grain and stock; twenty acres of the ranch is in alfalfa. Mr. Bacon is a member and past grand of Progressive Lodge No. 134, I. O. O. F., at Lockeford, a member of the Lodi Encampment, and past chancellor of the Lockeford Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a Republican and is counted among the progressive men of the Lockeford section of his native county.

MR. AND MRS, EUGENE C. BACON

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

ASA MOUNTJOY CLARK .- One of the most progressive and able business men of Stockton is Asa Mountjoy Clark, the efficient manager of that well known institution, Clark's Sanitorium. He was born in Stockton on May 20, 1890, a son of Fred Pope and Edith (Cross) Clark. His father, Dr. Fred Pope Clark, is also a native of Stockton, born August 25, 1865, and is the son of Dr. Asa Clark, the founder of Clark's Sanitorium in 1871; after attendance at high school he entered Cooper Medical College at San Francisco, where he was graduated in 1887. For the following two years he was en- gaged in practice in Angels Camp, Calaveras County, and then came to Stockton, where he has remained ever since. In 1889 Dr. Clark was married to Miss Edith Cross, a daughter of Dr. L. E. Cross, of Stockton, and they have two children, Asa, the sub- ject of this sketch, and Lester, the secretary of Clark's Sanitorium. Dr. Clark is affiliated with the Masonic Order, the Elks, the Native Sons of the Golden West, and the Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a stanch Republican.

Located in the center of a health appearing and inviting park, just at the edge of the city of Stock- ton, amid surroundings where nature combines with professional care to restore normal conditions to people suffering from mental ailments, Clark's Sana- torium presents many interesting features. The main buildings are surrounded by a park of stately trees, well-kept lawns and flower beds, while the atmos- phere is restful. It is an institution especially adapt- ed for those suffering from overwork and business worries that affect the mind and body, many coming here from other sections because of the inviting con- ditions, care and treatment. The main building is a large, roomy, two-story structure, comfortable and homey in furnishing and appointments.

At the institution everything is electrical, the equip- ment in each instance being the most modern. Elec- trical cabinets, massage, baths, showers and sprays, with electric attachments; X-ray massage, electro- therapeutic appliances, and other innovations are al- ways ready for use. Hydro-therapeutic treatment is another feature here. In this department neutral and cooling sheet packs, fan baths, Hammam baths, sprays and showers, cold towel rubs, mitten, ice and alcohol rubs, are specialties.

The sanatorium is conducted under the personal management of Asa M. and Lester L. Clark, sons of Dr. Fred P. Clark, owner of the institution. The medical department is under the able supervision of Dr. Fred P. Clark of the State Hospital, who has an able medical staff specially trained in nerve dis- orders. Dr. Clark consults and advises with the doctors regarding special cases as occasion arises. There has recently been established a Clark's Sana- torium service in the principal interior cities of the state. In cases coming to the attention of the local physician if local treatment can be administered it is so done, but if institutional treatment is advised the case is then sent to their Sanatorium at Stock- ton. This new feature has been found very satis- factory, particularly when patients return to their homes they may have follow up treatment under the direction of the institution by experienced physicians.

In 1912, Asa M. Clark, helped to organize Battery C, California Field Artillery, and was sent to the Mexican border; later when the Mexican trouble arose he became attached to Battery B Sixth Regu- 40

lars for border duty, Intelligence Service. Mr. Clark was married in June, 1916, to Miss Myrtle Stevens of Stockton and they have one child, Asa M., Jr. In fraternal life Mr. Clark is affiliated with San Joaquin Lodge 19 F. & A. M., is also a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason; locally he is a member of the Anteros and Rotary Clubs of Stockton, and of the American Legion.

Leslie L. Clark is a graduate of Stanford University class of '16; he served in the 32nd Field Artillery in the World War, being stationed principally at Camp Zachariah Taylor, Kentucky, being discharged No- vember 16, 1918, and since his return is giving his undivided attention to the success of Clark's Sana- torium. He was married in Stockton in 1920 to Miss Genevieve Wyllie, a native of Calaveras Coun- ty, and they have one child, Eleanor.

Dr. Asa Clark in the early days at Placerville had a large practice throughout the Sierra region, travel- ling through the mountains riding horseback with his saddle bags. Clark's Fork of the Stanislaus river was named for him. He did not hesitate to give medical aid to the Indians with his usual success and in their appreciation they named him "The Medi- cine Man."

Dr. Clark was a man of strong physique and great energy, an inveterate worker and was never idle. In the period of his life he saw great progress in science, not only in medicine, for he was in New York City and saw the first administration of chloro- form, but in mechanical inventions, as he remarked: "I saw the first locomotive, first bicycle, first auto- mobile and have lived to see the aeroplane a reality." -few men live to such an age. This interesting pioneer and philanthropist passed to the great be- yond at his home in Stockton, January 20, 1912, al- most. eighty-eight years of age.

ARCHIBALD WEST CRARY, M. D .- Among the recent acquisitions to the medical fraternity of Stock- ton is Dr. Archibald West Crary, a successful prac- titioner and specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He is a native of Boone County, Iowa, and was born on April 18, 1876, and began his edu- cation in the public schools of Boone. In 1897 he began his education in the public schools of Boone. In 1897 he was graduated from Cornell College with a B. S. degree; then he entered the Iowa State University at Iowa City and in 1906 was graduated with the degree of M. D. and one year later received his master of science degree from the same institu- tion. Before his graduation he became assistant in- structor and after graduation became a member of the medical faculty of the university. Returning to the city of his birth he practiced his profession for fifteen years and while there joined the Masons, Elks No. 73 and Knights of Pythias. He enlisted in the Spanish-American War and was a member of the 52nd Iowa Volunteers and after the war became ac- tive in the Iowa State National Guards, serving as first lieutenant. Removing to Stockton in 1919, Dr. Crary has enjoyed a constantly growing practice in his chosen profession.

The marriage of Dr. Crary united him with Miss Ida May Johnson, a native of Iowa, and they are the parents of two children, Ruth and Jean Ellen. Re- cently he has purchased a residence on Yosemite Ter- race, one of the new and fashionable sections of the city. Dr. Crary is an ardent booster for Stockton and the San Joaquin County and believes in the con-

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

tinued growth of the city he has selected for his permanent residence. He is the popular president of the Iowa Club of Northern California, which now has 450 members. He is also a member of the Span- ish-American War Veterans of Stockton and of the Sciots. Throughout his professional career his labors have been characterized by continued advance along scientific lines, and he has made for himself an honored name as a member of his profession.

GEORGE PRESZLER .- Among the well-known and prosperous viticulturists of San Joaquin Valley is George Preszler, the owner of a valuable vineyard of eighty-seven acres about four miles east of Lodi, undoubtedly one of the finest and most profitable vineyards in the county. He was born in South Russia not far from Odessa, on October 4, 1868, a son of George Adam Preszler. He has no recollec- tion of his parents, as his mother and father both died from the cholera within two weeks of one another when he was four years old.

He is the youngest of five children: John and Daniel still reside in Russia; Mrs. Katie Finck of Tripp, S. D .; Eva is Mrs. George Mettler of Lodi; and George, our subject. When he was seven years old he accompanied his sister Katie to America and settled in Hutchinson County, Dakota Terirtory, where he remained until he was fifteen years old; then he worked for his brother-in-law, George Met- tler, for six years until he was of age, then started out for himself.

Most of Mr. Preszler's education was obtained in the "school of hard knocks," for he was fifteen years old when the first Government school was estab- lished in South Dakota. With the thrift and indus- try of his forbears, Mr. Preszler had saved sufficient money with which to purchase a half-section of land in Hutchinson County, S. D., which he farmed to grain for eleven years when he sold out and set his face toward the Golden State, arriving on February 15, 1901, and coming direct to San Joaquin County he purchased his present ranch of 154 acres.

In Hutchinson County, S. D., on December 12, 1889, Mr. Preszler was married to Miss Margareta Schnaidt, also a native of South Russia, a daughter of John and Katherine Schnaidt. John Schnaidt was a farmer and Mrs. Preszler was three years old when she was brought from Russia to South Dakota, where her father homesteaded land. They are the parents of eight children: Edward is a vineyardist near Lodi; Emma is Mrs. Kirschenmann of Victor; William resides at Victor, Cal .; Henry is on the home place; Alena; Ida; Martha; and Lenhardt. When Mr. Preszler purchased his ranch it was a stubble field and all the improvements on the ranch have been made by him, including his fine residence and vineyard. Of the original acreage, he gave his son Edward forty acres; William thirty-seven acres; to his daughter Emma, now Mrs. Kirschenmann, he gave a ten-acre vineyard; and his son Henry a forty- acres piece, Mr. Preszler retaining the remainder, which is considered among the finest vineyards in the state. In national politics Mr. Preszler is a Republican and he and his family are members of the Reformed Church. He has served as a member of the Victor school board. He is a good example of what hard work, saving and enterprise can do when persistently followed, for he is rated as one of the wealthy vineyardists of the Lodi country.

ALOIS GAUL .- A representative California rancher whose enterprise is born of a progressive spirit and ambition, and whose foresight is the result of profitable experience, is Alois Gaul, the Delta farmer, who resides upon the old Captain Frewert homestead, nine miles southwest of Stockton on Upper Roberts Island. He was born in Bavaria on January 3, 1861, and when twenty years of age left home for America, and after an adventurous voyage of sixteen days, reached New York in 1881 and there he spent a year with relatives.

In 1882 he arrived in California, and for ten years he remained in San Francisco, for eight years being with the late John Wieland. Then he bought a forty-acre tract of land in Placer County, and having cleared it of brush, etc., he set out an orchard and a vineyard. This property so increased in value that by the time it was in bearing he was able to sell it at a good profit, enabling him, in 1900, to remove to the Delta district in San Joaquin County, where he took up his residence at the old home of Captain Frewert, a pioneer of this county. At San Francisco he received his citizenship in 1887 and soon identi- fied himself with the Republican party, but in local matters he casts partisanship to the winds and goes in for the best man and the best measures.

At Stockton, January 14, 1897, Mr. Gaul was mar- ried to Miss Bertha A. Frewert, a daughter of the highly honored Captain Frewert already referred to, and a gifted lady who was born on the Frewert place, Roberts Island. Three children were born to this fortunate union. Herman is a Delta rancher closely associated with his parents in business affairs; Emma has become the wife of Peter Claussen, and the mother of two children, Marjorie and Bobbie; and Vera is a student in Stockton high school. Mrs. Gaul has served for two years as an efficient and popular member of the board of trustees of the Garden school district.

Since coming to San Joaquin County, Mr. Gaul has made an enviable reputation as a farmer and stock breeder, for sheep raising in the Delta has proven very profitable and so has been the raising of shorthorn Durham cattle, horses and mules, and reg- istered Friesian-Holstein dairy cattle. His livestock has been shipped into the range and cattle country of New Mexico, Arizona and throughout California. He owns an imported Percheron stallion, and was the proud possesor of a purebred Belgian horse. For- tunately for him, the transportation facilities here- abouts could hardly be improved upon, both by trucks and by river boats, and in 1906 he constructed a warehouse with 1,000-ton capacity of hay on the levee landing by his farm, and there the river boats can tie up for the loading and unloading of produce.

Mr. Gaul had a younger brother, K. G. Gaul, a prominent stockman of the Salinas Valley, but he passed away in 1919. His sisters, Mrs. Erhardt and Mrs. Julia Kilian, both reside in Brooklyn, N. Y. Two other members of the family-a sister, Mrs. Teresa Rupert of Minneapolis, and an elder brother Henry, have long since closed their eyes to the scenes of this world. Mr. Gaul has three Delta farms. The home ranch embraces 266 acres; then there is a stock- raising ranch of 92 acres in the old Shippee tract on French Camp Road, and there are some 334 acres near Old River on Upper Roberts Island also be- longing to him. He is widely known as an authority on livestock and he has served for many years as a

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Bertha gaul

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

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History of San Joaquin County, California : with biographical sketches of leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 104

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849 Publication date: 1923 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1660

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660