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 105

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 105

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

trustee of Reclamation District No. 544 and for the past eleven years has been chairman of the board of trustees. In this connection it may be well to note that during the past nine years the affairs of this district have been so efficiently conducted that it has been necessary on only two or three occasions to levy assessments, and in both cases these assessments were not over twenty-five cents per acre. In fact, this remarkable administration of the levees in this district, and the solution of the many problems con- cerning their upkeep have attracted attention from other reclamation districts-clearly an emphatic com- pliment to Mr. Gaul and those associated with him in this work.

JOHN H. SOUTHWELL .- For many years a resident of Lathrop, where he was a leader in the town's activities, John H. Southwell has become thor- oughly identified with the spirit and undertakings of the city of Stockton, since taking up his residence here. Mr. Southwell is a native of Utah, born at Christman, in the mining district, July 23, 1882, and when twelve years old came with his parents to Lathrop, Cal., where he continued his education in · the public schools. His first venture into business life was as a clerk in the general store of B. F. East- man, and on leaving Lathrop he took a position at Oakland as yard clerk with the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Coming back to Lathrop, Mr. Southwell became assistant agent for the Wells Fargo Express Com- pany, and then went on the road as a messenger for the company, later becoming the agent at Lathrop, and then assistant agent at Santa Cruz. Returning again to his old home town of Lathrop, he purchased an interest in the store where he had worked as a boy, at this time being conducted by S. W. Reynolds, and with D. T. Sutton as a partner the firm of Southwell and Sutton was established and a splendid business built up. This partnership continued for eleven years, when Mr. Southwell disposed of his interest at a profitable figure in 1918. While a resident of Lathrop, he became a man of affairs there and took an active part in all civic developments. At the age of eighteen he was one of the founders of the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen and it was due to his endeavor that the funds were raised to erect the new hall of that order, which is a decided credit to the town. For eight years he served as justice of the peace of Castoria township, this township including the thriving city of Manteca. Shortly after the State Bank was started, Mr. Southwell became a stock- holder and director, serving until January 1, 1922, as a member of the board of this thriving in- stitution, which is now the First National Bank of Manteca. While in business in Lathrop Mr. Southwell had an exciting encounter with a negro burglar who had entered his store. The battle lasted half an hour, a fusillade of shots being fired, one of them passing through Mr. Southwell's coat. The burglar was captured and is now serving his sen- tence in a California prison.

On coming to Stockton in February, 1918, Mr. Southwell bought an interest in the San Joaquin Auto Company, the proprietor being A. E. Hunter, and the name was then changed to the Southwell- Hunter Auto Company. They are distributors for the Chandler and Cleveland cars for San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne coun-

ties, and he is also a member of the firm of the Clarke-Southwell-Hunter Company at Modesto, in charge of Fred H. Clarke. Both the Chandler and Cleveland are aristocrats in motordom, distinctive in design and with reputations for dependability of service that have made them exceedingly popular throughout the San Joaquin Valley. With their large territory, the firm has built up a splendid busi- ness, due both to the high-grade cars they represent and the initiative and capability that characterize both partners.

In January, 1905, Mr. Southwell was married to Miss Estella Sutton, a native daughter of Stockton, and they are the parents of two children, Laverne and Lucile. Mr. Southwell is very prominent in the fraternal life of Stockton and takes an active interest in all public affairs, contributing generously to every progressive cause. He belongs to the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, is a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner, belonging to Aahmes Temple of Oak- land, a member of Stockton Lodge No. 11, I. O. O. F., the Elks, Sciots, Knights of Pythias, the D. O. K. K., and a charter member of the Stockton Lions.

HENRY ESHBACH .- In the great army of Argo- nauts there came across the plains two brothers, Frank Robert and Joseph Robert, pioneers of 1848 on the Pacific coast and intimate friends of the illustrious Captain Weber. For a time they tried their luck in the mines, but indifferent success caused them to turn their attention to industrial pursuits. Starting the first dairy in Stockton they met with steady success, and for years continued to conduct a prosperous business. Upon finally retiring they removed to San Francisco and there died when ad- vanced in years. During the early growth of their business they became impressed with the possibili- ties of the state and accordingly sent money for traveling expenses hither to Henry and Magdalena (Robert) Eshbach, a brother-in-law and sister.

Thus it happened that the Eshbach family in 1857 boarded a vessel at New Orleans bound for the Isthmus of Panama and from there proceeded to San Francisco, whence they came to Stockton. Henry Eshbach was a native of Switzerland and in early life had immigrated to the United States, settling in New Orleans, La., where he followed the trade of a carpenter. There he met and married Magdalena Robert, who was born in Alsace-Lorraine and in childhood had come to the United States. It was not the privilege of Henry Eshbach to attend school regularly in boyhood, hence his education was not what he wished. However, he was a natural mech- anic and also a proficient carpenter, and after coming to Stockton he followed carpentering until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty years. His wife met with an accidental death in 1878. During the Civil War, he served as a member of the 3rd Cali- fornia Regiment Volunteer Infantry from 1862 to 1865 and on the way east his regiment was detailed to suppress an Indian uprising in Utah. He was a member of the Stockton Volunteer Fire Department, San Joaquin Company No. 3. They were the parents of two sons, Henry, the subject of this sketch, and Frank, both residents of Stockton.

In the city of New Orleans, La., Henry Eshbach was born on August 25, 1850, and there he spent his first seven years, when he took passage on a ship in 1857 and came via the Isthmus to California, land- ing from the steamer Golden Gate in April, 1857. He

654

HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

attended the old Franklin school, still standing on South Center Street, and in the same class with him was Caroline Deitsch, a pioneer's daughter, whom he married in 1875, and by whom he has two daughters; Amy E. is the wife of Frank E. Murphy, an attorney of Stockton, and Carrie L. is the wife of S. E. Berkley of Stockton and they have two children, Caroline and Eugenia.

Upon leaving school Mr. Eshbach worked at the printer's trade. For nine years he was foreman of the job department of the Independent, and has in his possession a copy of the paper dated November 2, 1869. He also ran a job printing office on El- dorado Street between Main and Weber with Charles L. Hamilton as a partner, and started the Stockton Record, which was then known as the Commercial Record. Eventually he sold out to a partner and after an association of eighteen years with the print- ing business he turned his attention to other lines and is now living retired from business cares and responsibilities. He was a member of the Volun- teer Fire Department Weber Company No. 1 and is now a member of the Exempt Firemen's Asso- ciation, and for four years was chief engineer of the Stockton fire department. A Democrat in politics, he served as a member of the city council from 1881 to 1884; he also served as a member of the police and fire commission for two years. Fraternally he is connected with the Charity Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., which he joined over fifty years ago, on February 28, 1872, and is a member of the relief committee of that order; Stockton Lodge Elks; Knights of Pythias; and Ancient Order of United Druids. He is also a member of Fidelity Lodge. Mrs. Esh- bach is now deceased. Their two daughters are members of San Joaquin Parlor No. 5, N. D. G. W., and also of Lebanon Rebekah Lodge.

ISAAC H. ROBINSON .- Honored and respected in every class of society, Isaac H. Robinson has been closely identified with the public life of Stockton for over a quarter of a century, and his name is inscribed high on the roll of its foremost citizens. He was born on a California ranch near Santa Rosa, October 17, 1856, and until the age of sixteen attended the district school in the neighborhood of his home and during spare hours helped his father on the home place. The practical ranching experience enabled him to obtain employment on other ranches in north- ern California and ten years of his early manhood was thus spent. During February, 1883, he arrived in Stockton and found work in the planing mill of P. A. Buell, being thus occupied until he entered the Stockton police department as patrolman, re- maining in that position for two years; then for two years he served as chief of police of Stockton. He was then selected as deputy sheriff and served four years under Tom Cunningham. Following this he was elected to the position of city clerk of Stockton which he capably filled for five and a half years. For the past twenty years he has been in the office of the county treasurer and tax collector and is now serv- ing as chief deputy in that office with entire satis- faction to the general public. He gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and has taken an active part in local and state politics. His fraternal memberships are with the Native Sons of the Golden West, Truth Lodge, I. O. O. F., having passed through all the chairs of the latter organization, and he has passed through all branches of Ma-

sonry up to and including the thirty-second degree, and belongs to Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Oakland.

The marriage of Mr. Robinson united him with Miss Henrietta Fortune, a native of San Francisco, and they have one daughter, Mrs. C. H. Bouch of Los Angeles, who is the mother of three sons. Mrs. Robinson is well known in the community and has gained the warm regard which is ever given in recog- nition of sterling worth.

FRANK W. BECKMAN .- Among California's native sons of whom she is justly proud is numbered the late Frank W. Beckman, a prominent and worthy representative of an early family of San Joaquin County. He was born on his father's ranch near I,odi on July 29, 1875. His father, Henry H. Beck- man, was born in Bremen, Prussia, on March 13, 1834, and was reared on a farm in his native land until he was fourteen when he started for the United States in 1848. Five years later he crossed the plains to California with an ox-team and settled in Elkhorn township, San Joaquin County, where, with his brothers, he farmed grain until 1859, when a division was made of the property and from that time on he farmed alone, having as much as 1,000 acres in grain at one time and he became very well-to-do. He mar- ried Miss Margaret Toni, a native of Switzerland. He was a charter member of Woodbridge Lodge No. 131, F. & A. M.

Frank W. began his education in the schools of his district and later was graduated from the San Joaquin Valley College at Woodbridge, and supple- mented this with a year at Stanford University. After finishing his education he went to work on his father's ranch, but soon an opportunity presented itself and he became one of the founders of the grocery firm of Beckman & Thompson, operated for years under the firm name of Beckman, Welch & Thompson Company; this is not only a pioneer firm of Lodi, but is the largest in that line.

As a progressive citizen, Frank Beckman was public spirited and was ready to assist any worthy project that he thought would help to build up his community; he served as a member of the Lodi library board; was a stockholder in the Lodi Na- tionai Bank and in the First National Bank. In his fraternal relations he was active in Masonic circles and held membership in Woodbridge Lodge No. 131, F. & A. M., of which he was a past master, belonged to Stockton Chapter, R. A. M., and to Stockton Com- mandery, K. T., and to Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., in San Francisco. He was also past patron of Woodbridge Chapter No. 118, O. E. S .; belonged to Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E., and to the Knights of Pythias.

Mr. Beckman's marriage on November 30, 1899, united him with Miss Addine Le Moin, a native of California born in Amador County November 30, 1880, the daughter of George W. Le Moin, mentioned on another page of this history. Three children were born of this union: Margaret is Mrs. J. E. Devine and the mother of a son, Dalton, and they reside in Lodi; Le Moin F. and Addine Winifred are students in the Lodi high school. Mr. Beckman passed away May 23, 1907, mourned by his family and a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Since the death of Mr. Beckman, Mrs. Beckman has carried on the various projects that he had started and is interested in the First National Bank, the Lodi National Bank

Frankl-Beckman

657

HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

and the Lodi Investment Company. In 1922 she completed one of the most modern of homes on West Pine Street, Lodi, where she lives with her family. She takes an active interest in and is a member of the Woman's Club of Lodi and Lodi Chapter No. 151 O. E. S.

WALTER T. RUTHERFORD .- A worthy citizen of San Joaquin County, with whose agricultural and other interests he has been identified for a great many years, is Walter T. Rutherford who, for the last four years has been in charge of the field work of the Lodi branch of the Earl Fruit Company in San Joaquin County. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, July 25, 1867, a son of John and Mary (Bowie) Rutherford, both natives of Scotland, and where the father was superintendent of a large estate until his death at the age of forty-eight years, the mother living to be eighty-two years old. There were eight children in the family, seven of whom are living: Isabelle, Annie, Archie, Walter T., our sub- ject, John, William, Angus gave his life for his country during the World War, and Mary.

Walter T. received his education in the schools of his native country and when twenty years of age came to New York, where he became a landscape gardener in the city parks of Buffalo and New York for three years. In 1889 he left New York for the West, traveling through New Mexico and Arizona and reaching California he settled in Sacramento, where he followed farming and the breaking of raw tule land; some for Arthur Thornton at New Hope and for the Eppenger Company on Ryer Island; he also worked on Grand Isle and Staten Island. He broke tule land on Ryer Island when the levees were constructed by Chinese with wheelbarrows.

The marriage of Mr. Rutherford, November 28, 1906, at Sacramento, united him with Miss Jeannette A. Chase, born at San Andreas, Cal., a daughter of Charles Lowe and Addie Jane (Hatch) Chase, and is one of a family of eight children: Rule L .; Jennie, Mrs. M. J. Burke, resides in Sacramento; Mrs. Eliz- abeth Morf resides in Sacramento; Mrs. Florence A. Blodgett resides in Lodi; Charles Victor is at Mare Island; Daniel P. resides in Sacramento; Mrs. Jean- nette A. Rutherford; Wilbur Richard is a printer residing in Seattle, Wash. Mrs. Rutherford's par- ents were natives of the same town in Maine and descendants of old Colonial stock. Mrs. Rutherford's maternal grandfather, Mark Hatch, came to Cali- fornia in 1849 during the gold excitement and en- gaged in mining near Jenny Lind, and there built the first house. Mrs. Rutherford's maternal grand- mother died in Maine and as the grandfather was already in California, the children were obliged to come to California to be with their father, so in 1862 Addie Hatch, Mrs. Rutherford's mother, brought five brothers and sisters to California via the Isthmus route to the home in Jenny Lind which the father had prepared; Mark Hatch also planted the first peach orchard at Jenny Lind.

Charles Lowe Chase came to California via the Isthmus route in 1852 and settled first at San Jose, then to the mines of Calaveras and El Dorado coun- ties; he cast his first vote in 1856 at Murphys, Cala- veras County; later he engaged in the lumber busi- ness at Willow Creek and was known as the cham- pion shingle splitter; he also owned mines at Chee- Chee Flat, called the Mountain Ranch, and here the

mother taught one of the first schools of the district. He passed away in 1905 at the age of seventy-two and the mother was sixty-three years old when she died in 1906. Mrs. Rutherford was educated in the grammar schools of Lodi and Stockton, then entered the Stockton high school from which she was grad- uated; then entered the University of California, graduating in 1903. She specialized in natural sci- ence. After graduating from the University of Cali- fornia, she taught school for two years in the Alpine district of San Joaquin County, one year at New Hope and one year in the Stockton schools; she was then obliged to make a trip to Maine to settle her father's estate and soon after her return was married to Mr. Rutherford.

Soon after their marriage they removed to New Hope where they purchased 100 acres in what is known as the Pocket of the Mokelumne River and on this ranch Mr. Rutherford conducted a dairy for six years; leveled the ground for gravity irrigation and built a comfortable bungalow. When the West- ern Pacific Railroad was built through his section of the county, he did the grading work for the tracks through Thornton. Two years ago, Mr. Rutherford sold his ranch and purchased a home at 201 North Church Street, Lodi, where he and his wife now reside. Mr. Rutherford was a school trustee of the Ray school district and is a member of Franklin Lodge at Cortland, Cal., and also a member of Lodi Chapter, O. E. S., of which Mrs. Rutherford is matron. Mrs. Rutherford has been a member of the Eastern Star for twenty-four years; she is also a member of the Lodi Woman's Club and the N. D. G. W., of Lodi. Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford are both ardent Republicans and members of the Congrega- tional Church of Lodi.

SAMUEL R. ARTHUR .- The name of Samuel R. Arthur is closely connected with the history of the medical profession of California and more es- pecially with Lodi, having practiced for twenty-two years in the city. He is a native of California, hav- ing been born in Stockton on April 14, 1874 ,a son of Richard and Anna (Alles) Arthur, both natives of England. His father made his first trip to the United States in the late '50s and located in Indiana; he then returnd to England for a time and when he returned to the United States in the early '60s he located in California, going direct to the mines; but later settled in Stockton where he engaged in team- ing and contracting. There were four children in the family, three of whom are now living. Dr. Edgar A. Arthur residing in Stockton; Mrs. E. M. Tremper; Ethel, who was a teacher in the Stockton high school is deceased, and Samuel R. Arthur, the subject of this sketch. Both parents are now deceased.

Samuel R. Arthur attended the public schools of Stockton and upon leaving the Stockton high school he pursued a special scientific course in a private school, after which he entered the University of Cali- fornia and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1899 with the degree of M. D. He then became an interne in the San Joaquin County Hospi- tal and in 1900 located in Lodi, forming a partnership with Dr. Hull, the association continuing until 1905 when Dr. Hull removed to Stockton. Eminently successful in his chosen profession, Dr. Arthur has also been active in land development, having planted a thirty-acre vineyard east of Acampo, which he

658

HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

sold at the end of four years. At the present time he is the owner of two fine ranches in the Escalon district consisting of 117 acres, on which he main- tains a fine herd of Holstein dairy cows, besides raising Poland China hogs. His ranches are planted to alfalfa and vineyard, on which he raises very fine grapes which are one of the most profitable crops of the San Joaquin Valley He has brought his ranches to a high state of cultivation. He makes his home in Woodbridge and is a member of the school board of that district.

Dr. Arthur's marriage united him with Miss Lillian Freeman, a native of Kansas, but reared and edu- cated in California and they are the parents of two children, Samuel R., Jr., and Grace Wynette. In his fraternal association, Dr. Arthur is past master of the Woodbridge lodge of No. 131, F. & A. M., a member of the Stockton Knights Templar and of the Stockton Elks. He is past noble grand of the Woodbridge Lodge No. 98, I. O. O. F., and belongs to the Knights of Pythias of Woodbridge, and is a member of the State and County Medical societies and of Lodi Parlor N. S. G. W.

OSCAR W. ECKSTROM .- Five years ago Oscar W. Eckstrom became actively identified with farmi- ing pursuits in San Joaquin County, when he pur- chased twenty acres at the corner. of Schutte Lane and Waterloo Road, where he set out a new orchard and by his steady industry and perseverance he has made his way to a front rank among his fellow- citizens in the Linden section of the county. He was born near Saratoga, Cal., August 15, 1885, a son of John J. and Minnie (Roos) Eckstrom, both natives of Sweden. John J. Eckstrom served three years in the army of his country prior to coming to America in 1876, locating in Gladstone, Ill. Eight years later, in 1884, he removed to California, locating near Santa Clara, where he engaged in fruit raising. In 1896 he located at Linden, Cal., where he was employed by D. W. Miller. He had purchased twenty acres, which he devoted to general farming and orchard. In 1917 he sold the same and removed to Palo Alto, where he is now living retired. Oscar W., the sec- ond oldest of their three children, received his edu- cation in the public schools and while still a young boy began to do ranch work for neighboring farmers. In 1912 he went to Siskiyou. County and engaged in mining, later engaged in the same occupation in Shasta County and spent about five years there, being fairly rewarded for his work.

In 1913 at Stockton, Mr. Eckstrom was married to Miss Isadora Whitcomb, a native of Vermont. a daughter of Charles M. Whitcomb, who removed to Linden, Cal, in 1910. Mr. Whitcomb passed away a year afterward, survived by his widow, who makes her home on the twenty-acre home place left her by her husband. Mr. Eckstrom cares for his own twenty acres and also that of Mrs. Whitcomb, the products of these ranches being peaches, almonds, apricots, prunes and plums, besides considerable hay and grain. Mr. Eckstrom uses a tractor for the cul- tivation of his land and irirgation water is supplied by a fifteen-horsepower motor. Locally he is identi- fied with the California Prune and Apricot Associa- tion, California Peach Growers, California Canning Association, and the California Almond Growers.

Fraternally he is a past grand of Scio Lodge No. 102, I. O. O. F., of Linden, and with his wife is active in Opal Rebekah Lodge in Linden. He is a well- known and popular citizen, and in many ways has performed a useful part in the life of his community.

JOHN A. COLEY .- A very representative citizen of Stockton is John A. Coley, who was born on a farm in Scott County, Va., on August 31, 1872, and when a young man of about eighteen, arrived in Stockton on October 15, 1889, since which time he has been one of the most enthusiastic and effective "boosters" in the Golden State. He was first em- ployed near Sonora, in Tuolumne County, at cutting wood, and then he followed various occupations. On May 1, 1891, he went to Oakdale, in Stanislaus County, and worked on a ranch; and having saved his money, he was able to begin farming for himself. Later he bought 320 acres east of Escalon, which he farmed to grain; he rented land, and farmed as many as 3,000 acres of the Jones ranch; he made money, and he erected buildings in Escalon, of which town he can be truly called "the father," for he founded that now thriving village at the southern end of San Joaquin County. He built the first store building and had the postoffice and the telephone established there. He was one of the promoters of the Tide- water Southern Railroad, and served as its vice-presi- dent, working hard to secure the right of way for the road, and to sell stock in the enterprise. By unwearying labor, he secured the right of way from Stockton to the river, although in some cases he was obliged to buy the land needed by the company. When the Santa Fe Railroad built through Escalon he erected a grain warehouse there, and later another one, and one also at Avena; and on selling out to G. W. McNear of San Francisco, he became the latter's manager and bought grain for him for seven years. Then he bought back the warehouse and conducted the business for himself.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 105

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