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 111

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 111

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In 1883, at San Francisco, Mr. Dunne was married to Miss Alice Gibney, also a native of Ireland; and they had twelve children, all of whom were born in Stockton. Frank, Joseph, William, Leo and Edward Dunne are the sons in Stockton, while Vincent and Ray are law students at the University of California; Mary, Helen and Dorothy Dunne are in Stockton; Theresa, Mrs. Alden White, lives in Berkeley; and Loretta, Mrs. Joseph White, resides in Pittsburgh, Pa. M :. Dunne was both a loyal member of the Catholic Church and a very loyal citizen of the United States, especially devoted to Stockton. He was a charter member of the Yosemite Club and of the Young Men's Institute. Francis, Joseph, Leo and W. H. Dunne were associated with him in busi- ness; Joseph was in France for two years in the World War, Leo also served, as a member of the navy, almost as long in foreign waters; and Ray was in officers' training camp fitting himself for active duty when the armistice was signed. Mr. Dunne died on November 23, 1919, and will be sadly missed; for, honorable, upright and faithful in his family rela- tions and religious duties, he was a true man, and one who left as a heritage to his children the record of an unblemished character.

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

JOHN M. BLODGETT, D. D. S .- The opportu- nities offered by California to men of determination, energy, and perseverance find a fitting illustration in the life of John M. Blodgett, D. D. S., who arrived in California with his parents at the age of five years and for the past thirty-one years has been promi- nently identified with the professional and business life of his county and the state, having been an active member of the State Board of Dental Examiners since 1909. He was born near Mt. Sterling, Brown County, Ill., on December 5, 1865. His father, Jos- eph H. Blodgett, was born in Indiana and crossed the plains to California with an ox-team in 1857, but returned East via the Isthmus of Panama and located at Lancaster, Schuyler County, Mo. In Scotland County, Mo., on October 27, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Ellen Chambers, a native of Richmond County, Ohio. Afterwards the family moved to Mt. Sterling, Ill., where their son, John M. Blodgett, was born. Later they again moved to Lancaster, Schuyler County, Mo., and resided there until the year 1870, when the family left Missouri for California on one of the early continental passen- ger trains. Arriving in Sacramento, they proceeded by steamer up the river to Red Bluff and from there overland to Millville, Shasta County, where the father engaged in farming and stockraising. However, Joseph H. Blodgett and his wife spent their last days in Lodi. Their union was blessed with six children, five of whom grew up: Martha M. is Mrs. C. C. Garner, of Lodi. Wm. O. Blodgett was form- erly a teacher, until he was elected county clerk of Shasta County, where he served acceptably for many years. He is now deputy county clerk, and is one of the best-known men in the county. His home is in Redding. Dr. John M. Blodgett is the subject of our interesting review. Dr. Thomas D. Blodgett was a prominent physician and surgeon in Tulare until his passing away, November 10, 1919. Walter S. Blodgett is a farmer and vineyardist at Acampo ..

John M. Blodgett attended the public schools of Shasta County, and after completing his studies there entered Pierce Christian College at College City. His courses here were supplemented by attendance at the San Jose State Normal School. He then spent one year teaching school in Lake View, Ore. Having become interested in dentistry, he entered the office of Dr. A. D. Gleaves in Redding, and under his preceptorship studied diligently for a year. In the fall of 1888 he entered the dental de- partment of the University of California, taking the regular course, and was duly graduated with the class of 1892, with the degree of D. D. S.

Dr. Blodgett located in Madera and opened an office, but remained there for only a very short time. On May 29, 1892, he located in Lodi and purchased the only dental office then in this city, and he has continued in the practice of his profession here ever since, a period of more than thirty-one years. Although he is a very busy man in his profession, Dr. Blodgett finds time to engage in viticulture, in which he is intensely interested. In partnership with Charles M. Ferdun he owns the Ferdun and Blodgett vineyard of thirty acres, near Lodi. He also owns a half interest in the Friedberger and Blodgett Build- ing, centrally located on the corner of Sacramento and Pine streets, one of the largest and most modern office buildings in the city of Lodi. He is also inter- ested in and a director of the Lodi National Bank.

When the city of Lodi was incorporated, in 1906, Dr. Blodgett was elected a member of the board of trustees, on which he served for seven and a half years to the entire satisfaction of his constituents, his efforts being to have a clean and sanitary city and to place it on a sound financial basis. On De- cember 4, 1909, Dr. Blodgett was appointed a mem- ber of the State Board of Dental Examiners by Governor James N. Gillett; and he was reappointed by him, and then by Governor Hiram Johnson, and again by Governor Stephens, having served contin- uously since 1909, and as president of the board in 1912 and again in 1922. Thus he is well and favor- ably known throughout the whole state, and wields a wide influence in his profession. He is a member of the American Dental Association, and has always been an active member of the State Dental Associa- tion, serving as its president in 1920, the year of its Golden Jubilee Celebration in San Francisco, it being the fiftieth anniversary of the association. He also has the distinction of being a life member of the above association. He was one of the organizers of the Central California District Dental Society, and since 1915 has been a member of the executive council of the California State Dental Association. He is president of the People's Building Company, that owns a business block in Lodi, and is a member of the Lodi Business Men's Association and the Associated Growers of Lodi, as well as of the Ro- tary Club and the Mokelumne Club of. Lodi, in which he has served as a director and as president.

In his fraternal relations Dr. Blodgett is very pop- ular and prominent. He was made a Mason in Lodi Lodge No. 256, F. & A. M., April 5, 1895, and in 1899 served as Master of the lodge; and since the beginning of the present century he has been treas- urer of the lodge. He has been an important factor in the building up of the lodge, there having been only twenty members when he joined, while now there are 275. He is a member of Stockton Chapter No. 28, R. A. M .; Stockton Council, R. & S. M .; and Stockton Commandery No. 8, K. T .; and is a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason, his membership being in the Stockton Consistory. He is also a life member of Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and a charter member of the Eastern Star, being a past patron of Lodi Chapter. Dr. Blodgett is a director of the Masonic Temple Association of Lodi, which contemplates the erection of a suitable Masonic Tem- ple. He is past chancellor of Lodi Lodge No. 41, K. of P., and a member of Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. Elks, being the oldest in membership from Lodi. During his career at the University of Cali- fornia Dr. Blodgett was a charter member of Zeta Chapter, Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity, in which he takes much pleasure and pride, being a life member of the Supreme Chapter.

The marriage of Dr. Blodgett occurred in Lodi, June 3, 1903, when he was united with Miss Florence Adele Chase, a native of California, born in Cala- veras County, a daughter of pioneer parents. Their union has been blessed with four children: Lois A., Grace W., Eleanor E., and John M., Jr. Mrs. Blod- gett is a charter member and past matron of Lodi Chapter No. 150, Order of Eastern Star, is president of the Delphine Club, and a member of the Woman's Club of Lodi. Politically, Dr. Blodgett gives his support to the Republican party, and as a member of the state and county central committees upholds

John M. Blodgett ,

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the principles of his party; and in all matters that tend to build up the community and advance the public welfare he is found lending a helping hand. His entire life has been actuated by high principles and honorable motives, and his efforts in behalf of the community have been far-reaching. As a profes- sional man, business man, and viticulturist, he is among the most successful in the county. He is decidedly a man of great energy, and has accom- plished much in his profession as well as in the development of the great natural resources of this famous valley.

CAPTAIN JOHN HARKINS .- San Joaquin County may boast of many intrepid pioneers such as Captain John Harkins, the early commander of river craft, whose work of developing the resources of the country justly entitles him to lasting record and the esteem and good will of all who come after them. John Harkins was born in Ireland in 1838. and when only fourteen years of age came on to America. He attended school at Dedham, Mass., and at the age of nineteen, commenced to follow the sea on sailing vessels. He was thus exceptionally well equipped to leave the more civilized East and try his fortune in the half-primeval, unsettled West.

In 1859, impressed with the greater prospects in California, Mr. Harris crossed the Isthmus of Pana- ma, made his way to San Francisco, traveled inland to Stockton, and for a time worked on a ranch east of that town, owned by William Overhiser. In 1860, however, he followed his natural bent and took up homesteading on the river; and from that time until he retired, 1910, he was one of the most familiar figues on inland California waters, and was parti- cularly well-known in the Delta district. He held the record, in fact, for the longest term of river-boat service in the Delta district boasted by any man, and he was also about as long in river service as any other man living at that time in the Golden State.

He first worked as a deck-hand upon the steamer "Christiana," which made a few trips each spring, when the water was high, from Stockton to Fresno Landing, near Fresno, towing a barge loaded with grain and freight, and taking from two to three weeks to make the trip. Later, he and his brother Daniel owned a steamer of their own, and made trips to San Francisco and Sacramento. For a time, John Harkins retired from the river-work and engaged in the wholesale and retail handling of wood in Stock- ton, maintaining an office in a small building at the corner of California and Sonora streets. This was about thirty-four years ago, and that old office struc- ture now stands in Captain Harkins' back-yard, a relic of pioneer days. The wood sold was cut in the mountains, and hauled to Stockton. Mr. Harkins also did teaming and general hauling in earlier days, and was kept so busy that he operated as many as eight teams.

Resuming activity on the river, for which he was so well qualified, Captain Harkins was for many years pilot and captain on freight and passenger boats between Stockton and San Francisco. He was with the old Independent Line owned by T. C. Walker, and later he was pilot on the steamer "T. C. Walker" of the California Navigation and Improvement Com- pany. Today, in his well-earned retirement, he en- joys the pleasant associations of membership in the Master Pilots Association of San Francisco.

At Stockton, on June 3, 1872, Captain Harkins was married to Miss Mary Ann McCarthy, a native of Ireland, by whom he had eight children, five of whom are still living. James P. Harkins, is the well- known railroad man whose story is given in detail elsewhere in this volume; and his brothers are Harry and Ed. A. Harkins. One daughter, Francisca, is Sister Superior of St. Agnes Academy, Stockton; and the other daughter, Alice Frances, has become Mrs. A. J. Higgins, of Vallejo.

JOE GALL .- There are few men living in San Joaquin County who are better known than Joe Gall, member of the firm Joe Gall & Son, Auctioneers of Stockton. He has been especially known in sport- ing circles and for many years was the announcer in the roped arena. Mr. Gall was born in Stockton on November 23, 1871, the son of Alexander and Margaret (Stewart) Gall, both of whom were born in Scotland. In 1850 the father arrived in San Fran- cisco, having made the voyage in a sailing vessel from the shore of his native land. Two years later he became a resident of Stockton, where he soon entered into business as a baker. He had learned the trade in his own country and when he started in Stockton it was in a shop on El Dorado, between Main Street and Weber Avenue, and his was the first bakery in Stockton. He carried on the business for many years and during the time took an active part in the development of the interests that subse- quently made the city what it represents today. When he retired from the bakery business he was appointed superintendent of streets; also had charge of the dredging of the channel; and he served as a inember of the city council, discharging the duties that devolved upon him in the most capable and painstaking manner. He was firmly -impressed with the future of Stockton and made investments in local realty .. He owned the property and erected the build- ing at the corner of Main and Sutter streets, where now stands the Stockton Drug Company's store. In the early days Mr. Gall was a member of the Scottish Society-since discontinued-and he was also con- nected with the Caledonian Club. He died in 1894, the father of seven children, four of whom are now living: Alexander C., Charles G. and Joe of Stock- ton, and Mrs. J. F. Petzinger of San Francisco.

Joe Gall was educated in the public schools of Stockton and after reaching manhood was engaged in the real estate business with his brother, John D. for a number of years. Later he was in the cigar business. He next took up auctioneering and has been following that calling ever since with ever in- creasing 'success, being one of the best known men in that line in this part of the state. It is to his credit to have conducted some of the largest farm sales ever put through in California; and for four years was federal auctioneer for the State of Cali- fornia, holding sales in the custom house in San Fran- cisco. There are few ranchers and stockraisers in the San Joaquin Valley who are not acquainted with Joe Gall. In recent years he has had associated with him his son, Joe C. Gall, and like his father, is well and favorably known as one of the most successful auctioneers of the state. The present office of the firm of Joe Gall & Son is at 222 North El Dorado Street, Stockton.

Mr. Gall is a member of the Chamber of Com- merce, whose well-directed projects for the develop-

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ing of the community receive his hearty support. He has always taken a pride in the advancement of Stockton and as a Republican, was elected a member of the city council from the first ward serving for a period of seven years. During one campaign he failed to receive the nomination on the Republican ticket and the next day was chosen as the candidate on the Democratic ticket for councilman and won out over the Republican candidate. This is undoubtedly the only case if its kind in the state. Mr. Gall is a member of Stockton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W., and Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. Elks.

In his younger days Joe Gall was well known among the "fight fans" as the announcer in the ring of the fighters and he has the distinction of having introduced such notables as James Jeffries, Bob Fitzsimmons, James J. Corbett, Sam McVey, John L. Sullivan, Jake Kilrain and others before local audiences. Also in the earlier period he was noted as a comedian and humorist, taking part in fraternal and other amateur theatricals, and has a well-filled scrap book which tells an interesting story of his earl- ier activities. He has now retired from the ring and the mantle has fallen on the shoulders of his capable son and partner.

The marriage of Joe Gall in. 1892 united him with Miss Annie Benson, born in Stockton, and the daugh- ter of Captain Benjamin Benson, a pioneer steam- boat captain, being master of the T. C. Walker. Four children have blessed this union: Joe C .; Theresa, Mrs. P. Tindall; Benjamin M., and Floyd. Mr. Gall is well known as a man of integrity, enterprise and reliability in all business transactions and has always found time to cooperate with every move- ment seeking the improvement of Stockton.

FRANK A. MEYER .- Born in Calaveras County, Cal., Frank A. Meyer first saw the light on October 21, 1887, the son of John and Mary (Fisher) Meyer, the former now deceased, having been a native of Switzerland, the latter still living, being a native of California. John Meyer came out to California in 1856, and having settled in Calaveras County he followed mining and agriculture. Twelve children were born to this worthy pioneer couple, and ten of this number are now living. Frank A. Meyer attended the local schools in Calaveras County, and in time he took a normal course in the Western School of Commerce in Stockton. On his return to Calaveras County, he taught school for a year and a half; and then he took a business course in a Stock- ton business college; after that he entered the employ of the Stockton Savings and Loan Bank as bookkeeper, where he remained for four and one-half years. He then entered the Commercial & Savings Bank of Stockton as teller, and after a while was made assistant cashier, and finally cashier.

In 1921 he resigned his position in the bank, and on October 5 he was appointed secretary of Lodge No. 218 of the Elks, his selection being the natural expression of esteem and confidence on the part of a legion of friends. He is also a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M .; Charity Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F .; and the Pohono Tribe of Red Men.

The marriage of Mr. Meyer united him with Miss Oleta Dennis, a native of Calaveras. County, and they have one daughter, Jane Alice. Mr. Meyer com- mands the respect of his fellowmen by his sterling worth and is an honored California son.

ROBERT J. STANLEY .- An esteemed pioneer of San Joaquin County is Robert J. Stanley, known as one of the most successful and enterprising grain farmers and stock raisers of the county and he makes his home on a ranch twelve miles east of Stockton on the Sonora Road, consisting of 865 acres, and recently he has purchased 309 acres of wheat land, a portion of the Griffin estate. He was born on March 28, 1848, in Essex County, Vt., a son of John C. and Jane (Beattie) Stanley, natives of New Hampshire and Vermont respectively, who were farmers in Essex County, Vermont, where they resided until they passed away. Their family comprised five children: William J., a farmer in Franconia, N. H .; Margaret, Mrs. Brown, passed on in Coos County, N. H .; Jennie, who for many years was a teacher, resides in Lancaster, N. H .; Mrs. Harriet Carpenter, deceased, and Robert J., the subject of this review. John C. Stanley was a farmer all his life in Vermont and lived to be seventy-seven and his wife died at the age of seventy-six in 1887.

Robert J. Stanley attended the public school in Lancaster, N. H., and also Lancaster Academy, and after completing his school work entered the employ of the Boston & Maine Railroad as fireman, where he remained for four years, then returned to his home and farmed for two years. At twenty-seven years of age he entered the contract lumber business at Strafford, N. H., and also at Brunswick, Vt., which engaged his attention for the next six years, when he started for the Pacific Coast. In 1879 he arrived in Stockton and was greeted by his old boyhood friends, D. A. and Fred Guernsey and John Moore. Mr. Stanley found employment on the grain farms and spent two years driving the big teams in the grain fields, then began on his own account and for forty-one years he has farmed east of Stockton on the Sonora Road.

In Stockton on February 3, 1881, Mr. Stanley was married to Mrs. Lucretia (Dowling) Matteson, a native of Lima, Ohio. Her father, Dr. John Dowling, was a pioneer physician in California and he also engaged in farming his ranch, being located east of Stockton, which was also the headquarters for his freighting outfit. He practiced medicine from his home on the ranch until his demise, 1875. Mrs. Stanley was educated at Oberlin College, where she was graduated. She -taught school in Ohio and then as a member of the American Missionary Asso- ciation. As Mrs. Matteson she went to Africa as a missionary, spending two years on the Dark Conti- nent. On her return she located near Wichita, Kans., until 1875, when she came to California to take possession of her father's estate, and it was here she met and married Mr. Stanley. She passed away in 1904. By her first marriage she had two sons, Arthur E. and John J. Matteson, the former living in this county. By her union with Mr. Stanley there was one son, Albert James, a graduate of York's Busi- ness School. He spent some years in the Kansas oil fields, but since 1911 has been associated with his father in ranching. He married Miss Edna Ros- sen and has one child, Ruth Ethel, attending the University of California. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Native Sons.

Mr. Stanley has been a very successful farmer; twenty-four years ago he leased the present ranch of 865 acres from J. H. Hough. He also owns 309

Rf Stanley

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

acres adjoining, purchased from the Griffin ranch, devoting his operations to raising wheat and barley. At times he has farmed as much as 2500 acres, the land yielding from eight to twenty-five sacks of wheat to the acre and from fourteen to thirty sacks of barley. Mr. Stanley has also engaged in raising fine mules and horses and at the present has sixty- five head of choice stock. Installing a pumping plant in 1910 Mr. Stanley seeded ten acres to alfalfa, from which he has cut six crops during the year. Mr. Stanley has always used the most modern ma- chinery in harvesting his grain and was one of the first to own and operate a Holt combined harvester in this section. The machine shop in which John Holt and Dave Young, now both deceased, manu- factured their first harvester in 1876 is still stand- ing on Mr. Stanley's ranch. The first harvester was known as the Centennial and fourteen machines were manufactured. In politics Mr. Stanley is a Republi- can and fraternally has been a Mason since 1872.

JOHN D. GALL .- A native son of Stockton, Cal., John D. Gall was actively identified with business ac- tivities of this thriving city from young manhood and was a prominent factor in its upbuilding and develop- ment along substantial and enduring lines. He was born in this city July 11, 1855, a son of Alexander and Margaret (Stewart) Gall, both natives of Scot- land. In 1850 the father left his native land in a sailing vessel bound for San Francisco, and in 1852 settled in Stockton. He owned an operated the first bakery in Stockton for many years, then retired when he was appointed superintendent of streets and also had charge of the work of dredging the channel; he was also a member of the city council and was a promoter of every measure and movement calculated to advance the prosperity and growth of this city. He became the owner of valuable city property. He passed away in 1874 and of his children, four are now living: Alexander C., Charles G, and Joe M., all residents of Stockton, and Mrs. J. F. Petzinger, of San Francisco.

John D. Gall obtained his education in the public schools of Stockton and St. Mary's College in San Francisco and assisted his father in the bakery until he was old enough to engage in business for him- self. He first ran a liquor store with Frank P. Madden on East Weber Avenue near Eldorado Street; later he sold out to his partner and ran the same kind of business in San Francisco for a number of years; then he went into partnership with Edward Burns and they were the first to develop the north- ern section of Stockton, by platting the North Stock- ton addition. They opened up the North Addition which is now built up with beautiful residences. Be- sides this, Mr. Gall erected a number of houses in the southern part of Stockton; he purchased the Quinn property and erected residences on same. When Turlock, Stanislaus County, was a small town, he located there for a time and erected a two-story business block and also built the first electric light plant and the first building for the Commerical Tele- phone Company.

On April 30, 1882, Mr. Gall was married to Miss Hattie Hannan, also a native of Stockton, one of a family of four children born to John and Catherine (Conley) Hannan, both natives of Ireland and both now deceased. John Hannan was a '49er and mined at Sonora, Tuolumne County. He died in 1862 and

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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 111

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