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 113

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 113

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Orrin C. Wilson attended the public schools in Stockton, and then learned the trade of a carpenter, and was the leading building contractor of Oakdale, in Stanislaus County, for a number of years, where he helped greatly to build up the town, erecting many of the finest residences there, and also business blocks. There he became a member of Oakdale Camp No. 331 of the Woodmen of the World. At the age of thirty- one he became totally blind, and then he came back to Stockton and opened a cigar store on North Sutter Street, which he conducted for ten years. Selling out in 1916, he attended the Industrial Home for the Adult Blind in Oakland, a large institution devoted to the manufacture of brooms, and there learned, and learned well, the broom-making trade.

Returning to Stockton, Mr. Wilson opened his own broom factory in 1918, and in this venture he was very successful from the first .. He was an expert at the trade, and he worked every day in his factory. He manufactured on an average 2,500 brooms yearly, and he originally grew the broom-corn on his ranch of 160 acres near Stockton, which he sold in Febru- ary, 1920. All the large manufacturing plants in Stockton were patrons of their factory.

At San Francisco, on October 29, 1895, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Birdie G. Mosher, a native of San Joaquin County; and their union was made hap- pier in the birth of one daughter, Lillie Mary, a native of Stockton, who is now the wife of Thomas R. Car- roll. Miss Mosher was the daughter of Charles Henry and Mary (Jones) Mosher; he was a native of

Oswego, N. Y., and crossed the great plains to Cali- fornia in 1854, with the old-time ox-team, and farmed in Cherokee Lane, near Stockton. He served in the Civil War and became a veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic; he was killed, while working on the first combined harvester built in San Joaquin County. Grandfather Jones first crossed the continent with an ox-train in '48; and afterwards he made no less than eleven trips, on several of which he faced all the dangers and privations of the journey while slowly crawling over the plains behind teams of oxen. Mr. and Mrs. Mosher had four children: Arthur H., Lillie May, Archie Courtland and Birdie G., who became Mrs. Wilson. Mr. Wilson died very suddenly in Stockton on August 10, 1921. Mrs. Wilson continues the manufacturing business, having added up-to-date equipment to bring the establishment to a high stand- ard, and during the first year under her management she put out more than 10,000 brooms and now, besides supplying the various manufacturers she has the wholesalers' trade and sells direct, at wholesale, to the retail dealers in town.

MICHAEL P. SHAUGHNESSY .- A leading light in the legal fraternity of San Joaquin County, and prominent in its public life as city attorney of Stock- ton, Michael P. Shaughnessy also has an enviable rec- ord for patriotic service, both in the Spanish-American War and in the recent European conflict. Mr. Shaugh- nessy is a native of Minnesota and was born in Sib- ley County on December 1, 1875. His early educa- tion was attained in the public schools of Minneapolis, and he then entered the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis, where he graduated in 1895. Continuing his studies there, he took a post-graduate course in law, which he completed in 1897.

Returning to Minnesota, Mr. Shaughnessy was ad- mitted to the bar at St. Paul in 1897, and he soon began the practice of law in Minneapolis, continuing there with marked success for several years. In 1902 he removed to Asotin, Wash., and while a resident there he was appointed district attorney of Asotin County, serving with distinction for two terms. Com- ing from there to Stockton, Cal., Mr. Shaughnessy opened a law office here on September 9, 1915, soon taking his place among the leaders of the bar, practic- ing alone until October 1, 1919, when he formed a partnership with Warren H. Atherton, now city jus- tice of Stockton, as Shaughnessy & Atherton. The following year, on January 1, 1920, he was appointed city attorney, and this important office he has filled most capably.

Soon after his graduation, Mr. Shaughnessy enlisted in the Thirteenth Minnesota Infantry in May, 1898, for service in the Spanish War. His regiment was sent to the Philippines, where he served under Gen- eral Lawton, taking part in fifteen engagements and passing through many hardships in that long cam- paign. . Returning to the United States, he received his honorable discharge in October, 1899, having spent eighteen months with the U. S. forces. Shortly after the entrance of this country in the World War, Mr. Shaughnessy became a member of the Exemption Board of San Joaquin County, where for twenty-one months he gave faithful and efficient service, his long military training making him a most valuable member of this body.

At Spokane, Wash., Mr. Shaughnessy was united in marriage with Miss Edna M. Ridgway, like himself a

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native of Minnesota, and the daughter of William A. and Effie C. (Close) Ridgeway. Mr. Shaughnessy is prominent in the Knights of Columbus, and keeps up his military associations by membership in the Vet- erans of Foreign Wars and honorary membership in the American Legion. He also belongs to Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E., of Stockton.

MRS. BARBARA J. SOLLINGER .- A represen- tative of one of the early pioneer families of San Joa- quin County is Mrs. Barbara J. Sollinger, in whose life are evidences of the sterling traits of character which command respect and confidence in every land and clime. Because of the fact that she has resided in the county for the past sixty years, and has been a loyal and helpful citizen and trustworthy friend, she is indeed worthy of representation in this volume devoted to the representative men and women, past and present, of California. She was born in Linn County, Iowa, on her father's farm, February 20, 1854, a daughter of Richard and Mary A. (Dur- bin) Woods, natives of West Virginia and Virginia, respectively. Richard Woods was born in 1822 in Marshall County, W. Va., where his parents, George and Achsa (Birch) Woods, natives of Virginia, were farmers. In 1855 the family moved to Linn County, Iowa, settling upon land obtained from the govern- ment, and resided there until the father's death in 1863 at the age of seventy years. Richard, who was brought up to farm life, went to Iowa in 1853, two years before his parents emigrated there, and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until 1862, when he came overland with ox teams to California, arriving here at the end of a six months' journey. In 1851 he had married Miss Mary A. Durbin, born in Virginia and a daughter of William B. Durbin. On the way across the plains they were attacked by Indians, at the place known as the City of Rocks, north of Salt Lake; and although Mr. Woods and another member of the party were wounded, the forty whites put the hundred Indians to flight. On arriving here, Mr. Woods purchased a squatter's right to land located about five miles west of Woodbridge in Elk- horn Township, and was one of the first to settle in this part of the county. He had wild land, upon which it was necessary to make all the improvement; and the high state of cultivation and productivity to which Mr. Woods brought the land attest the good judgment, energy and economy of the owner. This worthy pioneer couple were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Mrs. Barbara J. Sollinger, the subject of our interesting review; Adeline, Mrs. James R. Perrott, deceased; George A., now in Alas- ka; William A., living in Lodi; Achsa B., Mrs. Hughes, also of Lodi; Carrie L., Mrs. L. J. Lucas, of Woodbridge; Charles R., deceased; James A., residing at Walnut Grove, and Melvin, with the Holt Manu- facturing Company in Stockton. Richard Woods lived to be ninety years old, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-three years.

Barbara J. Woods began her education in the district school in the vicinity of her home in Iowa; and when the family settled in San Joaquin County, she continued her schooling at the Turner district school She remained at home with her parents until her marriage in October, 1867, which united her with James Alexander Sollinger, a native of Crawford County, Ohio, born in 1842, a son of James H. and Mary (Kimmel) Sollinger. Mr. Sol-

linger was educated in the schools of Bucyrus, Ohio, when he prepared for teaching, which he began at the age of eighteen. He taught school in Ohio for two years, and when twenty years of age came to California, riding on horseback and assisting in driv- ing a herd of horses across the plains, in 1862. After his arrival in California he taught school first in Stanislaus County, and then in San Joaquin County, and from 1882 to 1886 he served as superintendent of schools of San Joaquin County. As an educator he met with much success, and is well-remembered and highly esteemed for his intellect and scholarly attain- ments. He was also deputy county treasurer for some years, and served as a school trustee in his district, for he was always a friend to the cause of education. Mr. and Mrs. Sollinger engaged in viti- culture, purchasing twenty acres near Woodbridge which they set to vineyard of Tokay, Black Prince, and Emperor grapes, today full-bearing, a valuable income property with a comfortable residence, where Mrs. Sollinger makes her home and where she and her granddaughter, Mrs. Beatrice Welsh, dispense in their liberal and kind-hearted way the good old- time California hospitality.

Mr. and Mrs. Sollinger were the parents of one daughter, Mary Ann, who became the wife of Dr. Willis Spencer Snedigar, born near Oakdale and a member of a pioneer family of Stanislaus County. Both Dr. and Mrs. Snediger are now deceased. They had one daughter, Beatrice, now Mrs. Clark G. Welsh, with whom Mrs. Sollinger, our subject, makes her home. Mrs. Sollinger has five great- grandchildren: Kenneth S., Donald J., Bonnie Jean, Enid Lavern and Willis Clark. Mr. Sollinger passed away on March 15, 1918. He was a man of excellent public spirit, and one who lent his efforts to many undertakings for the general welfare of his locality.

JULIUS J. GAEDTKE .- One of the few vener- able and honored pioneers of California who yet en- joy life and its blessings in the state with which they so early cast their lot in the days of gold, is Julius J. Gaedtke, who has passed the age of four- score. He was born in Koenigsburg, Prussia, March 23, 1838, and was brought up in the Lutheran Church and educated in the schools of his native land. His father was Johan Gaedtke, a carpenter who mar- ried Louise Klos, both natives of Koenigsburg, and they were the parents of six children of whom our subject is the fourth. Julius J. Gaedtke served an apprenticeship of four years in Germany and learned the trade of coppersmith becoming an expert in mak- ing ornamental flowers of tin, these being used for wedding and table decorations. When twenty-eight years old, then he sailed from Hamburg and landed at Castle Garden in February, 1886. He worked at his trade of tinsmith in New York City and vicinity for one year, then in 1867 he removed to California coming via Panama and arrived in San Francisco in February of that year, where he plied his trade for two years when he removed to Stockton. He brought his tools for making tin ornaments with him into Stockton and made many kinds of decora- tions in the early days here and he was the only man in the state as far as it is known, to do this work.

Mr. Gaedtke then returned to his native land for a visit, remaining for eleven months, during which time on August 22, 1870, at Hamburg, he was mar- ried to Miss Maria Kuhlbrun, and they immediately

James a. Sollinger

. Sollinger Barbara

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

sailed for America and settled in Stockton, where Mr. Gaedtke resumed his trade and has worked for different firms in Stockton doing tinsmithing and work on pumps, pipes, windmills, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Gaedtke became the parents of three children: Otto is engaged as a clerk in a cigar store in Stockton; Julius is chief clerk of the Western Pacific Railroad Company, and Lottie died at the age of forty-five. Mrs. Gaedtke passed away in 1919. Mr. Gaedtke is a naturalized American citizen and frater- nally he is a member of the Druids. At the age of eighty-four years he still takes a keen delight in living and doing. He has been an eye witness of the wonderous development of San Joaquin County and his mind is stored with many interesting remin- iscences of the early days.

WILLIAM F. GARVEY .- Among the well known citizens of San Joaquin County is William F. Garvey, a representative agriculturist who has served as deputy constable of Oneil township. He owns a residence at 2602 East Main Street and en- gages in general farming on a tract of land in East Stockton. He was born August 12, 1859 at Peoria, Ill., the eldest son of Miles Garvey, a native of Coun- ty Cavan, Ireland, who was eighteen years old when he came to America. He was a skilled machinist and soon found employment on the Illinois Central Railroad, where he attracted the attention of Captain Moss, a railroad contractor and builder at Peoria, who was also the owner of the Moss & Bradley Dis- tillery and a prominent business man of Peoria. In 1861 Miles Garvey drove a team across the plains to California for Captain Moss, arriving in Stockton in

August of the same year. He spent five years as a prospector in the Southern mines, then returned East, arriving in Peoria late in 1866. The following spring he moved his family to Omaha, Neb., and there conducted an express and transfer business for five years; then in 1871 the family removed to St. Paul,

Kans., where Mr. Garvey engaged in farming until 1876. In 1879 Miles Garvey brought his family to California, arriving in Stockton on April 25 of that year; for two years he farmed the Moss ranch two miles south of Stockton and then moved to the Lath- rop section of the county, where he and his sons farmed 1500 acres to grain and were unusually suc- cessful in this undertaking. Miles Garvey was a Democrat in politics, a kind friend and loving father. He passed away in Stockton in 1897, his wife sur- viving him one year, passing away at the Waverley Station ranch near Bellota in 1898, aged eighty-four.

On October 7, 1884, William F. Garvey was mar- ried to Miss Clara Moriarty, of St. Paul, Kans., and eight children have been born to this worthy couple: Margaret, died when eight years old; Clara is the wife of L. D. Witherspoon of San Francisco; William, Jr., is employed by G. Lindauer of San Francisco; John L. is traveling salesman for the Moline Plow Company and lives at Sacramento; Irene died when seven years old; Edward, an automobile machinist, resides at Stockton; he was overseas in the late war, in the aviation service; Elodie married Joseph Bruhl and resides in Stockton; Generose is the wife of Hubert Rond of Lodi, Cal. Sixteen years ago Mr. Garvey bought a tract of land in East Stockton. where he owns his residence and seven lots at the present time and engages in general farming. Mr. Garvey was, for many years a watchman for the

Harris Harvester Company and Richmond-Chase Packing Company and at the same time was a deputy constable. In politics, Mr. Garvey votes with the Democratic party and for the past twenty has been affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.

HENRY P. GREEN .- A thoroughly wide-awake experienced contractor whose ambition, never lost sight of, to render only dependable service, has led his many patrons never to lose sight of him, is Henry P. Green, the junior memebr of the enter- prising firm of Daniels & Green, of 705 Yosemite Street, Commercial and Savings Bank Building, Stockton. He was born at Volcano, Cal., April 29, 1881, a son of John Green, a native of Ireland, who came to California in early days by way of Cape Horn, and was a miner in Amador County. When six months old, Henry was brought by his parents to Stockton, and at St. Mary's College, in this city, he was educated.

Growing up, our subject learned the carpenter's trade with Thomas D. Lewis, and some twelve years ago he formed a partnership with Wesley Daniels, under the firm name of Daniels and Green. They organized to do general contracting, and in this field they have been extremely successful. They have specialized in heavy construction work, and hence it has fallen to their lot to put up some of the finest structures in Stockton. These include an office build- ing for the California Navigation & Improvement Company, the remodeled Washington and Johnson schools, the North, Weber and Hazelton schools, the Lincoln and Taft hotels, the two-story brick block for the City Development Company, the remodeled interior of the Commercial and Savings Bank, and the City Bank. They also built the annex to the Smith & Lang Block, the Botto and Brassesco Block, the Marshall Building, and Oneto and Campodonico block, the Flannigan block, the St. Agnes Convent, the Stockton Dry Goods Company's Block, the Pac- ific State Telegraph and Telephone Building, the Meyers Meat Market Block, and the fine residence for F. J. Viebrock.

At Stockton, in the year 1903, Mr. Green was married to Miss Dora Siefert, a member of a well- known pioneer family of Stockton; and they have two children, Vera and Dorothy. Mr. Green is a member of the Stockton Elks, No. 218, the Knights of Columbus, Stockton Court No. 5, Y. M. I., and Parlor No. 7 of the Native Sons of the Golden West.

W. E. FITZ GERALD .- A veteran of the Civil War, W. E. Fitz Gerald was born in Clinton, N. Y., February 5, 1840, where he received a good education in the Clinton public schools, then removing to Rutland, Vt., he went to work in the marble quar- ies until the breaking out of the Civil War, At the first top of the drive Mr. Fitz Gerald volunteered his services to his country, enlisting April, 1861, in Com- pany H, 1st Vermont Cavalry, being mustered in for three months and was sent south with his com- mand, taking part in the battle of Big Bethel. On the expiration of three months he was mustered out and returned to Vermont. He immediately reenlisted in the same company and registered for three years and served until after the close of the war. He was honorably discharged October, 1865, having taken part in many engagements, among them, Gettysburg, Antietam and many others, serving under Custer

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and Kilpatrick. Mr. Fitz Gerald was fortunately never wounded and served actively all the time.

On his return to Rutland, Vt., he became station- ary engineer in the marble quarries, continuing for a period of two and a half years and then re- moved to the great West, when he helped on the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad on the Central Pacific and was present at the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Point in 1869. Next we find him in Texas, cattle ranching in Brown County; then for ten years in the hotel business at Brownwood. He then went to Colorado, engaging in mining at Boulder. At the time of the opening of Oklahoma he made his way thither and took a homestead of 160 acres, which he improved and farmed for eight years. In 1913 he disposed of his holdings there and coming to California, he settled in Humboldt County, but in 1915 he removed to Stockton where he is in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Mr. Fitz Gerald was married in Texas to Miss Rhoda Taylor who was born in Mississippi and they have had four children, three of whom are living: Ella, Mrs. Rechland of Grass Valley; Mrs. Josep- phine Rudesen of Stockton and Elizabeth, who makes her home with her parents. Mr. Fitz Gerald is a Republican and a member of Rawlins Post, G. A. R.

HENRY BRACK .- For a long period of success- ful activity Henry Brack has been intimately asso- ciated with the material growth of Stockton. Un- ostentatious in manner, broad in information, liberal in views and his means, he adds to these advant- ages the fact that he is a native-born son of the state and throughout all his life has been intensely interested in its progress.

The founder of the family in California was Jacob Brack, a pioneer of 1849 and a native of Switzer- land, born in 1825. His marriage in 1854 united him with Miss Lena Meyer, a native of Germany, who came to California in 1852.

Born in Stockton, Cal., on March 4, 1857, Henry Brack attended the district schools, later supplement- ing this with a course in the California Military Academy in Oakland and Heald's Business College in San Francisco. He then became associated with his father on the ranch and in later years became its manager, and under his wise supervision the large holdings of his father continued to prosper. For many years he industriously labored in building up his cattle business and he deserves the reputation of being among the most able stockraisers in the great state of California.

After the death of his father in 1912, the ranch was divided and he sold his interest and removed to Stockton, where he has since made his home. His marriage on June 11, 1884, united him with Miss Lena Wagner, a daughter of Jacob Wagner, born at Baden-on-the-Rhine in 1830, a pioneer of the Golden State, and they were the parents of one daughter, Emma D., who passed on in February. 1911, at the age of twenty-six. Mr. and Mrs. Brack have been liberal contributors to charities through- out the county.

WILLIS SPENCER SNEDIGAR, M. D .- A na- tive son who became very efficient and prominent in his profession was the late Willis Spencer Snedigar, who was born near Oakdale, Stanislaus County, on November 4, 1867. He was a son of Thomas Field- ing Snedigar, who came to California when a young man, crossing the plains with Thomas and Lucinda Richardson. the latter being Mr. Snedigar's aunt. He resided with them until he started for himselt. when he was married to Miss California Dodson. For a time he followed teaming and freighting, and as soon as he had means purchased land and also began farming. Acquiring more land, he quit team- ing and bent all his energy to ranching in which he was very successful, becoming a large landowner and a successful financier. He was very liberal and en- terprising, being known for his progress and kind- heartedness. He and his wife passed away at their home, a highly esteemed pioneer couple.

Willis Spencer Snedigar, the oldest of their family, was educated in the public schools in his district and at Woodbridge College. Having chosen the profes- sion of medicine, he entered Cooper Medical Col- lege, where he pursued the regular course and was duly graduated with the degree of M. D. First lo- cating at Newman, he practiced there for a short time; but desiring a larger field he soon located in Stockton, where he became very successful as a practicing physician and surgeon, continuing in his profession actively until his death, June 10, 1910. He was a member of the County, State, and Ameri- can Medical Associations, and a member of Stockton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W.

Dr. Snedigar was married at Woodbridge in 1890 to Miss Mary Ann Sollinger, a native daughter, born March 17, 1869, a daughter of J. A. and Barbara J. Sollinger, whose biography appears on another page in this history. Mary Ann was their only child, and was reared on the ranch at Woodbridge. After completing the public school she entered Woodbridge College, where she was graduated. Dr. and Mrs. Snedigar purchased a ranch adjoining the Sollinger place, which was improved to vineyard and is now the property of their daughter Beatrice, Mrs. C. G. Welch. Mrs. Snedigar was a woman of pleas- ing personality, her affability endearing her to all who knew her, and at her passing, August 26, 1914, she was mourned by her family and a wide circle of friends. She was a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Dr. and Mrs. Snedigar were members of the United Brethren Church, and con- tributed liberally to its benevolences.

CLARK GARRETT WELSH .- Succeeding well in life's affairs, Clark Garrett Welsh has become one of the well-known ranchers of San Joaquin County, where he has devoted himself to the agricultural and viticultural industries. He is the son of Garrett and Emma (Stuck) Welsh, and was born in Sioux City, Iowa, October 25, 1882. Garrett Welsh was a farm- er and later moved to Mitchell, S. D., where he bought a section of land and raised grain, remaining there until 1904, when he came to California and bought an eighty-acre ranch on the Mokelumne Riv- er, sixty acres of which was in vineyard and the bal- ance bottom land. The family resided on this ranch until 1909, when it was sold and the parents removed to Oakland, Cal., where they now reside. There were two sons, Clark Garrett and Raymond N.

Hellis Scredigar M.N. Mamie S. Sredigar.

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

The early mental training of Clark Garrett Welsh began in the grammar schools near Mitchell, S. D., and after his parents moved to San Joaquin County he attended the grammar school at Woodbridge and the Stockton high school. After his school days were over, he was employed in San Francisco until his marriage, which occured in Stockton, May 20, 1915, and united him with Miss Beatrice Snedigar, a daughter of Dr. Willis Spencer and Mary Ann (Sol- linger) Snedigar. In 1852 Grandfather Thomas F. Snedigar crossed the plains to California and set- tled in Stanislaus County, where he engaged in farm- ing and stockraising, becoming a large landowner. The biography of Dr. Willis S. Snedigar appears on another page in this history. Beatrice Welsh was born in Stockton. She was reared in an atmosphere of culture and refinement, and presides gracefully over their home. Their union has been blessed with five children: Kenneth S., Donald James, Bonnie Jean, Enid Laverne, and Wlilis Clark. Mrs. Welsh inherited a 32-acre full-bearing vineyard from her mother, on which Mr. and Mrs. Welsh make their home. They not only operate their own place but also Grand- mother Sollinger's vineyard of twenty acres adjoin- ing, and they are meeting with deserved success. In politics, Mr. Welsh is a Republican. He is devotedly attached to San Joaquin County and deeply inter- ested in its welfare and progress, and has found no place more attractive than the one he has chosen for his home.

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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 113

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