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 120

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 120

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John S. Ladd, Jr., attended the Stockton schools, there enjoying also the high school course, and then completed the course at the Stockton Business Col- lege, and in 1892 he entered the postal service, as clerk in the Stockton post office. Later, he was assistant postmaster under T. A. Nelson. During the Spanish American war, in 1899, he was transferred to Manilla as inspector, and he remained on the Islands until December, 1905, his duties taking him all over the Islands, so that at the time of his leaving he had travelled more miles than any other civilian on the Islands. The next year he resigned from the postal service, and then he returned to Stockton, and was a clerk in the city assessor's office, and later deputy superintendent of streets and in 1917 resigned to farm grain on the home ranch; and he has continued a farmer ever since, residing in the house where he was born. On September 15, 1915, he was married at Alameda to Miss Mary C. Conchete, a native of Stockton and the descendant of a pioneer family; and they have one son, John S. Ladd, 3rd, who was born on April 3, 1920. Mr. Ladd is a member of Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E., and as No. 92, he is now one of the oldest members.

WILLIAM H. LYONS .- The devotion of William H. Lyons to the city and county of his birth has been evidenced in his actions, and he has shown the greatest faith in the future growth and prosperity of the state. He was born in Stockton on March 22, 1864, a son of William H. and Georgia (Allen) Lyons, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York. The father came to California via the Isthmus of Panama in 1849 and the mother crossed the plains in wagons drawn by oxen in 1852. The father first located in Grass Valley, Nevada County, Cal., and as he was a lawyer by profession, practiced there, confining his practice to land laws almost exclusively. During the years of 1850-54 he served as state senator from Nevada County. The capital of California was then located at Benicia and there he met and married his wife, who was a teacher in the public schools of that state. They were the parents of seven children, Mrs. Virginia Lee Roberts, Mrs. Georgia Cook, Mrs. Miriam Sterling, three sons who died while young, and William H., the subject of this review. Settling in Stockton in 1854, the father practiced his profession until his death in 1885.

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Confining his practice to land laws, he became one of the foremost lawyers along that line; he was the land attorney for the Southern Pacific Railroad, hav- ing charge of their vast land holdings in the valley. He was a direct descendant of the historic Lee fam- ily of Virginia, being a first cousin of Robert E. Lee, the famous general. In time he became a large land holder, reaching as high as thousands of acres. In 1860 he bought the block of land at Eldorado and Poplar streets for $900 and on this land he erected his home, at that time the property being outside the city limits. Here all their children were born. In politics he was a Democrat and was a member of the Masonic order.

William H. Lyons was graduated from the Stock- ton high school with the class of 1883. He then became a clerk in the county recorder's office where he remained for two years; then for the next five years he was a clerk in the county clerk's office. In 1890 he entered the employ of the Stockton Savings Bank (now the City Bank) as bookkeeper. His first advancement was to the position of assistant cashier; then in 1910 became the cashier of that institution, which position he now occupies with ability.

In 1907 he bought seventy-five acres of land seven miles northeast of Stockton, a part of the L. U. Shippee ranch; this he planted to walnuts, fruit and vineyard, improving with a pumping plant and irri- gation system. The purchase price of this property was $150 per acre and today, on account of the high state of development is paying 6% on a valuation of $3,000 per acre. The Lyons home, known as "The Oaks" derived its name from the grove of venerable, gnarled oaks which surround the modern residence; there are extensive grounds and it is one of the handsomest country places in the county. The shrub- bery borders are notable, quantities of berry bushes being used. In a glade just in front of the home is a long, irregular shaped pool with large stepping stones across it, affording a unique approach to the front, and a concrete swimming pool with springboard and other paraphernalia is a source of pleasure to the young people in the summer months.

The marriage of Mr. Lyons united him with Miss Ada Huggins, a former schoolmate, and a daughter of Frank Huggins, a California pioneer of 1852; he located in Sonora, Tuolumne County, and followed mining and was the agent for the Adams Express Co. Upon removing to Stockton he entered the em- ploy of the San Joaquin Valley Bank and for many years was the cashier of that institution. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons are the parents of two sons: Frank is married and has three children and is farming 450 acres in San Joaquin County; William H., Jr., is with the Kroyer Motor Company. He attended the first officers' training camp at the Presidio in San Francisco and was commissioned first lieutenant of field artil- lery of the Ninety-first Division; later he was trans- ferred to the First Division and was with the army of occupation in Germany, serving fourteen months overseas. Fraternally Mr. Lyons is a member of the Morning Star Lodge of Masons and of the Stock- ton Elks. For the past forty years, since August, 1883, he has been an active member of the N. S. G. W. Parlor No. 7; he is also a member of the San Joaquin Society of Pioneers.

GROVER A. GRIDER .- A pioneer in the elec- trical business in Stockton, Grover A. Grider is still engaged in his chosen line of work, which he has followed since 1903. The Grider Electrical Company is located at 409 East Weber Avenue, fully equipped to furnish everything in an electrical way; specializ- ing in artistic chandeliers for fine residences and oth- er buildings. He was born at La Grange, Cal., May 2, 1888, but was a babe in arms when his par- ents settled in Stockton and here he attended the public schools until he was fifteen years old. Leav- ing school at that age, he entered the employ of Noble D. Powell, the first man to establish an elec- trical store in Stockton. For the first eight months his wages were two dollars per week, but were steadily increased until he received a foreman's wages; then for the last few years that he was with them he was manager of the establishment, leaving them in 1909 to run a store of his own in Modesto, which he continued until 1912 when he sold out. He then returned to Stockton and two years ago he purchased the business now known as the Grider Electrical Company from N. D. Powell. Some of the first work Mr. Grider did was the wiring of many of the fine old homes in Stockton, among them being the Cobb residence on North Sutter Street; he also wired the old Russ Hotel and many other buildings in the old section of Stockton; he wired the river steamers Mary Garrett, Pride of the River, J. D. Peters and others. Among the later and more mod- ern buildings are the following: A. M. Noble, Chas. Finkbohner, A. A. Sattui residences and the City Ten- nis Courts at Oak Park.

For the past three seasons Mr. Grider has had the contract for lighting the fair ground buildings for the San Joaquin County Fair held annually in Stock- ton. Night-time horse shows were made possible by a unique lighting system of which Mr. Grider is the originator. It consists of thirty Ivanhoe reflectors with 1,000 Watt Edison Mazda lamps, spaced 35x35 feet. The reflectors were suspended from messenger wires run between wooden poles thirty feet high set on top of the ground and guyed in place. This lighting system was so constructed as to be easily erected and taken down, which was done each day of the fair. The area lighted was 350x115 feet directly in front of the grandstand and the night exhibits were a pronounced success on account of this excellent system. Mr. Grider received recogni- tion for his splendid work from the manager and board of directors of the fair and this achievement was written up in a special article which recently appeared in the columns of the Journal of Elec- tricity. The electric wiring in all the theaters in Stockton was done by Mr. Grider and only recently he rewired the Lyric Theater; also all of the electric decorations in the new State Theater, including the lighting effects behind the organ and side walls. Mr. Grider uses the best material that can be purchased and his workmanship is of the very highest grade and on all contracts satisfaction is guaranteed. He is actively associated with the California Cooperative Electric Campaign that was formed to educate the people to demand a better and more dependable class of electrical work.

The marriage of Mr. Grider on August 25, 1909. united him with Miss Ethel Sturcke, a native of San Joaquin County, whose father was a pioneer and for

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many years a deputy sheriff of the county. Mr. Grider is a member of the Weber Avenue Improve- ment Club, the Red Men, Charity Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., and the Encampment.

CHARLES H. LOUIS .- Among the most promi- nent pioneer families of San Joaquin County is that represented by Charles H. Louis, a native son of California, born in Stockton, April 29, 1858, the son of Samuel and Ernestine Louis. His parents came to Stockton in the early '50s and their five children were born there. The family left California in April, 1870, removing to New York, where the father en- gaged in business. Ten years later he retired from active business life, Charles H. assuming the re- sponsibility of the business and continuing until 1911, when he, too, retired. The father passed away in 1907 at the family home in New York. In 1919, that beautifully wooded piece of land, known as "Dad's Point" was purchased by Mr. Louis and pre- sented to the city of Stockton as a recreation park, in memory of his father and mother, those well- known and honored pioneers of Stockton. This tract of land consists of fourteen acres and is located at the junction of Smith's canal and the San Joaquin River, and is now known as Louis' Recreation Park.

Mr. Louis in his reminiscences of early Stockton, writes as follows: "When I left Stockton in 1870 it contained a population of about 7000, and I have seen it grow into the beautiful, prosperous city it now is of some 50,000. I have made frequent trips back to my native city, which I have always loved as did my father and mother. To me it seems the most prosperous city of its size in California and bids fair to be one of the foremost cities in the state and one its citizens may well be proud of. When we left in 1870, the Slough ended at Hunter Street where the Hotel Stockton now stands, and which, by the way, in beauty is a credit to Stockton. In those days, the St. Charles Hotel was the leader. The old Franklin school on Center Street stands as it was fifty years ago. Sperry's mill was then a low, frame building in front of which and facing the Slough, we boys hung our clothes on a limb of a tree and went swimming. The same boats, or boats of the same name plied the river to San Francisco, the J. D. Peters and T. C. Walker. McLeod's orchard was a long way from the City Hall. Wag- ner's Tannery was in existence then. "Helvetia" and "William Tell" Gardens were the resorts then, where the citizens went with their families to spend Sun- days. Dr. Sposati and Dr. Langdon were the leading physicians. Holden's drug store was at the corner of El Dorado and Center streets. My father bought out Mr. Milco on the levee; before that he was located on the Levee next to the Sisson Stage line, whose old-time coaches with four and six horses took passengers to and from the gold diggings. Hedges and Buck and Meader's Bank existed then. Fish Harry and Sugar Foot Joe occupied houseboats on the Slough. Wild ducks and geese were plenti- ful and sold for twenty-five cents a pair; Jerome Meyer was chief of police. I married Miss Fanny Hirsch of Franklin, Pa., March 1, 1881, and she has been my devoted companion and chum all these years. Together we have covered in our travels almost the entire civilized world. I gave this tract of land known as "Dad's Point" to the city in which I was born and which I hold in affection, and to the memory of my parents, who lived and prospered there. I do

this as a matter of love and pride and feel I could leave no better monument to my parents than this and the reward will be rich in the knowledge that the citizens of Stockton may have a park or recre- ation ground, where they can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful scenes. I am proud of the fact that I am a native son of California and prouder that I am a citizen of the United States of America." Mr. Louis lives retired from active business in New York City, but his heart and mind ever reverts to his native state of California.

WILBUR P. MERRILL .- A resident of Califor- nia. for more than half a century, Wilbur P. Merrill was born at Shirland, Winnebago County, Ill., March 10, 1846. His father, Marshfield True Merrill, was a native of Bangor, Maine, and emigrating to Illi- nois in the early days; he was one of the early set- tlers of Winnebago County, improving a farm from the raw prairie. He married Miss Della C. Goff, born in Hume, Alleghany County, N .Y., who had come with her parents to Shirland, Ill. The father died in Illinois before the war. Mrs. Merrill was married again in 1871 in Chicago to Wm. H. Dean and they came to California that year. Mr. Dean had been a pioneer of California and was a job printer and one of the early reporters in the state. He was reporter on the Alta Californian and started Mark Twain out as a reporter by having him report a dance. Mr. Dean died in Stockton and Mrs. Dean is now making her home on Fair Oaks Avenue. She was born on September 1, 1820, and lately celebrated her 102nd birthday. She is still able to cook and do her own housework. She is a charter member of Roosevelt Circle, Ladies of the G. A. R. By her first marriage she had three children, Wilbur P. being the only one living. Of her second marriage there was one child, William H. Dean of Sacramento.

Wilbur P. Merrill was reared on the Illinois farm and educated in the public schools. In 1864 he en- listed in Company F, 142nd Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, campaigning in Tennessee until the close of the Civil War, being mustered out in 1865 after one year's service. He returned to Chicago, Ill., and learned the machinists' trade in the Illinois Central Railroad shops and then became an engineer running out of Chicago until 1872, when he came to Sacramento and as engineer ran between Sacramento and Truckee, on the Central Pacific. In 1877 he purchased a ranch near Florin and he built the first residence in that newly laid out town. Later he quit farming and made a trip to Mexico where he built a smelting works for a mining company-on his return in 1901 he located in Stockton, where for eight years he was engaged in the second hand furniture business.

Mr. Merrill's first marriage took place in Chicago when he was united with Miss Rebecca Huycke, a native of northern Illinois. She died in Stockton, leaving him two children, Mrs. Janet Estella Horr and Mrs. Minnie Adella Brown. His second mar- riage occurred in Stockton when he was united with Mrs. Olive (McMurry) Howard, born in Buena Vista, Cal. Mr. Merrill for many years was a member of Warren Post G. A. R. of Sacramento; he is now senior vice commander of Rawlins Post No. 23, G. A. R. Mr. Merrill is a liberal and kindhearted man of a pleasing personality that makes him more friends wherever he goes. It is indeed gratifying to see the solicitude and tender care he showers on

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his aged mother, looking after her comfort in her old age in every way. Mr. Merrill is a strong Re- publican dating from the time of Lincoln, of whom he is a great admirer.

LEE A. SHEPHERD .- An experienced and effi- cient member of the staff of the State Hospital whose spirit of accommodation and never-failing desire to serve has constantly added to his popularity, is Lee A. Shepherd, the wide-awake storekeeper, a native of Stockton, having first seen the light there on June 19, 1890. His father, David C. Shepherd, a native of South Carolina, had married Mata Kuhn, of Calaveras County, Cal., and the daughter of a pioneer of that famous district. Mr. Shepherd is still living, an honored resident of San Francisco, but Mrs. Shepard has long since joined the great silent majority.

When David Shepherd came to California, in 1851, he located at Stockton, and soon established himself as one of the pioneer merchants on the water-front, in the wholesale fruit and produce business. At the beginning, he had a partner, John T. Doyle, but later he operated alone, and eventually he engaged in the wholesale liquor business on the water-front. When prohibition changed the order of things, he retired, after having made an enviable record as a straightforward merchant of thirty years' standing, and as an influential Democrat ready to do his best for the betterment of society and the State. In 1892 he was elected a supervisor of San Joaquin County, and later he was reelected three times; and then, having been defeated once, he was again elected and reelected, serving five terms in all. His name appears on many of the bridges in San Joaquin County, which were erected during his term of office, and it is need- less to say that each structure was of the best of its kind. The County Hospital at French Camp was also built during his term of office. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and to Lodge No. 218 of the Elks, in each order enjoying an enviable standing.

Lee Shepherd is one of ten children, nine of whom are still living, and all of whom were born in Stock- ton. These include Mrs. Clara S. Reid, David H., Mrs. A. M. Barrett, Jr., Lindley P., Mrs. Effie M. Pfyl, Lee A., the subject of our review, Mrs. Mil- dred L. Brandt, and Bessie B. and Jean P. Shep- herd; a son, Frank L., having died. Lee attended both the grammar and the high school at Stockton, and after that worked with his father for three years in the produce business. He next associated himself with the Santa Fe Railroad, and was afterward buyer for D. C. Russell, the produce dealer. Some ten years ago he entered the employ of the State Hos- pital, as clerk in the office of the business manager; today he is the storekeeper for that institution.

At San Francisco, Cal., August 2, 1919, Mr. Shep- herd was married to Roberta M. Curry, a native of Georgia; and their union has been blessed with the birth of a daughter, Janet Lee. In March, 1918, Mr. Shepherd entered the field training school of the University of California, for service in the World War, and after that he was at Camp Hancock, in Georgia. He saw overseas service in the Ordnance Department, and was behind the line at Chateau- Thierry, where he was acting sergeant. In April, 1919, he received his discharge from the service, hav- ing rounded out a record such as any man might wish to boast of. He is now president of Stockton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W.

JOHN E. FUNK .- It is always timely and inter- esting to write of the personal achievements of men who are doing really big and meritorious things in this wonderful world of progress. In this connection a story of John E. Funk, the well-known inventor, of Stockton, Cal., and a review of his more notable achievements, should prove interesting. He was born in Wellington, Sumner County, Kans., April 3, 1880, and was a lad of seven years when his parents removed to California, settling at San Diego. His inventive genius first came to the notice of the public in 1898 at the age of eighteen years when he invented and built a four cylinder motor, which, according to the records, was probably the first four cylinder engine for automobiles ever built; this was done in a small shop in Riverside, Cal. Next he ran a hoist for the Wedge Mine at Randsburg. He began at the bottom of the ladder and grad- ually worked his way to the top, working in vari- ous mechanical positions. From Riverside he went to Los Angeles and was employed in the shop of Leutweiler & Sons, installing pumping plants for them and doing trouble work on gas engines, then he was with the Hercules Factory in San Francisco. For a year he was oiler and water tender on the S.S. Newport of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co., plying between Panama and San Francisco, learning marine engineering. Next we find him as half owner and manager of a vaudeville outfit on a circuit of thirty- six towns in California, having six different shows, one a week later than the other, giving six shows every night. After a year they found others had en- tered the same field and competition became so keen they closed out and he returned to his former occupation. He was employed at the Sampson Iron Works in Stockton, installing pumps and engines. Returning to Los Angeles he was with Waite, Bailey & Sons in the same line. He next became super- intendent on the old Jones track at Middle River in San Joaquin County for the Rindge Land & Naviga- tion Company, and while working in this capacity he conceived the idea of his now famous ditch-dig- ging machine, for he knew that such a machine would revolutionize the work being done by hand in the big potato, asparagus, onion and celery fields. The Funk ditcher does the work of forty men and requires but one man to operate. Rows may be cul- tivated right up to the ditches, the dirt being distrib- uted between the rows by the machine, a cylinder- like attachment catching the dirt as it is thrown up by the digger, spreading it in such a manner that it does not interfere with cultivation nor the growth of the crop. These ditches are dug for sub-irriga- tion and at such a distance apart that the land will be thoroughly saturated. The machine digs a ditch ten inches wide and from twenty to twenty-four inches deep at the rate of from thirty to sixty lineal feet a minute, a great labor-saver as well as a re- ducer of expense. The capacity of this machine is sixty acres a day, running the full twenty-four hours. The Funk ditch diggers last season were scattered over forty miles of territory in the Delta country at one time, and Mr. Funk visited the district, flying over the working machines in an aeroplane, making the entire trip in an hour or so-a journey that otherwise would have required several days, necessi- tating the use of power launches and automobiles, and possible afoot part of the time. Mr. Funk is quite a flying enthusiast and intensely interested in

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John E. Funk.

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Baker was accidently killed there and afterwards Mrs. Baker came to Stockton, where she met Mr. Fisher, the acquaintance resulting in their marriage in Sacramento. She is a talented vocalist with a splendid mezzo-soprano voice and is soloist at the Christian Church, and also frequently favors other audiences who enjoy and appreciate her beautiful and sympathetic singing. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher re- side at their comfortable home at 925 South Hunter Street, where they enjoy dispensing hospitality and good cheer to their many friends. Mr. Fisher is a lover of outdoor sports, particularly hunting and fishing; being a splendid shot he rarely misses bring- ing in the limit on his hunting excursions.

MRS. FANNIE V. CARLETON .- On the roll of the honored pioneer women of the Golden State is found the name of Mrs. Fannie V. Carleton who is also a native daughter of California and San Joa- quin County, having been born on January 19, 1859, on the Howland ranch near Lathrop, a daughter of Humphrey S. and Barbara (Meyer) Howland, the former a native of New England, while the latter was born in Switzerland. Humphrey S. Howland was born July 14, 1827 near New Bedford, Mass., and when seven years of age was taken by his par- ents, Henry and Abbie (Sherman) Howland, to Seneca . County, Ohio, where they lived on a farm until 1850. In August, 1848, Humphrey S. How- land was married to Barbara Meyer and the follow- ing year they moved to Indiana and engaged in farm- ing until 1852, when they started for California. They traveled for many long days, continuing on their way until the weeks had lengthened into months, but at length their eyes were gladdened by the sight of the fertile valleys of the Pacific Coast. The fam- ily home was established in San Joaquin County, and they lived much of the time near Lathrop.

Humphrey S. Howland was a typical pioneer set- tler of California of the class who bravely faced the dangers and privations of life on the frontier. In 1854, he purchased 140 acres from Capt. Charles Weber situated on what was then known as the Slocum Ferry Road, for which he paid three dollars per acre. In the spring of 1857 he sold this farm for six dollars per acre intending to return to his eastern home, but in 1858 he bought 160 acres which he im- proved and held until 1869 when he sold it to the Cen- tral Pacific Railroad Company. He then bought 160 acres from Mr. James Buchanan and lived there until 1884 when he built the house and the home place where our subject now resides. In 1873 the father and mother visited their old home in Seneca County County, Ohio, making the journey in six days that had taken. them six months to make twenty years before. There were five children born to Humphrey S. Howland and his wife: Mrs. Anna L. Briggs born May 8, 1849, who accompanied her parents across the plans in 1852 and is now the only survivor of that party; Leroscoe and LeRoy twins, were born Jan- uary 26, 1854. Leroscoe is a farmer at Lathrop and Le Roy passed away in Tulare County in 1907, sur- vived by his widow; Mrs. Fannie V. Carleton is the subject of this sketch; Oliver M, born March 19, 1865, is deceased and is survived by his widow, who resides in Stockton. Humphrey S. Howland passed away May 22, 1899, mourned by all who knew him, his wife surviving him until June 4, 1912, passing away at her daughter's home in Lathrop at the venerable age of eighty-six years.

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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 120

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