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 122

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 122

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Bradford S. attended the Newman grammar school, which he successfully finished in 1893. The hard- ships which befell the ranchers on the West Side dur- ing several of the years following made it im- perative that he do his share of ranch work, and consequently his education was obtained through hard work and sacrifice, but he was enabled to at- tend, at broken intervals, the Academy of the Pacific at San Jose. His vacations were spent in doing a man's work in the grain fields on the Crittenden ranch, as well as other hard work; 450 acres of the original tract are. still owned and operated by Mr. Crittenden, but improved methods are used in their cultivation. He entered the College of the Pa- cific in San Jose and was graduated from that insti- tution in 1903 with a B. L. degree; then entered the University of California and in 1907 received his B. A. degree, having completed his work with Dr. Tay- lor, in charge of the Hastings Law School, which was at that time connected with the University of California. On May 20, 1907, he was admitted to the bar and was also honored with a Master's degree by the College of the Pacific. Mr. Crittenden then opened law offices in San Francisco and engaged in general law practice; and for a time maintained offices in san Jose.

The marriage of Mr. Crittenden occured in San Jose and united him with Miss Edith McChesney, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. C. McChesney, who set- tled in San Jose in 1891, Mrs. McChesney was closely related to the late George Kasson, an ex- tensive land owner of the San Joaquin Valley, lo- cated on the lower West Side. Mr. McChesney was the executor of this large estate and Mr. Crittenden became his legal advisor; the estate consisting of some 6,000 acres of land. Mr. McChesney passed away in 1918, his wife surviving him one year. He was born in Ohio, while his wife, whose maiden name was Martha E. Cowdery, was born in New York, where ; she was also married. Upon coming to California the parents settled at San Jose, and there Mrs. Crit-

tenden attended both the Academy and the College of the Pacific, where she became acquainted with Mr. Crittenden. She graduated from the conserva- tory of music of the College of the Pacific, and was thereupon engaged as teacher of the piano at her alma mater for two years before her marriage. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crittenden: Edith Eudora and Bradford M. During 1915 Mr. Crittenden located in Tracy and one year later brought his family from San Jose. His intention was to devote his entire time to his ranch work; but realizing the opportunities of this growing and pros- perous community he formed a legal partnership with George M. Hench, a former colleague. In August, 1917, they succeeded the law firm of Neu- miller & Ditz as legal advisors of the West Side Irrigation district; they are also attorneys for the Naglee-Burk irrigation district, a corporation com- prising some 3,000 acres near Tracy; they handled all matters pertaining to the bond issue for the West Side irrigation district. This able lawyer is also attorney and assistant manager for the River View Land & Water Company, owning extensive pro- perty between Banta and old San Joaquin City, a few miles east of Tracy, which includes an irrigation system and power plant. Mr. Crittenden personally owns a tract of 800 acres on the San Joaquin River, near Banta, 300 acres of which were reclaimed by leveling, and on which large crops of barley have been produced. Nearly $10,000 has been spent in improvements.

In politics, Mr. Crittenden has always been a stanch Republican and during 1918 he was appointed city attorney of Tracy; and is also a member of the Assembly for the nineteenth district and is serving on a number of important committees with efficiency and capability. Fraternally he is an active member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Council, Commandery and Shrine, his membership in the latter being in Islam Temple, San Francisco and he belongs to the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias of Tracy. Mr. and Mrs. Crittenden are members of the Methodist Church of Tracy and have contributed generously to all branches of that organization. Mrs. Crittenden is the president of the Woman's Club of Tracy. She has extensive property interests in San Jose, Cal., which are personally looked after by Mr. Crittenden, while socially always a favorite, she is a prominent member of the Pal's Club at the state capital. Dur- ing the World War, Mr. Crittenden was active in all the war drives and served as president of the entire committee and was a prominent "four-minute man."

PETER HANSEN .- Born in Denmark, Septem- ber 4, 1839, in the death of Peter Hansen the Beth- any section of San Joaquin County lost one of the last of its very first settlers and the community lost a man who was widely known because of his fine character. Deeply mourning the loss of his life-mate, whose death occurred March 3, 1919, he predicted that he would not survive her a year. Their married life had been an exceptionally happy one and when she died he became grief stricken and passed away August 28, 1919, outliving her less than six months.

Mr. Hansen first came to California in 1857 around Cape Horn and in 1866 returned to Denmark, where he and Mrs. Hansen were married on May 16, 1867,

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

returning to California for their honeymoon journey the same year, coming to Mohr's Landing, which is now Bethany, and settling on the ranch which remained their home. Two younger brothers of Mrs. Hansen, Thomas and John Thomsen, accompanied her on her journey to California. John Thomsen died soon afterwards while engaged in construction work on the Miller & Lux canal, but Thomas lived to become a prosperous farmer at Lathrop and the father of thirteen children, eight of whom are still living. One of the interesting relics of the old days remains still in the back yard of the Hansen home and during the celebration of the golden wedding anniversary of this venerable couple was shown with a considerable degree of pride by them. It is the little house of two rooms to which Mr. Hansen brought his young bride fifty years ago, the lumber being brought up from San Francisco by boat and landed at Mohr's Landing, there being no railroad at that time to the valley. In this little cottage the family of eight children were born and reared, nve of whom still survive and were present to join in the golden jubilee festivities. The living children are: Chris, Peter and Tom Hansen, and Mrs. William Von Sosten of Tracy, and Mrs. William Bartsch of San Francisco, who now own and farm the old home place of 396 acres of choice alfalfa land. Besides their own children, Mr. and Mrs. Hansen reared two grandchildren, Clinton P. and Grace A. Odell, who were a comfort and joy to their grandparents. Clin- ton P. died at the age of twenty-one and within a year, after a short married life of three months, Grace A. passed away: Mr. and Mrs. Hansen had ten grandchildren. During the three days' celebra- tion of their golden wedding anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Hansen were showered with congratulations by their many friends for miles around. Three persons were present at this celebration who were present at the wedding in Denmark fifty years before.

Mr. Hansen went to sea when a boy of sixteen and traveled around the world considerably, and it was interesting to hear him narrate his early experi- ences in the various countries he visited. In the fall of 1863 he volunteered in defense of the. Union and served in the Second Brigade of California Infantry, and was honorably discharged in 1866.

He lived to see his community grow from the prim- itive to the advanced civilization, and endured all of the hardships of the early settlers. One of his hob- bies was irrigation and he worked untiringly for the introduction of water before it finally came. He could always be depended upon to be on the right side of any issue coming up for the development of the com- munity he loved. He served for twelve consecutive years as clerk of the board of trustees of the Lam- mersville school district. He was a stanch Republi- can and was for twelve years road overseer of the Tracy road district; he also served a number of terms on the grand jury of San Joaquin County. He was a charter member of West Side Lodge, K. P., and belonged to Lincoln Post No. 1, G. A. R. He was a loving father and a devoted husband. His life was upright and honorable in every relation, thereby winning the confidence, good will and high regard of all with whom he became associated, and the community where he lived for so many years miss his co-operation and support.

JACOB P. SNYDER .- One of the leading law- yers of Stockton is Jacob P. Snyder, a native son of California and a man who has always had the best interests of the state at heart and who has done his best to build up and upbuild the section of country where he has spent the years of his useful life. Born at Murphys, Calaveras County, on February 28, 1869, Mr. Snyder is the fourth child in the family of Peter Snyder, pioneer of Calaveras County of 1855.

Peter Snyder was born in Germany on September 9, 1832, the son of Louis and Mary (Steffen) Schnei- der. As a lad he attended the schools of his locality and lived there until 1853, when he decided that America had more to offer an energetic young man than could be found in his fatherland. Arriving in New York this young emigrant located for two years in the vicinity of Utica, where he followed farming and sawmilling. His desire was to get to California and having saved his money, in 1855 he left the East and came to California via the Panama route. He went direct to the mining section at O'Neill's Bar and he followed mining there and at Murphy's with considerable success for ten years. He then bought land and began ranching and set out an orchard and a vineyard and was the pioneer to demonstrate that fruit would successfully produce here. He developed a fine orchard and vineyard and raised high grade stock and in time became a substantial citizen of this part of the state. In 1860 he was married to Miss Barbara Hauselt, born in Germany, and they became the parents of the following children: Lewis, now deceased, was a prominent citizen of Stockton where he served as a deputy street commissioner and as a member of the city council. He left a son, Edwin, who is connected with a prominent architectural firm in Los Angeles. John J. is also deceased. He was formerly district attorney of Calaveras County. Mary married Gus Castrucci and lives at Murphy's. Jacob P. is the subject of this review. Anna is Mrs. Alfonse Raggio of San Andreas. Charles P. is dis- trict attorney of Calaveras County and also a partner in the law firm of Snyder and Snyder in Stockton. Will.G. is an attorney and was formerly district at- torney of Amador County. George F. is connected with the well-known law firm of Hoefler, Cook & Snyder in San Francisco. He was formerly a mem- ber of the legislature from Calaveras, Amador, Al- pine and Mono counties, elected in 1906. Louisa C. Snyder is the youngest and also a resident of San Francisco. It will be seen that the sons in this family have been prominent in political life in this section of California, four having served in the re- sponsible position of district attorney in Calaveras and Amador counties-a record unequaled thus far in the state; and one was elected to the state law- making body and served his term with honors.

Peter Snyder passed away at Murphy's October 6, 1911, and Mrs. Snyder on September 29, 1912. In the later years of his life the father of Peter Snyder came to California and spent his last years, dying in Stockton when in his eighty-fourth year. A daughter of Louis Schneider (as the name was originally spelled until Peter Snyder made application for his first citizenship papers in New York, when it was shortened to its present spelling), Mrs. Anna Meyers, died in Stockton about 1917, and a son named Jacob also died here in 1912. These two, with Peter, were the only members of the family to settle in the

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

Golden State and it was with these three children that Louis Schneider spent his last years in the balmy climate of this state.

Jacob P. Snyder received his schooling in Cala- veras County and at an early age came to Stockton and studied law in the office of Louttit, Woods and Levinsky, being admitted to practice in 1891. He followed his profession in Stockton and in Calaveras County and served as district attorney of his native county for one term. He came to Stockton and opened an office for the continuance of his practice and has as an associate his brother, Charles P. Sny- der. Mr. Snyder takes an active interest in all that pertains to the advancement of the county and city and is ever ready to lend his aid to further civic, social and commercial interests of Stockton.

The marriage of Mr. Snyder to Miss Elvira G. Salcido, a native of California, born at San Andreas, daughter of a pioneer settler of Calaveras County, was solemnized in San Andreas, and two children have added joy to their household: Ruth is a teacher in the Stockton public schools; and Peter L. is attending the University of California at Berkeley. Mr. Snyder belongs to Calaveras Lodge No. 87, F. & A. M., of San Andreas; Calaveras Chapter R. A. M., and Stockton Commandery No. 8, K. T .; Stock- ton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E .; and the San Andreas Lodge of Odd Fellows. Mr. Snyder has a host of friends in Stockton and San Joaquin County who recognize in him a thorough student of the law and accord him a high place among the citizens of Cen- tral California.

CHARLES PETER SNYDER .- A member of the well-known law firm of Snyder & Snyder at Stockton, Charles P. Snyder is a native son of Cali- fornia and was born at Murphys in Calaveras Coun- ty on June 25, 1874, a son of the late Peter Snyder and his good wife, Anna Barbara Hauselt Snyder, both of whom are mentioned at length in the sketch of Jacob P. Snyder to be found on another page of this history. Charles P. Synder is the fifth child in the family and was educated in the public schools of his native country and at an early age began working on the Snyder ranch and at mining until 1894. From that year until 1901 he taught school in that county. In the meantime he saw service as a private during the Spanish-American War in 1898. He studied law and served as deputy district attor- ney of Calaveras County from 1903 to 1907, then re- sumed his private practice, continuing until he was elected to the office of district attorney, his term in office running from 1915 to 1923. In all matters of public import that effect the affairs of Calaveras County, in fact the entire state of California, Charles P. Snyder is found to be taking a leading and promi- nent part. He is well versed in the law and has been connected with some of the more prominent cases in his native county.

It is worthy to mention that he is one of a family of six sons, five of whom were admitted to the bar and have become prominent in Central California; one was the late John J. Snyder, formerly district attorney of Calaveras County; another, Jacob P. Snyder, now of Stockton, is an ex-district attorney of Calaveras County; a third is Charles P., subject of this review; Will G. served as district attorney of Amador county; and the youngest, George F. Snyder was formerly a member of the State Legis- 50

lature and is now a member of the law firm of Hoefler, Cook & Snyder in San Francisco. The Snyder family have a record of service to be proud of, four brothers serving as district attorneys during their careers as professional men.

AMERIGO E. GIANELLI. A native son who by his own individual efforts has risen to business prominence and influence in Stockton, is Amerigo E. Gianelli, who was born in Stockton, a son of Joseph Gainelli, one of Stockton's pioneers and pro- minent business men.

Amerigo E. Gianelli was reared and educated in his native city and is the founder of the A. E. Gianelli Company, prominent among the real es- state and insurance firms of Stockton. During re- cent years he has figured in some of the largest in- vestment transactions, for having extensive finan- cial connections he is in a position to handle the most important deals. He knows the locations and values in the city of Stockton and the fruit, dairy and alfalfa sections surrounding from years of inti- mate association and knows the Delta country like a book, and so enjoys the confidence of men and women of affairs for whom he has handled large investments. He also conducted one of the largest insurance businesses in Central California, every kind of protective policy being written.

The marriage of Mr. Gianelli occured in Stockton where he was united with Miss Edna Lamb, a native daughter of California, and a daughter of Charles and Belle (Norcross) Lamb, and they have one child, a stalwart son, Edward. An active upbuilder, Mr. Gianelli has been prominent in the construction of good roads, helping in the building of the Borden Road across . the Delta and, the highway across Union Island.

JOHN D. MAXEY .- Finely equipped as to busi- ness training is John D. Maxey, auditor of San Joa- quin County, who in his day has been school teacher, law student, clerk, hospital attendant, land office offi- cial, bank cashier, dairy rancher and realty agent. He was born in Smith County, Tennessee, October 29, 1860, reared on a farm, and was educated in and later taught others in the Tennessee schools. At twenty-two, in 1882, he went to Anna, Ill., where he read law with his brother. Though he filled several clerical positions, he abandoned his legal am- bitions and did not seek bar admission. Arriving in Stockton, Cal., on April 1, 1890, Mr. Maxey became an attendant in the State Hospital for the Insane, remaining over eight years. Then he was appointed registrar in the United States Land Office in Stock- ton, in which position he remained until, in 1906, the office was consolidated with that at Sacramento owing to the diminution of government land. The same year he helped organize the Union Safe Deposit Bank and was made its cashier, a position he held until he sold out his interest.

Ranching next occupied Mr. Maxey's attention, and he removed to his 160-acre dairy ranch near Manteca, which he had acquired some time earlier. He resided on this ranch and conducted a first class dairy until 1910. When he bought this place it was not under irrigation, but he had advanced ideas and helped to organize the irrigation district of South San Joaquin. This brought his fine property under irrigation and did much good for the entire district.

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

As time went on he greatly developed his investment, planting all of it to alfalfa, building a modern cement- floored, glass-sided dairy barn, with sixty-cow capa- city, and sanitary and up-to-date in every particular. He also erected a 160-ton hay barn. This property is still his, but at present is rented out. It is deemed one of the best-improved dairy ranches in the county.

In 1910 Mr. Maxey returned to Stockton and, with B. F. Goode as partner, conducted a realty and insurance business until March 1, 1913, when he was appointed auditor and recorder of the county to fill the unexpired term of James A. Kroh, resigned. Until January 1, 1915, these offices were. under one head, but they were separated; and as candidate for county auditor Mr. Maxey easily won and he was re- elected in 1918 and in 1922, and is still county auditor. He is a Republican.

Mr. Maxey has been twice married. In 1888 he married Fannie Maple at Anna, Ill., and she passed away in 1901 at Stockton. On November 19, 1902, he was united with Mrs. Lizzette W. Ryan, daugh- ter of the late John C. White, and she was born in Stockton in the house in which Mr. and Mrs. Maxey now live. They have two children, Elizabeth and John D., Jr.

WALTER D. HARRINGTON .- A man of enter- prise, practical and progressive, Walter D. Harring- ton is now serving in the capacity of city engineer of Tracy, San Joaquin County. His birthplace was Virginia City, Nev., and he first saw the light of day on November 16, 1879. His father, John D. Harring- ton, is of English and Scotch extraction, while his mother, Mrs. Estella Harrington, comes from the old Stover family originating in Perth, Scotland; both were born and reared in New England, whither their parents had removed before the Revolutionary War. Walter D. received his education in the schools of Nevada and after finishing high school entered the University of Nevada from which he was graduated as a mining engineer in 1903. After his graduation he followed mining engineering for a short time; then was engaged as hydraulic engineer by the United States in U. S. Geological Survey; in the fall of 1904 he became an engineer in the U. S. Reclama- tion Service and this work covered a period of ten years, with the exception of a short time when he was with the war department. He then became con- struction engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in California and for the Oregon Short Line at Salt Lake, and finally returned to California and has since followed irrigation and general hydraulic work.

On June 24, 1909, in Provo, Utah, Mr. Harrington was united in marriage with Miss L. Katherine Dobler, a daughter of Jacob Dobler. Her father was at one time an active member in one of the few suc- cessful co-operative colonies in western Colorado. In 1919 he and his family removed to California. Mr. and Mrs. Harrington are the parents of three children: Fontaine, Mildred, and Walter Delbert, Jr. Mr. Harrington was appointed city engineer of Tracy in May, 1920, and his expert knowledge has proven him of great value to the community. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Shriner and Sciot, and also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Politically he gives his support to pro- gressive, constructive legislation, regardless of party lines, supporting the best man for public office. In his religious faith he is a member of the Presbyterian

Church and is the president of the board of trustees of that body. During the Spanish-American war he served as trumpeter of Troop M. of the Rough Riders in Cuba.

GEORGE E. SNOW .- A native son of San Joa- quin County whose entire lifetime has been spent within its confines is George E. Snow, the capable superintendent of the water division of the Pacific Gas & Electric Company. He began to work for this company in 1900, first on plant construction, then in 1905 was appointed superintendent of the water division, a position he has since filled with great efficiency. When Mr. Snow began his service with the company very few wells were needed to supply the customers, for there were but 3,100 serv- ices; now the company operates thirty wells and there are 10,000 services or customers. He was born at Collegeville, Cal., March 19, 1872, the son of William H. and Sarah A. (Adams) Snow, natives of New York and Missouri, respectively. William H. Snow crossed the plains to California in 1852 and soon after arrival settled in San Joaquin County where he worked for Capt. Moss and William But- terick, building levees on the river and farming; later he was married to Miss Sarah A. Adams and they took up their residence at . Collegeville, where the father engaged in the butcher business and was road master for several years; he was also school trustee for the Collegeville school district, then known as the McKamy district, William H. Snow was interested in fine horses and was a member of the old San Joaquin County Agricultural Society and took an active part in the horse races held at the race track in early days. Six children were born to this pioneer couple, three of whom are now living; Wil- liam S. resides at Kingsburg, Cal .; George E .; Mrs. J. F. Kidder resides in San Francisco. Both parents are now deceased.

George E. Snow received his education in the dis- trict school at Collegeville; when sixteen he began to work in his father's butcher shop and at farm work; later he and his brother conducted a butcher business in Stockton. In 1900 he began his service with the old Stockton Water Company, owned by private individuals; later this company became the California Gas & Electric Company and was later taken over by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company. His service has extended over a period of twenty- two years and at present he is the oldest man with this company in point of service. For five years he worked on plant construction throughout the state, then became the head of the water division in Stockton, a position he has filled to the entire sat- isfaction of the company.

The marriage of Mr. Snow united him with Myrtle Crawford, born in Amador County, daughter of pio- neer parents, and they are the parents of four chil- dren; Myrtle is the wife of L. D. Haney and they reside in San Jose; Evelyn is the wife of A. H. Green residing in Stockton; Verna and George E. Jr., are students in the Stockton schools. The family residence is located at 1835 McKinley Avenue. Mr. Snow has been a member of Protection Camp 106 W. O. W. The movements and measures which affect the general welfare are matters of deep inter- est to Mr. Snow and he has cooperated in many measures that have been forceful and effective fac- tors in advancing general progress.

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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 122

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