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 124

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 124

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Mrs. Carr received her education at the Convent of Ville Marie, Abingdon, Va., conducted by the Visit- ation Nuns of the Catholic Church. After her father's death she returned to the Convent of Ville Marie and took a four-years course. At the end of her course, she went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, on a visit to friends; then on to Utah, where she visited for a year; and then on to San Francisco, in 1891, to visit other friends. While there she met her future hus- band, B. J. Carr, and they were married on April 19, 1893. B. J. Carr was born near Memphis, Tenn., a son of Simon and Love (Dillon) Carr, both natives of Tennessee. Simon Carr was the owner of a large plan- tation on which were a large number of negroes, who were freed by the Civil War. Though raised in the South, Mr. Carr was an abolitionist, like his father. He was too young to enlist, but nevertheless ran away and joined the Union Army. At first he drove a wagon; but he did not like it, for he wanted to be a soldier, so he became a member of Company B, 3rd Illinois Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. Afterwards he was sent with his regiment against the Indians, until he was discharged. He worked for a while in Illinois, and then came to Cali- fornia; and it was in this state he met and married Miss Doak. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Carr removed to Stockton, where they resided for a time. Then they removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, but the following spring they returned to California. At this time, Mr. Carr purchased a thirty-acre place, known as the Gillingham ranch in the Lafayette school dis- trict southwest of Lodi. This they improved to vine- yard; and here was the home of this worthy couple until the death of Mr. Carr, which occurred April 27, 1914. Then Mrs. Carr moved to Lodi and leased her ranch until 1921, when she sold it to Henry Perrin. The money received from the sale of her ranch was donated by Mrs. Carr to the building of St. Ann's Catholic school in Lodi. Mrs. Carr is living retired at her residence located at 435 South Sacramento street, Lodi, Cal. Mr. Carr was a Republican, as is

B& Carr Namie H. Carr

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

also Mrs. Carr. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masons; and he was a member of Hartford Post, 155, G. A. R., Lodi. Mrs. Carr is a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church of Lodi.

WILLARD HANSEL .- The interesting annals of more than one historic family are called in the life- story of Willard Hansel, the retired rancher and honored veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic. Born in Pickaway County, Ohio, near Circleville, February 2, 1842, he was the son of John and Mary (Burt) Hansel. Mrs. Hansel came from the same town in Ohio, although her parents were natives of Connecticut, while John Hansel came from Rush Creek, Canada. He died in Ohio; and then his de- voted widow joined her father's family, who migrated to Illinois in 1844. Willard had only very limited op- portunity, therefore to get an education, but attended for a short time a school that was held in a log cabin.

Patriotic by nature, Willard Hansel enlisted for service in the Civil War on the Fourth of July, 1861, joining the 1st Illinois Cavalry, under General Fre- mont, who had fought in the Southwest. He was taken prisoner at Lexington, Mo., November 20, 1861, and on the afternoon of the next day, was let go again, · as the Rebels at that place did not have sufficient num- bers to guard the prisoners they had taken. He then served for three months in the 70th Illinois Infantry, after which he was again transferred to the 1st Illin- ois Cavalry Regiment. On account of some discre- pancies in the transfer made, his company was dis- charged from the army by the governor of Illinois. During the time he did serve, the 70th was on guard duty, caring for some 10,000 Rebel prisoners from Alton to Vicksburg Landing.

In the spring of 1863, the 1st and 2nd lieutenants of the company organized a little band of seven men, in- cluding our subject, and crossed the great plains, driv- ing sixty head of horses and mules to Washoe City, nine miles from Reno, Nev .; and there Willard Han- sel went to work in the woods. In 1864, he enlisted in the 1st Nevada Cavalry and wintered at Camp Nye; and in the spring this regiment was sent out to quell the Indian uprising near Winnemucca. Many Indians were killed in the encounters that followed, and the Indian forces then there, were completely shattered, the last battle being fought on November 20, 1865. Soon after this encounter the regiment returned to Fort Churchill, and in the same month was dis- charged.

Mr. Hansel worked in the sawmills in Nevada until 1866, when he came to San Joaquin County, return- ing to Nevada each summer for the following three years to work in the sawmills, and coming back for the winter to Clements. In 1896, he settled down for good here, and he has ever since resided in the north- eastern part of the county. At Lockeford, on Decem- ber 15, 1869, he was married to Miss Martha Ellen McDowell, who was born on June 20, 1850, near Van Buren, Ill., the daughter of Jesse F. McDowell, who had married Elizabeth J. Hodge. Mr. McDowell was born in Columbia, Adair County, Ky., on November 18, 1819, his parents being Jacob and Agnes Mc- Dowell, both natives of Virginia. In 1840, he mi- grated to Hillsboro, in Montgomery County, Ill., where he plied his trade as a carpenter for a few years; and then he farmed at Van Buren, Ill., until 1852. In that year, he crossed the untracked plains and settled in San Joaquin County, and for a while continued to work at his trade. In 1856, he took up a half-section

of land on the north side of the Mokelumne River, about one mile north of the present site of Clements, at what then was known as Mackville Corner; and a few years afterward he purchased 278 acres, bring- ing his holdings in 1879 to 598 acres.

In 1870, Mr. Hansel helped Mr. McDowell to build a fine two-story stone house on the ranch at Mack- ville Corner; and since it then cost about $5,000, it was rightly regarded as one of the best residences in that section of the country. Later on, in the eighties, Mr. McDowell purchased still more land, until he had acquired in the aggregate 1,178 acres. After this he divided 1,000 acres among his children, retaining 178 acres for his own use, which he held until his death, raising horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, wheat, barley, corn, alfalfa, and hay. In 1843, Jesse F. McDowell had married Elizabeth J. Hodge, at Van Buren, Ill., who was destined to pass away in September, 1852, while crossing the plains, her death occurring in Nevada She was a native of Kentucky, and left behind the en- viable heritage of a good name. Several children came of this fortunate marriage: Mary J., the eldest, became the wife of A. J. Burt; Tina A. is now Mrs. George Stacy. Martha Ellen is the wife of the sub- ject of this sketch. In 1864, Mr. McDowell remar- ried, this time choosing for his wife Miss Margaret Montgomery; and they had one child, Carry, Mrs. Marcus Steely, who resides at the old home. The second Mrs. McDowell died in 1888. Mr. McDowell was a member of the Freemasons and Good Tem- plars of Lockeford, until his death. For years, he was justice of the peace in the Elliott Precinct.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Willard Hansel farmed a part of J. F. McDowell's place, and then he leased the Kerr rancho at Lockeford, a tract of 320 acres, and farmed there for three years, raising for the most part vegetables and grain. He then moved to a ranch on Dry Creek, west of Galt, then called the Yankee Jim Ranch; but he was flooded out by the rising waters of the Mokelumne River, two years in succession, and thereby he lost all he had gained be- fore. He brought his family back to Clements, and there they lived for the next two years while he worked in the sugar pines on Putnam Mountain, in Mariposa County, trying to make another stake. He returned to Clements, and at that time his wife fell heir to her share of the old McDowell ranch, one mile north of Clements. This led to his removal to Clem- ents, in which place he has lived ever since.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hansel, and they have been privileged to see four generations. Oatus was born on September 29, 1870, and died in 1888; Emma first saw the light on May 3, 1872, and is now Mrs. Russell, of Clements; Ella born on March 7, 1877, is Mrs. F. H. Mercer, of Jack- son, Mich .; Carrie, born on December 2, 1873, died on March 9, 1877; Franklin was born on August 2, 1875; Alma, Mrs. P. A. Athearn, of Stockton, first saw light on February 13, 1883; and Orrie, born April 13, 1887, died in 1919, at the age of thirty-two. Mrs. Russell married previously, and was the wife of Alvin Raines, now deceased; she resides with Mr. and Mrs. Hansel, and they have through her first marriage five grandchildren. Arthur A. lives at Costello, Cal .; Lester L. is in Lockeford; Velma Florence has be- come Mrs. Raggio, of Jackson; and Elden and Ellen are both students. Alma Athearn, of Stockton, has one son, Allen; and Mrs. Mercer, of Jackson, has three children, Franklin Earl, Dorothy and Willard. The great-grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Hansel are

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

as follows: Arthur A. Raines, of Costello, has two children, Arthur Alvin and Nola Mae; Lester Raines, of Lockeford, has three children, Lois Elva, Alta Marie, and Dara June.

Mr. Hansel is a staunch Republican, particularly interested in government aid for industrial develop- ment; but he is first, last and all the time an Ameri- can. He has great faith in California, and is es- pecially optimistic as to the future of San Joaquin County.

NICOLAUS KOSTER .- A representative farmer and stockraiser in San Joaquin County is found in Nicolaus Koster, whose 1600 acre grain ranch is in the New Jerusalem school district, and who in 1919 retired to Tracy, where he resides at No. 145 East Ninth Street. He is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Holstein on May 14, 1855. His parents, John and Catherine Koster, were also natives of Germany, and there Nicolaus Koster was reared, remaining in Germany until nineteen years of age, when in 1874 he emigrated to the United States. He did not tarry long in the East, however, but made his way direct to Nebraska and resided for a time near Omaha in that state. In December, 1875, he came to California, was employed for a short time near Nico- laus, Sutter County. Subsequently he spent a brief period in work in Contra Costa County and later he removed to Oregon, where he continued, however, for only a brief time. In 1876 he came to San Joaquin County, and throughout the intervening years has re- mained here almost continuously, settling upon his present ranch in 1880. He owns 1600 acres of valu- able land all under cultivation located in the vicinity of Vernalis, San Joaquin County. He has made many improvements upon the property, and that it is now a valuable ranch, well equipped, is due to his untiring efforts and capable management.

The marriage of Mr. Koster occurred on April 9, 1885, and united him with Miss Wilhelmina C. Hilken, of San Joaquin County, and to them have been born three children: Nicolaus passed away in 1916, thirty years of age; William, born near Vernalis, was mar- ried to Miss Elsie M. Dorman of Fresno, on Decem- ber 23, 1920, and is the active manager of the exten- sive land holdings of his father. Minnie C. married George Goeppert, a successful merchant in San Fran- cisco, and they are the parents of three children. Vera, Howard, and Tootsie. Mrs. Koster was born May 1, 1865, in San Francisco, Cal, a daughter of John and Marie (Garlish) Hilken, both natives of Bremen, Ger- many. Her father came to California in 1849, engaged in gold mining and for a time made his home in San Francisco, after which he came with his family to San Joaquin Co. in 1869. He settled near the present site of Tracy and there spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1878. His wife survived until 1892. They were the parents of the following children: Daniel H .; Gesiene M., the widow of John Rathjen, of San Joa- quin County; Fredericka A., the wife of Harry Rhoads of the same county; Mrs. Koster; Sophia M., the wife of the late William Schroeder; Herman; John F .; and Charles H. L. Mrs. Koster passed away on January 24, 1921, shortly after the family had re- moved to Tracy, not living to enjoy the beautiful and modern residence on East Ninth Street which had been completed a short time before her death. For many years Mr. Koster was a trustee of the New Jeru-

salem school district, and he and his wife were iden- tified with the Lutheran Church. The educational and moral development of the community are matters of deep interest and concern to him, and he is a loyal citizen who favors every project for local advance- ment.

ALFRED L. SWETT .- A vineyardist whose sci- entific, practical methods are as interesting as his exceptional and enviable results, is Alfred L. Swett, who lives one-half mile to the north of Clements. He was born at Newport, Orleans County, Vt., on July 25, 1855, the son of John and Lydia (Prouty) Swett, and had the misfortune to lose his father when he was twelve years old. His mother, however, attained her fiftieth year, passing away in California.

In 1877, Alfred came out to the Coast on an im- migrant train such as was then beginning to be a frequent kind of service, and settled at Acampo; and for two or three years he found work here. He then went to Roberts Island and was foreman on Mr. Peters' ranch for a year and a half. Then he engaged in teaming for S. L. Magee, who had the Star Mills, to the mountain towns, Jackson, Ione, and San Andreas, running from Stockton and carrying pro- visions, while also doing general teaming and hauling.

He was married, in 1880, at the old Athearn Rancho to Miss Fanny Athearn, the daughter of Prince A. and Louise (Hastings) Athearn, the former a forty-niner, after whom the Athearn school was named. Following their marriage, they rented the ranch to the northwest of Clements, now owned by William Hildebrand. Finding this quarter-section in- sufficient for their growing operations, they rented the quarter-section adjoining. There they farmed for four years; and then they went to Lockeford and leased the Sam Baird place for a couple of years. After that they removed to Colfax, in Placer County, and Mr. Sweet purchased a half interest in a mercan- tile establishment in that city, with a Mr. Williams as partner, and engaged in a general merchandise trade as Williams & Swett. After continuing together for a year and a half, the partners sold out, and then Mr. Swett came to his present ranch of eighty-six acres one-half mile north of Clements, which is a part of the old Athearn Rancho. Here he set out twenty-two acres to vineyard, which today is in splen- did bearing form. He set out a family orchard, built a comfortable, attractive home, and otherwise im- proved the ranch. Mrs. Swett died in August, 1897, mourned by all who had come to know and appreciate her sterling qualities as a woman, friend and neigh- bor. She was the beloved mother of three children; and six grandchildren have come to gladden their affectionate grandfather. Alice married Dr. C. D. Sweet of Oakland, and their two children are named Clifford and Elizabeth. Oscar A. married Miss Sadie Mohrmann, now the mother of two children, Virgil Oscar and Charles Alfred. Oleta has become Mrs. Dee Frank Akers of Clements; and she has two chil- dren, Dee Frank, Jr., and Barbara Frances. Oscar is living with his father; and both father and son are Odd Fellows, affiliated with the Clements Lodge, and have gone through all of the chairs. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Swett are both Rebekahs, and have gone through the various chairs of that branch. Politically, father and son are Republicans. Mr. Swett has al- ways been interested in the cause of education, and served as trustee of Athearn district for sixteen years.

A I Swett

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

GEORGE BERTCH .- A prominent agriculturist whose home ranch is located on the French Camp Road is George Bertch, who is an old-time resi- dent of California, with whose various interests and affairs he has been closely identified since the year 1863, when he came out from the East and cast his lot with California. Agriculture in its different phases has been the chief object of his attention since coming here, and his success has brought recognition as one of the representative men of the state. He was born in Hamburg, Germany, December 11, 1841, a son of G. J. and Catherine S. (Faulholver) Bertch, who brought their family to the United States and located in Erie County, N. Y., in 1853. Late in life the parents came to California whither their sons had migrated and here they passed their declining years, enjoying the well-earned rest from their busy cares.

George Bertch gained a good knowledge of English in New York and in 1863 he determined to come to California; he left home in May of that year and came via the Nicaragua route to San Francisco, and going at once to Napa County where he arrived with $10 in greenbacks, which were worth just 50c on the dollar. He at once secured employment on a ranch 'and worked for one man three and one-half years, then spent a similar period on other ranches, locating in Ventura County in 1870. He came to Stockton as early as 1869, when the country was altogether dif- ferent from what it now appears, and in 1875 he worked at threshing all over the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley. He and his brother, Fred, bought 100 acres of land near what is now Patterson and farmed successfully; Fred remained there and be- came a prominent citizen of Stanislaus County, dying May 1, 1921, on his beautiful ranch near Patterson. Mr. Bertch has witnessed many wonderful changes in this state since first locating here and has always been a very public spirited man, helping every worthy project and taking a delight in doing his part to build up the state.

On August 24, 1880, at Stockton Mr. Bertch was married to Miss Caroline C. Minges, a native daugh- ter of California. She is the third eldest daughter of the late and venerable pioneer John Minges, a promi- nent stockraiser of San Joaquin County. They are the parents of four children: Pearl G., Mrs. F. L. Richardson resides at Hermosa Beach; Carol M. mar- ried Miss Eula Stuffelbeen and they reside at Los Angeles; Henry H. married Miss Naomi Bischeno and they have three children, H. H. Jr., Margaret V., and George W .; George Leslie died at French Camp on September 7, 1921, a young man of splendid traits of character. In 1882 Mr. Bertch located in Tulare County, Cal. where he engaged in farming for nearly thirty years; there he owned extensive property in- terests and he also became very prominent in lodge circles. Then he spent six years in Los Angeles and in 1916 settled in San Joaquin and 1923 will find him settled again in Southern California. In 1885 he be- came a member of the Odd Fellows and of the En- campment and is a past officer and has been delegate to the Grand Lodge on several occasions. From 1890 to 1894 he served as city trustee of Tulare and he still retains large property interests in the county as well as the city of Tulare. In politics, Mr. Bertch is a Republican and both he and his wife are strong advocates of temperance and are members of the W. C. T. U. while Mrs. Bertch is a member of the Re- 51

bekahs. They have during the years of their resi- dence here won the favorable regard, good will and trust of all with whom they have come in contact, and in business circles Mr. Bertch sustains an un- assailable reputation, because he has ever been straightforward, prompt and just in his dealings and gets great pleasure in giving aid to those less for- tunate than himself.

CHARLES A. FREEMAN .- A prosperous vit- iculturist of San Joaquin County is found in Charles A. Freeman, who has spent nearly all of his life in this county and belongs to one of the well-known old families of San Joaquin Valley. He was born in Fresno, Cal., November 11, 1890, his parents being John and Emma (Sovereign) Freeman, natives of Ohio. The father was a successful farmer and stock- raiser in Ohio and came to California in an early day, first settling in Fresno. The family removed to Lodi when Charles A. was a small child. The father was a farmer near Waterloo, but was taken ill and died suddenly in 1896, aged sixty-six years, leaving a widow and six children. His widow was married again to John Boyce, born in Ohio and a pioneer here, who owned a 320 acres ranch one and one-half miles west of Woodbridge until his death. He died in 1913 an honored old pioneer.

Charles A. attended the Lafayette and Woodbridge grammar schools. He became connected with agri- cultural pursuits in youth, assisting his step-father until the time of his death, then remaining on the home place with his mother until he entered the army. On November 19, 1917, Mr. Freeman entered the United States Army and was sent to Camp Lewis, serving in the 363 Infantry, 91st Division. In July, 1918, he sailed for France, and landing in England he crossed the channel to Cherbourg, France, and served as a wagoner in the supply company of the 363rd Infantry in all the offensives in which this regiment was engaged at St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and three different battles on the Belgian front. Re- turning to the United States, he was discharged at the Presidio, San Francisco, April 19, 1919. Re- turning to San Joaquin County, he worked for one season for the Stewart Fruit Company and then went into the contract tractor work, running his own tractor and working in the vineyards near Lodi.

Mr. Freeman's marriage occured at Lodi on Au- gust 2, 1921, and united him with Miss Frances Ellis, a native daughter of Lodi, Cal., daughter of H. F. and Lochie (Green) Ellis. Her father, H. F. Ellis, is the present city recorder of Lodi and is also the manager of the Stewart Fruit Company. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have one child, Lochie. In politics Mr. Freeman is a Republican and fraternally he is affiliated with Woodbridge Lodge No. 131, F. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of the Woodbridge Chapter 118, O. E. S. He is a member of Lodi Post, American Legion, and Mrs. Freeman is a member of the auxiliary of that order. Mr. Free- man recently purchased forty-five acres on the Kelly Road about three miles west of Lodi, twenty-four acres of which is in bearing vineyard, one acre in orchard, and the balance in young vineyard. In mat- ters of citizenship he is progressive and takes a help- ful part in promoting the progress of the county where he has spent nearly all of his life, and where he is honored and esteemed for his part in the devel- opment and prosperity of his locality.

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

ANTHONY BYRD HUMPHREY .- The march of improvement and progress is accelerated day by day and each successive moment seems to demand a man of broader intelligence and a keener discern- ment than the preceding, and the successful men must be live men, active, strong, to plan and perform, and with a recognition of opportunity that enables them to grasp and utilize the possibilities of the moment. Among the most progressive and success- ful horticultural and agricultural representatives in San Joaquin and Sacramento counties is Anthony Byrd Humphrey, who has contributed to the ad- vancement and prosperity of these localities in a most substantial manner. His ancestry dates back to England and the first in this line in America was Michael Humphrey, a son of Samuel and Susannah Humphrey of Lyme-Regis, England. The first rec- ord of Michael in America is found in ancient Wind- sor, Conn., where he was engaged in the manufacture of tar and turpentine, at that time an important in- dustry. He also engaged in a merchandise business to a considerable extent, his goods being shipped to him from St. Malo by his brother Samuel. He mar- ried Priscilla, the daughter of Matthew Grant, who was an ancestor of Ulysses S. Grant, and at that time an important and leading citizen of the town of Windsor. The Grants were of Scotch descent. Michael Humphrey was deputy to the General Court of Connecticut in 1670. He died about 1690, leaving a large family of children, among whom was a son, Samuel.

Samuel Humphrey was born May 15, 1656, in Windsor, Conn., and married Mary, the daughter of Simon and Mary (Buel) Mills, who was born December 8, 1662, probably in Windsor, Conn. Lieut. Samuel Humphrey removed from Windsor to Sims- bury, Conn., with his father, about 1669, and became an influential citizen there. The hardships attendant upon the settlement of Simsbury were very great on account of depredations of the Indians, and although the family was once forced to flee back to Windsor, when the town was completely destroyed, they re- turned the following year and remained. Samuel Humphrey held many grants of land and many offices of responsibility. His commission signed by Gov- ernor Saltonstall is in the possession still of one of his descendants. Besides his grants of lands he in- herited several tracts from his father and purchased others. He died at Simsbury in June, 1736, leaving eight children. His son Samuel is the ancestor of this line.

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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 124

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