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 167

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 167

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

veloped two fine wells, with one pump of six inches, and another of five, all operated by a motor of twenty-five horse-power.

At Stockton, on October 9, 1890, Mr. Wakefield was married to Miss Luvina Eddlemon, the daugh- ter of George and Ruth Eddlemon, a native of Ar- kansas, who came across the plains with her parents when she was six months old. They settled at Lodi, and both died in 1919 on their ranch near Lodi. Mrs. Wakefield went to school at Lodi, and grew up in that vicinity. Two children have blessed their union. Delma May is Mrs. James M. Pren- tice, and Orin Edwin is at home. Mr. Wakefield is a Republican, and a member of the Woodbridge Lodge of Odd Fellows; and both he and his good wife are members of the Rebekahs.

For the last five years, Mr. Wakefield has been a real estate operator in Lodi and the vicinity of Acampo. As illustrative of the advance in land prices, he states that he was the first man here- abouts to sell a vineyard for $1,000 an acre, and yet this same ranch sold for $3,000 an acre in the spring of 1922. He not only sells other folks' land, but he buys land for himself, and owns fourteen acres of Tokay grapes north of Youngstown on the Trac- tion line.

E. P. TRYON .- A prominent business man of San Joaquin County, who is extensively engaged in the raising of sheep and the marketing of wool, is E. P. Tryon, residing at 234 East Cleveland Street, Stockton. He was born near Sacramento, Cal., November 8, 1871, a son of Horatio and Abi- gail (Cone) Tryon, both natives of Ohio. In 1863 this family migrated west across the plains with ox teams, arriving in Sacramento in the fall of that year; later the father located at the Old Union House, which is still owned by the Tryon estate and operated by a brother of our subject. In 1882 Horatio Tryon retired from his farming pursuits and removed to Middletown, Lake County, where he passed away in 1885, aged seventy-one years. He was survived by his widow and five children. The mother of our subject resides in Santa Rosa at the venerable age of ninety-five, and retains her faculties, being interested in every-day affairs.

E. P. Tryon began his education in the public schools and his earliest recollections are those of farm life and sheep raising. In 1901 he purchased 1,000 head of choice Merino sheep and the follow- ing year he moved them to San Joaquin County, making his camp in Corral Hollow, west of Tracy. Year by year he has successfully carried on sheep raising, herding his flocks in the Delta and on the West Side section of Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. He owns 8,000 acres of choice range land near Patterson, as well as a de- sirable farm and range in Calaveras County, about seventy-five miles east of Stockton; the latter place is used for resting his flocks when on their annual migration to and from the High Sierras and his West Side range,

The marriage of Mr. Tryon united him with Miss Mabel Alley, daughter of Mrs. Marie Alley of Stockton, who came to California from Chicago, Ill., in 1911. Her father, Curtiss Alley, a prominent insurance man, passed away in Stockton in 1921, aged sixty-nine. Fraternally, Mr. Tryon is a mem- ber of the B. P. O. Elks, No. 218, of Stockton.

HENRY CHARLES SCHMIDT .- An enterpris- ing rancher who has naturally attained to very sub- stantial success, is Henry Charles Schmidt, the pro- prietor of a choice Delta farm of nearly ninety-nine acres, on Upper Roberts Island. He was born at Elm- shorn. Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on December 29, 1862, the son of Claus and Elsbeth (Wickhorst) Schmidt, the former a member of the German Na- tional Guards, in which he served from 1848 to 1852, and was so wounded that he was eventually pensioned by the government.

Henry C. Schmidt, the sixth oldest of their ten children, was twenty-three years old when he started for America on the S. S. India, taking twenty days to cross the Atlantic, half of that time in such a storm that the vessel almost foundered. Finally, however, they reached New York on March 28, 1886, and soon afterward our subject greeted his brother Adolph, and other friends, in Nebraska City, Neb., to which state they had preceded him, and there he worked at farming for three years. On the third day of March, in 1889, he arrived in California, and here he has been, with the exception of the time spent in visiting his native land. He went direct to the Kidd Ranch, on Union Island, and worked there for a month, and then he was employed by the Glas- gow Land Company, and three months later took a job on the St. Catherine Ranch, where he found steady employment for a year and a quarter. He then went to the West Side and farmed at Tracy and Vernalis, and during the plowing season he re- turned to Roberts Island, where by hard work he made a start. ' In 1899, he bought what is now a well-developed ranch, but was then a virtual swamp, about half covered with tule and willows. He had to go through years upon years of clearing and grubbing and gradual developing, but he finally won success by hard work and thrift. He has not only prospered with his own lands, but has been able to cultivate adjacent lands as well.

On June 27, 1897, Mr. Schmidt was married to Miss Anna Engel, a daughter of Fred and Margaret (Jur- gensen) Engel, pioneers of Roberts Island, a gifted lady who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, on July 11, 1878, and in April, 1889, was brought to Stockton by her parents. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt. Henry first saw the light on Roberts Island on May 17, 1898, and after graduating from school, became a rancher. Fred was born on June 24, 1899, finished his schooling and associated himself in ranching with his brother, Henry. Elsie; Alvina; Henrietta died in infancy; Freda died June 1, 1917, from the effects of accident- al burning, at the age of thirteen. Otto and Marie are in school. About four years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt completed a lovely home on their ranch, which is still the center of many enjoyable social affairs. In 1895, Mr. Schmidt made a trip back to Germany, taking four months for the journey and visit. He is a strong advocate of irrigation, and has developed a model and economical system of his own. He is serving his ninth year as trustee of the Fairchild school district. In 1896 he was naturalized at Stockton, and has since been a Republican. He is a director of Levee District No. 544, and is now serving his second term. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt be- long to the Lutheran Church.

H. G. Schmidt Anna Schmidt

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OTTO E. SANDMAN .- Among Stockton's native sons of whom the city is justly proud is Otto E. Sandman, prominent in military circles for many years and district manager for Cyrus Peirce & Com- pany, bond and investment brokers of New York. Chicago and San Francisco. He was born on May 4, 1890, a son of Peter N. and Minnie (Amon) Sandman, the former a native of Denmark and the latter born in Illinois. Otto completed his course in the Stock- ton high school in 1908 and then he entered the University of California at Berkeley, graduating in 1912 with the degree of B. S., he having devoted his attention to the study of electrical and hydraulic engineering. While attending the university Mr. Sandman was captain of the University Cadets; was a member of the baseball and football teams; and also served as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. After he finished college he returned to Stockton and entered the engineering department of the Western States Gas and Electric Co., as superintendent of designing and construction work, continuing in that department until 1919, when he was placed in charge of the bond department and remained in that department until severing his con- nection with the concern.

The military record of Mr. Sandman is interest- ing. In 1912 he assisted in organizing Battery C, First California Field Artillery, N. G. C. When the trouble started on the Mexican border in the summer of 1916, Battery C was called for duty and he went as first lieutenant of the battery when they were sta- tioned at Nogales, Arizona. In June, 1917, follow- ing the entrance of the United States into the World War, Mr. Sandman with Battery C, was sent to the Presidio at San Francisco for duty. Battery C be- came a unit of the 143rd Field Artillery, U. S. A. He was later sent to Fort Sill, Okla., where he attended the School of Fire, and in August, 1917, was commissioned captain of field artillery. Return- ing to California he was stationed at Camp Kearney as adjutant to Brigadier-General Lyon, commanding the 65th Artillery Brigade of the 40th Division. In April, 1918, Mr. Sandman was detailed to special duty in the air service, and was soon sent overseas in command of the 135th Aero Squadron and sta- tioned at Toul, France, with the second army, A. E. F., until the armistice was signed. This squadron had the distinction of being the first Liberty motored squadron to cross the German lines. He then was returned to the United States and was discharged at Camp Kearney in June, 1919, having served two years. Returning to Stockton he resumed his posi- tion with the Western States Gas & Electric Com- pany, and remained there until forming his present connections with Cyrus Peirce & Company.

The marriage of Otto Sandman in December, 1917, united him with Miss Mildred King, daughter of Harry E. and Hattie A. King, born in Stockton and a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state, for her grandfather was Edward I. Keep, founder of the Globe Iron Works and pioneer resi- dent of Stockton, where he established his home and headquarters. Mr. and Mrs. Sandman have two sons, George King and Edward Eldridge. Mr. Sandman is a member of the Anteros Club; the Yosemite Club, Stockton Golf and Country Club, Mokelumne Club; belongs to San Joaquin lodge of Masons; the Scottish Rite Consistory; and to Ben Ali Temple, 72

A. A. O. N. M. S., in Sacramento, and in his daily life exemplifies the teachings of this ancient order. He assisted in organizing the Karl Ross Post of the American Legion at Stockton, served two terms on its executive committee; also for a similar period as a member of the state executive committee of the American Legion. He was elected a member of the board of freeholders for drafting the new city charter and also a member of the grand jury of San Joaquin County. Mr. Sandman is an alert, enter- prising and progressive business man who has won success through his own industry and ability and is a champion of all movements that have for their aim the upbuilding of his native city.

CLAUDE R. VAN KEUREN .- For many years Claude R. Van Keuren has been recognized throughout Central California territory as one of the widely experienced engineers of the West. He was born in Mckean County, Pa., on October 7, 1886, the son of Herbert G. and Mary (Harrington) Van Keuren, his father a native of New York state, whose ancestors had settled there in 1628; his mother, a native of Ireland, came to America at the age of four years. Herbert G. Van Keuren was a student of medicine in the Academy in Buffalo, N. Y.,, but after fitting himself for that profession, he decided, about 1871, to enter the oil industry at Bradford fields in Northern Pennsylvania and has followed that line every since. His first experience was as an oil worker at Bradford fields; then he was transferred to Weldwood fields, then to McDonald, where he has become superintendent of the Willet & Paul Oil Company with outstanding success. A brother of our subject, Thomas H. Van Keuren, is at present general superintendent of the Ohio Oil Company of the state of Kentucky, located at Bowl- ing Green, where he resides with his family.

The education of Claude R. Van Keuren was ob- tained in the public schools of McDonald, Pa., where he continued until he was sixteen years of age; leaving school to enter the employ of an oil company as a roustabout; he spent about six years in the West Virginia fields, as well as the fields in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and in 1908 decided to come West. Arriving in California, Mr. Van Keu- ren made his way to the Coalinga field in Fresno County and found work with the California Ltd. doing odd jobs, which occupied him for one year, when he returned East and worked for the South Pennsylvania Oil Company in Ohio and Pennsyl- vania. In 1910 he returned to the Golden State, thoroughly satisfied to settle down and make this state his permanent home, and in 1911 removed to Tulare County and was employed by the Standard Oil Company as an oiler in the pump station on the main line north to the Richmond refineries. Grad- ually working up, he became an engineer at Kim- berlin, Kern County, and early in 1914 was ad- vanced to the position of chief engineer, where he spent four years to the entire satisfaction both of himself and his employers. In May, 1918, he was placed in charge of the Tracy plant as chief engi- neer and he successfully carried this responsibility, both for the interests of the company and for his own advancement.

The marriage of Mr. Van Keuren united him with Miss Nellie Oliver, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Oliver, residents of McDonald, Pa., and

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Mr. and Mrs. Van Keuren made an extended trip to their old homes in Pennsylvania by automobile. Leaving Tracy July 17, 1922, they visited in Penn- sylvania, and incidentally visited the oil fields in Wyoming, Montana, Texas, Arkansas, New Mex- ico, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, West Virginia, In- diana and other states. Arriving in Tracy Septem- ber 18, 1922, Mr. Van Keuren was assigned to the Vernalis station on the pipe line pumping plant of the Standard Oil Company's main pump-line from Bakersfield to Point Richmond, where he resumed his position as chief engineer, entering upon his new station September 26, 1922. Mr. Van Keuren is identified with the Safety Engineers Society of California and is a member of the Scottish Rite of the Masonic order in Bakersfield, and of the Grand Fraternity of Philadelphia, Pa.

WILLIAM J. THOMAYER .- A native son of California who for more than thirty-eight years of an active life has participated in the changes through which this great state has passed, is William J. Tho- mayer, superintendent of the office and shipping of the Pacific Fruit Exchange of the Lodi section. His parents, Matthew and Catherine Thomayer, were both natives of Germany, who came to America in the early '50s and to California via Panama and lo- cated in San Joaquin County near Lathrop, where William J. first saw the light of day on April 2, 1863. His father was a miner by occupation. Both parents passed away when William J. was a child of three years and he was reared in the family of Dr. Stephen- son, formerly of Woodbridge.

William J. received his schooling in Visalia, Tulare County, Cal., and his first experience in the pack- ing and shipping of fruit was in 1883 with the Woodhead Porter Brothers and Company of Los Angeles, commission merchants and shippers; he then entered the employ of the late E. T. Earl, who was one of the pioneers in that line in California. For nine years he was thus employed, operating in Riverside County in the winter and northern Cali- fornia in the summer. He next took a trip to Salt Lake City, where he engaged in the tea and coffee business for one year, after which he returned to California, where he re-entered the fruit packing in- dustry, engaging with the Porter Brothers' Company at Fillmore, Cal. Upon coming to Lodi in 1899, Mr. Thomayer was first associated with the Pro- ducers' Fruit Company, then the Valley Fruit Com- pany and then with the Frank H. Buck Company. For the past few years he has had charge of the office and shipping of the Pacific Fruit Exchange. When he became associated with the fruit industry, thirty-eight years ago, there was only one packing house in Lodi, and now there are many of them. By his long association with this industry, Mr. Tho- mayer has become one of the best-informed men on fruit packing and shipping in the valley and his reputation for square dealing has proven a great asset to him and his employers. He is also a vineyardist with many years' experience.

Mr. Thomayer's marriage united him with Miss Carrie Baylis Edgerly of Kansas and they have one daughter, Mrs. A. D. Campbell. Mr. Thomayer is a member of the Lodi Parlor of the N. S. G. W., No. 18, and of Lodi Lodge of Masons, and has passed through all the chairs. For four years he was inspector for Masonic district No. 26.

MRS. SUSAN M. GANN .- On the roll of honored pioneer women of San Joaquin County appears the name of Mrs. Susan M. Gann, who has been a resi- dent of the county for sixty-two years and for the past twelve years has made her home at 2173 East Market Street, Stockton. Her birth occurred in St. Augustine County, Texas, on March 29, 1847, the daughter of Erasmus Hennington and Julia Ann (Fry) Elkins. Erasmus Elkins was born in Tennes- see in 1822, but while still a young child was taken by his parents to Alabama, where he was reared and educated. From Alabama he removed to St. Augus- tine- County, Texas, where in 1842 he was married to Miss Julia Fry, a native of Texas and a descendant of an early Colonial family of Quaker stock who had settled in Pennsylvania in early days. Mrs. Elkins passed away April 20, 1847, leaving two children, Susan M. and Charles W. One year later, Erasmus Elkins started West for California with ox teams, leaving his two children with their grandparents. Mr. Elkins stopped in San Jose for a short time, then came to Stockton and engaged in freighting to Sonora, which he followed until 1859, when he re- turned to Texas for his two children. They made the trip via Panama, landing in San Francisco through the Golden Gate, and the family arrived in Stockton in 1860: In 1858, Mr. Elkins had married Miss Nancy Gann, a daughter of John Gann and a niece of Nick Gann, both prominent in the early his- tory of Stockton. In 1870 Mr. Elkins left San Joa- quin County and removed to Santa Cruz, where he farmed for a couple of years; then moved to Lompoc, Cal., where he passed away at the age of eighty-six, his wife living until she was ninety-six years old. Two children were born of the latter union; Iris Benson residing in Sacramento, and Mrs. Lucy A. Amon, who died in Stockton, January 1, 1923.

On August 24, 1862, at Stockton, Susan M. Elkins was married to William T. Gann, born in Jackson County, Mo., in 1840, where he was reared to young manhood on his father's farm. In 1859 he crossed the plains with ox teams, the party being captained by his uncle, Thomas Gann. The party was composed of the families of Thomas Gann, M. H. Harles, Mr. Miller, Mr. Russell, Mrs. Nancy Clark, and John Gann and they all settled near Farmington, Cal. William T. Gann's sister Rosana was the wife of Ed. M. Drais and died here. The young married people began their life on a farm near Stockton, where they lived until 1870, when they moved to Calaveras County, where they bought land near Felix and for over forty years made this their home, engaging in stock raising and general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Gann reared nine children: Mary C. now Mrs. Ter- ance McArdle, resides in Stockton and they have two children; Annie E. is assisting her mother in pre- siding over the home; Lewis M is married and has three children and they reside in Stockton; William B. has charge of the home ranch in Calaveras County; Lucy B. is now the wife of Bert Carthy and they have two children and reside at Melones, Cal .; Charles A. is the partner of his brother on the ranch near Felix; J. Henry is married and has one son and they reside in Hanford; Maude E. is the wife of Steven Simone; they have one son and reside at Kerman; and Susan E. is the wife of Virgil Berry, and they reside in Stockton.

Twelve years ago Mr. and Mrs. Gann returned to Stockton to spend the balance of their days and in

Mrs S. M. Jan

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

January, 1912, Mr. Gann passed away at the age of seventy-one years. Mrs. Gann retains a life interest in the ranch in Calaveras County where so many useful years of her life were spent and owns the resi- dence located at 2173 East Market Street, Stockton. Mrs. Gann recalls the journey from San Francisco to Stockton in 1860 when they traveled on the river boat Clara Crow and the city of Stockton was then a mere village. She enjoys splendid health and is in- terested in the affairs of the day, and in the even- ing of life is surrounded by loving children and grandchildren who administer to her comfort and happiness in every way.

JOHN C. KELLER .- An aggressive business man of Lodi, whose parents were pioneers of California, is John C. Keller, a member of the firm of Keller & Robinson, stationers and booksellers, located at 27 South School Street. A native son of California, he was born on his father's ranch west of Lodi on Octo- ber 6, 1888, a son of John and Doretta (Brack) Keller. His father was a native of Ohio, who came to California across the plains about 1863 and here settled on a ranch six miles from Lodi and engaged in farming pursuits until his death in 1909. He was a member of the Woodbridge lodge of Masons. His mother, a daughter of Jacob Brack, a San Joa- quin County pioneer, makes her home in Lodi.

John C. Keller was educated in the public and high schools of Lodi. In 1914 he formed a partnership with Charles R. Guggolz and conducted the New Washington Market for six years; then he sold his interest in the business to his partner in the summer of 1920 and then for about eighteen months was engaged in the real estate business in Lodi. In September, 1922, with a partner, H. E. Robinson, he opened a stationery and book store on South School Street, a most central location, where they are meeting with deserved success.

The marriage of Mr. Keller united him with Jessie R. Todd, a native of Illinois, and they are the parents of one child, Jane. In national politics he is a Democrat and ably supports the principles of that party. His fraternal relations are with Stockton lodge No. 218, Elks; the Lodi Fraternal Order of Eagles; Lodi lodge No. 256, F. & A. M., and with his wife is a member of the Eastern Star, in which he is past patron; he is a member of Lodi Parlor. N. S. G. W. In his local activities he is serving as chair- man of the board of trustees of the Lodi grammar school, and during his term they completed two new schools. He takes pride in advancing measures for the development and progress of Lodi and the im- mediate vicinity.

EDWARD P. FOLTZ .- The legal fraternity of Stockton and San Joaquin County is ably repre- sented in Edward P. Foltz, who has taken a leading part in the public affairs of the city and county for more than twenty-five years. Mr. Foltz is a native son, born in Linden, San Joaquin County, December 8, 1870, the son of Samuel J. and Emma (Bigelow) Foltz, the former a native of Virginia, while the mother was born in Wisconsin. The father, who is still living at the age of eighty-four, is one of the county's worthy pioneers, having come to California in the early days of 1854, following the trade of a blacksmith up to the time of his retirement from active business. He now resides in Stockton, the mother being deceased. He can recall with interest

many of the happenings of that early period, when land sold for $2.50 per acre and the present day development was not thought of.

Edward P. Foltz attended the Linden district school and then taught school there for a year. Entering the University of California, he graduated from that institution with the Ph. B. degree in 1894 and then taught school at Linden for a year. He then began his professional course at Hastings Law School at San Francisco, a department of the University of California, graduating in 1897 with the degree of LL.B., and in the same year he was admitted to the bar. Not long after this he opened up his office in Stockton for the practice of law and since that time he has been closely identified with the legal, political and public life of the community. He served for a term as referee in bankruptcy, and for four years was chairman of the Republican County Central Committee. His exceptional ability as a lawyer be- ing recognized, Mr. Foltz was elected district attor- ney of San Joaquin County in January, 1911, being re- elected and occupying this responsible post until January, 1919. During his official career, with the assistance of able deputies, he established a record that would be difficult to duplicate. At present he is a member of the firm of Foltz, Rendon & Wallace, with offices in the Wilhoit Building.

During the World War, Mr. Foltz took an active and prominent part in all the war work, and was chairman of the San Joaquin branch of the State Council of Defense, and even after the armistice he continued to serve as chairman of the county readjustment committee, handling the many post-war problems that came up. In fraternal circles Mr. Foltz is popular in the ranks of the Elks and the Woodmen of the World, and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the San Joaquin County Bar Association.

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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 167

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