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 169

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 169

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Regiments of Kentucky," and was of great assistance to the historian. He was the father of eleven chil- dren, namely: Mrs. Dan Mosley, John G. Love, Mrs. Edward L. Yonts, Mrs. Annie R. White, Mrs. H. F. Young, Mrs. George Gossett, Mrs. J. W. Vom- burg, Mrs. Henry Nunan, Mrs. George A. Hillebert, Mrs. Henry Bruce Barkis, deceased, who was the first wife of Henry Bruce Barkis, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work; and Lucien T., de- ceased in 1896. Colonel Love passed away at Green- ville, Ky., on March 26, 1903, and was buried with full military honors.

Lucy Love grew up in Kentucky and was well edu- cated. In that state, also, she married Mr. J. W. Vomburg, late of Russellville, Logan County, Ky., where he was the proprietor of a meat market. Mr. Vomburg died, leaving his widow and three children: Joseph L., of Detroit, Mich; Harry L., of Los An- geles; and Nannie B., now a sophomore in the Lodi high school. Soon after her husband's death in Kentucky, Mrs. Lucy (Love) Vomburg, accom- panied by her daughter, Nannie B., came out to Lodi, where she has since been housekeeper for Mr. Henry Bruce Barkis, her brother-in-law, whose first wife was Miss Fanny Love, an older sister. A favorite daughter of Kentucky, she was heartily welcomed to California, where she has become a leader in fraternal and social circles. She is a prominent member of Flora lodge of Rebekahs, No. 162, of Lodi; the Woman's Relief Corps; of Irena Dutton Tent, No. 37, Daughters of Civil War Veterans, and the Woman's Club of Lodi. She has won a host of friends who deeply appreciate her sterling worth and public- spirited efforts. As chairman of the refreshment committee of the W. R. C., she has gained the love and respect of all.

CHARLES H. NICEWONGER .- The career of Charles H. Nicewonger has been one of steady prog- ress until he now holds the important and re- sponsible position of manager of the San Joaquin Wharf & Warehouse Company. A native of Stock- ton, Cal., he was born on his father's ranch on French Camp road, four miles from Stockton, June 15, 1874. His father, Hays Nicewonger, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and came to California in the early '70s, where he secured work on the George H. Castle ranch east of Stockton; later purchasing property, he farmed for himself on the French Camp road and there he continuously resided until his death. He was a Civil War veteran, having served as a member of the Signal Corps from Pennsylvania, enlisting when nineteen years of age. He was a member of the G. A. R. post of Stockton. His brother, Levi Nicewonger, was supervisor of San Joaquin County from the Second district and was prominent in the politics of the city and county. Hays Nicewonger married Miss Cynthia Castle, a daughter of George H. Castle, a '49er of California who came across the plains with ox teams and farmed east of Stockton for many years. He served as sheriff of the county prior to Tom Cunningham. Mr. Nicewonger died in 1916, being survived by his widow. They were the parents of three children: Charles H., our subject; Cary H., of Palo Alto; and Mrs. Hattie H. Schneider, of Berkeley.

Charles H. was educated in the Castle school, the Fremont grammar and the Stockton high school, where he was graduated in 1894, after which he

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spent two years at Stanford University. Returning to Stockton he obtained employment as a clerk in a retail coal office; then was bookkeeper for Fred Ruhl Company; then with the River Express Company. For eight years he was with the California Naviga- tion & Improvement Company as freight clerk, purser and bookkeeper; then for three years was bookkeeper with the Dickinson Guernsey Co., and then with Melone & Perry in the same capacity from 1908 until 1918. During 1918 he became the manager of the Delta Warehouse Co., operating two large ware- houses, the first with a capacity of 35,000 tons and the second of 15,000 tons, storing grain and beans principally. In 1922 ' Mr. Nicewonger resigned and accepted a position with the San Joaquin Wharf & Warehouse Company, and on August 15, 1922, he moved the company's business to 12-14 West Weber Avenue, Mr. Nicewonger being secretary and treas- urer of the company. His knowledge and experience are factors that have entered into the success of the business, which has made a steady growth since he assumed the managership.

Mr. Nicewonger's marriage united him with Miss Helen Crane, born in Ypsilanti, Mich .; and they are the parents of one son, Charles Robert. Fraternally, Mr. Nicewonger is a member of Charity Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., having passed through all the chairs; and is past district deputy. He also belongs to Morning Star Lodge of Masons, No. 68, and the Ancient Egyptian Order of Sciots of Stockton.

CHARLES A. MURDOCH .- A native son of Cali- fornia and the son of a pioneer of the gold days, Charles A. Murdoch is the successful assistant fore- man of construction for the Harris Manufacturing Company. He was born in Clements, San Joaquin County, on February 7, 1882, a son of William C. and Martha (Dimmock) Murdoch, both parents natives of Nova Scotia, Canada. His father came to Cali- fornia on one of the first trains to cross the conti- nent after the completion of the railroad, and arrived in Stockton when it was a struggling city. His father worked on grain ranches throughout the valley, and with W. C. Miller followed sheep raising, driving sheep from Fresno to Carson City, Nev .; later he homesteaded a piece of land near Clements, and then purchased the old Gillies place consisting of 160 acres; later he bought the Bragg place of 160 acres adjoining and has farmed the whole acreage to grain; now in his seventy-seventh year he lives retired on the old home place at Clements, twenty- two miles east of Stockton, and still raises cattle, his specialty being shorthorn Durhams. He was a trustee of the Washington school in the early days and takes a lively interest in the affairs of the county in general. His family consists of five living children: Mrs. Alberta Pearson; Mrs. L. M. Sain; Mrs. Louise Brandt; Charles A., our subject; and Winfield C., all born in San Joaquin County and still living here. The mother passed away July 5, 1920, at the family home in Clements, aged sixty-eight years.

Charles A. acquired his education in the Washing- ton school and was graduated from grammar school in 1897. After leaving school he learned the carpen- ter's trade and worked on the construction of dredges used in gold mining, for the Yuba Construction Com- pany, helping to build the dredges at Jenny Lind and Folsom City. He also operated gold dredgers on the Mokelumne River for this same company; he then

engaged in contracting and built many of the houses and blocks in Clements during the time he was contracting. During August of 1918, he entered the employ of the Harris Manufacturing Company of Stockton and now occupies the position of assistant foreman of construction.

Mr. Murdoch's marriage in 1903 united him with Miss Bertha Holman, a native daughter of California, born in Clements, San Joaquin County; her grand- father Holman was a California pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Murdoch are the parents of two children: Anna- belle F. and Marcella E. Mr. Murdoch is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He is vitally interested in the welfare of his native county and state and gives his hearty support to every excellent measure likely to help upbuild the com- munity in which he lives and prospers.

BERNARD CASSIDY .- For many years Bernard Cassidy has been in the public service of the county, first as deputy sheriff under Cunningham, Sibley and Reicks, and afterwards, for the past few years, as bailiff of the sheriff's office under Sheriff Reicks. In all he has served thirty-eight years as a peace officer, being now the oldest in years of service in California. Mr. Cassidy was born in Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1851, a son of Peter and Katherine (Fee) Cassidy. Peter Cassidy came to the United States in 1862 and was engaged in mining in Pennsylvania; later he moved to Rice County, Minn., where he farmed a quarter section of land of his own. Bernard Cassidy received his education in Ireland and in 1866 joined his father in Rice County, Minn., where he remained until 1875 when he removed to Stockton. Peter Cas- sidy died on his farm in Minnesota in 1898 aged ninety-eight years.

In July, 1872, Mr. Cassidy was married at Shields- ville, Minn., to Miss Mary Devereaux, born in County Wexford, Ireland, a daughter of Patrick and Mar- garet (Hoar) Devereaux. Mrs. Cassidy was edu- cated in her native land and accompanied her parents to the United States where they settled in Rice County, Minn. She was the youngest of a family of four children, the others being Andrew, Robert and John. Mr. and Mrs. Cassidy were the parents of ten children: Katherine married J. Orie Spencer, foreman of Hedges Buck Co., Stockton; William is in the insurance business in Stockton; Minnie and Ann preside over Mr. Cassidy's home; Benjamin is a member of the police department of Stockton; Julia, deceased; John, proprietor of the Stockton Bowling Alley; Irene, the wife of Albert Cannon, a partner of John Cassidy and they reside in Stockton; Joseph is deceased and the youngest child died in infancy. There are six grandchildren. Mrs. Spencer has two sons-Alvin and Robert. William Cassidy was first married to Miss Olive McKnight and they have two children-Andrew and Olive. Mrs. Cassidy died fourteen years ago and William then married Miss Era Bruce. Benjamin Cassidy married Miss Elpha McClellan and they have two children-Bernard and Frank. After taking up his residence in Stockton, Mr. Cassidy engaged in bridge building for several years, then became deputy sheriff and then bailiff in the sheriff's office. Mr. Cassidy was bereaved of his faithful wife August 21, 1922, a woman much loved and esteemed and mourned by her family and many friends. In politics Mr. Cassidy is a Republican and he is a member of the Foresters and the Y. M. I.

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

FRANK F. PARKER .- A prominent stockman who is also a native son of Stanislaus County, is Frank F. Parker, engaged in stockraising on 1,300 acres of range and farming land located seventeen miles east of Stockton on the Copperopolis railroad, who raises only the choicest of beef cattle and sup- plies the leading markets in the state. His birth occurred on Rock Creek, about five miles east of Farmington, June 25, 1858. His father was Captain John Parker, a native of New Bedford, Mass., who came to California in 1849, where he mined and farmed until the ume of his death in 1868. Captain Parker was master of the ship "Vermont," and dur- ing the years spent at sea had touched every notable port in the world. He sailed to California via Cape Horn in 1849 and spent four years in the mines; then, in 1853, he went to Australia, where he was married to Miss Clara Bevan, a native of County Cork, Ireland, who had accompanied her people to that country in 1851. Mrs. Parker accompanied her husband on his voyages, and on their trip in 1854 their eldest son was born and they gave him the name of John Vermont; his birth occurred on Decem- ber 20, 1854, as the ship rounded Cape Horn. After a stormy voyage they arrived in the port of San Francisco and went direct to Stockton; then Captain Parker went to the mines at Sonora and Jamestown, where he spent a short time, and then settled at Tele- graph City, Calaveras County, where he took up Government land near Rock Creek, but continued mining. In 1864 he came to San Joaquin County and began sheep raising; and here he died. After his death, Mrs. Parker purchased land near Peters, and the Parker home was established at the old Uncle George Tavern, seventeen miles east of Stockton, where our subject now lives. Additions have been made to the building until it is now modern in every way. Mrs. Parker died in 1895, leaving an estate consisting of 400 acres, which is included in Mr. Parker's ranch.

Frank Parker was reared to farm life, and while still a young lad herded sheep and rode the range. He recalls distinctly the twenty-mule teams used by the freighters to the mines, and John Wilson and L. Kenyon, who drove bull teams, won his particular admiration. When thirteen years old he started shearing sheep, and each season thereafter for twenty- five years he followed this occupation, going from the ranges of California to Nevada.

In 1890, at Stockton, Mr. Parker was united in marriage with Miss Emily Jenkins, born at Jenny Lind, Cal., a daughter of Hon. Robert R. Jenkins, prominent political leader in central California in the eighties. They are the parents of two children: Uretta is the wife of John Dentoni, residing in Stock- ton; Julia Vera is the wife of Emilio Sanguinetti, and they have two children, Parker and Uretta. From 1900 to 1906 Mr. Parker owned and conducted the Lockeford Hotel at Lockeford, and then increased his land holdings by purchasing 740 acres surround- ing the old Parker homestead. He now owns 1,300 acres of range and farming land in one body, where he engages exclusively in raising high-grade cattle for market. Since he was twenty-one years old, Mr. Parker has been a member of the I. O. O. F., and he is also identified with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Lockeford. 73

JAMES O. LOCKWOOD .- A prominent and suc- cessful viticulturist of the Lodi district is James O. Lockwood, whose characteristics of thrift and indus- try have served as stepping-stones to his present pros- perity. A native of Ohio, he was born near Olathe, Wayne County, on December 5, 1853, but was taken by his parents to Hardin County, Iowa, when but a small child and there he grew to manhood on a farm. In the spring of 1878 he went to Jewell County, Kans., and took up a homestead of 160 acres, which he farmed for fourteen years; he then returned to Iowa and farmed the home place until 1904, when he removed to California and the following year located in Lodi. He purchased ten acres of four- year-old Tokay vines, for which he paid $335 per acre, located near Acampo. Within one year he sold this place at an advance of $165 per acre; he then bought twelve and a half acres planted to four- year-old Tokay grapes located in the Mills tract, two miles west of Lodi, which has proven a wise investment, as the average yield is ten tons to the acre; he also owns an eight-acre vineyard, two and a half miles to the southeast of Lodi.

Mr. Lockwood has been twice married, his second wife being Miss Sarah Malcom before her marriage, a native of Michigan. Fraternally, Mr. Lockwood is a member of the Lodi Lodge No. 267, I. O. O. F. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood are active members of the Christian Church of Lodi, and he is a deacon in that church. He is widely and favorably known through- out the community as a man of dependability and his efforts are used for the upbuilding of his locality.

EDWARD KURTZ .- A worthy citizen of Lodi who has witnessed many changes during the twenty years of his residence in the San Joaquin Valley is Edward Kurtz, the capable and efficient buyer of the American Fruit Growers, Inc. A native of South Dakota, he was born in Tyndall on July 9, 1884, a son of Henry and Helena (Unruh) Kurtz, both par- ents being natives of Germany. His father was a pioneer of South Dakota and passed through many hardships and privations of the early days of that unsettled prairie country. He was actively connected with the development and upbuilding of the city of Tripp and was engaged in various enterprises while residing there, at one time owning twelve sections of land. Desiring a milder climate, in 1901 he re- moved with his family to Woodbridge and purchased ten acres planted to almonds and grapes; he added more land to his holdings until he owned 140 acres, which he improved to vines and trees. A harness- maker by trade, he opened a shop in Lodi in 1906, which he successfully conducted for a number of years. He passed away on January 4, 1918, his wife surviving him in Lodi. They were the parents of eleven children, all of whom are living, ten of them residents of California.

Edward was seventeen years of age when his par- ents settled in Woodbridge and for a time remained with his father on the home place, then concluded that it was time that he started for himself. He has owned, developed and sold a number of vineyards; he bought forty acres of the Anderson ranch north of Lodi and sold it at a good profit, and some of his places have increased in value 400 per cent. He now owns a vineyard of twenty acres west of Lodi. His intimate connection with the agricultural

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and viticultural interests of the San Joaquin Valley has enabled him to gain an expert knowledge of soil conditions and methods of cultivation.

Mr. Kurtz's marriage united him with Miss. Marie Konig, a native of Germany, and they are members of the German Lutheran Church of Lodi. He works for the best interests of the commonwealth and is an enthusiastic and ardent supporter of all measures for the advancement of his locality.

JOSEPH P. GILBEAU .- Identified with San Joa- quin County for more than thirty-five years, Joseph P. Gilbeau has done much toward the building up of Lodi, where he is a leader in business circles, be- ing proprietor of a furniture and hardware store and owner of the Gilbeau block, a fine addition to the business district. A Canadian by birth, Mr. Gilbeau was born at Montreal, Canada, January 8, 1878, the son of Joe and Eliza (Leland) Gilbeau, both natives of Canada. The family came to Stockton in 1886, and here the father opened a blacksmith shop at Park and Aurora streets, later having a shop on Center near Lafayette, and he carried on this business for many years. Wisely investing his money in Stockton real estate, he has built a number of houses, and for some time he has been retired from active work in his line, giving his time to looking after his property interests. With his wife he resides ou South San Joaquin Street, Stockton, now numbered among the early residents there, and some time ago they celebrated their golden wedding with all their chil- dren in attendance on this happy occasion.

Five girls and five boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbeau, and all of them are living, Joseph P. being the eldest of their sons. He was educated in St. Mary's College, Stockton, and when his school days were over he was employed by L. U. Shippee, the well-known horseman, to care for his trotting horses on his stock farm near Stockton, and later he had charge of the horses for the State Bakery. Coming to Lodi in 1910, Mr. Gilbeau bought the Rinfret Livery Stable, which he conducted success- fully for five years, at that time reselling it to the original owner, and in 1915 he opened his furniture and hardware store at 108 North Sacramento Street. Thrifty and provident, Mr. Gilbeau began in his early days to save his money, investing it in ranch prop- erty. His first purchase was a ranch of twenty acres near Victor, planted to a vineyard, which he sold in order to buy a place of forty acres at Man- teca. Disposing of this, he invested in another.forty- acre Tokay vineyard near the Ray school, which he later traded for a business lot 90x125 feet at the corner of Sacramento and Elm streets, Lodi. Here he erected a modern two-story brick business block, 90x60 feet, in 1920, which adds much to the appear- ance of the business district of Lodi, the block being so planned that a third story can be added at any time. He later bought a business corner at the corner of School and Elm; this he sold to invest in a valuable site on the opposite corner.

Mr. Gilbeau's marriage, which occurred at Lodi in 1912, united him with Miss Amelia Kirby, a native of North Dakota. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbeau: Clarence, Francis, Gladys and Joseph J. For some time a member of the Lodi Eagles, Mr. Gilbeau is also prominent in the Knights of Columbus.

RICHARD JAMES HEENEY .- A native son and lifelong resident of San Joaquin Co. is Richard James Heeney, prosperous and enterprising agriculturist on Upper Roberts Island, where he owns 140 acres. His undertakings have been successful, and he is es- teemed for his cooperation with all movements for the good and advancement of his community. He was ,born at Stockton at the Heeney home at Market and American streets, March 21, 1874, a son of Richard and Julia (Nolan) Heeney, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in County Louth, Ireland, December 26, 1828, and remained in his native land until he was twenty-one years old, when he left for America, arriving in Boston, Mass. in 1849. The news of the discovery of gold in California had already reached the Atlantic shores and he lost no time in starting for the West. via Panama, and after arriving in San Francisco he proceeded to Stockton and engaged in freighting to the mines. He was a man of the strictest temperance, using neither liquor nor tobacco, and a man of noble character- istics. He erected the Russ House on Weber and Center streets and conducted the same with his partner, George Lockhead. The mother came from Ireland in 1865 and they were the parents of seven children, of whom Richard J. is the only survivor; Mary Ella, Lulu Annie, William Francis, John Al- bert, W. Henry, and George E. Patrick all being deceased. The mother passed away February 25, 1893, the father surviving until June 24, 1894. Rick Heeney, as he is familiarly called by his many friends, was next to the youngest of their children. His childhood was spent in Stockton and he was edu- cated in the public schools. He then entered Stock- ton Business College, being graduated in 1893, after which he took up farming. In December, 1893, in partnership with his brother William Francis, Mr. Heeney located on his present ranch on Roberts Is- land, which they farmed together till 1900, when his brother passed away. Mr. Heeney has continued alone and has met with fine success. Aside from his ranching enterprise Mr. Heeney is also the owner of desirable business property in Stockton on the site of the old home place where he was born, near what is now the Record building.

Mr. Heeney's marriage occurred in Stockton No- vember 19, 1902, which united him with Miss Birdena R. Rolerson who was born on Roberts Island and is the daughter of Benjamin F. and Faustina M. (Tober) Rolerson, natives of Waldo, Maine. Mr. Rolerson volunteered his services to the cause of the Civil War and enlisted November 27, 1861, under Capt. Ira B. Gardner in Company I, 14th Maine Volunteer Infantry, serving until January 13, 1865, when he was mustered out and honorably discharged. He re- turned to his old home, and in time married Miss Tober. Mr. Rolerson came to California in 1876 and was joined by his wife in 1879. He located first at Farmington in ranching until 1880, when he pur- chased land on Roberts Island, and helped to re- claim the lands and improved his ranch of 355 acres until it was one of the finest in the Delta country. He sold the ranch in 1909 and was preparing to make their residence in Stockton when he died in that city August 2, 1909, aged sixty-six years. His widow sur- vives him, residing in Stockton, aged seventy-eight years. Mr. Rolerson was a prominent man and took an active part in public matters. He was school trustee, levee trustee, and deputy county assessor.

Mrs. P. J. Harney

P.J. Hiney

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

He was a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason as well as an Odd Fellow and an Elk, and was a popular mem- ber of Rawlins Post, G. A. R., of which he served as Commander. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rolerson resulted in the birth of five children, Mrs. Lois Am- mons of Stockton; Almer died in 1892 in a railroad accident; Mrs. Edith Banta of Stockton; Mrs. Flora Smith of Geyserville, and Mrs. Birdena Heeney, the youngest of the family. Like her husband, she is much interested in civic improvements in general. She has been president and secretary of the Roberts Island Rural Telephone Company for the past eleven years, having accepted the place a year after the company was started; thus under her management the line has been built up to excellent service to the patrons. The lines were rebuilt in 1922. Mr. Heeney is a member of the board of trustees of Garden school district, being clerk of the board, and he is also a trustee of Reclamation District No. 544. In 1919 Mr. Heeney made a trip to Ireland and many in- teresting places in Europe, returning to California after a three months' trip, in January, 1920, pleased with the tour, but glad to be back in California. Fraternally he is a member of the Elks of Stockton and politically is a Democrat.

HERBERT Q. WILLIS, M. D .- San Joaquin County has been especially fortunate in the medical men of note attracted to its territory, prominent among whom is Dr. Herbert Q. Willis, the well- known physician and surgeon, for the past fifteen years a resident of Stockton. He was born in Smyrna, Del., on January 26, 1868, and was reared at Denton, Caroline County, Md., where he attended both the grammar and the high school. He taught school for two years in Eastern Kansas, and graduated from the Ensworth. Medical College at St. Joseph, Mo., with the class of '94, when he received the M. D. degree. He practiced his profession in both Missouri and Kan- sas, and in 1901 he came out to California. Here he entered the wholesale drug firm of Kirk & Geary at Sacramento, acting as traveling salesman for them, and then he took a post-graduate course of nine months at the Polyclinic in Chicago, and in 1918 en- tered upon the practice of medicine and surgery at Stockton. He belongs to the American Medical As- sociation, the State Medical Society and the County Medical Society, and has already attained an enviable place of esteem among his able colleagues.

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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 169

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