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 174

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 174

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JOHN C. PERRY .- Finding the beautiful city of Stockton an ideal home place, as well as a thriving business center, John C. Perry located here in 1917, well satisfied to make it his permanent residence, after an interesting experience of many years, during which he saw much of the world while serving in the U. S. Army and traveling throughout the West, working as a plastering contractor. Mr. Perry was born in Elizabethton, Carter County, Tenn., Decem- ber 14, 1878. His father, George M. Perry, was born in Elizabethton on the Wautonga River, in Tennes- see, and when nineteen years of age entered the Confederate army, serving through the Civil War. Grandfather Joseph A. Perry, of an old Scotch fam- ily, was a prominent merchant in Wautonga and was active in civic affairs, serving as justice of the peace for about fifty years; he was descended from Com- modore Perry. George M. Perry was a contractor and builder and married Kathleen Hilton, a daughter of John Hilton, of Scotch-Irish and English descent, a pioneer of Tennessee who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. John C. Perry was one of a family of nine boys and four girls, and soon after finishing his schooling, enlisted in the U. S. Army in June, 1899, in Company G, Twelfth U. S. Infantry, for the Spanish-American War, and he spent three years, retiring as a sergeant, and twenty- seven months of this time was spent in the Philip- pines, serving in that hard-fought campaign. He participated in the taking of the railroad north of Manila as far as Tarlac, after which his company with two other companies was sent to the north end of Luzon Island, where they continued the campaign for seven months against the Filipinos, after which he rejoined his regiment in Manila and they returned to San Francisco on the Transport Thomas, and he was mustered out at the Presidio.

After his discharge from the army, Mr. Perry learned the plasterer's trade with Reed Bros., in Ogden, Utah, and then went on to Wyoming for a time, later settling at Nampa, Idaho, where he worked as a plastering contractor until 1910. The next seven years he spent in traveling, working all over the West at his trade, in Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Oregon, Los Angeles, Yreka and Rose- ville, Cal., making a number of trips to the Golden State. He was in Stockton during the summer of 1916, and in May, 1917, he returned to make this his permanent location. He soon established himself here as a plastering contractor, the superior quality of his work bringing him all the business he could handle and for months his crew was never idle.

Mr. Perry's brother, Frank R. Perry, is the junior member of the firm of Perry Bros., and two other brothers are working for him in Stockton, having learned their trade under him. Mr. Perry did the plastering contracting work in twenty-five houses for the Sterling Building Company, the fine residences of Bruce P. Martin and Robert Melville, the addition to the Hotel Lodi at Lodi, the Union high school at Hughson, nearly all the work for the Davis-Heller- Pearce Company, Stockton, including five garages, the Dodge Bros.' garage-one of the finest garages in the state, most of the work for O. H. Chain, the well-known contractor, including the Hobbs-Parsons Produce House, the Silva Flats on North San Joa- quin Street, addition to the St. Joseph's Home, the Jefferson school, the two-story brick block for Dr. Craviotto, the F. E. Murphy residence, Tuxedo Park,

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JC Jessy

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the Steed Bros. & Laton garage, Bake Rite Bakery, the new Chamber of Commerce building, new Vic- tory school, high school auditorium, Jefferson school addition, El Dorado school addition and new Roose- velt school, also residences in various parts of the county, First National Bank, Los Banos, and a large apartment house in Sacramento.

While living at Nampa, Idaho, Mr. Perry was married November 27, 1902, to Miss Effie E. Ran- dall, who was born in Carthage, Mo. Her father, Orville P. Randall, was born in Elmira, N. Y., but removed to Illinois where he enlisted in an Illinois regiment of Volunteer Infantry and served in the Civil War. After the war he removed to Missouri where he married Mrs. Violetta (Reed) Ritchie, a native of Kentucky, whose mother, Susan Morse, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, was a granddaughter of Stephen Morse, the inventor of telegraphy. Their ancestry is also traced back to Commodore Perry. Orville P: Randall was a carpenter and builder and removed with his family to Boise City, Idaho, later going to Nampa, the same state, and afterwards to Grant's Pass, Ore., where he died. His widow sur- vived him several years, spending her last days in Los Angeles. This worthy couple were the parents of three children, of whom Mrs. Perry is the second born. The union of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Perry has been blessed with four children: Ardroe, Olga, Gordon and Beatrice. Mr. Perry is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics in- clines to the principles of the Democratic party. Besides his residence in Bungalow Park he is the owner of two acres of choice land near the Stockton Golf and Country Club, a fine building site, where he expects to erect an attractive country home.

SAMUEL BITTNER .- The life history of Samuel Bittner furnishes a splendid example of what may be accomplished through determined purpose, laud- able ambition and well-directed efforts. He was born near Lehr, McIntosh County, N. D., on March 1, 1892. He is the third son in a family of six chil- dren of John and Margaret (Meyer) Bittner. John Bittner migrated from his home near Odessa, Rus- sia, to North Dakota, where he became a large farmer and land owner. His first wife died there and he was married a second time. In 1903 he came to Lodi and purchased 150 acres, which he improved to orchard and vineyard. He died in 1921.

Samuel Bittner began his education in the schools of North Dakota, and after his family came to Cali- fornia, in 1903, he attended the Alpine school near Lodi. He helped in the hard work of the farm, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old. He then returned to Lehr, N. D., where he worked for wages for a time, later renting 320 acres of grain land, which he farmed for six years. He then sold his equipment and returned to San Joaquin County, where he purchased fifteen acres in vineyard near the Alpine school. At the death of his father, he received eighteen acres as his portion of the estate, making a total of thirty-three acres; he also leases thirty acres in vineyard from his brother and sister. His vineyard is irrigated by a six-inch pump driven by a fifteen horsepower motor.

On December 12, 1916, in Lehr, N. D., Mr. Bittner was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Meyer, a daughter of Henry and Eva (Fry) Meyer, and a native of Russia, who came to North Dakota when she was four years old, and there received her edu-

cation. They are the parents of two sons, Raymond, deceased, and Le Roy. Mr. Bittner and family are active members of the Evangelical Church of Victor, and were liberal contributors when funds were raised for a new building. He is a Republican in politics.

JACOB J. KNOLL .- A well-known citizen and vinyardist of San Joaquin County is Jacob J. Knoll. who has worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of independence, and is the owner of a ten-acre vineyard one and a half miles southeast of Victor. He was born in South Russia near the city of Odessa, December 24, 1890, a son of Jacob and Christina (Werner) Knoll, both natives of Russia, who came to the United States when their son Jacob was a boy of six years. They settled in Wells County, N. D., and there the father home- steaded a large tract of land; later on he sold his North Dakota property and removed to San Joaquin County, Cal., and purchased vineyard land, which he brought to a high state of cultivation, so that he is among the most wealthy of the vinyardists in the vicinity of Victor today.

The education of Jacob Knoll was obtained in the public schools of his vicinity; but from a lad he assisted his father on the home farm, where he was obliged to work early and late. He remained at home until he was nineteen years old, and then went to Canada in 1909 and homesteaded a quarter-section of land lying along the Saskatchewan River in Sas- katchewan, near the town of Moose Jaw. There he raised grain, remaining until 1919, when he sold out and came to California. Here he purchased ten acres on the crossroads, about two miles southeast of Vic- tor, the vicinity of his father's vineyard.

At Moose Jaw, Canada, on January 7, 1912, oc- curred the marriage of Mr. Knoll and Miss Christina Wahl, also a native of South Russia, and the daugh- ter of Adam and Magdalena (Settler) Wahl, both natives of South Russia. Adam Wahl came to America with his family in 1897, and settling in Wells County, N. D., near Sheridan, homesteaded a tract of land. Later he sold out and went to Canada, and taking up a claim near Woodrow, farmed to grain for ten years. Again selling out, he came to Cali- fornia and is the owner of a seventeen-and-one-half- acre vineyard south of Lockeford on the Jack Tone road. There are five children in the family, of whom Mrs. Knoll is the eldest, the others being Katherine, who is Mrs. Young of Tracy; Jacob, Adam, and Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Knoll are the parents of four children: Martha, Irene, Anna and Alice. Mr. Knoll's vine- yard consists of two acres of Tokay grapes and four acres of wine grapes in full bearing, and the balance is in young vines, with ample space for buildings.

A. E. ANDERSON .- An esteemed citizen whose good fortune in attaining to a comfortable retirement is a real satisfaction to his many friends, is A. E. Anderson, the proprietor of a store and hall, and also a small Delta farm embracing three and one- half acres at Anderson's Corner, on Tracy Road, in the Middle Division of Roberts Island. He was born in Vestelige, Smoland, Sweden, on February 6, 1852. the son of Andrew Peter Anderson, a farmer, who had married Johanna Rebecca Anderson, and they had eight children.

Our subject attended the public school and re- ceived a good education in his boyhood and youth. Then he went to work on his father's farm and con-

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tinued there until he had saved enough money to come to America. He joined his uncle John, and they arrived at New York in the fall of 1866, from which city they went direct to Lockridge, Jefferson County, Iowa. There the young man found work on a farm, and then he spent the following years in Biggsville, Ill., where he worked for three years. After that he returned to Iowa and took up ranching there. In 1867, his parents and family moved to Iowa from Sweden.

In 1880, A. E. Anderson went to Nye County, Nev., and located near Belmont, where he spent about four years as a farmer. Four years later, he came to Ty- son, in San Joaquin County, and established a road- house and store, which he conducted successfully for twenty-two years. In 1911, he bought land on Rob- erts Island, and soon after moved his family there. He has built up a good business at his new place, and holds the esteem and respect of the community. He is a Republican in politics.

In 1886, Mr. Anderson was married at Stockton to Mrs. Willa Anna (Smith) Parley, who had crossed the great plains when a baby with her parents in 1852, and four children have been born to them. Ada is the wife of Ray Freeman of Lodi, and they have two children, J. E. and Sybil. The second is Eva; May is the wife of Charles Guggolz of Lodi, and the youngest is Elsie.

J. N. ASHER .- An enterprising merchant and suc- cessful business man of Stockton, J. N. Asher is half- owner of the Center Street Feed & Barley Mill, a substantial and prosperous business, and his progres- siveness and thorough capability in this industry have advanced him to an influential place among the busi- ness men of the city. He was born in Rolla, Mo., August 25, 1865, his parents being farmer folk in that locality, and he was reared on the home place and attended the district school of that section. In 1890, accompanied by his wife and three children, Mr. Asher left Missouri for the West and located in Stockton the same year. He had married Miss Lulu E. Beets, a native of Tennessee, born of Scotch par- ents, and they are the parents of eleven children: Corie F., Mary E. and Margaret L., born in Mis- souri, while Leslie, Charles N. (deceased), Le Roy, Mary (deceased), Emmet, Maxine, Claude and Esther were all born in San Joaquin County.

Mr. Asher began farming on Littlejohn Creek near Farmington and was so occupied for seven years; then he removed to Stockton and purchased property on West Washington street and began work at the Crown Mills, remaining there for eight years, gain- ing a knowledge of the mill business that has been indispensable during the succeeding years; he then assumed charge of the barley mill for the Sperry Milling Company, where he spent twelve years. In 1916 he entered the mill business on his own account and bought a half-interest in the Center Street mill and his advancement has been gained through a rec- ognition and improvement of opportunity. Mr. Asher has full charge of the plant, and oversees the scien- tific process of preparing poultry foods, etc. Thir- teen years ago, Mr. Asher built his residence located at 93 Moss avenue, which has been the center of many delightful social affairs. - Mr. Asher is a Dem- ocrat in politics and fraternally is a member of Truth Lodge, I. O. O. F., in Stockton.

JOHN R. LUBECK .- A man who has had much to do with the building up of the city of Tracy is John R. Lubeck, for a number of years chief engineer of the pumping plant of the West Side Irrigation District, with headquarters near Bethany, Cal. He was born in Smoland, Sweden, on June 24, 1868, and received a good elementary education in the schools of his native land. His father, Adolph F. Lubeck, was a prominent and well-known manufacturer of Fredericksfors, Sweden, where he owned and oper- ated huge smelters in that district. Serious financial reverses, suffered by his father in 1874, made it imperative that John R. find work; this was the beginning of his self support and his first position was as an apprentice to the machinist trade, which occupied him for four years. He was nineteen when he went to sea on the S. S. Romio; in 1889 he was transferred to an English ship and sailed the seven seas, stopping at various ports of interest, and also being privileged to visit the interior of the different countries. When he was twenty-two years old, he received a second chief engineer's license with an unlimited license on merchant vessels. In 1890 Mr. Lubeck stopped off at New York and went to Hart- ford, Conn., where he remained for seven years as engineer for the transportation corps for the Hart- ford and New Haven Transportation Company; in 1898 he became an employee of the Standard Oil Company, serving as chief engineer on different oil tankers on the Atlantic seaboard; then in 1902 he became chief engineer on Walter Jennings' private yacht, "Tuscarora," making a world cruise covering a period of three years. Upon his return to the United States he took a cruise on the yacht "Clap- sico" of the West Indies, which was both interesting and instructive. Desiring to come to California, he brought the Standard Oil Tanker "Maverick," with Borer No. 91, in tow all the way (13842 miles) from New York City to San Francisco, Cal., through the Straits of Magellan, eighty-two days on the trip, landing at San Francisco January 2, 1907. Coming to Tracy he secured a position as chief engineer at the Standard Oil pumping station near Tracy, remaining in that position until 1917, when he enlisted for service in the U. S. Navy and served throughout the duration of the war as a lieutenant. After his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Lubeck returned to Tracy where his services were required by the West Side Irrigation District, which had just been completed and where he was put in charge of the pumping plant and by new and economical meth- ods, many of which have been adopted by the dis- trict, the plant at Bethany has been of great benefit to the farmers of that section.

Mr. Lubeck's marriage united him with Miss Eliz- abeth Widerquist, a native of Sweden who was reared in Brooklyn, N. Y., and who came West in 1907, and they are the parents of two children: John R., Jr., and Florence. Mr. Lubeck is a member of the American Legion, a past officer of the Odd Fel- lows Lodge in Tracy, and a member of the Masonic Lodge of Richmond, Cal., No. 347. He is a heavy stockholder in the manufacture of the Lambert Solid Tires and has done much in the way of introducing them in Central California. He has never had occa- sion to regret his determination to come to the West and, utilizing the opportunities here offered, has made a name and place for himself.

John R Lubeck

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JOHN J. CAMPODONICO, SR .- A pioneer in the fruit packing and shipping industry of San Joaquin County, who also made a marked success of horticul- ture, was John J. Campodonico, who passed away on April 4, 1899, aged fifty-four years, honored and be- loved by his friends and business associates. He was born in the Province of Genoa, Italy, and was twenty- five years old when he arrived in San Francisco. From there he came to Stockton by river boat, and his first business venture was in market gardening in the Morado section, near Stockton. Later he became a successful orchardist and farmer, in time packing and shipping his own fruit, with V. Solari as a business partner. He left a large estate, which has since been divided.

Mr. Campodonico's marriage occurred in 1875, in Stockton, and united him with Miss Maria J. La- gorio, who was born in Italy and was fifteen years old when she arrived in Stockton with her brother, D. Lagorio, a retired merchant residing in Stockton at the present time. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Campodonico: Frank, a rancher; An- gelo; John J., Jr .; Victor; Flora, now Mrs. Forgacci; Emile, deceased; and Mrs. Anna E. Riba. Mrs. Campodonico resides at the old home at 705 East North Street, Stockton. Mr. Campodonico was a naturalized citizen and a stanch Republican in politics.

FRANK F. ATHEARN .- A very progressive and successful ranch owner is Frank F. Athearn, who has some 460 choice acres about one-half mile north and one-half mile east of Clements, in which town he was born on July 5, 1873, the son of Lucien and E. N. (Putnam) Athearn, both representatives of well- known pioneer families. The father, Lucien Athearn, was a native of Indiana, and came across the wide plains to the West in very early days, while the maternal grandfather came around the Horn. Lucien Athearn went inland to the mines, and then settled near the present location of Clements. He acquired about two sections of land on the river, and in time became an extensive grain rancher. He leased out some of his river-bottom land, and there Chinamen grew hops. His father was Prince A. Athearn, and when the first schoolhouse in this section was built, in part on his land, it was named in honor of him the Athearn school. Four children made up the family of Mr. and Mrs. Lucien Athearn: Clements, Frank F., and W. P. Athearn, and Walter, deceased. Lucien Ath- earn attained his seventy-seventh year, and his de- voted wife was seventy years of age when she died.

When Frank Athearn was seventeen years of age he left home and began to make his own way. Since then he has traveled through Nevada and California, working in mines and doing prospecting. In 1905 he came back to Clements and started ranching. He has 140 acres of the old home place, and also 320 acres about three miles to the south of Clements. He raises hogs and poultry and ships eggs to the market, having about 400 chickens, twenty-five head of sheep and twenty lambs, 100 head of hogs, and eighty head of old and young cattle. In his agri- cultural enterprises Mr. Athearn has a partner, Barre E. Gersbacker, living with him. He takes a live inter- est in the political questions of the day, and endeavors to do his duty as a citizen.

CAPT. EDWARD SCOTT .- One of the pioneers of Stockton who became prominent in business, mili- tary, Masonic and social circles during the early growth of the city, was the late Edward Scott, a native of England, born at Wetherbends, Cumber- landshire, May 11, 1831, of Scotch parents. In 1841. when he was ten years of age, he accompanied his parents on their removal to New York City, and in the excellent schools of that great metropolis he re- ceived a good education, and was attending college when he heard of the discovery of gold in California. Like thousands of others, his ambition was stirred by the excitement connected with the discovery, and he decided to cast in his lot with the Pacific Coast. Leaving his books, he took passage in a sailing vessel coming around Cape Horn to San Francisco, and after a long voyage landed safely early in 1850. As was natural, he rushed to the mines, and for some years he followed mining at Angels Camp and at Douglas Flat. Not finding mining as remunerative as he expected, he gave it up and came to Stockton in 1857. He became associated with the Globe Iron Works, and as manager guided the business success- fully for some years. On severing his connection with the company he became a partner of John Caine, under the firm name of John Caine & Company, hardware and implement dealers, a business firm that grew to large proportions and was widely known for its fairness in all of its dealings. Mr. Scott took an active part in the company's growth and develop- ment, giving his undivided time to its interests, and in a large measure to his ability and personality, as well as to his straightforwardness and honesty of purpose, the success of the business was due.

At Santa Cruz occurred the marriage of Capt. Edward Scott, uniting him with Miss Permelia Jenkins, a native of the state of Alabama, who had emigrated to Santa Cruz with her parents in an early day. She was a daughter of William and Anna (Oliver) Jenkins, natives of Wales and Alabama, respectively. Miss Jenkins was a woman of pleasing personality, cultured, refined and well-educated. She spent several years in educational work, and it was while teaching in San Joaquin County that she met and married Captain Scott. The family residence at 221 East Rose Street was built by Mr. Scott and was one of the first houses erected in that portion of the city. All too soon he was bereaved of his faithful wife. In 1877 she passed on, leaving him a son and two charming daughters. Mrs. Mabel Don- aldson, who resides in Alameda, has two children: Dean, a talented violinst; and a lovely daughter. Mrs. E. F. Russell. The only son, Edward, died in 1890; and the youngest daughter is Mrs. Maude Dean, of Groveland, Cal. Mr. Scott continued actively in business until his passing, September 25, 1891, a man widely mourned and highly esteemed.

Captain Scott was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting for service. He was commissioned 1st lieu- tenant in Company H of the 1st California Cavalry, and rose to the rank of captain; after the war he was always prominent in local military circles. be- ing a member of Rawlins Post No. 29. G. A. R. Captain Scott was a Knight Templar Mason and was prominent in Masonic work It was a member ..!! vestryman of the Episcopal Church. Politically, he was an uncompromising Republican and very influ-

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ential in the party hustings, but would never accept offices, though solicited to do so. California owes a debt of gratitude to such men as Capt. Edward Scott, who by their pioneering brought about the present day civilization of the Golden State.

WILLIAM HENRY ADAMS .- A pioneer who has both witnessed and participated in the develop- ment of the Golden State, observing the great econ- omic changes, is William Henry Adams, who resides about one mile due north of Acampo. He was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, on Decem- ber 29, 1867, the son of William and Rebecca (Elliott) Adams, farmer folk there. His father died when he was very young, but his mother lived to be eighty- five years of age. There were six children in the family. Robert lives at Lodi; Mrs. Fannie Pritchard resides in New York; Jennie died at the age of six- teen years; Mrs. Maggie Parker lives at Oakland, Cal .; Rebecca lives in Lodi; and William Henry is an orchardist and vinyardist near Acampo.

William Henry Adams attended the common schools-as often as he was able; but educational opportunities in Ireland then were limited. When seventeen years old, he came to the United States, arriving in San Joaquin County in 1884, where he has been ever since. He took out his citizenship papers in Stockton, and worked a year for his uncle, Henry Adams, on the Dry Creek road. He then worked for William Hickey in the Elliott district for two years, and after that for W. R. Strong in the Christian Colony, where he was engaged in the nursery line for nine years. After this he came to the Ogden ranch.

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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 174

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