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 181

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 181

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In the spring of 1909 Mr. Nelson located in Stock- ton and formed å partnership with G. A. Sleeth, under the firm name of Sleeth and Nelson, building contractors. For ten years this partnership was con- tinued with great success, fifty houses being erected the first year in business. Among the business blocks and residences erected are the following: a store building for Walter J. Hammond on South California Street, a store, residence and hotel at the corner of Center and Washington streets, five buildings for L. Mollenhauer at the corner of Sonora and Stanislaus streets, a flat building for A. De Paoli at American and Park streets, a fine residence for E. El- wing on North Street and for P. A. Bry- ant on the Sonora Road, a store, residence and flats for Hans Axel on Sonora and East streets. They also built some fine homes, ware- houses and barns- in the Delta district, a residence for M. Borden on Victoria Island, a residence for Martin Lund on Union Island, besides residences in Woodbridge, Lodi and Los Banos. Mr. Nelson is a member of the Elks, and president of the Swedish Fraternal order of Stockton.

Carl Nelson

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

HENRY PERRIN .- The story of the progress and success of Henry Perrin, a prosperous viticulturist living in Lodi, San Joaquin County, Cal., who has continuously resided in that district for the past twenty years, is interesting and shows what may be accomplished by close application to business, in- dustry and well directed intelligence. He was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, on March 12. 1864, and was there reared and educated. When he reached the age of thirteen years, the spirit of ad- venture had so taken a hold on him that he went to that wild, unsettled country of North Dakota, where there were few white men and many Indians. He took up a squatter's right to a piece of land and was compelled to file his claim to the land twice, as the first time he was not of age. Upon receiving his title to the land, he set about improving it, planting it to grain and from time to time adding to his hold- ing till he had acquired 440 acres of fine prairie land; and when he disposed of it, his ranch was among the best improved in the state. Mr. Perrin's first visit to California was in 1902; he traveled all over the state looking for a location that suited him and the last place he visited was Lodi, which proved to be the place he was looking for. He returned to Idaho where he had resided for two years, and with his family settled in Lodi. Later his brother Jules came to Lodi and they entered into partnership for the purpose of manufacturing cement blocks for building purposes, under the firm name of Perrin Bros., continuing the business until 1919 when our subject sold his interest to his brother and retired from active business cares. The Perrin Bros. manu- factured the Miracle concrete building blocks, which have become so useful for building purposes; the many buildings and residences throughout the city and county testify to the durability and stableness of the cement building block. Following are some of the buildings erected by them, the building of the Lodi Canning Company, the Tokay City garage, Buchanan's sanitarium, the Ford garage, Lodi Hard- ware Company's block; they also erected the hotel at Ione, a garage at Sonora, a store building at Groveland, a store building at Tracy, a garage at Madera, several blocks in Stockton and a business block in Galt, the Forest Lake school house, a garage at Clements, and a residence on the Curry ranch.

For the past sixteen years, Mr. Perrin has devoted his time and attention to the growing of grapes in the Lodi district and he has bought and sold a num- ber of fine vineyards. At the present time his hold- ings consist of two vineyards, one of forty acres on the Walnut Grove Road and the other thirty acres on the Brack tract, a twenty-acre vineyard located near Youngstown, for which he paid $900 per acre and has refused $2000 per acre; and thirty acres on the Terminus Road.

The marriage of Mr. Perrin on April 19, 1891, in Dunseith, N. D., united him with Miss Mary Cota, a native of Massachusetts; and they are the parents of twelve children: Dena is the wife of A. Gilbeau, Louis married Miss Mary Bround, Joseph H. married Miss Philomine Soucie, Lillian is Mrs. Fred Round, Mae is the wife of Henry Pleau, Lloyd married Miss Lillian Waters. The others are: Anna, Josephine, Walter, Laura, Elton, and Lucretia. Louis, Lloyd and Joseph, and Mr. Pleau, son- in-law, have charge of the vineyards. Fraternally

he is a member of the Eagles, Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. Mr. Perrin's success has come entirely through his own efforts and he has ever maintained a keen interest in every- thing that pertains to the general welfare.

JOHN H. OWEN .- For nearly ten years John H. Owen has been humane officer of San Joaquin County and in that period has settled satisfactorily many cases involving cruelty to children and to ani- mals. Broad-minded, with varied experience in many lines, he has made an ideal official. The Owen fam- ily came here from Tennessee, our subject having been born in Meigs County, October 15, 1862. He is the son of James R. Owen, a native of Kentucky, and Catherine (Hunt) Owen, a native of Tennessee. When six years old, in 1869, young John came with his parents to San Joaquin County on one of the first of the transcontinental steam trains. James R. Owen farmed grain in Farmington and Waterloo districts, locating Farmington way in 1872 and remaining there until his death in 1907. He was a member of the Linden Lodge of Masons. The surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Owen include Henry T .. of Bakersfield; John H., of this sketch; William S. civil engineer with the San Joaquin Highway Com- mission; Walter J., deputy sheriff of San Joaquin County; Mrs. Partelia J. Blair and Mrs. Myra E. Bryson, both of Stockton.

John H. Owen attended the public schools of the Wheatland district and Stockton Business College. For three years, then, he farmed grain on rented land. After this he was engaged in merchandising, taking into partnership B. F. Long in Farmington. The firm prospered for six years as Long & Owen, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Owen resumed ranching until 1905. He bought 560 acres at the southern end of San Joaquin, near the Stanislaus County border, which he sowed to grain but later sold the tract. Then he leased the Leach ranch in Stanislaus County, raising grain for six years. Back to San Joaquin he moved, in 1900, purchasing 411 acres near Escalon; he farmed to grain until 1905.

Anxious to bring to his children the advantages of Stockton's schools, Mr. and Mrs. Owen brought the family there, leasing his ranch. He followed the realty business for some time, and then the butcher's. Meanwhile in 1907 the mounting costs of irrigation prompted him to subdivide his 411 acres into 30 acre tracts, which he readily disposed of to settlers at $60 an acre. . Little did he dream that most of this land would change hands in 1920 at $550 an acre. In 1912 Mr. Owen was persuaded to become County Humane Officer by the Humane Committee of San Joaquin County and he has faithfully filled that ex- acting position. Besides his public work he has been interested as member in Oakdale Lodge of Masons. Farmington Lodge of Odd Fellows and Stockton Camp, Woodmen of the World.

Mrs. Owen was Miss Sarah E. Griffin, born near Farmington. Her father was Mitchell Griffin, a California Forty-niner, who crossed the continent with ox teams over the poorly marked trails and be- came a large rancher and landowner. Her mother also crossed the prairies and mountains as a girl, in '49, with her parents, behind ox teams. Three chil- dren compose the family of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Owen: Alvin George, with the Associated Creamery

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

Company of Modesto; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Chester W. Conklin, of Stockton, and Arthur L. Owen, a member of Stockton's Police Department.

SAMUEL C. BEANE .- An experienced, progress- ive railroad man who is far more than a routine operator, is Samuel C. Beane, popular district freight and passenger agent of the Southern Pacific Rail- road at Stockton. A native son and proud of his association with the Golden State, he was born in Tulare County, Cal., on February 26, 1869, the son of Samuel and Diana (Davies) Beane, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Beane came to California by way of Panama in 1862, and he died in 1875. The mother crossed the plains to California in 1862, and she passed away in Sacramento in August, 1921.

Samuel C. Beane attended the public schools of Plymouth, in Amador County, and then he started to work in the quartz mill at the age of sixteen, having previously begun the study of telegraphy. He worked at odd jobs around the post office at Plymouth, while a boy, and at seventeen left home to go to Sacramento, where he worked for Weinstock & Lubin, receiving at first six dollars per week. Later, he was given a post with Messrs. Scott & Gilbert, the manufacturing chemists, at ten dollars per week.

Hearing that the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany were paying operators sixty dollars per month, he entered the employ of that company on May 15, 1889, as night operator at Chico, and ever since that date he has been in the service of that great concern. He next became relief agent and operator at Chico, Woodland, Red Bluff, Reno, Ventura, San Jose and other cities, and for ten years he was associated with the freight department at San Jose, where he rose to the position of assistant chief clerk, and he was one year in the general offices of the company in San Francisco as rate clerk.

In August, 1902, he was transferred to Stockton as chief clerk, where he continued for a period of nine years. Then he was traveling and freight agent out of the district freight agent's office at Oakland, but made his residence in Stockton, and after four years he became commercial agent over the district between Florin and Tracy. On March 1, 1920, he was ap- pointed district freight and passenger agent of the district from Florin on the north to Newman and Merced on the south and from Antioch on the west to the Southern Mines on the east. On May 15, 1921, he had been for thirty-two years in the continuous service of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

When on June 5th, 1894, Mr. Beane was married at Sutter Creek, he chose for his life-companion, Miss Lillie Frances Higgins, a native of Pennsylvania; and they have had two children, one of whom is married. Ruth A. has become the wife of J. E. Duffy, and they have one son, J. E., Jr .; Chester Beane is a clerk in the Commercial and Savings Bank of Stockton. Mr. Beane belongs to Charity Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., and to Stockton Lodge No. 218 B. P. O. E., and also to Stockton Lodge No. 319 of the Loyal Order of Moose and to Stock- ton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W. He is a charter member of the Stockton Rotary Club, and has been secretary of that influential organization since its formation in August, 1913.

HARMON E. PRICE, M. D .- Among the leading physicians and surgeons of Stockton is Dr. Harmon E. Price, who won distinction during the World War for his valuable services overseas. He was born at Mount Carmel, Ill., on October 8, 1879, and began his education in the public schools of his na- tive city; later he attended the Seminary at Friends- ville, Ill .; then entered the Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, O., from. which he was graduated with the Class of '05 with the degree of M. D .; he then took a post-graduate course in the Cincinnati Hos- pital for one year, thus putting into practice the train- ing received in school. Removing to Maroa, Ill., he practiced for a short time, then removed to Clinton, the county seat of De Witt County, Ill., remaining there until 1916, when he removed to California and located at Tracy, San Joaquin County. Desiring a larger city in which to pursue his chosen pro- fession, after eight months' practice in Tracy, he removed to Stockton in 1917. In the summer of 1918, he entered the service of his country; going to the Presidio at San Francisco, he took a course in surgery at the Military Surgeon's Hospital. While there he was commissioned a lieutenant in the U. S. Army, and on June 21, 1918, was stationed at Camp Lewis Base Hospital; in September he was assigned to Base Hospital No. 95, but was sent overseas with Camp Hospital No. 3, stationed at Neufchateau, France, and later advanced to section headquarters on the front line's, where he was under fire until the signing of the armistice. During January 1919, he was stationed at Perigueux, France in connection with Base Hospital No. 95, where he remained until March of that year, when he was assigned to the A. E. F. University as regimental surgeon and sanitary inspector. On July 3, 1919 he received his honorable discharge at Camp Dix, New Jersey. He now has a captain's commission in the reserve corps of the medical section, and has recently been as- signed to the 262nd Regiment of the 91st Division, regimental surgeon of the reserve corps.

Dr. Price has won considerable distinction as the author of articles on surgery and medicine, read be- fore a number of medical societies. In 1908 he read a paper before the Illinois State Medical Associa- tion during its convention in Chicago; an article on surgery, written by Dr. Price, appeared recently in the Military Surgeon, a monthly publication, pub- lished by the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, which has been widely read, and considered most timely and far-reaching by the medical fraternity.

The marriage of Dr. Price united him with Miss Dollie Marie Hurt, a native of Illinois; and they are the parents of one son, Harmon Ellsworth, Jr. Before coming to California Dr. Price was an active member of the Illinois Medical Association and also of the De Witt County Illinois Medical Society; he now is a member of the San Joaquin County and State Medical Societies. He joined the Destiny Blue Lodge of Masons No. 197 in Tacoma, Wash., but now belongs to the Morning Star Lodge of Stock- ton, Cal. He is a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of Aahmes Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. of Oakland, the Sciots of Stockton, and the Stock- ton Golf and Country Club.

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H. E. Price

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

EDWIN H. HESS .- One of the interesting men of affairs of Stockton is Edwin H. Hess, who has grown up with the city and has been closely identified with its development all his years. As manager of the Stockton Dyeing and Cleaning Works, a pioneer plant enjoying a prestige of nearly fifty years under one ownership, Mr. Hess is one of the widely known dyeing and cleaning specialists of the West. The erection of the handsome new home for this plant in 1918 and 1919 adds another achievement to the credit of the Hess family, whose name has been inter- woven with that of the city of Stockton since 1874.

Edwin H. Hess was born at Stockton, April 13, 1890, the son of Oswald H. and Martha (Wolf) Hess, both natives of Germany and now deceased. Oswald H. Hess was born in Beerfelden, Hesse, and came to the United States when a young man, in 1867, via Panama. Arriving in California, he herded cattle and sheep in El Dorado County, and in 1874 he came to Stockton. For a time previous to this he had worked for his brother in San Jose in a cleaning and dyeing works, and on coming to Stockton he started in business in a small way at 515 East Main Street, ,occupying a little building, the lumber for which was brought around the Horn. As his business grew, in 1890 he erected a brick block on the same site, which is still standing, and he occupied the ground floor for his dye works. In 1908 Mr. Hess took a trip to Europe and on his return he moved his busi- ness to 520 East Lindsay Street. In 1909 he took in as partners his son Edwin H. Hess and his son-in- law, J. C. Billetter. This partnership continued until the father's death, July 1, 1918, when Edwin H. be- came the sole owner of the business. Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Hess were the parents of two children, Mrs. J. C. Billetter and Edwin H. Hess. One of Stock- ton's substantial citizens, Oswald H. Hess was one of the founders of the old Turnverein and a mem- ber of Truth Lodge of the Odd Fellows.

Edwin H. Hess was educated in the public and high schools of Stockton and in 1908 took an extended trip to Europe with his parents. On his return he became associated in his father's business and since 1918 has been its owner and proprietor. The new structure occupied by the company occupies ground space 50x100 feet at 338 North California Street, on ground owned by the family for many years. It was designed under the personal direction of the present owner and is the most modern establishment of its kind in Central California, featuring many novel ideas for the proper care of clothes. In Mr. Hess' office and the display room. the walls are of ivory enamel and mahogany panel effects, the floor being of inlaid tile with marble base, everything denoting quiet ele- gance of taste. In the rear are the operating depart- ments, the heavy pressing being done by the most modern machinery, while all delicate fabrics are pressed by hand. In the curtain cleaning department there is a patent Troy stretcher, no pins or hooks being used. Another room is devoted to cleansing blankets, each individual blanket being washed sep- arately.

In the dry-cleaning room, after coming from the extractor the clothes are placed in the Troy dry room tumbler, where hot air sucked over steam-heated coils by a suction fan passes through the clothes as they are revolving in wire baskets, removing all odor of gasoline, also all lint. The gasoline is pumped from underground tanks, thus eliminating all fire haz-

ard, and as it becomes cloudy it is pumped into another tank and distilled before being used again, which insures perfect cleanliness for all garments. The dyeing department is in the rear of the building and all the latest methods of operation are featured here. The patronage of this establishment extends into all sections of the country surrounding Stockton, some families having dealt with this firm for two generations.

Mr. Hess was married to Miss Bertha Jeannelle on September 11, 1910. She is a native of Indiana and came to California in 1907. One daughter, Jeannelle, has been born to them. Mr. Hess is a member of the Stockton Elks, the Native Sons of the Golden West, and takes an active part in the affairs of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

JOHN J. PIMM .- One of the prosperous and en- terprising citizens of Lodi is found in John J. Pimm, who located in Lodi fifteen years ago and established a general blacksmithing and wagon-making business, in which he has met with success. He was born in that great milk and butter district of Orange County, N. Y., on August 14, 1847. His father was a member of a prominent English family, and com- ing to America settled in New York state in an early day and was a pioneer carriage maker and black- smith. At the age of fourteen our subject started to learn his trade of woodworker under his father, later taking up blacksmithing. Having an ardent admiration for good horses and being thrown in con- tact with them in his business, he became the owner of many fine driving and trotting horses. In time he became expert in the breaking of colts and the matching of driving teams. After the death of his father, he continued the business at Montgomery, N. Y. and succeeded in building up a fine and lucrative business. During the year of 1883 he removed to Morris, Minn, and engaged in the manufacture of buggies and wagons. He still retained his love for fine horses and owned many of them, among them being "Maud K," a pacer with a record of 2.16; he also received many premiums at county fairs for his horses. In 1900 he removed to California, settling first at Corning, and there he established a black- smithing business, which occupied him for several years, when he removed to Lodi, establishing his business in 1907 making butcher and ice wagons. As the automobile came into general use, Mr. Pimm has added auto repairing and it has become his chief line of work. He is proud of the steady and prosper- ous growth of his business and now employs seven men continuously on repair work.

Mr. Pimm's marriage united him with Miss Lottie Oakley, a native of New York State, a daughter of that pioneer George Oakley, who was a merchant in New York state before coming to California in 1849, via Panama, bringing with him a stock of goods from his store, consisting of stoves, hardware and other commodities which he disposed of in San Francisco, where he died. Mr. Pimm became affiliated with the Congregational Church while a resident of Min- nesota and for seven years served as superintend- ent of the Sunday school and for nine years was a deacon of the church; for the past eleven years he has been a deacon in the Lodi Congregational Church. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workman. His support has always been on the side of right and maire ad has aniaring's

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supported measures for the upbuilding of the com- munity, socially, morally and religiously.

THOMAS E. FISHER .- The descendant on both the paternal and maternal sides of pioneers of the Golden State, Thomas E. Fisher, the assistant chief of the Stockton Fire Department, has spent his whole life in the vicinity of his birthplace. He was born at Stockton on February 17, 1879, the son of J. H. and Mary J. (Towell) Fisher. Mrs. Fisher, who is still living, was also born in San Joaquin County, her father, Thomas Towell, being a pioneer settler of this district. J. H. Fisher, who was a native Missourian, was an early settler of Stockton. He was the first building contractor there and also engaged in house moving, being prominent in local affairs until his death, which occurred in 1903.

Thomas E. Fisher was educated at St. Mary's College at Stockton and then engaged with his father in contracting and house moving, and after the latter's death he took over the business and continued it until his appointment as assistant fire chief. He was also one of the owners of the Traveler's Garage, but dis- posed of his interests in this concern in October, 1919. Mr. Fisher joined the Stockton Fire Department Sep- tember 16, 1903, as a call man, and on June 1, 1912, he was appointed assistant chief of the department, taking the place of Martin D. Murphy, the present chief. Growing up with the service, having been a member of the department for nearly twenty years, Mr. Fisher is one of its most loyal and efficient mem- bers and is filling his responsible position to the satis- faction of the whole community.

Mr. Fisher's marriage united him with Miss Minnie Earhart, also a native of San Joaquin County and the daughter of pioneer residents. Mr. Fisher is the owner of a good residence in Stockton, where they make their home. He takes an active part in the local fraternal life and is a member of the Eagles, Moose, Native Sons of the Golden West, Young Men's Institute and the Knights of Columbus.

ALFRED W. ARCHER .- The inventive genius of the Sterling Iron Works of Stockton, Alfred W. Archer is its chief engineer, and his determination to succeed in his chosen profession has brought him the merited reward. A native of the Golden State, he was born on Sherman Island, San Joaquin County, on September 16, 1877. His schooling consisted of a few years' attendance in the Salem School of Lodi; then he took up the study of mechanical engineering at home, and was fortunate to secure employment with the Holt Manufacturing Company in their machine shop, where the opportunities were of the best to make advancement along inventive and me- chanical lines, his service covering a period of three years. Following his profession, he then traveled extensively throughout the world; was employed, for a time, by the Fresno Agricultural Works, of Fresno, Cal. and the Samson Iron Works of Stockton; then he worked for the British South Africa Charter Company in Rhodesia, South Africa; then he spent two years in various countries of Europe. At the end of this time, he returned to California and be- came the master mechanic for the largest lumber company on' the coast, the Weed Lumber Company, located at Weed, Siskiyou County, Cal. About four- teen years ago he became associated with the Ster- ling Iron Works of Stockton and has designed all the

patents and products of this company, among them being the famous Sterling turbine pump, which has since become extensively used not only in California but throughout the entire West. It took the skill and ability of a genius to design and put on the market this intricate piece of machinery and to Mr. Archer belongs the credit. William F. Barnicol is the efficient manager of this company. Twelve differ- ent styles of pumps are manufactured, all of which are thoroughly tested before leaving the plant, which is equipped with a testing laboratory, under the direct supervision of Mr. Archer. This company has installed many pumping plants on ranches throughout the valley and commercial plants as well and there are hundreds of them in use.

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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 181

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