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 187

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 187

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Henry Arthur Thompson was born on a ranch west of Lodi, San Joaquin County, March 13, 1892, and received his education in the schools of the county, afterwards graduating from Boone Acad- emy, Berkeley. After reaching young manhood he was employed for four years in the contracting de- partment of the construction of highways at Arbuckle. and later at Santa Rosa. In 1919 he came to Thorn- ton and opened a garage, which he still operates. On February 8, 1916, he married Miss Catherine Quenell, a daughter of Nelson and Mary Quenell. He is the

owner of an eleven-acre orchard in the vicinity of Thornton and is a popular citizen and a member of the Knights of Pythias of Stockton.

On June 1, 1896, in San Francisco, Mrs. Thompson was married to Robert C. Lawton, a son of Capt. M. C. and Charlotte Lawton. Mr. Lawton is a civil engineer. Mrs. Lawton is a professional nurse and was with the Southern Pacific Hospital in San Fran- cisco for seven years. During the San Francisco fire she was in private practice, which covered a period of ten years; and she was also nursing at the asylum at Stockton for over two years. She has her interest in the fine orchard property which belonged to her father, called the old Thornton ranch.

MRS. WAKELEY J. BATES .- A prominent and representative citizen of the Thornton district of San Joaquin County is Mrs. Wakeley J. Bates, who was born and reared at Thornton. In maidenhood she was Miss Mary Alvernia Thornton, a daughter of Arthur and Emma (Greives) Thornton, pioneers of San Joaquin County, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.

Mary Alvernia Thornton began her education in the Thornton grammar school; then after a course at Mills Seminary, Oakland, she attended the San Joa- quin College at Woodbridge. On February 7, 1893, at the old Thornton home, occurred her first mar- riage, which united her with Harry W. Awre, a native of England and a son of Henry and Elizabeth Awre. On June 30, 1906, in Sacramento, occurred her second marriage, which united Mrs. Awre with Wakeley J. Bates, a native of Stockton, Cal. Mr. Bates was reared and educated in Stockton until he was eighteen years old, when he began working in the planing mills. For many years he was with Thomas & Buell in their planing mill, until 1912, when he and his wife removed to Thornton, where they have since continuously resided. Mrs. Bates received twenty acres of land as a gift from her father previous to his death, which is now her home place. Ten acres of this place is a bearing vineyard, and the other ten acres is devoted to wheat-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Bates are the parents of two sons, Richard Thornton and Arthur Thornton, the latter deceased at eleven years of age. In 1919 a fine resi- dence of hollow tile, covered with concrete, was erected on the ranch, which is modern and com- plete in every detail. Mrs. Bates also owns her interest in the Thornton estate. For many years she was the postmaster of the New Hope postoffice, and she is still a trustee of the New Hope school district. She is also a member of the Thornton Farm Bureau. During the World War, Mrs. Bates was the treasurer of the local chapter of the Amer- ican Red Cross.

CARL OSCAR JOHNSON .- A native of Sweden, born at Stockholm, December 25, 1865, Carl Oscar Johnson attended the public school in his native city until he was twelve years old. Being obliged to make his own living, he then obtained work in an office, but soon after went into the Swedish navy, where he served three years as an apprentice. Then he entered the Merchant Marine and when twenty-one obtained a mate's certificate. In 1887 he came to New York and thereafter sailed on the Eastern Coast, obtaining a steamship master's certificate in 1893, when he came to the Pacific Coast and followed the coasting trade. I. ISA lie two years mining and prospecting in Alaska. Return-

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ing to San Francisco, he followed coasting until 1905, when he removed to Lodi and located on his present ranch, purchasing ten acres, which he set out to Tokay grapes. Here he has since been carrying on a successful vineyard on a small scale. In politics Mr. Johnson is a Republican. He manifests much in- terest in the affairs of his county and state, and in all respects has been a good citizen.

STEPHEN E. BRENNAN .- For his entire life, with the exception of five years spent in San Fran- cisco, Stephen E. Brennan has lived in San Joa- quin County and has been identified with the best interests of his locality, being an able and successful business man and a citizen of eminent public spirit. Successful in material affairs, he has not neglected the other aspects of life, and with his wife is an especial friend of public education, Mrs Brennan be- ing particularly active in educational affairs of her district. He was born on his father's farm near At- lanta, Cal., in the Van Allen district of San Joaquin County, November 25, 1876, the youngest son of Pat- rick and Bridget (Kelly) Brennan, both natives of Ireland. Patrick Brennan was born in 1829, and when twenty-three years old came to America and located at New London, Conn. His California resi- dence dates from 1857, when he located in Stockton, where he remained until 1862, when he bought 320 acres eighteen miles southeast of Stockton, where he farmed until his death on October 10, 1879. He was survived by his widow and nine children, five of whom are living. The mother passed away on May 29, 1912, a woman of capability, and her demise caused much regret among the residents of her local- ity. Stephen E. Brennan was reared on the home- stead near Atlanta and received a good education in the Van Allen district school, and with the exception of five years spent in San Francisco, from 1905 to 1910, he has continuously resided in San Joaquin County, where his citizenship has counted much in the way of progress and advancement. After the death of his mother, the estate was divided, Mr. Brennan receiving his portion of the home place, and the following ten years were spent in the develop- ment of this ranch into a model alfalfa and fruit ranch, one of the best in the county.

In 1905, Mr. Brennan was united in marriage with Miss Goldie M. Bacon, the adopted daughter of Benjamin Bacon. Mrs. Brennan was left an orphan when only four years of age and soon after was taken into the Bacon home. Benjamin Bacon was a man of fine character and carried on an extensive grain and stock business near Collegeville. He was

a native of New York and crossed the plains in 1854 to California, where he engaged in the stock business in San Joaquin County; he owned large tracts of land and continued active until 1887, when he retired and moved to French Camp, where he built a fine resi- dence and resided there until his death, about twenty years ago. Mrs. Brennan was born in Modesto, but was reared and educated in San Joaquin County, and at the age of eighteen began teaching school, having graduated from the Stockton Normal School at that age. After her marriage, she continued to teach school, and for eleven years was principal of the Van Allen school and was instrumental in building up that efficient institution. Mrs. Brennan holds a life certificate granted to her in recognition of her capable work along educational lines. Mr. and Mrs. Brennan are the parents of two children: Harold and

Marjorie. Mrs. Brennan is an active member of the executive committee of the San Joaquin County Teachers' Association. About two years ago the Community Welfare League of Escalon conceived the idea of community moving pictures and Mr. and Mrs. Brennan were most active in the organization and work, and Mrs. Brennan was selected as a member of a board of twelve directors.

CHARLES O. BECHTOLD .- Prominent among the experienced and successful vineyardists who have done much to help place San Joaquin County in the front rank with respect to agriculture, is undoubtedly Charles O. Bechtold, who was born at Milltown, S D., on December 12, 1895, the son of George and Louise (Reimche) Bechtold, the former a native of Russia, from which country he came to South Da- kota when he was twelve years old, arriving there in the pioneer days when only those with heroic courage and manhood could hope to survive and succeed. He homesteaded 160 acres of government land in South Dakota, but when Charles was six months old re- moved with his family to North Dakota and settled at Harvey, in Wells County. There he purchased a half section of land and engaged in grain raising. Little by little he added to his original holding, until he came to possess two sections of land. Charles attended the common school at Harvey. When he was thirteen years old, he accompanied his parents to California, and to Woodbridge in 1908, where his father had bought twenty-four acres of vineyard. This vineyard was set out to Black Prince and To- kay grapes, and was well irrigated. George Bechtold died at Woodbridge, highly respected by all who knew him, the father of a family of nine children: Louise, Mrs. Bich; George, of Woodbridge; Charles; Emma, Mrs. Dahl; Martha, Mrs. Northrop, of Lodi; and Bertha, Ruby, Albert and Mabel. The last four are living at home with their mother.

Charles O. Bechtold finished his schooling in Wood- bridge, after which he followed farming. On Sep- tember 19, 1917, he entered the United States service in the World War, as a member of Company L., 363rd Infantry, 91st Division, and for six months trained at Camp Lewis. He was then transferred to the first replacement division of engineers, to be sent to France; but instead they were sent to Washing- ton, D. C., and he there matriculated in the engineer- ing school, at the American University. He was then sent to Camp Humphrey, Va., and was pro- moted to first sergeant of Company E, 1st Regiment of Replacement Engineers. He remained there for the duration of the war. On February 11, 1919, he was honorably discharged from the service at the Presidio in San Francisco as 1st sergeant, after which he returned to his home in Woodbridge. He is a member of Lodi Post No. 22, American Legion, and his wife belongs to the Auxiliary of the American Legion. After returning from the war he began viti- culture, purchasing ten acres of full-bearing vine- yard of the Bechtold ranch from his mother, and also leases another vineyard.

At Stockton, on November 22, 1920, Mr. Bechtold was married to Miss Emeline Campodonico, a native of Hornitas, in Mariposa County, and the daughter of E. and Pasquala (Valverde) Campodonico, both born at Hornitas. Her father, who is still living, was a miner, and she attended school at Hornitas, Fresno, Lodi and Stockton. Mr. and Mrs. Bechtold have one daughter, Louise Marie.

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

CHARLES AUGUSTINE GRISWOLD .- Among the residents of the farming community of Lodi, con- spicuous for their worth and ability, is Charles Augus- tine Griswold, a retired vineyardist and a veteran of the Civil War. Before coming to California twen- ty years ago, he was actively connected with the progress and development in his native state of Pennsylvania and also in Nebraska. He was born near Montrose, Susquehanna County, Pa., on August 5, 1840, a son of James F. and Lydia (Franklin) Griswold, natives of New York. Grandfather Gris- wold served in the war of 1812. Lydia Franklin's mother was a Lee, an aunt of Robt. E. Lee, and her grandfather Lee served in the Revolutionary War. She is also a direct descendant of Daniel Franklin, a brother of Benjamin Franklin. Mr. Griswold's parents died in Pennsylvania. He was the seventh child in a family of ten children and had a brother, King E. Griswold, who also served in the Civil War.

Charles A. Griswold received his education in the Elk Lake district school, Susquehanna County, Pa., and he not only helped his father on the home place, but worked on various farms throughout the county. On October 21, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry, his brigade commander being General Kirkpatrick. He served under Generals McClellan and Sherman and was with General Sher- man on his famous march through Georgia and to the sea and took part in all the engagements. After being mustered out December 24, 1864, he returned to his native county in January, 1865, and followed his trade of carpenter, extending his territory to Brad- ford County as well. In 1877 he located in Frank- lin County, Nebr., and was engaged for many years in building operations. He erected the Franklin Academy, a number of store buildings, a grist mill, a woolen mill and many school houses; he also helped build the court house at Bloomington, Nebr. While residing in Franklin County, he filed on a quarter section of land, which he farmed to grain, cattle and hogs with considerable success. When a railroad was built within a mile of his homestead and Upland, Nebr., sprang into being he established a general store there and for fourteen years served the com- munity as postmaster and justice of the peace.

Removing to California in 1903, Mr. Griswold lo- cated in Stockton and engaged in building opera- tions; however, his stay in Stockton only occupied one year and in 1904 he settled in Lodi where he purchased a fifteen-acre vineyard set to four year old vines for which he paid $3,700; his first year's crop was sold for $800 cash. The vineyard is located one mile west of Lodi and is still in his possession, but is now leased. Some time ago he bought an acre and a half on South School Street where he erected a commodious and modern residence, but has sold all but two lots of this tract. Mr. Griswold did some building after settling in Lodi; he erected the Morehead residence on West Elm Street and the O. Poole residence east of Lodi. He has now retired from active carpenter work, but is never so happy as when he has a saw and hammer in his hand.

The marriage of Mr. Griswold occurred in Bradford County, Pa., May 1, 1867, and united him with Miss Martha M. Arnout, a native of Bradford County, Pa., a daughter of Joshua Arnout and Martha C. Chilson Arnout, natives of Orange County, N. Y., who spent their last days in Bradford County, Pa. Mrs. Gris- wold is the seventh born in a family of nine chil-

dren and had two brothers, Theo. and George, who served in a New York Regiment in the Civil War: the latter died in service and the former soon after the war. Mr. and Mrs. Griswold are the parents of three daughters: Cora married Oselus Poole, a rancher living east of Lodi and they have six children; Grace is Mrs. S. D. Nelson and they have four children; Mary is Mrs. Charles Waite and they have five children and reside in Sacrmento. There are fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchil- dren in the family. In politics, Mr. Griswold is a stalwart Republican and has been an ardent supporter of the principles of that party wherever he has re- sided. At the age of twenty-five he joined the Mas- onic order in Bradford County, Pa., and is now a member of Lodi Lodge No. 256 F. & A. M. and with his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. He joined the G. A. R. in Upland, Neb. and is now a member of the Hartford Post, G. A. R. of Lodi. He is a past commander and now is chaplain. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church of Lodi, of which he is a deacon. Mrs. Griswold is an active member of the W. R. C. In 1917 they celebrated their golden wedding. In the various relations of life he has manifested those traits of character which ever command respect, and his circle of friends is therefore an extensive one.

JOHN E. BUDD .- In the selection of their life- work, many of the men who owe their educational training to the splendid institutions of California have chosen the profession of law, as offering excep- tional advantages to those possessing the mental equipment of keen judgment, logical powers of reason- ing, and readiness in repartee. Among those identi- fied with the profession for many years, and who achieved success in managing the affairs of a large clientele, mention belongs to the late John E. Budd, member of a pioneer family of California and son of Hon. Joseph H. Budd, whose family history appears an another page of this volume. John E. Budd was born in the city of Janesville, Wis., Octo- ber 18, 1853, being the second son of Hon. Joseph H. and Lucinda (Ash) Budd, descendants of ances- tors honored in their several walks of life.

Primarily educated in the public schools of his native city, John E. Budd came to California dur- ing early manhood and afterward entered the Uni- versity of California at Berkeley, graduating from that institution in 1874. He took up the study of law in his father's office, and during October, 1876, was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court at Sacramento. Shortly afterward he became associ- ated in practice with his father at Stockton, where he gained his first practical experience in the pro- fession, continuing so associated for a number of years. During the administration of Grover Cleve- land, in 1890, he was appointed receiver of the United States Land Office with headquarters at Stockton, and filled the position with recognized efficiency until resigning upon a change in the admin- istration. After having been associated for a time with his brother, James H. Budd, in a general law practice, during 1895 Mr. Budd formed a partnership with E. R. Thompson, and the firm of Budd & Thompson became well known throughout Central California, both members being recognized as attor- neys of ability and thorough acquaintance with the principles of jurisprudence.

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Stanch in his allegiance to the Democratic party, Mr. Budd was a prominent figure in local and state politics up to the year 1903, but from that time on he relinquished his association with public affairs in order to devote himself exclusively to the law. For ten years or more he acted as a regent of the State University, and during the entire period he maintained a warm interest in the welfare of his alma mater, whose contribution to the educational uplift of the state he recognized as indispensable and permanent. As a citizen he gave constant sup- port to enterprises furthering the development of Stockton, giving liberally of his time and means to this end.

By his marriage Mr. Budd became identified with a pioneer family of California. Mrs. Budd, whom he married in 1887, was Miss Mary Haste, of Berkeley, a daughter of J. H. Haste, an honored and promi- nent pioneer of the state and for years a public- spirited citizen of Berkeley, Cal. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Budd is Henry B. Budd, a prominent civil engineer of Stockton, whose sketch appears in this volume. The two daughters are May, the wife of Francis Irving Hodgkins, and Lucile, Mrs. Robert Roy Stevens, both of Stockton.

PAUL C. FUNK .- An enterprising business man of Stockton who runs an auto wrecking and sup- ply house at 420 South Center Street is Paul C. Funk, whose business is the largest of its kind in the valley; he maintains his wrecking plant at 642 South Center Street. Since the organization of the business in January, 1917, he has sold more than 2,000 used automobiles, and he owns the building, 100x150 feet, on South Center Street. He was born in Germany in 1878 and at three years of age was brought to America, and at nine years of age, his family located in Santa Cruz, Cal., where Mr. Funk received his education in the grammar school. At seventeen years of age he began to work for the Santa Cruz Gas Company and after three years was made superintendent of the plant, remaining in that position until 1909 when he was sent by the same company to Tonopah, Nev., to take charge of their plant there; he then traveled on the road in gas construction work for V. A. Britton, during which time he installed plants in Redding and Willows; then he removed to Fresno and for two years worked for the Pacific Gas & Electric Company and was next sent to San Francisco for the same company in the capacity of assistant superintendent of distri- bution, remaining there for two years; then he was returned to Fresno as superintendent of manufac- ture by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, where he remained until he located in Stockton in 1917. E. C. Funk and William Haffner, his brother-in-law, are associated with Paul C. Funk in the business and besides buying and selling automobiles, tractors and trucks are agents for the Ohio 6,000-mile tire made in the Mansfield, Ohio, plant, one of the largest fac- tories in the country.

The marriage of Mr. Funk united him with Miss Frances Marshall, a native of Iowa; and one child, Willa, was born in San Francisco. Mr. Funk is just in the prime of his powers and years, and his use- fulness in affairs and his excellence of citizenship give him a broad and bright outlook for the future as his history in the past is a record of successful achievement.

N. B. GOULD, M. D .- During the years which mark the period of Dr. N. B. Gould's professional career he has met with gratifying success, and throughout the time of his residence in Ripon he has won the good will and patronage of many of the leading citizens and families of the place. He is a great student and endeavors to keep abreast of the times in everything relating to discoveries in medical science. He was born at Old Monterey, Cal., May 8, 1880, a son of Maj. George S. and Augusta (Churchill) Gould. Major Gould was born near Augusta, Maine, in 1831, his parents being farmer folk in that state, who removed to Indiana in 1840 and engaged in farming there. When nineteen years of age, George S. Gould joined a party of friends, among whom was his brother James, bound for Cal- ifornia to seek their fortunes. The party came via Panama and in due time arrived in Hangtown, where they prospected and mined for nine years; then George S. Gould returned to his home in Indiana. About the time he arrived in Indiana the Civil War broke out and he enlisted as a volunteer in the Sixty- eighth Indiana Infantry and served throughout the entire period of the war, being discharged with the rank of major. During the war he was married to Miss Augusta Churchill, whose English ancestors were early colonizers in Massachusetts. The young people established their home in Sparta, Ind., where Mrs. Gould remained until the close of the war when her husband returned and they removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where Major Gould engaged in the merchandise business. Owing to the illness of one of their sons, the family home was broken up and in 1876 they came to California and soon thereafter settled in Watsonville, where Major Gould estab- lished a grain and merchandise business; he also acquired a ranch property and range land in Mon- terey County, whither he later removed with his family. A portion of his estate is located near Park- field, Cal. Major and Mrs. Gould reared a family of eight children, all of whom survive with the exception of the eldest daughter. For many years he was commander of the G. A. R. post in Monterey County and for years represented the Western Meat Packers as buyer. Major and Mrs. Gould were among the founders of the Baptist Church at Park- field, where they had resided for forty-two years of their useful lives and this venerable couple lived to celebrate their sixtieth anniversary of their wedding day. In November, 1920, Mrs. Gould passed away at the age of eighty-two, her husband surviving her until May, 1922, reaching the advanced age of ninety- one.

N. B. Gould began his education in the schools of Monterey County and in 1902 was graduated from the State Normal School at San Jose; then for two years he taught school at Gonzales and San Benito earning enough to enable him to enter the Cooper Medical College in San Francisco, and during his four years' course taught in night school in San Francisco to help defray his expenses. In 1908 he was graduated with high honors with the degree of M. D. He then spent four months as interne at the French Hospital, San Francisco, where he completed a year's work within that time. After leaving the hospital, Dr. Gould was employed as chief surgeon for the Alaskan Packers' Association and was located at Chinook, Alaska, where this company operated two large canneries, employing 1,200 men. His

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n. B. Gould.

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eight months' experience with this company was both profitable and enjoyable and one never to be forgot- ten. Returning to the United States in 1909 he located in Gonzales, where he practiced his profes- sion for three years.

On January 31, 1909, at San Francisco, Dr. Gould was married to Miss Agnes Safely, a daughter of James Safely, a descendant of a prominent Scotch family and a pioneer of Napa County. Mrs. Gould is a graduate of the University of California and of Lane Hospital, San Francsico, as R. T. N., and at the time of her marriage to Dr. Gould was head of the surgical department of Mt. Zion Hospital, San Francisco. Dr. and Mrs. Gould are the parents of two children: Jeanette and Anna. In 1913 Dr. Gould left Gonzales on account of the failing health of one of his children and the family settled in Ripon. He enjoys a large and lucrative general practice and perhaps his most outstanding work is the establish- ment of the Ripon Hospital, and in his practice he has attained high rank, having a comprehensive knowledge of the great scientific principles which underlie his work. In his fraternal relations, Dr. Gould is identified with the Mt. Horeb Lodge, I. O. O. F., the Masons at Manteca and the B. P. O. E. No. 218, Stockton, and in politics he is a Republican. Dr. Gould devotes a limited portion of his time to his realty interests. He owns property in Monterey County, in Stockton, and two ranches near Ripon, all of which are leased.

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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 187

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