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 195

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 195

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of this review, and Mrs. Ida Burke. The father passed away in 1919.

Frank L. was educated in the public schools of Lodi; when he was fourteen years old he began clerking in the store of M. Newfield & Sons and remained with them until he was nineteen; he then bought the Irey Transfer Company and changed the name to the City Transfer Company; later he sold this business and became a partner with his father in the well drilling business. When his father passed away he was thoroughly capable of carrying on the business and is now full owner of same. Some of his recent operations in well drilling are as follows: a 767-foot well at Victor; a 787-foot well on the old Trethaway place, five miles east of Lodi; a 515-foot well on the Charles Costa ranch at Clements; also installed a pump with a flow of 1,600 gallons per minute; a 20-inch well for Hunt Bros. at Linden, 990 feet deep with a flow of 1,600 gallons a minute; two wells for the city of Lodi, one of 155 feet and the other 275 feet; a 260-foot well on the W. E. Shipman ranch southeast of Lodi with a flow of 500 gallons a minute; one on the John C. Bewley ranch in Christian Colony with a flow of 1,000 gallons a minute. Mr. Cornwell is thoroughly conversant with the water channels and the depth to drill. West of Cherokee Lane water in any amount is found at a depth of from thirty to seventy feet; while east of Cherokee Lane one would have to drill from ninety to 800 feet for water. Mr. Cornwell is fully equipped for his work with all modern machinery; he owns and operates two Keystone steam drilling machines and one Star gas drill; he employs from ten to fifteen men. Besides his well drilling, he is agent for the G. W. Price turbine and centrifugal pump and installs many of them in connection with his work.

Mr. Cornwell's marriage united him with Miss Florence Ethel Bailey, a native of England, and they are the parents of five children, four of whom are living: Daisy E., Harriet, Louis, and Florence Louise; Frank is deceased.

ORISON EATON .- A resident of Tracy who has come to enjoy a large place in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen is Orison Eaton, who was born on his father's farm near Warren, Ill., on October 28, 1861, a son of Parley and Susan (Jones) Eaton, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of New York State. The schooling of Orison Eaton was completed when he reached the age of twelve years, and after that he did the heavy work on his father's farm. Early in 1875 the family removed to Vernon County, Wis., and two years later emigrated to Lynn County, Kans., where they continued to farm and where our subject assumed the burden of the farm work until he started in for himself. The mother died at Lathrop, California, in 1890, and the father in 1900 at Tracy.

On February 3, 1883, at Emporia, Kans., Mr. Eaton was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Huffman. Mrs. Eaton was born near Franklin, Ind., on December 22, 1856, a daughter of William Huff- man, a native of Kentucky, and a well-known farmer. He married Miss Mary Smock, a native of Indiana, and removed to Kansas, and there the family resided until 1868. In 1887 Mr. Eaton re- moved to Lathrop, California, and was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in the roundhouse. During 1888 his family joined him and

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remained at Lathrop until 1894, when they removed to Tracy, as the roundhouse had been moved from Lathrop to Tracy and Mr. Eaton was still in charge. In 1910 he was offered the position of superintend- ent of the treating plant, and he has since had charge of this plant and during the past twelve years has not been absent from his post of duty a single day. This plant treats the water used by the power- ful locomotives, destroying all injurious qualities.

Mr. and Mrs. Eaton are the parents of three chil- dren: Edwin O. is married and resides in Modesto; Fred is married and has two daughters, the family living in Modesto; and Lela is Mrs. O. Phillips; they have two sons and reside in Tracy. In politics Mr. Eaton is a Republican and during the recent war supported the different drives. He owns a fine modern residence at 106 West Eleventh Street, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

MANUEL R. DIAS. - Among the successful farmers and dairymen of San Joaquin County, Manuel R. Dias may well be counted as one of the most progressive and substantial of citizens. From an humble beginning he has become one of San Joaquin County's foremost dairymen, being a part- ner in two big dairy farms. He is also one of the four partners in the large store at 34 South Center Street, Stockton, known as the Portuguese-Amer- ican Grocery Company, which is composed of M. Silva, Manuel R. Dias, Frank Vas and John Men- dosa. Mr. Dias lives with his wife and family upon Woods Dairy No. 3, about nine miles west of Stockton, of which he is the manager. He is also a part owner in the Silva, Vas & Company dairy ranch, another extensive dairy farm on Lower Rob- erts Island. M. Silva & Company is a partnership composed of Manuel Silva, Manuel R. Dias and John Ignacio. M. Silva & Company lease and op- erate the large dairy farm composed of 720 acres, known as Woods Dairy No. 3. Thereon are kept 330 milch cows and 100 heifers and 12 registered Holstein bulls. The Silva, Vas & Company dairy farm is also located on Lower Roberts Island and occupies the premises known as Woods Dairy No. 1, and comprises 380 acres. The Silva, Vas & Com- pany is composed of Manual Silva, Manuel R. Dias, Frank Vas, Joe Nunes, and Joe Costa.

Mr. Dias was born on the Isle of Pico, Azores, October 11, 1878, a son of M. R. and Anna de San Jose Dias, both of whom were born in Pico. The father of our subject was a well-to-do merchant and farmer in his native land. Manuel R. Dias left his home for America and arrived in San Francisco. California, March 20, 1906; he went direct to the Delta and began to work as a farm laborer on the Black tract, where he remained for five years; early in 1911 he went into partnership with M. Silva in a small dairy on Lower Roberts Isle and from the beginning their business prospered and they do an extensive dairy business.

Before leaving his native land, Mr. Dias was married to Miss Mary Candeios Freitas, and they are the parents of three children: Mary, Angeline and Manuel. Mr. Dias is past secretary of the I. D. E. S. and has been instrumental in helping many of his countrymen upon their arrival in America. His life has been one of strictest integrity

and his own efforts and untiring labor have been amply rewarded and he is esteemed by his business associates.

PETER ARBIOS .- Among the representative and leading stockmen of the San Joaquin Valley the name of Peter Arbios is a familiar one, for he was an early settler at Mendota, Fresno County, where he had extensive land interests as well as owning several thousand head of sheep. He was born at Aysus, Basses-Pyrenees, France, July 18, 1863, and migrated to California when seventeen years of age, joining his parents, John and Genevieve Arbios, who were located near Pleasanton, Cal., where they had a vineyard and fruit orchard; when he was ready to go into business for himself, Peter Arbios located in Fresno County and engaged in sheep raising with his headquarters at Mendota. For many years he was in partnership with his brother-in-law, A. J. Arnaudon, in the sheep business, and after they dis- solved partnership he was in partnership with Peter Sahargun for a number of years, and then conducted business on his own account, becoming the owner of large landed interests, besides leasing range land. For fourteen years he was general superintendent of the sheep departmnt of Miller & Lux, traveling from one to another of their many ranches in California, Utah and Nevada. After resigning his position with Miller & Lux he devoted all of his time to the grow- ing and care of his extensive flocks, residing with his family at Mendota, where he built a comfortable and commodious residence, in the full enjoyment and com- panionship of his wife and children. He ran about 10,000 head of sheep, purchased land for range and also improved one ranch adjoining Mendota to in- tensive farming, installing a pumping plant for irri- gation and growing alfalfa. He was actively engaged in the stock business until his death, September 21, 1915, aged fifty-two years.

After he had been in California for about four years he made a trip back to his old home in France and soon after his arrival in that country he was called on for military duty and although he was an American citizen since his father had taken out citi- zenship papers before Peter was twenty-one years of age he responded to the call and joined the French colors, doing his duty for three years when he was honorably discharged, and soon after this he returned to California. While in France he met an attractive young lady named Marie Daunet, who when seven- teen years of age made her way to Los Angeles and soon after her arrival the acquaintance was renewed and resulted in their marriage, a union that proved a very happy one. She was born in Lurbe, Basses- Pyrenees, France, the daughter of Peter and Baldine (Bordenave) Daunet, who were well-to-do farmers and stockraisers in the Pyrenees, and there the father passed away, an honored man, while his widow sur- vives him, making her home on the old farm, aged seventy-eight years, the mother of four children: Joseph Daunet is farming the old home in France; Mrs. Marie Arbios; Annie is Mrs. Maunet of Alham- bra; and Mrs. Josephine Sahargun, who died in Cali- fornia in March, 1922.

The daughter Marie received a good education in the local schools of France. Having a desire to see the great Pacific Coast region she set out for Los Angeles when she was seventeen years of age, and as stated after renewing her acquaintance with Mr. Arbios they were married. She gave of her best

Peter arbios

Marie airlines

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

efforts to aid her husband in the improving of the great San Joaquin Valley and win for them a fortune and competency. Thus it was a hard blow to her and the children when he was taken away from them, a man still in the prime of life, loved and esteemed by all who knew him and deeply mourned by his family. Their union was blessed with nine children, eight of whom are living. Amy died at the age of twenty-two; Albert is a stockman and resides at Stockton; Peter L. is manager of the Arbios ranches and their flocks, and makes his home at Mendota; he married Augustine Vallon and they have two chil- dren, Jane and Yvonne; Edna is the wife of J. L. Reid of Stockton; Sodie is assisting his brother in the care of the ranches and stock; he married Helen Burubeltz of Bakersfield and resides in Stockton; Lucy is the wife of L. F. Hickinbotham of Stockton; Josephine and Zeta assist their mother to preside over the home; Joseph is also a sheep grower. Albert and Sodie served in the World War, were sent overseas where they spent twenty months and on their return to the United States they were duly discharged.

During the years following Mr. Arbios' death his widow removed with the children to Stockton where she built a comfortable residence at 1130 North Edi- son Street and here surrounded by her children she makes her home, looking after the large interests left by her husband, and in this her children aid her. They accord her every consideration and honor and with their ability and energy aid her in every way. The family still own the ranches left by the father and have three bands of sheep approximating 10,000 head which they range in Fresno, Madera and Mari- posa counties. In 1921 Mrs. Arbios, accompanied by her son Joseph, made a trip back to her old home spending six months visiting her old friends and kindred. Her mother, seventy-seven years of age, was still living and it was a very enjoyable reunion to them, but she was delighted to get back to her California home and friends. Mr. Arbios was greatly interested in the cause of education and gave material aid in keeping the public school in his district to a high standard.

NELSON S. DWELLY .- A champion of prog- ress and improvement may be found in Nelson S. Dwelly, whose record as a member of the board of trustees since 1914 and as president of the board since 1916 has been a potent factor in the develop- ment of Tracy and her environs. He was born near Waukegan, Ill., on December 27, 1873, and when six years of age was taken by his parents to Topeka, Kans. He is the son of Charles H. and Anna (Condel) Dwelly, his father being a machinist em- ployed in the shops of the Santa Fe Railroad at Topeka. They were the parents of five children, four of whom reside in Kansas. Both parents are deceased.

Nelson S. received his first schooling in the public schools of Topeka, Kans., and then served an ap- prenticeship, with two of his brothers, in the Santa Fe railroad shops there; after completing his apprenticeship, he chose the air brakes department. In 1891 he was advanced to the position of foreman and remained there until 1900, when he located in Richmond, California, and became connected with the Northern Division of the Santa Fe, remaining there for eight months. In 1901 he accepted a re-

sponsible position with the Southern Pacific Rail- road at Rocklin, California, working for two years in the general machine shop; he worked in Oakland for seven years, following his trade, and also for a few months at Port Costa. About the time of his removal to Tracy, the Southern Pacific Railroad Company consolidated two departments, and Mr. Dwelly was put in charge of the round house, and for several months supervised forty men. Leaving the employ of the railroad company, for two years he successfully conducted the West Side garage on the Lincoln Highway, and when he disposed of it received a good profit. Mr. Dwelly is the owner of extensive realty holdings in Tracy; he has erected a fine garage building at Eleventh and Windler, which is leased to the Atlas garage.

The marriage of Mr. Dwelly occurred in Topeka, Kans., in 1898, and united him with Miss Julia Boyer, a native of New York, and they are the parents of three children: Elizabeth, Nelson J. and Anna Bell. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons and Knights of Pythias of Tracy, and polit- ically he is a staunch Republican. His influence and support can be counted upon for all movements intended for advancement of this portion of Cali- fornia and his services as mayor of Tracy have assured him popularity and esteem throughout the county.

HERMAN O. KRUSCHKE .- Those who have watched the career of Herman O. Kruschke have noted the steady progress that he has made through the years of his life, which has brought him de- served success. He was born at Canastota, Mc- Cook Co., S. D., on March 26, 1891, a son of Julius H. and Anna (Zofft) Kruschke, both natives of Germany, the father coming to America when about eleven years of age, and the mother when merely a little girl. Both families pioneered in South Da- kota. The father, a successful farmer, passed away at Canastota from influenza in 1919, while the mother now resides in Tracy, Cal.

The education of Mr. Kruschke began in the public schools of his native city, and in 1908 he was graduated from high school; then entered the Uni- versity of South Dakota in the law department, planning to take up corporation law and its at- tendant branches. During summer vacations, he found employment as a clerk and in the summer of 1910 he was made assistant cashier of the Canas- tota bank. During the winter of that same year, while attending college, he was taken seriously ill and suffered from ill health many months. Seeking a milder climate in search of health, he came to Porterville, Cal., and so improved in health that he traveled throughout the state, and finally entered a bank at Orange, Cal., where he remained for three years. He then returned to South Dakota and decided to go into business rather than finish his college course, and purchased the First National Bank at Springfield, S. D., becoming the cashier Later he disposed of this interest, and organized the National Bank at Wentworth, but owing to the delay in granting the charter, he concluded to dispose of his interests. This he did and entered the grain and stock business five miles southeast of the city of Redfield, S. D., which proved a suc- cessful venture. In 1917 he disposed of his inter- ests in South Dakota and removed to California.

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and during the same year came to Tracy, where he entered the Pioneer Bank as assistant cashier, re- maining in that position until late in 1919, when he left to go into business for himself. It was with reluctance that the president of this institution re- leased Mr. Kruschke from his staff, as he had be- come a valuable asset to the bank. He then es- tablished a real estate and insurance business, be- sides loaning money for building purposes, and suc- cess has come to him through his upright methods of dealing with his customers.

On September 14, 1914, Mr. Kruschke was mar- ried to Miss Hildegard Breihan, a graduate regis- tered nurse, and daughter of Rev. and Mrs. A. F. Breihan of Almond, Wis., and they are the parents of three children: Thelma, Ardell, and Loris. In politics he is a stanch Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kruschke are active members of the Tracy Lutheran Church, and it was through the persistent efforts of Mr. Kruschke that the church was organ- ized. Mr. Kruschke is vice-president of the local Chamber of Commerce; he owns forty acres of rich land now being planted to alfalfa; also owns his residence and several desirable pieces of property in Tracy.

CHARLES L. CREIGHTON .- In 1915, Charles L. Creighton settled in the Summer Home district of San Joaquin County where he acquired sixty acres, a portion of the home place of Peter Clapp, who formerly owned 12,000 acres in this section of the county. From 1885 to 1915 Mr. Creighton suc- cessfully farmed in Sonoma County where he had a preemption of 160 acres, which was developed to vineyard and orchard. He is a native of New York, having been born near Fort Covington, July 19, 1860. His father, William A. Creighton, was born in Salem, N. Y., and later removed to Franklin County, where he farmed to hay and grain for New York City markets. Charles L. Creighton received his education in the public schools of his locality, but the hard work on the home farm in his young days has proven of great value in later life, and has been the means of much of his success in his agricultural and horticultural activities.

At twenty-one years of age he left home to paddle his own canoe and four years later he settled at Santa Rosa, where he preempted 160 acres of raw land; this land he developed to a vineyard and orch- ard and there he remained until 1915 when he located in San Joaquin County. He was married on October 22, 1901, at San Francisco, to Miss Mar- garet Hadden, a. daughter of Samuel and Sarah Hadden, natives of County Armagh, Ireland, who had located in San Francisco in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Creighton are the parents of one son, William Henry. While residing in Sonoma County Mr. Creighton served as school trustee for the Los Alamos school district and wherever he has been he has supported the farm bureau of his locality. Fraternally, Mr. Creighton is a member of the Odd Fellows, while Mrs. Creighton is a member of the Rebekahs of Manteca, and in religious faith they belong to the Christian Church of Manteca. Politically, Mr. Creighton is a Republican and is a firm believer in the future greatness and prosperity of San Joaquin County. He has taken advantage of the natural resources of the state afforded to the agriculturist and horticulturist and in both branches of his busi- ness is meeting with gratifying success.

LYMAN MOORE LEWIS .- On the list of San Joaquin County's successful viticulturists appears the name of Lyman Moore Lewis, who since 1902 has made his home upon his present ranch near Victor. He was born in Albion, Mich., on April 13, 1850, a son of J. R. and Caroline (Herrick) Lewis, natives of Burlington, Vt., and New York, respectively. His father was a sash and door manufacturer and was the first, man to start a factory in Jackson, Jackson County, Mich .; and his brother, Dr. Edward Lewis, was the first practicing physician in the county. Thus the family were early settlers in that part of Michigan. His father lived to be fifty-nine years old, and his mother passed away at forty-five.

Lyman Moore Lewis received his education in the public schools of Jackson, Mich., and learned the sash and door manufacturing trade in his father's shop. In 1871 his father sold his shop, and Lyman Lewis continued to work for his successor for six years. On account of impaired health, Mr. Lewis was obliged to leave the factory because of the dust, and in 1884 went to the Dakota territory, settling at Milnor, in Sargent County. Here he farmed for two years on a tract of land he had homesteaded. Soon, however, realizing that he had not been trained for a farmer, he left the farm and bought a machine shop in Aberdeen, S. D., which he fitted up for a sash and door factory, and for the next three years did a thriv- ing business. While there, he exhibited his products at the State Fair, having the center display space of a four-winged building. In this way he became acquainted with many of the prosperous farmers who were anticipating building better homes. For two consecutive years, however, there was a crop failure, and his business was ruined. Meanwhile, his partner had gone to Tacoma, Wash., and reports came back to Mr. Lewis that the city was in the midst of a build- ing boom; so he moved to Tacoma and there engaged in business as a builder and contractor. The next spring he located at Ocosta, on Gray's Harbor, where a railroad was being built. There he built a sash and door factory and did a thriving business-in fact, he practically built the town that year. Mr. Lewis em- ployed eight men in his factory, which was kept con- stantly busy; so much so, that green lumber had to be used. Anticipating an active summer, he ran a full force all during the winter months, filling every available storage place with finished sash and doors; but a fire entirely destroyed his plant and he sus- tained a complete loss. Undaunted by this misfor- tune, he commenced anew, installing new machinery and erecting a larger plant, and was preparing to manufacture shingles as well as sash and doors, when the panic of 1893 checked building operations. Mr. Lewis then turned his thoughts toward agriculture and went to southern Oregon, where he rented a ranch near Ashland. He remained there until 1897, when he went to Dawson during the gold rush, making his way over Chilcoot pass to Lake Bennett, where he built a boat and then came down the Yukon to Dawson. He made a good strike, but lost it again in a worthless pit. In 1899 he returned home, and in October of the same year went back, with his wife, to Alaska. His wife remained at Skagway, while he went on to Dawson. They again returned home, and the next year his daughter Cora went with him, first to Teller City and then to Dawson, where she was

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LM Lewis Lavinda Desvis Oriunda

LA. Lagay

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

stenographer for the steamship company. There she was married by Bishop Row to J. M. Elmer, a min- ing engineer who afterwards introduced the first dredger on the Yukon. In Alaska, Mr. Lewis had some hard times, bitter experiences, and narrow escapes. After spending five years off and on in Alaska, he returned and went to Kansas City, where he engaged in building operations, building houses on vacant property, and selling as soon as they were built. Six months of that climate sufficed, and Mr. Lewis returned to California in the fall of 1902, where he bought twenty acres of the old Green tract at Victor. This property he has developed from a stub- ble-field to a full-bearing vineyard, setting every vine and tree and building the house. When he landed in San Joaquin County, he had $400 with which to pur- chase the twenty acres, which is today worth in the neighborhood of $40,000.

On November 2, 1872, in Jackson, Mich., oc- curred the marriage of Mr. Lewis, which united him with Miss Lucinda Barrett. She was born in Pennsylvania, the daughter of Samuel J. and Eliza- beth (Hall) Barrett, born in England and Scotland, respectively. They came first to Pennsylvania and later removed to Michigan, where Mr. Barrett was a merchant at Kinneyville; and there the parents passed on. Mrs. Lewis is the eldest of their seven children. She received a good education in the public schools, and is a cultured and refined woman, greatly loved and esteemed by all who know her. She finds much comfort in her membership and attendance at the Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the par- ents of three children, two daughters and a son. Cora is now Mrs. J. Moore Elmer, of Seattle; and they have two sons, Andrew Moore and Lewis Gibson. Ella is Mrs. R. G. Huestis of Lodi, and the mother of four children-Stephen D., who is married, has a son, Gerald; Agnes L., attending the University of California, Berkeley; Martha E., Mrs. Geo. Buckley; and Winfield Scott. George J. Lewis, a rancher of Lodi, is married and has two children, Ralph and Dorothy May.

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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 195

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