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 218

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 218

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In 1875, Peter Ronkendorf returned to Germany and visited his parents and old friends, and then came back in the following year. In January, 1880, he made a more extended visit to Germany, and while there he was married to Miss Catherine Schlutter, a native of Holstein, who was born on March 22, 1858, and the happy couple came to California; they were blessed with the birth of two children, Henry P. and Anna Catherine. Mrs. Ronkendorf passed away on January 12, 1902, at the home place, her death caus- ing a void which her devoted husband feels never can be filled. His daughter has remained faithful to her father, in recent years caring for him as only a faith- ful daughter can. After demonstrating his peculiar ability in Delta farming for years, Mr. Ronkendorf in 1910 relinquished active control of his affairs, in favor of his son, who now operates the ranch.

CARL F. ANDERSON .- The identification of Carl F. Anderson with the business interests and substantial development of California dates from 1900, and with the city of Stockton since 1915, where he has been engaged in building operations. He was born in southern Sweden, July 13, 1869, and as soon as he was able to use a hammer and saw, began to learn the carpenter trade from his father. At eigh- teen years of age, he left home for America, first lo- cating in Kansas City, where he followed his trade, then to Chicago. Next he went to Michigan and worked in the sawmills in that state; then he followed

his trade in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Dakota, and at odd times worked in the harvest field. In 1896 he went to Texas, where on July 13, 1897, he was mar- ried to Miss Annie M. Erickson, also a native of Sweden. Mr. Anderson experienced the discomforts of the disastrous flood in Galveston, and aided in re- construction work until his removal to California in the spring of 1900. He settled in Stockton, where he worked for Joe Herald in building operations for five years; then he removed to Berkeley, this state, where he conducted a stair building shop for nine years. -

In 1915 Mr. Anderson returned to Stockton, where he has since been actively engaged in contracting and building. He has specialized in designing and build- ing his own houses and then putting them up for sale. He owns several lots in the Yosemite Lake subdivision, where he will build bungalows to be sold after completion. He erected the Kent flats at Sixth and Sutter streets; a modern flat building on West Poplar street near Commerce; he also erected a resi- dence for the real estate firm of Albertson & Drais. Mr. Anderson finds no difficulty in disposing of his residences as fast as they are completed, for they are not only artistic in appearance, but are models of convenience and comfort.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have become the parents of two children, Ethel and Clarence C. Miss Ethel Anderson is one of the talented contralto singers of Stockton and is well known in the musical circles of that city. She studied vocal music in Stockton with Mrs. M. R. Green and during the winter of 1921-1922 was in New York City, where she studied with Ma- dame Garrigue. While in New York City, Miss An- derson was soloist in the Reform Church, and upon her return to Stockton, she was soloist in the Grace Methodist Church, and at the present time is soloist in the Presbyterian Church in Stockton. She has given recitals at the Philomathean Club House in Stockton, and her beautiful voice has been heard on many occasions in concert work in Stockton and other cities of the valley. Mr. Anderson is. classed among the enterprising, progressive and influential citizens of Stockton, where he is well known, com- manding confidence and respect by reason of his re- liability in business, his loyalty in citizenship, and his trustworthiness in private life. Mrs. Anderson passed away February 24, 1923.

JOHN J. BRENNAN .- A well-earned success has been the reward of John J. Brennan, and it has come about entirely through his own efforts and in the face of handicaps that might have easily discouraged one of less stability of character. A native of Ire- land, Mr. Brennan was born January 12, 1862, and in. 1881, when nineteen years old, he landed in New York. His first work there was as a clerk in a gro- cery store, and then for a number of years he worked on the Third Avenue line of the New York Elevated Railroad. While a resident of the metropolis he was married to Miss Maria Gilboy, and in 1906 he brought her and their five sons, ranging from five to sixteen years, to Tracy in the hope of benefiting her health. After only ten months' residence here she passed away, leaving him with the responsibility of rearing and caring for the five children.

For a time Mr. Brennan worked in the baggage and freight department of the Southern Pacific Railroad at Tracy, but after his wife's death he went to Stock- ton, where for the next four years he was connected

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with the street department of the city, under Oscar Wright, the superintendent of streets. He then ran a grocery at Fair Oaks a short time, and in 1908 bought the grocery store and building at Center and Jackson streets. This he conducted a number of years with splendid success, later turning it over to his son, Frank Brennan, who is now in charge. Mr. Brennan now has another store at 317 South Stanis- laus street. Coming to California with only $140, he has indeed made the most of his opportunities and is now rated in Dun and Bradstreet from $10,000 to $20,000. Successful in his business ventures, he has invested his profits in real estate and is now the owner of the California Bakery building and has erected an apartment house adjoining; he also owns valuable Richmond property. Mr. Brennan is the father of five sons who grew to maturity: Harry; William; Joseph P., who died at Stockton while serv- ing in the Commissary Department, U. S. A .; Frank and Edward.

FRED E. GOODELL, D. D. S .- A native son of Stockton who has early in life established himself in the professional life of the city of his birth is Dr. Fred E. Goodell, who was born here on August 27, 1899. He is the son of Frank E. and Rowena (Wol- lam) Goodell, the former a native of Calaveras County, while Mrs. Goodell was born in Columbus, Ohio. The family has made their home here for many years and Mr. Goodell is head of the pioneer hardware firm of Ruhl, Goodell & Company .-

Fred E. Goodell attended the Weber, El Dorado and Washington schools in his youth and graduated from the Stockton high school in the class of 1917. Deciding to take up the profession of dentistry, he entered the affiliated college of the University of California, at San Francisco, finishing its four years' course in 1921, when he was graduated with the de- gree of D. D. S. He then spent one year in Mt. Zion Hospital, San Francisco, gaining a valuable practical experience in his professional work, and being a close student, profited well by every oppor- tunity opened to him to increase his knowledge of his chosen work. In September, 1922, he returned to his native city and opened his offices in the Com- mercial Bank Building, and through his skill and scientific knowledge he is already well established in his practice.

HOWARD L. BUTTS .- Numbered among Stock- ton's prominent business men, Howard L. Butts is the proprietor of one of the leading shoe stores of the city, well deserving the large patronage his efficient business methods and courteous policy toward his customers have brought him. A native of New York, Mr. Butts was born in Delaware County, December 13, 1879, and his early schooling was obtained in his native state. In 1897 he came to Stockton to make his home with his uncle, Howard Malcom Fanning, one of Stockton's prominent pioneer residents who came to California in 1850, a sketch of his life being given on another page of this work.

Continuing his schooling here, Mr. Butts graduated from the Stockton high school in the class of 1900, and then entered the employ of John Garwood, a pio- neer shoe dealer of Stockton, now a resident of San Francisco, who was in partnership with George Langridge in the early days, starting in business for himself in 1888. Mr. Butts learned the business thoroughly under this experienced shoe man, contin-

uing until the fall of 1903, when he returned East, and through the recommendation of Mr. Garwood he secured a position in the establishment of James Mc- Creery & Company, one of New York's leading stores. After only four weeks as a salesman, Mr. Butts was promoted to the head of the shoe de- partment, and he remained with this company until 1909, when he returned to California. The Sorosis Shoe Company had just placed their line of ladies' shoes with the D. Samuels Lace House on O'Farrell street, San Francisco, and Mr. Butts was offered the position of manager of the shoe department, and be- ing anxious to return to California, he accepted the position. He continued there for six months and then was prevailed upon by his former employer, Mr. Garwood, to return to Stockton and take charge of his store, and soon after coming here he purchased the business. Since then many improvements have been made in the store; a new, modern front, one of the most attractive on the street, has been in- stalled, and the business has grown steadily year by year, the highest class of shoes for men and women being carried.

He has one son, Robert Calvin Butts, attending the Stockton public schools. For many years Mr. Butts has been a member of the Elks, joining Stockton Lodge, No. 218, in 1901. He is also a member of the Yosemite Club, the Rotary Club, Chamber of Com- merce, Merchants Association and the Merchants, Manufacturers and Employers Association.

HENRY GUSTAVSON .- On the list of pros- perous citizens of San Jose stands the name of Henry Gustavson, who for more than a quarter of a century has been engaged in the useful profession of patternmaker. A native of Stockholm, Sweden, he was born August 7, 1875, a son of John August and Clara Matilda (Bonnvier) Gustavson, the father being a native of Stockholm, and the mother a native of France. The father, John August, a man of rare ability and genius, was for many years the cabinetmaker for King Oscar of Sweden; a brother, Kastman, is the king's gardener; another brother, Carlson, was for many years chief of police of Stockholm, and is now the commodore of the Stockholm Yacht Club. The paternal grandfather of Henry Gustavson was Gustave Felt, who came to America in 1854, settling first in Chicago; later he drove an ox-team from Chicago to Galesville, Wis., where he was engaged in farming. The maternal grandfather was a Frenchman who served under Napoleon, and who was condemned to exile for a minor offense. He made his way to Sweden, after many narrow escapes, taking with him eight potatoes; upon his arrival, he planted them, and raised the first potatoes ever raised in Sweden. The family of Henry Gustavson left their native land of Sweden when he was less than a year old, landing in Chicago April 7, 1876. Here Henry attended the public schools; but at the age of nine years he en- tered the employ of the McEwen Manufacturing Company as an apprentice to learn the trade of pat- ternmaker and woodcarver. During the year of 1890, the family removed to San Jose, where the parents lived until they passed away, the father liv- ing to be seventy-five and the mother sixty-eight. Here Henry Gustavson was employed first by the Pacific Manufacturing Company; later he was em- ployed by the Bean Spray Pump Company, and for

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ten years made all the patterns for this company, making the first pattern for the celebrated Bean Spray Pump, the motor and all appurtenances. Re- alizing the necessity and advisability of establish- ing his own business, during the year of 1897 he opened his own pattern-making establishment. His business prospered from its inception, and enjoyed a large patronage. Among his clients may be men- tioned the Western Well Works, for whom he did $5,000 worth of work during 1920; and he also worked extensively for the Pacific Gas and Elec- tric Company, the San Jose Water Works, the Nash, Engelhardt, Silva Manufacturing Company, and many other prominent business firms of San Jose. His shop was equipped with the most mod- ern machinery and appliances for pattern-making and wood-carving, and employed nine men for this work. Mr. Gustavson disposed of his business inter- ests in San Jose on October 1, 1921, and being importuned to come to Lodi and become con- nected with the Superior Iron Works, as the pat- ternmaker, he bought a block of its stock and has ever since made his home at Lodi, giving his best efforts to the company in the manufacture of their excellent line of deep-well and turbine pumps and general irrigation. machinery.

Mr. Gustavson is a genius in his chosen line of work, a master mechanic. While experience has been the largest factor in his mechanical education, he holds a diploma from the International Corres- pondence School of Scranton, Pa., whose course in mechanical drawing he successfully completed. He is endowed with great inventive force and executive ability, a man of fine physique and an alert mind, which serves to place him in the forefront of the patternmakers of California. Fraternally, Mr. Gus- tavson is a member of the Vasa Orderen, a Swed- ish order; and also of the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees, and the dramatic order of the Knights of Khorassan.

JESSE HARDY .- For the past twenty-eight years Jesse Hardy has been a resident of California and since March 1, 1902, has been identified with the Holt Manufacturing Company in Stockton, where, through the exercise of his native talents and acquired ability, he has risen to the head of the engineering record de- partment of this well-known and prosperous concern. He was born in New York, July 11, 1875, and in his native state attended the grammar school; when his family removed to Rockeford, Ill., he entered high school, from which he was duly graduated. At nine- teen years of age, 1894, he arrived in California, where he entered the California College at Oakland and in 1898 he was graduated with the degree of B. S. He then went to Calaveras County, where he taught school for three years, after which he settled in Stockton and entered the employ of the Holt Manu- facturing Company. He started as a draftsman and was introduced to thirty employes, only four of whom now remain with the company, Mr. Hardy being one of the four, having spent twenty years of continuous services with this company.

From draftsman, Mr. Hardy was promoted to chief of the plant, then to the head of the engineering record de- partment. During the World War he was superin- tendent of production, having supervision of eighty- five clerks.

Mr. Hardy has the distinction of making the drawings for the first gasoline caterpillar built at the plant, a small affair named the Pullet. Mr. Hardy is an active member of Truth Lodge, I. O. O. F. and has passed through all the chairs of the order; also a member of the Parker Encampment and Canton Ridgley. His course has been charac- terized by firmness of purpose, by laudable ambi- tion and unflagging enterprise, and the uniform esteem with which he is held is given in recogni- tion of his personal worth and ability.

EMANUEL CAPURRO .- When Emanuel Ca- purro passed away in 1885, San Joaquin County lost one of its oldest and most esteemed citizens, for he spent thirty-seven years within the county, and they were busy and useful ones. He was an Italian by birth, and while still a boy went to sea, which he followed until he settled in California. When he left his native land for the new world he was the captain of the sailing vessel that came via Cape Horn, a year being consumed in the voyage. Ar- riving in the San Francisco harbor in 1848 he went direct to Stockton when that now thriving city was a group of tents. He established a general store on the waterfront and supplied the Southern mines with merchandise of every kind, transported by pack-mules to the mines, which he followed for many years.

The marriage of Mr. Capurro occurred after reaching California and united him with Miss Apol- inia Sopena, a native of Mazatlan, Mexico. They were the parents of three children: Emanuel, Mrs. Carmelitta Gambetta, and Mrs. Rose Capurro, all natives of Stockton. Mrs. Gambetta, the oldest daughter, is the oldest living native daughter in San Joaquin County. Mr. Capurro performed his part in the establishment of the great commonwealth of California under conditions by no means pleasant at all times, but his true western spirit was shown by his courage and determination to accomplish what he set out to do. He led an industrious and useful life and was held in high esteem in the city where he had resided so many years.

E. HENRY HAWKINS .- A successful vineyard- ist whose progressive operations have furthered the advancement in California husbandry, is E. Henry Hawkins, a native of Maricopa County, Ariz., where he was born near Phoenix, on January 13, 1897. His father, Eugene Thomas Hawkins, was a farmer who had married Miss Sophie Elizabeth Lutgerding; he is living today, and is an agriculturalist near Live Oak, in San Joaquin County. Henry Hawkins at- tended the grammar school in his district in Ari- zona, and later went to the Lodi grammar school, after his parents came to California in 1905. His parents had six children: Lena E., Erroll T., Ruby L., E. Henry, Imogene and June.

Mr. Hawkins had already gained practical exper- ience in agriculture while working for his father, and in 1917 he began to make his own way in the world. He joined in partnership with his father and brother, Erroll T., and they rented two places southeast of Lodi, which they operated for two years. Then, at Lodi, on June 22, 1919, E. Henry Hawkins was married to Miss Hazel M. Lawry, who was born near Mokelumne Hill, in Calaveras County, the daughter of George C. and Sarah Lawry. Her father was a farmer and stockman,

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and he is still living today not far from Lodi, on his ranch near Harney Lane. She was reared and edu- cated in Calaveras County, and enjoyed one year's study and training at the Lodi high school. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins have one child, named Gerald H. After their marriage, they took a five years' lease of J. W. Wakefield's ranch, elsewhere described in this work. Mr. Hawkins is a consistent member of the Methodist Church in Lodi.

JOHN FREDERICK TONS .- Coming to Amer- ica as a lad of fourteen from his home in Bremen, Germany, where he was born April 3, 1847, John Frederick Tons on reaching New York was employed for some years in the grocery store of his uncle there. In 1868 he set out on the long journey to California via Panama, and for a time he was engaged as an attendant at the State Asylum at Stockton. Later he became district agent for the Weiland Brewery of San Francisco and then for the Rainier Brewery, his territory comprising San Joaquin, Calaveras, Tuol- umne and Stanislaus counties. He was connected with this line of business from 1874 to 1916 and he became one of the best-known men in the Valley, with a wide acquaintance in every section. His first location in Stockton was on Weber Avenue near Cen- ter Street and later he established his headquarters at 933 East Lafayette Street. Mr. Tons was a member of the volunteer fire department connected with the State Hospital and belonged to the Red Men, the . German Order of Foresters and the Turnverein, to whose ranks his passing away on December 17, 1916, came as a distinct loss.

On May 17, 1874, Mr. Tons was married to Miss Johanna Barkhorn, who was born in Calaveras County, a member of a pioneer family there. Her father, John Barkhorn, came to California via Cape Horn in 1849 and settled at Angels Camp, Calaveras County, later becoming a resident of Stockton. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tons: John; Edna, the wife of James Mallott of Oakland; George; Ida M., the wife of John J. Burrows of Stockton; Edward; Alma, married Elden Willis of Stockton. The eldest son, John, was born at Stockton June 7, 1881, and at the age of fifteen joined his father in business, traveling throughout this district for fifteen years. He continued his father's interests for two years after the latter's death, but since 1918 he has been manager of Gianelli's grocery at Sutter and Market streets. His marriage united him with Mrs. Bessie Travers, a native of Ireland and he is a mem- ber of the Red Men, Stockton Lodge, No. 218, B. P. O. E. and the Commercial Travelers Association.

KYLE H. WEAVER .- A progressive business man of Stockton, Kyle H. Weaver is the owner and proprietor of the Pennant Cleaners located at 1650 South Eldorado Street, Stockton, where he is equip- ped to do all kinds of cleaning and dyeing. His en- tire life has been spent in Stockton, where he was born May 18, 1888, a son of Myrt and Josephine (Lewis) Weaver, natives of Iowa and California, respectively. The maternal grandfather of our sub- ject fought in the Mexican War and came to Cali- fornia in an early day. Myrt Weaver came to Cali- fornia in the early '50s with a surveying crew, cross- ing the plains with wagons drawn by mules. For many years he was an attendant at the Stockton State Hospital and is remembered by the old settlers of

Stockton as a popular Hhh,5 his wife are living retired at Modesto, Cal.

Kyle H. Weaver was educated in the Jackson and Grant schools in Stockton and at the age of fifteen started to work, first in the spinning room of the Stockton Woolen Mills and later in a planing mill and then in the Stockton City Laundry. In 1908 he determined to enter business on his own account and with A. A. Mallett as a partner, he founded the Pen- nant Cleaners. He purchased a corner lot at 1650 South Eldorado Street and started in a small way in a shed built on the rear of the lot; four years ago he purchased his partner's interest and has since con- ducted the business alone. In 1923 Mr. Weaver erected a building 36x70 feet on his property, con- crete and brick, making it as nearly fireproof as pos- sible, and will be equipped with the best and most modern machinery. Two motor delivery wagons are required to take care of his business.

The marriage of Mr. Weaver united him with Miss Louise Cassinelli, a native of Jackson, Cal., and they are the parents of one son, Bob. Mr. Weaver is a member of the Exchange Club in Stockton and the National Association of Master Dyers & Cleaners.

WALTER VINCENT .- For the past twenty-four years, Walter Vincent has rendered valuable service in the employ of the Stockton Iron Works as a black- smith; he has also been interested in agricultural pur- suits and is the owner of a fine sixty-acre ranch near Collegeville. He was born in Stockton, January 14. 1862, a son of George and Annie (Ferrier) Vincent, natives of Vermont and Scotland, respectively. George Vincent came to California in the early '50s. via Panama, and after his arrival engaged in mining at Coloma and also clerked in a grocery store there; he also mined in Nevada in the early days. Both George Vincent and his wife were well known to the citizens of Stockton in pioneer days, for they con- ducted a millinery store and in connection with it they were agents for sewing machines. George Vin- cent was an inventor of considerable ability. Among his inventions was a sewing machine run by water power; a hemmer, which has been adopted by sewing machine companies; he invented a flexible truck; also a valve used on screen doors. He worked on his in- ventions for twenty years and he and his wife car- ried on their store successfully; he was the possessor of a fine tenor voice and sang in different churches in the city. George Vincent and his wife were the par- ents of seven children; four grew up and three are now living: George Jr., grew to manhood and died in 1920; Walter; Clarence residing in Oakland; and Horace, bookkeeper in the Stockton Savings & Loan Bank. The mother passed away in 1871 and was sur- vived by her husband until 1894.

Walter Vincent attended the Franklin school and the Lone Tree district school and at the youthful age of twelve began to work in a ranch near Escalon, be- ing engaged in ranching for a number of years. When seventeen he returned to Stockton where he learned the blacksmiths trade with the Matteson- Williamson Company; then completed his trade with the Bigelow Construction Company in San Francisco continuing there for over two years. U'pon return- 11 .. 1

then worked for the Houser Harvester Company as a blacksmith, at the time his father was bookkeeper for 1

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pany and for twelve years was employed at the Globe Iron Works. In 1899 he entered the employ of the Stockton Iron Works as blacksmith and he is still employed in that position for this company.

The marriage of Mr. Vincent united him with Miss Emily Ladd, born in Stockton, a daughter of that honored pioneer, Ira W. Ladd, the ceremony tak- ing place at the Ladd homestead on September 4, 1894. Ira W. Ladd was born in Vermont in 1837 and came to California with his brother George S., via Panama in 1852; he was a miner and at the same time was a successful stockraiser. When he located in Stockton in 1856 he engaged in freighting to the Southern mines. He became a very prominent land owner, owning 360 acres in San Joaquin County, 800 acres in Solano County. He married Miss Emily J. Sutherland in 1858, a daughter of Jacob Sutherland, well known as a pioneer, who had crossed the plains with his family in 1852. Ira W. Ladd and his good wife were the parents of five children, three of whom are now living; Lillian Isabel; Frederick G., of Coa- linga; and Emily J., Mrs. Vincent. Ira W. Ladd was a trustee of the Weber school district and fraternally was a charter member of the Stockton Lodge, No. 11, I. O. O. F., the San Joaquin County Society of Pio- neers and politically was a Republican. He passed away in 1915, aged seventy-seven. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Vincent; Walter Ladd, formerly with the Bank of Italy in Stockton, now with that institution in San Francisco; Helen is the wife of Clarence Richards and they reside in Stockton; and Robert is with the Stockton Paint Company. Mr. Vincent is a member of Truth Lodge, No. 55, I. O. O. F., and also of the Encampment in which he is past chief patriarch.

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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 218

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