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 66

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 66

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Texas, and while engaged in military service against the Mexicans he was again taken ill, in 1840, and by the advice of his physician he determined to locate in a cooler climate.

During the spring of 1841, while at St. Louis in- tending to proceed to Belleville, Ill., Captain Weber read a glowing description of the Pacific Coast writ- ten by Dr. John Marsh, a resident of California. The account was so fascinating and alluring that he de- termined to cross the desert to the coast and accord- ingly he joined the Bartelson party for the long jour- ney to the West. It was his intention to spend the winter on the coast and then return to the States, but like so many other immigrants, when he fell under the witchery of the genial climate he wished to locate here permanently, and after spending the winter at Sutter's Fort he made no plans for returning to the East. His object in going to Sutter's Fort had been to make the acquaintance of Captain Sutter, to whom he had letters of introduction, and by whom he was employed as overseer during that winter. While there he found a quantity of seeds which had been presented to Captain Sutter as tokens of friendship and good will from William G. Ray, the representa- tive of the Hudson Bay Company, the Russian agent at Bodega and captains of vessels on the coast. These seeds he planted as an experiment and from this was developed the fact that the valleys of the San Joaquin and the Sacramento were capable of becoming a para- dise of fruits and flowers. Among the seeds were three varieties of tobacco, various flowers and vege- tables, all of which grew and thrived wonderfully in the fertile soil.

It was about this time that Jose Jesus, the cele- brated chief, visited the fort and Captain Weber formed his acquaintance. The two became friends, and in after years the chief was able to prove helpful to his comrade. With keen foresight the Captain de- cided that California eventually would be admitted, in part or whole, into the United States, and therefore he believed investments in land would prove profit- able. Visiting San Jose in the spring, he formed a partnership with William Gulnac, and in 1842 they built a flour mill, embarked in the manufacture of shoes, made soap and also sea biscuits. The shoes they made were the first to be made in the entire state. July 14, 1843, Gulnac, who was a Mexican citizen, petitioned Governor Micheltorena in behalf of Captain Weber for a grant of eleven square leagues of land, to be located in the vicinity of French Camp in the San Joaquin Valley. He expressed a prefer- ence for the east side of the river, believing that this stream might form the line between Mexico and Cali- fornia in case of a division; another reason for this preference was that the east side was protected by the Hudson Bay Company's trappers. The governor granted Gulnac the tract of land known as the Rancho El Campo de los Franceses, January 13, 1844, and afterward this tract was transferred to Captain Weber. Cattle were herded upon the land and for a time the camp had its headquarters at the present site of Stockton, but later moved nearer to Sutter's Fort for the protection thus afforded. Having met with no success in an attempt to settle the grant, Captain Weber obtained a passport from the alcalde and visited Sutter's Fort for the purpose of making a treaty with Jose Jesus. In this he was successful and their alliance remained unbroken until the death of the chief. The Captain agreed to aid him in case of

CAPT. CHAS. M. WEBER

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

war between the Americans and native Californians or Mexicans. The chief advised the building of the village at the present site of Stockton and agreed to provide a war party in case protection was necessary from the Indians or Mexicans. During the Michel- torena wars the Captain rendered stanch assistance, joining the native Californians against the Mexicans, and when war was declared between Mexico and the United States he aided the latter and with his charac- teristic energy organized a cavalry company at San Jose and became its captain. After having made his home in San Jose from 1842 to 1847 he returned to the peninsula and here remained until his death.

With prophetic vision Captain Weber saw the pos- sibilities which awaited those willing to take up their abode in the little settlement of Stockton, but men could not see the future as he did, and in spite of the liberal offers which he made they still held back, among other things fearing attacks from the Indians and an outbreak of the small-pox scourge. A writer in the Stockton Times in 1850 says: "Having been a resident of California for many years, and having known Captain Weber for four or five of these, I venture to say there are but few Americans now in this country who have lived here for any length of time, who have not been recipients of favors from this gentleman." There had been a large number of grants given in what is called the San Joaquin district, but none had the hardihood to settle their grants until 1846. It was next to impossible for Weber to get men enough to offer any protection against the In- dians, as everybody thought the risk too great for the benefits received. He succeeded in getting a few to settle with him, among whom were B. J. Thompson and Andy Baker, and finally, after losing cattle and horses and paying an extravagant price for labor, he succeeded in establishing a ranch where. Stockton now stands."

Concerning the home of Captain Weber, the famous poet and traveler, Bayard Taylor, writes as follows: "We were greatly delighted with our visit to Cap- tain Weber's, who transformed a tract of land be- tween two sloughs into a garden. There is no more delightful villa in existence. A thick hedge, outside of which is a row of semi-tropical trees, surrounds the peninsula. The gate opened into a lofty avenue of trellis work, where the sunshine strikes through branches of amethyst and chrysolite, while on either hand beds of roses fill the air with odor. The house is low but spacious, the woodwork of natural red- wood. Vine-covered verandas surround it and every window discloses a vision of plants that would be the glory of any greenhouse on the Atlantic Coast. In Mrs. Weber I found the acquaintance of my former visit. Well I remember the day when, hungry and footsore, I went to the door of her father's house in the valley of the San Jose and found her reading a poem of mine. Her father saddled his horse and rode with me to the top of the mountain, and her own hands prepared the grateful supper and breakfast that gave me strength for the tramp to Monterey. The garden delighted us beyond measure. The walks were waist deep in fuchsias and geraniums, and the pepper trees, with their loose, misty boughs, hailed us as do friends from Athens. A row of Italian cypresses were shooting rapidly above the other boughs in the gar- den. How they will transform the character of the landscape when their dark obelisks stand in full stature !"

As may be inferred from the above, Captain Weber was a lover of flowers, and indeed, from the time of his early experiences with seeds which were given him by Captain Sutter he never ceased to experiment with very kind of seed or shrub that came under his notice. Many of these he obtained from Japan and Europe, and also from the missions. As an incentive to others to follow his lead in this enterprise he sup- plied those interested with seeds and shrubs from his own garden, and was especially interested in inculcat- ing the love of nature in the hearts of children. With him, time and money were no object in furthering this cause, and no county fair was complete without his exhibit of fruits, flowers and shrubs. For many years his garden was open at all times to the public.

Meanwhile Captain Weber was aiding the develop- ment of Stockton by every means within his power. Every church that applied to him received a donation of land. Land was also given to the city and county, and August 28, 1851, he deeded the public squares, streets and channels to the city. The land occupied by the San Joaquin Catholic cemetery was donated by him and he gave a large portion of the purchase money for the Rural cemetery. In later years he de- voted much personal attention to the garden of St. Agnes' academy, which was noted for its beauty. To protect the city from overflow, he superintended the building of a bulkhead on Stanislaus Street and dug a canal on East and North Streets; $30,000 of his money went into the improvement of California Street, and he gave generously to the building up of other ave- nues. When the natural course of events made the property in the valley valuable, squatters began to give him trouble. The heirs of Gulnac attempted to wrest the land from him and in defending his title he spent vast sums of money, rendering necessary in order to pay for the litigation, the sacrifice of his valuable property in San Francisco. Finally he had the gratification of receiving the incontestable patent signed by President Lincoln. While it was necessary for him to eject squatters for the protection of his title and the title of those to whom he had sold, many of these squatters found in him a stanch and generous friend, who aided them to get a start elsewhere. Be- sides the property which he owned in San Joaquin County Captain Weber owned a large ranch in Santa Clara County, upon which he engaged extensively in breeding and raising high-grade horses and cattle.

During the Civil War Captain Weber was stanch in his allegiance to the Union cause and exerted a powerful influence in moulding the sentiment of this region. Early in the war he sent to Oregon and bought for a flagstaff a pole 120 feet long. This he planted on an island west of his residence. After every Union victory the stars and stripes could be seen waving in the air and for miles in every direc- tion the sight would tell that Union arms were again victorious. In politics the Captain voted with the Republican party, but he was not a politician and pre- ferred to devote himself to movements for the public good, without respect to political ties or views. When he passed away, May 14, 1881, the people of Stockton regarded his demise as a public loss. A large concourse assembled to pay him the last tribute of respect when the funeral was held, under the aus- pices of Archbishop Alemany of San Francisco. Up to the day of his death he was in full possession of his faculties and actively interested in all of his various enterprises.

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

The marriage of Captain Weber united him, No- vember 29, 1850, with Miss Helen Murphy, a mem- ber of the celebrated Murphy party of 1844. Three children were born to them, of whom Charles M., Jr., at one time represented Santa Clara County in the state legislature; both he and the younger son, Thomas J., are now deceased. The only daughter, Miss Julia H. Weber, of Stockton, makes her home near the city so indissolubly associated with the life- work of her father and is everywhere honored as a member of an interesting and celebrated pioneer fam- ily. Mrs. Weber, who died April 11, 1895, was a daughter of Martin and Mary (Foley) Murphy, the latter an aunt of Bishop John Foley of Detroit and the late Bishop Thomas Foley of Chicago. In tem- perament Captain Weber was impulsive, though for- giving and large-hearted, was liked by all with whom he came in contact in every walk of life, and he was also highly respected for the high moral principles which actuated him in all he undertook.

JOHN NEWTON WOODS .- Highly honored among the pioneers of San Joaquin County was John Newton Woods, extensive land owner, capitalist, prominent lodge and church member and public- spirited citizen, and his eventful life was one which in every respect commanded the most profound es- teem and admiration of all with whom he came in contact. The family of which he was a member became established in America during the Colonial period. An ancestor, Henry Woods, who was born in Virginia, followed the tide of emigration that drifted toward the West, and settled in the wilds of Kentucky, where he was killed by the Indians in 1790. Later the family became pioneers of Ohio, where in Brown County, Johnson Woods, the father of our subject, was born in 1815. During early life he removed to Indiana, where in 1834 he married Miss Louisa M. Eastes. The American progenitor of the family on the paternal side was Rev. Robert Wooster, a native of London, England, born in 1727, who crossed the ocean to the New World and settled at Brownsville, Pa. Renouncing his allegiance to the King of England, he aided the colonies in the War of the Revolution. Afterwards he became one of the earliest settlers of Fayette County, Ind., and officiated as the first minister of the Methodist Church west of the Alleghanies.

It was characteristic of Johnson Woods that he should display in his life the love of pioneer scenes that had been inherited from his ancestors. During 1840 he removed from Indiana to what is now Sa- vannah, Mo., where he built the first house in An- drew County and engaged in trading. When new's came of the discovery of gold in California he deter- mined to brave the perils of the unsettled West in an effort to find gold and started on the long journey, arriving at Hangtown on August 1, 1850. Soon after he began to prospect on Woods Creek, which was named for him, and was already meeting with success when he was killed on February 1, 1852, by a former friend whose enmity he had incurred by testimony given against this man in a fraudulent claim case. Surviving him were three sons and two daughters and his wife, who was born in Rush County, Ind., in 1820, and died in Tulare County, Cal., on June 12, 1906, at an advanced age.

John Newton Woods was born in Fayette County, Ind., June 7, 1837, and when fourteen years of age he

began to work as a clerk in a general merchandise store at Savannah, Mo., where he gained a practical business knowledge. Five years later he returned to his native state, Indiana, where he spent eighteen months at Knightstown, Henry County, and then came to California via Panama, landing at Stockton December 2, 1857. For a time he made his home with his uncle, Jeremiah H. Woods, the founder of Woodbridge, and in 1858 he bought 320 acres of land, on a portion of which the town of Acampo now stands, and was laid out by him. In 1859 he em- barked in the mercantile business as Porch & Woods, but the following year he sold out and went to Vir- ginia City, Nev., to try his luck at mining. On his return to Woodbridge he conducted a business from 1861 to 1863 under the firm name of Woods & Davis, then sold out his interest. In 1864 he sent for his mother and two brothers, Albert and the late E. W. S. Woods, who came hither from the old family homestead in Missouri. At this time he became actively engaged in farming on his ranch at Acampo, enlarging it to 640 acres, and continued there until 1877. With his brother, E. W. S. Woods, he became joint owner of about 8,000 acres in Tulare County, known as the Buzzard Roost ranch and after operat- ing it for some years they sold it and purchased 8,700 acres on Roberts Island, so that they were among the largest landowners in Central California and did much to develop the rich Delta country, albeit suffer- ing heavy losses at different times when the disas- trous floods broke through their levees.

From 1877 to 1882 Mr. Woods was manager and secretary of the Grangers Union of Stockton and in 1883-84 was deputy treasurer of San Joaquin County. He was made a Mason in 1858 in Woodbridge Lodge, No. 131, F. & A. M., being the first member initiated, later becoming a member of Stockton Chap- ter No. 28, R. A. M., and Stockton Commandery No. 8, K. T. He became a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, was a member of the Shrine, the Eastern Star, and was one of the early members of the Stock- ton Elks. In recollection of his identification with early events in this locality he held membership with the San Joaquin County Pioneers and greatly en- joyed the reunions of these early settlers to whose energy and fortitude the present generation is so greatly indebted. Mr. Woods was prominent in the Democratic party and was an active political worker, representing the local organization in some of the most important conventions and for twenty years or more was a delegate to every state convention. For many years he was a member of the State Central Committee and represented his district as a delegate to the national Democratic convention held in Kan- sas City in 1900. For five years he was a member of the board of managers of the State Hospital at Stock- ton, and in this as in all things, he discharged his duties with efficiency and fidelity.

The marriage of Mr. Woods took place on Decem- ber 22, 1864, and united him with Miss Annie Vic- toria Farmer, who was born in Greenfield, Mo., Jan- uary 24, 1843, and came across the plains to Califor- nia with her parents in 1859. They first settled at Sacramento but later moved to Amador County and it was there that the marriage was solemnized. Two daughters blessed this union: Jessie Lee married the late George E. Wilhoit and sketches of their lives appear elsewhere in this history. Mary L. was Mrs.

John N Words

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

McDonald Douglass, who was born on Washington's birthday, February 22, 1869, and passed away July 4, 1919, her birth and death being on patriotic days. She always showed a keen patriotic spirit and during the late war was an enthusiastic worker for the var- ious Liberty loan and other war drives. During the first Liberty loan drive she sold one million eight hundred thousand dollars of Liberty bonds. The death of Mrs. John N. Woods occurred at Stockton April 7, 1900. Mr. Woods greatly mourned her pass- ing and only survived her until December 4, 1906, when he passed away after a brief illness. A devout Methodist, he was one of the stewards and trustees of Grace Methodist Church at Stockton from 1872 and did much for the furtherance of Christianity. He willed this church its present site, 75x100 feet, on the northwest corner of Channel and Stanislaus streets, and with it a legacy of $25,000 to build a new church as a memorial to his wife, a bond of unusual affection and devotion existing between them. This bequest was faithfully carried out by his two daughters, who followed. their father's desires in every particular and also added another $9,000 to com- plete and furnish the present beautiful church. His life was so clean, so devoted to those whom chance or circumstance drew near him, so benevolent, that it will ever remain worthy of emulation.

MRS. JOHN NEWTON WOODS .- An estima- ble and greatly loved woman whose long years of residence at Stockton had made her much endeared to a large circle there, was Mrs. John Newton Woods, the wife of one of San Joaquin County's honored pioneers, whose life history is given in a pre- ceding sketch. Mrs. Woods, who was in maiden- hood Miss Annie Victoria Farmer, was a native of Missouri, born at Greenfield on January 24, 1843. In 1859 she left her studies at the Moravian Acad- emy, Salem-Winston, N. C., to accompany her par- ents across the plains to California and though but a young girl at the time she ever carried a vivid picture of that long, toilsome journey of over five months. The family settled at first in Sacramento County, then removed to Amador County, and later took up their residence at Woodbridge, San Joaquin County, where her father became a well-to-do stock raiser and farmer.

In 1864, while the family were residing in Amador County, Miss Farmer was united in marriage with John Newton Woods, and they took up their resi- dence on the larger ranch he had purchased in 1858, the year after he came to California, and part of this place is now the site of Acampo. This remained the family home until 1877, when they took up their residence in Stockton, where Mrs. Woods resided until her death, on April 7, 1900, survived by her devoted husband and two daughters, Mrs. Jessie Lee Wilhoit and Mrs. Mary L. Douglass; the latter passed away on July 4, 1919. Mrs. Woods was one of Stockton's best known women, occupying a lead- ing place in social circles, where she numbered her friends by the hundreds. She was a member of Homo Chapter O. E. S., Stockton. A prominent member of Grace Methodist Church, her many char- itable acts and kindly deeds will ever make her mem- ory revered.

ALEXANDER C. OULLAHAN .- A splendid ex- ample of what a man may accomplish who follows an intelligent, honorable and persistent course is shown in the career of Alexander C. Oullahan, man- aging secretary of the Stockton Chamber of Com- merce and ex-mayor of the city. A native son, he was born in San Francisco, December 17, 1871, a son of the late pioneer couple, Denis J. and Julia (Baine) Oullahan. The former was a pioneer of the state and served as state treasurer under Governor Stoneman. He became prominent in business circles in the state and died in San Francisco in 1889. The grandfather, Robert Oullahan, was a civil engineer and was attached to the Royal Engineers Corps of the British Army.

Alexander C. was educated in the public schools of Stockton, whither his parents had moved in 1873, and at St. Mary's school of this city; then he took up the study of law and after mastering the rudi- ments of the profession, became associated with J. D. Peters and thereafter devoted his time and attention to water transportation and the grain in- dustry in this county. Later he represented G. W. McNear, the well-known grain exporter.

On February 1, 1916, Mr. Oullahan was appointed to the office of mayor of Stockton, by the city coun- cil, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mayor R. R. Reibenstein. So well did Mr. Oullahan admin- ister the city's affairs that the following October he was unanimously elected to the responsible posi- tion, serving under the charter which he helped to prepare. During his administration the city of Stockton enjoyed the greatest period of growth in its history and many of the big movements looking towards greater prosperity and progress were started. One of the achievements of his administration was the acquisition of Oak Park by the city, consisting of 30.6 acres and formerly known as Goodwater Grove by the old settlers. In 1905, Mr. Oullahan had been elected to serve as a member of the city council and was thus well prepared to discharge the duties of the office of mayor, and it has been repeat- edly said that he was one of the best-liked and most popular mayors that Stockton has ever had. He was mayor during the War period and named the exemp- tion board, and was active in all war service.

When the Chamber of Commerce was organized Mr. Oullahan was among the most ardent supporters of the movement and has ever taken a keen interest in all public activities since reaching early manhood. His appointment as managing secretary of this important body was a most wise choice, as he is undoubtedly the right man for the position, both by training and education. His foremost positions in the city places him in the front rank of the upbuilders and builders up of city and county, and Stockton recognizes in him a worthy and honorable citizen. Politically he is a Democrat in national affairs but is so broad- minded that in local matters he considers men before party. Wherever he has been most needed there he is to be found at all times and as managing secre- tary of the most important body of citizens of Stock- ton he has continued the good work and been the means of making the city of Stockton known all over the United States. During his busy years Mr. Oullahan has been a contributor to the press of Cali- fornia, and while in the employ of J. D. Peters he published a monthly magazine called the Buzz. Be- sides his ability as a writer he has distinguished

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himself as a public speaker. He served seven years as a member of the library board, resigning after being appointed mayor.

When Mr. Oullahan married in San Francisco on Nov. 23, 1897, he chose for his wife Miss Catherine V. River of San Francisco, a lady well qualified to be the helpmate of just such a public man and who shares with him the good will and confidence of their host of friends. They have three children: Leanore J., Alexander C. J., and Catherine M.

EZEKIEL WILLIAMSON SMITH WOODS .-- A model citizen whose life work was direct, straight- forward' and highly constructive, the late Ezekiel Williamson Smith Woods stood among his fellowmen as one of the biggest and most thorough builders of Central California and whose work added inestimably to the wealth of the community. The development of his lands, which were uncultivated acres when he took hold of them, has thrown many thousands of dollars into this locality, benefiting this section of California generally, in that a tract of its richest land was brought to its generous yield under Mr. Woods' able management. When he passed away on June 22, 1922, he had amassed a fortune appraised at con- siderably more than a million dollars, the largest estate ever filed in this county.

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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 66

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