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 76

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 76

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Mr. Harris is active in all civic affairs and is a member of the Rotary, Yosemite, Golf and Country clubs of Stockton; in his fraternal relations he is

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a member of all the branches of Masonry including the Shrine. His invaluable experience and common- sense views, together with his breadth of vision, enable him to make all that he set in motion roll on to the desired-for goal and as a citizen of high standards and attainments is a model to others.

EMMET A. MORAN .- A prominent and enter- prising young man who is meeting with deserved suc- cess in his large farming operations is Emmet A. Moran, a native son, born on the old Moran place near Tracy, March 30, 1884, the youngest of eleven childen born to William and. Hannah (Linskey) Mo- ran, early settlers of California. He spent his boy- hood on his father's ranch, making himself generally useful, at the same time attending the local school. After his school days were over he continued on the home place, being of great assistance to his father in the growing of great grain crops on their 800- acre ranch.

Mr. Moran remained at home until his parents re- tired and moved to Oakland, then took up his head- quarters at Livermore and began stockraising. In partnership with John J. Callaghan he followed sheep- raising at Corral Hollow and for four years ran about 5,000 head, but on account of his health he sold out and the partnership was dissolved. After a period of recuperation he began farming operations on Union Island. In 1914 he put in his first crop there and two

years later he formed a partnership with his brother, J. E. Moran, as Moran Bros, and engaged in growing grain on a large scale. Beginning with 2,200 acres of leased land they enlarged their operations to 6,000 acres, which they handle with the most modern equip- ment, using three Best tractors and four combined harvesters. In 1921 Moran Bros. were leaders among the barley growers of the state, raising the largest crop of this grain. Their yield of barley was 180,000 sacks, averaging about 30 sacks to the acre. All of it was taken to Pt. Costa where it was loaded on big ocean-going vessels and exported direct to England. That same year they raised over 10,000 bags of beans and the year before they threshed 14,000 bags of beans. Thus from a small beginning they increased their outfit rapidly so they were among the largest ranchers in San Joaquin County. J. E. Moran passed away on April 18, 1922, and since then Einmet A. has had the entire management of the large holdings and continues their large farming operations. He owns a modern residence beautifully finished and fur- nished at 1429 North Baker Street, Stockton, where he resides with his family.

On January 3, 1911, in Oakland, Mr. Moran was married to Miss Susie Eleanor Callaghan, born at Livermore, Cal., the daughter of John and Margaret (Moy) Callaghan, both natives of Ireland and early settlers in Livermore Valley, where Mr. Callaghan was engaged in farming and stockraising. They were the parents of seven children, five now living: John J. is an attorney at Livermore; Henry J. is radio chief for the Government at Mare Island; Margaret is Mrs. Owens of Livermore; Edward F. is a stock- man and resides at Stockton; Susie Eleanor, who is a graduate of the Livermore high school, married Emmet A. Moran of this sketch and they have two children, Lloyd and Phyllis. Mr. Moran is a member of Stockton Parlor, N. S. G. W., Independent For- esters of America, Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E., and the Pines Club of Livermore. While

residing at Livermore he was a member of Company I, N. G. C., and served as school trustee of the Mid- way district. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

GEORGE F. ROESCH .- An efficient public offi- cial who is also a popular and influential leader in California fraternity circles, is George F. Roesch, the Deputy County Assessor of San Joaquin County. A native son, he was born at Stockton on September 4, 1860, the son of J. Conrad and Christiana (Stroh- meier) Roesch, both natives of Germany and both now deceased. They came to California by way of the rough Panama route, the father in the Argonaut days of '51, and the mother later, and they were mar- ried in California where, for the remainder of their lives, they did pioneer and worthy service in helping to develop the Golden State. Mr. Roesch in time came to Stockton and worked on the Grunsky ranch east of this city; and for a while he drove an ox team to the mines, hauling freight. Later he located at Mokelumne Hill, in Calaveras County, and turned his attention to various occupations, always popular with those for whom he worked, or with whom he had any business dealings. Mr. Roesch took a live interest in local affairs, as a very public-spirited man, and was a member of the old Volunteer Fire Department in carly days, and ran with the primitive hand-engine seen at that time. Both he and his good wife were members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, and the parents of three children: Wm. C., died at the age of twenty-nine; Mrs. C. R. Durham, of Stock- ton, and the subject of this review. The father died in November, 1872, highly honored and esteemed by all who knew him.

Mr. Roesch had bought a corner lot at the junction of East Market and Stanislaus streets, and there erected his home, the house being later enlarged; and George F. Roesch lives on the site on which he was born. Having attended the Lafayette grammar school, he next pursued courses in the famous Stockton High School, and topped off his studies with an excellent training in commercial branches in the Stockton Busi- ness College. For a time he clerked in the mercan- tile establishment of P. Samuels; next he learned the butcher business with C. M. Aldus, and later he was with the Avenue Meat Market. He then spent four years in the carpenter trade, and after that entered the employ of the Chicard & Worth Draying and Forwarding Company, doing local work and teaming to the mines. His next advancement was as a mem- ber of the draying firm of Sperry, Roesch & Company, N. B. Sperry and Messrs. Hewitt & Carpenter also being members of the same firm. In 1891, however, he sold out his interests and quit the business field.

In that year he entered into the political arena, and was elected city assessor; and in 1893, he was re- elected, also on the Republican ticket. He was then appointed deputy county assessor under C. L. Ortman, and in that responsible capacity he has served his fellow-citizens ever since, excepting one term.

Mr. Roesch is a trustee, secretary and treasurer. of th German Methodist Episcopal Church, but he is known widely in particular on account of his great activity, influence and usefulness in Odd Fellow fra- ternal matters. On January 18, 1884, he joined Stock- ton Lodge No. 11, I. O. O. F., and progressed through all the chairs of the subordinate lodge, and he has also made all of the chairs of the Grand Encampment. He has attended two sessions of the Sovereign Grand

Samovan

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Lodge, and has been one of the two members from California to represent the Grand Encampment of the State. He has been secretary of Stockton Lodge No. 11; vice-president of the board of directors of the Odd Fellows Hall Association, and secretary of the associate board of trustees. He has served as clerk of Canton Ridgely ever since it was formed in 1884, and trustee of Parker Encampment, and also trustee of Lebanon Rebekah Lodge No. 41. He has been a member of the general relief committee since 1887, and is its present secretary. He is also a member of Morning Star Lodge No. 68, F. & A. M., a member of the Stockton Parlor of the N. S. G. W., and he belongs to lodge No. 218 of the Stockton Elks, and Charter Oak Lodge No. 20, Knights of Pythias.

RICHARD R. REIBENSTEIN. - Vigorous in mind and body, clear-headed and the possessor of un- limited energy and sound judgment, the late Richard R. Reibenstein contributed his full share towards de- veloping the resources of San Joaquin County. A native of Stettin, Prussia, he was born on December 10, 1850, and when a small lad of two years was brought by his parents, Bendict and Amalia Reiben- stein, to America and then to California via Panama, settling in Stockton, where his father engaged in bus- iness and here he passed away in 1857.

Richard R. received his education in the public schools of Stockton and at the age of sixteen took up the trade of carpenter and the following year built a house for his mother. He continued to work at his trade until he was twenty years old, when he estab- lished his own contracting business and continued until 1911. From early manhood he was much inter- ested in public affairs, especially in the growth and improvement of his own locality. His first call to public service in an official capacity was in 1877, when he was elected public administrator; four years later he was re-elected to succeed himself, which was proof of his capability. During 1883 he served as a member of the Stockton board of education; later he served two terms as city councilman, and in 1889 was nom- inated by the Democratic city convention for mayor of Stockton and was elected, serving one term, when he again became a member of the council, where he served two terms. In 1897 he was appointed superin- tendent of streets of Stockton, under whose manage- ment many substantial and permanent improvements were completed; in 1909 he was again elected mayor and was reelected again in 1912, when the new char- ter was inaugurated. He served as one of the trus- tees of the Glen Ellen Home for Feeble Minded under Governor Budd.

The marriage of Mr. Reibenstein united him with Miss Bertha Belau, a native of San Francisco, daugh- ter of Michael Belau, pioneer upbuilder of San Fran- cisco of 1851, where he lived and died. They had one daughter, Alberta A. Reibenstein. As a boy Mr. Reibenstein was a member of the Weber Engine Company, a part of the old Volunteer Fire Depart- ment and was always active among the Exempt Fire- men's Association. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Truth Lodge of Odd Fellows, the Yosemite Tent of Knights of Maccabees, and Stockton Lodge of Moose. At the time of his passing away on January 12, 1916, he was president of the Home Builders In- vestment & Security Company and director in the Union Safe Deposit Bank of Stockton. His religious faith was that of the First Baptist Church. Thirty-

five years of the best part of his life were spent in public service and he was considered the most popu- lar of Stockton's mayors, and deserves the credit that he receives for his untiring influence and activity for the development and upbuilding of Stockton. The esteem with which he is held in the community is indicative of the prominence and popularity of this representative citizen, and a large circle of friends and acquaintances regret his demise.

ROBERT POWELL .- A straightforward citizen who feels a keen interest in all that pertains to the rapid and permanent development of San Joaquin County Robert Powell has for more than thirty-five years been a leader in the contracting and building industry of Stockton and tributary country; he ranks today as the pioneer builder of the Gateway City. A native of California, he was born at Angels Camp, Calaveras County, November 17, 1860, a son of Wil- liam and Emma (Wilson) Powell. His father was a pioneer of California, having located here in 1849; he passed away when our subject was thirteen years of age. Robert worked in the mines and quartz mill in Calaveras County and meantime had learned the carpenter's trade. In the spring of 1883 he located in Stockton and worked at the trade of carpenter for two years, and in 1885 became a contractor and builder. Many of the first homes and stores now standing in Stockton were erected under contract by Mr. Powell, and the picturesque old Mansion house on Victoria Island in the Delta, built more than thir- ty-five years ago for Tom Williams, a pioneer of the island section, was rebuilt by him. He super- vised the erection of the Stockton high school build- ing, the San Joaquin Bank Building, the Episcopal Church, the Christian Church, the Central Methodist Church, the Jewish Synagogue, the H. E. Shaw business block, the Y. M. C. A. Building, the Belding block, Children's Home, and many imposing homes, as well as industrial and manufacturing structures. The home of Harry Hammond, editor and publisher of the Byron Times, at Byron, on the edge of the Delta, one of the most attractive homes in that sec- tion, was a building achievement of Mr. Powell. As a contractor and builder he is well prepared to rank as a leader in construction work. He owns and oper- ates a modern mill in Stockton, located at No. 945 East Lindsay Street, where he manufactures finished building products to meet all requirements. A spe- cialty is made of turning out interior and decorative effects for home buildings, offices, stores, banks and other structures. Plans of architects are given that personal supervision that insures its correctness as to details. Mr. Powell employs a large force of skilled workmen in every branch of the trade, each crew operating under a competent foreman, thus insuring the carrying out of plans in a representative manner. Stockton is proud of the achievements of this leader of construction work because his endeav- ors always stand for meritorious projects. He was a worker, with others, for the splendid Borden Delta road constructed across the so-called island sections between Stockton and the Byron-Brentwood-West Side country, a highway that attracts hundreds of tourists to these interesting sections of Central Cali- fornia. The proposed $4,000,000 Stockton Harbor project, now in its substantial development stages, is also backed by Mr. Powell, because he believes that such a giant development will add many thou- sands of people to the steadily growing population

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of his home city and cause a greatly increased im- petus in home construction and the building of more industrial plants, stores and warehouses; that it will mean a new era of substantial improvements for Stockton.

Mr. Powell's marriage united him with Miss Jos- ephine Bateman on August 27, 1893. Miss Bateman was born in Stockton and is a daughter of that well- known pioneer, Dr. E. B. Bateman. Fraternally Mr. Powell has been identified with the Knights of Py- thias for many years.

NELS J. LUND .- A very optimistic, experienced and enterprising ranchman whose industry and thrift have netted him abundantly and made his operations of interest to others, is Nels J. Lund, the proprietor of some 345 acres of excellent Delta land on Union Island; he was born in Skane, Sweden, on Novem- ber 21, 1877, the eldest son of Peter and Annie (Norquist) Lund, both natives of Sweden, his father being an expert machinist and specifically a black- smith by trade. The family emigrated to America in 1881, and settled at Sheridan, Mich., and Mrs. Lund, who has attained the age of seventy-two is still a resident there, where our subject purchased a home for her, to have and to hold as long as she may live. This filial act is of credit to Nels, for he was forced to go to work, by family circumstances, at the early age of fourteen, then saying good-bye to school and much that a boy holds dear, and help support the family by working a while in timber and lumber camps.

When he left home he went to work on the W. A. Stearns ranch, near Sheridan, for six years doing general farming, and the last four years there he was foreman of what was locally known as the extensive "Stearns Properties." He did so well that, in 1897, he was encouraged to make a visit to his uncle, Mar- tin J. Lund, reaching Stockton on December 12. He was persuaded to remain in California, and thereafter was much encouraged in his work by his prosperous relative. He worked for his uncle in the Delta re- gion until 1901, at the end of which time he returned to Michigan, where he was married to Miss Ruth Forward, who had been a schoolmate in the Wolver- ine State. That same year, they came to California together, to take up ranch life. Mr. Lund has since always been active as foreman of large holdings in Union or Roberts Island, or in ventures for himself. continuing until 1908 to manage properties for others. For three years in 1904-05-06 he was in the employ of Wood Bros. in charge of the cutting of 1600 acres of alfalfa five times each year; also of baling the hay and placing it in the warehouse. He also cut 1500 tons of grain hay which was baled and warehoused. During this time he kept the time of the men and paid them as well as purchased the supplies and paid the bills and had access to Woods Bros, bank account as his signature on Wood Brothers checks was always honored. Mr. Lund certainly can take pride in having gained their confidence to such an extent. On the other hand it was not misplaced and he was faithful to the trust placed in him. For four- teen months Mr. Lund was a fireman on the San Joaquin Division of the Santa Fe Railroad, and for seven months he had charge of the boilers of the Belding Refrigerator Works at Sheridan; but since 1908 he has farmed on his own account, taking up his residence on Bixler Lands, at Fish Camp, where

he has cultivated from 2,000 to 5,500 acres a season. He has produced beans, barley and potatoes in large quantities, and to accomplish this, he has come to own some four caterpillar outfits, with two Best steam tractors. His farming equipment also in- cludes three Harris bean threshers, and two Best threshing outfits, and when one learns that these are operated for the harvesting of crops on Mr. Lund's leases, one can realize the extent of his large Delta operations. In 1912, for example, he raised a potato crop that yielded 300 sacks per acre, but due to the extremely low prices in the market of that year, was fortunate in making expenses. Like many another, he has made and lost heavily in Delta farming, but he has never failed to pull through, for he long ago established the reputation for meeting all obligations, no matter what their aggregate might be, and his creditors have always thus stood by him. He owns desirable real estate at Stockton, besides a home worth $10,000 in that city, where his family reside on account of the superior educational advantages. A Republican in matters of national political import, he is a strong advocate of a high protective tariff, and believes that he in particular has had good rea- sons for his doctrine.

Four children were granted Mr. and Mrs. Lund: Altamont, the eldest, is deceased; Lloyd L., Nelson and Thelma. Mr. Lund is active in the following lodges: the Maccabees, to which he has belonged since he was eighteen years old; the Red Men, at Stockton; Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E .; Stockton Lodge No. 83 of the Eagles; and Charity Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., and he has always con- tributed liberally to the benevolences of each. Mr. Lund is well and favorably known and has a host of warm friends and admirers who are pleased to note his rising success He is liberal and kind- hearted and dispenses his hospitality in a free and unostentatious manner. He is enthusiastic in his praise of the great opportunities in California pre- sented to young men who are energetic and not afraid to work and he is particularly sanguine for a great future for this fertile Delta country.

JOSHUA BERTRAM WEBSTER .- During his lifetime there were probably few members of the legal profession in California more widely known or tac- counted more of an authority on patent law than the late Joshua Bertram Webster, who passed away De- cember 7, 1914. Endowed with a keen mentality and a broad and liberal experience, he maintained a high standard of professional ethics, and occupied a well- deserved place in the community which was his home for so many years, as a member of the law firm of Webster, Webster & Blewett. His father, Joshua Webster, was born in West Parish, Haverhill, Mass., on the old Webster farm, on August 17, 1795, and passed away at Stockton, January 7, 1871. On No- vember 24, 1820, he married Elizabeth Bartlett Chase in Haverhill, Mass., and in 1825 they removed to Boston, where he engaged in the sale of shoe trim- mings and clothing. In 1837 he became a director of the Kilby Bank of Boston, and was prominent in the life of the Hub City of those days. . He was the founder of the town of Maplewood, Mass., in 1847; here he bought 200 acres, and laid out the town with wide streets and ornamental trees. To boom the future town, he formed a company for the pur- pose of promoting a railroad through the town, run-

News & Lund

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ning from Malden to Saugus, and he was the first president of the company, as well as the owner of much real estate in this section. Active in politics, he was an old-time Whig and later a Republican, and as a Whig, he was an intimate acquaintance of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.

Joshua Bertram Webster was born at Boston, Mass., September 21, 1838, and attended the public schools there until he was sixteen years of age, then went to sea as a sailor, to satisfy his love of adven- ture, his first voyage being to England. When he returned to America, he shipped for San Francisco, going around the Horn and arriving in San Fran- cisco in 1856, just in time to participate in some of the activities of the Vigilantes, and witnessing many of the stirring events of that period. In 1857 he located at Stockton and the following year he went to Cape Flattery, where he opened a trading post and dealt with the Indians for three years. Return- ing to Stockton in 1861, he engaged in the hardware business there for a number of years, but he had for many years desired to enter the legal profession, so took up the study of law at Stockton and was admit- ted to the bar in 1882. He specialized in the field of patent law and was known throughout the state as an expert in the field of intricacies of its practice. During many years and under many national admin- istrations he served as U. S. Commissioner for the district of Northern California, and in his court, de- fendants were arraigned before being taken before the U. S. District Court for trial. A man of cool, judicious mind, in his legal work he carefully weighed all the evidence before him, and when he had determined- where the preponderance of right and justice lay, he had the courage to give his verdict accordingly.

During the early days of Stockton, Mr. Webster was a member of the famous old Volunteer Fire De- partment, and was prominent in the ranks of the Exempt Firemen, being president of that body for a number of years. Always a firm advocate of Prohi- bition, he stumped the state in its advocacy, and that in the days when it was far from being a popular issue. He also espoused the cause of the Salvation Army and gave freely to its charitable activities.

On September 4, 1875, Mr. Webster was married to Miss Alta Marie Stowe, who passed away on February 8, 1885, the mother of the following chil- dren: Violet Alta is the wife of George F. Dunham, a prominent architect of Portland, Ore .; Royal Ber- tram is a priest in the Roman Catholic Church and a teacher in St. Patrick's Seminary at Menlo Park, Cal .; Ethel May is the wife of Edward H. Charette, a druggist by profession; he served two years with the Red Cross in Siberia and was taken prisoner there, passing through many hardships and perilous experiences; they now reside at Stockton; Percy Stowe Webster is a prominent attorney at Stockton.

Mr. Webster's second marriage, which took place on September 19, 1889, united him with Mrs. Helen A. (Proper) Morgan, who was born near Syracuse, N. Y., and came to California with her mother in 1855, when she was seven years of age, her father having preceded the family here in 1849, mining in Calaveras County; there Mrs. Webster was reared and for nineteen years taught school there and in San Joaquin County. Her first marriage united her with Rev. Caleb Morgan, a Congregational minister, who passed away in 1868. She takes an active part 26

in the work of the Congregational Church at Stock- ton, and maintains her residence in the family home at 436 East Lindsay Street.

JACOB SIMON .- A very interesting old resident who has followed various occupations and who has contributed much to the progress of the community in which he has resided since 1867, is Jacob Simon. He was born in Bosenbach, Bavaria, Germany, on December 12, 1852. Both of his parents died when he was quite young. Learning of the great opportu- nities of the New World, he set out for America when only a lad of fifteen. Upon arriving in New York he soon left for California via the Panama route, and after arriving in San Francisco, where he spent a few days, he left for Stockton, arriving there with but twenty-five dollars in his pocket and with no knowledge of the English language. His first employment was with the Pacific Tannery, where he worked for twenty dollars per month. In order to save money, he bought a cot and blanket and slept in the tannery; after five years he entered the employ of the El Dorado Brewing Company and was with them for five years; then in 1876 he became caretaker of Turner Hall and remained in that capacity for six years. He next established a grocery business at the corner of Main and Grant streets with Mr. Smith as partner. At the end of five years he disposed of his interest and purchased the old Columbia Hotel at the corner of San Joaquin and Channel streets and for the next twenty-two years he conducted the hotel with satisfaction to the public and profit to himself. His next venture was the purchase of a 320-acre tract of land in Whiskey Slough, Roberts Island, and was the first man to put in a crop of any kind in that part of the island. One season he raised 28,000 sacks of potatoes which he sold for thirty-five cents per sack; pink beans brought him seventy cents per cental, and barley seventy-five cents per sack. He passed through three devastating floods which completely used up all his profits. He then gave up his ranching project and became the city agent for the El Dorado Brewing Company, and continued with them for five years. In May, 1908, he had his first vacation and enjoyed a trip to Eu- rope and his old home. Upon his return to this coun- try, he wrecked the old Columbia Hotel and erected a modern, three-story brick building on the site, and is known as the Simon Building and was originally built for and occupied by the Heald's Business Col- lege. It is now run as Simon's Hotel. He has dealt quite extensively in the buying and selling of real estate and is the owner of much valuable property in Stockton. Mr. Simon has always taken an active part in the affairs of the county and city and served as police and fire commissioner of Stockton for six years, the longest period the office was ever held by one man; then he served as park commissioner of Stockton under three different mayors. For more than a quarter of a century he has been connected with the San Joaquin Building & Loan Association and is now vice-president of that organization and is its official appraiser. In politics he has always been a Republican and cast his first vote for Horace Greeley.

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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 76

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