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 90

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 90

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Mr. Swain belongs to a well-known San Joaquin County family, his father having been an early set- tler of the county. His birthplace was at Westport, Mo., a town that is now a part of Kansas City, al- though his parents had settled in that vicinity before the latter city begun its existence. He was born January 13, 1852, being a son of Cornelius and Juliza C. (Davis) Swain, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Missouri. Cornelius Swain, who passed away at his Stockton home, March 26, 1904, had crossed the plains to this state in 1853, being accompanied by his wife and one child, the latter be- ing John A. This journey was made with ox teams, and it was five months before they arrived at Stock- ton. Cornelius Swain was a carriage maker, having learned the trade at Nashville, Tenn., and followed it in Missouri. On reaching San Joaquin County he settled on Cherokee Lane, six miles north of Stock- ton, being one of the early settlers of that locality, and he remained there until his removal to Stockton in 1894. He lived his last years in his city home. His widow, who was born January 1, 1829, survived him until 1908. Cornelius Swain was a Democrat in politics, and fraternally was a prominent Mason. Six children were born to this worthy pioneer couple: John A .; Joseph H .; Mary; Charles, deceased; George, and Jessie.

John A. Swain, having come to California when a little more than a year old, has spent practically all his life in this state. He was reared to man's es- tate on the home farm in San Joaquin County. Af- ter his public school career he attended the San Joaquin College at Collegeville, an institution no longer existent, and he subsequently spent two years as a student at the California State University, then located at Oakland, but now in Berkeley. Following the completion of his education, he farmed the home place for a time, and with the money that he had saved took a trip through the South, visiting Los Angeles, San Diego, Fort Yuma and Tuscon, Ari- zona. Not being satisfied with the country and con- ditions, he returned to Stockton and told his father that he had decided to take up farming. Since that time he has devoted his time and attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits in their several branches, and is now known as one of the leading men in this oc- cupation. His father gave him a half interest in the 230-acre home place on the Lower Sacramento Road, which is now a portion of his fine estate lo- cated north of Stockton. About thirty years ago, Mr.

Swain set out a twenty-acre vineyard of black grapes, which is still producing good crops. This was one of the first vineyards to be planted in the district.

On March 3, 1878, Mr. Swain was married to Miss Mary E. Bunch, a daughter of the late John Bunch, who crossed the plains to this state in 1864. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Swain. John C. is engaged in farming the home place, under the able supervision of his father. Susie S. is now Mrs. Marcrea; and Ethel, Mrs. Victor N. Walsh, resides in San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Swain are the grandparents of five grandchildren. For many years Mr. Swain served as a trustee of the Lincoln school district. Fraternally he is affiliated with San Joaquin Lodge No. 19, F. & A. M., at Stockton, and he is a member of the Christian Church in that city.

Mr. Swain recalls many incidents of the early days of Stockton and relates interesting experiences of those pioneer times. The whole country around Stockton, which was then a city of tents, was cov- ered with dense growth of underbrush, which had to be cleared before plowing and planting could be done. Antelope abounded on the plains and wild game birds were plentiful. He has resided in San Joaquin County sixty-nine years, and with his estim- able wife enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire community.

JAMES M. SCHOFIELD .- Not many well-bor- ing contractors have had half of the experience of James M. Schofield, of 845 South San Joaquin Street, Stockton, and certainly few, if any, have had his good luck in completing what he sets out to do. He was born at Hull, in Yorkshire, England, on August 15, 1851, the son of a sea-faring man who was an expert North Sea pilot. James Schofield was taught by the well known educator of that time, namely Zebider Scaping, in Trinity House School at Hull, England, entering when a lad eleven years old. This historic school continues to be a leading school of navigation for boys and dates back to 1729. It is related that after the publication of Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe" in 1719, the Trinity House took a practical view of the question, and in order to stimulate the youth of Hull to take up sea life, formed a Marine School in 1729. In the examinations, which were held under the auspices of the science and art department of the Committee of Council on Education of South Kensington, Eng- land, he showed himself an apt pupil, passing satis- factorily examinations at twelve years of age in the following subjects: physical geography, mathematics, nautical astronomy and general navigation; and at thirteen years of age passed satisfactory examina- tions in the following subjects: mathematics, phys- ical geography, steam, navigation and nautical as- tronomy. He then took to sea, sailing under Cap- tain James Bell on the ship "Cape Horn" of Liver- pool. Before sixteen years of age he had doubled Cape Horn three times, and crossed the equator four times in a sailing vessel. When only four- teen years old he received the Queen's Prize on navigation. The prize consisted of a case of nautical instruments, which together with the various certifi- cates of examination are still in his possession. The Queen's Prize is inscribed as follows: "Science and Art Department of the Committee of Council on Education. Presented to James Schofield for his success in the examination of science classes held

5.34

HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

May, 1865, 2nd Grade in Navigation. By Order of the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council on Education. MDCCCLXI."

Mr. Schofield made three trips to the Bay City of the Pacific and arriving in San Francisco in the fall of 1866, after a voyage of 128 days, he left the ship, and soon supported himself by following various occupations.

By 1873, however, he had found the field in which he was destined best to succeed, that of well-boring, for which there was increasing demand; and for some time he made his headquarters in Merced. In 1898 he located at Stockton; and since then he has bored thousands of feet of wells from Turlock to above Sacramento. He had the contract to bore the wells needed by the Western Pacific Railroad, when they were building through the Valley, an under- taking which required plenty of experience and fore- sight to conclude with success. He sank two wells of twenty inches on A. B. Humphrey's ranch at Escalon, and this alone added much to his enviable reputation as one of the noted authorities on well- boring in the State. The importance of having such work as this entrusted to an experienced man of exceptional knowledge is seen in the peculiar' and imperative problems he is called upon to solve daily. In his work in the Delta District he finds that care must be taken not to go too deep where one may strike salt water, although some of the wells around Stockton sunk by him have been 200 feet deep. He also finds that in late years the gas seeps into the water and causes much trouble. In his drilling opera- tions, he uses power from his automobile-a device of his own invention-and he finds that thereby he is economically successful.

When Mr. Schofield married, he chose for his wife Miss Minerva W. Campbell, a native of Mari- posa County; and the couple have made the best of working teams. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias of Stockton, and it is needless to say that he is one of the most popular of members.

GERALD BEATTY WALLACE .- A man un- usually posted in all that pertains to his chosen pro- fession is Gerald Beatty Wallace, whose natural .en- dowments together with a pleasing personality make him very acceptable to the community which he has selected for his permanent home. His practice as an attorney and activities in the political field are well known and he has been a prominent factor in the progress of the beautiful city of Stockton. He was born in Eureka, Eureka County, Nev., on January 28, 1891, a son of the late Hon. Robert M. Beatty, at one time attorney general of Nevada, who was a native of Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Mary E. Arnhart, and she was born in Missouri. After the death of his father, his mother married Hon. C. C. Wallace of Nevada, a prominent politician of that state, who died when his stepson was ten years old. When he was one year old, his mother, who is now residing in Stockton with him, removed to Nevada City, Cal., where he was educated in the grammar and high schools, graduating from high school in 1909. Four years later, in 1913 he was graduated from the University of California. with the degree of Bachelor of Letters, majoring in jurisprudence and political science; then three years of post graduate work earned him the degree of Master of Arts from

the department of political science and Juris Doctor from the school of jurisprudence. During his years in college, he was active in the affairs of the Univer- sity and the University Y. M. C. A .; he was the win- ner of the first prize for delivering the best oration on the liquor problem; a member of the university rifle team; assistant in the department of political science; assistant to the dean of the summer session; and also author of a master's thesis on the teaching of American government and of law notes on evi- dence, equity and public law, published in the Cali- fornia Law Review.

He began the practice of his profession with the law firm of Lilienthal, Mckinstry & Raymond in San Francisco; in 1918 he located in Stockton and was associated with Arthur L. Levinsky; later with Thomas S. Louttit; then he engaged in independent practice of the law for two years. In May, 1921, he was appointed United States Court Commissioner for the Northern District of California. He is now a member of the law firm of Foltz, Rendon & Wal- lace, which has its main offices in the Wilhoit Build- ing in Stockton and branch offices in Lodi, Manteca, Ripon and Tracy. Since coming to Stockton, Judge Wallace has been unusually active in civic and com- mercial affairs of the city and county. He has served as a lecturer in commercial law for the Extension Division of the University of California; as well as instructor in political science and public speaking for the Extension Division; legal advisor for the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau; secretary and attor- ney for the Better Business Bureau of the Stockton Advertising Club, instructor in commercial law and public speaking in the Stockton evening high school; special lecturer of the Blackstone Institute of Chi- cago; associate lecturer for the American City Bu- reau; secretary for the Stockton district council, California Alumni Association; founder and lecturer for the Stockton Law School and assistant secretary of the Stockton Golf and Country Club. He was one of the organizers and the first secretary of the Stockton Lions Club, and also deputy district gov- ernor for California and Nevada for the International Association of Lions Clubs. He has also lectured on political science in the Stockton College of Com- merce. During the late. war, he was one of the four minute men; member of the Legal Advisory Boards in San Francisco, Alameda and San Joaquin coun- ties, and manager of the Stockton branch of the mil- itary bureau of the University of California, being in charge of recruiting there for all branches of the army and navy under the jurisdiction of the U. S. war department. In recent state and national elec- tions, he has been a speaker and manager for several candidates. In his political views, he is a Republican. He is an enthusiastic member of the legal profession and is affiliated with the San Joaquin County, Cali- fornia, and American Bar Associations. Fraternally he is a member of Delta Lodge No. 471, F. & A. M., and Homo Chapter No. 50, O. E. S. He is a member of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of Stock- ton. A director of the First National Bank of Ripon, Judge Wallace has always taken a constructive interest in matters pertaining to the advancement and progress of the community, is rated as one of its most dependable citizens and is held in the highest esteem.

Gerald Really AKelace.

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

WILLIAM CAMPBELL .- A time-honored pio- neer resident of San Joaquin County, who is honored and esteemed not alone for the length of his resi- dence, but also for the excellence of his citizenship and the worthy part he has taken in the various activities of the county is William Campbell. Only such old residents as he can fully appreciate the transformation that has been wrought in this beautiful and fertile valley of the San Joaquin Valley. He has been intimately identified with these changes and development, and in the history of the state he de- serves mention as a man of enterprise, eminent public spirit and broad usefulness in whatever field of en- deavor the fortunes of the world have placed him. He was born in County Down, Ireland, April 16, 1841, of Scotch ancestry who had left Scotland for Ireland during the reign of Cromwell. Ancestors on both paternal and maternal side were Scotch, belong- ing to the Presbyterian Church, and for many genera- tions were farmer folk. William Campbell was a lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents, John and Mary (McKee) Campbell to America. The voyage was made in a small sailing vessel and thirty days were consumed before they reached New York. From New York they proceeded up the Hudson River to the Erie Canal, through the canal to the Great Lakes, then by water to Chicago, and overland 180 miles in covered wagons to Rock Island, Ill. There were eight children besides the parents and many hardships and privations were suffered before reach- ing their destination. In 1850, one year after arriv- ing in Illinois, the death of the father occurred, and seven years later the mother left the home circle. She was a kind, patient and devoted mother and her children cherish her memory. Three of the sons enlisted in the Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served valiantly, one being killed in action at Atlanta, Ga., on August 19, 1864.

As soon as William Campbell was old enough he began to work on the farm and was fortunate in being able to attend the Camden public schools and so re- ceived a fairly good education. At fifteen years of age he began to learn the harnessmaker's trade in Camden, where he worked for two years. In 1858, in company with his brother John, he started west to Kansas City, then a place of 2,500 inhabitants. There were no railroads beyond the Mississippi River, all transportation being made by boats on the river and teams overland. William Campbell soon had an opportunity to drive a team across the plains to New Mexico for the Government freighters, Russell, Majors & Wardell. This was an exciting period in his life, as the route was through a wild, unpeopled region infested by Indians and wild beasts and none but brave men cared to face the dangers of the journey. The safety of the company was in the number of wagons and the first train that Mr. Camp- bell joined consisted of twenty-five wagons with six yoke of oxen to each wagon, laden with supplies for the Government posts in New Mexico. The train left Kansas City in May and ninety days were consumed making the round trip. Mr. Campbell agreed to make another trip, and on this trip the train was attacked by Indians, but fortunately there was no loss of life. Mr. Campbell followed freighting until 1860 when he left Nebraska City with a train and got as far as the North Platte and late in the fall of 1860 he entered the service of the pony express, as a rider from Cottonwood Springs, subsequently

called Ft. McPherson, to Lowell, seven miles below Ft. Kearney. The quickest news service from the East to the Pacific Coast in those days was twenty- five to thirty days via the Isthmus of Panama, or by stage coach. St. Joseph, Mo., at that time, was the western terminus of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Rail- road, and the only town on the Missouri River north of Jefferson City that had rail and telegraphic com- munication with Washington, D. C. The route of the pony express followed the stage coach line through Seneca, Marysville, to Big Sandy, up the valley of the Little Blue, then across to the valley of the Platte, through Fort Kearney and Julesburg, then across to Fort Laramie, and across the South Pass to Fort Bridger and Salt Lake, and from there through Nevada to Sacramento, a distance of 1,980 miles. On April 3, 1860, the first pony express started from St. Joseph, Mo., going west, and at the same time a rider left Sacramento going east. The sta- tions were from twenty-five to thirty miles apart, and the riders rode from seventy-five to 100 miles. Mr. Campbell tried very hard to go with the first lot of riders, but his opportunity did not come until in the fall of 1860. His ride covered a distance of sev- enty-five miles and on the first trip he faced a snow- storm all night and was nearly blind for several days. Mr. Campbell rode twice a week over his route and stopped at Fort Kearney to get the latest telegraph news, as the Civil War was coming on and, of course, there was great interest in the latest dispatches. The telegraph line was completed to Fort Kearney in the fall of 1860 and was extended to Sacramento in the fall of 1861. The riders carried about twenty pounds of express, and the company charged five dollars per letter for one-half ounce, written on tissue, water- proof paper. The pony express made a wonderful record, not only for its speed, but for its efficiency, due to its fearless riders, who braved the dangers of swollen streams and lurking savages. In 1862 Mr. Campbell took care of the stage coach horses at the Gilman ranch and the following year, 1863, he and his brother bought teams and freighted from Nebraska City to Denver, Colo, and during that year made two trips; the following year they increased their stock and wagons and carried freight to Montana, receiving sixteen cents a pound for all freight car- ried. In the fall of 1864 they sold their outfit in Montana and returned to Nebraska on horseback. In the spring of 1865 Mr. Campbell purchased surplus Government mules at a reasonable price and again entered the freighting business to Salt Lake City, receiving twenty-five cents per pound for everything carried. He continued this business until 1868, when he and his brother John took a contract to build a portion of the Union Pacific Railroad in eastern Ne- vada and western Utah, and one year later, 1869, the brothers sold their stock and returned to Nebraska City. Mr. Campbell then purchased 320 acres on the wild prairie and there established his home.

On August 6, 1869, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Jennie M. Fitchie, a native of Pennsylvania, the daughter of the well-known James Fitchie, then jus- tice of the peace and pioneer citizen of Nebraska City. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell; Grace, deceased; Joy is married and has a wife and two children residing in Stockton, where he is assistant manager for the Hedges, Buck Com- pany, wholesale grocers; Margaret C. is at home; Te- sora, Mrs. C. G. Wakefield resides in Stockton; James

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HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

is married and has wife and one child residing in Stockton, where he is associated with the Wilhoit Abstract Company; John is a rancher at home; Bess, Mrs. Arthur Ross, has one son and resides in Oak- land, Cal .; Helen, Mrs. Donald Burnett, resides in Stockton, where Mr. Burnett is the vice-president of the Harris Harvester Company. Twenty-five years were spent on the Nebraska farm, where Mr. Camp- bell became one of the most successful breeders of fine driving and draft horses in the state. For eight years he served as chairman of the board of super- visors of Otoe County, Nebraska, and in 1881 was elected state senator to fill the unexpired term of C. H. Van Wyke who was elected to the U. S. senate. In 1893 the family removed to California and acquired valuable ranch property about twenty-two miles southeast of Stockton. Mr. Campbell engaged in stock raising and grain farming and is ably assisted by his son John and they are active and influential in community interests and champion every measure that contributes to public progress and improvement. He has always been a strong advocate of irrigation and was one of the organizers of the South San Joaquin Irrigation district.

JAMES R. PERROTT .- A native son of the great Golden State, who, by hard and intelligent work has won a place for himself in the agricultural world, James R. Perrott now 'lives a retired life from active duties, but none the less interested in the prosperity and development of his community. Born in Amador County on November 19, 1853, he is the eldest son of John and Anne (Grieves) Perrott, the former born in London, England, and the latter in Worcester, Mass., of Scotch and New England ancestors. His father, John Perrott, crossed the plains in 1849 with an ox-team and engaged in min- ing at Winter's Bar until 1852 when he returned East by water via Havana, Cuba, and settled in Steuben- ville, Ohio, where he remained for one year, when, during the year of 1853 he again crossed the plains to California, by ox-team, with his bride, where he mined for a time on the Mokelumne River; later he purchased a quarter section of land two miles from Woodbridge, San Joaquin County, adding more land until he owned 700 acres. Barley was the chief grain crop in those early days, and it was sent to the mines by six and eight-horse team over the mountains, some of it being sent as far as Virginia City, Nev. While residing in Steubenville, Ohio, John Perrott joined the Jefferson City Lodge of Odd Fellows and after settling in Woodbridge the same name was given to the lodge there, of which he was an honored member. He was a member of the set- tlers' league formed in 1855 to combat the claims of the Spanish settlers to the Spanish grants of land, and the league proved a successful undertaking; he also served as county supervisor of San Joaquin County for one term, in 1880. Mr .and Mrs. Perrott were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, as follows: James R., John, Mrs. Walter Leckebusch, Frank, Fred G., and Mrs. Walter M. Smith. The father lived on his ranch at Woodbridge and farmed to the time of his death in 1906.

James R. Perrott being the oldest son, began work on the farm when very young, following a plow when he was twelve years old, gaining what educa- tion he could during the short terms of school at

the Woodbridge school. He worked on the home ranch until he was twenty-five years of age; then farmed a portion of it on his own account for twelve years, when he took charge of the T. & E. ranch on Ryer Island, which occupied him for ten years more; later he farmed the Thornton ranch at Thornton, Cal., and is now living retired enjoying the products of years of hard labor and careful economy.

Mr. Perrott's marriage united him with Miss Addie Woods, a native of Lynn County, Iowa, now deceased. He has been active for forty-six years in Jefferson Lodge No. 98, I. O. O. F., of Woodbridge.

WILLIAM HENRY KLINGER .- For sixty-six years, his entire lifetime, William Henry Klinger has been a resident of San Joaquin County where by close application to his business he has succeeded and has gained a liberal competency, being accounted among the substantial agriculturists of his locality. He was born near Linden, Cal., April 19, 1856, the eldest son of George and Mary A. (Helmert) Klinger, both natives of Germany. George Klinger was a remark- able person. He and his father were both harness- makers in Germany, George learning the trade from his father and became very proficient. He took a live interest in business and political affairs and be- came personally acquainted with such men as Carl Schurz and General Ziegel, with both of whom he renewed his acquaintance in the United States, at a later date. He emigrated to the United States in 1844, settling in St. Louis, Mo., where he secured employment at his trade, and made harness, saddles and other equipment to be used by the American forces in the Mexican War. Later on he went to Milwaukee, Wis., and when the news of the gold discovery in California reached that city he resolved to seek his fortune in that El Dorado, consequently in the early part of 1849, in company with other Argonauts, he started for St. Louis, Mo., by river- boat, expecting there to outfit for the trip across the plains. Cholera, however, broke out aboard the boat and when the came to St. Louis, they were not per- mitted to land; so they pressed on up the Missouri River to Independence, Mo., where they got up a train of sixty great prairie schooners drawn by oxen. Amid untold obstacles and hardships, they pressed on to the land of gold and after a six months' jour- ney pulled up in what is now Butte County, where Mr. Klinger met General John Bidwell with whom he made arrangements to work a placer mining project at Bidwell's Bar. After about two years of mining he returned to his trade and in 1851, at Sac- ramento, he made the first horse-collar that was ever made in California. He followed his trade in Sacra- mento for several years, and later went into business for himself in that line at Stockton, which he carried on successfully until 1855 when he located on a ranch near Linden where he owned 160 acres of land and on which he resided until his death. George Klinger received his United States citizenship while residing in the East and cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren; was a Republican in politics and fraternally was a past grand of Scio Lodge, No. 102, I. O. O. F., at Linden. For eight consecutive years he served as deputy county assessor of San Joaquin County in Douglas township, and for twenty years was a trus- tee of the Linden school board. For twenty-six years he served as agent for the Hartford Fire Insurance

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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 90

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