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 91

Author: Tinkham, George H. (George Henry), b. 1849
Publication date: 1923
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif. : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1660

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William dr Stlinger

Mrs. Belle Klinger

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Company. Nine children were born to this pioneer couple: William Henry, the subject of this sketch; Sarah, Mrs. Conrad Gischel; Mary A., Mrs. Harry Little; John; Minnie, Mrs. Lewis Grimsley; Matilda, Mrs. Augustus Welsher; Louisa, Mrs. Henry Reu- ter; George W .; and Charles A. The mother of our subject passed away in 1906, the father surviving until 1909, when he died, eighty-four years old.

William Henry Klinger received his education in the Linden school and was reared to work on his father's farm and thus at an early age became asso- ciated with his father in agricultural pursuits. On January 13, 1881, at Round Timber, San Joaquin County, he was united in marriage with Miss Belle Goucher, born at Dublin, Cal., a daughter of James and Mary (Heaton) Goucher. James Goucher was born in Parkersburg, W. Va., in 1821, and was mar- ried to Miss Mary Heaton in 1845. He started for the coast in 1849 and of the party of twenty men only five survived and arrived in California. He en- gaged in mining near Weaverville for four years, then moved to Santa Clara County where he bought a ranch near San Jose; there he remained for one year, then returned to West Virginia for his family. George G. Goucher, a brother of Mrs. Klinger, later state senator from California, was a babe of a month when he was brought to California. James Goucher served as judge on the Vigilante Committee in early days and was a member of the group that ran down the Joshua Holden Gardens near Sonora, a notor- ious den of gamblers and murderers in the early days of California. Mrs. Klinger comes from pre- Revolutionary American stock. Her mother was a cousin of Gen. Robert E. Lee, of the Confederate Army, and is directly descended from James Carter, the first governor of Virginia. Mrs. Klinger's people have a genealogy which goes back to the twelfth century, the lineage tracing back to Charlemagne. She is an accomplished lady and a woman of great force of character, and is one of California's most favored daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Klinger are the parents of six children: Maude Irene; William W .; Elva; Floyd A .; Helmert; and Alma. Besides their own family, they have adopted and reared twelve children less fortunate, a number of whom are men and women who have gone from the Klinger home to assume the duties of life on their own account, while the youngest is still unable to walk. The satis- faction of caring for and rearing these children has meant much to Mr. and Mrs. Klinger. In 1904 Mr. Klinger rented the Casa Blanca Rancho of 1,200 acres, which was devoted to grain raising, but the flood of 1906 caused an entire loss of crops; then he rented a ranch of 1,280 acres south of Lathrop for three years, which yielded good crops. In 1909 he purchased forty acres near Ripon and from time to time has added to them until they now number 175 acres, seventy of which is in vineyard and the bal- ance in orchard and alfalfa and on which Mr. Klinger conducts a dairy. This worthy couple have the es- teem and good will of the entire community, where they are respected for their honorable principles, upright dealings and true worth. Mr. Klinger is six feet four inches in height and is a splendid type of western manhood. He enjoys the distinction of being the youngest pioneer whose picture adorns the historic walls of Fort Sutter, Cal, an honor well be- stowed, as he is one of the worthiest of all of the Native Sons of the Golden West.

HENRY MOORE .- The name of Henry Moore is an honored one on the list of pioneer citizens of San Joaquin County, where he took up his home in 1858, and throughout his life his interests were asso- ciated vitally with those of his adopted state. He lent his support to the educational, moral and social progress of his locality, and, being a man of great force and integrity of character, his actions in regard to any enterprise could be predicted in advance and his influence would always be found on the side of the general welfare. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, on December 22, 1833, and at the age of nine- teen years went to Texas, where he remained for two years, then returned to his home in Ohio.

On April 26, 1855, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Sarah Meyer and for the next three years farming engaged his attention. In 1858 he and his wife started for California via Panama and settled in Cas- toria township, San Joaquin County, near French Camp, and there bought and improved a 160-acre ranch and for forty-nine years made that his home. He took an active and unselfish part in all public matters and for several years was justice of the peace of Castoria township. As an agriculturist he was suc- cessful and took much interest in the various agricul- tural fairs, and in many ways helped to raise the standards of his occupation. Mr. Moore passed away in July, 1907, mourned by the entire community wherein he had spent so many active years of his life. His widow resided on the home ranch until she passed away in June, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Moore were the first to leave an endowment fund of $400 to the East Union Cemetery. He was public-spirited in citizenship, was trustworthy in business, faithful in friendship, and in his home was most devoted to the welfare and happiness of his wife. Many were his good qualities and few his faults. He loved truth and justice and represented a high type of our American manhood.

JOHN ANDERSON .- Distinguished among the representative educators of his time in California, the late John Anderson, formerly superintendent of schools of San Joaquin County, made such an enviable record for efficient, conscientious service that the story of his own progress has been accepted as typ- ical of the progress of education in the Golden State during his period. He was born near Suisun in Solano County, and was a mere child when the fam- ily located in San Joaquin County. He attended the Linden school and a preparatory college in Stockton, and then went for a year to the University of Cali- fornia. Afterward, he pursued courses for three sum- mer sessions of the law school at the University of California, intending to equip himself for the practice of law; but he became interested in educational work, and gave up law as his goal. He first taught in the Linden school, part of the time as principal. In Stockton, he was principal of the old North school, on the site of the El Dorado school of a later period; and subsequently still, he was head of the Lodi gram- mar school. Later, he became assistant postmaster under Postmaster F. E. Ellis at Stockton.

In the fall of 1910, Mr. Anderson was elected county superintendent of schools, entering upon his duties with the confidence, esteem and good-will of thou- sands; and after having amply demonstrated not only what he was able to do, but what his high principles and exceptional sense of honor demanded of himself

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in the performance of his duties in his high trust, he was serving his third term in office at the time of his death, which occurred on August 24, 1921. He not only stood high as a practical educator, but he had rare executive ability, the most desirable tact, and thus was an efficient officer.

In 1907 Mr. Anderson married Miss Effie Stillson, a native of Sacramento, a graduate of both the Sacra- mento High School and the San Jose Normal School, and a teacher at Lodi; and on the death of her lamented husband, she was appointed county super- intendent of schools, a choice giving great satisfac- tion to many. She is fully qualified for the position, for she was her husband's deputy during his term of office. Superintendent Anderson was also prominent in the Masonic order. He was a member of Stockton Lodge of Perfection No. 12, S. R .; the Albert Pike Chapter No. 6, Knights of the Rose Croix; Stockton Chapter No. 28, R. A. M .; and Lodi Chapter, East- ern Star. He was a past master of Linden Lodge of Masons, and past patron of Lodi Chapter, O. E. S.

JAMES CONNER .- One of the old-time families in the Golden State is that represented by James Conner who for the past forty-eight years has been identified with San Joaquin County along agricultural and stock raising lines and he is today an authority on livestock. The Conner family has ever borne their part in the upbuilding and development of this region, and have invariably been exponents of progress and liberal ideas upon all subjects. James Conner was born at Wilmington, Ohio, May 24, 1843, and grew up on his father's farm. When . President Lincoln issued his first call for men to bear arms in the Civil War conflict, James Conner and two brothers, W. H. and his twin brother Peter, enlisted in Com- pany A, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the first battle they engaged in was the Battle of Shiloh. The three brothers passed through many engagements until Peter was taken ill and was sent home, where he passed away in 1863; the two remain- ing brothers fought to the finish and were honorably discharged July 3, 1865. The Conner brothers were in Sherman's March-to-the-Sea and James Conner cast his first vote for Lincoln while in camp in Tennessee in 1864. Returning home from war, Mr. Conner re- moved to Illinois and located near Knoxville, where he farmed for two years, then moved to Iowa, where he remained until 1874 when he came to California and located at Lathrop, where he has since continu- ously resided.

The marriage of Mr. Conner occurred while resid- ing in Iowa in 1873 and united him with Miss Joseph- ine Pollick, a native of Henry County, Iowa, and one year later the young couple removed to Cali- fornia. Seven children have been born to this union: Porter L, deceased; Clifford, deceased; Delbert, de- ceased; Susie Mae, Mrs. Voyce of Los Angeles, Calif .; Adelaide, Mrs. Upton of Crows Landing, Calif .; Charles and Fred are deceased. Mr. Conner has always been a staunch Republican and his reminis- cences of his Civil War experiences are calculated to increase the patriotism of his hearers. He is among the oldest settlers of San Joaquin County, nearing the eighty-first milestone on life's journey, and few there are who have so long been identified with the development of this portion of the state. He is now enjoying the fruits of a life spent in usefulness and honorable toil and he has a very large circle of friends in this portion of California.

GEORGE W. LANGRIDGE .- For forty-five years George W. Langridge has been a resident of Stockton and he has never had occasion to regret the impulse which led him to establish his home in this city, for he has steadily progressed toward the goal of success and through the capable management of his business interests he has also contributed in marked measure to the commercial development of his community. Since 1879 he has been engaged in the shoe business, being the pioneer merchant in this line in the city, and his establishment ranks with the best in this part of the state.

Mr. Langridge is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred in Milwaukee on June 11, 1856. He comes of an old English family; his father, Charles A. Langridge, was born in Brighton, Sussex, Eng- land, serving in the English army as a bugler. Soon after his discharge from the army he came to Mil- waukee, Wis., where he met and married Miss Eliza Martin, also a native of Brighton, who had accom- panied her parents to Milwaukee. In 1858, when our subject was two years of age, the family re- moved to a farm near Lancaster, Grant County, where they became prosperous farmers in that splen- did farming section of southern Wisconsin, contin- uing until they retired to Lancaster where they passed their last days. On the breaking out of the Civil War, although a man of family Charles A. Langridge responded to the call and enlisted under the colors of the Stars and Stripes in Company I, 5th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war, holding a commission of lieutenant. He was a prominent Grand Army man and a Mason.

The worthy couple had a family of six girls and three boys, all living except one of the sons, George W. being the second oldest. He was reared on a farm near Lancaster, in Grant County, and attended the nearest district school, which was three miles distant, while in the summer months he was busy with the farm work. In 1874, when eighteen years of age, he came to California and for two years rode the range in Plumas County, but at the end of that time made his way back East. He was not content to remain there, however, and in 1877 returned to California, locating at Stockton, where he has since resided. For a short time he was clerk for the Yo- semite Hotel and for about two years was with the clothing store of Caden & Bagley. In 1879 he pur- chased a half interest in the shoe store of George E. Weller at 119 East Main Street and their inter- ests were conducted as Weller & Langridge until 1883, when John Garwood acquired the stock of the senior partner and the name was changed to Lang- ridge & Garwood. Two years later Mr. Langridge bought out his partner and the business continued as George W. Langridge until 1920 when Henry L. Jeffrey acquired an interest in the business, now known as the .George W. Langridge Shoe Company. Mr. Langridge has remained at his present location for forty-three years-a record unequaled by any other merchant in the city-and is not only its pio- neer shoe merchant but the pioneer merchant in Stockton. He conducts his establishment along the most modern and progressive lines, and has ever borne an unassailable reputation for business integ- rity, enterprise and reliability. With the passing years his business has steadily developed and his patronage has now reached large proportions. He

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also owns a fifteen-acre fruit ranch at McHenry's Station, in Stanislaus County, which he purchased for a home.

Mr. Langridge is deeply interested in all that per- tains to the welfare and progress of his community and for five years served as a member of the board of managers of the Stockton State Hospital, being appointed by Governor Gage. He is affiliated with Truth Lodge, No. 55, I. O. O. F., and also with Morning Star Lodge, No. 68, F. & A. M., Stockton, Stockton Chapter No. 28, R. A. M., Stockton Com- mandery No. 8, K. T., and Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at San Francisco. He is likewise a past patron of the Eastern Star, having filled that office for three consecutive terms. He enjoys the esteem of many friends and fully deserves the honor that is accorded the fortunate individual who has fought and won in the great battle of life.

JAMES C. DEWEY .- In the death of James C. Dewey on August 10, 1917, Stockton lost one of its prominent and highly respected citizens. His career was a long, busy and useful one, devoted to the upbuilding and development of the city of Stock- ton from pioneer days, and while promoting the ma- terial welfare of the community he also gave an active and liberal support to those measures which tended to advance its intellectual and moral status. His life was filled with good deeds and kindly thoughts, and all who knew him entertained for him the highest regard, by reason of his upright, honor- able life. He was born in Ontario, Canada, March 17, 1845, and came to California via Panama in 1866. Upon his arrival in San Francisco he went to Virginia City by stage, where he clerked in a general mer- chandise store. In 1874 he was married to Miss Kathryn Campbell, who came West to California with her brother-in-law, Daniel O'Connell, a merchant at Virginia City. Mr. Dewey then went to work in a stamp mill and saved his money in order to enter the hotel business, when he purchased the Burlington Hotel at Virginia City, which he conducted success- fully until the panic of 1878; he then removed to Stockton practically penniless and started anew to make his fortune. In 1880 he brought his family to Stockton and the home was established on Union Street between Church and Hazelton streets. He was engaged in the contracting business in Stockton for about twenty-six years and he built up a second fortune; then about sixteen years ago he established a grocery business at the corner of Church and

Stanislaus streets, which he continued for four years, until 1910. From 1908 to 1913 he served as council-

man of the Third Ward in Stockton and retired to private life after a record of faithful and efficient service. He was bereaved of his wife on October 10, 1904, and on August 10, 1917, he passed to his reward, mourned by his family and numerous friends. The mayor of Stockton ordered all flags at half-mast in respect to the memory of this honored pioneer. Six children survived this worthy couple: Anna, Mrs. J. L. Swass, residing at Atlanta; George is now de- ceased; James resides in Stockton; Edward lives in Oakland, Cal .; Harry and Robert reside in Stockton, the latter being an ex-service man in the U. S. Navy on board the S. S. Foote. Mr. Dewey passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Swass, who has always been identified with all movements of progress and development and was closely associated with

her father in the social life of Stockton, where she has been active in musical circles, possessing a beauti- ful voice and has appeared in opera in California and the eastern states. Since giving up her professional career she is devoted to her family and home, but enjoys assisting on local programs to the delight of her audiences. She is the daughter of a worthy father and her genial social nature has gained her many friends. She was married at Stockton, Cal., August 20, 1906, to Joseph L. Swass, the oldest son of Antone and Maria Swass, late highly respected pio- neers and prominent orchardists of Watsonville, Cal. Mr. Swass, who was born at Hayward, Cal., took a very active interest in his father's affairs. He moved to the Atlanta section of San Joaquin County in 1913 and is the owner of two ranches there and is a leading spirit in all matters pertaining to southern San Joa- quin County. He has one sister, Miss Mary Swass, a graduate of the University of California, and is and for several years last past has been a teacher of Spanish at the Santa Ana high school; he also has two brothers, Frank and Henry Swass, prosperous farmers in the same vicinity.

DEAN JEWETT LOCKE .- The name of Dean J. Locke is synonymous with many of the influences and movements that have had to do with the up- building of San Joaquin County, and his name has been perpetuated in the town which he founded and in which he made his home for nearly forty years, or until his death. He passed away in Lockeford May 4, 1887, at the comparatively early age of sixty-four years, mourned alike by old and young, all honoring and respecting him for his large accomplishments and loving him for his genial, kindly nature.

The records state that the Locke family is of Eng- lish origin, and was established in the United States during colonial times by Deacon William Locke, of Woburn, Mass. From him the line is traced to Calvin Locke, who was born in Ashby; N. H., in 1765, and who in February, 1796, married Sarah Jewett. Their son Luther was born in Sullivan County, N. H., in the latter part of the year 1796, and in that vicinity the greater part of his life was passed. Four children were born of his marriage with Hannah Willard, as follows; Luther Franklin, who graduated from Middlebury, Vt., College, and also from Cambridge Medical College; Dean Jewett, Elmer Hall, and George S.

The second child in the parental family, Dean Jewett Locke, was born April 16, 1823, at Langdon, Sullivan County, N. H., where his father was a trader and owned a store in partnership with a brother. Dean Jewett received his early education in the schools of his native town. At the age of fourteen years he attended the academy at Langdon, paying his tuition by his services as janitor of the building, ringing the bell and keeping the fires supplied with wood through the long snowy winter time, and performing the same work for the people with whom he boarded, in payment for his board. Thus early in life he was engaged in earning his own living, with characteris- tic energy and determination. Later, in order that he might further pursue his studies, he taught school, beginning when he was seventeen years of age, at Tewksbury, Mass. With the money which he had accumulated in this way he attended the first State Normal School in Bridgewater, Mass., and after grad- uating from it, he taught in the high school of Paw-

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tucket and Worcester, Mass., until he entered Har- vard College, graduating from the medical depart- ment of this institution in 1849. It had been his in- tention to settle in the East and follow his profes- sion, but the discovery of gold in California during the year of his graduation turned his thoughts to- ward the Golden West instead. On April 16, 1849, he with a party of twenty-five friends started across the plains for California, the party being incorpor- ated as the Boston and Newton Joint Stock Asso- ciation. Dr. Locke served in the capacity of physi- cian to the company and received his transportation in exchange for his services. Five months of weary marching finally brought the little party to their destination, Sacramento, where they arrived Septem- ber 16, 1849. What is now one of the principal cities of the state and its capital as well, was at that time a settlement of tents and rudely constructed shacks. Here Dr. Locke practiced medicine for a short time, after which he went to the mines at Downieville, on the American River. It is safe to say that his anti- cipations as a miner were not realized, for he had been there only a short time when he gave up mining, and coming to San Joaquin County, took up a tract of land whereon is now located the town of Locke- ford, having first paid a good price for it to the parties who had purchased a pretended Spanish grant, and afterward being required to buy it from the government at the regulation price of $1.25 per acre. Dr. Locke settled on what was known as Yankee Hill just north of Lockeford in 1851, and maintained a ford across the Mokelumne River, to guard against quicksand in the summer; and during the winter time, when the river was too high to ford, he ran a ferry boat across the river. Dr. Locke built the first house in Lockeford. After the town was started a name was needed; and as the ford across the river was called Locke's ford, at the suggestion of his wife the "s" was dropped and the town named Lockeford, which name it has since borne.

In 1854 Dean J. Locke returned East, and on May 8. 1855, was united in marriage with Miss Delia M. Hammond, a native of North Abington, Mass. The wedding journey of the young people brought them to Lockeford, Cal., July 1, 1855, and they set up housekeeping in a house which Dr. Locke erected in the autumn of that year. On their return from the East Dr. Locke and his wife were accompanied by the former's father, Luther Locke, who became the first postmaster of the town, in June, 1861, and who here rounded out his long and useful life, passing away in 1866, at the age of nearly seventy years. Thirteen children were born of the marriage of Dean J. Locke and his wife, named in order of their birth as follows: Luther J .; Ada .; Nathaniel Howard; Horace Mann; Ida; Mary, deceased; William Wil- lard; Hannah; John Calvin, who passed away in Brooklyn, N. Y., and who was superintendent of street paving at the time of his demise; Edward Moore: Eunice; George Hammond; and Theresa. Mrs. Locke is living in Lockeford at the age of eighty-seven years. All of their children received an excellent education, for Dr. Locke was a stanch advocate of furnishing the younger generation with good school advantages, and as a member of the board of education of the town he was able to ac- complish considerable along this line. None of her citizens were more public-spirited or philanthropic than was Dr. Locke, whose greatest happiness

seemed to be in advancing the growth and upbuild- ing of the town, to which he gave a number of lots for the erection of churches and schools. Himself a temperate man in every sense of the word, never having used liquor or tobacco in any form, he was a stanch advocate of temperance and was an unwearied worker in the cause throughout his life. During his early life he voted the Whig ticket, but later, when the Republican party was formed, he voted for its candidates. He passed away in the town which he had founded, May 4, 1887, at the age of sixty-four years, loved and honored by his fellow citizens. Mrs. Locke is still living at the old home place, and at the age of eighty-seven is enjoying very good health. She has a record of temperature and weather, taken three times a day, as well as a record of happenings of the Lockeford locality since her arrival in 1855.

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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 91

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