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 98

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 98

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JOHN RAGGIO .- The time will never come, it is to be both hoped and expected, when posterity will fail to honor such a pioneer as John Raggio, the banker, broker, timber-man and former Calaveras stage operator, whose friends among his contempor- aries were legion, and whom to know was to esteem and love. He was president of the Commercial & Savings Bank of Stockton when he died at the Lane Hospital in San Francisco on June 9, 1921, after an illness of a couple of months. John Raggio was born at El Dorado, now known as Mountain Ranch, in Calaveras County, east of San Andreas, July 16, 1860. In his boyhood days he drove a butcher wagon over a route covering Mokelumne Hill, Rich Gulch, Glencoe and West Point in Calaveras County, and later he conducted a stage service between Valley Springs and Angels Camp. Those were during the days of the picturesque six-horse stages which carried bullion from the mines to the nearest railway sta- tions, and when the stage operators had to outguess daring hold-up men. It came about, therefore, somewhat naturally that Mr. Raggio was a man of untiring energy and varied enterprises. He accumu- lated vast holdings of land in Calaveras County, near his native heath, and throughout his long and suc- cessful business career he remained loyal to his home country, contributing to the upbuilding of its com- munity life and varied industries. A keen business man, he met with great success in all his undertak- ings; and more than twenty-five years ago he organ- ized the Calaveras County Bank.

On July 1, 1903, he organized the Commercial and Savings Bank of Stockton, beginning in a small way in the Hale Building on the south side of Main Street, between Sutter and San Joaquin streets. He took Edward F. Harris, then a young business man, in with him, and Mr. Harris continued to be long associated with him in business affairs. In 1914-15, Mr. Raggio erected the ten-story building in which the present Commercial and Savings Bank is located, and it was a source of just pride to him that he gave Stockton its highest sky-scraper. He did this very naturally, too, for as a man of vision and foresight, he predicted a great growth for Stockton, and his faith was exemplified in undertaking this huge build- ing responsibility at a time when many keen con- servative business men of the city felt that the time had not arrived for such a venture. But Mr. Rag- gio's faith was steadfast, and up went the ten-story building, now a monument to his vision, his faith, and his enterprise, and a structure of which all San Joaquin County is proud.

Mr. Raggio was also a director of the Tuolumne County Bank and was heavily interested, as a direc- tor, in the Argonaut Mining Company of Jackson, which operates ones of the largest gold-mining prop- erties in the state. Among his activities and business enterprises were stock-raising, farming, brokerage, land and timber holdings; and in earlier days, as has been stated, staging. He was more or less of a really self-made man; and it is not surprising that

he was generous in aiding worthy young men in whom he detected character and ability. It is known that he financed the college education of several young men, and put others in a way to great success in business and professional life. He was a keen observer and reader of character; and when once impressed with any young man, he recognized no limit in making it possible for him to attain a high place in whatever field of activity he desired to pre- pare for. Mr. Raggio, on the other hand, was char- itable in the extreme in his judgments, and intensely loyal to his friends; hence he was beloved by all who knew him best, and he enjoyed the fullest confidence and deepest respect by all with whom he had any dealings in his multiplicity of activities.

When Mr. Raggio closed his arduous career, he was survived by a widow, Mary Gibbons Raggio, a daughter of Dr. W. E. Gibbons, and two children: a son, Jack Raggio, a graduate of the University of California and now connected with the Commercial and Savings Bank, and a charming daughter, Miss Lois Raggio.

ELMER E. THOMPSON .- A useful and prosper- ous citizen of San Joaquin County may be found in Elmer E. Thompson, who has continuously resided in this county for more than thirty-five years. The country, the time and the people have changed won- derfully since he made permanent settlement in this part of the state, and besides being a witness of all these transformations he has also taken no incon- siderable part in all the affairs of his county. He was born near Lawrence, Douglas County, Kan., Decem- ber 25, 1861, and is the eldest in a family of seven children born to John and Catherine (Shank) Thomp- son. The former, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1838, a son of James and Elizabeth Thomp- son, natives of the north of Ireland, who early in life emigrated to Canada and subsequently moved to Pennsylvania.

John Thompson was reared and educated in his native county, and at the age of eighteen went to Illinois where he followed farming; he then removed to Kansas, and from that state, in 1874, he came to California and engaged in farming near Lathrop and Linden. He then purchased 160 acres four miles northwest of Woodbridge on which was planted one of the early vineyards, which was one of the most profitable branches of his enterprises. He was mar- ried in Illinois in 1859 to Miss Catherine Shank, a native of Ohio, whose parents were both natives of Germany. John Thompson served for a number of years as trustee of the Ray school district and was affiliated with Jefferson Lodge No. 98, I. O. O. F., at Woodbridge, and he and his wife were both mem- bers of the Rebekahs at Lodi. Mr. Thompson was a Republican in politics, and in many ways mani- fested his interest in the affairs of his community. Elmer E. Thompson received his education in the Henderson district schools, now the Ray school, and as he grew to manhood assumed charge of the home place, where he remained until 1905, when he moved to Stockton. Since 1897 he has been engaged in buying, developing and selling country property throughout the county, and also in the produce com- mission business, buying large quantities of potatoes, onions and beans and shipping them to San Francisco and Sacramento. Three times each week he loaded three river steamers with from 5,000 to 7,000 sacks of potatoes, etc., which were shipped to the markets

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in San Francisco and Sacramento. He is the owner of a 215-acre ranch near Linden, devoted to alfalfa and grain. Mr. Thompson has also been a successful realty operator in Stockton, where he was engaged in buying vacant property, erecting residences and flats and then selling them. During 1897-8-9 he served as deputy assessor.

On June 2, 1891, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Carrie M. Fowler, a native of San Joaquin County, the daughter of Joseph M. and Eliza (Brom- ley) Fowler, pioneer settlers, also represented in this work, and they are the parents of two children: Clarence Ellsworth married Miss Ruby Eaton and they have one daughter, Helen; and Bessie B. Thompson. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in poli- tics and since August, 1896, has been a member of the Jefferson Lodge No. 98, I. O. O. F., of Wood- bridge, in which he is past grand; he also served as clerk of the school board of the Ray school district: Mrs. Thompson is a member of the N. D. G. W., the Rebekahs at Lodi, and an honorary member of the Daughters of Pioneers.

ALFRED GWYNNE WATKINS .- One of the esteemed and helpful citizens of Bellota is Alfred Gwynne Watkins, a prominent rancher and cattle- man, well known throughout the county as an au- thority on stock. He has assisted in building schools and churches, and contributed to every project for the upbuilding of the community. He was born on his father's ranch at Bellota, August 1, 1885, the youngest child of the late Craddock Gwynne and Hannah (Young) Watkins, both born in England. Craddock G. Watkins and his wife came to America from England in early days and settled near Bellota where they engaged in farming, the old homestead now being operated by James G. Watkins, a brother of our subject. Mrs. Watkins resides at 519 West Vine Street, Stockton. Alfred G. Watkins attended the Bellota and Linden schools and this section has been his home his entire lifetime. While still in his teens he took up the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed for a while, and at all times was interested with his father in the stock business.

The marriage of Mr. Watkins occured at San Fran- cisco August 18, 1908, and united him with Miss Ruby A. Bliss, born at Stockton, a daughter of Wil- liam D. and Nellie (Youngs) Bliss, the former now deceased, while the latter makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Watkins. Mrs. Watkins spent her childhood days in Stockton and graduated from the Stockton high school in 1899 and for some years en- gaged in teaching. Four children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Watkins; Kenneth G., Wil- liam C., Teddy B., and Alice Marie. In 1914, Mr. Watkins purchased 160 acres, known as the W. A. Shippee place, and about one year ago he purchased an additional seventy acres, making a total of 230 acres on which he raises stock and grain; he also leases a tract of range land near Waverly Station where a fine herd of beef cattle range. In politics, Mr. Watkins is a Republican and is a director of the Linden Union high school since its reorganization in 1921; for some years he was a director of the Bellota district school. Recently he has completed a fine residence on his ranch, which makes it one of the show places of this section of the county.

MICHAEL S. ARNDT .- Among the pioneer clothing merchants of Stockton is Michael S. Arndt, who recently celebrated the forty-third anniversary of his business, which has grown from a small beginning to its present prosperity. A native Californian, he was born in Stockton, Cal., on January 31, 1862, a son of Solomon and Ella (Heilborn) Arndt, both natives of Germany. His father settled in Stockton in about 1853, via Panama, and founded the clothing business of Arndt & Gumpertz, who originally occu- pied a small store on North El Dorado Street between Main and Weber. Both parents have passed away.

Michael S. was educated in the Stockton grammar and high schools and supplemented it with a course in the Stockton business college; at the age of sev -. enteen he entered his father's clothing store and soon afterwards acquired an interest in the business. His father passed away in about 1885 and the business was continued under the same firm name, when Mr. Arndt bought the interest of Mr. Gumpertz and be- came the sole owner, after which the business was conducted as M. S. Arndt. The business was re- moved to the corner of Main and San Joaquin streets occupying the present site of the Stockton Savings & Loan Society and still later he moved to his present location at 313 East Main Street, known as the Wil- hoit building, adjoining his former location, and here with large quarters and ample room he has built up the largest, as it is also the oldest and most suc- cessful clothing and men's furnishing business in Stockton. Some twenty-five years ago he purchased seventy-five feet front on the east side of California Street, between Main and Weber, and erected a busi- ness block, known as the Arndt block, which cost $27,000 and which is now valued at $150,000, showing the advance in real estate in that section of the city.

The marriage of Mr. Arndt united him with Miss Rose Louis, a native of Boston, Mass., and they have two children, Stanley M. and Janet; the latter is the wife of Aaron L. Sapiro, a prominent attorney of San Francisco. He serves as counsel for twenty-two co- operative marketing associations in California and many of the big marketing associations throughout the East and South, and is an expert on the subject of co-operative marketing, and has adressed mass meetings in different parts of the United States on this subject; in the southern states he organized the cotton, tobacco and peanut associations. He also or- ganized the maple sugar association of the East and in other sections of the country, speaking on the crops pertaining to their districts.

Stanley M. Arndt was born in Stockton on January 27, 1894, and was educated in the grammar and high schools of that city, graduating from the Stockton high school with the class of 1911; in 1915 graduated from the University of California. He had entered the University of California law school but the World War interrupted his course and he enlisted in the first officers' training camp, Presidio, San Francisco, in April of 1917, and on August 15 of the same year received his commission of lieutenant, being stationed at the Presidio and Camp Lewis, serving as first lieutenant of the First U. S. Infantry until January 25, 1919. He then resumed his studies at the law school and graduated in December of 1919. He prac- ticed law in San Francisco until April, 1920, when he established his law office in Stockton and has at- tracted nation-wide attention by a number of special articles written by him and which have been published

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in the California Law Review, articles treating on the law of California relative to co-operative market- ing associations. This was the first time this subject had ever been discussed from a legal viewpoint and many letters have been received from different parts of the country asking for a copy of the Review. An article treating on. "Liquidated Damages" in Califor- nia appeared in the Review of December, 1921. He is a member of San Joaquin Lodge No. 19, F. & A. M., and all the bodies of the Scottish Rite in Stockton and San Francisco Consistory No. 1, as well as Aahmes Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., Oakland, Stockton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W., of the "B'nai Brith," and he is the commander of Karl Ross Post of the Ameri- can Legion. We find him too a member of Stockton Lodge of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs.

Sidney G. Gumpertz, a nephew of Mr. Arndt, was born in Stockton and is now a resident of New York, a writer of note, contributing special articles to mag- azines and newspapers throughout the United States. He is a World War hero, being one of five New York men among forty-one soldiers to win the Congres- sional Medal of Honor, the highest award in the gift of the nation. Charging through a dense smoke screen and a barrage of artillery and machine gun fire, he captured single-handed a machine gun nest with its crew of nineteen Germans; a few days later he dupli- cated this feat by a capture of eleven more prisoners.

M. S. Arndt was the founder and organizer of the Water Consumers' League of Stockton, which has for its purpose the municipal ownership of water; the league is also active in reducing the rates of gas and electricity. Fraternally he is a member of the San Joaquin Lodge No. 19, F. & A. M., and all branches up to and including San Francisco Consist- ory No. 1, Scottish Rite, Islam Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., and the Stockton Sciots No. 5. He belongs to Stockton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W.

Mr. Arndt owns a beautiful home in Bours Park. Here he sunk a well 212 feet deep, giving him an abundance of water, the purest water than can be obtained anywhere, because the analysis shows it is 100 per cent pure. He has installed his own water- works, the Stirling Automatic Pressure System, giv- ing him ample water for domestic use as well as for irrigating the gardens and lawns. The grounds are attractively laid out and beautified by a large variety of shrubs, suitable to the soil of California, considered by experts from the University of California to be the finest collection in the county.

JOHN S. MONTGOMERY .- A modest, sincere and very public-spirited citizen, is John S. Montgom- ery, the ex-mayor and ex-chairman of the board of trustees of Lodi, Cal. A man of retiring disposition, he is nevertheless a forceful personality, and in his quiet and unassuming manner is a leader in the affairs of his city. He was born in Greenfield, Dade County, Mo., on January 6, 1881. His education was obtained in the grammar and high schools of his native city, and following his graduation he taught in the public schools of Greenfield. He arrived in Lodi on Janu- ary 15, 1903, and found employment with Beckman, Welch & Thompson, and through his capabilities and strict attention to business he was made a member of the board of directors of that company. He was in their employ for fifteen years, and when he resigned occupied the important position of credit man. In July of 1918 he opened an insurance and brokerage 37

office at 11 West Pine Street, which has proved to be a wise move. He owns and operates a ninety-two- acre vineyard south of Lodi. Mr. Montgomery is secretary and treasurer of the City Improvement Company and a member of the board of directors of the Citizens National Bank of Lodi. During April of 1918 he was elected as a member of the board of city trustees, and two years later he was elected chair- man of the board. Many improvements have been made since he has been a member of the board. Ten miles of streets have been paved; a $200,000 bond issue has been carried for city improvements such as water, sewer, electric lights and fire protection; many modern buildings have been erected; and the city has shown a remarkable advancement within the last four years. He is a charter member of the Rotary Club and past president of the Business Men's Association. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Lodi Odd Fellows, No. 259, and of the Masons Lodge, No. 256, the Stockton Commandery of Knights Templar, and the San Francisco Consistory and Shrine.

The marriage of Mr. Montgomery united him with Miss Elizabeth Bowling, a native of Missouri, and they are the parents of two children, Ruth and Clif- ton. Mr. Montgomery is liberal and enterprising, and is ever ready to assist worthy measures and move- ments for the betterment of his locality. He well de- serves the esteem in which he is held in the com- munity.

MAJOR WALTER E. GARRISON .- To the en- terprise and industry of such forceful men as Walter E. Garrison is due the continued prestige of this sec- tion of California. His position in the public regard, however, has not come merely as a tribute to his suc- cess, but is in recognition of his personal worth and the honorable and straightforward methods he has ever employed in his business career. He was born on his father's ranch west of Modesto, Cal, Decem- ber 30, 1876, the youngest son of Clinton and Amanda (Watts) Garrison, natives of Tennessee and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. Clinton Garrison was born on his father's farm of 160 acres near Nashville, Tenn .; and when he was a lad of four years his parents re- moved to Missouri, where his mother died. His father married again, and Clinton left home at the age of fifteen and started life for himself. He eventually came to California in 1857, stopping for a time in San Joaquin County, but in 1865 became one of the early grain farmers in Stanislaus County, where he owned and operated 1,600 acres until 1908, when he retired from active business and the property was divided. This branch of the Garrison family is in the direct line of descent from a fine old English family, their direct ancestor being Lord Garrison. Our subject's mother was Miss Amanda Watts, a native of Penn- sylvania and of Scotch descent. They had two sons: W. Henry, who is an extensive rancher near Modesto, influential in civic and social life; and Walter E., the younger. The mother passed away at the age of forty-five, the father surviving her. He makes his residence in Santa Cruz, and is eighty years old.

Walter E. was reared upon the family homestead near Modesto, early becoming familiar with farm work in its various departments. The summer months were spent in the field, and during the other seasons of the year he attended the district schools until he had mastered the elementary branches in English. He then entered the Modesto High School and still

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later the San Joaquin Valley College at Woodbridge, from which he was graduated in 1895 with the degree of B. A. When the division of the family homestead was made, Walter E. received a half-section of land, which he farmed for twelve years. In 1914 he moved to Lodi, where he purchased eighty acres in vine- yard. Besides his eighty-acre ranch, he leases 240 acres, forty of which is in orchard and the balance in vineyard and general farming land, irrigated from the Stockton-Mokelumne ditch.

Walter E. Garrison enlisted for the Spanish-Amer- ican War in the 1st California Volunteer Infantry as a private in Company B, for service in the Philip- pines, and was in the first expedition to leave the shores of the United States for service in a foreign country, going to Manila, where he remained for one year, from 1898 to 1899. During his service he was promoted to the rank of corporal and he was honored by the award of the Mckinley Medal from the Con- gress of the United States.

The marriage of Major Garrison occurred at Wood- bridge on the old Robert Boyce ranch, October 22, 1901, and united him with Miss Martha Boyce, who was born on the same ranch, a daughter of the late Robert Boyce and Lorah K. (Turner) Boyce. Robert Boyce was a native of Ohio, and was twelve years old when his parents came across the plains to California and settled near Woodbridge. In 1871 he purchased 160 acres adjoining his father's farm, which he farmed to grain for many years. Later he planted a vine- yard of thirty-three acres, and still later sixty acres were planted to Tokay grapes. He passed away in 1914 at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother makes her home in Lodi and takes an active part in social and civic affairs. She still owns the valuable ranch property left her by her husband. Mrs. Gar- rison is the only child of this worthy pioneer couple. Her early education was obtained in the district schools of the county. She then entered the San Joa- quin Valley College at Woodbridge and there was a classmate of her husband. Major and Mrs. Garrison are the parents of two daughters, June and Roberta.

On the day Congress declared war on Germany Walter E. Garrison offered his services to his coun- try. He entered the first officers' training camp at the Presidio, and later received a commission as cap- tain, taking command of Company D, 363rd Infantry, of the 91st Division. Later he was transferred to Headquarters Company, and was in command of the 1st Battalion of the 363rd Infantry, which left for France in July, 1918. After landing at Glasgow, Scotland, they proceeded to Southampton and crossed to Cherbourg, France. Previous to his service at the front, Major Garrison trained at Montigny-Le-Roi; and his battalion went into the reserves of the St. Mihiel drive and took part in the first Meuse-Argonne offensive. Later he fought with the French troops in Belgium. After the Meuse-Argonne he was com- missioned Major of the 3rd Battalion, 363rd Infantry. Major Garrison was twice wounded, once by a ma- chine-gun, in Belgium; and he was also gassed while in the Meuse-Argonne battle. He was sent to the base hospital at London, and while there he organized a provisional battalion of hospital evacuate and re- turned to France with them, each soldier returning to his own regiment, Major Garrison returning to his own battalion in December, 1918. He left St. Nazaire for New York with the 91st Division, arriv-

ing at the Presidio, San Francisco. After disband- ing he was discharged from active duty. For serv- ices at the front, he was decorated by Marshal Petain with the Croix de Guerre with the Gold Star.

On his return to Lodi, Major Garrison resumed his ranching enterprise, which Mrs. Garrison had been bravely carrying on during his service overseas. He is the present commander of Lodi Post 22, American Legion; president of the San Joaquin Council of Boy Scouts of America; president of the Rotary Club of Lodi; and vice-president of the Associated Growers, Inc., of Lodi. Fraternally he is a member of the N. S. G. W. of Modesto, and has passed through the chairs of the order; he belongs to the Modesto Lodge of Elks. While in the army, Major Garrison made a record as an expert rifleman, and he is at present the president of the Lodi Gun Club.

HENRY KAISER .- A prominent rancher and a pioneer of San Joaquin County, Henry Kaiser is now living retired from active business cares, but still owns a fine ranch of 560 acres southeast of Stockton, on which is produced large quantities of grain; in addition he owns his residence at 1443 South San Joaquin Street, Stockton, where he resides with his family. He was born near Salt Lake City, Utah, March 7, 1855, while his parents were en route from Cincinnati, Ohio, to California in an ox-team train, but Mr. Kaiser is pleased to claim California as his native state. He is the eldest son of a family of fifteen children born to Valentine and Catherine Kaiser, both natives of Germany, but reared in Ohio.

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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 98

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