USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County, California, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 86
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the surrounding country. This latter mill, it is told, was run by horse-power from the time of its establishment in 1863 until 1866, when steam-power took the place of the useful though less efficient quadrupeds.
As for mercantile affairs, G. W. Lull, of Lull, Grant & Co., started the first store on the coast, in July, 1866, at a point between Santa Rosa and San Simeon Creeks. Subsequently the establishment was removed to a point a quarter of a mile above the present town. That was in 1867. Next year the concern came down to its pres- ent location in Cambria. Business prospered in the lat- ter location, and there they have since remained. Messrs. Lull and Leffingwell arrived in the county in the year 1859. Previous to their arrival came M. J. Phelan, who, with four others, built the first school house in the county. They erected it in a small cañon, between the present location of Mr. Phelan's fine ranch and San Simeon Creek, and named it San Simeon School. This took place in 1859, the year following Mr. Phelan's ad- vent.
THE FIRST STORE.
Messrs. S. A. Pollard and George E. Long built the first store in Cambria on the lot where now stands the store of Ramage & Conway. This was the first building in town, and as such of considerable historical value. At about the time these events were occurring several gentlemen who were destined to exercise an influence upon the affairs of the county had begun to arrive. Of these one of the best known is
WILLIAM H. DE NISE,
Who was born in Montgomery County, New York, May 23, 1829. In that region where the thrifty Dutch settlers of two centuries ago made their homes and extended the Christian civilization along the valley of the Mohawk, the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, receiving his education at the common schools, and training in the habits of industry and self-reliance so characteristic of his ancestors. In 1854, lured by the grand prospects opening on the Pacific Coast for the enterprise of young men of health and vigor, he came to California, and here engaged in various occupations. His first four years in this State he spent in Yolo County, then in Sacramento, where he engaged in teaming to the mines, and upon the development of the silver mines of Nevada transferred his teaming operations to Gold Hill, in hauling quartz from the mines to the mills, and this he continued very profitably for six years. Then leaving the mining regions of our sister State he sought the pleasant valley of Santa Clara, and, for two years, as a farmer, cultivated its fertile soil. From his farm he moved into the city of San José, where he dwelt two years, and in 1871 came to San Luis Obispo County. Here he has since lived, engaged in farming and dairying. His farm contains 456 acres, and is situated about one mile from Cambria, a view of the pleasant home, its surroundings and the buildings re- quired for the dairy, being given on another page.
Mr. De Nise was married January 30, 1867, to Miss Carrie Brown, a native of New York. They have three children, one son and two daughters.
SAN FRANCISCO
·
RANCH, RESIDENCE & DAIRY OF W. H. DENISE, SANTA ROSA CREEK SAN LUIS OBISPO CO. CAL.
337
TOWNS AND LOCALITIES CONTINUED.
NAMING THE TOWN.
The name of the newly-founded burg was early a sub- ject of dispute. There were those of a sentimental turn of mind who contended for Rosaville. Others preferred the beautiful Spanish title, Santa Rosa. Still another class refused any designation but San Simeon, although the port bore this name. The postal authorities at Wash- ington designated the post-office, in which Mr. W. S. Whitaker, of the firm of Grant, Lull & Co., officiated as Postmaster, as San Simeon, and persisted therein. After a controversy of importance Cambria was proposed and soon adopted. Its derivation is obvious, but its applica- tion incomprehensible. To a town full of Welshmen it might seem applicable, but to a place mostly made up of American people, and presumably of severely practical and unimaginative sort, it would seem an unmeaning designation. It however possesses the quality of remain- ing, and doubtless will remain until the end of time.
Time passed on. For the next year or two there is little to chronicle except that Cambria grew steadily and healthily. The surrounding fertile and healthful country also grew in population and wealth, and acted beneficently upon the town's growth. Trade increased, both local and with the remote city of San Francisco. The port of San Simeon began to be frequented by vessels which sought to take away the commercial articles of the re- gion's production. The merchants and the middle-men of a large tract made their places of business at Cam- bria. From that town as a center the trade in agricultural productions and in store goods radiated outward. The mines helped some. Periodically the people were called on to hear stories of the discovery of limitless quicksilver lodes, or vast deposits of coal, gold, silver, copper, or other much-sought-after mineral product. In 1871 and thereabouts the sanguine miners set up the loudest of cries. A quicksilver lode of great value was found-a discovery of vast importance to the town, since the influx of population, and the amount of money paid out for labor and the necessities of mining life, aided very mate- rially to build up and sustain the place. In the opinion of many the town owes a great deal of its subsequent importance to these mineral discoveries. With the history of the mines themselves and their subsequent successes and failures, the present account has nothing to do. That subject will be considered in its appropriate place.
EXCELSIOR CHEESE FACTORY.
The next evidence of Cambria's progress comes in the shape of Bowen, Baker & Co.'s cheese factory, built in 1871, four miles south of the town. The proprietors, both New Yorkers and familiar with the business, named their new establishment "Excelsior Cheese Factory." Mr. Williams, another experienced cheese maker, super- intended the works, and the neighboring farmers con- tributed the milk of 450 or 500 cows daily. The highest amount of cheese produced was about 1,200 pounds daily, from, according to the Tribune, 9,000 pounds .of milk per day. The then price of cheese was seventeen or eighteen cents per pound, and it found, even while
green, a ready sale in San Francisco. With this aid the dairying interests increased and prospered finely.
SOCIETIES.
Pretty soon the agriculturists of the vicinity began to combine themselves into societies for mutual, social, and pecuniary benefits. The "Farmers and Stock-raisers Co- operative Store" was for the purpose of lessening the retail price of such articles as they had been previously obliged to purchase through middlemen. The associa- tion was composed of inhabitants of Cambria and the country adjacent thereto. It was stocked at $40,000, divided into 2,000 shares at $20.00 each. This was in 1872. The usual grange was duly established, as a fact indispensable in an important agricultural community.
The Odd Fellows followed the Masons in their exer- tions for the good of their order, and Hesperian Lodge, No. 181, I. O. O. F., took its place in 1878. Musical diversions received ample attention, and besides the usual private singers and players who abounded, the brass band arose in its breezy might and filled the aching void of a want long felt. The Methodist Episcopal Church has also left its mark upon the robe of time, and it is known and remembered that the Rev. Mr. King preached there in 1878.
Going back a year in the records, we find that in 1877 the Hope Fire Company was established. This indis- pensable organization contains twenty-eight members, which number may be taken as an average for the past six years of its existence. M. Utley, a capital and exper- ienced farmer, is its foreman, C. A. Stiner, assistant fore- man, while E. Lynn fills the position of secretary.
RAILROAD TALKED OF.
Such was the state of progression into which Cambria and vicinity had been inducted by the year 1878 that a railroad began to be talked of. By common acceptance a line of road was demanded which should connect Cam- bria's sea-port, San Simeon, with the county seat, taking Cambria on the way, as the most important station. Meetings were held and much talk expended during the year, but without result as far as the construction of a road was concerned. About its necessity there was no diversity of opinion. All agreed that so rich, progressive, and prosperous a region imperatively needed a railway communication, but all felt that without the aid of out- side capital so important and costly a work could not be carried out. A railroad, it was observed, that would con- nect with a line of freight and passenger steamers at San Simeon for San Francisco, could not fail to be of the greatest benefit to the northwestern portion of the county, thus far devoid of easy or agreeable communica- tion with the outer world. The time between San Luis Obispo County in general and San Francisco, would have been materially lessened, and if the proposed road and steamers were owned by others than the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, a competition would ensue which would be very agreeable in its results to producers, shippers, and travelers. Reduced rates of transportation were regarded as indispensable, and to secure these
43
338
HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.
advantages competition was regarded as necessary. The right of way could be easily secured, and a portion of the stock would have been taken by farmers living along the line of the railway.
"It is a well-known fact," said Spriggs, the lively Tribune correspondent, "that practically we live in a jug, we must come in at the mouth and go out by the same road-and a hard road it is to travel. I would ask the people of the vicinity [Cambria] what proportion of immigrants seeking homes in our county ever visit Cayucos, San Simeon, or Cambria? Or what do they learn of our rich pasturage, splendid dairying facilities, or of the rich, moist soil of our valleys which will produce any amount of the products and fruits indigenous to the Temperate Zone? I answer, advisedly, not one in twenty. We have a good harbor and good wharf at San Simeon, and were that point the terminus of the pro- posed railroad, there is no doubt but that that place would get a large share of trade, and San Luis Obispo would have the inestimable advantage of two sea-ports instead of one as at present, and would then be freed from incidental extortion."
PROSPERITY.
Cambria and vicinity enjoyed great prosperity during the last mentioned year, and great and permanent improvements took place. A highly increased produc- tiveness over former years was the immediate cause. With the increase of business, additional facilities for its transportation, in the way of shops, stores, etc., were demanded. Mr. Coles, of Cambria, started the "Pioneer Store" for the sale of general merchandise. Dr. J. W. Frarue hung forth his shingle on the outer wall of Cham- blin's new block, and offered his services to the ailing. J. H. Fine owned and managed the hotel previously conducted by Job Apsey. This concern had been built and inaugurated by G. W. Lingo, now of Pozo. In 1875 Mr. Apsey bought and renovated it, occupying it only for one year, however. All three gentlemen were esteemed excellent hosts. Three large stores transacted a very large amount of business. These were the property of Grant, Lull & Co., Ramage & Conway, and Gans. The former firm possessed an immense store room seventy by fifty feet in size, the building being forty feet high. Ram- age & Conway's store, fifty by forty feet, fronted on Bridge and Main Streets. Mr. Sage conducted a well-kept restaurant. Proctor & Hackney as early as 1875 occu- pied a three-story hotel, an imposing building. Mr. Johnson kept a livery stable, and Dr. Russell Parkhurst, a drug store.
In the neighborhood of Cambria dwelt and still dwells a most admirable population of agriculturists and dairy ranchers who would do credit to any community by their enterprise and moral and mental qualifications. For industry and a disposition to honest and straightforward dealing they, as a class, cannot be excelled. These settlers take an interest in their callings which has resulted in a vast improvement in their stock. The land is mainly held in comparatively small tracts varying from 100 to 500 acres in extent. On these farms dairying is
mainly attended to, but mixed farming is carried on to an increasing extent. Many of the farmers and dairy- men have achieved honorable prominence for skill in their occupation. J. C. Hill, A. C. Buffington, C. H. Ivens, B. Short, S. M. Davidson, J. R. Fletcher, G. O. Camp- bell, and others.
DAIRYING.
The surrounding dairies usually contained from 40 to roocows, of first-rate butter-making qualities, some animals averaging as much as 200 pounds of butter during the season. The following list gives the names of the dairy- men residing in the vicinity of Cambria, with the weekly production of butter of their dairies for the month of April, 1881:
NAME OF PROPRIETOR. POUNDS.
Antonio Righetti 1,200
Joseph Righetti 1,400
·A. C. Buffington 800
Joseph Bonetti. 400
Brian & Sons. 1,100
A. Tomasini. 800
Clark & Roedeck 400
H. Olmstead 300
Paul Madoni. 1 400
O. P. McFadden 400
L. Utley 400
E. C. Ivens
300
G. Resighini
500
J. C. McFerson
200
G. Bonetti
400
Peter Taylor
300
C. Desmond
800
G. Van Gorden
500
G. Campbell. 500 1 I
J. C. Hill. 1 400
W. B. Herbert 700 1 1 .
C. S. Campbell 400
W. Ogden. 300
Taylor Brothers 300
Thos. Holdsworth 500
Robert Logan. 500
John McAuliffe 300
W. R. Hanson 300 I
Robert Villa
500
Jeffrey Phelan
500
Leffingwell & Sons
400
Smithers & Co
300
Moses Phillips
300
S. M. Davidson
200
A. M. Tolle.
200
Frank Gross 200
B. Doty
200
WV. E. Keiser 200 I
. A. Cheda 400 I
L. Dahlke 200
Timothy Murphy 400
B. Turri 500
L. Nelson 700
David Armstrong 200
Jerome Van Gorden. 200
M. B. Martin IO0
A. Patterson IOO
B. F. Mayfield IOO
A. Dado 100
Total
21,100
.
Wm. Covington 300
#
I
RANCHES OF F. J. PETERSEN, NEAR CAYUCOS, SAN LUIS OBISPO CO. CAL.
339
TOWNS AND LOCALITIES CONTINUED.
O. P. MCFADDEN.
Mr. O. P. McFadden bears the reputation of being one of the substantial and worthy citizens whose efforts have made Cambria and vicinity celebrated over the State as a foremost agricultural community. The gentle- man came to the county in very early times, dating his arrival from April, 1856. He was the first to settle in the neighborhood of the Paso de Robles Hot Springs. Nine years later, or in 1865, he removed to the pleas- anter locality, where he still resides, on Santa Rosa Creek, three miles from Cambria. Here he has located a ranch, and surrounded himself with the conveniences of life. His home, shown prettily in this volume, is all that could be desired in many respects. An orchard, planted sixteen years since, is a great attraction, and a most necessary and valuable appurtenance. Adjoining the orchard upon the side nearest the hills, is the family mansion, with its ornamental surroundings of trees, shrubbery, etc. Commodious out-buildings provide con- veniences for the rearing and preservation of stock. Green pastures and fertile fields give promise of abun- dance, and picturesque diversity delights the eye and en- chains the imagination. Here, in the sylvan retreat surrounded by the comforts and luxuries that pertain to prosperity, Mr. McFadden has elected to spend the years of an active and useful life.
JEFFREY PHELAN,
Previously mentioned as the founder of the first school in the whole region, was born in County Waterford, Ire- land, August 13, 1824, remaining in his native land until 1851, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York. Thence he went direct to Covington, Kentucky, where he remained five months; took a journey through Ohio, and then to Galena, Illinois, where he engaged in lead mining during a three years' residence in that State. In 1854 he came by sea to California, landing in San Francisco in October of that year. Making no stop in the metropolis, he went direct to the mines on Sutter Creek, in Amador County, and remained there a success- ful miner for three years. In 1858, he made a visit to his dear old Ireland, leaving California in May, and re- turning in August following. While in the old country he married Miss Alice Hearn, a native of County Water- ford, and brought his wife with him to the land of his adoption. Making a stay of one month in San Fran- cisco upon his return, he paid a short visit to a brother at New Almaden, and in the fall of 1858, came to San Luis . Obispo County, where he has since lived. His place is nearly two miles north of Cambria, where he has a comfortable home, and an intelligent and happy family of wife and six children, three daughters and three sons. A view of his home is given elsewhere in this book. Mr. Phelan was one of the first settlers in the coast region, and when he came there was no such town in existence as Cambria, and people of the Anglo Saxon race were exceedingly rare in that quarter, his eldest daughter being the first child born in that section of the county. Since his residence here he has shown a great spirit of enterprise and industry, assisting materially in
the construction of the first school house and the first store in Cambria, and aiding in other advances for the good of the community. Mr. Phelan's ranch contains 1,400 acres of land. His business being stock-raising and dairying, he has 200 head of cattle, and 100 milking cows. The dry seasons of 1862-63-64 caused him very serious losses, but with his great energy and persever- ance, he has been enabled to overcome them.
In this connection it would seem proper to allude still further to those old and honored settlers whose exertions and good example have brought so much of prosperity to the county. Of these, it is proposed next to speak of J. C. Hill, Esq., a native of Missouri, and who has inhabited the region of Cambria for seventeen years.
JOHN C. HILL
Was born on October, 25, 1840, being the fourth child in a family of three daughters and four sons, children of John and Margaret Hill. No foreign lands or rich gold mines tempted him from the quietude of his native home until he had reached the age of twenty-two, when he made the journey via Panama to California. Having grown to manhood as a farmer, on arriving in this State, he sought the rural region of Marin County, and there for three years cultivated the soil. At the expiration of this period he went to Santa Barbara County, and there remained one year, when he came to San Luis Obispo, where he has since lived. He now has a ranch on the main stage road about half-way between Cayucos and Cambria, a view of it forming one of the illustrations in these pages. The ranch contains 360 acres, and is de- voted to dairying, making butter exclusively, there being milked from forty to fifty cows.
Mr. Hill was married November 30, 1870, to Miss Marietta Buffington, a native of Iowa, and they have three children.
Another substantial citizen of San Luis Obispo is
FREDERICK J. PETERSON,
A Scandinavian, and descendant of the ancient Norse- men, whose home was as well upon the sea as upon the land, and who, if limited in territorial possessions, have made their influence and power felt throughout the civil- ized world. Mr. Peterson is a native of the Danish Island of Alsen, born January 23, 1838. In 1866 the island of his birth, with the Grand Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, became a part of the Kingdom of Prussia. When of sufficient age to be of service, he went to sea as a sailor, and for many years followed that vocation. In 1853 he came to the United States, and as soon as he was of the proper age became an American citizen. In 1857 he made a voyage to his native land, remaining in Denmark six months, afterward going to Australia, where he remained twelve years, generally engaged as a sailor along the Australian coast. That, however, did not occupy all his time, as he more than once essayed min- ing, and also got married in that country, marrying September, 1867, Miss Susan Adelaide Elliott, from which union six children have been born. In 1869 he came to California, abandoned his life as a sailor, and settled upon a ranch in San Luis Obispo County. Mr.
340
HISTORY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY.
Peterson's ranch comprises an area of 300 acres, situated in Harmony Valley, about midway between Cayucos and Cambria, a view of it being given elsewhere in this book. Mr. Peterson also owns another ranch of 400 acres on Toro Creek, which he expects during 1882 to occupy as a dairy farm, and make his future home while leasing his other place.
CAMBRIA 1N 1880.
The following information of Cambria, its places of business, etc., in 1880, is gathered from various sources, all of undoubted accuracy :-
Cambria boasts of one good three-story hotel, the Proctor House. It is well kept in every particular, as the landlord, John Smith, knows his business.
The importance of Cambria as a business center is shown by the number of the retail stores which the place contains, all of which appear to be thriving. In the general merchandise line, the principal stores are those of Grant, Lull & Co., G. W. Ramage, Gans & Co., and S. Gross. Besides these there are the houses of B. G. Tognozzi and A. Citron. The first-mentioned firm carry the largest stock of goods, and probably do the largest business of any. The resident members of this firm are George W. Lull and E. M. Cofer, the other partner, Mr. Grant, residing in San Francisco.
Mr. Ramage is, like the others, an old settler. He has a tidy and attractive store, and evidently gets his share of the trade. The other merchants, while situated in less pretentious buildings, appear to be doing a satis- factory business.
There are two drug stores, one owned by Mander- scheid Brothers, the other by Mr. Fisher.
The saddlery and harness business is monopolized by Mr. Geo. M. Cole, who carries a full stock of every- thing in that line.
Mr. H. Janssen supplies the town and country with furniture of home manufacture, and drives a lively trade.
Ed. Lynn runs the only butcher shop in the place.
Fred Ott, formerly of San Luis, looks after the wel- fare of the soles of the Cambrians, old and young, and of course gives satisfaction in every instance.
Messrs. James D. Campbell and Jerry J. Johnson con- duct two well-appointed livery stables. The buildings are more convenient and commodious than many to be found in towns of far greater pretensions than Cambria.
Mr. J. W. Stiles deals in jewelry, watches, etc. He also devotes his attention to repairing such articles.
Miss Jennie Bright keeps an attractive establishment for the ladies. Through the good taste and skill of this young lady the women of Cambria can rival their sis- ters of San Luis in the gorgeousness and stylishness of their apparel.
The wagon business is carried on in two shops-one run by Philip Kaetzel (elected County Treasurer in 1882), the other by T. Sherman. The former makes a specialty of light spring wagons, which have of late come into general use among farmers.
There are two blacksmith shops in Cambria, John Hackney and P. H. Eubanks being the village Vulcans. Hackney's shop adjoins Kaetzel's wagon shop.
There is only one physician in the place at present- Dr. S. H. McCurdy. This speaks volumes for the health- fulness of the inhabitants. Dr. H. K. McClelland be- came the physician in March, 1883.
One of the most important business enterprises of the place is the Pacific Steam Saw-mill of Messrs. Man- non & Davis. It is manufacturing lumber from timber cut near town. There were a large number of pine logs lying in front of the mill, from which fencing is chiefly to be made, with a less quantity of house-building ma- terial.
Messrs. Baker & Marsh also deal in lumber and have quite an extensive yard. Their stock is mostly imported from Oregon and Santa Cruz.
Jasper N. Turner attends to the legal wants of the place, being the only attorney in town. He subsequently removed to the county seat and became City Attorney of San Luis Obispo.
Three saloons are well supported. They are owned and conducted by the gentlemanly R. Grizingher, John Quillan, and M. Sittingfelt. The latter, recently from San Miguel, has fitted up a very fine place.
The churches are two-one Catholic, the other Pres- byterian. Father Farrelley, from San Miguel, officiates in the former; while Rev. Alex. Fairbairn preaches every Sunday in the latter.
The Masons and Odd Fellows have flourishing lodges in Cambria. Few lodges in the State stand better finan. cially than Hesperian, No. 181, I. O. O. F., the treasury of which contains $4,000.
There is a large and commodious hall in the place, used for dancing, public assemblies, etc.
The district school house stands upon a hill overlook- ing the town. It is taught by F. E. Darke and wife. The daily attendance is nearly one hundred. A singular and suggestive fact, as related by the principal, is that during his connection with the school, lasting through several years, not a single death has occurred among the pupils. Mr. Darke was elected County Recorder in 1882.
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