USA > California > San Mateo County > History of San Mateo County, California, including its geography, topography, geology, climatography, and description, together with an historical sketch of California; a record of the Mexican grants; the early history and settlement, compiled from the most authentic sources; some of the names of Spanish and American pioneers; legislative history; a record of its cities and towns; biographical sketches of representative men; etc., etc > Part 30
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other trees grow in luxuriant profusion. Descending the cañon by the wind- ing trails, the traveler is struck with admiration as he gazes upon the pictur. esque beauty of the ever varying scene. It was here that a famous eastern artist found material for a celebrated picture which was sold for a large sum. One of the most striking features of this picture are two large redwoods, which are pointed out to the visitor as one of the beauties of the landscape. But the full grandeur of the magnificent panorama can only be observed from an elevated spot near Mr. Pharis's residence. About five miles distant the mighty Pacific flashes into view, and thehills and valleys between, covered with waving grain, constitute a landscape picture which cannot be surpassed anywhere in the world. Neat, tasty residences, comfortable and happy homes, with here and there a schoolhouse or church, combine to lend an added charm to the scene. It is indeed a grand picture, and one of the fairest ever painted by the hand of the Creator. In 1863 Mr. Pharis built his first shingle mill in Deer Gulch. It was a single mill, and when run to its full capacity, turned out about thirty thousand per day. In 1870 he moved the mill to Purissima creek, where it is now doing service, and enlarged to a double mill. The mill can turn out an average of one hundred thousand shingles per day. Mr. Pharis is also the owner of another shingle mill south from Pigeon Point. He has given slight attention to farming, but nearly all his time during his thirty years' residence in this county has been devoted to mill business. During this time he has owned and constructed six different mills. Making a fair esti- mate of his work from the time he commenced in October, 1853, to the present time, it is safe to say that he has manufactured and sold three hundred millions of shingles.
He has also been noted for his public spirit, always identifying himself with public enterprises, and responding to calls of charity.
The public school house in his district, and which bears his name, is but a poor recognition of the esteem and good will the people of his neighborhood feel for him, having erected the same at his own expense. He is well and favorably known throughout the state.
Asahel Samuel Easton, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Columbia county, New York, August 21, 1821. His father, Samuel Easton, died in 1835, and his mother, Fanny Ives Easton, in 1836. Asahel was the sixth, of eleven children. In 1829 the family moved to West Martinsburg, Lewis county, New York. After the death of his parents, he resided with the Hon. Edwin Dodge, at Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, New York, where he received an academic education. He afterward read law with the firm of Dodge & Parker, at Gouverneur, but was obliged to discontinue it on account of ill health. He then accepted the position of surveyor in the office of Mr. Dodge, who then owned and controlled large landed interest in the then wil-
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derness of northern New York. He continued in this business, and as tutor of the oldest son of his employer, and as teacher of mathematics at Lowville and West Martinsburgh, Lewis county, New York, for a number of years. Was elected, and served two terms as town superintendent of schools, at Gouver- neur and Lowville. During this time he also assisted in the education of members of his father's family, of whom five were younger than himself. In 1848 he received the appointment of draughtsman, under the direction of the United States general land office at Washington, D. C., and was employed in the compilation of maps of the public lands of the United States, during a portion of the administration of Presidents Polk and Taylor. In 1850 and 1852, was engaged in surveying and selling real estate on Long Island. Came to California in 1852, arriving in San Francisco May 10th, by steamer Ten- nessee. In 1852 and 1853, was employed by the United States surveyor gene- ral in making preliminary surveys of several land grants, viz: Bodega, San Ramon, Santa Rosa, etc., and was also employed by Captain C. P. Stone, of the ordnance department, in locating government buildings, and surveys on the Suscol rancho. Was appointed city surveyor of Benicia, and elected county surveyor of Solano county, which positions he filled until the removal of the capital of the state from Benicia to Sacramento City. He then returned to San Francisco, and was appointed city engineer in October, 1854, in which he served acceptably until the office was merged in that of city and county surveyor. He was then appointed, by J. W. Mandeville, United States sur- veyor general, deputy surveyor and clerk in the surveyor general's office. While holding this position he made the final survey of the noted Salsipsiedes grant, which survey was opposed by the office, but after an extended litigation was confirmed. In 1857 Mr. Easton was elected county surveyor of San Mateo county, and was elected to, and held said position for eight or nine terms of two years each. In this position his labors have been extensive and varied, and their record form a large chapter in the history of the county. He inaugurated here a system of graded roads of the county, which are now recognized as among the finest in the State. He compiled and published the first reliable map of the county, including the city and county of San Fran- cisco, compiled from actual surveys, and at the time of publication more accurate and minute [in detail than any other map of the same extent before published in the state. This map embodies the labors of fourteen years, in surveying and collecting reliable information for a good map, with an addi- tional -expense in publishing, etc., of about three thousand dollars, and by resolution of the board of supervisors was declared the official map. of the county. Mr. Easton while county surveyor also acted as surveyor or com- missioner, in a number of suits for partition of large land grants in this county, notably the partition of the Buri Buri, San Mateo, San Pedro, Miramontes, Cañada de Raymundo; also the San Lorenzo rancho in Monterey county.
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He was appointed by the court sole commissioner and surveyor, by the parties in interest through their eminent counsel, Judge Curry. This rancho was partitioned by Mr. Easton in less than three months, receiving the approval of the court and all of the owners of the land, at an expense, including the fee of the attorney, of about $2,500. The Buri Buri portion extended over a period of ten years, with three commissioners, surveyor and noted attorneys, costing over $75,000. The surveys and plats of these extensive grants, made by Mr. Easton, are of the most thorough and complete character and received universal encomium. In politics Mr. Easton was first a whig, then a thorough and zealous republican, from the inception of the party, and was prominent among its earliest organizers in San Mateo county, and has always been true to its principles. He was engaged from 1868 to 1876, exclusively in the pur- chase and selling of lands in San Mateo and San Francisco counties. In 1862 he married Georgietta, daughter of the Hon. Stephen Tilton, who died in 1878, and since the death of his wife Mr. Eaton has resided at San Mateo. He has held the office of justice of the peace for one term, but declined re-election, and is now quietly enjoying the evening of a busy, well spent, and useful life.
J. H. Hatch. The present incumbent of the sheriff's office, was born in Canada November 7, 1854, and came to this state with his parents in May, 1860, the family settling at San José. They remained at San José a short time, and then came to Searsville, in this county. In 1864 they moved to Half Moon Bay, which has since been their home. Mr. Hatch was nominated for sheriff of this county by the democratic party in 1882, and on the 7th of November of that year was elected. No higher tribute to the ster- ling qualities of this gentleman could be given than the large vote he received from his constituents in his own township, among whom he had been reared. There are but few men as young as Mr. Hatch who are elected to a position as responsible as that which he holds. We only repeat what all believe, that his administration will be honestly carried out, and his whole duty performed.
Henry Warren Walker. Was born in Portland, Maine, March 5, 1837. He was educated in Portland and adopted brickmaking as a trade. In 1860 he came to California and settled on the Corte Madera del Presidio, or Reed's ranch, in Sausalito township, Marin county, where he followed his trade. He came to San Mateo county and located at Belmont in 1863. After a lapse of three years he moved to San Mateo, and while a resident of this place was elected supervisor, which office he held for thirteen years, resigning in 1880 to accept the position of manager of the brick yards of San Quentin. He also for a time supervised the sale of brick in San Francisco. He resigned these positions in 1881 to take charge of the office of the sheriff of this county, under appointment of the board of supervisors, filling the unexpired term of
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Mr. Green, deceased. He attended to the duties of this office until the end of his term, when he opened the Grand Hotel, March 1, 1883, the business of which he is conducting at the present time. It will not be out of place to state that he is well known throughout the county and bears the highest repu- tation for unimpeachable integrity. He is familarly designated "Brick" Walk- er, to distinguish him from others of the same name. He married Mary Frances Minott, and Henry Warren, Jane M., Mary Frances, and Lilian are his children.
H. B. Thompson. Mr. Thompson was born in Portland, Maine, January 9, 1826, and at the age of sixteen emigrated to Mississippi, where he was engaged as a clerk in a drug store. In 1846 he enlisted in company C, 1st Mississippi infantry, a regiment commanded by Jefferson Davis. He was discharged after the battle of Monterey and returned to Mississippi. In the spring of 1849 he took passage on the ship Argonaut for California, rounding the Horn, and landing in San Francisco, March 13, 1850. He remained in San Francisco employed in the capacity of a clerk, and afterwards doing busi- ness for himself, until 1856, when he settled on a ranch near Mayfield, in Santa Clara county. He came to this county in 1859, locating on a ranch near the coast, which is his home, although he has been living in Redwood City since 1870, for the most part of which time he filled the position of deputy county clerk; during the remainder of this period he has been deputy county asses- sor. Thirty-one years ago Mr. Thompson left his native town with forty dol- lars in his possession. During these thirty years he has paid his debts at the rate of one hundred cents on the dollar, kept himself in comfortable circum- stances, and on the day that he gave us the material for this sketch, he had eleven dollars in his pocket. We will not venture to say that he has boarded and clothed himself, and paid other necessary expenses with the balance of twenty-nine dollars during that time, but if this should happen to be the fact, the citizens of San Mateo could not do better than elect Mr. Thompson to all the offices within their gift, from supervisor down, thus enriching the county, as is, no doubt, the case with Mr. Thompson.
Judge R. C. Welch. Is a native of Dutchess county, New York, where he was born in 1832. He accompanied his parents to Montgomery county, in that State, and sailed from New York City in the bark Henry Harbeck, Capt. T. G. Merwin, commanding, February 8, 1849, for California. He was a member of the Mohawk Mining Association, and among others of this company now living in San Mateo county who accompanied Judge Welch on this expedi- tion are J. G. and George Moore. The Harbeck rounded Cape Horn and landed its passengers safely in San Francisco October 15, 1849. It was a very adventurous voyage. Before leaving New York they made an agreement with
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Captain Merwin that they should be furnished with certain specified provis- ions, but the captain failed to fulfil his part of the agreement, and as a natural consequence the passengers began to object to the fare they were receiving. The captain paid no attention to these objections, and some of the younger men, Mr. Welch among the number, made such rebellious demonstrations that an order was made to place the latter in irons. A six shooter presented at the head of the captain, however, pursuaded that worthy that the attempt to carry out the order would prove disastrous, and Mr. Welch was allowed to complete his voyage in peace. He remained in San Francisco only a few days, during which time he ascertained that the Mohawk Mining Association was as dead as the old chief himself. He began operations on his own account at Wood's Creek, Tuolumne county, and shortly after mined on Sullivan's creek in the same county, subsequently drifting about among the other camps of the south- ern mines until two of his companions died, when he returned to San Francisco. In the spring of 1850 he went to Downieville, where he remained six months, when he purchased a mule and returned to San Francisco, riding through San Mateo county. Mr. Welch was taken sick in San Francisco and deter- mined to go to sea. He bought an interest in a ship, but as the voyage did not seem to benefit his health, he left the vessel at Acapulco. Here he bought a horse and traveled through Mexico to Santa Cruz, and thence to the eastern states, returning to California in 1852. He again went east in 1853, and returned to this State in 1855. In 1863 he settled at Olema, Marin county, and came to San Mateo county in 1865, where he was engaged as the superin- tendent of the Horace Hawes ranch. He afterwards moved to the coast, but returned to Redwood where he has since lived. He is the incumbent police judge of that place. He married H. A. Bartlett, and they have two children, Walter R. and Lillie Florence.
George H. Rice. Mr. Rice was born in Herkimer county, New York, March 27, 1835, where he was educated. He resided in New York City about four years, and came to California via the Panama route in 1857, arriving in May of that year. He settled near Haywards, in Alameda county, where he lived about three years, when he came to this county and located in the red- woods, where he engaged in the manufacture of shingles. He moved to Pes- cadero where he resided from 1864 to 1866, returning to the redwoods and settling on his farm near Woodside. He has since located at Redwood City, where he is the searcher of records. In 1873 he was elected county clerk and held the office until 1878. He married Mary L. Teague, April 17, 1872. Mary L. is their only child.
Will Frisbie, was born in Guilford, New Haven county, Connecticut, October 19, 1830, receiving his primary education in the district schools, and
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graduating at the academy. When sixteen years of age, he went to Fulton county, Illinois, remaining in that state, Wisconsin and Iowa until 1862, when he enlisted in the- 19th Iowa infantry, Company C. He was elected orderly sergeant, and soon after entering the field was promoted to second and then first lieutenant. He was detailed as the personal aide-de-camp on the staff of General Charles Devens, afterwards attorney general in President Hayes' cabinet. He returned home about January, 1865, and settled in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he was engaged in the drug business. He came to Califor- nia in 1871, and then went to Oregon, where he lived one year. He then came to Redwood City and went into the shoe factory. In 1873 he opened a drug store, which is now the leading house in that line in the city. In 1875 he was elected coroner and held the office two terms. He has also acted as deputy coroner. He married Angie P. Howard, who died November 25, 1882. His only child is Will Howard.
Henry Beeger. Mr. Beeger was born in Stuttgart, Germany, June 17, 1848. He mastered the trade of a tanner in his native city, and in 1873 came to this coast, direct from Germany. He worked in San Francisco about four years, and then rented a tannery at Oakland, which he conducted for three years. In 1880 he came to Redwood City and purchased the Kregg Tannery, which is now known as Beeger's Tannery. He married Mary Wahl, and has three children, Charley, Julia, and a babe not yet named.
George W. Fox, is a well known attorney residing in Redwood City, was born in Wayne county, Michigan, May 13, 1838. His parents removed. with him to Jackson county and thence to Livingston county, in the same state, where he received his primary education. In 1853 they brought him overland to this state, settling in San Francisco. In 1855 he located at San Mateo, studying law with his brother, Charles N. Fox, being afterward admitted to practice in the superior court. In April, 1860, he removed to Redwood City, and has continuously practiced his profession there ever since. He married Sarah, the eldest daughter of John Donald, and they have two children, Claude Zoe and Ethel Belle.
Martin Kuck. . Was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, March 4, 1832. He came to the United States in 1850, and settled at Charleston, South Carolina. He arrived in California in 1853, and went to Placer county, where he was engaged in mining for about one year. He then located at Gold Hill, where he kept a store until the Fraser river excitement broke out. He started for the diggings and returned before he reached them, settling at Sono- ma. In 1857 he drove a band of cattle to San Mateo county, settling on a ranch on the coast. Here he lived until 1860, when he came to Redwood City
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and opened a store. He has, however, since retired from that business. He opened the Menlo Park Hotel at Menlo Park, and in 1873 erected Germania Hall, of which he is the present proprietor. He married Elizabeth Gosch, and their children are Bertha M. E., Mathilde C. and Martha D. Two of his nieces, Carl M. and Luisse M. are living with the family.
Frederick Botsch. Was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, December 23, 1830. He came to the United States in June, 1854, and first resided in Phila- delphia. Here he worked at his trade of shoemaking until 1859, when he came to this state, living in San Francisco until March 3, 1860, when he located at Redwood City where he was employed by Edgar & Donnelly for fifteen months. At the end of this time he bought out his employers, and has been the propri- etor ever since. He married Frederika Saybold, and they have two children, Frederick A and George A.
John Hanley. The subject of this sketch was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1824. In 1842 he came to the United States via Quebec, landing in New York City, and then locating for a time in Rhode Island. After a short sojourn in Louisiana he came to California, via the Isthmus, landing in San Francisco in December, 1850. He first engaged in mining in the northern and southern mines, and then returned to San Francisco. He came to this county in 1856, and is now a resident of Redwood City. He is at present one of the deputy county assessors, and is a highly respected and honorable citizen of the community.
Albert Hanson. Mr. Hanson was born in Denmark, December 18, 1848, and came direct from his native country to this coast in 1863, working his pas- sage on a clipper ship to New York, and then taking passage on the steamer via Panama, to San Francisco, where he arrived in December of that year. He came immediately to Redwood, and during the past fifteen years has been engaged with Hanson & Co., lumber dealers, directing and managing the mill, the lumber trade, and office work of that firm in San Mateo county. He is a well known and respected citizen of the county, and is the present master of the Masonic lodge of Redwood, in which position he is a very able and efficient officer, ever guarding with the utmost care the best interests of the order, and regarding the noble principles of the organization in the light of grand and beneficent truths. He married Elizabeth Hilton, a native of Redwood, and they have two children, Pauline and Alice Laura.
P. J. Maloney. Mr. Maloney is the present incumbent of the county assessor's office. He is a native of Ireland, where he was born March 9, 1840. He came direct to this State in 1861, landing in San Francisco April 14th of
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that year. After a trial of the mines, he traveled through various portions of the state until 1863, when he came to this county, and settled at Half Moon Bay. In 1870, he moved to Menlo Park, and is now a resident of that place. During the fall of 1882, he was nominated for assessor, and elected November 7th, following, assuming the duties of the office January 1, 1883. He mar- ried Honora O'Connor, and their children are Katie, Mamie, Maggie, Charley, Thomas, Willie, Nora, Cornelius and James.
C. W. Hartsough. Was born in Branch county, Michigan, July 20, 1847. He accompanied his parents to Carroll county, Illinois, when quite young, and there received his education. He came to this State overland in 1854, and settled at Georgetown, El Dorado county, where he was engaged in teaming. He removed to Sacramento county, but only remained there a short time, locat- ing in Amador county, where he kept the Mountain Spring House, on the Sacramento and Jackson road. He returned to Sacramento and again engaged in his old occupation of teaming. On October 1, 1862, he was married to Mary Louisa Wheeler, and they lived at Georgetown, El Dorado county, until 1864, when they moved to Forest Hill, and afterwards to San Francisco. They came to this county in 1868, settling at Redwood City, where they have since lived. Mr. Hartsough was elected county assessor by the workingmen's and new constitution parties, and held the office three years. In December, 1882, he opened the Hartsough Livery Stable, in which business he is still engaged. He has six children, David, Mary L., Christopher W., Esther May, Clarence and Eleanor.
John Christ. Was born in Germany June 8, 1838, and received his educa- tion in his native country. He came direct to this coast in 1861, and to San Mateo county during the same year. He ran a boat on the bay from the embarcadero to San Francisco until 1868, when he engaged in the wood, coal and grain trade, which he still follows. Mr. Christ, before going to California, was a tailor, having left home at the age of sixteen to follow that occupation, his voyages carrying him to many countries. He married Theresa Putner, and they have seven children, Cornelius, Julia, George, Charlotte, Olive, John and Franct.
Andrew Teague. Mr. Teague was born in Boone county, Missouri, August 1, 1822. He was reared and educated in Jackson county, in that state, his parents having moved to that section when he was but three years of age. At the age of twenty-three he removed to Springfield, where he lived until he came to this state in 1850, via Fort Scott and Salt Lake, crossing the Humboldt and Carson rivers. He mined in various portions of the State until 1852, when he returned to Missouri. In the spring of 1853 he brought his family to
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this coast, settling at Woodside, where he resided seven years, engaged in the lumbering business. He then located at Redwood City, and began the practice of the law to which he had been educated. He was elected district attorney in 1869. He married Parmelia Morgan, and they have three children, Telitha Jane, now Mrs. James O. Shaw; Sarah Ann, now Mrs. George Wentworth; and Martha Ellen, now Mrs. Ott Durham.
Peter Hansen. Was born in Denmark, November 18, 1837, and at fifteen years of age embarked as a sailor, visiting nearly every part of the world. He came to San Francisco in 1862, where he abandoned the sea, coming to Redwood City in the following year. For seventeen years he has been engaged in the buying and selling of wood, disposing of his purchases in San Francisco. He is the owner of a wood and shingle yard. He married Anna Maria Blardt, and their children are Christiana, Hans, Peter, William and Ellen.
Hon. A. F. Green. This gentleman, who is one of the supervisors of this county, was born in Stockbridge, Windsor county, Vermont, January 5, 1831. Here he received a liberal education. In 1845 he removed to Boston, Massachusetts, where he was employed for three years, after which Messrs. Killburn & Co. employed him in their chair manufacturing establishment, where he remained three years longer. His first year's work with this com- pany netted him ten dollars per month, laboring from seven o'clock in the morning until nine in the evening. We note this fact that it may be seen how humble in life one may start, and with industry and a right application of their abilities eventually rise to high and responsible positions in life. The day following his withdrawal from the employ of Killburn & Co., he started for this State via Nicaragua, and arriving in San Francisco on the 6th day of Marclı, 1853, on the steamer Pacific. He remained in San Francisco, working for various firms, about four months, when he purchased a dairy, and, with the exception of two years, followed this business continuously while a resi- dent of that city. In 1859 he moved to this county and settled at Millbrae, where he engaged in dairying on his own account until 1862, when he went into partnership with D. O. Mills, in that business, on the ranch of that gentleman. The business was carried on by them until 1872, when Mr. Green purchased Mr. Mills' interest in the dairy, and has since been the sole pro- prietor. He married Mary Tilton, and Fred. H., Carrie, Charles, Edward, Sarah, A. F., Jr., and Minnie M., are their children. Mr. Green was elected to the assembly, and served his constituents faithfully, honestly and satisfactorily.
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