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 31
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Horace Hawes, (deceased). On the tenth day of July, 1813, at Danby, in the State of New York, was born Horace Hawes. While an infant, his
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father moved with his family to the town of Warsaw, in the county of Wyoming, but at that time it was Genesee county. There, with his father and mother and on a small farm of fifty acres, he lived in poverty, inured to agricultural labors, until the death of. his mother, in the year 1824.,
Soon after that, he was placed in the family of one of the neighbors, Bela Bartlett by name, to learn the trade of a house carpenter and cabinet maker, together with house painting, and farming. on a small scale as well, to fill. in the leisure hours. There he remained and toiled for four years, barely obtain- ing a miserable subsistence, with most industrious, temperate, moral and frugal habits. At the end of the four years, however, he purchased his time of the person too whom he was articled, for the full sum of fifty dollars, obtaining credit for the same, which he afterwards fully and faithfully paid with interest.
Then sixteen years old, with none to hinder him from following any pursuit and in his own way, he left his old employer and neighborhood, to seek his fortune in some more promising employment, with a view to acquire a good education, and ultimately enter upon a professional career. He had already advanced sufficiently to pass an examination as a school master for a public school. Mr. Hawes now applied himself assiduously to acquiring knowledge, pursuing his studies sometimes at an academy, but mostly under the instruc- tion of the lawyer in whose office. his classical and scientific studies were acquired, in connection with his study of law. Until he was admitted to practice before the courts, he supported himself by his own exertions in teach- ing or working at his trade. He was regularly admitted to the supreme court at an early age, and pursued his profession with entire success.
In the year 1835, at Utica, New York, a state convention was held, composed of those who were endeavoring to accomplish the abolition of slavery by peaceable measures. On that memorable occasion Horace Hawes was present, and took a conspicuous part in the defence of the right of free discussion, although he was not a member of the abolition party. He also wrote a book in vindication of that most precious constitutional privilege, but his position was at that time unpopular. In the year 1837 he left Utica, and spent several years in teaching, and subsequently located at Erie, Pennsylvania, where he married, and practiced his profession, and held the office of deputy attorney- general, prosecuting attorney for the county, and commissioner of deeds for New York and several other states. His wife died in the year 1846, eight months and one-half after his marriage, and was buried in Erie cemetery, in a lot handsomely laid out, inclosed with an iron fence, and planted with shrubbery, where now may be seen a beautiful monument of Italian marble with appropriate inscriptions, which he erected to her memory.
Early in the year 1847, under the administration of president Polk, Mr. Hawes received the appointment of United States consul for the Society and other South Sea islands, which was unanimously confirmed by the senate of
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the United States. His commission was dated March 3. 1847. On the 15th day of June of that year, he sailed from Boston for the place of his consular resi- dence, via Cape Horn and Hawaiian islands. He arrived at Honolulu about the middle of October, 1847, and there was obliged to take passage in another vessel named Angola, Varney, master, which after sailing changed the place of destination to San Francisco and Monterey, with a view to dispose of the cargo, and after an absence of four months returned to Honolulu. There he remained for a few months, and then by the first vessel sailing thence for Tahiti, he proceeded on his voyage to that island, where he arrived on the 27th of September, 1848. On his arrival he learned that the French were in pos- session of both Tahiti and Eino islands, and for that reason Mr. Hawes was not recognized as consul until the 19th of June, 1849. During this time he had a great deal of correspondence with the department of state at Washing- ton, and was at San Francisco a part of the time. In the month of Septem- ber, 1849, Mr. Hawes was made prefect of the district of San Francisco, which office he held about one year. From 1850 to the time of his death on March 12, 1871, Mr. Hawes resided at San Francisco and on his farm near Redwood City, this county. During this time he served two terms in the state assembly and one in the senate. As a legislator for the best interests of the people, California has not had his equal; and as a lawyer, few desired to meet him on equal grounds. On the 24th of May, 1858, Mr. Hawes married Miss Caroline Combs, a native of Kentucky, and there was born to them two children, Horace and Caroline. On the commencement of the civil war, Mr. Hawes took a decided stand in favor of the Union, and frequently spoke in severe terms of any person who was in sympathy with the confederate cause. In the fall of 1867, he ran as an independent candidate for joint senator of the counties of San Francisco and San Mateo, and although he was defeated, yet he received more votes than any other of the many independent candidates who ran that year. From that time his health failed more and more rapidly, and his mind was proportionately weakened, so as to render him unfit for legal business for the last two or three years of his life. He was by nature a very suspicious and eccentric man, and when weakened by disease this eccentricity took the form of insanity, for without any foundation he sus- pected his best friends of bad motives, and his wife even of laying plans to destroy his life by poison or assassination.
Horace Hawes. A little way from Redwood City, and close to the foot- hills, is the country residence of Horace Hawes. His father purchased the place many years ago, and at his death the subject of our sketch came into possession of the property.
When Mr. Hawes was about nine years old, his father took him to Germany, where he received his early scholastic training, after which he graduated at
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one of her colleges. After the completion of his education, he returned to his home, and to better fit himself for the practical affairs of life, he took up those studies which are not generally taught in our colleges, among which was that of law. He does not practice the profession, however, for other duties engage his entire attention.
There is scarcely a man in San Mateo county who did not know Horace Hawes, the father of the subject of this sketch. Ever since the foundation of the county, and even previous to that time, he took an active part in the affairs of the community where he lived. His only son, who bears the exact name of his father, and of whom we are now writing, is also well known, not only in this county but in San Francisco as well. His is one of those aggressive, go- ahead dispositions that believe in themselves. Hope or ambition as a purely sentimental attribute does not enter into his composition, but are replaced by the sterner qualities of self-reliance and courage, both moral and physical. He is an exemplar of the time honored adage that " God helps those who help themselves," and his whole life has bristled with instances of this belief. He is a man of strong convictions and honest prejudices, scorning the hypocrisy of policy, and dealing by his friends as his friends, while openly opposing and defying his enemies. In fact, he possesses one virtue above all others, in deal- ing with the world-everybody, whether friend or foe, knows where he may be found when he is wanted. His nature is positive in its character, and when he has once settled in his mind that he is right, nothing short of utter annihila- tion can swerve him from his course. Such a character must succeed. Social- ly, none are more genial, open-hearted, or courteous, and the native humor permeating his being renders him popular in every circle, and a welcome guest in every company. He first saw the light in Santa Clara, Santa Clara county, California, March 22, 1859. He married Eugenia McLean, a niece of Hon. T. G. Phelps, and their wedding tour was in the Old World, where they visited the time-honored places which so interest lovers of antiquity. On his return to this country, Mr. Hawes commenced business with a straight-forwardness which characterizes all his acts in life, and in the year 1881 he was elected president of the Warren and Tuttle Water Company, and at the present writ- ing is the incumbent of that office. He has one son, whose name is Horace.
John C. Edgar. It is a pleasure to write of men whose public spirited generosity, and acknowledged manliness, recommend them to our favorable. consideration; but, personally, it would be far more preferable if we enjoyed a longer acquaintance with the gentleman whose interesting history we are now transmitting in brief to posterity. California is prolific of that class of men, who with ordinary ambition, fair pluck, and a proper degree of persever- ance and industry, reach the top of the ladder. A man endowed with these simple attributes has no cause to complain if he meets with reverses when he
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first starts out in life. These little discomfitures always have a tendency to sharpen the intellect, and urge their possessor on to renewed exertion, and when once he obeys the dictates of his better judgment, success is bound to crown his efforts. Fifty years ago, away back in the old country, near the city of Belfast, on the 21st of November, 1833, the subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born. His father brought him to Canada in June, 1842, and in February, 1852, he came to the United States and settled in New York. Mr. Edgar was sent to school early in life, and being blessed by nature with a well balanced head, a good consti- tution, and an aptitude for learning, he soon acquired a fair education. Characteristic of his race, he started for California in February, came by the way of Panama, and landed in San Francisco on April 1, 1854: Full of energy and urged on by a disposition to win, he proceeded to Sacramento, where he remained until July, thence to Marysville, where he commenced the battle of life in this state. In January, 1858, he moved to Redwood City, San Mateo county, where he has since permanently lived. After he had fairly established himself in Redwood, he made many warm friends, and he was first honored by being elected city marshal. As he became better known throughout the county, his popularity proportionately increased, and when in the year 1871 the republican party placed him in nomination for sheriff, he was duly elected to that office, being the first republican sheriff of San Mateo county. In the discharge of the responsible duties of that position, he won golden opinions from men of every party, and was regarded by all as an able and efficient officer. His party having implicit confidence in his integ- rity, continued him in office until 1878. At the commencement of Governor George C. Perkins' administration, he was selected as deputy warden of the San Quentin State Prison, and is the present incumbent. He married Mary J. McLeod, and they have one child whose name is Joseph S.
R. H. Brown. This gentleman, who is one of the prominent dairymen of the coast, was born in Pointe Caupee Parish, Louisiana, November 25, 1839, and received a thorough education in his native state. In 1860 he left his southern home and came to California, via New York and the Isthmus of Panama. His first settlement was in Klamath county, where he mined until 1862, afterward migrating to Idaho, where he remained engaged in mining, sawmilling, etc., until 1872, when he returned to San Francisco. During a period of seven years Mr. Brown acted as secretary for various mining com- panies, finally removing in 1879 to this county, where he purchased an exten- sive dairy ranch, a full description of which is given in another portion of this work.
P. B. Casey. Was born in Langford, Ireland, May 30, 1823, and came to the United States in 1845, arriving in the country May 26th of that year. He
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lived in Brooklyn until the May following, when he went to New Hampshire and was employed by the Franklin and White river railroad. In December, 1846, he returned to Boston and remained there until he came to this state, via Panama, landing in San Francisco May 26, 1852. He lived in San Francisco where he was engaged in teaming until January 5, 1856, and then settled in San Mateo county on his present farm, which is situated nearly due west from San Mateo. He married Mary Farrell in Brooklyn, New York, and they have six children; Kate, William B., John J., Minnie A., Addie and Peter.
Robert Ashburner. Mr. Ashburner is a native of England, where he was born in 1834. He was reared and educated in his native country, and came to California, landing on February 11, 1861, when twenty-six years old, settling on the Twelve Mile Farm, in this county. Mr. Ashburner's father was a breeder of short-horn cattle, and the former having had an early and large experience in the methods pursued, and having observed the advantages of raising this class of cattle, brought with him from England five short-horns and three Devons for Mr. Parrott, the San Francisco banker. Shortly after his arrival here, Mr. Ashburner began the purchase and breeding of short-horn cattle, making his first purchase at the State Fair in 1867. He then bought a herd from Egbert Judson in 1871, and in 1875 went to England, returning with five pure bred short-horn heifers and two bulls, which cost him, when landed on this coast, over $5000. The first thoroughbred cow, now living, raised by Mr. Ashburner, was " Sarah," calved August 24, 1869; and " Gar- land," one of the finest specimens of the short-horn breed in the State, also the property of Mr. Ashburner, was born September 2, 1872. He has now about ninety head of thoroughbred cattle, and the same number graded with four or five crosses of pure short-horn blood. His place is known as the Baden Stock Farm, and is near the railroad station of that name.
Lafayette Chandler. Is a a native of Kennebec county, Maine, and was born May 23, 1836. He was reared and educated in his native State, leaving his home when sixteen years of age for California, arriving in San Francisco, via the Nicaragua route, on the steamship S. S. Lewis. His arrival off the Golden Gate was the prelude to a startling adventure, the ship going ashore on a reef of rocks, during a prevailing fog. Fortunately all the pas- sengers were safely landed in the small boats. The date of Mr. Chandler's arrival in San Francisco was April, 1853. He shortly after proceeded by steamer to Santa Cruz, where he lived until the fall of the same year, when he came to Pescadero, remaining about two months and returning to Santa Cruz. He again visited San Mateo county, locating at Searsville, and afterwards, in partnership with his cousin, purchasing his present ranch at Pescadero. This has been his permanent home ever since, with the exception of three years
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which he spent in Idaho and Washington territories, and a visit of six months to the eastern states, in 1867. He is engaged in dairying, and owns a dairy farm east of R. H. Brown's ranch, where he keeps about sixty head of cows, manufacturing a fine quality of butter and cheese. His first wife was Lizzie Garagus, who bore him one child, Elma. The maiden name of his present wife was Maggie A. Stokes.
W. G. Thompson. This gentleman, who for four years was principal of the public school at Pescadero, was born in the north of Ireland, near Londonderry, November 4, 1827. He received a thorough education, and is a graduate of the normal school of the Irish board of education at Dublin. He came to the United States in January, 1850, and resided in Stephenson county, Illinois, twenty-four years, teaching school at Freeport a portion of this time, and afterwards discharging the duties of county clerk of Stephenson county, to which office he was elected by a handsome majority. He was sub- sequently entrusted with the responsibilities of other important positions, discharging his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the com- munity who thus honored him. In 1874 he came to California and settled at Pescadero. Mr. Thompson has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a writer, and is an able correspondent of the newspapers. He married Elizabeth Brown, the result of the union being seven children living, and three deceased. The living children are named respectively, Robert E., William J., Joseph B., Samuel B., Eliza J., Mattie and George.
Alfred Fay. Honesty, integrity and an upright character among his fellow men, by whom he is thoroughly respected, are the prevailing traits which dis- tinguish this worthy citizen. Mr. Fay is a native of the empire state, having been born in Tully, Onondaga county, May 13, 1827. When four years of age his parents removed to Collins, Erie county, where he received his primary education. In 1843 his family emigrated to McHenry county, Illinois, where he lived until 1851, when he moved to Darlington, Wisconsin. Here he mar- ried Elsie Paddock, January 1, 1852. Prior to this time Mr. Fay had been engaged in agricultural pursuits, but he now turned his attention to merchan- dising, in a small way, which he continued until he was the proprietor of a store and a thriving trade. In 1860 he came to California with his wife, and resided near Napa City until March 1, 1863, when they removed to this county and settled on the farm where they now live. This beautiful home is situ- ated among the mountains at the head of Tunitos creek, surrounded by scenery unsurpassed for its loveliness, in a climate superior at every season to that of boasted Italy itself. He is engaged in the eminently pastoral pursuits of farming and dairying.
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E. C. Burch. Mr. Burch was born in Chatauqua county, New York, April 22, 1839. When fifteen years of age he went to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he finished his education at the academy of that place. During the four years succeeding he was employed in the store of his uncle and cousin, in Erie, attending to his duties so satisfactorily that he was dispatched to Chicago, Illinois, with a stock of goods, and entrusted with the sole management of the branch establishment in that city. He conducted this business until he came to this State, via the Isthmus, in 1850, arriving in San Francisco in August, of that year. He was for a time engaged in a carrying trade on the Sacra- mento river, and in a partnership with Fred. Burdsell, conducting a merchan- dising business. He afterwards opened a store at Bidwell's Bar. From Bid- well's Bar he went to Rich Bar, on the north fork of the Feather river, where he engaged in mining, and at the same time kept a store, while running pack trains into the more distant mining districts. Disposing of these interests he returned to the East, where he married Mary Bond, sister of Lieutenant Adolphus Bond, of West Point. Accompanied by his wife he again started for California, this time overland, but Mrs. Burch was never destined to see the land of gold, and sunshine, and flowers. She died at Little Blue river, and her bereaved husband went upon his sorrowing way alone. He resided for a short time in Yolo county, near Woodland, afterwards removing to the Tassajara valley, in Contra Costa county. He also lived a short time in San Joaquin county, but in October, 1857, located permanently on the ranch he now occupies, near San Gregorio. In 1867 he erected the sawmill at Gazos, afterwards building the Mill Creek Mills and the Scott Creek Mills, in Santa Cruz county. In November, 1872, he began the active prosecution of his farming and dairying projects, and is at the present time milking about fifty- five cows. He married Ellen Cummings, and they have five children; Charles E. S., M. Angie, S. Etta, Lewis A., and Frederick R.
Peter Casey. This old settler was born in the county Langford, Ireland, June, 1831. He arrived in New York City January, 1850, and went to Sum- mersville, Massachusetts, remaining there until he came to this state, via Nic- araugua, arriving in San Francisco September, 1853. He resided on O'Farrell street until he went to the mines, near Placerville. Soon after he returned to the city, and in 1857 came to San Mateo county, settling on his present farm, about two miles south from San Mateo. Here he has continuously lived until the present time. Mr. Casey's brother and two of his cousins came to this county prior to his arrival and purchased the land, and the subject of our sketch received his title from them. Too much credit cannot be given to this gentleman, who has always been an honest and honorable citizen, true to friends, and respected by his acquaintances. He married Elizabeth O'Farrell, a native of Ireland. Elizabeth B. (deceased), Katie A., and Mary F. are the names of his children.
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S. G. Goodhue. The subject of this sketch was born in Deerfield, Rock- ingham county, New Hampshire, August 10, 1836. Here he received his primary education in the public schools, afterwards pursuing an academic course at Plainfield and Mendon village, in that state. He left the place of his birth and came to California in 1858, via the Isthmus, and arrived in San Francisco in September. He first settled in Marysville, where he remained about eighteen months, afterwards removing to Butte county, where he lived until he came to this county, in 1862. Mr. Goodhue has made San Mateo county his permanent home ever since, and he is now a resident of San Mateo, and conducts a large dairy on a ranch near the village. He is married, and Julia, Georgietta, Olive and Carrie E., are his children.
John Johnston. Mr. Johnston was born in the county Tyrone, north of Ireland, December 16, 1816. He arrived in the United States on June 1, 1836, and located at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He moved to New York City in 1842, where he was extensively engaged in bottling and selling ale, porter, cider, sarsaparilla, etc. In 1857 he engaged in the coal trade. He came to this state by the way of Panama, landing in San Francisco February 12, 1864. He went to Santa Clara, and was agent for Lyons' brewery for a short time, but, during the same year, 1864, he came to this county, settling at Searsville, where he has since lived. He has a comfortable home, where he is surrounded by many of the comforts of life. He married on September 4, 1838, Catharine B. Young, of Philadelphia; Thomas Abbott and William Archibald, are their children. Their sons are both engineers, one employed in the Sandwich islands, and the other on a railroad in Arizona. The two old people live alone, and Mr. Johnston loves to greet his friends at his home, where the most gener- ous hospitality is extended, and where the latch string is always found outside the door. Mr. Johnston is an honored and respected citizen of the commu- nity in which he resides, and both he and his amiable wife deserve the enviable reputation which they have made for themselves.
B. Hayward. The subject of this sketch is one of the oldest settlers of this coast, and is at the present time a prominent millman of this county. He was born in Sullivan county, New Hampshire, October 30, 1831, and with his parents moved to Ohio. He came from New Hampshire to California, via the Isthmus, landing in San Francisco November 18, 1851. He was a resident of that city until he came to San Mateo county, with the exception of two years spent in mining, in Placer county. While a resident of San Francisco, he was, for six years, foreman of the steam excavator which graded Market, Powell and other contiguous streets. He came to this county in 1864, and located on the Honsinger ranch, where he was engaged in dairying and farm- ing for three years. He then purchased what is now known as Hayward's
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sawmill, and is its present proprietor. He married Cornelia S. Rublee, and has four children; Clarence Decatur, Mary S., George Norman and Jessie Cornelia.
W. S. Downing. Was born in Harlemville, Columbia county, New York, July 15, 1831. He was reared and educated in Dutchess county, and came direct to San Mateo county in 1854, via the Isthmus. He settled in the red- woods, and was at first engaged in teaming. In connection with his brother, Maj. Downing, they for a season stocked a lumber mill; afterwards, with G. R. Borden, he operated a farm opposite the ranch of Mr. Metzgar, near Spanish- town. On this farm they planted five acres of barley, by surveyor's chain measure, and when the grain ripened it had to be harvested with a sickle. It yielded, when threshed, one hundred and sixty-three bushels to the acre, or a total of eight hundred and fifteen bushels from the five acres. This fact is mentioned to give an idea of the great fertility of the soil in this section. Mr. Downing maintained this farm one year, and then purchased a ranch pleasantly located on Tunitos creek, where he is now residing. He returned to the east in 1869, and in 1871 married A. E. Davis, returning with his wife in the fall of that year. They have seven children; William S., Mary C., J. Davis, Lilla F., Charles P., George B. and Helen B.
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