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 33
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James Wilson. Mr. Wilson was born in Ireland in 1833, and came to the United States in 1839. He was reared in Stephenson county, Illinois, and became a farmer. Leaving the prairies of Illinois, he came to California by the Nicaragua route early in the year 1850. He mined in Amador county for a time, but in 1856, tiring of the precarious pursuit of wealth by this means, he came to San Mateo county, locating originally at Redwood City, and worked at chopping, shingle-making, teaming and farming until 1865. That year he leased a dairy farm of Steele Bros., near the coast. He remained here seven years, and attributes his success, in a great measure, to the Steele Bro's. After this he leased a similar ranch of Mr. Coburn, stocked it, whereupon which he remained eight years. He is now located on a ranch near La Honda, where he is conducting a dairy of about one hundred cows, from which he manufactures both cheese and butter, which is shipped regularly from Red- wood City to San Francisco, where it is rated Al in the market. The average yield in cheese alone from this ranch, is thirty thousand pounds per year. He married Susan M. Jones, and they have four children; Ulysses L., Albert A., Mary J. and Nellie O.
J. G. Knowles. This old pioneer was born in Meiggs county, Ohio, Sep- tember 23, 1828, and was reared in his native county on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. He left home in 1849 with a company of nine persons, for California, by the Isthmus route, being compelled to remain three months at Panama because no passage to San Francisco could be obtained.
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Four of his party were attacked with Panama fever and two died on the pas- sage. Another died on their arrival at San Francisco, and the fourth at the mines. Mr. Knowles landed in San Francisco July 26, 1850, and started for the mines, paying eight dollars for his passage on a sailing vessel to Sacra- mento. At Sacramento he boarded a small steamer and was conveyed to Marysville, thence up the Feather river to the Oregon Gulch diggings, where he remained during the fall and winter of 1850. Early in the spring of 1851 he located at Rich Bar, on the Feather river, making the trip over snow which in places reached a depth of fifty feet, and paying the " moderate " sum of fifty cents per pound for barley with which to feed his mules. He left Rich Bar in June and went to Long Bar, on the Yuba. During September following, he returned to Sacramento county, where he engaged to work for a dairyman for two months, at the expiration of which time he purchased the business and man- aged it until the spring of 1853. At various times he has sold milk in Sacra- mento at one dollar per quart. When he disposed of his dairy he moved to San Francisco, and settled on the Miguel Noe ranch, where he remained until November, when he located on his present farm in township one of this county, where he has lived ever since. Thirty years have elapsed since this pioneer established himself in this county, during which time he identified himself with all that pertains to lier growth, prosperity and best interests. He married Mary Sanderson, a native of Washington county, New York, No- vember 14, 1856. Mrs. Knowles was born March 26, 1832. She accompanied her parents to Ohio in 1845, where she received a liberal education. She came to this state in 1856. Their children are Frank, Walter, Evadne, Albert, Hat- tie, Harvey and Dudley.
Thomas H. Beebee. Thomas H. Beebee was born in Courtland county, New York, February 16, 1831. His parents afterwards removed to Huron county, Ohio, where he resided until 1852, when he came to this state via the Isthmus. Following the example of the early settlers Mr. Beebee became a miner, seeking the golden treasure in the placers of El Dorado county. In April, 1854, he came to this county, settling near the ranch of Mr. Durham, where he has resided ever since, with the exception of two years, from 1859 to 1861, when his home was in Plumas county, and an absence of four months in 1880, on a visit to his eastern home. He married Mary Durham, and is the father of two children; Catherine S., and Edward Smith.
T. G. Durham. Born in New Jersey, March 5, 1833. Mr. Durham when about one year old was taken by his parents to Attica, Seneca county, Ohio, where he lived until he was fourteen years of age, when they moved to Hamil- ton county, in that state. He came to California via the Nicaragua route, and after remaining a year in San Francisco came to this county, settling in 1855
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near Redwood City. In 1857 Mr. Durham and his brother, W. W. Durham, opened a wagon road over the mountains to their present place of residence beyond Woodside. Their teams were the first vehicles of any kind to cross the mountains at this point. Mr. Durham is held in high esteem by all who know him, not only for his strict integrity in matters of business, but for his energy, enterprise and industry as well.
W. W. Durham. Mr. Durham was born in New Jersey, May 8, 1831. In 1834 his parents moved to Attica, Seneca county, Ohio, and in 1847 to Hamilton county in the same state, where young Durham was educated. He adopted the trade of a tinner as an occupation, and for a time pursued this calling. He came to California overland, with ox teams, arriving in July, 1853. He was, for a few months, a resident of the vicinity of Oakland, com- ing to this county and settling near Redwood City, in January, 1854. In 1857 his brother, T. G. Durham, and himself, cut a wagon road across the moun- tains to their place of residence, bringing with them their teams and wagons, the first to cross the mountains at this point. In 1858 he returned to Ohio, and in 1859 returned, accompanied by his mother, his brother Ott, and his sister Mary. He married Josephine Ralston, and they have three children; Charles, Catherine and Frederick.
D. G. Leary. Was born in Ireland in 1840, and came to the United States in 1848, settling, at Waltham, Massachusetts. He came to this coast via Panama in 1861, landing in San Francisco on November 27th of that year. In 1862 he came to Redwood City for the purpose of painting the American House, and was so well pleased with the surroundings that he concluded to settle here. He has since remained, pursuing the occupation of a painter. He married Kate Kelley. Their children are George H., William and Ella Emma.
Thomas Church. The subject of this sketch was born in Londonderry, Ireland, September 13, 1836. He accompanied his mother to Canada East in 1847, his father having previously died. He came to the United States in 1851, and settled in Franklin county, New York, where he engaged in the lumber business. In June, 1861, he removed to Massachusetts, where he followed the same business, in connection with farming. He came to Cali- fornia overland in 1875, locating' in this county. He was engaged in the manufacture of lumber with Borden & Hatch, during a period of one year. He was then employed in the same business for three years with Froment & Co., when he returned to Borden & Hatch, where he remained seven months. In the meantime the Bank of San Jose came into possession of the Froment property, and Mr. Church was engaged in lumbering on that claim until 1880,
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when he opened the Summit Spring House, which he has conducted, as its proprietor, ever since. The Summit Spring House is located on the road between Redwood City and San Gregorio. Mr. Church married Susan Ledden, a native of the county Tyrone, Ireland, and their children are Sarah, Wallace, Andrew and William.
Lawrence Kelly, an old and highly respected settler in this county, born in Ireland, December 3, 1829. He came to the United States in December, 1851, and settled in the State of New York, soon after emigrating to Wisconsin, where he remained six years. He came to this coast via Panama in 1860, and a few weeks after his arrival settled in San Mateo county, where he is now living on his farm at the summit, on the road between Searsville and La Honda. He bought this place in partnership with B. Cooney, in 1870, and subsequently purchased that gentleman's interest. He has no family. Mr. Kelly is univer- sally regarded as a good citizen, a worthy neighbor, and an upright, honest man.
August Jenesein. Is a native of France, born February 15, 1851. He came to the United States in 1867 and settled at New Orleans, Louisiana. He regarded this place as his home till 1874, notwithstanding he was traveling a portion of the time. During the interval he was engaged in business in that city. He came to San Francisco in 1875, and remained there, with the exception of a short stay at Calistoga and other places, until he came to this county in 1878, when he took charge of the Fourteen Mile House. After con- ducting the business eighteen months for other parties, he became the owner, and is now the proprietor. The Fourteen Mile House, or " Uncle Tom's Cabin," is a well known resort, and a history of it can be found in another portion of this work.
A. Eikerenkotter. Mr. Eikerenkotter was born in Prussia, June 30, 1817. He was reared and educated in his native country, and came to the United States in 1834. He settled at Charleston, S. C., where he lived eleven years, after- wards locating in New Orleans. He came to this state around the Horn, and arrived in San Francisco January 6, 1850, on the bark Tarleton, Captain Hale commanding. After a stay of one week in the city with Mr. Russ, he went to Sacramento, and then moved to Coloma, El Dorado county, locating at Sutter's mill, where he was engaged in mining. He then moved to the middle fork of the American river and thence to Dry Diggings, Placer county, where he engaged in a mercantile business and hotel keeping. In the fall of 1850 he returned to San Francisco, and kept the Paradise Hotel at the corner of Pine and Kearny streets. In 1852 he came to Searsville, where he has erected a hotel, and keeps a store, in connection with the postoffice. He married Helena Lesemann, and Charles F., Edward, Tilla, Julius, Albert, and George, are his children.
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David S. Snively. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1824. Mr. Snively was raised and educated in the vicinity of his native place. He came to this state in 1852 via the Panama route, arriving at San Francisco in March of that year, on the brig Douglass. He lived in San Francisco until the spring of 1855, when he went to El Dorado county where he mined two years. Returning to San Francisco he worked at his trade, that of a carpenter, until the fall of 1872, when he came to this county, settling on a farm on Bear Gulch creek, and on a portion of the Mountain Home Ranch. He married Virginia L. Stephenson, a native of Illinois. Virginia, Louisa and Frederick are their children.
John Hadler. Mr. Hadler was born in Germany, March 16, 1846. When seventeen years old he came to the United States, and settled in New York City where he resided until he came to California, via Panama, arriving in San Francisco in 1866. He located at the corner of Clay and Mason streets in that city, where he remained until he came to this county, in 1876. He lived at Woodside for three years and then removed to Dry Creek Hill, where he opened a saloon, and where he has since lived. He married Mary Curtis, and Gussie, Diedrich and Claus, are the names of his children.
Charles Prior. Mr. Prior, who is now deceased, was born in the county Cork, Ireland, and came to the United States when very young, settling for a time at New Orleans. From that city he came to California in 1852, working at the mason's trade until 1856, when he came to Redwood City. In 1862 he went to Oregon, but returned in 1879, and erected in 1882 the St. Charles Hotel, which he retained until his death, which occured November 7, 1882. He married Catharine Guinee, in San Francisco.
Thomas Taylor. Is one of the promising young men of this county, and one who through life has had to. work his way to the position he holds in the society of honorable men. By dint of perseverance, integrity and honesty, he has achieved an enviable reputation as an upright citizen. He has gained all that he possesses by manly toil, and is now the owner of a farm a short distance from Woodside. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, August 15, 1856. Here he was reared until fifteen years old, when he emigrated to Noble county, Indiana. After a residence of two years in this state, he returned to Ohio, and then came to California, arriving in November, 1875. He came at once to this county, working on a ranch in the mountains. He afterwards located at Pesca- dero and San Gregorio, and was then employed in a sawmill in the Santa Cruz mountains, returning to San Gregorio, and there settled on his present ranch near Woodside.
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John Donald. This old pioneer was born in Cumberland county, England, March 21, 1811. He came to the United States in 1835, and settled in Phila- delphia. In 1838 he went to Boston, and on June 1, 1849, started for California around Cape Horn, landing in San Francisco January 7, 1850. He went to the mines, where he remained one year, and then returned to Boston, where he landed in February, 1851. In October of that year he again came to California, arriving on January 12, 1852. He lived in San Francisco until December of that year, when he came to San Mateo county, and settled at the place where John Parrott now lives. Here he remained three years, and then bought and moved to his present farm, situated on the road from San Mateo to Redwood City. He married Ann Thornton, and has three children.
J. Le Cornec. Was born in France, January 28, 1852. He was educated in that country, and came to California in 1875, settling at Millbrae, where he is engaged as a clerk in the store of H. Garnot, which place he has held for four years.
Hiliar Garnot. Was born in France, September 12, 1820. He was educated and raised in his native country, and came direct to this state in 1851 via Cape Horn, landing in San Francisco on December 26th, of that year. After a two month's stay in the city, he went to San Juan, near Monterey, and in 1853 settled at Mayfield, Santa Clara county, where he lived until 1854. He then settled at Millbrae, in this county, and opened a general merchandising store, which he now keeps. This store was the second established in the place. Mr. Garnot was elected justice of the peace, November 7, 1872.
Richard Cunningham. Mr. Cunningham was born in Ireland, in 1829, and came to the United States in 1847, settling in New York City. Here he resided until he came to this state in 1852, around the Horn, in a clipper ship commanded by Captain Kingsley. He landed in San Francisco on the 7th of August of that year, having been five months and eight days on the journey. He remained in San Francisco until he came to San Bruno, with the exception of six months spent in mining in Butte county. He erected the San Bruno Hotel, and opened it in 1862, and has been its proprietor to the present time. He is the Southern Pacific R. R. company's ticket agent, telegraph agent, and post master at San Bruno. He married Mary Braman, a native of Ireland, and their children are John J., Alice, Mary, Lizzie, Richard, Robert, Agnes and George. .
Jacob W. Brown. Was born July 23, 1842. He enlisted in the army in his native country, and served in the war in Denmark in 1864, afterwards ser- ving in the Austrian war in 1866. He arrived in New York City May 2, 1868,
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and during the same year came to this state, arriving in San Francisco Novem- ber 25th. He followed the sea for two years, and then went into the oyster business, being at the present time the trusted foreman of M. B. Moraghan. He resides at Millbrae.
M. K. Doyle. This gentleman was born in Plattsburgh, New York, October 16, 1830. His parents took him to the State of Maine when he was very young, and he was raised to manhood in that section. He came to California via Panama in 1855, landing in San Francisco in the fall of that year. His first venture was in the mines, where he remained until 1864, when he came to San Mateo county, settling near Searsville. He married Ellen Lynch, and Mary, Frances and John J., are his children. Mr. Doyle now resides on his ranch, located a short distance from Searsville, where he has been successfully engaged in farming enterprises.
Captain Joseph Hamlin Hallett. Was born in Yarmouth, Barnstable county, Massachusetts, August 3, 1824, and is a sea captain by occupation. At the age of fifteen he went to sea, his first voyage being on the schooner Erie. He sailed to all parts of the world in various ships, and rose from the lowest position to the master of some of the finest vessels that left the eastern ports. 'He continued in the merchant service twenty-two years, or until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he was commissioned first lieutenant of the sloop of war Kingfisher, under Captain Selfridge. The sloop was sent to the Gulf of Mexico, and did blockade duty at the mouth of the Mississippi river. The captain first visited this coast in 1850, as master of the schooner Avon. After the war he returned to this coast, and was induced to go to China as master of one of the Pacific Mail Company's ships, and from 1867 to 1879 he was first officer on one of their vessels. In 1871 he came to this county and settled on his present farm near Searsville. He married Annie L. Snively, and they have six children.
Michael Brown. This old settler was born in Ireland, and came to the Uni- ted States in 1849, settling at Litchfield, Connecticut. He remained in Litch- field until he came to this state, via Panama, landing in San Francisco Sunday, April 2, 1854. He went to Moore's Flat, Nevada county, where he was engaged in mining and blacksmithing until 1869, when he came to Santa Clara, Santa Clara county, where he opened a blacksmith shop, which he con- ducted until 1870. He then moved to San Mateo, arriving December 18, 1870. Here Mr. Brown has continuously worked at his trade, being the proprietor of a shop in the village of San Mateo. He was taught his trade by his father, and Mr. Brown's sons are also engaged in the same occupation. The business
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is conducted under the firm name of Brown & Sons. He is married, and his children are John J., William, Mary, Sylvester, Dennis, Michael, Joseph and Henry.
Thomas Reed. The subject of this sketch is a native of Oneida county, New York, and was born August 16, 1828. He remained in his native place until 1852, when he came to California via Panama, arriving in San Francisco in the spring of that year. He located in the mines at Dogtown, and after- wards in Plumas county, on the north fork of the Feather river, where he was engaged in packing to the different mining camps. He left Plumas county and came to San Mateo county in 1856, settling on the ranch of T. G. Phelps. He afterwards assisted in building the San Bruno toll road, and when this work was finished, he lived in different localities in this county until 1870, when he returned to the Phelps ranch, where he is now the proprietor of a large dairy. He married Ellen Donaldson, and James R. (a child by a former marriage, ) Rebecca H., Ella, William H., John and Christopher C., are his children.
Bryan Cooney. Among the many worthy, honorable and respected citizens of San Mateo county, none bears a better reputation than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Ireland, April 13, 1832. In 1848 he left his native country and cime to the United States, settling in the town of Franklin, Mil- waukee county, Wisconsin. He resided here until 1850, when he emigrated to Missouri, from which state he came to California via the Nicaragua route, landing in San Francisco April 2, 1854, from the steamer Sierra Nevada. His first venture was in the mines at Butte creek, Butte county, where he remained two years, after which he was employed on a steamer plying on the Sacramento river. In 1860 he came to this county, and first settled at Summit Springs, where he remained until 1870, when he bought a ranch in partnership with Lawrence Kelley. The latter gentleman purchased Mr. Cooney's interest in the ranch in 1873, and Mr. Cooney bought a ranch near by on the summit of the mountain, adjoining the road from Searsville to La Honda. He married Bridget Byrne, in 1860; Lucy and Edward are their children, and at present his brother, P. J. Cooney, of St. Louis, Mo., is visiting him for the first time after a lapse of thirty years.
William Lloyd. Mr. Lloyd was born in Wales, April 25, 1824, and came to the United States in 1837. He settled at Utica, New York, and served his time as a blacksmith, in that city. In 1845 he visited Albany, Troy and Rome, in that state, and then came to this state via Panama in 1851, arriving on the steamer Columbus in June of that year. He worked at his trade in San Fran- cisco at the Vulcan Foundry, of which Gordon & Stern were proprietors, until.
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the fall of 1851, when he went to the mines and established a blacksmith shop on the divide, between the north and middle forks of the American river. In 1852 he worked in the placers on the north fork of that river, after which he returned to San Francisco, working at his trade. Here he married Jane Rob- erts, a native of Wales; they came to this county in February, 1856, settling at Searsville. In the spring of 1857 he opened his blacksmith shop, which he has since conducted, together with a farming interest, to the present time. Mary, Jane, Elizabeth, John aud Ella are his children.
Herr Jacob Muller. One of the most distinguished artists who has made California his home, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Frankfort on the Main, November 12, 1845. When about fifteen years old he went to Liverpool, England, where his uncle, a commission merchant, lived. Mr. Müller remained with his uncle four years, during which time he received his primary musical education, taking lessons of the best musicians in that city. He perfected himself in voice culture and musical training under the most noted and talented teachers of other places, and in other lands, principally from Richard Mulder. The first piece of note in which Mr. Müller appeared, was the Huntsman, in the Nachtlager von Kreutzer. He at once achieved great popularity, and remained on the stage, singing the principal parts in the large cities of England, France and Germany, for several years, where he was decorated by different courts, and created Royal Imperial Court Singer.
To follow Mr. Müller through all his wanderings, would require a volume, but enough has been said to show the reader that his musical talent, and rich, well trained voice, was highly appreciated and admired in the old world. In 1871 Rudlman brought him to America, and he appeared in all the large cities of the United States, singing with Inez Fabbri, the world renowned prima donna. His success was no less marked in this country than in Europe. The press throughout the United States spoke of his voice as something wonderful in power, yet possessing a sympathy and sweetness that invariably charmed the listener. He traveled in this country nearly a year, and then returned to Europe, where he again appeared in opera and sang throughout the united king- dom. In 1876 he came to San Francisco, where he has since lived, and for some years was singing at the Grand Opera House in that city. He now has a beautiful country residence near San Mateo. We cannot do better at this juncture than to quote from one of our best American critics, where in a few words that writer deservedly compliments the wonderful talent of this famous artist. He says: " Herr Jacob Müller has been regarded by some of the very best critics in the world as the best baritone that ever lived."
Madam Inez Fabbri. The subject of this sketch, so favorably known to lovers of artistic music, at ten years of age had developed such wonderful
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musical faculties, that her local tutor advised a thorough course of training. Her father, Herr Schmid, a manufacturer of velvets, who had suffered finan- cially from a decline of the market, could not afford the means. At sixteen, when taking partin a rehearsal of a difficult passage, her talents commanded the atten- tion of the director, and she was offered an engagement for two months, with an advance payment. Two weeks later she made her debut at.Kashau, Hungary, in Lucrezia Borgia, with such success that her manager was induced to repeat it a third time. Subsequently she studied " Antonina," in Belisario, and at a performance where she was the beneficiary, reaped most flattering financial and professional results.
For four years Fraulein Schmid sang in country towns, and finally in Ham- burg, supporting herself as well as her father's family. Though gifted with many natural advantages in voice, figure and youthfulness, she had yet to attain the technique, or full artistic development. Otto Ruppins, a writer of an article entitled " matter for a romance," tells how the obscure Agnes Schmid was transformed into the Italian diva, Inez Fabbri, and we have only space to admit a synopsis of its leading features.
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