USA > California > Santa Cruz County > History of Santa Cruz County, California with Biographical Sketches > Part 16
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Concerning the family home we may appropriately quote from the Pacific Coast Commercial Record: "The family residence is one of the finest in the Pajaro valley. A num- ber of evergreens, beautifully trimmed in various designs, are especially noticeable. The residence, also the several outbuildings in the background, are nicely painted in white. In its interior furnishings and adornment, the elegant struc- ture is in full keeping with its external appearance, and readily betrays the taste and refinement of its fair mistress. From one of the several elevated points on the Thompson ranch a view is obtained of exceeding grandeur and beauty, and embracing in its scope a vast range of the surrounding country. On one side lies the charming valley of Pajaro,
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dotted with orchards, farms and vineyards, with Watson- ville and Pajaro near at hand, with Monterey and Santa Cruz and the water of the broad Pacific in the distance, and with the double line of willows which fringe 'the river' wind- ing through the scene. In other directions are spread out the adjoining counties of Monterey, Santa Clara and San Benito, where the unaided eye of the observer may easily see the towns of Salinas, Gilroy and Hollister set like jewels in this masterpiece of Dame Nature's handiwork. This is in- deed a scene of grandeur and beauty fit for the poetic pen of a Longfellow or for the brush of a Van Dyke."
EDWARD WHITE.
Ever since the discovery of gold in California the White family has been identified with the history of the coast coun- try, its founder on the shores of the Pacific having been Hon. William F. White, a pioneer of 1849 who had enjoyed no educational advantages, yet who was able to achieve more than ordinary success. A native of Ireland, he had immi- grated to the United States with his parents in 1820 and had settled with them in the city of Binghamton, N. Y., later, however, removing to the south. During 1848, in Savannah, Ga., he was united in marriage with Miss Fannie J. Russell, a niece of Hon. Stephen M. Mallory, one of the most dis- tinguished citizens of Florida during the Civil war era and a member of the cabinet of Jefferson Davis, holding the chair of secretary of the navy. The late United States Senator Mallory of Florida added lustre to the family name by his long and brilliant public career.
The young married couple determined to seek a home in the far west and during January of 1849 they left New York
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for California as passengers on the clipper ship South Carolina that sailed around the Horn. There were three hundred passengers on the ship, Mrs. White being the only woman. The ship passed safely to the end of its cruise, en- tered the Golden Gate and cast anchor in the harbor of San Francisco, June 10, 1849. In a very short time Mr. White had become familiar with the cosmopolitan city of his adop- tion and had purchased a lot on the corner of Bush and Montgomery streets, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits with John A. McGlinn and D. J. Oliver as partners. The disastrous fires common to the early history of San Francisco destroyed his store building and merchandise on two dif- ferent occasions and caused him to determine to locate else- where.
Under a partnership formed with Messrs. W. T. Sherman, E. D. Baker and Montgomery (the first two prominent at- torneys and the last-named a member of the cabinet of Abraham Lincoln), William F. White acquired for $40,000 an interest in the Sal Si Puedes, comprising thirty-two thousand acres in the Pajaro valley, and purchased from Don Manuel Jimenez. Moving to the large tract, he there- on erected, at a distance of five miles from Watsonville to the northeast, the first substantial house in the valley. The outside lumber was shipped from Maine and was of such high-grade quality that the building is even now in a fair state of preservation. One of the ranch-partners, Colonel Baker, was killed in the battle of Ball's Bluff. Mr. White retained his interest in the estate until 1889, when he sold out and moved to Oakland. In that city he died the follow- ing year. His widow survives and makes her home in San Francisco. Throughout his long identification with the his- tory of California he maintained a warm interest in all movements for the upbuilding of the state. Intelligence and
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broad-minded patriotism brought to him considerable promi- nence and the highest esteem of acquaintances. During 1880 he was a candidate for governor on the Workingman's ticket, his opponents being George C. Perkins and Hugh J. Glenn. Later he was appointed to the position of bank commissioner and in that capacity he continued for eight years. In addi- tion he enjoyed the honor of serving as a delegate to the con- stitutional convention which drafted the last constitution of California. Other public honors came to him in the course of his long life and his labors for the people won the warmest praise of all classes of citizens.
In the family of William F. White there were eight chil- dren, two of whom were sons. One of these, Senator Stephen White, attained to national prominence. The other, Edward, while of a more retiring disposition and therefore less wide- ly known, was none the less successful in his special sphere of labor. A native of San Francisco, he was born June 25, 1851, in a little house that stood on what is now the corner of Turk and Taylor streets. At the time this was the only house in a distance of two miles. As a boy he attended local schools and afterward became a student in Santa Clara Col- lege, where he completed his studies. From an early age he was interested in ranching and aided his father at home. When the time came to select an occupation his tastes led him to choose agriculture, but he has since specialized as an or- chardist. The Calabasa ranch, which he purchased in 1884 and has since owned, lies about six miles from Watsonville and contains a very valuable orchard of fifty acres. In addi- tion to the supervision of the ranch he is identified with the Orchard Realty Company, also has extensive lumber inter- ests, was one of the original promoters of the Watsonville Oil Company and in many other ways has aided in the up- building of the locality.
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The marriage of Edward White was solemnized July 1, 1889, and united him with Anna R. Royce, daughter of John Royce. They became the parents of eight children, namely; Edward, Ellen, Stephen, Lucille, Raymond (deceased), Will- lam, Mildred and James. Politically Mr. White always has been stanch in his adherence to Democratic principles and has supported with enthusiasm the men and measures ad- vocated by the party. For four years he represented his locality as a member of the county board of supervisors. At this writing he holds office as trustee of the Agnew State Hospital at San Jose, which he had filled by appointment for sixteen years. The Knights of Columbus, of which he is state deputy, have enlisted his allegiance and secured his in- telligent aid in influential capacities, and in addition he also has fraternal associations with the Native Sons of the Golden West.
JACOB SCHWAN.
The passing of this California pioneer October 14, 1910, was the cause of general mourning in the locality which had been his home for so long a period. He was born at Hessian, Frankenburg, Germany, on the 22d of February, 1822, and received the excellent advantages offered by the schools of his native land. Upon leaving school he served an appren- ticeship to the trade of a baker and afterward worked as a journeyman. The military service obligatory in Germany was displeasing to him and to avoid the same he determined to emigrate to America, but this he could not do without first resigning all claim to any property in his possession. Hence he had nothing whatever to bring with him when he crossed the ocean in 1848, but he was hopeful, brave and strong, and the lack of capital did not daunt him. Immediately after his
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arrival in New York City he secured employment in a bakery. Soon he formed the acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Trust, who had come to America in 1846 from the same district in Germany as himself. Their marriage was solemnized in 1849 and they began housekeeping in the eastern metropolis.
During the year 1853 Mr. Schwan and his wife took pas- sage on the ship Helen, under Captain Langdon, bound for San Francisco with twenty-two passengers and fifteen hun- dred barrels of flour. Before starting from New York on the long voyage one of the men passengers asked the captain what kind of food would be served on board ship. His reply was, "The same as you get at home, turkey every day." The man taking the answer in earnest, asked (after they had been out a few days) where the turkey was, but the captain answered, "You can't expect turkey every day." With the exception of a stop of four days in Valparaiso the ship made few pauses on the voyage. On the way up the Pacific ocean a small schooner was seen with the signal of distress float- ing. A leak had sprung and the danger was great. The large ship took the crew on board their vessel and then the schooner was set on fire by the captain, in order that it might not be- come a derelict and an obstruction to navigation.
San Francisco was reached after a tedious voyage of six months. In subsequent years Mr. and Mrs. Schwan often men- tioned the excitement of the morning when the ship sailed into the Golden Gate and the passengers watched the sun rise over the hills of the land where they anticipated happiness and prosperity awaited them. Of the hopes that filled the hearts of the emigrants, many were doomed to disappointment, but it may be said for Mr. and Mrs. Schwan that the years brought them all that they dared to hope for. Health and usefulness were their portion; friends and a competency rewarded their energetic, honorable labors. They found San Francisco a
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city of tents and crude buildings. The residential section was limited to Telegraph Hill. They built a house on what is now the corner of Post and Taylor streets, and Mr. Schwan also built and operated a bakery. During 1860 they drove down over the mountains to Santa Cruz, paying toll on many of the roads. The trip was made in their bakery wagon, a substantial affair that remains in this section to this day, although its period of usefulness is over.
Shortly after his arrival in Santa Cruz county Mr. Schwan took up from the government one hundred acres near Santa Cruz at what is now known as Twin Lakes (he being the founder of this community). In 1862 he built a house, which still stands in excellent condition. From this place he moved to the home in which his last years were passed, on the banks of Schwan lake. The land cost him originally $1.25 an acre, but, while land was low, commodities were high. When he arrived at San Francisco he found that potatoes were selling at eighteen cents a pound, eggs were $3 per dozen, six loaves of bread were $1 and apples were $1 each. As an increased number of people became interested in gar- dening and farming prices were lowered, but he was able to command fair prices during the greater part of his active career as a farmer.
In November of 1909 Mr. and Mrs. Schwan celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage. All of their children had died at an early age, but on the anniversary their adopted daughter, Mrs. William Hance, of Berkeley, with her family, was with them, and many relatives and friends came to offer congratulations and warmest wishes for future happiness. Many changes had been wrought in the locality between the time of their settlement here and their sixtieth anniversary. Twin Lakes, midway between Santa Cruz and Capitola, had become prominent as the site of the summer conventions of
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the Baptists, Mr. Schwan having donated a large acreage for that purpose, as well as the right-of-way for the street rail- road to Capitola. Extensive improvements followed in quick succession and what was formerly farming and grazing land was converted into a thriving settlement. It was the privilege of Mr. and Mrs. Swan to celebrate their golden wedding, but the sixtieth anniversary was even more important and ap- preciated. The house was appropriately decorated, and in the center of the dining room was a large bridal cake, with the inscription, "1849-1909," the gift of Elias Trust, a cousin. Telegrams of congratulations were received from several unable to attend, but with few exceptions the invited guests responded personally. The marriage ceremony was per- formed by Rev. H. E. Milnes, assisted by Rev. H. K. Hamil- ton, and the bride and groom were attended by their nephews and nieces. Their health was toasted appropriately after the dinner had been served, and the guests departed, after having bestowed upon them congratulations merited by an occasion so unusual, interesting and important. During his long residence here Mr. Schwan was prominent in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church and labored unweariedly in the cause of Christianity, counting no effort too great that would upbuild the kingdom of the Lord on the earth. Mrs. Schwan is still actively interested in the various organiza- tions of this church. The work that she and her husband ac- complished should be an inspiration to young people starting out in life, with a future of great usefulness possible to them. Invariably they put public interest before private gain and labored for the spiritual and moral upbuilding of the many rather than for their own material advancement. Mr. Schwan died October 14, 1910, at his home in Twin Lakes, and was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Santa Cruz.
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L. J. DAKE.
An intimate identification with occupations of various kinds during different periods of his long residence in California has given to Mr. Dake a knowledge of the resources and pos- sibilities of the state and has made of him an ardent champion of the golden west. Like the majority of the men who have come from eastern homes to earn a livelihood on the coast, he possesses an enthusiastic faith in the future of this region. This future, from his standpoint of vision, is not limited to agriculture, but covers the domain of commerce, facilities for which will be greatly enhanced with the development of the west and with the shipment of our products in an ever-in- creasing amount to supply the crowded countries of the Orient. The completion of the Panama canal will also open another avenue of commercial activity, so that the future lies bright before our sunny land.
Mr. Dake was born in New York City March 24, 1858, and is a son of Moses and Eliza J. Dake, both natives of New York. At an early age he accompanied the family to Chicago and there attended the public schools, later becoming a student in the schools of Milwaukee. On the completion of his educa- tion he began to earn his own livelihood. During 1879 he came to California and settled in Santa Cruz, where since he has been associated with sundry occupations. For a time he studied surveying. Later he worked as a bookkeeper in a flour mill. With W. Gardner as a partner, he conducted a flour, feed and provision store, under the firm title of Gardner & Dake. Upon selling his interest in the store he went to Tulare county and established a sheep business, but two years later he abandoned the industry and returned to Santa Cruz, where he acted as deputy in the office of the county re- corder. For a period of twelve years he acted as court re-
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porter in the superior court under Judge Logan and Judge McCann. During almost this entire period he also served as chairman of the Republican county central committee and took a prominent part in local politics.
After a comparatively brief experience as a proprietor of the California market on Pacific avenue, an enterprise in which he had as a partner George A. Chittenden, during the year 1897 Mr. Dake became interested in the abstract busi- ness with H. E. Makinney as a partner, the firm title being Makinney & Dake. The junior partner proved of the greatest assistance to the older member of the firm by his accuracy in the searching of records. Much of the detail work was placed in his hands and in all of the important tasks committed to his care his accuracy was never questioned. Upon the death of Mr. Makinney in October, 1910, he purchased his interest and is now carrying on the business under name of L. J. Dake. Personally Mr. Dake possesses a genial disposition, is com- panionable and entertaining, and has a host of friends in business circles, as well as in the organizations of which he is an influential member, including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (lodge and encampment), the Masons, For- esters and Ancient Order of United Workmen. His marriage united him with Miss Clara I. Chittenden, a native daughter of California and a lady of education and culture. They are the parents of two sons. The elder, Clarence G., is employed in his father's office. The younger son, Irving, is a student in the Santa Cruz schools.
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JOHN H. SINKINSON.
The gratifying degree of success that has attended the per- severing efforts of Mr. Sinkinson shows what may be accom- plished by patient industry, honorable dealings and unwear- ied application to such duties as the day may bring. When he came to the United States he had no moneyed capital, but he possessed a sturdy constitution, willing hands and true moral principles, and with these as a foundation he has laid the superstructure of personal success. While wealth has not come to him, he has attained a fair competence and in the afternoon of life's busy day he is surrounded by all the comforts that enhance the pleasures of existence. During the long period of his residence in Santa Cruz he has risen to a position of influence among the business men and also has been most helpful in religious work, his labors in that line having been associated with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is an earnest, sincere and liberal member.
The early years in the life of John H. Sinkinson were passed uneventfully in the north of England, where he was born April 7, 1847, and where he received a common-school education. When a mere boy the necessity of self-support led him to take up the trade of wood-turning and he served an apprenticeship under a master who impressed upon him the importance of careful, painstaking application to the trade. In this way he received thorough preparation for life's re- sponsibilities and when he immigrated to the United States in 1870 he was fitted for efficient labor in his special line. Settling in New Jersey, he secured employment in the factory of the O. N. T. Cotton Co., and continued in the same place for three years, his work being the turning of spools. Next he went to Ithaca, N. Y., and worked at his trade of a wood- turner. At the expiration of two years he returned to the
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employ of the O. N. T. Cotton Co., but remained a short time only, having decided to migrate to the west. On the 4th of July, 1876, he arrived in Santa Cruz and since then he has made California his home.
Business men of Santa Cruz of the present generation have a vivid recollection of their boyhood days thirty years ago and of the delight they found in playing with Sinkinson's tops as well as the other toys manufactured by the same friend of the children. Having no capital, Mr. Sinkinson was forced to begin in a very small way and he rented a corner of the Grover planing mill. This was transformed into a shop, where he en- gaged in the manufacture of toys, tops, feather dusters, etc. The utmost economy was necessary. Patient toil ultimately brought its merited reward. Eventually he had accumulated some capital and was able to embark in the planing-mill busi- ness. At this writing he owns the largest plant of the kind in Santa Cruz and engages in the manufacture of boxes, doors, sash, shingles, etc., and also saws lumber direct from the logs. The steady improvement in his financial condition shows what may be accomplished by perseverance, close attention to busi- ness and honest, straightforward dealings.
The marriage of Mr. Sinkinson united him with Miss Sarah Lynam, a native of England. They are the parents of the following-named children: John W., who was born in New- ark, N. J .; Thirza A., now Mrs. Webb, who was born in San Francisco; Edward J., born in Soquel, Santa Cruz county ; Eva, now Mrs. L. Rittenhouse, born in San Francisco; Fred- erick A. and Ernest J., natives of Santa Cruz. The family are prominent in social circles of Santa Cruz and maintain a warm interest in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which, as previously stated, Mr. Sinkinson has been a lead- ing worker for a long period of years.
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CHARLES OSCAR SILLIMAN.
The thirty-five years covering the period of Mr. Silliman's residence in California represented an era of great activity on his part, resulting in the accumulation of property inter- ests, as well as in the attainment of an honored position as an upright man, generous friend, accommodating neighbor and sagacious citizen. The welfare and progress of his adopted home were ever near to his heart, and the climate of the coast country he always held to be unrivalled.
A native of Ohio, Charles O. Silliman was born in Zanes- ville on the last day of the year 1818, and his boyhood rec- ollections were replete with experiences common to a lo- cality as yet on the frontier of civilization. Needless to say the time and place were not propitious for gaining an educa- tion, but nevertheless he applied himself diligently to self in- struction at home, and in this way and by observation and con- tact with others of more experience and knowledge he became a well-informed and useful citizen. During young manhood he left the home of his youth and sought an opening further west, going to Missouri, where he made his home for many years. His first experience was in Rocheport, that state, but later he located in Warrensburg, where he built up a success- ful legal practice. The attractions of larger prospects in the west brought him to California in 1865, when he came to the Pajaro valley, in Santa Cruz county, and purchased the prop- erty on which the remainder of his life was passed. This consisted of two hundred and fifty acres of land formerly owned by Thomas Hildreth and since the death of the father has been under the management of his sons. When Mr. Silli- man first located on the land it was without improvements of any kind, so all that the property now is, is due to the united efforts of father and sons in years past and since the death of
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the father the reputation of the place as one of the high-class ranches of the county has been maintained through the efforts of the sons. A specialty is made of the raising of apples, fifty acres being devoted to orchard (which is now owned by Charles O.), while the remainder of the land is given over to general farming.
While living in Rocheport, Mo., Mr. Silliman formed domes- tic ties by his marriage in 1849, with Miss Phoebe A. Trafton, a native of Canada. After a happy married life of over fifty years the unity of the family was broken by the death of Mr. Silliman May 5, 1900, and two years later, August 20, 1902, occurred the death of his wife. Seven children were left to mourn their loss, all of whom with one exception still live on the old family homestead. Named in the order of their birth they are as follows: Wyllys A., a resident of Pacific Grove; Charles O., Jr .; Deborah I .; Mary E., the wife of Z. M. Edrington; Jessie L .; George Francis; and Walter T.
A. E. JOY.
As a member of the Watsonville Globe Real Estate Com- pany A. E. Joy is exercising a strong and marked influence on the business affairs of this city, where he has made his home since 1893. A native son of the state, he was born in Yuba county April 19, 1864, the son of parents who came to the state during its early history. Alfred Joy was a native of Waterville, Me., while his wife, in maidenhood Mary A. Wood, was born and reared in Palmyra, N. Y. Both left the east and located in California in the same year, 1853, Mr. Joy making the journey alone, while Miss Wood came across the plains with her brother. The mining opportunities in Placer county had been the object of Mr. Joy's journey to the
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west, and from the fact that he continued operations there for fifteen years it is safe to conclude that his efforts were at least fairly successful. Removing from there to Ventura county, he began raising flax, an undertaking which was well chosen, for it proved a success from the start, and in connec- tion he also raised cattle extensively, both industries proving successful above the average and ranking him among the most flourishing ranchers in that section of country. In the town of Ventura, where he had lived retired for fifteen years, he passed away March 21, 1908, at the age of seventy-four years. Politically he was a stanch supporter of Republican princi- ples, although he never sought nor cared to occupy public office. The wife and mother passed away July 31, 1910, at the home of her son, E. J. Beekman, at Sespe, Ventura county, when she was seventy-nine years of age.
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