USA > California > Santa Cruz County > History of Santa Cruz County, California with Biographical Sketches > Part 21
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business. In conjunction with the California Stage Com- pany, he operated a stage from Yankee Jim's to Michigan Bluff. While engaged in the stage business he met many of the most enthusiastic miners of that period and also became acquainted with a number of men afterward associated with the history of the state.
Coming to the Pajaro valley September 15, 1859, Mr. Bur- land at once decided to settle in a region whose soil he found to be rich and whose climate was exceptionally attractive. Soon he was able to secure land suitable for ranching and stock-raising and he continued extensively engaged in the stock business until the severe drought of 1864 entailed upon him a very heavy loss. Later he became interested in horti- culture. The raising of fruit proved to be a profitable ven- ture and enabled him to wipe out the losses caused by the memorable season of 1864. His fruit interests are still large and important, but he gives less attention to them than in younger years. For some time he has been practically re- tired from active cares and is making his home in Watson- ville, where he has a large circle of warm personal friends. A life of more than eighty years has given him a broad ex- perience and a wide knowledge. Age has not impaired his memory nor lessened his interest in public affairs, but he remains now, as in the past, a progressive, patriotic citizen. As early as 1852 he was made a Mason in Michigan Bluff Lodge No. 47, F. & A. M., in Placer county, and ever since then he has been a warm champion and defender of the principles of Masonry. He is a member of the Society of Pioneers of Santa Cruz county.
A few years after coming to the west Mr. Burland formed the acquaintance of Jemima Hudson, a native of Jefferson county, Iowa, who had crossed the plains in 1852 with her parents and settled at Bidwells Bar, in the central part of
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this state. Their marriage was solemnized in San Francisco, in May, and three children came to bless the union, namely : William Henry, who is a resident of Los Angeles; Benjamin, who has charge of the home ranch; and Jennie Victoria, Mrs. Linscott, who resides at home. The family enjoys the high regard, not only of the pioneers acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Burland for many years, but also of the younger genera- tion now prominent in civic and agricultural affairs.
JOHN W. BAXTER.
Although of comparatively recent inception the Pajaro Valley Mercantile Company is the offspring of enterprises long and honorably associated with the commercial develop- ment of Watsonville. The incorporation of the business en- terprises headed by Otto Stoesser and W. A. Speckens with the J. A. Baxter Company was effected during May of 1905, at which time John W. Baxter, as the active representative of the company last-named, was elected vice-president of the new organization, the steady growth of which he has promoted by his keen commercial sagacity and capable discrimination. The central location of the store, at Nos. 337-339 Main street and 13-17-19 West Third street, affords admirable facilities for the handling of a large trade, in which the securing of satisfied customers is made the chief object of the proprie- tors. As a result of their sagacious judgment in the whole- sale purchase of goods as well as their devotion to the in- terests of their customers, the business has shown a gratify- ing profit ever since its inauguration and now the prospects for continued success are the brightest.
The vice-president of the company is a native Californian and enjoys also the distinction of being a son of a Forty-
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niner. The father, John A. Baxter, started for the west im- mediately after the discovery of gold and sailed on a vessel that rounded the Horn and slowly proceeded northward until San Francisco was reached. The young emigrant was fired with an ambition to engage in mining and for ten years after his arrival he led an existence of hardship and self-sacrifice in his efforts to discover gold in paying quantities. The occupation presented a radical change from the life with which he had been familiar prior to the westward migration, for he was a member of a prosperous and cultured family of Quincy, Mass. (his native city), and had received ex- cellent educational advantages in the east. Upon relinquish- ing his mining interests about 1860 he embarked in mer- chandising and was thus engaged at Crescent City and Gilroy, making the latter town his home from about 1869 to 1884, when he removed to Watsonville, attracted hither by the promise of a prosperous future for the beautiful valley of the Pajaro. The store which he started at Watsonville carried a stock of paints, oils, wall paper and similar articles, as well as wagons, hardware and agricultural machinery. From the beginning of his business career he made it his undeviat- ing rule to buy for cash. In this way he was able to secure lower prices than those who bought on credit and his cus- tomers reaped the benefit of these discounts. It was his claim that the secret of his success lay in his purchases for cash and that this one thing formed his sole advertisement with the public during a long career.
The marriage of John A. Baxter united him with Miss Leonora Wendell, who was born in Maine and came to Cal- ifornia with her father as early as 1854. Since the death of Mr. Baxter, which occurred in 1907, his widow and son have continued to make their home in Watsonville.
John W. Baxter was born at Gilroy and received his edu-
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cation largely in the schools of that town. From an early age he aided his father in the store and his broad knowledge of mercantile pursuits was acquired during the receptive period of youth, when impressions formed upon the plastic mind are most lasting. Like his father, he has always pos- sessed a genuine liking for the valley and a profound faith in its ultimate high standing as one of the most fertile regions of the west. Movements for the commercial development of Watsonville receive his stanch co-operation.
GEORGE A. MOREHEAD.
Through an intimate association with the commercial and agricultural enterprises of the Pajaro valley, Mr. Morehead has gained a thorough knowledge of the possibilities of this portion of California and has contributed his quota to the development of local resources. Since coming to the valley in 1875 he has studied the locality from the standpoint of a business man as well as a land-owner. Observations extend- ing over this long period have convinced him that few places excel this valley in the opportunities it affords those desiring a healthful location with abundant facilities for the earning of a livelihood. His comfortable home in Watsonville oc- cupies an attractive location at No. 613 Main street, and here his leisure hours are happily spent in the society of fam- ily and friends. During the busy season of recent years he has often spent considerable time in the country, packing and shipping apples, in the raising of which he has been extensive- ly interested.
With one of the band of settlers that crossed the ocean to the colony of Virginia the Morehead family became estab- lished in America. Several successive generations lived and
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labored in the Old Dominion. From there George W. More- head with his wife, both Virginians by birth and education, crossed the mountains into Kentucky and from there pro- ceeded westward to Missouri, where they took up a tract of raw land near the then small village of Mexico. During the remainder of their lives they were busily engaged in trans- forming their property into a comfortable and profitable homestead, and they both died at the old place. On that farm occurred the birth of their son, George A., in 1843, and there he was trained to habits of industry, self-reliance and intel- ligent labor. At the age of nineteen years he came to Cal- ifornia and settled in the Sacramento valley, where he re- mained for twelve years, meanwhile attending for a short time the Atkins' Business College in Sacramento and later devoting his attention wholly to farming.
Upon coming to Watsonville in 1875 Mr. Morehead secured a position as bookkeeper with the Corralitos Lumber Com- pany, in whose employ he continued during the five follow- ing years. At the expiration of that time he purchased the Watsonville drug store and for sixteen years he continued in business as a druggist. Upon selling out in 1896 he turned his attention to the fruit business and since then he has owned and sold several ranches. Shortly before he came to the Pajaro valley he established domestic ties, being united in marriage, April 11, 1875, with Miss Abbie Woodworth, who was born in Iowa, but at an early age in 1863 accompanied her father to California, settling in the Sacramento valley. The schools of that locality offered her fair advantages and enabled her to acquire an excellent education. Three children were born of her marriage, namely: Frank A., a druggist in Watsonville; Ada, who married C. F. Reynolds, of Chico, this state; and Elmer, who died aged twenty-two years. In fraternal associations Mr. Morehead has been identified with
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the Foresters of America ever since the founding of their camp at Watsonville. Political problems command his at- tention to an unusual degree. It has been his aim to keep himself posted concerning the issues of the age, but as a rule he has declined nominations for public office, the sole excep- tion to this having been his service of one term as city trus- tee. The volunteer fire department was one of the early en- terprises of the town that enlisted his active help and at the expiration of his time as a fireman his name was transferred to the exempt list.
ALBION P. JORDAN.
Several generations of the Jordan family lived and labored in the east, and one of its leading members, Capt. Peter Jordan, a shipbuilder by trade and a manufacturer of lime, served with distinguished gallantry as a captain during the . war of 1812. Albion P., a son of the brave captain, grew to manhood at the old eastern home and there learned the lime business, also the trade of an engineer. Coming to Califor- nia in 1849, at the age of twenty, he secured employment as engineer on a steamboat plying from Sacramento to San Francisco. While thus engaged he worked with another en- gineer, I. E. Davis. By accident they learned of a place where lime stone could be found. This Mr. Jordan's partner tested by burning it in the furnace of the steamboat engine and it proved to be of fine quality. The importance of the discovery was great. Previous to this no lime had been found in the vicinity of San Francisco and to ship it from the east was too expensive, so that the two young men realized that their discovery would bring them a fortune, if rightly managed. Resigning their positions, they started to walk to
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the lime deposits. The journey was exhausting and the weather very cold, but hardships could not daunt them. Im- mediately after their arrival they built a kiln at the foot- hills near Redwood City and there manufactured the first lime used in the state. San Francisco furnished a conven- ient market and the extensive business brought wealth to the two partners. Removing to Santa Cruz in 1853 they en- gaged in the same business until 1864, when the failure of Mr. Jordan's health caused him to sell his interest to H. Crowell. Thereafter Mr. Jordan lived retired from busi- ness cares until his death, which occurred November 14, 1866. His partner, I. E. Davis, died September 25, 1888, having been spared to enjoy the fruits of his energy and wise judg- ment.
The marriage of Albion P. Jordan took place March 4, 1859, and united him with Miss Mary E. Perry, a native of Falmouth, Mass., but after 1853 a resident of Santa Cruz. Her father, John B. Perry, came to the west in 1850 and em- barked in mining, but the failure of his health caused him to remove to Santa Cruz. Building a house, he sent back east for his family, who joined him in 1853. For many years he followed the carpenter's trade in the village and surrounding country, and many of the buildings which he erected in Santa Cruz and vicinity are standing at the present time. He also drew his own plans to work from. His family comprised his wife, Elizabeth (Green) Perry, and three children, Mary E., Charles C. and Alphonso B. When the daughter was fifteen years of age she taught a private school in the front room of her father's house and had about twenty-five pupils. Later she was engaged as assistant to Mrs. Eliza Farnham in teaching the first public school in Santa Cruz. By her marriage to Mr. Jordan three children were born. The eldest, Mary E., died at the age of two and one-half years.
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The younger daughter, Marian A., Mrs. Herbert E. Cox, passed from earth at the age of thirty-eight years, leaving an only daughter, Gertrude J., who died August 12, 1902, at the age of sixteen years and ten months. The only son, Peter A. Jordan, now vice president of Dodge, Sweeney & Co., wholesale commission merchants, also importers and ex- porters of San Francisco married Blanche Hartwell, and has the following children, Loraine, Albion P., Marian E., and Hartwell, who are receiving the best advantages their home city affords.
ISAIAH HARTMAN.
When it is remembered how many men have come from every part of our country, and even from other parts of the world, and have achieved signal success in California, it is not sur- prising that our state has risen to a position foremost among the commonwealths comprising the nation. The mineral wealth that first attracted emigrants proved to be of less value to permanent development than the wealth of soil, of timber and of commercial opportunities. These resources have called, with silent but intense force, to the young men of the world and the response has been quick, the result being that many have come to develop the vast resources of the region. The growth of the country has brought prosperity to the men connected therewith, while for the future the promise is even greater than for the past.
It was the good fortune of Isaiah Hartman to be brought to California in childhood and to acquire an early knowledge of the resources of the state, as well as the opportunities af- forded to young men of determination and energy. He was born in Canada October 12, 1870, and spent the days of in- fancy in the parental home in that country. His father, John
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Hartman, had immigrated to America from his native Ger- many, settling in Canada at the age of about twenty-five years. Before leaving the old home he had served an apprenticeship to the weaver's trade and had worked as a journeyman. The same occupation engaged his attention after he had settled in Canada. There he met and married Miss Barbara Kaufmann, a native of Germany. They became the parents of seven chil- dren, namely: Jacob, who came to Boulder Creek at an early age and is now engaged in mercantile pursuits; John, a resi- dent of the state of Washington; Daniel, a member of the Hartman Mercantile Company at Boulder Creek; Menno, a resident of Santa Cruz; George, who is engaged in the lum- ber business at Boulder Creek; Charles, living in Santa Cruz county ; and Isaiah, the youngest of the seven sons, and a resi- dent of Santa Cruz county since he was a child of six years.
Primarily educated in local schools. Isaiah Hartman later was sent to a business college in the city of Santa Cruz, where he prepared for commercial activities. During 1890 he came to Boulder Creek, where he has since engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, also to a considerable extent has been interested in the buying and selling of lumber. Not only has he handled for others many properties in town and country, but in addition he has purchased land for himself from time to time. At this writing he owns more than three thousand acres of valuable land in the vicinity of Boulder Creek and is said to be among the largest property owners in Santa Cruz county. The acquisition of so large an area of territory rep- resents the results of arduous labors. A firm believer in the value of our lands, he has invested in real estate from time to time as a favorable opportunity was offered, and all of his investments have been made in land.
Politically firm in his allegiance to Republican principles, Mr. Hartman has had local prominence in the party. During
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1892 he was chosen constable. In August of 1896 he was ap- pointed justice of the peace. To the same office he was regu- larly elected in 1898. This position he filled with impartiality and justice, displaying a knowledge of the law surprising in one not an accredited student of Blackstone. Upon establish- ing a home of his own he married Miss Maude Young, by whom he has four children, Barbara, Henry, Doris and Jean. Mrs. Hartman was born in the state of New York and came to Cali- fornia with her brothers and sister, who settled in Santa Cruz county in 1889.
GEORGE R. HODGDON.
The history of the Hodgdon family in the United States dates from Revolutionary days, and was well and favorably known throughout the New England states for many genera- tions. The first to depart from ancestral surroundings and establish the name on the western coast was George R. Hodg- don, who was born in Pittston, Kennebec county, Me., October 4, 1834, the son of Asa H. and Elizabeth (Parcher) Hodgdon, who were also natives of that same state.
The prospects of finding wealth in the mines of California was the thought uppermost in the minds of the seventy-five passengers who on October 13, 1852, set sail from Boston, Mass., on the ship George Raynes, under the guidance of Captain Penhallow. Among those on board besides George R. Hodgdon were the following members of the Scott family, whose achievements in Santa Cruz county have meant so much to the upbuilding of that part of the state: Capt. Daniel Scott, Joseph Scott, Caroline Scott (now Mrs. San- born, of San Francisco), Edwin Scott and wife, and John Scott. The voyage was made by way of Cape Horn, and
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contrary to the general rule the weather proved unusually favorable, fair winds and favorable weather prevailing throughout the entire voyage of one hundred and twenty- seven days. During the passage they ran short of water but were able to take on a fresh supply at the island made famous by Daniel Defoe in his story of the experiences of "Robin- son Crusoe." Only a few of the seventy-five original pas- sengers who made the voyage in 1852 are now living.
Mr. Hodgdon came to Santa Cruz on a small schooner in 1853, hiring out on a farm owned by Hiram Scott in Scott's valley. For his services he received the munificent wage of $75 per month and board, which was a large advance over the remuneration which he received in Maine, $8 per month and board. After he had worked for Mr. Scott for twenty- one months and saved $1,000 he decided to undertake a ranch of his own, on land which he rented from Mr. Scott. The venture did not prove as satisfactory as he had anticipated, however, and after giving it up he undertook mining at Shaw's Flat, Tuolumne county. One winter's experience sufficed to prove that he was not fitted for the life of the miner, and thereafter he returned to Santa Cruz and clerked in a store for a time. A longing to see his family and friends in Maine took him back there on a visit about this time, but the intense cold weather prevailing there at the time was the means of bringing him back to California sooner than he had originally planned. The return voyage was made by way of the Isthmus, and not by Cape Horn, as formerly.
Going to Redwood City in 1861, Mr. Hodgdon took charge of a ranch owned by a Mr. Hawes, managing it for about six months. The breaking out of the war between the north and south led to his enlistment in the service of the Union Oc- tober 4, 1862, at San Francisco, in the Third United States Artillery. After the expiration of the term for which he en-
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listed, during which time he was employed in garrison duty in the various forts in San Francisco bay, he re-enlisted in the United States Artillery and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kans. It was while there that he had a few skirmishes with the Indians on the plains. After the close of hostilities and his discharge from the service Mr. Hodgdon made a second visit to Maine, but as before he was willing to leave that locality and take up his life work in a climate less rigorous than prevails on the north Atlantic coast. Going to the middle west, he became interested in farming in Michigan and later in Iowa, remaining there altogether for fifteen years, when, in 1890, he went to Olympia, Wash. An experience there of a year and a half found him willing to return to California, which he did in 1890, and since then he has been a continuous resident of Santa Cruz. From 1895 until 1901 he served as superintendent of the county hospital in Santa Cruz, but since retiring from that position he has not been actively engaged in any business, finding all that he cares to do in looking after property which he owns in this city, be- sides which he owns a ranch in Soquel.
In Morley, Mecosta county, Mich., a marriage ceremony was performed in 1872 that united the lives of George R. Hodgdon and Miss Mary Vredensburg, a native of Barton, Steuben county, N. Y., and one daughter has been born to them, Marian T.
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L. B. McCORNICK.
Although not establishing a permanent home in Santa Cruz until 1883, Mr. McCornick had enjoyed a previous acquaint- ance with the town and had made a sojourn here as early as the year of 1870. Long identification with the citizenship as well as prominence in the building business gives to him a wide circle of acquaintances. Nor are his friends limited to the city of his residence. On the contrary, he is well known throughout the county, into every part of which his interests as a contractor have called him. Not only is he the pioneer builder of the town, but in addition it is said that he has erected more structures here than have been built by any other carpenter. Altogether, some one hundred or more build- ings in and near Santa Cruz have been put up under his supervision and a number of these are public buildings and residences equal to any to be found in the large cities of the state.
Born in Western Canada April 8, 1844, L. B. McCornick had no special educational advantages, but he possessed the advantage of a thorough training as a carpenter. Canadians follow the old English custom of giving an apprentice the most rigorous training in his trade. Incompetency is not permissible among them. Intelligent industry is insisted up- on in the smallest task, and the young carpenter therefore was thoroughly prepared for future responsibilities. Upon leaving home to earn his own way he went to Chicago and secured employment as a carpenter, but soon returned to his old Canadian home, whence in 1866 he came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. For two years he followed his trade in San Francisco, for one year worked at San Rafael, Marin county, and for a year also found employ- ment near what is now Dixon, Solano county. During the
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White Pine mining boom he went to Nevada in 1869, spend- ing a year at those mines and in Virginia City. On his re- turn to California he followed contracting in Santa Cruz. Next he went to the southern part of the state and took charge of a large flock of sheep, which he drove across the country through Nevada, Idaho and Utah, later disposing of them in Wyoming.
As early as 1876 Mr. McCornick had the contract for build- ing the Pope house on Mission street, Santa Cruz. Later he built the Gatt school, an addition to the Brancefort school, and a livery barn on the corner of Vine and Mission streets. Other buildings he here erected are the Hageman hotel, Neary block, Staeffler block, and an addition to the St. George hotel, all on Pacific avenue. Several fine residences were built by him on Beach hill, as well as many beautiful homes on Ocean View avenue, also the Unitarian church and church house on Center street, the residence of Rev. Dr. Stone on High street and the Fagan house on Mission street. The old Mansion house at Watsonville was partly built by him, also the high school and a livery stable in the same town. In politics he votes with the Republican party, but he has been so busily engaged with business affairs that he has had no leisure for participation in politics and for office-holding. For thirty years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and during all of that long period he has con- tributed of means and influence to aid the philanthropic ac- tivities of the organization. His marriage, solemnized in 1877, united him with Miss Margaret Ketchum, by whom he has two daughters. The elder, Mary Vance, is the wife of Thomas Marquis, of San Francisco. The younger, Lucile, married S. W. Coleman, who holds a position as manager of the Union Traction, Gas and Electric Light Company, of Santa Cruz.
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