USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county, who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present time > Part 101
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JOHN LAURITZEN.
The captain of the Napa City, John Lauritzen was born in Petaluma in 1885. the son of Jeppe C. and May (Claassen) Lauritzen, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. He was the oldest of four sons born to his parents and received his primary education in the public schools in Sonoma county, in which section of the state he was brought up. On completing the course in the primary schools he attended the Petaluma high school and later graduated from that institution, having successfully completed the curriculum. In 1904 he en- tered the employ of the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad Company, spending his first year in the company's warehouse, after which he became purser on the steamer Sonoma and later filled the same position on the Gold. Being an am- bitious young man he was not content with a menial position and by his sterling
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worth and steadiness of character rapidly advanced in the favor of his employ- ers. From the Gold he went as mate on the steamer Leader and was later ap- pointed as pilot on the steamer Gold. So well did he discharge his duties that on July 15, 1908, he was made captain of the Napa City, plying between Peta- luma and San Francisco.
Captain Lauritzen is a gencral favorite with the traveling public, his genial disposition and ready wit winning him a place in the hearts of the patrons of the company he serves. He is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in which organization he is well known. He is also a member of the American Association of Masters, Mates and Pilots. Politically he believes in Republican principles. Although young in years, he occupies an important position, to which he has climbed not because of outside influence, but rather because of his own ability, as demonstrated in the steady application to his work.
JEFFERSON ROLLA HARDIN.
The records fail to make clear who it was who first established the family fortunes upon the Pacific coast, but it is known beyond a doubt that at least three generations have flourished in California, particularly in Sonoma county. The grandparents of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, William J. and Rebecca Hardin, came to Sonoma county about 1849. In 1859 their son Marcus (the father of our subject) was born on the homestead in this county near Petaluma. The district schools of the time and the faithful training of his parents all contributed to the well-being of Marcus Hardin, and upon attain- ing manhood years he emulated his worthy father in the maintenance of a ranch property, and after his marriage settled on the homestead ranch. In maidenhood his wife was Miss Lulu Rodehaver, who was also a native of Sonoma county, born in 1865. They now live retired in Petaluma.
The only child born of the marriage of Marcus and Lulu (Rodehaver) Hardin, was Jefferson R. Hardin, who was born on the family homestead in Sonoma county November 10, 1883. Although reared and educated in the same locality which had supplied the foundation of his father's life training the passing of years had witnessed a progress in advantages which the earlier gen- eration knew not of, and it therefore followed that J. R. Hardin was the recipient of good school advantages, which he appreciated, applying himself diligently to his school tasks, as he did in fact to whatever he gave his attention. This trait was equally noticeable in the performance of his duties about the home ranch, and by the time he had reached maturity had crystallized into a habit or principle from which he has never deviated, and which undoubtedly has been the keynote of his success. The fine appearance of his ranch marks him as a man of untir- ing energy and as one who is familiar with all branches of agriculture carried on in this .section of country. Seven miles north of Petaluma he has a ranch of three hundred and fifty-five acres of choice land, of which two hundred are under cultivation to hay and grain, while the remainder of the land is used as pasturage for fifty head of cows and young stock, eight head of horses and fifteen hogs. besides which he has a poultry industry which numbers three thousand chickens.
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Mr. Hardin has every reason to be proud of the success that has been his thus far, and the coming years have every possibility for even greater success.
In 1904 a marriage ceremony was performed in Petaluma that united the destinies of J. R. Hardin and Nellie Tonini, who was born in Marin county, Cal., and their home has been brightened by the birth of two sons, Marcus Jef- ferson and Ray Rolla. Mrs. Hardin is a daughter of Bernardo and Caroline (Dolcini) Tonini, both natives of Switzerland, born respectively in 1841 and 1845. Five children, two sons and three daughters, were born to them as foi- lows: Bernardo, Eugene, Nellie, Ida and Erma. The eldest son, Bernardo, married Miss May Cope; Ida is the wife of Peter Pronzini, and the mother of two children; and Nellie is Mrs. Hardin. Politically Mr. Hardin is a Democrat. He is a liberal contributor to all projects that tend to upbuild the community or add to the comforts of those less fortunate than himself. Although he is .a hard worker he is a strong believer in the adage that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" and when occasion permits he indulges his love for hunting and fishing.
THOMAS JEFFERSON GRAHAM.
The life of Thomas Jefferson Grahamn commenced in Canada in 1818 and it ended in California in the year 1897. Between these two dates we have a period of great individual activity, the moulding of a life and the shaping of a destiny. The life delineated herein is one that commends itself to posterity for the sterling qualities of the man and also for the success accomplished and wrested from the face of difficulties and obstacles. It presents all those rugged outlines that cause us to stop in our hurry of work and of play and remark upon the one who could so develop and establish a reputation that stands upon the pages of the history of Time, as one that is well worthy the emulation of the young of every gen- eration.
Mr. Graham was reared in the city of Toronto, Canada, in which place his father died when the boy was fourteen years of age. Although deprived of the care and counsel of his father, he did not give way to the temptations and the trials that came upon him, but determined to go ahead and win ont. He began work in a store and spent his nights in a school accumulating knowledge to be used at some future time for the advancement of his own ambition. Thus he continued in the place of his nativity until he was twenty-two years of age and then he came to the United States and settled in Sheboygan, Wis., where he en- gaged in the grocery business on his own account. There he continued until the year 1852, when he sold out his interests and started across the plains with a party of fifteen wagons. In the fall of that year they arrived in Sacramento, Cal., after a trip that was filled with adventure and experiences of many kinds. On the way they were attacked with the cholera and a number of the party succumbed to the ravages of this dread malady. One of the party was drowned as they were fording a stream. At Sacramento Mr. Graham left the party and with his wife he came to San Francisco by boat, and in November of the same year took passage by boat to go to the east via Panama. After reaching New York they turned their steps toward Wisconsin and returned to Sheboygan. Mr.
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Graham again engaged in the grocery business and was so occupied until the spring of 1856, when they sold out and took passage from New York to San Francisco via Panama, arriving there in the midst of the excitement caused by the operations of the Vigilance Committee. After three or four days stay in San Francisco they took passage for Santa Clara and from there they came to Petaluma, Sonoma county, which place was then only a small village. Intend- ing to go into business as he had done in other places, Mr. Graham erected a store for this purpose, but realizing the opportunity along the lines of real estate, he sold his store before commencing business and invested the money in city property, which he sold again. He also conducted an insurance business at the same time, securing the agencies of the Aetna and Hartford companies. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Graham retired from active business and was so living at the time of his demise, in November, 1897. He was a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the Blue Lodge and also to Petaluma Lodge No. 77, R. A. M. He was a well-known citizen and a man who was always agreeable to every- thing that stood for the advancement of the highest interests of the community in which he resided. His kindly disposition and courteous manner won him many friends in Sonoma county, and he was especially beloved by all the children of the town on account of his great kindliness toward them.
In Wisconsin on April 17, 1852, Mr. Graham was married to Miss Elinor McCain, daughter of Allen and Jane (Coulter) McCain, both natives of Dela- ware county, N. Y., who had moved to Wisconsin in the early days and made their home in the vicinity of Sheboygan until their deaths. Since the death of Mr. Graham the widow has made her home in Petaluma, where she is actively identified with the Episcopal Church, being one of the founders of the same. also a member of the vestry for a number of years, and also the Woman's Guild. in which she has taken a prominent part. Mr. and Mrs. Graham assisted in the building of the first Episcopal Church in Petaluma and after the congregation had outgrown the building they assisted in the erection of the edifice in which the church meets today. They have given liberally to the church and its charities. Mrs. Graham had a window placed in the church in honor of Rev. John Pot- ridge, who has officiated for the past twenty-one years.
ARMSTED GOATLEY.
Coming to California during the period of her most rapid growth in popula- tion, it so happened that Armsted Goatley found himself in Placerville on the day that the state was admitted into the Union, September 9, 1850, prepared to engage in mining. Between that day and the day of his death, April 23, 1904, he watched with interest the rapid development in this western commonwealth, and none was more keenly alive to her possibilities than was he. His mining exper- ience was but a stepping stone to his real accomplishments in the west, his later and more profitable years being passed as a rancher in Sonoma county, and the work which he laid down at his death has been ably continued by his widow.
Mr. Goatley was of southern origin, his birth occurring in Kentucky in 1828, and he remained in the south until the attractions of California at the time
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of the gold fever proved too strong to be resisted longer. As stated, he reached the mines of Placerville on the day when the state was celebrating her admission into the Union, September 9, 1850. The records make no special comment as to his success as a miner, but it is known that he ultimately gave it up to under- take ranching, and at the time of his death was proprietor of one of the most thrifty and prosperous ranches in Sonoma county. Here on three hundred and fifty acres which he owned four miles west of Petaluma he undertook dairying on a large scale and as he was one of the first in the country round about to ven- ture upon this branch of agriculture he rightly claimed the distinction of being a pioneer dairyman in this section of country. Forty head of cows of the Jersey and Durhanı breeds now constitute the dairy, besides which there are six horses and over one thousand chickens. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Goatley has continued the maintenance of the ranch along the lines which he had found to be successful, and she is also making a success of the under- taking
Before her marriage Mrs. Goatley was Miss Charlotte Langford, born in Somersetshire, England, in 1849. She came to California in 1884, and the fol- lowing year she was married to Mr. Goatley in Oakland. Two children were born of their marriage, John L. and George A., the latter of whom graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1910, with the degree of B. S., and later engaged as an electrical engineer in San Francisco. John L. has the management and supervision of the ranch.
Mrs. Goatley was one in a family of ten children born to her parents, George and Caroline (Lloyd) Langford, who were born in England in 1825 and 1827 respectively. . Besides Mrs. Goatley the children born to them were as follows : Thomas ; George; John; Charles: Sarah, Mrs. Morton; Sophia; Mary, Mrs. Walters ; Emma ; and Amelia, Mrs. Watson, all residents of Eureka, except Mrs. Morton, who lives in San Francisco. Mr. Goatley has three sisters, viz .; Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Sims, whose families reside in Missouri, and Mrs. Martin, whose family are in California. One daughter, Mrs. R. F. Allen, is a resident of Petaluma.
Throughout his life Mr. Goatley espoused Democratic principles, and always voted for the candidates of that party. He was a member of the Methodist Church South and was a trustee of the church in which he held membership. He was also identified with the Grange, wherein he met his fellow-ranchers socially, and they as well as all who were brought in contact with him in any way mourned his death deeply, for they lost a true friend and well-wisher.
REV. THOMAS J. COMERFORD.
Although a resident of California only since 1898, Rev. Thomas J. Comer- ford, rector of St. Francis Solano, has been an interested spectator and an un- doubted factor in the development of the community in which he resides. He was born in Kilkinney, Ireland, and early in life received an education that would ultimately permit of his entry into the priesthood. He made his studies for his life work at St. Kierns College, and after a successful completion of the curricu- lum, was ordained in June, 1898. by Rt. Rev. Bishop Browrigg for the diocese
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of San Francisco. Immediately on his ordination he came to California and was assistant rector of St. Agnes and Sacred Heart, of San Francisco, remain- ing there until appointed to his present incumbency.
The parish of St. Francis Solano, is one of the oldest congregations in the country, the followers of the particular faith it represents having met to worship there many years ago. The present large church has been built about thirteen years : the property occupies about half a block on Napa street and is a valuable piece of land from a commercial view point. The Convent is being run by the Presentation Sisters, who, in addition to the work which this involves, have charge of the parochial school and perform a splendid work in the education of the young in this institution.
During the incumbency of Father Comerford, the various activities of the church have increased, and at present he has charge of the largest congregation in Sonoma. In addition to the arduous duties of this parish, he also has charge of St. Mary's church at Glen Ellen. He is a man of strong personality, capable of adapting himself to the varying circumstances of his life work, and is pecu- liarly qualified by nature for the performance of his high and lofty calling. A progressive man. he stands for the highest code of ethics and the attainment of civic righteousness in his town, and for these reasons, as well as for his personal characteristics, he is well known and respected by all.
FRANK FENK.
Whatever part of the world draws to its citizenship representatives of the sturdy Swiss race, they invariably bring to their new homes the same energy, economy and thrift characteristic of the nation from the earliest records of his- tory. In Northern California, as in the old home land, they have found dairying congenial to their tastes. Nature endowed them with the patience and skill necessary to the successful prosecution of the industry. Education brought the requisite knowledge of the work in which they have gained a reputation second to no people in the entire world. It is therefore a natural result of certain causes that Frank Fenk should enter into the dairy business after his arrival in Sonoma county, where since 1909 he has engaged in ranching and dairying near Petaluma. Under a lease of one year he secured five hundred acres of land from Charles Lewis and here he established himself as a dairy farmer, building up a splendid herd of forty-one milch cows. In addition he owns some young cattle, eight head of horses and a flock of two hundred chickens. Through unremitting efforts he is establishing a reputation for sagacious farming, and he has many friends who predict for him a successful future.
Born in Canton Unterwalden, Switzerland, in 1879, Frank Fenk is a son of Joseph and Pauline (Diller) Fenk, also natives of that country. The father, who was born in the year 1845. grew to manhood upon a dairy farm, and at an early age had acquired a thorough knowledge of the occupation. This work he followed after he came to the United States in 1881 and settled in California, where for four- teen years he made his home in Sonoma county. While general ranching was his occupation, he made a specialty of dairying and always kept a large herd of
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good milkers on his farm. Besides his son, Frank, he had three children, Joseph, Matilda and Mary. Joseph, who is living in Petaluma, is married and has five children, Joseph, Arnold, Frances, Mary and Jessie. Matilda, who remains in Switzerland, is the wife of Fritz Bokar. Mary, who also resides in her native country, married Frank Frie and has two sons, Charles and Frank.
Upon the completion of the studies taught in the schools of his home land Frank Fenk took up dairy pursuits and learned the industry in all of its details. During the year 1902 he came to the United States and settled in Monterey county. Cal., where he secured employment as a hired laborer on a dairy ranch. Since coming to Sonoma county in 1909 he has established himself in the business, and with the aid of a capable young wife he is rapidly rising to a position of influence among the dairymen. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Fenk was Miss Alice Josse ; she is a native of Switzerland, born in 1883, and received a fair education in the Swiss schools. During the year 1908 she came to California, where she married soon afterward. Her parents, Peter and Alice (Ophill) Josse, were born in Swit- zerland in 1848 and have been lifelong residents of that country. Their sons and daughters are named as follows: Andrus, Peter, Daniel, Michael, Otto. John, Arnold, Henry, Catherine, Elizabeth, Grati, Anna, Johanna, Franna and a child that died in infancy. Three of the sons and two daughters are married, and two of the family, Michael and Franna, reside in Oregon, making their home at Portland. All are devoted adherents of the Roman Catholic Church, and Mr. and Mrs. Fenk contribute to the activities of that religious organization, as well as to general movements for the upbuilding of the race. Since becoming a citizen of the United States, with the privilege of franchise, Mr. Fenk has exercised that right in favor of the Republican party, and has been a steadfast upholder of its principles. The anxieties connected with his occupation and the necessity of unceasing industry do not permit him to take an active part in lodge work, pub- lic affairs or any form of recreation, but occasionally, when free from home duties, he finds ardent pleasure in the sport of hunting, and as a Nimrod has displayed more than ordinary skill.
EDWARD W. MERVYN EVANS.
Synonymous with the name of E. W. M. Evans, of Petaluma, is the Cypress Hill Cemetery works of which he is the proprietor. It is a conservative statement to say that there is probably no cemetery in the country of equal size which has so many beautiful stones of varied kinds as may be seen in Cypress Hill Ceme- tery. Mr. Evans has been the chiei contributor to this condition, for nearly all of the tombstones and monuments here seen have been designed, made and set up under his direct supervision during the twenty-eight years that he has been engaged in business in Petaluma. He is one of the pioneers in this line of busi- ness in the town, and is now the only one thus engaged. Several expert work- men are given employment in the execution of the many orders which come to him for headstones, tombstones, monuments, vaults and curbings, as well as in the making of store fronts, tiled flooring and wall tile. One of the best examples of Mr. Evans' handiwork may be seen in the Swiss-American Bank, the marble
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work which he furnished in this building being the finest work of the kind in the city.
Edward W. M. Evans was born in County Armagh, Ireland, May 30, 1861. When he was a youth of about eight years the parents brought their family to the United States, the year 1869 witnessing their landing on these shores and their settlement in Virginia. Subsequently they came as far west as Denver, Colo., and finally, in April, 1876, they came to California. Near Stony Point, Sonoma county, the father purchased a small ranch upon which the family lived for a number of years, after which the father removed to Alameda, and it was there that his death occurred in 1897. As he left his native land before his schooling had been begun, E. W. M. Evans acquired all of his book learning after coming to California, attending school in the various places in which the family lived. Coming to Petaluma in 1882, he started the nucleus of his present large marble works on Main street, later removing his plant to Cypress Hill, his present location. Others have carried on similar enterprises in the town from time to time, but the Cypress Hill Cemetery works is the only one now in operation, the superior class of work here turned out accounting for its permanency.
Mr. Evans' marriage occurred in Petaluma July 11, 1883, uniting him with Miss Martha Ellen Tupper. who claims the distinction of being the first white girl born in Petaluma. She is the daughter of John B. Tupper, who came to Petaluma in 1850 and consequently was one of the earliest settlers in this part of the county. Before her marriage his wife was Miss Martha Douglass, a na- tive of Maine, and their marriage was the first one celebrated in Petaluma. Robert Douglass, her father, built the old Brooklyn hotel in Petaluma, and he also brought the first frame house to Petaluma. This was first erected in Vallejo, but later was taken down and brought to Petaluma, where it did good service for many years. Seven children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Evans, named in the order of their birth as follows: Vivian M., the wife of Fred J. Tolberg, of Monmouth, Ill .; Edward E. and Arthur B., both of whom are interested in business with their father; Roy M., who is employed with Brainerd Jones, the well-known architect of Petaluma; Alma M .; Isabelle Vir- ginia ; and Roscoe D. All of the children have been the recipients of good edu- cational advantages and are a credit to their parents; one of the sons, Roy M., has made a splendid record as an athlete. Mr. Evans was made a Mason in Arcturus Lodge No. 180, which has since consolidated with and is known as Petaluma Lodge No. 180, F. & A. M. He served as master of the lodge two years, and was inspector of the sixteenth district for seven years. He is also a member of Petaluma Chapter No. 22, R. A. M., and both he and Mrs. Evans are members of the Eastern Star, of which he has been worthy patron. Mr. Evans is a member of the Merchants Association.
JAMES WESLEY WOOD.
Born on a ranch about seven miles from Santa Rosa, on Guerneville road, March 6, 1873, James W. Wood is a son of Wesley Wood, who came to Cali- fornia in 1857 and located near Santa Rosa, being employed on what is now the Voorhman ranch. Being enterprising, he farmed this ranch for a time for himself, together with the Horn ranch adjoining it. Immediately after his
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marriage, and after twelve years of successful farming. he bought one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land near what is now known as Fulton, and here he made his home and farmed until his demise. In 1870 he married Annie War- ner, of Santa Rosa, the daughter of Phileman and Sarah Warner, pioneers of Santa Rosa, who came there in 1853 and lived there until their death. To Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Wood four sons and one daughter were born: Henry (deceased), James Wesley, Frank W., William H. and Ella W.
James Wesley Wood was reared on the farm, educated in the public school at Olivet, and later took a course in the Santa Rosa Business College. After graduating he and his brother Frank W. farmed the home place, besides one hundred acres that they rented, until the year 1900, when they bought sixty and one-half acres to the south and east of their original holding, both places being farmed at the same time. Five years after this purchase J. W. Wood bought out his brother's interest and has since farmed on his own account. He owns a splendid ranch of one hundred and twelve acres, thirty-five of which he has in vines, four acres in fruit trees and the balance in hay, grain and pasture. His mother lives on the home place.
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