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 103
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The victory won and the bridge passed over, the emigrant train proceeded peacefully upon its weary way. Before entering the sink of the Humboldt river, where a difficult sandy stretch of forty miles awaited them, they were obliged to rest their stock and provide themselves with an abundance of water. The journey was very trying and consumed two days and one night. After reaching the foothills of the Rocky mountains they discarded their oxen for burros, which followed the trails with more ease than did the cattle. Eventually they entered Placer county and disbanded at Hangtown, a mining camp so called from the large number of white men who paid a quick penalty for their thefts. Al- though the first excitement incident to the discovery of gold had subsided, large
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throngs still sought the mines and fortunes were still made by a few of the more lucky Argonauts.
During the winter of 1852-53 Sylvanus Reed Goodenough mined at Placerville, Marysville and Mountain Slide and later he made the last-named camp his head- quarters for a considerable period. At the expiration of four and one-half years from the time of coming west he returned to Baraboo, Wis., via the Isthmus of Panama, and walked the twenty-eight miles between the Pacific ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Thence he sailed to New Orleans and from there boarded a steamer on which he journeyed up the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers, landing at Kansas City in November of 1857, and next going on to Wisconsin. His son, Monroe Eugene, was born at Madison, Wis., August 20, 1858, and was a mere infant when the family removed to Grant county, same state. A year later the father took the family to Iowa during the winter season, crossing the Mississippi river on the ice at Dubuque. Settling six miles from Brooklyn in Poweshiek county, he bought one hundred and twenty acres at a very low figure and there he improved a tract known far and near as the Goodenough farm. Shortly after his settlement on the farm, in 1861 he enlisted as a private in Com- pany H, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry, under Captain Phillips. Going to the front he served throughout the balance of the Rebellion and was honorably dis- charged as corporal in 1865 at Richmond, Va., whence he returned to his Iowa farm.
Many years of agricultural activity, interspersed with efficient service in township (Warren) and district offices, brought Sylvanus Reed Goodenough into local prominence in Poweshiek county, where he was honored as a man of recognized ability and superior intelligence. Upon finally retiring from business and farm cares he removed to Mexico for the benefit of his health and there he now makes his home, looking back over a career of honor and usefulness. The cares of years have bowed his frame and silvered his hair, but his mind retains the vigor of youth and his broad intelligence grasps national problems with an alertness native to the man. His family comprised four sons and three daughters. namely: James E., Monroe Eugene, Charles H., Frederick W. (who died in infancy). Lorana M., Alvina J. and Eva Belle. The first-named son married Catherine Kiser, of Clinton county, Iowa, and they have two children, Walter H. and Minnie; the son married Bettie Williams and has a child, George, and Minnie married John Evans, now deceased. Charles H. married Jessie Ballen- tine, a member of a Scotch family, and five children were born of their union. Lorana, Mrs. David Mckee, formerly of Freeport, Ill., now residing in Hum- boldt, Iowa, is the mother of five children, Fred. Burney, Blanche, Katie and Doda. Alvina J., by her marriage to Charles W. Williams, was the mother of a daughter, Minnie, Mrs. Fred Irwin, who in turn is the mother of one daughter, Birdie. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Williams became the wife of Henry Ball, of Brooklyn, Iowa, and one son, William, was born of that union. The youngest daughter of the Goodenough family was Eva Belle, Mrs. George Coom, of Brooklyn, Iowa, in whose family are the following children : George, Ollie, Maude, Ranie and Cecil.
While quite young Monroe Eugene Goodenough was sent to school during the entire time it was in session, but as he grew large enough to be of help on the
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farm he was sent to school only during the winter months when the work at home was light. At the age of twenty-two years he started out to make his own way in the world, his first venture being the filing of a tree claim in South Dakota, but after a time he sold his right to the quarter section and forthwith secured employ- ment with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. On leaving the railroad he went on an inspecting tour through Arkansas and Missouri, later going to Kansas. In the vicinity of Wichita he spent two years as an employe on a fruit ranch owned by M. R. Mosier. Next he engaged with the firm of E. Bennett & Sons, of Topeka, Kan., to become foreman of their stock ranch and continued as such until the large importations of the firm rendered desirable his services in the capacity of salesman. For four years he acted as a seller of their imported stock, beginning at $50 per month and working his way forward to $150 per month. Finally he resigned in order to embark in business for him- self. With F. B. Rix as a partner he organized the firm of Rix & Goodenough, of Topeka, Kan., importers of live stock from Europe. The responsibilities of the business necessitated annual trips to the old world on the part of Mr. Good- enough, who displayed such wisdom in his purchases, such sound judgment in his selection of registered animals and such energy in his sales that at the ex- piration of four years he sold his one-half interest in the business to his partner for $20,000, and moved to Adrian, Minn., and incorporated.
The Leeds Importing Company at Adrian, Minn., a stock company in which Mr. Goodenough owned one-half of the stock, secured the benefit of his splendid judgment and efficient services in the offices of president and general manager. The selection of foreign stock obliged him to go abroad every year in order to make the necessary purchases. The finest breeds of horses were imported, also the most desirable strains in sheep and cattle, and for five years he made the business one of profit to the stockholders. On resigning and disposing of his stock in the concern he embarked in the buying and selling of land and for fif- teen years conducted a very large business covering almost every part of Minne- sota and the Dakotas. During the year 1906 he removed from Minneapolis to Seattle and thence came to California, settling in Sonoma county, where now he is devoting his attention to the compilation of a county history. By trade he is a carpenter and by occupation a farmer, and during his residence in Minnesota he always had agricultural interests in addition to other work. For two years he has served as justice of the peace and in politics he votes with the Republican party. In 1890 he married Miss Mamie Stephenson, who died in 1902 leaving him alone and childless. His religious views are liberal and he concedes to all the same freedom of thought which he demands as his own birthright.
CHARLES PAUL WEYHE.
One of the many worthy and esteemed citizens of Sonoma county was the late Charles P. Weyhe, who passed away on his ranch near Forestville June 26, 1909. He was one of those citizens who had watched the growth and upbuild- ing of this part of the county with deep pride and not a little of its advance- ment was due to his own individual effort. A native of Germany, he was born in Berlin May 27, 1860. When he was a child of two years the parents
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set out on the voyage that was to bring them to the United States, but the father did not live to reach his destination and realize his hopes in the Land of the Free. Widowed and alone the mother proceeded on the journey as planned, coming to California and settling on a ranch in Contra Costa county.
In the meantime Charles P. Weyhe continued with relatives in the Father- land, attending school until he was fourteen years of age, when he immigrated to the United States, landing in New York City, and from there proceeded to California, via the Isthmus of Panama, to join his mother in Contra Costa county. There she had a ranch of twelve hundred acres devoted principally to stock-raising, and of this her son became manager, remaining with her and caring for her interests until he attained his majority. Starting out on his own behalf at this time, he went to Humboldt county and purchased a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres upon which he resided for about two years, when the death of his mother made an entire change in his plans. Disposing of his own property in Humboldt county he returned to Contra Costa county and assumed charge of his mother's property, a duty which devolved upon him, he being his parents' only child. For a number of years he continued to cultivate the prop- erty, but finally disposed of it and in 1891 came to Sonoma county and pur- chased the ranch near Forestville which was his home until his death, and is still the home of his widow and sons, who in following his plans as to cultiva- tion and improvements are meeting with a success of which they have cause to feel proud. The ranch comprises one hundred and sixty-six acres, devoted to orchard and vineyard and to the growing of hops and grain. The forty acres in orchard produced during the year 1910 $9,000 worth of fruit, and indications for the present year are even brighter. In addition to the crops mentioned Mrs. Weyhe finds pleasure and profit in raising turkeys, having about one hundred and fifty. Besides the home place Mrs. Weyhe also owns the ranch which was formerly the property of W. T. Ross; this adjoins her other property and comprises seventy acres, of which twenty-five acres are in vineyard, and the remainder in Gravenstein apples, prunes and peaches.
In early manhood Mr. Weyhe was married to Miss Rosinie Wessell, who survived her marriage only about one year. Later, in 1877, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Freeh, a native of Germany born in 1861, the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Weber) Freel, both of whom were also born in Ger- many. The mother is deceased, but the father is still living, a resident of San Francisco, at the age of eighty-two years. A large family of fourteen chil- dren were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Weyhe, all of whom are living with the exception of the eldest, Pauline Rosinie, who was born August 5, 1878, and died May 23, 1883. Frederick Wilhelm, born May 6, 1880, is at home with his mother, and as her eldest takes charge of the management of the ranch. Charles Alfred, born June 17, 1881, was married in 1908 to Miss May Egloff, a native of Iowa. August Rudolph, born July 17, 1882, is at home with his mother. Elizabeth Martha, born June 20, 1883, is now the wife of C. M. Arnold, and with their one child they are making their home in San Rafael. Dorothea Wilhelmine, born November 11. 1884, became the wife of Richard Fairclaw, of Sebastopol. The other children in the family are: Will-
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iam Edward, born January 17, 1887; Paul Herman, April 6, 1888; Arthur Lewis, March 16, 1891 ; Leroy Chester and Oscar Christian, twins, born March 26, 1892; Edith Esther, July 20, 1895; Herbert Hiram, March 23, 1899: and Earl Everett, April 5, 1905.
ROBERT CUNNINGHAM.
As one of the popular, well-known men of the Blucher valley, Sonoma county, mention belongs to Robert Cunningham, a rancher of this locality. and a factor in financial circles through his association with the Analy Savings Bank as vice-president.
For generations the Cunningham family had been identified with the Em- erald Isle, and it was there, in County Monaghan, that Robert Cunningham was born August 31, 1853. Although born in Ireland he has no recollection of his birthplace, for soon after his birth his parents removed to Scotland, remaining there until 1860, when they set sail for the United States, their family con- sisting of three other sons besides Robert. California was their destination, and in Bodega, Sonoma county. which was their first location, young Robert attended school. A later move brought the family to Big valley, in the Bloom- field section, the father there putting his agricultural knowledge and experience to good account on a ranch which he devoted to dairying and general farming. Since 1882 the elder Mr. Cunningham has owned the property on which he now lives in the Blucher valley, in close proximity to the thriving village of Sebastopol. Here he has two hundred and seventy-five acres of fine, productive land, in the cultivation of which he has the help and co-operation of two of his sons, Joseph and Robert, the latter of whom has from boyhood been associated with his father in all of his agricultural undertakings.
His accomplishments as a rancher do not represent all that has occupied the thought and attention of Robert Cunningham, for it is possible that his record as a financier exceeds his agricultural record. In him the Analy Savings Bank of Sebastopol has a vice-president who is conservative, and vet wide- awake to grasp any opportunity to forward the interests of those who have intrusted their savings in his institution.
In 1905 Mr. Cunningham formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Katherine E. Morse, and two children, Helen and Lucile R., have been born to them. Personally Mr. Cunningham is highly respected, and has the entire confidence of all who know him.
WILLIAM N. SHELLEY.
The cultivation of fruit in California, especially in Sonoma county, has grown to be not only a business, but a science, and a thorough knowledge of the most successful methods is worthy of careful study. Mr. Shelley has made a study of fruit-growing in general, but more particularly of the raising of apples, and in this particular branch of horticulture he is considered an expert in the vicinity of Sebastopol, where he has a fine ranch.
The Shelley family originated in the south, and in West Tennessee William N. Shelley was born March 10, 1876, the son of John C. and Nancy A. (Fos-
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ter) Shelley, they, too, being natives of the south. With the idea of finding a better location in which to rear and educate his family John Shelley left Ten- nessee in 1883 and located in southern Texas, where he carried on a stock ranch successfully for many years. Altogether the family remained in Texas for about ten years, the spring of the year 1893 finding them in Oregon, where they continued for the following two years. It was then that they came to California, coming direct to Sonoma county, and their identification with Sebas topol dates from October 5, 1895.
After coming to this locality William N. Shelley was quick to see the pos- sibilities of the fruit industry, and as foreman of the Hunt & Hatch Packing Company he has gained an insight into the business that has been invaluable to him. In the meantime he had purchased a ranch near Sebastopol and set it out to fruit, principally to Gravenstein apples, which are now coming into bearing. While much of his study and investigation has been along the line of fruit-rais- ing, he has been no less a student of the chicken industry, and now has a flock of fifteen hundred chickens, which has yielded a splendid income ever since he started in the business several years ago. It is his intention to enlarge his flock and engage in the business even more extensively, and with the success which he has already achieved along this line, with the excellent outlook in the apple industry, his ultimate success is a foregone conclusion.
By his marriage in 1902 Mr. Shelley was united with Miss Evelena Chris- tie, a native of Canada. Four children have been born of this marriage, Mil- dred, Alma, Elbert and Laura. Mr. Shelley is identified with two fraternal organizations, the Independent Order of Foresters and Acoma Tribe, I. O. R. M., of Sebastopol. In 1911 the Sebastopol Apple Growers Union was organ- ized, and Mr. Shelley was placed in charge of packing house No. I, located at Sehastopol. As one of the rising young horticulturists and poultry raisers in this part of Sonoma county the efforts of Mr. Shelley are being watched with interest, and the opinion is unanimous that his citizenship in Sebastopol is a dis- tinct advantage.
EDWIN FRANCIS O'LEARY.
The name above given is one well and favorably known in Sebastopol, not only in business circles as proprietor of the principal undertaking parlors in the city, but also as an efficient public official, having been almost continuously in office since he took up his residence here in 1886.
A native son of the state, born in Haywards, Alameda county, June 15, 1861, Edwin F. O'Leary is a son of Thomas and Bridget (Quigley) O'Leary, the former of whom came from New York state to California in the early '50s via Panama. While the finding of gold in the state was the direct cause of his coming hither, it was not his purpose to engage in mining himself, but rather to interest himself in some allied business, from which he could expect a fair profit without the uncertainty and fluctuation that invariably attaches to mining. His expectations in this respect were realized in the maintenance of a butcher business at Marysville, Yuba county, for some time, after which he went to Alameda county, where in the vicinity of Haywards he carried on a ranch for many years. From there he came to Sonoma county in 1865, making his home
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at Petaluma for two years, from there going to Valley Ford, and finally coming to Sebastopol in 1869. Near town he purchased a ranch of two hundred acres, a part of which was cleared for cultivation, and the remainder in timber. Here he made his home and carried on his ranch until his death, which occurred about 1900.
Edwin F. O'Leary continued with his parents on the old homestead until the ranch was sold. when, in 1886, he located in Sebastopol. Here he learned the undertaking business, and in August, 1901, he opened parlors and has since followed his profession as an undertaker and embalmer, being located on Bo- dega avenue. His election as the first marshal of the town on its incorporation marked the beginning of his career as an office-holder, and was continued by his re-election to the same office at the close of his first term. Later he was appointed a member of the board of town trustees, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of A. H. Laton. In this position, too, the satisfaction given during his first term of service led to his re-election, his second term beginning in 1908. During three years of his service in this capacity he served as presi- dent of the board. In September, 1910, he resigned as trustee. In addition to his other duties he is rendering faithful service as a school trustee of Sebastopol, a position in which he has been continued through re-election, and for five years he has been clerk of the board.
On May 11, 1892, Mr. O'Leary was united in marriage with Miss Mary F. Hamilton, a native of Iowa, and two sons, Archie and Owen, have been born to them. Politically Mr. O'Leary is a Republican, and fraternally and socially he is identified with the Odd Fellows, Independent Order of Foresters, Native Sons of the Golden West, Redmen and the U. P. E. C.
JOHN NEIL.
Ireland has not been the least of the European countries to give us citizens of fine characteristics. A large class of these men who have found on the other side of the Atlantic a restriction of their ambitious hopes and desires have immigrated to the west and in a measure have realized the fulfillment of their life's plan. One of these was the late John Neil. who at the time of his death, November 18, 1880, was a resident of Petaluma township.
Mr. Neil was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in the vear 1805, the son of parents 'who were also natives of the Emerald Isle, though of Scotch and English descent. Mr. Neil's early years were passed in Scotland, where the family removed when he was four years of age, and in Glasgow he found opportunity to develop an inhorn taste for mechanics. While a worker in iron and brass in that eity he also gave vent to his inventive ability by bringing for- ward the first corrugated iron plate, and he was also the inventor of the serew type of ocean propeller. Another product of his brain and hand was a tin boat four feet wide and twelve feet long, which was a model of strength and lightness. After coming to California, which he did in 1850, he still continued his activities in the line in which he was so keenly interested, planning and building a tin boat similar to the one which he had made on the other side of the water, and in this he sailed on the Petaluma river.
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In Glasgow, Scotland, John Neil was united in marriage with Miss Cath- erine Moopy, who was born in the Lowlands of Scotland. Six children were born of this marriage, as follows: Francis, John, Washington, Henry, Sarah and Elizabeth. Washington chose as his wife Julia Mack, and they became the parents of nine children, John, Frank, Daniel, Charles, Walter, Alfred, Waslı- ington, Sonoma and Sadie. Sarah became the wife of John Bloom, a ship- calker, and two of the children born to them are living, Louisa and Elizabeth. The next daughter. Elizabeth, became the wife of William Gardner and the mother of four children. Some time after the death of his first wife Mr. Neil was married, in Liverpool. England, to Miss Harriet Snape, who was born in that city. Six children were born of this marriage, but of the number only three are now living. Walter W .. Harriet W., and Margaret A.
After coming to Sonoma county Mr. Neil purchased land from time to time, owning at the time of his death seven hundred and ninety-two acres. The property is now being maintained by his son Walter W. and two daughters, who have a well-kept dairy of twenty-five cows, one hundred hogs of the Berk- shire, Essex and Durock breed, and four horses. The ranch is known as Neil's Island. It lies five miles below Petaluma and is studded with oak trees which the owners carefully preserve. In the early days the father had a sloop. Mary Ann, in which he made trips to San Francisco every two weeks with wood and produce. Mr. Neil attained the age of seventy-five years, and had lived in Sonoma county since March 3, 1853. The wife and mother died in 1867. Walter W. Neil is a Republican in his political views.
J. B. LOSER.
It falls within the experience of very few indeed to have traveled over forty-two states of the Union, but this has been Mr. Loser's privilege, and the fact that he still finds California the only place in which he would wish to make his home, speaks more eloquently than can words of the superiority of this state over others in points of advantage both as a place of residence and a business center.
A native of Pennsylvania, J. B. Loser was born in Lebanon county Sep- tember 23, 1859, the son of Benjamin and Catherine (Sugar) Loser, the parents also natives of that eastern state. When their son was a child in arms the parents immigrated westward as far as Indiana, settling in the town of Bluff- ton, Wells county, where the father conducted a mercantile business and also carried on an extensive business as a stock-raiser. This continued to be his home throughout the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1886, while his wife passed away four years later, in 1890. At the age of thirteen J. B. Loser left the home in Indiana and returned to Pennsylvania, where he ap- prenticed himself to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, and after mastering it. followed it for a couple of years in the east. Wisely divining that a larger field for his line of work could undoubtedly be found in the newer west, he began working his way in this direction, and for a number of years found remunerative work in his line in shops in Sedalia, Mo. From there he went to the state of Washington in 1880. after which for seven years his duties took
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him between that state and California, following which he went up in the timber districts of the Cascade mountains in the interests of the tunnel con- tractors of the Northern Pacific Railroad, who were then constructing a tunnel between Easton and Weston. It was this experience in California that at- tracted Mr. Loser to its possibilities from various standpoints, and the decision which he then and there made to make it his permanent home was acted upon and has been adhered to ever since. After leaving the employ of the railroad he went to Sacramento and worked at his trade in the car shops for a time, from there coming to Sebastopol in 1889 and this has been his home ever since. Soon after locating here he purchased the Analy hotel and conducted it with success for the following eighteen years, during which time he gained the reputation as "mine host" which any hotel proprietor might envv. At the end of this period he leased the hotel property and opened a real-estate office in Sebastopol, and since 1907 has been successful in this line. He still owns the hotel property and receives a good annual rental from it.
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