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 109
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From early youth Mr. Nagle has been an adherent of the Episcopal faith and a communicant of that church, which he supports by his contribution of time. influence and money. Two lodges represent the limit of his fraternal activities. viz .: Santa Rosa Lodge No. 57, F. & A. M .. and Santa Rosa Lodge No. 646, B. P. O. E. In these orders he is an interested participant, as well as a generous contributor to their charities.
In this city. April 29, 1875, Mr. Nagle was united in marriage with Miss Helen M. Williams, who was born in Sierra county, Cal., February 12, 1856. a daughter of James M. and Rachel C. Williams, honored residents of this state for many years. Three sons, Arthur F., Ralph G. and Walter H., and one daughter, Helen C., comprise the Nagle family, and to all were given the best educational advantages the county affords. The second son married Miss Inez Poage, an attractive young lady. whose untimely death in 1907 was deeply mourned. The youngest son chose as his wife Miss Leota M. Pedigo and they have established their home in Santa Rosa.
JOSEPH MELL.
Nearly every nation in the world has contributed in some degree to the citi- zenship of California, but comparatively few Portuguese may be found in this varied contribution. One of these, however, is Joseph Mell, who was born in Portugal in 1882. No personal recollections of his native land linger in his mind, for when he was only eight months old his parents removed to the Hawaiian Islands, in the north Pacific ocean. The voyage of many hundred miles on both
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the Atlantic and Pacific oceans was accomplished without disaster, and it was not without thankful hearts that the parents set foot on solid soil once more at the end of many days and weeks of tossing on the bosom of mighty waters.
Altogether the parents remained on the Hawaiian Islands for five years, after which they embarked on a vessel that brought them to California in 1887. From San Francisco, the landing place of the vessel on which they had made the voyage, they came direct to Sonoma county, and here they still make their home, on a ranch near Healdsburg. Five children blessed the marriage of this coura- geous and worthy couple, two daughters and three sons, all living, either making their homes with their parents, or in homes of their own in the vicinity of the parental homestead.
At the time the parents settled in Sonoma county Joseph Mell was approach- ing school age, and the proximity of the home to Healdsburg enabled him to at- tend the schools of this city. During his boyhood and youth he was absorbing an understanding of general farming through helping his father with the chores on the home ranch, and it was quite natural that on starting out in life for him- self that he should chose the calling with which he was most familiar. He is now engaged in farming and poultry-raising. Mr. Mell is a young man, with prac- tically his whole life before him, and if the energy and perseverance which he has displayed in his ranching enterprise are continued throughout his career there can be no doubt as to the ultimate success which must of necessity he his.
In 1903 Mr. Mell assumed domestic responsibilities by his marriage with Miss Florence Eveline Kelley, a native daughter of California, and two children have been born to them, Clifford Elmer and Jessie Loretta. Politically Mr. Mell has not allied himself with any party, but nevertheless does his duty at the polls, voting as his conscience dictates, in an endeavor to put the best possible men in office. He has never held office and has never had any aspirations in that direc- tion, but he has always done his part in a quiet, unostentatious way to uplift and better conditions in his community.
LAWRENCE MEYER.
It is a well-known fact that those born under California skies rarely leave their native state to make their home in any other part of the country. This tru- ism is borne out in the career of Mr. Meyer, for he has not only remained in his native state, but he has never left his native county, being satisfied with its out- look and not wishing to waste time and energy on speculation as to what other localities might offer. This well-known and successful rancher in the vicinity of Sebastopol was born in Petaluma, Sonoma county, August 31, 1869, the son of Lorenz Meyer, a native of Germany, who came to this country in 1849 in response to the attractions offered by the finding of gold in California during that year. The mines of Virginia City claimed his attention and energy for a time, and from this he turned to teaming, following the latter employment as long as he remained in the mining district. From there he finally came to Sonoma county in 1860, and here the remainder of his life was passed on a ranch in the vicinity of Petaluma, his death occurring here in 1893.
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Up to the age of eighteen years Lawrence Meyer had remained at home, in his earlier years attending the public schools at Petaluma, and afterward working on the home ranch with his father. Though young in years it was with the courage of a man that he started out to make his own way in the world at the age of eighteen, empty-handed except for seventy-five cents, which he highly prized1. For a few years he worked as a ranch hand for neighboring ranchers, laying by from his wages what was not used for the necessaries of life, and with the means thus accumulated he purchased a tract of rough land. Clearing it of trees and brush, he planted it to crops, and in this condition he sold it at a good profit. Four different tracts of land were thus bought, cleared and put under cultivation, and as many times he cleared a good profit on his investment. His last purchase is the ranch which he now occupies, comprising fifty-nine acres, which he intends to make his permanent home. Like the other tracts mentioned, this, too, was covered with a heavy growth of timber and underbrush, and one seeing the thrifty condition of the ranch today would have considerable difficulty in realizing that it had been evolved from the wild timbered waste that it was when Mr. Meyer purchased it. All of this has given place to cultivated fruit trees, pears, peaches, plums, prunes and cherries, besides which there is a thriving vine- yard of twenty acres, from which he gathers fifty tons of grapes annually. Twelve acres of cherries yield annually about twenty tons, apples sixty tons, peaches ten tons, and prunes fifteen tons. When it is considered that all of this has been made possible on land which when Mr. Meyer purchased it eighteen years ago was covered with a virgin forest, his accomplishment has been little short of mar- velous. He bought a ranch of one hundred and sixteen acres on Mark West creek in 1907, and in 1910 he traded this property for a building in San Fran- cisco containing eight flats, which he rents, and from which he derives a good income.
In Sebastopol, in 1897, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage with Miss Bertha G. Smith, who though born in England has passed the greater part of her life in the United States, California principally. Three children have been born of this marriage, Charles L., Wesley G. and William W. Fraternally Mr. Meyer is an Odd Fellow, and in his political preferences he is a Republican.
SVENTE PARKER HALLENGREN.
The life which this narrative delineates began in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1836, and closed in Sonoma county, Cal., March 17, 1896. The sixty years elapsing between the dates of birth and of death included an era of painstaking toil and intelligent management, beginning at an early age under stress of family poverty and continuing until the activities of the earthly existence were swallowed up in the grave. From a boyhood of self-denial, hardship and laborious struggle there developed the maturity of material success, in a region far removed from the scenes of early days and in a climate far milder than that of storm-bound Scandinavia. The Hallengren family was one of high social standing, but the father, a lawyer by profession, had saved little from his practice and at his early demise the family were left to face the world in the midst of hardships and destitute circumstances.
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It therefore became necessary for the boy to forego educational opportunities and earn his own livelihood. At an early age he had acquired a thorough knowl- edge of the blacksmith's trade. Leaving his native land at the age of twenty years he crossed the ocean to the United States and secured employment at his trade in New York state, where he remained for several years, meanwhile learn- ing the English language and gaining familiarity with the customs of the people. It was during 1863 that he entered upon another ocean voyage and came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. This trip was far more enjoyable than the ocean voyage from his native land, for at that time he had started from Sweden in a sailing vessel (Nuna) and had spent six weeks on the water. Meanwhile the provisions were reduced to such a small quantity that ere land was reached the crew almost starved and the passengers had begun to suffer the pangs of hunger.
Bodega and Eldorado county marked the first locations of Mr. Hallengren in California and there he worked at his trade. During the year 1866 he came to Sonoma county and settled near Geyserville, where he spent his remaining years and where his family still reside. Farm pursuits occupied his entire time and so devoted was he to his work that he allowed himself no vacation except during the year 1889, when on the 22d of July he left home for a trip to Europe and for the ensuing three months he renewed the associations of youth. While the visit was pleasant he returned to California more than ever delighted with the chosen home of his maturity. In politics he always supported the Republican party after he became a citizen of this country and his ballot was given to its candi- dates in local and national elections. Movements for the material advancement of Sonoma county received his stanch support. In pioneer circles he was pron- inent, while among the younger element he enjoyed the respect due to his hon- orable character and industrious life.
Mr. Hallengren's marriage united him with a lady who in maidenhood was known as Henrietta Brightenstein. Besides her at his death he left five children, Lottie, Lillie, Lind, Lenore and Lloyd, all at home excepting Lenore, who is married and living in Inyo county. Mrs. Hallengren was born in 1839 in Nassau, Germany, and at the age of eight years came to America with her parents, who were also of German birth. Their first home was in Maryland and they also made a sojourn of three months in Virginia, after which they came as far west as Missouri, and seven years later removed from that state across the plains to . California. The journey was made with wagons and ox-teams and six months were spent on the road, after which the family settled in Eldorado county. After her marriage Mrs. Hallengren promoted her husband's success by her economy, thrift and sagacious council. Her death occurred December 4. 1910, and was deeply lamented by her children and the many friends who had been attracted to her by her true womanly nobility and depth of character. Throughout her life she had lived up to the teachings of the Bible. After the death of Mr. Hallen- gren the family remained together and continued his policy in the management and care of the ranch. By dint of energy and economy they purchased adjoining land until they now own twenty-six hundred acres of land, in two ranches, almost ali of which is adapted for grazing of stock. One hundred and forty acres have been planted in a vineyard of thrifty vines producing fine varieties of grapes
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In connection with their vineyard a winery has been erected, in which they manu- facture wine from their own grapes as well as from those of adjoining neigh- bors. Cattle and horses are kept on the land in limited numbers. Sheep are raised for the markets and at this writing there are one thousand head on the land. During 1909 the fleece from seven hundred sheep brought $1,080, and was con- sidered the best wool brought to the markets. Two hundred acres of the land is in redwood and pine lumber and is quite valuable. Under the judicious man- agement of the family a neat income is received from the estate and the returns are well merited by their energy, industry and perseverance.
JOHN F. HALLBERG.
Synonymous with the name of John F. Hallberg is the Green Valley hop vard of which he is the owner, and which is one of the largest industries of the kind in Sonoma county. For many years the raising of hops was Mr. Hallberg's chief occupation, hence the name of his ranch, but in later years he has branched out into horticulture on a large scale, in fact the latter now forms the larger part of his ranch enterprise, although the name given to the ranch in earlier days still clings to it.
John F. Hallberg is one of the substantial citizens that Sweden has given to Sonoma county, his birth occurring in that country in 1850. Twenty-six summers and winters were passed in the Scandinavian peninsula, bringing him to a sturdy manhood. and in the meantime he had provided for the future by learning the wagon-maker's trade. A stalwart frame and a working knowledge of his trade were his chief assets when he landed upon these shores in 1876, and although he did not seek employment along this line, he still felt an inward security against want, knowing that he could turn to it and make a good living at any time, should other prospects fail. From the port at which the ocean vessel landed him he made his way to Illinois, where, in McLean county, he worked as a farm hand for about four years. It was with the knowledge of American farming obtained during this time that he came to California in 1880, going first to San Jose, and from there the following year he came to Sebastopol. Pleased with the outlook before him, he determined to make it his future abode and it was with this thought in mind that he purchased one hundred and five acres near town. The land was in its native condition, covered with a heavy growth of timber and brush, and to one less courageous than he the task of clearing and preparing the soil for crops would have been well-nigh impossible. The word fail was unknown to his vocabulary, as the work of many months proved, when the land was finally ready for planting. A considerable portion of the land was planted to fruit trees, and while these were maturing he planted the hop vines which started his hop industry and gave him the reputation of being the expert in hop cultivation in this section of country. Thirty-seven acres are devoted to this commodity alone, from which for eighteen years he has gathered large crops, the crop for 1909 amounting to two hundred and ten bales. Six acres of black- berries yield an average of twelve tons annually, while the thirty acres in apples vielded one hundred and twenty-five tons during the season just mentioned.
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Apples of recognized quality only are raised, his trees being divided among the Gravenstein, Baldwin, Belleflower, Spitzenberg, Wagner and Ben Davis varieties. Many of the trees of the Gravenstein variety were planted over a quarter of a century ago, and are still in excellent bearing condition. One hundred cherry trees yield heavy crops of luscious fruit, while the prune trees average a yield of five tons annually. From the above enumeration it will be readily seen that Mr. Hall- berg is a busy man, but his work is congenial and is therefore not wearing on his constitution, as might otherwise be the case.
Mr. Hallberg was married in Sebastopol in 1885, to Miss Louisa Peterson, and three children have been born to them, as follows: Alfred, born in 1886; Ida, born in 1891 ; and Oscar, born in 1893. All of the children are natives of the state, and the eldest, Alfred, is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, besides which he is a member of the Woodmen. Politically the elder Mr. Hall- berg is a Republican. He has always been deeply interested in school matters and during the early days of his residence here was trustee of Oak Grove school district. During the thirty years that he has resided here he has seen many changes take place, none of which have been more marked perhaps than the one which his own ranch property presents.
NEWTON JACKSON GRIDER.
While practically all of his life from his earliest recollections has been spent within the state of California and in the same section of the commonwealth, Mr. Grider is by birth an Iowan and was born in Davis county during the year 1863, shortly before the migration of the family across the plains to the Pacific coast. The family of which he is a member became identified with American his- tory at an early period and his parents, Henry and Sarah (Fulkerson) Grider, were born in Indiana in the years 1829 and 1830 respectively, removed to Iowa prior to the Civil war and during the progress of that struggle turned their faces yet further toward the west, becoming residents of California, where the father died in 1872; the mother is still living. For a long period lie had been prominent in local Masonic work, holding membership with the blue lodge at Lakeport, this state, and contributing generously to its philanthropies.
The parental family included five children, William, Theodore, Elmer, Newton J. and Armilla. The second-named son married Clara Fulkerson and makes his home in Tulare county, this state, his family consisting of wife and six children, Henry, Walter, Mabel, Eva, Edna and Erma; the eldest daughter, Mabel, is the wife of Harry Hamilton, and Eva also is married. When one year old Newton J. Grider was brought to California in 1864 by his parents and in this state he grew to manhood, meantime receiving a common-school education. In common with many of the progressive men of Northern California he is a land- owner and a thorough believer in the possibilities of the soil responding to proper methods of cultivation. At this writing he owns a ranch of nine hundred and seventy-eight acres in Sonoma county, the tract containing considerable timber and pasture, also twenty acres of meadow and a family orchard. For some time, in addition to superintending the land, he was engaged in the livery business at
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Cazadero, where he had a well-equipped barn with accommodations for seventy- five head of horses and a complete outfit of vehicles. These were let to the public at reasonable prices. He sold the livery business in November, 1910, and located in Guerneville, where he now makes his residence, having leased his farm.
The Republican party has received the steadfast allegiance of Mr. Grider ever since he attained his majority and he upholds the principles of that organization as favoring the best interests of the people. Besides being active in Masonry he has been identified with the Foresters of America for the past twenty years, holding membership in Santa Rosa Camp No. 24 and contributing to the main- tenance of that body. During the year 1884 he married Miss Jessie Hall, who was born in Minnesota and grew to womanhood in Shasta county, this state. Their union was blessed with five children, namely: Loren T., Clyde, Harold, Eva and Hallie, Mrs. John Dillon. The older daughter is the wife of Frederick Pollard and has two daughters, Hallie and Blanche. The Hall family is of Canadian ancestry, Joseph Hall, who was born in Canada in 1843, came to the United States in early life and for three and one-half years served in the Union army during the Civil war, removing to California in 1873 and making his home in Shasta county. By his marriage to Luena Banker he had twelve children, namely: Halbert, Stephen, Joseph, Ernest, George, Ralph, Archie, Eva, Edna, Jessie, Grace and Effie. The first-named son is married and has two daughters, Marie and Inez. Ernest has a wife and two children, Halbert and Velma. Edna is the wife of Harry Larned and has one child, Effie. Grace is married and has a son, Kenneth Zachary. George chose as his wife Miss Bertha Wange and Ralph married Fay Henderson, by whom he has one son, Richard.
CHARLES FILIPPINI.
The record of the life of Charles Filippini, now living in retirement in Petaluma, Sonoma county, is a striking exemplification of the truth that industry, perseverance and determination, aided by the sagacity which comes from con- tact with the business world, is almost without exception rewarded by success. Mr. Filippini is one of the army of men who foresaw the result of patient appli- cation in the development of the resources of California, and from the beginning of his career within its borders he adhered to a well-thought-out plan to allow no opportunity to gain a competency to pass without investigation.
Mr. Filippini is one of the sons of foreign birth and breeding who have contributed so largely to the citizenship of this broad land. He was born in Cevio, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, November 9, 1847, the son of Baptiste and Maria Filippini, who were born and reared and passed their entire lives in that country. After his marriage the father made a trip to the mines of Aus- tralia, where lie followed mining for five years with good success. On his return he engaged in general contracting, building government works, roads and canals, and continued this work until his death at the age of seventy-six. The mother died at the age of seventy-four years. Five of the children born to them grew to years of maturity. Louis learned the jeweler's trade and was following it in his native country when, in 1868, his brother Charles sent for him to come to
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California and assist him on his ranch; he soon started in farming for himself, having purchased a ranch in Marin county, and there he died in 1892. Milla was brought to this country in 1870: she is now Mrs. Moretti and resides in Switzerland. Angelica was brought here in 1878: after her marriage, to Paul Filippini, she returned to Switzerland to make her home and there she passed away. Leonardo joined his brothers in California in 1882 and is now a well- known dairyman in Marin county and owns a fine ranch in Stanislaus county.
Charles Filippini was educated in the grammar schools until he was eleven years of age, following this by four years in the high school, after which he was apprenticed to the stone-cutter's trade. He soon realized that the outlook for himself in his native land was no brighter than had fallen to the lot of his parents, and at the age of nineteen years, he determined to come to the United States. He set sail from the town of Cevio December 2, 1866, and debarked at San Francisco January 20, 1867, almost penniless, but the dire situation did not distress him. On the other hand he calmly set about to find employment at his trade, but there were no large quarries nor much of anything to do at the stone- cutter's trade in those early days in San Francisco, so he was unsuccessful. He then began looking in other directions and was successful in finding work on a ranch in Marin county. He was familiar with dairying as conducted in his own country, and he readily adjusted himself to his new surroundings. After working four months in a dairy he rented a ranch and started on his own ac- count. After maintaining a dairy ranch in that county for fifteen years with success he came to Petaluma with the idea of purchasing a ranch, and the same year be bought twenty-five hundred and fifty-six acres in the southeastern part of Sonoma county, on the Napa county line. Without exception this is one of the finest grazing ranches in the state and is known as the Huichica rancho. Here he maintains a large dairy herd of fine cows that find excellent pasturage, besides horses and cattle, all of which, in addition to hogs, hie breeds and raises upon the ranch. In connection with his dairy he maintains a well-equipped creamery, where is manufactured the Huichica brand of butter which is in keeping with the high standard of excellence which prevails in every other de- partment of the ranch. The varied interests already mentioned do not represent the extent of Mr. Filippini's resources from his ranch, for he also raises large crops of hay, oats, barley and wheat, his output of grain for one season amount- ing to eighteen hundred sacks. In August, 1904, Mr. Filippini removed from the ranch to Petaluma, where he erected a commodious residence on Sixth street, and here he has since made his home, retired from the active duties of the ranch, which have been assumed by his sons, although he makes frequent visits in superintending its management.
Since coming to this country Mr. Filippini has made four trips to his old home in Switzerland, and on three of these he had enjoyable visits with his parents, but prior to his fourth trip they had gone to that home beyond. It was on his trip to Switzerland in 1878 that Mr. Filippini was united in marriage with Miss Emily Del Ponte, a native of that country. Twelve children were born of this marriage, and of them we mention the following: John V. graduated from the University of California with the degrees of A. B. and LL. B., and is now practicing law in San Francisco; he married Charlotte de Martini. Emidio
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