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 110
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is a graduate of the Napa Business College; after his graduation from the col- lege he worked for three and a half years at the machinist's trade, but instead of following this, at the end of the time mentioned he took up ranching; he married Paulina Koch, of Santa Rosa, and they have one child, Vivian, and make their home on a ranch in Napa county. Elmira is the wife of Victor De Carli, and the mother of one child, Loretta. Alfred who graduated after a four- year term in Switzerland, is also a graduate of the Napa Business College; lie is interested with his brothers in the maintenance of the home ranch; he was married in Switzerland to Anita Moretti, by whoni he has two children, Louis and Alfred. Charles, who is also a graduate of the Napa Business College, is assist- ing in the care of the homestead ranch. Nellie is the wife of Silvio Pometta and the mother of one son, Lester. Vivian is the wife of Americo J. Bloom and the mother of two children, Stella and Americo. The other children in the family are Rose, Louisa, Emily, Baptiste and Stella. In 1896 Mr. Filippini took his family on a trip to Switzerland, and it was while there that the son Baptiste was born.
Mr. Filippini is a man of more than average capability, as is evidenced in the many interests in which he has a part outside of the management of his large ranch property in Sonoma county. Besides this, he also has an interest in a dairy ranch of twelve hundred acres in Marin county. In 1910 he organized the Petaluma Swiss-American Bank, of which he is now vice-president, in addition to which he is also interested in other financial institutions in Sonoma and Marin counties. Notwithstanding all of the business obligations that de- mand time and attention from Mr. Filippini, he still has time for social amenities of life, and is an active and interested member of the Sonoma and Marin Counties Swiss Club, composed entirely of that nationality. During his long residence in Sonoma county Mr. Filippini has made a host of friends, by whom he is uni- versally respected, and is looked upon as a gentleman of worth.
ANDREW FREI.
A short distance from the far-fanied river of the Rhine, in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland, the humble home of an industrious millwright formed the early environment of Andrew Frei, who was born January 30, 1831, and in early life learned many lessons of frugality and industry under the patient guid- ance of his father, Andrew, Sr. The death of the millwright when his son was a lad of nine years proved a heavy loss to the latter, who was thrown wholly upon his own resources, as his mother had died when he was only two years of age. A thorough education was impossible to the young orphan, but by observation he has gained a fund of information not always possessed by men claiming collegiate degrees. He was not allowed to grow up in idleness, but was bound out as an apprentice to the wood-turner's trade in Switzerland and under the oversight of a capable master he acquired a knowledge of every department of the occupation. During the year 1852 he came across the ocean in a sailing vessel which anchored in New York during the month of May after a forty-nine day voyage, and from that city he went on to Pittsburg, where he followed his trade.
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Hearing much concerning the vast undeveloped regions of the west Mr. Frei determined to come hither and accordingly he gave up his position in Pittsburg, went to New York and boarded an ocean vessel bound for the Istlimus of Panama, and on reaching the Pacific he boarded the steamer Golden Gate, which cast anchor at San Francisco January 14, 1859, thus bringing to an uneventful close a long and tedious voyage. Shortly after his arrival he embarked in the manu- facture of furniture with Charles Field as a partner and continued in that con- nection for almost fifteen years, eventually acquiring his partner's share in the business, which he conducted successfully until 1895. Meanwhile he had ac- cumulated a competence through judicious management of the business and when he came to Sonoma county in the year 1895 he had the means necessary for the acquisition of considerable property.
As early as 1882 Mr. Frei acquired four hundred and fifteen acres of raw land seven miles west of Santa Rosa. No attempt had been made to place the land under cultivation previous to his purchase. Pine trees covered much of the tract. Under his subsequent careful oversight and peronsal labor the large ranch was brought into a condition for profitable cultivation and it has proved to be well adapted to peaches, prunes, apples, pears and grapes. In addition to this place Mr. Frei owns a ranch of three hundred and forty-four acres four miles north of Healdsburg, in Dry Creek valley, Sonoma county, the greater part of which is planted to vineyard. He also has a fully equipped winery on the ranch for the manufacture of wine, which he operates. The income from these two large ranclies is sufficiently large to prove that they are earning a fair in- come on the original investment and on the present valuation.
A comfortable modern residence on Second and Pierce streets, Santa Rosa, is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frei and the center of a delightful hospitality that includes their large circle of friends. Mrs. Frei, formerly Louise Zweifel, was born in Canton St. Gallen, Switzerland, July 6, 1851, where she received a high- school education. During May of 1876 she arrived at Oakland, Cal., in com- pany with her mother, and at San Francisco, October 16, 1877, she became the wife of Andrew Frei. Four children blessed their union, namely: Louisa. born October 4. 1878; Andrew M., who was born September 16, 1880, was educated in the California State Univeristy at Berkeley, and who died October II, 1910; Walter C., who was born October 6, 1881, and completed the course at Berkeley in 1901 ; and Louis A., who was born November 26, 1883, and in 1907 completed the studies connected with civil engineering at Berkeley. . Mrs. Frei is a daughter of Christian and Salome (Untersander) Zweifel, natives of Swit- zerland, the former born August 2, 1816, and the latter November 3, 1821.
From early manhood until his death Mr. Zweifel followed farm pursuits. In his family there were seven children, but two of these died in infancy; the others are Albert, Walter, Adolf, Paulina and Louise.
Formerly Mr. Frei belonged to the Rifle Club of San Francisco, an organi- zation of city men for purposes of sport and recreation. The general elections find him a supporter of the Republican ticket, but in local matters he gives his allegiance to the men whom he considers best qualified to represent the people. Notwithstanding his years of busy activity and his present advanced age, he is keenly interested in his farms and manages them with the same judgment and
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ability characteristic of his younger days. Loyally devoted to his adopted country, he cherishes for the commonwealth and the nation a depth of affection not sur- passed by native-born sons. His rank as a patriotic citizen is deservedly higlı and in the county of his home he has a reputation for all the qualities that endear a man to his community and enrich the local citizenship.
FRANK E. DOWD.
Occupying a position of prominence among the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Santa Rosa is Frank E. Dowd, who for years has been in- timately identified with the leading interests of this section of Sonoma county, both in ranching and in business circles. As a native son of the state he is living up to the reputation of Native Sons generally, in that he is satisfied to make his permanent home in his native state. A native of Sonoma county, he was born in Petaluma February II, 1862, the son of Edward and Bridget (Kelly ) Dowd, the latter natives of Ireland. They carne to the United States when young, and in New York City were united in marriage in January, 1860, and started for California via the Isthmus of Panama and it was not long thereafter that they were comfortably settled in a home in Petaluma, Cal., the same in which their son Frank was born.
Frank E. Dowd grew to sturdy young manhood on his father's ranch in this county, and in the meantime had received a good grounding in the public schools of his home locality. To this was added the splendid advantages of a business training in Heald's Business College in San Francisco, a training that has stood him in good stead in his later career. After leaving school and college he returned home and for some time carried on general farming and dairying, thus putting into practice the training which he had received under his father on the home farm. In 1887 he went to Tulare county and there engaged in farm- ing. It was two years later that he returned to the county of his nativity and accepted a position as deputy county assessor. That he had faithfully performed the duties of his position to the satisfaction of the citizens of the county was shown by them when they induced him to become a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the office of assessor. He was elected, and that he has not lost any of the confidence of his friends was demonstrated when he was returned to the position by being re-elected the three consecutive general elections following He was instrumental in forming the State Assessors Association and has always taken a very active interest in it.
Since taking up his residence in Santa Rosa he has bought property and erected a comfortable home, also is owner of a fine, well-improved ranch at Lakeville, in the southern part of Sonoma county, which was his home before coming to the county seat after being elected to his present office. His private interests, varied as they are, have still not absorbed his faculties and blinded him to his duty as a good citizen, but on the other hand it would be hard to find anyone more enthusiastic in advancing the welfare of his community than is he.
In San Francisco, October 21, 1903, Mr. Dowd was united in marriage with Miss Martha Agnes Latham, their marriage being celebrated in the famous old
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Mission Dolores Church. Mrs. Dowd is a daughter of James and Charlotte (Curran) Latham, and was born in Victoria, B. C. By right of birth in the state Mr. Dowd is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, is also identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles, Woodmen of the World and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, in which he has taken a very active interest and is now past exalted ruler of the Santa Rosa Lodge. If he may be said to have a hobby it is his enthusiasm for Sonoma county, which he believes to be the garden spot of the state and the land of opportunity for industrions young men eager to get a start in the world.
HOWARD HOLMES OELLIG.
The building of the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railway has been the means of bringing much progress and improvement throughout the section of Sonoma county which it traverses and the maintaining of the traffic is of still more im- portance, so much so that the managers for some time looked about for men of ability, aptitude and originality to place in charge of their mechanical de- partment. In doing so they selected Howard Holmes Oellig, the present mas- ter mechanic, who has brought the machine shops and marine equipment to its present high standard of excellency.
Mr. Oellig's paternal grandfather was Dr. John Oellig. a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, where he was a graduate physician and surgeon. Sub- sequently he located in Waynesboro, Pa., where he was a successful practitioner. and of his four sons, three became physicians, and of his grandsons four en- tered the profession of medicine. Dr. Francis A. Oellig, the father of our subject, was born in Waynesboro and was graduated from the Jefferson Med- ical College. after which he practiced medicine in Martinsburg. Blair county. and later in Upton. 'Franklin county, where he died. His wife was Mar- garet Byers, also a native of Waynesboro, Pa., the daughter of James Byers, of an old and honored family of Pennsylvania. She was the mother of eight children, five sons and three daughters. Howard H. Oellig being the youngest and the only one of the family to come to the Pacific Coast. He was born in Chambersburg, Cumberland county. Pa., September 4, 1867. After graduating from the Upton high school he was apprenticed to A. M. Good & Bro., of Waynesboro, manufacturers of building material. He completed the trade of woodworking machinist in three years and during this time received a salary of sixty-five cents per day with $100 bounty at the end of his apprenticeship. However, during his summer vacation of four weeks he went back into the farming community, where he worked in the harvest field at $1.50 per day and board and this helped him out materially. After completing his trade he went to Tacoma, Wash., arriving there May 21. 1888, twenty years of age. and great was his satisfaction when he obtained a position with the Tacoma Manufacturing Company at $3 per day. He applied himself closely and a vear later became foreman for them with an advance to $3.50. In 1892 he entered a partnership with F. H. Massow (a large contractor of San Fran- cisco), M. C. Hall and others of Tacoma, purchasing a mill and engaging in the manufacture of building material in that city until the panic of 1893-94.
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when building operations ceased and they, like others, were forced to quit. thus losing all. The fall of 1893 found Mr. Oellig in San Francisco with his wife and baby, no money and nothing doing at his trade and seemingly 110 opportunity of making a living. Nothing daunted, he applied for a place with the street car companies and secured a position with the old Market street railway as conductor, accepting it as a makeshift, thinking it would tide him over until business would revive so he could again find employment at his trade. This proved the turning point and started him in a railroad career, in which he has been so successful and where he is so much in his element.
When the United Railroads acquired the Market street line Mr. Oellig was promoted to dispatcher's clerk, then to superintendent's clerk, later night- car dispatcher and then inspector, serving until August 1, 1906, when he was tendered the position of master mechanic of the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Rail- way, which he accepted. Removing with his family to Petaluma, he at once entered upon his duties with the same ardor and zeal that had always crowned his efforts with success, and the confidence and esteem in which he is held, not only by his associates but by men of affairs in Sonoma county, show how well he has accomplished it. Since coming here most of the shops and equip- ment have been built, having an up-to-date machine and car shop enabling them to build box cars, oil-tank cars and freight motors, besides caring for their rolling stock. He is also in charge of the marine equipment consisting of the steamers Gold and Petaluma, besides being in charge of all overhead construction.
In Tacoma, Wash., Mr. Oellig married Miss Elva Harbaugh, who was born in Waynesboro, Pa., and they have one child, Ruth. Mrs. Oellig is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Oellig is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; Junior Order American Mechanics, of which he is Councilor : and the Daughters of Liberty. He has contributed liberally to rail- road and electrical journals. In the Electric Traction Monthly of November 19, 1910, is an article on "Car Lubrication" and the same paper of August 20. 1910, an article on "Special Tuyere Iron or Firepot," both having received favorable comment. While still a young man. Mr. Oellig has acquired the success that often takes a lifetime to acquire and there is no doubt that with his ability he will climb to a still higher place of importance and responsibility.
WILLIAM BOURKE.
A native of Ireland, William Bourke was born in County Kildare in 1830, the son of William and Bridget (Coyne) Bourke, farmers, and there this son was reared and received his education in the common schools. In 1849, when but nineteen years of age, he decided to try his fortunes in the New World and accordingly came to New York, thence to Chicago, Ill., and later to New Orleans. Having heard of the vast wealth uncovered by the miner's pick in California he resolved to seek the new Eldorado and cast in his lot with the pioneers of the Golden West. In 1852 he came by way of Panama and arrived in San Francisco, embarking from the steamer Northerner in June of that year. There being plenty of work for a vigorous young man, Mr. Bourke
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remained for a time in that city, then worked in the mines on the American river, in the Coloma district and later in Sierra county, meeting with consid- erable success.
In the summer of 1858 Mr. Bourke came to the vicinity of Petaluma and purchased a squatter's title to some land on San Antonio creek, settling down to what became his vocation in life, the dairy business. Being an ambitious youth and always looking for a chance to better his condition, he remained but four years when he sold out to good advantage and invested in a dairy in Nicasio, Marin county, remaining there four years, when he again sold at a profit and with his accumulated capital was enabled to purchase nine hundred and fifty acres in Hicks valley, which he still owns. The ranch is well watered by a creek and numerous springs and is well adapted for dairy purposes. This he has improved with modern and up-to-date buildings and it is now con- sidered one of the finest dairies in the locality. For many years he ran a dairy of one hundred cows with great success and the quality of his butter won such a reputation that he received as high as seventy-five cents per pound for it. In 1871 he leased the ranch and settled on a tract of three hundred and thirty acres on San Antonio creek, that he purchased as a speculation and sold one year later at a good profit. Having acquired a competency he retired from active work and located in Petaluma. In 1903 hie built a very comfortable residence on Howard and Bassett streets, where he is content to spend his declining years in peace and comfort.
In San Francisco Mr. Bourke was united in marriage with Miss Amelia Fitzgibbon, who was also born in Ireland, and who passed away in 1898. He is a Democrat in politics and is a member of St. Vincent's church. Although a semi-invalid and eighty-one years of age, he takes a keen interest in the affairs of the day and keeps abreast of the times. He enjoys recounting incidents of the early days, of his companions in toil. He is a self-made man, highly respected and endeared to the entire community, and a hearty sympathizer in every good cause.
DANIEL JAMES JAMIESON.
The fountain-head of the machinist and moulder's trade is the pattern- maker, and unless the pattern is prepared absolutely perfect the casting has a flaw that can never be remedied, hence the man who makes the pattern must understand every part of his trade and he must be perfect of sight and of steady nerve in order to accomplish success. Such a man we find in Daniel James Jamieson, who was born in Dayton, Green county, Ohio, October 27, 1881, the oldest of three children born to James W. and Amanda (Schlutter) Jamie- son, the former born in Aberdeen, Scotland, the latter in Pennsylvania. The father was a moulder by trade, and when twenty years of age came to the United States, following his trade in Ohio until. 1891, when he brought his family to California, locating first in Oakland and later on a ranch at Cotati, where he and his wife still reside.
The subject of this sketch was but ten years of age when his parents came to California, being educated in the public schools of Oakland until eighteen years of age, when he was apprenticed as a pattern maker with George F.
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Buswell, in San Francisco. After completing his trade he continued working at it in that city until 1908, when he located in Petaluma and started in business for himself as pattern and cabinet maker, and has now the largest business in pattern making north of the bay.
Mr. Jamieson was married in Cotati to Miss Thora Moller, who was born in San Francisco. They reside at No. 410 Third street, Petaluma, where they have a comfortable and well-kept home. Fraternally Mr. Jamieson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past Noble Grand; of the Encampment, of which he is the present Chief Patriarch ; is also a member of the Canton and Rebekahs, besides which he is a member of Engine Co. No. 1 of the Petaluma Fire Department. Mr. Jamieson has been very successful in business, and by his business associates and many friends is held in high esteem for his genial personality and noble qualities.
THEODOR RICHARDS.
Agua Caliente Springs, the most famous springs in this section of the state, are located in the picturesque Sonoma Valley about forty-five miles from San Francisco. The climate of this section is almost ideal, the heat of summer be- ing always tempered by the cool mountain air, and the evenings are invariably cool and pleasant, making a visit to the arms of Morpheus a pleasure. The sulphur waters here are among the strongest to be found anywhere, coming from five different springs which range in temperature from one hundred to one hundred and fifteen degrees. The present institution is located at the old orig- inal mineral springs of Sonoma county, which were well known by the Indians and extensively used by them for medicinal purposes. To this well-known resort many people travel each season and return home much benefited by their trip. The springs are under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Theodor Rich- ards, enterprising people, who have spent much time, thought and money to make their property valuable as a health resort.
Mr. Richards was born in Erfurt, Turingen, Germany, in 1862. His early experiences cluster round his native place, although in 1872, at the age of ten years, he came to New York City, in which place he had an uncle residing. As a youth he attended the common schools, and in early manhood learned the machinist's trade, following this occupation until 1879, in which year he came to California. In 1885 he engaged in the hotel business in San Francisco, continuing this for a number of years, or until 1901, after he had purchased the Agua Caliente Springs in Sonoma county. When he purchased the springs he acquired one hundred and fifty acres of land, on which was commenced sub- stantial improvement. He first built a hotel to accommodate about fifteen, and this was such a success that the building of a large new hotel and other build- ings became a necessity, and when accomplished gave the appearance of a small town. The main hotel has accommodations for three hundred guests and a dining room which can seat three hundred and fifty. There are twenty cottages on the place and a club and bath houses, in the latter of which may be found the largest mineral water swimming tank in California 75x80 feet, made of concrete. There are forty private bath tubs besides the private baths in the
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rooms of the hotel, the shower bath, and the private concrete plunges measuring 6x6x41/2 feet, the latter being quite a feature of the springs, all lighted by electricity.
Agua Caliente Springs are located on the Northwestern Pacific Railroad and the Southern Pacific Railroad, situated on the Santa Rosa county road. Across this road the enterprising proprietor has laid out the Agua Caliente subdivision for residence lots, the property being picturesquely studded with magnificent live oak trees. The ranch is devoted to general farming, dairying and horticulture, thus raising vegetables, fruits and dairy products for the hotel. One of the most beautiful sights on the place is the rose arbor leading to the hotel, four hundred feet in length. For the amusement of the guests the enterprising landlord has erected a music and dance hall with an orchestra im- ported from Frieburg, Germany, at a cost of $5,000, which is proving a great attraction and is greatly enjoyed by both old and young. On the place he has laid out a base ball ground, tennis court, croquet grounds and shuffleboards, while in the hotel is a billiard parlor. Aside from the hot mineral springs he is fortunate to possess the only iron and magnesia springs in Sonoma county, and that, too, is located immediately adjoining the hotel, and the coolness of the water is much appreciated by every one. Aside from the large bath house he has erected a bath house adjoining the hotel supplied with natural hot sulphur water from the springs, which is used for the accommodation of guests in the winter season, as the resort is open the year around. The old adobe building used for so many years for a public house before the present owner came into possession is still standing, adjoining the hotel, and it was visited in years past by such men as General Vallejo, General Hooker and President Grant.
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