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 111
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Mr. Richards married Miss Katherine Gorman, and they have three chil- dren, Millie, Thomas and Elsie. Mr. Richards is a member of Fidelity Lodge, F. & A. M., San Francisco, and is also a member of the Royal Arch and Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks. In addition to the arduous duties of his enter- prise, Mr. Richards, for the past eight years, has held the position of postmaster at Agua Caliente.
OWEN J. CLINE.
Among the manufacturing interests of Petaluma there is none more im- portant in its output, the value of its product and the amount paid employes, than the shoe factory which has been under the able supervision of Owen Cline ever since it was started. By his close oversight and thorough knowledge of every detail of the manufacturing of shoes he has built it up until it is now one of the most extensive plants of its kind on the Bay.
The subject of this sketch was born in La Salle, Ill., July 2, 1864. His father, William Cline, was a native of Maryland and an early settler of La Salle, Ill., where he enlisted and served in the Civil war, afterwards removing to St. Louis, Mo., where young Cline was educated in the public schools until the age of sixteen years, when he was apprenticed and learned the shoe-making trade in the Myers Shoe Company, beginning at the bottom and learning every de- partment. Later he severed his connection with them to accept a foremanship with the George Gogg Shoe Company, which position he held until 1895. when
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he came to California. It was at this time that A. L. Bryan severed his con- nection with the old firm of Bryan & Brown of St. Louis, came to Oakland and purchased the small plant of the Wentworth Shoe Company, located near the Southern Pacific Railway Company's Sixteenth street depot. Mr. Bryan selected Owen J. Cline as superintendent of the factory then operated as the A. L. Bryan Shoe Company, continuing the business there until 1899, when he removed it to Petaluma, establishing the factory on Bremen street. In 1901, on the death of Mr. Bryan, the Nolan Earl Shoe Company purchased the plant and has since continued the business, enlarging it from time to time until it has reached its present proportions. Aside from being the superintendent since it was started Mr. Cline is also a stockholder and director in the company. Understanding ever detail of the business he has secured the latest machinery for each de- partment and the factory is run the year round and has a capacity of five hundred pairs per day and they now give employment to about one hundred hands, theirs being by far the largest pay-roll in the city.
In St. Louis, Mo., Mr. Cline was united with Miss Anna O'Donnell, a native of that city, and they are the parents of five children, Anastacia, Mary, Thomas, John and Joseph. Fraternally Mr. Cline is associated with the Elks, Eagles (of which he is past president) and the Young Men's Institute (of which he is treasurer ) and the Petaluma Fire Department. of which he has served as first assistant engineer. Both in business affairs and socially Mr. Cline is highly es- teemed for his progressive spirit, enterprise, worth and integrity. He is very helpful to deserving young men and his charities are many, no worthy person or cause appealing to him in vain. It is to such men that Sonoma county today owes its present state of wonderful development and his example is worthy of emulation.
FRANK POEHLMANN.
The tanning industry in Petaluma is represented by Frank Poehlmann, who was born in Tackau, Austria, April 24, 1862. His father, Wenzel Poehlmann. was a manufacturer in Tackau, where young Poehlmann was reared and edu- cated in the public schools until the age of fourteen. He was then apprenticed as a tanner, completing the trade in two and a-half years, when he traveled as a journeyman through Austria, Hungary and Germany until 1880. At that time he came to St. Louis, Mo., and after working at his trade awhile there he traveled through Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Tennessee and other states, working as a tanner.
In 1885 Mr. Poehlmann was married, in St. Louis, Mo., to Bertha Mort- horst, a native of Germany, and the same year removed to San Francisco, where he became superintendent of a tannery. In 1891 he started a tannery at Oregon Hill, Yuba county, which he ran until 1898, when he rented the Nickles tannery at Santa Rosa for two years. When his lease expired he located in Petaluma and built his present tannery on Bremen street. where he manufactures all kinds of heavy leather, such as sole, harness and skirting. The plant has a large capacity and is well equipped, having a deep well and pumping plant.
Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pohlmann were born five children, as fol- lows: Marie. now Mrs. Bailey, of Rainesville ; Otto, a druggist, Max, a tanner,
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Ruth, all three of Petaluma, while William was killed in the Ignacio wreck of the Northwestern Pacific Railway at the age of eighteen. Mr. Poehlmann built his residence at No. 744 B street, Petaluma, where he and his estimable wife welcome their many friends and dispense their charities to those whom they deem worthy. Politically he is a Republican, while fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
ELI S. SHAVER.
Petaluma has the reputation of having the finest streets of any city of its size in the country and the credit for this is due to the tireless efforts and executive ability of its present superintendent of streets, E. S. Shaver, who has held that office for the past eleven years. He was born in Kemptville, Green- ville county, Ontario, September 17, 1849, into the family of Levius and Cath- erine (Melvin) Shaver, both natives of that section. His paternal grandfather, Nicholas Shaver was born in Pennsylvania of German extraction. He removed to Johnstown, Ontario, purchased raw land and improved a farm on which his son Levius afterwards lived and which is now the home of his grandson, Nicholas Shaver. The latter has brought it to such a high state of cultiva- tion that he received the first prize at the township fair for the best improved farm.
In the family of Levitis Shaver there were four children, viz .; Allen, wisu died in Colusa, Cal .; Mary, Mrs. Gilroy, of South Dakota ; Eli S., of this review ; and Nicholas, on the old home place. E. S. Shaver was reared on the home place until seventeen years of age, during which time he received his education in the public schools of the locality and in February, 1867. he came to Califor- nia to join a brother who had preceded him. He spent a year in Marin and Santa Clara counties, then located in Bloomfield and farmed the Glover ranch for a time. He was later interested in ranching and dairying in various sections of Sonoma county, after which he went to Virginia City, Nevada, and engaged in lumbering for about one year. On his return to Sonoma county he followed teaming for one year, then went into partnership with Alfred Rickett and con- ducted the Washoe house two years. The next three years were spent in hay baling. In 1879 he located in Petaluma and was engaged in teaming and contracting until his appointment to the position of superintendent of streets in 1900, which he has since held by appointment until the new charter of April. 19II, when he was elected to the office for a term of two years.
Mr. Shaver's marriage occurred in Petaluma township in 1879, the cere- mony being performed by Parson Barnes, and uniting him with Miss Emma Vale, a native of Indiana. Of this union three children have been born : Bertha, wife of A. W. Agnew; Mabel. wife of E. L. Robertson ; and Frank, a general contractor, all residents of Petaluma. The family residence is located on C street, between Sixth and Seventh.
In politics Mr. Shaver is a Republican and fraternally he is connected with the Foresters, Red Men, Fraternal Brotherhood and Knights of Honor. He is devoted to his calling and endeavors to do his duty to the best of his ability and to the entire satisfaction of those who have placed so much con-
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fidence in him. In all matters that have been presented to him that have had for their object the advancement of the welfare of the people, he has given them his co-operation as far as was possible. In his home city he has the esteem of all who know him for his sterling qualities.
MANUEL DE REZENDES.
Few of the foreign-born citizens of the United States have come from the location which was the scene of the birth of Manuel de Rezendes, a dairyman in the vicinity of Bodega, and a citizen whose contentment with his adopted home would be hard indeed to exceed. He first saw the light of day on one of the Azore Islands, a part of the territory of Portugal. There he was born in 1868, and there he continued to make his home until about 1886, when he set sail from his island home and in due time landed in the harbor of Boston, Mass. California was his objective point. and instead of lingering in the east, he immediately made arrangements for his transportation to the Pacific coast, coming to his journey's end in San Francisco.
From the western metropolis Mr. de Rezendes went first to Marin county, spending two years in the vicinity of Tomales, where he was variously occu- pied, doing whatever came to his hand that would furnish him with a liveli- hood until he could familiarize himself with his new surroundings. From Tomales he came to Sonoma county in 1888 and located near Bodega, and so satisfied was he with the outlook that he has made this his home ever since, a period of twenty-two years. Much of this time was employed in farming, an employment which he took up readily, for in his native land he had be- come familiar with farming as there conducted and he readily adapted his knowledge to the requirements in his new surroundings. Since 1905, how- ever. he has been superintendent of the Bodega Creamery Company's plant, an industry which has had considerable influence in placing this town on a sub- stantial commercial footing. That he is the right man for the place is evi- denced by his long retention in office, and under his management the plant has had a steady, prosperous growth.
In 1894 Mr. de Rezendes was united in marriage with Miss Emma Sepes. a native of California, and six children have been born of their marriage. Named in the order of their birth they are as follows: Mathew, William, Vic- tor. Anneta. Clara and Virginia. The eldest son has became self-supporting and is now employed in the saw-mill in Bodega; the three children next younger are pupils in the home school, while the others have as yet not at- tained school age. Mr. de Rezendes' father is deceased, but his mother is still living and a resident of California.
WILLIAM MOCK.
Among the pioneers of Sonoma county was the late William Mock, a man of scholarly attainments, highly gifted, cultured, refined and of esthetic tastes. Drawing was one of his particular accomplishments and his execution of plans, as well as portraits, has received the highest praise. His aim was "perfection in all things" as near as he was capable of making it and while in the army he
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
ranked the highest in workmanship. Throughout his useful, talented life any- thing that was worth doing at all, in his estimation was worth doing to the very best of his ability. Born March 24, 1811, he was one of seven brothers, four of whom came to Sonoma county, Cal., Charles, William, John L. and Wesley.
Mr. Mock received his primary education while living on the farm, and at the age of twenty-one years, he was appointed a cadet at the Military Academy at West Point, from which he was graduated in 1836. He then took part in the Seminole war in Florida, as second lieutenant, and was soon promoted to first lieutenant, serving in all five years, when he resigned and proceeded to Lafayette county, Mo. There he took up the pursuit of agriculture, and also held the office of county surveyor in the above county. In the year 1849, when the gold fever swept through the country, it found a willing victim in Mr. Mock. Resigning his position, he soon fell in line with the multitude that crossed the plains with ox-teams, and after many months of hardship, he arrived at Lassen's pass, two hundred miles north of Sacramento, November I, 1849. From there he went to the mines on Feather river, where he labored for three years with a goodly measure of success, investing his gains in one hun- dred and twenty-seven acres in Vallejo township, Sonoma county, about five miles from Petaluma. It was not long before Mr. Mock's ability in surveying became known and he was made surveyor of Sonoma county, during the years 1856 and 1857 surveying and establishing the present county line between Sonoma and Marin. He also held the office of magistrate of Vallejo township, during which time he surveyed and laid out the city of Healdsburg and named it in honor of Mr. Heald.
On May 25, 1858, Mr. Mock was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary B. Goodwin, born in Maine July 29, 1818. She was the widow of John T. Good- win, a native of Massachusetts, who came to California in 1853, and died three years later, in February, 1856. Too much cannot be said of the substantial and public spirited traits of character to which Mr. Mock was heir, nor can too much credit be given him for the benefits derived through his usefulness as a citizen and an upbuilder of the state. He and his beloved wife passed away on the same day, April 2. 1898, thus ending long and useful lives. Mr. Mock's adopted daughter, Mary Elizabeth Goodwin, who resided with him until his death, made his old age comfortable and serene. She is now the wife of Charles W. Lewis, of Petaluma.
ROCCO BASSI.
Switzerland has contributed a goodly number of representatives to the citizenship of California, and here, as is true of any country to which they go, they have brought those substantial qualities of thrift and industry that are the foundations of an ideal citizenship. This truth has been borne out in the life of Rocco Bassi, who came to Sonoma county, California, empty-handed in 1900 and in the years that have intervencd has become a large dairyman, is active and interested in the welfare of his community, and has the respect and good- will of all who are acquainted with him.
Born in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, June 24, 1881, Rocco Bassi is a son of Julio and Marina Bassi, the parents being natives and life-time resi-
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dents of Switzerland. Five children were born to these parents in their little home on the mountain-side, four sons and one daughter, as follows: Charles, Celesto, Rocco, Julia and Ben. With his brothers and sisters Rocco Bassi shared whatever of privileges and duties fell to the lot of others in their sta- tion of life, the father, like the majority of the citizens of the community in which they lived, being a farmer and dairyman. It was while working on the home farm in the daily round of duties that Rocco Bassi became convinced of the narrowness of his environment, a realization which was strengthened by the knowledge that many of liis countrymen had come to the United States and were acquiring fortunes as a result of their labors. The outcome of his discontent with conditions in his own country was his immigration to the United States in 1900, at which time he was nineteen years of age. Coming direct to Sonoma county, California, he sought and obtained work as a farm hand, by so doing earning means for his support, Icarning much of language and customs of the new country in which he has chosen to make his home. The ranch which he finally leased and upon which he now makes his home, is on Rural Route No. 3 from Petaluma, and consists of three hundred and twenty acres of choice land, upon which he makes a specialty of dairying, having fifty head of cows, in addition to a number of calves. He also has in his pasture eight head of fine horses, besides which he is fattening twenty-five hogs for the market. Altogether he has a very satisfactory and remunerative enter- prise under his name and control, which he realizes would not have been possi- ble had he remained in his native country, and while he still retains his old affection for his native land, he also has a growing fondness for his new home in California, and is grateful to the kind Fate that led his steps hither.
In Napa, California, Mr. Bassi was married in 1907 to Miss Dell Nonali, who was born in San Luis Obispo county, California, in 1889. One child, Jennie, has been born of their marriage. Both Mr. Bassi and his wife were reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church and they are communicants of the church of this faith in Petaluma. Politically he casts his vote for the candidates of the Republican party. He is fond of out-door sports of all kinds, particularly hunting and fishing, and as opportunity permits he indulges in these pastimes.
GIOVANNI CORDANO.
Probably no nationality of all those who are represented by the citizenship of California adjust themselves more readily to the conditions in their new sur- roundings than do the sons of Italy, finding here a climate so closely resembling that of their native land that a feeling of welcome and friendliness attracts and binds them to it instinctively. They are no less susceptible to the great difference between the two countries also, their own holding forth little to attract and hold her citizens, while here every man with a capacity for work has an opportunity, the counterpart of which can be found nowhere else upon the globe .-
Giovanni Cordano is one of those above referred to as having realized and appropriated the advantages of life in California. Born in Italy in 1846, he grew to the age of fourteen years under native skics, when a realization of the narrow- ness of the outlook in his own country induced him to grasp the opportunity to
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come to the new world and cast his lot in with others of his countrymen who were also planning to take the step. The voyage was accomplished in safety, the vessel landing at the eastern port of New York, where he remained for four years. He then came by way of the Isthmus to California, landing at San Fran- cisco, where a familiarity with the carpenter's trade gave him occupation for several years. It was about the year 1892 that he became owner and proprietor of the ranch upon which he now lives, on Rural Route No. 3 from Healdsburg. Here he has two hundred and forty acres of excellent land, of which fifteen acres are in prunes, nine acres in grapes, while the remainder of the land is in hay and pasture, seven head of live-stock now being raised and fattened for market. Mr. Cordano's returns from crops in the year 1909 amounted to $1,300 from prunes and $300 from grapes, which he considers a very satisfactory return for his labor.
The marriage of Giovanni Cordano in 1878 united him with one of his countrywomen in Miss Kate Creghino, and the following children, five sons and seven daughters, were born of their marriage: Joseph (deceased), Turney, Venie. Louis, Baptiste, Rosie, Mary, Daisy (deceased), Bonny, Millie, Mardie and Lillie. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church of Healdsburg, and politically Mr. Cordano is a Republican.
ARNOLD B. RIEBLI.
One of the native-born sons of Switzerland who has made a success of his life in Sonoma county, by indefatigable labors reaping a degree of success im- possible in the country of his birth, is Arnold B. Riebli, who has been a resi- dent of this country ever since he was nine and one-half years of age. He was born in the canton of Unterwalden in 1872, one of the four children born to his parents, J. B. and Regina (Conrads) Riebli, both of whom were also natives of Switzerland. The eldest daughter in the parental family, Nanetta, became the wife of Joseph Keechler and the mother of three children, Joseph, Lena and Bertie. The youngest daughter, Josephine, became the wife of Arnold Keecliler, and by him became the mother of two children, both daughters, Ethel and Edna. The only son in the family besides our subject was John, who married Josephine Keechler, by whom he has five children, John, Joseph, Emil, Edwin and Mary.
Arnold B. Riebli chose as his wife Miss Christina Miller, who like himself was a native of Switzerland. Three children have blessed their marriage, Arnold J., Anita and Irene.
Mr. Riebli came to the United States in 1883, at which time joining his parents, and therefore the greater part of his life has been passed in the lo- cality in which he now lives, for at the time of removal to this country the father came direct to California and settled in Sonoma county. On Rural Route No. 3 from Petaluma he owns a ranch of one hundred acres, from the proceeds of which he is able to supply all of the needs of himself and family. Not unlike many others of his countrymen, both here and in his native land, he is engaged in the dairy business, and though this is maintained by only seven cows, he still makes an excellent profit in the industry. The dairy business does not repre-
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sent the limit of his activities, for he is also engaged in raising chickens, three hundred chickens constituting an average flock. He is also the owner of three horses of high grade. Politically Mr. Riebli is a Republican, and with his family he is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church at Petaluma.
PETER FOGNINI.
Associations with scenes in Italy during the impressionable years of boy- hood gave Mr. Fognini a knowledge of the resources of that country, and when he came to California he was well qualified by experience to judge concern- ing the possibilities offered by this part of the world. Experience has proven to him that this is a desirable place in which to make a home, and equally desirable as a field in which to earn a modest competence in the midst of congenial sur- roundings.
Born in Italy October 8, 1874, he is the son of John Fognini, who was born in that country in 1838. The father was a farmer and dairyman by occupation, and it was along these lines that Peter received the practical experience that enabled him to adapt himself so readily to conditions that awaited him in the west. May I, 1891, is memorable as the day upon which he landed at San Francisco and from there he went to Marin county, where he was fortunate in finding work as a ranch hand. Altogether he remained in that county six years, thereafter com- ing to Sonoma county, and for the past four years has devoted his attention to the cultivation of the ranch upon which he now lives, comprising five acres not far from Petaluma. Here he makes a specialty of the poultry business, having six hundred chickens of excellent breed in his poultry yard at the present time. If circumstances permitted him to indulge a hobby he would be the possessor of numerous specimens of fine horse flesh, for he is a great lover of man's best friend, the horse. Besides the maintenance of his poultry yard Mr. Fognini also conducts a public house for the accommodation of the wayfarer, Laurel Hill Inn. this being located on the ranch on the Sonoma road. In politics Peter Fognini is a Republican. Personally he is respected as an honest. hard-working man, a good neighbor and citizen.
ALBINO A. LAFRANCHI.
Probably one of the youngest ranchers in the country around Petaluma is Mr. Lafranchi, but it would be hard to find one more devoted to the work which he has in hand or one whose prospects for future success hold forth greater promise. As the name might suggest, Mr. Lafranchi is a native of Switzerland, his birth occurring in the village of Coglio, Canton of Ticino, March 17, 1880. He remained with his parents apparently contented with his surroundings until he was sixteen years of age, and although then little more than a lad, he left the land of his birth and all that was familiar and dear to him to search for his fortune upon the Pacific coast of the United States. Time has proven that his venture was prompted by a kindly Fate and he has never ceased to be thank- ful that he lent an attentive ear to her guiding voice.
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Besides Albino A. Lafranchi the parental family included five children, three sons and two daughters, Massimino, Sylvio, Saraphino, Angiolina and Melania. The eldest son, Massimino, married Anna Nicklu, and they with their one child make their home in Alexander valley. Angiolina is also married, being the wife of Henry Delponte and the mother of four children. The parents were Peter and Madalina Lafranchi, born in Switzerland respectively in 1838 and 1851. For a number of years after his son located in Sonoma county the father also was a resident here, from 1898 until 1905, in the latter year returning to his native land. On a tract of two hundred acres of land near Petaluma which he leases from James Beffa, Mr. Lafranchi is giving expression to his knowledge of dairying and general farming, an undertaking which is proving satisfactory from every standpoint. Here he has a small but nevertheless flourishing dairy of thirty cows, besides six head of young dairy stock, four head of horses and six hundred chickens of the White Leghorn variety. With the progress which he has made in the comparatively short time that he has been in this country is proven conclusively that Mr. Lafranchi is a man who is bound to win under all circumstances, and by those who are associated with him as fellow ranchers his progress is watched with interest. In his political belief he is a Republican, and like his parents before him he is a believer in the teachings of the Roman Catholic faith.
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