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 46
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a great disparity, he being twenty-one years her senior, but nevertheless their union was one of continued bliss and happiness. Both lived to good old ages, and after his death she survived only a few years, passing away at the age of seventy-nine.
Thirteen children were born to this couple, of whom the eighth child was Mariano G. Vallejo, the subject of this sketch, who was born July 7, 1808, in the old town of Monterey, Cal. During his boyhood the facilities for obtaining an education were exceedingly meagre, and after complaint had been made to the Mexican governor, Professor Azpiroz was sent from Mexico to become public instructor at Monterey. It was due to the invaluable assistance of the latter that Mariano Vallejo was able to lay the good foundation for the broad, deep knowledge that he later acquired. Not only was his mind capable of acquiring knowledge quickly, but once acquired it was never forgotten, his mind to the last being a perfect store-house of facts that had been utterly for- gotten by his contemporaries. Far from being a recluse, he yet had a most tender affection for his books, and was never so happy as when poring over one of his beloved volumes. All of his reading was along practical lines, and he sought to put into practice the lessons which he learned thereby. Even more than was his father, he was destined to come into prominence as a man of power in his community, and he bravely and courageously accepted the duties as they came to him, and handled them with a master hand. At the age of sixteen years he took his place in the ranks of the standing army of Mexico, and at the same time held the responsible position of private secretary to the governor. It was while filling this position that he had the honor of drawing up the articles of capitulation that acknowledged the surrender of Spanish forces to the Mexican government. Military leadership was strongly marked in the make-up of the young soldier, and upon attaining his majority he was put in command of the presidio of San Francisco. Upon the deposition of Governor Chico in 1836 Vallejo's popularity with the people placed him in the gubernatorial chair. He accepted the appointment, but immediately turned the reins of civil authority over to Alvarado, president of the territorial deputation, he himself retaining control of the military forces.
The first town laid out in California north of the bay of San Francisco was Sonoma, and General Vallejo established the lines and boundaries alone with the aid of a pocket compass. As early as 1838 he had brought from the city of Mexico a complete printing outfit, by means of which he reached his people through published addresses. He was an indefatigable worker, and it is said that he himself set the type, worked the press, bound the pamphlets and distributed them with his own hands.
His control as director of colonization extended over a great area of country that has since become one of the most productive agricultural districts in the state. This was known as the Petaluma rancho, including Petaluma, Vallejo, Vacaville and Santa Rosa, and here he inaugurated an agricultural industry that he little dreamed would assume the magnificent proportions that prevail today. The young settlement flourished under the leadership of Vallejo, who though born to military life, took gracefully to agriculture and stock-rais- ing, and at considerable expense brought horses and cattle from the southern country, from which grew the large herds which he owned.
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In 1852 after his vineyard was well established, General Vallejo began the erection of the house in which he was to spend his last days. The lumber for this mansion was hauled by teams from Vallejo; the brick was brought from the Sandwich Islands, and the marble mantle-pieces were purchased in Hono- lulu. Even at $17 a day it was difficult to get carpenters to carry forward the work. It is estimated that the house cost $50,000. The grounds were in keep- ing with the residence, orange, lemon and evergreen trees being planted, and two magnificent marble fountains added further beauty to the lawns. In grati- fication of an extravagant whim he sent to Germany for a large pavilion made of bamboo, iron and glass. This he erected at Lachryma Montis as a summer house for his children, entailing an expenditure of $80,000. All that now re- mains of this beautiful piece of architecture are the pillars, in the form of battle-axes, which now serve as posts for the fence that surrounds the private property. Here in the midst of luxurious surroundings the later years of General Vallejo were passed quietly, although he was constantly sought to take part in public and upbuilding measures. For several years he was treasurer of the State Horticultural Society and for many years was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, of which he was the oldest representative.
Although at one time a man of vast wealth, General Vallejo died a poor man. He owned the homestead at Sonoma and the Pajaro ranch in Monterey county, inherited from his father, but aside from these he had nothing. Inci- dents of his great generosity were numerous and were the cause of the great lessening in his fortunes.
General Vallejo's marriage united him with Francisca Benicia Carrillo, who was born in San Diego, Cal., of Spanish ancestry, and died January 30, 1891. Sixteen children were born of their union. Andronico died in infancy ; the second child to bear the name of Andronico died after reaching maturity ; Epifania G. became the wife of Gen. John B. Frisbie; Adela R., deceased, be- came the wife of L. C. Frisbie, M. D .; Natalia became the wife of Attila Haraszthy ; Plutarco died in infancy ; Platon was a physician of Vallejo; Guada- lupe died in infancy : Jovita married Arpad Haraszthy; Uladislao E. was the next in order of birth; Benicia died in infancy; Plutarco, the second of that name, also died in infancy : Napoleon P. was the next child; Benicia, the second of that name, died young; Louisa is the widow of R. Emparan; and Maria is the wife of Harry Cutter.
One of General Vallejo's younger children, Mrs. Louisa Emparan, was born at her present home, Lachryma Montis, in the town of Sonoma, where she now owns about three hundred acres of her father's old homestead. She is the widow of Ricardo R. de Emparan, a native of Mexico, and at one time consul to San Diego, and later holding this appointment at San Francisco. He died in Mexico in June, 1902, leaving besides his wife three children. Anita, the wife of A. M. Thomson, M. D., of Sonoma, Carlos and Raoul.
GLENN E. MURDOCK.
Deservedly popular in his community, Glenn E. Murdock sustains the good opinion which he has won through the evidence of many worthy attributes in the past and in the present fulfilling the high expectations which his friends have cherished in regard to his future. He is now occupying the position of county
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treasurer of Sonoma county, an office which, through re-election, he has held since 1902. The manner in which he discharges his duties has won the com- mendation of the citizens of the county, especially that of the members of the Republican party. of which he is a stanch and loyal adherent, and through whose influence he was chosen to the position.
Not only is Mr. Murdock a native son of the Golden state, but he is also a native of the city and county in which he now resides, having been born in Santa Rosa, August 1, 1874. He is a son of Lewis A. and Mary (Mize) Murdock, the father a native of Ohio, born near Cincinnati, and the mother a native of Wisconsin. In his native state the father was reared to manhood, but when the gold discovery in California caused such widespread interest throughout the length and breadth of the land he was filled with a new and strange interest in this Pacific commonwealth, and determined to take his chances with the thousands of others who were coming to the west. . The voyage was made by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and from the metropolis, where the vessel landed, he made his way to the Sacramento valley, settling at Knight's Landing in the early '50s. Prospecting and mining he followed with fairly good success, combining this with farming until removing to Sonoma county about the year 1870. Here, just north of Santa Rosa, he purchased a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, near where the county farm now is. Here he carried on ranching successfully throughout the remainder of his life, or for about thirty-six years, his death occurring February 22, 1906. He was a Mason in high standing in the various branches of the order, including the blue lodge, chapter, commandery and Eastern Star, and he also belonged to the Amaranths. Five children were born of the marriage of Lewis A. and Mary (Mize) Murdock, three now living as follows: Ella, who became the wife of W. C. Rodgers, of Santa Rosa; Glenn E. ; and Edna, a public school teacher in Santa Rosa.
Primarily educated in the public schools of Santa Rosa, Glenn E. Murdock followed this training by a course in the State University at Berkeley, from which institution he graduated in 1897. Thereafter he put his recently acquired knowl- edge to account in accepting a position as instructor of English and history in the Healdsburg schools, following this some time later by becoming principal of the high school of Sonoma. He had occupied this position but one year when his fellow-citizens showed their appreciation of his ability for public office by electing him to the office of county treasurer in 1902, a position which he has con- tinued to hold through re-election, which is undeniable evidence of his ability and of satisfaction on the part of his constituents that they made no mistake in their choice of a candidate for this important office. In addition to his public duties he also maintains the old homestead ranchi near Santa Rosa, besides which he is one of the directors of the Santa Rosa bank.
Mr. Murdock's marriage, which occurred June 1, 1904, united him with Miss Abby P. Elliot, one of his class-mates in the Santa Rosa high school and also in the State University, and who prior to her marriage was a member of the high school faculty of Ukiah, Mendocino county. She was a daughter of William R. Elliot, formerly a resident of Santa Rosa, but latterly of Ukiah, where his death occurred. He and his wife, the latter now a resident of Santa Rosa, were pioneer settlers in the Guerneville district. and throughout his life in the west Mr.
GOV. Whittaker
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Elliot was a well-known lumberman. As was his father before him, Mr. Mur- dock is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Sotoyome Lodge of Healdsburg, and the Eastern Star, is secretary of the Royal Arch Chapter of Santa Rosa, and also holds membership in the commandery and Scottish Rite and the Court of Amaranth. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Santa Rosa Masonic Hall Association. Among his associates Mr. Murdock enjoys the confidence born of well-applied industry, personal integrity, and de- votion to the welfare of his home town and county.
GEORGE NAPOLEON WHITAKER.
Characteristics of four of the sturdiest nations of the globe contributed to the well-being of this pioneer settler of California, English, Welsh, German and Irish, a harmonions blending of which made it possible for California to write the name of George N. Whitaker in the list of her upbuilders and progressive citizens. Some time previous to the Revolutionary war the great grandfather, John Whitaker, had left England for the new world. making settlement in North Carolina, and in the conflict between the Mother Country and the colonies he took sides with the latter, rendering valiant service as a member of a cavalry company. His marriage united him with a native of Wales, who had come to this country in her girlhood. The maternal great- grandfather, James Phillips, was a native of Germany, who upon immigrating to the United States settled in Pennsylvania and there reared his family. One of the sons of this immigrant was James Phillips, who figured in the war of 1812. His marriage united him with a woman of Irish ancestry who had come to the United States with her parents in girlhood.
The immediate progenitors of George N. Whitaker were John Mc and Jane C. (Phillips) Whitaker, both of whom were born in Clermont county, Ohio. Though born and reared in Ohio, much of the early married life of the parents was passed in Indiana, and there it was, in Door Prairie, that the birth of George N. occurred July 27, 1834. When he was a child of two years the family home was transferred to Iowa, the crossing over the Father of Waters being made at Fort Madison, on the ice in January. Settlement was made in Van Buren county on Lick creek, the creek being so named for a large deer lick at its union with the Des Moines river. Iowa was then a territory, in- habited almost entirely by Indians, and in this frontier country the father split rails and erected a rail pen in which to house his family for the remainder of the winter, 1836-37. Grass was stuffed between the rails to keep out the snow and wind as much as possible, but in spite of the most ingenious efforts on the part of the mother the children suffered with the intense cold of that memorable winter. Charles Bogart and family had accompanied the Whitakers to Iowa and they also made settlement on Lick creek, the two families comprising the only white people between that point and Fort Madison (forty miles), where they had to go for provisions. The settlement was located only twenty-six miles east of the Indian Territory line, in fact Indians were the nearest neighbors of the two white families. Their visits were welcomed rather than feared by the newcomers, for they were friendly and peaceable and the boys and girls were able to understand and speak the Indian language in a short time.
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Directly east of the camp where the family had passed the first winter the father took up a quarter section of land from the government and began its cultivation. With the passing of years he lived to see this once wild, unin- habited country the populous and prosperous country which it later became. School facilities were conspicuous by their absence, but as the little settlement grew the settlers banded together in an effort to provide instruction for their children, the parents up to this time teaching the children in their homes. A log school house was built for the accommodation of the children, and there they diligently conned their lessons during the three or four months of winter that the school was in session. The expense of the teacher's salary was borne by the parents and the teacher "boarded around" among the families. While he was still very young George N. Whitaker was of great assistance to his father in the maintenance of the home farm, and year after year found him doing his duty faithfully in this respect during the summer months, while dur- ing the winters he attended school. It was while engaged in the daily round of duties on the farm that he became interested in California through the reports of the finding of gold, and his homely duties were thereafter performed with less interest. Finally, when he was eighteen years of age, he and an older brother, W. S. Whitaker, and William Robison, set out from Iowa to cross the plains, in the summer of 1853. and July 25 they ended their long journey at Sacramento.
No serious mishap befell the young travelers at the hands of the Indians, although the year of 1853 was especially disastrous to emigrants. The Sioux Indians were on the warpath and as they owned all of the territory from the Missouri river to the Rocky mountains and from the Texas border as far north as Canada, it may be well understood why travelers took their lives in their hands when they attempted to cross the broad plains. The six hundred miles through the Indian territory was attended by many dangers, but young Whit- aker and his brother had lived among the Indians all of their boyhood lives and were not readily frightened by the approaches of the dusky foe. In fact, Mr. Whitaker said that only once throughout the entire journey did he experi- ence the least uneasiness, this happening along the Platte river about one hun- dred miles below Fort Laramie. It was the custom for the leader of the train to ride ahead during the latter part of the day to locate the camp for the night, selecting a good watering place and where there was also plenty of feed for the cattle. The captain of the party, Mr. Fordyce, had followed the usual custom on the day of this incident, but he had been gone only a short time when the party was startled to see horsemen riding rapidly toward them. As the riders drew nearer to the train they were recognized as the captain and nine Sioux In- dians. They stopped at once, and every man who could leave his team went for his gun. Riding up to his companions Fordyce said: "Boys, get around these redskins, but don't shoot, they practically gave in to captivity." They were made to dismount, stack their bows and arrows and were kept closely guarded. The wagons were corralled and the teams were turned across a slough that made an island between the mainland and the river and forming an ideal place in case of danger. The animals belonging to the Indians were turned in with the other stock. The redmen were given all the food they desired and were treated kindly by their captors, but care was taken to keep their bows and
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arrows out of their reach. With the approach of bed-time the captain said : "Boys, see that your guns are all right, as you may have use for them tonight." The Indians were made to lie down in their blankets and two trusty guards were placed over them to see that none escaped. With the dawn of the morning everyone in camp was up, asking each other how they had slept, and it was found that no one had had a wink of sleep, and from appearances it was safe to presume that the Indians had passed a wakeful night also. During the night one of the Indians arose and attempted to follow the guards, but he was ordered back to bed and no further trouble was given from that score. A hearty breakfast was provided the redmen and after finishing their meal they were allowed to prepare for the mount with their blankets instead of saddles. Careful guard was kept over them until they were ready to start, then Captain Fordyce and several others shook hands with them, gave them their bows and arrows and then gave the sign to mount. The Indians and the cmigrants started on the march together, but the former struck out into the open country, without road or path, apparently in no hurry however, for as far as the travelers could see they walked their animals. All of the Indians had very fine looking Amer- ican horses except one, who had a large mule, the rider of the latter being a fine-looking half-breed who it was thought could speak English, as he seemed to be the spokesman of the band. Mr. Whitaker distinctly recalled the inci- dents of this overland journey and of the many experiences of his long life, singled out the summor of '53 as the most enjoyable.
As has been stated the party arrived in Sacramento July 25, after which for two weeks Mr. Whitaker worked on the dairy ranch of an older brother, three miles south of that city. At the end of this time, the cattle having rested from the long trip across the plains, George N. and W. S. Whitaker and Mr. Robison came to Sonoma county, near Tomales, where another of the Whitaker brothers resided, and here the party remained until the setting in of the rainy season. George N. and W. S. ("Win" as he was familiarly known) then set out for the inines of Eldorado county, at Drytown, covering the entire distance on foot, and in the following spring they were joined by Mr. Robison, the three theni going to Grizzly Flat. It was while in the first mentioned place that G. N. suf- fered with an attack of chills and fever, finally removing to Drytown, and as soon as he was able, undertook work on a vegetable ranch, in so doing acting on the advice of a physician. In the fall, however, he was able to return to Grizzly Flat and resume mining operations with his brother and Mr. Robison. Altogether he remained in the west about three years, July of 1856 finding him on his way to Iowa in company with his brother and friend, the trip being made by way of Panama to New York City.
Soon after his return from the west Mr. Whitaker was united in mar- riage with Miss Elmira E. Day, the ceremony being performed October 28. 1856. Mrs. Whitaker is a native of Ohio, her birth occurring in Hamilton county April 13. 1836. After their marriage the young people settled down on a farm in Iowa, and for about six years Mr. Whitaker diligently tilled the soil with apparent content. Another attack of the western fever seized him at this time and in 1863 he again set out for the west, accompanied by the brother who made the journey ten years previously and by his wife and three children. The journey was made overland with mule teams, and settlement was first made
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in San Luis Obispo county. It was Mr. Whitaker's original intention to embark in the sheep business, but the plan failed of fulfillment through inability to find suitable range land. Land at that time was held in large Spanish grants, the owners of which were unwilling to sell parts of the tracts, and the settlers were few indeed who could at that time satisfy their longings to become land owners. George N. soon afterward came to Sonoma county to locate, but his brother W. S. continued to make his home in San Luis Obispo county throughout the remainder of his life. For a time after locating in Sonoma county G. N. Whit- aker made his home on rented property, but November, 1866, marked the date of his purchase in Bennett valley, and throughout the remainder of his life there was no indication of a desire on his part to locate elsewhere. The original purchase of one hundred and sixty acres was added to from time to time as it was possible to do so, until he finally owned four hundred and forty acres of fine land all in one body. Probably no resident of Sonoma county was more deserv- . ing of credit for the firm and steady advance along agricultural and horticultural lines than George N. Whitaker, and as an evidence of the esteem in which his opinion was held on these subjects it is sufficient to state that for twenty-two years he was statistical correspondent for the agricultural department at Wash- ington, D. C. To him also belonged credit for the organization of the Sonoma County Farmers Club, an organization composed of live, thoroughgoing ranch- ers like himself, and the result of their co-operation was the means of spreading enthusiasm and raising the agricultural standard of the county. For forty-two years his slogan was "apples and prunes, apples and fruit and apples and co- operation," and in his later years he enjoyed the results of his long-standing convictions in seeing Sonoma county take her rightful place as one of Cali- fornia's rich agricultural centers.
No history of the life of Mr. Whitaker would be complete without mention of his deep interest in the Grange movement, and his connection therewith may be read in detail in an article entitled "Farmers Organizations" to be found in the history section of this volume. The first harvest feast was held at his home, and everything on the bill of fare was produced on his ranch, and served at the tables by his wife. The deputy organizer at the conclusion of the feast de- clared he was "too full for utterance," but nevertheless made known his senti- ments to the effect that it was no "imaginary dinner" and offered a toast that Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker were the "largest, whole-souled grangers in the state." For many years Mr. Whitaker was chairman and secretary of the Sonoma County Farmers Club, president and secretary of the Sonoma County Horticul- tural Society, holding these offices also in the local Farmers Alliance and the County Alliance, besides which in the Bennett Valley Grange he served as sec- retary for nine years, master two terms and treasurer eight years. In the Pomona Grange he held the office of master for two years, secretary for eight years, and was the efficient treasurer for fifteen years. After having served as a member of the executive committee of the State Grange for eight years he declined re-election to office, although to the end of his life he still retained his old-time interest in the movement which had been dear to his heart for so many years. At the time of his death, June 22. 1911, he was the only charter member of Pomona Grange, one of three of Bennett Valley Grange, and as
Wesley Mock
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