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 51
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The present Mrs. Nay was before her marriage Mrs. Sarah J. Waters, and is the mother of one daughter, Mrs. Abbie M. Treadwell. Mr. Nay has for many years been prominent in the Odd Fellows, being a member of Petaluma Lodge No. 30, and has passed all the chairs in this organization. He is also a member of Silver Spray Lodge, D. of R., of Petaluma, which he served as first noble grand. He organized Petaluma Rebekah Lodge No. 226. Mrs. Nay is a prominent member of the order, being past noble grand of Silver Spray Rebekah Lodge, and also a member of Petaluma Lodge, in which she has passed all of the chairs. She assisted in the organization of Antietam Relief Corps, and was the first president, besides which she was a member of Erickson Woman's Re- lief Corps of Sebastopol.
In the evening of life's busy day Mr. Nay can look back with no regrets and forward without fear, for he has endeavored to live by the Golden Rule and has always done his share towards the upbuilding of Sonoma county and especially Petaluma.
JOHN C. SCOTT.
The opportunities offered by California to men of determination and per- severance find a fitting illustration in the life of John C. Scott, president of the J. C. Scott Hardware Company of Petaluma. Coming to the west alone. he has worked his way to a position of independence unaided, and among the residents of Petaluma he holds an honored place, and throughout Sonoma county his friends are numerous and stanch. A native of Ohio, he was born in the city of Columbus, April 20, 1833, the son of David and Mary L. (Mann) Scott, who were born in Pennsylvania and became pioneers of Franklin county, Ohio. The father was a participant in the war of 1812. John C. Scott con- tinued in his native surroundings until he was six years old, when the family removed to Indiana. From there they removed to Springfield, Ill., two years later, remaining there three years, when they made another removal that took them to Andrew county, Mo.
John C. Scott followed the family in their several changes of location, and by the time he had attained his majority he felt little timerity in undertaking the overland journey to the far west. Joining a party of twenty men they set out from St. Joseph, Mo., about April 20, 1854, driving four hundred head of cattle and a herd of fifty horses. The distance between the starting point and their destination was covered in a remarkably short time, August of 1854 bring- ing them to Mark West creek, in Sonoma county. Along Mark West creek they turned the cattle loose on the plains, and after they were fattened for market they brought good prices to the owners. At the end of two years Mr. Scott returned east by the water route, remaining one year, after which he became interested in mining near Denver, Colo., and from there went to Mis- souri and remained one year. All of his efforts had proved unsatisfying since his return from the far west, and he determined to return thither and take up his permanent abode. Coming to Petaluma at that time, about 1858, he estab- lished the nucleus of the business now conducted under the name of the J. C. Scott Hardware Company, and has maintained the business continuously ever since. A short respite from commercial life in Petaluma found him engaged
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in the stock business in Humboldt county, going there in 1869, but finally re- suming his hardware business in Petaluma. He still owns the ranch of forty- seven hundred acres at Alder Point, Humboldt county, where he is engaged in the sheep business, generally running about three thousand head of Merino sheep. This ranch he has incorporated as the Monte Vista Land Company, of which he is president. The ranch is known as the Monte Vista rancho, and is in charge of his son, Joseph M. Although Mr. Scott prefers to make his home and headquarters in Sonoma county, he is not unfamiliar with conditions in other portions of the state, especially in Humboldt county, where he has large real-estate holdings, besides which he owns a number of substantial busi- ness blocks and fine residences in Petaluma.
Near Petaluma, on January 1, 1864, Mr. Scott was united in marriage with Miss Louisa C. Bowles, and four children were born to them. The eldest of these, Louisa A., is the wife of C. W. Cramer, a resident of Humboldt county ; Minnie O. Howard is deceased; Joseph M., a rancher, is married and has one child, John C .; John A. is a resident of San Francisco. Mr. Scott is rich in the possession of five grand-children, whose growth and development he watches with fond pride. Politically he is a Democrat. He was made a Mason in Arcturus Lodge No. 180, F. & A. M., which was later consolidated with Petaluma Lodge No. 180.
THOMAS BARNEY MEEK, JR.
Until recently horticultural activities engaged Mr. Meek's attention exclu- sively, the place which he owns and formerly operated being a well-known farm lying on Mill creek near the city of Healdsburg in Mendocino township and comprising one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land, a portion being favorably located for fruit culture. A timber pasture contains three thousand cords of wood, and in addition there is a prairie pasture utilized by the stock on the ranch. Thirty acres are in a vineyard which in 1909 produced twenty-two tons of grapes of choice quality. In addition there are thirty acres in deciduous fruits, from which were sold in 1909 about nine tons of dried fruit. In the fall of 1910 Mr. Meek leased his interest in the ranch and located in Healdsburg, where he is now engaged in the cornucopia and ice-cream business.
Born at Cheyenne, Wyo., in 1885, Thomas Barney Meek is a son of Thomas B. and Augusta Ann (McClure) Meek, the former born in Kentucky in 1847, and the latter born in Indiana in 1845. By successive removals the father grad- ually worked his way to the west, going to Deadwood, S. Dak., in 1871, and from there to Wyoming, whence in 1894 he came to California and settled in Sonoma county. In his family there are eight children, namely: William E. (who married Alice Hall), John, Frederick, Thomas B., August A., Harry V., Mary E., and Tiny O., the last-named being the wife of R. W. Hawes and the mother of a son, Delbert Lyle Hawes. The primary education of Thomas Barney Meek was secured in Cheyenne schools and later he completed grammar-school studies in Sonoma county. After leaving school he began to work on a farm, and in a short time acquired the property which he now owns.
Upon establishing a home of his own Mr. Meek chose as his wife Miss Mar- garet Cavers, who was born in San Francisco, Cal., in 1889, and is a young
Mr & Mrs Peter young
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woman of excellent education and superior attainments. Two children bless their union, George Thomas and Roy Elmer. Mrs. Meek is of Canadian ancestry, hier father, George W. Cavers, having been born in that country, whence he came to the United States and now makes his home in Sonoma county. His marriage united him with Mrs. Anna (Lce) Thomas, who by her former marriage had four children, George, Bert, Amanda and May, while by her marriage with Mr. Cavers she had two daughters, Margaret and Anna. Amanda, a daughter born of the first marriage, is the wife of Frank Chaverria, and has one daughter, Frances. May is the wife of John Terry, of Healdsburg, and has three children, Elwood, Glenn and Mintie. It was always necessary for Mr. Mcek to devote his atten- tion closely to his land, in order that the best possible results might be secured therefrom ; hence he has not identified himself with public affairs and has taken no part in politics aside from voting the Republican ticket, yet he would be well qualified for official responsibilities bothi by intelligence and by loyal devotion to the welfare of the county. The only fraternal organization to which he has allied lin.self is the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being with Healdsburg Lodge No. 64, in the work of which he maintains a warm inter- est. Charitable projects have his sympathetic co-operation, and while he has not been identified with any religious denomination he has the utmost faith in their importance as uplifting factors to the human race, his interest manifesting itself in contributions to worthy movements along that line of progress.
PETER YOUNG.
Energetic, enterprising, public-spirited and honest, Peter Young is one of Alexander valley's prosperous ranchers, and enjoys in a marked degree the con- fidence and esteem of the entire community. Kind-hearted, liberal and generous to a fault, he has hosts of friends who appreciate his many virtues, and no opportunity for uplifting his fellowmen or improving conditions in his com- munity escapes his notice or fails to receive his support. A native of the east, Mr. Young was born in New York state June 8, 1834, representative of an old- time eastern family. He was about twenty-six years of age when by way of Pan- ama he made the voyage to the Pacific coast. After landing at San Francisco he joined his two brothers in Sonoma county, where they were engaged in the stock business. George and Michacl Young came to California in 1852, and for a time mined with fair success in Eldorado county. After a few years, how- ever, they came to Sonoma county and engaged in stock-raising, and here they lived the remainder of their lives, George dying in 1889, at the age of sixty- four, and Michael passing away some years later. After an association of sev- eral years with his brothers in the stock business Peter Young went to Oregon in 1862 and was interested in gold mining there for about one year.
After his mining experience in Oregon Mr. Young returned to New York state, remaining there variously engaged until early in the '70s, when he again came to California, this time to make it his permanent home. Coming direct to Sonoma county, he settled in Alexander valley and near Healdsburg pur- chased a ranch of two hundred and ten acres, then uncultivated and in no way
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suggesting the possibilities that have since been developed. Mr. Young at once bent his energies to clearing the land and preparing it for cultivation, and as soon as it was in condition, planted the nucleus of the fine prune orchard that is such a source of profit today. Altogether he now has forty acres in prunes alone, both new and old trees, and fourteen acres are now in bearing and yielding an annual output of thirty-five tons of dried fruit. Ninety acres are in pasture land, besides which he has a large acreage in hay and grain. Not only is Mr. Young an expert horticulturist, but he is also an experienced miner, his knowledge along this line making him an expert mining claim recorder, a posi- tion which he filled with acceptability in Sonoma county for many years.
In all of his efforts and undertakings Mr. Young has had the co-operation and encouragement of his wife, who was formerly Miss Rachel Kazenstein, a native of New York state. Named in the order of their birth the eight children born to them are as follows: George A .; Emma, the wife of J. W. Watson, of New York; Alice, the wife of William Peasley; Flora E., the wife of Thomas Meek, of Alexander valley; Clara, the wife of Fred Merry; Warner F .; Maynard; and Silas. Mr. Young has always exhibited a keen public spirit, and may be depended on to do all in his power to advance the material, moral and social interests of the community in which he has resided for so many years.
WILLIAM LOGAN TOMBS.
No incident connected with the boyhood years of Mr. Tombs stands out more vividly in his memory than the crossing of the plains when he was fourteen years of age. From the time of the discovery of gold the family had been deeply interested in tales concerning the vast undeveloped regions of the west, but it was not until 1856 that the opportunity came for migration hither. The old home had been in Missouri and he was born at St. Joseph, that state, in 1842, in child- hood attended the common schools and shared the recreations and play of his associates in the neighborhood familiar to his early recollections. Like the ma- jority of the southern families of that period, there were slaves owned by this family and upon the removal to California five were brought along, accompany- ing the father and mother, the two sons and two daughters. The tedious journey with wagons and oxen dragged its course toward completion and ended in safety with the arrival in the Santa Clara valley. Concerning the slaves it is worthy of note that three of them remained with the family until they died, another is now a resident of Healdsburg, while the fifth lives in San Francisco at this time.
Upon the completion of the studies of the San Jose grammar schools Mr. Tombs took up general ranching as his occupation, coming to Sonoma county during the autumn of 1857 and finding a sparsely settled region, containing only grants and government land, and having as residents as many Mexicans and Spaniards as Americans. For fourteen years he was identified with the manage- ment of thirty-four hundred acres of land and in that time he learned much con- cerning the care of stock and the details connected with agricultural activities. Next he embarked in the stock business for himself, purchasing eighteen hundred acres of land on the Wallala river and for twenty-nine years operating the same
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as a stock ranch. Meanwhile he experienced his share of joy and sorrow, of success and adversity, but prosperity did not elate nor discouragements daunt him. In every condition and environment he remained calm, steadfast and sanguine, with an unwavering optimistic faith in the future of his county and commonwealth.
The marriage of William Logan Tombs and Miss Jennie Sacry, a native of Missouri, was solemnized in 1866 and was a union of mutual helpfulness and happiness until the bond was severed by the death of the wife in 1893 at the family residence in Healdsburg. One child had preceded her in death, passing away in infancy. The surviving daughter, Nellie, married Robert Mason. The father and mother of Mr. Tombs died in Sonoma county and their remains were interred amid scenes familiar to their later years. His list of kindred is now small in the west, but in partial recompense for the lack of nearer ties he enjoys the warm friendship of those who have known him since pioneer days as well as the deep regard of the younger generation now entering upon life's activities. His declining days, therefore, do not represent a period of isolation, but the fruition of an existence of honorable toil, generous deeds and uncounted kind- nesses.
The Democratic party has received the ballot of Mr. Tombs ever since he attained his majority. When he was in his prime he maintained a deep interest in public affairs and even now few men in his town are better posted than he concerning national problems. During 1891-92 he held the office of deputy sheriff. At the expiration of his term of service he returned to his ranch and resumed the raising of stock for the markets. Again in the fall of 1898 he was chosen deputy under the then sheriff, Frank P. Grace, of Santa Rosa, and for eight years he filled the office with credit to himself and with an absolute fearless- ness that commanded universal respect. When the eight years had ended he re- signed his position and in January of 1907 came to his fine little farm near Healds- burg, where ever since he has given close attention to horticultural pursuits. The homestead comprises seventeen and three-tenths acres, of which eight acres is under cultivation to prunes, a few acres to other fruits and the balance in alfalfa, thus forming a farm whose every foot is made to produce an income for the owner in return for his wise oversight and scrupulous care.
GEORGE TYLER TROWBRIDGE.
In its lineage the Trowbridge family claims descent from a long line of English ancestors, and the great-grandfather of George Tyler Trowbridge was for many years a cotton manufacturer in Trowbridge, Worcestershire, England. After his immigration to the United States he settled in Massachusetts, where, at Trowbridge, he founded and carried on the cotton mills with which his name was associated for so many years, and which after his demise were owned and op- erated by his son. The son of the latter was George O. Trowbridge, who in his earlier years was a manufacturer of iron in the east and who in 1835 went to Wisconsin and established a foundry and machine shop in Sheboygan. Subse- quently he engaged in the same business in Fond du Lac, but the panic of 1873
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made it necessary for him to discontinue the business. For five years thereafter he continued in the middle west, but in 1878 he determined to come to California, and that same year found him located in Oakland. There he established one of the oldest business enterprises in that city, the Oakland Iron works, which he sold after running it for a few years. From Oakland he came to Sonoma county, and near Windsor was interested in horticulture throughout the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1905. At his death he left a widow, Louise (Tyler) Trowbridge, a native of Kentucky, and the daughter of John Tyler, a native of Virginia and an early settler of Kentucky, where his daughter was born. John Tyler was a near relative of President Tyler. Mrs. Louise Trowbridge is still living, making her home in Santa Rosa, at the age of seventy-six years.
Five children comprised the family of George O. and Louise (Tyler) Trow- bridge, of whom three are now living. George Tyler was the eldest of the num- ber and was born while his parents were living in Sheboygan, Wis. His earliest educational training was in the German language, two years being passed in German schools before entering the public schools of Fond du Lac. Upon the completion of his high school training he began his business career at the age sixteen years by accepting the position of bookkeeper and interpreter in the Savings Bank of Fond du Lac, a position which he filled acceptably for four years. Accompanying the family to California in 1878, he was for a time in the employ of Senator Sharon, subsequently for one year with S. B. Whipple as bookkeeper, after which he held the same position with the California Boiler works and a year later became a one-third partner in the business. In 1882 he sold his interest and came to Sonoma county, purchasing a ranch at Windsor, which he improved by setting out an orchard of apples, pears, prunes and grapes. Later he subdivided the property and sold it out, one of the purchasers of this property being W. P. Hammond, now a wealthy dredge owner of Butte county. Mr. Trowbridge continued the buying and selling of ranches until 1893, when he became manager of the sale of the Cotati ranch, cutting it up into small tracts and disposing of it, and he takes pride in the fact that this has since become one of the best improved sections of Sonoma county.
After locating in Santa Rosa Mr. Trowbridge became associated with W. D. Reynolds (now president of the Santa Rosa Bank) in land speculation, among the tracts which they purchased and laid out being the Trowbridge and Reynolds subdivision of part of the Rincon Heights addition, and later on he laid out the Trowbridge and Doyle addition to Santa Rosa. Mr. Trowbridge's operations have not been confined to this immediate locality, but have extended all over the county, and at the present time he is operating a ranch in Rincon valley and two in Sebastopol. In partnership with Alexander B. Hill he owns five thousand acres of land in the Sacramento valley, located between Sacra- mento and Marysville, all of which is under cultivation to grain and alfalfa. Numerous as are the interests already mentioned they do not cover the activi- ties which have engaged Mr. Trowbridge's time and thought. Altogether he has huilt some twenty-five residences in Santa Rosa, secured the location of the National Ice Company's plant for this place, and since 1906 has erected about thirty residences and business buildings in Oakland, and in which he is still interested to a large extent. Last but not least, he has been much interested
FC Lauritzen
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in raising full blooded Jersey cattle, and has accumulated a lierd that took first prize at fairs all over the state. On his ranch may also be seen fine specimens of standard-bred horses which he has raised.
In Oakland was celebrated the marriage of George T. Trowbridge an Miss Emma Flint, a native of Santa Rosa and the daughter of E. P. Flint, of the firm of Peabody & Co., formerly of Boston, Mass., and the oldest mer- chants in California. Nine children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge, as follows: Mabel, Mrs. Dohn, of Santa Rosa; Grace, Mrs. Mc- Christian, of Sebastopol; Alice, Mrs. Scott, of Santa Rosa; Lloyd, in the em- ploy of Wells Fargo & Co. at Los Angeles; Harold and Edward George, ranch- ing in Sutter county; Bessie, Florence and Wilbur, the three last mentioned still at home. Fraternally Mr. Trowbridge is a Mason of the Knight Templar degree, a member of Islam Temple, N. M. S., of San Francisco, Elks and Woodmen of the World, besides which he is a member of the Grange, Sonoma County Horticultural Society (of which he was one of the founders) and is an active member of the State Fruit Growers' Association. For five years he was the Sonoma county representative of the State Board of Trade.
JEPPE C. LAURITZEN.
In Hjerndrup, Denmark, Jeppe C. Lauritzen was born August 21, 1848, a son of Hans C. and Kathrina Lauritzen, the former being a farmer. Mr. Lauritzen received his education in the public schools of Denmark, and in com- pany with his brother Christian he came to America in the year 1866, going to Humboldt county, Cal., where he engaged in the sheep raising business, conducting the same for a number of years with success. In 1875 he made a trip to Denmark to visit his home, but realizing more than ever the higher advantages and the better opportunities of America, he soon returned and con- tinued in his former business. In May. 1884, the brothers came to Sonoma county with their flock of sheep and later sold them in San Francisco. J. C. Lauritzen then located in Petaluma, and with his brother Christian bought the Centennial building, and they engaged in the livery business and also the butcher business. In 1888 the brothers sold the Centennial building and purchased a ranch of eight hundred and forty acres at Reclamation, where they engaged in general farming, raising hay and grain, and continuing on the place until 1899, since which time they have leased it. In 1899 J. C. Lauritzen located in San Rafael, Marin county, where he died October 21, 1900. He was a school trus- tee for the Rose Hill district. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of Petaluma Lodge No. 180, F. & A. M., and he was also a member of the U. A. O. D. Politically he gave his support to the Re- publican party.
Mr. Lauritzen was married in Petaluma September 18, 1884, to Miss May Claassen, a native of Germany, born on the Isle of Sylt, a daughter of Jens P. Claassen, a cabinet maker by trade. For seven years he was in Australia, after which he came to San Francisco, Cal., and in 1858 located in Petaluma. Some years afterward, in 1875. he brought his family here and commenced farming, and later purchased a ranch and added to it until he held one hundred and
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eighty acres. Here he died on December 6, 1906, at the age of eighty-six years, Mrs. Lauritzen's mother, Inken Klein, was also born on the Isle of Sylt, in 1830, and still resides at theold home place near Petaluma, Cal. She had two children, but only one, Mrs. Lauritzen, is now living. Mrs. Lauritzen was brought up and educated in Germany, and on July 8, 1875, she came to Peta- luma. After her husband's death she located in Petaluma, and in 1907 she built a new residence on the old Claassen place, where she has a comfortable home. She has four sons, John, Hans C., C. I. and Lewis. These sons have been given splendid educations and a home training that must prove of inestimable value as they take their place in the world's activities. Mrs. Lauritzen possesses many fine traits of character which have won for her the esteem and respect of all with whom she is acquainted.
GEORGE WASHINGTON LAYMANCE.
A man of marked ability, enterprise and foresight, George W. Laymance occupies a position of importance among the substantial and well-to-do citizens of Healdsburg. Interested in mining throughout his entire life, he has experi- enced the fluctuating career of those who follow that life, meeting with pros- perity and with discouraging reverses, winning and losing fortunes in different ventures. Beginning at the foot of the ladder of attainments, he has, however, finally surmounted all obstacles, and by earnest toil and persistency of purpose has risen to a position of influence and independence.
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