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 57
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Next to the youngest of the children in the parental family, Leopold Martin was born on the Marin county homestead May 26, 1873, and received his edu- cation in local schools and at Santa Clara College and Heald's Business College, from which he was graduated in 1892. In the selection of a vocation in life he wisely chose the one with which he was familiar from childhood and the one in which his father had made such a notable success. He now resides on the old homestead and is engaged in the dairy business. Seventy-five cows con- tribute to the maintenance of the dairy, besides which he owns several head of young stock and seven high-grade horses, and also raises hogs to some ex- tent. Some idea of Mr. Martin's success as a dairyman may be gathered from the statement that each cow averages an annual income of $50. The dairy industry and its allied stock interests, however, do not represent the total of Mr. Martin's activities, for he is also an extensive chicken-raiser, having in his yard at the present time six hundred chickens of the Leghorn breed.
Before her marriage Mrs. Martin was Marie Zanini, who was born in Maggia, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, in 1870, the daughter of Louis and Johanna (Quanchi) Zanini, who were also natives of that country, born in 1822 and 1830 respectively. The father is now deceased, but the mother is still living at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Martin has been a resident of California since
Conrad. Pollmann
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1891, and her marriage occurred September 15, 1897. Four children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Martin, Elfo, Marie, Emeline and Estella, all of whom are receiving the best advantages for an education that it is in the power of their devoted parents to bestow. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church at Petaluma, and in his political preferences Mr. Martin is a Republican. In 1906 Mr. and Mrs. Martin made a trip to Switzerland, be- sides that country also visiting Italy, France and Germany, and after a stay of two years returned to their home in California in 1908.
CONRAD POEHLMANN.
The honesty and whole-heartedness of the predominating class of our early settlers is nowhere better exemplified than in Conrad Poehlman, a well-known retired citizen of Petaluma. Now in his seventy-eighth year, he is still vigorous and kindly, adhering firmly to the highest moral principles, and is a typical example of the noblemen of the west, whose efforts along all lines of activity have wrought such wonders in Sonoma county. As the name might suggest, Mr. Poehlmann comes of German antecedents, and he himself is a native of the Fatherland, his birth occurring in Bavaria in 1833. The son of honest, God- fearing parents, he early in life had instilled into his mind the necessity for ad- hering to a high moral standard in all circumstances of life, and the training becoming a principle with him has undoubtedly been the keynote of the success which has followed him through life.
When his school days were over Conrad Poehlmann entered his father's butcher shop and learned the trade thoroughly, and the knowledge of the butcher's trade was his chief asset when, in 1851, at the age of eighteen years, he came to the new world to begin his independent career. An uneventful voyage on the Atlantic ocean brought him to the port of New York in due time, and as his funds were about exhausted he soon sought work at his trade in the metropolis. Altogether he remained in New York for five years, in the mean- time familiarizing himself with the language and customs of his new home and laying aside from his earnings whatever was not needed for necessities. In 1855 he set sail for Panama on the steamer John L. Stevens, and upon reach- ing the Pacific side of the Isthmus, re-embarked upon another vessel that fi- nally brought him to his destination, San Francisco. Here he found an oppor- tunity awaiting him in the establishment of a wholesale slaughter house, a busi- ness which he maintained with success for two years, handling Spanish cattle almost exclusively.
Coming to Petaluma at the close of his experience in the metropolis, Mr. Poehlmann readily perceived the need of a well-stocked butcher shop in the thriving town, and the one which he then established in partnership with his brother Martin is still in existence and doing a flourishing business, although both of the proprietors have retired from active business. The business was started on a modest scale, and was increased in size as the growth of trade de- manded, the quality of meats handled always giving it the first place among the markets of the town. The brothers were amicably and profitably associated for many years, when, in 1880, Martin retired from the firm, and although Conrad
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Poehlmann has not been actively connected with the business since 1909, he is still financially interested in the business, which is now being conducted by his nephew, Henry J. Poehlmann. Personal affairs have not absorbed the entire attention of Mr. Poehlmann since he took up his citizenship in Petaluma, but on the other hand he has entered actively into the upbuilding of the community and not a little of its growth in various directions may be attributed to his leadership or co-operation. At the present time he is a director of the Petaluma Savings Bank, and at one time was a member of the board of trustees of the town, on which he served for two terms.
Mr. Poehlmann's marriage in 1902 united him with Miss Kate Sclileicher, who like himself was born in the Fatherland. Fraternally he is well known in Masonic circles and also in the Odd Fellows order, being the oldest member of the latter organization in Petaluma. His first vote after becoming a citizen of the United States was for Abraham Lincoln, and every national election since that time has received the benefit of his Republican vote, although in local elections he has cast his vote for the man best fitted for the office in question, regardless of the party which he represented. Personally Mr. Poehlmann is known as a broad-minded, progressive and public-spirited citizen, with the best interests of his fellow-citizens at heart. He owns considerable choice real- estate in Petaluma, among which is his fine residence at No. 319 Third street.
WILLIAM H. EARLY.
Among the younger members of the bar of Sonoma county the name of William H. Early occupies a position of prominence. Not only has he been con- spicuous as a practitioner in the law, but he has been honored on more than one occasion by election or appointment to posts of honor and trust. The first of these was his appointment as city attorney of Petaluma in 1906, and following the completion of his first term he was elected to the office without opposition. Other honors came to him in 1910, when he was selected as the Republican can- didate for the office of district attorney, than whom it is generally conceded no one could have been chosen whose qualifications equalled those possessed by Mr. Early.
A native of California, William H. Early was born in Yuba county February 6, 1882, and spent his early life upon his father's ranch in that county. The free, outdoor life which was his during his boyhood gave him a good start in life physically and undoubtedly has been the secret of his great power of endur- ance. During his youth the family residence was transferred to San Francisco, and still later to Petaluma, and in both of these places he attended school, the greater part of his common school training, however, having been received in his home town of Petaluma. Naturally ambitious and eager to begin the practical work of life, as soon as his school days were over he secured a position as bank clerk in a bank at Petaluma, and during his incumbency of this posi- tion became an expert in accounting. It was while performing his duties as bank clerk that he determined to become a lawyer, and in taking up the study of law he made no mistake, as his career has unmistakably demonstrated. While still the incumbent of his position in the bank, he gave his evenings over entirely to the study of law, attending a night law school in San Francisco, and returning
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each morning to his work at the bank. After the completion of his law term and luis admission to the bar of the state he resigned his position in the bank in order to go to New York city and finish his training in a law school of that eastern metropolis. This latter course was not essentially a part of his legal training, but was undertaken entirely on his own behalf and demonstrates the thorough- ness with which he handles every subject to which he gives his thought and at- tention.
With this splendid training Mr. Early returned to Petaluma and opened law offices at No. 32 Washington street, and the splendid legal business that he has gathered about him in the meantime demonstrates beyond question his un- usual ability as a legal practitioner. Possessing the power to penetrate deeply into whatever matter is brought to his attention for solution or adjustment, he never forms an opinion or renders a decision until he has penetrated to the bottom of the case, and when this has been done his findings are presented in clear, concise form. This same care and penetration is noticeable in the argu- ment of a case, watching every turn, grappling with every point as it appears, and presenting his arguments in a manner that is convincing and emphatic. If one were allowed but one word in which to epitomize Mr. Early's qualities as a lawyer it would be the word thoroughness. Those who know him best declare that it is impossible to prepare and submit anything to him and expect him to approve it until he has read, re-read and analyzed it several times. In this day of rush and hurry and the slighting of essentials to the downfall of men and worthy enterprises, it is gratifying to make note of this exception in the case of Mr. Early, the keynote of whose success is directly traceable to this exception to the general rule. Fraternally he is prominently identified with a number of orders, besides which he is deputy grand president-at-large of the Native Sons of California. He is a young man of undoubted promise, and his career is being watched with interest by his contemporaries.
ALBERT P. MARTIN.
The honored title of California pioneer has been earned by Mr. Martin through his long identification with the state and particularly with the county of Sonoma, of which he has been a resident since the year 1852. Born in Ma- haska county, Iowa, November 2, 1848, he was not yet four years of age when the family started for the west with a large party of emigrants, leaving the old Iowa home April 26, 1852, and traveling in a wagon drawn by oxen. The train comprised fifty teams and presented a formidable appearance as the caravan wended its slow way across the plains. Not a few hardships fell to their lot and the trials encountered were not soon forgotten by the older mem- bers of the expedition. On one occasion, when the camp was left unguarded, Indians stole the stock and it was necessary to follow them to a distant valley, where in the afternoon of the next day the animals were recovered. While near Salt Lake City the cholera broke out in the party and several lives were lost before the disease was wiped out. Other misfortunes occurred to dampen the ardor of the Argonauts, but finally the majority of the original party arrived at their destination in safety. In the expedition there were several sons-in-law
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of John M. Cameron, at whose home on the Sangamon river in Menard county, Ill., some of the boyhood days of Abraham Lincoln had been happily passed.
Among Mr. Cameron's sons-in-law in the party was Silas M. Martin, who was born in Green county, Ky., January 16, 1816, and who accompanied mem- bers of the family to Illinois at the age of four years. Early in youth he learned the trade of a harness-maker, which he followed in Jefferson and Mahaska coun- ties, lowa, and in the latter county he also served as justice of the peace for several years. After he came to the west he was chosen as justice in his town- ship and continued in that office for many years. During 1867 he was elected a member of the state legislature, filling the position for one term of two years, and again in 1882 he was elected to the same office. On the organization of the Grange he became a charter member and for some time was honored with the office of master. In addition he was a charter member of the local lodge of Odd Fellows and received the merited honor of being chosen its first secretary. The doctrines of the Presbyterian Church had his warm support and he served his congregation as a deacon for many years prior to his demise. Politically he was a Democrat of the Breckenridge type, warm in his support of party principles and loyal to the men who were the leaders of the political organization. After a busy and honored existence, covering seventy-eight years, he passed into eternity in 1894, mourned by the large circle of friends who had been attracted to him by his stanch devotion to the cause of justice, his warm-hearted kind- ness to neighbors, his loyalty to the upbuilding of the community and his self- sacrificing contributions to movements for the general welfare.
The marriage of Squire Martin united him with Nancy M. Cameron, a member of a family comprising twelve children and a native of Illinois, born January 26, 1818. They became the parents of six children, viz .; Martha A., Mary E .. Davis D., Letitia Jane, Zilla E. and Albert P. The first-named daughter, Mrs. Martha A. Collins, was the mother of six children, Frank, Charles, William, S. Martin, Benjamin W. and Mary. Mary E. Martin became the wife of Thomas J. Ables and the mother of three children, Horace F., Clara J. and Zilla L. Letitia Jane Martin married William A. Wright, by whom she had five children, Silas Roy. George, Harry, Carl and Flora. Zilla E., the youngest daughter of Squire Martin, married David H. Collins and had five children, Frederick, John, Nancy E., Gertrude and Grace.
In reviewing the record of Squire Martin's grandchildren it may be men- tioned that Silas Martin Collins married Lissa Liddle and had two children, Elmer and Germain. Mary Collins, Mrs. Frederick Wood, is the mother of two children. Horace F. Albes married Violet Pedro ; his sister, Clara J., is the wife of Robert Coddingham, and Zilla L. is Mrs. Leon J. Dickinson, the mother of one son. A. B. Dickinson. Silas Roy Wright married Mattie Evans, and has two children, Ernest and Ora. Flora, Mrs. James Church, has two children, Frederick Collins is married and has one child. Nancy E. Collins married Charles Weigle and has a daughter. Nellie. Gertrude Collins, Mrs. Wil- liam Hewitt, has a daughter, Zilla. Grace is the wife of William Howell and has two children, Berwyl and Hazel.
For three years Albert P. Martin attended the Old Sonoma College under the supervision of President Cunningham and later, after teaching for one year,
HET Arenberg
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
he turned his attention to ranching, which he has since followed with gratifying success. The dairy which he operates was established by his father in 1853 and is the oldest in this part of the state, its present equipment including the first successful silo built in California. Forty-five cows of a fine milk strain form a dairy herd not excelled in the entire region. In addition to the cows and calves there are nine head of horses kept on the farm and the entire fam- ily have flocks of poultry aggregating ten thousand chickens. The ranch em- braces three hundred and twenty-six acres of fine land situated near Petaluma and improved with a neat set of buildings as well as a fine young orchard of eleven acres. At one time Mr. Martin was master of the Two Rock Grange and ever since 1873 he has been actively identified with that organization, be- sides which he is a charter member of Little Lake Grange No. 157 of Mendocino. For several years he has served as trustee of his school district. Politically hie votes with the Democrats, but never has sought official honors nor has he been prominent in partisan matters.
In Walker Valley, Mendocino county, January 1. 1873, occurred the mar- riage of Albert P. Martin and Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Illinois, August I. 1855. Three children blessed the union. The older son, Harold L., married Ellen Simmons and has two children, Russell P. and Zilla Mabel. Frederick Martin is at home with his parents, and Mabel is deceased. Mrs. Martin is a daughter of Isaac and Louisa Miller, the former, a farmer, having been born in Ohio, March 10, 1831, but in early life removing to Illinois, whence in 1855 hie removed to Madison county, Iowa. For a few years he cultivated land near Winterset, but in 1864 he left Iowa for California and landed in this state at the expiration of six months. For a long period he resided either in Mendo- cino or Lake counties, and his death occurred in 1907 in the latter county. Of his four children, John A., Elizabeth R., Mary F. and Jennie M., the only son married Sarah Morrison, their children being Rodney, Maude and Emma E. Mary F. Miller married Richard Johnson and has four children, Roy, Luella, Emma and Wilhelmina. Jennie M. is the wife of Buchanan Montgomery and has two sons, Orie W. and Grover B., the former having married Ada Lesser, by whom he has a child, Ora, while the other son, Grover B., chose Miss Nellie Sullivan as his wife. Both the Martin and the Miller families have been honor- ably associated with the agricultural development of California since the period of pioneer history.
HERMAN FREDERICK ARENBERG.
Mention of the name of H. F. Arenberg at once suggests the patent brooder stove which bears the name of the patentee and manufacturer, whose product has simplified the chicken industry and been instrumental in no small way in making Sonoma county the largest chicken-raising center in the world. Mr. Arenberg makes no claim to being the originator of raising chicks with a stove, but he does claim the credit for bringing it into popular use among up-to-date poultry raisers. The Arenberg brooder house distillate burner and stove is the embodiment of simplicity. The burner is open feed, and the flame and flow of oil are regulated together by a needle valve at the tank, there being no compli-
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cated parts to get out of order. The stove, which is made of a good quality of sheet iron, is cone shaped, seventeen inches in diameter at the base, and thirty inches high, taking a five-inch pipe, which goes straight up through the roof. The first joint is furnished with the stove, in which the burner is set and con- nected with the feed pipe.
A house 14x20 feet would care for one thousand chicks, but with the same stove and a very little more oil, a house 20x20 feet would accommodate fifteen hundred chicks. It is suggested that the walls be five feet high to the eaves, with peaked roof and without ceiling, and that the building be battened and all openings under eaves and at ends closed up. The stove has a row of small holes at the bottom edge which throw out a steady light, so it is possible to see every chick by looking in the window. The light also helps to draw them around the stove when small, and later it gives them light to find a suitable roost. There are two heat deflectors or dampers in the Arenberg stove which keep the heat to the outer edge and down as low as possible, the hood also contributing in this respect, holding the heat down to the floor where it is wanted, a feature not found in any other brooder stove. If there is one feature more than another that commends the Arenberg brooder stove it is its provision for ventilation, a feature found in no other similar device. Mr. Arenberg has been a close observer of chickens raised in both the ventilated and the "sweat- box" brooder houses, and it is his unfailing report that those raised under the latter process are not strong boned or well-feathered birds.
A native of Wisconsin, H. F. Arenberg was born in Hartford, Washington county, March 6, 1861, and in the vicinity of his birth grew to manhood years. With the close of his school days he at once set about preparing for the future by learning the cooper's trade, later also learning the shoe-maker and black- smith trades. All of this had been accomplished prior to the year 1883, for it was in that year that he came to California, with his recently acquired trade knowledge as his chief asset. He went direct to Edgewood, Siskiyou county, and established a blacksmith shop which he maintained for sixteen years, at the same time improving a tract of government land which he had taken up. Dis- posing of his interests in Siskiyou county, he came to Sonoma county and in 1904 took up his residence in Petaluma. Near town he purchased seven acres of land well suited to the raising of chickens, following this business in the old- fashioned way until patenting the stove which now bears his name. As the merits of the Arenberg stove became known the demand increased accordingly, until it became necessary for Mr. Arenberg to discontinue the raising of chickens himself and devote his entire time to the manufacture of the stove. It is now known and in general use all over the Pacific coast, which speaks well for its popularity, as does also the large number of prizes which it has taken. At the state fair in Sacramento in 1910 it received the first cash prize and gold medal, received the first cash prize in Petaluma at the Fourth of July celebration in 1910, and at the state fair previously mentioned received favorable comment as "the most meritorious invention at the fair." His manufacturing establish- ment is located at No. 201 Washington street, and as an evidence that the Aren- berg brooder stove is the most popular invention of the kind on the market. it may be said that Mr. Arenberg is enlarging his plant to accommodate the ever increasing output.
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Mr. Arenberg's marriage, which occurred in 1886, united him with Miss Elizabeth Ross. Fraternally he is well known, belonging to all branches of the Odd Fellows order, and to the Elks and the Woodmen.
JENS CHRISTIAN JENSEN.
No more sturdy, honorable and progressive citizens have chosen Sonoma county as their adopted home when they come from foreign countries than the citizens from Germany. Among them we find Jens Christian Jensen, who was born on the island of Fohr, Sleswig, Germany, March 26, 1863, the son of An- dreas and Maria (Nickelsen) Jensen, farmers on that fertile island. He was edu- cated in the common schools of his native land until fifteen years of age when, in 1878, he came to California and at Haywards he found employment at farmi- ing, continuing for a period of ten years, when he made a trip back to his old home, visiting his people for four months.
On his return to the United States Mr. Jensen went to Nevada, following mining and milling, and became the amalgamator at a sixty-stamp mill on the Carson river. In 1891 he located in Petaluma and became an employe in the Pioneer laundry, three years later purchasing a half interest and still later the other half, since which time he has continued the business alone. From time to time he has added improvements and devices that go to the making of a suc- cessful and up-to-date laundry, his laundry being run by steam power. It is well named, as it is the oldest laundry in Petaluma. He is a member of the German Redmen, and politically is a Democrat. Mr. Jensen is a very active member of the German Evangelical church and is vice-president of the German branch of the Young People's Club. By his energy and perseverance and close application to business lie has been successful and has the confidence and esteem of the community.
PETER MAGGETTI.
The land of William Tell has contributed many of the most substantial ranchers and business men of Sonoma county and among them we find Peter Maggetti, who was born in the village of Lacarno, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, in December, 1842, and was the son of Joseph and Maria Maggetti, who reared their family on the farm. Of the eight children born to them six are still living. The subject of this sketch had the advantages of the common schools of his native land and then followed the dairy business until 1866, when he married Mariana Fillippini, also a native of Ticino, and they immediately started for the United States, their destination being California. They came by way of London and Liverpool to New York and then by way of the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco, landing there with but $5, the trip having cost $800.
Mr. Maggetti rented a dairy ranch in Chelino Valley from L. W. Walker for one year, then a ranch from Dr. Burdell on San Antonio creek for two years. Continuing the dairy business, in which he had been successful, in 1877 he pur- chased a ranch of fifteen hundred and twenty-seven acres from C. D. Allen near Marshall, Marin county, and later bought one hundred and sixty-three acres
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