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 61
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Mr. Guglielmetti was united in marriage with Miss Domenica Dolcini, who like himself was a native of Switzerland, born in the canton of Ticino in 184t. Seven children, five sons and two daughters, were born of their marriage, as follows: Alfred J., Henry L .. Leonard S., Robert P., Julia M., Anita I. and William J. All were born in Sonoma county and all are proud of their right to be called native sons and daughters. Henry L. fitted himself for the prac- tice of law, first taking a course in Santa Clara College and later a course in Hastings Law College, and has received the diploma which will admit him to . practice. With this exception the sons are united in their efforts in the mainte- nance of the homestead ranch, worthily carrying forward the plan of work laid out by their worthy father. In his political affiliations Mr. Guglielmetti was a Republican, but was never an aspirant for position of any kind. He died as he had lived, in the faith of the Catholic religion, and it is in this faith also that his wife and children find consolation. Although passed from the scenes of earth Mr. Guglielmetti is remembered affectionately by those who were permitted to know him, and it is but a just tribute to his memory to say that he was one of the most substantial upbuilders of agricultural conditions that Sonoma county has ever known.
JAMES L. ROSS.
The history of the Ross family is interesting to the general reader, not alone from the point of accomplishments of the father and several sons in a particular sense, but a hroader and more comprehensive lesson may be learned
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in the steadfastness of their purpose in whatever they undertook. The father, William Ross, was a native of Tennessee, but while he was a young child his parents removed to Indiana and it'was in that state that his early active life was passed. Not only did he become proficient as an agriculturist, but he also learned the gun-maker's trade, blacksmithing and carriage-making, after which he opened a wagon shop in Harrison county, Ind., continuing there until 1849, when he followed his trade in Bonaparte, Iowa, for the following five years. In coming to California in 1855 he joined his two sons, Losson and James L., in Placerville, continuing with them there for two years, after which he located on a one-hundred-acre ranch in Analy township which his sons purchased and deeded to him. This was his home until his death in 1876, at the age of seventy- two years. His wife in maidenhood was Sarah Kay. She too came of southern parents, her birth occurring in Virginia. Of the large family of eleven children horn to this worthy couple, nine grew to years of maturity and eight became residents of California. However, only two of the number are now living, James L., a rancher in Sonoma county; and Jesse, a retired rancher in San Benito county.
James L. Ross was born on the old family homestead farm in Harrison county, Ind., November 22, 1830, and was therefore just twenty years of age when the gold excitement in California reached fever heat. Laying down the implements on the farm he and his brother Losson joined forces and capital and set out for California in 1850, their journey's end finding them with just $1 to their credit. They started from Bonaparte, Iowa, April 8, 1850, and the party remaincd intact until they reached the Missouri river, then numbering seventy-five wagons, but after that the party scattered and there were only four wagons in the party that arrived in Placerville, September 14. The brothers engaged in mining first at Placerville, continuing there during that fall, and the winter was passed in a cabin near Diamond springs. The following spring found them engaged in mining in Eldorado county, but in all of their efforts they were only fairly successful. Losson Ross came to Sonoma county in the spring of 1857, and in the fall of the same year James L. Ross joined him. Two years later Jesse Ross came to the vicinity of Forestville, and here the brothers jointly purchased three hundred and eight acres of land, and this has since been the home of James L. It is now fifty-three years since this prop- erty was purchased, and in the meantime wonderful changes have been brought about. Then a wilderness, it is now laden with luscious fruits, and it is a de- light to the eye, as well as a valuable source of income to the owner. Over forty-four years ago he planted the ranch to apples and grapes, and today orchard and vineyard are both in splendid bearing condition.
The marriage of James L. Ross occurred December 14. 1865. In maiden- hood his wife was Miss Sophronia Martin, who was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, October 17, 1839, the daughter of Samuel and Damaris (Rambo) Martin, natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia. The wedding journey of Mr. and Mrs. Martin consisted of a journey from Virginia, where their marriage occurred, to Iowa, where they were pioneer settlers. There the death of Mrs. Martin occurred at the age of fifty-seven years. The year 1850 found Mr. Martin coming to California, where he worked in the mines for three years. after which he returned to lowa, and a year later again set out for the west.
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This time, 1854, he brought his family with him and settled in Analy township, Sonoma county, on a ranch, which continued to be his home until his death at the age of eighty-one years. In the veins of this old pioneer flowed the blood of colonial ancestors, and his father, Aaron Martin, was a Revolutionary patriot. An interesting family of children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ross. Alfred R. is living on a ranch near the homestead; he is married, and his daugh- ter is the wife of Thomas Douglas, of Kenwood, and the mother of one child, a daughter ; Laura M. became the wife of Daniel Covey, they making their home in Lake county, while their daughter, the wife of Daniel Morrison, resides in Suisun, Solano county ; Lizzie R. became the wife of Isaac B. Frazier, formerly of Santa Rosa, but now a resident of Oakland; Nellie became the wife of George W. Siler, and they now make their home in Lakeport, Lake county. P. C. Coon, a son by Mrs. Ross' first marriage, is a resident of Forestville. Mr. Ross takes great comfort in his eighteen grandchildren, renewing his own youth in their young lives, with their manifold interests and pleasures. Polit- ically he is a Republican, but is not active in the ranks of his party, neither has he ever allied himself with any secret orders, but he is a stanch member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his wife, while his children are members of the Christian Church.
SOLOMON Q. BARLOW.
Generations of the Barlow family had lived useful lives in their native England before the name was transplanted to the soil of the new world, and the first member of the family of whom we have any record, is Warren Barlow, the grandfather of Solomon Q. Barlow. From Connecticut Warren Barlow went to New York state and settled in Sullivan county, where his three sons and three daughters were born. The fifth child in this family was Thomas Barlow, born June 25, 1809, and who died April 22, 1882, his entire life having been passed in Sullivan county. His companion and helpmate in life, Rachel Quimby, was also a native and life-time resident of Sullivan county, her death occurring there April 16, 1883. almost a year to a day following the death of her hus- band. In the family of his worthy couple were four sons and four daughters, one of whom was Solomon Q. Barlow. He was born May 20, 1837, and was given such education as the times and place afforded, finishing his schooling in Ellenville high school, where he was fortunate to have as tutor Prof. S. A. Law, who was then the efficient principal of the school.
During his boyhood Mr. Barlow had been a competent assistant to his father in his farming and lumbering interests, and after his graduation from high school he purchased the homestead farm and sawmill, his father thereafter removing to Napanoch, N. J. Solomon Barlow continued the business which he thus assumed until 1862, when he removed to Pompton, N. J., where for two years he was agent for James Horner & Co., during the erection of their steel and file works. It was upon resigning his position with this firm that he came to California by the Isthmus route. Coming direct to Sonoma county, he made settlement in Two Rock valley, and on April 21, 1864, located on the ranch which was the home of the family for the following eight years. It was then,
Victor Durand 2
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in 1872, that he purchased and located upon the ranch of two hundred and twenty acres in the same valley, six miles west of Petaluma, which was his home until his death. Here he followed dairying, general farming, horticulture and poultry raising, and at his death, August 20, 1895, left a valuable property to his widow and children.
The marriage of Solomon Q. Barlow was solemnized February 8, 1860, and united him with Elizabeth J. Denman, who was born in Sullivan county, N. Y., March 14, 1837, the daughter of William Denman, and who died December 3, 1874. Five children were born of this marriage, as follows: Thomas E., deceased ; Anna D., also deceased; Mrs. W. H. Darden, of Corning, Cal .; Mrs. J .. W. McNeal, of Honolulu : and Mrs. Eva Mordecai, of Petaluma. The second marriage of Mr. Barlow occurred in Point Arena, Mendocino county, October 9, 1879, uniting him with Louise E. Brandon, who was born in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of John and Sarah (Robbins) Brandon, natives re- spectively of Carlisle, Pa., and New Carlisle, Clark county, Ohio. Mr. Brandon became a pioneer scttler in Iowa City, where he was living at the time of the discovery of gold in California. He crossed the plains with ox-teams and fol- lowed mining until 1854, when he returned east, settling in Dayton, Ohio, where he was a merchant until his death. Mrs. Barlow was reared in Dayton, Ohio, and attended the public schools of that city. She came to California in the spring of 1877 and up to the time of her marriage was a resident of Point Arena. After the death of her husband she assumed charge of the ranch and ran it until 1901, since which time she has leased it and made her home in Berkeley. Mrs. Barlow has one daughter. Grace, who is a graduate of the University of California, class of 1905, and now the wife of R. J. Brower, of Belmont. Mrs. Barlow is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Berke- ley and is an active worker in its varied charities.
VICTOR DURAND.
In this part of California where the grape is grown in such profusion it is possible to travel many miles and see little besides the purple hue of this luscious fruit. To a Frenchman this is a comforting sight, reminding him of his homeland and attracting him to the locality as a consequence. Among the many who are engaged as vineyardists in Sonoma county is Victor Durand. who no doubt was attracted to this locality on account of its resemblance in climate as well as the possibility which it offered for the application of knowl- edge and experience gained in his own land.
Born in Honfleur, France, December 24, 1835, Victor Durand was reared under native skies until he was a lad of seventeen years, under the guidance of parents who passed their entire lives in that country. By way of Cape Horn the young immigrant made his way to the United States, working his way as a cabin boy on a vessel that took one hundred and thirty-eight days to make the voyage from Havre, France, to San Francisco. At best, the problem that confronts the immigrant when he finds himself a stranger in a strange land is none too pleasant, but when to this is added lack of funds, the problem takes on a serious aspect. Mr. Durand's assets consisted of little besides the common-
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school education received in his native land and a determination to make his native ability count in his favor in his new surroundings. Gardening was familiar work to him, and he sought and obtained employment of this char- acter in San Francisco. The means thus earned defrayed the expenses of his immediate needs, and as soon as he became of age he passed an examination as master mariner and thereafter for fourteen years commanded coast and river boats. From the metropolis he finally came to Sonoma county in 1870, and from the first he was enamored of the locality and determined to make it his perma- nent home. He homesteaded one hundred and twenty acres in Salt Point town- ship, this county, which he improved and cultivated for twenty-nine years, when he traded the property for the ranch on which he now lives, in Piner district and known as the Dr. Williams ranch. This is not far from Fulton. on Rural Route No. 2. Here he has fifty acres of as fine land as can be found in Sonoma county, of which about forty-five acres are in grapes and the re- mainder in small fruits. In connection with his vineyard Mr. Durand has a winery, the proceeds from which in 1909 amounted to thirty thousand gallons of wine. Judging from present indications the output for the present year will run much higher than this record.
In 1869 Mr. Durand was married to Miss Hannah O'Rourke, a native . of Ireland, who at her death, January 13, 1908, left besides her husband three children to mourn her loss. They are, Mary A., George Victor and Katherine J., all natives of California. Politically Mr. Durand is a Democrat. While office-holding has had no attractions for him, his willingness to do his part as a good citizen was the means of his accepting the office of road overseer in Salt Point township, an office which he held for fourteen years. Personally he is a genial, companionable man, who has many friends and acquaintances in and around Fulton, and one whose life has been such as to win for him the confidence of all.
FREDERICK DAHLMANN.
Among the native sons of California who by their own unaided efforts have by close application shown their reliability until selected to hold responsible positions of trust, is the subject of this sketch, who was born in Marin county, on San Antone creek, March 15, 1868, a son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Starke) Dahlmann, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume, in the sketch of Henry Dahlmann. Frederick Dahlmann was left an orphan when about one year of age and was reared by his uncle Frederick Starke, on a farm about two and one-half miles west of Petaluma, where he was educated in the Wilson school. At the age of twenty-one years he went to work in Petaluma for a few years and then went to Chicago, where he remained for some time, later going to Texas and Arizona and finally returning to Petaluma, after an absence of six years. He then engaged in the dairy business in the Chelino valley, renting the Fred Kuhnle ranch for six years, and during the same time he served accept- ably as road master of the same district. On his return to Petaluma he engaged in the express business for two years, when he was appointed a member of the police force, serving under Chief F. M. Collins, and afterwards under Chief Ward, resigning his position in 1908 to accept an appointment with the Petaluma
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and Santa Rosa Railway Company, and was soon afterwards placed in full charge of their warehouse in Petaluma, having since filled the position to the entire satisfaction of his employers.
In Chicago, Ill., occurred the marriage of Frederick Dahlmann and Miss Agnes Rainbow, who was born in Davenport, Iowa, and to this union there were born three children. The two oldest Clara and Fred, are attending the Peta- luma high school, and the youngest, Ruth, the grammar school. Mr. Dahlmann in national politics is a Republican, and fraternally he is a member of the Wood- men of the World.
JUDGE RICHARD F. CRAWFORD.
The lineage of the family represented by this influential attorney of Santa Rosa is traced to Pennsylvania, where tradition says his grandfather. John Craw- ford, was a soldier in both the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812. He was of Scotch ancestry, and the sturdy and dependable qualities which come as a rich inheritance to the sons of Scotland were his in ample measure. He bequeathed these qualities in equal good measure to his son, Henry Crawford, who was born and reared to manhood on the ancestral farm in Columbia county, Pa. As a preparation for the business of life he learned the stone-mason's trade, and after mastering it he removed to what at that time, 1847, was considered the frontier, going to McHenry county, Ill., where he purchased a large tract of land and undertook agricultural life on a large scale. Notwithstanding the fact that he had equipped himself in young manhood with a knowledge of the stone- mason's trade, he made little or no use of it, giving the strength of his active years to tilling the soil, and when advancing years and the accumulations of past efforts made labor no longer desirable or necessary, he went to Rockford. Ill., and there rounded out his long and useful life, passing away in that city November 14, 1879, at the age of eighty-one years. In his marriage he was peculiariy blessed. his wife being a woman of fine, noble qualities, one whose presence was a constant solace and benediction. In maidenhood she was Eliza Blaker, the daughter of Jesse Blaker. She died in Rockford, Ill., also, May 10, 1881, when seventy-three years of age. A large family of thirteen children was born to this worthy couple, and of those who attained mature years we men- tion the following: Mary Ann, now living in Sebastopol, Cal, the widow of C. Gould, formerly of Santa Rosa; Richard F., of this sketch ; Peter S., who makes his home in Rockford, Il .; Malinda B., the widow of C. B. Woodley of Sioux City, Iowa; Esther S., who became the wife of Peter Deits, and died August 19, 1882; Sarah E., who died July 16, 1877: Jesse B., a merchant in Sebastopol, Cal .; Charlotte S., a resident of Chicago, Ill .; Harriet, the widow of George Flanders, and also a resident of Chicago; Theresa, the wife of B. B. Brown, president of the Western National Bank of Pueblo, Colo .; and Araminta, who died April 14, 1878.
The second in the list of this large family, Richard F. Crawford was born September 20, 1833, in what at that time was Columbia county, but is now known as Montour county, Pa., in the town of Whitehall. The immigration of his parents to the middle west when he was a boy changed the course of his life materially, for instead of being reared in the surroundings of more or less
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ease and culture in the east, he was brought face to face with the stern realities of frontier life at an early age, a circumstance which undoubtedly brought out latent qualities which otherwise might never have been brought into use. His earliest recollections are of assisting his father in opening up a new farm in McHenry county, Ill., alternating work of this character with attendance at the district school when that temple of learning was in session, during the winter months. Not satisfied with the meagre opportunities which the schools of his home locality offered, in 1855 he returned to Pennsylvania and entered Lewisburg University, since known as Bucknell College, from which he graduated with honors and the degree of A. M. Following his graduation from college he re- turned to his home in McHenry county, Il., where, instead of settling down to farm life, he indulged an ambitious leaning toward the legal profession by begin- ning the reading of law. Fortune favored him in that he secured an opening in the office of the well-known lawyers of Woodstock, Church & Kerr, with whom he remained until his admission to the bar, after passing his examination in Chicago.
Instead of seeking his own private welfare after his admission to the bar Mr. Crawford responded to the call of his country for able-bodied men to come to the front in the effort to put down the Rebellion. Enlisting as a private he became a member of the Elgin, Illinois, Battery of Heavy Artillery at Camp Douglas, whence he went with his company to Glasgow, Ky., and later he was detailed as clerk in the office of the mustering officer, Capt. J. H. Knight, of the staff of General Boyle, at Louisville, Ky. Promotion followed his service in this capacity, he being commissioned second lieutenant of Company K, Thirty- fifth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, with which he was connected until he was mustered out of the service at Louisville, Ky., December 29, 1864.
Following the close of his war service Mr. Crawford returned to Rockford and began the practice of law, and during the quarter of a century that he con- tinued there built up a large and influential practice, besides which he served two years as city attorney and was a member of the legislature in 1873, 1874 and 1875. His association with California dates from the year 1888, and since July 6 of that year he has been a continuous and contented resident of Santa Rosa, and in the meantime he has become as well known in legal circles here as he was during his long residence in Illinois. Shortly after locating here, in No- vember 1890, his ability received recognition in his election to the superior judge- ship on the Republican ticket, a position in which he rendered efficient service for six years.
Judge Crawford's marriage occurred in Lewisburg, Pa., August 10, 1858, and united him with Miss Maggie M. Kremer. who was born in Milton, Pa., August 30, 1838. Four children were born of this marriage, of whom only two are living, namely : Elbert K., now assistant manager of the western department of the Security Company of Connecticut at Rockford, Ill., and Edwin Henry ( familiarly known as Dr. Ted), a well-known dentist of Santa Rosa. Both of the sons are happily married and were present with their families at the Golden wedding anniversary of the Judge and his wife August 10, 1908. In his early days Judge Crawford espoused Democratic principles, but he was led to change his views after the incident at Fort Sumter that brought the Civil war to a crisis, and from that time forward has been a stanch Republican. For a number
Mr and Mrs. Jerome Lassage
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of years he has been a director and vice-president of the Santa Rosa National Bank. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, joining the order in Illinois, and he is now identified with Santa Rosa Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M., Santa Rosa Chapter No. 45, R. A. M., Santa Rosa Commandery, K. T. and Scottish Rite Lodge of Perfection No. 11. His long and arduous service in the service of his country makes him especially interested in the wel- fare of his comrades of the days of long ago, and no one is more active or prominent in the work of the Grand Army that is he. He first joined that noble band of veterans in Illinois as a member of Nevins Post No. I, G. A. R. of Rockford, now No. I of the United States, but in later years he has affiliated with Ellsworth Post No. 20, G. A. R., of Santa Rosa. While in Rockford he was judge advocate of the department of Illinois, and since coming to the west he has served in this capacity in the department of California. The Baptist Church has received the stanch allegiance of Judge Crawford and his wife for many years, and for a number of years past he has been chairman of the board of trustees of the church of that denomination in Santa Rosa.
JEROME B. GOSSAGE.
Nearly a quarter of a century has elapsed since the demise of Jerome B. Gossage, but nevertheless old settlers well remember the fine ranch one mile from Petaluma whereon he made his home for so many years and where death overtook him in November, 1887. A native of Ohio, he was born in the city of Columbus April 12, 1824, one of the sons born to his parents, Thomas and Nancy (Fisher) Gossage, of whom the former went to Ohio in early manhood and there passed the remainder of his life.
In 1850, when he was twenty-six years of age, Jerome B. Gossage came to California for the first time, making the trip in company with three brothers, Joseph, William and Zephania. Their first experience in the mines was at Hangtown, from there going to the Kelsey diggings, where they passed the winter of 1850-51. Not content with their winter's work, the following spring they went to Placerville, where they hoped to find better prospects, but the fact that their stay was short makes it appear otherwise. In May, 1852, Jerome and Joseph Gossage came to Sonoma county, following the lead of their brother Zephania, who had located here the year previously. Seven miles from Peta- luma Jerome Gossage located on a ranch which he cultivated for about two years, when he returned east, and after remaining there about two years, again crossed the plains to California, this time coming with a party of twenty men and driving a band of cattle. For the time being he placed the cattle on his ranch near Petaluma, later driving them into the mountains, and as soon as they were in condition, selling them at a good profit. After disposing of his cattle he went to Virginia City, Nev., and for two years conducted a hotel with good results. With the proceeds of the undertaking he invested in real estate in Nevada, property which remained in the possession of his widow for many years. Upon his return to California Mr. Gossage purchased a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres one mile from Petaluma, which he improved and cul- tivated up to the time of his death, in November. 1887. After his death the property was subdivided into five and ten acre tracts and sold.
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