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 62
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
Before her marriage, which occurred in Iowa in 1859, Mrs. Gossage was Miss Rachel A. Henry, a native of Pennsylvania and the daughter of John and Rebecca (Miner) Henry, who immigrated to Illinois in 1844 and later made their home in lowa until their deaths. The mother passed away at the age of seventy-two, and the father died in 1887, at the age of eighty-two. Mrs. Gossage is the sole survivor of a family of eight children born to her parents. She came to California with her husband on his second trip to the state. Six children were born of their marriage, and of them we make the following mention : Ada is the wife of E. R. Healey, of Berkeley; Nellie is the widow of F. W. Stratton, of Petaluma. who died August 1, 1910; Emma is the wife of Emil E. Drees, also of Petaluma; Dr. H. S. Gossage is a resident of the same city; Jerome B. died in Seattle, Wash., in January, 1910, at the age of thirty-eight years; Winfield Scott died at the age of twenty-six, in 1901, in Honolulu, where he had gone in the hope of recovering his health. Politically Mr. Gossage espoused the principles of the Republican party, and fraternally he belonged to the Masonic order. Since disposing of the home- stead ranch Mrs. Gossage has made her home in Petaluma, at No. 2 Liberty street, where her many friends are received with a hearty welcome.
CHARLES BROWN.
The serene twilight of life's adventurous day finds Mr. Brown comfortably situated, with sufficient of this world's goods to render procurable every desired comfort and surrounded by a host of warm personal friends whose constant attentions delight the solitary age of one bereft of wife and unblessed by chil- dren. Were it possible for this venerable citizen to write an autobiography, stirring tales would be recounted connected with voyages to almost every port of the world; reminiscences would be recorded bearing upon national affairs and much of historical valuc would be preserved for the benefit of future gen- erations. However, Mr. Brown has been a man of actions rather than of words and he kept no diary to fix upon his memory events associated with his travels, so that much has passed out of mind that would have formed interesting reading had it been preserved.
The life whose salient features are here outlined began in Prussia November 14, 1828, and exhibited in its initial period the substantial, solid traits character- istic of the men of that race the world over. Nothing of especial importance occurred to disrupt the even tenor of youthful years and it was not until nine- teen that the career of a sailor was entered upon, marking the first change from the uneventful era of boyhood. The first voyage began at the port of Rotter- (lam and consumed a period of eighteen months, extending as far as the impor- tant ports of India, but eventually drawing to a close in Holland. The next sea voyage had its objective point in Southern Russia and it was the privilege of the young sailor to witness some important struggles marking the Crimean war, in which the Fifty-Ninth Regiment bore a part. A later trip to India was followed by a voyage on an English vessel to New Zealand. Next he was ordered to China and for five years he sailed before the mast in eastern waters, expecting to be ordered into battle should trouble arise between China and England: When
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finally all danger of war had been averted he sailed to Australia, landing at Adelaide and proceeding to Newcastle, where an attack of severe sickness ter- minated his connection with the English navy.
On regaining his strengtin so as to resume work Mr. Brown secured em- ployment in a hotel at Newcastle and later worked as a longshoreman. While living in Australia he met and married Margaret Russell, an estimable young lady, who was born in Scotland. After a happy wedded life of four years death entered the home and removed the beloved wife, leaving Mr. Brown alone and without children to soften tile keen edge of his deep bereavement. In 1870 he came to the United States and established his headquarters at San Francisco, from which city he engaged in expeditions along the coast as far south as Mexico. On giving up a sea-faring life he embarked in the express business in San Fran- cisco and for eighteen years he remained prominently identified with that line of activity. Eventually he disposed of his business and retired from commercial affairs, later spending several years quietly at a ranch owned by a friend. Al- though closely associated with Sonoma county ever since 1870, he did not locate here permanently until about 1899, when he came to Lakeville and leased the inn he still conducts. Notwithstanding his advanced years he enjoys a day spent in hunting game or in the more restful sport of fishing, and he remains now, as in younger days, companionable and genial, interested in politics as a stanch Democrat and well posted concerning all the national issues of the age. A few months ago, November 14, 1910, he celebrated the eighty-second anniversary of his birth and on that memorable occasion a number of his San Francisco friends joined him in a "turkey roast" with an abundance of fine California wine and all the dainties that add to the enjoyment of such a feast, the affair being rendered particularly enjoyable by reason of the splendid health and mental vigor of the host.
AUSTIN J. ATCHINSON.
The present efficient justice of the peace of Santa Rosa township, Sonoma county, Austin J. Atchinson was born near Rochester, N. Y., June 18, 1840, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Johnson) Atchinson, who were also natives of the Empire state. The father was a stone-mason throughout the active years of his life. Austin J. Atchinson received a good education in Lima, N. Y., and afterward taught one term near his home.
Feeling circumscribed by his surroundings in the east and not wishing to take up agriculture as a life calling A. J. Atchinson struck out in the world for himself in 1863, coming to California by the Panama route and reaching his destination April 28 of that year. Aside from his early knowledge of farming he had little or no experience upon which to draw when cast upon his own re- sources but he had received a fairly good education and indeed this proved a valuable asset in the new life which he had undertaken. First in San Joaquin county, Cal., and later in the state of Nevada he followed schoolteaching for a livelihood, continuing this altogether for twelve years, when, in 1876, he turned his attention to commercial pursuits with equally good results. Going to Winters, Yolo county, he began buying and selling eggs and poultry, and as the venture proved a profitable one he continued it for a considerable period, giving this up
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later to take charge of a ranch in Yolo county, in the care of which he had a valuable assistant in his wife. Altogether they managed the ranch for five years, during which time Mr. Atchinson's popularity as a citizen and his ability to fill public office led to his election as recorder on the Republican ticket. As his fellow-citizens had anticipated, he proved the right man for the place, and at the expiration of his first term in office he was nominated and elected his own successor.
It was after the expiration of his second term as recorder in Yolo county that Mr. Atchinson came to Petaluma, Sonoma county, and established himself in business by buying out the agency of all the San Francisco newspapers. This too proved a successful undertaking, but after carrying it on for five years his election to public office again made it necessary for him to dispose of his private interests. In 1894 he was elected county auditor and recorder of Sonoma county, a position which he filled acceptably, and subsequently he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, a position which he still holds, this being his third term.
Mr. Atchinson has been twice married, his first union being celebrated in 1869 and uniting him with Miss Emma C. Still. Two children were born of this union, Lella, who is deceased, and Fred R., a resident of Santa Rosa. The mother of these children died in 1899, and ten years later, on March 20, 1909, Mr. Atchinson married his present wife, formerly Mrs. Ora M. Humphrey, a native of Missouri, as was also the former Mrs. Atchinson. Politically Mr. Atchinson is a Republican, and fraternally he is an Elk and an Odd Fellow. Mr. Atchinson is regarded as one of the thoroughgoing, dependable citizens of Santa Rosa, and is liked by all who are brought in contact with him, whether in an official, business or social way.
ELVEZIO B. BOLLA.
The first representative of the Bolla family in the United States was the father of the gentleman whose name appears above, Peter Bolla, who keenly felt the limitations by which he was surrounded in his native Switzerland, where he was born in 1843, and at the age of twenty-four came to the United States and began life under new and untried conditions. In his native country he had learned the cooper's trade and had followed it for a number of years, and while this knowledge was perhaps his chief asset when he immigrated to this country, he made no use of it here, but rather adapted himself to the prevailing occu- pation of the locality in which he settled in Marin county. He had been reared on a farm, and while the manner of farming to which he was trained differed from that employed in this country he readily adjusted himself to the changed conditions, and with the larger field of opportunity which he here found at his command was enabled to achieve results far beyond his expectations.
For his first wife Peter Bolla chose one of his country-women in Miss Isolina Fillippini, who was born in 1860, and who at her death at the age of twenty-six years left three children, Olympio, Elvezio B. and Olivia. The second marriage of Mr. Bolla united him with Miss Ursula Fillippini, and the only child born of that union was a daughter, Edith. The only daughter of the first mar- riage, Olivia, became the wife of Joseph Beretta, who died in May, 1911; he
Charles Kelly
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
was a native of Berne, Switzerland; two children blessed their marriage, Joseph and Isolina. Olympio married Mrs. Soledad, and resides in Two Rock valley.
The second child born of his father's first marriage, Elvezio B. Bolla was born on the family homestead in Marin county, Cal., in 1884. The public schools of the locality gave him a good educational foundation, and he has continued to add to this ever since by the reading of well-selected literature. Throughout his boyhood and youth he had imbibed a knowledge of ranching under the di- rection of his father that enabled him to undertake the work for himself at an early age, and though still a young man, he is now the lessee of one of the finest ranches in the vicinity of Petaluma, Sonoma county. Here he has two hundred acres of fine land, upon which he is making a specialty of the dairy business and the poultry industry. Forty head of cows of fine breed maintain his dairy, which in time will be increased by young stock which he is now rais- ing ; two thousand chickens yield the owner a good yearly income, besides which he owns four horses, and the land not in use either as pasturage for his stock or occupied in his chicken industry, is devoted to raising hay, which is used for feeding his own stock and not for market.
As a companion and helpmeet in life Mr. Bolla chose Miss Elvezia Garzoli, who was born in Marin county, Cal., in 1883, the daughter of William Garzoli, who was born in Switzerland in 1833. Mr. Garzoli's first marriage united him with Rosie Pirefaemi, who was born in Switzerland in 1866, and who at her death left five children, William, Arnold, Belardo, Elvezia and Carena. Mrs. Bolla's brother Arnold married Armenia Pellasso, and is the father of two daughters, Jesta and Frances. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bolla was cele- brated in San Francisco, and they have three children, a son and two daughters, Elvus, Rosie and Vivian. Politically Mr. Bolla is a Republican, and with his wife and children he is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church in Peta- luma.
CHARLES KELLY.
The scenes familiar to the boyhood of Charles Kelly were those of old Ireland, where he was born in 1818, in County Donegal, and where from earliest recollections he was inured to poverty and hardship. Owing to the humble circumstances of the family it was not possible for him to secure a good education; in fact he learned more from observation than from text- books and in the school of Nature he was an apt pupil. Early in life his thoughts were directed toward America as the land of opportunity and he had resolved to immigrate as soon as the necessary means could be earned. This was not accomplished until he was about twenty-five years of age.
Landing as a stranger in New York City, Mr. Kelly remained in the metropolis about two years, after which he took passage on a vessel bound for the Isthmus of Panama, and after crossing that body of land he again embarked on a vessel that finally landed him in San Francisco. At that time San Fran- cisco was the busiest center of activity on the coast and he saw a good oppor- tunity for work at his trade of blacksmith. Opening a shop, he gathered about him a good business during the five years that he maintained it, giving it up at the end of that time to try his hand as a miner. Although the records
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
do not so state, it is quite safe to believe that his efforts as a miner were satisfactory, for it is known that he followed the calling for about five years altogether. It was following these varied experiences that he came to Sonoma county, coming directly to Vallejo township, where he purchased the property which was his home up to the time of his death. This property consists of three hundred and twenty acres of fine land, six miles from Petaluma. The greater part of the land is in hay, from which a very satisfactory income is derived, and only such stock is kept as is necessary to conduct the ranch, besides one cow to supply the needs of the household.
Before her marriage Mrs. Kelly was Miss Margaret Swaney, and she was born in Ireland in 1830. Two children were born of this marriage, Martha and Sarah. The elder daughter became the wife of Frank Fay, who was killed by the falling of a building in the San Francisco earthquake in April, 1906. The other daughter, Sarah, was first married to James Kelly, by whom she had six children, as follows: Charles, May, James, Sadie, Ethel (who died at the age of three years) and Dewey. Her second marriage united her with W. J. Gray.
Mr. Kelly passed away December 18, 1910, and is buried in Calvary Cem- etery, Petaluma. After the death of her father Mrs. Gray was appointed ad- ministratrix of the estate. She now owns the homestead ranch and is devoting it to general farming and to the dairy and poultry business, in all of which lines she is meeting with success. The ranch is beautifully located on an ele- vation, from which one may obtain a splendid view of Petaluma valley and also the city, six miles away. Another attractive feature of the ranch is the lake upon it, which covers about three acres, surrounded by redwood trees, and here summer visitors in the valley enjoy bathing. Mrs. Gray is well known for her industry and honesty of purpose and is very charitable, always giving of her time and means to help any worthy person or public enterprise. The hill above her house on the ranch has been selected by the army for a government signal station. The family are communicants of the Catholic Church, attending the church at Petaluma.
Charles Kelly was a famous horse doctor in Sonoma county. Many horses were saved by his skill, from which. however, he derived little financial benefit.
W. L. CLARK.
The name of Clark is well known throughout Sonoma county, and especially in Forestville, where father and son in their several capacities have become familiar to every household, the former as postmaster of this town for many years, and the latter as a dispenser of meats throughout the town and surrounding country. Not only is W. L. Clark a native of the state, but he is also a native of Sonoma county, his birth occurring in Windsor May 8, 1865, the son of W. S. Clark and his wife, both natives of Illinois. During the period of the gold ex- citement W. S. Clark and two brothers came to the state, but the records do not state that they came for the purpose of mining; indeed, the contrary might be inferred from the fact that W. S. Clark was engaged in business in Sonoma county in an early day, and in 1865, under Abraham Lincoln, was filling the of- fice of postmaster in Forestville. He continued in this office throughout the re-
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mainder of his life, and during the last twelve or eighteen years was also engaged in a mercantile business in addition to this. He passed away in 1896, at the age of sixty-nine. The wife and mother is still living in Forestville at a good old age.
W. L. Clark enjoyed the freedom of country life during his boyhood, and with the other children of the family attended the public schools of Windsor. The first work of any character that he recalls was assisting his father in the postoffice, and when not doing this he clerked in the store of which his father was the proprietor. His first independent venture was as a stock-dealer, a busi- ness in which he has been engaged in Forestville since 1893. From the modest beginning of that year has developed the large stock and market business of which he is the proprietor today, his three wagons delivering meats to house- holds all over this part of the county. On an average he slaughters and delivers seven head of cattle a week, besides which he maintains a large meat-market in Forestville.
In 1890 W. L. Clark formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Emma L. Jewett, a native of Sonoma county, and six children, five daughters and one son, have been born to them. Hazel Frances became the wife of A. L. Hicks, of Sebastopoi, January 16, 1910, and they have a daughter, Bernice Clark Hicks. born May 31, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks make their home in Forestville, Sonoma county. Eva May Clark, born in 1894, is a graduate of the school in Forestville and is receiving a musical education. The other children, Gladys Ann, Wilma Stratton, Edna May and Lloyd Smith, are pupils in the public schools of Forest- ville.
As was his father before him, Mr. Clark is a stanch Republican, and al- though interested in the affairs of his chosen party, is not an office-seeker, in fact, he steadfastly refused to be a candidate for any office not connected with the school board, upon which he has served from time to time. Fraternally he is well known all over Sonoma county, being a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Rebekahs at Forestville, the Camp at Santa Rosa, besides which he belongs to the Woodmen of America and the Artisans, and at one time was affiliated with the Foresters. Besides two sisters in Santa Rosa, Mr. Clark has three other sisters in other parts of the state, one in Occidental, one in Berkeley and another in San Francisco.
MANLEY EDWIN CLOUGH.
California has a charm for New England people, who seem to be in their element when they have their place of residence within easy reach of the Pacific coast. Among those from the Atlantic coast who are enthusiastic in their praise of California and charmed with its delightful climate and business op- portunities we find Manley Edwin Clough, who was born in Concord, N. H., March 27, 1849, the son of Manley and Lydia (Wheeler ) Clough, both natives of Bow, the same state. The father learned the trade of marble and granite worker in Quincy, Mass., and during his residence there many a night ( because it was cooler) with six yoke of oxen he would haul a large stone from Quincy to Charleston, where they were used in building the Bunker Hill Monument.
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He also worked on the building of the old State House in Boston. Later he was engaged in the lumber business in Bow, where both of the parents passed away, the father at ninety-one and the mother at sixty-four years of age. Of the eight children born of this union seven are living; a brother of our subject Monroe A., resides in Stockton, Cal.
Mr. Clough completed his education at Hopkinton Academy at the age of eighteen, when he immediately began dealing in lumber and timber. Besides building mills, he also engaged in the manufacture of lumber in New Hamp- shire, Vermont and Maine and was also a large wholesale lumber dealer in Boston, shipping extensively from Canada into the United States, following the business actively for over thirty years.
After a very serious sickness in 1892 Mr. Clough first came to Los Angeles, Cal., where he spent twelve years off and on, and in 1904 he located in Petaluma where he built his sightly residence at the head of D street. He is now engaged in general contracting, heavy teaming and the grading of streets under the firm name of Giggey & Clough, doing the most extensive business of that kind in this vicinity. He is still largely interested in valuable property in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
In the year 1880, in Manchester, N. H., occurred Mr. Clough's marriage to Mrs. Lucy A. (Currier) Farr, who was born in Walden, Vt., the daughter of Samuel and Lucy (Mayo) Currier, the former born at Walden and the latter at Moretown, Vt. The paternal grandfather, Stephen Currier, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and on coming to the United States settled first in New- buryport, Mass., but soon removed to Walden, Vt., where he carved out a farm from the forest. Several of his sons served in the war of 1812. The maternal grandfather, Barnabas Mayo, was a pioneer of Moretown, Vt. Samuel and Lucy Currier died at Manchester, N. H., leaving two children, Lucy A., Mrs. Clough, and Mayo S. Currier, a horticulturist of Ventura. Mrs. Clough was educated at St. Johnsbury Academy and is a lady of culture and refinement. aiding her husband in all his enterprises by her encouragement and helpfulness. They have one daughter, Loula, now Mrs. E. L. Young, residing in Petaluma. Mr. Clough is a Republican, and with his wife attends and supports the Metho- dist church. He is a man of great force and a strong character of the grand old New England type, trying in every way to make his life a useful one, ever ready to lend a helping hand to those that are needy and worthy.
JOHN S. BLACKBURN.
The eldest son of that well-known pioneer settler in Petaluma, Charles Blackburn, John S. Blackburn was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, in 1851, and was therefore only one year old when, in 1852, the family fortunes were removed 10 California. In Petaluma, where the parents settled, he attended the public school, and was given such other advantages as the circumstances of the family made possible.
At the age of twenty-three years John S. Blackburn was taken into the undertaking business with his father, who had established the business in 1856 and had practically maintained the large and constantly growing business alone
Russell Denner
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
ever since its establishment until the son was taken into the firm. Father and son continued harmoniously in business together until the death of the founder on November 27, 1896, when the management of the business fell upon the younger partner. Besides continuing the business in Petaluma he opened a branch office in Tomales, Marin county, a venture which justified the undertaking.
In addition to carrying on the undertaking business which by this time had assumed such large proportions, Mr. Blackburn was equally active in civic mat- ters. and as a member of the board of health during a long period rendered an invaluable service to his home city through improved sanitation and municipal cleanliness. His judgment on public questions was held in great respect by his fellow-citizens, and as he did not shirk responsibility but rather assumed it if thereby he could help his fellowmen or better conditions, the influence which he exerted in his community was not inconsiderable, and his death, July 1, 1903, was indeed a public loss. His personal characteristics were such as to win not only admiration and approbation, but many friends and acquaintances.
RUSSELL DENNER.
The life here sketched began in Honiton, Devonshire, England, in 1836 and came to a close in California in 1899, a life filled with accomplishments and good deeds performed. The Denner family is descended from the famous explorer, Sir Francis Drake, and one of Mr. Denner's brothers, a resident of England, bears the name of this illustrious ancestor.
Russell Denner was reared and educated in his native country, and at the age of nineteen years set out for the new world, with the blessing of his parents and the good wishes of his many friends following him. He had received a good education in his native country, and after leaving school was connected in business with a large hardware firm in Southampton before com- ing to this country to engage in the same business with Messrs. Pratt & Co., Buffalo, N. Y. Among other experiences was a farming enterprise which he maintained in Illinois for a number of years. From there he came to Cali- fornia in 1869, going direct to Stockton and making his home in that part of the state for about fourteen years. During this time he took an interested part in the activities of the community in which he lived and was a charter member of the Stockton grange. Coming to Sonoma county in 1883, Mr. Denner subsequently purchased the ranch near Santa Rosa that is now the home of his family, comprising two hundred and five acres and used as a hop ranch for many years. In addition to this he also owned twenty-two acres near Olivet, and four hundred and eighty acres near Healdsburg, now the property of his two sons. The last-mentioned ranch is devoted to stock-raising. besides which they maintain a creamery, which is fully equipped with all of the latest devices, among which is a separator. Since the death of Mr. Denner his widow and children have maintained his various enterprises, following his methods, and in so doing are meeting with the same success that rewarde 1 his efforts for so many years.
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