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 64
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Mr. Dillon married Mattie J. Akers, daughter of Judge Stephen Akers; in Sonoma City, Cal., on October 22, 1862. One son was born to them; he died in 1903. He had married Miss Frances Thompson, a daughter of Jefferson Thompson, Sr., of Petaluma. Mr. Dillon is a member of the Masonic order, is past master of Temple Lodge No. 14 of Sonoma, and is now a member of Peta- luma Lodge No. 180. He is past patron of the order of Eastern Star, and is also adviser of the past matrons and past patrons association of the Order of Eastern Star. A versatile man and a capable one, he has made his way in life by his own ability and perseverance, and has many friends.
H. P. VOGENSEN.
Few men in Petaluma have won their independence through more satisfac- tory or praiseworthy means than H. P. Vogensen, and few have been more thoroughly in touch with the growing fortunes of this progressive town. In a substantial sense he has had a hand in its upbuilding, for during the past thirteen years he has erected many of its finest buildings and incidentally has been the means of raising immeasureably the architectural standard of the town. Financial gain is the first and also the legitimate object of any undertaking, but it is doubtful if in any business is it so essential that men engaged therein should under all circumstances follow strict lines of integrity as in that of general contracting, wherein is not only involved a large amount of money, but the building erected must stand and give service for years and consequently should be done on honor. This is the first consideration in whatever Mr. Vogen- sen attempts and without question is the secret of his phenomenal success as a contractor and builder.
Mr. Vogensen was born in Haderslev, Denmark, August 2, 1865, and when a youth of seventeen years he put into execution a plan which had been
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forming in his mind to come to the United States. Embarking from Denmark in April, 1883. after reaching New York he came by rail across the continent to San Francisco, and from there came to Petaluma, his residence here dating from May 26, 1883. This has been his home ever since, with the exception of two years spent in the Willamette valley, Ore. Among the buildings which stand as monuments to his skill and ability as a contractor and builder may be mentioned the telephone building, Schoeningh Brothers block, postoffice build- ing, Canevascini livery stables, Danger's poultry farm buildings (over fifty in number and the largest buildings in the United States devoted to that pur- pose), Golden Eagle Flour Mill, Gossage building, Sweet building, Dr. Peoples' residence, Captain Mount's residence, the Swiss-American Bank building, and bank outfitting for the Wickersham building, many fine residences throughout the city not enumerated above and creamery buildings in various parts of the county, besides which he is now erecting the Catholic parochial residence at Olema, Marin county. This is only a partial list of Mr. Vogensen's accom- plishments since coming to Petaluma, but the high class of work here shown proves conclusively that the utmost confidence is reposed in his ability, an honor which he appreciates and honestly merits. A further example of his architec- tural ability may be seen in his fine new residence on Fifth and H streets, with a mission cottage adjoining. The grounds are tastefully laid out and well kept up.
Mr. Vogensen's marriage in 1902 united him with one of his country women, Miss Christina Andresen, and three children, Amelia, Halvor and Gorm, have been born to them. In addition to his business as a contractor Mr. Vogensen is a director of the Swiss-American Bank, a member of the board of trustees of Petaluma, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and is also connected with other commercial organizations in the town. Fraternally he is identified with all branches of the Odd Fellows order, and is past grand president of Dania Lodge. He was made a Mason in Petaluma Lodge No. 180, F. & A. M. Taken all and all, Mr. Vogensen is a successful and enterprising man, devoted to family, friends and fellowmen, and is esteemed by all for his upright and worthy character.
GEORGE FETTERS.
Sonoma county is not only noted for its beauty of landscape, but also for its salubrious climate and its wonderful resources. These qualities make it an attraction to the tourist, as well as a health resort for the convalescent. To this latter class of people the hot springs are a constant attraction, and perhaps no hot springs in Sonoma county are more popular or better known than Fet- ters' Hot Springs, of which Mr. and Mrs. George Fetters are proprietors. Mr. Fetters was born in Pittsburg, Pa., March 24, 1879, the son of George H. and Maria (Strobel) Fetters, both natives of Pittsburg, Pa., where the father was a well-known contractor, and in which city he died. The paternal grandfather of George Fetters was Jacob Fetters, of Pittsburg, who served in the Civil war. His maternal grandfather, Frederick Strobel, also served in the Civil war. Mr. Fetters is the third oldest of a family of nine children, and was
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brought up in Pittsburg, in which place he graduated from the Holy Ghost college. Immediately after his graduation he engaged in the hotel business, remaining in his native city until 1891. In that year he came to San Francisco, Cal., and engaged in the hotel business until the great fire of 1906 burned him out.
In 1907 Mr. and Mrs. Fetters came to Sonoma county and in Sonoma valley they purchased the old Halstead ranch of one hundred acres, situated two and one-half miles from Sonoma. Here they intended to engage in ranching, but on account of the other mineral springs of adjoining ranches, Mr. Fetters began to prospect for hot mineral water. He learned that an old Indian spring was lo- cated on the north end of his land, which spring the Indians in olden days had used medicinally and for baths. He sunk a well in this locality about one hundred feet from the original spring and fortunately struck flowing hot water. Three more wells were immediately sunk and later an electric pumping plant was erected, on the completion of which, Mr. Fetters began making improvements. A hotel building was erected costing $15,000, and an adjoining bath house which cost $10,000, having in it a concrete swimming plunge, 60x100 feet. In this bath house there are twenty-four private bath tubs, also a number of private concrete plunges on the same order as the famous Carlsbad baths. Mr. Fetters found it necessary to build a twenty-four room annex to the hotel, the structure costing $10,000. On the place the proprietor has built a large residence for private use. The Fetters' Hot Springs is one of the most modern and up-to-date baths in the state, situated on both lines of railroad at Agua Caliente, just forty-five minutes from San Fran- cisco. The ranch is well improved with fruits of all kinds, including cherries. apricots, peaches, pears, apples and grapes.
Mr. Fetters was married in San Jose, Cai., to Miss Esther Koenigsberg, who was born in Vienna, Austria, of German parents and came from there direct to San Francisco. Mrs. Fetters is associated with her husband in the ownership and management of the property and deserves no small share of the credit for the success of the undertaking. Mr. Fetters is a member of the California Hotel Men's Association. A man of resourcefulness and independence, the success that he has achieved comes as the result of wisdom and foresight, as well as hard work. The waters of the springs range in temperature from 108 to 118 degrees Fahrenheit and are very effective in disorders of the stomach, liver and kidneys and have accomplished some remarkable cures where medicine has failed. The proprietors are planning to put in mud baths in the near future, thus making their enterprise more attractive.
JOHN H. DUERSON.
California was fortunate in having been settled by a remarkably enter- prising, industrious and intelligent class of people. Prominent among the num- ber that endured the hardships of pioneer life without a murmur and have now ceased from their earthly labors, was the late John H. Duerson, who passed away on his ranch in Sonoma county in 1896. Not the least meritorious of the legacies which he left behind him are the sons and daughters whom he trained to lives of usefulness, and the sons are now carrying on ranch enterprises of
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their own, having inherited in large measure their sire's business ability and thrift.
Of southern birth and parentage, John H. Duerson was born in Virginia in 1821, and considering the times in which he lived, as well as the new, un- settled country by which he was surrounded in his boyhood, it goes without saying that he grew up without experiencing any educational advantages worthy the name. He was early inured to hard labor on the home farm of his parents, and upon attaining mature years he undertook farming on his own account in the south, continuing there for a considerable period before he real- ized that his efforts might be made to give him better returns elsewhere. It was after a careful consideration of various localities that he finally decided to come to California and locate in 1858, and the same year found him in Sonoma county, located upon a ranch near Penn Grove .. This was his home and the scene of his efforts from that time until his death, and in the mean- time he had gained the love and respect of all those with whom he was brought in contact. Credit for all that he was able to accomplish he willingly shared with his noble wife, who before her marriage was Sarindia Sitton, and who was born in Missouri in 1836. Nine children blessed their marriage, six sons and three daughters, and all were given the best opportunities to fit them for their work in the world that it was in the power of their parents to bestow. Named in the order of their birth the sons were Joseph, George, William, John, Robert and Richard, while the daughters were Mary, Eliza and Lucy. William is married, but has no children, his wife having been Miss Jessie Horn before her marriage; Robert chose as his wife Miss Harriet Clary; and Richard mar- ried Hadie Horn. Mary became the wife of George Stocking, and Eliza is the wife of Thomas Elphick and the mother of five children, Roy, Lenn, Mer- rill, Blanche and Clytie.
The second son in the family, George Duerson, is the owner of a fine ranch in the vicinity of Penn Grove, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he conducts an unpretentious but nevertheless profitable dairy and poul- try industry. Fifteen cows of good breed constitute his dairy, while in his poultry yard he has two hundred and seventy-five chickens and turkeys. In addition to caring for his ranch Mr. Duerson also follows his trade of carpen- ter. Politically he is a Republican and is variously identified with organiza- tions which profit by his genial companionship and substantial help.
AUGUST GARLOFF
Among the people who knew him, August Garloff was held in the highest esteem for his many deeds of kindness and good qualities. He was born in Minnesota, where his father, John Garloff, was a farmer and later followed the same occupation near Sebastopol, Sonoma county, Cal. August Garloff re- ceived his education in the public schools of Minnesota, and during this time he also learned farming in all its details. On coming to Sonoma county he be- came superintendent for Harrison Mecham, on the old home ranch, continuing this until Mr. Mecham's death, and thereafter he operated the ranch until his de-
Amas a. stagg Mrs Hester aStage.
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cease at the Petaluma Hospital, May 11, 1911. He was married in San Fran- cisco, September 3, 1907, to Miss Hattie Mecham, who was born on the old home place near Stony Point and is the daughter of the late Harrison Mecham. She received her education in the Petaluma high school.
Mr. Garloff was a natural genius and inventor. Being a good mechanic, he invented an oil burner for cook stoves and brooder houses, known as the Gar- loff burner, which has been demonstrated a success and is much appreciated. Mrs. Garloff is making her residence at the old homestead, where she is looking after her interests and enjoys the association of many friends.
AMOS A. STAGG.
Familiarity with conditions existing in former places of residence had pre- pared Mr. Stagg for an appreciative admiration of the opportunities afforded by Sonoma county when in 1885 he came to California and identified himself with the citizenship of this section. From the first he was pleased with the climate and the resources of the locality, where soon he came to be known as a thorough-going and progressive man. It was his privilege to witness much of the material development of the region and to the aid of this patri- otic work he contributed time, energy and means. During the year 1899 the family purchased near Guerneville a tract of ten acres, costing $750 and now known as Riverside resort. The land is well adapted to the fruit industry, but experience has proved that the resort business is even more profitable, hence buildings for that purpose have been erected at an expense of about $9,000 and accommodations have been provided for about sixty tourists. It is the inten- tion to increase the equipment and enlarge the present facilities, so that one hundred or more boarders can be entertained at the same time. In order that the guests may be provided with the purest of butter and freshest of eggs a dairy of six cows is kept on the farm and a poultry-yard of one hundred hens is given the most assiduous care, besides which all of the fruit raised on the place is used to enlarge the equipment of the cuisine. Resultant from the painstaking care and culinary skill is a large concourse of summer visitors, whose frequent returns form a silent testimonial to the attractions of the resort.
Riverside resort adjoins Guerneville and overlooks the Russian river, where there is good trout fishing, and row boats are kept for the guests. The place is thickly grown with redwood and laurel and presents a restful and beautiful sight. The management of the resort devolves on Mrs. Stagg, who gives it all her time, and credit for its success and popularity is due to her. The place has become well and favorably known and has a very liberal patronage, which does her much credit and incidentally she has aided materially in advancing the popularity of Guerneville and vicinity as a summer resort, each season bringing larger and larger crowds.
Born in Franklin county, Ohio, August 23, 1829, Amos A. Stagg was a son of Josiah and Maria (Baldwin) Stagg and, aside from a sister, Mary Jane, was the only member of the family. During boyhood he was a pupil in country schools in Ohio, but the broad fund of information that he acquired was the result of travel and observation rather than the study of text-books.
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After leaving school he began to learn the trade of a carpenter and while he did not follow the occupation as a means of livelihood he found it of the great- est assistance in the farm building operations of later years. In that era the drift of emigration was toward the Mississippi valley and during the year 1855 he found himself a pioneer of Iowa, where he took up a tract of raw land and began the arduous task of improving a farm. For twenty years he remained a resident of that state and meanwhile he married and reared a family. The rigorous climate, however, proved a hardship even to his sturdy constitution and in 1875 he removed to Virginia in the hope of finding a more genial climate. While the climatic conditions were all that could be desired, other conditions were very unsatisfactory and he soon returned to Iowa, whence in 1885 he came to California. No further need had he to search for a desirable location. The climate suited him, the people he found to be progressive and the oppor- tunities equal to those offered by any section, hence he had no reason to regret the decision that brought him hither.
The marriage of Mr. Stagg took place in Iowa November 30, 1859, and united him with Miss Hester Ann Spence, who was born in Kentucky June 5. 1840, being a daughter of William and Cynthia (Bryant) Spence. Besides herself the family comprised four. George, Thomas, Nancy and Mary. The first-named had a family of ten children, viz .: William, Oris, Perry, Wesley, John. Trellis, Nora, May, Maria and Mary. Thomas married Louisa Albury and became the father of four children, Arthur, Rollin, Edgar and Maude (twins). Nancy, Mrs. Abraham Hill, had four children, William, Thomas, Walter and Blanche. Mary, Mrs. Daniel Brandt, of North Dakota, had a family of seven children, Walter, Clifton, Roscoe, Anna, Daisy, Maggie and Kittie. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stagg were as follows: Laura. born April 7, 1861; Edith, August 13, 1864; Herbert Alonzo, May 4, 1868; and Perla. November 28, 1873. The only son is married to Minnie Schaefer, but has no children. Laura, Mrs. Frank Spence, is the mother of four children, Harold, Bertha, Belle and Bessie. Edith is the wife of David Swygert and has one son, Ivan. Perla is married and has three children, Gilbert, Vernon and Gladys. From the time of attaining his majority Mr. Stagg has voted the Democratic ticket and upheld the principles of the party, but he takes no public part in politics, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to the management of his own interests, in which he has been so deservedly successful.
JOHN WILLIAM DOWD.
A visit to the farm occupied by John W. Dowd, at Lakeville, a few miles from Petaluma, Sonoma county, gives one a fair impression of the practical and successful methods of this popular dairyman, stock-raiser, vineyardist and general rancher. One reason for Mr. Dowd's splendid success and wide ver- satility is probably due to the fact that he has never considered any other occu- pation than farming, possibly for the reason that his ancestors for many gen- erations back were devoted to agricultural pursuits. In common with the other children of the parental family he was early in life made familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of farmers' children, his parents being tillers of the soil, owning and cultivating a farm in Sonoma county.
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Edward and Bridget (Farrell) Dowd, the parents of John W. Dowd, were natives of the Emerald Isle, born respectively March II, 1829, and 1836, and both came to the United States prior to their marriage, which was celebrated in New York City in the year 1860. A large family of children blessed this marriage, four of the number being sons and three daughters, as follows: Frank E .; James, deceased ; John William; Joseph, deceased; Mary Jennie, who resides with her brother John W .; Sarah, deceased; and Emma. The third son in order of birth, John W. Dowd, was born on the parental homestead in Sonoma county, March 18, 1871, and after attending the common schools in the vicinity of his home in the pursuit of an education, he turned his thought and energy in the direction of agriculture, and from that time forward has given the subject his entire thought. As has been stated, he is the owner and proprietor of a fine ranch of one hundred and sixty acres within easy access of Petaluma, which is his market town. While grain raising and dairying may be said to be his chief industries, he also raises stock to some extent, having fifteen head of live-stock at the present time. The raising of grapes and fruit is also a source of pleasure and profit to the owner, eighteen acres of his ranch being devoted to the former and five acres to the latter. Taken as a whole, Mr. Dowd's ranch is one of the most productive, and at the same time one of the most up-to-date properties in this section of the county, and he is regarded as an authority on the various branches of agriculture represented upon his ranch. As yet Mr. Dowd has not formed domestic ties, but lives upon the ranch with his sister, Mary Jennie. Politically he is a believer in Democratic principles, and whenever the occasion offers he votes for the candidates of this party. Mr. Dowd's eldest brother, Frank E. Dowd, county assessor, married Mattie Latham, who was born in British Columbia, and who before her marriage was a school teacher by profession. Emma Dowd became the wife of Joseplı Wall, and resides in San Francisco, and they are the parents of two children, Dorothy and Genevieve. Mr. Dowd has one of the well-improved ranches for which Sonoma county is noted. His residence is pleasantly located on the Lakeville road and is surrounded by orchard and numerous shade trees, and the drive is lined with eucalyptus, cedar, cypress and juniper trees, making an attractive entrance to his grounds.
BERTEL M. KARR.
Persistent, painstaking industry has characterized the activities of Mr. Karr ever since he became a resident of California a quarter of a century ago. Coming hither in 1886 from his native land of Germany, where he was born in 1869 and where he had learned the rudiments of farming under the careful oversight of a diligent father, he was qualified for the difficult task of earning a livelihood in a strange land, with whose language and customs he was unfamiliar. Agriculture in its various processes he found radically different here from his own country, yet the fundamental principles were the same and it was not long before he had grasped the details of the occupation as conducted along the coast of the Pacific. For seven years after his arrival from the old world he remained in
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Marin county and worked in the employ of others, thence coming in 1893 to Sonoma county, where he has since made his home. For a time he was en- gaged as a butter-maker and acquired noticeable efficiency in the work, but of recent years he has concentrated his attention upon general ranching and at this writing leases and operates one hundred and seventy acres near Petaluma, lying along Rural Route No. 3. On the place he has considerable stock and also a poultry yard with two hundred chickens. As a rancher he exhibits energy com- bined with industry and intelligence fortified by sagacious discrimination.
The Karr family is of Danish extraction. The parents of B. M. were both natives of Denmark, they being Hans J. and Anna (Griesen) Karr, the former born in 1837 and the latter in 1838, but from early years they lived in Germany. At the old German homestead, where in their younger days they actively carried on farm pursuits, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary December 5, 1910, receiving at the time the congratulations of relatives and friends from far and near. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters, namely : Jens, Peter H., Bertel M., Mary, Helen H., Anna M. and Christina. Peter is married and the father of two children, William and Edna. Mary married Peter Thuesen, a native of Denmark, and they have a family of three children. Helen, Mrs. Nels M. Jensen, of Petaluma, has one son and five daughters, viz .: William, Anna, Nellie, Ida, Wilmar and Gladys. Anna M., Mrs. Edward Koester, is the mother of three children, Edward, Edna and Mabel.
The marriage of B. M. Karr was solemnized at Petaluma in 1904 and united him with Miss Carrie M. Snyder, who was born in Iowa, but was brought to California by relatives in 1878, when she was only two years of age. Since then she has made her home in Sonoma county and received an excellent education in the local schools. Her parents were George and Ellen (Caraway) Snyder, the former born in Germany in 1840, and from young manhood a citizen of the United States. Mrs. Karr has only one brother, Charles M., also an only sister, Lila J., who married Scott Whitaker and is the mother of two sons, Ray E. and George M. Mrs. Karr shares with her husband the esteem of acquaintances and the good-will of neighbors, their friends numbering people of worth and the highest refinement. Politically Mr. Karr votes with the Republican party, but has taken little part in public affairs and never has sought the honors of office. In fraternal matters he holds membership with Petaluma Lodge No. 30, I. O. O. F., and has maintained a warm interest not only in the local lodge work, but also in the activities of the canton.
ARNOLD F. GARZOLI.
In Arnold F. Garzoli we find a native son of California whose ability and versatility as a rancher reflect credit upon the section of country of which he is a native, as well as the country from which his forefathers have sprung for gen- erations, namely Switzerland. During young manhood his father, William Gar- zoli, came to the new world, at the time when the finding of gold in California brought the attention of the world to this section of country. He was among the immigrants who rounded Cape Horn and landed in the harbor of San Fran-
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