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 73
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The marriage of Mr. Comstock united him with Miss Clara Stone in 1860; she was a native of Michigan, but has been a resident of California since 1856, coming to the state at that time with her father and locating in Contra Costa county. Two children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Comstock. Hubert and Florence, the latter of whom died at the age of sixteen years. During his early voting days Mr. Comstock was a Whig, but after the formation of the Republican party he was an advocate of its principles. Mr. Comstock was a patriotic and loyal citizen, intent upon the general good of the community, the . city and state which he had made his by adoption.
JOHN JACKSON COX.
Sixty years represents the period of Mr. Cox's residence in Sonoma county, few if any in his vicinity preceding him, and both by old and young he is af- fectionately known and addressed as "Uncle John." Generations of the Cox family had been born and reared in the south, among them the parents of our subject, William and Lucy (Blakely) Cox, both of whom were born and reared in Kentucky but removed to Davis county, Mo., where they were farmers, and resided there until their deaths. In Knox county, Ky., John Jackson Cox was born February 17, 1835. Besides himself the parental family included six sons and two daughters, as follows: William; Levi, who died in Missouri; James, who also died in Missouri; Edward T., who died in the army at Little Rock, Ark., Benjamin, a resident of Hannibal, Mo .; Martin O., who died near Nettleton, Mo .; and Armina and Talitha J., both of whom died in Missouri. Edward chose for his wife Miss' Miranda Osborn and they had five children.
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Benjamin married Miss Langford and they have five children, four daughters and one son. Martin, who chose as his wife Charity Hail, became father of three children, two daughters and a son. Armina became the mother of fifteen children by her marriage with David Thomas, the family making their home in Davis county, Mo. Talitha J. became the wife of David Graves, and the mother of five children.
John Jackson Cox was a youth of fifteen years when the news of the discovery of gold in California was heralded across the plains and it was natural that he should have responded to its call as did many another ambitious youth on the verge of assuming life's responsibilities. He left St. Joseph and crossed the plains in a wagon train of ox-teams in a company of nine men. August 14, 1850, marks the date of his arrival in Ringgold, Eldorado county, where he followed mining for twelve years. Following his mining experience, in 1864, he located in Sonoma county. He and Mr. Trosper owned the Maguire ranch, from Cazadero to Gualala, upon which they ran stock. Later they sold this off to improve their places. Mr. Cox's ranch comprises one hundred and sixty-two and a-half acres, of which eight acres are in vineyard, the yield from which is quite exceptional, averaging twenty-four tons per season. Besides the land de- voted to vineyard he has two acres in the various fruits grown in this locality, the remainder of the land being pasture and timber land. Mr. Cox has every reason to be contented with his lot and satisfied that fate led him to take up his residence here, for he has been successful in his undertakings and has en- joyed life in the progressive west as he never could have done in the south where he was born. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, and though he is not identified by membership with any church organization, he is nevertheless a belicver in the keynote of all religions, the Golden Rule, the practice of which he exemplifies in his dealings with his fellowmen, who respect and revere him as one whose life and deeds are unimpeachable.
H. H. ATWATER.
Though passed from the scenes of earth, the memory of H. H. Atwater is enshrined in the hearts of a host of friends, who were endeared to him as a result of many years of intimate and congenial association. A native of Penn- sylvania, he was born in Providence, in 1837, the son of parents who passed the greater part of their lives in that eastern commonwealth. The father was well known in commercial circles in that part of the state, especially in Providence, where he was established in the dry-goods business under the name of Winton & Atwater.
H. H. Atwater was reared and educated in his native town of Providence, and when the time came for him to prepare for his future from a business stand- point he entered the dry-goods store of which his father was the junior partner and learned the business in all of its details. It was with a thorough under- standing of this business that he came to California in 1875. the same year com- ing to Petaluma and accepting a position with the dry-goods firm of Hinman & Elder. He remained in the employ of this well-known firm for a number of years, or until a better business opportunity presented itself. This was with the
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Wickersham Banking Company, of which he was the efficient cashier for many years. It was while the incumbent of this responsible position that failing health made is necessary for him to take a respite from business cares, and for this purpose he went to Skaggs Springs, Sonoma county. He passed away at this health resort August 10, 1897. During the twenty-two years of his resi- dence in Petaluma he took an interested part in her activities, and was recog- nized as one of the substantial and dependable citizens and upbuilders of the community. In his political affiliation he was a Republican, and fraternally he was associated with the Odd Fellows order.
Five years before coming to the west Mr. Atwater had formed domestic ties by his marriage, in New York state, with Miss Addie A. Dailey, the mar- riage occurring May 3, 1870. The only child of this marriage is Frank At- water, who is a prominent merchant in Petaluma. Mrs. Atwater is proud to claim descent from good old Revolutionary stock. Her grandfather, Jared Knapp, passed through the entire conflict in the capacity of body guard to Gen. George Washington, and subsequently, in the war of 1812, fought with equal zeal against the tyranny of the Mother Country. Other historical interest cen- ters around this patriot of Revolutionary fame in the fact that he was one of the men who led Major Andre to his execution.
The spirit of protest against injustice so marked in the make-up of this patriotic ancestor is noticeable in modified form in Mrs. Atwater, and has been put to use in high and noble causes ever since she came to Petaluma. For many years she was president of the Humane Society, and is now president of the Ladies' Improvement Club of Petaluma, which was organized in 1898 through her indefatigable labors for the betterment of civic conditions in her home city. From the day of its organization she has been at its head as president, and during this time an active campaign has been carried on in the improvement of conditions. Among other things that have been accomplished has been the laying out of the city's two parks, Hill Plaza and Walnut Park, planting trees on many of the streets, placing a well in Walnut Park, besides building side- walks and making other improvements that but for the united action and in- sistence of the club might never have been possible. Not the least of the activi- ties for which the citizens have cause to thank the club is the fine condition of the grounds around the Carnegie Library, which they laid out in artistic style and which have since been a source of pride to all citizens. The lot on which the library stands was Mrs. Atwater's personal gift to the city, an act which gave substantial evidence of her deep interest in the cause for which she has iabored for so many years, the betterment of humanity in general and particu- larly that portion in and around her home city, Petaluma. Under the new char- ter the responsibilty of the park finance has been placed upon the park com- mission, and they are at present in charge, but the Ladies' Improvement Club have been requested to take the same interest in it as formerly.
HENRY ANDREW HARDIN.
Intimately associated with the stock-raising interests of Sonoma county is Henry A. Hardin, who is the owner of a fine stock ranch near Sonoma which he rents to a tenant, being himself retired from active business cares and with his wife is enjoying the comforts which their combined efforts for many years have
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made possible. Since leaving the ranch they have made their home in Peta- luma, at No. 220 Seventh street.
A native of the south, Mr. Hardin was born in Oldham county, Ky., Feb- ruary 13, 1833, but his recollections of his birthplace are dim at best, as when he was a small boy his parents removed with their family to Johnson county, Mo. There he gained a modest education in the country schools of the locality of his home, and when not in attendance during the short term, was employed on the home farm and also worked on a carding machine in preparing wool for market. He found this work rather uninteresting and monotonous after hearing of the larger prospects which the west had to offer, and when he was only nineteen years old he decided to take his future in his hands and come to the Pacific coast country. There were fifteen wagons in the ox-team train with which he set out from Missouri in 1852, and it was six months and twelve days before they arrived in California. The records do not state that they were molested by the Indians, but a foe of even greater danger attacked them in the form of cholera, from which a number of the party died. The journey finally completed, Mr. Hardin came direct to Sonoma county and near Sebastopol succeeded in securing work on a ranch. Later, in the same locality, he bought out a squatter and fenced in about four hundred acres, which he stocked with cattle and sheep, carrying on stock-raising and dairying there for about ten years, or until the land title was settled. He then went into another section and bought five hun- dred and forty acres, which he utilized as he had his former tract, cattle and siteep raising and dairying, remaining on the ranch altogether for fifteen years, during which time he added to the size of the ranch by the purchase of two hun- dred acres of adjoining land. Subsequently he disposed of a portion of this acreage. In 1872 he bought eight hundred head of cattle that his brother had brought from Texas, meeting then at the forks of the Platte river, and from there he drove them to Nevada and sold them the following year. Returning to California, he stopped on his home place and in 1876 disposed of it and bought two hundred acres of land near Lakeville, upon which he located and made his home for the following nineteen years, selling it at the end of this time and purchasing in its place the fine stock ranch of which he is now the owner near Sonoma. This is one of the largest tracts of land in the county owned by one person, comprising twelve hundred and forty acres. At one time, for about six years, he ran about six thousand sheep in Monterey county, on the Salinas river, making his home in Sonoma county during that time. For many years after purchasing his present property Mr. Hardin superintended it personally, but for sixteen years the active management of the property has been in the hands of a tenant, and since retiring from business he has made his home in Petaluma. He has a personal and kindly interest in his home town, the growth of which he has watched from a straggling village, and he has always favored the maintenance of churches and good schools, and has served on the boards of both as a trustee for many years. He has always supported the movements put forth that have been for the upbuilding of the county and advancement of the social and moral interests of the citizens.
The first marriage of Mr. Hardin, in 1856, united him with Miss Mary E. Leard, a native of Illinois. Five children were born to them, but three of the number are deceased, Josephine, Robert H. and Andrew. Those living are
Charles Ramalice.
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Paschal H., a resident of Petaluma, and Rosetta. the wife of Judge N. J. Barry, of Reno, Nev. Mr. Hardin's second marriage occurred in 1869 and united him with Miss Martha M. Veale, also a native of Illinois. Five children were boin of this marriage also, as follows: Dr. A. E. Hardin, who is practicing his profession in Washington; Ella Irene, the wife of Thomas Worth, of Sebasto- pol ; Julia, the wife of Edwin Gregory, a rancher of Petaluma; Sarah, the wife of J. Benson, the owner and manager of a ranch near Petaluma; and Mrs. Ida Jane Corbin.
CHARLES RAMATICI.
There is much in the California environment to will and hold the affection of the people of Switzerland. Both charm the eye with scenic beauty; both boast of fruitful valleys nestling among the snow-capped mountains; both at- tract thousands of tourists each year to enjoy the climate and behold the scenery. Somewhat alike too are the two regions in their occupations, for in both coun- tries agriculture is a leading industry and dairying has enlisted the efforts of many of the people. These resemblances were noted by Mr. Ramatici, when in 1877 he came to California from Switzerland, where he was born in 1857, and where up to the time of his arrival in the west he had lived and labored among his kindred. At the same time he noted many differences between the two countries, difference of language, in modes of thought, in habits and cus- toms of the peoples, in methods of conducting agricultural operations and in the adoption in the newer country of modern machinery and devices as yet unknown or little used in the older country.
On both sides of the family Mr. Ramatici is descended from ancestors who were among the first families in Switzerland, which for many generations had benefited by their labors. His immediate ancestors were Peter and Mary (Liberada) Ramatici, who were content to pass their entire lives in the land which gave them birth. Their son Charles remained an inmate of the old Swiss home until he was twenty years of age, when he made up his mind to come to the United States and the year 1877 witnessed his landing upon these shores. Coming direct to California, he located in Marin county and immediately sought eniployment along the line with which he was most familiar, farming. . While adjusting himself to his new surroundings and acquiring a knowledge of the language of his adopted homeland he found it exceedingly advantageous to remain in the employ of others before undertaking responsibilities on his own account. This however would not long satisfy his ambitious nature, and as soon as circumstances made it possible he leased a ranch and engaged in the dairy business. The ranch comprised five hundred and sixty-five acres of excel- lent land in Marin county, within easy access of Petaluma. This is a dairying country without a superior in the state, and like the majority of ranchers in the community .Mr. Ramatici is especially interested in this branch of agricul- ture. On the ranch mentioned he kept a herd of over one hundred milch cows, besides considerable young stock. In addition to his dairy stock he has five head of horses, eighty head of hogs and one thousand chickens of the White Leg- horn breed. Taken in its entirety the ranch which Mr. Ramatici is operating is one of the representative ones in this part of the county, and indicates what
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a man with a definite purpose may accomplish. In May, 1911, he purchased sixty-nine acres of land one-half mile south of Petaluma, where he engages in the poultry business. It is a well improved ranch and convenient to markets, and it is the owner's intention to make this his permanent home.
In the choice of a wife Mr. Ramatici chose one of his countrywomen in Miss Martha Spaletta, who was born in Switzerland in 1860, and has been a resident of California since 1886, their marriage occurring in San Francisco. Six children have come to bless their marriage, four sons and two daughters, namely: Peter, Adolf, Romeo, Charles, Jr., Linda and Lilly. Mrs. Ramatici is the daughter of Peter and Jennie Spaletta, and comes from an ancestry that ranks high in the annals of that country. Politically Mr. Ramatici is a Re- publican, fraternally is identified with the Beneficanza Swizzera, and religiously is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, being a communicant of the organization at Petaluma.
WILLIAM HOCKIN.
Few men have come to Sonoma county in young manhood and, with little to aid them save their own indomitable energy and fixity of purpose, succeeded so well in accomplishing their praiseworthy ambitions as William Hockin. No face is more familiar to the residents of Santa Rosa, nor does any name carry with it greater weight, whether from a business, agricultural or general stand- point. Prosperity, good judgment, optimism and good will are suggested by the personality of Mr. Hockin, and one is interested in the study of his rise from its incipiency to his present position as land owner, proprietor of the Fashion livery and feed stables in Santa Rosa, and as one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Sonoma county.
Mr. Hockin's earliest recollections are of a quiet home in Cornwall county, England, where he was born in 1850, and where he continued to make his home with his parents until reaching his majority. Leaving parents, friends and all with which he was familiar behind him, he set out for America at the age of twenty-two years, and at the end of an uneventful voyage landed at Quebec, Canada. He then went to Bowmanville, where he worked at his trade of miller for two years. From there he went to Humboldt, Tenn., there as in Canada working at the miller's trade and continuing there about one year. It was at the end of this time that he came to California and located in Sonoma county, and for over thirty-five years he lias done a noble part in the upbuilding of this section of the state. For a time after settling in Santa Rosa he worked at his trade of miller, subsequently engaging in the blacksmith business in Sebastopol for about two years, when he went to Stewart's Point and filled the position of clerk in the John Fisk hotel for the same period. A change of location at the end of this time took him to Duncan's Mill, where he leased what is known as the Sewell stock ranch, managing it successfully for four years, after which he leased the Sea View summer resort and maintained it with profit for six years. It was with this varied experience to his credit that he finally returned to Santa Rosa, and since November 4, 1888, he has been proprietor of the finest
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and best appointed livery and feed stable in the city, known as the Fashion stables.
Mr. Hockin's marriage occurred in 1878 and united him with Miss Amanda Elizabeth Totton, who was born in Canada in 1857 and in whose veins flowed the blood of Scotch ancestors. Seven children were born of this union, and all of the number are still living. The eldest of the children, Gertrude A., was born October 30, 1880; Grace M., who was born in February, 1882, is married and lives in Marin county ; Maud A. was born in November, 1884; Anna Belle, born in December, 1886, is the wife of M. J. Forsythe, of Williams, Cal. William H, who was born in May, 1888, chose as his wife Miss Margaret Louise Lee, and they make their home in Santa Rosa; the two youngest children, Albert, born in 1893, and Margaret, born in 1894, are still at home with their parents. In the maintenance of the livery business Mr. Hockin has the assistance of his two sons, William H. and Albert, an association which is not only amicable, but one which is profitable to all concerned. In his stable Mr. Hockin has a num- ber of fine horses which he raised himself, and throughout this section of Sonoma county there is probably no one more thoroughly versed in the training and care of horses than is he.
Politically Mr. Hockin is a Democrat; by appointment he filled the office of postmaster at Sea View during his residence in that place. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Santa Rosa Lodge No. 57, F. & A. M., and he is also a member of Santa Rosa Lodge No. 53, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs. As a citizen he takes a deep interest in the welfare of the city, and has never shirked his duty toward the public when opportunity has presented itself to assist in the advancement of its highest interests.
JOSEPH C. JONES.
Early in the colonial settlement of New England a branch of the Jones family became established along the shores of the Atlantic ocean, and from that pioneer ancestry descended the prosperous farmer whose name introduces this articie and whose activities for many years have been associated with the material development of Sonoma county. New Hampshire is his native com- monwealthı, as it was likewise the birthplace of his parents, Eliphalet and Eliza (Woodward) Jones, the former of whom, a man of sterling character and irre- proachable honor, died in 1856 at the age of forty-nine years, a useful life find- ing its earthly end all too soon. There were five sons and four daughters in the parental family, namely: Samuel, Joseph C., Henry, Samuel, George, Eliz- abeth, Elmira, Emeline and Abigail. Of the daughters Elizabeth, Mrs. G. W. Dunlap, had two children, Herman and Mrs. Alameda Willard, the latter be- ing the mother of three daughters and two sons. Elmira, Mrs. Saltmarsh, had one daughter. Emeline, wife of George W. Moody, had four sons and one daughter, namely: Charles, Frank, Henry, Gill and Abbie, who is married and has three children. The sons in the parental family for the most part re- mained in New England; Henry married Belle Benepay, but had no children.
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The others established homes of their own and became citizens of influence in their several localities.
Little of especial importance occurred to mark the boyhood of Joseph C. Jones. His early recollections are associated with the village of Unity, N. H., where he was born in 1843 and where he attended the public schools, laying the foundation for a liberal education afterward extended by travel and close observation. Desiring to settle in the great undeveloped west he came to Cali- fornia in 1865, landing at San Francisco, where he secured employment and remained for a time. During the year 1876 he removed to Sonoma county, and now resides near Guerneville, where he owns a farm of two hundred acres. His attention is given to the care of the land, a part of which is in timber and pasture and the balance under cultivation. A vineyard of one acre has proved a source of considerable revenue. Perhaps the most valuable improvement is an orchard of twenty acres, containing four thousand fruit trees in thrifty condi- tion. Much time is required for the care of the trees and the harvesting of the crops of fruit, but Mr. Jones feels abundantly repaid for the labor, as the prices received for the fruit are always such as to bring him a gratifying profit. His ranch, which is known as Mountain View ranch, is located on top of a mountain, overlooking the Russian river, and in clear weather it is possible to get a view of St. Helena and Santa Rosa, and also of Mount Tamalpais on the coast.
At the time of coming to California Mr. Jones was unmarried, and it was not until 1876 that he established domestic ties, his marriage in that year uniting him with Miss Mary Powers, a native of Springfield, Vt., and a woman of edu- cation and refinement. An only child came to bless their union, a daughter, Nellie M., who was given fair educational advantages and is now the wife of James George. Mrs. Mary Jones passed away in 1885, and on November 17, 1901, Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Mrs. Frances (Campbell) Lynch, a native of Wisconsin and a resident of California since 1876. She was the daughter of A. H. and Emiline B. Campbell, who at their deaths were living in Benicia. By her former marriage Mrs. Jones has two children, as follows : Mary, who is the wife of P. M. Autzen, of San Anselmo, and Frank H. Mr. Jones and his family stand high in the social circles of the community and are active members of the Episcopal Church, contributing generously to its main- tenance, as well as to other worthy religious and philanthropic movements. Well posted concerning national issues, Mr. Jones has always favored Repub- lican principles and has given the party his support in both local and general elections, but has not sought office for himself nor been solicitous for political preferment.
GRANVILLE THOMPSON AUSTIN.
To trace the lineage of the Austin family is to review a portion of the early history of Tennessee, when people of that name became identified with the struggling settlement in the midst of the forest primeval. The paternal grand father of our subject, David Shelton Austin, was one of the first settlers of Tennessee, going there from Virginia, where he was born. He served all through
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