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 76
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
Removing to Missouri at that age, he located at Savannah, Andrew county, and was still there at the time of the breaking out of the Mexican war. He en- listed liis services in the cause in the spring of 1847, under Captain Rogers, becoming a part of Powell's Battalion of Cavalry, Company D. He remained in service until November, 1848, the date of his honorable discharge at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and following this he made preparations to come to Cali- fornia. The spring of 1849 found him en route with ox-teams and after a four-month journey with its round of danger and excitement he finally arrived at Hangtown (now Placerville) September 4, 1849. A short experience as a miner at that place, followed by a brief period in which he was interested in a grocery business on Georgia slide, Canyon creek, near Georgetown, preceded his advent in Sonoma county in 1850, and here he has made his home for over sixty years. During this time, however, in 1860, he went to San Luis Obispo county and was interested in the stock business until 1864, when he was forced out of business on account of drought. Returning to Sonoma county, he began to buy and sell stock and hogs, and is still interested in the cattle business, sev- eral head of fine stock now being fattened for the market. His ranch near Petaluma comprises one hundred and fifteen acres of fine land, of which twenty- five acres are in apples, plums, pears and cherries, while the remainder of the land is used as pasturage and grain land. In addition to the home ranch he also owns a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres at Green Valley station, leased to an Italian tenant, who carries on general farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Merritt's marriage in 1854 united him with Miss Sarah E. Wilfley, who was born in Scotland county, Mo., November 10, 1837. She was one of nine children born to her parents, Samuel and Nancy (Ellis) Wilfley, the former of whom was born in Tennessee April 3, 1812, and the latter a native of Illi- nois. They were married in Missouri, and that state continued to be the home of the family uninterruptedly until the year 1853, when Mr. Wilfley came to California, only to return soon afterward, but he again crossed the plains in 1856 and from that time until the close of his life he made his home in the Golden state. Five children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Merritt, four sons and one daughter, as follows: John T., Edward B., William, Warren and Ida Jane. The eldest son, John T., makes his home in Petaluma with his wife, formerly Jennie Anthony, and their four children, Lyel. George, Effa and Ruby, the eldest daughter, Effa, being the wife of George Hawkins. Edward B. married Mollie Davis and has two children, Bert and Jessie, by this marriage; his present wife was formerly Miss Emma Hueberger. Ida Jane became the wife of Nathaniel Benson, by whom she has three children, Roy ( who married Bertha Casta), Harold and Forest. Politically Mr. Merritt is a believer in Democratic principles, and always casts his vote in favor of that party's candi- dates. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Petaluma Lodge No. 180, and to Chapter No. 22, R. A. M.
JOHN D. BAILIFF.
Among the men who gave the strength of their best years toward the devel- opment of the resources of Sonoma county few are more kindly remembered than the late John Bailiff, and the work which he so nobly began and which he laid down at his death, December 27, 1900, is being carried forward by his
Charles IV Welling. Mrs Charles Welling
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son and namesake, John D. Bailiff. A native son of the state, the latter was born in Sonoma county August 31, 1875, and when he was only one year old the family settled on the ranch of which he is now the proprietor, near Santa Rosa, and he has therefore known no other home. When he attained school age he became a pupil in the public schools of Santa Rosa, attending both the gram- mar and high schools of the city, after which he became associated with his father in the maintenance of the ranch.
John D. Bailiff was a young man of twenty-five years of age when the death of his father left the care of the ranch upon his shoulders. That he had an apti- tude for the calling of the agriculturist has been unmistakable, amply demon- strated during the past ten years of his management of the property. Here he has three hundred and ninety-six acres of fine land, one hundred and fifty of which are in barley, while seventy-five acres are in vineyard, in connection with which he maintains a winery. Some idea of the size of the latter industry may be gathered from the statement that between twenty-five and forty thousand gal- lons of wine are manufactured every year, and as the product is of excellent quality it is in demand at the highest market price. Stock-raising is also an im- portant feature of the ranch, an average of from seventy-five to one hundred cattle being fattened for market annually. The raising of fine horses is an industry in which he engages with deep interest, being a lover of the horse, and a number of fine specimens of the Belgian breed may be seen upon the ranch. These he raises for his own use, and not for profit. Taken as a whole the Bail- iff ranch is one of the finest and most profitable ranch properties in this section of Sonoma county, and the successive owners of the property have in their turn been ranked among the most substantial and energetic citizens and upbuilders that the county has ever known.
The first marriage of Mr. Bailiff occurred in 1900 and united him with Miss Margaret Hoover, of Napa, who did not long survive her marriage, pass- ing away in January, 1901. His second marriage was celebrated January 18, 1905, uniting him with Miss Edith M. Tuttle, a native of California, and one child has been born of this union, Vernon D., born January 9, 1906. Following in the footsteps of his father in the matter of politics, Mr. Bailiff is a Repub- lican, and like him, too, has never sought or desired public office.
CHARLES WASHINGTON WELLING.
The nucleus of the present large landed possessions owned by Mr. Welling was acquired by him during the year 1879, when he bought thirty acres of un- improved, untilled land in Sonoma county. With that amount as a beginning he later added to his holdings from time to time until at this writing he has the title to three hundred and seventy-two acres, forming one of the valuable and profitable estates of the county. The dairy industry has been his specialty and in connection therewith he raises stock in sufficient quantities for his own needs, besides selling from time to time such as cannot be utilized in the dairy business. Ever since boyhood he has been interested in ranching and by experience and habits of close observation he has acquired a broad fund of information con-
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cerning the occupation and is thoroughly conversant with all of its details. While promoting his own interests he has not neglected the welfare of his community, but always has stood ready to aid local projects for the common good. His participation in public affairs has been that of the quiet, unobtrusive but intelligent and resourceful citizen, whose devotion to the county's up- building is unquestioned as his loyalty to the country is unwavering.
Born in Quincy, Ill., in 1847, Charles Welling is the son of a New Yorker descended from early settlers of the eastern colonies. At an early period the father sought the opportunities afforded by Illinois and for many years made his home in Quincy. He married a young lady born and reared in Illinois, but was bereaved by her death while the children were still small. During the year 1861 the family came across the plains to California and settled in Sonoma county, where the father embarked in the dairy business. At the time of coming to the west Charles was a lad of fourteen years, energetic, capable and well-grounded in the elementary studies taught in the schools of Quincy. Later he attended the schools at Bodega and on leaving school took up ranch activities, which he has followed ever since with growing success. In addition for a time he assisted his father in the management of a hotel which was one of the pioneer inns of the county.
Domestic ties formed by Mr. Welling during the year 1879 when he was thirty-two years of age united him with Miss Cassie Smith, a native of Indiana and after 1859 a resident of California, where she received a common-school education in Sonoma county, Her parents came to the United States during early vears and settled in Indiana, whence they migrated westward during 1859 and settled near Sebastopol. They continued to make their home in Sonoma county until they passed from earth. Mr. and Mrs. Welling became the parents of ten children, seven of whom are still living. The eldest, Mamie, is the wife of George Wallin and lives on a ranch near Valley Ford. The second daughter, Zeila, married Eugene Robertson and lives in Marin county. George assists his father in the operation of the home ranch. Rose, Susie, John Adam and Edward are pupils in the local school. The children are bright and energetic and in their future are centred the chief hopes of the parents, who have toiled with unwearying zeal in order that desired advantages might be given them. Politically Mr. Welling votes with the Democratic party. At one time he was actively identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but of recent years he has maintained no fraternal associations. Such leisure as comes to him in the midst of his busy life is devoted to the enjoyment of his home, the society of his family and intercourse with the large circle of friends gained during the long period of his residence in the community.
WILLIAM H. ZARTMAN.
The honor of being the first mayor of Petaluma under the Freeholders charter belongs to William H. Zartman, the eldest son of that well-known pio- neer, William Zartman, of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this vol- ume. William H. Zartman was born October 7, 1854, in Petaluma, where his entire life thus far has been passed. He received his primary education in his home city, supplementing this later by a course in the San Francisco Business
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College. Returning home at the end of his college course he entered his father's carriage-making shop and learned the business in all of its details, and in 1884 became a member of the firm of Zartman & Co. The introduction of new blood into the business was not without its effect, a marked increase in all its depart- ments at once becoming noticeable, and upon the retirement of the father from business in 1898, his half share was assumed by the son Frank, and since that time the two sons have continued the business which their father had founded in the early '50s. The business was established on Main street and was continued there until about 1861, when it was located on Western avenue and Keller street, the present site of the Methodist Church. The elder Mr. Zartman sold his in- terest there about 1868, after which he started the business at its present location, at the corner of Western avenue and Hawood street. About 1872 William H. Zartman began his apprenticeship to the carriage-making business. and since 1884 has been actively interested in its management. The firm have about one hundred and thirty-seven and a half feet on Western avenue built up with shops, and one hundred and fifty feet of buildings in Hawood street, comprising the most complete machine shop and carriage-making plant in the city, electric power being used. Besides their own make of vehicles they have the agency of the McCormick harvester machinery, Fish Brothers wagons, Perry Manufacturing Co.'s carriages, and a general stock of other well-known manufacturers' goods.
The marriage of William H. Zartman occurred in 1889 and united him with Miss Lula W. Hopkins, a native of California and the daughter of Samuel J. Hopkins, a pioneer settler in the state. Like his father before him Mr. Zart- man is interested in the upbuilding of his home city, for some time serving as city trustee and also as a member of the school board, and is now a director of the Petaluma Savings Bank, one of the most substantial monetary institutions in the county.
Outside of his family and business and official duties there is probably noth- ing in which Mr. Zartman is more interested than the fire department of Peta- luma, of which he was a member from the time he was in his teens, and of which he finally became chief. He served as chief of the department for about five years, when he resigned to undertake the new duties devolving upon him as mayor of the city. As Petaluma Engine Company No. I it was organized June 10, 1857. William Van Houten being the first foreman, he being succeeded in 1876 by William H. Zartman. Hook and Ladder Company No. I was organized November 27, 1857, with J. N. McCune as foreman. Sonoma Engine Company was organized January 1, 1864, Fred Frazier being made foreman of this com- pany. On April 3. 1867, Young America Engine Company was organized with William M. Brown the first foreman in charge. The present equipment of the department consists of two hose companies, one engine company, one hook and ladder company, and one hose company of paid men, who are on call at all times. The department is further equipped with a splendid fire alarm box system of seventeen boxes, well distributed throughout the city. From the time of the organization of the fire department in 1857 it has been one of the most efficient of the city's public institutions, and by prompt aid thousands of dollars have been saved to the citizens on many occasions. The citizens of Petaluma have always recognized the obligations they owe their firemen and have endeavored
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in every way to help and encourage the brave men who risk their lives to avert destruction and possible death.
In the session of the legislature in 1911 the new Freeholders charter of Petaluma was ratified, Mr. Zartman having been a member and chairman of the committee that drew up the charter. His popularity among the citizens and his fitness for the position of mayor led to his nomination for the office on the Re- publican ticket, and in April, 1911, he was elected by over five hundred majority, oath of office being taken April 18. Fraternally Mr. Zartman is a member of Petaluma Lodge No. 30, I. O. O. F., Relief Encampment No. 29, and Petaluma Lodge No. 180, F. & A. M., in all of which he has passed all of the chairs.
AUBREY BARHAM.
The name of Barham needs no introduction to the people of Mendocino and Sonoma counties, for through father and son respectively the strong and adinirable characteristics of the family are rooted in the upbuilding of these portions of the state. The father, H. W. Barham, was born in Illinois in 1835, and was little more than a boy when, in 1849, he came across the plains to California, mining holding forth a greater inducement than the plodding farm work in which he was engaged in his home locality. The long ox-team journey ended, he immediately made his way to the mines in the vicinity of Marysville, Yuba county, but with what success he met during the two years that he re- mained there the records do not state. However, it is known that at the end of this time he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and followed this congenial employment throughout the remainder of his life. Going to Ukiah, Mendocino county, he purchased a ranch and began its cultivation, being one of the pioneers in this industry, for as yet those who had come to the state for the purpose of making their fortunes in the mines were still struggling along in the belief that the next attempt would surely bring them the long-sought eldorado. As with all booms, the reaction had to come, a fate which Mr. Barhanı was wise in seeing, and forestalled disaster by turning his attention to a line of work with which he was familiar. The ranch which he then purchased is now the site of the State insane asyluni and on this ranch he made his resi- dence until 1864, when he sold out and came to Sonoma county and located on a ranch in the vicinity of Bodega upon which he remained two years. From there he removed to a ranch six miles from Santa Rosa, on the Petaluma road, which from the long period of his residence upon it has ever since been known as the Barham ranch. This consisted of one hundred and seventy-five acres of fine land, upon which he settled in 1868 as a pioneer of that locality and during his long term of residence upon it, brought it to a high state of cul- tivation that was a credit to the owner as well as to the county. His wife, who was a native of Missouri, was born in 1841 and passed away at the age of forty-seven years, having become the mother of four children, only two of whom are now living, Aubrey Barham of this review, and Byrd Barham, a resident of Santa Rosa.
It was on the family homestead near Ukiah, Mendocino county, that the birth of Aubrey Barham occurred September 24, 1862. The schools of the locality as well as those of Santa Rosa and Christian College of the same place
Ole Hansen
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supplied him with the necessary mental training, and his father's ranch fur- nished the equally necessary physical training, both contributing to make him the self-reliant, robust young man that he was when, at the age of eighteen, he set out independently to wrestle with the duties of life. He taught school for two years in the Hearne district and then decided to take up the study of law, entering the offices of Rutledge & McConnell at Santa Rosa, subsequently was also in the office of T. J. Geary for one year. He was admitted to practice by the Supreme court of the state in 1887. Instead of taking up the law he en- gaged in the real estate and brokerage business with his father that same year, having offices on Fourth street, in the National Bank building. His interest in the welfare of his home city was the means of his election to the city council, a position which he filled efficiently for nearly three years. Through Democratic influence, he was appointed a deputy in the office of the county assessor, a position which he filled for two terms. Since taking up his residence in Santa Rosa he has erected a beautiful home, in addition to which he also owns the Rosedale stock farm, located two miles from the city, upon which, with his family, he spends the summer months.
Mr. Barham's marriage, in 1887, united him with Miss Minnie Christenson, a native daughter of California, whose father, a native of New York, came to California during the early period of its history. His wife was a native of Hoboken, N. J. The eldest of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs Bar- ham was Deloss, born in 1888, but who died while an infant. Blanche D., born in 1890, received a good education in the public schools of Santa Rosa and also the Ursuline convent. Maud L., born in 1895. is a student in the schools of Santa Rosa. An able and versatile man, giving his whole attention to whatever enterprise he may have in hand, it is yet evident that in his choice of a calling in life Mr. Barham made no mistake, for in the various depart- ments of business he is equally successful.
OLE HANSEN.
After a life of twenty-five years as a sailor on the high seas Ole Hansen settled down to the life of the landsman in Sonoma county, Cal., and that he is a man of versatile ability needs no further verification than a glance at the ranch of which he is now the owner, everything about the place, crops, build- ings, fences and implements, indicating that he is a man who understands the work in hand and is appreciative of details. A native of Denmark, he was born in 1840, near the town of Holbeck, where he imbibed a love of the sea, and when little more than a boy made his first ocean voyage. This was the begin- ning of a career which he was destined to follow for twenty-five years, during which time, in 1859, he came to the United States for the first time, landing at Port Townsend, Wash.
On a subsequent voyage Mr. Hansen came to Bodega Bay, July 4, 1861, when he saw Sonoma county for the first time. He then went on a trip to Den- mark to visit his old home, from there going to the East Indies and finally back to England, touching all the principal points on the way. After a second trip to India, upon which he entered all the prominent ports, including Bombay, he re-
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turned to England and from there came to the United States, entering port at Boston, Mass. Re-embarking, he came to San Francisco by way of Cape Horn, arriving in 1867. During his service on the high seas covering four years and eight months, he had served on only three different ships. On January II, 1868, he was on the schooner Moonlight when it was wrecked in Bodega Bay. . Although he had made up his mind to settle in this part of the country, for three years after locating in San Francisco he continued his association with nautical affairs, first running on the sailer Wellfleet under Captain Rich, then on the Belle Creole, under Captain Knowles for two years, following this by a coasting trade service of about sixteen years. He then entered the revenue serv- ice as a detective for the government in 1875-76, and afterwards acted as special policeman in the city until 1877.
In the meantime, in 1874, Mr. Hansen had formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Mary Doland, and established his home in San Francisco, which continued to be their home until about 1880, when they came to Sonoma county and settled on the ranch which has ever since been their home. Here Mr. Hansen has two hundred and three acres of choice land, twenty acres of which is under cultivation to orchard, and the remainder is fine timber land. He also has eight head of live-stock. Mr. Hansen is one of the progressive and broad-minded men of his neighborhood, and aside from bearing an honored and respected name, has won recognition on his own merits as man, rancher and friend. Mrs. Hansen is the daughter of Edward Doland, a native of Ireland, who immigrated to the United States in 1856 and here rounded out his useful life. With her husband Mrs. Hansen enjoys the esteem and high regard of many friends and acquaintances.
CHARLES A. OFFUTT.
With Charles A. Offutt agriculture is a science that has been carefully studied, continually improved and indefatigably pursued. As a result he is recognized today throughout Sonoma county as an authority on the best methods of ranching in this particular part of the state, where his entire life has been passed. Years of unremitting labor in his chosen line of endeavor have brought him satisfactory returns from a financial point of view, and in addition to the fine family residence in Petaluma, at No. 509 Main street, he also owns consid- erable other city real estate, as well as two flourishing ranches in the county.
At the time of the birth of Charles A. Offutt, which occurred in October, 1852. the family home was in Jackson county, Mo., which had been very satis- factory as a home place until California became the magnet in the early '50s and drew settlers from all part of the Union to her borders. It was the year following the birth of his youngest son that Charles Offutt, with his wife and three children, crossed the plains by the only means then available, ox-teams. Seven months were consumed in covering the distance from Jackson county. Mo., to the Golden state, and it was a thankful party that finally settled in Vallejo township. Sonoma county, near what is now the thriving town of Peta- Inma. All the country round about was a wilderness and Petaluma boasted only a few houses and a single store. Upon a ranch which the father pur-
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chased in this locality he passed the remainder of his life, actively and interest- edly doing his part as citizen, friend and upbuilder, and when he was called hence, in 1888, his death was the cause of sincere grief on the part of those who had been associated with him during a long term of years.
Coming to the far west when he was a child in arms, Charles A. Offutt has no knowledge of any other home than California. At the time of his boy- hood and youth, educational advantages in Sonoma county were as nothing compared with conditions today, but nevertheless he gained a good general knowledge, and as he has never ceased to be a student, reading good literature and keeping abreast of the times in current events, he has become well informed and is a pleasing and intelligent conversationalist. When not attending the short terms of the country school near his home he was helping his father in the clearing of the ranch and placing the land under cultivation, all of which was valuable experience and laid the foundation for the successful handling of land on his own account in later years. The home ranch was a valuable tract of one thousand acres located seven miles from Petaluma, in Marin county, and to a great extent was maintained as a dairy ranch, one hundred and fifty cows supplying milk for the dairy. Until he was of age Mr. Offutt was interested with his father in the maintenance of the home place, subsequently becoming the proprietor of a ranch of his own, and he now owns two valuable ranches in Sonoma county, one of three hundred acres which is maintained as a dairy ranch, and the other an eighty-acre ranch near town. Although to a certain extent he has retired from active ranching pursuits, having turned the work of the ranches over to competent superintendents, he makes regular visits to the ranches and is at all times in close touch with conditions. Recently he erected a fine modern residence in Petaluma. bungalow style of architecture, at No. 509 Main street, and here the family are enjoying all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
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