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 81
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In 1885 Mr. Abel formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Almina Walton, the ceremony being performed in Louisville, Ill., in which state she was born in 1865. Her father, Daniel Walton, was a native of England, while her mother, Ellen Golden, was born in Illinois; both are now deceased. No children have been born of the inarriage of Mr. Abel and his wife. Politically Mr. Abel is a Republican on national questions, but he reserves the right to cast his vote for the best man for the office in minor elections. He has never had any ambitions toward public office, neither has he ever become affiliated with any secret organizations. In his own individual way, however, he has done and is constantly doing good for the community in which he lives, and all who know him esteem him highly.
JOHN W. BAUER.
Born in Oroville, Butte county, January 31, 1857, John W. Bauer is the son of Carl Lewis E. Bauer, who was born in Pottsdam, Prussia, and in his early manhood was a watch and clock maker in Rio Janeiro, Brazil, also follow- ing the same trade in Valparaiso, Chili. There he met his future wife, Sophia Harter, a native of Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Germany, to whom he was united in marriage in San Francisco in 1855, they moving first to Oroville, and in 1858 settling in Petaluma, where he remained till the day of his death, 1901, at the age of seventy-five years. Carl Bauer, unlike many of the early settlers who left all trades and professions behind them to enter new fields of labor in the golden state, believed in perfecting himself in his own trade and adhering to it, thus in his long useful life his labors were confined to his chosen calling, in which he was so proficient. Upon coming to Petaluma he bought out what is now the present site of Jones' candy store on Main street, then owned by Mr. McVicker, and still continuing in the jewelry business, he also entered in the hardware business with Conrad Temple, with whom he had become acquainted in Oroville, under the firm name of Temple & Co., but later on he bought out
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Temple's interest, and his son, Jolin W., became manager, and the business is still continued on the same site, but in a large, modern building. Some years before his death he sold out his interests to his children and retired from active labor. His wife died in San Francisco about fifty years ago, leaving two children, John W. and Florentine, the wife of Henry Schluckebier, the latter being actively associated with Mr. Bauer in the business, and is the president of the company. The subject of this sketch was brought up in Petaluma, attending the public schools, and later graduating from the Pacific Business college in San Francisco, and after clerking in the city for two years he returned to Petaluma.
He entered business with his father and showed a peculiar aptitude for his particular line of work. The business today, which is incorporated under the name of Schluckebier Hardware Co., of which he is vice-president, shows the strides that have been taken since its humble beginning in the early days. A progressive business man he keeps abreast of the times, and his diligence and attention to business have made the firm one of reliability. The Schluckebier Hardware Co. is among the largest dealers of heavy and shelf hardware, plumbing, agricultural implements, carriages and wagons north of the Bay. The store on Main street opposite the Plaza is 51x150 feet, three floors with galleries. In connection they have three large warehouses, the largest of which was built in 1911 on Petaluma creek and D street, 99x162 feet, with a wharf.
Mr. Bauer was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Belle Greening, born at Stony Point, she also being the daughter of a pioneer, W. W. Greening, now living in Petaluma. Two children have blessed their marriage: Ernest W., in business with his father, and Russel M., who is an electrician in Petaluma. Fraternally Mr. Bauer is connected with the Odd Fellows, of which he is Past Noble Grand; with the Encampment, of which he is Past Chief Patriarch, and is a member of the Canton and the Odd Fellows Hall Association, being treas- urer of each. He is also an active member of the Elks. These positions, as well as his connection with all these orders, show the esteem in which Mr. Bauer is held in Petaluma, and the confidence that is placed in him, a highly respected and progressive citizen.
JOHN SANDBERG.
A progressive and energetic Swedish-American citizen was added to the population of Sonoma county when John Sandberg took up his residence on a ranch near Santa Rosa in the early 'zos. Although adversity and disaster have both laid a heavy hand upon him since he came to the United States, the first overtaking him soon after landing on our shores, and the last occurring since taking up his residence in California, still he accepted both philosophically and has not allowed them to change his naturally kind and wholesome disposition.
Wexio, Smoland, Sweden, was the early home of John Sandberg, his birth occurring there May 3, 1843. The first twenty years of his life were associated with Stockholm, where he attended school and also learned the trade of tanner, a trade which his father also followed for a livelihood. No thrilling incidents or accidents marred the voyage of the young immigrant to the United States, the vessel landing him in the harbor of New York. Subsequently he went to that thriving city of the middle-west, Chicago, and was there during the memorable
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year 1871, when fire wiped out the business portion of that city. There he met his first disaster, losing $7,000 which he had invested in a grocery business. The year following he came to California, coming by the water route and landing at San Francisco. From there he came to Sonoma county, first going to Healds- burg, and subsequently purchasing and locating upon his present property in the vicinity of Santa Rosa. Upon coming to California Mr. Sandberg undertook work at the tanner's trade and had followed it for many years when he was overtaken with an accident that made work at his trade no longer possible. It was as a result of this that he purchased and located upon a ranch three miles south-east of Santa Rosa. The raising of chickens constituted his chief in- dustry, and the land not thus used was in hay. Altogether has had between five and six hundred chickens, all young stock, and his success more than met his expectations. Recently he sold this ranch and has since lived on a place of three acres which he purchased about one mile from Santa Rosa.
By his first marriage Mr. Sandberg has three children, of whom one son and a daughter are residents of San Francisco. His second marriage united him with Miss May Newberg. Fraternally Mr. Sandberg is identified with the Odd Fellows order. At the time of his accident in the tannery when his leg was broken and he was incapacitated for work, the members of the lodge came for- ward and performed the noble service for which the order stands, relieving tem- poral distress in a sweet and wholesome spirit. Mrs. Sandberg is a member of the affiliated order of Rebekahs, being associated with Temple Lodge No. 19. Politically Mr. Sandberg is a Republican, but in the casting of his local ballot he votes for the man and not for the party. Personally he is honest and indus- trions, hospitable and kindly in his nature, and during the years he has passed in this neighborhood has won the respect and esteem of the entire community.
JAMES F. BURGESS.
What the walnut industry has meant to the financial upbuilding of the commonwealth of California it would be impossible to compute, but among the men who have aided in its development in Sonoma county, mention belongs to James F. Burgess, one of the largest walnut growers in this part of the state, and one of the most successful as well. When he purchased his present ranch in 1889 it was all in grain, and he continued this same crop for about nine years. in 1898, however, making an entire change by planting sixty acres of the tract in walnut trees. Dating from the first year of their yield the returns have more than met the expectations of the owner and the recognition which is now ac- corded him as an authority on the subject of walnut-growing is one well merited.
Records reveal the fact that the Burgess family is of southern origin, iden- tified for many years with Kentucky, where the birth of the parents of James F. Burgess occurred. Later years found them in Missouri, and at the time of the birth of their son, James F., August 28. 1848, were living near St. Joseph, Buchanan county. The first six years of his life were associated with that lo- cality, the family then removing to Kansas, and it was in the latter state that James F. was educated, in so far as the district schools of that day may he said
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to provide educational facilities. When he was fourteen years of age he began to be self-supporting, his first position being as a mule-driver in the employ of the United States government. Subsequently he became interested in farming in Kansas, and it was with several years experience along this line that he came to California in 1872. While his association with Sonoma county dates from the same year also, it was not until 1889 that he purchased the ranch upon which he now lives, near Santa Rosa, on Rural Route No. 5. The previous owner had made a specialty of raising grain, and Mr. Burgess continued the policy of his predecessor for about nine years, when, in 1898, he made an entire change by planting sixty acres, or about two-thirds of the entire acreage, to walnut trees. Dating from the first year of their yield the returns have more than met the ex- pectations of the owner, and the recognition which is now accorded him as an authority on the subject of walnut-growing is one well merited. The trees which he set out were of the Franquette variety, all grafted stock. Some idea of the yield may be gathered from the following figures: In the year 1908 the crops brought $7,500, the following year were increased to $8,640, and it is the belief of the owner that this average may be maintained for the next fifty years with a continuation of the present care of the orchard. One special tree in Mr. Burgess' orchard has yielded him ten per cent returns on $600. This is an old tree, thirty years old, which four years ago was grafted with young stock, with the results above mentioned. Mr. Burgess' success does not end with his ef- forts as a walnut-grower, for he is equally successful as a hop-grower, although he has only half as much land in this commodity. His thirty-two acres of hops have often yielded an average of fifteen hundred pounds to the acre; his record for the year 1909 (which was not up to the average) was fifteen tons, which he sold for $400 a ton.
In 1872 Mr. Burgess was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Forsythe, a native of Missouri. This marriage resulted in the birth of six children, five of whom are still living, two sons and three daughters. One of the daughters is still unmarried and is now attending a business college in Oakland. Mrs. Sarah A. Burgess died in 1890, and ten years later Mr. Burgess married his present wife, formerly Miss Jessarah Peter, a native of Solano county, Cal. No children have been born of this marriage. Fraternally Mr. Burgess is identified with a number of organizations, holding membership in Lodge No. 53, I. O. O. F., and Lodge No. 14. F. & A. M., both of Santa Rosa. Politically he is a Democrat, voting the regular party ticket in national elections, but in local matters giving his vote for the candidate which in his opinion is best adapted for the duties of the office in question.
EDWARD ISAAC BEESON.
A native son of California, Edward 1. Beeson was born in Sacramento on March 1, 1858, the son of J. B. and Caroline Beeson, the former born in North Carolina in 1818, and the latter born in Connecticut in 1819. When the gold fever was at its height the elder Mr. Beeson came to California across the plains with ox-teams, in 1852, and settled at Sacramento, where he carried on mining for about seven years. Coming to Sonoma county at the expiration of this time, he settled on a ranch in Alexander valley, and about 1869 located in Healds-
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burg and engaged in the mercantile business. In this undertaking he was asso- ciated with Aaron Hassett, under the firm name of Hassett & Beeson, an asso- ciation that proved remuncrative and congenial, but was brought to a close by the death of Mr. Beeson in 1875. In Healdsburg his wife also died a number of years afterward, in 1882.
Although Edward I. Beeson was born in Sacramento he has no remem- brance of his birthplace, for when he was nine months old his parents removed to Sonoma county, locating in Alexander valley, where the father purchased a ranch upon which he made his home until the removal of the family to Healds- burg in 1869. The primary education began in Alexander valley was continued in Healdsburg, and after his school days were over Mr. Beeson assisted his father in the store, and continued his connection with the business until about 1896, when with Neils Neilson he opened a saloon in Healdsburg, which has since been conducted under the name of Neilson & Beeson.
Mr. Beeson's marriage in 1886 united him with Miss Emma Cooper Logan. a native of Cincinnati, and the daughter of Capt. R. S. Logan, who was born in Scotland. The parents of Mrs. Beeson are residents of Healdsburg. The eldest of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Beeson who are now living is Edric Ives, who was born in 1890; he has received a splendid education in the schools of Healdsburg, and since his graduation from the high school has undertaken a course of study in an affiliated school in San Francisco. Elva Marie was born in Healdsburg December 17, 1893, and is now in the second year of the Healds- burg high school. Eda Josephine was born December 5, 1896, and is a student in the grammar school.
Fraternally Mr. Beeson is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias, and he is also identified with the Foresters of America, and the Eagles lodge, Aerie No. 1776, at Healdsburg. Politically he is a believer in Republican prin- ciples.
REV. JOHN M. CASSIN.
Among Santa Rosa's beautiful buildings is St. Rose's Church, on B street, the handsomest thoroughfare in the city. It may be said that this edifice is one of the neatest Catholic Churches in the state. Constructed of stone, it is of English Gothic style tower and steeple. Its foundation is a deep bed of cement and the walls are reinforced with steel cables. In fact, Rev. J. M. Cassin, the pastor. must have had a premonition as he saw the ground broken for the cor- nerstone that June, 1900, of the great disaster of April, six years later. Albeit, he advised that the new church should be strongly built, and the wisdom of this was demonstrated when, on the morning of April 18, 1906, every other brick and stone edifice in Santa Rosa was badly injured and most of them totally destroyed. With the exception of a few stones from a cornice, St. Rose came through the dreadful ordeal unscathed. The cornerstone was laid by Arch- bishop Riordan with imposing ceremonies. Under it is a small stone from Bethlehem, an olive-wood cross from Jerusalem and a marble cross from the catacombs of Rome, all obtained by Father Cassin on his travels. Within the church is a picture of St. Rose of Lima. One of the beautiful windows is the
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gift of the Ursuline Sisters, whose splendid college and grounds adjoin the church.
John M. Cassin was born in New York City in 1847. He took his classical course in Gonzaga College, Washington, D. C., and the theological in All Hal- lows College, Dublin, Ireland, being ordained June 24, 1874, by Bishop Whelan, of Dublin. Returning immediately to California, after work in various parishes of the diocese, he was appointed pastor of St. Rose's Church at Santa Rosa in May, 1890. The celebration of the pastor's silver jubilee June 24, 1899, marked the beginning of St. Rose's new church. Under Father Cassin's ministry the church in Santa Rosa has prospered and the beautiful edifice well fulfills its sacred mission. It is interesting to chronicle that the city of Santa Rosa re- ceived its name from the baptism of an Indian girl on St. Rose's day (August 30, 1837) by a missionary priest, Juan Amarosa, in the creek adjoining the town, and from that time the stream was called Santa Rosa creek by the Indians.
The pastor is popular with his co-religionists, and possesses a host of warm friends among the membership of other denominations. It is the hope of his parishioners that he will continue to preside over their spiritual welfare for many years to come.
WILLIAM HENRY BARNES.
The name of Barnes needs no introduction to the people of Sonoma county, for the strong and admirable characteristics of the family are rooted in the upbuilding of the state, and are now finding expression through the medium of the second generation of workers, both sons and daughters, who are equally reliant, forceful and public-spirited. A native of Missouri, William Henry Barnes was born in Scott county, March 8, 1839, the son of parents who fol- lowed agriculture for a livelihood. Although the time and place did not offer the best of opportunities for an education, the son improved such opportunities as came his way and the habit which he then formed of utilizing advantages as soon as they were recognized, whether in an educational or business way, is undoubtedly the keynote of the success which has been his throughout life.
When he was still quite a youth William H. Barnes undertook farming in his native state, following this and shoe-making, a trade in which he had become very proficient, until 1870. That year marks the close of his career in the east, and the beginning of his life in the commonwealth of California, for it was in that year that he came across the plains with his family. Settlement was first made in Ukiah, Mendocino county, where he followed his trade of shoe-maker for nine years, after which, in 1879, he transferred his citizenship to Sonoma county, and since that time he has made his home in Healdsburg. At the time he located here the town did not boast a shoe store, footwear then being one of the features of the general store only, and with the enterprise characteristic of his nature he grasped the opportunity to establish the first shoe store in the town.
The marriage of William H. Barnes, June 25, 1861, united him with Miss Sarah Frances Grinsted, who, like himself, was born in Missouri. Nine children were born of this marriage, as follows: Mary Ida, the wife of James R. Miller, of Seattle, Wash .; Annie B .; John T., of Oakland; Benjamin H., a
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resident of Healdsburg; Nettie A., the wife of W. Chisholm, who owns and manages a ranch near Windsor; William G., a resident of San Francisco; Fan- nie G .; Florence M., of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume; and Charles Frederick, a resident of Oakland. When Mr. Barnes came to Healdsburg forty years ago he was impressed with the thrift and enterprise of the young town and he threw his energies into movements for its progress with zest. His fellow-citizens were not slow in recognizing his abilities as a leader. and in making him president of the board of trustees of the town they had opportunity to ascertain that they had made no mistake in their judgment in this respect. He held this position for nine years, during which time his labor and influence were directed toward the organization of the Municipal Water and Lighting plant of Healdsburg, which is universally recognized as one of the finest plants of its size in the county. Fraternally Mr. Barnes is a devoted dis- ciple of Masonry, holding membership in the lodge of his home town, where he has gained the respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
HUBERT G. COMSTOCK.
As far back as Revolutionary days the name of Comistock was associated with all that was upright and honorable in the community in which it was known, notably in Fairfield county, Conn., and two later generations of the family have taken equally high rank in the citizenship of California. The establisher of the name on the Pacific coast was William Comstock, who came to the west in the days of the gold excitement and after gaining considerable experience and some wealth in the mines, finally settled down to the life of the agriculturist in Sonoma county. On the ranch which is now the home of his son his earth life came to a close February 10, 1901, a wife and son being left to mourn his loss. (A more detailed account of the life of this California pioneer will be found elsewhere in this volume.)
Hubert G. Comstock is a native of California, born in Sonoma county May 5, 1863, not far from Santa Rosa, and in the schools of this city he received his early school training. Subsequently he was privileged to attend a business college in Stockton, but instead of turning his business training to account in the commercial world, returned to the home ranch in Sonoma county and lifted a share of its responsibilities from his father's shoulders. When he was about eight years old, in 1871, the father had purchased and removed to the ranch which was the home of the latter up to the time of his death. This consisted originally of two hundred and forty acres of land six miles from the court house ; and is now the home of his son. The latter has added to its acreage by the pur- chase of two hundred and twenty acres, owning at the present time four hun- dred and sixty acres of as productive land as can be found in Sonoma county. Ten acres are in walnuts, while the greater part of the remainder is in grain. Another department of agriculture which receives considerable of his atten- tion and is the source of a good annual income, is the raising of horses and sheep. He is regarded as one of the substantial ranchers and stock-raisers of his community, one whose opinion is considered an authority, for he has made a study of the work and his success is proof that he is an adept.
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In 1899 Mr. Comstock was united in marriage with Miss Eppie Hoadley, a native of Sonoma county, whose father, Augustus A. Hoadley, was the first white child born in Trinity county, Cal. Her mother was also a native of Cali- fornia, the daughter of David Wharff, one of the early pioneers of the state. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Comstock five are living, as follows: Ruth Winnifred born in 1900; Wilma Catherine in 1902: Dorris Leona in 1907 ; Hubert George in 1908; and Grace Elizabeth, February 8, 1911. Politically Mr. Com- stock is a Republican, although he is not a supporter of the party's candidates unless in his opinion the candidate is the best man to fill the office in question. Mr. Comstock and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Santa Rosa, as is also his mother, who is a welcome member of his household and at the age of seventy-four years is in possession of all her faculties and is in the best of health.
B. D. ACKERMAN.
A man of enterprise and pronounced business qualifications, B. D. Acker- quan, owner and proprietor of the Sotoyome lumber yard of Healdsburg, is numbered among the most substantial of the younger generation of men in this city. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Dodge county in 1858, and in that state his parents continued to make their home about eight years after the birth of their son, for in 1866 removal was made to Iowa. There, in Butler county, the father purchased a farm, in the duties of which he found an able assistant in his son, who continued with him until he became competent to manage a property of his own. Altogether he remained in Iowa until the year 1883, when, believing that a better opportunity awaited him in Kansas, he removed to that state, and there carried on general farming and stock-raising for the following thirteen years.
During this time Mr. Ackerman had heard such favorable comments con- cerning California and its possibilities for young men of push and enterprise that he determined to come west and settle. Closing out his affairs in Kansas, he came to California in 1896, coming directly to Sonoma county, and near Healdsburg, settled upon a fruit ranch of twelve acres, which he rented. Here he readily adapted himself and his knowledge of farming to the changed con- dition of soil and climate to which he had been accustomed, and during the six years that he carried on the ranch he was very successful and had every reason to feel proud of his accomplishments. However, in the meantime he had be- come interested in the business opportunity offered in the lumber business and in 1902 he bought out the business and good-will of Joseph Price, who had maintained a lumber yard for some time. As a partner in the lumber business Mr. Ackerman was associated with G. R. Harrison, the association continuing for about four years, or until 1906, when Mr. Ackerman bought out his partner and since that time has conducted the business alone. At the time Mr. Acker- man purchased the business of his predecessor it was small and inconsequential, but he has put new life into the enterprise by increasing the stock, enlarging the size of the yard and erecting new sheds, until now it would hardly be taken for the same place. The Sotoyome lumber yard, as his plant is known, is one of the best equipped lumber plants in the county, and the thriving business
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