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 82
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J. J. alves
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
which the proprietor now commands is constantly on the increase, his trade coming from all parts of the county.
While a resident of Iowa, in 1880, Mr. Ackerman formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Amelia R. Miller, a native of the state in which her marriage occurred. Four children have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman, Merle, Charles, Roy and Ruth. Fraternally Mr. Ackerman is identified with two others, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen.
JOHN JOSEPH ALVES.
An authority on fruit-growing in the Vine Hill district, Sonoma county, is to be found in the person of J. J. Alves, superintendent of the now famous Vine Hill View ranch, of which A. B. Hills is the owner, and in addition to car- ing for this property he owns and manages a ranch of his own in close proximity, the two properties representing nearly four hundred and fifty acres under cul- tivation, grapes and the various fruits being raised in about equal proportions.
The master hand responsible for the thrift and prosperity now visible at the Vine Hill View ranch is Mr. Alves. His adaptation for the work which he is so successfully following is inherited, no doubt, from his ancestors, who for many generations were natives of Portugal, where fruit-growing is the principal industry of the inhabitants. He, too, was born in that far-off country, in 1861, and was reared in his native surroundings until he was a youth of eighteen years. Coming to the United States at this age, he first located in Massachusetts, where his knowledge of agriculture was put to good account, for two years working on a farm near Swansea. During this time he was gain- ing valuable experience, not only familiarizing himself with the English lan- guage, but also gaining practical experience in American methods of farming. It was with this added experience to his credit that he came to California in 1881, going first to Alameda county, where for six years he was foreman of a ranch of five hundred and sixty acres. At the expiration of this time he went to Humboldt county and was interested in the dairy business for two years, after which he came to Sonoma county and has made this his home ever since. For the first three years he had charge of a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres for Mr. Bannister at East Windsor, after which he was in the employ of Ottson & Palmer in Santa Rosa for two years. Good fortune awaited him when he came to Sebastopol at the end of this time, for it was then that he assumed the management of the Vine Hill View ranch for A. B. Hills, at Vine Hill. When he undertook the management of the property it was in a neglected condition, and in its restoration he has made a name for himself which has placed him high in the list of expert fruit-growers in this part of Sonoma county. His knowledge of grape culture was especially valuable to him, for of the four hundred and twenty-nine acres included in the ranch, two hundred acres are in vineyard. and the greater part of the balance of the ranch, or one hundred and fifty acres, are in fruits of all varieties. What he has been able to accom- plish has been truly wonderful, and today Vine Hill View ranch is conceded to be one of the most productive and best developed ranches in the county. In addition to this ranch he cultivates a ranch of his own of twenty acres, situated
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close to the former, his own property also yielding excellent crops of grapes and blackberries, the former averaging sixty-four tons to the acre, and the latter three tons to the acre. It is not an overestimate of Mr. Alves' accomplishments to say that he has entirely transformed the appearance and productiveness of ranches in this section of country, his success with his own and Mr. Hill's prop- erty lending zest to other ranchers, who have redoubled their own energy, and as a result the entire neighborhood has taken a long step forward agriculturally.
In California Mr. Alves met and married his wife, who before her marriage was Miss Nellie McLaren, a native of the state. The five children born of their marriage are named in order of their birth as follows: John M., assistant cashier of the Pacific State Telephone and Telegraph Company of San Fran- cisco; Annie, who has recently won a prize as the most popular lady in a voting contest conducted by the Santa Rosa Democrat, the successful candidate being favored with a trip to the Yosemite valley; the remaining children in the family being William S., Frank S. and James H. While a resident of Alameda county Mr. Alves served acceptably as road master for some years, and his interest in public affairs has shown no diminution since coming to Sonoma county. On political questions he is independent, but always does his duty at the polls. voting for the man best fitted for the office in question. Fraternally he belongs to one order only, the Independent Order of Foresters.
THOMAS GILBERT COOK.
Whatever may be accomplished in future years by the agriculturists of Cali- fornia, whatever of success they may attain, whatever of prosperity they may enjoy and whatever improvements they may consummate on their country es- tates, a due share of praise for the advancement may be given to the native- born sons of the commonwealth, the men who were reared in the environment with which they are still familiar and who from their earliest recollections were trained to a knowledge of our climate and soil, together with the best methods of conducting agricultural operations under conditions existent in the west.
A son of Isaac F. and Eliza (Hopper) Cook, both natives of Missouri and early pioneers of California, Thomas Gilbert Cook was born on the parental homestead in Sonoma county January 10, 1862. The district schools in the vicinity of his home gave him his first insight into books, and established the foundation upon which he has since added a worthy superstructure by reading and observation. The close of his school days marked the beginning of his career as a tiller of the soil, an occupation which he has followed continuously ever since, with the result that he is an expert in his calling and enjoys financial results in keeping with his efforts. Sonoma county was the field of his early operations, but after a time he transferred his interests to Mendocino county, where for thirteen years he carried on a ranch. At the end of this time he returned to Sonoma county, and near Santa Rosa purchased the ranch on which he now resides, on Rural Route No. 3. For a number of years, or until 1901, general ranching and cattle-raising formed his chief industries, but in later years he has turned his attention to fruit-raising, and raising grapes and hay, in all of which he is successful, thus proving his adaptability to any line of agri- culture to which he might wish to turn his hand.
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During early manhood, in 1884, Mr. Cook formed domestic ties by his mar- riage with Miss Laura McCulloch, a native of California who passed much of his early life in Mendocino county. Two children were born of this marriage, a daughter and son. Maude E., born in 1886, is now the wife of Philo Phillips, and the mother of one child, Wesley, born in 1903. Grover Cleveland Cook, born in 1888, is at home. The mother of these children died in 1901, and in 1905 Mr. Cook married his present wife, formerly Miss Annie Shaw, a native of Indiana. No children have been born of this marriage. Nominally Mr. Cook is a Republican, but in reality he does not belong to any party, for in the casting of his vote he is entirely independent, the fitness of the candidate and not the party which he represents being his guide in this matter. While he is not a member of any church organization, no one could be more interested in the welfare of his fellowmen than he is, and no opportunity to serve them or · benefit his community in any way in his power passes his notice. His interest in the subject of good roads has led his fellow-citizens to elect him road com- missioner, and the result of his efforts may be seen in the fine condition of the Petaluma and Santa Rosa road, and the Cotati and Belleview road, both of which are a credit to the county and to the citizens also. Fraternally Mr. Cook is identified with but one order, the Ancient Order of Foresters of Willits, Men- docino county. He joined the order while living there and has never transferred his membership to his present place of residence.
ALEXANDER E. BOYSE.
Long identification with the agricultural and commercial possibilities and development of the west has given to Mr. Boyse a thorough knowledge of its resources and a sincere devotion to its welfare. Any study of his life-work is naturally divided into two parts. The first concerns his earlier years spent in the central west and includes his service in the Union army as one of the youngest volunteers in the ranks. The second embraces the activities of maturity, dealing wholly with his life in the west and including his association with public affairs, his connection with progressive projects and his accumulation of a competence through energetic and judicious application. To the inestimable and permanent advantage of the west there have been drawn to it men of acumen and energy, not the least among whom may be mentioned the name of Mr. Boyse, whose resi- dence in various parts of the Pacific coast region has given him an intimate famil- iarity with its enterprises, its growth and future possibilities.
The Boyse family comes from southern lineage. Alexander E. was born near Jefferson City, Mo., on the 22d of February, 1849, being a son of George W. and Susan Jane (Eaton) Boyse, natives respectively of Kentucky and Ala- bama, the latter deceased during the year 1897. Sturdy principles of honor characterized the paternal ancestors, nor were the Eatons less upright in charac- ter, less industrious in temperament and less forcible in action. Supplementary to these inherited qualities the youth was given public-school advantages, and by study in boyhood laid the foundation of the broad fund of information he now possesses. When the Civil war broke out it was difficult for him to remain contented with his school tasks, for his heart was with the soldiers in camp and
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on battlefields. When only fifteen years of age he was accepted as a member of the Forty-eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the war in a company commanded by Captain Rice. Exposures on forced marches in inclement weather brought on rheumatism, and he has been troubled with this disease ever since the war.
Alternating work as a carpenter with farm labor the young ex-soldier passed the years immediately following the war, but in 1875 lie severed all business relations in Missouri and came to the west. After a short sojourn at Reno he removed to the Goose Lake valley, Modoc county, Cal., and there continued to make his home until 1908, meanwhile engaging in ranching and also filling a number of contracts, among them those for the erection of two large mills. On leaving Modoc county he came to Sonoma county and bought a general mercan- tile business five miles west of Healdsburg, where he finds his time busily occu- pied in attending to the many details connected with such an enterprise. Of . recent years he has not engaged in the building business, but has limited his at- tention to his store. Business and kindred enterprises have occupied his time throughout active life to the exclusion of fraternal associations, and he is not identified with any secret orders. Stanch in the support of Democratic principles, he has been prominent in local party work, and during the administration of Grover Cleveland he filled the office of postmaster at New Pine Creek, Ore. In addition he served as justice of the peace in Modoc county.
The marriage of Mr. Boyse in 1876 united him with Miss Rosina E. Rob- nett, a native of Oregon and a member of a family identified with the earliest settlement of the Goose Lake valley. The Boyse family, originally numbering seven children, still has all but one living. The eldest, Lawrence, born in 1877. is engaged in business at Lambert with his father. Annie, born in 1879, married Lester Vernon, a native of Missouri ; they have one son and one daughter and reside in Modoc county. Clarence, born in 1881, is a carpenter engaged at his trade in Modoc county. Leslie, born in 1887, lives in Modoc county. Lavona, born in 1889, married Oscar Smith, a native of California, and they now reside in Lake county, Ore., their family consisting of a son and a daughter. The youngest member of the family is Varena, born in 1896, and now a pupil in the local schools.
GEORGE B. DOUGLAS.
One of the many worthy citizens and capable and progressive agriculturists of Sonoma county is George B. Douglas, whose ranch of one hundred and ninety- six acres south of Santa Rosa is admirably located for the cultivation of any crop the owner might choose, Mr. Douglas raising hay, wheat, oats and corn, besides which he raises stock, cattle and sheep. The admirable location of the ranch and its varied adaptability makes it especially suitable for subdivision, and with this idea in view Mr. Douglas has had it surveyed into tracts ranging from fourteen acres to five acres.
Jones county, Neb., was the birthplace of Mr. Douglas, and March 22, 1862, was the date of his birth. His recollections of the locality of his birth are meagre indeed, for when he was a child of four years his parents went west as far as
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Utah, settling in Salt Lake City. This proved only a temporary residence, how- ever, for one year later they again took up the westward march, going to Ari- zona, which proved so satisfactory a location that they remained there for the following twenty-five years. The schools of that then sparsely settled territory furnished the only opportunity for an education that was destined to fall to the lot of George Douglas, but when one is determined to have an education even meagre opportunity proves no bar, but rather strengthens one's determination in its ultimate possession. Mr. Douglas has never ceased to be a student, and has thus made up for the lack of advantages in youth. In Arizona the elder Mr. Douglas engaged in the stock business on quite an extensive scale, and as soon as his son was old enough he had a valuable assistant in him. The association of father and son proved an invaluable benefit to both, for when the failure of the father's health made it necessary for him to relinquish duties from time to time his son readily assumed them, until finally, in 1883, the younger man was practically the sole manager of the business. The death of the father occurred the following year. in 1884, his birth having occurred in New York State in 1824. His wife, who was a native of Ohio, survived him a number of years, having reached the age of eighty-two years at the time of her death in Stockton, Cal., in 1902. Besides George B. there was one other child born to these parents. a daughter, who is now a resident of Williams, Ariz.
For about nineteen years after the death of his father George B. Douglas continued the business in Arizona, and then, in 1903, disposed of his cattle and other interests and removed to California. For a time he made Stockton his headquarters, subsequently however coming to Sonoma county, where his in- terests have been centered ever since. Soon after coming liere he purchased what was known as the old Button ranch, located five miles south of Santa Rosa and consisting of one hundred and ninety-six acres. General ranching and stock- raising have been followed by Mr. Douglas ever since purchasing the property, but it is his intention to sell the property off in small acreages, and for this pur- pose has recently had the ranch surveyed and subdivided.
Politically Mr. Douglas supports Republican candidates in national elections, but in local elections he casts his vote for the man best fitted for the office. Fraternally he is identified with but one organization, the Woodmen of the World. Personally Mr. Douglas is a man of good business principle, is broad- minded and liberal on all current subjects, and enjoys to an exceptional degree the good-will and appreciation of his neighbors and friends.
EDWARD E. LAFRANCHI.
This is the day when young men of energy and ambition are coming to the front in all the walks of life and are showing by their perseverance, close application and honest mode of conducting their business that success is assured. Among those who are making a name and a place for themselves among the younger generation we find Eddie Lafranchi, who was born on the old home place near Duncan's Mills. October 15. 1885. His father was John Lafranchi. who is represented elsewhere in this volume. Our subject received a good edu- cation in the public schools, and from a boy was actively engaged on the home farm. learning the stock and dairy business, so hc very naturally drifted into that
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vocation. Wishing to engage in business for himself he leased the Lafranchi place and established himself in his present business. In October, 1910, he bought all but a one-fifth interest in the place, while the business, the Lafranchi Creamery and Meat Company, is entirely his. He is operating a large dairy of seventy cows that graze on the ranch and from which he manufactures butter to supply his trade. He has established a modern meat market at Mesa Grande, from which he sends out three teams, making Guerneville, Monte Rio, Monte Cristo and Sheridan, and doing a large and extensive business in meats and dairy products. His place, which was formerly his father's, comprises five hundred and sixty-five acres on the Russian river, just across from Duncan's Mills, and for many years was the terminal of the Northwestern Pacific Railway. It is a valuable and beautiful ranch and abounds in redwood, pine and oak. There are numerous springs from which water is piped to the house and barns, thus making the most convenient arrangement. Mr. Lafranchi is a splendid judge of cattle and sheep, and is thus able to procure the best quality of meat for his many customers, and has an up-to-date slaughtering plant on the ranch which enables him to do a wholesale as well as retail business.
In San Francisco, May 12, 1911, Mr. Lafranchi married Hazel June Moore, who was born at Duncan's Mills and is the daughter of Thomas and Emogene (Richardson) Moore, the former born in Canada and the latter in Sonoma county. The father has been engaged in blacksmithing in Duncan's Mills for many years, being one of the old settlers of the place. Mr. Lafranchi is a very liberal, public spirited and enterprising young man, every ready to do his part for the upbuilding and good of the community, and both he and his wife are greatly esteemed and popular in social affairs.
DR. R. E. PERKINS.
There are many doors of opportunity open for the individual who has a great desire to advance in life and amount to something. There are those who are content to plod along the highways of tradition, walking in the footsteps of their forebears without thinking of the wonderful possibilities that lie within their reach. There are those who endeavor to accomplish something in the world of achievement, but because of faulty application of principles governing such cases, or because of the fickleness of Dame Fortune, they have to abandon the quest for a life work that is distinct, and these fall back into the mass of medioc- rity. The third and last class comprises those who find that by the exertion of mind and body they can reach out and attain success, in spite of seeming defeat and failure ; to this class belong those splendid, strong characters that have made our nation one of the best in the history of Time. In studying the life work of Dr R. E. Perkins we are forced to admire this courageous man for the success that is his along the specific lines of work that he has chosen, for we well know that achievement such as his comes not without much effort and the exercise of those large qualities of mind and heart that are the hall mark of the true man.
Dr. R. E. Perkins was born in Cleveland, Ohio, December 5, 1858, a son of R. E. and Harriette (Standislı) Perkins. The former, a native of Massachusetts,
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was a shipbuilder and architect in Cleveland, and he designed and built the Michigan and Sherman, the first gunboats built for fresh water; during the Civil war he served in an Ohio regiment and died in 1873. Dr. Perkins' mother, who is now a resident of Detroit, Mich., was born in New Hampshire. Dr. Per- kins is the second oldest of a family of four children and received his primary education in the public schools of Cleveland. When he was thirteen years old his father moved to a farm near Parma, where the young boy found that he could study and associate himself with horses to his heart's content. He soon began studying with Dr. Stephens, a very successful veterinary surgeon, and after- wards began the practice of veterinary surgery on his own account. Still later he attended and was graduated from the Veterinary Science Association of Ontario. In 1875 he removed to Kansas, and after practicing in Rooks county for four years, returned to Cleveland, and in 1882 he removed to Albion, Boone county, Neb., where he accepted a position as foreman for Clarke Brothers, ex- tensive breeders of Durham cattle.
In 1895 Dr. Perkins removed to Cloverdale, Cal., and eight months later he became manager of the John Brown Colony Company, but they failed in one year and he then located in Madera, Cal., and from there he went to Salinas. There he remained until the gold rush to the Klondyke in 1898, when he and three others set out to seek their fortune in the great Arctic expanse of Alaska. Crossing the Chilcoot Pass, they arrived in Dawson with fourteen hundred pounds of food between them. In Dawson Dr. Perkins was manager for the Arctic Meat Company and also practiced veterinary surgery and was interested in min- ing. This latter enterprise was successful and he returned to Salinas in 1900. Two years later he came to Petaluma and established what is today the largest and most complete veterinary hospital in Northern California, the location being on the old Brink Ranch, five miles out of the city. Here the enterprising sur- geon soon had a large and lucrative practice, his fame and ability spreading to adjacent counties. In 1905, so large had his practice grown, he found it neces- sary to seek new quarters and forthwith purchased the present place on Main street, Petaluma. Here buildings have been erected, the land improved and ad- ditions to the equipment have been made until now Dr. Perkins has the finest equipped veterinary hospital in the Bay region. No expense has been spared to make this institution perform a work for humanity in caring for the beasts of burden. A part of the equipment consists of an operating table and all the latest instruments for the performance of surgery. The place has accommoda- tions for thirty head. Green alfalfa is raised in the adjoining field and five crops per annum are reaped and the product given to the sick animals. Dr. Perkins owns two fine stallions: Oseto W., by Wayland W. of the Wilkes strain, is the finest standard-bred stallion in the county ; he also has an English Shire stallion, five years old and weighing nineteen hundred pounds. In addition to these he has several fine drivers. The practice of this versatile man extends to Sonoma. Sebastopol and almost to Santa Rosa, and he receives numerous cases from San Francisco.
Dr. Perkins has also originated and compounded a Wonder Salve that has proven very efficacious in the curing of eczema and sores from varicose veins.
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having cured many persons that were pronounced incurable, and thus being a benefactor to humanity in the alleviation of suffering.
Dr. Perkins was united in marriage with Miss Bessie Nicholas, a native of Parma, Ohio, and two children were born to the union: Cora, now Mrs. Jack- son of Petaluma; and Nettie at home. Dr. Perkins is a member of the Petaluma Camp No. 515, Woodmen of the World, holding the position of manager of the same. Politically he is a Republican and adheres to the institutions of his native land. He and his wife are well respected in the community and have many friends. They are progressive, sociable and kindly in disposition and the future holds even a greater measure of success in store for these two people than has been theirs in the past.
DAVID WALLS.
The virile qualities that for generations untold have given strength to the Scottish clans in the highlands of their native country have brought them success in whatever part of the world destiny has directed their footsteps. In the sunny climate of the Pacific coast, no less than on the stern and rock-bound shores of their own land, they have displayed the energy and independent spirit that brings to a man the respect of associates and the esteem of friends. The region where David Walls spent the maturity of his useful existence was far removed from the humble home in Lincolnshire, Scotland, where he was born December 15, 1840, and where his parents, William and Grace Walls, earned a scanty liveli- hood by the most arduous and unceasing toil. Impelled by a hope of bettering their condition, the family bade farewell to the companions of a lifetime and crossed the Atlantic to the United States, proceeding westward from New York City to Michigan and settling upon a tract of raw land in Oakland county near the city of Pontiac. There the head of the family entered from the government a claim of eighty acres and entered upon the task of transforming the bare prairie into a productive farm, which responsible undertaking engaged his attention until his demise in 1872. Eight years later his wife also passed from earth.
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