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 83
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119
Out of the parental family of seven daughters and six sons (all of whom except one son attained mature years), David Walls was the only one to seek a home in California, and it was during 1860 that he took passage from New York City for Panama en route to San Francisco, where he landed January 20, 1861, after a voyage lasting exactly one month. Immediately after debarking from the vessel he proceeded to the mountains in Nevada county and began to work at placer mining, which engaged his attention almost uninterruptedly until his re- turn to Michigan in 1866: Meanwhile his luck had been that of most miners, excellent at times and discouraging on other occasions. When he took out $70 worth of gold in one day he felt that he was singularly fortunate, but such inter- vals of prosperity were rare. However, he had accumulated a neat sum through his mining ventures when he took passage in March, 1866, from San Francisco for the isthmus and thence to New York City, and from there to Michigan. His visit with relatives came to an end in August, 1866, when he started once more for the west, landing in San Francisco on the 12th of September and immediately proceeding to the mountains in Nevada county.
820
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
Going to San Francisco in February of 1867 Mr. Walls made a brief so- journ in that city, and on the 18th of March he hired out to the Contra Costa Steam Navigation Company as an employe at Haystack wharf on the creek be- low Petaluma. At the expiration of four years he resigned his position with the company and purchased a livery barn and business in Petaluma. After having conducted the business for six months he sold it to the former owner, and he then took charge of the railroad company's wharf at Donahue. Six months were devoted to that work, and he then returned to Haystack Landing to act as the agent of the steamboat company and also as manager of their ranch. Subsequently the business passed into the hands of different owners. but Mr. Walls was retained as agent without intermission until his death, filling the position with characteristic fidelity. During 1883 he bought the Haystack ranch comprising one hundred and fifty-six acres of upland and eighty acres of marsh land. As early as 1868 an orchard had been planted on the farm, and now there is a gratifying annual income from the sale of pears, apples and plums in the markets of Petaluma and San Francisco. In addition to fruit-growing spe- cialties are made of dairying and stock-raising, and in each department of agri- culture the land has proved to be an excellent investment for the owners. Mr. Walls passed away April 18, 1907.
Fraternal societies had the encouragement and active co-operation of David Walls, who was identified with seven lodges in Petaluma. The first society which he joined was the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he became connected in Grass Valley as early as 1860. Afterward he become interested in other organizations. Twice married, his first union occurred in 1873 and gave him as a wife Miss Mary Donnelly, who died in 1887, leaving three children. January 30, 1888, he married Mrs. Alma R. Hynes, daughter of Freeman Parker, an old settler of Sonoma county. Two children were born of this union, but one of them is deceased. The only daughter of the first marriage, Grace, is the wife of George Drennon, and the mother of three children, David, Lloyd and Alma. The sons, Charles B. and James A., who are honored young agriculturists of the county, resicie at the old homestead, to which they are devoted by ties extend- ing back to their early recollections. Charles B. Walls married Miss Pearl Rode- haver. Both are prominent in social affairs in the community, and both enjoy an enviable standing and excellent reputations for probity, integrity and energy. They are adding to the prestige of the family name and are proving themselves worthy successors to an honored father. Charles B. Walls is a member of the Odd Fellows order and Encampment, while James A. is a member of the Elks and the Red Men.
JAMES P. CLARKE.
Among the native sons of the state the name of James P. Clarke stands prominent as one who has practically made his way unaided to a leading posi- tion among the ranchers of Sonoma county, his property in Penn Grove town- ship, not far from Petaluma, representing his efforts of many years. He was born in San Francisco November 12, 1856, the son of James Clarke, who was born in the north of Ireland in 1821 and came to this country prior to the mem- orable year of 1849. He landed on these shores in the harbor of New York
830
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
and had worked as a farm hand in the east in order to secure the means for his transportation to the Pacific coast, which was his ultimate destination. When he had secured the necessary means he embarked on a vessel bound for the Isthmus, and after crossing this narrow neck of land he re-embarked on another vessel that finally landed him in San Francisco. Mining was then the chief attraction to all immigrants, and Mr. Clarke was no exception to the rule, and for two years he followed the fickle fortunes of the miner in Placer county. From there he came to Sonoma county in 1851, and from then until his death, about 1895, he contentedly followed the life of the agriculturist. In his political leanings he was a Democrat, and for a number of years he served his fellow-citizens in the capacity of road-master. By his marriage with Miss Mary Smith, who was born in Ireland in 1831, eight children were born, four sons and four daughters, as follows: James P., Thomas, William, Lawrence, Margaret, Mary, Julia and Ellen. By her marriage with John McGolrick Mar- garet became the mother of two children, Charles (deceased) and Mary. Thomas chose as his wife Bridget Mallon, and they have five children, James, Thomas, Mary, Margaret and Llewellyn.
At the time of the birth of James P. Clarke his parents were living in San Francisco, but two years afterward, in 1858, they took up their permanent resi- dence in Sonoma county, and this has since been the home of Mr. Clarke. Here, in Penn Grove township, near Petaluma, he has a ranch of two hundred acres of land, where he maintains a dairy of thirty cows, raises horses to some extent, and also raises turkeys, having three hundred at this writing. For twenty years, under Democratic as well as Republican supervisors, he has been the road overseer of the Sonoma mountain road, an office in which he has shown excellent judgment, and his work is appreciated by the officials. While Mr. Clarke is very energetic and superintends his ranch, which takes nearly all of his time, he still appreciates the necessity of healthful sport and recreation, and this he finds in hunting and fishing, a pleasure which he allows himself as often as home duties will permit. His father before him was a lover of out-door sports, and in the early days took great delight in hunting with his pack of hounds in the forest. Although still a middle-aged man Mr. Clarke is one of the very oldest settlers in this section, having lived here since 1858, and has seen the great growth and development of a country wild and unfenced. In the early days he could ride across the country to Sacramento without being hindered by fences. Since that time the plow and ax have made Sonoma county one of the greatest agricultural and horticultural counties of the state.
HENRY GEORGE SINCLAIR.
As superintendent of one of the largest landed tracts in Sonoma county, and as manager not only of the broad acres but also of large droves of stock, Mr. Sinclair occupies a position of recognized importance and varied respon- sibilities. The task is one to which a man of inferior abilities would never be summoned, and from which a man of small courage would shrink by reason of its irksome cares. While Lakeville, one of the oldest postoffices in the county, is his headquarters, his vast ranch or series of ranches extends for miles in
831
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
every direction, so that a swift rider on horseback might easily grow weary ere the estate is left behind in the animal's rapid flight. Experienced sportsmen insist that here is to be found one of the most attractive hunting grounds in the entire county, and during the season the skilled marksinen delight to frequent the place in their effort to secure choice game.
The estate of which Mr. Sinclair has charge is not unlike many to be seen in his native England, where vast holdings are retained under one land- lord, but in our own country the custom has inclined toward small holdings, so that a tract of eleven thousand acres under the ownership of one man is quite out of the ordinary. Mr. Sinclair, the superintendent, was born in Dover county, Kent, England, May 18, 1857, but has been a resident of the United States since about 1870, and has held his present position for some time, mean- while gaining the experience and varied knowledge that renders his occupancy of the post advantageous to the owner. Many years ago the property was transferred by Mr. Bihler to James B. Fair, from whom it came to the present owner, Mr. Foster, a resident of San Rafael, Marin county.
Mr. Sinclair is the fifth oldest of a family of nine children born to Henry George and Sarah (Clarinbould) Sinclair, the former born near Glasgow, Scot- land, the latter in St. Pierre, France. The Sinclair family is among the old- est Highland families in Scotland. However, the father chose a sea- faring life and was a marine engineer until he retired, his demise occurring in Portsmouth, England, January 19, 1910, when he was eighty-three years old. The mother died in Folkestone in 1897.
As a boy Mr. Sinclair was educated in the common schools, but at the age of nine and a-half years he went to sea on the Pathfinder, of the London-Chat- ham Company, on which he continued as an apprentice for five years. He then ran on the Allan Line between Liverpool and Montreal as able seaman for eigh- teen months, after which he spent three seasons on Lakes Ontario, Superior, Huron and Michigan. In 1877 he quit the lakes and followed farming in La- Porte county, Ind., until 1884, when he came to Sonoma county, Cal., and en- tered the employ of Mr. Bihler, then the owner of the Lakeville ranch, and in 1896 he became foreman of the home ranch, continuing in that capacity until he was made superintendent of the whole ranch. Since then he has superin- tended the setting out of all the orchards, trees and vineyards, built up all of the buildings except two small ones, has established seven different camps, all well equipped and well built, as well as all of the roads.
Out of the large holdings fifteen hundred acres have been put under culti- vation and are utilized for the raising of crops adapted to the soil and climate. During the season of 1910 nine thousand sacks of grain were threshed and five thousand tons of hay were cut, some of the crop being sold and the balance fed to the stock. One of the ranches forms a sheep camp for the herding of the flock of four thousand sheep. Another ranch has three hundred head of horses, mostly of the blooded English shire strain. To aid in the building up of a splendid herd of horses, there have been kept on the place at different times sixteen imported stallions of unexcelled quality. The cattle business also has been followed with success, and there are now fifteen hundred head of such stock on the estate. The lower ranch, known as Fairville ranch, contains a
832
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
valuable rock quarry, from which stone for building purposes is quarried and shipped to Bay points, and a crusher is used for the purpose of crushing the rock. A large output of this is sold for street paving and similar purposes. On the home place there is a vineyard of three hundred acres, maintained with the greatest care by the manager and producing at times as high as nine hundred tons, which finds a ready sale at $14 per ton. There are three wharves on the ranch, one at Fairs landing on Petaluma creek; the one on Midshipmans Slough is one of the oldest landings in Sonoma county, and in the early days was a natural rodero ground used by the stock men, both Spanish and Americans, and in years past hundreds of thousands of cattle were slaughtered and shipped ; the third wharf is on Sonoma Creek, and each and every one is used exclusively for shipping the produce of the ranch. When Mr. Sinclair came here the ranch was just an open country, and now, by his indefatigable energy and over- sight, it is well tilled and improved with buildings, fences and roads. His mar- riage occurred in Santa Rosa, when he was united with Miss Carrie Thorsen, who was born in Ottawa, Ill., and was educated at the Baptist college in Ottawa, Kan., coming to Sonoma county, Cal .. in 1886. To them have been born two children, Esther and Donald. Mr. Sinclair was made a Mason in Santa Rosa Lodge No. 57, F. & A. M., and raised to the chapter in Santa Rosa, No. 47, R. A. M. He is also a member of Santa Rosa Commandery No. 14, K. T., and Islam Temple, N. M. S., of San Francisco. He is also a member of Petaluma Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Sinclair is a man of varied knowledge, with a fair in- sight into all the intricacies of ranching, and possessing a love of stock as well as of horticulture, so that he is admirably qualified to take charge of a vast property entailing many diverse responsibilities.
GEORGE KINSEY BELL.
Over half a century has come and gone since Mr. Bell came to Sonoma county, and during that time he has been continuously engaged in agricultural and horticultural enterprises not far from Healdsburg. In response to the promptings of advancing age, he has relinquished the management of his ranch to younger hands, and since May, 1910, has been living retired in Healdsburg, enjoying a well-earned rest in the city which he has seen grow from a mere set- tlement to be one of the thriving centers of activity in this prosperous common- wealth.
The blood of a long line of southern ancestors flows in the veins of George K. Bell, his ancestors for many generations being natives of Kentucky, and in that state both his father and mother were born and reared. Later years, how- ever, found the parents in Missouri, and at the time of the birth of their son George K., in 1836, were residents of Jackson county. Educational advantages of that time and place were so meagre as to be unworthy of the name, and all that Mr. Bell ever acquired in this direction has been the result of his own indi- vidual efforts. His father was a farmer, and with the other children in the family he contributed his efforts towards its maintenance until the year 1854, when as a youth of eighteen years he started for the west with two of his brothers and
833
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
another lad. Their course was the one generally in vogue at the time, across the plains with ox-teams, the brothers taking with them a band of cattle, which the lad above-mentioned assisted in driving as part payment for his transportation. The journey was not without its hardships and trials, but these were no longer remembered when they heard that the party that immediately preceded them were massacred by the Indians.
The journey ended, Mr. Bell came to Sonoma county and near Mill creek engaged in the stock business on land upon which he squatted, the land at that time not having been surveyed for apportionment to settlers. Later, when the land had been surveyed and the government could give title to land, Mr. Bell purchased three to four hundred acres near Healdsburg, from which he sold off portions from time to time, until now he has only fifty acres, of which thirty acres are in grapes, which he sells to the winery. The portion of the ranch not in vines is in pasture and woodland. As has been stated, in May, 1910, Mr. Bell rented his ranch to a tenant, and has since resided in Healdsburg, free from all anxiety and care.
In 1866 Mr. Bell was united in marriage with Miss Martha E. Bice, a native of Missouri and the daughter of Cornelius and Mary Jane (Koger) Bice. Mr. Bice bought his family to Sonoma county and settled near Healdsburg in No- vember, 1853. At the age of eighty-four years the mother still lives on the ranch three miles south of Healdsburg. in the house which her husband built, preparing the lumber by hand. Mr. Bice died in 1875. Five children were born of the inarriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bell, but of the number two died in childhood. Mar- guerite E. became the wife of William Kelley, a rancher, who with his family recently removed to Healdsburg in order that the daughter, Irene, may receive good school privileges. Mary Ellen became the wife of William Stein, and they have one son, William Kinsey. The only son is Charles K. Bell. Politically Mr. Bell is a believer in Democratic principles, and although he has always been actively interested in all the activities of the community in which so much of his life has been passed, he has still had no ambitions for public-office holding, neither has he ever allied himself with any secret order. It must not be gathered from this statement that Mr. Bell's life has been a narrow or selfish one, on the con- trary no one has been more interested in the upbuilding of county and state than has he, every measure of this character meeting with his hearty support and co- operation.
GEORGE H. WINKLER.
Closely associated with the material development of Sonoma county through his efficient service in the capacity of surveyor, was the late George H. Winkler, who occupied an enviable position as a resourceful and able young man, and who was a distinct addition to the citizenship of the state. No one had a greater faith in the county's future than he, and none contributed more to its per- manent advancement along those lines of the greatest valne to future progress.
Ever since the frontier period of Sonoma's history the Winkler family has been identified with the county's history, Clayton Winkler having come here as early as 1851 and settling in the Green valley, where he married Miss
41
834
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
Martha Brain, a native of Pennsylvania. He himself was a Kentuckian by birth and ancestry. For years he engaged actively in ranching pursuits, and at his death, in the year 1901, he left to his heirs a valuable property. The son, George H., was born in Green valley June 5, 1872, and received a thoroughi education in the Oak Grove grammar school, the Santa Rosa high school and the University of California. In the last-named institution he took a course in civil engineering and gained an expert knowledge of the occupation. After leaving the university he was employed as assistant engineer in the Sonoma mines.
Joining the engineering corps of the United States during June of 1898, Mr. Winkler went to Honolulu to engage in government engineering, and con- tinued in that capacity until he was honorably discharged in November of the following year. His next business association took him to Mexico to aid in location and construction work on the Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railroad, with which he continued from June of 1900 to January of 1906, and then re- turned to his hoyhood home in California. Elected county surveyor in Novem- berfollowing his return to this county, he filled the office with marked efficiency and wise judgment. At the election, November 8, 1910, he was chosen for a second term. As a county official he proved loyal to the local welfare and devoted to the local advancement. As a civil engineer his record was one of thoroughness and skill. As a soldier in the Spanish-American war and as ser- geant of Company I, Second Regiment, United States Volunteer Engineering Corps, his record was most enviable, including the making of the survey of Pearl harbor and assistance in the building of the Banex. His labors in the army were along engineering lines, and his knowledge and experience enabled hini to serve his country with unusual discernment.
The marriage of Mr. Winkler was solemnized February 29, 1908, and united him with Miss Maybel Parker, who was born at Freestone, this county, September 15, 1879, being a daughter of Isaac Parker, an honored pioneer of the early '50s. After having engaged in farming at Freestone for a consider- able period, Mr. Parker removed to Sebastopol, and later established his home in Dry creek valley. There he built up a ranch of such productiveness as to be known for miles around in every direction. To this day the place is known as the Parker ranch. While he always took an active part in politics as a Re- publican, Mr. Parker steadfastly refused to accept public offices. In his com- munity he was well and favorably known. None of the pioneers enjoyed a larger circle of warm personal friends than did he; in fact, his friends were as numerous as his acquaintances. His family consisted of five daughters and two sons, and these grew to maturity on the homestead in Dry creek valley.
Various of the fraternal organizations received the support of Mr. Wink- ler, who was identified with Sebastopol Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West; also the Santa Rosa Lodge of Elks and the Santa Rosa Camp, Wood- men of the World. In religion he was in sympathy with all efforts for the spiritual upbuilding of the human race, and his views were broad and liberal. In attendance and contributions he perhaps favored the Methodist Episcopal (lenomination, but all church work and missionary enterprises received his intel- ligent sympathy. Besides his comfortable home on Third street, Santa Rosa, he owned fifteen acres inherited from his father's estate. This land is in hops,
835
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
producing an annual revenue varying from $1,500 to $3,000, and forming a tract of considerable value. The county workers in the Republican party had the co-operation of Mr. Winkler in all their undertakings and his intelligent aid was most helpful to the furtherance of the party's local success. After a long and persistent struggle with ill health Mr. Winkler passed away July 23, 1911, mourned alike in public and private circles, as an honorable and upright official and as a sympathetic friend and well wisher.
CHARLES CHESTER OLIVER.
Added to a long and worthy record in the business annals of Sonoma county the name of Oliver has gained distinction in the state through its high standing in fraternal circles, indeed it is a characteristic of all the male members of this family to attain the highest rank in the Masonic order. Their business ambition has been no less lofty, and in attaining it they have retained their self respect and the highest respect and esteem from those with whom they have come in con- tact. The name was established in Sonoma county by J. R. H. Oliver, who was born in McDonald county, Mo., in 1835 and came to California overland with ox-teams in 1857. Six months were consumed in the journey, a short stop being made at Chico, but otherwise the journey was continuous, long though it was. His acquaintance with Sonoma county began in 1865, when he came back to the settlement that later became Forestville and established himself in the black- smith business, his shop being the first in this section of the state, and natu- rally it received a large patronage, as those were the days before the coming of the railroad and horses were in constant use. From that time until his death, in 1889, he continued to maintain the blacksmith shop, besides which he owned a fruit ranch of forty acres. As one of the early settlers in this community and a man of unusual progress and perseverance he took the lead in upbuilding movements and throughout his residence here could always be counted on to assist in any project that was for the good of the community or the comfort of his fellow-citizens. He was the owner of the only boat that ever navigated the Russian river, the current of this river being so rapid now that it would be im- possible to venture upon it with a row boat. As has been intimated, he attained the highest rank in the Masonic order, as did also his sons. His wife is still liv- ing at Forestville, at the age of seventy years.
Charles Chester Oliver is one of the four children of the parental family now living, the others being daughters. Charles Oliver was born on the old family homestead in Sonoma county, in 1867, and was here reared and educated, attending district school in what is now Forestville. In those days it was no un- common sight to see all kinds of wild game, but all this is now changed, and what was then rough, uncultivated land, is now tinted with the hues of bud, blossom and fruit. Mr. Oliver is now proprietor of the old home place, which is known by the euphonious name of Wildwood, so named no doubt in memory of the old pioneer days, when indeed it was a wild wood. This is now all under cultivation to orchard and vineyard. Not only is Mr. Oliver a great lover of stock, but he is also an extensive breeder of high-grade stock, as well as horses, among
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.