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 86
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JAMES AUSTIN.
Although sixteen years have come and gone since James Austin passed from the scenes of earth, his life and accomplishments during the long period of his residence in Sonoma county are still fresh in the memory of those who were privileged to know him. As one of the leading agriculturists and viticulturists of Santa Rosa township, he was the owner of one of the finest estates in this part of the county, in fact, throughout the entire Rincon valley no more beautiful
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or picturesque home dotted the landscape. As early as 1871 Mr. Austin came to the county and laid the foundation of his future prosperity by purchasing from Gen. John B. Frisbie a quarter interest in eleven hundred and seventy-eight acres of land, and as time went on and he was prospered in his ventures, he ac- quired title to the whole tract. After acquiring his large holdings Mr. Austin inaugurated the plan of selling off much of his land in small ranches, after con- verting them into orchards or vineyards, and in so doing offered encouragement to many young ranchers eager for an opportunity to get a start. Eight small ranches were thus set off and sold, after which he still had ten hundred and seventy-seven acres in his homestead, one hundred and twenty-five acres in vine- yard, while the remainder of the property was devoted to grazing, general farming and stock-raising.
A native of Quebec, James Austin was born December 2, 1824, and he re- ceived his early education in the common schools of his birthplace. Greater educational advantages awaited him, for at the age of nineteen he was sent to the Derby Center Academy in Vermont, and at the expiration of his second term he accepted a position as teacher. After one term as instructor he entered the academy at Sheffield, Canada, where he studied for two terms, then entered St. Hyacinth College. After the completion of his college course he became instruc- tor of English in Beloeil College, where in turn he acquired a splendid knowl- edge of the French language. In 1848 he returned to his father's home, and the following year settled down as a farmer in Bolton, Canada, making his home there for twenty years. During this time he became one of the influential citizens of the locality, among other important positions which he held in his community serving as mayor of the township for ten years, as such being one of the crown's magistrates, and for ten years was one of the directors of the Stanstead, Shef- ford & Chambly Railroad Company, with which he had previously been officially associated. At the expiration of his term as mayor of Bolton township he im- migrated to the United States and from the year 1868 until his death, January 19, 1894, was a resident of California. Upon first coming to the state he settled in American Canyon, Green Valley township, Solano county, but three years later he removed from there to Santa Rosa, Sonoma county, and from that time forward until his death this was his home. It was after locating here, in Septem- ber, 1871, that he purchased the large holdings in the Rincon valley previously mentioned and carried on the management of this vast estate up to the time of his death. Not only was he a successful business man, but better still he was a man who was loved and honored alike by old and young, and his death was lamented as a loss common to all. Politically he was a stanch Republican, an ac- tive politician, and in his church affiliations he held membership in the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Austin's marriage, May 22, 1849, united him with Miss Anna Peasley, who was born in the province of Quebec January 6, 1828, the daughter of Osgood Peasley. Eight children were born of this union, and of them we make the following mention : Lyman P. was born October 22, 1850, and died July 10, 1876; Howard J., born September 3, 1852, died April 13. 1884; Herbert W. was born August 2, 1854, and is a well-known rancher of this community, an account of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume; Osgood E., born March
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25, 1856, died January 14, 1861 ; Florence Ann, born June 7, 1860, died January 24, 1861 ; Malcolm O., born July 25, 1863, is a physician in San Francisco; Sewell S. was born May 21, 1865; and Ashton E. June 29, 1874. The mother of these children survived the death of the father and husband about six years, her own death occurring on the home ranch in January, 1900. She too was a member and faithful attendant of the Episcopal Church.
EDWARD LEE WALKER.
Few names are better known in Sonoma county than that of Walker, repre- sented by that noble pioneer, John Walker, who came to this section and located in Santa Rosa valley in 1850. He was born in Jackson county, Mo., February 5, 1826, the son of Joel P. Walker. When a youth of twenty-two years he came overland to California, reaching his journey's end in September, 1848. Going at once to the mines of the American river, he remained there until June of the next year, when with the means he had in the meantime accumulated he located on the present site of the city of Sacramento and established the Mis- souri house, which for four months served as a lodging place for weary travelers in the days of '49. An uncle, Capt. Joseph R. Walker had come west as early as 1840, making the journey in company with a party of traders in the interests of the American Fur Company. From Oregon he finally came south into Cali- fornia, his advent into the state dating from October 19, 1841. Later years found him interested in gold mining, and in a prospecting trip to the southern part of the state he passed through country which he had traversed many years before, a portion of which still bears the name of Walker's Pass. It was to join his uncle in this expedition that John Walker gave up the management of the Missouri house after it had been established only four months. Three months of prospecting satisfied his ambition in this direction, and after a short time passed in Napa county, where his father was located, he came to the Santa Rosa valley, in 1850, as previously stated. He immediately set about building a house for his family, this being the first redwood house in the valley, and near the present location of Sebastopol. The following year, 1851, he opened the first mercantile establishment in this part of the country, being associated in the en- terprise with Joseph Morgan Miller, and the first postoffice in the country for miles around was kept in the old house now standing in the rear of the family homestead in Analy township, Mr. Walker serving as postmaster. Subsequently Mr. Walker became interested in general farming and stock-raising, a business which made him a very wealthy man. At his death, February 16, 1895, he owned four thousand acres of land, the income from which was enormous. The mar- riage of John Walker November 6, 1851, united him with Miss Eleanor Morin, and four sons and three daughters were born to them, as follows: Harriet Jane, Mary J., Joel M., John L., Ella D., Edward Lee and Willis Y.
Next to the youngest of the children in the parental family, Edward Lee Walker was born in Sebastopol January 19, 1866. Brought up on the large home ranch, he had an excellent opportunity to acquire a thorough knowledge of the business in all of its branches, and after completing his education he gave his
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entire attention to agriculture. Upon attaining his majority his father gave him five hundred and twenty-nine acres of land, a part of the old home place, which he leased, and continued to give lis attention to the care of the homestead. Upon the death of the father Edward Lee and his brother Jolin were made adminis- trators of the estate, the duties of which involved considerable work, as the estate was large, containing five thousand acres of land, valued at $76,000. In 1895 Mr. Walker disposed of his large stock farm, retaining, however, the home now occupied by the family. This comprises about fifty acres devoted to the raising of fruit, principally apples and berries. It has a magnificent location on Alto Crest Hill, permitting an almost unbroken view of the Santa Rosa valley.
Though Mr. Walker was always intensely interested in his agricultural en- terprises, he by no means neglected his duty as a good citizen, and in him the Democratic party had a stanch ally. On the ticket of this party he served as constable of Sebastopol for four years, but any other honors of a public nature he declined to accept.
The marriage of Edward Lee Walker and Miss Mary F. Fannin was cele- brated April 18, 1894. Mrs. Walker was a native of Forest Hill, Placer county, Cal., the daughter of Michael and Marion (Broughan) Fannin, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter a native of Georgia and the representative of an old southern family. Mr. Fannin was a well-known pioneer settler in Placer county, where he was known as a successful business man, the owner of mines, stores and mills. At his death in that county he left three children, Rose, Mary F. ( familiarly known as Dolly), and Alice F. The mother of these chil- dren is still living in San Francisco, the widow of Dietrich Bahten, who was formerly well known in mining circles. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walker two are living, Marion Eleanor and Lee Fannin, who are at home with their mother. The death of Mr. Walker, November 5, 1903, left a blank in the home circle, taking away a kind husband and father, and removing one of the best citizens Sebastopol has ever known.
KURT URBAN, M. D.
One of the leaders of the medical profession in the Bay region is Kurt Urban, M. D., a man of keen intellect and high educational advantages. Born in Berlin, Germany, he was the only child of August Urban, who was an attor- ney, but who followed journalism as a profession, being the editor of the Ber- liner Tagebladt, one of the leading papers in Germany, until his death. Dr. Urban's grandfather, August Urban, Sr., was a capitalist and owned a large and valuable estate near Berlin.
It was in the public schools of Berlin that Dr. Urban received his early educational advantages, and from there entered the Frederick William Uni- versity. Berlin, from which he was graduated in 1881 with the degree of A. B. and then entered the medical department of the same university, and two years later received the degree of M. D. Coming at once to San Francisco, he began the practice of medicine, and at the same time entering the medical department of the University of California, where another degree was conferred upon him.
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For ten years he was located in San Francisco, and in connection with his pri- vate practice he was chief surgeon at the Emergency hospital for two years and assistant health officer for two terms and later secretary of the board of health for a term.
On account of his daughter's ill-health, Dr. Urban located in Sonoma county, spending about one year at Occidental, and from there went to Tomales, where for eight years he practiced medicine and surgery, his practice reaching to Duncan Mills, Point Reyes and half way to Petaluma. In 1900 he spent the year traveling in the east, doing graduate work in Chicago and New York. The following year he located in Petaluma, where he soon entered upon a large and lucrative practice of medicine and surgery.
Fraternally Dr. Urban is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Redmen, Herman Sons, Sonoma County Medical Society and the State Medical Association. Petaluma is indeed fortunate to have a man of such distinction and professional ability as is Dr. Urban, for with the heritage of a fertile brain he has left no field unopened whereby he can improve himself in his profession. He is a great student and ever alert to the advancement in surgery and medicine, and now, just in the prime of life, he has an enviable position in the professional world which his conservatism and keen judgment have merited him. Socially he is a favorite, his sincerity and frankness, as well as his genial manner, having won for him hosts of friends.
HARRISON MECHAM.
Noteworthy among the early pioneers of Sonoma county was Harrison Mecham, who came here in an early period of its settlement and at once identi- fied himself with the interests and progress of this part of the state. Com- mencing life without other capital than his strong hands and resolute will, he obtained an assured position, socially and financially, and was held in high re- spect as a citizen of honest worth and integrity. A native of New York state, he was born in St. Lawrence county June 20, 1833, the son of Joseph and Hannah (Tyler) Mecham, natives respectively of New Hampshire and Vermont. When he was a child of one year the family removed to Pennsylvania, and from there in 1840 went to Columbus, O. The following year found the family moving still further westward, Indianapolis, Ind., being their next stopping place, their arrival there being co-incident with the completion of the first turnpike road built from that city to Springfield, Ill. In 1843 they located in Lee county, Iowa, near Keokuk, and two years later removed to Atchison county, Mo.
It was while the family were living in Atchison county, Mo., that Harrison Mecham, then a lad of fifteen years, developed an interest in the west that proved a turning point in his life. This interest was awakened by a chance meet- ing with some old Californians who were acting as guides to Commodore Stock- ton to the east; their stories of the wild western life, of bronchos, bears, elk and . other wild animals, fired the ambition of the youth and made further interest in his home surroundings in Missouri impossible. On the return trip of the Cali- fornians just mentioned, in the spring of 1848, their number was increased by
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one, Harrison Mecham having determined to make the westward trip with them, this, too, without the knowledge or consent of his parents. When the party had reached old Fort Kearney, on the Missouri river, Mr. Mecham accepted an offer from a man by the name of St. Clair to drive an ox-team for the balance of the way to California, another duty being to stand guard half of every third night. Their route was by way of Fort Hall and across the desert to the Truckee river, up that river, crossing it twenty-seven times, and arriving at Donner and Cambal camps, where the Donner party were killed by the Indians. After cross- ing the mountains they arrived at Johnson's ranch in the Sacramento valley, and on the evening of the day of their arrival they were brought in close con- tact with the Indians. That evening an old pioneer of the valley, Nicholas Car- riger, came to Mr. Mecham's tent and told him that two of his best men had been killed and asked his assistance in capturing the slayers. The entire party entered upon the search, and when the Indian camp was found, surrounded and the old chief taken prisoner, word was left that the chief would be hung if the murder- ers were not delivered up at a certain hour the following morning. The chief's life was spared, but the four murderers were hung one by one and then turned over to the Indians, who burned their bodies according to custom.
Mr. Mecham learned of the discovery of gold in California through some Mormons returning to Salt Lake City, and with some friends he went to the mines on the Yuba river, and in company with others purchased a claim. The prices paid for the outfit and for the necessaries of life were fabulous, a rocker costing them $300, picks $64 each, and two wooden buckets $20 each. For flour they were compelled to pay $1 a pound, the same for a pound of salt pork, and beef was cheap at $25 a head. It is safe to presume that the mining venture was not a success, for in the spring of 1849 Mr. Mecham and several others united in the purchase of the Johnson ranch on Bear river for $6,000, the ranch consisting of three leagues of land, about three thousand head of cattle and six hundred head of horses.
After giving up mining Mr. Mecham removed to a ranch near the junction of the Feather and Sacramento rivers and in July, 1853, removed to Sonoma county, and upon a portion of the ranch upon which he then settled, he passed the remainder of his life. Here he engaged in dairying, farming and stock- raising, the raising of grain, however, being his chief industry. The highest amount of grain which he produced in one year was one hundred and three thousand bushels, and it was his custom to have from one thousand to two thou- sand five hundred acres in potatoes. Front five hundred to one thousand head of cattle and about twenty-five hundred hogs were usually sent to market from his large ranch, which will give some idea of the magnitude of the business carried on under Mr. Mecham's immediate supervision. In the meantime his children had reached ages when the facilities of the local schools no longer met their needs, and in 1864 the family removed to Petaluma, Mr. Mecham at this time renting his ranch to a tenant. The latter experience proved unsatisfactory, and he therefore took it back into his own control, stocking it with sheep, horses and cattle, and managed the ranch personally from the city until the completion of the fine family residence on the ranch in October, 1885. after which he returned to the ranch and made his home thereafter until his death, which occurred April 8, 1909. Besides the home ranch of about five thousand acres, he also owned a ranch
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of twenty-six hundred acres in Vallejo township, as well as a fifth interest in the Juanita ranch of twenty-seven thousand acres in Santa Barbara county. With- out doubt he was at the time of his death one of the wealthiest men and largest landowners in the county, and at the same time he was one of the most influential, most popular and highly esteemed residents of the section in which he lived.
Mr. Mecham's marriage, April 17, 1853, was celebrated in Fremont, Yolo county, and united him with Miss Melissa Jane Stewart, a native of Indiana and the daughter of Abel Stewart. Six children were born of their marriage, but of the number only four are now living, as follows: Franklyn A., of whom a sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume; Loretta; Harriet; and Belle, the last-mentioned the wife of Walter S. Fritsch, of Petaluma.
SAMUEL A. NAY.
Distinguished as one of the early and most respected settlers of California, Samuel A. Nay was first identified with Marin county as a large land-holder and extensive raiser of sheep and cattle, but for the past forty years his life and labors have been associated with Sonoma county, where his varied interests have brought him into prominence in almost all of the various avenues of agriculture. Until recently he occupied a ranch of fifty-five acres in Petaluma township, de- voted to fruit-growing and the raising of poultry, twenty-five acres being in Newtown pippins, besides which he raised many kinds of valuable fruits. His poultry yard was conducted along scientific lines, and was one of the most profit- able and up-to-date establishments of the kind in the county. He is now living retired in Petaluma.
A native of New Hampshire, Samuel A. Nay was born in Hancock, Hills- boro county, February 18, 1830, the son of Gardner and Amelia (Simonds) Nay, and following in the footsteps of his father in the choice of a life-work he became a farmer and carpenter. During his youth the home of the family was transferred from New Hampshire to Illinois, and it was in that state that the death of the father occurred in 1861. Subsequently the mother came to Califor- nia to join her sons who had located here in the meantime, and here her earth life came to a close in 1878. All of the eight children born to the marriage of this worthy couple grew to maturity with the exception of one child who died in infancy. Samuel A., who was the fourth in order of birth of his parents' family, started out to make his own way in the world at the age of twenty-one years, working at the carpenter's trade, which he had learned from his father. He was thus engaged when he heard of the finding of gold in California, and as did thousands of others, he laid aside everything to come to the west in an en- deavor to make his fortune. In the spring of 1852 he took passage at New York City on the ship Georgia, but before reaching Cuba the ship sprang a leak, and from the island to Aspinwall the voyage was continued on the ship Ohio. After crossing this narrow neck of land they embarked on the Pacific side on the ship Panama, and after a sail of thirty-six days hove in sight of the Golden Gate April 1, 1852. After three days spent in the metropolis Mr. Nay went to Marin county, where he hired out to work at teaming for $70 for the first month,
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$90 for the second month, and $100 for the third month's work. Later he worked in a sawmill in that locality, and while there was importuned by his former employer to resume teaming for him with the promise of $125 per month, but as he had discontinued the work on account of its being too laborious for his strength he was not persuaded to accept it, even though it meant an advance of $25 a month over what he was receiving in the mill. Subsequently he rented land in Marin county and engaged in raising potatoes, but as this commodity proved a drug on the market that year he found himself $300 in debt, besides tlie loss of his time and labor. During the season of 1855, however, he fared better, raising a record crop for which he received four cents a pound. From 1855 11ntil 1858 he was engaged in the cord wood business near San Rafael in part- nership with his brother William J., an association that proved profitable and amicable as long as it continued. Still later they were in partnership in the dairy business in that locality, but in 1863 Samuel A. Nay bought out the interest of his brother and continued the business thereafter alone. Upon disposing of his interests in Marin county in 1871 he came to Sonoma county and purchased the ranchı of fifty-five acres near Petaluma which claimed his close attention for so many years. Besides this ranch he was also interested with his brother in a sheep ranch of eighteen hundred acres near Guerneville, upon which, when it was sold, he realized a profit of $5,000. To Mr. Nay belongs the credit for being the first man in Petaluma to make a success of chicken-raising, and he may well be proud of his accomplishment, for it was the means of developing the greatest poultry industry known anywhere in the world today, Petaluma being the world's center in this industry. During all the years that Mr. Nay has lived in the county he has speculated in land, buying and selling ranch property principally, and in almost every instance he has doubled on his investment.
While a resident of Marin county, in 1855. Mr. Nay was married to Miss Sarah E. Winans, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of James and Martha (Ashby) Winans, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Indiana. Mr. Winans was a farmer who crossed the plains in 1854 alone, but in 1856 returned east for his family, finally locating in Marin county, and there his death occurred in 1893. Their children were as follows: David M., a rancher of Petaluma township : Sarah E., Mrs. S. A. Nay; Mrs. William Nay; and Mrs. Hannah Beerbauer, a resident of Humboldt county. Three children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nay, Charles J., Heber L. and Frank G. Fraternally Mr. Nay is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Felllows, and politically he is a believer in Republican principles.
CHARLES PRESTON NOLAN.
More than forty years have brought their transitions of weal and woe. of prosperity and adversity, into the varied experiences of Charles Preston Nolan, an honored pioneer of Sonoma county, since he relinquished all interests in the east and cast in his lot with the people along the Pacific coast. From the home of his boyhood to the scenes familiar to his mature years the width of a continent intervenes, while his change in occupation likewise has been radical, the arduous calling of a seafaring man having given place to the quiet round of
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horticultural and agricultural duties. When he came to the west he was entirely without means, nor did he enjoy the friendship of people of wealth and in- fluence. The modest degree of success rewarding his efforts he owes to his own unaided exertions. Its significance is not limited to the personal element, but embraces the thought that the county offers large opportunities for men of purpose, energy and zealous application.
The early memories of Mr. Nolan center around the rock-bound coast of Maine. Near the coast of the Atlantic ocean, in Lincoln county, he was born November 3, 1841, being a native of Damariscotta, a village whose inhabitants principally worked in the mills, although a large number preferred to go to sea. The latter occupation was chosen by Mr. Nolan when at the age of fifteen years he discontinued his studies in the local schools and took up the task of earning a livelihood. For four years he followed the sea with ocean vessels and in February, 1863, volunteered in the United States navy. His service of thirty-one months was passed on board the Princeton and the Semi- nole, under Admiral Farragut, in the Western Gulf Blockading squadron, and among other engagements in which he participated was the battle of Mobile bay. After the fleet had taken all the forts in Mobile bay the harbor was dragged for torpedoes. This was accomplished by a tug dragging a circle with a large hawser, and Mr. Nolan with twenty-six others would wade out and haul it in. The first time they secured three torpedoes, the second time five, and the third time three torpedoes. This last experience nearly cost Mr. Nolan his life. In raising the middle torpedo to untangle the chains it slipped from the ones who handled it and struck one of the caps, causing all three torpedoes to explode. Fortunately Mr. Nolan and a comrade walked about thirty feet away, at the suggestion of his comrade Richard Hand, which saved their lives, all of the rest being killed. He had not thought it dangerous. When the fleet captured the rebel ram Tennessee he secured a piece of the flag and carried it for many years, giving smail pieces of it as souvenirs to comrades, and what is left is now in the possession of his son Walter.
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