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 92
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In his political affiliation Mr. Powell was a Democrat, and was active in the cause of his chosen party, although never to the extent that he sought or desired public office, township trustee being the only office which he ever held. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, and as one of its directors, cared for its real-estate interests for many years. In his fra- ternal affiliations he was a charter member of Healdsburg Lodge No. 123, F. & A. M., and of Healdsburg Lodge, I. O. O. F. As one of Sonoma county's best beloved citizens, Mr. Powell's opinion carried great weight in his com- munity, where his conservative worth stood the test of years, and where his word was regarded as binding as would be his bond.
Mrs. Powell takes special pride in the ranch, and also in the fact that under her care since the death of her husband it has been kept up to the high standard of excellence of which he was so proud. She is now changing the place into a prune ranch, having had the peaches dug out, and in their place has set out French and Imperial prunes. Active, intelligent and enterprising, Mrs. Powell lias a host of warm friends and well-wishers in the community in which she has lived for so long a time, all of whom are interested in her wel- fare and count her among the substantial citizens of this part of Sonoma county.
FRANK A. SULLIVAN.
Among the men to be named as factors in the material growth of Santa Rosa is Frank A. Sullivan, who has been identified with the city's growth for the past seven years, having taken up his residence here in 1903. In following his trade of contractor and builder in the meantime his success has been little short of marvelous and has not been confined to this immediate locality, but has taken him into all parts of northern California.
Not only is Mr. Sullivan proud of the fact that he is a Native Son of California, having been born in Tuolumne county May 1, 1871, but he also takes justifiable pride in the fact that he is a son of one of the state's early pioneers. Michael Sullivan. He was married in New York City in 1848, to Miss Ellen Baldwin. Leaving his wife in New York, he went to Mexico for service in the Mexican war, after which, in 1850, with his regiment, he came to San Francisco, where he was discharged from service. Soon afterward he was joined by his wife and son, who made the voyage around the Horn on the ship Uncle Sam.
Frank A. Sullivan's education was started in the schools of his birthplace. Jamestown, Tuolumne county, after which, when he was twelve years of age, the family removed to San Francisco, where he completed his education in the public schools and in Sacred Heart College. His first work was in a hat store
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in San Francisco. He had not been in the metropolis long before he began to formulate plans for his future along another line of endeavor and in undertaking work at the carpenter's trade he inserted the entering wedge which has de- veloped into the large business as contractor and builder which is carried on under his name today. He was fortunate in having his training under the largest building contractors of San Francisco, Mahony Brothers, and while with this firm he worked at his trade in San Mateo and Palo Alto.
Mr. Sullivan's identification with Santa Rosa dates from June 1903, and from the first he has met with a success that has been remarkable, but one which is nevertheless deserving. Over sixty buildings in Santa Rosa alone stand as monuments to his skill and ability, among which are included six business blocks on Fourth street, in the heart of the business center of the city. Among the residences which he has constructed may be mentioned those of county auditor Charles A. Poole, county assessor F. Dowd. besides the Hodson, McConnell, Quinn and the Shea residences. In Healdsburg he erected the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, the Catholic church, the Carnegie Library and the Telephone building ; the Bank of Ukiah in the city of that name; the interior finishing in the Bank of Sebastopol; the residence of J. D. Ellis and store buildings for Judge Barham in Petaluma; residences in San Rafael and three store buildings in San Francisco; residences in Tomales and in different parts of Sonoma county, and at the present time is erecting a $6,000 residence in Sacramento for J. T. W. DeJong. With what he has already accomplished as a criterion, it is safe to predict a brilliant future for this young and enterprising contractor and builder of Santa Rosa, and all who are familiar with the quality of his work wish him success and use their influence in his behalf.
In his marriage, February 5, 1900, Mr. Sullivan was united with Miss Mary McNamara, who before her marriage was a successful school teacher in Sonoma county. Six children have been born to them, Clare, Leo, Harvey, Pauline, Edward and Stuart. Fraternally Mr. Sullivan is associated with a number of orders, and is holding office in a number of them, being deputy grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, past council in the Modern Woodmen, besides which he is associated with the Native Sons, Foresters of America and the Royal Neighbors. In his political inclinations he is a stanch believer in Democratic principles, and at one time was the representative as delegate to the Democratic state convention held in Sacramento. Recently Mr. Sullivan has associated him- self with the celebrated artist, S. T. Daken, in the establishment of the Daken Art Institute of Santa Rosa, Mr. Sullivan being vice-president and general manager of the enterprise.
ARTHUR GOMEZ LUMSDEN, M. D.
One of the young physicians of promise in Petaluma is Arthur Gomez Lumsden, born in Penole, Contra Costa county, Cal., November 9, 1882, receiving his education in the public schools of his home town and later in the San Francisco Commercial high school, where he was graduated in 1900. After two years of travel he realized the ambition of his boyhood in taking up the study of medicine, entering the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San
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Francisco. At the end of four years, upon receiving the degree of M. D., he launched into active practice in Reno. Nev., where he remained for three years, then wishing to get in touch with some of the more recent modes of procedure along certain lines he took a post-graduate course in the California College of Medicine, after which he settled in Petaluma, in January, 1910, and here he is now successfully engaged in an active practice of medicine and sur- gery.
While in Reno, Nev., Dr. Lumsden was united in marriage to Miss Pauline Johns, born in Red Bluff, Cal., one child, Arthur. having been born of this union. Dr. Lumsden is proud of his native blood. His grand- mother, Francisca Martinez, was a cousin of General Vallejo and also of Senor Morrocco, of Morrocco valley. Fraternally Dr. Lumsden is connected with the Sonoma County Medical Society and the State Medical Association, is a mem- ber and medical examiner for the American Yeomen, Fraternal Aid, Moose I. D. E. S., U. P. E. C., Artisans, and is a member of the Woodmen of the World, Foresters of America and Eagles, in all of which orders his good citizen- ship and benevolence are manifested. He has a happy faculty for making friends, which together with his great ability and progressiveness in his profes- sion, readily stamps him as one of the leading physicians of the future.
GEORGE RIELLY.
Born in County Kings, Ireland, March 7, 1851, George Rielly inherits the characteristic energy and ability of the nation to which he belongs, having added to his native qualities those which accrue from an American citizenship. He was reared and educated in his native land and, when little more than a boy, when only sixteen years old, had become sufficiently accomplished as a stone- cutter to work as a journeyman. He had worked at his trade altogether about three years when, at the age of nineteen, he set sail for the United States, and in due time arrived at the port of New York. Finding work at his trade in that metropolis, he remained there until the spring of 1872, when he came as far west as Chicago, and there, as in the east, sought and found work at his trade. He continued to work at his trade in the employ of others in that city for about ten years, when he branched out as a contractor on his own account, supplying the stone for the buildings which he erected from his own stone-cut- ting plant. At the time his was the largest plant of the kind in that city, and was equipped with every device then known to the trade. Many fine buildings had been erected under his immediate supervision, and a large business was under way when the fire of 1903 destroyed his plant and ended his career in that city.
From Chicago Mr. Rielly went to Lewistown, Mont., where he continued work at his trade, and one of the finest specimens of his handiwork may still be seen in the fine bank building which he erected there of native stone quar- ried near the city. He has used Bedford limestone brought from Indiana in some of the fine buildings which he has erected in late years, finding it more durable and satisfactory than other grades of stone formerly used. It was with
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the accumulated experience of many years in the east and middle-west that Mr. Rielly came to California in 1906 and settled in Santa Rosa in the spring of that year, immediately following the disaster of the earthquake and fire. Much of the construction of the new city is the work of his hand and brain. The first concrete building erected after the fire he constructed for Mr. Marcille, and he also built the Mitchell Hall building, of re-inforced concrete, a row of ten stores on Third street, the foundation for the Masonic Temple on Fourtli street, and the granite work for the new court house, including the steps and foundations. All of the foregoing is in Santa Rosa, while in Sebastopol he has erected a bank building that is said to have no superior in point of architectural beauty and utility combined in the state. In addition to maintaining a granite- cutting plant which is equipped with all the latest improvements in power machines, planers, etc., he also has a plant for the manufacture of sewer pipes and cement blocks used in erecting business structures. One of the contracts filled from his plant was an order for seven thousand five hundred feet of sewer pipe for the city. Mr. Rielly has just completed the George Prindle building, consisting of three stores on Fourth street, also the addition of the Elite The- atre in Santa Rosa, and is now erecting three stores in Sebastopol for Robinson Brothers. These buildings are constructed of concrete blocks manufactured in his own plant.
In 1873 Mr. Rielly was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Boland, who. like himself, was born in Ireland. Seven children have been born to them, as follows: Mary, John, Elizabeth, Margaret, Catherine, Lucy and Sarah. Mr. Rielly is identified with only one social order, the Knights of Columbus of Santa Rosa. No better evidence of his satisfaction with this city as a place of residence could be cited than the fact that he has recently completed a fine resi- dence for his family at the corner of Laurel and Olive streets. This is repre- sentative of the best and most durable work turned out by Mr. Rielly, and in keeping with his policy of late years he has used Bedford stone in the construc- tion of the basement and granite for the steps.
F. KORBEL & BROS., INC.
Instances withont number might be furnished illustrating the opportunities offered by California to men of energy, keen foresight and sagacious judgment, but doubtless none would more forcibly indicate the advantages of the com- monwealth than a citation of the careers of the brothers whose business title introduces this article and whose remarkable success is a source of pride to the citizens of their home county. The location presented a favorable opportunity for the development of business interests and the men possessed the keen mental powers necessary to the upbuilding of an important enterprise. One-half cen- tury has passed since they sought the shores of the Pacific, moneyless but not mistrustful of the future among strangers. The era has been one of progress and almost uniform success, and we find them, fifty years after their arrival, in positions of high financial trust and assured commercial responsibility, with a national reputation in the industry to which they devote their large talents.
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
The members of the firm comprise Francis Korbel and his brother, Anton F., and until his death, in February, 1900, Joseph K. was also a member of the firm. All were natives of Bohemia, and early in boyhood each youth was ap- prenticed to a trade. Francis, eldest of the three, acquired a thorough knowledge of the manufacture of cigars and tobacco; the others served their time at the trade of a machinist. As boys they crossed the ocean to New York City and secured work at their various occupations. From that city they came in 1860 via the Isthmus of Panama to California and settled in San Francisco, where they followed their trades. During 1862 the brothers formed a partnership and embarked in business for themselves, starting the first cigar-box factory in San Francisco. In the manufacture of these boxes Mexican cedar is used and this lumber was brought up from Mexico in sailing vessels. Very often these ships would bring a mixed cargo of hardwood to be sold in one lot and thus the brothers soon found that they had a large stock of the various kinds of hard- wood grown in Mexico and Central America. This prompted them to embark in another business and they started the first hardwood lumber yards in San Francisco. As the business increased they bought their own sailing vessels and sent them to all parts of the world with cargoes of hardwood.
Coming to Sonoma county in 1872 the brothers purchased timber lands on the Russian river near what is now Korbel and here they erected two sawmills. For a considerable period the mills were in constant operation sawing the lum- ber and by the year 1883 most of the timber had been removed, leaving the cleared land. The cultivation of the vast tracts was a matter of importance One of the lifelong ambitions of the brothers had been the raising of grapes and the making of good wines, and so they decided to start vineyards. In a short time the once timbered hills and valleys had been transformed into cultivated vineyards. Soon it was proved that the imported vines, grown in the soil along the Russian river, were capable of producing wines equal to the most famous wine countries of Europe. During 1886 the first wine cellar was built and as the vineyards increased the second cellar was added. In 1890 a branch house was started in Chicago and all the products of the vineyard are shipped east, whence they are distributed to local merchants. As early as 1894 the brothers began to produce California champagne by the famous French method "fermented in bottles." Prior to their successful attempt it had been asserted that champagne could not be produced in California, but the firm has proved to the satisfaction of all that it is possible to manufacture an article equal to, if not better than, many of the imported varieties whose delicacy and richness of flavor are the proud boast of their producers in Europe.
THOMAS MOONEY.
Among the citizens of Petaluma who have won themselves a place of note by years of honest and zealous labor, mention should be made of Thomas Mooney, who is now spending his last years in peaceful retirement. He was born in Ireland in 1830, and was brought to America when he was a child of eight years, so he has practically known no other home than this. After landing on these shores the parents settled in Rochester, N. Y .. where the son at- tended school. and when old enough to prepare for business life took up work
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at the machinist's trade. While he was fortunate to fall in the hands of a care- ful, painstaking master mechanic from whom he was to learn his trade, he met his teacher half way by bringing to his work an apt mind and a willing hand, to the end that he not only learned his trade acceptably, but he learned it well beyond that of his fellows, as was noticeable throughout his business career in that his services were in constant demand.
After completing his apprenticeship Mr. Mooney went to Canada and took up work at his trade, but his stay there was of short duration, for the year 1850 found him on his way to California, responding no doubt to the call of the mines, although the records do not so state. However that may be, he returned east after a stay of some months in the state, only to return west again later. On coming to California the second time he located in Sonoma county, and in Bloomfield opened a blacksmith and carriage shop. His was the first shop of the kind established in the place, and as a consequence he had a monopoly of the business in his line throughout the town and surrounding country. His ability was not confined to the blacksmith's trade, for he was able to build and repair fine carriages, and also to repair threshing machines and other farm implements. In fact, there was nothing in the line of mechanics to which he could not turn his band when carrying on his shop, for he was a natural mechanic and no problem in his line was too difficult for him to undertake and solve satisfactorily.
From Bloomfield Mr. Mooney came to Petaluma in 1883, opening a black- smith shop the same year, and this he conducted until 1900. since which time he has lived retired in his pleasant residence at No. 26 Fifth street.
In western Canada, in 1865. Mr. Mooney was united in marriage with Miss Nora Gleason, a native of Canada. Seven children were born of this marriage, of whom the eldest, Mary Ellen, is the wife of Robert Brown, of Petaluma. Anna J. is the wife of W. S De Turk, of San Francisco; Edna is the wife of Dr. H. S. Gossage, of Petaluma : William Thomas, who graduated from the Har- vard Law school, is now a practicing attorney of San Francisco: Birdie is the wife of Capt. B. J. Benson, of San Francisco; Mabel is deceased : and Josie E. is a graduate of the San Francisco normal school. She is a capable and popular young woman among her associates, as was demonstrated by her election as president of the students body of the school which she attended. In addition to owning considerable real estate in Petaluma and East Petaluma, Mr. Mooney also owns a fine ranch in Two Rock valley comprising three hundred acres, now occupied by a tenant. Public-spirited and enterprising, he is one of the staunch, dependable citizens who have contributed so largely to the substantial growth of the city, not only in a commercial sense, but morally as well, as is exemplified in the sons and daughters he and his wife have reared to take their place in the world's activities.
ERNEST L. YOUNG.
A number of excellent and competent contractors and builders have contrib- uted to the substantial and material growth of Petaluma, but among this number probably the youngest in point of years is E. L. Young, although in point of accomplishments he may well take his place among those who have many more years to their credit. Like many of those who are profitably and interestingly en-
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gaged in business in this thriving town, he is a product of the east and brought with him a wealth of knowledge and experience which he has put to good account in his new surroundings, and while he himself has undoubtedly derived the greater benefit from the change, his coming to this western town has meant an added impetus to its business, social and fraternal life.
A native of Massachusetts, E. L. Young was born in the city of Haverhill October 22, 1880, and was there reared, educated and gained his start in the world of business. His first insight and experience along this line was in a wholesale lumber yard in his native place, learning the business in all of its phases, and at the age of twenty-one he was an experienced lumber grader and surveyor. From this he branched out into contracting and building, beginning on a small scale and working up a steady and substantial business. Chances of a better opportunity in Lawrence, Mass., finally attracted him to that town, and the readiness with which he gathered a large business about him proved con- clusively that the change was a wise one. Many large contracts for the erection of tenement buildings were accepted and executed, in doing which he had from thirty to forty men in his employ. It will thus be seen that when he came to Petaluma in 1904 he brought with him a valuable business asset in practical ex- perience, and this he has here put to account, resulting in material benefit to himself, and incidentally to the town and surrounding country. Among the buildings that stand as monuments to his executive skill may be mentioned the Prince block, Van Marter block, the residences of William Farrell, M. E. Clongh. Peter Blinn and Thomas Kyle, as well as many substantial warehouses. All of the aforementioned structures are in Petaluma, and he also erected the Odd Fel- lows building in Sonoma.
The same year in which he came to California, 1904, Mr. Young formed do- mestic ties by his marriage with Miss Loula F. Clough, who was born and reared in Vermont. Three children have been born of their marriage, Beckford, Leatha and Vivian. The family have a convenient, modern residence on D street, which Mr. Young erected to suit his own needs, and which is a model in architecture as well as in point of convenience and utility. Fraternally he is associated with the Odd Fellows order at Petaluma, and he is also a member of the local branch of the Patriarchs Militant.
ROBERT WOODS.
In outline the life of Robert Woods is not unlike that of scores of other men whose youth and strength have been lent to the upbuilding of this great state. not as a pioneer settler, but rather as one who builded upon the foundation which he found waiting and made possible only through the efforts of those who had preceded him by about three decades. A native of Canada, he was born in On- tario January 1, 1858, and in that province he was reared and educated, making it his home until he had attained his majority.
A new epoch in the life of Mr. Woods began at this time, for he then hade farewell to home and friends and crossed the continent to California, Petaluma, Sonoma county, being his destination. Over thirty years have since come and gone, and at no time has he had cause to wish that Fate had guided him elsewhere,
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for here he has been successful from a financial standpoint, and here, too, he found what was of far more value, a true and devoted life companion. Upon first locating in Petaluma he turned his hand to the first work that offered, which was farm work on a ranch near by town. This gave him an opportunity to look about for a better business opening, and in deciding upon the wood and coal busi- ness he made no mistake, for front a small beginning he gathered about him in time a business that made him independent and enabled him to retire from busi- ness. This was accomplished in a comparatively short time, the busi- ness which he sold out in 1910 representing the work of fifteen years, not a long time in which to accumulate a competency sufficient to enable one to live retired. Care of details and steadfastness of purpose may be given as the prime cause of his wonderful success, and co-incident with his success was the fact that he made friends and not enemies, all admiring and esteeming him for his honor- able, upright methods.
In 1894 Mr. Woods was united in marriage with Miss Alice Gale, the youngest daughter of L. D. and Eliza A. Gale, pioneer settlers in Sonoma county. (An interesting account of the life of Mr. Gale and his wife will be found else- where in this volume.) Fraternally Mr. Woods is well known, being a member and active worker in the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows, Elks and the Indepen- dent Order of Foresters. His interest in the well-being of his home town is genuine and deep, and in season and out of season he sounds her praises and as often gives substantial testimony to his views. In 1906 he was elected a n:ember of the board of trustees of Petaluma, and in him his co-laborers on the board find an enthusiastic though conservative and well-balanced member. Mr. Noods and his wife are members of the Christian Church of Petaluma, of which he is now a trustee.
HOMER WESLEY WINTON.
The work that has formed the basic strength of Mr. Winton's mature years and the keynote of his growing success has been accomplished within the limits of Sonoma county. Here he was born in 1875, Santa Rosa having been his native city. Here, too, he received a practical education in the common schools and an efficient training for life's responsibilities under the kindly supervision of devoted parents. After taking up independent activities he became interested in the dairy industry and while he did not continue permanently to make a spe- cialty of this occupation, he acquired a thorough familiarity with all of its details, so that lie became recognized as an expert judge of milch cows and a careful, capable dairyman. At the opening of the war with Spain he offered his services and volunteered in Company E, Eightlı California Infantry, being mustered into service June 28, 1898. At the expiration of his term of service, in February of 1899, he received his honorable discharge and returned from the camp to the duties of home and the cares of the workaday world.
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