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 97
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Mr. Juhl's marriage, which was celebrated October 7, 1876, in San Fran- cisco, united him with Miss Matilda Peterson, who was born on the island of Fohr, Schleswig, Germany, the daughter of John and Auna Peterson, who were born in Germany in 1823 and 1821 respectively. Four children were born to these parents, Nicholas, Claudius, Anna and Matilda, and all are married and established in homes of their own. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Juhl, one son and two daughters growing to maturity, Luis, Ida and Henrietta.
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The last-mentioned, a resident of Marin county, is the wife of Henry De Witt and the mother of two children, Roger and Marjorie. The other children are still at home with their parents. Public-spirited and enterprising, Mr. Juhl has done his part at all times to advance the welfare of the community in which he lives, and for a number of years was road master of his district and also school trustee. Fraternally he is affiliated with Petaluma Lodge No. 38, U. A. O. D., and socially he mingles with his fellow-countrynien in the Dania, a Danish so- ciety. When opportunity is afforded to express his political views he speaks and votes in favor of the Democratic party, believing that its principles, if rightly understood and expressed, will bring the greatest good to the greatest number. For thirty-five years Mr. and Mrs. Julil have resided in this vicinity and of this period twenty-five years have been spent at Chelino Valley station, where for six. years Mr. Juhl served as postmaster until the office was discon- tinued and rural delivery established. Both Mr. and Mrs. Juhl are beloved by all who know them for their many deeds of kindness, rendered not only to those in their immediate vicinity, but to wayfarers who come to their doors.
JOSEPH B. SMALL.
Holding a position of prominence among the foremost citizens of Sonoma, Joseph B. Small is one of the best-known and most reliable builders and con- tractors in this section of Sonoma county, where he located over thirty-nine years ago, and in the meantime has built up an excellent reputation. A man of ability, intelligence and excellent business talent, he is very influential in the management of public affairs, and is rendering good service in the community in which he resides as city clerk, a position which he has filled for ten years, and for twenty years he served efficiently as justice of the peace.
A native of Maryland, Joseph B. Small was born in Baltimore July 12, 1852, the son of parents who were natives of Ireland (the mother born in Dub- lin), and both of whom were brought to the United States by their parents in childhood, the father at the age of four years, and the mother when she was two years old. Joseph B. Small was reared and educated in Baltimore to the age of fourteen years, when, in the early spring of the year 1866, the family set out for the far west, and reached San Francisco May 23d of that year. Mr. Small remained in the metropolis with his parents until May, 1871, at that time coming to Sonoma county and taking up work at the carpenter's trade. From this has developed the business as contractor and builder which is his today, and which takes him to all parts of the county. Many fine specimens of his handiwork are to be seen in Sonoma, and the first house put up in Glen Ellen was constructed by him. His business affairs however have not consumed his time and attention so completely as to blind him to his duty as a good citizen, and during the thirty- nine years that he has been a resident of Sonoma no one has been more wide- awake or active in the town's upbuilding and advancement. On the Democratic ticket he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, filling this position efficiently for twenty years, and on the same ticket he was the successful candidate for the office of city clerk, in 1900, a position which he filled continuously until the expiration of his term in April, 1910.
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Mr. Small's marriage, August 15, 1883, united him with Miss Emma A. Poppe, a native of Sonoma county, and on both sides of the family a descendant of German ancestors, both parents being natives of Germany. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living, a resident of Sonoma. Four children have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Small, and of them we mention the following : Norine C. became the wife of Frederick Bulotti and the mother of one son, born in 1907, and they make their home in Sonoma; Joseph Lester, born in January, 1886, is a graduate of the high school at Sonoma and is now studying law in the office of Robert A. Poppe; Annie Gladys, born in 1888, is a graduate of the local grammar school; and Bernice D., born in June, 1892, is a graduate of Presentation convent of Sonoma. Fraternally Mr. Small is a well- known member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, in which body he is at present filling of office of district deputy. Mr. Small's mother is deceased, and his father, who was born in Belfast June 5, 1819, died at his son's home November 19, 1010, at the venerable age of ninety-one years.
JAMES R. ROSIE.
For over twenty years. J. R. Rosie has been identified with ranching in- terests in the Molino section, Sonoma county, beginning with a small acreage, but increasing his holdings from time to time as he was able, until today he has seventy acres, all under cultivation. By far the greater part of his land is in hops, in the cultivation of which he is an acknowledged authority, notwithstanding the fact that, for hini, this is a latter-day industry. The raising of blackberries and apples of all the best-known varieties represents another industry equally in- teresting and remunerative to the fortunate owner, who has been more than or- dinarily successful from a financial standpoint.
A native of Scotland, Mr. Rosie was born near the city of Kirkwall, No- vember 2, 1863, the son of parents who never left their native home, Scotland. The parents were farmers, and it was therefore quite natural that the son should imbibe some knowledge of agriculture from his surroundings, even though he had not been a participant in their duties. However, he had a taste for agriculture, and father and son worked side by side in maintaining the home farm until the latter was twenty years of age. It was then, in 1883, that he bade farewell to parents and friends and set sail for the new world, with California as his des- tination. The voyage was accomplished without accident or other unusual occur- rence, and a few months after he left his home in Scotland Mr. Rosie settled in Alameda county, Cal. There he engaged in the dairy business, milking forty cows, and he continued in this business for six years, or as long as he re- mained in that county. On coming to Sonoma county in 1889 he bought a ranch of ten acres in Green valley, near Sebastopol, which he cleared of timber and underbrush, and subsequently enlarged it by the purchase of a similar amount of land, all of which he used as grazing and pasture land for a time. All of the twenty acres have since been placed under cultivation, nine acres being in blackberries, and the remainder, or eleven acres, in apples of the best varieties. That Mr. Rosie thoroughly understands the business in which he
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is engaged needs no emphasis beyond the statement of the yield of his crops. From nine acres of blackberries he gathers twenty-five tons of fruit annually, while his eleven acres of apples yield two thousand boxes. In addition to his orchard Mr. Rosie maintains a still greater enterprise in his hop yard, which covers fifty acres, from which he realizes sixteen hundred pounds of hops to the acre.
In 1888 Mr. Rosie returned to Scotland to claim his bride, in Miss Lizzie Liddle, and the wedding journey of the young people consisted of a journey to the United States, to the home which Mr. Rosie had prepared in Sonoma county. The house to which they then came sheltered the family for about twenty years. until Mr. Rosie erected the present fine residence on an elevation over-looking the entire valley. Fraternally Mr. Rosie is a Mason, having attained the Royal Arch degree, and he also belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters.
A. L. LANDIS.
The wide popularity which of late years has been given to the varied uses of cement and concrete has made an opening in the commercial world which the young, ambitious man has not been slow to recognize. Among those engaged in cement contracting in Santa Rosa is A. L. Landis, who during the past five years has done mnuch of the best work of this character in the city, including sidewalks and curbs, and foundations for residences and business structures.
A native son of the state, A. L. Landis was born in Woodland, Yolo county, February 9, 1870, the son of Daniel and Phoebe (Smith) Landis, who were born respectively in Pennsylvania and California. Both are now deceased, the mother passing away March 31, 1885, and the father March 31, 1907. The latter came to the west from his eastern home in young manhood, during the early '6os, and from then until his death he was interested in agricultural affairs in Oregon and California, principally, however, in Yolo and Sonoma counties, this state. It was after coming to the west that he met the lady who was to become his wife, Miss Phoebe Smith, their union being one of mutual helpfulness and happiness. It was while they were making their home in Woodland, Yolo county, that the birth of their son occurred and there he was educated and trained to habits of usefulness by his parents. At an early age he decided upon his future course in life. Noting the rapidity with which cement was being made to take the place of wood, not only for sidewalks and curbings, but also for building purposes, he determined to learn the business and engage in it in all of its varied departments. It was with this end in view that he went to San Francisco and became an ap prentice at the business, learning it in all of its details, and subsequently working at his trade in that city for a number of years. Many foundations of fine struc- tures in that city stand as evidences of his workmanship, besides many blocks of sidewalks and curbing. It was with this experience to his credit that he came to Santa Rosa in 1906 and continued the good record for conscientious work that had brought him such success in the metropolis. All recognize that his work is uniformly of the highest order, and in placing a contract in his hands the patron is assured of the best work possible to be secured. Besides many miles of cement sidewalks and curbing, foundations of many of the best structures in the city
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have been laid by him, including residences and business structures. Mr. Landis is one of the young, enterprising business men whom Santa Rosa is proud to number among her citizens, and with the continued development of the cement business a bright future awaits him in his chosen calling.
Mr. Landis was married in Sonoma county, in 1894, to Miss Cora Barnes, whose father, William Barnes, was one of the early settlers of Sonoma county. Four children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Landis, named in the order of their birth as follows: Raymond, Wallace, Helen and Norma.
WILLIAM JONES.
If Mr. Jones could be induced to write a history of his life it would be found to contain much of interest to old and young alike, for his experiences have been associated with the early historical epoch of this Pacific common- wealth. A native of the south, he was born March 18, 1836. in Jefferson county, Tenn., near the line which separates that state from Virginia. His knowledge of his birthplace is very vague in his memory, however, for from the age of four years he was reared in Cass county, Missouri, remaining there until he was sixteen years of age. It was about this time, in the fall of 1853, that he made a trip to Old Mexico in the interests of the United States gov- ernment, carrying supplies to the soldiers there. His return to Missouri in the fall of that year was followed by preparations for his immigration to Cali- fornia, and May 2, 1854, found him starting on the journey. The party of which he formed a part consisted of forty men and women, under the leader- ship of Captain Norman Rosson. The Sacramento river was crossed at Red Bluffs, and from there they proceeded without accident or injury, and when they reached their destination, each went in the direction that choice or inclina- tion dictated. Mr. Jones went to Placer county and secured employment in panning gold. The habits of uprightness and honesty which have been marked characteristics throughout his entire life, became apparent at an early age and were put to a test while filling the position just referred to. Being at one time left in charge of the premises for two weeks, in the course of his duties he found hidden in the barn two sacks of gold, which he put in a place of safety and gave to his employer upon his return. Subsequently he came to Sonoma county, locating first near Sebastopol, and later on Sonoma mountain, near the old adobe. Still later he located on his present property near Peta- iuma, where he has one hundred acres of choice land, upon which he carries on dairying, owning twenty cows of fine breed, considerable live-stock, besides which he has seven hundred chickens. Although he is advancing in years he is still caring for his ranch interests with the same interest and enthusiasm as formerly and is as keenly interested in the affairs and happenings in the world at large as he was a quarter of a century ago.
The marriage of William Jones occurred in Petaluma and united him with Miss Rebecca A. Farley, who was born in Indiana in 1844. the daughter of S. H. and Elizabeth (Grant) Farley. Their marriage was celebrated in the old Casa Granda fort, on the Sonoma road, February 14, 1860, and on Febru- ary 14, 1910, they celebrated their golden wedding in the home which has
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enshrined about it the memories of their happy married life. The participants consisted largely of relatives, numbering thirty-seven, all of whom were re- joiced to see the happy couple in such buoyant spirits and excellent health. A large family of twelve children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jones. of whom we mention the following: Frances E. became the wife of A. Wil- sey, by whom she has two children, William and Zelpha, the family making their home in Petaluma. Amanda F. became the wife of Benjamin R. Bow- man and the mother of three children, Robert, Beatrice and Claire. Mary Alice is deceased. William F., a well-known rancher of Marin county, married Mary Dennett and they have four children, Dennett F., Cecil M., Wilma A. and El- liott McG. Carrie Ann became the wife of William Meyer, of Hollister, Cali- fornia. Robert Grant is a guard at the San Quentin prison. Charles Milton is a resident of Ross Station; his wife was formerly Miss Elizabeth McGrath. Emma Jane is the wife of Henry King of Petaluma, and they have four chil- dren, Kenneth; Elvus, Gertrude and Everett D. Walter Graves is still at home. Martha Lena is a school teacher in San Rafael. Edith Jeanette is the wife of Otto Ingram. Vivian Aletha is the wife of DeWitt Appleton and the mother of two children, only one of whom is living, Dederick.
Politically Mr. Jones is a Democrat of no uncertain stand, the only in- stance of his departure from the rule to cast a straight Democratic vote being the time when he voted for Gen. U. S. Grant. For ten years he filled the office of school trustee of San Antone, now Union, district and in every way possible has exerted an influence toward betterment of conditions in the local- ity in which he lives, as well as in the state in general. When in a reminiscent mood Mr. Jones is very entertaining in his account of happenings and events of the long ago. Hunting and fishing were sports in which he indulged whenever the duties of his pioneer life would permit, but ordinarily, however. the former of these pastimes was waiting at his door, for he relates that during the years from 1859 to 1870 he could go to his door with his gun and find game plenty, and on a number of occasions he shot bear.
FREDERICK GROHE.
Many of the successful and prosperous agriculturists of Sonoma county are of foreign birth and to this land of fertility and plenty have transported the habits of thrift and industry to which they were trained in their native country. Among these there is none better known or more widely respected than Frederick Grohe, whose reputation as a raiser of flower seeds has made his name a household word all over the state. A visit to his ranch at the corner of McDonald and Park streets reveals a blaze of splendor radiating from the beds of petunias, Shasta daisies and delphinium, which are his specialties, as is also the strain of pentstemon which he raises, this latter being obtainable from no other source. In addition to caring for his ranch and hot-houses Mr. Grohe is prepared to do floral work and also to supply cut flowers to the trade.
The first seventeen years of. Mr. Grohe's life were passed in the home place in Germany, his birth occurring there in 1847, and in the meantime he had learned the rudiments and also had considerable experience at the florist's
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trade. When he landed on our shores in 1864 he found the country in the throes of warfare, and in the same year he volunteered his services in the restoration of peace. Enlisting in a company of New Jersey cavalry he con- tinued in the service until peace was declared, after which he came to the west, reaching San Francisco in April, 1866. About this time the mines of Idaho were attracting considerable attention and Mr. Grohe was one of the number who went there that year for the purpose of trying his luck in the field of mining. Just what success he had there is not known, but the records state that he later went to Arizona and combined mining and ranching for seven years. He then came back to California, but instead of settling down at that time, he re- turned east and remained there altogether about ten years. In reality his asso- ciation with California dates from the year 1891, when he located in Stockton and established himself as a florist. This was the business in life for which nature intended him, and it has therefore been along this line that his greatest achievements have been brought about. After continuing in that city for about ten years he came to Sonoma county in 1900 and his success in the meantime has been marked and rapid. Upon first locating in Santa Rosa Mr. Grohe rented what is known as the old Meldrum property for seven years, trans- forming it into a flower garden. After he had been on the place for about three years he purchased his present ranch on the corner of McDonald and Park streets, and at once began its development. Finally he gave up the rented property and gave his entire attention to his own ranch. While he raises for seed purposes flowers of various kinds, which are shipped to all parts of the United States, as has been stated, he makes a specialty of petunias, Shasta daisies, delphinium and pentstemon, in the cultivation of which he is especially successful and has made his name known all over the United States. In 1909 he shipped about $750 of the above varieties of seed. His gardens cover about two acres, with hot-houses and accessories, making about twenty-five thou- sand feet under glass, to which he expects to add six hundred feet during the season of 1910.
Politically Mr. Grohe is a Republican, and fraternally is identified with the Masonic lodge at Santa Rosa. He is affiliated with Ellsworth Post, G. A. R., and is a member of the Lutheran Church, in the faith of which he was reared from boyhood.
WILLIAM KING.
The acquisition of a comfortable home and large holdings of land repre- sents years of unwearied industry and the endurance of hardships innumerable on the part of William King, an honored pioneer of Sonoma county, who has risen to agricultural prosperity only after great toil and countless privations. Of Canadian birth, he was born in 1855 near the St. Lawrence river across that stream from New York state, and during the year 1876 he crossed the plains to California, where his adult years have been passed in Sonoma county. The land which he first secured still remains his homestead, but its boundaries have been greatly extended through wise investments and frugal thrift. At the time of settling on West Austin creek no roads had been opened to Caza- dero or Guerneville, the nearest markets, and often he carried supplies on his
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back over the mountain in order that his family might not perish from starva- tion. For years his chief dependence was a trusty mule, on whose back sup- plies could be placed and the animal would then cross the mountain and swim the creek several times in order to reach the station. When it was impossible to get to the market the pioneer would shoulder his rifle and go forth into the woods in search of deer. When game was plentiful he would kill more than one animal, which would necessitate packing as much as possible on his back and hanging the balance on a tree to be taken home the following day. In that way the winter supply of meat was secured. In addition there were fish in the creeks and mountain trout was especially plentiful and appreciated by the family.
The parents of this western pioneer were David and Eliza (Colwell) King, both born in Canada in 1822 and continuous residents of that country until their deaths, when seventy years old. There were six sons and four daughters in the parental family, namely: Thomas, James, William, John, David, Ches- ter, Jane, Helen, Margaret and Eliza. James married Augusta Dahlman, who died after giving birth to one son, Chester ; his second marriage was to Mabel Willis, of Petaluma, by whom he has eight children. David chose as his wife Miss Anna Barnes, and they have three children, Thomas W., John D., and Lora Belle. Margaret, wife of John Mills, of Canada, has three children, David, Hazel and Electa. During early manhood William King married Lora Z. Adams, who was born in 1862 near the St. Lawrence river in Canada. One daughter, Edith, blesses their union. Excellent advantages have been given to this only child and her education was completed in the State Normal School at San Jose, where she made a flattering record for progress in studies. The father of Mrs. King was a Canadian, Levi Adams, who was born on the St. Lawrence river in 1810 and died in Canada during the year 1876, after having spent his entire life in the same locality. Two children, George and Ruth, were born of his union with Sarah Sparahawk, who was born in New York in 1823 and died in Canada during young womanhood. After her demise Mr. Adams married Miss Zerviah Fenton, by whom he had seven children, named as follows: Azro H., John Q., Colin C., Sarah J., Edith. Lora Z. (Mrs. King) and Maruella J., wife of F. D. Trosper, a leading Democrat of his local- ity and for twenty-four successive years the incumbent of the office of town- ship judge.
The possessions accumulated by Mr. King aggregate sixteen hundred and ninety-five acres of land, a large part of which is in timber, some in meadow and a small tract in pasture. Twelve acres have been planted in choice fruits. From the home place a magnificent view is afforded of the mountains bounded by the great redwood trees. To the casual inspector the land on the moun- tains would seem barren. Experience, however, has proved that the soil will grow fine apples and luscious grapes. When the woodman's axe shall have cleared away the giant trees and when the horticulturist shall have come into the now timbered region, then fruit orchards will arise with their wealth of golden fruit and this part of Sonoma county will take rank with the other rich sections of imperial California. Such is the theory of Mr. King and close observers hold this judgment in the matter to be correct. In the township he is a man of prominence and high standing. He is now county supervisor of
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the fifth district of Sonoma county and for fourteen years he held office as deputy assessor, while in other local posts of trust he has proved efficient and trustworthy. Fraternally he is identified with Mount Jackson Lodge No. 295, F. & A. M., in Guerneville.
CAPT. C. GUSTAFSON.
The subject of this biographical sketch is a native of Sweden, born in Gottenberg, June 28, 1864, and a typical representative of his race, energetic, thrifty and a lover of the sea. His father, Gustaf Gustafson, was a farmer in Gottenberg, and in the rural district about the family home Captain Gustafson was educated. At the age of fifteen years the sea-faring spirit took posses- sion of him and he sailed first on the Baltic and then on the Mediterranean. later going on a trading vessel to Brazil. From there he came to the United States and landed at New Orleans, where he went on the American ship Lucile in the European trade. In the year 1882 he came to California and spent a year in the coasting trade, but since then has been sailing on the Bay. The following year he entered the employ of the Sausalito Ferry Company, first as mate on the Donahne, and then as pilot. In 1890 he was mate and pilot on the Ukiah, until the completion of the Tiburon. Four years later he went on the Sacramento river with the Sacramento Transportation Company, then with the California Transportation Company. During the time he was in the employ of the latter company he was appointed captain, and took charge as master of the Richelien, serving until 1911, when he became captain of the Napa City for the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railway Company.
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