USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 23
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
9, 1854, he bequeathed to his wife a life interest in one-third of the rancho, and the other two-thirds to his three children, share and share alike. The widow afterwards married Tyler Curtis, who succeeded in getting an act of the Legislature passed giving him the right to dispose of the right and interest of the children in the rancho. He soon let the entire fortune filter through his fingers, and thus were the children defrauded, and the rancho passed into other hands.
The beautiful little town of Bodega Corners is situated near the Smith homestead. It took its first start in 1853. A man by the name of George Robinson, went up from Bodega port and opened a saloon at this point that year. It was a place where three roads met, hence the name of Corners was applied to it. A man named Hughes soon followed, and built a black- smith shop. He was soon joined by another named Bowman and the two built the first hotel in the place, which was afterwards burned. Donald McDonald had a store at the port, which he moved to the new town quite early in its existence. The Rositer Bros., also opened a store about the same time. The old settlers of that vicinity were, James Watson, Ex-sheriff Saml. Potter, M. Hagler, J. L. Springer, Dr. A. K. Piggott, Thomas Murray, James Stumpf, and William H. Steward. The town has grown into a fine village of perhaps three hundred inhabitants. Its business interests are repre- sented as follows: Two general stores, three hotels, one livery stable, one meat market, one blacksmith shop, one wagonmaker's shop, two carpenter shops, two shoe shops, three saloons, two physicians, one millinery store and two barber shops. The official directory is as follows: Thomas Murray, Justice of the Peace ; C. O. Cazares, Constable; James McCaughey is Post- master, Wells, Fargo & Co.'s and Telegraph agents. The postoffice was first established at this place September 29, 1854, with Stephen Smith as Post- master. It was then known as Smith's Ranch. The first school-house in the, town was built in 1866. A. S. Sanborn was the first teacher. In 1873, the present beautiful structure was erected for school purposes at a cost of five thousand dollars. There are at present one hundred and twenty-five census children in the district, and two teachers are employed. The Presby- terians have a church organization here. This organization was effected by Rev. A. Fairbairn, October 1, 1865. The original number of members was nine. It has since been increased, till at present there are twenty-three. They have a very nice building, erected in 1868.
The " Bodega War."-The history of this section of Bodega would be incomplete without a short sketch at least of this grand fiasco of Tyler Curtis. All the old settlers who were present take great delight in relating its particulars. It scems that after Curtis came into control at the Bodega rancho, in the year 1858 or 1859, he undertook to oust parties who were farm- ing parcels of it. Many of these men had rented their land from Captain Smith in his day, and had continued to pay a rental to the estate. Others
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
had squatted upon different portions of the rancho, and were endeavoring to hold possession of their claims until such time as the property would be put upon the market, which event they knew full well must occur sooner or later. Failing to cause the settlers to leave by peaceful means and by per- sonal threats of violence, Curtis proceeded to San Francisco and secured the services of a horde of about forty roughs for the purpose of waging a war upon them. He purchased arms and ammunition for his motley gang, and brought them up to Petaluma on the steamer. From there he marched them ont to the rancho, a distance of upwards of twenty miles, in regular soldier style. They arrived at the ranch house some time in the night, but it had become known that they were coming and what their errand was. Some Paul Revere, during the silent midnight watches, came from Petaluma and rode to every settler's house and gave the alarm. By the time the first flush of rosy dawn had illuminated the eastern sky the town was full of men, armed to the teeth with rifles and revolvers, with also a couple of small field-pieces, which hap- pened (?) to be in that vicinity at the time. Sentinels were placed around the ranch to guard their prisoners, for such indeed they were. In the morn- ing, as soon as Curtis came out, a deputation of settlers waited upon him and requested his immediate presence in the village, stating at the same time. that if he refused, the entire force of settlers would march against his place, and that not a man would be left alive. Thinking that discretion was the better part of valor, he reluctantly complied, and accompanied the depu- tation. Once there, he was placed upon a goods box in mock deference to his political style of making stump speeches, and asked to explain why he had brought this crowd of roughs to his rancho. He explained what he expected to do with the men, and intimated that he expected to still carry out his original idea. He was then told that by ten o'clock that morning they would expect him to have his braves (?) en route for San Francisco, and to see that their order was obeyed a detail of thirty mounted armed men was sent along with him. He went back to his crowd of bullies and told them the turn affairs had taken, and they were only too willing to march back to Petaluma, especially when they saw the crowd of armed horsemen. And thus ended the fiasco. It cost Curtis over two thousand dollars for that day's work, and it availed him naught.
Bodega Lodge, F. & A. M .- Bodega Lodge, No. 213, F. &A. M., was organ- ized December 17, 1870. The following named gentlemen were charter mem- bers: William H. Manefee, A. S. Patterson, N. R. Shaw, L. S. Goodman, A. S. Perrine H. M. Barnham, C. C. Robertson, G. N. Sanborn, D. Hakes, M. Kiernan, W. W. Gilham, E. O. Stratton, William Hamilton, and W. M. Doran. The first officers were: W. H. Manefee, W. M; A. S. Patterson, S. W ; N. R. Shaw. J. W ; L. S. Goodman, Treasurer, and G. N. Sanborn, Secretary. The following gentlemen have filled the office of Master: W. H. Manefee, A. S. Patterson, and James McCaughey has held the position for the past six years.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
The present membership is fifteen. They have a very small lodge-room at present, but own a fine lot and in the near future propose to erect a large and commodious hall.
Buena Vista Lodge, I. O. G. T .- This Lodge, No. 373, was organized March 12, 1870. The meeting was called to order by Miss Emory. The charter members were: C. L. Farnsworth, Mrs. R. Farnsworth, Mrs. A. Hitchcock, J. W. Wilcox, J. Carson, W. Fraser, J. J. Stewart, A. E. Fraser, C. Hawkins, Miss M. Carson, Miss H. Watson, William Fleming, J. Kelley, J. Bulger, J. T. Fraser, M. Blim, J. Watson, William Thompson, William Johnson, E. H. Cheeney, H. Gondey, S. Cheeney, and Miss L. Perrine. The first officers were: J. W. Wilcox, W. C. T .; Mrs. A. Hitchcock, W. V. T .; C. L. Farns- worth, W. S .; J. Carson, W. F. S .; and R. Farnsworth, W. T. This lodge had at one time as many as ninety-six members, but interest in it waned, and its charter was eventually surrendered.
No Surrender Lodge, I. O. G. T .- This Lodge, No. 375, was organized November 9, 1875, and had the following names on its charter: C. N. An- drews, James H. Brown, John Cunningham, Theo. Wright, Tim. Keegan, James Piggott, John Piggott, Alf. Sayton, Cordelia A. Brown, and Vesta Niekols. The first officers were : C. N. Andrews, W. C. T .; Vesta Nickols, W. V. T .; James H. Brown, W. S .; John Piggott, W. F. S .; Cordelia A. Brown, W. T. There are at present seventeen members, and they are struggling boldly to maintain the truthfulness of their name, " No Surrender."
Catholic Church .- The first mass was celebrated in this place in March 1860, by Rev. Father Rosse. This mass was celebrated in the school house. In Octo- ber, 1860, the church building was erected, but was not dedicated until 1862 or 1863. This is a very neat church building, and serves the purpose of the congregation admirably. The following pastors have officiated here: Fathers Rosse, Onetta, Welch, Fagin, Slattery, Kelly, Cullen and Cushing.
Tanneries .- As has been stated before, the first tannery in this vicinity was put in operation by Captain Smith in 1851. This was destroyed by fire in 1863. In 1864 the old pioneer, Thomas Murray, erected a building and started a tannery about a mile north of the town. He continued to make an excellent quality of leather here for several years, but finally dis- posed of it to Messrs. Hecht Bros. of San Francisco, who still own it. It is conducted at present by John Collins.
FREESTONE .- This charming little village is located near the eastern line of the township, and on the line of the North Pacific Coast Railroad, and near the corner of three ranchos, viz: Jonive, Pogolome and Estero Americano. The early history of these ranchos has already been given, but a few more points of interest are related here. James Dawson made application for the Pogo- lome grant, but before it was confirmed to him he died. His wife under her
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
maiden name, Donna Maria Antonia Cazares, secured the confirmation of the grant to herself as the widow of Santiago (James) Dawson. This confirmation was made by Manuel Micheltorena on the 12th day of February, 1844, and was approved by the Departmental Assembly December 26, 1845. The grant contained eight thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight and eighty-one one-hundredths acres. In November, 1847, F. G. Blume married Mrs. Dawson, and the charge of the property passed into his hands. He resided in Sonoma at that time, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He sent his brother-in-law, Henry Hagler, to the ranch as his agent. Hagler, it will be remembered, was the man who came from Baltimore with Captain Smith as a ship's carpenter. He remained in charge until 1848, when Mr. Blume and his wife moved upon the rancho and took charge. They have resided continuously in the same house ever since. About this time his father-in-law, Francisco Cazares, with his family, came up from Monterey and settled on the banks of the Ebabias creek. The settlers league forced Mr. Blume to sell much of his valuable estate at nominal figures, so that he now owns but a small portion of the original grant.
The town of Freestone derived its name from a kind of easily worked, or, free sandstone quarry which is near the place ; this rock is used extensively for building purposes, on account of this quality. After a town had been started and the dwellers therein were casting about for an appropriate name, one Frank Harris bethought himself of this freestone quarry, and at once suggested it, which, after due consideration, was adopted. Mr. Blume had kept a small stock of goods in one room of his residence since 1848, but the first business house erected in the town was a saloon with a small store attached kept by Ferdinand Harbordt. This was in 1849. Probably during the same year or the next at least, S. Bruggerman erected a large store building at O'Far- rell's place. In 1853 Mr. Blume built a large two-story hotel, which he rented to James Dobson. During the same year W. H. Sailhardt built a black- smith shop. Thomas O'Grady also built one at the same time, but did not occupy it. At present there is one general store, one hotel, one blacksmith shop, one carpenter shop, one stirrup factory, one saloon, one tannery, which was put in operation in 1878 by Jacob Shoenagel. It turns out a good quan- tity of leather. The official directory is as follows: F. G. Blume, Justice of the Peace and Postmaster; J. C. Morris, Constable; J. D. Carr, Telegraph and Wells, Fargo & Co.'s agent.
The town is nicely located, and is fast becoming popular for country res- idences for city people. It is within easy reach of San Francisco.
VALLEY FORD .- This thriving little village is situated on the Estero Ameri- cano, four miles from its mouth. It received its name from the fact that an old Indian and Spanish ford across this stream, was located at this place. Stephen L. and James E. Fowler were the first settlers here, having purchased
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
of Mr. Blume six hundred and forty acres lying between the Estero and Ebabias creeks. In July of 1852, they built a house about two hundred yards from the old ford. The same year, Thos. Smith built a cabin near where John Vanderleith now lives. Sanford'& Webber located across the creek. They received a portable grist-mill from the East, and during that Winter were kept busy grinding grain for the neighbors. The flour was coarse and unbolted. Whitehead Fowler and E. Thurber also located in this part of Big valley during that year. During the next year the greater portion of the valley land was taken up. In 1854 a crop of oats, yielding one hundred bushels to the acre, was raised on the present town site. During this year Stephen C. Fowler and his family, consisting of his wife and sons, John H. and Nathaniel, arrived at Valley Ford. Mrs. Fowler was the first lady resident of that section. In 1856, the Thos. Smith mentioned above began operations with a grist-mill on a small"scale. He had two run of burrs, and used twelve horses as a motor. Two years later a steam engine was placed in the mill, and it soon became famous for its extra brands of flour. In the Fall of 1861, Daniel Hall opened a blacksmith shop. That same year J. H. Fowler and and O. M. Perkins opened a general merchandise business; Jas. E. Fowler opened a lumber yard, andE. B. and J. W. Palmer built a carpenter shop. J. N. Rien built the Valley Ford Hotel in 1864. In the Summer of 1876, the North Pacific Coast Railroad Company extended their line through the town, and erected a neat depot. This brings the people of this place within four hours of San Francisco, instead of the old-time tedious route via Peta- luma. The population of the place is about one hundred. There is a district school here. The present business interests of the town are as follows: One store, one blacksmith shop, one tin shop, one hotel, one livery stable, two physicians, one shoe shop, one steam flour mill (owned by Huntly & Cook), and one saloon. The official directory is as follows: P. E. Merritt, Post- master; Brown & Le Baron, Wells, Fargo & Co .; B. Fowler, Telegraph agent. The postoffice was established in 1875.
Valley Ford, I. O. G. T .- This Lodge, No. 156, was organized March 2, 1865. The charter members were: Rev. J. R. Hammond, Mary E. Stanley, Benj. Harrington, A. M. Huntley, Miss Lizzie Mills, Geo. P. Stanley, Wm. Huntley, Rev. A. Fairbairn, E. D. Mills, Wm. Withrow, A. J. Blainey, Mrs. C. E. Fowler, Mrs. A. E. Huntley, and E. M. Dibble. Rev. J. R. Hammond was the first W. C. T., and Benj. Hammond the first Sec'y. The present membership is thirty. The lodge has always been in a flourishing condition and much interest is felt here in the cause of temperance.
Presbyterian Church .- This church organization was effected December 5, 1863, by Rev. Thomas Fraser, as the Old School Presbyterian Church of Big Valley, under the Presbytery at Benicia, and the Synod of the Pacific Coast. The organizing members were Stephen C. Fowler, Mrs. Rebecca Fowler, Mrs. Mary. J. Palmer, Mrs. Olivia N. Gordon, Mrs. Elizabeth Pettit, Mrs.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Laura Meacham, Miss Olivia E. Meacham, G. W. Case. Mrs. Adelaide L. Cese, Mrs. Hannah N. Hall, Mrs. H. Cain, and Mrs. Sarah B. Palmer. The fol- lowing named pastors have served the church since its organization: Rev- erends Jas. S. Wylie, Lewis Thompson, C. H. Crawford, H. R. Avery, R. McCulloch, and Hugh McLeod. The present neat church edifice was erected in the winter of 1865-6. The present membership is thirty-three.
OCCCIDENTAL .- This is a beautiful little village situated in a most delight- ful location. It is on the line of the North Pacific Coast Railroad, at the point where it crosses the divide between the waters which flow into the O'Farrell valley on the south, and into the Russsan river, through Howard's cañon, on the north. From this fact the place is also called Summit. The railroad company, have named the station Howards' in honor of William Howard, the oldest settler living in that section and on whose land a portion of the town is situated. The other portion of the town is built upon land belonging to M. C. Meeker. The first start of this town was far different from most Cali- fornia towns, and we hasten to record the fact that the first building in the place was a church. The committee who were appointed to choose a location for the proposed church building met, and after selecting the site, took into consideration what name they should give to it. They decided upon Occidental. The postoffice was also petitioned for under that name, hence the place is mentioned indifferently as Howard's Station, Meekers, Summit,and Occidental. The town lies in the heart of a redwood forest, and the old stumps still stand in the streets. One hundred and twenty thousand shingles were made out of a tree which stood on the town site. The church building mentioned above was erected in 1876. That same year the railroad reached this point, and the first passenger train arrived here October 16, 1876. M. C. Meeker erected a hotel building which was occupied by J. W. Noble. He began operations in January, 1877. The first store was opened by McCaughey & Co., April 4, 1877. Other buildings followed in rapid succession, nearly all being built in 1877, There are twenty-four buildings in the town, of which all but seven were erected by the enterprising milling firm of Meeker Bros.
The very first permanent settler in this immediate . section was Michael Kolmer. He arrived in California in 1846, having with him his family, con- sisting of his wife, two daughters and one son. They spent that winter at Sutter's Fort, then went to Fort Ross, and spent the year of 1847. In 1848, he came down and leased land of Captain Smith, on the Bodega Rancho. This tract of land was located about two and one-half miles west of the present site of Howard's Station, in what is known as Coleman valley. The original name was Kolmer valley, taking its appellation from the Kolmer family. It has since been modified to Coleman. One of his daughters mar- ried William Howard, and still resides with her husband at their homestead near Occidental. The other daughter married William Benitz, and is now residing in the Argentine Republic. A man named Patrick McCue was th
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
next settler. He located in a little valley just east of Howard's Station in 1849. McCue came to California in 1847, with Samuel Brannan and the Mormons in the ship "Brooklyn." He came up to Bodega and worked at the blacksmith business for some time for Captain Smith, on his rancho and at his mill. He soon, however, came to the mill run by James Black and others, near the present site of Freestone. He followed his trade here for & while, and finally settled as stated above. In 1852, he left the country. The next permanent settler was William Howard, who came to California in 1848, and located on his present homestead in 1849. He was the first settler who actually owned the land he was upon, and is the only old settler who still resides in this vicinity. Mr. Howard had a partner by the name of Charles Romer. They remained together till 1855. During the next few years several squatters came and went, but none made permanent homes. From that time on till the advent of the railroad, nothing occurred to cause a ripple upon the even tenor of its way. The town has assumed quite an importance as a ship- ping point, cord-wood, fence-posts, tan-bark, and charcoal form the bulk of the exports.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- The Occidental (M. E.) church edifice was erected in 1876, but a church organization was not effected till the following year. The present membership is thirty-five. The following ministers have served the people at this place : Revs. A. Winning, D. E. George, A. K. Sheriff, H. E. Tallman, C. S. Milnes.
Salmon Creek Lodge, I. O. O. F .- This lodge, No. 234, was organized August 2, 1875, at Bodega Corners, and was moved to Occidental, May 25, 1878. The charter members were: J. K. Smith, G. C. Taylor, J. H. Brown, A. Willis, David Robinson, H. Samsel, W. J. Lewis, L. F. Wormell, and J. Sutter. The first officers were: J. K. Smith, N. G .; G. C. Taylor, V. G .; J. H. Brown, Secretary; and D. Robinson, Treasurer. The following members have filled the position of N. G .: J. K. Smith, James H. Brown, G. C. Tay- lor, L. F. Wormell, W. Ramsdale, J. Worry, S. McCrady, and I. C. Perry. The present officers are: I. C. Perry, N. G .; Thomas Murray, V. G .; D. J. Carr, Secretary; and W. Light, Treasurer. The present membership is fifty- four. The lodge is in a very flourishing condition. They have a very neat lodge-room.
Altamont Lodge, I. O. G. T .- Altamont Lodge, No. 374, I. O. G. T., was chartered June 2, 1877, with the following original members: I. C. Perry, Mrs. H. M. Perry, J. D. Conley, Mrs. G. G. Blainey, Rev. D. E. George, Mrs. E. George, D. P. Rice, H. P. Hurlburt, T. J. Alley, R. M. Shaffer, G. W. Shuster, F. W. Gifford, W. Rima, Mrs. R. Stone, Miss M. B. Haufstader, Miss A. Hurlburt, Miss H. Hurlburt, Mrs. F. A. Rollison, and H. Hurlburt. The first officers were: T. J. Alley, W. C. T .; Mrs. E. George, W. V. T. H. P. Hurlburt, Secretary; and Mrs. F. A. Rollison, Treasurer. In due
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course of time the interest in the cause of temperance began to wane, and the charter was finally surrendered in May, 1878. Since that time there has been no move in the cause of temperance.
The business interests of the town are represented as follows: One hotel, two stores, two saloons, one blacksmith shop, one livery stable, one feed store, two meat markets, one shoe shop, one barber shop, and one physician. The population is about one hundred. The official directory is : O. Collister, Notary Public; Telegraph and Wells, Fargo & Co.'s agent, A. J. Blainey, Postmaster. The Occidental postoffice was established December 7, 1876, with the present incumbent as postmaster. There is a public school in the town, which was established in 1878. There is a nice new school-house located just at the southern entrance to the town.
Saw-Mills .- As has already been stated, the first attempt to make lum- ber in this township was made by James Dawson, in 1835, with a saw-pit and hand rip-saw. The first mill was that of Captain Smith, which was the first steam saw-mill in California, established in 1843. The next saw- mill was located on the Jonive Rancho, and was put in operation sometime previous to 1849. We find no record of when the mill was built, but find that it was disposed of in 1849. This mill was situated on the little creek which passes through Freestone, very near the present site of the town, and was run by water power. Edward M. McIntosh, James Black, Thomas Butters, William Leighton, Frederick Hegel, Thomas Wood, and a pioneer who was known by the peculiar name of " Blinking Tom," put the mill in operation. In 1849, it is said that they disposed of their mill and lumber to F. G. Blume, and went to the mines. The next milling enterprise was inaugurated in 1848, and was known as the "Benicia" or " Blumedale Mill and Lumber Company," This company was composed of mechanics who were at work on the Government barracks at Benicia. Charles McDermot was President and John Bailiff, Secretary; Lieutenant, now General George Stoneman, and a Mr. McKnight, and others, were members of the company. F. G. Blume rented the land to this company, hence the name of " Blume- dale." It was a circular saw and the power was steam. It was put in operation in 1849. The site of the mill was on Ebabias creek, about one mile south of Freestone. The next mill built was what is now known as the Joy mill. It was put in operation in 1855, by three brothers by the name of Thurston. It is located northward from Bodega Corners, and is still stand- ing on the original site, and is doing good service yet. It has a capacity of about three thousand feet per day. Messrs. Mudge, Phelps and Perkins, the parties who purchased Captain Smith's mill, and leased the timber land for ninety-nine years, moved their mill, in 1859, to a site about one mile south of Occidental. In 1862, they removed it to Mendocino county. In 1866, M. C. Meeker put his mill in operation. It is located near the old site of the last named mill, south of Occidental. It is a fine mill, and has a capa-
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city of fifteen thousand feet daily. There is one pair of double saws in it, the bottom saw being sixty inches in diameter, and the top one fifty-eight. It is also supplied with a full outfit of all the necessary machinery and appliances to make it a first-class mill in every respect. In 1867, Mr. Smith built a mill in Coleman valley. It has a capacity of twelve thousand feet, and is a first-class mill.
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