USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 57
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over the Willamette valley, stayel one night with the Walker family. He was a very nice gentleman. When leaving Oregon, in 1841, he lost one of his ships, the old "Peacock," which was wrecked on the bar at the mouth of the Columbia river. Wilkes sent a portion of the crew by land to Cali- fornia, Lieutenant Emmons in command; J. P. Walker's family came with them to Captain Sutter's Fort, far-famed and well-known as the locale of Marshall's discovery of gold on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. Coming at so early a date, the Walkers may be fully esteemed worthy the title of "pioneers." They reached here October 19, 1841, when Sutter had been at the fort, named after him, about one year. No crop had been raised, and all they had to keep soul and body together was poor beef and what little wild-fowl game that could be felled by the wary hunter's shot. Early in the Spring of 1842, the family moved to Yount's Ranch, in what is now known as Napa county, it then being a component part of the district of Sonoma. Mr. Walker's mother, Mrs. Mary Walker, and a sister named Martha Young, were the first adventuresome white women who had " come the plains across," and were at the time the only ones in the State. The family remained in Napa valley until the Spring of 1843, when, owing to the disordered affairs of the government, John's father returned to Oregon, where his children might obtain an education. He went with a party of forty men, in May, driving about three thousand head of cattle. On their way they were almost daily encountered by hostile bands of thieving Indians, who man- aged to kill and steal a few of the stock, but none of the party lost their lives. When about half-way on their route the party met a company on its way to California, including Captain Hastings, J. M. Hudspeth and others. They reached the settlements of Oregon July 15, 1843, and Joel P. Walker, located in the Willamette valley, near Salem, where he embarked in farming and so continued until 1848. In this year, learning of the discoveries of gold and the change of goverment in California, he returned, and settled near Napa City, taking the coast route by water via San Francisco. John, however, came by land, in September, 1848, and at once proceeded to the mines on the American river, and followed the business of mining there until June, 1849, when he came to where Sacramento city now stands and opened a hotel, which he kept for about four months. Many old Califor- nians recollect the " Missouri House," which was the first hotel opened in Sacramento. At the expiration of this brief period of landlording he joined fortunes with his uncle, Capt. J. R. Walker, and went on a gold-prospecting trip to the southern part of the State, through the country which his uncle traversed in 1833, a portion of which still bears the name of " Walker's Pass." John Walker having spent some three months in this pursuit, with varying success, returned north and brought up at his father's place in Napa valley; here he remained until 1850, when he came to Sonoma county and settled in Santa Rosa valley. In that year he built the first redwood house
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in the valley, near where the town of Sebastopol is now; in 1851 he, in company with Joseph Morgan Miller, opened the first merchandising store in this county, outside of the town of Sonoma, and the first postoffice of the adjacent country was kept in the old house now standing, at the rear of his present dwelling in Analy township, Mr. Miller being the appointed post- master ; since that period he has been engaged in stock-raising and farming, and now owns a four thousand-acre tract of land, from which he derives a handsome yearly income. His portrait will be found in this work, also that of his uncle, Capt. Joseph R. Walker.
BODEGA.
Blume, Frederick Gustavus. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this history, was born in Bautzen, in the Kingdom of Saxony, on the 13th of June, 1815. His father's name was Frederick William Blume, and his mother's maiden name was Johanna Fibiger, both natives of the above named place. His parents were very poor, and the young lad was glad to even have the advantages of the common schools. In that city there was an academy in which there was a fund set apart for the free education of twelve young men whose ability in vocal music should entitle them to receive this benefit. They were furnished with books, and received also one dollar per week. Young Blume was blessed with such an excellent soprano voice that he was selected to fill this position in the acad- emy. The weekly stipend went far to relieve the pressing wants of his father's family. He entered this academy at the age of twelve and remained in it till he was sixteen years of age. After leaving this school he went to Hamburg, Germany, and became a student of pharmacy and surgery under Philip Hauptfleisch, Chief Surgeon of Hamburg. Here he remained and pursued his studies for the period of three years. He then returned to his native country and entered the Royal College in the city of Dresden, remaining there three years, when in 1837 he graduated as a surgeon with high honors. He escaped service in the army owing to the fact that there was an unusual number of young surgeons ready to enter the service just at that time. He then set out to visit his uncle in the city of Hamburg. Upon his arrival at Hamburg he received a letter from an old college chum, stating that he
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had shipped as surgeon on a South sea whaling vessel, but had fallen ill, and desired young Blume to go in his stead. After due deliberation he decided to accept the situation, and instead of returning to his parents, he has never since placed foot upon his native soil. On the 19th day of December, 1840, he sailed from the port of Bremerhaven on the whaling ship " Alexander Barclay," as surgeon, with the provision that he could take his discharge whenever he chose after the ship had secured a full cargo. After making the usual voyage to the north-west whaling grounds, the vessel returned to San Francisco bay to spend the winter, and on the 23d day of December, 1842, Mr. Blume first set foot on California soil, at Saucelito. The vessel remained here until the following March. As soon as it was known that a vessel was in port with a physician and surgeon on board, he was sent for to attend the sick on the ranchos in all the surrounding country, there being no resi- dent physician in the country at that time, except Dr. Sanders, who some- times visited California. During the season of 1843 the vessel made another cruise, and spent the following Winter at the Sandwich Islands. During the season of 1844 the vessel made another cruise, during which an incident occurred in which Mr. Blume came very near having his career of life sealed forever. He secured permission to go with the sailors to harpoon a whale, and upon approaching it and harpooning it, their boat was struck with one of the whale's fins and crushed, leaving its occupants at the mercy of the waves. Mr. Blume went down with the rest of the men, but on coming to the surface he found himself close beside the whale, to which he tried to cling to keep from sinking again. While trying to grasp hold of the whale another boat approached and a lance was hurled at the whale, which passed close to his head, and passed through the lower part of his right hand. He still bears the scar of that cut. The whale was killed and Mr. Blume was rescued from his perilous position. The vessel returned to the Sandwich Islands at the end of that season with a full cargo, and Mr. Blume took his discharge from there. This was in August or September of 1844. He expected to engage in his profession on the Islands, but there being no field for it, he engaged in mercantile business till the Spring of 1846. In May of that year he sailed on the English schooner "Currency Lass" for San Francisco. He shipped his stock of goo is on the schooner also. He arrived in San Francisco in May or June, 1846, and at once rented a room of Dr. Jones, opposite the Portsmouth House on the plaza, and in five days had disposed of his entire stock of goods. On the return of the schooner to the Islands, he sailed on her. He procured another stock of goods, and returned to San Francisco in the American schooner "General Kearney," in October, 1846. He took this stock of goods to Sonoma city, and opened a store there in a building owned by Salvador Vallejo. He remained in business at this place till April 1, 1848, when he moved to the rancho Cañada de Pogolome. He has since resided in the same house, situated on a slight eminence over-
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looking the beautiful little town of Freestone. The town of Bloomfield was named in his honor, being located on the Pogolome grant owned by his wife. Mr. Blume was duly elected to the first Territorial Legislature of California, which met at San Jose in 1849, although he was not a citizen at that time. He was appointed postmaster at Freestone December 14, 1870, and has held the office continually since. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1873, and has held the office ever since. He has held the office of School Trustee since 1871. He is a member of the San Francisco Pioneers, and is one of the very few who are entitled to wear the golden bear upon his badge. When he first went upon his ranch he kept a small stock of goods for the supply of the local trade. One night in the winter of 1849, a band of Indians camped near his house return- ing with Mr. W. Bruitz from the mines. During the night he disposed of his entire stock of goods, receiving therefor eighteen pounds of gold dust equal to three thousand four hundred and fifty-six dollars. He disposed of one pair of red blankets to the chief for a nugget worth two hundred and eighty-seven dollars. Mr. Blume was married in Sonoma city in November, 1848, to Mrs. Maria Antonio Dawson, (nee Caseres) widow of James Daw- son. She is still living. They have had no children.
Doran, William M. Born in Hardin county, Tennessee, January 13, 1825. Here he received a common school education, and lived until seven- teen years of age when he proceeded to Fayette county, where he remained until the Fall of 1844, when he left his parents and settled in Washington county, Mississippi, where he engaged in farming until 1849, when he started via New Orleans to Gorgons, and from here on foot across to Panama, a distance of twenty-two miles. After remaining here five weeks, he boarded the sailing vessel "Kingston," and after a voyage of fifty-five days landed in San Francisco, March 25, 1850. From here he took passage on the steamer Eldorado for Sacramento, thence on foot with blankets on his back he pro- ceeded to Mud Springs in Placer county, a distance of forty-five miles- making the trip in two days. Here he mined with fair luck, and not wishing to pay thirty-two dollars per week for board he soon set up housekeeping for himself. Paid two hundred dollars for a barrel of pork, seventy-five cents per pound for flour, and everything else in proportion. He soon left this point and went to Eldorado county, remained three months, returned to Sacramento city, purchased teams and began teaming to Nevada city. In Fall of '50 he turned out his teams, and followed mining. In March 1851 he returned to Sacramento and found that twenty-five head of his horses and mules had been stolen. After disposing of the balance of his stock he returned to the mines, meeting with rather poor success, and about the first of Oct. returned to Sacramento, thence to Dry Creek, Amador county, near Volcano, and mined with good success until March, 1852, when he again returned to Sacramento, from here to Sierra county. On Dec. 20th he was on his way back to Sacramento. He found the city under water, and the
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city found him with only five dollars in his pocket. But having an eye to business, he hired a boat at ten dollars per day, and conveyed provisions to Sutter's fort, clearing forty dollars the first day. On the third day he started for the mines; and after mining, prospecting, ete., in many different places until July, 1856, we find him in San Francisco where he took the steamer "Golden Age," bound for the home of his childhood. Here he remained until July 16, 1857, when he returned to California via New Orleans. After mining in all the principal mines in this State and Idaho, in 1863 went to Montana where he was successful; after traveling and prospecting for some time, finally found a place where he took out ten thousand dollars in five weeks time. He then returned to San Francisco, and in June, 1864, purchased his present ranch on Bodega Bay which he now owns. Sep. 10, 1867, he returned east, and on Dec. 12, 1867, married in Hardin county, Tennessee, Sarah J. Hawk, she being born Oct. 12, 1843. He returned to this State in February and settled on his ranch. In July, 1872, he and wife visited the east, and returned in October. In 1877 he purchased a home at Bodega Corners and retired from the farm. Mr. D. has been flat broke five different times, but being well charged with that spirit that will not down, has succeeded and his efforts crowned. He now owns not only his property in town, but a fine farm of six hundred and eighty aeres under good improvements. They have three living children: William J., born Jan. 13, 1869; Josephine E., Oct. 16, 1870; George L., Jan. 15, 1877, and an infant child deceased.
Douglass, Robert. A native of Hancock county, Maine, was born in November, 1822. His father was a ship carpenter, and Robert was brought up on the sea, serving his apprenticeship to the same trade under his father. On October 16, 1849, Robert sailed from Boston for California. Rounding Cape Horn, he arrived at San Francisco May 16, 1850. He remained in the city until his parents arrived, August 23d, the same year. They then went to Antioch, Contra Costa county, where they remained until the Fall of 1851, when they all came to this county and settled in Petaluma, being among the first who settled in the now prosperous city. Here the subject of this sketch followed his trade, building the first hotel in the city, where he resided! until May 12, 1863, when he moved to Alpine county, where he engaged in mining for two years, when he returned to Petaluma, where he spent one Winter, and in the Spring he went to Sonoma, where he passed the Summer, and in the Fall moved to Bodega, where he followed his trade until 1866, when he commenced farming, which business he has followed ever since. In 1872 he settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, located in Bodega township, about one mile north from Freestone. He married December 31, 1852, at Petaluma, Miss Hannah Hathaway, a native of Washington county, Maine. This was the first wedding in the city of Petaluma. Their children are: Emma J., born Sep-
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tember 14, 1856; William L., June 25, 1858; George W., March 9, 1860. They have lost two, Amelia and Heber G.
Fowler, Stephen Cornell. Was born in Lakeville, Queens county, Long Island, on the 3d day of January, 1797. His ancestors were among the carly settlers of the island, and came from England a hundred years prior to the Revolutionary war. His father served with the militia in the war of 1812, and took part in the defense of the city of New York and vicinity. He was married to Martha Fowler on the 28th day of December, 1819, who died on the 25th day of November following, leaving a child six weeks old, named Martha Ann Fowler, who died on the 28th day of December, 1828. He married Rebecca Lawrence, December 31, 1821, who still survives. She was the eldest daughter of Whitehead Lawrence, who was also descended from one of the early settlers of Long Island, and counted among his ancestors the Lawrence who first settled that portion of Long Islandi long known as " Lawrence's Neck," now called College Point. The fruit of this marriage were ten children: Mary Fowler, born October 12, 1822, died April 19, 1823; Stephen Lawrence Fowler, born January 31, 1825, died at Valley Ford, California, March 4, 1868; Cornelia Wykoff Fowler, born December 7, 1826; James Edgar Fowler, born December 28, 1828; Benjamin Fowler, born May 25, 1832, died June 14, 1833; Whitehead Fowler, born May 5, 1834; Sarah Ann Fowler, born February 14, 1837; John Henry Fowler, born September 14, 1839; Benjamin Fowler, born December 17, 1841; Nathaniel Darling Fowler, born October 15, 1845. The two eldest sons, Stephen and James, were among the first who left New York for California when the news of the discovery of gold in the country reached there. They took passage on the ship "Brooklyn," which sailed from that port on the 12th day of January, 1849, and arrived in San Francisco August 12, 1849. Cornelia and Whitehead soon followed. The subject of this sketch embarked with his wife and the remaining portion of his family- Sarah, John, Benjamin and Nathaniel-on board the elipper ship " Lookout," Captain John G. Joice, and sailed from New York on the 28th day of December for San Francisco, via Cape Horn, which port they entered safely, without encountering any serious mishap, on the 6th day of May, 1854, and on the 12th of May succeeding came, per steamer "Reindeer," to Petaluma, thence by ox-team to where the town of Valley Ford now stands. There he remained till the day of his death, a period of nearly twenty-five years, and there his widow still lives. At his home in Valley Ford, in December, 1871, was celebrated their golden wedding. He was always a lover of his adopted State, an enthusiastic admirer of her elimate, and a firm believer in her destined greatness. Particularly was he attached to Sonoma county, and often declared, that if the finest residence in New York city was tendered to him a free gift if he would return and live there, he would not accept it. He took a lively interest in all that pertained to the welfare and
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
prosperity of the State, and willingly assisted to the extent of his means in aiding every enterprise in the community in which he lived, that seemed to him to have for its object the promotion of the public good. The Rev. Thomas Fraser, synodical missionary, thus speaks of him in the Occident of January 1, 1879: "Your fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live forever ? He whose death was briefly noticed in a recent issue of the Occident, was one whom I dearly loved, the father of a large and most estimable family, and truly a father in Israel. My acquaintance with him commenced in the Spring of 1860, when he showed himself, as ever after to the day of his death, a humble, sincere and consistent Christian. Thor- oughly attached to the Presbyterian church, he loved all good people, and was loved and respected by all who knew him. As a man, he was kind, just and true. As a Christian, he had remarkably clear perceptions of divine truth, with strong and positive convictions. His religious feelings were exceedingly warm, easily excited and not easily controlled. For this reason he seldom undertook to lead the devotions of others. As a friend of religion and supporter and officer of the church which he loved, all knew where Father Fowler stood. He was one of the original members and elders of the first Presbyterian church founded in his section of the country. As the work grew and it became necessary to organize another church, he was a member and elder of that till he died. During many years missionary work in Sonoma county, he was my warm and steadfast friend. In his last sickness, which was extremely painful and protracted, he waited patiently, with childlike trust in his Saviour, for the relief which death only could afford. His last words to me were: 'I am waiting for Christ to take me to Himself; you will soon hear that I am at home.'" He died just before midnight on the 27th day of November, 1878, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, ten months and twenty-four days, and was buried in the cemetery in Bloomfield. His life was a worthy example of patience, industry, sobriety, humility and brotherly love.
Fowler, James Edgar. The subject of this sketch is the son of Stephen C. and Rebecca Fowler, and was born in New York City, December 28, 1828, where he spent the most of his youth in acquiring such an education as was to be had in the public schools, until called upon to face the stern realities of life. His father being a builder and contractor, James chose the trade of a carpenter, though not exactly to his taste. He has often remarked how fortunate this was, as the practical ideas then acquired have been valuable all through life. On the receipt of the first news of the discovery of gold in California, he decided at once to go. With his elder brother Stephen, they sailed from New York January 12, 1849, in the old ship " Brooklyn," a vessel of four hundred and fifty tons, to double Cape Horn, with two hundred and five souls on board. With the usual monotony of a four months voyage they reached the far-fam al island of Juan Fernandez, visited the cave in which
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Alexander Selkirk spent four years, and formel the basis of the celebrated history of Robinson Crusoe. Sixty days out from the island found the ship a long way west of San Francisco, all hands on short allowance of water, and nearly every one affected with scurvy. After narrowly escaping ship- wreck at the mouth of the Garcia river, they arrived in San Francisco Angust 12th, having spent seven months in dreaming of the wonderful Dorado they were about to visit. He pitchedl his tent in Pleasant valley, San Francisco, where the Oriental block now stands, foun I work at his trade at twelve dollars per day, but soon discovered that contracting was more profitable. In company with his brother Stephen, they erected several frame buildings in the vicinity of Clay and Montgomery streets, and also assisted in laying the foundation for the first briek buil ling ereste I in San Francisco. As the oldest inhabitants predicted a hard winter, the Fowlers concluded to go to the mountains and build them a cabin. Taking passage on board the schooner "John Dunlap" for Sacramento, which place they reached after six days, and, in company with several others, they charter a team for Dry Town, Amador county, where they engaged in mining successfully until the first great fire occurred in San Francisco. With a prospect for fat contracts they decided to abandon canal-digging an I return to San Francisco. Taking their blankets on their backs, wading through adobe, and fording streams, they reach Sacramento just in time to witness the first overflow, but left immediately on the steamer "McKinne," passage twenty-five dollars. On arriving in San Francisco they found the burnt district rebuilt, the city being overrun with mechanics; but put up a few small buildings for Sam Brannan to prevent squatters from jumping his lots. About February 1, 1850, took passage on the schooner " Eclipse " for Marysville, spent a month in getting up the river, and was engaged for awhile making quicksilver machines for saving the fine gold on the lower Yuba. Becoming interested in the city of Plumas, first laid out by Captain Sutter and G. H. Beach, and thinking it might be the head of navigation in a low stage of the water, removed there and continued work at his trade. June Ist, packed his mule and started in search of the gold lake, and spent the summer in mining in Downieville. Returned to Plumas in the Fall and was taken down with the fever and ague. The Spring of 1851 found him at Bo lega raising potatoes. In the Summer of 1852, he bought the land on which Valley Fordl now stands, where he has made is home ever since. He has experienced the same turns in the wheel of fortune with most other California farmers. In the Fall of 1855, in com- pany with George F. Stanley, he opened the pioneer restaurant and bakery in Peta'nina. The Summer of 1857 he spent in the East, where he was married to Charlotte E., daughter of Jacob and Sarah Palmer, of Morris county, New Jersey; since which time he has been engaged in farming, mer- chandising, teaming and lumbering, keeping steadily in view the building up of his pet town, Valley Ford, of which he has been called the father. Mr.
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Fowler, during his residence in Sonoma county, has taken a leading part in bringing railroad communication into his part of the district, and has in many other ways proved his true value as a good and worthy citizen.
Fowler, John Henry. The seventh child of Stephen Cornell Fowler and Rebecca Lawrence Fowler; was born at Little Neck, Long Island, on the 14th day of September, 1839. He came to California when he was fourteen years old, in company with his parents, who sailed from New York in the clipper ship "Lookout " on the 28th day of December, 1853, for San Francisco ria Cape Horn. Arrived in San Francisco May 6, 1854, and immediately joined his brothers in Sonoma county, and has ever since resided in the locality where he first settled, now known as Valley Ford. He opened the first general merchandise business in said town. Married Sarah Ann Frisbie, the daughter of Zadoc and Chloe Frisbie, of Rutland county, Vermont, on the 1st day of June, 1864. His wife was born in the town of Pawlet, Rutland county, Vermont, on the 25th day of July, 1843, and came to California via Panama, arriving in San Francisco in September, 1863. Four children have been born to them, namely: Irene Frisbie Fowler, born June 4, 1870; Cornelia Willoughby Fowler, born June 20, 1873; Rebecca Lawrence Fowler, born March 29, 1875; Stephen Cornell Fowler, born August 12, 1876. All of whom were born at Valley Ford.
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