USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 62
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I frankly told him that I was through joking and meant business; that for the present he was my prisoner, and must go with me. He very reluctantly complied, and I drove to Geyserville, only holding him hostage to insure my own safety. At this place I met Dr. Ely, whom I had good reason to believe was the brains and managing man of the squatters, he being a man of intellect, and a fair-minded, reasonable man upon all subjects excepting the one. I dismissed Vessor, "shot" Ely, and took him in the buggy, and continued my journey through the Tzabaco Rancho. I informed the Doctor that I came up to sell their lands, and that I proposed to give every man a reason- able chance of paying for the farm I sold him. I was aware that the lands had been held too high, that the owners were honest in their convictions of the value of the land, but were mistaken, and for that reason I had refused to take the agency until they gave me carte blanche to dispose of them accord- ing to my own judgment. " But," he said. with apparen' surprise, " you do not propose to sell me my place ?" " Why not ?" I replied: "I have always heard that you said you would not sell my place, but had selected it for yourself." " That," said I, " is just as true as many other things you have heard about me. I am a Western man, and am anxious to see every man have his home, and will sell to you just the same as to the rest." " But," said he, "if disposed to purchase, how can we? We are bankrupts; with the twenty thousand dollars judgments hanging over us we can do nothing," I told him that it was not necessary to tell me that they were bankrupt., for I knew it. " It is not necessary to tell me that you are a set of ruined and desperate men. I know it. It is not necessary for you to say, in case I attempt to execute the writs of ejectment that I hold against you, that these fair domains will be left blackened ruins, and that the inhabitants will retire to their mountain fastnesses and wage war against human nature at large, for I already know it, and in my present action have given due heed to all, and yet am going to sell every man of you your farms, and as fast as you pur- chase I shall wipe the judgment out against the purchaser, and again place you in the position of freemen." The doctor frankly admitted that if that was my intention, then I had been greatly misrepresented to them. I told him that having unlimited power, I intended to be a benefactor and not an oppressor of the people. The doctor took me at my word, rode through the settlement with me, and advised the settlers to purchase their homes, which seemed to them unusual advice. I notified them that, on the following Thursday I would be at Captain Vessor's for the purpose of going with them over every man's place, and fix a price upon it per acre. I was there at the time appointed, and met the entire settlement, and went over every place, fixing my price upon the land as I passed over and to my surprise and satisfaction every one of them thought that I had put a fair price upon his neighbor's land, but had got his a little too high ; the result was that every man purchased his farm within the ensuing six
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weeks, paying one-fourth down and getting three years to pay the bal- ance, at one per cent. per month interest. And what was still more satis- factory, by the enlargement of time of payment, all succeeded in paying for their farms, and thus ended the squatter war that had been kept up for over seven years in the northern portion of this county. But before dismissing the subject I must say, in justification of these men, that the most of them - in my judgment, were honest in their convictions that the claimants either had no title to the lands, or if they had a title it was fraudulent, and that many of them to-day are among our most respected and prominent citizens. Our old feuds are now looked upon as a feverish and disturbing dream, or treated as a subject of mirth, and as for myself, the most of the men who once wanted to see my throat cut are among my warmest friends. I will here append a set of resolutions, expressing their feelings toward me after our fight was over :-
At a meeting of the citizens of Washington township, and on the " Tzabaco Grant," held this day, without distinction of party, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted: WHEREAS, It having become known to us that statements are being publicly made to the effect that Capt. L. A. Norton, of Healdsburg, is regarded with unfriendly feel- ings by the citizens and settlers of this township, and knowing such state- ments to be wholly untrue and unjust to Captain Norton, it is hereby Resolved, That we recognize in Capt. L. A. Norton, a gentleman of great firmness of purpose, and energy in the discharge of duty; entirely impartial as agent between grantholders and settlers-and that his courtesy and friendship, as evinced toward all who wished to secure their homes, demands and receives our hearty approbation and respect, and that we entertain for him none but the kindliest feelings. Resolved, That all statements and asser- tions made in relation to Capt. L. A. Norton in connection with ourselves, which are not in accordance with the above, are untrue, and very unjust to both Capt Norton and ourselves. Resolved, That the Secretary forward a copy of the proceedings of this meeting to the Sonoma Democrat, and one to the Russian River Flag, requesting them to publish the same.
(Signed) DOWNING LAMB, President.
ELISHA ELY, Secretary.
In 1861 or '62 there was a regiment of volunteers organized in Kane county, Illinois. They met in companies at Batavia, to perfect the organiza- tion, they first proceeded to elect their Major; second, their Lieutenant-Colonel, when, on motion, a recess of fifteen minutes was taken, when it was pro- posed that the health of Captain Norton be drank standing, which was informally carried out. When the meeting resumed business it was moved and carried that Captain L. A. Norton be elected Colonel of this regiment by acclamation, which motion was put and carried unanimously. Where- upon Capt. P. J. Burchell, moved that a copy of the proceedings of this
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meeting be forwarded to Colonel Norton, by its secretary, with the request that he come home and take charge of his regiment, which his situation in this county forbade him from doing, for at that time the captain (or more legiti- mately the colonel) had his hands full at home. We are informed by reliable persons that the northern part of Sonoma county is much indebted to the firm- ness and energy of the colonel in keeping down an outbreak, as there was a very strong secession element in that portion of it, and when it was asserted that no recruits to join the Federal army would ever live to cross Russian river, he organized and secretly drilled the Union forces, and was at all times ready to meet the threatened outbreak. And when it was said that no Union flag should ever float in Healdsburg, he went immediately to Petaluma, purchased one, placed it on the top of his carriage, carried it to Healdsburg through the country, and nailed it to his balcony, where it continued to wave. When it was reported that a rebel flag was floating from the top of a high tree, between Santa Rosa and Sonoma, Norton made it his business to go down there, in open day, climb the tree and remove the flag. And we are informed that it is now in the possession of Mrs. Malloy, of San Fran- cisco, the colonel having presented the same to Dr. E. B. Malloy, now deceased. The colonel still practices his profession in Healdsburg, and we believe he possesses the confidence of the whole community, as a careful, honest and able member of the bar.
Phillips, D. D. Born in Mason county, Kentucky, May 1, 1822. At the age of five years his parents moved to Pike county, Missouri, where he was educated. On May 18, 1843, he married Miss Amelia A. Kennedy, and soon after moved to Ralls county, where he resided until the death of his wife, March 10, 1847. He then enlisted in Company E, Third Regiment, Missouri Mounted Volunteers. He had been in the service but a short time when he was detailed to be one of a party of twenty-eight men to accompany Kit Carson, who was a dispatch carrier, to General Kearney in California. After accompanying them to Santa Fe, in New Mexico, Carson obtaining a fresh escort, he and his comrades remained at Santa Fe until their respective commanders arrived, after which they proceeded to Chihuahua and Santa Cruz, in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. Mr. Phillips remained with this command until the Fall of 1848, when he got his honorable discharge. Returning to Ralls county, he spent the Winter, and in the Spring, in company with three companions, started across the plains with ox-teams, arriving at Hangtown, now Placerville, September 1, 1849. After mining at different points for seven years, he came to this county October 16, 1856, and settled on his present estate, comprising two hundred and twenty-three acres, located on Dry creek, about eight miles from Healdsburg. He married his present wife, Mrs. Mary C. McCland, January, 1855. His children by his first wife are George W. and Gabriel D. By his second wife he has John W., Samuel E., Oscar F., Horace H. and Olliver C.
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Proctor, Ira. Was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, November 18, 1833, where he learned the carpenter's trade and resided until 1854, when he emigrated to California. He worked at his trade in San Francisco until 1856, when he went to Oroville, Butte county, remaining until 1862, when he went to Nevada, and after following his trade for three years, he built a quartz mill, which he run until 1870, when he came to this county and settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and ten acres, located on Dry creek, about two miles from Healdsburg. He married Miss Cathe- rine Fetter, January 12, 1866, a native of Ohio. Their children are: Laura J., boin June 13, 1862; Katie M., born February 10, 1865; Daniel H., born November 13, 1866, died June 3, 1877; James M., born November 17, 1868; Fannie M., born March 19, 1870; Clara L., born June 17, 1872; Charles J., born April 24, 1873; Royal T., born February 22, 1876.
Samuels, Hon. James, The subject of this sketch, whose portrait will be found in this work, was born April 3, 1831, in Butler county, Ohio. His parents' names were James and Ann Samuels. His mother having died when he was nine years of age, and his father when he was sixteen, Mr. Samuels was thrown, at that early age, upon his own resources. He received his educa- tion in the common schools of the State, and also spent one year at Mount Pisgah Seminary, in Indiana. During the last few years previous to his coming of age, he learned the harness and saddlery business. On the 9th of April, 1852, at the age of twenty-one, he started for California, coming via the Panama route. He arrived in San Francisco May 19, 1852. He at once went to the mines near Downieville, and spent a year at that business. In 1853 he came to Marysville and spent a few months there. He then came to Petaluma, Sonoma county, arriving September 1, 1853. Here he engaged in the saddlery and harness business till the Spring of 1857. He then engaged in farming in the Russian river valley, near Healdsburg, which he carried on successfully till 1866. He then purchased a stock ranch, twenty- eight miles north-west of Healdsburg, where he resides at the present time. He was elected to the Legislature in 1875, by a large majority over two competitors. While a member of this body he made a handsome record, introducing several reformatory bills, which save to the State a large sum annually. He was appointed a Commissioner by the State Agricultural Society to the Centennial Exposition. Mr. Samuels is one of Sonoma's most energetic and thriving citizens, and one most highly esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Samuels was married April 9, 1856, to Mrs. Sarah H. Myers, daughter of Joseph and Dorothy Fellows, a native of West Plymouth, New Hampshire. When they were married she had one child, Luella, still living, and married to John Sibbold. One child, Isabella, has been born to them, still living.
Skaggs, Alexander. The subject of this sketch is a native of Baron county, Kentucty, where he was born in June, 1826. When twenty-six
JAMES WATSON.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
years of age he accompanied his parents to Missouri, and there followed farming until 1853, when he emigrated to California, coming by way of the plains, with ox-teams. He arrived in Nevada county September 7, 1853, and commenced business as a stock-raiser, which occupation he continued until 1857, when he moved to Sonoma county and became possessed of the lands on which are located the famous springs and Summer resort known as Skaggs' Springs, a description of which will be found in the chapter on springs and mines in the first part of this volume. Mr. Skaggs married in April, 1850, Eliza Thomas, a native of Kentucky, by whom he has four children, Charles W., Elizabeth, William and George H.
Truitt, Roland K. Was born in Montgomery county, Texas, August 23, 1841. When but a child, his parents moved near Hannibal, Missouri, and there resided until the Spring of 1849, in which year they emigrated to California, making the journey by ox-teams across the plains, the time occupied being five months and eighteen days. Their first location was Mormon Island, where they remained until the Fall of 1851, when they returned to Texas and farmed until the Spring of 1856, at which time they came back to California and settled about seven miles north from Petaluma, after which he left his parents and went to work for wages and remained in Sonoma county until March, 1860, when, in company with an aunt and family, went to Texas, and in the following September accompanied his uncle, E. R. Moffett, to the State of Iowa to purchase horses, and returned the same Fall to Texas; then the war breaking out, he enlisted as a private in the Confederate cavalry. After serving two years in the Mississippi States, he put in a substitute and started on his way to California via Mexico, and arrived at Matamoras in October, 1863. After the surrender of Brownsville to the United States army, he went there and applied for transportation to New Orleans, but was refused. Being in destitute circumstances and sick he was necessarily compelled to join the United States cavalry, in which he served until October 31, 1865, and was mustered out under General Custer, commanding the army at San Antonio, Texas. He then returned to the place of his birth, Danville, Montgomery county, and on December 26, 1866, married Miss S. G. Brooks, a native of Mississippi. On May 10, 1868, he again started to California, accompanied by his wife and one child, and arrived in Healdsburg, Sonoma county, the 23d day of June, where he has remained since, being most of the time engaged in stock-raising. He is now engaged in sheep-raising in co-partnership with John H. Zuver. Their ranch is located on Big Pluton creek, near the celebrated Geyser Springs; it com- prises about ten thousand acres of grazing land. His family now consists of four children, Eugene R., Emma S., Eliott and Charles E.
Van Allen, John J. Was born in Columbia county, New York, April 30, 1826. Here he received his education and resided until June, 1849,
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
when he emigrated to California, arriving in San Francisco October 4th of that year. After spending a few days there he went to Jackson Bar, and there prosecuted mining and hunting for about one year, after which he worked in a lumber yard in San Francisco for two years. He next engaged in farming and hunting in Marin county for eight years, and then came to Sonoma county and settled in Petaluma. In 1871 he located on his present farm of one thousand and two hundred acres in the mountains, at the head of Dry creek. Mr. Van Allen married, in 1871, Miss Bryan, a native of Ireland, by whom he has one child, named Maria.
Willson, H. M. Born in New Jersey August 5, 1814. When fourteen years of age he was left an orphan. His first move was to Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he learned to manufacture woolen goods, which he followed until twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in merchandising in Indianapolis, Indiana; but after remaining here for four years, he went to Platt county, Missouri, and followed the same business and remained until 1849, when he crossed the plains to California. After his arrival he engaged in mining, butchering and running pack-trains until 1853. when he came to this county and engaged in trade with H. G. Heald, at Healdsburg, for two years. He then settled on his present estate, directly south of the above named town, where he now resides. Mr. Willson has served eight years as Justice of the Peace, and three years as Supervisor of this district. He is also one of the Directors of the Bank of Healdsburg. He married Miss A. L. Tanner, September, 1856. Anna M. and Edward A. are their only children.
OCEAN.
Duncan, Alexander. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and was born in August, 1821. His instruction consisted of the ordinary school education of the country at that time. During his youth he served an apprenticeship of six years at the blacksmith and machinist trade. He remained in Ireland till 1840, when the enterprising young man set sail for the glorious land of which he had heard such marvelous stories on his native heath, and in May of that year he landed in New York City. Here he remained until some time during the Fall of 1840, when he went to New Orleans. Here he located and began operations in his trade. He soon built up a snug business, and everything
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
went along smoothly with him. In 1850, having heard the great reports which were rife in all parts of the East at that time concerning the great wealth and resources of California, he decided to go to that country. In May of that year he sailed for California, via the Panama route, arriving in San Francisco, June 15, 1850. Upon his arrival there he at once engaged in his business, when he, by his proficiency in his work and the untiring energy with which he pushed it along, soon had more on his hands than he could get through with. He made a specialty of making iron door and window shutters, for the manufacture of which his shop was so justly popular. While in San Francisco, in the Fall of 1851, he had occasion to transfer his business from Clay above Liedesdorf to Sansome street. This was the first building ever moved along the streets of San Francisco. He remained in San Francisco, following his vocation till the Fall of 1854, when he joined his brother, Samuel M., in the milling and lumber trade at Salt Point, having purchased the interest of Joshua Hendy. Since that time the firm have car- ried on the largest lumber business in Sonoma county. He now resides in the beautifully-located village of Duncan's Mill, on the banks of the Russian river. Here he has a most handsome and substantial residence, surrounded with elegant grounds. He has also a very fine, large mill, with which he is doing a splendid business. This town received its patronymie in honor of Mr. Duncan. He has ever been a leading spirit in the enterprises which go to upbuilding and advancing the interests of the county. August 5, 1844, in New York city, he was united in marriage with Miss Ann Jane Halliday, a native of Ireland. She was born June 23, 1824. Eight children have resulted from this union, namely: Jeannie, Samuel M., Hugh, Sarah, Alex- ander, Alexander, Rebecca and William. Of these, Jeannie, Samuel M., and Sarah are still living.
Mayer, August. Born in Bavaria, Germany, November 22, 1838. In 1861 he came to America, first settling in Jefferson county, New York. He remained here, with the exception of a few months spent in New York city, until 1863, when he came, via Panama, to California and located in Marin county, and engaged in the dairying business until 1870. After spending one year in San Francisco, he came to this county and settled on his present farm, comprising one thousand acres. This was on November 1, 1871. In September, 1876, he visited the Centennial Exposition, and from there went to Europe and all parts of the globe. June, 1878, found him again on his farm in this county, where he is at present actively engaged in dairying, manufacturing about thirty thousand pounds of cheese per annum, and thirteen thousand and two hundred pounds of butter.
Rule, John (deceased). Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Cornwall, England, February 6, 1818. He resided in his native land till 1841, when he emigrated to the United States, sojourned a year in Pennsyl-
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
vania, and then settled in Missouri, where he was married October 25, 1844, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Cook Craddock, in Madison county. Here he resided during the next two years, and was engaged in various mining interests in the lead and copper mines of that State. In 1866, with his family, he removed to Grant county, Wisconsin, and invested quite extensively in the lead mines, near Galena, Illinois, and here he followed mining till the Spring of 1852, when the California "fever " induced him to seek his fortune in the far-off land of gold. After a tedious journey of five months across the plains, he arrived at Volcano, Amador county. Here he spent a year in mining, and then tried his hand at the same business in Grass Valley for another year. In April, 1854, he moved to Brown's Valley, Yuba county. Here he followed mining and hotel keeping till 1861. The next five years he did a varied and extensive business in Virginia, Nevada, in mining, quartz-crushing and teaming. Then San Francisco was his home till he purchased the farm in Sonoma county, on which his family now live. Here he erected an extensive steam saw-mill, its capacity being forty thousand feet of lumber per day. The land he purchased-forty-five thousand acres- being well timbered, was estimated to contain timber enough to keep his saw-mill running twenty years. He was greatly interested in the progress and prosperity of his neighborhood, and had obtained a franchise from the State to bridge Russian river, an enterprise in which he was greatly inter- ested. But, alas! how little we know of the future. In the midst of plans and enterprises, business called him to his former home, Virginia City, never to return. He died there, April 15, 1870. His death was a sad loss, not only to his family, but felt by all the community. It left many enterprises that would have benefitted the county and State unfinished. Mr. Rule was a man of no ordinary business capacity and energy, and always made his presence known in enterprises that benefitted the neighborhood in which he lived. In July, 1870, his family came and settled on his estate in Sonoma county. His widow, Mrs. Rule, has, since her husband's death, in the main had charge of the estate, and has shown herself a lady of fine executive abilities in its management. She has conducted a large dairying and stock- raising business; also, an extensive wood business, shipping about four thou- sand cords annually. Mrs. Rule was born February 22, 1822, in Madison county, Missouri. She has six children now living: John Richard, born Jan- uary 31, 1847; Hannah Josephine, born June 8, 1851; Edward James, born December 25, 1854; Nannie Augustie, born March 27, 1858; William John- son, born May 24, 1861; Charles Henry Stone, born October 24, 1863; Eliza- beth Jane, September 5, 1845; died February 22, 1854; Thomas Johnson born August 4, 1848; died June 24, 1853; Thomas Craddock, born Sep- tember 6, 1853 ; died November 8, 1853.
Wood, William Blake. The subject of this sketch was born December 2, 1829, in Ulster county, New York. His father's name was John B., and
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his mother's maiden name was Deborah F. Blake, both natives of New York. His mother now resides in San Francisco. He was educated in the common schools and an academy in Duchess county, New York, known as the Nine Partners, under the auspices of the Quakers. Was engaged in farming in New York till 1851. Started for California July 5, 1851, coming via the Panama route. Came into San Francisco on the steamer "Northerner," arriving September 7, 1851. Went at once to the mines, locating at Mokelumne Hill. Here he remained till January, 1852; then went to Ione valley, remaining there until January, 1853, when he came to Two Rock valley, Sonoma county. Here he located on a farm and remained till the Spring of 1856. He then disposed of his farm, and engaged in teaching school at Sebastopol for six months. He then went to Tomales, Marin county, locating on a farm, and remained there till the Fall of 1859. Spent that Winter in Humboldt county. In the Spring he returned to Bloomfield, Sonoma county, and associating with him Charles R. Arthur, engaged in the merchandising business. Here he remained till March, 1869, when he went to Castroville, Monterey county. Here he engaged in the mercantile business, with A. P. Knowles as partner, till September, 1872. For the next year and a half he remained out of business, owing to ill health. He then engaged in the grain commission business in Castroville. In January, 1876, he leased the American Hotel in that place, which business he conducted till April, 1879. He then leased the Russian River Hotel at Duncan's Mill, and is still engaged in business there. Mr. Wood was united in marriage with Miss Jane E., daughter of William C. Abels, the first settler in the south end of Analy township, August 24, 1856. Her mother's maiden name was Miss Eleanor Andrews. Her parents are now both living in San Jose. The result of this union has been two children, viz .: Emma A. and Alfred A., both living.
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