History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams, Part 64

Author: Alley, Bowen & Co. 4n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: San Francisco : Alley, Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1008

USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 64

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Case, A. B. A native of Spencertown, Columbia county, New York, born April 6, 1823. When one year old his parents moved to Greene county, same State, where they resided for seven years; thence to Ulster county, New York, where the subject of our sketch received his education. After a resi- dence here of ten years, they moved to Camptown, New Jersey. In 1844, he left his home and proceeded to Brooklyn, New York, engaged as teamster on the dry docks, where he continued until the administration of President Polk, when he went to New Hartford, Connecticut, where he followed house-paint- ing for one year. He then accepted an invitation from his brother, H. T., who was engaged in the brush-manufacturing business at 36 Hanover street, Boston, as traveling salesman through the Southern and Northern States. In 1848, the business was removed to St. Louis, Missouri. Here the subject of this sketch remained one year, thence to Weston, Missouri. In the Spring of 1852, in company with his brother and two sons of Governor Boggs, he started across the plains for California, with a drove of cattle. As Governor Boggs, the father of the young men, was known to be a bitter enemy of the Mormons, and was instrumental in routing and driving them from the State of Missouri, this little party became somewhat alarmed when they neared the Mormon settlements, and Mr. Case and his brother came to the conclusion that it would not be safe for them to travel through the Mormon settlement with any one by the name of Boggs, who looked like Boggs, or had any of Boggs' blood coursing through their veins. Owing to this and a little differ- ence of opinion arising in regard to Sunday travel, the brothers parted from

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

their companions after traveling with them for a little over two weeks, and took the northern route via Fort Hall. Upon their arrival at the North Platte river, they found the stream very high, which was erossed by the sub- ject of this sketch with little difficulty; but his brother H. F. in attempting to cross was drowned. All efforts made to recover the body proved fruitless, and the brother was obliged to proceed on his journey, bowed down with sorrow at his brother's untimely demise. This sad occurrence took place on June 29, 1852. Upon his arrival at Independence Rock he was joined by the Boggs brothers, and from this point they traveled together, arriving at Sonoma city October 1st. After dividing the property with his brother's widow, and disposing of his own interests, he returned to his native State via Panama, sojourned until the Spring of 1853, when he proceeded West and purchased another drove of cattle, and crossed the plains that year to Sonoma the second time. The following Winter, a younger brother, G. W. Case, returned with him to New York via the Isthmus, and in the Spring of 1854 went to Illinois and purchased another drove of cattle, and drove them across the plains to California, making the third trip, stopping during the Winter of 1854-55 on Cache creek. In the Spring they took their cattle into the valleys below, and there engaged in the manufacture of butter and cheese until late in August. He then went to Tomales, Marin county. In 1856 he disposed of his stock and once more returned East, where he married in Greene county, New York, on November 26, 1857, Miss Harriet, daughter of William and Catherine Crapser. She was born in Dutchess county, New York, October 6, 1825. In January, 1859, returned with wife to California, and settled on his farm in Marin county. In the Summer of this year he came to Petaluma, and soon after opened a crockery store, which business he followed till 1873, when he disposed of it to T. J. Haskins and Prescott, since which time he has lived a retired life. To him belongs the credit of building the Case bloek in Petaluma in 1868. Carrie B., born December 28, 1860; Hattie C., born March 31, 1862, are the names and births of their children.

Cassiday Samuel. Was born April 12, 1830, near Reedsburgh, Wayne county, Ohio. Of his grand-parents three were natives of the north of Ireland, and the fourth a native of Pennsylvania. His father, John Cassiday, was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and his mother's maiden name was Sarah McGee, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio. In 1841, when eleven years of age, he moved with his parents overland, to the then Terri- tory of Iowa, settling near Libertyville, Jefferson county, and within fifteen miles of the boundary between government and the hunting grounds of the Sae and Fox Indians. From this time until 1847 he worked upon the farm nine months out of the year, receiving the benefit of such education as the rude log school-house of the frontier afforded during the winter months. In 1847 he entered the office of the Desmoines Valley Whig, published at Keosauqua, to learn the printer's trade. Having completed his apprentice-

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ship the winter of 1849-50, he filled the position of assistant teacher in a private Academy at Oskaloosa. From that place he started overland the spring of 1850, and arrived at Sacramento in the early part of September. From the time of his arrival in California up to the spring of 1854 he was engaged in various mining operations, mostly in the neighborhood of Rough and Ready, Nevada county, and Parks and Long Bars, Yuba county. In 1854 he came to Sonoma county, and from that time until 1861 was engaged in farming, dairying, and stock raising. In 1861 he embarked in journalism as one of the editors and proprietors of the Petaluma Argus. In 1866 he assumed the entire proprietorship of that journal which he retained until 1869 when he sold that establishment to H. L. Weston Esq., and leasing over eleven thousand acres of land in Monterey county, for a term of years, moved to that portion of the State where for ten years ho followed the varied pursuits of farming, sheep-raising, and general real estate business. With the exception of a brief residence at Gilroy, Santa Clara county, he resided most of this time at Salinas City. In 1868 he passed an examination and was admitted to the practice of law in the District Court of the twentieth Judicial District. In the Spring of 1879 he returned to Petaluma, and resumed his connection with the Petaluma Argus. In 1864 Mr. Cassiday was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia Francis Denman, a native of Sullivan county, New York. Her father's name was William Denman, a native of England, and her mother's maiden name was Nancy Curry, a native of New York. He has five children; the oldest, Sarah Francis, born June 18, 1866; the second, Elizabeth Louisa, born May 29, 1808; the third, Benjamin Franklin, born January 16, 1870; the fourth, Samuel Denman, born August 14, 1873; and the fifth, Minnie Belle, born May 2, 1875, As a journalist Mr. C. ranks well up among the most able and versatile writers on the Pacific Coast. In this he but verifies the truth of the saying, that " the printing (ffice is the poor boy's College;" for to the " art preservative," and not to the school-room is he mainly indebted for his acquirements.

Cavanagh, John. A native of Dublin, Ireland, born August 23, 1824. In 1849 he sailed on board the "Jane Tudor," for America, arriving in San Francisco August, 1850. He immediately proceeded to the mines, on the middle fork of the American river, mined six weeks and returned to San Francisco; engaged in the grocery business for a short time, when he repaired for the second time to the mines, locating on El Dorado slide, where he remained until the Fall of 1852, when he came to Sonoma county and settled on Russian river, near Windsor. In 1857 he sold his farm and came to Petaluma, and was engaged as half-owner in the water company. In 1862 was elected City Marshal, which office he held three years, and in 1861 was appointed Lieutenant of the Emmet Guards of Petaluma, and held the position until they were mustered out of the service. In 1866 was elected

Lasson Mass

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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

Justice of the Peace, and is at present the incumbent of the office. In 1872-'75 held the office of City Recorder, when the charter was changed, making it unlawful to hold two offices at the same time. In 1867 he opened .the lumber yard, and about this time disposed of his interest in the water company. Married, June 17, 1860, Delia Carrigan; she is a native of Ireland, born January, 29, 1839. Jennie, born June 13, 1861; Thomas James, October 25, 1862; Laura Ann, December 30, 1864; John Edwin, August 13, 1867: Stephen Patrick, February 15, 1869; Margaret Ellen, August 26, 1870, and Emmie Gracie, November 26, 1872, are the names and births of his children.

Christie, Doctor John Boyd. Born in Oxford, Grenville county, Onta- rio, January 1, 1839. Married Mercy Annie Beach, December 25, 1858; wife died August 13, 1800. Graduated in medicine at MeGill University, Montreal, May 3, 1865. Married Frances Ashley Butts, of Lawrenceville, Pa., March 27, 1866. Located in Petaluma, Cal., September 1870.

Codding, G. R. The subject of this sketch was born in Bristol, Ontario county, New York, June 14, 1826, and is of the old Puritan stock. Here he received his education and remained until the year 1846, when he pro- ceeded to Will county, Illinois, and embarked in the nursery business, which he followed until April 1, 1849. The reported fabulous discoveries of gold in California prompted him to make the then dangerous and tedious trip to the Pacific across the plains. Arriving at the Platte river he constructed from cotton wood a number of boats and engaged in ferrying for four weeks. There was a large travel over this route at the time, and Mr. Codding was kept busy day and night. During these four weeks he ferried five hundred emigrant wagons, including the noted train from Missouri led by Colonel Pope, consisting of fifty wagons and two hundred and fifty emigrants. From this point on he traveled with a pack-horse ria Salt Lake City, where he arrived on the 24th of July. As Mr. Codding had been raised in a Christian land and been taught from childhood up to regard the Sabbath according to the strict letter of the law, he thought it as much his duty to respect the Holy Writ upon the wild and trackless plains as when traveling in his native land. During the first week, he was with other traveling com- panions, but as soon as Sunday morning dawned he was deserted, as he always rested on the Sabbath day. The consequence was that he made most of the journey alone, his only companion being his faithful horse. However slow his progress seemed, he succeeded in reaelling Sacramento City far in advance of nearly all of those with whom he traveled while making the journey. He arrived in Sacramento City September 21, 1849, where he remained one week. Sacramento at that time, though a trading post of considerable importance, was so new that the grass had hardly been trodden in its principal streets. There were no churches, and the name of God was only heard in

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profanity ; gorgeous saloons were opened to allure the unwary, and spirituous liquors flowed like water. Here Mr. Codding resolved anew to adhere to. the pledge taken in his youth which yet he had never broken: to abstain from the use of intoxicating drink. To this resolve he attributes the fact that, although not of a strong constitution, he has outlived many of his friends and acquaintances, who have fallen through the too frequent use of intoxicating liquors. After a week's stay in Sacramento, Mr. Codding, in company with others, proceeded to Napa City for the purpose of establishing a shingle factory, but after giving the matter a thorough canvass they con- cluded that the scheme was impracticable and abandoned the idea. Late in 1849 we find Mr. Codding at Redding, Shasta county, prospecting in mining. Here he was taken ill and was obliged to abandon his pursuit for the glittering metal and in company with Mr. Bowles of Galena, Illinois, found their way to Sonoma city. In the Fall of 1854 he settled in Petaluma. valley and engaged in the nursery business until 1860, when he became a. resident of Petaluma. Here he opened the news and exchange business. In 1868, Mr. Codding was led to the investigation of the then prevalent system of life insurance, his investigations being stimulated at that time by the loss. in one of these companies of seven hundred dollars. In studying the work- ings of these institutions, he became convinced that too many of them were merely concocted schemes to mislead the unwary, and to fleece the pockets of the unsuspecting for the benefits of the companies and their agents; and' that too often these companies became mere confidence men, under the guise of life insurance. These convictions led his practical mind to devise some. system that should carry with it the benefits desired from life insurance and avoid the expense and uncertainty attending the latter. After comparing the different systems of co-operative associations, he perfected the plan and organized the Sonoma and Marin Mutual Beneficial Association in 1868, and in 1870 organized the Mutual Relief Association of Petaluma, of which institution he has been the continuous secretary and business manager. The histories of these associations will appear in their proper place in this volume. These associations, with others that soon followed, were so vigor- ously attacked by those interested in life insurance companies, that adverse laws were attempted to be enacted through the powerful influence of the wealth of these incorporations. This aroused Mr. Codding again to the necessity of protecting these societies that he had laboured so arduously to build up, and accordingly, in 1873, he was instrumental in getting an act passed by the California Legislature especially for the protection of these associations As a consequence, while the gigantic life insurance corporations have continually tumbled and gone by the board, the system of co-operative protective societies has become the only protection now much sought after by those depending upon life insurance. On the 28th of June, 1865, Mr. Codding was married to Miss Millie M. Colby, who was a native of Vermont.

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By this union he has had seven children: George C. Codding, born March 21, 1866; Charles R., born September 12, 1867; Emily M., born October 21, 1871; Anna L., born March 19, 1874; Ella S., born August 4, 1875; William T., born November 14, 1876; Thomas M., born August 18, 1878.

Congdon, Joseph W. Son of Benjamin R. and Mary S. Congdon born in Pomfret, Connecticut, in 1834. Attended public school at that place, then Union school at Lyons, New York, and finally the high school, at Provi- dence, Rhode Island. Graduated from Brown Universityin 1855. Spent a year in Louisiana in 1857-8; then studied law in the office of Hoppin & Bartlett; wasadmitted to the bar in Rhode Island, December 31, 1860. After practicing a year in Providence established an office in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and resided there till July, 1879. In 1878 was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Came to Petaluma, this county, July, 1879. Was married to Mary E., daughter of Henry S. Bartlett, late of Providence, Rhode Island, but formerly of Lyndon, Vermont, July 10, 1872. Has two children, George C. C., born July 10, 1873, and Francis H. W., born January 1, 1875.

Denman, Ezekiel. Was born in Sullivan county, New York, Decem- ber 2, 1827, where he received his education and resided until the Summer of 1851. In September of that year he sailed in the steamer " Georgia," to Panama, and thence in the "Oregon," to San Francisco, where he arrived in the month of October, and at once proceeded to the mines at Buckeye gulch, near Mokelumne Hill, and there remained until February, 1852. After going to Iowa valley, Amador county, in April, he returned to San Francisco, and engaged in the milk business, which he fol- lowed until June, 1852, at which time he came to Petaluma, and obtained employment with Kent, Smith & Coe. With this firm he remained until September, when he purchased a half-section of land in Two Rock valley, and there constructed a house with lumber from the redwoods, cut by him- self. Remained on his ranch, farming and stock-raising, until 1869, when, in November of that year, he moved to Petaluma, where he has since resided. Mr. Denman is Vice-President of the Bank of Sonoma, in which he is a considerable shareholder; he is also one of the largest farmers in the county. In June, 1855, he visited his Eastern home, and there married, October 3, 1855, Nancy L. Hardenburg, of Sullivan county, New York, who died January 9, 1870, by whom he has Frank H., Nellie L., Ida B., Carrie E., John R., and Kate C. Married secondly Miss Isabella St. John, on October, 15, 1877, but has no issue.

Doyle, Manville. The subject of this sketch was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, January 19, 1831. When an infant, with his parents, moved to Rushville, Schuyler county, in that State, where he was raised and educated. On March 10, 1850, he started for this State, in company with William Ewing, Zach Spriggs, Robert Smith, and Isaac Snowden, with

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ox-teams, to cross the plains; when about half-way across, becoming tired of the slow progress he was making with oxen, and having a saddle-horse he purchased a mule, and packed his traps and started, taking the route known as the Sublette cut off, traveling most of the way alone, arriving in Sacra- mento city on the Sth day of August of that year. He at once went to Feather river, where he was interested in different mining operations in Butte and Plumas counties, until November, 1852, when he returned to his native State via Nicaragua and New York, remaining at home most of the Winter, purchasing a drove of horses and cattle, bringing them across the plains; he also brought nine young men, to assist him with his stock, namely, Edward R. Wright, William Hiatt, Enos Hiatt, George B. Rodgers, Elisha Moore, L. N. Breed, Andrew Lee, Henry Gammon, and John Huff, coming by the way of Salt Lake and Truckce route, arriving in Butte county about the Ist of September, 1853, stopping on Feather river, pasturing his stock until January, 1854, when he brought them to this county, and remaining on the ranch of General M. G. Vallejo, near Petaluma, until the Fall of that year, residing in the old adobe; he then removed his stock to Clear Lake, Lake county, settling in the valley now known as Bachelor valley, being one of the four bachelors that the valley was named for. On December 14, 1855, Mr. Doyle came to Petaluma, and formed a partner- ship with C. I. Robinson, in the livery business; at that time their livery stable joined the American Hotel. In July, 1856, he purchased Mr. Robin- son's interest in the property and business. In 1861 he made a trip to Washoe, in company with Charles Hunt, Thomas Jacobs, and Solas P. Derby, going by the way of Placerville, and visiting all the principal mines, return- ing by the Hennes pass route; in 1863 he made a second trip to Washoe, investing some in the mines, but failing to receive any returns therefrom he became dissatisfied and returned to his home in Petaluma, continuing the livery business until the Summer of 1864, when, on account of ill-health, he sold out and went to Nicaragua, where he spent the Winter, traveling through all the principal e.ties and towns of that State. The following Spring he returned to this city. In January, 1869, he, with John Funk and others, went to Los Angeles, by steamer "Senator," thence to Kern county, by way of Fort Tajon, for the purpose of prospecting a silver mine that was supposed to be very rich; after spending considerable time and money they abandoned the mine. In June, 1870, he made a visit to friends in the State of Illinois, extending his travels through several of the southern and western States, returning in the Fall of that year. In the Spring of 1871, he, in company with Judge A. P. Overton, purchased a tract of land known as the Brush place, in Cloverdale, this county, where he moved in May of that year; here he resided until May, 1874, thence took up his residence in Santa Rosa. The following year he was elected one of the Directors of the Santa Rosa. Savings Bank, which position he still holds. He returned to Petaluma.

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March 1, 1876, where he still resides. He was elected one of the city council- men in April 1877, for the term of two years; in 1878 he was chosen Chair- man of the Board, serving his constituents in a way that gave general satis- faction financially and otherwise. Married Miss Mary E. Conley, May 22, 1859, she being born May 22, 1843. The following are the names of their children : William Edward, born December 6, 1860, and died January 1, 1861; Frank Pierce, born May, 30, 1863; Carrie E., born October 5, 1864, died May 25, 1873; Nellie J., i orn June 3, 1867; James Edwin, born April 9, 1870, and died May 30, 1873, Emma Loui-e, born March 11, 1872, and died February 28, 1876;Mary Alice, born February 17, 1873, and died May 9, 1873; Albert Manville, born February 17, 1873, died May 11, 1873; Charles Andrew, born December 9, 1874, died May 30, 1875; Fred Ross, born July 9,1877.

Falkner, M. H. Born in Savannah, Andrew county, Missouri, May 6, 1845. When seven years of age his parents moved to St. Joseph, Missouri. Here he attended school, and resided until 1854 when they moved to Atchison, Kansas, where his parents erected the first lodging house ever built in that now thriving city. Late in 1855 they returned to St. Joseph, Missouri. In October 1856 they proceeded to Dallas, Texas, and in 1858 they emigrated to California; came direct to this county, and settled in Petaluma, where he has since resided. In 1872 was chosen Secretary of Sonoma and Marin Mutual Beneficial Association, which he still holds. Mar- ried Amelia A. Donnelly, on October 26, 1866.

Fairbanks, Hiram Talbert. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born on December 29, 1827, in Manchester, Dearborn county, Indiana. His father being a farmer, he was educated in the English branches usually taught in the country schools of that day. In 1846, then but nineteen years old, he emigrated to Iowa, settling in Augusta, Des Moines county, where he made his home with the Honorable Levi Moffet. In 1847 he enlisted in the United States army, and served in the Mexican war. Returned to Indiana in 1849, and the following year crossed the plains to California, where he followed mining, in company with his brothers, at what was then known as Mormon island, on the south fork of the American river, about twenty-five miles from Sacramento. Meeting with good success in his mining operations, he returned to Indiana, via Panama, in 1851, and the same year went to Iowa, where he followed merchandising, and there married Miss Lucinda, daughter of the Honorable Levi Moffet, on July 14, 1852. In connection with his mercantile pursuits, he was also engaged in milling, both of which he followed till 1859, when he again crossed the plains to this State, bringing his wife and four children. They arrived in Petaluma during the Fall of that year, where Mr. Fairbanks followed farming, in connection with the lumber trade, until the Fall of 1861, when he abandoned the agricultural business, from the fact that this

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pursuit was not his forte. He next established himself as one of Petaluma's merchants in 1862, successfully maintaining this branch of the trade, together with a commission house in San Francisco, but retired from the mercantile trade in Petaluma in 1869, and with his family went East on a visit, and returned to Petaluma in the Fall of that year. During 1870 hc also retired from the commission business in San Francisco, and in the Winter of 1870-1 he again embarked in the mercantile trade, in company with Honorable A. P. Whitney, of Petaluma. Mr. Fairbanks was one of the founders of the Petaluma Savings Bank, which was organized in 1870, and since that time has been its manager and President, which position he has continuously held to the present writing, and he is also President of the city Board of Trustees of Petaluma, having been elected and served three terms in the last eight years. Mr. Fairbanks has achieved his business success by always being prompt in his engagements, and this quality, coupled with excellent judgment and a thorough master of his business, has given him his present position. Belle, Dolpher B. (now cashier of the Petaluma Savings Bank), Augustus (now residing in Oregon), Frank, Nettie, Hattie, Lizzie, William, Zoe and Dacic, are the names of his children.

Fine, Joff. A native of La Fayette county, Missouri; born December 6, 1829. When only two years of age his parents moved to Johnson county, Missouri, where he received his education, and resided until May 7, 1849, when he emigrated across the plains with ox teams to California. He arrived at Moon's Ferry, on the Sacramento river, on November 19th. He imme- diately engaged in mining at Long's Bar, on the Feather river, where he toiled one year. In October, 1850, he came to this county, and engaged in farming in Analy township two years, and on October, 1852, returned to his native State. In 1857 recrossed the plains to California, and this time located in Marin county, and engaged in dairying, stock-raising and trad- ing for seven years. In 1863 he moved to Washoe, Nevada ; remained two years; and in 1865 returned to Marin county, and continued his former occupation. In 1868 he again visited Missouri, and during his stay there of three years was engaged in the cattle trade between St. Louis and Texas. In 1871 he returned to the Pacific slope, locating in San Luis Obispo county, California. In 1873 he became a resident of this county, locating in Peta- luma, where he has since resided, dealing in live stock as a business. Mr. Fine married Miss Mariah Bradley on October 19, 1854. She is a native of Kentucky, born November 9, 1832. Lucy S., born March 4, 1856, and died October 9, 1857, was their only child.

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History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams, Part 64

Author: Alley, Bowen & Co. 4n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: San Francisco : Alley, Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1008

Author: Alley, Bowen & Co. 4n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: San Francisco : Alley, Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1008