USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 65
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Freeman, John M. Born in Middlesex county, Connecticut, November 20, 1823. His father died when he was six years of age. When nine years old he left his parents, and went to live with William Leffinwell, after which he moved to Columbia county, New York. He continued to live with his foster parents, moving to Cattaraugus county, New York, till fifteen
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years old, and then went with them to Pike county, Illinois; and then to Lee county, Iowa; remaining there to the Spring of 1848, when they started for California, across the plains, but reached Salt Lake so late in the Fall that they remained there during the Winter, arriving in Sacramento, the follow- ing June, 1849. He remained in Sacramento about three months engaged in contracting and building. He then tried mining on the north fork of the American river for a few months, and then engaged in the hotel and lum- bering business in Greenwood, El Dorado county, till 1851 ; from there he came to Sonoma county, and purchased a ranch of two hundred and thirty- seven acres, about five miles north-west of Petaluma, on which he has since resided. Mr. Freeman was married November 15, 1853, to Miss Eliza Harvy, a native of Vermont. After thirteen years of wedded life she died, leaving five children: Merrick L., Marrele E., Warren I., Laura L., Charles J. Mr. Freeman married again December 1, 1870, Mrs. E. J. Chasdaller, a native of Massachusetts. She had by her first husband four children: Charles H., William E. (deceased), Ida E. V., Algia B.
Fritsch, John. This old settler, who is now a resident of Petaluma and whose portrait can be found in this history, was born in France March 28, 1829. When only three years old his parents brought him to the United States and settled in Warren county, Pennsylvania, where they resided till 1842, then moved to Chicago, Illinois. During Mr. Fritsch's eleven years residence in Pennsylvania, he received his primary education in the common schools, and completed his studies in the Queen City of the West. In the year 1847, he became apprenticed to the trade of carriage making, which he served for two years, and afterward continued as a journeyman workman until 1851, when, being twenty-two years old, he determined to make for himself a home on the Pacific slope and he left Chicago during the Winter of that year, sailed from New York by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, and arrived in San Francisco on the 15th of January, 1852. He at once proceeded to Calaveras county and was engaged in mining until the 28th of July of that year when he came to Petaluma, Sonoma county, and engaged in the wagon-making business in partnership with William Zart- man; six months thereafter James Reid was admitted into the firm which was conducted under the style of Fritsch & Reid until September, 1857, Mr. Zartman having retired from the business in 1854. In 1857, Mr. Zartman and N. O. Stafford were then admitted into the partnership. In the month of September of this year, Mr. Reid started for New York on board the steamer "Central America" for the purpose of purchasing machinery for a steam wagon manufactory, but the steamer was unfortunately wrecked and Mr. Reid drowned. With his death, the project was abandoned and the firm dissolved. In 1858, in company with William Zartman and N. O. Stafford, the firm of Fritsch, Zartman & Co., wagon-makers, was organized and continued in exist- ence until 1862. In this year, in company with William Zartman, N. O. Staf-
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ford, C. Tustin and J. Church, Mr. Fritsch proceeded to the Washoe mines and there constructed the Petaluma Quartz Mill, remaining there until 1864, when the building was sold and the party returned to Petaluma. In the year 1868, we find Mr. Fritsch in company with N. O. Stafford establishing once more a wagon- making business, which they continued until 1872. In the following year (1873) he engaged in the grocery trade with W. E. Cox, the firm being Cox and Fritsch, which is still in existence. On March 20, 1876, the City Trustees of Healdsburg granted the petition of F. T. May- nard and John Fritsch to establish water works and lay pipes in that city. The plan was carried out and the work completed during that year by these gentlemen. That Mr. Fritsch has been actively identitied with the business interests, not only of Petaluma, but in other places in the county, cannot be better illustrated than by saying that at the present writing he is an equal partner in no less than seven different enterprises. He married Miss Soloma Rapp on September 1, 1853. She was born in France May 28, 1834. By this union they have: John R., born May 26, 1834; Katie A .- now Mrs. A. F. Perry, born July 2, 1856; Walter S., born November 2, 1858; Nellie L. born January 22, 1862; Ella, born April 9, 1870.
Fritsch, John R. Born in Petaluma, Sonoma county, California, on May 26, 1854. As soon as he was old enough to attend the common schools of his native town he did so, and acquired those rudiments that ripened in after life to a good practical knowledge of the business affairs of life. In 1874, he entered the Pacific Business College at San Francisco, where he finished his education, graduating May 9, 1875. On April 1, 1879, he embarked in the dry goods business, under the firm name of " McClymonds & Fritsch."
Gale D. A native of Franklin county, Ohio, was born June 8, 1830. When seven years of age his parents moved to Scotland county, Missouri; here the subject of this memoir received his education, and resided on a farm until 1853, when he (leaving his parents behind) crossed the plains to Cali- fornia, making the trip with ox-teams in the remarkably short time of three months. He arrived in Napa valley August 1, 1853. After spending a few days at the above mentioned place he came to this county, and settled on a farm about two and a half miles west from Petaluma; here he was engaged in dairying about five years; he then went to Texas, and engaged in stock raising until 1865. He then returned to Missouri, and remained one year. Returning to California and to this county in 1867, he bought and settled on his present place consisting of one hundred and forty-two acres, located about three miles north from Petaluma; here he has since remained being engaged in farming. Mr. Gale married March 11, 1852, Miss Cordelia Wilfley, a native of Illinois, and born January 29, 1834. By this union they have six living children; Sophia, Lucy A., Sarah A., Mary D., Milton, and Wallace. They have lost onc.
I. E Laurence
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Gaston, Hamilton. Was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, March 24, 1824, where he resided with his parents on their farm till the wonderful stories that he heard about this far-off land of gold induced him to say good- bye to home and friends. He left home the 15th of April, 1850, and on the 21st of September following, after a five months trip across the plains, arrived in Nevada City, California. He then went to the neighboring town of Grass Valley, where he remained about three months. During the next two years he tried his fortune at mining in various places, mainly on Feather river, Oregon gulch and Auburn. In February, 1853, he came to Sonoma county, and located three quarter sections of land about five miles south-west of Petaluma. Here he was soon joined by his two brothers, Hugh and Mar- tin, with whom he divided his land, making of it a home for all of them, and on it they still reside. Mr. Gaston did not forget " the girl he left behind him," but went back and was married to her August 25, 1858. Her name was Mary H. Wallace, born near his old home November 7, 1838. A few weeks after their marriage they started on their wedding tour to his home in California via Panama. They have four children: George W., born August 5, 1859; William H., born April 15, 1861; Elizabeth E., born July 3, 1866; Mary E., born September 25, 1873.
Gaston, Hugh. Whose portrait appears in this history, is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and was born on September 9, 1831. He was educated in the same county, and resided there until April, 1852, when he emigrated to California, crossing the plains with ox-teams. After prose- cuting mining for about eight months, he came to this county and settled on a farm, at this time comprising five hundred acres of choice land, located about five miles west of Petaluma, and here he has since resided, paying two visits to his native State, in 1863 and 1866, and remaining five and ten months with his brother Samuel. He married, August 13, 1868, Ellen Gaver, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, by whom he has three children: Mary B., Katie A. and Lulu J.
Gaston, Martin. Born in Columbiana county, Ohio, February 26, 1826. He was educated at Washington College, Washington county, Pennsylvania; emigrated to California across the plains with ox-teams in 1852, engaged in mining in Placer county until March, 1853, when he came to this county and settled on his present place, consisting of five hundred acres, located about four miles west from Petaluma. He also owns five hundred and thirty acres of stock range in Mendocino county. Mr. Gaston married, May 11, 1854, Miss Malinda Frost, a native of Iowa, born June 14, 1839, and died November 3, 1879. By this union he has two living children: John W., born May 16, 1859, and Dora E., born December 16, 1862.
Gerckens, J. H. L. Born in Holstein, Germany, on April 15, 1838. Came to America in 1861, and remained in New York city ten days, when
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he sailed on board the "Northern Light" for California. From Panama he took passage on the "Harazota," and arrived in San Francisco July 4, 1861. After farming in Alameda county for a year and a half, he came to Sonoma county, and was engaged in cutting hoop-poles for eight months, when he returned to Alameda county and worked in the harvest field one season. He again repaired to this county, and labored in the copper mines for eight months at Cloverdale. He then went to the gold mines in Idaho, remaining one year. We next find Mr. Gerckens engaged in dairying in Marin county, and one year later was again a resident of Sonoma county, settling in Vallejo township, where he purchased a farm. Here he resided until February, 1877, when he leased his farm, came to Petaluma and became an equal partner in the management of the Union Hotel.
Gibbs, Henry. Was born in Saratoga county, New York, November 16, 1814. When he was but a mere child his parents moved to Jefferson county, New York, where the subject of this sketch was educated and labored upon the farm. In 1844 he emigrated to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and followed carpentering as a business for six years. In 1850 he emigrated to California, crossing the plains in company with several others. While on the Humboldt their horses became exhausted, and they were therefore obliged to divide their teams, strip the harness from their backs, and leave the wagons. Mr. Gibbs walked most of the way from there to California. After remaining in Placerville about three months, he then went to Oregon and spent the Winter, and in the Spring of 1851 went to the Yreka mines in this State, and then returned and spent the Summer, after which he went to Shasta county and mined one year, and in the Fall of '52 returned to Wisconsin, making the trip by water, arriving in Jefferson county, where he had left his family on December 9th. Here he spent the Winter, and in the following March he and his family, consisting of wife and four children, crossed the plains with ox and horse teams, and arrived in Shasta county October 8, 1853, where they remained only a few days, when they proceeded to Trinity county, where he engaged in the hotel business and also had charge of the ferry across the Trinity river for about three years. In the Fall of '56 they came to this county and settled on their present place, located in Two Rock valley, about eight miles west of Petaluma. Mr. Gibbs married, December 20, 1840, Miss Mary Allison, who was born in Jefferson county, New York, June -, 1820. By this union they have seven children : Amelia A., Orcelia J., Edward, Mary C., Elbert C., Frederick H. and Carrie E.
Gregory, Henry. A native of England, born March 21, 1835. He emigrated with his father (his mother being dead) to America, and located in Michigan in the fall of 1849, with his brother John, who had emigrated some time previous. His father, however, took up his residence in Canada. The subject of this sketch spent the most of his time from his arrival in
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Michigan up to 1855, in steam boating. In '55 he and his father emigrated to California via Nicaragua, and arrived at San Francisco on November 30. He immediately proceeded to "Show Flat," and followed mining about five years ; thence to San Francisco, and followed water business one year, and in the fall of 1860 he became a resident of this county, locating on his present estate, comprising two hundred and sixty aeres of land located in Vallejo township, six miles from Petaluma. Since August, 1879, has resided in the city of Petaluma, having leased his farm. Mr. Gregory married June 14, 1863, Miss Annie E. Wilson, a native of New York City, born November 12, 1834. By this union they have three children living; Martha M., Nettie F., and Lulu A. Have lost one.
Hale, E. W. Born in South Haven, Michigan, April 16, 1856. When seventeen years of age, he came to California, locating at San Jose, where he was employed by W. B. Shively as clerk for six months, at the expiration of which time he entered into partnership with his brother, O. A. Hale, in the same business. One year later he proceeded to Prescott, Arizona, and after sojourning six months, returned to San Jose. In 1878, he and brother established a branch house in Salinas, Monterey county, and on March 1, 1879, came to Petaluma and opened up their present business. Their main store is at San Jose.
Hale, P. C. The subject of this sketch was born in South Haven, Van Buren county, Michigan, on December 12, 1858. In 1860, he with his parents moved to Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo county, in that State, where he resided until 1873, when the family emigrated to California and settled in San Jose, where he attended school till eighteen years old, at which age he was book-keeper in his father's store at that place. He filled that office till March, 1879, when he in company with his brother, E. W., began business in their present store. The Hale brothers are proprietors of the following dry goods establishments: one in South Haven, Michigan; one in San Jose, one in Salinas, and one in Petaluma.
Harler, Bloomfield. Was born in Herkimer county, New York, on May 12, 1834. He resided in his native county till 1852, when on December 6th of that year, he emigrated via Panama to California, first settling in Sonora, Tuolumne county, and from thence, in 1864, to Petaluma, and at once engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, which business he is following at the present writing. He married Miss Mary I. Smith on July 4, 1861. Leonora B., their only child, died at the age of eleven years and ten months.
Harris, John W. A native of Piscataquis county, Maine, born Decem- ber 23, 1835. When he arrived at the age of nine years, his parents moved to Bangor, where the subject of this sketch received his education and learned the tinner's trade, after which he followed the sea for two years. In 1853,
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he sailed for California on board the "Star of the West" to Nicaragua, and from there on the "Sierra Nevada," arriving in San Francisco in March. Fol- lowed his trade here until carly in 1854, at which date he left for the mines in Calaveras county, where he worked until 1856, when he repaired to San Francisco and prosecuted his trade until 1857, at which time he became a resident of this county, and settled in Petaluma, where he opened up his present business. Mr. Harris has held the office of First Lieutenant of Petaluma Guards, and for sometime ranked as Captain of the company. Married May 1, 1861, Miss Harriet A. Smith, a native of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania. William S., born January 27, 1862; George Wesley, born May 19, 1834; Clarence Edgar, born March 5, 1871; Charles Henry, born May 5, 1874, are the names and births of their children.
Harris, Richard Born in county of Kildare, Ireland, in 1815. In 1840 he went to Dublin, where he was engaged in manufacturing indigo and starch. In 1849 he emigrated to America. Upon his arrival at New York city he found the cholera raging at a fearful rate, carrying death and destruction on every hand ; and as matter of course his stay was short. We next find him at Galena, Illinois. In the Spring of 1850 started across the plains for California. After a journey of six months, attended with much suffering and hardship, he reached the place of destination. He mined in the vicinity of Placerville, and in Sierra county until 1857, when he came to Sonoma county and settled upon his present farm. He owns about seven hundred acres of land under good improvements. Married Catherine Keller February 1, 1863. She was born in county Cork, Ireland. Are members of the Catholic church. Catherine, born June 23, 1866, and Richard, born January 22, 1868, are the names and births of their children.
Hasbrouck, H. B. Whose portrait appears in this work, is a native of Sullivan county, New York, and was born on February 4, 1829. Here he received his education and resided until 1855, when he emigrated, via Panama, to California, arriving at San Francisco on the 29th of November of the above mentioned year. Mr. Hasbrouck proceeded at once to Placer county, where he prosecuted mining for two years. In 1857 he came to this county and settled on the farm which he now lives on, located in Two Rock valley, about eight miles from Petaluma. In July, 1857, Mr. Hasbrouck went to Fraser river, returning the following November. Not meeting with very flattering success as a miner, he remained on his farm until the Fall of 1865, when he moved into Petaluma, where he resided until the Fall of 1874, when he again returned to his farm, where he has since resided. Mr. Hasbrouck is an upright, honest man, and highly respected by all who know him. He married, August 14, 1865, Miss Acelia Hill, a native of Sullivan county, New York, and born September 8, 1837. She died January 25, 1874, leaving one child, Sherman A., born October 11, 1867.
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Haskell, William B. A native of New York City, born October 10, 1842. In 1847 his parents moved to Boston, where the subject of this sketch received his primary education. He was then sent, in 1856, to Urbanna University, and there attended two years. Came to California, via Isthmus, arriving in San Francisco September, 1858, and immediately came to this county and settled in Petaluma. In 1861 he attended the Benicia Institute at Benicia, Solano county, from which he graduated in 1863, when he returned to Petaluma. His appetite for knowledge not yet satiated, he returned in 1864, entered the Benicia Law School, and was admitted to the Supreme Court in January, 1866, when he began practicing in Petaluma in the office of F. D. Colton. In 1867 he abandoned the profession and embarked in merchandising in this city, which business he followed until 1874, when we find him located at Winnemucca, Nevada, practicing his profession. In 1876 he returned to Petaluma, and was engaged as Cashier in the Petaluma Savings Bank, which position he held until January 1, 1878, since which time he has practiced law in Petaluma. Mr. Haskell married, September 5, 1867, Katie V., daughter of Alfred Kelley, of Petaluma, by which union there is one child living, a daughter, Evna.
Haskins, Thomas J. Was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, May 2, 1842, where, at the public schools and a private academy, he received his education and resided till 1862, when he came to California via Panama, arriving in San Francisco November 26th of that year. He at once came to Petaluma, where he found employment in the American Hotel and Postoffice for one year. The second year was clerk in F. D. Colton's law office; next was engaged in the news business, which he continued two years, and during the two years he was in partnership with C. W. Symonds, in the grocery business. October 25, 1866, he disposed of his interests in Petaluma and returned to his Eastern home via Nicaragua, where he began the merchandising business, which he continued till 1869, and while there he was married to Edna A. Ransom, April 5, 1867, she being a native of that county, born August 11, 1844, and died October 9, 1868. In 1869 he returned to Petaluma, overland; soon after purchased an interest in A. B. Case's crockery, book and stationery store, and since April 15, 1874, he has been alone in the business, where he is now enjoying a fine trade. Mr. Haskins married for his second wife Elizabeth E. Sterling, July 23, 1872, she being a native of California, born November 19, 1852, in Colusa county, by whom there are Edna E., born February 13, 1874, Elmond S., born April 25, 1877.
Hatch, Chester P. A native of New London county, Connecticut, born June 3, 1814. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to the trade of millwright, at Windon, after which he learned the trade of machinist. In February, 1853, he left New York City, on board the " Uncle Sam," for California. At Panama he took passage on the "Sierra Nevada " for San
X
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Francisco, arriving in March, 1853. He immediately proceeded to the Sonora mines, where he mined for a period of seven months, when he returned to San Francisco and engaged in the manufacturing of sash, doors and blinds, until March, 1855, when he came to Petaluma and carried on the same business. In 1858 he took a trip East, sojourned one year, when he came back to this city, and in 1859 formed a partnership with Charles Cobb, and started a foundry and machine shop, and conducted it as partners until 1871. Mr. Hatch then purchased his partner's interest, and has since con- ducted the enterprise on his own account. He married, in 1862, Lucretia A. A. Newton.
Hill, William. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this history, was born in Cortland county, New York, on September 8, 1829. In this county was he educated at the common schools, and where he resided till 1847, when he determined to make for himself a home in the West and emigrated to Racine county, Wisconsin. At the time of Mr. Hill's settlement near the shore of Lake Michigan, he was but eighteen years old and not finding such employment as would have suited his taste, he took whatever offered itself, which was the cooper buisiness, learning the trade and working at it whenever there was work to do, and during the intervals was employed in the lumber woods with which a portion of Wisconsin abounds. During Mr. Hill's residence in this locality, he got together a sufficient amount of capital with which he bought teams and a complete outfit, and in the Spring of 1853, crossed the plains, coming via Salt Lake City, and arrived at Hang- town, California, on August 22d of that year. Like many others who were Pioneer Californians, Mr. Hill at once engaged in mining, prosecuting that business at Missouri Flat, but only remained till October, 1853, when he came to Sonoma county, settling on San Antonio creek, four miles south- west of Petaluma. Here he was engaged in farming and kindred pursuits for fourteen months, when he moved to Petaluma and followed merchandis- ing as well as buying and selling country produce till 1860, when he sold out this business, and, until 1866, was engaged in the sale of land, stock- raising and farming. In May of this, year the Bank of Sonoma County was established and Mr. Hill chosen as its President, which position he has since continuously held with honor to himself and profit to all concerned. Nearly east of Petaluma and in Vallejo township, Mr. Hill owns a large tract of land and superintends the cultivation of fifteen hundred acres. On this property is situated his handsome new residence. He married Miss Josephine P., daughter of James Pilkington. on August 12, 1862. She was born in Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois. Their children are: Alexander B., Raymond P., William and James V. It can be truthfully said of the subject of this sketch that he has always regarded toil as manly and ennobling, and after passing through an honorable yet checkered life, he is now enjoying the comforts of a happy home beside the wife of his youth, beloved by his
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children and friends, and respected by the citizens of the State in which he lives.
Holly, S. B. Was born in Chautauqua county, New York, June 15, 1831. Here he received his education and worked in a store until 1849, when he emigrated to California via Panama, arriving at San Francisco June 15, 1850. He proceeded at once to the Yuba river, where he followed mining about five months; thence to Sacramento, where he was engaged as agent for the Boston Ice company about one year, after which he worked in a store for one year. He then engaged in the water business for a short time; thence to Mariposa county, where he remained until 1859, being engaged part of the time in the newspaper business. At this date he went to Walker's river, where he followed mining for six months and then mined at Gold Hill one year. In 1860, he engaged in the auctioneering business, for six months. He then came to this county and bought a ranch about seven miles north from Petaluma ; here he remained until the Fall of 1862. He then moved to the old adobe house in Vallejo township, which was ereeted by General M. G. Vallejo. Here he resided one year, being engaged in the dairying business. He then went to Owen's river, where he located some claims, remaining until 1865; thence to Kern river, where he mined about one year; then engaged in the carpentering business on Tule river until 1869, when he returned to this county and settled at Stony Point, where he has since remained. He is now engaged in the general merchandising and manufacturing business under the firm name of Holly & Magoon. He mar- ried December 2, 1871, Mrs. Hannah Steelman; she died in September, 1878.
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