USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 66
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Howell, David. A native of Preble county, Ohio, born October 8, 1829. When he arrived at the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, and served three years, after which he labored as a jour- neyman until 1847. In April of this year he enlisted in company H. fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to serve in the Mexican war. He participated in all the engagements from Cerro Gordo to the city of Mexico, and received his honorable discharge in August, 1848. Returning to his native county, he worked at his trade three years, thence to Dayton, Ohio. In 1854 we find him in Indianapolis, where he maintained a residence until 1860. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was mustered out after a service of three months. He then re-enlisted in forty-six Indiana Volunteer Infantry company F., and on October 4, 1861, he was appointed Captain of the company by O. P. Morton, the Governor of the State. After an active service of three years he was dis- charged with honors, September, 1864. He immediately enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry for one year's service, holding the office of Captain, and received his honorable discharge on July 14, 1865. He then retired into private life in Indiana, and followed his trade
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until 1874, when he emigrated to California, remained one year in San Francisco, thence to Salem, Oregon, where he was employed on the State Capitol, the stairs of which were built by him. In 1876 we find him in Portland city, working at his trade, and in March, 1879, he became a resident of Petaluma city, where he is engaged in business, which is mentioned among the city industries in this work. Married Miss Mary Barr, April, 1850. She is a native of Preble county, Ohio. Died January 16, 1856. William Edgar and Florence A. are the only children by this union. Married his present wife, Emma C. Gaylord, April, 1859. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts. By this union they have two children, George and Fannie.
Hynes, James. Born in County Galway, Ireland, November 2, 1835. Emigrated to America in 1851. Some time after his arrival he enlisted in the regular army, and was called to Texas. Received his honorable discharge in 1856, and emigrated to California. After residing in San Francisco until 1857, he proceeded to Fraser river and engaged in mining until the Fall of 1858, when he left and crossed the country to Oregon, and on October 25, 1858, joined the United States army, remaining in the service five years, being discharged with honors on October 25, 1863. He then came to this county and settled on his present estate, comprising one hundred and seventy- eight acres of land. Mr. Hynes has been Road Master for five years. In 1879 he was elected Assemblyman on the Democratic ticket. He is also a member of the State militia, receiving his commission as captain on August 5, 1871, and likewise a commission from Newton Booth as First Lieutenant of the National Home Guards of California on February 23, 1874. Mr. Hynes married, June 3, 1875, Miss Alena R. Parker. She was born February 14, 1856. Walrick F., born September 29, 1877, and Laura A., born in 1878, are the names and births of their children.
Jacobi, John. The subject of this sketch was born in Warsaw, Poland, on April 16, 1846. He left his native country in June, 1854, coming to the United States, landing in New York City, where he remained six months, and then settled in Plainfield, Connecticut, where he worked for his board and attended school for a period of two years. At the expiration of this time he moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, and was employed in the United States armory. He went from there to Hartford, Connecticut, in 1867, where he procured a situation in the adjusting department of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. While a resident of this place he took out naturalization papers. He left Hartford in 1873 for California, and arrived in San Francisco in May of that year. He engaged to work for Samuel Hill as agent to sell the Florence sewing machine, establishing himself at Petaluma. This business he followed till 1878, when he became proprietor of the marble works, which he has since continued with marked success. He married on April 5, 1875, Miss Jennie Lodge, who was born November 16, 1853.
William Boards
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Lamoreaux, G. W. Born in Wayne county, New York, May 17, 1828. In 1859 he emigrated, via Panama, to California, arriving in San Francisco July 7, 1859, and immediately proceeded to this county and settled in Peta- luma. After a residence here of eighteen months he embarked in the grocery business, which he has continued ever since, with the exception of 1874-5. He married Margaret Holbrook French November 25, 1858. She was born in New Hampshire March 25, 1833. By this union they have had five children, all deceased.
Lawrence, Henry E. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, is the eldest son of James and Elizabeth Damewood Lawrence, of Tennessee. He was born in Robinson county, Tennessee, Jan- uary 17, 1828. In 1833 he accompanied his parents to Jackson county, Missouri, moving with them in 1837 to Cass county in that State, where he attended school and resided until 1849. In the Spring of that year he crossed the plains, and on arrival in California passed that Winter at Shasta City, where he engaged in mining, from here he proceeded to Trinity and Salmon rivers, continuing mining till the Fall of 1850. when he came to Sonoma county, and for one year made his home with James Hudspeth, of Analy township. In the Fall of 1851 he entered into partnership with Mark York, in farming, near Stony Point. In that same season Lawrence, leaving York behind, returned, via Nicaragua, to Missouri, and there pur- chasing a drove of cattle, drove them back across the plains, in company with Isaac Smith and Levi Schlosser, in 1852. His partnership with York continued until 1855, when it was dissolved. [Mark York died in Ukiah in October, 1879.] In 1856 Mr. Lawrence again returned East, ria Panama, and once more, in 1857, crossed the plains with stock, there being with him W. P. Hinshaw. In the Fall of that year he moved to Tomales township, Marin county, and commenced stock-raising in that section; he continued this until 1876, when he leased his farm and came to Petaluma. He is proprietor of one thousand four hundred and twenty acres of the Blucher grant; is one of the stockholders of the Tomales Bank of Marin county, has been one of its directors since 1876, and still holds that position. In 1859, having visited Missouri, he married Keziah, daughter of Jonathan and Malindia Hicklin, (her mother's maiden name being Malindia Young,) on January 12, 1860, by whom he has Linnie B., Josiah W., Myrtle Lee.
Lippitt, Edward Spalding. The subject of this memoir was born in the town of Woodstock, Windham county, State of Connecticut, September 17, 1824. His father was of the stock of the Lippitts of Rhode Island, who were among the earliest settlers of the Providence plantations. His mother, nee Lo's Spalding, was the daughter of a substantial farmer of Thompson, Connecticut, and on each side the family was of English extraction. While a child, his parents removed to the town of Killingly, Connecticut, where
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they resided upon a farm until 1832, when they removed to Thompson, Con- necticut, where they also resided upon a farm. Edward was the third son and fifth child in a family of nine children. His early education was limited to the four months schooling each Winter usually given in the country of New England to all the children. His reading was confined chiefly to the theological books of his father, who was also a Methodist local preacher, consisting of Clarke's Commentaries, Watson's Theological Institutes, Wesley's Serions, Dr. Clarke's Life and the Christian Advocate, the organ of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the old Hartford Times. At the age of sixteen he attended the Academy at Thompson for part of one year and one Winter. During an illness of that year he bought a Latin grammar and reader and commenced the study of Latin by himself. In the Fall of 1842, he entered East Greenwich Academy, Rhode Island, where he spent one term in study, and taught a district school four miles south of East Green- wich in the Winter of 1842-3 for four months, for the sum of thirteen dollars a month and boarded around, still keeping up with his studies at the academy and reading the most of the Greek reader that Winter. The Spring and Summer of 1843 he spent chiefly in working at the carpenter's trade. In the Fall of that year he entered the Freshman class in Wesleyan Uni- versity at Middletown, Connecticut. His father being in moderate circum- stances, was unable to assist him to any great extent, and he was forced to rely upon his own exertions to meet the expenses of his University life. In this he was greatly assisted by his elder brother. During the first Winter vacation he taught school four months. Thereafter his whole time was devoted and demanded to master the rigorous course of study adopted by the University. To meet his expenses he worked at jobbing in cabinet- making, built the fires and rung the bell for the University. By thus severely taxing all his powers of body and mind, he was enabled to graduate with honor in 1847, in the full classical course of the University. In his class were Senator Cole, of California, Professor Martin, of the University of the Pacific, Orange Judd, of New York, Bishop Andrews, of the Methodist Episcopal church, Alexander Wendell, the naturalist and author, Drs. King and Pillsbury, of the New York Conference, and others of distinguished merit. In April, 1847, he was elected Principal of the Collegiate Institute and Gymnasium at Pembroke, New Hampshire, and left college three months before commencement to enter upon his new duties, returning to graduate with his class in July, when he was elected President of his class and pre- sided at the class meetings and exercises of commencement. During the year 1847-8, while teaching, he commenced the study of law, spending his vacations at Harvard Law School. In the Fall of 1848, he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was elected Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science in the Wesleyan Female College in that city, where he continued until 1852, when he founded the Scientific and Classical Insti-
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tute of that city for the instruction of young men. In 1855, he retired from school-teaching and entered upon the practice of the law for which he had been preparing himself by assiduous labors for all the years he had been engaged in teaching and was admitted to the Bar of the State of Ohio in that year. During the years 1856-7, he was a member of the School Board of the city of Cincinnati and chairman of committee on text books. During the next four years he was associated with W. B. Probasco in the law busi- ness. In 1859, he was elected City Solicitor with R. B. Hayes (now Presi- dent Hayes), which office he held until the breaking out of the war in 1861. After his entry upon the practice of the law, he entered also earnestly into politics, making the canvass of Hamilton county several times, and in 1860 canvassing the southern part of Ohio for Abraham Lincoln, and was then accounted one of the most effective speakers among the young men of Ohio. In 1856, he was a delegate from Cincinnati, First Congressional District, to the National Convention at Philadelphia, which nominated Filmore for President, and took an active part in the campaign of that year. In the Spring of 1862, he emigrated to California, making the trip overland, and was elected Professor of Mathematics at the University of the Pacific at Santa Clara, remaining there only one year. In July, 1863, he came to Petaluma to take charge of the public schools of the city, which he retained for four years, bringing them up to a high state of excellence. During that time he also, during the absence of Mr. Taylor, preached for the Congre- gational church for the year 1863-4, and under his charge that church edifice was enlarged. The next year he took .charge of the Methodist Epis- copal church and began the erection of the present structure, buying their present location and laying the solid foundation and building the first story of what was intended to be one of the finest churches in the State. In 1867, he built the fine buildings on D street, now occupied by the city High School, as a collegiate institute, but in the Spring of 1870 was obliged by his pecuniary losses to relinquish the enterprise, losing his whole investment therein. He then returned to his old profession, the practice of the law, which he has since pursued with unremitting care and attention. During the ten years that have intervened, he has built up a lucrative practice and taken rank among the best lawyer's of the district. During the war Mr. Lippitt took an active part for the Union cause, and by his endeavor and eloquence raised large sums of money for the sanitary and Christian com- missions. He is one of the most eloquent and popular speakers in the State, and is ever ready to respond in behalf of every good enterprise. He has been largely sought for to canvass the State in the interest of political parties, and since 1867 has four times made the canvass of a large portion of the State. During the issue upon the new Constitution his eloquent voice was heard in the largest hall in San Francisco, as well as in remote parts of the State, in behalf of the old Constitution. For six years he has been the Secretary of
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the Sonoma and Marin District Agricultural Society, and by his valuable aid many of the improvements of these years have been made, upon several occasions delivering the annual address. He is also a life trustee of the Public Library of Petaluma and chairman of the committee on books, etc. He is also and has been since its formation a Director of the Mutual Relief Association of Petaluma, and also is the City Attorney of the city of Peta- Inma, which office he has held for the last six years. On November 20, 1848, he was married to Miss Helen M. Young, of Lebanon, New Hampshire, who died June 27, 1849, in Cincinnati, of cholera. On July 3, 1851, he married Miss Sarah L. Lewis, of Monroe, Louisiana. They have had nine children, five of whom are living. Mr. Lippitt is still in the vigor of his manhood and bids fair to add many other years to his life of usefulness.
Lodge, John D. Was born in Yorkshire, England, on December 5, 1824. He emigrated to the United States in 1845, and settled in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1853, when, on December 5th, of that year, he sailed from New York on the "Northern Light," to Nicaragua, thence to San Francisco on the "Sierra Nevada," arriving on December 31, 1853. He immediately procceded to Placerville and com- menced mining at Iowa Hill, Placer county, continuing in this business for five years. In 1858 he came to Sonoma county, and settled on a farm near Petaluma, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for seven years, then moved to Petaluma, where he has since been in the loan and real estate business; and also, in 1878, began the sale of sewing machines, and is now handling several of the different kinds manufactured. While a resident of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, he married Miss Martha Noble, on June 11, 1852, who is a native of Yorkshire, England, and born June 17, 1835. Sarah J., born November 16, 1853; David E., born January 17, 1856, and Matilda A., born February 17, 1859, are the names and births of their children.
Lovejoy, Doctor A. P. Was born in Vassalborough, Kennebec county, Maine, in 1826, and although a dentist by profession, is more widely known as a telegraphist, being, so far as is known, the oldest telegrapher on the Pacific Coast. He received a high-school education, and at the age of twenty went to Boston, Massachusetts, to engage in telegraphy; there being no opening for him at that time he assisted in building the first telegraph line between that city and Portland, Maine, and on its completion, in October, 1857, was put in charge of the Portland office, having learned the art of sending and receiving messages as the line progressed; he made such pro- ficiency that early in the following year he was sent to New York as assistant operator on the old American line, between that eity and Boston; the office at that time being situated at No. 5 Hanover street, corner of Beaver; here he remained until the Spring of 1830, when he returned to the
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Boston office, and after working for a few months was offered th ' manage- ment of the Bangor, Maine, office, which he accepted and filled for one year; he was afterwards manager of the Syracuse, New York, and other offices, until 1853, when he left the business and entered upon the practice of den- tistry in Massachusetts and New York States, in the latter of which, in 1855, he was married to Miss Kate Hutton, of Malone, Franklin county; he continued the practice of dentistry till 1863, when he came to California, and settled in Petaluma. Soon after his arrival here he was offered the management of the telegraph office, then just opened, which he accepted and held fourteen years, resigning in the latter part of 1877, and resuming the practice of dentistry, which he still continues. Dr. Lovejoy is in politics a Republican of the pronounced type (which is not a matter of wonder, when it is known that he is a blood relation of Wm. Lloyd Garrison), but during the exciting times of the rebellion he managed the business of his office with such impartiality as to command the respect and confidence of both political parties.
McClymonds, John W. A native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, born December 28, 1850. Here he attended the common schools for a num- ber of years. Being desirous of obtaining a good and thorough education, he looked to something higher than the common schools, and in due time entered the Westminster College, from which institution he graduated in the Spring of 1871. Soon after he proceeded to Garnett, Anderson county, Kansas, and was made Principal of the Garnett College, which position he held until the Summer of 1873, when he came to California, and located in this county; taught school, and was Principal of the Petaluma High School for three years. In 1876 he commenced the dry goods business, which he has continued since. Mr. McClymonds married Virginia M., daughter of George K. and Harriet Smith, of Detroit, Michigan, on March 13, 1876. Ethel H., born December 27, 1876, and Roy Smith, born February 18, 1879, are the names and births of their children.
McLaughlin, Michael. Born in Ireland, August, 1826. Came to America in 1849. The time intervening between 1849 and 1853 was spent in the Southern States. 'January 6, 1853 found him a resident of San Fran- cisco, remaining here, however, but a short time. In June, 1853, he proceeded to Sierra county, where he prosecuted mining until 1856, when he came to this county, purchased his present farm and returned to Sierra county. In October 1857, he repaired to this county the second time and settled upon his present estate of one hundred and seventy acres of land. Married Sep- tember 19, 1861, Miss Anna Marlow. She is a native of Ireland, born July 12, 1832. Are members of the Catholic church. Catherine T., born Decem- ber 28, 1862; James, October 31, 1864; Mary, December 26, 1866; John Charles, August 20, 1869; William J., November 27, 1871; Sylvester G., February 27, 1875, are the names and births of their children.
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McLaughlin, Patrick. Born in Ireland, July 15, 1810. Came to America December 7, 1856, and settled on his present farm, being one of the old settlers of this county. He is living in the full enjoyment of single blessedness.
McNear, John Augustus. __ The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in the town of Wiscasset, Lincoln county, Maine, December 23, 1833. He was educated in the schools of that town, and graduated from the Pittston Academy. His father was a sea captain, and the young lad took occasional trips to sea with him, thus becoming an adept at an early age in the lore of seamanship. In 1852, at the age of nineteen, he shipped before the mast as a common sailor, on the new ship " Cape Cod," Captain Hopkins-Gears, mate-bound from Boston to St. John's, New Brunswick, thence to Liverpool. On this voyage he made the practical business of sailing a vessel a thorough study, taking his observations when off duty, and computing the longitude and time as regularly as did the officers, and foretold the exact time for sighting land. It was not until after his return from this voyage that he graduated at the Academy, which event occurred in 1853. Immediately after he graduated, while he was yet only twenty years of age, he was tendered the position of master of the brig " Tiberius." He accepted this position, having educated himself for the sea, and made one voyage on her, at the end of which he disposed of the vessel as well as the cargo on very advantageous terms, with all of which the own- ers of the vessel were greatly pleased. Thus early in life were developed those traits of character which have ever characterized him as a shrewd and prosperous business man. He spent the remainder of that season on the square-rigged schooner "Corinthian," as master, sailing between the various ports on the eastern coast. That Fall he went South in the new ship " Tha- lata," from Bath to New Orleans, and engaged in sailing a vessel from New Orleans to Pascagoula, Mobile, and other Gulf ports. He continued here in this business until 1854, when he became one-third interested in a large steam saw-milling business, with Plummer, Williams & Co. in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He remained in this business for the ensuing two years. In the Fall of 1856 he started for California on the steamer " Illinois," stopping at Kingston, coming by the Panama route. He arrived in San Francisco on the steamer " Sonora," November 3, 1856, and came to Peta- luma November 6th. Upon his arrival he began to deal in real estate more or less. In 1857, he bought the Washington livery stable property, associ- ating with him P. E. Weeks, to whom he sold out January 9, 1860. In 1859 he erected the warehouses which stood near the present site of the woolen mills in East Petaluma. Here he did a general warehouse and shipping business, in all of which he prospered very well. During the Fall of 1860, his brother, G. W. MeNear, arrived from the East, and at once entered into partnership with John A., G. W. going to San Francisco in the Spring of
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1861, to attend to the large business established there. They bought a stock of hardware and machinery in 1862, which business they conducted in con- nection with the warehouse and grain interests. In 1865 they disposed of their hardware business, and began to devote their entire time and energies to their grain and warehouse business. During the Fall of 1864 they erected the fine large fire-proof brick warehouse now standing in East Petaluma. During the year 1865 they built the handsome and commodious passenger- steamer "Josie McNear," which was designed expressly for the Petaluma trade. This steamer was then the fastest on the bay, was built very strong, and was extremely seaworthy. The freight and passenger rates were reduced one-half on this steamer, and the people of Sonoma county reaped a very rich harvest in their savings from this source. Mr. McNear's career in Peta- luma has been one of enterprise and progression. He has ever evinced a high degree of public spiritedness which has been most commendable. On every hand may be seen the fruits of his labors and the result of his energy in this direction. A beautiful residence, fine large grounds occupying nearly a whole block, and substantial business properties have been constructed. Business enterprises have been projected and carried to successful completion, guided by his skillful hand. Prominent among these may be mentioned the organ- izing and establishment of the Sonoma County Water Company, the Bank of Sonoma County; but standing out in bold relief is the Cypress Hill Cemetery, a private enterprise of a character and on a scale not equaled in the State of California. A full and detailed description of this beautiful "silent city of the dead," will be found on another page of this work. Mr. McNear was married in Pascagoula, by Rev. McCann, on September 3, 1854, to Miss Clara D., daughter of George B. Williams, now a resident of Petaluma. The result of this union was five children, all of whom are dead except George P. His wife died January 17, 1866. He was married again in San Francisco, May 15, 1867, at the Church of the Advent, by Rev. George H. Jenks, to Miss Hattie S. Miller. The result of this union has been two children, John A. and Erskine B., both living.
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