USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 69
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could best treat the disease by active out-door exercise, about the 1st of April, 1850 with a company of prospectors, about twenty-five in number, with rifle, ammunition and mules, visited the head-waters of Russian river, crossed Eel river, and about the last days of May purchased a small log house and ferry-boat on the Trinity river, about thirty miles below the present site of Weaverville, in Trinity county, and during the following Summer months followed mining, ferrying, trading, etc,, and in July and August of that year visited Humboldt Bay and Port Trinidad, returning to his ferry and log house, to find but few miners and less business at or near the ferry or log house, he moved up the river, and late in the . Fall camped on the present site of Weaverville, and was induced to and did purchase another small log house, and concluded to winter in it and try his fortune mining, but having very little practical knowledge of mining, met with poor success, and in the following month of March was induced to and did visit Salmon river, pitching his tent on the present site of Sawyer's Bar, where he remained only a few days, to find the camp overrun with adventurous miners, many of them from the so-called Gold Bluff. He then returned,
via Weaverville, Shasta City, and the Sacramento valley, to Sonoma, much improved, though not entirely well of that inexorable malady, and spent the Summer and Winter of 1851 at Sonoma, and the following Spring, still leaving Mr. Randolph in charge of the business at Sonoma, he again went to Trinity, and spent the Summer mining, but with poor success, and con- vinced now that more than half of the gold contained in the gravel and earth washed by him was wholly lost, from want of a proper method and knowledge of catching and saving it. He returned to Sonoma in the Fall, where he then commenced reading law, with the late T. J. Boggs and R. A. Maupin, but in the Autumn of 1853 accepted the office of Deputy Sheriff, under Israel Brockman, the first Sheriff of Sonoma City, in which service he continued until after the election of 1855, in which the Know Nothing party (so-called) succeeded in carrying the elections, and defeating Mr. Brockman, but prosecuted his studies of the law at all leisure times, and in the Fall of 1855 removed to Petaluma, and prosecuted his studies in the office of the Hon. J. B. Southard, and in the Spring of 1856 was admitted to the bar of the District Court, Hon. E. W. Mckinstry presiding, and about the 1st day of July of that year moved into the office which he now occupies, and has ever since continued the practice of his profession in the City of Petaluma, and a few years later was admitted to the practice in all the courts-State and Federal-within the State of California. He has generally taken quite an interest in politics; has always been democratic, and during the late war between the States was active and zealous; he opposed the commencement and prosecution of the war, carnestly contending that as our system of government was founded in voluntary consent, it would of necessity have to be perpetuated by consent, and that a destruction of this
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
voluntary consent, ipso facto, destroyed the system, and a maintainance by force of arms, without regard to the usual processes of law, necessarily sub- verted the whole system, and he yet holds that the original system can never be restored precisely as it existed before the war; numerous pernicious precedents of the past eighteen years have ripened into practice, and will in the future be assumed to be law, however erronious, He was elected to the State Senate in 1863, and, under the amended constitution, drew lots for a long or short term, and drew a short term, viz : two years, but was re-elected in 1865 for four years more, against a most violent and strenuous opposition, and served his term out. About the close of his term married Miss Coulter Brown, a native of Shelbyville, Kentucky, who has borne him three daugh- ters and one son, all of whom are still residing with him at Petaluma.
Pfau, Louis. Was born in Port Richmond on Staten Island, N. Y., on October 27, 1857. When a mere child his parents came to California and located in San Francisco where they remained four years, when they pro- ceeded to Alvarado, Alameda county, residing three years, thence to this county in 1864 and settled in Petaluma where he has since dwelt. In March, 1879, he became an equal partner with H. Gerckens in the manage- ment of the Union Hotel.
Pimm, Henry. Born in Derby, Derbyshire, England, Nov. 15, 1832. When 14 years of age he was apprenticed to the carriage painter's trade, where he had to serve seven years. July 14, 1859, he arrived in San Fran- cisco. He immediately came to this county and located in Petaluma where he was employed by Wm. Ordway as a painter. Here he remained until 1868, when he engaged with William Zartman where he has since continued. Mr. Pimm was Captain of the Petaluma Guards for two years, and is Chief Engineer of the fire department. He married on March 25, 1853, Miss Mary Ann Ford; she being a native of England, born January 28, 1831. Sarah Ann born Jan. 28, 1854; Mary, born Nov. 2, 1855, and Henry James, born March 13, 1863, are the names and births of their children. Mr. Pimm is a member of the I. O. O. F., F. & A. M., also member of the A. O. U. W.
Poehlmann, Conrad. Born in Bavaria, Germany, on May 21, 1833. When sixteen years of age he went to Hamburg and engaged in butchering. In 1850 came to America and settled in New York City. In 1855 took passage on the steamer "George Law" for California via Panama, from which point he completed his journey to San Francisco on the steamer " John L. Stephens," arriving in September. He at once engaged in the butchering business, which he followed until the Fall of 1857, when he came to this county and located at Petaluma and engaged with his brother in the butch- ering business, where he is at the present time. Is unmarried.
Poehlmann, Martin. Born in Germany October 1, 1819. In 1847 he emigrated to America and settled in New York. February 20, 1855, he
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
sailed on board the ship "J. L. Stephens," from Panama for California, arriv- ing in San Francisco on March 17. Here he carried on butchering as a business until 1857, when he came to Petaluma and engaged in his present business, that of a butcher, which he has followed continuously ever since. Married August 6, 1850, Miss Mary Bader, by whom he has one child living, Mary, born October 10, 1854. One child deceased.
Polk, Charles E. Was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, December 6, 1839. In 1840 his father, Clement M. Polk, emigrated to Springfield, Illinois, where he was engaged both as a farmer and journalist till his death, which occurred in 1849. The subject of this sketch and a younger brother then went to live with an uncle in Kentucky, where Charles spent his time working on a farm and going to school till he arrived at the age of fourteen, when he was apprenticed to learn the watch and jewelry trade at Danville, Kentucky. After working here for four years, he then engaged with a larger firm in Lexington, Kentucky, remaining in that city till 1864, the last two years being engaged in business on his own account. Business in the border States at this period became rather hazardous, owing to the civil war then in progress, and Mr. Polk determined to close out his commercial affairs, and join some friends about to make a journey overland to California. All the arrangements being completed, the party set out for the Pacific slope, starting from St Joseph, Missouri, on the 26th of May, 1864. There was in the company a family by the name of Welch, three of whom died at Ft. Laramie of mountain fever. The trip across the plains was a long and tedious one, and part of the way quite dangerous, on account of the presence of the hostile Minnesota Sioux Indians, who, when a favor- able opportunity presented itself, would attack and kill the emigrants, and steal their stock. July 12th Mr. Polk and companions had a narrow escape. A large band of savages were concealed in bushes on Horseshoe creek, and attacked a train a little in advance of theirs, killing the men, six in number, destroying their wagons, and carrying off two women and a little girl, and the stock. They reached Virginia, Nevada territory, October 8th, where Mr. Polk remained about six weeks, but not finding profitable employment, pushed on to San Francisco, there engaging work with Messrs. Collins & Co. and D W Laird in the jewelery business. On April 6, 1867, he came to Petaluma, and for four years he was with the late A. G. Medley, and on November 8, 1871, he commenced the watch and jewelery trade at his present location, number thirty-five Main street, near English. Married Miss Josphine, daughter of James D. and Mary E. Thompson, on November 27, 1873, who was born in Petaluma, California, August 25, 1853. By this union there are: James E., born October 23, 1874; Mary E., born April 7, 1878, and died May 8th of that year; Wiliam Clement, born April 14, 1879.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Ross, George. A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, born February 2, 1832. When very young his parents emigrated to America and settled in New Or- leans. Here he received his education and learned the trade of a painter, and resided until August 13, 1849, when he left for California, coming via Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco, February 2, 1850. Remaining but a few days in the city he proceeded to Siegar Bar on Yuba river, mined six months, when he returned to San Francisco and worked at his trade for one year. We next find him in Benieia acting as foreman in the Pacific Mail Steamship Company's works. In October 1855, he came to this county and located in Petaluma, where he opened a paint shop, which business he continued till 1860. At the same time he gave 'instructions in dancing in this place; also Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Tomales, Bloomfield and Napa; this he continued during the winters till 1877. In 1863 he opened his photograph gallery, where he is still carrying on the business.
Sales, John. Born in Sangamon county, Illinois, January 19, 1835. When but a child, his parents moved to Jo Daviess county. Here the subjet of this sketch received his education and followed the life of a farmer until 1853, when he emigrated to California by the Panama route. He imme- diately sought the mines in Tuolumne county, where he engaged in mining for five years. On the 1st of August, 1859, he came to this county, and in February, 1860, he settled on his present place, consisting of one hundred and ninety-six acres, located abour five miles from Petaluma, where he has since resided. Mr. Sales married October 16, 1862, Miss Mary J. Bryant. By this union they have six living children, namely: William L., Henry, Ida M., Dora A., John Q., and Geraldine Carry.
Schlosser, T. C. Is a native of York, York county, Pennsylvania, born June 23, 1828. Lived at home with his parents, John N. and Elizabeth Schlosser, and at the age of seventeen he learned the tinner's trade of his father. After serving his time as an apprentice, he worked at home as a journeyman, then he went to Carlisle and worked there until 1852, when he took his departure for California. He came across the plains with an ox- team with his cousin Levy B. Schlosser, which took a period of seven months to cross, arriving at Mark West on his cousin's rancho. He remained but a short time on the farm, then went to San Francisco and worked six months at his trade for Mr. Bocamp; thence to Marysville via Sacramento, where he was employed three months by Storms and Ellis; thenee to the mines, located about seven miles from Shasta City, in company with Mr. Wollsworth, and worked there two months, then returned to San Francisco and there worked for Veal & Lawson and afterwards for Ray & Johnson. This firm he left and joined Thomas Whitaker in the Four Creek country, five miles from Visalia, where he assisted in the laying off of ten townships in Kern county. Here being taken ill, he returned to San Francisco and then, by medical
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advice, went to sea. After a voyage to Santa Cruz, he came back to San Francisco and then proceeded to Marin county and afterwards joined Derby & Baldwin in Petaluma, where he was employed until 1857, when he started in buisiness with L. Leman under the style of Leman & Schlosser. At the end of one year, Leman sold out and was succeeded by John W. Harris, the firm being Schlosser & Harris, who opened a branch business in the town of Bloomfield. In 1859, Mr. Leman re-entered the firm and after one twelve-month sold his interest to Schlosser & Harris, which firm was dissolved in 1866 by Mr. Schlosser purchasing the share of Mr. Harris, which business he still carries on. He has also a farm in Russian River township. In 1869, he paid a visit to the Eastern States. In 1858, he mar- ried Hertemzie, daughter of William Potter, by whom he has: John B., Eugenus Francis, Camsis. The youngest of these is dead.
Scudder, Noah William. Was born near the town of Chester, Morris county, New Jersey, June 21, 1845. At the age of eight, his father having started for California, he was placed at school at the Chatham Institute, where he remained until he was twelve years of age. His father returning from the land of gold for his family, the subject of our sketch came by the way of Panama to California in July, 1857, where he has since resided. For three years he lived in Plumas county, and in 1860 emigrated to Sonoma county, and located in Petaluma, which has since been his home. In 1860 he entered the office of the Petaluma Argus as an apprentice, and for nineteen years was continuously engaged on the paper in the various capa- cities of "devil," compositor, pressman, editor, manager, and proprietor. In the year 1871 he purchased a one-third interest in the business of the concern, being associated with H. L. Weston, and Jas. H. McNabb, which partnership was continued for eight years. During this time the Argus was enlarged to nearly double its original size, and a daily evening paper was started as an experiment, and its publication continued one year. The office was in the meantime supplied with a Hoe cylinder printing press, improved job printing presses, the latest style of types, and became one of . the most complete offices in the State, and the Argus one of the most influ- ential Republican journals published on the coast. In April, 1879, Mr. Scudder sold his interest in the paper to Samuel Cassidy, and embarked in the real estate, land, and insurance business. In politics Mr. Scudder has always been a zealous Republican, though he has never sought for or aspired to office. He is president of the Young Men's Republican Club of Petaluma; that organization displaying great activity in the canvass of 1879, which resulted in the election of George C. Perkins, Governor of the State. Mr. Scudder is an enthusiastic admirer of the institution of Free Masonry, and is a member of Arcturus Lodge, No. 180, F. & A. M., over which he had the honor for two years to preside as Worshipful Master; he is also a
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member of Petaluma Chapter, No. 22, Royal Arch Masons, and of Santa Rosa Commandery, No. 14, of Knights Templar. On the seventh day of July, 1872, Mr. Scudder was married to Miss Eliza E. Carpenter, only daughter of Dr. W. W., and Mrs. A. E. Carpenter, by which union he has one child, Pearl, born on the 29th day of March, 1873. Mr. Scudder's ancestors were among the early colonial settlers of New Jersey, and were of English descent on his father's and of Scotch and Dutch descent upon his mother's side. His grandfather, Noah Scudder, had eight brothers who fought in the war of the Revolution, three of whom surrendered their lives in emphasis of the principles enunciated by the Declaration of Independence. His father's name is Jacob C. Scudder, and his mother's maiden name was Nancy Drake, both of whom are still living in Sonoma county.
Shepherd, James Simpson, M. D., F. R. C. S. L. Was born August 3, 1814, at the small village of Firsby, near Spilsby, on the eastern coast of Lincolnshire, England. His father, a clergyman of the Church of England, was vicar of the parishes of Firsby and Great Steeping for twenty-seven years. At the age of eight years he was placed at the grammar school of the Rev. Isaac Russell in Spilsby, the market town of that district of coun- try, where he remained six years, and was then articled to Dr. Thomas Barker for the term of seven years, and in the year 1836 graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons, London. In March, 1838, he married Rebecca, third daughter of John Dauson, Esq., of Tattersall Castle Farm, by whom he has now three children living, all married and now in California. Early in the Spring of 1839, himself and wife emigrated to the United States and settled in Michigan, where he first commenced the practice of his profession with more or less success in those hard times in a new country until 1845, when he removed with his family to Wisconsin, and after remaining in Racine-where he changed his method of practice from the Allopathic to the Homeopathic- until the Spring of 1850, he crossed the plains to Cali- fornia and arrived in Placerville-then called Hangtown-August 16th, leaving his family behind him in Racine, from whence in course of time they all reached this State. In those early times all professions were well repre- sented in the mines, and he was not long in following the fashion, and after various vicissitudes as a miner, generally being "dead broke " two-thirds of the time, in 1856 he commenced the practice of his profession in Oroville, Butte county, where the mines were rich and the times good for a while; but soon, like all others, being to all appearance worked out and pay getting scarce, in 1859, being interested in a mine at Dogtown, he moved up there, with his usual luck in such ventures until 1862, when he went across the mountains to the then famous Humboldt silver mines in Nevada ; but one year of that experience saw him again "dead broke," and satisfied him. A gentleman from the neighborhood of Petaluma being over there to settle up å brother's estate, induced him to come home with him and settle in Petalunia,
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as there was no Homeopathie doctor there, which he accordingly did in December, 1863, and has since resided in that flourishing little town, with the disposition to roam that seems to have haunted him ever since he left old England effectually cured, he believes, for the rest of his life.
Singley, The Honorable James. Was born in Philadelphia, on April 25, 1817, where he resided till 1836, then moved to Baltimore, Maryland, in March of that year. From here he went to Norfolk, Virginia, where he enlisted in the United States Marine Service and shipped on the vessel "North Carolina," touching at Rio De Janeiro where they remained one month, then rounded Cape Horn, thence to Valparaiso, Chili, and after a stay of six weeks at this port, proceeded to Callao, South America. After nine months service at this place, the ship returned to Valparaiso where the sub- ject of this sketch left the service and visited the interior of that country, returning to the city and sojourning one year. In 1842 he again took up a sea- faring life, which he followed for a number of years, and during the time was Master of the ship "Cabija." In 1847 he took a residence at Lima and Cal- lao, where he was engaged in merchandising till late in 1848. On the first of January, 1849, he sailed on the steamship "California" for this State, arriving in San Francisco on February 28th, of that year. He at once pro- ceeded to the mines on the middle fork of the American river, near Michigan Bluff, and on his route passed through Sonoma. After remaining in the mines six months,-he was obliged to leave on account of ill health-he came down Sutterville, and there engaged with Messrs. McDougal and Blackburn as clerk. This occupation he followed till the Fall of 1849, then moved to San Francisco. Here-in 1850-he was joined by his wife from Peru, South America, where she had lived during Mr. Singley's residence in this State. August, 1851, they settled in Petaluma, and, with but few exceptions, their home has been here during all these years, and he is now the oldest living settler in the city. In 1857 he was elected to the lower house of the State Legislature, filling this responsible position one year. He has also served three years as County Supervisor, and during one term was elected President of the Board. He was appointed station agent at Petaluma, for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, and sold the first railroad ticket in the county. He married in the city of Lima, Republic of Peru, South America, Miss Jane Villalta. She was born in the city of Lima, Peru, South America, on June 24, 1824. Their children are Mattie, now Mrs. Cox, born in Callao, March 13, 1848; Mary, now Mrs Field, born February 20, 1851; Helen, born February 18, 1853; James A., born January 25, 1856; Charles E., born May 2, 1858; George W., born July 7, 1860; Katie, born December 11, 1862; Frank R., born February 4, 1865; Gertrude, born April 1, 1867.
Sloper, Willard. Was born in Meigs county, Ohio, on August 12, 1825. At eleven years of age his parents moved to Scott county, Iowa. On April 2, 1854, he married Mary Jones Randall, at the residence of her
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parents in Buchanan county, Iowa. In 1854 he emigrated across the plains with ox-teams, being six months in making the trip, and attended by many hardships. They first located near Shasta City, Shasta county, California, where Mr. Sloper kept a boarding house. In 1862-3 he was engaged in mining in Nevada, and in 1864 he came to Petaluma, where he followed contracting and building until 1876, since which time he has been engaged in the planing-mill business. His living children are: Williard, born April 11, 1869, and Hulda, born May 13, 1873. He has four children deceased, and buried in Shasta county.
Snow, J. Born in Brewster, Barnstable county, Massachusetts, Septem- ber 7, 1817: When but a youth of thirteen summers he "went to sea," which he followed until 1846, visiting many ports in Europe and the East Indias. At the expiration of sixteen years as a seafaring man, he returned to his native State and was once more with home and friends. In December, 1849, he was made first officer of the bark "General Green," and on his way to the Pacific coast. He arrived in San Francisco in the latter part of July, 1850. From here he went to Sacramento, where he received an honorable discharge from duty. After following boating on the Sacramento river for one month, he repaired to San Francisco and conducted a hotel on Pine street above Montgomery, for six months. In 1851 he sailed on a whaling boat to Marysville and was there engaged in selling goods to the miners for some time, when he returned to San Francisco and was employed by Messrs. Page & Webster as clerk in a store ship for one year. On January 8, 1852, he was joined by his wife from the East, at which time he was engaged in freighting goods from San Francisco to Stockton until late in 1854, when he established a line of sailing vessels over the same route. In 1859 he became a resident of this county; he first located in Vallejo township, two and a half miles east of Petaluma, and carried on farming until 1868, when he came to Petaluma. In 1871 he embarked in the real estate business, this being his present occupation. Married Miss Lucy E. Holton, June 3, 1847. She is a native of Irving, Franklin county, Massachsetts, born August 3, 1825. By this union they have one son, Frank H., who is now a resident of Portland, Oregon, born February 23, 1855.
Staedler, John G. A native of Germany, born January 31, 1831, where he received his education, and learned the jeweler's trade. In 1851, he emigrated to New York City, working at his trade until August 5, 1854, when he emigrated to California via Panama, arriving in San Francisco August 31st. Here he remained, following his trade as a business until April 1859, when he came to this county; and settled upon his present estate, comprising sixty acres, located about three and one half miles from Peta- luma, where he has a fine orchard and vineyard. Married May 30, 1853, Miss Elizabeth Bell. She was born in Albany county, New York, June 19, 1831. By this union they have eight living children, and two dead. The
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first born and died in New York. Pauline, born October 29, 1857; William born December 15, 1858, and died January 13, 1864; Mary, born March 6, 1860; Lizzie and Charley, twins, born July 22, 1862; Julia, born March 26, 1864; Rudolph, born May 6, 1866; Susie, born December 13, 1867; Harry, born January 30, 1872.
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