USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
Stanley, John P. Was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, December 16, 1840. When about twelve years of age, his parents emigrated to California, crossing the plains with ox-teams, arriving in this county about the 20th of September, 1852. After a residence of one year in Green valley township, they purchased a farm of two hundred acres about five miles west of Peta- luma. After residing in the county about ten years, the subject of this sketch took up his abode in eastern Oregon, and followed mining about three years, when he returned to this county and rented the place where he now lives, but remained only one year, when he went to Fort Ross and engaged in the wood business for one year, and then returned and bought the farm he rented the year previous. Dairying is his principal business. Married Mrs. Jane Shield, widow of Robert Shield, in the year 1871. She has by her first husband three children: Frank, Agnes and Edwin. One child by second marriage, Edith L.
Starke, D. Frederick. A native of Germany, was born March 8, 1819. Here he received his education, and worked in various manufacturing estab- lishments until 1845, when he emigrated to California, coming via Sand- wich Islands, arriving in San Francisco August 26th, same year. Mr. Starke came from the old country in a whaling ship, and while it was anchored at Saucelito, he deserted the ship, and crossing through Marin county, he and his three comrades arrived, after three days' fasting, at General M. G. Vallejo's. The officers of the ship followed in close pursuit, and Mr. Starke and his friends were compelled to flee to the mountains. They were employed by S. and B. Kelsey, in constructing a flouring-mill, on the Sonoma creek. Here they remained about five weeks, until the ship sailed, when they returned. Mr. Starke then went into the redwoods, where he worked two months; he then proceeded to Healdsburg, and worked on Captain Fitch's ranch six months. After spending a few months on Mark West creek, and a short time at Fort Ross, he returned to Sonoma, rented three hundred acres of land and followed farming. In the Spring of 1848 he went to the mines, where he engaged. in mining and merchandising for about six months; he then returned to this county, and worked on a steam saw-inill which was then being built in Bodega township, near where Free- stone now stands. Here Mr. Starke speculated in lumber and lost all the money he had made in the mines. He then engaged in farming near Bodega one year, after which he settled on his present place, consisting of one hun- dred and sixty acres, located about three miles from Petaluma, where he has
منحـ
I. a. I aft
593
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
since resided. He married, June 10, 1858, Miss Mina Hastler; she was born in Germany, January 23, 1822. Mr. Starke also owns twenty-three acres in Petaluma, where he intends making a city garden.
Sweeney, Jeremiah. A native of Ireland, born in 1837, where he was educated, and resided on a farm until 1855, when he emigrated to Massachusetts. After remaining here for about six months he took up his residence in Portland, Maine, where he resided until 1856, when he emigrated to California, via Panama, and arrived in this county January 1, 1857. Mr. Sweeney owns three hundred and thirty acres of land, about five miles south of Petaluma, and his principal business is dairying. He married, November 5, 1856, Miss Mary Holland, a native of Ireland. By this union they have nine living children: Ellen A., Mary J., Edward P., David W., Cornelius P., Annie K., Lizzie, John, and Ettie A.
Thompson, James Davis. A native of Washington county, Virginia, born February 22, 1818; attended school at Rogersville, Tennessee. In 1837 he came West and settled in Quincy, Illinois. December 1, 1844, was married at Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois, to Miss Mary E. Barnes, a native of Burke county, North Carolina, born May 21, 1824. Here he was engaged at the business of baker and confectioner. After a residence of five years at Keokuk, Iowa, moved to Warsaw, Illinois. In the Spring of 1852 decided to remove to California. Upon reaching the Missouri river, was joined by Mr. William Conley, a brother-in-law, and his family. Mr. C. having crossed the plains previously, the train was placed under his guide- ance. The whole distance was made with ox-teams; the journey although of much interest, and leaving many pleasant recollections, was a very trying and tiresome trip. The cholera, that dread scourge of mankind, was prevailing all along the route overland, and swept off great numbers of the large emigration of that season; but fortunately, this party came through without loss of life from any cause, and arrived safely at Wyandotte, a mining town of Butte county, California, August 1, 1852. Remaining here a short time, the subject of our sketch located at Petaluma the latter part of August, 1852. The city of the present time was then a small village of a few houses, but believing in the future importance of the place, Mr. Thompson invested in property, and commenced improvements. The next season he put up a two story frame building on the corner of Main and English streets (now Whitney's); the upper story he used as a residence, below he opened a bakery and confectionery, and rented a portion for the express office. He did business at this corner for eleven years. Mr. Thomp- son was one of Petaluma's enterprising men in times past, doing much to advance the interests of the town. The old cemetery on the hill was donated to the city by him. Names and births of their children. Arthur P., born in Illinois, February, 1849; killed by the explosion of a locomotive
38
594
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
in Petaluma August 27, 1866; M. Barnes, born in Illinois, September 17 1851, now residing in San Francisco; Josephine, now Mrs. C. E. Polk, born August 25, 1853 (the second white girl born in Petaluma); Mary E., now Mrs. Gibbs, residing in Oakland, born December 3, 1855 ; and Mattie B., born November 1, 1860.
Tighe, Kelly. Born in county Sligo, Ireland, in 1833. When eleven years of age he emigrated with his parents to Canada; after a residence here of sixteen months, returned to Ireland, remained there five years, came back and landed at New York, resided at Troy for a short time, and moved into Canada, and there remained about five years, in which time he learned the carriage-blacksmithing trade. Then he moved to Burlington, Vermont, where his father resided; he stayed there with his father and family about two months, he then moved to New York State, took up his residence at Kingston, Ulster county, worked there about sixteen months, and made a visit home to Vermont, making his home at Rutland, for five years, and from there to California, landing at San Francisco on the 23d day of February, 1858. Remained at San Francisco about one week, afterwards came to Petaluma, and worked at his trade until 1869, since which time he has been sole proprietor of the Brooklyn Hotel. In 1876 he was elected to the office of Public Administrator and Coroner of Sonoma county, and on September 3, 1879, was re-elected to the office. He has also held the office of City Trustee of Petaluma City one term. Married Miss Annie Casedy, June 6, 1858. She is a native of county Cavan, Ireland. Names of his children: John, George, Celia and Anna.
Tupper, John Bradford. The subject of this sketch was born in Bar- nard, Vermont, July 29, 1829. When seven years of age his parents moved to Claremont, Sullivan county, New Hampshire. His parents having resided in many different localities since their first residence in Claremont, returned in 1844, where they have maintained a continuous residence ever since. In 1845 the subject of this sketch finished the machinist trade. Finding him- self in poor health he found it necessary to take a sea voyage; and accord- ingly set out visiting the Sandwich Islands, and many other points of interest, and upon his return in 1849 ranked as fourth mate. The winter of 1849 was spent at home with his parents, and in March, 1850, took passage on the "California Packet " for this State; this being her first trip, arriving in San Francisco on August 25th. He immediately proceeded to Bodega and was one of a party of fifteen who conducted a saw-mill at this place four months, when the company failed. He then sought employment in Smith's redwoods, where he procured money enough to convey him to the city-the fare being twenty dollars. Once more in the city he resolved to try the mines, but upon his arrival at the wharf he found the captain in need of a mate; accepted the position-salary one hundred and seventy-five dollars per
595
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
month-and held it for three months, when he proceeded on foot to the mines in Mokelumne Hill, a distance of ninety miles. After mining here and many other localities, we find him located at a mining town known as Poker Flat, on the Yuba river. During the winter season there were quite a number of miners in the vicinity who were idle, and "Poker Flat" was their head quarters. As the poker game, from which the town is supposed to have taken its name, had become somewhat monotonous, by the paste-board manipulators, it was decided to introduce something new in way of amuse- ment. As Mr. Tupper had a good deal of the Yankee ingenuity in his com- position, he was not long in supplying the demand. A large sugar pine tree stood in the center of the principal street, and being of no value in its rough and perpendicular form, was laid low, one cut sixty feet in length, sawed open, placed upon mother earth, flat side up, and he soon had an artistic bowling-alley. The balls and pins he procured at Marysville, packing them on his back seven miles, this being the distance from the stage line. There was not only a fund of amusement abstracted from this antiquated game, but our yankee friend derived quite a source of revenue therefrom. In October, 1852, he came to this county and located in Petaluma. In 1855-6 he pros- pected on the Humboldt, but returned in the Fall. In 1857 he engaged in farming in Analy township, on Russian river, In 1864 he took up his resi- dence again in Petaluma and has remained ever since, working at his trade, that of a carpenter. Married, in San Francisco, February, 1864, Martha Douglas. She died in October, 1867. By this union they have, Martha E., John B., Etta J., Susan E., Edwin E., (now dead), Carrie B., and Emma. Married his present wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Tupper, on April 11, 1876. She has two sons by first marriage, Kimball and Otis Tupper.
Tuttle, Honorable B. F. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this work, is a native of the town of Paris, Oxford county, Maine, having been born August 29, 1827. Here he resided and attended the com- mon schools until he attained the age of seventeen years. At this time he went to reside in the town of Skowhegan, in Somerset county, where he applied himself to those branches of learning at Bloomfield Academy which have since stood him in such good stead. During his residence there he also acquired the knowledge of furniture manufacturing in all its details. On October 2, 1849, he sailed from the port of Bath, Maine, on the bark "James A. Thompson," for California, and after a voyage of one hundred and seventy-eight days, including a halt of ten days in Rio de Janeiro, and another of six days at Valparaiso, arrived at San Francisco March 28, 1850. Following the example of most of those arriving in California at that time, he proceeded at once to the mines of Nevada county. Pitching his tent on what is now a part of Nevada City, he followed the business of placer mining until October of that year, when he returned to San Fran- cisco. In that city Mr. Tuttle commenced the business of manufacturing
596
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
furniture, and followed it until June 1851, when he went to the mines of Amador county near the town of Volcans, where he remained until Novem- ber of that year. Mr. Tuttle then returned to San Francisco, and here again his mechanical knowledge enabled him to become interested in the construc- tion and equipment of steamboats, to which business he applied himself. During the years 1851-2 he became interested in the steamer "Gazelle," a part of the construction and equipment of which was under his immediate supervision and control. This steamer ran on the Sacramento and Feather rivers. He still continued the business of steamboat building until June, 1855, when he made a trip to his former home in New England, via Panama. crossing the Isthmus on the cars of the Panama railroad-the first trip made with passengers from the Pacific to the Atlantic oceans. During his stay in the East he visited the principal places of interest in the eastern states, and Canada. In September, 1857, Mr. Tuttle was married to Miss Annie Maria Russell, daughter of Dr. Leonard White Russell, all natives of the same State; and shortly thereafter with his wife returned to California via Panama. During his visit to his old home in 1857, although openly avowing his inten- tion of returning to this State, and not having even voted there, his old friends insisted on nominating him for the Legislature of his native State, from a district having a large partizan majority in opposition to the party with which he affiliated, and although he specially requested his personal friends not to vote for him because of his inability to serve, his opponent had but a small majority on the final count. On his arrival in San Francisco he again commenced the manufacture of furniture, which occupation he fol- lowed until 1859, when he permanently settled in Petaluma, and commenced the business of manufacturing doors, sash and blinds in connection with the lumber business. This he continued until the Summer of 1863, when he opened a furniture and carpet store in that city, which he carried on till 1875. From this time until 1878 he was connected with the California Fur Manufacturing Company of San Francisco. Between the years of 1861 and 1867 Mr. Tuttle served as Trustee four years. Was once elected Justice of the Peace of Petaluma, which office he declined to fill, and between 1869 and 1871 was elected a member of the City Board of Education, and served as its President two years. The issues forced to the front during the latter part of the State administration of Governor Haight, and the decided stand taken in support of his administration by Mr. Tuttle, pointed him out as a worthy successor of the lamented Senator, Dr. William Burnet. In June 1871, Mr. Tuttle was nominated by the democratic party as State Sen- ator, to succeed and serve out the unexpired term of the late Senator. In September following he was elected. At the session of the Legislature follow- ing his election, Mr. Tuttle served on three important standing committees, being chosen chairman of the Committee on Education. During the session of 1871-2, the issues which were so prominent in making him a candidate for
597
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
the Senate were again brought into prominence. Mr. Tuttle on this occasion displayed a tenacity of purpose in adherance to principle regardless of con- sequences to himself, which is a distinguishing characteristic of the man. In 1873 Mr. Tuttle was again nominated and elected for a full term, a Sena- tor of Sonoma county by an increased majority. During the session of 1873-4 he was a member of four standing committees, education and finance being two of them. During this session the act popularly known as the Tuttle School Bill, providing school revenue for the support of the common schools, was re-introduced by Mr. Tuttle, and passed into law by receiving the Governor's approval. This law is still in force, and under its operation many school districts which formerly could not maintain a school three months out of twelve are now maintained from seven to eight months. In the session of 1875-6 Mr. Tuttle was chosen President pro tem of the Senate, receiving the support of the members of his own party and a majority of the members of the Independent party for that position, still serving on four standing committees. In June, 1877, he was nominated for the Assembly, and in September following was elected. At this session (1877-'78) he served as chairman of the Committee on Corporations, member of Ways and Means and Education committees, and special committee on Banks and Banking. Near the close of this session was nominated and confirmed Insurance Com- missioner, which position he did not accept. He resigned his position of Assemblyman, and on the 10th day of April, 1878, was appointed Commis- sioner of Transportation, which position he will hold until January, 1880. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle three children: Harry Franklin, Alice Maud, and Leonard Russell. His residence is in Petaluma.
Van Doren, John Suydam. The subject of this sketch is the second child of William L. and Sarah Van Doren, and was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, April 29, 1836. At the age of eight years he moved with his father's family to St. Louis, Missouri, and in April, 1850, accompanied his father to California, arriving in the Territory of California before it was admitted into the Union as a State. He first settled in Nevada City; attended school for three months in 1851 in Sacramento, and for a like period at Marysville during the Summer of 1852. From 1852 to 1856 he followed mining in Nevada county, California, until November of the latter year, when he moved to Petaluma, where he still resides. Engaged in the hotel business with his father until January 27, 1861, and in the following June rented the Eureka Hotel at Santa Rosa, which he kept until April 24, 1862, when a disastrous fire left him to recommence his business career. In June, 1862, he was appointed by County Assessor Alonzo Walker, Deputy, to assess Santa Rosa township, a duty he completed in the month of August. In September of the same year he assisted Hon. W. A. Eliason, United States Assessor, to organize the Fifth Internal Revenue District of this State, as Assistant Assessor of the first division, which embraced Sonoma and Marin
598
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
counties. This position he resigned in December, and in January, 1863, was elected Minute Clerk to the State Senate, again filling the same appoint- ment for the session of 1863-4. In September, 1864, he was once more appointed United States Assistant Assessor, on this occasion to take charge of the second division of the Fifth California District, comprising Marin county, and Sonoma, Vallejo and Petaluma townships of Sonoma county, which office he filled until April 28, 1868, when he was elected Cashier of the Bank of Sonoma county, in Petaluma, in the place of E. Sprague, who was compelled to resign from ill health. Mr. Van Doren married, first, Martha, second daughter of the late Alexander W. Barnes, on January 27, 1861, who died January 29, 1873, leaving one daughter, Mary Frances; married, January 2, 1877, Frances Maria Rawson, daughter of Roswell and Loretta Rawson, of Galesburgh, Michigan.
Van Doren, William Lawson. Born in Somerset county, New Jersey, June 2, 1810, and is the first son of Joseph Van Doren and Marie Conover. When sixteen years of age his parents moved to Warren county, Ohio, and there farmed. He married, December 10, 1833, Sarah Ann Hageman. In October, 1835, he moved to Sangamon county, Illinois, and settled nine miles west of Springfield, on the south side of Spring creek. In September, 1845, he moved to St. Louis, where his wife died, October 20, 1847. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California and settled in the town of Nevada, and remained some time engaged in mining. In October, 1851, he bought a ranch on the north side of American river, two and a half miles from Sacra- mento. In March, 1853, Mr. Van Doren married Mrs. Cornelia Fulkerson. In 1864, after a visit to the Eastern States, he went to the city of Nevada, and stayed in that county till July, 1856, when he came to Petaluma and kept hotel eight years (Petaluma House and Washington Hotel), till April, 1863, then went over to Nevada Territory and took charge of the White House, Carson City, where he remained during the exciting times of changing the Territory to a State and through the first session of the Legis- lature. In 1864 he returned to Petaluma and built a home, and the following year sold out and went to Brooklyn, New York. In 1866 he bought in the Chenery House in Springfield, Illinois, which he kept till 1869, returning again to Petaluma, as his home, and went into stock raising on Austin creek in this county, remaining there till 1877. After the death of his wife, February 5th, Mr. Van Doren sold out and came to Petaluma to live. He has five children by his first wife: Joseph, born in Warren county, Ohio, October 3, 1834; John S., born in Sangamon county, Illinois, April 29, 1836; William Henry, same place, September 19, 1839; Anna Maria, same place, March 4, 1845; Lewis, born in St. Louis, Missouri, February 25, 1847. Joseph is married and lives in Ouray, Colorado; no children. John S. is in Petaluma and has a daughter about seventeen years of age. William H. married, in Jacksonville, Illinois, a daughter of Dr. Jones, who lived about
599
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
two years and died November 17, 1869. Anna Maria married Oliver G. Rogers, and lives in this county and has two children, a daughter and son. Lewis resides near Rio Vista, Solano county, and is unmarried.
Vestal, Lewis. A native of Surry county, North Carolina, born Jan- uary 31, 1824. When about thirteen years of age he, with his parents, moved to Jackson county, Missouri, where he received his education and worked on a farm. In 1852, he crossed the plains with ox-teams to Cal- ifornia. He spent the following Winter in Grass Valley, Nevada county, and in the Spring proceeded to Bear river, where he remained during the Summer and Winter. In 1854, came to this county and settled on a farm at Bloomfield, where he remained about four years, selling out and buying another farm about two miles below. After residing here about two years, he moved upon another farm about three miles north from Petaluma, remained one Summer and then bought the farm which H. B. Hasbrouck now owns, where he remained about three years, when he settled on his present place, comprising four hundred and eighty-seven acres, located in Two Rock valley. Married Miss E. M. Cowles March 19, 1848. She was born in Surry county, North Carolina, April 1, 1829. Thomas W., born June 23, 1851; Anna A., born May 3, 1858; Martha J., born May 29, 1859; Abby D., born June 15, 1867; are the names and births of their living children. M. E., Arthur W., Etta B., and Edney T., are the names of those who are deceased.
Neil, Washington. Born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, June 22, 1836. In the year 1843 moved to Liverpool, England. Emigrated to Cali- fornia, with a younger brother, January 9, 1850; arrived July 9, 1850. Their father at this time was engaged in iron house building, San Francisco, at which the subject of this memoir also engaged until 1853, when he moved with his parents to this county. He then engaged in running a schooner between San Francisco and Petaluma. The high fares at this time (1865) induced a number of the citizens to form a company, which was composed of the following gentlemen: Henry Mecham, Caleb Railsback, W. R. Roberts, W. Neil, and MeNear Brothers. The last named firm owned the controlling interest in the steamer, which was called the "Josie MeNear." The subject of this memoir was chosen master. To this company credit is due for the low fares. After running about one year the boat was sold to Captain Crosby, of Olympia, Washington Territory, to which place she sailed in 1872. Mr. Neil then engaged in the milling business, which he successfully carried on until 1876, when he embarked in the grocery and feed business. In February, 1877, Mr. J. L. Winans joined the firm, which is now known as Neil & Winans. Married Julia A., daughter of J. L. Mock, January 3, 1865; she is a native of Missouri, born January 3, 1845. Their children are: Francis, born April 2, 1867; Daniel Gilman,
600
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
March 14, 1868; Charles Henry, April 8, 1871; Washington, May 18, 1873; Walter Scott, July 9, 1875; Sonoma, August 10, 1877; Alfred, March 2, IS79.
Wells, Thomas H. Attorney and counselor at law, Petaluma, Sonoma county; was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, on the 17th day of December, 1823; was educated in his native State; came thence across the plains to California in 1849. Located in Butte county, where he resided from Octo- ber, 1849, till May 1864, when, in consequence of protracted ill-health, he removed to Carson, Nevada, where he remained until April, 1879, when he changed his residence to Petaluma. He represented Butte county in the Assembly during the Legislative sessions of 1853 and 1855. He commenced the study of the law in 1852, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1855, when he began to practice. In 1857 he was elected County Judge of Butte county, and served one full term in that office. When Governor H. G. Blaisdell was first inaugurated as the Chief Executive of the then new State of Nevada (December 5, 1864) Mr. Wells was appointed by him his Private Secretary, and remained in that office until Governor Blaisdell was succeeded by Governor L. R. Bradley, January 9, 1871, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of law.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.