History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams, Part 72

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

USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 72

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Allen, Charles D .* Was born in Norwich, Connecticut, September 24, 1842. Moved from there to California at the age of eleven years, arriving

* This sketch was received too late to be inserted in its proper place.

get Brackett

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in San Francisco in January, 1854. Was educated in this State for the profession of an assayer, which calling, however, he was obliged by circum- stances to abandon. He was married to Miss Florence Ginevra Johnstone, of Santa Rosa, October 26, 1873. They have two children living: Charles Leslie, born September 15, 1874, and Florence Imogene, born August 24, 1879. Mr. Allen has spent nearly twenty-five years of his life in Marin county, and was for a number of years the sole proprietor of that finely improved dairy farm in that county known as the "Green Valley Rancho." He represented Marin county in the Assembly during the twenty-second session of the Legislature. He is at present residing in Petaluma.

REDWOOD.

Bell, Bradford. Was born in Lewis county, New York, December 20, 1842. In 1853 he accompanied his parents to California, and with them settled in Windsor, where they still reside. In January, 1874, the subject of this sketch moved to Guerneville, where he now is located in business. In 1868 he made a trip to the Sandwich Islands, thence to San Francisco and New York. On his return he proceeded to Oregon. and afterwards came back to Windsor, where he remained for two years, when he moved to Healdsburg and started as a butcher, finally locating, in 1874, as above stated. He married, January 7, 1873, Lucy Hall, and has no issue.

Florence, Marshall. Was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, October 1, 1843. When an infant he was taken to Missouri, in which State he resided until 1861, in which year he crossed the plains to California and settled in Placer county. Here he followed mining until 1863, when he transferred his location to Nevada county, still being engaged in the mines, and finally, in 1865, came to Sonoma county and settled in Mendocino township. In this locality he was engaged in the manufacture of chairs until 1870, when he removed his affairs to Forrestville, and there resided until 1877, the period of his establishing himself in his present place of business. He married, February 4, 1868. The names of his children are: Carrie B., Dora F., Eva G., Arthur, and Lolo A.

Heald, Thomas T. Was born in Belmont county, Ohio, December 10, 1825, and there received his early education. In the Spring of 1844 he moved with his parents to Jackson county, Missouri, and there resided until

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1849, in which year he started across the plains for California, arriving via the northern or Lawson route, and the Lawson ranch in the Sacramento valley. After a short time he went to the Deer creek mines on the south fork of the Yuba river, and pitched his tent in the heart of what is now Nevada City, where he remained until the Spring of 1850, at which time he changed his locality to the north fork of the Yuba river, and still further prosecuted his mining labors, which he continued near Downieville, Sierra county, until the month of September, 1850. In this year Mr. Heald came to Sonoma county and worked at the Mill creek mill, near Healdsburg, then owned by his brother Samuel and William J. March. At this occupation he continued for one year, at the end of which he purchased the ranch opposite Wahler's place, settled by William Potter, where he commenced farming (the farm is now leased to J. R. Simmons) and resided till 1871, when he located permanently in Guerneville. Mr. Heald is one of the charter members of the Redwood Lodge of Odd Fellows, and also of the I. O. G. T., and is a member of the Methodist church. He married in 1860 Julia Guerne, who died in 1870. By this union there were six children, of whom George H., Henrietta Elizabeth, and Amelia Josephine are now alive.

Johnson, Sanborn. Is a native of Waldo county, Maine, and was born April 4, 1825, in the common schools of which county he received his early education. When twenty-one years of age he embarked in the lumber trade in the town of Frankfort, in his native county, a business he conducted until 1849. In December of that year we find him in Boston, Massachusetts. From that city he took passage to this State on the "California Packet," via Cape Horn, on March 4, 1850, and landed in San Francisco on the 27th September of the same year. On his arrival Mr. Johnson, in company with L. A. Webber, John B. Tupper, and Mr. Back, proceeded to Bodega, where they were employed by Hand and Duncan to cut and roll logs for a period of two months. They next proceeded to the mill of L. B. Hanks, on the ranch of Captain Stephen Smith, about three miles from Bodega Corners, and there worked at cutting logs until March 16, 1851. Mr. Johnson then proceeded to Tomales, Marin county, and in partnership with L. A. Webber, Levi Chapman, and Josephus Bradford, began farming. After their first crop was secured, on March 21, 1851, Mr. Johnson proceeded to the mines at Willow Bar, on the north Yuba, and prosecuted "digging" with moderate success (making one hundred and twenty-five dollars on the first day) for three months. After prospecting for a further period of six weeks, he returned to his ranch in Marin county and continued the partnership men- tioned above for a period of one year more. He then severed his connection with Webber, Chapman, and Bradford and farmed in that county on his own account until 1864. Mr. Johnson was one of the unfortunate passen- gers on board the ill-fated steamer "Secretary," when she blew up near the Brother and Sister rocks on April 15, 1854. Most of those on board at the

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time were killed; Mr. Johnson, however, fortunately succeeded in gaining the shore, though severely wounded. In the year 1863 he was elected to represent the Republican wing of Marin county in the lower house of the Legislature, a position he filled with much satisfaction for one term. In 1864 he moved to Lakeville, Sonoma county, where he embarked in agricul- tural pursuits, and there remained till 1877, in which year he settled on his present farm of five hundred acres, situated in Redwood township, near Forrestville, where he is now engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Johnson married, May 14, 1860, Jennie O. Chandler, a native of Portland, Maine, by whom he has living: Hattie C., born in Marin county May 16, 1861; Annie T., born in Sonoma county January 10, 1868; Abbie S., born January 10, 1872; Jennie J., born December 3, 1873, and Walter E., born September 23, 1879. The children deceased are: Alice M., born May 1st, died October 10, 1864, and Lizzie C., born September 10, 1866, died June 12, 1868.

Manning, John. Born in Kentucky, July 8, 1801. Started for himself in life at the early age of nineteen, he at that age being married to a Miss Collyer; was truly a pioneer, having always kept in advance of civilization, being foremost in the settlement of Illinois and Missouri; was one of the volunteers in the Black Hawk war, and also was in the raid on the Mormon settlement at Nauvoo. By his marriage with his first wife, Miss Collyer, he had nine children, only two of which are living. About the year 1839 he married the second time to Miss Almeda Boyd, of Zanesville, Ohio, by whom he had six children, only two of which are now living, W. H. and N. E. Manning, who now live in Guerneville, Sonoma county. In April, 1843, he started with the first wagon train that ever crossed the plains to the Pacific Coast. His family and four other persons, undertaking to go in advance of the wagon one day, on horseback, lost their way, and were lost eight days in the mountains, where they had to subsist on dried salmon skins and coffee, but finally succeeded in gaining the train after surmounting difficulties that were almost overwhelming. They finally arrived in the Willamette valley about the 28th of December, 1843. He lived in the Willamette valley until the Spring of 1849, when he again started on the move and arrived in California, at some point of the mining region, in June, and at Sacramento City July 4, 1849, when he engaged in buying and selling real estate; he also built the original Golden Eagle Hotel, which was a two- story frame building, occupying the site of the present hotel of that name. In the Fall of 1850 he moved with his family to Green valley in this county, where he bought a large tract of land, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He resided in Green valley until the Fall of 1857. When the valley became too thickly settled he disposed of the land and moved to the lagoon on the edge of the Sautako plains; he resided here until 1865, when he sold out his ranch and stock and moved to Petaluma, where he and his son, N. E. Manning, in connection with J. L. Wats, opened a grocery:

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store, which proved very disastrous, as it was the means of his losing all that he had accumulated during the early days of prosperous times. Left Petaluma and again tried to retrieve his fallen fortune by agricultural pursuits, but could not gain a foothold, his friends that he had helped when he had plenty forgetting him in his adversity. His wife died October 6, 1872, after a long and painful illness, with cancer in the breast. He only survived her until August 13, 1873, when he died at his son's house, after a short illness of ten days, at the age of seventy-two years and one month. He was a man of indomitable will and perseverance, as is evidenced by his always being in advance of civilization, surmounting all obstacles that came in his way; liberal in his views, both religious and political; always a friend to the needy and deserving; consequently was widely known and respected by all who knew him. He always took an active part in all public improvements, and helped with his influence and means, as is instanced by assisting in building two school houses in Green valley, and one church near Stony Point, besides making liberal donations to churches and public improvements in other parts of the county ; also assisted E. A. Scott in building the first high-school building in Santa Rosa, known as the Santa Rosa Academy; he was also a life member of the Sonoma and Marin Agricultural Society; he also took stock in the first railroad enterprise in this county, known as the San Francisco and Humboldt Bay Railroad Company; he was also at one time a member of the Association of Pioneers of Sonoma county. His son desires us to say, "that at the time they failed in business his father gave up everything he had, even to releasing and giving up his homestead, to satisfy their creditors, so that after paying the debts of the concern, they had nothing left, not even what the law would have allowed."

Manning, Nathaniel E. Born in Franklin county, Missouri, December 3, 1842, youngest living son of John and Almeda Manning; was taken across the plains to Oregon in 1842; thence to California in 1849, with his father's family; received his first instruction in letters in a log school house in Oregon; next attended the first school that was ever taught in Sonoma county, in Green valley, taught by a Baptist minister named Lindsley; attended the Santa Rosa Academy in 1858-'59, three terms of five months each. Then procured a certificate for teaching, at the age of eighteen years, and taught a three months' term of school in Stony Point School District. The Nevada mines at that time creating considerable excitement, he quit school teaching, and went in the Summer of 1861 to Virginia City, and from there to the Humboldt mines, but being very successful at mining, returned to Petaluma in 1865, when he engaged in business with his father and J. L. Waters; was also a member of the San Francisco and Humboldt Bay Rail- road Company. After the failure of the business firm of Manning & Son, tried various kinds of employment, until finally engaged with Messrs. Heald & Green in their saw-mill at Guerneville, in October, 1871, where he

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filled various positions, and finally that of book-keeper, which position he held for two years. Mr. Manning is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, and Good Templars. Was run on the Temperance ticket for County Recorder in the Fall of 1864, and was of course beaten. He took a very active part in the adoption of the New Constitution in 1879, and was brought before the New Constitution Convention for Representative in the Legislature. Was married, April 3, 1867, to Miss Kate R. Stanly, of Petaluma, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stanly. He has grown up with Sonoma county, as you might say, from a state of barbarism to one of high culture and civili- zation; has seen its schools rise from a primitive condition to be among the best in the State; the places that were once the haunts of the ferocious grizzly bear, covered with wheat and corn; and where once bounded the wild deer, are seen bountiful orchards, comfortable farm houses, churches and school- houses.

RUSSIAN RIVER.

Barnes, E. H. The subject of this sketch was born in Livingston county, Kentucky, December 26, 1827. He with his parents moved to Scott county; Missouri, in 1833, where Mr. Barnes received his primary education, complet- ing the same in an academy in Cape Girardeau county in that State. The occupation of our memoirist was that of a farmer during his entire. residence in Missouri. In 1849 there was a company of seventeen formed to emigrate to California, Mr. Barnes being one of the number, and accordingly left on the 10th of April, crossed the plains and arrived at Bidwell's Bar on Feather river, where they remained about six weeks; thence to Sacramento and San Francisco, Mr. Barnes coming at once to this county and settling in Mendocino township on Russian river, residing there about ten months. He then located on the opposite side of the river, in Russian river township, opening the first trading post north of Sonoma, in company with William Potter in 1851. In 1854 he returned via Nicaragua to Missouri, where he pur- chased a drove of cattle, and brought them to the ranch he then owned in Russian river township. During the early part of the year 1855, his inter- est in the store was purchased by Lindsay Carson, and Mr. Barnes once more turned his attention to farming, following the same till 1865, when he bought a one-half interest in a store at Windsor of James Kruse, associating with him as partner R. A. Petray. After three years they closed out the

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business, and Mr. Barnes returned to his farm, where he has since resided. He is now, and has for a long time been a stockholder in the Santa Rosa Bank, and after the organization of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Healdsburg on September 1, 1877, he was elected its president, which posi- tion he now fills. Married Miss Mary M., daughter of J. D. Thompson, on September 20, 1855. She was born in Howard county, Missouri, on Febru- ary 14, 1840.

Bedwell, Franklin. Was born in White county, Tennessee, August 21, 1810. At the age of nine he moved to Missouri, his father being one of the first pioneers of the State. Franklin's father died in 1825, leaving to him the care of a large family, which was in almost a destitute condition. Seeming almost impossible to get better of the prevailing ague, in 1833 he started for the Rocky mountains, hoping in that salubrious climate to regain his health. He joined a company under the command of Alexander Camp- bell, went as far west as Fort Laramie, and, meeting two trappers, went with them to Green river. Here several were bitten by a mad wolf, but Franklin escaped. He joined a Rocky mountain company of thirty men, which was divided into small parties. Franklin joined a party taking a south-westerly course to Bear river, where they camped a few days preparing buffalo meat. Going as far south as Humboldt river, the party again divided, part resolving to go to California; but some of the men becoming intoxicated, a quarrel ensued, and one man was killed. The whole party returned to Snake river. In the Spring of 1834 they went a hundred miles down Snake river, and, taking some Indians with the party, went as far west as Fort Walla Walla. Dividing into small parties, they passed several weeks in trapping. While returning, they met men coming from California with horses, and all joined the trapping party, going as far as the Yellowstone river and west to the Madison forks of the Missouri, and then returned to Snake river for winter quarters. Here Franklin, with a small party, went in search of Buffalo, and the snow beginning to fall, he got lost from his party. Knowing he would be frozen to death by remaining where he was, he resolved at all hazards to seek the trail that would take him to camp. About midnight he waded a stream, the water being up to his waist. After crossing, his clothes became frozen, and he almost gave up hope of reaching his friends; but an ever-watchful Providence guided his footsteps to a warmer stream, which, in crossing, thawed his frozen clothes. Then being within a mile of camp, he pressed on until he reached it, where his friends had given him up for lost. In March, 1835, while preparing for the Spring expedition, the horses were stolen by the Indians. In recovering them one man was wounded by the name of Kit Carson, who was then just beginning a career that has since made his name renowned. The party took a north-westerly course, and, after an absence of three months, returned to wait for supplies. Becoming impatient, Franklin, with six others, started east to meet the supplies. This persevering little

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party, three having returned, traveled on, crossing the South Platte, and reached the Arkansas river, where they sold their furs, and, obtaining sup- plies, returned to the north side of Cherry creek, near where Denver now stands, and spent the remainder of the Winter trading with the Indians. In the Spring of 1836, they attempted to make flat-boats to take their goods down the river, but, failing in this, went to Big Islands, remaining until parties from the East came after their goods. While here they were often on the verge of starvation. After their goods were sold, the rest of the sum- mer was spent in trapping, enduring all the hardships that fall heir to men who explore the "western wilds." In the Spring of 1837, while returning to camp, a storm came up, making it impossible to travel. Wrapping their blankets around them, they laid down by the banks of a swollen stream to wait for the storm to abate. Morning came, but the storm continued to rage in all its fury, and was so severe that one of the mules was frozen. On the third morning they succeeded in getting across the stream, and, on the even- ing of the fourth day, reached camp, where they could relate the sufferings of the "starving time." In the Spring of 1838, Franklin, with one more, went as far south as New Mexico, and on the route the Indians attempted several times to take their lives; but after two months a company was sent out to fight them, and captured some prisoners and horses. Then, going to the east side of the mountains, he remained two years trapping and trading with the Indians. In the latter part of the Summer of 1840, he started for California, taking three months to make the journey. He located in the San Joaquin valley, and remained six months trapping. Stopped the first Summer near San Gabriel Mission, and in the Fall started on a trapping expedition with three Mexicans. About Christmas left them and started north alone, and having met some Indians who were altogether " too friendly," in order to escape, deceived them by saying a large company of Americans were coming, and the Indians, becoming alarmed, allowed their prisoner to go. Camped that night with only a dry biscuit to eat; next morning, how- ever, had a sumptuous breakfast on a wild hawk and bread bought from some passing Indians. Went through the Santa Clara valley to San Fran- cisco, then comprising a few Spanish huts. After selling what beaver he had, went back to Santa Clara and worked in the redwoods until Spring, and then started for Oregon; but having been taken sick at Sacramento, gave up the trip. In the latter part of that Summer went to Sonoma county, locating on the Russian river, on a tract of land bought from Cyrus Alexan- der, Esq., and remained until 1846, at which time the Mexicans took up arms against the inhabitants of Sonoma. Franklin joined a small party going from Russian river to Sonoma. The first engagement took place in June, 1846; the Americans compelled the enemy to surrender, and took some of their officers to Sacramento as prisoners. Thinking all danger over, they returned to Alexander's ranch; but four days had not passed when they

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learned the Mexicans were not subdued. A force was sent out to find a missing party who had been out for supplies, and traveled through Guillico's valley. Arriving at the old Santa Rosa house (east of the present city), they learned from the Indians that the enemy had captured some of the lost party, and so Franklin and his comrades traveled south to San Antonio creek, where they captured some prisoners. Soon the American army was march- ing (in very imperfect order) towards the enemy. The Americans retreated to some bushes near by, and, after a spirited contest, the Spaniards retreated, with the loss of six men killed and more wounded. The Americans gained the victory without the loss of a man. Returning to Sonoma, they found Colonel Fremont had arrived with seventy-five men, and that evening went to San Rafael under the command of Colonel Fremont. After a short engagement the Spaniards evacuated the mission. After threatening Sonoma again, the enemy got on board a schooner and crossed the bay. The little army went to Sacramento, whence, being joined by Fremont, they all pro- ceeded to San Diego, to keep the Spaniards from landing. After recruiting and procuring horses, they started for Los Angeles, leaving about thirty to guard San Diego-among whom was Franklin. After two weeks they joined the rest of the company at Los Angeles. The Spaniards constantly made attacks for two months, but were each time repulsed. The contending forces had a skirmish on the hill near Los Angeles, the Americans having to retreat to a vessel; but the next morning an American man-of-war came into port, and the captain decided to make an attack on Los Angeles, as he had about three hundred sailors and marines. That night the Americans camped on the shore, and at day-break marched two miles, encountering the enemy drawn up in line of battle. Bravely did that little army fight, but were compelled to retreat to the vessel, and ordered to San Diego. Two months after this, thirty men joined Colonel Kearney, and made another attack, driving the Spaniards back with a loss of thirty. Resuming their journey to San Diego, they were attacked by the Spaniards, and sent to San Diego for assistance. After the wounded got well, under command of General Stockton, they started for Los Angeles. Two days later, Colonel Fremont came from Monterey and made a treaty with the Mexicans, which ended the strife, (December, 1846.) Franklin remained there till Spring, and spent the Summer in improving his farm. In 1848, during the gold excitement, he went to the mines, but returned in the winter, and met a brother he had not seen for thirteen years. Having given up a roaming life, he began to think more of home and friends. After trying in vain to find where his mother was, he started for Sonoma, and met her on the way to Russian river. It was a happy meeting. Separated for fourteen long years, and knowing the hardships the son must endure, many, many were the sad thoughts the mother had for her absent son. She returned to the home of her wandering son, and lived with him for years. In 1858, Mr. Bedwell married Miss Selina

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McMinn, of Tennessee. Not having any children, "they lived for each other." He is now living on his well-improved place-a hale and hearty old man, as is plainly seen in his portrait in this work-surrounded by many friends, and ever taking a deep interest in the welfare of his State and country.

Bell, Henry. Was born in Lewis county, New York, January 1, 1824, where he received his education and learned the cabinet-makers' trade, which business he followed in connection with farming until 1850, when he emi- grated to California via Panama. Taking up his abode in Sacramento, he followed the business of manufacturing cradles for washing gold, for about seven months, when he proceeded to Placer county, where he engaged in quartz mining for five months; returning to Sacramento he worked at car- pentering during the Winter, and the following Summer was spent on the Yuba river mining. He then returned to Sacramento and remained until February 1853, when he proceeded to this county and located at Windsor, where he at present resides, being engaged in the lumber business, farming and wagon-making. Married Miss Catherine Keyser in 1845, who was born in Germany, April 3, 1826. The following are the names and births of their children: Mary, born March 21, 1847; Melissa E., August 25, 1848; Emily, October 5, 1850; Nancy, February 21, 1855; Warren, December 23, 1856; Noah, January 10, 1864; Luther, March 15, 1866; Lucinda, June 3, 1868; Genevia, April 11, 1873.

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History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams, Part 72

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

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