USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 76
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Ferguson, Russell. Was born in Lincoln county, North Carolina, February 22, 1822. At seven years of age he, with his parents, moved to Ray county, Tennessee, where they resided for twelve years, when they moved to Lawrence county Missouri, where he remained till April 22, 1849, when he started with an ox-team across the plains to California, arriving on October 12th of that year. He first settled at Bidwell's Bar, on Feather river, where he prosecuted mining till 1852, in which year he came to Sonoma county ; first settling on Santa Rosa creek, where he remained till 1868, when he settled on his present estate of one hundred and fifty-six acres. Mr Ferguson married Mrs. Amelia McMinn, formerly Miss Amelia Ainsworth, on October 6, 1868, she being born in Missouri, on July 15, 1838. Their children are James F., born July 17, 1869; William R., February 13, 1872;
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Thomas J., November 1, 1874; Edward, June 19, 1877, and Addie Mary, January 8, 1879. Mrs. Ferguson has by her former marriage Sarah E., born March 7, 1859; Mary F., October 22, 1860; Charles V., February 7, 1863, and Joseph A., December 22, 1864.
Fox, Charles M. Was born in Washington, Mason county, Kentucky, October 19, 1850, where he resided until August, 1853, when his parents moved to Lexington, Missouri. In 1863 they returned to Kentucky, settling in Maysville. From this place he was sent to the Western Military Academy at New Castle, Kentucky, but left in 1869, returning to Maysville. During the year 1871, he took a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, and after a residence of a year and a half, he went to San Francisco, only remaining a short time and returned to Kentucky, sojourning three months, then stopped in Lexington, Missouri, for five months; thence to Kansas City, Missouri, where he engaged as clerk and cashier for a dry goods firm for eighteen months; thence returned to Lexington, but only remained a short time, when he emigrated to this State, living in San Francisco ten months, and came to Santa Rosa, arriving in March, 1877. Commenced clerking for W. B. Shively November 7, 1878, and continued till January 1, 1879, when the partnership of Shively & Fox was formed.
Frehe, Louis. Was born in Germany, on the 6th day of January, 1848, where he received his earlier education, and served an apprenticeship to the shoemaker's trade; thereafter enlisting in the fourth company of the Second Hanover Dragoons, with which regiment he served during the Franco- German war, and was wounded in the left arm at the battle of Metz, the scar of which he still bears. On the cessation of hostilities he emigrated to America, landing in New York June 20, 1872, and immediately set out for California, arriving in Petaluma, this county, on July Ist of the same year. He here remained eight months, then went to San Francisco and resided in that city until August, 1873, when he removed to Santa Rosa and followed his trade until 1877, in which year he opened his present store. He married in Santa Rosa, July 2, 1876, Minnie Fritz, a native of Frankenhausen, Germany, by whom he has Alfred, born April 3, 1877, and Reichart, born December 25, 1878.
Frost, C. W. Born in Detroit, Michigan, March 7, 1838, where he received his education and resided until March, 1852, when he came to California, first settling in El Dorado county, where he remained about four years. He then proceeded to Klamath county; thence, in April, 1862, he went to the mines in Idaho, where he resided until the Fall of 1865, when he proceeded to Montana, and after a residence of nine years, settled in San Francisco. In June, 1875, he came to Santa Rosa, where he has followed the business of a mine expert, in connection with which he has a real estate office. Married Kate H. Patterson November 5, 1873. She was born in
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Mercer county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1852. Emma Jane, born December 4, 1874; Walter C., born September 11, 1876, are the names and births of their children.
Fulton, James. The subject of this memoir, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, on January 28, 1827, remaining at his birth-place till 1839, and where he received his primary education. His parents moved to Buchanan county, Missouri, where they resided until May, 1849, when the family emigrated across the plains to California, arriving in what is now Nevada county, on September 13th of that year. They immediately proceeded to San Jose, where, in connection with his brother Thomas Fulton, he embarked in the lumber trade, which they carried on one year. After disposing of their business, they went to Nevada county, there followed mining one year, then returned to San Jose, and was engaged in farming. In 1852, Mr. Fulton visited Missouri, and while there, purchased a drove of cattle, which he brought to their ranch near San Jose. In 1855, accompanied by his brother and father (his mother died when he was quite young), he came to this county, bought a tract of land north from Santa Rosa, which was known as Fulton's Cross Roads until the building of the railroad, when a town-site was laid out and named Fulton Station in honor of this family. On their arrival in what is now Fulton Station, they pitched a tent under the branches of a tree until lumber could be procured from the redwoods, with which they built a house. This was the beginning made by these brave pioneers who have been spared-except their father-to see a flourishing town built near the place occupied by their tent twenty-four years ago. Mr. Fulton married Malessa Wilson, a native of Indiana, on January 9, 1853. She died in Santa Rosa February 22, 1877. Mary, James Wilson, Retta, Summers B., Albert L. and Laura A., are the names of their children. This family are now residents of Santa Rosa, to which they moved in 1873.
Gregg, George Timmons. Born in Ross county, Ohio, October 25, 1829. On October 12, 1838, he, with parents, moved to Logansport, Indiana. On July 25, 1839, he, with parents, moved to Polk county, Missouri, where he remained until 1854. In April, 1864, he started across the plains for California. He resided about one month at a point some eighteen miles east of Sacramento, and on October 26th of the above year came to this county, first locating on a ranch at Mark West, at the springs now owned by Louis Lemay and others, this being in the Winter of 1855-6. September 1856 he leased H. Beever's farm and raised two crops there (it now being in that part of the city of Santa Rosa, known as the E. T. Farmer and C. Ames Addition). October, 1858, he located on the farm now owned by Winfield Wright. Here he remained for two years. In October 1860, he moved to his present ranch of ninety acres, where he has since made his
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home. In 1871 he returned to his native home, where he arrived April 29, 1871, and on October 3, 1872, he married Susan Charlotte Cunningham. She was born in Hopkins county, Kentucky, February 17, 1849. On Octo- ber 26, 1874, he again settled on his place in this county, where he expects to remain. Isaac Augustus, born October 23, 1873, Charles Wesley, born October 12, 1875, and George Nelson, born March 29, 1878, are the names and births of their children.
Grosse, Guy E. The subject of this sketch whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Berne, Switzerland, in 1839. He emigrated to the United States in 1852, first settling in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He com- meneed life on his own account, first as an errand boy in a store, and was afterwards promoted to clerk. In May 1856, he made a trip to California, but only remained six months, then returned to Pittsburg. In 1859 he went to Europe and remained there till the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, when he enlisted in the three months service and joined the Pittsburg Zou- aves, but before the expiration of his service he re-enlisted for three years in Company D, Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as a private soldier, and passed through all the grades of non-commissioned and commis- sioned officers to that of Captain of his company. He was severely wounded at the battles of Fair Oaks and Gettysburg. He was honorably discharged on account of his wounds, after three years service. After his return from the war he moved to Oil City, Pennsylvania, thence, after six months, to Canton, Ohio, and then permanently located in Massillon, Ohio, where he again took the position of clerk, but soon engaged in business on his own account, associating himself with Allman & Wetter, under the firm name of Allman, Grosse & Wetter. This firm were the founders of the "Beehive Store", which is still in existence, and one of the largest mercantile houses in Ohio, and extensively known throughout the West and East. In August, 1876, he sold his interest in the above establishment, and came overland to California, traveling in this State till October of that year, then located in Santa Rosa, where he now resides. On his coming to this city, he bought lots and on them commenced the erection of stores and other buildings, for several years, when he drifted into the real estate business, and is now one of the largest dealers in landed estates in Sonoma county. He married Miss Emma Estep, daughter of Dr. J. H. Estep, on March 28, 1868. She was born in Canton, Ohio. Joseph Estep is his only child.
Harris, Jacob. Born in Grayson county, Kentucky, August 24, 1827. When quite young he emigrated with his parents to Fountain Center, Indiana, where they remained but a short time, when they moved to Mont- gomery county and resided for four years, when they took up their residence in Vigo county, Indiana. In 1841, they moved to Crawford county, Illinois, where they remained two years, then returned to Vigo county. In 1846,
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they went to Davis county, Iowa, and in 1854, the subject of this sketch emigrated to California, being about five months making the trip. He first located in this county south of Santa Rosa on the ranch now owned by Winfield Wright, where he held forth for two years, when he moved north of Santa Rosa, on the ranch owned by G. W. Moore, and resided four years, when he moved to Sutter county and engaged in farming for three years. In 1863 we find Mr. Harris baek in this county, residing upon his present farm of four hundred aeres. Has held the office of Road Overseer for seven years. Married Phobe Fulkerson December 7, 1848. She was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, on November 17, 1830. By this union they have four living children, viz .: Thompson M., born October 29, 1849; Isabel, born August 28, 1851; Alice C., born on the plains June 1, 1854, and died April 6, 1860; Richard A., born April 6, 1856; Florence, born May 20, 1858.
Heisel, Paul. Manufacturer of boots and shoes. Born in Nassau, Germany, January 3, 1829, where he learned his trade and resided until 1849. On January 7th of this year he emigrated to America, first settling in New York City, where he remained until 1853, when he took up his residence in Boston, where he lived until 1856. Emigrated to California, landing in San Francisco May 1, 1856, and immediately came to this county, resided a short time in Petaluma, and then proceeded to Santa Rosa, where he opened a boot and shoe store, which he conducted until 1874, when he closed out his store and has since conducted his shop only. He also owns a snug little ranch of forty-seven acres, and considerable real estate in the city. Married August 2, 1858, Miss Ellen Hennesy. She was born in county Kilkenny, Ireland.
Holmes, Henderson P. Was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, November 21, 1821. When two years old, his parents moved to Carroll county in that State, where they resided till 1836, when the subject of this sketch went with his father's family to Benton county, Arkansas. In the Spring of 1849, he crossed the plains to California, and was five months making the journey. He first located at Long Bar, on the north side of Feather river, and was engaged in mining until the Fall of 1850, then moved to Yuba county and pursued farming and stoek-raising. The following year he returned to the mining country and carried on the butcher business. In the Fall of 1851 he went to the State of Arkansas, where he purchased a drove of cattle, bringing them across the plains to the place where he now lives in 1852. He was successful to a small extent in the speculation, and the following year he again visited Arkansas and Texas, returning with a larger drove of stock. Several years after this he bought a tract of land and has since made it his permanent home. He made a visit to Arkansas in 1856 and again in 1859, when he married on July 13th Mary E., daughter of Presley R. Smith, then Clerk of Washington county, Arkansas. She died July 19, 1869. Their living children are: Rachel, born October 27,
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1862, and Frank H., born March 13, 1865. In 1869, he, in partnership with T. N. Willis, then of Santa Rosa, returned to Texas and bought some twelve hundred steers for the beef markets of California. The great drouth of 1870-71 caused the enterprise to be somewhat disastrous. While on this trip to Texas, was married to Mrs. Rebecca Oldham, formerly of Louisville, Kentucky, but living then, July 4, 1869, in Fort Worth, Texas. They have one child, Ella Elizabeth, born May 17, 1873.
Hood, George. This pioneer settler was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, on February 12, 1823. He was educated in his native country, and worked at various pursuits, and, withal, learned the watch-maker's trade. He emi- grated to the United States in 1853, settling in San Francisco; thence to to Guilicos valley in October of that year, and followed farming. After twelve months he returned to San Francisco, working at his trade for three years. After the death of Capt. Stephen Smith, in the Fall of 1856, Mr. Hood rented the ranch formerly occupied by that gentleman, remaining there two years. After the expiration of his lease he moved to the valley near Santa Rosa, and afterwards to that city, and commenced the jewelry business in 1858, where he has since continuously followed that occupation. He is also possessed of a rancho in Knight's Valley township. Mr. Hood was married in Dundee, Scotland, by Professor Tulloch, to Julia Galloway, on November 28, 1848. She was born in Collinsburgh, Fifeshire, Scotland. Isabella, James, Robert (the latter was born in the British bark "Clymene," while off Cape Horn), John, William, Margaret, George, Alexander and Benjamin Henry, are the names of their children.
Hudson, Martin (deceased). Was born in the State of Virginia, on July 24, 1807, and after removing to Tennessee, where he married Miss Elizabeth McAlroy, on May 24, 1832, he left for California in May, 1848, starting from Missouri, and arriving in Sonoma county in the Fall of that year, coming across the plains by ox-teams, accompanied by his wife and five children. Having stayed with his brother, William Hudson, a pioneer of an earlier date, during the first Winter, in the Spring they settled in Los Guilicos valley, on a ranch still owned by the family. Saving a few trips to the mines Mr. Hudson remained at home looking after his interests, culti- vating the soil and raising stock. His widow is still living. Their family consists of Lydia T., Michal E., John William, David Alvin, Mathew Talia- fero, Martin Perry, and Henry W. Mr. Hudson died in 1871.
Johnson, Hon. G. A. Born at Salisbury, Maryland. He graduated at Yale College in 1853; was President of the Board of Editors of the Yale Literary Magazine; contested for the highest honors, the DeForest Gold Medal Prize, with A. D. White, the present Minister to Germany; was Pro- fessor of the Ancient Languages at the Western Military Institute, Kentucky; was appointed by Governor Hendricks Judge of the Seventeeth Judicial
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Circuit Court of Indiana; delivered the annual address before the literary societies of the Indiana State University in 1867; was Senior Warden of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Indiana for two years. On his removal to California became a member of the law firm of Johnson & Henley, at Santa Rosa. Was elected Mayor of Santa Rosa. Was a dele- gate to the Constitutional Convention from Sonoma county, and took an active part in the debates. On his motion, the address to the voters accompanying the New Constitution was adopted. Was selected to present one hundred standard works of the best authors to President Hoge, and delivered the presentation address. Was nominated by the State Conven- tion of the Workingmen for one of the Justices of the Supreme Court, but declined.
Kerr, R. A. Manufacturer of boots and shoes. Born August 25, 1846, in Ontario, Canada, where he resided until 1861. He served his time at the shoemaking trade in Huevelton, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., then went to Canton in the same State, remaining there some time, then went to Pres- cott, Ontario, Canada. After remaining there about six months, he went to Bellville, Ontario, there learning photographing. He then went West, living in London, St. Mary's, Mitchell, Wroxeter and Seaforth. Then leav- ing Seaforth he came to California, in April 1873, first settling in Healds- burg, where he remained only eight months, when he took up his residence in Cloverdale and remained two and a half years. In 1875, in company with his wife, he returned to Canada on a visit, returning in the Fall and settling in Santa Rosa, where he has established a business in the boot and shoe trade. Married, Mary J. Beatty, July 4, 1875. She was born in Canada. They have one child living, Laurena, born May 31, 1878.
Kessing, Clemens. The subject of this sketch was born in Germany, January 22, 1839. In 1844 his parents emigrated to the United States, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Mr. Kessing was educated, and from which place he moved to California, in 1858. After three months' residence in San Francisco, he came to Santa Rosa, arriving in September, 1858. Here he at once joined partnership with Mr. Russell, under the style of Kessing & Russell, carrying on a general merchandising business till April, 1859, when the firm was changed to Kessing Brothers, Mr. Russell retiring. Again in November, 1863, the firm was changed to Kessing & Tupper, which con- tinucd until August, 1877, when the subject of this sketch bought the entire interest, and is at the present writing the sole proprietor, doing business on Main street.
Lewis, Martin. Born in Manchester, Clay county, Kentucky, January 15, 1816. When six years of age his parents moved to Lawrence county, Indiana. From 1833 to 1840 he spent in traveling, and finally settled in Wapello county, Iowa, in 1841, where he resided until 1849, when he started
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in April for California, crossing the plains with ox-teams, arriving in Sep- tember. He immediately commenced mining on Weaver river, El Dorado county, where he labored until the Spring of 1850, when he proceeded to the north fork of the American river, and followed mining until September fol- lowing. He then returned to Iowa. In the Spring of 1852 he again settled in this State. this time with his family, taking up his residence in Tehama, Tehama county. In the Spring of 1853, he moved to the American river, and in the Fall of the same year he came to this county, settling in Two Rock valley, between Bloomfield and Petaluma, where he resided until 1869, when he located on his present ranch, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. Married Nancy Ann, daughter of William T. Lewis, October 19, 1854. She was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, July 12, 1827. The following are the names and births of their children: Margaret Adaline, born November 28, 1857; Lucinda, born December 2, 1861; Isabelle, born March 23, 1864; Carrie E., born October 1, 1868; Ulysses Grant, born July 18, 1869.
McConnell, William E. The subject of this sketch was born November 23, 1839, in Blount county, East Tennessee. His father with his family emigrated West, arriving in California the first of September 1850. The family remained in the mines until the spring of 1853 when they settled on " a farm near the site of the town of Woodland, Yolo county. Good schools at that early day were scarce, and the father being a man of limited means, could afford no better facility for education than the, then, very poor common country school. In the year 1858, the subject of our sketch having by economy accumulated a few hundred dollars and feeling the need of education, came to the town of Sonoma, where there was at that time a flourishing academic school, and entered upon a course of study. He remained there in school until the latter part of 1862, when he left and commenced the study of law, at Santa Rosa, in the office of Judge C. P. Wilkins. In 1864 he was admitted to the Bar and has been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession in Sonoma county ever since. He has been twice honored by the people of Sonoma county by an election to the office of District Attorney.
McGee, James Henry. This well-known attorney of Santa Rosa is a native of Camden, Ray county, Missouri, where he was born on October 10, 1847. In 1852 he came with his parents across the plains by ox-team to California, and reached Sacramento after a long and adventurous journey of six months. Remaining at this halting-place but a few weeks, they proceeded to the Suscol ferry, in Napa county, and after a short stay continued their journey to Sonoma. In 1856, after several visits to the mines, they made a permanent settlement in this county. The subject of this sketch received his early education in Santa Rosa, and becoming a student in the law office of Latimer and Mccullough, was admitted to the Bar in the Spring of 1868,
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since when he has practiced his profession in this city. In 1872 Mr. McGee was elected a Justice of the Peace, which office he held for two terms and a portion of a third. He has occupied for four years the onerous position of City Recorder; is now City Attorney, having been elected to that office in April, 1878, and has been for four years a Court Commissioner for Sonoma county. He married, April 19, 1868, Mrs. Cerro Gordo McMinn, by which union they have William M., born January 18, 1869, and Irene, born December 29, 1877.
McMinn, John, Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Dallas county, Missouri, May 2, 1839. Here he received his primary educa- tion, and in 1852 he with his parents emigrated to California, crossing the plains with an ox-team, arriving in Sonoma county October 15, 1852, settling in Santa Rosa township, on the farm now owned by his father, Joseph McMinn, two miles south-west from the town of Santa Rosa. He attended the public schools until 1858, when he completed his education at Scott's Academy in Santa Rosa. In May, 1876, he moved to and has since contin- uously occupied the place where he now resides, consisting of three hundred and fourteen acres of land. In a south-westerly direction from Santa Rosa stands Mr. McMinn's handsome residence. The location is one of the most picturesque and attractive to be met with in this part of the county. It commands a magnificent view of the valley, dotted with live oaks and culti- vated fields. The building is of wood, two stories high, constructed in a ' most substantial manner, and in an unique and highly attractive style of architecture. It is finished and furnished in a manner appropriate to such an enterprise. It is a beautiful, inviting, convenient and cheerful home. Since Mr. McMinn's twenty-seven years' residence in this county, his life has been marked with kindly deeds, and he is known to be worthy of the highest esteem and respect. He married Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. Jonathan Blair, on February 28, 1861. She was born in McDonald county, Missouri, June 12, 1840, and came to this county from her native State with her parents in 1857. Jonathan, Mary M., Etta May, Rosalce, Joseph, Clara Jane, Allette, Nancy Bessie, and John Frederick, are the names of their children.
McMinn, Joseph, Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Washington county, Maryland, June 11, 1795. His parents moved to Haw- kins county, Tennessee, when Joseph was quite young, and where they resided till 1830, thence to Madison county, Illinois. After five years here, they took up their residence in what is now called Dallas county, Missouri. April 27, 1852, the subject of this sketch came to California, crossing the plains and settled in this township on his present; farm on October 15th of that year, where he has since resided. He married for his first wife, Charlotte Derrick, in Hawkins county, Tennessee, on April 20, 1820. She was a native of that county, and was born February 7, 1800; and died April 18, 1836.
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