USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County : including its geology, topography, mountains, valleys, and streams > Part 77
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Lucretia, Alzira, Selina, Pascal and Joseph are the names of the children by this marriage. He married for his second wife, Mary Martin, in May 1837. She was born February 7, 1802. Mary, Ann and John, are their children, and reside in this county. Mr. and Mrs. MeMinn are the oldest couple living in Santa Rosa township, now being respectively eighty-four and seventy- seven years old. Mrs MeMinn is the great - grandmother of forty-four children, and grandmother to forty-three. In 1858, while residing on another portion of their farm, the old lady received an injury which it is not out of place to record. There was a loaded gun of the ancient flint-lock kind left in the house, and in order to have it in a secure and out-of-the-way place, Mrs McMinn placed it underneath the bed, A little negro boy about six years old who was living with the family, found the gun, and in playing with the weapon, it was accidentally discharged, the ball passing through a wooden partition and into Mrs. McMinn's ankle, which caused the amputation of her limb. She is now using an artificial leg and moves around in a remark- ably sprightly manner.
Miller, Thomas B. Was born in Rhea county, Tennessee, December 31, 1826. At four years of age his parents moved to Gaylesville, Alabama, where they remained until Thomas was between eight and nine years of age, when they removed to Benton county, Arkansas; here he lived until 1849, when he started for California with an ox-team across the plains, being some five months in making the journey. After stopping a few days in Sacramento he proceeded to the mines in Placer county, where he engaged in mining during the Winter of 1849-'50. In the Spring of 1850 he went to Gold Run, near Nevada, and there prosecuted mining for about two months; thence to Yuba, where he was engaged during the Summer in mining in the bed of the river, and finding but very little gold, he then proceeded to the south Yuba, and remained but a short time, when he went to Cache creek, in Yolo county, and engaged in farming, but on account of the dry season he left, and in the Fall of 1851 came to this valley and began farming, about three miles south of Sebastopol, where he continued till the Winter of 1853, when he moved near to Tomales, in Marin county, where he prosecuted farming until 1855, when he moved to Russian river, four miles above the city of Healdsburg, and farmed until 1874, when he came to Santa Rosa and purchased property, which he still owns; residing in Santa Rosa until May, 1877, when he removed to his present farm, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres. Married, April 17, 1853, Mary Ann King, a native of Jackson county, Missouri, born February 14, 1835, by which union they have ten children: James P., born May 18, 1854; Charlotte E., February 24, 1857; Thomas B., January 6., 1859; Louisa H., January 8, 1861; Mary A., December 19, 1862; Irena B., November 1, 1864; Josephine, November 14, 1866; Laura E., August 27, 1868; Henrietta, October, 27, 1870, and Robert L., June 25, 1875.
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HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Mizer, Henry C. (deceased). A native of Bledsoe county, Tennessee, born July 30, 1827 ; resided in that county until fourteen years of age, when he, with his parents, moved to Benton county, Arkansas, where he received his education and resided until 1852. On April 22d, of this year he, with his wife, emigrated to California, crossing the plains with ox-teams, and arrived in Sono- ma county October 8, 1852. He immediately engaged in the business of farming and stock-raising, which he continued until the time of his death, December 19, 1877. The first year in this county Mr. Mizer spent in Sonoma valley; in 1853 moved to Two Rock valley and resided five years; in 1858 moved on a farm near Sebastopol, in Santa Rosa valley, and in September, 1863, located on Mark West creek, where he remained until April, 1877, when he moved to Santa Rosa, where Mrs. Mizer still resides. Married January 22, 1851, Sarah P. Forsyth, of Benton county, Arkansas. Members of the Methodist church.
Neblett, Edward. Was born in Prince George county, Virginia, on July 18, 1818, where he resided until the year 1834, when he moved with his parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, and here served an apprenticeship to the hatter's trade, under J. S. Bates & Co. In 1843 he proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, there engaging in mercantile pursuits, remaining there till 1849, and then in company with about fifty others, with Edwin Bryant as Captain, started across the plains to California, and after a journey of eighty-seven days reached the mines, where he remained until 1852. In this year Mr. Neblett was appointed Deputy under William M. Lowe of Texas, Sheriff of Trinity county, and in 1854 was selected by the Whig party for Sheriff of the county, taking up his office in 1855. In 1857 he was elected to the State Legislature on an independent ticket, and was the last Whig chosen for that august body. After the expiration of his term of office he opened a banking business in Weaverville, Trinity county, which he continued till his settling in Sonoma county, in 1868. Here he began the hardware trade, under the style of Stanley & Neblett, which was changed in 1872 to Stanley, Neblett & Co., and afterwards to Stanley & Thompson, the firm being now C. W. Thompson. Mr. Neblett was elected on April 5, 1876, the first Mayor of the city of Santa Rosa, which distinction he held until April 5, 1878. He married, December 13, 1842, Mrs. McClary. They have no family.
Nickels, Thomas A. Native of Union county, Indiana. When sev- enteen years of age he went to Andrew county, and followed farming for eight years. In 1857 he emigrated to California, crossing the plains with an ox-team, and settled in Alameda county in September of the above year, where he followed farming for nearly two years, when he came to this county, October, 1859, settling near Petaluma, and in 1870 he moved upon a tract of land adjoining the place where he now resides. After remaining here for about three years, he sold his improvements and purchased
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the present ranch where he now resides, comprising one hundred and fifty acres. Married Miss Mary Merritt, March 19, 1872. She was born August 19, 1837, in Bridgeport, Marion county, Indiana. Eva May, born August 6, 1877, is their only child.
Peterson, Augustus. Was born in Missouri, October, 1833, where he remained till 1850, when he crossed the plains with an ox-team to California being four months and twenty days making the journey. His first settle-
, ment was on the South Yuba, eight miles from Nevada, where he engaged in mining during the Winter of 1850-51. In the Spring of 1851 he participated in the Indian war, under Captain Tracy and Colonel Rodgers. Early in 1852 he came to Sonoma county, where he has since resided, and now ranks as one of the leading farmers of the township. He was married, on April 3, 1855, to Miss Polina Ann Steel, by whom he has a family of eight children : Frank B., born July 9, 1856; James B., born February 18, 1859; Allen, born July 2, 1861; Sarah C., born October 14, 1864; Jane Ellen, born July 22, 1866; Josephine, born August 20, 1868, and died October 13, 1869; Sonoma, born May 24, 1871; Dora A., born March 16, 1873; Libbie, born December 16. 1876.
Peterson, William. Was born in Henry county, Tennessee, February 15, 1828. When quite young his parents moved to Washington county, Missouri. In 1847 Mr. Peterson participated in the Mexican war, being mustered in at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in Captain Jones' Company, William Gilpin's Battalion, and after serving fourteen months was honorably discharged at Independence, Missouri. In 1850 he crossed the plains to California, being four months in making the journey. He first began mining on the South Yuba, near Nevada City, where he continued during the Winter of 1850-51, when he proceeded to San Francisco, and from thenee to Cold Springs, where he engaged in mining, livery and hotel business. During the year he also participated in the Indian war of 1851, under Captain Tracy. Early in 1852 he came to this county and settled on land now known as the Clark Ranch, where he only remained a short time, and in 1855 moved to his present farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. Married Martha L., daughter of J. H. Steel, of Polk county, Missouri, on September 21, 1854, she being born February 22, 1837. Their children are : Bellariah J., born January 8, 1856; Verlema, born February 14, 1858; Columbus, born March 31, 1860; Susan, born February 16, 1862; John Lee, born April 1, 1864; Willie, born March 12, 1866; August, born September 28, 1871; James C., born February 12, 1874; Eleanor, born February 11, 1877.
Pfister, Conrad. A native of Switzerland, born July 28, 1832. Emi- grated to America, settling in Philadelphia, and after one year's residence there, went to Chicago, Illinois. He left that city in March, 1860, and came to this State, living in San Jose till 1868, thence to this county, buying his
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present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Santa Rosa township. Mar- ried in Du Page county, Illinois, on January 12, 1860, Miss Mary Hoyer. She was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1836. Their children are: Julia A., John, Lewis M., Henry, Conrad, Volney J., Nelson B., Franklin P., Mary R., Oliver F. and Bertha E.
Proctor, Thomas J. Was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, April 12, 1825. Here he was educated. At the age of twenty-one he was com- missioned Third Lieutenant of Company F, Second United States Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Willis, the regiment being commanded by McKee and Clay, serving in the Mexican war in the department under command of General Taylor. He was discharged after a service of fourteen months and returned to his home in Kentucky, where he married Joanna P., daughter of Pendleton Thomas, on May 4, 1848. She was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, September 10, 1829. They resided in Harrodsburg, in that State, till 1851, then moved to Trenton, Grundy county, Missouri, and left this place on May 4, 1862, for Oregon, crossing the plains with teams, arriving on the 7th September following and settling in Powder River valley, in Baker county. Here Mr. Proctor built a hotel and was its proprietor for four years, then sold out and came to Sonoma county, locating in Santa Rosa, where he has since resided. Was engaged in various branches of business till 1875, when he entered the real estate agency which he is now conducting. He was appointed Mayor of Santa Rosa September 24, 1878, to fill the unexpired term of Hon. George A. Johnson. His children are : Thomas A. and William M.
Quackenbush, Uriah Platt. A native of Cambridge, Washington county, New York, and was born March 15, 1823. When but three years old he, with his parents, moved to Greenbush township in that State, and at the age of ten removed to Williamstown, Massachusetts, residing two years with his unele, Stephen Bacon, after which he removed to Nassau, New York, here attending the common schools. In the Fall of 1857 he emigrated to this State, making the trip by steamer, via Panama, arriving in San Francisco in September of that year, going immediately to Tuolumne county, where he engaged in mining for about six months, then started for Fraser river, but on his arrival in Oakland, he concluded to abandon the trip, and remained in San Leandro for six years. From this place he made a visit to the State of New York, going via Panama, but only remained one month when he again came to California, crossing the plains, and settled in Vallejo township, Sonoma county, September, 1864. In August, 1873, they came to their present home in Santa Rosa township, where he has since perma- nently resided. He married Sarah Ann, daughter of Charles Offutt, who is a native of Jackson county, Missouri, and was born on December 30, 1847. It can be said of Mrs. Quackenbush, that she is a lady of culture
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and refinement, and has been inseparably connected with all those higher and better qualities of womanhood, which have gone far to make her home one of the most enjoyable and pleasant in the county. Mary Luella, born December 5, 1870, and Sarah Alice, born January, 19, 1873, are the names and births of their two lovely daughters. Mr. Charles Offutt, father of Mrs. Quackenbush, was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, April 1, 1817, crossing the plains in 1853, and came to Vallejo township, Sonoma county, with his family, in the Spring of 1854, where he died August 20, 1879.
Ragsdale, J. W. Editor and publisher. Born in Fairfax, Indiana, February 12, 1848. When a year and a half old, moved with his parents to Chariton, Iowa. In the year 1863, while yet under sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry. Was with Sherman in his memorable march to the sea, and participated in many of the severest engagements fought during the civil war. Was honorably discharged August 28, 1865. On returning home he entered Cornell College, where he remained for three years, earning his way by sawing wood morning and evening, and in the harvest and cornfields during vacations. In 1868 he purchased a half interest in the Chariton, Iowa, Patriot, since which time he has been connected with newspapers published in Albia and Corning, Iowa, and in Walla Walla, Washington Territory. In 1873 he lost all he had through bad debts, and landed in San Francisco with but ten cents to his name. He engaged in the dairy business near Petaluma, and in May, 1878, purchased an interest in the Santa Rosa Times, one of the most promising papers in the State. In June, 1879, the Republican Convention for the Twentieth Senatorial District met in Sacramento, and by the unani- mous vote of that body chose Mr. Ragsdale as their candidate for State Senator. This nomination was entirely unsolicited and was a greater sur- prise to Mr. Ragsdale than any one else. The district, however, being largely Democratic, and the opposing candidate having received the endorse- ment of the new Constitution party and the Workingmen's party, was elected, Mr. Ragsdale running nearly one thousand votes ahead of his ticket.
Rand, William J. The subject of this sketch was born in San Fran- cisco January 20, 1857. When quite young his parents moved to this county, where he received his education. At the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to the engineer and machinist trade, in which business he is still engaged.
Range, Charles. Is a native of Washington county, Tennessee, where he was born June 30, 1819. He resided here until 1843, and then removed to Macoupin county, Illinois, and there remained until 1862, in which year he came to California and resided in Solano and Sonoma counties for four years. He then returned to Illinois, and disposing of his property remained there one year, when he returned to this county and settled on his present
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estate, where he has since resided. He married, September 3, 1840, E iza- beth Clipper, of Washington county, Tennessee, by whom he has: Louisa, born December 6, 1841 ; John, born June 24, 1843; and Columbus, born July 4, 1849.
Roney, J. M. The subject of this sketch was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1833. Here he resided until March, 1854, and on the 6th of that month he left the city of New York on the steamer "Northern Light" to the Isthmus, and from there on the steamer "Sierra Nevada " to San Francisco, arriving on April 2, 1854. He immediately went to the mines in Nevada county, where he was engaged in mining for one year; then he moved to Sierra county, remaining till 1856, and returned to Nevada county. In 1858 he again went to Sierra county, working at the black- smith's trade until 1859, and then at Orleans Flat, Nevada county, till February, 1862; thence to Santa Rosa, and commenced the retail liquor trade, together with the real estate business, until 1873, when he opened the wholesale liquor trade. Mr. Roney married on October 14, 1870, Mary Fitzgerald. Maggie M. and Edith E. are the names of his living children. He has lost one, Alice M.
Ross, H. J. A native of Hamburg, Erie county, New York; born April 12, 1843. Here he resided until 1853, when he went to Chatauqua county, New York; in June, 1863, he emigrated to California, landing at San Fran- cisco, July 22d. He soon became a resident of San Joaquin county, where he worked for a brother for five years, after which he proceeded to Stanislaus county, bought a six hundred and forty acre tract of land, and engaged in farming, livery and hotel business. In 1877 he came to this county and engaged in the livery and feed business at Santa Rosa, still retaining his land in Stanislaus county. Mr. Ross married, on September 12, 1869, Miss Martha A. Calahan, by whom he has one daughter, Belle D. Ross, born June 7,1872.
Rue, James B. Was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, October 30 1830. At the age of eighteen years he entered Center College, Danville, Kentucky, and graduated therefrom in 1853; was Professor of Languages in Columbia College, Kentucky, until 1856, in which year he emigrated to Iowa, and settled at Council Bluffs. He was employed as teacher in the schools of that place for a period of eight years, when he began the furniture and queensware business. This he continued for eight years; was a member of the City Council and School Board; was an Elder of the Presbyterian church for twenty-one years. In 1872 he took charge of the Grammar School in Council Bluffs, a position he held for four years. During his residence here he was elected County Superintendent of Schools for Pottawattamie. In 1877 he came to California, and settled in this city. Mr. Rue is now the superintendent of the Santa Rosa Water Works. He married, in Washing-
Oliver Allen
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ton county, Kentucky, on December 21, 1854, Parthenia Peter, by whom he has Edmond, Mary C., James O., Harry H., Herbert R., Gertrude A., and one child deceased.
Shepherd, Rev. J. Avery, S. T. D. Rector of the Episcopal church. This gentleman is a native of Vermont. In his earliest childhood he was taken to Brazil, his father having gone there to superintend certain engin- eering works in that country. The Portuguese language became vernacular, while his "mother tongue" was learned by means of Webster's spelling book, an old almanac of the States, several years out of date, and the Bible, which he read aloud for some hours daily. Among his early recollections is the chase, on the coast of Brazil, between Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, which a pirate gave the merchant vessel in which his father was sailing. The pirate was well armed. The merchant ship had six guns; these were occasion- ally fired, and the American flag was flying. After coming near enough to see that the American sailors " meant business," the pirate after a delibera- tion of more than two hours, and a chase of six, thought it prudent to retire. After his father's death in Rio de Janeiro the mother and son returned to his native State. He graduated at Middlebury College, and shortly afterwards went to the South, where much of his life was spent. At the solicitation of Bishop Green he removed to Mississippi to take charge of St. Andrew's College at Jackson. He there married Miss Evelyn M. Turner of Baltimore, and subsequently removed to California. In San Francisco he established a private seminary for young ladies, which not only proved successful, but it became one of the most select schools ever opened on the Pacific coast. Not a few of the leaders in society in San Francisco and Oakland, whose resi- dence dates from early times, were distinguished pupils of Dr. Shepherd's seminary. In 1858 he returned to the Atlantic States, and established a large female seminary in Montgomery, Alabama. Here he continued until the end of the war. Just at its close, he accompanied the Mayor and Council of the city by invitation, carrying a flag of truce for the surrender of Montgom- ery, which was the last town surrendered. Dr. Shepherd then removed to Elli- cott City, near Baltimore, where he intended to make a permanent home. He erected a large building for a high school for boys. This was eminently successful. First-class professors were engaged at liberal salaries, and no school in the country enjoyed a better reputation for the intellectual train- ing and manly development of the pupils. This was in a flourishing con- dition for many years. Dr. Shepherd's son received an appointment in the assay department of the new mint in San Francisco upon its first opening. Contemplating in consequence an ultimate removal, Dr. Shepherd disposed of his school at Ellicott City and entered upon the charge of a large church in Baltimore, and finally removed to this State, leaving the East for no pur- pose but to be near his son, who was settled here. San Francisco was the
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first home of Dr. Shepherd's married life, and after an absence of twenty years he has returned to make the Pacific coast his permanent home. Dr. Shepherd has the reputation of being among the foremost in the ranks of scientific readers and Bible students.
Shively, D. C. Is a native of Marshall county, Indiana, and was born February 16, 1851. Here he resided till 1864, when his parents moved on a farm in Muscatine county, Iowa; thence, in 1870, to Dodge county, Nebraska; but after one year's residence returned east, settling in Branch county, Michigan, where he engaged in mercantile business six years. From this county Mr. Shively came to California in January, 1877, making Santa Rosa his home, and was engaged in business with W. B. Shively for one year, after which he went to Healdsburg, doing business on his own account, but, returned to Santa Rosa after eleven months, engaging in general mercantile business with Mr. Fox, under the style of Shively and Fox.
Smith, Robert Press, M. D. The subject of this memoir was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 10, 1839. He received his primary education at his home, then graduated at the Military Academy in his native State in March, 1859. He immediately commenced the study of medicine, and in March, 1861, graduated at the South Carolina Medical College. At the breaking out of the War, he was commissioned Captain of Company E, First South Carolina Regiment of Infantry, serving most of the War in fortifications around the city of Charleston. He served with distinction until the close of the War, when he returned to the place of his nativity, and soon after practiced his profession near Charleston. He emigrated to California in March, 1868, settling in Santa Rosa, where he has not only prac- ticed medicine with marked success, but has been identified with the busi- ness interests of the city.
Stanley, W. B. Born in Indiana. Came to California in 1852. Settled in Sacramento, being there during the great fire in November, 1852, and soon after the flood in the same year, he took up his abode in San Fran- cisco, and after a residence of three years, returned East on a visit. In 1856 he came back and went direct to the mines, where he was engaged for six years, when he moved to Napa City, and remained about six years. In August, 1868, he came to this county, and is a resident of Santa Rosa. En- gaged in the hardware and tin business. Remained in business until 1879, when he sold out. The amount of business done the first year was one thousand seven hundred dollars, which increased to ninety thousand dollars. Mr. Stanley has been prominently identified with nearly all the public enterprises of Santa Rosa for the past seven or eight years. Was Presi- dent of the Woolen Mill Corporation for some time, and is at present act- ing as Secretary ; has been City Councilman for four years; was one of the first incorporators of the Gas Company, "and remained in the company
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over three years as one of the Directors. It will thus be seen that Mr. Stanley has been quite an active citizen. He married in Sierra county Miss Jennie Roach, on October 6, 1859. They have two children.
Taft, Rev. S. A., D. D. Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in the town of Mendon, county of Monroe and State of New York, on the 6th day of January, 1825. His father's name was Adon Taft, who was born and raised in the same place as the son. His grandfather, Caleb Taft, was a Revolutionary soldier, who soon after the close of the war, moved from Massachusetts into western New York, where, as a pioneer, he endured all the hardships and experiences incident to pioneer life. He lived to a good old age, being upwards of eighty at the time of his death. Adon Taft moved with his little family, consisting at the time of a wife and three infant sons, of whom the subject of our sketch was the eldest, in 1830, into what was then the wilds of the Territory of Michigan, and settled about thirty miles north of Detroit, in Macomb county, township of Washington. Here he remained until the time of his death, May 8, 1879. Dr. Taft was reared on the farm, and inured to manual labor, availing himself of the common school and such private schools as then existed, the chief of which in all that locality was what was known as " Romeo Academy," of which Professor Nutting was then the principal or chief, until he was of age. He then commenced a regular course of study under Peter Moyres, a graduate of Western Reserve College, Ohio. Having completed his preparatory course, he entered the Freshman class in Michigan University in the Spring of 1849, where he remained to the close of the college year in 1851. Then he went east to Rochester, New York, and entered Rochester University and graduated from the platform in Corinthian Hall, with the class of 1852. He then entered upon his theological studies in Rochester Theological Seminary, with the class that graduated in 1855. After his graduation in July, 1852, he came back to Michigan and was married to Miss Viletta Curtis, daughter of Jeremiah Curtis, a principal citizen in Shelby township, Macomb county, Michigan. The marriage took place in the Baptist Church, Mount Vernon, July 18, 1852, Rev. Z. Coleman being the officiating elergyman. In Septem- ber following, he with his wife returned to Rochester and entered upon the work of his theological course of study. Meanwhile he was preaching almost every Sabbath without abatement, having commenced preaching when he was only eighteen years of age, and was then known as the "Boy Preacher;" and boy preaching it must have been, sure enough. And yet the people would flock to hear him in crowds and multitudes from far and near. He was first pastor of the Stony Creek Baptist Church, then of the Mount Vernon Baptist Church. These churches he served while preparing for college. Then after he entered Michigan University, and while a student there he became pastor of the Ypsilanti Baptist Church, and served them until he went East. After entering upon his work in Rochester University he became pastor of the
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