USA > California > History of the State of California and biographical record of Coast Counties, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 47
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That flourishing local enterprise, the San Luis Co-operative Store, numbers Mr. Elberg among its directors. Ever since becoming a citizen of the United States he has voted the Demo- cratic ticket. His interest in public schools led to his acceptance of the office of school trustee, in which capacity he rendered efficient service for many years. He was also presi- dent of the high school board for a year. In 1882 he married Philipena Peterson, daughter of H. L. Peterson, and a native of California. They are the parents of a daughter and three sons, namely: Ellen E., who is taking a special course in music in San Francisco; Henry, who is a student in the Mount Tamalpais Military Academy at San Rafael, Cal .; Edward and Ar- thur. In 1900 Mr. Elberg took a merited va- cation from the management of his ranch and, accompanied by his daughter, returned to Europe, where he enjoyed a visit among his old associates and friends in Denmark and Germany, and also visited Paris and other points of interest on the continent.
FRANK F. KELLOGG.
The history of the Kellogg family in Cali- fornia dates from 1849, wlien Giles P. Kellogg undertook the long voyage around the Horn and arrived at the Golden Gate after a tedious trip of seven months. He was of eastern birth and parentage, born in Springfield, Mass., in 1823, but was reared principally in Connecticut. Imbued with the spirit of enterprise that has always characterized the people of New Eng- land, early in life he determined to venture his all in the then unknown west. With a party of acquaintances, he bought a vessel, Henry Lee, which was fitted out with provisions and other necessaries, and in which the voyage was made to San Francisco. Like all newcomers, it was his ambition to try his luck in the mines, but, unlike many, he was successful in locating two excellent claims. Later he turned his at- tention to photography and still later became in- terested in the dairy business.
During the fall of 1867 Giles P. Kellogg and his brother-in-law, Charles Laird, bought seven
thousand acres, forming a part of the old Spence ranch, and situated at Chualar, Monterey county. Settling on this property, he began to build up a stock and dairy business, and also gave some attention to placing the land under cultivation. In those days the country was practically uninhabited, and the only signs of life hereabouts were when the old stage coach passed by on its infrequent trips to the towns. To him, as to all pioneers, it was a happy day when settlers began to come in, lands were bought, houses built, and an era of prosperity begun for the region where he made his home. With the exception of the last months of his life, he remained a constant resident of this ranch, de- voting himself to its improvement and convert- ing it into a source of profit. His death oc- curred May 28, 1892, when he was nearly sev- enty years of age. In politics he was a Repub- lican, keenly alive to the issues of the age and thoroughly devoted to the principles for which his party stands. Fraternally he was associated with the Masons and Odd Fellows.
By the marriage of Giles P. Kellogg and Ma- linda Laird three children were born, but the only survivor is Edwin D. Kellogg, an employe in the custom-house at San Francisco. The second marriage of Giles P. Kellogg was solem- mized in San Francisco August 1I, 1865, and united him with Miss Emelissa Frisbie, who was born in Oneida county, N. Y. They be- came the parents of two children, Frank F. and Carrie J. The latter is the widow of Frank M. Dunshee and, with her two children, resides at Santa Barbara. Frank F. Kellogg was born in Petaluma county, Cal., August 24, 1866, and was only one year old when the family settled on the ranch at Chualar, Monterey county. Here he grew to manhood and has since made his home, carrying on the business established by his father and engaging with fair success in stock-raising and general farming. Under his supervision are one thousand acres of land, a portion of which is in pasturage for his herds of cattle and horses. A feature of his pursuit's is the dairy industry, and at this writing he has about sixty milch cows on his farm. In his work he has brought to bear modern methods and has
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proved himself to be progressive, energetic and resourceful, interested in all that tends to im- prove farming interests in his community.
While as yet Frank F. Kellogg has not been active in politics, he has strong convictions re- garding the issues before our nation and gives his support to the Republican party. In Ma- sonry he is a member of the blue lodge at Sa- linas. His marriage took place June 1, 1893. and united him with Hannah Anderson, by whom he has three children, Mildred D., Helen C. and Frank L. The family have many friends throughout Monterey county, and are highly regarded among their acquaintances and associ- ates.
HON. JOHN H. HOLLISTER.
During the greater part of his life Mr. Hol- lister has been a resident of San Luis Obispo county. He was born in Newark, Ohio, No- vember 27, 1856, and accompanied his parents to California when four years of age. His edu- cation was obtained primarily in public schools, after which he took the scientific course in the California State University at Berkeley, and was graduated with honors. On his return home he took up cattle raising on a part of the Chorro ranch. In 1882 he bought seventeen thousand acres of Las Chimincas rancho, in the eastern part of San Luis Obispo county, retain- ing, however, his home on the Chorro ranch. As a partner of Frank Adams, he conducted a large business in cattle-raising on his large ranch until 1891, when he sold the tract. Dur- ing 1887, with Mr. Adams, he bought the Santa Rosa ranch in Pima county, Ariz., and stocked the place with five thousand head of cattle. By sinking a well one thousand feet, they secured an abundance of water for their stock. For a · time the business flourished, but finally a great drought came and the cattle died on the prai- ries. An enterprise that promised well was thus brought to an unfortunate end.
Since boyhood Mr. Hollister has been inter- ested in dairying and has made a specialty of the manufacture of butter. In the buying and selling of cattle he has also been a large opera- tor, and his judgment concerning stock is sel-
dom at fault. In 1896 he settled on a portion of the Corral de Piedra rancho, consisting of . one thousand acres, and here he carries on gen- eral farming and dairying. With a herd of one Inindre I dairy cows, he produces a fine grade of butter, known throughout the central coast as the J. H. Hollister creamery butter, for which there is a constant demand at fair prices. Be- sides his various ranch interests, he owns prop- erty in San Luis Obispo.
From the time of attaining his majority, Mr. Hollister has voted with the Republicans. When twenty-three years of age he was elected county supervisor, being the youngest member the board has ever had. During his two years of service, the board refunded the bonded debt of the county. In 1882 he was elected to the legis- lature from San Luis Obispo county, and served from January, 1883, until January, 1885. Sev- eral bills that were of great value marked his work as a legislator. He was the author of an act to exterminate fruit-tree pests and to pre- vent disease in fruit trees, which became a law. He also introduced the bill to establish the state board of horticulture and to appropriate money for the expenses thereof. To him belongs the credit for the act to protect the dairy interests of the state and known as the anti-oleomar- garine law. He introduced an act providing for the return to the government of the remaining lands held by the railroads.
Since 1872 Mr. Hollister has been a member of the California National Guard, and has held commissions from the rank of sergeant-major to that of major. For fourteen years he was a inember of the staff of the First Brigade. Fra- ternally he is connected with King David Lodge No. 209, F. & A. M .; and San Luis Chapter No. 62, R. A. M. In 1883 he was knighted in the Ventura Commandery No. 18, K. T., and later became an organizer of San Luis Com- mandery No. 27. Ile is also a member of the Fraternal Brotherhood and the Woodmen of the World. In 1881 he married Flora M .. daughter of Judge J. C. Stocking. Seven chil- dren were born of their union, but one of these, Ellen, died in 1887. when five years of age. Those now living are: John H., Jr .; William M .. Mary B., Flora J., Felton S. and Ida G.
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REV. P. HASSETT.
The history of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church of Watsonville dates back to 1864, when the parish was divided and Father Russell began to hold services at Watsonville. Though the village was very small at that time, there were in the vicinity quite a number of Roman Catholic families, and so the new organization started under encouraging circumstances. Im- mediately after coming here he began to erect a house of worship, but this was not completed until 1869, under the ministry of Father Ma- honey. The structure had a capacity of four hundred and fifty, and was, at the time of build- ing, one of the most attractive and substantial in the central coast regions.
In 1879 Father M. Marrion became rector of the church and he continued until 1897, when Father P. Hassett was chosen for the position. The latter was born in county Tipperary, Ire- land, in 1872, a son of Michael Hassett. Giving evidence of fine talents, it was decided that the best possible advantages should be bestowed upon him, and it may be said with justice that he availed himself of these to the utmost, prov- ing a diligent student. In 1896, shortly after his graduation from All Hallows' College, he crossed the ocean to America, and then pro- ceeded across the continent to California, where he was appointed assistant to Father McNamee, of Santa Cruz. During his incumbency of this position, which he held until coming to Watson- ville, he gained a knowledge of California cus- toms and American life, and thus was thor- oughly qualified to meet any emergency that might arise in future work.
Shortly after his arrival in Watsonville, Father Hassett began to take steps looking to- ward the crection of a new church, more com- modions than the one in use. The sympathy of his parishioners was aroused, contributions began to flow in, and the work of building was taken up. The beautiful and modern brick structure that was erected was consecrated to the service of God in 1902. In every respect it is worthy of the prosperous city of Watsonville and the faithful labors of priest and parishioners. The seating capacity is about six hundred and
fifty. Improvements of modern description have been introduced and the latest and most approved methods of church architecture fol- lowed. The credit for the attractive church is given by the parishioners to their pastor, Father Hassett, in whom they place the fullest confi- dence, and whose wise course as a leader proves that the trust is not misplaced.
IRA VAN GORDON.
Very few of the men now living in California came to the state at a period antedating the ar- rival of Mr. Van Gordon, who merits distinction as a pioneer of 1846. The family of which he is a member came from Holland in an early day. His grandfather, a native of New York, was seriously wounded during his service in the Revolutionary war. The father, Gilbert, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1779, served in the war of 1812. By his marriage to Lucinda Ives, daughter of Benajah Ives, also of Pennsylvania, he had eleven children, Ira being the eldest of these. When seventeen years of age he went from Tioga county, Pa., where he was born February 12, 1820, to Berrien county, Mich., where for two years he worked at a salary of $15 a month. Next, going to Bond county, Ill., he farmed on rented land. While living in Il- linois, in 1841, he married Miss Rebecca Har- lan, a native of Indiana.
Accompanied by his family, Mr. Van Gordon came to California in 1846 and settled at the Santa Clara Mission. For three months he served as a soldier under John C. Fremont, after which he went to the San José Mission and from there to the redwoods near Oakland. In 1848 his wife died. Two sons born of that marriage are now living, Jerome and George. After his wife's death Mr. Van Gordon took his children to the mines, and they were cared for by an aunt while he mined. On the return of winter he went to the mission, and later planted three acres of onions, which he sold on the ground for $3,000. Going from there to Los Angeles county, he entered the grape industry, in which he prospered. From 1854 to 1855 he engaged in stock-raising in San Diego county. From there he drove two hundred and sixty
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head of cattle and forty horses to Tulare county, where he took up government land and carried on a cattle business for eleven years.
Settling in San Luis Obispo county in 1868, Mr. Van Gordon bought 4,468 acres of the San Simeon ranch and established a dairy of two hundred cows. Much of the land was given over to the raising of hay, grain, potatoes, cabbage and fruit. His first home on the ranch was an adobe house, but in 1870 he erected a com- modious residence which he provided with every comfort. His second marriage was sol- emnized in Tulare county, this state, and united him with Miss Agnes Mary Balaam, who was born in Arkansas, of English ancestry. Six children were born of this union, namely: Gil- bert, Ira, Sarah, Ann V., Sherman and Earl. In 1886 Mrs. Van Gordon passed away, and since then he has made his home with his son, Gilbert. At the organization of the Grange he was one of its charter members. Politically he favored the Republican party. No resident of San Luis Obispo county is more highly honored than he, and while he has now reached an age when he can no longer engage actively in business, yet he still keeps posted concerning public affairs and shows the same interest in the progress of his county that he evidenced during the earlier years of his residence here.
GILBERT VAN GORDON.
The interests with which Mr. Van Gordon is identified are of a varied nature and indicate his adaptability to different enterprises and the re- sourcefulness of his mind. As cashier of the San Luis Commercial Bank Agency at Cam- bria, he is closely connected with the finan- cial interests of San Luis Obispo county; while his prominence and influence in the Republican party have been recognized in his appointment to the office of postmaster of Cambria. In ad- dition, he has stock and ranching interests.
A native of Tulare county, Cal., born in 1861, Gilbert Van Gordon was six years of age when his father, Ira Van Gordon, brought the fam- ily to San Luis Obispo county. He grew to manhood in this part of the state, and was given excellent public-school and collegiate advan-
tages. Possessing a disposition in which energy formed an important factor, while still a youth he began to acquire stock and ranch interests, and his ambition to succeed has always been a noticeable feature of his character. Dairying has always formed a leading industry of San Luis Obispo county, and he chose it as his spe- cial line of activity. On a part of the San Simeon ranch he engaged in stock-raising and dairying, and kept about one hundred and fifty dairy cows, his specialty being graded stock. At the time of his election to the cashiership of the bank he moved into town in 1899, and the following year his responsibilities were increased by his appointment as postmaster of Cambria, under President Mckinley. Another enterprise in which he was interested and the organization of which resulted from his efforts was the Home Creamery Association. He was its president and continued in the position until the cream- ery was burned down in 1899.
While Mr. Van Gordon cannot be called a partisan, yet he is known to be one of the most active local workers in the Republican party, and his appointment as postmaster was a just tribute to his successful work in the party. Fraternally he is connected with San Simeon Lodge No. 196, F. & A. M .; and Hesperian Lodge No. 181, I. O. O. F, and in the latter he is past noble grand. By his marriage to Miss M. H. Arbuckle, he has two children, Horace J. and Evelyn.
J. ANDRESEN.
The secretary of the Wahrlich-Cornett Com- pany, of Salinas and Soledad. is one of the well- known business men and honored citizens of Salinas. It is worthy of note that he and the president of the company, William Wahrlich, came from the same city, Apenrade, a place of about six thousand inhabitants, lying north of Schleswig, in the Prussian province of Schles-
wig-Holstein. Around in this part of the prov- ince the Danish language was licard more fre- quently than the German, owing to the close proximity of Denmark and the similarity of the occupations and interests of the people in the two adjacent countries. He was born in 1848
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and while still very young was left an orphan, without means, and so at an age when most boys are in school he was forced to begin to carn his livelihood. The privations and hard- ships he endured had a beneficial effect in de- veloping traits of self-reliance, industry and per- severance, which were the foundation stones for the achievement of his subsequent success. As a clerk in a store in Apenrade he gained a thor- ough knowledge of the mercantile business, con- tinuing in the occupation three years in that town, and he also worked for two years with a firm of ships' commission merchants.
By way of the isthmus Mr. Andresen came to California in 1867, and the following year went from San Francisco to Placer county, where he made his home about twenty years, engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In 1893 he removed to Salinas and bought an interest in the Wahrlich-Cornett Mercantile Company, of which he is now secretary. Some years before this he had spent a short time in Salinas, and was then connected with the gas and water company. During his first sojourn in this city he was married, in 1881, to Miss M. C. Hansen, a native of Denmark. By a former marriage with Ingeborg B. Crogh, there was one son, Peter, who resides in Salinas.
The tastes and inclinations of Mr. Andresen have never been in the line of politics, and, while he votes the Democratic ticket, he has never been a partisan nor active in the conduct of local municipal affairs. Fraternally he is connected with the Dania Society and the An- cient Order of United Workmen.
SINGLETON W. WILSON.
The Bank of San Luis Obispo dates its or- ganization back to a period when the county of the same name had as yet no bank within its borders. Organized during 1873. it has there- fore been in existence for about thirty years. During this period it has maintained the confi- dence of depositors and the general public: this, too, notwithstanding the trying times when diroughts devastated all the surrounding country und caused a severe and long-continued strin- gency in the money market. The former head
of the institution was J. P. Andrews, who has since become president of the Andrews Banking Company of the same city. For some years past J. L. Crittenden has served as president, and Singleton W. Wilson has filled the office of cashier.
Mr. Wilson was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1845, a son of Singleton and Mary (Barr) Wil- son, natives respectively of Shelbyville, Ky., and Baltimore, Md. The father, who was a promising young lawyer, died in 1847; had he lived, undoubtedly he would have attained emi- nence at the bar. Some years after her hus- band's death, Mrs. Wilson was again married, becoming the wife of James B. Colt, a brother of Samuel Colt, the famous inventor of the revolv- ing pistol. Their marriage took place in St. Louis, after which, in 1852, they removed to Hartford, Conn., and in the latter city S. W. Wilson remained until 1860, meantime attending the public schools. At the age of fifteen he re- turned to St. Louis and secured employment as shipping clerk in a wholesale grocery. The next year. at the opening of the Civil war, he en- listed in the Confederate army, joining the ar- tillery service under General Thompson. In the battle of Springfield he was with General Price's corps. With his regiment he was despatched across the Mississippi river to take part in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, but reached there too late to join in the engagement. Afterward he took part in the battles of Corinth, Holly Springs, Black river, and the siege of Vicksburg. lasting forty-five days. During that siege he fell into the hands of northern troops, by whom he was taken prisoner, but later released on parole. He then went to the northern part of Mississippi, but there met with the misfortune of again suffering capture by the enemy, and he was then taken to St. Louis as a prisoner of war. Later he was transferred to Camp Mor- ton at Indianapolis. Ind., where he remained until the close of the war.
Returning to St. Louis, Mr. Wilson soon went from there to New Orleans and secured a position as bookkeeper for Haves, Russell & Co., wholesale grocers, with whom he remained in that city for two years. Next he went back to St. Louis and became bookkeeper for Rus-
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. sell, Hayes & Co., who conducted a business in St. Louis under a slightly different title from that in New Orleans. In 1873 he resigned his position and came to California. At that time the sheep business was attracting hundreds of men, who were inspired by the successes of the sheep princes of the state. He was among the number who had great faith in the industry. Accordingly he bought a large flock and estab- lished himself in the business near Fresno. For a time all went well, but the drought of 1876 and 1877 caused an entire loss, and he retired permanently from stock-raising. In January. 1876, he came to San Luis Obispo and soon afterward was appointed deputy county clerk and auditor. In 1880 he was elected auditor, which office he filled until 1889. In February of the last-named year he entered the Bank of San Luis Obispo as bookkeeper, and in April, 1890, was promoted to be cashier, which position he has since filled. His attention has been given so closely to banking affairs that he has had no leisure to participate in politics. However, he may always be relied upon to cast a Democratic ticket at local or national elections. Fraternally he is connected with the Foresters and Royal Arcanum.
In Richmond, Mo., December 16, 1869, Mr. Wilson married Miss Lucy E. Allen, daughter of Henry and Ann (Reeves) Allen, of Missouri, her father having been a prominent citizen. Three children comprise the family of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, namely: Roberta, who is the wife of W. L. Rogers, an attorney in San Francisco; Florence B., at home; and Norman, Singleton, who is engaged in the coffee business in San Salvador, Central America.
JAMES CASS.
Few of the men now living in San Luis Obispo county came to California at a period earlier than Mr. Cass, who belongs to the heroic band of "forty-niners," and arrived in San Fran- cisco on the 8th of July of that memorable year. Ile was born in Somerset, England, November 24, 1824, and is the only child of James and Har- riet Cass. At the age of ten years he shipped as a sailor, and in 1836 he came to the United
States, after which he sailed along the coast of this country until 1841. An interval of a year followed during which he attended school in England. On resuming a seafaring life, he was made mate of the brig Trio, of New York.
After the discovery of gold in California Mr. Cass came to the Pacific coast on the Orpheus, and secured employment on the Olevia, running on the Sacramento river, for which he was paid $150 per month. In September, 1849, he went to the mines at Coloma, and thence to Dry Town, where he mined in the winter and sailed on the river in the summer. On account of ill- ness he was obliged to discontinue mining, and so became a pilot on the river, for which he received $250 a month. As soon as he had re- gained his health he resumed mining, and in two weeks took out $2,500. His next venture was the organization of the Boston store on Dry creek, two and one-half miles north of the Q ranch, in which business he was associated with Joseph Crackborn, Charles Samons and Levi Shepherd. The store was opened November I, 1850, but in June of the next year he sold his interest in the establishment.
The first purchase of ranch land made by Mr. Cass was in 1851, when he bought one hundred and sixty acres and embarked in agriculture. However, knowing little about the occupation, and being harassed by unlooked-for difficulties (chief among which were the floods), he failed to make a success of the undertaking. He then opened a store at Mule Town, in which he soon took Walden Lords as a partner. Six months later they sold the store and each took up a quarter-section of government land, on which they engaged in raising hogs. This venture, like the previous agricultural undertaking, proved a failure. In November, 1867, Mr. Cass sold out and came to Cayucos, San Luis Obispo county, where he took up three hundred and twenty acres of government land. one and one- half miles from the village. Two years after- ward he sold the stock and land, and, with Cap- tain Ingalls, built a wharf, in which he still owns a half interest and is now sole manager. He has done much for the upbuilding of Cayu cos. This little village owes much to his con- stant interest in its well-being. No movement
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