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 64
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occurred March 5, 1901, he was able to attend to his work, and was in the full possession of his faculties.
When but three years of age William J. Mc- Gowan came to the farm upon which he now lives, and up to his twenty-seventh year he worked at home for his father. He then bought the ranch which he now works, and to which he brought his wife, formerly Sarah M., daughter of C. D. Trafton, and who was born in Wat- sonville, Cal. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McGowan: Charles Wilford, eleven years of age and living at home; an in- fant now deceased; Clarence O., Lester Donald and Myrtle Estelle. Like his father, Mr. Mc- Gowan is a Democrat, but he has never been heard of as an aspirant for office. With his wife he is a member of the Episcopal Church, and at the death of his father took his place as vestry- man, a position maintained for many years by the older man. He is popular and well known in the Pajaro valley, and is one of the very successful and enterprising horticulturists.
L. M. McMANUS.
San Luis Obispo is to be congratulated be- cause of the presence in its midst of a so thor- oughly enterprising and practical business man as L. MI. McManus, proprietor of the San Luis Jewelry Company, the largest jewelry establish- ment in the county, and one of the largest in this part of the state. It were possible to visit many towns of greater commercial pretensions and older claims to consideration, and yet rarely find so complete a stock of jewelry, diamonds and other precious stones, cut glass and articles of virtu, as is to be found in the show cases of this finely equipped store. The selections have been made with discretion and taste, and are sufficiently varied under each head to meet the demands of the most exacting.
As one of those who has wrested a compe- tence and standing out of his own appreciation of opportunities, Mr. McManus is entitled to the credit so readily accorded by all who are familiar with his earlier struggles with adversity. Ile was born in Minneapolis, Minn .. in 1864, a son of C. G. McManus, a native of New York
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state, and at present a resident of San Luis Obispo. He married a Miss Walrath, who also was a native of New York. The paternal grand- father, McMantis, was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. When but thirteen years of age L. M. McManus temporarily suspended his edu- cation in the public schools, because of the necessity for beginning to think about his own support. He therefore started in to learn the jeweler's trade in Chicago, and after completing the same continued to work thereat for some time in Chicago. In the fall of 1886 he came to Ventura, Cal., and established a jewelry store, which, from a small beginning, assumed large proportions as the business ability and enterprise of the owner became known and recognized. However, he thought to improve even upon so successful a business, and rightfully conjectured that San Luis Obispo offered superior induce- ments for his location here.
The marriage of Mr. McManus and Emma Penny, a native of Minnesota, and of English descent, was solemnized in 1885, and of this union there are three children, Mable, Charles, and Raymore. Mr. McManus is popular and well known fraternally, is chief patriarch of the Encampment, and a member of the Independ- ent Order of Foresters and the Woodmen of the World. He enjoys an enviable reputation in San Luis Obispo, and is possessed of the ster- ling traits of character which insure the highest citizenship.
CHARLES M. MARTIN.
During the entire period since 1874 Mr. Mar- tin has made his home in San Luis Obispo county and has been identified with the ranch- ing interests of Los Osos valley, where he owns a finely improved farm. Ever since he came to this locality he has contributed to its develop- ment and progress, bearing an active part in matters pertaining to the public welfare. About two years after his arrival he assisted in build- ing the first school house in Los Osos valley. From that time to the present he has worked to promote local educational affairs, and as a member of the school board of his district has rendered efficient service for twenty years. Be-
fore roads had been opened, he placed himself on record as a stanch champion of these neces- sary improvements, the making of which has been of such value to business men throughout the county, and he also favored the building of the railroads.
Mr. Martin was born in England in 1841, and was sixteen years of age when he accompanied an tincle to the United States, settling in Cen- ter county, Pa. From there he removed to Albe- marle county, Va., in 1867 and settled upon a tract of land, from which he improved a farm. Prior to removing to Virginia he had been a participant in the Civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H. Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Infan- try, and went to the front under Colonel Hoff- man. For some time he was assigned to the First Army Corps, but in 1864 became con- nected with the Fifth Corps, continuing, how- ever, with the army of the Potomac as before. At the expiration of his term of service he again enlisted in the same company, and continued at the front until the war was at an end. Among the most famous engagements in which he par- ticipated were those at Gettysburg, Antietam and Appomattox Courthouse. He was mustered out at Philadelphia in July, 1865, and returned to his home with a record as a soldier of which he might well be proud.
On coming to California in 1872, Mr. Martin secured employment on a dairy near San José, where he remained for eighteen months. In the fall of 1874 he removed to Los Osos valley and the following year bought the farm of eighty acres which he still owns and occupies. There was little about the land to attract an ordinary observer. No improvements had been made, no fences built, no trees planted, and no house erected. The fine shade trees that add so much to the appearance of the farm were planted by Mr. Martin after coming here. In fact. all of the improvements have been made under his personal supervision. The entire tract is under fence. A wind mill has been put up and water is piped over the entire place, both for domestic use and for the convenience of the stock. The land is tinder the plow, and much of it is in barley and wheat. The dairy cows are of the finest strains, and there are also a member of good
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horses on the farm. So busy is Mr. Martin with the management of the property that he has little leisure for participation in politics, al- though he is an active Republican and never fails to cast his ballot at all elections. On the organization of Fred Steele Post No. 70, G. A. R., he became one of its charter members, and lias since been interested in its work.
The marriage of Mr. Martin occurred in Pennsylvania in 1867 and united him with Miss Rachel Bateman. They are the parents of eight children. all of whom except the two eldest were born in California. They are named as follows: Fannie, wife of James Wiley, of San Francisco: Clara, wife of C. W. Peterson, of Salinas: Isabel, wife of Thomas J. Burnett, of San Francisco: Charles Edward, Nellie, Ward, Albright and Gorden.
WILLIAM H. MEADOWCROFT.
The enterprise in which Mr. Meadowcroft was formerly interested has become known to the people of Watsonville through the energy and sagacity with which it was prosecuted. He is known as the first white man to open and oper- ate a laundry in this part of the state. About 1890 he came to Watsonville and on the east side of the Pajaro river started in the laundry business. Some one had made a previous effort in the same line, but had failed. However, he had persistence and patience, and succeeded in convincing the people that the White Star Laun- dry turned out only the highest class of work. Soon the business increased to such an extent that employment was furnished to about eight assistants. Not only did he erect a business house, but hic also owned five dwellings and three stores which he had built. In 1900 he sold out there and crossed the river into Wat- sonville proper, buying the corner of Second and Rodriguez streets and building a house. He also purchased the building that stood where Second street connects with Main street, and with others interested had the street opened at a cost to him of $600. The building was then moved back to Second street and was remod- eled into four stores, one being his laundry. Encouraged by his success. other laundries have
since been started. His previous experience as foreman of the American laundry in Sacramento (which he held for seven years) admirably quali- fied him for the management of a laundry of his own, and enabled him to prosecute his work here in Watsonville. Besides his business prop- erty, he owns three houses on Rodriguez street and two on the corner of First and Menker streets. In November, 1902, Mr. Meadowcroft sold his laundry and turned his attention to thic real-estate business, having opened an office at No. 23 Second street. He has as an associate C. W. Bridgewater, who served for a long period as city marshal of Watsonville.
Mr. Meadowcroft is a native of California, born at San José in 1858, and is a son of William and Mary J. (Tomlinson) Meadowcroft. His father is a California pioneer of 1853 and since 1882 has held the position of gardener of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. The mother served as a matron of the Protestant Orphan Asylum of San Francisco in 1853. Both have many friends in the Golden Gate city, where for so many years they have made their home. William H. Meadowcroft is connected with the Native Sons of the Golden West, in which he has served successively as third, second and first vice-presi- clent, and is at present one of the trustees. Since coming to Watsonville he has allied himself with the Order of Eagles and has also done valu- able work as a member of the Pajaro Valley Fire Company. Associated with the Knights of Pythias, he is master of arms in the local lodge, and in the Uniform Rank holds office as first lieutenant commissary of Major Wright's staff. He and his wife, formerly Lizzie Arnold, and a native of Baltimore, Md .. became the parents of two children, Cornelia R. and Elizabeth C., but fost both of them by death.
LOUIS MARTINELLI.
Not alone in Central California, but also through the entire state, the Pajaro valley is noted as one of the richest in the west,. and. indeed, there are many expert judges who decm it to have no superior in the entire country. Noteworthy among the orchards of this valley is the one owned and occupied by Mr. Martin-
CH Mansfield
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elli, situated one mile from Watsonville, which gives to the family all the advantages of the city together with those accruing from resi- dence in the rural regions. In the homestead there are seventy acres, comprising some of the most fertile soil to be found in the valley. and which, under the direct supervision of the enterprising owner, have been made to repay his labors an hundredfold.
Switzerland is Mr. Martinelli's native country, and August 13, 1826, the date of his birth. He was second among five children, the others being Martin, Rose, Tranquilla and Stephen, the last named a resident of Watsonville. His parents were Peter and Catherine Martinelli. the former a contractor by occupation. The schools of Switzerland afforded Mr. Martinelli an excellent education, subsequent to attend- ing which he turned his attention to the trade of a stonemason. In 1847 he took part in a civil war in Switzerland. In 1852, at the age of twenty-six years, he came to the United States with a party of twenty-four young men, he being manager of the expedition. All of the men were natives of Switzerland, ambitious, hopeful and enthusiastic as to their future in the new world. At this writing only five are living.
After a stop of five days in New York Mr. Martinelli started for California, boarding a four-master vessel which sailed around the Horn and arrived in the harbor of San Francisco Oc- tober 20, 1852. Proceeding at once to the mines, he tried his luck in that occupation, but not securing the great finds hoped for, he aban- doned mining and turned his attention to the ordinary pursuits of commerce. July of 1853 found him in Santa Cruz county, where he was employed in laying the foundation for the first house of worship erected in Watsonville, this being the Baptist Church. For a short time he worked in the employ of S. P. Davis and W. F. White. In 1861 he bought his present farm near Watsonville, and this land he has since transformed into one of the most fertile or- chards in the valley. Besides his farm he has some interests in Watsonville. In all of his labors he has had the assistance and co-opera- tion of Martha Beckem, who was born in Rhode Island and who became his wife in 1862. The
four children of their union are Eugene, Agnes. Alfred C. and Stella.
C. H. MANSFIELD.
The interests owned by Mr. Mansfield are centered around Monterey county, where he has long made his home. Since 1892 he has resided on a farm of nine hundred acres, known as Lowe Station from the fact that in the early days the stages were accustomed to stop at this point. Embraced within the farm are nine hun- dred acres, much of which is under cultivation to the usual farm products. However, the own- ership of this farm does not represent the limit of his interests and activities, for his landed pos- sessions aggregate thirty-five hundred acres, a large part of which is improved. Since 1869 he has devoted his attention largely to the raising of cattle, hogs and horses, and at this writing owns five hundred head of cattle, much of which is of a fine grade.
In Hancock county, Ohio, Mr. Mansfield was born December 6, 1835. His father, Amos W. Mansfield, came to California in 1850 via the overland route, and at first engaged in mining and prospecting, but during the winter of 1851- 52 returned to Ohio for his family. His second trip across the plains was made in the spring of 1852, when he brought his family overland in a "prairie schooner," with ox-teams. In Febru- ary of 1853 he arrived in Monterey, where he secured employment at teaming and hauling logs. In the fall of 1853 he moved to Santa Cruz county and turned his attention to ranch- ing, in which he continued until his death in 1883.
At twenty-one years of age C. H. Mansfield started out in life for himself, having pre- viously gained considerable business experience through assisting his father in a number of en- terprises. Being most familiar with farming. he chose it for his occupation, and did not for a time give any attention to the stock business. However, during 1859, when he removed to San Luis Obispo county, he began to acquire cattle interests, and has since made a specialty of stock-raising. During the dry years of 1863 and 1864 he lost five hundred head of cattle
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from the effects of the drought, but with that exception he was uniformly prospered. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted as a private in Company A, Eighth California Infantry, his term to be for three years or until the expiration of the war. Going with his company to San Francisco, he there expected orders to be sent to Mexico, but instead was retained in this state, remaining in the camp until 1865, when he was honorably discharged.
After a few years as a farmer in the vicinity of Watsonville, in 1869 Mr. Mansfield came to Monterey county and settled near Gorda, where he became interested in the stock business in the Pacific valley. His initial experience as a stock-raiser was gained with stock bought from James Prewitt, to which herd he has added from time to time until he has acquired many head of stock, of excellent grades. In 1872 he mar- ried Mendocino M. Plaskett, by whom he has six sons and four daughters, namely: Edwin E., Sallie, Asa C., Laura W., Jasper A., Walter P., Minnie M., Sherman, Belle and J. G. Blaine. The political affiliations of Mr. Mansfield are with the Republican party, of whose principles he is a stanch supporter. In fraternal relations he is connected with the Grand Army Post at Salinas. As might be expected of a man so energetic and capable, he holds a high position among the people of Monterey county, and par- ticularly among those of his own immediate locality.
CHRISTOPHER MANN.
Though one of the most venerable of the old- time settlers of Pajaro township, Monterey county, Christopher Mann is the embodiment of hearty strength, and goes about his business as orchardist with the enthusiasm we are wont to associate with much younger years. A native of the vicinity of Crawfordsville, Montgomery county. Ind., he was born May 10, 1827, and spent his youth and carly manhood on farms in the Hoosier state and in Missouri. Ac- cording to the precedent established by his father, another Christopher, he is destined for many more years of usefulness, for the older Christopher lived to be one hundred and twelve
years of age, was twice married, and reared twenty-two children.
At the outbreak of the Mexican war Mr. Mann was performing his duties on the paternal farm in Missouri, and into his otherwise un- eventful youth came the opportunity of serving his country with valor and courage. At Inde- pendence, Mo., he enlisted in Company A, First Regiment Volunteers, and as a private partici- pated in two battles in Sacramento county, and experienced many of the dangers and vicissi- tudes of western Indian warfare. For three days he was obliged to live on atmosphere, ow- ing to the absence of food in the Navajo coun- try, but this trial was more than counteracted by the exultation arising from being the first man to jump the breastworks at Chowah. At the close of the war in 1847 he was duly discharged at New Orleans, and upon returning to Inde- pendence, Mo., engaged in farming on a forty acre farm presented him by his father. The same year he married Eliza Haun, a native of Independence, Mo., and who at the present time is seventy years of age. Mrs. Mann, like her husband, is hale and hearty, and is the mother of one daughter, Frances, now the wife of Thomas Robinson. She has also been a mother to Jefferson L. Mann, a nephew, whom she adopted when he was three days old, and who is now county supervisor of Monterey county. and engaged in farming with his uncle Christo- pher.
In the spring of 1850 Mr. Mann started over- land from Missouri with ox-teams, and upon arriving in California settled in Santa Clara, where he bought a house and lot, and engaged in teaming and the lumber business. He soon afterward jumped a claim at Mountain View, Santa Clara county, and after farming and teanı- ing for several years sold his claim and brought one hundred and fifty head of cattle to Green Valley, Santa Cruz county. Here he squatted on a large cattle range, and later bought one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity, upon which he lived and prospered until a dry winter killed off many cattle, and brought about large losses in general. This doleful experience con- vinced him of the utter futility of longer specu- lating with the conditions in Santa Cruz county,
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and he therefore came to the Pajaro valley in 1869, and bought one hundred acres of land at $50 per acre. This property has been well im- proved, and the second year of owning it Mr. Mann set out an acre of trees, and later put out one thousand prune trees. These were after- ward dug up, and he sold fifty acres of land to his brother. He at the present time has thirty- eight of his forty acres under apples, most of which are bearing, and incidentally he engages in general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Mann is a Democrat in political affiliation, but has never desired or accepted official recognition. With his wife he is a member of the Christian Church.
ABRAHAM P. COX.
On the old Cox farm, one of the familiar landmarks of Santa Cruz county, located three miles from Watsonville, Abraham P. Cox, one of the most thrifty and promising of the present day farmers of the Pajaro valley, was born De- cember 28, 1867. The name which he bears and honors has been a familiar one in the county ever since his father, Abraham, settled here in 1852. The elder Abraham was born in New Jersey, April 25, 1823, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Williamson) Cox. He was reared prin- cipally in the state of Michigan, from where lie removed at the age of twenty-one to Wisconsin, where he lived for seven years. In 1851 he started overland for California, and at the ex- piration of three months of danger and depri- vation arrived at his goal in San Francisco. For a year he tried his luck at mining, but being con- vinced that many are called but few are chosen, and that he was not likely to be among the latter class, came to Santa Cruz in 1852, locating on the farm now rented by his son. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Rosella Willitts, who was born in New York state and who died in 1808, leaving three children, of whom Rosella is the wife of Mr. Baker, and Mary is the wife of Mr. Soria.
For several years Abraham Cox has managed his father's farm, and he at the present rents the same, and conducts thereon a general farm- ing business. He is very successful, and is
among the progressive and wide-awake develop- ers of the locality. Through his marriage with Elizabeth Doyle, two children have been born to him, Nora R. and Fred A.
B. FRANK MUMA.
The changing vicissitudes of life brought Mr. Muma into intimate acquaintance with various localities before he established his permanent liome in San Luis Obispo county in 1864. He was born in Fredericktown, Md., in 1826, but his youthful years were passed principally in Louisiana, where he made his home with an uncle until he started out for himself and be- came identified with the growing commonwealth of California. During the progress of the Mex- ican war, in 1846, he enlisted in Company F, Third Indiana Infantry, and was ordered with his regiment to the front, serving for fifteen months.
. Coming to California by way of the isthmus, Mr. Muma landed in San Francisco in October, 1851. From that city he proceeded to the mines at Downieville, Sierra county, and met with fair success as a placer miner on the Yuba and Feather rivers, where he remained several years. Meantime he once visited Los Angeles, which he found to be a small, straggling, unam- bitious Spanish town, presenting the widest pos- sible difference from the present bustling, pros- perous and growing city. Another trip took him as far north as Oregon and Washington. Finally he came to San Luis Obispo county, which has since been his home. He bought two hundred and seventy acres, a part of the Pidros Blancos rancho. The land he stocked with cat- tle, and for some years he confined his atten- tion to the raising of stock, but of late years he has followed dairying.
In the building up of San Luis Obispo Mr. Muma has maintained a constant interest and has acquired property holdings there. His identi- fication with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows covers many years, while he has been a Mason for a half century, being now connected with San Simeon Lodge No. 196, F. & .A. M., and the chapter in New Orleans, La. Ilis mar- riage took place in 1873 and united him with
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Miss Martha Jarman, who was born in Wiscon- sin, a daughter of John Jarman. They are the parents of three children, all of whom are living, namely: Susie, Irwin and Annie.
PAUL B. DEMARTINI.
While the state of California is a cosmopoli- tan region, its population embracing representa- tives of almost every country of the world, there are comparatively few Italians to be found in its towns or upon its ranches. The late Paul B. Demartini was a member of an ancient and hon- orable family of the province of Genoa and was himself a native of that part of Italy, born Feb- ruary 2, 1850. When he was seven years of age his father, Jerome, brought the family to New York City, but six years later returned to Italy, where he died. By occupation he was a candy manufacturer and this industry his son studied under his supervision, serving a regular appren- ticeship. At eighteen years of age he started out for himself, and two years later came to San Francisco, where he secured employment as clerk.
April 1, 1871, in New York City, occurred the marriage of Paul B. Demartini and Miss Maria Lerttora. who was born in Genoa, Italy. When eleven years old she came to the United States with her father, John, settling in New York. It was her father's intention to work in the mines, where he hoped to gain a fortune, and hence he came to California in 1856, but before a realiza- tion of his dreams had become possible he died of yellow fever, leaving two children, John and Maria. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Madelina Rezzaco, subsequently married again and died at forty-five years of age. After the death of their father the Lerttora children re- turned to New York. and there Mr. Demartini and Miss Lerttora were united in marriage, their wedding trip being a tour across the continent to San Francisco. They reached their destina- tion almost penniless, for the trip had been an expensive one for the young husband. With the buoyancy of youth and of the Italian tempera- ment, however, their stringent circumstances did not cause them any anxiety, but with faith in the future, they decided to go to the theater and
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