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 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100
In 1856 Mr. Corey married Rosana Frost, a native of Essex, Vt., and who was a beautiful character and an ideal helpmate. Mrs. Corey had no children of her own, but lavished all the love of her heart on three of the children of her husband's sister, who were left orphans at an early age. She died March 9. 1900, a firm believer and worker in the Presbyterian Church. The second marriage of Mr. Corey was with Mrs. Elfreda (Ead) Johnson, and was solemn- ized May 24, 1901, Mrs. Corey being a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Nattress) Ead, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Ead brought their daughter to America and California in 1849,
settling in this county, where they are still liv- ing and are nearly seventy years of age. Mrs. Corey was born in Jo Daviess county, Ill., and married Thomas J. Johnson, by whom she had one daughter, Pearl, her second marriage re- sulting in another daughter, Augusta Eleanor. Mr. Corey is a stanch supporter of the Republi- can party, although he has never labored for the interests of other than his friends. He was one of the organizers and a director of the Monterey County Bank, at Salinas, and has had much to do with other enterprises in the town and county of equal importance to its growth. Although approaching the quiet evening of life, he is still well and hearty, a successful, typically western, and honored resident of this well fav- ored coast country.
JOSÉ VICENTE ESTUDILLO.
During his long and active career, José Vi- cente Estudillo exerted a lasting influence upon the general affairs of San Luis Obispo county. where for thirty-one years he engaged in stock- raising on a scale compatible with large returns and the general advantages of his surroundings. The family owned San Joaquin ranch, one of the finest in the country, and this was the spe- cial pride of Mr. Estudillo, who spent his days in its improvement. and gave to it his best thought and untiring care. His death in 1893 removed one of the substantial men of the com- munity, and one whom, in many respects, it was difficult to find a substitute.
In his young manhood Mr. Estudillo found a helpmate and sincere sympathizer in Eulalia D. Zamorano, whom he married in San Diego county, and who was born in that county. Mrs. Estudillo, who still lives in San Luis Obispo, has an interesting ancestry, and is a daughter of Agustin Vicente Zamorano, a native of Florida. The father eventually chose Mexico as his per- manent home, and the woes of that once hapless country were very deeply imbedded in his patri- otic heart. He was a lieutenant in the Sixth Regiment, and at the time of the independence of Mexico, in 1810, he was active in defense of the rights of his adopted country. He was am- bitious of high political honors, and aspired to
467
IHISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
be governor, but his premature death in 1842, while still young in years, terminated what promised to be a brilliant and resourceful ca- reer. His aspiration for a seat among the mighty and influential was in a sense inherited from ancestors who had mingled with the kings of Spain, and participated in the glory which brilliant deeds and extended empire shed upon the once world-envied throne. The paternal grandfather, Gonzalo Zamorano, a native of Spain, was treasurer to Charles III., king of Spain, and his official capacity extended also to the reign of Ferdinand VII.
Mrs. Estudillo has one brother and one sister living in California, and she herself has spent her entire life amid the multitudinons attrac- tions of the state. She became the mother of twelve children, namely: Joaquin J., Agustin V., José V., Eulalie D., Josefa R., Chonita M., Elena R., Enrique R., José G., Odulia M., Da- linda F. (who died at the age of six years), and Anais M.
JUDGE MARTIN EGAN.
In the city of Plattsburg, N. Y., where his father had settled in 1831, Judge Egan was born in 1844. The family of which he is a member has always displayed the utmost loyalty to our country and has been stanchly Republican ever since that party was organized. Indeed, his father was one of the founders of the party in his neighborhood and did considerable pioneer work in bringing its principles before the peo- ple for consideration and thoughtful study. Naturally, he is also a believer in the Repub- lican platform and upholds its principles by his ballot. A military spirit is another characteristic of the family, and he had two brothers who sig- nificantly displayed the possession of this family trait. One of them was a graduate of West Point, and rose to the rank of major in the reg- ular army. Another brother, Michael, was also a Union soldier during the war, and now resides in Philadelphia.
On completing his education in Plattsburg Academy, Martin Egan began to make his own way in the world. Following in the footsteps of his father, who was a merchant, he became inter-
ested in merchandising at Plattsburg, and re- mained in that city until 1878, the date of his arrival in California. Ever since then he has made his home in San Luis Obispo, where for years he had charge of the water works, mean- time laying all the mains, pipes, etc. Since 1891 he has held office as justice of the peace, which position he fills with the utmost fidelity. The filling of this office has made him perhaps more deeply interested in moral reform than he would have been otherwise. He believes that boys should be carefully trained when young, and should be taught to leave whisky alone and shun other evils which drag into hopeless ruin so many of the brightest youths of the land.
While living in Plattsburg, N. Y., Judge Egan there married Miss Mary A. South, who was born and reared in New York state. Her father, Lieut. Joseph South, enlisted in the Ninety-sixth New York Infantry at the opening of the Civil war and was killed in 1863 while in active serv- ice. Judge and Mrs. Egan have six children, namely: John, Mary, Emmett, Henry, Louisa and Margaret.
JOSEPH EDGAR.
Practically all of the competence which Mr. Edgar has gained and the position 'he has reached is the result of his unaided efforts, for when he and his parents arrived in California, December 4, 1865, they were not only without means, but lacked a knowledge of American customs and people. They came direct from their native country of Ireland and settled near Tomales, Marin county, where the parents, Jolin and Eliza Edgar, with the assistance of their only son, set about the task of improving a farm from a tract of raw land. Four years later the father came to San Luis Obispo county and bought a farm near Cambria, where he carried on agricultural pursuits with a fair degree of success. On that place his death occurred June 28, 1884. when he was sixty-nine years of age, and his wife died in August, 1889, aged eighty- two. Their only living son is Joseph Edgar. who at the time of crossing the ocean was eight- cen years of age. In 1869 he came to San Luis Obispo county with his father, whom he after-
468
IHISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ward assisted in dairying for a number of years.
Before the death of his mother, Mr. Edgar rented the old homestead and gave his attention closely to the cultivation of the four hundred and fifty acres forming the property. In 1888 he removed to Los Osos valley, where he has since made his home with his sister, Mrs. Nelson. His property interests are constantly increasing in importance and without doubt, unless accident prevents, he will in time be numbered among the most successful ranchers in all of the county. Since he came here he has seen the transforma- tion of the county and its gradual settlement by a desirable class of people, all of which is as gratifying to him as to other public-spirited men. Included in his possessions is a small place just outside of the city of San Luis Obispo. At the organization of the Commercial Bank of San Luis Obispo he was one of those who bore a part in its establishment, and since 1898 he has been a member of its board of directors. Polit- ically he gives his support to the Democratic. party. On one occasion he served as clerk of the election board. He is especially interested in educational work and for the past ten years has been clerk of the Laguna school district.
JOHN F. FIEDLER.
No better proof were required of the popular- ity of John F. Fiedler than the fact that he is now serving his fourteenth year as recorder of San Luis Obispo county. He was first elected on the Republican ticket in 1888, has been re- elected for five consecutive terms, and has come to be regarded as a permanent acquisition to the important political trusts of the county.
Born in Columbia, Tuolumne county, Cal., in 1853, Mr. Fiedler spent his youth in San Fran- cisco, where he was educated in the public schools. His father, F. Fiedler, was engaged in commercial enterprises all his life, and his integ- rity and ability resulted in numerous large busi- ness responsibilities. In the latter part of 1868 he removed his family from San Francisco to New Almaden, Santa Clara county, where he became superintendent of the quicksilver works and where he remained until returning to San Francisco in 1873. He married Eugenia Si-
monds, who is now living in Marin county, Cal., and who became the mother of the following children: John F .; Frederick, who is in busi- liess in Marin county; James R .; Mrs. Laura Bohlman, Caroline L., Ida and Emma. Carrie died when three years of age.
While his father was superintendent of the quicksilver works in New Almaden, John F. Fiedler made himself useful as a clerk in a store, and when the family fortunes were again located in San Francisco he worked in a carriage estab- lishment for three years. In Darwin, Inyo county, he also engaged as a clerk in a mercan- tile store, and in the latter part of 1881 removed to Lake county, and engaged in business for a couple of years. Thus fortified with plenty of practical experience in the mercantile line, he started out in a little business of his own in Ar- royo Grande, San Luis Obispo county, and suc- ceeded fairly well as a dispenser of high-grade groceries. His election as county recorder in 1888 put an end to his mercantile aspirations for some years at least, and the responsible duties of his office have since demanded his exclusive and undivided attention.
Through his marriage, in 1882, with Almira Parrish, a native of this county, Mr. Fiedler secured a true helpmate and sympathizer in his struggle to secure a name and place for himself among the enterprising sons of the west. Two sons have been born of this union, Ferdinand F. and Eugene S. Mr. Fiedler is associated with the Foresters of America, the Woodmen of the World, and the Native Sons of the Golden West
J. M. FELTS.
That adverse conditions build up the strong and break down the weak is a truism empha- sized in the life of J. M. Felts, at present en- gaged in the real-estate and insurance business in San Luis Obispo, and formerly an educator. A native of Alabama, Mr. Felts was born Feb- ruary 27, 1842, a son of a planter living in the south, but of whose life or character he recalls very little. The father was ambitious of larger chances than confronted him the other side of the Rockies, so started with his family for Cali-
469
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
fornia, but on the Missouri river, aboard the steamer Saloody, met with an accident due to explosion of the boat, which caused the deaths of himself and wife a few months later, in Lex- ington, Mo.
Left an orphan at the age of eight years, J. M. Felts was at the mercy of his own resources, and without a home of any kind. From his par- ents he had imbibed an appreciation of the west, and so continued his journey over the plains. having secured the position of cattle driver with a salary of $10 a month. That he was unusu- ally thrifty and enterprising is evidenced by the fact that at the age of seventeen years he had saved up $600, his sole thought in economizing being the prospect of securing a good education. Up to the age of fourteen he had been to school but three months, and he afterward went to the public schools and Hesperian College in Yolo county, and the San Francisco Business Col- lege, and subsequently taught school in Yolo and Coluso counties. After removing to San Luis Obispo county in 1879, he taught school, was county superintendent of schools for eight years, and served as assessor for eight years. For three years he was principal of schools of San Luis Obispo, and in 1902 engaged in the real estate and insurance business.
In San Luis Obispo county Mr. Felts married Jennie C. Blunt, daughter of Levi Blunt, a Mis- souri farmer who came to California in the early days, settled 'at Cambria, San Luis Obispo county, and died at an advanced age. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Felts, viz .: Irene, the wife of H. H. Carpenter; Lola, a resident of Seattle, Wash .; Charles and Wirt, both at home; and Hattie, deceased. Mr. Felts is a Democrat in political affiliation, and has been active in local political undertakings.
FRITZ VORBECK.
In conducting his farming enterprises in Mon- terey county Mr. Vorbeck has encountered the average number of drawbacks, and it is to his credit that he has profited by his failures and built thereon a solid foundation for the future. He rents a farm of four hundred acres near Chualar, and is engaged in general farming and
stock-raising. Mr. Vorbeck is one of the sub- stantial German-American farmers of the county, and was born in Mellenburg, Germany, in 1823, a son of John and Catherine Vorbeck, natives of Germany and farmers by occupation. When grown to manhood, he decided to spend his fu- ture in America, and undertook the journey hither by way of steamer to New York, and thence by steamer around Cape Horn to San Francisco.
The long trip was completed March 26, 1854. at which time Mr. Vorbeck was just twenty-nine years of age. For a time he worked as a day laborer in San Francisco, and then went to Ala- meda county and worked on a farmi for two years. As an independent effort he started in to farming near Haywards, and in spite of the fact that his property did not yield sufficient re- turns for labor invested, remained for nearly twelve years. Hoping to better his prospects and get on his feet again, he worked out on a farm for four years, and came to Chualar in 1873. This has been his home ever since, and lie is an industrious and respected member of the community. In national politics he is a Re- publican, and votes for the man best fitted for the official office.
Y. P. VILLEGAS.
The manifold advantages which await the in- dustrious and enterprising in the central coast regions are fully understood and appreciated by Mr. Villegas, who, as agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, has been an inter- ested spectator of the growth of Soledad and vicinity since 1876. In the meantime he has branched out into an exhaustive study of cli- matic and other conditions here prevailing, and as a historian has gained considerable promi- nence, his diary containing a fine and graphic description of the Salinas valley, and a pene- trating and conclusive analysis of the causes of rainfall, both in this country and in Spain, as well as in other portions of the globe. His as- sertions are backed up by proof gained through years of practical experience, out of which he has drawn certain deductions for the improve- ment of the valley, among others the well-re-
470
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ceived and sensible idea of setting shade trees, a few miles apart, and extending across the valley in rows.
The family of which Mr. Villegas is a member were among the very carly pioneers of Mon- terey county. He was born in Mexico in 1840, and his parents, Francisco and Antonia O. De Villegas, came to Monterey city in 1848. The father was a rancher and stock-raiser, and in carrying on his extensive enterprises was a great factor in the development of this part of Cali- tornia, owning at one time four thousand acres of land. His son was educated at Santa Clara, and during his early life had the typical frontier experiences, at times engaging as cowboy, rancher and miner. At the time that he became agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- pany, Soledad was then the terminus of the rail- road, and continued as such until 1886. The original intention of Mr. Villegas was to devote his life to the study of law, and he therefore began with Judge Breen, and was under that eminent jurist's instruction for a year and a half. In 1868 he took up telegraphy, a line of occupa- tion more in accord with his natural inclinations, and therefore more congenial. He has been identified with the development of Soledad, and has exerted the weight of his influence in favor of the highest possible educational advantages for the town. Like his father before him, he is a stanch Republican. He was elected justice of the peace in San Juan township in 1876, and has been notary public for twelve years.
In 1861, at San Juan, Mr. Villegas married Guadaloupe Salgado, and of this union there are seven children. Of these, three are telegraph operators, and the oldest son is postmaster of Soledad. The family are devoted members of the Catholic Church at Soledad.
CHARLES UNDERWOOD.
The name of Charles Underwood is familiar to most of the residents of Monterey county and carries with it an impression of influence. large undertakings and unquestioned integrity. An extensive rancher and large city and country property owner. he is indebted chiefly to his own skillful handling of fickle fortune, and his
sticcessful manipulation of the latent forces by which he was surrounded. A native of Scho- harie, N. Y., he was born May 10, 1828, and was reared on the paternal farm until fifteen years of age. His youthful spirit rebelled at the limitations of an agricultural life and he put to sea in a merchant vessel, entering with zest into the life upon the deep. During his nine years before the mast he spent three years upon a war frigate, and eventually gave up his sea- faring life in the east. Not content with condi- tions there, he came to California by rail and water, and at Redwood City became interested in milling, continuing the same about nine years.
After leaving the milling business at Red- wood, Mr. Underwood bought a one-third inter- est in the Los Tularcitos rancho of twenty-eight thousand acres and for several years engaged in the sheep business. In 1868 he contested a claim for the old Spanish grant commonly known as Corral de Tierra, which finally re- stilted, after eleven years of litigation, in judg- ment for Mr. Underwood. In 1876 he went to San Francisco and engaged in the piano busi- ness and for three years sold pianos and organs at wholesale, after which he came to Monterey, and later assumed charge of his large farming interests. He also overhauled and rebuilt the Central Hotel, now managed by his son. While assuming control of the hotel, he also con- ducted his ranch, but eventually leased the hotel and gave his entire attention to ranching. At the present time he is devoted exclusively to his ranch, where he is breeding Hereford cattle, and engaging in general farming. That his many lines of activity have resulted in gain is evi- denced by his property holdings, which include two store buildings in Monterey, several other business and residence properties, besides his improved ranch.
In 1856 Mr. Underwood married Catherine Armstrong, a native of Ireland, and who came to the United States with her parents when quite young. To Mr. and Mrs. Underwood have been born five children, two of whom are living, namely: Margaret, wife of A. W. Brown, of San Francisco: and Alexander R .. lessee and manager of the Central Hotel. Mr. Underwood is a Republican in political affiliations, but has
4:1
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
never been before the public as a politician or office-holder. He is one of the broad-minded and liberal upbuilders of this community, and enjoys the confidence and respect due his per- sonal attributes of character.
ALEXANDER R. UNDERWOOD.
The present manager and lessee of Central Hotel at Monterey, Mr. Underwood was born in California and is a son of Charles and Cath- erine (Armstrong) Underwood, natives respec- tively of Schoharie, N. Y., and Ireland. He was educated in the Garden City Commercial Col- lege at San José, at the San José Institute and the Lincoln grammar school in San Francisco. February 15. 1892, he accepted a position with the state hospital, and remained with this insti- tution, founded by Dr. Hatch, until his resigna- tion in March of 1900. The same year he be- came manager of Central Hotel, owned by his father, and has since conducted this place to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is variously identified with fraternal and social organizations, and is a charter member of Salinas Lodge No. 614. B. P. O. E .: a member of Liberty Lodge No. 299, F. & A. M., at Santa Clara; Lodge No. 643. I. O. F .; also is connected with the Union League Club of San Francisco and the Native Sons of the Golden West. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Underwood was formerly Julia E. Carter and is a native of San José.
MICHAEL TYNAN.
Under the able supervision of Mr. Tynan the Monterey county farm has been conducted since 1891, and during that long period he has placed the work on a systematic basis, intelligently guiding and directing the whole. The sixty-five acres comprising the farm receive careful at- tention, so that each acre is made to produce the greatest possible results in response to the care and cultivation bestowed upon it. The in- mates of the farm are treated with kindly con- sideration, yet with firmness, and each, as far as possible, is expected to assist in certain du- ties, thus giving them a personal interest in the place which is their only home and causing them
to take a pride in its improvements and neat ap- pearance.
The superintendent of the farm, Mr. Tynan, was born near Buffalo, at Black Rock, N. Y., November 27, 1827. While he was a mere child the family moved to Detroit, Mich., where his father died. Later the widowed mother, accon- panied by the two children, moved to Toronto, Canada, but soon returned to Detroit, in which city Michael began clerking in a grocery at the age of fourteen years. Four years later he began to follow the lakes and also worked on the St. Clair river, rising from a humble position to the rank of captain of the steamer Red Jacket, in which capacity he continued for three years. During the exciting days of 1850 he crossed the plains to California, with horse- teams, being captain of a party of nine men. During the trip from Fort Leavenworth to Hangtown (now Placerville) he experienced con- siderable trouble with the Indians, but managed to escape direct attack from them. On his ar- rival in California he started a store at Diamond Springs, where he remained two years as a grocer. He was interested in a general store at Ladies Valley, on the McCosmies river, at the same time. His next venture was the building of the Golden Exchange Hotel, which he con- ducted until 1854. He then rented his hotel and began mining. which occupation he fol- lowed many years, meantime becoming the owner of a valuable mine. A later business ven- ture was the conducting of a livery business at Lancha Plana, Amador county. During his early days in California, while the honest peo- ple in the state were endeavoring to maintain themselves in safety against the Indians and white desperadoes, he had many thrilling expe- riences, and more than once narrowly escaped with his life. At one time he joined a company in Eldorado county, organized to drive the In- dians away, and succeeded in accomplishing that object, so that no further trouble was had with the savages.
Coming to Salinas in 1870, Mr. Tynan con- ducted the Salinas hotel a short time, and then erected what is now known as the Commercial hotel, which he still owns. This latter he main- tained until accepting his appointment to the
472
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Monterey county farm in 1891. His marriage, in 1852, united him with Miss Angeline Foster, a native of Illinois, who died in 1882. Their children are Alonzo, John, Clarence and Ger- trude. While Mr. Tynan is not a partisan, but on the other hand believes in supporting the best man for office, yet he is a believer in Dem- ocratic principles, and at national elections sup- ports his ticket uniformly. Some thirty-two years ago he was made a Mason and ever since he has retained his connection with the blue lodge.
OWEN S. TUTTLE.
The varied interests which have been under the supervision of Mr. Tuttle have given him a position of prominence among the business men of Watsonville and the stock-raisers of the Pa- jaro valley. He was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, May 6, 1850, being a son of Daniel and Mary E. (Pardoe) Tuttle. His grandfather. Hiram Tuttle, a native of Washington county. Pa., removed to Richland county, Ohio, in 1821, and in 1838 established his home still further toward the west, going to a farm in Iowa. Dan- iel Tuttle was reared to agricultural activities and in 1852 accompanied a party to California, settling in Shasta county, where he conducted a tavern. However, agriculture was his chosen occupation, and in the fall of 1852 he came to Santa Cruz county in search of a favorable opening for farming. With others he took a squatter's claim on the Amesta ranch, and this place he stocked with cattle, the land affording fine grazing in those days. For a time he had control of five hundred acres, which afforded him abundant pasturage for his herds. There being no saw mill near, he could not secure lumber with which to build a house, so put up a rude hut of split lumber. In addition to rais- ing stock he engaged in general farming and also set out a peach orchard.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.