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 68
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October 13, 1862, Mr. Therwachter married Catherine Swenney, a native of Cork, Ireland, and of this union there have been born three children, Carrie, Ella and Louise, the latter of whom is a school teacher in Santa Cruz county. In politics Mr. Therwachter is a Republican.
JOHN H. THOMPSON.
There are few of the ranchers in Edna district, San Luis Obispo county, whose experiences in California have covered a longer period of years or have been more diversified in nature than those of Mr. Thompson, who is a pioneer of 1854. Ile was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1834, being a son of John Thompson, who removed from Maine to New York in early
manhood and improved a large farm there. On the home farm near Ellington J. H. Thompson passed the years of youth, meantime gaining a thorough knowledge of agriculture and also availing himself of advantages offered by the district schools.
At the elose of his long journey from New York via the Isthmus of Panama to San Fran- eisco, Mr. Thompson went into the lumber camps of Butte county, Cal., and later engaged in mining on the Yuba and Feather rivers. Some years after his arrival in California he accompanied a party of men to the island of Cocos, southwest of Panama, where he spent fourteen months in a fruitless search for the hidden treasure to whose finding so many had given years of toil in vain. On his return to California he was for two years engaged in the machine business at San José. During 1867 he went by stage from that city to Ventura county and settled at New Jerusalem, now known as El Rio. There he bought one hun- dred acres of raw land, which he improved and placed under cultivation to various products. In 1869 he accepted a position as superintend- ent of the old Patterson ranch, comprising five thousand acres, and there he remained for eight years. During the last seven years he rented the property in partnership with H. L. Bush.
Making another removal, Mr. Thompson went to Los Angeles county and bought one thousand acres of land where the village of Gar- dena now stands. In this enterprise he had H. L. Bush as a partner. They continued to cultivate the land for some years, but sold out during the boom, receiving a fair price. His residence in San Luis Obispo county dates from 1887, when he bought the Palace Virde ranch of eight hundred aeres and there began the life of a dairyman and farmer. About the same time he purchased a part of the Steele ranch, which had originally been attached to an old Spanish land grant. Shortly after coming to this county he planted some walnut seeds, and today this orchard of thirty acres is pointed out to strangers as not only the first orchard of the kind planted in the county, but also as one of the finest and most productive. Indeed, com- petent judges have declared it to be one of the
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finest producing orchards in the state of Cali- fornia. In 1880 Mr. Thompson bought the ranch of two hundred and fifty acres in the Edna district where he has since made his home, and about the same time he also purchased one hundred and forty-seven acres now planted in fruits. Various departments of agriculture en- gage his attention. He has not limited himself to one industry, wisely believing that success is enhanced by a variety of crops. A number of standard-bred horses and cattle may be seen on his ranch, and stock-raising is an important adjunct of his work. Two hundred and forty acres of the farm are planted in beans, and these and his walnuts are the special pride of the owner, while he is also justly proud of the fact that his land produces one hundred sacks of barley per acre.
In 1867 Mr. Thompson married Celia I. Alex- ander, born in Nevada county, Cal., daughter of Thomas and Sarah Alexander, natives of Ohio, and a sister of William Alexander, of Los Angeles. Five children were born of their union, Abbie, Henry, Jeannette, Frankie (de- ceased) and Fred. During the Spanish-Ameri- can war the son Henry enlisted in the service and was sent out to the Philippines with the Fourteenth Infantry. Later, while still at Ma- nila, he was one of twelve who volunteered to make the noted "bloody" run, so called because of those who made it six were killed, he being one of the six. He was a brave young man and won a hero's reward, the gratitude of his country and a place in the muster-roll of its brave soldiers.
At no time in his life has Mr. Thompson con- sented to hold office, yet he has been active in local matters and has assisted in gaining local Republican victories. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons. Among the local movements in which he was most deeply inter- ested was the building of the Southern Pacific Railroad through San Luis Obispo county, and he aided in its construction from Santa Mar- garita to Guadaloupe at the southern extremity of the county. Other projects for the benefit of the people have received his sympathy and support, and no worthy movement has been deprived of his encouragement and influence.
CHARLES A. TELLEEN.
No man has done more for the upbuilding of Templeton and its general improvement than Mr. Telleen, who came here from Iowa in the fall of 1887 and has since proved a valuable addi- tion to the citizenship of the locality. A native of Halland. Sweden, born in 1844, he was a small child when his parents came to America and settled in Rock Island, Ill. The schools of that city furnished him with the advantages of an English education, which has since been broadened and extended by habits of close ob- servation and study. On leaving Rock Island, in 1860, he went to Ottumwa, Iowa, and en- gaged in the mercantile business, which he con- tinned in the same city for eighteen years.
Coming to California in 1887, Mr. Telleen identified himself with the newly established town of Templeton, in San Luis Obispo county. As a representative of the West Coast Land Company, he began to buy and sell real estate in and near Templeton, and his advice proved of the greatest assistance to newcomers unfa- miliar with the soil, opportunities and values. He continued with the same firm until 1900, but in the meantime he also did considerable buying and selling for himself, and is now an extensive dealer in real estate. Besides, he has the agency for eleven fire insurance companies, whose combined capital foots up into the mil- lions.
In 1872 Mr. Telleen married Christina Jose- phine Johnson, a native of Sweden. Their only son, Andrew E., is being educated in the well-known Swedish Lutheran institution of learning at Rock Island. Ill. Interested in all that pertains to the progress of our nation, Mr. Telleen is a believer in Republican principles and works for the success of the party. For some years he has rendered efficient service as a member of the county central committee, with which he is still connected. At the time of the organization of the Citizens Bank of Paso Ro- bles he was one of the purchasers of the charter stock, which altogether capitalized the bank at $100,000, and he has since been a director of this flourishing institution. For years he has officiated as treasurer and a trustee of the Lu-
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theran Church, and his wife is also a member of the same denomination.
CHRISTIAN S. SWENSON.
One of the pioneer fruit men of what is now Prunedale, in the San Miguel Cañon, Monterey county, Mr. Swenson was born in Norway, Sep- tember 9, 1826, and inherits the thrift, industry and integrity characteristic of his Norse fore- fathers. The active career of Mr. Swenson be- gan when he was fourteen years of age, when his countrymen's love of the sea prevailed over land attractions, and he set out upon a life on the deep. He saw much of the ports and storms of the German ocean, and visited England, France and Spain, and in 1850 went to Australia. From Sydney he shipped in the bark Henry Herbeck, of New York, bound for San Fran- cisco, and upon arriving at his destination, Aug- ust 2, 1851, went at once to the placer mines at Gold Hill, in Placer county, where he was fairly successful. In March, 1856, he landed at Michigan Bluff, which continued to be his home for twelve years, and where he accomplished much for science, if not towards the lining of his own pocket. He became much interested in nitro-glycerine after the big explosion in San Francisco in 1866, read up on it, fortified him- self with a knowledge of chemistry, and then concluded to introduce it into his mine. The first pound of the explosive made in California was made by Prof. James Howden and Mr. Swenson, March 12, 1867, and when the latter and two other men owned their claim at Michi- gan Bluff, Mr. Swenson took the chemical there and used it in their mines. He introduced it in many of the surrounding mines also, and laid before the Central Pacific Railroad Company the plan of using it in the building of their road, especially in making tunnels. He fear- lessly carried the dread and powerful article around with him before the boats, railroads or teamsters could be persuaded to haul it, and was very successful in promoting its proper utility in connection with many lines of enterprise in the west.
In 1868 Mr. Swenson disposed of his share of the mining claim to his partners for $7,000,
and then engaged in the real estate business in San Francisco, built houses, surveyed, and was fairly successful for several years. However, because of too heavy investments, he lost almost everything. After the debris was cleared away, he rented land in the vicinity of Prunedale for the purpose of raising bees, but as an apiarist he had to thank the northern climate for his unsuccessful attempt. In 1885 he bought fifty- two acres of land upon which he now lives, and worked three days to build the road up to where the house now stands. He cleared up his land and began to plant orchard and still continued to keep bees, but at the present time has only about an hundred stands. The greater part of his place is devoted to fruit, the main crop be- ing apples, although a few almonds and prunes have found their way into his orchards.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Swenson has held some offices of a local nature, including that of justice of the peace, during his life in the mines. He was made a Mason in Michigan Bluff, and is at present identified with Lodge No. 204, at Salinas, having formerly been a member of Michigan City Lodge No. 47. Mr. Swenson fills a unique and altogether desirable place in the hearts and esteem of his fellow townsmen, and is familiarly known as "Uncle Swenson." In his youth he had few educational advantages, for a sailor before the mast had about all he could do without poring over books. Later he devoted his spare time to read- ing and study, and is now a well-informed man, in touch with all matters of interest to humanity in general.
WILLIAM SULLIVAN.
An Irish-American who is cultivating a farm in the Pajaro valley with both credit and profit is William Sullivan, who was born in Ireland in 1842, a son of Bert Sullivan, also a native of Ireland and a farmer by occupation. In his na- tive land William Sullivan was reared to farming and was educated in the public schools. Not content with the prospects by which he was sur- rounded, he came to America when a young man, and almost immediately crossed the con- tinent to California. Arriving in Watsonville
Jas . I. King
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in 1873, he worked on the narrow gauge rail- road for F. A. Heenn, and was later identified with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company for twenty-three years. During that time he made rapid strides in the line of promotion, and eventually, as foreman, superintended the build- ing of the broad gauge railroad between Wat- sonville and Santa Cruz. Upon leaving the em- ploy of the railroad Mr. Sullivan, in 1878, pur- chased a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres five miles southwest of Watsonville and on Monterey Bay, where he is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising, but devotes the greater part of his farm to oats.
In 1882 Mr. Sullivan married Maggie Lain, a native also of Ireland, and the mother of five children, of whom four are living, Ellen, the youngest, being deceased. The surviving chil- dren, Bert, James, Mamie and Willie, are with their parents. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
JAMES I. KING.
To such an extent has Mr. King made a spe- cialty of one industry that he is to-day known as the largest onion raiser in the entire Pajaro valley. He was born in Tazewell county, Va., January 5, 1857, being a son of Harvey King, a native of the same locality. During 1870 the family came to California and settled near Newhope, San Joaquin county, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1878, at the age of forty-eight years. Being only a lad when the family came west, James 1. King has spent the larger part of his life in California and is thoroughly in touch with the industries and development of the coast region. While still young he acquired a knowl- edge of agriculture on the home farm and con- tinued in general farming until his removal to Watsonville in 1889. Buying a lot on Ford street, he built a house, and has since made his home here.
At the same time Mr. King bought a ranch of twenty acres known as the J. J. Stratton ranch, lying west of the city, along the Beach road. The soil being very rich has responded quickly to his skillful cultivation. In 1891 he
set out eight acres in Bellefleur apples, but his specialty has been onions, of which he raises twenty-nine varieties, the principal one being the Silver Skins, a peculiarly choice and de- sirable quality. For eight years or more he has raised onions for C. C. Morse & Co. His own land proving inadequate to the demand, he has rented many acres, and in 1901 raised three hundred and fifty-one sacks of onions per acre, twenty-five acres averaging four hun- dred sacks per acre. Already the J. I. King onion fields are known far and wide. Photo- graphs of his fields have appeared in many lead- ing magazines, and periodicals have called at- tention to his success along the line of his specialty. By experience he has found that the land will only bear successfully, to the same crop, for four years, and therefore every fifth year he plants to other products. The prepar- ing of the land is done by himself, but much of the manual labor is given over to Japanese employes, of whom he has a number.
The marriage of Mr. King united him with Kate Smith, daughter of Col. Robert Smith, and a native of Tazewell county, Va. Frater- nally Mr. King is connected with the Masons and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is actively associated with the lodge, encampment, canton and Rebekahs, in which last named Mrs. King is also an active worker. In politics he supports the Demo- cratic party. At this writing he is serving as city trustee or councilman of Watsonville, in which office he has endeavored to promote the welfare of his fellow-citizens and support meas- ures for the benefit of the city.
FATHER PETER STOTERS.
To a greater extent than is given to many, the childhood dream of Father Stoters has been realized, and as a son of the church he has been enabled to exert a wide influence for good, and to broaden the lives and intensify the happi- ness of the thousands with whom he has come in contact. An all-pervading peace and helpful- ness radiates from the church at Salinas of which he has been pastor since 1893, and by the mem-
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bers of which Ire is respected and beloved as only a truly good and gifted man may hope to be. Irrespective of creed or class, he enjoys Also the friendship and good will of the entire community, and his work here is acknowledged to be broad and uplifting. The parish of Sa- linas was founded in 1878, and the residence at about the same time, and the former was dedi- cated in 1883 by Bishop Francis Mora. The church has about eight hundred members and worship is conducted in a brick structure, while the residence is comfortable and commodious, and the grounds laid out with care and attract- ive to the eye.
A native of the vicinity of Cologne, Germany, Father Stoters was born in the heart of the wine district, and was educated in his native land until his nineteenth year. In 1867 he im- migrated to America, settling in St. Louis, but soon went to California, continuing his educa- tional training. After his ordination he was assistant priest at the Cathedral of St. Vibiana, and later in the same capacity at the church in San Luis Obispo. He then was sent as rector of the Church of St. Boniface at Anaheim; and after the death of Father Sorrentini he was made rector of the Church of the Sacred Heart at Salinas.
JOSEPH C. STOCKING.
The distinction of being the oldest male resi- lent of Morro, San Luis Obispo county, belongs to Mr. Stocking, who came to this point in 1871 from Sonoma county. He is a native of Penn- sylvania, born January 6, 1826, but was reared in New York and Illinois. From 1837 to 1850 he engaged in farming pursuits in Boone county, Ill. During the latter year, inspired by the reports of the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia, he determined to seek his fortune in the west. The voyage was made via Panama and he landed in San Francisco June 3. 1850. After a few months at Marysville, he began mining in Nevada county and later was similarly occupied in Placer county. In 1857 he settled in Bloom- field, Sonoma county, where he carried on a blacksmith's shop, following the trade in that town until his removal to San Luis Obispo
county. On his arrival in Morro he found only one family in the town, nor was the surrounding country more than sparsely settled. With a firm faith in future conditions, he began to work at his trade of blacksmith and wheelwright, build- ing a shop on the ground where he has since engaged in business. With his earnings some years later he bought a ranch near Morro, since which time he has not only followed his trade, but also given some attention to farming and dairying, and is therefore a very busy man. For several years he has been a director in the Industrial Union of San Luis Obispo, in which he is also a stockholder.
During the more than thirty years of his resi- dence in Morro Mr. Stocking has striven to ad- vance the town's progress and promote the wel- fare of its people. It is a fact recognized by all the citizens that he may be relied upon to do his part in forwarding any worthy movement. His political views are independent. He is now serving his third term as justice of the peace, to which office he was elected on an independent ticket. He is the only justice between Cambria and San Luis Obispo, and in the conduct of his official work has displayed impartiality, tact and an excellent knowledge of the law. For several years he served as a trustee of the Morro school district. No local movements appeal to him in vain, when once he is convinced of their value, and he is particularly interested in the building of school houses and churches. Through his instrumentality the organization of the Morro Presbyterian Sunday-school was effected in 1894. Chosen as its first superintendent, he has filled the office ever since and has been deeply interested in the upbuilding of the school. He is a member of the San Luis Obispo county Sunday-school convention, which holds annual meetings. A charter member of the Morro Presbyterian Church, he was one of the most active in working for a house of worship and served as a member of the building committee, also the incorporation committee. Since the organization of the church he has been one of its elders.
In Sonoma county, in 1857, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Stocking to Miss C. E. Corey. They became the parents of seven children, six
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of whom are living, George having died at the age of twenty-seven. The others are: Frank M .: Charles C .: Anna L., wife of J. M. McKen- non; Flora, wife of J. H. Hollister; Minnie 31. and Ernest, who are at home.
JAMES M. RODGERS.
From the time of his settlement in Santa Cruz county in 1867 until his death, which occurred July 7, 1901, Mr. Rodgers was associated with the development and progress of the Pajaro val- ley. Shortly after his arrival he bought a farm of eighty acres and the subsequent years of his life were busily passed in the cultivation of the land and the bringing of the place under a high state of improvement. In the affectionate re- gard of old associates he held a high place and his memory is still fresh and green. The work which he accomplished in the improving of his land and the upbuilding of the valley's resources entitle him to mention in the annals of the lo- cality with which he was so long and intimately identified.
The family of which Mr. Rodgers was a mem- ber has been identified with American history ever since the colonial period, the first immi- grant having come from England. A few years after the close of the Revolution Joseph Rod- gers, who served in that conflict, removed from Virginia to Tennessee, and in the eastern part of the latter state occurred the birth of William Rodgers, a soldier in the war of 1812 and the son of the Revolutionary hero. On taking up the occupation of a planter he soon gained prominence and acquired the ownership of a large estate. In February of 1853, accompanied by his brothers, Wiley, George, William D. and Samuel A., the subject of this article started for the far west. His previous life has been In- eventfully passed near Knoxville, Tenn., where he was born August 12, 1817. After landing from a boat in St. Louis he started across the country to Independence, Mo., where he ont- fitted for the plains. The expedition of which he was a member consisted of an ox-team, four horses and seven men. They proceeded up the Platte river and across the Rocky mountains, thence to the Humboldt desert and Larson's
Meadows, from there via Hot Springs to the Sierra Nevada mountains, thence to the Sacra- mento river and down to Red Bluff, where they enjoyed the sport of hunting and killed seven bears. During their trip they had paid $160 for two barrels of flour, which they bought in Utah at the only point that provisions could be pur- chased along the entire route.
The arrival of the expedition in Red Bluff oc- curred September 4, 1852. Mr. Rodgers re- mained in California until 1855, when he returned to his Tennessee home via Central America, being a passenger on the first train that crossed the isthmus. Landing at Baltimore he took the train to Atlanta, Ga. Among his fellow passengers was Jefferson Davis, with whom he traveled during part of his journey and whose friendship he ever afterward cherished. When the war came on his possessions were despoiled and his home laid waste. Wishing to escape from the scene of devastation and car- nage, he secured from General Thomas a per- mit for himself and family, and this was en- abled to proceed to New York, where he took a ship for the Isthmus of Panama, thence up the Pacific ocean, arriving in San Francisco in June of 1864. For a time he engaged in the lumber business at Los Gatos, from which town he came to Santa Cruz county and settled on Lake avenne. His first presidential vote was cast for William Henry Harrison and later he sustained the principles of the Democratic party in na- tional affairs, but in local matters he was inde- pendent, voting for the best man, irrespective of political affiliations.
The wife of Mr. Rodgers was formerly Mal vina Galbraith, who was born in Tennessee February 11, 1828, and was a daughter of Jolin Galbraith. The family of which she was a mem- ber originated in Scotland. Her grandfather Galbraith was a participant in the Revolutionary war, serving under General Marion, and six uncles were soldiers in the war of 1812. Of her marriage to Mr. Rodgers nine children were born, namely: Arthur; Lec (., M. D .: Mary. Luther, Charks IL., Maggie, Julia, Liz ie and Alice. The oldest son, Arthur, an attorney, 15 now deceased and is survived by one child, Mil- lic. The second son, who was educated as ?
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physician in New York and Philadelphia, is now living in San Francisco; he married a San Fran- cisco lady, and their only son, Walter, is an at- torney. Mary is the wife of H. H. Coles, of Santa Cruz county, and they have five children, Florence, Herbert, Lillie, Ethel and Gertrude. Luther is cashier of the Monterey County Bank. Lizzie married F. H. Nohrden and has three children, Elmer, Chester and Olive. Maggie is the wife of H. L. Shideler, of Watsonville. Alice, the wife of J S Brown, resides in San Fran- cisco. Charles H. Rodgers was, like his brothers and sisters, a native of Tennessee. By his mar- riage to Josephine Jacobsen, a native of Flor- ence, Neb., he has four children: Carroll J., H. Marion, Florence, and an infant daughter. The family occupy a beautiful residence on Lake avenue, in the suburbs of Watsonville.
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