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 70
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An idea of the vast importance of the apple industry, whose inception may be attributed io Mr. Waters, may be gained from the state- ment that there are now in the Pajaro valley 875,600 apple trees, of which 29,000 are in Mon- lerey county and 585.600 in Santa Cruz county. In the Pajaro valley there are 1,068,600 fruit trees, with a total acreage of 15,600. The total number of boxes of apples grown in 1901 was 1.500,000, from which deducting 375.000 for waste there is left for actual sale and use 1.125,000 boxes. In the orchard of J. A. Black- burn seventy one boxes of apples were grown on a single Baldwin tree. On one hundred
Bellefleur trees in M. B. Tuttle's orchard there were grown fifty boxes to the tree. The average number of boxes of apples grown on the trees throughout the entire valley was eight boxes to the tree. Of Newtown pippins the average weight per box was fifty-one to fifty-six pounds, and of Bellefleurs, forty two to forty-six. The size of boxes used was 93-4x14x22; and the cost of picking, hauling, grading and packing, twenty cents per box. The Newtown pippins, which are the best winter apple grown, command from ȘI to $1.30 per box, while the Bellefleurs, which are unsurpassed for fall and early winter use, command from ninety cents to a dollar a box, the boxes being twenty-two inches long, eleven and one-half inches wide and ten and one-half inches deep, and many shipments have been made by Mr. Waters where forty-five apples filled the entire box. One special advantage of the apple crop is that it never fails, but cach year a large output of the finest grade is shipped, both throughout the states and even to Europe. In 1901 1,000 carloads were sent to foreign and eastern points, four hundred of these going to Europe. During that same year I.413.907 barrels of apples were shipped to Eu- rope from the United States and five per cent of these came from the Pajaro valley. Apples and other fruits are also dried in large quanti- ties and shipped to the east and abroad.
It must not be supposed, however, that the apple industry represents the limit of the activ- ities of the people of the Pajaro valley or the limit of the proper cultivation of the soil. Dur- ing 1901 there were raised twenty thousand sacks (forty carloads) of beans, the price of which was from $1.60 to $3 per hundred pounds : over 50,000 sacks of onions, sold at one dollar a sack; 70,000 sacks of potatoes, seven hun- dred and fifty acres being planted in these: 150,000 sacks of oats, tlie price of which was from eighty-five cents to a dollar per sack: 00,000 tons of sugar beets, price $4.50 per ton, representing a value of $400,000; 1,100 acres in berries, seventy per cent of which were straw- berries, the shipments being four hundred car- loads, valute $200,000; 1,200 acres in prunes, of which six hundred tons (dried) or forty carloads were shipped to the markets; 1,000 acres in apri-
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cots, shipments being 450 tons; and five hun- dred acres in miscellaneous fruits not embraced in the foregoing list. From this it may be easily understood that the fruit growers of the Pajaro valley are among the most prosperous in the state. All who are familiar with the markets know that the products shipped from this sec- tion command the highest market price, and the simple mention of the name "Pajaro valley" at once brings offers from would-be purchasers. When it is realized that the credit for these re- sults is largely due to the foresight and wise judgment of Mr. Waters, the reader will under- stand that the highest praise is dute him, as well as the esteem of the people who have so greatly profited by his pioneer experiments.
September 9, 1861, Mr. Waters married Ma- linda J. Short, daughter of Stephen Short, who is represented on another page of this work. They became the parents of three children: Lola, Mrs. James Walker, who died at twenty- five years; Adella, at home; and Willic, who died at twelve years of age. The family are identified with the Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Waters officiates as a vestryman. Fraternally he is con- nected with various Masonic bodies, and holds office as past master of the lodge, past high priest of the chapter and past eminent com- mander of the commandery. His manifold private interests have not caused him to neglect his duties as a citizen. Always he aids in bene- ficial movements in behalf of his adopted city. He was one of the first trustees of Watsonville and for one term acted as county supervisor. In 1888 he was honored by election as president of the Pajaro Valley Horticultural Association, in which office he rendered wise service many years. In the incorporation of the Bank of Watsonville he bore an active part, as also in the Pajaro Valley Bank, of which he is now a stock- holder and director.
JOSEPH BOSTON.
When Mr. Boston came to California few Americans had as yet been attracted to its shores. and the population consisted principally of Spaniards and Indians. As the ship, Rome, on which he had sailed from New York.
anchored in the harbor of this western coast. the sight that greeted his eyes must have been strange and lonely indeed to one so recently come from the chief city of the new world. While he was born in Philadelphia, his boyhood years were principally passed in New York, where his father, Joseph Boston, Sr., was a druggist and chemist. At his death the latter was buried in the cemetery connected with his- toric Trinity Church. The son contintted for a time in New York City, and was employed as a clerk in the drug store of Isaac Loman. How- ever, during 1848. he set out upon the voyage that was to remove him permanently and far from the scenes of his boyhood. The Rome carried a large stock of provisions for the gov- ernment, and he was under official orders to establish a supply store at Monterey for the sol- diers. In pursuit of these orders he opened the store and for two years conducted the same. but at the expiration of the time bought out his employer. In 1850 he returned to New York City and brought back a stock of goods valued at $60,000, shipping to Monterey, where he opened a store. The stock was so large that he felt justified in opening a branch store at Santa Cruz, in which venture he had E. L. Williams as a partner, the firm title being Boston & Williams.
On closing out the mercantile store, Mr. Bos- ton embarked in the tannery business at Santa Cruz, being associated with the firm of Kirby, Jones & Co., with offices in Santa Cruz and San Francisco. To the supervision of the sales he gave his attention closely and with such effi- ciency that a large trade was established, the ex- tent of the trade being increased through the superior quality of leather tanned. Besides be coming the owner of the old tannery, he ac- quired other property, much of which is still in the estate. While he was still in the prime of life. at fifty years of age, his earth life ende I in 1874. The home where his closing years were passed and where Mrs. Boston still resides. is one of the most attractive of Santa Cruz. it- beauty being enhanced by a garden and trees. notably the cypress and pine trees that were set out in 1870.
The lady who shared Mr Boston's joys and
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sorrows through many years and to whose faithful co operation and counsel much of his success may be attributed, was Eliza C. Bull, a native of Canandaigua, N. Y., and a daughter of Joseph Bull, descended from a prominent colonial family of New England. When she was a girl her health was so poor that her family physician, Dr. Flint, said it would be impossible for her to live a year unless a sunnier climate would prove beneficial. Hoping that the needed change could be secured in California, in 1861 she came to the coast, the voyage being made on the ship Uncle Sam, which anchored in San Francisco after seven weeks on the ocean. Her brother Thomas was interested in the banking business in San Francisco. Soon after her ar- rival the influence of the delightful climate of the Pacific coast began to be apparent in her improved health, and today she is unusually strong and vigorous for one of her years. Pos- sessing mental ability of a high order, her ser- vices have been in frequent request as a writer and speaker. In addition, she has maintained a cleep interest in public affairs. For two years she served as a school trustee, being the first lady ever elected to any office in Santa Cruz county, and her labors on the committee were efficient and highly appreciated. In religion she is identified with the Episcopal Church and donated to this denomination the ground in Santa Cruz on which their church was built. In her family of five children three are living: Mrs. C. H. Lymbery, Beatrice and Agnes.
ALEXANDER BEDELL.
The Bedell house, which was established in 1804, has become one of the popular hotels of Santa Cruz, largely through the tactful manage- ment, energy and wise judgment of Mr. and Mrs. Bedell, who are the owners and proprie- tors. Mr. Bedell was born at Bath, Grafton county, N. H .. and received a fair education in local schools. The surroundings of his child- hood's home were attractive. In the east tow- ered Mount Washington and the Presidential range of mountains whose lofty heights rose up- ward toward the sky. In those days few people sought that locality to enjoy the charm of
scenery, but since then it has become a popular summer resort for eastern people, just as Santa Cruz has attracted large numbers of people from Central California. The influence of environ- ment cannot be overestimated, and so to this day, in a subtle way, Mr. Bedell still feels the in- fluence of those early years in New Hampshire. During early manhood he was employed in lumber districts, and thus gained a thorough knowledge of the lumber business.
Becoming interested in reports concerning the prospects offered by California, in 1858 Mr. Bedell came to the coast and located in Bear Valley. First he was employed by General Fre- mont, who was conducting a mine there. For some eight months he remained in that place. after which he mined in other regions, visiting, at different times, most of the prominent mines of the state. In 1859 he came to Santa Cruz. At that time the greater part of Santa Cruz county was heavily timbered with red wood and pine. He began to take contracts to cut wood and furnish mills with timber. Later he became associated with William Bard in the building of a lumber mill at Corralitos. A large trade was established. Shipments were made both north and south. About 1804 Mr. Bedell's health failed to such an extent that he felt obliged to abandon the lumber business, and he then re- built the house on Mission street, Santa Cruz, where he had made his home for twenty-five years. Through the enlargement of the build- ing it was converted into a boarding house with twenty-five guest rooms. Having a wide circle of acquaintances. Mr. Bedell had no trouble in securing guests for his house, and the capable supervision of his wife has made the place one of the most popular in the city. Finding the house insufficient to accommodate those desir- ing rooms, he bought a cottage of ten rooms. which gave him the increased capacity needed. All modern conveniences are to be found here, including baths, electric lights, gas, etc. Rooms are arranged en suite or single, as preferred. The cuisine is faultless and the dining-room ser- vice, under the careful oversight of Mrs. Bedell, is above criticism. Every effort is made to pro- vide for the comfort and happiness of the guest, and the lawns are made attractive, not only by
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flowers and shrubbery, but also by tennis, cro- quet, and other games of recreation.
By the marriage of Mr. Bedell to Miss Sarah A. Merrill, a native of Warren, N. H., three children were born, but the daughter, Helen, died in childhood. The older son, Orrin, is a jeweler in Santa Cruz, and the younger son, Roscoe, assists his parents in the management of the Bedell house. In fraternal relations Mr. Bedell is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
JULIUS A. TRESCONY.
The extensive enterprises in which Mr. Tres- cony successfully engages have been rendered possible by his own keen business talents as well as by the shrewd foresight and wise invest- ments of his father. The latter, Albert Tres- cony, who is remembered as one of the most capable pioneers of Monterey county, was of Italian birth and parentage, but crossed the ocean to America in young manhood, settling in Memphis, Tenn. From there he went on a tour of inspection to Mexico and in 1841 came on horseback to California, establishing himself at Monterey, where he followed the tinsmith's trade. In addition to the regular trade, he did considerable work in making pans for miners and would often take a load of these by ox- teams to the mining camps.
The first purchase made by Albert Trescony consisted of one hundred and sixty acres where Salinas now stands. There he carried on a hotel and stage station. The year before the railroad was brought to Salinas he disposed of that property. In 1862 he bought from James Mckinley what was known as the San Lucas grant of land, comprising eight thousand and eight hundred acres, and now occupied by his son, Julius A. Somewhat later he acquired the San Bernardo grant, consisting of four thousand four hundred and forty-four acres, and in 1885 he became the owner of the San Benito grant of six thousand acres. Another important pur- chase that he made consisted of twenty-three thousand acres on the Carmel river, and he also acquired three hundred acres near Salinas. Through these various purchases he became the
owner of property aggregating forty-five thou sand acres of land, which fact is indicative of his keen discrimination and foresight. Realizing that land must advance in value, he believed he was making no mistake to invest heavily, and subsequent events have proved the wisdom of his judgment.
Instead of holding the land as an investment, Albert Trescony made it revenue-bearing from the first. He stocked the ranches with sheep, of which he had as many as twenty-five thou- sand head. For some years the industry proved profitable, but the memorable dry year proved as disastrous to him as to other sheep-growers, causing a loss of twenty-five hundred head of his flock. However, it did not prove a total loss, for he stored the pelts in the old mission at Soledad and the following year sold them for $2.50 each. That experience with the drought convinced him that other stock might be han- dled more safely than sheep, so he began to raise cattle 'and horses, in which he afterward engaged with gratifying success. Notwithstand- ing the many activities of his life, he retained his robust health to a very advanced age, and enjoyed the full possession of his faculties until his death, which occurred in 1892, at eighty years of age. His wife, who was Catherine Cot- ton, of California, died in 1866, leaving three children, Julius A., of Monterey county; Mrs. Rose Christal, of Monterey; and Teresa, who married R. F. Johnson, also of Monterey.
In the city of Monterey, where he was born August 27, 1858, Julius A. Trescony received the rudiments of his education, and the knowl- edge thus acquired was supplemented by attend- ance at St. Mary's College int San Francisco. For eighteen months after leaving school he acted as agent for the railroad at Santa Cruz. In 1879 he came to his father's ranch near San Lucas, Monterey county, where he has since made his home. At first he managed the place for his father, but in 1881 he began for himself in the cattle, horse and sheep business. Five years later he disposed of much of his stock, in order that he might devote more attention to general farming. Under his charge there are now twenty thousand acres, of which fifteen thousand are under cultivation. Twenty tenant
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Houses stand on different sections of the land, and the land is leased for one-fourth of the crop, Aclivered.at the station. At this writing he has five hundred head of cattle and a large number of horses, many of these being draft and stand- ard-bred. His discrimination and energy have aided him in making a success of the agricultural business. October 10, 1884, he married Kate M. Aguirre, by whom he has four children: Albert, Lewis, Julius and Mary Mercedes. The family are identified with the Roman Catholic Church.
In addition to his large personal responsibil- ities, Mr. Trescony finds time to engage in local movements and to discharge every duty de- manded of a public-spirited citizen. One of his most important duties is as a director of the Agricultural Association, in the work of which he is deeply interested. In addition, he acts as trustee of the Monterey custom-house. During the years 1893-96, inclusive, he held office as supervisor of Monterey county, and in many ways, while acting in that capacity, was able to promote the welfare of the people of the county. His native county has in him a loyal citizen and one who favors all plans for the advancement of its residents. Fraternally he is connected with the Eiks and the Native Sons of the Golden West, while in politics he adheres to the princi- ples of the Republican party.
F. A. ANGELL.
The very early and latter-day mercantile s11- premacy of Soquel has been maintained by F. A. Angell and his brother, Horatio V., ever since they came here in 1877, and their steady customers are numbered among the most prom- inent of the residents of the town and surround- ing county. Among the foremost business men of their district they stand high, and both pos- sess the substantial traits of character naturally associated with the fundamental development of communities.
In devoting his energies to mercantile affairs, F. A. Angell is following the precedent estab- lished by his father, J. F., who in carly life fol- lowed his trade of mason in Holyoke, Mass., but in later years devoted himself to the hotel and livery business. The elder Angell was born in
Rhode Island, February 28. 1826, while his wife. Levinia E. (Gillette) Angell, was born in 1828. They were the parents of seven children besides F. A., viz .: Josephine: Sarah; Naomi; Horatio; Cora; and Medara, deceased. J. F. Angell was a man of considerable ambition, and in 1851 came to California by way of Central America, locating in San Francisco. He later removed to Nevada, and lived in Silver City until his death in 1900.
The education of F. A. Angell was acquired in Silver City, Nev., where he lived until twenty- seven years of age. A later place of residence was Hawthorne, Nev., where he engaged in the merchandise business for five years, and became prominent in the general affairs of the town. As before stated, he came to this city in 1877 and is at present one of the most successful merchants in the county.
In 1876 Mr. Angell was united in marriage with Mamie Gibbons, who died in 1895, and who was the mother of three children, of whom Thurman F. is deceased, the others being Clar- ence G. and Joseph F. The second Mrs. Angell was formerly Maggie Gibbons, a sister of the first wife. Mr. Angell is a Democrat in political affiliation, and fraternally is an Independent Odd Fellow and Mason. Besides the store to which he has for so many years devoted his best energies, the firm have a store at Capitola. where a full line of general merchandise, includ- ing drugs, dry goods, crockery, hardware, gro- ceries, grain, and paints and oils, are available, the whole constituting a stock valued at $10,000.
CHARLES L. ANDERSON, M. D.
Of the four physicians who are engaged in the practice of medicine in Santa Cruz at tlie time of Dr. Anderson's arrival here in 1867, none now remains, so that to him belongs the distinction of being, in point of years of profes- sional labor, the oldest physician in the city. Equally true is the fact that he has been assidu- outs in his devotion to his patients, careful in diagnosis and accurate in the application of remedial agencies. For some ten years he was associated in pratice with Dr. Peabody, since
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which he has been alone. During the early days his practice extended all through the country, and many hardships attended him in his efforts to reach those in need of his care. The beautiful pleasure drives of the present day were undreamed of, and narrow paths, inaccessible for buggies, restricted him to the use of a horse and saddlebags, while many times he was even forced to leave his faithful horse and traverse on foot the rocky and brushy pathways lying between him and his destination. Many physi- cians would refuse to make the sacrifice, but his kindness of heart impelled him to answer every appeal for help, without any consideration of stormy nights, impassable roads and little hope of any financial return for his services.
Near Salem, Roanoke county, Va., Dr. An- derson was born September 22, 1827, his par- ents being Joseph and Christian (Brits) Ander- son, Virginians, who in 1837 settled in Morgan county, Ind., on a farm between Franklin and Martinsville. It was in those then pioneer sur- roundings that the boy gained his education and faced the problem of selecting a life-calling. With inclinations toward the medical profession, he entered upon the study of medicine with Drs. Mears and Bullard, and later continued his studies in Central Indiana Medical College (medical department of Asbury University), from which he was graduated in the class of 1852. Meantime, to relieve his father of a por- tion of the expense connected with his education he had taught school. Immediately after grad- uating he went to St. Anthony's Falls (now Minneapolis), Minn., where he entered upon professional practice in the then frontier town. Shortly afterward he suggested to the commit- tee who were to select an appropriate name for the town, the present title, Minneapolis, "city by the sky-tinted waters."
Ten years were spent in successful practice in Minneapolis, but a desire to settle further west led Dr. Anderson to remove to Carson City, Nev. After four years, in 1867, he came to Cali- fornia, desirous of settling in a warmer climate, and a tour of the state, investigating a number of prospective locations, led him to decide in favor of Santa Cruz. In settling here he was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Maria (Howe)
Anderson, whom he had married in Beloit, Wis .. October 31, 1854, and who has shared with him the esteem and confidence of acquaintances. Four children were born of their marriage: Seddie; Carrie, Mrs. Elmer S. Daniels; Maria, who died in childhood; and Charles, a student of the University of California and a graduate of the Cooper Medical College (class of 1805), and at present physician at the State Institute for the Insane at Agnew. Mrs. Anderson is identified with the Congregational Church, while the doctor is liberal in his religions views. Politically he is a supporter of Republican prin- ciples. His interest in movements affecting the public welfare led him to accept the office of school trustee, which he filled for seven years. During his residence in Nevada he was surgeon- general upon the military staff of Governor Blaisdell, and since coming to Santa Cruz he has been president of the city board of health and United States examining physician for pensions.
Notwithstanding the many demands made upon his time by his professional calls and his local positions, Dr. Anderson has found leisure to keep abreast with all the developments in materia medica, and has frequently contributed articles for the professional and general press. Much of his work is preserved in library form, suitable for reference. Habits of careful read- ing, close observation and frequent writing have made him a well-rounded man in every depart- ment of human thought, with tastes especially inclining him toward the study of his favorite branches, geology, botany and zoology. In his well-equipped library the visitor notices a cabi- net of specimens which shows many unique and rare examples along these lines. Apart from his profession and from his interest in these spe- cialties, he is possessed of other attributes worthy of admiration, and in all respects has justly won the high position he now occupies.
JACOB PRIMER LEESE.
The ancestry of the Leese family is traced to Germany, whence one Jacob Leese came to America with General Lafayette and shortly afterward received severe injuries in the battle of Brandywine. He was carried from the field
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In Adam Primer, a resident of Philadelphia. After recovering from his wounds he married Joanna Primer, a daughter of his rescuer, and Ar 1800 settled at St. Clairsville, Ohio, where he kept a hotel. His son, Jacob, was one among six children and was born August 19, 1809. In 1825 his parents moved to Cincinnati and there he joined them two years later, on the expira- tion of his service as a merchant's apprentice. In the fall of 1829 he started for Baton Rouge to take charge of a business there, but while en route to his destination, stopping at Memphis, le strolled through the city and accidentally picked up a newspaper in a hotel. There he noticed an account of a hunting and trading ex- pedition being fitted out for the Rocky moun- tains by Capt. John Rogers and Calvin Coffee. .A desire for adventure and the hope of gaining a fortune led him to join the expedition. About February I he left Memphis for Fort Smith, the headquarters of the expedition, and on his arrival there presented himself to Captain Rogers. The company was organized April I, 1830, and consisted of forty-two men, under command of Capt. Robert Bean.
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