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 72
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James Bias was born in England, and left his home in Yorkshire when sixteen years of age, immigrating to the United States. His native patriotism was transferred to the country of his adoption, and he served with distinction in the Black Hawk war under Captain Kincade. For this service lie was given land now comprising the site of Chicago, but owing to the chills and ague which aggravated susceptible citizens of that carly time and place he was obliged to sell his property and remove to less afflicted parts. Ilis choice rested upon Waukesha county, Wis., where he purchased a farm and lived for many years. In 1870 himself and wife yielded to the solicitations of their son, William H., and came to Santa Cruz, where they enjoyed freedom from care and basked in the delights of this well favored land. The father died in 1808, at the age of eighty-six, but the mother still lives, and at the age of eighty-nine possesses her fac- ulties to an unusual degree.
Like his sire. William IT. Bias started out on his own responsibility when sixteen years of age. Hle was fortunate in finding work in a wholesale grocery store in New York City, but before he was fairly under way was afflicted with the gold
craze which knows no antidote but actual ex- perience. Almost out of pocket at the start, he arrived at San Francisco completely destitute. and was obliged to work at anything which of- fered the wherewithal to live. Arriving at Santa Cruz at the time that Davis & Jordan had opened a large lime kiln, the first in this part of the state, he readily found employment, and learned to make barrels for the lime. Two years later he became a contractor for this firm, manufacturing barrels on a large scale for five years, and then took the contract for the firm of Glassell & Toland. Upon disposing of this business he bought out the interest of C. H. Lincoln in the San Lorenzo stables, and two years later bought the Santa Cruz and Pesca- dero stage line, which offered plenty of oppor- tunities for adventure, and insight into wild western ways. During those days there were no particular roads, and the stage coach took whatever course the judgment or inclination of the driver dictated. Also there was no such thing as schedule time, although the start was generally effected about nine in the morn- ing, and, all things being favorable, arrived at Pescadero at four in the afternoon. But all this was very uncertain, as was also the return trip the next day, and the only accurate informa- tion to be had about this stage line was that the coaches arrived and departed. They were four-horse concerns, and usually carried heavy loads, for there were no railroads to relieve traffic. Naturally there was much to ruffle the spirits of travelers whose time was money, and to counteract the prevailing gloom Mr. Bias had on tap a fund of stories and anecdotes war- ranted to restore good humor and stimulate fra- ternity, all of which made him immensely pop- ular and glossed over the faults and misde- meanors of the unreliable stage line.
After five years of stage life Mr. Bias em- barked upon a mercantile business in Santa Cruz with J. B. Moulter, having bought ont A. R. Meserves. At the end of four years this business was disposed of, for he had in the meantime entered politics, and the duties of city assessor and city clerk, succeeding J. O. Bailey, necessitated the whole of his time. He was elected city clerk four different terms, and re-
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signed in 1889 to accept the office of treasurer, since maintained by him with credit and gen- eral satisfaction. He is a stanch Republican, and is fraternally identified with Masonic Lodge No. 38, the Royal Arch Masons and the Knights Templar; the Independent Order Odd Fel- lows, in which he has passed to the encamp- ment; and the Knights of Pythias. In 1861 he joined the first fire company organized in Santa Cruz, and he was second lieutenant of the cele- brated Butler Guards in 1864.
January 6, 1868, Mr. Bias married Louise P. Anthony, daughter of Hon. William Anthony, and who was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., and who came to California in 1854. To Mr. and Mrs. Bias have been born the following children: Herbert J., a graduate of Berkeley, subsequently principal of the Santa Cruz Mis- sion School, and who died February 28, 1902, at the age of twenty-nine; Florence, formerly the wife of Mr. Crook, by whom she had one son, Jackson B., and now the wife of Robert S. Brown, of San Francisco; Carrie Bell, the wife of Edward McPherson, of Santa Cruz: Ralph W., clerk in the Odd Fellows Bank of San Francisco; Anna, living at home; and Stanley Clayton, a student.
JOHN KENNAUGH.
Although at present engaged in farming and stock-raising in the vicinity of Watsonville, John Kennaugh has an established reputation as a gold miner, won while spending twenty years among the gold mines in the northern part of the state. While harvesting luxurious crops year after year in the Pajaro valley, he still owns valuable mining properties, from which he receives noticeable additions to his income.
A Manxman by birth and training, Mr. Ken naugh was reared on the paternal farm in the Isle of Man, where he was born November o. 1845. Ilis parents, Henry and Eleanor (Kin wig) Kennaugh, were also born on the Isle of Man, and there spent their entire lives. Of their children, two sons are in California, one being a resident of Los Angeles, John Ken naugh lived at home until twenty two years of
age, and while assisting around the home farm attended the public schools as opportunity of- fered. After landing in Boston, Mass., he located in the northern part of California and engaged in mining, principally in Yuba county, in the Sierra Nevada mountains. In 1883 he came to Santa Cruz county and bought his present farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres, just west of Watsonville. IIe is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and is considered one of the enterprising agriculturists of the county. In politics he is independent. and believes in voting for the man best quali- fied to serve the public interests.
October 20, 1870. Mr. Kennangh was mar- ried to Mrs. D. (Willman) Clow, who was the widow of John Clow, by whom she had two children, Elizabeth W. and Theodore J.
EDWARD KELLY.
Though a considerable period has elapsed since the death of Mr. Kelly, he is not forgotten by those with whom he formerly associated and among whom the last years of his busy life were passed. Of Irish birth and parentage, he grew to manhood in the home of his father. Edward Kelly, Sr., whom he accompanied to the United States. For a number of years he made his home near Joliet, Ill., where his father owned a farm. Attracted to the west by reports concerning the productiveness of the soil and the desirable climate, he came to California about 1864 and at once established his home in Santa Cruz county. By occupation he was a farmer and until his death, in 1885, he carried on general farming pursuits together with the raising of fruit.
Surviving Mr. Kelly are his wife and two children, Edward and Mary. The former, who is a graduate of Columbia Law School, is now a resident of New York. Mrs. Kelly was born in Ireland in 1843 and is a daughter of Dennis and Mary (MeDermitt) Me Veer. Her father. who was a farmer by occupation, die in 1872. and her mother, now more than eighty year- of age, makes her home with Mrs. Kelly B. sides the latter, there are three other daughters in the family, one of whom, Mrs. Donnelly, is
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now a resident of Watsonville. It was during 1873 that Miss McAleer accompanied her mother and sister to California and settled on a farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres, where she still resides. During the same year she became the wife of Mr. Kelly, and since his death she has superintended the place per- sonally. As a result of her wise oversight and capable industry, the property has increased in value and is known as one of the most valuable fruit farms in the vicinity. A specialty is made of apples, to which forty-five acres are planted. Like others in the Pajaro valley, she has found the Bellefleurs and Newtown Pippins to be the most desirable varieties, and hence has made these her specialties, each year shipping large quantities of the finest grades of these apples to the markets, where a fair price is always paid for the same.
BENJAMIN K. KNIGHT,
Now serving his fourth year as district attorney of Santa Cruz county, is one of the youngest and most promising of the men who have filled this position, and he is also one of the most erudite of the native sons who are pro- moting the legal prestige of the community. He was born in this county August 28, 1874, a son of Dr. B. Knight. and grandson of Ben- jamin and Amy (Ballou) Knight. The grand- parents were born in Rhode Island, in which state liad settled the immigrating New Eng- land ancestors many years before, and the Ballou family, no less representative of eastern tradition and conservative worth, claimed among its members immediate associates of Roger Williams. The grandfather was a ma- chinist by trade, and while on a mining expe- dition to California in 1850, built the first log house on the site of Nevada City. Two years later he returned to Rhode Island, but in 1872 came with his wife to the coast, his remaining years being spent at the home of his son, Dr. B. Knight. There his death occurred in 1883. at the age of eighty years, his wife surviving him until 1895. at the good old age of ninety- one. Their children were: Obadiah M., Marcy
G., Mary B., Noah M., Dr. Benjamin, Amy, Lucina, Thomas and Lucretia.
Dr. Benjamin Knight was born in Mansfield. Tolland county, Conn., October 16, 1836, and was educated at the Providence Conference Seminary, at East Greenwich, R. I. Previous to the Civil war he had engaged in teaching, and had begun to study medicine with Drs. Howard Okie and Wilcox, but with the demand for his services as a soldier he enlisted in Com- pany I, First Massachusetts Cavalry, and served twenty-one months. His regiment was princi- pally engaged in South Carolina, and after the cessation of hostilities he returned to his former home and resumed his previous occupations. The same year as his graduation from the Har- vard Medical School, he married, April 8, 1869. Lydia A. Killey, daughter of James E. Killey, of Manton, R. I., and forthwith started out on a wedding trip to Santa Cruz, Cal. Possessed of remarkable general ability, Dr. Knight has not only built up a large and lucrative prac- tice. but has proved himself a politician of large resource and unquestioned popularity. He ac- complished good results while a member of the city school board, and in 1879 was the unsuc- cessful candidate for the assembly. This slight disappointment was more than counteracted in 1882, when he was elected joint senator from Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey coun- ties, and he further served as senator in 1883. was in the extra session of March, 1884. the regular session of 1885, and the extra session of 1885, held during July, August and Septem- ber. He was elected president pro tem. at the regular session of 1885, and also served as chairman of the hospital committee. later being appointed by Governor Stoneman as one of the five commissioners who located the Agnew Asy- lumin. He was also chairman of the finance con- mittee of the session of 1885. Dr. Knight is a man of great public spirit, large heart, and high professional standing. Ile is fraternally connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the United Workmen, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. To himself and wife have been born four children, viz: Edith, the wife of W. E. Dodge and the mother of one son, Charles P. Dodge; Ida. the wife of
HENRY C. TOLLETT.
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J. F. Stack; B. K .; and Mary A., deceased at the age of seven.
After completing the course at the grammar school, Benjamin K. Knight entered the law office of Carl E. Lindsay, and was admitted to the bar September 2, 1895. Not content with the grammar school training, he attended a law school for a few months, and finally grad- nated from the law department of the Ann Arbor College (Michigan) in 1895. Returning to Santa Cruz, he entered the law office with Mr. Lindsay, which association was most ami- cably and satisfactorily continued up to the time that Mr. Knight succeeded Mr. Lindsay as dis- trict attorney. Mr. Knight is variously asso- ciated with the fraternal and social organizations in the city, is secretary of the Elks Club, and a member and past president of the Native Sons of the Golden West. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias, the For- esters and the Eagles, and he is a member and regular attendant of the Episcopal Church. Mrs. Knight, who was formerly Helen Bliss of San José, is the mother of two children, Benja- min B. and Marion.
HENRY C. TOLLETT.
The splendidly equipped farm which was for- merly the pride of its owner, Henry C. Tollett, and which comprises one hundred and eleven acres adjoining the city limits of Salinas on the southwest, is a monument to the tireless indus- try and wise management of this well remem- bered and widely regretted pioneer. To enumer- ate the many excellencies to be found on this fine property were to run the gamut of the lat- est agricultural improvements in machinery and manner of harvesting, with the additional ad- vantages of a fine rural residence, good fences, barns, well-kept lawns, and a beautiful hedge running along the road. Mr. Tollett, whose demise August 12, 1800, removed one of the sterling and helpful residents of the county, was born in Arkansas in 1849, and was the oldest son in a family of eight children, a sister being okler than himself. He came of a family for many years identified with the farming interests of Arkansas, and he himself was reared on his
father's farm, and received such education at the public schools as his small leisure and nu- merous home duties permitted of. He came to California in 1862, and bought the farm which is now occupied by his family. In 1879 he mar- ried Maggie R. Archer, who was born in Illi- nois, a daughter of George Archer, who came to California in 1858. Of this union there are two children living, Hattie and Lester. For the last twelve years of his life Mr. Tollett owned - and ran a threshing machine in Monterey county, and while this was an additional source of revenue and a change from his regular farm work, resulted in his eventual death, for he was killed by the machine that he had for so long successfully manipulated.
In early life Mr. Tollett was a member of the Democratic party, but of late years he had be- come in accord with the People's party, which he did much to uphold and foster. Fraternally he was associated with the Odd Fellows and the Foresters, and the former organization took his burial in hand, and invested it with the beautiful and impressive ceremony with which this band of co-workers bid farewell to their departed comrades. At the time, the numerous friends and associates who had known him in life and appreciated his many manly and fine traits of character constituted the largest foliowing that had ever wound itself through the streets of Sa- linas in procession. His last resting place in the Odd Fellows' cemetery is marked by a fine monument, appropriately inscribed.
Mrs. Tollett, who is carrying on the manage- ment of her husband's farm, inherited in her own right seventy acres of land. Adjoining her farm lives her brother; her mother died at the age of eighty years, and her father died in 1806. She is a good business woman, and a typical rep resentative of the enterprising and thrifty wife of the prosperous California farmer.
ORLANDO J. LINCOLN
To the energy, resourcefulness and capacity of the postmaster, Orlando J. Lincoln, the ct of Santa Cruz and its mail service one much Mr. Lincoln was born in Washington, Line in (new Knox) county, Me. January 20, 1847 800
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was a son of Nathaniel Lincoln, of that town, the latter being a second cousin of Abraham Lincoln. At the age of fifteen he enlisted in the Twenty-first Maine Infantry and accompanied his regiment to the front, remaining until the expiration of his term of service. Meantime he had received a promotion to the rank of corporal. During one of his engagements with the Confederate forces at Port Hudson, La., he was wounded, but. notwithstanding this, he earnestly desired to re-enlist. Being unsuccess- ful in this, as he was not accepted, he went to Boston and there entered the service of the Met- ropolitan Horse Street Car Company, of which in time he rose to be superintendent, holding the position for six years. About that time he contracted a lung and bronchial trouble which compelled him to resign all work and look for a friendlier air and climate in that far west which has since claimed him as its son.
Coming direct to Santa Cruz, in the year 1879, Mr. Lincoln seemed to find almost at once the balm he was seeking; and now, in com- mon with the many others who have added more and happier years to their earth existence amid the perpetual flowers and fruits of this climate, he enjoys not only vigorous physical life, but also those chosen labors which have added so much to the progress of his adopted city. In 1883 he became deputy county as- sessor and superintendent of the city water- works, which positions he filled for eight years, and later he held the office of city clerk for six vears.
During 1890 Mr. Lincoln succeeded W. T. Kearney as postmaster of Santa Cruz. With characteristic energy he at once set about im- proving the service, with such success that where at that time but eight mails were re- ceived and discharged in one day, he now has fifteen daily mails. The services of five clerks are employed to handle the mails and six car- riers are engaged in delivery service, the office having had free delivery since 1889. In connec- tion with the office there are two rural routes. About 1900, when the enterprising postmaster attempted to establish a circuit of twenty-three miles, he found himself facing the problem of being responsible for having four miles of
mountain-grade road built. This he at once as- sumed. The construction work was accom- plished with the aid of landowners. Its success- ful accomplishment makes it possible for a man to deliver mail over the twenty-three miles, start- ing at one o'clock in the afternoon and return- ing in time for the six o'clock evening mail for San Francisco. By this means the rural dis- tricts can have their daily mail and papers, and keep in close touch with friends and the world. Mr. Lincoln chooses competent assistants, and with their aid has made the service at Santa Cruz the equal of any in the state, and a source of satisfaction to the residents and visitors in the Flower City. The postoffice occupies a building on Locust street, owned by F. A. Hihn, and large and modern in all its details.
By the marriage of Mr. Lincoln to Miss Sarah Hurlin, who was reared and educated in New England, Mr. Lincoln has two children: Mabel, a teacher in the Santa Cruz schools; and Robert, who is a student. The schools of this city are of interest to Mr. Lincoln, who has been an efficient member of the school board for fourteen years, laboring for educational progress and welfare. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Wallace Reynolds Post No. 32, G. A. R., in which he has been commander and senior post commander. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist.
J. J. C. LEONARD.
The hotels of which Mr. Leonard is proprie- tor are among the best known on the Pacific coast, and enjoy a liberal patronage from the visitors to Santa Cruz. Hotel St. George, which is situated on Pacific avenue and Front street. was opened June 1, 1897, and has since received the highest commendation from the many who have been its guests. The three-story building is in itself unique and attractive, constructed of cherry-red pressed brick, with large windows surmounted by brownstone caps, and with a veranda running the entire length of the main frontage. The hotel is constructed in the patio style, so that all apartments are light and airy. The main halls are heated by steam, while fire- places with marble mantels adorn the suites for
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guests. For lighting purposes, both gas and electricity are used. In connection with most of the suites are bath rooms with patent enamel bathtubs. One of the features of the main office is the tesselated floor, which is both novel in design and elegant in execution, being laid in minute stones of different colors. The hand- somely furnished parlors on the second floor are reached by elevator or by the marble stair- way. All of the furniture for the hotel was made in the east and is faultless in design and perfect in its exhibition of harmonious effects. The dining room and kitchen are situated in the eastern end of the building, and from their win- dows a fine view may be had of Front street, with a refreshing vista of trees and flowers. For private parties smaller dining rooms have been furnished. In the entire management of the hotel the comfort of the guest is made the chief consideration, the proprietor being aided along this line by a corps of trained and accom- modating employes.
The Sea Beach Hotel became the property of Mr. Leonard in 1901 and is an attractive building, with a capacity for two hundred guests, It was purchased in 1880 by D. K. Abell, who rebuilt it from a two-story residence to its present dimensions. Since then it has been refitted by Mr. Leonard, who has trans- formed it into one of the most beautiful seaside hotels on the coast. Its broad verandas cover four hundred and fifty feet, extending along three sides of the building, and thus affording the guests an unrivalled promenade. Its out- look is perfeet. One may look upon the waters of the Monterey bay and the Santa Cruz cres- cent beach with its attractive drive. The beauty of beach and ocean is enhanced by the nearer perspective of brightly blooming flowers, and to the guest on the veranda there floats from the garden the odor of the rose and the heliotrope. The poet has said, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever," and certainly in the minds of those who have once enjoyed a visit to the Sea Beach Hotel the memory of its attractions will forever remain a delight. To those who are fond of swimming the bathhouses afford convenient fa- cilities for this form of recreation. Lovers of tennis find abundant opportunity for the enjoy-
ment of their favorite game in the courts around the hotel. Those who are fond of danc- ing can avail themselves of the spacious dance hall; and, indeed, there is no form of amuse- ment and recreation whose devotees may not enjoy its attractions. The location of the hotel on Beach hill gives to the guests the benefit of the invigorating sea breeze and the advantage of elevation, as well as the healthful sunshine of which Santa Cruz so justly boasts.
So popular have these two hotels become that during 1902 Mr. Leonard was unable to accommodate all who wished or desired rooms there. This fact alone furnishes sufficient tes- timony as to the high character of the hotels and their reputation among resorters. In con- nection with both buildings there are stables, .where are kept on hand single and double car- riages, surreys, phaetons, etc., together with the popular tally-ho for parties wishing to drive in the mountains or on the ocean boulevard.
Mr. Leonard, to whose management the suc- cess of these hotels may be attributed, was born in Nebraska and in 1862 came to the coast with his father, who died in Santa Cruz county in 1877, after having improved a ranch now owned by F. A. Hihn. His first trip to the west was made in i854, when he tried his luck at mining. Soon he returned to the east, and then made another trip to California, Jater returning for his family. J. J. C. Leonard has been connected with the hotel business for a considerable period and, as before stated, has been the lessee of Hotel St. George since 1897 and the owner of Sea Beach Hotel since 1901. He is married and has two sons, James Pope and Arthur Connor Leonard.
LAWRENCE LORENZEN.
In the management of the shipping wharf of Henry Cowell & Co., at Santa Cruz, Mr. Lu- renzen brings to bear the energy, tact and re sourcefulness which are prominent traits of his character. The wharf is nine hundred feet long and eleven feet deep in the extreme end at lon tide, so that all freight can easily be loaded into outgoing vessels. Not only are the products of the large lime, cement and wood company
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shipped from this wharf, but from there also are sent to the metropolitan markets the dairy prod- ticts of the county and the wines produced by the local trade.
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