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 74
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In 1876 Mr. Gagnon married Mary J. Smiley, who was born in Indiana and died in California in 1879, leaving no children. Mr. Gagnon is a Democrat in politics, and is the only charter member of the Watsonville Lodge of Masons now living. He is a member of the Pioneer Association, and is one of the most prominent men of his locality. Nor has Mr. Gagnon lost track of the association among which his youth was passed. for twice, in 1872 and 1886, he has visited Canada, and renewed his ac- quaintance with people and old familiar land- marks. Fraternally he belongs to Watsonville Lodge No. 110, F. & A. M .: Temple Chapter No. 41, R. A. M. (of which he is a charter mem-
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ber), and is also identified with Watsonville Commandery No. 22, K. T.
WILLIAM BURTON COOPER.
In the city of Watsonville, his native town, Mr. Cooper is now connected with the firm of Cooper & Malcom, while at the same time he has held the office of city treasurer ever since 1897. Born here June 30, 1861, he is a son of James Alexander and Eliza (Morrow) Cooper. His father, who was a native of Gettysburg, Pa., born in 1822, was a son of Thomas J. and Margaret (Barr) Cooper, the former a merchant by occupation. When a boy J. A. Cooper be- came a clerk in his father's store and thus gained a thorough knowledge of the details of mercantile affairs. Removing to Louisville, Ky., he secured clerkships there and later in Madison, Ind., and other places. During 1852 he came to California, where he hoped to attain a success that seemed impossible in the east. Having friends in Santa Cruz he decided to come to that city, and was so pleased with the climate that he looked around for a business opening. After six months he and his brother, Thomas S., bought a small stock of general mer- chandise and came to Watsonville. There were only a few houses in the town and they opened the first store here. To the conservative an at- tempt to embark in business at such a small in- significant place might have seemed hazardous. But the brothers being men of ambition and hay- ing a boundless faith in the future of the rich Pa- jaro valley, did not hesitate a day. They rented a small building where the Bank of Watsonville now stands and later built a residence with a store adjoining, where the business was con- tinued until the death of James A. Cooper. He was a successful man in business and as a citizen stood high.
At Newville, Pa., in 1851, James A. Cooper married Eliza, daughter of John S. and Rachel (Talbot) Morrow. She accompanied her huis- band via the isthmus, leaving Panama December 6, 1851, and arriving in San Francisco January 6, 1852. Three children were born of their union: Thomas T., who died in boyhood; Wil- liam Burton, of Watsonville; and Florence, who
married William Malcom and has two children, Madeleine and William F. Mrs. Cooper makes her home in Watsonville and is interested in the estate. In the schools of Watsonville William Burton Cooper received his education. As a boy he was employed in delivering telegrams, and continued as a messenger for some years. On the death of his uncle, Thomas S., in 1893, he took charge of the estate, and in 1896 the two estates, under his management, built the Cooper block, where he and his partner, Mr. Malcom, are engaged in the cigar, tobacco and stationery business. Among the orgnizations with which he is identified may be mentioned the Masons and Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
DR. J. A. CHAPPELL.
Those who have profited by his skill and know of his many admirable characteristics, pre- dict for Dr. Chappell a continuance of the suc- cess and prestige which he at present enjoys as one of the youngest and at the same time most proficient dentists in Salinas. He was born in Santa Clara county, Cal., in 1874, and is a son of Thomas L. Chappell, one of the best-known men in this county. The elder Chappell was born in England, and in early life displayed the perseverance and common sense for which his countrymen are so well known. In his island home he heard rumors of the quick and ready fortunes to be had with little effort in the far west, and immigrated to California in 1850. At present he has a fine farm at Buena Vista, Mon- terey county, where for many years he has con- ducted large stock-raising enterprises, and has also engaged in mining on a pretentious scale. He is a prominent Mason, and a believer in the principles of the Republican party. His wife, Emma (Manley) Chappell, is also a native of England.
The education of Dr. Chappell was acquired in the public schools and high school of Santa Clara county, supplemented by a course at Pa- cific University and the California State Uni- versity. In 1897 he was graduated from the Ohio Dental College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, after which he practiced for a short time in the Ohio city, and for one year in Philadelphia and Chi-
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cago. A wisely thought-out plan resulted in his return to the west and his location in Sali- nas, where, at his fine office on Main street, he is rapidly building up a large and appreciative practice. In political affiliation he is a Republi- can, and is fraternally associated with the. Knights of Pythias. He is one of the popular young professional men of the town, and has a large circle of friends.
GEORGE D. CLARK.
One of the busiest and most enterprising men in Monterey is George D. Clark, owner and proprietor of a thriving blacksmith shop, and purveyor to a large share of the resident and transient population. He was born in Michi- gan, March 11, 1847, and was reared and edu- cated in California. Many interesting happen- ings are connected with his family, especially his father, Abraham, and his grandfather, John. The grandfather was a carpenter by trade, and spent his life in New Jersey and Buffalo, N. Y. He built the first boat used on the old Buffalo and Erie canal, and in this task was ably assisted by his son, Abraham. About that time Abra- ham was a member of the home band, and these musicians were aboard the canal boat which in 1826 had General Lafayette as distinguished guest. They escorted the general on his trip through the country, and many were the stories which they afterwards told of their association with the noted man.
Abraham Clark learned the carpenter's trade from his father, and married in Buffalo, after which he removed to Michigan about 1835 and cleared a farm among the timber on the Huron river. For the lodging of himself and little family he built a log house, and cultivated eighty acres, upon which he lived until 1852. During that year he crossed the plains and worked in the mines of Sacramento county, but, finding that his expectations fell far short of realization, removed to Alameda county and rented a ranch until 1855. He then returned to Michigan, leaving his two sons in charge of the ranch in California, and brought his wife and cight children back with him via Central
America, the fare being $150 for adults. The expenses of travel were met with the money re- ceived from the sale of the Michigan farm, and so heavy were they that when Mr. Clark reached Alameda county he had just $20 remaining. For the following three years he experienced all manner of hardships. There was no sale for his potatoes, and during the last year people would not even pay the freight on them, so they were left to rot in the pile. After this doleful experi- ence Mr. Clark took up a claim in Mendocino county, but on account of dangers from Indians in Round valley he let that claim go, and went in the mountains of Alameda county. For sev- eral years he engaged in general farming and the cattle business. In 1869 he sold out and came to the Pajaro valley and rented the ranch upon which his death occurred in 1868. He married Leah Courter, who was born in New Jersey. and came of Dutch descent. Her death occurred in Watsonville at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Three of the sons of Abra- ham Clark served in the Civil war. It is worthy of note that of the ten children comprising his family, nine are living, all in California. The oldest of the number is the only one deceased, and he was killed by accident. Of those now living, the oldest brother is seventy-three and the oldest sister sixty-eight, while the youngest is fifty years of age.
George D. Clark was eight years of age when he accompanied his father to California, and he remained at home until about eighteen. He was anxious to enlist in the Civil war at the age of sixteen, but those in authority refused to accept him, so he waited until 1865 and enlisted in the First California Cavalry, serving in Arizona until the close of the war, and being principally engaged on escort duty, and in hunting rob- bers. After the war he remained at home until twenty-one years old, when he removed with the rest of the family to Watsonville, and there at- tended a private school for two years, his op- portunities in the past having been quite limited. For three years he served an apprenticeship to a blacksmith in Oakland, and, after returning home, rented a farm in the Pajaro valley with his brothers. For several years he was a jour- neyman blacksmith all over the state, and in
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1886 located in Monterey and rented a shop, which he eventually purchased.
At Monterey, Mr. Clark married Lavinia Merritt, daughter of Josiah and Juanita (Castro) Merritt, the former of whom was the first judge of Monterey county. Of this union there is one daughter, Juanita, who is now thirteen years of age. Mr. Clark has been prominent in general town affairs since he settled in Monterey, and as a Republican has held the office of trustee for four years. He is fraternally associated with Pajaro Lodge No. 90, I. O. O. F .; Monterey Lodge No. 180, K. of P., of which latter he is a charter member. He is also identified with the Grand Army of the Republic.
WILLIAM A. COOK.
This well known liveryman of San Luis Obispo was born in Tioga county, Pa., and when seven years of age removed with his family to Steuben county, N. Y. There he at- tended the public schools, and under the influence of an admirable home training developed the traits of character which have since contributed to his success. Believing that his largest opportunities lay beyond the Rocky mountains he started out from Illinois in 1859, and crossed the plains by team and wagon, the journey consuming the greater part of three and a half months. In the party were his wife, his three brothers, a brother-in-law and a nephew. Arriving in Napa county he engaged in farming and stock-raising for about five years, but at the end of that time he had concluded that the east was, after all, a good place to live in. He therefore returned to his old Pennsyl- vania home by way of the Nicaragua route in the fall of 1864, and again resumed farming under the old conditions. In 1869 he disposed of his interests and removed to northern Missouri, and at the expiration of three years was again in New York following his old time occupation of farming.
In 1874 Mr. Cook determined to again try his fortune in California, and, undertaking the journey by rail, settled in San Luis Obispo coun- ty, and farmed for a few years. For a time also he ran a stage from San Luis Obispo to Camb-
ria, and first became interested in the livery business in Templeton, where he succeeded in working up a good trade long before his five years' residence in that town had expired. About three years ago he came to San Luis Obispo and purchased the livery which has since netted him such satisfactory returns, and to the upbuilding of which he has devoted his best energies and business ability. He has a most complete and modern equipment, and his horses and equipages rank with larger establish- ments of the kind in the more crowded centers of activity.
In 1855 Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Lucinda Butler, who was born in New York. Of this union there were five children, of whom only two are living. The daughter Adalaide Florence married Frank Cox, a black- smith of this place, and J. A. Cook married Nora Cox and makes his home with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Cook took a child to raise when four months old, named Emma Ellis Bott, who is now the wife of W. F. Cook of San Luis Obispo. Formerly Mr. Cook arhered to the principles and issues of the Republican party, but when the party failed to nominate James G. Blaine for the presidency, he thought it no longer the appreciator of true greatness, and has since allied himself with the Peoples party. Frater- nally he is a Mason, and is prominent among the members of that order. He is a man who has risen solely by his own efforts and as such en- lists the approval and confidence of his fellow townsmen. He is thoroughly reliable and pro- gressive, and a future of much more emphatic success is predicted for him.
J. D. COCHRAN.
The little town of Gonzales, with its various lines of activity, has drawn within its hospitable and ambitious limits many men whose business capacity and generally fine traits of citizenship would be a credit to any community in the country. Foremost among these is J. D. Cochran, farm and real-estate owner, meat-market merchant, and general pro- moter of the city's most substantial interests. A native of Marshall county, III., he was born
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in 1839, a son of Jacob Cochran, who was born in Ohio, and later removed to Illinois. Under his father's precept and example he learned to be a practical and thrifty farmer, and acquired a fair education at the public schools. Even- tually he conducted a farm on independent lines for a couple of years, in the meantime form- ing plans which should be realized far from the state of his birth. An opportunity presented it- self in 1864, when, in company with his friend, A. Wideman, he came to California via Panama, arriving in San Francisco in February of the same year. The friends repaired to Santa Cruz county in search of employment, and for a year courageously undertook whatever came their way, their principal means of livelihood result- ing from burning charcoal in the redwoods. Mr. Cochran then went to San José and worked in the harvest field during the summer, and in the fall joined Mr. Wideman at Watsonville, and from then on their association was never severed until death claimed Mr. Wideman. Together the comrades were employed by Thomas Hild- reth, with whom they remained for four years, after which they formed a partnership in farming and stock-raising, and for five years conducted their affairs amicably and satisfactorily. At the end of that time the profits were divided evenly, and they found that they had reason to congratu- late themselves upon their consistent and wisc management. Mr. Cochran in 1876 opened the butcher-shop which has since been a source of profit to him, and which has resulted in his po- sition as one of the foremost business men of the place. In supplying a large and apprecia- tive trade he uses a great many cattle, the great- er part of which is supplied from his large and valuble ranch in San Benito county. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never been an office seeker. Fraternally he is associated with Gon- zales Lodge No. 372, I. O. O. F., of which he is treasurer, and one of the most prominent mem- bers. With his family he attends the Baptist Church.
In Gonzales, in 1875, Mr. Cochran married Lena, daughter of B. S. Starr, who was born in Indiana, and came to California with her par- ents in the early 6os. Her father died about nine years ago, but her mother still lives. Mr.
Cochran has a delightful home in Gonzales, and he and his wife have one son, John D., Jr., who is now with a railroad surveying party.
DAVID M. CLOUGH.
The worthy career of David M. Clough in Pajaro township, Monterey county, was prolific of public-spirited undertakings, and resulted in the accumulation of large landed estates, and the establishment of an honored name. This well-known pioneer was born in New Hamp- shire, January 22, 1824, and died in Monterey county, May 20, 1800. His youth was char- acterized by the usual limitations which fell to the farmer youth of his time and place, and his education was acquired in the district schools of his native state.
In 1850, at the age of twenty-six years, Mr. Clough came to California and settled in Tuol- umne county, where, for a period of two years. he experienced the vicissitudes and successes of the average miner. He then renewed his asso- ciation with the occupation of his younger days, and after settling on leased land in the vicinity of Watsonville, was able in time to buy this same land, which consisted of one hundred and sixty-five acres. A portion of this was after- ward disposed of. and in time seventy acres were added from an adjoining farm, which com poses the present home ranch. Mr. Clough was connected with many advances in the line of fruit raising and general farming in the valley. and among other things was the first to set out strawberries, apples, pears, peaches and oranges. He experimented year after year, until his un derstanding of horticulture was in accord with the most advanced methods known at the time. In the old days he kept a restaurant on the old country road, and this was a popular meeting place for all who chanced to pass by. He was liberal enough to give the right of way for the railroad to pass through his land, and in ever way fostered the growth of the valley. The house now occupied by his family was built by him at an expense of $7,000, and constitutes one of the pleasant and modern rural residences of the neighborhood. Besides The home ranch of seventy acres, which is all under fruit, there IT
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two hundred and seventy-five acres in the hills one mile from the town, devoted entirely to gen- eral farming and stock-raising. The fruit land is valued at $500 an acre.
May 20, 1860, Mr. Clough married Johanna Leary, who was born in county Cork, Ireland, March 17, 1836, and came to America in 1857. Mrs. Clough lived in Boston, Mass., for a couple of years, and in October, 1859, came to Monte- rey county, Cal., which has since been her home. To Mr. and Mrs. Clough have been born five sons and three daughters, viz .: Anna who is living at home; Ella, who died in in- fancy; John A., who is managing the home ranch for his mother; Julia, who is living with her mother; Johanna, formerly the wife of Mr. Barker, of San José, and who died at the age of thirty-three years; David E., who is with the Del Monte flouring mills at San Francisco; Louise, who is living at home; and Edwin P., who is assisting with the management of the home ranch.
E. M. CARR.
No name in the vicinity of Templeton car- ries with it greater weight or more sincere evi- dences of appreciation and even affection than does that of Judge E. M. Carr, generally re- garded as the paternal head of the community. He was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., March 11, 1835, and was reared to the arduous life of farming, his early educational opportuni- ties being on a par with other youths of his neighborhood. His father, Peleg S., was also a native of New York, born in 1794, and reared to farming. In Wisconsin, to which he removed in 1839, he bought four hundred and eighty acres of land, which was improved, and consti- tuted a sure means of livelihood up to the time of his death in 1846, at the age of fifty-two years. The paternal grandfather, Edward, was born in Rhode Island, and when a young man removed to New York, settling in Rensselaer county, of which he was a pioneer, and where he died at the age of ninety-two years. Like his ancestors for many years back, he was a member of the Friends Church, and was a preacher in the same, his father also filling a similar position.
Deborah (Goodrich) Carr, the mother of E. M .. was born in Berkshire county, Mass., a daugh- ter of Uriah Goodrich, who removed from Mas- sachusetts to western New York in his old age and died there at the home of his son. Of the six sons and four daughters trained to years of usefulness in the home of Peleg S. Carr and his wife, Ezra S,, who died in Pasadena, Cal., in 1804, was a practicing physician, at one time a professor in the State University of California, and between 1876 and 1880 superintendent of public instruction. His wife, Jennie C. Carr, is a well-known woman on the coast, and is an enthusiastic promoter of woman's rights. Nel- son Carr, a pioneer of Sonoma county, whither he removed in 1854, is at the present time eighty years of age. John S. Carr died of cholera in Wisconsin in 1850, and two of his brothers, S. C. and J. G., are still residents of the Badger state; both are successful, and the former is at present lecturer of the Grange, of which he was formerly master.
A somewhat hard struggle for existence char- acterized the early life of E. M. Carr; at least, it became imperative for him to start out on his own responsibility at the age of sixteen. Subse- quently he engaged in teaching school in Ala- meda county, and at the same time looked after the estate left his mother at the time of his father's death. In 1855 he married, in Wiscon- sin, S. L. Babcock, a native of New York state, of which union there was one child, Sarah L., now the wife of L. A. Creasey, a carpenter and builder of Ventura, Cal. In 1858 Judge Carr married Maria Dunbar, also a native of New York, and the mother of two children, Maurice G. and Dollie E., aged respectively thirty and eleven years.
After completing teaching in Alameda county Judge Carr came to the vicinity of Templeton and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he improved and lived upon, but which was afterward disposed of at a profit. The judge has improved five farms in this land of sunshine and large possibility, and has there- fore contributed his share towards the develop- ment of its natural resources. At the present time his ranch consists of twenty-eight acres, upon which is the family residence, and which
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is devoted to fruit and grain. Republican poli- tics have had a stanch supporter in Judge Carr, who has been justice of the peace for eight years, and is now aspiring to the office of public administrator, in all probability a foregone con- clusion. An accident, in May, 1902, caused by a runaway horse, caused him much suffering, and left a scar upon his head and face to remind him of the fact that he was mercifully spared for further usefulness, and further comfort to his hosts of friends. The princely proportions of Judge Carr are familiar to all the residents of the county, and his erectness and substan- tiality are typical of the character and attain- ments which have so well blended with the pro- gressive surroundings of his life.
MICHAEL QUIRK.
Now a resident of Watsonville, where he owns a comfortable home and other improved prop- erty, Mr. Quirk was born in county Tipperary, Ireland, in 1833, and is a son of John and Mary (Kearney) Quirk, natives of Ireland. After hav- ing attended private schools for some years, he started out for himself at the age of sixteen and crossed the ocean to New Orleans, whence he proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio. For six months he served as an apprentice carpenter, but, not liking the occupation, he went to St. Louis, Mo., and from there to Weston, Mo., where he was employed in the warehouse of Burns Brothers. Two years later he joined the merchant train of Halliday and Warner for Salt Lake City, with the privilege of returning or going on west. However, he was determined to seek a home in California, and pursued his way onward under the leadership of George Lord to San Bernardino, from which point he proceeded to Los Angeles. On his arrival, in July, 1856, he secured employment as teamster and stage driver between that city and San Pedro.
Being of a very economical disposition, and receiving good wages for his work as teamster, Mr. Quirk soon saved up a considerable amount, and after three years decided he would buy farming property. Investigating different locations with a view to a purchase, he came to the Pajaro valley and was so fascinated by the
climate, soil and prospects that he bought one hundred acres of the Coreletus ranch. At once he began to construct the necessary buildings. Grain was his principal product and he aver- aged forty bags of wheat to the acre. During 1863 he set out eighty trees, some of which are still in good bearing condition. About the same time he bought two hundred and fifty-six acres near the coast and put up the necessary buildings on the land, after which he rented his first ranch and moved to the second farm. Here he entered into grain and cattle raising. Such was the energy with which he prosecuted his work that no man raised larger crops of wheat, oats, barley and beets, and in the line of cattle- raising he also met with encouraging success. Cattle of high grades were raised on his ranch and sold for fair prices, notably the roan Dur- hams, which he found best for general use; and the Alderneys and Jerseys, which experience has proved to be best for butter. After long and successful work as a rancher, in 1899 he retired, having previously built a neat residence in Watsonville, where he also owns three other houses.
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