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 80
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THOMAS S. HAWKINS.
There exists no more typical representative of the stalwart founders of the business structure of the western slope than Thomas S. Hawkins, president of the Bank of Hollister; one of the purchasers of the site and founders of the town of that name, and intimately connected with its transition from a nonentity into a prosperous municipality. Like most of the captains of in- ‹lustry engaged in buikling up the west, Mr. Hawkins was not born to the purple as indicated by wealth or influence, but rather gained his first impressions of life and work from the surround- ings on an average farm in Marion county, Mo .. where he was born in 1836. From his fourteenth to his twenty-first year he lived in Cynthiana, llarrison county, Ky., where he was educated in the public schools and at an academy, and there- after tatight school in Missouri for a couple of years. His first business experience was ac- quired while engaged in a mercantile venture along the line of construction of the okl Atlantic & Pacific Railroad, an occupation continued for about two years, or long enough to convince him that there might be more desirable locations and occupations than those with which he was fa- miliar.
Then, as now, a peculiar fascination lurked in the direction of the setting san for the dissatisfied and ambitious, and in 1800 Mr. Hawkins started from Westpoint, Mo., outfitted with ox teams and wagons and a drove of cattle, and joined the mighty but disconnected caravan which had steadily moved over the plains ever since the first days of gold. At the end of six months he ar-
rived at San José, and having disposed of his cattle, bought land and engaged in farming at Gilroy, Santa Clara county, until 1866, and then removed to San Felipe valley, San Benito (then Monterey ) county. In September of 1869 he had become entirely in sympathy with his new surroundings, and so accurately gauged its prob- able part in the future of the state, that he or- ganized the San Justo Homestead Association, of which he became secretary and general manager. This association purchased of Colonel Hollister twenty-one thousand acres of the San Justo ranch, a portion of which was laid out and platted in town lots, the sale of which began in the fall of 1868. The town was named in honor of that famous pioneer and splendid citizen of California, and for the succeeding four years Mr. llawkins continued the sale of lots and other lands, or until the association had outlived its usefulness and ceased to be a factor of develop- ment. Thereafter Mr. Hawkins bought and sold general lands in the town and country, and looked after his large landed interests, owning several thousand acres of land in Monterey and Santa Clara counties, which is well stocked and finely improved. In 1869 he entered actively into the fight to create San Benito from Monterey county, a fact accomplished about 1870, through an act of the legislature.
The Bank of Hollister, which Mr. Hawkins aided others in founding, entered upon its mer- itorious career in 1874, and it is to the presidency which he has since maintained with such vast credit, that its present standing among the solid financial institutions of the state is due. This bank was the first in the town, and started with a paid up capital of $100,000, since increased to a paid up capital of $250,000.
Other interests in Hollister which have prefited by the sound business ability of Mr. Hawkins include the Hollister Water Company's plant, purchased by him in 1875, and at the time a very small affair. He has since organized the company, which provides amply for all city pur- poses, the water coming from the mountains of Grass valley, and piped a distance of fourteen miles. . At the first meeting of the company Mr. Hawkins was elected president, and has since filled this important responsibility. He is one of
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the organisere of the Hollister Warehouse Com- pany, and has been president from the start. Al- though one of the organizers of the city, and president of the council for twenty-one years, he has steadfastly refused general political honors, neither time nor inclination permitting of their acceptance. Extreme independence has character- ized his political affiliations, and character and attainment, rather than party, have been the criterions governing his vote. Fraternally he is a member of the Mound Lodge No. 166, Inde- pendent Order Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand, and of which he has several times been a delegate to the state grand lodge. Educa- tion has no more stanch supporter than Mr. Hawkins, who has wielded a wide influence to- ward a high order of educational training. The crection of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1873-74 was largely due to his advocacy of its necessity, and he has ever since been a trustee of the church.
In 1858 Mr. Hawkins married Miss Patten, who died in 1862, leaving one child, T. W. Haw- kins, now cashier of the Bank of Hollister. The second marriage of Mr. Hawkins occurred in Santa Clara county in 1864 with a Miss Day, and of this union there were born four children, viz .: C. N., who is manager of the Grangers Union, the largest store in Hollister : W. I., who is a merchant in San Francisco, and manager of the Eagleson-Hawkins Company ; W. E., who is dso connected with the bank : and Mrs. Boyns, who is teaching music in San Francisco. Mr. Hawkins is still. after his innumerable services toward the upbuikling of Hollister, one of its stanchest supporters, and most indefatigable werkers. No one has more richly earned the wood-will and esteem of his fellowmen, nor to any is greater honor due than to T. S. Hawkins.
.A. N. JUDD.
Ont of his carly experiences as a painter Mr. hidd gleaned much that has since helped him in The management of his business affairs and the leping of his financial policy. Though now porfically retired and enjoying the fruits of his Mlere in former years, he still maintains a gen- and supervision of his apple orchard, which
ranks among the finest in the Pajaro valley. In his home at Watsonville are all the comforts that enhance the pleasure of existence, added to which he has the esteem and confidence of as- sociates.
At North Lee, Berkshire county, Mass., A. N. Judd was born April 26, 1843. being a son of George B. Judd and a descendant of a colonial family of New England. His mother died when he was thirteen years old and his father shortly afterward. and he was then taken into the home of a farmer in New Hampshire. Early in life he migrated to Wisconsin, and at Rubicon, Dodge county, learned the trade of wagon-mak- ing and painting. Being small in stature he was unable to stand the work which required a man's strength and muscle. Finding that he was los- ing his health, he abandoned wagon-making and devoted himself to painting. About this time he met Mr. Folk, who was planning a trip to Cen- tral America and offered him a position as an assistant of the expedition. Accepting the prop- osition, he went south and while in Honduras learned of the breaking out of the Civil war.
To one of loyal, patriotic spirit, his country's need appealed with greatest force, and Mr. Judd hastened back to the north. August 9, 1861, he enlisted in Company H. Fourteenth Iowa In- fantry, and was sent to the front under Grant. February 15. 1862, he was wounded by a bullet in the right side of the neck, while fighting at Donelson. At Shiloh he was taken prisoner, but with others succeeded in effecting an escape. Later he was transferred to Company .A. Sixth lowa Cavalry, and in this regiment continued until he was honorably discharged November 27. 1865, with a record of which he may well be proud.
Going to Chicago Mr. Judd opened a paint shop at No. 152 North Clark street, with Charles Johnson as partner. There he continued a few years. When the first excursion was started across the continent on the first railroad built to span the continent, he took passage July 22, 1868. and arrived in Sacramento Angust 2 of that year. There he secured work on the state capitol. In the fall of the same year he came to Watson- ville and rented a building formerly used by Cooper Bros. for a store, and occupying the
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present site of the Bank of Watsonville. Here he embarked in business, having as partners Peleg Peckham and Mr. Austin. Two years later Mr. Peckham retired from the firm and the following year Mr. Austin sold his interest to Mr. Judd, who continued alone. In 1873 he dis- continued the painting business and engaged in farming on the old John Conway ranch of fifty- seven and one-half acres, west of the city. A few apple trees constituted the only improve- ments that had been made on the place. At once he planted more, but, as soon as he found the Bellefleur the most prolific, he replaced his trees with this variety and has continued to raise them ever since. Today the orchard is one of the best in the valley. All but fifteen acres of river bottom land are under bearing fruit, and the returns from each year's crops are exceed- ingly gratifying to the owner. He is also inter- ested in ranch property in Fresno county.
One of the finest residences in the valley is owned and was erected by Mr. Judd and is of stone, modern in architecture and convenient in appointments. It stands on the corner of Fourth and Lincoln streets, in the James Waters addi- tion, where five years ago Mr. Waters had his nursery. Since then almost the entire tract has been covered with modern houses. In the prog- ress of the valley Mr. Judd has borne a deep interest and active part, and his contribution to public-spirited projects has been important, no- tably his service as president of the Pajaro Val- ley Fair Association, which owed much to his fostering oversight. He has held the office of deputy assessor, but as a rule has declined offi- cial positions. In the board of trade he has served as a member of the committee of public improvement. Fraternally he is connected with the lodge and encampment of Odd Fellows and holds rank as past grand. The Grand Army of the Republic numbers him as a member and he is its past commander.
July 21. 1872, Mr. Judd married Caroline, the only daughter of William Williamson. She is the only survivor among three children, her brother, Robert Samuel, having died in 1899 at fifty-three years of age ; and James Edgar died in childhood. Mr. Wilhamson was a native of county Armagh, Ireland, and while in his teens
was apprenticed to a merchant. When twenty- one years of age he came to America and settled in Boone county, Ill., where he married Artemesia Sands. In 1850 he crossed the plains to Califor- nia, where for two years he followed placer min- ing. On his return to Illinois he disposed of his effects and, with his family, started west again, coming to Watsonville, where for a year he en- gaged in raising potatoes. A later enterprise was with his brother James in operating a grist mill on Pascadero creek. Next he conducted a freighting mercantile establishment at Gilroy for two years, after which he built a mill at Green valley above Eagers, in Williamson gulch, having as partners Messrs. Hinckley, Shelby and May. The business, however, proved a difficult one to successfully conduct, as the supply of lumber in those days was greater than the demand. It is said that in 1859 he came to Watsonville, with a four-ox team loaded with lumber, and tried to sell the lumber or trade it for groceries, but the most liberal offer he could get was only $7. Soon. fortunately, the demand increased. The firm became Brown & Williamson, then the Charles Ford Company, and he retained an in- terest in it until 1874, when he sold out. He then purchased the property where Matthew McGowen now lives and later bought one hun- dred and seventy-five acres devoted to agricul- tural purposes, continuing, however, to make his home in Watsonville, where he died in 1884, aged sixty-one years, beloved and remembered by all for his great generosity and inimitable wit. Ilis wife died within a few days of his own demise and was fifty-six at the time of her death. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Judd there are three living children, namely: Carrie Belle, wife of Jesse Wood : Hugh William, a clerk in the post- office : and Oswald Bissell, at home. Two chil- dren have been taken by death, Elbert llaves when eleven and Ida May when twenty years of age.
HENRY T. ROGGE.
Though not a native son of California, Mr. Rogge has been a resident of this state ever since one year old, and is thoroughly in touch with the progressive element of Watsonville and the Pajaro valley. He was born in Keyesport.
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Clinton county, Ill. October 24, 1874, being a son of Willian and Dora ( Herwig) Rogge. His father, a native of the province of Hanover. Germany, born May 30, 1831, was a son of William and Elizabeth ( Curze) Rogge. After the grandfather's death, his widow brought the children to the United States and spent the re- mainder of her life in St. Louis, Mo. When four- teen years of age William Rogge, Jr., was ap- prenticed to the shoemaker's trade, at which he served four years. In 1854 he went to St. Louis and secured employment at his trade, also with a brother bought and operated a farm. Removing in 1869 to Keyesport, Ill., he continued to com- bine agriculture with shoemaking. During 1875 he brought his family to Watsonville, Cal., and bought a small home here. At the same time he began to work as a journeyman shoemaker, and in time opened a shop of his own, which he still conducts. It speaks well of him that he has reared and educated ten children and at the same time saved a sufficient sum to provide for his old age, which fact proves him to be frugal, econom- ical and provident. In addition to his home he owns other property in Watsonville. Fraternally he is connected with the lodge and encampment of Odd Fellows. Three of his children . died in infancy, and those who attained maturity are Lonis L., William C., Henry T., Arthur, Mel- vin, Otto, Mary, Josephine, Augusta and Dora.
When fifteen years of age Henry T. Rogge left home to fight life's battles for himself. For eighteen months he worked in a tannery in Santa Clara, but not liking the occupation lie left as soon as another opening was to be had. For a while he worked in a plumbing store. alter which he became clerk with Ford & Co .. nder whom he learned the upholstery business. After serving an apprenticeship of five years and five months he embarked in the upholstery busi- ress for himself, and has since built up a grow- ing trade and carries a large stock. Since starting in business he has built a cottage. Fraternally he is connected with the Foresters, Federal Aid md Maccabees.
For some years ( since 1893) Mr. Rogge has Tega a member of the Pajaro Valley Fire Com Mane . [ Watsonville, serving as foreman in the valy part of his connection with the company,
later holding the office of assistant chief, and in 1902 receiving promotion to the position of chief, which he now holds. About 1860 this fire department was organized as a volunteer bucket company. The next year a hand engine was bought. In 1875 the company was reorganized as the Pajaro Engine Company. At that time they owned a small house opposite the plaza, and this they traded for the blacksmith shop of J. Lynch, on the latter site erecting their present building. With the erection of the building were formed Pajaro Company No. I and California Hose Company No. 2. A new engine was pur- chased at a cost of $4,000. The department raised $1.500 of this amount, the balance being paid by the city. The only salaried officers are the chief, who receives $too per year ; the driver. who is paid $65 a month ; and the engineer, $25 a year. The company has been called out to help in neighboring towns during fires and has al- ways proved itself to be thoroughly competent and efficient.
JOHN IVERSON.
John Iverson, who is engaged in the mer- cantile business in Chualar, with the firm of Anderson, Beck & Co., is one of the fore- most Danish-American citizens in this vicini- ty. He was born in Denmark in 1846. and received a common school education, and a good home training. In 1863, when sev- enteen years of age, he came to the United States, and direct to San Francisco by way of the cape of Good Hope, going thence to Alameda county, Cal., where he began to work by the day, and also to farm. Not entirely satisfied with what he was accomplishing there, he came to Monte- rey county in 1876, and located on a ranch of twelve hundred acres, six miles from Chualar. lle still owns this large and well improved farm. and is devoting it to grain, farming and dairy purposes, for the carrying on of which. he has sixty standard bred cows.
About the time that he bought his farm Mir. Iverson engaged in business with Anderson, Beck & Co., who are doing the largest business in town, and who carry a most complete line of general merchandise, groceries, liquors, hard-
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IHISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
are and agricultural implements, boots and joes and dry-goods. The unfailing courtesy of is firm has gained for them a large following, ot only in the town, but in the surrounding umtry, and their honest methods of conducting eir large enterprise, and earnest desire to ease, ensure them a continuance of their pres- it profit and popularity. Mr. Iverson is con- cted with the organizations in the town main- ined for the furtherance of its best material ad social interests, and is fraternally widely own, being a member of the Ancient Order of nited Workmen, of which he is a charter men- er in Salinas, and of the Society Dania, at hualar. A Democrat in national politics, his "st presidential vote was cast for Seymour, and was supervisor of this county under Cleve- nd's administration, and during his term of of- ce the county poor farm hospital was erected. s a member of the Lutheran church he has been tive in good works in Chualar, and materially ded in the erection of the Danish place here. In 1875 Mr. Iverson married Sena Larson, and this union there are six children, viz .: Anna, Irs. Nissan, of Spreckles : Louis, who is on his ther's farm; and Jessie, John, Annie and Effie, ho are also at home.
A. A. MANUEL.
A citizen of Monterey whose success in e has been out of proportion to his early lvantages, and who has builded solely up- determination and the gift of application, .1. . 1. Manuel, one of the prominent erchants of this city. A native of the south : France, he was born in 1854, and when eleven ars of age began to travel for a dry-goods ouse in his native land. This necessity for self- tpport naturally curtailed for the time being a tuch-desired education, but in its place was instituted a general knowledge of men and ffairs of immense value in the management of ter business ventures. While representing his rm in various parts of Europe, his spare time as devoted to linguistic acquirements, for hich he inherited special aptitude, a branch of search continued indefinitely through succeed- ; years, so that at the present time Mr.
Manuel is conversant with his native tongue and English, besides Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.
When seventeen years of age Mr. Manuel came to the United States, and after locating in Monterey began to work on one of the surrounding farms. In 1875 he went to Los Angeles in the employ of Ayers & Lynch, pro- prietors of the Evening Express, and in 1878 returned to Monterey and entered the mer- cantile business with H. Escolte, his future father-in-law. By 1887 he had become inter- ested in the enterprise to the extent of buying out his partner and the whole business, which he has since conducted independently, and with satisfactory results. He carries a full line of general merchandise, and is constantly meeting with assurances of approval from a large pat- ronage. For ten years he was agent for the Sperry Flour Company, and many of the first firms in the country are represented among his fine assortment of needful commodities. Aside from his mercantile interests Mr. Manuel has taken an active interest in the general affairs of the city, has built a number of residences and buildings, and owns property here and in Pacific Grove. An ardent Republican, he served on the school board for nine years, and was clerk of the building committee of the board. He was town trustee for a term, and has held several other offices of trust and responsibility. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Masonic Vet- eran Association of Oakland; is treasurer of Monterey Lodge No. 182, I. O. O. F .: treasurer of Monterey Lodge No. 217, F. & A. M .; and a member of Salinas Chapter No. 59. R. A. M., and Watsonville Commandery, No. 22, K. T. In 1884 Mr. Manuel married Caroline Escolte. daughter of Hon. H. Escolte, his former part- ner. Two daughters have been born of this union, Charlotte and Leonic.
JOHN M. RYAN.
One of the venerable and honored resident farmers of Santa Cruz county is John M. Ryan, who was born in Ireland in 1824. a son of John and Ant ( Maloney ) Ryan, also natives of Ire- land. The experiences of Mr. Ryan have by no means been confined to either his native land or
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the land mut Ins adoption, for upon first start- ing out In the world to fashion his career he Went to Australia and remained there for twenty Wars. While in the southern continent he en- yaged in the mining and stock raising business, and met with alternate success and failure. Hoping to improve his prospects he set sail for San Francisco in 1865, and soon after located in Santa Cruz county, where he ranched on rented land. In 1868 he bought his present farm of twenty-three acres, where he has since engaged principally in fruit raising, his principal crop being apples.
Mrs. Ryan was formerly May McCarthy, a native of Ireland. She died August 2, 1894. leaving one child, John P. Ryan, who was born in San Francisco, September 19, 1873. Mr. Ryan is a Democrat in politics, but has never been heard of in the ranks of office seekers. He is a member of the Catholic Church.
WILLIAM PALMTAG.
The German element in American life which has done so much to make this nation worthy the friendship and sympathy of all other countries, has nevertheless, its especially worthy Teutonic representatives, whose profound, thorough, and painstaking minds have acted as a balance wheel upon their environment, and stimulated them to the most substantial and lasting activity. Among the upbuilders of Hollister these national traits have been especially noticeable in the unusually successful career of William Palmtag, president of the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, and so closely identified with the major part of the en- terprises of the county that he is an integral part of its present prosperity.
A native of Baden, Germany, Mr. Pahntag re- mained in his native land until seventeen years of age, and then located in Nevada county, Cal., which he reached in 1864. As a miner and pros- pector he experienced the usual variegated suc- cess and failure, but the end of four years found him engaging in the peaceful occupation of farming on land near Salinas, a fact which indi- ated his doubts as to the practicability of perma- the nt mining. At the end of a year he removed 16 Watsonville and became associated with his
brother in the brewing business. Two years later he settled in Hollister and established a retail and wholesale wine business on his own responsibility. In 1882 a half interest was dis- posed of to Bernhard, and the following year he purchased a large tract of land ten miles south of Hollister, after which he spent six months in Europe. Upon his return he assumed charge of his property, one hundred and fifty acres of which was converted into a vineyard, and the balance of several hundred acres devoted to a well stocked farm. From this splendidly equipped ranch and wonderfully productive vineyard has developed the largest vineyard and winery in San Benito county, with a capacity of ninety thousand gallons a year. In 1887 was constructed a wine cellar from brick made on the premises. It has a capacity of one hundred and forty thousand gallons, enabling the owner thereof to keep his port, sherry, and muscatel wines for four or five years. In 1800 Bernhard sold a half interest to Mr. O'Conner, and has since conducted a retail and wholesale trade, besides having a retail depot in Salinas city.
The unusual business ability of Mr. Palmtag has found vent in many directions besides the wine industry, but perhaps his most ambitious undertaking has been the establishment in 1891 of the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank, with a capi- tal of $75,000, and of which he has since been president. In 1892 he also organized the Hollis- ter Savings Bank in connection therewith, and of this he is president and general manager. . As a director he is connected with several of the im- portant enterprises of the city. among which may be mentioned the Hollister Storage Com- pany, the Hollister Creamery, of which he is also president, the Hollister Water Company, and is manager and president of the Hollister Light and Power Company. He is identified with a movement to secure macadamized streets for the town and good roads for the country, and is agent and manager of the Guin Sabe Rancho of twenty-four thousand acres in San Benito county.
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