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 83
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In political affiliation Mr. Fredson is one of the most enthusiastic advocates of Republicanism in the county, and his services in the interests of his party have resulted in great good to the com- munity. He was elected supervisor of the coun- ty in 1887. serving for four years, and in 1898 was again elected for a like period, in 1900 being made chairman of the board. For the third time, November 4, 1902. he was elected for another four-year term to the same office. Upon three occasions he has been a delegate to state con- ventions, and has actively entered into all po- litical happenings in the county since 1874. He was one of those who secured the building of the present court house.
In 1870, at Santa Rosa, Mr. Fredson married Addie Jose, who died in 1885. leaving three children, viz. : Nellie, who is now Mrs. McCune; Lottie, Mrs. Wilkes; and Alonzo H., Jr. In 1887 Mr. Fredson married Mary Moore, of Sonoma county, and a daughter of Dr. F. Moore. Mr. Fredson is interested in real-estate and insur- ance, and several important properties in the town and county have passed through his hands. Ilis upright business methods, and manifest re-
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gard for the best welfare of the county have won for him an enviable standing and many friends.
CAPT. CHARLES F. MILLER.
The years that have passed since the death of Captain Miller have not dimmed his memory in the affection of those who held him dear. Dur- ing his long service as a seafaring man he ac- quired the hearty, genial and broad-souled man- ner and tastes of the sailor, and these qualities won him friends wherever he sailed. His love for the sca never left him, and although he was a pioneer ranchman of Santa Cruz county and enjoyed the management of his property, many of his happiest hours were spent on the water, his love for which led him back to the sea at in- tervals.
A native of Durham, England, Captain Miller began to follow the sea at twelve years of age, and rose from the most humble position to that of captain. During some of his trips his vessel cast anchor in California ports and in this way he became familiar with the delightful climate of the Pacific coast region. In 1855 he bought the San Andreas ranch and established his home in Santa Cruz, but, as previously intimated, he frequently left his ranching pursuits and returned to a sea- faring life, following the same until shortly be- fore his death. In 1884 he purchased a tract of land on the coast and built a bath house, with about fifty dressing rooms. Shortly afterward he retired, turning the business over to his sons. After his death, which occurred in 1888 at the age of sixty-nine years, the business was con- ducted by Miller Bros. In 1890 Ralph S. Mil- ler and J. Leibbrandt became proprietors and have since built up a large business in their line.
When a young man Captain Miller was made a Mason in Ireland and always afterward he was an upholder of Masonic principles. Ilis mar- riage united him with Celia, daughter of John Pickford, and a native of Bristol, England. Eleven children were born of their union, five now living, namely : Charles, Frederick, Mrs. Minnie Mills, Ralph S. and Mrs. Edith Herriot. Mrs. Miller continues to reside at the beach in the house erected by her husband. Her son,
Ralph S .. associated with J. Leibbrandt, con- ducts the Neptune and Dolphin baths. The origin of the surf and plunge bathing business dates back to 1868, when John Leibbrandt, Sr .. built the first bath house at Santa Cruz beach. From the first his patronage was encouraging. About 1872 he added hot baths. The following year he enlarged the house in order to meet the increasing demands. On his retirement he was succeeded by his son, and in 1890 the two com- panies consolidated their enterprises and built the plunge baths. The plunge now in use was built in 1892 and opened on the 16th of July, that year, with appropriate ceremonies. In dimen- sions it is 40x80 feet, with a depth of from three and one-half to ten feet, and holding one hun- dred and fifty thousand gallons of water. In connection with the plunge there are ninety-six dressing rooms. It is said that the bathing suits supplied to the patrons are the finest to be found at any bathhouse along the coast. Their facili- ties are further increased by two storage tanks. one hundred and fifty feet long and three feet deep which are heated by the solar heater and fitted with modern equipments for bathing, the water being furnished hot or cold as preferred. For the surf bathing there are one hundred and fifty dressing rooms for men and the same mim- ber for ladies, with shower baths attached. As is generally known, no beach excels that of Santa Cruz for its bathing facilities. The people are especially proud of the fact that no one has ever been drowned in this beach nor has there been any serious accident at any time. The most competent instructors, both men and women, are in constant attendance, ready to assist in any way desired. The enjoyment of the guests is enhanced by music and by a park in which may be seen fancy birds and game of various kinds. Refreshments are served at all hours. Ball grounds offer an additional source of recreation and amusement. At the time that R. S. Miller became one of the proprietors he began to set ont flowers and shrubbery, and to day the grounds are a scene of beauty during the entire season. from May to October. Steam and electric cars which pass through the grounds furnish ready and convenient transportation for patrons. Every convenience is provided that will promote
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the comfort of guests, among other things being an abundant supply of canvas tents for those wishing to avoid the direct rays of the sun. Bathing is indulged in throughout the entire year, Liere being no seasons when it is unattractive or undesirable. On the other hand, each season has its peculiar charms and attractions, and guests may be seen here every month in the year.
LOUIS MORETTI.
Louis Moretti, proprietor of the Sea Side creamery at Nos. 41-43 Pacific avenue, Santa Cruz, established his present business in Iyor, and all indications point to a continuation and increase of his present success. In connection with the creamery he maintains a bakery, where the best quality of goods in this line may be had at reasonable rates. In addition to his own creamery he has an inter- est in several others, including the Yellow Bank dairy, the Ocean View dairy, and the San Vicente dairy. He has an extended knowledge of his chosen occupation, and is also possessed of good business judgment, tact and enterprise.
.A native of Cevio, Switzerland, Mr. Moretti was born April 30, 1876, and is a son of J. Moretti, who was a miner in his hilly native land, and came to the United States about 1852. He located in California, and became a resident of Santa Cruz in 1864, where he bought a ranch and made his home until 1868. That year he returned to the land of his birth, where his death occurred in 1804. Flis son, Louis, came to the United States in 1800, and has so far had no cause to regret his removal to a country of far larger possibility than his own.
MISS E. MAY GRANT.
The influence wielded by women in the educa- ional world finds an illustration in the work ac- wenplished by Miss Grant in behalf of the public -chools of Santa Cruz. Her success as a teacher is especially gratifying to the people of Santa (muz, inasmuch as she is one of the native daughters and has always considered this place her home. Her father, John Grant, who was a pioneer of 1866 in Santa Cruz, was born near
Montreal, Canada, April 27, 1837, being a son of John Grant, Sr., and of Scotch descent. As a boy he had only meager advantages, and worked much of the time at mining and lumbering. When nineteen years of age he left home and went to Michigan, then to British Columbia, where he was employed in the Caribon mines.
Crossing the country to California in 1862, Mr. Grant first engaged in farming near San José in the Santa Clara valley. From there he removed to Santa Cruz and for a number of years each summer harvested in the Salinas val- ley. He secured employment as foreman for F. A. Hihn, in which capacity he assisted in the building up of Capitola. During the long period of his residence in Santa Cruz he maintained a deep interest in the welfare of the city and in movements for the public good. For four years lie served as street commissioner, meantime do- ing much for the benefit of the streets. After he had for three years held a position as foreman of the Bituminous Rock Mines he went to Sali- nas, where he was struck by a falling derrick May 31, 1901, and almost instantly killed.
December 5. 1869, Mr. Grant married Miss Henrietta Jane Curtis, who was born in Fayette county, Iowa, a daughter of Leonard and Abbie E. ( Bently) Curtis. Her father, who was a na- tive of Vermont, settled in Iowa and from there, in 1860, crossed the plains with an ox-team, arriving in Santa Rosa at the expiration of six months and settling finally in Santa Cruz. The home for many years occupied a lot adjoining that of his son-in-law. Mr. Grant. The latter made his home on Grant street, and owned the residence that is still occupied by his family. His six children are E. May, Lottie, Sophia, L. Ruth, Rose M., and J. Edgar. The second daughter is the wife of W. C. Izant and has one son, Walter Grant Izant. In politics John Grant was a pronounced Republican, in religion ad- hered to the Methodist Episcopal Church and fraternally was connected with the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Availing herself of the advantages offered by home schools, Miss Grant was graduated from the Santa Cruz high school in 1890. and the fol- lowing year completed the course of study at Chestnutwood's Business College. At once she
WILLIAM HATTON
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took up educational work, her first experience in that line being gained in the schools of San Luis Obispo county. In July, 1895, she was appointed principal of the Grant School in Santa Cruz. This school is supposed to have taken its name from General Grant, as did also the street, the school being built at the time of General Grant's height of fame. It was rebuilt in 1881 and in 1894 was enlarged, remodeled and mod- ernized. Under the supervision of Miss Grant it maintained its high standing for excellence of work accomplished and ranks as one of the best schools in the city. On its rolls there are one hundred or more pupils, with an average attend- ance of ninety. In 1902 Miss Grant was trans- ferred to the Branciforte school as a teacher in the sixth grade. As a teacher she is justly pop- ular, for she aims to keep abreast with every ad- vance made in the science of pedagogy and is progressive, efficient and faithful. In addition to her work as an educator, she finds time to take part in religious activities and is a leading mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM HATTON.
The name of Hatton has for many years been associated with the most extensive dairying in- terests in Monterey county. The founder of the occupation for which the Carmel valley is so admirably adapted was William Hatton, a man of great strength of character, pronounced executive and business ability, and well fitted for the large responsibilities which came his way. The death of this popular promoter of the well being of the valley, October 23, 1894, is still recalled with extreme regret by his numer- ous friends, patrons and business associates.
.A native of county Wicklow, Ireland, Mr. Hatton was born June 9, 1849, the fourth in a family of eight children, one of whom, Ed- ward, is also a resident of America. Possessed of a love for adventure, the youthful William rebelled at the limitations of the paternal farm, and when thirteen years of age put out to sea as an apprentice on a merchant ship. For seven years he led a seafaring life, and in 1870 came to California, where he worked as an apprentice at dairying upon the ranch which later became
his absorbing interest and personal property. In time the humble apprentice had saved suffi- cient means to buy out his employer, E. St. John, of Salinas, and then began an earnest effort to build up the largest and most perfectly appointed dairy in Monterey county, and one of the largest in the state. Much of his success was due to the fact that he had an innate liking for his chosen work, and realized the impor- tance of commodities so generally in use being of a superior and health-giving quality. That congenial work means success was demon- strated repeatedly in the course of his career as a dispenser of dairy products. At times lie milked as many as six hundred of the finest- bred cows in the state, and at the time of his death owned two thousand two hundred acres of land. Besides looking after his own large interests, for several years he had charge of the affairs of the Pacific Improvement Company, managing with considerable skill their ranches, clairies and cattle. He was a member of the Monterey Blue Lodge, F. & A. M .. Salinas Chapter, R. A. M., and Watsonville Command- ery, K. T.
Since the death of Mr. Hatton the name of his gifted wife has been associated with the dairy known as the Del Monte Creamery, ad- vantageously located about five miles from Monterey and chosen by Mr. Hatton as being the most desirable in the Carmel valley. Mrs. Hatton was formerly Kate Harney, a native of Charleston, S. C., and a daughter of M. J. Har- ney, now deceased. She was born on James Island and spent her youth in the south. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hatton are: Anna M., Harriet H .. Sarah J., Edwar1 G .. William, Frank D. and Howar 1. The immedi- ate management of the ranch passed from the hands of Mr. Hatton to those of his brother- in-law, John Harney, also a man of shrewd business judgment. Mr. Ilarney, like his sister, was born in South Carolina, and he has been a resident of Monterey since 1881. In March, 10,00, he left the dairy and it is now in the hands of Andrew Steward and Edward G. Hatton.
Of the Del Monte Creamery and ranch it may be said that at the present time the con ditions are somewhat changed from the plans
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laid down by Mr. Hatton, for this branch of industry is ever making strides towards better and more rational things. Many improvements have been instituted by the prevailing manage- ment, and no more complete and finely quipped dairy caters to a large and apprecia- tive trade. It is no exaggeration to say that the finest butter in the state comes from the HIatton creamery. It supplies with milk and butter Pacific Grove and the splendid Hotel Del Monte, besides shipping great quantities of butter to San Francisco during the winter season. Two thousand two hundred acres are watered by three artesian wells with a capacity of fourteen hundred gallons per minute, which wells are used also for irrigating alfalfa and rye grass, and are operated by a thirty horse-power steam engine. Large crops of corn and pump- kins are raised for winter feed, but most of the land is devoted to grazing. At the present time they have four thousand acres and four hundred cows. The hospitality of the beautiful Hatton home, overlooking the valley and sea, is proverbial, and Mrs. Hatton entertains with true southern tact and delightful manner.
HON. EDWARD MARTIN.
The wonderful resources of California have 110 more enthusiastic advocate than Hon. Ed- ward Martin, whose many-sided abilities have penetrated various grooves of western activity. and left therein an impress of strength and reli- ability. To the analytical intelligence of this carnest student of affairs the land this side of the Rockies represents far more than a money getting Mecca, and is more satisfying to his finer perceptions than to his pocket. His au- thoritative knowledge concerning all phases of opportunity and life on the coast is best evi- Ienced by the public regard for his writings upon these questions, and the readiness with which his statements are given credence. Adap- tive, witty, optimistic, occasionally sarcastic, a fluent speaker, and a ready student of the Latin language, and possessing assimilated general knowledge beyond the ordinary, Mr. Martin has stepped into a waiting niche in this western country in such manner as to command atten
tion and win commercial, political and social ap- preciation.
A native of Bedfordshire, England, Mr. Mar- tin was born November 2, 1833, in the home of John Bunyon, a son of Dr. John and Ann (Fields) Martin. As a boy he was taught the valne of a thorough education, and though im- paired health interfered with the continuation of his studies when he was thirteen years of age, he had already acquired a solid foundation upon which to base further research. A sea voyage being advised as possibly health restoring, he embarked in the Lord Glenalg, and visited Can- ada, Boston and Havana, eventually experienc- ing a shipwreck in the Bay of Fundy. The sea- going life seemed to possess charms for the erst- while invalid, and he continued to lead a nautical existence for several years. At the age of seventeen, while at Eastport, Me., he had an opportunity to follow the tide of emigration to the west, by way of the Horn. The water vehicle in which the trip was undertaken prob- ably never had a counterpart in the time inter- vening between the launching of the Ark and the present. The good ship Fannie, lacking in artificial propelling force, was brought into play, likewise a steamboat of the side wheeler brand. The hull of the Fannie was sunk in the water. the steamer was floated inside of it at low tide, the water pumped out, and the vessel built around the steamer. When completed, this sample of mongrel ship architecture was fav- ored with all manner of direful predictions, its distinct and unblushing affront to all precon- ceived notions of the most experienced salts calling down upon its queer outlines scorn and contempt. Nothing daunted, it put to sea with its hull loaded with cargo, which was duly dis- charged at the port of San Francisco after a voyage around the Horn of one hundred and thirty-three days. Nor was this second child- hood, this resuscitated vitality, the beginning of the end, for this companion craft traversed for several years the San Joaquin river, and finally plowed the waters to the Sandwich Islands. where its aged and quavering timbers dissolved partnership upon a destructive reef.
The majority of the crew of the companion ship proved deserters for the gold mines, and
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Mr. Martin found an immediate opportunity awaiting him in San Francisco. He chanced to meet J. Bryant Hill, who had rented a thousand acres of land in the Pajaro valley for agricultu- ral purposes, and who was in need of reliable men to help him. Accordingly Mr. Martin started, in November of 1851, across the Santa Cruz mountains, which had no roads, but an indistinct trail, yet he managed to make a hun- dred miles the first day out. Arriving at Santa Cruz in an exhausted condition, he nevertheless pushed on without rest, and at the end of his journey had the honor of plowing the first fur- row ever turned to the sunlight in the Pajaro valley. He continued to engage in farming in the valley until his removal to Watsonville in 1857, it which year it was a mere hamlet, and sadly prophetic of dissolution. However, the vitalizing influence of the new arrival was in- creasingly felt as time passed by, for he became active in promoting the business and educa- tional enterprises of the place, built three dwell- ing houses and some stores, and infused a little animation into things in general. He first found a position as clerk and in 1858 was appointed postmaster, continuing in the office until 1875. At the same time he conducted a stationery store, which started from small beginnings and grew with the demand created by its excellent wares and its adaptiveness to the popular needs. For several years he was employed as telegraph operator in Watsonville, and was one of the promoters for introducing gas in the town of Watsonville. For many years he served as no- tary public in Watsonville, and also was town trustee six years. In 1879 he was elected on the non-partisan ticket of the fourth congressional district to the convention which framed the con- stitution of California. In 1884 he was elected county clerk, county auditor and county re- corder under one head. and assumed control of his combined responsibility in January of 1885. continuing the same until January of 1899. For the past three years Mr. Martin has been a member of the law firm of Martin & Gardner, he having been admitted to the bar in 1808.
In Watsonville, in 1861, Mr. Martin married Emeline Risdon, a native of the vicinity of Mount Morris, N. Y., and daughter of J. C.
Risdon, one of the pioneers of Santa Cruz county. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born four children. Edward C. died while young: Kittie is also deceased; B. J. R., auditor for the United Railroads of San Francisco, married Lottie Kellogg and has two children, Deloss and Clarence; and George P., a jeweler of Wat- sonville, married Kate MeGrath, and has three children, Mabel and Mary, twins, and Cather- ine. Mr. Martin is fraternally identified with the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
THOMAS CHAPPELL.
A rancher of the Salinas valley and a man of enterprise is Thomas Chappell, whose fine ranch of two hundred and fifty acres at the foot of the mountains has no superior in equipment and re- source in Monterey county. Mr. Chappell is an Englishman who is devoting his share of de- sirable national traits to the bettering of the con- ditions of the western part of his adopted coun- try, and it is pleasant to record that he is an en- thusiastic admirer of the fertile region which he now calls home.
Born in Cornwall, England, October 19, 1841, Mr. Chappell was reared on the farm of his father, William Chappell, and came to the United States on the Virginia October 16, 1863. He reached San Francisco by way of Panama, and after mining in Mariposa county with moderate success for nine years, removed to Kern county. which he soon after abandoned. In 1872 he pur- chased forty acres of land near San José, Cal .. and after three years sold the same, and leased a ranch near Blanco for about six years. He was most successful as a cattle and sheep breeder, and with the proceeds of his labor parchased his present ranch in the Salinas valley, which was then wild and uncultivated. He cleared the land of timber and brush, and has since instituted every improvement devised by those most inter- ested in promoting the agricultural supremacy of the slope. Ite has his own pumping plant. capable of irrigating most of his land, and his meadows are covered with herds of horses, cat- tle and hogs. Beyond, in the mountains, he owns twelve hundred and thirty acres of pasture land.
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In 1807 Mr. Chappell married Miss Emma Manley, of England, returning to his native land for the ceremony. Of this union there have been horn the following children: William, in busi- ness at Vallejo; Frederick, a resident of Rocky Ford, Colo .; Albert, a dentist of Salinas; Har- vey, on the ranch with his father; George, at- tending a medical school, and Mabel and May, living at home. Mr. Chappell is a Republican in politics, and is identified with the Masonic fraternity at Castroville. Himself and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church.
JOHN WILLIAM MORGAN.
Typical of the rugged west of the middle of the last century was John William Morgan, for many years closely identified with the develop- ment of Santa Cruz, the resources and oppor- tunities of which he so well understood and manipulated. With his death, November 8, 1896, there passed beyond our ken yet another of those personalities enveloped in a haze of ideality, created by their unquenchable enthusi- asm and faith, their almost martyr-like persis- tence in the face of danger and discouragement, their familiarity with the vastness of the plains, the crudities and lawlessness of the mining camps and their astounding chances in the midst of infinite richness of minerals and soil. To have succeeded rather than failed in those moving times was the fate of Mr. Morgan, whose changeful youth had well prepared him for whatever of vicissitude might come his way.
A native of Scioto county, Ohio, Mr. Morgan was born December 13, 1829, a son of John Sanders and Margaret (Colier) Morgan, the former of whom died in 1837. Margaret Mor- gan married for her second husband a Mr. Ber- gen, with whom she removed with her children to Amhurstburg, upper Canada, returning after a year to Detroit, Mich. It seems that John William was not entirely content with the new arrangements in the household, and he there- fore took leave of his home and returned to Can- ada, where he found employment in a sawmill until the spring of 1844. He then returned to visit his mother, and while there met his brother Thelaw, David Gharky, who persuaded him to ac-
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