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 86
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In 1885 Mr. Stoffers married Anna Deben, born in Germany. July 26, 1866, a daughter of
Henry and Sophia (Jordan) Deben. Of this union there were born five children, of whom Mrs. Stoffers is second oldest. The other chil- dren are: Ida, John, Henry and one deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stoffers are the parents of six children, viz .: Margaret, Carl, Arnold, Ida, Harry and Otto. Mr. Stoffers is a Democrat in politics, and is fraternally connected with the Independent Order Odd Fellows. He is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church.
PIO SCARONI.
Like so many of his countrymen who have turned their attention to dairying and farming in this land of sunshine, Pio Scaroni was born among the sheltering Swiss mountains, in Gor- dola, the day of his birth being July 11. 1851. He inherits his familiarity with dairying, for his father, G. A. Scaroni, was devoted to that occu- pation, and in addition was a very prominent man, filling the office of mayor of Gordola inntil old age compelled his retirement. He married Elizabetlı Codiga.
At the age of eighteen years Pio Scaroni left the home surroundings in Switzerland, and en- barked for the greater possibilities of the United States, landing in New York December 28, 1869. After a short time he came to the Pacific coast, locating near Santa Cruz, where he rented land and maintained a farming and dairying enter- prise. He became possessor of his present ranch in 1883, when he bought ten hundred and three acres, and has since successfully managed the same. He has one of the finest dairies in the country, and the extent of his operations is best illustrated by the fact that in 1901 he shipped sixty-six thousand pounds of full cream cheese to San Francisco. Mr. Scaroni is also engaged in general farming, and in addition takes a great interest in several outside industries. He is fra- ternally an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias, and in religion is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1876 Mr. Scaroni was united in marriage with F. Genoni, who was born in Switzerland, January 25, 1855, and they have eight children, namely: Leo, Mary. Adeline. Lilly, Joseph, Anna, Harry and John.
Worthington Parsons
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
WORTHINGTON PARSONS.
The position held by Mr. Parsons among the prosperous farmers of Monterey county proves him to be a man of judgment and industrious application, and one who has worked his way forward in spite of reverses and hardships. He was born near St. George, Tucker county, W. Va., December 29, 1852, and grew to manhood on the home farm. His mother died when he was eight and six years later his lost his father by death, so that the training received by most children under careful parental oversight was never granted him. However, he possesses traits that have enabled him to surmount ob- stacles and gain for himself an education not always possessed by more carefully-reared men. One of his first ventures in the business world was as a lumberman, and for two years he was employed in a grist mill.
On coming to California in 1875 Mr. Parsons had little but his energy, willing hands and de- termined spirit. Such qualifications, however, when backed by a robust constitution, are by no means to be despised, and they have proved the nucleus of the present resources of the man. He came direct to the Salinas valley and secured employment as assistant on a ranch. During the eight years spent there he gained a thor- ough knowledge of the dairy business, and also saved a neat sum of money. The investment of this money in horses and machinery enabled him to begin ranching for himself, and he has since risen to a position among the enterpris- ing farmers of the valley. Of the twelve hun- · dred acres he now cultivates seventy acres are in beans, and more than eleven hundred acres in grain. In the cultivation of the land forty head of horses are used. The latest and most modern machinery may be seen on the place, as well as the other equipments of a first-class farm. The neat appearance of the property proves Mr. Parsons to be a thrifty, industrious and capable agriculturist.
The marriage of Mr. Parsons occurred in 1874 and united him with Miss Annie Wilmoth, by whom he has three daughters. The eldest, Dor- cas, is the wife of W. H. Rowling, who repre- sents the Del Monte Milling Company in San
Francisco; the second daughter, Alida May, i- the wife of Duncan Mckinnon, Jr. The young- est daughter, Nellie L., is with her parents.
RICHARD THOMPSON.
The long and intimate association of Mr. Thompson with the history of Santa Cruz and the responsible position which he holds, as agent for the Wells-Fargo Express Company at this point, makes him one of the best-known residents of the city. All of the recollections of . his life, except those of his first eight years, are associated with California and the Pacific coast region, and he is loyal to the west, a firm be- liever in its progress, a true friend of its insti- tutions. The only son in a family of six chil- dren, he was born in New York City September 19, 1840, his parents being Richard and Sarah (Smith) Thompson. At the age of eight years he was brought to California by his uncle, Capt. Joseph Galloway, starting on the long voyage via Cape Horn January 31. 1848, on the ship Othello. When near Rio Janeiro the ship was wrecked and the passengers were obliged to wait one month before they could continue on their voyage. Finally, however, they safely ar- rived in San Francisco, one year from the time of starting.
Educational advantages were not numerous in those early days, and Mr. Thompson owes his education more to native wit and habits of reading than to any thorough system of school- ing. While a boy he was employed as clerk and also tried his luck at mining, but the latter ven- ture did not bring any alluring results. \n carly position was that of clerk in the general freight office at Sacramento on the first railroad built in California, and by successive promo- tions he rose to be general freight agent. Later he filled the position of conductor. Meantime. in connection with other duties, he gained a knowledge of the express business, to which so much of his life has been devoted. Going to Solano county in 1863. he induced the citizens to build a railroad, and of this he became treas- tirer and a director. For five years he also con- dueted a mercantile business at Vacaville, but then disposed of his interests and became a
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
messenger for the Wells-Fargo Express Com- pany. After two years he accepted a position as agent of the same company at Santa Cruz. Having traveled much and visited many sec- tions of the west, he became convinced that the climate of Santa Cruz was unsurpassed and he therefore believed investments in local property could be made with safety. Considerable real estate has passed through his hands, much of it at a desirable profit, and among the various pur- chases was that of a lot on the corner of Law- rence and Mission streets, where he erected an attractive residence.
In Santa Rosa occurred the marriage of Mr. Thompson to Mary Jane Patton, daughter of Hugh Patton, a pioneer of 1836 in California and the owner of twenty-five hundred acres of land, purchased in those early days for $25. Mrs. Thompson was a Californian by birth and training, and was an honored guest in the best homes of Santa Cruz, where her life ended June 18. 1901. Surviving her are two sons, Ralph M. and William E. The older son is his father's assistant, while the younger is head clerk in the office of the Wells-Fargo Express Company at San Francisco. The Association of California Pioneers numbers Mr. Thompson among its members, and he has a wide acquaintance among many others who, like himself, came to the west in an early period. Movements for the benefit of Santa Cruz have received his co-op- eration and support. On the establishment of the first bank here he was chosen a director and continued as such for some time. Other in- stitutions of equal value had the benefit of his broad experience and keen discrimination. A believer in the lofty principles of Masonry, he has connected himself with various degrees of the order, and is now a member of the lodge and chapter in Santa Cruz, as well as the command- Mery at San José.
LEONARD J. SMITHI.
One of the transported easterners who has made a success of farming in Santa Cruz county, wind who is also a practical blacksmith, is Leon- ud J. Smith, born in Hancock county, Me .. Max 3. 1850, a son of J. J. and Louise
(Gordon) Smith, the former of whom was born October 31. 1817, and the latter in 1820, the birthplace of both being Hancock county, Me. The parents reared to years of usefulness nine children, of whom Leonard, Alice and Cecilia are the only survivors.
At a comparatively early age Leonard J. Smith learned the blacksmith'strade, which he followed in connection with work on the paternal farm. Not until thirty years of age did he leave the surroundings of his youth, and in 1878 came to California, locating in Santa Cruz county in 1882. The first few years of his sojourn on the coast he followed the carpenter's trade, but since locating on his present farm in 1882 has de- voted his energies entirely to general farming. and the chicken industry. He has been success- ful, and has never regretted his choice of loca- tion in this state.
Mrs. Smith was born in Scotland, March 26, 1840, the daughter of John and Margaret ( Mit- chell) Calderwood, who came to America in 1844, locating in Orleans county, Vt., where they farmed for the rest of their lives. Two of their sons served in the Civil war, one of whom. Andrew, was shot from his horse at the battle of Five Forks. In 1864 he married Allen Corey. who died in 1888. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two children: Walter, who is a con- stable at East Santa Cruz, and Jennie, the wife of Walter Richards.
MORRIS B. TUTTLE.
Mr. Tuttle is one of those who have appre- ciated the possibilities by which he is surrounded in the Pajaro valley and turned them to the best possible account. He is the owner of three hun- dred acres, being in four different ranches, and one hundred and forty acres of which is under fruit. That he has been unusually successful is
evidenced by the beautiful and costly residence erected by him but recently, and which has no superior in this beautiful valley. Large in size and graceful in proportions, this reminder of patrician Colonial days rears its classical lines harmoniously, and seems to have been trans- planted from the scene of song and story in the east. Arizona sandstone and granite compose
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the exterior of the first story, the second story being shingled. Costly Hungarian ash, oak, cedar, birdseye maple and mahogany supply the interior finishings, the floors are laid in hard woods, and the hall and dining room are paneled in oak. No expense has been spared to make this home an ideal of its kind.
The youth of Mr. Tuttle was spent on his father's farm in Van Buren county, Iowa, where he was born February 16, 1858. In 1873 he came to California with his parents, Owen and Mary ( Burns) Tuttle, and completed his edu- cation in the public schools of Watsonville. In 1880 he married Mary Ingles, a native of Iowa, and of this union there have been born six chil- dren : Lee H., Owen V., Warren, Mabel and Gladys (twins), and Adele.
In 1892 Mr. Tuttle located on his present ranch of thirty acres upon which he erected his beautiful home. He is a Republican in political affiliation. As a fruit grower he is unexcelled, and is one of the best authorities on horticulture and farming in the community.
THOMAS S. TARLETON.
During his life in California Thomas S. Tarle- ton was variously occupied in different parts of the state previous to locating on the farm now occupied by his wife, between Soquel and Santa Cruz. Though many years have elapsed since his death, September 19, 1884, he is recalled by those who knew him as a typical westerner by adoption, who readily grasped and utilized the chances by which he was surrounded. Born in New Hampshire in May, 1821, he married, while still in his native state, Susan A. Tuttle, born in Concord, N. H., March 1, 1824. Together they came to California December 1, 1854, and lo- cated at Morman Island, where Mr. Tarleton ex- perimented with mining for a short time. Later on he renounced mining as purely speculative, and engaged in teaming in the northern part of the state, also for a time working on a farm. In San José he engaged in carpentering and build- ing, and after removing to Oakland, continued to build and contract for three years. From the latter city he removed to Santa Cruz county, and located on the farm of sixty acres, now operated
by his son, Frank A., and occupied by the rest of his family. He was a prominent Republi- can, and took quite an active part in the inter- ests of his friends, although he himself was averse to office holding.
Mrs. Tarleton, still in possession of the faculties which made her so necessary a help- mate to her husband, is a daughter of Jesse Tuttle, to whom is due the credit of publishing the first paper in the state of New Hampshire. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tarle- ton, of whom four are living: Agnes, born January 25, 1851, the wife of C. B. Deering; John K., born January 9, 1856; Frank A., born October 10, 1857, and William H., born .August 16, 1859.
EDWARD D. THOMPSON.
General farm pursuits and apple-raising have occupied the attention of Mr. Thompson since hc settled upon his present place near Watson- ville. Under his immediate oversight are one hundred and four acres, constituting the estate. and of this seventy-five acres are in an apple orchard of Belleflowers and Newtown Pippins. As might be expected, the products of such a large orchard are enormous, and the fine ap- ples from the Thompson farm find their way into the markets where the choicest varieties only are received. The improvements are mod- ern and pleasing and bespeak the energy and in- telligence of the owner.
In the county of Santa Cruz, where he still resides, Mr. Thompson was born April 1. 1862. being a son of John and Mary A. (Cummings) Thompson. Ilis father, who was born in Ire- land, crossed the ocean to America in early life and was married in Boston. In 1855, just a year after coming to this country, he came west to California and established his home on a farm in Santa Cruz county, where his subsequent years were passed. Agricultural pursuit- formed his life occupation. While he did not accumulate a competence, he yet met with a fair degree of success. After becoming a citizen of the United States he voted with the Democratic party.
The only home Edward D. Thompson la-
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ever kommen is the county where he still lives. .As a loop be studied in the schools of Watson- ville, and on completing his education he de- voted himself to farm pursuits, in which occu- pation he continued on the home farm until twenty-eight years of age. Since then he has owned and operated a farm near Watsonville, comprising, as before stated, one hundred and four acres. His comfortable rural home is pre- sided over by his wife, formerly Mary Murphy, who was born in Ireland and whom he married in this county February 3, 1896. In religious connections both are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Like his father, Mr. Thomp- son espouses the cause of the Democracy and gives his ballot to the support of its men and principles.
DELOSS D. WILDER.
The ranch owned and occupied by Mr. Wilder is situated four miles from Santa Cruz and is one of the most attractive in the county of that name. It comprises twenty-three hundred acres of land, with two and one-half miles of ocean frontage. The ranch is utilized especially for the dairy business of which Mr. Wilder is the head and which, in its prosecution, requires the ser- vices of fifteen employes. Almost three hun- tired milch cows are kept on the place, and a milk wagon furnishes milk for customers in Santa Cruz. The balance of the milk not thus sold is made into butter, for the manufacture of which every facility and modern convenience may be here found. Included in the buildings necessary to the work are a separator room, 20x30; a wash room for cans, 16x20; a churn- ing room, 20x20; and a cold storage plant. The large amount of ice needed for the dairy is man- ufactured by Mr. Wilder, and he also has the dynamos used for the lighting of his house and barns. The main stable for the cows is 40x320 fect, and accommodates one hundred and three cows on each side, while in a loft above the feed i- kept. The barns, dairy, etc., form a pleasant uljunet and accessory to the residence which is a beautiful dwelling, furnished with all the con- Veniences of the twentieth century.
The gentleman who is at the head of this
large enterprise was born in West Hartland. Conn., February 23, 1826, and grew to man- hood on a farm. His earliest recollections are of the rigid economy necessary to make both ends meet. When eighteen years of age he was put out on a farm and worked for $6.50 a month, taking one-half of his wages in store orders. Six years of this constant work enabled him to save a little money, and he then started in a book agency business in Ohio. Unfortunately, this venture did not bring success, so he bought a horse and saddle and started for Connecticut. Railroads had not yet been built, and travel on horseback was not very desirable at a season of the year when the thermometer was fifteen de- grees below zero. Before reaching his jour- ney's end his health gave way under the hard- ships of the trip. Fortunately he had relatives in New York who were kind to him and in- sisted upon him remaining with them until he lad regained his health. As soon as able to resume work he began to make stone fences, for which he was paid sixteen and two-thirds cents a rod. This work enabled him to make about ȘI a day.
During 1853 Mr. Wilder came to California, and after a tedious trip of seven months arrived in Stockton. In common with all the early com- ers to this state, it was his ambition to enter the mines, and we find him putting forth efforts to gain a livelihood as a miner in Placer county. His success varied; sometimeshewas buoyed by hopes of a great discovery, and at other times was downcast with disappointment. In the end he felt that he had not secured enough to re- pay him for the hazardous expedition across the plains. In June of 1859 he settled in Marin county, where, with a capital of $200, he started a chicken ranch and small dairy. From the first he met with success. The business in- creased in extent and the profits grew in pro- portion. In 1871 he came to Santa Cruz county and in partnership with L. K. Baldwin bought a large tract four miles from Santa Cruz. Eventually the partnership was dissolved, the ranch was divided and he retained that portion lying nearest to Santa Cruz. Here he and Mrs. Wikler (formerly Miranda Finch of Michigan) have a pleasant and attractive home, that in its
ARTHUR ATTERIDGE
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
furnishings, and the presence of books, pic- tures, etc., indicates the refined tastes of the family. In politics Mr. Wilder is a stanch Re- publican, interested in his party's success, but at no time an aspirant for office. Some thirty years ago he became affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and still retains his membership in this organization. Among the people of the county of Santa Cruz he has a host of friends, whose confidence he has won by his acumen, tact, intelligence and upright character. Few are better known than he and none stands higher in the esteem of the people of Santa Cruz county.
ARTHUR ATTERIDGE.
It is not too much to say that Ireland has given few citizens to America whose knowledge was broader or whose attainments more solid than those evinced by Mr. Atteridge, and had his life been spared to the usual span of exist- ence undoubtedly he would have gained a large financial success. Such may be presumed from the fact that, during the short period of his resi- dence in Watsonville, he accumulated a valuable property through his management of business affairs. His parents were Arthur J. and Nora (Ryan) Atteridge, the former being for years associated with McCarthy & Downey, M. P. In such an atmosphere as this the son grew to manhood, prepared for life's responsibilities, and he himself had the advantage of a lengthy asso- ciation with the parliament. Surrounded by the influences that develop the mind and broaden the outlook, he acquired a knowledge as accu- rate as it was broad, and embracing, within its limits, information in regard to his own coun- try, its trials, its struggles and its prospective triumphs.
However, great as was his regard for his na- tive land, Mr. Atteridge was induced to seek a home in the United States, having heard much in favor of the ideal climate of California. In 1880 he settled in Watsonville, and for a short time worked as a clerk, but soon embarked in the grocery business, having as a partner P. Sheehey, and the two conducted a very success- ful business, gaining an increasing trade and the
confidence of their customers. Meantime, though his personal affairs engrossed his atten- tion, Mr. Atteridge found time to show his loy- alty as a citizen of the United States and his devotion to the welfare of Watsonville. Elected a member of the board of city trustees, he was made chairman of the board and filled the posi- tion with dignity and efficiency. For some time he acted as trustee of the Young Men's Insti- tute. After coming to Watsonville he purchased a residence on Main street and here. in 1889, his carth life came to an end, when he was thirty- nine years of age. He is survived by his wife, Mary, daughter of Timothy Sheehey, and the following-named children: Robert Emmett, who owns and operates a ranch in Monterey county; Arthur Joseph, a clerk ; Genevieve M .; John Tim- othy, a rancher; and James Leo, who is a stu- dent at Santa Clara College. The sons are en- terprising and capable young men, and have in- herited from their parents qualities which will undoubtedly bring them success in the business world.
URIAH W. THOMPSON.
For almost half a century the familiar figure of Uriah W. Thompson has been seen around his farm on the road between Santa Cruz and Soquel, and though he is now one of the oldest men in the county he is still able to appreciate and estimate the extent of his harvests, and to take an interest in the doings of his fellow townsmen. Surrounding him is the interest in- variably associated with the great army who thronged to the coast in the days of gold, and with the noble and self sacrificing pioneers who mapped out, and worked to bring about, the pres- ent prosperous conditions. Arriving in San Francisco October 10, 1849, he engaged in min- ing long enough to convince himself that he was not likely to be among the chosen few, and thereafter came to Santa Cruz county to work in a saw mill. At the end of two years he bought the farm of one hundred and forty acres which has witnessed his unceasing toil, and where fortune, supported by his wise judgment, lias seen fit to crown his work with success.
Born in Missouri, one hundred and fifty
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
miles south of St. Louis, February 27, 1830, Mr. Thompson is a son of James Thompson, who was born in North Carolina, and came to Mis- -ouri at any early day and took up government land. upon which he lived until his death. He was a stanch Democrat, and very public- spirited. His wife, Frances (Strong) Thompson, was born in South Carolina, and bore him ten children, of whom but two are living, Uriah W. and Mary E., the latter now Mrs. Wilkinson of Missouri. Uriah was reared on the home farm in Missouri and lived with his parents until coming to California in 1849. In 1856 he mar- ried Charlotte Rice of Illinois. They had four children, but only two are now living, Charles A. and Uriah M. James H. passed away in 1901, and Francis M. died in infancy. Mr. Thompson has been one of the central person- alities in the development of his section, and no one has more surely maintained an enviable place in the hearts and minds of his friends and associates.
PETER V. WILKINS.
During the period of his residence in Cali- fornia, which covered the years from his arrival in 1850 to his death in 1891, Mr. Wilkins wit- nessed the remarkable growth and development of his state and himself contributed in a large degree to the prosperity and progress of his home town, Santa Cruz. He was born in Syra- ctise, N. Y., a son of David G. Wilkins, and in his youth was given exceptional advantages, supplementing attendance at local schools with a course of study in Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated.
After his arrival in California Mr. Wilkins took up mining pursuits, as was the custom with all newcomers of the early '50s. However, he found the work neither healthful nor profitable, so he soon drifted back to San Francisco, where he secured employment in an hotel. Not be- ing a strong man, it became necessary for him to find a more genial climate than San Francisco could boast, and in this way he became a resi- dent of Santa Cruz in 1864. Selecting the occu- pation with which he was most familiar, he en- barked in the restaurant business, and soon
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