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 87
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proved that his selection of a trade and a loca- tion had not been unwise. The mild and equit- able climate restored him to health and he felt able to cope with large business activities, so he entered into the hotel business, having as a partner Mr. Van Dresser, with whom he con- ducted the Santa Cruz Hotel. In 1876 he erected the Wilkins House, which at first was a small building, with accommodations for a very limited number of boarders. Finding the demand for rooms greater than his supply. he soon enlarged the house. The popularity of the house was such that he entertained from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty persons during the summer season. The business was profitable, but his health proved unequal to the strain of managing the details and overseeing the entire place, so he retired October 8, 1886, and afterward lived in retirement. In 1888 he erected a handsome modern residence on Oceanview avenue and in that home his death occurred October 28. 1891, when he was sixty-one years of age. His father had joined him in Santa Cruz and spent his last days in this city, where he died in 1870.
The fact of being less strong than many pre- vented Mr. Wilkins from identifying himself with public affairs to the extent he desired. However, he was a stanch Republican, for some terms a member of the city council, and a worker for party, city and county to the extent of his ability. He was interested in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and officiated as past grand of his lodge, also was a member of the encampment and Rebekahs. When meas- tres were presented for the benefit of the city he was on the side of movements of undoubted value. No project of advantage to local inter- ests failed to secure his co-operation and assist- ance. When a plan was projected for the estab- lishment of city water-works he was enthusiasti- cally in favor of the measure and bore a part in the incorporation of the company having the plan in charge.
In 1861 Mr. Wilkins married Catherine A. Scollin, a daughter of James Scollin and a na- tive of Ireland. When a child she was brought to the United States and grew to womanhood in New Hampshire. Having a sister in Mon-
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terey county, Cal., she was induced to come west on a visit, and while here met Mr. Wilkins. No children were born of their marriage, but they took into their home and reared from the age of four years a niece, Agnes, daughter of Andrew and Ann (Scollin) Williamson. This niece is now the wife of Frank A. DeCray and they make their home with Mrs. Wilkins, min- istering to her comfort and by their affection- ate regard making happy the afternoon of her life
ALMON WHITE.
As superintendent of the Watsonville Water and Light Company Mr. White occupies a very responsible position, yet one for which he is splendidly qualified by natural gifts and experi- ence. The plant of the company is situated one and one-half miles from Watsonville and in- cludes two reservoirs. The larger, which is for irrigation purposes, holds two and one-half mil- lion gallons of water, while the smaller, which supplies water for domestic uses for the city of Watsonville, has a capacity of six hundred thou- sand gallons. The elevation above the city is ninety-six feet, and the water is kept constantly changing. By means of a sixteen-inch pipe the larger reservoir is connected with Pinto Lake, which covers seventy-five acres, with a depth of thirty feet. An important improvement is the fifty-horse power water wheel, through which water is conveyed from the springs in the moun- tains nine miles away. The entire work of pumping is done by gravity. Two engines, re- spectively of seventy-five and two hundred- horse power, supply the power for lighting Wat- sonville and the surrounding country. The fuel is crude oil, which is stored in two underground tanks, each with a capacity of seven thousand gallons.
A native of Franklin county, N. Y., Almon White was born November 27, 1833, being a son of William A. and Laura (Slasson) White, of New York. Besides himself there were three children, namely: Henry, a resident of Peach Tree, Monterey county; Edgar, whose home is in Minnesota; and Mrs. Helen Dayton, who lives in Nevada, Iowa. The first eighteen years
in the life of Almon White were passed in New York state, whence he accompanied his parents to Illinois and settled on a farm in DeKalb county. During 1859 he crossed the plains to California, in company with his brother, Henry. Settling in Watsonville, he turned his atten- tion to the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1880. Since the latter year he has been superintendent of the Watsonville Water and Light Company, which is owned by Francis Smith and W. W. Montague, of San Francisco, and was formerly known as the Corralitos Water Company, the growth and prosperous condition of which is largely due to his industry. painstaking supervision and intelligent over- sight.
By the marriage of Almon White to Anna Hudson, a native of Iowa, there are five chil- dren now living. The eldest of these, William A., acts as assistant superintendent of the Wat- sonville Water and Light Company. The youngest son, Almon Jr., resides with his par- ents. The second daughter, Eva L., is the wife of Hugh M. Anderson, chief engineer of the Watsonville Water and Light Company; they have two children, Edgar M. and Hugh M. The third daughter, Helen, is the wife of George E. Morrell, of Los Angeles; and the youngest child, Edna, is with her parents. The family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the maintenance of which Mr. White is a con- tributor. In politics he has always voted the Republican ticket ever since casting a ballot for Abraham Lincoln for president. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
HENRY WINKLE
The general farming enterprise of Henry Winkle is located three miles east of Santa Cruz, and consists of two hundred acres of land, equipped with modern agricultural im- plements and convenient buildings. This enter- prising farmer came to America in 1842, bring- ing with him the substantial traits of his coun- trymen in Germany, in which country he was born February 15, 1822, and where he received
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a common school education and some experi- ence in business.
Landing in New Orleans, Mr. Winkle subse- quently went to St. Louis, where he lived for four years, and during the latter part of that time was disturbed by the rumors of gold that came from ship passengers and overland travel- ers. He therefore joined a caravan bound for the great plains, and upon arriving at his destination on the coast, located at Placerville, where for seventeen years he tempted fate in the surrounding mines. He experienced the average number of disappointments and fail- ures, but he was successful to the extent that he was able to purchase his present ranch of two hundred acres upon his removal to this county in 1866. Since that time he has been an integral part of the farming development in this part of the state, and has taken his place among the progressive and successful tillers of the soil. In the meantime he has stanchly upheld the prin- ciples and issues of the Democrat party, and though in no wise an office seeker, has faithfully served the interests of the county as a school trustee for many years. He is a Mason socially, and in religion is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Twice married, the first wife of Mr. Winkle was formerly Fredericka Hageman, a native of Hanover, Germany, who died in October, 1871. Of this marriage there were three children, George H., Glenhart C. and Adolph A. The second marriage of Mr. Winkle was with L. Junsen, born in Hanover, Germany, a daughter of Patrick Junsen. Of this union there is one child, Fredericka, now the wife of Christian Solomonson. She has two children, Henry M. and Anna, and makes her home with her father on the home ranch.
WILLIAM F. WOOD.
A resident of California since the fall of 1868, Mr. Wood came to this state from Clark county, III., where he was born in 1855. Ile was a lad of thirteen years when he accompa- nied his parents to the west, traveling by rail- road to New York and from there by steamer to San Francisco via Panama. Their first
location was in Sutter county, but two years later they removed to Tulare county, and a year afterward settled in Ventura county, where Mr. Wood attended public school. He was also a student in Wilmington College in Los Angeles county, Golden Gate Academy and the Golden Gate Commercial College, in Oakland, Cal., from which latter he was graduated in 1877. After completing his education he became fore- man on his father's ranch at Springville, Ven- tura county, where he remained several years. In 1884 he completed a course in the school of assaying and surveying at Van der Naillens School, San Francisco. On his return to Ven- tura county he took up farming, on a ranch near Oxnard, where he engaged in raising prin- cipally lima beans and was quite successful. The soil was well adapted to the raising of beans and produced about a ton to the acre. The crop of 1893 was so unusually large as to attract general attention.
In the fall of 1897 Mr. Wood came to San Luis Obispo county, where he has since made his home. Previous to his removal he had be- come the owner of a ranch on the Osos, and after his arrival he purchased another tract in the neighborhood. In addition to raising gen- eral farm products, he has given considerable attention to raising good stock, and at the pres- ent time owns quite a number of good horses and thoroughbred Jersey cows. In the fall of 1900 he bought the old race track property near San Luis Obispo, and here he now resides, re- taining, however, his property on the Osos. Besides this, he owns land on Morro bay and a stock ranch in the mountains. Emphatically he is a progressive man. His aim is to advance the interests of San Luis Obispo county and to develop its material resources. As an instance of his work in that direction, it may be stated that his neighborhood owes to him the introduc- tion of the Defiance seed wheat, a rust-proof variety that is coming into general use among the ranchers. At this writing he contemplates the planting of walnut trees and the raising of alfalfa.
Politically Mr. Wood is a Democrat. He is a member of the San Luis Obispo Baptist Church, of which he is the present treasurer
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and a trustee, besides taking an active interest in the Sunday school. His marriage took place in the city of Los Angeles in 1884 and united him with Louisa, daughter of Dr. C. W. Thacker, a pioneer physician of Ventura county. Five children were born of their union, namely: Forest, Glen, Hazel, Myrtle and Dale.
JUDGE WILLIAM BLACKBURN.
In the days of her awakening prosperity Santa Cruz had her commanding personalities, who manipulated her resources with dexterous hand, and developed whatsoever of permanent good was suggested by her advantages of climate, situ- ation and soil. Of more than passing interest was the career of Judge William Blackburn, to whom the city and county owe an unpayable debt, and who, as the first alcalde under the new administration of the territorial govern- ment, was splendidly in tune with his surround- ings and opportunities. A transplanted South- erner, he was born at Harper's Ferry, Jefferson county, Va., February 14, 1814. and his death occurred in Santa Cruz, March 25, 1867.
In his early life Mr. Blackburn learned the cabinet maker's trade, at which he became a skilled workman, and at which he worked after removing to New Orelans in 1844. For a time he was associated in business with R. H. Sawin; and afterward, accompanied by J. R. Snyder, (i. M. McDougal and Harry Speele, he started for California by the overland trail. This little band experienced various hardships while en- deavoring to reach the coast, and when out of money and food they stopped at Zyanti and re- plenished their finances by making shingles. They arrived in Santa Cruz in 1845, and here Mr. Blackburn engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in an adobe house on the upper plaza. As proprietor of the public inn it is said of Mr. Blackburn that no white person was ever asked to pay a cent for accommodations; supper and lodging being gratuitous, and the departing guest receiving also the hearty good cheer and good wishes of his host. In 1847 he was ap- pointed alcalde by Governor Mason, and in this capacity attained to prominence with people for miles around. He served in Fremont's battalion
under the Bear flag, and was First Lieutenant of Company F. Artillery, under Captain McLean. In 1848 he was seized with the gold fever, and in order to try his luck as a miner was obliged to resign as alcalde, his successor being William Anderson. However, he possessed too conserv- ative and business-like a mind to rely much on the fickle chances of mining, and a year after starting out he returned to Santa Cruz and again took the prominent place indicated by his attainments and ability. He was appointed jus tice of the peace, a very important office at that time, and served with credit until 1851. During that year he built the house which stands at the west of the depot, and with his brother, Daniel, engaged in farming on a large scale. He bought a tract of bottom land extending from the foot of the plaza to the sea, and thereon these hardy pioneers planted potatoes, and as far as the eye could reach there was one continuous mass of little hills. The potato venture proved exceeding- ly profitable, although the spirit of the planters fluctuated with the state of the market, and were glad or sorrowful as there was little or large clemand. The tubers grew to enormous size in the fertile meadows, a four-pound potato being an ordinary proposition. In 1854 Judge Black- burn set out a fine orchard, which flourished ex- ceedingly well for some time, but eventually met the fate of orchards in all lands, although a few of the trees are still standing. Others were felled to make room for advancing eivilization, for homes and streets, and public enterprises.
The first schooner built in this part of Cali- fornia was the work of Judge Blackburn, and it was of fifty tons burden. Named the Zachary Taylor, this formidable water vehicle had quite a record in its day, and had many succeeding captains after its first commander, Captain Vin- cent. As conveyor of provisions to the miners it was a familiar sight on the Sacramento river. and well earned its right to respectable retire ment at a ripe old age. Another enterprise as sociated with the enterprise of Judge Blackburn was the first saw mill built in Blackburn Gulch. which wheezy disturber of primeval stillness groaned and shook the earth for many succeed- ing seasons. Ele later erected several houses, mills and business places, and in innumerable
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ways contributed to the upbuilding of this part of the county. His death meant the passing of a man necessary to the community, of sound judgment, great insight, and fine adaptability, one of the strong and harmonious characters who come in the nick of time, fulfil their mis- sion, and leave a lot of work cut out for other people to do.
Much of his sticcess Judge Blackburn at- tributed to the influence of his wife and help- mate, who was formerly Harriet M., daughter of Henry and Betsy (Kent) Mead, and whom he married in July, 1859. Mrs. Blackburn was born at Lanesburg, Mass., and came to Cali- fornia in 1858 with Dr. Kittridge and wife, the latter being her sister. One child was born to Judge and Mrs. Blackburn, Frederick Snyder, born July 7, 1862, and died October 19, 1864. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Blackburn has had entire charge of his estate, which is a large and responsible one, the care of which necessitates shrewd business judgment. In this capacity she has shown special aptitude, and has the while added to her former reputation as one of the most benevolent and kindly disposed women of the community. Her charities are numerous and but half known, and many an one has risen from discouragement to affluence through her practical assistance and common sense advice. She is a director of the Ladies' Aid Society, and has taken an active part in all the work of that organization. Mrs. Blackburn has built a cottage home on a rise of land com- manding a view of the whole property, and of the city, mountains and bay.
EDWARD LAURENCE WILLIAMS.
Since coming to Santa Cruz county in 1852, Mr. Williams has kept in touch with the devel- opment of the small and straggling village of Santa Cruz into a beautiful coast city. His long identification with local matters, his excel- lent memory and thoughtful study of the prog- ress made by the city and county, contribute to make him an authority upon all subjects bearing on our history. The result of his impressions of early days has, to some extent, found expres- sion in the Early History of Santa Cruz County,
published in 1892 by E. S. Harrison. Through his work he has perpetuated for future genera- tions events connected with pioneer times, and has therefore proved himself a citizen of the most helpful type.
In the city of Philadelphia Edward L. Williams was born July 7, 1826, being a son of Edward and Helen (Wells) Williams, and the youngest of three children. His father, who was a sea captain, died before the son, Edward L., was born, and later the mother took the children, Mary E., Charles W. and Edward L., to New York City, where at ten years of age the last named began to assist in his mainte- nance by working in a store. From a clerkship he worked up to be a bookkeeper, and as such was engaged with Tracy, Irwin & Co., in An- gust, 1849, when he received a letter from his cousin, Joseph Boston, of Monterey, Cal., urg- ing him to come west. Acting on the advice, he resigned his position and sailed for Califor- nia via the Chagres river and Isthinus of Pan- ama. He was a passenger on the California on its second trip and cast anchor in the Mon- terey harbor December 26, 1849. At once he entered upon mercantile affairs. In the fall of 1852, with Edmund Jones and Joseph Boston, he opened a branch store at Santa Cruz, put- ting up the building now occupied by J. Bourcq as a market, on the west side of Pacific avenue (then known as Willow street). In 1854 he sold out his interest and returned to Monterey, where he served as county elerk and deputy for five years. Next he went to Watsonville and studied law under Judge R. F. Peckham. On his admission to the bar, April 14, 1860, he began to practice in Watsonville, but in 1862 returned to Santa Cruz and acted as deputy un- der Sheriff Charles Kemp. A later position was that of deputy county clerk under Albert Brown, after which he served as deputy assessor of inter- nal revenue and deputy collector of internal rev- enne, having charge of the counties of Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey. Upon the election of Cleveland to the presidency he resigned his position and has since engaged in the abstract and title busi- ness, also as insurance agent, notary public and dealer in real estate.
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One year after settling in California Mr. Williams sent for his mother, who still lived in New York City. She arrived in 1851 and re- mained in Santa Cruz until her death in 1893. aged eighty-one years. Being a lover of flowers, she was delighted with the many wild flowers she found in this state and at once endeavored to bring them under cultivation. She was the first to send east for flower seeds, but when they came was disappointed to find them spoiled. However, she sent a second request, asking that the seeds be sewed up in an oil silk bag before shipping. This was done and the package ar- rived in good condition. From those few seeds have come many of the beautiful flowers that now delight the eye of every visitor to Santa Cruz.
Of Lodge No. 38, F. & A. M., Mr. Williams is one of the oldest members and served six years as secretary. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He is an Episcopalian in religious connections and has served as vestryman for thirty years, also holding the office of senior warden. His wife, Narcissa, was born in Mon- terey, whither her father, James Watson, came from England and engaged in mercantile pur- suits and ranching. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, but six of these died young, and one, Charles E., who was city treasurer, died in 1899 at forty years of age. Those now living are: Edward C., Laurence E., Lewis G., and Ellen M., Mrs. Charles Pioda, of Salinas.
JOHN WAGNER.
The paternal home of the family into which John Wagner was born was in Wurtem- berg, Germany. Among the industries there was a tanning establishment which continued the even tenor of its way for many years, and which was reckoned among the best conducted busi- ness concerns in the city. This tannery was owned by Lucas Wagner, the father of John, and who married Mary Roller. Of their four children, but three survive, Jacob and Christian being younger than John.
The training accorded the average middle class youth of Germany fell to the lot of John
Wagner, and, being an inquiring youth, he was not slow in mastering the secrets of his father's business. At the age of eighteen he came to America, and from New York came by way of Central America to California. While crossing Central America by stage coach he became lost from the rest of the party, but finally succeeded in reaching the western coast, whence he em- barked for San Francisco. He there mined with average success, and at last turned his attention to tanning as more readily affording a sure livelihood. After living for a time in Stockton, Cal., he came to Santa Cruz in 1857, and en- gaged in the tannery business in Scott's valley, this county. This business was sold out in 1874. and he has since lived a retired life, to which he is entitled after years of steady application to business.
In 1865 Mr. Wagner married Mary Ander- son, who died in 1872, leaving three children. Annie, who died aged sixteen years and six months; John and Robert. For a second wife Mr. Wagner married Lena Arndt, and of this union there were also three children born: Lena, who died at the age of two years and four months; Fred, and Louise. In politics Mr. Wagner is independent, and from 1900 until 1002 served as councilman. He is fraternally connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He owns eighteen acres of land within the city limits, and has much valuable property besides. He is among the most honored of the German-Americans who have prospered in this promising county, and has many friends among his business associations.
WILLIAM A. WHITE.
The Watsonville Water and Light Company. of which Mr. White is assistant superintend- ent, was established in 1876 by Landrum & Rogers, who purchased the water right from the old Corralitos Flouring Mill Company and erected a reservoir with a capacity of about three hundred thousand gallons. The gravity system was employed, the water coming from Corralitos and Brown's creeks. After two years the water right was purchased by Smith &
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Montague, who operated the same until 1890, and then the Watsonville Water and Light Company was incorporated. On the establish- ment of the light system in 1889, a dynamo was purchased with one hundred and fifty light power. It was some little time before the pco- ple were educated up to a desire for electric lights, but when they realized their value, or- ders came in abundance, and it was necessary to increase to four hundred light power, a sev- enty-five horse power engine being brought into requisition. At this writing five thousand lights are in use in the city of Watsonville, in Pajaro and the surrounding country, all being furnished by this plant. A recent improvement was the erection of a storage reservoir of three million gallons capacity. Protection for fire pur- poses is adequate and complete. Water for do- mestic purposes is furnished about eight hun- dred and fifty families, besides which they provide water for the irrigation of two hundred acres of berries. The plant and reservoir are on an eminence a short distance north of the city and overlooking the entire valley. The finely equipped plant is in itself abundant evi- dence of the progressive spirit of the men who inaugurated and have carried forward the same, and it is to such men that Watsonville owes its reputation as one of the most thriving cities of the central coast region.
In the city where he now lives Mr. White was born November 1, 1867. His father, Almon White, a native of New York state, went to Illinois early in life and followed the carpenter's trade, meeting with a fair degree of success. During 1864 he came to California and settled at Santa Cruz, where he was employed as a cooper in the powder mills for a short time. In 1866 he began to take contracts for the build- ing of houses in Watsonville. On the incor- poration of the Watsonville Water and Light Company he was made general superintendent, which responsible position he has since held, filling the same with fidelity and ability. His wife, Mrs. Annie (Hudson) White, is a sister of Mark Hudson, whose sketch appears else- where in this volume. Born of their union are five children, namely: William A .; Eva L., wife of H. M. Anderson, chief engineer of the
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