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 91
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and eventually he disposed of his connection with the store. Meantime, in 1855, he made a trip east and visited his parents, who the next vear joined him at Santa Cruz, remaining here luring the balance of their lives. The father was seventy-six at the time of his death and the mother was about seventy.
During the early days Mr. Anthony bought a lot on the corner of Mission and Water streets and built a small shop. In 1875 he erected the Anthony block, a substantial structure. At dif- ferent times he built cottages, a few of which he still owns, and he also erected a spacious dwell- ing overlooking the city, the valley and the ocean. In connection with Frederick A. Hihn he established the first waterworks in Santa Cruz, a movement of inestimable value to the progress of the place. While serving as a mem- ber of the board of supervisors he was interested in the building of the first wharf built at Santa Cruz. Other beneficial movements received his encouragement and co-operation while he served as supervisor and town trustee, also dur- ing his service in 1859-60 as a member of the state legislature. In 1846 he married Sarah Van Anda, who was born in 1819 and died in 1898. Their children are named as follows: Louisa, who married Wilbur Huntington, of Santa Cruz; Bascom, deceased; Almon, of Fresno; Gilbert, deceased: and Frank, who makes his home in Fresno.
With the removal of Mr. Anthony from In- (liana his interest in religious activities did not ccase. On the other hand, it has been a con- spicuous feature of his mature years. Due to his efforts was the organization of the first Meth- wdlist Episcopal class in San Jose, also that in Santa Cruz, and the latter has been a source of gratification to him since in its uninterrupted and extensive benevolences. Besides his warm interest in religion, heis concerned in other move- ments tending toward the uplifting of humanity. The rounding out of his life toward its twilight does not bring a cessation of activities, nor any lessening of his interest in whatever makes for the benefit of his fellow men. His daily paper still a source of enjoyment to him, and he greps thoroughly posted upon matters relating . the welfare of our commonwealth and our
nation. During the summer of 1902 he visited Honolulu, where he studied the customs of the people and the commercial possibilities of the group of islands whose recent association with the United States brings them into close touch with Americans, and especially with the resi- dents of the Pacific coast region.
GEORGE F. SPURRIER.
The manager of the Farmers' Alliance Busi- ness Association, of Paso Robles, running a large . warehouse for storing general grain and wheat, was born in Ohio, August 19, 1852, and is a son of Green and Nancy ( Merriam) Spurrier, and grandson of Richard Spurrier, the latter of whom was born in Virginia, and was descended from General Greene, of Revolutionary fame. Green Sparrier was born in Virginia, and removed at a comparatively early age to Ohio, where his father settled on a farm, and where he himself engaged in farming on an independent scale. He removed to California in 1875. settling at Mo- desto, where he died at the age of seventy-four years. His wife was born in Connecticut, and was a daughter of Ephraim Merriam, also a na- tive of Connecticut, and who died after remov- ing to Ohio. Five sons and three daughters were the result of the union of Green Spurrier and Miss Merriam, of whom six attained matur- ity. The children were called Charles, George, Will, Mary, Lilly, Sherman, Hattie and Bert.
At the age of two years George F. Spurrier was taken by his parents to Wisconsin, where he started to attend the public schools, his education being completed at the Stockton ( Cal.) Business College. His first attempt to earn his own living was as a farm hand. and in 1883 he assumed charge of the well-known Isabelle ranch of twenty thousand acres. He was there custodian of six thousand sheep, and remained on the ranch for three years, until it passed into the possession of other owners. In 1886 he began to survey. and was thus engaged for thirteen years. In 1806 he became manager of the Farmers' Alli- ance, and for six years has successfully manipu- lated the affairs of the association, being the only one who has continued in the position for more than a year at a time. It is no exaggeration to
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say he has been the means of bringing the busi- ness up to its present standard, and to its promi- nent place among the developing influences of San Luis Obispo county. During 1901 the con- cern handled in their warehouses over one hun- dred and five thousand sacks of grain, the whole comprising sixty-five hundred tons.
At San Jose, Cal., in 1884, Mr. Spurrier mar- ried Maggie Otis, a native of Michigan, and daughter of James Otis, born in the east, and a resident of California for thirty years. Mrs. Spurrier died in Paso Robles in 1896, leaving four children, George. Frank McCray, Mary and Howard. Mr. Spurrier married for his second wife Florence Keagle, born in Iowa, and a daughter of John L. Keagle, born in Pennsyl- vania, and who crossed the plains in 1860, set- tling at Woodbridge, Cal. In political affiliation Mr. Spurrier is independent. He is at present city engineer, and served as county surveyor dur- ing 1893 and 1804. He is popular in the city of his adoption, and is credited with unquestioned reliability and sound business judgment.
CHRISTIAN HOFFMANN.
The development of Santa Cruz is due in no small degree to the efforts of Mr. Hoffmann, whose energy, judgment and ability have been devoted to the enlargement of its resources from the earliest period of his residence here to the present time. From his native country of Ger- many, where he was born October 17, 1836, he came to the United States in 1848, with his par- ents, and settled in New York. His earliest ef- forts toward independence were as a humble em- plove in a soap factory at Hoboken. After a short time a brother-in-law induced him to take up the baker's trade in his shop, but his accept- ance of this work brought with it no compensa- tions, as he worked night and day and endured many hardships, without enjoying any financial returns. Abandoning that work, he looked about him for other employment and in this quest an- swered an advertisement for a confectioner. To his disappointment he learned that only experi- enced help was desired. it being the firm's wish to open a branch house in Montrose. Pa. However, his frank answers, his air of determination and
his earnest appeal that he might be given a trial, won the day, and all of the other applicants were rejected in his favor. Going to Montrose, he soon justified his employers' selection and proved himself reliable, judicious and energetic.
While working in Montrose Mr. Hoffmann be- came acquainted with a company who were plan- ning to start to California. Although small in stature and not fully developed into manhood, he concluded to accompany them, providing they would allow him to work his way to a large ex- tent and pay the balance when convenient. His proposition was accepted, and he accompanied the horse-train. From the spring to the fall of 1852 he journeyed across the plains and finally arrived in Marysville, Cal., ragged, footsore and penni- less. He was fortunate in securing work in a restaurant known as the Bee Hive. During the summer season he experimented in mining and was fairly successful, his success being due mainly to the fact that he had no bad habits and saved most of his wages. Later he embarked in the express business in Marysville, but after a time sold his interests there and removed to Sis- kiyou, where he engaged in the produce business and teaming, and for a time conducted a hotel. Six years afterward, in 1868. he came to Santa Cruz, where he has since made his home. In company with Charles Burrows, he established the first gas works in the town, but not finding this profitable, he engaged in the real-estate busi ness, buying tracts of land, which he subdivided and laid out into lots. The assistance rendered by him in the development and growth of Santa Cruz was particularly evident through his sale of lots, on easy terms, to home-seekers. Ilis kind- ness was an inducement to the less well-to-do citizens to build homes of their own. At times he waited as long as ten years for his payment -. but no worthy debter was ever treated ungener- ously by him. Through this one thing he aid al the upbuilding of the town and was instrumental in securing the erection of many homes that otherwise would not have been projected Among the streets that he opened were Spruce. Now. Center. Prince. Franklin and Pioneer, from alj of which he sold off lots.
One of the carly ventures of Mr. Hoffmann ( Santa Cruz was the running [ the add race mek
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which he eventually sold at a fair profit. In the organization of the Santa Cruz Bank he bore an active part, becoming a stockholder and director in the same. Later he was similarly connected with the City Bank. Though now practically re- tired from business cares, he still maintains an oversight of his valuable property interests, and is as eager as ever to aid in measures for the gen- eral advancement of his home town. When a boy he attended the Lutheran Church with his par- ents, and still inclines toward that faith, though liberal in his religious views. While he has never aspired to office, he is interested in municipal and national politics, and is a pronounced Republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows.
The first wife of Mr. Hoffmann was Annie Margaret Kleiner, who was born near Frank- fort, Germany, and who died at fifty-seven years of age. Seven children were born of this union. namely : William C., who is engaged in the realty business in Santa Cruz; Frank J., cashier in the Santa Cruz County Bank; Annie, wife of Charles J. Bosworth, of San Francisco; Kate, Mrs. R. . World and the Ancient Order United Work-
Prindle, of Santa Cruz; Margaret, Mrs. Slaw- son, of San Francisco; Mary, Mrs. Farrell, also of San Francisco; and Ernest, a student in the medical college in Philadelphia. The second wife of Mr. Hoffmann was Mrs. Caroline (Marwede) Bern, the widow of the late Charles Bern, and a lady of estimable character, highly respected among the people of the city which for many years has been her home.
J. A. G. ADCOCK.
The Adcock family had its early representa- oves in Virginia and Kentucky, and its mem- ber- were among the favored and well-to-do of the farmers and stock-raisers. They in after years dispersed to different localities through- ofit the country, and R. J. Adcock, the father of J. A. G., who was born in Virginia, settled in MeDonough county, III. Here his son was born in 1866, and when four years old came with his family to Monterey county, Cal. I the east the father had engaged in the mer- Chandise business, but here he located on a Rough and conducted the same until 1884, when, Di connection therewith, he started another
mercantile venture which proved a successful means of livelihood up to the time of his deatlı in 1895. His wife, who died in California in 1880, was the mother of two sons and four daughters, of whom R. J. Jr. is managing his father's former business.
When eighteen years old J. A. G. Adcock went into business with his father, and was thus engaged for about fifteen years, the entire man- agement of the concern devolving upon him after the death of his father. Upon his election in 1897 to the office of county recorder, he sold half of his mercantile interest to his brother the following year, and in 1899 disposed of his business entirely. Upon the Democratic ticket he was elected to the office of school trustee and member of the city council, serving for a year in each office. Fraternally he is associated with the Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Masons, the Odd Fellows Encampment, the Rebekahs, the Foresters of America, the Independent Order of Foresters, the Woodmen of the
men.
W. W. BLACK.
One of the promoters of the all around pros- perity of Hollister is W. W. Black, furniture dealer and funeral director, and a resident of the city since early boyhood. A native of Ne- vada county, Cal., he was born in 1867, and is descended from a family located for many years in the south. His father, J. M. Black, was born in the Blue Grass state, from which he eventu- ally removed to Missouri, and from there to California in 1852. For several years he lived in Nevada county, where he kept a toll bridge and in 1871 came to Hollister, then in Monterey county, and established the first furniture and undertaking establishment in the place. This enterprise continued to command his attention and business ability until his retirement in 1893, a change followed by his death in 1894, at the age of seventy-four years. A Democrat in political affiliation, he for two years filled the responsible office of county treasurer, and was also for a time county coroner, and trustee for the town of Hollister. Fraternally he was a
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member of Mound Lodge, I. O. O. F., with which his son is now identified.
While attending the public schools of Hol- lister, W. W. Black assisted his father with the furniture and undertaking business, and, at a comparatively early age, understood all about the numerous details. It naturally followed that with the retirement of the elder Black in 1893, his son assumed control of his interests, a responsibility rendered familiar by reason of former experience. As an embalmer he calls to his aid the latest developments of science, and in his work is able to realize what the ancients declared to be one of the greatest of arts. He carries a line of furniture calculated to meet the tastes and most exacting demands of the residents of Hollister and vicinity, and the patronage accorded his well established busi- ness is in keeping with his honest and fair treatment of the business and social contingent.
While prosecuting his ambitious business career Mr. Black has been instrumental in for- warding many worthy and upbuilding enter- prises in the town, and has also upheld the principles and traditions of the Democratic party as a broad-minded politician, his term as cor- oner having given the greatest satisfaction. Fraternally he is past noble grand of Mound Lodge, I. O. O. F., and was a delegate to the state grand lodge, and is also a member of San Benito Lodge 211, F. & A. M.
E. C. IVINS.
The office of sheriff, always a responsible one, is admirably maintained by E. C. Ivins, one of the most popular and efficient of the men who have served in this capacity in San Luis Obispo county. Preceded by his former experience as deputy sheriff between the years 1891-95, he was elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket in 1898, and has in the mean time given an administra- tion singularly free from undue criticism from either party. A thorough student of human na- ture in all its workings, and possessing tact, pa- tience and consideration, the present incumbent of a large trust has found little difficulty in rec- onciling antagonisms and adjusting difficulties.
Although born in the state of Washington in
1856, Mr. Ivins came to California with his par- ents when six months old, and lived in Marin county until his twelfth year. He attended the public school in Marin county, and continued his studies after removing to Cambria, in the northern part of San Luis Obispo county. This preliminary training was supplemented by a course at the Pacific Business College in San Francisco, and at the age of twenty-one he started out to formulate his business future. He was fairly successful as a farmer and stock- raiser in the vicinity of Cambria, and owned a large and finely equipped ranch called Sulphur Spring. The father of Mr. Ivins, C. H. Ivins. is a very successful man, and is by profession a lawyer. Although practicing for many years in San Francisco, he is also interested in ranching. and has two large ranches near Cambria. He married Miss Mary Cole, of Indiana, and two children were born of this union, one son and one daughter.
In 1879 Mr. Ivins was united in marriage with Esther Blunt, a native of California, and three . sons were born to them, but Charles llenry is the only one now living. Those deceased were Robert and Ernest. Mr. Ivins is identified with many of the social and other organizations in which the town abounds, and at all of which he is a welcome guest and recognized acquisition. He is especially prominent as an Odd Fellow. and has passed all of the chairs. To assist him with his work as sheriff Mr. Ivins has two depn- tics, and his office is so systematized that its cares are materially lessened.
ENOCH ALZINA.
The present deputy sheriff of Santa Cruz county, Enoch Alzina, is a son of Frank I Alzina, who claimed the honor of being the first sheriff of the county. The former was born in Santa Cruz, November 19. 1867. aml comes of a family interestingly associated with early happenings on the coast.
Frank L. Alana, or Francisco, as JI Was christened, was born in Spain, and the kind of chance that we read about in novels determined the formation of his future Fireer. distinguished personage than Commodore Far
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ragut color Into his life as a hero and inspira- tion, and his intimate association with the cele- brated sea fighter remained an interesting memory up to the end of his life. When the United States sent the commodore on a cruise to the Mediterranean sea, he stopped at Ma- jorca, one of the Blanco Islands, and took on board several sailors, among whom was the future sheriff of Santa Cruz county. The new recruit proved courageous and faithful, and was at the front when his chief captured Monterey in 1846. Thereafter Mr. Alzina settled down to everyday life in Santa Cruz, and when the news of the death of the great commodore penetrated the precincts of the city, he was the only one who honored his memory by lowering a flag at half mast. After the establishment of the terri- torial government Mr. Aizina became clerk for Mr. Blackburn, the first alcalde, and he was elected sheriff of the county the year that Cali- tornia became a state, serving in that capacity for eight years. He was thrifty and enterpris- mg, and combined the most desirable traits of the early Spanish settlers. A good financier, he so arranged his business dealings that money flowed into his purse, and was invested in land which was then cheap, but which rapidly rose in value. He built the house in which his death occurred, and which is now occupied by his widow, formerly Carlotta Gonzalez, and her son, Enoch. Eleven children were born to Sheriff Alzina and his wife, of whom nine are living: Francisca, Abc, Carrie, Frank, John, Pauline, Enoch, Albert and Thomas.
Enoch Alzina was educated in the public schools of Santa Cruz, and at a comparatively carly age accepted a clerkship in one of the icading stores of the town. For the past twelve years he has been deputy sheriff. continuing to hold his position under different administra- tions, regardless of political leaning. In the community he ocenpies a prominent place and is esteemed for his many desirable traits of character. Like his father, he has an enormous amount of push and public spirit and is un- lonbtedly destined to fill a large place in the affairs of Santa Cruz. Fraternally he is identi- fed with the Ancient Order of United Work- men, the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees,
the Red Men of Santa Cruz and the Pioneer Sons of California. He is a charter member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and the Independent Order of Foresters of America in Santa Cruz, and is otherwise associated with social and general affairs in his native town.
MILTON BESSE.
Long experience, excellent judgment, and particular aptitude for the important responsi- bility of sheriff of Santa Cruz county rendered Mr. Besse an eminently fitting acquisition to the preservers of law and order in the state at the time of his election to the office in 1894. His associates in a minor capacity were deputies J. P. McMullen and E. Alzina; deputy H. W. Trafton of Watsonville, and deputy A. L. Seid- linger of Boulder Creek. Mr. Besse was born in Pescadero, then in Santa Cruz but now in San Mateo county, November 4. 1862, a son of Samuel H. Besse, and grandson of Samuel and Mercy (Dexter) Besse.
Samuel Besse and his wife were born in Massachusetts, but removed to Maine, where they owned and occupied a farm of considerable extent. When the war of 1812 broke ont Samuel was twenty-one years of age, and be- cause of meritorious services then rendered, drew the pension which later reverted to his wife. The grandparents came to California about 1867, where the grandfather died at the age of seventy, and his wife died in the east in 1891. Their children were named Rosella L., Samuel II., Edward T., John N. and Rebecca F. The sons cante to the west in 1849, via the Cape, and after experimenting with mining for a time settled down to surer methods of liveli- hood, after returning to the east to settle up their affairs.
Samuel Harrison Besse was born in Ken nebec county, Me .. in 1821, and with his brothers came to California in search of gold in 1849. Ir 1850 he returned to the cast, but came to California via the Isthmus in 1852, and engaged in mining until 1855. In partnership with Bradiey Weeks and John Rader he then purchased a ranch of one hundred and four- teen acres, which now constitutes the farm of
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Charles Bradley at Pescadero. Owing to in- paired health he was obliged to retire from business in 1878, and went. to the mountains in search of the vitality which entirely failed him in 1884, at the age of sixty-one. He was a man of great force of character, and filled many positions of trust during his lifetime. When he first settled at Pescadero he served as United States deputy marshal, and his home at that time was a very popular place, his wife being the only white woman in the neighborhood, and extremely kind to all the settlers. Mrs. Besse was formerly Martha D. Boynton, and her death occurred at the age of fifty-seven years. She was the mother of four children: Antoinette A., the wife of G. A. Gates; Julia F., the wife of R. B. Milroy; Milton, sheriff of Santa Cruz county; and Mariam, the wife of Marion Woodruff. Rosella L., the sister of Samuel H. Besse, married Jonathan C. Pink- ham, of Boston, and they came to California in 1852, Mr. Pinkham having previously visited the state in 1849. They removed to Santa Cruz in 1860, and here built their home the follow- ing year, in which Mr. Pinkham, who was a shoemaker. eventually died. His widow mar- ried Samuel Walker, of Philadelphia, a promi- nent Mason, who also died in California. Mrs. Pinkham, who was born in 1819, is still alert and able to enjoy life, her home being for the present with her nephew, Milton Besse.
The first practical experience of Mr. Besse was acquired as a clerk in a broker's office, and afterward while holding a position at Redwoods. He gradually became interested in contract building in Santa Cruz, and by 1879 had worked up quite a trade, from then on becoming iden- tified with all manner of building throughout the city. He was this employed until his elec- tion to the office of sheriff in 1894, his previous duties as deputy assessor, for four years, having been undertaken in connection with his build- ing operations. Fraternally he is a member of the Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and the Encampment, of which he has been representative to the grand lodge for the past ten years; the Rebekahs, the Knights of Pythias and the Maccabees. IFe is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West. of
which he is past president and past grand mar- shal, and is a member of the Order of the Eagles. By his marriage with Mary Brink, of Santa Cruz, two children were born: Harry A., who died in 1891, at the age of eighteen; and Rose, a student.
HENRY H. CLARK, M. D.
Although ranking high among the healers of men, and the recipient of a patronage at once gratifying and remunerative, the career of Dr. H. H. Clark has been broadened into many side channels of activity, including that of mayor of Santa Cruz, promoter of the first electric light plant, and of the first street car line, as well as inany other enterprises of equally substantial merit. A native of Onondaga county. N. Y., he was born February 10, 1835, his father's farm being located at Fort Herkimer, twelve miles from Syracuse. The family fortunes were shifted to Wisconsin in 1841, and here the parents, Aaron and Margaret (Fox) Clark. engaged in farming for four years, removing then to Chicago, Ill. Aaron Clark was a cabi- netmaker by trade, and in his younger days devoted himself to this occupation. In later life he farmed exclusively, and his death oc- curred at Cambridgeport in 1893.
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