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 94
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Boulder Creek, advantageously located in the heart of the Santa Cruz mountains, is in a valley
at the junction of three streams, the San Lor- enzo river, Bear and Boulder creeks, from the latter of which the town derives its name. Boul- der Creek is about eight hundred feet above the sea level, a high range of mountains between it and the coast guarantees protection from the raw trade winds and heavy fogs. About seven hundred and fifty people pursue the even tenor of their ways within the borders of this little town, and its fine public school buikling is patronized by about two hundred and eighteen pupils, who are taught by four teachers, em- ployed for ten months of the year. Besides three public halls, there are three churches and a free reading room, and the fraternal societies are appropriately lodged. Ever since the open- ing of the railroad Boulder Creek has been one of the largest shipping points on the Southern Pacific line in the county, and the trade of the town is represented by four general merchan- dise stores, one drug store, besides fruit, candy, nut and millinery stores.
PETER PETERSON.
To the growth of California numerous coun- tries have contributed, not the least among these being Norway, which has given men of sturdy integrity and characteristic perseverance. While Mr. Peterson is a native of Norway and a descendant of an old family of that land, so much of his life has been spent in the United States that he is a typical American, pushing. energetic and progressive. Born in Arendal, Norway, July 3, 1825. in boyhood he learned the ship-carpenter's trade, which had been followed by his father and grandfather. In 1840 he left home with an uncle, who was a seafaring man. and sailed on a three years' cruise as second car- penter. After some time in the Mediterranean sea and Atlantic ocean, in March, 1843, h . shipped on an American vessel, Swanton, for New Orleans. Being a man of fine physique. strong, capable and willing, he won the con fidence of the captain, and was paid excellent wages. Arriving in New Orleans he. secured employment and remained until the fall of 1844. when he shipped on a coaster to New York.
One of the memorable incidents of his seafar
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ing life occurred when this vessel was rounding Cape Hatteras. For days a fierce gale swept over the ocean and bore down on the little ship. Of all the crew he was the only one who was able to stand at the wheel, and so he was strapped there, and remained at his post for two days and two nights, never flinching, though every moment he faced death. Even after the worst of the storm subsided, it was still in- possible for the ship to attempt to anchor, and so the men remained out at sea for eighteen days, with only three days' rations for all that time. An experience of this nature is not soon forgotten, and often now MIr. Peterson's thoughts turn back to those days of peril and anxiety.
After a voyage to Liverpool and back to Baltimore, Mr. Peterson stopped in the latter city for a time. In October of 1849 he started for California via Magellan. During the nine months of the trip he encountered many storms, and for three weeks lay at anchor in shallow harbor in the straits of Magellan, unable to pro- ceed. When finally the vessel came within sight of Monterey bay, the officers believed it to be the Golden Gate, and came into port. Being somewhat weary of the ocean, Mr. Peterson de- barked and proceeded to Diamond Spring mine to try his luck as a miner. The location prov- ing unsatisfactory, he went to the north fork of the American river, where he met with success. He helped to build the first suspension bridge over the river, and also contracted, at $12 a day, to build flumes. The following year (1851) he built a tunnel and again attempted mining, but high water washed away all he had. Learning ¡hat Sacramento had burned down he went to that place and found just one house left. There was of course much building to be done, but no lamber with which to conduct active operations. Accordingly he proceeded to San José in search of work. Travel was attended by many dangers and inconveniences, for he usually went on foot, sleeping on the ground at night, and wading or swimming across streams. During please days he met many young men, who were os poor as he and were seeking employment at any ocupation, and it has been of interest to Mun to note that some of these have since be-
come successful and influential men. His own misfortunes after a time came to an end, and he established himself on a solid financial basis.
June 3, 1855, Mr. Peterson married Annic Sullivan, who was born in county Cork, Ireland, a daughter of Timothy and Margaret (Sullivan) Sullivan. When she was five years of age her father, a weaver, brought the family to America and settled in New York, where she attended school. With an aunt, Mrs. Donovan, she came to California in 1853. After his marriage Mr. Peterson purchased land on the Ben Loman mountains, and here embarked in the cattle business. In those days cattlemen were en- titled to use all the land they fenced in, and thus it was easy to conduct operations on an exten- sive scale. From the first he was prospered. As the country became more thickly populated he sold off portions of his land, but retained a half section, forming his homestead. The land was well improved, and there was a neat house, surrounded by flowers and fruits of all kinds. During the early days he often saw bear and deer near the house and venison was one of the staple meats enjoyed by the family. Forty- three happy and useful years were passed on this homestead, where Mr. and Mrs. Peterson watched with pleasure the improvements each year rendered possible, and at the same time they carefully reared their children for positions of honor in the world. The ranch was sold by them to the Holmes Lime Company, the pres- (nt owners.
Previous to moving to Santa Cruz Mr. Peter- son purchased a block of land and put up four houses. In one of these he now resides, the others being rented. He maintains an interest in matters for the benefit of his home town, but is not active in politics, being independent in his views. In religion he is of the Roman Catholic faith. In his family there are four daughters and two sons, namely: Mary A., Emma, Ada F., George, Margaret and Peter, of whom the last- named died at the age of one year and three months. Mary is the wife of Peter Leonard and they have the following children: George, Annie, Mary, John, Joseph, Teresa, Catherine, Frances and Charles. Emma married William D. Tait and has five children, Joseph, Percy,
Thomas & Weeks
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Herbert, Ada and Annie. George married Mary Leonard and has the following-named children: Bernard, Genevieve, Estelle, Emma, Ada, Helen and Clara. Margaret is the wife of Robert S. Tait, and they have five children, Mary, Harry, Margaret, Robert and Josephine.
THOMAS J. WEEKS.
Very few of the citizens of Santa Cruz have been identified with its history for so long a period as has Mr. Weeks. Coming to this then insignificant village during 1849, when thou- sands were flocking to the mines of California, he has since been a witness of the gradual growth and development of the city and has himself been a constant contributor thereto. His residence on Walnut street not only occupies a choice location, but is also one of the most commodious and attractive homes in the entire county, and by its furnishings reflects the refine- ment and culture of the occupants. Although his life has been one of great activity, he is still robust and hearty, and with physical and mental faculties well preserved can enjoy the twilight of existence surrounded by the comforts his wise judgment and indefatigable energy have provided.
From the far-away regions of New England Mr. Weeks came to California. He was born in Wayne, Kennebec county, Me .. November 22, 1829, being a son of Thomas and Saralı (Harmon) Weeks, farmers and lifelong resi- dents of Maine. During his boyhood he was apprenticed to the stone-cutter's trade and on thoroughly mastering the same went to Boston, where he secured employment. The news of discovery of gold in California came to him when he was a youth of twenty, ambitious and venturesome, and he at once resolved to seek his fortune on the Pacific coast. Against his brother's advice and the remonstrances of friends, he set sail on the ship New Jersey, bound around Cape Horn for San Francisco, and after a voyage of six months arrived at his destination. With others he hastened to the mines, only to find, however, that the cost of living was so great as to preclude all hope of
profit and, besides, the work itself was entirely uncongenial. For this reason he left the mines and in November, 1849, arrived in Santa Cruz, where he and an associate bought a cabin from an old schooner and thus secured an abode on the beach. Looking around him for a means of livelihood, he decided to experiment with potato-raising. Renting land from Judge Wil- liam Blackburn, the first year he raised four hundred sacks of potatoes to the acre, and these he sold in the San Francisco markets. Out of twenty-five acres, for which he paid $15 rent per acre, he and Mr. DeLong made $5,000 cach. The next year they were obliged to pay $100 per acre, but, prices being high, $5,000 each was again cleared. Later experiments were less successful, and, indeed, on account of low prices, some years his ledger showed the balance on the wrong side. However, in spite of these dis- couragements he kept steadily at work, and was rewarded eventually by securing considerable property of his own and a position among the substantial men of his town and county. In 1890 he erected a modern residence, on a rise of ground overlooking the city, the ocean and the mountains, and thus affording a view not to be surpassed in any locality. On the flat where the Indians were accustomed to camp years ago he has set out some twenty-five acres of orchard and now each year receives a golden tribute in fruit. Another enterprise in which he was once interested and which he conducted extensively was the teaming business.
Like the majority of California forty-niners, Mr. Weeks maintains a deep interest in the Pio- leers' Association and is a member of the same. In religious tendencies he is liberal, and con- cedes to others the same freedom of thought he demands for himself. The Republican party has in him a stanch supporter and its principles re- ceive his consistent support. ] His marriage united him with Margaret Morgan, who was born in Springfield, Ohio, and came to Cali- fornia with her father, James Morgan, settling in Santa Cruz, the home of her uncle, Judge Blackburn. Born of this union are three chil- dren, the eldest of whom, Albion, is a large cat- tle-grower and makes Santa Cruz his home. The second son, Horace, died at eight years of age.
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The youngest child is a daughter, Clara, who married Frank Stearns, of Oakland, this state.
WARREN R. PORTER.
One of the most prominent financiers and in- fluential citizens of Santa Cruz county is War- ren R. Porter, president of the Pajaro Valley Bank, at Watsonville, and member of the board of state prison directors. The appointment of Mr. Porter to the latter position by Governor Gage in June of 1901 was received with uni- versal approval by his colleagues in the Re- publican party, as well as by the rank and file who compose the great commonwealth. A na- tive son of California, he was born in Santa Cruz, Marchi 30, 1861, a son of John T. Porter, who was born in Duxbury, Mass., in 1830. The latter lived for nearly forty years in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, Cal., and lent the aid of an indefatigable energy, a fine intelligence, and an honorable name to the development of the potent pioneer resources of his respective localities. No one better than he knew the dan- gers and hardships of the plains, and in his rise from an humble drayman to the position of or- ganizer and president of the Pajaro Valley Bank he touched with strange fearlessness the inter- vening occupations, which in their range were comprehensive and consistent with general im- provement. He married Miss Fannie Cum- mings, a lady of culture and refinement, who was born in Canada, and who became the mother of two children, a son and daughter, the former being the subject of this sketch. Mrs. L'annie Cummings Porter proved not only to be a good mother, but a worthy partner to such an energetic man as her husband was. She is still alive and enjoys the respect and love of all who know her.
After completing his studies at St. Augustine College, Benicia, Cal .. Warren R. Porter em- Parked upon a commercial life as bookkeeper of the Bank of Watsonville, organized by his father in 1874. In 1884 he filled a similar posi- tion with the Loma Prieta Lumber Company, in their main office in Watsonville, and by rea- on of his enterprise and adaptability rapidly Fase to the head of the company's affairs. In
1886 he became secretary of the concern, and upon the removal of the company's headquar- ters to Loma Prieta, he also removed thither, and assumed the management of the affairs of the concern. In 1899 he returned to Watsonville, at the same time acting as secretary of the com- pany until June of 1901, when, owing to the de- mands upon his time made by other and larger responsibilities, he was obliged to shift part of his duties in connection with the lumber com- pany on other shoulders.
In 1888 Mr. Porter became one of the incor- porators and directors of the Pajaro Valley Bank, of which his father was president up to the time of his death in February, 1900. He then stepped into the position made vacant by the elder Porter, since which time the entire management of the bank has been under his direct control and observation. By honorable and conscientious effort the father had acquired large material returns for his years of striving in California, among his possessions being his home in Watsonville, located on forty acres of land. an adjoining ranch of two hundred and eighty acres, as well as six hundred acres fur- ther up the beautiful Pajaro Valley. Everybody acquainted with the high values of land in that valley will realize what these holding's are, good land being worth all the way from $300 to $1,000 per acre. Numerous other holdings in Watsonville and different parts of the state also passed into his hands as time went on, and the question of managing all of these interests after his death resulted in the formation of the Jolin T. Porter Company (incorporated), in Septem- ber of 1901, in which incorporation the heirs held most of the stock, and of which Warren R. Porter is vice-president and manager. Nor innist it be supposed that Mr. Porter's interests are of a local nature only, for he has holdings in every county comprising the sixth congressional district. He is still director of the Loma Prieta Lumber Company, and is one of the best known financiers in Central California.
.As a stanch Republican, Mr. Porter has been prominently before the public for many years, and his appointment to the prison board is a fitting recognition of services rendered. He was one of the presidential electors in 1900, and
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alternate delegate to the National Republican convention at Philadelphia in June of 1901. Fraternally he is associated with the local lodge of Masons, Watsonville Commandery No. 22 K. T., and is a charter nieniber of the Watson- ville Parlor No. 65, N. S. G. W., being past president of the same. August 23, 1893, Mr. Porter married Miss Mary E., daughter of Rev. G. A. Easton, rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church at Berkeley. This marriage has proved to be a most happy one, Mrs. Porter being loved by all who know her. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Porter: John Easton, who is eight years old; Warren R., Jr., who died at the age of fourteen months; Mary Frances, who is four years old, and Thomas B., who is eleven months old. Mr. Porter represents that typical western financier and public-spirited citizen that we are wont to associate with the building up of great enterprises, and of all around accomplish- ments worthy the stupendous possibilities of this well favored part of the state.
E. A. SAWYER.
The Off Bay State has given San Benito county a sturdy ally in the person of Mr. Saw- yer, who not only conducts a ranch of two hun- dred and eighty-six acres, seven miles north of Hollister, but is also to some extent interested in the dairy business, having sixty milch cows. Born in Massachusetts in October, 1831, he con- tinued to make his home with his parents until the year 1853, when he severed home ties and came to California by way of Central America, the trip from Panama to San Francisco con- suming twenty-two days. The mines of north- ern California hokling forth alluring prospects, Mr. Sawyer transferred his interests there, fol- lowing the miner's life for three years. At the end of this time he decided to engage in busi- ness in San Francisco, opening a wood and coal office there. Later he became interested in stock-raising near Hill's Ferry, but finally, in 1867, came to San Benito county, purchasing a farm devoted to the raising of hops and sorghum. After following the latter occupation for three years he gave his attention to his
present business, that of raising sleep and cattle.
E. A. Sawyer is a son of Reuben and Betsy (Hardy) Sawyer, both of whom claimed Massa- chusetts as their birthplace. As a means of gaining a livelihood the father followed the call- ing of stonemason in addition to conducting a farmi. Mr. Sawyer married for his first wife Angeline Souther, and to them was born an in- teresting family of six children, all of whom are living, viz : Charles, Katie. William, Clarence, Eugene and Frank. For his second wife he married Mrs. C. W. Wentworth. In his politi- cal views Mr. Sawyer is a stanch believer in the principles promulgated by the Republican party.
R. M. SEBASTIAN.
Almost the entire life of Mr. Sebastian has been passed in California, of which he is one of the native sons. His father, J. W. Sebastian, upon coming to this state, settled in Ventura county, where he continued to follow the black- smith's trade until his death. In his early man- hood he had married Miss Mary E. Riggs, who was born in Kentucky, the daughter of a farmer who came to California during the exciting days of 1849, afterward returned to Kentucky and front that state enlisted in the Civil war. In the family of J. W. Sebastian there were five sons, namely: R. M .; J. L., who is engaged in the mercantile business: C. E., who resides in Oxnard; Eugene, and .Alfred T., a merchant.
In Ventura county, Cal., R. M. Sebastian was born in 1870. The public schools of that county afforded him fair advantages, and he supple- mented the knowledge there acquired by an at- tendance at the Los Angeles Business College, from which he was graduated in 1893. Like his brothers, lie early showed a desire to enter busi ness and seemed to possess greater ability for that line of work than for agricultural or pro fessional labors. Ilis first venture was in Springville, Ventura county, where he opened a general store and conducted business for three years. During that time he met with an en- couraging degree of success, but finally a fire destroyed his stock of goods and terminated the business at that point. From 1897 to 1899 he
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was proprietor of a barber shop in Oxnard. Not caring. however, to continue in that oc- cupation, he sought another opening, and went to Sugar City, Otero county, Colo., where 1: opened a first-class hotel and cleared $3,000 in nine months. Returning to California, he was inspired by his substantial success to con- tinue in the hotel business, and, accordingly, leased the New Cosmopolitan Hotel of San Luis Obispo, which he transformed into a first- class house and acted as proprietor and man- ager of the same.
Fraternally Mr. Sebastian has been a Mason and has also connected himself with the Elks. Politically he is a Democrat. In 1806 he was united in marriage with Miss Norma Umstead by whom he has a son, Howard. Mrs. Sebas- tian was reared in Ventura county, where her father, I. L. Umstead, has made his home for many years, having meantime become known as a skillful mechanic and inventor.
MOSES B. BLISS.
A prominent citizen of Santa Cruz who has performed his share towards the development of the agricultural resources of this county, and who is now living a retired life at his pleasant home in the town, is Moses B. Bliss, member of an old New England family prom- inently connected with political and other af- fairs in the east. He was born in Wilbraham, Mass., March 8, 1818, and is a son of Hon. Abel and Phebe (Lathrop) Bliss. The former was born in Massachusetts in 1775, while his wife was born in 1777. He was a farmer in carly life, and while tilling the acres of his Massachusetts farm exerted his energies in var- ious worthy directions. He became interested in politics, and was representative for Boston for a number of years, eventually being elected to the United States senate. The friend of educa- tion, he was foremost in establishing the Wilbraham school, of which he was secretary for a number of years. Of the three children born into his family, Moses B. is second old- est, while Harriett was born in 1813, and George 11. was born in 1820. The latter is a resident of Watsonville, Santa Cruz county, where he
taught school for a number of years, and also maintained a hotel.
While working on the Massachusetts farm Moses B. Bliss managed to acquire a common school education, and to learn to be a prac- tical tiller of the soil. While still in his native state he married Martha Jane Fuller, who was born in the state of Maine, Angust 20, 1825, a daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Day) Fuller. also natives of Maine. Mrs. Bliss is the second in age of three children born to her parents, Mary, now Mrs. Theodore Brown, being the oldest, while Benjamin F., a resident of Maine. is the youngest. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bliss are all living, namely : Charles L., who was born May 1, 1848, and who is a dentist of Santa Cruz; Frank W., born March 17, 1852, also a dentist of Santa Cruz; Frederick A., born March 16, 1854, also a den- tist living in San Francisco; and Jennie, born December 16, 1859, married William T. Jeter, a banker and prominent Democrat of Santa Cruz.
At the age of twenty-seven years Mr. Bliss removed to within thirty miles of Chicago, Ill., where he bought a farm of two hundred and twelve acres, upon which he lived for thirty years. He came to California in 1876, locating at Santa Cruz, where he has since lived. He is one of the old time settlers, and with few ex- ceptions the oldest man in the county. Mr. Bliss enjoys the confidence of all who have been associated with him in the years of his sojourn in California, and he has to show for his years of untiring exertion a fair competence and an untarnished name.
MOSES AVERY MEDER.
Four years before the greatest tide of emi- gration drifted westward Mr. Meder came to California, with the development of which his own life was subsequently associated. A native of the distant east, he was born in Ellsworth, Grafton county, N. H., December 18, 1802. He was reared on the farm of his parents, Elisha and Deborah Meder, and had such advantages as were offered by the early subscription schools. As a stepping stone to better things he went to Portsmouth, N. 11., and learned
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the trade of shipbuilding, and at the same time sought in every way to improve his education. It is said of him that he was always well informed and appreciated the value of keeping posted on current events.
In 1845 Mr. Meder married Sarah D. Blood. A year later he decided to seek a home in Cali- fornia, with the hope of some day becoming a large cattle owner. Accompanied by his wife and child, he embarked in the sailing vessel, Brooklyn, February 3, 1846, and landed in San Francisco August 3, 1846. His total capi- tal consisted of fifty cents, while his wife had seventy-five cents. However, they had some bedding and dishes and so were better off than some of their fellow-passengers. The wife was bravery personified and predicted success when once they got started. In looking around for work, Mr. Meder met a Mr. Graham, who was looking for help to build his mill on the Zyante creek, where the Big Tree Park is now located, and where the foot bridge spans the water. This was the first saw mill erected in Santa Cruz county. Mr. Graham, hearing of the arrival of the ship, sought among the passengers for carpenters. Mr. Meder promptly accepted his offer, and, arriving at his destination, lived tem- porarily in the crevices of the trees, whose size is now the wonder of the world. Sending for his wife and child, they lived in their unique abode until the approach of winter necessitated warmer quarters, when a house was built of slabs. At the end of two years Mr. Graham built another mill at San Lorenzo, and Mr. Meder and Otis Ashley rented the old mill. In the meantime the gold seekers began to arrive and all commodities leaped in price, lumber being no exception to the rule. At one time they sold lumber for $300 per thousand feet, and at another time they sold fifty thousand feet for $150 per thousand feet.
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