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 96
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Moses Lindsay combined the occupations of blacksmithing and farming in Mifflin township, Cumberland county, Pa., where his son, David M., was born December 27, 1827. The youth- ful David was reared on the farm and in the shop, acquiring in time a knowledge of both, which decided him in favor of the latter. When twenty years of age he left the paternal guid- ance, and at Bucyrus, Ohio, completed the blacksmith's trade, learning also that of carriage ironer. He married Sue Wheeler, while still a resident of Bucyrus. She was a daughter of Thomas Wheeler of Ashland, Ohio, who died
in Santa Cruz, Cal., in 1897, at the age of fifty- six years. After his marriage, Mr. Lindsay lived in Indiana for fifteen years, and in 1871 emigrated with his family to Salem, Ore., taking up his residence in Santa Cruz in 1878. Here he soon opened a shop on Lucas street, later removing to different localities, but at present is doing business in a shop on Water street. He is an expert in his line, and is a man of pro- nounced individuality. The Prohibition cause has no more ardent advocate, although Mr. Lindsay has never entered the arena of poli- tics. In religion he is liberal, and in general affairs broad minded and progressive. Of his four children, Carl Elmer is the oldest; Clyde Allen is associated with him in business; Elea- nor died young; and Gussie is the wife of W. A. Moore of Watsonville.
Educated primarily in the public schools of Greenfield and Indianapolis, Ind., Carl E. Lind- say later attended the State Normal at San José, Cal., from which he graduated. Apply- ing for and receiving a certificate of the first grade, he began teaching school at Darwin, C'al., in which town he was principal of schools for seven years, after which he taught in Glen- wood and Brown's Valley, and was appointed principal of the Brancefort grammar school of Santa Cruz in 1884. During his services in the latter capacity he improved his leisure in taking up the study of law, and was duly admitted to the California bar in 1890. While still engaged in educational work he was elected to the of- fice of district attorney, and resigned his principalship to devote his entire time to the duties of his new responsibility. Fortune fa- vored him from the start, and he was enabled to establish a reputation for disinterested devo- tion to the best interests of the people. Gus Bragnen, on trial for murder, was the first case on the calendar, and his just deserts at the hands of the jury was a pronounced triumph for the new incumbent of the district attorney's office. For eight years hic creditably maintained the important position, and at the expiration of that time, in 1901, assumed the partnership since amicably and profitably sustained with W. P. Netherton. The firm have opened a branch office in San Francisco, and during a
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portion of the time the members are neces- sarily at that end of the line.
January 1, 1884, in San Francisco, Mr. Lind- say married Mary Augusta, daughter of Willis W. Joyce, one of the California '49ers. Mr. Joyce experienced the failures and successes meted out to the average fortune hunter of that time and place, and finally settled down to the more delib- erate but sure method of livelihood on a farm. For a number of years he conducted a successful dairying enterprise, and after his retirement lived in San Francisco and Salinas, in which latter city his death occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay have been born two children. Gladys L. is sixteen and David Joyce is thirteen years of age. The executive and social ability of Mr. Lindsay has resulted in his affiliation with numerous associations in which Santa Cruz abounds, among them being the naval militia, of which he has been a member for seven years, and is now commander. He is president of the Elks Club of this city, and is identified with the Odd Fellows, of which he is past chief patriarch of the Encampment; the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, and past grand chancellor of the Grand Lodge of the state in 1894-95; and a member of the Maccabees. He is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Lindsay is one of the shrewd, erudite members of the legal pro- fession who uphold not only the prestige of Santa Cruz county, but of the state, and who, in his personal attributes, represents the large- ness and resourcefulness of the typical citizen of the western slope.
SEDGWICK J. LYNCH.
Innumerable houses and public structures, many wharfs, bridges and railroads in Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa ('lara counties bear testimony to the industry and constructive skill of Sedgwick J. Lynch, one of the caravan who came to the coast in the days of gold and tarried here for the re- mainder of his days. He was born in Sandy Lake, Mercer county, Pa., April 25, 1822, a son of John and Mary ( Fowler) Lynch, natives respectively of Ireland and Scotland.
At the age of fifteen Sedgwick J. Lynch ap- prenticed to James D. Moore, a carpenter of Mercer, Pa., and after completing his trade, worked as a journeyman until the spring of 1845. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, as foreman for a contracting firm, and for the same firm went to Nashville, Tenn., to build a flouring mill and distillery. Subsequently he continued in the southern city as a general contractor until the rush to the coast in 1849, when he went to New Orleans and embarked for Pan- ama. Owing to the scarcity of steamers he was obliged to wait about four weeks for ac- commodations, about six thousand Americans being then at Panama, and all anxious to put to sea as soon as possible. He finally embarked in the steamer Senator, arriving in San Fran- cisco October 5. 1849. This same Senator after- ward ran on the Sacramento river, and Mr. Lynch boarded her as repair man, and was thus employed for some time. At the same time he carried all the letters and packages from the postoffice in San Francisco to Sacramento, receiving from forty cents to a dollar per letter or package. Later he left the mail and steamer repair business and assisted in the erection of several buildings on Montgomery street, Sacramento, for Frank Ward, at $20 per day, and thence started for the mines at Marysville by steamer. The rest of the journey to the fork of the Yuba river was accomplished with pack mules, and when the mules were no longer available he walked on snow six feet deep. Ar- riving at Downieville the snow began to fall, continuing for fourteen days, and in the mean- time the little party had but scant shelter and scarcely any food. While waiting for the snow to harden sufficiently to travel over they nearly starved, and upon starting out they walked over vight feet of snow. Mr. Lynch was successful at mining for a time, his first venture resulting in two and a half pounds of gold a day.
In June, 1850, Mir. Lynch returned to San Francisco for a year, and during that time built and contracted, and became a member of the vigilance committee. Coming to Santa Cruz in 1851, he started in business where Hen- ry Crowell is now located, but finally disposed of his interest to Jordan & Davis. For a time
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thereafter he engaged in the planing mill busi- ness in Oakland, the mill being the first to be erected at that place. During his sojourn with a surveying party headed by one Von Schmidt. they surveyed from the base of Mount Diablo through the state to the Colorado desert, where two of the party were killed by the Mohave Indians. In 1854 he went to Santa Cruz to build a wharf for Davis & Jordan, the first to be built on the open coast of California, and after its completion he turned his attention to the erection of houses, bridges, mills, wharfs and stores in various parts of several counties, hav- ing in the meantime formed a partnership with George Gregg of Santa Cruz. They built a planing mill and store and started a lumber business at Los Angeles, Wilmington and Compton, and finally dissolved partnership in 1870. After that Mr. Lynch became the partner of J. M. Griffith, of Los Angeles, and they turned out large quantities of blinds, doors, sashes and general mill work, and were re- markably successful up to the retirement of Mr. Lynch to Santa Cruz in 1876. In this city he built the beautiful home now occupied by his widow, which is modern in construction and surrounded with grounds whereon grow flow- ers, trees and shrubs. His years of self sacri- fice and untiring industry entitled him to the rest which he enjoyed up to the time of his death, May 30, 1881. Houses and lands were his, and a large competence, and he was ac- counted one of those who profited exceedingly by the early chances in California.
February 16, 1858, Mr. Lynch married Jane. daughter of Thomas and Jane (McKee) Dono- line. The father of Mrs. Lynch died when a young man, and his widow married for a second husband Frank Shields, after whose death she came to California, and died at the home of her daughter in 1891, at the age of seventy- nine. To Mr. and Mrs. Lynch were born the following children: Mary J., the wife of Charles E. Withee: Elizabeth, deceased at the age of fourteen; Fannie, the wife of William E. Craig: Almira, the wife of L. Hunt : Alice, the deceased wife of Elmer E. Simpson: William J., of Santa Cruz: Sedgwick J., who died when young; and Sedgwick J., another child of that name, also
deceased. Fraternally Mr. Lynch was a Mason. He was interested in the first bank organized in the town and amassed a large fortune.
G. A. DAUGHERTY.
The senior member of the firm of Daugherty & Lacey, of Salinas, one of the largest and best known law firms of Monterey county, was born in Coshocton, Ohio, in 1861, and was reared on a farm. His father was one of the success- ful farmers of the neighborhood, whither his parents had removed at a very early day, and when the country was wild and uncultivated. He is now living in retirement in Ohio. His wife was formerly Elizabeth Dickie, a native of Scotland. After coming to America the Daugh- erty family located in Pennsylvania, and for six generations were among the well known and enterprising tillers of the soil.
Mr. Daugherty was educated in the common schools of his native county, and graduated from the high school of Coshocton. Subsequently he entered Muskingum College, from which he was graduated in 1884. his tuition being partly met by his earnings while teaching school for two years before his graduation. From earliest boyhood his ideal occupation was the practice of the law, and California the objective goal of his ended wanderings. It is not surprising then that about a month after completing his college course he was on the way to the far west, and reached California in the latter part of 1884. It is surmised that he was to be the chiseler of his own future, for his first experience at carning money was with a threshing machine, with which he remained for several months. He then en gaged in educational work just east of Salinas, and at the expiration of two years entered the law office of H. D. Tuttle, with the result that after two years he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of California. He eventually formed a partnership with Mr. Tutile, which was amicably and satisfactorily continued until the removal of the latter to San Jose. His next partner in practice was Judge Alexander, with whom he became associated immediately upon the retirement of the judge from the bench of the superior court. This association was sev
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ered at the end of five years, after which Mr. Daugherty conducted an independent practice for three years, and then became the law partner of Mr. Lacey, with whom he is still doing busi- ness. The firm have finely appointed offices and a large law library, and rank as the second largest firm in the county.
In 1889 Mr. Daugherty married Emma Lit- tlefield, a native of California, and who, becom- ing an orphan at an early age, was reared and educated by an uncle. To Mr. and Mrs. Daugh- erty have been born four daughters, Hazel, Lyllis, Georgia and Corena. Mr. Daugherty is a Republican in national politics, and is the present chairman of the county central commit- tee. For a long time he was president of the board of education of Salinas. He has no frater- nal associations, believing that his family are entitled to all of his leisure time.
EZEKIEL J. MANN.
The apples of the Pajaro valley are famous throughout the United States and have even been sold in the markets of other countries. Among the men who have contributed to the success of the apple industry in this favored region of the world is Ezekiel J. Mann, whose home farm three miles east of Watsonville, on the Bridge road, is under fruit, the specialties being Bellefleurs and Newtown Pippins. In ad- dition to his homestead, which consists of thirty-one acres, he owns a tract of forty acres in Santa Cruz county, on which is an orchard of apples nine years old. Besides this he owns one hundred and twenty-six acres in Monterey county, of which farm fifty acres are in apples.
In the same section of the state where he how resides Mr. Mann was born October 22, 1853. San Jose being his native city. His father, Jackson Mann, was born in Illinois in 1824, and there married Rebecca Robinson, also a native of the same state. In 1853 he and his wife crossed the plains to California and -Litled in San Jose, later removing to Monterey county, where he now conducts a farm. In Ii- family are the following-named children: Mrs. Nancy Hayes, William E., Christopher (de- erasedD. Ezekiel J., John W., Mrs. Susan J.
Phillips, James H., Mrs. Mary F. Gill, and Katie (deceased). On completing the studies of the district schools of Monterey county Ezekiel J. Mann was sent to Santa Rosa College, where he was a student for a few terms. At eighteen years of age he came to Watsonville and for four years was here engaged in the general mercantile business, at other times following different occupations. In 1875 he turned his attention to farming, which he has since fol- lowed. Besides carrying on a farm, for a num- ber of years he operated a threshing machine. In 1894 he purchased the farm of thirty-one acres where he now resides and which has since been the object of his solicitude and care- ful oversight.
The marriage of Mr. Mann united him with Miss S. A. Rowe, who was born in Santa Cruz county and is a daughter of W. H. Rowe, a na- tive of EnglandI. Coming to California in an early day Mr. Rowe followed the occupation of a miner. Somewhat later he settled in Santa Cruz county, of which he became an influential resident and successful stock raiser. The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Mann are named as follows: Grace E., Fred, Edna and Edith. The oldest daughter, Mrs. Jones of Monterey county, has a daughter, Irma. The family are associated with the Christian Church, in the work of which Mr. Mann is interested, at the same time con- tributing to other religious and charitable movements as his means will permit. While not active in politics, he is a staunch believer in Republican principles and votes the ticket in national and local elections.
M. R. KEIF.
No more popular and thoroughly competent upholder of peace holds a similar office in the state than M. R. Keif, sheriff of Monterey county. Possessing a thorough knowledge of human nature, an optimistic spirit, which has kept alive his faith in the good to be found in mankind, and a tactful humanitarian spirit which inclines to arbitration rather than force, lic is respected by all, even by those who are the enemies of law and order.
A by no means uneventful life preceded the
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western experiences of Mr. Keif. He was born at Millbridge, Washington county, Me., in June, 1858, and is a son of Ephraim and Saman- tha (Leighton) Keif. His father was superin- tendent of the repair shops of the Boston & Maine Railroad, and served during the Civil war in a Massachusetts regiment. On the ma- ternal side Mr. Keif is justly proud of an ancestry intimately connected with the most important and stirring events in the early his- tory of America, the immigrating forefather having made the memorable trip across the ocean on the Mayflower. In after years the family had numerous representatives in the army of Washington during the Revolutionary war, and during the Civil war there were more than forty relatives bearing the name of Keif who courageously defended the cause of the Union. As convincing evidence of the bravery of at least one Revolutionary hero, the family retains an old revolver that in all probability diminished the lines of the Hessians, and has a record for doing effective work in the battle of Bunker Hill.
When comparatively young Mr. Keif accom- panied his parents to Boston, Mass., where he was educated in the public schools and gained some knowledge of general business. A rov- ing nature prompted him to enter upon a sea- faring existence, and for four years he shipped before the mast, meantime visiting England, France and Australia. In 1873 he settled in San Francisco, and for five years was employed by the .Clay Street Railway Company. Remov- ing to the southern part of Monterey county in 1878, he engaged in the mercantile business and in raising stock. While there he sold the first goods in San Lucas. When Mr. Farley was elected sheriff of Monterey county, Mr. Keit became his assistant, and after the calamity of Mr. Farley's assassination he assumed control uf the office of sheriff, filling out the unexpired term. His service was so satisfactory that he was regularly elected sheriff in 1900 and has since conducted the affairs of his responsible position.
Through his marriage in 1881, at Gonzales, to May Nance, Mr. Keif became allied with one of the pioneer families of California. Mrs. Keif
is a daughter of William Nance, who came to California in 1849, and has since engaged successively in mining, farming, and as proprie- tor of a hotel. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Keif there is a son, E. M. In politics Mr. Keif is a Democrat. Fraternally he is associated with the lodge and chapter of Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Foresters and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
N. HUTSON.
So thoroughly substantial and public spirited has been the career of Mr. Hutson in San Miguel that he is regarded as the father of his adopted town and its most enterprising and re- sourceful citizen. His birth occurred October 7, 1847, in Franklin, Wis. In his youth he was reared to farming and mining, and shoul- dlered responsibility at such an early age that education played an inconsequent part. His father, James Hutson, was a lawyer by pro- fession, but in later life devoted his energies to farming and lead mining in Wisconsin. He was well fitted to take a leading part in the affairs of his district, and his death, at the age of fifty-six years, was deeply regretted by his many friends and associates. He married Drucilla Evans, who was born in Jowa, and who bore him four sons and two daughters, of whom N. Hutson is the third.
After his father's death Mr. Hutson stayed at home and cared for his mother, and when his sister married in 1885. she went to live in the new home. In May, 1871, Mr. Hutson came to San Francisco and engaged in draying, and was afterward employed by the United States government in the quartermaster's department. He was also employed by the Central Gas Light Company, and during that time laid most of the pipes for the company in San Francisco. After fifteen years in the employ of the latter company he resigned and in 1886 homesteaded the one hundred and sixty acres of land near San Miguel comprised in his present farm. To this he later added ten acres more, and while living thercon for three years Mr. Hutson also carried on his varied interests in the town. He buys, sells and stores large quantities of
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hay, mol is engaged in a general real estate and insurance business.
In Iowa Mr. Hutson married Emily Whittier. a native of Iowa, and daughter of Peter Trainer Whittier, who was born in Ireland, and when a young man came to America. He was orig- inally a butcher in Iowa, but is at the present time engaged in farming and stock raising. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hutson, of whom Effie L. is the wife of J. W. Edridge, a resident of the Haynes valley, California : and Winnie Belle, who is liv- ing at home. Mr. Hutson has been very prom- inent in Democratic political undertakings, and las filled many responsible offices in the com- munity. He has been chairman of the city central committee, and has contributed to the well-being of the school board as one of its most enthusiastic and resourceful members. Fraternally he is associated with the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is district deputy and grand master of district No. 94. He is identified with the San Miguel Improvement Company, of which he is chair- man of the executive committee. Mr. and Mrs. Hutson are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mr. Hutson has the sterling and reliable traits of character which are bound to win appreciation in any community, and his success and enterprise are matters of no ordi- nary pride with his many friends and business associates.
R. F. JOHNSON.
One of the truest appreciators of the possibil- ities of Monterey, one of the wisest and most conservative of the promoters of her industrial and social prestige, and one of the most en- thusiastic of those native sons who laud her natural advantages, is R. F. Johnson, the pres- ent municipal head of this city, where he was born in 1862.
From his father, W. S. Johnson, the mayor of Monterey inherits his traits of leadership. and his executive and financial ability. The elder Johnson was born in England, and came 0. Monterey with the New York regiment of General Stevens in 1847, and has since been
a resident of this county. Under the Mexican government he served as casaque, and was also chief clerk to the mayor. His high char- acter and general reliability have brought him in contact with responsible internal affairs, and to him was intrusted the responsibility of trans- ferring all documents from the Mexican to the American authorities. He was afterward elected first recorder of Monterey county, and later elected county clerk. When the county seat was changed to Salinas in 1875 he removed there and organized the Salinas City Bank, of which he has since been cashier.
After completing his education in the public schools of Monterey, R. F. Johnson went to El Paso, Tex., in 1881, and there found a posi- tion as clerk, which he maintained for four years. In 1885 he embarked in a mercantile enterprise as a member of the firm of Julian & Johnson, an arrangement amicably maintained for about twelve years. In 1892 he was elected mayor of the city of El Paso to fill an unex- pired term, and was regularly elected to the office at the following general election, on the Democratic ticket. In 1895 he returned to Monterey and became interested in real estate, and soon after effected a combination of all the city insurance and real-estate business under the caption of the Monterey Investment Com- pany, of which he has since been president and general manager. In this capacity alone he has accomplished splendid results for the city, much valuable property having passed through his hands, while many outsiders have been in- duced to come hither, buy and build, and cast their future in an ideal environment. He has labored incessantly to locate manufactories within the city limits, and he is one of the promoters of the canning factory soon to be built. It was through his influence that the late Ilugh Tevis, Jr., bought property here, and began the erection of a spacious mansion on the coast between Monterey and Pacific Grove. He is also interested in farm and ranch property near Salinas, and in the Tolarcito and Chipino ranchos.
In 1809 Mr. Johnson became one of the or- ganizers of the Capitol Club, which has its headquarters in the adobe buikling where Gen
Charles B. Younger,
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erals Stokes and Fremont (the latter then lieu- tenant ) had their headquarters, and where the first constitution of California was drafted. For some time Mr. Johnson was manager of the club, of which he is now one of the board of directors. For years he has taken an active interest in Democratic politics, and he was elected mayor of Monterey in April of 1897, his administration of municipal affairs having in the meantime met with favor from all classes, inde- pendent of political affiliation. He has served on various important political committees, in- cluding that of county central committeeman, and he is credited with an unusually clean, intelligent and disinterested political career. Mr. Johnson has one of the pleasantest homes in Monterey, his wife having been formerly Miss Fresconi, a native of the city, and by whom he has three children. Mr. Johnson is one of the substantial and honored upholders of western progress and western ideas, and it is due to men of like characteristics that the Pacific slope com- mands the attention and admiration of the whole country.
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