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 97
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CHARLES B. YOUNGER.
The distinction of having engaged in general law practice in Santa Cruz for a longer period than any other practitioner of this city belongs to Mr. Younger, whose identification with the professional interests of the city and county cov- ers little less than a half century. During all of these years he has not only gained a high posi- tion among the attorneys of the locality, but at the same time has been identified with the gen- eral progress of city and county, and has aided largely in those measures that promise to pro- mote the welfare of his fellow-citizens.
The descendant of a Maryland family who were early settlers of Maryland and took part in the Revolutionary war, Mr. Younger was born in Liberty, Clay county, Mo., December 10, 1831, a son of Coleman and Eleanor (Murray) Younger. His father, who was a native of St. Charles county, Mo., served in the Missouri leg- islature of 1844, and in 1850 came to California by way of Mexico. After settling in this state he gave his attention to agriculture, raising Short-
horn cattle, and trading during the balance of his life, and died here at eighty-one years of age.
As a boy Charles B. Younger attended private schools. At the age of six years he was placed under a tutor in Latin, his father deeming it es- sential that a lawyer should be versed in that language. He had his first sight of the circum- stance of war at Fort Leavenworth, where the first regiment of Missouri volunteers were drill- ing preparatory to invading New Mexico, Col. A. W. Doniphan, who had enlisted as a private in the Liberty company, having been elected colo- nel of the regiment. In 1848 he entered St. Joseph's College at Bardstown, Ky., and in 1850 became a student in Center College at Danville, Ky., from which he was graduated in 1853. Sub- sequently he engaged in the study of law with Joseph F. Bell, of Danville, Ky. In 1854 Mr. Younger was admitted to practice as a lawyer in the courts of Kentucky. His commission was signed by Judges John L. Bridges and W. C. Goodloe.
Mr. Younger, in a local Democratic newspaper, conducted the campaign of Albert G. Talbott, the Democratic candidate, against Fountain P. Fox, the Know-Nothing candidate for representative in congress from the fourth congressional district of Kentucky. The Democratic candidate was elected. Coming to California, Mr. Younger set- tled in San José, where his father was a resi- dent. Opening an office in that city, he remained there until 1871, and meantime also practiced in Santa Cruz, but the climate of the latter city proved so satisfactory that he determined to es- tablish himself here permanently. Since April of 1857 he has had an office in Santa Cruz and has been connected with some of the most important legal cases in the county, besides acting as legal representative of the railroad companies during recent years.
October 16, 1858, the first overland mail via El Paso and Los Angeles arrived at San José, which was the telegraph station furthest south from San Francisco. Mr. Younger, who was then editing the San Jose Tribune, sent to the Alta California of San Francisco the first telegram announcing the arrival at San José of the over- land mail stage, and this telegram gave the San Franciscans an opportunity for celebration on the
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arrival of the stage in that city. Mr. Younger continued to be the correspondent of the Alta until the telegraph was extended south to Gilroy. In his practice he is keen, shrewd and careful, a constant and thoughtful student of the highest legal authorities of the age, and a believer in the principles of law and practice as laid down by Blackstone, Coke and others. In his addresses and private conversation a quaint and quiet humor is noticeable, while at the same time he is logical and the possessor of fine reasoning fac- ulties. He has one of the finest libraries in the coast region.
March 27, 1873, Mr. Younger married Jeannie H. Waddell, who was born in Lexington, Mo., and came to California in 1860, with her father, William W. Waddell, who was a large lumber merchant in Santa Cruz county. One of her brothers, John A. Waddell, is a professor in Santa Clara College. Mr. and Mrs. Younger have two children, Charles B. and Helen. The son, after graduating from the Santa Cruz high school and Leland Stanford University, took up the study of law with his father and was admitted to prac- tice in 1897, since which time he has been in active practice. In 1897 he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of this state and in 1901 to the supreme court of the United States. January 1, 1902, his marriage united him with Miss Agnes Hihn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Hihn, of this city. Miss Hihn had spent several years in Europe in travel and study; she attended the law lectures and was admitted to practice in the courts of New York and Califor- nia. Miss Helen Younger graduated from Le- land Stanford University, class of 1897. After spending two years in Europe in travel and study, she became the wife of Cleveland K. Chase, a professor in Earlham College, Richmond, Ind.
At the time of the incorporation of the Pacific aventte street railroad Mr. Younger became a stockholder in the same, and also was a stock- holder in the banks, besides taking part in other movements for the benefit of the city. He as- sisted in the founding of the Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Association and for a number of years officiated as secretary of the board. Since coming to Santa Cruz he has made various invest- ments in real estate and still owns a considerabic
property, portion of which is improved. It is to such progressive men as he that Santa Cruz owes the advancement it has made in enterprises of moment and of permanent value to the city.
A. C. GARCIA.
A native of San Luis Obispo county, Mr. Gar- cia was born November 6, 1847, and his entire life has been spent near the surroundings of his youth. His father was an integral part of the early days of the county, Mercurial Garcia pos- sessing both business sagacity and far-sighted- ness. A man of great wealth, he practically dis- covered the country east of Santa Margarita val- ley, where he had innumerable heads of cattle, and where he ran a general merchandise store. The inauguration of the gold craze filled his pock- ets with additional wealth, for he not only made money in the mines, but realized large profits from furnishing general supplies to the miners. He died of cholera in San Luis Obispo, leaving to his heirs large property possessions, and a finc old Castilian name. On the maternal side also Mr. Garcia comes of distinguished ancestry, his ma- ternal grandfather, José Ortega, being one of the pioneers of this county, and at one time the owner of about all of Santa Barbara county, where his death occurred. His daughter, Mrs. Mercurial Garcia, was the mother of two children besides A. C., of whom Caroline is the wife of Mr. Wormsley, a railroad conductor on the Mexican Central Railroad, and a resident of Mexico City; while the other child is deceased.
When Mercurial Garcia died, his son, A. C., was but six months old, and his mother afterward married her husband's brother. A. C. was edit- cated in a private school and by a private tutor, Walter Murry, who was the first English teacher in this county.
In San Luis Obispo Mr. Garcia was united in marriage with Romula Horabuena, a native of Mexico, and daughter of Ramon Horabuena, also born in Mexico, and a lawyer and large cat- the owner. Mr. Horabuena was very prominent in general affairs in Mexico, and was especially interested in the politics of his country, in which he played a conspicuous part. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Garcia, Guada-
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loupe, who is living at home, and who is a young woman of unusual accomplishments. She has had every advantage within the gift of her generous and appreciative parents, and has de- veloped her talents with gratifying results. She is not only an artist and musician, but has shown decided aptitude as a writer, and while visiting in Mexico contributed regularly to the Cali- fornia press. Mr. Garcia is fraternally associ- ated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and is in political affiliation a Republican. With his family he is a communicant in the Catholic Church.
WILLIAM E. GREENE.
In the days when Santa Cruz, which is now one of the leading health and pleasure resorts of the Pacific Coast, maintained its prestige not through any activity in this line but by reason of its prominence as a large lumber center and commercial metropolis, William E. Greene was born in the near-by village of Soquel, Santa Cruz county, in 1869. being a son of William Henry and Maria (Wheaton) Greene. His father, who was born at Falmouth, Mass., June 18, 1829, learned the mason's trade in boyhood. With a party of gold-seekers he left his boy- hood's home and took passage on a sailing ves- sel, Twin Brothers, which rounded Cape Horn and sailed into the harbor of San Francisco. March 2, 1850. In company with others, he went direct to the mines. After eighteen months of prospecting, with some successes, many hard- ships, and not a few failures, he decided to be- gin work at his trade. A search for employ- ment, however, revealed that there was little activity along his line, so he turned his atten- tion to teaming. With horses and oxen he hauled lumber and supplies from the towns to the mining camps, and also drove a stage. Hlav- ing friends at Santa Cruz he was ted to visit that city and shortly afterward settled at Soquel. where he worked at his trade. As a mason he found employment not only in his home village. but also in surrounding towns and even as far away as Salinas, Monterey county. During the winter seasons for fourteen years he ran a pleas-
ure yacht at Capitola. Since his death his widow has continued to make Soquel her home.
Up to the age of eighteen years William E. Greene devoted his vacations to farming. He then learned the blacksmith's trade, but not finding it congenial he took up carpentering. and later began as a contractor. On coming to Watsonville he worked as a journeyman and was in the employ of P. M. Andrews. In March of 1901 he began contracting for himself, and fitted up a shop on Main street. Since then he has been engaged in the building of various cot- tages and residences; also erected the Sheehy and Foresters blocks; the beautiful church home of the Roman Catholics, which cost $35.500; and is now building the Watsonville high school. which is to cost $26,000, and on completion will undoubtedly rank as the best building of its kind in this part of the state. Another contract which he has is that for the Masonic Hall, in Gilroy. to cost $12,000. His success speaks volumes for his energy, business acumen and sagacious judgment.
In fraternal relations Mr. Greene is connected with the Modern Woodmen, the Eagles and Foresters of America. He was united in mar- riage with Minnie L., daughter of F. M. Carna- lian, and a native of the state. They have three children, Wilbur Alton, Mervin Eugene aud Marion.
HON. WILLIAM HIGBY.
A notable acquisition to the commercial and political interests of Hollister is Hon. William lligby, member of the lifty-third general as sembly from the Fifty ninth district. He was born in Essex county, N. Y., in 1866, a son of Hon. William Higby, who came to California in the early '50s, and for many years was a well known criminal lawyer in Oakland. He became prominent in political affairs in the state, and between 1860 and 1866 was a member of con gress from Calaveras county, Cal. From 1870 until 1881 he was internal revenue collecter at the port of San Francisco, under President Hayes, and his death occurred at Santa Rosa. Sonoma county, in 1885.
Hon. William High, Jr., was born in Non
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York state while his father was member of con- gress, and he was brought to California when a mere child, and was reared and educated in Oakland. After finishing the public schools he attended the Methodist College at Santa Rosa, and in 1885 entered upon a railroad career as trainman with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, remaining with the company for eight years. In 1892 he married Alice Liese, of Ala- meda, making his home in that city until 1897. While there he rapidly advanced to the front in Republican political affairs, and among other trusts served as a member of the state conven- tion, which nominated delegates to the national convention. In April of 1897 he went to the Sandwich Islands and was employed on a sugar plantation for a year. During April of 1898 he located near Hollister and engaged in ranching for eighteen months, giving the greater part of his time and energy to the dairy business.
In 1899 Mr. Higby located in Hollister and turned his attention to fire insurance, buying and selling grain, and dealing in real estate. He has experienced marked success and evinced a high degree of business ability, his clear dis- cernment recognizing and taking advantage of opportunities in various other directions. He is greatly interested in the development of oil in San Benito county, and is a stockholder in the Petroleum Development Company. In his ca- pacity as a member of the Fifty-third general assembly for the Fifty-ninth district he has in- telligently advanced the most pressing needs of his locality, and as chairman of the fish and game committee worked unceasingly for the protection of young fawn and other game, be- fore the laws were formulated regarding their preservation. He has also served on the com- mittees of agriculture, dairy and dairy products. Fraternally Mr. Iligby is associated with the Masons, San Benito Lodge No. 211, and is at present passing through the different chairs, and he is a member of the Independent Order Odd Fellows, and the Alameda Encampment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Higby are members of the Hollis- ter Lodge Eastern Star. Mr. Iligby is a poli- tician in the highest sense of that much abused term, and his legislation has been characterized In singular fairness to himself and to those who
have honored him with their trust. His election to the legislature in November of 1900 was an evidence of the high personal esteem in which he is held, and of the conviction generally cher- ished that personal ambition would not out- weigh or sacrifice public trust.
HON. WILLIAM GRAVES.
No citizen in San Luis Obispo was more so- licitous regarding the progress of his native town than was Hon. William Graves, by in- heritance and development one of the foremost legal practitioners of San Luis Obispo county. Nor is the family name unfamiliar in the annals of law of this well favored part of the state, for Judge William J. Graves, the father of the Hon. William, was for many years identified with the bench and bar and most luminous exposition of legal lore, and his passing by left a record of substantial and even brilliant credit to his state and profession.
Hon. William Graves received his first in- pressions of life and effort in the town which has for so long profited by his sterling worth, and where he was born August 15, 1854. He studied in the public schools of San Luis Obispo, and completed his education at the Uni- versity of Virginia, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1877. After being admitted to the supreme court of Virginia he came to California, and during the same year was ad- mitted to the same court of this state, after which he entered upon the practice of law in the office of his father, Judge Graves of San Fran- cisco. In 1881 he removed to Globe. Gila county, Ariz., and became prominent in Demo- cratic affairs, and during 1882 and 1883 repre- sented that county in the legislature. At the death of the father in 1884 he returned to San Luis Obispo and almost immediately formed the partnership with his brother which was amicably and successfully continued until his death. In the meantime a large and appreciative practice rewarded the ability and energy of Mr. Graves, and the firm received their share of the important cases before the courts of the county. Especially fine and spacious offices were fitted out for the use of clients and lawyers, and the
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
brothers had one of the most complete and vahi- able law libraries in the state.
In San Luis Obispo Mr. Graves married Lillian H. Branch, a native of Tuolumne county. To Mr. and Mrs. Graves were born three chil- dren, Margarita, William J. and Solita P. Mr. Graves carried the political services rendered in Arizona into the camp of his native county, and filled many positions of trust and responsibility. For many years he was a member of the board of school trustees, and was for years president of the board. He was also a member of the city council. In 1892 he acted as a delegate to the Democratic national convention at St. Louis, and was one of the presidential electors on the Cleveland ticket. In January, 1902, he was ap- pointed trustee of the California Polytechnic school by Governor Gage and evinced a great interest in the institution. His death, which occurred September 9, 1902, terminated a career of great promise, the realization of which un- doubtedly would have held unusual political and professional opportunities for Mr. Graves. Fra- ternally he was associated with the Knights of Pythias and with the Sons of the Golden West.
THOMAS FLINT, JR.
The career of Thomas Flint, Jr., senator from San Luis Obispo, Monterey and San Benito counties, has lent itself to the development of the splendid opportunities of this well favored part of the state, and whether as a legislator, agriculturist, mine owner or promoter of fra- ternal organizations, his special qualifications for leadership have been productive of substantial results, and accumulated a following consistent with his versatility and sound judgment.
The locality in which he now lives has for Mr. Flint an enduring claim upon his youthful re- membrances and latter day accomplishments for he was born upon the ranch of which he is now part owner and manager, May 29, 1858. This ranch of twelve thousand acres is a part of the old San Justo rancho, or Hollister tract, near San Juan, and represents the result of the pio- neer efforts of Thomas Flint, Sr. The latter, who was born in Maine, came to California in 1851, becoming a prominent factor in the early
days, and is today one of the best known in the county which he has done so much to improve. Thomas Flint, Jr., was educated at the Golden Gate College, Oakland, Cal. and at Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1880, with the degree of A. B., receiving the degree of A. M. in 1883. After completing his education he returned to his father's ranch and began to share the management of the large tract of land, and has since materially relieved the elder man of the enormous responsibility in- cident to such ambitious ranching interests.
The political career of Mr. Flint practically dates from 1884, at which time he became the Republican nominee for assemblyman, but was defeated, a fate which befell him also in the fall of 1886 while running for the same office. Nothing daunted, he cheerfully accepted the nomination for the state senate in 1888, and was elected, his re-election following in 1892, 1896 and 1900, so that he is now serving his fourth term. In 1895 he was chosen by his colleagues president of the senate, and has since presided over this dignified body of law makers. So thor- oughly worthy has been the political life of Mr. Flint, and so ably has he discharged his numer- ous responsibilities in connection with the peo- ple, that he has made friends even among the opposite party, who readily accord him the homage due a conscientious and painstaking public servant. In the estimation of his friends and colleagues, and indeed of many whose po- litical affiliations are opposed to his own, no more fitting candidate could be presented to chischarge the honors of the gubernatorial chair. Mr. Flint has been a member of the state cen- tral committee since 1886, and a member of the Benito county central committee since 1880.
Among the various responsibilities assumed by Mr. Flint aside from things political and agricultural may be mentioned his connection with the development of oil in the county, in which he has evinced the most active and prac- tical interest. He is the president and director of several companies interested in the oil output. and he is equally energetic in pushing certain mining interests in California and Sonora, Mex- ico. Ile is president of the Sonoma Smelting, Mining & Development Company, and is a direct-
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or of the Ward Miwing Company of Nevada City, Cal. and of the San Justo Mining Company, of Calaveras county, Cal. Very few men in Califor- nia or elsewhere are so intimately connected with the most prominent fraternal organizations as is Mr. Flint. He is a member of the San Juan Lodge No. 46. F. & A. M., of which he is past and present master : past high priest of the Hol- lister Chapter No. 68 R. A. M .; grand captain of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of California: past grand master of the Grand Lodge of California: San Francisco Council No. 2 Royal and Select Masons: past commander of the Watsonville Commandery No. 22 Knights Templar: member of the San Francisco Con- History, thirty-second degree Scottish Rites; member of the Islam Temple A. O. N. M. S. of San Francisco; member of the Salinas Lodge of Elks: past patron of the Clanathus Chapter No. 45. O. E. S .; past grand patron of the Grand Chapter of California (. E. S .: member of the Fremont Parlor No. 44. Native Sons of the Golden West : and past president and past grand and president of the Grand Parlor of California Native Sons of the Golden West.
JACOB FOSTER.
Two hundred and twenty acres of fine bottom land in the richest valley in California is the property of Jacob Foster, and no more ideal or profitable means of livelihood can be conceived of than just such a life as this old-time weather- beaten sailor lives at his home one mile from the Bay of Monterey, and on the banks of the Pajaro river. Here he has raised all the com- modities associated with general farming in the west, with a particular leaning towards barley, potatoes, beets and some stock. The farm con- stitutes a pleasant little community, and al- though the days are filled with labor, and little leisure visits the toilers in the fertile fields, the utmost good humor prevails, for the genial owner and his wife arc typical of the kindliness and hospitality invariably associated with Ger- man- Americans, who have not yet obliterated the distinguishing characteristics of their Fatherland.
Born in Germany, December 21, 1831, Mr.
Foster is a son of Claus and Margaret (Starr Foster, whose children are all deceased with the exception of Jacob and his sister, the latter of whom still resides in her native land, and is seventy-six years of age.
At the age of sixteen Jacob left the old home- stead and went to sea as a sailor, and until 1870 experienced the dangers and adventures inseparable from a life upon the high seas. In 1855 he came to California for the first time. and after safely arriving from the long trip around the Horn, which consumed one hun- dred and fifty-three days, bought a two-mast schooner with which he sailed on the Pacific coast for a number of years. This craft was dis- posed of in 1870, and he bought a farm in Monterey county upon which he lived for three years. At the expiration of that time he pur- chased his present farm, and has since shown no inclination to change his mode of living.
March 31. 1867. Mr. Foster was united in marriage with Margaret Coopman, who was born in Germany, and is a daughter of Henry and Cecil (Ladeges) Coopman, to whom were born six children, four living. Cecil, Henry, Anna and Margaret. To Mr. and Mrs. Foster were born four children all of whom are living: Henry, who married Susan Jonkin, and is man- aging his father's ranch: Jacob, who is engaged in mining in Alaska; Cecil, who is the wife of John McColhim, a prominent farmer of the Pajora valley: and Charles, who is mining in Alaska.
C. R. ESTABROOK.
The trusted agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company at Salinas, Mr. Estabrook, las filled a similar position in several different parts of the state, and his services have come to be regarded as unalterably satisfactory. He was born in New Brunswick, at Sackville, in 1856. 1:is parents being .A. B. and Elizabeth (Fawcett) Estabrook, also born in New Brunswick. The father, who is a millwright by trade, and who has led an industrious and successful life, is at present living at Pacific Grove, and is seventy- four years of age.
When six years old Mr. Estabrook removed
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with his parents from Sackville, New Bruns- wick, to San Jose, Cal., where he was educated in the public schools, and at the age of fifteen started out to become financially independent. After learning telegraphy he was for a time with the Western Union Telegraph Company at San José, and later entered the employ of the South- ern Pacific. After being stationed at Niles for a couple of years he went to Brentwood, in Costa Rica county, where he remained for seven years, after which he engaged for a couple of years in the stock business in Monterey county. Not be- ing entirely satisfied with the experiment which in some way seemed out of his natural groove. he again returned to telegraphy, and was sta- tioned at Sargent for five years, and afterwards at Santa Margarita for the same length of time. For the past four years he has been identified with the business and social life of Salinas, and represents the railroad's affairs in a manner highly creditable to himself, and pleasing to those who have to deal with him. Among his other responsibilities is the office of recording secretary of the Independent Order of Forest- ers, of which he is a well known member.
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