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 99
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Of eastern birth and descent, Mr. Steele was the son of Nathaniel Steele, a farmer and at one time the owner of a stage line. From Delaware county, N. Y., he moved to Lorain county, Ohio, about 1836, and finally he and his wife joined some of their children in California. His wife died at Petaluma in 1860, and his death occurred the following year at Point Reyes. Their eldest son, Osman N., while acting as under sheriff of Delaware county. N. Y., was killed August 5. 1845, by men disguised as Indians, who were en- deavoring to resist the collection of land rents. The second son, Hon. J. B. Steele, member of Congress from Ulster county. N. Y., was thrown from his carriage and killed in 1867. The third son. Major-Gen. Fred Steele, of the United States army, died in San Mateo county. Cal .. January 12, 1868. The fourth son, I. C., settled at Pescadero, San Mateo county, Cal., in 1802, and has since lived there. The fifth son, Judge George Steele, who died October 22, 1901, is represented on another page of this volume. The seventh son died of cholera in 1854, at the straits of Sault Ste. Marie.
The sixth of the sons was Edgar W. Steele. who was born at Delhi. Delaware county, N. Y ..
March 4, 1830. When six years of age le ac- companied his parents to Ohio, but seven years later returned to Delhi and made his home with his sister, Mrs. J. B. Howe, attending the Delhi Academy. Later he attended Oberlin (Ohio) College, where he completed his education. His record in mathematics and Latin was unusually high and won him the commendation of his teachers. After leaving college he taught school in Ohio. In 1856 he came to California and was so pleased with the prospects that two years later he returned to Ohio and brought his parents west, settling with them at Point Reyes, Marin county, and embarking in the dairy business. The same occupation he later followed in Pes- cadero, San Mateo county, on a much larger scale, being in partnership with his cousin. R. E. Steele. During 1866 he came to San Luis Obispo county and purchased nearly fifty thousand acres, embracing parts of the three grants, Cienega. Bolsa de Chemisal and Corral de Piedra. His two brothers, Isaac C. and George, were each given a one-fourth interest in the land, and the firm of Steele Brothers was organized. At once they stocked the land with cattle and began the building of a large dairy. To aid in the business. Mr. Steele carried on correspondence with many of the best-known dairymen of America and Eu- rope, and he imported several herds of Holstein stock from Holland, also owned many registered cows. It was his aim to conduct the business on scientific principles, and whenever he heard of any improvement that had been successfully introduced elsewhere he at once availed himself of the opportunities it offered. He introduced the first modern machinery in California for the making of butter and cheese. The quality of his products was unexcelled, and their recognized value commanded for them the highest market prices. It will be seen from this that he did not fail in his endeavor to build up an ideal dairy on his ranch and bring to perfection an industry in which every generation must engage. In 1877 there were nine dairies in operation upon the Steele ranch, with an average of thre hundred cows in each. The dairymen of the present day owe not a little to his wise judgment and in- genious devices, and the success of the industry throughout the country has been permanently
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promoted by Tos labors. The firm of Steele Brothers was dissolved in 1880, after which he continued dairying alone. Among the other in- dustries in which he was interested was the Southern Mill & Warehouse Company of San Francisco, which he assisted in organizing, and which owned warehouses at points between Santa Barbara and San Francisco. He was also one of the incorporators of the Santa Ynez Land and Improvement Company, the Salinas Valley Lum- her Company, and was largely interested in the Grangers' Business Association and Sperry Flour Company, in the two latter being a director at the time of his death, and was also a member of the Dairymen's Union.
E. W. Steele was a man who possessed those sterling qualities of which pioneers are made, namely : firmness of purpose, strength and cour- age. His dauntless energy brought into being an industry hitherto unknown in California. Span- ish cows were then herded for their hides. and butter, cheese and milk were unknown articles, even on the large grants where cattle roamed by thousands. His courage and faith in the future of the state incited many others to engage in the dairy business. His genius for utilizing the means at hand originated many unique methods. Cheese presses, and indeed the whole process, under the shade of a sycamore tree were not un- common sights. Few men employing such large numbers have left more tender memories in the hearts of employes. He never foreclosed a mort- gage, and he sold many thousand acres during a period of thirty years. While always insisting upon justice, he maintained a most liberal policy toward his employes; this was appreciated by 'hem, and many attest their loyalty and declare beir success due to him. There are numberless comfortable homes and fine dairies in this county owned by men who began with only two hands in the employ of E. W. Steele. He never went into politics, although often solicited to do so. amd could have held any office in the gift of the people of the state.
Since the death of Mr. Steele, which occurred 0 1800, the management of the estate has fallen W The Fire of his wife, a lady possessing much of the wise judgment and executive ability that dramaet rized him. Miss Emma E. Smith was
born in Lockport, N. Y., and became the wife of Mr. Steele in Los Angeles in 1876. One son was born of their union, Edgar W., whose birth occurred August 26, 1878, and who is still re- siding with his mother on the ranch.
PETER C. GALLIGAN.
Santa Cruz county, with its almost exhaustless agricultural and other resources, has a twofold interest for Peter C. Galligan, for it is a region which not only yields him a comfortable liveli- hood at the present time, but was the place of his birth, June 26, 1874. The first bearer of the name to come to the coast was Bartholomew Gal- ligan, the father of Peter C., who was born in Ireland, and whose ambitions led him across the sea to California, which he reached in 1855. Upon locating in Santa Cruz county he settled upon the old Galligan farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres, of which his son is now man- ager, and by reason of untiring industry and thrift was able to realize the expectations formu- lated in his native land. Besides Peter C., who is the fourth oldest in the parental family, there were also born James, Henry, John J., Patrick F. and Thomas ME.
In his younger days Peter C. Galligan attended the public schools of San Andres, Santa Cruz county, and from his father learned about all that was then known of the science of farming. He is engaged in general farming and stock- raising, and in addition maintains a paying and model dairy, comprising sixteen cows. Mr. Gal- ligan is enterprising and ambitious, and is one of the most promising of the younger generation of farmers of this county. He is a member of the Catholic Church.
CHRISTOPHER THOMPSON.
One of the representative ranchers of the Pa- jaro valley is Christopher Thompson, who was born on the farm he now occupies, January 28. 1860, and was educated in the public schools and attended St. Ignatius school in San Francisco one year. Although he started to work away from home at the age of fourteen, his success has not been entirely the result of personal appli-
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cation, for he was the fortunate heir to one hun- dred and seventy-five acres of the land accumu- lated by his honored and pioneer father. Mr. Thompson is an enthusiastic fruit grower, and has an extensive knowledge of horticulture in general. One hundred acres of his land is set ont in Bellefleurs and Newtown Pippins and fifty acres to strawberries and young trees.
Mr. Thompson is possessed of much of the ambition which characterized the career of his well-known father, John Thompson, one of the most successful of the early ranchers of the county. He was born in county Kildare, Ireland, and was reared on the paternal farm, receiving such education in the district schools as the ardu- outs home duties permitted. About 1853 he emi- grated to America and worked for a couple of years in Boston, where he married, and in 1855 came to San Francisco, Cal., where both worked out for a few weeks to gain a foothold in their new surroundings. In August of that year they came to Watsonville on an old schooner, and Mr. Thompson found employment as superintendent of a ranch on the coast, where he was successful and managed to make considerable money. He eventually rented land in the valley until 1865. in which year he bought one hundred acres of land at $20 an acre, partly improved, and for several years lived in an old shanty thereon. To his original purchase he added one hundred acres adjoining, and also two hundred acres in Santa Cruz county, as well as one hundred and fifty acres in the Salinas valley, and two hundred acres of pasture land in the near-by hills. .1 new house replaced the little old shanty in due time, but a devastating fire at the end of two years necessitated rebuilding, which was accom- plished on a much more elaborate and modern scale. He lived on his home farm and prospered exceedingly, and earned a reputation for thrift and integrity worthy his large and many-sided ability and numerous possessions. Ile was an active Democrat from the time of casting his first vote. although he never desired or accepted offices of importance. He was public-spirited and large-hearted, and many kindnesses of an umostentatious natare are attributed to him.
In July, 1855, John Thompson was united in marriage with Mary Cummings, a native of
Queens county, Ireland, and who came to the L'nited States in 1852, when seventeen years . age. Mrs. Thompson lived in Boston for a couple of years, and is still living on the old homestead. She became the mother of twelve children, the order of their birth being as fol- lows: Julia, the wife of John Whalen, of Mon- terey county; Lizzie, who died at the age of forty-four years; Peter and Edward. ranchers of Santa Cruz county ; Joseph, also a resident of Santa Cruz county : Maggie: Mamie: Chris- topher ; a child who died in infancy ; John, the owner of the old homestead; Sadie, and Katie. Mr. and Mrs. John Thompson were members of the Catholic Church.
Christopher Thompson married Anna Quinn. of Monterey county, and a daughter of Owen Quinn. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born three daughters, Elsie. Mabel and an infant. deceased. Mr. Thompson is a Democrat in po- litical preference, but, like his father, has no offi- cial aspirations. With his family he is a member of the Catholic Church.
BENJAMIN FRANK PATTERSON.
Grain, cattle, hogs, horses and general farming have proved a fruitful source of revenue to Mr. Patterson, who owns five hundred and forty acres of land in the Jolon valley, Monterey county, and is one of the thrifty and far-sighted agriculturists and stockmen of this section.
Born near Ashland. Jackson county, Ore., in May. 1864. the boyhood of Mr. Patterson was spent on the home farm, where he worked hard while attending. the public schools, and contrib- uted his share towards the maintenance of the family. In the meantime his brother had located on a ranch in the Jolon valley, and in December. 1882, when eighteen years of age, he joined him and remained on the ranch for a couple of year -. In the fall of 1884 he settled on his present ranch, and when it was turned over to the gov- ernment he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres, which was covered with timber and brash and was exceedingly wild and unpromising. 11 has since homesteaded hill pasture land. and ha- purchased three hundred and eighty acres, one hundred and twenty of which is farm land.
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In 1801 Mr. Patterson married Viola M. Say- ler, a native of Nebraska, and they have two children, Floyd Lester and Charles Franklin. Mr. Patterson is a Republican in politics, and has been a member of the school board for twelve years. He is appreciated for his many fine per- sonal characteristics, and for the success which he has brought out of his life.
THOMAS J. RIORDAN.
The fine legal ability of Mr. Riordan places him in the front professional ranks not only of Salinas, but of the whole of Monterey county. As an exponent of the unchanging science of law he is noted for his lucid and practical expo- sitions, and for the skill and justice with which he disposes of the many important cases which come to him for defense. A man of extended experience in the general walks of life, a mer- chant and financier of no mean order, and a poli- tician whose disinterested devotion to the public welfare was never questioned, he is admirably fitted to cope with the intricacies and hydra- headed divisions of his great profession.
During a youth fashioned on the average lines, Mr. Riordan availed himself of the educa- tional and other advantages which came his way. He was born in San Francisco, November 15. 1859. and when four years of age accompanied his father, Michael Riordan, to Salinas, where the latter engaged in the stock business up to the time of his death three years ago. Thomas J. studied at the public schools of Salinas, a train- ing supplemented by attendance at St. Mary's College, San Francisco. At the age of seventeen he faced the problem of self-support, and so em- phatically was his personal worth impressedupon those with whom he came in contact that at the age of twenty-two he was elected auditor of Mon- terey county. After serving for a term, for seven cars he was engaged in the mercantile business with Thomas B. Johnson, again returning to politics in 1888, at which time he was elected verk of Monterey county. So satisfactory were his services, and so conscientiously did he per- Form the duties of the office, that his re-election bll wed for four successive terms, the last term
extending over four years. In the meantime his expanding ambitions sought a wider field of ac- tivity, and the substantial trait in his character recognized the fleeting satisfaction connected with even the most desirable political honors, and he therefore applied himself to the study of law during such leisure as he could command while in the county clerk's office. After resigning from the clerkship he applied himself to the practice of law in partnership with Judge John K. Alex- ander, having been admitted to the bar in 1897. For one year he served as deputy district attor- ney, and was associated with Judge Alexander for two and a half years. Subsequently he formed a partnership with Hon. S. F. Gile, which relationship has since been amicably continued. Among the important cases which Mr. Riordan has satisfactorily disposed of may be mentioned the Charles McFadden estate, the Thomas Ken- nedy estate, Morgan vs. the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, Wycoff vs. the P. V. R. R., Ford & Sanborn Company vs. Jacks, Farley vs. Hill, the estate of Sobrenas, and the People vs. C'oneline.
At Watsonville, Cal., in 1884. Mr. Riordan married Madge Sheehy, daughter of John Sheehy, who at one time served as supervisor of Monterey county, was a farmer and merchant. and is now a capitalist of San José. To Mr. and Mrs. Riordan have been born seven children: John H., who is at present a student at Santa Clara College ; Ailene F .: Madeline M. : Thomas J., Jr. ; Anita T. ; H. J. ; and Catherine J. Mr. Riordan has three brothers living in California, but he is the only lawyer in the family. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Young Men's Institute, and fraternally con- nected with the Knights of Pythias.
HENRY M. RIST.
The horses, cattle, sheep and hogs to be found on the well-developed farm of Henry M. Rist, in the Peach Tree valley, are representative of the best to be had in the west, and yield their enter- prising owner a neat annual income. Mr. Rist settled on his present place in 1871, having pre- empted it from the government, and he now owns fourteen hundred and forty acres of land,
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the most of which is given over to grazing for his stock.
Mr. Rist is a native of the middle northwest, and was born in Nicollet county, Minn., Febru- ary 24, 1857. In 1866 he accompanied his ambi- tions father and the rest of the family to Cali- fornia, locating at Bakersfield, where they lived until 1868. They then removed to what is now San Benito county, and lived until 1871, in which year the family fortunes were shifted to Peach Tree valley, where the father bought one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, upon which he died in 1888, at the age of seventy years.
Through his marriage with S. Ella Matthis, Mr. Rist became the proud father of seven inter- esting children, of whom their parents expect much. The children are: Benjamin F., William, Cora, Bertie, Leola, Georgie and Frankie. Mr. Rist is a Republican in politics, and has been a member of the school board for three years. He is fraternally identified with the Independent Order United Workmen. Mr. Rist prides him- self on his modern and practical dairy, al- though he has never engaged in this line of ac- tivity to any great extent. He is one of the honored citizens of the Peach Tree valley, and has realized splendidly on his landed invest- ments.
CHARLES KUHLITZ.
The experiences of Mr. Kuhlitz since he came to the United States have been many and varied. He was born in Germany June 4, 1827, the son of Henry and Lucia (Klingenberg) Kuhlitz. During boyhood he became familiar with the trades of cooper and brewer. At the age of twenty-one years he crossed the ocean to New York, where he landed after a voyage of nine weeks. Eagerly accepting any employ- ment, he was given a position at $4 a month, his work being the milking of cows. Soon, however, he joined a brother who was a cooper, and with him secured employment at the trade, receiving eighty-eight and one-half cents per day for two and one-half months. A later position secured for him an advance to $30 per month and afterward he received $1.50 a day, next being raised to $1.75, thus showing
that his industry and faithfulness were recog- nized by his employers. In 1855 he came via the isthmus to California, and after his arrival in San Francisco secured work at coopering, for which he was paid $5 a day. However, like all pioneers, he was desirous of trying his luck in the mines, and so went to the Cherry creek. where he mined for five months, but the fail- ure of his health through rheumatism contracted by exposure forced him to return to his old trade.
For a time Mr. Kuhlitz worked in Oregon, where for six months he helped to build a brewery and received $100 a month. On his return to California he bought an interest in a saloon, bakery and confectionery establish- ment, which he conducted for a short time. The business proved profitable, and its neat re- turns enabled him to make a visit to his old German home in 1859. On his return he spent a short time in the mines. then proceeded to San José and from there came to Watsonville in 1860. Since then he has made this city his liome. He purchased a one-half interest, with John Kuefner, in a brewery on East Fourth street, Watsonville. Six months later he bought out his partner and subsequently enlarged the capacity of the plant until the output was twelve barrels a week. The barley used in the brew- ery was raised by Mr. Kuhlitz, and all the wood needed was hauled by his own teams, so that luis expenses were comparatively small. Some twenty years ago he rented the brewery, and about 1896 sold the property.
The first ranch purchased by Mr. Kuhlitz consisted of two hundred and twelve and one- half acres, but this hie soon sold. Another ranch was then bought and soon sold. Indeed. a number of tracts were bought and soll about this time, and he still retains a ranch of one hundred and forty acres, a part of which he has planted to trees. He built a house on this ranch and also owns a city residence, besides considerable other valuable property. During the carly days he took an active part in the work of the Odd Fellows, but has not been con- neeted with any other fraternal organization. By his marriage to Caroline Nelson Bambauer (now deceased) he had eight children, one of
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whom died in infancy, and the youngest, Albert, in boyhood. The others are as follows: Annie, wife of M. E. Noblet, and mother of one daugh- ter, Hazel; Mary, wife of L. D. McLean; Charles; William, who married Lizzie Bothwell, and is the father of three children (William A., Mildred and Harold); Amelia and Emma.
CHARLES A. PALMER.
The bar of San Luis Obispo is fortunate in having among its members so capable a practi- tioner as Charles A. Palmer, a native son of the state, and a resident of the town since 1894. He was born in Nevada county in 1863, whither his father, George M., had removed during the gold excitement of '49. The elder Palmer was extensively engaged in mining in different parts of the state, and was a partner of Thomas B. McFarland, the large mine owner. During the Mexican war he served as quartermaster, and his family was further represented in the wars of the country by his brother, who died in prison during the strife between the north and south. For many years his paternal ancestors had lived in Kentucky. On the maternal side, Charles A. Palmer is of German descent, his mother, for- merly Louisa Van Slyke, coming from a promi- nent family of merchants who settled in New York state at an early day.
As the only son in his father's family, Charles A. Palmer received a fair common school educa- tion in Yolo county, to which his father had removed after leaving Nevada county. This training was supplemented by a course at the San Joaquin Valley College, from which he graduated ! the class of 1887. Having decided to devote his life to the practice of law. he entered the law department of Ann Arbor ( Mich.) College, and graduated therefrom in the spring of 1890. He subsequently spent one year on the paternal farm in this state, and was admitted to the California bar in 1802, thereupon engaging in practice in 1.odi, San Joaquin county. In 1894 he came to San Luis Obispo, and has since been connected with many of the important legal complications in this part of the county. for a time serving as Assistant district attorney.
In this city Mr. Palmer was united in mar-
riage, in 1894, with Ida L. Blodgett, a native of Ohio. Her father was brought into close con- tact with some of the greatest soldiers in latter- day American history, viz .: Generals Alger, Sheridan and Miles. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Palmer, Louise and Flor- ence. In politics a Republican, Mr. Palmer has been active in the undertakings of his party, and in 1898 ran for district attorney. Fraternally he is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and of the Woodmen of the World. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and has made many friends during his so- journ in San Luis Obispo.
IRVIN T. BLOOM.
Ever since he floated down the Mississippi river on a lumber raft, Irvin T. Bloom, a prom- inent sawmill and lumber man of Boulder Creek, has been associated with this needful commodity in one way or another. It is doubtful if any in the county have a more extensive knowledge of all phases of the business than has this honored citizen, to whose untiring efforts so much of the commercial prosperity of his locality is at- tributed.
A native of Clearfield county, Pa., Mr. Bloom was born September 27, 1855, a son of David and Sarah (Hoover) Bloom, also natives of Pennsylvania. The elder Bloom was a farmer originally, but in later years turned his attention to lumbering, and from him his son received his first impetus in this direction. His brother-in- law, David Hoover, was an early settler of Gil- roy, Cal., where he engaged in an extensive medical practice up to the time of his death. Of the children born to the parents the follow- ing are living: Mina J., Arabella, Allen M., Harrison, Samantha, Anna, Irvin T., Mary and Lucy.
Until his seventeenth year Irvin T. Bloom lived in his native state, and he then spent a year in Illinois, and a year and a half in Wis- consin. In 1876 lie made the before mentioned trip down the Mississippi river with a lumber raft, after which he spent some time in St. Louis, and in Rochester, Minn. After spending a winter in his old home in Pennsylvania he went to Mon-
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tana in 1878, and came to California in the win- ter of 1879-80. Locating near Felton he chopped timber for a year, and took up his permanent residence in Boulder Creek in 1880. He has a large and paying business, and has his sawmill, known as the Park mill, in the Great Basin seven miles from the town.
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