USA > California > San Joaquin County > History of the State of California and biographical record of San Joaquin County; containing biographis of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 10
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DEAN JEWETT LOCKE.
The name of Dean J. Locke is synonymous with many of the influences and movements that have had to do with the upbuilding of San Joaquin county, and his name has been perpetuated in the town which he founded and in which he made his home for nearly forty years, or until his death. He passed away in Lockeford May 4. 1887, at the comparatively early age of sixty-four years, mourned alike by old and young. all honor- ing and respecting him for his large accomplish- ments and loving him for his genial, kindly na- ture.
The records state that the Locke family is of English origin, and was established in the United States during colonial times by Deacon William Locke, of Woburn, Mass. From him the line
is traced to Calvin Locke, who was born in Anh by, N. Il., in 1765, and who in February, 1796, married Sarah Jewett. Their son Luther war born in Sullivan county, N. H., in the latter part of the year 1796, and in that vicinity the greater part of his life was passed. Pour cil- dren were born of his marriage with Hannah Willard, as follows : Luther Franklin, who grailu- ated from Middlebury (Vt.) College and also from Cambridge Medical College; Dean Jewett. Elmer Ilall and George S.
The second child in the parental family, Dean Jewett Locke was born April 16, 1823, at Lang don, Sullivan county, N. H., where his father was a trader and owned a store in partnership with a brother. Dean Jewett received his early education in the schools of his native town At the age of fourteen years he attended the academy at Langdon, paying his tuition by his services as janitor of the building, ringing the bell and keeping the fires supplied with word through the long snowy winter time, and per- forming the same work for the people with whom he boarded, in payment for his boar.l. Thus early in life he was engaged in carning his own living, with characteristic energy an ! determination. Later, in order that he might further pursue his studies, he taught school. beginning when he was seventeen years of age. at Tewksbury, Mass. With the money which he had accumulated in this way he attendel the first State Normal school in Bridgewater. Mats . and after graduating from it, he taught in the high school of Pawtucket and Worcester, Man. until he entered Harvard College, graduating from the medical department of this institution in 1849. It had been Iris intention to settle r the east and follow his profession. Iart the die covery of gold in California during the year wi his graduation turned his thoughts toward the Golden West instead. On April 16, 18:0. with a party of twenty-five frienils startel acron the plains for California, the party being in- corporated as the Boston and Newton John Stock Association. Dr. Locke serverl in the ca pacity of physician to the company and recess el
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his transportation in exchange for his services. Five months of weary marching finally brought the little party to their destination, Sacramento, where they arrived September 16, 1849. What is now one of the principal cities of the state and its capital as well, was at that time a settle- ment of tents and rudely constructed shacks. Here Dr. Locke practiced medicine for a short time, after which he went to the mines at Downie- ville, on the American river. It is safe to say that his anticipations as a miner were not realiz- ed, for he had been there only a short time when he gave up mining, and coming to San Joaquin county, took up a tract of land whereon is now located the town of Lockeford, having first paid a good price for it to the parties who had pur- chased a pretended Spanish Grant, and afterward being required to buy it from the government at the regulation price of $1.25 an acre. Later he established the town, which was named in his honor, his name furnishing the first syllable, the last syllable being taken from an old ford in the river near the town. Dr. Locke with his brothers Elmer and George built the first house in the town in 1850.
In 1854 Dean J. Locke returned east, and on May 8th of the following year was united in marriage in North Abington, Mass., with Miss Delia M. Hammond, a native of that place. The wedding journey of the young people brought them to Lockeford, Cal., July 1, 1855, and they set up housekeeping in a house which Dr. Locke erected in the autumn of that year. On their return from the east Dr. Locke and his wife were accompanied by the former's father, Luth- er Locke, who became the first postmaster of the town, in June, 1861, and who here rounded out his long and useful life, passing away in 1866, at the age of nearly seventy years. Thirteen children were born of the marriage of Dean J. Locke and his wife, named in the order of their birth as follows: Luther J., Ada, Nathaniel Howard, Horace Mann, Ida, Mary, William Wil- lard, Hannah, John Calvin, Edward Moore, Eunice, George Hammond and Theresa. All of the children received excellent educations, for
Dr. Locke was a staunch advocate of furnishing the younger generation with good school ad- vantages, and as a member of the board of edu- cation of the town he was able to accomplish considerable along this line. None of her citi- zens were more public spirited or philanthropic than was Dr. Locke, whose greatest happiness seemed to be in advancing the growth and up- building of the town, to which he gave a number of lots for the erection of churches and schools. Himself a temperate man in every sense of the word, he never having used liquor or tobacco in any form, he was a staunch advocate of tem- perance and was an unwearied worker in the cause throughout his life. During his early life he voted the Whig ticket, but later, when the Republican party was formed, he voted for its candidates. He passed away in the town which he had founded, May 4, 1887, at the age of sixty-four years, loved and honored by his fellow-citizens.
STEPHEN H. MANN.
The years following the discovery of gold rep- resented an era of industrial activity in Califor- nia. During the long summers every day brought its caravans from the east, consisting of weary but enthusiastic and ambitious emigrants, all eager to begin their search for gold. No sight was so common to those days as that of the famous "prairie schooners" drawn by oxen and containing the worldly possessions of the travelers. The same inducement that brought thousands to the coast led Mr. Mann to cross the plains. A large expedition began the jour- ney together with a suitable equipment of wagons and teams, as well as the necessary provisions for the long trip. The route followed was that now traversed by the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific roads and six months were spent on the
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way, during which time no trouble was encoun- tered with Indians although, through constant fear of attacks, members of the party took turns in standing guard. During the progress of the caravan westward the various parties constitu- ting the same began to carry out their personal preferences as to the route and the result was that only a few were with the original band when they landed at Downieville, Sierra county, on the North Yuba, on the 12th of September, 1852, fatigued by the tedious journey, but hopeful for the future and pleased with the country.
The member of the company whose name heads this article was born at Wells River, Vt., in 1825, and during boyhood removed to Landaff, N. H., where he made his home until he was twenty-one, meanwhile attending the grammar schools and Newbury seminary, and later teaching school for a short time. The young men of New England were leaving for regions further west with the hope of finding more fertile soil for agricultural purposes, and he was thus induced to try his fortune as a farmer in Illinois, where he settled in Stephenson county. Doubt- less he would have remained there had not the discovery of gold in California transformed him into an Argonaut, eager, like the one who sailed with Jason of old, to find the golden fleece.
The first experience in mining gained by Mr. Mann did not prove encouraging, for the weather was very severe, expenses were high (flour being $I per pound, and results small. Breaking a trail through the deep snow, December II he went to Auburn and for a time mined at Good- year bar, but a flood washed away all of his gold. The winter of 1852-53 was one of the most severe ever seen in the country. Snows were deep and the floods destructive and continuous. Hoping for better luck in Oregon he crossed the state line and arrived at Jacksonville April 20, 1853. There he worked at cutting wood until January, 1854. when he resumed mining and had the luck to find a rich prospect. Next he went to Coos county, from there to Randolph, later to Jack- sonville, and in March of 1855 arrived at Ster- lingville, Ore., where he remained until April,
and then came back to California. December 30, same year, he arrived at Crescent City, an l started thence to the southern mines, where he arrived January 12, 1856, after having pasted through Stockton for the first tinte. During 1858 he went to Mariposa county, and on the 31st of May, that year, came to Stockton, which he made his trading center for a number of years, mean- while engaging in agricultural pursuits.
All of this time Mr. Mann had remamel a bachelor, but he now gave himself a deserved vacation and returned to the cast for his bride. The trip was made via Panama to New York and thence to Vermont. May 5, 1865, he arrived after an uneventful voyage, and was married to Hattie H. Gordon, who was born at Lundaff. Grafton county, N. H., June 11, 1833. September 16, following their marriage, the young couple started for California via Panama, and Octoleer 17 they arrived at Stockton. They began house- keeping on the site of the present family rest- dence. Since then Mr. Mann has bought adjoin- ing lots and built cottages, which he lias soll as opportunity offered. For a time he was co- ployed in the Stockton city mill-, in addition he engaged in farming and has followed other occur pations at different times. Ilis children were born in the block where he still makes his home The eldest son died in infancy, and February 25. 1896, he was bereaved by the death of his devente l wife. Mrs. Mann was an attendant of the Con- gregational church and was very active in church work, taking a great interest in religious affairs She was also a member of the Daughters ni Rebekah. May 1. 1892, the family hat nivel into their present comfortable modern residence and since the death of the wife and neither a daughter, Hattie M., has presided over the hans. ministering to the comfort of her father and maintaining a warm interest in his welfare am happiness. The other daughters are married and established in comfortable homes of their own. Julia I. being the wife of J. A. Barr, ont Henri etta F .. the wife of J. F. Dietrich, of the city The daughters are graduates of the Sinckend Nigh school and are women of culture Mr Man"
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has favored good schools and always has given willing co-operation in all movements for the betterment of our educational institutions. Fra- ternally he is identified with Stockton Lodge No. II, I. O. O. F. Politically he votes the Repub- lican ticket in national elections, but in local matters he gives his support to the men best adapted to promote the welfare of the city and county, without regard to their political views.
DON CARLOS MATTESON.
At the time of his death in 1905 Mr. Matte- son had been associated with the well-known plant of Matteson & Williamson Manufacturing Company for a period of forty years. He was born in Genesee county, N. Y., May 18, 1827, a son of Stephen B. and Esther Jones (Sex- ton) Matteson, the former a native of Ver- mont, and the latter a native of New York state, the descendant of Mohawk Dutch an- cestors. When their son was about five years old, in 1832, they crossed over the line into Canada and for sixteen years made their home in the Dominion, the father carrying on a farm in the meantime. In 1847 they moved back into the Empire state and in Erie county the father carried on agricultural pursuits for many years, or until he came to Stockton in 1874. Two years later he returned east as far as Detroit, Mich., where he made his home with a daughter until his death, February 25, 1879, being thrown from his horse. The wife and mother had died many years previously, October 8, 1864, while the family were living in Erie county, N. Y.
In 1845, when Don Carlos Matteson was eighteen years old, he left the parental home, then in Canada, and set out for the west, going to Naperville, Ill., where he learned the trade of blacksmith, spending three years as an ap-
prentice and two years as a journeyman, as the latter receiving $7.50 wages per week. It was about this time that he formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Catherine Salisbury, their marriage occurring in Illinois September 19, 1849. Mrs. Matteson was born in Canada September 7, 1828, a daughter of Christopher and Catherine (Cook) Salisbury, who had lo- cated in the middle west on a farm near Naper- ville, Il1.
The year following his marriage Mr. Matteson came to California across the plains in 1850, arriving in Placerville, July 13. After mining in that vicinity for a few weeks he thought to better his luck by going to Rich Bar, on the north fork of the Feather river, but in this lo- cation he was also disappointed, so gave up min- ing altogether, and going to Sacramento found work at the blacksmith's trade at $8 per day and board. Misfortune overtook him after a time, however, when for several months he was physically unable to do work of any kind. As soon as he was sufficiently recovered he opened an eating house, an undertaking which proved a remunerative one, for during the time he car- ried it on he accumulated $1,500. Fruits and vegetables at this time brought a fabulous price, Mr. Matteson receiving twenty-five cents apiece for apples and $I a pound for grapes.
With the proceeds from the sale of his res- taurant Mr. Matteson once more became inter- ested in mining, going back to Feather river, where he and others dammed the stream at Twelve Mile bar. There he again met with disappointment, in that he lost all of the money he had invested, the earnings of years. Still un- dismayed, in July, 1851, he went to Downie- ville, from there to Durgan Flat, where he bought a half interest in a claim, and in four weeks cleared $1,200. Selling out his interest in the mine, he started for Illinois, intending to make that state his permanent home, the trip there, by way of Panama, costing him $700. Ar- riving at Naperville, Ill., he began to work at his trade, receiving for his services only $7.50 per week, which in comparison with his late suc-
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cess in the mines seemed paltry indeed. Natural- ly his thoughts turned again to California, and in the spring of 1852, with one wagon and five horses, he and his wife set out for the Pacific coast in company with a few hundred other emigrants. Arriving at Stockton, Cal., after an uneventful trip, Mr. Matteson sold his wagon and horses for more than the round trip had cost him, the transaction bringing him $1,850. He then went to Placerville, but did not remain long, as in September, 1852, he came to Stock- ton for the purpose of making this city his per- manent home. In the fall of that year he bought a lot at the corner of Main and Grant streets and erected a blacksmith shop, in which he car- ried on a successful business for several years. Thinking to better his location, in 1860 he re- moved his shop to a lot adjoining the old Central Methodist Church, and here, in addition to doing a regular blacksmith business he also built a reaper. This latter undertaking, how- ever, proved a failure, for in three months time he lost $2,000. Later he purchased the lots where the Commercial hotel stands and moved his shop upon the property.
The beginning of the business known as the Matteson & Williamson Manufacturing Com- pany, iron founders and manufacturers of agri- cultural implements, dates from the, year 1865, when Mr. Matteson entered into a partnership with T. P. Williamson under the above name. Two years later, in 1867, Mr. Matteson obtained. a patent for a reversible gang plow, and later for a fork and derrick, and also for a horse hoe for weeding purposes. The following year he made improvements on a combined harvester, and the manufacture of this implement in addition to those already mentioned, soon proved to the proprietors that they had outgrown their plant. Hence, in 1870, they purchased for $7,500 a block bounded by Main, Market, Grant and Aurora streets, and here they erected a foundry suited to their special needs. To such an extent had their business increased in thirteen years, that in 1883 they found it necessary to erect four new buildings for the manufacture of plows and
harvesters, of the latter building six in 1886, and sixty in 1890, many skilled workmen being em- ployed in their manufacture. In 1887 and 1888 Mr. Matteson received patents for two valuable improvements on the Harvest Queen, and he also invented an improvement on a plow which adapted it to use on adobe soil.
Three children were born of the marriage of Don Carlos and Catherine (Salisbury) Matte- son, all of whom were born in Stockton and are still residents of this city. The eldest, Julia Alice, born in 1853, became the wife of Jolin R. Williams; Walter Carlos, born in 1856, mar- ried Mary Eccleston ; and Edward Jerome, who was born in 1859, married Ann Eliza Bissell, a native of Calaveras county. The family were as- sociated with the First Baptist Church of Stock- ton, of which both Mr. and Mrs. Matteson were members, and fraternally the former was a mem- ber of Stockton Lodge No. II, I. O. O. F. His political affiliations were in behalf of the Re- publican party, on which party ticket lie was elected a member of the city council a number of terms. Successful in life, prosperous and re- spected, Mr. Matteson was an honor to his coun- ty and to the citizenship of the community with which his life for so many years had been identified.
JOHN RANDOLPH CORY.
In the annals of California no names are more justly entitled to perpetuation than those of the pioneers, those who braved the unknown perils of the desert and the mountains, or the no less dangerous long ocean voyage, in their efforts to reach the great west with its glowing pos- sibilities. We of the twentieth century can but vaguely grasp conditions as they then existed, the wide separation of the Pacific coast from the commercial world and the centers of culture. the
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complete absence of transportation facilities, the constant danger from warring Indians, the ab- sence as yet of any established form of govern- ment, and the endless stretches of land still in its virgin condition. None other than those with the vision of the prophet could foresee present conditions, productive ranches, large cities teeming with progress and enterprise, con- ditions of which every true Californian is proud, and for all of this due credit belongs to the pioneer of '49.
Numbered among this brave band was John Randolph Cory, who was born at Portsmouth, R. I., October 11, 1816, and died in Stockton February 12, 1898, at the age of eighty-one years and four months. He possessed the fine physique and robust constitution which we instinctively associate with the pioneer, and at the age of eighty he had the appearance of a man twen- ty years his junior. He passed away after a short illness of less than two weeks, on the old homestead ranch about two and a half miles east of Stockton, on the Weber grant, which had been the home of the family since the year 1863.
The history of the Cory family in America dates back to a period when Canada was wrested from the French and was made a possession of Great Britain. In this conflict the great-grand- father, Thomas Cory, served valiantly and gave up his life on the field of battle in 1759. This spirit of patriotism and loyalty to home land was bequeathed in large measure to his son, Samuel Cory, who served in the Revolutionary war, with his comrades suffering the great hard- ships incident to long barefoot marches through the ice and snow. The next in line of descent was Pardon Cory, who by his marriage with Abigail Lake became the father of two sons and one daughter. John Randolph, the eldest of the children, attended the country schools in the vicinity of Portsmouth until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Providence, R. I., and apprenticed himself to Solomon Arnold to learn the carriage-maker's trade. Subsequently
he followed his trade in that city for some time, but finally he established himself in business in New Bedford, Mass., having as a partner Will- iam Doty. Events were transpiring on the Pacific coast which were to have a marked in- fluence on the life of Mr. Cory, and no one listened more intently than did he to the stories told by returning travelers from the gold fields. He fell an easy prey to the allurements which the new eldorado held forth, and July, 1848, found him setting out for California. From the port of New Bedford he set sail on the bark Dia- mond, going by way of Cape Horn, and Feb- ruary 1849, he landed at San Francisco. There he bought a lot and built a house which he had shipped from Massachusetts in sections. Not- withstanding that his efforts in the mines were not successful, he nevertheless was enamored of the country and determined to make it his fu- ture home. Returning to New Bedford, Mass.,. in 1851, he remained there a few months in order to dispose of his business interests, and when this was accomplished again came to Cali- fornia by the Panama route, walking across the Isthmus. He had expected to take up his abode in the house which he had erected some years previously in San Francisco, but he found it had been destroyed by fire during his absence,. so instead of locating in that city he came to Stockton, and on the corner of San Joaquin and Channel streets he established a carriage. shop.
Several years before his first trip to California Mr. Cory had formed domestic ties by his mar- riage with Abby, the daughter of Benjamin and' Penelope Cory. She was born at Tiverton, R. I., July 17, 1823, and was married April 25, 1844, in New Bedford, Mass. The young people- made their home in New Bedford until their final removal to California, two children having in the meantime been born to them, although the. eldest died in early childhood. With her only remaining child Mrs. Cory started by steamship for California, via Panama. She rode on mule --
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back across the Isthmus, and pack mules carried the baggage and freight. Not the least thrilling of their experiences in crossing this neck of land was the fording of the Chagres river, which at that day was the only means of reaching the other side. The family were re-united in Stock- ton early in January, 1852, and until a house could be put up they were compelled to board. From Captain Weber Mr. Cory purchased for $400 four lots at the corner of California and Fremont streets, upon which he made the first payment of $100 on January 15, 1852. A house of three rooms was their first shelter, and from time to time other rooms were added. From the first the place began to show signs of per- manency and substantiality, thus indicating the characteristics of its owners. Mr. and Mrs. Cory always remembered appreciatively the kind- ness of Captain Weber, to whom they were large- ly indebted for the plants, trees and shrubs which adorned this early home. This continued to be the family home up to the year 1863, when Mr. Cory removed to a ranch which he had purchased a few years previously, two and a half miles east on the Weber grant, and comprising about three hundred acres. In later years he bought a smaller farm near Lockeford and also at one time owned the lot where the Fanning house now stands, at the corner of Channel and Sutter streets. Mr. Cory passed away February 12, 1898, and three years later he was followed by his wife, her death occurring May 3, 1901, at the age of seventy-seven years and nine months. Their marriage was one of unusual happiness and congeniality, and in death as in life, they were not long separated.
Five children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cory, named in the order of their birth as follows: Caroline Jemima, who was born in New Bedford, Mass., and died in early childhood, before the removal of the family to California ; Abby Amelia, who was also born in New Bedford, and died near Stockton February 22, 1880; Adaline Allen, who became the wife of James A. Louttit, and died August 21, 1884;
Nellie, the wife of Charles H. Cory, residing near Soquel, Santa Cruz county ; and Carrie E. Cory, who lives upon the ranch on the Waterloo road.
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