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 12
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schools which prevailed during his boyhood had little to offer in the way of advantages as com- pared with the present day, but such as they were he used to the best advantage, even at this youth- ful age applying the principle which was domi- nant throughout his whole life, to put his whole heart and soul into whatever he attempted.
Reaching manhood, Mr. Brown became in- terested in the manufacture of paper, being one of the pioneers in the manufacture of this com- modity, which for many years has been one of the largest sources of income in that state. In time Mr. Brown became one of the largest and most important mill-owners and paper manu- facturers in Maine, but when he was in the heyday of his success his plant was reduced to ashes through a disastrous fire. It was about this time, also, that he became interested in the west through the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia, news of which was then being heralded throughout the United States. Joining the Argonauts in search of fortune, he made the voyage around the Horn in the schooner Suliote, and in due time was landed in the harbor of San Francisco. With his son Benjamin H., who had accompanied him on the voyage, he made his way at once to the mines of Mokelumne Hill, but a short experience was all that was necessary to convince him that his forte did not lie in delv- ing in the hidden recesses of Mother Earth. In- stead, however, he established a stage line be- tween the mines and Stockton which produced a steady and satisfactory income for many years.
Before coming to the west Mr. Brown had established home ties through his marriage with Marion Hall, a native of Boston, Mass., whose death occurred in Stockton. His second mar- riage occurred in this city and united him with Maria Clark, two children being born of this marriage. Mr. Brown passed away October 13, 1884, leaving a wife and five children to mourn the loss of an exemplary husband and father. Named in order of their birth the children were as follows: Samuel J., a resident of Stockton, now in his eighty-first year; Benjamin H. and Edward P., both now deceased; Mary L., Mrs.
William F. McKee; and George A., who has been a resident of San Joaquin county for fifty- six years ; he now makes his home in Stockton, where he was formerly associated with the San Joaquin County Title and Abstract Company. During his long residence in Stockton Mr. Brown's ability to fill public office was turned to good account, no one filling the offices of police judge and justice of the peace more worthily than did he for a long term of years. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic organi- zation, in the former passing all of the chairs in Charity Lodge, and in his religious preferences he was associated by membership with the Con- gregational denomination. Quiet and unosten- tatious though he was, he yet exerted a strong influence for good through his moral and tem- perate life.
CARL W. OSER.
Since the pioneer days of '49 the name of Oser has been well-represented in Stockton through both father and son, the present repre- sentative, Carl W. Oser, still adding lustre to the name as one of the city's enterprising busi- ness men. Alois Oser was born in Baden, Ger- many, of a family of high rank in that grand duchy. At the time of the gold excitement in California he was residing in Missouri, having come to the United States several years prior to this, and with one companion he set out to cross the plains on foot, with the gold fields as the goal of his ambition. They finally reached the coast, but at the cost of untold hardships and privations. While going over Truckee Pass, in the Sierra Nevadas, their provisions gave out and they were obliged to subsist on such food stuffs as they could find on the way which had been discarded by others westward bound. When
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they reached Stockton Mr. Oser was consider- ably broken in health owing to the extreme hard- ships of the journey, but as soon as he had re- gained his strength he began to complete his plans to go to the mines. Going to Nevada he mined at Red Dog for a short time, but his ex- perience there was not as satisfactory as he had anticipated and without making any further at- tempts at mining he returned to Stockton. In common with all natives of Germany he had learned a trade as soon as he had left school and it was with a thorough mastery of the jewelers' trade as his chief stock in trade that he left his native land. Naturally he turned to this when his efforts as a miner proved unsatisfactory, and in 1858 he opened a jewelry store in Stockton under the name of Schmidt & Oser, their store being located on the Levee between Center and Eldorado streets. In 1869 Mr. Oser passed away, leaving a widow and five children. Those now living besides Carl W. are Louis, who is connected with the fire department of Stockton, and Henry, who is the San Francisco manager of the California Navigation and Improvement Company. Before her marriage Mrs. Oser was Johanna Meunter, the daughter of a pioneer who did not long survive the rigors of the jour- ney to the coast. He died a victim of the cholera in San Francisco in 1850, and is buried on the present site of the city hall, on Market street, with many others who died of that scourge at the same time.
Carl W. Oser is a native son of the state, his birth occurring in Stockton February 17, 1862, and throughout his life he has known no other home. It was soon after his school days were over that he turned his thoughts toward his fu- ture from a business standpoint, and early in life became associated with the Wagner Leather Company, and for over thirty-one years has con- tinued in the employ of that company. During this time he has risen steadily in the esteem of his superiors, and at their hands has received substantial acknowledgment of this esteem through well-merited promotions from time to time. His long retention with this company is
a high recommendation and speaks eloquently of the regard in which he is held.
The marriage of Carl W. Oser occurred March I, 1892, uniting him with Miss Emma Stoetzer, and one daughter, Lois, was born of this mar- riage. Mrs. Oser's father, Henry E. Stoetzer, was born near Stuttgart, Germany, February 12, 1830, the son of Casper Stoetzer, a manufac- turer in the Fatherland, who followed his son to the United States and here passed away. Hen- ry E. Stoetzer was interested in railroad work for some time before coming to California in 1860, having made the trip by way of the Horn. Going directly to Calaveras county he was suc- cessfully engaged in mining at Copperopolis for two years, when, in 1862, he returned to Ger- many and was there married to Miss Bernadine Buhner, at her home in Steinbach-Hallenberg, Prussia. With his bride Mr. Stoetzer returned to Calaveras county, Cal., by way of Panama, but instead of resuming mining there he estab- lished a restaurant at Copperopolis, the first to be inaugurated in the little mining settlement. In 1865 Mr. Stoetzer came to Stockton and con- tinued the same business under the name of the Copperopolis restaurant, at the corner of Main and Sutter streets; the enterprise proved a suc- cess from the first, but suffered destruction in the fire of 1867, after which Mr. Stoetzer opened the St. Charles hotel on the west side. Later, in 1870, he started another hotel at the corner of San Joaquin street and Weber avenue which was first known as the Fairplay, but the name of which has since been changed to San Joaquin, by which name it is now known. The structure was originally the old Methodist Episcopal church, which was purchased by Mr. Stoetzer and his partner, David Jockers, for hotel pur- poses and remodelled accordingly. At an ex- pense of $45,000, in 1909. the two daughters erected a three-story, modern glazed brick and terra cotta building for offices and stores. In his various undertakings Mr. Stoetzer accumulated a competency, which enabled him to live retired twenty years before his death, which occurred June 6, 1900. He was survived a number of
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years by his wife, her death occurring October 30, 1907. Four children blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stoetzer, named in order of their birth as follows: Louis F., who is employed in the navy yard at Washington, D. C .; Antone E., an artist residing in Los Angeles; Emma, the wife of C. W. Oser; and Mrs. Lena Berg, also residing in Los Angeles.
ALBERT N. BUELL.
The quiet discharge of the duties attendant up- on an old-established business forms for Mr. Buell a considerable contrast to the stirring days of youth, when he gratified his taste for adven- ture and his love of travel by following the for- tunes of whaling vessels in the polar regions. Meanwhile he met with many experiences that were more dangerous than enjoyable, but which now form the theme for many an interesting tale during leisure hours. Of eastern birth and line- age, he was the eldest son of Albert and Nancy (Noyes) Buell, both natives of Connecticut, where the former followed the trade of a carpen- ter. The maternal grandfather, Nathan Noyes, was a prominent man in his section of Connecti- cut and remained in that state until his death.
Albert N. Buell was born at Westerly, R. I., in January of 1841, and remained at his native place until about thirteen years of age, when he began to earn a livelihood by working on a farm in Connecticut. At the age of seventeen he started out to see something of the world. Going to New Bedford, he secured a job with the crew of the whaling vessel, Java, bound for the Arctic ocean. This voyage lasted for two and one-half years, the winters being spent on the Pacific coast, and the summers in the northern seas, where a num- ber of whales were harpooned after a series of thrilling adventures on the part of the crew.
During October of 1860, Mr. Buell set sail on the whaler Reindeer and cruised along the islands of the Pacific and as far south as Honolulu. On leaving the whaling business he came to Cali- fornia, landing at San Francisco in September, 1861, on the packet bark Francis Palmer. He secured employment at boating on the bay. April 12, 1865, he left San Francisco on a side-wheel steamer and by way of Panama proceeded to New York. From there he returned to his old home in Westerly, R. I., where he learned and later fol- lowed the trade of carpenter.
Returning to California in 1876, Mr. Buell se- cured employment in the Centennial mill, operat- ed by William Bradford, owner of the planing mill. Later he took charge of the sash and door department at San Quentin, Marin county, this state. In a short time he came to Stockton and took charge of the sash and door department in the old mill opposite the Eureka engine house. During 1890 White & Thomas built the mill at its present site on the corner of Main and Commerce streets, where one-half block is occupied by the plant and its appurtenances. The interest of Mr. White was purchased by Mr. Buell in 1892, and the business was conducted under the name of R. F. Thomas & Co., until the death of the senior member some eighteen months later, when W. B. Thomas purchased his father's interest and the firm title was changed to Thomas & Buell. Mod- ern machinery enables the firm to turn out mill work of the finest quality. A sixty-horse power boiler furnishes steam power, the fuel used being shavings from the mill. Throughout the county and surrounding country the planing mill has built up a reputation for the quality of its output and a steady business is conducted along the line of its specialties.
The marriage of Mr. Buell united him with Susan M. Lawton, a native of Rhode Island, who died March 17, 1903. The family residence is a substantial structure at No. 211 Poplar street and is still occupied by Mr. Buell, although the death of his wife left him alone without children. His days are spent at the mill and his evenings are devoted to reading, and he particularly enjoys
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looking over his many historical sketches of fish- eries and his pictures of noted places. As a mem- ber of the fish commission, he has been active in promoting and defending legal fishing and in prosecuting illegal fishing. The owner of a steam launch, he spends many of his leisure hours on the water, and delights in bringing back large catches of salmon, trout and black bass. With the Anglers' & Hunters' Association he is con- nected as president and deputy commissioner. To "swap stories" with expert fishermen is a source of pleasure to him, and the late honored Grover Cleveland himself was not more fond of the "si- lent sport" than is Mr. Buell. In fraternal rela- tions he became a member of Truth Lodge No. 20, F. & A. M., while living at Westerly, R. I. After coming to the west he identified himself with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and Trinity Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., in the work of each of which he has maintained a warm interest and has contributed generously to their charities.
FRED M. WEST.
During the entire period of his residence in California, covering an eventful epoch of only a little less than one-half century, Mr. West made his home in San Joaquin county, where he occupied positions of increasing import- ance in civic, industrial and financial circles. To the enthusiastic, progressive efforts of such citi- zens as he may be attributed the encouraging development of the city of Stockton and the sur- rounding country, whose resources he instrumental in promoting and whose future he was solicitous to build upon the substantial foundations of a successful past. In various po- sitions in public life and financial affairs he proved himself eager to forward the county's
best interests and by wide grasp of affairs, keen faculties of reasoning and wise discrimination he proved a factor in the development of local finance. His death, July 29, 1909, was therefore the cause of general mourning among those who had been associated with him during his long residence in Stockton.
Of eastern birth and descended from ancestry identified with the early settlement of New Eng- land, Fred M. West was born at Taunton, Mass., May 1, 1839, being a son of William A. and Ann Bradford (Leonard) West. His father was engaged in the copper-manufacturing business at Norton and operated the same with the Crocker Brothers. During the last twenty years that the large copper cent was coined he made them for the government, ready for stamping. In addition he manufactured coins of one cent and one-half cent denomination for the Chilean gov- ernment. The schools of Taunton afforded Fred M. West amplè facilities for acquiring a com- mon-school education. At the age of fourteen he left school and became a clerk in a whole- sale millinery goods business at Boston and re- mained there until the outbreak of the Civil war.
Upon the first call for seventy-five thousand volunteers Mr. West was among the very first to respond in Boston and a day after volunteer- ing he was enrolled as a member of the Fourth Battalion of Rifles, formed mainly from members of the old Boston City Guard. The company went into camp at Fort Independence and there was merged into the Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers, which at once was or- dered to the front. At the expiration of three months, the term of his service, Mr. West re- ceived an honorable discharge, and at once de- cided to come to the Pacific coast, concerning which he had received favorable reports from two brothers who preceded him hither. Arriving by way of the Panama route in San Francisco Au- gust 10, 1861, he came immediately to Stockton and engaged as clerk for Gray & Hickman, then for six years engaged in the nursery busi- ness with his brothers, William B. and George.
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Later he engaged as a clerk with Shippee-McKee & Co., until 1873, when he formed a partnership with a Mr. Dyke at Farmington, San Joaquin county, where he continued until the dissolution of the partnership five years later. Meanwhile he had become an active local worker in the Republican party and in recognition of his serv- ices he was elected county treasurer in 1878. At the expiration of two years he was again chose11 to fill the office, but resigned shortly afterward in order to accept a position as cashier in the Stockton Savings & Loan Society Bank. There- after he devoted a large share of his attention to the development of this concern and in recog- nition of his qualifications he was promoted to the office of president. In addition he also acted as secretary of the Stockton Combined Harv- ester and Agricultural works and as director in the Sierra Vista Vineyard Company.
The marriage of Mr. West was solemnized in' Stockton October 10, 1867, and united him with Mrs. Elmira F. Hutchinson, a native of Boston ; they became the parents of three children, two sons and a daughter, of whom the only survivor is Harry L. The fraternal relations of Mr. West brought him into association with Morning Star Lodge No. 68, F. & A. M., at Stockton, which he served as master two terms and for many years as treasurer; Stockton Chapter No. 28, R. A. M., Stockton Commandery No. 8, K. T., and was a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. In addition to his Masonic connections he held membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, finding pleasure in meeting with the "boys in blue" identified with Rawlins Post, and under their auspices was erected the Gridley monument in the Rural cemetery in Stockton, for the success of which Mr. West gave liberal- ly of his means and time. During the war, after he arrived in California, he assisted in organizing a company of cavalry and drilled them in military tactics. He was instrumental in and worked hard to have the Santa Fe rail- way built through Stockton, also the Western Pacific, as well as a 'strong advocate for the diverting canal, now being dug by the govern-
ment to protect the city from overflow. For fourteen years he was connected with the library board of Stockton. He was one of the incor- porators and the first president of the Chamber of Commerce, with which he was associated at the time of his death, and his loss to that or- ganization is fittingly expressed by the secretary of that body, J. M. Eddy, in an article which appeared in the Stockton Record under date of July 29, 1909. "The death of Fred M. West leaves a vacant seat in the board of trustees of the Stockton Chamber of Commerce and also leaves vacant the office of treasurer of the cor- poration, positions which Mr. West filled most efficiently and conscientiously for a number of years. His death will be most sincerely regretted by all members of the Chamber of Commerce, not only because of his conceded efficiency and judgment in the exercise of his duties in con- nection with the Chamber, not merely because on all occasions he showed the deep interest of a public-spirited and progressive promoter, not alone because he was loyal to Stockton unvary- ingly under all conditions, but because of his recognized worth as a man and a citizen.
"Mr. West was the first president of the pres- ent Chamber of Commerce, and to his interest, devotion, attention and broad and progressive ideas during the period of its inception and its first year's experience, was largely due the great success which marked its efforts from the first, and the prestige which it almost immediately gained among the trade and publicity organiza- tions of the state. He had been president of the old Chamber of Commerce, and it was large- ly due to his efforts, assisted by a few energetic co-workers, that the present Chamber was organ- ized and begun its career under such favorable auspices.
"During the eight and one-half years of the Chamber's existence I was associated with Mr. West in its deliberations, either as trustee or secre- tary, for six of those years, and I do not recall a single instance of his opposing any proposal or suggestion, whatever its source, for the ad- vancement of the city, the county, or for the
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welfare and diversion of the people. He was among the first to declare for any step that promised success, and his experience and judg- ment were almost invariably a safe guide for the favorable action of his colleagues in the manage- ment of the organization.
"His nature was frank and outspoken, and he never failed to denounce a fraud or sham when presented under the most alluring form, if he detected its true character. He was an enthusi- ast regarding Stockton's advantages and the re- sources of the county, and his experience had made him an expert in several lines of endeavor. For good roads, arbor work, fruit culture and other public and private improvements he dis- played a persistent ardor that operated as a stimu- lus to others, and those engaged in organizing efforts along these lines could always count on him as a resource in difficulties.
"In a city that numbers many notable examples of public-spirited citizens who have given their time and money for the public good, none de- serves greater credit or more lasting gratitude for untiring and effective effort, than Fred M. West, who has gone to his last reward."
ICHABOD DAVIS HAMILTON.
Yet another of the pioneers who have passed to their reward after a long and useful life in their adopted home in the west is the late Ichabod D. Hamilton, whose death January 7, 1894, was deeply deplored by the many business and social friends and acquaintances whom he had drawn to him during his residence of half a century in California. A native of Ohio, he was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana county, March 16, 1822, the son of Jonathan and Eleanor (Davis) Hamilton. He was reared in the vicinity of his birthplace and in fact had settled down to make it his fu-
ture home, when the news of the superior ad- vantages to be had in the west as a result of the discovery of gold in California, made his prospects in Ohio appear to be insignificant. He was among those who came across the plains to the state in the memorable year of 1849, and with- out loss of time he made his way to the mines of Mariposa county. The following year he re- turned east by the Isthmus of Panama, and New Orleans, being one of the first men to return from the mines to his home locality. His satisfaction in regard to the prospects offered in the new west were significant in that he returned to the Pacific coast country with his family the same year, crossing the plains, as he had done the year previously. Coming directly to San Joaquin county, he rented a ranch between Stockton and the Rough and Ready ranch, but his crops prov- ing a failure he gave up ranching and in 1851 became proprietor of the Charter Oak house on the Sonora road. Soon afterward, however, he purchased the Twelve Mile house on the same road and carried it on successfully until 1858. He had in the meantime experimented in farming. and at this time he took up this vocation on a large scale, having charge of a ranch of one thou- sand acres until 1864.
It was during the latter part of the year 1864 that Mr. Hamilton made a radical change in his occupation, abandoning farming to follow steam- boating on the San Joaquin river, with Stockton as his headquarters. He built the steamers Fres- no and Tulare, as well as several barges, for this trade, carrying it on until 1889. During this time he had engaged in the real estate business. owning considerable property in Stockton, among which was residence property on Madison street .which he had purchased in 1868. The grounds covered an entire block, which has since been im- proved by the erection of a number of houses, and also by the planting of ornamental trees and shrubs. In 1878 Mr. Hamilton increased his in- terest in river transportation by the purchase of the steamer Clara Belle, of sixty tons burden, and the Clara Crow, also purchasing the Empire City, of one hundred tons. During the latter
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part of his life, however, Captain Hamilton lived practically retired from all cares or duties, round- ing out his long and useful life in the old family homestead on Madison street. He was a temper- ate man and a man of high morals, and was at- tached to his home and family.
In Dayton, Ohio, July 17, 1847, Captain Hamil- ton was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Evans, a native of Fayette county, Pa., and of the children born to them three grew to years of maturity. Charles Ichabod, now of Calaveras county, who was born December 27, 1848, learned the printing trade and in 1875 purchased a job printing office of which he was the proprietor for ten years, the firm being known as C. I. Hamilton & Co. In 1886 he became superintendent of the quartz-mining enterprise of his father in Butte county, the latter being associated in the development of this mine with Joseph Phillips of Los Angeles. Mary F. was born in Stockton and in 1880 became the wife of the late Thomas Phillips, M. D., one of the assistant physicians at the State Insane Asylum and a well-known practitioner of Stockton. Jefferson Davis was born February 23, 1861, and was married March 18, 1883, to Miss Zelma S. Jefferson; he died December 23, 1885, leaving one child, Eleanor Jefferson. Jefferson D. Hamilton was a young man of much promise in the business world, and his early death was a sad loss to the community. Both sons were associated with their father in the steamboating business for a time. Mrs. Hamilton died July 17, 1900, at the age of seven- ty-two years. She was a woman who was loved by all who knew her.
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