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 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
WILLIAM HENRY PILE.
Innumerable hardships and many privations filled the early years of William Henry Pile, but now in the twilight of his useful existence he is surrounded by the comforts he worked so incessantly to secure; and, strong in the friend- ship of old friends and the associates of years, he is passing his declining days in a peaceful retirement well merited by a lifetime of activity. His early recollections cluster around a farm- house in Pennsylvania, where he made his home with his grandparents. His father had died be- fore he was born and afterward the mother mar- ried again, giving out her three sons to the serv- ice of others. The youngest of the three was taken by the grandparents, but they were very poor and the struggle for a livelihood demand- ed the assistance of every member of the family. Farming in those days was particularly laborious,
for modern machinery had not come into use and only the most primitive implements were avail- able. The hardships of manual labor had not been lightened by improved machinery.
The birth of William Henry Pile occurred at Stone Creek, Somerset county, Pa., Marclı 9, 1832. While still a small boy he showed that he possessed an inventive turn of mind and made bob-sleds and wheelbarrows for the family use. Afterward he invented an apple-peeler that be- came popular among the people of the neiglibor- hood. Seeing his aptitude for such things his grandparents, who were unable to give him an education, decided to apprentice him to the me- chanic's trade, and arrangements were entered into when he reached the proper age for ap- prenticeship. Unfortunately his co-workers im- mediately began to abuse and ridicule him. Un- able to bear the treatment, he ran away and re- turned home after only one week in the shop. No sympathy was given him at home, for he was then eighteen and the old people felt that he should make his own way in the world even amidst the hardest surroundings. However, a mil- ler to whom he told his troubles became a warm champion and advised him to learn the milling business, offering him a place in his own mill, and this he accepted temporarily, but all the tinie he was in constant fear of being taken back to his former place of work by the sheriff, for in those days the laws were very strict in regard to an apprentice serving out his full time.
The savings of months enabled Mr. Pile to at- tend Allegheny College for a short time and later he taught school at $10 per month, then began to clerk in a mercantile establishment at Meadville, Pa. Gold had been discovered in California and for a considerable period lie had been anxious to try his luck in the far west, but it was not until 1854 that the opportunity came. During that year he left Meadville and traversed the country to Independence. Mo .. where he outfitted for the trip across the plains. His party consisted of four men, equipped with three yoke of oxen, four horses, wagons, cooking utensils and provisions for a journey of six
136
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL. RECORD.
months. The first part of the trip was unevent- ful. Great herds of buffalo could be seen on the plains. After a time the Indians became numer- ous and the little party had several encounters with them after they had left the sink of the Humboldt. At one time Mr. Pile was captured by the savages, but he managed to escape with- out being injured at their hands. However, in other respects he was less fortunate. For a long time he was ill with the mountain fever and for hundreds of miles he was carried by his comrades when he was in a delirious condition. Their kindly care enabled him to regain his strength, although he was still weak when he arrived in California. Their provisions became exhausted. Their outfit had been reduced to one yoke of oxen and one horse. About this time two of the company left and proceeded alone. When they reached the Sierras several successive heavy snow storms made it very difficult for the men to travel, but they did the best possible under the circumstances and after hardships that would have killed many men they finally reached the gold mines.
When Mr. Pile reached California his emaci- ated frame bore mute testimony to long illness. while his clothing indicated the hardships en- dured. A pair of Indian moccasins protected his feet and on his head was a dilapidated wool hat. A vest, originally white, and trousers made out of tent covers completed his costume. How- ever, his appearance aroused no comment, as the people were accustomed to sights that would have been unique to the eyes of an eastener. It had been the intention of Mr. Pile to remain in California only long enough to get the money necessary for embarking in business in Mead- ville, Pa., but as he traveled over the country he became more and more impressed with the richness of the soil, and he decided to make his permanent home here. Eventually he bought a raw tract of land on Roberts' island, twenty- two miles distant by river from Stockton, and in 1873 he moved his family to the new location. The only way to reach the land was by boat. Soon he had built a levee and during the first
season he cleared two acres, on which he raised five hundred and nine sacks of onions, besides other vegetables for family use. The soil proved well adapted to grain and vegetables and his success was encouraging, but he met with some discouragements, notably the great flood of 1884, which destroyed all the crops of that year. Dur- ing his long residence in San Joaquin county he has witnessed the development of the farm- ing property and the advancement in the inven- tion of agricultural implements to meet the de- mand of the ranchers. In addition to agricul- ture he has had interests in the mining of gold.
The first marriage of Mr. Pile took place Janu- ary 21, 1863, and united him with Miss Elizabeth Caroline Parkinson, who was born in Macomb, McDonough county, Ill., and died on the home ranch March 18, 1892. The present wife of Mr. Pile, whom he married September 18, 1893, was formerly Mrs. Frances Caine. Of his first mar- riage there were born six children. The three sons living are Edgar and Oscar (twins) and George Arthur. The only daughter, Eva N., married Andrew J. Lund, who resides in Stock- ton and is well known as a prosperous farmer and progressive citizen. Ever since he became a voter Mr. Pile has given his support to the Republican party, but he has not been active in political affairs and never was an aspirant for office, preferring to devote himself to his ranch and home. In fraternal relations he is an Odd Fellow and a charter member of Ione Lodge No. 51, with the work of which he always has been in keen sympathy.
CHARLES M. JACKSON. .
It is scarcely possible to enumerate any enter- prises inaugurated within the past twenty-five years for the commercial development of Stock-
137
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ton, that have lacked the wise counsel and enthusi- astic co-operation of Charles M. Jackson, one of the leading business men of the city. While for years he was known chiefly as the founder and senior member of the well-known hardware firm of Jackson & Earle, his identification with this important business by no means represented the limit of his activity. In every sense of the word he is a man of affairs. For the development of growing industries he is well qualified by na- ture and by education. Experience has ripened his judgment and increased his efficiency, so that his rank among Stockton's business men is de- servedly high.
Born in the city of San Francisco November 8, 1855, Charles M. Jackson is a son of Charles and Mary (Severence) Jackson, natives of New York and pioneers of the Pacific coast. The early recollections of Mr. Jackson cluster around fron- tier scenes that characterized the cosmopolitan city of his birth. In its schools he received a training for the activities of the business world and after leaving school he served an apprentice- ship with the firm of Holbrook, Merrill & Stet- son, leading hardware merchants and plumbers of San Francisco. During the eight years of his association with the firm he gained a thorough knowledge of the business and was well qualified for the responsibilities which his duties involved. Upon starting out for himself in 1882 he settled in Stockton and founded the firm of Jackson & Earle, dealers in hardware, plumbing and general supplies. This is the oldest hardware business, with one exception, in the county of San Joa- quin and it remained under the same management until 1905, when the retirement of Mr. Earle left his partner the sole proprietor of the large and important retail business, until January I, 1909, when he also retired.
The marriage of Mr. Jackson in 1905 united him with Miss Harriet R. West, who, like him- self, was born, reared and educated in California. In politics he always has been a strong Republi- can, and fraternally holds membership with the San Joaquin Lodge of Masons. Identified with many of the prominent enterprises of the county,
he holds the office of vice-president in the San- son Iron Works, is also vice-president of the Stockton Fire & Enamel Brick Company, and is president of the Lightner gold mine, situated at Angels Camp, Calaveras county. Twenty or more years ago he assisted in the organization of the Stockton Building & Loan Association, of whichi he now acts as vice-president. In addition he has owned interests in the Murphy Ice & Fuel Company of Stockton.
An important industry, about to be established in Stockton, owes much to the firm support of Mr. Jackson. This is the flax factory, a site for which has been chosen ( 1908), and the machinery to be used in its operation is now in process of construction at Los Angeles. The factory, when completed and equipped, will be the only one of its kind in the United States, and will utilize machinery for work hitherto done entirely by hand. The devices to be installed in the plant represent a new invention that it is believed will revolutionize the flax industry in the state. Sev- eral thousand acres of flax will be raised an- nually in San Joaquin county and the product will be sold to the factory, where it will be con- verted into yarn, thread and rope. When once the industry shall have been established upon a solid basis, it will be of material benefit to the growth of Stockton and the surrounding coun- try. Mr. Jackson is also a director of the West- ern States Casualty and Insurance Company of San Francisco.
FRANKLIN S. HOLLEY.
In a history of San Joaquin county, with its many prominent citizens and business men, the name of Franklin S. Holley is deserving of spe- ial mention, not alone for what he has accom- plished along agricultural lines, but more particu- larly for his later accomplishments in the field
138
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of invention. With many years to his credit as a breeder of livestock, both in the east and in San Joaquin county, he relinquished this to be- come associated with the Holt Manufacturing Company as a traveling salesman. His intimate association with agricultural conditions and needs during a period of fifteen years led to his in- vention of the Holley Junior side-hill harvester, which is a self-leveling machine and specially adapted to the hilly and uneven country of Cali- fornia. The Holley Junior, for such is the name of the harvester, is being warmly received by the ranchers throughout the states of Washington and Oregon, as is attested by the large sales of the implement, on which Mr. Holley receives a liberal royalty.
Of New England birth and parentage, Frank- lin S. Holley was born in Cornwall, Vt., March 18, 1843, a son of Trueman B. and Juliette (San- ford) Holley. As his father was a farmer Mr. Holley was early initiated in the duties which fall to the lot of the farmer's son, alternating with these duties attendance at the district school and academies in the vicinity of his early home. The breaking out of the Civil war disturb- ed the quiet routine of his life and at the age of nineteen, in 1862, he enlisted his services in the army for three years in the First United States sharp-shooters under Colonel Berdan, the regiment being made up of men from different states. Mr. Holley participated in all of the important battles with his regiment. He was with General Hancock's second corps and also with General Sickles' third corps at various times, being very close to the latter general when he suffered the loss of his leg at Gettysburg and saw him carried from the field. Mr. Holley was twice wounded. After his honorable dis- charge from the service he returned to the home- stead farm in Vermont and devoted his attention to the breeding of thoroughbred live-stock, a business which he followed for many years with exceptional success. Relinquishing his interests in the east in 1883, he came that year to Cali- fornia, locating in Stockton, where he soon be- came interested in importing thoroughbred stock.
About this time also he became interested in and identified with the Holt Manufacturing Com- pany as traveling salesman. During this time he also continued the management of his stock business. In order to concentrate his time and attention upon the perfection of his inventions on the Holley Junior harvester he gave up the stock business finally, and in 1904 he received the patent upon the completed machine. This is- now being manufactured by the Holt Manufactur- ing Company and is having a wide sale. He is also the inventor of the Pony Special harvester.
In Vermont, October 30, 1878, Mr. Holley was united in marriage with Miss Jennie M. May- nard, a native of New York state, and two chil- dren have been born of their marriage: Stanley E. and Maynard, both residents of Stockton. In the city and county where Mr. Holley has made his home for the past twenty-five years he has gathered about him many friends and well-wish- ers, this being especially true in the two organi- zations of which he is a member, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Masonic order.
SUMNER A. WITHINGTON.
A life of adventure on sea and on land gave to Captain Withington a fund of varied infor- mation that made him an exceptionally inter- esting and instructive conversationalist. After a stirring life that gave him an intimate acquaint- ance with many lands and different peoples, he settled down to a life of domestic comfort and had the great joy of celebrating his golden wed- ding, when he and his wife told of their early experiences in the west. He had come hither in 1864 and two years later she joined him at the mines of Eldorado county. The country was in a primitive condition. Neighbors were few and the nearest doctor was more than twen-
141
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ty miles away. In the years that followed they witnessed the development of the country, the building up of towns and the improving of ranch- es, until the region presented a pleasant contrast to its appearance at the time of their settlement.
Born at Wellesley, Mass., October II, 1828, Captain Withington went to sea in early boy- hood and worked his way up from the most hum- ble position on a whaling vessel to the rank of officer. Three times he sailed around the world from New Bedford, each voyage taking three years, and during these whaling expeditions he frequently visited ports on the Pacific coast, be- coming acquainted with California long before gold had been discovered. On landing from one of his trips at the end of a long cruise he learned that the Civil war had just been declared and at once he offered his services to the Union in the navy. Being accepted, he was assigned to a warship and remained as acting master until the close of his term of service.
During the gold excitement of 1849, the Cap- tain's brother-in-law, W. R. Davis, a native of Falmouth, Mass., had come to California by way of Cape Horn, and had tried his luck in the mines of Eldorado county. His favorable letters induced the Captain to come here in 1864 on being honorably discharged from the navy, and for eighteen years he engaged in mining with varied success. The next ten years were spent in San Francisco, where he held several appointive offices and maintained a warm interest in politi- cal affairs. From the organization of the Repub- lican party he was a stanch believer in its prin- ciples and voted for its men and measures at all elections. On leaving San Francisco he came to Stockton and here made his home until he died, March 25, 1908. He is survived by his widow, who bore the maiden name of Lydia C. Davis, and whom he married in Falmouth, Mass., during March of 1857. Mrs. Withington was a daughter of parents who celebrated their golden wedding in Massachusetts and who were hon- ored residents of Falmouth. In the Withington family there were two children who attained mature years, the son, Charles W., being now
engaged in business in San Francisco. The daughter, Carrie, is the wife of F. L. Kincaid, of Stockton. During his last years Captain With- ington was a member of the Stockton Post, G. A. R., and all through the period of his residence in California he maintained a warm interest in post affairs, enjoying the reunions of the boys in blue and contributing to the happiness of such occasions by his narratives of encounters at sea during the progress of the war.
JOHN M. KROYER.
One of the most thriving industries in Stock- ton is the Samson Iron Works, a name which is well known throughout the Pacific coast country on account of the undeviating relia- bility of its product, the Samson gas engine. The originator and proprietor of this thriving plant is one of Stockton's younger generation of business men, John M. Kroyer.
Of foreign birth and parentage, Mr. Kroyer was born in Denmark July 6. 1869, and until he was seventeen years of age continued to make his home in his native land. During this time he made the most of the educational opportuni- ties which the schools of his home town had to offer and prepared himself for his life work by learning the machinist's trade. With this as his chief asset he set out for America in 1887, and in Chicago secured employment with Crane Com- pany, one of the largest iron manufacturing in- dustries in the country. After remaining with the latter company for a year and a half lie came to the Pacific coast. going first to Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., but soon afterward coming to California, where his interests have since been centered. The first year and a half that he spent in the state was in the employ of the Chico Iron Works, after which, in the spring
142
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
of 1889, he located in Stockton. Before estab- lishing his present industry he worked in a num- ber of similar establishments, among them the Holt Company, the Globe Iron Works, and still later had charge of the Matteson & Williamson machine shop. A subsequent position was with the Haines-Covey Company, having charge of the gas engine department. After leaving the employ of this company he spent over a year in experimenting on a new gas engine. While he was successful in perfecting the machine accord- ing to his ideas, he found that it was too ex- pensive to manufacture and therefore abandoned it. The idea of becoming proprietor of a sim- ilar plant had been forming in his mind for some time and on January 1, 1898, he established the Samson Iron Works, which during the ten years of its existence has grown to large pro- portions, and of which Mr. Kroyer is president and general manager.
Mr. Kroyer's first marriage occurred in Stock- ton August 28, 1893, and his son Clifton was born June 15, 1894. His second marriage oc- curred September 3, 1908, uniting him with Miss Grace Lease, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Lease of Lodi, Cal. Fraternally Mr. Kroyer is identified with the Elks and with the Masonic organization. Personally he is a self- made man in the best sense of the word, having come to this country when little more than a lad, and during the years which have passed has become one of the most expert machinists and manufacturers in the west.
RICHARD CONDY.
In the death of Richard Condy, which occurred November 3, 1903, Stockton lost one of her en- terprising business men, a musician of more than ordinary ability, as well as one of her early pio-
neers, his residence here dating back to the days when the gold excitement witnessed the influx of settlers from all over the world. Mr. Condy was a native of England, born in Liskeard, Corn- wall county, in 1827, and up to the age of twen- ty-one he continued to make his home in his na- tive country. In the meantime he was fitting himself for the future by learning the tailor's trade, an equipment which stood him in good stead when, as a young man of twenty-one, he came to the United States and for a time fol- lowed his trade in Philadelphia, Pa. The mines. in the west, however, had been the attraction which brought him to this country, and hither he came in 1852, going directly to Mariposa county. While in Philadelphia he had married, but he came west alone, not wishing to bring his wife until he had been able to prepare a home for her ; while he was in Mariposa county, however, he sent for his wife to join him. He remained there only about a year, when, in 1853, he came to Stockton, and from then until his death he con- tinued to make this city his home.
When he was a mere child Mr. Condy displayed a remarkable precocity for music, which was fostered and encouraged by his parents, to the end that he became an accomplished musician at an early age. Wherever he went his talent was recognized and was in immediate demand. This. was true while he was in Philadelphia, where he- taught music in addition to following his trade. His coming to Stockton in 1853 was due to the fact that he had been sent for to instruct a band of musicians which had recently been organized. Not one of the members was able to read music by note and it was necessary to select a leader who was able to teach them the rudiments of music as well as lead them. This happy combi- nation they found in Mr. Condy, who at the time was the only man in the state who could read music. He was waited on by a committee, who induced him to come to Stockton, and in 1853 he became director of the first brass band ever or- ganized in California. Under the name of the Stockton Cornet Band the organization grew in size and became known all over the state, the
143
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
pioneer musicians being in great demand for all occasions. As an E-flat cornet player Mr. Condy was unexcelled, and as a flutist, had he made that instrument his specialty, few would have excelled him.
While Mr. Condy was greatly admired for his musical ability, it was for the nobility of his char- acter and his determination to be just and true, even though it meant the loss of money and friends, that made him most deeply loved and respected. Principle and honor were paramount with him, and no bribe was alluring enough to swerve him one iota from what he knew to be just and honorable. Throughout his life he had abstained from the use of tobacco or liquor in any form, in fact he was a strong Prohibitionist, and was one of the twenty who first voted that ticket. At the time of the call to arms Mr. Condy joined the Third California Cavalry Regiment as band leader and served faithfully until his band was discharged. In memory of his days spent on the battlefield he was a member of Rawlins Post, G. A. R. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows, having joined the order in 1869, and his funeral was conducted under the auspices of Stockton Lodge No. II, I. O. O. F., of which he was a member.
Mr. Condy had been twice married, his first marriage occurring in Philadelphia and uniting him with Elizabeth Bray. Four children were born of this marriage, Herbert J., Fred C., Joseph H. and Edward B., all of whom have inherited their father's talent for music. Some time after the death of his first wife Mr. Condy married Mrs. Lizzie H. DeLong. Her father, Alvin N. Fisher, was one of the early pioneers to the state, coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1849. He located first in Sacramento, but later came to Stockton and here rounded out many years of usefulness. By trade he was a carpen- ter, but after locating in California he established a transfer business in connection with two brothers, in time adding to this several stage lines running from Stockton to various promi- nent points. He was a well-known and influen-
tial citizen in the early days of Stockton, and in 1855 was honored with election as mayor, he being the seventh to fill this seat of honor.
HOLT MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
As one of the important factors in the manu- facturing industry of Stockton, a short resume of the history of The Holt Manufacturing Company will be of interest to the general reader.
In the year 1869 Charles H. Holt founded in San Francisco a wholesale house devoted to the importation of hardwood lumber, wagon and car- riage wheels. This business so prospered that in 1871 he entered into partnership with his three brothers, W. Harrison Holt, A. Frank Holt and Benjamin Holt, all from the city of Concord, N. H., and the association became known as Holt Brothers.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.