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 18
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
In England Mr. Scarles formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Betsy Ann Clay, and
Robert-Powell
165
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
six children, five sons and one daughter, have been born to them, as follows: Benjamin Joseph, John C., Albert C., Cyrus C., Horace C., and Mary Elizabeth. Fraternally Mr. Scarles is a Mason, having joined the order in England, and he still holds membership in Southworth Lodge No. 879, F. & A. M., of London. There are probably few men in the world whose inventive genius has been as versatile as has Mr. Scarles', and since coming to the United States in 1882 he has taken out sixty-six patents, all of which are in practical use in the various mechanical and electrical interests of this country.
ROBERT POWELL.
When it is said that Mr. Powell is the leading contractor in Stockton and that he is as well the pioneer in that calling it is natural to credit him with the erection of the majority of the best buildings in the city. This honor is his as the result of unwearying efforts to excel in his call- ing, and both as a business man and citizen he is respected and esteemed by those who have been associated with him during the past quarter of a century. A native son of the state, he was born at Angels Camp, Calaveras county, No- vember 17, 1860, the son of William and Emma (Wilson) Powell, the former of whom came to the state during the days of the mining boom in 1849. His death occurred at Angels Camp, and he left a widow and a large family of chil- dren to mourn his loss.
Robert Powell was a young man of about twenty-three years when he came to San Joaquin county and located in Stockton. By investigating conditions and opportunities in the growing community he wisely foresaw that at least a live- lihood awaited a good contractor and he there- fore lost no time in fitting himself for the posi-
tion. Three years after locating in the town lie opened an office as contractor and builder, the first who up to that time had inaugurated such a business, and the result was that for some time he had little or no competition in liis line. Many of the largest and most important structures in Stockton were executed under his immediate di- rection, among them being the Stockton higli school, Mail building, San Joaquin County Bank building, the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Christian Church, as well as the Episcopal Church, in fact he has erected all of the church structures in Stockton since 1883 with the ex- ception of the small Methodist Episcopal Ger- man Church.
Mr. Powell has a pleasant and characteristic residence at No. 1605 North Eldorado street, liis home being presided over by his wife, who be- fore their marriage, August 27, 1893, was Miss Josephine Bateman, the daughter of Dr. E. B. Bateman. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, having joined the order soon after taking up his residence in Stockton.
GEORGE W. TRAHERN.
To read the life history of George W. Tra- hern is to review in detail the events whichi formed the historical setting of the Mexican war, followed by the American occupation of California, hence a brief review of his life may not be unprofitable. Born in Hinds county, Miss., in 1825, seven miles below Jackson, he was reared on the plantation of his parents and from infancy was familiar with the waving corn and cotton seen on every hand. Wlien little more than a child, in 1839, his adventurous nature rebelled against the monotony of his life on the planta- tion, and as the outcome of this unrest we find him, at the age of fourteen, going to Texas.
A
166
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
where he might live the freer life of the cattle ranger. This was prior to the admission of Texas and at a time when the Indian uprisings caused the settlers considerable anxiety, not only for the safety of their cattle, but also for their lives. The organization of the company known as the Texas Rangers, formed for the purpose of quelling disturbances, found young Trahern among the first to enlist his services, and there- after he was an active participant in the Mexican war, taking part in all of the engagements from Corpus Christi to the downfall of the Mexican stronghold. Between these two battles he with one hundred and eighty of his comrades ex- perienced the hardships and rigors of prison life for two years, and upon being released, Sep- tember 16, 1844, Mr. Trahern again offered his services. General Taylor had taken a fancy to the young soldier from the first, admiring his daring spirit, and thus it happened that he was delegated to deliver despatches which took him into the very heart of the enemy's ranks.
As was the case with many who had taken part in the Mexican war, Mr. Trahern came to the Pacific coast after peace was declared. As the excitement in the mines was at fever heat it was only natural that he should try his luck as a miner, but a week's experience at Woods diggings was enough to convince him that his time could be employed to better advantage in some other occupation, and for a time he was engaged in driving cattle to the mines. In 1849 he located on a ranch on the Calaveras river and it was while engaged in ranching there that he formed the acquaintance of a kindred spirit in Captain McMullin, one of the most stalwart upbuilders in the early history of this common- wealth. In partnership with Captain McMullin he bought a squatter's title to the Casa Blancho ranch, comprising six hundred and forty acres, also owning half of the stock. To this they later added until they had nineteen thousand acres all in one body. The mutually pleasant and profitable association which had existed be- tween Mr. Trahern and Captain McMullin was sundered in 1868 with the death of Captain
McMullin, when not only Mr. Trahern, but the whole county mourned the loss of a friend. In 1870, after the division of the property, Mr. Tra- hern came to Stockton to make his home, in order to afford his children better educational opportunities. The residence which he then erected, at No. 724 North Eldorado street, is still the home of the family.
Mr. Trahern's marriage occurred on March I, 1860, uniting him with Miss Henrietta Childers, and five children were born to them, as follows: Laura, deceased; Rachel, at home with her par- ents ; Bessie Lee; Lida, deceased; and David Douglass, who has charge of the home ranch, and strongly resembles his father in his love of the horse. Mr. Trahern cannot recall the time when he first rode a horse, and throughout his life he has retained his love for man's best friend. Politically he is a Democrat and active in the party ranks, although he has at no time been willing to accept office. No one is more worthy of membership in the Pioneers Society than Mr. Trahern, and indeed it may be said that no one is more warmly welcomed at its gatherings than is he, for few have done more than he toward the upbuilding of this fair com- monwealth.
SAMUEL VINTON RYLAND.
Prior to taking up his permanent residence in Stockton, Mr. Ryland led a life full of variety, change, and such danger and adventure as of necessity fall to the lot of the bridge-builder, a profession which he had followed mainly throughout the east, although many evidences of his skill and ability are perpetuated in bridges in foreign lands. A native of Maryland, he was born in Baltimore county August 1, 1846, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Robinson) Ryland. His earliest recollections take him back
167
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in memory to his boyhood home in Baltimore county, where he was reared and educated up to the age of seventeen years, having in the meantime been a diligent student in Franklin Academy, in Reisterstown, Md.
While he was still a youth Samuel V. Ryland developed a strong inclination toward the field of mechanics, and in response to this leaning he learned the cabinetmaker's trade. With the theoretical knowledge of his trade as his chief asset, coupled with the optimism and determina- tion which must needs go hand in hand with any successful undertaking, he set out at the age of seventeen years for the coal regions of Penn- sylvania, where for a time he was engaged in installing machinery in coal breakers throughout the state. The general knowledge and experi- ence thus gained were of untold value to him when in later years he determined to specialize his efforts and master the trade of bridge-build- ing. This accomplished, at the age of twenty- one years he became interested in practical bridge-building, following this business there- after continuously for a quarter of a century, during which time he gained a reputation for being one of the famous bridge-builders of the United States. Niagara has a world-wide repu- tation for its celebrated bridges, the construction of which has called for the exercise of unusual engineering skill and some daring originality, indeed it is difficult to find any spot which possesses more interest for the bridge engineer than the Niagara Gorge. The famous Canti- lever bridge which spans the river below Niagara Falls was constructed in 1883 under the direct supervision of Mr. Ryland, and stands as a last- ing monument to his skill and ability. During the year in which Mr. Ryland was engaged in the construction of this bridge Captain Webb gained notoriety through his attempt to swim the Falls of Niagara, losing his life as the result of the daring undertaking. It may not be out of place to mention in this connection that in 1900, less than two decades after the completion of the Cantilever bridge, it became inadequate for the traffic demands made upon it, and in the year
last mentioned the work of strengthening the bridge was begun. The bridge as originally planned is nine hundred and ten feet long and consists of two cantilevers, the whole designed to support a weight of two thousand pounds per lineal foot. The strengthening of the structure by the insertion of a center truss enables the bridge to support over three thousand pounds per lineal foot and increases its carrying capacity from seventy-five to one hundred per cent. In 1887 Mr. Ryland went to Australia and con- structed the famous Hawkesbury bridge, over the river of that name, thirty-six miles from the city of Sydney. Mr. Ryland had cause to be proud of his record, for during the many years in which he was engaged in this precarious call- ing he was never held responsible for the death of anyone in his employ. At one time he had under his supervision six crews of men in as many different states.
Mr. Ryland began the construction of the famous Merchants bridge at St. Louis, Mo., un- dertaking the work in behalf of the Union Bridge Company of that city, but before the completion of the structure he came to California. This was in 1889, and for nearly twenty years his in- terests have been centered in the Golden State in general and in Stockton in particular. Be- sides his interests in the real estate business he has large mining interests in Calaveras county. In Bradford county, Pa .. in 1871, he formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Malva Anna Ridgeway, who was a native of that county. Eight children were born of their mar- riage, named in the order of their birth as fol- lows: Girard Vinton, a resident of Seattle, Wash .; Winfield Sumner, who is in charge of the Pacific Club at Tucson, Ariz. ; Rosemay, who is still at home with her parents ; Aubrey Steele, a mechanical engineer who is now engaged in the gold fields in Arizona; Bernard Welcome. who is in charge of the machinery of the Gantnor & Mattern Knitting Works in San Francisco: Hawkesbury Ridgeway, who is in business in Stockton; Septimus Chicago, an optician of Stockton ; and Columbus Jose, who is now
168
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
(1909) a student in the Stockton schools. Dur- ing the twenty years of his residence in this city Mr. Ryland has lost no opportunity to advance the city's welfare, for he has always been a firm believer in her ability to become one of the prin- cipal cities of the Pacific coast, and for five years has been a director of the Chamber of Com- merce. Fraternally Mr. Ryland is a prominent Mason, having been associated with the order for many years, and he is also a member of the Royal League of Chicago, as well as a member of the Western Society of Engineers of the latter ·city.
CALVIN R. RALPH.
About twenty-five years have come and gone since Mr. Ralph was taken from the scenes of his activities in San Joaquin county, where he was known and honored as a California pioneer of 1849. His wife, too, has passed to that bourne whence no traveler returns, and their manly sons were all stricken by death when in the prime of usefulness. The only surviving member of the family, Mrs. Grace R. Willy, resides at No. 1020 North San Joaquin street, Stockton, and enjoys the warm regard not only of those of her own age, but also of the survivors among the early associates of her parents. The earliest recollections of her life cluster around frontier scenes in California and she recalls with vivid- ness the many hardships endured by her parents and the obstacles they surmounted in their ef- forts to found a home for their children in the west.
The life depicted in these lines began at Wood- stock, Vt., November 25, 1818, and closed in San Joaquin county, Cal., September 17, 1882. Be- tween those two dates lies the record of a pio- neer's existence, the toil bravely accomplished, 'the long journeys to and from the coast, the per-
ils seen and unseen on the frontier of civiliza- tion, and the success finally won and abundantly merited. As a boy Calvin R. Ralph lived on a sterile 'farm in Vermont, where the efforts of an entire family barely sufficed to provide for their actual necessities. Whenever it was possible to leave the work at home he attended the country schools and thus laid the foundation of a cul- ture which was broadened by the reading of choice literature and the study of current events in subsequent years.
Going to Michigan at the age of eighteen years, Mr. Ralph began to buy and sell hides. February 15, 1842, he was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Gray at Monroe, Mich., where she was born November 14, 1822, being a daughter of a pioneer farmer of that state. The young couple settled on a farm and Mr. Ralph became interested in agricultural pursuits, but the discovery of gold in the west changed the even tenor of his career and revolutionized his subsequent history. Leaving his family in Michigan, he outfitted with wagons, oxen, pro- visions, etc., and crossed the plains to California. Cholera broke out in the expedition and he be- came very ill with the disease. The others were in such deadly fear of falling victims to the epi- demic that they planned to bury him alive and hasten forward on their way, but fortunately he was a Mason and a comrade of the passage also belonged to that fraternity. The principles of the order forbid such treatment of a brother- Mason, and this alone prevented an awful death. Tender care was given him and he survived, reaching his destination in safety. At first he mined around Sonora, where he met with suc- cess. During 1850 he returned east via Panama, made ready his family for the return, and once more crossed the plains, arriving after a jour- ney of six months. With his family he brought a fine span of horses. Settling at French Camp, then the principal city of San Joaquin county, he engaged in general farming and stock-raising, also teamed to the mines and traded.
Such remarkable success attended the various efforts of Mr. Ralph that by 1856 he had ac-
P. J Hannan
171
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
cumulated an amount sufficient to support him- self and family in comfort during their remain- ing years. They then determined to return to Michigan and settle among old friends. All of their possessions they took with them on the voyage, but when they arrived at the Isthmus of Panama they encountered the riots and lost everything they had except the clothing they wore. They felt themselves fortunate to escape with their lives, for many perished in the mas- sacres. Finally they landed at New York and went from there to Michigan, but a visit of six months proved to them that they preferred the west. Accordingly they sold their old home- stead in Michigan and returned via the isthmus, settling in San Joaquin county on a ranch near the present site of Lathrop. Afterward Mr. Ralph never returned to the east, but concen- trated his attention upon agricultural pursuits, purchasing a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres seven miles from Lodi and later adding another quarter-section to the tract. For one year he engaged in the stock business in Men- docino county, but then returned to San Joaquin county and eventually sold out and retired to town life.
From the organization of the Republican party Mr. Ralph was prominent in its local ranks. In 1875 he was elected assessor on the Republican ticket, afterward was re-elected and remained in the office until his death, seven years after his first election to the post. When the Society of San Joaquin Pioneers was organized he became a charter member and always he and his wife took a warm interest in its reunions. Both were earnest members of the First Baptist church of Stockton, and he was officially connected with the same as a trustee. As previously mentioned he was a Mason from early manhood; after com- ing to the west he identified himself with Morn- ing Star Lodge No. 57, F. & A. M. His wife was a demitted member of the Eastern Star Chapter. Her death occurred August 14, 1908, at the age of eighty-five years and nine months. Gentle in character, patient in sacrifice, devoted to husband and children, kind to the needy and 27
generous to the destitute, she lived up to the teachings of the denomination with which she was identified for sixty-four years, and when at last she was called from earth she passed to the great beyond in the firm faith of again meeting her husband and the children who had preceded her into eternity.
The eldest son of her marriage, William H. H. Ralph, a native of Michigan, died in California, unmarried, at the age of thirty-six years. The second son, Galo B., also a native of Michigan, died in California at the age of thirty-seven years. The third son and fourth child, Calvin R., Jr., who was born on board ship in the Gulf of Mexico, died in California at the age of forty- seven years, leaving one son, Harry E. The youngest child, Waterbury Gray, a native of California, died at the age of twenty-two, and at the time of his death was the youngest Master Mason in the state; before he was twenty-one he had graduated in civil engineering and sur- veying. The only daughter, Grace R., now Mrs. J. W. Willy, had four children, but the two sons, Ralph C. and Lester R., are deceased. One daughter, Grace Ethel Willy, resides at home; the other daughter, Edna, married William C. Peck, of San Francisco, and of that union a son was born, William C., Jr.
PETER PAUL HANNAN.
Although he was of Irish birth and parentage. Mr. Hannan was to all intents and purposes an American-born citizen, for during his child- hood he was brought to the United States and from his earliest recollection his sympathies were in favor of his adopted country. Born in Ire- land in 1840, he was the fourth in order of birthi among ten children, six sons and four daughters, born to his parents, John and Katherine (Welch)
172
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Hannan. Upon coming to the United States the parents went direct to Ohio, but later settled in Minneapolis, Minn., which continued to be their home throughout the remainder of their lives.
While the family were living in Minneapolis Peter P. Hannan reached years of young man- hood and in the meantime had begun his business career by working in a hotel. His familiarity with this business led him to seek similar em- ployment when he came to California in 1875, his first position of this character being in the Grand hotel in San Francisco. It was in 1878 that his name became associated with the business life of Stockton, first through his connection with the Commercial hotel, and later as proprietor of the Sherman hotel, which was one of the well-known hostelries of this city for many years.
In Stockton Mr. Hannan was united in mar- riage with Miss Annie Crowley, who was born in California, the daughter of Patrick Crowley, the latter a pioneer of 1868 and a resident of Stockton. Three children, Joseph P., Zita E. and Aileen, were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hannan. Up to the time of his death, July 25, 1908, Mr. Hannan continued to be keenly interested in the business life of his adopted city, where he had made his home for over thirty years, and he was also prominent in Democratic politics, and for five years served as a member of the Democratic central committee. The widow and children still make their home in the old family homestead, at No. 23 North Aurora street.
FRANK HARTFORD SMITH.
On both sides of the family Frank H. Smith is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, both of his great-grandfathers having fought in the struggle that won freedom for the Colonies, and both of his grandfathers also participated
in the second war with England. With the blood of such sturdy forebears flowing through his veins it is a matter of no surprise that Mr. Smith has been able to accomplish whatever ob- ject he has set his mind to master, and in so doing has become an expert legal authority in Stockton and since 1902 has served in the ca- pacity of judge of the superior court. As has been intimated, he comes from New England stock and was born in Monmouth, Me., April 23, 1850, the son of Joseph H. and Abby (Noyes) Smith, natives of Exeter, N. H., and Monmouth, Me., respectively.
Frank H. Smith attended the district schools of his birthplace during his boyhood and later supplemented this training by a course in Wa- terville (Me.) Classical Institute, now known as Colburn Classical Institute. Thereafter he ma- triculated as a student in Bates College, of Lew- iston, Me., an institution which is famous for the number of qualified teachers which it gradu- ates annually. Mr. Smith graduated from the literary course in the class of 1875, and there- after began the application of his knowledge by taking a position as a teacher at Winthrop, Me. It was not long afterward, however, that he de- termined to come west and in the spring of 1877 we find him holding a teacher's position in San Joaquin county, a position which he filled suc- cessfully for one term. From here he went to French Camp and taught for two years. Ever since leaving college he had a well-defined plan before him of his future course in life, which was to fit himself for the legal profession, and with this object in view he began to read law as soon as his school days were over. For a time it was his privilege to read law with Congress- man Louttit and also with W. L. Hopkins, the latter of whom was district attorney at the time of their association. In the summer of 1879 Mr. Smith became deputy under county clerk W. H. Weaver, and in June of that year he was admitted to practice law in the courts of the state. Notwithstanding his election to the bar he continued in the county clerk's office until January, 1883, when he opened an office for the
173
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
practice of law in partnership with C. M. Ken- iston. This association continued until 1886, when S. L. Carter, now of Fresno, Cal., was admitted to the partnership, and the three con- tinued together for two years, when Mr. Kenis- ton withdrew from the firm, and in 1892 Mr. Carter removed to Fresno, thus leaving Mr. Smith alone. For ten years he continued the practice of law in all of the courts, but since his election in the fall of 1902 as judge of the superior court he has relinquished his general practice. His re-election in the fall of 1908 was the result of the popular demand of the people, both parties agreeing that no more fair or up- right candidate could be found than Mr. Smith had proven himself to be, and giving him the nomination of both parties, an encomium which speaks more eloquently than can words of the regard in which he is held in his home city. While he was conducting his private law prac- tice he was made city attorney, a position which he filled creditably for five terms, three times by election and twice by appointment. He has also been a valuable acquisition to the library board, having served as one of the trustees for twenty years, and as a member of the book com- mittee.
From the foregoing it might be supposed that Mr. Smith's time and attention were entirely consumed in his professional duties and obliga- tions, but this is not so, and to make no men- tion of his interest in outside matters would be an injustice. Fraternally he is a Mason in high standing, having taken all the degrees in the York rite, and thirty-two degrees in the Scottish rite. His identification with the order dates back to the year 1875, when he joined Temple Lodge No. 25, A. F. & A. M., at Winthrop, Me. After coming to Stockton he transferred his member- ship to San Joaquin Lodge No. 19 in 1880, and has since served as master of the lodge for two terms. He is also a member of Stockton Chap- ter No. 28, R. A. M., Stockton Council No. 10, Royal and Select Masters, Stockton Command- ery No. 8, K. T., of which he is past commander, and he is also a member of Stockton Lodge of
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.