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 19
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Perfection No. 12, of which he is and for a long time has been the Orator. He is further asso- ciated with Albert Pike Chapter No. 9, Rose Croix, of Stockton, of which he is Wise Mas- ter, Oakland Council Kadosh, Oakland Consis- tory No. 2, and since 1885 he has been a member of Truth Lodge No. 55, I. O. O. F., of Stockton. He is also a member of Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E.
Mr. Smith has a pleasant and commodious residence at No. 620 North Harrison street, where with his wife he is enjoying the comforts and luxuries which his years of unremitting at- tention to his profession have made possible. Prior to her marriage, which occurred June 27, 1885, Mrs. Smith was Miss Belle McGuffie, a resident of Benicia, Cal., and a descendant of Scotch ancestry. One son, Winthrop S., has been born of their marriage. Mr. Smith's par- ents had one other child besides himself, a daughter, Lizzie S., who became the wife of George W. Wilcox, of Monmouth, Me., and they have one son, Ralph E.
J. MILLARD ODELL.
Ever since the year 1852 the Odell family has been identified with the history of San Joaquin county. The second generation in descent from the original settler now enjoys the educational and civic advantages rendered possible by the industry and foresight of their ancestor, work- ing in harmony with the other pioneers of the period. It was Daniel Odell who crossed the plains in 1852 and with him came his wife. for- merly Margaret Jeffery, of English birth and line- age. Daniel Odell was born in Clyde, Wayne county, N. Y., in 1815, and received only a very limited education. When he was eight years old he lost his father by death. The mother was left
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with a large family of children and a mortgaged homestead. For a time she carried on a brave struggle, but eventually she was forced to suc- cumb; the place was taken from her and the chil- dren were given to other people, Daniel finding a home with a family who cared for him about three years. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the trade of a carpenter in Clyde and soon went to Waterloo, where he completed his appren- ticeship, working until he was competent to take charge of the construction of buildings. Next he worked at his trade in Michigan, but in two years a severe financial depression came on, wild cat currency was put into circulation, and it was difficult to get value for the face of the money in any state.
Returning to Clyde, N. Y., and remaining for five years, Mr. Odell next removed to Indiana, but did not find the prospects satisfactory. Ac- cordingly he proceeded to Adrian, Mich., in the vicinity of which a brother made his home. There he followed his trade and later bought a farm, to which in 1843 he took his bride. April 15, 1852, he outfitted for the journey across the plains with oxen and horses, and started on the tedious trip, accompanied by his wife, her father, brother, sister and the latter's husband. On the 15th of October they arrived at Hangtown, penniless, but robust and ready for work. Mrs. Odell was offered a position as cook at a salary of $150 and she filled it for a month, with Mr. Odell as her assistant. Next they came to Stockton, which had been recommended to them by friends as a town with possibilities for employment. Un- fortunately, the winter was wet and work was scarce, but as soon as spring opened Mr. Odell found an abundance of work without difficulty and as a carpenter he was paid $8 per day. For six years he continued steadily at work, but when wages dropped to $5 per day he gave up his trade and bought a ranch in O'Neil township, on the lower Sacramento road. At once he removed to the place and began to place under cultivation the tract of two hundred and sixty-four acres, which he transformed from a barren waste to a fertile farm. When old age came to him he re-
linquished his activities and eventually returned to Stockton, erected a cottage on the corner of Magnolia and Sutter streets, and here remained until his death, December 6, 1897. His wife passed away February 27, 1906. As early as 1854 Mr. Odell had identified himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically a Democrat, he was interested in party affairs, and served frequently as a delegate to county conventions, but always refused nomination for offices. A man of broad views, he aided to the extent of his means all movements for the wel- fare of the county.
The only child of Daniel Odell was James Millard, born in Stockton March 5, 1861, edu- cated in common schools and Stockton Business College, and later an assistant on the home ranch. On coming to Stockton from the farm, he secured a position as clerk for Mr. Wollner, and in time purchased an interest in the busi- ness, which was conducted under the title of Wollner & Odell, general grocers of Stockton. The failure of his health forced him to relinquish business activities and a long period of failing health culminated in his death, December 5, 1903. At one time he was active in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, but eventually was demitted from the organization. Though much interested in politics and stanch in his ad- herence to the Democratic party, he was never a candidate for office.
The residence at No. 1035 Sutter street, erected by Mr. Odell in 1888 and occupied by him until death, is now the home and property of his widow, Mrs. Addie M. (Grant) Odell, with whom are their four children, Lester Grant, Edith M., Howard J. and Adelaide M., all natives of Stock- ton and educated in the city schools. Mrs. Odell was born in Alameda county and at Stockton, November 17, 1888, became the wife of Mr. Odell. She was a daughter of the late John B. Grant, who crossed the plains in an early day and died at Stockton at the age of sixty-two in 1899. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ellen M. Gorman, makes her home in Stockton and enjoys fair health, with the preservation of all
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her faculties. With her resides a daughter, Miss Nellie Grant. The only son, Colonel Grant, won his title through service as an officer in the Cali- fornia National Guard and already had risen to prominence as an attorney when death ended his career, in March, 1903, at the age of thirty-five years.
FREDERICK AUGUST RUHL.
To a considerable degree the present prosperi- ty of California may be attributed to the Ger- man-American citizens of the state, men who came to the west in an early day and gave their most earnest endeavors to the upbuilding of the country. With them they brought the qualities that have characterized the German race the world over. Thrift, economy and industry have been the talismans that have brought success to their unwearied endeavors. Doubtless these traits, supplemented by the American quality of enterprise, have been the chief factors in se- curing prosperity for Frederick August Ruhl, who has been a resident of the United States since 1860, but dates the beginning of his success from 1867, the time of his arrival in California. Since 1869 he has made his home in Stockton, where for years he carried on a large hardware and plumbing business, but eventually disposed of his interests and retired.
Born in Prussia,, November 8, 1839, a son of Matthew and Edna Ruhl, the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch attended school be- tween the years of six and fourteen and from then until eighteen he served an apprenticeship to the plumber's trade in Hesse-Cassel. Upon the expiration of his time he began to work as a journeyman plumber and in that capacity traveled throughout his native country. Crossing the ocean in 1860, he settled in New York City and secured work at his trade. When the first
call came from President Lincoln for seventy- five thousand men he offered liis services to his adopted country, and was accepted as a private in the Fifth New York Infantry, with which lie was ordered to Washington and detailed to act as guard of that city. At the expiration of four months he was honorably discharged and there- upon returned to New York City and resumed work at his trade.
After a number of busy but uneventful years in New York City subsequent to the Civil war, in 1867 Mr. Ruhl came via the Isthmus to Cali- fornia, settling in Sacramento, where for two years he worked at his trade and for one year was employed by Holbrook & Merrill. Meanwhile he saved $950 and with this suni lie came to Stockton in 1869. Shortly after his arrival lie opened a plumbing shop in a building that stood on the site of the old Mansion House. Later he became interested in the hardware business and continued the two kindred enterprises with grow- ing success for a long period. The first catas- trophe that fell to his lot occurred in 1903, when the store and contents were destroyed by fire, en- tailing a loss of $10,000. About that time, with his oldest clerk, F. E. Goodell, he organized a company and incorporated what is known as the Ruhl-Goodell Company, Mr. Ruhl being president of the new concern. Soon afterward he sold his interest to his partner and retired from the busi- ness, leaving a record for long and honorable identification therewith. Since then lie has served as president of the Security Land Company of Stockton, but is mainly retired from active labors. enjoying in quiet content the comforts accumulat- ed by long years of industry. After retiring from business in 1907 lie took a trip back to his old home in Germany.
Upon coming to Stockton Mr. Ruhl was a bachelor and here, in 1872, he formed domestic ties through his marriage to Miss Mary Christ. a native of Germany. The only child of the union, Hattie, married W. H. Lorenz, who was cashier of the First National Bank of Lodi. On account of his war service Mr. Ruhl is a pensioner of the government. All movements
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for the betterment of Stockton or the advance- ment of the state receive his stanch support ; always he is ready to aid worthy projects to the extent of his ability. Mr. Ruhl served four years in the city council. With many of his fellow-countrymen he enjoys the activities of the Turn Verein. Upon the organization of the Im- proved Order of Red Men he became one of its charter members, and his fraternal associations were further enlarged through his membership in Stockton Lodge No. II, I. O. O. F. Long con- nection with the business interests of the city gave him a wide acquaintance through this sec- tion of the country and there are few of the earlier settlers who are not familiar with the name and personality of Frederick August Ruhl.
HON. EDWIN J. McINTOSH.
In the period before the Revolutionary war, when America was beginning to draw home- seekers from every part of the civilized world, two brothers of the McIntosh family crossed the ocean from the highlands of Scotland and settled in New York, where their frugality, integrity and industry (qualities inherited from a long line of Scotch ancestry) enabled them to attain a fair degree of prosperity. Jonathan and Annis (Crane) McIntosh lived and died in York state, whence her father had gone forth to serve in the army of patriots at the opening of the Revo- lution and had remained in active service for seven years, until peace finally was declared. Ed- win J., son of Jonathan, was born at Homer, Cortland county, N. Y., November 6, 1826, and at the age of five years accompanied other mem- bers of the family to Pompey, Onondaga county, N. Y., where he grew to manhood. It was not possible for him to acquire a good education. His attendance at school was limited to three months
in winter. However, being quick to learn, he became a well-informed man through habits of reading and close observation.
Upon leaving home before he was sixteen, Mr. McIntosh began an apprenticeship to the carriage- maker's trade and served for four years, but his employer failed to keep his promises and he left for Canada. While at Hamilton, employed in the manufacture of buggy-springs, he became en- thused with the idea of serving in the Mexican war, and returned to the States, where he en- listed in the Tenth United States Infantry under Generals Taylor and Wolf. Upon being honor- ably discharged at the close of the war he went to New Orleans, where he was quarantined on account of a cholera epidemic in that city and thus was prevented from going to Mexico to fit out an expedition for California, as he had planned. Away from friends and without money, he enlisted in the Fourth United States Artillery for five years. For many months he was sta- tioned at Tampa bay in Florida. While in the infantry he was very ill with typhoid fever for a long period, but eventually was able to resume duty. For ten months he stood guard every other night. He won the confidence of the Mexicans and when the commissary was sold he was asked to enter into negotiations with them, on account of the high opinion they had of him. With others of Company C and Company M, Fourth Artillery, he mounted the first gun on the lower tier at Fort Sumter in 1851. Upon the dis- covery of gold in California he was ordered here with his command and served as commissary quartermaster sergeant.
In some respects an army life was not pleas- ing to Mr. McIntosh. With keen foresight he felt that the war between the north and south was approaching and, less confident than other north- erners, he felt that it would be a long and deadly struggle. While in the army he had no home, nor did he have any opportunity to accumulate a competency, and he was reaching an age when he aspired to the comforts of home rather than the hardships of the camp. For these reasons he determined to take up the life of a civilian, yet
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he recalled with pleasure many thrilling incidents of army experience and remembered the comrades and officers of those days with an affection that time did not weaken. When he was honorably discharged from the army he came to Stockton to join a brother, R. C., a pioneer of 1849, who was engaged in mining, farming and teaming.
The first two years as a farmer in San Joaquin county brought Mr. McIntosh a profit of $1,600, and this he intended to use in visiting his mother in New York state, but before he could start east, he heard the sad news of her death, and so he decided to remain in the west. For two years he was employed by W. P. Miller and in 1859 he settled at Woodbridge, quite a lively town in those days, with a toll-bridge spanning the river and teams constantly passing en route to Nevada. Produce brought higher prices than now and in every line values were above the much-discussed exorbitant charges of the present day. Wages were of course very high and much that he earned was paid out to his seven employes. In 1866 he left the shop for the farm and for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits, retiring in No- vember, 1896, and removing to No. 24 West Oak street, Lodi, where he passed away in April, 1909. The family still own a farm of fifty-six acres.
As early as 1852 Mr. McIntosh was initiated into Masonry and later became a member of Woodbridge Lodge, F. & A. M. Ever since the organization of the Republican party he has been stanch in allegiance to its principles. In the year 1879 he was elected to the legislature on an in- dependent ticket, after a canvass of the county during which he did not "treat" even one voter, but everywhere urged his intention, if elected, to work for a repeal of the school laws regarding the rural districts. Although he served only one session he accomplished much, securing a repeal of the school law, also aiding legislation regard- ing changes in the insane and reclamation laws. His interest in local educational work was shown by his faithful service as a trustee of the Lafayette district school.
The first marriage of Mr. McIntosh took place in California and united him with Miss Malancy
A. Miner, who was born in Berkshire county, Mass., and died on the home ranch in 1872. The two children of this union were born in San Joaquin county and are well known in the region where they have always made their home. The son, Thomas B., now has charge of the ranch near Lodi. The daughter, Malancy A., is the widow of William Kinney. The second marriage of Mr. McIntosh took place in 1876 and united him with Mrs. Lydia M. ( Rich) Blakeslee, a widow, who was born in New York state in 1836, descended from a family identified with the colonial history of America. She was educated principally in the seminary at Peterboro, Madison county, and afterwards became a successful teacher, following the profession first in the east and later in Trinity county, Cal. From girlhood she has been an earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church and has contributed to its maintenance, as well as to movements of a philanthropic and educational nature. On the or- ganization of the Woman's Relief Corps at Lodi she was elected its first secretary and always has been prominent in its activities and generous in its charities.
WILLIAM B. THOMAS.
With the planing-mill business in Stockton the name of Thomas has been closely associated for a period covering more than forty years, and the present representative of the family, William B. Thomas, maintains an intimate connection with the mill established by his father, the late Freder- ick R. Thomas, during the early business de- velopment of this city. The family genealogy in- dicates their early identification with the history of New England and their possession of the sterling traits common to the people of that re- gion. Frederick R. Thomas was born in Ver- mont in 1840 and came to California in 1852,
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remaining for a time in Jamestown, but subse- quently establishing himself in Stockton as offer- ing superior advantages for the building up of important business interests.
The planing-mill was established in 1867, at which time a building was erected, equipped with the best machinery of that period. The firm of White & Thomas, with W. C. White as senior member, conducted a growing business in the line of their specialties, the supply of both inside and outside work in wood. From a small begin- ning the business developed into one of the im- portant industries of the city, and the steady growth of the town was in itself a large factor in the increasing demand for the products of the mill, while the recognized efficiency of the part- ners, their integrity in business dealings and their promptness in filling orders, aided them in the es- tablishment of their enviable reputation as a busi- ness firm.
The marriage of Frederick R. Thomas united him with Miss Annie Shipley, who, like himself, was born in New England and came to the west during early life. She died during the infancy of the two children, Abigail and William B. Mr. Thomas married Miss Frances Pierson in 1881. Since the death of Mr. Thomas in 1894 his wid- ow has remained at the old homestead in Stock- ton and receives, from her husband's early in- vestment, an income sufficient to surround her with the comforts of existence. William B. Thomas was born in Stockton April 25, 1871, and, being the only son in the family, was given ex- ceptionally fine educational advantages, not only attending the grammar and high schools of Stock- ton, but in addition being sent east to attend one of the leading institutions of Boston, Mass., where he remained until his graduation in 1894. On
his return to Stockton he entered the planing- mill and soon acquired a thorough mastery of its details, the work being rendered less difficult by reason of the fact, that, as a boy, he had often aided his father during busy seasons. Since the death of his father he has represented the inter- ests of his step-mother and himself in the mill, which is located on the corner of Main and Com-
merce streets, and has been equipped with con- veniences of a thoroughly modern type. The firm of Thomas & Buell is well known throughout this region and has fully sustained the high reputation enjoyed by their predecessors in the mill.
The marriage of William B. Thomas in 1903 united him with Miss Maude Price. Fraternally Mr. Thomas holds membership with the Native Sons of the Golden West, Masons and Elks. While the interests of the mill require much of his time, they do not represent the limit of his business associations, for in addition he has an important position as manager and a director of the Citizens' Natural Gas Company, also acts as a director of the Stockton Loan & Building As- sociation, besides being identified with a number of smaller organizations. Genial and affable in manner, energetic in temperament, and courteous in dealings with all, he has worthily won a high place in the esteem of associates and the respect of acquaintances.
HON. ARTHUR I. McSORLEY.
The years of persistent, painstaking applica- tion to classical literature and to the study of the law, which marked the early manhood of Judge McSorley, brought their own reward in the fru- ition of his aspirations toward professional ex- cellence. At an early age he determined to en- ter the profession of law and, with that object in view, he never allowed himself to be satisfied with superficial knowledge; always he aimed at the profound, the solid and substantial, in liter- ature and jurisprudence, and was a close stu- dent of the best authorities of the ages. Both at the bar and on the bench he has given evi -. dence of a thorough understanding of the prin- ciples of law, and in his decisions an impartial spirit, broad information and logical powers of reasoning have been in evidence.
YLewis Dennis
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
A native of Calaveras county, Judge McSor- ley was born at Mokelumne Hill, August 14, 1870, being a son of Terrance and Mary F. Mc- Sorley, the former a pioneer of 1860 in the mines of Calaveras county, settling at Moke- lumne Hill, and remaining in this county until his death in 1891. The widowed mother still re- mains at the old homestead. Arthur I. was reared at Mokelumne Hill and received his pri- mary education in its public schools, after which he became a student in the Stockton Business College. Later he was a student in the law of- fice of Louttit, Woods & Levinsky, a leading law firm of Stockton, with whom he continued to read until he was qualified for practice. In August of 1893 he was admitted to the bar and immediately came to San Andreas, where he formed a partnership with Judge Ira Hill Reed, the two continuing together for five years.
The death of the lawyer who occupied the office of district attorney of Calaveras county left a vacancy, to which Mr. McSorley was ap- pointed, and he filled the position by appoint- ment until 1900. At the regular election of that year he was chosen for the office and served for two years. During 1902 he became a candidate for judge of the superior court and at the elec- tion that followed he won a signal victory, re- ceiving a fair majority. At the expiration of his first term of six years, in 1908, it was felt that in justice to his splendid record in the office he should be chosen his own successor, and this was done, his second term to expire in 1914. His attention has been given closely to the duties devolving upon him in the courtroom, where his impartiality, his desire to do justice to all, his wide professional knowledge and fine mental equipment have received recognition and won for him the highest esteem of all.
The marriage of Judge McSorley united him with Miss Nellie Ladrigan, who was born in Calais, Me., and came to California during girl- hood years, settling in Calaveras county. They are the parents of four children, Marie, Edwin, Hugh and Minnie. In fraternal associations Judge McSorley is identified with Stockton
Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E., and the Woodmen of the World, and his social amenities are fur- ther heightened by his membership in Calaveras Parlor No. 67, Native Sons of the Golden West.
T. LEWIS DENNIS.
Upon the foundation of industry, integrity and courage, laid by the early settlers of Cali- fornia, later generations have built a structure broad and deep. When the final history of the west shall have been written due credit will be given both to the pioneers whose indomitable courage amid privations began the work and to the later generations whose progressive spirit developed the commonwealth dear to every loyal heart. To the latter class belongs T. Lewis Dennis, who though now living retired to some extent, was in former years actively identified with ranching and at the present time is engaged in mining interests in Calaveras county.
The records show that the Dennis family is of English origin, and the earliest member of whom we have any definite knowledge is Jolin Dennis, the grandfather of T. Lewis Dennis. At his death in 1832 John Dennis left three sons, Louis, Alexander and William Dennis, all of whom finally immigrated to the New World and became worthy citizens of the United States. William Dennis was born in Barnstable, England, August 23, 1829, and thus was only three years old at the time his father passed away. When he was nine years old he was brought to the United States by his brother Louis, and in Maine was apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade. Subsequently the other brother, Alexander, came to California and two years thereafter, in 1853. William came to the state and thus established in the west the branch of the family to which our subject belongs. Upon first coming to California
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