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 2
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
first experimental planting of diversified vines, both for table and wine grapes.
The initial attempt to manufacture wine by the West brothers was in 1858, and to such an extent did the venture prove successful that the output of the vineyard was not sufficient to sup- ply the demands of the winery, and in 1868 they planted a vineyard of sixty-two acres ten miles from Stockton. In 1880, associated with Thomas R. Minturn, George West established a vineyard in Madera county comprising seven hundred acres, under the name of the Sierra Vista Vineyard Company, which is one of the oldest concerns of the kind in that county. This vent- ure proving so successful Mr. West branched out still further in this direction and with oth- ers purchased the Escondido ranch in San Diego county. Six years later, however, this ranch was sold. The enterprise was further enlarged in 1898 by the building of the Hanford winery, later by the building of the McCall road winery at Selma and the Kearney winery of Fresno in 1899. Since the death of the founder of this enterprise in 1899 the business has been continued along the lines he established, and in 1900 was enlarged by the purchase of the Lucerne vine- yard in Kings county, containing one thousand acres. The year following. 1901, the San Joa- quin Valley winery at Acampo was added to its holdings, in 1902 the Lodi winery was built, and in 1906 the Sanger winery was also added. The founder of this enormous enterprise passed away April 13, 1899, at which time his interests were assumed by B. R. Kittredge of New York. In 1902 the company was incorporated as George West & Son, Frank A. West being the principal factor in maintaining and forwarding this vast enterprise. In 1880 George West was appointed by Governor Perkins State Viticultural commis- sioner, representing the San Joaquin valley, and thereafter he filled the same office under various governors until 1891, or until the purposes of the commission had been accomplished. He be- came an authority on viticulture in the state, for his perseverance and quiet determination en- abled him to overcome difficulties that would have
deterred weaker men, and it was these character- istics that gave him the leadership of men and his financial success at last. He was a man of commanding personal appearance and pleasing address and possessed a large capacity for mak- ing friends, kindly by nature and courteous to all. An ardent love for the beautiful in nature was a marked characteristic in the three West brothers.
Referring briefly to Mr. West's domestic life, it may be mentioned that prior to her marriage his wife was Ellen King, and two children were born of their marriage, Frank A. and Harriot R., the latter Mrs. C. M. Jackson. The death of Mr. West occurred at his home in El Pinal, removing from the community one whose efforts had been along lines which more than any oth- er have tended to upbuild the community, for undoubtedly viticulture as understood and prac- ticed today throughout San Joaquin county is directly traceable to his efforts of over half a century.
JOHN E. BUDD.
In the selection of their life-work many of the men who owe their educational training to the splendid institutions of California, have chosen the profession of law as offering exceptional ad- vantages to those possessing mental equipment, keen judgment, logical powers of reasoning and readiness in repartee. Among those who have been identified with the profession for many years and who have achieved signal success in managing the affairs of a large clientele, mention belongs to John E. Budd, member of a pioneer family of California and son of Hon. Joseph H. Budd, whose family history appears on another page of this volume. John E. Budd was born in the city of Janesville, Wis., October 18, 1853, being the second son of Hon. Joseph H. and
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Lucile N. (Ash) Budd, descendants of eastern ancestors honored in their several walks of life.
Primarily educated in the public schools of his native city, John E. Budd came to California during early life and afterward entered the California State University at Berkeley, where he took the complete course of study in the belles-lettres department, graduating in 1874. He took up the study of law in his father's office and during October, 1876, was admitted to the bar before the supreme court at Sacramento. Shortly afterward he became identified in prac- tice with his father at Stockton, where he gained his first practical experience in the profession, continuing in the association for a number of years. Under the administration of Grover Cleveland in 1890 he was appointed receiver of the United States land office with headquarters at Stockton and filled the position with recognized efficiency until resigning upon a change in the administration.
After having been associated for a time with his brother, James H., in a general law practice, during 1895 Mr. Budd formed a partnership with E. R. Thompson, now city attorney, and the firm of Budd & Thompson has become well known throughout this section of the state, its members being recognized as attorneys of ability and; thorough acquaintance with the principles of jur- isprudence.
Stanch in his allegiance to the Democratic party, Mr. Budd was a prominent figure in local and state politics up to the year 1903, but since that time he has relinquished his association with public affairs in order to devote himself exclu- sively to the law. For ten years or more he has acted as a regent of the state university and during the entire period he has maintained a warm interest in the welfare of his alma mater, whose contribution to the educational uplift of the state he recognizes as indispensable and per- manent. As a citizen he has given constant sup- port to enterprises for the development of Stock- ton and may always be relied upon to give of time and means for the furtherance of such. By his marriage he became identified with a pioneer
family of California. Mrs. Budd, whom be mnar- ried in 1887, was Miss Mary Haste, of Berkeley, being a daughter of J. H. Haste, an honored pio- neer of the state and for years a public spirito 1 citizen of Berkeley. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Budd is Henry S., who has been educatel as a civil engineer. The two daughters are Mary, the wife of Francis 1. Hodgkins, and Lucile, who remains with her parents in their comfortable home at Stockton.
JOHN ELLIS WOOD.
The east has contributed many substantial resi- dents to the thriving city of Stockton, and not the least among them is John E. Wood, who took up his residence here as early in its hi tory as 1875 and has ever since been engaged in the sewing machine business here. Mr. Wood is a native of New York state, born in Hamil- ton county February 1, 1834. and early in life became familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of every farmer's son. He remaine 1 with his parents on the old homestead until at- taining manhood years, when he set out for the newer west, which seemed to offer larger induce- ments for advancement than the cast.
Going to Plymouth, Wis., he apprenticed him- self to learn the carpenter's trade and after nas tering it, followed his trade until called to take up arms in defense of his country's honor. Joining the volunteer service, he became a inem- ber of Company H, First Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry his enlistment bearing date of August 14. 1862. His service was of short duration. however, for on account of physical disability he was honorably discharged the following year, After this short though trying experience he re turned to Wisconsin and as soon as he was snif- ficiently recovered. again took up his dutic as
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
a private citizen, following the dry goods busi- ness for a number of years thereafter. It was in 1875 that he decided to make his home on the Pacific coast, selecting Stockton as the most de- sirable location, and here he has been content to remain ever since. During the same year he embarked in the sewing machine business and has followed it for over thirty years with very satisfactory results.
Mr. Wood was a young man of only nineteen years when, in January, 1853, he formed domes- tic ties by his marriage with Miss Zillah C. Whitford. Three children, two sons and a daughter, have blessed their marriage, and all have now grown to years of maturity. Both of the sons, Walter A. and Charles H., are engaged in business in Oakland, while the daughter, Mrs. C. E. Williams, makes her home in Stockton. With the wife of his youth Mr. Wood is passing the evening of life contented and happy, and at their home, No. 1223 East Weber street, they dispense a hospitality which is heartily enjoyed by their many friends.
CHARLES HINKLE DIAL.
As a representative of the men whose lives have become a part in the foundation of the western statehood, Charles Hinkle Dial is worthy of mention. A resident of Lockeford, San Joa- quin county, he has long been connected with public affairs in this vicinity and has given liberally to the material upbuilding of the coun- try, through the pioneer days proving his abil- ity in the effort and loyalty to the cause which induced him to cast in his lot with the pioneer element. Born November 28, 1830, a native of Warren county, Tenn., he was a lad of seven years when the family home was changed to Shelby county, Tex., where he was reared to the
age of sixteen years. During this time the only educational training he received was at the hands of his older brother, as the school advantages in Texas at that time were very meagre indeed.
At the time of the war with Mexico Mr. Dial went to the scene of activities and in May, 1846, was mustered into the United States army as a cavalryman in the Texas Rangers, under Colonel Woods of the Second Cavalry, Company I, Cap- tain Truitt in command. During the campaign he was also under General Taylor at the battle of Monterey, September 21, 22 and 23, the regi- ment serving as foot soldiers as they could not use horses. Mr. Dial's term of enlistment ex- pired at the close of the battle of Monterey, but ne promptly re-enlisted and served under Captain Mccullough and Captain Walker of the Texas Rangers in the battle of Buena Vista. Monterey fell into the hands of the United States Sep- tember 24, 1846, and just one year later, Sep- tember 22 and 23, 1847, the backbone of the war was broken through the fall of that mighty stronghold, Buena Vista, where General Taylor, at the head of less than five thousand United States troops (a large portion of whom were raw volunteers) totally defeated twenty thousand Mexicans under Santa Ana. After the close of hostilities Mr. Dial returned to his home in Tex- as, remaining there until November 27, 1849, when he set out for California by way of the Isthmus. March 5, 1850, on the brig Corbia, he landed in San Francisco, where, after look- ing around for two weeks, he went to the mines of Eldorado county. Three years later, May 24, 1853, marks the date of his advent into San Joaquin county, where in the fall of that year, so well pleased was he with the outlook, that he took up a ranch two and a half miles east of the Jacktone ranch. There he followed general ranching for about ten years, when, in 1864, he went to Virginia City, Nev., with a team, re- maining in the upper valley for about three years, when he once more took up his residence in San Joaquin county. Near Lockeford, in 1870, he purchased a ranch, and in addition to its cultivation ran a harvesting machine for a
Austin Spiny
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
number of years. Upon disposing of his ranch in 1876 he bought a hotel in Lockeford of which he was the genial host for thirty years, or until 1906, during this time also retaining his interest in farming. During the year last mentioned he disposed of both hotel and ranch and has since lived retired from business cares, a rest to which he is well entitled after many years of unremit- ting toil.
Mr. Dial's first marriage occurred in 1854 and united him with Miss Amanda Peters, their marriage resulting in the birth of four children, of whom two are living, Jacob, a rancher near Lockeford, and Annie, Mrs. Gilbert, of Oakland. In 1872 Mr. Dial married Miss Jennie Arnest, who passed away in 1875; two children were born of this marriage, but both are deceased. Mr. Dial was married to his present wife, for- merly Miss Ella Arnest, in May, 1877, and five children were born to them, only two of whom are living. The eldest of these, Edward L., now twenty-five years old, is a traveling sales- man for the Pacific Cereal Association of San Francisco, although he makes his home in Fruit- vale. Jesse, twenty-two years old, is also em- ployed in the Pacific Cereal Association and is a resident of Fruitvale.
Mr. Dial has always been a close student of current events, is well posted on matters of local and national importance, and possesses the broad knowledge and keen intelligence that make a man a desirable citizen of any community. In 1884 he was elected to the office of constable of Lockeford, serving for ten years, and after- ward served as deputy for four years. As road overseer he also served efficiently for many years, and for one year, 1899-1900, he acted in the capacity of night watchman in the county court house. Socially Mr. Dial is a member of the Pioneers of Stockton, and fraternally he be- longs to both the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He joined the first mentioned or- der in Linden, becoming a member of Sciole Lodge, but in 1876 he transferred his member- ship to Progressive Lodge No. 134, I. O. O. F .. of Lockeford, in which he has passed all the
chairs. He joined the Knights ní Pythian 111 Galt, Sacramento county, but upon the ergar zation of Vesper Lodge No. go in Lodet rol he transferred his membership and has since been one of its most active members, loving passed all of the chairs in the lodge Ala re ward for his long and faithin service In the Mexican war he receives a pension of $20 per month from the government. It has been Mr Dial's privilege to witness mich of the develop ment of the west, and as he contrats the win ditions of the twentieth century with thine fie ticcable when he came to California, he reibers. the wonderful progress wrought during the past fifty years or more and is proud of his cannes tion with the commonwealth as one of ite pio- neers.
AUSTIN SPERRY.
With the carly development of important in- dustries in California the name of Austin Spears is indissolubly associated, and any resurre ni Mils life, no matter how brief it might le, would tend to show that the progress of the state was unmistakably benefited by the citizen bip of this pioneer of 1849. The influences which tended to mold the life and character of Mr. Spears are traced to a long line of New Ergbint an- cestors, several of whom figured prontocathy in the history-making events in Coloral tines, first in Connecticut and later in New Hampshire it was in the latter state that the father, Benjam n Sperry, was born. Times and comEtivos were such as to necessitate an active out-of four Dile and as a result he developedla stalwart framme tha! enabled him to cope succes fully with the land. unyielding soil of New England In vung hun hood he united his fortunes with theune vi Moors Davis, their marriage occurring in Comment N. H. Their wellding journey comumgod of a
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
trip to the then wilderness of Vermont; locating on a tract of about two hundred acres in Cale- donia county they began their struggle with na- ture, and in view of the times and circumstances, made a success of their undertaking. Into the home thus established and surrounded five chil- dren came to brighten the fireside, four sons and one daughter, all of whom lived to attain maturi- ty and fill useful positions in life. Besides Austin Sperry, those of the family who locat- ed in California were Charles Sperry, a resident of Stockton; Alvaro Sperry; and Mrs. Almira Sperry Sloane, the latter also a resident of Stockton.
On the family homestead near the village of Cabot, Caledonia county, Vt., Austin Sperry was born May 20, 1819. From earliest boyhood he was inured to farm duties, and during the au- tumn and winter, when his services were the least in demand, he attended the common school. Thus the year was divided between work and study, and his mind developed with his body. Until he was seventeen years of age he continued his studies in the home school, after which he took up more extended studies in an academy. Following closely upon the close of his school .days was his entrance into the business world, in Danvers, Mass., becoming a clerk in a gener- al merchandise establishment. Three years' ex- perience in that capacity was of untold benefit, bringing him in contact with the keen-witted, enterprising people of the country roundabout. From Danvers he went to Boston and entered the dry-goods house of George W. Warren & Co., there as in his former position gaining the respect and approbation of his superiors by his close attention to business. Still later he obtained a clerkship in the large dry-goods, shawl and silk establishment of Jewett & Prescott, on Tremont street, Boston. The years of his clerkship were also years of economy, for out of his meagre salary during five years he accumulated enough to set up a small business of his own. His expe- rience thus far had been confined to the dry- goods business, and naturally he continued in this same line of business in setting up an es-
tablishment of his own. In partnership with his brother Henry he opened with a modest stock of goods at No. 2 Tremont row, and continued in business until the latter part of the year 1848, when, on account of a poor business investment on the part of his partner it was deemed advis- able to close out the business. This move was further strengthened by the fact that in the meantime Austin Sperry had become interested in California through the reports of the recent discovery of gold. Several months of prepara- tion followed, and on January 27, 1849, in com- pany with three friends, he set sail from the port of Boston on the ship Pharsalia, Captain Allen in command, going by way of Cape Horn. A weary journey of six months finally brought them into the harbor of San Francisco, the sight of which they hailed with delight, for during this time they had been out of sight of land about two-thirds of the time. After taking an inventory of their effects upon landing it was found that the little company of four friends had only about $500 all told, a state of affairs that meant they must exercise rigid economy until their enterprise began to bring in returns. At San Francisco they hired a small schooner to take them to Stockton, and here the party divided on August 18, Austin Sperry and E. R. Stock- well going to the placer diggings at Jacksonville, Tuolumne county, and the other two of the com- pany going to other camps. Mr. Sperry and his companion worked a claim for twenty-three days and a half, during which time each one cleaned up $500. Mr. Stockwell had become fasci- nated with mining as a result of his good fortune and wished to continue it. Mr. Sperry, however, did not find it agreeable employment, preferring instead to engage in something less speculative and in surroundings less crude. Returning to Stockton, he became interested in a grocery business with a partner and was on the high road to success when a destructive fire in the spring of 185I completely destroyed their enterprise. Undismayed by this seeming discouragement, Mr. Sperry rebuilt and restocked his store, and re- sumed business as before.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
As yet Mr. Sperry had not entered upon the line of work which was to make his name fa- mous, but events were leading in that direction. During the early days of placer mining Stockton was the principal distributing point for the southern mines. As a consequence there was considerable staging and heavy freighting to and from the mines, and so important did the trans- portation industry become that it was considered second only to mining itself. Naturally this in- dustry called for large numbers of horses and mules, and it was to supply and prepare feed for these animals that first suggested the idea to Mr. Sperry of establishing a mill. While this was the first mill established in Stockton, it was not the first in the state, for it is known that at that time there was one at Sutter's Fork and also one at Bodega. This unpretentious beginning in- augurated by Mr. Sperry was the nucleus of the now famous Sperry flouring mills of Stockton, which at this time are second in size on the entire Pacific coast, a manufactory of wide usefulness in domestic trade, as well as one which stands high in foreign commerce. The business was first housed in a one-story frame building on Main street, between Commerce and Beaver (now Madison) streets, constructed by Mr. Sper- ry and his partner, George Lyon, in 1852. Hav- ing disposed of his grocery business in the mean- time Mr. Sperry was enabled to contribute $1,000 to the new enterprise, while Mr. Lyon gave a second-hand engine. Mr. Sperry's nat- ural ability as a mechanic found opportunity for exercise in setting up and adjusting the ma- chinery, and for about three years the plant was run with the original equipment. The explosion of the boiler on December 14. 1855, completely destroyed the building and works, and to one of less resolution and tenacity of purpose than Mr. Sperry possessed the loss would have seemed irreparable. However, by this time better and more improved machinery had been brought to the west and he was finally enabled to replace the old mill by a larger and better one. While the grinding of feed had been the original idea in establishing the mill, in the fall of the year
1852, the year the mill was founded, he began the manufacture of flour also. His first partner, George Lyon, contimed with hint about a year, after which he became associated with Samuel Baldwin, the latter remaining with him alaun iom vears, when Mr. Sperry purchased his uiterest In 1856 he induced his cousin, S. Willard Sperry, who had recently come to the west, to jom life in the business, and the association thus formel continued for twenty-five years, or until the deatlı of Austin Sperry, July 22, 1881. During his early pioneer struggle Mr. Sperry carrie l almost the entire responsibility of the enterprise, attending closely to every detail of the work and as long as it was practicable he kept him own books and attended personally to collections Throughout his life he at no time relinquishe ! his personal interest in and acquaintance with the details of the business, and the success of the enterprise is undoubtedly due to this charac- teristic of its founder. From this it is not meant to imply that he was so deeply engrossed with his own interests that they were a drulgery, fr that they excluded hin from other interests; on the contrary he was happy in his work and was a constant inspiration and help to all who knew him. After his death the business was carried on under the firm name of Sperry & Company for several years, but on September 27. 1884, it was incorporated under the Maine name and for a quarter of a century the Sperry mills have continued to flourish throughut Cal- fornia.
From the time of his marriage until he death, nearly twenty years, Mr. Sperry enjoyed ele love and faithful co-operation of his wife, who was formerly Miss Mary F. Simpson, anil to whom he was married November 6. 1862, at Smek- ton. Into this serene and happy home inur dil- dren were born, as follows: Mary A. Beila S .. Horace Benjamin and Austin, All of these chil dren have been reared with the thought of fobire usefulness in the world, and in return for this devoted care on the part of their parents they are now filling responsible positions in hic. either as home-makers or in the larger, although sin
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
iess important, field of commerce. Mrs. Sperry is a woman of unusual energy and force of character, qualities which at no time in her life, probably, were brought out more strikingly than at the time of the death of her husband. At once she assumed his interest and partnership in the Sperry mills, in the care of which, added to her family duties and the rearing of her chil- dren, she has displayed excellent judgment and executive ability.
Fraternally Mr. Sperry was a member of the Masonic order. Personally he was a man of superior integrity and rectitude, and when in his presence one felt instinctively that he had led a pure and upright life and was one who could be trusted implicitly without fear that any con- fidence reposed in him would be betrayed. At the time of his death many a tribute of friendship and admiration were volunteered for the man who, in the distractions of business life, had nev- er failed to hold out a hand of help or to say a word of cheer by the way :
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