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 30
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Soon after coming to Stockton Mr. Hart made the acquaintance of Miss Eleanor Jeffery, a resi- dent of this city, and December 7, 1854, they were united in marriage. The only child of their marriage, Milton G. Hart, is a resident of Berk- eley. Mr. Hart took an active part in the muni- cipal affairs of his home city, serving as an alder- man for four terms, and soon after the war he was the Democratic nominee for mayor, but was defeated, although running ahead of his ticket. His popularity was shown by the fact that a large number of his votes were cast by Republicans. For two years he served as the chief engineer of the fire department, and thereafter was an exempt fireman. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Honor. Since Mr. Hart's death, which occurred September 13, 1901, Mrs. Hart has lived a very quiet life at the family homestead at No. 645 North Sutter street. Her
fondness for collecting rare antiques and heir- looms has resulted in a fine collection, among which will be found an old cornet which her husband brought across the plains during his memorable journey in the year 1849.
WILLIAM LAFAYETTE OVERHISER.
From the time of his marriage in 1855 until his death Mr. Overhiser improved and resided on the old homestead, known as Oak Home ranch, one of the large rural estates in San Joaquin county, located in close proximity to Stockton. The name is of German origin, and the first to bear it on this side of the Atlantic was the paternal grandfather, who established the name in New York state. In Columbia coun- ty, that state, his son Abraham first saw the light of day, and there he continued to make his home up to the time of his marriage. This united him with Miss Mary Burtis, who up to this time had also been a continuous resident of Columbia county. The wedding journey of Abraham and Mary (Burtis) Overhiser consisted of a drive to Northumberland county, Pa., and there it was that their son William Lafayette was born De- cember 29, 1824. Besides the latter there were three other children born to these parents : Han- nah J., Mrs. Henry Hart, who died in 1889; Mary, Mrs. Daniel Discho; and Susan Ann, who became the wife of Benjamin L. Bedell. In ad- dition to carrying on a farm in his new location in Pennsylvania Abraham Overhiser had large coal interests, and took the first sample load of Lackawanna coal to New York City, hauling it on a two-horse sled. ' In 1830, when their son William was a lad of six years, the parents removed to their old home in Columbia county, N. Y., and eleven years later, in 1841, settled on a farm in Queens county, Long Island.
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William L. Overhiser accompanied his parents in their various removals, in the meantime get- ting such an education as he could in the public schools, and assisting his father with the farm work until he was about eighteen years of age. Having determined to learn the blacksmith's trade, he turned his entire energy in that direc- tion and at the age of twenty he went to Hemp- stead, L. I., to complete his apprenticeship. He finally bought out his employer's interest and continued the business alone. Business matters took him to New York City during the year 1849, and while there he heard such glowing tales of the discovery of gold in California that he determined to dispose of his business and set out for the eldorado on the Pacific coast.
With a party of one hundred and sixty others Mr. Overhiser purchased an interest in the ship Salem and its cargo, which lifted anchor and set sail from the port of New York March 12, 1849. They had not gone far when they discovered that their captain was entirely unreliable, and in his place they installed the first mate, a Mr. Douglas, who was in every way competent to fill the position. Not only was the former captain a dangerous and dissipated man, but he was en- tirely incompetent for the work which he had undertaken, having provided no maps or charts, and as a consequence the vessel was in continual danger. Upon their arrival at Rio Janeiro the matter was put before the American consul, who approved the action taken by the owners. July 4th found them rounding the Horn. Having en- tered the harbor of Tockawanna by the wrong channel the ship was nearly wrecked, but they finally succeeded in taking on a load of flour, and two months later, October 12, they arrived in San Francisco.
While on the voyage Mr. Overhiser and eight of his comrades from Long Island formed an agreement to work together with a common in- terest after landing. It was also arranged that five of the number should go to the mines of Mariposa county, while the remaining three were deputized to dispose of the party's interest in the ship and cargo, Mr. Overhiser being chosen
as one of the three. Having satisfactorify die- posed of their effects Mr. Overhiser and les two companions set out to join the others of the party, then in Stockton; they boardel a small boat which took them to Benicia. The rest morning Mr. Overhiser was overjoyed m aod- dentally meeting his old-time friend inen hane. the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge. While the four men were in conversation on the shore expecting to receive some signal from the captain In time he set sail, imagine their surprise to find that the ship had quietly started off without giving any warning! There was but one thing to do, an l that was to hire a boatinan to row them to the vessel; this cost them $16. The entire trip to Stockton took them seven days, and when they arrived they were greeted by a heavy do vipwir of rain, for it was then the rainy season For $150 they purchased a tent that stood where the Weber engine house is located and put their goods in it. As the rain still continue l to fall it was impossible for them to carry out their plans for business, and they were threatened watt the necessity of spending all of the proosals re ceived from the sale of the Salem. Ar this june ture Mr. Overhiser heard of a freighter who was anxious to sell his outfit and twenty -five huy dred pounds of goods loaded on the wagen für the mines. Mr. Overhiser chised tik agreomel to pay for the goods at the rate of fift omle a pound upon delivery at their destination La in December Mr. Overhiser and .A. Beanett heft Stockton for Sullivans, making the round trip in three weeks, but the next trip was not to Museu ful, as in San Francisco they purchasl a kol of potatoes which they expected to dugose of at Murphys. Upon arriving there they found that scurvy was prevalent and the market inscritochavl. so their venture proved a failure.
In 1850 the eight contrailes who had filtered into the agreement to combine their Dliere ch pc- ceeded in getting together at Murphys, the Gre who started ahead of the others coming from Mariposa. At Murphys they formof whar ... known as the Nassau Mining and Trading Co. their stock including particularle miners' mens
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and supplies, but after continuing there for a time they sold out and established a similar en- terprise at Gold Spring. In the meantime Mr. Overhiser had continued the freighting enter- prise previously mentioned; finally he asked for a settlement of the affairs of the company and as his share received $700 in gold dust. With this and a like amount which he borrowed from one of his friends he came to Stockton and purchased a yoke of oxen with which he began teaming on his own account. From time to time as the de- mand required he added to his equipment, but a dull season overtook him and being unable to use his oxen he turned them on the range. When he later went to look for them he found that six of them had been driven away, one was found in a butcher's pen in Hangtown, and the hides of three others were in another camp. This un- happy situation discouraged the idea of again going into the freighting business, and instead, in 1851, he bought a claim on the Calaveras river. It was about this time that he again met his old friend Mr. Cooper, who in the meantime had also engaged in teaming and after due de- liberation they decided to form a partnership in the prosecution of a ranching enterprise. To the land which Mr. Overhiser had purchased they added another quarter section and began at once to prepare the land for cultivation. Meeting with success in their efforts, they felt justified in admitting a third partner, and in 1851 Mr. Jud- son became interested in their undertaking. Forty acres of the land had been planted to barley, and in 1852 they harvested the first crop of that grain ever grown in the county. After this piece of good fortune they were enabled to add another tract of three hundred and twenty acres to their holdings, a part of this latter purchase forming a part of Oak Home ranch. In 1854 Mr. Over- hiser sold his interest in the ranching enterprise to his partners, and the following year erected a house between two large oaks, this suggesting the name by which his property was afterward known. Three years later, in 1858, a division of the property which up to this time had been owned jointly by Mr. Overhiser and Mr. Cooper
was brought about, the latter taking as his por- tion the lower ranch, as it was called, and Mr. Overhiser taking the Oak Home ranch. After increasing the acreage to seven hundred acres he began business on an extensive scale, making a specialty of raising stock and grain at first. Later he set out twenty acres in an orchard and vine- yard, a venture in which he was among the pio- neers in the county, his nursery stock being sent to him from the east.
To a man of his breadth of ideas and daring to, undertake them it is not surprising that the citi- zens looked to Mr. Overhiser as their leader in matters of public improvement, and thus it hap- pened that in 1862 he was appointed overseer of the project to open the road from Waterloo to Stockton. This necessitated the building of bridges. as well as making roads, all of which was done to the satisfaction of the people and added im- measurably to the upbuilding of both towns in- terested. A piece of good fortune befell Mr. Overhiser about this time in the discovery of a. gravel pit on his ranch and he readily took a contract to gravel the streets of Stockton, and the Calaveras road was also covered with a grav- el surface supplied from the same source. A company was formed and incorporated to build a road to the junction of Cherokee Lane and the Waterloo road, Mr. Overhiser advancing the money to promote the plan, but the company failed before accomplishing its purpose and Mr. Overhiser foreclosed the mortgage for $3000 which he held against the stockholders. It is probable that in its day the Grange movement was one of the most beneficial organizations ever inaugurated among agriculturists, and in the or- ganization and maintenance of the branch in Stockton no one deserved more credit than Mr .. Overhiser. For two years he was state lecturer of the organization, was state overseer for a like period, was elected state master in 1887, and the two years following was grand representative. to the national body, at which time he worked indefatigably to have the state gathering held in California in 1889.
In December, 1855, Mr. Overhiser was united
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in marriage with Catherine E. Hutchinson, who to accomplish much in the building up of the was born in Boston, Mass. Their marriage was city. celebrated in California, whither Miss Hutchin- son had come in girlhood with her mother and two sisters to join a brother, Charles A., who had come in 1850. One son, William Henry, was born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Over- hiser. It is unnecessary to add that Mr. Over- hiser always took an interested part in the up- building of his home city and county, for this was practically demonstrated throughout the many years of his residence here. Fraternally he was a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., Stockton Lodge No. II, I. O. O. F., was a member of the San Joaquin County Pio- neers Society, and served as president of the Rural Cemetery Association. He died March 29, 1905, in the eighty-first year of his age. Mrs. Overhiser is living at the old home place with her son, and at the age of ninety-two years re- tains her memory.
WILLIAM CONFER.
Although a considerable period has elapsed since he passed from life, Mr. Confer is still remembered as one of the pioneer business men of Stockton, where he bore an active part in the material upbuilding of the place and maintained the constant interest in progressive projects characteristic of a citizen of education and broad culture. In a list of our pioneers, to whom in a large degree may be attributed the present commercial standing of Stockton, his name is deserving of mention and his biography is worthy of perpetuation in the annals of the city he help- ed to develop. Stockton was a hamlet of shacks and one-story wooden buildings when in 1859 he came here from San Francisco, and in his ca- pacity of contracting brick-mason he was able
The first home of the Confer family in Sticktoo was on the "pepper-tree" property, at Stanivous and Main streets. From there they mivel to California between Main street an 1 Weber ave- nue. Next Mr. Confer remodeled a brick residence on Weber avenue between Grant and Aurora and in this comfortable home he remained for thirty six years, meanwhile bearing luis part in civic affair and rearing his family to positions of trust and responsibility. Possessing an excellent cheaten, he realized the advantages of the same anil ch- deavored to give his children every opportunity for acquiring the knowledge that stands at the foundation of all success. At all tinles he favor ed good schools and gave educational meavares his support. In religion he was identifiel will the Baptist Church. For some years he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Company, Porella No. 2, and also was associated with the Exempe Firemen.
The marriage of Mr. Confer unite 1 hmm with Mary L. McArthur, who died February 2, 1004. at the age of seventy-three years. His Health occurred at his home in Stockton May 27. 10. when he was sixty-three years old. They were the parents of six children, namch ; lda. who married D. R. Mckinley and resifles in Sesttic. Wash .: George, of Stockton : Soul. dencial who was a member of the California National Quanl: Hester, deceased: Thomas, who died in thispey; and William J., who was brought to Sauclion at the age of six months and is now a resident of this city. Soul and Eli followel their father's trade, having learned the same undler ho diper- vision. William J. took up the teaming burmes and for twenty years or more has irlowed she: occupation in his home city. Meanwhile le pare chased the lot at No. 322 North Sierra Nevada street and erected the residence he bus voor de- cupied. His marriage in this city in IS)1 on tol him with Miss Minnie Catherine Gliamo, a na- tive of California, and they have vine danghier. Geraldine Mary. Fraternally Willam J. Confer is identified with Truth Lodge, L O. O. F. and
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the Woodmen of the World. His earliest recol- lections are associated with Stockton and he has seen many changes in the city, the growth of which has been a cause of pride with him, as it has been to all public-spirited citizens solicitous for civic welfare.
JOHN GRANT.
The ship-building interests of Stockton and the Pacific coast received a vital impetus when John Grant inaugurated his ship-building plant at Stockton in 1888, since which time many of the barges, dredges and boats used in this part of the country have been manufactured under his immediate supervision. Mr. Grant is of Scotch birth and antecedents, and was born in Inverness August 9, 1857, the son of John and Katherine (Corbett) Grant. While still a youth he displayed a taste for nautical life and things pertaining thereto, and going to Clyde, Scot- land, he took up the trade of ship carpenter. Thereafter he went to sea and for ten years con- tinued this life uninterruptedly, having in the meantime made trips to Africa, South America, Australia and India. During this time also he made four trips around Cape Horn, on one of these voyages stopping at San Francisco for the' first time in 1882. His next visit to the metrop- olis was in 1886, at which time he sailed from Sydney, Australia. His long life on the sea made the life of the landsman seem especially attractive to him at this time and he decided to give up his former occupation and settle in San Francisco. For two years thereafter he fol- lowed the shipwright's trade there, and then, in 1888, came to Stockton, with whose ship-building interests his name has ever since been associated. He had the keen foresight to see that the con- stant demand for boats of very character meant
success for a competent boat-builder and he forthwith established the nucleus of his present business, conducted under the name of the John Grant Ship Building Company. His plant is located on the river land near the city, and dur- ing the twenty years he has been in business here he has built thirty dredger barges, built expressly for reclaiming land, several of which have cost $70,000. The second mining dredge built on the Feather river was turned out of Mr. Grant's plant.
In Stockton, in 1892, Mr. Grant was married to Mary Coughlin, a daughter of Jerry Cough- lin, of this city. The only child born of this marriage, James D. Grant, now fourteen years. old, is a student in the public schools. Mr. Grant's rise from humble circumstances to a po- sition of honor and trust shows what a man can do who is bound to become a man of affairs in the community in which he lives. Besides being proprietor of the ship-building plant previously mentioned he is also interested in still another of the city's live industries, being vice-president of the Stockton Iron Works. Personally he is a man of domestic tastes, caring more for the so- ciety of his family than for public life, and the only interests which he has outside of his family and his business are his associations in the Ma- sonic and Knights of Pythias organizations. Mr. Grant has every reason to be proud of his success in life, credit for which he gladly shares with his wife, who under all circumstances has been his advisor and helpmate.
JOSEPH HEWLETT.
Many and varied were the adventures that befell Mr. Hewlett in his travels by land and by sea. Had he kept a dairy narrating his experi- ences, such a volume would now possess deep
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
interest for his children, besides portraying to the generations of the twentieth century some of the hardships incident to existence in pioneer times, amid frontier environments. Born at Woodbury, Long Island, N. Y., to the union of Henry and Mary Hewlett, members of colonial families of the east, Joseph Hewlett was reared within sound of the sea. To the south of his childhood home lay the great Atlantic, while but a short distance to the north was Long Island Sound. On every side his island home was washed by the great ocean waves, and ships sailed to and fro carrying the commerce of the world.
With such an environment it is not remark- able that at the age of fourteen years Joseph Hewlett went to sea with the intention of learn- ing to be a sailor before the mast. With his ship he sailed for the south. On one occasion while rounding Cape Horn the vessel was wrecked, he was cast ashore, suffered great pri- vations, but finally was rescued and sent back to New York. During the year 1855 he came to California via Panama, crossing the Isthmus before the railroad was completed. After dis- embarking at San Francisco he came to Stock- ton, where a brother was making his home at the time. In this city he worked for Jones & Hewlett.
After a time Mr. Hewlett went to the mines of Nevada, where he worked with success for a number of years. Meanwhile and later he made a number of trips back to his old home on Long Island, and during one of these visits he was married, in December, 1877, to Miss Bertha Stewart Wicks, of Woodbury, Long Island, N. Y. After his marriage he remained in the cast for three years, and then moved permanently to California, established his home in Stockton, and here died January 21, 1906. At an early day he had bought a number of lots in Stockton and from time to time he improved these lots with cottages for renting purposes. The latter part of his life was devoted to this work and to the management of the property. His comfortable home in Stockton, erected under his supervision
and now occupied by his daughter, Staues Martha and Mary F., stands at No 105) Niets Madison street. Fraternally he belongsof Fo tos Masonic Order, having united with the same as early as 1874, in the Port Jefferan Lovlige \ F. & A. M., of Long Island, N. Y., all alirays afterward he was a stanch supporter at the pool anthropic work of the order. Devoted to fun family, kind in his intercourse with others, posy erous to the needy, and intelligently inboedel in public affairs, he was of the type ot flom ship valuable in the progress of any comment) and necessary to the rise of any ommere caldr.
WILLIAM BUTLER
Much of the credit for the prosperity of it country belongs to the agriculturist, and among those who follow this calling in San Joaquin den ty mention belongs to William Butler, who rente and manages one of the largest ranches In the vicinity of Stockton. As are many of this red dents of this state he is a native of the Que, his birth having occurred in Ontila comte, N Y. in 1848. His father was a farmer before moms and in performing his share of the home done he gained the thorough insight and understand ing of agriculture which has made hiny a Mormu. in following this calling as a life wark
Mr. Butler remained in the cast until vemmmmins his majority, when, in 18/. he kame 10 06 fornia, going directly to Stanislaus comty, sfere for two years he was employed in a ranch sour Ceres. At the end of this tre be-caree M San Joaquin county and residel near Stockter well ISSI, then went back to Somedans emite est purchased a ranch near Modeste, where he scored for three years. Selling out In ing be +ane back to San Joaquin county, to the northam pert of the county, where he resilel for five Telra anil
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then rented the place on the Sonora road known as the Commins ranch, where he now resides. A few years ago he rented an adjoining farm, mak- ing a ranch of some thirteen hundred acres. The property is located about ten miles from Stock- ton and comprises thirteen hundred acres of as fine land as is to be found in the county. Dur- ing the twenty years which he has made his home here he has met with remarkable success in harvesting large crops, all of which is due to an intelligent understanding of fertilization and rota- tion of crops.
Mr. Butler's marriage occurred in Stockton in 1881, and united him with Miss Louisa Henson. One son has been born to them, William Ernest, who is now attending school at Stockton.
WILLIAM WALTER HUBBARD.
The first association of the Hubbard family with the history of Central California dates back to the year 1851, when Walter Golden Hubbard crossed the plains by way of the southern route and settled with wife and children in Monterey county near the village of Hollister. In early life he had learned the trades of blacksmith and wagon-maker, and these he followed after coming to the west. For a number of years he had charge of the work of large wagon trains, not only re- pairing their wagons, but also shoeing their mules. The fact that some of the trains had be- tween three hundred and four hundred mules in- dicates the extensive nature of the business. In an early day he efficiently filled the office of sheriff of a district out of which subsequently three counties were established. Many other ac- tivities of that period received his co-operation. By native endowments he was well fitted for the part of a pioneer, for he was fearless, sturdy, rug- : ged in health, and never daunted by obstacles.
When the family crossed the plains in 1851 there was with them a twelve-year-old boy, Syl- vester Hubbard, who was born in the city of Austin, Tex., in 1839, and who in early life as- sisted his father in the blacksmithing shop; but, grown to manhood, he chose other lines of busi- ness activity. For a number of years he was em- ployed in the Alameda quicksilver mines. Next he engaged in hauling goods to the mines and carried on a large transfer and forwarding busi- ness. Later he carried on ranching pursuits in Tuolumne county. On disposing of his ranch interests he settled in Stockton, where for a short time he engaged in the transfer business. Later he engaged in paper-making with the B. Lane Paper Co., with A. Buell and others. On the opening of the new paper mill he secured a po- sition as shipping clerk, which he held for several years. Altogether he was connected with differ- ent mills about thirty-six years. At the time of his death in 1896 he was employed as inspector of cars on the Santa Fe Railroad.
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