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 34
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The new steamer Harmonia that sailed from Hamburg brought Mr. Heimann to New York City. After arranging for the transfer of his luggage he took passage on the new ship Nevada in its first voyage from New York to Nicaragua. Thence he proceeded by vessel to San Francisco and landed with $50 in money and two trunks of clothing. His first employment was as longshore- man. On hearing of the village of Haywards, he went there, secured employment as a blacksmith, and worked for two months, after which he was engaged to repair a threshing machine and oper- ate it during the season.
Returning to San Francisco, Mr. Heimann took passage on a steamer for Stockton, paying $5 for transportation, $1 for bed and $1 for meals. Ar- riving at Stockton at five o'clock on the morn- ing of August 16, 1867, he disembarked and start- ed out to find work. At the first place he found open he was hired at $3 per day, the firm being Matteson & Williams. Later he found he could do better at contract work, so made the change and received as much as $36 per week. Stockton was a small town of one-story wooden and brick
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buildings, bearing little resemblance to the pres- ent attractive and important city. After working at his trade for two months he bought an outfit and went to Independence, Calaveras county, where he spent the winter of 1867-68 in the mines. No success coming to him, he returned to Stock- ton and later worked for wages in Collegeville for six months. During the winter of 1869-70 he worked as an engineer in the mines and received large wages.
Having saved about $3,000 during the few years of his residence in the state, Mr. Heimann determined to return to Germany, and according- ly made the long voyage, enjoyed a visit among relatives and old friends, and then took up the study of engineering, intending to embark in the contracting business. Some delay on his part caused a failure of his hopes of securing the de- sired work, and thereupon he returned to Cali- fornia. On the voyage he lost all of his money and so arrived in California wholly without means. For a time he worked at his trade and then went to the mines, but not only did not find any gold, but had the added misfortune of losing all of his tools. On his return to Stockton he resumed work at his trade. He moved his shop to the present site of the county jail. Later he removed to the corner of Stanislaus street and Weber avenue, where he still remains (opposite, how- ever, the site of his earlier location). Working steadily at his trade, he has built up a prosperous business and is known as a reliable and expert workman.
The marriage of Mr. Heimann took place at Stockton in 1877 and united him with Miss Louisa Natt, who was born in Missouri and ac- companied her father to California in her girl- hood. The two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Hei- mann are Martha and Bertha, both of whom are with their parents at No. 1246 East Main street, the family home since 1891. The only son, George, died in 1905. Ever since becoming a citizen of our country Mr. Heimann has voted the Democratic ticket and has maintained a warm interest in the welfare of that party. The only office which he consented to fill was that of city
councilman, in which capacity he gave his in- fluence to progressive measures for the benefit of the city. Fraternally he is connected with the Druids and at one time held membership with the Turn Verein and Eintracht.
RANSOM ECCLESTON.
Many of the pioneers who came to California in the early days were disappointed in the primary object of their journey, that is, making their for- tunes in the mines, yet turned their energies into other channels, and in so doing became the sub- stantial upbuilders of the commonwealth. Among this number was the late Ransom Eccleston, who passed away in Stockton November 15, 1907. He was a native of Ohio, born in Clermont county September 6, 1825, and was reared and educated in the vicinity of his birthplace. He was a young man of about twenty-four years when the wave of excitement incident to the finding of gold in California passed over his home locality and as a result he was among the number who were at- tracted to the gold fields. Without loss of time he made preparations for the journey across the plains, and November, 1849, found him in the state ready to learn his fate as a miner. He soon learned, however, that his forte did not lie in this direction and he wisely turned his attention to other means of earning a livelihood. Before set- tling down permanently, however, he took a trip to the Sandwich Islands, and upon his return to California in the spring of 1850 he located near San Andreas, Calaveras county. where he first became interested in the hotel business, and in ad- dition was proprietor of a general store. Follow- ing this, in 1866, he came to Stockton and there- after made this city his permanent home, follow- ing the hotel business. He was successively pro- prietor of the Franklin house, Eagle hou-c.
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Grand Central and Avenue house, all of which were noted for the cordiality extended to guests, as well as for their superior accommodations. At the time of the meeting of the first state legisla- ture in Sacramento he was also proprietor of the State hotel in that city.
In San Andreas, Calaveras county, Mr. Eccles- ton was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Eliz- abeth Samsel, the ceremony taking place August 22, 1854, and of the children born of their mar- riage two are living, as follows : Mrs. W. C. Mat- teson, of Stockton, and O. H. Eccleston, who was formerly bookkeeper for the Holt Manufacturing Company, but at this writing is engaged in the dairy business at Holt Station.
PATRICK HENRY CODY.
Service in the Mexican war, which led many patriotic Americans from the settled regions of the east to the remote frontier of the southwest, was the means of calling the attention of many of them, for the first time, to the illimitable possibilities offered by the fertile but untilled lands in a country wholly unknown. In this way Patrick Henry Cody saw the southwest for the first time. The long marches of the troops took him into unsettled regions, but he was keen to discern the possibilities of the western empire, and it needed only the discovery of gold to act as an incentive to draw him to the Pacific coast.
The early days of Patrick Henry Cody were passed in a manner common to the period. Born in New York June 22, 1827, he was taken to Missouri in infancy and during boyhood attended the primitive schools of what was then consid- ered the frontier. Nothing of especial importance marked his life until the outbreak of the Mexi- can war, when he enlisted in the army and went to the front under General Scott. In the trials
of army life, the hardships of forced marches, the perils of the battlefield and the privations of the camp, he bore his part with the courage of a good soldier. In later days it was always a pleas- ure to him to meet with old soldiers of that strug- gle and he bore an active part in the Association of Mexican War Veterans.
On returning to Missouri from the war Mr. Cody settled on a farm in the old home neighbor- hood, but after the discovery of gold he came to California by way of the plains and for a time tried his luck in the mines of Hangtown. No success came to him as a miner and therefore he turned his attention to teaming from Sacramento to the mines, which he followed for a consider- able period. Meanwhile he had visited San Joaquin county and received a favorable impres- sion of its agricultural advantages. During 1868 he came to the county and settled near Bellota, on what is known as the Austin ranch. There he continued for years and met with fair success in the cultivation of the nine hundred acres comprising the ranch.
A later period of agricultural activity on the Rogers ranch was followed by removal to the Douglas ranch, which Mr. Cody operated as a renter until his death, April 27, 1901. Mean- while he had invested his savings in the Bald- win ranch of more than three hundred acres, which after his death was taken charge of by his sons and still remains under their supervis- ion. Reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, Mr. Cody always remained faithful to its doctrines and died in the hope of eternal happiness inspired by its creed. In politics a Democrat, he always maintained a warm interest in party work, but never aspired to official honors for himself. Public-spirited and energetic, he had a large circle of friends in the county, and up to the last retained the activity of younger days. His wife passed away at Bellota in 1905, at the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters, namely : Charles M., who is married; Lillian, who married T. J. Baldwin, of Berkeley, and has three daughters and one son ; Latham H., who is married and has
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a daughter and son; James I., and Mary E., who married Bernard (better known as Ben) Small- field and has one son. Of the children Mrs. Smallfield was the only one born in San Joaquin county. Her education was received in local schools and since her marriage she has resided at No. 1527 East Washington street, where she has one of the pleasantest homes in Stockton.
ARTHUR ELWOOD PERCIVAL.
The legal profession in Stockton is well rep- resented by one of her younger generation of citizens, having in Arthur E. Percival one whose legal knowledge, impartiality of judgment and keenness of discrimination make him exception- ally proficient in adjusting such matters as fall to his profession.
Mr. Percival is a native of Minnesota, born in Rock county in 1875, the son of Elwood and Martha (Sturtevant) Percival, who made their home on a farm in Rock county for many years. Their son attended the public schools in that vi- cinity during his early boyhood, and later as- sisted his father with the duties of the home farm. When he was little more than a boy, how- ever, when only sixteen years old, he had began to feel the restrictions of the life which lay before him, and at that age, in 1891, he came to Cali- fornia, with Stockton as his destination. Dur- ing the five years which he spent in that city he accepted any employment that would contribute to an honest livelihood, but during this time the idea was formulating in his mind to study for the practice of law. Locating in Lodi in 1896 he entered the law office of W. C. Green and began the reading which was to prepare him for his profession. Two years later, in 1898, he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, a po- sition which he filled with such complete satis-
faction to his constituents that in 1902 he was re-elected to serve for another term of four years, but at the end of three years he resigned from the office to concentrate his efforts on his private legal practice, having in the meantime, in 1902, been admitted to the bar. In the year following he was admitted to practice in the United States, Circuit and District Courts, and in 1906 he was elected Assemblyman from the twenty- fourth district. For a number of years after es- tablishing himself as a practitioner of the law Mr. Percival was alone, but in 1908 he took in as a partner A. T. Searle, and since that time business has been carried on under the name of Percival & Searle, a name which is continually gaining prestige, for both are men of ability, thoroughly conversant with legal technicalities, as is shown in the careful handling of matters committed to their care. On February 15, 1909, the above named firm opened large and attract- ive offices for their increasing practice on Main street, Stockton, in the Stockton Savings & Loan Society Building.
Mr. Percival's marriage united him with one of California's daughters, Miss Clara E. Clarke, a native of Maine. One child has been born of their marriage, Madelyn Gertrude.
REES HARRY.
Although it is nearly a quarter of a century since Mr. Harry passed from the scenes of earth he is still affectionately remembered by the old- time residents of Stockton, where he had made his home for about seventeen years. He was a descendant of good old Revolutionary stock, his grandfather figuring prominently in the conflict between the Mother Country and the Colonies, a fact in which he took commendable pride. The family had become well represented in the cast
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during the years which followed, and in Mont- gomery county, Pa., Rees Harry was born Janu- ary 27, 1822. He was educated in the public schools of his native state, and subsequently be- came a teacher in the vicinity of his home. In the meantime he had made up his mind to learn a trade and take his place in the business life of the community, following this decision by taking up the millwright and carpenter's trade, which he mastered in due time. He had won an enviable reputation as an expert in his line, when, in 1867, he decided to spend the remainder of his life in the west and that year took up his residence in Stockton. Here he found no difficulty in secur- ing work at his trade, and for some time was employed in the Pioneer sash and door mill, a position which he was obliged to relinquish on account of failing health.
In order to be in the open air as much as pos- sible Mr. Harry undertook contracting and building on his own account and for a number of years he followed this business with excellent success. Even this effort proved too wearing on his failing strength and he was finally obliged to give it up altogether. Believing that a change of climate would be a benefit to his health he went to Sacramento, but returned a year later apparently no better than when he left home. He passed away at his home on Lindsay street, September 30, 1884, leaving a wife and children and many friends to mourn his loss.
Mr. Harry had been twice married, two chil- dren having been born of his first marriage, Mrs. Cecilia Humphreys, of Philadelphia, Pa., and Joseph M. Harry, a well-known plumber and con- tractor of Stockton. Mr. Harry's second mar- riage occurred in Philadelphia in 1861 and united him with Miss Sarah Condy, a resident of that city at the time of her marriage. Four sons were born of this marriage, but only two are now living, Dr. Charles Rees Harry, a prominent physician and surgeon of Stockton, and Sydney C. Harry, who is associated in business with F. E. Ferrell & Co., coal and feed merchants of this city. For over thirty years Mr. Harry had been a member of the Odd Fellows, was an ardent
temperance worker, and was a faithful member of the Episcopal church. Personally he was a man of retiring disposition, sincere in his friend- ships, and those who were associated with him in any way learned to love and respect him for the genuineness of his character, expressed in every thought and deed. Before her marriage Mrs. Harry had taught school, and when the health of her husband began to fail she resumed teaching in order to lift some of the burden from his shoulders. For fifteen years she followed her calling in the schools of San Joaquin county, eleven years of this time being spent in the schools of Stockton. She now resides at No. 1307 North San Joaquin street, Stockton.
NICOLA MILCO.
To surmount the obstacles confronting one who seeks to gain independence, to live at peace with fellow-citizens, and to gain a reputation for worth of character, this is a record of which one may well be proud, and in attaining this ambition Mr. Milco merited and won the re- spect of his fellow-citizens. Many of the quali- ties which were noticeable in his character came to him through a long line of worthy Slavonic ancestors, and he added to the characteristics of thrift and economy the American qualities of energy and resourcefulness. A native of Aus- tria, he was born in Dolle, Dalmatia, September 5, 1822, a son of John and Anna Milco, they too being natives of Austria, where they led useful lives.
At an early age Nicola Milco bade farewell to home and friends and set sail for the New World, the vessel on which he made the voyage dropping anchor in the port of New Orleans. From the extreme southern part of the country he made his way past the limits on the north,
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going to the Mackenzie river, in British North America, in 1850, where he engaged in mining operations for about one year. From that north- ern country he finally came to California, going directly to San Francisco, but after remaining there for a time came to Stockton in 1852. Content with the outlook he determined to make this city his permanent home, and as an evidence of this, established a fruit and confectionery store which he continued to carry on throughout his entire active career. Retiring from business in 1892, from then until his death his time was occupied principally in looking after his mining and property interests. Besides owning prop- erty in Stockton, he also had holdings in Bak- ersfield, Kern county.
Mr. Milco's marriage, which occurred May 24, 1869, united him with Miss Maria N. Smer- del, a native of Austria, and resulted in the birth of three children, as follows: Ivan, deceased ; and Albena and Anna, both residents of Stock- ton. Fraternally Mr. Milco was a prominent Mason, having been a member of the order for over fifty years. His death occurred Novem- ber 13, 1898, at which time the community lost a useful, practical and public-spirited citizen, who was always willing to lend his assistance toward the promotion of well-considered efforts to ad- vance the best interests of the people.
WILLIAM C. MILLER.
For over half a century William C. Miller has been one of the prominent citizens of San Joaquin county, whither he came when a young man in- tent on making his fortune as a miner. Born in Indiana December 9, 1824, he was reared to a sturdy manhood in that state, in his early years attending the district schools near the parental home, and later working on the home farm and
also in his father's mill. As early as 1846 an elder brother had gone to Oregon, and upon liis return home had wonderful stories to tell of the outlook in the west. This interest was redoubled when, after the discovery of gold in California, still greater stories were told of the unlimited op- portunities for obtaining sudden wealth. Thius it happened that the two brothers decided to come to California, and going to LaPorte, Ind., formed a company and outfitted for the journey. Leav- ing LaPorte March 15, 1849, they arrived at their destination, Coloma, Eldorado county, August 2 of the same year, having no mishaps on the way. After working in the mines for two months the company disbanded, and from there the Miller brothers went to Sacramento, and thence down the river about twenty miles. There they en- gaged in chopping wood until they had sufficient to supply two contracts which they had accepted from people in San Francisco, and after purchas- ing a boat, carried the wood to its destination.
From San Francisco the brothers again went to Sacramento, where they loaded mules with provisions and started for the mines, and after selling their produce, returned for more supplies and cattle, which they likewise disposed of in the mines. Finally they purchased a ranch on the Stanislaus river and engaged in raising cattle for a number of years, or until 1862, when they moved to Tulare lake. There also they raised stock for a time, but finally sold out the busi- ness, after which William C. Miller began rais- ing sheep near Calaveras. Later he removed to Fresno county and after purchasing a ranch. stocked it with sheep, and for seventeen years carried on a lucrative business with his partner, Alexander Gordon. In the meantime Mr. Miller and his brother had accumulated considerable property, owning twelve hundred acres near Stockton upon which they carried on a profitable business for many years.
Although Mr. Miller's various interests made it necessary for him to be away from home a great deal, his headquarters since 1853 have been in Stockton. His first marriage occurred at Gil- roy. Santa Clara county, March 18, 1860, and
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united him with Miss Missouri Fine, three chil- dren being born of this marriage. She passed away in December, 1870, and two years after- ward, in 1872, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Jennie Maze, a resident of this city. With his wife Mr. Miller is a member of the Christian Church, and both are active workers and liberal contributers in all its departments of activity. With truth Mr. Miller may be called one of the makers of history of San Joaquin county, and particularly of Stockton, where he has made his home since 1853, and for four years he was a member of the city council.
ARTHUR THORNTON.
As the outcome of his service in the United 'States government which brought him to the Pa- cific coast country during the early 50's Mr. Thornton became interested in California and it was not long before he had decided to take up his permanent residence here. Thus it happened that after working for various ranchers for a number of years he purchased property near New Hope, San Joaquin county, in 1863, and for forty-five years has contentedly followed the peaceful and independent life of the agricultur- ist on his ranch. The passing years have brought many changes, both in appearances and conditions, the old continually giving place to the new, this being especially noticeable in Mr. Thornton's handsome residence.
Mr. Thornton is a native of Scotland, born in Ayrshire in 1838. When he was a lad of four- teen years, in 1852, he came to the United States with his parents, who located in Iowa on a farm. Although he had received a good education in the schools of Ayrshire, he also attended school for a couple of years in Iowa, during this time ·also working on his father's farm as much as his
school duties would permit. The spirit of adven- ture took him to Santa Fe, N. Mex., about this time, and there he joined the government service as a civilian under Colonel Steptow. The winter of 1854-55 was spent in Salt Lake City, and in the spring, May 5, 1855, the company took up the march for California. Before reaching their destination, however, they were ordered to Ore- gon instead, and finally, on July 2, they reached Port Lane, on Rouge river, having in the mean- time camped two nights in Surprise valley. Con- sidering their meagre equipment it was quite re- markable that they reached their destination as quickly and as safely as they did, having nothing but a compass to guide them. After resting a week they again took up the march, going first to Cow creek and from there to Red Bluff, Te- hama county, Cal., where they took a steamer for Sacramento, and from there on a larger steamer, were taken to Benicia. After receiving his pay Mr. Thornton entered the employ of the Pacific Steamship Company and went to Panama on the old Oregon, the return trip being made on the steamer Golden Gate to San Francisco. A short experience in the mines proved to him that he had no taste or inclination for the calling and he soon afterward gave it up and came to Stockton. In May, 1855, he came to New Hope, where he worked as a vaquero until 1861, and af- terward followed various lines of employment for two years, when he purchased the ranch at New Hope, which has since been his home. Dur- ing his residence in the town he has seen it grow from a mere hamlet and in fact has been one of the most diligent workers to bring about bet- ter conditions. Thirty years ago New Hope was made a postoffice, and for the same length of time Mr. Thornton has served efficiently as post- master. For eight years he was a director of the asylum at Stockton, and for four years was vice- president of the board.
In January, 1870, Mr. Thornton was married to Miss Emma Greives, a native of Steubenville, Ohio, their marriage resulting in the birth of six children, of whom two are deceased. Mary Alverina is the wife of W. J. Bates, and the
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mother of one child, Richard Thornton Bates; Clara B., Mrs. Alec Thompson, is the mother of two children, Emma P. and Henry A. Thomp- son ; Maggie F. and Georgie M. are deceased; Jessie C. is at home with her parents ; and Alice, the youngest in the family, is the wife of William Koontz, of New Hope. Fraternally Mr. Thorn- ton is a member of Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E., and is a charter member of Lodi Lodge, K. P. Personally Mr. Thornton is popular in the community which his labor and character have helped to build. He is a friend of education and progress, and his sojourn in San Joaquin county, and especially in New Hope, has tended to the widening of its prosperity and opportunity.
JAMES W. HISLOP.
Long experience and early practical training in the manufacture of brick admirably qualify Mr. Hislop for his present responsible position as superintendent of the Stockton Fire & Enamel Brick Company, the organization of which was due largely to his effective work as promoter, as its rapid growth may be attributed to his skill in the business. By birth and lineage he is of the Scotch race that has furnished to our country men of thrift, energy and indomitable persever- ance. Born September 18, 1865, he was reared and educated in his native land and received such advantages as local schools afforded. At the age of eighteen years he began an apprentice- ship to a manufacturer of brick near his old home and for some time he remained in that brick yard, meanwhile gaining the practical knowledge of the business that was indispensable to ultimate success.
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