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 37
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STOCKTON BROOM FACTORY.
Not the least of the industries which have added to the well-being of Stockton is the broom factory of which Abraham Hemingway is the proprie- tor. The business was started in San Francisco in 1876, and some years later came into the pos- session of Abraham and John Hemingway, who conducted the business in that city until 1883, when, in September, they removed the plant to Stockton, having erected a building suited to their needs at the corner of East street and Miner avenue. Changes in the personnel of the firm took place the following year when John with- drew from the business and was superseded by another brother, Walter Hemingway. Since the death of the latter, which occurred in 1897, the
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business has been under the entire management of Abraham Hemingway, a native of England.
From a small beginning the capacity of the factory has been enlarged until today it has a daily average output of sixteen dozen brooms, this large output being made possible through the adequate equipment of special machinery for the purpose. Nearly all of the broom corn used in the factory is shipped from the eastern states, principally from Oklahoma, Kansas and Illinois, and the manufactured product is sent to all parts of the San Joaquin valley and within a radius of two hundred miles of the city of Stockton. This is the only factory of the kind between Stockton and Los Angeles, and is the oldest one on the Pacific coast that has been in continuous operation.
TIMOTHY MINAHEN.
The early pioneers played an important part in the upbuilding of the commonwealth of Cali- fornia, but to the later settler and homemaker a large share of credit is also due for what has been accomplished in the last half century. Among the latter class of citizens mentioned belongs Timothy Minahen, who since 1876 has tilled the ranch on which he now resides, just outside of the city of Stockton, on the Mariposa road. A native of New Hampshire, he was born in North Charlestown, Sullivan county, in 1851, the son of Margaret and Timothy Minahen. His early recollections take him back in memory to his birthplace, where he received his education and gained a thorough understanding of agricultural life on his father's farm. In 1867, when he was sixteen years of age, the parents came to Califor- nia, making the journey by way of the Isthmus of Panama. They were induced to come to Cali- fornia from the fact that two elder sons and one daughter had located here some time previously
and were successfully engaged in ranching about six miles south of Stockton, on the Mariposa road.
For a time after locating in San Joaquin county Mr. Minahen attended the public school in the vicinity of his home and later began to be self- supporting by working on neighboring farms. This experience made him self-reliant and am- bitious to the extent that he wished to become a land owner, and in 1876 he purchased the ranch on which he now resides, consisting of seven hundred acres, and located ten miles from Stockton on the Mariposa road.
January 3, 1882, Mr. Minahen was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Fullerton, the daughter of Margaret and W. D. Fullerton, and at the time of her marriage a resident of Farm- ington, Cal. Five children, three sons and two daughters, have been born to them, all still at home with their parents. Named in order of their birth they are as follows: Charles llenry, William D., Evaline, Malcolm and Josephine. All of the family are communicants of the Catholic church, and politically Mr. Minahen is a Democrat. He takes a keen interest in the af- fairs of his chosen party and on several occas- ions he has served as a delegate to Democratic conventions.
CHARLES HAAS.
Of all the nations that have contributed to the citizenship of the United States none can boast of characteristics more sturdy or praiseworthy than have been bequeathed to those of Teutonic birth or parentage. Wherever they elect to set tle the inborn qualities of thrift and progressive- ness are apparent, with the result that their citi zenship is a lasting benefit to that community. Stockton lays claim to many citizens of German origin, and of the number none has contributed
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more largely to her well-being than Charles Haas, who was born in Baden January 12, 1827. He was a young man of twenty-two years when, in 1849, he landed on our shores, the ship on which he sailed casting anchor in the harbor of New York at Castle Garden. After remaining in that metropolis for a number of years he con- tinued his journey by crossing the plains to Cal- ifornia in 1852, going direct to San Francisco and remaining there until 1858.
It was in August, 1858, that the name of 'Charles Haas became associated with Stockton, and with the passing of years it has become in- creasingly popular, both in business and social circles. In an unpretentious way he established himself in the jewelry business soon after locat- ing here, this being the nucleus of the present large business carried on under the name of Charles Haas & Sons (Inc.), of which he him- self is the president, the other officers being his four sons. By those in a position to know, the house of Charles Haas & Sons is conceded to be the most reliable jewelry establishment in Stockton, and ranks favorably with any on the Pacific coast.
In San Francisco, June 20, 1854, Mr. Haas formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Charlotte Merk, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and for over forty years they have made their home in the same residence, No. 38 Fremont street, which during all these years has been the scene of many social gatherings. Mr. Haas was one of the or- ganizers of the San Francisco Turnverein, and is now the oldest living member of the Stockton Turnverein. As an evidence of the regard in which he is held by his fellow members it may be said that for fifty years the honor of carrying in the punch bowl to their annual New Year's celebrations has been bestowed upon him. For ten years he took an active interest in the German school, acting as a trustee during that time, but for the past fifteen years, although his interest in its welfare has not abated, he has not been an active member of the board. In 1872 he was elected to fill the office of city treasurer, serving his constituents faithfully for one term, but re-
fused to serve longer, as he had no taste for pub- lic life. Personally he is a quiet, home-loving man, unostentatious and whole-hearted, and dur- ing his many years residence in Stockton he has gathered about him many sturdy friends and well- wishers.
WILLIAM H. KEEP.
Since Mr. Keep took up his residence in Stock- ton in 1859 he has had no reason to wish that Fate had cast his lot in any other section of the west. His earliest years were spent in New England, his birth having occurred in Middlesex county, Mass., September 7, 1835, and until he attained his majority he continued to make his home in the vicinity of his birthplace. Bidding farewell to home and friends at the age of twenty-one he set out for the far west to make his fortune in the Golden state, concerning whose opportunities he had heard so much in his distant eastern home. Going directly to the mines at Marysville, he labored there with ave- rage results for two years, when he came to Stock- ton, although at that time he did not remain here permanently. Among the assets with which he was equipped when he came to the west was a thorough understanding of the machinist's trade, and it was to fill a position in this capacity in the gold mines he went to Oroville soon after- ward, remaining there for a number of years. From Oroville he came once more to Stockton, and has made this city his home ever since. As one of the proprietors of the Globe Iron Works he gives employment to a large number of mechanics, and his plant is recognized as one of the city's dependable enterprises.
Mr. Keep was married in 1865 to Miss Isa- bella Dallas, the daughter of Charles Dallas, who was born in Iowa in 1825 and came as a pioneer to California in 1850. The party with
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which he crossed the plains was just a year in making the trip, owing to the fact that they stopped in Salt Lake for some time. Upon reaching the state Mr. Dallas came direct to Stockton, where for many years he was asso- ciated with Andrew Wolf in the livery business. Of his children we mention the following: Mary became the wife of L. M. Hickman, of Sausalito, formerly a mayor of Stockton; Robert is a resi- dent of Oakland; John resides in San Francis- co; Sarah is still unmarried; and Isabella, Mrs. Keep, passed away in Stockton March 21, 1909. One daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Keep who is now the wife of Fred Gerlash, of Stock- ton. Ever since 1860 Mr. Keep has been a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows organization, having joined Charity Lodge No. 6 at Stockton. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, and was the first commanding chancellor of that body in Stockton.
GEORGE HORNAGE.
The discovery of gold in California brought thousands of enterprising emigrants from the east and hastened the Americanization of a region that otherwise might have remained for long years a Spanish speaking province, separ- ated from the United States by barriers of a different language as well as the barriers of mountains and deserts. Among the easterners attracted to the coast during the early period of its settlement we mention James Henry Horn- age, a blacksmith in Ohio, who was born in Wheeling, W. Va., in 1832, and at an early age settled in Ohio. In that state he met and mar- ried Miss Jane Williams, who was born at Bel- laire, Ohio. While still making their home in Ohio a son, Harry S., was born to them, and husband and wife, with their little son, came
together to California, enjoying a pleasant voy- age via the isthmus and settling at Forbestown, Butte county, where June 10, 1859, a son was born to whom was given the name of George.
A brief experience in mining brought James Henry Hornage varied success and when he had accumulated a little competency he decided to take his family back to the east. Passage was engaged on the famous ship, Goklen Gate, but he was delayed and when he and his family arrived at the wharf, they found the ship liad started on the long voyage. It proved very for- tunate for them, for later came the shocking news of the destruction of the ship by fire, bring- ing sudden death to its crowd of passengers. After having mined in Butte county, the father engaged similarly in Amador and Calaveras coun- ties from 1862 until he moved to Stockton July 3, 1871, and here he remained until his deatlı in 1896. For some time he worked at the black- smith's trade. Possessing an excellent educa- tion, he was employed as secretary to the chief of police and for fifteen years he filled the po- sition. On various occasions he acted as a depu- ty sheriff under Thomas Cunningham and he took an active part at the time of the Mokelumne troubles. Politically he was a Republican and in religion held membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church. A man of strong views, de- cided ideas and the utmost sincerity of purpose. he was conscientious and devoted to duty as he saw it, allowing nothing to swerve hin from what he considered the path of right and jus- tice. Fraternally he was connected with Campo Seco Lodge, I. O. O. F. His wife was one of the pioneer women of Forbestown and was ac- customed to see Indians frequently, but they were friendly as a rule and little fear was expressel concerning attacks on their part.
As previously mentioned. there were two sons in the family. The elder. Harry S., is emplove } by the Mail Publishing Company. The younger. George, a native-born son of California, was edu- cated in Stockton schools and for a time was employed as a bookkeeper and salesman in a grocery business. In 1888 he married Miss Ella
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Bonsall, and they have one daughter, Miss Eva- lyn B., now a high-school student. For a con- siderable period Mr. Hornage has conducted a general real estate and insurance business in Stockton. In addition, he is vice president and manager of the Boulevard Gardens Land Com- pany at Berkeley, also a director of the Stockton Savings Bank and identified with numerous oth- er local enterprises of importance. Fond of sports as a recreation from business responsi- bilities, he is connected with the Newman Gun Club and a life-member of the Stockton Athletic Club. Fraternally he holds membership with Stockton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W .; a member of Morning Star Lodge No. 68, F. & A. M .; Homo Chapter No. 50, O. E. S., in which his wife holds office as Worthy Matron; Truth Lodge No. 55, I. O. O. F., in which he is past grand; Parker Encampment No. 3; and Canton Ridgley No. 15, I. O. O. F .; also with his wife holds membership with the Lebanon Rebekah Lodge, of which Mrs. Hornage is past noble grand.
SIDNEY NEWELL HODGKINS.
The first establishment of the Hodgkins family in California dates back to the eventful year of 1849, the original settler being Henry Hodg- kins, a man who by wide travel and habits of close observation had more than atoned for lack of early school advantages. Born at Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, he had been obliged to earn his own livelihood from boyhood and for a number of years had served as a soldier in the British army. By carefully hoarding his pay he was finally able to buy his discharge and thereupon emigrated to New Zealand, where he secured employment. Upon the discovery of gold in California he came direct to this state and secured work in Stockton, following any
occupation that afforded an honest livelihood. Eventually he became interested in buying stock for other parties. As a judge of cattle he had few superiors. A glance sufficed to show him their good points or their poor qualities, and his judgment in weight was so accurate that it was unnecessary to go to the trouble of weigh- ing, except to satisfy sellers who were unfa- miliar with his reputation in this respect. Al- most to a pound he could tell the weight of a herd of cattle. For years he carried on a meat. market in Stockton, where he became the owner of a large building on the corner of East Main and San Joaquin streets, also the Yosemite Hotel building and various other properties in the city. He was one of the charter members of the Stock- ton Savings and Loan Society and the Stockton Savings Bank. After a long and successful business experience in California he returned to England and resided in Cheltenham until his. death, in June 1899, being survived by Mrs. Hodgkins, formerly Miss Elizabeth Jordan, a native of England.
The place of his birth, Cheltenham, England, was also the scene of his boyhood experiences in school and at play, and there it was that Sidney Newell, son of Henry Hodgkins, received his rudimentary training in business. At the age- of about fifteen he left school and became a bank clerk, filling the position for four years. For some time afterward he was employed in the- Stock Exchange of London. Next he spent three years in the employ of the Grand Trunk Rail- way of Canada. His first trip to California took place in December of 1899 and he was favorably impressed with the country where his father had been prominent and successful. Returning to England in the fall of 1900 he remained for four months and during 1901 became a perma- nent resident of Stockton. A brief experience on a ranch was followed by his entrance into the grain business as a broker in 1903. At the. same time he handled potatoes in connection with barley and had offices not only in Stockton, but also in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Dis- posing of the business in 1907 he formed a part-
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nership with P. Herbert Stitt under the firm title of Hodgkins & Stitt and embarked in the real estate business, with offices at No. 313 East Weber avenue. The firm makes a specialty of the sale of ranches they have subdivided, but in addition they have on sale other properties in the country and city. Their business is es- tablished upon a substantial basis and the high reputation of the partners gives them the con- fidence of both buyers and sellers. In fraternal relations Mr. Hodgkins is identified with Morn- ing Star Lodge No. 68, F. & A. M., and Stock- ton Chapter No. 28. R. A. M., and is a firm be- liever in the philanthropic principles for which Masonry stands.
GEORGE HOUSKEN.
It speaks volumes for a state or county when those who have traveled over practically the whole world select a certain locality as one of all others in which to live in contentment and quiet, and at the same time make a comfortable living. This has been the experience of Mr. Housken, who gave up a sea-faring life of over twenty years in 1866 to take up his permanent residence in San Joaquin county, and during this time he has had no occasion to regret that for- tune directed him to this locality.
Norway is Mr. Housken's native home, and De- cember II, 1838, the date of his birth. At the age of fifteen he went to England, this being his in- itiation as a sailor, and from there he sailed to East India. Two months were spent in Calcutta, when the return voyage to London was made, only to set out soon afterward for the same port, first stopping, however, at Madras, India. From Calcutta they went to Singapore and Hong- Kong, thence crossed the Pacific ocean to the United States, reaching San Francisco in Au-
gust, 1857. Mr. Housken's first impressions of California were so favorable that he determine l to make it his home thenceforward. From that time until 1866, with San Francisco as his head quarters, he followed the sea as captain of the schooner Reliance, engaged in a coast trade. The sale of his schooner in the year last mien- tioned marks the beginning of Mr. Housken's career as a landsman. Coming to San Joaquin county, he purchased a general store at Taison. not far from New Hope, conducting it for eight years, when he sold it and purchased the ranch which he has since occupied, and which comprises seven hundred and sixty acres of the finest land to be found in the county. In 1904 he gave up the active management of his ranch and now is living practically retired, although from force of habit rather than from necessity he is carrying on a dairy business on two hundred and eighty acres which he has rented for the purpose. As an accessory to his dairy he has four hundred and eighty acres in grain. All of the milk is manu- factured into cheese on the ranch, for which pur- pose Mr. Housken erected a commodious and convenient factory.
The marriage which united Mr. Housken and. Miss Katherine E. Lenz was celebrated in San Francisco February 12, 1865. She was of Ger- man parentage and birth, the daughter of Jacob J. Lenz, and had been a resident of California five years prior to her marriage. Eight children were born to them, but one of them, Oscar L., passed away August 12, 1901. Of the others we make the following mention: George E. was recorder of San Joaquin county for two years. deputy recorder for four years, later deputy treasurer for the same length of time, and is now interested as a stockholder in the Wagner Leath- er Company, of Stockton : his wife was before her marriage Miss Bertha Wagner. Frank O. Housken is an attorney of Tracy, and his wife was formerly Miss Tena Lammers of that place William C., now a resident of Stockton, was at one time justice of the peace of Union town ship, filling the position creditably for four years. and also for six years he conductedla mercantile
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establishment at New Hope; by his marriage with Segred Seigelkoff, of Lodi, one child has been born, Merle Lou, the first grandchild in the family. Katie Sophia is the wife of William Fountain, of Walnut Grove. Lillie Augusta is the wife of Jack Maerkamp von Embden, and they make their home in Mount Vernon, N. Y. Laura May became the wife of Russell Julius Coggeshall, of Grand Island. The youngest child of the family, Josie Lou, is still unmarried and resides in San Francisco. Mr. Housken is an active member of a number of fraternal orders, belonging to Jefferson Lodge No. 98, I. O. O. F., of Woodbridge, and of Woodbridge Lodge No. 131, F. & A. M., Mrs. Housken also belonging to Eastern Star Lodge No. 118 of that place.
DAVID KETTELMAN.
Worthy of mention among the sons of the Fatherland who became pioneers of California is David Kettelman, a skillful and successful agri- culturist, who for nearly forty years has been engaged in his independent calling in San Joa- quin county, his ranch lying about one and a half miles southeast of Lodi, on Cherokee Lane. His earliest recollections are of Osnabruck, Prussia, Germany, where he was born in 1826, and where he was reared up to the age of twelve years. An elder sister had in the mean- time emigrated to the United States and as a re- sult of her encouraging reports of the possibili- ties awaiting the young and ambitious foreigner he was filled with a desire to join her in the New World. With a party of emigrants made up from his home town he made the journey in 1838, landing in New York City, where he re- mained for about ten years, or until April, 1849.
Mr. Kettelman may be numbered among the
earliest pioneers of California, for it was not long after the reports of the finding of gold in the state that he set sail from New York har- bor, bound for the eldorado. Five months were consumed in making the perilous voyage by way of Cape Horn to San Francisco, the Panama, the vessel on which he sailed, dropping anchor in the Golden Gate August 3, 1849. After a short stay in San Francisco he went to Moke- lumne Hill, where for about a year he engaged in mining, but with what success the records do not state. It is safe to presume, however, that his efforts did not meet with the results that he had anticipated, for at the end of this time he went to San Andreas, Calaveras county, and inaugurated a mercantile business which he con- ducted with success for one year. The rush to the mines on Winters Bar, on the Mokelumne river, made it advisable to locate there, and in company with S. V. and J. P. Tredway he es- tablished a trading post there, an undertaking which proved entirely satisfactory, but which the partners finally relinquished in order to en- gage in stock-raising and the buying and sell- ing of cattle. They continued in this line of business for about twelve years, when they came to San Joaquin county, and upon property which they purchased engaged in ranching for a num- ber of years. Upon the dissolution of the part- nership Mr. Kettelman purchased the ranch near Lodi which has since been his home, his resi- dence here dating from the year 1871.
The marriage of Mr. Kettelman occurred in 1864 and united him with Miss Margaret Mehr- tens, a native of Hanover, Germany, who had been a resident of California two years prior to her marriage. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kettelman, but one of the number is deceased. The eldest, George D., has assumed the care of the home ranch, thus relieving his father of its responsibilities ; Rebecca is the wife of George Thompson, of Lodi; Clara May is the wife of S. B. Axtell, the efficient editor of The Sentinel, the leading newspaper of Lodi; David Henry is a rancher and stock-raiser near Lodi; and Frederick William is a bookkeeper
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in the Sperry flour mills in Stockton. Mr. Ket- telman is now in his eighty-fourth year, but not- withstanding his advanced years is in the enjoy- ment of all of his faculties.
WILLIAM J. HICKOX.
The great commonwealth of California was in the initial period of its history when Jeremiah Sarles left his home in the year 1851 and took passage on a sailing vessel for the west by way of Cape Horn. The tedious voyage finally came to an end and the destination was reached in safety. The following year his wife and their daughter, Clorinda M., joined him, coming by way of the Isthmus. A little cabin in Stockton was the early home of the family, and Mr. Sarles formed a partnership with a Mr. Johnson, whose daughter, Amanda Johnson, was the only white child in Stockton with the exception of Clorinda M. Sarles. The only industry in the village was the freighting business to the mines, and this oc- cupied the attention of Mr. Sarles and his partner until 1861, when the partnership was dissolved, and he embarked in the dairy business. During the great flood of 1861-62 he delivered milk to his customers, using a boat instead of a wagon for that purpose. Eventually he sold the dairy and turned his attention to the raising of sheep on the Calaveras river, renting the Weber ranch for that purpose. A portion of the land was placed under cultivation for the raising of grain. After years of agricultural activity he retired from manual labor, settled in Stockton and here remained until his death, June 21, 1898, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife had passed away in November of 1893, at the age of seventy- two.
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