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 4
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country upon reaching years of maturity, as al- most without exception they remain in the midst of familiar scenes and take up their life work. This has been true of the life of Dr. Locke, who has never been outside of his native state except for three years during his service in the United States army in the Philippines. Not only is he proud of his nativity as a Native Son, but he also takes pride in the fact that he is a son of one of the state's sturdy pioneers, to whose bravery and indomitable spirit this greatest of commonwealths. owes its existence.
A native of Lockeford, San Joaquin county, George H. Locke was born October 19, 1877, into the home of Dean J. and Delia M. (Ham- mond) Locke, being next to the youngest among their large family of thirteen children. (For a more detailed account of the family genealogy the reader is referred to the sketch of the father, which will be found elsewhere in this volume.) With the other children in the family George H. Locke attended the schools of the village, from which he graduated with honors in 1895. As he had been considering his future course in life while a pupil in the grammar school, by the time of his graduation he had his future plan of action well formulated, and without loss of time he continued his studies in the veterinary depart- ment of the University of California, preparatory to becoming a veterinary surgeon. After the completion of the course he returned to Locke- ford and opened an office for practice, following it with considerable success for one year, when the breaking out of the Spanish-American war broke in upon his plans and for three years he served as a veterinary surgeon in the United States army in the Philippines. With the close of his service he came back to Lockeford and re- sumed his practice and also again gave attention to his livery business, which during his absence had been in charge of his brother.
Dr. Locke's marriage occurred in January, 1906, and united him with Miss Estelle Walsh, of Linden, San Joaquin county, the daughter of H. W. Walsh, a well-known resident of that place. Two children have been born of the marriage of
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Dr. and Mrs. Locke, Olga and Georgiana. Fra- ternally Dr. Locke is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the California State Veterinary Medical Association and the Pacific States Veterinary Medical Association. During his service he was in the front from 1899 until 1902 under General Funston.
EBENEZER BOWER BATEMAN, M. D.
The life history of Dr. Bateman is one of un- usual interest. Full of incidents, stirring and ad- venturous, it possesses that fascination which at- taches to, lives that present the spectacle of small beginnings and large achievements and of suc- cess wrested
from adverse circumstances. Through a career which began in 1830 and ended in 1890, he was a witness of much of the remark- able development of the United States, no part of which was more interesting to him than the Golden state, where the happiest and most use- ful years of his life were spent. As an alleviator of the sufferings of humanity few saw more ac- tive service than did he during the years passed on the frontier of California and in the Mexican war.
The boyhood days of Dr. Bateman were asso- ciated with the east, and he was born in New Jersey, July 4, 1818, the son of Isaac Newton and Jane Bateman. While he was still a youth the family home was transferred to the middle west, in the vicinity of Galesburg, Ill. Here a brother of Dr. Bateman, Dr. Newton Bateman, gained dis- tinction in the educational field; his first position of note was as president of Knox College, later he was made state superintendent of public in- struction, a position which he held for twelve years, after which he held a professorship in Knox College. After a long and successful career in the educational field he passed away at the age
of eighty years. Dr. Bateman of this review remained at home until the death of his mother, when he went to St. Louis, Mo., and while working in a drug store there began the study of medicine. In due time, by close study and un- remitting efforts, he won his diploma. The Mexican war was then in progress and with the hope that he might be accepted in the service Dr. Bateman set out for the field of action, neither family or friends knowing of his plan. His ap- plication for service was accepted, aul unfler General Donovan, the army surgeon, he made the weary march over the desert to Mexico. He remained in the service until the close of the war, and it was not until the fall of the City of Mex- ico that his family secured any clew as to his whereabouts.
When peace was declared Dr. Bateman came to California, coming direct to Stockton anl opening a drug store on Weber avenue. AAbove his store he maintained his family home and after the fire, in which he lost all of his possessions, he moved to another location and organized a hộs- pital at the corner of Sutter and Washington streets, which was the first regular hospital In- stituted in Stockton, and also made this his honte. From here he removed his home to the east of Stockton, in what is now known as Fair Oaks, and also continued to maintain his private hes- pital. Later he was appointed county physician, a position which he filled acceptably till 1870, serving twelve years in office. Here he took up twenty-eight acres of land for a home and ranch, and of the good which he accomplished in the undertaking, only those who received help and encouragement at his hands will ever know. This was especially true at the time of the small- pox scourge, in 1868, when he performed many successful cures. With the close of his term as county physician. Dr. Bateman devoted his atten- tion to the care of the ranch, although in the meantime he also served one term in the late legislature. It was in 1871 that he was sent as physician to the Tulare county In lian reserva- tion, and from there he was later transferrei to Covelo, above Ukiah, Mendocino county, Cal , to
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the Round Valley Indian reservation. It was there that his earth life came to a close eighteen years later, on September 8, 1890, and his remains now lie in the cemetery at Covelo. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and Masons.
Dr. Bateman was married in San Francisco February 9, 1851, by the Rev. William Taylor, to Mrs. Josephine ( Kimberlin) Reed, daughter of Jacob and Harriett Kimberlin and the widow of William B. Reed of Virginia. In all his work and aspirations Dr. Bateman had the cheerful help and co-operation of his faithful wife. She came to California via Cape Horn in the ship An- dalusia, Capt. Wilson commanding, arriving in San Francisco September 20, 1849, in company with her sister, Mrs. Annie I. Taylor and her hus- band, Rev. William Taylor, who later became bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the well-known African missionary. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Reed stopped in San Francisco for a time and from there came to Stockton, where the following year Mrs. Reed and Dr. Bateman were united in marriage.
The Kimberlin family is of English descent. A maternal ancestor, James Ritchie, removed from London to Dublin, Ireland, where he later mar- ried an English woman and thereafter came to America, settling in Staunton, Botetourt county, Va. A daughter born to this couple, Harriett Ritchie, married Jacob Kimberlin, the father of Mrs. Bateman, and besides the latter their chil- dren were: Annie I., the wife of Dr. Taylor; Caroline, the wife of Rev. Adam Bland; Prof. James Kimberlin, formerly connected with the faculty of Santa Clara college, and who later gained fame as a horticulturist ; and Mrs. Valen- tine M. Peyton, of San Francisco.
Of the children born to Dr. Bateman and his wife we make the following mention: Mary V., widow of Enoch Peyton, of Stockton ; Mrs. Alice I. Hammett, of Los Angeles; Everett B. Bate- man, and Josephine, the wife of Robert Powell of Stockton. Mrs. Bateman passed away at her home in Stockton August 1I, 1904, at the age of nearly eighty-one years, with her mental facul-
ties still unimpaired. She was a woman of ex- ceptional qualities, with a remarkably bright mind and personal force, and her demise was the cause of deep regret among those who had learned to love her for the nobleness of her character.
WILLIAM HULSE.
Upon investigating the reasons which induced Mr. Hulse to make his home in California it was found that he came hither in the hope of recover- ing his health, and after gaining the object for which he came was loath to leave this health- giving and health-retaining atmosphere. A na- tive of the east, he was born in Franklin county, Pa., February 21, 1840, the son of William and Ellen (Pawling) Hulse, both of whom were also natives of this same eastern state. As his father was a farmer the early life of William Hulse was associated with farming as conducted in the east, for he assisted his father in the care and management of the home place until reaching mature years.
In 1878, in the hope of recuperating his broken health, Mr. Hulse came to California, locating in Merced county, where he purchased forty acres of land upon which he began farming, mak- ing a specialty of raising grain. As his strength returned and he was enabled to add to his re- sponsibilities he established a trucking business which brought him a good income, as this was before the railroads were built in that section. Finally, in 1889, he disposed of the latter busi- ness and removed to Santa Cruz, and for two years thereafter was overseer of roads in Santa Cruz county. Coming to Stockton at the end of that time, in 1891, he resumed his old business of teaming for a time, but gave it up to assume the position of general advertising agent for the Arcade store of Stockton, the duties of which
RENicholl
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position took him into five counties of the state. After relinquishing this position he once more resumed teaming and followed this employment throughout the remainder of his life. At one time he was also in the employ of the city as superintendent of sewers.
In Vernon county, Mo., April 6, 1871, Mr. Hulse was united in marriage with Miss Marga- ret Seaver, who though a resident of Missouri at the time of her marriage was a native of Penn- sylvania. Of the children born to them two are living, Lillian, the wife of Frank Watrous, and Edward W. Hulse, both residents of this city, and the latter a traveling salesman for the well- known firm of Greenebaum, Weil & Michels, clothiers, of San Francisco. Fraternally Mr. Hulse was a member of but one organization, the Junior Order United American Mechanics. His earth life came to a close at his home in Stockton November 1, 1907, since which time his widow has continued to live in the old home, at No. 620 South Pilgrim street.
ROLEY E. WILHOIT.
The genealogy of the Wilhoit family is traced to Germany, but its first representative in Amer- ica crossed the ocean during the colonial history of our country and settled in Virginia, where sev- eral generations lived and labored with a fair degree of success. Following the trend of emi- gration toward the unsettled wilderness of the west, the family pushed across the mountains into Kentucky in an early day and aided in the agricultural development of that commonwealth. Julius and Lucy (Ewell) Wilhoit, parents of Ro- ley E., were born, reared and married in Virgin- ia, but while still young they became pioneers of Kentucky and from there moved to Illinois, set- tling in Edgar county. By dint of the utmost
frugality and indefatigable energy they accuum lated large holdings and acquired the title to about eight hundred acres of farm land. Among their eight children was a son, J. Y., who enlote in the Union army at the opening of the Civil War, went to the front with his regiment aml took part in various engagements until he fall into the hands of the enemy, later dying in a Confederate prison.
While still quite young, Roley E. Wilhoit ac- companied his parents from Jefferson county, Ky., where he was born March 1, 1830, to Edgar county, Ill., where he attended a country school and an academy. After leaving the home farm he clerked for a time in a drug store. On hear- ing of the discovery of gold in the west he de- termined to emigrate to California anl began to make plans for that purpose. With nearly one hundred young men from various parts of the country, in 1850 he outfitted for the trip across the plains, and in May started from St. Joseph, Mo., proceeding along the usual desert route and arriving at Hangtown, Cal., on the 8th of Au- gust. After mining there for a few days Mr. Wilhoit proceeded to Mokelumne Hill, where he worked in the mines during the winter, and in the spring went to Jackson, Amador county, later to Folsom, mining at Willow Springs for a time
Arriving in Stockton May 8, 1852, Mr. Wil hoit secured employment ou a ranch near the city and in the fall he began to haul freight to the southern mines. On account of the high water he was forced to convey his goods 15 French Camp by boat and there hie loade l them on wagons for the remainder of the trip For nine years he engaged in freighting anl teant- ing. During the last six years he had a partner and the firm of Bostwick & Willloit conducted a large business in their line. During 1861 Mr. Wilhoit was elected County Recorder and this position he filled by successive elections until March of 1868, when he embarked in the ale stract, conveyancing and real estate birsinei. From small proportions the business har 19- creased until it ranks with the largest of the kind in this part of the state. As statel in the
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sketch of George E. Wilhoit, the business was conducted by R. E. Wilhoit alone for eighteen years and then he took two sons into partner- ship; still later the Wilhoit Abstract & Title Company was incorporated, with the three mem- bers of the family and Messrs. Taylor and Com- stock.
Interested in all movements for the welfare of the town and county, Mr. Wilhoit has long been a member of the Pioneer's Society, from 1872 to 1878 served as a member of the board of supervisors (being chairman for three years), and from 1870 to 1873 served as a councilman (being chairman of that board for two years). After his election as a member of the board of education of Stockton he was chosen president of the body and filled that position with efficiency and fidelity to the interests of the schools. As early as 1859 he became identified with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and in 1865 he was made a Mason. His first marriage took place in Stockton October 7, 1861, uniting him with Miss Delia Dwelly, who was born in Maine in 1844 and died at Stockton January 14, 1872. Three sons and a daughter survived her, namely : George E., born in 1863; Eugene L., born in 1865; Arthur and Alice (twins), born in 1866. The second marriage of Mr. Wilhoit took place in Stockton December 11, 1873, and united him with Miss Jeanette French Tilton, who was born at St. Johns, New Brunswick, in 1849. Three children were born of this union, a son who died at the age of six years, and two daughters, viz .: Mary L., born in 1875, and Elsie G., born in 1877. The family stands high in Stockton and its members are welcomed guests in the most cultured social circles of the city.
WILLIAM DENNIS.
Forty years have come and gone since William Dennis passed from life, but by those still living
who knew him and by those who knew him only by hearsay, he is recalled as one who bore an ac- tive part in the material building of Calaveras county and maintained the constant interest in progressive projects characteristic of a citizen of education and culture. A native of England, he was born in Barnstable August 23, 1829, the son of John Dennis, a mechanic, whose death in 1832 left the son fatherless while he was too young to realize his loss. The family remained together in their native land thereafter for a num- ber of years, the elder brothers taking up the burden of support which the death of the father necessitated. The name became established in the United States in 1838, when Louis Dennis, with his brother William, then a lad of nine years, braved the uncertainties and dangers of a voyage by sailing vessel and landed on these shores on the coast of Maine.
Before leaving his native land William Dennis had received all the book knowledge he was des- tined to receive under the instruction of teachers, for as soon as they were settled in their new home in Maine he was apprenticed to learn the machin- ist's trade. The mastery of his trade made him self-supporting, and thereafter he followed it in the east until his interest in California was awak- ened through the fact that his brother Alexander had located here. The latter came in 1851, and so well pleased was he with the outlook that the stories which he wrote to his brother of the coun- try could not be resisted, and two years later he also was numbered among the pioneer settlers of the state, having made the journey by way of the Isthmus of Panama. At first he went to Big Oak Flat and from there to Murphy's, where he assisted in setting up machinery in the first saw- mill in Calaveras county. During the year 1854 he went to Willow Creek and became interested in lumbering, also bought and sold stock, contin- uing these two lines of activity until 1868. It was during the following year that he went to Virginia City, Nev., where one week later, after a brief illness, he passed away. In the death of Mr. Dennis, Calaveras county lost an honored citizen, one who was beloved and respected by
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his many friends, who were numbered among all classes, old and young alike.
At East Corinth, Penobscot county, Me., William Dennis was united in marriage Novem- ber 8, 1855, with Miss Delphina J. Eaton, the daughter of True and Abigail T. (Comins) Eaton, for years residents of New England, though their last years were passed in California. Two children, both sons, were born of the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis, William S. and T. Lewis. The youngest son resides on the old homestead in Calaveras county, known as the Cutler-Dennis ranch, where he is in charge of a gold dredger now in operation there. A sketch of the older son will be found elsewhere in this volume. Through the accomplishments of father and sons the name of Dennis has been known long and honorably in both San Joaquin and Calaveras counties, in which part of the state the sons have a large circle of warm friends.
The widow of William Dennis became the wife of William O. Cutler in January, 1873, but in June, 1897, she was again left a widow, the death of Mr. Cutler occurring at their home in Cala- veras county.
FLAVEL GAYLORD HICKOX.
For many years prior to his sudden and la- mented death Mr. Hickox was numbered among the energetic and patriotic citizens of Stockton. Meanwhile by diligent industry and sagacious investment he accumulated a property the value of which has shown a steady increase in common with otlier real estate of the city and state. During boyhood and early manhood he resided in New York state, where he was born at Gil- bertville, July 24, 1844, and where his parents, Cyrus and Mary (Gaylord) Hickox, resided for many years at the Hickox farm lying opposite what long was known as the Joseph Bush farm,
one mile above the village of Bainbridge. In those days schools were crude in their metinals of instruction and occupied buildings primitive in appearance and furnishings, yet the boys and girls of that period became well informed in spite of handicaps that would daunt the school children of the present era.
When the Civil war began the sympathies of Mr. Hickox were on the side of the Union an I throughout the struggle he gave his mtluence and aid to the north, volunteering in the army and entering Company B, Ninetieth Regiment New York Infantry with which he served until the expiration of his time, or the close of the war. On his return from the war he began to earn his livelihood at the trade of a painter, which occupation he afterward followed. He main tained a warm interest in all movements for the welfare of the war veterans and for years was prominent in the activities of Rawlins Post, G. A. R., at Stockton. In 1873 he gave up his busi- ness interests in the east and moved to Cali- fornia. There he settled in Stockton and took up work at the painter's trade. By industry and steady application to business he accumulated considerable property, including the family resi dence at No. 20 West Vine street. Fraternally he was identified with Masonry, being a member and past master of Morning Star Lodge, F & A. M., and also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, Royal and Select Masters and the Knights Tempiar. He also held membership with Truth Lodge, I. O. O. F.
There are now living in New York state two brothers of Mr. Hickox, namely: William C. and George B., of Afton, and one sister. Mrs. H. N. Crydenwise, of Binghamton. He was married in September. 1892, to Miss Carric .A. Lawson, and to them was born ene daughter. Amy M., who resides with her mother. By a former marriage he had one son. William J. who is a resident of Stockton.
The death of Mr. Hickox resulted from achi- dent. September 2, 1908, about 9:30 in the morn ing. In company with F. D. Soule he had been engaged in painting the Buell residence on North
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Eldorado street. A few minutes before the ac- cident he remarked to his companion that he would have to go to the roof to attend to some special work. As a matter of precaution he took with him a piece of rope and fastened it around his body. Climbing up, he fastened one end of the rope to the roof and then went to the uppermost part of the house in order to paint the crest. No sooner had he started to work than he was seized with a cramp and in the con- vulsions that followed he slipped from the crest, rolled down the steep roof, and was brought to a quick stop upon reaching the end of the rope. For a moment he was held suspended in the air, then the rope broke and he plunged headlong fifty feet to the ground.
No one saw the accident, as Mr. Soule was working on another side of the house and there was no unusual noise. Fortunately some passers- by noticed the injured man on the ground, rush- ed to his aid, found him still conscious and gave him every attention, summoning Mr. Soule and others to his aid. He asked for water and de- sired some one to bathe his head, adding that soon he would be ready for work again. Every- thing possible was done to ease his suffering, but while his head was being bathed he gave a few gasps, muttered inarticulately and expired, death ending his sufferings about ten minutes af- ter the fatal fall. Throughout the city there was universal expression of regret at the sudden de- mise of an industrious workman, a loyal citizen, a true patriot and a war veteran, one who was loyal to family and friends, and solicitious to live up to the highest ideals of citizenship.
GEORGE SUMNER HARKNESS.
Thirty years have come and gone since the death of Mr. Harkness, but he is still remembered by the older residents of Stockton, with whom for over a quarter of a century he was intimately as-
sociated during the early history of this now pros- perous city.
He was born December 12, 1826, in the state of New York. In early childhood his parents removed to what was at that time considered the frontier, settling in Jackson county, Mich., where he was reared to manhood. August 13, 1848, he married Miss Mary A. French, of Onondaga, Ingham county, Mich. The young couple made their home in Jackson until April, 1852, when they began the journey that was to bring them to the then Far West. They were ten months on the road, coming by easy stages and having their share of adventures along the way. They were fortunate in not having any trouble with the Indians, but not so fortunate in escaping from the Mormons, who in those days considered the Gentiles as their lawful prey. Upon reaching Salt Lake they tarried two weeks and then con- tinued their journey over what was known as the southern route to the golden west, arriving in Los Angeles in November, 1852. They remained there until the following May, when they started north, and were two months making the journey that now takes two days, arriving in Stockton July 3, 1853.
Mr. Harkness worked at his trade of black- smithing in Stockton for a few years, interspers- ing it with trips to various mining towns and a surveying trip to Fresno and Tulare. Not liking his trade he went into the cattle business in 1859, having his headquarters near the San Joaquin river south of Stockton. The great flood of 1862 relieved him of his cattle, and the land he bought, being on a Spanish grant, he was soon re- lieved of that also, and returned to Stockton in 1863 with nothing but his family and the dog, to begin life anew. He soon engaged in the well- boring business, in which he continued as long as he lived.
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