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 41
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While living in the south Mr. Earl was united in marriage with Miss Annie Reddington, in 1866, and of the children born to them four are now living, as follows: Thomas Henry, a rest- dent of San Francisco; Edward Joseph, who is now in Manila; William, also a resident of San Francisco; and John Sylvester, who is the pro- prietor of a fine grocery store in Stockton.
Politically Mr. Earl was a Democrat. Per- sonally he was well liked by all who came in con- tact with him in whatever walk of life, for his genial good nature made friends everywhere, and he was also highly respected for the high moral principles which actuated him in all that he undertook.
CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMPANY.
The California Transportation Company was organized in 1856, when Nelson N. Anderson began to run a line of steamers from San Fran- cisco to Sacramento, touching at all the inter- mediate points. The company's line of boats in- cludes the following: Captain Weber, Pride of the River, Isleton, Constance, Reform. Onisho. Alvira, Aurora, Sonoma, Fort Bragg and New- town. No. 2.
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The main offices of the company are in San Francisco, while branch offices are maintained in Oakland, Sacramento and Stockton. The Oak- land branch is under the management of Will- iam Baker, Sacramento under J. E. Crew, while the Stockton office is in charge of J. W. Glenn. The officers of the company are George A. Smith, president, Rudolph Herold, Jr., vice-pres- ident, and A. E. Anderson, secretary and mana- ger.
ROBERT NICKERSON HOWES.
From the time of his arrival in California in 1856 until his death fifty-one years later, Mr. Howes was associated with business enterprises in Stockton and also in Pacific Grove, Monterey county, in which latter place his earth life came to a close April 27, 1907. Of eastern birth and ancestry, he was born in Chatham, Mass., April 24, 1834, the son of Robert and Hannah Howes, they too being natives of the same state. The school training begun in Chatham was continued and completed in New Bedford, Mass., whither the parents transferred the family home when their son Robert was a lad of about ten years. Following the completion of his course in school he fitted himself for the business world by learn- ing the trade of carriage-maker. Events in the far west had been transpiring in the meantime, however, that were to have an influence upon his future course in life, and it thus happened that instead of turning his attention to the establish- ment of a place of business after completing his apprenticeship, he came to California, making the journey by way of Panama.
Disembarking from the vessel at San Francisco, Mr. Howes lost no unnecessary time in making his way to the mines of Calaveras county, which at that time were attracting considerable atten- tion on account of the reported richness in ore.
Mr. Howes was disappointed with the meagre results that followed his efforts, but he was still undismayed and was determined to seek some honest work to relieve his temporary embarrass- ment.
Coming to Stockton, he applied for a position on a ranch in this vicinity and having se- cured it, gave his best efforts in furthering his employer's interests. While working on the ranch he was making observations as to the ad- visability of establishing a place of business in Stockton, and when arrangements were completed he came into the city and associated himself with her manufacturing interests. Later an association was formed with H. C. Shaw & Co., whereby Mr. Howes was to furnish all of the iron and steel work for manufacturing headers and plows. This association proved not only an amicable one, but a profitable one as well, and was brought to a close only through necessity, the failure of Mr. Howes' health making his withdrawal from busi- ness activities imperative. It was about this time, also, 1886, that he removed to Pacific Grove, Monterey county, and here made his home until his death. On land which he purchased on the water front he erected a number of cottages, from the rental of which he received a neat income. This in addition to other property which he pur- chased and improved occupied his time sufficiently in its care and management, and he continued to have entire charge of his affairs up to the time of his death, which occurred just three days after the celebration of the seventy-third anniversary of his birth.
In 1868 Mr. Howes returned to New Bedford, Mass., to claim his fiancee, Miss Annie H. Sher- man, a native of Massachusetts, the wedding trip of the young people consisting of a journey by the Isthmus to California. At that time they set- tled in Stockton, Mr. Howes resuming his busi- ness, and later became associated with H. C. Shaw & Co., an association which continued until 1886, as previously stated. Fraternally Mr. Howes was a member of Charity Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Ancient Order United Workmen. When he died, April 27, 1907, it was recognized that one of the town's most progressive citizens
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had been taken from the scenes of his activities, and the universal testimony of citizens was that his loss would be deeply felt in Stockton and Pacific Grove.
MICHAEL McCANN.
The chief of the Stockton fire department is a son of a California pioneer, Bartholomew Mc- Cann, who was born, reared and married in Ire- land, and from the Emerald Isle crossed the ocean to the New World in 1847, settling at New Lon- don, Conn., but shortly afterward migrating via the Isthmus to California. With the parents was brought their son, Michael, who was born in Ireland, April 15, 1847, but whose earliest recol- lections cluster around the then small village of Stockton. Here the father followed various oc- cupations as a means of livelihood and for a time took contracts for the grading of streets and other public work. His death occurred in this city in September of 1873.
Upon leaving the public schools of Stockton to take up work for self-support, Michael McCann learned a trade, but during much of his active life he has been connected with the Stockton fire department. As early as 1869 he joined the volunteer fire department. Soon he proved ex- ceptional fitness for work of that nature and in 1873 he was made driver, continuing until 1886, when he was elected foreman of the company, and served in that capacity until he was appointed chief engineer in 1888. During 1891 he re- signed as engineer, left the department and em- barked in business on his own account, continu- ing in that way until August 21, 1907, when he was again appointed chief of the fire department. Selling out his business he resumed active charge of the department, and his ideas are now being considered for the improvement of the depart- ment and the increasing of its efficiency.
The marriage of Michael McCann united hun with Miss Annie Tye, who was born in Ohio and in childhood came to California with her father, M. Tye, settling in Stockton. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Cann are the parents of seven children. Ellen, the eldest, married A. Lease, and lives in Stock - ton. Anna is the wife of A. H. Ilarlan, city editor of the Stockton Independent; Margaret Frances married Newton Rutherford, a resident of Stockton; Eva is the wife of J. E. Garraghan and lives in Pennsylvania. The three youngest, Allie, Alvie and Albert, remain with their parents.
On the occasion of the convention of the Pacific Coast Fire Chiefs, held at Victoria, B. C., in 1908, Mr. McCann attended as a delegate, and found the proceedings interesting and in- structive. The organization of the Exempt Fire- men was largely due to his efforts and he has been active in the same ever since the first. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Foresters of America. The development of the fire department has been his chief work in life and he is proud of the high standing of Stockton's department, although, with character- istic enterprise, he is still urging the adoption ci improved methods looking toward its greater efficiency.
WILLIAM EUGENE WILLIAMS.
One of the recent business enterprises estab- lished in Stockton is the Wunder bottling work .. of which William E. Williams is the proprietor. A wide-awake, energetic man, practical anl pro- gressive, he is steadily working his way to a position which will soon class him among thie leading business men of this city. A native of the state, he was born in Calaveras county, at Murphys Camp, in 1860, the son of Edward H. Williams, who came to the state from Ohio in the year of his birth. His object in coming to
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the west was to try his fortune as a miner, and he followed the calling with varying degrees of success for many years in Calaveras county and also in Nevada. His death occurred in Stock- ton June 17, 1906.
When William E. Williams was seven years of age his parents removed to Nevada and two years later they took up their residence in Stockton. Up to this time his chances for ob- taining an education were rather uncertain, ow- ing to the fact that he had lived in mining com- munities for the greater part of his life, so his education practically began in the schools of Stockton. Subsequently he followed teaming for ten years, and still later was interested in a foundry for twelve years. At the end of this time, in May, 1908, he bought the nucleus of the business he now owns, known as the Wun- der bottling works, which is rapidly taking its place among the centers of activity in Stockton.
WILLIAM S. BUCKLEY.
Innumerable hardships and many privations filled the early life of William S. Buckley, but he courageously met them and turned them to good account, a conclusion which was evidenced in the accomplishment of his high aim to attain distinction at the bar. His earliest recollections were of his birthplace, Wood county, W. Va. There he was born December 17, 1829, into the home of John and Mary (Aulkire) Buckley, they too being natives of that southern state. The time and surroundings of his home were unpro- pitious for an ambitious boy, and as his parents were in limited circumstances he early realized that whatever he was to have in the way of ad- vantages must come from his own efforts. Thus it happened that at the age of ten years, when other boys of his age were innocent of respon-
sibilities, he began the battle of life by working at any humble employment that offered itself. By working early and late he accumulated a little money, all of which was invested in books or used in paying his tuition in school.
William S. Buckley was a young man of about twenty-three years when, in 1852, he broke away from the associations of past years and came to the Pacific coast country, going directly to Port- land, Ore. In the meantime he had formed well defined plans for his future course in life, and in matriculating in the Portland Law school he set these plans in motion. His graduation followed in due time, and soon afterward he was elected assessor of Multnomah county, an office which he filled acceptably for one term. For a number of years trouble had been brewing with the Indians, who resented the invasion of the white man and his usurpation of rights long claimed by the first settlers ; matters grew worse instead of better and it finally became neces- sary to take an organized stand to protect the white man and his family from the deadly pur- pose of the dusky foe. Mr. Buckley took an active part in the wars which followed in 1856, entering the service as a volunteer, and coming out as captain. With the close of his war service Mr. Buckley resumed the practice of law in Port- land, following this for a number of years, when, in 1860, he came to California. In the village of Liberty, San Joaquin county, not far from Acampo, he taught school for a time, this how- ever being but a stepping stone in the accomplish- ment of his real purpose, which was to find a suitable location to begin the practice of his profession in this state. Opening an office he gathered about him a clientele worthy of his efforts, his clients coming to him from all parts of Sacramento and San Joaquin county. For the purpose of being more centrally located he removed his office to Stockton in the fall of 1867. The year following, 1868, he was appointed city judge by Governor Booth to fill out the term of Judge Green. His re-election followed the completion of this term and for four years more he gave efficient service as judge of city affairs.
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Later he was elected judge of the superior court of San Joaquin county, serving five years, he being the first to claim this honorable posi- tion.
Mr. Buckley was married May 8, 1865, to Miss Minerva Crawford, a native of Adams county, Ill., and one son was born of their marriage, William L. Buckley, M. D., of Milton, Cala- veras county. Fraternally Mr. Buckley was as- sociated with a number of orders, belonging to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masons, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World and Knights of Honor. His death in Stockton April 1, 1891, was the cause of general mourning, for his friends were confined to no class, high and low, rich and poor alike honor- ing him for his honest, straightforward life and for the good which he had accomplished in his home city.
MICHAEL JOHN SANGUINETTI.
As his name would indicate Mr. Sanguinetti comes of Italian antecedents, although he him- self is a native of California, his birth having oc- curred in Stockton in 1875. While he was still a young child his parents removed to Peters, San Joaquin county, where he made the most of the meagre advantages which the schools of that locality had to offer.
Trained to the life of the farmer, it was nat- ural that upon starting out in life independent- ly Mr. Sanguinetti should choose the calling with which he was most familiar, and in the vicin- ity of Peters he purchased a ranch upon which he lived until 1905, when he bought the ranch of which he is now the proprietor, not far from Stockton on Rural Route No. 3.
Mr. Sanguinetti formed domestic ties through his marriage with Miss Cavanaugh, a native of Calaveras county. Two children have been born
of their marriage, a son and daughter. Mr. San- guinetti is one of the young, enterprising ranch ers in this vicinity, and judging of his future success by what he has already accomplished it is safe to say that much substantial success awaits him.
NELSON B. JENKS.
No names are more entitled to perpetuation in the annals of California than those of the pio- neers of 1849, the men who braved the unknown perils of the desert and the mountains, or the equal dangers of a long ocean voyage, in their efforts to reach the great west with its alluring possibilities. It is difficult for people in the twentieth century to comprehensively grasp con- ditions as they then existed, the isolation of the Pacific coast from the world of commerce and culture, the utter lack of transportation facili - ties, the danger from hostile Indians, the absence as yet of a permanent form of government, and the wild stretches of land on which not a furrow had been turned. The vision of a prophet would have been required to foresee the splen lid farms and great cities of today, and for the present conditions, concerning which we are wont to proudly boast. due credit belongs to the brave Forty-niner.
Numbered in this class was Nelson B. Jenks. who was born at Central Falls, Providence county, R. I., September 2. 1820, and died at Stockton in 1885. aged sixty-five years Po - sessing the robust constitution and fine physique which we are wont to associate with the pioneer. he retained his health and strength far bevond middle age and. had it not been for an acculent. undoubtedly would have been spared to four score years, but his useful and active life was abruptly terminated while he was still in the full possession of physical and mental faculties. For
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ten years he made his home on Sonora street, Stockton, but eventually he erected a residence at No. 1124 East Main street, and for a time he owned one-half block fronting on Main street, being one of the first settlers in this part of the city. A portion of the property has been sold, but the widow retains the old homestead and still resides here, surrounded by all the comforts of existence.
Primarily educated in public schools in Rhode Island, at the age of twenty years Nelson B. Jenks went to New York and became a student in the academy at Avon, meantime making his home in Lima. On completing his academic studies he returned to Rhode Island and repre- sented the Central Falls district in the state leg- islature for three terms. At the expiration of his term he returned to Lima, N. Y., and learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for some time in the east. In December of 1846 he married Agnes Wilkinson, who was born at Cincinnatus, Cortland county, N. Y. On learn- ing of the discovery of gold in California he left his family and friends and with seven others chartered the ship Velasco, on which he sailed by way of Cape Horn to the harbor of San Fran- cisco. While en route they were obliged to stop at the Azores for repairs and were thus delayed, but reached their destination safely after a voy- age of eight months.
There was great need of carpenters in San Francisco and Mr. Jenks found employment at $14 per day. From that city he went to the southern mines near San Andreas. In partner -. chip with Dr. Austin he took up land one mile from San Andreas and embarked in raising stock and grain. At the same time he carried on a hotel in the log cabin which he built for a home. Upon settling affairs at the dissolution of the partnership, he received the land and a span of horses, and for ten years he remained on the ranch. Meanwhile he had sent for his wife, who joined him in 1855, crossing the isthmus on the fifth train that entered Panama. The change of climate proved beneficial to her health and she still regards the western air and sunshine unsur-
passed by any tonic, for during her long resi- cence here she has been remarkably free from. illness.
The steady growth of Stockton brought need of carpenters and Mr. Jenks was induced to. leave the ranch in order to work at his trade. In addition to regular work he became inter- ested in the building of windmills, being for a time with A. Abbott and later alone. It was his privilege to witness the growth of the city and to contribute thereto by conscientious, care- ful work as a builder. While devoting himself closely to business, he did not neglect his duty as a citizen, but always was ready to support progressive movements and in politics took a deep interest in the success of the Republican party. During early manhood he was initiated into Masonry and afterward gave stanch alleg- iance to the philanthropic principles of the order. In his family there were eight children, of whom two sons are deceased, one of these, David W., lıaving been an influential young attorney of Plu- mas county. The others were born in San An- dreas, received excellent educational advantages in local schools, and are honored in the various lo- calities of their residence. They are named as fol- lows: Mrs. Clara I. Bingham; Miss Mary A., who remains with her mother and affectionately ministers to the comforts of her declining years ; Mrs. Agnes C. Severy, of Santa Rosa; Mrs. Nellie F. Cowden, of Stockton; George A., who makes his home in Berkeley; and Alvin L., a resident of Stockton.
ANDREW BROWN INGE.
Actively identified with the farming interests of San Joaquin county is Andrew B. Inge, whose ranch is located on Staten Island. As a rancher he is meeting with well-merited success,
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his homestead with its improvements bearing visible evidence of his industry and judicious management. Mr. Inge is a native of the south, born in Eutaw, Greene county, Ala. Owing to the meagre educational opportunities in his home town he received little or no instruction in the public schools, attending instead a private school, where the instruction prepared him for entrance in the University of Greensboro, Ala.
With the close of his school career Mr. Inge was variously employed in the south for a num- ber of years, but in the meantime he had been forming plans for coming to California. This he was enabled to do in 1879, at which time he located in Kern county and for twenty-two years carried on a profitable ranching enterprise there. At the expiration of this time he closed out his holdings in Kern county and in 1901 came to San Joaquin county, where, on Staten Island, he has made his home ever since, being superin- tendent of the island.
Mr. Inge's marriage, which occurred in 1892, united him with a native daughter of California, Miss Louisa Gallagher, who was born in San Benito county. At her death in April, 1902, she left four children, Louisa, Frances, Edna and Frank, all of whom are attending school.
WILLIAM H. BENNETT.
One of the old and well-established business enterprises in Stockton is the ladies' furnishing goods store of which Mr. Bennett has been pro- prietor since 1899. Mr. Bennett embodies the sterling traits and energies of the west, intensified by an inheritance of eastern grit and determina- tion, honesty and high-mindedness. He was born in Orleans county, N. Y., July 4, 1863, a son of Norman A. and Augusta (Tilden) Bennett, they also being natives of the Empire state. He was
reared on his father's farm and educated in the village schools of Orleans county, all of this taking place during the first sixteen years of his life, for upon reaching this age his life became as sociated with the far west. Ifis interest in the west had been aroused by his brother-in-law, Nor- wall Alling, who was a rancher near Stockton, and hither Mr. Bennett came November 1, 1878. After remaining with his relative for eighteen months he came into the city and took a course in the business college conducted by Dr. Fisher Clarke.
Putting his theoretical knowledge to good ac- count William H. Bennett entered the employ of the William P. Miller Company, and for four years served an apprenticeship at the business. Subsequently, in the spring of 1885, he entere 1 the store of W. J. Belding, and during the three years he remained with this employer he mastere 1 the details of the dry-goods business. In the fall of 1888 he accepted a position with his brother, who was also a dry-goods merchant in this city, and for eleven years the two brothers were as- sociated in business together. During these years William H. had carefully saved his carnings, so that by the time he was ready to establish a busi- ness of his own he was financially able to under- take the responsibility. Purchasing a small stock of goods, he began business in a modest, unpre- tentious way, at first requiring the services of one clerk only, but with the passing of years the de- mands of the business made the enlargement of all departments necessary. His original location finally became too small to accommodate his con- stantly increasing trade, and in 1905 he removed to his present location, at No. 338 East Main street, where twenty employes are required to handle the patronage which finds its way to the Unique, as his store is called. One of Mr. Pen- nett's strongest characteristics is faithfulness to whatever he attempts to do, and this is nowhere better exemplified than in his devotion to his busi- ness, and this, coupled with honest dealings and giving good value for money received, has been the keynote of his success.
Mr. Bennett's marriage occurred October 12,
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1897, uniting him with Miss Emma Wagner, a native of Stockton and the daughter of a pioneer settler of San Joaquin county. Fraternally he is a member of Truth Lodge No. 55, I. O. O. F., and he is also a member of the Chamber of Com- merce of Stockton.
DANIEL ROTHENBUSH.
The life which this narrative depicts began in Bosenbach, in one of the Rhine provinces, Bavaria, Germany, February 19, 1834, and came to an end in Stockton, Cal., October 7, 1906. Between these dates was enacted a life of useful and successful achievements, and in his death the city in which he had made his home for so many years, mourned the loss of one of her most stal- wart citizens. The earlier part of his life was spent in his native country, during which time he was educated in the public schools of Bosenbach and had also become proficient in the baker's trade. In 1852, when a lad of eighteen years, he decided to try his fortunes in the New World. The vessel on which he sailed cast anchor in the harbor of Boston, Mass., in due time, and as soon as arrangements could be made for his passage to California he re-embarked on a vessel which brought him to this state via the Isthmus of Panama.
Mr. Rothenbush came at once to Stockton, but had not been here long before he caught the mining fever, the only known remedy for which was a personal experience in delving for the hid- den treasure. This he tried and as a result was soon satisfied that a more dependable income was assured those engaged in commercial pursuits. In the vicinity of the mines where he had made his venture, Vallicita, Calaveras county, he rec- ognized the great need of a first-class bakery and restaurant, and forthwith established such an en-
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