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 9
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In 1849, accompanied by his brother Edward, Denis J. Oullahan embarked from the port of Queenstown, Ireland, for the United States, com- ing by way of Cape Horn and landing in Cali- fornia, about which land of plenty and large op- portunities they had read such fabulous accounts. As their father was a man of large means their outfit included every possible convenience for
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beginning life in the midst of new and untried conditions. Among other things they brought two portable iron houses, the first ever brought to California, but they proved to be of little value, and were ruined in one of the first fires that visited San Francisco. For about a year Denis J. Oullahan engaged in the commission business in the metropolis, and thereafter went to Sonora, Tuolumne county, where in addition to following the commission business he also car- ried on a forwarding business between Stockton and the mines. In Columbia, Tuolumne county, he also established a flouring mill, which proved a great accommodation to ranchers of the vicin- ity and added no little to his exchequer. Dis- posing of his business affairs in that county in 1868 he returned the same year to San Fran- cisco and with a partner opened a real-estate office, and for about five years conducted a fairly successful business. In the meantime his broth- er Edward had located in Stockton and estab- lished himself in the wholesale liquor business, and hither Denis J. came in 1873. This was his home for about thirteen years, when, in 1886, he returned to San Francisco and resumed his for- mer business as a dealer in real estate. He did not long survive his removal to the metropolis, however, for his death occurred three years later, November 5, 1889.
In Stockton, in 1859, Denis J. Oullahan formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Julia Baine, a daughter of Judge A. C. Baine, a prom- inent lawyer of Jackson. Miss. At her death in 1881 Mrs. Oullahan left to mourn her loss a de- voted husband and two daughters and three sons, the names of the children being as follows : Sadie. Mrs. J. M. Thorpe, of Oakland; Linda, the wife of William Winterberry, of Toronto, Canada ; Robert B., Alexander C. and Edward J. During his forty years' residence in California Mr. Oul- lahan became a prominent figure in Democratic politics, a career for which he was well fitted by his superior education, and in 1884 he was ap- pointed by Governor Stoneman to fill the office of state treasurer which had become vacant through the resignation of W. A. January. At
all times Mr. Oullahan adhered to the clean ek- ment in political affairs, having no patience with so-called machine tactics and the advantage to be gained by combination or intrigue. When the less desirable element was in power he naturally was denied many official honors on account of his firm stand for purity in politics, but he en- joyed what was more to be desired, a clear con- science and the respect and co-operation of the best citizens of whatever community he cho e to make his home.
JUDGE J. B. HALL.
No name was better known in the official life of Stockton than that of the late J. B. Hall, who as attorney-at-law had administered to the needs of the public of this city for over fifty-five years. Without doubt he was the oldest lawyer in the state, and thus his death, which occurred April 4, 1906, was an irreparable loss to the legal pro- fession, toward which he had contributed so much to bring it to its present high stan ling in Stockton.
A native of Maryland, Mr. Hall was born in Hagerstown, Washington county, March 25, 1821, the son of Thomas Bowie and Ann ( Pot- tenger) Hall, both of whom were descendants of old Maryland families, and the former an eminent lawyer in that state. The son evidently inheritell his predilection for law from his father, for at the early age of fifteen years he had determineil upon his future course in life, and in fact had begun his studies in Jefferson Law College. He graduated from that institution four years later, in 1840, after which he continued his studies un- dler the guidance of William Price, one of the most brilliant lawyers in the carly history of Maryland. After his admission to the bar he at once began practicing law in his native town, con-
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tinuing this for some years or until the news of the finding of gold in California opened up a vista of far brighter prospects in the new west. In 1850 he joined the throng who started for Cali- fornia, and soon after landing in San Francisco he opened an office for the practice of law. He built up a large and remunerative practice and was on the high road to prosperity when the disastrous fire of 1851 in San Francisco reduced his office to ashes, including a valuable law li- brary which he had brought from the east. This disaster temporarily disheartened him, and it was while he was in this state of mind that he was approached by Capt. C. M. Weber, the founder of Stockton, with the offer of a position as the latter's legal advisor. His acceptance of Captain Weber's offer led to his removal to Stockton, which throughout the remainder of his life was the scene of his activities.
During his career in Stockton Mr. Hall was associated in practice with several attorneys, first with Henry Huggins, under the firm name of Hall & Huggins, later with S. P. Scaniker, subsequently with W. S. Montgomery, and finally with Marion DeVries. The latter was taken into partnership with Mr. Hall soon after his admis- sion to the bar, the firm name becoming Hall & De Vries, but the firm was dissolved about a year later owing to Mr. DeVries' increasing interest in political affairs.
In 1843 Mr. Hall had married (in St. Louis, Mo.) Anna M., daughter of Dr. William Ham- mond, U. S. A., formerly of Hagerstown, Md. In 1853, she, with their son, joined him in Stock- ton. At his death Mr. Hall left two children, the son just mentioned and a daughter. William Hammond Hall is a well-known engineer of San Francisco, who at one time held the position of State Engineer and was also at one time employed in the Transvaal Republic, South Africa. The only daughter, Mary B., was the home-maker and care-taker, the wife and mother having passed away in 1892.
Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Hall was eighty-five years old at the time of his death he retained his faculties to the last and up to within
two weeks of his demise he attended to practice in the courts. He was a venerable, kindly old gentleman, and his figure was one of the most striking ever seen before the San Joaquin bar. As soon as it was known that Mr. Hall was no more his fellow-members of the San Joaquin bar assembled to prepare resolutions upon his death, and also to make arrangements for the funeral. Court was then adjourned for the day out of re- spect for their departed co-laborer.
Perhaps no more fitting close to this brief sketch of the life of Mr. Hall could be given than by quoting an article which appeared in the Daily Record the day following his death :
"When a man lives half a century in a com- munity, with his life an open book and his name synonymous with sterling integrity and un- blemished character, it is not surprising that his death should call forth sincere lament. Such a man was John B. Hall. He was a strong oak, unchanging and ever the same in sunshine and storm. As a citizen, as a lawyer, as a gentleman, Mr. Hall will be remembered as a high type of each. Although he was not much before the public in his later years, the mention of his name met with respect. His life was a success. He early grounded it on the precepts of honor, the principles of integrity and courteous conduct. Peace to his mortality and reward in immortali- ty, is the due of the deceased."
CYRUS MOREING, JR.
The county of San Joaquin may with justice point proudly to the record of its native-born sons, for they are holding positions of importance in political, commercial and agricultural circles, and are assuming growing responsibilities in con- nection with the welfare of the community. Note- worthy among the young men who have passed
Berg Holt
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their lives within the limits of this county and have received their educations in its schools, men- tion belongs to Cyrus Moreing, Jr., representa- tive of an honored pioneer family. To the lustre of the name he is adding by his recognized talents and personal enterprise. In various ways he has been associated with local projects and has ac- complished much for one of less than thirty years.
Born in San Joaquin county, January 11, 1880, Cyrus Moreing, Jr., is a son of Cyrus and Mary Moreing, and during boyhood he was a student in the grammar and high schools of Stockton, graduating in 1899 from the latter institution. For a time he was associated with his father in contracting under the firm title of Cyrus More- ing, Sr. & Son. Later he was employed as book- keeper in the plant of the San Joaquin Creamery Company and in addition to keeping the books he had charge of the milk routes of the com- pany's wagons. Upon severing his connection with the creamery he became interested in farm- ing, and, in company with his brothers, Lewis and Will, under the firm name of Moreing Brothers, he had charge of some five thousand acres, and engaged extensively in the raising of wheat, bar- ley, potatoes, onions and beans. Large yields have been secured by care and cultivation, and few tracts have repaid the labor expended upon them in so large a degree as has this onc.
While devoting considerable attention to farm- ing, Cyrus Moreing, Jr., has had many other in- terests, among them being contract work on streets and canals, street railway grading, con- structing roadways, etc., in which he has utilized the aid of many men and teams. Politically a stanch adherent of Democratic principles, in 1906 he was selected by his party as their nominee for assessor of San Joaquin county. In spite of the fact that the county is largely Republican, he was elected by a fair majority, which bears testi- mony to his popularity with the people irrespec- tive of party ties. His term as assessor will ex- pire in 1910 and meanwhile he is filling the posi- tion with tact and efficiency. Fraternally he is connected with the Woodmen of the World and Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E., at Stockton. Dur-
ing 1901 occurred his marriage to Miss Maude Rich, daughter of C. E. Rich, an carly settler and highly respected citizen of Stockton. At the time of the organization of the Stockton Bare- ball Club of the California State League, Mr. Moreing was a prime factor in promoting the same, and for six years he acted as its manager, during which time it rose to a rank among the leading clubs of the state.
BENJAMIN HOLT.
The name of Benjamin Holt carries weight and influence as president of The Holt Manu- facturing Company, one of the best known en- terprises of Stockton. Mr. Holt comes of a family of whom much is reasonably expected, and to whom the community looks for the mainte- nance of the high standards of life and work, his ancestors being among the sturdy New England settlers, who gave their life's efforts toward the upbuilding of the young colonies. Several gen- erations of the family had flourished in New Hampshire. In Loudon, Merrimack county, Ben- jamin Holt's father, William K. Holt, carried on a large lumber business, owning in connection therewith a number of saw mills. In the variou enterprises of which the father, William K. Holt, was the head, he was enabled to furnch employment to a large number of men. an l in other ways exerted a wille influence in the up building of the New England town which had been his lifetime home.
Upon the parental homestead in Merrimack county, N. H., cleven children were born, the seventh in order of birth being Beniamin Hoh. who was born January 1, 1849. His primary education was gleaned in the public selonle around his boyhood home and subsequently he became a pupil in the academy at Tilton. N H.
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still later attending a Baptist institution of learning at New London.
In 1868, Benjamin Holt, with W. Harrison, A. Frank and Charles H. Holt, began the manu- facture of wagon spokes and hubs, shipping this material and also hardwood lumber, to all parts of the United States. In 1873, Benjamin Holt established at Concord, N. H., a plant for the manufacture of spokes, hubs, felloes, wheels, bodies and running gears, and during the ten years that he continued this business he built up an extensive trade that gave him a wide repu- tation in business and manufacturing circles throughout the east.
In 1871 Mr. Holt entered the firm of Holt Brothers Company, San Francisco, but did not come to California until 1883. At this time Mr. Holt and his brother, Charles H. Holt, took up the manufacture of wheels and wagon ma- terial in Stockton, first under the name of The Stockton Wheel Company, but later, since 1892, under the name of The Holt Manufactur- ing Company, a name which is still in force and represents one of the most flourishing enterprises on the Pacific coast.
While the manufacture of wheels is still a large feature of the output of The Holt Manufac- turing Company, they also manufacture extensive- ly combined harvesters, especially the side-hill combined harvester, an invention of Benjamin Holt. By the use of this side-hill combined har- vester the farmer is enabled to cultivate land which before this invention was considered worthless, as there was up to this time no ma- chine capable of adjustment to uneven ground.
Benjamin Holt, as president of The Holt Manufacturing Company, with his inventive mind has been responsible for a number of other improvements in farming machinery which have practically revolutionized farm work in the western states. Among the more important in- ventions of Mr. Holt may be mentioned The Holt Manufacturing Company's large steam trac- tion engines and steam harvesters, and their steam and gasoline Caterpillar traction engines, with an endless belt platform wheel replacing
the ordinary round wheel, the machine being designed for use on soft and sandy land. Mr. Holt has also adopted this type of wheel for use on combined harvesters. The products of the various departments of The Holt Manufacturing Company supply a large part of the export trade of Stockton, and taken all in all, their plant is one of the busiest centers of industry on the Pacific Coast. Besides being president of The Holt Manufacturing Company, Mr. Holt holds the same position in the Houser & Haines Manu- facturing Company, and is vice president of the Aurora Engine Company.
Mr. Holt was married in 1890 to Miss Anna Brown, a native of California, and the daughter of Benjamin Brown, a prominent citizen of San Joaquin county. With his family, Mr. Holt is pleasantly located in a handsome residence at No. 548 East Park street, where they receive and entertain their many friends.
As prosperity has come to Mr. Holt, he has been increasingly generous in his benefactions to- ward upbuilding projects, and by his public spirit and energy has become recognized as one of the representative men of San Joaquin county.
CHRISTOPHER GRATTAN, M. D.
Possessing a temperament that fitted him for the unusual experiences that have come into his life, Christopher Grattan came to California at a period when ample opportunity was afforded him for the exercise of his natural instincts and the gratification of his desire for adventure. The record of his life reads like a romance, and now, at the remarkable age of eighty-eight years, he still takes a keen interest in the world's activities, though he himself has taken no active part in them since his retirement in 1884, in Stockton. The family originated in Ireland and was closely
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related to the Duke of Wellington. One of nine children comprising the family of his parents, Patrick and Mary (McAvoy) Grattan, Chris- topher was born on Christmas Day of 1820, in Dublin, Ireland. The year following his birth the family home was transferred to the New World, and in Albany, N. Y., his boyhood years were spent. His schooling was of the most prim- itive character, and he well remembers learning his letters by means of the sand box. His father's profession as surveyor later necessitated their removal to Pennsylvania, where he and associates had been sent to survey the then new anthracite coal fields. In following his calling the father met with an accident that incapacitated him for the rest of his life, and thus it happened that the children were early thrown upon their own re- sources. Of the once large family of nine chil- dren, only two are now living, Christopher and John, the latter also being a resident of San Joaquin county.
With only twenty-five cents in his pockets, Christopher Grattan found himself in New York City at the age of fifteen years, a stranger indeed. His insatiable thirst for an education made him willing to do anything honorable to gratify this desire, and for some time he was employed in a wholesale and retail drug store in that city. He was especially fond of science or anything which bore on the subject of medicine, and in Carbon- dale (Pa.) Academy he later gratified this am- bition. When he was twelve years old he had come under the notice of the great phrenologist. O. S. Fowler, who declared that he had possibili- ties within of working wonders along the line of animal magnetism and hypnotism, and this proved to be the case, for about this time he performed many wonderful things of this nature. As has been stated, he worked in a drug store for some time, and during this time for two years he also attended the clinics in the University of New York, when finally the professor insisted upon his giving his entire time to the study of medicine. This he did, and at the age of nineteen he was prepared to take up his practice. Chronic cases and such as were deep-seated and intricate ap-
pealed to him most strongly, and strange as it may seem, it was with such cases that he met with his greatest success. In his treatment he made use of his knowledge of phirenology and elec- tricity wherever practicable.
So closely were Dr. Grattan's efforts concen trated upon his patients that his own health final ly began to feel the result of the continued strain It was about this time too that he licard of the recent discovery of gold in Califorma and it was not long before he had completed arrangements to come to the new west. With some friend who had become interested with him in the pur- chase of a ship they set from New York m March, 1849, going by way of the Horn, and arrived in San Francisco October 5, 1849. From there he went at once to the mines of Tuolumne county, and later mined at Soldier's Gulch. In the meantime he had fully recovered his own health. As is well known, the miners and new - comers to this country in those pioneer days were subjected to untold hardships and sickness. Dr. Grattan's sympathetic nature would not allow him to pass by without offering a helping hand, although it had been lis original purpose to keep his knowledge of medicine a secret, at least fur a time. This was not to be, however, for the news of his wonderful ability spread like wildfire and he soon had all he could do. On account of the dangers to which one was constantly expose in the mining camps, murders being of omhon occurrence, Dr. Grattan finally decided for the sake of his wife to remove to safer quarters, and abandoning his claim he came to Stockton in September, 1850, and has made this city his hon ever since. One of the first things that greeted him upon his arrival here was an old shipnaºc who was at the point of death. He immediately took him in hand and soon had him on the road to recovery. This was his introduction to Stockton. and from that time until recently he has e nein ie l his wonderful cures. He recounts heart-ren ling stories of the sickness and distress in painper days in Stockton, and so far as las in his power he relieved it. Sending to Benici for soir tind houses he made the first attempt in this city be
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ward establishing a hospital, and with the assist- ance of his brother John, who was an excellent nurse, the venture proved a success so far as it went. Calls for his services came for miles around, necessitating long and fatiguing rides, but notwithstanding this he responded to the call, although he knew in advance that it was to be a work of charity. In business ventures and phil- anthropy in one year alone he lost over $250,000, but this did not tend to lessen his efforts in be- half of suffering humanity. During his many years of usefulness as a medical practitioner he has employed various methods of cure, believing in and using medicines where necessary, although during the later years of his practice he made use of psychic thought in operations, in this be- ing a follower of the noted surgeon, Dr. Valen- tine Mott, of New York. Although he is now retired from practice, many are those now living who owe their lives to his timely and wise assist- ance.
Dr. Grattan's first marriage united him with Janet Craig, by whom he had three children, all of whom died in childhood. After the death of his first wife he married Josephine Kelsey, she also passing away, as did also his third wife, formerly Mary A. Southworth. During the year 1852 Dr. Grattan sent east for his parents, and the closing years of their lives were spent under the sunny skies of California. In 1852 Dr. Grattan was elected coroner of San Joaquin county, a position which he filled for two terms, was one of the directors of the insane hospital in 1854, and for five terms was a member of the city council. He was also a member of the board of education, and in this as in everything toward which he lent his influence he rendered valuable service. He assisted in the organization of the Stockton Saving and Loan Society Bank, and was a member of its board of directors, with others was instrumental in organizing the Pio- neers Society, and fraternally he was a member of Charity Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F., which he assisted in organizing in 1852. No one has la- bored in behalf of Stockton and its citizens more self-sacrificingly than has Dr. Grattan, and few
there are today who have not heard of the name and works of Dr. Christopher Grattan. He is making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Dr. Ira B. Ladd, in Stockton.
JAMES SUTHERLAND.
The gold excitement in California during the early days attracted settlers and investigators from all parts of the world, and among those who came from the Mother Country at that time was the late James Sutherland, of Stockton. Born in Durham, England, January 29, 1828, he was educated in that vicinity and was preparing to engage in business life there when he was swerved from his plans by a stronger desire to try his luck in the New World. He was a young man of twenty-one years when he landed on the shores of America in 1849, and from the eastern port in which the ship cast anchor he made his way at once to St. Louis, Mo., where for a time he engaged as a coal miner.
With the means thus earned Mr. Sutherland secured the necessities for the long journey across the plains, which he undertook the fol- lowing year. Going directly to Sacramento, he mined for a time on the American river, but gave this up finally to engage with his uncle, John Sutherland, in the cattle business in Fresno county. This partnership existed for a number of years, to the profit and pleasure of both, but in October, 1870, the younger man withdrew from the association and came to Stockton, and from that time until his death, February 27, 1901, this was the scene of his activities. Here he estab- lished himself in the mercantile business, which he followed continuously up to within a few years of his death, when he retired from active business. A few years after he took up his resi- dence in Stockton, Mr. Sutherland made a visit
26, Locke.
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to his friends and relatives in his native land, returning six months later, well satisfied to take up his duties again in his adopted home.
In Amador county, Cal., Mr. Sutherland formed domestic ties by his marriage September 3, 1854, with Helena Meliss, a native of Ger- many, although she had made her home in this country since 1850. A large family of children was born to them, of whom the following are living : James and Harry, both in Roswell, Chaves county, N. Mex .; Philip, of Deephole, Washoe county, Nev .; and Charles, Annie, John and Catherine, the latter the wife of Otto Von Detten; the four last-named children make their home in Stockton. Mr. Sutherland was a man who took greater pleasure in the society of his family than he did in the gatherings of fraternal or social organizations and therefore his associ- ations of this character were limited. His widow still makes her home in the old family home- stead, No. 823 North Sutter street, Stockton.
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