USA > California > Alameda County > The centennial year book of Alameda County, California : containing a summary of the discovery and settlement of California, a description of the Contra Costa under Spanish, Mexican, and American rule, biographical sketches of prominent pioneers and public men > Part 49
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In 1863 Judge McKee was again placed in nomination, and was again successful, notwithstanding the change that had taken place in the political sentiments of the people, on account of the war, and the overwhelming defeat of his party. He was, however, very explicit in the expression of his principles, which breathed unchangeable devotion to the Union cause. His opponent, on this occasion, was Thos. A. Brown, of Contra Costa, over whom he gained a majority of 333 votes. In 1869 he was still the favorite of the people of the district, and was again chosen. In 1875 his majority was over- whelming. In 1874 he was the candidate of the Democratic party, to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Bench of the State. There were three parties in the field-the Republican, Democratic and Inde- pendent. That year the Independents swept everything before them ; and although McKee received nearly a unanimous vote in this banner Republican county, he was for the first time unsuccess- ful. But few men possess the rare qualities that win admiration and respect alike from rich and poor, Democrats and Republicans, advocates and clients, as does Judge McKee. His decisions are nearly always conclusive, and seldom or never set aside. His pro- found knowledge of the law, his kindly manner, amiable qualities and happy manner of treating both clients and attorneys, prevent any unfounded objections or unreasonable criticisms of his conduct. He is, indeed, a model judge, and the Third District is justly proud that its laws are administered by such a man.
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In private life no one is more respected. He is always courteous und pleasant, is a scholar of large attainments, high-minded, tender- hearted and simple in his habits. As a speaker he is eloquent and duent, but rarely exercises his great oratorical powers. Judge Mc- Kee looks young for one of his years. He is of medium stature, has auburn hair and a pleasant expression of countenance. He is of temperate habits ; has a family of grown-up children, and an amiable lady for a wife; and, with an embowered and beautiful home in Oakland, life seems to be happy with him. He had, however, not long since, a serious fit of sickness, which endangered his life, but from the effects of which he has completely recovered. Dr. Durant was to the educational profession what Judge McKee is to the legal --- a man in every way respected and admired.
J. ROSS BROWNE.
One of the names that has shed lustre on Oakland is that of J. Ross Browne. Space will not permit more than a very brief re- ference here to this distinguished deceased gentleman's career. He was a native of Ireland, and his father one of the race of Pro- testant patriots who suffered in the cause of human freedom. At the age of eighteen Mr. Browne was engaged reporting at the Capitol at Washington. At twenty-two he had rambled all over the United States ; then he went to sea, and on his return published his first book, " Etchings of a Whaling Cruise." While acting as private secretary to Robert J. Walker, Mr. Polk's Secretary of the Treas- ury, Mr. Browne got married. Desiring to visit the old Eastern world, he accepted an appointment in the revenue service and sailed for California. On his arrival here he found that his office had been abolished, and he stood penniless upon our shores. About this time the Constitutional Convention met at Monterey, and he was em- ployed as its official reporter. He afterwards traveled in Europe and the Holy Land. A volume named " Yusef," was the outcome of his wanderings.
In 1855 he received an appointment as Special Agent of the Treasury Department in this State. It was then that he made his home in Oakland. In 1859 he commenced traveling again, leaving his family in Germany. He roamed over Europe and the northern part of Africa. Then came from his facile pen, in rapid succession, "The American Family in Germany," "The Land of Thor," and " Crusœ's Island." In 1864 Oakland saw him again. He after-
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wards held the office of Commissioner of Mining ; in 1868 he ws appointed, by President Johnson, United States Minister to Chil a position that gave him no satisfaction nor profit. He was nt comfortable under "the dragon's footstool." He came back in short time, $20,000 poorer than when he set ont. His experience di not favor Chinese intercourse, and he denounced the Burlingan Treaty as a great humbug. But he could not get a hearing.
In 1869 he sold his property on Fifth street, and built his beaut ful residence on Pagoda hill, about four and a half miles north of tl center of the city. Here he clustered around him his sons-in-law, houses of their own, having a strong family attachment.
In December, 1875, death came upon him suddenly. The regre for his loss was wide-spread, for who knew Ross Browne or read h. works that did not admire and respect him ? His widow and a larg family survive him. Oaklanders will ever refer to him with prid and pleasure, for after traversing all lands, looking out for an Eder of his own, he selected this spot as the one most in conformity wit his ideal.
DR. E. H. PARDEE, MAYOR OF OAKLAND.
Enoch Homer Pardee, Mayor of Oakland, is a native c Rochester, N. Y., where he was born on the 1st day of April, 1829 His father was French and his mother German. His parents moved to Michigan when he was but seven years of age. When fifteen years old he was seized with a disease of the eyes known as Egyptian ophtalmia. After consulting the chief medical skill of the princi pal Eastern cities in vain, he was finally cured by a Dr. Bigelow, ol Detroit, who had himself been blind for ten years. After recovering his sight, he entered upon a course of study with Dr. Bigelow, and obtained the secret of his treatment. Then he entered Ann Arbor College, in Michigan, and took a regular course of lectures in medi- cine. Came to California in 1849, in the steamer Panama, and landede in San Diego. Arrived in San Francisco on the 6th day of January,ci 1850. Went to Marysville and turned auctioneer, receiving as pay- ment an "ounce " a day. Went to the mines and worked successfully,s and on the Fourth of July following had $7,000 on hand, the re- i sult of hard work and perseverance. The breaking out of the chol- era that year gave him abundant employment at his profession ; but he caught the malignant infection and came near dying. Soon got disgusted with life at the mines and returned to San Francisco, about
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ebruary, 1851, with a capital of $12,000 to $15,000-a pretty good Im for the time spent in acquiring it.
The Doctor, after some doubt as to whether he should return East 1 r remain in California, opened an office in Brenham Place, on the Plaza, where he continued to practice medicine and treat diseases of the eye, until burned out. His next office was at 737 Clay street, There he continued to treat patients successfully for twenty years. The writer has seen a returned Californian in the East, who declared o him that Dr. Pardee, of San Francisco, had restored his sight after wo years' total blindness. Ill health caused him after a time to con- ine his practice altogether to diseases of the eye and ear. Patients locked to him from all parts of the Pacific Coast, and he would fre- quently have from 80 to 140 patients a day visit his office. Half of his patients, at times, would have to be treated gratuitously.
In 1865 Dr. Pardee returned to the States, and graduated at the Rush Medical College in Chicago, having left his business in San Francisco in charge of a son of Dr. Bigelow. After an absence of two years, he returned to San Francisco.
His first visit to Oakland was in 1852, where he hunted quail and rabbits, and was edified with the spectacle of bull and bear fights on Twelfth street. Was attracted towards the place by the excellence of the climate and the beauty of the scenery, and would have settled in it long before he did, only for the difficulty offered to speedy tran- sit by the bar at the mouth of the creek. Finally, the Doctor did come over, in 1867, and has been a steadfast and prominent Oakland- er ever since, holding various public positions and offices of trust. In 1869 he was elected to the City Council, and was re-elected in 1870, 1871, 1872, and in 1876 was placed in the honorable position of Mayor of the city, by his fellow citizens.
The Doctor was always an ardent Republican in politics, having attended the very first meeting of that party organized in San Fran- cisco. In Oakland he was, from the first, a leading man in the coun- cils of his party, and was elected to the Legislature as joint Assem- blyman with Mr. Crane, in 1872, serving with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. There was no more popular member in the house to which he belonged ; his genial manners and fund of anecdote, as well as his practical ability, having made him a general favorite. Several important local measures were passed through his exertions, and he received an ovation from his fellow-citizens on his return home at the conclusion of his arduous legislative labors.
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He has been a successful business as well as professional mi. Mining stocks had charms for him as well as others, and he has bea generally successful in his ventures-as the phrase goes, "coming (t ahead."
Dr. Pardee is distinguished as a marksman, having made shootig a hobby nearly all his life. In 1866 he made his best score ; he slt with Warren Land, at San Bruno Station, for $1,000-making, one hundred successive shots, 131 inches, from center of target to te bullseye-the best target known to the world. The demand up him for fac-similes of that target was so great that he had them lit ographed, and they have been sent to all parts of the world.
Dr. Pardee was married in 1855 to a young lady of his own nar in San Francisco. In 1857 his only son and child, now a fine your gentleman attending the State University, was born. His wife die in 1870, and he has been since a widower. There are few more el gant homes in Oakland than that of the Mayor, on the corner Eleventh and Castro streets, where he dispenses hospitality to tho friends whom he is happy to have about him. He is yet a compar. tively young man, and looks good for much future service.
FRANCIS KITTRIDGE SHATTUCK.
No man in this community has worn so well in public life as th subject of this sketch. He is a native of Essex, Essex County, Nev York, where he was born in the year 1825, and reared on a farm Before coming to California, he both farmed and merchandized in hi native State. He came to California on Feb. 22d, 1850, in th steamer Oregon. Among his fellow-passengers was the late Geo. M Blake, with whom he subsequently ever remained on terms of inti macy. He went to the mines, and continued mining for a couple o years with indifferent success.
In the month of January, of the year 1852, he settled in Oakland Township, and farmed out at Berkeley in company with his late partners, William Hillegass and Mr. Blake. At this time there were but about fifty to one hundred people in Oakland, including Carpentier, Moon, Adams, A. W. Burrell, S. H. Robinson, Samuel J. Clark, L. J. Hardy and Edward Gibbons. He and his partner were the first American farmers in the township, and his residence there was a reason for the prominence and importance subsequently attained by the locality since named Berkeley, and which title was the suggestion of Frederick Billings. The land was very productive,
E.SCHULTZE.ŞC.
HON. F. K. SHATTUCK.
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prices were good, and farming paid well. After a while he and his partner started a livery stable, at the foot of Broadway, and took up his residence in Oakland. He was elected to the City Council in 1856 ; as was also his partner, Mr. Hillegass. Mr. Shattuck continued to fill the position of Councilman for three or four years, and in 1859 was elected Mayor of the city. Honors continued to crowd thickly upon him. In 1858 he was elected one of the Vice-Presidents of the newly-organized Agricultural Society ; and, in the same year that he was elected Mayor of the city (1859), he was elected an Assembly- man to the State Legislature, as a Broderick Democrat, serving the following year. He has been a member of the Board of Supervisors since 1860, with the exception of two years.
In 1861 he and his partner invested in Mount Diablo coal-mines, having purchased the Stewart mine, which was by them called the Central mine. They formed a company to work it, and incorporated it in 1863, Mr. Shattuck holding the position of President, and which he has held ever since. This mine worked from fifty to one hundred men, whose wages varied from $2.50 to $4 per day. Their coal was teamed to vessel at Antioch, and was disposed of by con- tract. It was worth $7 per ton, delivered at the landing. It is principally used for generating steam and manufacturing purposes. This mine is estimated to be worth now $150,000, although not in actual operation. The investment in this enterprise always paid well. Mr. Hillegass died at the beginning of the present year, leav- ing a fortune estimated at $200,000.
The firm, amid their various other enterprises, engaged in raising stock and dealing in real estate. Messrs. Shattuck and Hillegass may, with propriety, be called the pioneers of Berkeley. There was not a house within sight when they settled there, and they labored persistently for its selection as the site for the State University, cooperating in this regard with the late Doctor Durant. The State University grounds constitute a portion of the land originally held by them. Mr. Shattuck has served his last term on the Board of Supervisors, and desires hereafter to avoid public life. He is also contracting his business operations, having sold his livery stock in November of the present year. It should have been mentioned in the proper place, that in 1869 Mr. Shattuck was the Republican can- didate for State Senator, and was defeated by the late Edward Tomp- kins, one of the ablest men that ever entered the California Legisla- ture. In the affairs of 1869, as printed in their proper place in this
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volume, by some mistake, Mr. Tompkins' majority has been credited to Mr. Shattuck. He is yet a comparatively young man, and in the prime of life. But few have served the public so long and so faith- fully, and he is now entitled to a respite, at least, from the cares and labors of public life. Mr. Shattuck was married, in New York, in 1855, having made a trip home for the purpose, but possesses no family.
COL. JOHN C. HAYS.
There is probably not a man in Alameda County with a more inter- esting personal history than "Col. Jack Hays, the Texan Ranger." He. was distinguished before he came to California for his military career in border warfare. That, however, which has most direct in- terest, is the fact that he is one of the founders of Oakland.
Colonel John Coffee Hays is a native of Wilson County, Tennes- see, where he was born in the year 1817. He was raised on a farm, but went to Texas when he was but seventeen or eighteen years of age, and entered the military service of that revolted State under General Sam Houston. Texas remained an independent State from the year 1835 to 1846, when she was taken into the Union. Her military force at first consisted of volunteers, but subsequently a regular but small army was organized, of which Col. Hays was placed in command. When the Mexican war broke out, he commanded his corps of Texan troops under General Taylor, which consisted partly of several companies of cavalry. He distinguished himself espe- cially at Monterey, where the Texan soldiers led the van and bore the brunt of. the battle. When General Santa Anna, the Mexican commander, surrendered to General Scott, he was made Colonel Hays' prisoner, The war was ended and peace proclaimed in 1848. The richness of the California gold mines soon spread far and wide, and called hither the adventurous and daring of every land. Col. Hays was in the van of the gold-seekers, although he never mined after he came here. He crossed the plains to California in 1849, making San Francisco his objective point. The State and city governments were being organized when he got here, and the People's party enthusias- tically elected the young Texan hero the first Sheriff of San Fran- cisco, an office he held for four years. In 1852 he purchased, in con- nexion with others, the site of the City of Oakland, and successfully entered upon a career of city-building, laying out the place in town lots and disposing of them. The names of Hays and Caperton (his partner) have been affixed here to many a title-deed. In 1853 Mr.
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Hays was appointed United States Surveyor-General by President Pierce, which office he filled to the satisfaction of all.
Col. Hays resides on a farm in the foothills of Oakland Township, where he possesses a very pleasant place. He is one of the leading Democrats of the State, and was a delegate from California at the late Presidential Convention at St. Louis. He is a man of family, and has a full-grown son who bears his cognomen. Col. Hays, although now fifty-nine years of age, is an active business man and an untiring worker.
In personal appearance, he is of medium height and slim. He is what is called an active, wiry man. His reputation as a business man is excellent, and his word is reputed to be as good as his bond.
DR. EZRA S. CARR,
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, is a citizen of Oakland. He was born in Stephentown, Renssalaer County, New York, in the year 1819, and was educated in the Renssalaer Polytechnic School, Troy, New York, where he received the degrees of Bachelor of Sci- ence and Civil Engineering ; was three years an assistant in the New York Geological Survey ; graduated in Castleton Medical College, Vermont, in 1842; was professor of Chemistry and Physiology in the above-mentioned institution eleven years ; was also Professor of Chemistry and Pharmacy in the Philadelphia Medical College, Penn- sylvania. In 1853 was appointed Professor of Chemistry in the Albany Medical College, and of Chemistry Applied to the Arts in the University ; was Professor of Natural Science in the New York State Normal School, and Chemist to the State Agricultural Society. In 1856 was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Natural History, and of Agricultural Chemistry in the State University of Wisconsin ; also, a Regent of said University ; was one of the Commissioners appointed to make a geological survey of the State ; was three years acting Professor of Chemistry in the Rush Medical College, Chicago ; received the degree of LL. D. from Lawrence University ; in 1868 removed to California, and in 1869 was appointed Professor of Agri- culture, Chemistry and Horticulture in the University of California ; in 1875 was elected Superindent of Public Instruction in this State ; has been President of two State Medical Societies and Vice-Presi- dent of the National Medical Association ; has been a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science since its foundation ; has been a constant contributor to medical and educa-
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tional literature, and is the author of a work, issued in 1865, entitled " Patrons of Husbandry of the Pacific Coast." Although placed in nomination by the Republicans, Dr. Carr is no politician, and his election by a large majority over a popular man, is an indication that, in making choice of a Superintendent of Public Instruction, the peo- ple considered fitness and capacity as the best tests of merit. Dr. Carr is fortunate in his helpmeet, Mrs. Jennie C. Carr, who is a lady of culture and scientific attainments as an educator, and ably assists him in the performance of his official duties.
THOMAS EAGAR.
There are few men now among us who have seen more of Califor- nia life than Thomas Eagar, or that can weave a more interesting narrative of his experiences. He came to California with the first American colony that landed upon our shores, and was one of the very first Americans to explore the Contra Costa.
He is a native of Sing Sing, New York, where he was born in 1830. He arrived in California in July, 1846, in the ship Brooklyn, being then 18 years of age. Space will not now permit a recital of that vessel's voyage, the character of her passengers, the objects and aims of the colonists, her stay at the Sandwich Islands, etc. Suffice it to say that the passengers were for the most part a Mormon colony, headed by the well-known Samuel Brannan, of San Francisco. Mr. Eagar's narrative has more than a personal interest, and is here given in as few words as possible.
He says that within a week or ten days after their arrival in San Francisco, a party of six, of which he was one, crossed over to the Contra Costa in a whale-boat, to Victor Castro's rancho, and went hunting. They returned to the boat on foot, after camping out a
night. The next morning they proceeded with their boat in the direction of Martinez, desiring to reach the Marsh ranch, of which they had heard. When within sight of the Straits of Carquinez and Napa river, they did not know which direction to take, and it being evening, they went ashore and camped until morning. Then they saw by the flow of the tide which direction to sail. They proceeded up the straits and landed at Benicia, where there was not then a habitation, nor even an embarcadero, and landed on the beach or bank. The whole slope now occupied by the town was then covered with wild oats. From there they crossed to Martinez and found a good place to land below the tules. It was then known as
E. Schult:c
HON. THOMAS EAGAR.
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the Welch ranch. They went ashore, lighted a fire, shot a mess of quail and had supper. On the shore they found a heap of elk horns. There they camped all night, and did not seek the house.
Next morning they proceeded toward Dr. Marsh's ranch, on the north side of the peninsula ; they did not find the house, and got lost in the tules for two days, having passed by the present site of Anti- och. There was not a solitary habitation in view. They then made their way back, touching where the New York landing is now. The party started off to kill something for supper, and left Eagar in charge of the boat ; while there alone he saw an Indian-the first human being they had met-crossing from the Montezuma hills in a tule, or rush, boat, which he managed very expertly ; it was in form almost square, about six feet, and was propelled with a paddle. He approached and behaved in a friendly manner, and waited until the hunting party returned with a beef and cooked a part of it, of which he partook. At Martinez they camped for the night. Wild cattle were plentiful everywhere, and the whole country was covered with wild oats ; antelope, deer and elk were in great abundance. One of the party wantonly set fire to the wild oats, to see how it would burn, and the result was a prairie fire which spread all over the country. Next morning they sailed for Yerba Buena, and got home that night, after an absence of nine days. About two months later Mr. Eagar crossed over again, on an invitation to visit the Estudillo ranch, and landed from a boat at the embarcadero, up San Leandro creek. He was hospitably received, and entertained for a week by the family. On the ranch they raised corn, melons, beans and wheat ; each ranch had a mill worked by horse-power. Beans and tortillas were present at every meal, as well as plenty of beef. The children of the family received their education at home, there being no schools. There was always plenty of company and plenty of saddle-horses to ride at the ranch ; while there saw both deer and antelope.
Mr. Eagar betook himself to Monterey, then the capital of the State, in the Spring of 1847 ; was there at the same time that Gen- eral Sherman was. Thence he went to Los Angeles, which appeared then to be a nice town. There, for the first time, he saw California gold, which was brought down from the San Fernando mountains, back of Los Angeles. Stevenson's regiment was there at the time. Was there about three months, when he returned to Monterey and clerked ; was there when the rumor came that electrified the world- that of the discovery of gold at Sutter's mill at Coloma. At first the
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report was received with incredulity; but, in a few weeks, it was con- firmed, and then there was a commotion, everyone who could get away being soon on the march for the mines. There was then at Monte- rey a number of American families-the Larkens, Leeses, Stokes and others-that made an agreeable society of themselves.
He was soon en route for the new El Dorado, with three yoke of oxen and an adobe cart, loaded with dry goods .. The journey oocupied twenty-one days to the dry-diggings on the Consumnes river. On his way up he saw General Sutter, who had about one hundred Indians at work making a passio, or road, into the mountains. Was accom- panied by a negro, and his brother William, who came out with him as a printer for Sam. Brannan. He pitched his tent in a desirable place, and sent his brother and the negro down to the creek for water. Remaining too long, he went down after them, when he found his colored companion with $15 worth of gold and his brother with $10 worth, taken out of the river. Had some silver coin with him, and bought gold dust for $5 an ounce. After a while he pulled up stakes and went to the dry-diggings, afterwards called Hangtown, and now the well-known town of Placerville. It was soon the mining center of California. There were there then about a hundred cabins, occu- pied by a number of families. There were a good many women and children. Here le cleared about $10,000 by trading. Among the people he knew there" were Michael Murray and J. A. Neal, both subsequently pioneers of Murray Township in this county. Murray had splendid diggings. Left the mines in the following Spring and returned to Monterey, where he was present during the session of the Constitutional Convention, the meetings of which he attended as a spectator. Visited Sacramento, Marysville and Stockton, before they were laid out and named towns.
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