Sonoma County Biographies
Peter J. Azevedo
History of Sonoma County
Contributed by Peggy RoweNot withstanding the fact that the Azores Islands are limited in area and which a comparatively small population, they have sent a large number of their substantial citizens to the United States, here to take an active part in the development and business affairs of our country. Among these is Peter J. Azevedo of Sebastopol, who was born in the Azores on the 31 day of December 1877, (a son of M. J. and Rose Azevedo, both of whom are deceased.) After receiving his educational training in the public schools of his native land, Mr. Azevedo, in 1892, when fifteen years of age, emigrated to the United States.
He located first in Massachusetts where he remained about twenty-two months and then came to California, locating at Two Rock, Marin county. In 1919, Mr. Azevedo "rented" seventy acres of land near Cunningham and has here engaged in general farming and diarying, in which he has met with very gratifying success. He keeps fifteen cows and has six acres in orchard, the remainder of the land being devoted to crops, as are commonly grown in this locality.
Mr. Azevedo was married to Miss Lucy Arria, whose death occured in October 1928. To them were born four children, Joseph, Mary, Manuel, and Rose.
In political affairs, Mr. Azevedo gives his support to the republican party and he is also a member of the U.P.E.C. and the I.D.E.S. The prosperity which he enjoys is the result of energy rightly supplied and has been gained by commendable qualities. Because of his generous and kindly nature, he has won and retained the good will and esteem of all who have come in contact with him.
George S. Azevedo
History of Sonoma County
Contributed by Peggy RoweIn point of distance to reach this new home; George S. Azevedo, whose photograph appears on the opposite page, can match the majority of men and women living in Sonoma County, for he came from San Jorge Island, Azores, where he was born March 14, 1875, to Manuel S. and Rosa (Delphino) Azevedo, both natives of the Azores Islands. His family farmed and raised cattle. George S. Azevedo has followed the same business since he came to California in 1892.
Mr. Azevedo first settled in Marin County at Tomales, where for eighteen years he raised cattle and cultivated land. In 1910 he purchased a seventy-five acre ranch near Sebastopol which he develped into a cattle and dairy ranch that supplies milk to markets.
Miss Mary Olivero, who was born October 7, 1881, married George S. Azevedo on July 28, 1902 in San Francisco. Eight children were born to them, all but the youngest native of Tomales. Their names and dates of their birth follow: George L., September 24, 1902; Tony, August 11, 1904, husband of Francis Azevedo and father of Tony & Caroline, Mary, October 20, 1906; Pete, March 9, 1908, husband of Bell (Sousa) Azevedo; Frank, October 16, 1911; Lena, February 25, 1914, wife of Tony Santos; Joseph, July 24, 1916; and Mabel, September 30, 1924.
Antone Edward Azevedo
History of Sonoma County
Contributed by Peggy RoweOne of the best known and most successful dairymen in Marin county is Antone Edward Azevedo who operates the 1,100 acre ranch, known as the Reclamation Dairy which he took over in 1933 after having worked for his father since leaving school.
Mr. Azevedo came from a family of experienced dairymen. His father before him, George Azevedo, came directly to Marin county from his birthplace in the Azores in 1893 and entered into the dairy business. For 43 years he has raised cattle there and sold milk on a large and profitable scale.
The Reclamation Dairy is a throughly modern, up-to-date plant in all it's equipment, where the milk is handled in a scientific way and marketed exclusively in San Francisco. The place is stocked with 2,000 throughbreed cattle.
Mr. Azevedo is a native of the county where he now conducts business, having been born in Marin County, on August 11, 1904, some ten years after his father and mother (Mary Olivera Azevedo) landed in this country.
Believing that education is necessary equipment for any line of work, he spent many years getting a general schooling. He attended the Aurora schools, the Mt. Vernon grammar school and the Analy high school. Coupled with his education was the determination to succeed in his chosen line of work.
In 1932 Antone Azevedo was united in marriage to Miss Francis Rose Souza. The ceremony took place in Petaluma. Two children have been born to them; Tony Jr., who is now three years old, and Catherine aged 18 months.
All of Mr. Azevedo's interests are bound up in his family and his business. He finds no time for fraternal or civic organizations, the only membership he holds being in the Roman Catholic Church. He likes the out-of-doors, and his interest in sports is general, although he does claim that if he had to express a preference for any one particular sport it would be baseball.
His ranch is located on the Black Point Highway between Petaluma and Sonoma, and due to its scenic surroundings, he calls it "Grand View.
Ciralamo Guaspari
History of Sonoma County
Contributed by Peggy RoweOut of Santa Rosa's Italian population have developed many successful businessmen, some of whom have taken prominent part in lodge and club affairs of the community. Among such men recognized is Ciralamo Guaspari, a native of Italy, who came to this country as a young man and has since become a highly respected and naturalized citizen of his adopted country.
Since a boyhood apprenticeship in Italy, Mr. Guaspari has been engaged in shoemaking trade, with the exception of the few short years, and he at present owns and operates the New California Shoe Shop, at 305 Forth Street in this city.
Mr. Guaspari was born in Lucca, Italy, April 12, 1882, the son of Vincenzo Guaspari and Adelasia Lotti Guaspari. His father was a farmer for many years an officer in the Italian Army, and his mother was also from a farming family.
As a youth of ten years, Mr. Guaspari started learning his life trade, in a Lucca show shop, serving a four-year apprenticeship and then working three years as a full-fledged, though young shoemaker. At the age of seventeen years, he went to Marseilles, France, continuing his trade for another six years.
Mr. Guaspari came to the United States at the age of twenty-four years, arriving in San Francisco, just four days before the famous earthquake of 1906. After working six years for the United Railroad he returned to his shoe trade, opening up a shop of his own at 4817 Mission street, where he remained for another six years. From San Francisco Mr. Guaspari came to Petaluma, operating a chicken ranch for a year and a half.
Ever since 1919, Mr. Guaspari has been a resident and businessman in Santa Rosa. For five years he was the partner of E. Grasseschi in a shoe store, at 536 Fifth Street, but since then has been in business for himself at his present location, where he carries a complete line of mens and boys shoes and also maintains a modern repair shop.
In addition to his shoe business, Mr. Guaspari operates a chicken and prune ranch at the southwestern city limits of Santa Rosa and also finds time to take an active part in lodge functions. He was one of the organizers of the Italian-American Club here, one of the organizers, first secretary, and financial secretary for the past four years of the Sons of Italy, and also belongs to the Moose and Druids. Keenly interested in the organizationss to which he belongs, Mr. Guaspari has made club work his hobby.
When Mr. Guaspari came to this country as a young man he brought with him a bride, the former Pieri Lucia, also of Lucca, Italy. The couple are parents of twin sons, Lario Guido and Bruno John Guaspari, both well known young men here. Lario Guaspari is a member of The Press Democrat's mecanical staff.
Eugene Gannon
History of Sonoma County
Contributed by Peggy RoweEugene Gannon, whose death occurred April 20, 1931 in Santa Rosa, was esteemed by his fellow citizens for his integrity, friendly nature, and high ideals. His career was characterized by perseverance and unremitting energy. Mr. Gannon was born in Washington County, New York, the son of John and Sobrina (Green) Gannon. Both of Mr. Gannon's parents were natives of the Empire state. Mr. Gannon received his early education in the schools of Washington County. Imbued with an adventurous spirit, he came west and eventually arrived in the Stony Point district of Sonoma county. His meager funds exhausted, Mr. Gannon procured odd jobs. In time he became foreman on the old Rose ranch on the Hill road. Later on, Mr. Gannon joined the Northwestern Pacific railroad company and remained in its employ for almost 20 years. He held various positions with the company, doing carpenter work, then went to the freight office, and later the road's shops.
In 1906 Mr. Gannon took up a tract of government land in Imperial Valley and by unflagging energy and enterprise developed a prosperous farm of 170 acres. He was particularly successful at the cultivation of cotton and alfalfa crops. He continued to farm until 1929 when he sold his property and moved to Santa Rosa, there to enjoy the leisure and peace of old age. A sincere, earnest individual. Mr. Gannon made many friendships as a resident of Santa Rosa.
Eugene Gannon married Miss Dora Cleveland, a native of Ukiah, in that community in 1892. The marriage was performed by Mrs. Gannon's grandfather, the Rev. M. W. Howard. Mrs. Gannon's parents were Martin Van Cleveland and Ann Howard Cleveland. Mr. Cleveland was a saddle and harness maker by profession. Mrs. Gann's parents had 10 children; Bonnepart, Emma, Newton D., Dora, Oliver, May and Flora (twins), Lucy, James, and Rachael.
Mr. Gannon was a member of Odd Fellows. He was a keen outdoor enthusiast and liked among other hobbies, baseball, and fishing. Although he had been a resident of Santa Rosa for a short period when death claimed him, he had won a respected place for himself in the community and his passing, therefore, was widely mourned.
Thomas Hopper
History of Sonoma County
Contributed by Peggy RoweA striking representative of the strong and hardy California pioneers that succeeded in the difficult task of surmounting the many obstacles that beset the pathway of the earlier settlers of the state, Thomas Hopper has, by accumulating wealth and attaining a commanding position in the business world, more than accomplished the purpose which he had in view when he came here. He is a self-made man in every sense implied by the term, and, notwithstanding that he often met with reverses in his varied career as farmer, miner, lumberman, cattle-raiser and stock-dealer, he has made a success in life, and is now able to spend his declining years in peace and plenty, retired front active pursuits. A native of Missouri he, was born September 23, 1820, in Lafayette County, a son of William Hopper, Jr. His grandfather, William Hopper, Sr., was born in North Carolina but several years after his marriage removed to Indiana.
Willilam Hopper, Jr., a native of North Carolina, removed from there with his parents to Lawrence County, Ind., when a boy and was there reared to man's estate. Going from there to Missouri in 1817 or 1818, he took up land, and was there engaged in farming until his death, which was caused by an accident, in 1824, while he was yet a young man. He married in Lawrence County, IN, Nancy Armstrong, who bore him four children, Thomas being the second in order of birth. His wife subsequently returned to the home of her father, in Indiana, and there married a second time.
Thomas Hopper, was but four years old when the death of his father occurred. Going with his mother to Indiana, he remained, with her until eleven years old, when left home, on account of a whipping given him by his stepfather. Starting in life for himself at that time, he worked as a farm laborer until eighteen years old, when he returned to Missouri, where, for a year, he worked by the month for a farmer. Marrying soon afterward, he bought a small farm, in Johnson County, Mo., where he resided about three years. May 9, 1847, accompanied by his wife and child, he started for the Pacific Coast with Charles Hopper's party, and having crossed the plains with ox teams arrived at Sutter's Fort September 5, 1847, being one of the only part, that came to California that year. After a few days he proceeded to the Waukena Valley, and thence to San Jose, where he and his family camped for a short time. He then went to the Santa Cruz mountains, being hired to put up a mill, but the owner failing in business he did not succeed in his purpose. Settling in Santa Cruz, he built a redwood house, and afterwards both he and his wife worked in a sawmill, each receiving $1 a day for their labor.
In May, 1848, Mr. Hopper becoming convinced of the truth of the reports concerning the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill, packed his goods and with his family started for the scene of action, taking with him a boat which he had made to cross the swollen streams in. Arriving at Sutter's, he began prospecting and by use of shovel and pickaxe often made $100 a day. In July of that year he took his wife and babies to George Yount's ranch, in Napa Valley, and left them there for awhile. Buying four yoke of cattle there he started on his return to the gold fields, and while on the trip had a narrow escape from death when the boat in which he was crossing the Sacramento river capsized. He would surely have been drowned had he not held on to his horses tail and swam ashore. Soon after his return to Sutter's Mill he sold his cattle, and went with a party of five to Dry Gulch, where he made considerable money. In October he returned to his family, and spent the winter in Napa valley. This was providential and saved his life, as the party left at the mines was murdered by the Indians. In the spring of 1849, he was again prospecting around Sutter's diggings, and in the summer joined Walker's expedition to Monterey County, but failing to secure any amount of gold, he returned to Napa county.
In the fall of 1849, Mr. Hopper, having previously bought a large herd of cattle, removed with his family to Sonoma township, Sonoma county, where he bought thirty acres of land, erected a small house, and commenced farming, in the meantime turning his cattle out on the range. He also engaged in teaming in that locality, receiving from $18 to $20 a day. General Vallejo was a neighbor and a frequent visitor in the Hopper family. Disposing of his property in the spring of 1850, Mr. Hopper bought a lot and erected a house in the city of Sonoma, but soon afterward sold out to Dr. Tennant for $1,000. Taking up a claim immediately afterward in Green valley, he lived there until 1852, when he sold out and went to Sacramento, where he invested $4,500 in cattle. He subsequently took up a claim, of one hundred and sixty acres on the Cotate grant, and soon afterward purchased an adjoining six hundred and forty acres. He continued to add to his possession by purchase until he had a ranch of twenty-three hundred and sixty acres, which he gave to three of his daughters. He had other extensive land tracts, at one time owning eighty-two hundred acres of redwood, which he gave to his children, December 28, 1878. Mr. Hopper became a resident of Santa Rosa, making it his home one year. In 1883, he turned his extensive cattle business and his landed possessions over to his children, and has since lived practically retired from active business.
Mr. Hopper has been prominently identified with many large financial institutions far over six years, serving as president in the Santa Rosa Bank, in which he was a stock owner to the amount of five hundred and thirteen shares. After disposing of those he bought $12,100 worth of shares in another bank, and $31,800 worth in the Ukiah Bank, giving the latter to his son, Henry T. Hopper. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and an active worker for his party and his friends.
July 14, 1844, Mr. Hopper married Minerva Young of Lafayette County, Mo. She died February 24, 1891. Ten children were born of their union. Eliza, born April 23, 1846, is the wife of Isaac F. Cook, and until recently, resided on a part of the ranch formerly owned by Mr. Hopper.
John William, a capitalist in Santa Rosa, was the first white child born in Nevada, his birth occurring August 30, 1847, at the sinks of the Humboldt, while the family were crossing the plains; Wesley, a capitalist in Santa Rosa, was born January 25, 1852; Disy Eveline, born July 9, 1854, and who married Joseph Spottswood, was the mother of two children, Thomas H. and Minerva Bell, who married O. F. Leppo. Mrs. Spottswood died February 28, 1878; Mary E., born December 16, 1856, is the wife of Frank Roberta, and lives on a portion of the old home ranch. Henry Thomas, born July 28, 1860 is a prominent sheep raiser, and one of the leading citizen of Ukiah, Cal., where he a serving as president of the Ukiah Bank; Rosa Belle, born March 22, 1865, married Elmer Ludwig, by whom she had one daughter, Hazel Bell. Mrs. Ludwig afterward became the wife of Dr. McNeal, but is now a widow and resides in Seattle, Wash. Hazel Bell Ludwig resides with her grandmother, Mrs. T. J. Ludwig, of San Fransisco. No history of the early pioneers to California would be complete without due mention of Thomas Hopper and his brave courageous wife who, undaunted, followed her enterprising husband into the wilderness. A study of their life and eventful careers gives an inspiration not only to their immediate descendants, but to the American people.
Wesley Lee Hopper
History of Sonoma County
Contributed by Peggy RoweElsewhere in this work may be found extended mention of the family to which Wesley Lee Hopper belongs, and more epecially his father, Thomas, one of the pioneers of California who manipulated with dextrous hand the large possibilities among which he found himself in the west. The son, who has inherited much of his fathers wealth, and in the management thereof is evincing keen financial judgment, is a resident of Santa Rosa, and besides his varied land interests is a stockholder in the national bank of this town.
Reared to an appreciation of the dignity and utility of an agricultural life, Wesley Lee Hopper was foreordained to continue his association with this kind of work for many years of his life, and to eventually assume entire control of the numerous farms of his sire. He was educated in the public schools, and at the early age of twenty married Anna Corbin, a native of Iowa, and daughter of James A. Corbin. She died August 23, 1900 leaving three children: Henry Lee, who is married and living in Calistoga, Napa county, Cal.; M. Myrtle, the wife of John Payne of Willits. Mendocino county. Cal.; and William Thomas, formerly a bookkeeper for the National Bank at Santa Rosa. After his marriage, Mr. Hopper operated one of his father ranches, conducting thereon extensive stockraising enterprises until 1882. He then went to Knight valley, where he operated a ranch of twenty-seven hundred acres for about eight years, thereafter conducting a meat market business in Calistoga. Napa county, in connection with the ranch, for about eight years. In 1901 he leased the ranch and took up his residence in Santa Rosa, which has since been the headquarters from which he manages his large ranching interests. Near the town he has two hundred and forty acres in vineyard on two ranches, and his grape industry is proving as profitable and successful as his cattle.
No more typical westerner could be found in the length and breadth of California than Mr. Hopper, who has the breeziness of the man thrown into intimate associationith nature, and the frankness and honesty engendered remote from city strife and while living an outdoor life. He is a great hunter, and has had great success both as a nimrod and angler, and no one enjoys these pastimes to greater extent, or enters into them, with greater enthusiasm than does Mr. Hopper. He is a Democrat in politics, but no one would ever associate him with office-seeking, so remote from work of this kind has been his whole life. He is a member of the Santa Rosa Parlor, Native Sons. For a second wife, Mr. married Nellie Felton.
M. D. Ritchie
Historical and Descriptive Sketch Book of
Napa, Sonoma Lake and Mendocino, 1878
Contributed by Tammy Poulson PhillipsCol. Ritchie is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1805, but lived in Illinois for many years before coming to California. He arrived here overland in 1846, and settled in Sonoma; a few years after he moved to Napa Valley, where he still resides. Col. Ritchie was the first man who made an effort to rescue the Donner Party who were snow-bound at Donner Lake in the Winter of 1846-7.
Abraham Ward
Contributed by Thomas M. FreitasIn 1837, Abraham, his brother Porter, and most likely brothers James and John, had decided to look beyond their homeland for their destinies. In line with their trade, they signed on as ship carpenters and set sail for America. In 1838 they arrived in St. Louis, Missouri. The following year Abraham returned to Southery where he married Naomi Porter. According to the wedding registration, he was 23 and she was 22. He was listed as a Bachelor and she as a spinster. His occupation was a carpenter and hers as a tayloress. The wedding registration listed the witnesses as John Grabb Gillett and Elizabeth Ward, Abraham's aunt. The registration is dated April 19, 1840 by William Henry Henstone, M.A. Gurate of the Parish. In 1840, Abraham and his new wife, Naomi, left England for America, taking residence in St. Louis, Missouri. On November 27, 1840, Naomi gave birth to a son, Thomas. It is believed that Thomas died in infancy or early childhood as there are no records of him. In 1849 Abraham was elected as a member of the St. Louis City Council.
Between 1840 and 1850 Abraham and Porter were engaged in building steamboats on the Mississippi River and their wives were busy having children. On April 24, 1844, Abraham became an American citizen in the St. Louis Circuit Court and later served as a member of the St. Louis City Council. In 1850, Abraham, Naomi and Porter decided to go west to California in a wagon train of 19 families. Abraham's and Naomi's children were then James, 8 years, Hannah, 5 years and William, 2 years. Shortly after leaving for California, Naomi became pregnant. Along the way to California around September 15, 1850, 2 year old William became sick and died. William was wrapped in a blanket and put in a small trunk and then buried in the desert of Nevada. On October 7, 1850 Naomi gave birth to John at Deer Creek, Nevada County, California. After they came to Indian Springs, Abraham became ill and Naomi leased a hotel and boarded teamsters. They remained there on year, moving to Santa Rosa, Sonoma Count in 1852.
In April of 1853, Abraham purchased property in the San Antonio Creek area on the border of Marin and Sonoma Counties - "straight out D Street, Petaluma." Brothers Porter and John followed suit also investing in acreage and operating sizable and successful citizens, assets to the community. In addition to their ranch holdings in Sonoma and Marin Counties, Abraham and Porter later purchased several lots in the town of Petaluma which were subsequently turned over to their children.
After arriving in California, five more children were born. Abraham was elected as a Supervisor for Marin County in 1858. He later became a member of the Sonoma County Grand Jury at the same time Luther Burbank was also a member. He also acted as an arbitrator and executor in various civil matters. In 1859 he joined Petaluma Lodge No. 30, I.O.O.F. and previous to his demise was the oldest surviving member of the lodge. He was also a member of Relief encampment No. 29, I.O.O.F.
Naomi died in Petaluma on October 13, 1883 at the age of 65. Abraham bought the Ward family plot in the Cypress Hill Cemetery after Naomi's death. Abraham died Monday December 4, 1899 at 4:25 PM at home in Petaluma at the age of 82 following a stroke, which happened several weeks prior. Abraham funeral took place on Thursday, December 7, 1899, at Odd Fellows hall under the auspices of Petaluma lodge No. 30 L.O.O.F. Rev. John Partridge officiating, and the internment was at Cypress Hill. His estate was reported to be worth $32,000.00 and included over 1,000 acres of ranching land. Only four of his ten children survived him.
Hannah Ward
Contributed by Thomas M. Freitas
Hannah Ward, the daughter of Abraham and Naomi Ward wrote the following at age 86. My father, Abraham Ward, his wife and three children, with my uncle and his family along with nineteen other families, left St. Louis early in 1850. The twenty-odd wagons with their oxen teams started out but it wasn't long before fifteen of them turned back.
We had plenty of provisions and felt comparatively safe. Then my three year old brother contracted a severe illness and passed away. He was wrapped in a blanket, put in a small trunk and buried on the desert. Six weeks later at Deer Creek, a little boy was born to my mother, and that night we struck camp in a rattlesnake nest. The stock stampeded and we had a terrible time. Finally we arrived at a station where teamsters put up on their trips across the county. My mother wasn't feeling well, so my father rented a little hut for $100 a month.
Roasting corn was one of the children's greatest enjoyments and it was while I was doing this that my clothes caught fire and I was severely burned. For six weeks my life hung in the balance but my youth was a great asset and slowly but surely I recovered. Then my father came down with a terrible fever and he was in bed for three months. All this sickness delayed our trip, but once again on the road we thought our troubles were over.
However, one morning we awoke to find all our stock gone with the exception of two horses. My father and a friend left to look for them. They came upon an Indian corral and there they recognized their oxen. They drove them to our camp but for two days and two nights the Indians followed us. No one dared get out of the wagons and we feared that they would attack us at any moment. The men gave them all the food they could afford and on the second night the Indian chief came to my father and patting him on his shoulder said in his dialect, "Heap brave chief, heap brave chief. Bye bye." and that was the last we saw of that tribe.
Soon after we arrived at Indian Springs where mother leased a hotel and boarded the teamsters. The Indian burial ground adjoined the barn of the hotel and their burial ceremony was particularly fascinating to us. They built a large fire and laid the corpse on top, and to the doleful sounds of the hired mourners and the beating of the tom-toms the spirit of the deceased went to the Happy Hunting Grounds.
One evening the chief of the tribe demanded that my mother exchange me for one of his sons. My mother hid me behind some trunks and there I stayed half the night. After living in Indian Springs for one year we left for Sacramento where my aunt who had endured so much was taken sick with colic and died, leaving three children, one a baby of two months. In the latter part of 1852 we reached Petaluma where I have spent most of my life. I am the last of eleven children and feel that in my 86th year of life I have experienced a good deal of the history that goes to make up the story of the Great West.
Francis J. Schalich
History of Sonoma County, by Toumey
Contributed by Mary Ann LindsayThe life of Francis J. Schalich has been charactized by persistent and well directed effort, and the success which has crowned his efforts has been well merited. He was born in Silesia, Germany, on the 17th of December, 1863, and is a son of Antone and Mary (Scholtz) Schalich, both of whom also were natives of Germany.
Antone Schalich came to the United States in 1872, locating first in San Francisco, where he remained for a few months, and he then went to Santa Rosa and bought sixty acres of land near the the old race track. Here he engaged in the raising of grain and also planted a twenty acre vineyard, developing a good farm. He lived there until 1915, when he sold the place and moved into Santa Rosa, where he spent his remaining days, his death occuring there October 7, 1922. His wife died in June, 1916. To them were born eight children, namely: Mrs. Mary Cuda, of Santa Rosa; Mrs. Balbina Renner, deceased; Mrs. Agnes Renner, of San Francisco; Mrs. Julia Meunzer, who lives on the Sebastopol highway; Francis J., the subject of this sketch; John, who is engaged in the plumbing business in San Francisco; Mrs. Paulina Happer, of Santa Rosa; and Thomas, who is retired and is living in Healdsburg.
Francis J. Schalich was but nine years of age when he was brought by his parents to this country, and he secured his education in the public schools of Santa Rosa. He remained at home assisting his father in the farm work, until he was thirty years of age, when he leased the Hahman ranch, of two hundred acres, on the Hill road, and engaged in the raising of hay, grain and live stock. He remained on that place for sixteen years, after which he bought sixty acres of raw land on the highway six miles north of Santa Rosa. He went to work at once to get it in shape for cultivation and planted it all to fruit putting twenty acres in vineyard and the remainder in orchard, mainly prunes. In 1920, Mr. Scalich bought ten acres of the Laughlin ranch adjoining his place, a part of which is planted to prunes, the remainder being hay land. He has worked hard to develop his property, and he is now enabled to take things a little more leisurely than formerly, having turned the operation of the ranch over to his son. In 1913 Mr. Scalich built a fine modern home, with all the conveniences and comforts that could be desired, and he and his wife are now enjoying life as only they can who have earned the privilege of retirement from active labor.
On June 22, 1894, Mr. Scalich was married to Miss Louisa Schmiter, a native of Germany and a daughter of Steffen and Mary (Hauser) Schmiter, both of whom also were natives of Germany. The father died in his native land, February 2, 1877, and his wife, who had subsequently come to the United States, died in Wisconsin in March, 1922. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Edward, Matilda, Wilhelmina and Karl, who are deceased; and Amalia, Louisa and Rosa. To Mr. and Mrs. Schalich have been born four children, namely: Otto, who is married and has a son, Thomas; Leo, who is at home; Mrs. Alma Kelly, of Santa Rosa; and Mrs. Elsa Kinney, of Santa Rosa.
Because of his active and successful career and the splendid success which he has achieved, Mr. Schalich has won the hearty admiration of his fellow citizens and enjoys a reputation as an enterprising, progressive man of affairs and a broadminded, charitable and upright citizen. He has always taken an interest in the public affairs of his community and has never withheld his support from any worthy movement.Family note: the author refers to "Paulina Happer" Correct English spelling of her name is "Pauline Heppert".
Antone Muenzer
History of Sonoma County, by Toumey
Contributed by Mary Ann LindsayAntone Muenzer, the proprietor of a well kept fruit, poultry and dairy ranch in the Wright district about four and a half miles west of Santa Rosa, has been a resident of Sonoma County for forty years and is one of its well known and progressive citizens. He is a European by birth, born in Germany in January, 1861, and is a son of Bernard and Josephine Muenzer, also natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives.
Reared in his native place, Antone Muenzer received his education in the local schools and remained at home until after he had attained his majority. In 1883, he came to the United States and proceeded out to Missouri, a place having been provided for him there by prior arrangement. A year later he went to Florence, Kansas and in 1885 he left that place and came to California, locating in Santa Rosa. For awhile after his arrival here Mr. Muenzer "worked out" and then, following his marriage in the summer of 1886, he rented a tract of 80 acres of land and began farming on his own account. His affairs prospered and at the end of three years he found himself in a position to buy his present attractive place of thirty-two acres in the Wright district west of town, where he since has resided, being very comfortably situated. Mr. Muenzer has planted most of this tract to fruit and has done well as an orchardist, his products finding a ready market. He also maintains a well managed and profitable poultry yard and keeps a few cows for dairy purposes. The place is well improved and is conducted in an up-to-date fashion.
It was on July 3, 1886, that Antone Muenzer was united in marriage to Miss Julia Schulich who also was born in Germany and who came to this country in 1882 with her parents, Antone and Maria (Schultz) Schulich, who were likewise natives of Germany and who spent their last days here. Mrs. Schulich died in 1917 and Mr. Schulich survived her for about five years, his death occuring in 1922. Mr. and Mrs. Muenzer have four children, namely Bertha born March 25, 1888; Joseph born August 28, 1889; John born July 5, 1892; and Josephine born February 27, 1893. Josephine Muenzer is now engaged in business at Santa Rosa. Bertha Muenzer married Julius Piezza, now living in Yolo county, and has six children, Gertrude, Clarence, Cecelia, Julia, John and Helen. Joseph Muenzer, the elder son, is now living in Hollister, this state. He is married and has three sons, Joseph, William and Richard. Mr. Muenzer's younger son, John Muenzer, who is now living at Petaluma, married Mary Schoningh and has one child, a son, Richard. It thus will be seen that Mr. and Mrs. Muenzer have ten grandchildren, in all of whom they take much pride and delight.
J. P. Muenzer
History of Sonoma County, by Toumey
Contributed by Mary Ann LindsayJ. P. Muenzer, who served his country in the World war, is now numbered among Petaluma's successful young business men, owning and operating a large garage. He was born July 5, 1893, in Santa Rosa, California, and is a son of Anton and Mary Muenzer, who settled on a farm in that locality when the district was still largely undeveloped. J. P. Muenzer attended the public schools of Santa Rosa and afterward learned the painter's trade. When he had accumulated sufficient capital he embarked in the automobile business, opening a repair shop at Santa Rosa in 1913, and also secured the local agency for the Maxwell cars. He conducted the business for three years and then came to Petaluma,entering the employ of the firm of Sparks & Murphy, with which he was connected for two years. In 1917 Mr. Muenzer enlisted in the United States navy, in which he served for two years, and during that period made three trips across the Atlantic. He was honorably discharged in 1919 and on his return to Petaluma accepted a position at the Hill Plaza Garage. In 1921 he opened a garage of his own and is now located at No. 132 Keller Street, occupying a modern, substancial building eighty by one hundred and fifty feet in demensions. He has a large storage capacity and his repair shop is equipped to serve all makes of cars. He is thoroughly informed on matters pertaining to the automobile business and has secured a large share of the local trade.
In 1919 Mr. Muenzer married Miss Marie Schoenigh, a daughter of Joseph Schoenigh connected with the management of the Fair at Petaluma. To this union has been born a son, Richard. Like many of Petaluma's citizens, Mr. Muenzer is liberal in his political views, placing the qualifications of a candidate above the narrow bonds of partisanship. He is a faithful communicant of the Catholic church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He is still a young man with his future largely before him, and the substancial qualities of industry, preseverance and honesty insure his continuous progress.
Correction noted by family: J. P. Muenzer is the son of Anton and "Julia" Muenzer.
John Clark Lindsay
The Lindsay Family History, by Ethel Walker Lindsay
Contributed by Mary Ann LindsayJohn Clark Lindsay, son of John and Jean Steven Lindsay of Scotland, was born March 17, 1852 in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland. He was married in Napa, California, November 4, 1879, to Mary Ann Boylan, born October 2, 1862 in New York, daughter of Patrick and Jane Riley Boylan of Ireland.
John learned carpentry as a young boy in a cabinet shop trade school in Scotland. In 1870, he migrated to America and joined his four brothers in New Jersey. John had been given no middle name when he was born, so for the purpose of better identification, John took the name of Clark, to honor someone he knew in Scotland. When he came to America, he built hot houses for one of his brothers who was in the nursery business. The other brothers had been working for railroad companies. After awhile, John Clark decided to see more of the new world, and he sailed around the horn to San Francisco, California. He worked there as a carpenter on the original Palace Hotel. John was soon offered a job in Los Angeles, which included free transportation, an increase in wages, and a deed to a city lot each week as a bonus. He refused the job, because at that time, Los Angeles was merely a small Mexican village. After reading a sign in a drug company's window, he applied for a job, and became foreman of the carpenters at that company's quicksilver mine in Knoxville, Napa County, California. In order to help with preparations to celebrate the Centennial in Knoxville in 1876, John built a large outdoor dance floor and speaker's platform. Unfortunately the celebration was called off because of heavy rains, and the dance floor was not used, and John was disappointed that his hard work was all in vain.
John met Mary Ann Boylan in Knoxville where her widowed mother was working at the hotel. They resided in Knoxville after their marriage in 1879. The first child, Joan Mary (Gen) was born in Napa in 1881. After living in Knoxville for awhile, John, Mary Ann and daughter Gen moved to Folsom, Placer County, California, where John worked for the Natomas Mining Company. He built houses, barns and fruit packing sheds. John's wife and their second child, Mary Ann, born in 1883, became ill with malaria while they were living in Folsom. Mother Lindsay survived but the baby did not, and they returned to Napa County. There John worked at his trade, traveling between Napa and St. Helena. They began homesteading in the hill country north of the Napa Soda Springs, but living there interfered with John's work, so they never completed the homesteading claim. They lived in several different homes in the upper Napa Valley area, during which time Mary Ann (Mae), John Joseph (Jack), and James Harrison (Jim), were born. While they were living on the Bierstecher Ranch, the four oldest children attended the old Rutherford Grammar School. A son, Thomas, was born in Napa Valley in 1891 but died as an infant of whooping cough.
In 1893, the Lindsay family sailed to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, where Andrew Harold (Andy) was born. They lived in Victoria, where John worked at his carpentry trade. The older children attended St. Ann's Parochial School while living in Victoria. John took up a timber claim on Goldstream, about twenty-five miles north of Victoria, but the winters were long and cold, and the claim was too far from his work, so they returned to a better climate in Napa County, California. William Joseph (Bill) was born while they lived in Oakville, and Lawrence Vincent (Mike) was born in Rutherford, California. John had received word in 1898, that there was a lot of work to be had in Sonoma County, so he moved his family to Santa Rosa, California. They lived on Tenth Street next to the Ursuline Convent. The girls attended Ursuline School, and the boys attended St. Charles Academy, located on the Ursuline property.
John Clark Lindsay spent the rest of his life in Santa Rosa where he was very active in the building trade. He built commercial buildings and many of the better constructed single-family homes in the area. He designed and drew the plans for many of the homes he built. One of John's first projects when he arrived in Santa Rosa in 1898, was the Fountain Grove Barn, which has since been declared an historical landmark. On July 26, 1899, John purchased three acres just outside the northern city limits, at the end of McDonald Avenue. There he built a home and cabinet shop. It was in that cabinet shop that JC manufactured all of the cabinets and millwork necessary to carry on his contracting business. He soon enlarged his shop and added a shingle mill, where he and his sons produced as many as 35,000 shingles per day. Shingles were manufactured during the winter months to provide activity when wheather conditions prohibited outdoor building. The shop is gone now, but the old house still stands on what is now called Franklin Avenue, across the street from the old Chinese cemetery. The last of the children, Gertrude Agnes, and Edward Thomas (Ed), were born in that home on McDonald Avenue.
John Clark Lindsay, like his father before him, was the father of seven sons and four daughters. Four of his sons worked with him and became builders on their own. As for his other sons, Thomas died as an infant, Lawrence was ordained a priest, and Edward worked many years for National Cash Register Company. In 1925, due to ill health, John turned his business over to his four builder sons and retired. His son, Father Lawrence Robert Lindsay, came from Belgium where he was studying, to be at his bedside just a few days before he died. After a long battle with cancer, John Clark Lindsay died June 2, 1927 at his McDonald Avenue home in Santa Rosa. Mass was celebrated at St. Rose Church by Father Henry Raters, formerly of St. Rose, and close friend of John Clark Lindsay during his last days. In the sanctuary were eight priests who had been classmates of Father Lawrence Robert Lindsay. John Clark Lindsay is buried with his wife in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery, in Santa Rosa, California.
Mary Ann (Boylan) Lindsay
The Lindsay Family History, by Ethel Walker Lindsay
Contributed by Mary Ann LindsayMary Ann Boylan, daughter of Patrick and Jane Riley Boylan was born October 2, 1862 in New York. She was married in Napa, California on November 4, 1879 to John Clark Lindsay, born Mar 17, 1852 in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland. He was the son of John and Jean Steven Lindsay of Scotland.
Mary Ann was about six years old when she moved with her family from New York to San Francisco, California. While in San Francisco, she attended the Jefferson Grammar School. Her father died in 1873 and Mary Ann then moved with her mother to Knoxville, Napa County, California. Jean Boylan went to work as a cook in a hotel operated by her friends, the Thomas Keegans. It was in Knoxville that Mary Ann met and married John Clark Lindsay, shortly after her seventeenth birthday. Most of their children were born in Napa County. In 1893, they moved to Victoria, BC, where one child was born, and returned to Napa County where another child was born. In 1898, John received word that there was work to be had in Sonoma County, so they moved the family to Santa Rosa, California. They built a home at the end of McDonald Avenue, now called Franklin Avenue. It was in that home that the last two children were born.
Mary Ann was a life-long follower of the Catholic faith, even though it was sometimes a hardship to attend church and still take care of her large family. The children were taught the catholic faith, even though John did not become a Catholic until just before he died. Mary Ann was a hard-working mother, and it is to her credit that she always found the time to offer counsel and guidance to her children. When her husband died in 1927, Mary Ann rented out the home on McDonald Avenue and moved to a little house on Talbot Avenue. She lived the rest of her life as a widow. Mary Ann Boylan Lindsay died January 6, 1939, in Oakland, California while visiting her children. A Requiem High Mass was held at St. Rose Church in Santa Rosa, celebrated by her son, Rev. L. R. Lindsay, O.P. He was assisted by eight of his fellow Dominican priests and some of the local clergy. She is buried near her husband, John Clark Lindsay, in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Santa Rosa, California.
John Yenni
History of Sonoma County California, by Toumey
Contributed by Lori WicksComing to the United States with no assets save youth, ambition, energy and intelligence, John Yenni has "made good," advancing slowly but surely toward the goal of success, and is now numbered among the leading ranchers of the Sonoma valley. He was born in Switzerland, January 1, 1869, and in 1890, when twenty years of age, came to California, locating at Schellville, in Sonoma county. He worked for wages for seven years, saving as much as possible from his earnings, and was then able to buy the cattle on the snyder farm, which place he leased for four years. He next rented the Poppe place at schellville, on the Black Point Road, operating it successfully for fourteen years, and on the expiration of that period purchased his present ranch of six hundred and ninety acres. His land is rich and productive and he grows the crops best adapted to this locality. He is a practical farmer who brings to his occupation progressive ideas and an open mind, and his property contains modern conveniences to lessen the labor and expedite the work. He is also engaged in dairying and at one time had one hundred and forty high-grade Holsteins, while he now has eighty-six cows of this breed.
In 1890 Mr. Yenni married Miss Regula Yenni, also a Swiss, and four children were born to them: Bettie, now the wife of James Miller, of San Jose, California; and Lena, jacob and John, all of whom reside at home. Jacob is married and has one child, a son. Mr. Yenni exercises his right of franchise in support of the candidates and principles of the republican party but is not active in politics, preferring to discharge the duties of citizenship in a private capacity. He has earned the right to the distinctive title of "self-made man" and his success has demonstrated the fact that in the cultivation of the s oil, as well as in the conduct of business affairs, efficiency and sure routes to prosperity.
Hamilton Russell
History of Sonoma County California, by Toumey
Contributed by Lori WicksHamilton Russell, to a brief review of whose life and character the reader’s attention is herewith directed, is among the favorably known and representative citizens of his section of Sonoma county. He is a native of Ireland, the land from which has come so much of the "bone and sinew" of this country, having been born in the County Kildare on the 16th of July, 1868. He remained in his native land until 1896, when he immigrated to America, going to Monteral, Canada, where he remained for nine years. In 1904 he went to San Francisco and from there a short time later went to Marin county, where he was employed at wages of a time and as a foreman on a ranch. Afterward he returned to San Francisco, where he drove a team for two years, and ftom 1907 to 1913 he was employed at railroad work. He then came to Sonoma county and in partnership with a Mr. Westerburg bought twelve acres of land near Petaluma. The land has since been divided and Mr. Russell now has six acres, which he has greatly improved and developed into a high grade poultry ranch. He keeps about four thousand hens, and he is very comfortably situated.
Politically Mr. Russell is a supporter of the republican party, and he is ardent in his advocacy of everything that tends to promote the best interests of the entire community. He is a charter member of the Central California Poultry producers Association, having been the second man to sign the articles of association, and he is also a member of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau. In 1921 Mr. Russell was married to a Mrs. Georges. His chief characteristics seem to be keenness of perception, unswerving integrity and sound common sense, which have earned for him the esteem of the entire community.
Felice Pagani
History of Sonoma County California, by Toumey
Contributed by Lori WicksFelice Pagani, one of the successful ranchers of the glen Ellen district, owes all that he has to a life of unremitting, well directed industry, and for forty years he has been a resident of the Sonoma valley. A native of Italy, he was born May 22, 1863, and when a young man of twenty followed the example of many of his countrymen, coming to the united States in 1883. He spent two years in Vermont and then started for the Pacific coast, locating in Sonoma county in 1885. He worked on farms throughout the valley, becoming well acquainted with agricultural conditions in this region, and when he had accumulated sufficient capital rented a tract of land. Success attended his efforts and in 1903 he was able to buy a ranch of seventy-five acres near Glen Ellen. In 1905 he sold the place, of which he again became the owner in 1918, and in the following year he purchased on hundred and fifteen acres adjoining, to which he afterward added twelve acres. His fields are divided by well kept fences, the buildings are substantial and a general air of neatness and prosperity pervades the place. He engages in general farming and also raises grapes on a large scale, having a fine vineyard of about one hundred acres. He keeps in close touch with all modern developments along agricultural lines and his work is performed in a through and systematic manner.
In 1893 Mr. Pagani married Miss Angela Bogani, also a native of Italy, and they became the parents of seven children: Rose, Charles, who is is engaged in ranching; Ida, deceased; Marie, who died at the age of fifteen; Louis and Olive, at home; and Paul, who died in infancy. Mr. Pagani is not allied with any political faction and votes according to the dictates of his judgment, s tanding at all times for progress, reform and improvement in public affairs. His career has been rounded with success and marked by the appreciation of those men whose good opinion is worth having.
Robert D. Healey
History of Sonoma County California, by Toumey
Contributed by Lori WicksDr. Robert D. Healey, osteopathic phsicia and rectal specialist, has made Petaluma the scene of his professional labors for a period of fifteen years, and he enjoys and enviable reputation. He was born in Oakland, California, in 1872, a son of Daniel and Bertha (Holle) Healey, the former a native of ireland and the latter of Germany. They came to the Pacific coast early in the 50’s, locating in San Francisco, and later moved to Sonoma county, wherer the father followed the occupation of farming until his demise.
After the completion of his high school course Dr. Healey engaged in nursing in hospitals in San Francisco and the Goodban Agency, and later entered the California College of Osteopathy, from which he was graduated in 1906. He began his professional career at Salinas, California, where he spent four years, and since 1910 has been a resident of Petaluma. He has an accurate knowledge of anatomy and a large practice is indicative of the confidence reposed in his professional skill.
In 1911 Dr. Healey married Miss Myrtle Penney, of Pacifid Grove, California, and they have one child, Myrton Daniel. The Doctor is connected with the Elks, Artisians and Forester and his political views are in accord with the principles of the republician party. He is actively associated with the National, State and Bay Osteopathic Associations, and is consulting physician for the Pacific Coast Sanitarium for Proctology, located at 3120 Telegraph avenue, Oakland, California. Through study and experience he is constantly broadening his knowledge along the line in which he specializes and fully merits the respect accorded him.
Noble Kramer
History of Sonoma County California, by Toumey
Contributed by Lori WicksNoble Kramer, a man of broad experience and varied talents, is now engaged in the grocery and restaurant business, and since 1921 has been a resident of Boyes Springs, California. He was born in hillsboro, Ohio, in 1877, a son of Phillip and Mary A. Kramer, the latter of whom was also a native of the Buckeye state, and both parents have passed away. The father emigrated from Germany to the United States and engaged in the hotel business.
Noble Kramer attended the public schools and also completed a course in music. He became well known as a violinist and for several years followed the profession of a musician, acquiring much skill in his art. Later he acted as manager of a café at Marion, Ohio, and for sixteen years enjoyed the privilege of waiting upon the late President Harding, at that time owner of the Marion Star. In 1916, Mr. Kramer can to California and for five years was connected with the Union Iron Works, a San Francisco industry. In 1921 he located to Boyes Springs and opened a store and café, of which he has since been the proprietor. He is a successful restauranteur, inheriting his father’s talent for this line of work, and his café is well patronized, catering to those who are appreciative of the best in culinary art. He also possesses executive ability and the power of initiative and his business is prospering in each department.
In 1906 Mr. Kramer married Miss Lena Streng, a native of Marysville, Ohio, and they now have a daughter Lucille. Mr. Kramer cast his ballot for the candidates of the republican party but is no t active in politics, giving his undivided attention to his business, and during the period of his residence at Boyes Springs he has gained a secure place in popular confidence and esteem.
A. J. Bianchini
History of Sonoma County California, by Toumey
Contributed by Lori WicksThe little republic of Switzerland has sent many of her worthy citizens to this country, where they have contributed in a very definite measure to our development and prosperity. Among these is A. J. Bianchini, who was born on the 25th of November, 1866. He came to the United States in 1884. Locating in Petaluma, where for five years he was employed at day wages. In 1895 he rented Miss Lou Carter's ranch of three hundred and seventy-seven acres, located on the Bloomfield road, to the operation of which he devoted himself for twenty years, with such measure of success that on September 30, 1915, he bought the ranch. He has since added to it until now he is the owner of four hundred and seventy-eight acres of land, much of it under a high state of cultivation and well improved with a fine set of farm attention to dairying, having sixty high grade Guernsey cows. He rents a part of his land on shares to a poultry man, who keeps thousand five hundred hens. He has shown good business judgment and resourcefulness in his business operations and the results have been satisfactory to an eminent degree.
In 1901 Mr. Bianchini was married to Miss Sophia Silacci and they are the parents of four children, namely: Mable, who is now teaching school; Dorothy, Leland and William. Mr. Bianchini is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken the degrees of the Royal Arch chapter, and he gives his political support to the republican party. He is a stockholder in the Co-operative Creamery and in every possible way he has worked hand in hand with his fellow ranchmen for their mutual advantage. He is a man of fine presence and agreeable manners and is held in high esteem by all who come in contact with him.
Charles J. Poppe
History of Sonoma County California, by Toumey
Contributed by Lori WicksCharles J. Poppe, a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families Sonoma county, has engaged in merchandising at Glen Ellen for more than forty years and during this period has also done important work in the field of public service. He was born November 21, 1853, near Shellville, California, a son of Julius A. and Katherine (Bohr) Poppe, the former of a native of Prussia and a latter of Bavaria, Germany, who were married in New Orleans, Louisiana. The father had come to California in 1850 and in that year he opened the first cigar factory in San Francisco, securing a location on the northeast corner of Commercial and Battery streets, and operated business successfully for several years but in 1851 purchased land in Sonoma County. He became the owner of over a thousand acres and later established his home on the ranch, which he operated until 1864. He then established a general store in Sonoma in continued as its proprietary until his death in 1879. He was active in the Grange and generously shared his substance with others, contributing substantially towards the establishment of schools and churches. He was a man of progressive spirit, broad vision and high principles and left impress of his individuality upon every line of activity to which he turned his attention. Further mention as to his activities may be found in his sketch, which appears elsewhere in this work. After her husband's demise Mrs. Poppe conducted the business for several years and then retired. She was born March 25th, 1829, and her mental and physical powers are well-preserved although she has reached the notable age of ninety-six years.
Charles J. Paul B. attended the public schools of Sonoma and for one term wa a student in local Academy. He was reared on the home ranch, on which resided until he reached the age of twenty-one years, and in 1873 entered his father's store, aiding him in the management of the business for ten years. In 1883 the son opened a general store at Glen Ellen, where he has since remained, and as one of the pioneer merchants in this locality he is widely and favorably known. He carries the carefully assorted stock of high-grade merchandise, and a well deserved reputation for enterprise and probity and has brought him a large and constantly growing trade.
In 1883 Mr. Poppe. married Mrs. Carroline Martens, a native of Peru, South America, and a daughter of J. H. Martens, pioneer wine manufacture of Sonoma county and an expert distiller. Five children were born of this union: Amy E. , at home; Edna E. and Charles Alfred, both deceased; Roberta A. , who is engaged in teaching in San Francisco; and Carl J.. , also a resident of that city.
Mr. Poppe is past president and the present secretary of Sonoma Parlor, No. 102, Native Sons of the Golden West, and his fraternal connections are with the Masonic order and the Eastern Star. He is affiliated with the Congressional church and casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party. He was appointed postmaster in 1890 during the harrison administration and filled the office until 1916, making a fine record as a public servant. He was a member of the school board for twenty-six years and during that period many needed improvements were made in educational methods and facilities. Like his father, Mr. Poppe has ever been animated by an unselfish spirit of devotion and the general good and Glen Ellen numbers him among its most valuable and highly respected citizens.
Frank P. Doyle
History of Sonoma County California, by Toumey
Contributed by Lori WicksFrank P. Doyle, president of the Exchange Bank of Santa Rosa and holder of banking interests in other towns in Sonoma county, is also president of Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce and for years has been one of the most active and influential factors in the city's material development and the general interests of his home county, where he has spent his entire life. A native of Sonoma county he has thus been a witness to and a participant in the amazing development that has been brought about here during more that a half century. Mr. Doyle was born in what was then the village of Patella in 1863, son of the late Manville Doyle, founder of the Exchange Bank of Santa Rosa and in his generation one of the most substantial and influential citizens of this section of California. The father was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, a son of Edward Doyle, who was a southerner by birth and was reared in a community which cherished all the best traditions dear to the heart of the true Southerner. Manville Doyle became a resident of Illinois and when a young man, in 1850, came to California as one of that immortal hand of Argonauts that braved the perils of the plains and the mountains to reach a land which held out golden promises to the truly adventurous and brave. For two years he worked in the mines, having there a degree of success that enabled him presently to embark in the business of bringing in good horses and cattle from the East, a business for which there rose a crying need about that time, and which he was carrying on quite successfully when the Civil war broke out. He made his headquarters at Petaluma and became one of the leading pioneers of that place, which was then a larger town than Oakland and was the center of a heavy stage business, many activities incident to the pioneer period centering there. Mr. Doyle was a man of energy and enterprise and the impress of his personality upon that community is manifest to this day. In addition to his extensive live stock business he established a livery stable and stage line and the old timers recall that in all his equipment he prided himself upon having the best of everything then obtainable in California, so that the Doyle enterprises came to be noted for their general excellence of service. He also maintained a stable of race horses and his famous stud did wonders in the way of elevating the standard of horseflesh hereabout, an influence along that line that is persistent to this day. Doyle horses were the best that could be got here. When city government was established at Petaluma Manville Doyle was elected a member of the council and did his part in civic affairs. After his removal to Santa Rosa he also gave efficient public service as a member of the common council of that city.
There is one incident of the pioneer period with relation to Manville Doyle's early residence at Petaluma that for historical purposes ought to be narrated here. Mr. Doyle was one of the promoters of the fund raised for the purchase of the famous old Petaluma "town bell" which was secured not long after the establishment of the settlement and concerning which further mention is made elsewhere in the work. This bell was the pride of the community and was useful in many ways, -in calling town meetings, in giving alarms and in pealing forth the hour each day at noon. When the Civil war came on there was a sharp cleavage of sentiment in the Petaluma country, even as there was in many another settlement in California, and when those townsmen who favored the Union cause began to ring the bell in celebration of Union victories in the field the ire of Southern sympathizers was aroused. They felt that their money was invested in that bell as well as the money of the Northern sympathizers and declared that the bell properly could not be used for partisan celebrations. The Unionists continued so to use it, however, and it was not long until a crisis was reached, the situation being precipitated when William P. Barnes, an uncle of Mrs. Doyle, and some of the stanch followers took the bell down, excising a show of force that was not resisted by the partisans of the other side. The delicate situation in community affairs presently was adjusted by the Unionists raising a sum from which they refunded to Mr. Doyle and his Southern friends the respective amounts they had paid into the bell fund and the old bell was again elevated to its post of honor and thereafter until the close of the war rang out its jubilation when word of Union victories was brought to the community. It is a matter of recollection that a crack presently appeared in the bell, a bit of damage (whether of vandalism or by accident never was effectively established) that put the old bell out of commission. During the height of this community dispute Manville Doyle and some of the others of the more ardent Southern sympathizers were warned to leave the community but they openly armed themselves and continued their residence undisturbed. During this time of stress there also was talk of destroying the plant of the Sonoma Democrat, many of the more ardent Unionist resenting this tone of some of that pioneer newspaper's editorials on the question of the war and Mr. Doyle kept on of his fastest horses constantly saddled in readiness to go to the assistance of the editor should word come of such an attack but cooler counsel prevailed and the newspaper was not affected by physical violence. The disharmony in the community extended to the churches. Mr. Doyle's wife was one of the leading members of the Baptist church. By formal vote the majority faction in this congregation turned out all the democratic members, including Mrs. Doyle, with the exception of Mrs. Barnes, whose son, William P. Barnes, openly and boldly declared that he personally would see that the church was destroyed by fire should his democratic affiliations that was not thus excommunicated. Happily, after the war, harmony was restored and these then distressing incidents were gradually forgotten. For historical perspective with relation to the local felling during that time of national stress, it is well to recall them in definite work of this character.
In 1874 Manville Doyle began his banking career by buying into the Santa Rosa Savings Bank of which institution be thereafter for years was the vice president. In 1880 he led in the movement to create an adequate waterworks system for Petaluma. In 1890, upon the organization of the Exchange Bank of Santa Rosa he was elected president of that institution and thereafter made his home at Santa Rosa, continuing to serve as the bank's executive head until his death on August 21, 1896. He was one of the best known bankers in this section of the state and was succeeded in the presidency of the bank by his son, Frank P. Doyle, who continues to occupy that executive position. The original officers of this bank were: President, Manville Doyle; vice president, Hollis Hitchcock; cashier, Frank P. Doyle, these with Henry E. Lawrence and William Hill, forming the directorate. The bank was organized with an authorized capita; of three hundred thousand dollars, under charter of the state, with one hundred and twenty thousand dollars paid in. Under a ten per cent assessment on the stock this capital later was increased to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and subsequently, by a stock dividend, to two hundred thousand dollars, the present capitalization. The bank has long been recognized as one of the leading financial institutions of this section of the state. The combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of the bank are in excess of four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The Exchange Bank of Santa Rosa was opened in a building bought for that purpose and the business was carried on there for years or until 1923, when expanding business demanded larger quarters. The old county courthouse was then taken over, the historic and substantial old building being remodeled at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars, and the bank is now admirably equipped in these new quarters. Hollis Hitchcodk, the first vice president of this bank died in 1899. He was a pioneer ranchman and also had a bank at Valley Ford. Henry E. Lawrence, one of the original directors of the bank, died in 1912. He was one of the pioneers of Santa Rosa, a well-to-do cattleman, and also was the president of the bank at Tomales.
Frank P. Doyle, present president of the bank has been familiar with the general commercial situation hereabout since the days of his youth, having become familiar with business details under the direction of his father. His first service in this direction was in connection with the operations of the Sonoma County Water Company, with which he was associated for seven years or until his election to the position of cashier of the Exchange Bank of Santa Rosa upon its organization in 1890, continuing thus to serve until his election to the presidency following the death of his father in the summer of 1916. He also is a member of the directorate of the Sebastopol National Bank and of the Savings Bank of Sebastopol. He has ever taken an active and interested part in the general commercial and industrial affairs of the community in which he lives and is now serving as president of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, having been elected to this position for the fourth time, which indicates most clearly his capability, loyalty and forcefulness in the office.
Fred O. Butler, M.D.
History of Sonoma County California, by Toumey
Contributed by Lori WicksDr. Fred O. Butler, a physician of pronounced ability and a man of broad humanitarianism, has served for seven years as superintendent of the state home at Eldridge for the care and training of the feeble minded and his achievements in this connection have been brought him wide spread prominence and strong commendation. He was born January 31, 1879, in Russianville, Indiana, a son of Jared and Susan (Stratton) Butler, the former a agriculturist. The mother is living as still resides in the Hoosier state.
Dr. Butler was graduated from the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery in May 1912 and served for a year as an interne at the Washington Park Hospital of that city. He next became an interne at the state home at Eldridge and at the end of a year was appointed assistant physician. He filled that position until April, 1918, when he was made superintendent, and has since served in that capacity. He ably administers the affairs of the institution and during his tenure of office many improvements have be made. Six cottages have been built for the inmates of the home and two for the use of employes. A new school building and assembly hall have been completed and also a cottage for the assistant physician. A new kitchen and dining room have been added and cold storage and sewage disposal plants have been installed. The commissary department has been enlarged and all electric wiring has been placed under ground. The grounds have been rearranged by an expert landscape gardener and a tract of ten hundred and forty acres has been added, thirty acres being utilized for the orchard. The place now contains thirty-two hundred acres in addition to an industrial farm of six hundred and eighty acres. The institution provides a home for feeble minded and epileptics of all ages and sects and a school for their training. The home has nineteen hundred and fifty inmates and also has five hundred and fifty charges on parole. The institution is taxed it its full capacity and there is now a waiting list of seven hundred. Practically all of the inmates are sterilized before they are placed on probation and in 1918 Dr. Butler started at the parole system. He has created a model institution and his work is based upon a true Christian spirit and an earnest desire to benefit humanity.
On October 29, 1919, Dr. Butler married Miss Tillie F. Frederick, a daughter of Morris Frederick, of Petaluma, and to this union has been born one child, Margaret Adele. The Doctor is connected with the Santa Rosa Lodge of Elks and his political support is given to the republican party. He is a member of the American Association for the Study of Feeble minded and has written a number of monographs on this subject. He is a recognized authority as president of the Sonoma County Medical Society in 1920 and also belongs to the County Medical Society and American Medical Association. Dr. Butler is an ornament to his profession and his life has been on of great usefulness to his fellowmen.
Henry de Klark
History of Sonoma County California, by Toumey
Contributed by Lori WicksAmong the citizens of Sonoma county who are contributing in a definite way to the prosperity of the respective localities, specific mention should be made of Henry de Klark, a prominent business man of Two Rock. Mr. de Klark is a native of Holland, where he was born on the 15th of June, 1881, the son of A. A. and Christine de Klark. After securing a good public school education in his native land, he came to this country in 1901, locating first in Texas, where he remained about two years. He then went to Los Angeles, where he was located of a like period, after which he spent about a year traveling over the state of California. In October, 1905, Mr. de Klark went to Marin county and for a time was employed at day labor. He then went to Tomales and started an egg exchange and during the same period was the local representative for the Cudahy Packing Company, and he still retains the first named position. He is now buying eggs for the Hilmer Company and has built up a large and important business in that line. He possesses marked business ability and is energetic and enterprising in all his transactions.
In 1912 Mr. de Klark was married to Miss Minnie Perry, who was born and reared in Petaluma, the daughter of John and Mary Perry, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Perry was and early merchant of this county and was held in high regard throughout the community. Mr. and Mrs. de Klark have on child, Dorothy. Mr. de Klark is a member of all branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed through the chairs in the subordinate lodge. He is also a member of the Free and Accepted masons, in which he has attained the thirtieth degree of the Sottish Rite. He likewise belongs to the Scoits, politically he is a supporter of the republican party and takes a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare, being a member of the board of school trustees. Because of his success and his friendly manner he has won the admiration and good will of all who know him.
George Sumner Williams
History of Sonoma County, by Tom Gregory
Contributed by Jeff LloydIndicative of the superior advantages of Sonoma county for making a comfortable living as tillers of her soil, and at the same time enjoying congenial surroundings for rearing their families, is the fact that so many of her native-born sons and daughters make this their permanent home. Among this number may be mentioned George S. Williams, a well-known rancher in the vicinity of Forestville. Born in Santa Rosa May 18, 1865, he was one of a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, born to his parents, James M. and Rachel A. (Crowfoot) Williams, natives of Michigan and New York respectively. The father had covered the distance between Michigan and California a number of times before he came here for the last time in 1852, in which year he took up mining. Later years found him engaged in pursuits in which there were more dependable returns, and at the time of the birth of his son George S. was living in Santa Rosa.
With his brothers and sisters George S. Williams was educated in the schools of Santa Rosa, after which he began his self-support by working as a cash-boy in a dry-goods store of that place, and later as clerk. Subsequently he engaged in the candy business in the same city, hut gave this up to engage in ranching, coming at that time to his present ranch in the vicinity of Forestville. Here he has a fine ranch of forty acres, located one mile from town. One-half of his acreage is in grapes, while twelve acres are in peaches and apples, besides which he has an annual yield of about twelve tons of berries.
Mr. Williams’ marriage occurred in 1890 and united him with Miss Jennie Winkler, a native of Green valley, and the daughter of one of the pioneer settlers of this part of Sonoma county. Seven children were born of this marriage, but the eldest, Rachel M., born in 1890, died at the age of two years and three months. Clayton Sumner was born in 1893 and is now attending college at Santa Rosa; Howard O., born in 1896, is at home with his parents, as are also the other children; Arthur L. born in 1898, Alice and Alta (twins) born in 1901, and Georgia, born in 1907.
None of the grandparents of these children are living, Mr. and Mrs. Williams having passed away in 1903 and 1887 respectively, and Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Winkler in 1901 and 1905 respectively. The elder Mr. Williams was a well-known figure in Masonic circles in Sonoma county, being the oldest member of that body in the county, and his son is no less interested in fraternal matters, being a member of Forestville Lodge No. 320, I. O. O. F., and also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. While he is deeply interested in political affairs he is not a partisan, and always casts his vote for the man whose qualifications best fit him for the position in question.
Albert G. Lyon
Contributed by Richard John LyonAlbert G. Lyon was born in Patrick Co., Va, on Feb 8, 1822 and moved to Cass Co., Mo., in 1832, when he was ten with his parents William and Milly Lyon. In fact, all of William's nine children, married or not, were part of the move. Albert married Prudence Patton on July 14, 1842, in Lone Jack, Missouri. Their first child Louisa J. was born in 1843, and in 1846 Albert’s family took the overland route to California. They traveled with John Patton and his family. John Patton is the father of Prudence Patton Lyon. Somewhere along the route Albert and Prudence met up with what became the Donner party, but did not take the Hastings shortcut and arrived safely in late 1846. Albert and family lived during the winter of 1846 near Cache Creek, Yolo Co., CA. Albert in the spring of 1847 bought some land from Manuel Vaca near what is now Vacaville. It appears the transaction was not recorded until 1849.
Sometime in 1848, after a try in the gold fields, Albert moved his family to Sonoma, California, where he purchased a land Grant in April of 1849, at what is now the corner of 4th and East Napa St. In Sonoma Albert and Milly had eight more children, Thomas B., John Patton, Sarah Ann, Mary Elizabeth, Albert J., William H., Lillian A., and Charles R. Albert was a farmer and one of the first vinyardit and oracharist in the Sonoma area. A. G. Lyon is listed in the 1878/79 Sonoma directory as a farmer with 32 acres, and was a member of the Sonoma City Council in 1861-62. He lived in Sonoma till his Death on March 1, 1879. Albert was a successful farmer and grower of grapes which can be seen in the probate of his will, which shows he had increased his property to at least three other lots which Southeast of Sonoma.
In the thirty years Albert lived in Sonoma, he was a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, and the M. E. Methodist South Church. Records in the California state library show Albert buried in the Valley Cemetery in Sonoma, however there is no grave marker. There is a base of a grave marker next to the graves of James Jackson Lyon and Sarah Ann Manion Lyon. I believe this to the grave of Albert G. Lyon. Several other members of the Lyon family moved to Sonoma in the years after the gold rush. They were his brother James Jackson Lyon, Richard Sneed, the husband of Sarah Ann Lyon Sneed, Albert's sister who died in route. Also arriving in Sonoma were two Nephews of Albert G. Lyon, Robert Byron Lyon and John Henry Lyon sons of Albert's brother John Lyon.
Prudence Patton Lyon was still in Sonoma in the 1880 census, even though she purchased a fruit ranch in Vacaville on Jan 6, 1880, which was transferred to her on Apr 22, 1891. Prudence died on Oct 21, 1897 in Vacaville, and her 49 to 50 acre ranch was sold by her probate Executors and sons, William Lyon and Albert J. Lyon to her daughter Mary E. Lyon Lewis of Santa Rosa on June 18, 1901 for the price of $10,000. It appears this was part of the settlement to her children and heirs. Prudence may be buried in Elmira Cemetery in Vacaville, Ca., or in Oakland, Ca. There is conflicting information.
G. T. Pauli
Historical and Descriptive Sketch Book of Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino, by C. A. Menefee
Contributed by Lori WicksBorn in Austria in 1827, and lived in his native country and Hamburg, Germany, till 1848, when he went to Rio Janeiro. From the later place he went to Valparaiso, thence to San Francisco, when he arrived in the Spring of 1849. He immediately went to Sonoma, where he has ever since remained, engaged in merchandising. In 1869 he was elected treasurer of Sonoma County, which position he still holds. He belongs to the association of Pioneers, and is honored and respected by all who know him.
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